*

IFELLI
NLOVEWI
THAMAFI
A*

1
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
haveyoueverwatchedamoviewherethemain
malecharact
erwalksoutofhi
scarandaslow
musicplaysandhismovementsbecomesl
ow
motion.
thenhecloseshiscardoor,locksitandt
henfi
xes
hissui
te.t
henhewal kst othecompanydoor,whi
le
allt
hepeoplearoundhiml ookathim andadmi
re
him,womanl ookathim withlust
.
hekeepswal ki
ngwit
houtgivi
nganyoneat
tent
ion
andjustkeepsastr
aightf
ace.
heisknownast heint
rovert
edcol dbloodedhuman
onearth.yetmanywomandesi r
et obewi t
hhim
becauseofhi sdangerouslooks.looksthatdeceive,
l
ooksthatkillandlooksthatalsomakewomanf eel
theedgetoki dnaphim andrapehi m.
wellt
hismightbeaboutthesamestoryasthe
movie.butthedi
ff
erenceist
hatt
hisisnotamovi
e,
butastory.
her
ewemeetLubanziJuni
orWol
f.j
ustasawi
ld
wol
fisdanger
ous,
soisthi
sman.heisaMAFI
A.
l
etswi
ndbackt
ohowheact
ual
lycameoutoft
he
car
.
Lubanzidr
ovei
nthepar
kingl
otandpar
kedhi
scar
.
hegotout
,cl
osedthecarandl
ockedi
t.t
henhe
wal
kedtothedooroft
hecompany.
heent
ered,
madehi
swayt
other
ecept
ioni
st.
hedidntneedt
otal
k,everyonei
nthecompany
al
readyknewwhatwast obedone.
hel
ookedatt
her
ecept
ioni
st.
Her:Goodmorni
ngSir,
youhave4messages,
i
wroteal
loft
hem her
e.
Lubanzit
ookt
hepapert
hatther
ecept
ioni
stgave
hi
m andheadedt
ohisoff
ice.
t
her
ecept
ioni
stsmi
ledbecauseherhandssl
ight
ly
touchedLubanzi
'
shandasshehandedhi
mthe
paper.
therewerepeoplewai
ti
ngtoent
ertheli
ft
.butas
always,i
fthebosscomes,t
heyknowthatthey
shouldallwai
tforhi
mtoentert
hentheywillent
er
aftert
helif
tcomesback.
youmightsayi
tist
oomuch,
butt
hat
'showhehas
thi
ngsdone.
heent
eredt
hel
if
tandwentupt
ohi
sof
fi
ce.
hegott
her
eandsatdown.
hesi
ghed,
"
sigh"
hethenlookedatt
hepapertherecept
ioni
stgave
hi
m.andr eadthemessages.not
hingoutofthe
or
dinary.
hest
art
edwi
thhi
sjob.
af
terawhi
le,
hegotacal
lonhi
sof
fi
cephone.
hepi
ckedi
tup.
Luu:MrWol
fspeaki
nghowcanihel
pyou?
?
recept
ioni
st:GoodmorningMeWolf
,thej
ournal
ist
from t
heeverydaynewsmagazi
newouldli
keto
placeanappointmentt
omeetyou?
Luu:r
egar
ding?
?
recepti
oni
st:shesaidsomet
hingabout"
young
businessmanont hemove".
Luu:noti
nter
est
ed.
bef
oret
her
ecept
ioni
stsai
danyt
hingLubanzihung
up.
het
hensatbackandt
ookhi
sphone.
hel
ookedupthemagazi
neandj
ustchuckl
edand
j
ustwentoutoft
hesear
ch.
someoneknocked.
Luu:comei
n.
helookedatt
hedoorl
ikehewasscanni
ngt
hedoor
.
i
tturnedoutt
obehisassi
stant
.
Luu:youar
elat
e.
Joe:washel
dupatt
hemeet
ing.
Luu:howdi
ditgo?
?
Joe:wel
l.hesi
gnedof
ftheagr
eement
.
Luu:sowescor
edanot
hercont
ract
??
Joe:am igr
eatoram igr
eat
??
Luu:youranass.
Joe:ouch!
!ist
hatt
he"
thankyou"iget
??
well
,thi
sisJoe, heist
hecloseststr
angertoLuu.i
t
mustbeconf usingwhenicombi necloseand
st
rangertogetherri
ght
?
wellwhatimeanisthat
,ot
herthenLuu'
sfami
ly,
Joe
i
stheclosestt
oLuu.heisevenclosert
oLuut
hen
someofLuu'sfamil
y.
Luui
snotanopenbook,
andhei
sver
ycar
efulon
whotot
rust
.
l
itt
lesecret-Luudoesntt
rustanyone,noteven
famil
y,notevenJoe.asmuchast heyarecloset
o
him,hestil
ldoesntt
rustt
hem.
heisknownofcausebecauseheisaver
yyoung
successf
ulbusi
nessman,butal
soheismany
woman'
sfant
asy,
dream husbandandi
dol
.
ofcausewithsuchki
ll
ingl
ooks.hi
sonlybadpoi
nt,
i
shiscoldness.hei
ssurel
yevencoldert
heni
ce.
t
henwehavesomeoneel
se,
thet
roubl
emaker
.
shehasbeenat
roubl
emakerf
rom pr
imar
ytohi
gh
school
.
l
astyearallhermatr
ict
eacher
swer
erel
ievedt
hat
shehasfinall
ylef
t.
j
ustal
it
tl
eaboutwhatat
roubl
emakershei
s.
asmuchasshei satr
oublemaker,shedoesn'
tjust
star
ttr
ouble,
sheonl
ydoestroubl
ef ort
hosewho
causedtr
oublewi
thher.
l
ikeonetime, ast udenthidherbagatschoolandi t
tookheralmost2per iodslookingforit
.aft
er
knowingwhoi twas.shewai t
edf ort
hepersonat
thegateafterschoolandpul l
edhertot hecor
nerof
theschool.shet henbeatt hegirlupandtookher
bagtothrowi tawayFOREVER.
anot
hertimewhentheteacherswor
eherfornot
complet
inghomework,
shewr otei
nsul
tsbackatt
he
t
eacherontheboar
dduringbr eakandtil
lshel
eft
t
heschool,
itwasneverdiscoveredthati
twasher.
anothert
ime,somegirl
st r
iedtobull
yher,butthey
actual
lygotalessonoftheirl
if
e.shebeatallof
them upandleftoneunconscious.
t
her
earemoreinci
dents,i
fihadtor
eveal
allof
t
hem,iwoul
dneverfi
nishtoday.
shedoesnthaveparents,
shefendsforherown
food.t
hat
'swheresell
ingdrugsstar
ted
afterherpar
ent
spassedaway,
shest
art
edf
endi
ng
forhersel
fbysel
li
ngdrugs
ti
llt
oday,
that
'showshemakesi
touti
nli
feand
getsmoneyforfood.
herpar
entspassedawaywhenshewasi
ngr
ade11.
acci
dent.
sof r
om theresheconti
nuedschoolbecauseoft
he
governmentshelp(grant
)andalsothehelpofa
teachercall
edMr sLi
na.shel
ovedher .
aft
ercompleti
ngmatr
ic,
shemetadrugdealer
.the
dealerpr
oposedaj
obandsheacceptedoutof
desper
ati
on.
shelivesi
nasmallshackwi
tht
hedr
ugdeal
er.
that
'showshel
ives.
t
heli
vesof2soulsi
nonest
ory.iwonderhowt
he
j
our
neywillgo.
takethebuswit
hme, shar
et hei
nvitati
onandget
mor epeopl
etotaket
hisbuswi t
hus.dontworry
aboutwhereiti
sheading,
justenjoytheri
de.
2
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
nmyof f
icef
ini
shingsomewor
kwhenacal
l
camet
hroughmyof f
icephone.
ipi
ckedi
tup.
Me:MrWol
fspeaki
nghal
o.
Her:Goodaf t
ernoonsi
r,t
hejournal
istt
hatcall
ed
yester
daycalledagai
nregardi
ngtheappointment,
i
tr
iedtotel
lherthatyouarenotint
erest
edbutshe
keepscall
ing.
Me:di
recthert
oJoe.
her
:yessi
r.
ihungup.
Joeknowsihatethesethi
ngsandheknowshowt
o
dealwi
thsuchpeople.
i
tisnotthefir
stt
imewedealwi
thsuchst
ubbor
n
j
ournal
ists.
iam knownasonebusinessmanwhohardlyt
akes
int
ervi
ews,iguessij
usthat
espeaki
ngaboutmysel
f
toastrangerort
othecamera.
alr
eadyiam wel lknown,knownasthe"successful
businessman"butsomepeopl eknowmyt r
uef orm.
theyknowt heotherpartofme.sot
hat'swhyihat e
i
nterviews,
idontl i
kepeoplet
ostar
tfeeli
ngli
ket hey
nowhavet herighttotal
ktome.
aft
erawhi
leigotacal
lfr
om Joeonmyper
sonal
phone.
Me:l
etmeguess,youspoket
othej
our
nal
istand
t
oldherwher
etogetoff
?
Joe:yes.butt
her
eissomet
hingel
se.
Me:what
??
Joe:t
hisi
sanot
hercaseofCar
oli
ne.
Me:what
??
Joe:yep.shespeci
fi
cal
lytol
dmet ot
ellyout
hat
youwillmeethernomatterwhat
.
Me:i
sshet
hatdesper
ate?
?
Joe:iguessso.butt
hat
'shal
fyourpr
obl
em.
Me:mypr
obl
em?
?
Joe:rememberwhatyousai
dinyourl
asti
nter
view?
?
"il
ikeawomanwhocanchallengeme,i
tsapit
yi
haven'tmetoneyet
."
Me:wel
lthat
'
snott
het
ypeofchal
lengeiwas
t
alki
ngabout
.
Joe:iknow,butthat
'snothowthesewomantakei
t.
theyjustt
hinkannoyingyoui
schall
engi
ngyou.
me:*si
gh*wasispeaki
nggi
bber
ishordi
dtheyhear
gi
bberi
sh??
Joe:thati
sunknown,butpr
epar
e,wemi
ghtbe
deal
ingwithacrazyf
an.
me:iam notevenani
dol
,howcanihavef
ans?
?
Joe:i
nthi
sworl
d,ifyouar
efamousforanyr
eason
andhandsome,
thenyouareanidol
.
me:rubbi
sh.l
isten,
looki
ntot
hisjour
nal
ist
,tr
yto
getanyt
hingdir
tyicanuseagai
nsther.
Joe:everyonehasskel
etons,
iam sur
ewewi
llf
ind
something.
Me:getoni
t.
Joe:sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoi
nthemeant
ime?
?
Me:avoi
dandi
gnor
eher
.
Joe:right
,imeanthat
'swhatyoudoeverydayt
o
everyone.butyouonl
yignor
e,notavoi
d.
me:wast
hatsupposedt
obef
unny.
Joe:notatal
lMrWol
f.iwi
lldowhati
sexpect
edof
me.
Me:mhm.
ihungupandsatbackonmychai
rrel
easi
ngal
lthat
badairi
nmysystem.
"
ineedt
ogooutf
oradr
ive.
"it
hought
.
yah,
ineededsomef
reshwi
nd.
igotupandwentdown.
iwentt
omycarandwentforadr
ive.ijustdeci
ded
tot
akealongt
urnar
ound,
petr
oli
snoi ssue.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwentbackt
ot heshackbecauset
hespacecakes
andweedstackswerefini
shed.
iwalkedintheyar
dandfoundBri
ckswi
thoneofhi
s
gir
lf
riendsbusyki
ssi
ng.t
heyst
oppedwhenthey
sawmecomei n.
Br
icks:BOI
!!
Me:ohhhhsor
ry,
ishoul
d'veknocked.
Br
icks:al
readydone?
Me:yes,
cost
umer
swer
emanyt
oday.
Br
icks:wel
l,
yourshi
fthasn'
tfi
nished,
getsome
morepacksandgoselli
tout.
me:yessi
r.whataboutt
hespacecakes,
shoul
di
makemore??
Bri
cks:iwanttospendt
imewi
thmywi
fe,
iwantyou
outasinyester
day.
Me:goti
t.
iquickl
ywentt
owherehekeepsot
herpacksand
tooksomeandwentout.
Me:again,sor
ryf
ordist
urbing.andohhmysi
ster,
mybrotherherer
eal
lylovesyou.keephol
dofhim.
ismi
ledast
hel
adyal
sosmi
led.
yah,
that
'
smyl
ineever
ydayt
oal
most10woman.
iwentoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
.
Bri
ckschangesgi rlsal
ltheti
me,hepl
aysitsaf
e,i
sayt hatbecausefor1yearand3monthsnow, he
sti
llhasn'tgot
tencaught.t
hat'
showlongihave
beenwi thhim.
iam notdati
ngBricksandneverdid.heseesme
li
kehisli
tt
lebrot
herhencewhyhecal lsmeBoiasa
halvenameofBoi t
umelo.iknow,Boiisf
orboys.
andthat'
sexactl
ywhyBr i
ckscall
smeBoi ,he
doesntseemeasawoman,
butasoneofhi
sboys.
..
iheadtomycornerandal
readyt
hereweresome
peopl
elooki
ngatmeandcomi ngtobuy.
asal
wayswegowi
tht
hesecr
ethandshake.
hetookoutt
hemoney,placedi
tinhishandsashe
cametomeandipreparedthestuf
f.
f
ir
stishoothim wi
thmyrighthandt
ogetthe
moneythenweshoulderhuggedandiputthepack
i
nhiswaist.
ismil
edandwepr etendedtohavesome"
wher
e
haveyoubeen"conversat
ion.
het
henl
eft
.
t
hat
'showwt
ransf
er.
ti
mepassedandasil
ookedatmyr
ight
,isawa
poli
cevan.
iwasntevenscar
ed,
iguessigotusedt
oit
.
t
hepol
icevanst
oppedandt
heybot
hcamet
ome.
il
ookedatt
hem.
Pol
ice1:goodday,
howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam good.howar
eyou?
?
Poli
ce1:wearedoi nggoodt oo.wer eceivednews
thatt
herearedealersinthisarea,
seei ngthatyou
arealovel
ylady,wedeci dedtostopher eandask
you,mabyeyoumi ghthavevaluableinformati
onfor
us.
myheartstartedtoskipbecauseinallt
heti
mei
wassell
ing,ihaveneverbeeninterr
ogatedf
orweed
sel
li
ng.itr
iedt oactnormal
.
Me:unf
ort
unatel
yoffi
cer,
yougotaper
sonwho
knowsnot
hingaboutthat
.
Pol
ice1:r
eal
ly?
?
inodded.
Pol
ice1:whydoif
eell
ikeyouar
elyi
ngt
othe
of
fi
cersofthel
aw??
Me:iwoul
dneverdot
hat
.
Pol
ice1:r
eal
ly?
?thencanwesear
chyou?
ishotmyeyesopenandl
ookedatt
hem.nowiwas
i
nbigtroubl
e.f
ir
stl
yihadsomestacksofcashon
me,howdoievenexplai
nthat
??andsecondly,
i
dontknowhowmanybankiesihavelef
t.
Me:searchme??whywoul
dyouwantt
osear
ch
me??dididosomethi
ngwr
ong??
Poli
ce1:wej
ustwanttomakesur
ethatwear
enot
fool
edbythedeal
erhersel
f.
Me:me?
?adeal
er?
?that
'ssof
unny.
Pol
ice1:canwe??oryouwouldl
iket
oenterthevan
andspendsomedaysi npr
isonf
ornotcooperat
ing
wit
hthepolice?
?
iswal
lowedandr
aisedmyhand.
att
hatmomentScarwaspassi
ngbyandsawwhat
washappeni
ng.notonl
yhi
m butot
hergent
saswel
l
.
t
heycamet
omyr
escue.
Scarpret
endedtopasssomet hi
ngsecret
lyto
someone.iusedthatoppor
tunit
ytodist
ractt
he
pol
ice.
il
ookedatScarast
houghiwasanal
yzi
nghim.t
he
qui
etpol
icel
ookedatwher
eiwaslooki
ngandsaw
t
heact
ivi
tyt
hatScarwasdoi
ng.
asthetal
kat
ivepoli
cewascomingtosear
chme,
thequi
etonetappedhi
m andpoint
edtoscar
.
Pol
ice2:hai
,st
opr
ightt
her
e.
astheyheadedtoScarandt hepersonScarwas
passingsomethi
ngto,Tzaniwalkedtowhereiwas
andpassedbehindmeasipassedt heremai
ning
bankstohim andthecash.hethenwalkedtothe
otherstr
eet
.
Scarwasbei
ngi
nter
rogat
ed.
t
hepol
icet
hent
ookScarandt
heguyt
owher
eiwas.
Poli
ce1:ohhhif
eell
uckytoday.2deal
ersanda
buyer.t
hat'
samazi
ng.rai
seyourhandsup.
weal
lrai
sedourhands.
t
hepol
icesear
chedusanddi
dntf
indanyt
hing.
youcouldseet
heirdi
sappoint
ment
sont
hei
rfaces.
weallkeptast
rai
ghtface.
Pol
ice1:wasthi
satr
ick?
?huh?
?didyoupurposel
y
pr
etendtopasssomethi
ngt
othisguyt
ofoolus
awayfr
om hersot
hatshecangetr
idoft
hest
uff
??
huh?
?
Me:Officer
,idi
dntsayanything.yourdearqui
et
Offi
ceroverher
eistheonet hatassumedt hi
ngs
andmadeyougoaf t
erthese2f ell
as.idi
dntsay
anythi
ng.
helookedatusangr
il
y.youcoul
dseehi
s
fr
ustrat
ions.
Pol
ice1:youmaybeluckyt
oday,
butiwi
llmake
sur
enextt i
meigetyou.
ismi
ledatt
hepol
iceashewentt
oent
erhi
scar
.
it
henmadeanoksi gnwi
thmyhandandt
hequiet
pol
iceof
fi
cerl
ookedatmyhand.het
henl
ookedat
meandiwinked.
theangeronhi
sf acewastoomuch.itsur
ewas
evenmor et
hentheangeronthet
alkati
vepol
ice
man.
t
heydr
oveawayandit
hankedmyguysf
orhel
ping.
wethenwal
kedtoget
hertolookforTzani
.wefound
hi
m wayupthestr
eet
s.thi
sloyalguyofmineeven
soldfewmor eforme.ilovemyguys.l
oyal
tyher
eis
tough,cantbebroken.
wegott
ohi
m.
Tzani
:di
ditgowel
l?
?
Me:yah.t
hanksagai
nforhel
pingguys.ir
eal
ly
appr
eciat
eit
.
Tzani
:nowor
ri
esBoi
ty,
wegotyourback.
me:iknow.igotyour
stoo.
weal
lsmi
led.
Me:hai
,howaboutwesmoket
his1bankyf
orour
l
uckyday??
Scar
:wontBr
icksgetangr
y??
Me:iwi
llputi
tonme.dontwor
ry.
Scar
:awesome.
ihidthecashi ntheprivatear ea(whenyouar ehigh,
anythingmi ghthappen,ratherbesaf e)thenitook
theleftoverbankyandwest artedcutti
ngitand
rol
li
ngi taswemadeourwayt oMf ana'
shouse(the
guyScarpr etendedtohandsomet hingto)
wegott
her
eandst
art
edsmoki
ngasweli
stenedt
o
musi
c.wewoul
dal
sosmokesomeokapi
pe.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwaschil
li
nginmycarparkednearapar
kasiwas
looki
ngatki
dsplaywi
ththeirpar
ent
s.
iwasremindedmymother
.howshewouldt
ake
careofme,cookf
ormeandalwayst
ellmet
obea
bigboy.
t
hosewerethememori
esiwasget
ti
ngasiwat
ched
t
hesmallki
dsplayi
ngwi
tht
hei
rmother
s.
aft
erawhil
eofchil
l
ingt
her
e,ideci
dedt
odr
iveback
tothecompany.
igott
othecompany,
par
kedmycarandgotout
.
asiwasl
ocki
ngmycar ,
aladycameoutofnowher
e
andi
mmediat
elyshowedupinfr
ontofme.
Her
:Luu,
please,
ibeg,
itsj
ustonei
nter
view.
Me:howdar
eyoucal
lmebymyname?
?
Her
:iam sor
ry,
imeantMrWol
f.
ohhh,sothisi
stheannoyi
ngjour
nalistt
hatj
ust
doesnttakenoasananswer.wel
l,sheiscute,
ili
ke
howshechaseswhatshewant s,butsheisusing
thetechni
queonawr ongper
son.
Me:soyouarethej
ournal
istt
hatkeepscal
li
ng
aboutget
ti
nganappoi
ntmentregardi
ngan
i
ntervi
ewforamagazi
ne??
Her
:ohhmywor
d,your
emember
.
Me:ir
ememberbecauseyoukeeponi
nsi
sti
ng.
Her:yes,
itsme.so,wil
lyoupleaseshi
ftmei
n??i
t
wil
lonlytake5minutesofyourtime.
Me:no,nowplease,
leavemypr
emi
sesbef
oreiget
youarr
ested.
it
riedwalkingawaybutt
hisl
adyputherhandson
me.shel i
teral
lyhel
dmyarmsandpushedme
againstmycar .
asshedidt
hat
,il
osti
t.ipushedherawayandshe
fel
lont
hefl
oor
.
igavehert
hedeadl
ook.secur
it
ycamer
ushi
ngt
o
me.
Secur
it
y:i
sever
ythi
ngowksi
r??
Me:gett
hisjour
nal
istawayfrom her
e.andnever
al
lowherint
omypremi sesagai
n.
Secur
it
y:yessi
r.
t
heyt
ookheraway.
ifi
xedmysui
tandwalkedi
nmycompanyand
headedt
omyoffi
ce.
iwassopi
ssed.
igottomyOffi
ceandki ckedthechai
r.itr
ied
breat
hingandbreat
hingbutitwasntgoingwell
.
it
hrewever
ythi
ngt
hatwasont
het
abl
eont
hef
loor
.
Me:ahhhhhhhhh
it
ri
edbr
eat
hingagai
n.
j
ustatt
hatmoment
,someoneknockedonmydoor
.
idi
dntr
espond.
t
heper
sonopenedt
hedoorandi
twasJoe.
Me:di
disayyoucancomei
n??
Joe:huh.
.sor
ryMrWol
f,i
tsj
ustt
hatt
hisi
sur
gent
.
Me:HAVEIBECOMESOFTFORPEOPLETOTHINK
THEYCANJUSTDOANYTHINGTOME? ?HUH?
?
Joedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
it
ri
edget
ti
ngmysel
ftoget
her
.
Me:t
ellme,
whatissoimportantt
hatyouhadto
comeinmyoff
iceeventhoughididntt
ellyout
o
comein?
Joe:huh.
.Boss.
.it
s..i
tst
heMonde'
s.
Me:whataboutt
hem?
?
Joe:wehaverecei
vedrepor
tthatt
heyhaven'
tbeen
payi
ngthei
rdebtsfor4monthsnow.
Me:what
??
Joe:yes.
Me:andionl
yhearthi
snow??whywasntit
oldt
he
f
ir
stmonththeydi
dntpay?
?
Joe:ial
soonlyknewt oday.t
hepersonwhodi r
ectl
y
deal
swi t
hthei
rpaymentsai dhefeltpi
tyf
orthem
becausetheyhadrecentl
ylostt
heirdaught
er.
Me:l
ostt
hei
rdaught
er?
?ioncel
ostmymot
her
,but
t
hatdi
dntpul
lmebackdi
dit
??
Joekeptsi
lent
.
Me:t
akemet
otheMonde'
s.
Joe:yesboss.
wewal
kedout
.
wegoti
nthecarandl
eft
.
afterawhil
ewegottot
heMonde'
s.i
tsabi
gst
ore
thatwetradewi
th.
iwal
ked.
Me:Joe,
cal
lourmen.
Joe:yesboss.
Joecal
ledt
hemenandiwentt
othest
orekeeper
.
Him:goodaf
ter
noon,
woul
dyoul
ikemet
ohel
p
you??
me:cal
ltheowneroft
hisst
ore.
Hi
m:andwhoar
eyousi
r??
Me:cal
ltheowneroft
hisst
oreandt
ellhi
mthatMr
Wolfi
slooki
ngforhi
m.
heseemedt
onotunder
standwhatiwassayi
ng.
ishowedhi
m myGun.
Me:t
ellhi
mi fmymenar
ri
veher
ebef
orehi
m,iwi
ll
r
uinhi
sstore.
het
henst
art
edt
ocal
lashewasshaki
ng.
ikeptmyeyesonhi
mthewhol
eti
me.
af
tert
hecal
lhehungup.
Hi
m:hewi
llbeher
esoon.
Me:wast
hathar
d??
heshookhi
shear
dsof
ast
.
istoodt
her
enott
aki
ngmyeyesof
fhi
m.andt
hat
seemedtomakehi
m ner
vous.
af
terawhi
leourmancame.
il
ookedatt
hem andl
ookedatt
hest
orekeeper
.
Me:t
oughl
uck.
it
henl
ookedatmymen.
Me:dest
royeveryt
hing.andimeaneveryt
hing.i
fi
f
indanyproductst
il
linagoodcondit
ion,iwil
lki
ll
you.
t
heyal
lagr
eedandst
art
eddest
royi
ngever
ythi
ng.
iwentt
otheownerandhuggedhi
m.
Me:l
etswat
chamovie.il
iketheendi
ng,
becauseat
t
heendsomeoneget
sinjured.
hel
ookedatmewi
thf
ear
.
t
heydest
royedever
ythi
ng.
aft
erdest
royi
ngever
ythi
ngt
heyevenbr
oket
he
doorsandthewi
ndows.
it
henwal
kedt
omymen.
Me:beathi
m up,
butdontki
llhi
m.
t
heyagr
eed.
Me:after,t
ellhimtot el
ltheownerthatwewi llnot
suppl
yt hem withthegoodsandt hesecuri
ty.our
rel
ati
onshipi sbroken,butist
il
lwantmy4mont h
paymentbynextweek.orel se,peopl
ewi l
ldie.
Men:yessi
r.
t
heywent
.
Me:Joe!
Joe:Boss!
!
Me:cal
lal
lthedir
ectpaymentcol
lect
orst
omeet
meatthewarehouse.
Joe:yesBoss.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Joegetstothewarehouseandasweent ert
he
warehouse,
somehaveal r
eadyarr
ivedandother
s
areyett
oarrive.
isi
tonmychai
r,Joest
andsr
ightnextt
ome.
il
ookatal
loft
hem
"t
hepersonwhomademecal
lthi
smeet
ingi
snot
yether
e,soiwi
llwai
t"
*
*20mi
nut
esl
ater
**
thi
spi
eceofrubbishgotmewai
ti
ngf
or20mi
nut
es?
?
hesur
elydoesntknowme.
Joe:huh,
sir
,Cognedoesntseem t
obecomi
ng,
shouldweproceed?
?
Me:no,
iwi
llwai
t.
isai
dthi
swi
thasmi
le.
Joelookeddown.betheknowswhat
saboutt
o
happen.
het
akesouthi
sphone.
Me:dontbot
herJoe.j
ustl
ethi
mtakehi
sti
me.
helookedatmeandicoul
dseethroughhi
s
expressi
onst
hathedef
ini
tel
yknowswhatist
o
happen.
isatonmychai rgoi
ngroundandr oundwait
ingf
or
thi
sguy.aft
er35mi nut
es,hearr
ived,al
ready
makingexcuses.
Hi
m:sor
rysi
r,iam.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
*BANG!
!*
*
t
hatwast
hesoundofagun.st
rai
ghtf
rom mygun.
Joeandal
ltheot
herguysl
ookedatmewi
thbi
g
eyes.
Me:nowwecanpr
oceed.
theydi
dntsayanyt
hing,
theyj
ustl
ookedatmewi
th
shockandfear
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twasnowver yl
ateatni
ght,andiheadedbackt
o
t
heshack.iwashigh,
buttheweedwasst ar
ti
ngto
wearof
f.
iwasnowver
yhungr
y.
igotint
heshackandfoundBri
ckssi
tt
ingdownon
hisbedsmoki
ngcigar
ettes.
Me:Br
aBr
icks.
..iam hungr
y.
Hi
m:Boi
,wher
edoyoucomef
rom?
?
Me:ohh,iwasatMf
ana'
sshack.wewer
esmoki
ng
ourheadsout
.
Hi
m:ihopeyouwer
enotsmoki
ngmyst
ock.
me:iki
ndoft
ook1f
rom yourst
ock.
Hi
m:Boi
!!
Me:r
elax,
rel
ax.
.youcant
akei
toutofmypay.
Him:whatpay?haveyouf orgot
tenthatidontpay
you??fort
hefactt
hatiletyousleephereandalso
feedyouispaymentenough.
Me:owk,owk,iwi
llwor
k2t
imesmor
etoear
njust
f
orthatone.
Him:youbet
ter
.sowasi
ttheonl
ybankyyou
smoked??
Me:yah.t
hest
ocksol
doutqui
ckl
y,pl
usTzanial
so
hel
pedmesell
.
Hi
m:ihopehei
snotexpect
ingpaymentf
rom me.
Me:no,
bysmoki
ngwi
thhi
m het
ooki
taspayment
.
Hi
m:aahhhh,
ihear
dthepol
iceal
mostcaughtyou.
Me:that
'sli
tt
lewater
,imanagedt
ocutfr
ee.of
causewithTzani
,MfanaandScar
'shel
p.
Hi
m:youhavet
ochangepost
s.
Me:no!i
fichangeposts,thenthepoli
cewillbe
af
termebecauseiwoul d'
veprovedthem r
ight.but
i
fistayt
here,
theywil
lletmego.imeanadeal er
wil
lnotstayatthesamepostevenaf
tert
hepol
ice
suspecthim,r
ight?
?
Him:wel
litdoesmakessense,
buti
fyouar
ecaught
,
dontment
ionmyname.
me:andwhywoul
dit
akeoutyourname?
?doil
ook
l
ikeasni
tch?
?
Him:al
lthem sayt
hatatt
hebegi
nni
ng,
butendup
bei
ngsnitches.
Me:whatever.idonthavet
imef
oryournonsense
t
alk,
iwantfood.
Him:(
chuckl
es)youar
eonepi
eceofr
ubbi
shyou
know.
Me:iknow.noneedt
okeeponr
emi
ndi
ngme.
Hi
m:iam gl
adyouar
eawar
e.
il
ethi
m beandjustl
ookedinthef
ri
dgef
orf
ood.i
sawalunchboxwit
hfood.it
ookit
.
Hi
m:hai
,that
'smyl
unchbox.
Me:comeon, weal
lknowoneofyourgi
rl
swil
lbe
comingr
ightnowtogiveyoudi
nnert
oeatand
di
nnerto"
eat
".sopl
easej
ustshutupandmi
ndyour
busi
ness.
Hi
m:heeee,di
dyousmoketoomuchtothepoi
nt
t
hatyoucantr
ecogni
zewhoyouaret
alki
ngto?
?
iwentt
ohi
m andbentdowntof
acehi
m.myf
ace
wasnowcl
osetohisface.
Me:icansmoke100r ol
lsofweedbutiwillal
ways
knowwhoiam tal
kingto.andrightnowiam tal
king
tothehi
ghandmightyBricks.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hej
ustl
ookedatme.
ithenwentbackandsmi
rkedandwentt
oheatup
thefood.
Hi
m:huh.
.yah.
.what
ever
.
aft
erheat
ingt
hef
ood.someoneknockedont
he
door.
Me:mustbeoneofyour"
wives"
.
iwenttoopenandi
ndeedi
twast
hem.it
henl
ocked
thedoor.
Her
:hayBoi
.
Me:sur
esur
emyl
ady.
shebl
ushed.
Her
:hao,Boi
,howcanyoueatandnotpr
epar
efood
f
orBri
cks??
Me:heisnotmyhusband,
plusiam hi
ghand
hungr
yheisn'
t.
Br
ickschuckl
ed.
Her:mxm,youareabadl i
tt
lebr
other(al
lhergi
rl
s
knowthatasmuchasiam agi rl
,br
ickstakesme
asaboy.sotheyallt
hinkiam l
esbi
an.)anyway
Bri
cks,ibr
oughtyoudinner
.
Me:whydi
dntyoubr
ingf
orme?
?
Her
:iam notyourwi
fe.
Me:t
ouche.whatabadsi
steri
nlaw.
isatdowneat
ingasthisgir
lal
soat
ewi
thBr
icks
andtheyhadsmall
talks.
af
tereat
ingiwasnowf
eel
ingsl
eepy.
it
ookt
hel
unchboxt
othesi
nkandr
insedi
t.
theniwenttomybed( onthecouch)andt ri
ed
sleepi
ng.butasiwascat chingmysleep,they
start
edgetti
ngloud.theywer enowkissi
ng,giggl
ing
andmaki ngsounds,especiall
ythegi
rl.
shet
henst
art
edmoani
ngandt
hatwasnow
messi
ngwi
thmysl
eep.
it
henputonmyearphonesandsl
eptwi
thasof
t
musi
cplayi
ng,
innoti
meiwasasleep.
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
iam ontopofthi
sgi
rl
,mi
ndyouidontevenknow
whichofthenamesi
nmyheadishername.
asiwasbusyonher ,ikeptworr
yingaboutBoi
.i
keptrepl
ayi
ngthemomentwhensheputherf ace
closetomine.t
hatmomentwhenigotner vousand
myhear tr
acedasifiwasscared.
.
*
*moment
slat
er*
*
t
hesessi
onwasoverandnowwewer
elayi
ngon
t
hebed.
Me:iam headi
ngt
ogetwat
er,
doyouwant
??
Her
:yespl
ease.
Me:owkbabe.
igotoutofbedandwentt
ogetwat
er.
t
heshackisdi
videdin2rooms.t
hebedr
oom and
t
heki
tchenandlivi
ngroom t
oget
heri
noner
oom.
t
hebedr
oom isonl
ydi
videdoutoft
heot
herr
ooms
wit
hacurt
ain.
atnighticl
osewit
hthecurtai
nifoneofmygi r
lsar
e
here,buti
ftheyar
enothere,idontcl
ose,
ijust
sl
eepwi tht
hecurtai
nsopen.
soigottot hef
ri
dgeandtookoutthebott
leofwat
er,
aft
erilookedatBoiandsawhersleepi
ngwith
earphoneson,wit
houtablanket
.
ismi
ledandwentt
omybedr
oom.
Me:her
e,iwi
llbeback,
iam t
aki
ngabl
ankett
oBoi
.
her
:shedi
dnthaveabl
anket
??
Me:no,
shesaysshedi
dntwantt
odi
stur
bus.
Her
:ihopewewer
en'
tloudf
orher
.
Me:idoubtsheheardanyt
hingbecauseshewas
l
ist
eningtomusic.
Her
:ohhat
least
.
me:iwi
llbebackowk?
?
Her
:owk.
iki
ssedheront
hef
oreheadandt
ookabl
ankett
o
putonBoi.
it
hentookoutherear
phonesandswit
chedt
he
musi
conandchar gedthephonef
orher.
it
hengent
lybr
ushedherhai
r.
me:iam sor
rywewer eloudthatyouhadtoeven
sl
eepwit
hear phoneson.sweetdreams.
ismi
ledandst
oodupgoi
ngbackt
omyr
oom.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:meet
ingadjourned,getr
idoft
hisbody,
make
sur
eitwi
llneverbefound,cl
eanupthemessand
gor
est
.
Them:yesboss.
Me:Joe,
let
sgo.Thami
,ibel
ieveyouwi
llmakesur
e
notr
acesandnot
hingi
sleft
.
Thami
:yesboss,
iwi
llnotdi
sappoi
ntyou.
Me:good.
wel
eft
.
Joe:shoul
ditakeyout
othecompanysot
hatyou
gofetchyourcar
??
Me:no,
takemehome.
Joe:yesboss.
hedr
ovemehomewi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d.
Me:aboutthej
our
nal
ist
,anyt
hingishoul
dknow
abouther
??
Joe:ihaven'
trecei
vedthei
nfor
mat
ionyet
,ourI
T
groupisworki
ngoni t
.
Me:bet
termakei
tqui
ck,
icantwai
tforhert
oat
tack
meagain.
Joe:yessi
r.
wegothomeandigotoutt
hecar
.
Me:f
etchmet
omor
rowmor
ning.dontbel
ate.
Joe:yesboss.
it
urnedandgoti
nmyhouse.
igott
otheki
tchen,
gotsomewat
eranddr
ank.
t
henwentt
omyr
oom andgotchanged.
"
ahhhhhwhataday"
[
12/
24,
12:
44] :3
.
*
*2weeksl
ater*
*
*
*Jour
nal
ist
s**
Me:f
riend,
ihavebeent
ryi
ngtogeti
nsi
ncet
hel
ast
t
imetheykickedmeout
,icant
.
Her
:thenkeeponcal
li
ng.
Me:how?
?t herecepti
onistr
efusest
otr
ansf
ermet
o
hi
m,shesimplyjustblocksme.
Her
:ar
eyousur
eyoudi
dal
lthatit
oldyout
odo?
?
Me:yes,
wit
hnomi
stake.
Her:buti
nsteadofbei
ngat
tr
act
edt
oyou,
hej
ust
gotyoukickedout
??
Me:mhm.
.
Her:*
sigh*t
hismeanshemi
ghtbepl
ayi
nghar
dto
get
.
Me:huh?
?
Her:imeanthinkofi
t.thisguyhardl
yspeakst o
woman, hehardl
yentertai
nswoman, somabyehe
doesntknowhowt o.somabyeyoudi dcat chhis
att
enti
on,butnowhei sstruggl
ingtoreactbecause
hedoesntknowhowt or eact.
Me:youar
eri
ght
.
Her
:ofcauseiam.andonet hingiknowaboutcold
men,theyneverfal
linl
ovewi t
hwomani nt
heir
l
eague.theyalwaysfal
linlovewit
hinnocentgi
rls
whoseem tonothaveani nter
estinthem.
Me:huh?
?
Her:t
hel aststepi
stopret
endl i
keyoudontwant
hi
m, pretendli
keheisnotyourtype,t
hatwayhewil
l
beafraidtoloseyouandwillact.
me:andchaseaf
terme.
Her
:yep.
Me:ohhyouaresuchagr
eatfr
iend.iknewimadea
gooddeci
sionbycomi
ngtoyou.
Her
:iam t
hel
ovedoct
or.
me:butyouar
est
il
lsi
ngl
e.
Her:notbecauseicantgetaboyf
ri
end,
onl
y
becauseidontwantone.
Me:r
ight
.
wel
aughed.
Hi,mynameisTumiandiam ajournal
istatthe
youthmagazi
ne.iam st
il
laj
uni
or,ij
uststart
edthi
s
job6monthsago.
ihavedonesomear
ti
clesandallt
hat
,butt
his
int
ervi
ewwouldbemybiggesthi
tinmycareer
.
t
her
easoniwant
edt
otaket
hischal
lengewasnot
becauseineededthebi
gpickupi nmycar eer
,but
becausewhenisawMrWol f'
spictur
esont he
i
nternet,
iimmediat
elyf
elli
nlovewi t
hhim.soi
personal
lymadeitmytasktoactuallygetan
i
ntervi
ewwi t
hhim.
that
'swhyikeept
ryi
ngt
omakeencount
erswi
th
him.
andal
readyiknowmynextst
ep.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupear
lyandt
oldmyselft
hatsi
ncei
tsmy
fr
eeday,
iwil
lgoandspendsometimewit
hthe
guys.
iwasmakingsomebr
eadwhenBr
ickscameback
fr
om wher
eeverhewent
.
Hi
m:dontt
ellmeyouj
ustwokeup?
me:t
hat
'st
rue.
Hi
m:haibo,
iwokeupear
lytogodomyroundsso
t
hatyoucanbat
handfi
nish,
wenayousl
eptti
llt
his
t
ime??
me:hai
,todayismyf r
eeday,ihaveever
yri
ghtt
o
wakeupwhat evert
imethatsui
tesme.
Him:hahahaha,
hai.anyway,
iam sor
ryt
ocramp
yourf
reedaybutineedyoutodosomethingf
orme.
Me:nop.
Hi
m:what
??
Me:iwil
lnotdoanydut
iesonmyf r
eeday,
iwi
llgo
andhavefunwit
hScarandtheguys.
Hi
m:iwi
llpayyoucash.
Me:huh?
?
Hi
m:R200.
Me:youar
enotki
ddi
ngmer
ight
??
Hi
m:nopiam not
.
ist
art
edt
hinki
ngaboutthethi
ngsicoul
ddowi
tha
R200not
e.damn,iam down.
Me:iam down.whatdut
yisi
t??sel
li
ngmor
e
packs?
?
Hi
m:no,
ineedyout
odel
ivert
hepacks.
Me:wher
e??
Hi
m:i
ntownnextt
obr
eef
lat
s.
me:i
tsi
nthef
lat
s??
Him:yes.t
hisi
sthestr
eetnameandf
loornumber
aswellasther
oom number.
Me:ahhh,easypeasy,iknowthest
reet
.ij
usthave
t
olookforthefl
atthentheresti
seasy.
Him:iwoul
dsendsomeoneel
sebutyout
heonl
y
oneitr
ust.
me:t
rustmeiwi
lldoacl
eanj
ob
Hi
m:iknowyouwi
ll
.
it
ookt
hepaper
.
me:mayyoupl
easel
eaveagai
n,ihavet
obat
h.
Hi
m:owk.iwi
llgogetussomebunnychows.
me:ohhhhi
sthi
smyl
uckydayorwhat
??
Hi
m:it
hinki
tis.
hel
aughedashel
eft
.iwassohappy.
iputt
heket
tl
eonandwentt
ogetmybat
hst
uffi
n
mybag.
dontl
augh,butiwearmenjockeys.iknowi
shoul
dn'
t,butsi
nceili
vewit
haman, ihadt
obea
manorelse,thi
ngswouldhappen.
soifeelmorecomf ort
ablehavingmenj ockeysas
myunder wearthenhavingal adi
esunderwear
becausewheni tcomest ohangingitaf
terbathing,
i
tdoesntlookawkwar d.plusital
sosell
st heidea
thatiam r
eall
ylesbiantoallBri
ck'
s"wives".
well
,igetmybathingstuff
.everythi
ngiuseisfor
men.iguesstheonlythingdif
ferent
iat
ingmef rom
menismypr ivat
eareaandmychestar ea.because
evenmyclothingaremencl ot
hing.
dontgetmewr ong,whenmypar ent
swereal
ive,i
usedt obethegi
rl
,iworeski
rt
s,short
sanddressed,
i
tsonlywhenistart
edlivi
ngwithBri
ckst
hatihadto
adjusttobei
ngaman.ialsoneverkeepmyhair
l
ong.
whatabout"thatt
imeofthemonth?"well
,it
rybyal
l
meanst okeepitasecr
et.imostl
yaskthewoman
nextdoortosweepheryardjustf
orhertobuyme
pads.shenevergivesmemoney, butshejustbuys
them f
orme.t heniuseherbat
hroom tochangeand
throwthem away.
accordingt oher,Br
icksandmear esibli
ngsandour
parentspassedawaysoiam uncomf ortablehaving
toaskt hesethingsfrom him andalsoactl ikeagirl
aroundhi m.that'
showshef eelspit
yforme.she
tr
iedtot ellmethaticanuseherr oom t ohangmy
undergar mentsandpr ivat
estuffbutitoldhert hati
usement hingssoBr ickswontevenl i
tt
let hinkof
measawoman.
wel
libat
handgotf
ini
shed.
t
heni
changedandhangedmyt
hingsappr
opr
iat
ely.
af
teral
ongwhi
le,
Bri
ckscameback.
heknocked.iwentt
oopenandhecamei
nsi
de.
Br
icks:done?
?
Me:mhm,
nowiam hungr
y.
Br
icks:her
e,i
tsst
il
lhot
.
Me:il
ikei
thot
.cantieati
twhi
legoi
ng?
?
Br
icks:no,
youwontenj
oyitt
hatway.besi
des,
you
st
il
lhaveti
me.youhavetobether
eat3pm.
Me:ohowk.iseeyouevenboughtadr
ink.
Br
icks:mhm.
Me:di
dyoubuyi
tordi
doneofyour"
wives"buy
t
hem??
Br
icks:hahahaha,
iboughtt
hem.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Br
icks:yah.kant
iwhy?
?
Me:hainex.
isatdownasiunwr
appedmybunny.
br
icksgotusgl
assesandpour
edussomedr
ink.
iat
eanddr
ankandwasf
il
ledwi
thdel
ici
ousness.
Me:ahhhhhh!!
!!
!15dayst
ogoandiwi
llbeeat
ing
l
iket
hisagain.
Br
icks:youcaneatl
iket
hisever
yweek.
Me:hahahah,
asi
f.
Br
icks:iam ser
ious.
Me:what
ever
,letmego,
ihat
ebei
ngl
ate,
ili
ke
keepi
ngmywor d.
Br
icks:hahaha,
that
'swhyil
ikeyou.
Me:yessi
r!
!
il
aughed.
Me:wher
eist
hest
uff
??
Br
icks:i
nthatbag.
iwentt
othebag.
Me:owk.
it
ookt
hebagandheadedout
.
Br
icks:becar
eful
.
Me:sur
eboss.
br
icks:cal
lmewhenyouar
eint
roubl
e,owk?
Me:ar
eyoudyi
ng?
?
Br
icks:what
??
Me:t
heonlyti
meyouspeaksosoftwithme,i
s
whenyouareworri
edaboutsomet
hingorwhen
somet
hingi
swr ong.
Hi
m:iam f
ine,
justgo.
inoddedandheadedout
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmyoff
icebusywi
thmyj
obwhensomeone
knockedonmydoor.
Me:comei
n.
Joecamei
nandcl
osedt
hedoor
.hecamet
osi
t
down.
Joe:sor
ryt
odi
stur
bsi
r,wehaveapr
obl
em.
Me:whati
sit
??
Joe:t
hej
our
nal
ist
.
me:whatdi
dshedot
hist
ime?
?
Joe:sheisatthegat
e,shei
sscreamingand
screamingnonstopsayi
ngthatshewil
lnotl
eave
untilyouagr
eetoanint
ervi
ew.
Me:t
henl
etherst
ayt
her
eandmakenoi
se.
Joe:wear
ehavi
ngamaj
ormeet
ingt
odaywi
thMr
Lui
z.youknowhowhei
s.
Me:damn.cantwef
orcef
ull
yremoveher
??
Joe:nosi
r.
Me:*
sigh*seemsl
i
keihavet
odealwi
tht
hismysel
f.
ist
oodupandwal
kedoutheadi
ngout
sidet
oour
exi
tgat
e.
Joef
oll
owedme.
iwenttowheret
hegirlwas.indeedshewasmaki
ng
noi
se,icoul
dhearherfrom t
hecompanyentr
ydoor.
iwal
kedt
othegat
eandshesawme.
igott
oherandl
ookedather
.
Her
:iknewyouwoul
dfi
nal
lycome.
Me:doyoudesper
atel
ywantt
hisi
nter
view?
?
shel
ookedatme.
her:thi
sint
erviewwillbeabreakingpointf
ormein
thejournal
ism worl
d.witht
hisinter
viewalone,
my
art
iclewouldbef r
ontpageandicoul dgetarai
se.
nowanyonewoul ddoanythi
ngf orar ai
se.
il
ookedatJoet
henbackather
.
Me:alri
ght
.comeher enextweekFr i
dayat09:30
andyouwillgetanint
ervi
ew.betternotbelate
becauseyouwillonl
yget20mi nutestoint
ervi
ew
me,nowgo.
wit
hthatsai
dit
urnedbackandwentbackt
othe
company.
Her:aahhh,
thankyouMrWol
f,ipr
omi
seiwontbe
l
ate.
ikeptwal
king.
Joef
oll
owedme.
Joe:boss,
areyousur
e??
Me:dontworr
y, iknowwhatiam doi
ng.doyousti
ll
havet
heinfoitoldyoutoputsaf
eofthejour
nal
ist
??
Joe:yesboss.
Me:handitt
omebef
oret
heendoft
oday,
iwantt
o
l
ookitup.
Joe:o.
.k
wer
etur
nedbackt
othecompany.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
igottothefl
atandnowiwasmaki
ngmywayupt
o
the12thfl
oor.
asiar
ri
vedt
her
e,il
ookedf
orr
oom 112.
asiar
ri
vedt
othatr
oom,
iknocked.
thedooropenedanditwasabigguysmoki
ngweed.
hedidntevenhaveashir
ton.
il
ookedathi
m asmyhear
tracedal
it
tl
e.
Hi
m:Boi
??
inodded.
heshowedmei
nandient
ered.
asient
eredisaw3ot hergi
rl
sjammi ngtosome
musicand2otherguysaswel l
.igr
eetedand
l
ookedatthebigguy.
hecamet
ome.
heshowedhi
shandasheaskedf
ort
hebag.
il
ookedathi
mfear
lessl
y.butdontbef
ool
ed,
my
f
earwasona100.
Me:notsof
ast
,wher
eist
hecash?
?
hesmi
ledatme.
Him:hahahaha,nowiseewhatBri
cksmeantwhen
hesaidyouarenopushover.ni
ce.atl
eastyouar
e
notj
ustsmallfornot
hing.
hewentt
ogetthemoney.il
ookedati
tandsat
downcount
ingi
t.t
henaft
ercount
ingi
tihanded
hi
mthebag.
Me:ni
cedoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thyou.
Hi
m:sameher
e.
weshookhands
Him:t
ellBr
ickswewi
lldobusi
nessagai
nsomet
ime,
iam i
mpressed.
Me:wi
lldo.iai
mtopl
ease.
hesmi
led.
j
ustasiwasabouttoheadout
,someguyski
cked
hi
sdoorandenter
edinhisr
oom.
thegi
rl
sintheroom scr
eamedandt heguysiwas
witht
ookoutthei
rgunsandt heot
herguyswhojust
camealsot
ookouttheirguns.
t
heywerenowpoi
nti
ngateachot
herasihi
dwi
th
t
heothergi
rl
s.
bef
oreanyonecoul
dal
terawor
d,shot
sfi
red.
wehi
dbehi
ndthecardboar
dandmyhear
twas
r
aci
ngasiwasfaci
ngdeath.
theyshotoneoftheguysiwaswi
th,
buthewasnt
dead,hewasjustinj
ured.
oneofthegi
rls,whichiassumewashi
sgi r
lf
ri
end
st
oodupt oruntohi m,ist
oodupt
opullherdown
butiwasshotinstead.
"
Bang!
!"
[
12/
24,
12:
44] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
t
her
ewasnothi
ngtheguyswoul
ddo, i
ftheyt
ook
metot
hehospi
tal
,theywoul
dbequesti
onedand
t
hat'
snotwhatt
heywant
ed,
sot
heyf
ledandnever
l
ookedback.
meanwhi
leihadt
omakeapl
an.
ihadthemoneyonme,sogoingoutinj
uredwi
thso
muchmoneyonmei sanissue,ihadnochoi
cebut
tocal
lBri
cks.
ical
ledhi
m.
Br
icks:t
ellmeyouonyourwayback.
Me:br
icks,
iam i
njur
ed.
Br
icks:what
??
Me:t
her
ewasashootouther
e,andigotshot
.
Br
icks:damn,
areyouowk?
?
Me:nodamni
t.woul
dical
lyoui
fiwasok?
?
Br
icks:sor
ry,
wher
ear
eyou?
?
Me:st
il
latt
hebui
ldi
ng.
Br
icks:t
hepol
icemi ghtbeonthei
rwayast
her
e
wasashootout,isuggestyoumove.
i
mmedi
atel
yihear
dthesi
ren
Me:t
ool
ate,
iheart
hepol
icesi
ren.
Br
icks:moveawayf
ast
.
Me:idontthinkiwil
lmakei
t .imightgetcaught
.
l
ist
eniwi l
lhidethemoneyi
nt herubbi
shbinonthe
11thfl
oor.the12thfl
oorwi
llbef l
oodedwithpol
ice.
getthebagt her
e.
Bri
cks:Boi
,whatareyouthi
nki
ng?
?dontdo
anyt
hingst
upid,iam onmyway.
Me:dontwor
ryaboutme,j
ustdoasisayorri
sk
havi
ngmelockedup.anddontcal
lmeunti
lical
l
you.
ihungup.
it
hendel
etedal
lcal
lhi
stor
yandswi
tchedmy
phoneof
f.
it
henpushedmyselftothe11thfl
oorandhidt
he
bagintherubbi
shbi
nasialreadysai
d.thenonthe
stai
rsil
aidther
easigaveup.
icoul
dheart
hef
oot
stepsofpeopl
erunni
ng,
coul
d
bethem.
ast
heygotupir
eal
izedi
twasntt
hem,
butt
heysaw
meandcar r
iedmedownast heycall
edambulance.
astheygotdownt hepol
icehelpedandaskedmei f
iwasowk,ididntgivear
esponse.
myeyeswerestart
ingt
ofai
lme.t
heacti
vit
ies
happeni
ngaroundmebecamefai
ntandinnotimei
bl
ackedout
.
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
aft
erhangingupthecall
,idi
dntknowwhatt
odo.
whethertogother
eandcheckonherorwaitti
llshe
cal
ls.iwasgoingcrazy.
iwant
edt
ocal
lherbutherwor
dsmademenotcal
l
her
.
iwasr
eal
lygoi
ngcr
azy.
isatdownandbr
eat
hedi
nandout
.
.
*
*Jour
nal
ist(
Tumi
)**
iwassoexci
tedt
hatMrWolfhadagr
eedtothe
int
ervi
ewnowiwasworki
ngonquesti
onstoask
hi
m duri
ngtheint
ervi
ew.soimadeaquest
ionon
myfri
endsInst
agram si
nceshehadsomefol
lower
s
onwhichquest
ionswouldtheyl
ovet
oaskMrWol f
.
Me:soNal
edi
,whatki
ndofquest
ionsdi
dyouget
??
Her:well90%oft hequesti
onsarebasedonhi
slove
l
if
e,8%i sinter
estedinhischi
ldhoodand2%is
i
nterest
edi nhisbusi
nesslif
e.
Me:wow,yourfol
lower
sshoul
drel
axbecausehei
s
aboutt
obetaken.
Her
:wel
l,
hei
sn'
tasyet
.
Me:hewi
llbesoon.
her
:owk.
Me:owk,r
eadmet hequesti
ons,iwi
llchooset
he
mosti
mportantonceandtheoncethatwont
embarr
assme.
her:owk.fi
rstcomment."
youar
easuccessful
youngbusinessman,youhaveconquer
edthat
,so
whyar eyoustil
lsi
ngl
e??"
Me:soundsowk.
Her
:"doesr
acemat
ter
?"
Me:idoubti
tdoes.
Her
:"doyouhaveasoci
all
if
e?"
me:ouuu,that
'sagoodone,pl
ushenevertal
ks
aboutpar
ti
esandhavingfun.al
lhet
alksabouti
s
busi
ness.
Her
:hahahahaha,
seemsyouknowt
oomuchofhi
m.
Me:ofcausehei
smyf
utur
ehusband.
Her:hahahaha,owkletscar
ryon."whatmoti
vat
ed
youintogoingintobusi
nessmanagementand
owningabusi ness?"
Me:ouuut
hat
'sdef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngi
n.
Her:"younevert
alkaboutyourchi
ldhood,
wher
e
ar
eyourparents?"
Me:that
'sagoodone.hehar
dlyspeaksabouthi
s
par
ents.
Her:"
doyouhaveanysi
bli
ngst
hatar
ehandsome
l
ikeyou?
"
Me:iwi
llomi
tthe"
handsome"par
t.
Her:hahahaha,
"doyoudoa1ni
ghtst
and?ican
vol
unteer.
"
Me:t
hat
'sst
rai
ghtupsel
li
ngyour
sel
f.
Her
:iguessanyonecandoanyt
hingt
obewi
thMr
Wol
f.evenforoneni
ght.
Me:yourf
oll
ower
sar
ethi
rst
y.
Her
:hahahaha,
aren'
tyou?
?
Me:mxm.idontwantt
ohearanymoreofyour
f
oll
ower
squesti
onsorelsemybrai
nswil
lbl
owoff
.
Her
:hahaha.
Me:imighthavetowatchsomeinter
viewsonl
ine
sothatihaveabri
efonhowt oaskquesti
onsand
whattypeofquest
ionstoask.
Her
:youhave1weekgi
rl
,usei
twi
sel
y.
Me:ofcause.ihavet
o.
iwentonYouTubet osearchfori
nter
viewsand
watchedacoupleint
erviewsbasedont het
opi
cof
businessandent
repreneurshi
p.
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupt
othesoundt
hatwent"
Peep!
!Peep!
!
Peep!
!"
asigotup,
ireal
izediwasi
nhospi
tal
.
isatupandsi
ghed.
it
henreachedformyphonet
hatwasont
het
abl
e
andcal
ledBri
cks.
heanswer
edver
yqui
ckl
y.
Hi
m:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:iam f
ine.igotadmi
tt
edi
nthehospi
tal
.
Hi
m:*br
eathedheavil
yout
*thankgoodness,i
al
mostt
houghtthatyouweredeadorarr
ested.
Me:mypl
anwor
kedoutwel
l.
Him:ial
mostruinedbycomi
ngthere.butihadto
t
rustyoubecauseiknewyouwouldnotsayt hat
wit
houtareason,soihel
dmysel
f.
Me:yah,
wel
ldi
dyousendsomeonet
ogett
hebag?
?
Him:yah,ihadtheguyshur r
yther
e.thebaghad
yourfi
ngerpri
nts,i
fthepol
icehadfoundit
,you
wouldbear r
ested.
me:t
hankyoubr
abr
icks.
Hi
m:noneed,
wear
eoner
emember
.
Me:yah.
Hi
m:sohowar
eyounow?
?
Me:j
ustmypai
nfular
m.
Hi
m:youwi
llbeal
ri
ght
.iwi
llbet
her
eri
ghtnow.
Me:noneed.
Hi
m:t
ool
ate,
iam al
readyi
nat
axi
.
Me:*
sigh*
Hi
m:di
dyoueat
?ar
eyouhungr
y??
Me:mhm.wi
llyoubuymef
ood?
?
Hi
m:ofcause.butnobunni
es.youneedheal
thy
f
ood.
Me:hail
eaveke.
Hi
m:hahahaha.bye
Me:shap.
ihungupandpout
edal
oneasil
ookedatmyar
m.
me:mxm.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
ij
ustar
ri
vedatt
hemeet
uppoi
nt.undert
hebr
idge.
iwaswai
ti
ngf
oroneofourguys.
hecameshor
tl
yaf
teriar
ri
ved.
Hi
m:boss
il
ookedathi
m andwentt
ohi
m.
henoddedandireachedoutmyhand,
showi
ngt
hat
heshoul
dhandittome.
hehandedmet
hebagandiopenedt
hebag.
ilookedatt
hedi
amonds.il
ookedcar
eful
lyand
lookedathi
m.
Me:i
fifindoutt
hatit
sfake,
bet
terrunasf
arasyou
canbecauseiwil
lfi
ndyouandkil
lyou.
He:iassur
eyouboss,
itsr
ealst
uff
,it
est
edt
hem.
me:owk,
youmaygonow.
henoddedandl
eft
.iwentbacki
ntomycar
.
idr
ovet
omyhousest
rai
ght
.
asigothomeiwentst
rai
ghtt
omybedr
oom and
wenti
ntomycloset
.
inmycl osetihadasecr etundercl
oset.ihi
dthe
switchverywell.iopeneditandthestair
sappeared.
ithenwalkeddownt hestai
rsandthat'
swer eal
lmy
guns,diamondsanddeal er
sbelong.
iplacedt
hediamondsundert
het
estandi
ndeed
theywerereal
.
ismi
ledandt
ookoutmycal
l.
ical
ledMrRonal
do
Hi
m:MrWol
f.
Me:MrRonaldo,
ihavegoodnewsforyou.your
or
deri
sready,weareabl
etoshi
pitassoonasyou
wanti
t.
Hi
m:amazing,iwasaboutt
ocal
ltoask.iwi
llsend
t
heful
ldet
ail
s,butasal
waysiwantyouherein
per
son.
Me:iwi
llbet
her
etodel
iver
.
Hi
m:ihar
dlyt
rustanybody,
that
'swhyil
ikedeal
ing
wi
tht
hebiggunsonly.
me:iunder
standyouf
ull
y.t
rusti
snotsomet
hingt
o
begivent
oanyone.
Hi
m:exact
lyMrWol
f.iguessiwi
llseeyousoon.
Me:seeyousoonMrRonal
do.
ihungupandsmi
led.
it
henpackedt
hediamondswi t
htheothersand
wentuptomyclosetandcl
osedthesecretunder
cl
oset.
it
henwentbackoutandheadedt
omycompany.
[
12/
24,
12:
44] :4
.
WARNI
NG16+
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Jour
nal
ist
**
t
odayi
sDday.
iwokeupearl
ysot
haticanhaveal
otoft
imet
o
ful
lypr
epar
emysel
f.
iputonmyfavori
teminidr
ess,
mymat chingheels
andanicej
acketovermyshoulder
s.ialsost yl
ed
myhairanddi
dmybestseductivebutpr ofessi
onal
makeup.
aft
eriwasdone,itookagoodl ookatt
hemir
rorand
damn,thegir
lint
hemi r
rorwashot .MrWol
fwould
begayifthi
slookdoesnttr
iggerhim.
ismi
ledandgavemysel
fawi
nk.per
fect
.
i
twaswasnowgoi ngto09:00,ir
atherl
eavenow
andbeearlythengethi
m angryaboutbeingl
ate
thathedoesntevennot
icemylook.
ismi
ledandtookmyfi
les.it
hencal
ledf
orat
axi
andheadedt
ohiscompany.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmyof f
icefi
nali
zingsomedocument sand
checki
ngthebusinessfi
nancialposi
ti
onsasidid
somecalcul
ati
ons.
sofarsogood.ihaveact uall
ymanagedt opass
50%ofourpr ofi
tsthenlastyearinjustafew
months.imaginebyt heendoft heyear.iam soon
tobeli
stedtherichestmani nthewor l
d.
isi
gnedof
fthel
astdocument
sandsatbacki
nmy
chai
r.
myphonemadeanalar
m andicheckedi
tout
.
"
Int
ervi
ewat09:
30"
.
it
henr
emember
edaboutt
hei
nter
view.ical
ledJoe.
heanswer
edal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.
Hi
m:Boss!
Me:comet
omyof
fi
ce.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
ihungup.
aft
erf
ewminut
esJoeknockedonmydoorandi
tol
dhi
mtocomein.
hewal
kedi
n.
Me:si
t.
hesatdownandl
ookedatme.
Me:t
heinter
viewisin30mi
nut
es,
ineedyout
o
pr
eparet
heboar dr
oom.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
Me:good.youmayl
eavenow.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
hest
oodupandl
eft
.
isi
ghed.
.
*
*moment
slat
er*
*
thet
imewasnow09:
25andiwasi
nfor
medt
hat
shehadar
ri
ved.
if
ixedmysel
fandheadeddown.
igott
otheboar
droom andf
oundJoeatt
hedoor
.
Me:idontneeddi
stur
banceunl
essi
tissuper
ur
gent.
Him:yessi
r.huh,
sir
,woul
dyoul
ikemet
ogoi
nwi
th
you??
Me:noi
tsowk,
iwi
llgoi
nal
one.
Hi
m:owksi
r.
inoddedandwal
kedi
ntheboar
droom.
i
mmedi atel
yasiwal kedi
ntheboar
droom iwas
al
readyconvincedthatiwasi
nforalong20
minutesofmyl i
fe.
sheshoul
dhavesai
dthi
swasa" t
ryt
oseducethe
handsomeCEOduri
nganint
ervi
ew"t
ypeofan
i
ntervi
ew.
icl
earedmyt hroatandwentt
osi tonmychai r(top
chai
ront hetable)shewasseatedont helastchai
r
ontherightr
ow( ri
ghtsi
deofthet abl
e)nexttome.
il
ookedather,
howshewasdr essed,
howshewas
seat
edandofcausehowshewoul dconst
ant
ly
moveherlegstor
evealhert
highs.
Me:ihopeyouar
ewel
landcomf
ort
abl
e??
Her
:huh,
yesLuu,
imeanMrWol
f.
Me:al
ri
ght
.maywebegi
n?
Her:huhyes,
iam sorr
y,iam j
ustner
voussoidont
knowwher et
ostart
.
Me:whydontyoust
artbyi
ntr
oduci
ngyour
sel
f?
Her:huhyes.(
clear
sthroat
)MynameisTumiPhi
ri
,
iam anewjournali
sti
nyouthmagazi
ne.
Me:owkMsPhi
ri
.
Her
:yes,
iwi
llst
artaski
ngt
hequest
ions.
Me:pl
easedo.
Her:(
clear
sthroat
)huh,
youareonly26year
sold,
andalr
eadyholdsuchasuccessf
ulbusi
ness,what
wastheprocessofachi
evi
ngsuchahugesuccess??
Me:deter
mi nat
ion,mot
ivat
ion,
focus,
pat
ience,
keepi
ngstrong,suppor
tandpassion.
Her:oh,doyouhaveanyadvi
ceyouwoul
dliketo
advicet
heyouththatal
sowantt
obesuccessful
l
ikeyouoneday??
Me:allicansayi
sthat,
theyshoul
dn'tl
osehope,
achi
evementsli
kethi
scomewi thhugefai
li
ng
bef
oreitbecomesasuccess,soyoumustbe
pat
ient
.nomat terhowmuchyoufail
,youshoul
dn'
t
gi
veup.takeitas"ever
yfai
lisast
eptosuccess"
.
Her:oh,youseem tohaveeverythi
ngworki
ngout,
yetyouhardlyspeakaboutyourchil
dhoodoryour
parent
s?isthereanyspeci
ficreason??
il
ookeddownandl
ookedather
.
Me:t
hisshoul
dbeaboutmeandmysuccess,
not
mychil
dhoodandf
amily.
Her:iam aski
ngbecauseyousai dmotivat
ionand
supportgotyoutowher eyouare,t
hatshouldmean
yourparentsreal
lysupport
edyouandmot ivat
ed
you.
Me:l
iket
hesayi
nggoes,
"behi
ndever
ysuccessf
ul
manther
eisawoman"
Her:doesthatmeanyourmot
herwast
heone
support
ingyou?
Me:yes,myparentspl
ayedahuger
oleinmy
successandt
hat'showfari
wil
lbespeaki
ngabout
myf amil
y.
Her:iam sor
ryforopeni
ngoldwounds,iam sur
e
theyarehappyandsmi l
ingatyouwher
eeverthey
are.
ij
ustl
ookeddownandt
henl
ookedatmywat
ch.
Her:(cl
ear
sthr
oat)wit
hsomuchsuccessandyour
careerl
ooki
nggreat
,shoul
dweexpectamarr
iage
announcementsoon??
ichuckl
edandl
ookedather
.
Me:ifidomeettheonet
hatcapt
uresmyhear
t,iwi
ll
sur
elymakeitknown.
Her:youoncesaidthatyouarelooki
ngforawoman
thatcanchall
engeyou,yetyouneverexpl
ained
evenfurt
her.canyou?
Me:ifidid,thenmanywomanwoul dfor
cef
ull
ytr
y
toi
nterviewmeby" chal
lengi
ngme"whichit
akeit
asannoyi ngme.andt hentheywoul
dwear
mischievousout f
it
stotameme, whichf
ormeis
pureprostit
ution.
shestar
tedt
ofeeluncomf
ort
abl
easshest
art
ed
pul
li
nghershor
tdressdown.
Me:noneedpull
ingi tdown,
itsaminidr
essi
ts
meanttobeshor
t .plusyouworei
tknowingt
hati
ts
shor
t,sowhypul
li tdown??
shedidntsayanyt
hing.atthatmomentmy
seducti
vesidest
art
edt otakeover,asi
det
hati
havebeenavoidi
ngtoshowf oryear
s.
ilookedatmywat
chandt
her
ewasabout5mi
nut
es
left
.
Me:t
her
eisabout5mi
nut
esl
eft
.anyquest
ionsl
eft
?
sheshookherheadembarrassedandkeptl
ooki
ng
downandtryi
ngtositr
ight
.
iwenttoherandsatont
het
abl
e,iswi
tchedof
fthe
recor
der.
it
henpulledherf
acet
owar
dsmyf
aceandl
ookedi
n
hereyes.
Me:ifiwastobeattr
act
edt oawoman, i
twouldbe
awomanwhowoul dchall
engemewi t
houteven
knowingthatshei
schal
lengingme,nowthattur
ns
meon.whatyouwer edoingwasnotchall
enging
me,butitwasannoyi
ngme, that
'swhyiagr
eedto
t
hisi
nter
view,
togetyouof
fmyback.
shedidntsayanyt
hingbutkepthereyesl
ooki
ng
str
aighti
ntomine.
Me:wear
ingl
ikethi
stoani nter
view,i
tonlygives
meoneoftwoimpressions.eit
heryouarecraving
myski
nonyour soryourskinonmi ne.whichoneis
i
t??
shest
art
edbr
eat
hingheavierandcr
ossedherl
egs
assheal
sogr
abbedherdress.
ichuckl
edast
hatal
sobr
oughtchi
ll
sinmybody.
iplacedmyot herhandonherthighandshelooked
downt oherthighsbutipul
ledherfaceupt
omy
facequickl
y.
Me:iam overher
edar
li
ng.
shel
ookedatmewi
thl
ust
.icoul
dtel
lal
lshe
want
edwasme.
il
eanedinasthoughiwasheadingt
okissherneck,
butiwasreachi
ngforherear
stowhisper
somethi
ng.
Me:iaskedyou,
whi
choneoft
he2opt
ionsi
sit
??
asshedi
dntanswer
,imovedmyhandsupperasi
mademywayunderherdress.t
henist
oppedt
her
e.
Me:i
st hi
swhatyouhopedwouldhappen??i
sthi
s
whatyouhadinmind??i
sthatwhyyoudressedl
ike
t
his?
?
shel
etoutsomemoansbutsamet
imet
ryi
ngt
o
hol
dhersel
fback.
imovedmyhandal
it
tl
ebi
tmor
eandshegr
abbed
myshoul
der
.
Me:t
ellmewhatyouwant
.
sheletoutsomewor
dsbutt
heywer
euncl
earas
theycameoutwit
hsomemoans.
Me:iam wai
ti
ng.
Her
:i.
..
.i.
..
want
..
.iwantyou.
..
Me:butiam her
e.
Her
:no.
..i
..iwantyou.
.
ichuckl
edandsmi rked.it
henmovedbackand
lookedatheragai
n.
Me:youar
eawoman,
youshoul
dn'
tdegr
ade
yourselfsol
ow.respectyour
self
.asmuchasilove
awomant hatchal
lengesme,ial
soloveawoman
thatrespect
sherselfandl
oveshersel
f.owk!
shewaskindofconf
usedandembar
rassed,
she
noddedsl
owly.
it
hencheckedmywat
chandi
twasal
readypassed
20minut
es.
Me:i
twasapleasur
etohavethisint
ervi
ewwi
thyou.
t
akecar
e,ihopeyougetyouri
ncrease.
il
eft
.
.
*
*jour
nal
ist
**
iwassi
tt
ingont
hechai
rasiwast
ort
uredbyt
his
man.
hi
m comi ngtositinfrontofmeonthetableand
bei
ngsocl osetomyf acewastor
tureenough,now
healsosaidsomever ydanger
ouswordsandr an
hi
shandsonmyt highs..
.nowial
readyfeell
ikei
j
ustsleptwithhi
m.
af
terhel
eftil
etoutmybr
eat
hthatihavebeen
keepi
ngf
orawhi
lenow.
ical
meddownandaf
terisl
ight
lyf
eltmywoman
andshewasver
ywet
.
"howcanaman'
swor
dsmakesuchdamage?
"
ibr
eat
hedandaf
terafewminut
esist
oodupand
mademywayoutthecompany.
ihadtoputt
hatsmil
easifnothi
nghappened.how
wil
lievenr
ecoverf
rom t
his?
?
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
"
breat
hout
"
ihat
edoingt
hat,
buti
tfeel
sgr
eatt
ohaveawoman
undermymercy.
i
ttookmywholeguttostopmef
rom doi
ng
anyt
hingi
nappr
opri
ate.
isatback,t
ookmybot t
leofwaterandgul
peddown
somewat er.iwast
ryi
ngtocalm mysel
fdown.
youmustbeaski
ngyoursel
fwhatwaswrongwit
h
me,wel
lwhatyoujustwi
tnessedi
smyseduct
ive
si
de,
andt hat
'spar
toft
her
easonwhyionl
ykeep
menclosetomeandnotwoman,andwhyirat
her
besi
ngle.
idiscoveredthi
ssideofmewheniwasi nHi gh
schoolgr ade11.ihavealwaysbeenadistantki
d
andj ustwantedtobealone,butbei
nghandsome, i
hadgi rl
sgivemel ooksandactveryst
rangely
towar dsme.
sooneday,
wehadadr
essupatschool
.
.
*
*fl
ashback*
*
*
*year
sago*
*
ihadaskedmyEngl i
shteachertopleaseletme
sl
eepinclassbecauseiwasntfeel
ingwell.wel
lit
wasntbecauseiwasntfeeli
ngwell
,butijustdi
dnt
wanttobearoundotherlear
ners.
iwoul
dhavest
ayedhomet
hatday,
butihadt
oal
so
submi
tmyassi
gnmentont
hatday.
sohereiwashavi
ngt
ofakebeingsi
ckj
ustsoiam
l
eftt
osleepal
oneint
heclassr
oom.
aboutfewmoment slat
er,
agrade10l
ear
nercame
toourclassandcametome.seemsshewasalso
partofthegi
rl
sthathadacrushonme
shecomestomeandasksi
fiwasowk,
inodand
l
etherbe.
shekeepsbotheringmebyaski
ngmewhyiam not
chil
li
ngwithotherlear
ner
sandi
fiwassi
ckandi
f
yes,dontiwanttogohome.
soisatupanlookedather
.shehadonashor
ts
andacroptop.pl
usshehadanicebody.
shenot
icedmescanni
ngherf
rom t
opt
obot
tom.
iquickl
yreal
izedwhatiwasdoi
ngandl
ookedt
he
otherway.
shehel
dmyhand.
Her
:it
sowk,
asl
ongasi
tsyou,
idontmi
nd.
ipul
ledmyhandawayandst
ayedl
ooki
ngaway.
shepul
ledmeupasiwaslayi
ngmyheadont
he
tabl
eandpul
ledmyf
acetofaceher
s.
Her
:ial
waysl
ikedyou.f
rom whenist
art
ed
at
tendi
ngschoolher
e.it
hinkyouar
ever
ycut
e.
shesmiledatmeandatt
hatmomentmyseduct
ive
si
dejusttookover
.
asiwaslooki
ngather
,ipushedherhandawayand
hel
dherneck.
Me:ifyouwer
ethati
nter
est
edi
nme,
whydi
dntyou
t
ellme??
Her:iwast
oldthatyouneverspeakt
ogir
lsandt
hat
youarecol
d,that
'swhyidecidedtof
ir
str
eadyou
fr
om adist
ant.
Me:doyoual
waysbel
ievewhatpeopl
esay?
?
Her
:itseemedt
rue.
Me:hereiam t
alki
ngt
oyou.howi
sal
lthoset
hings
t
rue??
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
istoodupandsatont
het
abl
eassher
emai
nedon
thechai
r.
samet
hingidi
dtot
hej
our
nal
ist
.
it
hent
ouchedhert
highsgent
lyr
ubbedt
hem.
Me:so,
doyoust
il
lthi
nkiam handsome?
?
sheanswer
edassheal
sot
ri
edt
obr
eat
h.
Her
:y.
..
yes.
it
henmovedmyhandupandupandwasnow
cl
oset
ohervli
ne.
Me:doyoust
il
lli
keme?
?
shenoddedasshel
etoutsomebr
eat
h.
sheopenedherlegsmorewi
derandmyhand
touchedherpr
ivat
eareawhi
leshest
il
lhadher
shortson.
Me:idi
dnthearyou.
shequi
ckl
ynodded.
Her
:yes.i
..
.ist
il
lli
keyou.
ithengrabbedherpr
ivat
ear
eawhil
eshest
il
lhada
shortsonandshemovedalit
tl
eandmoaned.
Me:woul
dyoul
iket
obemygi
rl
fr
iend?
shebr
eat
hedandmoaned.
Her
:yesdaddy.
.yes.
.
it
hengrabbedherpr
ivat
ear
eaagai
nandshe
moanedagain.
it
henmovedbackandl
ookedather
.
shel
ookedatmewi t
hlustfi
ll
edi
nhereyes,
iwas
al
solust
ful
.butiwoul
dn'tdar
easkhert
odoi ther
e.
Me:youdeser
vebet
ter
,notanani
mall
ikeme.
wit
ht hosewor
dsiwentoutoft
hecl
asst
ogot
o
cooloffatt
heboyst
oil
et.
*
*Endoff
lashback*
*
.
haveihadgi
rl
fr
iends?
?ofcauseihad.
wi
thoutcount
inghi
ghschoolgi
rl
fr
iends,
ihad2.
thefi
rstonewasver yinnocentandshowedt hat
shewasi nexperi
enced.weslepttogetheryes,
but
shejustcouldntstandmebecauseshewoul d
alwaysgetnewst hatididsomethingtoanother
woman, soinhereyesiwasapl ayer
.
samewi t
hthesecondone.sheal
waysassumedi
am cheat
ingonher,andwhenshecaughtmei
nthe
carwi
thagi
rlf
rom var
sit
y,shel
eftme.
nonoft hem asked,nonofthem triedt ounder stand
whyi wasact i
nglikethat
.inevercheat edont hem, i
neversleptwithanothergir
lwhileihadagi rlf
r i
end,
Never!buttheyalwaysassumeidi d.anot hert hi
ng
thatt
heycoul dntstandwashowcol diwasar ound
them aswell,iknowishouldn'tbe, butthat'
sj ust
whoiam.ihavenevermetawomanwhodar edt o
chall
engeme, al
lwerejustobedientt owhat everi
said.
whenmyseduct i
vesidecomesal i
ve,i
tisasifiam
everybody'
sASMRboyf ri
end,ij
ustwhisperdir
ty
talkandtouchyourthigh,t
henleaveyouthere.
that'
showf ari
talwaysgoes.ihaveneveractuall
y
wentt othepoi
ntofmaki nglovewhil
emyseduct ive
sideison.
themoreilookint
oit
,it
sli
ketheonl
ythingmy
seduct
ivesidedoesi
steaseyou.t
hat'
sit.
ihavenevertol
danyoneaboutt
his.notanyone.
onlyiknow.andmealone.
l
aterimademywayt
othecamer
aroom andhad
thatpar
toft
hefootagedel
eted.idontwant
anythi
ngcomingbackatme.
it
ri
edmyal
ltohi
det
hissi
deofme.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihavebeenreleasedforadaynowandBri
ckshave
beenreall
ytakingcar
eofme.notonl
yhim butt
he
otherguysaswel l
.
iwassitt
ingonthecouchwhenBr
ickscamei
nwi
th
aplast
icoffood.
Me:ouuuuuu,whobl
essedyou?
?Manana?
?
Pal
esa??or?
Hi
m:haisuka,
iboughtt
hesef
oodwi
thmyown
money.
Me:ohhhhhr
eal
ly?
?ididntknowst
ingymancan
becomesoki
ndwitht
heirmoney.
Him:doyouwantf
ood?
?orshoul
dij
ustt
hrowi
t
away?
me:hai
,dontwast
efood.pl
usiam hungr
y.
Hi
m:t
hat
'
swhyiboughtt
hef
oodmoss.
het ookoutt
hepapandst
eakt
hatheboughtatt
he
takeawayshopandgavet
omealsohandi
nga
spoont ome.
ist
art
edmunchi
ng.
[
12/24,
12:
44] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
5
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:cancel
allmymeet
ingsf
ort
oday,
iwontbe
comingtot
hecompany.
Joe:butsi
r,wehaveaschedul
edpr
oposalmeet
ing
today.
Me:getsomeoneel
set
ogo.iam notcl
ocki
ngi
n.
Joe:yessi
r.mayiaskwher
eyouwi
llbesi
r??
Me:no!youmaynot
.andpl
easedontf
oll
owme,
if
youdo,
youar
edead.
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..yesboss.
ihungupandgotmyt
hings.
it
ookallmyt
hingsandheadedout
.iwentt
omycar
anddr
ovetomydestinat
ion.
.
*
*moment
slat
er*
*
aft
erdr
ivi
ngforalmostanhourandfewminut
esi
deci
dedtoparkmycarattheopenparki
ngand
l
ookedattheplaceiusedt
ocallhome.
i
twasat ownshi
p.itusedt obebet
terbackthen.
therewer enotmanyshacksandnotmanyst r
eet
vendor s.now,shacksfil
lmostoftheplacehereand
streetvendorsarenowat hing.
ibetnowther
earesomany"chancers"
.iwonderi
f
thepeopl
eigrewupwi
tharesti
llar
ound.
idi
dnthavemuchf r
iendswheniwasgr
owingup,
soidonthaveguysmyaget obesur
pri
sedwhen
seei
ngme.
ideci
dedt
owal
kar
oundt
hepl
aceandl
ookar
ound.
manyeldershereknowmebecauseofmyf at
her.
hewasalsoaMaf i
a,butdidnthaveabusiness,hi
s
j
obwasj ustdeali
ngwithtrade,shi
ppingdiamonds
andmakingdeals.butwithme, ibui
ltmyown
busi
nessasaf ront.
ineverexpect
edi
ttogr
owsosuccessf
ul,
buti
t
becamesuccessf
ul.
myfatherwasthemostfear
edpersoninthi
s
communityandmostofthosepeopleal
waystol
d
methatihavemyf at
her
sstrongappear
ance.
meani
ngialsointi
midat
epeople.
asiwaswal
king,mostoft
hepeopl
ether
ewoul
d
l
ookatmewithfear
.
ij
ustwal
kedar
oundl
ooki
ngatt
hepl
ace.
whyi cameher e??iwasgatheringmemor i
es.ihave
decidedthatiwil
ltryt
ofindouthowihadt hi
s
str
ongseduct i
vesideandhowicanf ul
lycontroli
t
orhealfr
om it.becauseonethingidontwantisme
hurt
ingmor ewomani nt
hefuture.examplemy
fut
urewife.
ikeptl
ooki
ngar
oundgat
her
ingmemor
ies.
ilookedataspeci
fi
ctr
ee.andimmediately
remember edhowiwoul
dalwayssitunderthatt
ree
andl ookatt
hebusyst
reetandki
dsplaying.
mydadwasalwaysbusywit
hhisbusi
ness,
sohe
washardl
yhome.asiwaswalki
ng,
somegirl
bumpedint
omeandinearl
yfell
.
Her
:haiwat
chi
tMrsmar
typant
s
il
ookedatherandshegavemeadi
rt
ylookandr
an
away.
il
ookedatherasif
ixedmysui
t.
"
isshecr
azy?
?ahhhhh,
townshi
ps,
nx"
asilookedf
orwar
d4mor
eguyswer
eal
sor
unni
ng
towardsme.
ishi
ft
edt
othesideandl
ookedatthem ast
heyal
so
rant
hedi
rect
ionofhowt
hegirlr
an.
hahahah,shemusthavegottenintroubl
e,nowshe
i
sbeingchasedaf t
er.hopet
heyfindherandbeat
herupjustbecauseshedisr
espectedme.
icont
inuedwal
kingandmi
ndi
ngmybusi
ness.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasr
unni
ngasihadasmi
rkonmyf
ace.
"
great
,theyar
efal
li
ngi
ntot
het
rap"
icont
inuedrunni
ngandr unni
ngmaki
ngsur
ethey
dontcatchme.irecei
vedadeadendandst
opped.
thenil
ookedatthem.
Guy1:hahaha,
itsadeadendl
it
tl
egi
rl
.seemsl
ike
youaredeadmeat.
Guy2:yah,
youwi
llr
egr
ethavi
ngt
omesswi
thus.
Me:whyar
eyouguysbei
ngabunchofpu*
***
??
ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
obemenandf i
ghtme.
t
heyl
aughed.
Guy2:fi
ghtyou?
?icandothatwi
thmyeyescl
osed,
butofcausewedontki
llwoman,
wejustt
each
them al
esson.
Guy3:youdontl
ooktoobad,howaboutyoul
etus
showyouthepurposeofbei
ngawoman? ?
Me:fu**youmanslut
,gogethornysomewher
e
el
se.yousuchawhis.whogetshornyi
natimeof
war?hahahyouhavetogoseeadoctor.
hel
ookedatmeangr
y.
me:r
eady?
?
theycamerunningtome, butbefor
etheycoul
d
comeclosetome, Bri
cksandhi smencameoutof
hidi
ngandsurroundedthem.
Me:bam!
!
ismi
rkedatt
hem.
Br
icks:Boys,
Boys,
Boys,
whatanamazi
ngsur
pri
se.
Guy2:haibr
abri
cks.huh.
..
.wewerejustt
alki
ng
t
ogethernotl
ongagoaboutyourpayment.
Br
icks:r
eal
ly?
?thenwhenar
eyoupayi
ngme?
?
Guy3:soonbr
aBr
icks.soon.
Br
icks:soon?
?idontt
hinkihavet
het
ime.
Guy1:Br
aBri
cksplease,
pleasel
etusof
fthehook
t
hisoneti
me,pl
ease.
Bri
cks:ihavebeenlet
ti
ngyouoffthehookf
oral
ong
ti
menow, ihaverunoutofpat
ience.
befor
etheyevensaidanythi
ng,Br
icksgaveago
aheadforScar
,Mfana,Tzaniandotherguyst
ogo
aheadandbeattheseguysup.
Br
ickscamet
ome.
Bri
cks:di
dtheyhur
tyou?
?di
dyougeti
njur
edon
thewayhere??
Me:nah,myarmisowk, ikepti
tawayal
lthet
ime.
butt
henibumpedintothisjer
kwhodoesntwatch
whereheisgoi
ng,
that'
showihur tmysel
f.
br
icks:whoi
sthatj
erk?
?
Me:idontknow.i
tsjustsomeguywhot hi
nksheis
smartwit
hhissmartdressi
ng.ihavet
oadmitthat
hei
ndeedlookedsmar t
.
bri
cks:hai
,di
dyouact
ual
lycat
chf
eel
ingsf
ort
his
guy??
me:hai
,di
dieversayanyt
hingaboutf
eel
ings?
?
Br
icks:iwasj
ustaski
ng,
ihat
eshar
ing.
me:(
chuckl
es)youwil
lhavet
osharemeoneday,
r
ememberialsohavet
ogetmarr
ied.
hegavemeawei r
dbutconfusi
ngl
ook.butt
hat
's
Bri
cks,
youneverunder
standhi
m
af
terawhi
leBr
icksst
oppedt
heguys.
Bricks:youbet
terhavemymoneynextt
imeisee
you, orel
seyouwillr
egr
etevert
aki
ngmystockon
credit.
het
henl
eftt
hem wi
tht
hosewor
ds.
weheadedbackt
otheshack.
Sky:haiBoi
ty,
ial
mostthoughttheywouldcat
ch
youbeforeyougott
her
e.kantiufastso?
Me:iwouldn'
thavevol
unt
eer
edt
olur
ethem i
fi
di
dntbel
ieveinmyself
.
t
heyl
aughedast
heycongr
atul
atedme.
Bri
cks:butbecar
eful
,theseguysmi
ghtj
ustget
backtoyou.
me:idonthavet
owor
ry,
becauseihaveBr
ickst
o
pr
otectme.
hegotshyandil
aughedathi
m.
i
tsact
ual
lyr
aret
oseehi
m getshy.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
aft
erget
ti
ngaglimpseofthetownshi
pigrewupi
n.
ideci
dedtoheadtothehouseiwasli
vingi
n.
iwentt
her
eandl
ookedatt
hehouse.
t
herewerepeopl
estayi
ngther
eal
ready.iguessa
l
otcanchangein6years.
aft
erawhil
eiret
urnedbackandwentt
owher
ei
parkedmycar
.
igoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
idr
ovebackt
omyhouse.
[
12/24,
12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
6
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Tumi(
jour
nal
ist
)**
i
tsbeenabout3daysnow,andiam sti
llnotover
whathappened,
ihavebeentr
yingtogetoverit
,but
t
hepleasurei
snothi
ngihavefelti
nyears.
i
fhecanmakemef eelt
hiswayj
ustbyhiswords
andtouch,imagi
nehowmuchmor eifweact
uall
y
wentthroughwit
hthedeed.myword,i
twoul
dbea
fant
asy.
icouldntbeablet
ogeti
tof
fmymi nd.hi
swor
ds,
his
touch.it
sreal
lydr
ivi
ngmeinsane.icant
.
t
heworstparti
sthatever
yti
meit
hinkabouti
t,my
l
adyj
ustgetsexci
ted.
ihavebeenthinki
ngaboutgoingtohi
scompany
again,
butthat'
snothowawomanshoul dbehave.
butyouknowwhat ,f
uckallofthi
s"i
ntegr
it
y"and
"di
gnit
y"t
hel adywantswhatitwant
s.
iheadedt
otakeashower
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasaboutt
oheadoutwhensomeoneknockedon
myoffi
cedoor.
heopenedt
hedoor
,itwasJoe.
isi
gnal
edf
orhi
mtocomei
n.
Joe:ar
eyouheadi
ngoutsi
r??
Me:yes,
ist
her
eanyt
hingt
hatneedsmyat
tent
ion?
?
Joe:t
hej
our
nal
isti
sher
etoseeyou.
Me:anot
herone?
?
Joe:nosi
r,i
tst
hesameone.
Me:same??whatdoesshewantt
hist
ime?
?
anot
heri
nter
view?
?
Joe:iaskedherifshei
sheret
obookanother
i
ntervi
ew, shesai
dno,shewant
stoseeyoutotal
k
aboutwhatyoudi d.
Me:*
sigh*
Joe:sheal
sosai
di fyoutr
ytogetyourment
okick
heroutshewi
llt
ellthewholewol
dwhatyoudid.
il
ookedatJoe.
Me:shesai
dthat
??
Joe:t
hosewer
eherexactwor
ds.
Me:(
chuckl
es)
il
ookedatJoeagai
n.
Me:br
ingherup.
Joe:si
r??
Me:isai
d,br
ingherup.
Joe:y.
..
yes.
.si
r.
.
hewentoutandiwentbackt
omyseat
.
aft
erawhi
le,
Joeknockedagainandopenedt
he
doort
oasktowal
kin.inodded.
hewal
kedi
nwi
tht
hej
our
nal
i
st.
Me:youcanl
eavemewi
thher
.
Joe:yessi
r.
Joel
eftandcl
osedt
hedoor
.
il
ookedatthejour
nal
istandshej
ustl
ookedatme
andkeptl
ookingdown.
thi
sti
meshewasntwear
inganyt
hingseduct
ive,
shewaswear
ingasi
mplejeanandashirt
.
ichuckl
ed.
Me:whatdoyouwantnow?
?
Her
:iwant
edt
otal
ktoyou.
Me:iam l
ist
eni
ng.
Her
:Luu,
idontl
ikewhatyoudi
d.
Me:i
tsMrWol
f.
Her
:what
ever
,ij
ustdontl
ikewhatyoudi
d.
Me:whatdi
dido?
?
Her:whatdi
dyoudo??areyouki
ddingmer i
ght
now??haveyoufor
gott
enorareyoujustpl
aying
dumb?
Me:neit
her,ij
ustwantt
ohearf
rom you,
whatcase
youbroughthere.
Her:youteasedmeandt hatwasnotcool.nowi
canteventhinkst
rai
ghtbecauseal
lithi
nkabouti s
whathappened.youhavet ot
akeresponsibi
li
ty.
Me:taker
esponsi
bil
it
y?meaningishoul
dnowt
ake
youasmygirl
fri
endthenl
atermarr
yyou?
Her:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..t
hisisnott
het
imetobe
pl
ayingaroundMrWol f
.youknowwhatiam t
alki
ng
about.
Me:i
sthi
swhatyoucameher
etot
alkabout
??
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:j
udgingbythewayyoutol
dJoethatifidont
meetyou,youwoul
dtel
lthewol
dwhatidid,i
t
houghtyouwereheref
orsomethi
ngveryimportant
.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..ihadtosayt
hatsot
hatyoucoul
d
meetme.andi tworked.
Me:wow,ni
cet hi
nki
ng.butseemsl
ikeyouar
enota
t
ruefanofmine.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.(
lookedatmeconf
used)
Me:i
fyouwere,youwouldknowt
hatihat
epeopl
e
whoblackmai
lmeorthreat
enme.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:seemsl
ikeourmeet
ingi
sdone,
youmaysee
your
sel
fout
.
Her:.
...
.n.
..no,
iam notl
eavi
ngher
eunt
ilwehavea
deal.
Me:what
??
Her:MrWolf,
yourwordsandtouchalonemademe
feeli
nawayihaveneverfel
t.t
heref
oreiask,
please
atleastt
aker
esponsi
bil
it
y.
Me:youkeeponsayi ngishoul
dtaker
esponsi
bil
it
y,
butyouneverexpl
ainhow?
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shestar
tedl
ooki
ngdownandnothavi
ngwor
dst
o
putt
ogether
.
ist
oodupandwentt
oher
.
isatont
het
abl
efaci
ngherasshewasst
andi
ngup.
it
henpul
ledhert
owar
dsmeandbr
oughther
bet
weenmylegs.
Me:ar
eyour
eal
lyt
hatdesper
ate?
?
Her
:cal
lmedesperat
e,cal
lmeaslut
,callme
what
everyouwantbutyoumustt
akeresponsi
bil
it
y.
shesai
dthi
ssof
tl
yandst
il
llooki
ngdown.
ichuckl
ed.
nowt hisi
sthefi
rstthatt
hishappened.normall
y
girl
sthatit
easenevercomeback.asial readysai
d,
theyalwaysobey.butthi
sone,thi
sonej ust
disobeys.
i
sshewhom ihavebeenseeki ng??wi l
lshebethe
onetot amemeandchal lengeme? ?butthen,
i
haven'tfel
tanyfeel
i
ngtowar dsher,andher
chall
engesar ej
usttoannoyme.
pl
us, i
fshecanbesof orwardwit
hmeandaskme
str
aightinmyf acethatshewantsmetosl
eepwi t
h
her,t
henhowwi l
litr
ustthatshewontbet
hisneedy
onanot herguyinthefutur
e?
ilookedatherandr
anmyhandsonherwai
stdown
toherass.
myseduct
ivesi
dewasonagai
n.
asmuchasidontl i
kethi
spart,ij
ustfeelweak
wheni
tisacti
vated.butt
hepleasureofteasing
womanisli
kebloodt oavampire.sosatisf
ying.
asiranmyhandst ownherassdowntoherpr
ivat
e
ar
eashegr abbedmywaistandmoanedinmyears
whichjustmademeevenmor esat
isf
ied.
Me:f
ine,
iwi
llt
aker
esponsi
bil
it
y.
shecont
inuedmoaning,
asmyf
inger
spr
essedt
he
j
eaninherpri
vat
earea.
hermoansj
ustmademewantt
ocont
inue.
it
henr
emovedmyhandsandpushedherback.
Me:l
eaveyournumberatt
herecept
ioni
st,
Joewi
ll
t
extyouthepl
ace,t
imeandday.
Her
:(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)doyou.
..
..doyouusual
lydot
his
t
owoman?
Me:whoal
waysannoymeyes.andwhoal
wayst
ry
t
oseduceme.
Her
:doest
hatmeant
hatyoual
sosl
eepwi
tht
hem?
?
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..no,
theyneveri
nsi
stont
hatl
ikeyou
ar
e.
sheswal
lowed
Her
:cantil
eavemynumberwi
thyoui
nst
ead.
ir
eachedf
orapaperandpenandgavei
ttoher
.
shetookit
,wr
otehernumberandnameandt
hen
gaveitt
ome.
il
ookedati
t.
"
Tumi
"
it
henl
ookedatherwi
tht
hel
ookofevi
l
.
Me:wai
tformyi
nstr
ucti
onsowk?andremember
,
wheni
tcomestothi
s,wepl
aybymyr ul
es.
Her
:youdontdomi
nat
edoyou?
?
Me:f
ir
stRul
e,neveraskanyquest
ions.
shel
ookedatmet
henl
ookeddown.
Me:aslongasyouobeyallt
her
uleswewonthave
aprobl
em.youunder
stand??
shenodded.
Me:good,youmaygoandpr
epar
e.andr
emember
,
nobacki
ngdown.
shenoddedagai
nandt
henl
eft
.
ichuckl
ed.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwaswalki
ngar
oundasiwassel
li
ngt
hel
eftover
packs.
asigottot
heothersi
de,nextt
othet
rai
nst at
ion,
i
mettheguyst
hatwerechasingmetheotherday
andileadt
hem t
oBr i
cks.
ilookedatthem andjustpr
etendedt
onotknow
them.iatt
empt edtopassthem butt
heysawme
andcamet ome.
Guy1:wel
l,
wel
l,
wel
l
.ar
eyouher
etof
oolusagai
n??
Me:ifiwas,
iwoul
dn'
thavepr
etendedt
onothave
seenyouguys.
Guy2:wear
efr
iendswhywoul
dyoupr
etendt
onot
seeus??
Me:fri
ends?
?iam notf
ri
endswi
thabunchof
asshol
es.
Guy1want
edt
ohi
tmebutGuy2st
oppedhi
m.
Guy2:doyout
hinkj
ustbecauseyouhaveBr
icks
andt
hatyoudr
essl
i
keamenmakesyout
ough?
?
Me:idontknow,
doesi
t??
Guy1:att
heendoft
heday,
aloneyouwi
llnever
makeit.
Me:t
henhowaboutaoneonone.huh?
t
heyl
aughed.
Me:dontt
ellmeyouguysar
eact
ual
lyscar
ed?
Guy2:scar
edofyou?
?hahahah,
pickyourmat
ch.
Me:iwantyoubi
gmout
h.
hel
aughedagai
n.
Guy2:ar
en'
tyouscar
edt
hatiwi
llhur
tyou?
Me:woul
dichooseyoui
fiwas?
hechuckl
edandpushedt
heot
herguysback.
ist
art
edmaki
ngf
ist
sli
keiwasi
naboxi
ngmat
ch.
t
heymockedmeandl
aughed.
hewastal
kingt
oomuch,
soil
andedmyf
ir
stf
iston
hi
scheek.
hehel
dhi
scheekasismi
ledathi
m.
Guy2:t
hatwasntbad.
Me:ibetyour
sisweaker
,howaboutyout
ryt
oget
yourshot
.
helookedawayandchuckl
edandcameatme.i
duckedandtr
ippedhi
m andthenki
ckedhi
m ont
he
face.
istoppedandlookedathi
m.hewasbl
eedi
ng.i
twas
li
kehehadat ornli
p.
hebecameser
ious.
Guy2:yousonofa.
..
..
..
..
..
beforehecoul
dfi
nishof
fthesent
enceiki
ckedhi
m
again.
hest
oodupandst
art
edf
ight
ingbuthecoul
dntget
me.
igotal
otofshot
s.
whenhisf
ri
endssawt
hathewasbei
ngbeat
enup,
t
heyjumpedin.
imanagedt
ofi
ghtf
ort
hef
ir
stf
ewseconds,
but
t
heywer
eal
ot.4wasnotaj
oke.
t
heygangeduponme.
afterawhi
leihear
dScarshout
ing.t
heyl
eftmeand
ran.
hecamet
ome.
Scar
:haiBoi
tyar
eyouowk?
?
Me:thosefucker
sarepussy'
s,t
heycanthandl
eme
al
one,sotheygangeduponme.
Scar
:iwil
lmakesur
etogett
hem,
dontwor
ry.can
yougetup??
Me:yah.wher
eist
heot
her
s??
Scar
:theyr
anaf
tert
hosef
ucker
s.
Me:ahhhhh,
mycheek.whoeverpunchedher
e
wasntt
hatbad.hehasagoodshot.
Scar
:youst
il
lknowhowt
obesar
cast
icatat
ime
l
iket
his?
?
Me:thejoyofli
fei
stoal
waysbesarcasti
cabout
ever
ythi
ng,yourworl
dbecomesbr
ight.
Scar
:hahaha,
come,
letmecar
ryyou.
Me:canyou?
?
Scar
:yes.come.
Scarputmeonhi
sbackandwentbackt
otheshack.
af
terawhil
ewegott otheshackandBri
ckswasso
worr
iedorr
atherangry.iwassoconf
usedasto
whyhewassowor kedup.
Br
ick:whatt
hehel
lhappenedher
e??
Scar
:thoseNazoboysgangeduponher
.
Br
icks:what
??
Scar:yah,
butdontwor
ry,
Mfanaandt
heguysr
an
aft
erthem.
Br
ick:wher
edi
dthi
shappen?
?
Scar
:neart
hest
ati
on.
Bri
ck:neart
hestat
ion?
?Boi,whatt
hehel
lwher
e
youdoingneart
hestati
on?
?
Me:iwasj
ustwalki
ngaroundowk.icantbe
r
estr
ict
edbecauseofsomepunks.
Br
icks:t
hesamepunkst
hatbeatyouup?
?
Me:ichal
lengedoneguy,
idi
dntt
hinkt
heywer
eal
l
pussy'
sandwouldganguponme.
Br
icks:youchal
lengedt
hem?
?
me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
hegotevenmor
eangry,
evenScarwasscar
edand
conf
usedastowhy.
Br
icks:Boi
,youcandressasamanbutyouarea
woman, whygoaroundstar
ti
ngf
ight
s?hasyour
mindgonecrazy??
Scar
:Br
icks.
..
..
.
bri
cks:shutupScar
,andwhatareyoudoi
nghere?
?
shouldn'
tyoubeoutther
eget
ti
ngthoseasshol
es?
?
Scarpl
acedmesaf
elyont
hecouchandheadedout
st
il
lconfused.
Me:geewhyar
eyousoangr
y??
bri
cks:whyam iangr
y??real
ly?
?youar
eundermy
care,
ofcauseihavetobeangry.
idar
ednott
osayat
hing.
Br
icksbr
eat
hedoutandt
ri
edt
ocal
m down.
Br i
cks:iam sorr
yforlashi
ngoutonyou,butyou
reall
yhavet olookaft
eryoursel
fandst
ayaway
from troubl
e.
il
ookeddown.
Br
ickssi
ghedandwentt
ogetsomet
issuesand
water
.
hehel
pedmet
reatmywound.
Me:ahhhhh!
!
Br
icks:sor
ry.
Me:hai
,begent
le.
Bri
cks:sorry,
butsui
tsyouwel
lsi
nceyouwantt
o
beastaring.
Me:nomungakwat
anomauyakhal
ayi
mist
ari
ng.
Br
icksl
aughedandl
ookedatme.
Br
icks:igi
veup.
ismil
edbutt
hatst
ret
chedmyf
aceandi
tgot
pai
nful
.
isatsti
llashecl eansedmywoundsandthenhe
gavemesomei cepackstoputonmyfaceto
preventswell
ing.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
i
twast
imet
oheadbackhomenow.
ipackedmyf i
lesandplacedthem i
nor
derthena
paperfel
l.ipi
ckeditupanditwasthej
our
nalist
s
number .
iwasswingi
ngonmychai
randl
ooki
ngatt
he
number
s.
"youthinkiwi
llsur
rendersoeasil
y??youdefi
nit
ely
dontknowwhoiam, butsinceyouarethi
s
desperate,
let
sseeifmygamewi l
lputyouinli
ne."
ismi
ledandt
ext
edJoet
ocomet
omyof
fi
ce.
af
terawhil
ehecamet
omyof
fi
ce.il
ethi
minand
hesatdown.
Me:ineedyout
ofi
xsomet
hingf
orme.
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:bookmear
oom i
nahot
elweassoci
atewi
th.
Joe:anyt
hingspeci
fi
c??
Me:no,
iwi
llhandl
ether
est
.
Joe:owksi
r.
Me:andanot herthi
ng,getmeamalepr ost
it
ute.
someoneal mostsimil
artome,t
alll
ikemeand
ever
ything.doesnthavetobei
denti
cal,
justbodi
ly
si
milar.
Joe:huh?
?
Me:gett
hatper
sonatt
hehot
elt
omor
rowni
ghtat
21:
00
Joel
ookedconf
usedbutst
il
lagr
eed.
Me:good,pl
easest
artworkingoni
tandbr
ingme
t
heupdatetomorr
owmor ning.
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:ohandal sosendamessaget ot
hisnumber( i
gavehimthenumber soft
hejournal
ist
)tel
lthem t
o
beatthehotelt
omorrownightat20:
30.andshe
mustn'
tbelate.
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:useanewsi
m car
dtosendt
hemessage,
idont
wanttr
aces.
Joe:yessi
r.consi
deri
tdone.
Me:t
hatwi
llbei
t.
Joenoddedandst
oodupheadi
ngout
.
isatbackonmychairandsmi
ledal
onewhi
leiput
thesceneinmymind.
"
let
spl
ay,
b**
*"
[
12/24,12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDAASAVELA)
.
7
.
*
NextDay*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeup,
anddi
dmymor
ningr
out
ine.
af
terpr
epar
ingmysel
f,it
ookagoodl
ooki
nthe
mi
rr
orandsmi
rked.
it
hent
ookmyst
uffandheadedt
omycar
.
if
ir
stpassedbyt
hehot
el.
myselfandtheownerofthehotelgowayback.i
metwithhim andaskedhimforthespeci
alt
hingsi
neededintheroom.
hewascuri
ousandsur
pri
sed,
butit
oldhi
m nott
o
wor
rybecausenonoft
hati
sme.
heagr
eedt
omyr
equestandiwentt
otheof
fi
ce.
.
*
*Tumi(
jour
nal
ist
)**
yest
erdayni
ghtbef
oreheadi
ngtosl
eep,ir
eceiveda
messagethatt
oldmetobeattheI
tal
ianhotelt
oday
at20:
30andnottobelat
e
iknowiwast heonewhosaidiwantedhimt ot
ake
responsi
bil
it
y,butnowiwasner
vous.myst omach
wasmaki ngcurlsandf
ormi
ngknots.al
readyi
agreednevertobackdown,sot
hat
'snotanoption.
ibr
eat
hedandbr
eat
hed.
il
ookedattheti
me, i
tsonl
y07:
30inthemor
ning
andalr
eadyifeell
ikeit
sact
ual
ly19:
30.
ideci
dedtot
akeacoldbat
h.afterbat
hing,imade
food,
butwhenihadtoeat
,icouldnt
.it
riedtosl
eep
topassti
me,icoul
dnt
.
ohhhh,nowiwishididnthaveanof
fdayatwor
k.i
wouldbetryi
ngtodistr
actmysel
fwit
hwork.
hour
spassed,
minut
espassedandsecondspassed.
i
twasnow13:00
ihavebeenr
estl
essandnervousthewholeday.
thi
sdayseemstobeslowatthesamet i
mei t
seemstobefast
.icantunder
standmyfeeli
ngsat
thi
smoment.
att
hatmoment
,someoneknockedonmydoor
.
iwentt
oopenandi
twasmyf
ri
end.
Me:gi
rl
.
Her
:skado,
howar
eyou?
?
Me:huh.
..iam al
ri
ght
.andyou?
?
Her
:iam gr
eat
,act
ual
lyihavesomenewsf
oryou.
Me:ohh,
real
ly,
whati
sit
??
themessageirecei
vedmadei tcleart
hatishould
notutt
erawordaboutthi
smeet ing.soicanteven
sharethi
sfeel
ingwit
hmyf r
iend.ahhhgggg.
afewmoment slat
er,
ihadbeenzoni
ngoutt
hinki
ng
aboutwhatt
onightwoul
dbelike.
Her
:gi
rl
??Gi
rl
??
icamebackt
oear
thandl
ookedather
.
Me:mhm?
?
Her
:di
dyouevenhearwhatisai
d??
Me:youandZakesmadeup?
?
Her:t
hosewerethe1stnewsitol
dyou.butt
hat
's
notwhatiam t
alki
ngaboutnow.
me:ohsor
ry.
Her
:whatishappeni
ngwit
hyou??fr
om t
heti
mei
wal
kedi
nher e,
youhavebeenof
f.what
??di
dMr
Wol
frej
ectyou??
Me:huh,
no,
itsnott
hat
.
Her
:then?
?
Me:i
tsnot
hingr
eal
l
y.
shel
ookedatmewi
tht
he"
youar
elyi
ngt
ome"t
ype
ofl
ook.
Me:iam ser i
ous.iam justnervousaboutmynext
arti
cle.imeanaf t
erposti
ngt heint
ervi
ew,igotr
eal
ly
praisedatwor kandindeedgotar ai
se,butnowi
havet omaintainmyposi t
ion.
Her:*
sigh*dontwor
rybabe,
thi
sworl
disf
ullof
news.iam sur
eyouwil
lkeeppacewi
thi
t.
Me:yah.t
hankyouf
orencour
agi
ngme.
Her
:that
'
swhyiam yourf
ri
end.dontwor
ryowk?
?
shebr
ushedmyshoul
der
sasisi
ghed.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihavej
ustfi
nishedmystockandiheadedtot
he
shackt
opickupmor epacksfr
om Bri
cks.
igotinandf
oundbri
ckssmokingweedalonei
nthe
shack.hewassi
tt
ingonthebedli
steni
ngtomusi
c.
heal
sohadabot
tl
eofSmi
rnof
fnextt
ohi
m.
me:ohhhhh,
whatavi
be.
hesmi
ledatme.
Hi
m:wantapuf
f??
me:yahsur
e,whowoul
dsayno.
iwenttohim andgotafewpuf
fsandthenpassedit
ontohim.ialsopouredasmal
lamountofSmirnof
f
inaglassanddrankit.
Hi
m:Huh,
Boi
?
me:mhm?
?
Hi
m:youknowicar
eaboutyour
ight
??
Me:i
sn'
tthatobvi
ous?
Hi
m:noiam ser
ious.
il
ookedathi
m."
owk,
whyi
shebecomi
ngsof
tand
emoti
onal
?"
Hi
m:Boi,iwantyout
ost
aybesi
demeal
lthet
ime,
wi
llyou?
?
Me:iam al
waysbesi
deyou,
ifil
eaveyou,
wher
ewi
ll
igo?
?idonthaveapl
acet
ost
ayr
emember
?
Him:imean.ifyoufi
ndapl
acet
ost
ayandhavea
choi
cetoleave,woul
dyou?
?
Me:dude,youaredrunknow,l
etmegogetScar
andthem sothatwedri
nktoget
herandsmoke
toget
her
,owk? ?
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing.hej
ustnoddedanddr
ankhi
s
ci
der
.
asiwal
kedoutil
ookedback.
"i
sheowk? ?whyishespeaki
ngallt
hosethi
ngs?
?
ahh,mabyeit
stheweedtalki
ng"iwentt
othecor
ner
shoptofi
ndScar.
i
twasntlongsinceist
oodatthecor
nerandt
he
pol
icevanstoppedinf
rontofme.
t
heypul
ledupandgotoutt
hecarcomi
ngt
ome.i
t
wast
hesamecops.
ofcauseScarsawt hem andl ookedatme.i
smirkedathi
mt oindicat
et hatheshoul
dn'twor
ry
andthenlookedatthepolice.
Me:ni
cet
omeetyouagai
ngent
lemen.iam onmy
waytobuysomebunny'
s.wantt
ocomeal
ong?
?i
canbuyforyout
oo.
Poli
ce1:wewoul
dlovetogowi
thyouandhavethe
bunny'
sbutunf
ort
unatel
ywedontshar
ethesame
tabl
ewithcr
imi
nal
s.
Me:hahahahaser i
ously? ?i
tsfunnybecausemost
poli
cemenouther earesayingother
wise.butr
elax,
iam nocri
mi nalbutjustaciti
zenwhoneeds
prot
ecti
onfrom criminals.
Poli
ce1:youthi
nkyoucanfoolus?wel
lthisti
mewe
wontletyouofft
hehook.(
tal
kedtotheotherpol
ice)
searchher.
il
ookedatt
hem bot
handi mmediat
elyr
aisedmy
handstogi
vet
hem ful
lexcess.
hesear
chedmebutcoul
dntf
indanyt
hing.
Pol
ice1:(chuckles)seemsyouwerel
uckyt
oday,
did
yousellyourstockouttooearl
y??
Me:st
ock?
?sel
l?
?whatexact
lyar
eyoui
mpl
ying?
?
Pol
ice1:dontpl
aydumbwi
thus.
ikeptqui
etandr
aisedmyeyebr
ows.
t
hesecondpol
icet
oldthef
ir
stpol
icet
oleti
tgoand
t
hatt
heyshoul
dleave.
Pol
ice1:keepont
hinki
ngyouar
esmar
t,yourday
wil
lcome.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m anddi
dntsayanyt
hing.
t
heywal
kedi
nthecarandl
eft
.
ibr
eat
hedandwentt
oScar
.
Scar
:oneoft
hesedays,
theywi
llcat
chyou.
Me:iknow.ihavet
obever
ycar
eful
.
Scar
:orchangepost
s.
Me:no,
itwi
llonl
ymaket
hem huntmedown.
Scar
:it
sei
thert
hatorcooldownf
oraf
ewweeks.
Me:what
ever
,act
uall
yicameher
etocal
lyouguys
t
ochil
lwi
thusattheshack.
Scar
:owk.
Me:yah,Br
icksal
readyboughtsomebot
tl
es,
we
j
usthavetoaddoni t
.
Scar
:owk,
howmuchdoyouhave?
?
Me:youknowidontwor
kformoney,
iwor
ktohave
ashel
terandf
oodtoeat
.
Scar
:hahahayahkonj
e.
helaughedandwewentt
ogett
heot
her
sandbuy
somebot t
les.
.
*
*Tumi(
jour
nal
ist
)**
i
ts20:20andiam standi
ngout
sidethehotel
.my
hearti
sraci
ng,iam nowmorenervoustheniwas
earl
ier
.
ievenfeell
ikeineedthetoil
et.ishoul
dn'
tbefeel
ing
li
kethi
sbecauseiwast heonewhoaskedf orhimto
beresponsi
ble.plusicantbackdownnow.
it
akeadeepbr
eat
handiwal
kin.
it
oldhi
m mynameandi
mmedi
atel
yhesai
d.
Hi
m:ohyes,
hei
swai
ti
ngf
oryoual
ready.pl
ease
f
oll
owme.
ifol
lowhim andhel
eadmet
ooner
oom.ist
oodi
n
fr
ontoftheroom.
hesmil
edandr
etur
nedback.ist
oodt
her
eforabout
2minut
es.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwast
oldt
hatshehadar
ri
ved.i
tst
imef
ormygame
pl
an.
isatonthechai
rwi
thChampagneonthet
abl
eand
2glasses.i
twasabeaut
if
ulsetup.
someoneknockedandibeti
twasher
.
ist
oodupandwentt
oopent
hedoor
.
ilookedatherandal solookedathowshewas
dressed.shehadal ongcoaton, soidi
dntknow
whatshehadunder .butitmustbeshortsi
nceher
coatisalsoshortbutsti
lldoesntshowwhatis
insi
de.
Me:youcame.
shenodded.
Me:comei
n.
shewal
kedi
nlooki
ngar
ound.
Me:itr
iedtomaketheroom accor
dingt
othemood.
il
ikesett
ingt
hingsup.
Her
:it
sni
ce.
Me:haveaseat,
havesomewi
ne,
ithel
pst
ocal
m
downnerves.
shet
ookt
hegl
assandgul
pedi
tli
kewat
er.
Me:hai
,rel
ax.
Her
:sor
ry,
iam j
ustt
ooner
vous.
Me:whysuggestsomet
hingandgetner
vous?
?
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
il
ookedattheti
meandi
twasnow20:
35.icant
waistanymoreti
me.
ist
oodupandwentt
osi
tnextt
ohi
m.shel
ookedat
me.
Me:today,iwillt
eachyoualessonyouwil
lnever
f
orget.iwi
llteachyounevertomesswithme,never
t
othinkthatiam easytomesswi t
h.owk??
sheswal
lowedandnodded.
Me:doyouunder
standme?
?
Her
:yes.
Me:yeswho?
?
Her
:yesMrwol
f.
Me:yeswho?
?
Her
:yesdaddy!
!
Me:goodgi
rl
.
ir
anmyhandsonhert
highagai
nandkeptgoi
ng
hi
gherasispoke.
Me:iwillr
untherul
eswi t
hyou.r
ule1:donotask
quest
ions,rul
e2:obey.di
dyougetthat
.
sheswal
lowedasshest
ruggl
edt
obr
eat
h.
Her
:yesdaddy.
Me:andl
ast
ly,
mygame,
myi
nst
ruct
ions,
owk.
Her
:yes.
..yesdaddy.
shest
art
edmoaningi
nmyear
swhi
chst
rengt
hened
moremyseduct
ivesi
de.
it
hensl
ight
lyt
ookof
fhercoatandwhatisawwas
maki
ngmecr
azy.
shewaswear i
ngal i
ngeri
e,myseducti
veside
coul
dntstandit
.itwasasifiwasgoingtoblowof f
.
iwastr
yingeverythi
nginmetosticktotheplan.
it
henl
ookedather
.
Me:youcamepr
epar
edf
orme?
shel
ookeddown.
ipull
edhercl
oset
omeandr
anmyhandunderher
legs.
shet
henopenedherl
egst
ogi
vememor
eaccess.
shehel
dmyneckasshemoaned.
it
henheldherneckwit
hmyot herhandandpul l
ed
heri
nforakiss.i
mmediat
elyididntfeelany
pl
easur
ekissingher
,soij
ustpulledoutthekiss.
i
nst
eadist
art
edki
ssi
ngherneckandt
aki
nghert
o
t
hebed.
it
hrewheronthebedandt ookabli
ndfol
derand
puti
toverhereyes.ial
sot
iedherhandsonthebed.
shel
aidt
her
ethi
rst
yasshemovedherbody.
iwentonherandki
ssedherneckgoi
ngdownbi
tby
bi
tbutist
oppedasigott
oherbell
y.
it
hengentl
yt ookherl
inger
ieof
fandl
efther
absol
utenaked.
mybl
oodwasboi
li
ngbutiwasnti
ntoi
t.
ithenranmyf i
nger
saroundherpr
ivat
earea
teasi
ngher .shewouldmoveherbodywanti
ngme
tosati
sfyherbyput t
ingmyfi
ngeri
nherlady.buti
wouldn'tdare.
ikeptont
easi
ngherandshewassuf
fer
ing.
Her
:Daddy,
daddy!pl
ease!
!sat
isf
yme.
idi
dntr
espondikeptt
easi
ngher
.
Her
:Luu.
Me:dontcal
lmyname.
isai
dthatasist
opped.
sheswal
lowedandbr
eat
hed.
ithenconti
nuedandshemovedagai
naski
ngf
or
sati
sfact
ion.
icheckedmywat
chandi
twasnow20:
55
Me:wai
tformeher
e.iwi
llsat
isf
yyou.
shenodded.
iwalkedouttheroom andwait
edout
side.abouta
minutelat
erigotatextsayi
ngmyotherguesthas
arr
ived.
ismi
rkedandwai
ted.
t
heyar
ri
vedandil
ookedathi
m.
Hi
m:MrWol
f??
Me:yes.li
sten,t
hereisaladyinthere,shecr
aves
somesat i
sfact
ion,
shedoesntknowiam gay, soi
askedformyguyst ohelpmef indsomeonebodi l
y
si
mi l
artomet oactual
lysati
sfyher.canyou??
Hi
m:t
heguyhadal
readyf
il
ledmei
n.
Me:idontwantsi
ssi
est
odot
hisj
ob,
ipayyout
o
actl
ikeyouar
eme.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
Me:good,
herei
samask,
coveryourf
aceatal
l
t
imes,t
herei
sacamer
ainthatr
oom.aft
erdoi
ng
yourj
ob,unl
ockoneofherhandandleavethekey
nextt
othedrawershewillf
reeher
sel
f.l
eavebefor
e
sheseesyou,youunder
standme?
Hi
m:yessi
r.
me:remember,iwil
lbewatchingyou,onemist
akei
t
wil
lcostyourl
if
e,agoodjobwi l
laddyouafat
bal
anceintoyouraccount
.yourchoice.
henoddedandil
eadhi
m.
hel
ookedatherandl
ookedatme.
it
appedhershoul
derandnodded.
it
ookal
lmybel
ongi
ngsandsmi
rked.
iwentt
owhi
spert
otheguy.
Me:iwouldhavel
ovedt
owat
ch,
butmyhousei
s
l
onelywi
thoutme.
ismi
rkedandl
eftt
her
oom.
[
12/24,12:
46] :(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
8
.
*
*Tumi(
jour
nal
ist
)**
iwasstil
lfant
asizi
ngaboutwhathappenedlast
night
.eventhoughhelef
timmediatel
yafterour
sessi
onbutatleasthesati
sfi
edme.
icantbel
ieveiwassat
isf
iedbyt
heeMrWol
f.
ahhhhhhhhh
ireal
lywishiwasablet oseehisf aceduri
ngt
he
session,butit
sowk,atleastigotwhatmostgirl
s
sti
llf
antasizeabout
.now, MrWol fwillr
emember
meandal wayscomet omewhenheneedsa
womanf ortheni
ght.
ihavefinall
ymarkedmyter
ri
tory.onethi
ngtoaim
now, i
sfalli
ngpr
egnantwi
thhischil
d.thatwi
llbe
thelastdropandatri
ptoahappyl i
fe.
iwassohappyt
hatij
umpedar
oundandar
oundmy
bed.
iwentt
otakeashoweri
nagoodmoodandlat
er
cameoutwit
hmybodywr appedi
nat
owel
.
att
hatmomentsomeoneknockedonmydoor
.it
mustbemygir
lf
ri
end(bestf
ri
end)
iwentt
oopenandi
ndeedi
twasher
.
Her
:someonei
sinagoodmood.
Me:ihavet
obe.ihadagr
eatsl
eep.
Her
:ouuuul
etmeguess,
didyoudr
eam aboutMr
Wol
f??
Me:ahhhhh,
mor
eli
kehavi
ngki
dswi
thhi
m.
Her:woaw,yourobsessi
onwi
thMrWol
fisr
eal
ly
get
tingst
rongerhai
.
Me:ofcause,
andit
hinki
tsbecauseiam f
eedi
ngi
t.
Her:ohwell
.sinceyoul oveMrWol fsomuch, you
wouldlovetoknowt hatyesterdayaround21: 15he
wasl i
veontheni ghtshowi ntervi
ew.hespeci ally
ment i
onedyouandsai dyouar ether easonwhyhe
becameopenmi ndedabouti ntervi
ewsandt he
reasonwhyhedeci dedt oaccepttheni ghtshow's
i
ntervi
ew.
Me:wai
twhat
??i
sthatf
orr
eal
??
iwasveryexci
tedt
hatidi
dntt
hinkt
hesent
ence
cl
earl
y.
Her
:yes,
her
e,l
ist
en,
irecor
dedi
tforyou.
iopeneditandwatchedit.asiwaswat ching,
somethi
ngcaughtmyat t
ention,t
hecapt ionbelow
thevi
deosaid(Nightshowi nter
viewwit hMrWol f
##/##/##)thedatewasofyest erday.andt henight
showstartsat21:
00.
nowyest
erday,
iwaswi t
hMrWolf,
howisi
tthathe
wasal
soattheint
ervi
ew??whati
sgoi
ngon?
Me:babe,
whenwast
hisl
iveagai
n??
Her
:yester
daynightat21:
00,butMrWol
fjoi
nedat
21:
15.ionl
yrecordedfr
om 21:15.
Me:ar
eyousur
ethi
swasl
ive?
?
Her
:yes,
youcanseet
heLi
vef
lashwason.
istar
tedt
hinki
ngaboutlastnightandtr
yingt
o
fi
gureoutwhatmighthavehappenedbecauseour
sessi
onfini
shedwaylaterthen21:15.
i
mmedi
atel
yir
emember
edsomet
hing.
.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
ihadj ustcum andheal sohadjustcome.weused
protectionsoalli
swell.butsoonwhenhehas
startedmakingmear egular
,theuseofprot
ect
ion
mi ghtjustbeunnecessary.
it
ri
edcat
chi
ngmybr
eat
h.
hegotupandicoul
dhearhi
mf i
dgetingwit
h
somethi
ng.mabyehei
sgett
ingdressed.
iwant
edtoaskhim whyhewant stoleavesoearl
y
butir
ememberedthefi
rstr
ule.soilethim be.
af
terawhil
ehet
henunt
iedoneofmyhandsand
l
eftmether
e.
iquicklytookoutt hebli
ndf ol
derandonl ysawhim
leavi
ngt her oom.idi dntpayattentiontohistr
ouser
lastnight,butnowt hatithi
nkofit.whenisawhi m
beforethesessi on,hehadonabl acksuit,
thesame
suithehadatt heinter
view.butafterthesessi
on,
whenhewasl eaving,hehadonadar kbrownsuit.
coul
ditbet
hathet
ri
ckedme?
?di
disl
eepwi
thhi
m
orsomeoneelse??waitaminut
e,hesai
daft
er
todayiwi
lll
earntonevermesswithhi
m.wasthi
s
whathewast al
kingabout
??
ahhhhhhhhhh
Me:pl
easel
eave!
!
Her
:huh?
?
Me:ijustr
ememberedihadsomet
hingt
opr
epar
e
f
or,sopleasel
eave.
shewasconf
usedandwor
ri
edbutidr
aggedherout
myroom.
aft
ertaki
ngheroutil
ocked.shekeptknocki
ngand
aski
ngwhatiswrongandi fshedi
danythingwr
ong,
butii
gnoredher
.
al
licoul
dthinkaboutwast
hatLuut
ri
ckedme,
that
bast
ardtr
ickedme.
iwasangr
y,f
uri
ousandboi
li
ng.
howcouldhedot
hat,how??i
shethatcol
dtol
et
mesleepwit
hsomeoneelse,
huh?
?
hehasmessedwi
tht
hewr
ongper
son,
iwi
llavenge
mysel
f.iwi
lldefi
nit
elyavengemysel
f.iwontbe
pl
ayedli
kethis.
iwentt
omycl
osetandgotsomet
hingt
owear
.
t
heni
tookmybagandl
eftheadi
ngt
othecompany.
afterawhil
eigott
othecompanyandwal
kedt
o
recepti
on.
Me:iwantt
oseeMrWol
f.
Her
:pl
easehol
don,
iwi
llcal
lhi
mforyou.
shecal
ledandt
alkedt
ohi
m.
shealr
eadyknewwhoiwas,
soshedi
dntevenhave
toaskmewhoiwas.
af
tert
alki
ngshehungup.
Her
:MrWol
fwi
llbewi
thyour
ightnow,
pleasewai
t
f
orafewmi
nut
es.
iwai
tedi
mpat
ient
ly.
af
terawhi
leisawhi
m comi
ngoutt
hel
if
t.
il
ookedathi
m.hewascomi ngoutwit
hhisother
guy.i
fhethi
nkshewi
llgetmekickedout
,heshould
t
hinkagai
n.
hegother
e.
MrWolf:ni
cetoseeyouagai
n,butiam st
art
edt
o
getbor
edofyourface.howmayihelpyou.
acol
dman'
segocanbebr ui
sedi
fyouembar
rass
hi
m.andt
hat
'swhatiam goi
ngtodo.
ist
art
edshout
ing.
Me:haiMrWol
f.i
sthi
swhatyoudot
owoman?
?
huh?
?
i
mmedi atel
yigr
abbedpeople'
sat
tent
ionandthey
al
llookedthi
sway,ot
hersevenst
oodupt ocome
nearus.
MrWol
flookedar
oundandl
ookedatme.
hemustbeget
ti
ngembar
rassed.igothi
m.
Me:iaskedyoui fthisishowyout reatwoman? ?so
i
st hiswhyyouneverkeepwomannearyou,
becauseoncet heyar enearyou,yourseduct
ive
si
decantcont ainit
self.huh??howcouldyoul eave
mel astni
ghtaftersleepingwit
hmeandj ust
pretendnothi
nghappened? ?di
dyoudr ugmewhen
wewentoutf
ordr
inks?
?
iwasaddingmor el
iessothathecoul
dalsobehur
t
forwhathedidtome.surel
yhewontlosemuch,
justsomefansandhisimagewillber
uined.
MrWol
f:idontseem t
ounder
stand.
Me:iwantt
otel
lever
yoneher
ewhatt
hismi
ghtMr
Wolfdi
dtome.herapedme.
ever
yoneintheof
fi
cegaspedandphoneswer
eout
shoot
ingvi
deos.
iwassur
pri
sedthathewasntevenr
eact
ingt
othe
news,
hewasjustlooki
ngatme.
butiguessacol
dper
sonst
il
lhavepr
ide.
Me:yes,herapedme.imethimforani ntervi
ew,he
saidweshouldmeetthroughadr
ink,idid.aftert
hat
ifel
tweak.nextt
hingiwokeupatthehot elnaked.
MrWol
f:di
dyour
epor
tit
??
il
ookedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:how??how??peopleli
keyouusemoneytobuy
yourwayoutofpr
ison.whoknowsifyouwoul
d
comeaf
termet
oki
llme?
?
MrWol f
:wouldn'
tist
il
lcomeaft
eryouevennow
af
terspeaki
ngsoopenlyabouti
t??
Me:butat
leastpeopl
ewi
llknow.ifanyt
hing
happenst
ome, youarer
esponsible.
MrWol f:i
tsf
unnybecauseyousayimetyoulast
nightf
oradrink,
thent
ookyoutoahotelandraped
you.butthat
'
snotwhatthecamerasr
evealed.
myeyesshotopenandil
ookedather
.
Me:whatcamer
a's?
MrWol f:sinceyoudecidedt oinvi
teever yoneher e
tohearyoumaket hi
sstat
ement ,ithinkishoul d
alsodef endmysel f
.sodaysagoihadani nterview
withyouandever yonei
nthisbui l
dingwasa
witnessofhowseduct i
veyouwor ejustt ointerview
me.t hat'swheniknewicoul dbedeal i
ngwi tha
psycho.ihadmymanher e( Joe)runabackup
checkonyouandi twasdiscoveredt hatthiswas
notyourf i
rstti
me.youoncef ramedani nnocent
manf orrapeandhadhi m paydamagessi nceyou
wer ea" vir
gin"thenalsodruggedamant otakehi s
money.iguesst r
ickingmanandt akingt heirmoney
hasal waysbeenyourt hing.soideci dedt ol etyou
play, j
ustsoiknowf orhowl ongyouwi llgo.you
camebackasexpect edaski ngf ormet ot ake
responsi bi
li
ty.yousayiwaswi t
hyouyest erday?if
youcheckt heCCTVf ootageoft hiscompanyand
myhouset heywilltellyouthatil eftthecompanyat
17:35andar ri
vedhomeat18: 15.thenl efthomeat
19:52.t hentheCCTVatt hehot elwi l
ltellyout hati
arrivedaloneat20: 18andl eftat21: 01andnever
bookedar oom.idi dani nt
erviewwi thnightshowat
21:15.t heroom whi chyoucl aim youwokeupi n
afterirapedyou.her e:
theguynextt
ohim openedhi
scomput
erand
playedavi
deoofmebei ngi
nti
mat
ewit
htheguyas
iwast i
edont
hebed.
MrWol f:hereitshowsyouenjoyi
ngyoursel
fti
edon
thebedaski ngforsat
isf
acti
onwithsomeoneelse.
yoursessionendedwayaf termyint
ervi
ewhad
star
ted,howi sitme??yesiwasattheHotel
,buti
wast heretomeetwi t
htheownerofthecompany.
shouldibesayi nganymore.
iwasembarr
assed,
ifel
tli
keever
ythi
ngi
nmewas
st
ri
ppeddown.howcouldhe.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasntexpect
ingt
his,
butitwor
kedonmyf
avor
,it
s
bet
tert
henwhatiplanned.
"
CHECKMATE"
ismi
rkedandt
hencal
ledsecur
it
y.
t
heycame.
Me:t
akethi
sladyandgentl
ytakeheroutofmy
pr
emisesandneveral
lowherbackhereagai
n.owk?
?
t
hem:yessi
r.
t
heyt
ookhert
aki
ngherout
.
ismi
ledandheadedbackt
omyof
fi
ce.
wegoti
nthel
if
t.
Joe:wooaaahhhboss,
thatwasepi
candcol
datt
he
sametime.
Me:gi
rl
sli
keherl
ear
nthatway.i
fyoukeep
brushi
nghershekeepsfeedi
nghermind.shehad
tol
dhersel
fthatiwi
llsl
eepwit
hher,
theniwil
lbe
addict
edtoher,t
hatwayshewouldmakemeher s.
Joe:andyouknewt
hat
??
Me:mhm.
Joenodded.
Joe:andt
heVi
deo?
?whatshoul
didowi
thi
t??
Me:(
chuckl
ed)l
eaki
t.
Joe:boss?
?
Me:ineverhavemercyandiwontst
artnow.she
st
art
edthis,iwi
llf
ini
shi
t.
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:actually,gi
vei
ttoajournali
stwhowoul dreall
y
appreciat
ei t
.askf
oroneoft hestaffwhoshot
today'
svideoaboutwhatj usthappenedandletthe
headingbe." womantr
yingtof r
amet heCEOof
Wolf.i
ncformoneyi sexposed"soundsgreathai?
Joe:ver
yhar
sh.
Me:Har
sh,
col
d,hear
tl
ess,
icei
sWol
f.
ismi
led.
Joe:howwoul
danywomandar
etochal
lengesuch
aperson.
il
ookedatJoewhowasspeaki
ngi
nhi
steet
h.
Me:t
heonewi
llbet
heone.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:sur
eguys,
seeyout
omor
row.
t
heyal
lsai
dgoodbye.
iwal
kedi
nandjustopenedt
hedooroft
heshack
andwal
kedi
n.
whatisawicoul
dntunsee.
somegi
rlwasonBr
icks,
andt
heywer
ebut
tnaked.
ishutmyeyesandhur
ri
edout
.
myhear
twasr
aci
ng,
iwasscaredthatBri
ckswasgoi ngtoshoutatme
fornotknocki
ng.kantiwhydonttheycl
osethe
curt
ainli
ketheyalwaysdo??
ahhhh,
nowisawwhatiwasnotsupposedt
osee.
[
12/24,12:
48] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwassti
llout
sidewaiti
ngforthem t
ofi
nish.i
njust
fewminutesBrickscameout.iwassoscared.
hecametomeandbefor
esayi
nganyt
hing,
i
i
mmediat
elyapol
ogi
zed.
Me:iam sososor r
yBraBricks,
iknowishould'
ve
knocked,
iam verysor
ry.butdontworr
y,idi
dntsee
anythi
ng,noneedtobeashamed, embarr
assedor
awkward.
Hi
m:iam sor
ry.
"
huh?
?"
iwassupershockedandconf
used,whyishe
apol
ogi
zing??imeanhealwaysusedtoshoutat
mef ornotknocki
ng,
nowheisapol
ogi
zingi
nst
ead
ofshouti
ng??whatisgoi
ngon.
Him:iam sor
ryyouhadtoseet
hat.wewer e
supposedtocl
osethecur
tai
natleast
.butiwas
i
gnorant.
idi
dntknowwhatt
osay,
iwasj
ustshocked.
Hi
m:iam ver
ysor
ry.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Him:youcancomei nnow, icl
osedthecurtai
nand
sheislayi
ngont hebed.shei saf
rai
dt oevenlook
atyouafterwhatjusthappened,shefeel
sashamed.
Me:huh..noneed.iwi
llj
ustgovi
sitauntMar
tha
nextdoor.shewasevenaski
ngmenowwheniwi l
l
comevisither.
Hi
m:noneed.
..
.i.
..
..
Me:justtr
eathergoodowk.iwil
lgi
veyouallthe
spaceyouneedt oday.owk?
?byebye.iwi
llseeyou
tomorrow.
iranoutt
heyar
d.idi
dntwantt
obot
herauntMar
tha
atthi
sti
me,soij
ustr
antoScar.
Scari
sthecl
osestf
ri
endaf
terBr
icks.
Scarl
iveswi
thhismotherandsibl
ings.buthehas
hi
sownr oom i
nthebackyard.soisneakedinand
wentt
oknock.
heopenedf
orme.
Scar
:Boi
ty?
?
Me:canicrashheretonight
??Brickshashi
sgi
rl
overandiwanttogivethem space.
Scar
:yah,
nopr
obl
em.
Me:t
hanksman.
Scar:butyoumustleaveear
ly,
youknowmymom
l
ikescomi ngher
etowakemeup.
Me:nost
ress,
at4am iwi
lll
eave.
Scar
:owk.
helendedmehisbedashesleptonthefl
oor
.i
i
nsistedt
hatheshoul
dn'
tbutheinsi
stedt
hati
ts
owk.
.
*
*Tumi(
jour
nal
ist
s)*
*
Me:(cryi
ng!!
)thepastwasami stake.iadmi
tthati
waslivi
ngmyl iferobbingmen.(cryi
ng)butihad
changed.ihadleftthatli
febehi
nd.howdar ehe
bri
ngitup??(crying)huh??
Her
:shhhh,
iam sor
rygi
rl
.iam sor
ry.
Me:youmustbethinkingiam aslut
.(sni
ff
)idi
dnt
eventel
lyoumyplanofmyar rangeddatewit
hMr
Wolf,
andlookhowitturnedout.hepl
ayedme.
Her
:it
sowknana.dontcr
y.
Me:itsnotowkGuhl e.ihaveasext
apegoi
ng
aroundtheint
ernet.asextapeGuhl
e,SEXTAPE.do
youknowhowdi r
tythatis??
Her:t
hatwasreal
lynotr
ightf
orhi
mtodot
hat
.he
wasn'
tsupposedto.
Me:eventhoughweal
lknowi
tshim,t
hesenderi
s
unknownandnothi
ngt
racest
heleaki
ngt
ohim.
nothi
ng.
Her
:*si
gh*
Me:al
liwant
edwast
ohaveMrWol
fasmi
ne.but
seemsiwasr eachi
ngforthest
ars(whi
chiwi
ll
neverr
each)ishoul
d'veknownbett
er.
Her:i
tsowknana, al
lwil
lbl
owof f
.bynextweek
peopl
ewoul dbef ocusedonanothergossi
pand
yourSextapewilljustbeoneofthosegossi
psthat
havelef
tpeoplesmi nds.sodontworry.
Me:butpeopl
eneverf
orget
.
Her
:theydo.st
opst
ressi
ng.
ist
art
edcr
yingbur
yingmyf
acei
nti
ssues.
mylif
ei sruined.ishoul
d'venevert
ri
edtotearhi
s
ego.ishould'venevertr
iedtoavengemyself
.
*
*si
gh*
*(cr
ying)
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
nmyr
oom l
ooki
ngatmyphot
oal
bum.
pict
uresofmymom andmyself
.inoti
cedt
hatt
he
l
asttimeiseemedhappyi
nphotos,
waswheniwas
veryyoung,
mabyeabout7year
sold.
af
tert
hat
,ihaveal
waysbeenser
ious.
asiwasbusyl
ooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
esicameacr
oss
onepi
ctur
e.
i
twasapi ct
ureofmymom, andsomethi
ngi
nthe
backgr
oundbroughtbackamemory.
.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
iwasver
yyoung.
iwaspl
ayingballi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom andasiwas
ki
cki
ngit
,itr
oll
edawayandwentdownthestai
rs.
bef
orei
tcoul
dreachthebot
tom igothol
dofi
tbut
al
sosomethi
ngcaughtmyeyes.
isawmydadsi
tt
ingonachai
rintheki
tchenand
mymom wassi
tti
ngontopofhi
m.
i
tseemedasi fmymom wasmaki ngfunnyfaci
al
expr
essi
onsandbusygr abbi
ngmydadsshoul der
.
mydadj ustkeptmovi
nghishandthatwasbetween
mom'slegs.
Dad:wi
llyoudi
sobeymeagai
n??
Mom:n.
..no(
str
uggl
ingt
obr
eat
h)
Dad:wi
llyoubeagoodgi
rl
??
mymom nodded.
isatt
her
elooki
ngatt
hem.
mydadwasbusywhisperi
ngtomymom al lthose
di
rt
ywordsanddemandingthatmom cal
lhisname
andshewoul
d.
atthatti
meidi dntunderst
andwhattheywer edoi
ng.
butast i
mepassedandmeseei ngthem dothat
mor eoft
enar oundt hehouse,it
henunder st
ood
thatmydadwasf ingeri
ngmymom andsayi ngall
thosewor ds.thenaf t
erawhil
ehewoul dleaveher
there,
mi serabl
e.
oneti
meiheardmydadt ell
ingmymom t hatshei
s
al
waysnotobeyinghim andt hat
'swhyhealways
puni
shesherandatthattimehewasgoi ngto
puni
shheragain.
iwat
chedhowhepuni
shedherandi
twast
hesame
way.
mydadwouldt easemymom t
othepoi
ntof
f
inger
ingher
.thenwhenshei
supandhigh,
he
woul
dleaveherl
iket
hat
.
andthatwasmyscenemostoft
het
imeasigr
ew
upunti
lhewasshotanddi
ed.
*
*endofFl
ashback*
*
.
"
sothi
siswher
emyseduct
ivesi
decamef
rom?
?
mydad??"
ineverhadagreatr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thmydad,
buthe
wassupport
iveandlovi
ng.
healwaysgotmewhatiwant edandal ways
encouragedmet oworkonmydr eams.evenwheni
tol
dhimt hatiwantt
ohaveabusi ness,hedidntsay
iwasyounganddi dntknowwhatiwast al
king
about,
het ol
dmet okeepthatdream andwor konit
.
t
heonl
ypr obl
em wasthathewashar
dlyhome.he
wasei
thermakingdeal
sordodgi
ngbull
ets.
wewer eal
waysonguardandt hatmademeabi t
uncomfort
abl
e.mebeingalonewasnotbychoice.
mydadhadt ol
dmet ostayawayf r
om ot
herki
ds
andalwaysbealone,
becauseweneverknowwhen
t
heenemyat
tackedt
hroughani
nnocentki
d.
somebei
ngdist
antandawayfrom ot
herkidswas
j
ustf
ormetobesafeandnevertr
ustanyone.
soigr
ewupasal
onel
yper
son.
aft
ermydaddi ed,mymom t
oldmeitsowkto
soci
ali
ze.t
hat'
swhyiwouldalwaysgoundert
he
tr
eeandwat chother
spl
ay.
iwishedtojoin,
butal
readyihadbuil
tawallinfront
ofmeandicoul dntbreaki
t.soicont
inuedbuil
ding
itbysti
llbei
ngaloneandavoidi
nghavingfr
iends.
eventhoughmydadhadpassedon,
ist
il
ldi
dnt
tr
ustanyoneandst
il
ldont
.
iwaslooki
ngatt
hechai
rthatmydadusedt
o
puni
shmymom on.
aft
erawhi
leisi
ghedandl
ookedatot
herpi
ctur
es.i
sawapict
ureofmeandmymom.
wewer
ebot
hsmi
li
ngher
e,seemedwewer
ehappy.
il
ookedather
,herbeaut
if
ulsmi
leandr
oundf
ace.
"
mama,
imi
ssyou.youal
wayst
oldmet
ofi
nd
someonewhowi l
llovemeandcher ishmef orwhoi
am, idontthinksuchwomanexi st.youweret he
l
astofyourki nd.idontwantt obel i
kedad.idont
wantt opunishmywi fe,butnowiknowt hatihave
thissidebecauseofhi m.idontknowhowiwi lldeal
withitbecauseidontl ikeit.butiaskt hatyouhel p
me.iam scar edt hatthi ssi
demi ghtscareany
womanimeet ,sopl easechooseawomanf orme.
bringmeawi fethati slikeyou.dadhadt hisside
andyoust il
lstickedwi t
hhi mt i
lltheend.youst i
ll
l
ovedhi mr egardless.ial sowantsomeonel ikethat,
pleasemama, helpmecompl et
emyl i
fewit
ht his
onewi sh.please"
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngather
.
"
iloveyou"
ithenputthepict
ureonmyhear tandcl
osedmy
eyesasijustthoughtabouther
.
[
12/24,12:
48] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
9
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
hereiam agai
n,att
hetownship,t
ogat hermore
memor iesofmychi
ldhood.whenifirstcamehere,i
fel
tclosetomymom.herspi r
itst
il
llovesthi
splace.
ipar
kedmycaratt
hegar
ageandwal
kedar
ound.
igott
othetreet
hatiusedt
osi
tunderand
memor i
esf
loodedi
nmymi nd.
howiusedt
owat chot
herki
dspl
aysoccerandj
ust
l
ookfr
om adist
ance.
asiwasstandi
ngther
e,ilookedatt
heopenspace
wheretheki
dsusedtoplaysoccerandsawan
el
derl
ywomanst r
uggli
ngwi t
hplast
icbags.
i
mmedi at
elyiwasr
emindedofmymother
.she
l
ovedgoingshoppi
ng,
andwhenshedoes,she
neverf
orgetst
obri
ngmenicethi
ngst
oeatand
wear.
il
ookedatherandaheadofherst
oodhungr
y4
boyslooki
ngatthepoorwoman.
idontknowwhyidi
dwhatidi
d,butij
ustdi
d.
ij
umpedt
hest
reetandwentt
othewoman.
Me:Goodaft
ernoonmama,
areyouowk?doyou
needhel
p.
Her
:ahhh,
itsowkmyboy,
ithi
nkicanmanage.
Me:it
sowkmama,
iam headi
ngt
hiswayanyway
soicanhel
p.
Her
:huh,
owk.
shesoundedt
ir
ed.
Her
:ifyoui
nsi
st.t
hankyou.
ihel
pedherandwal
kedwi
thhert
owher
eshel
ives.
Her
:seeinghowyoul
ook,
youmustnotbef
rom t
his
t
ownship?
Me:huh,yes,act
ual
lyicameher
etor
emi
ndmysel
f
ofwhereigrewup.
Her:ohh,t
hat'
sverygood,
notf
orget
ti
ngwher
eyour
st
rugglesbegan.
ij
ustsmi
led.
wet
urnedi
nthest
reett
hatusedt
obet
hest
reeti
l
ivedi
n.thenisawthehouseweusedtoli
vei
n
agai
n.butli
tt
ledi
diknowthatshewasact
ual
ly
headi
ngtothathouse.
Me:mama,
youl
iveher
e??
Her
:yes.why?
Me:huh,
not
hing,
iwasj
ustaski
ng.
shel
aughedal
it
tl
e.
Her
:it
sabi
toutoft
het
ownshi
psl
eaguehai
??
idi
dntsayanyt
hingij
ustsmi
led.
Her:wel
l,
itsaver
ylongst
oryast
ohowigottoli
ve
her
e,butidontwantt
oboreyouwi
thdet
ail
s.pl
ease,
comeoni n.
Me:huh,
itsowk,
iwi
llj
ustt
urnher
e.
Her:st
opbei
ngsi
ll
y,asyouhel
pedme, l
etmet r
eat
youtosomecol
djui
ce,pl
usit
sreal
lyhotout
side.
ireal
lywantedt
osayNo,
butshewasbei
ngver
y
persi
stent
.
Me:iguessicanspar
eaf
ewmi
nut
es.
Her
:ther
eyougo.nowcomei
n.
iwal
kedi
n.
sheshowedmeaseatandisatdown.
it
ookof
fmyjacketandloosenedmyt
ieal
it
tl
e,i
t
wasi
ndeedhotout
side.
Her:ai
goo!
!ihaverunoutofj
uice,idi
dntevenget
oneatthest
ore.pl
easestayhereasigogetone
owk?
Me:nomama,
itsr
eal
lyowk,
justwat
erwi
lldo.
Her:youaremyguest,howwil
lij
ustgiveyou
water??pl
usialsobakedsomecakesyester
day,
i
betyouwilll
oveit
.
itri
edtor
eall
ytellhert
hatiam owk,
butshei
s
reall
yper
sist
ent.
Her
:iwi
llbebacki
namoment
.
ij
ustsmi
ledandnodded.
shel
eftandiwasl
eftal
one.
ilookedar
oundthehouse.al
othasreal
lychanged.
italmostl
ooksl
iket
hiswasneverourhome,but
memor
ieswi
llneverdi
e.
aft
erashortwhil
eiheardaknockonthedoor.ij
ust
l
ookedatthedooranditwasayounggirlwhowas
hol
dingherstomachasifshewasinpain.
Her
:auntMar
tha!
!
shewal
kedi
nandl
ookedatme.
Her
:Goodaf
ter
noonsi
r,mayiaskwher
eaunt
Mart
hawent
?
"
her
??shecanbet
hishumbl
e??
"
shedi
dntevenseem t
onot
iceme.
Me:youagai
n?
shelookedatmeconf
used,butwasdi
str
act
edby
thepainshewasgoi
ngthrough.
shel
ookedatmeagai
n.
Her:ohhh,
Mrsmar t
ypant
s.wemeetagain,
thank
Goodnesswedidntmeetonthest
reet
,orel
seyou
would'
vebumpedme.
Me:(
chuckl
es)sucha.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
shegr
oanedagai
ninpai
n.
il
ookedathert
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eoutwhatwaswr
ong
wit
hher.
shewal
kedinandwenttosi
tonthecouch.shel
ay
ther
easshegroanedwi
thpai
n.
iswearihaveneverbeent
hisconf
used.
Me:wher
eyoushot
??
shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
bef
oreshecoul
dsayanyt
hing,
thel
adycameback.
Lady:haoBoi
tumel
o,whati
swr
ong.
shej
ustl
aidt
her
egr
oani
ngi
npai
n.
Lady:i
tmustbet
hatt
imeoft
hemont
h.comenana,
come.
Thel
adyt
ookt
hisyounggi
rlaway.
ij
ustsatt
herewonder
ingwhatt
hehel
lwaswr
ong
wit
htheyounggir
l.
ichuckl
ed.myphoner
ang.
it
ooki
tandr
esponded.i
twasJoe.
Me:yes?
Joe:gooddaysi
r,MrCoet
zeei
ssat
isf
ied,
hesends
hi
st hanks.
Me:di
dyouhandl
eitwel
l?
?
Joe:aspr
omi
sed.
Me:goodj
ob.
Joe:st
aywel
lsi
r.ij
ustwant
edt
oupdat
eyou.
Me:mhm.keepwor
kinghar
d,i
twi
llpayof
f.
af
tersayi
ngt
hatihungup.
af
terawhi
let
hel
adycameout
.
Me:huh,
mama,
wil
lshebeowk?
?
Lady:yes,
itsj
ustamont
hlyt
hingf
orl
adi
es,
not
hing
much.
ohhh,sot
hat
'
swhati
twas.gee,
nowondershewas
l
ikethi
s.
Me:ohh.
shepour
edmeadri
nkwi
thi
cei
nsi
deandbr
ought
mesomecakes.
Me:i
ssheyourdaught
er?
?
Her
:no,sheisnot.sheandherbrot
herlostt
hei
r
par
ent
s,sotheystayalone.sowhenevershehas
womanissues,shecomest ome.
Me:ohhh,
sot
hat
'swhyshei
sdr
essedl
ikeaboy.
Her
:(l
aughs)
aft
erawhil
esomeoneknockedont
hedoor
.il
ooked
anditwasaguyt
hist
ime.
Lady:ohhBr
icks?
?
Bri
cks:hiauntMar
tha,
iam l
ooki
ngf
orBoi
tumel
o,i
s
shehere?
Lady:shei
ssl
eepi
ng,
shei
sil
l.
Br
icks:caniseeher
.
Lady:mabyel
ater
,shej
ustf
ellasl
eepr
ightnow.
Br
icks:ohowkAuntMar
tha,
iwi
llcomeagai
nlat
er.
Lady:okmyboy.
t
heguyl
eft
.
Me:t
hat
'sherbr
other
??
Lady:yes.
me:ahhh.t
heyar
est
il
lver
yyoung.
Lady:iknow.t
hat
'swhyial
waysi
nsi
stonhel
ping
Boit
umel o.
Me:sot
heyl
ivet
oget
her
??al
one?
Lady:yes.ial
wayst el
lthem t
ocomel i
vewithme,
butBricksistotal
lyagainsti
t.iheart
hatBr
icks
sometimesbr ingsgirl
sinthehouse,andBoit
umel o
hastosl eepwhilethebigpeopledothei
rbusiness.
i
tssad.sheal sodoesntwantt ocomel i
vewithme.
Me:ahh.soaunt
ydoesnthaveki
ds?
?
Lady:no,idont.actual
ly,iusedtoadmiremysi st
er
backthen.shehadal mostever yt
hingagirlcoul
d
everaskfor,shewassohappy.buti twasjust
unfor
tunatethatourpar entscoul
dntacceptthe
manshewasdat i
ng,sot heymadeherchoose
betweenfami l
yandt hatman.guesswhoshe
chose??theman.
Me:whycoul
dntt
hepar
ent
sacceptt
heman?
?
Lady:becauset
heyf
oundoutt
hathewasamaf
ia.
Me:what
??
i
mmedi at
elymyeyesshotopen.coul
ditbet
hatshe
i
stal
kingaboutmymom?
Lady:idi dnthaveachoi
cebuttoalsocutcontacts
wi t
hherbecausemymot hersai
difshecaughtus
talkingtoher ,
wewouldfol
lowher.ir
egretnoteven
tryingtor eachoutt
oher
.
Me:wh.
..wher
eisshenow?
?
Lady:shepassedaway.af teriheardabouther
passing, istart
edlooki
ngf orinformationonherand
whereshel ivedandallthat.i
tturnedoutt hather
husbandpassedawayf irst,t
henshemovedaway
fr
om t heirhouseandshecamet ostayhere.that
's
whyi deci dedtotakeallthemoneyihadt obuythis
house, idontknowwhyiwant edt obuyi t
,but
becausei twashers,iboughti t
.ifeelli
keshewoul d
havelikedi fthi
shousewasahomef orherfamil
y.
idi
dntsayanythi
ng,ij
ustl
ookeddownt
ryi
ngt
o
swall
owallt
hisinf
ormati
on.
Lady:wel
l,
itsalli
nthepassednow.eventhoughi
al
wayswisht hatonedayherki
dswillcomehereor
mabyeifindthem.youknowl i
keinthemovies.
bumpintothem oranythi
ng.butiguesst
hisisnot
Hol
lywood,suchthingsdonthappen.
il
ookedather
.
Me:ki
ds?
?
Lady:mysi
sterpassedawayr
ightaf
tershegave
bi
rth.
Me:huh?
?
t
hisi
spr
obabl
ynotmymom.
Lady:ai
goo!l
ookatmet
ell
ingyoual
lmysadl
if
e
probl
ems.sorr
y!
Me:i
sbyanychanceyoursi
ster
'snameNobuhl
e
Char
mai
neNgcobowhomar ri
edZakesSbonel
o
Wolf
?
shel
ookedatmewi
thshock.
Lady:yes,
andl
aterwascal
ledNobuhl
eChar
mai
ne
Wolf.
Me:(
lookeddown)iam LubanziJuni
orWol
f.
Lady:What
??
[
12/
24,
12:
49] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
Aunt:areyoumeani
ngt
otel
lmet
hatyouar
emy
si
ster'
sson??
il
ookedather
.
Me:yesaunt
.
Aunt
:ohLubanzi
..Lubanzimyson(
cryi
ng)
shecamet
ohugme.
thelastti
meigotahugf rom someonewasmy
mom, i
tmademef eelsomehowatease.itookti
me
beforeihuggedherbackbecauseiwasntusedt o
thegesture.buteventual
lyigent
lyhuggedher
.
shewascryingver
ypai
nful
lyandsomehowif
elt
real
lybad.
shebr
oket
hehugandknel
tonherkneesi
nfr
ontof
measiwasseat
edonthecouch.
Me:aunt
,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Her:son,
iam sor
ry.iam sor
ryiwasntt
herefor
yourmotherwhensheneededus.iam tr
ulysor
ry.
Me:aunt,i
tsowk..
.canyousi
tont
hecouchpl
ease,
dontkneell
iket
his.
.aunt
.
Her
:(cr
ying)iam sor
ry.
att
hatmoment
,theyoungl
adycamer
ushi
ngi
n.
Her:auntMar
tha,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?ar
eyou
owk??
shecamet opickauntupandt akehert
ositont
he
couch,iwasjustsi
tt
ingther
enotknowinghowi
shouldreact
.seemsmyr eacti
onbrainwasnoti
n
posi
tion.
Her:whatdi
dyoudot
oher
??iknewyouwer
ebad
news.
foronceiwasworri
ed,iwaswonderi
ngifshewas
owkornot.shekeptoncryi
ngasthoughsomeone
passedaway.
Her
:auntMar
tha?
?auntMar
tha.
.
shel
eftheronthecouchandr
ansomewher
e.t
hen
camebackwithaglassofwat
er.
Her
:ar
eyour
eal
lygoi
ngsi
tther
eanddonot
hing?
?
shesai
dthatt
ome.
"damnihavenevertri
edtohelpanyoneinavery
l
ongt ime,howam isupposedtoknowwhattodo"
thosewher et
hewordsiwantedtosay,butij
ust
saidthem inmymind.
shehelpedauntMar
thadr
inkwat
erandmadeai
r
forher
.
Her
:auntMar
thaar
eyouowk?
?
Aunt
:iam owk,
iam j
ust
,iam sor
egr
etf
ulandsor
ry
andhappy.
auntl
ookedatme.
t
heyoungl
adyal
sol
ookedatme.
Me:auntMartha,j
ustt
ellmewhathedi
dtoyouand
iwi
lldealwi
thhim.
shesai
dthatl
ooki
ngatmewithanexpr
essi
ont
hat
sai
dshewasreadytoki
llme.
ij
ustchuckl
ed.
AuntMar
thahi
ttheyoungl
adyont
hehead.
Her
:ahhhhauntMar
tha.
Aunt:t
hisyoungmandi dntdoanyt
hing.ij
ustgot
overwhel
medt hatmybodyalmostfail
edme
becauseheismysi st
ersson.
t
heyoungl
adyl
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
Aunt:andwhyareyouhere?shoul
dn'
tyoube
sl
eeping??hast
hepaingoneaway??
Her:iheardaunt
ycr
yingsoithoughtshewasin
tr
ouble,hencewhyi
wasr eadytodealwit
hhowever
hurtaunty.
Me:(chuckl
es)al
it
tl
egi
rll
ikeyoucanf
ight
??i
doubt.
Her
:lastper
sonwhot houghticoul
dntf
ightended
upbrui
sed.askaboutBoi,youwil
lfi
ndoutyoursel
f.
shewassoser
iouswhenshesaidt
his.wow,
how
canasi
mplegi
rlgetsoi
nter
est
ing.
ichuckl
ed.
Aunt
:hai
,canyoustopbickeri
ngli
kesibl
ings.i
fthi
s
i
sthebegi
nningofarel
ationshi
pjustl
etmeknow.
Her
:Never
!!hemaybehandsome,
butyoucantel
l
t
hathi
shandsomenessi
smeanttodest
royandki
ll
.
iam t
ooyoungt
odi
e.
Auntl
aughed.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngather
.
sher
ubbedhert
ummyandl
ookeddown.
Aunt:iwonderwhyyoupushedyourselft
ogetout
ofbedknowingthatyouar
esick.gobackandr est
,i
wil
lmakesomet hi
ngnicef
oryousot hatyoucan
haveyourpil
ls.
shenoddedandl
ookedatmewi
thadi
rt
ylookt
hen
walkedaway.
ichuckl
ed.
"
int
erest
ing"
it
henl
ookedataunt
.
Me:aunt
,ar
eyouowk?
?
Aunt:iam f
inemyson.iam justhappy.youknow
fort
hese6year s,
ihavebeentryi
ngtofindyou.you
havereal
lygrownup.
ismi
led.
Aunt:nowt
hatit
akeagoodl
ookatyou,youonl
y
t
ookyourmother
seyesandnose.t
herestar
eyour
fat
hers.
ismi
ledl
ett
ingoutaf
aintl
augh.
shel
ookedatme.
Me:huh,auntMar
tha,yousai
dmymot
herpassed
awayaft
ergivi
ngbir
th.
Aunt
:yes.shegavebi
rt
htoaheal
thybabyboy.he
i
s6yearsnow.
Me:how??mymom wasnotseeinganyone.i
nfact
hehadneverseenanyonesi
ncedadpassedaway.
Aunt:ial
sodontknow, butt
hat'
stheinfoigot.idi
d
fi
ndtheson,heisli
vingwithhisfat
her.inever
spokeindet
ailwi
ththef at
herbuthedidconf i
rmthe
stor
y.
Me:impossible.mymotherwassi cksoshesaid
shewoul dgosleepatt
hehospi t
alforafewmont hs.
sherefusedtogivemedetail
sofwhi chhospi
tal
,
shesaidishouldnotvi
sitandfocusonmyst udies.
itr
ustedhersomucht hatibel
ievedher.soinever
vi
sit
edfor6mont hs.aft
er6months,ir
eceiveda
cal
lsayingmymom passedaway.ineverasked
quest
ions,ij
ustbel
ievedthati
twasbecauseofa
si
ckness.
Aunt:imaybewrong,oryourmothermighthave
wantedyoutonotstr
essandnotknowaboutt hei
r
rel
ati
onshi
psinceyoulovedyourf
ather
.
il
ookedar
oundandangerwassl
owl
yfi
ll
ingmeup.
Aunt
:let
sleavet
hatf
ornow,iseei
tsupset
ti
ngyou.
howaboutyoutel
lmeaboutyourl
if
e.
Me:iam sor
ryaunt
,butineedt
ogetgoi
ng.
Aunt
:al
ready?
?imeanyoucanst
ayf
ordi
nner
.
Me:iam sor
ryaunt
.ipromi
seiwi
llvisi
tmoreof
ten,
butri
ghtnowihavetobesomewhere,pl
ease
excuseme.
ist
oodup.
Me:thankyouf oryourhospital
it
yaunt
,andiam
verygrat
efult
hatihavef oundmymot her'
ssist
er.
atl
eastnowiknowt hatihaveafamil
y.thankyou.
shenoddedandwal
kedmeout
.
Aunt
:dontbeast
ranger
.
Me:iwontbeast
rangeraunt
.iwi
llvi
sitof
ten.
shesmi
ledandsai
dgoodbye.
ihur
riedt
omycarasit
ookmyphoneoutmaki
nga
cal
l.
Me:ar
eyoust
il
latt
hecompany?
?
Joe:yessi
r,butiwasaboutt
oleavenow.
Me:meetmeatmyhousei
mmedi
atel
y.
Joe:yessi
r.
ihungupandwentt
omycar
.
iar
ri
ved,
goti
nmycaranddr
ovehome.
iar
ri
vedhomeandJoewasout
side.
iopenedthegat
eandparkedi
nsi
de,t
hensi
gnal
ed
forhi
mt oent
erandpar
khiscaraswell
.
hepar
kedhi
scarandgotoutt
hecar
.
ial
sogotoutandwalkedi
nthehousegoi
ng
str
aightt
omystudy.
igoti
nmyst
udyandpour
edagl
assofwhi
skey.
asj
oecaughtupwi
thme,
hel
ookedatme.
igulpeddown2glassesofwhi
skeyandsatdown
thenlookedup.
Joe:si
r,i
sther
eapr
obl
em?
Me:Joe,ihavenevert
rust
edanyonewithanythi
ng
bef
ore.butri
ghtnowineedtoknowificantrust
youwithsomethi
ng.
Joe:yessi
r.youcanal
wayscountonme.iam l
oyal
toyou.
Me:*
sigh*
istar
tedti
ght
eni
ngmyt
eet
hasiputmyhandson
thetabl
e.
Me:Joe.ineedyout
ofi
ndouthowawomancall
ed
Nobuhl
eChar mai
neWol
fdi
ed6yearsagoont
he
##of######.
Joe:i
sthatwomanyourmot
her
??
Me:*breat
hsout*f
indmethedamni
nfor
mat
ion
andstopwitht
hequest
ions.
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:ineedthati
nfor
mationassoonasyoul ayyour
handsonthem.ineedeverydetail
.idontwantt obe
aski
ngquesti
onsorhavingmissinginfor
mat ion.
ever
ythi
ngrelat
edtoherdeat
h,mustber evealed.
underst
ood??
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:good.youmayl
eavenow.
Joenoddedandheadedout
.
isatt
her
etr
yingt
ocoolmysel
fdown.
it
urnedandsawmymot her
spict
ureont
hewal
l.i
t
wasapictur
eif
ramedyearsago.
"idearhopeallt
hisisnottr
ue,
ir eall
yhopeyou
didnttri
ckmemom.r emember,itrust
edyouandi
stil
ldo.sodontdisappoi
ntmemom, j
ustlett
he
i
nf or
mat i
oncomeoutasiknowi t.youdiedofa
sicknessandthat'
sit.
"
it
ight
enedmyt
eet
hasil
ookedatherpi
ctur
e.
"
ihopeal
loft
hisi
sal
ie"
[
12/
24,
12:
49] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
10
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:whatdoyoumeanyouhaven'
tfi
nished
concludi
ngt
hei
nfor
mati
on,
isther
eal ottobe
found??
Joe:yessir
.asyousaidt
hatyouwantt
oknow
everyt
hingregar
dingt
hematt
er,t
her
eisal
ottof
ind.
me:somucht
hati
tcoul
dntbef
oundi
ndays?
Joe:wewi
llbeasqui
ckaswecansi
r.
Me:*si
gh*makeityourpr
ior
it
y,f
orgetaboutt
he
companyforawhil
e.
Joe:yessi
r.
ihungupandbr
eat
hed.
iwasi
nthecarpar
kedatt
hegar
agewhenihadt
his
cal
l.yes,
iwasatt
heTownshi
pagai
n.
actual
ly,
ihavebeencomingher
epr
ett
yof
ten.
spendingti
mewithauntMart
ha.
ihadalmostf
orgot
tent
hisfeel
ing,thefeel
ingof
famil
ybei
ngaroundyou.i
twasaf eel
ingihadnever
fel
tsi
ncethepassi
ngofmymot her.
well
,igetof
fmycarandst
art
edwalki
ngt
omy
aunt
shouse( usedt
obemymother
shouse)
.
ofcauseipayforpar
king,
sot
heyal
waysmake
suremycarissafe.
.
*
*Tumi(
jour
nal
ist
s)*
*
Oguhl
e:ar
eyousur
ethi
sist
hebestway?
?
Me:it
stheonl
yway.imeanther
eisnot
hing
keepi
ngmehereanymore.
Oguhl
e:youknowi
tsact
ual
lynott
heonl
ythi
ngt
o
dori
ght?
?
Me:Guhl
e,iknowyoudontwantmet ogo,buti
havet
o.il
ostmyjob,mydigni
ty,
reputat
ionand
ever
ything.therei
snot
hingleftf
ormehere.noone
wil
leverhireme.dontworrythough,
idi
dthisto
myself,
soiwi llpi
ckmysel
fup.
Oguhl
e:wi
llyouat
leastvi
sitmesomet
ime?
Me:(
smi
les)iwi
ll
..whywoul
dn'
ti?
?
Oguhl
e:wel
l,
didyoupackever
ythi
ng?
?
Me:mhm.ievent
oldt
hel
andl
ordaboutmyl
eave.
Oguhl
e:youbet
tergetgoi
ngbef
oreyoumi
ssyour
bus.
Me:ohyesyouar
eri
ght
.letmego.
.
Oguhl
e:iwi
llmi
ssyouTumi
.
Me:iwi
llmi
ssyout
ooGuhl
e.
ihuggedher
.
Me:t
akecar
e.
shenodded.
ithent
ookmybagsandheadedout.i
twasnteasy
taki
ngthisdecisi
on,
buti
twast
hebestdeci
siont
o
make.allfort
hebest.
asf
orLubanzi
,hi
sdayi
scomi
ng.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iheadedoutreadyt
osel
lmypacks.ist
il
lhadabout
20packswithme.
iheadedoutandgotbyt
hecor
ner
.
isawthepol
icesear
chi
ngsomeguysatt hecor
ner
andstar
tedt
hinki
ngwhetherishoul
dtur
nbackor
not.
it
hentookasmoothtur
nandwalkedsl
owl
yasifi
hadf
orgott
ensomethi
ngathomeorsomet
hing.
Pol
ice1:hai
!!
ipr
etendednott
ohearat
hing,
ijustkeptonwal
king.
Pol
ice1:hay,
Stop!
ist
il
ldi
dntlookback,
ijustwal
kedandupedmy
paceali
tt
le.
Pol
ice1:hai
,isai
dSt
op!
!
ij
ustst
art
edwal
kingabi
tfast
erandst
il
ldi
dntl
ook
back.
thevoi
ceseemedt
obecomi
ngcl
oser
,soiwal
ked
evenfast
er.
asil
ookedback,
isawt
he2pol
icer
unni
ngt
owar
ds
me,ideci
dedtor
un.
Pol
ice1:hai
,St
op!
!
t
heywouldevenaskt
hepeopl
etost
opmebutt
hey
j
ustl
ookedatme.
asiwasrunni
ng,
irani
ntoAuntMar
tha'
sguest
.
ohhhno!
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iseetheyounggir
lthatimetdaysagoataunt
Martha'
shouserunningtowar
dsme.i twasasi
f
shewasbeingchasedbyt hepoli
ce.
shet
ri
edr
unni
ngpassedmebutibl
ockedherway.
igr
abbedherhandandpul
ledhert
owar
dsme.
Her
:hai
,l
etmego!
!
Me:whatdi
dyoudo?
Her
:letmegoman,
thi
sisnotf
unny.
Me:no!
t
hepolicecameandshel
ookedatt
hem scar
ed.i
wonderwhatshedi
d.
hahahaha,soshei
satroubl
emakeraswell
.ibet
shepickpocket
edsomeoneandgotcaught
.hai
ki
ds.
il
ookedatherandsmi
ledasil
ookedatt
hepol
ice.
Pol
ice1:(
cat
chinghi
sbreath)t
hankyouver
ymuch
si
r,mayyoupleasehandherovert
ous.
Me:who?
?her
??
t
heynodded.
Me:icant
.
shel
ookedatmeconf
usedandl
ookedatt
hecops.
Pol
ice1:si
r,pl
easedonoti
nter
ruptwi
thourwor
k.
Me:iam not
.bef
oreihandhert
oyou,
ineedt
o
knowwhatshedidwrong?
Pol
ice1:si
r?
Me:tr
ustmeiknowallaboutt
heri
ghtsofeach
ci
ti
zen,soiam al
sot
ryi
ngtoprot
ectacit
izenf
rom
har
assment.
t
hepol
icel
ookedatme.
Pol
ice1:si
r,whodoyout
hinkyouar
e??
Me:noneedt
oknowwhoiam,
alliaski
swhyi
shoul
dhandhert
oyou.
Pol
ice2:wesuspectthatshei
sinposi
ti
onofdr
ugs,
sowehavetosear chher.
Me:what
??
Pol
ice2:yessi
r.
il
ookedatherandshel
ookedatmet
henl
ooked
away.
thisgi
rlst
il
lhadanatti
tudeevenwhenshewas
closet
obei ngbust
ed.gee!!whenl
astdi
diseesuch
awoman? ?
Me:t
heniwi
llsear
chher
.
sheshothereyesl
ooki
ngatme.
Pol
ice2:nosi
r,wehavet
osear
chher
.
Me:idontal
low.
Pol
ice1:si
r.
..
..
..
..
.
Me:woul
dyoual
lowyourwi
fet
obesear
chedbya
malepol
ice?
?
t
hepol
icel
ookedateachot
her
.
Pol
ice2:excuseus,
youar
emar
ri
ed?
Me:yes.dontbef
ooledwit
husnothavi
ngr i
ngs.
youcanaskanybodyinthi
scommunit
y,theywil
l
tel
lyou.
Pol
ice1:idontbel
ievei
t.si
r.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:searchherandiwi l
lfi
leacaseforsexual
harassment.imeanifyouknewyouwant edto
searchpeopletoday,
whydi dntyoubr
ingafemal
e
poli
ce?
t
heydi
dntsayanyt
hing.
Me:asisai
diwi
llsear
chherf
oryou.
t
heyst
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
il
ookedather
.
me:mayyoupl
easer
aiseyourhandmyl
ady.
shelookedatmeandhereyesweretell
ingmethat
sheissogoi ngt
ogetmeaft
ert
his,butshewil
lal
so
thankmef orhel
pingher
.
it
hensearchedherf
rom underherar
msdownt
o
herl
egs.
if
eltt
hepacksonherwai
st.ii
gnor
edt
hem
icar
ri
edonandt
henl
ookedatt
hepol
ice.
Me:cl
eanasababy.
t
heyl
ookedatmesuspi
ciousl
yandl
ookedather
.
il
ookedatt
hem.
t
heysl
owl
ywal
kedaway.
iwatchedt
hem walki
ngasihel
dthi
syounggi
rl
s
handveryt
ight
ly.
ast
heywer
efar
,il
ookedather
.
Me:dr
ugs?
?
shej
ustl
ookedatme.
igrabbedhercl
oseandr
eachedf
ort
hepackson
herwaist.MYWORD!somuch.
il
ookedatherasshequickl
ygrabbedt
hepacks
andputt
hem backinherwaist
.
Me:somany?
shest
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
Me:yousmoket
heseoryousel
lthem.
shest
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
Me:ohhhsobigmouthcanttal
ktodayhuh?
?owk,
youwil
lexpl
aint
oauntMarthathen.
ipul
ledher
.
Her
:hai
!!
ist
oppedandl
ookedather
.
Her:canyounottellauntMar tha,
thi
swi
lldeeply
hur
ther ,shehasbeennot hi
ngbutacari
ngper son
tome, idontwantt
odi sappointher.
Me:t
henyoubet
terst
artt
ell
ingmet
het
rut
h.
shel
ookeddown.
il
ookedatheri
ndi
cat
ingt
hatiam wai
ti
ngf
orhert
o
speak.
Her
:fi
ne!isel
lthem.
Me:andyourbr
otherknowsaboutt
his?
?
Her
:whatbr
other
??
Me:dontyouhaveabr
other
??
Her
:No.
Me:reall
y??sowhoisthisguyt
hatauntMar
tha
bel
ievesisyourbr
other
.
Her
:ohh,
damn.
Me:iguessyoul
iedt
oheraboutt
hat
?
shel
ookeddown.
Me:whati
she?
?yourboyf
ri
end?
?
Her
:No!
Me:t
hen?
?
Her
:*si
gh*hei
sjustaf
ri
endwhoi
shel
pingmeout
.
Me:af
ri
endwhoi
shel
pingyouout
??
Her
:yes.
Me:hel
pingoutbyget
ti
ngyout
odr
ugs?
?
Her
:no.isel
lthesei
nret
urnf
orshel
terandf
ood.
Me:wher
ear
eyourpar
ent
s??
Her
:passedaway,
theywer
einvol
vedi
nanacci
dent
.
Me:f
ami
ly?
Her
:InMozambi
que.
me:whynotl
ivewi
tht
hem.
Her
:idontl
ikebei
ngabur
dent
oot
herpeopl
e.
Me:dot
heyknowt
hatyoul
iveyourl
if
eli
ket
his?
?
Her
:no,
theyt
hinkiam i
nuni
ver
sit
yst
udyi
ng.
Me:(
chuckled)whatanamazinguniversi
tyyouar
e
i
n.i
teventeachesit
sstudentt
oselldrugs.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:what
syournameagai
n??
Her
:Boi
tumel
o.
Me:r
ight
,youhavet
ost
opl
ivi
ngt
hisl
if
eyouar
e
l
ivi
ng.nextt
imeimightnotbeher
etosaveyourass
l
ikeididt
oday.andwhoknowshowt hatwil
ltur
n
out?youcoul
dbearrest
ed,ki
ll
edoranyt
hing.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:r
evi
ewyourl
if
e.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
il
etgoofherhand.
Me:andal so,
isuggestyoumoveinwi t
haunt
Martha,it
snotsafel
ivi
ngwi t
ha"fr
iend"thatisa
guy.itcoul
dturnugl
y.unlessyouhavefuturepl
ans
tobeingtoget
her.
shel
ookedatmefunnyandti
ght
enedherf
acel
ike
shewasaboutt
osaysomethi
ngharsh.
Me:guyshavef eel
ings.youmaydr essli
keaguy
andactboyish,butfactisthatyouareagir
landhe
wil
lalwaysknowt hat,nomat t
erhowmuchyouhi de
i
t.unlessofcauseyoust artbei
nglesbi
ananddate
gi
rls,
that'
swhenhewi llf
inal
lyseeyouasaguy.
her
:that
'
snotyourbusi
nesst
owor r
yabout.t
hank
youanywayf
orhelpi
ngme,butihadever
ythi
ng
undercont
rol
.haveagr
eatday.
shesai
dthi
srunni
ngt
hedi
rect
ionicamef
rom.
il
ookedatherasshedi
sappear
edandt
hensmi
led.
idontknowwhatf eeli
ngiwasgett
ing,icouldnt
real
lyexpl
aini
t.butitwassomesor tofassurance.
li
keiwasassuredaboutsomething."
well
,idi
dntthi
nktoomuchabouti
t,ij
ustwentt
o
auntMartha'
shouse.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
whataj
erk!
butat
leasthesavedme,
iwascl
oset
obei
ngcaught
.
ihur
ri
edt
oMf ana'
sshackandfoundtheguyst
her
e
havi
ngachi
ll
edvibebutScarwasnotther
e.
Me:gent
s.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
it
hrewmysel
font
hechai
randl
eanedback.
Mf
ana:whati
swr
ong?
?
Me:ihadabadst
artofdayt
oday,
Mf
ana:whathappened?
?
Me:t
hecopswherebackandt
hist
imeihadt
hem
onme.20packs.
Mf
ana:dammi
t.
Me:yah,iwasal
mostcaughtmahn.t
heyeven
chasedaft
erme.
Mf
ana:ohh,
sohowdi
dyougetaway?
?
Me:auntMar
tha'
sguesthel
pedme.
Mf
ana:t
he"
annoyi
ngj
erk"youal
wayst
alkabout
?
Me:mhm.
Mf
ana:howdi
dhehel
pyou.
Me:mahn,that'
sonest or
yisti
llcantbeli
eve.imean
hegotthepoli
ceturningbackwithoutsearchi
ngme.
hetoldt
hem thatwear emarri
edandt hattheycant
touchmebecauset heyaremen, i
ftheydohewi ll
fi
leacaseofharassment.
Mf
ana:gee,
that
'ssmar
t.
me:mhm.
Mf
ana:di
dheknowt
hought
hatyouhadt
hem?
Me:yah,
heeventoldmetotel
lhi
m ever
ythi
ngor
el
sehewoul
dt el
launtMar
tha.
Mf
ana:yout
oldhi
m??
Me:ihadt
o.
Mf
ana:canhebet
rust
edt
hough?
Me:ofcausenot.butt
henheal
sol
iedt
othepol
ice,
soi
fhetriedanythi
ng,
hewil
lal
sogodown.
Mfana:becar
eful
,thesemeni
nsui
tesar
emor
e
danger
ousthengangster
s.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
"
thewayhedoest
hings,
hecoul
dbeone"isai
dto
mysel
f.
isi
ghedandr
elaxedf
rom whathappenedt
oday.
t
hethoughtofbei
ngal
mostcaughtwasst
il
lscar
ing
me.
[
12/
24,
12:
50] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
11
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasathomelayi
ngonmybedgoi
ngt
hroughwhat
idi
dfort
heday.
iwasver
ytir
ed,
butist
il
lhadt
oshower
,thenonl
yi
cansl
eep.
it
ookoffmyj
acketandmyti
e,it
henunbut
toned
myshi
rtandmyphonerang.
i
twasJoe.
Me:speakt
ome.
Joe:t
heinvest
igat
ioni
scompl
etesi
r.shoul
didr
op
i
toffri
ghtnow?
Me:yes,
textmewhenyouar
eher
e.
Joe:yessi
r.
ihungup.
isatonmybedwonderi
ngifiwi
llbepl
easedof
disappoi
nti
ngatt
her
esul
ts.
Joedidntt
akel
ong,af
terawhi
leat
extcame
thr
oughanditwashimtel
li
ngmeheisoutsi
de.
it
oldsecur
it
ytol
ethi
minandhegoti
n.
iwentt
oopent
hedoorf
orhi
m.
Me:l
etsgot
othest
udy.
hef
oll
owedmeupt
omyst
udy.
isatdownandcr
ossedmyl
egs.
heclosedt
hedoorandsatont
hechai
rashe
handedmet heenvel
ope.
il
ookedati
tandputi
tasi
de.
Me:summar
izei
tforme.
Him:t hewomani nquest
ionpassedawayduet o
givi
ngbi r
th.i
tissaidt
hatshehadacomplicat
ed
pregnancyduet oheal
thissues,
butshei
nsist
ed
thatthechil
dlives.
il
ookedatJoeanddi dntevenmovemyeyesaway
fr
om him,
iwast i
ghteningmyteethasthoughiwas
tr
yingt
obitesomethingasiprocesst
hisinmy
head.
Joe:weal
somanagedtolocat
ethechildandthe
fat
heroft
hechi
ld,
ever
ythi
ngisinthatenvel
ope.
il
ookedawayandbr
eat
hed.
Me:t
hankyouJoe.youmayl
eave.
hest
oodupandheadedout
.
ipour
edwhiskeyandgulpeditup.it
ookthesecond
oneandgulpedi
tup.af
terthethir
done,itookt
he
envel
opeandopenedit
.
il
ookedatal
lthei
nfor
mat
iont
heyf
ound.
"Mandl
aRadebe?Si
yaAl
exRadebe?
?"
iwasnowr
eadi
ngt
henameoft
hef
atherandt
he
son.
it
henl
ookedupt
hef
rame.
Me:WHY?Whydidntyoutel
lmethet
rut
hmama? ?
yousai
dyouwer
esick?yousai
dishoul
dn'
tvi
sit
youf
or6monthsbecauseyouweresi
ckandyou
want
edmenottoworrybutfocusonmystudi
esbut
youwer
elyi
ng??
ibr
eathedal
it
tl
easial
sowast
ryi
ngt
ohol
dback
mytears.
Me:youwer enotsick,wereyou??youonl ywanted
tohideyourpr
egnancyf rom me,i
sn'ti
t??youknew
iwouldn'
tapprove,ever
ythi
ngwasf inejustbei
ng
the2ofus,whydi dyouhavet ofi
ndot herpeopl
e??
wasntienoughf oryou??weren'
tyouhappywi th
justme??huh??
iswal
lowedandbr
eat
hedagai
nlooki
ngdown.
Me:howl ongwhereyouseeingthisMandlaguy?
howlongwher eyoumaki ngmeaf ool?
?andwhere
di
dyouf indt
hetime? ?youhardl
yhadt i
meforme
al
one,sowher edidyougettheti
mef orhim?
?
or.
..
..
..
..wasithi
mt hatmadeyounothavet i
mefor
me??isthatwhatitwas?
myheartwasachi
ngasiwastr
yingt
opat
chwhat
exact
lywast
hereasonf
orhert
odowhatshedi
d.
asiwaspr
ocessi
ngi
tij
ustgotpi
ssedof
f.
itookthegl
assiwasdr i
nki
ngwhiskeywi
thand
threwitatt
hef r
ame,i
thitt
hef
rameandtheframe
felldownbreaki
ng.
ij
ustl
ookedatt
hebr
okenf
rame.
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
Me:huh,
Boi
.caniaskyousomet
hing?
Her
:yahsur
e.
Me:howdoyouknowwhenyout
rul
ylovesomeone?
Her:huh,
hahahaidontknow,
mabyeyouwi
llj
ust
know.
Me:wel
l,woul
dyoudat
esomeonewhom youknow
t
hathe'
saplayer
??
shel
ookedatme.
Her
:hahahaha,
Bri
cksohBri
cks,
areyoui
nlove?
?is
t
hatwhyyouareaski
ng??
il
ookeddownandcl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
shel
aughed.
Her
:who?
?
Me:hai
,st
opspeaki
ngnonsense,
whosai
diwasi
n
l
ove?
Her:mhm,iseeyouphel
ame.what
swi
tht
hel
ove
quest
ions?
Me:mxm,
nevermi
ndiaskedyou.
Her
:icantnevermi
ndi
t.yout
oldmeyout
oldme.
Me:mxm.
Her
:comeonbr
aBr
icks,
noneedt
ohi
dei
tfr
om me.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shel
aughed.
att
hatmomentsomeoneknockedont
hedoor
.
welookedateachot
herandt
heniwentt
oopent
he
door
.
i
twasoneofmygi
rl
fr
iends.
Boi
:hail
adyoft
hehouse.
Her
:hiBoi
,hibaby!
shecamet
ohugmeandki
ssme.
Boi:(
clearst
hroat
)iwouldsay"
getaroom"but
seemsl i
keyouguysarealr
eadyinar
oom.soiwi l
l
j
ustclearmyselfandyoucandowhateveryouwant.
Me:wher
ear
eyougoi
ng,
itsqui
etl
atenow.
Boi
:iwi
llgochi
llwi
thMfanaandthem,it
hinkt
hey
ar
ehavi
ngachillvi
beatMfana'
sshack.
iwasntwit
hthei
dea, iwantedtotel
lherno,
buti
di
dnthaveachoicebuttolethergobecauseifi
st
opheritwoul
dj ustbecomeawkwar d.
ij
ustf
akedsmi
ledandshel
eft
.
thethoughtofhavi
nghersur
roundedbyguys
doesntsitwit
hmer i
ght
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:yesbaf
ethuwhatt
hehappen?
?
t
hatwasmeent
eri
ngwher
etheguyswher
e.
t
heycheer
edwhent
heysawme.
Scar
:haiBoi
ty,
youcame?
?
Me:yesmfethu,aker
eyouknowbi gguyhashi
sgir
l
over
,soidecidedtogivet
hem spaceandcomechi
ll
wit
hyouguys.
Mfana:ayeye,eashmarathi
sisnotri
ghtyouknow.
imeanbigguyhast oli
mitthegi
rlvi
sit
,imeanhow
doyoutaket hei
rmoani
ngwhent hei
rbusy??
Me;ear
phones,
itst
hesecr
et.
Scar
:doyousl
eepl
ist
eni
ngt
omusi
c??youwantt
o
bedeaf
??
Me:youbel
ievei
nthat
??nowonderyoust
il
lhave
yourmot
herwakeyouupint
hemor ni
ng.
t
heyl
aughed.
Scar
:ohhhhsoyouar
eroast
ingme?
?
Me:j
ustj
okesmyguy.
wel
aughedandiwentt
osi
tdown.
theypassedmesomeci
derandial
sosmoked
someweed.damnitwasablast
.
pl
ust
hemusi
cwasabomb.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Br
icks*
*
wewer el
ayingint
hebed,icoul
dntsl
eept
hinki
ng
aboutBoisurr
oundedbyguysatthi
sti
meofthe
ni
ght.
ikeptaski
ngmysel
fwhatshewasdoi
ng,
wit
hwho
andifanyonewashi
tt
ingonher
.
icoudn'
tdealwi
thi
t.
igent
lygotoutofbedandgotdr
essed.
ithenheadedoutgoingt
oMfana'
sshack.t
he
musicwasntsuperloud,
butwhenyougetcl
oset
o
theshackyoucanhearit
.
iwenti
nandsawBoidanci
ngwi
thabot
tl
einher
hand.
Scar:haoBoy,i
tsni
ceofyout
ocomej
oinus.come
haveadr i
nk.
imovedmyhandawayandwentt
opul
lBoi
.
idi
dntevenwantt
ohearanyt
hing,
ijustpul
ledher
out
.
Boi
:(dr
unk)haiBr
icks,
whati
sitnow?
?
Br
icks:wegoi
nghome,
itsl
ate.
Scar
:haoBri
cks,
wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngBoinow,
we
havi
ngfun.
Br
icks:f
uni
sover
,it
slat
ecantyousee?
Scar
:si
ncewhendoyoucar eabouthowlat
eiti
s??
wait
,di
dyouleaveyourwomaninthehouseto
comeandpickBoiup??
Br
icks:t
hat
'snonofyourbusi
ness.
Scar
:haveyouf
inal
l
yseenBoiasawoman?
?
Bri
cks:isai
dnonofyourbusi
ness.orar
eyout
ryi
ng
tobackmedownsot hatyoucanuseher??
Scar:Boi
tyismybestfr
iend,
lastt
hingiwanti
sher
gett
inghurtbyapl
ayerwhosleepswithwomanlef
t,
ri
ghtandcenter
.yougottagogettest
ed.
il
etgoofBoiandgaveScarapower
fulf
istont
he
cheek.
Br
icks:sayanyt
hingel
seandiwi
llki
llyour
ightnow.
Scardi
dntsayanyt
hing.
ihel
dBoiandtookherhome.shewaswhi
ningand
whini
ngbutidi
dntcare.
wegothomeandiputheront
hecouch.
iputabl
anketoverherandl
ookedather
.
Me:howcouldyoumakemewor
rysomuchabout
you?badgi
rl
.
it
henl
efthert
her
eandwentt
olayonmybed.
t
hegi
rlonmybedt
urnedt
ome.
Gi
rl
:wher
edoyoucomef
rom?
?
Me:oh,
igotacal
lthatBoigoti
ntoaf
ight
,soi
hur
ri
edtofet
chher
.
Gi
rl
:ohowk.i
ssheowk?
?
Me:mhm,
justdr
unk.
Gi
rl
:mhm.
shet
henputherhandonmeandsl
ept
.
igent
lyremovedherhandandf
acedt
heot
her
dir
ect
ion.
t
hesedayssl
eepi
ngwi
thgi
rl
sdoesntmakemef
eel
t
hewayi
tusedt
obe.i
nst
eadif
eelgui
lt
.
[
12/24,
12:
54] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
12
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupinthestudy,
ilookedaroundandsawmy
mother
sbrokenfr
ameandgl assest
hatwere
spr
eadaroundtheroom.
isi
ghedandwal
kedout
.
iwenttogetapl
ast
ic.it
henwentbacktopi
ckup
thosepi
ecesandwenttothr
owthem out
.
"i
tsti
meigotmyselfamaid.
"it
hought
.butwhoam
itofool
.ial
wayskeepwomanfarawayfrom me,
that
'swhyievendoever
ythi
ngbymyselfint
his
house.
wheniwor
klat
e,inevereat
,ij
ustsl
eepwi
thout
eati
ng,orijustsnackonsomenut sorfruit
s,but
whenihavet imeihaveJoeor deri
nandhavei t
deli
veredtomyhouse.t hentheguardssignitand
bri
ngittome.sobasi call
yJoeismyper sonal
assist
antaswel lasmyaf t
erhoursassi
stant.
therear
etimeswheniletJoespeakfreel
y,but
thosedaysarecount
ed.ihar
dlylethi
m befree
becauseidontwanthimfeel
ingasifhecannow
disr
espectme.
igett
hegl
assesoutandputmymot
her
spi
ctur
ein
thedr
awer
.
it
henheadedt
otakeashower
.
itookmytimeasit
houghtaboutt
henewsi
recei
ved.
af
tert
aki
ngashower
,iwor
emyr
obeandwentt
o
si
tonmybed.
ir
eadt
heenvi
ronmentagai
nandagai
nandagai
n.
asmuchasiwi
shedi
twasnott
rue,
itnever
changed.
Mymot
herhadasonwi
thanot
hermanandhi
s
nameisSiya.hei
sonly6year
soldsoheissti
ll
i
nnocentanddoesntknowwhati
sgoingon.
atl
eastigotachancetoknowmymom, hedi
dnt
evengetthechancetoevenseeher
.poorboy.
"
fuckyouLubanzi
,what
sthesof
tnessf
or?
"
"il
aidbackandbreat
hed.nowthatiknowoft
his
news,whatwil
lidoaboutit
??"it
hought.
wel
l,t
hefat
herhasn'
tcont
actedme,t
heynever
want
edmet oknowabouthim andt
heirr
elat
ionshi
p,
soiwil
lgr
antthei
rwi
sh.
iwil
lnotcontactt
hem,
iwi
llj
ustpr
etendidont
knowanything.
yes,
that
'si
t.
igotup,
gotdr
essedandt
henheadedoutt
owor
k.
asal
ways,myentranceisstr
aightf
orward.no
communicat
ions,
justnodtogreetandthat'
sit
.
igott
omyof fi
ceandinjustaspl
itsecondJoe
cameandknocked.isi
gnaledhiminandhecame
inandsatdown.
Joe:i
sitsafet
otal
kaboutt
hewomanihadt
o
i
nvesti
gate?
?
Me:noi
tsnotsaf
e.
Joe:whatar
etheconsequences?
?
Me:deat
handat
ri
ptohel
l.
Joe:ahhh,
ithi
nkigotsomewor
ktodo.st
aywel
l
MrWol f
.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m.
hel
eftandij
ustshookmyhead.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupandhadaterr
ibl
ehangover
.if
ound
mysel
fonthecouchbackatt
heshack.
theniremember edthatact
ual
lyBr
icksf
etchedme
atthechil
lasyester
day.
ij
ustchuckl
edwonderi
ngwhyhedi dthat,
butt
hen
br
icksi
sBr i
cks,
youneverunder
standhim.
becauseoft
hepai
ningheadacheideci
dedt
ogoget
somegr
andpaatt
hel
ocalt
uckshop.
idi
dnthavecashbutiknowi
faskiwi
llgetsome.
il
ookedar oundandBrickswasnotar ound.i
headedtot heki
tchenareaandiseeapi l
lonthe
counterandaglassofwat eronapieceofpaper.
it
ooki
tandr
eadi
t
"thi
swillcur
eyourhangoverheadache,youoweme
forspendingmymoneyont hi
s,anddontforgett
o
eatbeforedri
nkingt
hepil
l,pil
lsonanempt y
stomachi snotadvi
sabl
e"
i
fonlyhecoul
ddosomethi
ngl i
kethisf
orhi
s
gi
rl
fr
iend,
theywi
llt
rul
ybel
ievethathel
ovesthem.
anyway,
idontmi
ndt
hef
ood,
myheadi
shur
ti
ng
now.
it
hendr
ankt
hepi
ll
sandonl
yaf
terideci
dedt
oeat
.
iopenedt
hef
ri
dgeandheboughtmeasmal
lbunny
anda500mlpi
neappl
edr
ink.
wow,
ishehi
ghonweed?
?
anyway,
ieatandt
henr
estal
it
tl
e.
aft
erawhil
e,il
ockedthedoorandtookabath.i
di
dntwanttori
skleavi
ngthedoorunlockedand
peopl
ewalkin.
af
terbat
hingit
henl
eft
.
iwonderwher
eBr
ickswent
.
il
ockedtheshack,
thenwentt
omyusualcorner
.i
wasntholdi
nganypackssocopscancome,
iam
notaf
rai
d.
ohhhhshoot.ithi
nkbrickswenttostockupsome
packs.t
hatmeanswewi llbepackingt
hem and
putt
ingthem i
npacks.that'sonejobihat
edoing.i
dontmindsell
ing,butpackinghai
khona.
butat
leastScarandMf
anawi
llbeher
etohel
p.
igett
othecornerandfindScarchil
li
ngther
ewi t
h
somegirl
.ideci
dedtogi vehi
m spaceandjustpass
li
keidontknowhim buthecalledme.
Hi
m:haiBoi
ty?
?
il
ookedathi
m.
Me:sur
esur
e.
Hi
m:comeher
e.
iwentt
ohi
m.
Me:hal
o.
igr
eet
edt
hegi
rl
.
her
:hi
.
Scar
:iwi
llcat
chyoul
aterowk(
tal
kingt
othegi
rl
)
t
hegi
rlnoddedandshel
eftsayi
nggoodbye.
Me:hao,youdidnthavetocutyourmomentshor
t
j
ustbecauseiam here,icoul
d'vebl
omedf
oryou.
Hi
m:hai
,shewasl
eavi
nganyway,
soi
tscool
.
Me:ohowk.ifyousayso.anyway,
didyougeti
nto
afi
ghtyest
erday?
?
Hi
m:nowhy?
?
Me:dontl
ie,
theygaveyouar
ightonecl
oset
othe
eye.
Hi
m:hahahaha,
thatwasBr
icksweakpunch.
Me:what
??Br
ickspunchedyou?
?
Hi
m:mhm
Me:why?
?
Hi
m:becauseofyou.
Me:me?
?
Hi
m:wellyouweredr unkandhecamet ocome
f
etchyouyest
erday.iaskedhim whyhecamet o
f
etchyoubecausehest i
llhadhisgi
rlathome.he
l
ashedout,
soipressedabut tonandhepunched
me.
Me:whatbut
ton?
?
Hi
m:iaskedhi
mifheseesyouasawomannow.
Me:huh?
?
Him:itsalli
nt hepastthough,butwhaticansayis
thatBri
ckslikesyou.notasal it
tl
esist
erorafri
end,
helikesyouasapot enti
algi
rlf
ri
end.youarenota
boyt ohi
m, youarenowagi rli
nhiseyes.
Me:what
?nah,
thatcantbet
rue.
Hi
m:l
etsbet
.
il
ookedatScarandheseemeddeadser
ious.
it
hengotf
lashbacksofmoment
swher
ehe
seemedweird.andial
soremember
edaunt
Martha'
sguest'
swords.
"guyshavefeeli
ngs.youmaydr essl
ikeaguyand
actboyi
sh,butfactisthatyouareagir
landhewi
ll
alwaysknowt hat
,nomat terhowmuchyouhidei
t."
il
ookedatscaragai
n.
Hi
m:iam tel
li
ngyou.hi
mf et
chi
ngyouyest
erday
wasbecausehewasjeal
ous.
Me:soher
eal
lyl
ikesme?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
iwasshockedoft
hissuddennews.
it
henrememberedthenicetr
eatmenthehasbeen
gi
vingme,event
hepil
lthismorni
ngandallt
hat.
ouuuuBoi
,whatnow??
.
*
*MrRadebe*
*
ihavebeeni
nhospi
talf
or3daysnow.AI
DSwas
fi
nishi
ngme.
i
fonl
yihadknownear
li
ert
hatihaveHI
V,iwoul
d
havetreateditanddr
ankmyARV'sbutionl
yfound
outabouti tl
ateri
nst
agewheni
thasnowbecome
worse.ithasbecomeAIDSandi
twasnoweat ing
meupt i
lldeat
h.
iwasntwor r
iedaboutmysel
f,iwasworr
iedabout
myson.imeanmymom cant akecar
eofhim and
allbuthi
m growingupwit
houtparent
swouldreal
ly
tearhim ashegrowsup.
ihavehadthoughtsonfi
ndinghi
shalfbr
other
.
si
ncehismot herhadasonbefor
ehewasbor n,but
alr
eadyihadmadeapr omisetomyselft
hatiwould
nevermesshislif
ebyreveal
ingt
hissecr
ettohi
m.
imeanalreadyhismotherwaswor r
iedabouthow
hewouldreactifhef
oundoutaboutme.t henwhen
shefoundoutshewaspr egnantshebecameeven
moreworried.
i
fihadknownt hatshewouldn'tmakeitaft
ergivi
ng
birt
h,iwould'
veforcedhertolethi
ssonknowso
thatatl
easthewoul d'
vebeenthereforheronthe
l
astday.
nowheonl
ysawhi
smot
her6mont
hsbef
oreher
passi
ngandthensawheri
nacasket
.howpai
nful
i
sthatforat
een.
atthi
smoment,Si
yast
ayswit
hmymom.shehas
beentaki
ngcar
eofhi
m si
nceigoti
nhospi
tal
.
iwasl
ayingi
nbedwhent
hedooropenedandSi
ya
camerunni
ngin.
Si
ya:baba!
!baba!
!baba!
!
Me:haoboyboy.
hej
umpedonmeandihuggedhi
m.
Si
ya:baba,
buka(
daddyl
ook)
heshowedmeapictur
eofmeandhi
m undert
he
br
ightsunatt
hepar
k.
Me:haaaaaboyboy.l
ookathowbeaut
if
ult
he
pi
ctur
eis,daddyl
ovesi
t.
hesmi
led.
Siya:baba,
todaymyteachergavemeast
ar
becauseigot10/10
me:ahhhhhmyboy,
youar
ever
ycl
everhai
.
hel
aughed.
Siya:yesbaba.evenmyfr
iendi
scl
ever
,heal
sogot
10/10andast arli
keme.
Me:wooooow!
!daddyshoul
dbuyyousome
chocol
ate.
Si
ya:
YAYY!
!
il
aughedasihuggedhi
m agai
nandl
ookedatmy
mom.
shef
eltmypai
n.
havi
ngt
oexpectmydeathandl
eavemysonbehind
i
sapainthatnobodywant
stof
indthemsel
vesi
nit
.
[
12/
24,
12:
55] :13
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
f
ort
hepastdaysihavebeenavoi
dingBr
icks.
meknowi ngthatBr
icksl
ikesme,j
ustmadeour
r
elat
ionshipawkward.imeaniam evenaf
rai
dof
hangi
ngmyunder
gar
ment
sout
sideanymor
e.
ever
ythi
ngiusedtodoar oundhi
m, icantdoit
anymore.imeanialsocantsi
mplytalkfr
eelyt
ohi
m.
i
tsli
keweautomaticall
ygrewapart
.
hehasonceaskedmewhyiseem tobedistant
fr
om hi
m andijusttol
dhimt
hatiam not
,andthat
heisj
ustseei
ngthings.
igetupearlyandheadoutthencomebackverylat
e
tosleep.t
hat'
showiavoidhim.iusual
lyspendmy
daywi t
hthegentsorgovisi
tauntMart
ha.
i
tsear
lyi
nthemor
ningandiam headi
ngout
,li
ke
al
ways.
Br
icks:sot
hisi
sthet
imeyouusuall
yleave?
?i
al
wayswonderwhyyoulef
tear
ly.
Me:huh.
.Br
abr
icks,
whyar
eyouupsoear
ly?
?
Bri
cks:ishouldbeaskingyouthatsi
nceyouarenot
sel
li
nganymor e.aker
eitoldyoutolayl
owsincethe
copsareafteryou.
Me:well
,i
..
..oh,
imost
lyhel
pauntMar
thawi
th
somethi
ngs.
Br
icks:l
ike?
?
Me:youwontunder
stand.i
tsj
ustsomest
uff
,
ar
oundthehouse.
Br
icks:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
hel
ookedatme.
me:ihavet
ogonow.seeya.
igotoutver
yqui
ckl
ybuthest
oppedme.
Br
icks:youf
oundoutdi
dntyou?
iswal
lowedandtur
nedt
olookathi
mthenf
akeda
conf
usedlook.
Me:f
oundoutwhat
??
Bri
cks:ihavenoti
cedalotofchancesyouhave
beenmakingsincethedayafteryouweredr
unk.di
d
Scarsayanythi
ngtoyou?
Me:Scar
??l
ikewhat
??
Br
icks:Boi
,ihavelivedwit
hyouforayearandfew
monthsnow, dontyouthi
nkiwouldi
nstant
lynoti
ce
whensomet hingi
sof f
??
Me:(
clear
sthr
oat
)idontt
hinkif
oll
ow.
Br
icks:Boi
?
hest
oodupcomi
ngt
ome.
Bri
cks:dontyoudar
eli
etome.whatdi
dScart
ell
you??
iheldmybr eat
hthi
nki
ngwhetherishoul
dsayi
tor
not.butichosetor
unawayinstead.
Me:mhm,
not
hing.
ir
anout
.
asiwasheadi
ngoutt
hegat
eauntMar
thacal
led
me.
Aunt
:Boi
tumel
o!!
Me:auntMar
tha!
!
Aunt
:comeher
emydaught
er.
iwentt
oher
.
Aunt
:wher
eisyourbr
other
??st
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
?
Me:noaunt
,hei
sjustathome.
Aunt
:ohowk.iwant
edt
ospeakt
oyouabout
somet
hing.
Me:yesaunt
y?
Aunt
:comei
nsot
hatwehaveapr
opert
alk.
iwalkedbehi
ndherandwegoti
nt hehouse,
isaton
thecouchandshesatont
heothercouchopposi
te
mef aci
ngme.
Aunt
:Boi
??whatar
eyourf
utur
epl
ansi
nli
fe?
?
Me:me?
?wel
l.
..
.idontknow.
Aunt
:dontyouwantyougobackt
oschooland
st
udy??
Me:me?
?st
udy?
?it
hinkmyt
imei
sup.
Aunt:st
optal
kingnonsense,
youar
est
il
lyoungand
abl
et ogobacktoschool.
Me:besidesaunt
,evenifiwanttogoback, what
wi
llist
udy?iam notthatint
ell
igentorbr
ight.
Aunt
:whenyouwer
eingr
ade12,
whatdi
dyouwant
t
ostudy?
?
Me:ar
tsandPhot
ogr
aphy.
Aunt
:dontyouwantt
odot
hatanymor
e??
Me:hahahaAuntMar tha,idontknowifyouhave
for
got
ten,butidonthaveaf amil
y,andidontwork,
howwillipayf
ormyst udi
es.
Aunt
:youcanappl
yforNsf
as.
Me:ifihadmypar ent
sdocument s,
iwouldn'
tbe
heretoday,becauseevenmyt eacherwantedto
hel
pmeappl y,butcoul
dntbecauseididnthave
ori
ginalcopiesofmypar ent
sdocument snora
guardian.
Aunt
:*si
gh*
Me:noneedtoworr
yaunt,iwi
llsur
vive,
ihavebeen
doi
ngowksincel
astyear
.
Aunt:butyoucantbel
ivi
ngl
i
ket
hisf
ort
her
estof
yourli
fe.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Aunt:l
ist
en,iwi
llf
indawayf
oryoutogobackt
o
schoolowk?butyoumustal
sobereadyf
or
anythi
ng.
Me:youdonthavet
odomuch,
iam r
eal
lyowk.
Aunt:idontwantyoutodependonpeople,because
peoplecaneasil
ytur
nagainstyou.ineedyoutobe
i
ndependent.owk?
inodded.
Aunt
:justpr
omi
semet
hatyouwi
llnotgi
veup.
Me:ipr
omi
seaunt
.
shesmi
led.
Aunt
:good.nowgogetsomejui
ce,
mybi
scui
tshas
notf
ini
shed,l
etshavet
hem.
me:ohhhhhyes!
!whocoul
dsaynot
obi
scui
ts.
shel
aughed.
Aunt
:hai
,youandf
ood.
il
aughedasiwentt
omakej
uice.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
ij
ustparkedmycarandnowiwasheadedt
oaunt
Mart
ha'shouse.
af
terawhi
leiar
ri
ved.
iknockedandAuntMar
thawasseat
edont
he
couchwatchi
ngTV.
Me:knockknock.
Aunt
:comei
nmyson.
iwal
kedi
n.
Me:Goodmor
ningauntMar
tha.
Aunt
:Goodmor
ningmyson,
howar
eyou?
Me:iam doi
ngf
ineaunt
,andyour
sel
f?
Aunt:not
hingmuch.j
ustsi
tt
ingher
ewat
chi
ngTV
l
ikeialwaysdo.
il
aughedal
it
tl
e.
isatdown.
Aunt
:oh,
BOI
TUMELO!
!
ohh,
theyoungl
adyi
sher
e?
Boi
:AUNTMARTHA!
!
shet
hencamei
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andsawme.
Boi
:Goodmor
ningsi
r
ij
ustnodded.
sothisisher.respectf
ulinfr
ontofauntMarthabut
becomesdi srespectf
ulwhensheisnotwi t
haunt
Martha.woaw, whatdi dherpar
entsdidher??
Aunt
:makef
orLubanzisomej
uicet
oo.
Boi
:owkAuntMar
tha.
shewent
.
Aunt:shei
ssuchasweetchild,
toobadherfut
ure
becamelimi
tedbecauseofherpar
entsdeat
h.
Me:ohhyah,
shedi
dtel
lmet
hatherpar
ent
spassed
away.
Aunt:yah,unfor
tunat
elyshedoesnthavethe
ori
ginaldocumentssoshecantgot oschoolor
applyforNsfas.
Me:whathappenedt
othedocument
s??
Aunt
:idontknow.ineverasked.
Me:ohhh,
that'
sbad,
whydontyouappl
yforher
usi
ngyourdocument
sasherguardi
an?
Aunt
:idi
dntt
hinkoft
hat
,act
ual
lyt
hatwoul
dwor
k.
butwoul
dn'
ttheywantherpar
ent
sdeat
h
cer
ti
fi
cat
e??
Me:ohyah,
theywoul
d.shedoesnthavet
hat
ei
ther
??
Aunt
:idontt
hinkso.
Boi
tumelowalkedinwit
ht hecl
assesofj
uiceand
bi
scui
ts.sheservedusthensatdown.
Aunt:Boi
tumel
o,doyouhaveyourpar
ent
sdear
th
cer
ti
ficat
e??
Boi
:noAuntMar
tha,
myaunt
iesl
eftwi
tht
hem.
Me:vel
eveleexpl
aintome.howdi dyouendup
l
ivi
nghereandyourfamil
ygoingbackto
Mozambique??whydidntyouleavewit
hthem?
?
shel
ookeddown.
Boi:ididntknowmypar entshadanacci dentunti
l
thehospi t
alcall
edme, iwasatschool .idi
dntknow
whatt odo, iwasdist
ractedatschool.itol
dmy
teacherandshespoket otheprinci
palandt hey
call
edt hehospitalt
ohearf r
om them.whent hey
heardthenewst heyall
owedt heteachertotakeme
tothehospi tal.igott her eandiwast oldt hatt hey
wer ei
naver ybadst ate.notevenl ongaf terthat,
thedoct orswer er unni ngt oawar d.ihopedi twasnt
mypar ent swar d.butmyhopewasgonewheni
wast oldt hatihadj ustlostmypar ents.if ellapart.
myt eachert ookmet oherhouseandsai dican
stayther ef orawhi leunt iliam readyt ogoback
home, andshewi llhelpmear rangeaf uner al.itol
d
myuncl eabouti tandmygr andmot her.t heyspr ead
thewor dacr oss.t heydi dntt aketimet ocome, so
theystayedwher eweusedt ostay.myt eachert old
met ogohomeandbewi t hmyf ami ly,iwentt ostay
withthem.wear rangedt hef uneralandaf terthat,
theyaskedmet ogobackwi t
ht hem.it ol dt hem
thatiwant edt ofinishschoolher eandnoti n
Mozambi que.atf irstmyt eacherencour agedmet o
gowi ththem, butidi dntwant .somyt eachert old
them thatshewi l
ll ookaf termeunt i
lifinishmat ri
c.
theyagr eedandl eft.theyt ookmostofmypar ents
belongings, ithi
nkt hei rdocument sar eal sowi t
h
him.ifnot , t
henmabyet heagent sr emovedt hem.
Me:sowhathappenedaf
termat
ri
c??
Her:ididntwantt obur denthem soili
edt othem
sayingigotaschol arshipandt hatigotacceptedin
universi
tysonowiwi llbestudyinghere.theylet
thatbe.thenileftanot ethanki
ngmyt eacherand
tol
dheriwi l
lbeowk.it henranawayandcamet o
thi
st ownship.that'
swhenimetBr i
cksandl i
ved
withhim.
Aunt
:hai
bo,
sobr
icksi
snotyourbr
other
??
Her
:noauntMar
tha,
ili
edaboutt
hatsot
hatyou
woul
dn'
tworr
y.
Aunt:haiboBoitumelo.howcouldyouli
vewit
h
anothermenal oneforsolong?
?oristhere
somethinggoingonbet weenyoutwo??areyou
dati
ng??
Her:noaunt
y,hei
sjustaf
ri
endwhohel
pedmeget
shelt
er.
Aunt:hai
bo,i
fihadknownthatyouli
ed,iwoul
d've
neverall
owedyoutostayt
herewit
hhim.haibo.
Lubanzi,
youneedtohelpme.shemustgot o
schoolandstopt
hisst
upidli
feshei
slivi
ng.hai
bo
thi
sgirl
.youhavegut
syouknow.
shej
ustl
ookeddown.
il
ookedatherandsmi
led.
Me:wel
lit
hinkicanhel
p.
t
heyl
ookedatme.
Me:youcanenr
olli
nuni
ver
sit
yandiwi
llpayf
or
yourst
udi
es.
Aunt
:youwi
lldot
hatf
orher
??
shel
ookedatmewi
thwi
deeyes.
Me:mhm ican.but
..
..
..
Her
:iknewt
her
ewasnot
hingf
orf
ree.
Me:(
chuckl
es)tr
ue.iownacompany, andicanf
il
l
youapostaspaymentforyourt
uit
ion.
Her
:wor
kingf
orf
ree?
?
Me:notr
eall
y.f
rom youror
iginalsal
ary,
iwi
lldeduct
40%unti
lyourf
ullpaymentisdone.
Her
:iam noteveneducat
edwhatj
obcaniacqui
re?
?
Me:cl
eaner
.
shel
ookedatme.
ismi
ledatherr
aisi
ngmyeyebr
ows.
Aunt
:wow,
idoubtt
hatwoul
dbeapr
obl
em.r
ight
Boi
??
Her
:huh!
Me:oppor
tuni
ti
esar
erar
e,sot
hinkt
hist
hrough.
shenoddedasshesi
ppedonherj
uice.
"BINGO!nowiwi l
lhaveyoucl
osetome, myweird
feeli
ngstowardsyouwil
lbemoreclearonwhether
theyarefeeli
ngsofl
oveorofshockbecauseyou
arediff
erentfr
om womanimet".
[
12/
24,
12:
55] :14
.
*
*MrRadebe*
*
iwasinthehospi t
aljustthi
nkingaboutSi
yaand
howhewi lldealwithgrowingupwi t
houtpar
ents.i
haveneverexperiencedthat,buti
fiwasinSiya'
s
si
tuat
ion,iwouldpr obabl
ybesadandal one.
i
twouldbebet
teri
fhehadasi
bli
ngaboutthesame
ageashi
m,atl
eastt
heywoul
dcomforteachother
.
nowhei
sal
one.
icanimaginehiml ooki
ngatotherki
dsbeingpicked
upbytheirfat
hersormot hersandcongrat
ulat
ing
them f
orpassingordoi nggoodinspor
ts,whereas
withhi
m, heisonlygivenasmi l
eandapatont he
backfordoinggoodbyhi sgrandpar
ents.
andwhenhestart
edbeingaman, whowi
llheopen
upto??wil
lhebeconf
identenought
ospeaktomy
dad?whenhestar
tsdati
ng,wil
lhebemanenough
toaskadvi
cefr
om mydad? ?
iwasjustf
il
li
ngmymindwit
hpossibl
esi
tuat
ions
thatSi
yamightf
aceaf
termydeat
h.
asiwasbusythinki
ng,someoneknockedont
he
doorandopenedthedoor.i
twasmymom.
Mom:myson.
Me:mama.
Mom:ar
eyouf
eel
ingal
ri
ght
??
Me:notevenclosetoal
ri
ght
,ever
ydayif
eell
ikei
am get
ti
ngclosertomydeat
hdate.
Mom:hai
,st
opsayi
ngt
hoset
hings.
Me:wecantstopwhatismeanttobemama,the
doct
orsal
readysai
dtherei
snothingt
heycando.
Mom:* si
gh*st
ayposi
ti
ve,whoknows,mabyeGod
wil
lhavemercyonusbecauseofSi
ya.imeanhei
s
t
ooyoungt obelef
twi
thoutpar
ent
s.
Me:iknowmama.ther
eisnodaythatpasses
wi
thoutmethi
nki
nghowSiyawil
ldealwiththi
s.
Mom:that
'swhyyoushoul
dfi
ghtt
hisandst
ay
posi
ti
veatal
lti
mes.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Mom:itwil
lbeowkmymyson.dontt
hinkt
oomuch
abouti
t.
Me:mom,
caniaskyousomet
hing.
mom:yes.
Me:shouldi
thappent hatidontmakei
toutof
hospi
tal
.wil
lyoupleasetakecareofSi
yaforme?
Mom:Son.
Me:pl
easema!
Mom:*
sigh*
..
..
..ofcauseiwi
ll
,hei
smygr
andson.
Me:t
hankyouma!
Mom:noneedt ot
hankmeson,hei
smygrandson,
i
wil
ldoever
ythi
ngtomakesur
eheheal
thyand
happy.
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..mom,
ther
eissomet
hingihavet
o
t
ellyou.
Mom:whati
sitson?
Me:Si
yaact
ual
lyhasahal
fbr
other
.
Mom:hai
boMandl
a,whatar
eyousayi
ng?
?
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mom:whydi
dyout
ellmet
hissooner
??howol
dis
t
heSon??
Me:iam notsur
e,mabyeear
ly20s
Mom:what ?
?thisi
sevenworse.youhadachi
ld
over20yearsagoanddi
dntt
hinkforoncet
otel
l
me??Mandla??
Me:nomom,
itsnotmychi
ld.
Mom:mhm? ?whatr
ubbi
shar
eyoutal
kingnow?
?if
hei
snotyourchi
ldt
henwho'
schi
ldi
sit
?
Me:Nobuhl
e'
schi
ld.
mymom eyesshotopenandl
ookedatme.
Me:iam sor
ryidi
dntt
ellyou.
Mom:youknewaboutt
his?
?
Me:yesmama.
Mom:Nobuhl
ehadasont
hatol
d?
Me:yesmama.
Mom:doesheknowaboutSi
ya?
?
il
ookeddown.
Mom:khul
umaphel
aMandl
a.
Me:.
..noma!hedoesntevenknowt hathi
smother
andiwereseei
ngeachother.Nobuhlekepti
tfr
om
hi
m.
Mom:hai
bo!
!hi
mihl
oloyanl
e??
ij
ustkeptqui
et.
Mom:Mandl
a??yazidonthavewor
dsanymor
e.
icont
inuedl
ooki
ngdownnotsayi
ngawor
d.
Mom:Mandl
a,sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..not
hingma.Nobuhl
edidntwanthi
m
t
oknow,soiwontt el
lhi
m ort
rytofi
nehim.
Mom:hai
bo!
hecl
appedherhandsonce.
Mom:yazt
oday'
syoungst
ers,youguysj
ustt
hink
l
if
eisj
ustf
rui
tsandveget
ablesneh??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mom:whatwi l
lhappenifNobuhl
e'ssonknows
aboutt
his?
?doyout hi
nkhewi l
lli
kethef
actthathe
waslef
tinthedark?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Mom:iwi l
ltel
lyouwhatwil
lhappen.hewi
llhat
e
Siyabecauseofyouandhermom.doyouwantt hat
tohappen??huh??becauset
hat'
swhatwil
lhappen.
iwasshockedatwhatmymom said,andi
tmade
sense.iwoul
dn'
twantt
obet
her easonoft
heri
val
betweenmysons.
Mom:Mandl
a,f
ixt
hisi
ssueasqui
ckasyoucan.
il
ookeddownt
hinki
ngaboutwhatmymom sai
d.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwassitt
ingatthecornereat
ingi
ce,whi
leial
so
lookedatcarspassandpeoplepassi
ngandgoing
onwi t
htheirbusi
ness.
iwaslosti
nmywor ldthi
nki
ngaboutt
heof
feraunt
Mart
ha'sguestgavetome.
iwast
henst
art
ledbyScar
.
Scar
:hai
,i
tsme,
whydi
dyougetscar
edl
iket
hat
??
Me;ohsorry,
iwasl
osti
nmyownwor
ld,
idi
dntsee
youcoming.
Scar
:youseem worr
iedaboutsomet
hing,
isi
twhat
isai
daboutBr
icks?
?
Me:eash,t
hat'
sanot
heri
ssuet
hatineedtoclar
if
y.
ahhhh,whatdi
didotofi
ndmysel
finthi
ssit
uati
on??
Scar
:hai
,it
snott
hatbad.i
fyouli
keBri
cks,youtel
l
hi
m youl
ikehi
m,ifyoudont
,youtel
lhi
m youdont.
whydoyougir
lst
akeeveryt
hingsocompli
cated.
Me:i
tsnott
hatdummy.ihaveot
hert
hingsgoi
ngon.
Scar
:apar
tfr
om Br
icks,
whatel
sei
swor
ryi
ngyou?
?
Me:*
sigh*iwasof
fer
edajobandauntMar
tha
want
smet omoveinwit
hher.
Scar
:woaw!
!buti
sn'
tthatgoodnews?
Me:met aki
ngthejobwoul dmeanihavetostop
deal
ingforBri
cks,andalsomovingoutaf
ter
ever
ythi
ngbricksdidforme?
Scar:i
tsnotlikeyoudi
dntpayyourdebtforl
ivi
ng
ther
e.youriskedyourl
if
etopayrentviadeal
ingfor
him,youalmostgotcaughtremember?
Me:iknow.
Scar
:sodoyouwantt
odealf
orBr
icksf
orever
??
Me:igotusedt
oit
.
Scar:t
hat'
stheproblem wi t
hmanyofourAf r
icans.
onceyougetusedt osomet hi
ngyoubecomebl i
nd
fr
om seeingthebiggerpictureandopportuni
ti
est o
bett
eryourli
fe.imeanl ookatthefutur
e.yougeta
j
ob,youar eablet
ot akecar eofyour
selfandeven
savetogobackt oschool .buti
fyoustayhereand
dowhatyouar e"
usedto"yourf
uturei
spri
son,
becauseal
readythepol
icearet
ail
ingyou.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Scar
:ifiwasgivent
heoppor
tuni
tyyouar
egi
ven,
i
woul
dt akei
t.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Scar
:icantbel
ievet
hiscoul
dbet
her
easont
owor
ry.
gi
rl
s!hai
.
Me:gi
venal
lthathappened,
howwi
llit
ellhi
m?
Scar:byopeni
ngyourmout
h,l
etyourvoi
ceoutand
tel
lhim.
ihi
thi
m ont
heshoul
derandhel
aughed.
Scar:dontt
hinkaboutitt
oomuch, justdowhatyou
havetodo.rememberoppor t
unit
iesarerare.i
fyou
missthisone,youmightnevergetanotherone
soon.
inodded.
Scar
:tot
hebet
terl
i
fe.
hesai
dthatr
aisi
nghi
sice.
ichuckl
edasial
sor
aisedmyi
ce.
Me:t
othebet
terl
if
e.
"
cheer
s"
iat
emyi
ceasheal
soat
ehi
s.
Scar
:whatj
obdi
dyougetanyway?
Me:cl
eani
ng.
Scarchockedonhisiceandl
aughedsohardt
hat
heevenfellof
fther
ockhewassitti
ngon.
isatt
herel
aughingali
tt
leasisawhi
m br
eakhi
s
stomachwit
hlaught
er.
Hi
m:ak'
fani
,bak'
zami
le.
helaughedagai
nandiki
ckedhi
sfeetandal
so
j
oinedinthel
aught
er.
mxm Scarmar
a.
.
*
**Lubanzi
***
Me:ineedacl
eaner
.
Joe:howmany?
?
Me:j
ust1mor
e.
Joe:owk,
iwi
llgett
heHRt
opostt
hevacancy
onl
ine.
Me:mhm.butiwantt
odot
hesel
ect
ionmysel
f.
Joe:what
??
Me:youhear
dme.
Joe:oksi
r.
Me:gr
eat
.
Joe:huh,sir
.aboutt
hel
astr
epor
tthatwedi
d,ar
e
you..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:t
hatwasal
l,
youmaygetbackt
owor
know.
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.yessi
r.
hest
oodupandwentout
.
it
henpul
ledmyf
il
eandcont
inuedwor
king.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twasnowget
ti
ngdar
kandi
wentbackt
othe
shack.
asigott
here,if
oundBr i
ckscooki
ng.gee,
thi
sist
he
fi
rstt
imeiseeBrickscooki
ng,
ialwaysusedtoaskhi m whyhehadast ovebut
nevercooks,buthewouldsayhisgirl
snormall
y
cookforhim befor
eleavi
ng,that
'swhyhekeepsthe
stove,butt
odayhei sact
uall
ycooking.
Br
icks:youar
eback?
?
Me:mhm.
i
fonlyyoucoul
dseethestove.ver
ymessy.the
maizemeali
severywher
e,thepotsout
sidearedi
rt
y
andalsot
herewasasmellofburnedpap.
i
tshowedt
hathewasnotevenusedt
ocooki
ng.
Br
icks:ihavemadedi
nner
,itwi
llber
eadynow.
Me:mhm.
il
ookedathi
m ashecooked.
ismiledlooki
ngathi
m.hel
ookedcutef
ocusingon
thatpotandrunni
ngawayf
rom bei
ngburned.
il
aughedwhenhescr
eamedbecausehebur
nedhi
s
fi
ngerwi
thoi
l.
ikeptonlooki
ngathim ashewasbusywi
thhi
s
cookingandalsokeptl
aughi
ng.
i
twasl
ikeiwaswat
chi
ngacooki
ngr
eal
it
yshow.
af
terawhi
lehef
ini
shedupt
hendi
shedup.
i
twasver
yhotsohel
eftt
hem t
ocooldown.
ashewaswai t
ingf
ort
hefoodt
ocooldownhet hen
st
artedcl
eani
ngthest
ove,
ivol
unt
eeredtohelpbut
hetoldmeitwashi
smesssohewillcl
eanitup.
hecl
eanedt
hest
oveasij
ustwat
ched.
aft
ercleani
ngthestove,sweepi
ngonthef
loorand
fi
nall
ygetti
ngever
ythingclean,
heser
vedthefood
andbroughtabasinformet owashmyhands.he
al
sowashedhi shands.
Me:mhm,
itdoesntl
ookbad.
Br
icks:it
ri
edmybest
.
ismi
led.
Br
icks:eatf
ir
standl
etmeknowwhatyout
hink.
me:owk.
it
ookmyf i
rsttast
eanditreall
ywasntbad,
buti
t
wasntni
ceeither,
itwaseatabl
e.
Me:i
tseat
abl
e.
Br
icks:eat
abl
e??ever
yfoodi
seat
abl
e.
il
aughed.
Me:t
ryi
t.
heat
eandmadeaf
unnyf
acel
ikehewasntr
eal
ly
l
ovi
ngit
.
il
aughedpoi
nti
ngathi
sface.
Me:andt
hef
ace?
?
Br
icks:t
hisi
snotni
ce.
Me:buti
tsal
sonotbad.
hemadeasadf
ace.
Me:dontbesad,
ihaveeatenevenwor
sefoodt
hen
t
his.soyouar
ebett
erthenmanypeopl
e.
Br
icks:whocookedt
hebadf
oodyouat
e??
Me:me.
webot
hlaughed.
Br
icks:youcantcook?
?
Me:nop.nott
oevensavemyl
if
e.it
hinkiwasspoi
lt
.
wel
aughed.
il
ookedathim andwhatiwasseei
ngwast
he
Bri
cksineversawallt
heti
meiwasherewi
thhi
m.
helookeddi
ffer
ent.
[
12/
24,
12:
56] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
wejustf
ini
shedeat
ing,
yesweatet
hefood.asi
sai
ditwasntgoodbuti
twasal
sonotbad.
webothwashedthedi
shesandaswewere
washi
ng,t
herewasaknockonthedoor
.
hewentt
ochecki
toutandi
twasoneofhi
sgi
rl
s.
ijustmindedmybusi
nessandcont
inuedwashi
ng
thedishes.
i
nsteadofl
ett
ingt
hegi
rli
n,heact
ual
lywentout
wit
hthegir
l.
i
nami nuteiheardthegir
ltalkingl oudandi t
seemedl iketheywerefi
ghting.t hegi r
lmust've
foundoutt hatBri
cksischeating.iwaswonder i
ng
whet herishouldgooutandassur et hegir
lthat
Bricksisnotcheati
ngoranyt hing.butt henifhe
needsmyhel phewilll
etthegi rlaskme.
icont
inuedwashi
ngt
hedi
shes.
l
aterBr
ickswal
kedi
nal
one.
Me:andt
hen?
?wher
eisshe?
?
Br
icks:shel
eft
.
Me:oh,di
dshef
indoutt
hatyouar
eseei
ngot
her
gi
rl
stoo??
Br
icksnodded.
Me:eash.youcould'vebr
oughthert
omeandi
woul
d'vecoveredforyou.al
lyourgi
rl
str
ustmeand
pl
usilivewit
hyout herei
snowayiwontknow
whatshappening.
Br
icks:t
her
ewasnoneedbecauseiwast
heone
whocameclean.
Me:huh?
?
Bri
cks:iam t
ir
edofplayi
ngwi t
hgi r
ls,
iwantt
ost ar
t
over.iwantt
oloveonegirlandli
vewithherf
orever.
idontwanttohurtpeopl
eanymor e.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
ashesai
dthi
s,iwasr
emi
ndedofwhatScart
oldme.
Bricks:t
hesegir
lswil
lprobabl
yhatemeandspeak
badaboutme, butatl
easticamecleant
othem.
theydidntheari
tfr
om anyoneelse.
me:
..
.mhm.
.
Br
icks:Boi
!ihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
myheartski
ppedasiwasaf
rai
dofwhathewas
goi
ngtosaynext.
iswal
lowedasil
ookedathi
m.
Me:Br
icks?
?
Bri
cks:iknowyouseeasaplayerandadealer
.but
tr
ulyiwanttochangeandbeabetterper
son
becauseofonereason.
il
ookedathi
m andswal
lowedagai
n.
Br
icks:Boi
..
.i.
..
..
..
..
..
Me:(
int
err
upt
ed)Br
icksiam movi
ngout
..
.
ibitmyl i
psaftersayi
ngt hatbecauseitcameout
verysudden.iwasntpl anningonsayingitnow,but
sinceididntwantBr i
ckstot el
lmethathelikesme,i
spil
leditout.
idontknowifiwasscar edbecauseiwoul
dn'tbe
abletosayno,oriwasscaredbecauseialsoli
ked
him ori
fiwasjustfeel
ingpit
ythatiwoul
dbe
breaki
nghisheart
.
hel
ookedatme.
Br
icks:what
??
Me:iam sor
ry.iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyout
hissooner
.
Bri
cks:why??i
sitbecauseofme? ?ial
readyt
old
youthatil
etgoofallmygir
ls,
therewontbeany
needtomoveoutbecausenogi r
lwouldbecoming
hereanymore.
Me:i t
snotaboutthatBri
cks, inevermindedyou
bringi
ngyourgir
lsover.iactuall
ylikeditbecause
theywouldalwayscookf oryouwhi chmeansi
automati
call
ygettoeataswel l.
Br
icks:i
fit
snotaboutt
hat
,thenwhati
sitabout
??
Me:auntMart
hafoundoutthatwearenotrel
ated,
sosheisagai
nstt
heideaofuslivi
ngtoget
her,and
al
soshefoundajobforme.
Br
icks:wai
t,sheal
sof
oundaj
obf
oryou?
?fr
om
who??
Me:thegentl
ementhatal
waysvisi
tsher.i
ttur
ned
outt
hatiti
sherlongl
ostsist
er'
sson.heownsa
company,sohecangivemesomet hi
ng.
Br
icks:so,
youaccept
ed?
?
Me:wel
l,
notyet
.
Br
icks:doyouwantt
o??
Me:huh.
.itisagoodoppor
tuni
ty.igett
oseea
br
ight
erf
ut ure.
Br
icks:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:idontwantyout omi sunderst
andme.iam ver
y
grat
efulforwhatyoudidf orme.youtookmei n
whenihadnooneandt ookcareofmef oral
most2
year
s.iam veryverygratefulf
orthat
.andwheni
makei ti
nlif
e,iwi
llnotforgetyou.
hesmi
ledandl
ookeddown.
Br
icks:asl
ongasi
tmakesyouhappy.
ishotmyeyesopeni
nconf
usi
on.
me:mhm?
?youar
enotmad?
?
Bri
cks:forwhat
??youar
emakingabet
terl
if
efor
yoursel
f,whywoul
dibeangr
y.
ismil
edandqui
ckl
ygavehi
m ahug.hehuggedme
back.
Me:ipromise,iwi
llvi
sityouher
easmuchas
possi
ble,
besidesionlyli
venextdoor
,soi
twi
llst
il
l
beli
keiam li
vingwithyou.
Br
icks:mhm.
.
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
ofcauseiwasnthappythatsheismovi ngaway
fr
om me.butihavetobeconsiderate.sheis
l
ookingforabri
ghterf
utur
eandt hismi ghtj
ustbei
t.
nowwhoam it ostopher.
icanal
waysf
indsomeoneel
set
odealf
orme,
its
nopr
obl
em.
agai
n,sheisonlygoingnextdoor
,it
snotsuchabi
g
deal
,iwil
lsti
llgett
oseeher.
.
*
*AuntMar
tha*
*
iwasint
hekit
chencleani
ngupwhenir
ecei
veda
cal
lfr
om anunknownnumber.
ianswer
edi
t.
Me:hal
o.
Voi
ce:Mar
tha!
Me:whoi
sthi
s??
Voi
ce:i
tsMandl
a.Mandl
aRadebe.
Me:Mandl
a??
Hi
m:youhaven'
tchangedyournumber
??iam gl
ad.
Me:whyar
eyouspeaki
ngsol
owandsoundsi
ck?
?
Hi
m:iam si
ck,
iam att
hehospi
tal
.
Me:whati
swr
ong?
?wi
llyoubeowk?
?
Hi
m:i
tsal
ongst
ory.
Me:howi
sSi
yat
hough?
?
Hi
m:hei
sdoi
ngowk,
mymom i
staki
ngcar
eofhi
m.
Me:oh.inevert
houghtt
hat3yearslat
eriwould
tal
ktoyouinthi
sstat
e.iam sor
ryicoul
dntkeep
contact
.
Hi
m:i
tsowk.huhMar
tha.
Me:yes.
Him:shoul
danythi
nghappentome,
canyoupl
ease
hel
pmymom t akecar
eofSiya??
Me:whyar
eyouspeaki
ngl
ikeyouar
edyi
ng?
Hi
m:j
ustpl
easet
akecar
eofhi
m.
Me:whati
swr
ong?
?
Hi
m:dontwor
ryaboutme,
justpr
omi
semepl
ease.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..iwi
llal
wayst
akecar
eofSi
ya,
he
i
smysisterschil
d.
Hi
m:t
hankyou.
Me:ohhhandihavef
oundNobuhl
e'
sel
destson.
hi
snamei
sLubanzi
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:Mandl
a??hal
o,di
dyouhearme?
?Mandl
a??
Hi
m:yesihear
dyou.ihopehei
sdoi
ngwel
l.
Me:ial
sot
oldhi
m aboutSi
ya
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:ithoughtheknew,
itcameoutasiwast
alki
ng
abouthismother
.
Hi
m:whatdi
dhesay?
?
Me:hewasshockedandevensai ditwas
i
mpossible.butaft
erknowingthathi
smother
passedawayaf t
ergivi
ngbirt
h,hegotabitupset
andlef
t.butaft
erthatdayhecomest ovi
sitme,but
heneverspokeaboutitorevenaskedabouthim.it
s
l
ikehedidntbeli
eveme.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:doyouwantt
omeethi
m??
Hi
m:notyet
.iam noti
nagoodst
ate.
Me:.
..
..
.owk.
..
wecont
inuedt
alki
ng.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:what
??
Joe:yessi
r.hej
ustdi
dthat
.
Me:howmuchdi
dhest
eal
??
Joe:cl
oset
o300000.
Me:(
chuckl
ed)whohi
redhi
m??
Joe:KB.
Me:right.t
ellmyclosestmentosur
roundhi
sar ea
andiwi l
lcloseint
ohim.hecantbelongf
rom here.
thenextplaneleavesinanhour.
Joe:yessi
r.
ihungupandwor
emyj
acket
.
it
ookmykeysandheadedout
.goti
nmycarand
dr
oveout
.
idr
ovet
othel
ocat
ionsentbyJoe.
af
terawhi
leiar
ri
vedandf
oundJoeout
side.
Me:news?
?
Joe:hemadeamove.buthewontpasst
oany
crossboar
derwi
thoutourmenseei
nghi
m.
Me:bet
terbe.
igotoutandwentt
hroughhi
sthi
ngsar
oundhi
s
house.
asiwaswal
kinginot
icedsomet
hing.shi
tabomb.
me:Joe,
runoutnow!
!
webot
hranoutanddroveawayfrom thepl
ace.as
wewereabi
tfarfr
om t
helocat
ionthebombwent
of
fandwesawt hesmokefr
om afar.
butwedi
dntst
op,
wej
ustcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
Me:thi
ssonofaB* *readusverywell
.hemust
haveplannedt
hisf
oral ongti
me.andifthat
'st
rue,
thatmeansheexpect
edt hi
stohappen,soheis
expect
ingmyment obeatt hepost
s.
iqui
ckl
ytookmyphoneandcal
ledJoe.
Joeanswer
ed.(
wewer
est
il
ldr
ivi
ngal
ongeach
otherbutwewereusi
ngcarspeaker
stospeakt
o
eachotheri
nthecal
l)
me:t
ellal
lthement
oleavet
hepost
s.l
ethi
m go.
Joe:what
??
Me;i
tsatr
ap.heknowst
hatwewil
lmovein.sot
ell
al
lmentomoveawayandheadhome.Now!!
Joe:yessi
r.
ihungup.
aswegottotheneardumpar
eaipul
ledupandhe
al
sopul
ledup.
wegotoutourcar
s.
Joe:t
hemenmoved.it
oldt
hem t
omoveasap.
Me:good.heisnotwor
kingal
one,
orelsehe
woul
dn'tknowourmove.hehasaninsi
ght.
Joe:KB?
Me:that'
swayt oeasy,i
twoul
dn'
tbesomeonehe
broughtbecauseofcausei
twoul
dbeourfir
st
suspect,
butlookint
ohim.
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:wehavear atinourt
err
it
ory,wehavet
ofind
outwhoiti
s,orelse,
ther
atwillmessupour
busi
ness.
[
12/
24,
12:
56] :15
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwashavi
ngmybeaut
ysleepwhensuddenl
yif
elt
asift
her
ewasashadeoverme.
islowl
yopenedmyeyesandsawBr
icks'
sface
closet
omineli
kehewasaboutt
oki
ssme.
hesmi
ledatme.
Br
icks:haybeaut
if
ul.
ii
mmedi
atel
ysatupandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:wh.
..
.whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Br
icks:l
ookingatmybeauti
fulwi
fe'
sfaceasshe
wakesup.isthatwr
ong??
Me:wi
fe?
?
Br
icks:yah,
whydoyoul
ookconf
used?
Me:when.
..
.whendi
dwegetmar
ri
ed?
?
Br
icksl
aughed.
Bri
cks:babe,ar
eyouowk?
?isi
tbecauseyouar
e
overexci
ted?
?
Me:huh?
?
Br
icks:wej
ustgotmar
ri
edyest
erday.di
dyouf
orget
i
t??
Me:what
??noi
tcantbe.
..
Br
icks:t
henwher
edi
dyougett
her
ing?
?
il
ookedatt
her
ingandmyshockj
ustr
aisedt
oa
1000.
Bri
cks:youli
kepl
ayi
ngj
okeshai
.comeher
e.gi
ve
daddyakiss.
hecamef
orwar
dtoki
ssmebutikeptmovi
ngback.
hecamecl
oserandit
ri
edt
ost
ophi
m.hedi
dntst
op.
ihel
dhi
schestandpushedhi
m backbuthest
il
l
di
dntwantt
ost
op.
iscr
eamed.
Me:ahhhhhhhhhhh!
!!
!
*
*ENDOFDREAM*
*
.
iwokeupt
oBr
ickswaki
ngmeup.
ipushedhi
m awayandhefel
lhar
dont
hef
loorasi
tuckedmysel
finont
hecouch.
Br
icks:ao!
!whatwast
hatf
or?
?
Me:you.
.you.
.whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Br
icks:youseemedt
obehavi
ngani
ght
mar
esoi
wastryi
ngtowakeyouup?
?
il
ookedathi
m.
Bri
cks:wastheni
ght
maresobadt
hatyouact
ual
ly
hadtokickmethi
shard?
?
Me:huh.
...sorr
y.ij
ustt
houghtyouwer
edoi
ng
somethi
ng? ?
Br
icks:l
ike?
?
Me:huh.
.NVM.ineedsomewat
er.
igotupandwentt
ogetsomet
hingt
odr
ink.
hest
oodupandwentt
osi
tont
hebed.
hel
ookedatmet
henchuckl
ed.
Me:what
??
Br
icks:ar
eyousur
eyouareagi
rl
??becauseyour
ki
ckseemsveryst
rong.
Me:mxm.youwantanot
herone.
Br
icks:iam j
oki
ng,
iam j
oki
ng.
il
aughedal
it
tl
easi
wentt
osi
tont
hecouch.
Br
icks:ishoul
df i
ndaroommatequi
ckl
ysi
nceyou
l
eavingtoni
ght,iwontsl
eepwel
lal
one.
Me:isuggestyouaskMfanaandScart
okeepyou
companyandst ayher
e.
Bri
cks:t
hoseguys??nah,
ifi
do,
itswoul
dbecomea
par
tyinhereever
yday.
Me:hhahahahayaht
rue.
Br
icks:anyway,
haveyoupackedever
ythi
ng?
?
Me:mhm.evenifif
orgetsomethi
ng,icanst
il
l
comeandgeti
t.iam j
ustnextdoor
,notanot
her
count
ry.
Bri
cks:butitst
il
lfeel
sli
keyouar
egoi
ngt
oanot
her
conti
nent.
Me:hahaha,
mxm st
opf
ool
ingar
ound.
Br
icks:iam ser
ious.
ismi
ledandl
ookeddown.
Bri
cks:well
,goodl
uckli
vingwi
thauntMar
tha,
hope
youwillbecomfor
tabl
e.
Me:iwi
llt
obe.
Bri
cks:wel
l,
letmeheadoutandgi
veyouspacet
o
bat
h.
Me:owk.
Br
icksl
eft
.
isi
ghedandl
ookedar
oundt
hehouse.
"nol
ie,butiwi
llmi
ssithere.butthenidonthaveto
worrybecauseiwi
llal
wayscomeher etovisi
t.
Bri
cksevenlookssadthatiam leavi
ng,ievenfeel
badf
orhi
m.butihavet
odowhatihavet
odo.
"
iwentt
ogetwat
ert
obat
h.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:goodmor
ningsunshi
ne!
!
hej
umpedupandl ookedatmeshocked.i
twasl
ike
hedi
dntbel
ievet
hatiactual
l
yfoundhi
m.
Me:hai
,ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oof
fermesomecof
feeor
agl
assofjui
ce?
?
hecoul
dntf
orm anywor
ds,
hewasj
ustf
rozen.
inoddedmyheadandJoecamewi
thabucketof
waterandpour
edi
tonhim.
Me:ar
eyouawakenow?
?
Hi
m:Mr
..
..Mr
..
..MrWol
f.
.
Me:i
nthef
lesh.
it
henl
eanedt
ohi
m.
Me:idontl
ikef
ight
ingandki
ll
ing,soi
fyoucompl
y
wi
thmeimi ghtnothavet
odot he2.owk?
?
henodded.
Me:good.so,
wher
eismymoney?
?
heswal
lowedandt
ri
edt
oshakehi
shead.
Me:i
fyoul
ie,
iwi
lli
nst
ant
lyki
llyou.
Hi
m:MrWol
f.
..
..
i.
..
.i
twasntme,
iwasonl
ysent
.
Me:iknowyouwer
esent
.butbywho?
?
hedi
dntt
alk.
Me:iwi
llaskagai
n.bywho?
?
hej
ustl
ookedatmemumbl
ingt
hingsicanthear
.
ipull
edhi
m byhisTshi
rtanddraggedhi
mtot
he
batht
ubthatwasfi
ll
edwit
hwater.
isatdownandputhisheadi
nthewat
er.hef
ought
withhi
slegsandhands.
ipul
ledhi
m out
.
Me:mhm?
?
Hi
m:mrWol
fpl
ease,
please.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
iputhi
mi nagai
nandpushedhi
minf
orawhi
le
thenpul
ledhi
m out
.
Hi
m:Davi
d!Davi
d.
ismi
rked.
act
uallywealr
eadyknewi
twasDavi
d,wej
ust
wantedhimtosayithi
msel
f,pl
uswel
onggotour
ment ogethi
m.
Me:wow!t
hankyoufort
hename.nowiwantt
o
t
eachyousomet
hing.
il
eanedt
ohi
sear
.
Me:noonest
eal
sfr
om meandget
stot
ellt
hest
ory.
hel
ookedatmeandapol
ogi
zedsayi
nghewi
llnever
doi
tagai
n.
Me:ofcauseyouwi l
lneverdoitagain,
because
ri
ghtnowiam takingyoutoanotherworld.make
sureyoutel
ltheoncehereinthei
rdream nott
odo
whatyoudidbecausetheymightjoinyousoon.
hebeggedforhisl
if
ebutipushedhi
sheadi
nthe
tubf
ullofwater
.
ipushedi
tint
her
eforabout5minutesasiwas
havi
ngacommunicat
ionwithJoe.
wewereext
racar
eful.ihadmyglovesonandall
ot
hersaf
emeasures.nothi
ngwi
llbetracedbackt
o
meorJoe.
af
terawhi
leicheckedmyt
ime."
5mi
nut
esst
rai
ght
"
ipushedhi
swhol
ebodyi
nthewat
erandl
efthi
min
ther
e.
iwal
kedout
.
Joe:Si
r,t
heyhavecl
osedi
n.Davi
dist
akent
othe
warehouse.
Me:gr
eat
.
wegoti
nthecaranddr
ovet
her
e.
af
terawhi
lewegott
othewar
ehouseandiwal
ked
i
n.
ifoundDavi
dti
edont
hechai
raski
ngwhowear
e
andwhatwewant.
ichuckl
edandpul
ledachai
rnextt
ohi
m.
Me:buddy!
!
Hi
m:whoar
eyou?
?
ij
ustchuckl
ed.
Hi
m:itel
lyoumahn,youbet
terl
etmegonow, or
el
semypeoplewi
llcomeaft
eryou.doyouknowMr
Wolf
??
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngatt
heot
her
s.
hecont
inued.
Him:yah,
hewillcomeafteryouandyoudontwant
tomesswithhi
m orhispeople.soyoubet
terl
etme
goorstar
tsayi
ngyourlastgoodbyes.
iwasfl
att
ered.imeanist
hiswhatpeopl
esaywhen
theyar
eintroubl
e??usemynamet ogett
he
enermyscared.wow!
!iam sof
lat
ter
ed.
imeaniknowiam dangerousbutthismuch?
?
ohhhhhhhiam t
hinki
ngsomewhi skeyaf
tert
his.
ir
emovedt
hebagthatoverhi
m andsur
pri
sedhi
m
wit
hmyhandsomeface.
Me:t
adda!
!
hel
ookedatmeshocked.
Me:whydopeopl
ehavet
ogi
vemet
hatl
ookwheni
sur
pri
set
hem?
?imeanevenJunkygavemet
hat
l
ook.
hel
ookedatmeevenmor
eshockedandsur
pri
sed.
Me:youknowJunkyr ight
? ?myguy?yah,
unfort
unatel
yhepassedawayt hi
smor ning.itis
saidthathecommitt
edsui ci
debydrowninghi mself
.
eash,guil
tmusthavegottentohi
m strongand
thoughttheonl
ywayt oescapewast odie.*sigh*
ourkids.
hekeptl
ooki
ngatme.
Me:il
ikewhatyousaidthough.nooneshoul
d
messwi t
hmeormypeopl e,orelset
heydi
e.buti
al
soforgivedonti
?imeaniam averygoodman.
il
ookedatJoe
Me:r
ightJoe?
?
Joe:yessi
r.ver
yhumbl
e,f
orgi
vingandl
ovi
ng
person.
Me:exactl
y.il
ovepeopl
eandineverwantt
ohur
t
anyone.
hekeptonl
ooki
ngatme.
Me:wellDavi
d, iam her
easagoodper son.i
fyou
behonestimightreconsidersavi
ngyoufrom t
hese
menbecauset heyarehungr yt
obeatyoutodeath.
buti
fyoulie,
iwontbeabl etosaveyou.
il
eanedt
ohi
m.
Me:di
dyousendJunkyt
ost
eal
from me?
?
hel
ookedatmeshocked.
Me:ihaterepeat
ingmysel
fbutiam ver
ypat
ient
,so
iwil
lrepeatmyself
.di
dyousendJunkytost
eal
fr
om me? ?
Him:sor
ryMrWolf
,iwasgoi
ngtopayyouback.i
j
ustneededt
opaymydebtsveryqui
ckl
yandiwas
goi
ngtopayyoubackipr
omiseyou.
Me:haihai
,dontworr
y.asl
ongasyoutol
dmethe
t
rut
h.iknowyouwi l
lpayme.sodontt
akel
ongowk?
henodded.
me:owkboys,
youhear
dhi
m.hewashonest
.so
pl
easel
ethi
m goowk.
hesmi
ledashet
hankedme.
Me:i
tsowk,
itol
dyou,
ineverhur
tpeopl
e.
ismiledandst
oodup.it
henl
ookedatJoeand
winkedathim.
t
heni
wentoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
.
ithenlookedbackandalr
eadyhear
dhi
m
screamingastheybeathi
m up.
ismi
led
"
messwi
thmeandmeetyourf
ate"
iwal
kedt
omycaranddr
ovehome.
asiwasit
hecarmyphoner
ang.
iconnect
edt
othecarandanswer
ed.
Me:auntMar
tha.
Her
:Lubanzi
,howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam wel
launt
y,andyou?
Her
:iam notwel
lmyson.
Me:whati
swr
ongaunt
??
Her
:ihavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
lyou.
me:whati
sitaunt
??
Her
:MrRadebei
ssi
ck.ver
ysi
ck.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Her
:Lubanzi
??
Me:whatdoest
hathavet
odowi
thmemama?
?
Her:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..ij
ustwant
edtol
etyouknow.j
ust
encaseyouwantt omeethim.
Me:whywoul
diwantt
omeethi
m??
Her
:mabyegetal
lthequest
ionsyouhadanswer
ed.
Me:thepersonwhohadal lt
heanswer shaspassed
awayanddi dntwantmei nvolvedsoiwoul dli
keto
remainint
hedar k.whateverhappenstot hem,dont
tel
lmeorinvolveme, t
heymanagedt ohidt hi
sfor
sonlong,l
etthem car
ryonhi ding.iam not
i
nterest
ed.
Her
:Lubanzi
??
Me:mamaiam dr
ivi
ng,
canihangup?
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..owk,
iwi
llt
alkt
oyoul
atert
hen.
Me:byeaunt
.
ihungup.
whataj
oke.whymustiknowaboutthis??they
di
dntwantmeinvolvednowwhytheyinvol
vingme?
?
si
ckornot,
idonthaveaplacet
here.
icont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
[
12/
24,
12:
56] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:iam l
eavi
ngnow.
Bri
cks:wantmet
ohel
pyout
akeyourt
hingsnext
door?
Me:(chuckl
es)no,
imeanionl
yhave1bagnj
e.so
i
tscool.
Br
icks:ohhowk.
Me:seeyouowk?
?
Br
icks:whyi
sithar
dtosaygoodbyewher
easyou
ar
ejustgoi
ngnextdoor
??
Me:hahahahari
ght
??anyway,
letmel
eave.havea
gr
eatnight
,al
one.
Br
icks:i
tsgoi
ngt
obeal
ongni
ght
.
Me:hahahahawhydi
dyoul
eaveyourgi
rl
s??see
now.
wel
aughed.
iwavedgoodbyeandwentoutt
hehouseheadi
ngt
o
outandhefol
lowed.
il
ookedathi
m.
Bri
cks:ij
ustwantt
oseeifyouarr
ivesaf
ely,
imean
i
tslat
enow, t
heseNyaopeboysareever
ywhere
thi
rst
yforvi
cti
ms.
il
aughedandshookmyheadasigotoutt
hegat
e.
ihur
ri
ednextdoorandwentt
oknockont
hef
ront
doorofauntMar
tha'
shouse.
iknockedagai
nandBr
ickscamet
othef
ence.
Br
icks:comeback,
noonei
shome.
af
tersayi
ngt
hatauntMar
thaopenedf
orme.
ismil
edathim andwavedgoodbyet
henwal
kedi
n
thehouse.
Me:goodeveni
ngauntMar
tha,
sor
ryf
orcomi
ng
l
ate.
Aunt
:it
sokmychi ld.asl
ongasyouareheresaf
ely.
youcantakeyourbagstother
oom youusual
lyuse
whenyouarehere.
Me:owkauntMar
tha.
Aunt
:iwi
lldi
shupf
oryouowk.
Me:t
hankyouauntMar
tha.
iwentt
oputmybagsi
nther
oom.
f
orsomer
easonif
eel
li
keAuntMar
thai
snotowk.
shedoesnothavethatt
ypeofener
gythatiam
usedto,
itsl
ikesomethi
ngwasbother
ingher.
ipackedmyt
hingst
heniheadedbackt
othel
ivi
ng
room.
isatdown.
shecamei
nwi
thapl
ateoff
ood.
Aunt
:her
emychi
ld,
ihopeidi
dntputal
ot.
Me:no,
itsowkauntMar
tha,
ieatal
ot.
shesmi
ledbutyoucoul
dtel
lshewasntowk.
ievent
houghtmabyeshewant
edtochangeher
mindaboutmeli
vingher
eanddoesntknowhowto
tel
lme.
inot
icedt
hatshedi
dntputf
oodf
orher
sel
f.
Me:auntMar
tha,
dontyouwantf
ood?
AuntMar
tha:nomychi
ld,
rightnowidontt
hinki
canst
omachanyfood.
Me:i
sther
esomet
hingwr
ongauntMar
tha?
?
AuntMart
ha:*sigh*howcanibeowk??Siya's
fat
heri
ssickandmi ghtdi
e,andwhenhedies,he
wil
ldi
ewithoutpeace.
Me:ohh.
.
iwant
edtounder
standmoreonwhatwasgoi
ngon,
butt
hisseemedl
ikeamoreint
ensepr
obl
em.
Aunt:imeaniunder
standt
hatLubanzii
sangr
yand
feel
swrongedbutheneedstothi
nkaboutSi
ya,he
i
sonly6year sold.i
fthi
sissueisnotfi
xednow
whil
eSiya'
sfatherisali
ve,t
hingsbet
weenSiyaand
Lubanziwi
llneverbewellagain.
Me:ah, iam sorr
yifiam aski
ngalot.buti
sLubanzi
yoursister
sson?t heonewhoofferedtohelpmeat
schoolandwi thajob??
Aunt:yes.Siyaisal
somysi st
ersson,heisonl
y6
year
sol d.suchabrightandcheerf
ulchil
d,hewi
ll
l
osehi sfatherj
ustl
ikehelosthi
smot her
.
Me:nobrotherLubanzi
'
sdadi sdyi
ngandhe
doesntwanttovisi
thi
m? ?di
dtheyhavea
misunder
standi
ng??
Aunt
:no,
Lubanzi
'
sfat
herpassedawayl
ongbef
ore
Si
yawasborn.
Me:ohhhh,soSiyai
shisst
epl
it
tl
ebr
other
.butwhy
wonttheygetal
ong??
Aunt:Lubanzididntknowthathi
smot herhadason
unt
ilnowwheniment i
onedit
.hewasshockedand
di
dntbelieveit
.ishould'
veneversai
danything.
iopenedmyeyesshockedandt
henl
ookeddown
andcont
inuedeat
ing.
Aunt:ical
ledhim yesterdaytotellhi
mt hatMandla
i
ssick.buthesaidi tdoesntconcer nme.*sigh*i
am justworr
iedthatafterMandl apassesaway, t
he
peacebetweenSi yaandLubanziwi l
lneverbe
mended.especiallybecauseLubanzi '
smot her
passedawayaf t
ergi vi
ngbi r
th.
il
ookeddownagai
nnotbel
ievi
ngwhatiwas
hear
ing.
thismustbetoughf orbr
otherLubanzi.i
underst
andwhyhei sacti
ngthewayhei s.butal
so
Siyaisi
nnocent.hedidntasktobebor n.soLubanzi
hasnor i
ghtbeingangryatSiya.imeanhei sonl
y6
yearsol
d.forthesakeofpeace, Lubanzimust
speaktoSiya'
sf at
herandfindclosure.
Aunt:**
sigh*
*iam car
ryingsuchaheavywei ght
becauseofmybigmout h.ireal
lyshoul
d'venot
spokenabouthowhismot herpassedaway.
Me:butmamai tsnotyouknewthathedi
dntknow
thefullt
rut
h.pl
usial
sothinkyoudi
dwellbytell
ing
him becausei
fyouknewandkeptitfr
om hi
m, he
woul
dhavebeenangrywit
hyouandwhoknows?
mabyehewouldal
sodist
ancehimselff
rom you
andyouwoul
dneverseehim agai
n.
Aunt:(
smiles)l
ookatyougi
vingmeadvi
ce.you
havereal
lygrown.
ismi
led.
Aunt
:iwi
llt
akeanear
lyr
est
,myheadi
sspi
nni
ng.
Me:okaunt
,iwi
llmakesur
eicl
eanaf
termysel
f
bef
oreigot
obed.
Aunt
:okmybaby.haveagr
eatf
ir
stni
ght
.
Me:t
hankyouauntMar
tha.
shest
oodupandheadedt
oherr
oom.
af
tershehadl
eftir
eal
izedshef
orgotherphone.
athoughtcametomymi nd."
getLubanzi
'
snumber
s
andtrytoknocksomesenseint
ohim"
icanthaveAuntMar
thaf
eel
ingl
iket
his,
itsnot
healt
hy.
iopenedherphoneandsear
chedf
orhi
scontact
s.
thenicopi
edhisnumbersonmyphoneandsaved
t
hem.
it
henwentoutandwentt
ogi
veAuntMar
thaher
phone.
it
hencameback.
l
etmegetdoneher
eandgi
vet
hisguyapeaceof
me.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
nmyr
oom,
justgotoutt
heshower
.
asiwasheadi
ngt
ogeti
nbed,
myphoner
ang.
i
twasanunknownnumber
.
ilookedatthenumber
sconf
used.f
oramomenti
thoughti
twasMrRadebewhogotmynumberfrom
AuntMar t
ha.
isi
ghedandanswer
edt
hecal
l.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustkeptqui
etwai
ti
ngf
ort
he
per
sontospeak.
Her
:hal
o??
al
ady'
svoi
ce?
?
Her
:hal
o,Br
otherLubanzi
??
Brot
herLubanzi
??i
chuckl
edt
hinki
ngwhocoul
d
thi
sbe.
Me:whoam it
alki
ngt
o??
Her:oh,
youdontknowmyvoi
ce?
?gee.owk.
anywayiam Boi
tumel
o.
Me:Boi
tumel
o??
Her
:yes,
thegi
rlt
hatusedt
ost
ayNextdoorAunt
Mart
ha.
Me:oht heyoungladywhohadrespectwhen
aroundAuntMarthabutdi
srespect
swhensheis
notaroundAunt?
Her
:ist
hatwhatyouknowmef
rom?
?gee!
Me:t
hat
'st
hei
mpr
essi
onyoul
eft
.
Her:well
,iam sor
rybutiam aboutt
obever
y
di
srespectf
ul.
Me:(
chuckles)iwonderwhati
nsul
tsyouhavef
or
metoday.
Her:youknow,inevert
houghtacl
assymanl
ike
youcouldbechil
dish?
Me:thankyouforr
eali
zingt
hatiam cl
assy.butt
he
chi
ldi
shpart,
idontagr
ee.
Her
:welli
fyouar
enotchil
dishl
ikeyousay,
then
whydontyoudother
ightt
hing?
Me:what
??
Her
:goandtalkt
oSiya'
sfat
herandmakepeace.
f
orthesakeofSi
ya.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Her :iknowyouar ealreadythinkingofhangi ngup.
cool ,butpleaseremembert hatSiyai sequal l
y
wr ongedi nthissit
uationaswel l
.andunl i
keyou, he
i
sver yyoungandcantf ightback.hi sf at
herisdyi ng
andhewi llli
vewithoutpar ents.hewi llgrowup
knowi nghimselfastheonl ychi l
d.thenwhatwi ll
happenwhenhef i
ndsoutaboutyou? ?huh? ?hewi l
l
blameyoul i
keyouar eblami nghim.hewi l
lhateyou
forabandoni nghim anditwi l
lbeawhol emesst hat
wontevenend.i sthatwhatyouwant ??
Me:whatgivesyout
her
ightt
oevenmeddl
einmy
busi
ness?
Her:auntMart
haisi namess, sheisstressedout
andsad.ihaveneverseenherl i
kethis.sheis
worri
edthatt
hiswillturni
ntoaMessandi twil
lbe
herfaul
tsi
nceshei stheonethattoldyou.andif
thi
sinvol
veshertheni ti
nvol
vesme.
Me:younotevenf
ami
ly?
Her
:idontcar
e.AuntMarthatakesmeasherchi
ld.
what
evermesseswi t
hherhealt
hmesseswit
hme.
sopl
easeconsider
.
il
ookeddownandhungup.
moodmessed.
af
terawhi
leamessagecamet
hrough.
icheckedmyphoneandi
twasf
rom t
hesame
numberthatcal
led.
iopenedt
hemessage
"youcanhungupandgetal ldr
amaticbutthefact
willnotr
unaway.Siyai
sinnocentandyouknowi t.i
knowt hatyourmot
herpassedawayaftergivi
ng
birt
htoSi ya,butSi yadidntaskt obebor n.so
pleasedontdoi tforSiya'sfathernorauntMar tha
(eventhoughi t
salsoi nnocent).st
opbei ngamor on
andbeabi ggerbr other.iwoulddiet ohearthati
haveasi blingnomat terhowt hatsibli
ngwasbor n,i
wouldn'tmi nd,iwoul djustbehappy.sopl ease
reconsider.please.haveagr eatnightifyou
reconsider.haveni ghtmar esifyouignoremy
message. "
sheal
sosentmeanemoj
iwi
that
ongueout
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngatt
hemessage.
it
hensavedt
henumber
.
"
annoyi
ngf
emal
e"
[
12/
24,
12:
56] :16
,
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupear lyandasiwokeupiimmediat
ely
thoughtaboutwhatBoit
umelosai
d.it
riedi
gnori
ng
itbuti
tplayedli
keasonginmymi nd.
ichuckl
edandshookmyhead.
"
sincewhenam iconvi
ncedbyawoman?
?nx,
Never!
!"
iwentt
otakeashower
.
ir
eal
lyt
ri
edt
onott
hinkt
oomuch,
buti
twasal
lthat
wasi
nmymind.
isi
ghedasii
nsul
ted,
mysel
ffordoi
ngwhatiwas
aboutt
odo.
igott
heenvel
opet
hatJoegaveme,
wit
hMr
RadebeandSi
ya'
sinf
ormat
ionandt
henwent
thr
oughit
.
ireadthepl
acewherehestayedandlookedatt
he
nearbyhospi
tal
sandther
ewasonl y1nearest
hospit
al.
iwr
otet
headdr
essandputt
heenvel
opeaway.
igotdr
essedandmademyr
oom cl
ean.t
heni
headedout.
igoti
nmycar,
putt
headdr
essi
nmyGPSandt
hen
navi
gated.
igoti
nmycaranddr
ovet
othehospi
tal
.
aft
erawhi
leiarr
ivedatt
hehospi
talandl
ookedati
t
fr
om t
heoutsi
de.
iwasaski
ngmysel
fifiwasdoi
ngt
her
ightt
hingor
not
.
isi
ghedandgotbacki
nmycarandagai
nil
ooked
att
hehospi
tal
.
ihitt
hestari
ngwheelasiwasgoi
ngt
hroughan
innerconf
li
ct.
igotoutandheadedi
nthehospi
tal
.
manyseemedt oknowmesi ncetheywerest
ari
ng.
othersevenstart
edtakingpict
uresofme.Publi
c
harassment.ihatei
t.icantevengoplaceswit
hout
anyoneknowi ng.
iwentt
orecept
ion.
Me:hi
.
bef
oreievenspoket
herecept
ioni
stwasal
ready
smil
ingandacti
ngst
range.
Me:
..
..
..*
sigh*(
fakesmi
le)mayipl
easeseea
pat
ientbyt
henameMandl
aRadebe?
Her
:ofcausesi
r,l
etmecheckf
oryou.
shest
art
edcl
icki
nghercomput
ert
henl
ookedatme.
Her:t
hatwaysi
r.youmayaskt
henur
sesont
hat
si
de.
Me:t
hankyou.
iwentt
othatdi
rect
ion.
imetadoc(
mal
e)
Me:goodmor
ningSi
r,iam l
ooki
ngf
orapat
ient
namesMandl
aRadebe.
Doc:ar
eyouaf
ami
lymember
??
Me:wel
l.ki
ndof
.notdi
rect
ly.
Doc:owkt
hen.comet
hisway.
if
oll
owedt
heDoc,
wear
ri
ved.
Doc:mayihaveyourname.
Me:Lubanzi
..
..
..Wol
f.
heopenedhi
seyesandl
ookedatme.
Doc:youar
etheeMrWol
f??
Me:
..
..huh.
..
.iguessso.
.idontknow.
.imeaniam
MrWolf.
Doc:whatimeani s,
areyouthefamousMrWol
f?
yourbusi
nesshasshownsomuchsuccessi na
shortper
iod.whatasuccessf
ulyoungman.
Me:t
hankyousi
r.
Doc:andrespectf
ul.pl
easenomatterhowri
chyou
become.neverletgoofyourr
espect.i
tst
hekeyto
moresuccess.
hepattedmybackashewal
kedi
nsi
del
eavi
ngme
out
side.
af
terawhi
lehecameout
.
Doc:hei
swai
ti
ngf
oryou?
Me:t
hankyou.
hel
eftandist
oodatt
hedoor
.
ibr
eat
hedandt
henwal
kedi
n.
iwalkedinandf
ort
hef
irstt
imeever
,imettheman
thatdat
edmymom wit
houtmeknowing.iputmy
eyesonhi
m andnevert
ookt
hem of
f.
Mandl
a:LubanziWol
f??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hel
ookeddown.
ikeptonl
ooki
ngathi
m.ij
ustdi
dntknowwher
eto
star
torwhatt
osay.
Mandl
a:6year
sdownt
hel
ine,
andt
hisi
showwe
meet
..
.
Me:ibeti
fididntknowt hi
sfrom auntMart
ha,
i
would'
vediedwithoutknowing.whichiwi
shcoul
d
havehappened.
hel
ookeddown.
Mandla:iam sorr
y.ididntknowwhet
hert
otellyou
ornot
,yourmot her.
..
..
..yourmot
herwant
edtokeep
i
tawayf rom you.
Me:why?
?
Mandla:shebel
ievedt
hati
fyouknewaboutityou
wouldbeupsetandnotbeablet
oconcentr
ateat
school
.shetol
dmehowmuchyoul ovedyour
f
atherandwasntr
eadyt
ohaveanot
herf
ather
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mandl
a:iam r
eal
lysor
ry.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Mandl
a:Mar
that
oldmet
hatyouar
edoi
nggr
eati
n
l
if
e.
Me:iwas,unt
iliknewaboutyouandyoursonwho
happenst
obemyl it
tl
est
epbrother
.
hel
ookeddownagai
n.
Me:(chuckl es)youknow, ididntwantt oeversee
you.iwant edt opretendli
keineverknewanyt hi
ng.i
wantedt olivemyl if
eandj ustignorethiswhole
sit
uation.buti cant,
becausesomeonej usthast
o
tel
lmenott obechi l
dishortobeconsi derat
e
becauset hereisachi ldwhoi sinvol
vedandhei s
i
nnocent .andher eiam.f acetof acewithmy
mother slover.whatdowedonow? ?dididomy
part?
?
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:iguesssi
nceyousawme,
andwespoke,
that
meansicanl
eaveandal
lthi
scanbeputbehi
ndus.
r
ight
??
hest
il
llookeddown.
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:iwi
llt
aket
hatasayes.
it
urnedt
oleavebuthespoke.
Mandl
a:ar
eyousur
eyouar
esat
isf
ied?
?
il
ookedathi
m.
Mandla:iam sur
eyouhavebur
ningquesti
onsto
askme.youcangoahead.beangry,vent
.iwi
llt
ake
al
lthepunches.
Me:(
chuckl
es)youar
esi
ck,
howcanyout
akeal
l
t
hepunches??
Mandl
a:ican.
il
ookeddownt
henl
ookedathi
m.
Me:whendi
dyoumeetmymot
her
??
Mandl
a:ar
ound####
Me:2year
sbef
oreshepassedaway?
?whatt
he
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mandl
a:yes.
Me:youwer
etoget
herf
orsol
ongandst
il
ldi
dntt
ell
me??
Mandla:yourmotherwaswait
ingforyout
ofi
nish
yourdegreefi
rst
,thenshewouldi
ntr
oduceme.
Me:andyouwer
efi
newi
tht
hat
??
Mandl
a:ihadt
orespectyourmot
her
sdeci
sions.
ipul
ledachai
randwentt
osi
tnextt
ohi
sbed.
Me:doyouknowwhyiam sopi
ssedr
ightnow?
?
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:t hatevenaft
ershepassedaway, andhadason,
youst i
lldi
dntevenbothertofi
ndmeandexpl ain.
youwai tedandwaitedti
llyouwer eabouttodie,
thenyouusedmam Mar thatotellmeaboutyour
sicknessinordertogetmeher e.why? ?whydidnt
youkeepqui etj
ustasyouusedt owhenyouwer e
l
iving??
Mandl
a:idi
dntaskhert
otel
lyou.
Me:yesyoudi d.eventhoughyoudidntdir
ect
lyt
ell
hert otel
lme,butyouknewt hatifsheknowsabout
this,shewil
ltellme.soyouusedt hi
schanceto
grabmyat t
ention.anddearLor
dwasal sobyyour
sidebyget t
ingpeopl et
ocallmenamesj ust
becauseiwantt oignor
eyou.am ithebadguy
her e??
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:am i
!!
!
isai
dthatshout
ing.
mybloodwasboil
ing,myangerwasr
aisi
ngt
othe
poi
ntthatmyvei
nsstart
edpoppi
ngout.
Me:but
hMandla,irespectyou.butwhatyoudid.
hasnoexcusebutpureselfi
shness..
..
..di
dyou
event
hinkhowallt
hiscouldaffectyourson??huh?
?
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:l
ookatyou.qui
te.
.li
keyouar
ethevi
cti
m..i
sit
ni
ce?
?
Mandla:
..
..
..
..Lubamyson.iknowyouar
eangr
y
andyesyouhavet her
ightt
o
Me:(i
nter
rupted)ofcauseihavetheri
ghtto.what
youandmom di dwasnotowk.yougotmeandSi ya
i
nadirtysit
uation.andhowthiswil
lheal
,ihaveno
i
dea.
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ilookeddownandgotuproughl
ypushi
ngthechai
r
tohitthewal
l.andst
oodupfaci
ngaway.
Me:i fyouhavet oldmet hisear lier
,bef or
eallthi
s,
mabyeiwoul dhaveunder stood.mabyeiwoul d'
ve
accept edandt houghtabouti tasl ife.butnow..i
dontknowwhatt ofeeluncl e.imeanispent6year s
l
ivingal one,hustli
ngf ormyownl i
fe,start
ingmy
ownt hing.t
hesuddenl yifindoutt hatihavean
Aunt, thenboom ihaveast epdadwhoi sdyingand
theni alsohaveast epl i
lsister.whatmor eshouldi
expect ??howshoul diact ??i am alreadyusedt oa
closedl if
e,alit
tl
ecar dboar d.nowihavet oadjust
,
openf ormorespace, icantdot hat.
Mandl
a:.
..
..
..
..
Me:t
ellmeuncl
e,whatshoul
dido?
?
Mandl
a:icantr
eal
lyanswert
hatquest
ionf
oryou
Luba,butwhaticansayisthat,
alliaskisf
oryouto
acceptSiyaasyourl
it
tl
ebrotherandt of
orgi
veme
andyourmot herf
orl
ying.t
hat'
salliask.noneed
foranyt
hingelse.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mandl
a:pl
ease.
..
Me:ofcauseicanacceptSi yaasmylit
tl
ebrot
her
,
t
hatfell
owdidntdoanythingwrong.butto
f
orgi
ve??..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.idontknowificanbri
ngmysel
f
t
odot hat.
Mandl
a:pl
easeLuba,t
hati
stheonl
ythi
ngt
hatcan
br
ingmepeace.pl
ease.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
atthatmoment,
thedooropenedandayoungboy
camei nf
oll
owedbyawoman.i tseemedhewas
Siya.
herantouncl
eMandl
aandhuggedhi
m sayi
ng
"daddy!
!"
ist
oodt
her
elooki
ngathi
m.
t
hewomangr
eet
edmeandigr
eet
edback,
but
befor
eshecoul
daskanyt
hing,
iwal
kedoutt
he
room.
t
hewomanf
oll
owedme.
Woman:youdonthavet
oleaveonouraccount
.
ist
oppedt
hent
urnedt
oher
.
Me:iwasalreadydonetal
kingt
ouncleMandl
a,
pl
easeexcuseme, ihavesomewher
etogoto.
it
urnedandl
eft
.
igoti
nmycarandtooksomet i
met hi
nki
ngand
summari
zingwhatj
usthappened.
it
henputmyseatbel
tonanddr
ovebackhome.
af
terawhi
leigothomeandcal
ledJoe.
Joe:si
r.
Me:iwontbecomingt
othecompany,i
fther
eis
anyt
hingt
hatneedsmyatt
ent
ion,
bri
ngittomy
houseorl
eaveiti
nmyoffi
ce.
Joe:yessi
r.
ihungup.
iwenti
ntot
heki
tchenandhadsomewat
er.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom wat
chi
ngTV.
seemslikethisTVwi l
lmakemest ayinthehouse
morethenit houghtiwoul
d.imeanihadpl annedto
cheerBricksuptodaybutigotstuckwat chi
ngt hi
s
dramaonTV.butdontwor r
y, af
teritf
ini
shes,iwil
l
defi
nit
elygoandcheerhi m up.
asiwasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom AuntMar
thawal
kedi
n.
Aunt
:ohh,f
inal
ly.iam al
ldone.youcanmaket
hat
t
eathatyoupromisedtomake.
Me:comi
ngr
ightupmama.
iwentt
otheki
tchenandqui
ckl
ymadet
het
ea.i
al
somadeformyself
.
it
hent
ooki
ttot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andwehadourt
ea.
Me:auntMar
tha,
hasbr
otherLubanzical
ledyou
t
oday??
Aunt
:no,
why?
?
Me:ohnot
hing,
ijustwant
edt
oaskaboutt
hej
ob.
Aunt
:ohhh,
youhaven'
trecei
vedacal
lyet
??
Me:notyet
.
Aunt:mhm, mabyeheisbusywi
thot
herthi
ngsthat
heforgot
.justgi
vehi
mt i
me,hi
smindisoccupi
ed.
Me:mhm.
isi
ppedonmyt
ea.
af
teral
ongwhil
e,myphoner
angandil
ookedati
t.
i
twasoffi
cenumber
s.
ianswer
edt
hecal
l
Me:hal
o
Voi
ce:goodmorningmam,am ispeaki
ngt
o
Boi
tumeloPr
isci
ll
aMphahl
ele?
Me:huh.
.yes.
Voice:GoodMorni ngagainMissMphahlel
eiam
Cindyfrom wol
f.
incandiwoul dli
ket
oi nf
orm you
thatyouhaveani nter
viewwit
husont he
##/##/####
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Voi
ce:yesmam,theint
ervi
ewwi
llst
artat09:
00so
pl
easedontbel
ate.
Me:t
hankyousomuch,
iwi
lldef
ini
tel
ybet
her
eon
t
ime.
Voice:t
hankyouf
oryourt
imemam,
haveal
ovel
y
day.
Me:t
hankyou,
yout
oo.
shehungupandijumpedupanddownasaunt
Mart
halookedatmeconfused.
it
oldhert
henewsandshewasver
yhappyf
orme.
Aunt:evenifyouwillbej
ustacl
eaner,
youwontbe
acleanerforever
.sodoyourbestandstayoutof
t
rouble.
Me:yesauntMar
tha.
ismi
ledagai
nandshehuggedme.
iwil
lbestart
ingt
owor krealsoon.t
hiswil
lbethe
fi
rstoff
ici
alj
obthatieverdi
dinmyl i
fe.apar
tfrom
deali
ng.
iam superexci
ted.
butal
soiam alsoexcit
edaboutschool.imeaniam
5mont hsawayfrom Febr
uary.5monthsawayfrom
st
arti
ngschool
.that'
sifiam accept
ed.
cantwai
t.
[
12/
24,
12:
57] :17
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
tist
hedayoft
hei
nter
viewandiam al
ldoneand
dr
essed.
wel
l,i
haveneverwornanyt
hingf
emininef
oral
most
2yearsnow,
sohavingtowearadressmakesme
f
eelki
ndofuncomfort
able.
ialwayshaddressedinmybag, butineverwor
e
them becauseofthesi
tuat
ioniwasin.butnowi
tookallt
hoseskir
tsanddressesoutandihadone
ofthem on.
t
oobadmostofmyf
avor
it
edr
essesandski
rt
sdont
f
itmeanymor
e.t
heyar
ever
ysmal
l,
tightandshor
t.
butt henagai
n, atl
eastihavet
owearcleani
ng
uniformtowor k,soidonthavetoworr
yabout
dressingupever ydaytocompeteagai
nstther
ich
l
adiesi nthebuildi
ng.
ihadt
headdressandbr
otherLubanzidi
rect
edme
onhowtogetther
ebyTaxisoiwontgetlost.
Me:AuntMar
tha,
doil
ookr
eadyt
oki
llt
he
i
nter
view?
?
Aunt
:ohhhyouevenl
ookl
ikeyouwi
llbe
i
nter
viewi
ngfort
heCEOposi
ti
on.
Me:hai,
ifidr
eam t
hatbi
gthatwi
llmeant
roubl
efor
br
otherLubanzi
.
shel
aughedandismi
ledl
ooki
ngatmysel
fint
he
smal
lmirr
or.
imaynotbeasmostbeaut
if
ulgi
rl
s,butihave
conf
idence.
Aunt
:ifyoukeeponl
ooki
ngatt
hatmi
rr
or,
youwont
l
eavenow.
Me:haiAunt
,iam l
eavi
ngnow.
Aunt:l
eavebef
oreyoubecomel
ate.phel
aTaxi'
s
dontwaitf
oryou,youhavet
obet
hereearly.
Me:owk,
owk,
Aunt
.iam l
eavi
ngnow.
isai
dthatt
aki
ngmyt
hingsandheadi
ngout
.
"gi
rlevenhadheel son.imeancomeon"ij ust
couldntwalkcorrect
lybecauseithasbeenalong
ti
mesi nceiputthem on.ididntevenhavemakeup
on.ijustusedpondsandputVasel i
neonmylips.
thatshoulddo.
butthefeel
ingwasthesame.foronceifel
tli
kethe
ol
dmeagai n,
theol
dmet hatial
mostforgot,
thati
al
moster asedfr
om myli
fe.t
heoldmet hatwas
bri
ght.
asiheadedoutisawBr
ickssi
tti
ngout
side.he
al
mostdroppedhisj
awslooki
ngatme.
Br
icks:ah,
ah,
ah,
ah,
myl
ady?
?
hesaidt
hatcomi
ngt
owar
dst
hegat
easist
ood
out
side.
Br
icks:wher
ear
eyougoi
ngl
ooki
ngl
iket
hat
??
Me:i
nter
view.
Br
icks:dammit!
!gir
l.sot
hisi
swhatyouhavebeen
hi
dingallal
ong??
Me:hahahahaha,
haisuka.st
opi
t.
asiwasbei
ngcompl
iment
edbyBri
cksScarand
Mfanaal
socametomealr
eadywhi
stl
ing.
Scar
:eh,
eh,
eh.
.ist
hisBoi
tyorhersi
ster
??
il
aughed.
Me:haisukaScar
.
Mf
ana:yhont
wanayoul
ookdi
ff
erentyaz.
Me:t
hankyou.
Mfana:kor
ewehavebeenbli
ndedbythefactt
hat
youwearboyclot
hingt
hatweeventookyouasone
ofthegent
s.youshoul
dwearl
iket
hismoreoft
en.
Scar:isuggestyoudont
.youwil
lgrabtoomuch
att
ent i
onandguysinthi
stownshi
pwi l
lst
art
fi
ghting.
Mf
ana:l
ikewho?
?you?
?
Scar
:mxm.
.
Me:hahaha,
letmegobef
oreigetl
ate.
Mfana:wedontwantourPr
incesstowal
kal
onet
o
getataxi
,wewil
lwalkyout
ot heTaxi
'
s.
il
aughedandnodded.
theseguysj ustcouldntstoptalki
ngabouthow
beauti
fuliam andhowdi ffer
entilookal
lthewayt o
thetaxistop.theywoul devenjokewithotherguys
andtellthem thatiam theQueenoft hi
sTownshi p
andthatt heyshouldbow, butitwasjustj
okes
becauset heywoul dlaugh.
other
swouldevensay,
myviewisf
reshfort
hei
r
eyesbecauset
heydontgett
oseei
tever
yday.
itel
lyoutheseguyswi
llmakeyoufor
getyour
ladynessasi
deandenduplaughi
ngti
llyoufal
l
down.
igott
othet
axist
opandScarst
oppedt
heTaxif
or
me.
t
heyhel
pedmegeti
n.
Br
ick:haiDr
iver
,mphat
hegr
andok.
Dr
iver
:iwi
llt
rynott
oaskhernumber
.
t
heyl
aughed.
ohhyes,iwasluckyenoughtogetadr
iveriwas
famil
iarwi
th.yah,f
unnyenough,wedoknowa
coupl
eTaxidriver
s.
igoti
ntheTaxiandheal
sowasshockedatmy
tr
ansf
ormati
on.
i
tgotmet hinkingt
hatveleeversi
nceigottothi
s
township,
alliworewasguycl ot
hingbecauseofthe
sit
uati
on,theyneverreal
lysawmyf emini
neside,
that
'swhyt heygetsosurpri
sedwhenidid.
af
terawhi
leiar
ri
ved.
theTaxidri
verdidmeaf avorandact ual
lydropped
meof fri
ghtatthecompany.itseemedheknewt he
company.itisactual
lyf
arfrom hi
sline,buthe
actual
lydidi
tforme.sohespeci al
lygotoutofhi s
l
inetogetmet heresothatidontgetlost.
apparentl
y,noTaxi
'sgettothispoi
nt.af
terget
ti
ng
offatthemainroad,yousti
llhavet
owal ktoget
ther
e.
iar
ri
vedandwal
kedi
nthecompany.
igoti
nandwentt
other
ecept
ion.
Me:GoodMorni
ngmam, mynamei sBoit
umel
o
Pr
isci
ll
aMphahl
ele,
iam her
eforanint
ervi
ew.
Her
:pl
easehol
donf
orami
nut
e.
shemadeacal
ltoconf
ir
mthenhungup.
Me:MsHar tywil
lbewi
thyousoon.pl
easet
akea
seatovert
here.
Me:t
hankyou.
iwenttotakeaseatandmi
nut
esl
aterbr
other
Lubanziwalkedi
n.
iwant
edtogotohi
mt ogreethi
m butt
he
at
mospherewassotense.
fr
om t
hemomentbr ot
herLubanziwal
kedin,he
di
dntseem t
obethebrot
herLubanziiknew.hewas
sodi
ffer
ent
,int
imi
dati
ngandveryscary.
hewal
kedi
nandsawme.
hedi
dntsmil
e,smi
rkorevenchuckl
e,hej
ustl
ooked
atmethenl
ookedaway.
het
hent
henst
oodi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
her
ecept
ion
ar
ea.
Hi
m:iwantever
yone'
sat
tent
ion.now!
!
peopl
estar
tedgat
her
ingup.ij
ustsatt
her
enot
moving.
ayoungl
adycamet
ome.
Younglady:excuseme,sorr
yt odi
stur
b.buti
wantedtoadviceyout
oal sojoint
hosewhoare
gat
heredtogether.
Me:butiam notoneofhi
sempl
oyees
YoungLady:doesntmatt
er,whenhei
sangr
y,he
wil
llashonyouifyoudontgother
e.
Me:hewont
.pl
usheknowsme.
shegavemeaweir
dbutworr
iedexpressi
onand
wenttoj
oint
heot
herswhoweregatheredar
ound.
somewer
eevencomi
ngdownf
rom l
if
ts.
ij
ustsatt
her
elooki
ngatt
hem.
Hi
m:haveibecomeaj
oket
oal
lofyou?
?
nooneanswer
ed.
Hi
m:i
sthi
scompanyaj
oket
oyoual
l?
?
st
il
lnooneanswer
ed.
Him:peopl
emissworkwhentheywantyou,
documentsar
edel
ayed,or
der
sar ewr
ongorsent
l
ate.ar
eyouguysher
etoworkornot??
thebui
ldi
ngwasjustsi
lentwi
thonl
yhi
svoi
ce
echoi
nginthebui
ldi
ng.
Him:iwanttoputt
hisoutthere.thisi
severyone'
s
warni
ng.shoul
dsomet hi
nglikethishappenedagain,
iwil
lbefi
ri
ngpeople.andimeani t
.
iwasntpartofi
tandididntknowwhatpeopledi
d
butifel
tli
keiwasalsopartofit
.myheartwas
raci
ngasifiwastheonet heyweret
alki
ngabout
.
asit
houghthewasdone.
hecont
inued.
Him:itseemsihavegonesoftlat
ely,i
tseemsi
havelaughedalotwit
hpeoplethattheyrel
axed
aroundme.Joe,didinotcal
leveryonetogather
here??
Joe:youdi
dsi
r.
heturnedandl
ookedatme.damnmyhear
tlef
tmy
chestandwentt
omyf eet
.
Him:t
henwhyam i st
il
lseeingsomeoneseat
ed
downfarf
rom t
hisgather
ing??
il
ookedatever
yonewhowasl
ooki
ngatmeand
di
dntknowwhattodo.
hewal
kedt
owar
dsmeandst
oodi
nfr
ontofme.
iswal
lowedasil
ookedathi
m andmyhear
traced
evenf
aster
.
Hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
wor
dscoul
dntcomeout,mymi
ndwassayi
ngi
tbut
myvoi
cewasfail
ingme.
Hi
m:iaskedyouaquest
ion.
iopenedmymout
hbutst
il
lmyvoi
cef
ail
edme.
Hi
m:Shei
la?
?
Shei
la:yessi
r??
Hi
m:whati
sshedoi
ngher
e??
Shei
la:shecamef
orani
nter
view.
Him:int
ervi
ew?
?soshewantst
obeanempl oyer
here?
?doyouwanttobeanemployerher
e??
isof
tl
ynodded.andl
etoutsof
twor
ds.
Me:yes.
..
.si
r.
..
Him:yetyoudontr
espectt
heowneroft
his
company.
idi
dntsayawor
d.
Him:isaideveryonetogat her
, youchosetosit
down.iaskedyouaquest ion,
youchosenott o
answer,ievenhadt oaskSheilat oanswerme.i n
myview, youdontknowwhatyouwant ,butbeing
anempl oyeehereisnotwhatyouwant .soi
suggestyouleaveandr econsideryourdecisi
on,
whenyouhavedeci ded,comebackwi t
htheright
att
it
udeandupr ightsenseofr espect
.
af
tersayi
ngt
hishet
urnedt
otheot
her
s.
Him:Sheil
a,showherout.t
her
estofyou,st
art
worki
ngandwor keff
ecti
vel
yorexpectt
o
permanentl
yleavemycompany.
het
henl
eft
.
il
ookeddownhol
dingbackmyt
ear
s.somuch
humil
iat
ion.
ibr
eat
hedandt
ri
edt
ocal
m down.
t
heyounggi
rlcamet
omeagai
n.
Her
:pl
easedontmi
ndhi
m,hei
sjustangr
y.
ij
ustnodded.
t
her
ecept
ioni
stcamet
omeandaskedmet
oleave.
ist
oodupandwal
kedout
.
asiwasoutoft
hecompany,it
ookmyheel
sof
f
becauset
heywerest
art
ingt
ohurt
.
iwasinthefor
eignplace,idi
dntknowwheretogo
orwheretogetthetaxi
's.t
hisnei
ghbor
hooddidnt
havemanypeopl e,
soihar dl
ysawpeoplepassi
ng.
isatatt
hecornerofthecompanyandjustl
ooked
aroundaspri
vatecarspassedby.whi
chwasabout
2/3carsever
y5mi nutes.
iam abi
ggi
rl
,idontcr
y.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
i
twasonlywheniar
ri
vedi
nmyof
fi
cet
hatir
eal
ized
whatihaddone.
il
etmyangercont
rolmeandendedupmi
str
eat
ing
Boi
tumel
o.
ir
ubbedmyheadandst
art
edt
hinki
ngonwhatt
odo.
f
oll
owhernowt
oapol
ogi
ze?
?cal
lher
??
ij
ustdi
dntknowwhatt
odo.
"wel
lshewi
llbestr
ong,i
fshewantstoover
come
herl
if
easacleanerher
e,shewi
llhavet
ogetused
tome"
it
hendeci
dedt
oletherbeandj
ustdomywor
k.
[
12/
24,
12:
57] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihadfi
nall
yfoundmywayaroundt
hepl
aceandgot
theTaxi
'
sbackhome.iwassonoti
nthemoodfor
anytal
ksorl
aughs,
thatsocal
led"MrWolf
"just
rui
nedmymood.forwhat??Nothi
ng!
!nx.
igoti
ntheTaxiandt
heTaxil
eft
.
af
terawhil
e,igott
omytownshi
pandigotof
f
si
nceicoul
dseewhereiwasgoi
ng.
igotof
fandbr
eat
hedout
.
idi
dntfeell
ikegoi
nghomeyet
,soiheadedst
rai
ght
toBri
cksshack.
asigott
her
e,if
oundi
tlocked.
"
hei
snothome"
it
henwentt
oMf
ana'
sshack.
theywer
esi
tt
ingt
her
ehavi
ngachi
ll
as.iwasr
ight
ontime.
Me:yebo!j
usti
nti
me.
Scar:hai
bo,backalr
eady??didtheysendyouback
beforeyouevendidtheint
ervi
ew? ?
Me:thatsocall
edLubanzii
sab* *.iwontsayheis
asonofab* *becausehismotherhasnof aul
tfor
hersonturni
ngint
othisb**heis.
Mf
ana:hai
bo,
whatdi
dhedo?
?
Me:l
ongstoryshor
t.heki
ckedmeoutt
hecompany
f
ornoreason.
Bri
cks:t
hatB*
*,doesheevenknowhowt
otake
car
eofawoman? ?
Me:nop.howcanheifhedoesntevenhaveawi
fe.
Nx.hecangotohel
l
.
Scar:stopdepr
essi
ngyour
sel
ftal
kingaboutt
hat
guy,justsi
tdownandenj
oywit
hussomecool
bott
leofyourfavor
it
e.
Me:soundsl
ikeapl
an.
Mfana:dontyouwanttochangefir
st.i
tski
nda
weir
dseeingyouli
kethis,
iam usedtoyouinguy
cl
othes.
Me:getusedt
oitMf
ana,
thi
sisj
ustt
hebegi
nni
ng.
Mf
ana:ej
howear
est
il
lgoi
ngt
odi
emoss.
Br
ickshi
tMf
anaont
heshoul
der
.
Br
icks:eyesont
hebot
tl
e.l
eaveherl
egs.
.
il
aughed.
Me:ar
eyout
hatweak?
?
Scar:hahaha,Mfana,
ifyougoweakbyseeingher
l
egs, whatwil
lhappenifshewearssomet
hingover
herkneesandshowhert highs?
?
Br
icks:canyoust
opt
alki
ngaboutherbodypar
ts.
Me:hahahah,
Mfanawi
lldi
e.
Scar
:owk,
owk,
MrBr
icks.ihearyou.
isatdowninbetweent
hem,
nextt
oBr
icksandt
ook
abottl
e(unopened)
.
iopenedi
tandst
art
eddr
inki
ng,
myplanwasnottogetdrunksothaticanhold
myselfupwheniheadhome,butonebottl
ebecame
2,
2became3and3became4andt heyjustkept
mult
iplyi
ng
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
i
twasnowget ti
nglateandiwasreal
lyf
eel
ingbad
aboutwhathappened.it
hendeci
dedtogotothe
Townshi
p.
ipackedandheadedout
.
igoti
nmycarandheadedst
rai
ghtt
othet
ownshi
p.
asiar
ri
vedipackedmycarandwentdownt
oaunt
Mart
ha'shouse.
onmywayisawagr oupofpeopl
escreami
ngand
si
nging.il
ookedcareful
lyi
twasBoit
umeloandher
fr
iends.i
sshecrazy??
iwentt
othem.
Me:Boi
tumel
o,ar
eyoucr
azy?
?
shest
oppedandl
ookedatme.
Her:(
chuckles)sorr
ysi
r,di
didosomet hingwrong??
di
dinotlist
ent oyouri
nstr
uctionagai
n??didi
di
srespectyou??ohmy, wi
llyoukickmeoutofthis
Townshipandt el
lmetoreconsidermydecisi
ons???
ij
ustl
ookedather
.
Her:ohhyah,
ifor
got.youdontownt hist
ownship,
sowhatidohereisnonofyourfreak-enbusi
ness.
getlost
.
Me:dontt
ellmeyouwi
llgohomel
ooki
ngl
iket
his?
?
Her:wenawher
edoyouf
iti
n??i
sthi
syour
company??
Br
icks:mybr
a,hai
kabi
.butcanyoul
eave.
il
ookedathi
m andj
usti
gnor
edhi
m andl
ookedat
Boi
tumel
o.
Me:come,
iwi
llt
akeyouhome.
Her:hai
,idontneedyou.ihavemyfri
endsher
e,
wheniwantt ogohome, t
heywil
lgetmehome.
Me:iam gi
vingyou3secondst
ogether
eandwal
k
f
oryoursel
f.
Her
:mxm.
shecont
inuedwal
kingwi
thherf
ri
ends.
af
terl
it
eral
lycount
ing3seconds,
iwentt
oherand
pi
ckedherupputti
ngheronmyshoulder
.
the3boyswantedtof
ightme,butibeatal
loft
hem
andlef
tthem l
ayi
ngonthefl
oor.
Boi
tumel
owasst
il
lonmyshoul
der
.
it
urnedt
otakeherhome,buticoul
dntt
akeher
homeasdrunkassheis.
it
ookat
urnandt
ookhert
omycar
.
iputheri
nmycari
nthef
rontseat
.
iputt
hesaf
etybel
tandl
ookedather
.
shewasout
,shewasal
readysl
eepi
ng.
isi
ghedasidr
oveout
.
asiwasi
nthecarical
ledAuntMar
tha.
sheanswer
ed.
Her
:Lubanzi
.
Me:AuntMar
tha,
ijustwantedt
ot el
lyout
hatyou
shoul
dn'
twor
ryaboutBoit
umelo.sheisowk.
Aunt
:ohhthankgoodness,
iwasaboutt
oget
worr
ied.
Me:yah,
sheisali
tt
ledr
unknowsoit
ookhert
othe
companyst
ayin.
Aunt
:dr
unk?
?
Me:wehadashor tcelebr
ati
onatwork,
itaggedher
i
nwithoutknowi
ngt hatshei
salit
tl
etooeasyfor
al
cohol.
Aunt
:Lubanzikodwa.
Me:sorr
yma,iknowi
tsmyf
aul
t.butiguar
ant
ee
hersaf
ety.
Aunt
:owkson.seeyout
omor
rowt
hen.youwi
ll
br
ingheri
nri
ght??
Me:yes,
iwi
ll
.
Aunt
:owk.
Me:sl
eepwel
lAunt
.
Aunt
:sl
eepwel
lson.
ihungupandl
ookedatheragai
n.
sheseemedl
ikeshewasaboutt
othr
owup.
Me:nonononononoti
nmycar
,hel
lno
i
twast
ool
ate,
shehadal
readymessedi
nmycar
.
if
eltsi
ck.
idr
ovef
ast
ersot
haticoul
dgethomequi
cker
.
aft
erget
ti
nghome, igoti
ntheyar
dandt
henwent
tohersi
detogetherout.
shehadvomi
tonhersoiwast
ryi
ngt
obecar
eful
.
t
heni
cal
ledoneofmyguar
ds.
Me:t
aket
hiscart
obecl
eanedup,
itsf
ullofvomi
t
i
nsi
de.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
Me:makesur
etheycl
eani
tthor
oughl
y.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
igavehi
mthekeysandgoti
nthehouse.
itookherst
rai
ghttot
heguestr oom andthr
ewher
ont hef
loor
.shewassti
lldir
tyandfil
ledwit
hvomi
t,
shecantgetonthebedlikethat
.
shekeptmumbl
ingst
uffbutst
il
lal
sosl
eepi
ng.
it
henwentt
owearmymedi
calgl
ovesandcover
ed
mymouthandnose.
ithenputabl
indf
oldonmyeyessothatiwoul
dn'
t
seewhatiam notsupposedt
osee.
it
henreachedforhershi
rtandgent
lyst
art
ed
unbut
toni
ngit.
shekepthi
tt
ingmyhandsasiunbut
tonedhershi
rt
.
butikeptunbut
toni
ngt
hem.
af
terit
ookt
heshi
rtandt
hrewi
tont
hesi
de.
it
hencont
inuedundr
essi
ngherwi
thmybl
indf
old
on.
thenit
ookmyshir
toffandasiwast r
yingt
oputit
onher(iwasst
ruggl
ingbecauseicoul
dntsee)she
pull
edmeinandifel
lonher.
Her:(
drunk)areyout
hatdesper
atet
odoi
twi
tha
dr
unkper son?
?
ist
il
lhadmybl i
ndf
oldonsoicoul
dntseeanyt
hing,
butif
eltherf
aceverycl
ose.
shepushedmeoffandki
ckedmeonmyst
omach.i
groanedi
npai
n.
iwant
edt
oopenmybl
indf
oldbutihel
dmysel
fback.
it
ri
edget
ti
ngmywaytoheragainandgether
dr
essedi
nmyshi
rtbutshepunchedme.
igoti
rr
it
atedandangry,it
ookthebl
indf
oldof
fand
whatisaw,iwi
shididntsee.
shewasnaked,
sheonl
yhadherbr
aandunder
wear
.
ibreathedandt
henputmyshir
tonherwhi
le
keepingherawayf
rom hi
tt
ingme.
iwentt
orunthebat
hthenipi
ckedherupand
pl
acedheri
nthebatht
ubwhil
esheworemyshir
t.
ithentookouttheshirtwhil
eshewasi nthewat
er
fullofbubbl
es,andalsotookoutherbraandial
so
wentt othepoi
ntoftakingoutherunderwear
.
shoul
dihavelefti
tonandletherdr
ywi
thi
ton,
she
wouldhavecaughtafl
ue.
aft
ertaki
ngever
ythi
ngout,idi
dnteventaket
hose
thi
ngsoutthewater
,iwontevendare.
it
hentookmybodybr
ushandwashedherbody
wit
hit
.
af
tert
hat
,it
ookat
owelandcl
osedmyeyes.
ipickedherupcausi
ngmet
obewetandputa
toweloverher
.
idr
iedherbodyasicl osedmyeyesandi
twasas
har
dasi tcomes,ievengotint
roubl
edoi
ngthi
s.
andimeanr eal"
tr
oubl e"
.
af
terdr
yingherihur
ri
edoutget
ti
ngoneofmyr
obe
t
hencamebackt
oputi
tonher
.
thenfi
nal
lyiopenedmyeyesandt
iedt
her
obef
or
her.
ithenputherintheblanket
sthenwenttocleant
he
bathroom l
eavi
ngt hewateri
nthebatht
ubbecause
therewereherpersonalbel
ongingsi
nther
e.
it
henleftandwentt
oimmediatel
ygetundercol
d
water
."youknowwhatthatmeans"
afterawhi
leit
hentookashowerandgoti
nmy
robeandwenttosl
eep.
icouldntevensleep.justthet
houghtofhavi
nga
womani nmyhouse, keptmeawakeallni
ght
.i
li
ter
allydidnthavesleep.
ithenworemycasualcl
othi
ngat10pm anddeci
ded
tobookinahot
el.
ipai
dandwenti
nther
oom.
"
wel
l,
asl
ongasshei
ssaf
e,noi
ssue"
ithenlaidi
nbedandi
nnomi
nut
es.iwasst
art
edt
o
fallasl
eep.
[
12/24,
12:
59] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
18
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupearl
y.iwantedtot
akeashower
,buti
t
wouldbeusel
esssinceiwoul
dhavetoweart
he
sameclot
hingoveragai
n.
sowhatidoi
s,iwashmyfaceandthenri
nsemy
mouthwit
hmouthwashtheniheadedouttogo
backhome.
igotinmyothercarthatiusedt
ocomeher
e.i
tsa
smallcart
hatihardl
yuse.
igoti
nitanddr
ovebackhome.
iar
ri
vedandheadedi
nthehouse.
iwentt
otheguestroom wonderi
ngifshehas
wokenup,seemsshehasn'twokenup.buttheni
dontbl
ameher,i
tssti
llear
ly,
shemightwakeup
ar
ound10:
00.
iwenttomyroom andtookashower
,thengot
dressedandt
henpreparedt
ogotowor k.
wel
l,
iam awor
kaholi
c.il
ikemaki
ngsur
emoney
f
lowsinmor
ethenitf
lowsout.
it
hengetout
.
igetout
side.
Me:haiSi
pho.pl
easet
akecar
eoft
hel
adyi
nsi
de.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
Me:i
fshestar
tsact
ingcr
azy,
cal
lme,
youmi
ghtnot
beabl
etohandlet
hat.
igoti
nmycaranddr
oveout
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupt
oaspi
nni
ngheadache.
isl
owlyopenedmyeyesandwhatisawwas
heaven.
"
dididi
e??am idead?
?"
il
ookedar
oundandi twasabedroom.huh?whyam
iher
e??whathappenedlastni
ght
??
"ahhhhhhhhhh!!dididri
nkt oomucht hatiwas
takenbyanol drichman? ?"butagaintherear
eno
richmani nthetownship..
.wai t
!!wasiki
dnapped??
butt henwhyam inott i
edtot hebedorsomething??
orist hi
sli
keafor bi
ddenbui l
ding??nah,i
twouldn'
t
bet hisl
uxuri
ous.
il
ookedatmysel
fandiwasi
nagown.
il
ookedinsi
dethegownandiwasNAKED.no
underwear
,nobra,
nothi
ng!
!.mymout
hopenedand
isuddenl
yfear
ed.
imovedmyl egstr
yingt
ofeeli
fther
eispai
ninmy
V**butnot
hing.it
hengotupandwenttothe
window.
i
tseemedli
keiwasinanormalhousewheret
her
e
i
sn'
tmanypeopleroamingt
hestr
eetsbutt
her
eare
ot
herbeaut
if
ulhouses.
iwasr
eal
lyt
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eoutwhathappened.
"
myPhone"
.yes,
myphone.
il
ookedfori
tbuticoul
dntf
indi
t.gee,
iwonder
wherei
tis.
myheadwasspinni
ng,mymindwasgoi
ngcrazy,
whatt
hehel
lhappened?
?di
disleepwi
thsomeone??
igotouttheroom asisneakedaroundthehouse
tryi
ngtofindsomethi
ngaboutwhoeverl i
veshere.
li
keapictureorsomethi
ng.butthishousejust
lookedveryplai
n.
asiwassnoopingar
ound,
amanwal kedi
nthefr
ont
doorandiscr
eamedveryl
oudasiheldwhat
ever
thatwascl
osetome.
hel
ookedatmeaski
ngmet
ocal
m down.
Hi
m:mam,
pleasecal
m down.
Me:whoareyou?
?huh?
?whoar
eyouandwhatam
idoi
ngher
e??
Hi
m:mam,
pleasecal
m down.
Me:iwi
llnotcal
m downunt
iliknowwhoyouar
e??
Hi
m:iam Si
pho,
iwasappointedbyBigBossto
t
akecar
eofyou,i
sther
eanythingyouneed?
?
Me:Bi
gBoss??ohmyword,
ishel
ikeaMafi
aor
somet
hing?i
sheli
keaBi
ggangst
erorsomet
hing?
?
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:hemustbei
fheevenhasguar
dsathi
shouse.
Hi
m:doyouneedanyt
hing?
?
Me:wher
eisyourboss?
?
Hi
m:hewentt
owor
kmam,
doyouneedhi
m??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"i
fisayyes,imightbecalli
ngmydeat hverysoon,
yetifisayno,imightneverknowwhyt hehel
liam
here"thosewheremyt houghts.iwasconf
used.
Him:mam, isuggestyouhavebreakfastandr
elax
asyouwaitfortheBigBoss.andifyouneed
anyt
hing,
iam here.
Me:mhm.owk.
Hi
m:iwi
llbeout
side.
inodded.
af
terhel
eftibi
tmyl
ips."
whatt
odo?
?"
isatont
hecouchasit
uckmykneeswonder
ing
whattodo.
icouldntsi
tst
il
l,
icoul
dgoupanddownal
lthet
ime
tr
yingto.
iwasr
eal
lyl
oosi
ngmymi
nd.
aft
eralongwhil
e,isomeonewalki
n.idi
dnteven
carebecauseit
houghti
twasthatmanagain
comingtocheckonme.
ist
il
lhadmyr obeonsi
nceidi
dntevenknowwher
e
myclotheswent.
Voi
ce:ahhhh,
youar
efi
nal
lyawake?
?
it
urnedmyheadandicoul
dntbel
ievewhatisaw.
LUBANZI!
!
myeyesshotopenandmouthal
soshotopenasi
putmyhandsovermychest
sasifhecansti
llsee
menaked.
i
shet
he"
BigBoss"
??
idi
dntevenwast
eti
me,istar
tedt
aki
nganyt
hingi
coul
dholdandhi
thi
m withit
.
Hi
m:haist
opar
eyoucr
azy.
Me:yesiam cr
azy,
howcoul
dyoudowhatyoudi
d??
it
hrewacouchpi
ll
owathi
m.
Hi
m:woul
dyoust
op?
?
Me:di
dyoust
opl
astni
ght
??
it
hrewanot
herpi
ll
ow.
Hi
m:what
??canyoust
opt
hrowi
ngt
hingsar
ound?
?
Me:no,NO!
!!
!it
henr
antohi
tandst
art
edhi
tt
inghi
m
wi
thfi
stsandal
soki
cki
nghi
m.
hefel
ldownandisatonhi
m pi
nni
nghi
shandson
thefl
oor
.
Me:iwi
llaskt
hequest
ionsnow.
hej
ustl
ookedatmeashewasgr
oani
ngi
npai
n.
Me:howdi
digether
e??
Hi
m:dontyour
emember
??
Me:i
fir
emember
ediwoul
dnotbeaski
ngyou
woul
di?
?
Hi
m:wel
l,
ibr
oughtyouher
e.
Me:and?
?
Hi
m:and?
?
Me:whathappened?
?
Hi
m:ifyouwanttoaskmesomethi
ng,
aski
tdi
rect
ly,
st
opbeati
ngaroundthebush.
Me:*
breat
hs*howdi
dibecomel
iket
his.
isai
dthatpoi
nti
ngatmybodywi
thmyeyes.
hef
rownedwi
thhi
seyebr
ows.
me:how?
?
Hi
m:idi
dntunder
standyourquest
ion.
ii
mmediat
elyki
ckedhi
spr
ivat
eareawithmyknee
si
nceiwasonmykneespi
nninghim down.
Hi
m:ahhhhhh!damngi
rlt
hat
'sasensi
ti
vear
ea.
Me:gi
vemaki
ngj okesandiwi
llki
ckhar
der
.now,
howdi
digetnaked??
Him:*cat
chesbreat
h*areyounaked?ididntknow.
canisee??imeanjustt
oseeifyoutel
li
ngt hetr
uth.
Me:(
chuckl
ed)yougotj
okeshai
.
iki
ckedhi
m agai
n.hegr
oanedmor
elouderi
npai
n.
Hi
m:ahhhhhh!woul
dyoust
opt
hat
.
Me:wouldyoust
oppl
ayi
ngandanswermy
quest
ions?
?
Hi
m:Ahhhh!f
ine.Dammi
tthathur
t.
..
..
.
Me:itwil
lhur
tmor
ehar
deri
fyoudontst
art
speaki
ng.
Him:fine.iwentt othetownshi ptoaskf orgi
veness
fr
om youf orwhatididt oyouatt hecompany, but
onthewayt oauntMar t
ha' shouseisawyoudr unk
si
ngingont hestreetwithyourmal efri
ends.iwas
afr
aidofwhatt heywoul d'vedonet oyousinceyou
weredr unksoit ookyouandwant edtotakeyou
home.butit houghtmabyeauntMar t
hami ghtbe
angrywi thyouf ordri
nking.soibr oughtyouher e.
onthewayyouvomi t
edi nmycar ,andmessedon
yourself.igotmyguar dt ot akethecartobe
washedandyou, wellsomeonehadt owashyou.
Me:wooaahahhhhhhsoyouwashedme?
?
Hi
m:i
fihadnot
,whowoul
d??ordi
dyoupr
efer
spendi
ngt
heni
ghti
nyourvomi
t??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.sti
lldi
dntyouhavef
emal
ehel
per
sto
washmei nstead??
Hi
m:ineverhadf
emal
ehel
per
s.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
asiwasthinki
ngabouti
t,somet
hingcaughtmy
mind."
ifhewashedme,thatmeanshesawme
naked"
iopenedmyeyesandl
ookedathi
m.
Hi
m:what
??
Me:didyou..
..
..di
dyouseewhatyouwer
enot
supposedtosee??
hel
ookedatmeandsmi
rked.t
henhel
ookedbel
ow
myface.
Me:hai
!!
hel
ookedatme.
Me:di
dyouornot
.
Hi
m:wel
l.
..
..
Me:ahhhhLubanzi
.howcoul
dyou?
?
Hi
m:ij
ustwant
edt
ohel
p.
Me:helpbywashi
ngmeandseei
ngmenaked?
?
ahahhhhhh!
!
il
ookedathi
m wi
thaver
yser
iousf
ace.
Me:youhavet
opaydamages.
Hi
m:damages?
?
Me:yes.yousawmenakedandyouwerenot
supposedto,nowt
hat
'sahugecr
ime.whoknowsi
f
youdidanythi
ngel
se.
Hi
m:l
ike?
?
Me:r
ape!
!
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)whati
fit
oldyout
hatiam gay?
?
Me:thatwoul
dn'
tchange,
youwoul
dst
il
lhavet
he
package.
Him:event
houghihavet
hepackagebutiwoul
dn'
t
gett
heedgetodoit
.
Me:ist
il
ldontt
rustyou,
ist
il
lwantyout
opay
damages.youalr
eadyhaveseent
oomuch,
you
mightr
apemet omorrow.
Hi
m:ift
hat
'showyout
hink.dontyout
hinkimi
ght
r
apeyounow??
ilookedathim andher
anmyeyesaway.t
hen
lookedathim agai
n.
Me:yousai
dyouwer
egay.sost
opmaki
ngexcuses.
hesmil
edandinthatmoment,hepushedmetothe
si
deandnextt
hingiwasunderhim ashepi
nned
medownusinghislegsandhands.
Hi
m:yousai
devengaypeopl
ehaveapackage.
myhear
twasr
aci
ng.
Him:i
fyouwantmet
opaydamagesiwi
ll
.buton
onecondi
ti
on.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Him:thatyoual
sopaydamagesf
orki
cki
ngmy
package.
il
ookedathi
m.
Hi
m:wi
llyou?
?
hesaidthi
ssl
owl
ycomi
ngt
owar
dsmeasi
fhewas
abouttoki
ssme.
myhear
twasr
aci
ngsomuch.
hegotevencl
oser
.
Him:(
whisper
)seemswebot
howeeachot
her
damages.whatnow?
?
hi
swhi
sperbr
oughtmechi
ll
s.
hegotmor
ecl
oseandnextt
hinghi
sli
pswason
mine.
apar tofmewantedtomovemyhandsandpush
him awaybutanotherpar
tjustwant
edt
ost
ayl
ike
thatforever
.
ideci
ded!
!
icl
osedmyeyesandwentwi
tht
hef
low.
[
12/24,
13:
00] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
19
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
"
him onme,
hisf
acecl
oset
omi
ne,
hisl
ipsonmi
ne"
Ahhhhhhhhhh!
!!
!
irubbedmyf aceasirol
ledmysel
font
hebedand
accident
all
yfellont
hefl
oor.
OUCH!
!thatwassor
e.(
butihadasmi
leonmyf
ace)
ihi
tmyhead.st
upi
dgi
rl
.whydi
dyouki
sshi
m??
hai
sh.
..
ineedt
odi
str
actmysel
f.
iwal
kedoutt
her
oom andwentt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.
bei
ngaroundAuntMarthawi
llsur
elymakeme
nevert
othi
nkaboutt
his.
iwalkedinthel
ivi
ngr
oom anddidntfi
ndAunt
Martha.iwentt
otheki
tchenandfoundhermaki
ng
tea.
Me:needanyhel
pauntMar
tha?
?
shel
ookedatme.
Aunt:nobaby,iam evenal
mostdone.whyar
eyou
awakesoearly??youjustwentt
obed.
Me:ahhhh,
ithi
nkidi
dnthavet
oomuchsl
eep.
aunt
:mhm.t
hepar
tymust
'vebeenver
yni
ce.
Me:Par
ty?
?
Aunt:mhm,Lubanzitoldmet hatyouguyswer
e
havi
ngacompanypar tyandhegaveyoual cohol
andyougotdrunk.forgivehim, hesur
elydi
dnt
knowthatyoudontdrinkt hatmuch.
Lubanzit
ookt
hebl
ame?
?wow!
!
Me:huh..noproblem mama,ishoul
d'veal
sot
old
hi
mt hatiwasntthattol
erant
.
Aunt
:at
leasthetookcareofyout
hough,
thatshows
t
hathei
sar eal
lybigbrother
.
if
akedsmi
led.
shetookhert
eaandwentt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.i
fol
lowed.
Aunt
:Boi
tumel
o,haveyouappl
iedi
nuni
ver
sit
yyet
??
Me:notyetAunt
,ist
il
lhavet
oscanmydocument
s
sothaticansendt
hem onli
ne,
soiwantt
ogett
hem
scannedbefor
eappl
ying.
Aunt
:cantyouscani
tnow?
?
Me:ihavet
ogotot
hei
nternetcaf
eandi
twi
llcost
memoneytoscanmyt
hings.
Aunt
:howmuch?
?
Me:idontknowAunt
,mabyeR2orR3apage.
Aunt
:haoBoitumelo,
R2i
snot
hingmoss.hur
ryand
gett
hem scanned.
Me:yesAunt
,iwi
llgoandscant
henassoonas
possi
ble.
Aunt:youshoul
dst
opsayi
ng"
youwi
ll
"andst
art
act
ing.
inodded.
Aunt:yes,becauseireal
lywantyoutogot
oschool
nextyear.si
tti
ngherewithoutafut
urei
snotni
ce.
Me:yesAunt
.
shesi
ppedonhert
ea.
Me:huh.
..aunt
,mayiaskyousomet
hing?
?
Aunt
:mhm?
?
Me:iam notf
ami
lynoranyt
hingt
oyou,
whydoyou
wanttohel
pme?
Aunt :youmaynotbef amilyoranyt hi
ngtome, but
wheniseeyouiseemysi ster.sheusedt olove
school .ir
ememberwhenwewer eyoung,shewoul d
alwayspassmewi t
hmar ksandwasal waysmy
mot hersfavor
it
e.wellt
hat'
swhatit houghtback
then.wegr ewsoclosetoget her,il
ovedherdear l
y.
event houghiadmit
,iwasver yjeal
ousofher ,buti
sti
lllovedher.
Me:doyoumeanLubanzi
'
smot
her
??
Aunt
:mhm.shewasl
ikeyou.shehadabi
gmout
h.
Me:ahhhhaunt
,idonthaveabi
gmout
h.
Aunt
:hahahaha,whatimeani
sthatshewasa
opi
nionat
edpersonli
keyouar
e.sheusedt
ospeak
hermind.butt
henyouareabi
ttoomuch.
wel
aughed.
Aunt
:yah,
shewasabubbl
yper
son.butt
henaday
came.shestar
teddati
ngaguy, eventhoughshe
wasneveraproblem t
oourpar entsandwasal ways
obedi
ent,
ourparentssti
llwer
eagai nstthei
deaof
herdat
ingtheguy.
Me:why?
?
Aunt:theguywasknownf orbeingaGangst eror
somet hingt hatwecal laMaf i
a.whent hewor dgot
toourpar ents, t
heywentcr azy.thatdaymysi st
er
wasbeat ensohar dandt oldtotellthet r
uth.she
confessed.af terthatt heygaveheranul timatum.
theytoldhert oei therstayhomeandl eavet heguy,
orfoll
owhi m andabandont hefamily.shechoset o
go.iwassosad, iwant edtofoll
owher ,butwher e
wouldigo? ?wel l
.l ongstoryshort.ijusthelpt hose
who'sf uturei slimi tedbecauseofsi tuationsican
helpwi thandyouhappenedt oshowup.ineverhad
achancet obet her eforLubanziwhenhermot her
passedaway, iwasal sonotthereformysi ster
whenourpar ent sabandonedher .soj ustletmebe
thereforyou.youneedhel pandineedt ohel p
someone.
ismi
led.
Me:isee.
Aunt
:plusnowyouhavebecomemychi
ld.bot
hyou
andLuba.
if
akedsmi
ledagai
n.
i
fonl
ysheknewwhathappenedbetweenus,she
woul
dn'
tbetal
kingaboutusbei
ngherchi
ldr
en.
nowt hatithi
nkofit,i
sLubanziatt
achedtome
becauseiam likehermot her
??i
sthatwhyhedid
whathedi d??well,
ididntwantt
ot hi
nktoomuchof
i
tbecausei twasmaki ngmehavei magesoft
he
ki
ssandt hat'
st hesceneiwanttoforget
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
nmyof
fi
ce.
seatedonmychair
,headleanedback,
melody
playi
nginmyhead,peninmyhandandmyhand
dancingal
ongli
keiam amusiccoordi
nat
orwhoi
s
l
eadingainst
rumentalgr
oup.
iam al
soswingi
ngonmychai
randj
ustenj
oyi
ng
themelodyi
nmyhead.
asiwasi
nthemoment
,someoneknockedont
he
door
.
ilookedatt
hedooranditwasJoe.iusedmyhand
totellhi
mtowalkinandicont
inuedi
nmymood
withoutandi
stur
bance.
hecameandsatdown.
ithenleanedi
nandl
ookedhi
m wi
thasmi
leonmy
face.
Me:i
sn'
ttheweat
hercoolt
oday?
?
Joel
ookedar
oundandl
ookedatmeconf
used.
Joe:it
hinksosi
r.
Me:itsfunnyri
ght ??t
hemight
yMrWol fnoti
cedt
he
weathertoday.
..thatshoul
dbethenextbi
g
newspaperarti
cle.
ismi
ledandJoej
ustl
ookedconf
used.
Joe:(
clear
sthr
oat
)isi
tsaf
etospeakmymi
nd?
?
Me:iam happyt
oday,
soimi
ghtal
lowyou.
Joe:whatar
etheconsequences?
?
Me:non.
Joe:ohhhh!
!
Me:what
??
Joe:befor
eknowi
ngal otoft
hings,
didyoubaga
bi
gclient?
?li
keareal
lybigone??
Me:no!
Joe:di
dyout
ri
plet
hecompany'
spr
ofi
tal
ready?
Me:no!
Joe:well
,thosearetheonl
y2t hi
ngsthatbri
nga
smilet
oyourf ace.i
fit
snotthat,
thenidefi
nit
ely
dontknow.
Me:howabout
,LOVE!
heopenedhi
seyesandl
ookedatme.
Joe:I
MPOSSI
BLE!
!
Me:youknowJoe,ineverl
ikeshar
ingmypersonal
i
nformati
onwit
hpeoplebecauseinevert
rust
peopl
e.butwi
thyou,ij
ustdo.butt
henimayknow
why.imeanihavebeenwithyouforyear
snow.
Joe:yah,
demot
edf
rom HRt
oper
sonalassi
stant
.
Me:youcal
lthatdemot
ion?
?dontt
alknonsense.
Joe:mostofmyworkisj
usttobabysi
tyouand
al
waystakecar
eofyouli
keyouaremywifeor
somet
hing.
Me:(
chuckl
es)
Joe:butseemsli
keishoul
dn'
tworr
ybecausesoon,
iwonthavetotakecar
eofyou,iwi
lll
eaveal
lthat
jobtosomeoneshands.
Me:mxm.
Joe:iwonderhowyoumether
,youal
wayskeep
awayfrom woman.
Me:wel
lal othappenedt
hatyoudontknow.ihave
beenvi
sit
ingthetownshi
p.
Joe:iknow.youhavebeenvi
sit
ingal
adycal
led
Martha
Me:hai
,howdoyouknow?
?
Joe:woul
dibeagoodper
sonalassi
stancei
fidi
dnt
know??
Me:it
houghtiaskedyounott
ofol
lowme?
?
Joe:idi
dnt
.
Me:t
henhowdi
dyouknow?
?
Joe:di
dyouf
orgett
hatyourcari
str
acked.
Me:buthowdi
dyouknowt
hatt
hewomani
s
Mart
ha??
Joe:connecti
ons.ial
wayshavetoknowwhereyou
are,
sot hati
fsomethi
nghappens,iam onst
andby.
Me:youar
eindeedat
ruePA.
Joesmi
led.
Joe:andt
hehospi
tal
??whower
eyouvi
sit
ing?
?
Me:coul
dntyouf
indout
??
Joe:youonlywentoncesoicoul
dnthavet
imet
o
regi
steryourmovements.
Me:mhm.
..
Joe:so,
whowasi
t?
Me:theauntthatial
waysvi
sitt
urnsoutt
obemy
motherssi
ster.
Joe:ar
eyousur
e??
Me:mhm.andtheguyt
hatiwentt
oatt
hehospi
tal
i
sMandlaRadebe.
Joe:t
heguywef oundtobet
hef
atherofyour
mother'
ssecondson??
Me:mhm.
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Joe:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:*sigh*iwassohappythi
nki
ngaboutsomethi
ng,
thenyoucameandchangedt hemoodwithsome
sadstuff.whatdi
dyouwant?
?
Joe:t
hef
il
est
otheHRdepar
tment
.
ir
eachedf
ort
hef
il
eandgavet
ohi
m.
Me:her
e,l
eavebef
oreyour
uinmymoodevenmor
e.
hesmi
led.
Joe:i
fyoudecidet
ocoverthesadorbadstori
es
andfocusonthehappyonce,t
heywil
lrotandend
upruini
ngtheat mosphereofthehappystori
esas
well
,theneverythi
ngwillmessup.soratherdeal
wit
hitandgeti tcompletel
youttheway.notfort
he
sakeofothers,butfort
hesakeofyourownpeace
andhappiness.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
hest
oodupandwal
kedout
.
iwasl
eftt
othi
nkaboutt
hat
.
.
*
*MrRadebe*
*
iwassit
ti
ngont
hebedwr
it
ingal
ett
er.al
ett
ert
o
Lubanzi
.
af
terwr
it
ingi
til
ookedati
tandsmi
led.
it
henputi
tundermypi
ll
owasmymom wal
kedi
n.
Me:ma!
Mom:son,
iboughtyouf
rui
ts.
Me:t
hanksmama.
Mom:ar
eyouf
eel
ingowk?
?
Me:iam f
eel
ingj
ustasial
waysf
elt
.
Mom:*
sigh*hol
donmychi
ld.al
lwi
llbeowk.
Me:ihopesomama.
Mom:di
dLubanzicomeback?
?ormabyecal
l?
?
ishookmyhead.
Mom:itwontbeeasy,hewentthr
oughtoomuch
andr
ightnowhefeelsbetr
ayedandli
edto.sogi
ve
hi
mtime,hewil
lcomear ound.
Me:itsowkmama.at l
eastheaccept edSi yaashis
l
itt
lebrot
her.that
'sal
licaneveraskf or.whetherhe
for
givesmeornot ,i
twillbeupt ohim, butme, iam
happythatheacceptedSi ya.t
hebadbl oodthat
wouldbebet weenthem wontbet hereanymor e.
Mom:andyou?
?
Me:whataboutme?
?iam f
ine.
Mom:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:al
lisgr
eat
.
if
akesmi
ledandl
ookedt
heot
herway.
[
12/24,
13:
00] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
20
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Boi
tumel
odoesntanswermycal
ls,
sot
odayi
pl
annedt
ovisi
tthetownshi
p.
iam getti
ngthefeeli
ngthatshecoul
dbe
embarrassedaboutwhathappenedso, sheis
avoi
dingme.butir eall
ywanttotel
lherstr
aight
howif eel
,andletherdeci
de.
ij
ustwantt
otel
lhert
hati
twasntami
stake.
igett
othet
ownshi
pandheadt
oauntMar
tha'
s
house.
igeti
nandgett
othedoor
.iknockandshet
oldme
tocomein.
igetin.mostoftheti
methedoori
snotcl
osed,
unlessifi
tswindyorcol
d.
isi
tdownont
hecouch.
Me:aunt
y,howar
eyou?
?
Aunt
:iam l
ivi
ngheal
thy,
asyoucansee.
me:iseeaunt
y.i
tsagoodthi
ngt
hatyouar
e
keepi
ngstr
ongandtaki
ngcar
eofyour
sel
f.
Aunt:ofcauseihaveto.imeaniwantt osee
Boi
tumelogr aduat
eandal sogetmarri
ed.andial
so
wanttoseeyougetmar ried.soicantwanttol
et
myselfgo.ihavetoal
wayst akecareofmyself
.
Me:hahahaha
Aunt
:ist
her
eanyoneyet
??
Me:huh.
..wel
l.
.notyetAunt
.
Aunt:whatar
eyouwait
ingforLubanzi
??youare
handsome,haveacompanyandveryyoung.iam
suremanywomanwoul dlovet
omar ryyou.
Me:yahauntbutihar
dlyhavet
imet
obel
ooki
ng
ar
ound.
Aunt
:thenal
lowmet olookar
oundf oryou.ican
fi
ndyouaverydecentwomant hatcantakecareof
you.
Me:noneedma,
ibel
ievei
nnat
urall
ove.
Aunt:ah!nat
urall
ove?hai
,owk.buti
fyoudi
esi
ngl
e,
dontsayididnttr
y.
Me:hahaha,dontworr
yaunt
,iwi
llal
ways
r
emembert hatyousai
dso.
Aunt
:Good.
att
hatmomentBoit
umel
ocamei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom
andil
ookedather
.
Her
:huh.
.Goodmor
ningBut
hiLubanzi
.
sheavoi
dedmaki
ngeyecont
actwi
thme.
Her
:huh.auntMar
tha,
iam headi
ngout
.
Aunt:wher
et o??ithoughtyousai
dyouwant
edt
o
watchyourfavori
teshow, i
tsal
moston.
Her
:ihavet
ogosomewher
eAunt
,it
sschoolr
elat
ed.
Aunt
:ohowk,
thenyoureal
lyshoul
dgo.youdont
wantt
odel
ayanythi
ng.
Her
:yesaunt
.
shewentoutqui
ckl
y.
l
ookingather ,
itseemedatifshewasavoidi
ngme
forsure.iwantedtogoaft
erherbutideci
dedto
staythere.t
helastthi
ngiwantist
oputheronthe
hotseat.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihur
ri
edt
oBr
icksshackandf
oundhi
m smoki
ng
weed.
Me:ohhhhel
lyes.ihavet
imi
ng.
Hi
m:andshedoesntknock.ar
eyouplanni
ngon
wal
kingi
nonmenakedwi thagir
lagai
n??
Me:eashsor
rymahn.
Hi
m:hahaha,
hai
.
Me:whyar
eyousmoki
ngal
onei
nher
e??
Hi
m:ial
wayssmokeal
one,
haveyouf
orgot
ten.
Me:ahhh!
Hi
m:i
tsonl
ybeenf
ewdaysandal
readyyouar
e
f
orget
ti
ngourmemor
ies,
iam hur
t.
Me:iam j
uststr
essedout
,orshoul
disayconf
used,
eashidontknowman.
Hi
m:whati
sit
,tal
ktome.
Me:ineedasmoke.
hepassedmeandi
smoked.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Aunt
:Lubanzi
,ihaven'
treal
lyt
hankedyoucor
rect
ly.
Me:f
orwhataunt
?
Aunt
:foragr
eeingt
ohel
pBoit
umel
ogot
oschool
andal
sogetti
ngajobf
orher
.
Me:i
tsnothi
ngaunt
.iam al
soj
ustsavi
ngt
hef
utur
e
ofayout
h.
Aunt
:ifonl
ymencouldbel
ikeyou,
manyorphans
andhomelesski
dswoul
dbeinschoolbynow.
Me:hahaha.
Aunt
:your
eal
lyhaveabi
ghear
tli
keyourmot
her
.i
nevert
houghtyouwouldact
uall
ytaket hedeci
sion
togoseeMandla,butyoudi
d.andhet oldmethat
youaccept
edSiyaandyourli
tt
lebrot
her .he
soundedsohappy.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Aunt:myson.iwantt ot ellyousomet hi
ng.
for
givenessisthedecisiont oletgo.nowdontget
mewr ong,iam notpushi ngyout oforgi
veMandla,
butwhatiam sayingist hat,shoul dyoudecideto
l
etgooft hi
ssituat
ion,itwi l
lbet hetimewhen
for
givenesswil
lautomat icall
yt akeplace.buti
fyou
decidetoholdon,for
givenesswi llnotbefound.so
actual
lyisal
laboutlet
tinggoorhol di
ngon.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Aunt:str
essmakesapersonagever
yquickl
y.st
op
st
ressing,youmi
ghtenduplooki
ngl
ikeyouaremy
uncl
e.
webot
hlaughed.
Aunt
:thereyougo.asmilebecomest
hebeginni
ng
ofbr
ightdays,
dontovershadowitwi
thst
ressand
worr
y.
inodded.
Aunt
:hai
sh,Boi
tumel
oisgoneandiwant
edt
obake
somecakes.
Me:icanhel
pyouaunt
.
Aunt
:canyoubake?
?
Me:mymom t aughtmeever yt
hingther
eistoknow
aroundtheki
tchen,ijustnevercookbecausei
t
remindsmeofher ,buticanhelpaunt.
Aunt
:yah,
yourmom wasr
eal
lyachef
.
Me:andgavebi
rt
htoal
it
tl
echef
.
Aunt:owk,
myson.l et
sgotothekit
chen.t
hat
's
whenwewi llseei
fshereal
lygavebi
rt
htoachefor
afake.
Me:hahahahahaokaunt
.
shest
oodupheadi
ngt
otheki
tchenandif
oll
owed.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
her
ewear
ebur
iedi
nashackf
il
ledwi
thsmokeand
t
hesmel
lofweedandokapi
pe.
Hi
m:haiBoi
.
Me:mhm.
Hi
m:haveyoueverbeeni
nlove?
?
Me:huh,
yes.l
ongago
Hi
m:howwast
hef
eel
ing?
?
Me:nor
mal
.
Hi
m:t
hent
hat
'snotl
ove
Me:huh?
?
Him:haveyoueverhadawei rdfeeli
ngtowar ds
someonet hatyoucantevenexpl ain?whenyouar e
closetothepersonyourhear tracesandyou
suddenlyfeelshy.whent hepersoniswi t
h
someoneel seyouf eelj
ealous,whent hepersonis
notaroundyouf eellonel
y,haveyouhadt hi
s
feeli
ng??
whenhewassayingthis,Lubanzicamet
omymi nd.
howicoul
dntfacehimt odaybecausemyheartwas
raci
ngandiwasnervous, andal
sohowialways
want
edt
oseehi
m butwhenhei
sher
e,if
eelshy.
hecont
inued.
Hi
m:it
sat ypeoff
eel
ingt
hatcantbeexpl
ainedby
wor
ds,butacti
on.
il
ookeddownandt
houghtmor
eaboutLubanzi
.
doesthatmeanthathecoul
dnttel
lmehi
sfeel
ings
bywor ds,
sohekissedmetoletmeknowwhathe
fel
t??
asiwasl
ooki
ngdown,
ifel
tli
keBr
ickswascl
oset
o
me.
ipi
ckedmyheadupandhi
sfacewascl
oset
omi
ne.
iqui
ckl
ywentbackandst
oodup.
Me:it
hinkiam comi
ngdownwi
thaheadache,
iwi
ll
gol
aydown.
ist
oodupheadi
ngout
,hef
oll
owedme.
wewerenowout
sidewhenhepul
ledmet
owar
ds
hi
m andhel
dmywaste.
hel
ookedi
nmyeyesandial
sol
ookedi
ntohi
seyes.
heki
ssedmebef
oreicoul
devenr
egi
sterwhatwas
goi
ngon.
idi
dntknowwhatt
odo,
iwasj
ustst
andi
ngt
her
e
sti
ll
.
iwashi
ghandcouldntreactasf
astasiwould
wheniam sodabecauseitwast
aki
ngtimeforme
tor
egi
sterwhatwasgoingon.
asireal
izedwhatwasgoi
ngonisl
owl
ypul
ledout
theki
ss.ilookedathi
m.
Me:Br
icks?
?
Him:ialwayswant edt ot
ellyou,IloveyouBoi,i
havef al
leni
nlovewi thyou.ithasbeensomet i
me
andi havebeentryingtokeepi tt
omysel fbuticant
.
ireal
lywanttobewi t
hyouBoi .pleasebewithme, i
willt
akecareofyou.
iwasntregi
steri
ngwhatBrickswasact
uall
ysayi
ng
buticouldhearhim.andiwasshockedatwhathe
wassaying.
it
henreal
izedwewer
eout si
deandl
ookedtoaunt
Mart
ha'shouset
oseeifshewasnotout
sideand
guesswhowasst
andi
ngt
her
elooki
ngatus.
Lubanzi
..
[
12/
24,
13:
00] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
forsomereasonmyhear tr
acedwhenisaw
Lubanzil
ooki
ngatusfrom nextdoor
.itwasl
ike
nowiwasscar edorf
eltgui
lty.
Lubanzit
ookouthi
sphonef
rom hi
spocketand
wentbackint
hehouse.
il
ookeddownandwor
ryf
il
ledmyhead.
"
isheangry??
,wi
llhestoptal
kingt
ome? ?
,wi
llhe
f
orgetaboutt
hekiss?
?,wil
lhedist
ancehi
mself
f
rom me??"
mymi ndwasspi
nni
ng,
plust
heweedi
sst
il
linmy
syst
em.
ithenlookedfor
wardandt
her
ewasst
il
lasi
tuat
ion
infrontofme.bri
cks.
ohhhhhh,
why?
?
idontwanttohur
thisfeeli
ngs,hehasbeenagreat
helptome.andwhatifirej
ecthim andheal
so
dist
anceshi
mselffr
om me? ?willil
oseabest
fr
iend??
il
ookedathi
m andswal
lowed.
Me:Br
icks.
.
hel
ookedatme.
Me:iam sor
ry.
..
.iam ver
ysor
ry,
but
..
.i.
..i
..
.
Br
icks:
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
henodded.
Me:iam sor
ry.
Br
icks:caniaskwhy??isitbecauseiusedtosleep
wi
thwomani nfrontofyou??isitbecauseiusedto
makeyousellweed??
Me:No!i
tsnonofthat.ij
ustdontfeelt
hesame.i
l
ookatyouasabrother,abestfr
iendandthat
'si
t.
Bricks:butidontwanttobeyourbestf
ri
endnor
yourbr other
.iwantt
obet hemanforyou,aguy
thatwillprot
ectyou,
loveyou.
..
Me:iam sor
ryBr
icks,
iam ver
ysor
ry.buticannot
gi
veyouwhatyouwant .
Br
icks:.
..
..
..
..
..
.isi
tbecauseofhi
m??
Me:huh?
?
Bri
cks:t
heguyatAuntMar
tha'
shouse,
isi
t
becauseofhi
m??
icouldntsayyes,becauseiwasntsureofmy
feel
ings,andicouldntsaynoei
ther.soil
ooked
awayanddown.
Br
icks:soi
tis?
?youl
ikehi
m.
Me:Br
icks?
?
Bri
cks:whati
sitthathehast
hatidont
??f
lashy
sui
tsandcatchyclot
hing?
?hasacompany??ri
ch?
?
i
sthatit
.
isl
appedBr
icksont
hef
ace.
Me:actuall
y,istayedwithyouher eforsolongand
youhavealwayst ookmeasaf r
iend,aboy.ionce
hadfeeli
ngsf oryou,buttheywer ef
lushedoffby
yourbehaviorandattit
udet owardsme.ifinal
ly
l
earnedtotakeyouasaf riendandbr ot
her.andnow
t
hatihaveadj
ust
edyout
ellmet
his?
?
Br
icks:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:ifyouhadt ol
dmet hisaboutayearago,i
would'
vejumpedt otheproposal
,butmyf eel
ings
haschanged.notbecauseofLubanzi,notbecause
ofanyone,butyouracti
onsandbehavior.soiam
sorr
yBricks,butyouarelat
e.
iwal
kedoutl
eavi
nghi
mther
e.
it
ookawal karoundthetown.iwat
chedcarsdr
ive
pastandjustwalkedt
hinki
ngaboutal
lthat
happened.
haiBoi
tumel
o,howdi
dyougether
e??
l
ifei
sreall
yfast
.inl
it
eral
lyfewdays,
al othappened.
somanyt hi
ngshappen,t
hingst
hatshouldhappen
i
naper i
odofayearhappenedinaperiodoff ew
days.what??
afterwalki
ngaroundiwentbackhome.act uall
yi
hopedt hatLubanzihadlef
t,andiwasconvinced
thathehasl ef
tsinceit
sbeenl ongnowsi
nceihave
beent aki
ngawal k.
iwalkedinthehouseandfi
ndAuntMarthasi
tti
ng
al
onei nthekit
chen,
thehousehasascentof
del
iciouscakes.
ahhhhh,
icoul
dmunchmywor
ri
esaway.
Me:ouuuuuAuntMar
thayoubaked?
?
Aunt
:hahahaha,iwishi
twasme.butthose
wonder
fulcakesarebakedbyLubanzi
.
Me:huh?
?
bef
oreshecouldmakeitcl
ear.Lubanziwal
kedi
n
weari
nganapronandholdingabowlwi t
hcakes
i
nsideandaglassofj
uice.
Hi
m:ohhhidi
dntknowBoi
tumel
oisback.
Aunt
:yahshej
ustcameno.
ismi
ledal
it
tl
e.
Him:(chuckles)l
ookatherl
usti
ngaft
ermybaked
cakes.iam sureyouhaveneverhadt
hesedel
ici
ous
cakesbefore.
ismi
ledagainwonder
ingwhyhewasl
iket
his.di
d
heactual
lyseemeandBri
cksorwasi
hal
luci
nat
ing?
?
hegaveAuntMar
thahercakesandj
uice.
Hi
m:iwi
llgetyousomeaswel
l,
sitbackandr
elax.
isl
owl
ysatdownwi
thnowor
dst
osay.
i
ndeedhewenttogetmej
uiceandabowlofhi
s
bakedcakes.
Hi
m:her
eyougo.
Me:t
hankyou.
Aunt
:ar
en'
tyouhavi
ngsome?
?
Hi
m:iwil
ljustt
akesomeinalunchboxandeat
t
hem t
omor r
owatthecompany,j
usttobrag.
AuntMar
thal
aughed.
Aunt:youshouldtakealotthenbecauseyoubaked
them,orelseyouwontfindthem nextt
imeyou
come, Phel
aBoitumelohereeats.
Hi
m:hahahahaha,iknowt
hat
,butist
il
lwonder
wer
ethefoodgoes??
t
heyl
aughedandismi
ledal
sol
ett
ingoutaf
ake
l
augh.
Hi
m:howar
ethey?amazi
ngr
ight
??
inodded.
Aunt
:mhm,
bet
tert
henhowiwoul
d'vedonet
hem.
Hi
m:haaaAuntMar
tha,
ibetyouar
ebet
ter
,iwas
j
ustl
ucky.
Aunt
:isecondt
hatt
oo.
t
heyl
aughed.
theywer
egetti
ngwel
ltoget
her
.itwasl
ikeamot
her
andherson,
andmeasaguest .
Aunt:nowiam convi
ncedthatyouaremysist
ers
son.sheevenl
eftyouthegif
tofcooking.
Him:iam honored,
event
houghinevercookfor
myself
.thi
siseventhefi
rstt
imei
nyearsievertook
overt
hekitchen.
Aunt
:why?
?
Hi
m:i
tremi
ndsmeofmymom.
Aunt
:ncoooson.
.
Hi
m:nosadf aces.iam notsad.eatandbemerr
y,i
wi
llgocheckifmyot hercakesar
enotburni
ng.
hesmi
ledandl
eft
.
iwastherenotevenenj
oyi
ngt
hecakesbecausei
wastryi
ngtounderst
andwhyLubanziwasact
ing
li
kenothi
nghappened.
i
tseit
herthat
'swhatshappeni
ngoriwas
hal
luci
nati
ng.andidontthi
nkiwasbecauseisaw
hi
m clear
ly.
.
*
*moment
slat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasathomesmi
li
ngl
ooki
ngatmymot
her
s
pi
ctur
e.
"mama,ibakedt oday,imadethosecakesyou
alwaysmadef orus.theonest hatsmel ledsogreat
anddeli
cious.iwasint heki
tchent oday.mama, i
dontknowwhyyoudi dwhatyoudi d,youmusthave
hadyourownr easons.soiwantt otellyouthat
,i
forgi
veyou.layi
npeaceandwat choverme. "
iputt
hef
ramebackandl
aidback.
i
tscl
earthatshehasfeel
ingsforsomeoneelse,and
i
tsunder
standabl
esincetheystayedt
ogetherforso
l
ong.
iam notangr
y,iam j
ustsadt
haticamel
ate.
butt
hen,
ihaveal
waysbeenal
one,
soiwi
llbeowk.
l
if
egoeson.
ij
ustwi
shherwel
landhappi
ness.
andthatbust
edbet
tert
akecar
eofher
,orel
se,
iwi
ll
ki
llhi
m.
[
12/28,
12:
24] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ATHANDWAMICHELLA)
.
21
.
*
*2DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
"
Lubanzi
,youhavegr
ownt
obeasof
t.
"
"Lubanziyouneedt
otoughenup,
what
swr
ongwi
th
you?"
"Lubanzi
,takeyourseatasthebi
gboss,
orel
se
peopl
ewilldisr
espectyou.
"
isatupandt
houghtal
loft
hist
hrough.
eversinceimetBoi
tumel
oandAuntMartha,
i
l
ower edmyguardbecauseidi
dntwantt
hem tosee
howicanget .
i
ficarr
yonli
kethis,thesesmal
lboyswi
lll
ook
downonme, wi
llplayonmyheadandwilltakeme
forapu**
**
igotupandst ar
tedmymorningr
outine.af
teriwas
done,iheadedouttomycaranddrovetothe
township.
t
hereasoniwasgoi ngt
here,
wasbecauseAunt
Mart
hawant edtoseeme,soitol
dheriwoul
dcome
t
oday.idontknowwhatitwasabout
.
ipar
kedmycaratthegar
ageasal
waysandwal
ked
toAuntMar
tha'
shouse.
butonmywayt
her
e,iwasunf
ort
unat
etomeet
Boi
tumel
o'sboyf
ri
end.
heseemedtobecomingtome.ideci
dedt
oignor
e
hi
m buthewasactual
lycomi
ngforme.
Hi
m:haiout
sider
,dontyouhaver
espect
??
ist
oppedandlookeddown.ididntwanttodo
anyt
hingbecausei
twouldhurtBoit
umelo.
Him:doyouknowt hatweari
ngsmar tsuit
sand
fancywatchescangetyour obbedinthistownship??
orisitj
ustafronttolur
ewomanf rom thistownship
andlietothem pr
omi si
ngthem moneyonl ytoplay
withthem??huh??
iwassti
llst
andi
ngthere,
fight
ingmysel
ftonott
urn
tohi
m becausei
fidid,
hewoul dgethur
t.
Hi
m:hai,
whyar eyounotr
espondi
ng?
?huh?
?what
ar
eyouri
ntent
ions??
icoul
dnthol
dmysel
f,it
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:shoul
dagr
ownupl
ikemeexpl
aint
oaboyl
ike
you?
?
Hi
m:doil
ookl
ikeaboyt
oyou?
?
iwal
kedt
ohi
m.
Hi
m:doyouwantt
oknowwhoiam?
?
hel
ookedatmewi
thoutananswer
.
Him:ZakesSbonel
oWolf
.that
'smyfather
sname,
askabouthi
m andknowabouthi
sli
fe.whathewas,
iam.
hekeptl
ooki
ngatmewi
thoutar
epl
y.
it
urnedt
owal
kaway.
Hi
m:suchapunk.
hesai
dthi
sver
ysof
tbutihear
dit
.ist
opped.
Me:whatdi
dyousay?
iwasst
il
lfaci
ngt
heot
herway.
Hi
m:youdi
dnthearme,
isai
dPUNK.
it
urnedt
ohi
m.
"
Lubanzi
,youhavegr
ownt
obeasof
t.
"
"Lubanziyouneedt
otoughenup,
what
swr
ongwi
th
you?"
"Lubanzi
,takeyourseatast
hebi
gboss,
orel
se
peopl
ewi
lldi
srespectyou.
"
t
hesewor
dswer
epl
ayi
ngi
nmyheadagai
n.
i
nnot i
me,iwenttohi
m andpunchedhim ont
he
f
ace.hetr
iedtofi
ghtbackbuthecoul
dn'
tgett
ome.
ikeptbeat
inghi
mti
llhewasdownandbl
eedi
ng.
iputmyshoesonhi
sface
Hi
m:ihat
epeopl
ewhodi
srespectme.
peopl
est
art
edcomi
ngoutt
oseewhatwasgoi
ng
on.
notl
ongaf
tert
hatJoeandmymencamer
unni
ngt
o
me.
mymenwereget
ti
ngever
yonei
nthei
rhousesand
Joecamet
ome.
Joel
ookedatmef
rom af
ar.
iknewwhathewast hi
nki
ng,iknewthathewant
s
tocomehereandtel
lmet ostop,
buthewontcome
becauseheknowsthatiwil
lnotl
ist
en.
Hi
m:i
sther
eanyt
hingyouwantt
osay?
?
hecoul
dntt
alk,
hewasnowqui
etashecoughed.
j
ustatt
hatmomentihear
daf
ami
li
arvoi
ce.
Voi
ce:Lubanzino!
!
ii
gnor
edt
hevoi
ceanyway.
Voi
ce:Lubanzi
,Lubanzipl
easeno!
!
ipr
essedmyf
eetdownandhecoughedoutbl
ood.
i
mmedi
atel
ysomeonehel
dmyar
m.
Voi
ce:Lubanzipl
easeyouar
ehur
ti
nghi
m.
il
ookedt
omyr
ight
,itwasBoi
tumel
o.
well
,ididntcar
e,iwasonmybeastmodeandwhen
iam ont hatmode,noonecanmakemechangemy
mind,andimeannoone.
ipushedherasi
deandshef
ellhar
dont
hef
loor
.di
d
icare?
?notevenali
tt
le.
iwasver
ycl
oset
oki
llhi
m.butil
etgo.
ir
emovedmyshoeof
fhi
sfaceandpi
ckedhi
m up
asihel
dhi
sshi
rt
.
Me:r
emembert
oaskaboutmyf
ather
,youwi
ll
knownevertomesswi t
hmeagai n.andal
so,warn
yourf
ri
endsandf ami
ly,j
ustsotheydontmesswi t
h
measwell,becauset
heymi ghtnotmakeoutal
ive.
ithr
ewhi m ont
hefl
oorandwal
kedawaywi
thout
evenlooki
ngback.
igoti
nmycaranddr ovebackhome,Joeandmy
mendi dafoll
owup.i
fyoucouldseeourcar
sli
ned
toget
herinthehi
ghway,youwoul
dswearitwasa
funer
al.
aswewer
edrivi
nghome,mymenseparat
edtothei
r
st
andi
nareaandiheadedhomewi
thJoefol
lowi
ng
me.
igothome,
parkedmycarandwenti
nthehouse,
Joewaswithme.
Me:dontyoudar
esayanyt
hing,
oryouar
edead.
Joe:ij
ustwantt
oknowi
fyouneedanyt
hing.
Me:no,
that
'
snotwhatyouwantt
oknow.youwant
t
oknowwhyididi
tdontyou?
?
hel
ookeddownnotsayi
ngawor
d.
Me:iwi
llt
ellyouwhy.becausehet
ookmef
ora
B**
*,hethoughthecoul dt
alktomehoweverhe
wantedandiwoul dl
etitbe.guesswhat,
hemethi
s
ownshittoday.iam doneplayi
ngMrnice.
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:andwhyar eyouher
e??shoul
dn'tyoubet
aki
ng
car
eofbusiness??doil
ookl
ikeineedababy
si
tt
er??huh??
heshookhi
shead.
Joe:nosi
r,sor
rysi
r.iwi
llbeheadi
ngout
.
ididntsaynot
hing,
ijustwalkedt
omyst udy,
tooka
glass,pour
edsomewhi skeyanddrank.
ionl
ykeepal
coholi
nthest
udy,
justf
orsaf
ety.
idr
ankabout3goodgl
assesandsatdown.
j
ustatt
hatt
ime.acal
lcamet
hrough.
i
twasmyhomephone.ipi
ckedi
tup.
Me:MrWol
fspeaki
ng.
Voi
ce:Boss, wehaveashipmentcomingt
hrough,
i
tsalreadyneart
hepost,
themenwi l
lmoveittothe
warehouse,buti
tneedst
obemovedoutt onight
.
Me:l
eavet
hatt
ome.wher
ear
eyounow?
?
Voi
ce:att
hepost
.
Me:good.iwi
llheadt
othewar
ehouse,
meetyou
t
here.
Voi
ce:yesBoss
Me:good.
ihungupandt
ookt
he4t
hgl
ass.
it
ookmyt
hingsandheadedout
.
iwentt
othewar
ehouseandasiar
ri
vedt
heyhad
notar
ri
ved.
ist
oodt
her
eabi
tlongerandt
heyal
lar
ri
ved.
2ofmymenar
ri
vedandcamet
ome.
t
heyhandedmeabagf
ullofdi
amonds.
it
ooki
tandt
hrewt
hedi
amondsont
het
abl
e.
Me:di
dtheynot
iceanyt
hing?
?
Hi
m:nosi
r.not
hing.
Me:good.
ismi
ledasisawt
hesebeaut
if
ulbabi
esl
ooki
ngat
me.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:iam sor
ry,
areyousur
eyoudontwantt
ogot
o
hospi
tal
??
Hi
m:isai
dno.iam f
ine.
icont
inueddr
essi
nghi
swound.
ScarandMf
anaar
ri
ved.
Scar:wecoul
dntgetanyt
hingel
se,
wewer
etol
d
Grandpai
sbestforanypain.
Mf
ana:weal
sogotsomepat
ched.
Me:t
hankyou.putt
hem her
e.
icont
inuedcl
eani
nghi
swounds.
Scar:whydidyougetinafi
ghtwi
ththatman??you
sawhowhar shhecanbewhenhetookBoit
umelo
theotherday.
Me:huh?
?tookmewher
e??
Mf ana:t
hedayweweredrunk.hecamehereand
tookyou,wetri
edfi
ght
inghi
mt oletyougobuthe
beatall3ofusdown.
Me:what
??hedi
dthat
??
Scar
:yah.andt
hismanst
il
ldar
est
ochal
lengehi
m.
Br
icks:hai
,thatt
imehegotusbecausewewer
e
dr
unk.
Scar
:andnow?
?
Bri
cks:i
..iwasj
ustnotpr
epar
ed.hegotmeof
f-
guard.
Me:butwhatwer
eyouf
ight
ingabout
.
Br
icks:iwant
edt
oknowhi
sint
ent
ion.
..
..ouch.
Me:sor
ry.
..
..
.whati
ntent
ion?
?
Bricks:heiswierdowk.imeanallofasuddenheis
AuntMar tha'ssi
ster
'ssonandnowhei sroaming
thesestreetsinhi
scheapsuit
sandactinglikehei
s
thebossher e.nx.
Me:i
sthatwhatmadeyouf
ighthi
m.
Br
icks:wel
lidi
dntst
artt
hef
ight
,ij
ustaskedhi
m
whathewantedhereandwhathisi
ntent
ionwas,
its
notmyfaul
tthatidontt
rusthi
m.andhetell
smeto
f*
**sear
chsomeZakesWol f
.
Scar
:huh?
??
Br
icks:canyoubel
i
evei
t.
..
.ahhhh!
!
Me:sor
ry.
Mf
ana:whoi
sthi
sZakesWol
f??
Scar
:theol
dti
meMaf
iaki
ng.
weal
llookedathi
m.
Scar
:hei
sther
easonofmyf
ather
'sdeat
h.
iopenedmyeyeswi
der
.
Me:what
??whathappened?
?
Scar:idontknowthefullst
orybutwhatiknowi s
thatmymom hat esaMancal ledZakesWolf.she
hateshim wit
hallofherheart
.andalwayssaysifit
wasntforhim,thenmydadwoul dst
il
lbeali
ve.
Mf
ana:sot
hat
'swhyyourmom hat
esgangs?
?
Scar
:mhm.
i
tthencl
icked.
Me:waoooh,
sot
hatmeanshei
sthef
atherof
Lubanzi
??
Scar
:huh?
?
Me:t
hemant
hathi
tBr
icks,
hisl
astnamei
sWol
f.
Scar
:what
??
Mf ana:sohecouldbeaMaf i
atoo?
?nor mallyt
hat'
s
whathappens,andt hatwoul
dexpl
ainthosemen
thatcamet ot
ellpeoplet
ogobackintheirhouses
showi ngusguns.
whenMf
anasai
dthatist
art
edt
hinki
ng.
i
sthatwhohei
s??aMaf
ia?
?hej
ustuseshi
s
busi
nessasaf
ront
??
[
12/28,
12:
25] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ATHANDWAMICHELLA)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twaslateatnight,
icouldntgetwhathappenedout
ofmymind,pluswhatScart ol
dmeal soscares.
andial
sohavet oadmi t
,ial
sowantedtospeakt o
hi
m,j
usthearhi svoice.
iwant
edt
ocal
lhi
m butiwashesi
tant
.
ipi
ckedupt
hephoneanddi
aledhi
snumber
.
ical
ledandatt
hesamet
imefel
tmyraci
nghear
t
andwonderedi
fhewoul
danswermycal
lornot
.
Hi
m:Boi
tumel
o!!
myheartracedevenfasterwhenihear
dhisvoi
ce.i
wantedtohangupandj umpedaround.iwas
f
eeli
ngsoexcitedthatmystomachwasal so
makingknots.
tomeatt hi
smomentidi dntcarewhohewas, how
angryheis,ij
ustwantedhim herewit
hme, iwanted
toseehim,iwantedtokisshim agai
n,iwantedto
hearhisvoi
ceandalsoiwant edtohearhis
heart
beat.
not
hingbuthi
misal
liwantatt
hismoment
.
ibr
eat
hed.
Me:Lubanzi
!
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:ar
eyouowk?
?ar
eyounothur
t?
Hi
m:iam f
ine.
Me:caniaskyousomet
hing?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
Me:whydi
dyouhavet
obeatBr
icksl
iket
hat
??
Hi
m:di
dntyouaskhi
m??
Me:idi
dbut
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:(
int
err
upt
ed)t
hen?
?
Me:(swal
lowed)Luu,di
dyougetangr
yatBr
icks
becauseofwhathappened?
?
Hi
m:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
??
Me:huh.
..t
hatdaywhenyousawmeandbr
icks
t
ogether
.
Hi
m:yourr
elat
ionshi
pwithBr
ickshasnot
hingtodo
wi
thme,whywouldihithi
mforthat
??am ithat
chi
ldi
sh?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..soyousawus?
?
Hi
m:whydoesi
tmat
teri
fisawyouornot
??
Me:..
..
..
.ifyousawus,
thenwhydi
dpret
endl
ike
not
hinghappenedwhenicamebackt
oaunt
Mart
ha'shouse??
Him:asisai
d,i
tsnonofmybusi
ness,
whyshoul
di
actout
??
Me:butLuu.
..
Hi
m:(int
err
upted)whatt
hef***doyouwantf
rom
me??didyoucallmetoannoyme??
whenhesai
dthi
smyhear
tst
angal
it
tl
eandt
ear
s
t
hreat
enedt
ocomeout
.
it
ri
edmyut
terbestnott
osoundl
ikeiam cr
ying.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Him:asyoucanseeiam noti
namoodf
orF*
***
*
games.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
.iam sor
ryt
odi
stur
byou.
Hi
m:ar
eyoudone?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
.mhm.
..
hedi
dntsaygoodni
ght
,hej
usthungupt
hecal
l.
ibreat
hedandl
etmyt
ear
soutasihuggedmy
pil
lowti
ght
.
whyam ievencr
ying??iam notdat
ingthi
sguyand
i
tshowsthathedoesntneedmeorl oveme.
it
ookmyphoneandtypedamessage."
goodnight,
hopeyouwakeuphappy,
imi
ssyoursmile.sweet
dreams"
i
ttookmemi nut
estodeci
det
osendi
tbutatt
he
endideci
dedtoposti
t.
it
henputmyphoneundert
hebedasil
ist
enedt
o
beaut
yandt
hebeast
.
badi
dea,itmademecryevenmor
e.ihat
efeel
ing
l
iket
his.whati
sthi
sfeel
ing?
?
.
*
*NextMor
ning*
*
iwokeupt
oswol
leneyesandapuf
fyf
ace.
shoot
,il
ookamess.
igetupandi mmedi
atel
yheadtowashmyf
ace,
thenjustwenti
ntheshower.
isatther
ethinki
ngaboutmyconver
sat
ionwi
thLuu
lastni
ght.whatacol
dshoul
derhegaveme.
aftershower
ingigotdr
essedt
henwentt
othel
ivi
ng
room.
AuntMar
thawasnotther
eyet
,meansshei
sei
ther
busyi
nherbedr
oom orsomet
hing.
il
ookedforherandf
oundherout
sidebusywi
thher
fl
owers.i
twasonly2pl
ots.
Me:auntMar
tha,
woul
dyoul
i
kesomet
ea?
?
Aunt
:yesmybaby.
iwenti
nandmadehert
ea.
af
termakingteaidecided,youknowwhatenough
wi
thfeel
ingli
kethis,
iwi l
lgotothecompanymyself
.
iwenttocheckhowmuchihadandi twasonl
y
enoughformetogo, butwontbeenoughtocome
back.andwhatifidontfi
ndhimther
e??well
,i
ts
wor
tht
her
isk.
i
fiaskAuntMart
hamoneyshewil
laskalotof
quest
ions,
soir
athert
aket
heri
skf
orsure.
ithencall
edAuntMart
hathatiwasdonemaki
ng
tea,shecametohavehert
eawithcakes.
ij
ustheadedoutsayi
ngiwi
llbebacksoon.
.
*
*MrRadebe*
*
Me:whati
sthi
s??
Si
ya:B
Me:andt
his?
?
Si
ya:T
Me:good,
whataboutt
hisone?
?
Siya:mhm.
..
..t
het
eacherdi
dntt
eachust
hisone
daddy.
Me:hahahaha,
dontl
ieSi
ya,
thet
eachert
aughtyou
al
ltheABC's
hepout
ed.
Me:i
fyou`
car
ryonl
iket
his,
youwontknowhowt
o
r
ead.
Si
ya:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:sowhati
sthi
s??
Si
ya:mhm.
..
..idontknowdaddy.
Me:i
tsX,
sayi
t.
.X
Si
ya:ohXl
ikeXman?
?
Me:yesXl
ikeXman.exact
ly.hi
gh5
wedi
dhi
gh5.
Me:nowdontyoueverf
orgeti
towk?
?
Si
ya:yesdaddy.
Me:nowwhati
sthi
sone?
?
Si
ya:Ol
ikeor
ange.
Me:yest
hat
'scor
rect
.
Si
ya:daddy,
yest
erdayMi
ckygavemeanappl
e.
Me:whoi
sMi
cky
Si
ya:myf
ri
end.
Me:i
sthi
sfr
iendagi
rl
??
henodded.
Me:agi
rl
??whenam imeet
ingher
??
Siya:whenyougot
omyschooliwi
llshowyou
daddy.
Me:pr
omi
se?
?
Si
ya:mhm.
ishowedmypi ckyf
ingerandshel
ockedi
twi
thhi
s
ti
nypinkyf
inger.
att
hatmomentmyMot
herwal
kedi
nwi
thmySi
ster
.
Si
ya:yay!
!gr
annyi
sbackwi
thi
cecr
eam.
Mom:yesmyboy,
ani
tsar
edone.
Si
ya:yayyyyy!
!!
shegaveSi
yai
cecr
eam.
Me:whenyoucat
chfl
ue?
?dontcomet
oyou,
got
o
yourgr
andmot
her.
wel
aughed.
Mom:Si
ya,
gowi
thaunt
ytot
hewai
ti
ngsi
de,
owk?
?
Si
ya:owkGr
anny.byeDaddy.
Me:byeboy.
t
heywentout
.
Mom:hei
sreal
lygr
owi
nghai
.
Me:hahaha,
yah.hegr
owsbyday.
Mom:andyou?
?ar
eyouf
eel
i
ngbet
terbyday?
?
Me:idontknow,
butit
hinkiam.
Mom:that
'sgoodnews,
Siyaneedsyoumor
enow
t
henever,
soyouhavetogetwell
.
Me:iknowmom,
hei
smyr
easont
owantt
oget
wel
l.
Mom:haveyout
akenyourpi
ll
s??
Me:mhm,
idi
d.
Mom:t
hat
'sgr
eat.ibroughtyouyourf
avor
it
edi
sh,
Si
yaal
mostat
eitfi
nished.
Me:chi
ckenf
eet
??
Mom:mhm,her
epeat
edhi
sdi
sh3t
imesandst
il
l
want
edmor
e.
Me:hahahathat'
shi
sfavori
tedishtoo.aweek
doesntpasswit
houthi
m askingforchickenf
eet
.
Mom:wei
rdki
ds.
wel
aughed.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasatt
hecompany,ilookedati
tfr
om t
heout
side
andiwasal
readyscar
edandshaking.
iheadedinandigotwei
rdeyesl
ooki
ngatme,
guesstheyal
lst
il
lremembermyembarr
assi
ng
scene.gr
eat.
iwentst
rai
ghtt
orecept
ion
Me:goodaf
ter
noon
her
:goodaf
ter
noon,
howmayihel
pyou?
?
Me:iam her
etomeetMrWol
f.
Her
:doyouhaveanappoi
ntment
.
Me:noidont
.
Her
:iam sor
rymam,
youwi
llhavet
omakean
appoi
ntment
.
Me:cal
lhi
m andhearwhathehast
osay.
Her:mam asisai
d,youhavet
omakean
appoi
ntmentfi
rst
.
Me:ihear
dyou,butcanyoupl
easecal
lhi
m.pl
ease!
!
pl
ease!
!ibegyou.
shesi
ghedandcal
ledhi
m.
Her:goodafternoonsi
r,ihaveal
adyher
easki
ngt
o
seeyou..
..
..
..
..noshedoesnthavean
appoint
ment...
...
.
shecover
edt
hephonespeakerwi
thherhands.
Her
:whati
sthi
srel
atedt
o??
Me:per
sonal
.
Her
:shesaysi
tsper
sonal
.
shecover
edt
hephonespeakeragai
n.
Her
:name?
?
Me:Boi
tumel
o
Her
:hernamei
sBoi
tumel
o..
..
..
.yessi
r.
..
.yessi
r.
..
..
shehungup.
Me:and?
?
shesi
gnal
edmet
ohol
don.
shemadeanot
hercal
l.
Her:GoodAf ter
noonMrMkhwanazi
..
..
.yes,
MrWolf
askthatyoucomef et
chhi
sguestandtakehert
o
hisoff
ice.
..
..yessi
r.
..
.
shehungupagai
n.
her
:MrMkhwanazii
scomi
ngt
otakeyout
oMrWol
f.
Me:t
hankyou.
iwait
edandhear
ri
ved.i
twasntt
hef
ir
stt
imeisaw
thi
sperson.
het
ookmeupt
oMrWol
f.
wegott
ohi
sof
fi
ce.
Hi
m:MrWol
f,yourguesti
sher
e.
Luu:t
hankyou.
t
heguyl
eftandicl
osedt
hedoor
.
Me:mhm,
Fancy.
Luu:whatdoyouwant
??
Me:icamet
oseeyou?
?
Luu:owknowyousawme,
youmayl
eave.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
.act
ual
ly,
iwant
edt
otal
ktoyou
aboutsomething.
Luu:coul
dntyoucal
l?
?
Me:...
..
..
..ij
ustdontunder
standwhyyouareacting
l
ikethi
s...ar
eyousureitsnotbecauseofwhatyou
t
hinkyousaw?
Luu:forthemi
ll
ionthti
me,what
everi
sgoingon
betweenyouandt hatst
upi
dboyisnonofmy
business.
Me:butt
her
eisnot
hinggoi
ngon.
.
Luu:st
il
lnotmypr
obl
em.
Me:Luu!
Luu:st
opcal
li
ngmynameidontl
ikei
t.
Me:Luu,
Luu,
Luu.
hel
ookedatme.wel
ockedeyecont
act
.
Me:canyoust
opbei
ngangr
y?ihat
eit
.
Luu:whydoyouhat
eit
??i
tsnotl
ikeyouhavet
o
pul
lupwithi
t.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luu:act
ual
lywhyar
eyouher
e??huh?
?
Me:well
..
.i.
..t
her
eissomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
hati
wantt
oknow.
Luu:whati
sit
??
Me:thatday,
thedayyouki
ssedme,
didyoumean
i
t??
Luu:what
??
Me:imean,di
dyoukissmebecauseyouhadsome
f
eeli
ngforme,oryouwer
ejustt
easi
ngme.
Luu:doil
ookl
ikeiki
ssedyoubecauseil
ikedyou?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..di
dyou.
Luu:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
hestoodupandcamet
omeandpushedme
agai
nstthedoor
.
het
henl
eanedi
ntoki
ssme.
heki
ssedmef orf
ewsecondst
henpul
ledoutt
he
ki
ssandlookedatme.
Me:doyoust
il
lthi
nkil
ikeyou?
?
il
ookedathi
m.myfeel
ingwasexcit
ediwasver
y
exci
ted,
mystomachi
sknott
ing.whatt
odo.
hekeptl
ooki
ngatme.
it
hentur
nedhi
m overandpushedhi
m agai
nstt
he
wall
.
me:whatifisai
dilikeyou.wi
llyout
hinkiam wei
rd
becauseisai
ditfi
rst??
hel
ookedatmeconf
used.
it
henpul
ledhi
m cl
osedandst
oodmyt
oesasi
ki
ssedhi
m.
ihadmyarmsar
oundhisneckandhehadhis
handsar
oundmywaist
.wesharedapassi
onate
ki
ss.
[
12/
28,12:
25] :(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
MAKHOESIBANDA)
.
22
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Boi
tumelopull
edoutoft
hekissandal
licoulddo
waslookatherandwonderi
fshewasawar eof
whatshewasdoing.
shel
ookedatme.
Me:
..
..whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Her:someonet ol
dmet hati
fapersoncantexpress
his/
herfeel
ingsthroughwor ds,
thenhe/sheshould
expressi
tthroughaction.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..Boi
tumel
o.
Her:iknowishouldn'
t,iknowt hatAuntMar t
ha
t
akesusassi bli
ngs.iknowt hatthismightbe
wrong,buticantdenymyf eelings,iam t
ir
edof
f
eelingli
kethi
s.ireal
lycant.ratherrej
ectmeandl
et
mecr yitout
,oracceptandletmecar r
yitout.
Me:wast
hatsupposedt
obeapoet
ry?
?sucks.
..
shesmi
ledandhi
tmeont
hear
m.
ismi
led.
Me:youwer
eright
,idealwit
hver
ydangerous
peopl
eandiam i
nvolvedi
nmessydeal
ingsand
tr
ade.
shel
ookedatme.
Her
:huh?
?
me:iam j
ustmakingyouawar
eofwhatyouar
e
get
ti
ngyoursel
fint
o.
Her:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.wel
l.
..
..idontcar
e,ist
il
lwantt
obe
wit
hyou.
Me:ihaveasi
det
hatcanber
uthl
ess,
event
othose
cl
osetome.
Her
:ithinkihavewi
tnessedt
hat
,soidontcar
e,i
am notscared.
Me:thatsi
decantbecalmeddownbyanyone,
not
evenmyclosestpeopl
e.
Her:idontcar
e.canyoust
opt
ell
ingmebadthi
ngs
aboutyouinordert
omakemescared,
iam not
.you
ar
ehumanandt
hat
'sal
l.
Me:whati
fiwasawol
f.
Her:younot??iact
ual
lyt
houghtyouwer
e.because
al
lthequali
ti
esareofawolf
,incl
udi
ngyourl
ast
name.
ismi
ledandl
ookedather
.
il
eanedi
nandki
ssedheragai
n.t
henpul
ledoutt
he
ki
ss.
Her
:andt
hat
??
Me:someonet ol
dmet hatsomeonetol
dhert hati
f
apersoncantexpressthewayhe/ shefeel
sthrough
words,t
henthatpersonshouldexpresshis/
her
f
eeli
ngsthroughactions.
Her
:doest
hatmean.
..
..
..
..
Me:idontknow.
..
.whatdoyout
hink?
?
shesmi
ledandhuggedme.
ismi
ledandhuggedheraswel
l.
af
teral
ongwhi
leipul
ledoutt
hehug.
Me:yousurel
yaresomethi
ngel
se,
youeven
managedtopinmeagainstt
hewal
l??
Her
:yougavemenochoi
ce,
youl
iket
easi
ngme.
Me:(
chuckl
es)
imovedawayf
rom t
hedoorheadi
ngt
otakeaseat
.
Her
:act
ual
lyiwasr
ight
.
Me:about
??
Her
:youwereangryandcol
datmebecauseyou
t
houghtiwasdat
ingBri
cks.
Me:no.
Her
:yes.
Me:no,
whywoul
dibeangr
yatt
hat
??
Her
:becauseyouwer
ejeal
ous.
Me:ser
iousl
y,no.
Her
:thenwhyareyouhappynowt
hatyouknow
t
hatili
keyouandnothi
m? ?
Me:youjustbr
oughtgoodnews,
soi
tchasedt
he
badcloudaway.
Her
:ahhhhh.
Me:yes.imean,yesmabyeiwasupset,butwhat
gotmereall
yupsetist
hedisr
espectpeopl
ewere
gi
vingme.
Her
:real
ly?
?
Me:yes.nowdr
opt
hatt
opi
c.
Her
:mhm.owk.
shesatdownont
hechai
randl
ookedatme.
Me:what
??
Her:nowthatihavecompl
etedwhaticameher
efor
,
iwouldl
iketogobackhome.
Me:i
sthi
syouaski
ngper
missi
ont
oleave?
?
Her
:no,noiam notaski
ngpermissi
ont
oleave,
i
j
ustneedsomefundstoleave.
Me:funds?
?youdi
dntcomewi
thmoneyt
ogo
back??
shenodded.
Me:youhavei
ssues.
..
.(l
aughed)
..
.howcanyou
comeher
ewi
thoutmoneyt
ogoback?
?
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
shepout
ed.
Me:well
,that
'syourbaby,
youcansl
eepi
nthe
companyifyouneedaccommodati
on.
shel
ookedatmepout
ing.
Her
:Luu!
!
Me:mhm?
?
Her
:pl
ease!
!
me:well
..
..howabout
,iwi
llgi
veyouwhenigetof
f
work?
?
Her
:ohhh,youmeanyouwil
ldr
ivemehome?
?
woahhhhwhatagent
lemen.
Me:noimeaniwi
lldr
awamanf
oryout
owal
k
t
here.
shel
ookedatmeasil
aughed.
Her
:notf
unny.
il
aughedagai
nasi
lookedather
.
iputmyf
il
esasi
deandcal
ledhert
ocomet
omy
si
de.
shecame.
ipul
ledherdownt
osi
tonmyl
ap.
Me:ist
il
lcantbel
ieveyouar
emi
nenow?
?itf
eel
s
unr
eal.
shebl
ushed.
Me:ohhhh,
youcanblush??it
houghtyouwer
ea
r
ockandcouldntbeal
lthi
scute.
shehi
tmeont
hear
m.
il
aughed.
Me:iwil
ltakecar
eofyou,
prot
ectyouandl
oveyou,
owk??
shenodded.
Her
:iknowyouwi
ll
.
Me:eventhoughmyl
if
eisamess,
iwi
llt
rymyal
lto
pr
otectyou.
shenodded.
Me:mybunny.
Her
:mxm.mywol
f.
ichuckl
edandsmi
led.
Me:owkli
sten.l
etmesi
gnofft
hesedocument
s,
t
heniwil
ltakeyouhomeok?
?
Her:ok.meanwhi
leiwi
llgoar
oundandvi
ewyour
company.
Me:no.idontwantot
hermanl
ooki
ngatyou.
Her
:whowouldlookatme??rememberyou
embar
rassedmetheotherday?
?
il
ookeddownscr
atchi
ngmyhead.
Her
:andiam st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
heapol
ogy.
Me:di
dntiapol
ogi
zewheniwashedyou?
?
Her
:ai
.
shehi
tmeandil
aughed.
Her
:whyyoubr
ingi
ngt
hatup.soper
ver
ted.
me:owk,
owk.
Her
:andyoudi
dntt
ellmet
hatyoual
sobeatup
Mf
ana,
ScarandBr
icksont
hatday.
Me:so?
?
Her
:doest
hatmeanyouwer
ejeal
ous?
?
Me:j
eal
ous?
Her:yes,youwerejeal
ousthatiwouldgohome
wit
ht hem andt
hingswould..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:(
int
err
upt
ed)f
ini
sht
hatsent
encei
fyouwantt
o
di
e.
shecl
osedhermout
hasshehel
dherl
aught
er.
iact
edser
ious.
shegotof
fmyl
apandwentt
osi
tont
hechai
r.
Her
:fi
nishup,
iam hungr
y.
Me:hahaha.haiwenayouar
eaprobl
em.youcome
wi
thoutret
urni
ngfeesandcamewit
houteat
ing?
?
Her
:so?ihadt
ocomeher
e.
Me:j
ustt
oshowmehowmuchyoul ikeme?
??
wow??imusthavebeenver
yspeci
al.
Her
:dontf
oolyour
sel
f.
il
aughedasicont
inuedwi
thmywor
k.
.
*
*lat
er*
*
ihavej
usttakenBoit
umel
ohomeandijustcame
backandJoeaskedmet ocomebacktothe
company,andthat
'swhyiwasbackher
einmy
off
icewi
thJoe.
Me:whati
sitJoe?
?somet
hinghappened?
?
Joe:sor
ryyougooutofl
ineboss,
butt
hisi
s
i
mpor t
ant.
Me:mhm,
whati
sit
??
Joe:youareawarethatwear
einvol
vedwith
dangerousdeal
ingsandwealsohaveenemies
Me:yout
ell
ingmet
hingsial
readyknow.
Joe:t
henyoushoul
dknowt hatt
hisi
snott
het
ime
tobeinvol
vedwi
thanyone.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
il
ookedathi
m.
Joe:bei
nginvl
vedwithsomeonewillonl
yputt
hat
personi
ndanger,becausei
ftheywanttogett
oyou,
theywil
luseher.
Me:not
hingwi
llhappent
oher
.
Joe:ar
eyousur
e??
Me:t
rustme,
iwi
llpr
otecther
.
Joe:how??shestaysalmostanhourawayf r
om
you,youonlyseeherwhenyougovi si
tyouraunt
,
whom mightalsobeindangerbutnotli
kethi
s
womanbecauseshei smorespecialtoyouthen
anythi
ng.sohowwi l
lyouprot
ecther??
Me:wedonthaveanyoneat
tacki
ngus,
dowe?
?
Joe,
no,
butwhati
ftheyappear
??
Me:thenidealwi
tht
hem bef
oret
heyevenpl
an
t
heiratt
ack.
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:i
sthi
swhatyoucal
ledmef
or?
?
Joe:yessi
r,sor
rysi
r.
Me:*
sigh*your
eal
lywor
ryaboutl
it
tl
ethi
ng,
letme
dealwi
tht
hatwhenigett
her
e.owk.
henoddedandiheadedhome.
iheadedhome.
aft
eraf ewhour
siwasnowl
ayi
ngonmybedr
eady
tosleep.
myphoner
angandicheckedt
hecal
lerI
D.
"
Annoyi
ngf
emal
e"
ismi
ledandanswer
ed.
Me:Mr
sWol
f.
Her
:hai
,st
opbei
ngcheesy.
Me:idi
dntknowcal
l
ingyouMr
sWol
fischeesy.
Her
:mxm.youl
iket
easi
ngme.
Me:hahahaha
Her
:anyway,
ical
ledt
osaygoodni
ght
.
Me:ni
ght
.
Her
:mhm.
Me:sl
eept
ightowk,
alwaysknowiam her
eforyou?
Her
:thankyou.sweetdr
eams.
Me:got
osl
eepl
it
tl
ebunny,
dontover
thi
nk.
Her
:mhm.
Me:ni
ght
.
Her
:ni
ght
.
ihungupandl
ookedupr
esi
zingwhatJoesai
d.
coul
dheber i
ght?
?imeaniam i
nadangerous
deal
ingbusi
ness,i
tmi
ghthur
tBoit
umel
o.notnow
buti
nthefut
ure.
ineedt
oappl
ymeasur
esf
ort
hef
utur
e.
[
12/
28,12:
25] :(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
MAKHOESIBANDA)
.
23
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupandst
ret
chedmysel
f.whatawonder
ful
morni
ng.
t
henatthatmoment,
ismil
edaloneandst
art
ed
r
oll
ingmysel
fbackandfor
thonthebed.
Damnif eell
ikeal
it
tl
echi
ldwhoi
sinl
ovef
ort
he
fi
rstt
ime.
plusialsocantbel
ieveit
,imean,
iam dati
ngLuu??
real
ly?
?TheeMrWol f??nah,
itmusthavebeena
dream.
ikeptsmi
li
ngal
oneasit
houghtaboutt
his.
ipinchedmyselfandreal
izediwasntdreami
ng.i
f
that'
sthecase,
thenitshouldmeanijustcameout
ofadr eam.
yes,
megoingtoLuu'scompanyandki
ssinghi
m
andtel
li
nghi
m il
ikehim wasadr
eam,yah,i
tsurel
y
was.
il
aidonmybackandf
acedup.
ir
aisedmyhandandstar
tedcount
ingmyf
inger
,
onebyoneasibenti
t.
"
Real
,Dr
eam,
Real
,Dr
eam,
Real
"
ahhhhh!r
eal
ly?
?
asiwaslayi
ngonmybackfaci
ngupandt
hinki
ng
aboutal
loft
his,
myphoner
ang.
"
Brot
herLubanzi
"
igotexci
tedt
henbreathedandanswer
edt
hephone
asigotunderthebl
anket.
Me:Hal
o.
Hi
m:i
sthathowyougr
eetyourhusbandt
obe?
?
ismi
ledandt
ri
edal
lmeansnott
oscr
eam.
Me:t
henhowshoul
digr
eetmyhusbandt
obe?
?
Hi
m:howabout
,"GoodMor
ningLove"
ismi
ledagai
nr eal
lyt
ryi
ngnott
odi
efr
om hi
svoi
ce
andkil
li
ngfl
ir
tati
ouswords.
Me:owk.GoodMor
ningLove.
Hi
m:Goodmor
ningBunny,
howdi
dmybunny
sl
eep?
?
Me:isl
eptverypeacef
ull
yMrWol
f.andhowdi
dMr
Wolfsl
eep??
Hi
m:MrWol
fcoul
dntsl
eept
hinki
ngabouthi
s
Bunny.ikeptwi
shi
ngyouwer
eher
ewi
thme.
ismi
ledasist
art
edki
cki
ngmyf
eetwi
thexci
tement
.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Hi
m:i
smybunnyexci
ted?
?
Me:huh?
?
Hi
m:ihearyoushuf
fl
ingal
ot,
ori
ssomeonewi
th
mybunny??
Me:no,
iam al
one,
ijust
..
..
..iwasj
ustmaki
ngt
he
bed.
Hi
m:ohowk.anypl
anst
oday?
Me:huh..
.ineverhaveplans,
nor
mallyiwoul
dbe
sel
l.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..Nvm.idonthavepl
ans.
Him:it
sowk, youcansayi
t.event
houghisti
llhat
e
whatthatst
upidboymadeyoudo.butit
salli
nt he
pastnow.
Me:huh.
..
Him:well
,mabyei
thi
ght
imeyougotaj
ob.j
ustt
o
keepbusy.
Me:ifi
twasntf
orMrWolfembarr
assi
ngmet
hat
day,
ithi
nkiwouldbewor
kingnow.
Him:eventhoughMrWol fwaswrong,butithank
himforwhathedone, becauseifhehadneverdi d
that
,hisBunnywouldbecl eani
ngafterpeople,
and
athiscompany,t
hatwoul d'
vemadeMrWol feven
moreangrythenthatday.
ibl
ushed.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Hi
m:yes,iwi
llnothavemybunnycl
eani
ngpeopl
e'
s
messanddir
t.
ismi
ledl
ikecr
azy.
Hi
m:l
ook,
bunny,
iwi
llcal
lyoul
aterowk?
Me:yesMrwol
f.
Him:takecar
eofyour
sel
f,eatbr
eakf
astandt
ake
careofAuntMar
thaaswell,
owk?
Me:yesMrWol
f.
Hi
m:goodgi
rl
.
Me:huhMrwol
f??
Hi
m:yesl
it
tl
ebunny.
Me:(
blushi
ng)MrWol
fshoul
dlookaf
terhi
msel
ftoo.
Hi
m:iwi
ll
.
Me:mhm.
Hi
m:bunny.
Me:mhm?
?
Hi
m:il
oveyou.
ismi
ledasiki
ckedmyf
eetagai
noutofexci
tement
.
Me:mhm.Il
oveMrWol
ftoo.
Hi
m:bye!
!
Me:bye.
hehungupandallicoulddowasrollar
oundmy
bed,gocr
azyandjustdoanyt
hingtoexpresst
his
crazyf
eel
ingiwashaving.
af
terawhil
eiwalkedoutt
heroom andmyguess
wasthatAuntMart
hawassti
llsl
eeping.
imadeteaputthel
astcakesonabowlandt
ooki
t
tot
heli
vingroom.t
heniwentwit
habasinofwat
er
t
oherr
oom andwokeherup.
Me:auntMar
tha,
AuntMar
tha.
shewokeup.
Aunt
:Boi
tumel
o,i
sther
eanyt
hingwr
ong?
?
Me:noAunt,imadeyouteaandcakes,
pleasewake
up,washyourfaceandhandsandgohavesome
tea.
Aunt
:hai
bo,
arewecel
ebr
ati
ngsomethi
ng?
?why
di
dyouwakeupear
lyt
omakemet ea??
Me:wenotcel
ebr
ati
nganyt
hingAuntMar
tha,
ijust
want
edto.
Aunt
:hehe,
hai
,iwonderwhatyouwant
.
Me:not
hingAunt
.
sheshookherhead,washedherf
aceandhands
thenwentt
othelivi
ngroom.
iwentt
othr
owt
hewat
eroutt
hendi
dherbed.
it
hencl
eanedt
her
oom.
af
teriwentt
otheki
tchenandwentt
omakesome
scones.
iwasnevertaughtt
omakecakesorbiscuit
s,buti
knewhowt omakescor
ns.becausemyt eacher
taughtmewheniusedt
olivewithher
.
iwassoi
nagr
eatmood.
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
iwassi t
ti
ngwi t
hScaratt
hecornerpost.si
nceBoi
couldntsel
lformeanymoreihadt ofi
ndsomeone
el
seandihaven' t,
sofort
imebeing,isel
lmyown
stuf
fandScarandMf anaarehelpingme.
Scar
:Br
icks
Me:mhm?
Scar
:howdoyouf eelaboutBoimovi
ngnextdoor
andhernotdeal
ingforyouanymore?
?
Me:wel
l,sheseeksf
orabet
terf
utur
e,icantdeny
hert
hat
.
Scar
:that
'
str
ue.soyoual
sogaveuponher
??
Me:gaveup?
?whatdoyoumean?
Scar
:iknowyoul
ikeBoi
.ihaveknownsi
nceyou
st
art
edacti
ngwei
rd.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Scar
:wel
l?
?
Me:shedoesnotl
ikeme.
.
Scar:howdoyouknow?
?di
dyouconf
esst
oher
al
ready??
Me:mhm.shet
oldmeshedi
dntf
eelt
hesameway.
Scar
:sor
rymahn.
Me:i t
sactual
lymystupi
dity.shetoldmet hatback
thenwhenisawherasj ustal i
tt
lebrother,sheliked
me, shehopediwouldli
keherbackbutiwast oo
busywi thgi
rl
s.nowthatiseeherdi f
ferently,
she
hadpassedt hatf
eel
ingandi sn'
tfeel
inglikethat
anymor e.
Scar
:eash.t
hat
'sbad.
Me:yah.i
fonlyifocusedonherear
li
erandl
ooked
atherdi
ff
erent
ly.
Scar
:.
..
..
..
..dontwor
ryboy,
youwi
llbeowk.
Me:yah.
..
.ihopewhoevershewi
lll
ike,
wil
lli
keher
backandtakecar
eofher.
Scar
:yah,
ial
sowi
sht
hat
.
Me:youusedtobecl
oset
oBoi
,di
dntyouhave
f
eeli
ngsforher
??
Scar:hahahahano,notatall.imeanshei sagood
gi
rlandf untobewith.butineverlookedathert
hat
way.tomeshei sabestf ri
end.idontthinkwewil
l
besomet hingot
herthenthat.
Me:oh.
..good.
Scar
:hahahahgood?
?
Me:mhm.
Scar
:hahaha,
hainyeke.
ismi
ledasit
houghtaboutBoi
.
.
*
*MrRadebe*
*
iwasntf
eel
ingwel
l,
myhear
twasachi
ngandmy
bodywasweak.
iwastr
yingtor
eachf
ort
heemer
gencybut
tonbuti
coul
dntreachi
t.
myhear
thur
tevenmor
e.
itr
iedt
oscream androl
lmysel
foversot
hatir
each
thebut
ton,
buticouldnt
.
l
it
tl
ebyl
it
tl
eiwant
edt
osl
eep,
allisawnowwas
bl
ur.
myeyeswasf
ail
ingme.
t
hemachi
newentl
oudthenthenur
sescamet
omy
r
oom,
butiwasal
readyf
ail
ingandweak.
i
nthatmoment
,al
lihadi
nmi
ndwasSi
ya.
"
ihopeSi
yawi
llbeowk"
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
MrRadebegaveinandhiseyesshutandhi
sbody
gaveupandhishear
tgaveasignthati
twasabout
tobeover
.
thedoctor
sranarounddoingal
lthatt
heycoul
d.but
allhopewaslostwhenthemachinesi
gnal
edthat
hehadl
eftt
hem.
Doct
or:Ti
meofdeat
h?
Doct
or:11:
38.
[
12/28,
12:
26] :(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
CRYSTALARI
ES)
.
24
.
*
*AuntMar
tha*
*
iwasinthel
ivi
ngr
oom, wat
chingmyfavor
it
eshow.
iwaslaughi
ngmylungsoutbecauset
heshowis
funny.
Boi:AuntMar
tha,
iam headi
ngout
.iwi
llbeback
soon.
Me:yoursooni
sal
wayshour
slat
er,
orl
ateatni
ght
.
Boi
:hahahaha,
eashAunt
,phel
awhent
het
opi
cis
ni
ceit
snice.
Me:iwonderwhatt
opi
cwoul
dthatbet
hatyout
alk
wi
thguys.
Boi
:gener
alst
uff
.
Me:iwouldsayyout
alkaboutboys,
butt
heyar
e
notgay.
..unl
ess?
Boi
:iam mostdef
ini
tel
ynotl
esbi
an.
me:youansweredsof
ast
..
.ist
her
esomet
hingyou
wanttot
ellme?
?
Boi:noAunt
,lookyourshowi
sgoi
ngonwi
thout
you.
Me:haiboi
!
Boi
:byeAunt
!!
ismi
ledandshookmyheadasiwat
chedt
heTV.
ibetsheisstar
tingt
odate.butt
hen,al
licandoi
s
advi
ce.icantstopher,
sheisoldenoughnow.
icar
ryonwat
chi
ng.
aft
eraf
ewmoment s,
justwhenmyshowwasabout
tocometoanend,
myphoner ang.
icheckedt
hecal
lerI
Dandi
twasMandl
a'
smom.i
hadsavedhernumberaf
tershecal
ledmet
heot
her
day.
ianswert
hecal
l.
Me:hal
oma!
Mandl
a'
smom:(
cryi
ng)Mar
tha.
Me:ma?
?ar
eyouowk.
Mandla'
smom:(
cryi
ng)Mar
tha,
Mandl
a..
..
..Mandl
a
l
eftus.
whenshesaidt
hat
,myheartal
moststopped.i
twas
l
ikesomet
hingj
ustdr
ainedal
ltheener
gythatihad.
Me:Ma?
??
Mandl
a'
smom:(
breat
hs)hei
sgoneMar
tha,
hel
eft
Si
yabehi
nd.
t
ear
sscr
oll
eddownmycheek,
icoul
dntbel
ievei
t.
iwasnotat t
achedtoMandl a,norwasiclosetohi
m.
butthepainiwasfeeli
ngr i
ghtnow,isthefactt
hat
helefthi
ssonandwor stofal
l,hel
eftwit
hout
makingpeaceandr eachingouttoLubanzi.now
that
'swhathurtmet hemost .
thesamethingiwastr
yingtoavoi
d,happened.
Lubanziwi
llbl
ameSiyaforhismothersdeathand
Siyawil
lbl
ameLubanziforhisf
athersdeath.
i
twil
lonl
ybeami
sunder
standi
ngt
hatwi
llnever
end.
idi
dntknowwhatt
odoorsay.
Me:(cr
yingbutholdi
ngback)i
..
.iam sor
ryma!
!i
am r
eall
y..
..
.real
lysor
ry.
Mandl a'
smom:( crying)itsokMar t
ha,i
tisnotyour
faul
t.ijustwant
edt oletyouknow.and. ..
..
.ialso
wantedyout opleasel etLubanziknow.icouldnt
gethisnumberthel astt i
mehewasher e,i
tmust
havesl i
ppedmymi nd.
t
hatphr
ase"
lastt
imehewasher
e"shockedme.
Me:Lubanzicamet
othehospi
tal
??
Mandl
a'
smom,
didnthet
ellyou?
?
Me:no.
..hedi
dnt
.
Mandla'smom:hedid,hespoketoMandla.even
thoughheonlycameones,butat
leasthedidcome.
ibeli
evetheyspokehear
ttohear
t.
Me:t
hatmeansMandl
apossi
blydi
edi
npeace.
Mandl
a'
smom:yes.hedid.buthecoul
d'vef
ought
t
oatl
eastseehi
ssongr
aduate.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Mandla'
smom:( sni
ff)Mart
ha,pleaset akecareof
Lubanzi
.heisal
somyson.event houghinever
knewabouthim al
lthist
ime,ist
illtakehim asmy
sonbecausemysonl ovedhismot herver
ymuch.
verymuch.
Me:yesMa!
Mandl
a'
smom:iwi lll
etyouknowaboutt
hef
uner
al.
st
aywellofmychi
ld?
Me:owkMa!
Mandl
a'
smom:bye.
shehungupandikeptmyphonei
nmyhandasi
star
edatawal
l.
"
thi
sist
rue?
?"
ikeptt
hinki
ng.
at
leastLubanzi
wentt
ovi
sithi
m,t
heymusthave
sor
toutt
hei
rdi
ff
erences.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmyoff
icej
ustl
ooki
ngoutt
hewi
ndowand
admir
ingt
hebeaut
if
ulci
ty.
myphoner
angandi
twasAuntMar
tha.
ianswer
ed.
Me:AuntMar
tha?
Her
:Lubanzi
,ar
eyouatwor
k??
hervoicewasdown,
itseemedl
ikei
twasal
so
cracki
ngupasshewouldtal
k.
Me:yesAunt
.didyouneedmetodosomet
hingf
or
you?
?orgetyousomethi
ng??
Her
:Noson.iam al
ri
ght
.
hervoi
cewasnotusual
.nomat t
erhowmuchit
ri
ed
toi
gnoret
hat
,itwoul
djustdi
stur
bme.
Me:Auntareyoureal
lyok?
?yourvoi
cedoesnt
soundok??haveyoucaughtf
lue?
?
shesni
ff
edast
houghshewascr
yingorsomet
hing.
hassomet
hingwr
onghappened?
?
me:AuntMar
tha?
??ar
eyoucr
ying?
?
Her
:excusemeson,butihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
unf
ort
unatel
yit
snotgoodnews.
iwasscaredf orwhatshewasaboutt
otellme.my
mindwasf i
ll
ingwithpossi
blet
hingst
hatcoul
d've
happened.
di
dsomet
hinghappent
oBoi
tumel
o??i
sshehur
t??
Me:Aunt
??i
sBoi
tumel
oowk?
?
Her
:sheisowk.
..iam t
alki
ng.
..
.iam t
alki
ngabout
Mandl
a..
Me:uncl
eMandl
a??whatabouthi
m??
Her:he.
.hehasl
eftusson.
..
.(cr
ying)hehasl
efthi
s
sonSiya.
il
ookeddownandbr
eat
hed.
i
ndeedt
hiswasbadnews, especi
all
yforSi
ya,
that
l
it
tl
eboymustbetar
nished.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..i
sSi
yaowk?
?
Her:idontknow,ial
sodidntask.buthemustbe
verysadandbeingal i
tt
leboy,idoubthewoul
d
underst
andwhati sgoi
ngon.itwillhi
thi
mlike
tr
auma.
Me:
..
..whendi
dthi
shappen?
?
Her
:today.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.thankyouf orlet
ti
ngmeknowAunt.
pl
easerestok,youwi l
lbef i
ne.anddri
nksome
warm water
.ithelpscalm yourbodydown.
Her
:thankyouson.
..
..
.and.
..
.Thankyou.
Me:f
or?
Her
:Mandla'
smom t ol
dmet
hatyouwentt
ovi
sit
Mandl
a,sothankyou.
me:i
thadt
obedone.
..
.
Her
:mhm.
..
Me:havet
heydeci
dedont
hef
uner
alyet
??
Her
:notyet
,Mandl
a'
smom sai
dhewoul
dgetback
t
ome.
Me:owk,
pleasekeepmeupdat
ed.
Her
:wi
lldoson.
Me:owkAunt
,pl
easer
est
.
her
:owkson.
ihungupandbr
eat
hed.
Si
yamustbef
eel
ingl
ikehel
l.
irememberwheniwast ol
dthatmyfatherhas
passedaway.at
leastiwasabitol
der
.ithinkiwas
13yearsol
d.

*
*Fl
ashback*
*
mytr
ansportj
ustdroppedmeof
ffr
om schoolandi
washeadedinthehouse.
iputmybagawayandcalledf
ormymom butthere
wasnorepl
y.ikeptoncal
li
ngandcal
li
ngbutst
il
l
shewasntr
esponding.
igott
ot hekit
chenandif
oundhersi
tt
ingont
he
chai
rcrying.
Me:mama,
whati
swr
ong?
?
shewi
pedherf
aceandl
ookedatmef
aki
ngasmi
le.
Me:whyi
smamacr
ying?
?di
ddadhur
tmama?
?
Her
:nodear
..
.comesi
ther
e.
shepi
ckedmeupandputmeont
het
abl
e.
Her
:youknowdaddyl
ovesyour
ight
??
inodded.
Her
:andhewi
llal
waysl
oveyouowk?
inoddedagai
n.
Her:nowiwantyout
oli
stent
omeandl
ist
ent
ome
car
efull
y.owk?
inodded.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..(
breat
hs)
..
..
..yourf
ather
..
..
.you
wontbeseeingyourfat
hereveragai
n.
Me:why?
?di
dhel
eaveus?
?
Her:noson.
..
.whatimeani s..
..yourfatherwas
i
nvolvedi
ndangerousmat ter
sandnow. ..
..
.they
caughtupwit
hhim...
..baby,yourfatherpassed
away(cr
ying)hewil
lneverl
iveagai
n..
..youwont
seehi
m again.
..
..
al
lididwasl
ookathercr
yasibot
tl
edupmyt
ear
s
i
nside.
Her
:iam sor
ryson.
..
.iam r
eal
lysor
ry.
ist
il
llookedather
.
Her
:saysomethi
ngbaby.
..
.tel
lmehowyouar
e
f
eel
ing.
..t
alkt
omama.
Me:myf
atheri
snotdead.
ipushedherasi
deandr
ant
omyr
oom.
shecal
ledf
ormest
il
lcr
yingbutihadl
ockedmy
room.
il
aidonmybedandtoldmyselft
hatiwoul
dnotcr
y
becausemyf
atherwasnotdead.
andfordaysikeptt
ell
ingmysel
fthat
.unti
ltheday
oft
hef uner
alcameandisawhimi nthecasket
.
myhear
tachedandir
anaway.
ir
anf
arawayt
oapl
aceidi
dntevenknow.
mymom andfat
her
smenkeptl
ooki
ngf
orme,
but
neverf
oundme.
af
terhours,iwentbacktothecemetery.i
twas
al
readydark.iwasntscaredofghostorbeingki
ll
ed
byzombies.
iwenttowher
ehewasbur
iedandsl
eptt
her
efor
theni
ght.
t
henextmor
ningiwokeupathome,
seemsmy
mom f
oundmeandcarri
edmehome.
iwasangrythatsheremovedmet here,
inever
spoketoherforfewdays.butoneday, i
twas
rai
ningandidoggedthet ransportbecauseiwant
ed
towalktothecemetery.ididntevenknowwher ei
t
was.
iwal
kedi
nther
ainanddi
dntcar
e.iwassoaki
ng
wet.
asiwaswalki
ng,acarstoppedandi
twasoneof
myfat
her'
smen'scars,andoutofi
tmymom came
out
.
shecameoutandcamet
ohugme.shedi
dntsay
anyt
hing.shej
usthuggedme.
sheaskedmet
ogohomeandiagr
eed.
wewenthomeandshet
ookcar
eofme.shedr
ied
meup,andmademesoupandt
ookmetobed.
t
henextdayiwokeupsi
ck,
sodi
dshe.
butsheneverrest
ed.shewouldst
il
lgoupand
down,si
ckasshewast ot
akecareoft
hesickme.
andasshet ookcareofme,shewasbecoming
worse.
igotbetterbutshegotwor
se.that
'swhenireal
ized
thaticouldntl
oseheraswell
,soitookcar
eofher .
dayslatershewaswellandi
apol
ogi
zedf
ormy
behavior,
butshesmi
ledandsai
d.
Mom:youaremyson,iunder
standhowyoumust
bef
eel
ing,
itsowk.j
ustl
eti
tout.
t
hatwast
hedayicr
ied.
.icr
iedal
lthehur
tinmeas
mymom comf
ort
edme.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwentbackhomet
ogetaj
erseysi
ncei
twas
get
ti
ngcold.
asiwalkedinifoundAuntMar
thasi
tt
ingont
he
couch,
crying.
iwal
kedt
oherandhel
dhershoul
der
.
Me:auntMar
tha?
?ar
eyouowk?
?
shel
ookedatmeandwi
pedhereyes.
Me:AuntMar
tha?
?
Aunt
:**
sigh*
*Si
ya'
sfat
herpassedaway.
iwasshockedandhear
tbr
oken.poorSi
ya,
hei
s
onl
yyearsold.
Me:i
sheowk?
?
Aunt
:idontknow.butihopehei
s.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.sor
ryAunt
.
ihuggedherandt
ri
edt
ocomf
ortherasshecr
ied.
iwonderi
fLubaknowsal
ready.
.
*
*Mandl
a'
smom*
*
wewer
eint
hehouse.Si
yawassl
eepi
ng.
hehasbeenaskingabouthi sfathersi
ncehecame
backfr
om school.wetri
edt odeviatehi
smindfr
om
thi
nki
ngabouthisfatherbutitseemsl i
kehecan
sensethatsomet
hingiswr ong.
att
hatmoment
,Si
yawal
kedoutoft
her
oom and
cametome.
Me:hiSi
ya,
youwokeupboy.
.comesi ther
e,
Gr
annymadeyousomethi
ngdeli
cious.
hecamet
osi
tnextt
ome.
Me:her
e,Gr
annymadeyoubr
eadandpeanutbut
ter
.
hesmi
ledandl
ookedati
t.
hedoesntt
alkmuchwhenhecomesf
rom sl
eepi
ng.
imadehimjui
ceandhesatdowneat
ingasi
swi
tchedcar
toonsf
orhi
m.
Me:eatf
ini
shsot
hatwecandosomehomewor
k
owk??
Si
ya:gr
anny,
caniseeDaddyt
oday?
?
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.youcantSi
ya,
youhavet
ofi
nish
yourhomewor kfi
rst
.
Siya:butGr
anny,
daddycanhel
pmewi
th
homewor k.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
isighedl
ooki
ngathi
m.idontevenknowwher
eto
start
.
[
12/28,
12:
26] :(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
CRYSTALARI
ES)
.
25
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
imanagedtofi
ndoutwhereMandl
a'
smom l
ives,
so
todayiwasheadi
ngther
etoseet
hem.
i
nmymi ndiwasaskingmyselfift
hiswasmyfaul
t,
andifnot,t
henwhywasif eel
ingguil
ty?
?whydoi
feell
ikeiwasthecauserofhi
sdeath.
mabye,
mabyei
fihadf
orgi
venhi
m,hewoul
dhave
f
oughttobewel l
,mabyeifihadf
orgi
venhi
m,he
woul
d'venevergiveni
n.
alotwasgoingoni
nmymi
ndt
hatial
mostt
hought
iwascrazy.
iwasdr
ivi
ngbutiwasntf
ocused,
tot
hepoi
ntt
hati
al
mostcausedanacci
dent.
ishookmyheadandf
ocused.
idroveandaf
terawhi
leiar
ri
vedatt
hehouset
hat
theyli
vedi
n.
ipackedmycar
,andgotoutl
ooki
ngatt
hehouse.
it
ookadeepbr
eat
hthenwentt
ori
ngt
hebel
l.
aft
erawhi l
euncleMandla'
smom camet
ot hegat
e
andwassur pr
isedt
oseeme.youcouldt
ellbythe
expressi
ononherface.
Her
:Lubanzi
!!
il
ookedather
.
Me:Goodaf
ter
noonma!
Her
:son,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??
shesai
dthatopeni
ngt
hegat
e.
Me:ihear
daboutwhathappened,
ithoughtiwoul
d
comeandsendmycondolences.
shesmi
led.
Her:evenaf
terwhathappened,
youcameher
eto
sendyourcondol
ences??
inodded.
Her:i
ndeedhemusthavel
efti
npeace.iam gl
ad
youcameson.
shecameandgavemeahug.isof
tl
yhuggedher
.
Her
:pl
easecomei
n..
iwal
kedi
nandshel
edi
nsi
de.
wegoti
nsi
deandsheaskedmetosi
tdown.she
pour
edmesomejui
ceandsatdownwit
hme.
Me:huh.
.mama,
isSi
yaher
e??
Her
:no,
hewentt
oschool
.
Me:youst
il
ltakehi
mtoschool
??
Her
:it
stheonl
ywayt
odi
str
acthi
m.hei
saski
nga
l
otabouthi
sfat
herandwant
stovi
sithi
m.
Me:it
akei
tyouhaven'
ttol
dhi
m.
Her:no,notyet
.ever
yti
meit
ryt
o,iendupnot
havingwordstosay.
me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..iunder
stand.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..andyou?howar
eyou?
?
Me:*sigh*iam t
hemostleastper
sontowor r
y
about
.Siya,AuntMart
haandclosefr
iendsandhis
si
ster
sorbot her
saretheonesyoushouldaskthi
s
quest
ionto.
Her:tr
ue...
.youknow,hisdeathwasjustsudden.
thepreviousdayhewasowk, hewashappy,he
didntseem li
keadyingperson.andthenextdaywe
weretoldatthehospit
althathepassedon.
Me:ithappens.mabyehewasntf
eeli
ngowk,
buthe
keptsmil
ingandacti
ngowksothatyouwoul
dn'
t
getworri
ed.
Her:t
hat
'sstupi
d.ifyouneedhelpyouneedhel
p,i
f
youdontfeelwel
lyoudontfeelwel
l.
Me:uspeopl
eal
wayswantourl
ovedonest
obe
happyandnotwor r
y,weendupneglect
ing
oursel
ves.i
tscal
ledlove.mymom al
sodidthat
.
Her
:ohhson.
..
.iam sor
ry.
Me:it
sowk.ij
ustseem t
ounderst
andSiyamor e
t
henanyonebecauseihavebeenther
e.if
elti
tand
l
ivedi
t.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:butdi
ffer
encei
s,iwas13year
sol
dwhenil
ost
myfather
.heisonl
y6yearsol
d.
Her
:yah.
..i
tsmor
ehar
derf
orhi
m.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
wehadasmal
lchatandl
ateriheadedout
.
iactual
lycameheretoseeSiya,
buthewasntt
her
e.
guessiwillcomeagai
nanotherti
mewhenheis
here.
Me:owkma,
staywel
l.
Her
:thankyouson.dr
ivesaf
ely.
ismi
ledandiheadedoutgoi
ngt
omycar
.
igoti
nmycaranddr
oveof
f.
asiwasi
nmycar ,myphonerang.act
ual
lyi
tsbeen
ri
ngi
ngalotoft
imes,
ijustf
orgott
ocheckwhowas
cal
li
ngme.
icheckedt
hecal
lerI
Dandi
twasBoi
tumel
o
Me:Bunny.
.
her
:Luu,wher
ehaveyoubeenkeepi
ngyourphone?
?
whereyouinameet
ing?
?
Me:no,
iwasnti
nameet
ing.
Her:t
henwher ehaveyoubeenkeepi
ngyour
phone??ihavebeentryi
ngtocal
lyousomany
ti
mes..
.
Me:whathappened?
?
Her
:not
hing,
iam wor
ri
edaboutyou.
Me:iam f
ine.
Her:ihear
duncl
eMandl
apassedaway,
didyou
know? ?
Me:mhm,AuntMar
thatoldme.andicomef
rom
uncl
eMandl
a'smom r
ightnow.
Her
:real
ly?
?
Me:mhm,iwant
edt
oseehowSi
yai
sdoi
ng,
buti
di
dntf
inehi
m.
Her
:wher
ewashe?
?
Me:hisgrannytol
dmet hathewasatschool
.he
hasn'
tbeentoldabouthi
sfatheryet
.
Her
:ohhhhhhshame,t
hat
'sgoi
ngt
obehar
dforhi
m
t
oprocess,
heisst
il
lachi
ld.
Me:mhm.iknow.
Her
:ihopehewi
llbeal
ri
ght
.
Me:mhm. .
..
..i
li
kehowyouar
ecar
ingf
orhi
m,but
whataboutme? ?
Her
:youar
eabi
gguy.sur
eyoucanbeowk.
Me:butiam al
sosad,
andthewayiam sad,
imi
ght
l
osefocusandcauseanacci
dent
.
Her
:Luu,
dontpl
ayl
iket
hat
.
Me:whosai
diam pl
ayi
ng?
?
Her
:thenst
opdr
ivi
ngnow.
me:andpar
kint
hemi
ddl
eofnowher
e??
Her
:bet
tert
hencausi
nganacci
dent
.
Me:ihaveabett
eridea,
howaboutidr
ivet
oyou
thenyoucancomfortme,t
hatwayiwi
llmakei
t
safel
ytomyhouse.
Her:whydontyoudr
ivedi
rect
lyt
oyourhouse,
stop
wasti
ngpetr
ol.
Me:t
hetownshi
pisnear
.ordoyouwantmet
otake
al
ongroadandri
skmylif
e.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..youar
esuchascammer
.
ismi
led
Me:meetmeatt
hegar
agei
n20mi
nut
es.
Her
:mhm.
Me:owk.iam hangi
ngup.
Her
:mhm.
ismi
ledandhungup.
af
terawhi
leiar
ri
vedatt
het
ownshi
pandpar
ked
mycarint
hegarage.
it
henpushedmyseatbackandr
elaxedasisl
ight
ly
openedt
hewindow.
it
ookoutmyphoneandcal
ledher
.
Her
:MrWol
f?
Me:bunny,
wher
ear
eyou?
?iam wai
ti
ng.
Her
:youal
readyar
ri
ved?
?ohhh,
iam onmyway.
Me:hur
ry.
Her
:mhm.
ihungupandsi
ghedasil
aidonmychai
r.
af
terawhi
let
herewasaknockont
hewi
ndow.i
l
ookedupanditwasmybunny.
Me:comei
n.
shewalkedar
oundandgotinthecar,it
hencl
osed
thewi
ndows,lockedmycarandlookedather
.
Me:imi
ssedyou.
..
.
shebl
ushedandl
ookedaway.ichuckl
ed.
Me:i
sAuntMar
thaowk?
?
Her
:mhm.
.shei
sget
ti
ngt
her
e.shei
sver
ysad.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..mhm.
.isee.
.
iwentcl
oset
oherandl
ower
edherseatt
omyl
evel
.
Her
:hai
,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Me:loweri
ngyourseat.myeyesaresor
eandyou
werehighupsoicouldntl
ookatyouforl
ong
enough.
Her
:whydoyouwantt
olookatmef
orl
ong?
?
Me:becauseidontwantt
ofor
getyou.
..
.
shesmi
led.
Me:evenwhenigeti
nanacci
dentanddamagemy
headandl
osemymemor y,
isti
llwantt
oremember
you.
Her:whyar
eyouspeaki
ngofacci
dent
s??idontl
ike
t
his.
Me:owksor
ry,
iwontspeakofacci
dent
s.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ikeptl
ooki
ngather
.
Her
:st
opl
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat
..
Me:why?
?
Her
:youmaki
ngmeshy.
Me:il
ikei
twhenyoushy.
shesmil
edandhitmyarm,
butigrabbedherar
m
andpull
edhercl
osert
omethatsheleanedonmy
chest
.
ir
aisedmyheadt
oki
ssher
,sheal
sol
eanedi
nto
ki
ssme.
weshar
edapassi
onat
eki
ss.
aft
erawhi
lewepul
ledoutt
heki
ssandshel
ooked
atme.
Me:Il
oveyouBunny.
Her
:il
oveyout
ooMrWol
f.
ipul
ledherf
orahugandst
ayedl
iket
hat
.
Me:t
hisi
showiwantyout
ocomf
ortme,
canyou
doi
t??
Her
:mhm.icandoi
tforasl
ongasyouwi
sh.
Me:howaboutf
orever
???
Her
:for
everi
tist
hen.
ismi
ledandst
ayedhuggi
ngher
.
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
iwaslookingatthecarparkedatt
hegar
age,i
twas
thatguyscar.t
hesocalledsonofAuntMart
ha.
i
twasevenmor ehurti
ngthatBoigoti
nthecarand
i
tdidntseem l
iketheyweretheret
alki
ngli
ke
si
bli
ngs.itl
ookedmor ecozythenthat
.
i
fiwer
etoguess,
iwoul
dsayt
hatt
heyar
edat
ing.
wel
l.asl
ongasshei
shappy.
it
urnedbackandwal
kedaway.
fi
nall
yiti
sclear,
nomatterhowmuchit r
y,shehas
givenherhear
ttosomeoneelse.butr
estassur
ed,
if
thatbust
edhurtsher
,iwil
lmakesuretohurthi
m
too.
.
*
*AuntMar
tha*
*
Me:Ma,
ihavedeci
dedonsomet
hing,
ihopeyou
al
lowmetodoit
.
Her
:whati
sit
??
me:i
sitoki
fit
akeSi
yai
nandr
aisehi
m up.
Her
:what
??
Me:ma, iunder
standyouareold,andyouneedto
berest
ingandlookingaf
teryourhealt
h,notl
ooki
ng
af
terSi
ya.Siyaneedsmor eatt
ention.
Her
:andicantgi
vehi
mthat
??
Me:iam notsayi
ngyoucantma, iam j
ustsaying
t
hatheneedssomeonet hatcanalwaysdothings
wit
hhim.mamai soldnow, sur
elyyouneedyour
r
est.
Her:Siyaisnotgoi
nganywhere.heismygr
andson
andi am capabl
eofrai
singhi
m verywel
l
.
Me:ma!
Her:that
'
stheendofdiscussion.ifyoumaypl ease
excuseme,iam busyprepari
ngt hefuner
al.speak
soon.
shehungup.
isi
ghed.
ij
ustwantedtohelpandt
oal
sotakecar
eofmy
si
ster
'schi
ld.i
sthatt
oomuchtoask?
?
[
12/28,
12:
26] :(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
CRYSTALARI
ES)
.
26
.
*
*NextDay*
*
*
*Br
icks*
*
iwasout
sidechi
ll
ingwhenBoiwal
kedi
nmyyar
d.
il
ookedatherandsatup.
Her
:Br
icks,
howar
eyourbr
uises?
?
Me:t
heyheal
ing.
Her
:iam gl
ad.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.mhm.
..
.iwi
shyouwel
lbyt
heway.
.
Her
:huh?
Me:iknowyoudat
ingt
heguyf
rom nextdoor
.
shel
ookedatmeshocked.
Me:dontworr
y,iam notangr
yoranyt
hing.i
ser
iousl
ywishyouwell.
Her
:huh.
..t
hankyou.
Me:butihavesomet
hingt
oaskyout
hough?
?
Her
:whati
sit
??
Me:doyour
eal
lyl
ovehi
m??
shesmi l
edandlookeddown..seemedshewas
blushi
ng.thenshenodded.
Me:mhm.
.andhi
m??doeshel
oveyou?
?
Her
:mhm.
..hedoes.
Me:mhm.
..
Her
:canyoupl
easespeakyourmi
nd.
Me:whatdoyoumean?
?
Her:youaret
hinki
ngaboutonethi
ngbutsayi
ng
another
.iwantyoutospeakyourmind.
Me:t
rustme,
youdontwantmet
odot
hat
.
Her:i
fidi
dntwantyout
odot
hat
,iwoul
dn'
thave
asked.
me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.owk,
youaskedf
ori
t.
Her
:shoot
.
Me:well
,ij
ustthi
nkheistr
ashandt hatiam way
bett
ert
henhim.isti
l
ldontunder
standwhyyou
chosehi
m overme.
Her
:(chuckled)iknewyouhadsomet
hingl
iket
hat
i
nyourmi nd.
Me:ij
ustsai
dithowi
tis.butt
hen,
itsowk.asl
ong
asyouarehappy.
Her:iam..andididntchoosehim overyou.i
tsnot
l
ikeiwaswei ghi
ngmyopt i
ons.ial
wayst ookyouas
abrother
,asforhim, i
twasdiff
erent.
Me:nowiwi
shicoul
dtur
nbackt
het
ime.
Her
:hahahaha.
..
.mxm.
..anyway,
canwest
il
lbe
f
ri
ends??
Me:woul
dyourdearboyf
ri
endal
lowyout
ohave
guyf
ri
ends?
?
Her:ofcause,
whynot
??imeanhef
oundmewi
th
youguys.
Me:tobehonest,i
fiwasdat i
ngyou,iwouldn'
tli
ke
i
tifyouhangaroundotherguys,especi
all
yaguy
t
hatiknowhasf eel
ingsforyou,
becausethings
mighthappen.
shel
ookedatme.
Her
:sowhatar
eyousayi
ng?
?
Me:Boi,icantbef riendswithyou.notwhenihave
suchstrongf eel
ingsf oryouandibetyour
boyfr
iendwoul dn'tall
owyout ohangaroundme,
notwhenwehavebadbl oodbet weenus.soi
suggestwegooursepar ateways.butthatdoesnt
youcantcomet omewhenyouneedsomet hingor
needhelp.icanal waysassi styouinthi
ngsandall,
butasfriends,wehavet ocancelthat
.
Her:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..ar
eyoubei
ng
ser
ious??
Me:mhm.
.iam sor
ryBoi
.mabyeyoucanpr
etend
thatt
hereisnothi
nggoingonbuticant .speakingt
o
youli
kethis,
beingclosetoyou,al
lthatmakesme
wanttotakeyouawayf rom t
hatguy.evenifitsat
thecostofbeingbeatenagai
n.
shel
ookeddown.
Me:excuseme.
iwal
kedpassedherandwal
kedout
.
imayhavebeenhar
shbutt
hisi
sfort
hebestf
or
bot
hofus.
usbei
ngdi
stanti
ssaf
eandsecur
e.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:nomat t
erhowmuchithinkabouti
t,ist
il
lfeel
gui
lt
y.ist
il
lfeell
ikei
tsmyf
ault.
Joe:itsnotyourfaul
t.
.imeanyouwentt oseehim,
yout ol
dhimt hatyouwouldacceptSiya.youdidnt
fi
ghtwi t
hhim oranythi
ng.theonlyt
hingisthatyou
couldntfor
givehim.thatcantbeyourfault
.
Me:butwhydoif
eel
thi
sway.
Joe:becauseyouaretel
li
ngyour
sel
fthatyouare
gui
lty.youtaki
ngt
hisblameonyourshoulder
s.
me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Joe:i
fitwi
llmakeyouf
eel
bet
ter
,thengoat
tendhi
s
funer
al.
il
ookedathi
m.
Me:yout
hinkt
hatwi
llhel
p??
Joe:ther
e'sonlyonewayt
ofindout,
whichist
ogo
tothefuneral
.mabyeyoumightal
soseeSiyaand
tal
ktohim.
Me:*
sigh*Si
ya!
!thatboywi
l
lbever
yhur
t.
Joe:yah, butasyousai d,youar
et heonl
yonethat
understandhi m morebecauseyoual sol
ostbot
h
yourpar entsandalso,youandSi yashar
eamot her
.
sohei sbasi cal
lyyourli
tt
lebrot
her,youneedt
o
l
ookoutf orhim.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..l
it
tl
ebr
other
!that
hasn'
tsunkyet.
Joe:youwi
llgetusedt
oit
.
Me:well,
owkt hen,
arrangethedocument
sand
workfortheemployeestoworkonandcallDavi
dt o
l
ookafterthecompanyf ort
hedayswewillbeatthe
f
uneral.
Joe:ar
en'
til
ooki
ngaf
tert
hecompany?
?
Me:no,
youcomi
ngwi
thme.ineedsomeoneit
rust
.
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:owk,
gomaket
hear
rangement
sfast
.
Joe:yessi
r.
hest
oodupandwal
kedout
.
t
helastt
imeiwasatt hecemet erywaswhenmy
mom wasbur i
ed,af
terthatihaveneversetf
ootat
t
hecemetery.yesinevergoseemymot herand
f
ather
sgrave.
.
*
*Mandl
a'
smom*
*
Me:haveyounot
if
iedt
hef
ami
lyaboutt
hedat
e??
Her
:yesmama.
Me:andt
het
ent
??i
sitr
eady?
?
Her
:yesmama.
Me:t
ranspor
t?
Her:sort
edmama, uncl
eBensaidhewoul dfet
chus
earl
yinthemor ningsothatwearr
ivether
eont i
me
torestandmeett hefamil
ythennextdaytheywil
l
prepareever
ything.
Me:*si
gh*atl
eastthear
rangement
sar
eal
linpl
ace
andever
ythi
ngwillgowell
.
aswewer
etal
kingSi
yawal
kedi
ncr
ying.
Me:Si
yawhati
swr
ongson?
Si
ya:iwantt
oseedaddy.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
iswallowedandlookedatmydaught
er.it
hen
lookedatSiya.
Me:comeher
eboy.
hecameandiputhi
m onhissmallchairandpul
led
thechai
rcl
oset
omesot haticoul
dtalktohim.
Me:Siya,
yourf
atherhe.
..
..
.he.
..
..
..i
tsl
iket
his.
..
.do
youknowwhoGodi s??
henodded.
Me:wel
lhecal
ledyourdadt
ogol
ivewi
thhi
m.
hel
ookedatme.
Siya:butGodisinheaven,
howcandadf
lyt
o
heaven,fl
yingi
simpossibl
e.
Me:yesson.hewentt
oheaven.
Si
ya:butidontwanthi
mtol
eave.
Me:hehadt
oson,
itwashi
sti
me.
Si
ya:t
henial
sowantt
ogot
oheaven.
Me:youcantSi
ya.
Si
ya:ihavet
o,ihavet
o..
..
..
.
Me:Si
ya!
!
Si
ya:iwantdaddy,
iwanthi
mtocomeback.
Me:hecantcomebackSi
ya,
hewontbecomi
ng
back.
Si
ya:no,
no,
hesai
dhewoul
dcomewi
thmet
o
schooltogoandseeMi
cky.hepr
omi
sed.hecant
go..no.
.
Me:myson.
.
ididnthavewor
dsanymor
e,t
ear
sfi
ll
edmyeyes.i
didntknowwhattodo.
hekeptonref
usingandendedupget
ti
ngof
fthe
chai
randrunni
ngtohisbedroom.
itr
iedcall
inghim buthewascryi
ngsayingishoul
d
callhi
sfatherback.idi
dntknowwhattosay.iwas
nowoutofwor ds.
mydaught
eral
sol
ookedatmecl
uel
ess.
shewant
edt
ogot
ohi
m.
Me:l
eavehi
m.l
ethi
m be.
shel
ethi
m andwesati
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
hear
inghi
m cr
ybr
okemyhear
t.if
eltr
eal
lybad.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
icamebackandst
il
lfoundAuntMar
thal
ooki
ngat
t
hebl
ackTVscr
een.shest
il
lhasn'
ttouchedher
f
ood.
Me:AuntMartha,youneedt
oeatinor
dertobe
str
ongforSi
ya.thefuner
ali
sinf
ewdays,youhave
tobest
rong.
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookedatt
hef
ood.
Aunt
:icantgeti
tdownmyt
hroat
.
Me:canigetyousomet
hingel
se?
?
sheshookherhead.
Me:Aunt,i
fyouar
eli
ket
his,
thenhowdoyout
hink
Si
yais??
shel
ookedatme.
Me:youar egoingtoseeSiyainafewdays,
canyou
at
leastgetstr
engthtostr
engthenhim?
shel
ookedatherf
oodagai
nandsi
ghed.
Aunt
:canyoumakef
ormesof
tpor
ri
dget
hen?
?
Me:yesAunt
.
it
ookhercur
rentf
oodt
otheki
tchenandst
art
ed
pr
epar
ingsof
tpor
ri
dge.
aft
erawhi
let
hepor
ri
dgewasr
eadyandit
ooki
tto
her.
me:her
eAuntMar
tha.
shet
ooki
tandputsugarandRamaandvi
negar
.
t
henshemi
xedi
tandat
e.
ismi
led.
Me:nowyouwi
llbest
rongf
orSi
ya.
shesmiledbuthersmil
edwast hesmileiwasused
to.i
twasthesmi l
eofpain.shewasreall
yhur
tby
thesuddendeathofuncl
eMandl a.
withAuntMar t
haf eel
inglikethi
sandnothaving
anydi r
ectr
elat
ionshipwi t
huncleMandlaorSi ya,i
wonderhowLubanzii sf eeli
ngsinceheisSiya'sbi
g
brotheranduncleMandl awasadi rectl
inkt
ohi s
mot her.
[
12/28,
12:
26] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
KEI
TUMETSEKEI
TUMAPHETO)
.
27
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
everyonewasatt hehometownoftheRadebe'
s.
Fami l
y,fr
iendsandrel
ati
vesofMrRadebethe
funeralwason,thepri
estwasther
eandeveryt
hing
wasgoi ngwell.
Si
yawasl
efti
nsi
desi
ncehewassl
eepi
ng.
ever
yoneelsewasgat
her
edout
sideandat
tendi
ng
thef
uneral
.
Lubanziwasst
andi
ngonesi
dewit
hJoe,
Boi
tumel
o
waswi t
hAuntMart
haandMandl
a'
smom.
t
hef
uner
alpr
oceeded.
j
ustinthemiddl
eofthefuneral
,thel
it
tl
eboycame
outcryi
ngandcall
inghi
sfather
.
Mandla'smom wasangrybecauseshehadt ol
dhis
daughtert
omakesur eSiyadoesntcomeout.but
shelef
thim unat
tendedsinceshealsowant
edto
at
tendt
hef
uner
al.
t
hedaughtert
henwentt
oSiyatopickhim upbuthe
wasf
ight
ing.hewant
edtogotohisgranny.
Lubanzil
ookedathi
m ashefoughthi
swayoutof
thedaughter
shandsandrantohi
sgranny.
hisgrannyhuggedhi
m andbr
ushedhi
sbackashe
conti
nuedtocry.
thenthegrannyst
oodupandpickedhim upt
aki
ng
him backi
nsidesothatt
hef
uneralwoul
dnotbe
dist
urbed.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
l
ooki
ngatSiyacr
yli
ket
hatr
emindedmeoft
hatday
whenicr
iedandmymom br
ushedme.
il
ookedathi
mtil
ltheytookhi
min.t
henil
ooked
downandbreat
hedout.heisi
nsomuchpain.
il
eanedt
owar
dsJoe.
me:f
oll
owme.
it
hent
urnedandwal
kedf
urt
herawayf
rom wher
e
thefuneralwast
akingpl
acesot
hatiwoul
dn'
t
dist
urbthefuner
al.
Joe:yesboss.
Me:**
sigh*
*iam t
hinki
ngaboutsomethi
ng,
buti
wantt
ohearwhatyouthinkabouti
t.
Joe:whati
sitboss?
?
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..iwantt
otakeSi
yai
n.
Joe:what
??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
.hei
smyl
it
tl
ebr
otheraf
teral
l,
itwoul
dn'
t
bedi
ff
icul
t.
Joe:idonotadvi
ceyout
odot
hat
.
Me:whynot
??
Joe:al
readywehavesomeonewhoi sindangerif
anythi
nggoessout h,
andyouhavetodoanyt hing
tosaveher.nowyouaddinganotherone??willyou
beabletoprotectbot
hofthem??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Joe:l
etsl
eavef
eel
ingsaside,
thi
nkaboutSi
ya.i
am
sureyouwantt
oseehim growup.
Me:iam alr
eadyi
ntoodeep.evenifidonttakehim
i
n,theywil
lfi
ndoutthatheismyli
tt
lebrotherandit
wouldbeeasyfort
hem totakehi
m andusehi m as
l
everage.
Joe:ort
heywoul
dthinkthatyoudontcareabout
hi
m becausehei
sjustyourhalfbr
other
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Joe:iam notmakingdeci
sionsf
oryou,
butido
advicet
hatyouleaveuncl
eMandl a'
smothert
ake
careofSiya.
Me:butiwantt
otakehi
min.
Joe:becauseofyourgui
ltr
ight
??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Joe:iam sor
ryt
osaythi
sboss,
butit
hinkt
hese
peoplear
emakingyousoft
.
il
ookedathi
m.
Joe:andi
fyoucar
ryonl i
kethis,
youwillcomet
oa
poi
ntwhereyouwil
lletanyonecont
rolyou,
i
ncludi
ngthem.
me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Joe:besidesallt
his,
willyoubeabl
etolookaft
er
him al
one? ?youdontevenhaveexper
ience,
heis6
yearsold.
me:doineedexper
iencet
otakecar
eofa6year
ol
d??
Joe:noboss,
iam j
ustsayi
ng.howwil
lyout
ake
careofhi
m.heisfr
agil
eandyoudontknowhim.
Me:youareri
ght
,heis6years.hecantal
kandhe
underst
andsmylanguage.soiam sur
eheknows
whatsNOandwhat sYES.so??
Joe:i
tsal
otmor
ethent
hatwheni
tcomest
oki
ds.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.mhm.
..
it
henwal
kedback.
Me:youcanheadback,
iwi
llgoseeSi
ya.
Joe:ihopeyouar
enotdoi
ngwhatist
rongl
y
advi
sedyounottodo.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
il
efthi
mther
eandwenti
nsi
de.
isawSi
yalayingonhi
sgranny'
slapandbreat
hing
inawaythatshowedt
hathewascr yi
ngheavi
ly.
Me:ma!canispeakt
oSi
yaal
one.
shel
ookedatmeandnodded.
Si
yadi
dntwantGr
annygo.
iwentt
ohi
m.
Me:hiSi
ya,dontbescar
edofme,iwantt
otel
lyou
ast
ory.dontyouwanttohearast
ory?
?
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:i
tsast
oryaboutyourf
ather
.
hel
etgoofhi
sgr
annyandnodded.
hi
sgr
annyl
eftandi
puthi
m onmyl
ap.
Me:shoul
dist
artt
hest
ory?
?
henodded.
Me:oneday,therewasaf at
herandaMot her,they
hadason.whent hesonwasbor n,t
hemot herleft
thesonandfatherandwenttoheaven.thefather
waslonel
ybutat l
easthehadhisson.sohet ookhis
sonandlovedhi
m wi t
hallhi
shear
t.onedayGod
cal
ledt
hef at
her
.hedidntwanttogo.hedi
dntwant
tol
eavehissonalone.
Si
ya:butwhydi
dthef
atherl
eave?hecoul
dst
ay
wi
thhisson.
Me:that
'sbecausethemotherwasnowl onel
yin
heavenandmi ssedthef
atherandherson.butonl
y
onecouldjoi
nher .
Si
ya:sot
hef
atherwentt
othemot
her
??
Me;yes.themotherhadbeenl
onel
yforsol
ong,
so
t
hefatherhadtogoandbewi t
hher.
Si
ya:sotheyl
eftt
hesonal
one?
?cant
hesongo
wi
ththem??
Me;no, hewasstil
lyoung.butlucki
lyf
orthesoni
s
thathehadabi gbrotherhedidntknowabout
.so
aftert
hefatherl
eft
,thebrothercametotaket
heson
andbewi thhim.
Siya:r
eal
ly?
?ial
sowi
sht
ohaveabr
otherl
iket
he
son.
Me:i
fyoul
etyourf
athergoandsaygoodbye.he
wi
llbr
ingyourbr
othert
oyou.
Si
ya:r
eal
ly?
?
Me;yes.
Si
ya:buthecantl
eaveyet
,hesai
dwewoul
dgo
wi
thmet oschoolt
oseeMicky.
Me:howaboutshowi
ngyourbr
otherwhoMi
ckyi
s??
Si
ya:
..
..
..
..
..
.
hel
ookeddownt
hensmi
ledal
it
tl
e.
Si
ya:somybr
otherwi
llal
waysbewi
thme?
?
Me:al
ways.
.
Siya:willheal
sogojoi
nmyf
atherandmot
hersoon
andl eavemealone?
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..ofcausenot
,hewi
llbewi
thyou
f
orever
.
Si
ya:hooor
ay!
!
Me:so,
howaboutigobuyyoui
cecr
eam?
?
Si
ya:yeeeeehhhhhh!
!
Me:good,
wipeyourt
ear
s.l
etsgo.
.let
ssneakout
bef
oreGr
annyseesus.
wewentoutasi
fwewer
esneaki
ngout
.
hecopi
edmeasihadmyj acketovermyheadand
wal
kingwi
thj
acketovermyhead.
il
aughedwhenhedi
dthat
.
wegott
omycar
.
Me:hay!wedi
dit
.
hegavemehi
gh5.
it
hendr
ovet
othenear
estt
uckshopt
obuyi
ce
cr
eam.
.
*
*Moment
slat
er*
*
wewer
ebackandt
hef
uner
alwasover
.
ot
herswer
eoutsi
dedoi
ngt
hei
rbusi
nesswhi
le
ot
herswer
ecooki
ngandGr
annyandAuntMart
ha
werei
ntheroom.
ihadSi
yainmyhandandheadi
ngi
nthehouse,
Boit
umel
ocametome.
Boi
tumel
o:l
ookatyoubei
ngabi
gbr
other
.
Me:il
ookcut
edonti
??
Boi
tumel
o:mxm.
ismi
ledasiwal
kedi
nsi
dewi
thBoi
tumel
ofol
lowi
ng
me.
whenigott
ot hedooriheardt
hem ar
gui
ngabout
whowouldtakecareofSiyaandSi
ya'
sfut
ure.
AuntMarthawasaski
ngtotakecareofhim,but
Si
ya'sgr
annywasrefusi
ngsayingheishis
gr
andsonandheisnotreadytolethi
m go.
icouldn'
tbar
etheupanddownoftheargument
thatiendedupsayi
ngsomet
hingidi
dntthi
nki
wouldsay.
Me:iwi
llt
akecar
eofSi
ya.
theylookedatmeshockedandBoi tumeloal
so
openedhi seyeswideandlookedatme.that
'swhen
ireal
izedijustdi
dexactl
ywhatJoet ol
dmenotto
do.
[
12/
28,
12:
27] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
KEI
TUMETSEKEI
TUMAPHETO)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
theroom wentf
rom noi
sest
ocompl
etesi
lenceand
star
es.
Lubanzi
:iwi
llt
akeSiyaandr
aisehi
m up.besi
des
heismyyoungerbrother
.
Aunt:butLubanziar
eyounotbusyal
ready,
whowi
ll
hel
pyouwi ththechil
d??
Lubanzi
:Boi
tumel
oneedsaj
obr
ight
??t
henshewi
ll
babysi
t.
Boi
tumel
o:huh?
?
Lubanzi
:iam f
inanci
all
yabl
eandil
iveal
one,
i
coul
dusesomecompany.
Mandl
a'
smom:ar
eyouser
ious?
?
Lubanzi
:yesma!ibel
ieveevenmymot
herwoul
d
wantmet
odot
hissi
ncewear
ebot
hhersons.
theylookedateachot
herandMandla'
smom gent
ly
agreed.butyoucoul
dtel
lthatshewasnotowkwi
th
i
t.samewi thAuntMart
ha.
Lubanzi
:dontworr
yMa, iwontt
akehim now.iwil
l
l
ethimfini
shhisgrade.t
hennextyearhewil
lst
art
l
ivi
ngwithme.
Boi
tumel
o:butnextyeariwi
llbeschool
ing.
Lubanzi
:theniwil
lgetanannyf
orweekdaysand
youcomei nweekends.
Mandl
a'
smom:soyouwi
llt
akehi
m nextyear
??
inodded.
Mandla'
smom:ohhh,t
henthat'
sowk.iwi
llj
ust
spendmylastdayswi
thhi
mt hen.
inodded.
Lubanzi:AuntMartha,iwil
lnotbesleepi
ngoverf
or
theremainingdays,unfort
unat
elyihaveworktodo.
sowi l
lyoubeowk? ?iwi l
lcomefetchyou.
Aunt
:owkmyson.andyouBoi
tumel
o.
Lubanzi
:shetoldmeshehadt osubmither
documentstodayforschool
,andhisdocument
sar
e
athome,soiwillsendherbackfi
rst
.
Aunt
:huh.
..wi
llyoubeowksl
eepi
ngal
oneat
home??
Boi
tumelo:huh.
.(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)yesAunt
.iwi
llbe
al
ri
ght.i
tsjust2days.
Aunt
:owkmychi
ld.her
ear
ethekeys.
Boi
tumel
o:t
hankyouma.
Lubanzi
:st
aywel
l.
it
henl
ookedatSi
yaandbowedl
owersot
hatiam
hi
shei
ght.
Me:r
ememberwhatisai
d??
henodded.
Me:youbet
terbehaveowk?
?
henodded.
Me:ifyoubehavewel
l,
iwi
llcomeagai
ntopi
ckyou
up.
hesmi
led.
Si
ya:youmustcomequi
ckl
y.
Me:ohyesiwi
ll
.
hesmi
led.
Si
ya:st
aystr
ongchampowk.al
waysknowthat
mom anddadloveyouandmymom anddadlove
metoo.
henodded.
ihuggedhi
m andsai
dgoodbye.
it
henheadedoutwi
thBoi
tumel
ocomi
ngaf
terme.
Boi
tumel
o:ar
eyounut
s.
Me:huh?
?
Boitumelo:whydi
dyoulieaboutmehavingt
o
submi tmydocuments,
nowihavet osl
eepal
onei n
thathouse.doyouknowthatihat
esleepi
ngalone??
Me:ineversai
dyouwoul
dbesl
eepi
ngal
one.
Boi
tumel
o:huh?
?youalsogoi
ngt
osl
eepoverat
AuntMar
tha'
shouse?
?
Me:no,
that
'
spur
edi
srespect
.
Boi
tumel
o:sowhatdoest
hatmean?
?
ismi
led.
Boi
tumel
o:yousl
y..
.
wegott
othecarandshest
oodout
side.
Her
:iam notget
ti
ngi
n.
Him:i
fyoudontcomei
n,iwi
llsi
mpl
ycomepi
ck
youupandputyouint
hecarmysel
f.
shepout
edt
hengoti
n.
il
eanedt
oherandshemovedback.
Her
:Luu,
ther
ear
epeopl
e..
Me:whatdi
dido?
?iwasj
ustr
eachi
ngf
ort
heseat
bel
t.
shel
ookedawayandismi
led.
..
shef
oldedherar
msandj
ustl
etmebe.
.
ist
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f,Joef
oll
owed.
aswegottoourar
ea,
Joewenthi
swayandiwent
tomyhouse.
ipar
kedmycari
nandgotoutt
hecar
.
shewasst
il
lseat
edi
nsi
det
hecar
.
Me:ar
en'
tyoucomi
ngi
n??
Her
:NO,
youper
ver
t.
ichuckl
edandl
etherbe.
iwentinthehouseandwenttomybedroom t
o
change.aft
erchangi
nginot
icedt
hatshewassti
ll
notinthehouse.
ihadonavestandmyshor ts.iseem t
orelaxal
ot
wheniam inthehouse.t
hat'
swhyidontl i
ke
vi
sit
orsbecausenotever
yoneseesmei nsuch
cl
othi
ng.
iwentt
oheri
nthecarandf
oundherl
ist
eni
ngt
o
music.
asiappear
edatt
hewi
ndowshel
ookedatmewi
th
bi
geyes.
shel
ookedatmedownt
omyar
ms.
me:l
ikewhatyousee?
?
shesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedaheadofher
.
Me:i
fyoudontcomeoutnow,
iwi
llpul
lyouout
.
shepout
ed.
iwal
kedaroundthecar
,butbef
oreicoul
dgett
oher
si
de,shegotoutqui
ckl
y.
ithenpinnedheragai
nstt
hecarandl
eaned
towardsher.
shekeptmovi
ngbackl
ooki
ngatt
heguar
dsatt
he
gat
e.
Her
:Luu,
theguar
ds.
Me:whataboutt
hem?
?
Her
:Luu!
!
ismi
led.
Me:iwasntgoi
ngt
oki
ssyou,
iwasj
ustswi
tchi
ng
of
fthecar.
ishowedhert
hekeysandsmi
led.
shepout
ed.
wewal
kedi
nthehouse.
me:makeyour
sel
fathome.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:ohhandiam hungr
y,pl
easemakemef
ood.
Her
:idontevenknowwhati
swher
e??
Me:f
igur
eitout
.ther
e'st
heki
tchen.
iheadedt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom t
owat
chsoccer
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
aaaahhhhhhhhthi
sli
tt
lewolfi
sreal
lygett
ingbi
gfor
hisshoes.di
disayiwashismaid??ifheshungr
y
canthemakehisownf ood?
?
thenhesaysishoul
dfi
gur
eoutwher
ethi
ngsar
e.
suchawolfheis.
i
ndeedidi
dfi
gur
eitout
.
imadesomespaghet
tiandveget
abl
est
ew.
asiwascooki
ngisawhi
m comi
ngt
otheki
tchen.
hewentt
othef
ri
dge.
ohhhhi
shai
ryski
nwasdoi
ngsomet
hingt
ome.
hi
shai
ryl
egsandar
ms.
t
heywer
enott
oohai
ry,
butt
heywer
esl
ight
lyhai
ry.
ilookedathim st
andt
her
eanddrinkwat
er.ohhhhh
isitmedatingsuchaman??ohhiam bl
essed.
iwasntawarethatiwasstar
ing,t
het i
meicame
backtoear
th,Lubanziwasveryclosetome.
il
ookedathi
m andhel
eanedonme.
it
ri
edt
ost
epbackbuthepul
ledmecl
osert
ohi
m.
hethenpi
ckedmeupandputmeont hecounter
.i
l
eanedintoki
sshim andhekissedme.i
tstar
edout
wit
hsoftki
ssi
ngthenitgotr
ougher,
androugher,
hi
shandsaroundmybodymyhandsonhi sbody.
*
*endofDaydr
eami
ng*
*
.
Lubanzi
:Bunny!
!
isnappedoutandl
ookedathi
m.ahahhhhhiwas
daydreaming.
Lubanziwast
her
elooki
ngatmewi
thhi
sbot
tl
ein
hi
shands.
Lubanzi
:ar
eyouowk?
?youl
icki
ngyourl
ipsl
ikeyou
mad.doyouneedal
ipbal
m?
il
ookedathi
m asiwasal
it
tl
eembar
rassed.
iwenttohi m andtookhi
swat er
.thesameonehe
wasdrinkingf r
om andwalkedouttheki
tchen
dri
nki
ngt hewat er
.
ididntwantt
oevenl
ookback.hewi
llkeepwat
chof
thepots.
[
12/
28,12:
27] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
28
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupt
othesmel
lofdel
ici
ousf
ood.
igotupandimmedi
atel
yfol
lowedt
hesmel
ltosee
whereitcamef
rom.
ifol
lowedandboom,itbr
oughtmet
otheki
tchen
andt hebonuswast
heviewiwasbl
essedwit
h.
seei
ngLuuinhisapronmaki
ngbreakfast
,thatwas
l
ikeadream.ishookmyheadtomakesur eiwasnt
daydreami
ngthisti
me.buti
twasjustasisawi t
.
it
henwentt
otheki
tchen.
Me:mhm.
..
..
.smel
l'
samazi
ng.
..
.
Hi
m:Mor
ningBunny!
Me:Mor
ningMrWolf.
..
.iseeyoumaki
ngbr
eakf
ast
.
whenwi
llyouf
ini
sh?
?iam hungry.
Hi
m:(
smi
les)di
dyouwashyourf
aceandhands?
?
Me:Nop.
..
Hi
m:t
heni
nthemeant
imegoanddot
hat
.
me:owk.
isai
dthatsti
lll
ooki
ngbackatt
hef
oodandsmel
li
ng
theamazingsmelli
ntheai
r.
Hi
m:hur
ry!
!
Me:yes!
!
ir
antomyr oom,washedmyf
aceandmyhands.i
di
dnthaveaclot
hsoiusedmyhandst
oappl
ythe
soapandrinsemyf ace,
thenwi
pedwi
that
owel
thatif
oundinther
e.
it
henr
andownandf
oundhi
m set
ti
ngt
het
abl
e.
idi
dntevenwaitf
oranyinst
ruct
ion,
ijustsatdown
andlookedatt
hefood.
iwassointherushtoeat.buthewantedtofi
nish
cl
eaningtheki
tchenf
ir
st.iswearimightdi
eof
hungerri
ghtnow.
aft
erhewasdone,hecameandsatdown,
thenhe
madethehonorofput
ti
ngsomefoodinmyplat
e
andtol
dmet ogoonandtast
e.
Tast
e??iat
e.
Hi
m:hai
,sl
owdown,
thef
oodwontr
unaway.
Me:(
mout
hful
)mhm.
..
hesmi
ledandj
ustl
ookedatme.
iwasj
usthavi
ngabl
ust
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
hereiam l
ooki
ngatBunnyeatl
ikeshehasbeen
star
vingf
ordays.
watchinghereatj ustmademewantt owatchher
eatallthetime.actual
lyshei
st hefi
rstgi
rl
fri
endi
hadwhoj usteatshowevershewant sinfr
ontofme.
mypr eviousgirl
fri
endsandallthegir
lsihavebeen
wit
hhaveal waysjustbeencarefulwheneati
ng.
youknowt he"dontmessonyoursel
f"
,"bel
adyl
ike"
,
"l
egscrossed"
,"dontt
alkwi
thfoodinyourmouth",
thatwasallt
heywoulddo.
butwit
hBunny.seemsl i
kesheisdoingthe
opposi
te.sheisfil
li
nghermout ht
otheextend,she
i
sjustfree.shedoesntseemeast hepersonshe
hastoplease,butseesmeast hepersonwho
shoul
dloveherf orherandteachheraswego.
i
tshowsthatshei
scomfort
abl
ewithmeandtr
ust
meverymuch.butmosti
mport
antl
y,i
tshowst
hat
shel
ovesme.samewayiloveher
.
Her
:(mout
hful
)del
ici
ous.
..
Me:dontt
alkwi
thf
oodi
nyourmout
h,i
tsdi
sgust
ing.
isai
dwi
thasmi
le.
Her
:nya,
nya,
nya,
shesai
dmi
micki
ngme.
il
aughedandj
ustwat
chedhereat
.
whenshefinishedshelookedatmeandlookedat
myplat
e.ialsolookedatherandlookedather
.
Me:what
??
Her
:ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oeatt
hat
??
Me:why?
?youwanti
t??
shenodded.
me:r
eal
ly?
?youcanf
ini
shi
t??
shenoddedagai
n.
Me:no.
isai
dthatt
aki
ngmypl
ateandonl
yst
art
edt
oeat
.
shepout
ed.
Her:pl
ease,
iwi
llmakeyouanot
herpl
ateof
br
eakfast
.
Me:no!
shepout
edagai
n.
Me:youar
eal
readyf
atf
rom t
hef
oodyouj
ustat
e,
youwantt
obust?
?
isai
dthatt
easi
ngher
.
Her
:iam notf
at?
?
Me;youcantseeyour
sel
f.
sheopenedhereyeswi
de.
Me:maki
ngt
hosebi
geyeswonthel
pyou.youf
at
youf
at.
Her
:mxm.
shesatbackwat
chi
ngmeeat
.
it
hennot
icedt
hatshehadar
obeon.
ialwayskeeparobe,
soapandsomepr i
maryt
hings
inguestsrooms,
thelastti
met heywer
eused,
was
theti
meihadmyl astgirl
fr
iend.whi
chwasyears
ago.
me:Boi
tumel
o,ar
eyouwear
ingsomet
hingunder
yourr
obe?
?
sheopenedhereyeswideopenandcover
edher
chestpul
li
ngtherobemoreinasi
fshewastr
ying
tocoverhernakedsel
f.
Hi
m:Luu!
!
Me:what??iam askingbecauseyoudi dntbr
ing
anythi
ngtowearyest er
day,iwantedtoknowi fyou
neededoneofmyTshi rt
s?oryouwashedyour
cl
othesyesterdaybecauseiheardthewashing
machinelastnight
.
Her:
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
.mhm...iwashedmyclot
hing
yest
erday,butwhenicheckedt oday,i
twasnt
completel
ydr y,buti
tsalmosttry.
Me:mhm..wai
t,soyouwashedal
lyourcl
othi
ng,
as
i
never
ythi
ng??
Her
:Luu!
!
me:iam aski
ng.
Her:areyousocomf ort
ablet
hatyoucanspeak
openlyaboutnakedness??
Me:youar
emygi
rl
fr
iendaf
teral
l,
soofcausei
havet
ospeakopenl
y,imeansoonerorl
ater
,iwi
ll
havet
oseeyounaked.
Her
:Luu!
!ahhhhhhhh!
sher
anoutst
il
lhol
dingherr
obet
ight
.
ichuckl
edandl
ookedatherr
un.wasitwr
ongt
o
ask??di
dimakeherfeel
uncomfor
tabl
e??
ismi
ledandshookmyhead.
iwentt
omyr
oom andt
ookoutoneofmyTshi
rt
s.
it
henwenttoherroom.iknocked.sheopenedand
onl
ytookherheadoutasshepushedherbodyback.
Me:her
e,ibr
oughtyouaTshi
rt
.
Her
:idontwant
,iwi
llwai
tformycl
othest
obedr
y.
Me:butt
henbr
eakf
astwi
llbef
ini
shedbyt
hen.
Her
:ther
eismor
e??
Me:ifyouagr
eet
ochangeandcomeback,
iwi
ll
cookmore.
shelookedatmeandsmi
led.t
hatwasadevi
lsmi
le
itel
lyou.
shetookt
heTshi
rtandcl
osedt
hedoor
,then
scr
eamed"THANKYOU!"
ichuckl
edandwentt
omakemor
efood.
i
fimar r
yher
,iwil
lhaveapr
oblem,becauseshewi l
l
befi
nishi
ngfoodint
hehouseli
kenoonesbusi ness,
but
,idontmi
nd.shecanfi
nishthewholestor
e,as
l
ongassheiswi t
hme.
shecametotheki
tchensti
ll
weari
ngt herobe,buti
coul
dseetheTshirtar
oundherchestarea,sothat
meansshehasiti
nside.
t
her
obei
slong,
itr
eachesherankl
e
Me:youst
il
lhavet
heRobeon?
Her:mhm,
theshi
rti
stooshor
t.i
treachedmy
knees.
Me:youcal
lthatshor
t??
Her
:mhm.
Me:sothatmeansyouwontwearshor
tshi
rt
s
anywher
e??
Her
:idowearshor
tski
rt
s,butnott
hisshor
t.at
least
t
hel
engt
htomyknee.
Me:t
hat
'sl
ikef
ewcent
imet
resdi
ff
erence.
Her:i
tsahugedi
ff
erence.pl
uswear
eal
one,
idont
wanttopr
ovokeanyt
hing.
Me:(
chuckl
es)pr
ovokewhat
??
sheshookherhead.
ilaughedasit
ookherfoodtothet
abl
e.shecame
tositdownandcont
inuedeati
ng.
thi
sti
meshewasntwildwit
hthef ood,
shej
ustate
owk.shewasabitmessysti
ll
,butshewasnottoo
muchlikeatf
ir
st.
me:youdontl
iket
hef
ood?
?
Her
:ar
eyouki
ddi
ng,
itsamazi
ng.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Her
:mhm.
Me:oh,i
tsjustt
hatiseeyoueat
ingabi
tneat
ert
hen
t
hefir
stti
me.
Her
:fi
rstt
imeiwashungr
y,i
coul
deatacow.now,
wellnowiam st
il
lhungrybutmost
lyiam eat
ing
becauset
heyaredeli
cious.
Me:mhm.
..
.
Her
:Luu?
?
Me:huh?
?
Her
:wer
eyouser
iousaboutt
aki
ngSi
yai
n??
Me:mhm.
Her
:andmecomi
ngt
obabysi
tasmyj
ob?
?
Me:notasyourjob,
buttocomeandhelpme.ionl
y
menti
onedjobbecauseidi
dntwantAuntMar
thato
st
artquest
ioni
ng,
Her:ahhhhh.butwi
llyoureal
lymanage?
?imean
youalwayshavetowor k,
youhardl
yevenhavet
ime
foryoursel
f.
Me:it
snotthatidonthaveti
me, it
sjustt
hatidont
maketime,andreasonbeingididnthaveanythi
ng
todoathome, t
hat'
swhyipr ef
erredworki
ng.but
nowthatyouandSi yawil
lbeinmyl if
e,worki
ng
wontbeapr i
ori
tyanymore.
Her
:mhm.
..
.
Me:andschool
??di
dyougetar
esponseyet
??
Her:nop.i
tsbeenawhi
lesi
nceiwentt
othei
nter
net
caf
e.
Me:t
odowhat
??
Her
:wel
l,
that
'swher
eigetWi
Fi.t
heniwoul
dcheck
myemai
ls.
Me:ohhhh,
wher
eisyourphone?
?
Her
:why?
?
Me:wher
eisi
t??
her
:inmyr
oom.
Me:owk.eat
,thenwhenyoudone,
bri
ngyourphone
t
ome.
her
:mhm.
..owk.
it
henl
ookedatherandl
eanedi
n.
Her
:what
??
Me:iam st
il
laski
ngmysel
fifiam dr
eami
ngornot
.
Her
:dr
eami
ngaboutwhat
??
Me:you.
..
..havi
ngyoui
nmyl
if
e..
.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shebecameshyagai
n.
Me:youarelikeasmalll
ightt
hatcametomyl if
e
andchasedthedarknessaway.imeanididntknow
thatiwascapabl
eoflovingsomeoneunt
ilyou
came.
her
:Luu,
stopi
t.
..
.youmaki
ngmeshy.
il
ookedather
.
Me:il
ikei
twhenmycut
ebunnyi
sshy.
..
shesmi
ledandcont
inuedeat
ingsl
ow.
ikeptl
ooki
ngather
.
shewoul
dlookatmeandl
ookatherf
ood.shei
sso
cut
e.
it
henl
eanedback.
Me:whenyouar
edone,
youcangowasht
hepl
ates
andt
hepots.
Her
:mhm.
..owk.
..
Me:overt
her
e!!
ismi
ledandheadedt
omyst
udy.
[
12/
28,12:
27] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Luuhasbeeninthestudyforal
ongti
me.iam even
star
ti
ngtogocrazyri
ghtnow.imeanit
shourslat
er
andi am al
sohungr
y.
iknowihadabigmealinthemor ning,
butiwantt
o
munchsomethi
ng,actual
lyiam nothungry,
iam
justbor
ed,
soiam hungry.idontknowifimake
sense.
iwasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom wat
chi
ngMovi
es.
af
terLuuwenttothest
udy,
iwashedt
hedi
shes,
wenttotakeashowert
henwor
emyyester
day
cl
othi
ng.
yester
daywheniwenttobed, iwashedal lmy
clot
hingincl
udi
ngmyunder wearbecauseir eali
zed
thatihadnothi
ngtowearsinceididntevengo
homet ogetmoreunderwear.soiwaspl anningon
askingLuutotakemehomet ofet
chatleastone
underweartoweartomorr
owwheniheadback
home.
iworemycl
othi
ngandfel
tfr
eshagain.theni
washedt
herobeandt
heTshi r
tthatLuuborr
owed
me.
theniwat
chedmovies.idontknowhowmany
moviesdi
diwatchbutiwatchedenoughf
ort
he
year.
iwal
kedt ohi
sst
udyandst
oodatt
hedoorsi
ncei
t
wasclosed.
iwant
edt
oknockbutagai
n,iwasscar
ed.
idontknowbutsomethinginmebelievesthatwhen
Luuisbusywithhiswork,hebecomest hemonst er
thatembarr
assedmeatt hecompany,butwhenhe
isnotworki
ng,hebecomesasweetlovingper son.
butidontknow,icoul
dbewr ong.
iknockandther
ei snor
epl
y.igetscar
edandknock
again,
sti
llnor
eply.
ibi
tmyli
psandf r
ownmyf ace.t
hat
'swhatido
wheniam hesi
tat
ingandscar
edofwhattodo.
iknockagainandthedooropened.igotsoscar
ed
asilookedattheser
iousfacehehadlooki
ngatme.
Hi
m:whatdoyouwant
??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.ar
eyoudonewor
king?
?
Hi
m:doil
ookdone?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ibi
tmyl i
psagai
nandfr
ownedmyeyebr
ows
becauseiwasnowver
yscar
edofwhathewoul
d
sayordo.
Hi
m:doyouneedanyt
hing?
?
Me:huh.
..
.no.
.NVM,
youcancont
inuewor
king.
hetur
nedbackandwenttosi
tonhi
schai
randf
ace
hi
slaptop.t
hist
imehedi
dntcl
oset
hedoor
,hel
eft
i
topen.
Hi
m:i
fyouar
ebor
ed,
youcanwat
chmewor
k,but
t
hatwi
llj
ustbor
eyouevenmor
e.
hesai
dthatl
ooki
ngathi
slapt
opwor
king.
iwantedt
oleavehi
minpeacebutagai
nidi
dnt
want.
idi
dntcomeher etowat
chhim work.pl
usiam
bored.icantst
andanot
herminut
einf r
ontoft
heTV,
impossibl
e.
iwalkedi
nhisof
fi
ceandsatdownont
hechai
r
faci
nghim.
hel
ookedatmeandl
ookedatt
hecomput
er.
Hi
m:whati
sitnow?
?
Me:iam bor
ed.
Hi
m:so?
?
Me:l
etsgosomewher
e,ordosomet
hingt
oget
her
.
Hi
m:howaboutwor
ktoget
her
??
Me:no,
mabyegetl
unch?
?
hel
ookedatme.
Hi
m:af
tersomucht
hatyouat
eint
hemor
ningyou
st
il
lwantmor
efood?
?
Me:iam nothungr
yasi
nst
arvi
ng,
iam hungr
yin
t
heboredmanner .
Hi
m:ar
eyouspeaki
ngsense?
?
Me:Luu?
?
Hi
m:no..t
her
earesomanyingr
edient
sint
hef
ri
dge,
pr
epar
esomethi
ngandwatchadrama.
Me:myeyeshur
t.
Hi
m:sl
eep.
Me:mybodyi
sexci
ted.
Hi
m:goswi
m.
Me:icant
.
Hi
m:godoanyt
hingj
ustdontdi
stur
bme.
me:t
hat
'sexact
lywhatiwantt
odo.
hel
ookedatme.
..
ipout
ed.
Hi
m:ahhhhhhh!
!whoar
eyouagai
n??
Me:Bunny.nowl
etsgo.
hechuckl
ed.
.
Hi
m:youar
esomet
hingel
se.
..
.caniat
leastf
ini
sh
t
his?
?
Me:5mi
nut
es.
Hi
m:20.
..
.
Me:10.
..
..
Hi
m:15.
..
me:12andiam notgoi
nghi
gher
.
Hi
m:f
ine.
..
Me:gr
eat
.it
s14:
32.
..
..at14:
44i
tspensdown.
Hi
m:ar
ewei
nanexam?
?
Me:stopt
alki
ngandfi
nishworki
ng.
.ouuuuu,
that
soundedl
ikebar
sinarapsong.
Hi
m:youshoul
dmabyet
ryoutsongwr
it
ing,
you
woul
dbeter
ri
ble.
Me:mxm..youdar
ecri
ti
cizemyr
apgame,
iwi
ll
decr
easet
hetimeto14:
40.
Him:hahahahaha.
..owkmam.yourrapgamei
stop.
Cardibshoul
dcomet akesomenotes.
Me:exact
ly,
nowyout
alki
ng.
Hi
m:canigetmor
eti
mef
orcompl
iment
ing.
me:owk.youhaveunt
il14:
45.
Hi
m:t
her
eisnot
imeaddedt
her
e..
.
Me:t
her
eis1mi
nut
eadded.
Hi
m:j
ust1?
?
me:i
fyoucouldstoptal
kingandcont
inuewor
king,
youwil
lfi
nishear
li
er.
Hi
m:what
ever
.
Me:iam goi
ngt
oputmyshoeson,
fini
shf
ast
er.
Hi
m:mhm.
iwentt
owearmyshoesandbrushmyhai
r.
..iput
onVasel
ineandheadedout
.
l
ooki
ngatt
hesecl
othi
ng,
mademesad.ihadona
bl
ackdr
essandbl
ackpumps.
yah,
ilookedhi
deousr
ight
??nowidontwantt
ogo
t
oout
..ir
atherst
ayi
n.
iwentbackt
oLuu'
sst
udywi
thasadf
ace.
hewasst
il
lwor
king.
me:youcanconti
nueunt
ilyouaredone,ichanged
mymi nd,
idontwantt
ogoout ,
iwil
ljustmake
l
unchhereathome.
Hi
m:whoawhatmadeyouchangeyourmi
nd?
?
il
ookedatmydr
essandt
hewayiwaswear
ing.
hechuckl
ed.
Hi
m:true,
youlookl
ikeashadowreadyt
okill
.ifwe
goout
,peopl
ewouldthi
nkiam walki
ngwit
ha
Ghost
.
Me:Luu!
!
Hi
m:hahaha,
owk,
owk.it
hinkwecanf
ixt
hat
.
me:huh?
?
Hi
m:let
sgo,
youmademest
opmywor
kaker
e.so
l
etsgo.
Me:ButLuu!
!
Hi
m:l
etsgo.
.
hedr
aggedmeout
,gotmei
nthecar
.
me:wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
?
Hi
m:j
ustwai
tandsee.
hedr
oveout
.
ikeptonl
ooki
ngathi
m andhewasj
ustf
ixedont
he
road.
af
terawhi
lewegoti
namal
l
.
i
twassobigandl uxur
ious.therewasst
atues,
nice
wat
erf
allst
atues.andallthat.
me:woaw!
!!
Hi
m:l
ikei
t??
Me:i
tswonderf
ul.
..
.wai
t,ar
eweher
etohave
l
unch??dr
essedli
kethi
s??
Hi
m:yes,
butnotdr
essedl
iket
hat
.
iwasconfusedast
owhathewassayi
ng,
unt
ilhe
draggedmeinashop.
i
twasacl
othi
ngshop.
me:whatam idoi
ngher
e??
Hi
m:sor
ry!
!
hewentt
osomeonewor
kingi
nthest
ore.
hi
m:canyouhel
pherchooseaf
ewout
fi
ts?
Her
:ofcausesi
r
hersmi
lemademegiveherthedevi
llook.sheis
busysmil
ingwi
thmymanlikeiam nothere.nx.
shecamet
omeandif
akedasmi
le.
sheshowedmear oundandpickedaf
ewoutfi
tsfor
me.theniwentt
ot r
ythem onasLuusatonachair
rat
ingever
youtf
it
.
asiwaschangi
ng,isawonasmallloopsomegirl
s
bl
ushi
ngforLuuashejustsatt
her
el ooki
ngser
ious.
iwal
kedoutandhel
ookedatme.
hesmi
ledandnodded.
itr
iedafewmore.somehesaidno,somehesai
d
yesandsome,hejustl
ookedaway,
iguesst
hose
aretheonesher
eall
yhated.
ithenchoseanout
fi
tandt
her
estwer
epackedi
n
thebag.
thegir
latthecount
erkeptl
ooki
ngatLuuandwas
beingseducti
veasshewaspackingt
heoutf
it
s.
Me:sor
rymam.
shel
ookedatme.
Me:canyoubelessseduct
ivewhenpacki
ngmy
out
fi
ts,
trustmetheywontf
alli
nlovewit
hyou.
.
Her
:huh.
..
.iwasnt
..
..
..
..
.
Me:andsoyouknow.
..
.whoeveryouar
eeyei
ngi
s
t
aken.
it
ookt
hebagsandwal
kedawayaf
terLuupai
d.
whenwegotout
sideLuul
ookedatmeasipout
ed.
Luu:(
smi
le)wasmybunnyj
eal
ous?
?ohhhht
hat
's
sosweet
..
.
Me:shutup.
..youshoul
dknowyouar etaken,
why
youbusylet
ti
ngthesegi
rlsl
ustoveryou.
..mxm..
Luu:owk,nextt
imeiwi
lll
ett
hem knowwhati
s
what.
..owk??
inoddedasicont
inuedpout
ing.
wethenwentt
oarest
aur
antr
ightatt
hemal
land
gotour
sel
vesani
cemeal
..
.
*
*Hour
slat
er*
*
wewerebackandihadbeentr
yingal
ltheseout
fi
ts
agai
n,t
heylookedsoamazi
ng.
Luuwasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom,
hesai
dhewoul
dbe
pl
ayi
nggames.
yah,
hedidntst
ri
kemeassomeonewhopl
ays
gamesbuthewas.
ipackedmycl
othi
ngandal
soimanagedt
osneak
insomefewunder
wear.
af
terpacki
ngiwentt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom t
ocheck
whathewasuptoandguesswhat,
hewassleepi
ng.
ohhh,
hemusthavebeent
ir
ed.
.
il
ookedathi
m andhel
ookedsocut
e.hel
ookedl
ike
ali
tt
lewol
fothert
henabi
gwildwol
f.
icoul
dlookathi
m al
lday.hi
seyes,
nose,
li
psand
thr
oat
.especi
all
ythatbigballonhi
sthr
oat,
ohhhh
youshoul
dlookathisthroatwhenhedri
nkswater
orswal
lows.sosexy.
il
eanedi
ntohi
mtol
ookathi
sfacemor
ecl
ear
ly.
iwantedtotouchtheballonhi
sthr
oat,
butbeforei
coul
devendot hat
,heopenedhi
seyesthenbeforei
coul
dr egi
ster
,hepull
edmeont opofhi
m.
Hi
m:(
whi
sper
s)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
hi
ssof
twhi
sperwi
tht
hatdeepvoi
cesentchi
ll
sto
myski
n.
me:no.
..
..
not
hing.
..
isai
dthi
sthenbi
tmyl
ipsasif
ear
ed.
..
Him:(whi
spers)i
fyoukeepsneakinguponmeli
ke
thi
sandbit
ingyourli
ps,iwi
llnotguar
ant
eeyour
safet
y.
hi
m sayi
ngt
hisshookmeandmyhear
traced.
iqui
ckl
ypull
edmyselfof
fhim andrantomy
bedr
oom.iclosedt
hedoorandlocked.
it
henl
eanedont
hedoorl
ist
eni
ngt
omyhear
tbeat
goi
ngf
ast
er.
[
12/
28,12:
28] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
29
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
todayisleptver
ycomfort
abl
eandfree.yest
erdayi
didnthaveanunderwearonsoiwasntreall
y
comf or
table.
hopi
ngtobewaki nguptobr
eakfast
,todayiwake
uptonormalairandnosmelloff
ood.notthatiam
hungr
y,butiwasexpect
ingsomethi
ng..it
hinkiam
get
ti
ngspoilt
.
ideci
dedt
otakeashower
.
aft
ert
akingashoweriwor
esomet
hingf
rom what
Luuboughtmeandheadedout
.
i
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom,
Luuwasnott
her
e,i
ntheki
tchen,
t
her
ewasnoLuu.it
hent
houghtofhi
sbedr
oom.
iwentbackupandwentt ohisroom.iwonder
edi
f
hewouldbeangrythatiwalkedinhi
sroom.i
wantedtotur
nbackbutalsoiwascur i
oushowhi
s
room l
ooked.
igentlyopenedt
hedoorandguesswhat
,itwas
locked.
whydoeshel
ockhi
sroom?
?ist
her
esomeonei
n
t
here?
?
il
ethi
m beandheadeddown.it
hent
hought
,"hi
s
st
udy"
iwentther
eandasigottot
hedooriheardvoices.
thatmustbehi
m speaki
ngt
osomeone, ir
athernot
dist
urb.
iwentdownt ot
hekitchenandl
ookedar
ound.iwas
looki
ngforsomethi
ngt oeat
.
asiwassnoopi
ngaroundicameacr
ossapl
ate
wit
hsandwhichandsomeeggsonthesi
de.
it
ookt
hepl
ateandundert
hepl
atet
her
ewasanot
e.
it
ooki
tandr
eadi
t.
"
Joebr
oughtbr
eakf
ast
,enj
oy"
Joe?
?mhm.
..
.
it
henputt
hepl
ateont
hecount
erandpour
edj
uice.
theniwentt
osi
tdownandhavemybreakfastasi
scrol
ledonmyphonebusywi
tht
hei
nternet.
yes,theti
meLuuaskedf ormyphone, hewas
askingforitsot
hathecouldtel
lmet hepassword
totheWI FI
.sonowicanal wayscheckmyemai ls
andal sosnooparoundpeopl
e'sI
nstagram orwatch
VideosonYouTube.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:di
dyoudowhatiasked?
Joe:yessi
r.
Me:gr
eat
.thatshoul
ddoi
tfornow.
Joe:huhsi
r.
..cani
beopent
oyou?
?
Me:goahead.
Joe:i
fyouar
ekeenont
aki
ngi
nSi
yaandkeepi
ng
madam realcl
ose,isuggestyougetsomement o
keepaneyeont hem fr
om adistance.i
nthatway,i
t
i
snotexposedthattheyareclosetoyouandsame
ti
meyougett oalwaysknowwhatt heyaredoing
withwhoandwher etheyaregoing.sothati
f
anythi
nghappens,youwillbeastepaheadbecause
ourmenwoul dimmediatelyf
oll
owup.
me:mhm.
..that
'snotabadidea.
..t
hatwoul
d
assur
emethattheyar
esafe.
Joe:yessi
r.
..
.
Me:butasf
orBoi
tumelo.
..idontt
hinkshemight
l
ikeal
waysbei
ngfol
lowedandwat chedover
.
Joe:i
tsf
ormadam'
sownsaf
ety.
Me:..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.owk,star
tarrangi
ngmen.ir
ather
knowi ftheyaresafet
henal waysbeinworr
yand
fearandwonderwhatwi l
lhappen.
Joe:yessi
r.
.
Me:goodt
hinki
ngJoe. .t
hesedaysit
sli
keyou
l
ooki
ngmoredet ai
ledandworrymoreaboutmyl
if
e
t
heniam worri
edaboutmyl i
fe??doyouknow
somet
hingidont
??
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:Joe!
!
Joe:si
r.
..
..
..
..Si
kes.
..
..
.Si
kesi
sal
ive.
..
myeyespoppedopenandil
ookedathi
m..
.
Me:what
??how?
??andwhyam ihear
ingt
hisnow?
?
Joe:ididntwantt ocomewi thi
ncompl ete
i
nf or
mat i
on, ifoundoutt hedaybef orewewentt o
thefuneral.that'
swhyiadvi sedyounott otakein
Siya.buticoul dnttel
lyoubecausei twashearsay.i
thenmader esear chandgotment ol ooki
ntot hi
s
mat t
er,i
tissai dthathei sinhidi
ng, i
nRussia.he
gatheredmanf r
om Russi aforacomeback. .soon,
hewi l
lbebackt oclaim histerr
it
oryandr evenge.
il
ookeddown.
.
Me:.
..
.Joe.
..
.Joe.
..
..youcoul
d'vet
oldmeman.
..
.if
youdi
d,iwould'
vereconsi
der
ed.
Joe:sorr
yboss,ionl
ygott
hef
act
stodayandt
hat
's
whyi cametoseeyou.
ihi
tthet
abl
ewi
thmyf
ist
.
Joe:wehavet
obepreparedsi
r.
.andifi
tshoul
dbe,
ourmenshoul
dgett
raini
ng,aswellasmadam.
Me:shei
sgoingbacktoschoolnextyear
.icant
t
akeheroutt
ogettrai
ned.
Joe:t
henhomet
rai
ningmi
ghtbebet
ter
.
Me:iwi l
ltr
ainhermysel f.asforthemen.t heyhave
topreparethemselvesandiwi l
lleaveallt
hattoyou.
youknowhowSi kesi s.heisahear tl
essbustedthat
woulddoanyt hi
ngt ogetwhathewant s,i
fhecould
fakehisdeathforthislong,itmeanshehasal ot
planned.
.iwouldn'tbesur pr
isedi fhehasbeen
watchingoureverymove.
Joel
ookedatmewi
thashockedl
ook.
Me:what
??
Joe:coul
ditbet
hathewasi
nvol
vedwi
thDavi
dand
Junky??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..idoubthemightdothat
.imeanDavi
d
sai
dthathewast aki
ngi
tforhi
mself.
Joe:butcomet
othi
nkofi
t,coul
dDavi
ddot
hat
??
mabyehewast
ryi
ngt
omakeyourment
urnagai
nst
you.
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.naht hat
'snotSi
kes'st
yle.
..
.it
s
ei
therhewasnoti nvolved,orhewasdoingthe
l
oyalt
ytestonthem.
Joe:l
oyal
tyt
est
??
Me:mhm. .itswhent heenemysendshi sment o
deceivet hemenf rom t
heot hersidei ntost eali
ngor
snitching.shoul dthemenst ealorsnitchont heir
bossf orsmal lmoneyorf orsomet hing,t hatmeans
themenar eweak, andtherei sachancet hatmore
menar el i
ket hati
nthecircle..
..
.that
'showmany
gangst esttheirownmen, andiftheyf allintothe
trap,theyar ekill
ed..
.
Joel
ookedatme.
..
Me:mymenDavi dandJunky,f
ail
edthattest
.so
thatmeansheknowsthathehastheupperhand
becausether
earemor
el i
keDavi
dandJunky.
Joe:sowhatdowedo?
Me:dot
hel
oyal
tyt
estonsomemen.shoul
dthey
pass,gett
hem t
odotheloyal
tyt
estont
her
estof
them.ift
heyf
ail
,Ki
llt
hem...
Joe:
..
..
..
..yessi
r.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ibr
eat
hedoutt
hinki
ngaboutt
his.
..
i
twaswhenSi kes"died"whenidr oppedmygut.i
star
tedfocusi
ngmor eonbusinessandneglect
ing
theotherdeal
s.ihadJoedoever ythi
ngandwanted
tokeepmyhandscl ean.
ididntwanttocompletel
ybelikemydad.butnowi
wonthavemuchofachoi ce.
..iwi
llhavetobe
tough,becauseifidr
opmyguar dal i
tt
le,
itwi
llbea
chanceforSikestouseit.
.
wedontknowwhenhewil
lat
tack,
butwemustst
art
bei
ngreadyf
rom now.
.
helostallhismenbackt henandwentt ogetmen
from Russia,nowweal lknowgangsf rom Russi
a
arenoplacet oplaywit
h...thatcouldonlymean
thatwear einforalongfight..afi
ghtthatmi
ght
hurtmanypeopl e..
.
andonethingf
orsur
eist
hatei
therSi
keswi
lldi
eor
iwi
lldi
e..
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasbusyonmyphonewhenanemai
lgoti
n..
iopenedi
tandi
twasanemai
lfr
om t
heuni
ver
sit
y.
iqui
ckl
yopenedi
tandr
eadi
t.
..
istompedonmyf eetwhenireadt
hatiwas
accepted.if
eltl
ikeicoul
drunupanddownwit
h
joy.
..
asiwashappywi
thal
lsmi
les,
isawJoeandLuu.
itseemedt hatLuuwast akingJoeout.theyl
ooked
veryseri
ous, i
mmedi at
elytheroom becameintense.
icouldntevensmi l
e,ij
ustlookedatthem.
Joe:haveagr
eatdaymadam.
inoddedandhewentout
.
Luual
sowentoutwi
thhi
m..
iwonder
edwhathappened.
af
terawhi
leLuuwal
kedi
n..
.
ir
ant
ohi
m wi
thsmi
lesandhappi
ness.
.
Me:Luu!
!guesswhat
??
Hi
m:notnow.
.
hepushedmeasi
deandkeptwal
king.
.
ipout
edandf
oll
owedhi
m..
Me:hai
,youcantpushmeli
kethat
..ir
eal
lyhave
goodnews.
.newsthatcanmakeyousmile.
.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hekeptwal
king.
..
iguesshei
sgoi
ngt
ohi
sst
udy,
ifol
lowedhi
m.
Me:doyouhearme??isai
dihavegoodnews?
?
whyareyouangr
y??
ashegoti
nhisof
fi
ce,
hecl
osedt
hedoorbuti
bl
ockedi
twit
hmyhand.
hel
ookedatme.
Me:whyar
eyouangr
y??idi
dntdoanyt
hing.
Hi
m:iam notangr
y,iwantt
owor
k..
.
Me:idontmi
ndyouwor
king,
butcanyouat
least
l
ist
ent
ome?
Hi
m:noicant
..ihavet
owor
kfi
rstt
heniwi
llat
tend
t
oyou.
.
Me:Luu!
!
Hi
m:ISAI
DNO!
!
hesaidt
hisshouti
ngandthatscar
edmetohelland
back.myheartr
acedandibitmyli
psoutoff
ear
andswall
owedveryhard.
ihaveneverseenhi
mthi
sangr
y..
.
hesi
ghedandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:
..
..
..
s..
.o.
..
.sor
ry.
..iwi
lll
eave.
..
asiwasheadi ngtoleave,hepull
edmebymyhand
andi facedhi
m, hepickedmeupandt ookmetot
he
tableandlai
dmet hereashel eanedoverme
standinginbet
weenmyl egs.
Him:doyoual
wayshavet
ochal
lengeever
ythi
ngi
say?
?
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustbi
tmyl
ipsoutoff
ear
.
Hi
m:st
opbi
ti
ngyourl
ips.
ist
oppedi
mmedi
atel
y.
Him:whati
sitt
hatyouwantf
rom met
haticant
evengetaf
ewmi nut
estowor
k??
mystomachwasinknot
s,mybl
oodwasr
unni
ng.
.i
di
dntknowwhatt
osay..
.
i
nmymi nd,ihadl
ongpul
ledhim cl
oseandki
ssed
hi
m.butri
ghtnowisnott
hetime.
ist
ayedqui
et.
Hi
m:t
alkt
ome.
..
Me:i
..
..
..i
..
..
.ij
ustwant
edt
oshar
ethegoodnews
wi
thyou..
Hi
m:coul
dnti
twai
tti
lliwasdone?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ibi
tmyl
ipsagai
ninf
ear
.
me:isai
dst
opbi
ti
ngyourl
ips.
ii
mmedi
atel
yst
oppedagai
n.
me:*
sigh*Bunny!
il
ookedathi
m.
Him:iam your
sowk,iwil
lneverrunawayf r
om you.
butwhenineedmyspace, ineedmyspace,
becauseicanver
yuglywithoutreal
izi
ng.sopl
ease
owk,idontwantt
ohurtyou.
Me:butiwantyourbadsidet
oalsoknowme..t
hat
wayitcanl
earntoalwayscal
m downwheniam
her
eandnothur tme.
hel
ookedatme.
..
het
henlai
donmeasi
fhewashuggi
ngmeasist
il
l
l
ayonthetabl
e..
.
icoul
dfeelhi
shear
tbeat
.
Hi
m:iam sor
ryBunny.
..iam r
eal
lySor
ry.
.
ismi
ledal
it
tl
eandhuggedhi
mtoo.
het
henpul
ledoutandl
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:whati
sthegoodnewsyouwant
edt
otel
lme.
.
Me:huh..
.it
snoti
mpor
tant
..youcanwor
k,iwi
llt
ell
youaft
erthat.
Hi
m:no,
tel
lmenow.
.
Me:huh.
..i
..
.igoti
nuni
ver
sit
y..
hesmi
led.
.
Hi
m:that'
sgr
eatnews..howaboutthis,af
terifi
nish
wor
king,
iwil
ltakeyououtf
ordinner.tocel
ebrate.
Me:aren'
tyout
aki
ngmehometoni
ght
?aunt
Mart
hai scomi
ngbackt
omor
row.
.
Him:iknow..butiwi
llsendyoubackt
omor
row
befor
efetchi
ngAuntMar tha.
Me:owk.
.
het
hengavemeaper
kont
hel
ips.
Hi
m:ar
eweowk?
?
inodded.
het
henpi
ckedmeupandputmedown.
Hi
m:leavebef
oreil
ockyoui
nher
eandmakeyou
cr
y.
me:makemecr
y??
Hi
m:now!
!
il
aughedasiwal
kedout
.
[
12/
28,
12:
28] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
30
.
*
*NextDay*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupearlyandgotmysel
fready,
aft
ergetti
ng
readyiwentt
oBunny'sr
oom,shewasst i
llsl
eeping.
igoti
nandgent
lywokeherup.
Me:Bunny!Bunny!
!
shewokeupst
ret
chi
ngandl
ookedatme.
.
Her
:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??
Me:icametowakeyouup..r
ememberihavet
o
t
ravelt
ogetAuntMart
ha.
.
Her
:mhm.
..
..
.isi
ttoday?
?
Me:mhm.
..ial
sowi
shi
twasntt
oday.
Her
:mhm.
..
..
..
sheyawnedandsatup.
Me:iwi
llgomakebr
eakf
ast
,meanwhi
leget
your
sel
fready.
shenodded.
iki
ssedherf
oreheadandwentout
.
iwentt
opr
epar
ebr
eakf
ast
.
momentslat
eriwasdonewi
thbr
eakf
astbutshe
wasnotdownyet.
Me:BUNNY!
!
shewasntr
espondi
ng.
iwentbackupandwentt
oher
.
shewaspacki
nghercl
othi
ng.
Me:hai
,hai
,ar
eyoul
eavi
ngme?
shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
Her
:what
??
Me:whyyoupacki
ng?
?
Her
:am inotgoi
ngbackhome?
?
Me:yah,
butyoudontneedtopack.t
hisi
syour
homenow,soyoushouldhavesomeclot
hingher
e.
Her
:real
ly?
?
Me:whynot
..
shesmi
led.
.
me:come,
breakf
asti
sget
ti
ngcol
d.
Her
:owk.
wewentdownandwentt
ohavebr
eakf
ast
..
Me:idontwantyout
oleave,
nowiwi
llbeal
one.
.
Her
:icanst
il
lcomevi
sit
.
Me:youbet
ter
..
.orbet
teryetmovei
n..
shechockedonherf
ood.
Me:ar
eyouowk?
?
Her
:mhm.
..ar
eyoucr
azy?
?movei
n??
Me:yah,
whynot ?
?oryour
atherhavememovei
n
wi
thanothergi
rl
??
Her
:iwi
llki
llyou.
.
il
aughed.
.
Me:so?
?
Her:no!AuntMar
thawi
llbecur
ious.
.idontwant
hertoworry.
..
Me:whenwi
llwet
ellheraboutus?
?
Her
:Luu!canyousl
owdown.
.yousof
ast
,ar
eyou
i
narace??
Me:no,
ijustcantwai
ttohaveyoual
ltomysel
f.
..
Her
:youdo.
.
Me:noist i
llshareyouwit
hAuntMart
ha..andal
so
nextyeariwillbeshari
ngyouwi
thschoolaswel
l.
Her:hahaha,
youwi
llbest
rong.
.ial
soshar
eyou
wit
hwor k.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..mhm.
.
Her
:dontwor
ry,
iwi
l
lkeepvi
sit
ing.
Me:mhm.
..
weateandaftert
hatit
ookmykeysandshetook
herphoneandstuf
fandweheadedout
.yahshelef
t
hercl
othi
ng.
wegoti
nthecarandidr
oveherback.
af
terdroppi
ngherbackhome,
ithendr
ovet
ouncl
e
Mandla'
shometown.
.
*
*hour
slat
er*
*
iar
ri
vedatt
hepl
aceandheadedi
n.
Siyaranouttohugme.
.hedi
dntevenknowwhatt
o
callme.hecall
edmeuncl
e.
Si
ya:UNCLE!
!!
ismi
ledandhuggedhi
m.
Me:howar
eyoubi
gguy?
?
Si
ya:iam f
ine.
.
Me:t
hat'
sgreatboy.
.comeher
eandt
ellmehow
wasthe2daysiwasaway.
ipi
ckedhi
m upandwal
kedi
nsi
dewi
thhi
m.
hewastel
li
ngmehowheat epor
ri
dgeandhowhe
al
soat
echickenf
eet
..heseemedtobemore
exci
tedaboutchi
ckenfeet
.healsomentionedt
hat
hewillbeeat
ingchi
ckenfeetagai
ntoday.
Me:ohhhhh,
iam soj
eal
ousofyou.
Si
ya:dontyouwantchi
ckenf
eetuncl
e??
Me:iwantchi
ckenf
eet
,it
sver
ydel
ici
ous.
Si
ya:t
henyoucaneati
twi
thme,
granny,
aunt
yand
ot
herpeopl
e.
Me:butiwontbeher
eboy.
..br
otherLubanzii
s
l
eavi
ng..
Si
ya:whoi
sbr
otherLubi
nzi
??
Me:i
tsLubanzi
..
.sayLu.
.ba.
..
nzi
.
Si
ya:Luuubaaannzzi
me:yesLubanzi
.
Si
ya:Lubanzi
..
Me:br
otherLubanzi
..
Si
ya:Br
otherLubanzi
..
Me:goodboy.
.that
'smyname.
.owk?
?
Si
ya:ohhhh.
.butyousai
dyouar
egoi
ngt
ofet
ch
me.
.
Me:iwi
ll
,butnotnow.
.nowyoumustgr
aduat
e
f
ir
st.
.
Si
ya:wi
llyoucomewat
chme?
?
Me:yesofcauseiwi
llbet
her
e,iwoul
dn'
tmi
ssi
tfor
t
hewor l
d.
hesmil
edasher
aisedhi
shandsupshout
ing
"HOOORAY!
!"
wegoti
nsi
deandiputhi
m down.
.
igreetedandspoket ot
heeldersaski
nghowt
hey
feelandiftheyneededanyt
hing..
.
aft
erawhileAuntMarthagotdoneandwasr eady
tol
eave.ofcauseicouldntl
eavewi
thouteat
ing..
wehadsomet
hingt
oeatt
henwebi
dgoodbyeand
l
eft
.
wegoti
nthecaranddr
ovebackhome.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasal
oneathome,
feel
ingl
onel
y..
imissedLuuandiwant
edtoseehim agai
n..iknow
isawhim ear
li
ert
odaybutir
eal
lywantedtosee
him..
asiwasoutsi
deonthestoopt
hinki
ngaboutLuu,
i
sawScarandMfanaatthegat
e.
iwentt
othem.
.
iwasweari
ngaski r
tthatcoveredmykneesal i
tt
le
buti
twasat ightski
r t
.andialsohadaveston. .i
t
wasnttooreveal
ing..iam notextremel
yblessed
whenitcomest omychestar ea.soweari
ngvests
arenotahasslebecauset hereisnothi
ngtoshow. .
iwal
kedt
othem.
.
Scar
:yho,
yho,yho..
.2daysnotaroundandyou
comebackgl
owi ng??huh,
wereyouatthefuner
al
oraweddi
ng??
Mf
ana:orsomewher
eel
se.
.
il
aughed.
Me:haisukayouguys.
..
.
iopenedt hegat
eandsatwi t
hthem out
side
opposit
et hehouse.
.ther
eisarockther
esowe
weresit
tingther
e.
Scar
:youar
escar
sthesedaysBoi
ty,
what
sup?
?
Me:i
twasj
ust2days.
..
Mf
ana:pl
uswehear
dthatyouar
edat
ingMrWol
f.
..
Me:howdi
dyouknow?
?ohhh.
..Br
icks?
?
Scar
:mhm...
..howcouldyounott
ellussuchnews
??aren'
twefri
endsanymore??
Mfana:it
hinkMrWol
ftol
dhert
ost
ayawayf
rom
guys.
.
Scar:i
fhesayst
hat,iwi l
lscr
ewhi sheadbecause
hefoundyouwit
hus. .it
snotlikewewi l
lcomeaft
er
youorsomethi
ng,i
nst eadwewi llkeepguysaway
fr
om you.
Mf
ana:yah,
wewi
llbehi
sunpai
dbodyguar
ds.
il
aughed.
wecont
inuedt
alki
ngandl
aughi
ng.
.
af
terawhi
leacarpar
kedi
nfr
ontofus.
.
i
tlookedexact
lyl
ikeLuu'
scar
..
Scar
:isn'
tthi
scar
,MrWol
f'
scar
??
me:l
ooksl
ikei
t,butheneverdr
ivest
hisf
ar,
he
al
wayspar
ksatthegarage.
Mf
ana:i
tshi
m..
il
ookedcl
ear
lyandi
twashi
m.
ismi
led.
Scar
:lookathersmi
lel
iket
hat
.
t
heyl
aughedatmeasij
ustsmi
led.
whenhecameouthel
ookedser
iousasever
.
ihat
eitwhenhei
sli
ket
hisbecausehescar
esme.
.
mysmi
lewaswhi
ppedawaybyt
hel
ookhegave
me.
.
Scar
:ayeye,
didyouseet
hatl
ook?
?
Mf
ana:i
tsenought
oki
ll2l
ions.
Scar
:why2?Mf
anamar
a.
t
heyl
aughed.
..
Mf
ana:phel
ait
saf
emal
eli
onandamal
eli
on.
.
wel
aughed.
.
asmuchasiwaslaughi
ngiwasst
il
lafr
aidoft
hat
l
ookandthese2ar
enotevencomf
orti
ngmebut
scar
ri
ngmeevenworse.
Scar
:youar
elaughi
ng,
ayeye,
youwi
llbepuni
shed
gi
rl
..
.
Mfana:andnotjustanypuni
shment
.wet
alki
ng
aboutthatone,
theonethati
s..
.
Me:iwi
llki
llyou.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
Scar
:Mf
ana,
let
sgo.
..orel
se,
wewi
lldi
eal
ive.
.
Me:kant
iyouwantt
odi
edead?
?
Mf
ana:it
hinkt
hat
'sbet
ter
.
theyl
aughedast
heyst
oodupandial
sol
aughed
shaki
ngmyhead..
Scarpul
ledMf
anawhowast
easi
ngme.
.
Mf
ana:t
heemer
gencynumberi
s11110.not
10111.
..
Scar
:lookf
ort
heeci
lopnotpol
ice.
..
t
heyl
aughed.
..
Me:iwi
llgetyouguysoneday.
..t
rustme.
.
Mf
ana:kodwa,
todayt
heywi
llgetyou.
..t
rustme.
.
Scar
:Wol
f'
sdontpl
ay.
..
t
heyl
aughedagai
n..
t
heseki
dsmar
a..
iam shaki
ngher
eandt
hei
rher
emaki
ngj
okes.
.
ist
oodupandwenti
nsi
det
her
oom.
.
[
12/
28,12:
28] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
31
.
*
*2DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
fyouwantt oknowwhathappenedt hedayhe
foundmewi t
hMf anaandScar
??well,
nothi
ng
much..hejusttoldmehedoesntl
ikemebeingwi t
h
otherguys.iassuredhi
mthatt
heywer ej
ustfr
iends,
buthewasntbuyi ngit
.
wenevergotintoanagr
eementaboutthatbecause
webothdidntagreet
oeachother
spointofview
andhejusttol
dmet odr
opitandlef
t.
wedocal
leachot
herandwedontt
alkabouti
t.
TodayisafreshFri
dayandihavenopl ans.usuall
y
iwouldchi
llwit
htheguysallnight
,butnowiam
taken,
soihavetorethi
nk.icantbetheonlygir
lina
bunchofboysgetti
ngdrunk.Luuwontlikethat
.
soideci
dediwoul
dbei
ndoorcat
chi
ngonamovi
e
orsomethi
ng.
..
Aunt
:BOI
TUMELO!
!
Me:AUNT!
!
ir
ant
oher
..iwasi
nmybedr
oom.
Aunt
:canyougopl
easebuygr
andpaf
orme.
Me:owkAunt
.
shegavemet
hemoneyandiwentout
.
iheadedt
otheshopandwenttobuygr
andpa,
on
thewaybackisawMfanaandScarwal
king
toget
hert
owardsmydir
ect
ion.
iwentt
othem.
..
Scar
:haiBoi
ty.
.
Me:yho, yho,
yho..l
ookatyouguys..wherear
eyou
goingdressedli
kethis?
?iknowMf anaonlywear
s
theseshoeswhenhegoi ngt
oaplacethatist
op.
.
Mfana:obvi
ousnt
wanawegoi
ngt
otheopenpar
ty.
.
Lebo'
s21st
Me:haaaaaa!
!whataboutme?
?
Scar:di
dtheysayanyt
hingaboutmarri
edpeopl
e??
it
hinktheysai
dtheyshouldn'
tat
tend.
.
il
ookedatthem astheyst
art
edteasi
ngmeagain.
.
hait
hese2, iguesst
heywil
lal
waysteasemeabout
Luuti
llidi
e...
Mf
ana:yah,
ithi
nkihear
dsomet
hingl
iket
hat
..
ihi
tbot
hoft
hem ont
hei
rheads.
..
me:wi
llyoueverst
opt
easi
ngme?
???
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Me:noguys,iam ser
ious,
youhavet
owai
tforme,
i
wi
llgochange..
Mf
ana:nt
wana,
ival
uemyl
if
e(speaki
ngt
oScar
)
Scar
:iknownt
wanaandiam al
sot
ooyoungt
odi
e..
Mf
ana:andyouknowWol
veshavenomer
cy.
.
Scar
:nobegel
a..
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngatt
hese2i
diot
s..
.
Me:Scar
,Mf
ana.
..ar
eyounotmyf
ri
ends?
?
t
heyl
ookedateachot
herandl
ookedatme.
..
Me:wi
llyouguysr
eal
lyl
eavemebehi
nd?
?
Scar
:eashmar
aBoi
ty.
.
Me:pl
ease!
!iyouguysar
emyonl
yfr
iends.
.
Mfana:f
ir
stl
ytel
lus.
.whathappenedt
hedayMr
Wolfsawyouwithus??
Me:not
hing?
?
Scar
:hewasntangr
ythatyouwer
echi
ll
ingwi
thus?
Me:no,wet
alkedabouti
tandheknowst hatyou
guysaremyfri
ends.
.pl
usitsnotl
ikeiwi
llbether
e
todancewi
thyouguysalone.
.iwi
llbewithmany
peopl
e.
Mfana:yahneh.
.pl
ust
hebashi
satt
hecent
er,
its
l
ikeafiel
d.
Me:yousee?
?
Scar
:owk,
owk,
shap.
.wegi
veyou30mi
nut
es.
Me:toomuch,butiwi
llt
aket
hatt
imebecauseist
il
l
havetot
alkt
oAuntMar t
ha.
Mf
ana:wi
llsheagr
ee?
?
Me:it
hinkso.
.
Scar
:owkhur
ry.
.
Me:shap.
.wai
tforme.
..i
fyoul
eaveme,
itsover
.
t
heyj
ustt
oldmet
ohur
ry.
.
ir
anbackhomeandent
eredt
hehouse.
..
Aunt
:haiBoi
tumel
o,whoi
schasi
ngyou?
?
Me:nooneAunt
..her
eisyourgr
andpa.
.
Aunt
:thankyou.
.canyougetmewat
er.
.
me:yesAunt
..
iwentt
otheki
tchenandbr
oughtagl
assofwat
er.
.
Me:her
eAunt
..
Aunt
:thankyoumychi
ld.
.
it
hensatdown.
.
me:Aunt
,canipl
easeaskf
orsomet
hing?
?
Aunt
:yes.
.whati
sit
??
Me:myfri
endsaregoi
ngout
..wepr
omi
set
obe
backbef
ore10.
.
Aunt
:whi
chf
ri
ends?
?
Me:t
heonesial
waysgooutwi
th.
.ScarandMf
ana.
.
Aunt
:ar
etheyt
hef
ight
ingt
ype?
?
Me:noAunt ,
theyarejustfr
iendswhowouldnever
f
ightbecausetheyareafrai
dofbeinghur
t.
.
Aunt:wel
l,
itr
ustyouandialsot
ookyouwhenyou
werealr
eadyold.
.iwonthol
dyoubackonenj
oyi
ng
your
sel
f.
.butpl
easebehomeatt
het
imeyout
old
meandstaysaf
e..
Me:yesAunt
..t
hankyouver
ymuch.
.
Aunt
:owkmychi
ld.
.
ismi
ledandheadedbackt
omyr
oom.
.
ideci
dedt
odoaqui
ckwashandwi
peandchanged
headi
ngout.
.
idi
dntwantt
oweartootightcl
othi
ngbecauset
hey
wouldgetmeint
roubl
e..
soiwor
easimplej
eanandavest
,andaj
acket
.
si
mpleast
hat.
t
hatwayidontat
tr
actanyat
tent
ion.
.
it
hensaygoodbyeandheadout
.
ihurr
iedtowheretheywereandsawthem si
tt
ingat
thecornerl
aughi
ngt hei
rhear
tsout
..
it
ellyou,
these2j
ustl
ikel
aughi
ng.
igott
othem.
..
me:done.
..
Mf
ana:yhoooo,
thatt
ookl
ong.
.
Me:haisuka,
thatwasunder40mi
nut
es.
.
Scar
:thatext
ra10mi
nut
esi
stoomuch.
.
Me:mxm.
.
Mf
ana:l
etsgo.
.
wewalkedt
her
east
heywoul
djokear
oundand
l
augh.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasf
eel
ingt
ir
edandr
eal
lywant
edt
orest
.
soipackedmystuf
f,askedJoet
ohandl
ether
est
andheadedoutt
hecompany..
igoti
nmycarandheadedhome.
whenigothomeiputmybagsaway,
walkedina
shower
,aft
ert
hatl
aidont
hebedandthoughtof
Bunny.
.
it
ookmyphoneandcal
ledher
..
shedi
dntanswerherphone.
..
"
mabyesheisf
arf
rom herphoneorhel
pingAunt
Mar
thawit
hsomet
hing"
it
henputmyphoneawayandj
ustr
est
edmyhead.
.
ij
ustaf
ewseconds,
iwasal
readyf
eel
ingsl
eepy.
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
iwaswokenupbymyphoner
ingi
ng.
ir
eachedf
ormyphoneandi
twasJoe.
.
Me:it
oldyout
hati
needmyr
est
..whatnow?
?
Joe:i
tsmadam.
me:whatabouther
??
isai
dthatasist
oodup.
.
Joe:shei
smessedupatal ocalbashpart
y..oneof
ourmensaidhef oll
oweduponherti
llt
hereandit
seemssheisloosingit
.
Me:wher
eissheexact
ly?
?
Joe:ihavesentyout
hel
ocat
ion.
.
Me:owk.keepaneyeonher
.
ihungupandwentt
ogetdr
essed.
.
t
hisgi
rli
sgoi
ngt
ogi
vemeaheadache.
.
igoti
nmycaranddr
ovet
her
e..
asigott
hereiwor
emyj acketandputthehoodi
e
overmyheadsothatiwouldn'
tberecogni
zed.
.
ithenwal
kedi
nlooki
ngf
orher
..il
ookedf
or
someti
me..
aft
erawhil
eisawherdanci
ngwi
thsomeguys
somechi
llspot
..
iwal
kedt
owar
dst
hem.
.
asiwaswalki
ngcl
oset
he2guyssawmeandt
hey
wal
kedback.
ilookedatBoi
tumel
oandshedi
dntevenseeiwas
there.
iwenttoherandpi
ckedherupput
ti
ngheronmy
shoul
ders.
it
henl
ookedatt
heguysagai
nandwal
kedout
..
iputheri
nmycaranddr
ovet
omyhouse.
.
iwassoangr
y,pi
ssed.hel
lyounamei
t.
.
ihaveneverbeent
hisangr
yandboi
li
ngatt
hesame
ti
me..
igothomeandpar
kedmycari
nmyyar
d..
it
henpi
ckedherupasshekeptmumbl
ingst
uff
..
it
henwal
kedi
nwi
thheri
nthehouse.
.
it
ookhert
otheguestr
oom.
it
hent
hrewheront
hebed.
.
iwassoangrythatidi
dntevenwanttol
ookather,
bet
teral
onewashherup..lethersl
eepi
nthatsmel
l
ofal
cohol.
.nx
Her
:Luu!
!mybabywol
f.
.myWol
fy.
il
ookedatherasit
ight
enmyt
eet
h.
shehel
dmeasit
urnedt
oleave.
.
Her
:Luu,
dontl
eaveme.
il
ookedather
.
it
henl
eanedonherandl
ookedi
ntohereyes.
.
Me:whatt
hef
***i
swr
ongwi
thyou?
?
shej
ustkeptonmumbl
ingst
uff
..
ther
ewasnot
hingi
woul
dsayt
ohernowasshei
s
drunk.
imovedherhandsf
rom meandl
efthert
her
e.
icl
osedt
hedoorandwentt
omyr
oom.
.
[
12/
28,12:
29] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwoketoaheavyhead.
.damnimusthavedr
anka
lotl
astni
ght
..
iwokeupandr eal
izedthatiwasatLubanzi
'
s
house.
.shoot
..didhefetchme?howdi dheknow?
?
di
digettoodrunk??
iwashavi
ngalotofquest
ionsabouthowigother
e
andhowheknewwher etofi
ndmeandwhyhe
cametofi
ndme..
iwasshakenof
fbythebadsmellihad,butidi
dnt
care.iwant
edt
ofi
ndoutwhyiwasher e,butagai
ni
didntwantt
omeetLubanzismel
li
ngli
kethis.
.
soiwentandwashedmymout
hwi
thmout
hwash
theni
washedmyf ace.
ismel
ledmycl
othesbutidi
dnthavet
imet
obat
h
now.
.iwant
edtofindanswer
s..
igotoutmyr oom andwalkedar
oundt
hehouse
looki
ngforLuu..it
hendecidedt
ogotohi
sroom..
iwasexpect
ingi
ttobel
ocked,
buti
twasnt
.
asigoti
nandsawLuulayingont
hebed.ichuckl
ed
andwhenisawhi
m sl
eepingli
keabear
.
hewashuggingoneofhi
sPi
ll
owl
ikeabearand
wasal
sohalfnaked.
isneakedi
nandwentcl
oset
ohi
m.
icoul
dntseehisabsbecausehewassleepi
ngon
hissi
dehuggingapil
low.butt
henhehadat at
too
onhiscore.al
mostcl
osetohisV-l
ine.
iwant
edtoseemoreonthetat
toowhensuddenl
y
heopenedhi
seyesandsai
d;
Hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
ij
umpedupandl
ookedathi
m.
hemovedandl
aidonhi
sbackexposi
ngal
lhi
sabs.
.
it
ri
edsohar
dnott
olookatt
hem.
helookedatmewi t
hanexpressi
onicouldnt
underst
and.icoul
dntf
igur
eoutifitwasangeror
what.
Me:ar
eyouangr
y??
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:iguessyouar
e..
.wel
l,
iam sor
ry.
.
Hi
m:f
orwhat
??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
hegotupandsatupont
hebed.
Hi
m:howol
dar
eyou?
?
Me:Twent
y..
..
..
..one.
..
.
Hi
m:yetyouactl
ikeacr
azyandwi
ld16yearol
d..
.
hesai
dthi
scomi
ngt
omeasiwasst
eppi
ngback.
Hi
m:ar
eyousi
ngl
e??
iqui
ckl
yshookmyhead.
.
Hi
m:yetyoubehavel
ikeyouar
eaf
reesi
ngl
e
woman.
.
hel
ockedmeont
hewal
lwi
thbot
hhi
shands.
Hi
m:doyouwantt
oF*
***
*seemegocr
azy?
?
ishookmyheadasibi
tmyl
i
psoutoff
ear
..
.
hel
eanedmor
ein.
.
it
ri
edt
obr
eat
hsl
ower
.
Hi
m:whatshoul
didonow?
?huh?
?
il
ookedathi
m wonder
ingwhathewast
alki
ng
about
.
hel
eanedinmoreandr
eachedf
ormyl
ips.
.then
pul
ledoutt
heki
ss.
..
Hi
m:didinott
ellyounott
oent
erthi
sroom orelsei
woul
dnotberesponsi
blef
orwhathappenstoyou??
myhear
tracedashebr
eat
heddownmyneck.
.
hel
eftaki
sst
her
eandt
her
e,t
hent
henl
ookedat
me.
.
het
henhel
dmywai
standpi
ckedmeup.
.
hel
aidmeont
hebedandl
aidonme.
.
heki
ssedmyneck,sl
owlybutal
sosucki
ngi
tto
makesuret
oleaveal
lthosemar
ks.
.
hekissedar
oundmyneckleavi
ngt
hemar
ks
ever
ywherepossi
blear
oundmyneck.
.
hethenwentlowerandstar
tedkissi
ngdownmy
chestarea.
.hewasleavi
ngthosemar ksicoul
dfeel
thepleasur
eofhi
skissesandalsowhenhesucked
myski n.
.
het
henkeptgoi
ngdownanddown.
.
ihel
dhisar
msasialsoar
chedmyback.
.iwas
sl
owlybei
ngdr
ivent
otheclouds.
hecameupagai
n,hecamet
omyneckt
hencame
tomyli
ps.
.
weki
ssed,
itst
art
edsl
owl
ytheni
twenti
ntense.
..
het
ookof
fmyclot
hing,
tookof
fmyjeanandthen
mademeopenmylegsashegoti
nbetween.
heranhi
shandonmyunder
wear..heslowl
ywas
runni
nghi
shandandt
hatbr
oughttort
uretome.
.
if
eltl
ikehecoul
dtakemeoutoft
hismi
ser
y..
hekeptgoi
ngwi
thi
t.hewoul
dteaseme,
ver
y
much..
ibeggedandbeggedf
orhimt ohel
pme,
buthe
wouldn'
t.
.notevenaf
inger
..
iwasi
nmi
ser
y,ineededhel
p..
hecont
inuedtoki
ssme,
takemet
othecl
oudst
hen
hewoul
dt easeme.
.
i
twasr
ealt
ort
ure.
..
her
eiwasreadyforhi
m..readyt
ogi
vehi
m myal
l,
andhewasplayi
ngaround..
het
oldmetocal
lhi
m names,
idi
d.hewould
whi
sperdi
rt
yinmyears,
maki
ngmef eelt
hingsbut
hewoul
dnothel
pmeoutofmymi ser
y..
it
ri
edt
ohel
pmysel
fbutheputmyhandsup.
hemademef
eelhi
smanhood,
itwasashar
dasi
waswet
.
atthatmomentiam thi
nkingt
hatmabyehewoul d
nowhel pmesincehealsoneedshel
p,butiwas
wrong..hekeptt
easi
ngmeandt easi
ngmeal lt
he
ti
me..
icoul
dntt
akei
t.
..ievenwant
edt
ocr
y..
hishandsandfi
ngerswererunni
ngeverywere.my
upperbody,l
owerbodybutnotonthatareat
hat
theyshoul
druntoo.
.
iwaspi
ssed,
iwasthir
sty,
iwasi
nneed.
.iwas
dyi
ngandhewasnttheret
ohel
pme..
het
henl
eanedi
nandwhi
sper
ed.
Him:doesthi
sF* *
**feelgood??ihopei tdoes.
.
nowsaythankyoui helpedyouundr ess,nowgo
takeashower,yousmel l
li
keoldalcohol.
het
hengotof
fmeandwentt
ohi
sbat
hroom.
.
iwat
chedhim geti
nandl
aidont
hebedcat
chi
ng
mybreat
h..
ical
medmyselfdownasifel
tsoangr
yandi
rr
it
ated
andpissedatt
hesameti
me..
iwentt
omyr
oom andwentt
otakeashower
..
aft
ert
akingashower,iwor
eothercl
othi
ng,
sincei
havecl
othesher
e..it
henwenttothel
ivi
ngroom..
if
oundhi
m si
tt
ingt
her
e..
me:iwantt
ogohome.
.
hel
ookedatmeandl
ookedatt
heTV.
.
iwasaboutt
oyel
lwhenmyphoner
ang.
.
ianswer
ed.
.itwasAuntMar
tha,
,
Me:aunt
??
Aunt
:Boi
tumel
o,ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:yesaunt,
sorr
yididntt
ellyou,butisl
eptoverat
afri
endssi
nceitwasdark.
.ididntwanttodist
urb
yoursl
eepmama..
Aunt
:ist
hef
ri
endagi
rloraboy?
?
Me:it
sagirlAunt,
noneedt
owor
ry.
.iwoul
dsl
eep
overaguysplace.
.
Aunt
:owkmychi
ld.
.sowhenwi
llyoucomeback.
.
me:iam onmywaynowAunt
.
Aunt
:owk,
pleasedot
hat
..
Me:yesAunt
..
Aunt
:bye.
.
Me:byeAunt
..
ihungupandl
ookedathi
m..
Me:Luu,
isai
diwantt
oleavenow.
.
het
ookouthi
sphone.
.
hecal
ledoneofhi
sman.
.
af
terf
ewsecondst
hemancamei
nthehouse.
.
Him:Si
pho,takemycarandt
aket
hisl
adyback
homeplease.
Si
pho:yessi
r.
.
Hi
m:shewi
llt
ellyouwer
eshest
ays,
justnavi
gat
e..
Si
pho:yessi
r.
.
hedi
dntevenl
ookatme.
.thi
speaceoft
rash.
iwal
kedoutandwentt
othecar
..
Si
phocameanddr
ovemehome.
..
[
12/
28,
12:
30] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
32
.
*
*NextDay*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Scar
:youar
elyi
ng.
.yougotpuni
shedbaba.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
..
yes,theysawmyhi ckeysandtheywer eteasi
ngme
aboutt hem..
.ishouldhavestayedinthehouse..
theni wouldn'
thadMf anaseeingthehickeyseven
whenit r
iedsomucht ohidethem..ievenhada
scarfon..
Mfana:yho,marathisi
snotfai
ronhumaneyes..
phelabyseeingthi
s,wealr
eadyimagineot
her
thi
ngs..haii
tsnotf
aironhumanbrainaswell
..
Scar:dontsayt
hatMf
ana,
shewi
llst
arthavi
ng
fl
ashbacks..
wel
aughed.
.
hai,youcanneverbeseriousaroundt
hese2.
.they
arelikecl
ownsnje..
.especial
lywhent
heyare
together.
.poppayandspinach..
Scar:youknow,
isawf
rom hi
sent
rance,
thathai
,
kuzonyiwa.
.
Mfana:hahahahai
twasl
ikeunder
takerappear
ing
f
rom thedeath.
.
wel
aughed.
.haiicoul
dnthel
pbutl
aughaswel
l.
Me:haini
khul
umaudot
i.
Scar
:seriousjho.
.li
kehecameasifhewasabout
toki
llsomeone.thelookonhi
seyes??yho,
iwas
l
uckynott ohavenightmar
es.
Mfana:haiboy,
iwasevenprepar
edtogethol
y
waterf
rom churcht
odayj
usttokeepmysel
fsafe.
.
Me:hahaha,
mxm.
.youguysar
ecr
azynj
e..
Scar:ahhh.t
hisgi
rlt
hinkswear eplaying.
..iam st
il
l
shockedhedidntcomef orusyesterday..
Mfana:iam gl
adiam safeandst
il
lli
ving,
butihave
t
oask? ?howdidyousurvive?
?
Scar:i
tsobvi
ousMf ana,
shehadt ostr
okethebi
g
wolfdownsot hathewouldn'
tbi
te.
.that
'st
heonly
way..
Mfana:wi
shicoul
ddot
hatwhenhecomest
o
at
tack.
.
Scar:dontt
ryi
t.
.youdiei
mmedi
atel
y..t
he
connecti
onisdi
ff
erent
..
t
heyl
ookedateachot
herandt
henl
aughed.
..
Mf
ana:eash,
theper
ksofbei
ngaboy.
.
t
heyl
aughedagai
n..
Me:youar
eteasi
ngmeagai
nri
ght
??
Mf
ana:nex.
.
Scar
:lut
ho.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
aswewer
esi
tt
ingBr
ickspassed.
.
Bri
cks:haiguys.
.canyoulookaf
tert
hepacks,
i
haveadeliver
ytomake..
Scar
:sur
e,sur
e..passt
hem on.
..
hepassedt
hem t
oScarinstyl
ethenwal
kedaway.
.i
l
ookedathi
m andjustbr
eat
hed..
Mf
ana:youri
ssuehasn'
tsor
tedout
??
Me:nah,
itssor
ted.
Scar:howwhenyoujustpasseachot
herl
ikeyou
dontknoweachother
..
Me:hedecidedt
hatwecantbefr
iendsbecausehe
wi
llf
oreverseemeasmorethenfri
ends.
.
Mf
ana:eash,
hemusthaver
eal
lyl
ovedyou.
.
Scar
:yah.
.butli
fei
sli
fe.
.mabyehewi
llf
ind
someoneelse.
.
Me:ihopesotoo..isti
llseehi
m asabr
other
,andi
hat
eseeinghim sad..
.toobadiam t
hecauserof
hi
m beingsad.
..
Mf
ana:al
lwi
llbewel
l,
dontwor
ry.
..
Me:yah.
..i
fit
snotoneproblem i
tst
heot
her
..what
di
diactual
lygetmysel
fint
o? ?
.
*
*AuntMar
tha*
*
iwassit
ti
ngalonei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom t
hinki
ngabout
whatisaw..
soyester
dayBoitumelocamebackactingst
range
andfunny..asit
ri
edtotalktoher
,inot
icedmarks
onherneckandar ound.
.that'
swheniput2and2
toget
her.
.
icannotdisownher
,ij
usthavet
otal
ktoherand
guideher
..
i
tisclearthatshehasstart
eddating,
soihavet
o
at
leastteachheraboutprevent
ion.
af
terawhi
leshewal
kedi
nthehouse.
.
Boi
:Af
ter
noonAunt
..
.iam back.
.
Me:Af
ter
noonmychi
ld.
.comesi
ther
e..
shecamet
osi
tont
hecouchandif
acedher
..
Me:Boi
tumelo,
iwantt
otal
ktoyouabout
somet
hing.
.
Boi
:yesAunt
!
Me:mychil
d..iwantyout
ounderst
andt hat
mi
stakeshappen.t
herear
ealotofdiseasesthat
areinthiswor l
d..weneverknowwhatt heother
personhasbecausenoonei sopenaboutthei
r
i
ll
nesses..theper soncoul dhaveHIVorevenSTD
butsti
llnottellyou..that'
swhyprotecti
onis
everyt
hing..youmayt hinkyouarestil
lyoungand
youdontneedt histalkbutyouarenotyoung
anymor e.
.iknowyouar eseeingaboy,that
'swhyi
wantyout obecar eful.
..owkmychild.
.
sheembar
rassi
ngl
ynodded.
.
Me:andnextt ime,pleasehideyourmar ksverywell
.
i
tsabi tuncomfort
abl eseeingthosemar kson
someonebecauset heni tt
akesust ohowt heyar
e
ther
ei nthefi
rstpl
ace. .somychi l
d.takecareof
yourself
..andknowt hatachi l
disanono. .owk?
shenoddedagai
n..
Me:t
hatwasi
tmychi
ld.
.youmaybeexcused.
.i
l
oveyouowk.
.
Boi
:yesaunt
..il
oveauntt
oo.
.
ismi
ledasshewal
kedt
oherr
oom.
.
ismi
ledandshookmyhead.
.youngst
ers.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
myheartwasr ecover
ingf
robeati
ngtoofastwhil
ei
hadthetal
kwi t
hAuntMar t
ha.
.ifheonlyknewwho
thehel
lmadet hesemarksonmyneck. .t
hesedamn
thi
ngsaresti
llvi
sibl
eevenaft
eraday..mxm
il
aidont
hebedandj
ustwat
chedYouTubevi
deos.
.
thenther
ewasonevi deot
hatshowedupasiwas
searchi
ngrandom pr
ankvideos.
i
twaswr i
tt
en"
iam adomi
nantpr
ankatmy
gi
rl
fr
iend"
idi
dntknowexactlywhati
twas,buticl
ickedonit
andwatchedit
..i
twasfunnybutatthesamet i
meit
wasabitint
ense
afterwat chingit
,therewereother"Domi
nanceand
submi ssion"videos..idontknowwhatdrewmet o
thatdirectionbutistartedwatchi
ngthem..
iwasmorescaredwheniwat
chedonevi
deot
hat
wasli
keaquiz.
.
i
tspokeabouthowmenwhoar
eint
oBDSM
behavedandhowtoident
if
yt hem..
.andonef
act
fr
om iti
sthatt
heyuseyour"Thir
sti
ness"t
opuni
sh
you.
.
andt
hat'
swhenihadt
hef
lashbackofwhatLuudi
d
tome.
.
i
tspokeaboutt hem bei
ngli
kethatandnotbeingto
contr
olitbecausetheygetsat
isf
acti
onfrom i
t,and
theyarenotusedtonormalint
ercourse.
..
myhear
twasski
ppi
ngasiwat
chedt
hatvi
deo.
.
thevideof
rozeandl
ateri
tshowedt
hatsomeonei
s
call
ing.
.
i
twasLuu.
.
ianswer
ed.
.
Me:Luu.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:Luu!
!
Hi
m:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:mxm.
.di
dyoucal
ltoaskmet
hat
??
Hi
m:ij
ustwant
edt
ocheckonyou.
..
Me:ar
eyoudone?
?
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.canwenotf
ight
??
Me:ar
ewe?
?
Hi
m:youar
e..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:canwemeetandt
alkaboutwhathappened?
?
Me:idontwantt
otal
k..
hi
m:t
henyoucanl
ist
en.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:pl
ease!
Me:f
ine.
.
Hi
m:meetmeatt
hegar
age,
now.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.owk.
.
Hi
m:mhm.
.
ihungupandheadedoutt
ell
ingAuntMar
that
hati
wil
lbeback.
.
iwal
kedt
othegar
ageandhi
scarwaspar
kedt
her
e..
iwentt
ohi
m..
igoti
nthecarandl
ookedathi
m..
ikindofhadadif
f er
enteyetohim af
terwat
ching
thatBDSM vi
deo..coul
dhebesuchmen? ?didij
ust
getmyselfi
ntosomedeat hpath??
iwaseagert
oaskhim,buti
twoul
dbeweird.
.andi
am al
sonotreadyf
ort
heanswer,
soir
atherhol
d
back.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.iam her
e..
het
urnedandl
ookedatme.
.
Him:answermetrut
hful
ly.
.whereyouangr
y,upset
andverypi
ssedyest
erdayaft
eridi
dwhatidid??
Me:ofcause,
andangr
yisanunder
stat
ement
..
Him:iam gladyouunder
standhowif
eltwheniwas
tol
dthatmygi r
lf
ri
endwasinthecl
ubdanci
ngwith
otherguys.
.
Me:t
heywer
emyf
ri
ends.
.
Hi
m:soi
sitowkf
ormet
ost
artpar
tyi
ngwi
thmy
f
emal eempl
oyeesandst
artdanci
ngwi
tht
hem?
?
wil
lyouli
kei
t??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Him:iam verypossessiveandwhatismineismi ne
al
one..idontcareaboutfri
endsorwhatever
,icant
havewhatismi ne,seenortouchedbyanyoneelse.
.
under
stood??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Him:Bunny,youbel
ongtomeandmeal one.
.you
aremine.
.caniaskfort
hatonl
yplease.
.caniask
tonotshar
eyouwi t
hanyone.
.pl
ease..
iwasnowf eel
ingbad.
.iwasnowf
eel
ingver
ysof
t
andfel
tli
kehugginghi
m..
Him:iknowyouar eexpect
ingmetosayiam sor
ry.
.
butiam not
..becauseiwantedyout
ofeelhowi
fel
t.
.
il
ookeddown.
.
Hi
m:nowiask.
.canyoupl
easebemi
neandmi
ne
al
one?
?
F*
**t
his,
iam huggi
ngmyman.
..
iwentt
ohi
m andhuggedhi
m..
Me:owkWolfybear.
.iwil
lbeyour
sandyours
al
one.
.butyoualsohavetobemineandmine
al
one.
.
Hi
m:ihaveal
waysbeenyour
s..
.
ismi
ledaswecont
inuedhuggi
ng.
..
[
12/
28,12:
31] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
33
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
nmyst
udywhenmyphoner
ang.
.
ipi
ckedi
tupandi
twasJoe.
Me:mhm.
.
Joe:24dead
Me:t
hatmuch?
?
Joe:yessi
r.
.
Me:andt
her
est
??
Joe:Loyal
..
Me:yousur
e??
Joe:ver
y..
Me:t
il
ldeat
h??
Joe:t
il
ldeat
h..
.
Me:owk.
.
ihungupandsatback.
.
"whataboutyouJoe?
??l
etsseehowLoyalyou
are.
."
ical
ledmyotherguysandhadthem t
estJoe.
.not
inaneasyway,butthehar
destwayever
.
af
termaki
ngt
hecal
lisatback.
.
it
ookmyphoneandcal
ledBunny.
.sheanswer
ed
onthet
hir
dri
ng.
.
Her
:Luu.
Me:Bunny.
..whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Her
:huh,
layi
ngi
nbed.
.
Me:t
hist
ime?
?ar
eyousi
ck?
?
Her
:no,
iam j
ustl
ayi
ngnj
e..
Me:bor
ed?
?
Her
:mhm.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..ar
eyousur
eyouar
eowk?
?
Her
:yes.
..yah.
..
.iam f
ine.
.
Hi
m:owk.
..
..
Her
:Luu?
?
Hi
m:Mhm?
?
Her
:caniaskyousomet
hing?
?
Hi
m:ofcause.
Her
:doyou.
..
..
..imeanar
eyoui
nto.
..
..
..
..ai
gggg
Nvm..
Hi
m:whati
sit
??am ii
ntowhat
??
Her
:nah,
itsowk.
Hi
m:Bunny!
Her
:ihavet
ogo.
..bye.
.
shehungup.
.
il
ookedatmyphoneconf
used.
.
i
ssheowk?
?
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihungqui
ckl
yandbr
eat
hed.
..
whycouldntiaskhi
m??nah,t
hisi
ssomet
hingt
o
speakaboutfacet
oface.
..
ahhhhh!if
eelsost
upi
d..
.
ithentookmyphoneagai
nandcont
inuedwat
chi
ng
theseBDSM vi
deos.
.
theywerer
eal
lyscar
yandtherearenewsthat
peopl
eactual
lydi
edoingt
his.
.idontwanttodi
e
young.
..
ahhhhgggggg!
!
iswitchedthephoneof
fandj
ustl
aidi
nmybed
sleeping.
.
iwassost
ressedaboutt
hisandhowiwoul
dbe
submissi
vetohi
m..nowayiwasgoi
ngtoendure
al
lthatpai
nther
eshowedmeinthevi
deos.
.NEVER.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
ihadfal
lenasl
eepandnowwaswokenbymy
phoneri
nging.
.
ianswer
edt
hephonewi
thoutchecki
ngt
hecal
ler
ID.
.
Me:hal
lo?
?
Hi
m:hal
lo?
?ist
hathowwegr
eetnow?
?
il
ookedatt
heCal
lerI
Dandi
twasLuu.
Me:ohhLuu,
iam sor
ry,
idi
dntcheckwhowas
cal
li
ng.
Hi
m:yousoundl
ikeyouj
ustgotoutofbed.
Me:mhm.
.youwokemeup.
.
Hi
m:Bunnyareyousick??nowiam gett
ing
wor
ri
ed.
.earl
ieryouwereal
sooff
ishli
kesomet
hing
wasbot
heri
ngyou..
Me:noi
tsnot
hing.
.al
liswel
l
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
!
Me:Luu.
..
Hi
m:doyouneedmet
ogetyouanyt
hing?
?
Me:no,
thankyou.
.
Hi
m:owk.
..butar
eyour
eal
lyowk?
?
Me;mhm.
..
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:mhm, it
hinkAuntMar
thai
scal
li
ngme,
cal
lyou
l
aterok?
Hi
m:ok.
.
ihungupt
henbr
eat
hed.
.
everysi
nceifoundoutaboutt
his,
ihavebeenwei
rd.
icantevenspeaktoLuuthewayiusedto.
.
i
tsbad.
..
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iam comingdownwit
hfl
uebutitsnotbadyet
..i
ts
onl
yjustsneezi
ngandaheadache.
.
ishoul
dgetbet
terqui
ckl
y..
asiwassi
tt
ingther
e,myphoner
ang,
itwasmy
of
fi
cephone..
Me:MrWol
fspeaki
ng.
.
Voi
ce:Luu!
Me:excuseme,
whoam it
alki
ngt
o??
Voi
ce:Nana.
.doyoust
il
lrememberme?
?
Me:Nana?
?
atf
ir
stidi
dntr
ecal
l,
butt
heni
tcamet
ome.
.
NANA!
!
isatupandiwasshocked,
butt
hatshockt
urnedt
o
anger.
.
Me:whyar
eyoucal
l
ingme?
?
Nana:iam comi
ngbackt
oRSA,
thoughtishoul
dlet
youknow..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
ihungupt
hephone.
.
ist
il
lcoul
dntbel
ieveshewoul
dst
il
lhavet
hegutt
o
cal
lme..
Nx.
.
[
12/
28,12:
31] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
34
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwant
edtogotowor
ktoday,
buticoul
dnt
.fl
uewas
get
ti
ngontome..
.
andi am notsurpr
ised,isawitcomi
ng.
.iact
ual
ly
getsickwheni t
stoohot .
.andtheweat
herhasbeen
hotlatel
y,t
hat'
swhyif ellsi
ck.
.
isl
eptinandtol
dJoet
owat
chovert
hecompany
butnottobur
nit.
.
il
aidi
nmybedandj
ustr
est
ed.
ineverkeeppi
ll
sinmyhouse,
soi
fiwant
edpi
ll
s,i
hadtogetthem..
butt
henidrankwarm wat
erandwentt
osl
eep,
mabyeiwil
ljustwakeupbet
ter
.
iwentt
osl
eep.
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
t
henewsbr
oket
hei
nter
net
..
manywher
eshockedastohowthi
scoul
dbet
rue
whenMrWolfhar
dlyevenget
scl
oset
oawoman..
somerefusedtobel
ievebutot
hersbel
ieved.i
twas
thehot
testtopi
cint
heinter
net
..
"
thebi
gboss'
MrWol
f'bei
ngseenwi
thawoman"
t
hepi
ctur
esf
il
ledt
hei
nter
net
..
pict
uresofthem att
herest
aurant
,them i
nthecarat
thetownshipandthem ent
eri
ngMrWol f'
shouse
togetheri
nthecar.
.theywereal
lfi
ll
edonthenet.
.
thest
orynotonl
yfil
ledthenet..butasMrWol
fis
oneofthetopi
nfl
uentialbusi
nessmani nt
he
count
ry,
thenewsal
somadeTVheadl
ines.
.
t
hebigquest
ionwasonever
yone'
shead.
.whet
her
t
hiswastr
ueornot.
.
.
*
*AuntMar
tha*
*
iwassit
ti
ngintheli
vingr
oom wat
chingnewswhen
suddenl
yLubanziappear
edonthenewsabouta
womanhei sdati
ng..
ast
henewswer
etal
kingBoiwal
ks.
.
shegavememyt
ea.
.
Me:t
hankyoumychi
ld.
..
it
ookmyt
ea,
shesatdownont
hecoach.
.
Boi
:ist
hatLuu?
?imeanbr
otherLubanzi
??
Me:yes..youknowidontgett
hesecamerapeopl
e..
i
sitthei
rproblem onwhoheisdat
ing?
?isn'
the
supposedtofalli
nlove?
?
asiwasspeaki
ngtheyr
evealedthepi
ctur
esandi
t
wascleart
hati
twasLubanziandBoit
umelo.
.
Me:hai
bo,
Boi
tumel
othat
'syou.
shel
ookeddownembar
rassed.
.
Boi
:yesAunt
il
aughed.
.
Me:ithoughtcamerapeopl ear
ecl ever
,butthey
real
lyneverdothei
rresearch.
.didnttheyknowthat
youarehissibl
ing?
?event houghyouar enot
rel
atedbybloodbutstil
l.
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
shej
ustl
ookeddown.
.
me:hai
,st
upi
dpeopl
e..
Boi
:Aunt
??
Me:yes.
.
Boi
:thecamer
apeopl
ear
enotl
ying.
.
il
ookedathernotawar
eofwhathewassayi
ng.
.
Me:what
??
Boi:Aunt
!!rememberwhenyousai
dthatyouknow
thatiam seei
ngsomeoneandthemarksthatihad?
?
well,
itwasLuu.
il
ookedathershockedandnotknowi
ngwhatt
oso
orsay.
.
Me:youandLubanziyouar
e..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
?
shenodded.
.
Me:si
ncewhen?
?
Boi
:notl
ongago.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
idi
dntunder
standwhatwashappeni
ng.
.
iswit
chedofft
henewsandputonsomethi
ngelse.
.
il
ookedatthescr
eenasmymindjustt
hought
aboutthi
s..
ij
utscoul
dntputi
tri
ght
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihadsatwit
hAuntMart
haandexplainedever
ythi
ng,
nowsheiscalmeddownandactual
lyshesaidshe
coul
dnthaveaskedf
orabet
termix.
.
shesai
dshewasj
ustshockedt
hat
'sal
l.
butnowal
liswel
lbutofcauset
henewsar
est
il
l
newtoher
.
igoti
nmyr
oom andcal
ledLubanzi
..
fi
rsti
twentt
ovoi
cemai
l,
thent
hesecondt
imehe
pi
ckedup..
Hi
m:Bunny.
hi
svoi
cewasr
aspyandl
ow,
itwasl
ikehewassi
ck.
.
Me:Luu,
didyouseet
hei
nter
net
??
Hi
m:idonthavet
ime.
.ineedt
orest
.
Me:whati
sit
??ar
eyousi
ck?
?
Hi
m:mhm,
butiwi
llbeowkk.
Me:di
dyoueatandhaveyourpi
ll
s??
Hi
m:no,
butiwi
ll
..
Me:dontj
ustsayyouwi
ll
,bet
terdoi
tsot
hatyou
getwel
lsoon
Hi
m:owk,
myt
hroati
ssor
e,i
cantt
alkf
orl
ong.
.
Me:owknopr
obl
em.
.restowk.
.
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:andjustf
ort
heheadsup,
AuntMar
thaknows
aboutus.
.
hel
aughed.
.
Hi
m:f
inal
ly.
Me:mxm.
.
Hi
m:it
hinki
tsbestt
hisway.
.
Me:iguess.
.well
,restandbewell
..i
fyoudontwake
upowktomor r
owiam comi ng.
.
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:bye.
.
Hi
m:bye.
.
ihungupandf
eltsor
ryf
orhi
m..hemustbef
eel
ing
pain.
..
.
*
*Nana*
*
Her
:yout
hinkhewi
llf
orgi
veyou?
?
Me:hewi
ll
..
.noonef
orget
sthei
rfi
rstl
ove.
.
Her
:ar
en'
tyoubei
ngabitexpect
ingtoomuch??i
meanhemovedon,di
dntyouseethepict
ures?
?
Me:hecanmoveonwi
ththousandwoman,
butno
oneknowsLuut
hewayiknowhim..
Her:idontl
ikewhatyouar
eaboutt
odo.
.youar
e
r
uiningpeople'
sli
ves.
.
Me:andthat
'
swhyyoudonthavef
ri
ends.
.youj
ust
dontf
iti
nthetabl
eofsol
it
air
e.
Her
:ir
athernotpl
aywi
thpeopl
esl
ives.
.
Me:iam notgoi ngtodoanything,iam j ustgoi
ng
backhomeandl ivi
ngmyl i
fe,
butwat ch,hewi l
l
comeaf termelikeasickpuppy..youcanmoveon,
butarideanddi e,youneverf
orget..imeanwheni
cal
ledhim, it
oldhim whoiam andher emember ed.
.
doesntthatsayanyt hi
ng??
Her:t
hathedoesntwantt
oseeyou.
.di
dyousayhe
hunguponyou? ?
Me:hewasj
ustact
ingout
..
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:i
tst
imeigotbackwhati
smi
ne.
.iusedt
otake
hi
mf orgrant
edandalsobetrayedhim,butnowiam
backforgoodandisti
lll
ovehim..iwil
lhavehi
m
back.
.pluswewerejustkidsbackther
e..
[
12/
28,12:
31] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
35
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupear
lyneedi
ngt
ogot
othet
oil
et.
.
iheadoutandwenttohel
pmysel
f.
..af
tert
hati
camebacktobed..
icheckedt
heti
meandi twas06:
30.
.iunl
ockedmy
phoneanddial
edLubanzi
'snumber
.
fi
rstichangedhi
snamefrom "
BrotherLubanzit
o
Luu"ialwayswantedt
ochangeitbutital
waysslips
mymi nd.
it
hencal
ledhi
m andhedidntanswer
..ical
led
agai
nandhesti
lldi
dntanswer
..
iwasnowwor r
ied.
.ical
ledhi
m agai
nandt
henonl
y
now,heanswered.
.
Luu:(
Ver
ylowr
ust
yVoi
ce)Bunny!
!
Me:MrWol
f,ar
eyouowk?
?
Luu:mhm mhm.
..
Me:i
sther
esomet
hingyouneed?
?
Luu:mhm.
Me:whati
sit
??iwi
l
lbr
ingi
t.
.
Luu:you.
..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..(
smi
les)anyt
hingel
se?
?
Luu:mhm mhm.
.justyou.
.
Me:owk.
.letmegetready,pl
easet
extmeyour
l
ocati
on.
.sothatidontgetl
ost.
.
Luu:i
wil
lgetsomeonet
ofet
chyou.
.
Me:owk,
whatt
ime?
?
Luu:now.
..beatt
hegar
age.
.
Me:owk.
.youcangi
vehim mynumbersot
hathe
cal
lsmewhenhegetsher
e..
Luu:ar
eyoudr
unk?
?
Me:ahhhh,
isn'
tthatt
heeasyway?
?
Luu:no.
.justbeatt
hegar
agei
m 30mi
nut
es.
Me:t
hatf
ast
..
Luu:mhm.
.
Me:owk.
.
Luu:mhm.
.iam hangi
ngup.
Me:owk.
.
hehungupandidi
dntwast
eti
me.
.
iwentt
oshowerqui
ckl
yandgetdr
essed.
.
t
heniwenttoAuntMar t
ha'
sroom toleaveanote
t
hatsai
dihavegonet oLubanzi
.iti
sveryeasynow
t
hatsheknows.idonthavetoli
eoranything.
.
aft
erleavi
ngt
hel
ett
er,
iwentoutandwentt
othe
garage.
.
t
her
ewasnocaryet
..
ical
ledLuu.
.
heanswer
ed.
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
Me:howf
ari
she?
?
Hi
m:notf
ar.
..hei
s2mi
nut
esaway.
Me:hahahahowdoyouknow?
?
Hi
m:iam l
ooki
ngathi
mri
ghtnow.
.
Me:Luu,
dontt
ellmeyouaretheonefet
chi
ngme.
.
howcoul
dyoudr i
vewhi
leyouaresi
ck??
Hi
m:iam not
..ihaveallmycar
strackedsoiam
f
oll
owi
ngthetrackerf
rom myphone..
Me:ser
ious?
?
Hi
m:yes.
.
asiwastalki
ngtohim,ablacksmal
lcarar
ri
ved.
.it
l
ookedveryluxur
ious.
.coul
ditbet
heone..
Hi
m:hehasar
ri
ved.
.it
sabl
ackFer
rar
ispor
tscar
s..
Me:it
hinkiseei
t.
.
amangotoutofthecarandlookedaroundthen
sawme.
.het henl
ookedaroundagainandlookedat
meagai
n..
.thenhecamet ome..
iwassti
llkeepi
ngLuuont
hephone,
hesai
di
shoul
d..
Guy:excusememam.
.
it
urnedt
ohi
m andgr
eet
edback.
.
Luu:gi
vehi
mthephone.
.
ihandedhi
mthephone.
.
hetookt
hephoneandt
heyspoket
henhegavei
t
backtome.
.
Me:owkbye.
.seeyounownow.
.
Luu:mhm.
.owk.
.
ismi
ledandhungup.
.
Me:si
r,canyout
akemet
othephar
macy?
?
Guy:unf
ort
unat
elyMrWol
ftol
dmet
obr
ingyout
o
hi
shouseandnowhereel
se..
me:iam sur
ehewoul
dn'
tmind..plusi
tsforhi
s
heal
th.
.hehast
ogetsomepil
ls..pl
ease.
.
hewashesi
tant
..
hecal
ledLuut
olethi
m know.
.thenonl
ythenhe
wentwi
thmet
othephar
macy.
.
igotsomepi
ll
sandwewentt
ohi
shouse.
.
thecargoti
ntheyardandparked.
.iwalkedoutt
he
houseandwentinthehouse.
.theguyjustwentt
o
hispost
..
imademywayt
ohi
sroom becauseiam sur
ehei
s
sl
eepi
ng.
.
iwal
kinandt heroom br
oughtt
hememor i
esof
whathappenedtheprevi
ousweekend.
..
thepuni
shmentt
hatLuugavemekeptrunni
ngand
runni
nginmymindasilookedatt
hebedandthe
sideoft
hebedr
oom..
isnappedoutofi
tandlookedatLuu,
whowas
looki
ngli
keaharmlessbabyWolf.
.
iwentt
ohi
m andsatont
hebed.
.
ifel
thisf
oreheadandi
twashot
..myWol
fhasa
fever
..
asiwassi
tt
ingt
her
eheopenedhi
seyesandl
ooked
atme.
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
!
Me:yesMrWol
f.
..
her
eachedf
ormycheekandgent
lybr
ushedt
hem.
.
Hi
m:nowif
eelbet
teraf
terseei
ngyou.
.
ismi
led.
.
Me:iwil
lmakeyousomesoupsot
hatyouhave
yourpi
ll
sowk??
henodded.
.
hethenhuggedhi
spi
ll
owagai
nandiwentt
omake
thesoup.
.
l
ucki lyhehadsomedr yleavesthathel
pwhenyou
havef ever
..iwonderwhatheusest hesedr
yleaved
for..noonej ustbuysdryleavestokeepathome
"forencaseyougeti ll
"soiwonderwhyhekept
them. .
iusedthem t
omakesoupandal
soputi
nsome
veget
ables.
.
af
teral
ongwhi
let
hesoupwasdoneandr
eady.
.
iputsomei
nabowlandt
ookat
abl
espoongoi
ngt
o
hi
m..
iputt
hebowlont
hedr
awer
..
igent
lywokehi
m upagai
n..
heopenedhi
seyes.
.
Me:canyousi
tup?
?soupi
sready.
.
het
hensl
owl
ypi
ckedhi
sheadup.
.
ihel
pedhim si
tupandputsomepi
ll
owsatt
heback
sothathecoul
dleanonthem.
.
t
heni
tookt
hebowlandsatcl
oset
ohi
m..
Me:sayaaaaa.
.
Hi
m:iam notachi
ld.
.
Me:mhm.
.youar
eri
ght
,butyouar
emyl
it
tl
ewol
f.
..
hesmi
led.
.
it
ookt
hesoup,
thenibl
ewi
ttober
ightandnot
bur
nhi
m..
t
heni
fedhi
m..
icont
inueddoi
ngt
hatt
il
lhef
ini
shedhi
sbowlof
soup.
.
it
hent
ookoutt
hepi
ll
sigotandgavei
ttohi
m..
Me:mhm,iknowitcanbeal
it
tl
ebi
tt
er.butj
ust
dr
inki
tqui
ckly.
.
henoddedanddr
ankhi
spi
ll
s..
hepul
ledafunnyf
aceashegoti
tdownhi
sthr
oat
.
andil
aughed.
.
hejustl
ookedatmeandwentbackt
olayi
ngont
he
bed.
Me:sl
eept
ightandgetwel
lok.
.
it
henst
oodupt
oleave.
.
hehel
dmyhandandpul
ledmet
ohi
m..
il
ookedathi
m..
Hi
m:pl
easedontl
eaveme.
.
me:(
smi
les)iwont
..iam her
etost
ay.
hesmi
ledandt
hencl
osedhi
seyes.
.
ibr
ushedhi
sfaceandper
kedhi
sli
ps.
.heal
so
smil
ed.
.
Hi
m:youmustbesohappyt
hatiam t
hisweak.
Me:whatdoyoumean?
?
Hi
m:youaresit
ti
ngonmybed,
inmybedr
oom,
t
hat'
sdanger
ous..
il
aughed.
.
Me:youst
il
lsoper
ver
tedeveni
nyoursl
eep?
?hai
you.
.
hesmi
led.
..
hi
sphoner
ang.
.
itookitandhandeditt
ohim si
ncehewasnot
asleepyet.
.buthegaveitt
omet oanswer
..
ipi
ckedi
tup.
.
Me:hi,
thisi
sMrWol
f'
sphone,
sor
rybuthei
s
unavai
labl
e..
Voice:ohhhhh,
thi
smustbet
hegi
rli
nthenews
headli
ne.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.pl
easecal
lagai
nlat
er.
Voi
ce:ofcauseiwi
ll
..t
hankyou.
..
.
ihungupandl
ookedatt
hephoneconf
used.
.
Hi
m:whowasi
t??
Me:idontknow.
..hernumberi
snotevensaved.
.
Hi
m:Her
??
Me:mhm,
itsawoman.
.
Him:idontdobusinesswit
hwoman,
thatmeansi
dontknowher.
.blockher.
.
Me:yousur
e??
?
Hi
m:mhm.
.bl
ockher
..
Me:ok.
.
iunl
ockedherphoneandbl
ockedt
henumber
..
[
12/
28,12:
31] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
36
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupandiwasf
eel
ingal
otbet
ter
..
itri
edget
ti
ngupbutir
eal
izedt
hatsomeonewas
layi
ngonmystomach.
.il
ookedanditwasBunny.
..
ismi
ledandr
ubbedherhai
r.
.
shewokeupandl
ookedatmewi
tht
hosel
azyeyes.
.
Her
:Luu!
!
Me:Bunny!lookathowcut
eyouar
ewhenyou
comefrom sleep.
.
Her
:(smi
le)ar
eyouf
eel
ingwel
l?
?
Me:mhm..thankst
oyou...
.wasntAuntMar
tha
worr
iedwhenyousleptover
??
Her
:no.it
oldhert
hatyouwer
esi
ck.
.
Me:andsheall
owedyoutocomeandsl
eepover
??
knowi
ngthatwearedat
ing?
?
Her:mhm..youhavenoi
dea,
shegavemet
he"
sex"
t
alktheeotherday.
.
Me:real
ly?
?ohhhnowiam scar
edt
ogot
ovi
sit
her
..
.
Her
:hahahaha.
..
Me:nowt hatsheshar
edthe"sex"t
alkwi
thyou.
.
mi
ndi fyousharetheknowl
edge??
shegavemet
he"
mxm"l
ook.
.
Me:andpleasepasstheknowledgepract
icall
y,i
haveaproblem wi
thhear
ing.
.soseeingwillbe
moreeff
ecti
ve..
shehi
tmeandpout
ed.
.
Her
:per
ver
t.
.
il
aughedandpul
ledhert
olayonmeasial
sol
aid
back.
.
Me:butyoust
il
lloveme.
.
Her
:that
'
stheunf
ort
unat
e..
il
aughedagai
n..
Her:l
etmeleaveyout
oshowerup.
.iwi
llgomake
br
eakfast
..
Me:dontyouwantt
ohel
pme?
?
Her
:..
..
..
..mxm.
..
.
hemovedawayf
rom meandwal
kedout
..
ismi
ledandl
aidback.
..
ihaveaconf
essi
on.
.
tobehonestwi t
hmysel f,ihavenotyetfullygiven
myselftoBoi..t
hingis,if
earandiam afr aidthat
Boiwontl i
kehowil i
veandwi l
lleavemef ori
t.and
thatwil
lleavemebr okenandcausemet ol ose
focus.
.
imeanil
oveher
,dontgetmewrong.
.butther
eis
st
il
lapar
tinmethatist
il
lkeept
omyself
..
alr
eadyifeelli
keiam al r
eadydeepinlovewithher..
isoloveher.
..it
slikeijustkeepfal
li
nginlovewith
herfreshl
yeveryday..icantgetusedtothefeel
ing.
.
.
*
*Nana*
*
ihaveset
tl
edi
nRSAandt odayideci
dedt
ovi
sit
Luu'
sCompanytoseehi
m. .
igotof
ftheUberthatdr
oppedmeoffi
nfrontoft
he
company..t
heniwalkedinsi
det
hecompany..
wow,sot
hisi
swhatLuuhasbeenworki
ngon?
?he
r
eal
lyhadavi
sionandheact
ual
lymadesomet
hing
f
orhimsel
f.
.iam sur
ehewouldbepl
easedt
oknow
t
hatial
somadesomet hi
ngf
ormysel
f..
iwal
kedi
nsi
deandheadedt
other
ecept
ion.
.
Me:sor
ry,
whi
chwayi
sLuu'
sof
fi
ce?
?
shel
ookedatmeinconf
usi
on.
.idi
dntunder
stand
whatt
hatmeant
..
Me:Luu'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.MrWol
f.
..
Her
:unf
ort
unat
elyMrWolfisnotinatt
hismoment
..
woul
dyouli
ket
ol eaveamessage??
Me:no,
dontwor
ryabouti
t.
.caniwai
tforhi
m??
Her
:idoubtMrWol
fwoul
dbecomi
ngi
ntoday.
Me:ohok.
.wellcanyouhel
pmebyt
ell
ingme
wherehel
ives?
?
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
me:iam nost
ranger
..iam sur
eMrWol
fwontmi
nd.
.
act
uall
yhewouldbepleased..
Her:iam sorr
ymam, butwedonotgi
veoutany
per
sonalinformat
ion.
.
me:asisai
diam notast
ranger
..
Her
:iam sor
rymam.
.
Me:l
istenicanevenpayyou,
howmuchdoyou
want
? ?
Her
:asisai
dmam,
icant
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Voi
ce:whati
sgoi
ngonher
e??
il
ookedbackandi
twasJoe.
.
yesofcauseiknowJoe. .hewasal
readywor ki
ng
forLuubackinthedaysandhewasLuu' sfavori
te
person.
.heusedtodrivemehomeandcal lme
madam. .
Me:Joe!
!
Joe:i
tsMrMkhwanazi
.
Me:comeonJoe,
itsmeNal
edi
..NANA.
..
Joe:mayihel
pyoumam?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Joe:ifyoudontneedanything,mayyoupleasel
et
ourrecepti
oni
stwork.
..(
talkingtot
herecepti
oni
st)
doesMrWol
fhaveanymessages?
?
Her
:yessi
r.
.
Joe:gi
vet
hem t
ome,anddir
ecthiscall
stome.he
wontbecomi
ngint
oday,heisnotfeel
ingwel
l
.
Her
:yessi
r.
.
Joewal
kedawayandif
oll
owedhi
m..
Me:Joe!
!Joe!
!MrMkhwanazi
..
.
hest
oppedandl
ookedatme.
..
Me:di
dyousayLuui
ssi
ck?
?wher
edoeshest
ay,
i
wi
llgot
akecar
eofhi
m..
Him:it
sMrWol f
.onlyMadam cancallhi
m by
name..
.anddontbotheryour
sel
f,madam isal
ready
taki
ngcareofhi
m...
Me:Madam?
?
hi
m:yes.
.orshoul
disayMr
sWol
f??
hesmi r
kedandwal
kedaway.
.iwasl
eftt
her
e
shocked..
.
soi
twasal
ltr
ue?
?al
lthenewswer
etr
ue?
?but
how??Luuneverint
eract
swithwoman,sohowdi
d
theyevenmeet
..howdidthi
shappen?
??
i
tcantbe.
.Luui
smi
neandmi
neal
one.
.
t
hisMadam wi
llhavet
oknowherpl
ace.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
wewer
eeat
ingbr
eakf
astwhenigotacal
lfr
om Joe.
.
Me:i
smycompanybur
ning?
Joe:al
most
..Nal
ediwasher
e..
me:what
??
Joe:dontwor
ryit
ookcar
eofher
..
Me:shemustneverbeal
lowedaccessagai
n..
Joe:iwi
llmakesur
eoft
hat
..
Me:owk.
.thanksf
orl
ett
ingmeknow.
.
Joe:j
ustdoi
ngmyj
ob.
..
Me:mhm.
..
ihungupandcont
inuedeat
ing.
.
Boi
:tr
oubl
eatt
hecompany?
?
Me:nah,
justsomet
hingt
hatJoeandIcansol
ve.
.
Boi
:Joei
sal
waysbyyoursi
dehai
??
Me:mhm.
..hei
s..
butal
so,
thecl
osestar
etheonest
oli
kel
ybet
ray
you.
.
Boi
:ibethei
stheonl
yoneyout
rust
..
me:hai
,ar
eyousayi
ngidontt
rustyou?
?
Boi
:doyou?
Me:ifididnt
,youwoul
dhavenotevenent
eredmy
house..
shesmi
led.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
i
twasnowl at
eatnightandiwaswat
chi
ngTVwhi
le
Bunnywenttotakeashower.
myphoner
angandi
twasoneofmymen.
.
Me:yes.
.
Hi
m:boss,
itsaboutt
het
est
..
Me:whati
sit
??
Hi
m:youwontbel
ievei
t.
..
Me:what
??hef
ail
ed?
?
Him:no.
.heact
ual
lypassed..andnotj
ustpassed
butheal
sodidt
heunexpected..
Me:whatdi
dhedo.
.
Him:wedi dat oughtest
.werehecoul d'vejust
betrayedyouandf ramesomeoneel se..wehadall
thatprepar
ed..buthedidntevenlooktwi ce.
.what
hedi dwaspacki tbacki
nitsplacewithouteven
touchingafew..
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Him:thesecondt est,
wasmymenwat chingever
y
movehemade. .allwegotwast hathekeeps
l
ookingaft
ermadam andal somaki ngSur eSiya'
s
famil
yandSi yaissafefrom adistance..wesawt he
dataonhisphonewhenwepl uggedi nanextract
memor ycard..i
ttooallhisi
nformationonhi s
phoneandther eisnothi
ng..j
ustdeal i
ngsand
makingsur
eyourmoney,
proper
tyandf
ami
lyi
s
saf
e..
iwashur tt
ohearthi
sbecauseir
eal
lydi
dntt
rust
him..andnowtohearthi
smademeaskmysel fwhy
ididnttr
usthi
m..
imeanJoehasbeenwit
hmesincet
heebegi
nni
ng
andnotoncedi
dhewrongme.
.
iguesswhenhestart
edgoingagai
nstmyi
deas,
i
thoughtsomet
hingwaswrong.
mabyehewasjustgenui
nel
ylooki
ngaf
tert
hel
if
eof
Si
yaandBunny.
.
Me:seemshei
sloyal
..
.
Him:yessir.
.butwealsomessedup. .wethought
mabyeheknewt hatwewouldtesthi
m andmade
hi
mselfcleansowegothi m ki
dnappedtodayand
beathi
m up...wetoldhi
mifhedidntgiveus
i
nformati
onaboutyou, wewouldkil
lhim..
iwasshockedatwhatt
heydi
d..
Me:and?
?
Hi
m:hechoset
odi
e..hedi
dntbackdownunt
ilt
he
end..wedidntknowwhatt odo.asweweretr
ying
tofindoutwhattodo,hepull
edouthisgunand
daredtokil
lus..wereveal
edoursel
vesandt
oldhim
thatitwasatestjustt
oavoidanyonedyi
ng.
.
Me:soheknows.
.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
Me:F*
ck.
.
ihungupandcal
ledJoe.
.
heanswered.
.iwasact
ual
lyexpect
inghi
m nott
o
answer
,buthedid.
.
Joe:yesBoss.
.
hewasspeakinginal
owt
onet
henusual
..hemust
real
lybeupset
..
Me:wher
ear
eyou?
?
Joe:iam home.
.doesbossneedanyt
hing?
Me:no.
.iwi
llspeakt
oyout
omor
row.
.
Joe:yesboss.
.
ihungupandsi
ghed.
.
il
aidmyheadbackandj
ustbr
eat
hed.
.whatt
he
F*ckdi
dido??Sh*
t.
[
12/
28,12:
31] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
37
.
*
*NextDay*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
wear
ri
vedatthet
ownshi
pandipackedmycarat
t
hegarageandwewal
kedtoAuntMart
ha.
.
noli
es,myheartwasbeat i
ng..iwasjustafrai
dof
faci
ngAuntMarthaafterknowingthatsheknows
aboutmeandBoi .
.thethoughtofmeget ti
nga
l
ectureandr
ebukeisal r
eadyfil
li
ngmymi nd..
Her:hahahha,
ireal
l
ywantt
otakeyouavi
deor
ight
now..
me:mxm.
..
Her
:youl
ookhi
lar
ious.
.sot
heemi
ght
yMrWol
f
al
soget
sthef
eel
ingoff
ear
??
Me:hai
,thisisnotj
ustanyper
sonmessi
ng
ar
ound.
..thisismyaunt.
.mymother
'ssi
ster
,same
asmymom. .
shesmi
led.
.
il
etherbeandfocusedonhowiwoul
dactwheni
goti
nthehouse..
wegott
othedoorandBoiknocked.
.
shewassi
tt
ingont
hecouchwat
chi
ngTV.
.
Aunt:heeeee,
iwasaboutt
ocallyouandaski
f
Lubanziisdyi
ngsi
nceyouwerenotcomingback.
.
ij
ustlookeddownasBunnyal
sol
ookeddown.
.we
satdown..
Aunt:youknow,iam act
ual
lygladyoual
socame
Lubanzi.
.ihavesomethi
ngtotalkt
oyou.
.
myhear
tlef
tmychestandwentmi
ssi
ng.
.
Aunt
:Boi
tumelo.
.pleasegomakesomej
uicef
orus.
.
unf
ort
unatel
ythecakesaref
ini
shed.
.
Boi
:yesAunt
..
shest
oodupandwentt
otheki
tchen.
.
Aunt:Luu,
ihavecomet
oknowt
hatyouandBoiar
e
seei
ngeachother.
.
il
ookeddownnotsayi
ngawor
d.
Aunt:tobehonest ,iam veryhappythatyou
actuall
yfellinlovewi t
hhert henanyot hergi
rlout
therebecauseal readyihadt akenBoiinasmychi ld
andi wouldl ovetohaveherasf amil
y..andnow
thatshewi llbemar ri
edt oyousoon,meansshewi l
l
beof f
ici
allymychi ldinaway. .becausewewi l
l
havetober esponsibleforhersinceshedoesnt
havepar ents..
Me:yesaunt
..
Aunt:son,
please.
.takecar
eofBoit
umelo.
.shemay
abitoutofwayr i
ghtnowbecauseshehasli
ved
withguysallt
histi
meandhasadaptedtotheli
feof
ekasi
..sobeeasyonherandhelpherfi
ndherself
..
owk??
Me:yesaunt
..
Aunt
:andal
so.
.youmaybef
inanci
all
yst
abl
eand
all
,buti
fyouarenotr
eadyf
orachi
ld,
pleasedont
fet
chthetroubl
e..
ismi
ledandnodded.
.
Aunt:dontl
augh,iam serious.
.iknowyoumaybe
exci
tednowandst arttaki
ngdecisionsbecause
nowyourbloodisboi l
ingandyourl oveisf
resh..l
et
thi
slovechall
engeyou. .t
henifyouovercomet he
chall
engesyouwillknowt hatyouar er
eady..
Me:yesaunt
..iunder
stand.
.
Aunt:ihopeyouareprot
ect
ingyour
sel
ves.
.
si
cknessesarealotouther
e..
Me:huh.
..
..
.Aunt
..
Aunt
:dontauntme,iam t
ell
i
ngyout
het
rut
h..
pr
event
ionisbet
tert
hencure..
Me:wel
l.
..we.
.wehaven'
tgonet
othatl
evel
..
.
Aunt :hahahahayouwontf oolmeboy. ..
.agir
lcant
besl eepi
ngataboyshousef ormanydaysandsay
nothingishappening..
.it
slikegi
vingar abbi
tsome
carrotsandexpectingitnottoeatitsayi
ng"iam
ful
l"
..
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boiwal
kedi
nandputt
hej
uiceont
het
abl
e..
it
ookagl assanddrankithal
finonego..t
hetopic
athandwasmaki ngmewantt odisappear
..imysel
f
haveneverhadthist
alkevenwithmymot her.
.
Boisatdownnextt
ome.
.
Aunt :nowlistenmyki ds..loveisabeaut if
ult hi
s..
that'
swhyyouar eher etodaybr eat hingi sGod
givenOxygen. .butalso, Lovei sli
keabui lding
block..everydayyouhavet owor kt oget hert obuil
d
theloveandwor koni t
..onesonest opswor ki
ngon
i
tt heotherhast owor khar dandt hatwoul dmean
thatthetheot herwoul dbebur dened. .andt hat
causest heot heronet ogi veupandwantout .
.so
nomat t
erwhat ,alwaysbui l
dtoget her .dontl etthe
otheronewor khar d,sharet heloadandnoonewi ll
feelburdenedorf eell i
kehe/ sheiswor kinghar der
thent heotherone. .
inodded.
.
Aunt:good.
.ihopeyouhaveagr
eatj
our
neyofl
ove.
.
ibl
essyourrelat
ionshi
p..
Me:t
hankyouAunt.
.actual
lyiwasthi
nki
ng,woul
d
i
tbeaprobl
em i
fiaskthatBoicomestostaywi
th
me??
Boil
ookedatmei
nshockandAuntl
ookedatboi
andatme..
Aunt
:asi
nli
kest
aywi
thyou,
li
vet
oget
her
??
inodded.
.
Aunt
:well
,iwoul
dhatetost
ayher
elonel
yagai
n,
buti
tsact
uall
yBoi'
schoi
ce.
.
il
ookedatBoi
..whodi
dntknowwhatt
osay.
.
iknowithrewabombshell
,butir
eal
lyneedBoi
nexttomeallt
heti
me.
.ifeeli
ncompl
etewhenshe
isn'
tnextt
ome..
Boi:huh.
..
.well.
..
.ilovestayi
ngwit
hAuntMar tha,
i
tsfunandr efr
eshing,butiwoul
dalsolovetostay
wit
hyou, eventhoughyouar eannoyi
ng..
.so.
..how
aboutili
vewithAuntMar thaonweekendsthenl i
ve
wit
hLuuonweekdays. .
t
hatwasr
easonabl
e..
Aunt
:wor
ksf
orme.
.event
houghiwi
llspend5days
bor
ed.
.
Me:sor
ryAuntf
orcomi
ngt
ost
ealyourj
oy.
.
Aunt
:shei
syourj
oynow.
.
ismi
led.
.
.
*
*Joe*
*
Me:di
dyoumanaget
ofi
ndoutever
ythi
ng?
?
Hi
m:yes.
.iti
sasyoususpect
ed.
.shei
sher
eforMr
Wol
f.
.
Me:andthei
nfor
mationonwhereshecamef r
om
andwhatshewoulddoallt
heseyear
s..doyouhave
i
t??
Hi
m:yes,
isentever
ythi
ngt
oyou.
.
Me:t
hankyouman.
.itwasgr
eatdoi
ngbusi
ness
wi
thyou.
.
Him:haiman,caniask.
.whyar
eyouscreeni
ngthi
s
gir
lup??didshemesswithMrWol
f??orisshe
thr
eateni
nghim??
me:no.
.shei
sthreateni
nghisf
amilyandasyou
know.
.MrWolfvalueshisf
amil
y..
Hi
m:f
act
s..owk.
.
me:owkt
hanks.
.
ihungupandl
ookedatt
hei
nfoathand.
.
Nal
ediwi
llr
egr
etcomi
ngback.
aft
eriam donewi
thher,
shewi
llr
unbackt
oGhana
andnevercomeback.
ismi
rkedandmadeanot
hercal
l.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
Me:aler
ttherest
..wehaveasi
tuat
iont
hatneedst
o
betakencareof.
Hi
m:r
egi
ster
ed.
.
me:iwi
llsendyout
hedet
ail
s..
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
ihungup.
.
iwontevenbotherl
ett
ingMrWolfknowbecausei
knowhewi l
lsecondmydecisi
on.
.irat
herhavehi
m
f
ocusonhi
sfami
lyandiwi
lldealwi
tht
his.
.
"
NALEDI
,l
etspl
ay"
[
12/
28,12:
32] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
38
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmyoffi
ceget
ti
ngsomewor
kdonewheni
off
icephoner
ang.
.
ipi
ckedi
tup.
.
Me:MrWol
fspeaki
ng.
.
Voice:GoodAfter
noonMrWol
f,t
her
eist
hewoman
againheretoseeyou.
.
Me:woman?
?isi
tBoi
tumel
o??
Voi
ce:nosi
r.
.iti
sawomanbyt
henameNALEDI
,
NANA...
Me:*
sigh*howdi
dthatB*
***geti
nthi
spr
emi
ses?
?
it
houghtit
oldJoet
omakesur
eshedoesntsetf
oot
her
e..
Voi
ce:shoul
disendherawaysi
r??
Me:nah,
shewi
llcomebackagai
n..iam comi
ng
down.
.
ihungupandheadeddown.
.
igottorecept
ionar
eaandher
eshewas.
.NANA
hersel
f.
.
i
tsbeen3year
s..
Her
:haaaaaLuu.
.fi
nal
lyyoucamet
oseeme.
.
ichuckl
edwhenshesai
dthat
..
Me:igobyMrWol
f.
..cat
chup.
.
Her:
..
..
..i
tsbeen3yearsandyouar
est
il
lassavage
asialwaysknewyou..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.ist
her
ear
easonf
oryourvi
sit
t
oday??
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ijustarr
ivedatt hecompanyandiwaswalking
insideholdi
ngal unchimadef
orLuu.
.iknowhe
hasn'teatenlunchbecauseheneverdoes.
.soi
broughtsomef orhim..
asiwal
kedt
orecept
ionisawhi
mtal
kingt
othi
s
l
ady.
.
thi
sladywasbusyt
ouchi
nghim andbei
ngver
y
cli
ngytohi
m ashewasgett
ingherof
fhi
m..
iover
hear
dal
it
tl
eoft
hei
rconver
sat
ions.
.
Her:Luu,imi
ssedyou..imeaniknowil
eftf
or3
yearsbutiam backnowandiam backf
oryou.
.
Hi
m:toobad..whatyoucamefori
snotyour
stoask
f
oranymore.
.soisuggestyoul
eavei
npeace..
ismi
ledathi
srepl
yandwal
kedt
ohi
m..
i
twascl
eart
hiswomanwast
ryi
nghi
sluckandMy
Wol
fyi
snoti
nter
est
ed.
.
iwal
ktot
hem andact
ual
lygost
rai
ghtt
oLuu.
..
Me:Luu
Hi
m:Bunny!
!youcame?
/
Me:mhm,ibroughtl
unch,iknowyounevereat
l
unchandthat'
snotheal
thyforyou.
..
shei
nter
fer
ed.
Her
:hehasneverbeenusedt
oeatingl
unchfor
manyyear
s,andlookathi
m,f
itandheal
thy.
.
it
urnedt
oherandl
ookedather
..
Me:andyouar
e??
Her:iam NANA,surel
yyouhaveheardaboutme.
.i
meanever yguyt
alksaboutt
hei
rfi
rstl
ovenowand
again.
.
Me:ohhhhhh,t
henthatmeansLuuisnot"anyman"
becausehehasnevermenti
onedyou.
.
Her:r
eal
ly?
?notevenaf
terical
ledhi
mfewdays
ago??
il
ookedatLuuandhel
ookeddown.
.
Her
:huh,
seemshedi
dntt
ellyou.
.
Me:ohhnodarli
ng,
iwasjustwonder
ingi
fyouare
t
hesamegirlLuuaskedmetoblockonhi
sphone..
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
me:hemust '
vepreventedt
alki
ngaboutyou
becauseheknewt hatiwoul
dvomitifhedid.
.soi
thankhi
mf orthat
..noonewantstobesick..
it
ur ned,
hel
dLuu'shandandwal
ked..theni
stoppedandrememberedsomet
hing..it
urnedt
o
her..
Me:ohhhandi fieverhearyoucal
lLuubyhi
sname
agai
n,iwi
llcutyourtongueout.
..
icli
ckedmyt
ongueandwal
kedwi
thLuut
othe
elevat
or.
.
wet
henwentt
otheof
fi
ce,
iwassopi
ssed.
..
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
ihadnowordsf
orwhatBunnyjustdi
d..imeani
knewBunnycanbever
ycold,
butthiscold?
?itwas
shocki
ng.
.
ij
ustdi
dntknowshehadt
hissi
deofher
..
wegott
otheof
fi
ceandiwasj
ustqui
et.
.
isatdownandlookedather
..shel
ookedatmewi
th
suchanatt
it
ude..
.
ismi
ledbutst
il
llooki
ngather
..
Her
:whoi
sshe?
?
Me:someoneyoushoul
dn'
twor
ryabout
??
Her
:dontgi
vemet
hatLuu,
whoi
sshe?
?
ok,
shelookedver
yser
iousandseemsl
ikeshes
al
soangry.
.
me:ok.
.doyouwantt
hebl
untt
rut
horf
il
ter
edt
rut
h..
Her
:Luu!
!
Me:owk,
shei
smyex.
.
Her
:ex?
?
Me:mhm.
.
Her
:howl
ongback?
?
Me:3year
s..
Her
:mhm.
..shewant
syouback?
Me:it
hinkso?
?
Her
:doyouwanther
??
Me:no,
ihaveyou.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
ist
oodupandwentt
oher
..
Me:Bunny,dontwor
ry.
.allmyex'scancomeand
deci
detolovemeagain,butiwi
llal
wayschoose
youovert
hem. .
shepout
ed.
.
ipul
ledheri
nandhuggedher
..
Me:il
oveyouBunny,iam deadseri
ousaboutt
hat
..
iwoul
dneverdoanyt
hingtohurtyou..
Her:whydidntyout
ellmet
hatshewast
heone
cal
li
ng???
Me:wel
l,
idi
dntwanttoworr
yyou..andidi
dntwant
yout
ogetsi
ck.
.justasyout
oldher.
.
shel
aughedandal
sohuggedmeback.
.
Her
:Luu!
!
Me:yes?
?
Her
:ifyouevercheatonme,
iwi
llki
llyou.
.
Me:hahahaha,
iwoul
dn'
t.
..NEVER!
iki
ssedhercheek.
.
me:youar
emyl
ove,
myonl
ylove.
.
af
terawhi
leshepul
ledoutt
hehug.
.
Her:howwil
lyoudealwit
hhert
hen?
?becauseshe
wil
lkeeponcomingback??
Me:seemsyoual readydeal
twi
thher..i
fshecomes
backthenidontknowwhatshewant s,imighthave
toinvol
vethepol
iceandgetherar
restedfor
harassment.
.
ofcauseiwoul dnotgotothepolice.
.meandthe
policedontgetal
ong,wel
lonlytheonesthatwork
formeigetal ongwit
hthem..butofcausethat
wontbewhathappens, iwil
ljustputabul
let
throughherhead..
buticantsayt
hatt
oBoi
,idontwantt
oscar
eher
off
..
[
12/
28,
12:
32] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
39
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:owk.
..
..
..donedeal.
..
.weshal
lmovethedr
op
of
finanhour..
..
..gett
hemenready.
.yah.
..
ihungupandputmyphonedown.
it
henwrappedupmywor kandheadedoutt
he
st
udyt
ot heli
vingr
oom.
.
if
oundBunnysi
tt
ingandwat
chi
ngaMovi
e..
iwentt
ojoi
nher
..
Me:whatar
ewewat
chi
ng?
?
Her
:Taken.
.
Me:youwat
cht
hiski
ndofMovi
es?
?
Her
:wel
l,
thi
soneyes..
.butot
heract
ionmovi
esar
e
t
oomuch,idontwat
chthem..
Me:ahhhh.
.owk.
..
Her
:ar
eyoudonewor
king?
?
Me:mhm.
.butihavet
obesomewher
enow.
.
Her
:wher
e??
Me:wor
krel
ated.
.ihaveameet
ingwi
thJoe.
.
Her
:andwhenwi
llyoucomeback?
?
Me:ar
oundl
ate,
dontwai
tup.
..
Her
:wor
kingsol
ate?
?whatwor
kisi
t??
Me:Bunny,
itswor
k..not
hingt
obewor
ri
edabout
..
shepout
edl
ooki
ngatme.
.
Me:youdontt
rustme?
?
Her
:ido,butyouar
escar
ingme.
.whygot
owor
k
sol
ate??
Me:dontworr
yaboutme..icant
akecar
eofmyself
..
youj
usthavedinnerandhaveagoodr
est.
.owk?
?
shenoddedst
il
lpout
ing.
.
Me:ifyoust
artmissi
ngme,youcansl
eepwi
thmy
cl
othingon,
orevensleepi
nmybed..
shesmi
led.
.
Me:buti
ficomebackandfindyoui
nmyr oom,
i
wontbehel
dresponsi
blef
orwhatiwil
ldo.
.
shehi
tmeonmyshoul
derasshesmi
led.
.
Me:wi
llyoubeowkal
one?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:il
oveyouowk?
?
shenodded.
.
Her
:il
oveyout
oo.
.
iki
ssedherf
oreheadandhuggedher
..
Me:letmegowearsomet
hingwar
m..i
tscol
d
out
side.
.
shel
etgoofmeandiwentt
ochange.
.
it
hent
ookmyi
mpor
tantpackages.
.
iwentt omyroom,
gotintot
hehiddensecretcl
oset
andt ookoutt
hedi
amonds..it
henputthem inmy
bag..ithent
ook2Gunsandloadedthem..theniput
them aroundmywaistandwal
kedout..
icl
osedt
hesecr
etcl
osetandhi
dtheswi
tch.
.
it
hent
ookt
hebagandwal
kedout
..
igaveBunnyt
hel
astki
ssandwentoutt
hehouse.
.
igoti
ntomysmal
lcaranddr
ovei
tout
..
imetwi
thJoeandt
heguysatt
hewar
ehouseand
werant
heplan.
.
thenwedrovet
othedr opoffplacewher
ewear e
supposedtomeettheothergangwhower esentt
o
dropthecashf
orthesediamonds..
ihadt
hebagofdi
amond.
.
wedr
oveandf
inal
lyar
ri
vedatt
hedr
opof
fpost
iwalkedt
othem andwespoke.
.theyshowedme
thecashandieyecount
edit
..i
tlookedenough.
.
asireachedoutt
ogett
hedi
amonds,
inot
icedar
ed
fl
ashlight
..
il
ookedattheguysandtheyal
lwerehol
dingt
hei
r
gunsasift
heywerereadytoki
ll
..
t
hisi
sat
rap.
.
ii
mmedi
atel
yhaveachangeofpl
an.
.
Me:iwi
llgett
hebagf
rom Joe.
.
iwentcl
osetoJoeandpr
etendedl
ikehewasgi
ving
mesomet hi
ng.
.
Me:i
tsatr
ap..war
nthemenandgetyour
sel
fready,
t
heywil
lfi
reaft
ert
heexchange.
.
Joe:andyouboss?
?youwi
llbeupcl
oset
heymi
ght
ki
llyoufi
rst
..
Me:not
hingwi
llhappent
ome.
.
inoddedandthenwal
kedbackt
otheguyasJoe
ti
ppedtherestoft
hemen.
.
igavet
hem t
hebag.
.
asipredi
cted,af
terchecki
ngthediamonds, guns
wentoffanditbecameamess. .imanagedt oget
theguywhoiwasexchangi ngwith..ishothi
mf i
rst
befor
ehecouldshootme. .
t
heni
star
tedshoot
ingatt
heot
herguys.
.
asiwasfocusedononebunch, iwassur
pri
singl
y
at
tackedbytheother
sandt heykickedmygun
awayfrom me..t
heystar
tedkickingmeandkicki
ng
menonst op.
.
astheystoppedt
okil
lme, islowl
yreachedf
orthe
secondgunihadandkill
edt hem bot
hbutoneof
them gotmyshoul
der.
.
igr
oanedi
npai
nbutst
il
lshotwher
eihadt
oshoot
..
myothermencametohelpmewhileJoeandt
he
ot
her
sf i
nishedt
hementhatt
ri
ckedus.
.
theyt
ookmetothecarandt
her
estofmymenand
Joecameback.
.
Joehadt
hemoneyandt
hedi
amondsbackwi
th
hi
m..
heputt
hem i
nthecaranddr
ovet
othewar
ehouse.
.
ont
hewayhecal
ledourdoct
or.
.
whenwegott
her
ethedoct
orhadnotar
ri
ved.
.
Joe:wher
eist
heF*
*doct
orat
??
isatont
hechai
rfaci
ngupbear
ingt
hepai
n.
f
inal
lyt
hedoct
orcameandhet
reat
edme.
.
hegott
hebul
letoutandbandagedme.
.
af
tert
reat
ingmeandcl
eani
ngmywounds,
hecame
mepai
nki
ll
ers.
.
hel
eft
..
Joe:ar
eyouowkboss?
?
Me:mhm.
.it
snot
hing.
.
Joe:comeboss,
wewi
llt
akeyouhome.
.
me:no.
.Boit
umelocantseemeliket
his.
.bookme
i
ntoahotelr
oom asourpart
ner
edhotel.
.
Joe:yessi
r.
.
hegotst
art
edonhi
sphone.
.
Joe:done.
.
Me:mhm.
.thankyou.
.
Joe:huh..boss.
.doesntmadam knowaboutt
his
typeofli
feyoulivi
ng??
Me:no,andiwanti
ttokeepi
tthatway.
.idontwant
hert
oleaveme..
Joe:whati
fshewont
??
me:no.
.shei
snotknowi
ngandt
hat
'st
heendofi
t.
.
Joe:yessi
r.
.
Me:andJoe.
.
Joe:si
r??
Me:iam sor
ryidoubt
edyourl
oyal
ty.
.
Joe:i
tsowksi
r.
.iunder
standt
hepr
ocedur
e..
inodded.
.
it
hengotupandJoehel
pedmeup.
.
wegoti
nthecarandJoet
ookmet
othehot
el.
.
wear
ri
vedandhet
ookmet
omyr
oom.
.
theyl
eftmeal oneasJoewastakingthemoneyfor
i
ttobepr ocessedandtakeni
ntothebusiness
accounts.
.thatwayitwil
lbecl
eansed..
.
[
12/
28,12:
32] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ghtandst
art
ed
wonder
ingi
fLuuwasback.
.
ithenwentoutt
ocheckhi
sbedr
oom andhewasnt
there.
.
iwentt
ocheckhi
sst
udyandhi
sst
udywasempt
y..
ithenwentoutandwhenigotout
,ihear
daguar
d
speaki
ngont hephone.
.
Him:yesboss..
..
..yesboss..
..
..iwi
llnott
ellmadam
boss.
..
..
..yesboss..
..
..under
stood.
...
hehungupandiwalkedouttohim..iwasnow
wonderi
ngwhati
sitthatiam notsupposedt
obe
tol
d..
.
Me:hiSi
r.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Him:sor
rymadam, idi
dntseeyou.
.andpl
easedont
cal
lmesir.
..youcancal
lmeSipho..
Me:owkMrSi
pho.
..mayiaskyousomet
hing?
?
Hi
m:yesmam,
youcanaskmeanyt
hing.
.
Me:whereyouspeaki
ngt
oMrWol
fnowont
he
phone?
?
hel
ookeddown.
.
Me:iguessi
tshi
m si
ncehei
syouronl
yboss.
.wel
l
,
doyouknowwhereheis?
?
Him:wel
lmam,hesaidhei
sdel
ayedandwi
llbe
herei
nthemor
ning.
.
Me:wher
eishe?
?
Hi
m:.
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..hei
soutonabusi
ness
meet
ing..
Me:MrSi
pho,
pleasedontl
iet
ome.
..wher
eishe.
.
Hi
m:mam.
..
it
urnedbacki
nthehouseandwentt
ogetmy
phoneinmyroom.
.
ical
ledhi
m andher
esponded.
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
!
Me:wher
ear
eyou?
?
Hi
m:ahhh,igothel
dupsomewher
e,iwi
llbehome
i
nthemorning.
.
Me:youst
il
ldi
dntanswermyquest
ion.
..
Hi
m:Bunny,
iam f
ine.
.dontwor
ry.
.
Me:myquest
ioni
sst
il
lunanswer
ed.
.
Hi
m:*
*si
gh*
*it
oldyouiam meet
ingJoe.
..
Me:busi
nessmeet
ing?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
..
icoul
dhearhewasntwel
l..hekeptgr
oani
ngasi
f
hewasinpainorsomet
hing..
.
att
hatt
imei
tal
lcameback.
.
ScaroncesaidMrWolf
'sf
atherwasahugeMaf i
a
backinthedaysandwasal
sor esponsi
blef
orhi
s
fat
hersdeat
h..
coul
ditbet
hatLuui
saMaf
iat
oo?
?
andt
heni
mmediat
elyir
ememberedwhathetol
d
mewheniwasi
nhisoff
icet
oconfessmylovef
or
hi
m..
"youwer
eright,idealwi
thver
ydanger
ouspeopl
e
andiam i
nvolvedinmessydeali
ngsandt
rade.
"
"ihaveasi
dethatcanber
uthl
ess,
event
othose
closetome"
sohewasactual
lybei
nghonest??ial
waysthought
hewasteasi
ngmebecauseijusttol
dhimthatili
ke
hi
m..
t
heni
tcl
icked.
.thebag,
thehoodi
e..
that
'swhathehadonbef
orehel
eftandhel
eft
alr
eadylat
e..
.so.
..
.
ihungupandwentoutt
otheguar
dsagai
n..
Me:MrSi
pho,
takemet
oLuunow.
.
Hi
m:mam!
!
Me:now!
!iknowheisnotinabusinessmeeting.
..
hewentt
odohisdeali
ngsandgothur tr
ight
??now
takemet
owhereverheishidi
ng.
.NOW! !
hehesi
tat
ed.
.
Me:i
fyoudont
..iwi
lll
eaveMrWol
f.
..i
sthatwhat
youwantmetodo..
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:iam deadseri
ous.
.iwi
lll
eavehi
m..t
estmei
f
youthi
nkiam l
ying.
..
het
henf
oughtwi
thhi
sownt
hought
sandt
hen
deci
dedt
otakeme.
.
igoti
nthecarandhedr
ovet
othepl
ace.
.
aft
erawhil
ehestoppedi
nfr
ontofahot
eland
parkedt
hecar
..
att
hedoorst
oodJoe.
.
sot
heywer
eevent
oldt
hatiwascomi
ng?
?nx.
.
igotoutandwentt
ohi m..ididntsayanyt
hing,
he
alsodi
dntsayanyt
hing..hejustleadmetothe
room..
heshowedmet her
oom andiopeneditwi
thout
hesi
tat
ingasiwasfi
ll
edwit
hanger..
istoodt
her
elooki
ngathi
m si
tt
ingonachai
rnextt
o
thebed.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
il
ookedathi
m.
hewasbrui
sed,hi
sarm wasbandaged.
.butist
ood
att
hedoorwit
houtsayi
nganythi
ng..
hel
ookeddownandsl
owl
yst
oodupashegr
oaned
i
npain.
.
iwat
chedhi
m wal
ktome,
wal
kingi
npai
nand
comi
ngtome..
hest
oppedinf
rontofmeandli
ft
edmyf
aceupt
o
l
ookathi
m..il
ookedathi
m..
Hi
m:iam sor
ry.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
hebr
eat
hedandl
ookedatmeagai
n..
Hi
m:bunny!
it
henhuggedhi
m wi
thoutcar
ingi
fiwashur
ti
ng
hi
m ornot
..
hegr
oanedi
npai
nbutidi
dntcar
e..
ihuggedhi
m andlai
dmyheadonhi
schest
li
steni
ngt
ohisheart
beat
..
heslowlyhuggedmebackandt
henbr
ushedmy
head..
it
henpul
ledout
..
Me:whydi
dntyout
ellme?
?
Hi
m:it
houghtyouwoul
dleavemei
fyouknew.
.
Me:leaveyou??idatedyouknowingthatyourdad
wasaMaf ia.
.ist
ayedwi thyouevenaft
eryou
showedmehowr uthlessyoucoul
dbeevenwi th
me..sowhywoul dileave??isl
ovesoweakt hat
youcanjustdeci
det ostoplovi
ng??
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.hej
ustl
ooki
ngaway.
.
Me:dontyoutr
ustmeenoughtotel
lmet
his?
?ordo
youthi
nkidontl
oveyouenough?
?doyouthi
nki
maynotbeloyal
??
Hi
m:itsnott
hat.
..iknowyouloveme,
iknowyou
ar
eloyalt
ome..andit r
ustyou.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:howiwisht
heycoul
d'vebeat
enyoueven
har
der.
.mxm..
hechuckl
edandl
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:doest
hatmeaniam f
orgi
ven?
?
ipr
essedhi
sbandagedar
m andhecr
iedi
npai
n..
Hi
m:ahhhhhhh!
!whatt
hehel
l?
?
Me:nowweeven.
.
Hi
m:mxm.
..t
hathur
ts.
.
Me:t
hatwasnothi
ng.
..iwoul
d'vepr
essedmy
t
humbinthatwound.
.
Him:hhhhaaaaaaaa,
hai
,ar
eyouaMaf
iaor
somethi
ng??
Me:idontknow,
coul
dbe.
..
Hi
m:ahahahamxm.
.
Me:Luu!
Hi
m:mhm?
Me:pr
omi
semeyouwontl
iet
omeagai
n??
Hi
m:ipr
omi
se.
.
Me:aboutanythi
ng.
.idontcar
ewhati
tisorhow
har
ditwil
lhurtme,j
ustletmeknow.
.
Hi
m:yesmam. .
.iwontli
etoyouanymor
e,andiwi
ll
al
wayst
ellyouever
ythi
ng..
ismi
ledandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:whatast
ubbor
nWol
fyouar
e..
.
hesmi
led.
.
me:whathappenedtoyou?
?whyar
eyoual
l
br
uisedandbandaged??
Hi
m:igotshotandbeat
enupbyt
heot
hergang.
.
Me:what
??
Him:eversinceidroppedmygutanddeci dedt o
focusonbusiness,peoplethoughtihavebecome
soft.
.andtheykeeptakingchanceswi t
hme..fir
st
theybetr
ayme, theystealf
rom meandnowt hey
eventrytosabotage.
.
Me:whatnow?
?
Him:iwil
lhavet
oleavemycompanytomyt r
usted
part
nersandgobacktot
eachi
ngpeopl
elessons.
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:iam sor
ry.
..i
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:i
tsowk.
..
..iwi
llj
ustgetusedt
oit
..
.
hel
ookeddownandhel
dmyshoul
der
..
Hi
m:howdi
dyouf
indoutt
hough?
?
Me:ineverpaidattenti
ont othelit
tl
ethingswhen
youlef
t.
.sowhenist artedt hi
nkingabouti t
,ital
l
cameback...yourfatherbei ngamaf ia,youonce
tol
dmeyoudodanger ousdeal ingsbutit hought
youwerejoking..
.andl eavingwi thablackhoodi e
wit
habagatt hatti
me. .itonlymeanst rouble..
Him:wow,iam i
mpressed.
.youmanagedt
ocr
acka
puzzl
eal
lonyourown? ?
Me:i
tsnott
imef
orj
okes.
..youcoul
d'vedi
ed.
.
Hi
m:iwontbeki
ll
edt
hateasi
ly.
.
Me:butyouwereshott
hateasi
ly.
.whoknowsif
nextt
imetheywil
lai
mforyourheadoryourhear
t.
.
Hi
m:st
opst
ressi
ng.
.thatwonthappen.
.
il
aidmyheadonhi
schest
..
Me:ihat
eitwhenyouar
eawayf
rom me.
.you
shoul
dalwaysst
ayupcl
ose.
.
Hi
m:yesmam.
.
ismi
led.
.
[
12/
28,12:
32] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE)
.
40
.
*
*Nana*
*
iheardthatLuugothurt,andihavedecidedt
o
comeandseehi m andalsocareforhi
m.idontcare
ifLuuhasagi r
l,f
actisthatgi
rlwil
lneverbemore
valuabl
ethenme. .andtoday,
iwillpr
ovethat
.
ihaddeci
dedt
ogotowereLubal
ivedandt
oday,
i
wil
lbedoi
nghomevi
sit
s..
iwalkedt otot hegat
eandbef
oreicouldgetther
e,a
cardr oveinfrontofmeandparkedinfr
ontofthe
gate..ithoughtitwasLuu,
soismiledandrantothe
car,butseemedl i
kei
twasJoe.
.
doesheal
wayshavet
obeever
ywher
e??iam
st
arti
ngt
ohatehi
m..
Me:ar
eyouhavi
ngmef
oll
owed?
?
Joe:idontknow?
?whatdoyout
hink?
?
Me:Luuwi
llnotl
ikei
tifhehear
sthi
s..
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:youknowwhat ,
ifeelsi
ckst
andingheretal
king
t
oyou..orhaveyouforgot
tent
hatiam your
madam? ?
hechuckl
edanddi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
icli
ckedmytongueandheadt
othegat
ebuthe
blockedmyway..
me:whyar
eyoubl
ocki
ngmyway?
??huh?
??
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:ohhhhhiknow.
.youar
escaredt
hatiwil
lbe
ablet
oseeLuuandhewouldrememberourdays
toget
herr
ight
??
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:iwar
nyou.
..
.getoutofmyway.
.
Joe:iwould.
.butidoubtMadam wouldli
kei
tif
anotherwomanjustbuggedinherhouse.
Me:what
??Joe,st
opl
ying.
..webot
hknowt
hatLuu
woul
dneverbr
ingagi
rlhome..
.
il
aughed.
..
imeandoeshethinkiam st
upi
d??iwasthefi
rst
andlastgi
rlt
oeverent
erLuu'
shouseandprobabl
y
thel
astone..
Joenoddedt ooneoft
heguardsandtheywenti
n
thehouse.
.theymustbegoi
ngtocallLuu.
.
Me:goodboy. ..nowthatwasthemostgoodthing
youdidsinceicameback. .
.youmust'
vereal
ized
thatiwasrighthai?
?
ismi
led.
..
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasi
nthehousewat
chi
ngTVasLuuwas
sl
eepi
ng.
.
hehasn'
theal
edyetsoitol
dhi
mtor
est
.pl
ust
he
pi
ll
salsogothi
m sl
eepy.
.
asiwassi
tt
ingdown,
oneoft
heguar
dscamet
ome
andtoldmet
hatsomeonewasl
ooki
ngf
orme
out
side..
iwasshockedint
owhoitcoul
dbe,becauseidont
havefr
iendsar
oundt
hisareaandnooneknows
me..
ilookedathim conf
usedandhewal
kedout
..
.ori
s
thepersonlost
? ?
igotoutandwhenigott
othegat
est
il
lconf
used,
i
sawJoest andi
ngwi
thLuu'
sex.
.
ichuckl
edandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hem.
..
theyopenedthegatef
ormeandshetur
nedtome.
.
shewasal lsmi
les,
butwhenshesawmehersmi
le
faded.
.
icouldntregisteri
fshewasconf
used,
shockedor
disappointed..
iwal
kedt
othem.
.
Me:MrJoe?
?ar
eyout
heonecal
li
ngme?
?
Joe:yesmadam. .t
hisladyoverherewantedtosee
MrWol f
..butit
oldherthatMrWol fi
ssleepi
ng,
mabyeshecant alktoyouandyoumayhel pher
samewayMrWolfwould'
vehel
pedhersi
nce
Madam andMrWol
fareone.
.
ismil
edatJoe'
sst
atement
,hesurecanbesavage
whenhewantsto.
.andhesai
dallofthi
swi
tha
ser
iousf
ace..
Me:ohhh,
ofcause,
howmayihel
pyoumyl
ady?
?
Her:myl
adysef
oot
..
.youwi
llnotgetawaywi
th
t
hisJoe.
.
wel
ookedatherconf
used.
.
Her:itel
lyou.
.youmayt hi
nkyouhaveLuuandt hat
youaretogether,
butyouwontlast
..youwil
lnotl
ast,
youknowwhy? ?becauseyouwontbeableto
handleLuu..
Me:l
ikehowyoucoul
dnthandl
ehi
m??
Her:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.nogirlcanhandl eLuu..
.besides,
youaretooinnocent
..dontthinkjustbecauseyou
haveatt
it
udeandgut s,youhavei tall
..
.allyouhave
i
sthebehaviorofatownshi pgirl
..nowthatwont
cuti
t.
..i
fyouwantt ostaywi t
hLuu, youhavet obe
morethenthat.
.
Me:t
hankyouforyouradvi
ce,
iwi
lll
ooki
nto
i
mprovi
ngthat
..
Her:(
chuckl
edindi
sgust
)let
sseehowl
ongyoul
ast
wit
hLuu..B***
*
Me:l
etsseehowyoul
asti
nthi
swor
ld.B*
***
shel
ookedatmeandt
urnedbackwal
kingaway.
..
isi
ghed.
.
Joe:donotworryabouther
..shewi
llnotbea
probl
em soon.
.
Me:ofcauseshewont
..becauseiwi
llmakesur
eof
i
t.
.
it
urnedbackandwentbacki
nthehouse.
..
isatonthecouchandiwast
hinki
ngoverandover
aboutthi
sgir
l.
..
"shewant
stohaveapeaceofme??theniwoul
dn't
beagoodmentorifidi
dntgi
vei
ttoher.
..
"ismi
led
asalr
eadyapl
ancamet omymind..
noonewi
llmesswi
thMyWol
f.
..Noone!
!
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
ihadbeenplani
ngmyplanandnowthepl
anni
ngi
s
done,
itsnowtimet
oexecut
ethepl
an..
Luuissti
llsl
eepi
ng.
..thepil
lsmustr
eall
ybeheavy
becausehedoesntsleepforsol
ong..
iwentt
ooneoftheguardsandaskedhimtotake
metothet
ownshipbecauseiwanttogether
bs
fr
om myauntt
ogiveLuu..
ofcauseiknowthatt
heywi l
ltel
lhi
m soit
sowk,
becausehewil
lthi
nkireal
lywenttogetherbs.
.
heagr
eedt
otakeme.
.
aft
erawhil
ewegott her
eandiaskedhi
mtost
ay
hereasiwi
llbebackinawhi
le.
.
heagr
eed.
.
it
hentext
edScarandMfanat
omeetmeatt
he
Rocki
nf r
ontofmyhouse.
.
t
heyagr
eed.
.
af
teraf
ewmi
nut
es,
theyar
ri
ved.
.
Scar
:hai
bo,
whathappened?
?whyyoul
ooki
ngf
or
ussol
ateandi
nsuchar
ush?
?
Me:idonthavetimetotalkf
orlong,
thecari
s
wai
ti
ngf orme..ineedyourhel
p..
Mf
ana:whydoesi
tsounddanger
ous?
?
Me:i
fwegoaccor
dingt
othepl
an,
itwontbe.
.
Scar
:what
sthepl
an?
?
il
aiddownt
hepl
anf
ort
hem.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupanddi
dntseeBunnynextt
ome.
.
igotoutofbedandwenttolookf
orherint
heli
ving
room andherbedr
oom andshewasntinsi
ght
..
ical
ledtheguar
dsandaskedthem wher
eshewas
andtheytol
dmet hatshewenthometogether
bs
forme..
thatwasweir
dbecausesheneverspokeabout
herbs.
.andal
sowhywouldshest i
llt
hinkher
bs
whentherear
epil
lsher
e..
..
inoddedandt
henwentbacki
nsi
de.
..
iwonderi
fshei
sint
roubl
e..
wel
l,
ifshewas,
theniwoul
dknow.
.
iheadbacktomyroom andl
ayonmybed.
.isshe
comingbackal
ready?
?imissher
..
.
ir
eachedf
ormyphoneandcal
ledher
..
sheanswer
ed.
.
Her
:MrWol
f.
.
Me:Bunny,
howf
arar
eyou?
?
Her
:headi
ngback.
.
Me:mhm.
.hur
ry,
imi
ssyou.
.
Her
:ncooooowwww,it
hinkiwi
llt
akemyt
imeso
t
hatyoucanmissmemor e.
.
Me:t
heniwoul
dcomeandl
ookf
oryou.
.
Her
:hahahahayouar
esoext
ra.
.
me:ext
raspi
cedwi
thl
ove.
.
Her
:hahahahaha.
..haveyoueat
en?
?
Me:no,
iam wai
ti
ngf
oryout
ofeedme.
.
Her
:ar
eyouababynow?
?
Me:mhm..asickbaby..
.andidontknowwhatki
nd
ofMot
herleavesasickchil
dunatt
ended.
.
Her
:mxm.
..what
ever
..
me:hahahahaha
Her
:iam al
mosthome,
seeyousoon.
me:owk.
.
shehungupandismi
led.
.
it
henlai
dmyheadbackandbr
eat
hedoutcl
osi
ng
myeyes.
..
[
12/28,12:
33] :
**
****
*****
*****
*****
*****
*****
***CROP
TOP****
*****
*****
*****
*****
*****
.
(I
NSERTSPONSOREDBYNOMPUMELELO
FORTUNATE)
.
41
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ij
ustgoti
nLuu'
sbedr
oom andhewasst
il
l
sl
eepi
ng..
iwal
kedsof
tl
yandsawhi sphoneonthedrawer
andwentt
oit.
.it
ookitandopenedi
twithout
maki
nganysound..
iwentt
obl ockedcontactsandunblockedthe
numberthatiblocked,t
henicall
edthenumberto
conf
ir
mt hatthenumber swherehisex'snumber
..
.
sheanswer
ed.
.
Her
:Luu!
!iknewyouwoul
dcomeback.
..
.
ir
oll
edmyeyesandhungup.
.
shecal
ledbackandihungupagai
n..
it
hensentheramessage.
.
"
Mygi
rl
fr
iendi
ssl
eepi
ng,
idontwanthert
ohearme
soicantt
alkr
ightnow.i
fyouwantt
oseeme,
meet
meunderthebri
dgeat16:00.
"
isenti
tandwai
tedf
ort
her
espond.
.
af
terawhi
lesher
esponded.
.
"ofcauseiwantt
oseeyouLuu,
iwi
llbeatt
he
Bridge.
"
ismi
ledanddelet
edt
hemessagesandbl
ockedt
he
numberagai
n..
t
heniputt
hephonedownandsatnextt
oLuu
wat
chi
nghim sl
eep.
.
hedoesntwearaTshirtwhenhesl
eeps,
ithi
nk
that
'sbecausei
tsHot
..
il
ookedathim andpeekedathi
stat
toothatwas
hal
fshown..ir
eall
ywishtoseethef
ullt
attoo.
.
ismi
ledandl
ookedathi
m..
Me:iwillal
wayshaveyourback,
iknowyouwil
l
haveminetoo..hopeyouwontbeangr
yforwhati
am abouttodo..
af
tersayi
ngt
hat
,ismi
ledandwal
kedout
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
sotheguyswhoar eal
wayswat
chingoverMy
BunnyandSiyareport
edt
oJoethatBoi
tumel
ois
ont
osomet hi
ng.
.
thedayshesai dtogogetherbsforme,shewas
seentalki
ngt ohi
s2guysf ri
ends.andoneofmy
guysalsot ol
dmet hatBoi
tumeloaskhimtoget
i
nformat i
onaboutNANA. .
nowidontknowwhatsheisplanni
ngandwhyshe
askedf
ortheinf
ormat
ion.
.soideci
dedtol
ether
andseewhatsheispl
anning.
butiwontsi
tback,
iwi
llt
ailherandseewhatshei
s
doi
ng..
shetol
dmeshewantstogobackhomearound
16:
00andshewi
llbebackbef
ore20:
00.soi
agr
eed..
butiwi
llbef
oll
owi
ngher
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Nana*
*
i
twasnow16:
00andLuuwasnotyether
e..
iwai
tedf
orawhileandtr
iedt
ocal
lhi
m agai
n,buti
t
woul
dgostr
aighttovoi
cemai
l.
"
whatgamei
sLuupl
ayi
ng?
"
iwai
tedf
orl
onger
..
outofthebl
ue,hi
sst
upi
dgi
rlcame.
.ichuckl
ednot
bel
ievi
ngthi
s..
Her
:hiNana!
il
ookedather
..
Her:youl
ookdisappoi
nted.
..wer
eyouexpect
ing
someoneelse?
?
Me:yousentt
hemessage?
?
Her
:message?
?whatmessage?
?
Me:(chuckl
es)imustsayir
eal
lyunder
est
imat
ed
you.
.
Her
:onl
ynowyour
eal
ize?
?damn,
yousl
ow.
.
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her:youknow, iact ual
lythoughtmabyeyouwoul d
notcome...
.imeanwhywoul dLuuwantt oseeyou
i
fhehasbeenavoi dingyouf r
om thefi
rstpl
ace??
yeses,youreallyslow...
.nowiunder st
andwhen
yousaidnogi rlwoul dunderstandLuu..f
rom your
experi
enceasasl owper sonofcause,youwoul d
fi
ndhim dif
ficulttounder st
andbecausehei sfast
..
Me:B*
***your
eal
lyhavegut
s..
Her
:ido.
..
Me:wel
lidonthavet
imef
ort
his.
.
iwal
kedaway.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
shet
urnedt
owal
kawayandif
oll
owedher
..
ipul
ledherdownbyt
hehai
randdr
aggedherback.
.
it
henpul
ledheront
hegr
oundandki
ckedher
..
Me:peopl
ewhoj ustdontgetthepointi
rr
it
ateme.
.
youl
uckyidonthaveagun. .
.orelseiwouldbl
ow
yourheadof
f.
..
Voi
ce:ihaveoner
ighther
e..
.
[
12/
28,12:
33] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NOMPUMELELOFORTUNATE).
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Voi
ce:ihaveoner
ighther
e..
.
it
urnedbackt
oseewhoj
ustsai
dthat
,ir
eal
izedi
t
wasJoe..
.
Me:Joe?
?
Joe:imustsaythatiam i
mpr essed.
..iwasactual
ly
pl
anningsomethingmyself,
butseemsl ikeyoubeat
met oit
..
Me:di
dyoucomewi
thLuu?
??
Joe:no.
.idi
dnteveni
ncl
udehi
minmypl
an.
.
Me:wel
liam gl
adyoucoul
djoi
nus.
.
Joe:st
il
lneedt
hegun?
?
me:passi
ttomepl
ease.
.
Joehandedmet
hegunanddamni
twasheavy.
..
Me:woaww!
!suchamachi
ne.
..
il
ookedather
..
Me:sobabygir
l,whi
chonewil
litbe?
?di
e,orgo
backt
hehellwhereyoucamef
rom? ?
Her
:youwoul
dn'
tdar
e..
..
Voi
ce:i
fshecantdoi
t,t
heniwi
ll
..
.
it
urnedandi
twasLuu.
..
me:Luu.
.
Her
:Luu!
!
it
urnedtoherandki
ckedhermout
hthatshe
st
artedbl
eedi
ng..
Her
:whatyousonofaB*
**
"
BOOM!
!"
agunshotf
ir
edandi
twasLuuwhoshotNal
edi
'
s
l
eg.
..
iwassoscar
edatt
hatt
imebutidi
dntwantt
oshow
it
..
il
ookedatherandf
eltabi
tpi
tyf
orherasshe
gr
oanedinpain.
.
Her
:ahhhhhhh!i
sthi
swhati
tis?
?real
ly?
?overher
??
Me:l
ist
enhereNana..idontwantt
ohur
tyou.
.just
l
eaveustheF**
*alone..owk?
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:idontcarei fyoudat
edLuu,
butnowyouneed
tounderst
andt hathemovedonandheiswi
thme
now..underst
ood. .
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
iwentt
ower eshewasshotandst
ampedont
he
wound,shegroanedi
npai
n..
me:iaskedi
fyouunder
stoodme?
?
Her
:ahhhhhhh!
!F*
*K.
..yes.
..yesiunder
stand.
..
il
ethergoandst
eppedback.
.
Joecameandt
ookt
hegunt
hatiwashol
ding.
.
Joe:Boss.
..j
ustonewor
dandiam i
n..
.
Luu:i
wil
lletmywi
feher
edeci
de.
..
Her:please.
..pl
ease..
.letmelive.
..pl
ease.
..i
pr
omi seiwontbot heryou..
.ipromise.
..
Me:wi
llyougobackwher
eyoucamef
rom?
?
shenoddedver
yqui
ckl
y..
il
ookedatJoeandLookedatLuu.
.
Me:l
etherl
ive.
..
Luu:youhear
dthebossl
ady.
..
Joe:yesmam.
.
Luusmil
edandpul
ledmeawayaswewal
kedaway.
.
Joest
ayedbehi
nd.
.
ikeptl
ooki
ngbackbecauseiwaswonder
ingwhat
Joewasgoingtodo.
..
Me:whyisJoestayingbehi
nd?
?ial
readysai
dthat
heshoul
dletherl
ive..
.
Hi
m:hewontdonot
hingt
oher
..
Me:ar
eyouser
ious?
?
Him:mhm. .hewil
lonl
ywai
tforthedoctorto
removethebull
eti
nthewound..wealreadyknow
howphycoshei s,
shecoul
duset hatt
oher
advant
age..
Me:mhm.
..
wegoti
nthecar
..
.
Me:anyway,
howdi
dyouknowwher
etof
indme?
?
Luu:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:Luu?
?
Luu:i
havemyways.
.
Me:ohhhwai
t,if
orgotaboutScarandMf
ana.
.
Luu:i
hadmyment
aket
hem back.
.
Me:what
??
Luu:what
??coul
dntigi
vet
hem ar
ideback?
?
il
ookedatLuu.
.
Luu:(
chuckl
es)
Me:what
??
Luu:youandJoear
emymostl
oyalpeopl
e..
.
planningst
rat
egi
estogetri
dofNana?
?wow!
!i
thinkimarr
iedagangst
er.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)nowyour
eal
ize?
?
Luu:hahahaha,
seemsif
oundmysoulmat
e..
ibl
ushed.
..
hedr
ovebackhomeandwewenti
nthehouse.
.
Me:iam goi
ngt
otakeashower
.
Luu:owk.
..
iwenti
ntomyr
oom andpr
epar
edt
otakeashower
..
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
shel
efttot
akeashower
,ial
sowenti
ntomyr
oom
andsatonmybed..
iwaspleasedatwhatJoeandBunnydi d..even
thoughitwasdanger
ous,buti
tshowedt hatshe
waswi l
li
ngtodowhateveri
ttookforNanat oleave
usalone..
act
ual
lyihadapl
anofmyown,
whi
chwashar
sh
butt
heysavedherf
rom t
hat
..
isatbackandsmi
ledal
one.
..
it
henl
aidbackonmybackandcl
osedmyeyes.
..
momentofrel
axat
ion.
.
af
terashor
tmoment
,bunnycameandl
eanedover
me..
iopenedmyeyesandlookedather.
.thesi
ghtshe
present
edt
omewaski ll
ingme..doessheeven
knowwhatsheisdoi
ngtome? ?
Me:(
clear
sthr
oat)youpl
ayi
ngaver
ydanger
ous
gameyouknow..
Her:whatgame?
?ij
ustcamet
oaskf
ora
shampoo..
.
Me:your
sisf
ini
shed?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:mhm.
..youcangogeti
nint
hebat
hroom.
Her
:thankyou.
..
shegotof
fmeandwentt
othebat
hroom.
..
il
aidbackagai
nandr
elaxedmyhead.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwalkedoutt
hebathroom andsawLuulayi
ngon
hisbackandhisshi
rtwasabi tupsohi
stat
toowas
reveal
ing.
.
idontknowwhy,butial
wayswascur
iousabout
whatheTatt
ooisactual
ly.
.
iwentt
ohi
m andt
ouchedthetat
toosof
tl
y..hehel
d
myhandqui
ckl
yandlookedatme..
Hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Me:huh.
..huh.
..
..
.i.
..
..
ididntknowwhet hert
ojustsayi
tornot..
.nott
hat
it
swr ongbutjustmymi ndwassti
llshockedfr
om
beingcaught.
.
hepul
ledmeandr
oll
edmeover
..
nowiwasunderhi
m andhel
eanedoverme.
.
Hi
m:youl
iket
roubl
e??
Me:i
..
..ij
ustwant
edt
oseeyourt
att
oo.
.
hel
ookedathi
stat
tooandl
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:coul
dntyoul
ookati
twi
thoutt
ouchi
ng?
?
Me:ial
sowant
edt
ofeel
howi
tfeel
sli
ke.
..
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)
..
..
.
Me:wel
l,
caniseei
t??
Hi
m:Seewhat
??
Me:yourt
att
oo.
.
Hi
m:*
sigh*no.
.
Me:why?
?
Hi
m:because.
..
Me:pl
ease.
..
hesighedashedebatedwit
hhimself
..t
henhesat
upandl ower
edhi
strousert
oreveal
mor eofhi
s
tat
too.
.
i
twasaWol f.
..aWolft
hatwashaul
ing.
.sowheni
sawthetoppart,
iwasseei
ngthesmallpeaceof
thewol
f'
sheadwhi chi
swhyiwasconf usedt
o
whati
twas.
.
thet
att
oowasri
ghtoverhi
sV-li
ne.
.whi
chmademe
swal
lowwhenisawtheV-l
ine.
.
it
henl
ookedathi
m..
Me:canit
ouchi
t??
Hi
m:no!
!
Me:pl
ease.
.
hi
m:No!
!
me:why?
Him:imaynotber
esponsi
blef
orwhatwi
llhappen
next
..
.
Me:whati
fiwonthol
dyour
esponsi
ble?
?
hel
ookedatmef
orawhi
le.
.
Me:cani
??
hesighedagai
nandloweredhist
rousersagain.
.i
thentouchedt
heWolf.
.itwassmooth,yetal
soabit
rough..ver
ymixedt
ext
ure..
asiwast
ouchi
ng,
itouchedhi
sV-
li
neandhe
cl
earedhi
sthr
oat
..t
henhecl
osedt
het
att
ooand
l
eanedonme..
het
henki
ssedme.
.
hest
art
edoutsl
ow,
andcont
inuedki
ssi
ngme.
.
ir
esponded,
ihel
dhi
sar
m asweki
ss.
.
het
henpul
ledoutt
heki
ssandl
ookedatme.
.
Him:(
raspyvoi
ce)youbet
terl
eavebef
oreyougeti
n
t
roubl
e..
Me:whati
fiwantt
obei
ntr
oubl
e?
hel
ookedatme.
Hi
m:ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
?
Me:mhm.
..
heki
ssedmeagai
n..
.sl
owl
y,passi
onat
ely.
.
heranhishandsonmybodyandgentlyunt
iedmy
robe.iwashal
fnakedal
readysi
nceiwasprepar
ing
tobath..
heki
ssedmeashewoul
dal
sobr
eat
hinbet
ween.
.
.
.
(
21+Readi
ngpl
easef
oll
owt
hel
inkpr
ovi
ded)
htt
ps://
www. f
acebook.com/groups/428349191667
705/permal
ink/42835312000645/?app=fbl
.
.

het
ookasheetandcover
edus.
.
hel
ookedatmeandicover
edmyf
aceagai
n..
Hi
m:whyyoucover
ingyourf
ace?
?
Me:iam shy.
.
heremovedmyhandsbutikeptputt
ingthem back.
.
heremovedt
hem agai
nandthisti
meil ookedat
hi
m. .
Hi
m:noneedt
obeshyonme.
.iam yourhusband.
.
ismi
led.
.
heki
ssedmeandhel
dmycheeks.
.
Me:Luu.
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
me:nowthatyousleptwi
thme.
.canyounotsl
eep
wi
thanybodyelse.
..
Hi
m:iwi
llneverdot
hat
..iwi
llonl
ybewi
thyout
il
li
di
e..
Me:pr
omi
se?
?
Hi
m:ipr
omi
se.
.
Me:iwi
llbet
heonl
ygi
rl
??idontl
ikeshar
ing.
.
Hi
m:youwi
llbet
heonl
ygi
rl
..
.
ismi
led.
.
Hi
m:dontforgett
hatial
sodontl
iket
oshar e,
so
pl
easedontcheatonmeorbewithotherguys..
Me:iwont
..
Him:ifieverf
indyouwithanyoneel
se,
iwi
llki
llt
hat
person,ipr
omiseyouthat.
.
Me:am ial
lowedt
oki
llanygi
rlt
hatial
soseeyou
wi
th??
Hi
m:ofcause,
iwi
llevenl
endyoumygun.
.
il
aughedal
it
tl
e..
hel
ookedatme.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:il
oveyouLuu.
.
Hi
m:iF*
*loveyout
oo.
.Bunny.
.
ismi
led.
.
il
aidonhi
schestashekeptgent
lypl
ayedhi
s
fi
nger
sonmyback...
.
*
***
**SONG*
***
**
Feel
in'
li
keidi
dtoomuch(
much)
I
'
mfeel
in'
li
keidi
dtoomuch(
much)
wel
l,
let
sgetnaught
ier(
naught
ier
)
yeah,
ineedal
lofya(
allofya)
[
12/
28,
12:
34] :42
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwokeupt
oBunnysl
eepi
ngi
nmyar
msandbur
ri
ng
herf
aceonmychest
.
ismi
led.
.
waki
ngupt othi
ssightandthi
sfeeli
ng,i
tsoneof
t
hefeel
ingsihaveneverfel
tinalongti
me..the
f
eeli
ngi
swar m,freshandmoodenl i
ght
ening..
ibr
ushedherhai
rusi
ngmyhandsasshehasshort
hai
randthenal
soranmyf
inger
snherfor
ehead.
.
icantbel
ieveifel
tsohar
dfort
hisgi
rlandnow,
she
hasgivenallofher
s..
iki
ssedherf
orehead.
ikeptonl
ooki
ngather,t
henminutesl
ater
,she
movedandthensl
ight
lyopenedhereyes.
.
shesawmel
ooki
ngatherandbur
iedherf
ace
agai
n..
il
ikei
twhensheget
sshy,
shel
ooksver
ycut
e..
Me:wil
lyoukeepyourheadbur
iedonmychest
f
orever
??
Her
:mhm.
..
Me:wow,
sayssomeonewhohast
hegutt
ohol
da
gun.
.
Her
:shutup.
.
il
aughed.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her
:waphapha.
.
Me:whatdoest
hatmean?
?
Her
:uf
orwar
d..
Me:iam f
orwar
d??
Her
:yes.
.
Me:mxm.
.youar
ebackwar
dst
hen.
.
ismi
ledasshel
aughed.
.
Me:Bunny!
Her
:mhm?
Me:haveyouevercont
act
edyourpar
ent
s??
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:Bunny?
Her
:*si
gh*no.
Me:why?
?
Her
:idonthavet
hei
rcont
act
s..
Me:dontt
heycal
lyou?
?
Her
:ichangedmycont
act
slastyear
.
Me:sot
heycantr
eachyou?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:andyouar
enotbot
her
edbyt
hat
??
Her
:asisai
d,ineverwantedtobeaburdent
o
t
hem..t
heyarebetterof
fwithoutme.
.
Me:soyounotevenpl
anni
ngonvi
sit
ingt
hem i
n
Mozambique?
?
Her
:eveni
fiwant
edt
o,idontknowhowt
oget
t
here.
.
Me:so,
youwontr
euni
tewi
tht
hem?
?
Her
:ihavenopl
ansoflooki
ngfort
hem,ij
ustwant
t
olett
hem besothatt
heydontworr
yaboutmeor
f
eelpi
tyforme.
.icant
akecareofmysel
f.
..
Me:butyouneedf
ami
ly.
.
her
:youdo.
.idont
..
Me:*
*si
gh*
*st
ubbor
ngi
rl
..
.
ihuggedher
..
.
Her
:whydoyousuddenl
yaskt
hisquest
ion?
?
Me:well
,rememberAuntMar
thawarnedusabout
pr
eventi
onandalwaysusi
ngprot
ecti
on??wel
l,we
di
dntanditmightbet
hatwearenot2anymore.
.
Her
:shutup.
.idontcat
cht
hatqui
ck.
..
Me:youmaynotcat
cht
hatqui
ck,
butiam st
rong.
.
youknow.
.
shel
aughed
Me:anyway,youdi
dntseem l
ikeyouwer
eavi
rgi
n..
it
houghtyouwere.
.
Her
:(smi
le)whydi
dyout
hinkiwasaVi
rgi
n??
Me:idontknow,
ijustt
houghtyouwer
e..
.
Her:i
sthatwhyyouaskedmei
fihadsomet
hingt
o
t
ellyou?
?
Me:mhm.
..
Her
:hahaha,
nah,
iwasnot
..
me:t
henwhowasyourVi
rgi
nbr
eaker
??
Her
:whydoyouwantt
oknow?
?that
'st
hepast
.
me:iam j
ustaski
ng.
.
Her
:no.
.st
opi
t.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..why?whatar
eyouhi
ding?
?
Her
:hahahaNot
hing!
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
ij
ustl
ookedather
..
Her
:what
??
Me:not
hing.
..
Her:owk,
owk,
owk.
..butt
heni
tsanembar
rassi
ng
st
ory..
Me:iam l
ist
eni
ng.
.
Her:wel
l,
iwasinhighschool
,wewer
ei nvit
edtoa
housepart
yandtherewasthi
sboyil
iked..ifl
ir
ted
wit
hhim andhefl
ir
tedwithmeandwehookedup. .
wegotdr
unkandonet
hingwentt
oanot
her
..
Me:youbr
okeyourvi
rgi
natahousepar
tywi
tha
guyyouj
ustdat
ed??
Her:mhm..wor stpart
,idi
dntevendat
ehi
m..itwas
aonenightstand..tur
nedout,hehadagi
rl
fr
iend.
.a
pr
egnantgir
lf
r i
end...
Me:what
??st
upi
djer
kiwoul
dki
llhi
mri
ghtnow.
.
Her
:hahah,
thatwast
hepasthao.
.pl
usiwas
f
orwar
d..
Me:wel
lyoushoul
dst
opbei
ngf
orwar
d..
Her:apartf
rom bei
ngforwardtopr
otectwhati
s
mine,theniwontbeforward.
.
ismi
led.
.
isawthescaronherar
m,i
tlookedl
ikeabul
let
scar
..
isawthislastni
ghtbutdi
dnthavet
imet
oask,
becausetheroom washot.
.
Me:wer
eyouevershot
??
Her
:whydoyouask?
?
Me:t
hisl
ooksl
ikeabul
letwound.
.
ipoi
ntedatt
hescar
.
Her
:ohhhh,
yes,iwasshot
..howdi
dyouknowt
hat
i
twasabull
etscar?
?
Me:ihaveonet
oor
emember
..andial
sodealwi
th
guns.
.
Her:hai
!!ineverr
eal
izedt
hat
..
.webot
hhavebul
l
et
scarsonourar ms.
.
Me:yah,
cut
e,nowhowdidyougetshot
?whenwas
i
tandwhydontiknowabouti
t??
Her
:owwwwwk..
.igotshotal
ongagowheniwent
t
odeli
versomeweedtoBri
ck'
speopl
e.
Me:t
hatsonofa.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her
:(i
nter
rupt
ing)woaw.
.rel
axowk.
..
Me:howcanhesendyoutodosuchadanger
ous
j
ob??doeshet
akewell
??
Her
:canwest
opt
alki
ngabouti
tnow.
.
Me:mxm.
..
Her
:MrWol
fisangr
y??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shecameclosert
omeandst artedpl
ant
ingbaby
ki
ssesal
lovermyf aceandneck..
t
henshel
ookedatme.
.
Her:canwef
ocusont
hef
utur
e??it
hinkt
hatwayi
s
best.
.
ismi
lednotgi
vingananswer
..
shesmi
ledback.
.
Her
:iam hungr
y..
Me:whatwoul
dyoul
iket
oeat
??
Her
:idontknow,anyt
hing.
.
Me:anyt
hing?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:anyt
hing?
?
isai
dthi
sleani
ngonher
..
shel
aughedasshecaughtonwhatiwast
hinki
ng.
.
Me:noyoudi
rt
ymi
nded.
.
shel
aughed.
..
Me:f
ir
stwehavet
oshower
..l
etsgo.
.
Her
:iam notshower
ingwi
thyou.
.
Me:t
her
e'snot
hingt
ohi
deanymor
e..nowcome.
.
shel
aughedasshepul
ledt
hesheet
soverher
..
ipul
ledt
hesheetsandt
hrewt
hem awayandpi
cked
herupbri
dalst
yle
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
ijustarr
ivedatmydaughter
sschool.
.itwas
parentsmeet i
nganditwassai
dthati
twasamust
forparentstocome..
i
ftheyhadnotemphasi
zedthatitwasamustt
o
at
tend,
iwouldhavenotcame..
i
tsrareformetoappearatschool,
nott hatidont
takemydaughter
sschoolwor kseri
ous, buti
tsjust
thatever
yti
meiam here,t
hef emaleteacherskeep
stari
nganditr
eal
lymakesmeuncomf ortabl
e..and
no,i
tsnotonl
yfemaleteacher
s,i
tsal
ltheteacher
s,
butmostl
yfemale.
.ial
sogetstar
esfrom lear
ners
aswell
.iwonderwhattheythi
nkwhent heyseeme..
aft
ermyfather'
sdeath,
allicoul
ddo, waslayl
ow
andtr
ytoli
veadi f
fer
entlif
e..al
if
edi f
fer
entfr
om
mydad'sbuttheniseem tobefail
ing.
.
everynight
,ever
ymorni
ngiwishmyfatherand
motherwouldbehere.
.butt
heyarenot.
.iam l
eft
hereallal
oneanddontknowwhattodo..
al
lihavenowast hehappinessofmyl if
eismy
daughter,
who'smotherhasleftmeandwentto
whateverwholeshewentto..idontknowhowcoul
d
amot herhaveachil
danddeci detomakearunfor
i
t.
.how? ?
anyway.
.
iar
ri
veatschoolandasal
waysiputmybuckethat
onandheadinsi
de..
igost
rai
ghtt
othehal
lhol
dingPi
nky'
shand.
.
wewalkt
ogetherandaswegettot
hehal
lat
eacher
di
rect
sustosignther
egi
ster
..
Her
:goodeveni
ngsi
r,i
sthi
syourl
it
tl
egi
rl
??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her
:ohhhh,
itmustbesinceyouwalki
ngwi
thher
..
.
wel
l,
sheisaver
ybrightgir
l.
.il
ikeher
..
shesmi
ledasil
ookedather
..
Me:wer
edowesi
gnt
her
egi
ster
??
Her
:ohht
hisway,
sor
ry.
..
shel
eadust
hatway.
.
Her:iam justt
aki
ngbyt
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
sbeaut
y,ieven
f
orgot..sorr
y..
isi
gnt
her
egi
ster
..
af
tersi
gni
ngiheadt
osi
tdown.
.
af
terawhilet
hemeeti
ngst
art
edandal
lieverdi
d
wassitandli
sten.
.
astheyweremakingthemeeti
ng,wewereaskeda
questi
on.peopl
erai
sedthei
rhandsandij
ustsat
ther
efall
ingasl
eep.
.
MAM:huh,
anyonewhocananswert
hatf
orus?
?
icheckedmyti
meandlookedatPi
nkywhowas
verymuchint
othemeet
ing..
MAM:huh,
siri
nthebl
ackj
acket
,woul
dyoul
iket
o
t
ry?
?
atfi
rstidi
dntthi
nkshemeantme,ij
ustkeptmy
headlow,unti
lsomeonet
ouchedmeandpoi nt
edi
n
fr
ont..
il
ookedinf
rontandt
het
eachert
her
ewasl
ooki
ng
atme..
MAM:yesyousi
r.
.canyout
ryt
oanswert
he
quest
ion?
?
il
eanedf
orwar
dandl
ookedather
..ir
aisedmy
eyebr
ow.
.
Me:idi
dntr
aisemyhand.
.
MAM:iknowsi
r,butij
ustwantedt
oaski
fyou
woul
dn'
twantt
ogiveitatr
y..
Me:nottodisr
espectbutithinkt
herewerealotof
par
entsthatwantedtotr
y..itwoul
donlybefairi
f
youchoseoneoft hem.
ismi
rkedandt
henl
eanedback.
.
i
ndeedshechosesomeoneel
se.
.
af
tert
hemeet
ingit
ookPi
nkyandweheadedout
..
aswewerewal
kingout
,farfr
om t
hehal
l,
wesaw
thewomanwhowasinfrontsmoki
ngacigar
ett
e..
iwal
kedpastthi
nki
ngshewouldn'
tseeussi
nce
shewasfarbutshesuddenl
ycameaft
erme..
shest
oppedme.
.
al
licouldsmel
lwasci
gar
ett
e..yes,
idontgetal
ong
wi
thit,
andihatei
t.
.
Her
:sor
rysi
r.
.
it
urnedt
oher
..
Her
:iam sorryforput
ti
ngyouatthespotl
ikethat
,i
r
eall
ythoughtyouwant edt
ogivei
tatrybutyou
wereshytoraiseyourhandsi
nceyouseem li
kea
i
ntr
overt
edtype..
ikeptqui
et.
Her
:yourdaught
eri
ssosweet
..iam herLi
feski
l
ls
t
eacher
..
Me:iunder
standt
hatwear
epeopl
eandwemake
ourowndecisi
ons.
.butcanyounotsmokei
nar
eas
wherechi
ldr
encanseeyou.
her
:sor
ry.
.
Me:itsjustthati
twoul
dn'tmakesensewhenyou
teachthem thatsmoki
ngisharmfult
oonesheal
th
yetyoust i
llsmokei
nfrontoft
hem..i
twouldbel
ike
youarel yi
ng..
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
iwal
kedawayl
eavi
nghert
her
e..
[
12/
28,
12:
34] :43
.
*
*DAYSLATER*
*
*
*Joe*
*
Me:Whoar
eyouwor
kingf
or?
Hekeptl
ooki
ngatmenotsayi
nganyt
hing
Ipul
ledhi
m byhi
sshi
rtandl
eanedcl
oset
ohi
m
Me:it
houghtiaskedyouaquest
ion
Hi
m:It
oldyoual
readyidon'
tknowwhatar
eyou
t
alki
ngabout
.
Me:doyout
hinkam F*
**st
upi
d?HUH?
**Sigh**iwasstart
ingtolosemypatientnow,thi
s
sonofaB* *
**isnotpreparedt
orevealhisboss,but
thatisunfor
tunatebecauseiwil
lmakehi mtalk
ir
aisedhi
sfacespatonhi
sfaceandpunchedhi
m
Me:how'sthatforarewar
dseemsyouarever
y
l
oyalbutyourloyal
tyli
esi
nthewr
ongdir
ecti
on
ipulledhim upagai
nandpunchedhi m again.
Hefel
l
offthechairipul
ledhi
m upandgr abbedhim byhis
throat.
Ithr
ewi nafewpunches,iputmyf eetwher
e
ithurts(pr
ivat
earea)
,Hescreamed
Hi
m:AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
!!
Me:St
il
ldon'
twantt
otal
k?
ipr
essedmyf
eetmor
ehar
derandhescr
eamed
Hi
m:AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
!!
Me:St
opbei
ngal
it
tl
esi
siemanyouar
emaki
nga
noi
se
ipul
ledhi
sfaceandpr
essedhi
scheeks
Me:st
il
lnotr
eadyt
otal
k??
hest
il
lkeptqui
te.Mypat
iencewasr
unni
ng
Me:ok
ipunchedhi m of
fthechairandki ckedthechair
asidehishandsandf eetweret i
edal lhecoul
ddoi s
groaninpain.Ithenkickedhim ont hestomacht i
ll
myf eetachedsore.Ithenpulledhim upandl ooked
himint heeyeshecoul dn'
tevenbar leyopenhis
eyes.
ipunchedhi
m againandhef
elldown.
Ipul
ledout
mygunandl oadedit
BANG!
!!
oneshott
otheneck
Hi
m:AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
!!
Me:st
il
lnott
alki
ng?
?
BANG!
!!
secondshott
othesameknee
Hi
m:AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
!!
hedi
dn'
tseem l
ikehewasr
eadyt
otal
k
BANG!
!!
Thi
rdshott
othesameknee
hegr
oanedandst
art
edt
alki
ng
Hi
m:MrSt
acks
Me:nowwe'
remaki
ngpr
ogr
esswhot
hehel
lisMr
St
acks
Hi
m:t
hebossoft
heSout
her
nGang
Me:Sout
her
nGang?
??
Hi
m:Yes.
..
Sout
her
nGang?
?Iwonderwhot
hosepeopl
ear
e.
Il
ookedatt
hisguygr
oani
ngi
npai
n
Me:thanksfort
hei
nfol
et'
sjusthopeyou'r
eri
ght
becausether
ewon'
tbeanycorrect
ingl
ater
BANG!
!!
oneshotr
ightonhi
shead
Me:i
fiwer
eyouiwoul
dghostar
oundandt
ellyour
st
upi
dMrStackst
hatt
hef
all
enangeli
scoming.
Il
efthi
mther
eandl
etmymancl
eanupt
hemess.
.
*
*HOURSLATER*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
nmyst
udypl
anni
ngf
orourmi
ssi
on
iam si
ckandti
redofpeopl
epl
ayi
ngonmyhead
li
keiam F*
**weak.
nowam pl
anningmycomebackandiwon'
thave
mercyonanyone.
asiwasbusyi
nmyst
udyJoecal
ledme.
Me:Joe?
?
Joe:ij
ustt
ookcar
eoft
hebust
ed.
.
Me:washeusef
ul?
?
Joe:t
hebossnameisMrst
acks.
..hei
sthebossof
somesouther
ngang.
..
Me:t
hesout
her
ngang?
?whoar
ethey?
?
Joe:idi
dsomer esear
ch,i
tsasmallgroup.
.ther
eis
apuzzlemissi
ngthough.suchasmallgangcan
neverpul
lsomet
hingl
ikethi
s,soibett
heyar
eal
so
answeri
ngtosomeone..
Me:thenwewi
llhavet
ocl
osei
nont
hem r
eal
qui
ck..
.
Joe:yesboss.
.
Me:it
sti
meishowedal
lthi
sbust
edt
hatiam t
he
f
all
enangel
..
Joe:yessi
r.
..seemst
heyhavef
orgot
ten.
.
Me:Thedevi
lisback.
.
ismi
ledandhungup.
.
ithenputmyphoneasideandl
ookedatmyl
apt
op
looki
ngatSykes'
spi
cture.
.
"iwonderwhatyouar
epl
anni
ngSykes,
iam
wait
ingforyou.
."
it
hengul
pedagl
assofwhi
skeyandl
aidmyhead
back.
.
t
hedooropenedandBoiwal
kedi
n..
il
ookedather
..
Her
:isi
tsaf
etoent
er?
inodded.
.
Her
:youl
ookt
ir
ed.
.woul
dyoul
ikeamassage?
?
Me:mhm.
.andabackr
ub.
.
Her
:ist
hati
t??
Me:doyouwantmet
oaskf
ormor
e??
Her
:wel
l,
iam of
fer
ingmyservi
ces,youcoulduse
t
heoppor
tuni
tyt
oaskforanyt
hingandeverythi
ng.
.
Me:wow,
thenhowaboutaf
ullbodymassage.
.
Her
:ful
lbody?
?
Me:imeanever
yinch.
.
Her
:mxm.
..per
ver
t.
.
il
aughedandl
ookedather
..
Me:comeher
e..
.
Her
:why?
?
Me:comeher
eBunny!
Her
:No!
Me:i
ficomeaf
teryou,
itwi
llbet
roubl
e..
Her
:owk,
owk.
.
shehur
ri
edt
ome
ipul
ledhert
osi
tonmyl
apandl
ookedather
..
Me:ar
eyouf
ine?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:imeanar
eyouf
ine?
?
shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
Me:youdat
ingmeknowingt
hatiam nott
hecl
ean
busi
nessman..ar
eyouowkwit
hthat
? ?
Her:No,
iam notowkwiththat,
butifoundyou
al
readyl
ivi
ngthatl
if
e,iwi
llhavetofi
ndmyway
ar
oundit.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Her:imean, i
tput
syourl
ifeindanger,andialways
fearthatoneday,youwi
llgotoami ssionandnever
comeback. .
Me:youdonthavet
owor
ryaboutt
hat
..
.iwi
ll
al
wayscomeback.
.
Her
:Luu?caniaskyousomet
hingper
sonal
??
Me:mhm.
.
inodded.
.
Her:di
d,didyourfat
herl
eaveyourmom becauseof
bei
ngkill
edinthesedeal
ings?
?
il
ookeddownremember
ingthedaymymom t
old
mewhathappenedt
ohim..
Me:mymom t ol
dmethathehadpr omi
sedtocome
back.
.butunf
ort
unat
elyhenevercameback.
.
ihel
dherhandsandl
ookedather
..
.
Me:atleasttheyalr
eadyhadme. .somyf ather
's
bloodcontinued.
.Bunny!!i
fithappensthatthe
samef atethathappenedtomyf athercomestome,
iwanttoat l
eastknowthatihaveleftyouwithmy
bloodl
ine..
shel
ookedatmewi
theyesofwor
ry.
.
Me:iknowt hatyouwanttogoschool
ingnextyear.
.
andirespectthat
,iencour
aget
hat.
.butmyf eari
s
t
hatonedayimightnotcomebackandleaveyou
wit
hnothi
ng.
.noson,daught
erornot
hing.
.
shehi
tmyar
m wi
thaf
ist
..
Her:Luu,canyoustopt
alki
ngnonsense.
..youar
e
notgoinganywhere.
.
ismi
led.
.
Her :iwi
llst
udyandf i
nishschoolandwork,t
henwe
willgetmarried,have1000sofkidsandbe
grandparents..whatsthist
hingthatyout
alk??st
op
sayingsucht hings..
me:But
..
..
..
.
shequi
ckl
yki
ssedmeandpul
ledback.
.
shet
hensmi
ledl
ooki
ngatme.
.
ithenhuggedherandputmyheadonherchest
..
shebrushedmyheadasicl osedmyeyesr
unni
ng
myf i
ngersonherthi
ghs.
..
ievenf
eltl
ikeicoul
dsl
eep.
.iti
ssocomf
ort
abl
e..
[
12/
28,
12:
35] :44
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
wewer eathome,
justmeandmymom,
whenwe
suddenlyhear
dabreaki
n.
shewasver
yscar
edasweal
sohear
dfoot
steps.
..
Me:(scar
ed)Boy,
geti
nthatdr
aweranddontcome
out
,youhearme??NEVER!
inoddedasial
sodi
dntunder
standwhatwasgoi
ng
on..
shegotmei nthedr
awerandcl
oseditwel
l
.icoul
d
sti
llseewhatwasgoingonf
rom at
inyhol
ethat
wast her
e..
isatinther
escar
edandwonder
ingwhatwasgoi
ng
on,butmoreover
,iwant
edmymom tobehere
closetome.
Me:st
ayi
nhereboy,
iwil
lgocallyourf
athert
o
comeasqui
ckaspossi
ble.
.owk?
inodded.
.
iknewi
fdadwoul
dcomeher
e,i
twi
llbeowk.
isattherei
nfearandwonder
ingwhymymom was
taki
ngt i
me..
i
naf ewmi
nut
es,
ihear
dagunandmymom
scr
eamed.
.
igotmor
escar
edasihear
dfoot
stepscomi
ngt
his
way..
il
ookedt
hrought
hehol
e..
isawaman, icoul
dntseehisface,buticoul
dtel
lit
wasamanbyt hevoi
ce..hehadblackbootson,
that
'sal
licoul
dsee..
hewaswalkingbehi
ndmymom,
whowaswal
king
wit
hherkneesbent.
.
mymom f el
landisawherface..shewascr
ying,
in
fearandbeggi
ngforherl
if
e..butthi
smendidnt
care.
.
Mom:pl
ease,
myhusbandi
snother
e,hei
sn'
ther
e.
Hi
m:wher
eist
heboy?
?
Mom:hei
swi
thhi
m..iswear
,theywentt
oget
her
..
Hi
m:*
*si
gh*
*toobad,
theyj
ustl
ostamom.
.
Mom:pl
ease,
no.
..pl
easespar
eme,
please.
..
themenbentdownandigottoseehi
sfacesi
nce
hewasnowsquatt
ingi
nfrontofmymom.
Hi
m:il
ikei
twhenawomanbeg,
itt
urnsmeon.
shel
ookedathi
m st
il
lcr
ying.
.
iwasint
hedrawercryi
ng,
butal
sotr
yingt
ohol
dmy
breat
hbacksothatt
heywoul
dn'
tknowiwasin
here.
.
Her
:Pl
ease!
!
Mom:anyl
astwor
ds?
??
shel
ookeddownandl
ookedathi
m..
Mom:pl
easet
ell
myson,
thatil
ovehi
m..
t
heguyl
aughedandt
henst
oodup.
.
Hi
m:iwi
llt
ry.
.
hepul
ledthet
ri
ggerandmymom f
ellont
he
gr
ound..
shef
acedherheadt
omeandl
ookedatt
hedr
awer
..
i
twasl
ikeshewassayi
nggoodbyet
omewi
thout
t
hem knowi
ng.
.
hert
ear
scameoutandshesl
ight
lysmi
led.
myt
ear
scameoutuncont
rol
labl
y..
t
heyshotheragai
nandshegavei
n..
shecl
osedhereyesandt
hatwast
heendofher
..
myt
ear
sjustkeptcomi
ngout
..
iwasntl
ooki
nganymor
e,iwasjustput
ti
ngmyhead
onmykneesjustwi
shi
ngtogetoutofhere.
.
theystar
tedsearchi
ngthepl
acebutbef
oret
hey
couldgetfar
,gunsstar
tedsoundi
ngdownst
air
s
andtheyhurri
eddown..nowonlymydadcomes
home..
afterawhil
eheraninhereandsawmymom l
ayi
ng
downdead..myfathercal
ledf
ormymom,hecal
led
forherbuthewouldn'
twakeup..
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
.
that
'showilostmymot
her
..r
ighti
nmyeyes.
.att
he
handofthatman..
igrewuphat
ing,bi
tt
er,
angr
yandj
ustar
evenge
seeki
ngcr
eature.
.
iwasinmyroom si
tt
ingonmychai
rlooki
ngatmy
mother
spi
cture.
.
shewasonl yyoung,veryyoung.
.andshehadtodie
l
iket
hat,andnotevenmydadcoul dpr
otecther
..he
coul
dnt.
.hecouldntevenpr ot
ectme,mymom put
herl
if
einline,j
usttoprotectme.
.
i
fonlyshegoti
nthedrawerwi
thme.
.ifonl
ywe
bot
hwentintohi
ding.
.
butmabyeshewasafr
aidthattheywoul
dfi
ndus
bothandiwoul
dn'
tbeheretoday..
il
ookedatmyangelwhowassl
eepi
ngont
hebed.
ismi
ledandputmymot
her
'spi
ctur
easi
de.
.
iwasgoi
ngt
hroughmymemor
ybox.
.
asiwasl
ooki
ngt
hrought
hings,
ifoundanar
ti
cle.
.
t
hear
ticl
ewastal
kingaboutthedeat
hofgang
membersatsomewarehouse..
t
hat
'swher
emyf
atherdi
ed.
.hewasi
nwart
obr
ing
thi
sbi
gbossmaf
iadown,
buti
tresul
tedi
nhi
m
bei
ngshot
..
it
ookoutt
hebull
ett
hatshotmyf
ather
,itwasi
na
pl
ast
ic.
.il
ookedati
t.
.
Me:yourdaywi
llcome.
.
iputever
ythi
ngawaywheni
hear
dmydaught
er
wakeup..
Her
:Daddy?
?
Me:yesPr
incess,
youawake?
?howdi
dyousl
eep?
?
Her
:gooddaddy.
.themonst
erwasnotchasi
ngme.
.
Me:itoldyouiwoul
dgoteachthemonst
era
l
esson..hewontbot
heryouagain,
owk?
shenodded.
.
Me:doyouwantdaddyt
omakeyousomef
ood?
?
sheshookherhead.
.
Her
:candaddypl
aywi
thmechess?
?
Me:youwantt
opl
aychess?
?
Her
:yesdaddy.
.youpr
omi
sedt
hatwheniwakeupi
wi
llpl
aychess.
Me:haveyoubeendr
eami
ngabouti
t??
shel
aughed.
.
Me:owk,af
terwearedonewi
thhomewor
k,wewi
ll
pl
aychess.
.owk??
shepout
ed.
.
Me:nohomewor
k,nochess.
.
shesul
ked.
..
Me:sohomewor
kthenchessr
ight
??
shenodded.
..
Me:goodgi
rl
..
.
shesmi
ledandir
eachedf
orherschoolbooks.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:doyour
eal
lyhavet
ogo?
?
Hi
m:yes.
.butdontwor
ryiwi
llbeback.
.
Me:butdaysago,
youwer
etal
kingaboutyourf
ear
ofnotcomi
ngbackandleavi
ngmeal
one.
.wast
his
whatyouwereaf
rai
dof?
?
hel
ookedatmeandhuggedme.
.
Hi
m:yout
hinktoomuch..youal
readysai
dthatwe
wi
llgr
owt
ogether.
.sodontworr
y..
Me:icanthel
pbutworr
ybecauseyoual
readymade
mewor r
ybysayi
ngthat.
.andal
sohowyourfather
di
ed..
Hi
m:iam notmyf
ather
..
Me:*
*si
gh*
*
hel
ookedatmei
nmyeyesandhel
dmycheeks.
.
Hi
m:iwi
llbebackhome.
ipout
edl
ooki
ngathi
m..
hel
eanedi
nandki
ssedme.
.
Him:hopeifi
ndyoui
nasexyout
fi
tasawel
come
homepartyowk?
ismi
led.
.
Me:per
ver
t.
.
hel
aughed.
..
iki
ssedhi
m andt
hengavehi
m hi
sjacket
..
hisput
ti
nghisgunsawaymademer eal
ly
uncomfort
abl
e,i
tshowedthatasmuchasisai
d
thi
swascool,i
twasnt.
.iwasntcomf
ort
ablewi
thi
t.
.
heki
ssedmeagai
nandt
henwal
kedout
..
isi
ghedandl
ookedar
ound.
.
whydoif
eelbadaboutt
his.
..
[
12/
28,
12:
35] :45
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
wearr
ivedatthegangsboss'
shouse.
.ther
ewasa
l
otofguardsbutnotenought
ooverpowerourmen.
igaveagoaheadandt
heypul
ledt
hei
rsi
lencer
s
andever
yguardwasshot
.
wethensur
roundedt
hehouseandiwal
kedi
nwi
th
Joe.
.
asiwaswal
kingi
n,hesawmeandi
mmedi
atel
ygot
af
rai
dcal
li
nghi
sot
herguar
dsf
rom i
nthehouse.
.
ismi
ledt
ohim andgavemysel
fper
missi
ont
osi
t
onhi
scouch.
.
Me:youmustbeMrSt
acks,
nicemeet
ingyou.
.
Hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??howdar
eyoucome
t
omyhouseanddoasyoupl
ease?
?
Me:wel
l,it
houghtsinceyouhadtheguttocome
i
ntomyterri
toryuni
nvit
ed,wewerefr
iends.
.soi
t
houghtofdoingthesamet hi
ng.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:andialsowanttothankyou..ifi
twasntf
oryou,
iwouldst
il
lhavet
rustedthatbustedandnotknow
thathewaseasytobesold..
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..youhave3mi
nut
est
ogetout
..
me:owk,wit
hint
he3mi
nut
es,
iwoul
dli
ket
oaska
quest
ion.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:yousur
elywoul
dn'tcr
ossme,youdonthave
t
hatmuchwill
power
..sowhoareyouansweringt
o?
Hi
m:idontknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
..
Me:wr
onganswer
..
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:owk!
inoddedandmymenshott
heguar
dsi
nthehouse.
.
hebecamesoscar edthatheevenwant
edt
orun
away,butishothi
sleg..
Me:l
etst
ryagai
n..whoi
saboveyou?
?
Him:(i
npain)ididntwantt
odoit..trustmengamla,
iwouldn'
tdisr
espectyourt
err
it
orylikethat
,but
,but
Sykeswast hr
eateningmyfamil
y..ihadtoprot
ect
myf amil
y..
Me:soyoucameandusedmyguys,
tof
indi
nsi
de
i
nfor
mation?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:whatdi
dyouf
ind?
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Me:iaskaquest
ion.
.
Him:notmuch..
.justsomesmal
linf
ormat
ionon
yourshi
pments.
.
t
heni
tal
lcameback.
.
al
lthetr
apswehadwhenwewouldbedeli
veri
ng
merchandi
sewer
eal
lSykespl
an?
?ilookedatJoe
andhewasalsoont
hesamepage..
it
henl
ookedatt
hisguy.
..
Me:MrSt
acks.
.condol
encest
oyourf
ami
ly.
..
agunwentof
fandshothi
m dead.
.notmygunbut
myguysgun.
..
Me:cl
eanupt
hismess,
makei
tlookl
ikeagang
f
ight
..
t
heyagr
eed.
..
weplant
edsomediamondsjustsot
hepol
icewoul
d
bel
ievet
hatt
heyweredeal
ing.
.
wewentbackt
oourwar
ehouseandgat
her
ed
t
her
e..
.
Me:wehavealott
ochange,wedontknowhow
muchSykesknows.
.foral
lweknowhecouldhave
acamer
aint
hisr
oom.
.
il
ookedar
ound.
..
i
twasnotsafeanymorebecauseyouneverknow
whi
chotheroneisr
att
ingonyou..
t
heyal
lnoddedandil
ett
hem go.
.ist
ayedwi
thJoe.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwassi
tti
ngont
hebedplayi
ngwi
thmyphone
hopi
ngforhi
mtocal
landtel
lmet
hathei
salr
ight
..
ikeptpl
ayi
ngwi
tht
hephoneoverandoveragai
n..
acal
lcamet
hroughandi
twasLuu.
.
Me:Luu,
areyouowk?
?
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:Luu?
?
Hi
m:iam f
ine.
..whyar
eyounotsl
eepi
ngatt
his
t
ime?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..icoul
dntsl
eep.
.
Hi
m:wor
ri
ed?
?
Me:mhm.
.
hi
m:it
oldyouiwi
llbef
ine.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:sl
eepowk?
?iwi
llbehomei
nthemor
ning.
.
Me:yousoundsodown,
whati
swr
ong?
Hi
m:iwil
ltel
lyoual
labouti
ttomor
row,
rightnow,
gosl
eep.
.
me:owk.
.
Hi
m:il
oveyouowk.
..al
waysr
emembert
hat
..
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
.
Hi
m:ni
ght
..
Me:ni
ght
..
hehungupandisi
ghed.
.
iwasst
il
lwor
ri
ed,somet
hingabouthi
slowvoi
cei
s
set
ti
ngmeoff.
..
ilayinbedandsleepi
snotevencomi
ng,
alliam
thinki
ngabouti
sLuu..
wi
llhebeowk?
?whati
swr
ong?
?
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
mypr
incesswasatschool
..
iwasathomej
ustgoi
ngoverst
uff
..
iwenti
ntomylapt
opandsearched"
MrWolf"and
theMrWolft
hatwasappear
ingwasthebusi
ness
manLubanzi
..
ismi
ledasivi
ewedoneofhi
spi
ctur
es.
.
Me:Lubanzi
,Lubanzi
,Lubanzi
..
..
..
.sonofaBust
ed.
..
ikeptl
ooki
ngathi
mthr
ought
hepi
ctur
e..
af
teraf
ewmoment
smyphoner
ang.
.
ianswer
ed.
.
Me:hal
o!
Voi
ce:Goodaf
ter
noonMrNkosi
.howar
eyou?
Me:iam wel
l.
.howcanihel
pyou.
Voice:i
thascometoourat
tent
ionthatyour
daughterPi
nkyNkosii
sabri
ghtstudentandalsoa
ver
ygoodchessplayer.
.weaskedher..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:(
int
err
upt
ed)no.
..
Voi
ce:si
r??
Me:iknowwhatyouwantt
osay.
.andt
heansweri
s
no.
.
Voi
ce:si
ridontt
hinkyouunder
standt
hef
utur
eshe
may.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:isaidno.
.andthat
'sf
inal
..shewillnotgetint
o
thechesscompeti
ti
onsandwi l
lnotcompet e.
.i
havemyownr easonswhy..
.
Voice:si
r,yourchil
dlovest
hisspor
tandf
eel
s
happywhenpl ayingit
..
Me:iknowshel
oveschess,
that
'swhyit
aught
her
..
..
Voice:youtaughther
??well
,howaboutyoucanbe
ateachertoherandotherki
ds..
Me:ionl
yteachmychi
ldandshewi
llnotbe
competi
ng.
.
Voi
ce:butsi
r.
..
..
Me:i
sthati
t??orcanihangup?
?
Voi
ce:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..t
hatwi
llbeal
lsi
r.
.
ihungupandputt
hephonedown.
..
iworkedhar
dlayi
nglow,
iwonthavemyself
exposedyet
..myti
mewil
lcome..j
ustnotnow.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
35] :46
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupear
lyandst
art
edmaki
ngbr
eakf
astf
or
Luu.
.
iwasntsurewhenhewouldbeback,butiwas
hopi
nginthemorningbecausehesai
dhewouldbe
backearl
yinthemorni
ng.
afterawhi
le,
iheardacargeti
ntheyar
d,soi
rushedout
.ili
ter
all
ylef
twhatiwasdoi
ngandwent
out..
igotoutandi
twashi
m
ijumpedupanddownl
ikeal
it
tl
egi
rlwai
ti
ngf
orhi
m
togetoutt
hecar
..
hesmi
ledl
ooki
ngatmeashepar
kedhi
scar
..
.
hekeptonsmil
ingandshaki
nghi
sheadasial
so
keptj
umpingupanddown.
hepar
kedhi
scarandgotout
..butiwasal
readyon
hi
m..
af
terhegotout
,iwentt
ohi
m andj
umpedonhi
m.
hecaughtmeandwal
kedi
nthehousewhi
le
car
ryi
ngme..
Me:iMi
ssedyou.
.
hespankedme.
.
Hi
m:imi
ssedyout
ooBunny.
..
il
ookedathi
m andl
eanedi
ntoki
sshi
mthenpul
led
out
..
Me:iam gl
adyoucamebacksaf
e..
Hi
m:it
oldyout
hatyouwor
ryf
ornot
hing.
.
hewentt
osi
tont
hecouchwi
thmesi
tt
ingonhi
m..
Him:Ahhhhhhh!idontseeyout
hrowi
ngawel
come
backsur
prise.
.
Me:mxm.
..youdontdeser
vei
tbecauseyoukept
mewor
ri
edt
hewhol
eti
me.
.
Hi
m:wow.
..
.suchawi
feyouar
e..
Me:agoodone.
.
igotof
fhi
m andwentt
olookatpot
s..
il
ookedathi
m andhel
ayhi
sheadback.
.
hemustbet
ir
ed.
.
ismi
ledandaf
terchecki
ngt
hepot
s,iwentt
o
massagehi
m..
ohhhhhh!
!babyWol
fwasenj
oyi
ngi
t.
..
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwassit
ti
ngt
hereenj
oyi
ngthemassagethatBunny
wasgivi
ngme,butmymindwasalsoini
tsown
worl
d..
icoul
dntstopthinki
ngaboutwhatSykeswoulddo
nextandhowiwoul doverpowerhi
m becausehe
seemstobei ntheupperhandallt
heti
me..
att
hisr
ate,
imi
ghtj
ustmakepr
otect
ingbunnyand
Si
yaandmyf
ami
lymypr
ior
it
y..
heleavesnomarks,
heisreal
lyl
ayi
ngl
ow.
.andi
cantspinpoi
nthi
sweakness.
.
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
t
odayi
sFr
idayni
ghtandij
ustl
eftLubanzi
'
shouse.
.
hedidntwantmetol
eavebutitol
dhimthatihadt
o
becausewealr
eadypr
omisedthatiwoul
dvisit
.
iarr
ivedatt
hetownshi
pandiheadeddownt
he
roadtoAunt'
shouse.
.
ont
hewayimetScarandMf
ana.
.
ar
etheset
woal
wayst
oget
her
??
ismi
ledatt
hem ast
heyl
ookedatme.
.
Scar
:sur
ebossLady.
.
Me:haisukawena.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Me:ineverhadt
imet
othankyouguysf
orwhatyou
di
dforme.
..youneverst
oodmeup.
.
Mf
ana:butyoust
oodusup.
.
Me:me?
?
Scar
:yah,youlef
twithyourgangst
eraf
teryouwer
e
donewit
ht hatgi
rl
..
.
Me:het
oldmehet
ookyouguyshome.
.
Mfana:yah,hedidaskhisment ot
akeushome,but
wewer ethi
nkingsomechisanyamatoget
herasa
cel
ebrati
on,butwena,dol
olo.
me:huh,
nextt
ime.
..
Scar
:notnextt
ime,
tomor
row.
.
Mf
ana:yah.
..
theyl
ookedatmeandal
licoul
ddowassmi
leand
nodd.
..
Me:owk,
owk.
..t
omor
row.
..
t
heygotexci
ted.
..
wetal
kedandchi
ll
edformoreti
met
henwet
ook
ourwaysi
ncevel
eitwaslat
e..
butasigothomeisawBr
ickssi
tt
ingout
sidewi
tha
gi
rl
..i
tseemstheywer
ehavingaromant
icti
me.
.
ismi
ledandheadi
ngi
nthehouse.
.
iknockedandAuntMar
that
oldmet
oopen.
.
iopenedandsawhersi
tt
ingandwat
chi
ngTV.
.she
waspleasedt
oseeme..
Aunt
:ohhhmydaught
er.
.
Me:eveni
ngma.
.
Aunt
:lookatyou.
.ever
yweekyouj
ustcome
l
ooki
ngdiffer
ent.
.
Me:haiAunt
,ial
waysl
ookt
hesame.
.
Aunt
:noti
nmyeyes.
.
ismi
led.
.
Aunt
:wow.
.itmustbever
yni
ceatLubanzi
'
shouse.
.
Me:aunt
!
shel
aughed.
.
Aunt:hai
,owk,goputyourt
hingsandcomebackt
o
t
ellmeallaboutt
hisweek..
ismi
ledasinodded.
.
yes,
thi
sisthewel
comeigeteveryweek.i
tsl
ikei
wasgoneforayearorsomet
hing.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmybedr
oom prepar
ingtosl
eepasij
ustgot
outt
heshowerwhenJoecalledme.
.
ianswer
ed
Me:t
hisbet
terbei
mpor
tant
Joe:imanagedt
ogetsomet
hingonSykes.
.
Me:yes?
?
Joe:youwereri
ght
,heisgett
ingot
hergangst
o
mergewithhi
m sothathecouldt
akeyoudown..
Me:howmany?
?
Joe:sof
ar,
hegot6.
me:whataweakmot herF*
***
*.hecantf
ightsohe
get
sothergangsj
usttogetme??
Joe:notonl
ythat
..2oft
hegangsar
eRussi
an
gangs.
.bi
ggangs.
.
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.howsaf
ewi l
lmyfami
lybeifi
deci
detoattackbackandnothideli
keawhi
m? ?
Joe:90%safe..imanagedtogetahousebui l
t
underasafecommuni tyinhi
ding.
.theywil
lnever
thi
nkofthatplace.
.but,
wedontknowhowmuch
theyknowaboutusandaboutyourf amily,
sothey
mightatt
ackbef or
eweevenmakeamovet othe
safehouse.
.andwi thMadam att
endingschoolnext
yearmightbeaspacegabf orthem tofi
ndan
opport
unit
y..
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.iwil
lnothavet
hatbust
eddi
ctat
emy
l
if
e..
.iwontallowthat
..
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:Joe, j
ustkeepwatchi
ngthem fr
om afar
,let
them t
oliveastheydo,asforme,iwil
lfi
ndSykes
andiwillatt
ackfi
rst
..t
hat'
stheonlywayiwillhave
theupperhand..
Joe:ar
eyousur
eaboutt
hatboss,
wedonthave
enoughmen.
.
Me:i
tsnotabouthowmanywear
e,buti
tsabout
st
rat
egy.
.
Joe:yesboss.
.
Me:wehavepl
anningt
odo.
.wewi
llt
alkt
omor
row
att
hecompany.
..
Joe:yessi
r.
.
ihungupandsi
ghed.
..
hereal
lyhadtheper
fectt
imet
oatt
ack..nowi
twi
ll
beeasi
ertoknowmyweaknesses.
..Sh**
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwasstandi
nginf
rontoft
hebi
gcompanyofMr
Wolfhi
mself.
.
notbad.
.
iwal
kedinandsawt hesecur
iti
esattheent
rance.
.i
smil
edandwentthrough.
.ievenhadmyl ol
li
popin
mymouthandroll
ingitwit
hmyt ongue..
iwalkedt
othecompanyandgott
othebui
ldi
ng
ent
rance.
.
iwal
kedi
nandst
oppedt
olookar
ound.
.
al
adywal
kedt
ome.
.
Her
:Goodeveni
ngsi
r,maywehel
pyou?
?
il
ookedatherfr
om thever
ytoptothebott
om and
backuptohereyes.
..it
ookthel
oll
ipopoutofmy
mouth.
.
ithensmiledj
ustt
omakeherateasebecauseshe
lookedl
ikedshewast
ensi
ngup..
Me:doyouknowwher
eicanf
indMrWol
f??
Her
:iwi
llt
akeyout
orecept
ion.
..t
hiswaysi
r.
..
iputbackthelol
li
popinmymout handf ol
lowedher
asitri
edtonotlookatherbackvi
ew..ikeptmy
eyesaroundthebuil
ding.
.
wegottorecept
ionandsheaskedt
her
ecept
ion
whatiwasherefor.
.
Recept
ion:sor
rysi
r,doyouhaveanappoi
ntment
??
il
ookedatherf
orabout3secondsst
rai
ghtwi
thout
sayi
nganyt
hing.
..
Recepti
on:ormabyeiwi
llcal
lhi
m andaski
fhei
s
fr
ee..
it
henl
ookedaway.
..
shespoket
ohi
m andt
henaskedf
ormyname.
.
ilookedatheragai
nandthenreachedoutmyhand
forhertogivemethephone.
.
shehesi
tat
edbutendedupgi
vingi
ttome.
.
iputt
hephoneonmyear
..it
ookt
hel
oll
ipopoutof
mymouth.
Me:Lubanzi
,getyourl
azyassher
eifyouknow
whatsgoodforyou.
.
ihungupandlookedatther
ecept
ionistandsmiled..
shealsosmi
ledbuthersmil
ewasmi xedwithfear..
Me:wher
edoisi
tandwai
t??
Her
:ther
esi
r.
.
shepoi
nted.
.
iputt
hel
oll
ipopbacki
nmymout
handwentt
osi
t
down.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasbusywonderi
ngwhotheF**
*woul dcal
lme
bymynameandsummonmesof irml
y..mustbe
someonewhoclear
lydi
dntknowme,orsomeone
whowantstodi
e??
iwal
kedoutt
hel
if
tandwentt
other
ecept
ioni
st.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
ij
ustr
aisedmyeyebrowsandshepoi
ntedataman
whowassitti
ngonthecouchl
ooki
ngdownlikehe
wasevensleepi
ng.
.
icoul
dntf
igur
eoutwhoi
twas.
.
iwal
kedt
ohi
m..
Me:whot
heF*
**ar
eyout
osummont
hedevi
l?
?
hel
ookedupandsmi
rkedatme.
.
ididntbel
ievemyeyes,icoul
dntreal
lybel
ievemy
eyes..i
twaslikeiwasdreaming.
.
het
ookouthi
slol
li
popi
nhi
smout
h.
Him:youshoul
dstopcal
li
ngyour
sel
fthedevi
l,
you
havefal
lensof
t.
..
Me:Luba?
?
hesmi
ledandwavedatme.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
35] :CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Hi
m:ar eyougoi
ngtostandther
eandl
ookatmeor
wi
llyouinvi
temetoyouroff
ice.
.
isnappedoutofi
t.
.
Me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??
Him:iam her
etoki
llyouonceandf
oral
l,
iam si
ck
ofhi
ding.
..
Me:youhavesomegutcomi
ngt
omeunar
medt
hen.
Hi
m:whosai
diam unar
med.
.
heshowedmehi
sgun.
.
ichuckl
ed.
.
Hi
m:howt
hehel
ldi
dyougetpassedt
hatwi
tht
hat
??
Me:easypeazy.
.yoursecur
it
yiswack.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
il
ookedatmysecuri
tymenandshookmyhead.
.
seemsihaver
eall
ybeensof
t.
.
hest
oodup.
.
Me:iseeyouwantyourli
tt
lecousi
ntol
eadyout
o
yourof
fi
ce..
.fol
lowme..
hewalkedt
otheel
evat
orandichuckl
edshaki
ngmy
head.
.
sameol
dbust
ed.
..
thelastti
meisawt hisbustedwasr ightbeforeour
fat
her swereshot..
.hedi sappear
ed, ineverknew
why, orhow..butialwayshadat heorythatheleft
becausehisf at
herandmyf at
herdidntgetalong,so
hethoughtiwoul dn'tgetalongwithhim. .
wel
ltobehonest,ial
wayslikedhim asmyli
tt
le
br
other
..butineveradmitt
edthattohim.
..i
fidi
d,
hewouldbetoocomf or
tabl
ewi t
hme.
wegett
otheof
fi
ceandiopent
hedoorf
orhi
m..
hewal
ksi
n..
iwal
ktosi
tdown.
.hewasst
il
lst
andi
ng.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Hi
m:cani
??
inoddedandsmi
rked.
.
hesatdownandl
eanedback.
.
Me:apar
tfr
om ki
ll
ingme,
whatot
herr
eason
br
oughtyouher
e??
Hi
m:*
*br
eat
hsoutl
oud*
*Sykes.
.
il
eanedi
nandl
ookedathi
m..
.
Me:what
??
Hi
m:ineedyout
ohel
pmef
indhi
m..
Me:why,
whatdidSykesdot
oyou?
?whatbusi
ness
di
dyouhavewit
hsuchadanger
ousman??
Him:t
hat'
snoti
mpor
tant
,ar
eyougoi
ngt
ohel
pme
ornot
???
Me:i
fyout
ellmewhatbusi
nessyouhavewi
thhi
m,
t
heni
mighthel
pyou.
.
Hi
m:*
*SI
GH*
*
helookeddownandleanedf
orwar
d..hewas
showingsadness.
.
Hi
m:t
hatbust
edki
ll
edmymot
her
..
iwasshockedatt
hest
atement
..
Him:iwasonlyaboy,icoul
dntdomuch, butwatch
hi
m shootmymot herdead.
.idontknowhowhegot
awaybutwhenmydadcameback, it
houghthe
ki
ll
edthem si
nceiheardgunshot.
.butseemshe
gotaway.
.
Me:i
shet
hatcar
eful
??evenyourf
athercoul
dntget
t
ohim?
Hi
m:mhm. .hehasbeencaref
ul.
.thatday,
they
wer
elooki
ngforme, butmymom washi di
ngmeso
t
heyshotheri
nstead.
Me:soyoudi
sappear
edbecauseofSykes?
?
Hi
m:iwasaf r
aidhewouldsti
llwanttof
ini
shmeof f
.
pl
usmydadal sotol
dmet ostayawayfrom you.
.
si
nceyourdadandhim di
dntgetalong,
hetoldme
t
hatyourf
athermi
ghtgetyouint
okil
li
ngmeand
t
hat'
swhyyouwerealwaysnicetome..
Me:yetyouar
eher
e..
Him:iam si
ckofhidi
ng..myli
feisnotgoing
for
wardbecauseiam li
mited.
.soifidie,
atl
easti
wouldhavefacedmyenemi esfi
rst
..iwontdiea
coward.
..
Me:wel
l,
icanhel
pyouf
indSykes.
.but
..
.
Hi
m:ooohhhnowwhat
??
Me:iwantyout
ojoi
nal
li
ancewi
thmet
ofi
ndSykes
t
ogether
..
Hi
m:whyonear
thdoyouwantSykesf
or?
?
Me:hewast heleaderoft
hegangt
hatki
ll
edmydad
andyourdad..
Hi
m:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:mhm.
.iwantt
oavengemyf
ather
'sdad.
.
Him:howcanasof
tyWol
fli
keyougoagai
nst
Sykes?
?
Me:me?
?sof
t??
Him:ifyouwer enotsof t.
.youwoul dhavekill
ed
Sykesthefirstt
ime..thingsli
kefi
r e,f
all
ingdownt he
hil
lordrowningar enotkill
ingoptionsforpeople
l
ikeSykes..Sykescanonl ybekil
ledbyacl oseup
bull
et.notonly1but2. .oneofthechest ,andthe
theont hehead..and2mor eontheneck. .
Me:t
hat
's4.
.
Hi
m:iwi
llshothi
shead.
.youshoothi
shear
t.
.then
t
oget
her
,weshoothisneck.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)sodoyouagr
eet
othear
rangement
??
Hi
m:owk.
.fi
ne.
..
Me:t
heniwi
llhel
pyou.
.
Him:butalwaysknowt hataft
eriam doneki
ll
ing
Sykes.
..youarenext
..idontwanttoalwayshave
myeyeswat chingmyback. .
me:ihavenoi
ntent
ionofki
ll
ingyou.
.iam notmy
f
ather
..
Him:r
ememberthefamil
yrulewelear
nedfrom
gr
andfat
her
??nevertr
ustanyone,
notevenyour
ownbrot
her
..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Him:myf at
herandyourfat
herwerebrothers,yet
theywerealsoenemi
es..t
heyonlycamet ogetherto
goagainstt
hisgang,
butunfort
unatel
ygotki l
led.
.
mabyewewi l
lal
someetthesamef at
e..
Me:idoubt
..
.wewi
llbr
ingvi
ctor
y..
Hi
m:ar
eyousur
e??
il
ookedathim andatt
hattimesomeoneknocked
onthedoorandopened..i
twasBoit
umelo.
.
Her
:(whi
sper
ing)sor
ry.
.
shet
urnedt
oleave.
.
Luba:ohhpret
tyl
ady,
noneedt
oleave,
ourmeet
ing
herei
snotformal
..
.
shel
ookedatme.
.inodded.
.
shewal
kedi
n..
Her
:goodaf
ter
noongent
lemen.
.
Luba:t
hismustbeyourbeaut
if
ulgi
rl
..nicet
omeet
you.
.butihaveonet
hingagai
nstyou..
il
ookedathi
mtr
yingt
oanal
ysehi
m..
Luba:youmadethi
sdevilsoft
,hei
sevenst
art
ingt
o
tur
nintoani
nnocentangel.
.
Boi
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:youmaki
ngmygi
rluncomf
ort
abl
e..
Luba:wel lshewillhavetobecomf
ort
abl
ebecause
wear eaboutt ogot osomedanger
ouswar.
.baby
gi
rl.
.ifLuuher eturnsint
oanangel
,hewontmakeit
backalive..
me:i
fyoucont
inuet
alki
ngtoherl
iket
hat
,imi
ght
bl
owyourheadri
ghther
e..
hesuckedonhi
slol
li
popandl
ookedatme.
.ist
ared
backathi
m..
Luba:youknowwhyi twaseasyt okil
lmymom? ?
hesof t
enedmyf atherandhel ai
dbackandr elaxed
becauseoflove.
..seeinthisgame, i
tseit
heryou
quitandli
veanor mallif
e,oryoust aymaf i
aandget
yourfamilyr
eadyforanyt hing.
.thisl
ifeisnojoke..
youdie,younevercomeback. .
.youcar el
ess,you
getyourfamil
ykill
ed..i
tslikeachessgame. .you
pl
aysil
entandpayat
tent
ion.
.lossf
ocusandyou
l
ose.
.
hesai
dthatst
andingupandsmi
rkedsucki
ngon
hi
slol
li
popagain.
.
Luba:ni
ceseei
ngyouagai
nLuu.seeyouwheni
seeyou.
.dontt
ryt
ofindme,iwi
llf
indyou.
.
hecl
osedt
hedoorandl
eft
..
Boi
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..Luu?
?
Luu:i
fyouarepl
anni
ngonaski
ngmeanyt
hing
aboutt
hatguy,t
hendont
..
Boi
:ij
ustwant
edt
oknowwhohei
s..
.
Luu:hi
sfat
herandmyf
atherwer
ebr
other
s..
Boi
:wer
e??
Luu:t
heybot
hpassedaway.
.
Boi
:ohhhh.
..
it
ookmyphoneandcal
ledJoe.
.
heanswer
ed.
.
Joe:boss?
?
Me:havehi
mfol
lowed.
.
Joe:yourguest
??
Me:yes,
hel
eftf
ewmi
nut
esago,
gethi
mfol
lowed.
.
Joe:yessi
r.
.
ihungupandst
aredi
nspace.
.
af
terashor
twhi
leBoicamet
omassageme.
.
icamebackt
omysenses.
Me:sor
ry,
mymi
ndi
snotf
ocused.
.
her
:it
sowk.
.iunder
stand.
.
Me:and,
aboutwhathewast
ell
ingyou,
dontmi
nd
hi
m..
Her
:hegavemegoosebumps.
.hei
sso
i
nti
midat
ing.
.
Me:haveyoueverf
oundmet
hati
nti
midat
ing?
?
Her
:no,
youwer
ejustannoyi
ng.
.
shel
aughedaf
tersayi
ngt
hat
..
.
ij
ustst
aredi
nspacet
hinki
ngabouti
t.
..
[
12/
28,
12:
35] :47
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwasdri
vingbackhome,
whenir
eal
izedt
hat
someonewasf ol
lowi
ngme.
.
Sh*
*dontt
ellmet
hatSykesf
oundme?
?
idrovef
ast
ert
ryi
ngt
oloset
heper
sonbuthewas
tai
li
ngmedown..
ideci
dediwoul
dn'tgohome,
becauseiwoul
donl
y
endangermydaughter
..
ihadapl
an.
.
ikeptondri
vingasi
fihadnotseent
hatt
heper
son
isfol
lowi
ngme. .
idrovetoaendroadandquickl
ymadeayout ur
nto
roundthecarandlockhi
scarsothathehadno
weretogo..
ithengotoutmycaralr
eadyholdi
ngmygunr eady
toshootbutiwasntpoi
nti
ngathim..iwasj
ust
steadyencaset
hepersonisal
soarmed..
iwentt
ohi
m andknockedont
hewi
ndow.
.
hesli
ght
lyopenedanditwasaguyi nasuit
..i
fhei
s
aft
erme,hemust '
vet
oldtol
dtheother
sthati
tr
appedhim,sotheot
herscouldbeonthei
rway..
ical
ledhi
m outt
hecar
..
hegotoutshowi
ngnof
earatal
l.
.
iam sor
ry,
butiwontr
iskpl
ayi
ngni
ce.
.
ipul
ledhi
m byhi
sti
eandhi
thi
m wi
thagunonhi
s
head..
ithenqui
ckl
ysear
chedhi
m andf
oundagun.
.it
ook
itandthr
ewiti
nhi
scar.
.
ithenputhiminmycarbootanddrovebackhome..
idrovebackhomeandwenttohidhimi nmyroom.
imadesur et
otiehi
m upandmakesur ehedoesnt
move..
it
hengotoutandcal
ledSam.
.
Hi
m:sur
e..
Me:l
ook,
icantt
alk,
canyougetPi
nkyf
orme?
?
Hi
m:what
sup?
?youi
ntr
oubl
e??
Me:ki
ndof
..
Hi
m:owk,nopr obl
em,iwil
lgetherf
oryou.
.shoul
di
dr
opheroffatyourhouse?
?
Me:no.
.pl
easekeepheratyourpl
acet
il
lical
lto
sayt
hecoasti
sclear
.
Hi
m:owk.
.gotyou.
.
me:t
hanksbr
o.
Hi
m:nof
lop.
.
ihungupandwentbackt
omyr
oom wher
ethi
sguy
was..
iwentt
ohi
m andpul
ledhi
sfaceup.
..
Me:whosentyou?
?
hedidnttal
k,hekeptonkeepi
ngast
rongandf
ir
m
expr
ession.
.
ibeathi
m upandaskedhi
m agai
n..
Me:whosentyou?
?
hest
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
il
ookedathi
mfr
ust
rat
ed.
.
isearchedhi
m andhehasnoclueonhi
m..t
his
niggaevenref
usedtoopenhi
sphone.
.
nomat
terhowmuchibeathi
m up,
hewoul
dnot
gi
vemeaname..
isatdownandl
ookedathi
m..
.
nowihadtouseanot hert
acti
c..iam apersonwho
canpi
ckupal otf
rom bodylanguageandt he
meani
ngbehindit.
.ihavebeenaper sonwhohas
al
waysbeeninter
estedinbodyl anguageanda
meani
ngbehindeverymovement .
..
hewasnti
nfear
,anditshowedt
hathewasntgoi
ng
togi
vemeaname. .
soipl
ayedal
it
tl
echessgame.
.
il
ovetr
ickymindgamesbecausetheyeasi
lygive
youanswerswit
houtknowi
ng..i
tsl
ike
communicati
ngwit
htheperson'
seyesandmi nd.
.
isatdownandl
ookedatme.
.hedar
edt
olooki
nmy
eyes.
.
me:i
sitSykes?
?
t
her
ewasnomovement
.nor
eact
ion.j
ustan
at
ti
tude.
.
i
tcantbe.
.
or
rr.
..
..
Me:ori
sitLuu?
?MrWol
f??
hequicklylookedatmeandtheatti
tudelostit
s
tr
aceinhi seyesandthat'
swheniknewt hatihitt
he
nailonthehead..butiwontr
eveal
thattohim..
hest
il
lkepthi
sst
rongf
acet
ryi
ngnott
oanswerme.
.
Me:owk,seemsyouwontanswerme,
howabouti
f
indanswersmysel
f.
.
ipull
edhim andt
ookhi
mt omycarandt
hrewhim
intheboott
hendrovet
othemight
yLuu'
shouse.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmyhouse,
havi
ngBoionmyl
apf
eedi
ngme
fr
uit
sli
keiwasababy.
.
Her
:mhm,
havet
hisone.
.
iopenedmymout
hhavi
ngt
hesl
icedmangoshe
wasf
eedi
ngme.
.
Me:mhm,
nopbad.
.
Her
:notbad?
?Mangoi
snotbad?
?
Me:whatam isupposedt
osay?
?ver
ydel
ici
ous?
?
Her
:thever
yleast
..
Me:hahahahaandlie?
?no. .iam notafanoffrui
ts,
sotheywil
lneverbedeli
cious..ionl
yeatthem
because.
..
Her
:whydontyoul
iket
hem?
?
Me:di
disayidontl
iket
hem?
?
Her
:yousai
dyounotaf
anoft
hem.
.
Me:so??howdoest
hoset
wophr
asescl
ick
t
ogether
..
Her:whenyounotaf
anofsomet
hing,
itmeansyou
dontli
kethem.
.
me:nowonderyoudidntqual
if
ytoent
eruniver
sit
y..
iam st
art
ingt
oworrythatmymoneywillgoto
wastei
fyougoaheadandenroll.
il
aughedasshepl
ayf
ull
yhi
tmeont
hear
m and
pout
ed..
Her
:mxm.
..
Me:hahahaha,
hai
,nvm.
.
her
:no,si
nceyouar
esoeducat
ed,
howaboutyou
cor
rectme??
Me:nah,youwilll
earnonceyoust ar
tgoingt
o
schoolagai
n..mabyeyourlect
ureswi l
lbeki
nd
enoughtobepat i
entwhenteachingyou..
shepout
edagai
nandicoul
dnthel
pbutl
augh.
.
att
hatmomentsomeoneknockedont
hedoor
..
Hi
m:whoi
sthat
??
igent
lymovedBunnyoffmyl
apandstoodupto
seewhowasknockingandwhatt
heywanted.
.
iopenedandi
twast
heguar
d..
me:Si
pho!
Him:boss.
.ther
eissomeoneatt
hegat
e
demandingtoseeyou.
Me:demandi
ng?
?notaski
ng?
?
Hi
m:nosi
r,demandi
ng.
.
Me:whot
heF*
**i
sit
??
Him:idontknowhi
m si
r.
.it
sthef
ir
stt
imehecame
here.
.
isi
ghedandl
ookedatt
hegat
e..
Hi
m:owk.
.
igotoutclosi
ngthedoorandwalkedtot
hegate
curi
ouslywantingt
oknowwhoi sthi
sperson
wantingtoseeme..act
uall
y"demandi
ng"tosee
me..
asigott
othegat
eir
eal
izedi
tsLubabal
o..
ichuckl
edandl
ookedathi
m ashewor
ehi
sbl
ack
shades.
..
het
ookt
hem of
fandl
ookedatme.
..
Him:ireal
lyunder
est
imatedyou.
.damnialmost
bel
ievedthatyour
eal
lyhavenointent
ionofki
ll
ing
me..
iwasconf
usedathi
sst
atement
..iwentoutt
hegat
e
t
omeethi
m..
.
Me:what
??
Him:iguessthephrase"nevert
rustanyone,
not
evenyourbrother
"real
lyneedstobecareful
ly
i
mplemented..
il
ookedathi
m..
i
nmymi nd,it
houghthewasplanningonkil
li
ngme,
soiwasalsoreadytomakemymove. .idi
dnthave
agunonmebutwi thmymenrightatt
hegate,i
t
woul
dn'
tbediffi
culttol
ayoneonhim..
.
hewentt
ohiscarandopenedhisboot
..
.igavemy
mentheowksi
gnt ogett
hem r
eadytoshoot.
.
ashegotreadytopul
loutsomet
hing,
wegotr
eady
toal
soatt
ackifhewil
latt
ack.
.
hepul
ledoutaper
sonandii
ndi
cat
edt
hatt
heyhol
d
backf
irst
..
hedraggedtheper
sont
omeandpushedhimtomy
l
egs..idi
dntknowwhoi
twas.
.icoul
dntseehi
s
face.
.
i
tal
soseemedl
ikehewasunconsci
ous.
.
Him:didntyourdadal
wayst el
lyouthatonething
thati
scruciali
njobsl
iket
his,i
sthatyouhavet obe
asinvi
sibl
easpossibl
e???youcantbef ol
lowing
someoneandbeobvi ousaboutit.
.whatsthat
? ?
il
ookedathi
m mor
econf
usedl
ooki
ngatt
heguy.
.
Him:dontwor ry,hedidntt el
lmethathewor kedfor
you..hedidntwanttot ellmeanything,that
'swhyi
roughedhim upabi t.
.rightnowidontknowi fheis
deadoral i
ve,butatl
eastibr oughthim backtoyou.
..
nexttimeyouwantt of ollowmear ound..geta
professi
onal.
.
i
tthencl
ickedt
omymi
ndt
hatidi
dindeedaskt
hat
hebefol
lowed.
.
il
ookedathi
m..imusthaveunder
est
imat
edhi
m..
hecl
earl
yisal
waysastepahead..
ilookedattheguyandt
urnedhi
mtoseehi
sface.
.
indeeditwasmyguy..
Him:ohandanotherthi
ng,iwontworkwith
someonewhokeepst arget
ingme..i
fyouwantto
decl
areware,
thenitson,butasforwhatwespoke
about
,getmeout..iwil
lgetSykesmyself
..
Me:wi
thoutmeyouwontgethi
m..
Hi
m:younotGod.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
hemovedbackt
ohi
scaranddr
oveaway.
.
ithencal
ledmyot herment
otakecar
eoft
heguy
thatLubabrought
..
iwonderhowheevensawhi
m..
.
iwentbacki
nsi
de.
..
imusthavereal
lyunder
est
imat
edhi
m..butal
so,
i
am i
mpressed..
[
12/
28,
12:
36] :48
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasi
ntheof
fi
ceget
ti
ngsomepaper
wor
kdone.
.
ther
ewasaknockonmyof
fi
cedoorandahead
poppedi
n,i
tsJoe.
.
isi
gnalf
orhi
mtoent
er,
hewal
kedi
nandhadhi
s
seat
.
Hi
m:boss,
ihavesomei
nfor
mat
iononLuba.
.
Me:whati
nfor
mat
ion?
?
Him:hehasadaught
ercal
ledPi
nky.shegoest
o
schoolatt
hesout
hsi
de..
Me:t
hat'
snotf
ar.
.forsomeonecl
everli
kehi
m, i
t
houghthewoul
dtakehisdaught
erfart
oconfuse
t
heenemy..
Hi
m:no,
heact
ual
lykeepshercl
ose.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.(noddi
ng)
Him:anot
herthi
ngisthat
,hedoesntpickuphis
daught
er,heget
ssomeoneelsetodot hat
.it
hink
hedoesthatsothathewoul
dn'
tbef oundorputhi
s
daught
erindanger.
.
Me:ifi
twaseasyf
ormetoknowthathehasa
daught
er,
howmoreeasywi
lli
tbeforSykest
o
know?
Him:butyoual
readyknewhewasst i
llal
ive
becausehecametoyou,Sykesdoesntknowthat
yet
..
Me:yah..t
hatmakessense..pl
ushesurvi
vedall
theseyear
swit
houtbeingfound..hemustknowhis
plans.
.
Hi
m:soboss,
whatdowedowi
tht
hisi
nfor
mat
ion?
?
Me:wegethi
mint
oourt
eam.
.itwi
llbenef
itus.
.
Hi
m:buthowboss?
?
Me:l
eavet
hatupt
ome.l
etsgo.
.
Hi
m:wher
ear
ewegoi
ngsi
r??
me:t
ofi
ndLuba.
.
igotup,
gotmyj
acketandwal
kedoutt
heof
fi
ce.
.
weheadeddownt
omycaranddr
ovet
ohi
spl
ace.
.
weactual
lyfoundoutwherehestayedbutididnt
usethati
nfobecauseihadnoreasonto,butnowi
do.
.
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
wewer
einmyhousepl
ayi
ngchesswi
thmygi
rl
..
imovedapi
ece,
shemovedapi
ece.
.imoveanot
her
pi
ece,shemovedapiece..it
est
edherf
ocusski
ll
s..
ii
ntent
ional
lymovedapieceandmadeabadmove. .
shest
udiedthepi
eceandl
ookedatme.
.shel
ooked
att
hepieceagai
n..
ismi
ledasicoul
dtel
lthatshei
sconf
used.
.
shewonder
sifmabyeiwast
ri
cki
ngherorij
ust
madeabadmove..
shekeptl
ooki
ngatmeandal
licoul
ddowassmi
le.
.
shetheni
gnor
edt
hewi
nni
ngmoveandmade
anot
hermove.
.
if
rownedmyeyebr
owsandl
ookedather
..
Me:whydi
dntyoumoveandwi
n??
Her:youalwaystoldmet hati
fsomeonewhoi s
mostlikel
ytopayat t
enti
ontodetailmakesawrong
move, weshouldalwaysanalysethebody
l
anguage..iftheper
sondoesntshowanysi gnsof
sl
icknessorsomet racesofasavagefacethenit
s
pr
obabl ybecausehealsodidntknowthathedida
wrongmove. .
Me:soihadt
hatsavagef
ace?
?
Her:daddyyouweresmil
ing,
itseemedlikeyou
wantedmet opl
aythatpi
eceandt hat
'swhyyou
openedanopport
unit
y,sodaddywant edtotr
apme.
.
il
aughed.
.
eventhoughshewasr ight
,shewasact uall
ywrong
aboutthetr
appartbecauseiwasj usttr
yingtosee
i
fsheisfocused,butseemsshei sbecauseshe
managedt oappl
ywhatit aughtherint
othegame..
me:hi
gh5.
..
shegavemeanhi
gh5.
.
me:youareget
ti
ngver
ysmar
tnow.
.iam
i
mpressed.
.
shesmi
led.
.
Her:daddy,
myt eacherwantedmetoplaychess,
butitol
dherthatiwasntsupposedt
o..shesai
dshe
wouldspeaktoyou..
Me:shedi
d,andit
oldhert
hatyoucant
..
Her:butdaddy,
whenwi
llibeabl
etopl
aywi
thot
her
chi
ldren??
Me:soon.
.andyouwontpl
aywi
thki
dsyourage,
youwil
lpl
aywit
hbigki
dsandshowthem howi
ts
done.
.
Her
:real
ly?
??
Me:yes,
doyout
rustme?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:goodgi
rl
..nowthatwedonepl
ayi
ngt
hisgame,
l
etsgetwi
thyourhomework.
.
Her
:done!
!
Me:whatdoyoumeandone?
?
Her
:myt
eacherhel
pedmedomyhomewor
k.
Me:howcanateachergi
veyouhomewor
kandst
il
l
hel
pyouwit
hhomewor k?
?
Her:sheisnott
heteachert
hatt
eachesus.
.shei
s
anothert
eacher
..
me:andshehel
pedyoubecause?
?
Her
:idontknow.
.
Me:whatdi
disayaboutt
rust
ingpeopl
etobecl
ose
t
oyou?
?
shekeptqui
etandpout
ed.
.
Me:Pi
nky?
?
Her
:yousaidishoul
dn'
ttr
ustanyone.nomat
ter
howkindt
heyare..
Me:and?
?
Her
:ibr
oket
hef
ami
lycode.
.
Me:and?
?
Her
:daddywontl
etmeeatcakef
oraweek.
.
Me:iam gl
adyoust
il
lknowt
heconsequences.
.
shepout
ed.
.
Me:gogetyourbooks,
ifyoudonthavehomewor
k,i
wi
llcr
eat
ehomewor kforyou.
.
shewentt
ogetherbags.
.
t
henther
ewasaknockont
hedoor
..it
houghti
t
wasSam.
idi
dnthesi
tat
etogoandopen,
butonceiopened,
i
wasshocked.
..
i
twasLubanziandhi
slapdogJoe.
.
Me:whatt
heF*
**
Luu:so,
thi
siswhereyoukeephi
ding?
?nowonder
Sykescantf
indyou.
.
Me:howdi
dyouf
indoutt
hatil
iveher
e??
Luu:i
havemyways.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Luu:maywecomei
n??
il
ookedatt
hem t
henl
etthem i
n..t
heywalkedt
othe
couchasPi
nkycameoutwit
hhisbook..
Luu:ohhh,
hayt
her
eli
tt
legi
rl
..
shecamer
unni
ngt
ome.
.
Me:goi nyourroom babygi
rl
..anddontcomeout
unt
ilisayso..owk??
shenoddedandr
ant
oherr
oom wi
thoutsayi
ng
anyt
hing.
.
Luu:whatmanner
sdi
dyout
eachher
??shedoesnt
evengreet
..
Me:theki
ndofmanner
siwast
aughtwheniwasa
chi
ld.
.
hechuckl
edandl
aidbackl
ooki
ngar
oundt
he
house.
.
idontliveinaf l
ashyhouseli
kehim..iact
ual
ly
alwaysavoi dedli
vingl
argebecauseitbri
ngs
attent
ion..
thepooryoul
ook,t
hel
essi
mpor
tantyoubef
or
peopl
earoundyou.
.
ialwaysli
vedina4smal
lroom houset
okeepmy
levelofl
if
e..
t
hatdoesntmeanidonthavemoney, ido.
.it
sjust
t
hatidontwanttobeli
vingsuchfl
ashylif
ebecause
i
twouldbeeasierf
orSykestofi
ndme. .
Me:iaskedyouwhatt
heF*
*youdoi
ngher
e??
Luu:i
camet
ospeakt
oyou.
.aboutt
heSykes
missi
on.
.
Me:ial
readyt
oldyou,
iam out
..
Luu:Luba!
Me:youshowedmet hatyoudespi semebyhavi ng
mef oll
owed..igett hatyoudontt r
ustme, butwhy
despisemel i
ket hat??haveyouevert houghthow
thatcouldaffectthiswhol ehidingf eat
ure??huh? ?
doyouevent rustthatpersont hatyouaskedt o
foll
owme? ?whati fhewor kswi thSykesandhe
i
nf or
mshi m aboutmywher eabout s??yougot
guardsandal lthat,Pinkyonlyhave1guar d,which
i
sme. .sodontmesswi t
hmydaught erssafety.
Luu:owk,iwaswr ongiadmitt
hat.
.butri
ghtnow
weneedeachot her.
.youneedmet oensurethat
yourdaughterissafe.andineedyouandyourskill
s
togetSykes..
il
ookedatt
hem.
.
me:whosaidineedyoutopr
otectmydaught
er?
?
haveinotbei
ngdoingt
hatal
lthi
sti
me??
Luu:butwhenappr oachi
ngsomeonel i
keSykes,
youmi ghthavetoreconsi
derbecauseyouknowhe
breakswallstogetwhathewant s.
..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Luu:hemi
ghtwantyourdaught
ert
ohumbl
eyou.
.
t
hat
'showhedeal
swi
tht
hings.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..*
sigh*f
ine.
.
Luu:webacki
nbusi
ness?
?
Me:doihaveachoi
ce?
Luu:i
thi
nkyoudo.
.
Me:* si
gh*f i
ne..iwillj
oinhandswi t
ht heenemyto
getanotherenemydead. .butiwanttoassur eyou
thi
s..
.this"agreement "doesntmakeyoumyf ri
end
orfavorit
ecousi n.
..tome, youaresti
llthesonof
myf ather'
senemy. .andmyf at
hersenemyi smy
enemy, becausei nthisli
fe,weneverknow, who
holdstheknifebehi ndyourback..soaf t
erthi
s
mission,yougoyourway, igomyway. .
hel
eanedi
nandl
ookedatme.
.
Luu:i
dontknowwhyyoukeepont
hinki
ngt
hati
am
l
ikemydad..
Me:l
ikef
atherl
ikeson.
.
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
me:ihopeimademysel
fcl
ear
..
Luu:fi
ne..aft
ert
hismi
ssi
on,
wewi
llnotseeeach
otheragain.
.
Me:good.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
36] :49
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwassit
ti
ngandwat chi
ngamoviewhenihear
dthe
dooropen,
ilookedbackandi
twasLuu.
Me:MrWol
fy.
.
hesmi
led.
.
Hi
m:howsmyBunnydoi
ng?
?
Me:gr
eat
,justmi
ssedyou.
.wher
ehaveyoubeen?
?
Hi
m:iwentt
oseeLuba.
.
me:t
hatguyagai
n??why?
?
Hi
m:wehadsomebusi
nesst
odi
scuss.
.
Me:t
hatguyreall
yscaresme..especi
all
ywhenhe
st
art
ssuckingonhislol
li
pop,i
tjustmakesmethi
nk,
hemightj
ustki
llsomeone..
Hi
m:t
hatscar
y??
Me:mhm.
.
Hi
m:seemsialsoneedt
ogetmysel
fal
oll
ipopand
st
artbei
ngl
ikethat
..
Me:no.
.hahhaahayouar
ejustf
ine.
.
hi
m:hahahaha,
ithoughtyoui
ntoscar
yguysnow.
.
me:trustmehedoesntbeatyouwhenyouangr yor
i
naf oulmood.
.yougetmor escar
ierthenhi
m..you
seem li
keyoumightwanttoki
llapersonwit
hyour
handslooki
ngathiseyes.
.
Hi
m:hhhahahhaist
op,
that
'scr
eepy.
.
Me:butt
hat
'st
rue.
Hi
m:owk,
owk.
.butst
opi
t.
.
Me:anyway,youandhi
mlookmor
eli
kebr
other
s
ot
herthencousi
ns..
Hi
m:ial
readyhaveali
tt
lebr
other
,sopl
easedont
gi
vemeanotherone.
.
me:whoi
syourl
it
tl
ebr
other
??
Hi
m:Si
ya.
.
me:ohhhh..
.hahahah.
..vel
ewhoi
sol
dbet
ween
youandthatguy?Luba?
Hi
m:Lubai
syoungert
henme.
me:ohhhh,owk.
.well
,caniaskwhyyourf
atherand
hi
sfatherhat
edeachother
??
hi
m:ialsodontknowwhenandhowdidstar
ted,
but
al
liknewisthatmyfat
herdi
dntwantmenearhi
m
andhisfat
her.
..
Me:howdi
dyourmom f
eel
??
Him:mymom wasobedi
entonthatrulebecausehe
knewhowcrazymydadwouldgetifshewould
disobey.
.
Me:ohhhhhh..younevertal
kmuchaboutyour
famil
y,andwhyi si
tthatwhentheyappear
,you
seem tobeshockedtoseethem? ?wasyourfami
ly
verysepar
ated?
Him:thewolff
amilyislar
ge,anditi
sscatted
aroundthi
sworld.
.butthi
sruleof"nevert
rust
anyone"madeusliveforour
selvesandneverask
eachothersfavor
soranyt
hing.
.that
'swhyiwor
ked
forwhatihave.
me:soyouhavemor
ecousi
ns.
.
Hi
m:ionlyknowLubaandSamkel o.Samkel
ois
ol
derthenme.mygrandf
atherhad2sonsand3
gi
rl
s..whom ar
emydad,Luba'sdadandmyaunt s.
.
me:t
hent
her
eisAuntMar
tha,
yourmot
her
ssi
ster
.
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:seemsli
ket
her
eismor
etobedi
scover
edabout
yourf
amil
y..
Him:ineverwantt odiscoveranythi
ng.
..i
fthey
wanttobedi scoveredtheywillcometomej ustl
ike
AuntMar t
haandLubaandSi yaandUncleMandla..
t
heywi l
lreachouttomef i
rst.
.notmereacht o
t
hem fir
st..
me:wasever
yonei
nyourf
ami
lyi
ntot
heMaf
ia
busi
ness?
?
hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:what
swi
tht
hesequest
ionst
oday?
?
me:iam j
ustget
ti
ngt
oknowyoumor
e..
Hi
m:butwhydoif
eell
ikeiam bei
ngi
nter
rogat
ed.
.
me:youarenot.
.iam j
ustget
ti
ngt
oyouknowso
t
hatiunderst
andyoubett
er.
.
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:so?
?wasever
yonei
nyourf
ami
lyaMaf
ia?
?
Him:thi
sbusinesswasstart
edbymygr andfat
her
,
passedontomyf at
herthensharedequallyamong
myf at
herandhisbrot
her,t
henlaterpassedtome.
Me:mabyet
hat
'swhyyourf
atherandhi
sbr
other
f
ought
..
Hi
m:becauseoft
hebusi
ness?
?
Me:yah.
.mabyeyourfat
herwant
edtoleavei
tto
youbuthewant
edtoleaveitt
oLuba.
.
Him:mydadknewidi dntwantit
..weusedtofi
ght
everydaybecauseofthi
s,butial
waysrespect
ed
him andlovedhimregardl
ess.
.butwhenhe
unexpectedl
ydied,
itookituponmyselftot
akethi
s
businesstohonorhiswish.
.
Me:ohhh.
Hi
m:mhm.
.andwena?
?howwasyourupbr
ingi
ng?
?
Me:si
mple..mom anddadl
ivi
nganor malhar
mless
l
if
eandlaterdi
edinanacci
dent.
.theend.
.
Him:hahahah,i
tsfunnyhowyouwantmet ospeak
clear
lyaboutmyfamilyandyetyoual
waysdodge
thequesti
ononyourparents.
.
Me:ij
ustdontl
iket
alki
ngaboutt
hem.
.
Him:why??didsomethi
nghappenbet
weenyouand
yourot
herfamil
ies?
?
Me:wel l
..mypar entswerealwaystal
kingabout
thei
rfami l
iesandiwasi ntr
oducedtoever yoneof
them..il
ovedt hem andenjoyedbeingwi t
ht hem..
bigfamil
y..iwoul devengot oMozambi quet ovi
sit
them..besttimeofmyl ife.
.
Hi
m:t
henwhathappened?
?
Me:aft
ertheaccident,
theywer esti
llcomingto
checkuponme. .onedayiwasf r
om schoolandi
heardt
hem gatheredintheli
vingroom tal
king
aboutwhowoul dtakemei n.
.theyallweretal
king
abouthowmucht heyl ovedmeandhowt heywould
alwaysbet heref orme, butt heycoul dnttakemein
becauset heywoul dn'tbeabl etotakecar eofme..i
l
istenedtot hem tryt ofigureoutwhowasbestt o
takemei n..atthatmomentif el
tli
keiwoul dbea
burdentot hem. .soiwentbackandpr etendedto
nothavehear danyt hing..ire-enteredinsidemaking
anoi sesot hattheywoul dknowt hatiam here.
.i
walkedinandt heyj ustpr etendedt hattheywere
tal
kingaboutsomet hingel se..
Hi
m:sothat
'
swhyyoudi
dntacceptgoi
ngwi
th
t
hem??
inodded.
.
Hi
m:hect
ic.
.
Me:yah...soibeggedmyt eachert
otakemei nand
sheindeedtookmei n..
.af
termatri
cili
edtomy
teacherandtol
dheriwoul dli
veatschoolandlear
n
sinceihaveascholarshi
p..
Hi
m:howdi
dyoul
ie?
?di
dntsheaskf
ort
hepaper
s??
Me:iusedmybestfri
endslett
erandhadasimil
ar
l
ett
erpri
ntedatai
nternetcaf
eiknew..ihadt
opay
t
ri
plet
hepricebecausetheyknewwhatiwasdoing
wasfr
aud.
..butipromisedthatiwoul
dnotment
ion
t
hem..
Him:youhavebeenasl
yfr
audst
erf
rom aver
y
youngage??
me:no,iwasjustmaki
ngpl
anst onotoweanyone
andnotdependonanyone.
.ifiwoul
d'vebeen
honest
,myteacherwoul
dhavenotletmel eave,
andwould'
vecall
edmyaunts..
Hi
m:soyoudonthavecont
act
sofyouraunt
s??
Me:no..af
termovingout ,
ithr
ewmysi m car
dand
boughtanotherone.
..ial
waysseemycousi nson
Facebookpostingandhavingfun,butineverdar
e
totr
ytosendt hem arequestoranyt
hing..
Hi
m:dontt
heyseeyou?
?
Me:iuseaf akenameonFacebookandineverpost
mypictures.
.ipostcars,
myr
olemodel
sand
i
ll
ustr
ationsordrawings.
Hi
m:mhm.
.soyoust
il
ldontwantt
omeett
hem?
?
Me:*
sigh*noir
athernot
..
hi
m:mhm.
..sad.
.
me:dontworr
y,iam al
ri
ght
..imeanihaveyouand
Si
ya,andAuntMartha.
.
Hi
m:andwewi
llal
waysbeher
e..
Me:that
'smywish.
.butseemsthi
sdanger
ous
busi
nesswil
lmakethi
ngsharder.
Hi
m:(
chuckl
ed)comeher
e..
hemademesi
tonhi
slap.
.
Him:iwontbegoi
nganywher
eowk.
.andit
hought
youwereowkwithit
..
me:actuall
yithoughtiwasal
ri
ght,it
houghtidi
dnt
mind..butnowwithSiyaandustogether
,if
eel
af
raid..
Hi
m:whatar
eyouaf
rai
dof
??
me:t
hatiwoul
dbl
inkandnotseeyouagai
n..
Hi
m:wonthappen.
.owk?
?
Me:howdoyouknow?
?ar
eyouGod?
?
Hi
m:hahahaha.
.no,
butiknow.
.
hepl
ayedwi
thmycheeks.
.
Hi
m:look,af
teritakeoutSykes,
whi chi
sour
bi
ggestenemyrightnow,iwil
ldropeveryt
hingand
st
artanormalli
fewithyou.
.owk? ?
Me:ar
eyouser
ious?
?
Him:mhm. .iwi
llj
ustf
ocusonyou,
thebusi
ness
andSiya.
.
Me:youspeakasi
fSi
yawasourson.
.
Hi
m:hei
s..
il
aughed.
.
.
*
*Joe*
*
Me:di
dyout
akecar
eofi
t??
Hi
m:yes.
.it
sal
ldone.
.
Me:i
sitr
eal
lysaf
e??
Him:100%thereisnowaySykeswouldf
indt
his
houseeasi
lyunlesshehasi
nsi
deinf
o.
Me:t
hat
'sgr
eat
..whataboutsecur
it
y??
Him:supert ight.
.onesmallunidenti
fi
edmove, the
tr
ackerwillindicatet
hatther
eisunaut hori
zed
movement ..andt hegoodthi
ngi sthatitdoesnt
maketheper sonawar et
hathei scaught.itj
ust
keepsquiet,butonoursideitindicat
es..
Me:soitgi
vesust
imet
ovi
ewandanal
yset
he
cul
pri
t.
.
hi
m:yessi
r.
.
me:good.
.goodj
ob.
.iwi
llpassi
ttoMrWol
f.
.
Hi
m:owksi
r.
.
ihungupandcal
ledLuut
oupdat
ehi
m..
[
12/
28,
12:
36] :50
.
*
*Mont
hsl
ater
**
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Luu:owkl
etsdot
hisagai
n..
Boinoddedandgotr
eady.
.
Luuhaddeci
dedt
otr
ainBoihi
msel
fandgether
readyforanythi
ng.
.alotwastotakepl
ace.Si
ya
start
ingschool,
Boist
arti
ngVarsi
tyandLuutaki
ng
downSykes. .
Sykeshasn'
tmadeamoveinmonthsbutt heboys
havenotbeensl
eepi
ng,
theyhavebeentraini
ng
thei
rmenevenmoreandmakingsurethattheyget
them r
eady.
.
af
tert
rai
ningt
heydeci
dedt
otakeabr
eak.
.
Luu:t
hatwasgr
eat
,bet
tert
hent
heot
herdays.
.
Boi:butt
ir
ing.
.itf
eel
sli
keiam att
hemi
li
tar
ytr
ying
outtobeasoldier
..
Luu:youonl
yget
ti
ngst
art
ed.
.
Boil
ookedatLuuwi
thwi
deeyesandopened
mouth.
.
Luulaughedatherr
eact
ionandwentt
ogetwat
er
forbot
hofthem..
hecamet
ogi
veBoi
..
Luu:her
e!!havesomewat
er.
.
Boi
:Thanks.
..
hedranksomewat
erandt
heybot
hsatont
he
couch.
Boi
:whatt
imewi
llSi
yabeher
eagai
n?
Luu:anyt
imenow,
ihadmyguysf
etchhi
m aboutan
3hoursago.
.
Boi:ohhhhh..ibet
tergot
akeashowersot
hathe
fi
ndsmef r
esh.
Luusmi
ledasheshookhi
shead.
..
Boiwentt
otakeashower
,andLuujustsatt
her
e
tr
yingt
othi
nkwhattodobefor
etaki
ngashower..
aft
erf
ewminutesoft
hinki
ng,
hedeci
dedt
ojustgo
andshower
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
acarparkedoutsi
deandt heguar
dsopenedt
he
gat
ewhent heylear
nedt hati
twasJoe.
.hedr
ovei
n
andparkedhiscarinsi
de..
Joe:owkbi
gboy,
wehavear
ri
ved.
.
Si
ya:wi
lliseeBr
otherLubanzi
??
Joe:yes,iam sur
ehei
swai
ti
ngf
oryoui
nthe
house..
Si
ya:yay!
!
Joesmi
ledasSi
yawascheer
ful
.
Joegotoutt
hecarandwentt
oopenf
orSi
ya.
het
henwalkedwi
thSi
yatot
hedoor.
.heknocked
ont
hedoorandBoiwast
heonetoopenthedoor
.
Boi
:Si
ya!
!!
Si
yasmi
ledandl
ookedatboi
..
Boipi
ckedhi
m upandhuggedhi
m..
LuucamedownandSi
yasawhi
m..hequi
ckl
ygot
offBoiandr
ant
oLuu.
Si
ya:Br
otherLubanzi
!!
Luu:hayyyyy!
!!Si
ya!
!!howar
eyoubi
gboy?
?
Si
ya:iam f
ine.
Luu:ouuuu,
iam gl
adt
oheart
hat
..
Luuwal
kedt
oJoe.
.
Luu:t
hanksf
orpi
cki
ngherupman.
.
Joe:anyt
ime.
Boi
:seemsli
kehei
smor
eexci
tedt
oseeLuut
hen
me.
.iam hur
t..
JoeandLuul
aughed.
..
Luu:iguessiam sohandsomet
hatigetevenki
ds
exci
ted.
.
Boi
:Joe,
areyouexci
ted?
?
Joel
ookedatLuuandBoi
..
Joe:ibett
ergetgoing,seeyoul
it
tl
efami
lynext
ti
me...her
eareallhisbags..
.
hewentoutandLuul
aughed.
..
Luu:boy,
areyouhungr
y??needsomet
hingt
oeat
??
Boi
:yespl
ease,
iam st
arvi
ng.
.
Luu:notyou.
.iam speaki
ngt
oSi
ya.
.
Boi
:butyousai
dBoi
?
Luu:youandmeknowbestt
hatinevercal
lyouBoi
..
ical
lyouBunny.
.
boi
:owk,
butst
il
l,
iam hungr
y..
Luu:dontyouhavehands?
??
Boi
:Luu!
!!
Luu:what
??
heaskedt
hatl
aughi
ng.
.
Boipout
ed.
.
Siyawaslaughi
nglooki
ngatBoiandLuubi
cker
ing
l
ikeanoldcouple.
.
af
terawhi
leLuuhaddeci
dedt
omakel
unch.
..
hef
ini
shedanddi
shedupf
orhi
sli
tt
lef
ami
ly.
.
t
heysatatt
het
abl
eandenj
oyedt
hei
rmeal
..
Luu:t
hechi
efi
sdone.
.
Boi
:ouuuuuu.
..
Luuser
vedt
hem t
hef
oodandsatdownt
oeat
..
Luu:Si
ya,
let
seatmyboy.
.
Siyanoddedwi
thhi
smout
hful
landasmi
leonhi
s
face.
.
Luu:gr
eat
..youshoul
deatandgr
owl
ikeme.
.
Boi:justdontgr
owt
oignor
eyourgi
rll
ikeshei
sn'
t
there..
Luu:didihearsomeonetal
k??i
tsoundedl
ikea
female.
.whocoulditbe?
?
Boi
:mxm.
..
.it
snotf
unny.
.
Boisai
dthathol
dingherl
aught
er.
.
Luu:i
thi
nkt
hishousei
shaunt
edwi
thaf
emal
e
ghost
.
Boilaughedaswel
lasSi
yaasLuutri
edt
obe
ser
iousbutendedupal
solaughi
ng.
.
Luu'
sphoner
angandi
twasAuntMar
tha.
.
Luu:Aunt
y..
heexcusedhi
msel
f.
.
Aunt
:Lubanzimyson,
howi
sthi
ngswi
thyourl
it
tl
e
fami
ly?
?
Luu:haiAunt
,youmakei
tlookl
ikeiam af
atherand
ahusband.
Aunt
:ar
eyounot
??
Luu:Aunt
,dontscar
emel
iket
hat
..
Aunt:well
,i
tsti
meyoutookitli
kethat.
.eventhough
Siyaisyourl
it
tl
ebrot
her,hemayaswel lbeyour
sonsinceyouguysareli
ke20year sapart
.andas
forBoi,
shestayswit
hyou..iam notafanofFat'n
Sit,
soihopewewoul dbeheari
ngweddi ngbell
s
soon.
Luu:andyesiwi
llmakehermywi
fe,j
ustnotnow
aunt.
.mylif
eisamessatthemoment.
.
Aunt
:thenf
ixthatmessyli
feofyour
s..t
hatwoman
i
sadiamond..youcantl
oseher..
Luu:i
wontAunt
..
Aunt
:goodboy.
..anyway,
ical
ledt
ospeakt
oSi
ya.
.
Luu:oh,
owk,
iwi
llgi
vehi
mthephoner
ightnow.
.
Luuwentt
ogi
veSi
yat
hephone.
.
Si
yawentt
otal
ktot
hephone.
.
surpr
isi
ngl
ySi
yaactual
lyt
ookthephoneand
excusedhi
msel
ftospeakonthephone.
.
Luu:l
ookatt
hat
,heevenknowshowt
oexcuse
hi
msel
f.
.
Boi
:hedoesntwantust
ohearhi
sconver
sat
ion.
Luu:seemsiwi
llhaveapr
obl
em whenhest
art
s
growingup.
.
Boil
aughed.
..
Boi
:howi
sAuntMar
tha?
?
Luu:shei
sdoingwel
l,alr
eadyr
emi
ndi
ngmet
hati
am ahusbandandafather.
.
Boi
:Damnandt
hat
'st
rue.
.
Luu:mhm andal
sot
alkedaboutgr
andki
ds.
.
Boi
:mxm Luust
opl
ying.
.
Luut
ri
edt
obeser
iousbutheendedupl
aughi
ng.
.
Luu:hahahaha,
haiat
leastit
ri
ed.
.
Boi
:youver
ysl
ickl
y..
Luul
aughedagai
n..
Si
yacamebackr
unni
ngandgavet
hephonet
oBoi
..
Boi
:Goodaf
ter
noonAunt
..
Aunt
:haymychi
ld.
.howar
eyou?
?
Boi
:iam gr
eataunt
..
Aunt
:isLubanzit
aki
ngcar
eofyou?
?
Boi
:yesaunt
,ver
ywel
l.
.
Aunt
:that
'sgr
eat
,iam gl
adyout
woar
edoi
ngwel
l
..
Boi
:yesAunt
..
Aunt
:takecareofLuuandSiyaowk??youarethe
womanoft hehousenow,andajobofastr
ong
womani st
obuildherhome,nott
eari
tapartowk??
Boi
:yesaunt
..
Aunt
:gr
eat
..il
oveyouguys.
.
Boi
:loveyout
ooaunt
..
Aunt
:owk,
letmespeakt
oLuu.
.
BoigaveLuut
hephone.
.
Luu:aunt
??
Aunt:t
akecar
eoft
hef
ami
ly,
bet
her
efort
hem and
pr
otectthem.
.
Luu:al
waysaunt
..
Aunt:r
emember ,
youmaybethebossinyour
company,butathome,
youar
eaf at
heranda
husband.
.
Luu:asmuchasthatsoundswei
rdgi
vent
hatSi
ya
i
smyl it
tl
ebr
other
,iagree.
.
Auntl
aughedandLuusmi
led.
.
t
heybidgoodbyeandcont
inuedwi
tht
hei
rdel
ici
ous
l
unch.
..
[
12/
28,
12:
43] :51
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:Si
ya!
!
hekeptonl
ooki
ngdowncr
ying.
.
askmewhyhei
scr
ying,
IDON'
TF*
***KNOW!
!!
isi
ghedandwenttohim,iam f
edupandij
ustwant
togett
owork,
isthatdi
ff
icul
ttoask?
?
ist
oodi
nfr
ontofhi
m..
Hi
m:Si
ya,
ifyoudontgetr
eadyi
nthenext5
minut
es,iwi
llgi
veyouar
easont
ocr
y..doyou
under
standme??
helookedatmeandijustgavehi
m aser
iousl
ook.
.
alookhehadneverseenmehave..
icoul
dtracef
eari
nhiseyes,butwhatam it
odo
becausewheniam sof
t,hedoesntl
ist
en.
.
Boicameoutofnowher
eandcamebet
weenus.
.
Boi
:howaboutigethi
mready?
?huh?
?
il
ookedatboi
..
Me:makeitsnappy,afterget
ti
nghimr eadyt
ake
hi
mtoSipho,hewilltakehimt oschool.
.
Boi
:owk.
.
it
ookmybagandheadedout
.
igoti
nmycarandj
ustdr
oveaway.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
seemsther
earemanymoredayswher
edaddywil
l
for
gett
ogivemommyakissbefor
eheleavest
he
house.
.
shame.
.poormommy.
.
Si
yawasl
ooki
ngatmesayt
hisal
one.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:Si
ya?
?whydontyouwantt
ogetdr
essedboy?
?
Si
ya:idontwantt
ogot
oschool
..
Me:why?
?schooli
sgr
eat
,youl
ear
nal
otoft
hings.
.
Si
ya:butmi
ckeywontbeatschool
..
Me:well
,yes,Mi
ckeywontbeatschool
,butother
l
earner
swillbet
here.
.manylear
nerswi
llbethere.
.
Si
ya:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:yes..sohowaboutwegetr
eadyandgosee
ot
herlearner
s??
Si
ya:wi
llauntgowi
thme?
?
Me:ofcauseiwi
llgowi
thyou.
.
hesmi
ledandiwasassur
edt
hatiscor
edhi
shear
t.
heagreedt
ogetready,
heat
e,event
houghhewas
l
ate.
.wegotint
hecarandoffhewentt
oschool
.
wegottoschoolandiaccompani
edhi
minsi
det
he
school
.
hekeptonhol
dingmyhandnotwant
ingt
oletgo.
.
afteral
locat
inghimtocl
ass,if
inal
lyl
efthim and
saidgoodbye..heseemedsadanddidntevensay
goodbyet ome, hej
ustl
ookedatmeandj ustsaton
hisseat.
myheartwaspai
nfull
eavi
nghi
mf eel
ingl
ikethat
,
butwhatwoul
dido??hehastogotoschooland
l
earn.
.
ideci
dedt
opassbyLuu'
scompanybef
orecomi
ng
backhome.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
ismi
ledaloneasil
ookedatt
hebl
ackmoneypr
ofi
ti
wasstar
ti
ngt omake.
.
"i
tfeel
sgoodt
obeback"
thepastmonthsihavebeenr evi
ewingmyselfand
seei
ngwhypeopl ewhereplayingonmyheadso
easi
lyandireal
izedihadbeensof t
..now,
allthe
daysar
eover
..
isti
llst
ruggl
etocalm mysel
fwheniam angry,iget
real
lyaggressi
veandhurtpeopl
eeit
herwit
hmy
wordsorbyphysicall
yhit
ti
ngthem ordeat
h..
ihavemyli
mitst
hough..BunnyandSi yaarenever
toseet
hissi
deofme..wellatl
eastitr
yto..but
Bunnyal
wayschall
engestoseeit..
cl
ientswerepayi
ngont i
me, r
espectwasgivenand
l
imitsweredrawn..imustsaythatihavemyown
cousint
othankbecausehegavemeawakeupcal l
aboutmysoftside..
iwasinmyoffi
cewheniheardaknockandsawa
handhol
dingalol
li
pop.
.ichuckl
edasiknewwhoi
t
was..
hewal
kedi
n..
Hi
m:mayi
??
ipoi
ntedt
othechai
rast
ogi
vehi
m per
missi
ont
o
si
tdown..
hecameandsatdown.
.
Hi
m:howf
arar
ewe?
?
Me:nott
oofar
..i
tseemsSykeshasn'
tmadea
moveyet
,butwehavehi
mt ai
led.
.
Hi
m:tai
li
nghim wontcutit
..anyonecantr
ickyou
of
fthet
able.
.butt
hen,it
showyoudot hi
ngs..
Me:doyouhaveabet
terpl
an?
?
Hi
m:nop.
.not
hing.
.
Me:ourownmast
ermi
ndhasnosmar
tpl
ani
nhi
s
br
ains?
?
Hi
m:yep.
.
Me:andit
hinkiknowt
her
eason.
.
Hi
m:whati
sther
eason?
Me:thel
oll
ipop.
.toomuchsweetscandamaget
he
br
ainandthinki
ngcapabi
li
ti
es.
.
Hi
m:ihaveanI
Qof138.nosweet
scanchange
t
hat.
.
Me:hahahaha,
braggi
ngaboutyourI
Qagai
n??
Hi
m:yes.
.imeanwhyhavei
tifyouwontt
alkabout
i
t?
wel
aughed.
.
Me:yout
alknonsense.
.anyway,
howi
sPi
nky?
?
Him:ididntcomeher
ef orapeptal
k..pept
alksare
notgoodamongenemi es..butagl
assofwhiskeyis
thebestsolut
ion.
.
me:sot
hatyoucant
akemeoutwhi
leiam dr
unk?
?
Him:iam notawi mp..whenitakeyouout,
iwoul d
doitwhi l
elookingatyouandmaki ngsur
emyf ace
i
sthel astthatyousee..iwoul
dmakeyouask
for
givenessbutknowi ngyou,youwouldratherdie.
.
Me:youknowmewel
l.
.
Hesmi
rked.
.
Hi
m:anyway,
icamet
ogi
veyout
his.
.keepi
tsaf
e..
il
ookedathi
m andl
ookedatt
heenvel
ope.
.
hegotupandheadedout
..
iopenedt
heenvel
opeandt
her
ewasaUSB.
..
thi
scoul
dbeavi
ruspl
ant
er,
iwontbef
ool
edby
him..
igotJoet
oor
deraLapt
opf
ormer
ightaway.
.
i
fiusethi
sonanewl apt
opther
ewontbeanyhar
m
donebecausei
twonthaveanydat
a..
it
henputtheUSBi
nadrawerandf
ini
shedmywor
k
asiwai
tedfort
hel
apt
op.
af
terawhil
esomeonecamei
nandil
ookedup.
.it
wasBunny.
.
Me:Bunny!
Her
:youbusy?
?
Me:notwhenyouher
e..
Her
:(smi
les)mhm.
.
shecamet
osi
tont
het
abl
eopposi
teme.
.
Her:*
sigh*istil
lfeel
sadf
orl
eavi
ngSi
yaatschool
sadashel ooked..
Me:youmanagedt
ogethi
mready?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:di
dhesaywhyhedi
dntwantt
ogot
oschool
??
Her
:Mi
ckey.
.hesai
dMi
ckeywoul
dn'
tbet
her
e..
Me:whot
hehel
lisMi
ckey?
?hi
sgi
rl
??
Her
:wedontknow.
.mabye.
.
Me:ahhhh!t
aki
ngcareofSiyawi
llseem morel
ikea
t
oughjobthenit
hought
..t
hatguyisstubbor
n..
Her
:mhm.
.
shegavemet
he"
youal
sost
ubbor
n"l
ook.
.
me:mymom wasnotst
ubbor
n..
Her
:seemsyourf
ather
shadsomet
hingi
ncommon.
.
Me:mxm.
.
il
aidback.
.
Her:butyouwil
lhavetobet
hebiggerper
sonand
al
waysbepat i
entwithSi
ya.
.tr
yshouti
nglessand
bei
nghar shonhim..
Me:ineversawmyf
atherbesosweetwi
thme.
.
Her:andlookhowyout
urnedout
..
.col
dand
heart
less.
.
me:i
tsbet
terf
orhi
mt hatway.
.hewontbemessed
ar
oundwit
horbull
ied.
.
Her
:Luu!
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
shehuggedmeandl
ookedatme
Me:youhavetostar
tactingl
ikearealf
ather
.i
meanyouwillbeafatheroneday,
soyouhavet o
st
artpr
act
ici
ng..
il
ookedather
..i
sshehi
nti
ngsomet
hingher
e??
ikeptl
ooki
ngatherandshel
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
her
:what
??di
disaysomet
hingwr
ong?
?
me:whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?
?iwi
llbef
atheroneday?
?
orsoon?
?
shel
aughed.
.
Her
:tr
ustmeiam notpr
egnant
..
Me:yousur
e??
Her
:100%
ipout
edl
ooki
ngatherandshedi
edofl
aught
er.
.
ishookmyheadandjustcont
inuedwal
kingashe
conti
nuedt
olaugh.
.
di
dimakeaj
oke?
?mxm.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
43] :CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Si
yawasatschoolsi
tt
ingundert
het
reedur
ing
l
unch.
i
tseemedl
ikehewascr
yingal
one.
Pi
nky,whowaswalki
ngtoclasssawSi
yaand
wonderedwhatwaswrongwithhi
m.
shewasscaredwonder i
ngifsheshoul
dgoandask
whatiswrongwiththeboyandriskbei
ngshout ed
byherdadbecauseherdadseemst obeal ways
watchi
ngher,how??shealsodoesntknow. .butshe
al
socouldntgethersel
ftol
eaveasmal lboycr yi
ng
al
oneunderthetree.shewasnotashear t
lessas
herfat
her.
.
shedeci
dedtowalkt
ohim whil
elooki
ngar
oundt
o
seei
fhisfat
herwoul
dappear.
shegott
othet
reeandSi
yasawherandl
ooked
down.
Pinky:l
it
tl
eguy,
mynamei
sPi
nky,
whati
syour
name? ?
Si
yalookedatPi
nkyandl
ookeddownnotsayi
nga
word.
.
Pi
nkywentt
osi
tnextt
ohi
m..
Pi
nky:iwonthurtyou,ipromise.
.ij
ustsawyou
si
tt
ingaloneandcryi
ng, soicametoaskifyou
wereok.
.
Si
yal
ookedatPi
nky.
.
Si
ya:imi
ssmydad.
.
Pinky:dontworry,i
nafewhour
s,schoolwi
llbeover
andyouwi llseeyourdad.
.
Si
yashookhi
shead.
.
Si
ya:hei
snevercomi
ngback..
.br
otherLubanzisay
hewentt
oheaventot
akecareofmom.
Pinkylookeddownandsof
tl
ytouchedSi
yaont
he
shoulder.
.
Pi
nky:i
tsowkSi
ya,
itsowkt
omi
ssyourdad.
.andi
am sor
rythatheleftyou..ialsosomet imesmi ss
mymom. .butshedi dntgot oheaven, shejustlef
t
mewi t
hmyf ather.
.butiforgaveher ,becauseshe
l
eftmewiththemostwonder fulper
soni nthewor l
d.
Siya:i
fyourmotherdidntgot
oheaven,
thatmeans
shewillcomebackright??
Pi
nkyshookherhead.
.
Pi
nky:no.
.shei
snevercomi
ngback.
.
Si
ya:why?
?
Pinky:becauseshedoesntwantto.
..evenifshe
comesback, i
twontbethesameanymor e.iwil
lst
il
l
takemyf atherssi
deregar
dless.
.
Si
yal
ookeddown.
Pi
nky:dontbesad..smi
le.
.youl
ookhandsome
whenyousmi l
e..
Si
ya:r
eal
ly?
?
Si
yasmi
led.
.
Pi
nkygi
ggl
edandnodded.
.
Pi
nky:whatgr
adear
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Si
ya:iam i
ngr
ade2.
Pi
nky:wow,
that
'sgr
eat
.iam i
ngr
ade4
Si
yanoddedandsmi
led.
.
Pinky:youhaven'
ttol
dmeyourname.
.whati
syour
name? ?
Si
ya:Si
yabonga.
Pi
nky:wow,
that
'sawonder
fulname.
.
Si
yasmi
ledagai
n.
.
*
*AFTERSCHOOL*
*
SiyaandPinkymetagai
naf
terschoolanddeci
ded
towalkouttoget
her
..
astheywereoutsideofthei
rgate,
theirtr
ansport
wasalreadywaiti
ngforthem..sotheysaidgoodbye
andseparated.
.Pinkyheadedtohertranspor
tand
Siyaal
sowentt ohistr
ansport.
.
t
hedr
iver
stookt
hem home.
.
Pi
nkygothomeandf
oundhi
sfat
herpl
ayi
ngchess.
.
onet hi
ngyoushouldknowaboutLuba, whenhei s
playingchesswit
hanangr yface,heisact
ual
ly
tryi
ngt ocal
m hi
mselfsothathedoesntsayhar sh
wor dsordoesntsaysomethi
ngt hathemaylater
regret.
.
Pi
nkyarr
ivedandasshegoti nthehouse,Luba
l
ookedather.al
readysheknewwhatwr ongshedi
d,
soshedi
dntevenask..shejustl
ookeddown
wai
ti
ngtobescol ded.
Luba:
Pinky?
?
Pi
nky:yesdad.
.
Luba:ar
emywor
dsbecomi
ngapl
aygr
oundi
nyour
ears?
?
Pi
nkyshookhi
shead.
.
Luba:
sowhati
shappeni
ng?
?
Pi
nky:dad,ijustwant
edt
omakesurehewasowk,
hewascr yi
ngunderthet
reeal
onesoit
houghthe
wasbull
ied..
Luba:
ifhewasbull
ied,whatwoul
dyouhavedone?
?
fi
ghtt
hebull
ies?
?sincewhenhaveyoutakent
he
r
oleofaher
o??
Pi
nkyl
ookeddown.
.
Luba:howmanyt i
meshaveit ol
dyoutostayaway
fr
om otherkidsbecauseyouneverknowwhatt hey
areplanni
ng? ?ial
lowedyoutogotoschool
becauseitrustedyoutoli
stentomyinst
ruct
ion..do
youwantmet ohomeschoolyouagain??
Pi
nkyshookherhead.
.
Luba:
thenst
artl
ist
eni
ng.
.
Pi
nky:butdadSi
yai
sagr
eatki
d..
Luba:
didyouj
ustsaybut
..
??di
dyouj
ustusedt
hat
wordwit
hme?real
ly?
Pinkywasaf r
aidbecauseshehasneverseenhi
s
fathert
hisangry.
.
sheshookherheadst
eppi
ngback.
.
Lubal
ookedatherandt
ri
edt
ocal
m hi
msel
f.
.
hest
oodup,
lef
tthehouseandwentt
otakeawal
k..
.
.
*
*MEANWHI
LE*
*
Si
yaar
ri
vedhomewi
thal
lsmi
lesandhappy.
.
hearr
ivedhomeandBoiwasinthekit
chencl
eani
ng
upthekit
chenasshehasdoneprepar
ingl
unch.
.
Boi
:ohhhhmyl
it
tl
eboii
sback.
.
Si
yasmi
ledasBoipi
ckedhi
m up.
.
Boi
:howwasschool
??bad?
?
Si
yashookhi
shead.
Si
ya:schoolwasnice,
iwi
llgoagai
ntomor
row.
.i
wanttoseePinky.
.
Boi
:Pi
nky?
?
Si
ya:myf
ri
end.
.
Boij
ustsmi
ledandcheer
edf
orSi
ya.
.
Boi
:owk,
ipreparedfood.
.goputyourbagsdown
andcomehavelunch..
Si
ya:yesaunt
..
Siyar
antohisroom (
whichusedt
obeBoi
'
sroom)
andwenttoputhisbag.
.
thenhecamebacktohavel
unch.
.ont
hewayback
Boigotacal
lfr
om Luu.
Boi
:MrWol
f.
.
Luu:Bunny,
howi
syourdaysof
ar?
?
Boi
:itwasj
ustowkunt
ilSi
yawal
kedi
nher
eand
madeitamazi
ng..
Luu:hei
sal
readyhome?
?
Boi
:mhm.
.
Luu:howi
she?
?bet
tert
heni
nthemor
ning?
?
Boi:muchbet
ter
,heevencantwai
ttogot
oschool
tomorr
ow..
Luu:hai
bo!
!whatchanged?
?
Boi
:agi
rlnamedPi
nky.
Luu:what
??
Boi
:mhm.
Luu:gee.
..t
hatwaseasy.
.
Boi
:whatwas?
Luu:not
hing.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
youmustbeaskingwhyisai
dthat
,wel
l
, Lubabal
o
i
sst i
llangr
yandseesmeasanenemy,butisti
ll
regar
dhi m asmybrot
her
.
sohedoesntknowthatiknowwherehi
sdaught
er
goest
oschool,soi
enroll
edSiyat
heret
oo.
.
iwashopi ngf
orexact
lywhathappened,
iwas
hopingthatPi
nkyandSiyawouldknoweachother.
.
andwi t
houtmetryi
ng,i
tact
uall
yhappened,
ont he
fi
rstdayofschool
.
seemseventheangelswantmycousintost op
seei
ngmeasanenemy.nowij usthopethat
thr
oughtheseki
ds,hewil
lstophisnonsense..
idoubthealsoknowsaboutSi
ya,
unlessheact
ual
ly
wenttoinvest
igat
emylif
e,sohewontknow.
..
ij
ustsatther
esmi l
ingatbunnyassheal
sodi
dnt
knowthispartoft
heplan..
[
12/
28,
12:
44] :52
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iam superexcitedandcantwaitt
ooff
ici
all
yst
art
classes.ihaveallt
hatiwoul
dneedandnowiwas
maki ngsureSiyahadeveryt
hingaswell
.
i
tsactuall
ykindofwei
rdhavi
ngtowakeupand
preparegoi
ngtoschool
.whatsmor
eweirdi
s
tal
kingtoLuuabouti
t.
exampleiwouldsay,"
Luu,t
omor rowiam goingto
school
,imustgetusedtostudyingandthi
ngsl i
ke
that
"hesomet i
mesfi
ndsitweirdtoo.i
tsli
kehei s
superol
derthenmebutheisj ust6yearsoldert
hen
me..
wel
l,i
getready,
not
hingspeci
al,
justhappi
ness
f
il
li
ngthedoorsofmysmile.
Me:Si
ya?
?ar
eyoudoneeat
ing?
?
Si
ya:yesaunt
..
Si
yahasalsostart
edt
oenj
oyschool.idontknow
whatr
elat
ionshi
phehaswi
thPinky,
idontknow
whoi sthat,butthankgoodnessthatshewasat
thatschoolandshowedki ndnesstoSiyabecause
now, hejustlovesschool
,anditsnothardget
ti
ng
himr eadyforschool.
l
it
tl
esecr
et-heal
sodoesntwantt
obel
ate(
whi
sper
)
hahahahaha.
.
wegetdone.Luuleftal
ongt
imeagobecauseof
busi
ness,hedi
dwi shmewel
landidi
dgetmy
goodbyekisst
oday.
themor
eiputitl
ikethis,
themor
eiassumeiam
dati
ngasugardaddy,ishoul
dst
opphrasi
ngi
tli
ke
that
.
it
akeSi
yaandweheadout
.
wegeti
nthecarandwedr
opSi
yaf
ir
st.
Me:ByeSi
ya!
hewavedatus.
.
Me:Byeaunt
..Byeuncl
e..
hewasal sosayinggoodbyetoSipho..hecall
shim
uncl
e..actual
lyhecall
severyoneolderthenhim
uncl
eandaunt
,event
heguar
dsandJoe.
westoodtherelooki
ngathi
m entert
hegate.af
ter
hegotinthegateandheadintheschoolgr
ound,
theguar
dt henstar
tedt
hecaranddrovemet o
school
.
af
terawhi
leiar
ri
ved.
Me:t
hankyouSi
pho.
Hi
m:nopr
obl
em.
.haveagr
eatdaymam.
.
Me:it
oldyounevert
ocal
lmemam.
Hi
m:ist
il
lval
uemyl
if
e.
ismi
ledandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:hei
snother
e,andiwontt
ell
.
hel
aughedandshookhi
shead.
.
Hi
m:ir
atherl
ett
her
ulesbe.
Me:owk.it
ri
ed.
Hi
m:(
smi
le)gooddaymam.
ismi
ledagai
nandshookmyhead.
.
iwavedgoodbyeandcl
osedt
hedoor
.it
henl
ooked
att
hegateandot
herst
udent
swal
kingi
nthe
bui
ldi
ng.
mystomachwasfoldi
ngi
nknots,iwasntawar
e
whatwashappeni
ng.i
tsl
ikemyintest
ineswer
e
havi
ngafi
stfi
ght.
ir
ubbedmyst
omachandwal
kedi
n.
iwasntexactl
ylooki
ngatwher eiwasgoi
ng,
iwas
justl
ooki
ngatthebuildingandtheamazi
ngfeel
i
ng
ofbeingatschoolagain.
imeaniwashereduringor
ient
ati
onweekandmet
somepeopl
e,butinevermadefri
endsandidoubt
anyoneoft
hem rememberme.
asiwaswal
king,
someonecameandcl
osedmy
eyes.
icouldntguesswhoi twasbecauseiwasntexact
ly
closewithanyone.pl
usLuuwar nedmecount l
ess
ti
mesnevert omakeal otoffr
iendsbecausehe
doesntwantenemi esaler
ted.
it
ri
edt
ouchi
ngt
heper
sonbutst
il
lcoul
dntguess.
t
heper
sonf
inal
lyl
etmegoandit
urnedt
olookat
her
.ohhhhhhhhhhh,shewasoneofthegir
lsimet
onori
entat
ionweek.iact
ual
lyevenf
orgotabouther
.
shewasmost lyqui
et,
butwouldtalkt
her
eandt
her
e.
didntt
hinkshehadsuch"hypeness"i
nher.
Her
:hai
bo,
youl
ookshocked?
?dontyour
emember
me??
Me:ohno,
ido.
Her
:real
lynow?
?andwhat
smyname?
?
itr
iedhardertr
yingt
othi
nkabouthernamebuti
couldntexact
lygett
ofi
nditout
.iwasblank.
Her
:youdontknowi
t,doyou?
?
Me:imustadmi
t,idont
.
Her:iknewit
,butidontbl
ameyout hough.ial
ways
getpeoplewhodontevenrecogni
zemyf ace.
me:wellido.
.irememberimetyoudur
ing
or
ient
ationper
iod.'
Her
:ri
ght
!!wel
liam Sandr
a.
Me:ohhSandr
a..mynamei
sBoi
tumel
o.
Her
:Boi
ty!
Me:yes.
.orBoi
..
Her
:isn'
tBoif
orBoys?
?
Me:wel
l,
no.
.
her:iwi
llgowi
thBoi
ty.
.sohowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
?
excit
ed??
Me:wel
lyes.
.ihaven'
tbeeni
nschoolf
or2year
s.
her
:whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Me:notmuch.
.justt
hatandt
hat
.
her
:hai
,hur
ry,
look.
..
shegrabbedmyhandandstar
tedrunni
ng,
iran
behindhernothavi
ngacl
uewherewewererunni
ng
to.
aswewer erunni
ng,ibumpedi
ntoagi
rlsohar
d
thatsheevenfel
ldown.
ipul
ledSandr
atost
opandwentt
othegi
rl
.
me:iam sor
ry,
areyouowk?
?
Her
:B*
**doyoueverwat
chwher
eyouar
egoi
ng?
?
doyouknowwhoiam?
?
il
ookeddownal
readypr
edi
cti
ngwhatmi
ght
happen.
wi
ththehel
pofherf
ri
endsshegotupandl
ookedat
me.
.
me:iam r
eal
lysor
ry.
.
her:howcouldyour
unaroundi
naplacef
il
ledwi
th
otherpeopl
ewhoareal
sowalki
ng?
?huh??
me:iadmit
,iwaswr
ongt
orunar
ound,
andiam
sor
ryfort
hat.
.
Her
:andyouthi
nksor
ryjustunwindsever
ythi
ng??
l
ooknowijustmademyselfdi
rt
y,howdoyouf ix
t
hat?
?
ist
ayedl
ooki
ngdownanddi
dntl
ookup.
.
Her
:nextt
ime,
wat
chwher
eyougoi
ng.
inodded.
Me:agai
niam sor
ry.
it
urnedandwal
kedaway.
.
Sandr
a:shel
ooksscar
y.
Me:mhm.
.
Sandra:iam sorr
yformaki
ngyour
unl
iket
hat
,now
igotyouintroubl
e..
me:i
tsowk,
itssor
tednow.
.andwher
ewer
eyou
t
aki
ngme.
Sandr
a:t
her
e.
shepoint
edataplacewher
emanygi
rl
swer
e
standi
ngandlooki
ng.
.
Me:what
sgoi
ngont
her
e??
Sandr
a:comeyouwi
llsee.
.
weheadedt
othepl
ace.
.
.
*
*Amogel
ang*
*
Me:itseemsli
keij
ustgotmynextvi
cti
m asi
tismy
l
astyearher
e.
Thandi:Amo,No!yousai
dyouwoul
dcutbul
lyi
ng
otherpeopl
e.
Me:iknow,
buti
tsmyl
astyear
,ihavet
oleavemy
mark.
Zoe:andwhatifyougotthewrongper
sonthi
s
ti
me??thatgi
rldoesntl
ookli
keatypi
calgi
rlt
obul
ly.
me:areyoukiddi
ngme, di
dyouseehowshe
apol
ogizedoverandoveragai
n?ibett
heyt
oldher
aboutme.
Thandi
:whataboutyou?
?thatyouar
e"Mr
sWol
f"
Me:exact
ly!
!
Thandi:iwar
nyouAmo, thi
sli
ewi l
lcatchupwit
h
youoneday.youmayhavef ool
edmanypeopl e
becausetheyar
escaredofMrWol f,butwhati
fthi
s
getsoutandact
uallyMrWolfknowsaboutyou
cl
aiminghim wi
thouthi
m knowing??
Me:MrWol fdoesnthaveti
meforpet
tyr
umor
s,so
evenifheknowsaboutit,
hewonthavet
imet
o
fol
lowupont hem.
Zoe:youknowwhatiwi
sh,iwi shyouchooseto
bul
lysomeonewhohasdirectcontactwi
thMrWol f.
iam si
ckofyoubul
li
ngotherlearner
susingt
hisli
e
knowi
ngexact
lyt
hatal
mostever
yonei
ster
ri
fi
edof
MrWolf.
.
Me:youknowther
easonwhyistar
tedt
hisl
ie.
.it
wastosavemysel
ffr
om bul
li
es.
.
Thando:andthatwas3year
sago.nownoone
wantstobull
yyou,sowhywoul
dyousti
llgoar
ound
l
ying?
Me:somet hi
ngaboutbei
ngi
ncont
rolmakesme
sat
isf
ied.butimustsay,
MrWol
fismybias.
Zoe:andheisourbi
astoo.butyoudonthearus
l
yingandsayingwearedati
nghim.
Me:wel l
,thi
sishowirol
e, i
tseitheryouwithmeor
not.rememberiknowbot hyoursecr et
s,soifyou
daregetthisout
,iwi
llt
elleveryoneaboutyour
secrets.
.
Zoe:i
fitwasntfort
hatsecret
,iwoul
dhavesai
d
somethingl
astyearal
ready.
Thandi
:met
oo.i
tsexhaust
ing.
Me:i
tsj
ustonemor
eyeart
henyouwontevensee
meagai
n.
Zoe:t
hankgoodness.
Thandi
:it
saboutt
obeal
ongyear
.
Zoe:andwhenyouar
ecaughtup,
pleasedont
i
nvolveme.
ij
ustr
oll
edmyeyes
Me:wi
shihadbet
terf
ri
ends.
wecont
inuedwal
king.
[
12/
28,
12:
44] :53
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
asi
tsBoi
tumel
o'sf
ir
stdayofschool
,ideci
dedi
woul
dbetheonetopickherup.
i
twouldn'
tbeaneverydaythi
ng,
sinceiam busy
mysel
f,butj
ustf
ortoday.
igoti
nmycarandheadedt
oschool
.
iparkedmycarabi
tfarf
rom t
hegat
ejustt
oavoi
d
beingobvi
ous.
it
hent
ookmyphoneandcal
ledher
.
Her
:Luu,
haveyouar
ri
ved?
?
Me:mhm,iam outsi
de.noti
nfr
ontoft
hegat
e
t
hough,
abitf
arfrom thegat
e.
Her
:whydi
dyoupar
ksof
ar,
youknowiam l
azyt
o
wal
k.
Me:well
,youwil
lhaveto.pl
usatthegat
ether
eisa
l
otofpeople,
idontl
ikeatt
enti
on.
Her:hahaha,haiowk,iam comi
ngt
hen.di
dyou
comewi thyourregul
arcar?
Me:mhm.
Her
:owk.
.
ihungupandl
aidbackal
it
tl
e,wai
ti
ngf
orher
.
af
terawhi
le,t
herewasaknockont
hewi
ndow,
i
l
ookedanditwasher.
.
iopenedt
hecarandshegoti
n.
Her
:it
sver
yhotyho.
.
Me:hopeyoust
ayedoutoft
hesun.
Her
:ial
waysdo.iam al
readybl
ack,
cantbemor
e
bl
acker
.
il
aughed.
.
Me:howwasyourdayatschool
??di
dyouenj
oyi
t??
Her:mhm.i
twasntbad.iact
ual
lythoughti
twoul
d
beabitmor
emat ur
ethenhighschool,
butseems
l
ikeit
shi
ghschoolpar
t2.
il
aughedatt
hatst
atement
.
Me:hai
,owk.
ist
art
edt
hecaranddr
ovehome.
Her
:butimi
ssedyout
hough.al
ot.
Me:howmuchdi
dyoumi
ssme?
?
Her
:soooooooooomuch.
.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Her
:mhm.
.and.
..
..
..
asiwasf
ocusedont
her
oadBunnyr
anherhands
ar
oundmythigh.
.
.
.
(
got
ogr
oupf
ort
he21+r
ead)
.
.
ihuggedherandr
ubbedherback.
Me:youar
esuchanaught
ygi
rl
..
Her
:it
snotmyf
aul
tyoual
waysdesi
rabl
e
ichuckl
ed.
.
Her
:icoul
dst
ayl
iket
hismywhol
eli
fe.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)i
tsf
unnyhowyoudontwanttohave
ki
dsnowbutyoual
waystaket
heseri
skycausesof
pr
egnancy.
.
Her
:shutup.
.
il
aughedandshesmi
led.
.
Her
:Luu!
Me:yes.
.
Her:iloveyou.
.iloveyoul
ikecr
azy.
.theyalways
sayweshoul dnevertel
lmenhowmuchwel ove
them becausetheyendupplayi
ngwiththatl
ove
knowi
ngwel ovethem toomuch.buticanthol
d
mysel
f,iF*
**loveyou..li
keil
oveyouverymuch..i
am af
rai
dofloosingyou.
me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..youmakemewantt
oF*
***youagai
n.
Her
:hhahahah
Me:il
oveyoutooBunny,andiam notgoing
anywher
e.wit
houtyou,
idontknowwhoiwoul dbe.
imeaniknowyoufoundmeasMrWol f,butyou
havenoideahowbri
ghtyoumademywor l
d.
Her
:real
ly?
?
Me:mhm. .andipr
omi seyou,
ihavenoeyesf
or
anyoneapartf
rom you.
shesmi
led.
her:ial
sodonthaveanyeyesf
oranyoneapar
tfr
om
you.
me:youbet
terber
ight
,idontl
ikeki
ll
ingl
it
tl
evar
sit
y
boys.
.
shel
aughed.
.
shet
hengotupandipul
ledout
.
shegotdr
essedandial
sogotdr
essed.
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
Pi
nkyjustcamebackfrom schoolandihavebeen
awar
eaboutherplayi
ngwiththatboyofhis.ihad
myguycheckwhot heboyis.
ifoundoutthatheisLubanzi
'sl
itt
lebr
other.
.it
cameasasur pr
isebecauseidi
dntknowt hathi
s
mot herl
aterhadasonwi t
hanothermen.
soieasedupandl etPinkyhavethatonefri
end.
atl
eastiknowwhohei sandicanalsokeepaneye
onhim.soi fLuutr
iesanythi
ng,iwil
lhave
somethingtotakefrom hi
m.
Pi
nkyandiwer
epl
ayi
ngChess.
imovedapiece,
shemovedapiece.
.imoved
anot
herpi
eceshemovedanot
herpiece.
.
t
hist
imeiwant
edt
oletherwi
n.
shealwaysl
ossesagai
nstme.andialwaystol
dher
thatshei
snotgoodenoughunt
ilsheactual
lywi
ns
me..
shehast ol
dmet hatshehaspl ayedwit
hsomeki ds
fr
om herschoolandshewonal lthegames.she
hadnomat chatschoolandhert eachersaskedher
toplayfortheschool.ofcauseir ef
used..iwontbe
abletogiveherthatmuchf reedom unti
liknowf or
surethatSykesisdead.ilovemydaught ersomuch
icantjustbecareless.
theteacher
sevenprai
sedhersayi
ngsheevenbeat
grade7chessplayer
s..i
magi
neagr ade4pl
ayi
ng
bett
erthenagrade7.
shealwaystoldmethati
nherschool
,al
lthose
chessplayer
sareki
ds..
l
it
tl
esecr
et-shehasact
uall
ybeatthet
eacheronce.
t
heonethatt
eachest
hem chess.
butshealwaysdoubtsandsayst
het
eacherl
ether
winbecauseitwasjustonce,
whi
chwastr
ue.the
teacherl
etherwi
n.
sot
odaywepl
ayedandpl
ayedandipl
ayedadumb
movemaki
ngsur
enottosmil
eorl
ooksuspi
cious.
shepl
ayedt
hewi
ningmoveandiact
edshocked.
.
me:ohhhyouwon?
?nocantbe.
.youwon?
?
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her
:iwondaddyiwon.
.
Me:yay!
!mybabywon.
.
shesmi
ledandl
aughed.
.
Her:iknowdaddyl
etmewi
n,buti
tsowk,
iwi
llbe
happyanyway..
me:noidi
dnt
..
her:daddy,
ifihadr
eall
ywon,
youwoul
dbemor
e
shockedthenhappy.
iscr
atchedmyheadandl
aughed.
.
iregrett
eachi
ngt hi
sgi
rlbodylanguage,
emoti
on
revealandchess.shei
sstart
ingtobemor esmar
ter
thenme. .
il
aughedandwentt
omadenoodl
esf
orher
..
shelovesthem.shecoul
deatthem ever
ydayifnot
3ti
mesaday.andshedoesntj ustl
ikeanynoodles,
sheli
kestheoneswrit
teninChi
neseandhaver eall
y
spi
cyspices..
onceyoumaket hem usingthewhol epackofthe
spi
cetheygaveyou, youwillburn.icantst
and
spi
cyfood,soimaket henoodl esusingmyown
homespicet hatisnotchil
ly.shelovesspicethat
shecantakemyspi cethatiputasideandmi xwith
hersandsti
lleatit.
wel
ltheysayspiceisgoodtokil
lworms,soat
least
t
hat
'soneproblem outtheway.nodeal
ingwit
h
wor
ms.
[
12/28,
12:
44] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
54
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Lubanzi
**
Hi
m:sowhydi
dntyout
ellmet
hatyourmot
herhad
ason?
?
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:youf
oundout
??
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:yah,ionl
yfoundoutl
astyear
.bef
orehi
sfat
her
pastaway.
Hi
m:i
sthatwhyyout
ookhi
min?
?
Me:yah.
.
Hi
m:buti
sn'
tthatput
ti
nghi
sli
fei
ndanger
??
Me:ir
atherknowt
hatheissafeandpr
otecthi
m
whi
leheiswithmethennotknowandlethi
m bef
ar
f
rom me.
hi
m:mhm super
man.
il
aughed.
.
Me:iact
ual
lyt
houghtt
hatyoul
ongt
imeknew
abouthi
m.
Hi
m:whywoul
diknow?
?
Me:well
,yousmartandever
ysmartper
sonwould
wanttof
indouti
nformat
ionaboutaper
sonbef
ore
appr
oachingt
heperson.
.
Hi
m:imaybesmar
t,butmysmar
tnessi
sdi
ff
erent
.
Me:isthatwhyyoutookPinkytoanobvious
school??ar
en'
tyouafrai
dthatshemightbeeasi
l
y
i
dentif
ied??
Him:well,f
ir
stl
ysheisaNkosi ,
nothingwil
lhappen
toher.andsecondly,
ifSykesseeksforme,hewont
knowihaveadaught er,eveni
fhefindsoutwherei
l
ive,hewontthinkiam dumbenought oletmy
daughterschoolt
here.
Me:ohhhsoshet
ookhermot
her
'ssur
name?
?
Hi
m:no,shet
ookmysurname.
.whywoul
dshet
ake
t
hesur
nameofthatB*
****
Me:what
??soyouchangedyoursur
name?
?why?
?
Him:bei
ngaWol fi
sdangerous,
iwoul
dbefound
ver
yquickl
y.soichangedt
omymot her
ssurname.
Me:gee.
.andwhataboutPi
nky'
smom?
?whyyou
cal
li
ngheraB**
**
Hi
m:l
ongst
oryt
hatidontwantt
otal
kabout
.
Me:mhmm.
.
Hi
m:yah,
anyway,
didyoucheckt
heUSB?
?
Me:howdi dyougetsuchinfor
mat i
on??weworked
veryhardtofindpeopl
etogetthi
sinfobutwe
couldntgetany??
Hi
m:wel
l,
ihavemyways.
Me:damn.sonowweneedt of i
ndahackerthatcan
beabl
et oenterandmoveallthei
rmoney,t
hatwill
makeal otofthem f
ocusonthelostcasht
henon
themissioni
tself
..
Him:well,
idohavesomeonei nmi nd,
approachi
ng
him wi
llbeani ssuesi
ncewehaveani ssuewit
h
eachother,butihopehewil
lli
sten.
Me:doyougoar
oundmaki
ngenemi
es.
.
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)
Me:hai
,man.
.letmegotakePi
nkytomyguys.
.we
haveaver
yimport
antj
obtodotoni
ght
.
Him:yesli
tt
leguy.
.seeyouatt
hewar
ehouseatt
he
agreedt
imethen..
Me:owk.
hest
oodupandwal
kedout
.
ismi
ledandj
ustcont
inuedwi
thmywor
k.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
2weeksgoi
ngtoschoolandal
readyiam pr
ovoked
i
ntobei
ngintr
oubl
e..
duri
ngmypr i
mar yiwasknownasat r
oubl
emaker
becauseot
herlearner
swouldbull
ymeandiwould
comebackatthem hardert
hentheycameatme.
samet hi
ngathighschoolandnow,justwheni
thoughtiwouldbestart
inganewyearandgot o
schoolinpeace,t
hereisthi
sgi
rlcal
ledAmotryi
ng
totakeoutthi
sthinginme..
afterbumpingheronthefir
stdayofschooli
thoughtitwouldendther
esinceiapol
ogizedf
or
pushingher.andofcauseiwaswr ongwhichiswhy
iapologi
zedoverandoveragain.
butseemsl
ikeij
ustmadehert
hinkiwasaneasy
tar
get.
j
ustdaysago,
shebumpedmeandpour
edmewi
th
aredcola.iacceptedt
hati
twasanaccidenteven
thoughiknewpr eddywel
litwasnt
.butiwas
avoidi
ngtroubl
e.
onTuesday,shetri
ppedmeandif el
lsohardonthe
fl
oorandwasl aughedbyalotofl
earner
s..idi
dnt
mindthat
.everybodyfal
ls.
il
eti
tbeandj
usti
gnor
edher
.
Todayshestandsinfr
ontofmeanddemandsme
togogetherasodafrom thet
uckshop.nowidont
knowifsheisreal
lyt
esti
ngmypatienceor
somethi
ng..
it
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Me:owk,
iwi
llgobuyt
hesodaf
oryou.
.
shelookedatmeconf
usedasi
fshewasnt
expecti
ngthi
sanswer
.
il
ookedather
..
me:wontyougi
vemet
hemoneyf
ormet
ogo?
?
shet
ooki
toutandgavei
ttome.
.
ismi
led,
shegavemet
hemoney.
it
urnedt
ogot
otheshop.
Sandr
a:your
eal
lygoi
ngt
ogot
otheshopf
orher
??
Me:mhm.
.
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
wewent
..wegott
hesodaandwecameback.
if
oundt
hem si
tt
ingont
her
ockwher
eil
eftt
hem.
Me:her
e..
igavethem andalsogavethenali
tt
leoft
hechange
lef
t.af
termyf eeofcause.
.iwoul
dn'tgof
ree.
shel
ookedati
tandl
ookedatme.
.
Her:(chuckl
es)soyouagr
eedtogototheshopso
thatyoucantakemychange??sonofaB****do
youknowwhoiam? ?doyoudarest
ealmoneyfrom
me?
il
ookedather
..
me:youthinkiwoul
dactual
lygotot
heshopsf
or
youforf
ree??whatam i
??yourri
degi
rl
??
shechuckl
edandcamecl
oset
ome.
.
Her:doyour
eal
lywantt
omesswi
thMr
sWol
f??
huh??
atfi
rstif
oundthatconf
usi
ng,
ievent
houghtidi
dnt
hearcorr
ect
ly.
.
Me:what
?
shel
aughedandl
ookedatme.
.
Her:t
hatsright
..l
ookathowshockedyoul ook.iam
MrsWol fandifanyonedisrespectsme, shewill
dealwithMrWol fdi
rect
ly.
.andweal lknowwhathe
wil
ldo..noonemesseswi t
hhi m orhiswife.
.
ichuckl
ed.
.
so,
wearedeal
ingwi
thanot
hercr
azybi
as.
.
amazi
ng.
.
Me:youarer
ight
,noonemesseswi
thMrWol
fand
hi
swife.
iturnedt
oleave.
.shepul
ledmebymybagand
turnedmearoundandthenhi
tmewit
hafist
.
if
elldownandf
eltt
hepai
n..
ir
eal
lydontwantt
obei
ntr
oubl
e..i
tsonl
ymy2
weeksofbeinginthisschool
.soiwi
llj
ustl
ett
his
sl
ip.butiam count
ing.
.
ist
oodupandl
ookedather
..
Her
:yout
hinkyoucanmesswithmehuh?
?iam a
Mafi
aQueenB***askaboutme.
.
idi
dntsayat
hing.ij
ustchuckl
ed.
..
shegotir
rit
atedbecauseichuckl
edandcameto
punchmebutaguycameandst oodi
nfr
ontofme
blocki
ngthepunchofthisgir
l.
il
ookedatt
hiswonder
ingwhohewas.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyoust
il
lnotdonewi
thbul
li
ngot
her
s??
Her
:getoutofmyway.
..
Him:howaboutyoufi
ndyourwayawayf
rom her
e
befor
eidealwi
thyoumysel
f.
.
sur
pri
singl
ytheydi
dntprotest
,theyjusttur
nedand
wal
kedaway.ofcauseleavingnastylooksatme..
het
henl
ookedatme.
.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hej
ustwal
kedawayandi
st
oppedhim.
.
me:hai
..
.whydi
dyouhel
pme?
?
hedi
dntevenlookatme,
hej
ustst
oppedt
hen
wal
kedagain.
.
Me:hai
!!wel
l,
thankyou.
.
hest
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hecont
inuedwal
king.
.
Sandr
acamet
ome.
.
Her
:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:mhm.
.iam f
ine,
justmycheekbone.
.
Her:it
hinkwehavet
ost
ayawayf
rom t
hem and
avoidt
hem..
Me:icameher
etost
udy,
notdodgebul
let
s..
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:whoi
sthatguy?
?
Her
:wel l
,hisnameisKhutso,hei
severyone'
sbias.
.
wel
lalmosteveryone'
sbias.
.heplaysapianoevery
Wednesdayaf t
erschoolatt
hemusi cr
oom.he
har
dlytalkstopeopl
eandmostoft heti
mei ncl
ass
hesleeps..
Me:andhowdoyouknowal
loft
his?
?
Her:well
,iknewhi mf rom lastyearwhenwehada
univer
sit
ytour .ourgrade12mat hemati
cslearner
s
wereinvi
ted..heper f
ormedt hepianof
orus.
apparent
lyhei sverysmar t,thedeanusedhimi n
al
mostever yexampl e.butr umorhasitthathecan
beverycoldt owardsot her
s, that
'swhyhedoesnt
speaktoother s.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?int
erest
ing.
.
ilookedatt
hedirect
ionhewentt
oanhewasnt
thereanymore.
.
ismi
ledandl
ookedatSandr
a..
Sandr
a:pl
easedontt
ellmeyoul
ikehi
m now?
?
Me:whydoyout
hinkil
ikehi
m??
Sandr
a:yousmi
li
ng.
Me:mesmi
li
ngmakesyout
hinkil
ikehi
m??
Sandr
a:wel
l,
wenott
alki
ngaboutanyt
hingel
se
apar
tfr
om hi
m,sowhyyousmil
ing??
me:hahahaha,
yousoundl
ikehi
swi
fe.
.
Sandr
a:wellil
ikehim.andifyoul
ikehim,t
henyou
st
andamor ebetterchanceofget
tinghi
m because
hehasencounteredwithyouandyoualsobeauti
ful
.
Me:dontwor
rybabe,iam al
readymar
ri
ed.andi
dontpl
anondivor
cingmyhusbandforhi
m.
Sandr
a:your
eal
lymar
ri
ed?
?
Me:mhm.
.
Sandr
a:wher
est
her
ing?
?
Me:i
nmyhear
t.
shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
il
aughedandwal
kedt
ocl
ass
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
wewer
eatt
hecl
ub.
f
rom ent
eri
ngthecl
ub,iknewt
hati
fBoiknewabout
t
his,
shewouldfl
ipout
.
i
twasmysel
f,LubaandJoe.
.
wegoti
nandLubawasholdingt
hebag.
.andas
al
ways,
hehadhisl
oll
ipopi
nhismouth.
icanneverunder
standt
heobsessi
onoft
hisguy
withl
oll
ipops.
wewalkinandal
ltheguysi
nthest
ri
pcl
ubl
ookat
us.
.thegi
rl
stoo.
aswelookedar
ound,wesawaguyatthebackwho
sati
nbetween4ladi
es.hest
oodupt
owaveatus..
wenot
icedhi
m andwal
kedt
ohi
m.
wegott
ohi
m andsatont
hecouches.
Hi
m:well
,well,
wel
l,
mybr
other
s..wel
comet
omy
pr
ivat
eheaven.
wesmi
led.
Hi
m:wantsomet
hingt
odr
ink?
?
Me:nah,
iwi
llpass.
Joeal
soshookhi
shead.
.Lubadi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Him:comeon,cantit
reatyout
osomet
hingni
ceas
youareher
e??
Luba:
wegame.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Hi
m:nowt
hat
'st
heguyt
hatknowshowt
ohave
f
un..
Lubalaughedwi
thhi
m.iwonderwhatt
hisF*
***i
s
thi
nki
ng..
hegotabot
tl
etot
het
abl
eandLubal
ookedati
t.
.
het
ookthebottl
eandspani
tthenopenedi
tand
smel
ledi
t.
.thenhesmil
ed.
.
Luba:
thi
sissomegoodst
uff
..
.
Hi
m:t
hatbot
tl
eal
onei
saboutR3000myguy.
Luba:
nowondereveni
tssmel
lissor
ich.
.
t
heybot
hlaughed.
.
Me:canwegetdownt
obusi
ness.
Hi
m:woahr
elaxmyguy.l
etshavesomef
un.
.
iam nott
henormal
lyhavef unthendobusi
ness
ki
ndofperson,
ial
waysf eelli
keitsabadi
dea.
il
ookedatJoeandLubaandLubanoddedatme.
.
iwi
llj
usthavet
otr
ustLubaont
hisone.
.
it
ookagl
assandt
ookasi
p..
thi
sguyst ar
tedwi
thhi
sst
ori
esandLubakepton
enter
tai
ninghim.
wewentonandt
hent
hisguywentupperl
evel
..
Hi
m:haigir
ls,
treatt
hesement
osomegood
moments.
.
gi
rl
scamet
ous.
.
iwasntf
eel
ingt
his.
.iputmyf
ootdownand
ref
used.
.
Il
ookedatLubaandheshookhi
shead..igavea
fi
rmlookandhegavemeasignthathehadaplan.
.
ibr
eathedandhadt
otr
ymyal
ltopr
etendt
hati
enj
oyedthegir
l.
.
Luba:
sorr
yman,myguyhereisst
ressed,
sot
hat
's
whyheissot
ensedup.youknow.
.
Hi
m:ohhhh,dontworr
ymyguy.
.whathappensi
n
t
hiscl
ubstaysi
nthiscl
ub.
.
hesmi
led.
.
Luba:
ineedt
hebat
hroom.
.wher
eisi
t??
Hi
m:i
tsont
her
ight
.thatsi
de.
.
Luba:
myl
ady,
canyout
akemet
her
e??
Him:ohhhhhhh,
nowisee.
.gomyguyandt
ake
yourt
ime..
.
Lubawi
nkedatme.
.iknewhewasonsomet
hing.
.

*
*Luba*
*
soistudiedthi
splacebeforeicameher etodayand
iknowt hatt
hisguyisindirectcont
actwit
hSykes,
soobviouslyhehassomei nfoandheisplanni
ng
somethingtodaythat
'swhyhewant stokeepus
longer
..butial
readydiscussedwiththeguysand
theyal
sower eahead.
i
fLuucanj ustdi
str
actbyact
ual
lypr
etendi
ngto
enj
oy,theniwouldhavemoreti
metogetthei
nfoi
needed..
iwentt
othebat
hroom wi
tht
hisgi
rl
.
whenwewal
kedi
n,shel
eanedonmer
eadyf
or
act
ion.
.
Him:howaboutigogetsomet hi
ngfrom mybag
andcomeback?dontletanyonein,
andst ay
warmingupforme.
.
sheagr
eedandiwentout
.il
ookedl
eftandr
ight
andsawmyinsi
dermen.
Me:wehave2mi
nut
esst
rai
ght
.
Hi
m:t
hisway.
hel
eadmet
othepr
ivat
ecomput
err
oom.
theroom wasti
ghtl
yguarded,
butwi
thmyskil
land
i
nsiderman,wemanagedt ogeti
nsi
dewi
thout
beingcaught
.thenipl
acedabombnextt
othe
camerainthecomputerroom.
iputmysti
cki
nthemai
ncomput
erandi
tst
art
ed
loadi
ng.
.
asi
twason92%
someonecamei
nandwewenti
ntohi
ding.
.
theper
soncamet owhereiwasandbef
orehe
coul
dgettothecomputer,
ipul
ledt
hest
ickand
wentback,
hequickl
ylookedatmydi
rect
ionand
wal
kedtowardsme..
[
12/28,
12:
44] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
hecamet omydirecti
onandbef
orehecoul
dgetto
whereiwashidi
ng,therewasanoi
seandhetur
ned
andwalkedoutt
owher et
henoi
sewas.
it
henquickl
ywentoutandonthepassage,j
ust
underadrawerwi
thfl
owers,
iplacedanot
hersmal
l
bombexplosi
onther
e..
ithenwal
kedbacki
nthebat
hroom andt
hel
ady
thatwaswai
ti
ngformecametome. .
il
ookedather
..
Me:icoul
dntfi
ndmypr
otect
ion,
anot
hert
ime
sweet
heart
..
Her
:youdonthavet
ohavepr
otect
ion,
youcanj
ust
pul
lout
..
me:t r
ustmebabe,iwoul
ddothat,
butnoti
nthi
s
place,mabyesomewhereel
se.
.youupfort
he
chall
enge?
shenoddedandwewal
kedout
.
wegott
othespotandi
tseemsmyboyswer
ebusy.
.
Luul
ett
hegi
rlsplayonherandki
ssonher
,wel
lJoe
wasal
sopar
ti
cipati
ng.
ifeelsorr
yforLuubecauseiknowhowhef eels
ri
ghtnow( disgust
ed)heisprobablyt aki
nghisgut
topretendli
keheisenjoyingit
.asforJoe, i
twas
refr
eshingseeinghimfreeli
kethat.imeanmyguy
issoupt i
ght
.hedeservessomef lexibil
it
y.
iwentt
osi
tdownwi
tht
hegi
rl
..
Hi
m:backal
ready?
?youi
ndeedt
ooksomet
ime.
.
Me:j
ustal
it
tl
eteasedi
dthegoodwor
k..
hesmi
ledatme.
.
asiwaswal
king,
isawabl
ackbag.
.itl
ookedasi
f
t
heywer
epl
anni
ngt
otr
ickuswi
tht
hebags.
.
ihavetobesmar
taboutt
his.
.iwi
llt
ri
ckt
hem
inst
ead.
ismi
led.
.
wesatdownandhadsomemor
ewi
ne.
.
Me:owk,
enoughwi
tht
hef
un,
let
sgett
obusi
ness.
.
Hi
m:ofcause.
hecall
edhismentobringthebagandisawhi m
bri
ngablackbagbutitwasnttheonethatisaw
nextt
ohim.ipl
ayedthesamecar dsinceiwasthe
onewitht
hebag..
iputt
hebagont
het
abl
e..
it
appedLuuandr
anmyeyest
ower
ethebagi
s,he
nodded.
i
tsamazinghowqui
ckl
yhecat
chesonwhatiam
sayi
ng.
.
aft
erputt
ingt
hebag,heputsthebagont opofthe
bagthathehadandswi t
chedi
tpretendi
ngtocheck
i
fthediamondisreal
.thenheputthefakebagon
t
het
abl
eandsmi
lesayi
ngi
tsr
eal
.
het
henopenedt
hebagofmoneyandwesawt
hat
i
twasreal
..
het
hencl
osedi
tandt
henst
art
edspeaki
ngt
ous.
.
hemadej okesandhadf
unwhil
ehehadt
hebags
swi
tched.igaveLuuawink.
wetal
kedandt
alkedt
heni
twast
imef
orust
ohead
out
.
Hi
m:i
twasni
cedoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thyou.
.
Luu:thepl
easur
eisour
s,andt
hankyouf
ort
he
enter
tai
nment.
webi
dgoodbyeandheadedout
.
asweheadedout ,
Luuhadt hebagsre-
swi tched
again.Luuhidthebagbehindthecoach,thenwe
headedoutwi t
hourbagofmoney.myi nsiderguy
tookthebagwi t
hdiamondsandpassedt ooki t
downt hewindow,whichfel
lri
ghtoutsi
deandwe
passedwithit.
wewer
enowout
side.
Luu:ar
eyousur
ewegott
hecor
rectbags?
?
Joeopenedt
hem andl
ookedatme.
Joe:youwer
eri
ght
,theywer
etr
yingt
otr
ickus.
Luu:howdi
dyoucat
cht
hat
??
me:hehadthebaghi
ddennextt
ohi
m,whywoul
d
hedothat
??
Luu:ohhh.
.isee.
.
Me:pl
usihadt
hebodyl
anguagedot
het
alki
ng.
.
Joe:it
hinkishoul
dal
sostudybodylanguage,
it
comesinhandybecausei
tdoesntl
ie..
me:never
.
t
heysmi
led.
Luu:i
mustadmi
t,yousmar
t.
Me:wai
tfort
hei
nter
est
ingpar
t.
.
t
heyl
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
icheckedmyt
rackerandi
twasst
il
lgr
een.
.
Luu:whatdoyoumean?
?whatdi
dyoudo?
Me:gi
vemeaf
ewseconds.
.
i
tst
art
edchangi
ngcol
or.
.
Me:i
tiscomi
ng,
givei
tti
me.
.
Joe:whati
sit
??someonedel
iver
ingyourl
oll
ipop.
.
Me:hai
,ishoul
dact
ual
lygobuyone,
myl
astonei
s
f
ini
shed.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
t
hecol
orchangedt
ored.
.
me:showt
ime.
.
j
ustaf
tersayi
ngt
hat,thebombswentof
fandt
hei
r
of
fi
cesweredest
royed..
Me:webet
terr
unbef
oret
heycomeaf
terus.
.
west
art
edr
unni
nganddr
ivi
ngawayf
ast
..
Joe:whatwast
hat
??
Me:aftertakingthei
rinf
o,ihadtodestroythe
comput er
st omakesur etheydontseemyUSB
tr
acer.sonowt heywontknowt hatigoti
nfo,t
hey
wil
ljustknowt hatasmal lbombwaspl ant
ed.
Luu:yougoti
nnocentpeopl
eki
ll
edi
nther
e..
Me:onl
ythosewhower ei
nthecomputerr
oom and
ar
oundther
ewilldi
e,t
herestwi
llonl
ygeti
njur
ed.
.
t
heyl
ookedatmeshaki
ngt
hei
rhead.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasi
nbedwhenLubanzicameback.
iwasact
ual
lyonmyphone,
thel
ight
swer
eof
f.
hewal
kedi
nandit
urnedandsatup.
Me:Luu?
Hi
m:younotsl
eepi
ngyet
??
Me:No,
icoul
dntsl
eep.
Hi
m:whynot
??mi
ssme?
?
Me:mabye.
..
Hi
m:mhm.
..
hewentcamet
omeandgavemeaki
ss.
Hi
m:ial
somi
ssedyou.
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
m..
ashewaslayingonmeandsmili
ngatme,inot
iced
somet
hing.somethi
ngt
hatpi
ssedmeoff
.
me:Luu,
wher
ewer
eyou?
?
Luu:whatdoyoumeanwher eiwas?
?it
oldyoui
hadami ssi
ontocompl
ete.
.
Me:ami
ssi
ont
hati
ncl
udesl
ovebi
tes?
?
Luu:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
hestoodupgoi
ngstrai
ghttot
hemir
ror
..t
henhe
l
ookedatmesti
llnotsayi
ngaword.
.
igotoutofbedandheadedt
owal
kout
,hest
opped
mebyhol di
ngmyhand..
Luu:Bunny,
icanexpl
ain.
.
Me:savei
t.
.
Luu:Bunny!
Me:whatLubanzi
?
Luu:i
tsnotwhatyout
hink.
me:r
eal
ly,
thent
ellmei
tsapr
ankandyouappl
ied
makeuponyourneck?
?tel
lmet
hatLuuandiwi
ll
bel
ieveyou.
.
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:Luu.
.
ihadt
earsinmyeyesandt
her
ewasal
umpi
nmy
thr
oat
,icoul
dntt
alk.
Me:it
hinkiam sl
eepynow,
canigosl
eep?
?
Luu:canwet
alkaboutt
hispl
ease.
..
me:youwantt
oli
etome?
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:ihaveschoolt
omorrow,it
hinkineedtogo
sl
eep.
.iwil
lgotoSiya'
sroom.goodnight
.
iwal
kedoutandi
mmedi
atel
ytear
sst
reameddown
mycheeks.
.
iguessiwasafr
aidofwhathemightconfess,
i
wasntreadyt
oactual
lyhearhowheactuall
ygot
thosel
ovebit
es.
.
isi
ghedandwentt
oSi
ya'
sroom.
hewassleepingpeacef
ull
y.ideci
dednott
osl
eep
ther
e.heneedshisownspace.
it
henwentt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.
iswi
tchedt
heTVonandj
ustwat
chedwhatwason.
.
Luucametomeasiwaswat chi
ngtheTVandtri
ed
speaki
ngt
ome,butibeggedhimtoleavemeal
one.
.
helef
tmeandist
ayedt
her
ewat
chi
ngTVunt
ili
fel
l
asl
eep.
[
12/28,
12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
55
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwokeupandigotshockedl
ooki
ngar
ound,
wher
e
wasi??
ilookedaroundanditseemedlikeabedroom.iwas
evenmor eshockedbecauseididntevenknowthat
therewasanotherguestroom i
nthishouse.
imeandontgetmewr ong,butthishousei sbi
g.but
it
sbigwit
hbigr oom,butreallyspaciousrooms..
themainroom (
wherewesl eep)isthebiggest
,it
hasit
sownbat hroom andanopencl oset(whi
ch
coul
dbeusedasanot herr oom) .t
heni t
sSiya'
s
bedr
oom,alsothesamebutnotasspaci ousasthe
mainbedroom.
thenyouknowguyswi thgym rooms, gamerooms
(whichLuudoesntuseof ten)andhisstudy.thenit
s
ahugel ounge,ki
tchenandt heotherunnecessary
rooms.(dontaskmewhatt heyareusedf or
becauseineverwent )andthiswasoneoft he
roomsit houghtwasusedf orsomet hi
ngelsejust
l
ikeotherrooms,butguessiwaswr ong..
wel
l,i
fiknowthatisl
epti
nthel
ivi
ngroom,andi
wakeuphere,
thenthatmeansLuucarr
iedmehere.
.
wel
l,
what
ever
..doesntmakeupf
orwhathedi
d..
igotupandwenttothemai
nbedr
oom,
iwant
edt
o
getreadyf
orschool
.
iwalkedi
nandfoundLuusl
eepi
ngpeacefull
y
wit
houtaTshir
tonwhichmadehim exposehis
upperbody.
ial
waysf allweakjustl
ookingathimliket
hat,buti
wontf al
linthatt
rapthi
st i
me.iwalkedtothe
bathroom andopenedt heshower.it
hengot
undressedandwenti nsidetheshower.
af
terawhi
leisawLuust
andi
ngont
hedoor
.
iwasntseeinghim clear
lybecausetheshowerdoor
isabitnotclear,
buticouldseethatther
ewasa
personstandingatthedoor,andthepersonwasbig,
soithastobeLuu.
ii
gnor
edhi
m andcont
inuedbat
hing.
.
hethenmovedandicouldheart
hebasi
nwater
comeout.hemustbebrushi
nghist
eethnow.
.
igotdone,iwrappedat
owelar
oundmeand
steppedouttheshower
.
iwentt
othebasi
nwithoutsayingathi
ngand
washedmyfacewit
hcoldwat er.t
henbrushedmy
teet
h.
hekeptl
ooki
ngatmebutnotsayi
ngawor
d.
t
henf
inal
lyhespoke.
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
idi
dntl
ookathi
m..icont
inuedmybusi
ness.
Hi
m:Bunny,
canwepl
easet
alkaboutt
his?
?
if
ini
shedupmybusi
nessandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
hi
m:Bunny,il
oveyou,andiwouldneverdo
anyt
hingt
ohurtyou,
ipromise.
.
il
ookedathi
sneck,
andl
ookedathi
m.
Him:i t
snotwhatyout hi
nk.
.ipr omise, nothing
happened. .ididntevenknowi twast here.itwas
meantt obeasi mpl emissi
onwher eweuset he
girl
stodi str
acttheguyandgi veLubat imet o
accesst hecamer ar oom withoutthem not icingthat
hehasbeengonef orawhile.itwasal sot opr oveto
them thatidonthaveawi feorapar t
ner ,sot hat
yourlifeisnotputi ndanger..Lubaf oundouthe
wor ksdirectl
ywi t
hSykes.
il
ookedathi
m. .iwantedtobel
ievehim,iwantedto
acceptt
hatt
hiswasj ustf
orami ssi
on,t
hathewas
prot
ecti
ngme,buticouldnt,
iwasstil
langrythathe
l
etherdot hat,
andmostannoying,ihavenever
donethattohim.yesikissonhisneck,butinever
gi
vehiml ovebites,
becauseial
waysbel i
evethathe
i
sapr ofessi
onalbusinessmanbutherehecomes
wit
hlovebi t
es.
me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:Bunny,
trustme,
ineverevenenj
oyedabi
tof
i
t.
.
Me:howisi
tthatyoudi
dntf
eelt
hatshewasdoi
ng
al
ovebit
eonyou?
Hi
m:idontknowowk..younevermadeal
ovebi
te
onme,soidontknowhowitfeel
s.
Me:soshewast
hef
ir
stt
oevergi
veyoual
ovebi
te?
?
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:mhm.
..wel
lcongr
atul
ati
onst
oher
..
Hi
m:Bunny.
.
Me:idontgiveyoulovebit
esLubanzi
,andyou
al
lowanothergir
ltogiveyouone??
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:soal
lthi
swasf
orami
ssi
onr
ight
?
henodded.
.
Me:andyouwoul
ddoanyt
hingt
opr
otectmer
ight
??
henoddedagai
n..
Me:soifyougot oanothermi
ssion,
andthey
demandyoutosl eepwithagi
rltopr
ovewhatever
youhavetoprove,wil
lyoudoit?
?
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:doyouknowwhatival
uet
hemosti
nli
fe?
?
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:Loyal
ty.
..
it
urnedandwentout
.
iwentt
ogetdr
essedandwentt
owakeSi
yaup.
myeyeswereget
ti
ngt
ear
y,butiwast
ryi
ngmyal
l
t
onotcry.
iwokeSi
yaupandr
anhi
m abat
h.
hebat
hedasiwentt
opr
epar
ebr
eakf
ast
.
imadef
oral
lofus.
.
aft
erawhil
eicheckeduponSi
yaandhel
pedhi
m
fi
nishupandgetdressed.
.
it
hentookhimtogoeat
,asi
hadal
readyeat
enand
iwentt
ocleanhi
sbathr
oom.
t
heni
camedownt
ohi
m andgavehi
m hi
sbag.
.
iwashedt
hedi
shesandpackedt
hem up.
Luunevercamedownaf
terspeakingtohi
mi nt
he
bat
hroom,somabyehedeci
dedt otakeashower.
wellweheadedoutandSiphofi
rstt
ookhi
mto
schoolt
hentookmet oschool
.
ihar
dlysai
danythi
ngi
nthecarandSi
yakept
aski
ngifiwasowk.
igott
oschool
.isai
dthankyout
oSi
phoandbi
d
goodbye.
asiwasheadi
ngi
n,imetSandr
a.
shewassohappyt
oseeme,
li
keever
yday.
if
akedsmilesothatshewoul
dn'
taskmeal otof
quest
ions,
plusiam i
nnomoodtotalkaboutit
.
aswewer
ewal
king,
Khut
sopassedusandal
otof
gir
lskeptl
ooki
ngathi
m,point
inghim andsmi
li
ng.
.
exact
lywhatSandr
awasalsodoing.
.
Sandr
a:l
ook!l
ook!i
tsKhut
so.
.
Me:owk.
..
Sandra:ohhhmywor d..hi
ssi
devi
ewisjustaki
l
ler
..
.
heshouldbeamodel ..hewoul
dgetsomany
fol
lowersforhi
slooks..
Me:idoubthi
sgi
rl
fr
iendwontl
iket
hat
.
Sandr a:girl
fr
iend??ohhno..hecanthavea
gir
lfr
iend..imagineanothergir
lapar
tfrom me
enjoyingt hevieweverydayandeverynight
..
.bet
ter
yethist ouch..noooooooo
whatadr
amat
icf
an.
..
ij
ustl
ookedatherandchuckl
ed..atl
eastSandr
a
managedtogetmetocheerup..
wellshealwaysdoes..shei
ssohyperandaf r
ee
thi
nkertoo.
.andherfantasyst
ori
esabouthowshe
wil
lgetKhutso'
sattenti
onbecomeevenmor e
hil
ari
ous.
.
*
*Lat
er(
Luncht
ime)
**
i
twaslunchti
meandwewer
echi
ll
ingont
hest
air
s
att
hesport
sgrounds.
.
aswewer esitt
ingthere,somepeopleappearedand
rui
nedmyl unchbreak..iam al
readypissedabout
somethi
ng,nowiwi llbemor epissedaboutt
hem..
ideci
dedt
ojustl
ivemeandnotdoanyt
hing.
.
theycamer i
ghtt
ousandst oodinfr
ontofus.
.
Sandrawasscared.icoul
dtellf
rom herf
aci
al
expressi
ons.
.
ij
ustl
ookedatt
hem.
Her:well
,wel
l,
wel
l.
..Khut
soi
sn'
ther
etosaveyou
t
histime..
icont
inuedl
ooki
ngather
.
Her:wel
l,
let
saboutt
hedayyoust
olemychange.
.i
di
dntknowyouwereathi
ef.
.
Me:howaboutt
hedayyoucl
aimedMrWol
f,idi
dnt
knowyouwereafr
aud.
.
shel
ookedatmeshockedandherf
ri
endsl
ookedat
her
..
her
:W.
.Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
??iam nof
raud.
.
inodded.
.
Her
:youareget
ti
ngoutofhand.
.iwi
llt
ellmybaby
t
odealwit
hyou..
Me:ohhh, soasMr sWolfyoualwayscal
lMrWol f
tofightyourbat
tl
es??i
sn'thebusydoing
somet hi
ngmor emeani
ngf ult
hentofi
ghtschool
kids??
shel
ookedatmeandqui
ckl
yshehel
dmyneckand
l
ookedather
..
nomat
terwhat
,iwi
llnotf
ightback.
.
shethenpul
ledmeupbutasiwasget
ti
ngup,
iki
nd
ofsl
ippedmylegandt
ri
pped.
if
ellfr
om wher
ewewer
eseat
edr
oll
ingdownt
he
st
airstot
hebott
om.
Sandr
ascr
eamedandt
he3gi
rl
scamedownt
ome
mostoft
helearner
swhower
ether
ecamet
osee
whatwasgoingon.
themai
ngi
rlsawthatiwasntbadl
yhur
tsoshe
cametomysideandrol
ledmeoverwit
hhisf
eet.
iwasi
nter
nal
lyf
eel
ingpai
n.
Her:youwantt
omesswi
thmeB*
**?
?huh?
?you
wanttomesswithMr
sWolf
??
sheki
ckedmeonmystomachcount
lesst
imesand
al
sopunchedmeont
heface2ti
mes..
myguesswasthatshewastakingthi
soppor
tuni
ty
t
oshoweveryonethatshei
sreall
ynotsomeoneto
messwit
h.
iwascomi
ngt
otheendofmypat
ience.
.
aft
erawhileofenduri
ngthepain,t
heyleftandthe
ki
dsatschoolstart
edaskingi
fiwasowk. .ifel
tfor
Sandr
a.iwast heonebeingbeatenyetshewast he
oneli
ter
all
ycrying.
igotupandassur
edpeopl
ethatiwasowk.
.
Sandr
acamet
omei nt
ear
sandhel
pedmecar
ry
mysel
ftot
het
oil
et.
isatonthetoi
letseatandshet
ookwett
issuet
o
wipethebloodonmyf ace.
.
Sandr
a:wehavet
otel
lthel
ect
ures.
.
Me:am iacowar
d??
Sandr
a:pl
easeBoi
ty,
youhavet
odosomet
hing.
.
Me:f
earnot.t
hisist
hel
astt
imeshelayherf
inger
s
onme..shewil
lknowwhoiam soon.
Sandra:ar
eyoucr
azy??sheist
hewif
eofthemost
fear
edmanonearthandyouwanttochal
lengeher
??
doyouhaveadeathwish??
Me:youshoul
daskhert
hat
??
Sandra:iwouldn'
tdar
e..ist
il
lhavegoalst
oreach.
youshouldstoppushingherbuttons,
shemightki
ll
you.
.
Me:doyouact
ual
lybel
ievet
hatshei
sMr
sWol
f??
Sandra:ever
ybodybel
ievest
hat
,eventheseni
ors.
mabyet heysawherwitMrWolf
,orelsewhywould
theybeli
eve??
Me:mhm.
.
Sandr
a:why?
?youdontbel
ieveher
??
Me:iwasj
ustaski
ng.
..
shel
efti
tandcont
inuedhel
pingmet
odr
essmy
wounds.
.
ideci
dedt
oski
pther
estofmycl
assessi
nceiwas
hurt
..
buticoul
dntgohomebecauseSi phowil
lonl
ycome
aft
ermylastclassandidontwanttocal
lhi
m ear
ly
asLuuwillknowaboutthi
s..andknowi
ngLuu,he
wil
lgocrazy.
[
12/28,
12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twasnowaf
terschoolandSi
phowasher
etof
etch
me.
.
ihadbor
rowedsomemakeupf r
om peopl
eand
deci
dedtohidemybr
uisesusi
ngmakeup. .iknow
somebasicsonmakeupsinceiusedtousesome
backi
nthedays,butSandr
awouldal
sohelpme
wit
hfoundat
ionandmakingsur
eitwaseven.
.
shewonder edwhyiwashi dingmybrui
ses,ij
ust
tol
dhert hatididntwantmyboyfri
endt
oseethem
becausehewi llwanttofi
ght
.shethenconcl
uded
thatit
sagoodt hi
ngbecauseifhecomestofi
ghthe
willbefaci
ngMrWol f
.
il
aughedatthatst
atementbecausei
nmymi
nd,
i
wastryi
ngtoimagineLuufi
ghthimsel
f.
.
well
,fastf
orward,
Siphoar
ri
vedandisaidgoodbye
andheadedout.bytheway,sheevent
houghtSipho
wasmyboyf ri
end..
thi
sisthebestdramaieverf
aced,i
fthi
swastobe
scri
ptedandtakentobeonscreen,
itwoul
dbethe
bestdramaever..
anyway,igeti
nthecarandSipholookedatmeina
waythathewasaskinghimselfhowigotmakeup
onmyf acebecausetr
ulyspeaki
ngihardl
yputon
makeup..
igr
eetandhet
ookmehome.
.
iarri
vedhomeandalreadySi
yahadar
rived,
since
it
sFr i
dayhecomesoutearl
y.ar
ound12:00andmy
classesendedat14:
00.
igeti
nthehouseandguesswhat
?Luuwashome.
..
hewasplayi
nggameswi t
hSiyai
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
Me:Goodaf
ter
noonLuu.
.HiSi
ya.
..
helookedatmeforawhi
le.
.idi
dntmi
ndhi
m,ij
ust
focusedonSi
ya.
.
me:howwasschoolSi
ya?
?
Si
ya:schoolwasgr
eat
.iknowhowt
ocountt
il
l100.
.
Me:wow.
.real
ly?
?
Si
ya:mhm.
.
igavehi
m hi
gh5.
.
it
henwentt
othemai
nbedr
oom.
igotinandt
hrewmyselfont hebed.
.idi
dntcar
eif
makeupwoul dgetontheblanket
s,idi
dntwantLuu
toseethebr
uisesandhim beingher
eruinedmy
plan.
iwant
edt
ocomehome,
changet
henbat
handl
ock
mysel
fint
heguestr
oom asi
figur
eoutwhatt
odo.
hecameintheroom af
termeandasiwaslayi
ng
onthebedicoul
dhearhisfoot
stepsi
nther
oom.
il
ookedt
oseei
fitwashi
m orSi
ya,
andi
twashi
m..
Hi
m:Boi
tumel
o!!
ohhhsh***hejustcall
edmebymyf ul
lname..he
hasaproblem hewantstodi
rect
,andi
tsdef
init
ely
nott
helovebiteissue.
.
ii
gnor
edhi
m..
hecamet
omeandrol
ledmeover.
.bydoingthati
hur
tmyst
omachandgroanedf
rom t
hepain.
helookedatmeconfusedyetalsoangr
ybutal
so
l
ikehewaswonderingsomething.
Hi
m:Boi
tumel
o,what
sgoi
ngonwi
thyourf
ace?
?
il
ookedar
oundkeepi
ngmyser
iousl
ook.
Me:whataboutmyf
ace?
?
Hi
m:youdidnthavemakeuponwhenyoul
eft
,
what
swit
ht hemakeup??
Me:cantipl
ayar
oundwi
thmyf
ace?
?
Him:ifyouwer
einhighschoolorpri
maryiwould
thi
nkyouwereplayi
ngaroundwithyourf
ace.but
notnow..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
hecameont
hebedandsatnextt
ome.
.
hecamecl
oset
omel
ikehevi
ewcl
oser
..
ikeptgoi
ngbackandipul
ledmyst
omachmuscl
es
andenduredt
hepainasit
r i
edt
ohi
dei
t.
.butwho
wasi f
ooli
ng?
?
Hi
m:di
dyougeti
ntoaf
ight
?
il
ookedathi
m abi
tshocked.
Me:me?
?fi
ght
??no.
.
hethenpr
essedmystomachagai
nandt
hist
imei
scr
eamedinpainbutnott
ool
oud.
..
Hi
m:andt
hat
??
idi
dntsayanyt
hingatf
ir
st,
thensomet
hingpopped
inmymi nd.
.
Me:iwasdoingsi
tups.
.it
spartofphysi
cal
act
ivi
ti
es,
ichoset
odospor t
s..
Hi
m:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:mhm.
.
hethent
ookmebyt hehanddr aggingmet othe
bat
hroom.itr
iedshouti
ngathi m askinghim what
hewasdoingandt el
li
nghimt oleavemeal onebut
hehadatightholdonmywr i
st.ieventoldhi
m he
washurt
ingme, buthedidntgiveitup..
het
henputmyfacei
nthebasi
nandputwat
eron
myfacet
owashthemakeupoff.
.
aft
erawhi
lehest
oppedandl
etmegoashel
ooked
atme..
hedi
dnthaveal
lthemakeupof
f,j
ustonesi
de.
.
whenhel
etmego,
ihadnochoi
cebutt
owashmy
f
ace.
.
af
terwashi
ngmyf
aceiwi
pedi
twi
thmyTshi
rt
.
it
henlookedathi
m ashel
ookedatmewi
thmi
xed
emot
ions..
Me:youdi
dnthavet
obesor
ough.
.ithur
ts.
.
Hi
m:whodi
dthat
??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:whoF*
***di
dthat
??
Me:Luu,
justl
eti
tgo.
.
Him:Leti
tgo??leti
tgo??mywifeget
sbeat
enup
andimustleti
tgo??areyouki
ddingme?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
iwasfl
att
eredwi
thhi
sreact
ion.
.iwantedtohug
hi
mr i
ghtther
eandki
sshim.butiam st
il
langr
yat
hi
m.
Hi
m:Boi
tumel
o,t
ell
met
hename.
.
Me:no.
..iwi
lldealwi
thher
..whyshoul
dil
etyou
t
akeupmypr oblems??
Hi
m:Boi
tumel
o!!
Me:ipr
omise.
.ij
ustl
etherbeatmeupbecausei
di
dntwanttobet
roubl
esomeasaf i
rstyearst
udent
.
Hi
m:soyouwi
llwai
tfornextyeart
ofi
ghtback?
?
Me:No.
..t
hiswasthel
aststraw,
letherenj
oyher
f
ameandherlies,
itwi
llsoonbeover.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:st
opst
ressi
ng,
iwi
llavengemysel
f.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
isi
ghed.
.it
scleariwi
llhavet
otaket
hisl
it
tl
ewol
fof
mineandassurehim.
.
ihel
dhi
shandsandl
ookedathi
m..
ismi
ledandt
henpul
ledhi
m cl
osert
ome.
ihuggedhi
m andhehuggedmet
oo.
me:ohhhmyl i
tt
lewolf
,someti
mesyouj usthavet
o
l
etBunnyhandlethi
ngshersel
fsothatother
ani
malswouldn'
tunderest
imateBunny.
.
hehuggedmet
ight
erandisi
gnal
edt
hathewas
hur
ti
ngme..
Hi
m:iam sor
ry.
.
ir
ubbedhi
sback.
..
me:aboutt
hel
ovebi
tet
hing.iunder
standyour
i
ntenti
on,butasisaid,idontcar
eaboutanyt hi
ng,i
j
ustneedyourLoyalty..Sykeswi
llf
indoutaboutme
anyway,hewillf
indoutaboutSiya,youcanthideus
for
ever.sogoingtothatextendt
opr otectmewont
cutit
.iask.pl
easejustgivemeloyalty,t
hat'
sall
..
Hi
m:mhm.
.iwi
lldot
hat
..agai
n,iam sor
ry.
.
Me:if
orgi
veyoubi
gguy.
.if
orgi
veyou.
.
hekepthuggi
ngmenotwant
ingt
oletgo.
..
Sigh,
ihavesuchabigbaby.
.ifpeopl
ewoul
dknow
thi
ssideofhi
m,theywouldl
augh..
.
*
*lat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
iam gladthatwemanagedt osortourissue,andas
ipromised,idontpl anondoinganyt
hinglikewhati
dideveragain..ijusthavet
ot i
ght
ensecur i
ty
aroundmyf ami ly.
.
iwasnowint
hestudyworking.i
twasl
ateand
al
mostti
mefordi
nner.it
oldbunnyiwoul
dbedone
bef
oredi
nner
.
asiwaswor
king,
Joecal
led.
ianswer
ed.
Me:t
alkt
ome.
.
Joe:hei
smaki
ngamove.
.
Me:wemovi
ngclosert
oat
tacki
ng.
.di
dyoual
ready
pr
epar
eever
ythi
ng??
Joe:yesboss.
.
me:ithi
nki
tsti
meyoudroppedt
hef
ormal
it
ies.
.you
havebeenar
oundenoughtobemyl
it
tl
ebr
other.
.
Joe:(
chuckl
es)ial
readygotusedt
oit
..
Me:thanksfort
heupdat
e,wewi
llcl
osei
nsooner
.i
wi
llgetBoit
umelopr
epared.
Joe:owksi
r.
.
Me:(
chuckl
ed)
ihungupandsi
ghed.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ij
ustgotbackf
rom t
aki
ngSi
yat
obed.
.
iwentt
othebedr
oom andsatont
hebed.
.Luuwas
st
il
lint
heshower
..
it
ookoutmygownandgoti
nthebl
anket
s.
istartedwatchi
ngvideosonmyphonet opass
ti
me. .plusidi
dnthavesleep,
andt omor
row
mor ningmyselfandSiyaarevisi
ti
ngAuntMar
tha.
af
terawhil
eLuucameoutandnowiwasj
ust
l
ayingt
ryi
ngtof
orcemysel
ftosl
eep.
hegoti
nbedandcuddl
edme.
it
urnedar
oundandbur
iedmyheadonhi
schest
..
hi
m:it
houghtyousl
eepi
ng.
.
Me:icantsl
eep.
.
Hi
m:i
sther
esomet
hingst
ressi
ngyou?
?
Me:no.
.
Him:mhm..
.speakingaboutst
resses,
ihave
somethi
ngt
otellyou..
Me:wi
lli
tmakemeangr
y?
Hi
m:Sykesmadeamove.
.
il
ookedathi
m qui
ckl
y..
Me:what
??
hi
m:hei sn'
thereyet,buthemadehismove,that
meanstheyar ereadytoatt
ack.
.sosoonerorlat
er,
hewil
lrevealhimself
.
Me:sowhatdoest
hatmeanf
orus?
?
Him:youwillcont
inuegoi
ngtoschoolandli
vingthe
wayyoudo..butwehavet omakeamovet o..sowe
wil
lbegoingtowardshim.theai
mtoattackhim
befor
eheattacksus,andnotint
heplacewher eour
famil
yli
ves.
.
Me:soyouwi
llbest
ayi
ngsomewher
eel
se?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:andl
eavemeal
lal
one?
?
Hi
m:iwi
llbebackaf
tert
hemi
ssi
on.
Me:howl
ong?
?
Hi
m:idontknow,
itcoul
dbedays.
.orweeks.
.even
mont
hs..
Me:Luu!
!
Hi
m:i
tal
ldependsonhowl
ongi
ttakest
otakeal
l
hi
smenouttofacehi
m.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Him:iwontl
eaveyoualone,youhaveSi
yaandi
wil
l
cal
lyouever
ytimeigetthechance.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:Bunny!
Me:iunder
stand.i
tswhatyoushoul
ddo.
.
Hi
m:al
lwi
llbeowkwhenicomeback.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..mhm.
..
Him:it
riedtogetLubatobri
nghi
sdaughterher
e
butherefused.
.idontknowi
fshewi
llbesafeor
not.
.
Me:hehasadaught
er?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
.shei
sar
ound9year
sol
d..
Me:soyoung.
.
Hi
m:mhm.
..mabyehehasapl
anf
orher
..pl
us
Lubaal
waysdoesthi
ngsaccordi
ngt
ohi
sli
kesso
noonecaneasi
lyper
suadehim..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:comeher
e..
hehuggedmet
ightandihuggedhi
mti
ghtt
oo.
.
Hi
m:pleasegi
vemet
ime,
iwi
llsoongi
veyout
he
l
if
eyouwant..
Me:aslongasyouar
einmyl
if
e,t
hat
'st
hel
if
ei
want.
ismi
ledst
il
lbur
ri
ngmyheadonhi
schest
.
[
12/28,
12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
56
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:yout
hinkt
hat
'st
hebestwayt
ost
art
?
Luba:
mhm.
Joe:ialsoagree.
.ever
ygangsterval
uesmoney,
if
theylosethat
,theywil
llosef
ocus.
Me:owk.howi
sthepat
hlooki
ng?
?dowehavea
chance?
?
Luba:
theyar ealotofmenonhi sside.pl
us
Russi
ans,thatmeanshi ssecur
it
yistightandhis
i
nnercir
cleisevenmor eti
ghter
.theonlythingwe
needi
sasmar tperson,
someonewhocancompl et
e
us.
Joe:yah.andwhatweneedr
ightnowi
sacomput
er
genius.
..
Me:t
ruethat.weneedsomeonewhoi
sgoodwi
th
comput
ers..
Luba:
iknowsomeone.
.
me:canwet
rusthi
m??
Luba:
ofcause,
wehavebeenf
ri
endsf
orl
ong.
.
Me:af
ri
end?
?youhaveaf
ri
end.
.
Joe:t
hat
'sasur
pri
se.
.it
houghtyourbestf
ri
end
wasal
oll
ipop.
.
il
aughed.
.
Lubal
ookedatJoesmi
li
ng.
.
Luba:imaybet
heyoungesther
e,butiam not
afr
aidtot
hrowi
napunch..
Me:youright,
youtheyoungest,
nowbehavelike
oneowk..andJoe,lethim bewi
thhi
slol
li
pops,hei
s
theyoungestaft
erall
..
welaughedasLubaj
ustsmi
l
edshaki
nghi
shead
l
ookingatus.
.
Luba:
nowicr
avesomel
oll
ipop.
.
wel
aughedagai
n..
forthefirstt
imeifel
tcompl et
e..imeanyesBunny
compl etesme,butinter
msofhavi ngsucha
brotherhoodrel
ati
onship,itwasalljustadr
eam.but
today,todayiam abletolookatthese2guysand
smile.
eventhoughthisl
astbor
nhasn'
tyetopenedt
ous,
hewi l
loneday.andiwil
ltr
ymybesttoassur
ehi
m
thatiam noenemy.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Sandr
awasnotatschoolt
oday,
soiwasal
lal
one.
.
iwaswalki
ngtoclassandwishingtobumpi nto
Amo" Wol
f"
.iwasactuall
ywishingthatshewould
comeandtryt
oattackmeagai n,becausethi
stimei
hadtol
dmyselft
hatiwouldnothol dback.
asiwaswalkingisawsomegi r
lsl
ooki
ngacrossa
window,i
tseemedl i
ketheywer
elooki
ngat
somethi
nginter
ested.
iwentandal
sol
ooked,
outofcur
iosi
ty.
i
twasKhut
so.
..
ar
egi
rl
sreal
lyt
hatcr
azyf
orKhut
so?
?
il
ookedathi
m car
eful
lyandhewaspl
ayi
nga
pi
ano..
ist
oodt
her
eli
steni
ngt
ohi
m pl
ay.
.
it
henwentt
oopent
hedoorandwal
kin,
andone
gi
rlwar
nedme.
Her
:hai
,hedoesntl
i
kei
twhenheget
sdi
stur
bed
whenpl
ayi
ngt
hepi
ano.
il
ookedatherandshel
ookedl
ikeshewasser
ious.
.
Me:ij
ustwantt
oaskhi
m somet
hing.
shel
ookedatmewi
tht
hel
ookofwor
ry.
.
iwasconfused,butir
eal
lywantedt
oaskwhyhe
helpedmethatday,nocap,
ithasbeenbuggi
ngme
thewholeti
me.
iopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.
not
hingwashappening.t
hatgi
rlmusthavet
hought
iwasalsoaf
anori wasalsocr
ushingonKhutso.
iwal
kedsl
owl
ytohi
m..
Me:huh.
.Khut
so,
canispeakt
oyou?
?
hedi
dntrespond.act
ual
lyhej
ustcont
inuedl
ikehe
di
dntevenhearme.
heconti
nuedplayi
nghispianobutt
histi
mehi s
melodyweregoingup.
.li
kehewasgoi ngfast
er.
.
iwentcl
osert
ohi
m assumi
ngt
hathedi
dnthearme
thef
ir
stti
me..
Me:excuseme.
..canihaveamoment
??
hesti
llconti
nuedplayi
ngandt
hist
imehi
smel
odi
es
weregetti
ngrougher..
hej
ustcont
inuedl
ikehedi
dnthearme.
.
inoti
cedapatt
er n,
themoreiwoul
dspeaktohi
m or
saysomethi
ng, hewoul
dupt hemel
odyandmakeit
roughandhisfacewouldchangef
rom cal
mto
almostangr
y..
ii
mmedi
atel
yremember
edt
hegi
rl
swor
ds.
.
mabyeishoul
d'vel
eti
tbeandwentt
oclass.
.who
car
esaboutwhyhehelpedmeanyway.
isl
owl
ytur
nedt
oleave,
hest
oppedi
mmedi
atel
y..
ist
oppedandl
ookedathi
m.
Hel
ookedatme.
Hi
m:didyounotgetthememothatihat
ebei
ng
di
stur
bedwhenplayi
ngapiano?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
.huh.
..idi
d..ij
ustt
houghti
twasaj
oke.
.
Hi
m:...
..
..
..
..
..doyouhaveaki
lli
ngreasonwhyyou
di
stur
bedmedur ingmypract
ice??
Me:.
..
..wel
l,
itsnotaki
ll
ingr
eason,
but.
..
..i
..
..
..
.i
want
edtoknowwhyyouhel pedmethatday..
..
..
Hi
m:youdi st
urbedmet oaskmethat
??coul
dntyou
wai
tti
llaf
terschoolorsomethi
ng?
?
Me:.
..
..
..r
ight
..
..your
ight
..
..nextt
imeiwi
llknow
bet
ter
..
Hestoodupandcametome..hestoodsocl
oset
o
methatiwasevenaf
rai
dtobreat
h..
Him:dontyouever
,andimeaneverdist
urbme
agai
nunlessyouhaveagooddamnr eason.
..
under
stood??
ij
ustnodded.
.
hewal
kedpassedmeandheadedout
.
ibr
eat
hedandsl
owl
ywal
kedout
..
it
henr
ushedt
ocl
ass,
thecl
asshadevenst
art
ed.
.
iwal
kedi
n..
me:sor
rysi
riam l
ate.
.
myl
ect
urernoddedandiwentt
omychai
r.
.
ihateadmitt
ingthi
s,butiwil
ladmiti
t.
.schoolis
quietandboringwi
thoutSandra.iwonderwereshe
wenttoday.
.ordidshethinkiwouldskipschool
today??
butthenshedidtel
lmethatshehadadoct
ors
appoint
menttoday,ij
ustt
houghtshewasmaki
ngi
t
up.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
i
twasnowaf terschoolandsurpri
singl
yidi
dnt
bumpintoAmoandherf ri
ends.wheniam notin
themoodtofight,
sheshowsusver yoft
en,but
wheniam readyforher,sheisnowheretobe
found.
.
*
Sigh*
anyway,
igeti
nthecarandheadbackhome.
.
onmywaybackhomemyphoner
ang.
.itwasLuu.
Me:Luu.
Hi
m:Bunny,
howdi
ditgo?
?
Me:howdi
dwhatgo?
?
Him:iwanttoknowi fyoutookthatbul
lyt
otheI
CU
oryoujustsentherstr
aightt
othegraves.
.
Me:hahahaha,
nonoft
heabove.
.
Hi
m:at
leastyougotheri
nthehospi
tal
..
Me:hahahat
akeachi
llpi
ll
..not
hingoft
hatsor
t.
.
shedi
dntbot
hermetoday.
.didyoudosomethi
ng??
Hi
m:no.
.
Me:it
oldyout
onotdoanyt
hing.
Hi
m:ipr
omi
seyou,
idi
dntdoanyt
hing.
Me:di
dyougetyourguyst
odosomet
hing?
?
Hi
m:Bunny,it
rust
edyoutotakecar
eoft
he
si
tuat
ion,
whywouldidosomethi
ng??
Me:ar
eyoubei
ngser
ious?
?
Hi
m:yes.
.
Me:mhm.
.wei
rd.
.ori
sitKhut
so?
Hi
m:whoi
sKhut
so?
?
Me:someguyi
ntheuni
ver
sit
y..
Hi
m:woul
dihavet
obewor
ri
ed?
?
Me:no.
.notatal
l.
Hi
m:ihopeso.
.
ismi
led.
.
Me:gett
oworkandstopt
alki
nggi
bber
ish.seeyou
whenyougetback.
Him:owk.
.dontf
orgett
ohel
pSi
yawi
thhi
s
homework.
.
Me:iwontf
orget
..
Hi
m:owk.
.
Me:mhm.
hehungupandismi
ledast
hecarheadedhome.
[
12/28,
12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
57
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:ouuuu,
thi
sreal
l
ytast
esni
ce.
.
Sandr
a:iknowri
ght
..
.ial
waysst
ealsomewhenmy
mom makesthem.
Me:yourmotheri
sarealbaker
,youshouldcome
wi
ththem moreoft
en,
icanevenbuyt hem.
Sandr
a:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:yah.
.icanevenmakemyf
irstor
derri
ghtnow.
.
her
e,i
tsR20..br
ingmesomet
omor r
ow..
Sandr
a:wow,
iwi
llbr
ingt
hem.
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngather
..
.
aswewereeat
ingherhomemadescones,
the3
gi
rl
sappear
ed.
.iwassuperannoyed.
.
t
heycamei
nfr
ontofus.
..
Sandr
awashol
dingal
unchboxofscones.
Amo,withoutaski
ng,gotherf
il
thyhandsi
n
Sandr
a'slunchboxtotakeacake.
.
shet
henat
eit
..
Her
:that
'
sdel
ici
ous.
.mi
ndi
fihavet
hewhol
e
l
unchbox?
?
Sandr
awithouthesi
tat
ingnoddedandhandedher
l
unchbox.
bef
oreAmocoul
dr eacht
hel
unchbox,
igr
abbedi
t
andputi
tinmybag.
Me:ihat
ebul
li
es.
.
il
ookedatAmo.
.sher
etur
nedt
hel
ook.
.
Her
:haveyouf
orgot
tenwhatididtoyout
hel
ast
t
ime??doyouwantmetorepeatit
??
Me:iwoul
dli
ket
oseeyout
ry.
.
shechucked..Sandr
apull
edmebymyhoodie..i
t
wasclearshedidntwantmetogethur
tandshe
didntwantt
rouble.
.butl
it
tl
edi
dsheknowwhoiam..
ismi
ledatSandr
aandl
ookedatAmo.
.
Her
:your
eal
lyl
ikeget
ti
ngbeat
enhai
??
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..andyoualwaysl
ikeattent
ion
hai
??imeanyoucoul dusethi
sopportuni
tytoprove
agai
nthatyouar enotthegi
rlt
obemessedwi th
si
nceyouar eMrs"wol f
".
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her
:ar
eyoubei
ngsar
cast
ic?
?
Me:ar
eyounotMr
s"Wol
f"
??
Her
:ist
hatevenaquest
ion?
?
Me:doesyour"
husband"knowthatyouar
eusi
ng
hi
snamet obul
lyot
herkidsatschool
??
shewasuncomfor
tabl
ewi
tht
hist
opi
c,butshekept
goi
ngwit
hherli
es.
.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shegr
abbedmebymyshi
rtandpul
ledmeup.
.
Her
:seemsyouhaven'
tlear
nedyourl
esson.
.
Me:howaboutyout
eachmeagai
n??
shewantedtohi
tmeonmyst omachandiblocked
herfi
st,
tur
nedherot
herhandandpushedhertothe
ground.
.
t
hefactt
hatl
ear
ner
ssawherfall
,theycame
r
unningt
oseewhatwashappeni
ng..
iwal
kedt
oher
..
iki
ckedherandkickedher
,thenpul
ledherupagai
n
andpunchedher.
.
shetri
edfi
ghtingback,butitri
ppedherusingmy
l
egandshef elldownagain..ithensatonherand
star
tedpunchingherli
keiwasgoi ngcrazy.idi
dnt
haveastoplimit.
iwasthenpul
ledbackbyoneofherf r
iendswho
wasshouti
ng"enough".
.ipushedherbackand
wentbacktokicki
ngthi
sB****
aft
erawhi l
eiwaspull
edbyat eacherbutididnt
seethat.methinki
ngt
hatisherfr
iends,ipushed
theteacherbackandwentagai
nt ofi
ghtAmo. .
shewasnowl
ayi
ngdownnotcover
ingherf
ace.
.
thet
eacherpul
ledmeagai
nandt
hist
imeiwas
awaret
hatitwasher
..
shehel
dmebackandtol
dlear
nerstohol
dme,
but
youcoul
dseet
hei
rfeari
nthei
reyes.
.
Sandr
acamet
omeandt
ri
edt
ocal
m medown.
t
heteacherwenttoatt
endtoAmoandcheckifshe
wasowk..unf
ortunat
elyshewas.
.iwasai
mingto
ki
llt
hatB*
***
.
wewer ethentakentotheof
fi
cewit
hAmo' s2
fr
iendsholdi
ngAmoasshecoul dntwalkalone.
.so
sheusedherf r
iendsassuppor
tandtheteacher
walki
ngbesidesthem..
iwaswalki
ngwi t
hSandra.shekeptrubbi
ngmy
handnotsayi
ngawor d,
iam guessingshewas
shockedbyal
lthis.
.
wegottothedeansof
fi
ceandhel ookedatuswi
th
shockandwonderi
ngwhathappened..
t
het
eacherexpl
ainedandiwast
her
est
andi
ng.
Dean:t
heteacherhasexplai
nedfrom herpointof
Vi
ew..nowcaniheareachone' ssideofthestory,
mainl
ythe2girl
swhof ought,iwi
llendwiththe
wit
ness.
Amo:sir,
shestart
edit
.idi
dntdoanything,
shejust
camet ometal
kingaboutt
hingsidontknow,t
hen
star
tedhi
tti
ngme..
Dean:outoft
hebl
ue?
?
Amo:yessi
r.
.
thedeanlookedatme..newsisthatAmoi st
he
dean'
sfavori
telear
ner
...t
hat
'sbecausehergrades
hasalwaysbeenhighandshehasr epresent
edthe
schooli
nspor t
saswell.
sowhat
everisay,t
hedeanwoul
dal
wayst
akeher
si
deoft
hestory.
.
Dean:andyoumam?
?
il
ookedatt
hedean.
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.shehasbeenbul
li
ngmesi ncei
ent
eredthi
sschool,t
odaywasjustpayback.
.
Dean:youar
etalki
ngpaybackinmyschool
??
bul
li
ng??whydidntyourepor
tit
??yout
hinkt
aking
measuresi
nyourownhandsi sowk??l
ookatthe
damageyoudone.
ikeptqui
etl
ist
eni
ngt
othel
ect
ure.
.
il
ookedatAmoandshesmi
rked.
.
dean:att
hismoment ,cal
lyourparents,
iwantto
seethem now.iwi
llnottol
eratepaybacksandli
es
i
nmyschool .andl
earnerstakingmeasur esi
nthei
r
ownhands..nowgetyourpar ent
shereatonce..
idi
dntcompl
ain,
idi
dntaskwhyshouldical
lmy
par
entsandAmodoesntcal
lherpar
ents.
.
it
ookmyphoneoutandheadedoutt
ocal
lAunt
Mart
ha.
.
sheanswer
edhercal
l.
.
Her
:Boi
tumel
o..
Me:hiaunt
,ar
eyouf
reer
ightnow?
?
Her
:why?
?youwantt
ocomevi
sit
??
Me:noaunt
,ijusti
ntr
oubl
eatschoolandt
heywant
t
oseemypar ent.
.
Her
:ohhhdear
,whatdi
dyoudo?
?
Me:l
ongst
oryaunt
,canyoucome?
?
Her:iwi
shtocomedear
,butiam notathome,
i
wenttovi
sitSi
ya'
sgr
anny.
Me:ohhhhowk.
.
Her
:whydontyoucal
lLubanzi
??
Me:t
heysai
dpar
entAuntnotpar
tner
..
Her
:justcal
lLubanzi
..
Me:*
*si
gh*
*owkaunt
..
Her
:owkbye.
.
Me:byeaunt
..
ihungupandbreat
hedi
n..il
ookedatt
heof
fi
ce
doorandl
ookedatmyphone..
"
tr
oubl
e"
it
hencal
ledLuu.
heanswer
edaf
tert
he3r
dri
ng.
.
Hi
m:bunny!
Me:iam i
ntr
oubl
e,t
heyneedapar
entatschool
.
Hi
m:al
ready?
?
hesai
dthatchuckl
ing.
.ir
oll
edmyeyesbecausei
wasreal
lynoti
nthemoodt ojoke.
.
Me:ical
ledauntMart
ha,shei
snother
eshewentt
o
Si
ya'
sgranny.ionl
yhaveyoulef
t.
.
Hi
m:owk,
iwi
llbet
her
einami
nut
e..
Me:hur
ry!
!
ihungupandheadedbacki
ntheof
fi
ce.
.
Me:mypar
entwi
llbeher
esoon.
.
Dean:good.pl
easetakeAmot otheschoolnur
se,
shewillbecal
ledoncetheparenti
shere.
.asfor
youyoungladyyousithereandwaitf
oryouparent
..
isatdownwithSandr
a..Sandrawassowor
ri
ed.
.it
waslikeshewastheoneintroubl
e..
af
teral
ongwhi
le.someoneknockedont
hedoor
..
Dean:comei
n..
t
hedooropenedandi
twasLuu.
f
inal
lyhear
ri
ved.
.
[
12/28,
12:
45] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Thedeanl
ookedatLuushocked.ij
ustguessedt
hat
heknewwhoLuuwas..
heevenchangedf
rom bei
ngangr
ytobei
ng
ext
remel
yniceandfr
iendl
y..
Dean:ohmy,
MrWol
f.howar
eyou?
?
hereachedforhi
shandandLuudidntevengi
ve
hi
m hishand,hekepti
tst
il
linhi
spocket.
Luul
ookedatmeandt
henl
ookedatt
heDean.
Luu:iwascall
edher
eforaparent
smeeti
ng,
well
hereiam..canwegetst
art
ed,
idonthavemuch
ti
me..
woaw,t
alkaboutper
sonali
tychange.
.nowithas
beenawhil
esinceieversawthi
ssideofLuu.
Dean:ohhhyes,
yes.
.
thedeant
hentookhi
sphoneandgotsomeonet
o
getAmofrom t
henur
seroom..
Luusatdown,legscrossedandseriousf
ace..he
wassodesir
abl e,
icouldeathi
mr i
ghtnow.(ishook
myheadandf ocusedont hesi
tuat
ion)
Dean:woul
dyoul
ikesomet
hingt
odr
ink?
?wat
er
mabye??
Luul
ookedathi
m wi
thaser
iousl
ook.
dean:ormabyenot
..
hesmil
edbutyoucoul
dseet
hathewasunderal
ot
ofpr
essur
e..
af
terawhi
let
hedooropenedandt
he3gi
rl
swal
ked
i
n..
thelookonthei
rfaceswhent
heysawLuu,
itwi
ll
neverleavemymi nd.
.
i
twaslikeaf
aceofsomeonewhogotcaught
st
eal
ing.
il
ookedatt
hem ast
heykeptonl
ooki
ngatLuuand
pushi
ngeachot
her.
.
t
heysatontheot
hersideoft
het
abl
emaki
ngsur
e
t
heywerefarf
rom Luu.
ichuckl
ed.
.
Sandr
awaswor se.
.shecouldntevenspeak,she
keptl
ooki
ngatLuuwithoutbli
nki
ngandopeni ng
hermouthwi
deopen...sheevenkeptonpinching
me..
ihaveonecr
azyf
ri
end.
.
thedeanclearedhi
sthroatanddr
ankwater
,guy
evenloosenedhist
ie.iguessi
twasver
yhotinthe
room.
seemsl
ikenoonewant
stot
alk,
theniwi
llbr
eakt
he
i
ce..
Me:Amo,ar
eyouashamedofyour"
husband"t
hat
youhadt
ositsof
arfr
om hi
m??
ismiledlooki
ngather
..shedi
dntsayathing.
.i
lookedatLuuwhowassuperconf usedatwhati
justsai
d..
ichuckl
ed.
.
Me:youmustbever yconf
usedMrWol f
.but
accordi
ngtowhatiknow,andwhattheschool
knows,fort
hepast2yearsyouhavebeenmarri
ed
tothatl
adyri
ghtt
here..
.
Luul
ookedatherandl
ookedatmei
nconf
usi
on
andneversai
daword.
Me:Dean,
youwant
edmysi deofthest
oryri
ght,
wel
lwhatisai
dwasjustat
ipofthewholest
ory.l
et
met ellyouthewholestor
y.sosi
ncet
hedayi
arr
ivedi nthi
sschool,
ibumpedint
oMrsWolfover
here..
sayi
ngthatmadeLuul ookatmewi
thsomuch
anger
..buticont
inued.
.
Me:af terthatday, shestart
edbulli
ngmear ound
cl
aimingt hatshei sMr s"Wol f
"andi fidaredto
messwi thheriwoul dbemessi ngwi t
hherhusband,
whichi sMrWol foverher e.
.il
etherbul lyme
becauseidi dntwantt r
oubleasaf irstyearst
udent.
unti
lthedayshet hrewdownt hest air
sandki cked
met il
licouldntf eelmyst omach.thatwasenough.
shetriedbul l
ingmyf ri
endtoday,butist oodup
againstthebul l
yandpayedbackt hepai n.
it
henl
eanedbackandl
ookedatt
hedean.
.
Me:nowDean,
wasiwr
ong?
?
thedeandidntknowwhattohol
dandwhattodo..
hejustdr
ankhi swat
erandcl
earedhi
sthr
oat
.itwas
atoughcallforhi
m..
il
ookedatLuuandLuuwasl ooki
ngatAmoandt he
gi
rl
swithaneyethatimysel
fhaveneverseen.
Dean:well
,MrWolf
,wehaveheardt
hissideoft
he
stor
y..
.canweheartheot
hersi
deofthestor
y
again.
..
Amodidnthavewordsnow,shewasmut e.
.she
coul
dntevensayanythi
ngandalsocoul
dntlookup.
shekeptherheaddownallt
heti
me..
Luuleanedinandlookedather
..shedi
dntr
aiseher
head,shekepti
tdown.
Luu:Wif
ey!
!iam wai
ti
ngt
ohearwhatyouhavet
o
say??
Ohhhhowk,
thatwassudden,
idi
dntknowLuu
coul
dbesosavage.
..
shest
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing,
shekeptqui
et.
.
Luul
ookedatt
hedean.
Luu:Dean,
therewere2peopl
ethatf
ought
,yetiam
theonl
yparenther
e,mayiaskwhy??orar
etheyon
thei
rway??
Deandrankwateragain.att
hisrat
e,hemi
ghtst
art
l
oosingweightastheysaythatdri
nki
ngal
otof
waterhel
pswithloosi
ngweight.
Dean:(
clear
sthroat)wel
l,
youarer
ight
,theot
her
par
entshouldbeher easwel
l.
.Amocanyouget
hol
dofyourparents??
Luu:waitami
nut
e..
.soyouar
eonl
ynowcal
li
ngher
parent
s??
Dean:.
..
.(cl
earsthroat
)well.
.befor
eiwasntaware
ofthetr
uth.theblamewaspushedt ot
heyoung
l
ady,andyoucansee. ..
..huh.
..
.howmuchdamage
shehasdone.
Luu:letmegett hisstraight
..
.these2l adi
eswere
broughtt oyouroffi
ce,eachonet ol
dherstor
yand
afterhearingthestory,youhear dthestor
yofthe
witnesses, t
henafteryouconcl udedthatmywi f
e
waswr ong??
il
ookeddownashesai
dthatiwashi
swi
fe.
.
Them:WI
FE!
!
ilookedupandallofthem wereextr
emel yshocked.
.
thedeanhadtotakeof fhi
st i
eandAmoandher
fri
endsbecameevenmor etensedup..asfor
Sandra..mygi
rlcouldntst
opshakingmyhand
want i
ngconf
ir
mat i
on.
Luu:yesshei
smyWi
fe.
.myr
ealWi
fe.
..
Dean:wel lMrWol f
,itwascl ear
lyabi g
understanding,wesincerelyapologize.ihadnot
takenthisprocessthewayi twassupposed. .
..t
obe
takenandnextt imeiwillfoll
owpr operprecauti
ons.
Luu:Nextt
ime?
?nodean,
ther
ewontbeanextt
ime.
.
Dean:ohyes.
..yes.
..nonextt
ime.
.def
ini
tel
y..
Luuleanedbackandl
ookedatever
yonei
nthi
s
room..
Luu:ar
ewedone?
?
Dean:yessi
r.
.wear
edone.
..meet
ingadj
our
ned.
.
Luu:whatabouther
??whatwi
llhappennow?
?
thedeanswal
lowedandlookedatAmoandl
ooked
downtogethi
swat er
..
.
Luu:nvm.
.iwi
llhavetodealwi
thhermyownway.
.
si
ncesheismy" Wif
e".
ismi
ledandwonder
edwhatLuuwast
hinki
ng.
.
Luu:Wi
fey,
let
sgo.
.
hestoodupandwenttoAmo,hegr
abbedAmoby
thehai
randpul
ledheroutt
heof
fi
ce.
.
weallrushedaf
terLuuwonder
ingwhathewas
pl
anning.
iwasstunnedbytheamountoflearner
swhowere
standi
ngoutsi
det
heoffi
ce.iguesstheysawLuu
andwaitedher
etoseehi
m getout .
Luuwal
kedt
othem andt
heschoolwasshocked.
.
somehowif
eltsor
ryforAmo,
ifel
tli
keicoul
dtell
Luutost
opbecausehewasembarrassi
ngher.
.
hewal
kedcl
oset
othecr
owedandmor
est
udent
s
camet
owerehewas.
.
het
henpul
ledAmot
othecr
owed.
.
Luu:i
heart
hatthisgi
rl
,whom idontknow,
clai
ms
tobemywife.
..i
sthatcor
rect
..
.
theschoolwasshockedandscar ed.
.theydi
dnt
answerallinoneasasong, t
heyjustl
ookedatLuu
shocked,l
iketheydi
dntbel
ievethati
twashim and
sli
ghtl
ynoddedwhenaskedaquest i
on..
Luu:i
wantever
yoneher
etol
ist
enandl
ist
ent
ome
carefull
y..idontknowt hi
sgirlandihavenevermet
her..icouldgetherar r
estedforwhatsheisdoing
butiwi l
lletitsl
ide.i
fanyoneofyout r
ytodo
somet hingliket
hisinfuture,
imaynotbeas
mer ci
fulasiam t oday..
t
heyl
ookedatLuu.
Luul
ookedatAmo.
.
Luu:youhave2cr i
mest hatyoudid.
.one..
.youli
ed
toeveryonesayingthatiam yourhusband..and2..
.
youdar edt
obul l
ymyr ealwi
fe.
..whatshouldbe
done??ialreadyforgaveyoufortheli
e..butwhat
aboutthebullyi
ng???doyouknowhowpr eci
ousmy
wif
eist ome? ?
Amoj
ustkeptherheaddown.
.
Luu:youaredamnl uckyyouareagi
rl.
.orel
sei
wouldhavehurtyour eal
bad.
.butit
hinkmywif
e
ki
ndofdidthewor k.
.
Luul
ookedatme.
.
Luu:Bunny,
whatshoul
ddaddydo?
?
iwasi
nthespotl
ight
..t
alkaboutbei
ngi
nthe
mi
ddl
eofat
tent
ion.
.
idi
dntknowwhatt
osay,iwashot
..it
hinkimi
ght
needthewat
ert
hatthedeanwasbusydri
nki
ng.
.
iwentnextt
oLuuandl
ookedatAmo.
.
Me:icanf orgi
veher..i
fshecouldbetheschool
s
cleanerforafewmont hs.
.thatshoul
dteachhert
o
behumbl e,anditshouldbeenoughaspunishment
forallt
hoselearner
syoubul l
ied.
.
Luulookedbacktoseei
fthedeanwasar
ound.
i
ndeedhewasst andi
ngatthedoor
.
Luu:dean.ithi
nkt heschooldeci
ded..thebestway
todealwit
habul ly,humblethebull
y..howabout
cleani
ngtoil
ets,
schoolgroundsandal l.
t
hedeannodded.
Luu:i
wil
lbel
eavi
ngt
hen.haveagr
eatday.
.
hewal
kedout
.
il
ookedathi
m wal
koutl
ikeaboss.
ichuckl
edandl
ookedatt
hedean.
Me:dean,
canigobackt
ocl
ass?
?
Dean:yesmydear
,ofcause,
iwonthol
dyouback
anylonger
..
ismi
ledandmademywayt
ocl
ass.
iwashappy,butal
soki
ndofuncomf
ort
abl
e
becausenow,thet
opi
cwasaboutmeandMrWol
f.
.
Luuhasnochi
ll
.
Sandr
a:youar
ereal
lyt
her
ealMr
sWol
f??
il
ookedatSandr
a..
Me:wel
l.
.youhear
ditf
rom MrWol
fhi
msel
f.
.
ismil
edandshekeptopeni
nghermout
hbei
ng
shocked.
.
ipl
ayf
ull
ycl
osedhermout
h..t
henil
aughed.
.
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwasar
oundagameshop.
iusedt
ocomeherewithmydad.wewoul dplay
andcompetewi
theachother.
.asformymom, she
hatedt
hegameshop.that
'sbecausesheknewthat
whenwecomei
nher
e,wecomeoutaf
teral
ong
t
ime.
.
ismi
ledal
oneandwal
kedi
nthegameshop.
.
asiwaswalki
ngaround,
isawt heonegamewe
usedt
oplayalot
.thedri
verseat.
mydadal waysusedt owinthi
sgame..butact
uall
y
afterawhile,ist
artedwi
ninghim,andhesaidtome
thatificouldhim,icoul
dwinanyoneintheworld.
.
wel
lwebet
tert
estt
hat
..
t
her
eisaguysi
tt
ingt
her
eraci
ngal
one.
.
ideci
dedt
ochal
lengehi
m..
iwentt
ohi
m..
iwat
chedhi
mti
llhef
ini
shedpl
ayi
ng.
.
Me:pl
ayi
ngalonei
sn'
tchal
lengi
ng.
.especi
all
y
whenyouknowhowtoplay.
hel
ookedatme,
thenhel
ookedatt
hegame.
.
Hi
m:i
sthatyourwayofaski
ngf
oramat
ch?
?
me:wasit
ooobvi
ous?
?
Him:(chuckl
es)nooneeverwonagai
nstme,
are
youreadytotaketheL?
?
Me:noonealsowonmebef
ore.
.soiam r
eadyt
o
t
aketheW..
hesmi
ledandt
appedt
henextseatf
orme.
.
isatdown,
wor
ethemi
crophoneandgotr
eady.
.
wechoseagameandst
art
edpl
ayi
ng.
..
fewmi nutesinthegameandij ustr
eali
zediam not
justcompet i
ngwi t
hanyone,butmymat ch.
.inmay
years,ihaveneverbeenthiscompetentwit
h
someone. .heisreall
ygood..
weracedandguesswhat.
.iwon,buthewasntf
ar
awayfrom me.
.hewasli
ter
all
yfewsecondsbehi
nd
me..
.
iputt
hecont
rol
lerdownandl
ookedathi
m..
Me:damnifihadsl
ippedonesecond,
youwoul
d
havewon.
.
Hi
m:iguesscongr
atul
ati
onsar
einor
der
..yout
he
f
ir
stper
sontoeverout
raceme.
.
Me:butyouwayt oogood..bet
tertheniexpect
ed..
youthefi
rstpersontoeverkeepmeonmyt oesli
ke
that
..nor
mallyiam justr
elaxed..wheredi
dyou
l
earntoplayli
kethat??
Hi
m:mywhol
eli
feihadal
waysbeenagamer
..
Me:howdi
ditst
art
??
Him:well
,parent
salwaysbusy,sot
heyboughtme
gamestokeepmebusy. .somyparent
sweremy
games..
.theyalwaysl
ist
enedtomeandhelpedme
grow.
.
Me:soyougr
ewamongcomput
ers,
othert
henr
eal
par
ents?
?
Him:mhm..si
ncet
heywerebusywit
hthei
rli
fe,
i
hadonl
ythecomputer
stobewit
h..
Me:t
hat
's.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:wei
rd?
?igett
hatal
ot.
..
Me:soyoual
waysher
e??
Hi
m:mostoft
het
ime.
.
Me:wow.
..
Him:iwouldlovetost
ayandtal
k,butimustget
home..iam abigbrot
herwhohastotakecareof
hissi
bli
ngswi t
hnoexperi
encehowto..
.ihopethe
computersteachmeoneday..
Me:doyoumindl
eavi
ngyourcont
act
??iwoul
dlove
t
oplaywit
hyouagai
nsometi
me..
Hi
m:sur
e..
igavehi
m myphoneandheputhi
snumber
..
Him:ipl
ayonli
netoo.
.iwi
llgi
veyoual
istoft
he
gamesiplayandmyusernameonthegames,then
wecanteam uponli
ne.
.
Me:sur
e..iam sur
etoget
herwewi
llbr
ingt
hegame
wol
ddown. .
hesmil
edandwal
kedaway.
.ismi
ledl
ooki
ngat
hi
m..
i
st hi
showLuuf eel
swhenheseesme? ?healways
tol
dmet hathegetschi
ll
swhenheiswithme..
.i
alwaysthoughtt
hat'
ssmootht
alk,
butnowithinki
underst
andhowhef eel
s..
[
12/
28,
12:
46] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
58
.
*
*WeeksLat
er*
*
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwaspl ayi
nggamesonmyl aptop.i
tsanonl
ine
gamet hat"t
hegeekguy"(t
hat'
swhathecall
s
hi
msel fonthegame)int
roducedtomeandinvit
ed
met oteam upwit
hhimt oplayagai
nstt
heother
guys..
i
tagreatgame..i
tconsist
sofmissionsandpoints
andallt
hat
,theni
cepar ti
sthati
tsonli
ne,soyou
pl
aywi t
hanyonearoundtheworldwhor egi
ster
ed
onthegame,anditsl
ive.
i
twasaver
ygoodgame.
.
withjustt
he2ofus,wemanagedt oki
llever
y
personthatcameinourwayandlear
nedverynew
tacti
csofatt
acki
ngandplayi
ngtr
icksonpeople.
.
thi
sguyi sthebestwheni tcomestoplayi
ngtri
cks,
heisli
keme.hel ikesplayi
ngmi ndgames.his
mentalthinki
ngisbasedongamesandi nreall
if
e,
nongamer smaythinkheiscrazy.
j
ustl
ikeme, i
fispeaksomet hi
ngchessrel
atedina
r
eall
ifesit
uati
on,nonchessplayersthi
nki
tsjusta
j
okeorthatiam notthinki
ngstr
aight
.butr
eali
tyis,
t
hesethingsactual
lyrevealal
otabouthowpeople
r
eactandt hi
nk.
ili
kedthi
sguy,her
eal
lyunder
stoodmeandif
eel
li
keiunderst
andhi
mtoo.
af
terpl
ayi
ngf
orawhi
le,
wewont
hegameagai
n..
i
nt hi
sgame,iti
spossibl
etochatonl
inewit
h
whoeveryouwanttochatto,
butofcauseyoumust
acceptt
heirr
equestf
ir
st.
whenwepostedourfi
rstt
agasateam,
al otof
peopl
eonli
netol
dusthatwewontmakeitjustt
he2
ofus.andweprovedt
hem wr
ong.
wehaven'
tpost
edanyt
agaft
erthat,becauset
her
e
wasnotagtopost
.wewer
ejustkicki
ngass.
sonowiam si
tt
ingbackandsmil
ingasiseehow
wewont hi
svi
ctor
y,notal
otofpeopl
eevenmadeit
thi
sfar
.
iwast
heni
nvi
tedt
ochatt
o"Bl
oodsucker
"
iaccept
edandsatbackt
ohearwhathewant
edt
o
say..
"youonly2inthet eam andyoumanagedt ogetto
thisl
evel??youguysmustbet hecr
eatorsofthi
s
game, idontbel
ieveyouwoul dberegularpl
ayer
s."
ichuckledandinvit
ed"Thegeekguy"i
nthechat
,so
itbecameagr oupchat.hesawthemessageand
wast hefi
rstt
or epl
y.
"
iam happythatyouevenseeusast hecreat
orsof
t
hisgame,thatmeanswear eexcept
ional
lygood"
"ar
eyouguysl
ikebr
other
sorbestf
ri
endsor
somethi
ng?
"
iwaswait
ingforananswerfrom "t
hegeekguy"but
hewasntrespondi
ng,yetheclear
lyreadt
he
message.
soit
ookmyshot
.
"wearejustfr
iendswhohappenedt
olovegaming
andcoding,butihappenedt
oli
kehi
ml i
keali
tt
le
brot
her"
"
iam f
lat
ter
ed"
t
hatwashi
srepl
y.ismi
led.
.
"
gee,
youguysar
egr
eat
,keepupt
hef
ir
emyguys"
"
appr
eci
ated"
"
thankyou"
theguylef
tthechatand"
thegeekguy"alsol
eftt
he
chatandsendmeamessagepr ivat
ely.
"
li
tt
lebr
other
??r
eal
ly?
?iwasntawar
e."
"
what
,youwantt
obemywi
fei
nst
ead?
"
"
isi
tpossi
ble?
?"
il
aughedandt
yped.
"
youful
lofj
okeshuh??anyway,
ireal
lyseeyouas
myli
tt
lebr
other
..al
it
tl
ebrot
herineverhad"
"
isi
tthatoryouj
ustwantmet
owor
kforyou?
"
ihadt
oreadt
hatmessagef
orl
ike3t
imes.
"
well
,iwasgoi
ngtogett
othatl
ater
,ri
ghtnowij
ust
wantt
ohavemorefunwit
hyou"
"noneedt
obeataroundthebushtobrushmeinto
worki
ngwithyou.meetmeat########universi
ty
andyoucantellmehowicanhelpyou"
"dayandt
ime?
?"
"Tomor
rowar
ound12:
45"
"owk,
that
'
sadat
e."
hesent".
..
..
..
"andwheneverhesendsthat,
itmeans
hehasnothingmoret
osay, andusual
lyinever
respondt
othat.
isi
ghed
hejustdoesntst
opamazingme.ishet
hatgood
thathewouldevenknowwhataremyint
enti
ons??
ordidhejustguessandigavei
tin?
?
icanthavehi
m knowmeandidontknowhi
m.soi
call
edmyguyt ohavehi
m checkedup.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
Pinkyj
ustarr
ivedanditseemsmygir
lhadalong
daytodaybecauseshewassleepi
ngi
nthecar
whenSam wentt opi
ckherup.
whenshegothereshewentst
rai
ghtt
obed.nof
ood,
nochess,
justwentt
obed..
shemustbet
ir
ed.
af
terawhi
lemyguycal
led.
me:yes.
.
Hi
m:icall
edaboutt
her
epor
toft
heguyyouwer
e
t
alki
ngabout
.
Me:whatdi
dyouf
ind?
?
Him:Ful lnameisKhutsoTayl orMal ati
.heisathir
d
yearstudentat#######Uni versi
ty.hel i
veswit
h
hismot herandfatherand2si bl
ingsat#########.
theoldersibl
ingisagrade10l earnerat
#########andt heyoungersibli
ngi sagr ade6
l
ear nerat##########.hepl aysapi anoatschool
andhei sknownf orhislooksatvar sit
y.heisquiet
reservedpersonanddoesntspeakmuch.
Me:i
nter
est
ing.
Him:that
'
swhatwewer
eabl
etof
indatsucha
shor
ttime.
Me:t
hat
'senought
oknowhi
m.t
hankyou.
Hi
m:sur
esur
e..
ihungupandsmi
led.
.
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
aft
ert
heincidentofthebull
ying,ihavebeenver
y
popul
araroundt heschool
.everybodyknowsmeas
MrsWolfandt heyevenrespectme.
theynowrecogni
zemeandmostevengr eetme
whenpassingme,whichissomet
hingthatnever
happenedwhenifir
stcametoschool
.
someeventri
edtobefr
iendme, butiwasntt
hat
i
nter
ested,
ihaveSandra,andsheisalr
eadyenough
asdramati
cassheis.
wewerewalki
ngtocl
asswheninot
icedKhut
so
t
alki
ngtoLuba.
..
Sandrafol
lowedmyeyesandal sosawt hem,butof
causehereyeswereontheirbeauty,
whileiwas
tr
yingtounderst
andwhatthese2coul dbetal
king
aboutandhowt heykneweachot her
..
Sandra:ohhhhmywor
d,whoi
sthatguywi
th
Khutso??
Me:Luba.
..
Sandra:youknowhim????ahhhhhhhh!soyou
knowsuchhandsomepeopl einyourli
feandyou
dontevenint
roduceyourfr
iend?
?
Me:wenott
hatcl
ose,
hei
scl
oset
oMrWol
f.
.
Sandr
a:youmeanyourhusband?
?
Me:st
opsayi
ngt
hat
..
.
Sandr
a:buti
tst
rue(
speaki
ngt
hroughhert
eet
h)
Me:ihear
dthat
..
shekeptqui
etf
orasec.
.
Sandra:woaaaahhhhhtheylooksohottoget
her.
..
.
i
tslikesummeront opofsummer .i
maginethe
hotness.
..
..act
ual
lyit
'sl
ike2sunsinthesky,
i
maginethesunbur
nwewoul
dget
.itwoul
dbel
ike
500degr
ees.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shekeptcompl
imenti
ngtheirl
ooksandtalki
ng
aboutt
hesunandallthat
..iwasjustwonderi
ng
whytheyweret
ogether.
.
coulditbet
hatLuuaskedLubatogetKhutsoto
prot
ectme? ?i
sthatwhyhestoppedAmof rom
beati
ngmet hefi
rstt
imeandgotworkedupwheni
tr
iedfi
ndingoutwhyhedidthat
??thatcanonly
makesense...
butthenifthatwastrue,thenKhutsowoul
dhave
stoppedAmof r
om beatingmeupt heti
meifellof
f
thestai
rs.
.andofcausewhenicamewi t
hmakeup,
Luuknewi nstantl
ythatiwashidingsomethi
ng,was
i
tbecauseheknewal ready??
buthekeptaski
ngwhodidi
t??washej
ust
pret
endi
ngnottoknow?
?
andal
sothedayiwaseagertof
ightAmoandAmo
di
dntappear
,wasi
tKhutso?
?mabyesentbyLuba
whowassentbyLuu?
al
ltheset
heor
ieswer
edr
ivi
ngmecr
azy,
iwant
edt
o
hi
tmyhead.
t
heyspl
itupandifol
lowedKhut
so.
.Sandr
acame
r
unni
ngafterme.
ir
ant
ohi
m andst
oppedhi
m.
Me:haiKhut
so(
cat
chi
ngmybr
eat
h)
hel
ookedatmeashest
opped.
Me:whatwer
eyout
alki
ngaboutwi
thLuba?
?
Hi
m:excuseme?
?
Me:theguyyouweret
alki
ngt
orightnow,
what
r
elat
iondoyouhavewit
hhim??
Hi
m:andhowdoest
hisi
nvol
veyou?
?
Me:ij
ustwantt
oknow.
.
Hi
m:hei
smyhusband.
.happy?
?
idi
dntknowwhattosay.
.iwasshockedandno
wordswoul
dexplai
nhowshockediwas..
iwassoshockedt
haticoul
dntspeak,
moveoreven
thi
nk.
.
iguessiwast
ryi
ngt
opr
ocesswhathej
ustsai
d..
hesmi
rkedandwal
kedpassedme.
i
twasonl
yaf
terawhi
let
hatimanagedt
omoveand
t
alk.
.
il
ookedbackandhewasl onggone,il
ookedat
Sandr
a..poorgi
rlwasst
il
lshocked.
.
wel
l,sheshoul
dbe,
shej
usthear
dthatherbi
asi
s
dat
ingsomeone.
ibreat
hedandpul
ledSandr
abyherhandsbutshe
didntmove.
.
Me:Sandr
a,l
etsgo,
weget
ti
ngl
ate.
.
Sandr
a:myKhut
soi
staken.
.
Me:iknowthat,
iwasherewhenhehimsel
fsai
d
t
hat,buthecoul
dbejustbei
ngsar
casti
c.
Sandra:hesai
ditwi
thaser
iousf
ace,
hei
sreal
ly
taken.
.
Me:shamepoort
hing.
..l
etsgo,
iwi
llbuyyoui
ce-
cr
eam..
ipul
ledherhandandshewal
kedwi
thmest
il
l
wear
ingt
hef
aceofshockanddi
sappoi
ntment
..
iwasst
illshocked,butit
hinkhewasj
ustbei
ng
sar
cast
ic..ornot??ei
sh..
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
iwasont hecouchlayingonLuu'slapwhilewe
watchedSiya'
scartoons.yephewasseat edvery
quiet
lywatchi
ngcar t
oons.andidareyout ochange
them,hewontcry,buthewi l
lnott
alktoyouf ora
longti
meandont opoft hat,
hewillnoteatordri
nk
water.
.
so,
wel
ethi
m be.
.
iwasstil
lthi
nkingaboutt
hisi
ssueandist
art
ed
wonderi
ngi sishoul
daskLuuornot.
.well
ideci
ded
todoitanyway..
Me:Luu.
.caniaskyousomet
hing.
.
Luu:mhm
Me:huh.
.isLuba.
..
.isLubal
i
ke.
..gay?
?
hel
ookedatmewi
tha"
what
??"l
ookandij
ustknew
hei
swonder
ingwher
ethatcamef
rom.
.
Hi
m:what
??
Me:ohhhNVM.
..
Hi
m:hai
,dontNVM me.
..wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?
Me:well.
..wel
latschool,isawLubawi thoneoft he
guysatschool.iwaswonder i
ngwhyt heywer e
toget
herbecauset hi
sguyhardlyspeakstopeopl e
andheoncehel pedmeagai nstthebull
iesbefore,
soithoughtmabyeyouusedhi mt okeepwat ch
overme..soifoll
owedhimt oaskhi m whatthey
weretal
kingaboutandwhatr elati
ontheyhaveand
heproudlysai
dt hatLubaishishusband..
Luul
ookedatme.
.
Luu:wai
t.
.ther
earesomanythingsgoi
ngoni
n
whatyousaid.
.sothi
sguy,
hisnameis?
Me:Khut
so.
.
Luu:r
ight
..
.Khut
sooncehel
pedyouagai
nst
bul
li
es??
Me:yes.
.
Luu:why?
?doeshel
ikeyou?
?
Me:hel
lno.
..
Luu:ar
eyousur
e??
Me:iam sur
ebecauseeveryt
imeit
rytoaskhim
whyhehelpedme,hebrushesmeoff
,li
kereal
ly
br
ushesmeof f
..
Luu:t
hat
sgood.
.so.
..
..
.
Me:ahhhhhhLuu.
.
ihi
thi
sthi
gh.
.howi
sthi
sgood?
?
Luu:what??ir
atherhavehi
m br
ushyouof
fthen
hi
ml i
kingyou.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m wi
thnowor
ds.
.
Luu:anyway.
.youal
sosawLubaspeaki
ngt
othi
s
Khutsoguy??
Me:mhm.
.
Luu:t
ellmeaboutt
hisguy.
.whatdoeshedo,
what
doeshelike?
?
Me:wel
l,
hepl
ayspi
ano,
andi
fyoudi
stur
bhi
m he
goescr
azy.t
hat
'sal
liknow.
.ineverpayat
tent
ion
tohi
m..
Luu:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..couldLubabeplanni
ng
somethi
ngwi t
houtmeknowi ng??butagai
nwhy
woul
dhepl ansomet hi
ngbehi ndmyback? ?
il
ookedatLuuwhowast
ryi
ngt
ocr
ackapuzzl
e.
eash,
myboomar
a..
hejustmakesmethi
nkofot
herthi
ngsandnowi
s
notthet
ime,wehaveaki
dinthehouse.
.
[
12/28,
12:
46] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
59
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:it
sLuba,
ist
art
ingt
othi
nkhei
spl
ani
ngt
o
bet
rayus.
Joe:Lubawoul
dn'
tdot
hat
.
Me:yout
rustpeopl
esoeasi
lyhuh?
Joe:butwoul
dhedosomethingt
orui
nthi
s
missi
on??healsowant
sSykesdeadj
ustl
ikewedo.
.
Me:t
hatiknow.
.butwhataboutaftert
hemi
ssi
on?
?
yout
hinkhewil
lleavepeacef
ull
y??
Joe:whywoul
dn'
the?
?
Me:hemadei tcl
earthatiam hi senemy,andhe
alsooncesai dt
hathei ssickofhidingandli
vingin
fear,hebeli
evesiam afterhim andthatiwil
lkil
l
him aft
erthemission.sor i
ghtnow, heispl
anning
totakemeoutbef oreido..
Joe:i
sitt
hatdeep?ar
en'
tyoucousi
ns?
Me:ital
lstar
tedwit
hourf at
hers,
andthefamous
quoteofnevertot
rustanyone,
notevenyour
brot
her.
.
Joe:gee,
thi
sisbad.
.
Me:ineedyout
okeepanext
raeyeonhi
m.ihavet
o
knowwhatheisupt
o..
.
Joe:whati
fit
sal
ltr
ue?
?wi
llyouki
llyourown
cousi
n??
Me:i
tsei
therhi
m orme.
..
Joe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
Khut
soandmysel
fagr
eedt
omeetagai
ntoday.
soicameher
etomeethi
m.
iknowt
hepeopl
ewor ki
ngher
esot
heyal
lletmei
n.
wemetatt
hegrounds..
iam wal
kingt
othegr
ounds,
andpassi
ngal
otof
lear
ner
s..
ihateatt
ent
ion,andpeopl
elooki
ngatmel
ike
star
ringi
snotidealf
orme.
igettothegr
oundsandmetKhut
sowhowas
standi
ngther
ealr
eady.
.
it
ookoutmyshades,t
ookmyl
oll
ipopoutofmy
mout
handlookedathi
m..
Me:haveyoubeenwai
ti
ngf
orl
ong?
?
Hi
m:notr
eal
ly.buti
tsbeen10Mi
nut
es.
.
Me:notbad.
.sowhatdoyouhavef
orme?
?
hepassedt
hest
ick.
Hi
m:hopeit
suseful
.hi
sci
rcl
eisr
eal
lyt
ight
.buti
managedt
ogetsomestuf
f.
.
Me:iwi
llchecki
tout
..
Hi
m:gr
eat
,iwi
llheadt
ocl
asst
hen,
seeyouonl
ine.
.
me:seeyouonl
ine.
.
hewal
kedt
ocl
ass.
.
iputonmyshades,suckedonmyl
oll
ipopand
walkedoutt
heschool.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwassit
ti
ngonsomer ockwi
thSandr
awhenisaw
Lubaagainwal
kingaway.
youcould'
veseenhowmuchattenti
onhegrabbed.
.
whatisthi
str
endofgir
lsgoi
ngcrazyover
handsomeguys??
wel
l,
wit
hhi
m al
wayssucki
ngal
oll
ipop,
hemustbe
t
heobvi
ous"
BadBoy"t
ypeofguy.
ij
ustl
ookedatSandr
awhowasal
sol
ooki
ngat
Luba.
.
Me:youcheat
ingonKhut
sonow?
?
shel
ookedatme.
.
Sandr
a:me?
?no,
itsnotcal
ledcheat
ing.
.
me:thenwhati
sit
??youbasi
cal
lydr
ool
ingover
Lubanow..
Sandra:well
,KhutsodidsaythatLubai
shis
husband.sowhat everbel
ongstotheot
her,bel
ongs
totheotherone.sosinceibel
ongtoKhutso,ial
so
bel
ongt oLuba..andidontmind.
Me:ar
eyouowkSandr
a??
Sandr
a:pr
eddymuch.
.
il
aughedather
..
.
*
*Amo*
*
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
!F*
***
*B*
***
*
ahshhshsshhhhhhh
iam somadatmysel
fri
ghtnow.
.butmor
eatt
hat
B**
***.ahhhhhhh
nowlookatme. .theQueenofthi
suni
ver
sit
y,i
snow
thecar
etakerofthisuni
ver
sit
y..
.
me??me? ?cl
eant
oil
etsandal
lthat
?agggggggggi
wi
llsur
elynotl
ett
hisbe.
..
iwasbusystr
uggl
ingongetti
ngast
ainouti
nt he
bat
hroom whenif
eltsomeoneki
ckmesoftl
y..
il
ookedupandi
twasThandiandZoe.
..
Me:aggg,
whatareyouguysdoi
ngher
e??comi
ng
t
omockmeagai n??
Zoe:imustadmi
t,t
hisist
hebestvi
ewever
..but
al
so,wedidwarnyou..
Thandi
:mhm.
.
me:whatever..youguyshavebeensayi
ngt hi
s
si
ncetheincident.iwoul
dappreci
atei
tifyoudont
sayi
tagain..
Zoe:owk.
.howst
hecl
eani
nggoi
ng?
?
Me:doesi
tlookl
ikei
tsgoi
ngwel
l
??
Thandi:l
ooksli
ket
hefl
oori
ssavage.
.it
sref
usi
ngt
o
becleanjustt
opuni
shyou.
Me:mxm.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Me:imaybecl
eani
ngandst
uff
,butiam comi
ng
wi
thaplan.
Zoe:yousti
llhavet
imetobeplanni
ng?
?it
hinkyour
punishmentwasnotenough.
.
Me:B*
**whosesi
dear
eyouon?
?
Zoe:t
hehonestsi
de.
.duhh!
!
Me:wel
lyoucanF*
**outwi
thyourhonestsi
de.
.
Zoe:
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Thandi
:Zoeisnotwrongthough..yousti
llwantt
o
pl
anagainstt
hatgi
rlknowingthatsheisMr sWolf
??
Zoe:t
her
ealone.
.
ir
oll
edmyeyesatbot
hoft
hem.
.
Me:whosai
diwoul
dbet
heonet
oteachhera
l
esson.
.
t
heyl
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
Me:wel
l,l
etsj
ustsay,it
oldal
it
tl
ebi
rdyt
hatt
hatgi
rl
i
smessingwit
hKhut so.
.
Zoe:huh?
?
t
heylookedateachot
herconf
usedandl
ookedat
me.
.
Me:sl
owpokes.
.itol
dKhutso'
sgi
rl
fr
iendt
hat
Boi
tumel
oisaft
erKhutso.
.
t
heyopenedt
hei
rbi
geyesl
ooki
ngatme.
.
Me:what?
??t
hat
'st
hel
easti
coul
ddot
oavenge
mysel
f.
.
Thandi
:ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ogetZi
ntl
eki
ll
ed?
?
Me:shewontbeki
ll
edsi
ll
y..apunchor2wonthur
t.
.
Zoe:Amo,
Zint
lei
savandal
.whati
fshest
absher
..
me:overKhut
so?
?shewoul
dn'
t.
.
t
heyl
ookedatme.
.
Me:t
rustme,
not
hingl
iket
hatwi
llhappen.
.
Zoe:idontl
iket
his.
.
Thandi
:nei
therdoi
..
.
Me:idontcare...t
heonl
yproblem ist
hatsheis
taki
nglongtorespondandtodayi sFr
iday.ireal
ly
wantedtheactiontohappenthisweek..ori
sshe
scaredofher??donttel
lmeshef oundoutthatshe
i
sMr sWol
f..
.
Zoe:ihonest
lyhopeshedi
d..
Me:f
akeB*
**
icont
inuedcl
eani
ng.
.
t
heyst
oodt
her
e..
.
butijusthymnedandstar
tedi
magini
nghow
humbl edthatBoi
tumel
owil
lbewhensheisbeat
en
tothepulp..
andi donthavetotakeanyblame,soifMrWolfhas
tobei nvol
ved,Zi
ntl
eistheonetofacethemusic.
..i
neverlikedheranyways,soguesswhat???
I
WII
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
NNN..
..#MWA
.
*
***
Boi
tumel
o**
**
i
twasaf t
erschoolandtodaywecameoutear
ly
becauseourl
astclasswascancel
ed.
soihadal
readycal
ledSi
phot ol
ethim knowthati
cameoutearl
y.sohewil
lfi
rstpassbySiyathen
cometome.
asiwasout
side,
iwastoldthatsomeonewas
l
ooki
ngformeatthecorneroftheschool
.
ididntthi
nkitwasaproblem,idi
dntt
hinkitwasa
bigthing,
ijustt
houghtmabyeSiphoparkedatthe
cornerbecauseofalotoflear
ner
scomi ngout
.
iwalkedwit
hSandraandasigott
here,t
herewasa
groupofguysandgir
lswai
ti
ngatthecorner
..
il
ookedatt
hem conf
used.
.
oneoft
hem camet
ous.
.
Her
:sowhi
chofyoui
sBoi
tumel
o??
il
ookedather
..
Me:t
hatwoul
dbeme.
.
shethenlookedatmefrom t
het
op,ri
ghttothe
bott
om andbackup..t
henshewalkedaroundme
anal
yzingme..
iwassoconf
used.
.
Her
:sot
hisi
stheB*
***t
hathasbeengoi
ngaf
ter
myman??
idi
dntknowwhatwasgoingon,butistar
ted
thi
nki
ngshewasalsocl
aimingLuu..soichuckl
ed.
.
il
ookedather
..
Her
:it
akei
tit
str
uesi
nceyouevenchuckl
ed.
.
ij
ustl
ookedather
..
Her
:babygi
rl
..di
dntt
heyt
ellyout
hatKhut
soi
s
t
aken??
nowiwast hr
ownoff.
.Khutso?
?whot hehellsai
di
am aft
erKhutso?
?andwhywoul dibeaft
erhim??
dontihaveamanmyself??whatthehel
l??
Me:Khut
so?
?
Her
:youevenhavet
hegutt
osayhi
snamei
nfr
ont
ofme??
idi
dnthavewor
ds,
iwasshocked.
.
seemsl
iket
hiswasnott
heyearf
orme.
.FACTS
shehel
dmebymyshi r
t.andt
hatwasnotwhati
wasgoingt
olethappen.
Me:nowt al
kingaboutyourdearmani sonethi
ng,
butholdi
ngmewi thmycl ot
hing,
that'
sthenext.
.i
suggestyouletgoofme, whil
eiam sti
llcal
m..
shechuckl
ed.
.
Her
:andwhati
fidont
??whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
?
il
ookedather
..
Her
:B*
**isai
dwhatwi
llyoudo?
?
ibr
eat
hedandmovedherhandawayf
rom me.
.
shesmi
ledandt
urnedt
oherf
ri
ends.
.
thenwhensheturnedback,shecamewi t
hafist
,i
sawitandduckedit.t
heniheldherhandandpull
ed
hertomeandkickedherbackandshef el
ldown.
shegotupandcamet
ofi
ghtme.
.
ipunchedher
.shecamebackimovedandshef
ell
.
iki
ckedherst
omachcount
lesst
imesandr
oll
edher
over
..
iwenttoherandasiwentcl
oset
oher
,sherol
led
andfacedupandstabbedmewit
haknif
einmy
stomach.
shelef
tthekni
fei
nmyst
omachandigr
oanedi
n
pai
n..
iwasntseeingcl
earl
ybutseemsl i
kethegi
rlalso
hadbloodonher,ididntknowi fi
twasmybl oodor
something,
butherguyspi ckedherupandcarr i
ed
heri
ntoacarandi tdroveoff..
iwasl
eftt
her
einpai
n..
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasinmyof
fi
cewhenir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om my
guys.
.
Me:mhm.
.
Hi
m:boss.
.Madam wasst
abbed.
.
Me:What
???
[
12/
28,
12:
46] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Khut
so*
*
.
iwasi
nmyr
oom whenigotacal
lfr
om Zi
ntl
e.
ist
oppedwhatiwasdoi
ng,
annoyed,
andanswer
ed.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her
:Khut
so(
cryi
ng)
iwonder
edwhyshewascr
yingandasked.
.
Me:ar
eyoucr
ying?
?
Her
:Khut
soiam sor
ry(
cont
inuecr
ying)
Me:what
??whatar
eyousor
ryabout
??
Her
:Khut
so,
i.
..
..
.i.
..
.iam sor
ry.
.
Me:Zi
ntl
ewhatt
hehel
lar
eyout
alki
ngabout
??
Her
:i.
..
.i.
..il
ostt
hebaby.
..
.
Me:what
??
Her
:iam sor
ryKhut
so.
..
..
.
Me:youaretel
li
ngmet
hatyoul
ostmybaby?
?you
mi
scarri
ed??
Her
:yes.
..iam sor
ryKhut
so.
..
idroppedmyheaddown. .iwasl
ostofwor ds,
energyjustcameoutofmybody,ididntknowwhat
todo..imeanthechil
dwasmyever ythi
ng,myf i
rst
chi
ldandal somyjoy.
.
wit
hinthel
if
eiwasli
ving,ireal
lyhopedforachi
ld
t
obr i
ngli
ghttomyworld.
.andt hensuddenl
yihear
t
hesenews...whodi
dioffend??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her
:Khut
so.
..
..
.Khut
soiam sor
ry.
..
.
Me:wher
ear
eyou?
?
Her
:att
he########hospi
tal
.
Me:owk,
iwi
llbet
her
e..
Her
:mhm.
.
ihungupandbur i
edmyheadi
nmyar
ms.
..whodi
d
ioff
end?
?..il
it
eral
lycr
ied.
.
besi
desZi
ntl
ebei
ngt
hemot
heroft
hechi
ld,
iwas
j
ustexci
tedaboutt hechil
donl y.Zi
ntleandiwere
happybackthen,butlat
elythingswer enevert
he
same.it
riedmyal ltomaket her el
ati
onshi
pwor k
butij
ustcouldntmakei twork..
iwantedt oendtherel
ati
onshi pbutthenshetol
d
met hatshewaspr egnant.thatwaswheniwas
happy,ifoundjoyagain,ifel
linloveagai
n,notwit
h
Zint
le,butwiththechi
ld.
.
butnowthat,t
hatonehappiness,joyi
snott her
e,i
havemovedbackt othedarkclouds.thefeel
ingal
l
cameback..andicouldnthol
dmysel fbutcrymy
eyesout
..
icantbeli
eveihavel
ostt
heonej
oyihadl
ivedf
or.
..
allgone.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iam st
andingnexttoBunny'
sbed.shei
slayi
ng
ther
esti
llunconsci
ous.
.
ihel
dherhandandbrusheditwit
hmine.
.idi
dnt
knowhowtofeel
,ihaveneverbeent
hisweakand
empt
y..
thedoctor sarest i
llwait
ingonsomet est
sand
promisedt otellmei fthereareanydamagesand
howshei s.sof artheysaidtherear
enovisi
ble
damages, buttheywi l
lscantoseeifther
eareno
otherhiddendamagest hatmightcauseapr
oblem
i
nt hefuture..
Me:hangi
nther
ebunny,
youwi l
lbewell
..
.dont
worr
yaboutwhodi
dthi
s,daddywil
lhandl
eit.
af
terawhi
lemyphoner
ang.
.
ipi
ckedi
tup.
.
Me:mhm.
.
Hi
m:wef
oundher
..
Me:wher
eisshe?
?
Him:younott
oof
arf
rom her
..shei
satt
hesame
hospi
tal
.
Me:samehospi
tal
??
Him:yes,f
orsomer
easonsheal
soendedupi
n
hospi
tal
,hernamei
sZint
leMbet
hu
Me:greatthanks.
.it
sti
meir
emindedpeopl
ewhoi
am andthatnoonemesseswit
hwhatbelongst
o
me..
ihungup.
.
it
hencal
ledLuba.
.iam sur
eal
lthi
sshi
tisl
inkedt
o
hi
m..
sothisiswhatheplannedwi
thhi
sboyKhut so??
al
right
..l
etsseewhogoestothei
rgravefi
rst..cant
beli
eveitr
eatedhi
ml ikemyownbrother
,clearly
grandpawasr i
ght
,wecannevertr
ustanyone. .
ical
ledhi
m andheanswer
ed.
Hi
m:Luu.
.what
..
..
..
..
.
Me:(i
nter
rupt
ed)getyour
sel
fatthe########
hospi
tal
.youwil
lfi
ndSiphoatt
hedoor,hewil
lbr
ing
youtome..
ihungup.
iwenttothedoct or
saskingwhereZintl
eMbethu
was.atfi
rsttheydidntwanttoletmeinbecausei
wasntfamily,butaft
erpull
ingstr
ingsigoti
n..
iwal
kedi
nandshel
ookedatme.
.
hahaha( fakel
augh)sothisB**
*getstosti
llbr
eat
h
whil
eBoitumeloisunconsci
ous??Chuckl
es.
.cant
happen.
..
ist
oodnextt
oherbed.
.
Her
:whoar
eyou?
?andwhatdoyouwant
??
Me:whosentyou?
?
Her
:hai
,ishouldbeaski
ngyout
hat
..yout
heonei
n
t
hewrongwar d.
..
Me:iaskedaquest
ion.
..whot
heF*
**sentyout
o
ki
llBoi
tumel
o??
Her
:huh?
?
att
hatmomentt hedooropenedandit
houghti
t
wasLuba,buti
twasnt..
.itwasKhut
so.
.the
messengerbet
weenLubaandhi sgi
rl
fr
iend.
.
hel
ookedatmeandl
ookedatZi
ntl
e..
Khut
so:whati
sgoi
ngonher
e??
Me:ahhhhh,
greatti
ming.nowyou2cant
ellme
whoyouareworkingfor
..
Khut
sol
ookedatme.
.
youcoul dt
ellhewasconfusedandalsodi
dntshow
fear
..it
sbeenawhi l
esinceigotsuchan
expressi
onfrom someone,butt
hen,mabyehe
doesntknowme. .
Khut
so:MrWol
f.
..whatbr
ingsyouher
e??
Me:ohhhh,
soyouknowme?
?
Khut
so:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:wel l
,thenmabyeyoualsoknowt hatidontli
ke
peopl
emessi ngwi
thmybelongings,
especiall
ymy
famil
y..soyou2betterst
artt
alki
ng..
Khut
so:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
??
Me:whotheF* *
*gavetheordert
hatBoi
tumel
o
shoul
dbekil
led??iwantaname..
.
att
hatmoment,t
hedooropenedagai
nandLuba
wasledi
n..hewal
kedi
nwithSipho.
.
Si
phol
ookedatmeandit
oldhi
mtoguar
dthedoor
..
hewal
kedoutandst
oodatt
hedoor
.
i
mmedi
atel
yasSi
phol
eftil
ookedatLuba.
.
hel
ookedar
oundconf
usedandwonder
ing.
.he
mustbegoodwi
thhi
sact
ing.
.
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
t
he3guyswer eal
lfacedtoget
herwi
thZi
ntl
e
wonder
ingandconfusedonwhatwashappeni
ng.
Luu:Luba,
itr
ust
edyou.
.ir
eal
lydi
d..andnowyou
F***
*up..
Luutookhisgunout
,loadeditandpoint
edtoLuba.
.
Zint
lescr
eamed,Khut
sol ookedatLuuandLuba
shockedandwonderi
ngwhatwashappeni ng.
.
asforLuba,hewasntscared,
butr
athershocked,he
wasconfusedast owhatwashappening.f
orhim al
l
oft
hiswasgoi ngsofastt
hathecoul
dntcatchon
whatwasgoi ngon..
helookedatLuustr
aighti
nhiseyes.
.and
somethingcameinhismind.
.
healwaysknewnevertotrustLuuandt
hiswasa
confir
mati
onforhi
mt hati
ndeedLuuwasafterhis
blood.hej
ustdi
dntthi
nkitwouldbethi
searl
y..
hel
ookedatLuu.
..
Luba:t
hisi
sit
??t
hisi
sthet
imeyouchoset
odo
thi
s??
Luu:ichosethet
ime?
?dontF*
**wi
thmeLuba,
you
chosetheti
me..
Luba:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Khut
so:whati
sgoi
ngonher
e..
Luu:youcal
ledt
heshot
,ri
ght
??
Luba:
whatshot
??
Luu:ar
eyoupl
ayi
ngdumb?
?
Luuwasangry,hewasfumi
ng,
hewascer
tai
nthat
i
fLubaconti
nuesplayi
ngmi
ndgames,
hewould
shoothi
m..
Luu:youtol
dthisguyofyour
st okil
lBoit
umel
o,so
hegothisgir
lf
ri
endtodoit.
.isn'
tthatso??
Lubal
ookedatKhut
soandbot
hlookedatZi
ntl
e..
Zi
ntl
ewasi
nahotseat
.shewasshaki
ng.
.
Khut
so:Zi
ntl
eki
ll
edBoi
tumel
o??
Luu:haidontpl
aydumbmahn.
.
Luusai
dthatpoi
nti
ngt
hegunatKhut
so.
.
Zi
ntl
eint
erf
ered.
.shecoul
dntst
andt
het
ensi
on.
.
Zi
ntl
e:IWASN'
TSENTBYANYONE!
!
aft
ershout
ingt
hesewor
dsout
,the3menl
ookedat
her.
Luustil
ldi
dntl
oosefocus,
hemovedbacksothat
hecouldbefarf
rom the2menandtheywoul
dn't
trytogr
abthegunandalsokeptl
ooki
ngatt
hem so
thatnonmakesadumbmove. .
Zintl
e:iwasntsent .
.igotatipthatAmosai dthat
Boitumelowasaf terKhutso..iwentcrazy..iwasnt
preparedt oloseKhut so,soidecidedtofacet his
Boitumelogi rlandaskherwhatwaswhat ..itwas
supposedt obeasi mpl etal
kwher eiscareherand
shebacksof f,butshewasmor edi
ff
icult
..
.wef el
lin
af i
ght..whenshest art
edkickingmyst omachi
knewiwoul dl osemybaby, soiwant edtopr otect
mychi ld..idi
dnthavet hestrengthtogetherof fme,
soit ookoutakni f
eandst abbedher..
Luul
osthi
smind.
.ashewasl
ist
eningtothestor
y,
hewoul
dlowerhi
sgunasher
eali
zedthatitwas
thatAMOgi
rl
sdoi
ngsandi
thadnot
hingt
odowi
th
LubaandKhut
so.
..
hehi
tthewal
landhel
dhi
shead.
.
hewasntt
heonlyoneangry,
Khut
sowasact
ual
ly
moreangr
ythanallt
heguys.
.
hewentt
oZi
ntl
eandl
ookedather
..
t
hensuddenl
yhechokedher
..
Zi
ntl
estr
uggl
edtobr
eath,sheki
ckedandtri
edt
o
pul
lKhut
so'
shandoffherneckbutshecoul
dnt
..
Khut
sowasinitt
oki
ll.
.
Khut
so'
svei
nsstart
edpoppi
ngandLubanot
iced
t
hathei
saimingtokil
l.
.
her
ant
oKhut
soandt
ri
edt
opul
lhi
m back.
.
Luba:
Khut
so,
youki
ll
inghermahn.
.
Khutso:sheputmychi l
dindangerj
ustbecauseof
arumort hatwasnteventr
ue.
.anditl
eadtomy
chi
lddying..sowhymustshelive.
.
hesai
dthi
sst
il
lchoki
ngher
..
Luuwasj
ustl
ooki
ngatLubat
ryi
ngt
opul
lKhut
so
awayfr
om Zintl
eandZint
lestr
uggl
ingtobr
eath.
.he
di
dntr
eact,i
twaslikehi
sheadwasf i
ll
edwit
halot
andhedidntknowwhattofocuson..
Lubamanagedt
opul
ledKhut
soof
fZi
ntl
eandZi
ntl
e
coughed.
.
Khut
so:l
eavemeal
onemahn,
letmeki
llt
hisB*
**.
Luba:Khut
soyounott
hinki
ngst
rai
ght
,youar
e
angry.
..
Khutso:F*
**angermahn.sheki
ll
edmychi
ld.
.over
what??huh??overwhat
??areyouamur
derernow??
F**
*answermeB* *
**
Zint
lewast
her
ecoughi
ngandcr
yingwi
thnowor
ds
tosay.
.
Khutso:(
heavybreat
hing)idontshar
eal
if
ewi
th
murderer
s..i
tsoverZi
ntle.
.
Zi
ntl
e:Khut
so!
!
Khut
so:dontF*
**cal
lmyname.
..
Zi
ntl
e:Pl
ease!
!
Khut
so:MrWol
f.
..
.shemessedwi
thyourgi
rl
,not
me..sot hi
sdoesntinvol
veme..dowhateveryou
want..butifyouwantanadvi
cef r
om me..iwoul
d
saykillt
heB* **
.
hewalkedoutthehospi
talandsl
ammedt hedoor
cl
osed..Lubahel
dthedoorandlookedatLuu.
.
Luba:
somuchf
ort
rust
..
.
heal
sogotoutandsl
ammedt
hedoor
..
Luuwasl
eftal
one.
.
hepl
ayedwi
thhi
sgunar
oundashel
ookedat
Zi
ntl
e..
hepul
ledachai
randsatnextt
oherbed.
..
hel
ookedather
..
Me:youst abbedmygi r
l.
..isuspectedmyown
cousi
nandpoi ntedhim withagun...doyouknow
howhur t
fuliti
st obepointedwi thagunby
someonewhosayst heyloveyou? ?idi
dthat
..idi
d
thatt
omyver yowncousi n..onlytofi
ndoutthat
youfoll
owedar umor..ohhwhatshoul didotoyou
now..
.
shel
ookedatLuuasshecont
inuedcr
yingand
apol
ogi
zing.
.
Luusatbackandt
ookouthi
sphone.
.
hemadeacal
l.
.
Luu:gett
hestufft
othehospi
tal.
.someonewant
s
tobeapotat
of orl
if
e..
shecri
edevenharderaf
terhear
ingt
hisandbegged
forf
orgi
veness.
.
Luutoldhert hathewoul dbehereli
steni
ngtoher
begtil
lthetimecomesandnodoct orwil
lcome
becausehi sguysar eguardi
ng..
.andalsothe
scheduleofdoct orssaysthatt
heywoul dcheckup
onherar ound18: 00,Luuwouldbedonebyt hat
ti
me..
[
12/
28,
12:
46] :60
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
iwasinmyof ficeworki
ng,asalways.ihaven'
thad
thegutofactuall
yspeaki
ngt oLubaaboutwhat
happened,ij
ustdecidedtolethi
m cooloffand
whenhei
scool
edof
f,iwoul
dspeakt
ohi
m..
iregretnotfi
ndinginfor
mationbef
oreacting,
i
should'vegott
entheinformati
onfi
rst
.butbecausei
hadal r
eadyknowst hatLubaismeeti
ngt hatboy
withouttel
li
ngus, it
houghtthatwashisplan.
.
anyway,damagedone,
allihavet
odoi
str
yandf
ind
asolut
ion.
updateonBunny?wellsheisdoingowk, butitwas
foundoutthatshewoul
dhavecompl i
cati
ons
shouldshedecidedt
ocarryachild.
..t
hatmademe
angry.i
tri
ppedmyheartapart
..butwor seithurt
her.
.
aft
erf i
ndi
ngt hatout
,shehasbeenver
yqui
et,she
hardlytal
ks,
shehar dl
ylaughs,
andsheisj
ustthat
person..i
tsl
ikesheisdying.
.
wheneveritr
ytospeaktoheraboutt
his,she
changedthesubj
ect.
.shedoesntwanttoheari
t.
.
ofcauset
hatworri
esmeandbecauseihave
nothi
ngel
setodothentowork,
istar
tedpi
li
ng
myselfwi
thwor
kt okeepmymindbusybecause
thi
nki
ngaboutt
his,makesmecrazyandonceiget
angr
y,ij
ustdeci
dedont
hingst
hatki
llpeopl
e..
asiwaswor
king,someoneknockedandwal
kedi
n..
i
twasLubawithhisl
oll
ipop.
.
hedidntcomeinthrowi
ngwordsatmel i
keheused
to,
hedidntevencomebeingsarcast
ic,
youcoul
d
tel
lhehadadiffer
entener
gytoday.
.
hewal
kedt
omeandputaUSBst
ickonmyt
abl
e..
Him:wit
hthi
s,wecanmoveinwithSykes,
hei
s
aboutt
omakehismove,t
hiswi
llgiveusti
met
o
pl
anourmove..
il
ookedathi
m..
hewasseri
ous,
onlyfocusedonwor
k..ihavenever
seent
hissi
debefor
e..
Me:owk.
.iwi
llgetri
ghtoni
t.
.wewi
llmeetagai
nto
di
scusst
hepl
an. .
Him:ohhhandsinceyoualreadymetKhut so,heis
theguyif
oundfortheITjob..heisthebestgamer
andcomputergeek.hegrewar oundthem,sohei s
ablet
ospeaktheirl
anguage.takecareofhim, i
t
tookmealottomakesur ehei scomfort
ableand
t
hathei
swi
ll
ing.
.
Me:Luba.
.youdoknowt
hatweneedt
otal
kri
ght
??
Hi
m:am ir
appi
ngr
ightnow?
?
Me:imeantwi
thwhathappened.
.
Him:noneedf orthat.
.it
swat erundert
hebri
dge.
.
l
etsjustfocusont hi
smi ssi
on,getdoneandgoour
separat
eways, owk?
Me:Luba,
iam sor
ry.
.
Him:dontsayt
hatitswei
rd.
..anyway,everyacti
on
reveal
swhatwethinkorhowwet rul
yf eel
.i
underst
andver
yclear,
noneedt oactittwi
ce..
het
henwal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
isi
ghedandl
ookedatt
hest
ick.
.
it
ookthel
apt
opthatihadboughtt
heot
hert
ime
andputt
hest
icki
nthere.
.
thest
ickhadallhi
sfut
urepl
ansandamapof
whereandhowhi smenarearr
anged.
.il
ookedati
t
andeveryt
hingmadesense.
.
sohi
m vi
sit
inghi
m atschoolwast
oaskhi
mtohel
p
usi
nthi
smi
ssi
on?
?
isi
ghedagai
n..
.
.
*
*Amo*
*
iwasatschoolwhenihear
dwhathappenedt
o
Zi
ntl
e..
apparent
lyshelostherchil
dbecauseoft
hef i
ght
andnotonlythat,butshegotoutt
hehospit
al
paral
yzedbecauseshet ooksomedrugs.
.
i
tissaidthatshemust 'vebeent oosadthatshe
tr
iedtokil
lherselfbydrinkingsomeliqui
ddr ugbut
unfor
tunatelyshedidntdiebutgotpar al
yzed.now
herwholerightsidedoesntwor k.sheisnowa
potat
othatwal ksaroundi nawheelchair,shecant
doanything..
.
ial
sohear
dt hatshebr
okeupwi
thKhut
sobecause
oft
hechil
d..
nowBoitumel
owasal
sost
abbedandi
snowatt
he
hospi
tal
..
ir
eal
lydi
dntwantt
hist
oendupl
iket
his.
.
ij
ustthoughti
twouldbejustaf
ightandt
hatwoul
d
beit
..buti
tgotoutofhands.
.
andal
lthatwasbecauseofme?
?
iwassit
ti
ngont
hebenchwhenZoeandThandi
passedby.
.
il
ookedatt
hem andwentt
othem.
.
me:guys!
!
t
heyl
ookedatmeandj
ustcont
inuedwal
king.
.
Me:guys,
hao.
.
Zoe:sor
ry,
doweknowyou?
?
Thandi
:yah,
li
kedoweknoweachot
her
??
ilookedatthem conf
used.
.il
ookedbackand
lookedatthem..
me:Thando,
Zoe,
itsme.
.Amo.
.
Zoe:Amo? ?t
heonet hatki
ll
edZint
le'
schildand
causedforhert
obr eakupwithKhutsoandalsogot
herparal
yzedbecauseshetriedt
okillhersel
f??
Thandi
:orAmo,
theonet
hatgotBoi
tumel
oin
tr
oubl
eandcausedhert
obest
abbedandnow
hospi
tal
ized?
?
idi
dnthavenowor
ds.
.al
lthosewor
dswer
ereal
ly
awful
..
Me:iam sor
ryguys,
iknowiwaswrong.
.ij
ust
nevert
houghti
twouldgosofar
..
Thandi:Zi
ntl
eisaVandal
,ofcauseshewoul
dgo
crazywhenmessedwith.
.andBoitumel
oisa
chall
enger,
youknowthat
..
.soyoudamnknew
whatisforwhat.
.
Zoe:iwoul
dconsideryouluckyi
fKhutsoorMrWolf
dontcomeafteryou.
.becauseiam sur
e,Zi
ntl
etol
d
them whyshedidwhatshedid..
idi
dntknowwhatt
osay.
.
t
heyturnedawayandconti
nuedwal
kingaway.
.i
waslef
tther
estandi
ngalonewit
hmyownact i
ons
t
oblame..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
i
twasnowaf
terschoolandmydaywasj
ustnot
l
ikeanyotherday.
.iwasal
lal
one,
andfulloff
ear
aft
erhear
ingthatKhut
soorMrWolfcoul
dbeaf t
er
me..
it
ri
edtoforgetandnott
hinkabouti
t,butiwas
al
waysjustinfear
..
asiwaswal ki
ngoutthegateandonmywaytothe
busstat
ion,someonecoveredmymouthandnose
withaclot
handlatermademef al
lweakandmy
eyesgaveupandif ai
nted.
.
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
Khut
sodr
aggedAmoi
nacaranddr
ovet
hecart
o
anol
dbui
ldi
ng.
.
het
ookKhutsoint
her
eandtiedheruponaround
wal
lthatwasi
nthemiddl
eofthebui
ldi
ng.
.
hemadesur
etot
iehert
ight
..
meanwhil
eLuu'
smenwerealsof
oll
owi
ngAmo
si
ncetheywer
ealsot
oldt
otakeAmotosome
pl
ace.
.
t
hement
oldLuuaboutt
hisandLuuor
der
edt
hem
t
ofol
lowKhut
so.
.
whent heysawwhathewasdoi ng,theycal
ledLuu
andhewasr at
herimpressedt
hatKhutsowasalso
teachi
ngsomel essonsonpeoplewhomesswi th
hisbel
ongings,meaninghischi
ld.
..
Luuwantedtoseet
hishi
mself
,sohecameto
whereKhutsowasandhi
dhimsel
fbutl
ooki
ngfr
om
adist
ance.
.
Khut
sothentooksomewaterandpour
edonAmo
andri
ppedAmo'sclot
hingl
eavi
ngherwit
hhervest
andpants.
ashewai t
edforhert
owakeupf r
om thepassi
ng
l
iquid,hewenttogetthecaranddr ovei
tinthe
buil
ding..i
tcouldonl
yentert
il
ltheouterroom,so
hecoul dntgett
hebatter
ycloset oAmo..
Luu:needanyhel
p??
Khut
sol
ookedupandi
twasLuu.
.
Khut
sot
ookouthi
shatandl
ookedathi
m..
Khut
so:howdi
dyouknowiwasher
e??
Luu:i
haveeyesever
ywher
e,ial
sowant
edhert
o
puni
shherf
orcreat
ingal
loft
hisl
eadi
ngt
omygi
rl
bei
ngst
abbed.
.
Khut
so:hade!
Luu:i
tsnotyourf
aul
t.
.andiunder
standyouranger
ri
ghtnow..l
oosi
ngachil
dispai
nful
..
.Hade!
Khut
sosmi
rkedatLuuandLuusmi
rkedback.
.
Luu:so,
needhel
p??
Khut
so:i
tmightbemor
efun.imeandoubl
e
puni
shment
..
Luugothi
smenandt
heymanagedt
ogett
hings
done.
.
t
hebat
ter
yreachedAmoandt
heyputt
hewi
reson
Amo'
swri
st.
.
t
heyconnect
edt
hewi
redwi
tht
hebat
ter
y..
aft
ertheywer
edone,t
heyl
ookedateachot
herand
bothsatdownwai
ti
ng..
af
terawhi
leAmowokeup.
.
shedi
dntknowwher
eshewas.
.shelookedaround
andwhenshesawKhut
soandLuu,shefl
ippedup.
.
shet
ri
edmovingawaybutr
eali
zedthatsheisti
ed
upandal
soshehadsomesteelonherwrist
..
Luu:Mor
ningsweet
hear
t.
.wemeetagai
n..
shel
ookedatLuuaf
rai
d..
Khut
soj
ustl
ookedather
..
Amo:what
..
..
.whati
sgoi
ngon?
?
Luu:youar eapieceofwor daren'tyou??imustsay
youar eal overoflies.
.youshouldbef eatur
edon
preddyl i
ttl
elier
s..youfitwel
l.
.justthatyouarea
realversion,idontknowi ft
heyar etoo..
Amo:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Khut
so:ihaveasadst
ory.
.mychi
ldpassedaway.
.
Luu:ohhh,
condol
encesmyl
i
ttl
ebr
other
..
Khutso:t
hankyoubi
gbr
other
..
..now,
iam al
one.
.
poormer i
ght
?
Amoj
ustsatt
her
eal
readyt
ear
ingup.
.
Khut
so:sobecausehei sal one,
imeanhehasno
fami
lyther
e, ideci
dedtoletyougoandst aywit
h
him.
.isn'
tthatthought
fulofme? ?ichoseyououtof
ever
yone,
ichoseyou.
.youmustbespeci
al.
.
Luukeptnoddinghisheadandmakingfunnyfaci
al
expr
essi
onsliketheywereact
ingorsomethi
ng..
Khut
so:soformyspeci
all
ady,
ihavesomet
hing
funf
oryou.
.
Khutsor
aisedhi
shandandoneofLuu' smen
st
artedt
hecarandasthecarheatedthebat
ter
ygot
hotandAmowaselectr
icshocked..
.
shescr
eamedoutofpai
n..
t
hent
heyst
opped.
.
Khut
so:t
hat
'sagr
eatsur
pri
ser
ight
??oneoft
he
best
..
Luu:i
dontt
hinkshegott
oful
lyenj
oyi
t.
.
Luurai
sedherhandandagaint
hecarst
art
edAmo
gotel
ectr
icshockedagai
n..
i
twentonandonandonf
oral
ongt
ime.
..
Amowoul daskf
orf
orgi
venessandnot
hingwoul
d
happen.
.
unt
ilKhut
soandLuudeci
dedt
obr
ingabot
tl
eof
whi
skey.
.
theyst
art
eddri
nkingt
oget
herastheywouldgoon
andoffonchoki
ngAmowi t
helect
ri
cit
y..
whentheywerenowt i
psy,Khut sotookLuu'sbel
t
andheldi
tonthesidethatdidnthaveast eel.
.he
beatAmoandbeatAmot i
llshecoul dntcr
y
anymore.
.whenKhutsowast i
red,Luualsotookthe
bel
tandhitherhar
d..
Amowasnowfi
ll
edwithfl
oodanddi
dnthaveany
ener
gyt
oevenj
ustbr
eath.
..
Khut
sot
henbur
nedcoalt
henmadeAmoswal
low
i
t.
.
Amoscr
eamedt
il
lshecoul
dntscr
eam.
.
shet
henl
aidbackandj
ustgavei
n..
shewasntdead,shewasst
il
lbr
eat
hingbutl
if
ein
herwasnomor e.
.
[
12/
28,12:
46] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
MOGANOTHORISO)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
i
twasr eal
lyl
ateatni
ghtandiwasathomej
ust
chi
ll
ing.Pi
nkyjustwentt
osleep.
.
ipl
ayedsomemusicandlai
dbackjustr
evi
ewi
ngon
mylif
eandwonder
ingifiwashappy.
aft
erafewmi
nut
es,ihear
dsomenoi
seandpeopl
e
bangi
ngmydoor
..
.
whot
heF*
*ar
ethesepeopl
epl
ayi
ngonmydoor
???
iwentandopenedthedoor
..i
twasthesepunks.
.
LuuandKhutso.
.theyl
ookedwast
ed..
theywer eholdi
ngeachot
herforsupportsothey
wouldn'tfal
landhadabott
leofwhiskeytal
king
gibber
ish..
Me:whatt
he.
..
..
..
..
..
??
theyst
art
edmumbl i
ngaboutjoy,r
evengeandi t
seemedtheyweregett
ingal
ongpreddywel l
..owk,
whatoneart
hdidimiss??di
dt i
mepassf astwhilei
wassl
eepi
ng?
?
theymadet hei
rwayinmyhouseandwentstr
aight
tot hecouchandcont
inuedt
alki
ngl
aughi
ngand
drinking.
.
ishookmyheadandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
iwentt
oreachf
ormyphone.
.
idi
aledJoe.
.
Joe:Luba?
Me:haimahn,
yourbossisheremakinganoi
se
accompani
edwit
hKhutso..di
dimissati
meli
ne
here?
?
Joe:ohh,aboutthat,
iaskedwhytheguyscame
backwithouthim andtheysai
dtheywant edt
oget
offatyourplace.
.seemsLuuwant edtotalkt
oyou.
.
buttheysaidhewasamessanddr unk.
Me:*si
gh*well,
mychi
ldissl
eepi
ng,
theymaki
nga
noi
se,ali
tt
lehel
ppl
ease.
.
Joe:(
chuckl
ed)iwi
llbet
her
einami
nut
e..
ihungupandl
ookedatt
hem.
.
Luu:Luba,li
sten.
.lam yourbi
gbrother.
.owk??i
dontcareifyoudontseemeasabr other,
butiam
yourbrotherandiwouldneverhurtyou,andimean
never.iwil
lalwayspr
otectyou.
.
ichuckl
edasil
ookedathi
m..
Khut
so:sinceyouguysar
ebr
other
s,whatam i
???
hi
swife?
?
aft
ersayingthatt
heyl
aughed.
.ij
ustl
ookedatt
hem
andsmiled..
.
Khut
so:baby!
!
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Khut
so:baby!
!for
givebr
otheri
nlaw.
.her
eal
ly
l
ovesyou..
Me:i
fyoucal
lmebabyonemor
eti
me,
iwi
llki
llyou.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
..
theydrankanditookt
hei
rbot
tl
efr
om t
hem and
placeditasi
de.
.
Me:nodr
inki
ngi
nmyhouse,
ther
eisachi
ld
r
emember??
t
heysobbed.
.
aft
erawhil
easpromi
sed,
Joear
rived.
..hewasas
shockedt
oseeLuuandKhut
sol
ikethi
s..
Joe:iknewt
hatt
heywer
emessedup,
butij
ust
di
dntknowitwassomuch.
.
ishookmyhead.
.
Me:whathappened?
?howdi
dtheyendup
t
ogether
??
Joe:Amo.
.
Me:huh?
?
Joe:KhutsoandLuuwer etargeti
ngAmoatt he
samet i
me, butdidntknow..KhutsogotAmof i
rst
andtookhert osomebui ldi
ng..heplannedtoshock
herwithelect
rici
tybuthecoul dntgett
hecarclose
toconnectittothecarbat t
erysothatitcangetto
whereAmowast ied,
soLuuhavi nghimf ol
lowed
l
ikedtheideaandvol unteeredtohelp.
.
Me:sobot
hoft
hem wer
etor
tur
ingAmo?
?
Joe:yes.
.theyshockedhersomanyt
imesasthey
weregett
ingdrunkandKhutsoher
eevengaveAmo
aspecialmeal.
.andt
hatmealwi
llbet
hemealshe
wi
llneverfor
get.
.
Me:whatmeal
??
Joe:coal
.
Me:whatt
heF*
***
??i
shet
hathar
dcor
e??
Joe:iwassurprisedtoo..buticanunderstandhi
s
pai
n..helostachild,hi
sj oy,
hishope,hi
sdr eam,so
hewasr eal
lyangr y.
.asforLuu,hehaslitt
lechance
ofbeingafathernow. .
Me:what
??Boi
tumel
owonthaveki
dsanymor
e??
Joe:wellshecan, butherchancesaresmal l
..she
wil
l(forsure)havecompl i
cati
onsduringpregnancy,
soshemi ghtmiscarr
y,shemi ghtl
osethechi l
din
chil
dbirt
horshemi ghtdi
e..sothat
'sbasi
cally
ri
skingyourlif
e..
Me:sobasicall
yifshegetspr
egnant,shewontbe
happybecauseshewi l
lknowthatei
therthechi
ldor
shewil
ldie??
Joe:yah.
.andther
eischancet
hattheymaybot
h
l
ive,butt
hechanceisr
are.
.welooki
ngat3%
il
ookedatLuul
aughi
ngandhavi
ngf
unwi
th
Khut
so..t
henir
ememberedSi
ya.
.
me:hai
..
.ifLuuishere,
andBoii
satt
hehospi
tal
,
whoiskeepingSiya?
?
Joe:ourmenar
ewi
thhi
m..
Me:doesnthef
earal
one?
Joe:f
ear?
?aslongashewatcheshi
scar
toons,
he
wontevennot
icet
hatLuuandBoiar
enothome..
Me:thi
sD**headisst
upi
d..howdoyoul
eavea
chi
ldal
oneli
kethat
???
Joe:iguesshismindi srunningaround,
hecant
thi
nkstrai
ghtandforanyone. .ormabyehedoesnt
wantSiyaseeinghim drunk..hehardl
ygetsdrunk.
.i
meanhedr inks,
yes..buthehar dl
ygetsdrunk.
.
Me:*
sigh*
wel
ookedatt
hem.
.
Me:dontyout
hinkyouguysshoul
dsl
eep?
?you
maki
ngnoise.
.
Khut
so:sl
eep,
yes.
.Sl
eep.
.
ashesai
dthat
,hel
ayr
ightt
her
e..
ishookmyhead.
.Luual
sol
ayt
her
e..
il
ett
hem beandJoeandipl
ayedsomechess.
.
Joe:woaw,
yougood.
.
me:iam notgood.
.iam apr
o..
hel
aughed.
.
Me:iam sur
eifyouplaywi
thmydaught
er,
she
mi
ghtalsowinyou..
Joe:well
,il
astpl
ayedchesswheniwasayoung
boy..
.ial
wayslost
.
wel
aughed.
.
Joe:soyout
aughtherhowt
opl
aychess?
?
Me:mhm. .iwantedhertobesmar t
,tothink
dif
ferentandnott hi
nkgeneral
ly..al
so,givent heli
fe
il
ive,iwantedhert obeabletotellt
hei nt
entionsof
otherpeople,t
hatwayshecanal wayspr otecther
self
..andwhenshei severki
dnappedorsomet hi
ng,
shewi l
lbeabletonotpani candnotf ear,shewi l
lbe
calm andbeabl etofocusonst udyi
ngever ymen
sheseesandbeabl
etot el
lwhatt
heyarethi
nking.
.
i
nt hatway,
shemaybeabletotel
lmeincoding
wheresheiswhenipr
etendtowanttoseeifsheis
al
ive..
Joe:t
hat
'scl
ever
..
Me:iknow.
..butial
waysf
eart
hatal
lmyt
eachi
ngs
mayneverstopagun..
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:imayseem l
ikeat
oughperson,butiam weak
whenitcomest
omydaughter,
ifallweakand
st
upid.
..
Joe:that
'st
hefeel
ingLuuhadwhenhef oundout
thatBoit
umelowasstabbed.
.that'
swhyheacted
stupi
dbyaccusingyouandpoi nt
ingyouwitha
gun..
.
Me:(
chuckl
ed)yout
hinkidontknowt
hat
??
Joe:t
henwhywer
eyouangr
yathi
m??
Me:Joe..
..whenLuuassur edmethathelovedme
l
ikeali
tt
lebrother,
ibeli
evedhim.
.itr
ustedhim,i
f
elli
nthet r
ap.
..itf
eltgood,i
twasl
ikethefeel
ingi
hadwhenmydadwasst i
llar
ound.butididntwant
toshowhi mt hat..that'
swhyikeptt el
li
nghimt hati
wouldki llhim af t
ert hemission.iwantedtohide
howiwasf eeli
ng.sowhenisawt hathedidnteven
givemet hebenef itofthedoubtwhent his
happened, hedi dnteveni nvesti
gate.
.hedidnteven
trytoatleastask. .buthej ustpointedagunatme
andt hatf ormewasacl earli
nethatLuudoesnt
real
lybel ieveinwhathesays. .
.becauseifher eall
y
knewmeandl ovedmeashesai dhedi d.
.hewoul d
haveat l
eastgot tenhi sment ofindoutwhat
actuall
yhappened. .butno, iwashisfir
stsuspect ,
notevenSykeswasasuspect ,butme...*
*sigh* *
il
ookedatLuuwhowasasl
eepont
hecoach.
.
Me:i
tjusthi
tsdi
ff
erent
..
Joe:*
*sigh*
*iunder
standnow.
.butihopeyou
under
standhimtoo.
.
Me:yah. .butnowihavemydaught ert
olookaft
er.
..
ificanjustgetSykesoutthewayitisal
liwantand
iwillbefreeofwatchi
ngmybackandmydaught er
socar ef
ully.
.mabyethenshemightevenbehappy
tostar
tpl
ayi
ngchessatschoolandgr
abal
lthe
att
enti
onshewant
s..
Joesmi
led.
.
Me:hai,
letsst
opwit
hthi
semot
ionalst
uffmen.
wanttoplayagame??
Joe:sur
e..iam amast
eratt
hat
..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?let
stesti
tout
..
Joe:sur
e..
weheadedtomycomput
erandipl
uggedt
he
cont
rol
ler
s..
wepl
ayed.
.
damni twasablast
, Joewasact
uall
ygood..l
ike
real
lygood.
.eventhoughhewasntbett
erthen
myselfandKhutso,buthewasalsoacompetitor
..
andhekeptonsayi
ngthereasoni
sbecausehe
hasn'
tpl
ayedi
tforawhil
e..
well
,LuuandKhut
so,
theywer
esl
eepi
ngont
he
couch.
.
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
Me:Saubonama!(
goodaf
ter
noonma)
Gr
anny:hao,
mychi
ld,
goodaf
ter
noon.
.
Me:doyouneedhel
pma!
Gr
anny:hai
,dontwor
rymychi
ld,
icancar
ryi
t.
.
Me:i
tsowkma,
idontmi
nd.
.
Granny:r
eal
lymychi
ld??butyoul
ookl
ikeyouon
yourwaytogetwat
er.
.
Me:icanalwayscomebackt ogetwater
,iam st
il
l
youngandfresh,butgr
annyi
sold,sur
elyshewil
l
getti
redofcari
ngsuchaheavybucketand
granny'
sbonescanthandlei
t.
.
Gr
anny:ohht
hankyoumychi
ld,
thankyouver
y
much.
it
ookt
hebucketf
rom Gr
anny.
.
ihel
pedhercar
ryt
hebuckett
owher
eshel
ives.
.
af
tert
aki
ngi
tforher
,ir
etur
nedbackr
unni
ngt
ogo
andgetwat
er.
.
af
terget
ti
ngwat
ericamewenthome.
iar
ri
vedandf
oundmyauntwai
ti
ngout
side.
.
igothome.
.
Aunt:hai
,wherehaveyoubeen?
?doesittakeyou
for
evertofet
chwaternow?usuyaj
ola?
?(areyou
dati
ngnow)
idi
dntdaresayaword.
.ij
ustst
oodt
her
ewi
tht
he
waterbucketonmyhead.
.
Aunt
:myki
dsar
ethi
rst
ywenayout
aki
ngyourt
ime.
.
iwi
ll
..
iclosedmyeyesassheai
medt
ohi
tmebutshe
didnt.
.
shejustpul
ledmet
ogoinsi
deandsomewat
erf
ell
outandpouredonme.
.
ij
ustkeptqui
etandwal
kedi
nthehouse.
.
iputt
hebucketont
hecount
er.
Aunt
:sinceyoutooksol
onginf
etchi
ngt
hewater
,
youwil
lbathSne.makesur
eyoufeedmyki
dsandi
dontwantcompl
ains.
.
shesai
dthatopeni
ngherumbr
ell
aandl
eavi
ng.
.
isi
ghed.
.
Mpil
o:si
si,
umamauyaphi(
sist
er,
wher
eismama
goi
ng?)
Me:shewi
llbebacknowowk?
shenoddedherhead.
.
Sne:ndo!Ndo!manzi
..
.manzi
..
.
Snecall
esmeNdoi nst
eadofNt ando,
shest
ruggl
es
sayi
ngNta..shewaspoint
ingatmesayingManzi
,
shewasindicat
ingt
hatiwaswetandishould
change.
.hahahaha.
.
me:ohhh,yes.
.Nt
andogotwetf
etchi
ngwat
er.
.buti
wi
llchangeowk?
shenodded.
.
Me:owk,l
etmegetwatertobat
hyouf
ir
st,
youmust
smel
lfr
eshtohaveyourfoodowk?
t
heycheer
ed.
.
it
hentooksomeherbstoboi
lforSamu.hehas
beensi
ckforawhil
enowandhei sn'
tget
ti
ngbett
er.
.
heisonl
y9yearsol
d..
af
tert
heher
bsboi
led,
itooksomet
ohi
m..
helikesreadi
ngandeversincehegotsick,hejust
readsbooksandever yweekigethi
m newbooksat
thelibr
ary.
.isometimesreadwit
hhim,somet i
mes
hewant storeadforme,theniendupsleepingin
hisroom nexttohisbed.
iknockedandwal
kedi
n..hewasr
eadi
ngagai
n..
Me:al
readyawake?
?
Samu:icouldntgett
ofini
shtheint
erest
ingpar
t
yester
daybecauseifel
lasl
eep,soiwokeupearly
todaytof
ini
shit.
.
Me:hahaha,
owk.
.ti
mef
oryout
otakeyourher
b
dr
ink.
.
Samu:yak!
!
il
aughedandgavei
ttohi
m..
hedrankitfini
shedashepull
edhisfaceandif
ound
myselfpull
ingmyf acel
ikehi
m asiwatchedhi
m..
Samu:ahhhhh!
!fi
nished.
.
me:gr
eat
..youwi
llgetbet
teri
nnot
ime.
.
Samu:i
smom goneagai
n??
Me:mhm.
.
Samu:shei
sfor
everl
eavi
ng.
.
me:shehast
owor
ktobr
ingf
oodi
nthehouse,
r
emember??
Samu:mhm.
.
ismi
led.
.
Me:l
etmegomakebr
eakf
ast
,anyt
hingspeci
fi
cyou
want
??
Samu:anyt
hingyoumakeil
ike.
.
Me:owk.
.iwi
llmakef
rogsoup.
.
Samu:ahhhhhh!
!no,
no,
no.
.
Me:hahahahahayousai
danyt
hingimakeyouwi
ll
eat
..
Samu:younevermakef
rogsoup.
..doesi
teven
exi
st?
?
Me:hahahahai
twi
llnow.
.pl
usisawabi
gfr
ognext
door
..
Samu:si
siNt
ando!
!
il
aughedhar
d..
.
Me:iam j
oki
ngrel
ax.
.hahahahaiwi
llmake
somethi
ngni
ce.
.
hesmi
led.
.
iwal
kedoutl
eavi
nghi
mtor
eadhi
sbook.
[
12/28,
12:
49] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NATASHAALI
MESTEMELA)
.
61
.
*
**Sykes*
**
Me:i
tsbeenalongt
imenow,
ithi
nkweshoul
d
cl
oseinonhi
m. .
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)t
heywi
llnotknowwhathi
tthem.i
am sur
etheywi
llbenotexpect
ingt
his.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.what
sthef
ir
stst
epsi
r??
Me:yousai
dhehadasonandagi
rll
ivi
ngwi
thhi
m??
wel
l,t
hat
'seasy,
gett
hem.
.
Me:yessi
r.
.
heleftt
oletot
her
sknowasismi
ledandsatback
si
ppingonmywhi skey.
year
sdownt
hel
ine,
andf
inal
lyiwi
llgai
nmypl
ace
agai
n.
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
thetr
ackermadeagreenl
ightwhi
chi
ndi
cat
edt
hat
peopl
einSykesci
rcl
eweremakingamove.
.
Joeat
tendedt
oit
.
hequi
ckl
yreachedf
orhi
scal
landcal
ledLubanzi
..
Lubanzi
:mhm.
.
Joe:t
heyar
emaki
ngamove.
.
Lubanzi
:what
??
Joe:wehavetomovenow,wehavet
otr
ickt
hem
i
ntothi
nki
ngthatwemoved.
Lubanzi
:di
dyoul
etLubaknowal
ready?
?
Joe:heprobabl
yknowssi
nceheal
sohasaccesst
o
thetr
acker.
.
Lubanzi
:owk.
.letusmeetatt
hewar
ehouse.hur
ry.
.
Joe:sur
e..
.
hehungup.
.
Joesentamessaget
oLuba.
.
af
terthatJoeheadedoutandwentt
othe
warehouse..
aft
erawhi
lehegott
othewar
ehouseaboutt
he
sameti
mewithLuu.
Heparkedmycarandheadi
ngi
n..mi
nut
esl
ater
Lubaarr
ived.
.
Luba,
asal
ways,
arr
ivedsucki
ngonhi
slol
li
pop.
.
ashewal
kedi
nLuuandJoelookedathi
m..Luu
waspl
ayi
ngwit
hatenni
sbal
l.
.
Luu:att
hisr
ate,
youwi l
ldi
eofsugardi
abet
es
befor
eyoukil
lSykes.
.
Lubal
aughedandt
ookoutt
hel
oll
ipopi
nhi
smout
h..
Luba:
nyeke(
never
).
.
t
heyl
aughed.
..
Luu:owk. .
.sowehaveapr oblem here..Sykesis
makingamove, hispossibl
efirststepisgoingafter
ourfamily..butt
hat'
ssor t
edbecausewehaveour
famil
y'scloselywatched.soeveni ftheywoul dtr
y,
ourmenwoul dfoll
owt hem andgett hem before
theyevengetf ar
..
.
Joe:owk, t
hat'
soutoftheway..nowsecondstep.
.if
hefindsoutthathecantgettoourfami
ly,hewil
l
knowt hatweareexpecti
nghim, sohewouldwant
tochangehi spl
ansandtailus.
.
Luba: andbef or
et hathappens,
wehavet obei n
Zambi atomakesur ethathefoll
owsust here..that
waywewi l
lbeabl etotraphi
m..wegetour selves
"caught"sot hathet hi
nkshehasus..buthej ustgot
usin..thenitwillbeallonKhutsotomakesur ehe
hacksal lhi
sSyst emsandpl antsavi
rusthatwi ll
makethem pani
cthenthatwil
lbewhenourmen
cl
osei
nandgetr idofal
ltheguar
dsandouterci
rcl
e
men.
.thenwe...
Luu:getr
idofhi
m andt
hecl
oseupmen.
.
Joe:wel
l,
seemst
hat
'scl
ear
..
.
Luba:
wai
t,ihavet
ocal
lKhut
so.
.
Lubacal
ledKhut
soandKhut
soanswer
ed.
.
Khut
so:br
aLuba.
..
Luba:wegotati
pthatSykesi
smakinghisf
ir
st
move,weneedyoutomanaget ohacki
nhis
secondar
ysyst
em..
Khutso:sure..myparent
sarenothome,youcan
pul
lthrough..iwi
llusemycomputerstohackin
usi
ngaunt raceabledevi
cenameregist
rat
ion.
.
Luba:
owk.
.wewi
llbet
her
eisami
nut
e..
Khut
so:sur
e..
Lubahungup.
.
Luba:
let
sgo.
.
Luu:wher
e??
Luba:
Khut
so'
spl
ace.
.
Joe:i
sthatowk?
?
Luba:mhm,butwedonthavet
ime.
.ri
ghtnowhi
s
parent
sar
enothome..l
etsgo.
.
t
heyal
lgotoutanddr
ovet
oKhut
so'
spl
ace.
.
t
heyar
ri
ved,
Khut
sol
ett
hem i
nandt
heywent
i
nsi
de.
t
heyheadedt
oKhutso'
sbedr
oom,thatwasal
so
f
il
ledwi
thcomput
ersandgames.
.
Luba:
tal
kaboutar
ealgamer
.
Khut
so:ial
readytol
dyou.
.gamingbecamemyl if
e
andcomputersbecamemydail
yfood..iwasnt
pl
ayi
ng..
Luba:
owk,
let
sgett
oit
..
Khut
so:di
dyoubr
ingt
hest
ick?
?
Luu:yah,
her
e..
.
het
ookandsatdowndoi
nghi
swor
k..
cl
ick,
cli
ck,
cli
ck.
.
t
hat'
sal
lthatwashear
dinther
oom..t
hebat
tl
eof
Khut
so'
sfinger
sonthecomput
er.
.
Khut
so:Luba,
ineedyourassi
stance.
.
Luba:
wit
h??
Khut
so:t
racki
ngandcodi
ng.
.
Luba:
owk.
.oni
t.
.gi
vemeanaccess.
.
Khut
so:done.
.
Lubasatonhischai
r,l
oll
ipopi
nhismout
hand
star
tedcl
icki
ngonthecomputer.
.
i
twasliket
heywer ecompet
ingwit
hhowf astone
coul
dtype.
.thesoundwasjustsorel
axi
ng..j
ust
butt
onsoflapt
opsandcomputerswaswhatyou
wouldhear
..
t
heywentonandonforagoodf
ewmi
nut
es,
then
f
inal
lyt
heyhi
tthebut
ton.
t
hem:done!
!
LuuandJoebr
eat
hedandcl
appedt
hei
rhands.
..
t
heywer
erel
ivedt
hatt
heywer
eabl
etohacki
tin.
..
Luu:nowwemovet
ophaset
o..movi
ngaway.
.
Joe:yah.
.thosewi
thf
ami
ly,
youmi
ghtwantt
osay
yourgoodbyes.
.
Luul
ookeddown.
Luba:dontworr
yman,t
heywi
llbef
ine.
.wehave
thenguardedr
emember?
Luu:i
know.
.ij
ustdontl
ikel
eavi
ngt
hem al
one.
.
Khut
so:itsfortheirowngoods.
.af
terthisSykes
guyi
sout ,everyt
hingwil
lgobacktohowi twas..i
ts
l
ikei
nt hegame. .wehavetodoanythingpossibl
e
tomakesur ethatwewi nt
heboss,thenaftert
hat,
wecelebrate.
.
t
heyal
lnoddedt
hei
rheads.
Luu:iguesswehavet
hebestcomput
ert
eam on
si
te.
.
Joe:l
etsnotcel
ebrat
eyet
..westi
llhaveahuge
missi
ontocrack,t
henwewillcel
ebrat
e..
Luu:mhm.
..soKhut
soi
snotgoi
ngwi
thus?
?
Luba:no..hewi
llbecont
rol
li
ngever
ythi
ngf
rom hi
s
l
aptop..i
tsli
keagame..
Joe:how?
?
Luba:seewhenyougoonami ssiononli
ne,you
contr
olthepersonwhoyouplayi
ngwi t
h..soKhutso
wil
lbelikeheisplayi
ngagame..hewillnot
ifyus
aboutSykesplans,whil
eweareinsi
de..hewillbe
ourguideroncewear ei
n..
Luu:soever
ythi
ngwi
lldependonKhut
so?
?
Lubanodded.
.
t
heyl
ookedatKhut
soandKhut
sol
ookedatal
lof
t
hem.
..
Luu:myli
fei
sinyourhandsman..t
hatamountof
tr
ust,
ihavenevergi
venanyone.
.
Khut
sonodded.
.
Khutso:iam agreatgamer,plusyouwi
llbewitha
gameraswel l,
soyouact ual
lyhave2peoplehavi
ng
yourli
feinthei
rhands..
Luul
ookedatLubaandKhut
so.
.
Luu:owk.
.wel
l,
let
spr
epar
e..
.
Joe:sur
e..
.
[
12/28,
12:
50] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NATASHAALI
MESTEMELA)
.
62
.
*
*2Weeksl
ater
**
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihavejustbeendi
schargedfor2daysnow..ihave
beenrecoveri
ngwellphysi
call
yandiam doingwell
.
but,iam notwel lemotional
ly.ist
il
lcantovert
he
factthatimi ghtneverhavemyownki dsandgive
Luuki ds..knowingkids,hel
oveski dsandalways
want edtohaveki ds..i
tremindsmeofhowhe
wouldj okeaboutmebei ngpregnant.
nowiwi shihadat
leastonechi
ldbef
oret
his
happened..
ial
waysaskwhathappenedt
othegi
rlt
hatst
abbed
mebutLuual wayschangesthesubj
ectwheniask
t
hat.i
tscleart
hathedidsomethi
ng,buthedoesnt
wantt
ot ellmewhathedid.
.
buthealsotoldmethatallt
hisst
artedwithAmo
spreadi
ngal i
e.iwontl
ie,
iwassoangr yyetiwasnt
surpri
sed.hesaidhedeal
twithit
..itri
edtofi
ndout
whathedi d,
buthedoesntwanttol etmeknow.
iwasi nthel
ivi
ngroom watchi
ngcart
oonswi th
Siya..Si
yawassit
tingbet
weenmyl egs..hewasnt
focusedonthecartoonsl
ikemostofthedays,
insteadhewouldl
ookatthecartoonthenlookedat
me. .
wheneverimovedhewouldmove, wheneveriwant
tost
andup,hewoul daskwhatiwantedandwould
geti
tformeinstead.
sonowiwant
edt
ogosl
eep.
asigotuphegotupandhel
dmyhand.
.
Si
ya:wher
ear
eyougoi
ngaunt
??
Me:iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
..why?
?
Si
ya:ij
ustdi
dntyout
ohur
tyour
sel
fagai
nandgo
backt
othehospi
tal
.
Me:iwi
llbef
ineboy.
.iam st
rong.
.
hesmi
led.
.
iwal
kedsl
owlytomyroom andonmywayt
her
e
Luucameoutandsawme..
Luu:woaw,
andwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
?
Me:t
orest
..
.
Luu:owk,
takei
teasy.
.comet
hisway.
.
Me:iam notpar
alyzedicanwal
k..
Luu:butyoushoul
dtakei
teasy,
youj
ust2daysout
ofhospit
al,
youneedther
est.
.
ir
oll
edmyeyesandsmi
led.
.
t
hedoorbel
lrang.
.
me:bet
tergett
hatandst
opbei
ngi
nmyf
ace.
.
Luu:ohhhnowiam i
nyourf
ace?
?
Me:yes.
.
isai
dlaughi
ng.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwentt
ogett
hedoorandi
twasLuba.
.
il
eadhi
minandwewentt
othest
udy.
..
Luba:
your
eady?
?
Luu:no.
.
Luba:
iknewt
hatwoul
dbeyouranswer
..
Luu:andyou?
?
Luba:
same.
..
Luu:di
dyout
alkt
oPi
nky?
?
Luba:yah.
.shewasntowkwiththef
actthatshewi
ll
beli
vingwit
hmyguyf orsometime.
.sheevencri
ed
andlockedher
sel
finherroom..
Luu:nowiam evenmorescaredt
otellBoi
tumel
o
si
nceshejustcameoutofthehospi
tal.
.
Luba:thi
sisfort
hem. .f
orthei
rsafet
y..t
heywill
l
aterunderst
and.
.ratherhavetoaskforgi
veness
l
ater,
thentoburythem lat
er.
.
Luu:mhm.
.soar
eyousur
eaboutyourdeci
sion?
?
Luba:
whatdeci
sion.
.
Luu:Pi
nky.
..imeanshecanstil
lcomestayhere
andbeherewithBoi
tumel
oandSi ya.
.iam sur
eshe
mightl
ovetobearoundSiya.
.
Luba:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.ial
readyspoket
omyguy.
.
ever
ythi
ngissetforher.
.
Luu:owk.
..
Luba:
act
ual
ly,
icamet
ogett
hepackage.
.
Luu:yah,
right
..
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
aft
erawhileasiwaslayi
ngi
nbedtryi
ngtocat
ch
somesleep,Luuwal
kedinandt
hrewhimsel
fonthe
bed.
het
hencamet
ocuddl
eme.
.
Luu:ar
eyouwar
m??
Me:nowt
hatyouar
eher
eiam mor
ewar
mer
..
hethencamecl
osert
ome..andsi
ghedki
ssi
ngmy
neckatt
hebackandl
aidwhil
ehol
dingme.
.
ihadasenset
hatt
her
ewassomet
hinghewant
ed
totel
lmeandi
twasnotgood.
Me:youwantt
otel
lmesomet
hingbutyouf
indi
t
har
dtotel
lme??
Luu:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.whendi
dyoust
artknowi
ngme
sowell
??
Me:iam yourot
herhal
ver
emember
?
Luu:t
rue.
.
iwant
edt
otur
nbuthedi
dntl
etme.
.
Luu:pl
easedontt
urnar
ound.
.
Me:i
sitt
hatbad?
?
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..mhm.
..
Me:i
sitsomet
hingyoudi
d??
Luu:no.
..
.it
ssomet
hingihavet
odo.
.
Me:i
sitaboutt
heSykesper
son?
?
Luu:yes.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.youcant
ellme.
..
Luu:ihavet
oheadtoZambi af
orafewdays..the
fur
therawayiam f
rom you,
thesaf
eryouare..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luu:i
twontbel
ong,
justaf
ewdays.
.
Me:howf
ewar
ethedays.
..because30daysi
sst
il
l
f
ewdays.
.
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.mabye,
3weeks.
.
Me:t
hat
'sal
mostamont
h..
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Luu:and.
..
.il
eavet
omor
row.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Luu:bunny!
Me:*
sigh*
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ididntknowwhatiwastodo..idi
dntknowhowto
reactorwhatt
osay..ij
ust
..
..iwasoutofwor
ds.
..
icoul
dnthol
dbackmyt
ear
s..idi
dntevenknowwhy
iwascr
ying.
.
Me:(
sni
ff
)wi
llyoubesaf
e??
Luu:dontwor
ryaboutme,
wil
lyoubeal
ri
ght
??
Me:(snif
f)(
crackyvoi
ce)pl
easebesaf
e..
..
(
breathesoutasicoul
dntholdi
tin)
hequickl
ytur
nedmear oundandicoul
dnthol
dmy
tear
sinanymore,
icr
ied..
Luu:Bunny!
!Bunnydontcr
y..
Me:(
cryi
ng)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Luuhuggedmeandandbr
ushedmyback.
..
Luu:shhhbunny,
dontcr
ybunny.
.
me:(
cryi
ng)il
oveyouLuu.
..
Luu:i
loveyoumor
eBunny.
.andipr
omi
seiwi
ll
comeback..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luu:youhavemyhear towk.
..asl
ongasyouare
str
ong,iwil
lli
ve..butonceyouareweak,
iwil
lbe
weak..sobestrongformeowk? ?
Me:mhm.
..(
cryi
ng)
Luu:i
wil
lal
waysbei
nyourhear
t.
.al
ways.
..
il
ayonhi
schestandl
etmyt
ear
sout
..
hehel
dmet
ight
..
[
12/28,
12:
50] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
NATASHAALI
MESTEMELA)
.
63
.
*
*FEW DAYSLATER*
*
*
*BOI
TUMELO*
*
i
t'
sbeent hr
eedayssi nceLuul
eftandI'
vedeci
ded
yogobackt oschool.Icoul
dn'
tbarebei
nginthe
housealonethi
nkingaboutLuuandthismissi
on
andalsowonderingifheissaf
eornot.
iwokeup, gotr
eadyandal
sogotSi
yaready.We
wenttothecarandSiphodr
oppedSi
yafir
stand
thendroppedme.
Igotint heschoolyardandeveryt
hingwasthe
same, Excepttheconstantst
ari
ngandweirdfeel
ing.
Iwalkedi ntheschoolyardandsawSandrafrom
dist
anceshesawmeandwasshockedt oseeme
andcamer ushing.
Sandr
a:Boit
yareyouOK??Didthekni
fecauseany
damage??Iwantedt
ovi
sityoubutMR.Wolfwas
al
waysinyourroom.
Me:Yaam f
inenoneedt
owor
ry.
..
Sandra:ar
eyour
eal
lywellt
hatyoucancomeback
toschool?
?youwer
eonlydischar
geddaysago.
.
Me:iam owk.
.besides,st
ayi
ngathomealonewil
l
j
ustmakememor esickandiwi
llnotr
ecover
..
Sandra:well
..owk,
ifyousayso.
.butl
etmehol
d
yourbag..mustbeheavy.
.
Me:hai
,i
tsowk.
.
Sandr
a:iam nott
aki
ngnoasananswer
,br
ingyour
bag.
..
Me:*
sigh*owk.
.
igavehermybagandwekeptwal
king.
.
aswewer ewalki
ng,
isawZoeandThandiwal
king
toget
her
..butAmowasnowheretobeseen.
whatwassur
pri
singwast
hatt
heyevencamet
o
me..
Zoe:hiBoi
tumel
o,ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:huh.
..ye.
..
..
sss
Thandi
:wear
everysor
ryf
orwhathappened.
.Amo
tookt
hist
oofar
..
Zoe:yes,
wear
ereal
lysor
ry.
.
Me:i
tsowkguys..
.it
snotyourfaul
t.
.itwasntyou
whospreadafal
lsl
ieandcausedKhut so'
s
gi
rl
fr
iendtocomeafterme.
.
Thandi
:wehopeyouar
ereal
lywel
l.
.
me:iam wel
l.
.
Zoe:owk.
.takecar
e..
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.
t
heyl
eftandil
ookedatSandr
a..
Me:owk.
..
.ar
etheynotf
ri
endswi
thAmoanymor
e??
Sandr
a:nop..andyouwouldbehappyt
oknowt
hat
l
if
epunishedthem onyourbehal
f.
.
Me:huh?
?
Sandra:well..Zintl
e,l
ostherchi ld,Khutsowasso
angry,t
hatheevenbr oket hi
ngsof f.
.notonl
ythat
butshet r
iedki l
li
ngher selfbydrinkingsomel i
qui
d
drug,butendedupbei ngpar alyzedi nst
ead.
.her
wholerightsidei sparalyzed..j
ustwhenshewant ed
toescapel i
fe,li
febroughtherbacki nawor se
sit
uati
on..
Me:Zi
ntl
ewaspr
egnant
??
Sandr
a:yep.
.
Me:soiki
ll
edherchi
ld?
?
Sandra:well
,youdi dntexactl
ykil
lherchi
ld.
.imean
sheistheonewhocamet oyouknowingthatshe
waspr egnantandevenf oughtyou..al
lyouwere
doi
ngwaspr otect
ingyour sel
f.
.
Me:gee.
..
Sandr
a:mhm.
..andasforAmo,well
,she
di
sappear
edf
orawhil
eandlaterwasseenont
he
str
eetsanditissai
dt hatshecantt
alkanymor
e..
how? ?wehavenoi dea..mabyeshealsowant
edt o
ki
llhersel
fanddranksomet hi
ngbutinst
eadburned
hervoicefor
ever.
..
Me:Amocantt
alk?
?
Sandr
a:notawor
d..
Me:haveyouper
sonal
lyseenher
??
Sandr
a:nop..buti
tsal
lovert
heschool
..ever
ybody
knowsthat
..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Sandr
a:butiam cur
iousaboutonet
hing.
..howdi
d
MrWolfreact
??
Me:well,ionl
ysawhi
sreact
ionaf
teriwokeup.
.so
idontknow..
Sandr
a:mhm.
..
wewal
kedt
ocl
ass.
.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Si
yaandPi
nkywer
esi
tt
ingundert
het
reeagai
n.
PinkywasteachingSiyahowtopl
aychess.she
wasntusi
ngr ealchessboar
dsandthechesspeace,
butshehaddr ownthechessboar
donthegr ound.
Si
yawasusingstonesandPi
nkywasusi
ngsmal
l
pi
ecesofst
icks.
.
andt
heyusedgr
asst
omar
kthewhi
tebl
ocks.
.
Siyaneverunder
stoodthegameandalsonever
l
ikedthegame..forhi
mi twasal
lbor
ing.
.
Si
ya:idontl
iket
hisgame.
.
Pi
nky:buti
tsaf
ungame.
.itmakesyout
hink.
.
Si
ya:butidontwantt
othi
nk.
.
Pinky:butever
yonehast
othi
nk.
.ever
yhuman
thi
nks..
Si
ya:t
heniam nothuman.
.
Pi
nkyl
aughedatSi
yawhowaspout
ing.
.
Pi
nky:hahahaha,
owk.
.thenwhatar
eyou?
?
Si
ya:iam anal
ient
hatl
ikest
owat
chcar
toonsand
pl
aysoccer
..
Pi
nky:t
henl
etspl
aysocceral
ien.
.
Si
yasmi
led.
.
Si
ya:r
eal
ly?
?
Pinky:mhm. .wecansocceroutofpl
asti
cs.
.mydad
alwaystoldmet hatyoucanmakeanythi
ngoutof
everythi
ng..
.
Si
ya:canyoumakeal
ionoutofanyt
hing.
Pinky:ofcause,
butyoumustuseyourimagi
nation
andt hatmeansthi
nki
ng,
ithoughtyoudontl
ike
thi
nking..
Si
ya:butil
ikemaki
ngl
ions.
.iwantt
oseeone.
.
Pi
nkyl
aughedanddr
ewonef
orSi
ya.
.
butSiyawasnotactual
lyexpect
ingt
hat
..hel
ooked
ali
tt
ledisappoi
nted.
.
Pi
nkysawhisr
eact
ion,
andmadei
tmor
e
i
nter
est
ing.
.
shedrewalion'
sfaceonapaperandputthepaper
onherfaceandstart
edact
ingl
ikeali
on.
.
Si
yal
aughedandLaughed.
.
Pi
nky:(
roar
ing)ooooaaaahahhahahhhh
Si
yar
anawayf
rom Pi
nkyl
aughi
ngandl
aughi
ng.
..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
Aunt
:youaresuchausel
essgi
rl
..whati
syourwor
k
ar
oundhere?t
osleep?
?
Me:butauntiam si
ck.
.
Aunt
:si
ckmyf
oot
,ar
eyoudyi
ng?
?
ij
ustl
ookeddown.
.
Aunt:mysonwassi ckandnowheisgett
ingbet
ter,
soyouwi llal
sogetbett
er,nowsucki
tinandgetto
work..ihavenocleanclot
hingt
oweartomorr
ow, so
gettoit.
..
igotoutofbeddespi
temyt
err
ibl
eheadache.
.
imademybedandwor
emycl
eani
ngdr
essandgot
towor
k..
mycl
othi
ngwer
eal
ltor
nandol
d,butist
il
lhadt
o
makepl
anf
ormysel
f.especi
all
yinwi
nter
..
iwentt
owasht
hecl
othi
ng.
t
hebucketwasful
landihadtogofetchwat
erf
rom
t
heri
verbecauseicoul
dntuset
hecleanwat
erfr
om
t
hebucketi
nthehouse..
isatundert
hebur
ningsunandwashedt
hecl
othes.
.
myheadachewasputti
ngmedown..
atonemomentiwoul dfeel
li
keiwouldf
aintandmy
eyeswouldfeelsl
eepy,
butifoughtt
hef
eeli
ngand
carr
iedon.
.
aft
erwashingt
hecl
othi
ng,
ihangt
hewashi
ngand
gotdone.
.
theni
hadtocookf
ort
heki
dsanddoal
lthathadt
o
bedone.
.
aft
erever
ythi
ngwasdone(
shehadl
eftagai
n)i
deci
dedtosleep.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
iwaswokenupbyahotsl
aponmyt
high.
.
igotupqui
ckl
yandisawmyauntl
ooki
ngatme
angry.
.
iwasconf
usedast
owhatwasgoi
ngon.
.
Aunt
:haiwena.
.doyouseewhatt
imei
tis?
il
ookedatherandt
henl
ookedatmycl
ockt
hatwas
onthedr
awer..
i
twas17:38.
..ihadsleptf
oralongt
imet
hatt
he
t
imetocookdinnerevenpassedby.
.
il
ookedatherknowi
ngexact
lywhatwoul
dhappen.
.
Aunt:youneverl
ist
enneh?
?andyouknowwhat
happenstothosewhodontli
sten?
shecl
osedthedoorandl
ockedi
t.
.thenshet
ookher
shoeandst
artedhi
tt
ingme.
.
icr
ied,
askedf orf
orgi
venessandevenbegged,
but
shewouldn'
tletmego..
shehi
tmet
il
licoul
dntcr
yanymor
e..
af
tert
hat
,shewentoutandt
oldmet
ogocook.
.
icleanedmyt ear
sandwentoutpul
li
ngastr
aight
facesot hatMpil
oandSnewouldn'
tseet
hatiwas
cr
ying,
butt
heyobvi
ousl
yhear
d.
asigotoutMpil
olookedatmewi
tht
hesadl
ook.i
t
wascleart
hatsheheardme..
Sneal
sol
ookedatmet
hent
heyl
ookedateach
ot
her.
.
Sne:ndo,
ndo.
..
.sor
ryneh?
?
ismi
ledandnodded.
.ievenwant
edt
ocr
yseei
ng
howsadSnelooked.
.
Sne:sor
ryneh?
?sor
ry.
..
ikeptnoddi
ng.
..
Mpi
lo:si
sNt
ando.
.doyouneehel
p?
Me:noMpi l
o..iam f
ine.
.iam sor
ryf
ormaki
ngf
ood
l
atetodayowk? ?
t
heynodded.
..
isi
ghedandst
art
edmaki
ngf
ood.
.
mybodywaspai
nfulbutihadt
okeepi
tinf
ort
he
ki
ds.
.
eversi
ncemymot
herpassedaway,
ihavebeen
underthecareofmyaunt ..andatti
mesial ways
wishmyot herauntwouldcomeandt akecareof
me,butotherti
mesiwoul dr at
herbeher ewit
hthe
ki
ds..becauseialwaysfearthati
fileave,t
hekids
mightsufferf
rom thehandsofauntMar y..
[
12/
28,
12:
50] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
MANDI
SAMAVEYANESOMKHELE)
.
64
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*Nt
ando*
*
Today, mywishhascometrue.yesmyot heraunt
(AuntChloe)wascomingtovisi
tus..butal
sothis
wasal soadaywhereihavetowor kdoublehardto
cleanandmakesur et
heplaceiscleanandthef ood
i
sr eadyandalsopl
ayhappy..
AuntChl
oeismymot her'
sbigsist
erandAuntMary
i
smymot hersyoungersi
ster
..mymot heral
sohad
abrot
herbuthepassedaway.
AuntChloecall
edAuntMar yyesterdaytotel
lher
thatshewil
lbecomi ngandshepr etendedtobe
veryhappywhentalkingonthephone, butwhen
shehungup, shet
ookoutallthatangeronme. .
todayshewokemeupar ound04:00j
usttost
art
cleani
ngbecauseshewasntsur
ewhattimeAunt
Chloewil
lbehere.
.
aft
eralongtime,
iwasdonecl
eani
nganddoi
ng
everyt
hing.
.
Samuwasbet ter
,hehadheal
edandwasabletogo
toschoolnow.andri
ghtnowtheyar
eal
latschool
andSnei si
ncreche.
.
iwasl
eftwi
thAuntMar
yal
one.
.
normal
lyshewouldleaveandleavemealoneor
wit
hthekids,butt
odayshedecidedtonotgo
anywherebecauseAuntChloeiscoming.
.
it
hentookabat
handwast
oldt
oweart
hebesti
havei
nmybags..
ther
ewasntmuchi
nmybag,
butichoset
hebest
outoft
heshameihad.
.
af
terawhilewecoul
dseeAuntChl
oef
rom a
di
stance.
.
AuntMar
yst
oodupandl
ookedatme.
.
AuntMar y:youbet
terputt
hatsmil
eanddri
vethat
actbecauseifyoufai
ltodothat
,youwi
llsl
eep
outsi
de..
ij
ustnodded.
.
shewentt
owel
comeAuntChl
oe.
.
aft
erawhil
etheycameher eandent er
edthehouse.
.
iwasweari
ngmybi ggestbeaut
ifulsmil
e..you
couldgi
vemeanOscarf oracti
ngsohappy. .
asf ormyauntChl oe,herbel l
ywasget t
ingsobi g
li
kei twasaboutt oexpl ode..l
astt i
meshecame
heret oseehowwewer edoing, shewasntsobi g.
.i
guessherchi l
disaboutt opopoutnow. .yesshei s
pregnantandshevi sitsusever ymonthandonl y
staysani ght..shebringsf oodandmoneyf orus,
especiallyforthekids..butinevergetanyt hi
ngand
idontgett oevencompl ai
n.thenigetthreatened
thatifitellAuntChloe, iwil
lsleepdayswi t
hout
eati
ng. .
Me:AuntChl
oe!
!
AuntChl
oe:himydar
li
ng,
howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam gr
eatt
hanksandyouauntChl
oe?
?
Aunt
:ti
redandhungr
y..
.
AuntMary:ohhhimadesomeni
cedumpli
ngand
chi
ckenstew,iknowhowmuchyoul
iket
hat.
.
mi
ndyouiwast
heonet
hatcookedal
lthat
..
AuntChl
oe:ofcause,
ouuuuiam sogoi
ngt
oenj
oy
i
t.
.
t
heyl
aughedandij
ustsmi
led.
.
AuntMary:pr
incess,
whydontyoudi
shupf
orAunt
Chl
oe,andmeandyour sel
f?
Me:yesAuntMar
y..
AuntMar
y:t
hankyoupr
incess.
.
shegavemeasmi le.
.guessiam nott
heonl
yone
thatisgoodwithpull
ingafakesmil
eand
pretendance.
.
iwentt
otheki
tchenanddi
shedupf
oral
lofus.
iwasntsi tt
ingwi ththem l
ist
eni
ngtothem, kidsar e
notsupposedt obeamongadul t
s,especi
allywhen
theyar etal
king..sobecausewear ealli
nthel i
ving
room, idecidedt ogoeatinthebedroom togi ve
them somespace. .
il
eftt
hem t
her
eandj
ustat
emyf
oodasir
eadone
ofSamu'
sbooks.
.
af
terawhi
le,
icameoutandwentt
owasht
he
di
shes.
asiwasdone, iheadedbackt
omyroom,
ihear
d
them speaki
ngaboutmeanddeci
dedtol
ist
ent
o
whatwassai daboutme..
AuntMar
y:but
..
..
.butNt
andoi
sdoi
ngwel
lher
e..
.
AuntChloe:iknow. .iknowyouar etakingcareof
herandiam sot hankfulaboutt hat.
.butNt ando
needstoalsost artherlif
eandmoveon. .i
tsbeen
monthsnowsi ncesisi passedaway. .ideci
dedi
wouldgiveNt andobr eakt orecoverbecauseiknow
howhurtfuli
ti stoloseamot her..sonowt hatshe
l
ooksowk, ithinkitstimeshemovedon. .
AuntMar
y:t
aki
ngavi
ll
agegi
rlt
otheci
ty?
?isn'
tthat
r
uini
ngher??shemightt
urnt
odr
ugsandal
lthat
l
if
ethatci
typeopl
eli
ve.
AuntChl
oe:iwi
llbet
her
etogui
deher
..
AuntMary:youwi
llhaveachi
ldt
olookaf
ter
,howi
s
t
hatpossibl
e??
AuntChl
oe:shewi
llbel
ivi
ngwi
thme.
.
AuntMary:areyoutaki
nghersothatshecanbe
yourmaid??sothatyoucanusehersinceyouwi
ll
belazyt
odoanyt hi
ng..
AuntChloe:whywoul didosomet hi
ngsoevi l
??i
tol
dyou,acleaneratwor kisaboutt
ogot oleave.
.i
askedtheHRt ogetsomeoneiknowandit hought
abouther.
.soshesai dsheshouldbringherCV..i
diditf
orher,becauseiknowherandgavei tin.
.she
waschosen..soihadt ocomeher etofet
chher
becauseshehast ostartnextweek.
AuntMary:soyouseeaj
obpostandyout
hink
abouther
?notevenme??
AuntChl
oe:youhave3ki
ds.
.whowi
llyoul
eave
t
hem wit
h??Ntando??
AuntMar
y:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
AuntChloe:iam notsteali
ngherf
rom you.
.iknow
youloveher..shewil
lonlybeatworkfor3mont hs
becausetheladyistakinga3mont hl
eave.
.then
shewillcomeback..
AuntMar
y:*
sigh*wellwhatcanisay.
.youal
ready
pl
annedi
tal
loutwit
houttal
kingtome..
AuntChloe:sor
ryl
it
tl
esi
ster
..ij
ustt
houghtyou
wouldn'
tmind..
AuntMar
y:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
AuntChl
oe:l
etmecal
lherandhearwhatshewi
ll
say.
.
imovedawayf r
om t
hedoorandjumpedont
hebed.
.
iwasexci
tedbutal
soiwassad..iwoul
dbel
eavi
ng
Samu,MpiloandSneal
one.
.
AuntChl
oecal
ledmeandiwal
kedoutl
ikeidi
dnt
knowwhyshewascal
li
ngme..
Me:AuntChl
oe?
?
AuntChl
oe:si
tdownmybaby.
.
isatf
latont
hef
loorandl
ookedatAuntChl
oe.
.
AuntChloe:mydar l
ing,
iknowthatyoumightbe
sti
llsadaboutyourmother,
butithi
nkthesepassed
fewmont hs,youhavebeendoingowkright
??
Me:yesAunt
..
AuntChl
oe:ihopeyoudontmind.
.iknowwhatidid
mayseenassomet hi
ngwrong.butiwantedt
oask
you.
.wouldyouli
ketoworkasacleaneratabig
company??
inodded.
.
Me:asl
ongasigett
owor
kandnotj
ustsi
tat
home.
.
AuntChloe:t
hat'sgr
eat
..al
though,
itwontbel
ong.
.
i
twillonl
ybef or3months.
.youwillbef
il
li
ngi
nfor
aladythatusedtoworkatthecompanyasa
cl
eaner..
Me:t
hat
'sowkAunt
y..
AuntChloe:soyouwonthaveaprobl
em l
eavi
ng
yourauntandcousi
nsforawhil
e??
Me:iam ki
ndofsadf
orl
eavi
ngt
hem,
buti
tsf
ormy
good.at
leastigett
oseet
heci
tyf
or3mont
hs.
.
AuntChloe:t
hat'
sgreat
.ial
sohavetakenaleave.
.
si
nceiam pregnant
.butunfor
tunat
elybecauseof
qual
if
icati
onsyoucantfi
lli
nforme..
AuntMar
y:canif
il
lin?
?
AuntChl
oe:i
trequi
redexper
ience.
.iwoul
dhaveput
youini
fyouquali
fi
ed..
shesmi
led.
.
AuntChl
oe:owkNt ando..anot
herthi
sisthat,
we
l
eavetomorr
ow..icantstayforlongbecauseihave
adoctor
sappoint
mentt hedayaf t
ert
omor r
ow..i
s
t
hatowk??ihopeiam notr ushi
ngyou..
Me:soiwil
lbewi
thSamu,
Mpi
loandSnet
hel
ast
t
imetoday?
AuntChl
oenodded.
.
il
ookeddownandl
ookedatAuntChl
oe.
.
me:owk.
..
.iwi
llmakesur
etosaymyl
astgoodbyes
t
othem..
AuntChl
oe:owkdar
li
ng.
.youmaygoaheadand
st
artpacki
ngal
lthethi
ngsyoul
oveandwi
llneed
dur
ingthese3months.
inoddedandst
oodupgoi
ngt
omyr
oom.
.
istar
tedpacki
ng..t
her
ewasntmucht
opack,
but
thatl
it
tl
eipacked..
.
*
*Br
icks*
*
ahhhhhh!
!ahhh!
!(gr
oani
ngi
npai
n)
ir
eachedf
ort
hegat
e.andgoti
n..
asiwaswal
kingScarandMf
anacamet
ome.
.
Scar
:Br
icks?
?whathappened?
?
Me:mhmmmm F*
**iwasshot
..
Mf
ana:bywho?
?
Me:i
twasashootout
,ar
gument
,igotent
angl
edi
n
i
t.
.
Mf
ana:hai
,manwhydi
dntyougot
othehospi
tal
??
Me:andgetmysel
fbust
ed?
?hel
lno.
.
Mf
ana:butyoul
osi
ngal
otofmoneyBr
icks.
.
Me:j
ustl
etmebe.
.
icont
inuedwal
king.
.myl
egwasf
ail
ingme.
.
iwal
kedi
nthehouse.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasathome,
ijustar
ri
vedf
rom school
..
icameoutear
lyt
oday.
.
wewer
enoweatingsomesnackswi
thSi
ya
wat
chi
ngcar
toons.
ihavefall
eninlovewi
thcar
toonssinceit
s
somethingialwayswat
chwithSiya.
.theynott
hat
badthough..
ihavebeenincontactwi
thLuu.hecal
lsever
y
morningandnight
.
iwaswat
chi
ngTVwhenmyphoner
ang.
..il
ooked
ati
tandi
twasScar
..
Me:sur
e,sur
e..
Scar
:nt
wanai
tsugl
y..
Me:what
??
Scar
:Br
ickswasshot
..
.
Me:what
??
Scar
:yah.
.hewasent
angl
edi
nashootout
..
Me:di
dhegot
othehospi
tal
??
Scar:hedoesntwantt
o..that
'swhyideci
dedt
ocall
you.
.youguyswer ebestoffr
iends,
mabyehemight
l
ist
ent oyou.
.
Me:me?
?remembert
hatwef
ellout
??
Scar
:buthest
il
lhavethatcar
ef oryou.
.pl
easeman.
hehastogett
hebull
etouthisleg..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..owk.
.iwi
llseewhaticando.
.
Scar
:thanksbr
o..
.
ihungupandr
anoutt
oSi
pho.
.
ibeggedandbeggedf orhi
mt otakemet othe
townshi
pandal sotogetoneofLuu'sdoctort
ogo
withus.
.iexplai
nedthesit
uati
onandi nst
eadof
helpi
ngme, hejustr
eport
edittoLuu..
Ahhhhhhh!canidosomet
hingwi
thoutLuubei
ng
i
nvolved.
.
Luucal
ledmeandiknewhewasgoi
ngt
ori
pme
up.
..
it
ookadeepbr
eat
handanswer
ed.
.
Me:hal
o..
Hi
m:Boi
tumel
o??
Me:mhm.
..
.
hi
m:whati
sgoi
ngon?
?
Me:i
..
..
..iwant
..
..imeanihave.
..ihavet
ogot
othe
t
ownship..
.
Hi
m:why?
?
Me:huh.
..
.Br
ickswasshotowk.
.heneedshel
p..
Hi
m:canthegot
othehospi
talandgethel
p??
Me:Luu..hedoesn'twantt
ogotohospitalbecause
hewouldbesimpl yhandi
nghimsel
fin.heneedsa
doctort
hatcantreathi
m athomeandalsohe
needsitqui
ck.
.
Hi
m:andyoucangi
vehi
mthat
??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..no.
.Luupl
ease.
.
Hi
m:whyar
eyousoeagert
ohel
p??
Me:hei
smyf r
iendowk.
.heist
heguyt hatsaved
mewhenineededhel
pthemost..cantiat
leasthel
p
hi
m whenheneedshel
p??huh?
?
iwasst
art
ingt
otearup.
.
hekeptqui
etbuticoul
dhearhi
m si
gh.
Me:Luu,
hei
smyf
ri
end,
justaf
ri
end.
.pl
easehel
p
hi
m..
hest
il
lkeptqui
et.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.Luu.
.
Hi
m:*
sigh*
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.fi
ne.
..
..gi
veSi
phot
hephone.
.
ir
ant
ogi
veSi
phot
hephoneasiwi
pedmyt
ear
s..
aft
erhefi
nishedt
alki
ngt
ohi
m,hegavememy
phoneback.
Me:Luu?
?
Hi
m:besaf
e..
.
Me:t
hankyou.
..t
hankyouLuu.
.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hej
usthungup.
.
Siphogotmeinthecarandwedrovet
othe
townshi
p..heal
socall
edsomeonetomeetusatt
he
garage,
couldbethedoct
or.
.
ical
ledScarandt
oldhi
m iwasonmyway.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
50] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
MANDI
SAMAVEYANESOMKHELE)
.
65
.
*
**NARRATOR*
***
asexpect
edandpr
edi
ctedbytheguys.
.indeed
Sykesandhi
smentai
ledonthe3guysandl ocat
ed
them..
Sykesgothismentogoandgetthem andtheguys
knewthatsoonerorl
ater
,Sykesmenwouldbehere
togett
hem..
i
twast
hei
rpl
ant
obe"
caught
"becauset
hatwoul
d
beagoodexcessi
ntohi st
err
it
ory.
.whil
eKhut
so
al
somakessuretorescuetheboysbyhis
comput
erski
ll
sandcr ackhi
sprimarysyst
em.
.
butatthi
sti
meli
kethi
s,Lubawasnowher
etobe
found.
.hewasnotamongthe2guys.
.
Luu:wher
ethehel
lisLuba,
Sykesmeni
scl
osi
ngi
n..
Joe:hesai
dhewoul
dbeher
esoon.
.
Luu:t
heycoul
dbeher
enow.
.whati
staki
nghi
m
l
ong??
Joe:st
opwor
ryi
ng,
Lubaknowst
hepl
an.
.hewi
ll
al
wayssti
ckt
otheplan.
.
thi
swasaonewayshow. .ei
thertheycomeout
ali
vewithSykesdead.oroneoft hem comesout
dead,oral
lofthem dontcomeback. .t
hiswasa
toughmissi
onbecauset heywoul dbeinthel
ions
den.
afterawhi
lei
ndeedSykesmenarr
ivedalr
eady
pointi
nggunsandtheguysact
edshockedtosee
them..
t
heywer
ethenhel
dandt
akent
othecart
obet
aken
t
oSykes.
.
aft
erawhi
let
heyarri
vedandt
heywereputont
hei
r
kneesi
nfr
ontofSykeswhowassi
tt
ingathi
schai
r.
.
Sykes:wel
l,
wel
l,
wel
l.
..
..l
ookwhatwehaveher
e??
t
heguysl
ookedathi
m..
Sykes:it
sbeenl
onghai.
..andlookatt
his.
.wehave
anewbi eint
hegametoo..hopeyouenj
oyingt
he
ri
delit
tl
epuppy.
.
t
heyj
ustkeptl
ooki
ngathi
m..
Sykes:youknow,ir
eall
ywantt
oj ustf
ini
shyouright
hereandgetoveranddonewit
h..butsomethi
ngis
makingmeuneasy...whywasi
ttooeasyt oget
you??
theydidntsayanyt
hing,
theyj
ustkeptl
ooki
ngat
him..
Sykes:ormabye..
.yal
lreal
lyt
houghiwasdeadand
rel
axed??hahahahahahstupi
dfool
s..
.
theyl
ookedateachot
herst
il
lwonder
ingwher
e
Lubawas..
.
i
tseemedt
hepl
anwasnowf
all
ingoutofpl
an.
.
Sykes:hai
..youknow..youreyesremindmeofyour
fat
her.
.suchast ubbor
nman. .toosadhehadtodie
atthehandsofhisownbr other
..
Luul
ookedathi
m abi
tthr
ownof
fbywhathesai
d..
Sykes:ohhyoudi dntknow??wel l
..ihadthe
pleasureofkil
lingthe2Wol fbrothers.
.buttur
nsout
thattheykil
ledeachot herbecauseonet houghtthe
otherwasbet rayi
nghi m..t
rust?.
..hahhahahaha..
justwhenithoughtisawi tal
l,it
henf i
gureoutthat
event hesonsdontgetal ong..wow. !
!whatafami l
y
youguysar e..
Luuwasconf usedanddi
dntknowwhathewas
tal
kingabout
..
Sykes:nowigett
owor
kwi
thonebr
otherandki
ll
theother
..
Luul
ookedatSykesconf
used.
.
Sykes:br
ingMrNkosii
n!!
t
heyopenedthedoorandLubawalkedi
neat
inghi
s
l
oll
ipop,
wear
ingasuitandsmil
ing.
.
LuuandJoewerethr
ownof
f,t
heydidntknowwhat
washappeni
ng,
theywer
eshocked.
.theywerei
n
thedar
k..
t
helooksonthei
rfacesmadeSykesver
ysur
ethat
t
heydidntknowanythi
ngabouti
t.
.
Sykesl
aughedashegr
eet
edLuba.
.
Sykes:MrNkosimyguy.
..
Luba:
braSykes.
.
Sykes:comeher
eandl
ookatt
hef
rui
tsofyour
work..
.
Lubawentt
ohi
m andl
ookedatt
hem.
.
Luu:yousonofaB*
***
**
Luba:haiwat chitbr
other.
.thesayi
ngalwaysgoes.
.
nevertrustanyone,notevenyourbrot
her.
.sowhy
areyousur pri
sed??ialwaystol
dyouthattome,
youwillalwayswant edtobeanenemy. .
.
Luu:Luba.
..whyt
heF*
*ar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
?
Luba:mydadmadeitcl
eart
hatwehaveno
brot
herhoodbet
weenusandthegener
ati
onofhi
s
br
other
..
LuulookedatLubasearchingforsi
gnsthatwoul
d
tel
lhi
mt hatt
hiswaspar tofthepl
an,butLuba
l
ookeddeadser i
ous.
.evenmor eseri
ousthenhe
everwas..
Sykes:hai
..canyoust
opbl
abber
ing!i
tsannoyi
ng.
.
Sykesst
oodupandwal
kedt
oLuu.
.
hehel
dhi
scheekandwentcl
oset
ohi
m..
Sykes:justl
ikeyourf
ather,youlost
...nottome,but
toyourowncousi n.
.howdoest hattaste??you
thi
nkiwasntawar eofallyourplans??hahahahaha
guesswhat ??ihadaninsidemen. .
.your eal
ly
thoughthefoundyoujustt ogetyout ohelphim ki
ll
me? ?wellyouwerefooled..
.
Luudidntknowwhatt osay.
.hewasoutofwor
ds..
outofallbetrayer
s,thi
swastheonet
hatwasthe
bi
ggestoft hem all
..
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Br
icks:whydi
dyoudowhatyoudi
d??
Me:cantihel
poutmybestf
ri
end?
?
Br
icks:bestf
ri
ends?
?it
houghtial
readyt
oldyou
whatiswhat.
.
Me:iknow..butt
omet
hatdoesntmeanishoul
d
st
opcaring.
.
Br
icks:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:whyar
eyousost
ubbor
nsomet
imes?
?
Br
icks:iam l
iket
hisandyouknowi
t.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.tr
ue.
.
Bri
cks:anyway..di
dyouhusbandknowt
hatyou
usedhispeopletohel
pme? ?
Me:mhm. .
.atfi
rstiwantedt
odoitbehi
ndhi
sback
becauseiknewhewoul dsayno.
.buthewast
old
andihadtobeg..
Bricks:mhm...l
ookatyou.
..youreal
lyl
ovet
his
guy...heevengotyouinamor edanger
ousl
ifest
yle
thenhowigotyou. .
Me:dontst
art
..
Br
icks:owk.
.
her
aisedhi
shandsast
ogi
veup.
.
Me:Luui
snott
hatbad.
.ifyoucanj
ustgett
oknow
hi
m..
Br
icks:wewi
llnevergetal
ong.
.
Me:seemsiwillal
waysbecaughti
nthemiddle.
.i
hopeiwontcomet oasi
tuat
ionwhereiwoul
dhave
tochoosebet
weenyouandhi m.
..
Bricks:(
chuckled)tr
ustmetherewi
llneverbet
hat
sit
uation,becausewheneveri
tcomes,iwouldj
ust
takemysel foutbecausei
tiscl
earwhoyouwoul d
choose.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
att
hatmomentsomeoneknockedandi
twasSi
pho.
.
Si
pho:t
imet
ogomam.
.
Me:owkSi
pho.
.
il
ookedatBr
icks.
.
Me:iwi
llcomesomeot
hert
imet
ocheckonyou.
.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hinghej
ustl
ookedup.
.
iwal
kedout
..
wewentt
othecarandt
hedr
ovebackhome.
.
Si
ya:yayyy!
!Aunti
sback.
..
Me:yesiam.
.whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Si
ya:Pi
nkyt
aughtmehowt
odr
awal
ion.
.look!
!
iwenttolookand.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.itwasowk..imeanyou
wouldn'
tknowitwasalion,butiguessthat
'shi
s
best
...
Me:wow!
!thati
swonder
ful
.
hesmi
led.
.
i
namat
terofnot
ime,
ther
ewer
egunshot
s..
.
irantoSiyapi
ckedhi
m upandhi
dbehi
ndt
he
couch..
wedi
dntknowwhattodo..butbef
orewedeci
dedto
r
untothebedroom,
theguyswalkedinandgr
abbed
meandSiya.
.
iscr
eamedandscr
eamedcal
li
ngSiphoandot
her
guar
dsbutnoonewasher
etohel
p..
weweret
henthrownint
hecarwi
thamanwhohad
agunpoi
ntedatus.
.
iwasshaking,if
eltl
ikeiwoulddi
e..af
tersomuch
thathashappened,doesthi
shavetohappentome??
nowthatist
art
edthi
nki
ng,inot
icedSiya
tr
aumati
zedatwhatwashappening.
.iheldhi
m
ti
ghtandmadehimlookawayfrom t
hegun..
ihuggedhi
m asicr
ied.
..
Me:Luu?
?
[
12/
28,
12:
51] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
MANDI
SAMAVEYANESOMKHELE)
.
66
.
*
*NextDays*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
weweretakeni
ntoadar
kroom andt
iedwi
th
chai
ns.
.
iwasoutoft
hought
sonhowLubacoul
ddot
his.
..
Me:ist
illcantdeci
dewhetherthi
si soneofhi
s
mindgamesorwhat .
..t
hatguyisjust
unpr
edictable.
.it
houghtwewer ecool.
.
Joe:idoubthewoul
ddot
hat
..comeon.
.hewoul
d
neverdothat.
.
me:iti
sallcomingbackmahn..hi
sarri
valwasjust
onpoint
..j
ustaroundthet
imewewer eplanni
ngon
get
ti
ngSykes..whatifhel
iedaboutt
hestoryofhis
mother?
?
Joe:coul
dhehavel
i
ed?
?
Me:idontknowwhatt
obel
ieve.
.al
lthi
sisnot
makingsense.
.
Joe:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
t
hedooropenedandi
twast
hemanhi
msel
f.
.
i
twasLuba.
.hehadaguni
nhi
shands.
.hewas
t
oyi
ngwithi
taround.
.
hewal
kedt
ous.
..hewasal
one.
.
seei
ngt
hathewasal
one,
ther
ewasnownoneedt
o
act
..i
findeeditwashi
sgames,
thenhewi
llhi
ntt
o
us.
.butifnot.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.hewentononekneel
ooki
ngat
me.
.
Hi
m:sorrybrot
her.
.butisti
cktothosethatcan
pr
otectme.
.formylif
eanddaught er
sl i
fei
smuch
moreimport
anttomet henanyt
hing..
i
tthencli
ckedthathedi
dntwantPi
nkytocomeli
ve
wit
hBoiandSi ya.
.coul
ditbet
hatheal
readyhad
t
hisplanned?
?
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:why?
??WhyLuba?
?
Hi
m:t
heansweri
tssi
mpl
e..
.youar
eanenemy.
..
Me:ithoughtSykeswastheenemy.
.di
dntheki
ll
yourmother??soyouwil
lsidewi
thsomeonewho
ki
ll
edyourfather
??
Hi
m:actuall
y,il
ied.
..i
twasntSykest
hatki
ll
edmy
mother
,butyourdad..
.
iopenedmyeyesshook.
..
Him:see..
.itoldyout hati
twasSykesbecause
al
readyiwaswor kingwithSykes..icoul
dkillyou
myselfbecausethenyourmenwoul dkil
lmeand
mydaught erwouldal sobeintrouble.
.soifakeda
l
itt
lestor
ytogetcl osertoyou..whydoyout hi
nki
showedupr i
ghtatt hemomentyouwer elooking
i
ntoSykes? ?whydoyout hinkicameupwi t
ht hese
i
deas??
Joe:soKhut
soi
sal
sopar
tofyourpl
an?
?
Hi
m:whoi sKhutso??t
hatguy??themomentwe
moved,
helivedhisownli
fe.
..hedoesntevenknow
what
sgoingon..
Joe:what
??
Him:ohhhJoe..sorr
yihadt
odragyouin..butyou
areLuu'sr
ighthandmansoihadto.
.justtoavoid
surpr
ises.
..
Luu:youwi
llgetwhat
scomi
ngt
oyou.
.
Him:me? ?ohno.
..Luu,
ihaveyourgir
l,andSi
ya.
..
aren'
tyouafr
aidofwhatimightgett
heguystodo
toher??
mybl
oodst
art
edboi
li
ng,
ist
art
edf
umi
ng.
.
Luu:Luba!F*
***l
eavemyf
ami
lyman.
..
Luba:mhmmmmm wel l
..if
iguredt
heywouldlove
toseeyoudi
e.pr
epareyoursel
ves.
.bet
terst
art
sayi
ngyourl
astwords.
.
hesmi
rkedandheadedt
othedoor
..
Hi
m:ineedtogetal
oll
ipopfort
hisshow.
.it
sabout
t
obethebestshowever.
..
hel
aughedandheadedout
..
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihearSiyacryi
ng.
.itr
yt or
eachforhi
m andt
ellhi
m
allwi
llbefi
ne,butheisn'
thavi
ngit
..
iwasbl
indf
olded.
.wewer
ethr
owni
nar
oom and
ti
eddown..
.
Me:Si
ya!Si
ya!ar
eyouowk.
.
Si
ya:iwantBr
otherLubanzi
..
.
Me:shhhnana.
.hewi
llbeher
eowk?
?
Si
ya:mhmmm (
cryi
ng)
..
af
tersometimet
hedooropenedandsomeone
walkedi
n..
hegr
abbedmeandSi
yaandSi
yacr
iedl
ouder
..
Hi
m:Shutup!
!
ial
sowant
edt
ocr
y..
theythr
ewusont
hef
loorandt
ookt
hebl
indf
older
s
out.
.
ther
eweremenst
andi
ngar
oundt
her
oom wi
th
guns..
.
Guy1:Si
tont
hatchai
r.
.
iwentt
osi
tther
ewi
thSi
ya.
.
Siyakeptcr
yingandt
heykeptt
ell
inghi
mtoshut
up..
.
t
heypr
epar
edsomecamer
ast
uffandascr
een.
.
myheartwasr
acing,al
liwi
shedf
orwasf
orLuut
o
comeandsaveus..
af
terawhi
let
heyt
unedt
hecamer
aonandicoul
d
SeeLuu,
seemshecoul
dseemet
oo.
Luu:Boi
tumel
o!!
hewasthenpunchedont
hef
acebyhi
sowncousi
n
Luba.
.ial
waysknewhewast
hedodgyki
nd.
.
Me:Luu!
ist
art
edwant edtotearupbutidi
dntwantLuutobe
weak..ikepti
tin.
.butasforSi
ya,
hecri
ed..hecr
ied
cal
li
ngf orLuu.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
icoul
dn'
tbar
eseeingSi
yacryli
kethat.
.myhear
t
wasgett
ingweak.
.iwasfal
li
ngapart.
.
i
nsideofme,
iwasbeggi
ngSi
yat
ost
op,
iwas
beggi
nghimtoj
ustst
op.
.
il
ookedatLuba,
hewassmi
l
ing.
..
i
tisconf
ir
med.
.thi
sB*
***bet
rayedme.
..
Lubapoi
ntedagunatme.
..
Luba:
anyl
astwor
ds.
.
Hi
m:goF*
***your
sel
f.
..
Luba:
nice.
..
.
BANG!
!
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
wejustar
ri
vedatAuntChl
oe'
shouseandi
twas
ni
ceandbig..
i
twasthebi
ggesthousearound,
buti
twasbi
gger
t
henanyhouseihaveli
vedin.
.
wewal
kedi
n..
AuntChloe:ouuuuuuuiam sot
ir
ed.
.icoul
dusea
bat
hrightnow..
Me:wouldyoul
ikemet
odoanyt
hingf
oryouaunt
Chl
oe??
AuntChloe:nodear
..youarenother
etobemy
maid.
.youheretobet hecompany'
smaid.
.and
ri
ghtnowyouar enotatthecompany.
.owk??
inoddedandsmi
led.
.
AuntChl
oe:myfeetar
eki
ll
ingme..l
etmeresta
l
it
tl
etheniwil
lshowyouar
oundthehouseowk??
Me:yesaunt
..
AuntChloe:mhm..youcancomesi
twithmeforso
l
ongandwat chmovieswithmeandtel
lmeabout
yourf
uturewhil
eirestmyfeet
..
Me:oricoul
dtel
lyoumyf
utur
ewhi
leigi
veyoua
f
ootmassage..
AuntChl
oe:r
eal
ly?
?youwoul
ddot
hatf
orme?
?
Me:yesAunt
..
.
AuntChl
oe:ohhhdar
li
ng,
thankyouver
ymuch.
.
sheputherl
egsupandimassagedherf
eet
..
AuntChloe:ouuuthi
sfeel
ssoni
ce.
.it
sli
keiam ata
sparorsomething.
.
ismi
led.
.
AuntChl
oe:ouuuuuu.
..icoul
dsl
eepher
e..
ismi
ledagai
nasimassagedherf
eetmor
e..
AuntChl
oe:soNt
ando,
doyouwi
sht
ogot
oschool
??
Me:noAunt
,schooli
snotf
orme.
.
AuntChl
oe:i
fyoudontwantt
ogot
oschool
,then
whatdoyouwanttodo??
Me:idontknow.
.
AuntChloe:youdontknow?
?youhavet
oknow.
.
yougrowing..
Me:mabyeasdaysgoesiwi
llf
indoutwhatil
ike.
.
AuntChl
oe:betterbesoon..isuggestyouusethese
3monthswi sel
y..l
ookaroundt hecompany,l
ookat
howpeoplewor kandallt
hat,mabyeyouwi l
lfi
nd
whatyoulove..
inodded.
.
AuntChl
oe:owk,
ithi
nkiam al
lfr
eshnow.
.letme
t
akeyoutoyourroom.
.
west
oodupandshel
eadt
heway.
.
[
12/28,
12:
51] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
MELOTHANDORAVENNKOSI)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
agunshotf
ir
edandi
thi
tst
rai
ghtatSykesar
m..
.
LuulooksatLubawit
hshockandsur
pri
se..he
doesntknowwhatisgoi
ngon,hei
sconfused.
.
Joeisalsoshocked,
buthewasnott hatshocked
becauseinhim,healwaysbel
ievedt
hatLubawoul d
neverbetr
ayLuu..
Sykeswassurpri
sedandwonderedwhatwasgoing
on..hel
ookedathismen,
noonewaspoi nt
inga
gunatLubaforwhathehasdone..
Sykes:whyareyoujustst
andi
ngt
her
elooki
ng
around.
.ki
llt
hisbust
ed..
noonemoved.
.
Lubal
ookedatSykesandsmi
rked.
.
heaskedoftheguardssomet
hingandt
heguar
d
gavehim al
oll
ipop.
.
heopenedi
tasever
yonewaswai
ti
ngf
orhi
mto
speak.
.
hetookhi
sti
meunwrappi
ngthel
oll
ipopandatt
hat
ti
me,moremenwal
kedinandKhutsowasamong
them..
.
hewenttostandnextt
oLubaandbot
hoft
hem
l
ookedatSykes..
Sykes:whatt hehel
lishappeni
ngher
e..whyar
e
theysti
llal
ive?whereisJimmy??
Luba:
Jimmy?
?hei
sdead.
..
Sykesl
ookedatLubashocked.
.
Luba:l
etsjustsay,
allyourclosecir
clef
riendsar
e
dead.
.andnow, youareleftalone.
.andthat'
swhat
youdeserveandmor e..
Khut
sowentt
ount
ieLuuandJoe.
.
theygotupandl
ookedatLubaandSykesst
il
l
surpr
ised.
.
Luba:Luu..rememberourdeal
..4shots.
.wel
li
al
readyhittheArm..chooseat
arget.
.
Luul
ookedatSykes.
.Lubagotoneoft
hement
o
handLuuagunandLuul
ookedati
tandl
ookedat
Sykes.
.
Luu:t
hisi
sformyf
ather
..
hepul
ledt
het
ri
ggerandshotst
rai
ghtatt
hel
eg.
.
Luba:
ouuuu,
that
'sani
ceshot
..
.
Sykesgr
oanedi
npai
n..
.
Luba:iwasalwayst ol
dthatiam atr
ickst
er.
.how
doyour at
emyper formance??doifi
ttobeoneof
thehorsemanin"nowyouseeme" ?
?
Sykes:yousonofaB*
***
Luba:
hai,hai
,hai
..whyyouangr
y??it
houghtwe
goodfr
iendsnow? ?
hel
aughed.
.
Luba:
icantbel
ieveyouthoughtiwoul
dchooseyou
(mymotherski
ll
er)overmycousin.
.doest
hateven
makesense??
Sykesj
ustl
ookedatLubaandLuu.
.
Sykes:soallt
hiswaspar
tofastupi
dplan?
?ohhhh,
hahahahaha,youmusthavet
houghtiwasstupi
d..
hetri
edpressi
ngsomethi
ngbutnot hi
ngwas
worki
ng,hegotshockedandlookedatthebutt
on.
.
hetri
edagainbutst
il
lnot
hinghappened..Luba
l
aughed.
.
Luba:whydoyout hinkifooledyou??iknewyou
plant
edbombsar oundher ebecauseyour atherdie
withusthenhaveushavet hevi
ctor
y..well
..that'
s
whyi hadto"Pr et
end"tobet r
aymybr other
s..that
way,iwouldbuyt i
mef orKhutsotodisconnectthe
bombsf rom exploding.
.andasf ort
hesemen. .t
hey
foundoutyourpl ant obet
raythem withaRussi an
gang..boom, checkmat e.
.
LubaShothi
m agai
nandagai
nandagai
nand
agai
n..
Luust
oppedhi
m andhebr
eat
hedf
ast
ert
ryi
ngt
o
sl
owdown..
Luu:i
am sur
ehei
sdeadnow.
.
Luba:
cantbesur
ewi
tht
hisF*
***
*
hewentcl
osert
ohi
m andshothi
mtwi
ceont
he
head.
.
hethent
hrewt
hegunonthefl
oor
,putt
helol
li
popi
n
hi
smouthandwipedhi
shandswi
thawiper.
.
Luupickedt
hegunupandhadt
hegunwi
pedas
well
..
Luba:
cleant
hismess.
.
t
hemenst
art
edcl
eani
ngt
hemess.
Luu,
Luba,
JoeandKhut
sowentout
..
Luuwasst
il
lshockedf
rom whathappened.
.
Luu:soal
lthi
swasj
ustanact
??
Luba:
mhm.
.
Luu:how?
?whataboutSi
yaandBoi
..
Luba:
wel
l,youwillhat
emef ort
his,
butihadtoget
mymentokidnapt hem sot
hati
tcouldsel
lthei
dea
ofmebet
rayingyouandJoe..
Luu:youF*
**scaredmyboyandwif
efornot
hing?
?
andhowdidyoumanagetokidnapt
hem i
fmymen
whereonwatch??
Luba:ispoketothem..it
oldt
hem t
hatiwasdoingit
foryou.
.theydidntt
rustmesoigavethem Pi
nky.
.i
tol
dthem t
hatt
heyshoul
dholdontoPinky.
.andifi
dosomethingt
oyouoryourf
amil
y,thentheycan
kil
lPi
nky.
.
Luu:what
??
Luba:ihadto.
.orel
setheywouldhavenotal
lowed
met otakeBoiandSi
ya..andt
hist
ri
ckwould'
venot
workedandwewoul dbedeadfrom t
hebombs...
Luu:F*
***
*yougaveyourowndaught
erj
ustt
o
F***
*saveusf
rom t
hissh**
*??
?
Luba:stopsayingitli
ket
hatman..iwasjust
playi
ngchessher e.
.sometimesinchess,youhave
tolett
heot herpl
ayerthi
nktheQueenandKi ngis
unprotect
ed..oncetheyfal
lint
hetrap,t
heknight
s
stri
ke.
.
Luu:*
*SI
GH*
*chesshuh?
?
Khut
so:andGaming.
.thest
rat
egyLubausedist
he
st
rat
egyyouwoul
dusei nagamewhenyouf aci
ng
ahardcor
epl
ayer
..
Luu:i
am agamer
,butseemsl
ikeyou2l
ivei
n
games..
Joe:ialsotri
edbeatingLubaatt
hegame..i
couldnt
..these2lookliket
heywerebor
nfrom
games...andithasbecomesobadbecause
everyt
hingtothem isagame..
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Luba:sor
ryigotyourf
amil
ytangl
ed..it
oldmyguy
totakeSi
yaoutandgivehi
m somefreshairand
mabyeeatoutandmeetPinky.
.hopeful
lyhewil
lbe
owk..
Luu:F*
**youman.
.
t
heyl
aughedagai
n..
Luu:i
smygi
rlowk?
?
Luba:yah.
.theguyst
oldherwhatwasgoi
ngon.
.
shecooleddown..
.
Joe:t
hisi
sonet
urnedBul
lSH*
**
Luu:ahhhhh!
!!whatamissi
on.
..youar
ereal
ly
somethingel
seLuba..
Luba:iknow..let
sgetoutofher e.
.af
tert
heguys
cl
eareverythi
ng,thi
splacewillbeinfi
reand
peaces..j
usttodestr
oyevidence..
.
Joe:iam i
nter
est
edi
nknowi
nghowthi
splan
star
ted,
whenandhowthehel
ldi
dyouknowwhat
Sykeswasupt o.
.
Luba:
aft
erget
ti
nghome, ki
ssingPi
nky,taki
nga
l
ongbathandsleepi
ngforsomehours.
.iwillsi
t
downwit
hyouandl ayt
heplanoutforyou..
Joe:iam hol
dingyout
othosewor
ds.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Luu:i
missmywi
fe.
.let
sgetoutofher
e..
t
heywal
kedoutoft
hepl
ace.
.
af
terawhi
le,
whent
hepl
acewascl
ear
..
Lubajustl
ookedbackandpr
essedthebut
tonand
BOOM! !t
hebombswentonandt hepl
acewas
burned.
.
Luu:hai
,thatbut
ton.
..
Luba:
yah.
.wehadi
tchanged.
.
theyl
ookedateachotherandshookt
hei
rheads.
.
Lubacanreal
lybeunpredi
ctabl
e..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasathomewai
ti
ngi
mpat
ient
lyf
orLuut
ocome
backhome.
.
af
terawhil
ehecamebackandirant
ohim
i
mmediatel
yaf
terhewal
kedint
hehouse.
.
Me:Luu!
!
ihuggedhi
mti
ghtwi
thmyl
egsar
oundhi
swai
st.
.
Hi
m:Bunny!
!ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:mhm. .iwasworr
iedforasecthinki
ngLuba
wasbetr
ayingyou.
.butturnedouthesti
ckhisneck
outf
oryouandJoe..
Hi
m:indeed,
that
'swhatsur
prisedmealot.
.he
woul
dneversacr
ifi
ceforme,buthedi
d..
Me:sonowiunder
standwhyhewoul
dn'
tletPi
nky
st
aywit
hus..
Him:yah.
.hehadhertakentomymensothatt
hey
cantr
ustthathewoul
dn'thur
tyouorSi
yaorme.
.
me:*
SIGH*t
hat
'sdeep.
.
Him:mhm. .nowiknowthathemaypr
etendl
ikehe
doesntcar
eaboutme,butdeepdown,
hedoes..
.
ismi
ledathi
m..
Luu:anyway.
.iam backandihavemi
ssedyou.
.
Me:ihavemi
ssedyout
oo.
.
Luu:howmuch?
?
Me:t
hismuch(
maki
ngmyhandsaswi
deasicoul
d)
hel
aughedandst
art
edt
ickl
ingmeandil
aughed.
.
Hi
m:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:yes!
!
hekeptt
icki
ngmeandigotof
fhi
m andst
opped
hi
m asilaughed.
.
Me:owkst
op.
.Luu.
.ahahahha.
.Luust
op.
.
hel
aughedandst
opped.
.het
henl
ookedatme.
.i
l
ookedathi
mtoo.
.
Hi
m:il
oveyouBunny.
.
Me:il
oveyoumor
eWol
fy.
..
hel
aughedatwhatisai
dandshookhi
shead.
.
hepul
ledmeclosert
ohi
m andki
ssedmyneckt
hen
l
ookedatme.
.
Me:imi
ssedyou.
.li
ket
his.
..
.
hestart
edkissi
ngmeandr unni
nghandsonmy
upperbody..ir
espondedandpl
acedmyhands
aroundhisneck..
hepi
ckedmeupandwal
kedt
othebedr
oom.
..
[
12/
28,
12:
51] :67
.
*
*1weekLat
er*
*
*
*NARRATOR*
*
apackedhasbeenf ormed..apackofwol ves.
..a
newrelati
onship,anewbr otherhood.
..butthe
quest
ionis..
..wil
lthispackeversepar at
edbymen
orbydeat h?
?wi l
lbet r
ayalstil
lbeani ssuet ol
ook
for
wardt oorhasloyal tywon? ?isitt
her i
ghtti
met o
namet hem "t
heun- separable,dangerousgangori s
i
ttooear l
y???
WeseeLuui
nhi
sof
fi
ce,
backt
owor
k..andJoe
sit
ti
ngopposit
ehim wit
hfil
esinhi
shandsget
ti
ng
them si
gned.
.itwasfi
nanci
alaudi
ts.
.
weneverreal
lywentint
owhatbusi nessMrWolf
deal
swithLEGALLY..wellheisabusinessman,as
al
lyouknow..heist
heCEO, founderandownerof
Wolf
.i
nc.hehasasilentpart
nerthoughanditi
sJoe.
JoeandMrWol fbecamecl oseslight
lyaf
terMr
WolfgotJoetobehi sPA, t
henwhent hebusi
ness
wasgoingthroughast rain,Joeaskedtosecr
etl
y
i
nvesttosavethebusi nessandt hat'
showhegot
holdof10%shar esinthecompany.whi chmakes
JoeandLuupar tners,butLuustil
lholdst
hemost
shares,
sohei ssti
llaboveJoe.
MrWol fwouldn'
thavegott
enJoeashi sPAi fJoe
wasscar edofhi
ml i
keallt
heotheremployeesin
thecompany.Joeshowednof earforMrWol f,j
ust
respectf
orhewashi sbossandthat'
showhe
caughttheeyeofMrWol f.
.
aft
ertheinvest
mentJoebecamecl osetoMrWolf
andaftersomeyear sbuil
dingt
rust
,MrWolffi
nal
ly
i
ntroducedhisil
legaldeal
ingst
oJoe..Joe,
was
shockedatf i
rstanddidntwantanythi
ngtodowi t
h
thatli
fe,butl
it
tl
ebyl i
tt
lehefoundhimself
entangledinthatl
if
eandst ar
tedli
vingthel
if
e..
hefearsvi
sit
inghisfamil
yalotbecausehei
safr
aid
thatt
heenemi eswouldknowwherehisfami
lyi
s
andgoaf t
erthem..
heli
vedwi t
hhi sgrandmother,mot
herandf
ather
andsibl
ings..helovesthem somuch,hewoul
dn'
t
wantanyonet ogethurt..
hecallsthem regul
arlyandhismotherkeeps
teasi
nghi m abouthim get
ti
ngoldbeforeheeven
getskids..JoeisyoungerthenMrWol fwi
thonlya
year.
.hei s25.
heact uallyposesasMrWol f
'sPAbuthei smor e
thenthat ..hi
sjobal
soincl
udesmaki ngsurethat
theILLEGALmoneyt heymakei str
ansactedinto
thebusinessaccountwi t
houtquesti
onable
transactionsofhugeamount..sohei sbasi
call
y
alsotheaccount anti
nthegang..hetakescareof
cleaningt hemoney,fi
ndi
nginformationandalso
controll
ingMrWol f'
sguardstoknowi ftr
oubleis
comi
ng.
.
backt
othescene.
.
Joe:here,alldoneandaudi
ted.
.readyt
obet
akent
o
theexternalaudit
ors.
Luu:gr
eat,makesur
eitget
stot
hem bef
oret
heend
oftheweek.
Joe:mhm.
.
Luu:her
e,r
unt
hiswi
thCi
ndy.
.
Joet
ookt
hepaper
sandscannedt
hem.
.
Joe:i
nter
n??
Luu:youal
readyhavealotofwor kbei
ngaPAand
al
sobeingmyAccountant..iam shi
fti
ngyoutothe
account
antdepar
tment.
.thereyouwi l
lfocusonthe
fl
owofourmoneyandcl eaningallt
hedi r
tymoney.
.
Joe:(
chuckl
es)il
ovet
hepr
omot
ion.
.butir
eal
ly
dontminddoi
ngboth.
.
Luu:andmi ssoutonyouryouth?
?thenyoublame
mef orpi
ll
ingyouwi t
hwork??hel
lno..i
tst
imeyou
star
tedli
vingali
ttl
e..
Joe:dude,
whatdi
dyoudot
oMrWol
f??
Luul
aughed.
.
Joe:it
hinknowiunderst
andwhyLubaandKhut
so
dontwanttofal
linl
ove..
Luu:hahahahhaisuka..t
hoseonesarejustgay
nj
e..
.thedidsaythattheyar
emar r
iedtoone
another
..
Joe:ahahhahahaha.
..
Luu:i
wil
lgetyourcont
ractf
inal
ized.
.
Joe:yessi
r.
.
hesai
dthatdoi
ngt
hesol
dert
hingwi
thhi
shands.
.
Luul
aughed.
.
Luu:dontf
orgett
ogett
hatvacat
ionpost
edonour
websit
eonly.
.
Joe:mhm.
.iwi
ll
..
Luut
hrewapaperi
nthebi
nandnot
icedt
hathi
sbi
n
wasf
ull.
.
Luu:wast
hebi
ntakenoutt
oday?
?
Joe:well
, t
hecleanertookaleavefor3months,
theybroughtatempor aryr
eplacementbutsheis
notall
owedt ocomet ooursectionbecauseitwas
order
edt hatonlySarawouldcome. .
Luu:sot
hebi
nwi
llst
ayher
efor3mont
hs?
?
Joe:iaskedCindythat
,andshesai
dshewould
comecl eanouroff
icesher
sel
f.
.butshehasbeen
busy..
Luu:*
*si
gh*
*howistherepl
acement
??i
sit
someonewhol
ooksharmful
??
Joe:well
,heisveryinnocent
,humbl
eand
respect
ful
..sheonlydoeswhatsheist
old.
Luu:**sigh**sti
ll
,lookscoul
dbedecei
ving.
.gether
tocleanourof fi
ceswhenwear eher
e,t
hatwaywe
wontf eelt
hreatenedbecausewewouldbe
watchingher .
.
Joe:thatsoundsowk.
.pl
usmydeskhasbeenver
y
dusty..
Luu:hahahaha.
.
Joewal
kedout
..
nowmovi
ngf
rom t
heof
fi
cedownt
other
ecept
ion.
.
Ntandowaswalki
ngt
ogett
hedust
binoft
he
r
ecepti
ontot
hrowout.
.
Khut
soandLubawal
kedi
ntoget
her
..
Lubaagai nwi t
hhisloll
ipopwalkedinwit
hhis
handsinhi spocketandwal ki
ngl i
kehewasona
redcarpet..notfor
getKhutsowhowaswal ki
ngnext
tohim withoneear phoneonandhi sbackpackon
hisshoulders..
t
heywal
kedi
n..
nowal
it
tl
esomet
hingaboutt
hese2.
.
Khutsoasyouknowgrewupsurroundedby
computer
sandthiswasbecausehisfatherand
motherweret
oobusytoatt
endtohim. .
theywerebusymakingmoneyt hatt
heyevenf
orgot
thatt
heyhadasont otakecareof.
.hi
sfat
herwould
buyhim gamestokeephim busyashewouldgrow
older
..
ever
yyearonhisbir
thdayhi
sfatherwoul
dalways
buyhim games.
.andhisfat
herboughtt
hose
gamesbecausehesawt
hatt
heyr
eal
lymade
Khut
sobusy..
thenashewasoldheaskedt
ohaveal
apt
op.
.they
boughti
tforhi
m..
f
inancial
lyheneverl
acked.
.hehadal
lthathe
wanted,whichwaslapt
opsandgames..
hi
sparent
sweresur
pri
sedwhentheyaskedhim
whathewant
edforhi
s21stbi
rt
hday,heaskedfora
deskt
opcomput
erandsomegames..
t
heywerethi
nki
nghewoul
dsayacarorsomet
hing
l
iket
hat
,buthechoset
hat
..
hi
sroom wasf
il
ledwi
thgamesandcomput
ers.
.
whenhest art
edget t
ingsibli
ngs,heneverusedto
att
endt othem, actuall
yhecoul dspend3days
withoutseeinghisl i
tt
lebrothereventhought
hey
l
ivedinthesamehouse. .t
hiswasbecausehe
wouldlockhi mselfinhisroom andguesswhat .
.
evenhispar entswoul dnotnoticethat.
.
hewouldmakeexcusest
hathewasst
udyi
ngbut
thatwasnott
hecase.
.
ti
lltoday,Khutsodoesntknowhowhepassedand
gott ouneversit
ybecauseheneverst
udied..but
mabyei tcouldbebecausei ncl
asshereall
ypays
attenti
on..
butlat
erhestar
tednoti
cinghissibl
ingsandgi vi
ng
them t
ime.
.whenheknewt hathi
slitt
lesisterl
oves
playi
ngapiano,hewenttolearnthepianoj ustt
o
teachhisl
it
tl
esist
erhi
msel ftoshowl ovetoher..
becausehedidntwantthem togrowupl ikehim..
t
hat
'showhi
slovef
orpl
ayi
ngapi
anost
art
ed.
..
nowf
orourbel
ovedLuba.
wel
lwhenhewasyounghel osthismot herwhich
weallknow.
.butonet
hinghedidntletgoof ft
hat
r
emindedhim ofhi
smother
,wast heloll
ipop..
hi
smot herwouldalwaysgivehimtheloll
ipop
wheneverLubawassad, cryi
ngorsomet i
mes
missi
nghisfather
..alol
li
popwasasi gnaturehis
motherlef
tandtodayheal wayseat
sal ol
lipop
whenhemi ssedhismother,sadorstr
essed. .
i
tmayseem likeheeatssweet
sal ot,
butact
ual
ly
hedoesnt
..heeatsabout3/
4loll
ipopsaweek,
dependi
ngonhowt
hedaygoes.
.
sometimeswhenhemi sseshi
smot her,
hedoesnt
eatlol
li
pop,buthejustl
ooksatherpict
urewhi
chis
hisscreensaver
.sometimeshedoesnteatany
l
olli
popinaweek, sometimesheeatstoomuch,li
ke
max6l oll
ipopsinaweek..
heusedt
oplaychessfr om ayoungageandalso
st
art
edgamingaswel l
..heusedtoplaywit
hthe
guar
dsaft
erschoolandalsohisdad..
atschoolhewasast hebestchessplayerand
gamer..pl
ushislooks,
hegottheladiesatt
enti
on..
thatwouldexpl
ainhowhewasact ivefrom aver
y
youngage..
whenhewas15Lubagotagi r
lpregnant.t
hegir
l
wasonly14year
sol
d..whenhisfatherknewabout
thi
s,hewasangr
yofcausebecauseLubawasst il
l
veryyoung.
but ,
Luba'sfatherspoketot
hegir
lsfamil
ytoletthe
girlstaywiththem fort
heperi
odofpregnancy.
.
theyagr eed.
.Luba'sfat
herdi
dthi
sbecausehe
knewt hathi
senemi eswoul
dgoafterthegir
ltoget
t
ohi
m si
nceshei
shol
dinghi
sgr
andchi
ld.
aft
ermont
hs,
thebabywasbor
nandt
hegi
rlwent
backt
o..
whenLubawasi
ngr
ade11,
hisf
atherpassed
away.
.
aft
erthatthelawyer sofhisfathert
ookhim, hi
s
chi
ldandhi sgirl
fri
endtoasaf ehouse( seemst hat
washisfatherswi shes.
.forLubat obeinthesaf e
housetil
lheis21)t heywer etakencarebyhi s
fat
hersbestfriend.
whent heybot hcompl et
edmat r
ic,thechi
ldwas3
yearsofage. .atthatagealreadyLubawoul dtake
ti
met ot eachhersomewor ds,alphabetsand
counting..Lubalovedplayingwi thhischi
ld.
.butt
he
gir
l,shewasal waysbusy..shecr iedabout
assignment s,t
estsandal lt
hat..
l
aterinmonths,shestartedcomplai
ningsayingshe
doesnthavefreedom becausethemenwer ealways
guardi
ngherandt reat
ingherli
keaprisoneralways
fol
lowingheraround..
Lubat
oldhert
hati
twasf
orhersaf
etybutshedi
dnt
wantt
ounder
stand.
.
atthatsameyearshetookabigdeci
sion.she
decidedtol
eaveLubaandmoveonwi thherli
fe
becauseLubawast r
eati
ngherli
keapr i
soner
..
Lubadidntholdherback. .
.het oldherthatshecan
go,butPinkywasnotgoi ngwi thher .
.theyfought
aboutforawhile,butsheagr eedt othetermst hat
shegetsfreeandl eavesPinkybehi ndthenshewi ll
visi
theronholidays..andwhenshei soldenough,
thenhewoul dl
etPi nkystaywit hheronhol i
days.
butsheonlycamet ovisi
tthatoneyearandf rom
ther
e,shenevercameback. .
Lubawashurtaft
ert
hebreakupbutheli
ved.
.he
tookcar
eofhisownchil
dandraisedherwel
lwi
th
thehel
pofhi
sf at
her
'sbestf
ri
end..
whenhewas21,hisfat
her
'sf
ri
endt
oldhi
m
somet
hingt
hatshockedhi
m..
hewastoldt
hathisf
atherl
efthugeamountof
moniest
ohim andal
soahousei nCubatostar
t
over
..
hewasshocked.hewast
hent
oldt
hatt
hewi
llonl
y
stat
edthathegotaccesst
othiswhenhewas21,
that
'swhytheywereonlyt
ell
i
nghimthen.
.
hetookhismoniesandsol dt
hehousei nCuba
becausehedidnthaveplansofmoving..hethen
rent
edasmal lRDPhouse( whereheli
ves)andlived
ther
ewithPinky..hi
sfat
her'
sfri
endsti
lllookedaft
er
him wi
thouthim knowi
ng..
helaidlowandletPi
nkycarr
yonatschool.
.he
fi
nishedhis3yearcodi
ngcourseandlai
dlow.
.lat
er
hef oundoutt
hatSykesisst
il
lal
iveandact
edon
that..
wher
ewashi sfather'
sfr i
end..hewassecr etl
yjust
l
ooki
ngoverLuba, theyknewwhathewasaf t
er,but
t
hatwaslowkeysomet hingt hatprovedtothem,
t
hathi
sfatherdidnotdi e,butisli
vinginLuba..now
t
heyhaveoffi
cial
lylethimf reeandt heynolonger
l
ookaft
erhim,theybelievet heyhavedonet heirpar
t.
aft
ertheki
ll
ingofSykes,Lubahasbeenhouse
hunti
ngintheexpensiveareas,sowasLuu.
.Luu'
s
housewasbi g,buti
twasbi genoughf
or1person
si
ncehewasl i
vingal
one..
Luudoesntl
ike"showingof
f"soaslongasheis
comfor
tabl
et henheisowk.butnowthathemust
accommodatehislit
tl
efamil
y,hehasbeenal
so
househunti
ngandhasputhi sol
dhouseforsal
e..
Boit
ywasowkwi t
hthat.
.
wherei
sPinky'
smothernow?
?wel
l
,shei
sst
il
lout
t
herehavi
ngherfun.
.
doesLubahaveacompany? ?NO...hei
snotaman
tohaveacompany, healwayswant edt
obearound
Computer
sjustl
ikeKhut so..that
'swhyhestudi
ed
codi
ngandcomput erstudies..
nowt hatwedugi
ntoeachone'
sli
fe,
let
sgetbackt
o
thescene..
LubaandKhut
sowalkint
hebui
ldingandasal
ways
thewomanint
hatcompanyj
ustfeelt
hehotai
rthat
comeswit
htheguys.
.
Ntandodoesntnot
iceanyt
hingandj
ustf
ocuseson
herwork.
.
asshewaspassi
ngbywit
hthedustbi
n,she
bumpedi
ntoLubaandal
mostfel
lbutheldhis
bal
ancel
eavi
ngNtandot
ofal
lonherown. .
hel
ookedatherwi
thaser
iousbutki
ll
ingl
ook.
.
Luba:
doyounotknowwher
eyougoi
ng?
?
Nt
andoj
ustl
ookeddown.
.
Nt
ando:iam sor
rysi
r.
.
shetr
iedgett
ingupandt
heguysj
ustl
ookedather
wit
hseriousl
ooks.
.
Khut
so:ar
eyounewar
oundher
e?
Nt
andonodded.
.
Nt
ando:yessi
r.
.
theylookedatherandl
ookedatt
her
ubbi
sht
hatf
ell
outthedustbi
n..
Khutso:youbetterpi
ckuptherubbi
sht
hatfel
lout
thedustbi
nbefor eMrWolfcomesdown,i
twontbe
nicetoseehim shoutatyou.
.
hesai
dthi
swi
thacal
m voi
ce.
.
Nt
andonodded.
.
Nt
ando:iam sor
ryagai
nsi
r.
.
Lubal
eftandKhut
sof
oll
owedaf
terpat
ti
ngNt
ando
ont
heshoul
dert
ocal
m herdown.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
51] :CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
iwasbusyonmyphonewhensuddenl
ythedoor
opened.
.LubaandKhut
sowal
kedi
n..
Me:hehe.
.dontyouguysanyt
hingcal
ledKnocki
ng?
?
Khut
so:what
sthatgr
oot
man,
isi
tChi
nese?
?
Luba:
ithi
nki
tsPor
tuguese,
itsoundsf
ancy.
.
il
aughedatt
hisd*
**headsandj
ustshookmy
head.
.
t
heycamet
osi
tdown.
.
Khutsosatonthecornerofthet
abl
eandLubasat
onthechairopposi
teme...
Me:hai
,Khut
so,
dontwehaveenoughchai
rsi
nthi
s
of
fi
ce??
Khutsolookedoveral
lthechai
rst
hatwer
eher
eand
pr
etendedasi fhedi
dntseethem.
.
Khut
so:idontseeany.
.doyou?
?
heaskedLuba.
.
Lubaal
sodi
dthesamewhi
lesucki
nghi
slol
li
pop.
.
Luba:
nop.
.it
hinkt
hisi
stheonl
yone.
.
isi
ghedandshookmyhead.
.
Me:MyGod.
.whodi
diof
fend?
?
Khut
so,
Luba:Me!
!
t
heyl
ookedateachot
herandl
aughed.
.
St
upi
dheads.
.
ataboutt
hesamet
ime,
Joewal
kedi
n..
Joe:ohhhhl
ookatt
hat
,al
it
tl
ebr
otherr
euni
on.
.
Khut
so:haiMrJoe.
..
Joe:yahl
astbor
n..
.
Khut
sol
aughed.
..
Joe:di
dyoubunkschoolt
oday?
?
Khut
so:idonthavecl
assest
oday.
..
Joe:youl
ying,
Lubamadeyouski
pcl
ass.
.wena
Lubayounotdoi
ngt
heki
dri
ght
..hehast
olear
n..
.
Luba:
hai
,ishal
lnotbei
nvol
ved.
.
wel
aughed.
.
Me:haiLuba.
.whenwi
llyouchangeyoursur
name
backt
oWol f?
?
Luba:
howaboutNever
?
Me:youcantbeser i
ous.
.youhavetocarryyour
fat
herssurname..imeanSykesisoutt
heway. .pl
us
youhavet odoitnowsothatPi
nkydoesntstruggl
e
i
nthef ut
ure.
.youknowyourfathermarr
iedyour
mother..
Luba:yah,yah.
..iwil
lchangeitback..
.it
sawhole
processthough..youdontjustdothatoverni
ght
..
there'
sID'
stofixandallthat.
.
Me:butyoumustdoi
t.
.
Luba:
yesdad.
..
Joe:Lubayouareonehotheadedbei
ng.
.youneed
awomant hatcansof
tenyouup..
.
Me:yah,
ial
sor
ecommendt
hat
..
Luba:
unf
ort
unatel
yiLubabal
oNkosi
,wi
llnotfal
lin
l
oveanyt
imesoon.
.idontwantt
otur
noutlikeLuu..
Me:soiam sof
t??
Luba:yahyouare.
.ifyourgi
rlcal
lsnow,ibetyou
wil
ljumptoanswer,andwhenshet ell
syoutogot o
herthenyouwil
lrunoutsayi
ng, "
igott
ago,mybaby
needsme"
Khut
sol
aughed.
.
Luu:idontdosuch.
.besi
des,Boi
tumel
or espects
myt i
meandspace..
.that
'soneofthet
hingsilike
abouther.
Luba:
tal
k,t
alkandt
alk.
.
Khut
so:andmor
etal
k..
atthatmoment,
someoneknockedandJoewentt
o
openthedoor
..i
twasthenewcleaner
..
Joe:ohyouar
eher
etocl
eanup?
?
shenodded.
.
Luu:youcanstar
tremovi
ngdustfrom t
heshelves.
.
ial
readycl
eanedmyownt abl
e,idontwantpeople
ar
oundi
t.
.
Her
:yessi
r.
.
shewentt
otheshelvesandst
art
eddust
ing.
.asi
l
ookedatt
heboys..
il
eanedi
nandwhi
sper
ed.
.
Luu:(whi
sper)haiLuba,
remembert
hatgi
rlt
hatwi
ll
soft
enyou..i
sn'tt
hisher
??
iwast
easi
nghi
m..
.
Luba:
(chuckl
es)F*
***you.
..
wel
aughed.
..
Joe:so,
Luba,
whatar
eyourf
utur
epl
ans?
?
Luba:
toki
llpeopl
eandmakemor
emoney.
..
Luu:canyoubeF*
**ser
ious.
..
Luba:
doil
ookl
ikeiam j
oki
ngr
ightnow?
?
Joe:howaboutbei
ngyourcousi
n'sPA?
Luba:
me??Luu'sPA??HELLNO.
..
.ist
il
lwantt
o
keepmycooli
mage..
il
aughed.
..
Luu:i
tsnotper
manent
..j
ustani
nter
nshi
p..
Luba:iwoul
drathergogamet
hewhol
edayf
ort
he
restofmyli
fe.
.
it
urnedandl
ookedatt
hecl
eaner
..
.
Me:sor
ry.
.hal
o..
shet
urnedandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:whati
syourname?
?
Her
:Nt
..
..Nt
andosi
r.
Me:Ntandodear.
.mayyoupl
easet
akeLubaas
yourweddedhusband.
.
shel
ookeddownanddi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
me:please..
.becausehereal
lyneedsawi
feri
ght
now..awifethatcanopenhiseyesandmakehim
dream bet
ter.
..
Luba:hahahahahaha( f
akel
augh)ni
cemat ch
makingsir.
..ihavet
ogoandmeetr ealpeopl
e,
peoplewhoar emature..
.
Luu:soyouguyscameher
ejustt
osi
tandt
alk
gi
bberi
sh??
Luba:
wewer
epassi
ngby.
.wecamef
rom t
hegame
shop.
.
Joe:youguysar
erealgamer
syaz.
.youevengot
o
gameshops??
Khut
so:yah,
whenwehavenot
hingt
odo.
.
Luu:mhm.
.seemsLubai
snott
heonl
yonet
hat
needsawi
fe.
.
Joe:butKhutsoisst
il
linschoolsoi
ts
underst
andable.
.
Luba:
whataboutyoumi st
er..iseeyouadding
spi
cetoeveryt
hingt
hatLuusays, butyoukeep
for
get
tingt
hatyoualsopartofthesalt
ygang..
.
weal
llaughedatt
hewor
dsal
ty.
.
Luu:Sal
ty?
?whatdoest
hatmean?
?
Luba:imeant
heocean.
.it
ssal
tysoweal
lpar
tof
theocean.
.
hesaidthi
swanti
ngtolaughbecauseher
eal
ized
thathesai
dthi
sinfr
ontofaguest..
Luba:
youknowwhat
,iam headi
ngout
..youguys
makemel
ookl
ikeabadnast
yper
son.
.
Joe:we?
?youdot
hatyour
sel
f.
..
Luba:
owk, whatever.
.iwi
lll
eavenow,
whi
leist
il
l
haveali
tt
lereputati
onlef
t..
.
hest
oodupandwal
kedoutt
hedoor
..
wel
aughed.
.
Khut
so:got
tagot
oo.
.phel
ahei
smyt
ranspor
t.
.
Joe:andyourhusband.
.
Khut
so:yah,
thatt
oo.
.
welaughedandhewal
kedoutgi
vingust
hesal
ute
si
gn..
Luu:hai
..t
hose2ar
esomet
hingel
se.
.
Joe:letmeheadbackt omyof f
ice..ihavesome
movingt oprepar
efor.
.iwonderwhowi l
ltakethi
s
i
nternship,hopeheknowshiswor kbecauset her
e
areal otoffi
lest
obedone..
Luu:i
am sur
ewewi
llgetsomeonecapabl
e..
Joe:owk.
.seeyou.
.
Luu:sur
e..
hel
eftandisi
ghed.
.
iputonmyear
phonesandj
ustwat
chedVi
deoson
YouTube.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iarr
ivedhomeandfoundAuntChl
oesi
tt
ingont
he
couchsleepi
ng,
theTVwason..
iwalkedi
nqui
etl
yandwentt
omyr
oom,
butasi
passedshewokeup.
.
shei
saveryli
ghtsl
eeperandwheneverit
rynott
o
wakeherup,
sheactual
lywakesup.
.
AuntChl
oe:haoNt
ando,
youar
eback?
?
Me:yesAunt.
.idi
dntwantt
owakeyouupsoij
ust
headedst
rai
ghttomyroom..
AuntChloe:t
hankyou..butial
wayshearsmal
l
sounds.
.itsnotyourf
ault
,it
sjustme.
.
Me:ohh,
butst
il
l,
sor
ryiwokeyouupAuntChl
oe.
.
AuntChl
oe:nonsense.
.youdi
dntwakemeup.
.my
ear
sdid.
.
il
aughedal
it
tl
e..
AuntChl
oe:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:yesaunt
yjustt
ir
ed.
.
AuntChl
oe:imadesomespaghet
tiandmince.
.
pl
easedi
shupf ormeandal
soyoursel
f.
.
Me:owkAuntChl
oe.
.
AuntChl
oe:t
hankyou.
.
iwentt
ochangemyshoest
heniwentt
odi
shupf
or
us.
.
[
12/28,12:
52] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SANDISWAMPINGEKAZIMNDIYATA)
.
68
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Me:whati
sthi
swor
d..
.
Si
ya:s.
..
..
sit
..
Me:good.
.andt
hisone.
.
Si
ya:mhm.
..oop.
.
Me:no.
..t
ryagai
n..
Si
ya:oo.
..
p..
.it
soop.
.
Me:ar
eyousur
e??
Si
ya:i
sn'
tthi
soo.
.
Me:i
tsoo,
buti
nthi
swor
ditsoundsl
ikea.
..
Si
ya:Ahhhh!
Me:dontwor
ry,
youwi
llknowal
laboutt
hedi
ff
erent
soundsowk?
?
henodded.
.
Me:shal
lwecar
ryon?
?
Si
ya:iam t
ir
ed.
.
Me:weonlyhavebeenr
eadi
ngf
orl
esst
hen30
mi
nutes.
.
Si
ya:butmyheadi
ssmal
l
..
Me:t
hissmal
lheadcanl
ear
nformor
ethen30
mi
nutes.
.
Siya:butihavebeenl
earni
ngforhour
satschool
..i
f
icontinue,
mymi ndwil
lexpl
ode.
.
il
aughedandshookmyhead.
.
Luuar
ri
vedandSi
yar
ant
ohi
m..
Si
ya:br
otherLubanzi
!!
!
Luu:hai
,bi
gguy.
..howar
eyou?
?
Si
ya:f
ine.
.
Luu:awesome..iseeyoudoi
nghomewor
k..t
eacher
Boit
umeloteachingyouwel
l.
.
Si
ya:mhm.
.butmymi
ndi
sful
l.
.
Luul
aughedal
it
tl
e..
Luu:what
?
Me:he'
scr
azyt
hisone.
.hei
slazyt
olear
n..
Si
yaPout
ed.
.
Luu:i
dontagr
ee.
.myl
it
tl
eboysheadi
sver
ysmal
l.
.
i
tmi
ghtpopout
..
heputhi
sfi
ngeri
nhi
smout
hashehi
dhi
ssmi
le.
.
t
hisl
it
tl
escammer
..
Luuputhi
m down.
.
Luu:t
ellaunt
ytoopencar
toonsf
oryou.
.
Si
ya:car
toons,
car
toons.
.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m andl
ookedatLuu.
.
Me:youl
ikespoi
li
ngSi
ya.
.
Hi
m:iam notspoi
li
nghi
m,iam j
ustgi
vinghi
ma
br
eak.
.
Me:mxm.
.
hecamet
osi
tri
ghtnextt
omeandcuddl
edme.
.
Hi
m:lookhowhappyandunwindi
nghei
s..shows
t
hatiwil
lbeagr
eatfat
heroneday.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustkeptqui
etandl
ooked
down.
.
henot
icedmysuddenchangeandr
aisedmyhead.
.
Luu:Bunny,
whati
sit
??
Me:not
hing.
.
Luu:youf
eltsadaboutwhatisai
dri
ght
??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luu:l
isten,
iam notsayingthatiwantachildnow
becauseiknowyoursituati
on,butiam sayingthat
wewi l
lhaveachil
dlaterinl
ife.
.itmaynotbet oday,
tomorrowornextyear,buti
twillhappen.
.iknowi t
..
Me:youbel
ievei
nmi
racl
es?
?
Luu:no,butibel
ieveGoddoesntpuni
shi
nnocent
people.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Luu:comeher
e..
hehuggedmeasil
aymyheadonhi
schest
..
Me:Luu.
..
.whati
fweneverhaveourownki
ds.
.wi
ll
youl
eaveme??
Luu:no.
.never
..whywoul
dil
eaveyou?
?
Me:butyoualwayswant
edt
obeaf
ather
..you
neverhi
tthat
..
.
Luu:andial
readyam.
.
hel
ookedatSi
ya.
.
Me:mxm.
.
Luu:youst
resst
oomuch.
.doyouhaveany
assi
gnmentstodo?
?
Me:hahahahano.
..
Luu:nohomewor
k??
Me:hahahaha,
no.
.
Luu:t
hengostudyandstopstr
essi
ngaboutgr
own
upthi
ngs.
.ki
dsmuststudy..
il
aughedmyl
ungsout
..
Me:ahhhhLuu.
.iam achi
ldnow?
?
Luu:yes..nowgost
udysot
hatyoucanpassat
school.
.
hesai
dthi
sst
andi
ngupt
ogoputhi
sbagsi
nthe
room.
.
ij
ustl
aughedandl
ethi
m go.
..
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
weseeaguycal
ledSai
nti
nthel
ibr
arydr
awi
ng.
.
hedr
awsal
otandal
sopai
nts.
.
hedoesntonl
ydrawwit
honehand,
buthei
sabl
eto
dr
awwi t
hbothhands.
.
hecanbechi
ldi
shsomet
imes,
buthecanal
sobe
ver
yseri
ous.
.
heisverypopul
arinhi
sartschoolbecauseheis
fr
iendl
ywithever
ybodyandli
kesmaki ngjokes.
.
hewasseatedi
nthel
ibr
aryl
ooki
ngatagi
rlwho
wasst
udying.
.
het
ookoutapageandst
art
eddr
awi
ngher
..
hekeptondrawingherandt
hegi
rlnot
icedt
hathe
keptonlooki
ngather.
.
thepoorgi
rlt
hinki
ngt hatmabyeshehadcharmed
thepopul
arSaint,
didntknowthathewasjust
drawi
ng..
af
teral
ongwhi
le,
sai
ntst
oodupandwentt
oher
..
Sai
nt:hi
..
shel
ookedupandi
mmedi
atel
ysmi
led.
.
Sai
nt:idr
ewt
hisf
oryou.
.hopeyoul
ovei
t.
.
Gi
rl
:thankyou.
..wow,
itssoamazi
ng.
.
Sai
nt:mypl
easur
e,st
udyhar
d..
t
hegi
rlsmi
ledandsai
ntwentbackt
ohi
sdesk.
.
hepackedal
lhist
hingsandt
hensai
dgoodbyet
o
thegi
rlandl
eft
.
hewal
kedoutandthegir
lwaskindofdi
sappoi
nti
ng
si
nceshewasreal
lyt
hinki
ngthatSai
ntl
ovedher.
.
af
terawhi
leSai
ntgothome.
.
Sai
nt:what
supf
ami
ly.
..
Mom:himybaby.
.
Dad:backsoear
ly?
?
Saint
:yah.
.today,
iwant
edt
ospendt
imewi
thmy
fam..
Mom:youmeanaskyourf
am somet
hingt
hey
mi
ghtsaynot
o??
Sai
nt:ohhhma!
!howdi
dyougett
oknowmeso
wel
l?
?
Mom:ar
eyounotmyson?
?
Sai
nt:no,
iam dad'
sson.
.
mom l
aughedandhi
tSai
ntont
hehead.
.
Mom:whatdoyouwantSai
nt,
spi
titout
..
Sai
nt:mhmmmmmm canigetanewdrawingpad
andanewpai
ntsetandal
sowehaveatr
ipthi
s
weekend.
.
Mom:t
o??
Sai
nt:pl
aces.
.
dad:wel
l,youdeci
deboy..i
tsei
theradr
awi
ngpad
andapaintsetoratr
ip.
.
Sai
nt:dad!
!!
Dad:choose.
.
Sai
nt:mom?
?
Mom:whoam it
oar
guewi
thyourf
ather
??hehas
deci
ded.
.
Sai
nt:butmom!
!thi
sisunf
air
..
Dad:i
fyouval
uet
hatt
ri
ptoomuch..t
hengetaj
ob.
.
wetol
dyouwenotgoi
ngtospoi
lyou.
.
mom:yes.
.pl
usihear
dWolf.
inci
slooki
ngf
oran
i
nter
ntobeMrWolf'
sPA.
..
Sai
nt:PA?
?ir
atherski
pthet
ri
p..
Dad:yourchoi
ce.
..
Mom:ist i
llthi
nkyoushouldapply.
.doyouknow
howmanypeopl egettoworkatthatcompany, and
worstofall,
youwillbecl
oset oMrWol f
..youmi ght
l
earnathingor2aboutbusi nessandlatertakeover
yourfat
hersbusiness.
.
Sai
nt:her
ewegoagai
n..
.
dad:whet
heryouli
kei
tornotson..youknowt
hat
youtheonlysoni
nthi
sfamil
y,andyouhaveto
carr
ythefamil
yname.
.
Saint:butidontwantt
obeabusi
nessman.
.il
ike
art
..andt hat
'swer
eiwantt
obe..
Dad:Sai
nt!
!
Mom:letsnotf
ightaboutthi
s..t
hemoodwasgreat
,
l
etskeepitt
hatway..haveyouchosenwhi
chone
youwant
??
Sai
nt:owk.
.iguessiwi
llst
icktoanewdr
awi
ngand
anewpainset.
.IAM ANARTI ST.
..
hesaidthatloudthr
owingshadeathi
sdad.
.that
's
j
ustteasing,
dontwor r
y,hewasnotbei
ng
di
srespecti
ng...
dad:IDON'
THAVEASON.
.
t
heylaughedandSai
ntj
ustwentt
ohughi
sfat
her
f
rom theback.
.
Saint
:youreall
yhaveagreatdaught
er.
.3
daughter
s..i
tsamazing.
.
hi
sdadhi
thishandsandSai
ntr
emovedt
hem
l
aughi
ng.
..
suchapr
ett
yfami
lyr
ighther
e..
.
[
12/
28,
12:
52] :69
.
*
*FRI
DAY*
*
*
*Sai
nt*
*
so,daysagoitri
edtoaskmyparentstobuymea
newdr awingpadandanewpaintsetandalsogive
memoneyf ort
hetri
p,butt
heyi
nsist
edthatishoul
d
choose..
wel
l,
iki
ndofmadeapl
anaboutt
hat
..
theyalsoment i
onedmeapplyingforaninternship
soiusedt hattomyadvantage.it
oldmydadt hatif
hecoul dbuymet hethi
ngsiwantandalsobor r
ow
memoneyf orthetri
p,t
heniwoulddefi
nitelyapply
fortheint
ernship.
.
wel
l,
heagr
eed.casecl
osed.
.
i
tsj
usta12mont
hint
ernshi
p..i
twonthar
m me.
.
wel
l,
todayi
stheday.
.thet
ri
pday.
.
ihavejustpr
epared,iam smel
li
nggood,iam fr
esh
andalsomyout f
itispreddysi
mplebutverycut
e..
igetmysi
debagandheadout
..
asiheadout
,ibumpi
ntomyol
dersi
ster
..
iam t
hemiddlechil
d..ihaveanol
dersi
ster(
Pear
l)
andayoungersist
er(Ameah)
Pearl
:(smil
es)mhm..l
ookathowhandsomeyou
l
ook..
.ifyouwerenotmyyoungerbr
other
,iwoul
d
notbesingl
eatthi
smoment..
Me:am ist
il
lnotyoungert
henyou?
?
Pear
l:idontmi
ndyoungerboys.
.asl
ongast
hey
ar
ehandsomeandcut eatt
hesametime.
.
Me:il
ikeyourcompl
iment
s,butt
hatsoundswei
rd.
.
il
aughedassheal
sol
aughed.
.
Pear
l:haveasaf
etr
ip,
andr
emember
,dontf
ight
..
.
Me:doieverf
ight
??
Pearl
:accor
dingtomymemor ybox,
youhaveabad
reput
ati
onforfi
ghti
ngwhenyouaredrunk.
.
Me:that'
sbecauseialwaysmeettheseguyst
hat
t
hinktheycanjustsaywhatevert
heywanttosay.
..
Pearl
:thenthi
stime,j
usthol
diti
n..dontf
ightunt
il
theyst
artthefi
ght.
.
Me:iwi
llt
rymyal
terbest
..
Pear
l:ishoul
dn'
tcountont
hatshoul
di?
?
Me:pr
obabl
ynot
..
shesmi
ledandl
ookedatme.
.
Pearl
:ijustdontwantyougetti
nghurt.
.some
peopl
emayevenst abyouseeingthatyouaremore
powerfulthenthem.sopleasebeonthelookout.
.
tr
ytober eservedali
tt
le.
.focusonyoursel
fand
youral
cohol .
.owk??
Me:owk.
.
shehel
dmyshoul
derandwal
kedpassed.
.
iwalkedtot
hekit
chentomakesomethi
ngbef
orei
lef
t.
.thenaf
tert
hatisatdownt
oeat
..
asiwashavi ngmymeal ,myphonemadea
notif
icat
ion,
icheckedanditwasanemai
lfr
om t
he
company( Wolf.
inc)
.iopenedi
tandi
twasa
responsetomyappl i
cati
on.
wow, igotselect
edt
ocomet othei nt
ervi
ewon
Monday. .t
hatwasaquickresponse,aretheyt
hat
desperateforaPA??normall
yittakesweekstoget
aresponse.
anyway,
ifi
nishedupmyf
oodandheadedout
.
mom anddadpr
obabl
ywentt
othecompany.
.
.
*
**Luba*
**
iwasseat
edont
hecouch,
li
steni
ngt
ocl
assi
cs.
.
ial
wayshavet hi
smomentaswel lwhenimissmy
mom, shelovedclassi
cs.
.shesaidther
eisalways
somethingdif
fer
entaboutthem t
hatsoothesthe
soul
..
ineverunderst
oodwhyshel
ovedcl
assi
csunt
ilshe
actual
lylef
tmeandihadtol
ist
entocl
assi
cst
oget
myspi r
itcl
osertoher
s.
asiwasl
ist
eni
ngt
othem,
Pinkyar
ri
ved.
.
ilookedattheti
met hi
nki
ngshewasf et
chedt
oo
earlybutactual
lyshewasevenl
ate.
.seemsti
me
reall
yfl
y's.
.
Pi
nky:HiDaddy,
iam back.
..
Me:whydi
dyoucomebacksolatet
oday?
?di
d
uncl
eSam t
akeyout
oeati
ce-
cream??
Pi
nky:nodaddy.
..iwaspl
ayi
ngChess.
..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?howdi
dyoudo?
?
pshhhobvi
ousquest
ion.
..butigot
taaskr
ight
?
Pi
nky:idi
dgr
eatdaddy.
.Look!
shet
ookoutal
ett
erf
rom schoolandgavei
ttome.
.
Pi
nky:myteachergavemet
hisandaskedmet
o
gi
vetoyou.
.
it
ookt
hel
ett
erandr
eadi
t.
.
"DearParentof___
Pinky_Nkosi___
.wewouldli
ket
o
i
nform youthatyourchi
ldhasbeenchosento
part
ici
pateintheProvi
ncialchesschampi
onshi
pfor
u/13..
..
..
..
..
."
ireadt
hewholelet
terandwasconf
usedatt
he
sametimewantedtolaugh.
.
howwoul dtheysenda9yearol dt oplayagainst
grade7'
s( 12/13year
sol ds)?ar
et heset
eachers
eventhi
nkingstrai
ght???imeant hiswil
lonlybri
ng
mor eat
tenti
ontoher..butthen,
ifshewant stothen
iguessshecango. .
Me:l
it
tl
eyouwi
llbepl
ayi
ngagai
nstbi
gpeopl
e??
Pinky:mhm.
.myteacherevenaskedmetoaskyou
tocomeseehersothatshecantalkt
oyouabout
thi
s..
Me:howdi
dyouevengeti
n??
Pinky:iwaswat chi
ngthem pl
aychess,
soiasked
toplay..daddysaidicanpl
aychessnow..
Me:yah,
yah.
.iknow.
.
Pi
nky:sotheboysai
dishouldgoplaywi
thmyage
mates.
.idar
edhimtoplay,
heplayedandiwon.
.
Me:(
chuckl
ed)showof
f.
.
shesmi
led.
.
Me:goandgetyourfoodint
hemi
crowave.
.dont
f
orgett
oheati
tupf i
rst
..
Pi
nky:yesdaddy.
.
shehoppedt
otheki
tchen.
.
il
ookedatherandshookmyhead.
.
"
nowyoucanenjoyyoursmartski
ll
smybaby,show
t
heworldhowdaddyrai
sedyou".
..mynextgr
eat
t
ri
ckst
er.
.
ismi
led.
..
.
*
**Boi
tumel
o**
*
wej
ustar
ri
vedatAuntMar
tha'
spl
ace.
.wevi
sit
ing
f
ort
heweekend.
.
shehasnoideaaboutt
heacci dentatschool
,i
askedLuunott
osayawor d..ijustdontwanther
worryi
ngsomuchaboutus..besideswehaveeach
other.
.
weknockedandshet
oldust
ocomei
n..
Aunt
:haohao.
.youar
ri
ved.
.Si
yamyboy.
.
Si
ya:aunt
!!
!
Si
yarantoAuntMar
thaandAuntMar
thaputhi
m
onherl
ap..
Aunt
:howar
eyouboy?
?
Si
ya:iam f
ineAunt
y..
Aunt
:andschool
??
Si
ya:i
tsf
ine.
.
Aunt
:ihopeyouwer
enotgi
vingAuntBoi
ty
pr
oblemsneh??
Si
yanodded.
.
Auntl
ookedatme.
.
Aunt
:mychi
ld,
howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam wel
lAuntandyou?
?
Aunt:ij
ustcaughtsomef
lue,
butit
sget
ti
ngbet
ter
af
teridranksomecoughmixer.
.
Me:ohiam gl
adyouar
eowk.
.
Aunt
:andLubanzi
?howi
she?
?
Me:hei
sfi
neAunt
,justal
otbusi
erwi
thwor
k..
Aunt
:isn'
thewor
kingt
oomuchandt
oohar
d??
Me:hedoest
akesomet
imeof
f.
.
Aunt
:doeshet
akecar
eofhi
sli
tt
lef
ami
ly?
?
Me:yesAunt
..
Aunt
:ar
eyout
aki
ngcar
eofyourf
ami
ly?
?
Me:yesaunt
..
Aunt
:that
'smor
eli
kei
t.
.taki
ngcar
eofeachot
her
..
ismi
led.
.
Aunt
:goputyourbagsintheroom..ihavemade
somethi
ngbuti
tsnotful
lycookedyet..
Me:i
tsowkAunt
,canihel
p??
Aunt:youmustbeti
red.
.dontworry,iwi
llj
ust
fi
nishit
..i
tsal
mostdonethough.
.
Me:owkAunt
..
iwenttot
heroom andputthebagswher
ethey
st
ay..t
henisatonthebed.
.
it
ext
edLuu.
.
"
wehavear
ri
vedsaf
ely.
"
"
owk.
..haveagr
eatweekend,
alr
eadymi
ssyou.
"
"
imi
ssyout
oo"
"howaboutyout
akeaut
urnandj
ustsayyouf
orgot
somethi
ng?"
heputal
aughi
ngf
ace.
.
"
areyoucr
azy?
?"
ial
soputal
aughi
ngf
ace.
.
"
ohh,
gott
ogo.
.mymeet
ingi
saboutt
ost
art
"
"
goodl
uck.
.youcandot
his"
"
thankyouBunny"
ismi
ledandsentahear
t.
.
it
hensi
ghedandt
hrewmysel
fbackont
hebed.
.
ialwayspullmysel
fstr
ong.buttobehonest
,iam
sti
llnotovert
hefactt
hatifigetpr
egnant
,imight
eit
herlosethechi
ldordiewhil
egivi
ngbir
th.
.
.
*
*Lat
eratni
ght
**
*
*Sai
nt*
*
wewerehavi ngabl ast
..ourtr
ansporthasjust
movedf r
om Zool ake,nowweheadi ngtoMel vi
ll
e..
appar
entlythereisabashar oundtheretoo.
.we
wontstayforlong,becausewest i
llhavemor e
pl
acestogobef or
emor ning.
.
t
hetr
anspor
twentasi
tpl
ayedsomenicesounds.
.
wewereonl
yguys.
.weneverhaveami
xedtri
p
wer
ewet
ravelwi
thgi
rl
sinourt
ranspor
t.
.
iam a"
nost r
ingsat
tachedperson"wel
l
,let
sj ust
sayimeetyou,wevibe(notsl
eeptoget
her)theni
moveonlikenothi
nghappened..
iam ar
espectfulper
sont
houghandiwil
lonlysl
eep
wit
hsomeonet hatismyGF,noj
ustanygir
l.
.i
meansickness..
wear
ri
veatt
hepl
aceandourt
ranspor
tsst
ops.
.
wefindani
cesportar
oundtheplaceandputour
cool
erbox,
hookerandcampingchair
sri
ghtnextt
o
thecab.
.
wechi
lll
ist
eni
ngt
omusicwhi l
ealotofot
hercabs
al
soli
nedupdownthest
reet
..it
sli
t.
.
aswewer
echi
ll
ing,
somegi
rl
scamet
ous.
.
t
heygr
eet
ed,
shap.
.
wet
alkandt
alk.
.
mybabyher e,i
sshy..herfri
endsaret
heonesthat
tal
k,buther
,sheisquietandlist
eni
ngtoherf
riends.
.
shelooksunint
erest
ed,sincesheisbusyonher
phone..
nowthat
'
showagi
rlget
smyat
tent
ion.
.il
iket
hem
shy.
.
me:sor
ry!
herfr
iendscal
ledhersi
nceshewasl
ooki
ngather
phone..
Me:caniknowyourname?
?
wi
thai
nnocentser
iousl
ookshet
oldme.
.
Her
:Neo.
.
Me:Neo.
.that
'
sani
cename.
.canit
alkt
oyou?
?
shehesi
tat
edal
it
tl
ebutagr
eed.
.
ist
oodup,
tol
dmygentsiwi l
lbeback,
thenl
eadher
int
hecabandwesatbackseat.
.
Me:so,
Neo.
.whodi
dyoucomewi
th?
?
Her
:mygi
rl
s..
Me:onl
y??
Her
:mhm.
..
Me:iam aski
ngbecauseidontthi
nkabeauti
fulgi
rl
l
ikeyouwouldbesingl
e..ij
ustwantt
olookoutfor
myguyandmakesureyoudontgett
ouchedbyno
i
diot
..i
ncl
udi
ngmysel
f.
.
shebl
ushedandl
ookedaway,
thenl
ookedatme.
.
Her
:no.
.iam act
ual
lysi
ngl
e..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:huhhhhhh,why?
?dontyouwantt
obei
n
r
elat
ionshi
ps??
Her
:justgotoutofone.
.
Me:ouch.
.musthavebeent
err
ibl
e..
Her
:yah.
.butiam owk.
.
Me:areyoul
ooki
ngf
orf
unt
oday?icanbeatyour
ser
vice.
.
isai
dthatl
eani
ngt
oher
..
shedi
dntgobackandt
hatwasmyanswer
,shewas
downtoi
t..
igotcl
osetoherl
ipsandshel
eanedi
ntr
yingt
o
reachmyli
ps.
.
ismi
ledandt
henki
ssedher
..
l
etsjustsayili
keki
ssi
nggir
lsalot
..mymouthcan
nevergetenough.
.soher
eiam notthemanslut
,
mymout his..
.
iam li
keyour"
int
ernetboyfri
end"t
omanygi rl
s..i
meetyou,wehavef unfortheday(wi
thoutsex
incl
uded)andt
hent henightendsandiam gone..
that
'sme..
shehol
dsmywai standgr
absit
..f
eel
ingsari
sebuti
am abl
etocont
rolmysel
f.
.pl
usihaveli
mits.
.
asweki
ssed,
shest
art
edheat
ingupandicoul
dfeel
i
t.
.
it
henst
oppedbef
oreibr
eakmyownr
ule.
.
Me:(whisper)if
eelli
ketaki
ngawor kandplayi
ng
around.
.plusthenighti
sstil
lyoung.
..whatdoyou
say??
shel
ookedatmef
orawhi
le,
thenagr
eed.
.
ibr
eat
hedandwegotoutt
hecab.
.
Me:gent
s,iwi
llbeback.
.iam goi
ngt
olookar
ound.
.
theyagreedast
heydr
ankandsmokedwi
tht
he
girl
s..
iputheronmybackandshel
aughedasir
anwi
th
her.
.
it
henputherdownandwej
ustwal
kedar
ound,
handi
nhand..
af
terawhi
lewewer
eheadi
ngback.
.
aswewer eheadi
ngbacksomeguysweretal
kingt
o
thegent
s,buti
tseemedtheydi
dntcomei
npeace..
ihur
ri
edt
othem.
.
ist
oodonthesi
denotsayi
nganyt
hingbutl
ist
eni
ng
tot
heargument
s..
apparent
lythegi
rlst
hatwereherewit
htheguys
hadboyfri
endsandtheydidntt
ellmygent
s..nowi
waswonder ingi
fNeoalsohadaboyfri
endandlied
aboutit
..
asiwasontheside,
Neost
oodnextt
ome,
soiwas
convi
ncedt
hatshewasnoti
nvol
ved.
.
oneguyl
ookedatusandcamet
ous.
.
Guy:Neo,
whatt
heF*
**i
sgoi
ngon?
?
Neo:wi
thwhat
??
Guy:youdat
ingar
oundnow?
?
il
ookedathi
m wi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d.
Neo:i
sthatyourpr
obl
em?
?
Guy:Neoyoudat
ingKhayamahn.
..
Neo:noiam not.
.meandKhayabrokeupal
ong
ti
meago..askinf
ormat
ionbef
oreyousayt
hings
youdontknow..
t
heguygr
abbedNeoandipul
ledNeobymysi
de.
.
t
heguyl
ookedatme.
.
Me:youheardwhatshesai
d..sowhyyougr
abbi
ng
her
??cantyouseeshe'
swit
hme? ?
Guy:haiwena,
Fokofman.
.
hetr
iedgrabbi
ngheragai
nbuthef
ail
edasipushed
Neobehindme..
Guy:hai
,isai
dFokofmahn.
.
hesai
dthi
sandpunchedme.
.myguysdi
dnteven
wanttoi
nter
fer
ebecauset
heynewwhatwasf
or
what.
.
af
terpunchi
ngmeil
ookedathi
m..
Guy:whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
il
ookedatNeoandshewast
err
if
ied.
.
Me:goi
nthecab.
.
iwasasser
iousasicoul
dbe.
.
shel
ookedatmeandr
ant
othecab.
.
it
henl
ookedathi
m..
Guy:wantt
ofi
ghtboy?
?huh?
hewantedtot
hrowi
nanot
herone,
butihel
dhi
sfi
st
andpunchedhi
m.
hisf
ri
endscametohel
pbutt
heyal
lendedupon
thef
loor
..i
twasj
ust3oft
hem..
t
heel
desti
nthegr
ouphel
dme.
.
Hi
m:leavet
hem youwillhur
tthem boy.
.youdont
wantt
oendupinprisonforbunchofkids.
.leave
t
hem..
healsocanfight,
buthehardl
ygetsi
nafightunl
ess
someonereallypresseshi
sbutt
ons.
.wel
lwithme,i
am easytotame..butheisal
waysheret
ohelpme
cooldown..
het
ookmet
othecabandisatdownt
ocoolof
f.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
52] :70
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
i
tisSatur
dayMor
ningandt
hecabi
sheadi
ngback
home..
aftert
hef i
ght
,wedecidedtomoveawayfrom the
placeandwentsomewher eel
se,wewerenotgoing
toletasimplefi
ghtj
ustrui
nthewhol
etri
pf orus.
.
especial
lywhenimadeadealtogettogotot hi
s
tr
ip..
somydaywithNeodi
dntendasaper
fectdat
e,but
igotnor
egr
ets.
.
whent
hecabret
urnedi
nthemorni
ng,
iwasver
y
t
ir
edandal
liwantedwasmybed..
t
heydroppedmei
nfr
ontofmygat
eandiwal
kedi
n
t
hehouse..
i
twasst
il
lar
ound05:
00.
igoti
nthehouseandbumpedi
ntomypar
ent
s.
Me:mor
ningmom,
mor
ningdad.
.
t
heygr
eet
edback.
..
iwal
kedlookingdownandpassi ngsothatthey
wouldn'
tseemyf ace.
.thebrui
seofthatpunchigot
bef
oreifoughtwasabi tvi
sibl
e..
Mom:soyouwontevent
ellushowi
twas?
?
Me:whenyoucomebackma!
asiwaswal
kingaway,
ifel
tsomeonet
urnmeandi
t
wasmymom. .
shesighedandheldmycheekswit
hherhand.
.she
squeezedthem andl
ookedatme.
.
Mom:youf
oughtagai
n??
Me:ididntstarti
t??hepunchedmef
ir
stt
hat
'swhyi
havethisbruise.
.
shel
ookedatmenotsayi
ngawor
d..
.
Dad:(
from f
ar)l
etsgohoney,
timei
smoney!
!
Mom:iam comi
ng.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
Mom:wewillt
alkwhenigetback.
.makesur
eyou
haveal
otofsl
eep..
ij
ustl
ookeddown.
.
shekissedmycheekandpr
essedmybr
uiseon
purpose.
.
Me:ahhhhMa!
!
mom:t
hat
'swhatyougetf
orf
ight
ing.
.
shewal
kedout
..
iwal
kedt
omyr
oom andt
hrewmysel
font
hebed.
.
idi
dntwantmar
ksonmyfacefort
hei
nter
view,soi
havet
ogetmybrui
set
reat
ed.
.iwentt
omysi st
er.
.
igottoherr
oom andknocked,
shedi
dntr
espond.
.i
knockedagai
n,agai
nandagain..
f
inal
lyt
hedooropenedandshewasst
il
linher
pajamasandherfaceshowedt
hatshej
ustcame
fr
om sleepi
ng.
..
Me:ar
en'
tyousupposedt
obepr
epar
ingf
orwor
k??
Her:no.
.butimi
ghtj
ustst
artpr
epar
ingsi
nceiwas
wokenupsoearl
yonmyof fday.
.
Me:sor
rysi
s..idi
dntknowyouwer
eof
ftoday.
.
Her
:**
sigh*
*
shesawt
hebr
uise.
.
her
:ahhhh,
youwantyourbr
uiset
reat
ed.
.
Me:ihaveani
nter
viewonMonday.
.idontwantt
o
messitup.
.
Her
:int
ervi
ew?
?wi
thwhat
??
Me:i
nter
nshi
patWol
f.
inc.
..
Her
:theyr
esponded?
?soqui
ckl
y??
Me:mhm..soigottheint
ervi
ewforMonday,andifi
gowit
hthi
sbruise,
theymightsayiam agangst
er..
Her:hahahaha,
that
'swhatyougetf
orf
ight
ing
ar
ound..
me:thisti
me,ididntstartt
hefight
..hegavethef
ir
st
punch,soifoughtback..plusiwouldn'
tletaman
di
srespectawomani nfrontofme..hel
lNo..
Her
:fort
hat
,iwi
llhel
pyou.
.comei
n..
Me:haveyour
emovedever
ythi
ngt
hatishoul
dn'
t
see?
?
shehi
tmeont
heheadandl
aughed.
.
iwal
kedinherr
oom andshewentt
ogetherf
ir
st
ai
dkit
..
.
shet
hent
reat
edmywound.
.
Her
:tel
lmeaboutt
hegi
rlyouf
oughtf
or.
.
Me:iwasntf
ight
ingf
orher
..
Her
:sowhathappened?
?
Me:wewer ej usttal
kingandthisguycameand
wantedt ogr abherbecauseshewasdat inghi
s
fr
iend..thegi rldi
dntwanttogo,buttheguykepton
wantingt ogr abher.
.shelookedscared..soit
old
hi
mt ol eaveher ,
buthedidntwantto,hehitmefir
st.
it
oldt hegirltomove. .hewantedtohitmeagain,
butiwentonhi m..i
fitwasntf
orSizwe,iwould'
ve
ki
ll
edhi
m..
Her
:iam gl
adhestoppedyou.
.butt
hent
heguygot
whathewanted.
.
Me:mhm.
.
Her
:whataboutt
hegi
rl
??i
ssheowk?
?
Me:yah,
sheandherf
ri
endswentbackt
othei
rcab
af
terawhil
e..
Her
:isshet
henextMr
s..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:no.
.
Her
:ahhhhhh,
igi
veup.
.
il
aughedandhur
tmysel
f.
.
Me:ahhh!
!
Her:ihavehear
daboutalotofgi
rl
sfr
om you,
but
notoneofthem madeitt
otheGFstage.
..
Me:comeon,
ihavehadsomeGF'
s.
.
Her
:yah,butt
heywer
enotwor
thyenought
omeet
mom anddad..
Me:iwasst
il
lyoung.
.
her
:youst
il
lyoung?
?
Me:yes.
.22i
sst
il
lyoung.
.
Her
:igi
veup.
..
il
aughed.
.
af
terwhi
leshewasdone.
.
Her:done.
.byt
omor
rowi
tshoul
dbebet
terandnon
vi
sibl
e..
Me:wowt hankyou.
..nowiwontembar
rassmysel
f
i
ntheint
erview.
.
Her:hahahaha.
..youl
uckyt
ohaveasi
sterwhoi
sa
doctor
..
Me:am inott
hel
ucki
est
..
wel
aughed.
.
.
*
*Khut
so*
*
ij
ustcamef
rom cl
assesandnowiam t
ir
edasever
..
igothome,
wentt
omyr
oom anddr
oppedmybag
onthefl
oor
.
iwentt
ogetabott
leofwat
ert
henwentt
osi
tin
fr
ontofmylapt
op.
.
iopenedmygameandBr
aLubawasnotonl
ine.
.
ideci
dedt
opl
ayal
one.
.
il
oggedi
nandst
art
edpl
ayi
ng.
.
asiwaspl
ayi
ngisawaf
emal
echar
act
er.
.
i
tcoul
dbeat rap..shecouldbeusedbyother
peopl
et omakeothercharact
ersappeart
henthey
wil
lki
llyouwhil
eyoubusywi thher.
.
iignor
edherandwentt
othewargr
ound.
.shewas
foll
owingme.
.
il
etherbe,
shecoul
dbeanewbi
eint
hegame.
.
peopl
estar
tedstr
ikingandsurpr
isi
ngl
yididnteven
havet
oshootone, becauset
hefemalecharact
er
waskil
li
ngalloft
hem. .
shet
henwr
otemeamessage.
.
"
let
steam up"
it
houghtabouti
tforawhi
le.
.theniagr
eed.
.
"
owk"
weteamedupandwentaftertheothermen
col
lect
ingguns,
poi
ntsandalltheotherval
uabl
e..
.
wefoughtagainsttheot
hergr
oupsandactual
ly
l
ast
edi nthefi
ll
ed..whenwegottothehugegangs,
wedidntstandachance..wet
riedki
ll
ingt
hem but
t
heykil
ledus..
i
twasgameover
..
bef
oreicoul
dresume.
.shesentmeapr
ivat
e
message.
.
"
wasigoodorwhat
??"
"
icoul
dgi
veyouanA.
.impr
essi
ve"
"
great
..t
henitwoul
dn'tbeapr
obl
em havi
ngmeon
t
heteam of
fi
cial
lyr
ight??
"
"
team?
?"
"ihavebeenwat chi
ngyouandThet r
ickst
erpl
ay
together
,alotofplayer
sreall
yadmireyouandhim.
theysayyouguysar et
helegendsingaming..
especial
lyt
het r
icksThetri
cksterpl
aysonplayer
s..
"
"
wel
l,
wear
eat
eam.
"
"
so,
canibethe3rdpl
ayer??imeanyouwillneed
mor
eplayer
stobeatl
argergroupsi
nthegame"
"alotofpeopl
ehavewantedtoteam upwi
thus,
and
allofthem ar
egreatpl
ayer
s,sowhyshoul
dwet ake
youi n"
"
iam agi
rl
,andiam ver
ygoodf
oragi
rl
"
"t
rue,butt
hereareplent
yfemal
eplayer
sthatar
e
verygood,sothat
'snotaspeci
alr
eason"
"
okt
hen.putmei
nat
est
.ifiwi
n.iam i
n"
"
andi
fyoul
ose?
?"
"
iwi
llt
ryagai
nunt
iliwi
n"
"hahaha,
owk, wewi
llt
eam upeveryti
mewhenwe
arebothonli
ne,t
henyouwillfi
ghtal
lthegangs
aloneunti
lyougett
othemaj orpl
ayers.
.youdi
e,
youlose"
"
owk,
iwi
lldoi
t.
"
"butyouonlyget3chances.youf
ail3t
imes.
.then
yourtri
ali
sfini
shed"
"
onl
y3t
imes?
?"
"
yes"
"
owk,
deal
"
ismi
ledandsatback.
.
iam sohappythatmanypeopl eseemeandLuba
asthelegendsofthegame..andalotofpeopl
e
wanttojoinussi
ncewear eonly2intheroom
comparedt omostteamst
hathave3mi nimum...
butasforthisgi
rl
..shei
satruegamer ,
butther
e
arealotoffemalegamersoutthere,
idontknowif
sheisgoodenought obeourthir
dmember ..
asiwassit
ti
ngther
ejustl
ooki
ngatmyl
apt
op,
my
husbandl
oggedin.
.Luba.
.
hahahaical
lhi
m myhusbandbecauseheal
ways
j
okesaboutmebeinghi
swife,
sowhynotjustj
oke
aroundi
tke.
.
ii
nboxedhi
m..
"
ready?
?"
"
wher
eyouonl
inef
orawhi
le"
"yah,ievenpl
ayedami
ssi
onwi
tht
hisf
emal
e
character.
"
"
youcheat
ingonmenow?
?"
"hahaha,
shutuphusband,whocanevercheaton
youwhenyout hi
sdangerous??
"
"hahahaha,t
hat
'st
rue.
.anyway,
howwasshe?
?can
sheplay??"
"
yah,
andsheaskedt
obepar
toft
het
eam.
"
"
real
ly?
?isshegoodenough?
?"
"
shei
snott
her
eyet
."
"
mhm.
.wel
l,
nowiam her
e..
.let
smur
der
li
set
hem"
"
yessssssi
r"
wegotoutthechatboxandwentonli
ne.
.iappear
ed
andhelat
erappearedandt
hemissionst
arted.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
52] :71
.
*
*Monday*
*
*
*Sai
nt*
*
i
tsMondayandiam mor
ethenr
eadyt
ohi
tthe
r
oad.
.
iwalkedoutmyr
oom,
smel
li
ngf
reshandl
ooki
ng
handsome..
mom:ohhhhl
ookathi
m..l
ooki
ngl
ikeapr
ince.
.
ismi
ledact
ingshy.
.
Dad:nowt
hisi
sthesonihave.
.abusi
nessman.
.
Me:dad!
Dad:iwasjustsayi
ng.
.youwouldmakea
handsomesuccessful
businessman.
.iguar
ant
ee
youthat
..
Me:iguessiwi
llhavet
otaket
hatasacompl
iment
..
t
hankyoudad..
mom:her
e!!
shet
hrewhercarkeyst
ome.
.
Mom:iwi
lll
etyoudr
ivemycar
..
.
Me:t
hankyouma.
..ipr
omi
set
otakegoodcar
eof
i
t.
.
dad:youbet
ter
..orel
seyouar
edead.
.
il
aughed.
.
mysi
sterwal
kedi
nwi
thmyyoungersi
ster
..
Pear
l:ohhh,
lookatyou.
.
Me:iknow,
iknow.
..youchar
medr
ight
??
shel
aughedandj
ustr
oll
edhereyesatme.
..
me:mxm, j
eal
ous.
.Ameah?
?isyourbr
other
handsome??
Ameah:mhm.
.
shenoddedexci
tedl
y..
Me:ohh,
lookatt
hat
..evenAmeahi
schar
med.
.
Mom:comeAmeah,
let
sgo,
wedontwantt
obel
ate.
.
ismi
led.
.
mom,
dadandAmeahl
eft
..
Mom:son.
.goodl
uck.
.
Me:l
ucki
sforsucker
s..
shesmi
led.
..
Dad:makemepr
oudson.
.
me:done!
ismi
ledasheal
sosmi
led.
.
Pear
lwentt
ogetaf
rui
tandal
soheadout
..
pear
l:iwi
llal
sogetgoi
ngnow.
.doyourbestowk?
?
me:eveni
fidomywor
st,
peopl
esayi
tst
hebest
..
Pearl
:youhavever
yhi
ghsel
f-
est
eem.
.it
s
dangerous.
..
shesmi
ledasil
aughed.
.
ial
sof
oll
owedherasial
sot
ookanappl
e..
igoti
ntomymot
her
'scarandst
art
edt
hecar
headi
ngout
..
ist
il
lhadanhourunt
ilt
hei
nter
view.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Joe:howwast
hei
nter
view?
?
Me:sof
arsogood.
.
Joe:anyonewhocaughtyourat
tent
ion?
?
Me:notyet..theyareallj
ustplai
nandsi mple,
nothinguniqueaboutthem..theyallst
udied
businessmanagementandt heyallhadadream to
workheresi nceitwasthebiggestcompanyi nthi
s
country.
.samet alkdi
ff
erentlanguages.
.
Joe:hahahaha,
ofcausethatiswhatmostof
peoplewouldwant.
.whowoul dappl
ytot hi
s
i
nternshi
pyetsaystheydidntst
udybusiness
managementanddontl i
kethiscompany??
Me:iam notsayingsomeonelikethatwoul dcome
around,
iam justsayingt
hatallt
heirreasoningis
preddymuchpr ogrammed..
.it
sliketheyallreadthe
samescript
..
Joe:hai
,youdontknowwhatyouwant
..
Me:howmanymor
edoist
il
lhavet
oint
ervi
ew?
?
Joe:6mor
e..
Me:*sigh*canyoubei
nvol
vedi
nthei
nter
views
f
rom thispoi
nt.
.
Joe:youwantmet
ohel
pyoui
nter
viewt
hem?
?
Me:iwi
llaskt
hequest
ions,
butyouanal
yset
hem.
Joe:youmightneedLubaforthat
..heknowshow
totel
lwhatsomeoneisthi
nkingbyanalyzi
nghi
s
bodylanguage.
.
Me:Lubai spr
obabl
ybusynow. .
.plusitwoul
dtake
hi
mf orevert
ogethere.
.thenexti
ntervi
ewisinfew
minutes.
.
Joe:*
sigh*owk.
.iwi
llt
rymybest
..
Me:justl
ookforsomeonewhomi ghtmat
chyour
skil
lsandat
ti
tudes.
.ineedsomeonewhowouldn'
t
disappoi
ntme..
Joe:goti
t.
.
aft
erfewminutesicall
edtheki
tchent
ogetme2
bott
lesofwat
er,andlatert
hecl
eanerwal
kedi
nwit
h
2bottl
esofwater.
.
Me:Thankyou.
.
Nt
ando:pl
easur
esi
r.
.
shel
eftt
he2bot
tl
esont
het
abl
eandigaveonet
o
Joe.
..
Joe:youknow.
.ihavebeenl
ooki
ngatt
hatgi
rlal
ot,
andshejustamazesme..
Me:aboutwhat
??
Joe:sheisyoung, ver
yyoung,butyetshei
sver
y
i
nnocent .
.unl
iketherushedli
fethatmany
youngstersar
eliving.
..shei
sli
kear ar
ehumanto
seethesedays..
Me:mhm. .
.ihavenoti
cedthattoo.
.shedoesher
j
obverywell,andshehardl
yt al
ks,
shealwaysdoes
whatsheistoldandneverlazesar
ound..even
whennoonei swatchi
ng..sheisli
kealoyal
employee.
.
Joe:yah.
..shei
squi
eti
nter
est
ing.
.
il
ookedathi
m andsmi
ledshaki
ngmyhead.
..
aft
erafewminut
esacal
lcamethroughsayi
ngt
hat
someonewasheref
oranint
ervi
ew..
hecameupandii
nter
viewedhi
m..
Not
e:ionl
yopenedt
hei
nter
viewsf
ormal
es.
..
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iar
ri
vedatt
hecompanyandist
il
lhadmor
eti
me.
.
aft
eralongwhi l
esitt
ingi
nthecarscr
oll
ingonmy
phone,icheckedthetimeandi
twasalmostmy
ti
me..
iswit
chedofft
hecar,
tookmyt
hingsandgotout
thecarasil
ockedt
hecar..
t
heni
wal
kedi
nthecompany.
.
f
rom wal
kingi
n,t
heat
mospher
ewasj
ustput
ti
ng
medown..
i
tssof
ormalandr
ulebi
ndi
ng.
.
il
ookedaroundanditwasreal
lyj
ustblackand
whit
e(notthatpeopl
ewereweari
ngblackandwhi
te,
butt
heatmospher ewasbl
ackandwhite).
..
iwal
kedi
nandwentt
other
ecept
ioni
st.
.
Me:Goodmor
ningmam.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her:Goodmor
ningyoungman.
.howcanihel
p
you??
Me:iam her
eforani
nter
view.
her
:ohhh,
fort
hei
nter
nshi
pofbei
ngMrWol
f'
sPA.
Me:yes,
that
'st
heone.
.
Her
:gr
eat
..l
etmel
etMrWol
fknow.
.
shecal
ledMrWol
fandij
ustl
ookedar
ound.
.
asmuchasipr omi sedtodomybest,asacr eat
ive
person,idontseemysel fwor
kingi
nsuchanupt i
ght
environment.
.plusi al
waysheardMrWol fdoesnt
l
aughwi thpeoplenorspeakmuchwi thpeopleand
i
sal wayscold..howam isupposedtoalwaysbe
aroundsuchaper son???
iwasreal
lywishi
ngt ogobackandjustt
ellmy
par
entsthatif
ail
edthei nt
ervi
ew.
.pl
usit
sabi g
companyanyway, sotheywontbesurpr
ised.
.
t
her
ecept
ioni
stcamebackt
ome.
her
:MrWol
fisr
eadyt
oseeyou.
.
shecal
ledsomeonet
oaccompanymet
otheof
fi
ce.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.andyoul
ookbeaut
if
ulbyt
heway.
.
shesmi
ledsayi
ngt
hankyouandismi
ledwal
king
wi
tht
hisment
oMrWol
f'
sof
fi
ce.
hedr
oppedmeoffandit
hankedhi
m..iknocked
andwal
kedi
n..
asiwalkedinal
readytheywer
elookingatmeli
kei
hadal
readydonesomet hi
ngwrong..ver
yser
ious,
i
nti
midatingandthelookt
hatmightmakeyou
ner
vousandshaki ng.
.
ibr
eat
hedandsmi
led.
.
Me:GoodMor
ninggent
lemen.
.
MrWol
f:GoodMor
ning
hel
ookedatmyCV.
.
MrWol
f:MrJones.
.
Me:i
nthef
lesh.
.
hel
ookedatt
heguynextt
ohi
m andl
ookedatme.
..
MrWol
f:pl
ease,
haveaseat
..
Me:t
hankyou.
.
isatdown,cr
ossedmyl
egsandl
ookedatMrWol
f
str
aighti
ntheeye.
.
onethingil
ear
nedabouti
nti
midat
ingpeopl
e,i
sthat
oncetheyseeyounotbei
ngint
imi
dated,
theyki
nd
ofrel
ax..
MrWolf:MrJones.
.yourCVheresaysyouar
e
cur
rent
lyst
udyingatanart
sschool
..
Me:cor
rect
,idr
awandpai
nt.
MrWolf:howdoesdrawi
ngandpai
nti
ngmakeyou
acapablePA?doil
ookli
keir
unagall
ery?
?
Me:trustmei fyouwerer
unningagall
ery,
you
wouldn'tbethisri
chpl
usiwouldn'
tappl
ytobeyour
PA,butyouwoul dhir
emet ogiveyoumyworkfor
yourgaller
ytostand.
.
hechuckl
ed.
.
MrWolf:t
ellme,
whydoihavetogiveyouthi
sjob?
?
youdi
dntevenstudybusi
nessmanagement.
me:wel l
,mydadwantsmet otakeoverhis
busi
nessonedayasiam theonl yson,
ihaveno
i
nteresti
nthat
,buti
tswhatihavetodo..soimust
l
earn.
MrWol
f:sowhowi
lldot
het
askst
hatigi
veyou?
?
yourf
ather
??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
MrWol f:MrJones. .therearesomanyappl i
cants
thatappli
edforthispostandal loft
hem haveone
commont hi
ng..theyei t
herstudiedbusiness
managementoracour ser el
atedtobusinessor
theyarecurrentl
yst udyingit
..andthenyoucome
herewithstudiesfrom Ar t
sschool ,
nothingrel
ated
tobusiness.
Guy:andheclearl
ystatedt
hathisfatherwantshi
m
t
ocar r
yhisbusinessbutheisunint
erested.
.
MrWol
f:exact
ly.
.sowhywast
eourt
ime?
?
ismi
led.
.
Me:MrWol f.
.thedifferencebetweenmeandal l
thoseappl i
cant syouspeakof ..ist hattheydoi t
becauset heyst udi
edt hecour seandal sobecause
theywantt owor kheresi ncet
hi sisthebi ggest
companyi nthecount r
y..sowhent heywor k,they
willworkbecauset heyWANTt o..capturethewor d
WANT. .thatmeanst heycanwor khowevert hey
want ,
howt heyknowt hingsshoul dbeandhowt hey
l
earnedthem..sothechancesofteachi
ngthem is
smallandthechanceofthem doi
ngsomet hi
ngt hat
wil
ldispl
easeisbi
g.becausewhatilearnedi
st hat
whatyoulearnint
hebooksandwhatyouact uall
y
doinawor kpl
aceis2diff
erentt
hings.
.
t
heylookedateachot
herandlookedatme
wonderi
ngwhatiwouldsaynext.
.
me:butwi t
hme. .idonthaveanyqual i
fi
cationnor
knowledgeaboutbusi nessyetiHAVEt otakeover
mydad' sbusiness..soiwouldli
ketoaskt he
gentl
emensi t
tingnexttoyou..i
fyouHAVEt ot
ake
overabusiness,itsaMUST. .buthavenobusi ness
knowledge..t
henanoppor t
unit
ycomest ol ear
n
aboutbusinessnotonl ybybooks,butby
exper
ience,whatwoul dyoudo? ?
Guy:wel
l.
.iwoul
dtakeitt
olearnmoreabout
busi
nessandhaveexperi
enceathand.
.
Me:exact
ly.
.andwhengiventheoppor
tuni
ty.
.what
woul
dyourwor ket
hicbeli
ke.
.
Guy:wor
khar
dtogetal
ltheknowl
edgeineed.
.
Me:heart
hatMrWol
f??iwi
llwor
kfort
heNEEDof
l
eaningmor eandgai ningeveryexperienceineed.
whereaswi t
hot her
s, theywillnothavet hatenergy
becausetheysur el
yt hinktheyalreadyknow. .the
purposeofani nter
nshi pistoteachandweobey. .
.
nowiwoul dliketoaskyouMrWol f.
.whatt ypeof
personwouldyoupr efertohave? ?theeasyt olearn,
becausetheyMUSTl earnfortheirsake..orthe
knowi tal
l,
willworkbecauset heystudiedit??
hel
ookedatmeandsmi
led.
.
MrWol
f:t
hankyouver
ymuch.
.enj
oyyourday.
.
ismi
ledandst
oodup.
.
Me:enj
oyyourdayt
oosi
r.
.
ist
oodupandheadedout
..
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
t
heguyl
eftandil
ookedathi
sCVagai
n..
Me:Sai
ntJones.
..i
nter
est
ingguy.
.
Joe:l
ogi
call
yheisn'
tri
ght
..youneedsomeonewho
studi
edbusi
nessmanagementorsomethi
ngalong
thebusinesssectort
obeabl etogettasksdone.
.or
elseyouwi l
lspendalotofti
met eachi
ngtheperson
whattodoi nsteadofworki
ng..but.
.
Me:but
??
Joe:hepr ovedtoust hatheissmar t
,creativeand
histhi
nkingisnotj ustlogi
calorordi
nary..hecould
bethecrat i
vethinkerintheteam..hedoesntl ookat
thi
ngsfrom t henormalperspecti
ve,hebringsl i
feto
sit
uati
onst hatyout houghtweredead..
Me:exactl
y..
.buthewasntactuall
ysell
ingtheidea
ofhim bei
ngcreat
iveandothersbeingordi
nary,
eventhoughhewasal sobr
ingingthatup..
Joe:t
henwhatel
sewashesel
li
ng?
?
me:t
hedi
ff
erencebet
weenaNEEDandaWANT.
.
Joe:huh.
.
Me:wel
earnedatschoolthatwecantl
ivewit
hout
NEEDSbutwecangowi thoutWANTS..
.right
?
Joe:mhm.
.
il
ethi
mfi
gur
eitoutandhedi
d..
Joe:wai
tami
nut
e!!
Me:yes.
.
Joe:t
ouche.
.
Me:hewasbasical
lyexplai
ninghowdi
ff
erenthei
s
f
rom ot
her
s..Smartisn'
tit
??
Joe:ithi
nkLubamighthavehi
sownmi
nd
chal
lengerr
ighther
e..
Me:weneverknow.
.
ismi
ledandl
ookedathi
sCVagai
n..
.
[
12/
28,
12:
52] :72
.
*
*Joe*
*
advant
agesofbei nganAccount anti
sthatigett
o
l
eavewor kearl
iertheniusedto,butt
he
di
sadvantageformei sthatigetmorefreeti
me
whichihateitbecauseineverknowwhatt odowith
myself
..
yah,yah.
.iknowihavethemostbor
ingl
if
e.buti
am alr
eadyusedtoit
..
iknockedoffandgoti
nmycarheadingout.Luu
wasst i
lli
nthecompanywor
king.butheal
sowont
stayl
ongbecausehehastotakecareofhi
s
woman. .
ti
mesnowar everybusybecausewej ustmadea
shipmentandmadeal otofmoney..sotoavoi
d
troubles,
wet
ryi
ngt omendthisupencasewhenthe
policecometocheckourfi
nanceduet ofal
set
ipof
f
thenwehaveeverythi
ngintheclear
..
iam afr
aidthemoneyi scomi
nginheavy, wemight
havetofindanothercompanyorbusi
nesst o
col
laboratewit
horf i
ndmoreint
ernat
ionalcl
ient
sto
matchthet r
ansacti
ons..
wel
l,
igoti
nmycar
,st
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveout
.
asiwasdr
ivi
ngout
,isawNt
ando,
ournewcl
eaner
..
it
riedpressi
ngt
hehoot
erbutshewasntl
ooki
ng
back..
ithendroveaheadofhert
henparkedmycar
..i
loweredthewindowandcall
edher.
.
shedi
dntl
ookmyway.
.
ihadt
ogetoutt
hecarandheadt
oher
..
Me:Nt
ando!
!
shel
ookedatmeandst
oppedl
ooki
ngdown.
.
Me:hai
..ihavebeencal
li
ngyou,
didntyouseeme?
?
Ntando:huh.
..sorr
ysir
..ij
ustneverl
ookatrandom
peoplewhoar ecal
li
ngmebecauseiknowt hatno
bodyknowsmear oundhere.
.
Me:iseeyout
ookthe"dontspeakt
ost
ranger
s"a
l
otseri
ousl
yhai
..hahahha
i
twassupposedt
obeaj
oke,
butshedi
dntl
augh.
..
.
icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
..
Me:goi
ngt
ogetat
axi
??
Nt
ando:yessi
r.
.
Me:doyouwantmet
otakeyout
her
e??
Nt
ando:huh.
..nosi
r,i
tsf
ine,
ihaveal
readyar
ri
ved.
.
Me:iam headi
ngt
hereanyway..ij
ustwanttotr
eat
myemployeesbet
ter
..i
tscal
ledfri
endl
ytreat
ment.
.
shel
ookeddownwi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d..
Me:list
en,iwontdoanythi
ngtoyou..i
fthat
'swhat
youthink.
.irespectt
heemployeeandemployer
s
dist
ance..
.
shekeptonl
ooki
ngdown.
.
me:come.
..
shegent
lyshookherheadandst
eppedback.
.
Me:owk.
.howaboutipar
kmycarandt
henwal
k
youtot
hetaxir
ank.
.
Nt
ando:nosi
r.iam r
eal
lyf
ine.
.ihavet
ogo.
..bye.
shesai
dthi
sal
readywal
kingawayf
ast
..
Me:wai
t!
!
itri
edtohur r
yt ol
ockmycarsot haticantakeher
safelyther
ebutshewasal readyf ar
..shewas
li
terat
elywalkingfastandevenjoggingtobeeven
faster.
.
isi
ghedandshookmyheadsmi
li
ng.
.
whenlastdi
diseesuchaninnocentqui
etshygi
rl
??
idi
dnteventhi
nktheyst
il
lexi
sted.
.
igotbacki
nmycar
,st
art
edt
hecaranddr
ovemy
way.
.
iwashopi
ngtoseeheral
ongt
her
oad,
butshehad
tot
all
ydi
sappear
ed.
.
musthavet
akent
heot
herway.
.
never
thel
ess,
itookmyway.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
Luuwal
kedinasiwascl
eani
ngt
heki
tchen.
.ihad
j
ustf
ini
shedcooki
ngdi
nner
..
hewal
kedi
ntheki
tchenandhel
dmef
rom behi
nd.
.
Luu:hayBunny!
!
Me:hayLuu.
.howwaswor
k??
Luu:t
ir
ing.
.ifeelli
keishoul
dgetaCEOandj
ust
manageeverythingfr
om home.
.
Me:hahahadontbel
azy,
thatcompanyi
syourbaby,
t
akecareofi
t..
Luu:butyoual
somywi
fe,
ishoul
dtakecar
eofyou.
.
Me:r
ight
..andwhenwi
llyoudot
hat
??
Luu:howaboutr
ightnow?
?
hesai
dthi
stur
ningmearoundandpi
cki
ngmeup
put
ti
ngmeonthecount
er..
heki
ssedmyneckandil
aughed.
..
het
henl
ookedatmewi
thasmi
led.
.
hethenl
eanedi
ntoki
ssmeandial
sol
eaned
for
wardt
okisshi
m..
weki
ssed.
.
aswewer ekissi
ng,wesuddenl
yhear
dfoot
steps
runni
ng.
.theysoundedli
keSiyacomi
ngtot
he
kit
chen.
.
iquickl
ygotofft
hecount
erpushi
ngLuuawayand
thenconti
nuedcleani
ngt
hekit
chen.
.
i
ndeedi
twasSi
ya.
.
Si
ya:Br
otherLuu,
Brot
herLuu.
.look!
!
Luulooki
ngir
ri
tatedandaboutt
oeatSiya,
swal
lowedthatfeel
ingandsmil
edl
ikehewas
al
ri
ght..
il
aughed.
.
Luu:whati
sitboy.
.
Si
ya:i
tsaPi
ctur
e..
.
Luul
ookedati
t.
.
Luu:wow!!i
tissobeaut
ifulandimport
antt
hati
t
cameinthewr ongt
ime,butilovei
t.
.
hewasbei
ngsar
cast
icabouti
t.
.
il
aughed.
.
Siyadi
dntknowwhathemeant,
hej
ustsmi
led
becauseLuusai
dhelovedi
t.
.
Si
ya:ial
soshowedi
ttoPi
nky.
.shel
ovedi
t.
.
Luu:r
eal
ly?
?wow!
!
Si
ya:sheaskedmet
oteachhert
odr
aw.
.
Luu:di
dyou?
?
Si
ya:yesbr
otherLuu.
.
Luu:wow.
..youandPi
nkyshoul
dgetmar
ri
ed.
.
Si
yaputhi
sli
tt
lehandsonhi
smout
handl
aughed.
.
Luusmi
ledathi
m..
Luu:come,l
etsgoandleavemommytodi
shup
di
nner.iwantt
ohearaboutyourdr
awi
ngski
ll
sand
Pinky.
.
Si
ya:mhm.
.
Luu:tel
launty,thatsheshoul
ddi
shupdi
nnerand
preparedesertafterdi
nner
..
iopenedmyeyesandl
ookedatLuu.
.
Siya:aunt
y,br
otherLuusai
dyoushoul
ddi
shdi
nner
anddesert.
.
Luu:no.
.sheshoul
dpr
epar
edeser
tforme.
.
Si
ya:onl
yforyou?
?
Luu:yes.
.youcanthavedeser
t,i
tsonl
yforme.
.
iwasl
ist
eni
ngt
oLuubei
ngdi
rt
ymi
ndedt
oSi
ya.
.
icantbel
ievet
hisguy.
.
Si
ya:butial
sowantdeser
t.
.
il
aughed.
.
Luu:what
???youwantdeser
t??Si
yayoucant
..
Si
yapout
ed.
.
Luu:i
fyouhavemydeser
tyouwi
lldi
e..
.it
ssome
danger
ousdeser
t.
.
Si
yaj
ustl
ookeddownpout
ing.
.
Luu:owk,owk..ial
wayshear
dthatagedoesnt
mattersoiguessicanthi
sdeser
twithyou.
.happy
now? ?
Si
yasmi
led
Si
ya:r
eal
ly?
?
Luu:yes.
..orshoul
dichangemymi
nd?
?
Si
yashookhi
shead.
.
Luul
ookedatmeandwi
nked.
.
Luu:youhear
dthataunt
y..pr
epar
edeser
t.
.
il
ookedathi
m wi
thmymout
hopeni
nshockbut
al
soholdi
ngasmil
e..
Luuwal
kedoutwi
thSi
ya.
.
t
hisguy.
..
..
.
.
*
*Lat
er(
dur
ingt
heni
ght
)**
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwalkedinthecompanyandt her
ewasnobody
exceptthecleanert
hatibumpedint
otheot
herday.
.
iwal
kedt
oher
..
Me:sor
ry,
wer
eisever
yone?
?
Her
:nother
esi
r.
.
Me:wher
ear
etheyt
hen?
?
sheshr
ughershoul
der
s..
Me:whyar
eyouher
ewhennoonei
sher
e??
Her
:wel
l.
..becauseyouwer
ecomi
ng.
.
Me:huh?
?
shel
etgoofthemopshewasusi
ngandpul
ledme
bymytiet
oleantowar
dsher
..
her
:icamebecauseiwant
edt
obewi
thyou.
.
il
ookedather
..
.
shepushedmebackt
il
lif
ellonaseatandshe
cameonme..
ihaveneverbeensof
ear
fulf
ormyl
if
e..
idi
dntknowt
oact
ual
lyhol
dmybr
eat
horbr
eat
h..
shecamef
orwar
dandf
orwar
dthenasshewas
aboutt
oki
ssme..
Boom!
!
iwokeup
*
**endofdr
eam*
**
.
iwokeupandbr
eat
hedoutl
ikeij
ustst
opped
runni
ng.
.
il
ookedar
ound.
.iam st
il
linmyr
oom.
.
whatt
heF*
***
???whyam ievendr
eami
ngabout
her
??
i
sitevenpossi
ble?
?
mybl
oodr
anawayt
hinki
ngaboutt
hedr
eam.
.
ahhhhhh!
!whyheroutofallt
hegir
lsimet?
?isit
becauset
heguysalwaysteasemeaboutthis
stupi
dthi
ngcal
ledl
ovenowi tscomingt
ohaunt
me? ?
ashhhhh.
.
igotupwentt
ogetwat
ert
odr
ink.
.
st
upi
ddr
eam hadt
owakemeupat03:
17nx.
..
[
12/
28,
12:
53] :73
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iar
ri
vedatt
hecompany.
.
whenigott
ot hedoor,il
ookedandsawpeople
aboutwi
tht
hei rwor
k..butiwasact
ual
lyscout
ing
fort
henewcleaner.
.
af
tert
hedr
eam t
hatihad,
icantt
rusther
..
iwal
kedinslowl
ymaki
ngsur
etol
ookar
oundand
tr
ytolocat
eher.
.
bett
ertoseeherandt
ryt
oavoidher,t
hennotsee
herthenshecomestoat
tackoutofnowher
e..
asiwaswal
king,
isawherbendi
ngdownt
ogett
he
dust
bin.
.
il
ookedather
..
shelookedinnocent
,ver
yqui
et,shewouldbet he
ti
met othr
owher sel
fataman..mydr eam must
havebeenaboutsomeoneelse..nother.
.ori
sshea
wolfinasheep'sski
n?
t
her
eisnot
hingihat
emor
ethenpr
etender
s..
asiwaswal ki
ngpassed,
ilookedatheragainand
thi
sti
mei tseemedli
keshewasi npai
n..shekept
onholdi
ngherstomachandf rowni
ngherface..
thenshestoodupandwalkedpassedmeheadi ng
toemptytherubbi
shbin.
asshewal
kedpassed,
inot
icedsomet
hing.
.
heruni
for
m wasst
ainedf
rom t
heback,
aroundher
bott
om ar
ea.
.
it
henputever
ythi
ngt
oget
her
..
thefrowni
ngfacel
ikesheisi
npain,
thesignof
holdi
ngherstomach,nowthest
aint
hatlooksl
ike
oilst
ainorbl
oodstai
n..i
sshesi
ck??
thefi
rstthingt
hatcametomi ndwast hatshemi
ght
havebeenpr egnantandnowshei saboutto
miscarry,butt
henasithought,
itwouldn'
tbe
possi
blebecausei
fitwast
hatext
remet
henshe
shoul
dhavet ol
dsomeoneabouti
t.
.
if
oll
owedherwi
thoutherknowi
ng.
.
shekeptonwalki
ngandwalkingandwhenshegot
outsi
dewheret
hehugerubbishbinswer
e,she
againfr
ownedandhel
dherst omach.
.
i
thi
tme.
.
"
coul
ditbet
hatshei
sonherper
iods?
?"
yesiknowaboutthat
,iam welleducat
edabouti
t.
.i
meanihaveadaughter,soihavetoalwaysbe
prepar
edshoul
danythingli
kethishappent
oher.
.
sheonlyhasme..
ii
mmedi
atel
yranupt
oher
.
shegotf
ri
ght
enedwhenshesawme.
.
idi
dntsaymuch.
.
it
ookoutmyj
acketandwr
appedi
tar
oundher
waist
.
shewassoscar
edt
hatshewasevenhol
dingher
breat
h..
.
it
henpul
ledherbyt
hehandandl
eadherout
..
ical
ledLuu.
.
hepi
ckedup.
.
Luu:haveyouar
ri
ved?
?
Me:iwontmakei
ttoday.
.changeofpl
an.
.
Luu:i
knowyoui
nthecompany.
.
Me:yah,
andiam headi
ngout
..
bef
orehecoul
dsayanyt
hing,
ihungup.
.
shedidntsayanyt
hing,
shej
ustlookeddownand
fol
lowedmet owhereiwaspul
li
ngher..
wegott
omycarandit
oldhert
ogeti
n..
sher
efused.
.
Her
:nosi
r.
.iam f
ine,
iam notdonewi
thmywor
k..
il
ookeddownandsi
ghed.
.thenl
ookedather
..
me:youhaveast ainedunif
or m andyoukeep
achi
ngi npain.
.yousureyouwantt oconti
nue
working??ihaveadaughter,iknowwhatisgoing
on..
shel
ookeddownwi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d..
Me:geti
n..
Her
:i.
..
.idontwantt
omakeyourcardi
rt
ysi
r.
.
Me:i
tsal
readydir
ty.
.nowgetin.
.wewi
llgogetyou
medi
cati
onfrom t
hepharmacy..
shesl
owl
ygoti
nthecarandicl
osedt
hedoor
..
iwentt
otheot
hersi
deandgoti
nandst
art
edt
he
car
.
idrovetothepharmacyandboughtsomepi l
ls.
.
thenwewentt oanot
hershopandiboughtsome
tracksui
tsforher.
.
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.shewasj
ustqui
et.
.
wet hengott
oanothershopandit
oldhertoget
padsandanewunder wear.
.idi
dntwanttoseem
creepyoraperver
tbuyi
ngthatf
orher.
.
shei
ndeedwenti
nandij
ustpai
d..
it
ookhert
othepubl
ict
oil
etsatt
hemal
l.
.
me:taket
his.
.gochange.
.thenaf
tereat
ingand
havi
ngyourpil
ls,
youcangohomeandt akea
shower
..
Her
:bu.
..
Me:Now!
!
shedidntsayanythi
ngaf
tert
hat
..shet
ookt
he
plast
icandwentin..
iwai
tedout
side.
.
af
teral
ongwhi
leshecameout
..
il
ookedather
..
iwal
kedt
oherasshel
ookeddown.
.
Me:ar
eyoubet
ter
??
shenodded.
.
Her
:thankyou.
.
Me:noprobl
em,iam j
ustdoi
ngwhatiwoul
ddoi
f
mydaughterwasint
hesamesit
uati
on.
.
shel
ookeddown.
.
Me:come.
.
ihel
dherhandandl
eadhert
oar
est
aur
antnear
by.
.
wesatdown.
Me:whatwoul
dyoul
iket
oeat
??
sheshookherhead.
.
Me:youhavet
ot akeyourmedi
cat
ion,
butnotonan
emptyst
omach..sowhatdoyouwanttoeat?
?
shelookedatt
hemenuandorder
edt
hemost
cheapestmealont
hemenu.
Me:doyouhaveanyal
ler
gies?
?
shel
ookedatmeandshookherhead.
.
it
henchangedhermealandgothersomet
hing
moreyummyandf i
ll
ing.
.
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
me:ifyoukeeponbei
nglikethi
s,youwi
llbe
ever
yone'sst
eppi
ngstone..
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
me:*
*si
gh*
*doyouknowwhoiam?
?
shelookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.thenshe
nodded..
Me:mhm.
.soyouknowmynamet
oo?
?
sheshookherhead.
.
me:iam Lubabal
o..yourboss'
scousi
n..andwhat
s
yourname??
Her
:Nt
andosi
r.
.
Me:st
opcal
li
ngmesi
r.
.Lubai
sfi
ne.
.
shel
ookeddown.
.
t
hefoodcameandwest ar
tedeat
ing.
.ichuckl
ed
whenisawhereat
ing.
.
shewasj
usther
sel
feat
inghowevershewi
shes
l
ike.
.
butwhenshesawmel ooki
ngather
,shest
opped
andstar
tedeat
ingsl
ow..
ij
ustl
etherbe.
.
af
tereat
ing,
igavehert
hemedi
cat
ions.
.
shet
ook2andt
hendr
ankwat
er.
.
Me:yougoodnow?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:owk.
.letmet
akeyouhome.
..
.
shel
ookedather
selfandl
ookedatme.
.iwas
wonder
ingwhatshewasthi
nking.
.
Her:my..
..mycl
othi
ng.
..myauntwi
llaskmewer
ei
gotthecl
othi
ng.
.
me:j
ustt
ellherwhathappened.
..
shel
ookeddown.
.
Me:rel
ax.
..
.it
snormaltohel
potherpeopl
e,iam
sur
eshewi l
lunder
standmyint
enti
on..
shest
il
llookeddown.
.
ahhhhhh!
!shypeopl
e..
ist
oodup,
pai
dmybi
llandhel
dherhandheadi
ng
out
..
it
ookhert
omycaranddr
ovehert
oherpl
ace.
.
ipar
kedout
sideandshegotoutwi
thhercl
othi
ng.
.
shet
hankedmeandcl
osedt
hedoorheadi
ngi
nsi
de.
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngather
..
shei
ssoi
nnocentandshy.
.notevenPi
nkyi
sli
ke
t
hat..i
fiwastol
ookatPinky'
sbehavi
orand
Ntando'
sbehavi
or.
.iwouldsayt
hatPinkyi
sbi
g..
ichuckl
edandshookmyheadasidr
ovebackt
o
thecompany.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
ihaveneverbeensoembar
rassedi
nmyentir
eli
fe.
.
whathappenedtodaywast
hemasterofal
l
embarrassment
iwalkedi
nthehousealr
eadyexpect
ingalotof
shouti
ngandprobabl
ybeingbeatupforal
lowi
nga
mant obuymeclothi
ngandallt
his.
.
tr
ulyspeaki
ngicoul
dhavesaidno.
.butMrLubai
s
veryi
nti
midati
ng.
.iam ver
yscar
edofher.
.
especi
all
ywhenhemakeseyecont
act
,ial
waysf
eel
l
ikeicanjustdi
e..
iam t
err
if
iedofhi
m..
iam evenamazedt
hatheevenhel
pedme.
.
it
houghtmabyehewoul
dteasemeordr
agmet
o
wor
kmor
e..
iwi
shidontgetf
ir
edf
orl
eavi
ngear
lyatwor
k..
asiwasspeakingal
one,ir
emember
edt
hatidi
dnt
gi
vehim backhisj
acket
..
butthenthat'
sgood,
atl
eastiwi
llwashi
tbef
orei
takeitback.
.
af
terthi
s,iam surehewi
llst
artl
ooki
ngatmei
na
di
rtyway..iam soembar
rassed.
.
iwal
kedt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom andwal
kedsl
owl
y..
AuntChl
oel
ookedatme.
.
icouldtel
lthatshewasaboutt
oaskaboutt
he
clot
hingiwaswear i
ng.
.
Her:andthen??weredi
dyougett hose??di
dyou
havetheseallal
ong??wow!!t
heyar esocut
e..
wherewereyouhi di
ngthem??ohhhiam inlove.
.if
onlyiwasyoursizeandnotpregnantiwoul
df i
tint
o
them..
hel
aughed.
.
shewoul
dnotgi
vemeachancet
oexpl
ain,
shej
ust
assumedihadt
hem al
lal
ong.
.
it
henusedt
hischancet
ogetawaywi
thmur
der
..
ismi
led.
.
it
hentol
dheriwantedt
ochange,
sinceij
ust
st
art
edmyperiod.
.
iwentt
otakeashowerandf
eel
freshagai
n..
[
12/
28,
12:
53] :74
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Ntandowasbusycleani
ngt
heupperboar
droom
andotherof
fi
ces.
.
thenshetookalif
theadi
ngdownt
ofi
nishof
fatt
he
bott
om toi
let
s..
asshegotof
fthegroundf
loor
,shebumpedi
nto
LubaandKhutsowhowereenter
ingt
ogoup.
.
sheboweddownandwalkedf
ast
erpassedt
hem
wit
houtevenl
ooki
ngback.
Lubal
ookedatherandchuckl
ed.
.
het
henwal
kedi
nthel
if
t.
.
Khut
so:whoi
sshe?
?
Luba:
who?
?
Khut
so:t
hatgir
l.
.youli
ter
all
ytur
nedyourhead
whenshepassedhere.
.
Luba:
ohhh,
shei
sLuu'
snewcl
eaner
..
Khut
so:iknowthat
,butiwasaski
ngwhoshei
s..as
i
nwhatrelat
iondoyouhavewit
hher?
?
Luba:whydoyout
hinkt
her
eisar
elat
ion
happeni
ng??
Khutso:let
sbehonest
,youLubabal
oNkosihave
neverlookedatagi
rlf
orlongert
hen4seconds
unlessit
syourdaught
er.
.sowhyher??
Lubachuckl
ed.
.
Luba:ioncehelpedherwit
hsomething..sol
etsjust
sayiwasntexpectinghert
opassmel ikeshedidnt
knowme. .it
houghtshewouldgreetmesoil ooked
atherwonderingifshesawmeornot .
.
Khut
so:hahahaha.
.hai
,iwi
llpr
etendibel
ievet
hat
..
Luba:
whatdoyoumean?
?
Khut
so:iwi
llpr
etendi
tsnotl
ovei
nthemaki
ng.
.
Luba:
itol
dyout
hatwor
disf
orei
gnt
ome.
.soidont
knowwhyyoubr
ingi
ngi
tup.
.
Khut
sosmi
led.
.
Lubal
ookedatKhut
soandshookhi
shead.
.
t
heyheadedt
oLuu'
sof
fi
ce.
.
afterawhile.Ntandowasst andingattherecept
ion
areatalki
ngt ohersupervi
sor..hersuper
visorwas
compl i
ment i
ngherwor k.
j
ustast
hesuper
visorwasdonespeaki
ng,
Luba
camedownfr
om theli
ftal
one.
.
Nt
andotur
nedandsawhim andrant
ohi
deont
he
ot
hersi
deoft
herecept
ioncouch.
.
Lubasawher
..
Lubasmi
ledandwentt
ower
eshewashi
ding.
.
hesatont
hear
m oft
hecouchandpeekedather
..
Luba:
unt
ilwhenwi
llyoukeephi
dingwhenyousee
me?
?
Ntandosl
owl
ylookedupandsawLubal
ooki
ngat
her.
.
shesl
owl
yst
oodupandl
ookeddown.
.
Luba:whyyouhi
ding?
?idi
dntsayiwant
edt
ohi
t
you.
.
Nt
andodi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Lubast
oodupandwentt
ost
andnextt
oher
..
hewassupercl
oset
oher
..
Luba:
isitaboutwhathappened?
?yout
hinkimi
ght
thi
nkdir
tyofyou??
Nt
andost
il
llookeddown.
.
Luba:i
fiwasgoingtolookdirt
yforwhathappened
toyou,t
henimightaswel ll
ookateverygir
ldir
ty
i
ncludi
ngmydaught er.
.becauseeverygir
lisei
ther
goi
ngthroughi
t,oralsogoingtogothroughit
..
Nt
andoswal
lowedandl
ookedatLuba.
.
Nt
ando:soyoudontf
indmedi
sgust
ing?
??
Luba:
No.
.whywoul
di?
?
Nt
ando:ohhhh.
.
Luba:whathappenedt
oyoucanhappentomany
gi
rlsandmosthavealr
eadyexper
iencet
hat
,some
worse.
.
Nt
andokeptl
ooki
ngdown.
.
Luba:li
sten.
.neverthi
nggoi ngthroughiti
s
disgusti
ngordirt
y,i
tsnatural.
.letyourbodydo
whatitwasbuilttodo..whoknowswhyyougi rls
actuall
yhavethose.
.mabyei t
scleaningsomethi
ng
i
nyourwombar eaorwher everitcomesf rom.
.
Ntando:pl
easest
optalki
ngabouti
t.
.itsounds
weirdhavi
ngthi
sconversat
ionwi
thaguy..
Luba:
whati
fiam gay?
?
NtandolookedatLubashockedandt
henl
ooked
down..
.
Luba:
hahahahaha..
.youar
efunny.
.ij
ustl
ovehow
i
nnocentyouare.
..
Nt
andodi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Luba:ihopewecanbef r
iends.
.dontbescar
edof
me..iam aver
yniceguy..
Ntandosmil
edandLubat
appedhershoul
derand
walkedout
..
Nt
andosmi
ledandl
ookedatLuba.
.
shethentouchedherhear
tandbreat
hed.
.you
couldtel
lherhear
tgavehernor
estwhenLubawas
here.
.
befor
eLubal eftNtando.
.KhutsoandJoegotout
theel
evatorandsawLubasmi lewit
hNtandoand
taphershoulderthenwalkedout.
.
Khut
sosmi
ledandJoe,
wel
lhej
ustwat
chedt
hem.
.
af
terLubawal
kedoutKhut
sopokedJoe.
.
Khutso:it
hinkmyhusbandwontbemyhusband
soon,dontyouthi
nk?
?
Joe:hhahahaha,
yah.
.seemsl
ikei
t.
.
Khut
sosmi
ledshaki
nghi
sheadandt
heywal
ked
out
..
.
*
*Li
yema*
*
iwasi
nmyr
oom onmycomput
erpl
ayi
nggames.
.
ihadmyear
phonesonsoidi
dnthearmymom
walki
nmyroom..
ij
ustf
eltmyear
phonespul
ledoutandasit
urned
mymom stoodbehi
ndme..
Mom:howmanyt i
meshaveit
oldyoutost
op
put
ti
ngthesethi
ngsint
hehouse..nowwehavet
o
cal
lyouamill
ionti
mesandevencomeallt
heway
her
ejustt
ocallyou.
.
Me:sor
ryma.
.
Mom:haimahnLiyema.
.growupmahn..andyou
pl
ayinggames,
areyoudonewi
thyourschool
work??
Me:yesmama.
.
Mom:idontwantt
ohearcompl
aint
satschool
aboutyoul
acki
ng.
.
Me:not
hingl
iket
hat
..
mom:l
eavet
hatt
hingofyour
sandcomehel
pmei
n
thekit
chen..idontknowwhyihavetosuff
eral
one
whent herei
sagr ownwomani nt
hishouse.
.dont
weeatt ogether
??yetihavet
ocookandbuyfood
alone.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Mom:swi
tchof
fthatgamor
seandcomehel
pme.
.
me:yesma.
.
sheputmyearphonesonthet
abl
eandwal
kedout
butdi
dntcl
osethedoor.
.
irol
ledmyeyesandstampedmyf eetoutof
ir
rit
ati
onbecauseiwasonl
ineandnowiwaskil
l
ed.
.
il
oggedof
fandwentt
ohel
pmymom.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iar
ri
vedatt
hecompanyr
eadyt
osur
pri
seLuu.
.
iwal
kedi
nandgr
eet
edt
hel
adi
esi
nther
ecept
ion.
.
igott
otheli
ftandtheli
ftopened.
.acl
eanercame
outhol
ding2boxes..
ideci
dedt
ohel
p..
Me:l
etmehel
pyou.
.
it
ookoneboxandt
hengott
oseeherf
ace.
.
i
tlookedl
ikeaninnocentyounggir
l,mabyearound
myagebutyounger .
.ormabyeitsherfaceand
i
nnocencethatsel
lsherasyoung..
Her
:thankyou.
.
Me:nopr
obl
em.
.wher
edot
heygo?
?
Her
:thi
sway.
.
shel
eadt
hewayandif
oll
owed.
.
wegottot
hestor
eroom andsheputt
heboxdown
andial
soputi
tdown..
Me:youcar
ryt
hisever
yday?
?
Her:no.
.oneoftheempl
oyeesher
easkedmet
o
br
ingthem her
e..
Me:ohhh,
ialmostsai
difyout
hisdai
ly,
thenyou
mustbeprepar
edtogetmanarmsinaf ewweeks.
.
shel
aughedandl
ookeddown.
.shel
ooksl
iket
he
shyt
ype.
.
Me:ohhmynamei
sBoi
tumel
o..
Her
:iam Nt
ando.
.
Me:ohh,
nicet
omeetyou.
.
wewal
kedoutandwal
kedbackt
orecept
ion.
.
Me:youl
ookver
yyoung,
shoul
dn'
tyoubeschool
ing?
Her:actuall
yiam donewit
hschool
..if
ini
shedlast
year.
.idontseemyselfgoi
ngtouni
versit
y,idont
l
ikestudying..
Me:suchani nnocent,
shygir
ldoesntl
ike
studyi
ng????tomeyoul ookl
ikeanerd..l
iket
he
typetoreadallday.
.
Her
:il
over
eadi
ng,
butidontl
ikest
udyi
ng.
.
Me:doest
hatmakesense.
.
shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngdown.
.
Me:t
henwhatdoyouwantt
odo?
?
Her
:idontknowyet
..mabyeiwi
llsoon.
.
Me:youbet
terf
indoutf
ast
,li
fei
snotaseasyaswe
allt
hink.
.imeanial
sowentbackt
oschoolaf
ter2
yearsofnotgoi
ngtoschool
..
Her
:ohhh.
.
Me:butwearedi
ffer
ent
..iwant
edtodobusi
ness
managementsoiam st
udyingt
hat
..
her
:ohhh.
.youwor
kher
e??
Me:no.
.iam her
etoseesomeone.
.
her
:mabyeonedayyouwi
llwor
kher
e..
Me:yah.
.mabye.
.
il
aughed.
.
Her
:ibet
tergetgoi
ngbef
oremysuper
visorf
inds
meheretal
king.
.
Me:ohyes..iwoul
dn'
twantt
oputyoui
ntr
oubl
e..
t
akecare.
.
her
:takecar
e..
shewalkedtotheot
hersi
deandismi
ledwal
kingt
o
theel
evator
..
[
12/
28,
12:
53] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
75
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iwassel
ectedf
ort
hej
obandt
odaywasmyf
ir
st
dayatwork.
.
iact
ual
lyknewthatiwoul
dgett
hej
ob,
butagai
ni
hadmydoubts.
.
butwhenigotanemai
landacal
l,
iwassuper
happy.
.
notthatiwouldbeworkingatt
hecompany, but
becauseforawhilemydadwi l
lchi
llandnotnag
meaboutst udyi
ngbusinessmanagement.
.soi
keepstudyi
ngarts.
.
idr
ovei
nthecompany.
.
yah,mymom lendedmehercaragai n.
.turnsout
theymi
ghtbuymea" propercar"si
nceiownagol f
andagolfi
snot"appr
opriat
e"forbi
gbusi nessl
ike
t
hat
..i
magi
ne.
.
idr
ovei
nandpar
kedmycar
..
it
hengotoutmycarandheadedi
nthecompany.
.
iwal
kedi
nandwentupt
oMrWol
f'
sof
fi
ce.
.
iknockedandhesi
gnal
edf
ormet
oent
er.
.
ient
ered.
.
me:Goodeveni
ngsi
r.
.
Him:Goodeveni
ngsaint
..r
eadyt
opr
ovet
omet
hat
idi
dntmakeami st
ake??
Me:it
hinkipr
ovedt
hatal
ready.
.
hechuckl
edandt
ookoutf
il
es.
.
Hi
m:her
e..t
hat
'syourf
ir
stl
oad.
.
il
ookedati
tandi
ndeedi
twasal
oad.
.
it
ookt
hef
il
es.
.
Me:l
etmegot
akeyout
oyourof
fi
ce.
.
hest
oodupandl
eadmet
omyof
fi
ce.
.
wear
ri
ved.
.
Him:hereyougo.
.makegooduseoft
heext
ra
space.
.
Me:yessi
r.
.
het
henwal
kedout
..
t
alkaboutamanwhot al
ksonl
ybusi
ness,
cantbe
j
okingaroundwi
tht
hisman..
iwentt
omydeskandj
ustbr
eat
hed.
.
Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obet
hel
ongest12mont
hsofmyl
if
e..
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
Luuaskedtoseeust
odayandiwashereal
one
si
nceKhutsowasgoi
ngtogether
elat
er.
.
iwalkedi
nandasi arr
ivedint
hecompanyi
rememberedt
heincidentofNt
andohi
dingf
rom me.
.
ishookmyheadandwentt
othel
if
t.
.
asiwaswai
ti
ngf
ort
hel
if
t,Nt
andocamet
oal
soget
thel
if
t.
.
shest
oodnextt
omel
ooki
ngdown.
il
ookedatheranddi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
t
heli
ftopenedandwebot
hent
eredt
hel
if
t.
.we
wer
e3i nthel
if
t.
af
ter2f
loor
s,t
heper
songotof
fandwewer
enow
j
ust2ofus.
.
iknowwhatiam aboutt
oisnotf
air
,butt
hisgi
rl
s
innocencej
ustmakesmewanttobull
yherar
ound.
.
l
ikesheissosof
t.
.someonemustt
oughenherup
orel
setheworl
dwontbeeasyonher.
.
il
ookedatandf
acedher
..
shet
ensedupandl
ookeddown.
.
asiwentnearhershekeptst
eppi
ngback.
.
ismi
ledasiwal
kedclosert
oherandshekept
movi
ngbackunti
lshereachedt
hewall
..
il
eanedi
nandwentcl
osert
oher
..
.
Luba:
ithoughtisai
dwecoul
dbef
ri
ends.
.
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Luba:
aren'
tyougoi
ngt
ogr
eet
?
Nt
ando:ahhhhh,
Goo.
..GoodMor
ningMrLuba.
.
Luba:
GoodMor
ningNt
ando,
howar
eyou?
?
Nt
ando:
..
.f.
..
..
fi
net
hanks.
..
.an.
..andyou?
?
Luba:
iam wel
l.
.
ismi
ledandshej
ustkeptl
ooki
ngdown.
.
ir
aisedherf
aceusi
ngmyhandandl
ookedather
..
att
hatmomentihadnoi
deawhatt
hei
ssuewas.
.
somet
hingwasgoi
ngoni
nme.
.
thel
iftopenedandshegotundermyar
m and
hurr
iedout..
iwaslef
tther
elooki
ngshockedatt
hesamet
ime
conf
used..
ist
oodthereleani
ngbackandt
ryi
ngt
ounder
stand
whathappened..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
ir
anoutandwentstr
aightt
ower
eiwasgoi
ng
wit
houtevenl
ooki
ngback..
it
henleanedonawal
landbr
eathed.
.it
ouchedmy
hear
tanditwasr
aci
ngagai
n..
icont
inuedbr
eat
hingt
ocal
m mysel
fdown.
.
whydoial
waysf
eel
li
ket
hiswheniam wi
thhi
m??
ishookmyhead.
.imustbegoi
ngcr
azy.
.
iwentt
odomybusi
ness.
.
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Lubawal
kedi
nandil
ookedathi
m..
hewasntasact
iveashewoul
dbe.
.thi
sguydi
dnt
evenknock.
.
Me:Luba?ar
eyouowk?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.
Me:i
st her
esomet hi
ngthati
sbot
heringyout
hat
youevenforgott
hatyouhadtoknock..
Luba:
sor
ry.
.
ilookedathi
m shocked.
.nowthatwasnotthe
respondiwasexpecti
ng..hei
sreal
lysi
ck.
.he
needshel
p..
hesatdownandleanedbackl
ikehewast
hinki
ng
aboutsomet
hing.
.
me:dude.
.isPi
nkyowk?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.
Me:ar
eyougood?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.
beforeicoul
dsayanythingel
se,
KhutsoandJoe
arr
ived.
.theyknockedandcamein.
.
Khut
so:it
houghtLubahadn'
tar
ri
ved.
.
Me:hehasn'
t.
.
Joe:huh?
Me:somet
hingi
swr
ongwi
thhi
m..
Lubal
ookedatKhut
soandJoe.
.
hethensatri
ghtandl
eanedi
nput
ti
nghi
shandson
thetabl
e..
Luba:
yah,
wear
eal
lher
e..
.
isi
ghedandst
art
ed.
.
me:ournextshi
pmenti
snextweek.
.dowehavei
t
al
lpl
annedout??
Joe:imanagedt
ofi
ndal
lthei
nfor
mat
ionneeded.
.
Khutso:iwil
ltr
ytogetcheckedupont
henett
o
ver
if
yt hatwedontgettr
apped..
Lubadi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Me:Luba?
?
hel
ookedatme.
.
Luba:
yah.
.what
everi
sdeci
dedi
sfi
ne.
.
Me:Lubaweneedyourat
tent
ionandf
ocus.
.
Luba:dontwor
ryaboutme.
.iknowwhati
s
expect
edofme..
il
ookedatJoe.
..
Me:iguesst
hat
'si
t.
.dowehavet
hemap.
.
Khut
so:igotyou.
.her
e..
Khut
soputt
hemapont
het
abl
e..
Lubasuddenl
yst
oodup.
.
Luba:
mayibeexcused.
.Khut
sowi
llupdat
eme,
i
am noti
nther
ightst
ateofmi
nd.
.
hewal
kedout
..
weal
llookedathi
m ashel
eft
..
Joe:i
sheowk?
?
Me:idontknow.
.
Khut
so:hei
sacti
ngweir
d..
.doyout
hinkweshoul
d
t
rytofi
ndoutwhati
sgoi
ngon??
Me:ifi
twassomet hi
ngthatneededus, hewould
havetol
dus..onethi
ngaboutthisfel
lowisthathe
doesntl
ikepeopl
emeddlinginhisbusinessunless
hetel
lsyouhimself
..
Joe:iwi
llst
il
lkeepaneyeonhi
m..wecantbesur
e..
weal
lbr
eat
hed.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iwal
kedi
nthehouset
ir
edasever
..
mypar
ent
swer
eal
readyhome.
.
iwentt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom f
ir
stt
ogr
eett
hem.
.
me:Goodeveni
ngf
ami
ly.
mom:hibaby!howwaswor
k?
Me:hect
ic.
.thi
siswhyihat
ebusi
ness.
.
Dad:youwi
llgetusedt
oit
..
Me:ihopeso.
.seemsli
kei
tsaboutt
obet
he
l
ongest12monthsofmyli
fe.
.
Mom:hahahaha,
ihopeMrWol
fisnott
hathar
don
you.
..
Me:notatal
l.
.butheisveryi
nti
midati
ng..ial
ways
t
hinktwi
cebeforesubmit
ti
ngfil
esforsigni
ng..
.
dadthat
'swhyiloveMrWol
f.
.healwaysmeans
busi
ness..t
hat
'swhyhei
sverysuccessf
ul.
.
Me:yah.
..anyway,iam headi
ngt
omyr
oom.
.ineed
agoodsleep,iam t
ired.
.
Mom:whataboutdi
nner
??
Me:iam f
ine.
.
Mom:f
ine?
?whatdi
dyoueat
??
Me:l
unch.
.
Mom:haisuka.
.fi
nemylef
tfoot
..havedi
nnerso
t
hatyoucanhaveener
gytomorr
ow. .
Me:ievenfor
gott
her
eissomet
hingcal
led
t
omor r
ow..
dad:hhahaha,
youarewelcometost
aybehi
nd
whil
ewemovet ot
henextday.
.
Me:i
fonl
ythatwaspossi
ble.
..
isai
dthatwal
kingawayt
omyr
oom.
.
mom:comebackt
ohavedi
nner
..
Me:owkma!
!
igott
omyr
oom andl
aidont
hebed.
.
Phew!
!if
eell
ikesl
eepi
ng.
.
it
ookmyphoneandwentt hr
oughmyI
nst
agr
am,
what
sappandFacebook.
.
onFacebookir
eal
izedihadaf
ri
endr
equest
..
icheckedi
tanditwasNeo,t
hegirlthationce
hookedupwithatthebat
hbefor
et hoseboysrui
ned
i
tbyf
ight
ing.
.
iaccept
edherr
equest
..
thenit
hrewmyphoneont
hesi
deandr
elaxedmy
bodyclosi
ngmyeyes.
.
[
12/28,
12:
53] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
76
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
Pi
nkywaspl
ayi
ngt
oday.
.
soideci
dedt
ogoandcheerherup.
.
iwentwi
thhert
oschooli
nthemor
ning.
wearr
ivedandaswearri
vedtheyl
eadustot
hehal
l
wher
et hecompet
it
ionwastaki
ngpl
ace.
.
wear
ri
vedandiwewer
etakent
oaseat
..
wewentt
osi
tdownandot
herpar
ent
sal
soj
oined
i
n..
i
twaski ndofoddbecausePinkywaslit
eral
lyt
he
onlygr
ade4l ear
nerher
e..t
herestweregrade7s.
youcouldhaveseenhowbigot hergr
ade7swer e
fr
om otherschool
s..
ifel
tsorr
yformypoorbaby..butt
henagai
n,it
smy
faul
tthatit
aughtherchessandshegott
hisgood.
.
iam sur
etheydi
dntevenknowt
hatshewas
competi
ng..
aft
ertheopeni
ngspeechandi
ntr
oduct
ionsandal
l,
thecompeti
ti
onst
arted.
.
t
herewere3school ssoeachschoolwastoplay
t
wiceandthetotalscor
eswouldbecalcul
atedand
t
hewinni
ngschoolwoul dbeannouncedandtaken
t
othenextround..
the2school
sst
art
edt
henmybaby'
sschoolgot
call
ed.
.
ot
herpar
entswoul
dpoi
ntatPi
nkyandsmi
leasshe
wal
kedtothest
and.
.
theothert
eacher
sfrom otherschool
stri
edtost
op
herfr
om playi
ngsayingsheisyoung,butthe
t
eacher
sher
espoket
othem andt
heyl
etherpl
ay.
.
isatbackandr el
axedwat
chi
ngmybabyki
llsome
cockroaches.
.
t
het
imerst
art
edandt
heyst
art
edpl
ayi
ng.
.
wat
chi
ngherpl
aymademepr
oudofher
..
thewayheanal
ysesbefor
eplaying,t
aki
nghert
ime
butnott
oomuch..shewaschil
led..
af
terawhi
lesher
angt
hebel
l.
.
Her
:Checkmat
e..
shewasevent
hef
ir
stt
ori
ngt
hebel
l.
.
t
heycl
appedf
orherandshecamet
osi
tnextt
ome.
.
igaveherhi
gh5.
.
t
heladywhowassi
tt
ingnextt
omel
eanedt
owar
ds
me.
.
Her:shei
saver
ybr
ightchi
ld.
.youmustbepr
oudof
her
..
wi
thaser
iousf
aceit
urnedt
oher
..
Me:iam.
.
it
henl
ookedf
orwar
d..
her:ar
eyoutheonet hatt
aughther?
?ordoesshe
haveat ut
orwhoteachesherchess??
il
ookedather
..
me:canwet rytor
espectthesil
enceforot
her
pl
ayerstobeabletoconcentr
ate??agamel i
ket
his
needsconcentr
ati
on.
.
ismi
ledandl
ookedf
orwar
d..
t
heypl
ayedandf
ini
shed.
.
t
heyawai
tedt
hei
rsecondgameandagai
n,Pi
nky
wast
hefi
rstt
ori
ngthebel
l.
.
Her
:Checkmat
e..
t
heycl
appedf
orherandshecamet
osi
tnextt
ome.
.
igaveheral
oll
ipopt
hist
ime.
.
shesmil
edandthankedme.
.thenshei
mmedi
atel
y
openedi
tandsuckedit
..
ial
sot
ookoutmi
neandsuckedi
t.
.
nowwewer
esi
tt
ingt
her
etoget
hermunchi
ngon
l
oll
ipop.
.
aft
erthegames,theysai
dthepoint
sandt he
winni
ngteam wit
hmostpointswast hi
sschoolbut
thesecondschoolwasnotfarfr
om them.butt
he
outst
andingpl
ayerwasPinky..
shereceivedherf
ir
stawar
dandiasapar
enthadt
o
goandt akeitwi
thher
..
ipickedherupandwenttot
hefr
ont
..il
ethertake
theawardherselfandt
henhadt
osaysomet hi
ng..
it
ookt
hemi
candknel
tononeknee.
.
igavePi
nkyt
hemi
candki
ssedhercheek.
.
shet
ookt
hemi
c..
Pinky:thankyouverymuch.
.iam sohappythati
gotthispresentt
oday.
.ial
sothankmyfatherfor
teachingmechess..il
ovechess,il
ovemyfather
.
ismil
edandpickedherup.
.shehuggedmeandi
huggedhert
oo..
t
heycl
apped.
.
it
ookt
hemi
candhandedi
ttot
het
eacher
..
wewentt
osi
tdown.
.
theyconcl
udedt
hecompet
it
ionandwel
aterwent
backhome..
onourwayoutal otofpar
entscameto
congr
atul
ateus..somewouldaskmei fi
tspossi
ble
toal
soteachtheirki
ds.
.butigent
lyr
efused.
.
t
heschoolt eacher
salsoaskedmeagai nifi
wouldn'
tlovetoteachtheschool
,butialsogent
ly
r
efused.
.
wewal
kedout
,goti
nthecaranddr
ovehome.
.
iam ahappyfat
her.
.Godreal
lybl
essedmewi
tha
beaut
if
ulbri
ghtdaught
er.
..
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:di
dtheynott
ellyouwhoiam?
?
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
ipul
ledoutmygunandpoi
ntedathi
m..
Me:toobadyoudi
dnthaveachancet
oaskabout
me..
ishot3shot
sonhi
schest
..
it
henl
ookedathi
ssecondmen.
.
hewasalreadyshaki
ngandaskingusnott
oki
ll
him.
.butagain,
heispartoft
hosewhoareour
enemiesandourenemieswekil
l..
ishothi
mtwi
ceont
hechest
..
t
henwemovedoutt
hehouse.
.
Joewasst andingoutwit
hhiswifeand2kids..bot
h
wereblindf
oldedsothattheywouldnotseeour
faces.
.
Joe:whataboutt
heseones.
.
thewi f
est
art
edbeggingandsayingi
fiam goi
ngto
kil
lthem,t
henishouldstar
twit
hherbecauseshe
doesntwanttohearhissonsdi
e..
.
icouldntki
llt
hem..notbecauseiam weakbut
becausetheydidnothingwrong.
.idontki
llt
he
innocent.
.
Me:l
eavet
hem her
e..l
etsgo.
.
Joe:owk.
.
wegotourment
oget
herandwemoved.
.
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
iar
ri
vedatt
hehouseandsatdown.
.
wel
l,t
hishousei
snotbad.
.at
leastiwi
llbeabl
eto
l
aylowforawhil
e..
imovedfrom whereiwasli
vingandnowicameto
thi
stownshi
pt of
indshel
terandtoal
solayl
ow..
l
aylowfr
om what??welll
etsj
ustsayiki
ll
edaman
andnowthepol
iceareaft
erme..
i
twasselfdef
ense,butthemanisofhigh
st
andar
ds,hewil
lusehi smoneytogetmelocked
upinpr
ison.
.sorunningawaywasmyonl yopti
on..
.
idontknowhowlongiwi
lll
asther
ebef
oret
hey
actual
lyf
indme.
.
butf
ort
imebei
ng,
thi
swi
llbemyhome.
.
t
hankstoanol
dfr
iend"
Mfana"f
orpat
chi
ngup
t
hingsf
orme..
[
12/
28,
12:
54] :77
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwasont
heupperf
loorandi
want
edt
otakeal
if
t
down.
.
t
hel
if
topenedandMrJoewasal
readyi
nthel
if
t.
.
ikeptmyheaddownandgoti
nthel
if
t.
.
Hi
m:hi
..
il
ookedathi
m andl
ookeddownagai
n..
Me:Goodaf
ter
noonsi
r.
.
Hi
m:howar
eyou?
?
Me:goodt
hanksf
oraski
ng.andhowi
ssi
r?
Hi
m:iguessiam goodnowt
hatiseeyou.
.
icoughedandlookeddownl
ooki
nghowf
art
hel
if
t
isfr
om thegr
oundf l
oor
..
hedi
dntsayanyt
hingaf
tert
hat
..
astheli
ftwasgoi
ng,immediatel
ythel
if
tmadea
shutt
ersoundanditst
opped..
il
ookedar
oundandatt
henumber
s,t
hel
ightt
hat
al
waysl
ight
sont
henumber
swasof
f.
.
Him:ohhhhel
lno.
.thepoweri
spr
obabl
yof
f.
.
dammit.
.
het
ookouthi
sphoneandcal
ledsomeone.
.
Him:yahLuu...yah,iwasabouttosayt
hesame
thi
ng..t
oobadi tshutdownwhi l
ewewereinthelif
t.
.
yah..
.owk.
..iam withNtando..
.yah,
sheisal
right
..i
am goodtooyouknow. ..hahahahowk.
.befast.
.
hehungup.
..
iwast
ryi
ngt
ohol
donbuticoul
dnt
..
ist
artedf
eel
inghotandl
ikemybr
eat
hwasnot
comingoutwell
..
.
ist
eppedbackandl
eanedagai
nstt
hewal
l.
.
Hi
m:Nt
ando?
?ar
eyouowk?
?
icoul
dntspeak,iwaspanicki
ng,
theheatwastoo
much,anditfel
tasifidi
dnthavemuchairar
ound
me..
hecamet
omeandigent
lysatdown.
.
Hi
m:youpani
cki
ng,
yousweat
ing.
..ar
eyouowk?
?
inodded.
.icoul
dntsayawor
d..
Hecamet
omeandhel
pedmecal
m down.
.
myeyeswer
efai
li
ngme.
.
i
tfel
tli
keiwaslockedupi
naboxwi
thouthol
esor
anysourceofai
r.
.
het
ookouthi
sjacketandputi
tar
oundme.
.
Hi
m:Nt
andost
aywi
thme.
.st
aywi
thme.
..
.
*
*Joe*
*
iwaspani
cki
ng,
idi
dntknowwhatt
odo.
.
shewasslowl
ycl
osinghereyesandherbreat
hing
wasbecomingdi
ff
icul
tasshewouldbreat
hharder..
iputmyj
acketar
oundherandt
ri
edgi
vinghersome
air
..
ical
ledLuuagai
n..
Me:Luu,youhavetohurry,Ntandoi
snotcopi
ng.
.
shei
sslowlygivi
ngin.
..ithi
nksheisast
hmati
c..
.
Luu:what
???l
etmegett
het
eam t
obemor
e
qui
cker
..
Me:Hur
ry!
!!
Luu:t
rytogi
veherai
r.
.dowhatyouhavet
odo.
..
dontl
ethergi
vei
nJoe..
Me:ir
atherdi
e..
.
ihungup.
.
Me:Nt
andoplease.
..hol
donowk..
.Luui
sget
ti
ng
t
heguystogetthepowerback.
.
shekeptt
ryi
ngt
obr
eat
h..
.
asshekeptbr
eat
hing.
.
shehel
dmyar
mti
ghtandsl
owl
ycl
osedhereyes.
.
Me:Nt
ando.
.dont
..
.dont
..
.
al
it
tl
ewhi l
elat
er,
theli
ftshut
ter
edagai
nand
moved.
..ipi
ckedNtandoup..
theni
topenedandasi topened,
isawLuuandot
her
employeesstandi
ngatthedoorwait
ingt
oseei
fwe
wereowk...
Luu:i
ssheowk?
?
hereyeswer
enowcl
osed.
.
Me:weneedt
ogethert
othehospi
tal
..
Luu:owk.
.hur
ry,
iwi
llbeaf
teryou.
.
ir
ant
omycaranddr
ovet
othehospi
tal
..
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
ihadanassi
gnmenttosubmitt
odayandoutoft
he
bluemyUSBwasglit
ching.
.
icoul
dntpr
intoutmyassi
gnmentt
ohandi
tin.
..
Thelibrar
yguyt oldmet hatishoul
dtaketheUSBt
o
thetechnicalpeopleandmabyet heymighthel
pme
tofi
xi twi
thoutdeleti
ngthefil
esintheUSB..
sonowiwasheadi ngtocl
asstoaskforadayext
ra
becauseiencount
eredanunexpect
edprobl
em..
onmywayibumpedi
ntoSandr
a..
Sandr
a:backal
ready?
?ij
ustwentt
ohandi
nmi
ne.
.
Me:iwent
,butt
heycanthel
pme..seemsli
kemy
USBcaughtavi
rus,
soimusttakeitt
othe
t
echni
cianst
ohel
pmegett
hevi
rusout
..
Sandr
a:eash..
..
..whydontyouaskKhutso?heisa
computergeni
us..
.healsostudi
escomputer
..
Me:yah.
..butwher
etof
indhi
m??
Sandr
a:come.
.
Sandr
apul
ledmeandir
anaf
terher
..
af
terawhi
lehepoi
ntedatt
hemusi
croom.
.
i
ttookmebacktothetimeienter
edwhi
lehewas
pl
ayingandhegotreal
lymad..
sot
hist
imeidi
dntwal
kin.
.ij
ustst
oodatt
hedoor
..
Me:whatifheplayst
hatpi
anof
or3mor
ehour
s??i
donthavethatmuchti
me..
Sandr
a:that
'sonet
hingabouthi
m..hehat
es
di
stur
bance.
.
wewai
tedandwai
ted.
.
af
teral
ongt
imehef
inal
lycameout
..
.
Me:Khut
so!
!
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:caniaskyouf
oraf
avor
??
Khut
so:mhm.
.
Me:myUSBi sgivingmepr obl
ems. .ihavean
assi
gnmenttoprintoutbutmyUSBi snotshowing
memyf i
les.
.thelibrar
yguysaidithasavi r
us.
.can
youhel
pmecl eani tupwit
houtremovi ngmyfil
es.
.
Khut
so:whendoyouneedmet
odot
hatf
oryou?
?
Me:t
oday.
..
Khutso:owk.
.nowiam goi
ngt
ocl
ass.
.af
tercl
assi
wil
lcomehelpyou.
.
Me:whatt
imedoyouf
ini
shcl
ass?
??
Khut
so:ar
ound4.
.
Me:icant
..t
het
eacherl
eavesat2.
..
Khut
so:t
henyouwi
llhavet
oaskf
oronemor
eday.
.
Me:eash.
.buthewi
llaskwhydi
dntipr
inti
tout
ear
li
er.
..i
tspar
tl
ymyf aul
t.
.
Khut
so:sor
ry.
.iwi
shicoul
dhel
p..
Me:i
tsowk.
.
henoddedandt
henr
ant
ohi
scl
ass.
.
isi
ghed.
.
Me:let
sgotrymyluckwi
thget
ti
nganext
radayor
f
ailt
hisassi
gnment.
.
Sandr
a:sor
ry.
.
aswewerewal
kingSandr
apoi
ntedatagi
rlwho
wasr
idi
ngaskater
..
Sandr
a:Li
yema!
!Li
yema!
!Li
yema!
!
t
hegi
rll
ookedbackandSandr
acal
ledher
..
Me:whoi
sthat
??
Sandr
a:Li
yema..
.shei
sal
sooursenior
..shei
snot
popul
arbutsheal
sost
udi
escomputerli
keKhutso.
.
l
etstr
yandaskher.
.
shear
ri
ved.
.
Li
yema:Sandr
a,howar
eyou?
?
Sandr
a:iam wel
landyou?
Li
yema:so,
so.
..
Sandr
a:owk.
..wel
lthi
sismyf
ri
endBoi
tumel
o..
Boi
tumel
othi
sisLi
yema.
..
t
heygr
eet
edeachot
her
..
Sandra:Li
yema..Boi
tumeloneedshel
p..shewants
topri
ntoutherpapersbutherUSBhasvirusand
cantviewherfil
essoshecantpri
ntoutandshehas
tosubmittoday.
..
shel
ookedatherwat
cht
henl
ookedatus.
.
iwasaf
rai
dshewoul
dal
sosayshecoul
dnt
..
Her
:owk.
.doyouhaveal
apt
op?
?
Me:yes.
.
igavehermylapt
opandshesatdownonherskat
er
andputtheUSBin.
.
shet
ookoutherphoneandconnect
edt
otheschool
WIFI
..
il
ookedatSandr
aandbackather
..
howdoessheknowt
heschool
'
sWI
FI?
?
shedi
dwhatshedi
dandi
nlesst
hen20mi
nut
es
shewasdone.
.
Her
:done.
.
Sandr
a:gee.
..t
hankyouver
ymuchLi
yema.
.iowe
youmuch..
Me:t
hankyou.
.ial
sooweyoumuch.
..
Her
:mabyeyouguyscanbuymel
unchoneday.
..
webot
hnodded.
.
Her:ohhhandyoucanenj
oyt
heschool
sWI
FI,
i
di
dntlogoutofi
t.
.
Me:yah.
..howdi
dyouknowi
t??
?
Her:iam ahacker.
..
.ialwayswantedtobet hat
goodingami ng,
butijustcant.
..soiam justgood
atgaming,butiam thebestinhacki
ng...ihave
beendoingthatfr
om aver yyoungage..shhhhhhhh!
shesmi
led.
..
Her:owkguys.
.seeyounextt
imewi
thl
unch.
.dont
f
orget.
..
wenodded.
.
shegotonherskat
erandskat
edaway.
.
Me:shei
ssocool
..
.
Sandr a:yah..t
oobadshenevershowedt hi
ssideof
her..andshedoesntl i
kehavi
ngfri
ends.
.sheonly
greetsot her
sthatknowherandthat'
sit
..she
doesnthavef r
iendst
hatshechi
ll
swith.
.
Me:i
sshel
ikepopul
aramongherseni
ors?
?
Sandr
a:no..
.theyalwayssayLi
yemaisnotevent
he
cl
ever
estintheclass,
sheisknownasanaverage
st
udent.
.
Me:how?
?
Sandr
a:ionceaskedherandshesaidshedoesthat
onpurposebecauseshedoesntwanttocat
ch
at
tent
ionwit
hherbr i
ll
iantski
ll
swi
thcomputer
s..
Me:wow.
..
.
Sandr
a:l
etsgopr
intoutyourwor
k..
Me:yah.
.let
sgo.
..
wer
anbacktotheschoolli
braryandt
heymanaged
t
opri
ntoutandthenihur
ri
edt osubmi
t..
Phew!
!thankst
othatgi
rlt
hatimanagedt
osubmi
t
ont
ime.
.ioweherahugemeal
..
.
[
12/
28,
12:
54] :78
.
*
*2DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:ar
eyousur
ethatyouar
ewel
l
??
Nt
ando:yessi
r.
.
Me:iam sor
ryt
hathadt
ohappent
oyou.
.
Nt
ando:i
tsnotyourf
aul
tsi
r.
.thepowerj
ustwent
of
f.
.
Me:buti
fihadmyteam hur
rydownimmedi
atel
y,
t
hepowerwouldbeonalmostonti
me..
Nt
ando:i
tsowksi
r.
.weal
lmakemi
stakes.
.
Me:*
Sigh*andsomemakedeadl
ymi
stakes.
.i
al
mostdidone.
.
Nt
andodi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Me:ar
eyousur
ethatyouar
ereadyt
owor
kagai
n??
shenodded.
.
Nt
ando:yessi
r.
.
Me:owk.
.shouldyouhavepr
obl
ems,
pleasespeak
t
oyoursupervi
sor.
..
Nt
ando:yessi
r.
.
Me:owk.
.takei
teasy.
.
Nt
ando:yessi
r.
.
Me:owk.
.youar
eexcused.
.
shet
hankedmeandwal
kedout
..
.
.
*
**Nt
ando*
**
normall
yifihaveapanicattack,
igetafr
aidofusi
ng
thesamet hi
ngforawhile.
.soafterl
eavi
ngMr
Wolf'
soffi
ce,iheadeddownvi at
hestair
s..
iwalkeddownabitf
astandwhenigotdown,
isaw
MrJoet al
kingt
omysupervi
sor
..ashesawme,he
walkedtome..
Hi
m:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:yessi
r.
.
Hi
m:iam gl
ad.
.
hel
ookedatt
hest
air
s..
Him:wi
llyoubeablet
owor
kful
lyusi
ngt
hest
air
s??
youwontgetti
red?
?
ilookedatthestai
rs.
.ofcauset
hestai
rswer
egoi
ng
towor nmeout..buticantsayt
hatt
omy
empl oyees.
.
Me:nosi
r.
.it
snot
hing.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyouser
ious?
?
Me:yessi
r.
.
asiwastal
kingt
oMrJoe,
isawMrLubawal
kingt
o
thel
if
t.
.
ashewaswalki
ngt here,hel
ookedthi
swayand
sawme.hethenjustlookedfor
wardanddi
dntsay
anyt
hing.
.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
mti
llhegoti
nthel
if
t.
.
.
*
*Luba*
*
iar
ri
vedi
nLuu'
sof
fi
ce.
.
iknockedandopened.
.
Me:Mrbi
gWol
f.
.
Luu:yesl
it
tl
eWol
f.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)
Luu:youarest
art
ingtobear
egularher
e..dontyou
thi
nkishouldmakeyouapar
tnerinthi
scompany..
Me:noti
nter
est
ed.
.
Luu:noteveni
fibeg?
?
Me:noteveni
f.
.
hel
aughed.
.
Luu:hai
..owk.
.
Me:**si
gh**howsyournewcleaner
??isawher
downstai
rs.
..backal
ready?
?
Luu:mhm..
.thankgoodnesssheisowk.
.imagi
nei
f
somethi
ngbadhappenedt oher
..
Me:mhm.
.
Luu:butshei
sal
ri
ght
..sheal
soi
nsi
stedonwor
king
agai
n..
Me:mhm owk.
.
Luu:yah.
.anyway..
.haveyouf
il
edt
hepl
an?
?di
d
youmasteritout
..
Me:t
hat
'swhyiam her
e..
.
it
ookoutt
hepl
anf
rom mysui
tcase.
.
Me:here.
.al
langles,possi
bleout
comesandver
y
goodsurr
oundings..
Luu:thi
sisgr
eat
..noonecoul
dhavet
houghtabout
thi
s..
Me:yah.
.that
'
swhyiam t
hemast
erofmi
nds.
.
Luu:andthat'
swhyyouhaveadaught
erhal
fa
geni
uslikeyou..
Me:cor
rect
..
hel
aughedandismi
led.
.
aswewer esi
tt
ingsomeoneknockedandopened
thedoor
..
Sai
nt:Goodmor
ninggent
lemen.
.
Luu:yesMrJones.
.
ij
ustnodded.
.
Sai
nt:MrWol
f.
.her
eifwhatyouaskedf
or.
.al
ldone
anddust
ed.
.
Luu:goodwor k.
.iam i
mpressed,
iam st
art
ingt
o
thi
nkt hatyouact
ual
lydidst
udysomethi
ngabout
business..
'
Sai
nt:iam gl
adigotyout
hinki
ngt
hat
..
Luu:owk.
.Thankyou.
.
hewal
kedout
..
Luul
ookedatt
hepaper
wor
kandsmi
led.
.
Me:heseemst
obebl
endi
ngwel
l
..
Luu:yah..hi
swor
kisexcept
ional
..her
emi
ndsme
ofyou..
Me:hai
..noonei
sli
kemeorcl
oset
ome.
.
Luu:hahahaha..nor
eall
y..
.heissmar tand
somet i
mesheget si
nfothatevenJoecouldntget
..
butithinkt
hat'
sbecausehisfatheri
sconnected.
.
Me:mhm..i
nterest
ing.
.anyway,l
etmegetgoi
ng,
i
st
il
lhavemovingtoprepar
efor.
.
Luu:hahaha,
ist
il
lhaveamont
htogobef
oret
hat
..
Me:yah,
what
ever
..
.seeyousomeot
hert
ime.
..
Luu:owkl
it
tl
eWol
f.
..
Me:mxm.
.what
everBi
gWol
f.
.
hel
aughedandichuckl
edwal
kingout
..
igoti
nthel
if
tandheadeddown.
.
igotoutt
hel
if
tandwal
kedoutt
heof
fi
ce.
.
onmywayout,isawNt andowal
kingcomi
ngmy
wayhol
dingadustbi
n..
ist
oppedher
..
.
Me:hi
..ihear
daboutwhathappened,
areyouowk?
?
Her
:yessi
r.
.
Me:owk.
.wel
l.
.wor
kwel
l.
.
shenodded.
.
it
henl
eftandwal
kedoutt
hecompany.
.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
asLubawaswalki
ngouthesawJoecl
osi
nghi
scar
andwalki
ngbackt
othecompany.
.
Joesmil
edatLubabutLubadidntevensmil
eback.
.
butt
hatwasnormalbecauseallt
heguysknowthat
Lubaisj
ustl
iket
hat.
.
hegott
oLuba.
.
Joe:haimyguy.
.
Luba:
Joe.
.
Joe:camet
oseeLuu?
?
Luba:
yah.
.icamet
ogi
vet
hepl
an.
.
Joe:amazi
ng.
.iguessweal
lsetnow.
.
Luba:
mhm.
.
Joe:wel
l.
.letmenothol
dyouback.
.haveagr
eat
day.
.
Joewal
kedpassedLuba.
.
Lubat
urnedandl
ookedatJoe.
.
Luba:
Joe?
?
Joet
urnedanl
ookedatLuba.
.
Luba:
youknowiam adi
rectper
sonandidonthol
d
backri
ght
??
Joe:mhm.
.
Joel
ookedconf
used.
.
Luba:sot
ellme.
.ist
her
esomet
hinggoi
ngonwi
th
youandNtando??
[
12/28,
12:
54] :(
LATEI
NSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*NARRATI
ON*
*
Luba:sot
ellme.
..i
sther
esomet
hinggoi
ngonwi
th
youandNtando??
Joe:What
??
hechuckl
edal
it
tl
e..
Luba:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Joe:somyt
heor
ywast
rue?
?
iwasconf
used.
.idi
dntknowwhathewast
alki
ng
about
..
Luba:
whatt
heor
y??
Joe:thatyouar
einl
ovewi
thournewcl
eaner
,
Ntando..
Luba:wh.
..
..(
chuckl
ed)
..
..wher
edi
dyouheart
hat
rubbi
sh??
?
Joe:iam notpartofthelegendarygangfornot
hing..
ther
eisar easonwhyiam ofval ue..noi
nfor
mation
canpassmeby. .iam l
ikeaninformati
onscanner.
.
Luba:ist
il
ldontknowwhatyouaretal
kingabout
..
al
liaskedwasaquesti
onthatneededayesorano. .
Joe:ar
eyouj
eal
ous.
.
Luba:
what
??j
eal
ousofwhat
??
Joe:l
ist
eniwasntbor
nyest
erday.
.isawr
ight
thr
ough..
Luba:
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
??anywaydont
event
ellme.
.justanswermyquest
ion.
.
Joe:wel
l.
.Noiam noti
ntoher
..
Luba:buti
tdoesntseem l
iket
hat
..youal
ways
aroundher
..
Joe:hahahaha..coi
ncident.
.plus,ial
waysknew
oneofmygr oupmember swasi ntoher..sowhy
wouldiwantt omakeamoveonher ?
?pl us,
shei
s
tooinnocentformyliki
ng..il
ikethem tough..
Luba:
whatdoyoumeanoneofyourgr
oup
membersl
ikeher
??whol
ikesher
??
Joe:Lubaandmi ndgames. .
..well
,youwantt oplay
dumb? ?owk. ..r
emembert het i
mewewer eteasing
youaboutNt andobeingyourwi feandal lthat??i
haditallfi
gur edoutfr
om yourr eacti
ons, even
thoughyout riedsohar dtohideit.
..mypl anwast o
studyhowyouactar oundher .
.isawyouonce
teasi
ngher ,andt heotherti
meagai n..yoursmi le
aroundherissogenui ne..
.iwassol dthatyour eall
y
l
ikeher..annowhei sjealous..
Luba:
noiam not
..
.
Joe:yesyouar
e..
Luba:
F* *
*no.
.whywoul
dibej
eal
ousonagi
rli
dontl
ike??
Joe:i
sthatwhatyout
ellyour
sel
f??
Luba:ij
ustt
easeherbecauseshei
sinnocent
..
nothi
ngmore..
.
Joe:t
hat'
swhatyousaybuddy,butmyt heor
ysays
other
wise.
.andjustasmal
ladvice,
alotofmenli
ke
i
nnocentgir
ls.
.bett
ergoaf
terherbecauseshe
becomesanotherman'sgi
rl
..
.
Luba:
mxm.
.for
geti
t.
.yout
alki
ngnonsense.
.
igott
omycarl
eavi
ngJoesmi
li
ngatmeasidr
ove
away.
..
.
*
*Joe*
*
ishookmyheadandwal
kedi
nthecompany.
.
iwal
kedupt
othel
if
tandagai
nisawNt
ando.
.
ismi
ledt
hinki
ngaboutLuba.
.
t
hel
if
topenedandiwentupt
oLuba'
sof
fi
ce.
.
asiar
ri
vediknockedandwal
kedi
n..
Me:Luu!
Luu:mhm.
.howdi
ditgo?
?
Me:t
heyl
ovedi
t.
.theyevensi
gnedt
hecont
ract
..
Luu:amazi
ng!
!nowwehaveanewdooropenedt
o
cl
eanourmoneymoref
aster
..
Me:yah.
..haiLuu.
Luu:mhm.
.
Me:Lubatol
dmehewasher
etodr
opt
hepl
an
sheet
..howi
sit
??
Luu:youknowLubadoesntdisappoint
..heis
al
waysonpoi nt
..hi
smastermindisactual
lydoi
nga
l
otforus.
.thankgoodnessheispartofourteam,
i
magi nei
fhewasourenemy?
Me:hahahahyah,iagreewi
thyouther
e..iguess
t
heWol fgenescar
ryraredi
amonds..
Luu:hahahayoucansaythat
..butt
hesedayshei
s
di
stract
ed..whi
chworr
iesme..
Me:di
str
act
ed?
?ori
nlove?
?
Luul
ookedatmei
nshock.
.
Luu:what
??
Me:iam j
ustguessi
ng.
.
Luu:f
orgetit
..Lubawoul
dneverf
alli
nlove,
evenif
l
oveisinfrontofhim.
.hewoul
dchoosetoignor
eit.
.
Me:real
ly??soeveni
fhel
ovesaper
sonhewont
conf
esst oher
??
Luu:wel
l,
knowi
ngLuba.
.that
'sexact
lywhathe
woulddo.
.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?ishet
hatagai
nstl
ove?
?
Luu:haiman.
.that'
stheLubaiknow..butagai
n,i
haven'
tbeenwithhimforyearsashewasgr owi
ng
up,somabyeallthi
stoughnessisj
ustafront
hidi
nghissof
tsidebecauseofthepast.
.idont
know..
Me:speakingofthatial
sothi
nkthi
shast odowit
h
Pinky'smom..it
hinkLubai
sstil
latt
achedtoher
andt hat
;swhyhewontloveagain.
.
Luu:Pinky'
smom?
?idoubt
..hehat
eshergut
s..t
hat
wouldn'tbe.
.
Me:t
henwhatcoul
ditbe?
?
Luu:mabyehewantssomeonewhocanbeawife
tohim andamot
hertoPi
nky..weal
lknowt
hat
's
hardtofind.
.
Me:(tal
kedt
ohimsel
f)butNtandoisbot
h..
.sowhy
doesnthewantt
oconfesstoher??
Luu:what
??whatdi
dyousay?
?
Me:ohhnot
hing.
.iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngoutl
oud.
.
Luu:mhm..anyway,whateveri
tist
hat
'sbother
ing
hi
m mustbef i
xedbecausewehaveashi pmentto
prepar
efor
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twaslat
eatnightandSi
yaj
ustwentt
obed.
.Luu
wasnotyetbackhome.
.
iunder
standt
hathei
sbusywi
thwor
kandhi
ssi
de
busi
ness,butial
soneedhisatt
ent
ionbuti
tseems
l
ikeiam al
waystheleastofhi
spri
ori
ty.
.
ishower
edandt
henwentt
obed.
..
af
terawhi
le,
ihear
dthedooropen.
.
ii
gnor
edi
tandpr
etendedt
obesl
eepi
ng.
.
hethenwal
kedt
othebat
hroom andt
ooksomet
ime
ther
e..
af
terhecameout
,iwasst
il
lawake.
hegoti
nthebl
anket
sandf
acedt
heot
herway.
.
wel
l,
thesehavebecomemyni
ght
sthesedays.
.
icantevenhavehiscuddl
esanymor
e..icanteven
enjoyhiski
ssesanymore.
.
thesedays,heget
sangryveryfastbecauseofwor
k
andi havetopl
ayatasafedist
anceandwat ch
Siya.
.itsl
ikewearebackatsquareone..
wegetupi nthemor
ning,
getaperkonthelipsand
offhegoes,t
hencomesbacklat
e..
.andallidois
tr
ytosleep.
.
whenicant
,ij
ustgetoneofhi
sbel
ongi
ngsandhug
t
hem t
osl
eep.
.
af
teralongwhil
eofsleepi
ng,isl
owl
ygotupand
wenttothel
aundrybasket
..
itookhi
sjacketandwor
eit
,thenwentt
osl
eepwi
th
it
..
thi
swayigettofeelhi
ssenseofbel
ongi
ngandhi
s
scent
.at
leastif
eell
ikehei
sholdi
ngme.
[
12/28,
12:
54] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
79
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
tsear
lyi
nthemor
ningandiwaswokenupbymy
al
arm.
.
iswitchedthealar
m offandlookedonmyside,
Luu
wasst il
lsl
eepi
ng,normallyhewouldwakeupwith
meandshowerwi thmet henhaveti
mefor
breakfast,
butforsomedaysnow, heal
waystel
ls
met
hathewant
stosl
eepf
or2mor
emi
nut
es.
.
iguessigotusedtohim wakingupearlyand
becameselfi
shwant i
nghimt oalwayswakeup
earl
yforme..iguessheisreall
ytir
ed.
.
ikil
lthethoughtofwakinghim upandjustdeci
de
thatiwillshoweraloneandhewillwakeupwhenhe
wantst owakeup. .
iwenttot
hebathr
oom.br
ushedmyteet
handwent
int
heshower,
iwashedmyhairt
henwashedmy
body.
.
t
heni
fini
shed.
.
idr
iedmybodyandmyhai
r.
.
si
nceihaveshor
thai
r,ij
ustcombi
t.
it
henl
oti
onedmysel
fandt
hengotr
eady.
.
aft
ergett
ingoutt
heshoweri
real
izedLuuwasst
il
l
asl
eep..
iwentt
owakehi
m up.
.mabyehef
orgott
osetan
al
arm..
iwokehi
m up.
.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Me:Luu!
!Luu!
!
ishookhi
m..
Hi
m:mhm.
..
hegroanedinhi
ssl
eepwi
thhisdeepestvoi
ce.
.it
evensentshi
ver
sinmybody.
.li
keli
ter
all
y..
Me:Luu!wakeuporyouwi
ll
bel
atet
owor
k..
Hi
m:mhm mhm (
no)
Me:Luu!
!
ishookhi
m agai
n..
hef
acedt
heot
herwayandhuggedhi
spi
ll
oweven
mor
e..
Me:*
*si
gh*
*Luu!
het
urnedt
omysi
dewi
thhi
seyeshal
fcl
osed.
.
Hi
m:mhm?
?
Me:i
ts06:00.
.wontyoubel
atei
fyousl
eepanot
her
mi
nute??
Hi
m:no.
..iwi
llwakeupat7:
00iam t
ir
ed.
.
Me;owk.
.di
dyousett
heal
arm?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:owk.
.
heputhi
sheadont
hepi
ll
owandsl
eptagai
n..
it
henwal
kedoutgoi
ngt
ogetSi
yar
eady.
.
iwentt
her
eandwokehi
m upandgothi
mready.
.
around06:55wewer
edoneandheadi
ngdownt
o
havebreakfast
imadebr
eakf
astf
astandwesatdownhavi
ng
br
eakf
ast
..
.
iwasntexpecti
ngLuutobedonearoundt
histi
me,
buther
eheappear edal
ldr
essedupandlooki
ngli
ke
hewasr ushi
ngout..
Luu:Mor
ningBunny.
.Mor
ningLi
tt
lechamp.
.
Si
ya:mor
ningBr
otherLubanzi
..
Me:Morni
ng.
..
.youcansitdown,
iwi
llgetyoua
bowlt
ohavebreakf
ast
..
Luu:noneed.
.iam al
readyr
unni
ngl
ate.
.
Me:i
tsonl
y07:
08it
houghtyousai
dyouwoul
dn'
t
bel
ate.
.
Luu:yah,Joecall
edmer i
ghtafteryouwokemeup,
tel
li
ngmeaboutwor kcri
ses..ihadtogetupand
getreadyasquickasican..nowidonthaveti
me..
hecamet
oki
ssmeaf
terget
ti
ngaf
rui
t.
..
Luu:i
wil
lgetcof
feeontheway..seeyouwheni
comebackhome..enj
oyschoolowk?
Me:mhm.
.
hewavedgoodbyet
oSi
yat
henhel
eft
..
isi
ghedandwentt
ofi
nishmybr
eakf
ast
..
aftereat
ingbreakf
astandhavi
ngsmall
conversati
onswithSiya,wewal
kedt
othecarand
Siphotookust oschool.
.
iarr
ived,sai
dgoodbyet
oSi
phoandwal
kedi
nthe
schoolyard.
.
myclasseswer
epackedt
odayandidi
dnthavet
he
mood..
if
oundSandr
ast
andi
ngatt
her
ockneart
hegat
e..
i
twasourownt hing.
.si
ncewegotocl
asses
toget
her,i
fshecomesfir
st,
shewai
tsf
orme,ifi
comef i
rst
,iwai
tforher
..
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngatherandsheal
sosmi
led.
.
iwal
kedt
oher
..
Sandr
a:whywereyousmi
li
ng?
??di
dyouseeyour
MrWolfher
e??
ichuckl
ed
Me:mxm.
.
ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
thershoul
derandwewal
kedt
ocl
ass.
.
shenot
icediwasdownandaskedmest
rai
ght
..
Sandr
a:youdontl
ookr
ight
,somet
hingwr
ong?
?
il
ookedather
..
Me:me?
?ahhhyoumustbeseei
ngt
hings.
.
Sandr
a:r
eal
ly?
?
il
ookedatherandmysmi
ledf
aded.
.isi
ghed.
.
Sandr
a:imaybest
upi
danddumb,
butiam agood
l
ist
ener.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shel
ookedatmewai
ti
ngf
ormet
ospeak.
.
Isi
ghed.
.
Me:i
tsLuu.
.
Sandr
a:Luu?
?
Me:MrWol
f.
.
Sandr
a:ohhhh.
.whatdi
dhedo?
?
Me:..
...
..
...
..
.idontknowifiam overthi
nki
ngthi
ngs
orsomet hi
ngbut .
..caniask.
.ifyourhavea
boyfr
iendandhesuddenl ydoesnthavet i
meforyou,
whatdoesi tmean? ?
Sandra:wel
l.
.accordi
ngtowhatiknowandhave
experi
encedi
sthat,it
sei
therhei
salwaysti
red
becauseofworkingalot
,orhecoul
dbevaluing
somethingmorethenyou.ormabyeheis.
..
..
...
.he
i
s..
..
..
il
ookedatherwant
ingt
oknowhei
swhat
??
Me:what
???
Sandr
a:cheat
ing.
..
igraspedmyairandopenedmymout
hwi
thmy
handslowlyr
eachingmymouth.
.
shehi
tmymout
h..
Sandra:stoppicki
ngthenegati
ve.
.igaveyou3
opti
ons,itcoul
dbeanyoft hose3..butidoubti
ts
thecheatingopti
on,imeanhestoodupf oryou
againstAmoandl etever
yoneknowt hatyouare
his.
.soidoubthewoul ddothat.
.
Me:.
..
..
...
..
...
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
.mabyeiam j
ustusedtohim
al
waysbeingar oundmeandgivingmeattent
ion.
.
nowifeellonely..
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
isi
ghedandl
ookedatherwhol
ookedr
eal
lywor
ri
ed
onmybehalf
..
ismi
ledandhel
dherhand.
.
Me:aslongasyouarewithme,iguessiwi
llnotbe
l
onel
y..toobadt
haticanttakemehomewithyou..
Sandra:i
fyoupromiset
hatyouwillsel
lmeto
someoneashotasMrWol f,iwi
llbegladt
o
abandonmyf amil
ytobewithyou24/ 7
shesaidthi
swithaser
iousact
ingf
aceandvoi
ce
thatil
aughed.
.
dr
amaqueen.
.
Me:haveyougi
venuponyourcr
ushonKhut
so?
?
shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngdown.
.
Sandr
a:Li
fegoeson.
.
shesai
dthi
snoddi
ngherheadandsmi
li
ng.
.i
l
aughed.
.
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
ij
ustf i
nishedmostofmywor kandj
ustfi
nished
schedulingMrWol f
'sdayandupcomingmeet ings.
.
but,someoneof fthough..heismostl
ybusywi th
otherwor kthatiknownot hi
ngaboutandcover si
t
withfake" busi
nessmeet i
ngs"..
well
,iam hisPAandi fidontf
indoutwhathei
s
busywi t
h,theniwouldn'
tbeauniquePAiwouldbe
aregularone..ihavet
ostandoutsoiwil
lfi
ndout
..
ist
art
edgat
her
ingmemor
yofal
lthatihaveseen
ar
oundhi
soff
iceespeci
all
ywhenheiswi
ththe
ot
hermenwhoihavenoideawhotheyar
e..
asiwasonamissi
onoff
indingoutwhatMrWolfis
upto,
myphonegavenot
if
icati
onandichecked.
.
i
twasamessagef
rom Neo.
.
shewr
ote:"
Hist
ranger
."
i
tsbeendayssi
nceiaccept
edherf
ri
endrequest
andshedeci
destomessagemenow..t
ouche..
isentar
epl
y..
"
Hi,
Neo"
"
ohmywor
d,youst
il
lremembermyname.
"
"
it
syourFacebooknameyouknow"
"
ohhh,
yes.
.(l
aughi
ngf
ace)
..so,
howar
eyou?
?"
"
iam wel
l,
andyou?
?"
"
iam wel
l,
howi
syourcheek?heal
ed?
?"
"
yah.
..
"
"ahhh,
iam gl
ad.
.andsor
ryagai
nforwhat
happened.
"
"
wat
erundert
hebr
idgedear
"
"
andt
hankyouf
orst
andi
ngupf
orme.
"
"i
tsowk..di
dyouar
rivewel
lathome?
?di
dtheydo
anyt
hingtodoyou?
"
"no,wel
ltheydi
dcomebackt omewithKhaya( my
ex)andheactedal
langrybutir
emindedhert hat
wear et
hrough.
.hewantedtoaskf
orgivenessand
comebackt omeclai
minghemadeami stake"
"
whydi
dntyout
akehi
m back?
"
"
youwantmet
o??
"
"
imeani
fyoul
ovehi
m,t
henwhynot
?"
"
nah,
idontl
ovehi
m anymor
e,imovedon.
."
"i
snti
ttoosoontosayyouhavestoppedl
ovi
ng
someonethatyouonceloved?
?"
"
meani
ng?
?"
"imeanyoubrokeupwitht hisguyfewweeksago
andfewdaysagohewant edt ocomebacktoyou..
andnowyousayingyouf elloutoflovewit
hhim..
soiam aski
ng,di
dntyouf alloutoflovewi
thhi
m
t
oosoon?
?"
"
wel
l,
itsnotmyf
aul
tthathel
eftme.
."
"
not
ed.
."
"
anyway,
itsal
lthepastnow"
"
yah.
.tr
ue"
"
so,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngnow?
?"
"
ohh,
iam j
ustt
aki
ngabr
eakf
rom wor
k."
"
wor
k??youwor
k??
"
"
yah.
."
"
wher
e??whatdoyoudo?
?"
iwantedtoletherknowt hatiwor khere,butthat
wouldnotbeagoodi dea..idontknowwhy, buti
justf
eltt
hatitwasntowkt otel
lherthat.
.
"
enoughaboutme.
.whydi
dyour
eachoutt
ome?
?"
"well
,iki
ndofwasimpressedwi
thhowyoutook
careofmethatday,
ithoughtmabyewecoul
dbe
fri
ends."
"
fri
ends?
?"
"
yes.
."
"
wel
l,
icandowit
hsomef
ewmor
efemal
efr
iends.
.
(
smi
lefaces)
"
"
youhaveot
herf
emal
efr
iends?
?"
"
mhm"
"
theniwantt
obeamor
especi
alf
ri
end"
"
speci
alf
ri
end?
?ist
her
esomet
hingl
iket
hat
??"
"
mhm"
"andwhati
sthedif
fer
encebet
weenf
ri
endsand
speci
alf
ri
ends??
"
"
speci
alf
ri
endsar
emor
eimpor
tantt
henf
ri
ends"
"
owk.
.iwi
llconsi
dert
hatandgetbackt
oyou"
wecarri
edonchat
ti
ngofcauseandlaterit
oldher
t
hatwewouldchatlat
erbecauseiwantedt
ofini
sh
wor
king..
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
Me:wher
ear
eyou?
?
Mf
ana:i
nmyshack.
.
Me:iam boredasf,andidontknowwheret
ogoto
buyf oodandal
lthat.
.whatiboughtwi
thmeis
fi
nished..
Mfana:owk,
iam comi
ngt
ofet
chyouandiwi
ll
showyouaround.
.
Me:owk.
.
ihungupandwentt
ogetwat
er.
.
il
ookedatmyf
ace.
.
bust
edr
uinedmyf
ace.
.nx.
.
wheniwasf
ight
inghim of
fme,
hescrat
chedmy
f
acewit
hwhateverhewashol
ding.
ial
wayshidethi
sscarencaseigetr
ecogni
zed
becauseofi
t.
.
itookoutmymakeupki
dandappl
iedmakeupj
ust
tohidethescar
..
.
theniwor
emyt r
acksui
tandahoodietocovermy
head,
icantaf
for
dtober ecogni
zed.
.
t
hebr
otheroft
hemeniki
ll
edi
spr
obabl
yget
ti
nghi
s
mentoal
sol
ookf
orme.
.soicantsel
lmysel
foutso
soon.
.
i
fonlyiknewsomeonet ogetmepaper stoleave
thi
scountr
y..money?
?t hat
'ssor
ted..imanagedto
savealotfr
om mywor kmoneybef oreki
ll
inghim..
youmustbeconf
usedhowi
sthat
??
well
,iusedt
osel l
mybodyt osurviveandoneday
thi
smenwant edmyservi
ces..itoldhim noandhe
for
cedhisway..il
eti
tbe.
.heleftleavi
ngahuge
amountofmoneyont hedrawerofourr ooms..
mybosswashappyt
hatiwaspai
dsomuchf
orj
ust
1r
ound..
thi
smenbecamearegul
arcust
omerandheal
ways
demandedt
osleepwi
thme..
.
inor
mall
ytargetyoungmennotol
dol
dmen.
.he
wasareal
lyoldman..
sofrom t
hebeginninghealwaysrappedmeandl ef
t
hugeamounts,andnoonewoul dbelieveme
becauseiwasapr osti
tut
e,t
heywouldask"whatdo
youknowaboutr apebecauseyoupracti
cal
lysel
l
sex?
"
t
hatr
eal
lyhur
tme.
.
hewoul
devensometi
messleepwi
thmemany
ti
meswit
houtmyconsent
..
sobasi
call
y,hehadhi
swaywi
thmef
ordays.
.
ever
yday.
.
sooneday,ipr
eparedmysel
f.
.ihi
dagunundert
he
dr
awer.
.ihadstol
enitf
rom mybossesmen.
.
hecameandt r
iedrappi
ngme. .t
hist i
meifought
back..hethenstar
tedhi
tti
ngmef orfi
ghti
ngback
andtoldmet odomydut y..ir
efused..hecur
sedme
sti
llf
ighti
ngmeandcur sedmypar ents(
whom i
dontknow) .
igotangr
yandfoughthar
der
..i
nthepr
ocessmy
facewasscr
atched.
.
whenisawt
hatiwaslooki
ngandhewas
undr
essi
ngme,ir
eachedfort
hegunandshothi
m..
ofcauseot
her
shear
dthegunshotandr
ushedher
e..
hel
aydeadonme.
.
ipushedhi
m asi
deandr
anaway.
.
iguessthebrot
herofthedeadguywentt ofi
ndout
whathappenedandmanagedt ochangethestor
y
andmakei tasifij
ustki
ll
edani nnocentman
becausethatswheniheardthatthepoli
cewere
aft
erme..
soicont
act
edeveryoneiknewandtheper
sont
hat
camethr
oughformewasMf ana.
.
andt
hat
'showicameher
e..
ist
il
ldontknowwhot heguywasandwhyi tcaused
suchabigdeal.
.ial
sodoubtthepolicewer
eactual
poli
ce,
ithi
nktheyarebought.
.that
'swhyisay,
if
thi
sguycanf i
ndme,iam dead.
[
12/28,
12:
55] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
80
.
*
*Li
yema*
*
iwasinthediningroom anol dti
megoodmovi e
thatwasplayingonet vcal
led3ninjas..iknow,the
movieisveryold,butsomehowist il
llovei t
..
especi
all
ytum- t
um (thesweetlover)wonderi fhi
s
teet
hareallinhismout hnowt hatheisol d.
.
i
twouldbeni
cet
oseet
hem nowi
nthi
sdayand
age.
.
asiwaswatchi
ng,
mymom (
whom inevert
oldyou,
buti
smystepmom)wal
kedi
n..
Me:af
ter
noonma.
mom:af
ter
noonLi
yema.
.yourdadnotbackyet
??
Me:yesma.
.
mom:owk.
.
shewal
kedt
oherr
oom.
.
see,
myst
epmom i
smyst
epmom.
.
asmuchasidontgetal
ongwit
hherdaught
er,
hei
s
st
il
lagoodst
epmom tome..
shei
snotthe"Per
fect
,lovi
ng"st
epmom.t
rustme
shehasherf
laws.butsheisal
ri
ght
.
aft
erawhil
eshewalksbackwear
ingsl
ipper
sand
comestosi
tnextt
ome. .
shet
ookt
her
emot
eandswi
tchedof
ftheTV.
.
il
ookedatherwi
thwi
deeyes.
.
Me:Ma!iwaswat
chi
ngt
hat
..
mom:butiwantt
ospeakt
oyou.
.
Me:i
twasget
ti
ngt
othebestpar
t.
.
Mom:Li
yema!
!
ipout
edandf
acedherl
ooki
ngdown.
.iwassuper
ir
ri
tat
ed.
.
Mom:l i
sten,
thi
sSat ur
dayisyoursist
ersbir
thday.
.
asyouknow, shethrowsapartyeveryyearto
cel
ebrateherbir
thday,iwoul
dappreciat
eiti
fyou
wouldcome..
Me:Ma,
weal
lknowKhanyiwontwantmet
her
e..
Mom:t hat'
swhyiam askingyou,ireall
ywantyou
andKhanyit ogetal
ong,butKhanyiisvery
stubbor n.
.icanonlyrel
yonyou..pleasemaketime
toattendherpar t
yforme..
Me:butMa!!ihadagamecompet
it
ionschedul
ed
t
hisSatur
day..
Mom:youcanstil
lgamethenextSat
urday,
but
Khanyi
'
sbi
rthdayisonl
yonceayear.
.
Me:l
ikeshecamet
omybi
rt
hday.
.
Mom:Li
yema.
..
shel
ookedatmewi
tht
hebeggi
ngl
ook.
.
isi
ghed.
.
att
hatmoment
,mydadwal
kedi
n..
dad:my2f
avor
it
ewoman.
.
Mom:ohdar l
ing,t
hankyouforcomingr
ighton
t
ime..pl
easehelpmepersuadeLiyematoatt
endi
ng
Khanyi'
sbi
rt
hday??
il
ookedatdad.
.
me:gi
vei
tashotdad.
.
Dad:spoiledchi
ld.
.iam notgoi
ngt
oper
suadeyou
not
hing..yougoing.
.
Me:wow.
.thatwasagoodappr
oach.
.
dad:i
am serious..orel
se,
iwi
llt
aket
hatcomput
er
awayfrom you..
Me:Dad,
butt
hat
'smyescapehome.
.
Dad:doil
ookl
ikeiam l
aughi
ng.
.
ishookmyhead.
.
dad:done.
.dontwor
rydar
li
ng,
shewi
llbet
her
e..
mom l
ookedatmeandst
art
edt
hanki
ngme.
.
ij
ustt
urnedt
heTVon.
.
Me:t
hebestsceneevenpassedwi
thoutme
wat
chingi
t.
.
Mom:icanal
waysbuyyoudat
athenyoucanr
e-
wat
chitonYouTube.
.
ij
ustl
ookedatherandsi
ghed.
.
Me:noneed.
..
.
*
*Luba*
*
iwal
kedinthecompanyandwalkedtotheli
ft
..i
washereforwhatLuucal
ledmehereforandthat
wasi
t.
.
asiwaswal
kingtotheli
ftispot
tedNt
andol
impi
ng
whil
emopi
ngt hef
loor
..
shel
ookedupt
omeandwel
ockedeyes.
.
iwantedt
ogoandaskherwhyshewasli
mpi
ngbut
ihel
dmyself
..t
hisi
snonofmybusi
ness.
.
il
ookedawayandsi
ghed.
.
t
hel
if
topenedandiwenti
n..
af
terawhi
leiwasi
nLuu'
sof
fi
ce.
.
Me:whydoifeell
ikeyoumadeahabi
tofcal
li
ngme
t
oyourcompanyjusttoseemypr
ett
yface?
Luu:i
fiwant
edt
oseeapr
ettyface,
iwoul
djust
l
ookatmyphoneort
hemi
rror.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)owk.
.ni
cecomeback.
.whati
sit
t
hen??wher
earetheot
hers?
?
Luu:itsaprobl
em buti
tsnotver
ybi
gsoidontneed
everyonetobehere,pl
ustheyar
epr
obabl
ybusy
withmor ei
mportantst
uff
..
Me:andiam not
??
Luu:youhardlydonothi
ngaroundthi
stime.
.Pinky
i
satschool..nowwhatiknowi st
hatPinkyi
sthe
onl
yimportantpersontoyou.
.
Me:owk.
.poi
ntmade.
.
Luu:owk..l
ist
en,
thepl
anisgoi
ngwel
l
,ever
ythi
ngi
s
great
,butwehaveoneprobl
em..
Me:whi
chi
s??
Luu:thedi
amonds..thi
sishighendshi pment .
.the
diamondsarealot.
.themoneycomi nginwillbe5
ti
mesmor ethenthenourlastshipment.the
exter
nalaudi
tormakesherchecknextweek.we
wonthaveenought i
met oblendthefinanceswith
thetr
ansacti
ons.
.itwouldbet ooobvious.
.
Me:*
sigh*
Luu:ihavebeent ryi
ngt
owor karounditl
it
erall
ythe
wholedayf ordaysnow..icantseem t
ofi
ndaway
arounditexcepttopost
ponet heshi
pmenttilaft
er
theauditi
sdone. .
Me:youknowwecant
..
Luu:i
know,
that
'swhyical
ledyouher
esi
nceyou
t
hemast
ermi
ndi
nthi
sgr
oup.
.
Me:wel
l,
sadl
y,t
hismast
ermi
ndi
sbl
ank.
.
Voi
ce:icanhel
p..
.
il
ookedbackandi
twasLuu'
sPA.
.
Luu:MrJones,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??idi
dnt
hearyouknock??
Saint
:iam sorr
ysir
..myaim wastoquiet
lygetin
anddr opthi
spaperandheaddown..butihappento
hearthatyouneedhelpandicanhelpyou..
Me:doyouevenknowwhatwear
etal
kingaboutor
youj
ustrunni
ngyourmout
h??
Sai
nt:seeyoungsir,
iam notj
ustaPAbutthe
uni
quekind..r
ememberwhenisai diwasaneed
andnotawant .
.iguesst
hisistheti
metoprovet
o
youwhatisaid..
isatbackandlookedatLuu,hewasasseri
ousas
everandpull
edaf aceandleanedback.
.
knowi
ngLuu, hemaylaughal otwithus(t
heguys)
butwi
thstranger
s,hei
sst i
llcol
dandheartless.
dontt
hinkbecausehelaughsal othehasbecome
sof
t.wejustt
easehi
m sot
hathedoesntf
orgetwho
heis.
..
iknowwhatLuui st
hinki
ng.hei
sabouttosnap..
butiam i
nterest
edi
nwhathewillsay,l
etsj
ustsay
theconf
idenceinhi
svoicemademei nt
erest
ed..
Me:l
ethi
m speakLuu.
.
Sai
nt:t
hankyou.
.her
eiswhatyoul
ooki
ngf
or.
.
heputpaper
sont
het
abl
e..
hehadallourf
inanci
alpl
ansandhowwewould
al
socleanthemoney..heseemedt
oknowal
labout
ourdoi
ngs..
.
Me:howdi
dyouknowaboutwhatwedo?
?
Sai
nt:soit
strue?youguysrulet
hisci
ty?
?the
mafi
a'softhi
splace??wel
l,
i mustgi
vemyr espect
..
hel
it
eral
lybowedandpayedr
espect
..
Saint
:icanhelp..youcanwor kwi
thourcompany,i
t
canbelikeyourcompanyi smonit
oringour
company..thatwillbeahugesuccessf orusand
foryou.
.thatway, youcontinuewi
ththeshipment
andyourfinanceswontl ooksuspi
cious..
weal
lkeptqui
etl
ooki
ngathi
m..
il
ookedatLuu.
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twasaf t
erschoolandwewer
estandi
ngaboutt
o
separ
atewhenLiyemacametous..
Li
yema:gi
rl
s..
shest
oppedherskat
erwhenshear
ri
vedt
ous.
.
wegr
eet
edher
..
Li
yema:hayhopeyoumanagedt
osubmi
tyour
work.
Me:yes,
thankyou.
.
Li
yema:gr
eat
..andmymeal
??anyt
hingpl
anned.
.
Sandra:yes.
.wewil
lletyouknowwhenwehave
ever
ythinginpl
ace.
.
Liyema:well
,iwouldli
ket
oaskf
oraf
avori
n
replacementf
orthat.
..
Me:owk.
.
Li
yema:iwasinvi
tedtoabi
rthdaypar
ty,
soidont
wantt
obeal oner
..car
etoaccompanyme??
il
ookedatSandr
aandshel
ookedatme.
.
Sandr
a:whywoul
dyoubeal
oner
??
Li
yema:t
hebi
rt
hdaygi
rli
smyst
epsi
ster
.
Sandr
a:ahhhhisee.
.
Li
yema:yah,
soineedsomecompany.
.
Sandr
a:dontworr
y,wewi
llbether
etost
opyou
fr
om punchi
ngyourst
epsist
er.
.
wel
aughed.
.
Li
yema:soyouguysar
ein?
?
Sandr
a:yah,
asl
ongt
her
e'sf
ood.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
istart
edwonder ingwhet
herishouldaskLuufi
rstor
justagree..butt
henwhenwilligett
hechanceto
whenhei salwaysbusy?
?
haiwhat
ever
..
Me:countmei
ntoo.
.
Li
yema:gr
eat
!iwi
llgetyout
hei
nvi
tat
ions.
.
Sandr
a:f
ancy.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Li
yema*
*
wejustfi
nishedpl
ayi
ngt
hemi
ssi
ongamewi
th"
the
geekguy"
hei
nboxedf
ir
st.
"
youget
ti
ngbet
ter
,bySat
urdayyouwi
llbeapr
o"
"
ohhaboutt
hat
,idontt
hinki
wil
lbeher
etopl
ay.
."
"
why?
?"
"mydadtol
dmet
oat
tendmysi
ster
sbi
rt
hday
par
ty.
."
"
mustyou?
?"
"i
tsei
thert
hatoriwontpl
aygamest
il
liam abl
eto
buymyselfacomputer
."
"
het
hreat
enedt
otaket
hecomput
er?
?"
"
yah.
.canyoubel
ievei
t??
"
"
hahah,wel
l,
mabyetherei
sar
easonwhy.
.guess
wewil
lhavetopost
pone"
"
yah.
.iam sosor
ry.
."
"
it
scool,iunder
stand.
.besi
des,
bir
thdaysar
eonce
ayearbutgamingisever
yday"
"
tr
ue.
.hahaha"
"
areyoust
il
lupf
oranot
hermi
ssi
on?
?"
"
yah,
whynot
"
ismi
led.
.

[
12/28,
12:
55] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYNKULI
E
MTSHENGU)
.
81
.
*
*Sat
urday*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
eversi
nceLi
yemaaskedmet
ogot
othepar
tywi
th
them,ihavebeenmeani
ngt
otel
lLuut
hatiam
going.
butasalways,hel
eaveswithoutaconversat
ionand
comeshomel atewheniam asleep.someti
mesi
am notasl
eepbutijustpr
etendtobe..
today,
itwasthesamest ory,
dif
ferencei
sthathe
hasbeenwor ki
nginhisstudysinceyest
erdayand
evenslepti
nhisstudy.
.
iwokeupt
otheempt
ybed.
.
ihaveSat
urdaycl
assest
odayi
nthemor
ning.
soiwokeupt
opr
epar
emysel
f.
.
normall
yLuuist
heonewhotakesmet oschoolon
weekendsbutl
astweekhedi
dnt.
.iwonderifhewi
ll
thi
sweek..
iwentt
ohi
sst
udyandi
twascl
osed.
.
iwant
edtoopen,
butagainiwasafrai
d..hecanget
ver
yangr
ywhendi st
urbed.
.soil
ethim be.
.
t
heni
wentt
ohavebr
eakf
ast
..
ial
somadef
orhi
m andputt
hem i
nthemi
crowave.
il
eftanoteont het
abletotel
lhimthatilef
tandt
hat
hi
sbr eakf
astandSiya'
sbreakfasti
sinthe
microwavesinceSi
yaisalsosleepi
ng..
iwentt
oaskSiphototakemetowor
k,ij
ustsent
Luuamessagethatihavel
eft
..
aft
erawhi l
ewegott
oschoolandiwavedgoodbye
atSipho.
.
icheckedmyphonet
oseei
fhehasr
espondedand
nohehasn't
..
isi
ghedandj
ustwal
kedt
ocl
ass.
.
.
*
*Hour
slat
er*
*
*
*Luu*
*
Me:doyout
hinkwecant
rusthi
m??
Joe:iwontsayforsurebecauseeveryonehasthei
r
ownintent
ion,
trusti
ssomet hi
ngthatisbui
lt
,not
j
ustgiven.
..
Me:hemanagedtof
indoutourbusi
ness,
hemust
beaguyl
ikeyou.
.aguywhocangetinfor
mat
ion.
.
butmyquest
ionishowhegott
hatinfobecausewe
arever
ydi
screet
??dowehavearatinourcir
cle
agai
n??
Joe:coul
dbe.
.ormabyehej
ustusedyourof
fi
ce
andsnoopedaround.
.
Me:**si
gh**ineedyoutol
ookint
ohim,findout
whathewantsandwhyhewant stohel
pus. .f
ind
outabouthi
sfamilyandhi
sfamil
y'
sbusiness.
Joe:sur
e..
Me:andanot
hert
hing,
puthi
mtoat
est
..at
estof
l
oyal
ty.
.
Joe:i
sn'
tittoosoonforthat
??weallknowhei snot
cl
osetoyout othef
actthathewouldratherl
oseit
al
lthensafeyouorstandforyou.
.
Me:buthehasachancetobr
ingwareagai
nstme
especi
all
ywi
tht
heinfohehas..seei
shewil
lbi
te
thebai
t.
Joe:ahhh,
isee.
..
Me:yah.
..
Joe:caniaskyousomet
hing?
?
Me:mhm.
.
Joe:howi
sMr
sWol
fandSi
ya?
?
Me:t
heyar
efi
ne.
.
Joe:ohhhhhareyousur
e??imeanyouareal
ways
busy,especi
all
ynowwit
hthewholef
inancet
hing.
.
Me:idonthaveanot herchoice.
.ifidontbl
end
thesefinancial
s,wewi llhavecopsonourbacks,
ouraccount swillbefrozenandtheywi l
lconductan
i
nvestigati
onandyouknowwhent hathappens,we
arealldonef or
..
Joe:iknow,
butdoesBoiknowt
hat
??
Me:Boitumeloisprobabl
ybusywi thschoolwork,
plusherexamsar ecomingnear,asforSiya,
Sipho
alwaystakescareofhim soidoubttheyevensee
thatiam neverhome..pl
usiam alsogivi
ng
Boitumelosomespacet ostudy.
.
Joe:iunder
standthat..butfrom exper
ience,woman
alwayswanttober emi ndedthatyoustil
lcareand
thatyousti
llt
hinkofthem. .j
ustanadvice..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
istar
tedthi
nkingbacktofewdaysback..
.well
,
seemst hat
'sonethi
nginevergaveBunny..imeani
am busyyes,andiam alsogi
vingherspaceyes,
butishouldalwaysshowhersomeaf f
ecti
on..
.
st
upi
dme.
.
mabyet
hat
'swhyshehasbeenl
ooki
ngdownal
lthe
t
ime.
.
ohhhBunny.
.
Joewal
kedoutandil
eanedback.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
i
twasaft
ercl
assesandwewer
ewal
kingoutt
owai
t
f
orLi
yemaoutsi
de..
aft
erafewminutes,
acarappear
edandshe
showedherheadoutthewi
ndowandcall
edus.
.
wewentt
othecarandgoti
n..
iopenedmyphonet
otextLuubuti
twasl
ow
batt
ery.
.
Dammit
..ihavebeenl
ist
eni
ngt
omusicandalso
pl
ayi
nggameswheniwaswai t
ingf
orSandr
a..
ishoul
dhaveknownbet
ter
..
Me:doyouhaveachar
ger
??
Li
yema:yes.
.
shespoket
othedr
iverandt
heychar
gedmyphone.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.
wear
ri
vedandgotoutt
hecar
..
.
wewentinandiwontl
ie,
ther
ewasanumberof
peopl
eandthepar
tywasgreat
..
wemett hestepsi
sterandyes,sheiski
ndof
annoyi
ng..butwejusti
gnoredher.
.
wepart
iedandpar
ti
ed..onedr
inkaf
tert
heot
her
..
j
ustl
ikethat
.andt
hat'
showigotdrunk.
it
henrememberedthati
twasget
ti
ngdarkand
mabyeLuuiscal
li
ngmet ofi
ndoutwher
eiwas..
isear
chedmypocket
sanddol
olo,
myphonewas
notonsight
..
iwenttoSandr
a,shewastoodr
unkt
oeven
under
standwhatiwassayi
ng.
.
idontt
hinkiwasal
somaki
ngsensebecauseiwas
outofi
taswell.
iwasntheavi
lydr
unkandididntint
endtobe,soi
deci
dedtonotdri
nkanymore..i
nstead,
iwentto
dri
nkwater.
.
sl
owlyisober
edup,
butdr
ankagai
nandgotabi
t
ti
psy.
.
whenifinal
lysawLiyema,iaskedheraboutthe
tr
ansportandshesaiditwasparkedinthegarage.
.
iaskedherformyphoneandshewentt ogeti t
..
shewasal
sodrunkbutnott
oomuch. .shebrought
myphoneanddumbmeidi dntcal
lLuuijustputit
i
nmypocket.
.
weal
lsatt
ogetherandstar
tedl
aughi
ngandhavi
ng
mor
efunthatievenfor
gotiwas"marr
ied"
.
wehadsomuchf
un.
.
.
*
*Luu*
*
ij
ustarr
ivedhome,
itsal
most22:
00andBoii
snot
home..
il
ookar
oundnot
hing.
.
iwentt
oseeSi
pho.
.
Me:Si
pho,
didyougoandf
etchBoit
oday?
?
Hi
m:nosir,shetol
dmet hatyouwer
etheonet
o
f
etchherf
rom school
..
Me:what
???
iwenti
nthehouseget
ti
ngmycarkeys.
.
it
ri
edtocallheroverandoveragai
n,butherphone
wasjustr
ingi
ng..
.
it
henlookedf
ormykeyswhi
chidi
dntknowwher
ei
putt
hem..
iwentt
omyst
udyandt
hat
'swher
eif
oundt
hem.
Si
yacamej
ustwheniwasaboutt
oleave.
.
Si
ya:br
otherLubanzi
,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
?
Me:iam goi
ngt
ogetAuntBoi
tumel
oowk?
?
Si
ya:butidontwantt
ost
ayal
one.
.canial
sogo
wi
thyou?
?
Me:it
salreadyl
ateboy.
.andwhyar
eyounot
sl
eeping?
?
Si
ya;icantsl
eep.
.
isi
ghed.
.
Me:wat
chTVowk,
iam comi
ngnow.
.
Siyalookeddownandiwashurtt
oleavehi
mli
ke
this.
.tr
ustmeiwantedt
otakeherwit
h..
asiwasheadingout,t
hedooropenedandher
e
stoodBoit
umelo.
.sheevenl
ookedmessedupand
reekedl
ikeal
cohol
.
il
ookedather
,nowor
dsj
ustanger
..
shel
ookedatme,
nowor
dsj
ustsi
lence.
.
Si
ya:Aunt
!!
Me:Si
ya,
got
oyourr
oom.
.
Si
ya:but
..
.
Me:got
oyourr
oom now!
!
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.hewal
kedt
ohi
sroom.
.
ipul
ledBunnybyherhandi
nthehouseandcl
osed
thedoor
..
.
il
ookedather
..
[
12/
28,
12:
55] :CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:wher
edoyoucomef
rom?
Her
:iwentoutwi
thmyf
ri
ends.
.
Me:f
ri
ends?
?whatf
ri
ends?
?
Her
:schoolf
ri
ends.
.
Me:andyoucomet
hisl
ate?
?
Her:wel
l,
thepar
tyendedabi
tlat
eowk,
itsnotl
ikei
sl
eptover.
.
Me:what
??itsnotl
ikeyousl
eptover?
?Boit
umel
o,
youdi
dnteventel
lmethatyougoingout
..
Her:tel
lyou??tel
lyou??youhavebeendistanci
ng
yoursel
ffrom meandyousayi ngishoul
d'vetol
d
you??mabyei fyouhavegivenmeabi tofatt
enti
on
t
heni
woul
dhaveconsi
der
edt
ell
ingyou.
.
igotshockedatwhatshesai
d..iknewt
hatiwas
wrongbutididntf
oroncethi
nkshewouldrevenge
myact i
ons..
Me:ohhhhh. .sothisissomekindofrevenge??
?
"ohhLuui snotgivingmeattent
ionsoiwillgoout
andpar t
yandber eckl
essandnotcareifiget
kidnappedbyhi senemiesornotbecauseitshi
s
faultsoevenmydeat hwil
lbehisfaul
t"t
hat'
sit
ri
ght ?
?
shekeptqui
et.
..
Me:iam aski
ngyou.
..i
sthathowyout
hink?
??
coul
dntyouhavespokentome??huh?
?
shest
il
lkeptqui
et.
.
ibr
eathedinlooki
ngdownandl ookedup.
.iwas
sl
owlyrunningoutofpat
ience.
..
il
ookedather
..
Me:i
fyoufel
tiwasbeingdi
stant
,whydi
dn'
tyoutr
y
t
ospeaktomeandtellmehowyouar ef
eel
ing?
?
Her
:youwer
eal
waysbusyandt
ir
ed,
whendoihave
t
het
imet
otal
ktoyou?
?
Me:owk.
..sot
hisi
sal
lmyf
aul
t.
.
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookedaway.
.
Me:owk...i
tsmyf aul
tthatirej
ect
edyoutothe
pointt
hatyouliedtoSiphothatiwi
llbef
etchi
ng
youthendecidedtogot osomepar t
ywit
houttel
li
ng
meandr i
skyourl i
fe.
.THAT'SALLMYFAULT
RIGHT!!
isai
dthathi
tt
ingt
hewal
landshegotscar
ed.
.
Me:iam busywor kingmyhandsof ftr
yingto
securemybusi nessfrom itbei
ngcl oseddownby
thepolicebecauseoft ransacti
oni mbalance.
.i
didnttellyoubecauseal r
eadyyouhaveschooland
examst owor ryabout..yethereyouar estudying
parti
es,calcul
atingalcoholandr eadingfri
ends..
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.
Me:what
??youcantsayanyt
hingnow?
?huh? ??
youhadabi
gmout hear
li
ernowyoucantspeak??
huh??
shest
il
llookeddown.
.
iheldhi
scheekswithmyhandandr ai
sedherface
tofaceme.
.ididntpresshercheeksij
usthel
di t
gentl
y..
Me:*sigh*Boi tumelo,iam sorryt hatihavebeen
toobusyt oattendtoyou.t haticoul dntevenbe
ther
et ocuddleyouatni ght.
.trustmei tsnotl i
kei
haveachoi ce..wehavi ngahi ghvol umeofi ncome
anditwoul dbesuspi ciousifijustletthe
accountantsdoi t.
.asyoual readyknow, idontt rust
manypeopl e,ionlytrustmyi nnerci rcl
e, andJoe
canthandlesomanyt ransacti
onsonhi sown. ..as
muchasiwantt obet hereformyf amily, butialso
mustsecur ethemai nt hingthatput sfoodi nt his
house..surel
yyouwoul dn'
twantamant hatcant
eventakecar eofyoui nt hefuture..besidesl oving
youandSi ya,istil
lhavet omakesur eyourf utureis
secure..
shekeptl
ooki
ngatme.
.
shest
art
edt
ear
ingup.
.
Her:ijustwant
edyoutohugmet osleep,hugme
bef
or eigotoschool
..j
ustsmal
laff
ectionwil
ldo.
.i
dontneedanythi
ngelse,
justt
heassur
ancet
hati
am st
il
limport
anttoyou.
.
isi
ghedl
ooki
ngather
..
Me:si
ll
ygi
rl
..
.
ipul
ledherinforahug..
.shehuggedmet
ight
lyas
shesti
llcr
ied.
.irubbedherback.
.
Me:shhh,
stopcr
ying,
youmaki
ngmesad.
.
icont
inuedr
ubbi
ngherback.
.
Me:youalwaysbei
mpor
tantt
ome,
nomat
terwhat
happens,
owk??
shenodded.
.
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:nextt
imeyoufeelwr
ongedbymeorr
eject
ed,
pl
easetal
ktome,ipromi
setoli
sten.
.
shenoddedagai
n..
Me:iam sor
ryimadeyouf eelbadandl
onel
y..iwi
ll
t
rytobeabettermanforyouowk. .
shenoddedagai
n..
.
Her:(
sni
ff
)iam sorr
yiwentoutwit
houtt
ell
ingyou,
i
wil
lbemoreresponsi
blef
rom nowon.
.
Me:t
hat
'smygi
rl
..
.
iwant
edt
opul
loutt
hehugbutshewoul
dn'
tletgo.
.
Me:Boi
tumel
o!!
Her
:iam notl
ett
ingyougo..iwi
llhugyoupayi
ng
f
orallt
hedaysineverhuggedyou..
Me:goshowerf
ir
standyoucanhugmef
orever
.
Her
:no.
.
Me:Boi
tumel
o!
Her
:No.
.iam notl
ett
inggo.
.
it
henpickedherupandsheputherl
egsar
ound
waist
..
it
ookhert
othebedr
oom andputheri
ntheshower
..
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwasi
nmyr oom watchi
ngact
ionmovi
es.
.onl
ya
weekl
eftandiwi
llbemovingt
oourownfamil
y
house.
.that
'swher
ePi
nkywi
l
lgr
owup.
.hopeshe
l
ikesit
..
af
terawhi
le,
Pinkycamet
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.
.
Me:ar
eyoudonewi
thyourhomewor
kMi
ssy?
?
Her
:yesdad.
.
Me:l
etmeseei
fyouanswer
edt
hem cor
rect
ly.
.
it
ookherbookandchecked.
.
wel
l,
impr
essi
ve.
.butshest
il
lhadonewr
ong.
.
Me:Pi
nky,
youhaveonewr
ong.
.
Pi
nky:haahh!whi
chone?
?
Me:t
hisone.
.
Pi
nky:how?
?
Me:lookatthequesti
on,t
hequesti
onsays,Ada
had6apples.shegiveshersi
ster3appl
es.her
mothergaveAda3mor eappl
estogiveherbrot
her
,
sohowmanyappl esdoesAdaown? ?
Pi
nky:6dad.
.
Me:nosi
ll
y..youf
elli
ntot
hequest
ion'
str
ick.
.
Pi
nky:how?
?
Me:t
ellme,
whydoyousay6?
?
Pinky:l
ookdaddy,Adahad6appl es,shegaveher
si
ster3andwasl eftwit
h3apples,thenhermother
gaveher3mor eapples.
..i
ts6.
.
Me:hermot
hergaveher3mor
eappl
es,
li
sten!TO
GI
VEHERBROTHER. ..
shel
ookedatme,
thenismi
ledasshecaughton.
..
Pinky:ohhhhhhh,
soshewasjustpassi
ngt
hem t
o
thebrother
??sotheansweri
s3..
Me:yes!
!
shequi
ckl
ywr
otei
tdownandt
henj
umped.
.
Pi
nky:done.
.
Me:good,
nowyoucangoandsl
eep.i
tsal
ready
l
ate.
.
Pinkydi
dntwanttosleep,hencewhyit
oldhertodo
herhomeworkthensinceshedoesntwanttosleep.
i
twasoneoft hoseraredayswhereshesleepsthi
s
l
ate,imeani
spassed10.
i
nst
eadofsl
eepi
ng,
shest
il
lcamet
osi
twi
thme.
.
Me:ar
en'
tyout
ir
ed?
?
sheshookherhead.
.
Me:ir
egr
etl
ett
ingyousl
eept
hewhol
eaf
ter
noon.
.
shesmi
led.
.
Pi
nky:daddy.
.
Me:yespr
incess.
.
Pinky:ourt
eachersai
dwear
egoi
ngt
ohaveat
ea
partyonFri
day..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Pi
nky:yes.
.shealsosai
dwecancomewi
thour
mother
sorfather
s..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?letmeguess,
youwantmet
ocome?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:wi
llibecal
ledMr
sNkosi
??
isai
dthi
sisaf
unnyt
one.
.shel
aughed.
.
ipret
endedtoholdacupofteal
iketheEngl
ish
peoplewit
hmyl i
tt
lePi
nkyfi
ngerapartandcrossed
myl
egs.
.ievenspokei
nanEngl
andaccent
..
Me:ohhmyl
ady,
thi
steai
smar
vel
ous.
.
shel
aughed.
.
ipr
etendedt
osi
pmyt
eaandl
ookedather
..
Me:thi
sissomegoodqual
it
yyouhave,
car
eto
shar
ethesecr
et?
?
sheal
soact
edal
ong.
.
Pi
nky:yesyourhonor
..i
tsmydad'
ssecr
etar
mor
..
Me:ohhmy,
howiwi
shihadmyownar
mor
..
Pi
nky:icani
nvi
teyout
omydad'
shouse,
hewoul
d
l
oveahelper
..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?ishehandsome?
?
shel
aughed.
.
Pi
nky:ver
yhandsome.
.
Me:ohhmy,
ohmy.
..
shel
aughedandgotoutofchar
act
er,
ial
so
l
aughed.
..
it
henl
ookedather
..
Me:Pi
nky?
?woul
dyoul
iket
ohaveamot
her
??
shel
ookedatmesmi
li
ng.
.
Pinky:yes,yes,
yes.
..shewi
llcombmyhair,
hol
d
myhandandsi ngmesongs..andshewi
llal
socook
deli
ciousfood..
Me:ahhhh,
dontidot
hat
??
Pi
nky:youdo.
.but
..
..
Me:iam hur
t.
..
ipr
etendedt
obehur
tandl
ookedaway.
.
Pi
nky:daddy!
!dontbehur
t.
.youdoever
ythi
ng.
.
ismi
ledandl
ookedather
..
Me:bet
tert
henanyoner
ight
??
shenodded.
.
il
aughedandhuggedher
..
.
Me:si
ll
ychi
ld.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
55] :83
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
i
twasmylunchhourandiwassowishingt
osee
Luba,
sot
haticoul
dretur
nhi
sjacket
..
i
tal
wayshappenst hatwheneverihavet
hejacket
,
hedoesntappear
,butwhenidont,heappears.
.
iam r
eal
lyhopi
ngt
hatt
odayhecanshowup.
.
anotherthi
ngist hat
,iboughthim alol
li
pop.
.ihave
seenthathel i
keseatinglol
li
pop'
s.mostofthetime
wheniseehi m, hehasal ol
li
popinhismouth,so
mabyehel ikesit.
.iam notsureaboutthefl
avor
though,hopei boughttheonehelikes.
.
iwasatther
ecepti
onsi
tt
ingont
hecouchest
orel
ax
si
nceit
smybr eak.
.
inormall
yspendmylunchbr eakintheki
tchen,
but
today,
iwanttospendither
esot haticanseewho
comesi nandgoesoutsothatwheniseeLuba, i
cangot ohim.
.
minutespassedandwit
heachmi nut
ethatpassedi
wouldcheckmywat ch,
lookatt
hedoorandwonder
whenhewoul
dar
ri
ved.
.
j
ustwhenmylunchbreakwasaboutt
ofi
nish,
isaw
hi
m wal
kingt
othedoorwit
hJoe..
ipr
etendedt
obegoi
ngupst
air
s..
t
heywal
kedtot
helif
t.
.iwant
edt
ogot
ohi
m,but
t
henJoei
sther
e..
Godgavemeachanceandsomeonecal
ledJoe.
.so
Joel
eftandwentt
otheper
son.
.
iqui
ckl
ymademywayt
othel
if
tasi
twasnow
openi
ng.
.
imadei
tri
ghtont
imeandgoti
nthel
if
twi
thhi
m..
t
hel
if
tcl
osedandnowihadt
obr
eakt
hei
ce.
.
Me:GoodMor
ningMrLuba.
.
hesmi
ledatmeandnodded.
.
Me:huh. .sir,ihavebeenmeani ngtobringback
yourjacket..afterthatday.
..
.i.
..
.iwasheditand
alwayswant edt oretur
nitbutever
ytimeihadi tyou
wouldnotcomet othecompanyandwhenidont
haveitorf orgotitthenyouwoul dappear.
.thank
Goodnessyoucamet
oday.
.
ihandedi
ttohi
m..
hegent
lyt
ooki
t.
.
Hi
m:t
hankyou.
.
Me:mhm..
...andial
soboughtyouthi
s..j
usttosay
t
hankyouforwhatyoudidformethatday..
it
ookoutt
heloll
ipopandwi
shedt
hatir
eal
lygott
he
onet
hatheli
kes.
.
hel
ookedati
tforasect
hent
ooki
t.
.
Hi
m:t
hankyouver
ymuch.
.
Me:i
tsnot
hing.
.
ismi
ledandl
ookeddown.
.
myheartwasraci
ngagain,t
hef eel
ingswerenow
cl
ear.
.ial
wayswanttoseeMrLuba, andwhenisee
hi
m igetner
vousandexcit
ed..somet i
mesilongt
o
j
usthughim butt
hatwouldbeinappropri
ate.
.
idi
dntknowwhatwasgoingonwi t
hme, butone
thi
ngiknowi
sthatiwanttoli
veinaworldwereMr
Lubai
salsol
ivi
ngin.
.hopethatcanhappenone
day.
.eveni
fit
sjustf
ort
hatday.
.
t
hel
if
topenedandir
ushedoutnotl
ooki
ngback.
..
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
il
ookedatherassher
anout
..
idontknowwhyialwayshavet
ofeell
iket
his
aroundher
,butidontl
ikei
t.
.
af
terwhatPi
nky'
smotherdidt
ome, idontthi
nki
am r
eadytogi
vesomeoneaccesstomyl if
eno
matterhowmuchmyfeeli
ngswantto..
feel
ingscanl i
e,becausef
eel
ingscanbetrappedby
anything.
.that'
swhypeoplecheat
,that
'swhy
peoplefalloutoflove.
.
idontwantt
hat
..
mydadandmom,
didntdat
ebecauset
heyl
oved
eachot
her
..
l
etmet
ellyouhowmypar
ent
sgr
ewi
nlove.
.
mymot
herdidntl
ovemydadnordi dmydadlove
mymom..act
uall
yitwasal
ljustsomeact
..wel
li
t
st
art
edasanact
..
sincemydadwasaMaf i
asamewi thhisbr other
(Luu'sfather
).myf atherhadami ssi
on.inor derto
conquer ,t
heyhadt olettheenemyf alli
nt hei
rtrap.
sowhatt heydi disthat,myfatheraskedsomeone
toactt obehiswi f
esot hattheenemycant ryto
kidnapher .
.theyfoundmymot her.
.shewast he
sisterofmyf ather
'sfri
ends..sheagr eedtohel pand
theypr et
endedt ostaytoget
herf orawhi le..
ofcausei
twor
ked,
theygotandki
ll
edt
heenemy.
.
aftert
hat
,ithappenedt
hatt
heywer
eal
readyl
ike
fr
iends.
i
thappenedthatbefor
eleavi
ng,
theysl
eptt
oget
her
..
(
theywerebothdrunk)
aft
erthatni
ght
,theydecidedt
oletthemist
akebe
andlateri
twasfoundthatmymot herwaspregnant
.
ofcausemyfatherhadtopaythedamages.
.somy
fat
heraskedt
hatshestayswit
hhimtil
liam bor
n..
f
rom t
herehest
art
edtaki
ngcar
eofherandal
lthat
,
t
hentheygrewi
nloveandiwasbor
ninafami
ly
t
hatl
ovedeachot
her
..
see??ther
ewasnoloveatfi
rstsi
ghtl
iket
heSH*
**
thatLuuandhi
sgi
rlhave.
..
imeanidontj
udge.
.itdoesexi
st.
butt
hechangesoft
hoserel
ati
onshipswor
kingi
s
cl
oseto5%oftheworl
dspopulat
ion..
imeanl
ookattheworl
d,didyoucheckt
he
per
cent
ageofdivor
cecasesever
yyear?
?yahr
ight
..
.
soiam justt
ryi
ngtosecur
emyl
if
eandf
utur
e..i
neverwantedtohavet
oomanywomani
nmyl i
fe.
.
andi
sti
lldont
..
iam ol
denoughnow. .besi
des,evenifidocometo
dat
eNt ando..shei
stooinnocenttobeinvol
ved
wit
hme. .idontwanttorui
nherfutureorevenmess
upherlif
e..
pl
usidontthi
nksheisreadyt
omotherachi
ldat
herage.
.soidontwanttobur
denher
..
shepr
obablydreamsofmar
ryingaguywi
thno
ki
ds.
.let
sleavehert
ogrow.
..
bythel
ooksofthings,
iwouldn'
tbesurpri
sedi
fshe
hasneverhadaboyfri
endbefor
e..t
hat'
show
i
nnocentsheis.
.soicannotbethefir
st.
.
shewil
lneedsomeonet
ogr
owherandst
rengt
hen
her
..
iheadtotheoffi
cest
il
llooki
ngatmyl
oll
ipop.
.i
smiledwhil
elooki
ngatit.
.
"sheevenknowsil
i
keloll
ipop,
shei
sevent
hef
ir
st
girlt
oevergi
vemealoll
ipop"
pr
eci
ous.
.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
weseeSandr
arunni
nglatetoschool
,sheisnot
f
ocusedonherwaybutonlyworri
edabouttheway
t
oclass.
.
Khut
soont
heot
herhandhashi
sear
phonesonand
i
swalki
ngt
owar
dsSandra.
.
asSandr
awasr unning,shemovedhereyesonthe
wayandlookedattherockthatsheal
mosttr
ipped
on.
.
asshel i
ft
edhereyest
owereshewasrunni
ng,she
real
izedthatKhut
sowasnowinfr
ontofher
..
shet
ri
edst
oppi
ngbutcoul
dnt
.
Khut
sol
ookedupandsawSandr
aaboutt
obump
hi
m..
het
ri
edt
ost
opherbuti
twast
ool
ate.
.
Sandr
afel
lonKhut
soandKhut
sof
elldown.
.
t
hebi
ggeri
ssuehappened.
.
ast
heyf
ell
.
t
heyacci
dent
all
yki
ssed.
.
[
12/28,
12:
56] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYROCKY
KHETHIWEMOHLAKE)
.
CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
*
*Sandr
a**
iwassitt
ingint
hecl
asst
hinki
ngaboutwhatj
ust
happened..
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
iwasrunningandsuddenlyr
ani
ntoKhut
soand
acci
dental
lyki
ssedhim..
iqui
ckl
yst
oodup.
.
Me:sor
ry,
sor
ry,
sor
ry.
.
hedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hejustst
oodt
her
elooki
ngat
meashetouchedhisl
ips.
.
it
houghthewoul
dst
andupandl
ashatme,
soigot
onmyfeet.
Me:Sor
ry,
idi
dntmeant
o..sor
ry.
.
it
henr
anawaycomi
ngt
ocl
ass.
.
*
*Fl
ashbackend*
*
.
myheartwasracing,
butthatwasnotsurpr
isi
ng
becauseKhut
soismycr ush..woul
dn'
tyourhear
t
beatwhenyoukissyourcrush??
iwasl
ist
eni
ngt
oitnow,
buti
thadcal
meddown.
.
butist
il
lfeelsomemovementi
nmyst
omach,
ido
feelmykneesshaki
ng.
.di
ditr
eal
lyhappenoram i
dreami
ng..
iwasinmythoughts,
sodeepthaticoul
dnteven
heart
hesur
roundingsounds.
..
aft
erawhil
eiwasbr
oughtbackbyboishaki
ngme
andsayi
ngmynameloud.
.
isnappedoutofmyt
hought
sandl
ookedather
..
Me:mhm?
?
Boi
:wereyoueveni
nthi
scl
asswhent
hel
ect
ure
wasteachi
ng?
?
Me:yah,
orwasiout
??
Boi:ohhhhhhhsoyoucanbesar
cast
ic?
?hahahah
peoplegrowhai.
.
Me:mxm.
.noman.
.iam j
ust
..
..
.
Boi
:justwhat
??
Me:mabyeiwasdr
eami
ng.
..yah,
ithi
nkiwas.
.
boi
:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
??
Me:huh?
?not
hing.
.not
hing.
.
Boi
:youar
esowei
rdt
oday.
.ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:yah,
iam owk.
.
Boi
:mabyei
fKhut
sowouldgi
veyouaki
ssyou
woul
dcomebacktol
if
e..
Me:aki
ss?
?yousaw?
?ahhhhhhwhoel
sesaw?
?
Boi
:huh?
?
ireal
izediwasj
ustsel
li
ngmysel
fher
e,shewas
confused.
..
.
Boi
:sawwhat
??br
oar
eyouowk?
?
Me:huh.
..yah.
..ahahha,
iam gr
eat
..whywoul
dn'
ti
be.
.
shesmil
edbutyoucoul
dtel
lthatshewasst i
ll
l
ookingatmeli
keiwasweir
dorconf used.
.
ohhhmy.
.icantevent
ellhert
hatiact
ual
lyki
ssed
Khut
so.
.ahhhh!
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
i
twasnowaf
terschoolandi
havebeent
ryi
ngt
oact
nor
maltowar
dsmyf ri
ends,
itr
iednottot
hinkt
oo
muchabouti
t.
.besi
des,i
twasami st
ake.
.
Boi
:owkbuddy,seeyout
omor
row.
.bet
tercome
ear
lyt
hist
ime..
il
ookedather
..
Me:mhm..ij
ustmi
ssedmybust
odaysoihadt
o
t
akeataxi
..
aswewer et
heret
alki
ng,Khut
socameoutandby
acci
dentAGAINwelockedeyes.
.
iwantedtomovemyeyesbuticoul
dnt
,itwasli
ke
hiseyesaremagnet
sandt
heyarepushi
ngmi neto
lookathi
s..
af
terashor
twhi
leimanagedt
olookaway.
.
Boi
:o.
..
..
w..
..
.k.
..whati
sgoi
ngon?
?
Me:huh?
?
il
ookedbackagai
nandhewaswal
kingaway.
.i
coul
dseehimfrom f
ar.
.
Boi:Sandr
a,youknowiwontl
etyougobef
oreyou
tel
lmewhathappened??
Me:butidontknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
..
Boi
:yourst
areswithKhutsower
enotj
ustnor
mal
st
ares.
.whathappened??
Me:wel
l.
..
Boi
:yes.
..
Me:youbet
ternott
ellt
hist
oanyone.
.
Boi
:owk.
.
Me:thi
smor ni
ng,ibumpedi
ntoKhut
soandwe
acci
dental
lyki
ssed..
Boi
:WHAT?
?
Me:shhhhh.
.
Boi
:what
??youki
ssed?
?
Me:i
twasanacci
dentowk.
.
Boi
:wow.
..sot
hat
'swhyyouhavebeenact
ing
wei
rd?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi
:ohhhhKhutso,ontopofyourcr
ushonhim,
nowthatyouki
ssed,iam sur
eyouaresoexci
ted.
..
Me:mxm.
..
.
Boi
:well
,youhaveguar
ant
eedgooddr
eams
comingup..
Me:wi
llyoust
opmocki
ngme?
?
Boi:iam not
..iam j
ustsayi
ng.
.ifiwer
eyou,
iwoul
d
cherisht
hatfeeli
ngfor
ever.
.
ipl
ayf
ull
yhi
therandshel
aughed.
.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
il
ookedar
oundandsawt
hatiwasont
hecl
ear
..
ithensatdownont heothersi
deofthet
abl
eand
tookoutafloweripickedout
side.
.
ist
art
edcount
ing.
.
hel
ovesme,helovesmenot
,hel
ovesme,heloves
menot,
helovesme,hel
ovesmenot,
helovesme,
hel
ovesmenot..
.
icar
ri
edonunt
iligott
othel
astl
eaf
..
hel
ovesmenot
..
..
it
henl
ookeddowndi
sappoi
nted.
.
"
wel
l,
iguessher
eal
lydoesntl
oveme.
."isi
ghed.
.
Voi
ce:whydontyouaskhi
m your
sel
f??
?
ist
oodupi
nfearandhel
dmyhear
t.
.
Hi
m:iam sor
ryist
art
ledyou.
.ar
eyouowk?
?
inodded.
.
Me:yessi
r.
..
Hi
m:ohhpl
ease,
cal
lmeSai
nt.
.
Me:ohowk.
..
Him:so,
whoi
stheguyt
hatyouwi
shl
ovesyou
back?
il
ookeddown.
.
Hi
m:i fyout
ellme,mabyeimightt
rytoplaymatch
makeryouknow..pl
usiam fri
endl
ywithever
yone
i
nthiscompanysoi t
seasyforme..
Me:no,
itsowk.
.
Hi
m:well
,owk..butjustt
oti
ponsomet hing.
..i
fyou
r
eal
lyl
ovethi
sguy, atl
eastl
ethi
m know..mabyehe
al
sol
ovesyout
oo.
.
hesmiledandt
henwentt
othedr
awert
ogetsome
fi
lest
henheadedout
..
af
terhel
eft
,ihi
tmyf
orehead.
.
st
upi
dgi
rl
..
.
.
*
*Luu*
*
i
tist
ime.
.
ical
ledLuba.
.heanswer
edont
het
hir
dri
ng.
.
Luba:
Luu.
.
Me:i
tist
ime.
.al
lisset
tl
ed.
.
Luba:
andt
heSai
nti
ssue?
?
Me:wer anabackgr oundcheckonhim,
testedhi
m,
heisloyal
..butshouldhewishtotur
naround,he
wil
lhaveal ott
olose..
Luba:gr
eat.
.iwil
lgetever
ythi
ngr
eadyandl
et
Khutsoknow..
Me:sur
e..
ihungup.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
56] :84
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
i
si tr
eall
ytruethatakisscanchangeonesfeel
ings
towardstheother??i
saki sst
hatpowerf
ul?
?yeti
havebeeninvar i
ousplaceswereakissi
staken
l
ightl
y.
imeancomei nsomecountr
ies,
womangett hei
r
fi
rstki
sswhenthei
ralr
eadypassed20yearsandin
somecountr
ies,weseewomangi vi
ngt
heirfi
rst
ki
ssawaywhent heyareonl
y2yearsol
d..
.
ori
sitj
ustmovi
es?
?isi
tnothowi
tisi
nreall
if
e??
welli
nt hi
sst
ory,
weseeakisst
urni
ng2soul
sint
o
confusedandmessysoul
s..
her
eweseeKhut
so.
.
hecantthi
nkstr
aightashekeepsonhavi
ng
fl
ashbacksoft
hekiss..
hedeci
dedt
opl
aygamest
odi
str
acthi
smi
nd.
.
asheispl
ayi
ng,hekeepsmessingupandLuba
woul
dalwayssavehimfrom bei
ngki
ll
ed.
.
t
heypl
ayedandplayedbutKhutsowasj
usthal
vei
n
t
hegameandhalvethinki
ngaboutt
heki
ss..
hedi
edandLubawasl
eftt
ofi
nisht
hemi
ssi
on.
.
Khut
sosatther
ewat
chi
ngLubadohi
sbestt
owi
n
t
hemi ssi
on.
.
t
hankgoodnesshemadei
t.
.
t
heywont
hemat
ch.
.
aft
erawhil
eamessagewentt hr
oughf
rom t
he
onl
inegameinbox.
.itwasLuba.
.
"
dudear
eyouowk?
?"
"
yah,sor
ryaboutt
hegame.
.myheadwasnoti
nthe
r
ightpl
ace.
."
"
what
sup?
?par
ent
sagai
n?"
"
nah.
.somet
hingel
se.
..
"
"
wantt
otal
kabouti
t??
"
"
no,
itsf
ine.
."
"
owk..
.restandsor
titout
..youknowwehavet
obe
f
ocused"
"
dontwor
ry,
iwi
llnotl
eti
tdi
str
actmeont
hat
..
"
"
good.
."
Lubawentof
fl
ine.
.
Khut
sol
aidhi
sheadbackonhi
sheadandsi
ghed.
.
ontheotherhandwehadanot herpersonwhowas
smashedbyl oveandj
ustcantfocus..shamepoor
Sandr
a..tomakeitworse,
itshercrushshekissed.
.
Sandrawaswashi
ngdi
shesal
sohavi
ngf
lashbacks
oftheki
ss.
.
asshewaswi
pingt
hedi
shesandst
ari
ngi
nspace.
.
hersi
sterwalkedi
ntal
kingtoher
,butshecoul
dnt
hear,
hersist
erwenttoherandcal
ledher.
.
Her
:Sandr
a!!
Sandrasnappedoutofthedaydream and
acci
dental
lydroppedt
heplateshewaswi pi
ngand
i
tbroke.
.
ofcauset
hemot
heryel
ledandal
sot
oldSandr
a
t
hatshewi
llbuyi
t.
.
Sandr
aandhersi
sterpi
ckedupt
hebr
okenpi
eces.
.
Sist
er:sor
ryiscar
edyou,
ijustwant
edyout
osnap
out.
.youweredaydreami
ng..
Sandr
a:i
tsowk.
.
Sist
er:whatiswr
ongwi
thyoul
atel
y??youal
ways
spacingout.
.
Sandr
a:i
tsnot
hing.
.justst
ressi
ngoverexams.
.
Sist
er:ohhh,isee.
.dontwor
ryaboutt
hem,
theyar
e
notthathard.
.
Sandr
afakedasmi
leandhersi
sterwal
kedout
..
shel
eanedbackandsi
ghed.
.
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
weweresi
tt
ingout
sidemyhouse,
itwasget
ti
ng
l
atenow.
.
iwassi
tt
ingwi
thMf
anaandhi
sfr
iendScar
..
.
Mf
ana:sowhat
syourpl
ans?
?youpl
ant
ost
ayher
e
f
orever
??
Me:nah..aslongasiam st
il
linSAt
heywi
llf
ind
me..ihavetoskipt
hecountr
y..
Mf
ana:howwi
llyoudot
hat
??
Me:that'
swhatiam tryi
ngtofi
gureout
..idont
knowanyonewhomi ghthel
pmegetmypaper s
fakedandfi
nal
lyleavethecount
ry.
.
Scar
:wel
l.
..wecoul
dknowsomeonewhomi
ght
hel
p..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Scar
:yah.
.bricks.
.heisafr
iendofoursandhecan
hel
p..wel
l,
ithinkhecan.
.iam notsur
e..
Mfana:nahboy..t
hatwontwork.
.Br
icksworkswi
th
packsbro.
.idontthi
nkheknowspeopleoft
hat
hi
ghstatus.
.
Me:*
*si
gh*
*
Scar
:wecanal
waystryyouknow.
.youneverknow
i
fhedoesknowthem ornot
..
Mf
ana:iguesswehavenot
hingt
olose.
.wewi
llask
hi
mforyou.
.
Me:thankyouguys.
.thankyouforever
ythi
ng.
.you
guysaretheonl
ypeopleicanrel
yon..
Scar
:youdonthavef
ami
ly?
?
Me:no.
.
Scar
:wher
edi
dtheygo?
?
Me:mypar entspassedaway..andfamil
y??well
my
familywasntbi g,
somepassedaway, some
disappeared..
.soiam allal
one..t
hat'
swhyiwentto
wor kther
e,iwantedt of
eedmysel f
,iwasti
redof
l
ivinginthestreets.
.
Mfana:soaft
erwemovedawayyouwer
eki
cked
outofthehouse?
?
Me:mhm.
.
Mfana:sowhydidntyoucallmeandt
ellme?
?
i
nsteadyoukeptonsayingyouweref
ine?
Me:idi
dntwantt
obotheryouandyourmot
her
..
knowi
ngyourmothershewoul
dhavecomebackto
getmetocomeli
vewithyou.
.
Mf
ana:t
hat
'
sbet
tert
henbei
ngapr
ost
it
ute.
.
Me:yah.
.butat
leastineverbot
her
edanyone.
.
Mf
ana:hai
..
.
Me:itsal
linthepastnow..r
ightnowallihavet
o
thi
nkaboutisthewayt ogetthosedocumentsand
getthehel
loutofherebeforeigetki
ll
ed..
.
ir
eachedf
ort
hedr
inkandt
ookasi
p..
il
ookedatt
heski
es.
.
"
ma!pa!iam sor
ry.
..icoul
dntbethechil
dyou
r
aisedmetobe,idi
sappointedyou.
..iam sor
ry"
it
henl
ookeddown.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
56] :85
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
.
Luu,Joe,
Sai
nt,
LubaandKhut
sower
eatt
hedr
op
offpoi
nt.
t
hecar
sar
ri
vedandt
heywal
kedt
othem.
.
t
heymettheircaptai
nandLuuwastheonetomake
t
heexchange,withJoeandLubanextt
ohi
mt o
makesurenothi
ngbadgoesdown..
Luu:l
etmeseet
hecash.
.
theot
herguypickedupabagandopenedi
tand
showedthem t
hecash..
heevent
ookoutonest
ackandgavei
ttome.
.
it
ooki
tandgavei
ttoJoe.
.
Joecheckedi
tandconf
ir
medt
hati
tsnof
ake.
.
Luu:i
fyout
rysomethi
ngstupi
d,j
ustknowt
hati
t
wouldbeastupi
dthi
ngtodo..
t
heguydi
dntsayanyt
hing,
hej
ustl
ookedatLuu.
.
Luuopenedt
hebagaswel
landputt
hedi
amondsi
n
hi
shand.
heshowedthem t
otheguythengavet
hem onet
o
seefort
hemsel
vesandtesti
tift
heymust
..
t
heguynodded.
..
att
hesameti
met heyexchanged.
.di
amondf
or
money,
moneyfordiamonds..
af
tert
heyexchanged,
Joestar
tedcheckingi
fthe
moneywasallther
eandtheywerenotrobbed.
.
af
tercount
ing,
JoenoddedandLuul
ookedatt
he
ot
herguys.
.
henoddedandt
heguysal
sonodded.
.
t
heyshookhandsandt
heyl
eft
..
Luuandhi
steam al
sot
urnedback.
.
t
heywal
kedt
othei
rcar
s..
theyal
ldr
ovet
othewar
ehouseandwentt
odi
scuss
aboutt
hemoney.
.
t
omakei
tlesssuspi
cious,
Sai
ntcamewi
thani
dea.
.
Saint
:iwi
llgetabout10peopl
etosendusmoney
thr
oughabankt ransf
ert
henwegivethem cashon
hand..
Luba:
butsti
ll
,thi
sisalotofmoney,
wewi
llneeda
l
otofpeopl
etodot hat
..
Joe:cor
rect
..
Luba:
theonlywayist
obr
eakt
hem i
ntosmal
land
l
argetr
ansacti
ons.
.
Joe:butwest
il
lfaceal
otoft
ransact
ions.
.
Saint:doesnthavet
obei
fyoucol
labor
atewi
thmy
dad'sbusiness..
t
heyl
ookedateachot
herandnodded.
..
Luba:owk,Saintwi l
lsor
toutthedealonhisside,
Luuwi l
lsor
toutthedealonhi sside,
Joewi l
ltake
careofthecashlikeheal waysdoes.
.caseclosed,
canileave,
iam ti
r ediwanttosleepbeforePinky
comesbackt oschool ,t
hatgir
lhaveenergyfordays.
t
heyl
aughedatLubaandl
ethi
m go.
.
Khutso:ial
sohavetogo.
.ihaveapr
oject
assi
gnmentt omake.
..
Joe:r
eal
ly?
?orisi
tjustyouguyswant
ingyourf
ree
ti
metoplaygames??
Luba:
ahahaha,
idonthaveener
gyf
ort
hat
..
Khut
so:sameher
e..
Luu:t
hiscoupl
eisgi
vingmet
hought
s..
t
heyl
aughed.
Sai
nt:wai
t!
!MrLubaandMrKhut
soar
edat
ing?
?
youguysar
eli
kegays?
?
Luba:
yes,
iam hi
shusband,
ist
hatani
ssue?
?
Khut
so:mhm.
.
Sai
ntl
ookeddownandbackup.
.
Sai
nt:huh.
.no,iwasj ustasking..anyway,youguys
l
ookgoodt oget
her,idontjudge,iactuall
ylovethe
LGBTcommuni ty,
ithinkitsdopeandhast hefree
ofchoi
cetypeofvibe..iactuall
yhadaf ri
end..
t
heyst
art
edl
aughi
ng.
.Sai
ntdi
dntunder
standwhy.
..
Luu:dontl
ist
ent
othesepunks.
.theyar
ejust
brot
hers.
.
Sai
nt:oh!
Sai
ntwasnowshockedandconf
used.
.
Joe:yah,wej
ustteasethem t
obeacoupl
ebecause
theybehavel
ikeone..
Sai
nt:Ah!
Luba:
hahahahai
,shap.
.
Lubawal
kedoutf
oll
owedbyKhut
so.
.
Lubadrovebackt
ohi
shouseandKhut
sodr
ove
backhome..
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iarr
ivedatmypl
aceandbef
oreget
ti
ngsomesl
eep
ical
ledmyguySam..
heanswer
edont
het
hir
dri
ng.
.
Hi
m:Lubat
heman.
.
Me:shomyguy.
..ar
ewedoneyet
??
Him:yeswear ealmostdone..thehouseisgr eat
,
onceigetthedat efortheviewing,iwi
lll
etyou
knowandyoucant akePinkywi t
hyou..i
tseven
greatf
orher ,
ithasal otofspaceintheback,soshe
canplaythere,ther
ei saroom thatcanbeusedf or
anythi
ng,Pinkyalwayswant edapl ayroom,that
couldbeit.
.
Me:howdi
dyouknowmydaught
ersomuch?
?
Him:hahahabecauseiam thesecondper sont
hat
shespendssomuchwi th.
.butithi
nkimi ghtbe
thi
rdbecausehi
sboyfri
endf r
om schoolseemsto
beget
ti
ngver
ycl
oset
oher
..
Me:Boyf
ri
end?
?
Hi
m:yes,
yourot
hercousi
n..
Me:hahahaha,haii
tsst
il
lnotcl
ickedt
hatihave
anot
herstepcousinwhoisinpr
imary.
..i
tssofunny
andicantgetusedtoit
..
Hi
m:ahahhaa,
yah,
wel
l,
thenwhoi
shet
oPi
nky?
?
Me:idontknowthecorrectcycl
e,butl
et'
sjustsay
hei
sPi nky'
suncl
e..j
ustli
keLuu..
Hi
m:yah,
thatmi
ghtwor
k..
.hahah.
.
Me:owkSam, onceitsalldone,
letmeknow.
.iwant
t
ostartnextyearli
vingwi t
hmyf amil
yinani
ce
f
amilyhouse.iwantPi nkytobehappy..
Hi
m:speaki
ngoff
ami
ly,
am isoont
obei
ntr
oduced
t
oMrsNkosi.
.
Me:no.
.ther
ewi
llneverbeMr
sNkosi
,ever
..
Hi
m:AHH!
Me:yes.
.butt
her
emi
ghtbeaMr
sWol
f.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..what
??youpl
anni
ngonst
eal
ingMr
Wol
f'
swife??
Me:nost
upi
d..
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
isi
ghedandsmi
led.
.
Him:ohhhhh,
igeti
tnow.
.youf
inal
lychangi
ngyour
surname??
Me:yah...ialwaysavoidedchangingbecauseofthe
Sykesissue, butnowthathesdead,icanlivetomy
fat
herssur name, imeanhemar r
iedmymom and
pai
ddamageswhenmymom waspr egnant,soi
ts
onlyf
airthaticar ryhi
ssurname..
.
Him:t
hat
'sari
ghtdeci
sion.
.it
sal
sogoodf
orPi
nky.
.
heart
hat
..
.Pi
nkyWolf.
.
isi
lent
lyl
aughedathi
scr
azi
ness.
.
Me:whenyoucr
azyyoucr
azy.
.
hel
aughed.
.
t
hensuddenl
ysomeoneknockedont
hedoor
..
iwonder
edwhoi
twas.
.butmabyei
tsLuuand
t
hem.
.
Me:iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
,someonei
satt
hedoor
..
Hi
m:owk.
.haveagr
eatday.
.
Me:mhm.
.
ihungupandlookedatt
hedoor
,thatper
son
knockedagai
n..
iwasi
rri
tat
edbecauseir
eall
ywantedtosl
eep,
i
wantt
orechar
gemyself.
.iam t
ir
ed..
ist
oodupwi
thl
azi
nessandwal
kedt
othedoor
..
iopenedandtheper
sonisawwassomeoneinever
thoughtiwoul
dseeagai
ninmyli
fe.
.
Her
:HiLubabal
o,l
ongt
imenosee.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
56] :CONTI
NUATI
ON
.
Luba:
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e??
Her
:isthataquest
ionyoushoul
dbeaski
ngme?
??
hai
,hai
,hai,
iwasexpecti
ngbett
er.
.
shewal
kedi
nmyhouse,
butbef
oresheevenwent
far
,ipul
ledherbythehandoutoft
hehouseand
pul
ledheroutthegate,
westoodoutt
hegate.
.
shekeptscr
eami
ngandmakingunnecessar
ynoi
se
aski
ngmewhatiam doi
ng.
.
Her
:hai
,Lubawhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Me:iam goi
ngtoaskyouagai
n,whatt
heF***do
youwant??andhowdoyouknowthatil
iveher
e?
Her:welliaskedar
oundandiwast oldthati
tisher
e,
andasf orwhatiam doi
nghere,idontknowifyou
for
got,butihaveadaughterher
e..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?whati
shername?
?
Her
:Pi
nkyNkosi
..
Me:mhm.
..i
nter
est
ing.
.howol
disshe?
?
shewentsi
lentf
orawhi
let
henl
ookedatme.
.
Her
:shei
sabout9year
stur
ning10year
sthi
syear
..
Me:ohhhh,i
tsjustsosurpri
singbecauseialso
haveadaughter,shei
salsoPi nkyNkosi
,andsheis
al
soaboutthesameage. .iguesscoinci
dent
happenhai
..
.butt hemostsurprisi
ngcoi
ncidenti
s
thatyourdaughterl
iveshereandmydaughterli
ves
heretoo,yetihaveneverseenyourdaught
er.
.
if
akedal
augh.
.
Me:t
hat
'ssomehugecoi
nci
denthai
..
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her
:Lubabal
o,iam nother
eforgames.
.
Me:games??games??doesyourdaught
erl
ike
games??doesshel
ikesspor
ts??
shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:ohhiguessyouwoul
dn'
tknow.
.
Her
:iknowihavenotbeenaround,
andiam sor
ry
f
orthat
,butnowiam her
e..
Me:i
tsal
it
tl
etool
ate.
.
Her
:soyouar egoi
ngt
odepr
ivemydaught
era
motherf
igur
e??
Me:(
chuckl
ed)sheal
readyhasone.
.
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookedatt
hehouse.
.
Me:ohhhel
lno.
.
shefor
cedhersel
ftowal
kinbutipul
ledherback
andshefel
ldown..
shewassoshockedt
hatidi
dthat
..
Her
:Luba!
!!di
dyouj
ustdot
hat
??
Me:i
tsbeen9yearsbi
tch.
.ichangedal
ot,
sodi
d
Pi
nky.
.sodontcomehereagain.
shesatt
her
eshockedandki
ndofscar
ed.
.
it
urnedt
owal
kbacki
nthehousebutshest
opped
me..
Her:(
st art
ingtocry)iknowidi damistake..i
shouldn'thaveleftPinkyandyoualone..ij
ust
wantedabet t
erli
fe,iwasyoungandst upid..idi
dnt
knowwhatwasi mpor t
ant,
ithoughtiwaswr i
tebuti
waswr ong. .
.butiam heretofixal
lthat,pl
ease
Luba,letmef ixit
..
Me:...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.leavingf
ormont hsandcomi ng
back,iwould'
vebel i
evedthati
twasami stake,but
l
eavingforyearsandcl ai
mingitsamistake??that
's
ali
e..
Her
:(cr
ying)Luba!
!pl
ease.
..
.at
leastl
etmesee
Pi
nky?
?pl
ease.
Me:youdr
awi
ngat
tent
iont
oyour
sel
f.
.leave!
!
aroundt
hatti
mePinkyarr
ivedwit
ht hetr
anspor
t
andthedri
verwal
kedhertothegate..
Lel
ost
oodupandl
ookedatPi
nky.
.
il
ookedatPi
nkyt
oo.
.
Lel
o:Pi
nky?
?
Pi
nkyl
ookedather
..
Lel
otr
iedhol
dingPi
nky,
butshepull
edherhand
awayandranbehi
ndme..il
ookedatLel
o..
Lel
o:Pi
nky.
.it
sme,
yourmom.
..
il
ookedatPinky.shelookedscar
edandkept
grabbingmyjacketandhidi
ngbehindme.
.il
ooked
atLelo..
Me:l
eaveLel
o..Pi
nkyhast
orest
..
it
urnedandpi
ckedPi
nkyup.
.
Me:dontwor
ryPi
nky,
Daddyi
sher
e..
Pi
nkyl
ayherheadonmyshoul
derandwewal
kedi
n
t
hehouse.
.
it
henputPi
nkydownandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
Pi
nkyl
ookedatme.
.
Pi
nky:daddy,
whowast
hatl
ady?
?
il
ookedatherandsi
ghed.
.
it
ookhert
othecouchandsatdownasimadeher
si
tonmylap.
.
Me:shei
syourmot
herpr
incess.
.
Pinky:butdi
dntdaddysaymymot
herl
eftandi
s
nevercomingback??
Me:mhm.
.daddysai
dthat
,butdaddydi
dntknow
t
hatmommywouldcomeback..
Pi
nky:sodaddyandmommyst
ayt
oget
her
??
Me:nopri
ncess,daddyandmommywi
llneverget
st
aytoget
heragain.
shel
ookeddown.
.
Me:l
ist
enpr
incess,
ifyouwanttoseemommy,just
l
etmeknowandiwi l
ltakeyout
omommy. .
.owk??
shenodded.
.
Pi
nky:wi
llshebeki
ndwi
thme?
?
Me:mhm.
.
Pi
nky:wi
llshel
ovemel
ikedaddyl
ovesme?
?
Me:noonewi l
lloveyouli
kedaddylovesyou,
but
shewil
lloveyou..owk.
.dontworr
y..
shesmi
led.
.
Pi
nky:daddy,
lookher
e,ial
mostf
orgot
..
shet
ookoutapaper
..
i
twasapi
ctur
eofherandmehol
dingl
oll
ipops.
.
Pi
nky:daddy,
doesmommyal
sol
ikel
oll
ipop?
?
il
ookeddownandl
ookedather
..
Me:l
oll
ipopsareonl
yformeandyou,dontcheaton
meandeatloll
ipopwit
hsomeoneel
se,owk??
shenodded.
.
Pi
nky:mhm,
iwi
llonl
yeatl
oll
ipopwi
thdaddy.
.
Me:exact
ly.
.
it
henhel
dherandshel
ayherheadonme.
.
.
*
*Joe*
*
Me:hai,
Luu,aboutt
hepaperyouaskedmet
ogive
auntMartha,
yousuret
hatyouwantmetogoand
del
ivert
hem? ?
Luu:yes,
iwoul
ddothatmysel
f,butihavetobe
wit
hyourbossl
ady,
ihaven'
thadmucht i
mewith
her.
.
Me:wellowk.
.iwi
llgetgoi
ngt
hen,
cat
chyou
t
omorrow..
Luu:sur
e..andthanksagai
nfordel
iver
ingt
he
papersf
orme. .
Me:nopr
obl
em.
.justt
akecar
eofbossl
ady.
.
hesmi
ledandiheadedout
..
aft
erawhileasiwasdrivi
ngint
hetownship,some
dumbgirldecidedt
opassthest
reetandialmost
ranherover.
.
ipul
ledup,
stoppedt
hecari
nthemi
ddl
eoft
her
oad
andwentt
oher
..
Me:ar
eyoust
upi
d??
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her:what
??youaski
ngmei
fiam st
upi
d??ar
eyou
dr
unk??
Me:youmusthavebumpedyourhead.
.
Her
:andyoumust
'vest
olenyourdr
iver
sli
cence.
Me:st
upi
dchi
ld.
.idontevenhavet
heener
gyt
o
ar
guewit
hdumbpeople..
shekepttal
kingandcur
singmebutijustgoti
nmy
caranddrovetoAuntMartha'
shousewhichwas
notfarf
rom ther
e..
[
12/
28,
12:
56] :86
.
*
*Joe*
*
Me:yesaunt
..
Aunt:owkson,t
hankyouforbr
ingi
ngthesepaper
s,
t
ellLubanzit
ostopbei
ngsuperbusy,
heneedstime
t
otakecar
eofhi
sfami
ly.
.
Me:(smi
les)t
hat
'swhyheaskedmetocomeher
e
aunt
,hewantedt
obewithBoit
umel
o..
Aunt:ohhht
hat'
sni
cetoheart
hen,
pleasekeep
t
akingcareofhi
mformeowk??
Me:yesaunt
..
Aunt
:thankyoumyboy.
.doyouwantmor
ejui
ce?
?
Me:not
hankyouaunt
,ihavet
ogobacknow.
.
Aunt
:ohowk.
.nopr
obl
em,
thankyouver
ymuch.
.
Me:yesaunt
..
ist
oodup.
Me:st
aywel
l.
Aunt
:gowel
lmyson.
.
ismi
ledandnodded.
.
ithenheadedoutandwalkedtothecar,
ontheway
there,t
hegir
lthatial
mostbumpedintocame
rushingtome..
shear
ri
vedandst
oodi
nfr
ontofme.
.
shecl
ear
lyhasgut
s..
Her:hay!
!youknowthatyoualmostkil
ledmewi
th
yourpoordri
ving,
worstofal
lyoudidnteven
apologi
ze.
.
il
ookedathernotgi
vingherananswer
..
Her:youowemeanapol
ogy,
youl
uckyiam not
seeki
ngafine.
.
isi
ghed.
..
it
ookoutmywal
letandsl
itoutR500.
ireachedf
orherhandandputt
hemoneyi
nher
hand..
Me:iam sorr
ythatial
mostki
ll
edyouearl
ierwi
th
mypoordrivi
ng,iwil
lgot
oaproperdr
ivi
ngschool
t
olearnt
odr i
ve..
igaveaf
akesmi
rkandt
henwal
kedpassedher
..
Her:hay!
!hay!
!di
disayiwantyourf
il
thymoney?
?
hay!!
shekeptt
alki
ngbutiwasal
readynearmycar
..
it
hengoti
nanddr
oveaway.
.
sheclear
lypl
annedthis,
iwouldn'tbesurpr
isedi
f
thi
sishowsher obespeopl
e..pretendt
hatyou
almostgothi
t,t
henseekafine..
wel
l,
iwasnti
nter
est
edi
nthedr
ama.
ididntgivehert
hemoneybecauseibelievedher,i
justdidsothatshewouldletmegoandl eaveme
alone,pl
usilostnot
hing.
.isti
llhavemydigni
ty.
.
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
thi
sguyistaki
ngmeforaf
rickenst
upidgi
rl
..di
di
sayiwanthismoney?
?nx,
stupidguy.
..
butheapol
ogi
zed,
soeasi
ly?
?
nowthat'
swhatshookme,hissuddenapologyi
s
whatshockedme,iact
ual
lythoughthewouldn'
t,
or
hewouldcursemeinst
ead,butheactual
ly
apol
ogized.
.
ilethi
m beandwal
kedt
omyhouse,butbef
oreigot
there,
isawsomemenwear
ingbl
ack,ist
oppedand
lookedatt
hem..
di
dthatguysenthi
sguyst
odealwi
thme?
?whata
cowar
d..
it
urnedandimetmor
epeopl
ewear
ingbl
acksui
ts,
i
wasnowscared.
.
2oft
heguyscamet
omeandpi
ckedmeupt
aki
ng
metothecar
..
t
hecarhadt i
ntedwi
ndows,
sonoonecanseeyou
f
rom out
side.
.
t
heykepthit
ti
ngmeasit
ri
edt
ofi
ghtbackand
t
hrewmei nthecar
..
t
hecardroveandaft
eralongwhil
e,iwast
akeni
nto
ahugehouseful
lofsecur
it
yguys.
.
t
heypul
ledmei
nandwewenti
n..
.
wet
hengotint
hehouseandf
inal
lyt
heyt
hrewme
ont
hefl
oorandletmego.
.
istoodupsti
llf
eel
ingpai
nfr
om t
hepunchesigot
fr
om theguysthatwentt
ogetme.
.
ithenlookedupandt
her
ewasamanseat
edont
he
chair
..
idi
dntknowhi
m,ihaveneverseenhi
m bef
ore.
.i
wasnowl
ost
,whatdi
dhewantnow.
.
Me:whoar
eyou,
andwhatdoyouwantf
rom me?
?
Him:hai
i!youdontgett
oaskquest
ionsar
ound
here,
idothequesti
onaski
ng.
.owk??
il
ookedathi
m notsayi
ngawor
d..
Him:good..now,howaboutwei ntr
oduceour
sel
ves
si
ncewehavenevermet ..iwi
llstar
t,mynameisMr
JK.whatisyourname??
idi
dntanswerhi
m,ij
ustl
ookedathi
m..
hi
m:youwontanswer??ahhhh,
whatabadwayt
o
st
artaconver
sat
ion.
.
het
hennoddedandamancamet
ome.
.
hesqueezedmycheeksandbr
oughtmecl
osert
o
thi
sman..
t
hemancamet
ome.
.
hemademesi tdownont
hechai
randal
so
squeezedmycheeks.
.
Hi
m:idontt
hinkyout
oldmeyournameyet
..
.
isi
ghedandl
ookedathi
m..
Me:i
tsB.
..
Bon.
..
tl
e
Hi
m:mhm?
??
Me:Bont
le.
.
Him:ahhhh,
Bont
le.
.ni
ce,
itwasapl
easur
etomeet
you.
.
hethenwalkedawayf
rom meandwentt
osi
tont
he
ot
hersideofthet
abl
eopposi
teme.
.
Hi
m:youmustbeconfusedastowhyyouarehere.
wel
lletmecl
eart
hel
ightforyou.
.doyouknowthi
s
men??
ilookedatt
hedir
ect
ionwhichhewaspoint
ingand
themanwhowasst andi
ngt her
ewasthebrot
herof
themenikill
ed,
theoneihavebeenr
unningaway
from..
iwasshockedwhenisawhi
m,iwasver
yshocked.
.
Him:ahhh,j
udgi
ngfr
om yourappear
ance,
youmust
knowhim..wel
l,
heistheonewhopaidus,t
ofi
nd
you.
.andwedid..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Him:see,i
nthi
sworld,
youmayhidefrom anyone,
butnotfr
om us.
.never
!!wehavet
hiswholeworldi
n
ourhands..
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m..
Him:see,thi
smenr i
ghtherewantedyout odie.
.he
wantedtof i
nishyou.
.butthen,if
oundinformati
on
aboutyouandyourf riendsthatwasi
nteresti
ng.
.it
seemslikeyouar efr
iendswi t
hMrWolf'sgirl
'
s
fr
iends.
.
il
ookedathi
m conf
used.
.
Him:l
etmeputitli
kethi
s..youandMrWol
f'
sgi
rl
,
havemutualf
ri
ends..
il
ookedathimthi
nkingaboutMfanaandScar
..t
hey
weretheonl
yfr
iendsihad..butt
henwhoisMr
Wolf'
sgir
landt
hisMrWol f??
Me:howi
sthati
nter
est
ingi
nformati
on?
?dontyou
havemut
ualf
ri
endswit
hotherpeopl
e??
Hi
m:(chuckl
es)yousurehavegut
s,t
hat
'sanot
her
t
hingt
hatili
kedaboutyou.
.
ij
ustst
aredathi
m..
Him:well
,her
eisthedeal.
.iwantyout owarm your
waytoMrWol f,
beourspy, getusal
lthe
i
nformati
onweneedandmabyemydearbr other
herewi
llgi
veyouyourfreedom back.
.
Me:whati
fidontwant
??
Hi
m:t
henyourl
if
eendsr
ighther
e..
il
ookedathi
m andl
ookedatt
heot
herguy.
..
Me:idontevenknowt
hisMrWol
f.
.sohowwi
lliget
cl
osetohim??
Him:youwi llnotgotohi
mf i
rst,youwillwar
m upto
hisgi
rl
..youal r
eadyhavemut ualfr
iendssothat
's
easy,t
hent hroughheryouwillt
rytoget
i
nformationaboutMrWol f.
.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m..
Him:al
lyouhavet
odo,
isgetust
hei
nfor
mat
ion
andyouli
ve.
.
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m..
.
Me:howwi
lliknowt
hatyouar
enott
ri
cki
ngme?
?
her
aisedhi
sri
ghthand.
.
Hi
m:ineverl
ieorbr
eakmypr
omi
ses.
.
il
ookedathi
m andl
ookedatt
heguyagai
n..
well,
idontknowhowdangerousMrWol fi
s,butt
he
resul
tsarethesame.
.ifidoi
t,t
hechancesofme
beingindangerar
esti
llt
hesameasifidontdoit
..
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:f
ine.
.iwi
lldoi
t.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
57] :87
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
todaywasFr i
day,andiwasofff
rom wor
ktoday,so
todayiwillspendtimewithmyauntandtakecar
e
ofherjustlikeshehasbeentaki
ngcareofme..
shehasalsobeenhavingsomepai nslat
ely,
butshe
j
usttel
lsmenott oworry,
itseemsitsnormalsi
nce
shei
sappr oachi
ngtheduedat e.
.
sheevenwentt
oherregul
archeckupandshe
assur
esmethatal
liswell
.
iwokeupandcl eaned..ial
wayscleanbef
oregoi
ng
toworksothatshedoesnthavet odosomuch
worksincesheisapr egnantwoman.
butt
rustme,
someti
messhejustwant
stowor
kand
get
sangrywhenist
opherf
rom worki
ng.
.
butshel
ookscut
ewi
thherbi
gnoseandcl
earski
n..
igotdonecl
eani
ngandmakeherbr
eakf
ast
..
af
terawhi
leshecameoutt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.
.
Aunt
:ouuuuu,ili
kethesmellal
ready.
.howdi
dyou
knowthatil
ikepancakesf
orbreakfast
??
Me:youf
orgett
hatyoul
ivewi
thmeaunt
??
Aunt
:wel
l,
wel
l.
..seemsl
ikeidof
orget
..
.
il
aughed.
.
iputsomepancakesi
nherpl
ateandpouredsome
jui
ce,it
ookhoneyandsomest
rawberr
iesandwent
togivei
ttoher
,ial
sotookmyplat
eandwenttosi
t
down..
Aunt
:howdi
dyoul
ear
ntomaket
hem?
?
Me:iusedyourki
tchenr
eci
pet
abl
ett
osear
chi
tup,
i
tsact
ual
lynotmyfi
rstt
ime,j
ustl
astweekimadei
t
3ti
mespract
ici
ngt
omakei tf
oryouoneday.
.
Aunt:ncoooo,
mybabygi
rl
..
.wi
shmychi
ldgr
owst
o
beli
keyou..
ismi
led.
.
it
henl
ookedatherassheat
e..
Me:aunt
??
shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:howdi
dyouknowt
hatt
heguyyoul
ovei
sthe
one?
?
Aunt:youmeantheguywhoi
mpr
egnat
edme?
?
well
..ij
ustknew.
.
Me:buthow??howdi
dyouf
eelt
owar
dshi
m when
youfi
rstsawhi
m??
Aunt
:ihat
edhi
m..
Me:huh?
?
Aunt:ithoughthewassoannoyingandjust
i
rri
tati
ng,butastimeswent,
istar
tedseei
nghis
goodside,iwouldblushwhenisawhim orwhenhe
woul dtalktome, evenifiwoulddenyi t
,butinside,
i
alwayswant edtobewi t
hhim..adaywi t
houthi m
wasenought omakemesadandmi sshi m..these6
yearst ogetherwerenotaeasypat hthough, we
wentt hrought er
ri
blethi
ngstogether,butbecausei
didntwantt olosehim, wealwaystalkedthrough
things..communi cati
on,i
tsthebiggestthingina
relati
onship..
Me:ohhhh.
..
il
ookeddown.
.
Aunt
:ohhh,
issomeonei
nlove?
?
il
ookedatherqui
ckl
yanddeni
ed.
.
Me:no,
no.
.iwasj
ustaski
..
..
..
..
.
Aunt:(i
nterr
upt
ed)ohpl
ease,
itswr
it
tenal
lover
yourface..
.
ikeptqui
etandl
ookeddown.
.
Aunt
:ar
eyouuncer
tai
nthatyoul
ovehi
m ornot
??
isl
ight
lynodded.
.
Aunt
:tel
lme,
howi
shel
ike?
?
Me:wel l
,helooksver yinti
midati
ng,healwayspul
ls
aseriousface, heli
kesloll
ipopandhiswalkisver
y
bigandstrong. .hi
sscent,hisscentissocalmi
ng
andr el
axi
ng, hisvoice,
hiseyes..
.thewayhe
speaks..
.hemaybever ybluntsometimesandhis
wordsmi ghthur tsometimesbuthemeanswel l.
.he
i
sl i
keaWol fout si
debutabunnyi nsi
de.
.heisso
sweetandl oving,hejustdoesntli
keshowing
peoplethatsideofhi m..
Aunt
:seemsyouhaveal
lhi
sdet
ail
s..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
shel
aughed.
.
Aunt
:it
sowk,
youar
eagr
ownwomannow.'
il
ookeddown.
.
Aunt
:so,
letmeguess,
thi
smani
sMrNkosi
??
il
ookedatherconf
used.
Aunt
:Luba?
?
iopenedmyeyeswi
de.
Aunt
:iwi
llt
aket
hatasayes.
il
ookeddown.
..
Aunt:hai,dontbeembar
rassedorshy..
.who
wouldn'tcrushonLuba?
?hei shandsome,gr
eat
bodyshapeandabadboy.andyouknow, good
gi
rl
sl ovebadboys.
ismi
led.
.
Aunt
:doyouknowthatphrase?
?andanotherone
t
hatsays,
"Badboysl
oveinnocentgi
rl
s".
.
ist
il
llookeddownsmi
li
ng.
.
Aunt
:haveyouspokent
ohi
m yet
??
inodded.
.
Aunt
:whatdi
dyout
alkabout
??
Me:not
hingser
ious,
hej
ustt
easedme.
Aunt
:teaseyou?
?
inodded.
.
Aunt
:thatcoul
dbeasi
gnt
hatheal
sol
ovesyou.
.
Me:butr
ecent
lyhedoesntt
easemeanymor
e,and
i
tsl
ikeheal
waysavoidsme.
Aunt
:andt
hatmakesyousad?
?
Me:mhm.
.
Aunt:youarewhi
pped.
.wi
thawhi
pcr
eam,
you
needhelp.
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngdown.
.
Aunt:it
hinkit
sbecauseyouaretooi
nnocent
..t
ry
avoi
dinglooki
ngdownal ot
..i
tki
ndofmakesyou
l
ikeababy..owk??
iwasgoi
ngtolookdown,
butii
mmedi
atel
ylooked
st
rai
ghtandnodded.
.
shel
aughed.
.
Aunt
:hai
,newlove.
.hai
suka.
.mybaby,
didyouhear
t
hat?
?AuntNtandoisinl
ove.
.
il
aughedatherasshewasspeaki
ngtoher
st
omach..wel
lbabyint
hestomach..
ishookmyheadasshecont
inuedeat
ingandal
so
thi
nkingaboutLuba.
..
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwasi
nLuu'
sof
fi
cespi
nni
ngonmychai
r.
.
Luu:wantt
otal
kabouti
t??
Me:nop.
.
Luu:yougoi
ngt
okeepi
tin?
?
Me:yep.
.
Luu:youdoknowiam her
eforyour
ight
??
Me:that
'swhyiam her
e,i
nyourof
fi
ce,
siti
ngon
oneofyourchai
rsandspi
nni
ngonthem whil
e
thi
nki
ng..
Luu:i
tmi
ghthel
ptot
alkabouti
t.
.
Me:.
..
.
att
hatmoment
,hi
sphoner
angandheanswer
edi
t.
.
ij
ustsatt
her
espi
nni
ng.
.
Hi
m:who?
?Lel
o??
ist
oppedandl
ookedatLuuwi
thoneeyebr
owup.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Luu:owk.
.iwi
llcomedownandseewhat
s
happeni
ng.
.
idi
dntevenhavet
owaittohearwhatwaswhat
,it
wasclearLel
ocameheretol
ookforme..
ist
oodup.
.
Me:aladycal
ledLel
oisdownst
air
slooki
ngf
orme,
r
ight
???
henodded.
.
icoul
dtel
lhewasl
ooki
ngf
oranswer
s,buthecan
wait
..
iwentdown.
.
iwal
kedoutt
heel
evat
orandwentt
orecept
ion
wher
eLelowasst
andi
ng.
.
Me:andwhatt
heF*
*doyouwanther
e??
Lel
o:Luba,pl
ease,iam sorr
ytohavet
ocomeher
e
tol
ookforyou,butpleaseLuba,
letmeseemy
daught
er,pl
ease.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustwasnti
nthemood.
..
Lel
o:pl
easeLuba.
.idontaskformuch,
justt
osee
herandspendt
imewithher.
.
Me:icantt
rustyouar
oundPi
nkyal
one.
.
Lel
o:thenyoucanbr
ingherandst
aywhi
leit
alkt
o
her
..
..please!
!
Me:(si
gh)f
ine.
..wewil
lhaveLunchtomor
row,meet
usatthemall
,mainent
ranceat13:
00shap..
shesmi
ledt
hanki
ngme.
.
Lel
o:t
hankyou,
thankyouver
ymuch,
thankyou.
..
Me:nowgetoutofmyf
ace.
.
sheconti
nuedt
hanki
ngmeasshesl
owl
yst
epped
back.
..
shet
henwal
kedout
..
Luu:i
sthatPi
nky'
smom?
?
it
urnedt
olookathi
m..
Me:mhm.
..speakaboutbadt
imi
ng.
.
Luu:hasPi
nkyseenher
??
Me:yah.
Luu:doessheknowt
hati
tshermom?
?
Me:yah,
itol
dher
,sheseemedcoolabouti
t.
.
Luu:l
etmeguess,
youar
ewor
ri
edt
hatPi
nkywi
l
l
f
alli
nlovewit
hheragai
nsincesheneverhada
motherfi
gur
e,andl
eaveyoubehind?
?
idi
dntr
espond,
andt
hatwasbecausei
twasexact
ly
whatif
elt
..
Luu:well
,youcantstopPi nkyandLelofrom havi
ng
adaughtermot herr
elat
ionship,butt
rustme,Pinky
wil
lneverleaveyou.
.shewi llal
wayschooseyou
overher,
becauseshef eelssecurewithyou.
.
Me:ihopeso.
..Pi
nkyi
smyl
i
fe.
.
Luu:andyouar
eherl
if
e..dontf
orgett
hat
..
Me:(si
gh)well,ibet
tergetgoi
ng,if
eellikehavi
nga
dri
nkbutit
sbet tert
ogosleep,iam neveragood
boywhendr unk..
Luu:hahahha,
yah,
goodchoi
ce.
.
het
appedmyshoul
der
..
.
Luu:r
estmyguy,
takecar
eofyourl
if
e,i
fyouneed
anyhelp,
cal
lme.
.
Me:mhm.
..t
hankyoubr
o..t
hankyou.
..
Luu:ouuuu,
ihavet
ocher
isht
hismoment
..
.t
he
mi
ght
yLubat
hankedme.
..
il
aughedheadi
ngoutasishookmyhead.
.
Luu,
hai
..
.
.
*
*Khut
so*
*
wewereatschoolandihaddeci
ded,
today,
iwoul
d
speakt
oSandra.
.
asiwaswalki
ngt
othecomput
err
oom,
isawher
wit
hBoiandanot
hergi
rl
..
ichangedmydi
rect
ion.
.iheadedt
othem.
.
Khut
so:l
adi
es?
?
theyallt
urnedt
ome.icoul
dtel
lSandr
abecame
nervous.
.
t
heygr
eet
edmet
oo.
..
Boi
:Khut
so,
whatcanwedof
oryout
oday?
?
Me:iwouldl
iketobor
rowSandr
apl
ease.
.iwi
ll
br
ingherback.
.
t
heyl
ookedatherandsmi
led.
.thenpushedhert
o
comemyway.
.sheseemedshy.
.
Me:cani
??
shel
ookedatme,thenatherf
riendst
henbackat
meandthenwalkedwit
hme. .
.
wewal
kedsomewer
eabi
tfarf
rom herf
ri
ends.
.
west
oppedandil
ookedather
..
shestar
tedpl
ayi
ngwit
hherf
inger
sandbi
ti
ngher
l
ipsandlooki
ngdown.
.
Me:Sandr
a??
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.
Sandr
a:Khut
so.
.
Me:huh...aboutwhathappenedl astt i
me..i
..
..wel
l
,
l
etsjustsay,iam notaguyofmanywor ds,
but
wheniknowwhatiwant ,ialwaysf indawayt oget
i
t.especi
allyifi
tsnotjustawant , butaneed..
huh..
..
.ididntreal
lypayat tent
iont oyouunt i
lwhat
happened,actuall
yididntevent hinkiwoul dthi
nk
aboutitalot.
.guesstheki ssgavemeawakeup
cal
landr eal
izedwhatiwant edallthisti
mewas
al
waysr i
ghtundermynose.
shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
Me:Sandr
a..
ihel
dherhand,
shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:ithi
nkil
ikeyou.
.no,
no.
..act
ual
ly,
iknowt
hati
l
ikeyou.
.
[
12/
28,
12:
57] :88
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Sandr
a**
i
tisSatur
daytodayandwewerehavingSat
urday
cl
assesforpr
eparat
ionf
orendofyearsemest
er
exams.
.
ihavenotbeenconcent
rat
ion.
.
aft
erKhut
sotol
dmehel ikesme,idi
dntknowhow
toanswer
,iwastooexci
tedandalsoatt
hesame
ti
meithoughti
twasadream..
sowhatidi
d??
.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
Khut
so:it
hinkil
ikeyou.
..
.no,
no.
..
.act
ual
ly,
iknow
t
hatil
ikeyou.
..
cathadmyt
ongue,
idi
dntknowwhatt
odo.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Sandr
a:what
??
Khut
so:Sandr
a,canyoubemygi
rl
fr
iend?
?
whenthatquest
ionarose,icoul
dntevenstopmy
hear
tfr
om beati
ng..imeanihavebeencr ushi
ngon
Khut
sosinceiknewhi m andnowhei shereaski
ng
metobehisgirl
fri
end??
iwasl
oosi
ngi
t.
.
bef
oreicouldsayanyt
hing,t
hebellr
angandiletgo
ofhi
shandandr antoclass.
.Li
yemaandBoijust
cameafterme..
*
*Endoff
lashback*
*
.
iknowitwast
hemoststupidthi
ngt
odo,butt
hat
's
theonl
ythi
ngthatwasvi
sibl
eformetodo.
.
nowiam her
etr
yingtofi
gur
eoutifhewouldst
il
lbe
seeki
nghi
sanswer,ordi
dhetakethatasano?
?
ahhhhhhh!
!whydoihavet
obeconf
used?
?
Lect
ure:Sandr
a??
Me:si
r??
Lect
ure:di
dyoucat
cht
hat
??
il
ookedar
oundconf
used.
.
Lect
ure:f
ocus.
.st
opdaydr
eami
ng.
.
Me:yessi
r.
.
il
ookedatmybooks.
..
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
ijustgoti
nthecompanycarandiam onmywayt
o
fetchMrsWolf.
.
yesMrWolfaskedt
hatif
etchMr
sWol
fandbr
ing
hert
othecompany.
idr
oveandaf
terawhi
leir
eachedt
heschool
..
ipar
kedout
sideandgotoutt
hecart
ost
andnextt
o
t
hecar,
shemaynotknowthecarbecausei
tst
he
f
ir
stt
imeiam f
etchi
ngher
..
il
ookaroundandaf
terawhil
eiseeMr
sWol
f
walki
ngwith2ot
hergir
ls.
iwentt
oher
..
asiwaswal ki
ngtoher,
iwasdrawntooneofher
fri
ends.
.fr
om thewayshewasdressed,t
ohow
tal
kati
veshewas,tohowshelaughedandjusthow
sheis..
icoul
dntst
opl
ooki
ngather
..
butwhenshelookedatmeil
ookedawayast
hough
ihadsomethi
nginmyeyes..
it
hengott
othem.
.
Me:af
ter
noonl
adi
es.
..
t
heygr
eet
edback.
.
Me:Mr
sWol
f,iam her
etopi
ckyouup.
.
shesmi
ledatme.
.
Mr
sWol
f:MrJones,
right
??
Me:oneandonl
y..Sai
ntJones.
.
isai
dthatgi
vingoneofherf
ri
endsaspeci
alsmi
le.
..
Me:shal
lwe?
?
shenodded.
.
shethensai
dgoodbyeandt
henwal
kedwi
thmet
o
thecar.
.
wegoti
nthecarandidr
ovebackt
othecompany.
..
iwouldaskMrsWolfaboutherfr
iend,butthat
wouldbeabitsl
uggi
sh,soiwillj
ustlookintoher
myself
..
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iar
ri
vedatthecompany,
todayihadmypr
incess
comewi t
hmesincewewouldbemeeti
ngher
motherat13:
00.
ij
ustwantedtodr
opof
fsomet
hingwi
thJoeand
headback..
iwentupt
oLuu'
sof
fi
ce.
.
iar
ri
vedandgoti
n..
hewasshockedbuthappyt
oseePi
nky.
.
Luu:ohhhhbi
ggi
rl
..if
inal
lyof
fi
cial
lymeetyou.
.
ichuckl
ed.
.
Luu:howar
eyou?
?
Pi
nky:iam f
inesi
r.
.
Luu:ouuu,iseedaddymadeyouhavesome
di
scipl
ineandrespecthuh?
Pi
nkysmi
led.
..
Pi
nky:t
hankyousi
r.
.
Luba:
hai
,i
sJoei
n??
Luu:mhm.
.
Luba:
pleasel
ethi
m knowiam her
e,ibr
ought
somethi
ngforhi
m..
Luu:whati
sit
?
Luba:not
hingi
mpor
tant
,justsomemods,
heasked
for
..
Luu:ohhhh,
Joegamesaswel
l?
?
Luba:yah..thedayyouandKhutsodeci
dedto
comet omyhousedr unk,hegamewithme..guyis
nottoobad..ifwehadyouplayi
nggames,we
wouldhaveourowngamet eam upandwinagainst
thoselosersonli
ne.
.
Luu:hahahaha,
myguy,
igameok.
..
Luba:
tal
k,t
alk.
.justcal
lJoe.
.
Luu:whynotgot
ohi
m??
Luba:
nah,
toomuchpeopl
einhi
sdepar
tment
..
hel
aughed.
.
hecal
ledhi
m andaf
terawhi
lehecamet
oLuu'
s
of
fi
ce.
.
igavehi
m whatiwastogi
vehi
m andt
henheal
so
hadhismomentwithPi
nky.
.
aft
ersomet
ime,
whenwewer eaboutt
oleave,
Sai
nt
andBoiwal
kedi
ntheof
fi
ce.
.
Sai
nt:hai
,hai
,hai
..i
ncomi
ng,
MrsWol
fisi
nthe
bui
ldi
ng..
Luushookhi
sheadsmi
li
ng.
.
Luba:ohhhl
ookatourMafi
aKingbecomi
nga
puppywhenheseeshisQueen.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Saint
:hai,
idontmeantobedi
srespect
ful
,buti
sshe
thepret
tyli
tt
leWol
f??
nooneanswer
ed,
wej
ustsmi
led.
.
Sai
nt:hyl
it
tl
epr
incess,
iam apr
ince,
woul
dyou
marr
yme? ?
Pi
nkybl
ushedandl
ookedatme.
.
sai
nt:dontbeshymypr incess,
iam readyt
otake
out200cowsf oryou.
.justsayyes.
.
Pi
nkydi
dntsayanyt
hing,
shekeptbl
ushi
ngand
cl
osi
ngherfacewi
thherhandsandl
ooki
ngatme.
..
sai
nt:shekeepslooki
ngatMrNkosi
..whydoesnt
shelookatherdad??
weal
llookedathi
m conf
used.
.
Joe:whoi
sherdad?
?
Sai
nt:i
sn'
titMrWol
f??
wel
aughed.
.
Sai
nt:i
sn'
tshe?
?
Luu:whywoul
dyout
hinkiam herdad?
?
Saint
:ohhhhsoJoeisherdad?
?sorr
ymahn, idi
dnt
know..it
houghti
twasLuubecauseheal
readyhas
afamily.
Joe:iam notherdad.
.
Sai
nt:t
henwho.
..
..
..
..
..
.
hel
ookedatmewi
thshock.
.
Sai
nt:ohhhno.
..ir
efuse.
.
Boi:hedoesntl
ookli
kesomeonewhowoul
drai
sea
respect
ful
,beaut
if
ul,
pri
ncessr
ight
??
Sai
nt:yah.
..
wel
aughed.
.
hewentonandon,
ijustsmi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
m..
af
terawhi
lei
twasget
ti
ngl
ate.
.
ist
oodup.
.
Me:ihavet
ogo.
.wehaveLuncht
ogot
o..
Luu:goodl
uck.
.
Me:t
hanks.
.
Joe:wi
thwho?
?
Me:youknowwho.
..
Joesmi
led.
.
it
henwentdownandasigotof
ftheel
evat
ori
bumpedi
ntoNtando.
.
i
tsbeenawhilesi
nceieverseenher
..andj
ust
seei
ngherr
ightnow,j
ustmademehappy. .
iwentt
oher
..
Me:hi
..
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.
Nt
ando:goodaf
ter
noonMrLuba.
.
Me:ar
eyougoi
ngt
oLunchbr
eak?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:canwehaveLuncht
oget
her
??
Nt
ando:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
shel
ookedshyt
oevenanswerme.
.
Me:Pi
nky!
!woul
dyouwantt
ohaveLunchwi
thAunt
Nt
ando??
shenodded.
.
Pi
nky:yesdaddy.
.
Me:shewant
syout
oaskher
..
Pinky:aunt
y,canyoupl
easehavel
unchwi
thme
anddaddy? ?
il
ookedatNt
ando.
.
shesmi
led.
.andnodded.
.
Me:l
etsgo.
.
Nt
ando:ihavet
ochange.
.
Me:noneed.
.let
sgo.
.
Nt
ando.
.but
..
..
.
Me:weget
ti
ngl
ate.
.
shet
henl
ookeddownandwal
kedwi
thme.
.
it
ookhertomycarandl
ethersi
twi
thPi
nkyatt
he
backseat
..
theywoul
dtalkandlaught
oget
herasPi
nkywoul
d
askherquest
ions.
.
wear
ri
vedatt
hemal
l
..
mindyouNtandost
il
lhashercleani
nguni
form on,i
dontcar
e,asl
ongassheishere,iknowiwil
lcalm
down..
wewalktot
hemai
nent
ranceandi
ndeed,
shewas
al
readyt
her
e..
Lel
o:Pi
nky.
.Luba,
youcame.
.
Me:idi
dsayiwoul
dcome.
.
Lel
o:andt
hisi
s..
..
..
..
..
..
.??
Me:t
hisi
sNt
ando,
Ntando,
thi
sisLel
o..
Lel
o:Pi
nky'
smom.
.
Me:shedi
dntaskyou.
..
Lel
ojustl
ookedathert
henatme.
.Nt
andowas
l
ookingdown..
Lel
o:di
dyoubr
ingherher
etomakemej
eal
ous?
?
Me:no,
ibr
oughtherher
etocal
m medownsot
hati
dontendupswear
ingyouorbeat
ingyoui
nfr
ontof
peopl
e..
ipul
ledNt
andobyt
hehand.
.
ir
aisedherheadandwentcl
oset
oher
..
Me:stoplooki
ngdown..youarethemostbeaut
if
ul
gi
rli
nt hemall
,ownyourcrown..
ismi
ledandwal
kedt
other
est
aur
ant
..
[
12/
28,
12:
58] :89
.
*
*WeekLat
er*
*
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
todayisSat
urdaymorni
ngandSi
yaandiar
e
visi
ti
ngAuntMartha.
wejustarr
ivedandAuntMar
thawassi
tt
ingont
he
couch,wat
chingTV.
wewal
kedin,
greet
edandwentt
oputt
hebagsi
n
t
hebat
hroom asSi
yaspoket
oAuntMar
tha.
.
it
hencamebackandsatnextt
oSi
ya.
.
Aunt:Si
yaherecantstopt
ell
ingmeaboutherf r
iend
Pinkyandhowshewi nschessatschool
..t
hishas
beenhistopi
cforweeksnow..shoul
dwepr epare
cows??
il
aughed.
.
Me:hahahait
hinksoaunt
.
shesmi
le.
..
Aunt
:haveyoumett
hisgi
rl
???
Me:shei
sMrNkosi
'
sdaught
er.
.
Aunt
:whoi
sMrNkosi
?
Me:MrWol
f'
scousi
n..
Aunt
:Lubanzi
'
scousi
n??
Me:yesaunt.di
dnthetel
lyout
hather
ecent
ly
r
eunit
edwithhiscousi
n???
Auntl
ookedabi
tdi
stur
bed.
.idi
dntunder
standwhy.
.
Aunt
:howdi
dtheyr
euni
te?
?
Me:idontknow..hej
usttol
dmethathiscousi
n
wenttohi
swor kandthat
'showhefoundout.
Aunt:soLubabal
owentt
oseeLubanzif
ir
st?
?
**
sigh**
il
ookedather
..
inevert
oldhert
hathi
snamewasLubabalo,yetshe
knewhisname??coul
ditbethatheknewabouthim
longbef
orehemetLubanzi
??
Me:auntMar
tha!
!doyounowhi
m??
shestar
edinspaceast
houghshewast
hinki
ng
aboutsomethi
ng.
.
Aunt:imustspeaktot hem...ialwaysknewthisday
wouldcome, butineverthoughti twoul
dbeso
soon..l
ordhavemer cyonme, whatisaboutto
happenisbeyondmycont rol.butimusttel
lthem
thetr
uth.thatimustdo, f
orthepi eceoft
hefuture.
shesl
owl
yshowedt
ear
sinhereyes.
.
iwaswor
ri
ed.
.
Me:woul
dyoul
ikesomewat
eraunt
??
shel
ookeddownandwi
pedhereyes,
thenl
ookedat
meandnodded.
.
Aunt
:pl
ease.
.
iwentt
ogetherwat
er.
.
*
*about2Hour
slat
er*
*
Auntdecidedt
ogotosleepandSiyawentt
osleep
wit
hher..iwasnowl
eftalonewonder
ingwhatthe
t
ruthi
s??
imeanal readyt
heywereonbadtermswhent hey
star
ted,ihopethi
strut
hwonthurtt
heirr
elat
ionshi
p.
Luuhascool eddownhiscol
dsideeversi
ncehegot
cl
oset oLuba..i
fthi
ngsgosout
h,idontknowhow
hewi l
lbe..
iwastir
edoft
hinki
ng,
guessi
ng,
soideci
dedt
ocal
l
Scarandfi
ndoutwheret
heywere.
.
hepi
ckedupont
het
hir
dri
ng.
.
Scar
:nt
wana!
Me:shomf
2,wher
eyouat
??
Scar
:Mf
ana'
sshack,
youcomi
ng?
?
Me:ial
readyar
ri
ved,
iwi
llbet
her
einaf
ew.
Scar
:sho.
.iwi
lll
etMf
anaknow.
Me:owk.
.shap.seeyou.
.
ist
oodupandasiwasr
eadyt
oleavet
hehouse
Luucal
ledme.
.
ianswer
ed.
Me:MrWol
f.
.
Luu:bunny,
sor
ryigott
oobusy,
ijustgotoutofa
hel
lalongmeet
ing.
Me:youmustbet
ir
edr
ightnow?
?
Luu:ispent80%oft
heti
medaydreami
ngaboutyou
i
nsteadoflist
eni
ngt
othei
rpoi
nts.
Me:Luu!
!
Luu:what??icantfocusforl
ong,soifiam goi
ngto
beinalongmeet i
ng, myfocusrunsoutandiend
updaydreaming,aftert
hemeetingJoejustsumsup
themeeti
ngpoi nt
sandonl ytel
lsmewhatimust
hear.
Me:hahaha,
whatwoul
dyoudaydr
eam about
bef
oreyoumetme??
Luu:i
woul
ddaydr
eam aski
ngmysel
fwhoi
nthi
s
wor
ldwoul
dbecr
azyandst
upi
denought
obewi
th
me.
.
Me:hahaha,
mxm.
.
Luu:hahaha,anyway,
howwasyourt
ri
p??andhow
i
sauntMar tha??
Me:t
het r
ipwasgreat
,andauntMar
thai
sgr
eat
,she
j
ustmissesyou.
.
iwantedtot
ellhi
m aboutwhatauntMar
thasai
d,
butideci
dednotto.
Hi
m:mhm, sheshoul
dn'
twor
ry,
iwi
llcomecheck
onhersometi
me..
Me:bet
ter
..i
tsbeencl
oset
oamont
hnow.
Hi
m:iknowmam,
andiwi
llcheckherout
.
Me:owk.
Hi
m:andwer
eisSi
ya?ibethei
ssl
eepi
ng.
Me:mhm,
wit
hauntMar
tha.
Hi
m:r
eal
ly?youar
elef
tal
one?
Me:mhm
Hi
m:shame.
.youshoul
drestaswel
l
.
Me:owk.
Hi
m:owk,
chatl
ater
.
Me:owkbye.
.
hehungup.
dontaskmewhyidi dntmentiontohimt hatiwil
lbe
chil
li
ngwithscarandMfana,imeani fhedoesnt
ask,noneedformetotellhi
m, idontwanttostart
unnecessaryar
guments.
aft
erawhil
e,igott
oMf
ana'
sshackandwenti
nsi
de
theyar
d.
iknockedont
hedooroft
heshack.
theyopenedandasiwalkedi
n,iwaswel
comedby
somuchsmokei ntheshackandstr
ongsmel
lof
weed.
t
heseguysnevert
akeweekendsof
f.
.
Scar:ehhh,
ntwana,
youcame.
.haimi
nangi
thiyou
changedyourmind.
Me:nah,
iwasj
ustdel
ayed.
asil
ookedisawanewgi
rlchi
ll
ingwi
tht
hem.
il
ookedatMf
ana.
.
Me:and.
..
..
..
Mfanal ookedatthegirlandalsolookedatme..t
he
gir
llookedlikethet
ought ype..youcoul
dtel
lthathe
wasntthet ypetomesswi t
h,butofcauseiwasnt
scaredofher .t
ome, sheisnot hi
ng.
Mfana:ohh,
sor
ry.
.Bont
le,
thi
sisBoi
,Boi
,thi
sis
Bontl
e..
.
il
ookedatherandr
aisedmyheadasi
fiwas
noddedt
ogreether
,shedi
dthesame.
.
Bontle:soyouar
etheyounggi
rlt
heyhavebeen
tal
kingabout??i
tsapl
easur
etofi
nal
lymeetyou.
Me:ihopet
heydi
dntsayanybadt
hingsaboutme?
?
Bont
le:nah,
justgoodst
uff
..
Mf
ana:ahhhBoi
,howcanmar
a??
ichuckl
ed.
.
Scar
:iam hungr
y.
Mf
ana:icanal
sof
eel
that
..
Scar:haaa,
ntwana,comesither
eandhavea
smoke, meandMf anawi
llgobuyamakotanecol
d
dri
nk.
Me:sur
e.
iwentt
osi
tdown.
itookapipeandusedawipertowi
pet
hemout
hof
thepipet
henstar
tedsmoking.
t
heni
lookedatt
heBont
legi
rl
..
Me:i
nthe2year
sili
vedher
e,ihaveneverseenyou,
ar
eyounewaroundher
e??
Bont
le:mhm.
.ij
ustcameaboutf
ewweeksago.
.
Me:ahhhh,so,howdidyoumeetscarandMf ana?
?
youguysalreadyseem l
ikeyouhaveknowneach
otherf
oryears??
Bontle:indeedwehaveknowneachot herf
oryear
s.
weusedt obefri
endsbackt
henbeforehemoved
here.thenwhenhemovedher e,
wej ustkepti
n
toucht hrought
hephone.
Me:ahhhh,isee.
.soyoucameher
ewi
thyour
par
ents??
Bont
le:no.
.icameal
one.
.
Me:ohh.
.
iwant
edtoaskmor equest
ions,
iwascur
iousabout
her
,butidi
dntwanttoscar
eheraway.
Me:wel
l,wel
cometot
hist
ownshi
p,hopeyouwi
ll
haveagoodti
me.
.
Bont
le:ial
readyam.
.
ismi
ledatherandcont
inuedsmoki
ng.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwascleani
ngi
nthecompanyki
tchenandpacki
ng
thedi
shesri
ght
.
aft
erawhi
le,
ifel
tsomeonewal
kin,
soil
ooked
backandi
twasLuba..
il
ookedathi
m.
Me:ahhMrLuba,
howcanihel
pyou?
?youwoul
d
l
ikesomet
ea?
?
Hi
m:not
hankyou.
..
me:ohhh,
wat
ert
hen?
?
Hi
m:not
hankyou.
.
il
ookeddownnotknowingwhatt oofferhi
m..it
hen
movedtowalkoutsothatilethi
m getwhathe
wantedwi
thoutmestandinginhisway.
butasiwal
kedouthest
oppedme.
.
Luba:
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
?
Me:iwasmaki
ngspacef
oryout
ogetwhatyou
want.
.
Luba:
whati
fwhatiwanti
syou?
?
il
ookedathim shockedwi
thnowordstosay.
.i
couldntmoveordoanythi
ngasipr
ocessedwhat
hejustsai
d.
hethenpul
ledmecl
osetohim andl
ookedatme.i
swall
owedasigotr
eal
lyner
vous.
Hi
m:ihavesomet
hingf
oryou.
het
ookoutaboxandhandedi
ttome.
.
idi
dntknowwhatt
osay.
ir
eachedf
ori
tandt
ooki
t.
iopeneditandi
twasaneckl
ace,
iqui
ckl
ycl
osedi
t
andlookedathi
m.
Me:f
orme?
?
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:buti
tlooksexpensi
ve.
Hi
m:ar
eyoucheap?
?
il
ookeddownwi
thnoanswer
.
Hi
m:t
akei
tit
syour
s.iboughti
tforyou.
ismi
ledandopenedi
tagai
n..
theneckl
acewassobeauti
ful
,ihaveneverr
ecei
ved
anyt
hingli
ket
hisi
nmyl i
fe.
Me:t
hankyouver
ymuch,
ili
kei
tver
ymuch.
Hi
m:iam gl
adyoul
ikei
t.
.shoul
diputonf
oryou?
?
inodded.
.
hetookt
henecklaceandpl
acedi
tar
oundmyneck,
thenhewentbehindmetocl
oset
heneckl
ace.
af
terhewasdonehel
ookedatme.
.ial
sol
ookedat
i
t.
Hi
m:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Me:t
hankyou
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngati
t.
Hi
m:iwouldal
soli
keyout
opl
easehavel
unchwi
th
metomor
row,canyou?
inodded.
.
Me:owk.
att
hismoment
,if
eltsohappy,
ihaveneverbeen
l
ovedli
kef
orawhil
e.
[
12/
28,
12:
59] :90
.
*
*Sandr
a**
todaywasabi
tcol
dmor
ning,
andionl
yhadashi
rt
on.
welli
didntknowitwouldbethiscold,ijustt
hought
i
twast hewindanditwouldpassthroughandt he
sunwouldcomeout .mymom di dtellmet hati
t
wouldbecold,butit
houghtiknewbet ter.
iwassit
ti
ngaloneont
her
ock,Boit
umel
owasntat
schoolt
oday,
soiwasmostl
yalone.
ionl
yhad2mor ecl
assesthenicouldgohomeand
geti
nthebl
anketandhavesomet ea.
.
asiwassit
ti
ngontherock,
warmingupmyhands,
i
fel
tsomeoneput
ti
ngsomethingwarm overmy
shoul
der
s.
it
urnedbackandi
twasKhut
so.
hehadt
akenouthi
sjacketandgi
veni
ttome.
Me:Khut
so?
?ar
en'
tyouf
eel
ingcol
d??
heshookhi
shead.
.
Me:butit
smyfaul
tthatidi
dntbr
ingaj
acket
,why
yousuff
eri
ngf
orme? ?
Hi
m:iam not
.ij
ustf
eltpi
tyf
oryou.
il
ookeddownandsmi
led.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
hecamet
osi
tnextt
ome.
Hi
m:youcanbr
ingi
tbackt
omet
omor
row.
Me:thankyou.iwi
llmakesur
etowashi
tbef
orei
br
ingitback.
.
hej
ustnoddedandl
ookeddown.
il
ookedathim andlookeddown.iam sur
ehei
ssti
ll
wait
ingforhisanswer,
iam sur
eheiswonderi
ng
whetheril
ikehimtooornot.
imeanihavebeenavoi
dinghi
mforweeksnow.
Him:Sandr
a,iam awar
ethatyouhavebeen
avoi
dingmeforweeksnow.
icont
inuedl
ooki
ngdownnotknowi
ngwhatt
osay.
Him:ithi
nkialreadyknowwhatt heanswertomy
questi
onis.
.dontwor ry,iam astrongmahn, ican
handleanyt
hing.actuall
y,iwasexpect i
ngthat
answer.imeani maginecr ushi
ngonsomeonef or
solongandjustwhenyouhavecr ushedenough,
theynoti
ceyou, i
tsl
ikeabi tofacoldexperi
ence
anditsnoteasy.butitsowk.iunder st
and.
iwasconfused,
idi
dntunder
standwhathewas
tal
kingabout
.
myfearwasnott
hatiwant
edtorej
ecthi
m and
di
dntknowhow,myfearwashowtotel
lhimthati
al
solovehi
m.
il
ookedathi
m.
hel
ookedatme.
Me:Khut
so.
hel
ookedatmeasher
aisedhi
seyebr
ow.
Me:i
..
..
..il
ikeyout
oo.
.
hi
seyesopenedandhel
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
Him:what
??soyouwer
enotavoi
dingmebecause
youdi
dntknowhowtor
ejectme?
?
ishookmyhead.
Me:ial
waysli
kedyou,
butidi
dntknowhowt
otel
l
you,
iwasscared.
helookedatmef
orawhil
ethenoutofnowher
ehe
camecl oset
omeandhuggedme..
iwastakenbysurpri
se,
ithensmi
ledandal
so
huggedhim back.
helookedatme,hewassmi l
ingandhiseyeswer
e
gl
owing,theyhadgl
asses.
.it
slikehewantedt
ocry.
Hi
m:youser
ious?
?
Me:mhm.
.
ismi
led.
.
hehuggedmeagai
n.
hugginghi
m myheartracedfastandif
eltas
thoughbut
ter
fl
ieswereflyi
nginmystomach.
hi
shugwasl
ikeat
eddybear
shug.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
ij
ustar
ri
vedhome.
iwassot
ir
ed.
mymom wasnothomeyet
,butmysi
sterwas.
if
oundherintheki
tchenwheniwentt
omake
mysel
ftoastasiwasalsohungr
y.
Her
:ahhhhhhMoses,
who'
sjacketi
sthat
??
ilookedatherandl
ookedatt
hej
acket
,shoot
,ieven
forgot.
shesmi
ledandcamet
ome.
..
Her
:who?
?
Me:myf
ri
end.
.
Her
:fr
iend?
?
Me:yes.
.
Her
:youhaveguyf
ri
endsnow?
?
Me:no,shej
ustl
ikesguyclothi
ng,
soshewear
sa
l
otofguyhoodi
esandj acket
s..
Her
:real
ly?
??ar
eyousur
e??
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
Her
:AhhhhhhSandr
ayoucantl
ie.
.
Me:i
..
..
Her
:mysi
steryouar
efi
nished.
shesai
dthatgi
vingmeasmi
rk.
iam abadl
air
,iguessishoul
djustspi
llt
hebeans.
.
Me:owk,
owk,i
tsaguysjacket
,butnot
hingi
sgoi
ng
on,
iwascol
d,soheborr
owedme.
shel
ookedatme.
Me:iam ser
ious.
.hao.
.
itookmybread,
cheeseandpalonywi
thouteven
toast
ingi
tandwenttomyr oom.
il
aidt
her
eandat
eitdr
y..
hai
,l
ovewi l
lmakeyoueatbr
eaddr
ywi
thoutt
eaor
anyt
hing.
it
hencal
ledBoi
.
sheanswer
edont
het
hir
dri
ng.
Her
:Sandr
a.(
lowvoi
ce)
Me:Boi
,whyar
eyouspeaki
ngsol
ow,
areyousi
ck?
?
Her
:mhm.
.fl
ue.
.
Me:sot
hat
'
swhyyoudi
dntcomet
oschoolt
oday?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:sor
ryf
ri
end,
restwel
landgetwel
lsoon.i
sMr
Wol
ftaki
ngcar
eofyou?
?
Her:mhm.
.isweari
fist
aysi
ckf
orawhi
le,
iwi
ll
comebackfat
.
Me:hahahha,
youshoul
deatandhavesoup.
Her:andt
hat
'swhatieatvel
e.ihavesouptocool
thefl
uedownandlat
erhavefood,thenlat
erhave
soupagai
nthenhavedinner
.isn'
tthatt
oomuch.
Me:hahahah,
lethi
mf eedyou,whet
heryoucome
backawaleoranelephanti
tdoesntmatt
er.t
he
ki
nghasspoken.
Her
:mxm.
.so,
howwasschool
??
Me:col
d,andwar
m.
Her
:huh?
?
Me:imetwi
thKhut
sot
oday.
Her
:real
ly?
?
Me:mhm.
.it
oldhi
m il
ikehi
m..
Her
:wow.
..congrat
ulat
ionsgi
rl
.fi
nal
lyyougotyour
l
ongawai
ti
ngwi sh.
..
Me:hahahaha,
yah.
.
Her:nowihavet
odealwi
tht
henewloveinyou.
phelapeopl
ewhoar
einnewlovear
ehlupi
ng.
il
aughed.
.
Me:t
heywhat
??
Her
:hl
upi
ng.cor
rectmeandyoudi
e..
il
aughed.
.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwalkedinthehousef
oundAuntChl
oei
npai
non
thecouch,irant
ohertohel
pher.
.
Me:aunt
??Aunt
??ar
eyouowk?
?whati
swr
ong?
?
shecoul
dntspeakshej
ustkeptcr
yingi
npai
n..
Me:shoul
dical
ltheambul
ance?
?isi
tti
me?
?
sheshookherhead.
.
sheaskedf
orwat
erandigothert
hat
,shedr
ank
andaskedmetor
ubherstomach.
ir
ubbedi
tandshecal
meddown.
asiwasrubbinghershemanagedt
oseemy
neckl
aceasshehelditandt
ookoutofmyshi
rtand
l
ookedatit
..
shesmi
led.
.
icont
inuedr
ubbi
ngher
..
shehadneverseentheneckl
acebecauseial
ways
puti
tundermyshirtandial
wayswearneckopen
shi
rt
s.
idi
dntevenknowhowt
orespondt
oherupcomi
ng
quest
ions
Aunt
:di
dLubagi
veyout
his?
?
inoddedembar
rassi
ngl
y.
Aunt:soyoudontt
ellmethatheal
soli
kedyouand
evenaskedyoualr
eadyandyouagreed??
il
ookedatherconf
used.
.
Aunt:haibo.
.Ntando,
didyoutel
lhi
mt hatyouonl
y
herefor2mor eweeksthenyouhavetogobackto
theVil
lage?phelaipr
omisedyouraunttobri
ngyou
back.
Me:therei
snot
hingbet
weenmeandMrLuba,
no
needformetot
ellhi
m??
Aunt
:andt
heneckl
ace?
?
Me:i
twasj
ustagi
ft
??
Aunt
:acoupl
eneckl
acei
sjustagi
ft
??
iwasconf
used.
sheopenedherphoneandsear
chedsomet
hing
thensheshowedme..
iwasshockedatwhatisaw.
thi
snecklacewastheoneshownont hephone,i
tis
anecklaceusedtoexpressloveandaff
ecti
onto
yourl
ovedon, i
tevencomesi natwinpack,onefor
theguyandonef ort
hegi r
ls.
andt
hepri
ce.
..OMW.f
orasi
mpl
eneckl
acei
tcost
al
mostR12k
il
ookedatt
hephoneandatAuntMar
tha.
.
wasLubaaski
ngmeout
??
[
12/
28,
12:
59] :91
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
Me:ipr
omi
set
obebacki
nlesst
hen2hour
s.
MrWolf:igi
veyou1andahal
vehour
,bel
ateand
youwi
llbefir
ed.
Me:t
hat
'sal
sook.
MrWol
f:owk,
youmayl
eavenow.
.
Me:yessi
r.
.
iwalkedoutandmademywayoutthecompany,
i
wenttomycaranddrovet
othepar
kthatNeo
askedtomeet.
ont
heway,
shecal
ledme.
iputonmyearpodsandanswer
edt
hecal
l.
.
Me:Neo.
.
Her
:haveyouar
ri
ved?
?
Me:yah,
accor
dingtotheGPSiam al
mostt
here,
i
onl
yhave10mor eminut
esbef
oreigett
her
e..
Her
:ohit
houghtmabyeyougotl
ost
..
Me:nah,
itol
dyout
hatiwoul
dn'
tgetl
ost
.
Her
:owk.iam al
soheadi
ngt
othepar
k.
Me:owk.seeyousoon.
Her
:owk.
.
shesoundedexci
ted.
ihungupanddr
ove.
thereasonwear emeet i
ngtodayi
sbecauseshe
askedthatwemeet .shesaidshewant edt
ot al
kto
mei nperson.if
igur
edshewant edtoconfesstome,
shewant stotel
lmet hatshehasfeel
ingsforme.
well,
iagreedtomeethernotonl ybecauseiwantt o
hearherconfess,butalsobecauseiknewl ongago
thatshefeel
sdiff
erentandwant stobemor ethen
fri
ends,soitookt
hist i
met oalsot
ellherthatidont
seeherthatwaywi thouthurt
ingherfeel
ings.iknow
imayhavel edheron, andit
smyf ault
.
if
inal
lyar
ri
veandi
par
kedmycarcl
oset
othepar
k.
it
henpi
ckedmyphoneandcal
ledher
.
Her
:Hal
o.
Me:ihavear
ri
ved,
wer
ear
eyou?
?
Her:iam al
soatthepar
k.iam wear
ingagray
j
erseywithablackj
eansandwhitesneaker
s.
igotoutt
hecar,lockedi
tandwal
kedi
nthepar
k
looki
ngaround.
Me:doyoumindstandi
ngupsothaticanseeyou
cl
earl
y??orar
eyoustandi
ngup?
?
Hi
m:noiwassi
tt
ingdown.
.hahahaha,
nowiam
st
andi
ngup.
Me:owk.
.
il
ookedandf
inal
lysawher
.
shewasstandingnextt
oachairabitf
arf
rom
wher
eiwasst andi
ng.shecoul
dntseemebecausei
wascomingfrom behi
nd.
iwal
kedt
oher
.
Her
:canyouseeme?
?letmet
ryt
owave.
.
shestar
tedwavi
ngandj
umpi
ng,
shedi
dntl
ook
back.
ij
ustwal
kedt
ohersmi
li
ng.
somet hi
nginmet oldmethatishoul
dn'tbequi
ckt
o
brushheroff,mabyeshemi ghtbegoodtome,but
that'
sconfusingbecauseal
readyihaveeyeson
someoneel se.
iwasstar
tedtowonderi
fwhatiwanti
sindeed
whatiwant,oriwasf
ool
ed.
ibr
eat
hedandhungupasist
oodbehi
ndher
.
*haveyoueverwat chedamovi ewher ethemal eis
notsur eifheact uall
yl ovesaper sonornot ?and
thenhegoesandseest hisgir
landsuddenl y,the
viewersseehi spoi ntoft houghtswhenamusi c
playsandhekeepsl ooki ngatthisgi
rltalki
ng,
l
aughi ng,dancingandmaki ngfunnyf aces,thenhe
wonder sifisjustfeelingsofnor malit
yori fhei s
reall
yinlove.andashekeepst hinki
ng, hestarts
remember i
ngt hatgirlthatheact ual
lylovesand
thenhi ssmi l
ewi pesof fseeingthathei s
confused. *
nowt
hat
'
showif
eel
.
Neowasstandi
ngheresti
llwavi
ng.
.shet
hen
t
urnedbackandherf
acialexpr
essi
onwaspr
icel
ess,
shegotafri
ghtandatt
hatmoment
,shebi
ther
fi
ngerandsmil
ed..
ismi
ledaswel
l.
Her
:youar
ri
ved.
sher
ant
omeandgavemeahug.ial
sohuggedher
.
wet
henbot
hsatdown.
Her
:ihopei
twasntahust
let
ogether
e..
Me:ofcausenot
..idi
dntevenst
ruggl
e.
Her
:wel
l,
thi
siswher
eist
ay.
Me:mhm.
.gr
eatvi
bes.
Her
:ohhyouhaven'
tseennot
hingyet
.
shesmi
ledandismi
ledt
oo.
.
*
*Luba*
*
iwasheadingupt
oLuu, andonthewayisaw
Ntando,
shecametost andnextt
omebecauseshe
waswaiti
ngforal
if
t,ismiledl
ooki
ngather
.
Me:howar
eyou?
?
Her
:i.
.iam f
inet
hanksf
oraski
ng.
Me:mhm.
.
hel
if
topenedandiwal
kedi
nwi
thher
.
t
hel
if
tcl
osedandwentup.
shelookedatmeandshowedmeherneckl
acet
hat
iboughtforher
.
Me:what
??youdontl
ikei
t??
Her:myaunttol
dmethatthi
sisacoupl
eneckl
ace
andonlycoupl
esweari
t,sheal
sosai
dther
eisa
maleversi
onofit
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)
it
ookoutmyneckl
aceandshowedi
ttoher
.
Me:t
hisone?
?
shel
ookedatmeshocked.
.
Her
:but
..
..but
..
.wear
enotacoupl
e..
.
Me:yet
..
.
Her
:huh.
.
Me:wear
enotacoupl
eyet
..
Her
:whatdoest
hatmean?
?
il
eanedt
owardsherasi
fiwasgoi
ngi
nforaki
ss
andshewentback.
Me:l
etshavel
unchtomor
rowandiwi
llt
ellyou
whatimean.
.owk?
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
shej
ustst
aredatme.
t
hel
if
topenedandshewal
kedout
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngather
.
t
hel
if
tcl
osedandt
hel
if
twentup.
.
Damn, sheistooinnocent.icantbel
ieveihadtoact
soslowj ustsothatidontscareheraway.inever
hadtoappr oachsuchani nnocentgi
rlbefor
e,iam
star
tedtowonderi fthi
sli
fewontbet oofastforher
.
onethi
ngaboutmeisthatidonttendt
obepatient
mostofthet
imes,imeanitrybutwheniam angry,
i
har
dlywantt
olist
en,andidontknowifshewil
lbe
abl
etohandl
eme. .
t
her
ear
eal
otoft
hingst
oconsi
der
.
anot
hert
hingi
sthatt
hisl
if
e,i
smyl
if
e,il
ivel
iket
his,
wi
llsheaccepti
tornot
??
shewi
llbeaneasyt
argett
otheenemi
es.
*
Sigh*
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
Her
:Sai
nt.
Me:yes.
Her
:doyouhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?
?
Me:no.
Her:i
sther
eli
kesomeoneyouar
ecur
rent
ly
cr
ushingon??
Me:huh.
..wel
l.
..it
hinkso,
andyou?
?
Her:mhm.
.ihavebeencr
ushi
ngonhi
mforawhi
le
now..
Me:i
sheani
ceper
son?
?
Her
:very.ial
waysf
eel
saf
e,l
oved,
andiam most
ly
mysel
faroundhim.
Me:sowhydontyout
ellhi
m.
Her
:iam af
rai
dhemi ghtr
ejectme,heoncet
oldme
t
hathedoesntdor
elati
onshipsyet
.
il
ookedatme.
.
Me:i
sthatguybyanychanceme?
?
shel
ookedatme.
.
shesmi
led.
.
shel
ookeddown.
Her :mhm.iam sor rySaint
,ifai
ledtokeepmy
feelingstomysel f
.iknowisaidiwoul drespect
yourdeci sionandthatiwil
lstayjustafr
iend,buti
cant .myf eeli
ngsarebecomingmor eandmor e
strongerever yti
meichattoyouormeetwi thyou.
..
crazyr i
ght ??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
ididntknowwhattosay,ij
ustl
ookeddownand
tr
iedtofigur
eoutwhattosay.
..
Her
:ohhhhhhl
ookatt
hat
,ij
ustspoi
ledt
hemood.
.i
am sor
ry.
Me:no,
dontbe.
.it
sowk.
.
Her
:ahhhh,noi
tsnotowk.
.anywayihavetogo.i
j
ustrecei
vedamessagefr
om mymom t el
li
ngme
t
hatsheneedsme.
shegotoutthecarandihel
dherhandqui
ckl
y..she
stoppedandlookedatme.
.
Me:
..
..
..
agai
n,idi
dntknowwhattosay..t
hewordswer
eon
mytonguebutmyvoicedidntwantt
ocomeout.
shegent
lypul
ledherhandandsmi
led.
shecl
osedt
hecarandr
anaway.
igotoutthecarandl
ookedatt
hedi
rect
ionsher
an
andalreadyshewasfar
.
isi
ghed.
[
12/
28,
12:
59] :92
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
i
twaslunchti
meandicamet
othecompanyt
o
meetNtando.
iwal
kedi
nthebui
ldi
ngandst
oodatt
her
ecept
ion.
Recept
ioni
st:goodaf
ter
noonMrNkosi
,ar
eyouher
e
forMrWolf?
?
Me:no,
nott
oday.
r
ecept
ioni
st:i
sther
eanyt
hingicanhel
pyouwi
th
MrNkosi?
?
Me:canyougetNt
andof
orme?
?
shelookedatme,
iguessshedi
dntknowwho
Ntandowas.
Me:t
henewempl
oyeeher
ewhoi
sher
efi
ll
ingf
or
someone.
Recept
ioni
st:ohhyoumeant
hecl
eaner
??
Me:ithi
nkisai
dtheempl
oyee,
andwhatisayi
s
whatimean.
shelookedatmeandlookeddownswal
lowi
ngher
sal
iverthenl
ookedatme.
Recepti
onist
:huh,
ofcause,
iwi
llgetsomeonet
o
getherforyou.
ismi
led.
.
shewal
kedtosomeoneandt
alkedt
othem t
hen
cameback.
isatt
her
ewai
ti
ng.
af
terawhil
etheycamedownthel
if
tandwhenthe
l
if
topened,
shelookedatmeandl
ookeddownsti
ll
walki
ngwit
hme..
thepersonwhowenttof
etchher,
raisedherhandto
therecepti
oni
standt
her
ecepti
onistwenttogether
andwal kedwi
thhert
ome.
Recept
ioni
st:her
eshei
ssi
r.
.
Me:t
hankyouf
oryourki
ndness.
ismi
led.
t
heni
lookedatNt
ando.
Me:ar
eyour
eady?
?
shenodded.
.
it
ookherhandandwewal
kedoutt
hebui
ldi
ng
goi
ngtomycar.
iopenedthedoorf
orherandthenwenttogeti
nthe
dri
ver'
sseat.t
henidr
ovetosomerestaur
ant.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
AuntMar
ywasathomet
ryi
ngt
ogett
hingst
oget
her
.
herki
dswereatschoolandshewasl
efther
eal
one
togett
hingsdone.
asshewascleani
ngandal
lthat
,shehear
daknock
onthedoor
.
sheopenedt hedoorthi
nkingmabyeitsherf
ri
ends
comingtovisitherori
fit
sherboyfr
iendcomingto
pickherupsincetheyhaveadatetoday.
sheopenedthedoorandi
twasnonoft
heabove
menti
oned..
AuntMar
y:canihel
pyou?
?
withoutevenexpl
aini
ng,t
heyputabagonherhead
anddr aggedheroutoft
hehouse.shekept
screamingandaskingforhel
pbuttheyjust
draggedhertothecaranddrovetothebighouse.
t
hebighouse-t
hat'
sthehouseoft
hebi
ggest
,
r
ichestmani
nthatVi
ll
age.MrZul
u.
heisal oanshar kandal soaveryrichbusiness
manwhoal sodealswi t
hill
egalbusiness.hecleans
hi
smoneyt hroughchur chesandal soothersmal l
businessint heVi l
lage,andhei snevercaught
becauset heVi l
lager especthi
m verywel land
bel
ievet hathei san" honorabl
e"man.
nogangst
erisfr
iendswit
hthepoli
ce,
buthi
m,he
haspeopl
einthedepart
ment.hi
seyesandear
sare
spr
eadaroundthisVi
ll
age.
hehas2wi
ves.
thecarar
ri
vedi
ntheyardandAuntMar
ywas
draggedi
nthehouse.
.
astheyarr
ived,t
heyfoundMrZul
useat
edonhi
s
chai
rintheli
vingroom.
MrZul
ulookedatt
hem.
het
hennoddedandtheythr
ewAuntMary-who
wasst
il
ltr
yingt
ofi
ghtthem -ont
hef
loor
.
shetookoutt
hebagonherheadandbefor
eshe
coul
dspeak,hereyesmetwi
thMrZul
u..
i
mmedi
atel
yshewentonherkneesandst
art
ed
beggi
ng.
.
AuntMar y:pl
easeMrZulu,pl
ease.iwi
llpayyoual
l
themoneysoon, pl
ease,
pleasedonthurtme..
please.
.
MrZul
ulookedatherwi
thnoemot
ionorwhat
ever
.
AuntMar
y:pl
easeMrZul
u,ipr
omi
se.
.
MrZul
u:R500000
AuntMar
ylookedatMrZul
uconf
used.
.
MrZulu:that
'showmuchyouowemenow, wi
thout
i
nter
est..
..
.addi
ngint
erest
,itbecomesR800000.
howwillyoupaysomuch? ?
AuntMar
y:iwi
llf
indaway,
iwi
llpay.
.
MrZulu:youhavebeensayi
ngthesamethi
ngover
andoveragai
nforalmost2year
snow..doyou
knowwhyialwaysletyoupayatyourt
ime?
?
AuntMar
yshookherhead.
MrZul
u:becauseiknowyou.itr
ustyouwi
llnever
r
unawaybecauseyouloveyourkidssomuch.
t
hat
'swhyineverstr
essedaboutwhenyoupay..
butnowiseet hatyouarebecomingtoo
comfor
tabl
e..youar et
akingadvant
ageofmy
ki
ndness.
AuntMar
y:noMrZul
u,iam not
,iam ser
iousl
ynot
.
MrZul
u:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.whenam iget
ti
ngmymoney?
?
AuntMar
y:soonMrZul
u,soon.
MrZul
u:sooni
snotananswer
.iwantadat
e.
AuntMar
ydidntsayawor
d,assheal
sodi
dntknow
whenshewouldrai
sesomuchmoney.
MrZul
u:iam wai
ti
ngf
orananswerMar
y..
AuntMar
ydidntknowwhatt
osay,
soshet
hought
ofsomet
hingel
se.
AuntMar
y:MrZulu,ihaveasol
uti
on.icanworkas
yourmai
dunti
lthepri
ceispai
d,orworkunt
ili
managetomakethatamount.
MrZulu:it
hinkihavemanymai dsher
e,idontt
hink
ineedanot
herone.butnotenoughwives.
.
hesai
dthatsar
cast
ical
lyl
aughi
ng.hewasnt
meani
ngthatheneededanot
herwive,
hewasjust
sarcast
ical
lysayi
ng,butAuntMar
yimmedi
atel
y
thoughtofsomethingel
se.
AuntMar
y:t
henicangi
veyouanot
herwi
fe.
MrZul
u:l
ookedatAuntMar
yconf
used.
.
MrZul
u:ial
readyhaveheadachesfr
om mycur
rent
wi
ves,
whatwi l
lidowit
hanotherone??
AuntMar y:wel
lthisonei sveryobedient
,verywel
l
taught
,shecleans, cooks,doesntl
ikethi
ngsandis
veryyoungandf resh..yessheisstil
lavir
gin.
MrZul
uleanedf
orwar
dandl
ookedatAuntMar
y.
MrZul
u:keept
alki
ng.
.
AuntMary:shei sundermycare,sheisoldnowand
i
tsti
met hatshef i
ndsherownpat h,
soiam offeri
ng
hertoyou,beforeotherusel
essmant akeher
,the
Lobolamoneyi swayt oomuch,butyoudonthave
topayforitbecausethatwil
lbemyset tl
ementfor
mydebt.
MrZul
u:youar
esel
l
inghert
ome?
?
AuntMar
y:notr
eal
ly.
.imeaniknowyouareagood
manandshewil
lbesoblessedt
omarryyou.she
maynotunderst
and,
butiam al
sogi
vinghera
br
ightf
utur
e..
MrZul
usmi
led.
MrZul
u:obedi
entyousay?
?
hest
oodupandwentt
oAuntMar
y..
MrZul
u:owk,
bri
nghert
ome,
iwantt
omeether
.
AuntMar
ynodded.
.
MrZulunoddedt
ohismenandt
heypul
ledAunt
Maryoutt
hehouse.
MrZuluwal
kedtohi
sseat
,crossedhi
slegsand
st
art
edtosmil
ethi
nki
ngabouttheoff
erathand.
wit
hsuchhandfulwi
veshehas,
mabyehewoul
d
useani
nnocentobedi
ent
.
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
wewereseati
ngatt
her
est
aur
antandwej
ust
f
ini
shedeat
ing.
icoul
dtel
lfr
om t
hewayNt
andoi
slooki
ngatme
t
hatshewant
stoaskmeaboutt
hechai
n.soibr
ing
i
tup.
Me:ipromi
sedtotel
lyouwhatimeantyest
erday
aboutt
hechai
nright
??
shel
ookedatmeandnodded.
.
Me:wel
l,
thechainigaveyouwasasymboloflove
f
rom metoyou.andiworethesame(malever
sion)
t
oshowourconnectedfutur
e.doyougeti
tnow??
sheshookherhead.
.
il
eanedi
nandt
ookherhand.
me:whenigaveyout hatnecklace,
iwassi mply
tel
li
ngyout hatiloveyouandt hatiwoul dwantyou
toacceptmeandal l
owmet obebesi desyouf orthe
restofyourli
fe,prot
ectyou,loveyou, andtreatyou
asabeaut i
fulqueenasyouar e.canyou? ?
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
Me:Nt
ando,
shel
ookedatme.
Me:ihaveal
waysl
ovedyouf
rom al
ongt
ime,
and
t
odayiwanttofi
nall
ymakeyoumine.
.canyoube
mine??canyoupr
omi set
obewi
thmenomat ter
what?
?canyou??
Her
:but
..
..but
..
.i.
..iwontbest
ayi
ngher
eforl
ong.
.
Me:whatdoyoumean?
?
Her:myt i
mehereiscomi
ngt oanend,iwasonl
y
heretofi
lli
ntheti
meoftheladythatwentonl
eave,
ionlyhaveaboutaweeklef
t.
Me:wer
ear
eyougoi
ng?
?
Her
:##########Vi
ll
agei
n#######
Me:t
hat
'sanot
herpr
ovi
nce.
..
shenodded.
.
Me:wel
lloveknowsnodistance.ist
il
lbeli
evewe
canmakeitwork.pl
usicanfindsomethingforyou
att
hecompany..
Her:no,idontwantt ogetthingsbecauseof
connectionf rom someonef r
om theinsi
de,i
twill
seem unf airforotherpeopl
e.plusmyauntalready
tol
dmyot herauntthatiwil
lbecomi ngdown.ihave
mysi bl
ingst ot akecareof,
somet i
mesiworry
aboutt
hem.
Me:si
bli
ngs?
?wher
ear
eyourpar
ent
s..
Her:myparent
spassedaway,
ili
vewi
thmyaunt
andherki
ds.
Me:sot
hatmeansshecant
akecar
eofhi
ski
ds.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.she.
..
..
.i.
..
..
..
..
Me:she?
?
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:what
,whatdoesshedo?
Her
:shei
sal
waysbusy,
shemi
ghtneverhavet
ime
f
orthem.
.
Me:andnowt
hatyouar
eher
e,howdoesshecope?
?
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:l
ook,iknowthatyoucareaboutyoursi
bli
ngs.
mabyeyoucanvisitt
hem f
rom ti
met oti
me,but
st
ayhere.pl
ease.
Her:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..MrNkosi
..
..
.i.
..
..il
ikeyoutoo.
.but
iam j
ustacleaner,
iaddnovaluei nyourl
if
e,you
al
readyhaveeveryt
hing,
youhaveanicecar
, a
house,adaught
er,andallt
hat
,iwi
llonl
ypullyou
down..
Me:nonsense, imayever yt
hingbutilackapartneri
canshar eitwith.andt hatpar t
nerisyou.idontcare
i
fyouar eacl eaner ,thef actisthat
,ifi
twasntfor
youandot hercleaner s,thatplacewouldhavebeen
apigsty.socl i
entsf eel welcomedandatease
becauseofhowcl eant hepl aceis.andwhodowe
havetot hankfort hat ??doyout hi
nkwewoul dhave
cl
ient
si ftheplacei sdi rty???
sheshookherhead.
.
Me:seehowmuchval
ueyoubr
ingt
othecompany?
?
shesmi
ledandl
ookeddown.
.
Me:t
hat'
stheval
ueyouwillbr
inginmylif
e..you
maythi
nkihaveever
ythi
ng,butidont
.andyou
mi
ghtthi
nkyoudonthaveeveryt
hing,
butyoudo.
shel
ookedatme.
.
ist
oodupandknel
tonmykneecl
oset
oher
..
Me:pl
easebepar
tofmyf
utur
epl
ans.idontwant
you.
..ineedyou.
.
shesmi
ledandl
ookedatme.
.
shet
hennodded.
.
ihuggedher
.
myhear
tsomehowf
eltatease.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
00] :93
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
ij
ustar
ri
vedhomeandBoiwasmaki
ngdi
nnerand
Si
yawaswatchi
ngTV..
iwal
kedt
oSi
yaandki
ssedhi
m ont
hecheek.
Me:yahboy,
iseeyouwat
chi
ngTV,
areyoudone
wi
thhomework??
Si
ya:yesuncl
e.
Me:mhm.
.goodboy.
.
ithenwenttothekit
chen,shedidntseem t
ohave
seenmewal kin.soiwalkedslowlytoherandasi
gotcloseiscar
edherbyal soholdi
ngherwaistand
shescr
eamedal
mosthi
tt
ingmewi
thapan.
.
l
ucki
lyiducked.
Me:Ahhhhh!
!!r
eal
ly?
?
shehel
dhermout
hwant
ingt
olaugh.
.
Me:soifihadnotducked,
iwoul
dbewaki
ngupt
oa
bubbl
e??
shet
ri
edsohar
dnott
olaugh.
.
Me:Bunny!
!
shecoul
dnthol
dher
sel
fsoshel
aughed.
.
Me:ahhhh!youar
eevenl
aughi
ng?
?soi
tsf
unny?
?
Her:iam sor
ry(
giggl
es)ir
eal
lydi
dntthi
nki
twas
you..
.naweyouscaredmehao..whatdi
dyou
expect?
?
il
ookedatherwi
thshockasikeptr eplayi
ngt hat
al
mostinci
denti
nmymi nd.ij
ustcouldntstop
wonderi
ngwhatcoul
d'vehappenedi fihadn't
ducked.
.
shecametomeandsatonmeasisatdown
powerl
essl
y.
Her
:Luu!Luu!(
giggl
es)iam sor
rybabe.
.dontwor
ry,
i
tdi
dnthappen.
.
ichuckl
edandl
ookedather
..
Me:ihavenowor
dsf
oryou.
.
shel
aughedandil
aterj
oined.
.
shehuggedt
hesul
kingmeandki
ssedmycheek.
Her
:loveyou.
.
Me:l
oveyout
oo.
wehugged.
Me:butiam st
il
lnotovert
hati
nci
dent
..
shel
aughedagai
n.
.
*
*AuntChl
oe*
*
Me:sowhenmustshest
art
??
Mar
y:t
heysai
dshecanst
artont
he##
Me:ohh,
that
'sowk,
shewi
llbedoneher
eal
ready.
Mar
y:ohhowk.
.
Me:thankyouforbei
ngconsi der
ateforher.
act
uall
yiwasalsolookingforsomethingforherto
dosothatshedoesntjustsi
tathome, butsinceyou
al
readygotsomethi
ngt heniguessit
salright.
Mar y:yah,ialsoheardaboutitandjustasked
someonet ohelpmemakeaCVf orherandt hen
from thereitookitt
here,iwasactuall
ynotsureif
theywoul dpickherbuttheydid.mabyei t
sbecause
iincludedthatsheiscurrent
lyworkingatWol f
.i
nc
Me:mabye.
.
Mary:
owk,sist
er.l
etmegobacktohelpingt
heki
ds
pr
eparef
ortomor r
ow,youwi
lll
etherknowri
ght
??
Me:mhm,
iwi
ll
..t
hankyouagai
nsi
s..
Mar
y:nopr
obl
em.
ihungupandsmi
led.
.
iwasactual
lyhopi
ngthatshecouldhel
pmewi t
h
thechil
dandalsof
indsomet hi
ngtodoher
e,mabye
getajobsomewhereelse.butt
henMaryal
ready
foundsomethi
ngforher.
asiwassi
tt
ingt
her
ewat
chi
ngTV,
Ntandoar
ri
ved
andshel
ookedver
yhappy.
Me:idi
dntknowther
ewassomet
hingni
ceabout
cl
eani
ngatwork?
shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngatme.
Her
:Goodeveni
ngAuntChl
oe
Me:yesNtando.canyout
ellmewhywesmi
li
ng
andhappy.
.
Her
:i.
..
.am j
ustsmi
li
ng.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
shesmi
ledagai
n..
me:well
,l
etmegiveyousomet
hingt
osmi
lemor
e
about
.comeher
e..
shecamet
osi
tnextt
ome.
.
Me:owkli
stenihavegr
eatnews.
..
.yourauntgot
youajob.
.
Her
:real
ly?
?wher
e??
Me:att
heVill
age,t
hebi
ghouse..t
hat
'swher
eMr
Zul
ustays,
heisthemosthonor
ablemanand
respectabl
eman.Mar
ysai
dhewasl
ooki
ngf
or
helpers.
Her
:iam goi
ngbackt
othevi
ll
age?
?
Me:yes.
.it
houghtyouwoul
dbehappy.
.
Her
:iam..
..
.ij
ust
..ij
ustt
houghtiwoul
dst
ayf
ora
f
ewmor eweeks.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.thi
sisaboutLuba,
right
??
shel
ookeddown.
Me:ifLubar eall
ylovesyou,hewi
llunder
standand
waitforyou.distancewontbeaproblem.that
'si
f
hereall
ylovesyou. .mabyeyoushouldusethi
s
dist
ancetot esthowmuchhecanact ual
lywaitf
or
you.
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.
Me:l
ook,
youcanconti
nuevi
sit
ingmet
oseeLuba
andmybaby.
.idontmi
nd.
Her
:cani
??
Me:yes.butnoteveryweekend,
idonthavethat
muchmoneyt otranspor
tyoueveryweek,but
mabyeonceamont
h.i
sthatowk?
?
Her
:mhm.
.
Me:great.nowyoucant el
lLubat
hathecanst i
ll
seeyou..butalsotel
lhi
mthatiam st
il
lwait
ingfor
hisvi
sitherebecausewehavealottotal
kabout..
shel
ookedatmescar
edandij
ustl
aughed.
..
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iwaslayi
ngonmycouch, l
ooki
ngatmyphoneand
wait
ingforNeot
orespondtomymessagesbutshe
wasnt.
ihavelef
talotofmessagesbutst
il
lshewasnt
respondi
ng.
idontknowwhybutiwasr
eal
lyhopi
ngt
hatshe
coul
dr espond.
[
12/
28,
13:
00] :94
.
*
*2DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
ijustcamef rom t
hebat hr
oom andonmywayt o
thelif
t,isawLubat al
kingtoanotherempl
oyee,
femaleempl oyee.
ihaveneverseenLubat
alki
ngt
ofemal
eempl
oyees
befor
e.
icouldntseehisfacedi rectl
yashehadhi sback
facedtome, butjudgingf rom howtheladywas
smili
ngandbl ushing,itseemedl i
ketheywere
havingagr eatchat.
..
it
urnedandi
nst
eadofusi
ngt
hel
if
tiusedt
hest
air
s.
.
*
*lat
er*
*
iwassot i
redf
rom t
heupanddownandmovi
ngof
theboxes.
i
twasnowt
imef
ormet
ogohome.
.
ichangedandt
henwal
kedout
.
iheadedoutandwal
kedhome.
idi
dnot
icet
hatLuba'
scarwasst
il
lint
hepar
king
l
ot.
asiwaswal
kinghome,
aguyappr
oachedme.
.
hekeptwanti
ngtotal
ktome,butiwasntint
erest
ed.
.
ijustl
ethi
mtalkal
oneandkeptqui
etasifhewasnt
there.
.
il
ookedbacktotel
lhimtoleavemeal
one,buti
spot
tedLuba'
scarfrom f
ar.it
henl
ookedatthi
sguy
andstoodst
il
l.
heal
sost
oodnextt
ome.
Hi
m:jhogi
rl
,li
keiam j
ustt
ryi
ngt
oknowyou.i
meannoharm.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustsmil
edandl
ookedathi
m..
whil
elooki
ngatLuba'
scar..
iactual
lythoughthewoul
dst
opandcomeher
e,but
no,hejustpassed..
mabyei
tsnothi
m..
wel
lil
ookedatt
hisguy.
.
Me:pl
easel
eavemeal
one.
.
it
henl
eftandhest
oodt
her
eanddi
dntf
oll
owme
agai
n..
iwalkedandwalkedandasialmostgottothetaxi
'
s,
ifoundhim st
andi
ngther
ewithhiscarparkednext
tohim.
myhear
tski
pped.i
twasact
ual
lyhi
m..
iwal
kedt
ohi
m whi
lel
ooki
ngdown.
.
helookedatmeandhedi
dntl
ookl
ikeawel
comi
ng
per
son.
igott
ohi
m andhel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:whowast
heguyyouwer
etal
kingt
o??
Me:huh.
..
.idontknowhi
m..hekeptf
oll
owi
ngme.
Hi
m:soyousmi
lewi
thanyguyt
hatf
oll
owsyou?
?
il
ookeddown.
.
me:youst
art
edi
t(speaki
ngi
nmyt
eet
h)
Hi
m:what
??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
hecamet
omewi
thhi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
..
ashet
ookoutone,
ithoughthewasgoi
ngt
ohi
tme.
.
ifl
inchedbutonl
ytof i
ndoutthathewasact
ual
ly
comi ngt
ohugme. .ihuggedhim back.
.
Him:dontt
alkt
ootherboysinthef
utur
e,dont
chal
lengemypossessi
veness.
ismi
led.
.
*
*Sandr
a**
iwasi
nmyr
oom sl
eepi
ng,
whenir
ecei
vedacal
l.
ipi
ckedi
tupwi
thoutt
hinki
ngt
ocheckwhoi
twas.
Me:hal
lo.
Voi
ce:hayl
ove,
howar
eyou?
?
iqui
ckl
ygotupandl
ookedatt
hecal
leri
d..i
ts
Khut
so..
Me:huh.
..hayKhut
so.
.
Hi
m:whydoyousoundsosur
pri
sed.
.
Me:huh.
..well
..
.let
sjustsay,ihaven'
tgot
tenused
t
othefactthat
..
..
.myboyf ri
endisKhutso.
.
hel
aughed.
..
Hi
m:why?
?iam j
ustanor
dinar
yguy.
.
Me:ordi
naryguy??speakaboutt
hemostwant
ed
guyatschoolandthemosthandsome.
.
Hi
m:r
eal
ly?idi
dntknowt
hat
..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Him:anyway,i
tdoesntmat
ter
,becauseihave
someoneilovenow..
ismi
led.
..
Him:li
sten,
iwant
edt
oaskyououtonanof
fi
cial
date.
me:adat
e??
Hi
m:mhm, iwantt
otakeyouout
.ar
eyouf
reet
his
weekend?
?
Me:yah,
iam.
.
Hi
m:owkt
hen,
is10:
00owkwi
thyou?
?
Me:yes,
10:
00i
sgr
eat
.
him:owk,youcansendmeyouraddr
essandiwi
ll
comefetchyou.
Me:myaddr
ess?
?fet
chmeher
e??
Hi
m:yah.
.orwi
lli
tgetyout
otr
oubl
e??
Me:huh.
..par
tl
yyes.
.
Him:hahahahdontworr
y,iwontparknexttoyour
house,iwi
llpar
kabitf
arfrom yourhouse.
.
Me:ohowk.
.iwi
llsendi
ttoyou.
Hi
m:owk.
.
*
*Luba*
*
ij
ustar
ri
vedhomeandPi
nkywassohappyt
osee
me..
Me:angel
!!
Her
:daddy!
!guesswhoi
sher
edaddy,
mommy!
!
Me:what
??
shenoddedandpoi
ntedi
nthedi
rect
ionoft
he
ki
tchen.
..
iputPi
nkydownandhur
ri
edi
ntheki
tchen.
.
isawLel
other
ebusymaki
ngf
ood.
.
shel
ookedatmeandsmi
led.
.
Her:wel
comehome..
.ireal
lycantbel
ieveyou
al
waysleavePi
nkywit
hyourguar dsmostofthe
ti
mewhenyounothere.
Me:andwhodi
dyoul
eaveherwi
thwhenyouwer
e
nother
e??
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
shej
usti
gnor
edmeand
car
ri
edonmakingfood..
Me:whoal
lowedyoui
nthi
shouse?
?
Her
:what
??
Me:who.
..al
lowed.
..you.
..i
n..my.
..
house?
?
Her
:iam Pi
nky'
smother
,doistil
lneedpermi
ssi
on
t
ocomet oseemydaughterandcookforher
??
Me:youarer
ight
,youarehermother
,youdontneed
per
missi
ontoseeher.
.youareveryr
ight
..
Her
:see.
..nowyouar
ebackt
oyoursenses.
.
Me:but..
..
..youarenotmywif
e,norgi
rl
fr
iend,you
arenothi
ngt ome,soyouwil
lneedever
y
permissi
ont ocometomyhouse..
.under
stood??
Her
:what
??
Me:igi
veyou10secondst
ogetoutofhere,
oriwi
ll
dr
agyououtofher
eandembarrassyouinfr
ontof
Pi
nky..
Her
:youwoul
dnotdot
hati
nfr
ontofPi
nky.
.
Me:Pinkyknowsme..heknowshowigetwheni
am angry.
.yout
heonlyoutcasther
e..
Her
:Luba.
..
Me:(
int
err
upt
ed)8secondsl
eft
..
shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:7.
..
..
6..
..
.
shehur
ri
edpassedmest
il
llooki
ngatme.
if
oll
owedherout
..
.
shegotherbagsandwentout
,ist
oodatt
hedoor
..
Her
:whyar
eyoul
iket
hisLuba.
.
Me:nexttimeyoucomet omyhousewi t
houtmy
permissi
on,iwi
llmakesureyouneverseePi
nky
again.
.hopeyouregi
stert
hat.
.
icl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghed.
.
il
ookedbackandPi
nkywasl
ooki
ngatme.
.
Pinky:sor
rydaddy.
..it
oldmommyt hatyouwould
beangr yi
fyoufoundherherebecauseyoudidnt
l
ikeher,butshesai
dyout ol
dherthatshecan
come. .
Me:it
sokpri
ncess,
itsnotyourf
aul
tthatmommy
l
ied.
.owk.
.
Pi
nkynodded.
..
iwentt
ohugher
.
"youdonthavetowor r
yabouthavingamot her
figur
eanymore,Ntandowil
lloveyou,butdontrush
her,shei
sstil
layounggir
ltobeamot her
."isai
d
thisinmymind.
[
12/
28,
13:
00] :95
.
*
*Lubanzi
**
Me:seemsli
keourl
it
tl
ewolfgottrappedinlove.
..
woooooooow!
!whoknewthatpropheciesactual
ly
happen.
il
aughedasishookmyhead.
.
asiwaswor
king,
igotacal
l,
itwasBunny.
.
Me:Bunny
Her:hayLuu.l
ist
en,igotoutearl
ytoday,soi
wantedtoaskificanpassbyt hetownshipf
ora
whi
le..
Me:youmi
ssauntMar
tha?
?
Her
:mhm andmyf
ri
ends.
Me:ScarandMf
ana?
??
Her
:dontgetangr
y,iwi
llonl
ybewi
tht
hem f
orl
ike
anhour
..
.
Me:t
heyareyourfri
ends,icantst
opyoufr
om
meet
ingt
hem, butdontgetthoseki
dsusedtome.
.
Her
:iwont
.pl
ust
heyar
eal
readyscar
edofyou.
.
Me:ofcauset
heyshoul
dbe.
.
shel
aughed.
.
Her
:owk,
nowpl
easet
ellSi
phoyouagr
eed,
you
knowhewontt
akemet
her
ewi
thoutyouagr
eei
ng.
Me:t
hat
'showl
oyal
tywor
ks.
.
Her:hahahahaowk, owk..
.nowcanyoucal
lhi
m
andtellhi
mt hatyouagreedbef
oreheget
shere.
.
me:owk.
.
Her
:thankyouandil
oveyou.
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
.
Her
:mwa.
.
Me:mhm,
iwontdot
hat
,loveyou.
.bye.
.
Her
:haaaaaLuu!
Me:no.
.
Her
:Luu!
Me:youhavet
obeher
eformet
odot
hat
.
icouldhearherl
aughingsof
tl
yasi
fshewas
blushi
ngorsomething.
ismi
led
att
hatmoment
,mydooropenedandil
ookedup.
i
twasamanweari
ngablacksui
t,bl
ackgl
asses
andhadamat
chst
icki
nhismouth.
hewaswal
kingwi
th4ot
herbi
gmen.
hej
ustopenedmydoorandwal
kedi
nwi
thno
i
nvi
te.
.
il
ookedathim,icoul
dntt
ellwhoi
twasandwhyhe
washere.cl
ear
lynotacli
ent.
.
butquest
ioni
swhymyrecept
ioni
stdi
dntcallme
andletmeknowt
hatiwi
llbehavi
ngguests?
?
ihunguponBunnyandputmyphonedown.
ir
emai
nedseat
edwai
ti
ngt
oseewhatt
heywoul
d
do.
asil
ookedoutmygl
asswal
ls,
icoul
dsee2mor
e
menwithguns.
il
ookedbackatt
hisguy.
..
hesatont
hechai
randl
ookedatme.
.
Guy:MrWol
f,ni
cet
ofi
nal
lymeetyou.
..
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustkeptqui
et.
..
.
Guy:well
,excuseusfort
akingovertheshow
aroundyourcompany,wejustwantedtogether
e
andsurpri
seyou.
hesmi
ledatme.
Guy:youmustbewonder i
ngwhyyoudi dntgeta
cal
lfrom t
herecept
iontel
li
ngyouthatyouwillhave
guest
s,wellsheishel
datgunpoint.
.
il
ookedathi
m wi
thani
ntensel
ook.
Guy:dontworr
y,wewonthurther
.wej
ustwant
ed
hernottor
uinthesur
pri
se.
.
hesmi
ledagai
n.
Guy:anyway, iam Bull
et.t
hel
eaderofallJK'smen.
andi am herewit
hamessagef r
om JKhi mself.he
toldmet otel
lyouthatyoushouldpullbackallyour
shipmentsandgi veupyourconnect
ionswi t
ht he
supermarketaswel lasthedi
amondempi re.or
else.
..
..
..
icont
inuedl
ooki
ngathi
m..
Guy:orel
se,
youwil
lloseever
ythingyouownand
belef
twit
hnothi
ngbutyouruselesslastname.
.
ist
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
met
alki
ngwi l
lcauseafightandaf i
ghtwi
thr
esul
t
i
nmystaffgett
inghur
t.soirathernot.
het
henst
oodupandl
eanedt
ome.
.
Guy:isuggestyougett
hemessageanddot
her
ight
t
hing,orel
se..
..
hesmi
led.
.
het
henst
oodupandheadedoutashel
aughed.
.
hewal
kedoutandij
ustl
ookedatt
hem.
..
ihi
tthet
abl
ewi
thmyf
istandcl
enchedmyt
eet
h..
JK?
?BULLET?
?JK?
??BULLET?
??
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwasi
nthet
oil
etcl
eani
ngt
heseat
sandt
hef
loor
s.
af
terawhi
leihear
dpeopl
etal
king.
Gir
l:howcanheseeheroutofal
lthegi
rl
sint
he
company??that
'si
mpossi
ble.
.
Gi
rl
2:i
tispossi
blewi
thwi
tchcr
aft
.thatgi
rlmust
havedonesomet hi
ngt
oMrNkosi,
nowayhecan
chooseheroversomanygi
rl
s..
Gir
l:shedoesntevenl
ookhalfbeaut
if
ult
henmost
ofus,nordoesshehavethatbodyandtotopi
tup,
sheisacleaner.
.
Gi
rl
2:exact
ly.
.sheneedsagoodt
alk.
.
bymist
akeimovedandki
ckedt
hebuckett
hati
was
wor
kingwit
h..
itr
iedt
oremai
nstil
landhopet heydontmindthe
soundandgo,
buttheyactuall
ysawt hebucketand
cametoseewhichcleaneri
twasandf ounditwas
me.
Gi
rl
:speaki
ngoft
hedevi
l.
.
Gi
rl
2:andt
hedevi
lshal
lappear
..
ist
oodt
her
enotknowi
ngwhatt
odo.
myhear
twasr
aci
ng.
.
onegir
lcamet
omeandpul
ledmebymycol
larout
thet
oil
et.
.
Gi
rl
:soyouar
ethel
it
tl
edi
rt
ytr
asht
hatMrNkosii
s
af
ter
??
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
Gi
rl
2:l
ook,
shecantevent
alknow.
.
Gir
l:i
wonderwhy?isitbecauseyouheardwhatwe
weresayi
ngandreal
izedthatweknowt het
rut
h
aboutwhatyoudi
dtoMrNkosi ??
ist
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
shethepushedmedownandibumpedmyheadon
thewallandf
elldown.
.
iwant
edt
ocryfrom t
hepainofbumpi
ngmyhead
tot
hewal
lbutikepti
tin.
.
t
hent
heot
heroneki
ckedmeonmyst
omach.
.
thent
heot heronecameandhel
dmeonmyneck
andpressedmeagai nstt
hewal
l.
.
hi
shandonmyneckwashurti
ngme.li
tt
lebyl
it
tl
eit
wasget
ti
ngdi
ff
icul
tformet
obreat
h..
af
terawhi
leshel
etmegoandicoughed.
.
shepushedmedownagai
nandihur
tcheekt
his
ti
me..
i
twaslikeigotacutonmycheekbyf
all
ingont
he
bucket
.
t
heythenwal
kedoutandl
eavi
ngmewi
tht
hewor
ds
t
hatsaid.
"
ifyouknowwhati
sgoodforyou,youwi
lll
eaveMr
Nkosial
one,
hewil
lneverl
oveyou"
iwasl
eftt
her
eont
hef
loor
,hur
ti
ng.
.
icoul
dnthel
pmysel
fbuticr
ied.
notcr
iedl
ikeababy,butij
ustl
ett
hetearsout
.i
coul
dntholdt
hem backanymore.
.ij
ustcri
ed.
.
i
tbroughtbackal lt
hememor iesofmyaunthi
tt
ing
meandsendi ngmear ound.f
orawhil
eihadbeen
r
elaxingforgett
ingthatsoon,
iwil
lber
etur
ningback
t
or eali
ty.
plusAuntChl oealr
eadyt
oldmet hatAuntMary
foundajobf orme..shewouldneverli
eaboutt
hat,
andAuntChloespeakshighlyoftheguy.somabye
sinceiwi
llbewor ki
ngAuntMarywontabuseme. .
plusthereasoniwantt
ogoback,
isbecauseif
ear
forthel
it
tleonesandimisst
hem.
atl
eastiwontbetheref
orever,
icanvisitAuntChl
oe
onceamont h,andasivi
sit,
icanstil
lseeLuba..i
ts
st
il
lowk..weallgetwhatwewant .
[
12/
28,
13:
00] :96
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
weseeSaintathi
sschool,i
nclass.i
thasbeena
whil
esinceweactuall
yhadhim atschoolsi
ncehe
act
uall
yhasaparttimejobatt
hewol f.
inccompany.
hejustgott
heinf
ormati
onhealwayswanted,
i
nformati
onaboutthegi
rlatBoi
tumel
o'sschool
,
Li
yema.
hesatt
heresmili
ngal
oneandl
ookingatt
he
i
nfor
mationathandonhi
sphone.
"ahhhhh,fi
nall
ywefoundwhatwewer elooki
ngf
or.
soshei salsoatMrsWolf'
sschool
??wow!
amazing."that
'swhathesai
dinhismind.
hi
snextpl
anwasclear
,hewoul
dgot
otheschool
,
meett
hisgi
rlandt
alkt
oher.
eventhoughhewasntcert
ainonwhoheact
ual
ly
l
oves,hewascertai
nthathewant
edtomeet
Liyema.nomatt
erwhat.
ont
heot
herhand,
wehaveanot
hersi
tuat
ion.
Bont
le.
shehasbeenwor
kingonapl
ant
ouseBoi
tumel
oto
getcl
osetoMrWolf.
Bontlei
sasmar tgir
l,shepi
ckedupthatBoiwas
notapushoverandshewoul dcatchherifshe
st
artedaskingquesti
onsaboutMrWol f
,sobest
wayt omaket hi
swork,isi
fshelet
sthesituat
ion
unfol
ditsel
f.
soshei sgoi
ngtousethemostNat ur
alwayt omeet
MrWol fthr
oughBoiwit
houtevenbeingobvious.
thatwayshewillhavet
ostayclosetoBoiandScar
andMf ana.
..
alr
eadyshehasanadvant
agebybeingMf anaand
Scar'
sfr
iend,
soitwoul
dn'
tbeoddorawkwar dasto
whysheischil
li
ngwit
hthem al
lthet
ime.sothat'
s1
-0.
asshewasmaki
ngpl
anandt
hinki
ngt
hisout
,her
phoner
ang.
shepi
ckedupknowi
ngexact
lywhoi
twas.
Bont
le:hal
o.
Him:t
heBosswant
stoknowi
fyouar
eget
ti
ngi
t
r
ight
?
Bontl
e:i
fihavetodothis,ihavetodoitmyway,
andidontapproveunexpectedcall
ing,
whati
figet
caughtbecauseofi
t??
Him:youareinnocondi
ti
ont
omakedemands,
the
Bossistheonetomakedemands.
Bont
le:andthatBossneedsmetot
akedownMr
Wolf
,soatleastl
etmedot hi
smyway.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..iwi
lll
ett
heBossknow.
Bontl
e:good.andnextt imewhenyoucal l,dont
rushtoaskingmeaboutt his,fi
rstmakea
conversati
onasi fyouwer eaf ri
end,brotheror
something,justtomakesur et hatiam theoneon
thephone,wecanthavemi stakesandhavepeopl e
heari
ngt hi
ngst heyshouldn'tbehearing.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..goti
t
Bont
lehungup.
thatwastheBoss'st
oyman..hei
sn'
tsoscar
yand
tough,hei
sjustusedtocal
landmakesur
etasks
aretakencar
eoff.
Bont
leputthephoneont
het
abl
eandl
ookedather
pl
anning.
af
terdoi
ngsomeresear
ch,shefoundoutt
hatMr
WolfandJoewer
eactual
lycloset
ooneanother
.
andsinceshehadalreadymetJoeinuncer
tai
n
si
tuat
ions,t
hiswouldevenmakeherplanmore
easi
er.shewouldactual
lyuseBoiandJoetogett
o
MrWol f.
2door
sopen,
mor
eoppor
tuni
ty.
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
iwasheadi
ngdownt hecompany,
ijusthada
meeti
ngwithLuu,hetol
dmeabouttheguysthat
cametothecompanydemandingthatLuugi
vesup
hisdi
amondbusinessandcost
umerbase.
seemswehaveanenemyt
osor
tout
.
andihavesomehomewor kt
odo, ihavetogoand
draf
taplanforthesemor onsthatthi
nktheycan
messwithus.that'
scrazy.
igotint
heli
ftandi
ttookmetogr
oundfloor
,theni
gotoutandasiheadedout
,ismi
ledasisaw
Ntandofr
om far
.
shewasmopi
ngt
hest
air
s.
ideci
dedt
opassbyherandgr
eetherbef
oreil
eft
.
iwalkedt
oherandasit
ouchedher
,shebecame
jumpy.
al
ready,t
hat'
sasignoft
roubl
e..somet
hing
happenedtoher
.
il
ookedatherandanal
ysedherf
aci
alexpr
essi
on
whenshelookedatme.
shehadascaronhercheek,
abr
uiseonher
for
eheadandherneck.
il
ookedather
.
it
ookabr
eat
her
,ir
elaxed.
.mabyeshef
ell
,mabye
shegothitbyadoor.
.butmostdef
ini
tel
yiti
snotby
thehandsofman/womanbecauseifiti
s..t
hen
someoneisabouttodie.
.
ihel
dherf
ace,
ilookedather
..
Me:Pr
incess,
who.
..
.whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
?
shewant
edtot
alk,
butshecoul
dnt
,itwasl
ikeshe
wasscar
ed.
Me:Princess,iaskedyouaquest ion.what
happenedt oyourface??no,no..actuall
y,l
etme
rephr
aset hat
..
.whodi dthattoyourf ace??
shel
ookedatme,
hert
ear
scameout
.
ipul
ledheri
nandhuggedher
,iwasgoi
ngcr
azy.
.
shesl
ight
lypushedmeback.
.
Her
:s..
.sor
ryLuba.
..
..icantbeseenwi
thyou.
..not
socl
ose.
Me:what
??
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
ihel
dherhand,
pushedhert
othewal
landl
eaned
cl
osetoher.
.
shewasner
vous,
shelookedar
oundasifshewas
hopi
ngsomeonewoul
dnotseeher.
.shewasafrai
d.
Me:Pri
ncess,iwi
llaskyouf
ort
hel
astt
ime,
whodi
d
t
hattoyou??
shel
ookedatmeandatt
hatmoment
,shelooked
behi
ndmeandstart
edpl
ayi
ngwi
thherfi
ngersas
shel
ookeddown.
il
ookedbehindmeandi
twast
hemar
ket
employees.
ipul
ledherupt
hest
air
sandl
ookedather
..
Me:t
ellme,
whatdi
dtheydo?
??
shest
art
edcryi
ngasshetol
dmewhathappened,
i
wasangry,
iwasfur
ious.
il
efthert
hereandrandownt
hest
air
s.it
ookt
hel
if
t
uptoLuu'soff
ice.
iopenedt
hedoorwi
thoutknocki
ng.
helookedatmeal r
eadyknowi
ngnott
osayt
hings
thatmightangermemore.
Me:f
orgi
vemef
orwhatiam aboutt
odo.
.
Luu:huh?
?
Me:anddontf
oll
owme.dont
..
.
iwal
kedout
.
iwentst
rai
ghtt
othemar
ketdepar
tment
.
isawt
hegi
rl
s..
iwentst
rai
ghtt
othegi
rl
sthatNt
andol
ookedat
..
.
*
*Luu*
*
iwassit
ti
ngi
nmyof fi
cewonder ingwhatmadness
Lubabal
owastal
kingabout.butknowinghim and
seei
nghowangryhelooked,hellisaboutt
oshow
it
sface.
idecidedt
ofol
lowhi
m.ishoul
dhavef
oll
owedhi
m
earl
ier.
ir
andownandidi
dntseehi
m att
her
ecept
ioni
st.
isawNt
andoandwentt
oher
.
shedi
dntl
ookowk,
ismel
ltr
oubl
e..
j
ustbyl
ooki
ngather
,icoul
dtel
lthatt
her
eis
t
roubl
e.
Me:wher
eishe?
?
Joecamedownr
unni
ng.
Me:wha.
.what
sgoi
ngon.
.
Joe:hei
satt
hemar
ket
ingdepar
tment
.it
samess.
.
Me:huh?
?
weranupbutbef
orewecoul
dcat
chthel
if
t,t
he2
gi
rl
scamedownandwalkedtoNt
ando.
iwasntsur
ewhatwasgoi
ngon.
theywenttoherandst
art
edapol
ogi
zingloud
enoughforthewhol
ecompanytohear.
Gi
rl
:Ntando,
iam sor
rythatibulli
edyou,
iwas
j
eal
ousandwant edMrNkosi,isawitasunf
airt
hat
hechoseyouoverme,iam sorry.
Gir
l2:iam alsosorr
y,iwasal
soj
eal
ous.i
tsjustthat
wedi dntunderst
andwhywouldMrNkosigoafter
youandnotanyoneel se.
.
iwasshockedast
owhatiwasseei
ng.
t
heyapol
ogi
zed.
Nt
andol
ookedl
ikeshedi
dntknowwhatt
odoorsay.
Lubacamedownaf
terandhel
ookedver
ycal
m.
iwentt
ohi
m.
Me:youbeatgi
rl
snow?
?
Luba:
Me??idi
dntt
ouchthem,
idontwantt
obe
arr
est
edf
orhit
ti
ngagir
l.
Me:t
hen.
.whydot
heyl
ookl
iket
hat
??
Luba:
theyf
oughtt
oget
her
.
Me:huh?
?
Joe:yes,
Lubagotthem t
ofi
ghtoneanot
herorel
se,
theywouldgetf
ir
ed.
Me:it
houghtiwast
heonedoi
ngt
hef
ir
ing?
?
Luba:
am inotl
it
tl
eMrWol
f??
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:doest
hatmean.
..
..
.??
Luba:
no,
iam st
il
lF***
**keepi
ngmysur
name.
.it
sui
tsme.
.MrNkosi.
.
hesmi
led.
.
weal
llookedatNt
andoandt
hegi
rl
s..
Me:youar
eapi
eceofSh*
**Lubaf
ordoi
ngt
his.
.
Luba:i
tsj
ustal
essont
hatnoonemessedwi
thmy
Pri
ncess.
.
il
aughedandJoel
aughedt
oo.
.
Me:andhefinal
lysaidit
..
.geeethatmademe
gri
nch.
.yousureyouareLuba? ?imeantheLubai
knowdoesntgetinvol
vedinlove.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Luba:
mhm,
ithi
nkPi
nkyi
scal
li
ngme.
.
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.
Me:youcanhearheral
lthewayf
rom her
e??
Luba:
yes.
.Nkosicommunicati
on,youwoul
dn'
t
know.
.andohanothert
hing.
.takecar
eofmywife.
.
hewal
kedout
..
il
aughedasishookmyhead.
.
Me:whowoul
d'vet
hought
..
Joe:iact
uall
ythoughthewoul
dtakel
ongert
ogeti
t
ri
ght.
.iam surpr
ised.
.
Me:mhm.
.guesswedontknowhi
mful
lyyet
..
Joe:mhm..l
etmegomakesur
eNtandoi
sowk,
befor
eLubamakesmefi
ghtmysel
f.
Me:hahahahamhm. .nofunnybusi
ness,
orel
se
Lubawil
lgiveyousomethingtor
ememberhim by.
.
Joe:dontwor
ry,
shei
sn'
tmyt
ype.
.il
iket
hem t
ough.
Me:ouuuuuu.
..it
hinkishoul
dpr
otectBoi
tumel
o..
wel
aughed.
..
.
hewentt
oNt
andoandiwentup.
.
toobadLubahadtol
eave,
iam sur
ehewant
edt
o
calm Nt
andodownhi
mself
..
ishookmyhead.
ical
ledt
he2gi rl
satt hemarketdepart
ment
,ial
so
havetodealwit
ht hem, al
it
tl
ewr i
tt
enwarni
ngand
somedaysof fwit
houtpaymayowkasal essonnot
tomesswithmyl itt
lecousi
nswi f
e..
isi
ghedandsmi
led.
.
i
tfel
twei
rdsayi
ngLubahasawi
fe.
.hai
!!
[
12/
28,
13:
00] :97
.
*
*AuntMar
tha*
*
Si
gh
i
tisallsett
led,
imustmeett
hem.imustt
ellt
hem
t
hetruth..i
tisti
me.
.
it
ookmyphoneandcal
ledLubanzi
.
heanswer
edont
het
hir
dri
ng.
Hi
m:aunt
y
Me:Lubanzi
.
Hi
m:howar
eyouaunt
??
Me:iam doi
ngwel
l.andyou?
?
Him:iam doi
ngwel
laswellaunt
.sor
ryihaven'
t
beenvisi
ti
ngmuch,
ijusthaveal
ottodohereat
work.
Me:iknow.iunder
stand,
Boial
wayst
ell
smet
hat
yousendyourl
ove.
Him:yesaunt
,butwhenihavet
ime,
iwi
lldef
ini
tel
y
comeandseeyou.
Me:wel
lLubanzi
,iwi
llhavet
oseeyouver
ysoon.
Hi
m:i
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtaunt
??
Me:yes,
ihearyouf
oundyourcousi
n..
.
Hi
m:ohhht
hat
,iam sor
ryif
orgott
otel
lyou.
.
Me:i
tsowk.
.ij
ustwantt
omeethi
m.
Hi
m:ohowk.
.iwi
llcomewi
thhi
m.
Me:owkson.
.whenyoudopl
easet
ellmebef
ore
hand.
Hi
m:mabyet
hisweeki
fnotnextweek.
Me:owkson.
..l
etmenotkeepyouf
rom wor
king.
Hi
m:owkbyeaunt
.
Me:byeson.
hehungupandisi
ghed.
..
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
ihadmycarpar
kedout
sidet
heschool
.
iwasnther
et opi
ckMr
sWol
fup,
iwasher
efor
someoneelse.
iwal
kedoutandl
ookedar
oundasst
udent
scame
out
.
af
terawhi
leisawhercomeout
,shel
ookedsocool
.
shecameoutridi
ngaskateboardandthenwhen
shegotout,
shesteppedontheendofthe
skat
eboardandhelditwi
thherhands.
"
cool
"
iwal
kedtoherassheleanedont
hewal
lwai
ti
ngf
or
someoneormabyetr
ansport.
Me:hi
..
shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:Li
yemar
ight
??
Her
:andyouar
e??
Me:mynamei
sSai
nt.
Her
:ohhh,
butidontt
hinkwehavemet
..
Me:wehaven'
t,
butif
indmysel
fher
e..
her
:so,
howdi
dyouknowmyname?
?
Me:ar
eyounotMr
sWol
f'
sfr
iend?
?
Her:ahhhhh,
nowir
emember
,youar
eMrJones,
the
guywhooncecametofet
chBoi
..
me:gui
lt
yaschar
ged.
shesmi
led.
.
Me:wai
ti
ngf
orsomeone?
?
Her
:mhm,mytranspor
t.t
odaymydadwantedt
o
t
akeusoutasafamil
y,soiam wai
ti
ngf
orhi
m.
Me:ohh,butdoyouusual
lyuset
ranspor
tat
iont
ogo
home??
Her
:nah,
iusemyskat
eboar
d.
Me:howaboutadat
e,noneedt
ouseacar
,wecan
skat
e.
Her
:youknowhowt
oskat
e??
Me:mhm.
..dontunder
est
imat
eme.
.imaybet
he
sui
tguy,
butiam al
soacoolguy.
.
Her
:hahahha,
owk.
.when?
?
Me:Fr
iday,
aft
ercl
asses,
iwi
llmeetyouher
e..
Her
:owk.
Me:canigetyournumber
s??
Her
:sur
e..
ihandedhermyphoneandsheent
eredher
number..
ismi
ledandatthatmoment
,herdadar
ri
vedand
shewalkedi
nthecar.
.
iwat
chedthecardr
iveawayandl
ookedatt
he
number
s..
.
it
henwal
kedt
omycarsmi
li
ng.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
t
heguyswerebackatitagai
n,t
her
uthl
essguys
wer
ebackandatitagain.
Luu,
Luba,
Joe,
Khut
soandSai
nt.
wi
thSai
nt,eyeswer
eonhi m..evenifhewasi nt
he
gr
oup,t
heyalwayskeptaneyeonhi m becausehe
wasanewbieandanythi
ngmi ghthappen.
butwit
hsomuchtolose,theydontt
hinkhewoul
d
bethatst
upi
dtobet
raythem.
Luu:di
dyougethi
slocat
ion?
?
Joe:yep.
..hest
ayswi
thhi
swi
feandchi
ld.
Luba:mhm..iwi
llgett
hewifeandkidoutt
hehouse
tothecar
.thedr
iverwi
llt
akecareofthem.
Khutso:iwil
laccesst
heirsecur
it
yanddi
sabl
eall
camerasandanysecur i
tymeasure,
Lubawil
lal
so
hel
pwi ththat
..
Saint
:andiwil
lfi
ndmywayt ohi
sroom andot
her
roomstogetanyinf
ormat
ionaboutt
heboss.
.
Luu:good.
.andiwi
l
lputabul
letont
hebul
let
shead.
t
heyal
lsmi
led.
.
Luu:wemovi
ngi
ntoni
ght
.
Luba:
not
ed.
.
Joe:al
lin.
.
Khut
so:al
lset
..
Sai
nt:al
lready.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
weseethe5guysmaki
ngt
hei
rwayt
oBul
let
s
apar
tment
.
wi
ththeirmensurroundi
ngtheapar
tmentt
hey
madetheirwayinnotseenwit
hthehel
pofKhutso
whodisabledal
lsecuri
ti
es.
weseeLuba, wal
kingwhil
edraggingagol fsti
ck,
Khutsowalkingwithabaseballbatonhisshoul ders
andhanghisar msont hebat,Luuwal ki
ngwi t
hhi s
handsinhispocketandhisgunonhi swaist,Joe
walki
ngholdingaguni nhishandt hathada
si
lenceronitandlastl
ysaint
,whowaswal kingwi t
h
aropearoundhi sshoul
der.
t
heywal
kedi
nandmadewayi
nthehouse.
.
thewif
escr eamedasshesawthem,butLubatook
careofthatantookt
hem t
othecarandlockedit
..
Bul
letst
oodt
her
elooki
ngatt
hem.
Luu:wemeetagai
nbul
let
..
Bul
letchuckl
edbutkeptaser
iousl
ook.
.
Luu:ili
kedwhatyoudidthelastti
me, howyout ook
overmycompanyandscar edmyempl oyees,il
iked
itandthoughtmabyeishouldpract
icei taswell
.so
iusedyourhousetopracti
ceit.
.seemsyourwi f
e's
fearandchil
d'sf
eari
showmyempl oyeesf el
tas
well.
.
Bul
let
:youwi
llnott
ouchmyf
ami
ly.
.
Luu:ohhh,
that'
ssweet
..butdontwor
ry,
wewontdo
nothi
ngtothem..
Bul
let
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Luu:butwewi
lldosomet
hingt
oyou.
.
Luusmi
ledandt
hepl
anwasputi
nact
ion.
.
l
etsj
ustsay,Bulletwastort
uredandkill
ed,hedied
asaloyalpersonbecausehedidntgiveany
i
nfor
mat i
onaboutt heboss.
.onlythefactt
hatthe
nameoft hebossisJK.
Saintf
oundsomethi
ng.apparent
ly,
thi
sganghas
beenaroundf
oryearsandithasanumberofmen
wor
kingi
nthegang.
5guys,againstsomanypeopl
e??wil
lthey
over
comet hisgang?
?wil
ltheybeabl
et owint
his
war??orwil
lthisbet
heendofthem??
[
12/28,13:
01] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
98
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Sai
ntaspromised,
camer
idi
nghi
sskat
eboar
d,he
di
dntbr
inghiscar.
hecameabitlat
eandfoundLi
yemaal
readyatt
he
gat
ewait
ingforhim.
heskatedt owereshewasandLiyemawasact ual
ly
shockedthatSaintact
ual
lycamewithhis
skateboard.shet
houghthewasjustatal
k,cheesy
type.butguessshewaswr ong.
shesmi
ledasshesawSai
ntcomi
ngt
oher
.
"youngguy, r
idi
ngonaskat eboar
d,ver
yhandsome,
anddr essedverycool.
"that'
swhatshehadi
nher
mi nd,
shewasal readytaken.
Sai
ntgott
oher
.
Sai
nt:hi,
sorr
yit
ookabi tl
ongertogether
e,icl
ear
ly
underest
imat
edthedistance.it
houghtthi
swould
befastli
keacar
,imagine!
hesmi
ledandLi
yemal
aughed.
.
Li
yema:i
sitt
hat
,oryouj
ustcoul
dntskat
efast
er?
?
Saint:(
chuckles)iusedtobeamast erofskat
ingok,
ievendot ri
cks,it
sjustthat,
igotacarandspoil
ed
myl egs,i
tsbeenawhi le..
Li
yemasmi
led.
.
Li
yema:wel
l,
wil
lyourl
egshandl
esomemor
e??
Sai
nt:ofcause,
myl
egsl
ist
ent
ome.
.
Li
yema:(
smi
les)owk.
.weshal
lfi
ndout
..
Sai
nt:so,
wher
ewoul
dyoul
iket
ogo?
?
Li
yema:skat
ingar
ea.
Sai
nt:huh?
?
Li
yema:yousaidyouusedt oskat
e,andyouusedto
dotr
icks.
.isayidontbel
ieveyou,
wanttoprovei
t??
Sai
nt:(
chuckl
es)howaboutabet
??
Li
yema:owk.
.ifibeatyou,
youhavet
owal
kar
ound
i
nadress.
.
Sai
nt:adr
ess?
?
Li
yema:yes,
youhaveapr
obl
em?
?
Sai
nt:
..
..
..
..
..
..
.owk.
.iaccept
,butwhati
fiwi
n??
Li
yema:anyt
hingyouwant
..
Sai
nt:owk,t
henwheniwi
n,iwi
lll
etyouknowwhat
iwant.
.owk..
Li
yema:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.owk.
..nowl
etsgo.
.
Liyemagotonherskat
eboar
dandt
heyskat
edt
o
theskat
earea.
i
twasntanyt
hingf
ormalorprof
essi
onal
,i
twasjust
anar
eawheremanyskatersgoandskat
e,i
tsl
ikea
communit
yspace.
theyar
ri
vedandSaintwasamazedbyhowwel li
t
wasbuilt
,itwasnot
hingli
kehowheimagi
ned,buti
t
l
ookedverywellbui
ltl
iket
heoneswerehehas
beenyearsago.
hesmi
ledandl
ookedatLi
yema.
.
t
heyheadedi
nsi
deandwentt
otheuphi
ll
.
Li
yema:r
eady?
?
Saint:ishoul
dbeaski
ngyouthat
..andi
fyouf
eel
scared,dontwor
ry,
iam her
e..
Li
yemal
aughed.
.
Li
yema:t
ouche.
..
Liyemastart
edanddi dherroundsanddidsome
fewtri
cks.Saintwasntshocked,hewasjustpr
oud
thatLi
yemacoul dactual
lydosomet r
icksandsome
smoothmoves. .
af
terLi
yemawasdone,
Sai
ntcongr
atul
atedher
..
Sai
nt:wow,
thatwasgr
eat
..
Li
yema:dontgeti
nti
mat
ed,
givei
tat
ry.
.
Sai
nt:i
nti
midat
ed?
?me?
?nah,
iwasj
usthappyt
hat
at
leastyouknowsomebasi
cs.
..
Li
yemaj
ustsmi
led.
.
Saintt
ookhisskateboardandstar
tedskati
ngwit
h
amazingskil
lsandsmoot hmoves..evenot
her
skater
sstoppedtowat chhi
m andadmi r
ehim.
Li
yemakeptwat
chinghi
mfr
om adi
stanceand
coul
dntst
opsmil
ing.
i
twasli
keshewasseeingal
lthati
nslowmot
ion
wit
hthecamer
afocusedonsaint'
sface.
.
that'
swhenshereali
zedthatshehasfal
lenf
or
Saintbef
oreevensai
ntcouldaskherout.
af
terawhi
lesai
ntf
ini
shedandwal
kedt
oLi
yema.
.
onherwaytoLi
yema, hewascongr at
ulat
edand
sal
utedbymanyotherskaterssayinghedidver
y
wel
landhisski
ll
sarekil
lerskil
ls.
hej
ustt
hankedt
hem andsmi
led.
.
hegott
oLi
yemaandsmi
led.
.
Sai
nt:canimakemyr
equestnow?
?
Li
yema:youdi
dver
ywel
l,
iam act
ual
lyshocked.
Sai
nt:it
oldyou,
iam apr
oatt
his.
Li
yema:ishoul
d'vebel
ievedyouandnevert
ookt
he
bet
..
Sai
nt:hai
,hai
,nobacki
ngout
..
.
Li
yemal
aughed.
.
Li
yema:iwasnt
,so?
?whati
syourr
equest
??
Sai
nt:ir
equest7dat
eswi
thyou.
Li
yema:7?
?why7?
?
Saint:youhavenorightt
oaskalotofquesti
ons,
that'
smyr equest
,youhavenochoicebuttoaccept
i
t..
Li
yema:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..owk.
.7dat
es.
.
Saint
:(smi
le)ihaveaplacetotakeyou,
thatwi
ll
countasour1stagreeddate.
.
Li
yema:wher
eist
hat
??
Sai
nt:par
k..
Li
yema:park?
?owk,seemsl
iket
hiswontbe
di
ff
icul
ttocompl
ete.
.
Sai
ntsmi
led.
.
theyskatedtot
hepar
kwhi
chwasnotf
arf
rom t
he
skatearea.
whent
heygoti
nthepark,t
heycoul
dntskat
eont
he
gr
asssot
heywalkedt
ot heswi
ng..
theygotther
e,putthei
rskat
eboar
dsont
hef
loor
andstart
edswinging..
Sai
ntsi
ghed,
Liyemal
ookedatt
heski
es.
.
Li
yema:doyoul
ikegoi
ngt
opar
kst
oswi
ng?
?
Sai
nt:notr
eal
ly.
Li
yema:sowhydi
dyouwantt
ocomeher
etoday?
?
Sai
nt:becauseiwaswi
thyou.
..
Li
yemasmi
ledandl
ookedawaybl
ushi
ng.
.
Saint:wheniwasachi ld,iusedtocomet opar ksto
swingwi t
hmyol dersister,
shewoul dtellmet hat
shelikescomingt oparksandt hatsi
mpl ethings
arethethingsthatshelikesthemost .
..shetoldme
thati
fshemeet saguyt hatwouldtakehert opar ks,
eatoutwithandenj oysimplemoment swith,then
shewi
llkeephi
m.
Li
yemalookedatSaintsmi
li
ng..sheunderst
ood
whatSai
ntwassayingandsheal sof
eltt
hesame,
butshewouldn'
tdar
esayitfi
rst.
Sai
ntl
ookedatLi
yema.
.
Sai
nt:whenifi
rstsawyou,youdi
dntlookthi
sbr
ight
,
i
twasl i
keyouwereworri
edorsomething,
is
somethi
ngbadhappeninginyourl
if
e??
Li
yemawantedtoshareaboutt
hewholei
ssuewi
th
herst
epsi
ster
,butshewouldn'
tdar
e.
Liyema:huh,
no,
itwasnot
hingbi
g,j
ustschool
exams..
Sai
nt:huh,
plusi
tsal
mostendofsemest
ernow.
.
Li
yema:yah,
weclosingsoon,
icantbel
ieveial
most
donewit
hschool
..t
hese3yearsreal
lypassedso
qui
ckl
y.
Sai
nt:youi
nyourf
inalyear
??
Li
yema:mhm.
.
Sai
nt:ha!mustbever
yst
ressi
ng.
.iunder
stand
now.
..sohowdi
dyouknowBoi
tumel
oandSandr
a??
Li
yema:wow,
youevenknowt
hei
rnames?
?
Sai
nt:Boi
tumeloisMrsWol f
,whowouldforgether
nameandSandr aisherbestfr
iend,
ofcausei
woul
df or
gethername..
Li
yema:andme?
?
Sai
nt:youaresl
ight
lydi
ff
erent
,butmorei
mpor
tant
,
soforget
ti
ngyournameisimpossibl
e.
Li
yemasmi
ledandl
ookedatSai
nt.
Li
yema:r
eal
ly?
?
Sai
nt:yes.
.whowoul
dfor
getabeaut
if
ulnamel
ike
Li
yema? ?noone.
.
Li
yemabl
ushed.
.
Sai
ntl
ookedupt
heski
es.
Saint
:ifi
thappenst
hatyouf
acesomedar
knessi
n
yourli
fe,
justl
etmeknow.
Li
yemal
ookedatSai
nt,
Sai
ntkeptl
ooki
ngatt
hesky.
Sai
nt:iwi
llcomeandl
ightupyourl
if
esot
hatal
l
dar
knessgoesaway.
.iwi
llpr
otectyou.
.
Sai
ntsmi
ledandt
urnedt
oLi
yema.
.
atthatmoment ,
her ememberedNeo, andatthat
moment ,
hereal
izedthathei
sreallyconfused,
ifhe
l
ovedNeosomuch, wouldhesti
llpromiseto
protectLi
yema?
hejustsmil
edlookingatLiyemaandwonder i
ng
whyhef eel
sthewayhef eels,t
hefeeli
ngoflove,
happinessandjustwanti
ngt obewithherl
onger.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Luu'
shouse*
*
t
heguyswer
einLuu'
sst
udy.
.
allwereseat
eddownandpl
anni
ngonhowt
oget
thisJKguy.
Luu:hei
snoj
oke,
wet
alki
ngaboutabi
gfi
shher
e..
Joe:t
rue.
.weneedt
opl
ananoversmar
tpl
an.
Luba??
Luba:
mhm,
iwi
llgetr
ightoni
t.
.butiwi
llneedas
muchi
nfor
mat
ionasicanont
hisguy.
.
Joe:dontwor
ry,
sai
ntandigotyou.
.
Khutso:andiwi
llt
rytoaccesshiscomputer
syst
emst otr
yandf i
ndsomel oophol
es.
.
Luu:owk.
.wedontknowwhenhewi l
lactagain
si
ncewekill
edhi
sbigmenbull
et.buthewillnotl
et
i
tsli
de.
Saint
:shouldwefearforourfami
li
es??imeanifhe
i
sasdanger ousasyousay, hewontmindgoing
aft
erourlovedones,t
hat'
swhattheyalldo.
.
becausetheyknowthattheyareourweaknesses.
.
Luba:notifyouplayitfar
.ifwetrytopr
otectthem
now, t
heywi l
lseethatwear eal
readyaf
raidthat
theywillgett
hem, andforsure,
theywil
lgoaf t
er
them,butifweplayblindl
yandwat chfr
om a
dist
ance, i
tcoul
dgo2ways. .
Khutso:t
heymightthinkwenott hatcl
osetothem,
andleavethem outofit
,ortheymightsti
llt
ake
them i
nhopethatwewi llr
eact.
Luba:
butt
hegoodpar
tist
hat
,eveni
ftheyt
ake
them,t
heywontgof arwi ththem,becausewewill
bewatchi
ngthem, sot aki
ngt hem woul
dbelikea
gameofracers,t
hef asterandbadderthedri
veri
s,
themorechanceshehast oovertakeandsave
thoset
hatareinthatcar .
Luu:i
agr
ee.
.butweneedpl
anB.
.
Luba:
planBi
sCuba.
.
Sai
nt:Cuba?
?
Luba: iboughtasafehouseinCuba, i
tsinami ddl
e
ofahugesur r
oundingofgrassandsomet rees.it
s
l
ikeahouseoni tsown,iknewthatwitheachand
everyoneofusbei ngexposedtoloveandaffecti
on,
therewoul dbeadaywer ewewoul dhavethisfear
oflosingourlovedones..soiboughtit
..
Sai
nt:i
sitl
ikei
nami
ddl
eofaf
orestl
ike?
?
Luba:
yes,
wit
havi
ewoft
hesea.
Saint
:(get
sgoosebumps)haaaa!
!isi
tli
kea
hauntedhouse?
?
Khut
so:yes,andther
eisabout50peopl
ewhodied
i
nthathouse..al
loft
hem usedtost
ayther
e..
Sai
ntgotaf
raid,
Joewant
edt
olaughbutkepthi
s
ser
iousf
ace..
Sai
nt:Luba?
?ist
hatt
rue?
?
Khut
so:i
tis.
.whydoyout
hinki
tsi
nthemi
ddl
eof
nowher
e??
Sai
ntl
ookedatKhut
sowi
thaver
yscar
edl
ook.
Khut
sowasj
ustt
easi
ngSai
nt.
.
Joe:youwer ewit
huswhenweki ll
edBull
et,you
sawhi m di
e,youdidntf
indt
hatscary?
?yetyouare
scaredofghosts??
Sai nt
:it
snott hesame, withmen, i
ftheywanttoki
ll
you, youcanki llt
hem fi
rst,wi
thghosts,t
heyare
alreadydeadandcantdi eagain,sotheywill
def i
nit
elykil
lyou..plustheyhavesuperpowersof
disappearingandappear i
ngbehindyou..howcan
youdealwi t
ht hat??
LuuandLubashookt
hei
rheads.
.
Sai
nt:ipr
ayt
hatwedonthavet
ogowi
thpl
anB.
Luba:wel
l,
ifyouwantyourf
ami
lysaf
e,t
henyes
youshoul
dgowi t
hplanB.
[
12/28,13:
01] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
99
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
t
odaywasmyl astdayatwork,
iwast
osubmi
tmy
l
ett
erbef
orel
eavingtoday.
iwassad, butit
swhatialwaysknewt hatwill
happen,andihavet ogoback.auntChloehasn't
beenfeeli
ngwel l
,butshealwaysclai
mst hatsheis
al
rightandthatallt
hiswasjustpartofpr
egnancy,
butiam wor r
iedaboutherbecausesomet i
messhe
doesntsleepatnight.
well
,Lubaknowsthatt
odayismylastdayandhe
evenaskedtopi
ckmeupt odayandiagreed.
i
tal
mostmyti
metoknockoff
,soit
ookmylet
tert
o
t
heHRdepar
tment
,shesubmit
tedi
ttot
heCEO.
onmywayoutthecompany,imetthel
adythat
hel
pedmewitht
heboxes.ievenf
orgothi
sname..
howstupi
dofme.
.
shel
ookedatmeandsmi
led.
Her
:hi
,wemeetagai
n..
me:hi
..
Her:ihardl
yseeyouwhenicomehere,
ionl
ysee
yousomet i
mes,thel
astt
imeisawyouwastheday
ihelpedyouwit
hboxes.
Me:ahhh.
.
Her
:yougoi
nghome?
?
inodded.
.
Me:yes.
Her:ahhh,
iguessiwi
llseeyouagai
nwhenicome
again.
Me:huh,t
hatmayneverhappen,
todayi
smyl
ast
dayworki
ngher
e.
Her
:real
ly?
?yougotf
ir
ed?
?
Me:no,iwasonl
yheret
ofil
linforsomeone,shei
s
comingint
omorrow,
sotodayismyl astday.
Her:ohhh,if
orgot
,ij
ustlovedseei
ngyouheret
hati
for
gotyouher et
ofil
lint
hespace..sodoyouhave
somethingtodo??li
keanotherj
ob??
Me:well,
myauntin######l
ookedf
orsomet
hing
forme,shesai
diwoul
dbeworki
ngatMrZul
u's
house.
Her
:MrZul
u??
Me:yes,
(smi
les)heisknownt obeahonor
able
menandaleadertosociet
y.iam sur
ehewil
lpay
mewell.
Her
:cl
eani
ngagai
n??
inodded.
.
Her
:di
dyougot
oschool
?
me:yes,
ifi
nishedMat
ri
cbutineverwentt
ovar
sit
y.
Her
:why?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Her
:wel
l,
doyouwantt
o??
ishookmyhead.
.
Me:idontknowyet
,ist
il
lhaven'
tfi
gur
edoutwhati
want.
.
Her:t
hat'
sbad,bet
teruset
hist
imetofi
ndoutwhat
youwant,tr
ustmeyoudontwanttobeacl
eaner
for
ever.
inodded.
.
Me:thankyou.thankyouver ymuch,iwillf
orever
bethankfultoyou.eventhoughyoudidntknowme,
yousti
llcaredandwor r
iedaboutme..thankyou.
Her:t
hat'
sbecausesomeonealsocar
edaboutme
andhelpedmeevenwithoutknowi
ngme,soiam
j
ustdoingwhatwasdonet ome..
Me:t
hankyou.
.ishal
lpasst
hespi
ri
t.
.
shesmi
ledatmeandismi
ledaswel
l
.
wesai
dgoodbyeandshewi
shedmewel
l
.
iwal
kedoutandLubawasst
andi
ngnextt
ohi
scar
.
hesmi
ledwhenhesawme,
ismi
ledaswel
l
.
iwentt
ohi
m.
Hi
m:hipr
incess.
hel
eanedi
ntoki
ssmeont
hecheek.
.
idontknowifthisisj
ustchil
dishorij
ustf
elldeep
withLuba,buteveryt
imeheki ssesmycheek,my
bloodrunsandigetbutter
fl
iesaroundmystomach
andwhol ebody..
.
ismi
led.
.
Luba:doyouknowhowstupi
dlyi
nnocentyouar
e??
?
ist
il
lthi
nkideser
veyou.
.
hesaidthi
swithamor
eser
iousl
ook,
iwaswor
ri
ed
forasecond.
.
Luba:
doesntmat
ter
..goi
n..
heopenedthedoorf
ormeandigotin,
hecl
osed
thedoorandcametotheot
hersi
de,
hegoti
nand
drove.
Luba:
canit
akeyousomewher
e??
Me:huh?
?
Luba:
sinceit
syourl
astdayt
odayatwork,
andyour
l
astdaywithme,iwant
edtospendmoreti
mewith
you.
.
Me:iam onl
yleavi
ngSunday,
itsFr
idayt
oday.
Luba:iwontbearoundt
omorr
ow,ihavesomewor
k
togetdone,t
hat
'swhyiwantt
ospendtimewit
h
you.
Me:ohh,
owk.
.
Luba:
cani
??
Me:mhm.
.
hesmi
ledandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
Aft
eralongwhil
e,wearri
vedatastr
eet
.ther
ewere
ver
ynicehouses,
itl
ookedli
keahouseonahi l
lor
somet
hing,i
twasveryniceandbi
g.
whenisayBi
gimeanBi
g..
Me:wow!
!who'
shousei
sthi
s??
Hi
m:our
s..
Me:mhm.
..
Him:wheniboughtt
hishouse,iwast
hinki
ngonl
y
aboutmeandmydaught er
,butnowihaveyou.i
t
hinkmyf
ami
lyi
scompl
ete.
.
ismil
edashesaidt
hat.idontknowwhathewas
act
uall
ysayi
ng,
butifel
tit.
hehel
dmyhand.
.
Luba:
wantt
oseei
nsi
de?
?
inodded.
.
heopenedt
hegat
eandwewal
kedi
nsi
de.
.
youcoul
dgetl
osti
nthi
shouse.
weviewedt
hehouse,
theviewwhenyouont
he
bal
conyoft
hemainbedroom i
samazi
ng.
Luba:
iwi
llwai
tforyout
ocomebackanddecor
ate
i
t.
il
ookedathi
m.
Me:whati
fidontcomeback?
?
iwasj
ustt
easi
nghi
m.
Luba:
theniwi
llgof
etchyou.
Me:andi
fyoucantf
indme?
Luba:
then,
iwi
llkeepl
ooki
ngunt
ilif
indyou.
.iwi
ll
giveup.
..evenwhentheytel
lmethatyoudontwant
toseeme, iwil
lst
il
lpushtoseeyou.evenwhenyou
sayyoudontwantme, iwil
laskyou3t i
mesto
makesur eit
sreal
lywhatyouwant.
il
ookedathi
m wi
thnowor
dst
osay.
Me:t
hisissur
eabi
ghouse.
.mi
ghtevenf
itt
ohave
10ki
ds..
il
aughed.
.
Luba:
idontmi
ndhavi
ng10ki
ds.
.asl
ongasi
ts
wit
hyou.
.
il
ookedathi
m andil
ookedar
oundshy.
.
iwal
kedt
othebal
conyt
olookout
side.
.
hecameandpl
acedhi
shandovermyshoul
der
..
Luba:
isn'
tthi
sagr
eatpl
acet
obui
ldaf
ami
ly?
?
ismi
ledshyl
y
Me:mhm.
.
heki
ssedmycheekagai
n..
ij
ustsmi
ledl
ooki
ngdown.
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
iar
ri
vedatt
hecompany.
*
*si
gh*
*
iwal
kedi
nandwentt
orecept
ioni
st.
Me:hi
,iam l
ooki
ngf
orMrMkhwanazipl
ease.
Recept
ioni
st:andwhoi
slooki
ngf
orher
??
Me:Bont
leMot
aung.
shenoddedandmadet
hecal
l.
Recept
ioni
st:hewi
llbewi
thyoui
nasec,
please
haveaseat.
Me:t
hankyou.
iwentt
osi
tdownandaf
terawhi
lehecamedown.
hewentt
ot herecept
ionandwasdi
rect
edtome,
whenhelookedatmeir ai
sedmyhandandsmil
ed.
.
hel
ookedatmeasi
fhewasr
ecal
li
ngwhoiwas.
iwal
kedt
ohi
m asheal
socamet
ome.
Me:MrMkhwanazi
,l
ongt
imenosee.
.
Joe:*
sigh*you?
?
Me:yes,
itsme,t
hegir
lyoual
mostr
anoverand
gavemeasarcasti
capol
ogy.
il
ookedar
oundt
hebui
ldi
ng.
Me:ifihadnotknownt hatyouwor
kher
e,iwoul
dn'
t
haveevenlookedforyou.
Joe:howdidyouknowwher
etof
indmeandwhat
mynamei s??
Me:doyouknowsomet
hingcal
ledt
echnol
ogy?
?it
s
f
ast.
Joe:youst
il
lnotanswer
ingmyquest
ion.
Me:yourbossi
sverypopul
arandyouseem cl
ose
t
ohim.that'
showiknewwhoyouar e?
?
Joe:huh?
?
Me:(breat
hsout )areyouthi
sslow??onmyphone,
MrWol fpoppedupwhi l
eiwasongoogle,theni
sawonepi ctur
et hatyouwerei
n,andthat'
swheni
star
tedsearchi
ngaboutMrWol f,sothaticoul
dget
yourname.if
ounditandf
oundwher
etogetyou.
.
underst
andnow??
hel
ookedatme.
.
Joe:what
ever
,whatdoyouwantnow?
?
Me:i
sn'
titobvi
ous??iam sur
eyouearnalotof
moneyhere,af
ewthousandswouldn'
thur
tright
??
j
ustacompensati
on..
Joe:whatcompensat
ion,
idi
dntbumpyou.
Me:yesyoudi dnt
,butyoucausedmetr
auma,il
ive
i
nf earofcar
sbecauseofyou.soshoul
dn'
tyou
pay..
Joe:l
eave!
it
ookoutapaperandwr
otemynumber
s..
ipl
acedt
hem ont
het
abl
eandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:callmewhenyour eadytopay,orimighthave
tot
akemyt her
apyreportsandhandt hem i
ntothe
pol
iceandhavethem i
nvesti
gate.
Joe:ar
eyoudone?
?
Me:mhm.
.enj
oyt
her
estofyourdayMrMkhwanazi
.
iwal
kedoutwi
thasmi
leonmyf
ace.
.
Phase1-begi
ns(
annoyhi
m)
[
12/28,13:
01] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Joe*
*
shewalkedoutandt
urnedandwentupt
omy
off
ice.
.
iwast
ryi
ngt
omakesenseofal
lthi
s.
asiwastr
yingtofi
gureoutt
hiswhol
emess,
my
phoner
ang,itwasLuu.
Me:Luu.
.
Luu:i
needyourhel
p,comet
omyof
fi
ce.
Me:owk.
ihungupandwentt
ohi
sof
fi
ce.
.
iar
ri
vedathi
sof
fi
ce,
iknockedanwal
kedi
n.
Me:iam her
e,howcanihel
pyou?
?
Luuhandedmeaf
il
e.
il
ookedati
tandi
twassomet
hingdi
stur
bing.
.
Me:what
??
Luu:exactl
yasyouseei t.t
hecompanyi sdoi
ngt oo
goodtobet rue,
thiswi
llatt
ractj
our
nalist
sand
pol
iceinvesti
gati
on.wehavet ospl
itaccount
s..
me:whynothaveLubabeapar
tnerofWol
finc.?
?i
meanheisawolf.
Luu:t
rustmeihaveaskinghi
mtodot
hat
,buthe
j
ustdoesntt
akeitser
ious
Me:mabyenowwhenheseest
his,
hewi
ll
.
Luu:mabye,
plusi
tsf
ort
hebusi
ness.
Me:mhm.getLubaonboar d,iwil
lpreparethe
paperwork,thatwayhecanaccountforanother
spl
itaccountandwemaybesaf e.
Luu:*si
gh*mhm,iwil
lgettoi
t.t
hishast
obedone
befor
etheendofnextweek.
inodded.
.
Me:*
sigh*fi
rsti
tst
hewei
rdl
ady,
nowt
his.
..
.today
i
snottheday..
Luu:whatwei
rdl
ady?
?
Me:l
ongst
ory.
..
Luu:?
???
Me:* si
gh*ialmostchasedal adyweeksagowheni
wentt odeli
verthosedocumentst oAuntMartha.
thenasiheadedback, imetheragainandshewas
goingonandonaboutmewant i
ngt ochaseherand
imustapol ogi
ze.ididntwanttr
ouble,soi
apologizedandleft.nowweekslater,shecame
hereaskingformeandt el
lsmet hatshewantsme
tocompensat eher.
Luu:howdi
dsheknowwher
etof
indyou?
?
Me:shesaysshef oundmet hroughtheinter
net.
somet hingli
keshewasongoogl e,
anarti
clewit
h
yourpicturewhereiwasal soi
n,poppedup, she
sawmeandcl i
ckedonit.shet
henst ar
ted
searchingforyouinordertofi
ndoutaboutme
si
nceiwasal wayswithyou.andboom, that'
show
sheknowsmyname, surnameandwer eiwor k.
'
Luu:l
ie!
!shemi
ghthaveknowni tl
ongagoand
tr
appedyoubywalki
ngintheroadwhenyoudr ove.
.
shecouldbeagol
d-di
ggerandallt
hiswasplanned.
Me:gol
d-di
gger
??
Luu:mhm. .imeansheonl
ycamet ofindyouaf t
er
knowingthatyouworkatwolfi
ncandwor stofall
youareclosetome,sheknowsyouear nalot,so
sheistr
yingtogetmoneyfrom you..oldt
rick.
Me:youcouldber i
ght.butimustseewhatis
actual
lyhappeni
ng.iwilldealwi
tht
hat
,letmeget
thepapersfi
rst
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Luu*
*
ij
ustar
ri
vedhome,
iti
spastdi
nnert
ime.
.
iwalkedi
nandwentstr
aightt
oourbedr
oom,
Siyai
s
probabl
yalr
eadysl
eepi
ng.
isl
owlyopenedthedoorandf
oundBoist
il
lonher
phonewit
hthelampon.
Me:ohh,
younotsl
eepi
ngyet
??
Her
:no,
notyet
.
Me:why?
?youwai
ti
ngf
orme?
?
Her
:pshhh,
no.
..youl
oveyour
sel
fshame.
Me:ofcauseido.
.andiknowyoul
ovemet
oo.
.
Her
:mxm.
.
Me:Haaaaa!
!iam t
ir
ed.
.
Her
:come,
letmegi
veyouamassage.
..
Me:ouuuuu,soundsamazi
ng,
butl
etmegoshower
f
ir
st,ismel
lli
kethesun.
Her
:hahaha,
howdoest
hesunsmel
ll
ike?
?
Me:mer
ightnow.
.
shel
aughed.
.
idr
oppedmybagandt
ookoutmyj
acketandt
ie.
.
it
hent
ookoutmyshi
rtandpant
sandputat
owel
on.
t
heni
wentt
otakeashower
.
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasbusyonmyphonewhenLuuwal
kedout
naked.
hedi
dnthaveashir
tonandhadonl
yat
owel
ar
oundhiswai
st.
hewasbusyusi
nghi
ssmal
ltowelt
odr
yhi
shai
r.
hewal
kedt
othemi
rr
orandl
ookedathi
msel
f.
..
hi
m:dontij
ustl
ookwonder
ful
??
Me:youl
ookugl
y..
hel
ookedatmeandl
aughed.
.
hi
m:j
eal
ousy,
jeal
ousy!
!
ij
ustl
ookedathi
m admi
ri
nghi
sbody.
ohhhmyword,
howl
uckyiam t
obebl
essedwi
tha
manli
kehi
m..
Me:Luu.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:i
fyouevercheatonme,
iwi
llcutyourt
hroat
..
hel
ookedatmeandsmi
ledcomi
ngt
ome.
.
hel
ayonme.
Hi
m:whywoul
dicheatonyou?
?
Me:icantgiveyoukidsremember
??soi fyouwant
t
ogetsomeonet ohaveyourki
ds,
pleasekil
lme
f
ir
st,sothatiwontgethurt
..
.
hel
ookedatmewi
thser
iouseyes.
.
Hi
m:whywoul
dyouevensayt
hat
??
me:iknowt hatyoual
wayswant edtobeaf at
her
,
youalwayssaidsoyoursel
f,andicantgrandyou
thatwish.
..nowiwishihadachildbefor
eigot
stabbed..
hel
ookeddownandl
ookedatme.
.
heleanedi
nandkissedme..hekissedmevery
sl
owlyandthenpull
edoutandlookedatme..
Hi
m:iloveyouandwil
lalwaysloveyou.
.idontcare
i
fyoucangivemekidsornot,aslongasyouareby
myside,myli
fei
scomplete.
.imeanihaveSiya..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:bunny!il
oveyou.
.regi
stert
hat
..
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
.
Him:iknowyoumaybewor r
iedaboutthewhole
pregnancyandhavingkids,
butidontwantyouto
worry.
.justl
iveandbefree.
.wecanal waysadopta
chil
d.it
sneveraproblem.
Me:but
..
..
..
..
.
hi
m:nobut
s..yourheal
thcomesf
ir
st.
.owk?
?
inodded.
.
Hi
m:good.
.
ismi
ledal
it
tl
e..
hecuddl
edmeandcamemor
ecl
osert
ome.
.
Him:now,
inst
eadoftal
kingaboutt
hat
,let
stal
k
aboutmymassage.
.
ismi
led.
me:yessi
r.
hesleptonhisstomachandisatonhi
sbut
tand
usedacr eam t
omassagehim..
imassagedhi
sbackandshoul
der
s..
af
terawhi
leiaskedhi
mtot
urnar
ound.
.
Hi
m:what
??youmassagi
ngmychestandabs?
?
me:mhm.
.
ismi
led.
.
Hi
m:j
ustsayyouwantt
otouchi
t.
Me:hahahahandiwast
oseeyourt
att
ooagai
n,i
l
ikehowitlooks.
.
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
wanttoknowwhyLuudi dntsayanyt
hing?
?it
shi
s
sensit
ivepart
.touchi
ngaroundhisV-
li
nedownto
thatpartmakeshim weak.
anot
herreasonisbecauseeversinceigotst
abbed,
weneveractual
lysl
epttogetherbecauseoft
he
tr
aumaoft hepr
egnancything..
hehasbeenholdi
ngbackal
lthesemont
hs.yes,
it
hasbeenmonths.
Luuisver
ysel
fdi
sci
pli
ned.t
hat
'swhatil
ikemost
abouthi
m.
heact
ual
lywai
tedf
ormet
obeowk.
therearedayswer ewewoul dtrybutaswewer e
aboutto,iwoul
dt hinkaboutthepossibil
it
iesofme
beingpregnant
,theniwoul dstopandaskt ogoto
showerorsomet hing,t
hatwasasi gnf orhimthati
wasntready.
il
ookedathi
m andicoul
dal
readyknowwhathe
wasthi
nki
ng..
il
eanedi
nandki
ssedhi
m,hehel
dmywai
stand
ki
ssedback.
ideepki
ssedandicoul
dheart
hroughhi
sbr
eat
h
thathewasget
ti
nghypedup.
.
*
*checkgr
oupnot
if
icat
ionsf
orr
emovedpar
t**
[
12/28,13:
01] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
100
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
I
twasSat
urdaymor
ning,
andt
odayi
smyl
astday
i
nthi
spl
ace.
iam leavi
ngtomorr
owmorni
ng,auntChl
oehad
preparedsomeonewhowoul
dtakemehome.
iwokeupt
omyphoner
ingi
ng.
ipi
ckedi
tupandi
twasLuba.
.
Me:Luba!
Luba:
goodmor
ningPr
incess,
howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam f
ine,
howar
eyou?
?
Luba:
iam happynowt
hatihear
dyourvoi
ce.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..mhm.
..
.
Luba:
imi
ssyou.
.
Me:imi
ssyout
oo.
.
Luba:..
..
..
..
..
.iwi
llcomeseeyout
omor
rowbef
ore
youleaveowk??
Me:owk.
..
Luba:
ihopeyourauntwonthaveapr
obl
em?
?
me:no,sheactual
lyknowsaboutusal
ready,soshe
mightshoutatyouastowhyyoudidntvi
sither
earl
y??
Luba:
real
ly?
?hahahaha,
nowiam scar
ed.
.
Me:scared?
?idi
dntt
hinkLubaget
sscar
edof
peopl
e..
Luba:hahahaha,wellido.igetscar
edofmyi
nlaws,
becauseirespectt
hem.
Me:ahhaha,AuntChl
oeisaveryni
ceaunt
,you
dontneedtogetscar
edofher
..
Luba:
real
ly?
?
Me:mhm.
.
asiwasspeaki
ngt
oLuba,
icoul
dhearmyaunt
scr
eaming.
.
Me:huh,
Luba,
somet
hingi
swr
ong,
ihavet
ogo.
.
Luba:
wai
t,whati
sgoi
ngon?
?
Me:it
'smyaunt,
somet
hingi
swr
ong,
ihavet
ogo
checkonher
..
ispokeasir
ant
oAuntChl
oe'
sroom andasigot
t
hereicoul
dnttal
kasAuntChl oewaslayi
ngont
he
f
loorf
il
ledwit
hwat erandscr
eaminginpain.
.
iswi
tchedmyphoneof
fandi
mmedi
atel
ycal
ledt
he
ambulance.
.
aft
ercall
ingt
heambulanceiwenttoputacaut
ion
underherheadandgaveherwater
..
i
twasnthelpingt
hepai
nsweretoomuch,
youcoul
d
t
ellbecauseshewasevencr
ying.
.
ial
socri
edbecauseicoul
dimagi
net
hepai
nshe
washavi
ng.
.
aft
erawhil
etheambul
ancecameandiwentt
o
openfort
hem.
theycar
riedauntChl
oeandial
sogoti
nthe
ambulance.
afterawhil
ewear
ri
vedi
nthehospi
talandshewas
takeninsi
de.
.
iwant
edt
ogeti
nwi
thherbutiwasntal
lowed.
af
terawhilet
heytol
dmethatshewasinlabor
.i
wasabithappytobeseei
ngthatl
it
tl
esol
dercome
i
ntheworld.
aft
erawhil
e,t
hedoct
orcameout,
helookedatme
andiwentt
ohim smi
li
ng,wai
ti
ngtoheart
hegood
news.
Doc:Mam,
ourpat
ientaskedust
ogi
veyout
his.
.
it
ooki
tandi
twasanot
e.
"pl
easeaskyouraunt ,Mar ytolookaftermychild,
hisfatherranaway, sohedoesnthaveanyone
besidesyouandMar y.youcannamehi m,itr
ust
you.iloveyouNt andoandt hankyouf orbei
nga
goodchi ld.iwil
lmakesur etotellyourmotherifi
seehert hatyouhavegr ownandhavebecomea
wonder fulchil
d.tel
lLubaiam angr ythathedidnt
comeseemei ntimet oletmeknowaboutyour
rel
ationshipwithhim, butsti
ll
,heshoul dt
akecar e
ofyouandl oveyoual ways"
icr
iedandl
ookedatt
hedoct
or.
..
Doc:weareafraidt
oletyouknowoft his,butshe
washavi
ngacompl i
catedpregnancy,shedidnt
comeforcheckupsveryoftensoshedevel oped
somecomplicatedbarr
ier
sar oundthewomb.
shoul
dshehadcomei nsooner ,
wewoul dhave
beenabl et
odet ectt
hem andcleanthem outbefore
bir
th,butnowi twastoolat
e..wetol
dhert hatonly
onecoul dsurvi
ve,eit
hert
hechildorher
.shechose
toletthechil
dlive.
.
Me:what
??
Doc:wear
everysor
rythatyoul
ostyourf
ami
ly
memberli
ket
his,
apologi
es.
ist
oodther
ewi
thal
umpi
nmyt
hroat
,idi
dntknow
whatt
odo..
t
earsf
loweddownmycheekandij
ustdi
dntknow
whatt
odo..
isatdownandf
eltapaininmychest
.ihel
dmy
chestandt
hedoctoraskedi
fiwasowk.
.
Me:iam f
ine.
.iam.
..
.
il
ostsi
ght
,itwasl
ikeiwasl
osi
ngbal
anceandmy
si
ght.
ial
mostf
ellast
hepai
ninmychestbecamepai
nful
t
hedoct
orcal
ledi
nsomeot
herdoct
orsandiwas
t
akent
otheward.
asiwasplacedonthebed,ir
eachedf
ormyphone,i
openedi
twithdi
ff
icul
tysi
ncemyeyeswerefai
li
ng
me..
igavei
ttoonenur
set
hatwast
her
e..
me:Luba.
.Luba!
att
hatmomentigavei
n..
.
*
*Khut
so*
*
iwasont
hecomput
eragai
n,pl
ayi
nganonl
ine
game.
thefemalegamerwasonli
nenowandi thasbeen
l
ongsi ncewepl
ayedtogether.
.wi
thsomuchgoing
on,ineverhadt
imetoplaygames.iam sur
eshe
thoughtweabandonedher..
it
ext
edherf
ir
stt
hrought
hegamei
nbox.
"
hi,
longt
ime.
"
"
hi,
youst
il
lal
ive?
?it
houghtyoudi
ed.
.
"
nah,
iam st
il
lal
ive,
justbusywi
thst
uff
"
"
mhm.
.whatst
uff
??"
"
wel
l,
justsomest
uff
"
"hahahaha,
owk.
.wel
l,
sincewebot
honl
ine,
let
s
playagame?werei
syourpart
ner
??"
"
notonl
ine,
heget
sbusi
ert
hesedays.
."
"isee,
ist
il
lcantwaitt
obeapprovedandwe
becomeat eam,thenwecanovercomethoset
op
gamerswithjusta3tagt
eam"
"i
tmightneverbea3t agteam,seemsli
kemyother
brot
heralsogame,theyjustdontdoi
tal
lthet
ime
becausetheyhaveotherworktodo"
"
howmany?
?"
"
3mor
e..t
hatmakesus5"
"
ahhh,
theniwi
llbet
he6t
h."
"
hahaha,
owk,
let
sgopl
ay"
"
haihaicapt
ain"
ismi
ledandst
art
edt
hegame.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iopenedmyeyesandt
hef
ir
stper
sonisawnextt
o
mewasLuba..
Luba:
pri
ncess?
?Pr
incessar
eyouowk?
?
Me:Luba?
Luba:
yesi
tsme.
.
ismi
ledandt
ear
scameoutofmyeyes.
.
hehuggedmeandi
cri
ed.
.
Me:myauntpassedaway.
..shel
eftmeLuba.
.she
i
sgone.
..
Luba:
shhhh,
itsowk.
.dontcr
y..
Me:(cr
ying)shei
sgoneLuba.
.shel
eftme.
..she
l
eftmealone..
.
Luba:younotalone,
youhaveme,yourauntatt
he
Vil
lageandherkids.
.youal
sonowhaveaunt
Chloe'
schil
d..
iwi
pedmyt
ear
sandl
ookedatLuba,
hepul
ledout
t
hehugandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:wher
eishe?
?
Luba:t
hedoct
orshavehim.
.theycall
edmehere
andtol
dmeeveryt
hing.
.youjusthadashock.
.
il
ookeddown.
.
Luba:
ohh,
theyar
eal
sowai
ti
ngf
oryout
oname
hi
m.
Me:Sbusi
so.
..
.hei
sabl
essi
ng.
..Sbusi
so.
.
Luba:
itsoundsver
yni
ceandr
elat
abl
e..
ismi
ledt
hrought
ear
s..
ihuggedLubaagai
nandhehuggedmeback.
.
[
12/28,13:
04] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
101
.
*
*AuntMar
y**
iwaswal
king,
onmywayhome.
mykidsshoul
dbebackfr
om schoolnow,
ihavet
o
gobackandtakecar
eoft
hem..
i
tisti
mesli
kethi
swhenir
ememberNt
ando,
she
usedtodoever
ythi
ng.
*
sigh*soannoyi
ng.
asiwasworki
ng,
acardr
ovenexttomeandi
l
ookedati
t.i
twasMrZul
u'scar
..
hesignal
edformetogetinandilookedaround
al
readyfear
ingformyli
febecauseihadsaid
Ntandowouldbeheretoday,
butthatannoyi
ng
si
sterofminehadtochangedatesandsaySunday.
mxm.
.
igoti
nandsatl
ooki
ngdown.
MrZul
u:ithoughtyousai
dyouwoul
dbr
ingmy
br
idet
oday??
Me:huh,yessir.
.shewassupposedtoret
urntoday,
butshechangedandaskedtocomet omorrow
si
nceshewant edtospendherl
astdaywithher
aunt.
.
MrZul
u:ar
eyout
ell
ingt
het
rut
horar
eyoubuyi
ng
t
ime?
?doyouevenhavet
hisbr
ideoryouwer
elyi
ng
t
obuyti
me??
Me:noMrZul
u,iwasntl
ying.
..
MrZul
u:doyouhaveapi
ctur
eatl
east
??
ir
eal
ized,
idi
dnthaveanypi
ctur
esofher
..
MrZul
u:youdonthavet
hem doyou?
?
Me:MrZul
u,t
rustme,iwil
lbri
ngyourbri
de
t
omorr
owasshear r
ives,
ipromiseyou.
.
MrZul
u:i
tbet
terbet
omor
row,
orel
se,
iwi
llki
llyou.
.
Me:(
scar
ed)yesMrZul
u..
MrZul
u:getout
..
igotoutqui
ckl
yandhur
ri
edhomeashedr
ove
away..
Me:Nt
andomustcomeback.
.icantdi
e..
aft
erawhileiarri
vedhomeandcalledChl
oe's
phone.shedidntanswer
,ical
ledagai
n,st
il
lno
answer.
.
ahhhhh!wher
edi
dsheputherphonenow?
?ashhhh!
soannoyi
ng.
it
hrewt
hephoneont
het
abl
e..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
t
hedoctorhandedmeSbusi
soandihel
dhi
m wi
th
myhands..
Lubawasst
andi
ngnextt
ome.
.
Me:hil
it
tl
eboy.
.howar
eyou?
?
hekeptki
cki
ngandmovi nghi
shandswant
ingt
o
cr
ybutalsonotcr
ying.
.
Me:welcomet othewor l
dSbusiso,hopeyouwill
growtolovei there.
.it
sjustunf
ortunatet
hatyour
motherleftyouanddi dntevengetthechanceto
seeyou...sheleftwit
houtevenseeingyourface.
.
andyoual sodidntseeher s.
.
t
ear
scamedown,
Lubahel
dmyshoul
der
s.
Luba:
itsowk,
itsowk.
.
Me:iwi
llt
akecar
eofyouboy,
owk?
?
Luba:whatdoyoumean??youaretooyoungto
takecar
eofachil
d,l
etyourot
herauntdoit
..
Me:3year sago,iusedt obabysi tmyaunt schil
d..i
watchedhergr ow,from beingani nfantl
ikeSbusiso,
tobeingayounggi rlsheist oday..sheevencall
s
meNdo. .atthatti
meiwasntf ul
ltimewithher
becausemymom wasst i
llali
ve,andiwasgoi ngt o
school.butshegrewupar oundme. .myaunt
would..
..
..
"wouldmakemebabysi therandt ellmymom t hati
volunt
eeredbutshewasf orci
ngmet o,iwouldwrit
e
myhomewor klateatnightandwhenmymom
shouted,iwasntsupposedt oment iont hatihad
beenbabysi t
ti
ngallday"isai dthatinmyhead, i
didntsayoutloud.ididntwantt ot ellhim whatwas
goingon, idi
dntwantt oi nvolvehim. .thiswasmy
fi
ghtandihadt of i
ghtit..likemymom al wayssaid
"fi
ghtyourbattl
es,dontletsomeoneel sefightt
hem
foryou".
Luba:
yourauntwoul
ddowhat
?
Me:huh.
..not
hing,
shewoul
djusthel
pme,
hel
pme
under
standki
ds.
.soiam ver
yawar
eofhowt
orai
se
ki
ds..
Luba:ahhhh!speakingoft
hat
,di
dyoul
etherknow
thathersi
sterpassedaway??
Me:no,notyet.
.idonthavehernumbers,
soimust
gohome, getauntChloe'
snumbersandgetaunt
Mary'
snumber sthere..
Luba:
whydontyouhavehernumber
s??
Me:ohhh,whenigotthenewphone,ifor
gottoput
t
hem in.
.plusweneverreal
lyt
alk,
sothat'
swhyit
wasntimport
antf
ormet ohavehernumber s.
.
Luba:whydoisensesomebadbl oodbetweenyou
andyouraunt??whenyouspeakaboutAuntChloe,
youli
ghtupandsmi l
e,butwhenyoutal
kabout
AuntMary,youshowsadnessandpain.
.
Me:ohhh,
real
ly?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.why?
?
Me:it
hinkyouseeingt
hings,
ther
eisnot
hingwr
ong,
il
ovethem bot
h..
Lubal
ookedatmeandismi
l
ed.
.
il
ookedatSbusi
so.
.
Me:sowecant
akehi
mtoday?
?
Luba:yes.
.igotSam t
opickupsomebabyclot
hing
atthestor
eandsomebasi cbabyf
oodand
somethingli
kethat
,heshoul
dbehereanyt
imenow..
j
ustatt
hatmomenthi
sphoner
ang.
.
Luba:speakoft
hedevi
l.
.hemustbeher
e,st
ay
here.
.
inodded.
.
Me:dontwor rySbusiso,iwillt
akecareofyou, iwil
l
notletAuntMar ytomistreatyou.iwil
lguar dyou
witheveryt
hingihave,yourmom di dntknowwhat
ki
ndofwomanAuntMar yis,icantbeli
evesheeven
tr
ustedhertot akecareofyou...well
,thatwont
happen,iwil
ltakecareofyou. .iwil
lprotectyou.
.
witheveryt
hingihave..owk? ?
ismi
led.
.
hewasinsomebl
anket
sst
il
lnaked,
itwashospi
tal
bl
anket
s.
af
terawhi
le,
Lubacamei
nwi
th2bags.
wechangedthechildandputonsomethingwarm,
t
heni putonthebabyholderandputhi
mi ni
tand
wrappedablanketaroundhim.
Me:di
dyousendal
istt
ohi
m??
Luba:
yes,
why?
?
Me:onlyaper
sonwi
thachi
ldandexper
ienceknow
whattobuyfi
rst
.
Lubasmi
led.
.
Me:itsremi
ndsmewhenPi nkywasbor
n,iwasso
fr
eakingoutidi
dntevenknowwhatt
obuy..mydad
helpedmeout..
wegotever
ythi
ngandwentt othehospi
tal
,icoul
dnt
evenhol
dPinky.iwasscar
ed..shewassosmal l
andfr
agi
le.
.
ismi
led.
.
Me:youseem t
oreal
lyl
oveyourdaught
er?
?
Luba:
mhm..
.sorryf
oral
waystal
kingabouther
,i
someti
mesf
orgetmysel
fandendupbeingcarr
ied
away.
.
Me:whyyousor ry,
shei syourdaughter
,and
whoeverlovesyoumustl oveyourdaughter
..i
fiam
goingtobewithyou,imustknowyourdaught er
andlearnwhatshelikesanddoesntli
kesot hati
getwellwit
hherandunder standher
..
hel
ookedatmeandsmi
led.
.
Me:ionlysawheronce.
..shelooksli
keavery
smartkid,ir
ememberhercorr
ectingmeonal esson
iwastryingtot
eachher
..iwassoembar r
assed,but
welaughedaboutit
..
Luba:
ohhh,
thet
imei
nthecar
??
me:mhm..shel
ikeschal
lengi
ngpeopl
e'
smi
nds,
its
l
ikeshepl
aysmindgames..
Luba:
mhm.
.that
'showshewasr
aised.
.
Me:hahaha,
isee.
.mhm.
.caniaskyousomet
hing
per
sonal?
?
Luba:
mhm.
..
Me:whydi
dyoubr
eakupwi
thhermot
her
??
Luba:
shebr
okeupwithme..shelef
tmef oranot
her
menyear
sagoandforal
ltheseyears,
ihadtotake
car
eofPi
nky,
alone.
.
Me:sonowshei
sback.
Luba:yes.
.butdontworr
y,shewil
lnotcome
betweenus..il
oveyouandonlyyou.
.
ismi
led.
.
Luba:owk,soiwil
ltakeyouhome, youwilltake
auntChloe'
sphoneandcallyourotheraunt,then
tel
lherwhathappened.t
henwewi l
lhearfrom ther
e,
whatshesuggestsaboutthi
ssituati
on.owk? ?
Me:mhm.
..
Luba:andtoni
ght,wil
lyoubeowksleepi
ngal
one
wit
hthechild?
?idontmi ndget
ti
ngsomeonetohel
p
youforti
mebei ng.
.
Me:ahel
perwi
llbef
ine,
thankyou.
.
Luba:ij
ustdontwanttodisr
espectyouraunthome..
soicantsl
eepover.butiwil
lgetahelpert
hatwill
hel
pyou.andiwillbehereeverymorningtocheck
onyou.owk??
inodded.
.
aft
erawhi
lewearr
ivedandhehel
pedmewi
tht
he
bagsandwentwi
thmeinthehouse.
.
hehel
pedmecleant
hehouseandal
sot
opr
epar
e
Sbusi
so'
sbot
tl
e..
hehel
pedmesetup.
Luba:
therestofthebabyst
uffwi
llbedel
iver
edi
n
themorni
ng..owk??
inodded.
.
me:t
hankyou.
.
Lubasmi
led.
.
[
12/28,13:
04] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*AuntMar
y**
iwasathomewatchingscandalwhenmyphone
rang,
itwasChl
oe,f
inal
lyshecall
ed.
Me:Chl
oe,ihavebeent
ryi
ngtogethol
dofyoufor
sol
ong.wherehaveyoubeenkeepi
ngyourphone?
?
icoul
dhearbr
eat
hing,
butnoonewast
alki
ng.
.
Me:Chl
oe?
?
it
henhear
dababycr
y..
ohhhmywor d,sheal
readygavebi
rt
h???andshe
doesntevent
ellme.
.mxm, sel
fi
shsist
er.
.
Me:youevengavebirt
handyoudi dntevent
ellme,
soisthatwhyyoucouldntansweryourphone? ?
youwerei nl
abor?
?ohhhsor r
y,ishouldhavetri
ed
cal
li
ngNt ando,
butial
sodonthavehernumber s.
.
Voi
ce:AuntMar
y!
igotconf
used.
.itdi
dntsoundli
keChloe'
svoi
ce,
but
someonewhosoundedl i
ketheywerecryi
ng.
Me:whoi
sthi
s??
Voi
ce:i
tsme.
..(
cryi
ng)Nt
ando!
Me:Nt
ando?
?whati
sit
??whyar
eyoucr
ying?
?
Nt
ando:AuntChl
oe,
she.
..
.shepassedaway.
..
Me:what
??
Nt
ando:shel
eftmewi
thSbusi
so.
.
Me:Sbusi
so?
?whoi
sSbusi
so?
?
Nt
ando:(
Sni
ff
)her
..
.
iheardababyagain.
.andicouldntbel
ievei
t.
.Chl
oe
passedonandleftherbabybehind??whoisgoi
ng
tolookaf
terhi
m? ?me??yasas..
.dontihave
enoughkidsal
ready??
Me:ahhhh, igetitnow..**
sigh**li
sten,youhaveto
comedownt ot hevil
laget
omor row,comewi th
Sbusiso..iwil
ltakecareoftherest.
.iwillhi
reacar
tofet
chChl oe'sbodyandwewi l
lhavet hefuneral
her
e,shewi l
lbeburiedwithourparents..t
hisis
ver
ypai nful
..
shekeptsni
ff
ing.
.
Me:dontcr
yanddowhatit
ellyout
odo,
owk?
?
Nt
ando:yesaunt
..
Me:good.
.
ihungupandhel
dmyhead.
.
whatwi
llidonow?
?
iam al
readypoorandhereisanotherl
oadt
otake
careof
f..doesanyoneknowhowexpensiveababy
is?
?haaaasshhhh!soannoying.
..
whatwi
llido.
..
**si
gh**al
ready3kidsar
etoomuch,now4? ?wor
st
ofallani
nfant?
?tal
kaboutsl
eepl
essnight
s..
.
yasasnx..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
af
tershehungupil
ookedatSbusi
so.
iguesswehavet
opackbi
gboy.
.
it
ookmyphoneandcal
ledLuba.
.
heanswer
edal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y..
Hi
m:Pr
incess.
.
Me:Luba,
iam sor
ryf
orcal
li
ngsol
ate.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:mhm.
.wear
efi
ne.
.ij
ustwant
edt
otel
lyout
hat
icall
edAuntMary,
andshetol
dmet
ogot
othe
Vil
laget
omorrowaspl
anned..
hi
m:what
??
Me:mhm, shesai
dshewi l
lhandl
ether
estandwi
ll
hir
eacartocomewithauntChloe'
sbody,
the
funer
alwi
llbeatt
heVil
lage.
Him:no!doessheevenknowwhatshei stal
king
about??youcantupandl eave,t
hereare
appli
cati
onstofi
ll
edforAuntChl oe'
sbodyand
thi
ngstobedonebef orelet
tingthebodytobet aken
outoftheprovi
nce,doesntsheknowt hat?
?
Me:huh.
..idontknow.
.
Him:*si
gh*li
sten,
iwi
llbet
her
etomor
rowmor
ning,
dontl
eave.owk??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:owk?
?
Me:owk.
..
.
Hi
m:good.
.
il
ookeddownwi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d..
.
Hi
m:dontwor
ry,youandSbusisowi
llbeowk..ij
ust
wantt
ounder
standwhatyouraunti
stalki
ngabout.
Me:owk.
.
Sbusi
sost
art
edcr
ying.
.
Me:ohh,ihavet
ogonow,
Sbusi
soi
scr
ying,
tal
k
agai
n..
Hi
m:owk.
.sl
eepwel
l.
.
Me:owk.
.goodni
ght
..
ihungupandwentt
oSbusi
so.
.
.
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Luba*
*
iarr
ivedatNt
ando'
shousever
yearl
y.ical
led
Ntandotocomedownandopen..
sheopenedf
ormeandiwal
kedi
n..
Me:hasyourauntcal
led?
?
Her
:mhm.
.ij
ustsai
diwasst
il
lpr
epar
ing,
idi
dnt
wantt
ot el
lhert
hatyousai
dishoul
dn'
tleave,
she
wasgoingtogetangry.
.
Me:getangr
y??
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
.huh.
..
..yes,
thatidi
dntl
ist
ent
oher
,but
t
oastranger.
.
Me:ohh,
iunder
stand.
.
herphoner
angandsheshowedi
ttome,
itwasher
aunt.
.
inoddedf
orhert
oanswer
..
Her
:Aunt.
..yesaunt
..
.noaunt,
act
ual
lysomeone
woul
dli
ket ospeakt
oyou..
..
.
ir
eachedf
ort
hephone.
.
Me:GoodMor
ningMam.
.
Her
:Goodmor
ning.
..
Me:iwantedt
ospeakt oyouregardingthematter
ofMsNtandogoingbackt ot
heVi l
lage.
.isther
eno
onecomingheretof
inali
zeallpaperwork??
Her
:paper
wor
k??f
orwhat
??
Me:MsChl
oe'
sbodyandal
lot
hert
hings.
.
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
me:aswellasMsChloe'
sinsur
ancemoneyf r
om
thecompanyshehasbeenworkingi
n..wontt
hatbe
coll
ect
edaswell
??
Her
:money?
??
Me:yes.
.sheusedt owor kforWol f
.i
nc.the
companyalwayssepar atessomef undsandwhen
thi
ngsli
kethishappens, t
heirl
ovedonesar enotl
eft
wit
houtanything,
soint hiscase,al
lherfundscan
beusedtoraiseSbusisoashei sherson..
Her:well
,whydidntNtandoment i
ont hatt
herewas
somethingli
kethattocollect
,imeannott hatil
ove
money,butitsbenefi
cialyouknow. .wecouldbuy
kidsf
ood,clothi
ng,pl
usi t
swi nt
erseason, we
shouldgetsomewar mt hingsforthem andshops
tendtobeveryexpensive..
Me:yes,
that
'scor
rect
..
her
:wel
l,saynomor
e.ohhhandanothert
hing,
i
ki
ndofdontknowwher
etheplacei
s,sohowwould
icome?
?
il
ookeddownandl
ookedatNt
ando.
.
Me:wewillgetat
ranspor
ttofet
chyoufrom wher
e
youli
veanddropyouexactl
ywhereNtandoand
Sbusi
soare..
Her
:ohhhthatwoul
dbeamazi
ng.
.gr
eat
..t
heniwi
ll
ber
eadyinafewhours.
.
Me:nomam.
.ourguyswi
llcomedownt
omor
row
morni
ng.
.
Her:owk.
.noproblem..whatagent
lemenyouare.
.
youalwayssaytherightandi
mport
antthi
ngs.
.
igaveNt
andot
hephone,
shecont
inuedt
alki
ng.
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
iwasnowatLuu'
shouse,
wewer
echi
ll
ingi
nthe
Study.
.
Me:youhavenoi deahowshechangedoncei
spokeaboutmoney...icoul
dhearallt
hati
nher
voi
ce..ihaveabadfeelingaboutt
hataunt
..
Luu:youcantj
ustjudgepeoplef
rom howthey
speakorwhateveranal
ysesyoudo..f
orallweknow,
mabyetheyarepoor,ver
ypoorthatwhentheyhear
moneytheywoul dsoanythi
ngtogetit
..
Me:that
'stheprobl
em r
ightt
here.
.desperat
ioncan
bedangerous.
.especi
all
yifl
oveisnotinvol
ved.
.
Luu:huh.
.
Me:ifiam desperat
eformoneyanddontcar
e
aboutpeoplearoundme,theni
tmeansidontmi
nd
hurt
ingthem i
nt henameof"maki
ngmoney".
Luu:yousayi
ngshecoul
dbehur
ti
ngNt
andoand
Sbusiso?
?
Me:i tsjustconf
using.
.iam t r
yingt oaddthe
pieces..imeanwhenNt andot al
ksaboutAunt
Chloe, shebecomesbr i
ghtandsmi l
es,butwhen
shet alksaboutAuntMar y,sheshowssadnessand
somepai ninhereyes.
.andnowial sohaveabad
feeli
ngabouther .
.andal so,shet endstobethetype
ofauntwhowoul dsellherkidsj usttohavemore
money. .
Luu:hahahaha,
that
'swayt
oof
ar.
.nomot
herwoul
d
dot
hat
..chi
ll
,nowyoumaki
ngheramonst
er.
.
Me:*
*si
gh*
*Luu.
.
Luu:mhm.
.
Me:ineedaf
avort
oask.
.
Luu:whati
sit
??
Me:whenshecomesheret
oaskfortheinsurance
money,gi
veheral
it
tl
etr
oubl
e,iwanttoanalyse
somethi
ng.
.
Luu:hahaha,youst
il
lthi
nksheput
smoneyont
op
ofherkids?
?
Me:j
ustdot
hatf
orme.
.
Luu:i
wil
l,
ifyouagr
eet
obepar
tofWol
f.
inc.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Luu:i
wasj ustt
ryi
ngmyluck.pl
usweneedyout
o
co-
operat
e,ourcompanydependsoni
t.
.
Me:*si
gh*fi
ne.
.justsoyouknow,
thepaper
shave
beenfi
ledal
ongtimeago..
Luu:whatpaper
s??
me:l
astname.
..
Luu:yout
ooki
tbackt
oWol
f??
me:i
tcost
edmesomuchmoneybecauseihadt
o
doPi
nky'
soneaswel
l.
Luu:iwil
lpayyouback.
.nowher
e,t
hat
'st
he
part
nershi
pcontr
act.
.
Me:youf
asthai
..
Luu:idontpl
ayinther
isksoflosi
ngt
hiscompany.i
workedhardfori
ttobehere.
.
Me:hahaha,
owkcousi
n,iwi
llhel
pyou.
.
Luu:t
hankyou.
.
me:iwi
lll
etmyl
awyerr
eadi
tthr
ough,
ist
il
lhaven'
t
t
rust
edyou.
Luu:mxm.
.
wel
aughed.
..
[
12/28,13:
04] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
102
.
*
*AuntMar
y**
acarpi
ckedmeupwithmykidsSundaymor
ning
andwetookaver
ylongdr
ive.
imustsayiti
ssuchaf ancycarandt
hemenar
e
ver
yquietandneversayanythi
ng.
wedr
oveandaf
terawhi
le,
wear
ri
ved.
.
t
hecarpar
kedandwewer
etakeni
nthehouse.
imetNt
andoi
nsi
de.
Me:haoNtando,
sothi
sisthi
showyouhavebeen
l
ivi
ng??t
hat'
swhyyoudidntwantt
ocomeback??
Nt
ando:huh.
..noaunt
..
.
Me:mhm..
.here,
taketheset
omyr
oom,
iam t
ir
ed,
andf
oodiam hungry.
.
Nt
ando:yesaunt
..
.
Me:good.hur
ryupandgo.
..
isatdownandasiwasseat
ed,
igotaphonecal
l,
it
wasMrZul
u'smen.
ideci
dednottoanswer
,it
snotl
ikehewi
llknow
whereiam..
it
hensatbackl
ooki
ngatt
hisbi
ghouse.
.
.
*
*Luu*
*
iam l
ooki
ngatLubawhol ooksl
ikeamessher
ein
fr
ontofme..ihaveneverseenmycousinasamess
li
ket
his.
Me:haveyouseenhowofamessyouar
e??you
evenst
art
ingt
olookugl
y..
Luba:
iknow.
.
Me:andyouar
efi
newi
thi
t??
Luba:iam al
readytakenandthepersonwho'
s
makingmest ressl
i
ket hi
sistheonewhotookme
offt
hemar ket
..soi
tsalri
ght.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:wel
l,
canist
ressyouevenmor
e??
Luba:
aboutwhat
??
Me:auntMar
thawant
stoseeyou?
?
Luba:
who?
?
Me:shei
smymot
her
'ssi
ster
..
Luba:
ohhhh,
whydi
dntiknowaboutt
his?
??
Me:becausei
tsnotyourpl
acet
oknow.
.
Luba:
ouch!
!owk.
.
me:so,
wil
lyougomeether
??
Luba:
why?
?it
snotl
ikesheknowsme.
.
me:mabyeshej
ustwant
stoseemycousi
n..
Luba:
pshhhh,
ahhhhh,
what
ever
..sowhenar
ewe
goi
ngtoseeher?
?
Me:t
hisweekend.
.
Luba:
mhm.
.owk.
.
Me:ir
eal
lyhat
eseei
ngyoul
iket
his.
..ser
iousl
y..
Luba:t
hisi
swhathappenswhenyoujustdont
knowwhattodo.
.imeaniam smartandvery
anal
yzi
ngbutwhenitcomestot
hissit
uati
on,i
ts
l
ikeal
lmyskil
lsj
ustgobl
ankandibecomel
ikea
usel
essboyf
ri
end.
Me:wel
l,
wear eheretohel
p,soanyt
hingyouneed
hel
pwit
h,justt
ellus.
.wearebrot
her
snow..
Luba:youcanjusthel
pwit
hwhatiaskedandt
he
restiwi
llf
igur
eitout.
..
Me:owk.
.
Luba:
(breat
hsout)l
etmegohavesomesl
eep,
mabyeitmighthel
p..
Me:yah..it
hinkyoushould..andimeanit..t
oday
auntMarywi l
lar
riveandshewi l
lbeti
red,herki
ds
too.
.sopleasegivethem space,youwil
lgosee
them t
omor r
ow..
Luba:ohhhhno, iwil
lnotbevisi
tingthem, idont
thi
nkiwanttoshowmyf aceasyet..butispoket o
myl awyerst
oseei ntoprocessi
ngAuntChl oe'
s
fi
nancial
sandf i
ndouti fshehadawi ll
..thenfrom
ther
eon, iwi
llbebasicall
ysendingmyl awyert o
speaktoauntMar yandcomebackt or eporttome,
that
'sit
..
Me:youwontgot
her
e??
Luba:asyoucansee,iam Nt
ando'
sboyf
ri
end,
isn'
t
i
tdisr
especti
figothere?
?
Me:yah,
youar
eri
ght
..
.
Luba:i
fmabyeiwasnot,
iwoul
dgot
her
e,i
t
wouldn'
tbeapr
oblem.
Me:wel
l,
yah,youri
ght
..gor
estandl
etyourl
awyer
t
akecar
eoftherest
..
Luba:mhm,
that
'st
hepl
an.
.ij
ustwantSbusi
soand
Ntandot
obewell
..
Me:sot
heywi
llbest
il
lgoi
ngbackt
otheVi
ll
age?
?
Luba:
yes...f
ort
hefuneral
..t
henaf
tert
hef
uner
al,
wewillseewhatwewilldo.
Me:mhm...owkboy.goandgetsomer
est
..and
pl
easedontdri
ve,
youaretooti
red.
.
Luba:
iam sur
eicandr
ivef
rom her
etohome.
.
me:no.
..getoneofmyguyst
odr
iveyouhome.
.
Luba:
ahhhhh,
*br
eat
hsout
*owk.
..
Me:Luba.
.
Luba:
iwi
ll
..
.iwi
ll
..
.
*
*2daysl
ater
**
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Luba'
slawyerhadal
ldocument
sofChl
oe,
andwas
atChl
oe'shouse.
.
her
angt
hebel
landNt
andocameoutt
omeethi
m..
Lawyer
:GoodMor
ningMs,
ist
hiswer
eMsChl
oe
######usedt
oli
ve??
Nt
ando:yessi
r,shei
smyaunt
..
Lawyer:t
heniam att
her
ightpl
ace.
..mynamei
s
JacksonRadebe,
iam al
awyer.
.
Ntando:ohhhh.
.MrNkosimademeawar
eofyour
vi
sitt
oday..
Lawyer
:that
'
sgr
eat
,mayicomei
n??
Nt
ando:yes,
please.
.
hewal
kedi
nandNt
andol
eadhi
mint
hehouse.
.
Mar ywasinthel
ivi
ngroom watchi
ngTVashis2
youngestki
dsplayedaroundthehouseandt
he
oldestwastheonecarr
yingthechi
ld.
.
asthelawyerent
eredMarypret
endedtobebusy
andthentookSbusisof
rom t
heolderchi
ldand
pret
endtobelookingaf
terhi
m..
Mary:howNt
ando,
whydontyousayt
hatwehavea
vi
sit
or??
Ntando:sor
ryaunt
..t
hisi
sMrRadebe,
auntChl
oe'
s
l
awyer..
Mar
y:l
awyer
??
Mar
yst
oodup.
.
shegavethechi
ldt
oNt
andoandwal
kedt
oMr
Radebe.
Mar
y:whati
sitabout
??
MrRadebe:t
hisi
saboutMsChl
oe'
sfi
nances.
.
Mar
y:ohhh,
pleasesi
tdown.
..
MrRadebewentt
osi
tatt
het
abl
e.
Mar
y:woul
dyoul
ikesomewat
er?
?
MrRadebe:not
hankyou,
iwi
llgetst
rai
ghtt
o
busi
ness.
..
Mary:owk,
Ntando,gopl
ayout
sidewi
tht
heki
ds,
t
hisisnotf
oryou..
MrRadebe:act
uall
y,MsNtandohastobeher
e..i
t
wasaspecialr
equestf
rom MrNkosi
..
Mar
y:whoi
sMrNkosi
??
MrRadebe:weshal
lgeti
ntoi
tnow.
.
Mar
ylookedatNt
andoandNt
andol
ookeddown.
.
MrRadebe:MsChl oehad4f i
nancialf i
les.
.oneis
herfuner
alcover.wehavecont actedt hefuneral
companyandt heywi llbet aki
ngMsChl oetot he
Vil
lageandgiveheradi gnifi
edf uneral,soyoudont
havetowor r
yaboutt hecostt her e.
.thesecondone
i
shercont r
ibut
ionsatt hecompany, itisatotal
amountofR704000.t henwehavet het hi
rdone
whichwasherbanki ngi nvest
ment sandsavi ngs
andeveryt
hingunderhernamei nthebank.i tisa
tot
alamountofR3600539.andl astlyishersons
saveupfees.MsChl oehadopenedanaccount
underadiff
erentbankspeci fi
callyforhersonabout
8monthsago..andsof
arithol
dsuptoR500653.
t
her
efore,
alli
nall,
MsChloehasaboutR4805192.
Mary'
seyespoppedoutandshecoul
dntbel
ieve
whatshewasheari
ng.
.
Mar
y:4mi
ll
ion?
?
MrRadebe:R4805192.yesover4mi
ll
ion.
.
Mary:ohhhhl
ord.
..somuchmoney..wasmysi
ster
sori
ch???nowondershestayedi
nsuchabig
house.
.
Nt
andoj
ustl
ookeddown.
.
MrRadebe:ifMsChl oedidnthaveki ds,
themoney
wouldhavebeengi ventothefami l
yandl ovedones,
butsinceweallknowt hatshehasason, that
meanst hi
samountwi llonl
ybegi ventotheMs
Chloe'
sson..andshouldanythinghappent ohi
m,
wear etol
dtoblockallMsChl oe'
smoneysand
sendittotheorphans..
Mar
y:what
??why?
?
MrRadebe:weareawar
ethatal
otoff
amily'
sfeuds
t
hat
'shappenjustf
ormoney,
soshoul
dthechil
d
passawayorsomet
hing,themoneywil
lhavet
ogo
totheor
phansandt
hef amil
yget
snothi
ng..
Ntandowasalit
tl
ebitrel
ievedandhappybecause
sheknewthatherauntwoulddoanythi
ngtogetthe
money..
MrRadebe:t heguardianofthekidwillreceive
accesstowi t
hdrawingamaxi mum ofR5kamont h
i
nor dertosupportandf eedthechil
d..shouldyou
needal ar
geramountf oremergencypur poses,you
wil
lhavet ocontactthelawyersandhavet hem take
i
nyourr equestsandt hebankwi l
ldoaf ollowup
dependingonhowur gentthesit
uati
oni s..
Mar
y:huh.
..onl
yR5k?
?
MrRadebe:yesmam.
.
Mary:agggg,
lawsoft hi
scountry.
.dot
heyact
ual
ly
t
hinkicankil
lmysi st
erschi
ldformoney?
?imeani
wontevensellanyoneformoney..
MrRadebe:weknowmam,
buti
tsj
usthowi
tis.
.
Mary:
mxm. .wel
l,
anyway,
whencanist
art
wi
thdrawi
ngtheR5k??
MrRadebe:af
tersi
gni
ngt
hisl
ett
er.
.
Mar
y:whati
sthi
s?
MrRadebe:thisi
sjusttoshowt
hatyouare
accept
ingallt
hefi
nancial
sandyouarest
eppi
ngi
n
asaguardiantoSbusiso.
.
Mar
y:owk.
.
Marysignedallthepaperswi
thoutevenr
eadi
ngor
checki
nganything..moneydoesbli
ndpeopl
e.
t
hel
awyerwr
appedupandsai
dgoodbye.
.
hegotoutandgoti
nhi
scar
,het
hencal
ledLuba.
.
Luba:
Jackson,
didyousucceed?
?
MrRadebe:yessi
r.
.shebel
ievedever
ythi
ngisai
d
andsi
gnedthepapers.
.
Luba:
(chuckles)iknewshewasaf
tert
hemoney,
i
hadabadf eeli
ngabouther
..
MrRadebe:MrNkosi ,
iknowit
snotmypl acetosay
thi
s,butidontthi
nkmadam i
shappyinthathouse,
shelookedverysadanhadamar konherneck..
shekeptlooki
ngdownt ohi
deit
,buticoul
dseeit.
.
Luba:
areyousayi
ngt
hisauntabusesher
??
MrRadebe:idontknowsi
r.
.iwasj
ustsayi
ngwhati
saw.
.
Luba:owk..thankyouforl
ett
ingmeknow..
remembert okeepthedocumentssaf
e,imi
ghtneed
them oneday...
MrRadebe:yesboss.
.
Luba:goodj
ob.
.yourpaymentwil
lbeprocessed
befor
etheendoft
odayinyourbankaccount..
MrRadebe:t
hankyousi
r.
.
Lubahungupandsi
ghed.
.
hewasplayi
ngchess.hemovedapi
eceand
smi
led.
.
"AuntMar y?
?whatareyourint
enti
ons??havethey
tol
dyout hatiam t
hejeal
ousandpossessivet
ype??
ihatepeoplewhomesswi thpeopl
eilove"
[
12/28,13:
04] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
103
.
*
*AuntMar
y**
Me:MrZul u,iwil
lneverli
eaboutsomethi
ngli
ke
thi
s,mysisterreal
lysuddenl
ypassedaway,soi
hadtogot owher esheusedtostayjustt
ofi
nali
zed
somepaper workandgetmysi st
ersbodybackto
theVil
lageforherfuneral
.
MrZul
u:iam si
ckandti
redofyourexcuse,
ifmy
bri
dei
snothereormymoney,inful
l,bySatur
day,
youar
edead.youhearme??
Me:Sat
urday?
?..
..hel
lo?
?hel
lo?
?MrZul
u??
ahhhhh,
hehungup.
..
.
ohdeariam dead.
.
ihavetoei
thergetR800000byFr
idayorget
NtandotoMrZulubyFriday.
..
ahhhhh,
andFr
idayi
sjusta2daysaway.
imustt
hinkofsomet
hing.
.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwasinmyroom f
eedingSbusi
so,hejustf
ini
shed
bat
hingandhewaslookingashandsomeas
al
ways..
Sne:ndo!
Me:yesSne.
.
Sne:mana?
?
shesai
dthatpoi
nti
ngatSbusi
so.
.
Me:yesSne,
ngumnt
wana.
.
shesmi
ledandkeptsayi
ng"
mana"al
lthet
ime.
.
Samu:whenyoudonef
eedi
nghi
m,canihol
dhi
m?
Me:mhm.
.
af
terf
eedi
nghi
m igavehi
mtoSamu:
Me:her
e..dontmakehi
mfal
l.
.
Samu:haoSi
sNt
ando
Me:haveyouf
orgot
tent
hatiusedt
ohel
pyout
ake
car
eofSnewhenshewassmal l
??
Me:(
smi
le)seemsisl
ight
lyf
orgot
..phel
ayouwer
e
youngyour
sel
f.
.
shesmi l
edasshekeptmovi
ngt
hechi
ldsl
owl
yso
thatshedoesntcr
y.
Samu:hel
ookssohandsome.
.
Me:iknowr
ight
..
.
myphoner
angandil
ookedati
t,i
twasLuba.
.
Me:Samu,iwi
llbebacknow,
now.
.pl
easewat
ch
t
hechil
dcaref
ull
y,owk??
Samunodded.
.
ir
anoutandwentt
othebackyar
dandanswer
ed
mycal
lther
e..
Me:hiLuba.
.
Hi
m:di
dyouhaveyourphoneont
her
oof
??
Me:ahhh,
no.
.ij
ustwant
edt
ogooutf
ir
st.
.
hi
m:ohhh,
isee.
.howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam f
ine.
..
Hi
m:andSbusi
so?
?
Me:hei
sal
sodoi
ngwel
l,
hei
sneverl
onel
ybecause
Samu,
Mpi
loandSnear
eal
wayspl
ayi
ngwi
thhi
m..
Hi
m:ahhhh,
that
'sgr
eat
..soyouar
ebor
edand
l
onel
y??
Me:well
,imeaniam al
lint
hehousewit
hnothi
ngt
o
do,
itwasevenbett
erwheniusedtowork.
Him:mhm igetyou.
.buthowareyouthough,
li
ke
real
ly?
?wi
thyourauntsdeat
h,Sbusi
so,howare
you??
Me:iam.
..
..
.iam.
..
..wel
l.
..
.
Voi
ce:Nt
ando!
!!
Me:ahhh,
ihavet
ogobye.
..
ihungupandlookedback.
.myauntwascomi
ng
towar
dsme,shelookedveryangr
y..
.
AuntMar
y:whower
eyout
alki
ngt
oont
hephone?
??
Me:noonema!
AuntMar
y:noone?
?ist
hatt
hename?
?
il
ookeddown.
..
shecamecl
osert
ome.
.
AuntMar
y:gi
vemet
hatphone.
..
igavehert
hephone.
AuntMar
y:openi
t.
..
iopenedi
tandshewentt
omycal
lerhi
stor
y..
AuntMary:Luba?
?whoist
his?
?youhavea
boyf
ri
endnow? ?huh?
?
idi
dntanswer
..
AuntMary:haiwena,
haveyoust
art
edsl
eepi
ng
ar
ound??
Me:nomama,
ihavenot
..
.
AuntMar
y:Ntando?
?youhavegi
venawayyour
womanhood.
.
ishookmyheadal
readyt
ear
ing.
..
Me:noma!
!idi
dnt
..
AuntMar
y:Nt
ando!
!
shesai
dthatpl
aci
ngasl
apacr
ossmycheek.
.
AuntMary:doyouknowhowmuchihavei
nvest
ed
onyou?
?andyougoar ounddoi
ngt
his?
?huh??
Nt
andoar
eyousl
eepi
ngar
ound?
?
Me:noaunt
,iswear
,ihaven'
tsl
eptar
ound.
.iswear
..
AuntMar
y:Nt
ando?
?
icr
iedshaki
ngmyhead.
.
shesl
appedmeagai
nandif
elldown,
thenshe
ki
ckedme..
AuntMar
y:youbett
erbetal
kingthet
rut
h,oriwillgo
t
hrowyouinthebushesf
ortheratst
oeatyou..nx..
shel
eftmet
her
ecr
ying.
shel
eftwi
thmyphone.
.
*
*AuntMar
y**
thatst
upi
dgir
lcoul
dbeplanningt
oelope
somewhere,
iwil
ldef
ini
tel
yteachheralesson.
.
ilookedatherphoneandwentt
othr
owi
tint
he
toil
et.
.
if
lushedandl
efti
tint
her
e.
af
terawhi
le,
iwentt
ocal
lMrZul
u..
.
MrZulu:ar
eyoucal
l
ingt
odel
ivermybr
ideor
money??
Me:MrZulu,ihaveyourbri
de.
.butt
herei
sa
probl
em,
seemsl ikeiwontbeabl
etotakehert
o
youbyFr
iday..
MrZul
u:t
henpr
epar
etodi
e..
Me:nowai
t,wai
t.
.ihaveasol
uti
on.
.
MrZul
u:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:whydontyoucomef
etchher
?
MrZul
u:what
??
Me:mysi st
er'
smoneysar ebei
ngprocessed,
and
theprocessmi ghttakeupto3weeks,soyoucan
comef etchyourbr i
deandiwil
lst
ayheretowaitfor
themoney. .
.iwillonl
ybeattheVi
ll
ageonSat ur
day
fort
hef uneralandthat'
sit
.
MrZul
u:owk.
.sendmet
headdr
ess.
.
Me:yessi
r.
.
hehungupandismi
led.
.
ibet
tert
akeherawaybef
orehesl
eepswi
thmen
andbecomesofnoval
uet
ome.
.
ismi
led.
..
myphonerangagai
nandianswer
edwi
thout
checki
ngt
hecall
erI
D.
Me:MrZul
u,noneedt
owor
ry,
alli
sset
..
MrRadebe:sor
rymam,
iti
sme,
MrRadebe,
the
l
awyer
..
me:ohhh,
MrRadebe,
apol
ogi
es,
iwasntawar
e..
MrRadebe:i
tisowk,iwasjustcal
li
ngtonot
if
yyou
t
hatthefi
nanci
alswi
llt
akeal i
tt
lebi
tofti
me,butal
l
wil
lbefi
neinabout4weeks..
Me:that'
sowk.iwil
lusemysmal
lchanget
ofeed
Sbusisofort
hismonth.
.
MrRadebe:noneedMam.iam al socall
ingt
ot el
l
youthatyouwillreceiveamessageaf terthi
scallto
col
lectmoneyatanATM t otakecareofSbusiso
andyourotherkids,includi
ngNt ando.
Me:ohhhthankyouver
ymuch,
itsmuch
appr
eciat
ed.
.
MrRadebe:afterthatacardwil
lbedeli
veredtoyou..
usi
ngt hatcar
d,youhaveal i
mitofR5000amont h
totakecareofthekids,
shouldyouneedextra,you
havemynumberandiwi l
lpr
ocessyourrequest.
me:t
hankyouver
ymuchsi
r.
.youar
ever
yki
nd.
.
hesai
dgoodbyeandhungup.
i
ndeedaf
terawhi
leamessageent
eredandi
twas
R5000i
ncash.
.
ohhhmyword...iam alr
eadylookingatt
hoseshoes
isawonsal
e..andthatdr esst
oo..plusmyhai
rhas
beenamessforawhi le.
.nowondermendont
noti
ceme.
imeanevenMrRadebedoesntnot
iceme.
.mxm.
.
[
12/28,13:
04] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
LELOTHANDOASAVELA)
.
104
.
*
*Fr
iday*
*
*
**NARRATOR*
*
i
twasFr i
dayaft
ernoonandeveryt
hingseemstobe
happeni
ngatthesametime.l
ikeitwassyncedto
oneset.
oneonehandwehaveLuuandLubamaki
ngt
hei
r
waytoAuntMar
tha'
shouse.
.
Luu:iwonderwhyi
am f
eel
ingner
vous,
ineverf
eel
nervous.
..
Luba:that
'sbecauseitsbeenawhilesi
nceyou
camet ovisi
t,soyoufeel
inggui
lt
y,yousai
dso
yoursel
finthecar..
Luu:butst
il
l,
ishoul
dbef
eel
i
nggui
lt
ynotner
vous.
.
Luba:
isshest
ri
ct?
?
Luu:areweintr
oubleforyout
oaskmethat??you
act
inglikewest
olesweetsandnowwewer e
summonedt osolvet
heequati
onofwhostol
ethe
sweets.
.
Luba:
hahahha,
wow!
t
heywor
kedandar
ri
vedatt
hehouse.
.
t
heywal
kedi
nandAuntMar
thawel
comedt
hem.
BoiandSi
yawer
eonl
ycomi
ngonSat
urday.
..
t
heygr
eet
edt
hensatdown.
.
t
heystar
tedwit
hli
ghtconver
sat
ionsand
i
ntr
oduct
ions.
.
ontheotherhand,MrZuluhadgat
heredhi
smen
andtheywerealreadyonther
oadreadyt
ocome
andpickNtandoup.
Ntando,whodidntknownothi
ngwastoldtopack
andpreparef
orthefuner
alonthenextday.
.
wit
hherphonedestr
oyed,shecouldntcal
lLubaand
l
ethim knowaboutt
hechanged..
MrZulu'
smenar
rivedandMar
ywast
oldt
hatt
hey
ar
ri
ved.t
heywer
eout si
de.
.
Mar
ywentt
oNt
ando.
.
Mar
y:Nt
ando,
thecar
shavear
ri
ved,
let
sgetgoi
ng.
.
Nt
ando:whyi
sSamu,
Mpi
loandSnest
il
lnotr
eady?
?
Mar
y:dontwor
ryaboutt
hem.come.
.
Ntandowasntf eel
inggoodaboutt
his,
butasa
goodinnocentsoulassheis,shej
ustfol
lowedand
walkedoutwithherbags..
Me:remember,whenyougethome,cl
eanthat
houseandpreparei
t.
.whenwecomewi t
hthe
secondtr
ansport
,wewanttofi
ndyouatl
eastdone.
.
owk??
Ntando:sot
hat'
swhyyousendi
ngmef
ir
st?
?forme
t
ogoandcl ean?
?
Me:yes..i
fyougowi thmykids,youendupusi ng
them t
ohelpyoudoyourdi r
tyjob..youthi
nkidont
know..sogo..iwi
llseeyouwhenigett her
e..
Nt
andoj
ustnodded.
.
Me:andpl
ease.
..al
waysbehave.
.
Ntandodi
dntunder
standt
hatphr
asebutnodded
anyway.
.
shegoti
nthecarandt
hecardr
oveaway.
.
Mar
ysmi
led.
.
backt
otheboys.
.
AuntMart
hawasont
het
opi
cofwhyhewant
ed
t
hem her
etoday.
.
AuntMart
ha:wel
l,
mysons.
.youmustbe
wonder
ingwhyiwant
edtoseeyoubot
h..
.ri
ght
??
LubaandLuul
ookedateachot
her
..
AuntMart
ha:wel
l,
youguysmustal
sobe
wonder
ingwhyyourf
ather
sdi
dntgetal
ong?
?
Luu:i
sn'
titaboutt
hedi
amondbusi
ness?
?
AuntMar
tha:no.
.iti
snot
..
.
t
heyl
ookedateachot
her
..
AuntMar
tha:t
hereasonwhyyourfat
her
swere
enemi
es,
isthereasoniwant
edtoseeyout
oday.
t
heykeptqui
etl
ist
eni
ng.
.
AuntMart
ha:Lubabal
o,yourf
atheri
snotwhoyou
t
hinki
tis.
.
Lubal
ookedatauntMar
thaconf
used.
..
Aunt
:yourfat
heri
sLuu'
sfat
her
..
.act
ual
ly,
youguys
ar
ebrother
s..
Luu&Luba:what
??
AuntMar t
ha:Luba,theoneyout houghtwasyour
father,
wasi nfert
il
e,soasyouknow, intr
adit
ion,hi
s
brother,Luu'
sf at
herhadtostepinandhel phis
brothertoboreason. .andhedid..
Luba:
soLuu'
sfathersl
eptwit
hmymotherint
he
nameofhel
pingmyf at
hert
ohaveason??
AuntMar
thal
ookeddownandkeptqui
et.
.
Luu:howdi
dyouknowal
loft
hisaunt
??
AuntMar t
ha:therewasat imewhenyourmot her
foundoutandsher anawayf rom home, andcame
tostaywithme..shet oldmeever yt
hingandhow
angryshewas.sheaskedmet onotsayawor d.
.
l
aterherhusbandcamet ofet
chheranshewent
home..theyfi
xedt hingsbutLuba'sfatherfoundout
andwarbr okelose..that'
showLubawasbor nina
warbetweenbr others..
LubaandLuudidntunder
stand.
.theywer
ebot
hlost
andjustdi
dntknowwhattodo..
ont
heot
herhand,
Ntandowasi
ntr
oubl
e..
.
afteral
ongwhile,
Ntandonot
icedt
hatshewasnot
takingt
herout
ehome. .
shedidntwantt
osayanyt
hingbecauseshewas
afr
aid.
t
hecararr
ivedandst
oppedandNt
andowaseven
mor
eafrai
d..
outoft
hehousecameoutMrZul
u..
helookedatthecarandcametoopenthedoor
hi
msel f
..hewasveryhappyt
oseehisbri
de.he
smiled.
Hi
m:wel
comehomesweet
hear
t.
.
Nt
andomovedbacki
nfear
..
theguysgr
abbedheroutandNt
andost
art
ed
cryi
ng.
..
Nt
ando:haaaaa!
!pl
ease,
pleasedonthur
tme,
pl
ease.
.
MrZul
u:iwoul
dn'
thur
tyou,
whywoul
di?
?
Nt
ando:pl
ease,
letmego.
..pl
ease.
.
MrZul
u:shhhh.
..
hesai
dthi
srunni
nghi
sfi
nger
sonherf
ace.
..
.
MrZulu:MrZul
udoesn'
tli
ketroubl
esomegi r
ls,
becausewhenheget
sangry,hegetsreall
yangry,
andyoudontwantMrZulutobeangryright?
?
Nt
andoj
ustcr
iedasshewasdr
aggedi
nthehouse.
..
MrZul
ust
ayedbackwi
thoneofhi
sman.
.
MrZul
u:cl
eanj
ob?
?
Man:yessir
..noonesuspect
edanyt
hing.
.if
anyt
hingcomesout,i
twil
lbethemouthofMary.
.
MrZul
u:Mary,
Mary.
..sheknowst
oomuch.
..we
havet
odealwi
thher
..
Man:yessi
r.
.
MrZul
usmi
leandheadedi
nthehouse.
.
Ntandowast hr
ownonthebedcryi
ng,
shekepton
call
ingLubabutseemsLubawastoofarf
rom
eveninghear
ingher.
.
aft
erawhile,
Lubagotacal
lanhel
ookedatt
he
cal
lerI
D..i
twasoneofhismen.
.
heaskedt
oansweri
t.
.
Luba:
yes.
.
Hi
m:shewast
aken.
..
Luba:
what
???
[
12/
28,
13:
05] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Lubabal
o**
i
sthedevilreal
lytesti
ngmeatt hismoment ?
?i fi
ts
notwhatijustf
oundoutt hatLuu'sfat
herismy
fat
herandthathesl eptwi
thmymom i nthename
oftr
adit
ion,i
tsthesenewst hatihearaboutNtando
bei
ngtaken..
am ii
nadr
eam?
?ist
hisl
ikeani
ght
mar
e??
iwasst
il
lhol
dingt
hephonebuticoul
dntt
alk.
Hi
m:Si
r,ar
eyoust
il
lther
e??
Me:di
dyouf
oll
owt
hecar
??
Him:yes,
weknowwher esheis,butt
hesecuri
ty
andmensurroundingthehousearequietanumber
,
andarmed.i
fwegot hereandstartfi
ri
ngand
shoot
ing,
hemi ghtki
llNt
ando..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Hi
m:Si
r??
Me:iam onmyway,
gett
heguysr
eady.
.
ihungupandl
ookedatauntMar
thaandLuu.
.
Me:for
giveme,butwehavet
ogo.
.canyoul
etus
goauntMartha?
?
AuntMar
tha:ar
eyouowkaboutwhatij
ustt
old
you??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..i
tsnei
therofourf
aul
ts,
wewer
ejust
bor
ninaf amil
yfeud..
.
AuntMar
thasmi
ledandl
ookedatus.
..
AuntMar t
ha:nowyouboysshoul
dtakecareof
eachother,youonl
yhaveeachot
hernow..iam
gladyoufoundeachother
..
Luu:t
hankyouaunt
.
Me:wer
eal
lyhavet
ogo,
itsi
mpor
tant
..
auntMar
thasmi
ledandnodded.
.
Me:Luu,
let
sgo.
.
Luusai
dgoodbyeandwewal
kedout
..
Luu:wi
llyout
ellmewhati
sgoi
ngon?
?
Me:t
heyt
ookNt
ando?
?
Luu:what
?
Me:t
heyt
ookNt
ando,
cantyouhearme.
..
Luu:i
sit
..
..
..
??
Me:JK? ?hei stheonl yenemywehaveher e..
.and
ofcauseiwasi nvolvedinthekil
li
ngofBull
et.
.so
mabyehef oundNt andomor eeasiert
otake,shei
s
i
nnocent, soft
..
..sheisthekindtoobeywhatever
sheistoldjusttostayal i
ve..
.shemusthavebeen
aneasyt arget.
.
Luu:**
sigh**hehasgonet
oof
arnow.
.wemust
watchourfamil
y..
aswewer
egoi
ngt
othecar
,igotanot
hercal
l.
.
Me:yes,
tal
ktome.
.
Him:hegoesbyt henameMrZulu.
.hei
sseenasa
ver
yhumbl eandhonorabl
eper
sonbysoci
ety,but
act
uall
y,heisjustbuyi
ngf
ace,
heisver
ycrueland
haveal
otofconnect
ion.
.wemustbecar
eful
..
me:MrZul
u??
?ishesomehowr
elat
edt
oJK?
?
Him:wehaven'
tfoundanyt
hingl
iket
hatyet
..buti
t
doesntl
ookl
ikei
t..
Me:wait!wasntNt
andowi
thAuntMar
ywhenshe
wastaken??
Hi
m:shewashome.
.
Me:t
henwher
eisauntMar
y??
Hi
m:shei
sst
il
lhomewi
thherki
ds.
.
Me:di
dshef
il
eanyki
dnappi
ngcaseorsomet
hing
l
iket
hat?
?
Him:l
etmecheckwi
thot
hermenandiwi
llget
backt
oyousir
..
Me:hur
ry.
.
ihungupandl
ookedatt
heer
oad.
.
mymi ndwastryi
ngtoput2and2toget
her.
.andno
matterhowmuchiwasthinki
ngaboutt
his,
iwas
gett
ingthesameanswer,
"auntMar
yknowsabout
thi
s".
Me:coul
dthi
sbesomet
hingAuntMar
yar
ranged
wi
thMrZulu??
Luu:huh?
?
Me:rememberisai
dauntMar
yisthetypetosell
herki
dstogetmoney?
?coul
ditbethatitwas?
Luu:i
dontthi
nkso.
..t
her
emustbeabet
ter
under
standi
ngtot
his.
.
Me:under
standi
ngmyf
oot
..dr
ivet
oauntChl
oe'
s
house.
Luudi
dnthesi
tat
e,hedr
ovet
her
e.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwassi
tt
ingont
hef
loorcr
ying.
.
t
hedooropenedandal
adycamei
nsi
de.
ihadmetherear
li
er,
shewast
heman'
sFi
rstwi
fe.
.
shewal
kedi
nhol
dingsomecl
oths.
.
Her
:Nt
ando.
.
il
ookedather
..
Her:MrZulurequest
sthatyoushowerandwear
thi
stodinner
.Dinneri
sinaboutanhour,sost
art
prepar
ingnow..
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
sheputthem ont
hebedandt
urnedt
owal
koutbuti
spoke.
.
Me:why?
?whydi
dyoubr
ingmeher
e??
shet
urnedandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:why?
?(cr
ying)
Her
:whateverthereasonis,whetheryouli
keitor
not
,whet
heril i
keitornot
,itdoesntmatter,
thefact
i
s,MrZul
uwi llal
waysgetwhathewant s..
Me:pl
ease,
hel
pme.
..
.pl
ease.
..
Her
:asmuchasiwoul
dwantt
o,icant
..
Me:wh.
..whatdoyoumeanyoucant
??
Her:anyonewhowi
llt
ryt
ogetyououtofher
e,wi
ll
di
e..
il
ookedatherandt
ear
scamedownevenmor
e..
Me:Sbusi
so,myaunt
,mysi
bli
ngs,
theyal
lneedme,
pl
ease.
.hel
pme..
shel
ookedatmeanddidntsayanythi
ng.
.she
l
ookeddownthenl
ookedupagain..
her
:iwouldn'
tloveyourauntsomuch,
becauseshe
i
sthereasonyouarehere..
Me:what
??
Her:shesol
dyoutobeMrZul u'swifet
osettl
eher
debt.soshewontevencomel ooki
ngforyou.
.to
maket hi
ngseasy,
justendur
ei t
shesai
dthatwal
kingoutt
her
oom.
.
icr
iedevenhar
dert
hinki
ngofwhatshej
ustsai
d..
iwassold??t
obeMrZulu'
swif
e??myauntsol
d
me??sonoonewi l
lcomel
ooki
ngforme?
?noone?
?
notevenLuba??
imeanhedoesntevenknowwher
eiam.
.
i
sthi
showmyl
if
etakesat
urn?
?
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
LubaandLuuar
ri
vedatChl
oe'
shouse.
t
heygotoutt
hecarandwentt
ori
ngt
hebel
l.
.
Lubawasangry,butl
eftspaceforachancetobe
tol
dthatal
loft
hisisj
ustami sunder
standi
ng.
AuntMarylookedoutandsawthe2gentl
emen,
i
mmedi at
elyshethoughti
twasrel
atedt
oChl
oe'
s
fi
nanci
alssoshewentout.
shewal
kedt
othegat
e.
AuntMar
y:goodaf
ter
noongent
lemen,
howcani
hel
pyou.
shesai
dthi
swi
thasmi
le.
.
Luu:Goodaf
ter
noonmam,
wear
e..
..
..
..
Luba:(
int
err
upt
ed)Coll
eaguesofthel
awyerthat
cameheretospeakt
oyour egar
dingMsChloe's
fi
nances.
AuntMar
y:ohhyes,
MrRadebe.
.
Luba:
yes.
.maywecomei
n??
?
Lubapul
ledaf
akesmi
le.
.
AuntMar
yopenedf
ort
hem andshel
eadt
hem i
n
t
hehouse.
.
whenLubaandLuuwalkedi
n,t
heysawt
hatNt
ando
wasnother
eandthati
twasonlyt
he3ki
dsand
Sbusi
so.
.
Lubal
ookedatAuntMar
y..
Luba:
wear
eact
ual
l
yher
etospeakt
oMsNt
ando.
.
AuntMar
y'ssmi
lef
adedandshel
ookedar
ound.
.
AuntMary:huh,
Ntando?
?wel
liam herguar
dian.
.
youcanspeaktome..
Luu:nomam,
thi
srequi
rest
hatweseeher
..
AuntMar
y:ohhhh,wel
l.
..yousee,
mydaught
eri
s
get
ti
ngmarri
edsoon,soherhusbandcamet
ofet
ch
her
.shei
snothere.
.
Lubaf
eltasi
fsomet
hingst
ungi
nhi
shear
t.
Luba:
husband?
?
AuntMar
y:yes.
.
LubalookedatAuntMar
yinhereyesbutshewoul
d
avoi
deyecontact.
.
Luba:
lier
..
.
Luul
ookedatLubaandl
ookedatAuntMar
tha.
.
Luu:Mam,
youhavet
obehonestwi
thus.
..
Luba:
Luba.
..
.
whenauntMaryheardt
hatname, sheremembered
thatnamef
rom seei
ngi
tonNt ando'scont
act
sthe
dayshewentt
ot al
kout
side.
.
shel
ookedaway.
..
Luba:
doyouknowt
hatname?
?
AuntMar y:huh.
.i.
..
.i.
.dontt
hink.
.i.
.(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)
i
..everheardthatname..
Luba:
real
ly?
?youneverhear
dthatname?
?
AuntMar
yshookherheadbutLubasawt
hrough
her
..
Luu:well
,thi
smanstandinginf
rontofyou,
aski
ng
youthatquesti
on,
isLuba..
AuntMar
ylookedatLubashocked.
..
Luba:
mam,
iwi
llaskagai
n..
.wher
eisNt
ando?
?
AuntMar
ywant
edt
ospeakbutshecoul
dnt
..
Lubagotangr
yandhi
sangergott
hebet
terofhi
m..
hehel
dAuntMar
ybyt
heneckandpushedhert
o
thewal
l.
.
Luba:
wher
eisNt
ando?
?
heaskedshout
ing.
.
Luu:Lubaar
eyouF*
***
***st
upi
d..l
ethergo.
.
Luba:
notunt
ilshet
ell
smewher
eNt
andoi
s??
?
WHEREISSHE? ?
AuntMaryst
art
edt
otearupassheal
socoul
dnt
br
eath.
AuntMar
y:icantbr
eat
h..
Luba:
canNt
andobr
eat
h??
Luu:Luba!
!!
Luba:SHUTUPLUU!!.
..i
sNtandoyourwife?
?is
she??doyouknowexactl
yhowifeelr
ightnow??
huh???
hel
ookedatAuntMar
yagai
n..
LubapunchedAuntMar
yandAuntMar
yfel
ldown
coughi
ng..
.
theki
dscamedown,Luuqui
cklywentt
ogett
he
kidst
ogobackupandnevercomedown..
hemadesur etohurr
ybecauseLubawasangr
yand
uncont
rol
labl
e,heisnott
hinki
ngstr
aight
.
Luba:
wher
eisNt
ando?
?
AuntMary:she.
..
.it
oldyou.
..shewentt
oher
husband.
..
Lubaki
ckedherandshecr
iedi
npai
n..
AuntMary:iam t
ell
ingt
het
rut
h..shewentt
oher
husband.
.
Luba:
yousol
dherdi
dntyou?
?DI
DN'
TYOU?
?
AuntMar
yst
art
edcr
ying.
.
Lubaknewt
hatwast
heanswer
,sher
eal
lydi
d..
Lubal
osti
t.
.
hest
artedpunchi
ngAuntMar yandki
ckingherasi
f
hewasf i
ght
ingaman. .hehadf
orgot
tenhis
numberonerule.
.nevertohi
twoman..
Luurandownandst
oppedLubaf
rom hi
tt
ingAunt
Marytodeat
h..
Luupul
ledhi
m backbutLubawasuncont
rol
labl
e
Luu:Luba.
..wehaveNt
andot
ofi
nd.
.thi
sisusel
ess.
.
l
etsgo..
Lubabr
eat
hedashi
sfi
stsdr
ippedbl
ood.
.
hel
ookedatAuntMar
y..
.
Luba:
iwi
llbeback.
..
theywenttothei
rcarheadingt
ot hei
rwar
ehouset
o
discussaplantogetNtandoback..
.
[
12/
28,
13:
05] :105
.
*
*MrZul
u**
Hi
m:si
r,TheMrWol
fisi
nvol
ved
Me:what
??how?
?
Him:wedontknowsir
,butt
heywer
eseenatt
he
housewher
eMar yi
s..
Me:i
sMar
ybi
ti
ngt
hehandt
hatf
edher
??
Hi
m:wedontknowsi
r.
.
Me:**
sigh**f
indoutwhati
sgoi
ngon.
.andwhyMr
Wolfi
sinvol
ved.
.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
..
ihungupandsi
ghed.
..
"whyisthi
scausi
ngsuchaconfusion?
?shewas
j
ustsupposedtogivememybr i
deaspaymentand
that'
sit
,whyi
nvolveot
herpeopl
e??whatar
eyou
playi
ngatMary??
"
it
ookmygl
assandt
ookasi
p..
mysecondwi
fewal
kedi
nandil
ookedather
..
Me:ial
waysseeyouandmyf
ir
stwifewalki
ng
ar
oundthehouse,
wherei
smyyoungestbri
de?
?
Her:shealwayssi
tsi
nherroom ancr
yal
lday.
..she
doesnteveneatbr
eakf
astwit
hus..
Me:what
??youst
arvi
ngmywi
fe?
?
Her
:no.
.wet
ryt
otel
lhert
ocomebutsher
efuses.
.
isi
ghedandst
oodupheadi
ngt
oherbedr
oom.
.
iopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedather
,sheal
sol
ooked
atme..
Me:ihearyoudi
dnthavebr
eakf
astwi
thmyot
her
wi
ves..
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
me:why?
?
shest
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
iwal
kedt
oherandsatdownnextt
oher
.
Me:Nt
ando,
mywi
fe.
.whati
swr
ong?
?
shel
ookedatmeasshecont
inuedt
ocr
y..
ihel
dherhandandl
ookedather
..
Me:di
didoanyt
hingwr
ong?
?
Her:(
cryi
ng)ThePri
ncewil
lcome,t
or escuet
he
Pri
ncess.dontyouwor
ry,
iwil
lbesafe..
isi
ghedandl
ookeddown.
..
hasshestar
tedt
obeal
unat
ic?
?ithasn'
tevenbeen
aweek..
.
iwasl
oosi
ngmycool
..
igr
abbedhercheeksandl
ookedather
..
Me:youar emywifenow,bett
erst
artacti
nglike
one..orel
se,
iwi
llkil
lyou.
..doweunderstandeach
other??
shel
ookedatmecr
ying.
.
il
ethergoandst
oodup.
.
Me:youbett
erstandupf r
om ther
eandstartbei
nga
wif
etome..ifyousti
llwantyouraunt
schil
dtoli
ve.
.
iwastol
dhewasbor naf ewdaysago..shame..
.
shel
ookedatmeandiknewt
hatnow,
ihadahol
d
onher
..
ismi
ledandwal
kedout
.
.
*
*Luba*
*
ididntsl
eep..t
hewholenightihavebeentr
yingt
o
readupalltheeinf
ormat
ionaboutthisguyandal
so
prepareaplantosafeNt
ando..
icoul
dntsl
eep,soideci
dedt
odr
inksomewhiskey.
iendedupdri
nkingt
oomuchandsleptt
owar
dsthe
end.
ij
ustwokeupnowandasiwokeup, myeyes
seemedheavyandi
couldtel
lthatt
herewere
peoplei
nmyhousebecauseiwassleepi
ngonthe
couch..
iopenedmyeyeswi
derandist
il
lcoul
dntseewhoi
t
was..
aft
erawhi
leir
eal
izedi
twasLuu,
Khut
so,
Joeand
Saint
.
Me:whatt
heF*
**.
..whatar
eyouguysdoi
ngher
e??
Luu:looki
ngafteryou.
.ihaveaf eel
ing,
withthi
s
goingon,ifwedontkeepwat choveryou,wewi l
l
getacallsayi
ngyouwentt oMrZul ualone.your
crazi
nessisbeyondwhatit hought.
.
Luba:
thatmanwillr
egretevermessingwit
hmy
woman..isweari
fhetouchesher,hewil
lgetwhat
hewants.
.
Luu:wecantgother
ewi thoutplanning.
.wor
dis
thatt
heyar
eawar ethatiam involved,t
heyj
ust
dontknowthatyouaremybr other..
Sai
nt:br
otherorcousi
n??
Joe:well
,theymi
ghtbebr
other
ssi
ncet
heyar
e
cl
ose..
Luu:no.
.wearebr
other
sbybl
ood,
wej
ustf
ound
outyest
erday.
.
Luba:haiLuu,F***t hatBr ot
herstuff
..mydadt ol
d
mehowiwasbor n..hesl eptwithmymom by
mistake,
gotherpr egnantandt hatpregnancy
broughtthem t
oget her..t
hat'si
t..AuntMar t
hamust
havebeenmi staken. .
isai
dthatget
ti
ngwat
ert
odr
ink.
.
Luu:well
,thi
sisamatterwewi l
ltal
kaboutaf
ter
fi
ndingNtando.
.andasf orther
estofus,weneed
toguardourfamil
y.t
heyar enotsafe.
.
Saint
:howdoweguardourf
amil
y??theydonteven
knowweareint
hiski
ndofbusi
ness.
.
Luu:ourmencanalwayskeepwat
choverthem.but
asyouhaveseen,i
tsnotr
eall
yact
ivebecause
Ntandowastakenwhil
ebeingwat
ched..
Luba:
ourmenar
eshor
t.
.wehavet
oomanypeopl
e
t
olookoutf
or.
.it
stoomuch.
.
Khut
so:yah,
wehaveJKandt
hisMrZul
u..
Luba:youguyscanf ocusonJK,heseemsmor
e
dangerous.icanhandleMrZul
ualone.
.
Joe:hehaspeopleguar
dinghi
m, i
tsnotwise.
.plus
wear ebrot
her
snow..wehavetolookoutforone
another
..wewil
lfi
ndastrat
egytofi
ghtoverthese2
men..
Luu:yes,wecandoit
..andli
ttl
ebrot
her
..bi
g
brot
herandfri
endsar
eher eforyou.
.wewil
lfi
nd
Ntando..
Luba:
(chuckl
es)bi
gbr
othersef
oot
..
.
il
ookedatt
hem.
.
iam bl
essedt
ohavet
hem i
nmyl
if
e..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Luu*
*
ij
ustgothome.
.
theguyssl
eptoveratLuba'
shousetomakesure
Lubaisowkandthathisangerdoesnotf
uelup.
.
iwal
kedi
nandBoicamet
ome.
.
Boi
:di
dyouf
indher
??
ishookmyhead.
.
Me:west
il
lpl
anni
ngoutouri
nandout
..
Boi:youst
il
lpl
anni
ng?
?itsgoingtotheendoft
he
seconddayandyouaresti
llpl
anni
ng??
Me:itsnotaseasyasyouthi
nkiti
s..wit
hagr eat
str
ategy,westandachanceofgoi
ngint her
e,
gett
ingNtandoandcomingbackwithallofussafe.
.
butwithoutagoodpl
anning,
wemi ghtnoteven
comeback. .
Boil
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.
Me:dontworr
y,wewil
lfi
ndher
..pl
usLubawi
ll
neverst
opunti
lhef
indsher
.
Boi
:idi
dntknowshewasLuba' sgir
l.
..shedoesnt
l
ookli
kethetoughkind.
.shedoesntl
ooklikeshe
wil
lst
aystr
ongf or
ever.
.
Me:iknow.
.
Boi
:howi
sLuba?
?
Me:goingcr
azy.
.ievenaskedtheguystokeephim
company,st
aywithhim atni
ght
,justsohedoesnt
takeadeci
siont
ogot hereal
oneandgetkil
led.
.
Boi
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
me:ohandiwant
edt
oaskyousomet
hing.
.
Boi
:whati
sit
??
me:icantaskt heguystosleepther
ealltheti
me,
thehouseissmal l
..Lubahasn'
tmovedt ohisnew
houseyet,andidoubthewi l
ldothatnowwi ththi
s
goingon..so..
.canyoupleaselethi
m stayherefor
awhi l
e??ijustwanttokeepacloseeyeonhi m..
Boi
:mhm..iknowhemustbegoingthr
oughalot
..
soidontmi
nd..pl
usSi
yamightbehappytobewit
h
Pi
nky..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?
Boinodded.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.
ihuggedher
..
Boi
:Luu?
?
Me:yes?
?
Boi
:ifsomet
hinghappenst
ome,wi
llyoual
sogo
cr
azyandtryever
ythi
ngtofi
ndme?
?
Me:yes.
..
.iwi
llnotr
estt
il
lif
indyou.
.
boi
:wi
llyouevergi
veup?
Me:no.
.never
..
.
Boi
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:dontf
ear
,not
hingwi
llhappent
oyou.
.
shehuggedmeandihuggedhert
oo.
.
[
12/28,
13:
05] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
106
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
hetouchedmyf
ace,
ijustl
ookedathi
m whi
lemy
tear
srandownmycheeks.
Hi
m:wereyouevert
oldhowbeaut
if
ulyoul
ook?
?
whydi
dntif
indyousooner
??
hesmi
led.
.
hethenmovedhishandsandtouchedmyneckal
l
thewaydowntomybr east
s,icr
iedevenmor
e
whenhedidthat
..
i
nmymi nd,
ihadal
readyknownwhathewas
thi
nking,
andiwasscared.
.ij
ustwi
shthatLuba
couldcomeandsaveme. .
hepr
essedmybr
east
sandt
ear
scameevenmor
e..
Me:L.
..
ub.
..
a
hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:whatwast
hat
??
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustkeptqui
et.
.
heranhisfi
nger
sdowntomywaistandicouldf
eel
thathi
shandsweregoi
ngdownt
omypr ivat
earea.
.
icoul
dnthol
dmysel
f,icr
ied.
.icr
iedsomucht
hati
evenst
eppedback.
.
Hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:whydi
dyoust
epback?
?dontyoul
ikemy
t
ouch?
?
ij
ustcr
iedwi
shi
ngLubawasher
e..
hecamecl
oset
omeandpushedmet
othewal
l.
Him:ifyounotready,
youcanjustt
ellme,
icanbe
pati
ent.
.besi
des,youaremine.
.
hesaidt
hatpul
li
ngmyf
aceandf
orcedaki
sson
me..
ij
ustcr
ied.
.
hefor
cef
ull
yki
ssedmet
henhepushedmeont
he
bed.
.
hegotonmeandroughlyst
art
edki
ssi
ngmyneck
andhol
dingmywaist
..
icr
iedhar
derandcl
osedmyeyes.
.
asicl
osedmyeyesit
houghtaboutLubaand
Sbusi
so.
.
if
oughtbackandki
ckedhi
m andhest
oppedashe
moanedinpai
n..
idi
dntknowwher
eiki
cked.
.
il
ookedandseemsl
ikeiki
ckedhi
m ont
hepr
ivat
e
ar
ea..
hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyoucr
azy?
??huh?
??
hecamet
omeandhel
dmyf
ace.
.
Hi
m:bi
tch!
!
heslappedmeandihel
dmycheekasicr
iedeven
har
der..
.
hekeptswear
ingmet
henhewal
kedout
..
ihel
dmypi
ll
owandcr
iedi
nit
..
"
Luba,wher
eareyou?
?iwantyou.
..ineedyou.
..
"
(
conti
nuedcryi
ng)
.
*
*Luu*
*
iar
ri
vedatLuba'
spl
aceandasient
ered,
ifound
Lubat
iedont
hechai
r.
il
ookedatt
heguys.
.
Me:andt
hen?
?
Khutso:healmostbeatusuplastni
ghtsayi
nghe
wil
lnotsleepti
llhef
indsNtandoandwantedtoget
out
..
Me:sohowdi
dyougethi
mti
edont
hechai
r??
Khut
so:ihadtopunchhi
m andJoefedhi
m
sl
eepi
ngpill
s.i
twastheonl
yway..
Me:*
*si
gh**ourownmast ermi
ndi
sloosi
ngf
ocus,
howwil
lweplanourat
tack??
Saint
:exactl
y,imeanwehaveal lt
hepl
anstoget
her,
butwithhiminvol
ved,at
leastwecanhavemore
thenoneplan..weneedhimt oco-
oper
ate,
butheis
notfocused.
.
iwentt
ogetwat
erandwokehi
m up.
.
hewokeupandr
eal
izedhewast
iedt
oachai
r.
.
Luba:
whatt
he.
..
..
..
..whati
sgoi
ngonher
e??
Me:seemsyoual
mostl
eftyest
erdayal
onet
oget
Nt
ando.
..t
hat
'swhyyouar
eti
edup.
.
Luba:
yout
hinkyal
lcant
iemeupher
efor
ever
??
iwentt
ohi
m..
Me:Luba,
youneedt
ofocus.
.
Luba:
iam f
ocused.
.
Me:noyounot
..
Luba:
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:youar ethemast ermindinthi
sgroup. .everyone
ofushaddoneourpar t
,wegatheredinformat i
on,
wegott hr oughhowmanymanar ether e,butyou
arehol
di ngusback. ..youkeepsayingt hatyou
wanttof indNt ando,butyoudelayi
ngt hepr ocess..
weneedapl ant oat
tackandyouknowt hatpart
bett
erthenal lofus.
.
Luba:
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:canwenowwor
ktoget
her
??
Lubal
ookeddownandsmi
led.
.
Luba:thankyouforbri
ngi
ngmyheadbackt
oit
s
senses..idi
dntr
eali
ze.
.
Me:whoelsewouldbri
ngthatbi
gheadbackt
oit
s
sensesbet
tert
henyourownbrother
..
Luba:
agggggg,
areyout
hatexci
ted.
.
me:youhavenoi
dea.
.
Luba:
pshhhh.
me:owk,
let
sgett
owor
k..
Luba:
huh.
.canigetr
eleased,
yourr
opesar
eti
ght
..
Khut
so:mhm,
sur
e..
Luba:andihaven'
tfor
got
tent
hatyoupunchedme,
i
wil
lgetyouback..
Khutso:owk,
ithi
nkhei
scomf
ort
abl
ewi
tht
he
ropeson..
Joe:hahahaha.
.goeasymahn.
.
theyt
ookt
her
opesof
fant
heguyssatdowndot
ti
ng
downever
ypl
an.
..
.
*
*MrZul
u**
Me:mhm.
.
Him:theguyswentt
odosomedi ggi
ng.
.MsChloe
usedtoworkatWolf
.i
nc,sohemusthavebeen
ther
eforsomepaperwor
korthi
ngsli
kethat
..
Me:ohhhh,
isee.
.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
me:owk.nowiwantyout
odealwi
thMar
y..
Hi
m:dealwi
thher
??
me:killher
,sheknowalotandmi
ghtuset
hist
o
comebackandbi teust
omor r
ow.
.wedontwant
regr
ets.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
me:makei
tlookl
ikeabr
eaki
norsomet
hing.
.
Hi
m:yessi
r.
.
ihungupandsi
ghed.
.
nowihavetomakeNt
andogetusedt
othe
si
tuat
ion.
.
[
12/28,
13:
05] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYPEARL
VELKOM)
.
107
.
*
*Luba*
*
Pinkyhasbeensleepi
ngatSam'spl acebecausei
didntwanthert
oseemel iket
his.soihadSam
keepherforme..andaft
erthi
smi ssioniwouldl
et
hercomehome. .
sheunderstandsandal
readyknows..whenit
s
dangerous,
shedoesntsleepwithme,sheeventel
ls
met obecareful
..myl
it
tl
epr i
ncesshasgrown..
iwasnowsit
ti
ngdowni nfrontofmybedr
oom door
,
themissi
onwastoni
ght.t
heywontbeexpect
ingus,
soit
stheper
fectt
imetomovet othem.
isatdownwithmyheadtil
tedback.
.att
hatt
imei
star
tedhavi
ngfl
ashbacksofourmoments.
.
.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
Nt
ando:whati
fidontcomeback?
?
Luba:
theniwi
llgof
etchyou.
Nt
ando:andi
fyoucantf
indme?
Luba:
then,iwillkeeplookingunti
lif
indyou..iwi
ll
notgi
veup...evenwhent heytel
lmethatyoudont
wanttoseeme, iwil
lsti
llpushtoseeyou.even
whenyousayyoudontwantme, iwi
llaskyou3
ti
mestomakesur eitsreall
ywhatyouwant .
*
*EndofFl
ashback*
*
.
il
ookeddownasasmal
ltearwant
edt
ocomeout
..
ipl
ayedar
oundwi
thmygun.
"Dearlord,
shouldinotmakei
ttoday,
ipr
ayt
hatyou
pleaselookaft
erPinkyf
orme..
"
it
henl
ookedatmygun.
.
"
MrZulu.
.MrZul
u..
.yout
ouchedt
hewr
ongvi
cti
m
mat
e..
"
Luu:r
eady?
?
il
ookedatt
hem.
.
Luba:
ready!
Sai
nt:Ready!
!
Khut
so:yessi
r.
.
Joe:al
ldone.
.
weallpl
acedourgunst
oget
herasi
fwewer
eabout
t
oplayamat ch.
.
Luba:
let
scomebackwel
l.
.
t
heyal
lsmi
led.
.
ist
oodupandwet
ookourbagsandheadedoutt
o
ourcar
s..
eachonedr
ovehisowncarandourmenal
sodr
ove
wit
hus,weneededsomebackup.
.
i
twaslat
eatni
ght
,ar
oundt
hatt
ime,
peopl
ear
e
sl
eepi
ng.
.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwaslayi
ngonmybed,huggi
ngmypi
ll
owandj
ust
thi
nki
ngaboutLuba.
.
af
terawhi
le,
ist
art
edhear
inggunshor
ts.
igotsoscaredt
hatigotoffmybedandsatont
he
fl
oorleani
ngonthebed..
aft
erawhi
lemybedr
oom dooropenedandMrZul
u
cametome..
hepul
ledmer
oughl
ybymyhandandt
hendr
agged
meout.
ikeptcr
yingashekeptdr
aggi
ngmeout
..
het
henmovedmeandhi
swi
vest
oanunderdoor
.
i
twasl
ikeahi
ddendoor
..
hegotusint
hereandbecauseikeptcryi
ngand
sni
ff
ing,
heheldmymout handwest ayedint
her
e..
icoul
dhearsomef
oot
stepsbutiwasntsur
ewhoi
t
was..
isawthi
sasmabyei
tcouldbemychancet
obe
hear
dandsavedf
rom t
his.
.
soistar
tedscreami
ngevent
houghhehadhi
s
handsovermine.
bef
oreicoul
devenknowi
t,if
eltsomepai
nfulshar
p
pai
nonmybackandt
henist
art
edl
oosi
ng
consci
ousness.
i
naboutf
ewmor
esecondsipassedout
..
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Theguyswerein,
allofMrZul
u'smanwer
edeadan
thehousel
ookedempt y.
.
Luu:F**
***hemusthavemovedhersomewher
e
el
se..
Joe:webackt
osquar
eone.
.
Luba:
...
..
..
..
..
..
..AHHHHHHH!
Lubagotsoangryt
hathestar
tedbreaki
ng
ever
ythi
ngthatwasnextt
ohiminthathouse.
.
Sai
nt:wehavet
ohur
ryandhavet
hem t
raced.
.
Lubawalkedaroundandar
oundnotabl
eto
concent
rate.
.
ast
heywer
eal
lthi
nki
nganl
ooki
ngar
ound
Sai
ntnot
icedsomet
hingasKhut
sowaswal
king
ar
ound.
.
hel
ookedatt
hel
oosef
loor
,itl
ookedl
ikeadoor
..
Sai
nt:guys.
.
t
heyl
ookedathi
m..hepoi
ntedatt
hedoor
..
t
heyl
ookedateachot
herandLubawal
kedt
oit
..
hegotr
eadywi
thhi
sgunandbr
eat
hed.
.
meanwhi
leMrZulu,al
sot
ookouthi
sgunandhel
d
Nt
andoveryt
ight
..
.
Joegotr
eadyt
oopenasLubapoi
ntedhi
sgun.
.
Luu,
Khut
soandSai
ntst
oodt
her
ewai
ti
ngt
osee.
JoeopenedthedoorandLubagotver
yangry
seei
ngNtandounconsci
ousinMrZulu'
shandsand
MrZuluhadagunonNt ando'
shead..
Lubal
ookedatt
hem.
..
MrZul
u:wel
l,
wel
l,
wel
l.
.seemsl
ikeyouf
oundus.
..
hewalkedoutwi
thNtandost
il
linhi
shandsandhi
s
gunpoint
edatNtando.
.
Luba:
lethergo.
..
MrZulu:l
ethergo??hahahah,
lethergo?
?whoar
e
yout
ot el
lmetolethergo??
Luba:
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
MrZulu:soMrWol
fwasact
ual
lyi
nvol
vedi
nthi
s???
why?
?howmuchdi dMar
ypayyoutocomeandget
Nt
ando? ?huh?
?
Joe:whywoul
dyouthi
nkwegotpaidt
ofet
chher
..
di
dntyoumakedealwi
thhert
otakeNt
ando??
MrZulu:soyouknow??i
fyouknow,
thenwhyar
e
yougett
ingi
nvol
ved..
Luba:
asherhusband,dontyouthi
nkishoul
dbe
tol
daboutsuchar
rangements?
MrZul
u:husband?
?what??dontmakemel
augh.
..
Nt
andoisminenow,iboughther
..
Luba:
arehumansobj
ect
sthatyoucanbuy?
?
MrZulu:seemsl
ikei
t,si
nceihaveal
readymademy
t
ransacti
on.
Luba:
iam nother
eformarketcommunicat
ion,
give
memywi f
eandweshal ll
eaveinpeace.
.
MrZulu:sor
ryboy.
.butshehappenst
obemywi
fe
now.
.
Lubagothi
sgunr
eady.
.
MrZulu:hahahaha,
webot hknowt hatyoucant
shootme,becauseifyoudo,iwi
llalsoshoot
..so
wealll
ose..
Luba:youwi
lll
oseal
lyourl
ivesi
ncl
udi
ngyour
own..
.
MrZulu:bet
terthentoli
vewithguil
tofkil
li
ngmy
ownlovedone..plusiseeyouloveherverymuch.
.
youevencamef orher..
Lubaj
ustl
ookedatMrZul
uandMrZul
usmi
led.
..
Sai
ntsawanadvant
age.
.
hekeptqui
etashemovedl
it
tl
ebyl
it
tl
e..
Lubasawwhatsaintwasdoi
ngandpl
annedon
di
str
acti
ngMrZulu..
heshottotheroofandasMrZululookedupSaint
pi
ckedupabr okenmi r
rorandt
hrewitdi
rect
lyatMr
Zul
u'shand,t
heonet hatwasholdi
ngagun.
hedroppedt
hegunandLubaai
medatshoot
ing
st
rai
ghtathi
shead.
MrZuludroppedNtandoandshefel
ldownhi
tt
ing
herheadpainf
ull
yonahardsurf
ace..
Lubar
ant
ohel
pher
..
Joewentt
oMrZul
u..
Joe:bast
arddi
edt
ooeasy.
..
Luu:wehadnochoi
ce,
Ntando'
sli
fewasathand.
.
Luba:
shehitherhead,
wehavet
orushhert
o
hospi
tal
..
Luu:yah,
let
sgo.
..
t
heyheadedbackt
othei
rcar
s.
Khut
sowaswal
kingasal
astper
son.
.
hel
ookedbackandsawMrZul
u's2wi
ves.
.
hel
ookedatt
hem,
theyl
ookedathi
mtoo.
.
Khutsoknewt
hati
twasr
iskyt
oletthem l
ive,
we
neverknowwhatt
heymi
ghtpl
an..
hepul
ledhi
sgun.
.
t
hewomanf
ear
edandt
ri
edt
orun.
.
hepull
edt
het
ri
ggerandshott
hem bot
hbef
oret
hey
ran.
.
hewal
kedt
othem t
omakesur
etheywer
edead.
af
terconf
ir
mat
ionhewentout
..
ever
ythi
ngwasacleanjob.gl
oveson,nopri
ntsor
anyt
hingthatmi
ghtconnectt
hem t
othis.
het
henr
anback.
Joe:whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Khut
so:f
ini
shi
ngt
hej
ob.
hedi
dntaskwhatj
ob,
hej
ustnoddedandt
heyal
l
dr
ovebackhome.
[
12/28,
13:
06] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYPEARL
VELKOM)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
t
heyar
ri
vedatt
hehospi
talandNt
andowast
aken
i
n..
t
heguysst
ayedoutwai
ti
ngt
ohearf
rom t
hem.
.
astheyweretherewait
ingt
ohearfr
om thedoctor
s,
someotherdoctorscamerushi
nginalsopushi
ng
someonewhoseemedt ohavel
ostalotofbl
ood.
asthebedpassedtheguys,Luusawthefaceand
i
mmedi at
elyapict
ureofAuntMarypoppedinhis
head.
.
hel
ookedatt
hebedt
il
litdi
sappear
ed.
.
Lubawassi
tti
ngont
hebenchwi
thhi
sheadi
nhi
s
handsl
ooki
ngdown.
Khut
soandSaintwher
esi
tt
ingwi
thhi
mjust
comfor
ti
nghi
m. .
Luuwasdist
urbedbywhathesawandJoecoul
d
seet
hatLuuwasdistur
bed.
.
Joewentt
owher
eLuuwasst
andi
ng.
.
Joe:what
swr
ong?
?youl
ookst
art
led.
..
Luu:i
justsawsomet
hing,
orsomeoneandnowi
am aski
ngmysel
fifi
tsact
ual
lyt
heper
sonisaw.
.
Joe:whodi
dyousee?
?
Luu:AuntMar
y..
Joe:Nt
ando'
saunt
??wher
e??
Luu:t
hebedthatpassedher
e,i
tlookedl
ikeshewas
theonel
ayi
ngont hebed.
Joe:ar
eyousur
e??
Luu:that
'swhatmakesmeconf
used.
.iam sur
e,yet
iam notsure.
.
Joe:wantmet
ogochecki
tout
??
Luu:no,
let
sfocusonNt
ando,
wewi
llver
if
ythat
l
ater.
.
Joe:owk.
.
thedoct
orcameoutandLubawasf
ir
stt
ost
andup
andgotothedoct
or.
.
Doc:gentl
emen, t
hepat i
enthadaheavyfallwi
th
herhead,ther
ewassomecompl i
cati
ons
surr
oundingthatarea.butyoudonthavetoworry,
sheisrespondingwelltothei
nject
ionsand
medi
cati
onswegiveherandweseethatshewi
llbe
wel
linamatt
eroffewdays.
.shej
ustneedstor
est.
Luba:
thankyoudoc.
.
t
hedocsmi
ledandwal
kedaway.
.
Luu:l
etsgoguys.
.
Luba:
yougo,
iwantt
ost
ayher
e..
Luu:ar
eyouser
ious?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.iwi
llbef
ine.
.
Khut
so:dontyouwantcompany?
?icanst
aywi
th
you.
.
Luba:
nah,
yougoandgetsomer
est
..youneedi
t.
.
Khut
so:seemsl
ikeyouneedr
estmor
ethenme.
.
Luba:
nah,
iam f
ine.
.
Joe:owkt
hen,
ifyouneedanyt
hing,
justcal
lus.
.
owk??
Luba:
owk.
.
t
heysmi
ledathi
m andal
llef
t.
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iar
ri
vedhomeandf
oundmyf
atherst
il
lawake.
.
Me:dad?
?whyyousti
llupatt
hist
ime?
?it
hought
youwoul
dbeawake.
.
helookedatmeandsi
gnal
edmewi
thhi
shandt
o
comet osi
tnextt
ohi
m..
iwentt
osi
tnextt
ohi
m..
Dad:thesedaysyoual
wayscomel
ate,
iswor
k
real
lythathect
ic?
?
mypar entsdontknowaboutt heotherlif
eiam
l
iving,soicouldntt
ellt
hem aboutitasyet..iwas
afrai
dofwhatt heywouldsay,orthink.iwould
reall
ybeadi sappoi
ntmenttothem.imeaniam t he
onlysoninthef amil
y,t
heli
ttl
eicoul ddoisatleast
carrythecompanyandhi ssurnameover .
.
me:huh.
.yesdad..
.juggl
ingschoolandwor
ktakes
t
imeandal otofaf
ford.
.
dad:i
am proudofyouson.
.ihaveneverseenyou
sopassi
onateaboutgoi
ngtoworkbefor
e,actual
ly
tobehonest,
ihadmyhopesdown.ididntthi
nkone
dayyouwoul dt
akethi
scompanyt hi
ngserious.i
thoughtmaybeyouwerepret
endingtoli
kethis
i
nternshi
ptogetoffmyback.butihaveseenthat
youreall
yli
keit
..
il
ookeddown.
.
somehowiwassad,sadthatiwasli
vingal
ie
towardsmypar
ent
s..hopetheyf
orgi
vemein
fut
ure..
Dad:son,i
fyoucarr
yonwit
hthi
satt
it
ude,
youwi
ll
bethebestbusi
nessman,
evenbet
tert
henMr
Wolf.
..
ismi
led.
.
hehuggedmeandi
huggedhi
m back.
.
Me:whydoesi
tseem l
ikedadi
ssayi
nggoodbye
andhei
sabouttodi
e??
Dad:hahahaha,
areyouwi
shi
ngt
hatidi
esoon?
?
me:hahahahawi
llmywi
shbegr
ant
ed?
?
dad:never
,ist
il
lhave20+mor
eyear
stol
ive.
.
Me:whynot50+mor
e??
Dad:idontwantt
obeher
etowat
chyouf
ailt
ohol
d
t
hisbusiness.
Me:hahahaha,
comeondad.
.youcanbemy
monit
or.
.
dad:yahr
ight
..
webot
hlaughed.
.
*
*Luu*
*
iarri
vedandsawt
hatBoiwaswai
ti
ngf
ormeal
l
night.
.
asigoti
nthehouse,
shecamet
ocomeandhug
me..
Me:hahahahah,
missmet
hatmuch?
?
Boi
:mhm.
.it
houghtt
hat
..
..
..
Me:ial
wayscomeback.
.
Boi
:issheowk?
?
Me:mhm,
shej
usthi
therheadbutshewi
llbeowk.
.
boi
:andLuba?
?
Me:hei
sowk,
butal
sonotowk.
Boi
:andyou?
?howar
eyou?
?
Me:iam sadbecausemylit
tl
ebrotheri
shur
tandi
n
pai
n..butiam al
sohappybecauseiwasabl
eto
hel
phim savehislove.
.
Boi:iseeyouloveLubasomuch.
.youevencal
lhi
m
yourlit
tl
ebrot
her??
me:t
hat
'sbecausehei
s..
.asi
nli
kef
orr
eal
..
Boi
:huh?
?
Me:iknowiam supposedt obeangrymabye,or
di
sappoint edthatmydaddi dsuchat hi
ngtohis
ownbr other.
.imagineifihadtodothattoLubaor
Lubadot hattome. .i
tsnotowk..butsomehowiam
gl
adt hatithappened,becausenowLubai smy
brot
her..
ismi
led.
.
Boi
:oi
ii
i,
iam j
eal
ous.
.
ipi
ckedherupandspanwi
thher
..
shel
aughed.
.
me:dontbe.
.youhol
dthehi
ghestpl
ace.
.
Boi
:real
ly?
?
Me:real
ly.
..ohh,
isSi
yawel
l?
?ihear
dhecaught
f
lue?
?
Boi
:mhm.
.hei
swel
l.
.igavehi
m somemedi
cine.
.
me:ahhhowk.
.
ismi
ledl
ooki
ngather
..sheal
sol
ookedatme.
.
Me:il
oveyou.
.
Boi
:il
oveyout
oo.
..
[
12/28,
13:
07] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
FRI
EDAHNGOMANE)
.
109
.
*
*Luba*
*
iwaswokenupbyLuu,ihadevenf
orgot
tent
hati
wasst
il
lint
hehospi
tal
.
iopenedmyeyes.
.
Luu:i
knewiwouldfi
ndyouher
e..youneedsome
goodrestandt
ofr
eshenup.
.
Luba:
mhm.
..
.iknow.
..
Luu:howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
?
Luba:
idontknow.
..
Luu:i
wontsayiunderst
and,butit
hinkihavean
i
deahowyoumi ghtbefeel
ingri
ghtnow..
Luba:
Luu:howaboutyougof
reshenup,
havebr
eakf
ast
andwewillcomebackt
ocheckonher.
Luba:
no.
..
Luu:Lubayouhavet
oat
leasthavebr
eakf
astand
fr
eshenup..
Luba:
iwi
ll
..butfi
rst
,ist
il
lhaveunf
ini
shedbusi
ness
wit
hsomeone..
isai
dthi
sheadi
ngout
,Luuf
oll
owedme.
.
Luu:dontt
ellmeyouar
eheadi
ngt
oAuntMar
y..
Luba:
that
sexact
lywher
eiam goi
ng.
..ihave
quest
ionst
hatneedt
obeanswer
ed.
.
iheadedt
omycarandhef
oll
owedme.
.
idr
ovet
oAuntChl
oe'
shouse.
.
af
terawhi
leiar
ri
ved.
..
iparkedmycar
,gotoutt
hecarandwentt
ori
ngt
he
bell
..
Luual
sopar
kedhi
scarandcameaf
terme.
.
Luu:Luba,
idontt
hinkyoushoul
ddothis,
besides,
shewontopenforyouaft
erwhatyoudone..
ii
gnor
edhi
m andcont
inuedt
ori
ngt
hebel
l.
.
achi
ldhol
dingSbusi
socameoutcr
ying.
.
hecamet
ousandl
ookedatus.
.
Hi
m:pl
easehel
pus.
.pl
ease.
.hei
snotbr
eat
hing.
.
ii
mmediat
elysober
edf
rom angerandl
ookedatt
he
boy.
..
Luba:
opent
hegat
ehur
ry.
.Hur
ry!
!
hewasshaki
ng,
hedi
dntknowwhatt
odo.
.
Luust
eppedbackandr
ant
ojumpt
hegat
e,hesaw
thati
fwewouldhavet
owaitf
orthi
sboyt
oact
,
Sbusisomi
ghtdi
einhi
shands..
Luujumpedinsi
deandrani
nthehouset
oaskt
he
otherki
dsf
orthekey.
.
Luba:
rel
ax,
owk.
.rel
ax,
wewi
llhel
pyouowk.
.
hekeptnoddi
ngwhi
lecr
ying.
.
aft
erashor
twhi
leLuucamebackandunl
ockedt
he
gate.
.
it
ookt
hechi
ld.
Luba:iwil
ltaket
heSbusi
sot
othehospi
tal
,take
careofthem..
Luu:owk.
.hur
ry!butdontcauseanacci
dent
..
Lubanodded.
.
LubaputSbusisoi
nhiscar.hedidnthaveachil
d
seat,
ther
ewasnot imetogetthat,
soheputhim
safel
yusinghi
sblanket
sandmadesur enott
o
dri
veveryfast
..
hegott
othehospi
talandr
ani
nhol
dinghi
m..
t
hedoct
orswer
equi
ckt
oseehi
m andr
ant
ohel
p
hi
m..
Lubafol
lowedt
hem ansatdownout
sidet
her
oom
wait
ingt
ohearfrom t
hem.
.
*
*Luu*
*
Lubadroveawayandisi
ghedl
ooki
ngathi
m ashe
droveaway.
.
Lubawasf
aci
ngal
otnow.
.
wel
l,
ithenl
ookedatt
hisboyandt
heot
her2who
wer
eatthedoor.
.
Me:l
it
tl
eguy,
whati
syourname?
?
Hi
m:Samu.
..
Me:Samu?
?ar
eyouAuntMar
y'schi
ld?
henodded.
.
Me:owk,
wher
eisyourmot
her
??
hel
ookedatme,
thenl
ookedathi
ssi
bli
ngs.
.
befor
ehecoul
danswerme,apoli
cecarstoppedin
fr
ontoft
hei
rgateandf
orasecondithoughtthey
wer
eher
eforme.
..
ilookedatt
hem,onlytof
indoutt
hatt
heywer
eher
e
toseethe3chil
dren.
.
Pol
ice1:goodmor
ningsi
r??ar
eyout
hei
rguar
dian
now??
Me:nosir..icameherebecausetheladywhouse
toli
vehere,workedf
orme, sothekidsandthei
r
mothercameher ebecausethatl
adypassedaway,
soiam her etot
alkt
otheirmothersaboutt
helady'
s
fi
nances.
.butidontthi
nkshei shere.
.
Poli
ce1:isee..youmusthavenotheard,butt
hei
r
motherwasshotyest erdayaft
ernoonandsentt
o
hospit
alyesterdayevening.
.
Me:what
??
atthatmoment
,ihadaflashbackoftheti
meihad
seenabedmovingpassedusatt hehospit
aland
AuntMary'
simagepoppedupasi fitwasherlayi
ng
there,
wel
l,
seemslikei
twas.
Pol
ice1:yessi
r.
.wear
eher
etodayt
otel
ltheki
ds.
..
hel
ookedatt
heki
ds.
.
Pol
ice1:weareverysor
ry,
butyourmot
herdi
dnt
makeit.
.shepassedaway..
theolderchil
dtr
iedtoremai
nstrongast hemi ddl
e
onecr i
ed..myworrywastheli
tt
leone, shewasnt
evencryingorworri
ed,shewasjustlookingather
brot
herscr yi
ngandbrushi
ngtheirbackst el
li
ng
them nottocrybecausemommyi scomi ng.
.
shei
sver
yyoung,shedoesntevenunder
stand
whati
sgoi
ngon..
il
ookedatt
hem andf
eltsor
ryf
ort
hem.
.
isi
ghedanl
ookedatt
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
s..
Me:i
fimayask,
whatwi
llhappent
othem now?
?
Police1:wel
l,
ift
hereisnoguardiant
ol ookaf
ter
them, wehavetoinvolveasoci
alworkerandthey
willbetakentot
heor phanage.
.
Me:isee..
.well
,thei
roldersi
steri
sinhospi
taland
aninf
ant,thedeceasedchil
d,healsoj
ustwentto
hospi
talnow..
Pol
ice1:t
hei
rmot
her
schi
ld?
?
Me:no,
itst
hechi
ldoft
hef
ir
stl
adyt
hatpassed
away.
.
Pol
ice1:poorki
ds.
.
Me:wi
llt
heyhavet
ost
ayher
eal
one?
?
Pol
ice1:i
sther
enobodyt
hatcoul
dlookaf
tert
hem?
?
Me:idoubt
..
.
iwouldsayiwouldl ookaft
erthem, orLubawould
lookaft
erthem,butthatwouldbej ustexposi
ng
thei
rli
vestodanger ,soi
tsbet
tertheygrowi nan
orphanagethenli
vingalif
eofr i
sks..
Poli
ce1:forustoadmitthem, wehavetowaitf
or
thei
rsi
sterwhoi si
nhospitalsinceshei
stheeldest
andover18..issheover18??
Me:yes.
.
Poli
ce1:yes,wehavet
owaitti
llshewakesuptoget
thatper
missiont
otaketheki
dst ot
heorphanage.
.
orahome. .
me:owk..well,
fort
imebei
ng, asthei
rformeraunt
's
boss,iwi
llhavesomeonetocomeandt akecar
eof
them unt
ilt
hemat t
eri
sfi
nished..
Poli
ce1:owk.wewi
llcont
inuet
ocomeandal
so
checkonthem..
inodded.
..
thepolicethenwal
kedoutandil
ookedatt
he3
sibl
ings..
whatasadwor
ldf
ort
hem.
.
it
ookoutmyphoneandcal
ledLuba.
.
heanswer
edt
hecal
l.
.
Luba:
Luu.
.
Luu:goodnews?
?
Luba:
mhm. .
.wewer
elucky..
.wegothel
pint
ime.
.if
wehadnotdeci
dedt
ogot here,
wewouldbet
alki
ng
somethi
ngel
se.
.
Luu:*phew*t
hesedaysi
tseemsl
ikewel
iveby
l
uck..
Luba:f
ir
sti
tsNtando,
nowitsSbusiso.
..whatif
NtandowakesupnowandistoldthatSbusisois
al
soinhospit
al?
??thi
sist
oomuch.
Luu:i
tsr
eal
lyt
oomuch.
.thatMrZul
ureal
lymessed
up.
.
Luba:
mhm.
..
Luu:well
,AuntMar
ypassedawayt
oo.
..shewas
shotyest
erday.
.
Luba:
what
??
Luu:mhm. .t
he3kidsstayedalonewholenight
crying,it
hinktheynegl
ectedSbusisobecauseofa
l
ott hatwashappening,i
tssadt oseethem so
helpless.
.
Luba:iam sorr
ybutiwontpretendli
keiam sad
thatshedied.
.act
uall
y,it
hinkshealsotookaneasy
wayout .
.iwouldhaveburnedthatsoult
oashes..
Luu:(
chuckl
es)cal
m downbef
oreyoust
eam up.
.
Luba:theworl
dtur
nedar
oundi
njustf
ewdays.
.
that
'shect
ic
Luu:t
ellmeabouti
t.
..iam onmyway.
.
Luba:
owk.
.
ihungup.
.
it
hencal
ledsomeoneel
seandt
oldt
hem t
osenda
helperatthi
shouse,isenttheaddressandwai
ted
forawhi l
eunti
lthecararri
vedwithsomeofour
companyst aff
..
ispoketothem andt
henlef
tthem t
heret
otakecar
e
oftheli
tt
leonceandhel
pwithchoresandcooki
ng.
.
idr
ovet
othehospi
tal
.
[
12/28,
13:
07] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
FRI
EDAHNGOMANE)
.
110
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
**Luba*
**
iwasinNt ando'
swardandlookingather.Luuwas
onhisway, hewascomingwithNt ando'
ssibl
ings,
theywantedtoseeNtando,
andl uuwasher etosee
Sbusi
so..ihadbeenther
ebeforecomi nghere,he
wasdoingowk, Sbusi
soisafighter.
.
af
terawhi
leofsi
tt
ingt
her
e,someoneknockedon
t
hedoorandt
henwal
kedi
n.
i
twasLuuandt
he3si
bli
ngs.
.
ismi
ledandhesmi
l
ed.
.
t
he3si bli
ngsdi
dntwast
eti
me,
theywentt
osee
Ntando..
Luuandil
ookedatt
hem f
rom behi
nd.
.
Luu:di
dyougocheckonSbusi
sot
oday?
?
Me:mhm.
.hei
sdoi
ngwel
l.
Luu:ahhh,
iam gl
ad.
.li
sten,wedonthaveti
me,we
havetomoveourfamil
iestoCuba,t
hereisno
choi
ce..
Me:iknow,ifNtandodoesntwakeuptoday,
iwi
ll
gethert
ransfer
redtoCuba.hometreat
ment.
Luu:i
thi
nkthat
'sevenbett
er.
..nowthatwehave
i
nneraccesst
oJK, t
hingsmightgett
ough.
.
Me:Khut
sogoti
n??
Luu:mhm. .wefoundver
yinter
esti
nginformati
on
andwit
ht hisi
nfo,wecantakeoverhisoperat
ions
aft
erki
ll
inghim,whichmakesusbi l
li
onair
es..
Me:ouuuuuuu.
.
Luuchuckl
ed.
.
Luu:butbef
orewedoanyt
hingel
se,
wehavet
o
takeever
yonetosaf
ety
Me:owk, aft
erthevisi
ttoday,l
etsasktotransfer
Ntando,asforSbusisoandt hesibli
ngs,
letsget
them t
ot heorphanage.
.theenemi esknownot hi
ng
aboutthem,sot heywontgoaf t
erthem..
Luu:mhm..Ntandoisal
readyexposed,t
heymight
knowthatsheisyourweakness.
.pluswedont
knowifMrZuluwaswor ki
ngalone,orwit
hother
peopl
e..
Me:yah.
..
aswewer espeaki
ng,
the3si
bli
ngsst
art
edcal
li
ng
Ntando,
itseemedshewasawake.
.
Samu:si
sNt
ando?
?si
sNt
andocanyouhearus?
?
Sne:Ndo.
..
..
..
ir
antothebedandl
ookedatNt
ando,
shewas
awake.
..
Luuwentt
ogett
hedoct
ors.
hecamewit
hthedoct
orsandNt
andoj
ustkept
l
ooki
ngatus.
Doc:MsNt
ando?howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
?
Nt
andol
ookedatusagai
n..
Nt
ando:Samu.
..Mpi
lo.
..
..Sne.
..
shesmil
edl
ooki
ngatt
hem andt
hesi
bli
ngssmi
led
aswell
..
Ntando:howcanyou3gr
owsomuchi
naf
ew
days???
shel
ookedconf
usedbutsmi
led.
.
shet
henl
ookedatmeandLuu.
..
Nt
ando:sor
ry,
areyoueducat
orsf
rom myschool
??
il
ookedatLuuandatt
hedoct
ors,
thenil
ookedat
Ntando.
.
Luba:
what
??
Nt
andol
ookedatt
hedoct
or.
.
Doc:shemustbesuf
fer
ingf
rom Longt
erm memor
y
l
oss.
.
t
hedoct
orl
ookedatNt
ando.
.
Doc:doyour
ememberwhyyouar
einhospi
tal
??
Nt
andonodded.
.
Ntando:iwasatschoolwalkingdownthestair
s,
somegi r
lscamerunningdownt hestai
rsandthey
pushedmeoverandif ellof
fthestai
rs.
.that
'swhyi
am here.
.
Nt
andol
ookedatLuba.
.
Luba:
that
'snoti
t.
..
Nt
ando:huh?
?
Doct
or:canital
ktoyoual
lout
side,
MsNt
ando,
pl
easerest
..
Ntandonoddedandweal
lwentout
side,
incl
udi
ng
hersibl
ings.
.
t
hedoccl
osedt
hedoorandl
ookedatus.
.
Luba:
doc,
what
sgoi
ngon?
?
Doc:hassheeverwentt
othehospi
talbef
ore?
?
whi
leatschool
..
Samunodded.
.
Doc:that'
stheincidentsher
emembers,ever
ythi
ng
thathappenedafterthat,
shecantr
emember
anythi
ngofit.
.that'swhyshethi
nkssheishere
becauseofthat.
Luba:
what
??
Luu:i
sitper
manent
??
Doc:that'
swhatwemaynotknowf orknowunti
lwe
examineher .butitcoul
dbetemporar y,
shemight
regai
nhermemor yback,ori
tmightbepermanent,
andshemi ghtneverr ememberitatall.
.whi
chwill
bemor ediffi
cultbecauseLongterm memoryholds
alotofthi
ngst hathappened,soitmightbe
confusi
ngf orher..
Lubal
ookeddown.
.
Luba:
soshewontknowwhoiam?
?
Doc:unfortunat
ely,
ifyouguysmetafterthe
i
ncident,
thenshewontr ememberyou. .l
etsj
ust
hopeitsjustatemporarymemoryloss..
Luuhel
dmyshoul
dert
ocal
m medown.
.
Doc:fornow, myadvicei st hat,youshoul dnott r
y
toforcehert oremember ,butyoucanbr i
ngher
thi
ngst hatsheusedt oloveorf oodt hatsheusedt o
eat.
.theset hingsarethingst hatmighthel ptri
gger
thememor y,simplethingsl ikemusi c,color,
smel l
,
scent,fl
ower s,chocolates,foodoranyt hi
ngt hat
usedt obecl osetoherort hatisherf avorit
e..
Luuandiagr
eed.
Doc:pl
easebestrongforher
,shewi
llneedyou
knowmorethenever.
.
il
ookedatt
hedoc.
.
Me:yesdoc.
..
thedocsmi
ledandtappedmeont heshoul
dert
o
assuremet
hatallwi
llbewel
l,
thensheleft
..
Luu:Samu,youandyoursibl
ingscangoinand
speaktoyoursi
ster
,Lubaandiwillgocheckon
Sbusiso,
owk??
Samunoddedant
heywentt
oNt
ando.
.
Luu:Luba!ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:owk??owk??
?shecantr
emembermeLuu.
..
shedoesntr
ememberme.
Luu:yesshedoesntr
ememberyou,
butt
hatdoesnt
meanshewi l
lNeverr
ememberyouagai
n..
Me:shemi
ghtneverr
emembermeagai
n..
Luu:Mi
ght
..
..
.ormi
ghtr
ememberyou.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luu:r
ememberwhatt
hedoctor
ssai
d,youhavet
o
bestr
ongf
orher,
sheneedsyou.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustl
ookeddown.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
Me:Ntandoi
syoung,shei
sonl
y19yearsold.she
cantt
akecar
eofallt
hoseki
ds,
plusSbusi
soissti
ll
aninf
ant.
Pol
ice:owk,al
lisr
egi
ster
ed,
didyouheart
hatMs
Pet
erson..
MsPet er
son:yessi r
,al
liswrit
ten.butihavea
quest
ion,whowi lll
ookafterNtando??yousaidshe
i
s19year sold,ionlyseeyouconcer nedaboutt
he
l
it
tl
eonesandnother
..
Pol
ice:doest
heor
phanageal
sot
ake19year
sol
d??
MsPet
erson:no,
butshecoul
dbet
akent
oahome.
il
ookedatLuuandl
ookedatt
hesoci
alwor
ker
.
Luba:
iam Nt
ando'
shusbandt
obe,
icant
akecar
e
ofher
..
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookedathernot
ebookt
aki
ng
not
eofthat
..
MsPeter
son:wel
l,gi
venthatshehaslosther
memory,
wecantjusttakeyourwordfori
t,we
mi
ghthavetospeaktoher,ort
akehertothehome.
.
Luba:
youcant
..
isaidthatoutoffearknowingt
hatshewouldn'
tbe
safe,butofcausei t
snotsomethi
ngtoexpl
ainto
copsorsocialwor kers.
.
Luba:
imean,
icant
akecar
eofNt
ando.
.
MsPeter
son:wewi
llspeaktoherandgetbackt
o
yout
otel
lyouhowthiswil
lworkout.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Luu:t
hatwoul
dbeappr
eci
ated.
.
MsPet er
son:t
hankyouver
ymuchf
oryourt
ime.we
wi
llkeepincontact
..
.
shest
oodupandialsost
oodup,weshookhands,
andsheal
soshookLuu'
shand.
.thenshel
eft
.
isi
ghedandweal
sol
eft
..
wegoti
nthecar
..
Luu:doyouwantt
ogot
othehospi
tal
??
Luba:myhear
tisbr
okenenough,
iwantt
osee
Pinky.
.
Luu:owk.
.
hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
ovet
omypl
ace.
.
ispentt
hatentir
er i
delooki
ngoutsidet
hinki
ng
aboutNtandoandt hishugeplott
wistt
hatwas
happeni
ng...it
hinkiam cursed.
.
nowitstheinvolvementofthesoci
alwor ker
s..i
fit
wasntforthekidsandSbusi so,
iwouldn'tbeso
worr
ied,buticanttakecareofthem al
l,it
stoo
much,plusili
veaver ydangerousli
fe,evenNtando
doesntknow,
andi
fshecoul
dknow,
idoubtshewi
ll
st
aywi t
hme..
anot
herpat
hihavet
ocr
ossbef
oreahappyendi
ng.
.
*
*SI
GH*
*
[
12/28,
13:
07] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
FRI
EDAHNGOMANE)
.
111
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Luba*
*
Pi
nky:daddy,
whenwi
lliseeauntNt
ando?
?
il
ookedatherandsmi
led.
.
Me:soonmyPr
incess,
shewi
llvi
sitsoon.
.
Pinky:i
sshet
heonemaki
ngdaddysadal
lthe
ti
me? ?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..yesbaby,
shei
smaki
ngmesad.
.
Pi
nky:whatdi
dshedo?
?di
dshegol
ikemommy
l
eft
??
Me:noPr i
ncess,shedidntgoli
kemommyleft.
.she
i
ssti
llphysical
lyher
e,butyetshei
sfarf
rom me..
Pi
nky:huh!
Me:youwouldn'
tunder
standmybaby.
..butdont
worr
y,daddywil
lbefi
ne..
.
Pinky:daddy,
justgoandf
etchher
,thenyouwi
llbe
happyagain..
il
ookedatherandsmi
le.
.
Me:iwi
shicoul
dpr
incess,
isowi
shicoul
d..
.
Pinky:wellicanmakedaddyhappy..ever
ybodycan
l
eave, butiam notl
eavi
ng,
iwil
lstayherewith
daddyf orever
..
Me:youpr
omi
se?
?
Pi
nky:Pi
nkypr
omi
se.
.
wel
ockedourPi
nkyf
inger
stoget
her
..
Sam ar
ri
vedt
opi
ckPi
nkyupt
ogot
oschool
..
Me:haveagr
eatdayatschoolowk?
?
Pi
nkynodded.
.
Pi
nky:byedaddy,
iloveyou.
.
Me:il
oveyout
oobaby.
.
Pi
nkyopenedherbag.
.
Sam:Pi
nkywebei
ngl
ate,
let
sgo.
.
Pi
nky:wai
t,if
orgott
ogi
vemydaddyapr
esent
..
Sam:owk,
thenhur
ry.
.
Me:hai
,tel
luncl
eSam i
tsnotyourf
aul
thecame
l
atetof
etchyou..
Pi
nkyl
ookedatSam andsmi
led.
.
shet
ookoutaboxandgavei
ttome.
.
i
twasntabi gbox,butitlookedlikeaBoxwher eyou
wouldputapeni nit.
.itwrappedupi nschoolbook
paperandcol or
edwithhighlight
ers,t
alkabout
creat
ivi
ty.
.itwasntevenpat chedwithtape,
inst
ead
i
twasgl ued..
ismi
ledandr
ecei
vedi
twi
thl
ove.
.
Me:t
hankyoubabe.
.
shegavemeanot
herone.
.
Pinky:t
hisonei
sforauntNt
ando.
.ihopeyoudont
getangry.
.
Me:whywoul
digetangr
y??i
tsowkt
ogi
veher
gi
ft
s..
shepout
edandcl
osedherbag.
.
Pi
nky:byedaddy.
.
iwavedgoodbyeandsmi
led.
.
isighedasiaskedmysel
fhowiwoul
dgi
vet
hist
o
Ntandowhenshedoesntevenr
emembermeor
Pinky..
it
henputherpresentasideandl
ookedatmi
ne.
."i
wonderwhati
sinher e"
.
asiwasaboutt
oopeni
t,ir
ecei
vedacal
l.
ianswer
edt
hecal
l.
.
Me:hal
o..
Voice:Goodmor
ningMrNkosi
,wear
ecal
li
ngyou
regardi
ngMsNtando#####
Me:whatabouther
??di
danyt
hinghappent
oher
??
Voi
ce:nosi
r,shej
ustaskedust
ocal
lyou,
she
woul
dliket
oseeyou..
Me:me?
?
Voi
ce:yessi
r.
.sheaskedspeci
fi
cal
lyf
oryou?
?
Me:owk,
iwi
llbet
her
eri
ghtaway.
.
ihungupandinahurryir
ushedt
omycarand
drovet
othehospi
tal
..
"
coul
ditbet
hatsher
emember
snow?
?"
idr
oveandaf
terawhi
le,
iar
ri
vedatt
hehospi
tal
..
ipar
kedandt
henwenti
nthehospi
tal
.
ihurr
iedi
n,spoket
other
ecept
ioni
standwasl
ead
toherward.
.
asigottothedoor,il
ookedthroughasmal
lsee
thr
oughglassatthedoor ,
shewaslayi
ngonher
bedplayi
ngwithherfingers.
.
il
ookeddownandl
eanedatt
hewal
l.
.
iwast
hinki
ng,
thi
nki
ngaboutwhat
??ial
sodont
know,butsomehowiwasntreadyt
obet
oldbymy
l
ovethatshedoesntknowwhoiam..
however
,it
ookadeepbr
eat
handwal
kedi
n..
shel
ookedatme.
iwentt
oherbedsi
de.
..
Me:hi
..
.
il
ookedathertoseeifshecoul
drecogni
zewhoi
was,buticoul
dtel
lfr
om herexpr
essiont
hatshe
st
il
ldidntknowwhoiwas.
Her
:hi
..
.
Me:(
clearsthroat
)iwascal
ledbyt
hedoct
ors,
they
t
oldmet hatyouaskedforme.
shel
ookeddown,
thenshel
ookedupagai
n..
Her
:yes.
..
il
ookedatherwi
thoutsayi
nganyt
hing.
.
Her:wel
l,
iwant
edtoaskwhatyouwer
edoinghere
wheniwokeup??howdoyouknowme? ?idont
r
ememberevermeeti
ngyou.
.
idi
dntknowhowt or
espond,
ididntknowwhet
her
tot
ell
herornot
..iwassoconfused.
..
ist
ayedsi
lent
..
Her:iwastoldthatihavelostalotofmemor y,i
thoughtiam herefr
om f al
li
ngfrom t
hestair
sbuti
wast ol
dthat,t
hathappenedal most2yearsago.i
real
izedsomethingwaswr ongwhenisawSne
walkingandtalki
ng,lastti
meiremember ,Sne
couldntwalkandtalk,shewasonlyaboutayearol d.
Samut oldmewhathappened, shetol
dmet hatmy
mom passedawayaboutmont hsago,thenshetold
met hatauntChloepassedawayweeksago. .and
nowauntMar ypassedawayDaysago. ..
shestart
edcr
ying..idi
dntknowwhatt
odo.comf
ort
her,
holdher
,orjustwatchhercr
yandhur
tmy
heart
..
.
myhandswer ei t
chi
ngtoholdherandhugherto
tel
lherthatal
lisowk.
.butiwasntsur
e,si
nceinher
eyes,iam not
hingbutastr
anger.
.
Her
:theyt
oldme.
..t
heytoldmethat(
cryi
ng)af
ter
mymom passedaway,auntMar
ydidnttr
eatme
well
,Samusaidiwouldal
wayshidethepainand
brui
sesbutheal
wayssawt hem andwishedtodo
somethi
ngabouti
t,butwhatcansmallboyli
ke
Samudoaboutit??
il
ookedatherinshock,idi
dntknowt
hatwomani
ll
tr
eat
edher.
..iknewthatwomanwasof f
..
.
att
hatti
meihadaflashbackofwhatMrRadebe
sai
dthelastt
imewhenhevisi
tedthathouse.
.
hesai dhesawabr uiseonNtando'sneck..idi
dnt
thinkhewast el
li
ngthetrut
h,itookthati
nformati
on
l
ight l
y,seemsishoul
dhaveact edthatti
me, mabye
allthi
swoul dhavenothappened..
shel
ookedatme.
.
Her:youdi
dntknowri
ght?
?i dontbl
ameyou.
.i
guesswewereonlydat
ingforafewdays.
.
Me:what
??
Her:thedoctorstol
dmet hatyoutoldthem t
hati
wasyourgirlfr
iend,andyouar etheonet hat
broughtmeher e..
.theytoldmet hatyouevenslept
thewholenighthere...
il
ookeddown.
.
Her:iam sor
rythaticantr
ememberyou,iam sur
e
youmustbef eeli
ngverysad.
.iam sor
ry.
.
Hi
m:i
tsnotyourf
aul
t,st
opapol
ogi
zing.
.
Her:ifimayask,
howi sitt
hatwemet??imeanl ook
atme, whatdi
dyouevenseei nme??youlookl
ikea
manwhowoul dl
ookf orwomanwithver
ynice
bodiesandfai
rskin,
iam nonofthat
..
shesai
dthi
sshyi
ngawayl
ooki
ngdown.
.
il
ookedather..
..iwasnotexpect
ingthi
squest
ion.
andthethoughtthatshethi
nksli
kethi
sabout
her
selfmakesmeangr y.
.
isi
ghed.
.
iwasaboutt
ospeakwhenmyphoner
ang.
.
i
twasoneofmyguys.
.
Me:nowi
snott
het
ime.
.
Hi
m:(
int
err
upt
ed)Sam washi
t.
..
Me:what
??
Hi
m:hewasinvolvedinanacci
dent,
hitandr
unt
his
morni
ngwhi
letakingPinkyt
oschool
..
Me:andPi
nky?
?
Him:shewast akentothehospi t
alaswellasSam,
wedontknowhowt heyar e,ijustgott
heinfofr
om
theotherguys.
.wecoul dntbeabl etostopit
becauseitwaswellplanned, butwemanagedr ace
aft
erthedriver
,wegothi m andt ookhi
mt othe
warehouse..
Me:keephi
mther
e,iam onmyway.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
weallthoughtthiswasthepeakoftragedyand
tear
s,butseemst heboysweremessi ngwith
someonewhodi dnthaveaheartandwasf earl
ess.
.
theyunderest
imat edhi
m..
t
hiswasnott
heonlythi
ngthathappened,
ever
yone
t
hist
imewasrecei
vingbadnews..
fr
om Luba,whojustfoundoutthatPi
nkyandSam
werei
nvolvedinanaccidentandthedri
verdr
ove
away,butatl
easthi
smenf oundhim..
andLuu, whowashavi ngagooddayatwor k, but
al
sor ecei
vedacal l
from hi
smensayi ngSiyaand
BoiandSi phoalmostgoti nanacci dent,l
uckily,
Siphosawi tfasterandwasabl etododget hecar,
butthatcausedt hatSiphohitthepol eandhecar
crashed,butBoiandSi yawer eowk. .youmi ghtsay
hewasl ucky,butthinkaboutwhatmi ghthave
happenedi fSiphodidntdodget hatcar.
andt henwehavesai nt.whowasatschoolwai t
ing
forLiyema,whenhissi stercall
edhimtolethim
knowt hathi
smot herandf at
hergotshotandleft
deadathome.t heywer esupposedt obewor ki
ng
from home,theli
tt
lesisterhadal r
eadygoneto
schoolandSaintsbigsi ster,
wasonni ghtshi
ftand
saintlef
tear
ly.
.
hewassobr
okenthathedidntknowwhatt
odo.
.he
rant
ohi
scaranddrovetohishome..
thenKhutso.
.theonetoreceivet
hemostt r
agi
c
news..hewasntcall
ed,hedidntheari
tfr
om anyone,
hesawi t
..
hecamehome,
tir
edf
rom cl
assandwhenhe
walkedinthehouse,hef
oundgatesanddoor slef
t
unlocked,
heraninthehousethi
nkingrobbers
madet hei
rwayin,butwhathefound,brokehi
s
heart.
hewalkedinandf
oundadeadpool
.hi
swhol
e
fami
lyswimmingi
napoolofbl
ood.
hestooddeadsti
llwonder
inghowallthi
s
happened.
.hecouldntmove,hecoul
dntthi
nk.
.
t
earsranouthi
seyes,
whatwasbef
orehi
seyes,
l
ookedli
keanight
mare.ar
ealni
ght
mare.
[
12/28,
13:
08] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SI
YAVUYA)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Luba*
*
iki
ckedt
hisguyont
heneck,
hef
elldown.
iki
ckedhi
mti
llhebl
ed.
.
me:t
hatgi
rl
,wasgoi
ngt
oschool
,shei
sonl
y9
year
sol
ddammi
t.
.whosentyou?
?
hest
il
lwasntt
alki
ng.
.
Me:owk.
..
iwentt
otheboxesandgotoutanext
ension,
i
pl
uggeditandbroughti
tcl
osert
ome.theni
pl
uggedaniron.
.
helookedati
tandst
art
edscr
eami
ngashet
ri
edt
o
fr
eehimself
..
Me:nousetryi
ngtount
ieyour
sel
f,yout
hinkyou
cangetoutofher
e??
hel
ookedar
ound,
myguyswer
est
andi
ngar
ound.
.
ichuckl
ed.
.
iputtheir
ont
ogethot
,icoul
dseet
hathewasnow
scared.
.
hest
art
edmumbl
ingsomet
hing.
..
Me:iam noti
nter
est
edi
nli
steni
ng,
butiam mor
e
i
nter
est
edi npl
ayi
ng.
.
aft
erawhil
e,it
ookthei
ronandputi
tsl
owl
yonhi
s
ski
n,hescr
eamed..
Hi
m:ahhhhhhh!pl
ease,
please.
..
.
ismi
le.
.
Me:iam notl
ist
eni
ng,
iam deaf
..
iputt
hei
rononhisskinagai
nandhescr
eamed
agai
nashisski
nburned.
.
ithenputthei
ronbackandburnedanot
herpartof
hisbody.hekeptcr
yingandscreami
ngforhel
p..he
evensaidhewouldgiveini
nfo.
ismi
ledathi
m..
me:st
il
lnoti
nter
est
ed.
.
hebeggedandbeggedbutij
ustcont
inuedt
obur
n
hi
sskinwit
htheir
on..
iwasl
eavi
ngpat
chesandpat
chesofbur
nsar
ound
hi
sbody.
.
t
heni
putt
hei
ronasi
de.
.
Me:st
artt
alki
ng.
.
Hi
m:i t
sJK,it
sJK..i
twasonhiscal
lthatwehadt
o
ki
llal
lyourf
amil
ymembers..
me:al
l?
?
Him:someguyswenttoki
llot
herfami
li
esoft
he
guysinyourgr
oup.
.it
sal
ldone..
Me:ki
llot
herf
ami
li
esoft
hegr
oup?
?
it
henthoughtofKhutsoandSai
ntandt
heot
her
guys,
ical
ledLuufir
st..
Luu:Luba!
Luba:
yourvoi
cei
sdown.
.
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luba:
isSi
yaandBoiowk?
?
Luu:theywer
ealmostinvolvedi
nanacci
dent
,but
theyareowk.
.thankst
oSi pho'
squi
ckeyesi
ght.
.
butsomeoneelsegotshot..
Luba:
who?
?
Luu:auntMar
tha.
.
Luba:
what
??
Luu:mhm.
.
Luba:
haveyouhear
dfr
om sai
ntandKhut
soand
Joe?
?
Luu:i
havehear
dfrom Joe,
heiscool,
hewas.he
al
soheardf
rom t
heguys,ial
soheardthatPi
nky
wasinanacci
dent.
..
Luba:
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Luu:t
heguystol
dmeeverythi
ng.
.Khut
so'
swhol
e
famil
ywasshot,
Sai
nt'
sparentswer
eki
ll
ed.
..
Luba:
itsJK.
.
Luu:i
suspect
edt
hatt
oo.
.
Luba:it
snotasuspect,theguysmanagedtodri
ve
aft
erthedrivert
hatchasedPinkyandSam,heis
hereri
ghtnow, att
hewar ehouse,
heconf
essesthat
i
tsallJK..
Luu:att
hewar
ehouse?
?
Luba:
yes.
.
Luu:iwi
llbet
her
ewithJoe..idoubtKhutsoand
sai
ntwil
lcome,t
heyareprobablysti
llgri
evi
ng.
..i
gotsomeguystocl
oselywatchthem. .
Luba:
owk.
.
ihungupandl
ookedatt
hisguy.
.
iwenttogetsomewaterandpour
edt
hisguyand
hescreamedfrom t
hepai
ns..
..
isatbackwai
ti
ngf
orLuu.
..
af
teralongwhil
easiwassi t
tingonmychai rwith
myeyesf i
ll
edwit
htearsasithoughtaboutPinky..i
wantedtogoseeher,butt
hishadtobesor t
edf i
rst.
.
Luuar
ri
ved.
.
ashewalkedinhewentstraighttothi
sguyand
st
artedki
cki
nghim sohardwhi leil
ookedf
rom f
ar.
.
iwasntgoi
ngtostophim,weal lknownowthati
ts
JK,sohecankil
lhim,iwouldn'tcar
e..
heki
ckedhi
m andashesawt
hei
ron.
.
heputtheir
ononhi
sface.
.theguysscr
eamswer
e
ver
yloud..
Luu:Di
eF*
***
**
t
heguykeptmovi
ngar
oundasLuubur
nedhi
sface
wit
hthei
ron.
.
Luut
henwentoutagai
nandcamebackwi
tha
bott
leofpetr
ol,
Luualwayskeepsabot
tl
ejust
encasehisgasfini
sheswhi
leheisont
heway..
hepour
edthi
sguywithpet
rolandhi
sopenwounds
bur
ned.
.Luuthenl
itt
hefi
reandtheguybegged
hi
m..
Luu:byeB*
***
**
hel
ithi
m upandwewat
chedhi
mrunar
oundashe
bur
ned.
.
Luuj
ustst
oodther
e,ij
ustsatt
her
e,l
ooki
ngatt
his
guyr
unaround.
.
af
terawhi
le,
hef
elldownandt
hatwast
heendf
or
hi
m..
Luul
ookedatme.
.
il
ookedathi
m..
hewalkedt
omeandpul
ledmeupmychai
rand
huggedme..
Luu:dontwor
ry,
Pinkywi
llbeowk.
.
Me:wi
llKhut
soandSai
ntbeowk?
?
Luu:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.idontknow.
.
Me:wher
eisJoe?
?
Luu:i
coul
dntf
indhi
m,mabyehewentt
othem.
.
Me:iwantt
ogoseePi
nky.
.
Luu:owk.
.let
sgo..(
speaki
ngt othemen)makesur
e
tocl
eanthi
splaceup,noevidence.
.
t
heyagr
eed.
.
wewalkedoutanddrovetot
hehospi
tal
,idr
ovemy
carandhedrovehi
scar..
wear
ri
vedatt
hehospi
talandist
oodout
side.
.
Luucamet
ome.
.
Luu:l
etsgoi
n..
Me:cantbel i
eveit
sthe3rdpersoncomingtot
his
hospitaldi
rectl
yli
nkedt
ome. .i
tsNtando,
Sbusi
so
andPi nky.
.howcanoner ecei
vesucha
punishment ??
Luu:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
il
ookeddownandwal
kedi
nthehospi
tal
..
aswewal
kedi
nwemetadoct
ort
hatt
reat
sNt
ando
andknowsus.
.
Doc:ohhhh,youareher
eagain?t
hepat
ienthas
beenaskingaboutyou,
shesaysyoul
eftver
y
suddenandyouseemedangryandsadasi f
somethi
nghappened..
Me:iam nother
eforherdoc,mydaught
erwas
i
nvol
vedinaaccidentandthedr
iverr
anoff
..
Doc:t
hatl
it
tl
egi
rli
syourdaught
er?
?
Me:yes.
.
Doc:andt
heguyshewaswi
th?
?
me:that
'saf
ri
end,
heal
wayst
akesmydaught
ert
o
school
..
Doc:ohhh,whatacoi
ncident
, iam al
sotaki
ngcare
ofher.
.andasitookcareofyourgirl
fri
end,iwi
ll
al
sotakecareofyourdaughter,t
rustme..
ismi
ledal
it
tl
e..
Me:mayiseeher
..
Doc:ofcause,
thi
sway.
.
if
oll
owedher
..
doc:i
twasntanythi
ngmajor
,shewilll
ive,buta
gl
assreall
ycutdeeponhercheek,
soshemi ght
havetoli
vewit
hascaronhercheekf orever.
.it
wontfadeaway..
Me:ascari
sbet
tert
henhavi
ngt
oloseherf
orever
..
Doc:ofcause.
.
wegoti
nthewar
dandisawherl
ayi
ngt
her
e..
herheadwaswrappedi
nabandagelikehow
Ntandowas.
.butshewasbandageddowntoher
face.
.
shel
ayont
hehospi
talbedsohel
plessl
y..
Luu:i
wil
lbeout
sidewhenyouneedme.
.
inodded.
.
Luuwentoutandmyt
earj
ustescapedmyeye.
..
.
*
**Fl
ashback*
**
Pinky:wellicanmakedaddyhappy..ever
ybodycan
l
eave, butiam notl
eavi
ng,
iwil
lstayherewith
daddyf orever
..
Me:youpr
omi
se?
?
Pi
nky:Pi
nkypr
omi
se.
.
wel
ockedourPi
nkyf
inger
stoget
her
..
Sam ar
ri
vedt
opi
ckPi
nkyupt
ogot
oschool
..
Me:haveagr
eatdayatschoolowk?
?
Pi
nkynodded.
.
Pi
nky:byedaddy,
iloveyou.
.
Me:il
oveyout
oobaby.
.
Pi
nkyopenedherbag.
.
Sam:Pi
nkywebei
ngl
ate,
let
sgo.
.
Pi
nky:wai
t,if
orgott
ogi
vemydaddyapr
esent
..
Sam:owk,
thenhur
ry.
.
Me:hai
,tel
luncl
eSam i
tsnotyourf
aul
thecame
l
atetof
etchyou..
Pi
nkyl
ookedatSam andsmi
led.
.
shet
ookoutaboxandgavei
ttome.
.
i
twasntabi
gbox,
buti
tlookedl
ikeaBoxwher
eyou
wouldputapeni nit.
.itwrappedupinschoolbook
paperandcol or
edwithhighli
ghter
s,tal
kabout
creat
ivi
ty.
.itwasntevenpatchedwi t
htape,
inst
ead
i
twasgl ued..
ismi
ledandr
ecei
vedi
twi
thl
ove.
.
Me:t
hankyoubabe.
.
shegavemeanot
herone.
.
Pinky:t
hisonei
sforauntNt
ando.
.ihopeyoudont
getangry.
.
Me:whywoul
digetangr
y??i
tsowkt
ogi
veher
gi
ft
s..
shepout
edandcl
osedherbag.
.
Pi
nky:byedaddy.
.
iwavedgoodbyeandsmi
led.
.
*
*EndofFl
ashback*
*
.
myt
ear
scamer
ushi
ngdown.
.
asist
art
edhavi
ngmor
efl
ashbacksofheratt
he
chessclub,heratschool
,herathomeactingup,her
smile,
herlaugh,thesi
ll
ysongshesi ngswhenshe
far
tsandpr et
endsnottohavefarted..
al
lthatwer
emaki
ngmebr
eakdown.
.
ist
art
edcr
ying,
notj
ustsof
tl
ycr
ying,
butiwept
..
.
iweptsohardt
haticoul
dfeelal
umpi
nmyt
hroat
,
itf
eltasi
fiwassheddi
ngdown..
icr
iedsomucht
hatif
eltr
eal
lybr
oken.
.
myheartached,mybodyfel
tweak.
.ifiwoul
d,i
woul
ddestroythi
swholeworl
djustt
ogetJKnow
andki
llhi
m..
warhadbegun,
weunder
est
imat
edhi
m..
if
ellonmyknees,
ihel
dPi
nky'
shand.
.iwept
..
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Luuwasout
sidet
hebenchandwasal
socr
ying.
.
hecouldntholdhi
mself,
thiswastoomuch. .hefel
t
forhi
sbrotherandhisotherbr
others,Sai
ntand
Khutso.
.hefeltweakbecausehef ai
ledtoprot
ect
t
hei
rfami
ly.hef
eltusel
ess.
.
ashewast
her
e,hegotat
ext
.
"
youmesswi t
hmyguysandme, imesswi t
hyours
f
ami l
y10ti
mesmor e,nowyouknownevert omess
wit
hme.handoverandiwi l
lspar
emorel i
ves,but
r
esistandt
rytoki
llme,andlosemor
elives."
Luureadt
hisandi
mmediat
elyhet
hrewhisphone
onthewal
landscr
eamedoutofanger
..
Lubaheardhi
m andr
anout
sidewi
thhi
sfacef
il
led
wit
hhistear
s..
heopenedt hedoorandlookedatLuuandsawal
l
thatangeronhisface.
.
Luul
ookedathi
m..
t
heyl
ookedateachot
herf
orf
ewseconds.
.
Luu:RI
PJK.
.
Luba:
RIPJK'
sfami
ly.
.
t
heybot
hnoddedandLuba.
.
Lubasawt
hedoct
orandl
ookedathi
m..
Luba:doc,
iwanttot
ransf
ermyfami
lyt
oCubaasap,
canyouprepar
ethedocument
s??
Doc:si
r,t
odot
hatw.
..
..
.
Luba:moneyisnoissue,
hiri
ngaspecialplaneto
accommodat eapat
ienti
salsonotaproblem, and
hir
ingbestdoct
orstohomestayisalsonota
probl
em,nowgetoni t
.asfastasyoucan..
Doc:si
r.
..
Luu:i
fanyt
hinghappenst
othem,
wil
lyouaccount
fori
t??
t
hedoct
orl
ookedatt
hem.
.
Luba:t
heirl
ivesar
enotsafehere,nowgett
othe
documents,cal
lmewhent hepapersar
eready.
.
rememberit
smydaught erandMsNt andoand
Sbusi
so..
Luu:Sbusi
so?
?
Luba:adopti
onwilltakef
orever
..for
getaboutitfor
now..iwil
lgetpeopletot
akecar eofthe3sibl
ings,
butSbusisoandNt andoarecomingwi t
hus..icant
ri
skit.
.F***
*it.
.
Luu:i
willt
aket
he3sibl
ingstoSi
ya'sf
ather
'sf
ami
ly,
hopef
ull
ytheyt
aket
hem in.
.iwil
lpayt
hem..
Luba:sort
ed,l
etsgopr
epar
etot
aket
hem t
osaf
ety,
thengetJK..
Luu:l
etsgo.
.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
_
___
___
_
Khut
sowassi
tt
ingont
hef
looratt
hedoorcr
ying.
.
hedi
dntbel
ievewaswasgoi
ngon.
.
hisphonekeptr
ingi
ngandr
ingi
ng,
buthedi
dnt
evenpicki
tup..
hekeptr
unni
ngmemor
iesofhi
sfami
ly.
t
hef
unt
imes,
pai
nfult
imesandhappyt
imes.
.
al
lthatwasshowninhi
smi
nd,
ashel
ookedatt
hem
l
ayingonthefl
oor
..
afterawhil
e,t
hepoli
cecameinfol
lowedbythe
otherpeopl
ethatwereher
etot
aket hedeadbodi
es,
JoehelpedKhutsoup..
Joe:i
tsowkman.
..i
tsowk.
..
hehuggedhim asKhutsoj
ustst
oodt
her
enumb
wit
houtsayi
nganythi
ng..
Sai
ntwasinsi
deJoe'scar,Joest
art
edatSai
nt'
scar
andbr
oughtotherpol
icehere.
.
Sai
ntwasjustsi
tt
ingt
hereemot
ionl
esswi
thhi
s
si
sterwhowasalsocr
yingi
nsai
ntsarms.
.
ever
ythi
ngwasamess.
.
JoetookKhut
sot
othecarandt
henwentt
ospeak
tot
hepoli
ceandt
hepeople.
.
Khutsowasnotsupposedt
ocomehomef oraf
ew
weeksashishousewasacrimescene.
.incl
udi
ng
Sai
ntandhissi
ster
..
Luugotacal
lfr
om Joeandt
heyagr
eedt
omeetat
Luu'
shouse.
.
Lubawasf
oll
owi
nguponLuu.
.
theygott
oLuu'
shouseandt
heot
herboysal
so
camein..
Boiwasshockedtoseesadfacesfrom t
heguys
faces,
shewasntawareoftheothernews,Luudidnt
tel
lherbecausehewasafr
aidshewouldbeaf r
aid..
Luu:Bunny,
goandhavear
est
,Si
yat
oo.
.
Boidi
dntask,shet
ookSiyaandtheywentt
othei
r
rooms.
.theguyssati
ntheli
vingroom.
.
t
heyal
lsatdownandhadaver
yqui
etmoment
..
t
heydidntdr
ink,notevenagl
ass,
theywantedto
f
eelever
ypain,sothatwhent
heygoafterJK,t
hey
wil
lgohardandnoteasy..
hour
sofnotal
kbutsi
lence.
.that
'swhatwasgoi
ng
onri
ghtnow.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
08] :112
.
*
*Luba*
*
"hiPri
ncess,
daddyishereagai
n.rememberyou
promisedtobewithmeforever
??welliam wait
ing
foryoutokeepthatpr
omise.daddyisherewait
ing
foryoutocomebackt ohim.
.andiwillwaitunt
il
youcomebackt ome.."
il
ookedatthepresentshegavemeandt
heoneshe
gaveNtando.
..
"iam sor
ryidelayedthepresent.butiwil
lgogivei
t
tohersoon..t
her easonwhyiwassadi sbecause
auntNtandowasi nhospitalandcantremember
daddy.nowyouar ealsomakingmesad, youare
l
ayinginabedt hatisnotyours.
."
il
ookedatherandhel
dherhand.
.
"
iam sor
rynana.
.iam sor
ry.
."
t
ear
sst
art
edt
ocomedownasiapol
ogi
zed.
..
"iam sorrythatilivethisli
feandnowibrought
dangert oyourlife..iam sorr
ynanathatyouwil
l
alwaysbeat argett oallmyenemies.
.iam sor
ry
Princess..ihopeyouf orgi
vedaddy.
.
iwasnowcr
ying.
.
t
hedooropenedandil
ooked,
itwast
hedoct
or.
.
iwi
pedmyt
ear
sandbr
eat
hedout
..
Doc:mor
ningMsNkosi
..
Me:Mor
ningdoc.
..howi
sshedoi
ng?
?
Doc:pr
ett
ywel
l.
.shewi
llbeoki
nnot
ime.
..
Me:t
hat
'sgr
eat
..caniask,
hast
het
ransf
er
document
sbeenpr
ocessed?
Doc:yessi
r.
.
Me:t
hat
'sgr
eat
..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwasinmywardtr
yingtocat
chsleep.t
hedoor
openedandt
hedoctorandaladycameinsi
de.
.
isatup.
.
Nurse:Nt
ando,t
hisisasocialwor
ker
,shewoul
d
l
iketotal
ktoyou.
.isthatowk??
inodded.
.
Nurse:iwi
llbeout
side,shouldyouneedassi
stance,
youknowwhatt odor i
ght??
inoddedagai
nwi
thasmi
le.
.
t
hel
adysatdown.
.
Her:GoodmorningNt
ando,
iam MsPet
erson.
.a
socialwor
ker
..
inodded.
.
Her:ithascometoouratt
ent
ionthatyouhaveno
par
ent snorguar
diant
olookaft
eryouandyour
si
blings..
Me:howdi
dyouknowma?
?
Her:aconcer
nedguy,whocl
aimst
obeyour
boyfr
iendcametous.
.
Me:ohhhh.
.
shesatdownandf
ewt
hingswi
thme.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*NARRATOR*
*
theboyswer
esi
tt
ingi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom atLuu'
s
house.
.
SaintandKhutsohavebeensl
eepi
ngatahotel
together
,thenspendt
hedayatLuu'
shouse.
Luu:Khut so,
Saint,mycondol encestoyouguys.
..i
cantreal
lysayt hatiknowwhatyouguysar egoi
ng
through,buticanimagi ne.ipromiseyouonethi
ng
though,JKwi l
lbeyour stobeheadoncewef i
nal
ize
t
hef
uner
al.
.
Khut
soandSai
ntj
ustnoddedast
heykeptqui
et.
Joe:imaybet heonetoleasttalk,becausenonof
thi
saffectedmedi rect
ly,
butitaf f
ectedme
personal
ly,becauseyourfamiliesismyf amil
ies.
.
Luu:Luba,youmustalsobegoi
ngthroughal ot,but
weareher eforyou.
.weareher
eforallofyou..we
areone..
t
heyal
llookedateachot
her
..
Khut
so:howwi
llt
hef
uner
alhappen?
?
Luu:wecansendeveryoneof
finoneday.
.thatway,
wewillhave1funer
alandqui
ckl
ytakethe
remai
ningtoCuba..
Joe:whoexact
lyi
sgoi
ngt
oCuba?
?
Luu:Boi
tumel
o,Si
ya,
Pinky,
Ntando,
Sbusi
soand
Sandra.
Khut
so:Sandr
a??
Luu:youguyshavebeendatingforawhil
e,iam
suretheyknowabouther
..bett
ersafet
hensorry.
.
Khut
so:shedoesntevenknowwhoiam.
.
Luu:sortt
hatoutasap,
aft
ert
hef
uner
alever
yone
mustleave.
.
Saint
:whataboutNt
ando'
ssi
bli
ngs?
?wontt
heygo
aft
erthem??
Luba:no.
.theyarenotdi r
ectlyi
nvolvedwithme, so
theywonttri
ggeranyt hing,Luuwillgett
hem to
Siya'
sfamil
yuntilthesoci alworkerisdonewiththe
documentstotaket hem t otheorphanage..i
actual
lywantedthem t otakeSbusi soaswell,but
heneedsextraattenti
onandidontwantt oburden
them.sohewi l
lgot oCubaandgr owupt her
e.
atl
eastNtandowillbet here..
Luu:Sai
nt,
ithi
nkyoursi
sterandyoungersi
ster
shoul
dgot oo.
.
Sai
ntnodded.
.
Luu:t
alkt
othem andgett
hem r
eady.
.
Sai
ntnoddedagai
n..
Luu:Khut
so?
?
Khut
sol
ookedatLuu.
Luu:youwi
llbeowk.
.youhaveusowk?
Khut
sof
aint
lysmi
ledashi
stearescaped.
.
hi
swholef
ami
lywaskill
edandhewasnowl
eft
al
onei
nthi
sworl
d..howcruel
..
theyboyscont
inuedt
alki
ngaboutt
hef
uner
aland
aboutthet
ri
ptoCuba..
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasinthehospi
tallooki
ngatPi
nkyasshel
ayon
thebedhelpl
essl
y..
mytearscameoutasist art
edthinkingthatishould
havealsobeenhereordead.mysel fandSiya
almostgotinanaccident
,butSiphowasqui ckt o
seeitcoming.
.ifhehadnotcaughtupt hatearly,we
wouldbeinheref i
ghti
ngforourli
vesasPi nkyis..
ihel
dherf
aceandki
ssedherf
orehead.
.
Lubamustbegoi
ngt
hroughal
ot.
.
gi
rlf
ri
endinhospi
tal
,Memoryl
oss.Chi
ldi
nhospi
tal
,
unconsci
ous.t
hat
'scruel
.
af
terawhi
let
hedooropenedandi
twasNt
ando.
.
shewaswalki
ngwi
thherhospi
talki
tsi
nceshecant
takei
tof
f.
.
shecametous.
.il
ookedatherwonder
ingi
fmabye
shegai
nedhermemoryback.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
ihavenevervi
sit
edheraftershewokeup,j
ust
heari
ngthatshelosthermemory,idi
dntt
hinki
t
wasagoodi deatovisi
t.
.
shewal
kedi
n..
Nt
ando:iam sor
ry,
iwi
llcomesomeot
hert
ime.
.
Me:ohhhno,
no.
.comei
n..i
tsowk.
.
Nt
ando:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:yes,
itsr
eal
lyowk.
.
Nt
ando:ohhhThankyou.
.
shecamei
n
Nt
ando:i
sshedoi
ngowk?
?
Boi
:mhm,
shej
usthasn'
twokenupyet
..
Nt
ando:ohhh,iam sor
ry,
youmustbehermot
her
?i
am Nt
ando..
Boi
:(smi
le)ohhhno,
iam nothermot
her
..
Nt
ando:ohhsor
ry,
ithoughtyouwer
e..
'
boi:ohno..myboyf
ri
endandherf
atherar
e
brother
s..
Nt
ando:ohh,
isee.
Boi
:ihear
dyoudontr
ememberanyt
hing.
.
shenoddedver
ysl
ight
ly.
.
Boi
:wel
l,dontpushyour
selftorememberbutatthe
sameti
me, dontbet
oorelaxed.Lubaneedsyou.
.
Nt
ando:what
??
Boi:hemayactst r
ongandactl i
keheisalr
ight
,but
heisactual
lyveryfragil
e..hemayhavehisguyst o
supporthi
m, butyouandhi sdaught
erar
ehi smain
sourceofhappiness..hel
phi m..
Ntando:youspeakasi
fyouknowmemor
etheni
t
hought..
Boi
:idontknowyouasmuch,
ionl
ymetyouatt
he
companyasyouwereworki
ng.idi
dntevenknow
thatyouwer
eLuba'
sgi
rl
fr
iendunti
lthedayyou
got..
..
..
.
Nt
ando:gotwhat
??
Boi
:huh,
not
hing.
..
Ntando:youhavetot
ellmef
ormet
orememberand
t
rytoremember .
.
Boi
:idontt
hinki
tsmyplacet
osayi
t.
.ihavet
ogo
now.
.seeyouaround.
.
Nt
ando:huh.
..
..
..
..
..
.
iwal
kedout
..
ial
mostsaidt
hingst
hatwouldhavecausedmor
e
damagethenf
ixingt
hings.
[
12/
28,
13:
09] :113
.
*
*Luu*
*
Boi
:iwentt
oseePi
nkyt
oday.
..
.ir
eal
lyf
eelLuba'
s
pai
n..
Me:yah..heisgoingthr
oughal ot
,butnotli
ke
KhutsoandSai nt
..t
heylostt
heirl
ovedonceand
wil
lneverseethem agai
n..especi
all
yKhutso,he
l
osteveryone.
..henowonl yhasSandraandus..
Boi:iam st
art
ingtohat
ethisl
ifeyouareli
ving.
.
whatifsomethingli
ket
hishappensagain??and
thi
st i
me,whatifwegethurtl
iketheot
hers,ordi
e??
Me:Bunny.
.
Boi:noLuu,doyoureal
izet
hateveryti
meyouhave
anenemy, t
heywill
alwayscomeafterustoget
thr
oughyou? ?i
sthathowwewi l
lli
veforever
??
Me:Bunny.
..
Boi:doyouevenknowt hatyouhaveneveractual
ly
tol
dmei ndet
ailwhatyoudo?ionlyput2and2
togetherandcameoutwi thmyconclusion.
.itwas
ri
ght,butit
snotdetai
led..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi
:Luu,
areyoudeal
ingwi
thdr
ugs?
?
Me:what
??
Boi
:that
'swhatmostgangst
ersdealwi
th.
.
Me:hel
lno.
.idont
..
.
Boi
:thenwhati
sit
??whatexact
lydoyoudo?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.*Si
gh*iam aMaf
ia.
..
Boi
:ist
her
eadi
ff
erencebet
weenagangst
eranda
Mafi
a??
Me:it
hinkso,
idontknow.
.
Boi
:sowhatdoesaMaf
iado?
?
Me:wedeal
..wi
thdi
amonds.
.
Boi
:LubanziJuni
orWol
f!
!!
myheartranoutmychestwhenshecall
edmyf ul
l
IDnames..iwaswonder
ingwhattosayandifi
shoul
dstoptalki
ngandl
ethercal
m down..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi
:di
amonds?
??di
amonds?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi
:*br
eat
hsouti
ndi
sbel
ief
*andwhatel
se.
.
Me:wealsotakesmal
lbusinessunderour
pr
otect
ioni
nexchangethattheypayusbackand
t
heydontpayt
ax.
Boi
:.
..
..
..
..
Me:andthen,wedoshipmentstoj
ewelr
ystores
andbigj
ewel r
yfact
ori
es,
thatmoneyist
hen
cl
eanedthroughourbusi
nessbanktr
ansact
ions.
.
Boi
:soal
ltheseenemi
es,
whatar
etheyact
ual
ly
af
ter
??
Me:thewhol
eoper
ati
on,
theywantourwhol
e
oper
ati
on.
.
Boi:soinst
eadofgivi
ngthem t
hedamnoperation
your at
herhavepeopl
ecl
osetoyoulosethei
rloved
ones? ?
?soyoureadytosacri
fi
cemeforyour
operati
on??
Me:bunny,i
tsnott
hatsi
mpl
e..i
tsnotj
ustagi
ve
andtake.
.
Boi
:thenwhati
sit
??gi
ve,
takeandwhat
??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Boi:soallofyoudecidedtofi
ghtthi
sdangerous
heartl
essmani nsteadofgivi
nguptheoperati
on??
?
shouldiprepareformyfuneral?
?huh??
Me:Bunny.
.
Boi:(
sniff
)orwil
lyouki
llhi
sfamilyt
oo,j
usttoset
tl
e
thescore??wi
llyouspi
lli
nnocentbl
oodjustt
o
sett
lethescor
e??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi:whathaveigot
tenmyselfint
o??whydi digeti
n
suchamesswi thyou??ishould'
vepi
ckedupabout
thi
swhenyoumanagedt oouttal
kthepolicet
hat
dayihadweedonme, orthedayyoucameback
shot.
.mabyeiwouldn'thavebeensoinlovewith
you..
.
Me:Bunnypl
ease.
..
Boi:PleasewhatLuu? ?peopledied,othersgot
i
njured..Pi
nky,Siya.
..t
heyareonl ychildren.
.
i
nnocentNt andodoesntevenknowanor malli
fe,
yetshei sabouttoenteri
ntothisli
fewi thout
knowing..Sandra,Li
yema...t
hosear emyf ri
ends,
andtheyar eabouttogetinvolvedintot hi
sli
fe.
.
Me:Li
yema?
?
Boi
:ithappenedt
hatt
heywentoutwi
thSai
ntand
Li
yemaf elli
nlovewit
hSai nt.
.hehasn'taskedher
outbutpromised7outings..theyal
readydidone,
so6togo. .Li
yemawassohappyandwi shedthat
bythelastouti
ng,sai
ntwoul daskhertobehi s
gi
rl
fri
end..
.
il
ookeddown.
.
Boi:idontcareaboutme, iam al
readyinthismess,
ihavealwaysbeenat roublemakerandast reet
drugdealersothisisnotsurpri
singforme..itj
ust
hurtsthatiwasnttol
dabouti ti
ndetailbef
oreigot
invol
ved..ij
usthadtodot hemat h'
sonmyown. .
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Boi
:anyway,
ihaveschoolt
omor
row,
ibet
tergot
o
sl
eep.
.
me:younotgoi
ngtoschool,ialr
eadyt
oldSiphoto
handl
ethatwi
ththeschool
..it
stoodanger
ous..
Boi
:andiwasntt
oldaboutt
hisei
ther
..
Me:i
tsf
oryourownsaf
ety.
.
Boi
:st
il
l!
!
il
ookeddown.
..
Boi
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..goodni
ght
..
shet
urnedandl
aidt
orest
..
ij
ustl
ookedatherandl
etherbe.
..
.
*
*NextDay*
*
*
*Khut
so*
*
iwassitt
ingout sidewaiti
ngforSandratocomeout.
myclassesfinishedfirstbutist
il
lhadtowaitsi
nce
iwantedtotalkt oher.
aft
erawhil
e,shecameoutwal
kingwi
thherf
ri
end,
butnotBoi
ty.
ist
oodupandl
ookedather
,shel
ookedatmeand
smil
ed.
.
icoul
dntsmi
leback.
.
shecamet omesmi
li
ng,
butidi
dntputoutasmil
e,
shethencametomeandhersmil
eslowl
yfaded.
.
Her
:issomet
hingwr
ong?
?
il
ookedatherandatt
hatmomentist
art
edaski
ng
mysel
fifi
twaswor
thyt
otel
lherori
fiwoul
dlose
her
..
.
il
ookedather
..
ihel
dherf
aceandlookedi
nhereyesasmyeyes
becamewater
y..
Her
:Khut
so,
whati
swr
ong?
?
il
ookedatherandi
coul
dseewor
ryi
nhereyes.
.
icamecl
osert
oherandl
eanedi
ntoki
ssher
..
asiwascl
ose,
sheshy-
edawayandst
eppedback.
.
her
:peopl
ear
ewat chi
ng,
wear
enextt
otheschool
gat
eremember.
..
isti
lldi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustl
ookeddownand
lookedatheragai
n..
Her
:Khut
soyoumaki
ngmewor
ri
ed,
whati
sit
??
ihel
dherhandsandl
ookedather
..
Me:doyoul
oveme?
?
shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
Her
:yes,
ofcause,
whywoul
dyouaskmet
hat
??
Me:doyout
rustme?
?
Her
:woul
didat
eyoui
fidi
dntt
rustyou?
?
Me:woul
dyoustil
ldatemeevenaf
terf
indi
ngout
t
hatiam abadperson??
shel
ookedatmewi
thconcer
n..
Her
:badper
son?
?
Me:woul
dyou?
?
Her
:whatdi
dyoudoKhut
so?
il
ookeddown.
.thenl
ookedather
..
Me:canwegoi
nthecar
,ihavesomet
hingt
otel
l
you.
..
shenoddedandwewenti
nthecar
..
.
Me:i
sitf
inei
fit
akeyouhome?
?
her
:asl
ongasyouwontdr
opmei
nfr
ontofmy
homegat
e..
Me:mhm.
..
ist
art
edt
hecarandst
art
eddr
ivi
ng.
.
Me:so,
whatdi
dyouwantt
otel
lme?
?
Her
:iam movi
ngawaysoon.
Me:movi
ngaway?
?towher
e??
Her
:iam goi
ngoutt
hecount
ry.
.
Me:ohhh,
forhowl
ong?
?
Her:idontknow,
dependsonhowqui
ckl
ythi
ngsar
e
set
tled.
.
Me:whatt
hings?
?
Her
:*si
gh*mypar
entswer
eshot
,act
ual
ly,
my
whol
efamil
ywasshot
..
shel
ookedatmei
nshock.
Me:what
??
Her:yes.
.iam t
heonl
yonel
eft
..andionl
yhaveyou
andmyguys. .
Me:yourguysmeani
ngMrWol
fandot
her
s??
Her
:yes.
..
Her:iam sor
ry,iam ver
yver
ysor
ryf
oryourl
oss.
..
ar
eyouowk? ?
Me:iam t
ryi
ngt
obeascal
m aspossi
bleandal
so
t
obest
rong.
.ihavenochoi
cebutt
odoi
t.
.
Her:youaskedi
fiwoul
disti
l
lloveyouevenafter
knowingyouareabadper
son..
.whatdi
dt hat
mean? ?
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her
:Khut
so?
?
Me:myf
ami
lydi
edbecauseofme.
.mywor
ks.
.
Her:Khutso,youcantblameyourselff
orwhat
happened,youneverknewt hatt
heywoul dbeshot
,
i
fyouknewiam sur eyouwouldhavedone
somethingtosavet hem,andyoualsodontknow
whytheywer ekil
led,sohowisityourfaul
t??
Me:youarer
ight
..
.ididntknowtheywouldbekill
ed.
butiknowwhodiditandwhy..andit
sallbecause
ofme..
Her
:iam l
ostnow.
.whatar
eyousayi
ng?
?
iquickl
ydrovetoaparki
ngandst
oppedt
hecar
..
theni l
ookedather
..
Me:Sandr
a,iam amaf
ia.
..
Her
:what
???
shelookedatmewi t
hashockedl
ook,
alookiwas
notabouttofor
geteasi
ly.
.
shelookedatmeforafewmoment
sthenicoul
d
seehereyesbecomingwat
ery.
.
Me:Sandr
a..
.
ihel
dherhand,
butshesl
owl
ymovedmyhand
away..
Her
:whatdi
dyousay?
?youar
ewhat
??
il
ookeddown.
..
Her:ar
eyouj
oking?
?becauseifyouar
epl
ayi
nga
pr
ankonme,thenit
snotfunny.
..
il
ookedather
..
Me:iam notj
oki
ng.
.
Her
:youar
eaMaf
ia?
?(chuckl
esasshecr
ies)
Me:myf amil
ywaski l
ledbecausewewentagainst
adangerousman, whoisalsoaMaf i
a..2
danger
ousgr oupscanneverfi
ghtafairfi
ght
,
peopl
ewi l
lgethurt
,ot
hersdieandlastl
y,onl
yone
gr
oupr
emai
nsal
ive.
.it
sei
therus,
ort
hem.
..
Her:sothisisagangthi
ng??agangwart hathas
otherpeople'
sli
vesontheli
ne??innocentpeople?
?
peoplewhodontwantt ogetinvol
ved??
Me:unf
ort
unat
elyt
hat
'st
her
eal
it
yofi
t.
.
Her:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.sonowyougoi
ngt
oCubat
o
f
ightthi
sman? ?
Me:no.
.wegoi
ngt oCubat
oexecut
eaplan.
.thi
s
manisunpr
edi
ctable,
wemustmoveawayfrom
her
eorweareasgoodasdead.
.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:Sandr
a,unf
ort
unat
ely,
yourl
if
eisal
soont
he
l
ine.
..
shel
ookedatme
her
:what
???
Me:wedontknow, buthemightknowthatyouare
mygirlandai
m atyoutogetourattent
ionagai
n..so
youhavetocometoCubawi thme..
Her
:ar
eyoucr
azy?
?
Me:wedonthaveachoi
ce.
.it
sei
thert
hatoril
ose
you.
.
shehel
dherheadandbr
eat
hed.
..
Her
:it
hinkiknowwher
etocat
cht
hebusf
rom her
e..
t
hankyou..
shegotoutandwal
kedaway.
.
iqui
ckl
ywal
kedoutt
hecarandwentaf
terher
..
Me:Sandr
a..
her
:leavemeKhut
so.
.leavemeal
one.
.
shesai
dthatwi
tht
ear
scomi
ngoutofhereyes.
.
Her:dontyout
hinki
tsenough.
.ihavehear
denough,
pl
easecomesomeot herti
metotellmemore.
.
owk???
shewasnowcr
ying.
.
shewal
kedandibackhuggedher
..
shedi
dntsaynot
hing,
shej
ustl
etal
lhert
ear
sout
andcr
ied.
.
Me:Pl
easedontl
eaveme,
please.
..il
oveyouand
youar
eal
lthatihavenow.
.
Her
:andwhosef
aul
tist
hat
??(
cryi
ng)
idi
dntr
espond.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
10] :114
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iwasinmyhot
elr
oom whenihear
daknockonmy
door
..
iwenttothedoorandopened, i
twasmysi
sterand
youngersist
er.
.itol
dt hem nott
ogotowor
kand
nottoletmylit
tl
esistergotoschool.
yes,it
oldthem thatiwasaMaf i
anowandshewas
veryangry,shewassopi ssedatmethatshedidnt
speaktomef ordaysandtodayiam shockedt
osee
herhere.
.
Me:si
sPear
l.
..
..
.HiAmeah.
.
Ameah:hibr
otherSai
nt.
.
Me:howar
eyoul
it
tl
eangel
??
Ameah:iam notf
ine,
brotherSai
nti
sal
waysbusy
t
hathecantevencomet ocheckonus.
.
Me:me?
?busy?
?
Ameah:yes,
sist
erPearlal
wayssaysyouar
ebusy
anddontwanttobedistur
bed.
.
il
ookedatPear
l.
.
shel
ookedaway.
.
il
ookedatAmeah.
.
Me:iam sor
ryangel
..
.ipr
omi
set
omakemor
eti
me
f
oryouowk? ?
shenoddedasshesmi
led.
.
it
henl
ookedatPear
l.
.
Me:si
ster
..
shel
ookedatme.
.
shewalkedinmyr
oom andij
ustcl
osedt
hedoor
..
sheletAmeahgowat
chTVandwewentt osi
tabi
t
farf
rom her
.
Pear
l:youknow,
thesedaysbei
ngal
oneandj
ust
l
ookingaf
terAmeah,
ireal
izedsomet
hing.
.ihad
beentoobusyt
oknowmyownf amil
y..
il
ookeddown.
.
Pearl
:imeanyouguysaremyyoungersibl
ings,
i
shouldknowifsomet
hingi
sup,
butididnteven
catchasign.
.
ist
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
pearl
:didyouknowt hatAmeahhasdi ff
icul
tyin
readi
ng? ?sheneedsglasses,andnonofusknew. .
.
ionlyreali
zednowwhenit riedtokeepherbusy.
..i
betmom di dntknow.
ist
il
lkeptqui
et.
.
Pearl:dadj
ustwantedtogrowthecompanyand
prepareyoutotakeoveraf
terhi
m..andher
eyou
ar
e...aMafia.
..
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
..
Pear
l:ihaveaquest
ion.
..
.caniask?
?
il
ookedatherandnodded.
.
Pear
l:how?
?howdi
dyoubecomeaMaf
ia?
??why?
?
when?
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Pear
l:answerme!
!
Me:itwasntlikeaj obapplicati
on,andiwasnever
askedtobeone. ..ijusthappenedtoknowt hatthey
wereaMaf iagroup, andtheywer efaci
ngapr oblem,
soioffer
edt ohelpt hem..from t
hereon,theytook
meast heir
s,ialsowant edt obepartofthegroup..
Pearl
:real
ly??di
dyout hi
nkaboutus??didyouthi
nk
abouttheconsequencesofthatdeci
sion?
?you
knowthelifeaMafia,i
tsdangerous,
didyouthi
nkof
Ameah? ?
il
ookeddown.
.
Pear
l:youdi
dntknowt
hatt
heyki
llt
o??huh?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
pearl
:Sai
nt,youar
emyl it
tl
ebrot
herandiloveyou.
.
idontwantyouputt
ingyourli
vesandourli
vesat
ri
sk.
.whichiswhyi wantyoutogetoutoft
hat
gang..
.
il
ookedather
..
shel
ookedatmewi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace.
.
Me:icantdot
hat
??
Pear
l:what
??
Me:evenificomeout
,thescor
eisst
il
ltobeset
tl
ed,
t
heywillcomeaft
erme..
shehel
dherheadt
osayshegi
vesup.
.
Me:ihavet
oavengemypar
ent
sdeat
handpr
otect
youandAmeah..
Pear
l:youfai
ledt
opr
otectusSai
nt,
lookatmom
anddad..
Me:owk,
ifai
led,
butl
etmet
ryagai
n..
Pear
l:yout
hinkusgoi
ngt
oCubawi
llf
ixever
ythi
ng?
?
Me:i
tst
hesaf
estpl
acewehave.
.
Pearl:owkSai nt
,let
ssayyouf i
ndt hisguyandki ll
him,wi t
hhi sfamil
y,donkeyandchi ckenswhat ever
,
whatwi llhappen??willweeverhaveanor mallif
e
again??orwewi l
lhavetobewat ched, guardedand
securedwi thguardsandhighsecur it
yt hi
ngsforthe
restofourl i
ves??whataboutwhenigetmar ri
ed??
wil
lyoust
il
lbel
ooki
ngoverus.
.whataboutt
he
Fut
ureSai
nt!
!
shewasver
yangr
y..
ihel
dherhandandl
ookedather
..
Me:aft
erthi
s,youcanli
vehoweveryouwant
,iwi
ll
pr
otectyoufr
om afar
..
Pear
l:youf
ail
edtopr
otectmom anddadwhower
e
cl
ose,whowil
lyoupr
otectmewheniam af
ar?
?
shewasst
art
ingt
ocr
y..
Me:Pear
l.
.
Pear
l:NoSai
nt!
!
Me:PEARL!
!
isai
dthi
sshout
ingandshegotshocked.
.
il
ookedatherwi
tht
hei
ntensel
ook.
.
Me:iknowi
tsmyfaul
tthatmom andaddied,but
doyouwantAmeah'
sbloodonyourhands..
shel
ookedatme.
.
me:i
fyoudontst
artt
hinki
ngnow,
that
'swhatwi
ll
happen.
.iknowimessedup, butther
eisnoerasi
ng
ti
meandgoi ngbackt othepast,
ithappenedand
nowwehavet ofacetheconsequencesandsee
howtowor kthisout.
.sopleaseunderst
andanddo
asisay.
.canyou? ?
shel
ookedatmeandl
ookeddown.
.
att
hatmomentir
ecei
vedacal
l,
itwasLi
yema.
.
idi
dntanswer
..
shecal
ledagai
nandidi
dntansweragai
n..
Pear
l:i
tcoul
dbei
mpor
tant
,anot
herenemymabye
i
scoming..
shewasbei
ngsar
cast
ic.
.
isi
ghedandasLiyemacall
edagai
nist
oodupand
wenttoanswerhercal
l.
.
Me:hi
..
Li
yema:hi,wher
edidyouputt
hatphone?
?ihave
beencal
li
ngyou??
me:sor
ry,
iwasj
ustbusyf
oramoment
..
Li
yema:ohhhhwel
l,
Mr,
remembert
hatyoust
il
l
have6mor edat
estogo.
.youhavebeenqui
et,
i
fi
guredyoufor
got.
.
Me:nah,
ihaven'tf
orgot
ten,
howwi
llif
orget6dat
es
wi
thabeauti
fulgir
l.
.
icoul
dhearhergi
ggl
eal
it
tl
e..
Li
yema:owk.
.
Me:unfort
unatel
yforme,icantusemydat
esas
yet
..ihavealotoft
hingst
odo. .
Li
yema:ohhhhowk.
.
Me:yah.
.andLi
yema?
?
Li
yema:yes.
.
Me:mydatescanneverexpi
re..whenicomeback,
i
wi
lluset
hem andimustbeallowedtoowk??
Li
yema:whatdoyoumean?
?ar
eyougoi
ng
somewher
e..
Me:yes.
.iam goi
ngoutt
hecount
ry.
.
Li
yema:what
??why?
?when?
?
Me:t
her
eissomet
hingihavet
odo.
.iwi
llbeback
soon.
.
Li
yema:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:canyoudomeaf avoranl
eaveyourhearopen
f
ormet i
lligetback?
?
Li
yema:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
me:canyou?
Li
yema:t
hat'
ssomet
hingicantpr
omi
se,
butiwi
ll
domybest.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.icanl
ivewi
tht
hat
..
.
Liyema:seemsyouar
ebusy,
sor
ryf
ordi
stur
bing
you..
shewassad,icoul
dheari
tfr
om hervoi
ce.
.she
want
edtobreakdown..
Me:ohhhandLiyema..youmaynotbeabletocall
measwell,
soireall
yneedyoutotakecar
eof
your
sel
fandtr
yyourbestt owai
tforme.
.please.
.
Li
yema:ohhhh..wear
enotevendat
ingbutt
his
al
readysoundsli
keabreakup.
.
Me:i
tsnot
..i
tsj
ustsaf
eforyout
hisway.
.
Li
yema:whatyoumeansaf
e??
Me:youmaynotbeabl
etounder
standnow,
but
youwil
l,
soon.
.
Li
yema:mhm.
..owk.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Li
yema:iam hangi
ngupnow.
.
Me:owk.
.
shehungupandil
ookeddown.
.
i
tisbet
tert
hisway.
.
Neohasnotbeent alki
ngtome, andif
igur
edi
shouldletherbe.
.it
smor esaf
erthi
sway..no
contactisbett
erf
oreveryone.
.
.
*
*Luba*
*
iwasi
nPi
nky'
swar
d,iwasj
ustt
her
elooki
ngather
..
t
hedoct
orcamei
n..
doc:MrNkosi
..
il
ookedathi
m..
i
twastheotherdoct
orwhowasr
esponsi
blef
ort
he
t
ransf
erdocuments.
.
Doc:thedocumentswerefi
nal
ized,
wemanagedt
o
fastt
racki
t.
.theywil
lbedoneansignedby
t
omor row.
Me:thankyou..pr epar
emyf amil
yforthistransfer
,
rememberwhatisai d.
.putMsNtandot osl eep
befor
ethemovi ng, makesureyougiveher3
i
nject
ions,i
twillbeenought omakehersl eep
thr
oughthejour neyandwakeuphour saf terwe
l
and..under
stood. .
Doc:yessi
r.
.
Me:good,
onceeverythi
ngi sdonecor
rectl
y,iwil
l
r
ewardyougreat
ly,butifyoudoanymi st
ake,iwil
l
t
akeyoutoyourgrave,underst
ood??
Doc:yessir
..ver
ywel
lunder
stood.
.nowwhatabout
t
hechildr
en? ?
Me:no,noneed..Sbusi
soisstil
lyoung,hemay
needakidtomakesur eheissafeinthejourney,
i
alwayshearchi
ldr
enarenotadvicedtoflyatsucha
youngage,butihavenochoice,myfami l
yisin
danger
.iwil
ldealwi
tht
her
estwheniar
ri
ve.
.just
doasitol
dyou..
Doc:yessi
r.
.
me:t hetransportwi l
lbeher eatni ght ,makesur e
youar etheonet ot aket hem t othecaranddr ive
withthem t otheplane, youwi l
lhelpt hedoct ors
theretosett hebedsi nt hepl ane..thisi saprivate
jetsoitwi l
lonlybeus. .noonemustknowabout
MsNt andobei nginjected, sayshei ssl eepingor
shepassedoutorsomet hing,butt obesaf e,make
surenoonenot i
ces..fakedi schargepaper sandsay
theygotdi scharged, whenigetacal liwil
lconf i
rm
thedischar geandt akef ullresponsi bili
ty.
.
Doc:yessi
r.
.
Me:good. .iwil
lgiveyou25%oftheagreedamount,
therestyouwi l
lgetitwhenyoudowhatisrighti
wil
lgiveyout herest75%.andmabyeifiam happy
withhowyoudi dthings,
thenimi
ghtaddalitt
le
10%.
ismi
rkedandhenodded.
.
Me:good.
.youmayl
eave.
.thi
smeet
ingnever
happened.
.
henoddedanwal
kedout
..
it
hensi
ghedl
ooki
ngatPi
nky.
..
[
12/
28,
13:
10] :115
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
iwassi
tt
ingonmybed,
thi
nki
ng.
.
t
heseguysar
ethi
sdanger
ous?
?
myhear
twasbeat
ing.
.
ihavebeenkeepi
ngmyeyesont
hem andchecki
ng
thei
rmovesanwhattheydo.
.
ofcauseiwontknowever yt
hingtheydobecausei
am notclosebyanal soidonthavepeopl el
ist
eni
ng
i
ntheirconversati
ons,butal
lthisseemed
i
mpossibleast heyhavejustbeenattacked.
.
theymustbedealingwit
haenemyatt hi
smoment ,
mymi ssionwontwork,t
heyar
ewayt ofocusedon
somethingtotr
ustanoutsi
der
.thi
sjustmademy
missi
onver ydi
ffi
cul
t.
.
asiwassi
tt
ingt
her
eanal
yzi
ngwhattodo,my
phoner
ang,i
twast
hatt
heboss'
slapdog.
.
Me:yes.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyouget
ti
ngwhatt
heBossasked?
?
Me:gi
vet
hephonet
otheboss.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyoucr
azy?
?
Me:NOW!
!
Hi
m:yousonofa.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:sayi
tandiwi
llki
llyoubef
oreidi
e..
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
.(chuckl
esi
ndi
sbel
ief
)
ihear
dhimtal
ktosomeoneel
se,
itseemedt
obe
theboss.
.
t
hephonemovedandhi
sdeepvoi
cefi
ll
edmyear
,
mybl
oodstar
tedr
unni
ngandigotner
vous.
.
Me:yessi
r.
..
Hi
m:youaskedt
otal
ktomet
osay"
yessi
r"
??
Me:nosir
..act
uall
yiwantedt
otalktoyouaboutmy
mi
ssion,
ithinkthi
swil
lbeimpossi
bletoconquer
,
theguysar
efaci
ngahugestorm andt
heyar
eal
ert
atthi
smoment,i
twi
llbesui
cidet
ogoahead.
Hi
m:i
sn'
titsui
cidet
obackout
??
Me:huh.
..
..
..
..
..
.
Him:it
ssuici
deforboth..sowhatstheuseof
worryi
ngaboutdeath??justchoosethekindof
sui
cideyouwant..whetheryouwantt osavethem
anddiebymywr ath,orgivemewhatiwantanddi e
ontheirwr
ath??
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
*si
gh*
Him:weliveandwedi e.
.it
slif
e..
.youshouldbe
thankf
ulthatigaveyoumor edaystol
ive,
you
shouldhavediedlongago..
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
hehungupanit
hrewmyphoneont
hebedand
scr
eamed.
.
thatbast
ardplayedme..heknewt hatiwasup
againstr
uthl
essmen, buthesti
llsentmesothat
mydeat hisnotonhishands.
..bastard.
..
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
t
heboyswer
eatLuu'
shousei
nthest
udy.
.
Luu:sot
hef
uner
alwi
llbet
omor
row?
?
t
heguysagr
eed.
Luba:
thenaf
tert
hef
uner
al,
theni
ght
,wemovet
o
Cuba.
.
Sai
nt:yah,
that
'st
hepl
an.
.
Joe:Khut
so,
isever
ythi
ngowkwi
thSandr
a??
Khut
so:i
tsal
lset
,Sai
nt,
Lubaandipl
annedi
tout
..
Luu:whatdoest
hatmean?
?
Khut so:Sandr ai
sangr yatme, soshewontanswer
mycal l
s..soLubawi llcallherusinghi sphoneand
tellherthatiwasinanacci dentandaskedt osee
her ,hewillasktopickherup.i fsheagr eesand
givesLubat headdress,thenLubawi l
lgo.butashe
drivestot hehospit
al,whent heygetof f,Lubawill
i
nj ectSandr aandputherbacki nthecaranddr i
ve
tot hejet.
.ifshedoesntf oll
owup, thenwewi l
lhave
toki dnapher .
Joe:ki
dnap?
?
Saint:yes.
.Khutsostudiedthehouseandseems
Sandr a'
sroom i
satt hecornerandthewindowis
reachablesokidnappingherwontbeani ssue.
.
Lubawi llt
henhackherphoneopenandsenda
messaget oherf amil
yandl ovedonest
hatsheis
travel
ingwithherfri
ends.
Luu:whi
chi
sboi
?
Luba:
cor
rect
..
Joe:wow,f
ull
yplanout.
.wel
lmakesur
etobeatt
he
meetupbef
ore20:00.
t
heguysnodded.
.
Luu:i
guessever
ythi
ngi
ssetr
ight
??
t
heguysnodded.
..
Luba:
Sai
nt,
wil
lyouneedhel
pwi
thyoursi
ster
s??
sai
nt:noneed.
.igoti
tundercont
rol
..
Luu:owk.
.al
lisset
..wai
t,Luba?
?
Luba:
mhm.
.
Luu:di
dyoupr
epar
eever
ythi
ngf
orSbusi
so?
Luba:mhm,ihadsomeCubanladi
estakecar
eof
that
,oneoft
hem wil
levenbeananny.
.
Joe:i
ssheyoung?
?ol
d??
Luba:
doesi
tmat
ter
??
t
heguysl
aughed.
.
Luu:hai
,onl
yJoeandsaintcanhaveeyeson
woman,therest
,your
eti
redfrom t
hegame..
Khut
so:whataboutyou?
?
Luu:hai
,iam t
hegrandf
atherhere,
iam headi
ngt
o
marri
agesodontevenaskme. .
t
heboyscheer
edandl
aughed.
.
Luu:owk, si
ncethatsor
ted,l
etsenjoyt
odayasour
l
ast..packeveryt
hingyouneedandt omorr
ow,we
buryourlovedonceandaf t
erthat,
weheadt oCuba.
.
Luba:
donedeal
..
[
12/28,
13:
10] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SI
YAVUYA)
.
116
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
*
*Dr
eam*
*
iam walki
ngtoaplaceihavenoideaof
.it
sdark
andicantseem t
oseet heway,
butiam sur
rounded
byfearandifeel
verycold.
.
outofnowher
eiam handedawarmlooki
ngj acket
,
buti
twasonlyaf
terit
ookitt
hatil
ookedaroundt o
seewhogaveitt
ome. .
il
ookedar
oundbuticoul
dntseeanyt
hing.
i
twasasi
fiwasbl
ind,
icoul
dntseeanyt
hing.
asiwaswalking,t
akingonestepatati
me,i
steppedonsomethingandthatthi
ngbr
okeand
causedmetof al
l.
.
iscr
eamed,cr
iedtr
yingt
ogethel
pfr
om someone
asiwasfal
li
ng,butasiwast
ogetdowniwokeup..
*
*Endofdr
eam*
*
.
iwokeupandl
ookedar
oundme.
.
"
wher
eam i
??"
iwasinaroom thatl
ookedlikeabedr
oom.t her
e
wassomehospitalst
uffthatiwassti
llconnect
edt
o,
butiwasstar
ti
ngt ot
hinkiwasnotyetoutofmy
dream.
il
ookedcar
eful
lybutt
hisseemedl
ikeamor
ereal
ver
siont
henadr eam.
asiwast r
yingtofi
gur
eoutwhatwasgoi
ngon,the
dooropenedandawomanwhoi soldenought
obe
myaunt,wal kedi
nwit
hasmil
eholdi
ngsome
medicat
ions..
"youar eawake?
?that'
sgreat
,iwasstar
tingt
othink
somet hingwaswrong,her
e,imadeyousomef ood
sothatyoucanhaveyourmedi cat
ions,
MrNkosi's
request."
shesmi
ledaf
tersayi
ngt
hat
..
il
ookedatt
hef
oodandmedi
cat
ionandl
ookedat
her
..
"excuseme,
mayiask,
whatam idoi
ngher
e??
"i
asked.
"youcameherewithMrNkosiandt
heothers,
take
thisasavacat
ion,
dontt
hinktoomuchaboutit
"she
said,smi
li
ng.
idi
dntdar
esayanyt
hingel
se,
ijustkeptqui
et.
.
"woul
dyoulikemet
odoanyt
hingf
oryoumam?
?"
sheasked.
.
ishookmyheadst
il
linshockandwonder
ingwhat
washappeni
ng.
.
shesmi
led,
"owk"
.shewal
kedoutt
hedoor
..
ilookedar
oundagai
nandwonder
edwhatwas
reall
yhappeni
ng.
.
.
*
*Sandr
a**
ifel
tmyheadheavyandmyeyesheavyl
ikeij
ust
passedoutf
ordays.
.
asiwokeupireal
izedt
hatiwasi
nabedr
oom i
di
dntknowabout.
.
i
mmedi
atel
yir
emember
ed.
.
Cuba,
Khut
so,
Maf
ia.
..
igotreal
lyangr
ythi
nki
ngthatKhut
soact
ual
ly
broughtmeherewit
houtmyconsent.
.
ir
ushedoutandal
readyiwasl
ost
.
j
ustbywal
kingoutmydoor
,idi
dntknowwher
eto
go.
.
t
her
ewere2pat
hways.
.ther
ightandl
eftandbot
h
wer
eki
ndoft
hesame..
it
ri
edl
eftf
ir
st.
.
ihur
ri
edt
her
e.
igotther
eandt her
ewerest
air
sgoingdown,igot
ther
eandt herewer esomanyotherr
oomsthatsi
de,
butikeptwalking.
aft
erwalki
ngwherethepatht
ookme,if
ound
myselfheadi
ngtot
hebackdoort
hatl
eadme
outsi
debehindt
hehouse..
iwalkedaroundt
hehousegoingtothefront
,theni
walkedinandasiwal
kedin,ifoundBoiandsome
ki
dspl
ayi
ngi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
shel
ookedatmeconfusedt
henl
ookedbackasi
f
someonewascoming.
.
shel
ookedatmeagai
n..
Boi
:wher
edoyoucomef
rom?
?
il
ookedather
..
i
nmymi ndiaskedmysel
fwhethertobeangr
yat
herornot.
.imeansheknewthattheywereMafi
a's
butdi
dnttellmeorwarnme.
.shouldibeangry.
.
butt
henisti
lldi
dntseeanyneedtobeangr
y,i
t
wasntherpl
acetosayitanyway.
.
shecamet
ome.
.
Boi
:Sandr
a?
shelookedatmewithalookthatsai
d" ar
eyouowk?
?
areyouangrywit
hme? ?iam sorr
y..
"itwaseven
l
ikeiwasheari
ngthosewordsf r
om her.
icoul
dntholdbackmytears,
ijustst
art
edcr
ying.
.
andatthatmoment,shecamet ohugme.
Boi
:shhhhh,
itsowk.
.it
sowk.
.
ihuggedherbackanhel
dhert
ight
..
Boi
:iam sor
ry.
.
ikeptcr
ying.
.
af
terawhil
e,wewentt
osi
tdownandshegaveme
aglassofwat
er.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.
idr
ankt
hewat
erandsi
ghed.
..
.
Boi:youknowyoucant
ellmeanyt
hingt
hati
sin
yourmindright
??
il
ookedather
..
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..
..Boi
??di
dyouknow. ..di
d..di
dyou
knowthatMrWol fi
sa..
..
..huh.
..a..
..
.
Boi
:Maf
ia?
?
il
ookedatheragai
nandsl
owl
ynodded.
.
shel
ookeddownandswal
lowed.
.
Boi
:*si
gh*yes.
..act
ual
lyidi
dntknowatf i
rsthand,
i
onl
yfoundoutwheniwasalreadyinvol
vedwi t
h
hi
m...
Me:ohhhhh.
..andhowdi
dyoudealwi
tht
hat
??
Boi
:.
..
..
..
.canit
ellyouasecr
et?
?
inodded.
.
Boi
:bef
oreimetLuu,
iusedt
obeadeal
er.
.
il
ookedatherwi
thshock.
..
Boi:yes..iusedt osel l weed, r
unf rom thecopsand
evenpl aywi ththecops.iwasnevercaught ,well
almost..almost2year sl i
vingthatlif
e,andibecame
comf ortabl
ewi thit.unt ilonedayiwaschasedby
thecops, wel listil
lt hi
nkiwoul dhavemadei t
withoutLuu' shel p, butagai n,weneverknow, soi
guessihavet osayhesavedme. .hest oppedme
andout smar tedt hepol iceintonotsear chingme
becauseoft heirownl aw. .sothat'
showigotabi t
mor ecloserandcl osert ohi m..hewoul dcomet o
visi
thisaunt , whol ivednextdoort owher eiwas
l
iving,soiwoul dseehi m almostal lthetime..at
fi
rstitwasannoyi ng, butasi f
ellinlovewi t
hhi m,i
start
edwant ingt oseehi m everyday..sofast
forwardwedat ed..andl aterhesai dhewasgoi ng
onabusi nessmeet ing, hewor eblackcl ot
hingwith
ablackbag. .ididnttakenot eear l
ier,butwheni
heardhewasshot ,imadet hemat h'sandadded
everythi
ng,ithenknew, somet hingwasup. .iasked
him,andwi thoutbei ngdirect,heconf ir
medt hat
i
ndeedhewasl ivi
ngt hatlif
e..
.atf ir
stithoughthe
wasagangst er,orhedeal swi thsmal lthings,but
j
ustnowigott ounder st
andt hatt heyconst antl
y
dealwi t
hdanger ouspeopl eandt hingslikedeath
happen..andal ltheycandoi spr otectusandal so
ri
skt hei
rli
vesgoi ngt ofightthosepeopl e..
mytear
swer
ecomi
ngoutagai
n..icoul
dntbar
e
wi
thit
..
Me:so.
..
.youal
soknewt
hatKhut
sowaspar
tofi
t??
?
shel
ookeddownandl
ookedatme.
.
Boi:iam sorry.
.iknowiwassupposedt
ogi
veyoua
headsup. .iam sorr
y..
Me:..
..
..
..
.it
sowk.
..
.itwasntyourpl
acet
otel
lme
anyway..
Boi
:iam sor
ryt
hatyougotcaughti
nthi
ssi
tuat
ion.
.
Me:*
sigh*sowei
nCuba?
?
Boinodded.
.
Me:(
chuckl
es)nowonderial
mostgotl
osti
nthi
s
bi
ghouse.
.
shesof
tl
ylaughed
Boi
:yah,
ifitwasntf
ort
het
ourit
ookwi
tht
hehel
per
,
iwoul
dsti
llnotnowmywaytomybedr
oom..
ismi
led.
.
Boi:yah,t
hishousei
sverybig,
itsl
ikeaschool
campt ypeofhouse,
li
ter
all
ygrade12'scoul
duse
thi
shouseasal uxur
ychamphouse.
isof
tl
ylaughed.
..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
Me:Cuba?
??
Hel
per
:yesmam.
.youar
einCuba.
.
Me:no.
.theremustbesomeki
ndofmi
stake,
iam i
n
Sout
hAfrica.
.
Hel
per
:nomam,
thi
sisCuba.
.ar
eyousur
eyouar
e
owk?
?mabyeicancal
lint
hedoct
or.
.
il
ookedar
ound.
.
Me:iwantt
oseemysi
bli
ngs,
mysi
bli
ngs.
.
Helper
:sibli
ngs?
?youmeantheot
hermadams,
yes
youcan..theyar
edownst
air
s..
Me:pl
easet
akemet
othem.
.
Hel
per
:yesmam.
.
shehel
pedmeup,t
ookoutmydripsf
orawhi
le,
thenwal
kedwi
thmedownstai
rs.
.
myheadwasst
il
lwr
appedwi
thbandage.
.
aswegotdownisaw2womant
alki
ngi
nthel
ivi
ng
room.
.
t
heyst
oodupandcamet
omewhent
heysawme.
.
oneofthem wastheladythatcametoseePinkyat
thehospi
tal
,theoneithoughtwashermother.
.
il
ookedatt
hehel
per
..
Me:her
ear
ethey?
?
shepoi
ntedatt
hem.
.
me:no.
.mysi
bli
ngsar
eyoung.
.Sne,
Mpi
loand
Samu..
Boi
:Nt
ando,
theyar
eli
vingwi
thSi
ya'
sgr
andmot
her
.
Me:what
??why?
?
Boi
:fort
hei
rsaf
ety.
.
iwasconf
used.
.
befor
eicouldsayanyt
hing,
thedooropenedanda
groupofguyswalkedi
n..
theguywhosaidwasmyboyf
ri
endl
ookedatme
andilookedathi
m..
her
ushedt
ome.
.
Hi
m:ar
eyouowk?
?
il
ookedathi
m..
me:ar
ewe.
..ar
ewei
nCuba?
?
hel
ookeddownandl
ookedatme.
.
Him:come,l
etsgobackt
oyourr
oom,
iwi
llexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ng.
.
idi
dntwantt
oar
gue,
att
hismomentiwasscar
ed,
andasaqui etper
sonihadafeeli
ngiwasbei
ng
playedandmabyeevenkidnapped.
.whydoesal
l
thesesoundsuspici
ous?
?
[
12/28,
13:
10] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SI
YAVUYA)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
wegett
omyroom,hei
sholdi
ngmebymyar m and
maki
ngsur
eiwoul
dnotfal
lorhur
tmysel
f.
.
ikeepl
ooki
ngathi
m,heseemsver
ywar
m hear
ten.
.
iam evenconf
used.
.
imean, i
fiam Cuba,i
tmeansiwasbr oughther
e
againstmywillsi
nceidi
dntknow,ordidwehave
thi
splannedbeforet
heaccident
??butthenhe
shouldhavespokentomeabouti t
..
t
hismakesmenottot
rusthi
m,iam nowscar
edof
whathemightdot
ome,orwhathei
splanni
ng..but
whatconfusesmei st
hatwhenheholdsme, or
l
ooksatme, orwhenheisaroundme,ifeelsafe,
i
f
eelatease,if
eell
ikeever
ythi
ngwil
lbeowk. .
imeani sthatpossi
ble?
?bescaredofaperson,
not
tr
ustthem yetatthesametimeyoufeelsaf
e
aroundthem andwhent heyar
ewithyou?
i
sthatevenconsi
der
ednor
mal
??
wegettomyroom andhegent
lyput
smeont
he
bedandsi
tsonthechai
rnextt
omybed.
.
Hi
m:howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Me:iam conf
used.
.whati
sgoi
ngon?
?
Hi
m:* br
eat
hs*wel
l,
canyoupr
omi
semet
hatyou
wontbeangry?
?
Me:whywoul
dibeangr
y??
Hi
m:j
ustpr
omi
seme.
.
Me:whatisgoi
ngon,idontunder
stand.
.whywould
ibeangr
y??issomet
hingwrongwithmysibl
ings?
?
Him:no.
.yoursi
bli
ngsar
ewel
l,
theyar
ebei
ngt
aken
careof
.
Me:ohhhh.
.di
dthesoci
alwor
kert
aket
hem?
?
Hi
m:soci
alwor
ker
??
Me:mhm,asocialworkercametomet
otal
ktome
aboutt
hem andal
sotalkaboutme.
.
Hi
m:ohhh,notheywerenott
akenbythesoci
al
wor
ker..Mybr
othert
ookthem t
oafamil
ythatwi
ll
l
ovethem.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..ar
eyougoi
ngt
oki
llme?
?
hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:what
??
ist
art
edcr
ying.
..
Me:youki
dnappedmef
rom t
hehospi
talr
ight
??
Him:no.
..
.Nt
ando.
..
.*br
eat
hs*whywoul
diki
dnap
you??
?
Me:
..
..
..
..
..t
hen.
..
.thenwhyam iher
e??whydi
dyou
t
akemeoutofSout hAfr
ica?
?
Hi
m:*
sigh*becauseyourl
if
eisi
ndangerNt
ando.
..
il
ookedathi
m..
Me:huh?
?
Him:yourlif
eisindanger..yousaidyouwant edt
o
knowhowyoucamet obei nthehospit
alri
ght??
wellyouwer esol
dbyyouraunt ,toMrZulu..doyou
knowhim? ?heboughtyouf r
om youraunttobehis
wif
e..andsomysel fandmyguyswentt ogetyou
andthat'
showyouhur tyourheadandendedupi n
hospit
al.
.that'
swhathappened. .
ilookedathim andheseemedtobeinpai
nashe
talksl
iket
his,healsoseemedabi
tangrywhi
ch
scaredme..
Him:icantbel
ieveyouwoul dthi
nkiwouldki
llyou.
..
imeaniknowyoul ostyourmemory,butwhywould
youthinkt
hatafteritol
dyouthatiwasyour
boyf
riend?
?
ist
art
edf
eel
inggui
lt
yandwi
shedineversai
dthat
..
att
hatmoment
,thehel
perwal
kedi
n..
Hel
per
:si
r.
..Pi
nkyi
sawake.
.
hel
ookedatt
hehel
perwi
thbr
ightandhappyeyes.
.
Hi
m:r
eal
ly?
?
t
heHel
pernodded.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Him:pl
easer
est,wewi
llt
alkaboutt
hisl
ater
..iam
goi
ngtoseePinky.
.
hewal
kedoutandt
heHel
percamet
otuckmei
n.
.
*
*Sandr
a**
iwassi
tt
ingwi
thBoiont
hecouch.
.
idi
dntwanttospeaktoKhut
so,soihavebeen
avoi
dinghi
m eversi
ncehewalkedi
nhere..
asiwassit
ti
ngonthecouch,Boist
ooduptogoto
MrWolf,
ithenl
aidonthecouchandjustst
art
ed
thi
nki
ngaboutmyli
fe.
.
asmallboycamedownandwentr unningtoMr
Wolf
..t
hatmustbeSiya,iheardalotabouthim
fr
om Boi.
.thenal
soaladyandayounggi r
lalso
camedownandwentt otalktoanotherguy..
.
Khut
sowasnoti
nsi
ght
..
it
hencl
osedmyeyesasil
aidont
hecouch,
iwas
wishi
ngt hatmabyeicoul
dwakeupandr
eal
izet
hat
t
hisisjustadream..
asiwast
ryi
ngtopul
lmysl
eepi
n,icoul
dfeela
shadowi
nfr
ontofme..
iopenedmyeyesandi
twasKhut
so.
.hehadal
so
changed.
.
hesatont
het
abl
eandf
acedme.
..
Khut
so:ar
eyouowk?
?
i
mmediatel
yangerj
ustf
il
ledmeandideci
dednot
t
orespond.
.
Khut
so:canwet
alk.
.
Me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngnow?
?si
ngi
ng?
?
hel
ookedatme.
.
Khut
so:Sandr
a??
Me:Khut
so?
?
hel
ookeddown.
.
whenhelookedup,
hewasntt
hesof
tper
son
anymor
e..
hepul
ledmeupandpi
ckedmeupput
ti
ngmeon
hi
sshoulder
.
het
henwal
kedwi
thmeupst
air
s..
ikeptt
ell
inghi
mt osopandputmedownandeven
kepthi
tt
inghim buthewoul
dn'
t.
.
i
nst
eadhekeptsayi
ngificont
inuemovingaround,
hewil
lletmef
allwi
thmyheaddownt hestai
rs..
ithoughthewaspl ayingunti
lhealmostletmego
andi al
mostf ellasiscreamedhehel dmeagain
thenhesaid" dontthinkiam joki
ng".t
hat'
swheni
reali
zedthatatt hi
smoment ,iam deali
ngwitht
he
Maf i
a,notthesof tKhutso.
.
iobeyed.
.
af
terawhil
ewearr
ivedanditwasntther
oom t
hati
wokeupin,i
twasadif
fer
entroom..
wewal
kedi
nandhel
ockedt
hedoor
..
hethr
ewmeonthebedandt
henwal
kedt
othe
couchint
her
oom.
ij
ustsatt
her
eont
hebedwonder
ingwhatt
odo
next
..
hedi
dntsayanythi
ng,
hej
ustsatt
her
eandsi
ghed
ashelookedup.
.
igotoft
hebedandheadedt
othedoor
..
Him:ifyoufeell
iker
unni
ngaroundthi
swhole
house,letmeknowsothatipr
eparemysel
f.
.
ist
oppedandl
ookedathi
m.
Hi
m:si
tdown.
.
ibr
eat
hedandwentt
osi
tont
hebed.
.
Hi
m:it
sowk, youcanshoutatmeal
lyouwant
,iwi
ll
t
akeal
lthepunches.
..
il
ookedathi
m..
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:youhavesomegut
shai
??
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:youli
etome,ki
dnapmeandst
il
lmakei
tseem
l
ikeiam t
heoneatf
ault
??
Hi
m:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:wow!
!
il
ookedaway.
..
hest
oodupandwal
kedt
ome.
.
hesatnextt
omeont
hebed.
.
Khut
so:Sandr
a,iam sor
ry,
butidi
dnthavea
choi
ce.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Khutso:i
twasei
therthi
soryouwoul
dhavebeen
t
argetedandki
ll
ed..
Me:isn'
tthatmyfut
urel
if
eanyway?
?seemsiwi
ll
f
oreverbetarget
ed.
.
Khut
so:butneverhurt,
aslongasyouar
eher
ewi
th
me,not
hingwillhappentoyou.
.
me:canyouguar
ant
eet
hat
??
Khut
so:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:exact
ly.
.
it
urnedt
otheot
hersi
de.
.
aft
erashortwhi
le,
Khutsohuggedmef
rom t
he
backandlai
dhisheadonmyback..
idi
dntmove,
somehowial
sowantedhimtohugme
andtel
lmeal
lwi
llbeowkandt
hathelovesme.
.
Hi
m:il
oveyouSandr
a,pl
easef
orgi
veme.
.
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
.
*
**Luba*
**
Me:ar
eyouf
eel
ingwel
lbaby?
?
Pi
nky:yesdaddy,
butmyheadhur
ts.
.
Me:her
e,t
aket
hese,
youwi
llbef
ine.
.
if
edhert
hemedici
neandwi
pedmyt
earasi
tcame
downmycheek.
.
it
henl
eanedonherandhuggedher
..
Him:imissedyousomuchmybaby. ..daddy
missedyouverymuch..ihavebeenwait
ingforyou
tocometomef ordaysnow...t
hankyouforcoming
backtome..
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
ipul
ledoutandl
ookedather
..
Pi
nky:daddy,
iam hungr
y..
Me:ofcause,
daddywi
llmakeyouanyt
hingyou
want.
.whatdoyouwant?
?
Pi
nky:l
oll
ipop.
.
ichuckl
edasismi
led.
.
Me:butt
hatwontgetyouf
ull
..
Pi
nky:i
twi
ll
..
Me:owk.
.iwi
llt
ellt
heguar
dtogeti
tforyouowk?
?
Pi
nky:no.
..iwantdaddyt
ogeti
t.
.
Me:owk.
..wai
tformeowk?
?
shenodded.
.
iqui
ckl
yhur
ri
eddownt
ogot
oashopi
nthear
ea.
.
theshopsherear
enotver
yclose,t
heyar
ever
yfar
sincet
hishousei
sabiti
solat
ed..
igott
otheshop,
parkedmycar
,bought2l
oll
ipops
andthencameback.
ithenheadedbackhome.Luusawmehol
dingt
he
lol
li
pops.
.
Luu:ohhhh,iwasst
arti
ngtowonderwhat
happened,nowidonthavetowor
ry.
.
il
aughedandwentst
rai
ghtt
oPi
nky'
sroom.
whenigotin,
shehadnott ouchedherfoodthatt
he
hel
pergaveher.
.thehel
perwasal sointher
oom
beggi
ngPinkytoeat.
.butsherefused.
.
Hel
per
:sor
rysi
r,icoul
dn'
tgethert
oeat
..
Me:i
tsowk.
.iwi
llt
akei
tfr
om her
e..
shenoddedandwal
kedout
..
Me:her
e..
.
shet
ooki
tandassheopenedher
siopenedmi
ne.
.
andt
ogetherwehadlol
li
pop.
.itr
emi
ndedmeofour
momentstoget
her
..
Me:iam gl
adyoudi
dntl
eaveme.
Pi
nky:it
oldyouiwoul
dn'
tleaveyoudaddy.
.
ismi
led.
.
Me:yes,
dontyoudar
e..
ismi
led.
.assheal
sosmi
led.
.
[
12/28,
13:
12] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SI
YAVUYA)
.
117
.
*
*Boi
tumel
o**
iwasworr
iedaboutmyfri
endSandra,
buti
tlooks
li
ket
hetal
kwithKhutsoki
ndofcalmeddown,nowi
am mor
ewor r
iedaboutNt
ando.
.
imeanshecantr ememberandnowshewakesup
inawhol enewworld,if
eel
badforher
..shei
stoo
innocentfort
hisl
if
e..
imademywaydownt othel
ivi
ngroom andif
ound
Saint
'
ssist
ersi
tt
ingwit
hherlit
tl
esist
eronthe
couchastheywerepl
ayi
ngcards.
wehavebeensoupanddownt hatweact
ual
ly
neveri
ntr
oducedeachot
her
..
.
iwentt
oherandgr
eet
edher
..
Me:goodaf
ter
noon.
.
shel
ookedup,
thensmi
ledandal
sogr
eet
ed.
.
Her
:Goodaf
ter
noon.
.
Me:iam sor
ryforonlycomingt
ospeaktoyounow.
wehavebeensoconf usedandupanddownthati
t
sl
ippedmymi ndthatwehavenevermet
..
Her
:it
sowk,pl
usir
eali
zedt
hatyouhavebeen
t
ryi
ngtohel
pyourf
ri
endscal
m down.
Me:yah..imeant heotheronedidntknowandthe
otheronedidntwant ,
soiam justtr
yingt
oexplai
n
theimportance,butNtandoisbeyondmycontrol
,
forthefactthatidontknowherthatwell
,makesme
unabletohelpher .
.
Her
:Nt
ando?
?
Me:yes,
theonewhohasabandagear
oundher
head.
.
Her :ohhhhh,Sai
ntdidaskmet olookaftert
hem
sinceiam adoctor,butmymai nfocushasbeenon
thesmal lchil
dandtheyounggirl.
.theyneeded
mor eattent
ionsothat'
swhyigavet hem more
attenti
onthenNtando,ihaven'
treall
yspentmuch
onher
.
Me:yah,
sheisact
ual
lywel
l,
shej
usthast
oheal
,
not
hingmuch.
.
Her
:ihear
dshel
osthermemor
y??
inodded.
.
Her:buti
ftheywanthertoremember ,
shemust
havefamil
iart
hingsaroundher
e, movi
ngtoawhole
newplacemakesi tevenmorei
mpossi bl
eforhert
o
remember,unlessther
eissomethingfami
li
ar
aroundher.
.
Me:somet
hingFami
li
ar?
?
Her:yes.
.li
kesomet
hingsheusedt
ocher
ish.
.ora
scentorsomethi
ngl
ikethat
..
Me:mhm, iam surewithLuba'
sscent
,shemay
remembersomet hi
ng,idontknowabouttherest
..
butidoubtLubawouldhavenotthoughtaboutthat
..
Her:butthenpati
ent
sdif
ferf
rom eachother,
other
s
actual
lystar
trememberi
ngwhent heyare
constantl
yremembered,
somer ememberbyi t
ems
andot her
srememberbymeetingpeople.and
ot
her
s,wi
thal
ltheabove.
Me:ahhhh,l
etshopesheremember
ssoon,
because
i
fnot,i
tmaydistr
actLubaandhemayal
waysbe
di
stur
bed..
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..youseem t
obeusedt
oital
ready.
..
me:usedt
owhat
??
Her:t
heMafi
ali
fe.
..youseem t
obecomf
ort
abl
e
al
ready.
..
Me:wouldyoubel
ievemeifitoldyout
hatial
so
onl
yfoundthedet
ailsofwhattheydor
ecentl
y??
Her:
..
..
..
..
..
..
.ipr
obabl
ywoul
dn'
tsi
nceyouar
ethi
s
r
elaxed.
Me:iusedt obeastreetdeal
erdodgingcops,
so
thi
sisn'
treall
yscarysinceiwasinvolvei
n
somethi
ngl i
keitbefor
e..
Her:butthat'
sdi
ffer
ent
..bei
ngamaf i
aisawhol
e
di
ff
er entscar
ythenbei
ngast r
eetdeal
er.
.
Me:wel
l,
mabyeit
rustLuut
oal
wayspr
otectme.
.
shenodded.
.
il
ookedatt
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
..
me:what
shername?
?
Her
:Ameah.
.
Me:ohhh.
.Ameah!
t
hel
it
tl
egi
rll
ookedatme.
.
Me:howar
eyou.
.
Ameah:iam f
inet
hankyou,
howar
eyou?
?
me:iam wel
l,
areyoupl
ayi
ngcar
ds?
?
shenodded.
.
me:ar
eyouenj
oyi
ngi
t??
shenoddedandsmi
led.
..
me:iam gl
ad.
.
shesmi
ledandcont
inuedpl
ayi
ng.
.
Me:if
eelsadf
orher
..andt
heot
heryoungki
dsi
n
t
hishouse.
.
Her
:yah,
especi
all
ySbusi
so,
hei
stooyoung.
me:mhm.
.
Her:canyoul
ookaft
erherf
orme,
iwantt
ogo
somewherequi
ckl
y..
.
Me:owk.
.
Her
:thi
sissobig,goi
ngt
othebedr
oom f
eel
sli
ke
goi
ngtoalocalst
ore.
.
il
aughedasshewentupst
air
s..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iam l
ayi
ngonmybedt hinki
ng.
.idontevenknow
whatiam t
hinki
ng,
butiam thi
nki
ng,
aft
erashortwhil
e,someoneknockedandt
hedoor
opened,
itwasthehelperwal
kingi
nwithal
ady.
.
t
hehel
pert
henwal
kedoutandt
hel
adycamet
ome.
Her
:Goodaf
ter
noon.
.
ismi
led.
.
Me:goodaf
ter
noon.
Her:youprobabl
ydontknowwhoiam. .mynamei
s
Pearl
,iam Saint
'sol
dersi
sterandadoct
or.
.
Me:ohhh.
.iam Nt
ando.
.
Her
:iknow.
.
Me:ohhh.
.
shesatdownnextt
omeont
hebed.
.
Her
:ar
eyouf
eel
ingowk?
?
Me:yest
hankyou.
.
Her
:Lubai
sver
ywor
ri
edaboutyou,
didyouknow
t
hat?
?
il
ookeddown.
.
Her:*sigh*isuggestyoutal
ktohim.
.askhim what
i
sgoingon. .evenifyoudontremember,
justask,
let
hi
mt ellyouthetrut
h..
Me:hetoldmet hatmyaunthadsol dmet oMrZulu
andthatiwasgoi ngt
obehi swi
fe..heandhis
brot
herslookedformetil
ltheyf
oundme, then
cametor escueme..anditwasthenthatifel
land
hitmyhead..
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:ihavebeent
hinki
ngabouti
tal
lthet
ime.
.i
meaniknowMrZul uandhehasbeenaver yki nd
mant oourf amil
y..butwhatsaddensmeevenmor e,
i
st haticantevenr emembermymot hersdeat h,or
evenmyaunt sdeat h,
bothmyaunts,idonteven
knowwhenmyaunthadason, andnowicantsee
him allt
hetimebecausehei sunderthemedi cal
care..
her:dontwor
ry,iam t
akingcar
eofhi
m..hewi
ll
soonbehealthyandli
vingagai
nsoon.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.
Her:isuggestyout r
ytobondwi thLuba. .small
thi
ngsliketouchinghishand,hugginghi m,let
ti
ng
him comfor tyou,
heari
nghi svoicemi ghthelpyou
remember ,wecantrelyont heenvironment
becauseyoucantgobackyet ..butLubaneedsyou. .
hemayactst r
ongnowt hathi
sdaught erisawake,
buthest i
llneedsyou..
il
ookeddownandsmi
le.
.
Her
:thankyou.
.
Her:i
tsnothi
ng..ohhandanotherthi
ng,youneedt
o
st
artgett
ingoutoftheroom r
egularl
y,getsome
f
reshai
rout
sideorsomet
hing.
.owk.
.
Me:yesdoc.
.
shesmi
ledasial
sosmi
led.
.
Her
:owk.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
hour
slat
er,i
twasdinnerti
me.
.ever
yonewas
seat
edonthedini
ngtablewhi
lesomewher
eset
ti
ng
thet
abl
e..
PearlhadbroughtSbusi
so.shewantedhi
mt of
eel
thepresenceofother
sforfast
err
ecover
y..
Boi
:ar
eyousur
ehei
sgoodenought
obeher
e??
Pearl
:yes,iam hol
dinghisdri
pbag,
asl
ongashei
s
connectedtoi
t,hewillbefi
ne.
.
Nt
ando:canihol
dhi
m??
Pearl
:heisveryfragil
eatthemoment,
oncehe
comesoutoft hi
sst at
e,youcanhol
dhimti
llyour
handsareti
red..
theot
hergi
rl
slaughedasNt
andopout
edandal
so
smil
ed..
Sandr
a:ahhh,Ntando,
ihaveint
roducedmyselft
o
ot
hersbutdidntact
ual
lyproper
lymeetyou.
.iam
Sandr
a,iat
tendschoolwit
hBoi..
Nt
ando:huh.
.iam Nt
ando.
.ni
cet
omeetyou.
Sandr
a:ni
cet
omeetyout
oo.
.
Boi
:Si
ya,
stopbuggi
ngPi
nky,
shei
ssi
ck.
.
Si
ya:ij
ustwantt
omakeherhappy.
.
Boi
:iam sur
eshei
shappy,
sitdown.
Siyasatdownnextt
oPinkywhowasal
so
connectedt
oherdri
pbag..
t
hedri
pbagswer ejusttherefort
hem t
ost i
llr
ecei
ve
t
hei
rtr
eatmentwhilealsogoingaroundinst
eadof
t
hem t
iedtot
heirbedsal lt
hetime..
Pi
nkysmi
led.
.
af
terashor
twhi
let
heboyscameback.
.
basical
lytheguysl
eaveever
ymorni
ngtogotot
hei
r
l
it
tleplanningr
oom andcomebackatni
ght
..
astheywal
kedi
ntheywer
esur
pri
sedbywhatt
hey
saw.
Luu:andt
hen?
?fami
lyr
euni
on?
?
somegi
rl
slaughed.
.
Boi:i
tsdi
nner,
andwedecided,
wehavet
oeat
Dinnerasonebigf
ami
ly.
.
Lubadi
dntl
ookfi
ne.
.hekeptl
ooki
ngatNt
andoand
l
ookedatPi
nky.
.
Luba:
woaw!!i
sitowkt
ohavePi
nkyoutofherbed?
?
andSbusi
so??
Pearl
:iam adoct
or,
ofcausei
tsowk,
asl
ongas
thei
rdri
pbagsarewitht
hem..
Luba:
areyoudeadser
ious?
?
Pear
l:deadser
ious.
.
Saint:rel
axLuba,mysist
erworksataprivate
hospital,
notonlyasanormaldoct
or,butalsoasa
surgeon.sorelax,t
heyar
einsafehands..
Luba:
mhm.
.
Joe:wow.
.canwest
ayi
nCubaf
orever
??
Luu:andwhenwi
llyougetmar
ri
ed?
?
Joe:mhm, iwi
lljustgoscoutf
oraCubangi
rl
nearbyandiwillbegood..
.
t
heyl
aughedast
heyshookt
hei
rheads.
.
pearl
:soyouguysar
eheretoscoutCubangi
rl
s??i
s
thatwhyyoul
eaveearl
yandcomel at
e..
Luu:hai
,dontsayt
hat
,idontwantt
osl
eepont
he
fl
oor.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Sai
nt:onl
yiandMrJoecandot hat
,butdontwor
ry,
wewonttaintt
hem wi
tht
hatbehavi
or..
.
Joe:dontyouhaveLi
yema?
?
Sai
nt:no.
.butshehasmyhear
t.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Boi
:speaki
ngofwhi
ch.
.ar
eyouguyssur
eshei
s
saf
e??
Saint:yes.
.wewerenotcl
ose,
plusiwasonly
st
ar t
ingtomakeamoveonher ,ihadn'
tst
art
ed,so
bri
ngi ngherevent
houghwenotdatingwasgoi
ng
t
obet
oughonher
,soshei
snotont
hehotl
ine.
.
Boi
:mhm.
..
Khut
soandLubawer
ethequi
etones.
.
Pear
l:t
heot
her2seem qui
etanddi
stant
,ar
ewe
owk??
LuushowedPearltonotevenaskbydoingsome
si
gnlanguage,
theygotquietf
orawhil
e..
Khut
so:iam hungr
y..
hesaidt
hatgoingtothet abl
e,hedi
dntevensi
tnext
toSandr
a,hewenttosi tnexttoSi
yaandLubaalso
wenttosi
tnexttoPinky.
noonedar
edt
oaskanyt
hing.
.
[
12/28,
13:
12] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SBAHLECLAI
RENCEMTHEMBU)
.
118
*
*2daysl
ater
**
*
*Nt
ando*
*
dayshavepast
,myhealthhasbeencomi
ng
toget
herbutmysoulhasbeenshout
ingf
orhel
p..
ihavenoonet
ospeakt
o,iam j
ustnott
oocl
oset
o
them yet
..
i
nt hesepastdays,i
havebeent r
yingwhatthe
doctorsai
d,ital
kedtoLuba,andweagr eedtot
ake
thi
ngsslowjustunti
liam f
ullywellagai
n..
hecomest ocheckonmeevenduri
ngthenight.he
comfor
tsmeandimustbehonest,ial
waysf eel
saf
ewhenhei shere.
.andsomet
imesiwishhe
wouldneverl
eavemysight
..
yester
day,
isawsomethi
ngt
hatdi
stur
bedmeand
broughtmedeeperi
ntomyl
ostwor
ld.
.
.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
iwasi
nmyr
oom,
itwasget
ti
ngl
ate.
.
Lubawaswear i
nghislongsl
eeveshirtandaj
ean.
.
hehadjustr
eturnedf
rom wherevert
heygoto
ever
yday.
.
hecamet
osaygoodni
ght
..
iaskedt
ohughi
m,heagr
eed.
.
butashewashuggi ngmeandsl owlyletgotokiss
myf or
ehead,inoti
cedhi
snecklace.
..isworeisaw
i
tsomewher e,ir
ememberseeingthatnecklace
somewhere.
whet
heri
nmydreams,oratt
hehospit
al,ij
ustcant
r
emembercl
ear
ly,
butisawthatneckl
ace..
*
*endoff
lashback*
*
.
so,todayi
nt hemor
ningiaskedthedoct
orabouti
t.
.
iaskedherifmabyeiwasgaini
ngmymemor y
back..
shetol
dmethati
tcouldbethecasebecauset
he
neckl
acehei
swearingcost
salotanditseemsi
wasweari
ngtheneckl
aces'
mate..
idi
dntunder
standatfi
rstwhatt
hatmeantunt
ilshe
showedmeapi ct
ure.
.
"thenecklaceLubaisweari
ngandtheneckl
aceyou
arewearingaremat eneckl
aces'
.meani
ngtheyar
e
forcouples,t
heyalwayscomeouttoget
herand
theyareveryexpensi
ve.
.youcannevergetoneofi
t
andleavetheother.i
tsl
ikeapactt
hatsays,'
weare
one'.
"that'
swhatshesaidwhil
eshowingmet he
pict
ures..
iwantedtocry,i
twasdamnexpensive.
."howdidi
acceptt
his??iknowinevert
akeexpensi
vethings
fr
om people.
."t
hat'
swhatisai
dinmymi nd..
it
ri
edmyal
ltokeepmyt
ear
sin.
.
buteversi
nceicamebackt
omyroom,ihavebeen
touchi
ngandrubbi
ngmyneckl
acet
ryi
ngtofi
ndout
mor e.
..
isatther
eonthebedcuddl
ingmylegs,whil
e
playi
ngwithmyneckl
aceandstar
inginspace.
.
af
terawhi
lesomeoneopenedt
hedoor
.
it
houghti
twast
hedoct
orbuti
twasBoi
..
shewal
kedt
omeandsatont
hebed.
.
Boi
:Nt
ando.
.lunchi
sready.
.
Me:not
hankyou.
.iam notyethungr
y..
Boi
:butyoual
sodi
dnthavebr
eakf
ast
..
il
ookedatherandl
ookedaway.
.
Boi:whyyoudoi ngthist
oyour
self?
?doyouknow
thatyourbehaviori
snotonl
yaffect
ingyou?
?it
s
alsoaffecti
ngLuba..hei
sworr
iedandyounot
makingi teasy.
.
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Boi
:youmaynotr
ememberanything,
butt
hatguy
woul
ddief
oryou.
.heal
mostdid..
il
ookedatheri
nshock.
.
Boi
:yes,
hedi
dntt
ellyou?
?
ikeptl
ooki
ngatBoiwai
ti
ngf
orhert
otel
lme.
Boi:whenyouwer eki dnapped, Lubawentcr azy,he
waswi l
li
ngtogot oMrZul ualone,hedidntcareif
hewouldbekill
ed,al lhewant edwast of i
ndyou. .
andwhenyouf el
landhur tyourhead,hebecame
veryweak,hi
sbrotherwasevenshockedt hatLuba
couldbeli
kethi
s..thenhi sdaughtergotanacci dent
,
i
twasasi fhecoulddi e.
.hisangerwashi ghbut
hiddenbysadness...isn'titt
oomuch, howmuch
l
ongershouldhesuf f er?
?imeanhemi ssesyou. .
myt
ear
scameoutandil
ookeddown
Boist
art
edr
ubbi
ngmyback.
.
Boi:iknowthatyouarealsohur ti
ng..notbeingable
torememberanyt hi
ngispainful.iknow. .butat
least
j
ustt r
ytotakecareofyourselfsot hatLubadoesnt
str
esssomuch. .doyouknowt hatever ythi
ngyou
doher eisbei
ngreport
edtot hem? ?
il
ookedatheragai
n..
Boi:yes.
.whenyoudonteat ,theygett hereport
,
whenyoul ockyour
sel
fint her oom theygetthe
report
..t
hat'
swhyLubast i
llfeel ssad.
.anditsnot
onlyyou,butal
lofus.
.ifsomet hingwrongwi t
hus,
theyknow..
il
ookeddown.
.
Me:ijust
..
..
..
..
..ij
ustfeeldown,
sad,
butal
sosaf
e..
haveyouhadt hatfeel
ing??
Boi:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..(
smil
es)
..
.iknowwhatyoumean.
.
dontworry,youwil
lbeowk..
icr
iedasikepthol
dingt
heneckl
ace.
.
iwassomehowf
eel
i
ngpai
nandhur
t,if
eltl
ikeihad
exper
iencedsomethi
ngpai
nfuli
nmyl
if
eandi
twas
sti
ngi
ngmedi rect
lyi
nmyheart.
.
*
*Pear
l**
Me:Ameah,dontyoumi
ssschool
?yourf
ri
endsand
t
eacher
s??
Ameah:idosi
si.
..
Me:ohhh,
dontwor
ryyouwi
llseet
hem soon.
.
Ameah:idontwantt
ogobackt
oschool
..
Me:what
??di
dntyousayyoumi
sst
hem?
?
Ameah:yesidosi
si,
butifigot
oschool,
imay
comebackandneverseeyouagai
norbrotherSai
nt.
soir
atherst
ayher
ewi t
hyouandbrother
..
Me:butyouhavet
ogot
oschoolsomeday.
.
Ameah:idontwantyouandbr
othersai
ntt
oleave
mealoneinthi
sworldl
ikemom anddaddi
d..
.
ikeptqui
etandl
ookedather
..sheseemedsad.
.
Ameah:si
si,
youshoul
dneverl
eaveme,
orel
sei
wi
llt
ellGodt
hatyoul
eftme.
.
ismi
ledast
ear
sthr
eat
enedmyeyes.
.
me:iwont
..
shenoddedasshemadebi
gcheekswi
thai
rinher
mouth.
.
Me:dr
amaqueen.
..comeher
e..
shecameandihuggedher
..
.
*
*Luu*
*
wewereinoursmal l
house,andi
tseemedLuba
wasnotpresent
..hekeptzoni
ngout.
.
Me:Luba,
didyouhearwhatisai
d??
hedi
dntanswer
..
Me:Luba!
!
hel
ookedatme.
.
Me:di
dyouhearwhatisai
d..
Luba:
whatdi
dyousay.
.
hewasshowi nganemotionl
essf aceasi
fhedidnt
careaboutanyt
hingoranyone.
.itwasjusthi
m and
hisemoti
on..
Me:isai
dyoushoul
dtur
nthebut
tononsot
hatwe
t
estthi
s..
hedidntsayanyt
hing,het
urnedt
hebut
tononand
keptpl
ayinggames..
Luu:wi
llyoukeeppl
ayi
nggamesever
yti
mewe
comeher e?
?
Luba:l
etmeknowwhenyougett othemostserious
part
,iwil
lparti
cipate.
.fornow,you4canhandl e
thi
s,i
tsallabouttesti
ng,soidontthinkyouneed
meher e.
.
t
heboysl
ookedateachot
her
..
Khut
sonodded.
.
Khut
sowentt
osi
tnextt
oLuba.
.
Khut
so:2pl
ayer
,youi
n??
Luba:
aren'
tyouwor
king?
?
Khut
so:t
heyar
emostcapabl
eofdoi
ngt
hisal
one.
.
soyoudar
e??
Luba:
mhm.
..
Lubachangedhi
sgamet
o2pl
ayerandKhut
so
smil
edatus..
wel
l,wedidntunderst
andwhatKhutsowas
pl
anning,
butagain,onl
ygamersunderst
andeach
ot
herbett
er,soilethi
m be.
.
theyplayedandpl
ayedandaft
erawhil
e,Luba
shoutedcursi
ngashethrewawayhi
scontrol
ler
..
het
henbr
eat
hed.
.
Khut
so:younotconcent
rat
ed,
isi
tNt
ando?
?
Lubadi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
hej
ustputhi
sar
msont
het
abl
eandputhi
shead
onhi
sarms..
Khut
so:gi
vehert
ime.
.shewillcomear
ound,
she
j
ustcantr
emembercl
earl
y..
.
Lubasi
ghed.
.
Luur
ubbedhi
sback.
.
Luu:weher
emahn.
.
Lubaturnedtothem andlookedatSai
nt.
.hestar
ted
star
ingathim..Sai
ntlookedaroundhi
mself
confusedandstart
edalsotouchinghi
sface.
.
Sai
nt:whyyoul
ooki
ngatme?
?idi
dntdoanyt
hing.
..
Luba:
sor
ry,
ijustt
houghtisawaGhostbehi
ndyou.
.
Sai
ntj
umpedandr
anbehi
ndJoe.
..
t
heguysl
aughedandLubasmi
led.
.
Luba:
nowif
eelbet
ter
..
.
Sai
nt:MXM!
!
[
12/28,
13:
12] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
SBAHLECLAI
RENCEMTHEMBU)
.
119
.
*
*Luu*
*
todaywest
ayedt
il
lveryl
ate,
sowhenwecame
back,t
hegi
rl
swerealr
eadysleepi
ng.
.
idi
dntwanttowakeBunnyupsoisof
tl
ywalkedi
n
ourroom andmademywaytothebat
hroom t
o
shower.
.
igott
otheshowerandt
ookaqui
ckshower
..
whenicamebacki
camei
nsof
tl
yandgoti
nthe
bl
anket
s..
butseemsshewasntsl
eepi
ng.
.
Her
:ist
hatwal
kingsof
tl
ynott
owakemeup.
.
Me:sor
ry,
ireal
lyt
houghtiwasqui
et.
.
Her:youwere,i
tsj
ustt
hatiwasntr
eal
lysl
eepi
ng.
.i
couldntsl
eep.
.
Me:why,
what
sthemat
ter
??
Her
:justover
thi
nki
ng.
.
Me:about
??
Her
:myf
utur
e..
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Her:ihavebeenjustwonderi
nghowmyf ut
urewil
l
be.
.wi l
libehappyforever
??wil
lienj
oymyli
fe?
?
youknow,
thi
ngsl
iket
hat
..
me:Bunny.
..
Her:imeanicanthavekids,andal
somyl i
fewil
l
alwaysbeindanger.
.iam evenworsebecauseiam
thegir
lf
ri
endofaMaf ial
eader..
me:Bunny. .whenwil
lyoustoptal
kingli
kethis.
.the
doctordidntsayyouwonteverhaveachild,hesaid
ther
eisahugechancet hatyouwoul dnotbeableto
carr
yf ul
lterm.
Her
:that
'
sthesameascanthaveki
ds.
isi
ghedandcuddl
edher
..
Her
:Luu?
?
Me:i
fit
snegat
ivi
ty,
idontwantt
oheari
t.
.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
.it
sjustaquest
ion.
.
me:mhm.
..
her
:howl
ongwi
llwebeher
e??
Me:i
tcoul
dtakemont
hs.
.
Her
:mont
hs?
?
Me:mhm. .wedealingwit
hal ongtimegangst er,
andaver yclassi
coneatt hat
,heissmar tandvery
proacti
ve.
.soourpl anni
ngmustbewel lplanned..
i
tseitherwewi nthem ort
heyki l
lus..butonemust
di
e..
her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
icoul
dsenset
hatshewashavi
ngf
ear
..
me:dontworry,wewillwi
nhi m over..dontyou
knowthaticantbeaMaf ialeaderificangetbeaten
bysomegangst er?
?wehavet hebestt eammates,
dontworr
y..t
hatgangsterisnothal vesmar tt
hen
uscombined..dontst
ressaboutit.
.
Her
:mhm.
..
iki
ssedherandassur
edher
..t
henisl
eptsi
ncei
wasalsoti
red.
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
weseeNtandolayi
nginherbedsti
llr
ubbi
ngher
neckl
ace.
.shewasnowhol di
ngt
henecklaceinher
hand,i
twasnotherneckanymore,
shetookitout
.
shewasnowhol
dingi
tandj
ustt
hinki
ng.
.
hert
hought
swer
ebl
ankbutshewast
hinki
ng.
.
shekeptl
ooki
ngatt
heneckl
aceandr
ubbi
ngi
t.
.
ont
heot
herhandLubawasdoi
ngt
hesamet
hing.
.
hewasal
sohol
dinghi
sneckl
aceandt
hinki
ng.
.
hewashavi
ngsomucht hought
sanddidntknow
whi
chonetofocuson,
alotwasrunni
nghismi nd.
.
"imissyou"that
'sthewordhemumbledasheput
thenecklaceonhischestandcl
osedhi
seyest
o
sleep.
.
*
*Nextday*
*
theboystodaydecidedt
obewiththegirl
stospend
thi
sdaywi t
hthem..notforf
un,
butbecausethey
knewthattheyneededtodothi
s,becausethe
missi
onwoul dcomesoonandt heywouldn'
tbe
ablet
ospendt i
mewi tht
hem..
t
heywer
eaboutt
ohavebr
eakf
ast
..
Boi
:iwi
llgogetNt
ando.
.
shewentupst
air
stogetNt
ando.
.
asshewalkedi
ntoNt
andor
oom door
,sheknocked
thenwal
kedin.
.
sheopenedandf
oundNtandolayi
ngonthef
loor
l
ikesomeonewhowasdead,shewasntmovi
ng..
Boiscr
eamedsol
oudt
hatt
heyhear
dherf
rom
downstai
rs.
.
theguyscamer
unni
ngupasPear
lst
ayedwi
tht
he
kids.
.
astheyarri
veduptowher
eBoiwas,
theyal
lsaw
Ntandolayi
ngonthefl
oor
..
[
12/
28,
13:
13] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Luba:
Cal
lPear
l,Hur
ry!
!
Her
ant
oNt
andoandpi
ckedherup.
heputheront
hebedandlookedatherbr
eat
hinga
bi
theavyashewasscar
edanddidntknowwhatto
do.
..
LuugotBoiandSandr
abackdownst
air
stocal
m
them down.
af
terawhi
lePear
lwal
kedi
nwi
thSai
ntandKhut
so.
..
Pear
l:whathappened?
Me:idontknow, wej
ustf
oundherl
ayingonthe
f
loor
..shesti
llhasapul
se,t
hatmeanssheisal
ive.
Pearl
:owk.
.Sai
nt,
getmemyhospi
talki
tin
Sbusi
so'sr
oom..
Sai
nt:owk.
..
heranoutandwentt
oquickl
ygetherbag,
thenr
an
backtogi
veitt
oPearl
..
Pear
l:iwi
llneedt
ofocus,
pleasel
eaveus.
.
Luba:
cantyouf
ocuswhi
leyouar
eher
e??
Pearl
:youarenervousandwalki
ngaroundbecause
ofshock,t
hatwil
ldist
ractme,
please.
.
Lubahesi
tat
ed,buthethenlef
twit
hSai
nt.Khut
so
wasatthedoorthewholeti
me..
Khut
so:dontwor
rymahn,
shewi
llbeowk.
.
Saint
:yah,
mysist
eri
saver
ygooddoct
or,
shewi
ll
takecar
eofher
..
Luba:
*si
gh*mhm.
.
t
heyheadeddown.
.
whentheygottotheot
her
s,theyl
ookedatLuba'
s
downfaceandseemedscaredtoevenaskhow
Ntandoi
sdoing..
Luu:and?
?
Sai
nt:Pear
lwil
ltakecar
eofher
..idontt
hinki
ts
somethi
ngbig,
orelsePear
lwouldhavesaid
somethi
ng..
Luusawhowt ornLubawas,heknewthatifLuba
doesntl
if
thisspi
ri
t,t
heymightaswellsi
gntheir
deathwi
shbecausetheyneededLuba'
ssmar t
brai
nsnowmor etheneversi
ncetheyweredeali
ng
withasmartenemy.
helookedatJoeandseemsJoewasal
sot
hinki
ng
thesamething.
t
hefearofl
osingLubaemot
ional
lyandspi
ri
tual
ly
wasbecomingbig.
.
t
hebothoft
hem l
ookedatSai
ntandKhutso,seems
t
heguyswereal
lhavi
ngthesamethoughts.
Luba:
pleaseexcuseme,
iam headi
ngout
..
Luu:wher
eto?
?
Luba:
idontknow.
.
noonesai
danyt
hing,
theyj
ustl
ookedateachot
her
..
Luba:myphonewi l
lal
waysbeon,iwi
llmakesur
e
ofthat
,ifi
tsof
f,j
ustknowiam onmyway,oriam
dead..
t
hatphr
aset
her
eshockedt
heguysandt
hegi
rl
s..
het
hent
ookhi
sjacketandwal
kedout
..
.
Khut
sol
ookedatLuu.
..
Khut
so:iwi
llf
oll
owhi
m andmakesur
ehei
sowk.
.
Luu:noneed,youstayher
eandcheckont
hegi
rl
s
andNtando,iwil
lfol
lowLuba.
.
Khut
sonodded.
.
Luusighedandalsot
ookhi
sjacketandwal
kedout
fol
lowi
ngLuba..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Pear
l**
Ntandowasfi
ne,shejustcol
lapsedwhi
chi
sduet
o
st
ressandover
thinki
ng.
igavehersomemedicat
ionandshei
sdoi
ngwel
l
,
sheisj
ustasleepatt
hemoment..
iam standingatt
hebalconyandlooki
ngatt he
helper-whowashol di
ngSbusisoandplayingwi t
h
him -atthesametimeiwaslookingatPinky,
AmeahandSi yaal
soplayi
ngtogether
..t
heyl ooked
sohappyandcheer ful
..
i
tlookedasi
fwewer
einahol
idayot
hert
hen
hi
ding..
thehouseher
ewasbeaut
if
ulandi
thadabeaut
if
ul
view.
.
whatpeopl
ethoughtwasanunf
ort
unat
e,becamea
f
ort
unateforme..
ihavebeenspendi
ngmyli
fe,
st udyi
ng,st
udying,
worki
ngandwor ki
ngt
othepointthatidi
dnthave
t
imetospoi lmyeyeswithsuchviewsormymouth
wit
hdelici
ousmeal sormyfeeli
ngswit
hnatur
e..
.i
wasjusttoofocusedonworkingandmoney,t
hati
f
orgottoli
ve..l
ivefr
eel
y..
yesiam sti
llangryt
hatSaintchosethisl
if
e,andi
am scar
edabouthi sfutur
ebecausethisli
fedoesnt
guarant
eeanyf utur
e..i
tseit
heryoucheri
shtoday
oryoumi ssitandstandachancetor egr
etit
..
asmuchasiam angrythathechosethisl
if
e,iam
al
sogladthathedi
dbecauseitopenedmyeyes
andmademewakeupf rom t
hissyndr
omeofwor k
andnoli
fe..
ismil
edasilookedatthehelperl
aughi
ngwit
h
Sbusisoandtheotheronesalsol
aughi
ngt
ogether
astheyranaround..
.
dontworr
y,Pinkywastheonetorunar
oundless
becauseofherdri
pbag,butshewasst
il
lhavi
ngfun.
iwasdi
stur
bedbysomeonet
appi
ngmyshoul
der
s.
i
twasSai
nt.
.
Me:ohhhLi
lbr
other
..
Sai
nt:whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout
??
Me:wel
l.
.li
fe.
.
Sai
nt:ar
eyoust
il
langr
y??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.*si
gh*yes.
.butiam al
sohappy.
.
Sai
nt:huh?
?
Me:ibel i
evethatever
ythinghappensforar eason.
.
andt hi
s,thi
sprobablyhappenedsot hatiwould
real
izewhatiam mi ssi
ngandal soreali
zethati
haven'tstar
tedli
vingyet,
iam sti
llsl
eeping.
.
Saintseemedconf
usedt
owhathersi
sterwas
tal
kingabout
..
Me:dontwor
ry,
noneedt
ounder
stand.
Saintal
solookeddownt
hebal
conyandsawt
he
beauti
fulvi
ewandtheki
dspl
ayi
ng..
Saint
:ineverthoughtAmeahwoul
dhavesomuch
funhere.
.ithoughtshewoul
dhaveithar
dandmi
ss
mom anddad. .
Me:yah,it
houghtsotoo.
.butseemssheloves
havi
ngfun,thenhavi
ngparent
sandbrot
hersand
si
ster
swhoj
ustwor
kal
lthet
imeandhar
dlygi
ves
herti
me.
.
Sai
nt:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
me:that'
swhyisai diwashappy. .l
ookatAmeah,
sheisevenglowing..ihaveneverseenherlaughso
much..iam feel
ingli
kesheisaboutt of
aintfrom al
l
thatl
aughter
..
myt
ear
sst
art
edt
ocomeoutasispoke.
.
Me:ahhhh,
lookatme.
..t
ear
ingagai
n..
.ahahahah
Sai
ntl
ookedatme.
.
Me:Li
ttl
ebrother
..
.idontmindwhatyoudowit
h
yourl
if
e..
.butcanyoupleasepr
omiseme2t hi
ngs.
..
Sai
ntnodded.
.
Me:canyoutakeoverdad'
scompany??
?hereall
y
wantedyout
odot hat
..canyoupl
easef
ulf
il
lhi
s
wi
sh? ?
Sai
ntal
sost
art
edtogettear
ybuthet
ri
edsomuch
nott
oevenl
eti
tout.
..henodded.
.
Sai
nt:owk.
.
Me:andsecond.
..canyoust
ayawayf
rom Ameah?
?
Sai
ntgotshockedandl
ookedatme.
.
Sai
nt:what
??
Me:youareaMaf ianow..whoeverisclosetoyou
willal
waysbeat argettoyourenemiesandt heywill
alwayswanttokillthem j
usttohurtyou..iam sur
e
youwouldn'twantAmeaht odieyoungjustbecause
ofyourdoingsri
ght ??
myt
ear
skeptcomi
ngoutandikeptwi
pingt
hem.
..
Sai
nt:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:af
teryouhavetakendownthi
senemy,iknow
youwil
l.
.pl
easeletmeandAmeahgo...wewillgo
somewhereandstartal
if
ether
e..
Sai
nt:caniat
leastvi
sit
??
Me:no.
..
.(ist
art
edcr
yinghar
d)
hel
ookeddownandwi
pedhi
stear
s..
.
Me:gooutthereandgett
hisenemy,avengemom
anddad.
..af
terthi
s..
.wewil
lmakeourdepart
..
.that
wayyoudonthavet owor
ryaboutus.
..
Saint
:buteveryonewi
llal
waysknowthatyouare
mysisterandAmeahtoo..doyouthi
nkgoingfar
fr
om mei stheanswer
? ?
Me:stayingwithyoumakesiteasi
ert
oseeusasa
t
argetsincetheywil
lbef
ullawareofhowmuchyou
l
oveus..
hel
ookeddown.
..
icouldnthol
dmyt ear
sandmyachi
nghear
t.soi
walkedawayr unni
ngtomyr
oom..
ij
ustwant
edt
obeal
one.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
13] :120
.
*
*Weeksl
ater
**
*
*Nt
ando*
*
*
*Dr
eam*
*
iwasi
nmybedr oom wheniheardmyauntcomi
ng
backf
rom wher
evershecamef r
om.
ii
gnor
edherandj
ustt
ri
edt
osl
eep.
af
terawhil
e,shecameandopenedmydoorand
swit
chedontheli
ght
..
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustl
ookedather
.
Her:hai
,l
itt
lechi
ld,
gosl eepwi
thSamuandt
hem,
i
wanttosleepheretoday..
idi
dntdar
etospeakback,
ijustdi
dwhatsheasked.
.
Me:yesaunt
..
ist
oodupandwal
kedt
othedoorandif
aceddown.
.
Her
:hai
,yourper
fumei
snotf
ini
shedr
ight
??
ishookmyhead.
.
Me:noaunt
,it
sther
e..
Her
:good.
.it
smi
nef
rom t
oday.
.youdontneedi
t
moss.
.
shesai
dthatsmi
li
ng.
.
theperf
umeigotf rom myaunt ,
auntChloeasa
bir
thdaypresent
..ihadbeenusingitf
orabout3
daysandaf t
erauntChloelef
t,auntMarysaidshe
wouldtakeit,
andt odayshedid.
.
asiwaswal ki
ngoutisawamanst andi
ngatthe
door,ididntevent
hinkmuch,
ijustwenttot
he
otherroom..
isl
eepalonebecausemyauntal wayssaysiam not
worthytosl
eepwiththem,buttoauntChloeshe
saysiam abiggir
landdeservemypr i
vacythat
's
whyi sl
eepalone,
andauntChloebeli
evedher..
isl
eptwi
thSamu,
hewokeupshockedt
oseeme
her
e..
Samu:Ntando,
mom isgoingt
oshoutatyouwhen
shecomesback..whatar
eyoudoi
nghere??
Me:dontwor
ryj
ustsl
eep.
.
shelaidbackdownbutyoucoul
dtel
lthatshewas
sti
llworr
ied.
asiwast r
yingtosleep,
ihear
dnoises,myauntwas
screami ngsoft
ly,
icantexpl
ainhow,butwhatican
sayist hat,
shedidsoundsthatpeopl
ewhosleep
togethermade..
iknowaboutthem becauseihavewat
cheditonTV
unint
ent
ional
lyandgotbeatenupfori
t,bymyaunt
ofcause.
iwasworri
edSamuwoul
dhear,
soicover
edher
ear
ssoft
lyandtr
iedt
osl
eep.
.
af
teral
ongwhi
le,
iwasasl
eep.
it
henf
eltasi
fsomeonewashol
dingmyl
egs.
.
asiopenedmyeyesi
twast
hemant
hatauntMar
y
br
ought..
itri
edtoscr
eam butheheldmymouthandt
oldme
thathewouldki
llSamuifiscr
eamed.
.
hetouchedme, t
ouchedme,imovedaround,buthe
wouldn'
tleaveme,t
earscameout,heconti
nued
touchi
ngme. .
ishotopenedmyeyes.
.
*
*Dr
eam ended*
*
.
iwassweat
ing,
iwasbr
eat
hingheavy.
.
it
ookadeepbr
eat
hthent
ear
scameoutmyeyes.
.
"
ist
hiswhatihavebeenf
orci
ngmysel
fto
r
emember
??"
recentl
yihavebeenhavi
ngf
lashbacks,
and
nightmares.
.
tothi
sday,idi
dntthi
nk,
myauntwoul ddot hatto
me..yes,
ihavebeenhavingal
otofflashbacksof
theti
mesmyauntwoul dabuseme..hitme, ver
ball
y
abuseme, i
twastoomuch.
i
tlookedasi
fitwasal
readymorni
ng,soigotof
f
t
hebedandheadeddownt ogetmyselfabot
tl
eof
watersi
nceminewasempty.
.
doirememberLuba??yes.
.notfully,
butidid
rememberthef
ir
stti
meisawhi m. .howhebumped
meandl ef
tasi
fitwasmyf aul
t,howif el
linl
ove
withhi
m andhowwest ar
teddating..
ir
emember
edbyt
heneckl
ace,
that
'showheasked
meout
..
.
ihaven'tsaidanythingyet,hedoesntknowt hati
remember ,ijustalwayslookathim andseeno
traceoftheLubair emember,thi
sti
mehel ooked
sad,down, defeatedandjustnothimself.
.
irememberedthatBoisaiditwasbecauseiwasnt
wellandhisdaughtertoo.
.ther
easonwhyihaven't
saidanyt
hingisbecauseidontremembermuch, i
justr
emembert hefir
stdayswemet .
.myshydays
withhim.
.
igott
otheki
tchenandt
ookoutagl
assandpour
ed
col
dwateri
nit.
.
asit
ookt
heglasstodrink,
isawakni
feand
i
mmediat
elyf
lashbackscame..
i
twasntsomet
hingcl
ear
,justshor
timagest
her
e
andt
here.
.
theimageofMrZuluhol
dingaknifet
omyfaceand
runni
nghishandovermytrouseronmypr
ivat
e
area.
.
theimageofMrZulu,
for
cef
ull
yki
ssi
ngmeand
holdi
ngmyneck..
idr
oppedmygl
assast
ear
scamer
ushi
ngdown.
.
astheimageskeptcomingt
omymi
nd,
ahand
touchedmeandiscreamed.
.
onl
ytor
eal
izet
hati
twasSandr
a..
shehuggedmequi
ckl
yandr
ubbedmyback.
.
Her
:shhhh,
shhhh.
.it
sowk,
itsowk.
.
icr
iedsohar
dthati
didntknowwhatt
odo.
.
Me:idontwanttorememberSandra,
idontwantt
o
r
emember ,iwantt
ostayl
iket
his.
..
shekeptcal
mingmedownandl
aterPear
lcame.
.
.
*
*Luba*
*
wewerebusywit
ht hemi
ssi
on,
andnowwewer e
deepwithhowt
hingswoul
dbe,soonwewoul
d
att
ack.
.
iwastr
yingmyal
ltof
ocussi
ncewehadt
oki
llt
his
bast
ardfast
.
aswewer
ebusy,Luu'
sphoner
ang.
.
hel
ookedati
tandanswer
edi
t.
.
Luu:itol
dyounott
ocal
lunl
essi
tsi
mpor
tant
..
real
ly?
?
hesai
dthatl
ooki
ngatme.
.
Luu:owk,
iwi
lll
ethi
m know.
.thankyou.
.
hehungupandl
ookedatme
Me:what
??
Luu:Nt
ando.
..
Me:what
,whatabouther
??
Luu:Boi
tysayssher
emember
edsomet
hingand
causedhertobr
eakdown.
.
Me:what
??
il
ookedathi
m shocked.
..
Luu:go,
wewi
llhol
dther
opesher
e..sheneedsyou.
.
idi
dntevenwast
eti
me, idroppedever
ythi
ngand
hur
riedbackt
othehouse..
[
12/
28,
13:
14] :Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Luba*
*
iarr
ivedatt
hehouseandr
anst
rai
ghtt
oNt
ando'
s
room..
if
oundNt
andosi
tt
ingdownagai
nstt
hewal
lcr
ying
i
nPear
l'
sar
ms.
Pearlkeptrubbi
ngherandcal
mingherdown,
but
shekeptcryingandseei
ngherli
kethi
shur
tmy
hear
t .
.idi
dntknowwhattodowi t
hmybody
anymor e.
.
Pear
lsawmeandnoddedf
ormet
ocomei
n..
asicameclosert
othem,
Pear
lsl
owl
yletgoofher
andstoodup.
.
shethent
appedmyshouldert
oletmeknowt
hatal
l
wil
lbewell
,thenshewal
kedout.
.
isatdownnextt
oNt
andoandhel
dher
..
shel
ookedupatmeandi
mmedi
atel
yhuggedmeas
shecont
inuedt
ocr
y..
iwasntsurei
fshewasact
ingli
kethi
sbecauseshe
fi
nall
yremembersmeorit
sjustt
heemotionsshei
s
goingthr
ough.
.
"Luba.
..Luba.
...whydi
dntyoucomesaveme
earl
ier
??"that
'swhatshesaid.
.
il
ookedather
..
ipul
ledheroutoft
hehugforawhileandl
ookedat
her.
.herf
acewaswetfrom cr
ying.
..
Me:your
emember
??
shenodded.
..
Her:di
dntyougivemet
heneckl
aceasaf
orm of
aski
ngmeout ??
ismil
edasil
ookedather
.."
sher
emember
sme,
she
remember
s".
.
ihuggedherandt
ear
sthr
eat
enedmyeyesbuti
didntdar
ecry.
.
shecont
inuedcr
yingt
hough.
..
Me:shhhh,
iam her
e,dontwor
ry.
.
Her:idontwantt
or ememberanymor
eLuba,
idont
want..i
tspai
nful
..i
thurt
s..
Me:whatdoyoumean?
?
Her
:idontwantt
oremember
,it
shur
ti
ngmeLuba.
.
r
eal
lybad..
.
ihuggedhert
ight
erandki
ssedherhead.
.
Me:ever
ythi
ngwi
llbeowk.
.dontwor
ry.
.
shelai
dther
ecr
yingt
il
lsheevent
ual
lysl
epti
nmy
arms..
isatt
her
epl
ayi
ngwi
thherhai
r.
.
iwantedtoaskherwhatthatbast
eddidtoher,but
theniwouldbeself
ishtoaskbecauseitwil
lonl
y
bringhur
tandpaintoheranditsnotl
ikeicando
anythi
ngtothatmansincehediedalr
eady..
"nx,
hehaditeasymahn.
.heshoul
dhavehada
slowpai
nfuldeat
h"
isi
ghedandl
ookedatNt
andowhowasf
astasl
eep
onmylap.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Khut
so*
*
iwasinmyr
oom l
ayi
ngonmybackl
ooki
ngatt
he
cei
li
ng.
someoneknockedonmydoorandist
oodupt
ogo
checkwhoitwas.
i
tspr
obabl
yLuba,
sincehealwayscomesher
eto
pl
aygameswhenheisstr
essedout.
iopenedthedoorandnoiwaswr
ong,
itwas
actual
lySandr
a.
Me:Sandr
a!!
Sandr
a:canicomei
n??
Me:huh.
..
.sur
e..
shewal
kedi
nandwentt
osi
tont
hecouchi
nthe
bedr
oom.
isatontheot
hercouchopposi
tehersot
haticoul
d
faceher
..
Me:whati
sit
??ar
eyouf
eel
ingowk?
?
shenodded.
.
Me:ohhh.
.owk.
.
Sandr
a:Khut
so?
?
Me:yes?
?
Sandr
a:shoul
dideci
det
ostaywit
hyou,
wil
lyou
promi
setoprot
ectmeal
lthet
ime??
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
iwasntexpect
ingsuchaquest
ion,
itt
ookmeby
sur
pri
se..
soigotqui
etf
orawhi
leandt
henwentt
osi
tnextt
o
her
..
Me:iwouldt
rymyallt
oalwayspr
otectyouand
makesurenooneharmsyou..
shel
ookedatmeandsl
ight
lysmi
led.
.
shet
henhuggedmeandisl
owl
yhuggedherback.
.
iki
ssedherheadandpl
acedmychi
nonherhead.
.
Me:asl
ongasil
ive,
noonewi
llhar
m you.
..
shedidntsayanyt
hing,
shej
ustwej
ustst
ayedi
n
thehuggingposi
ti
onforawhi
le.
.
.
*
*Luu*
*
Bunnywasl ayi
ngnexttome, runni
ngherf
ingerson
myabs, butyoucouldtel
lthatshewasnotherein
thought
s,shewasf araway..
il
eanedi
nandki
ssedherf
orehead.
Me:Bunny?
?
shel
ookedatmewi
thoutsayi
ngawor
d..
Me:whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout
??
Her
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.not
hing.
.
Me:i
tdoesntl
ookl
ikenot
hingt
ome.
.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:whati
sit
??areyoust
il
lst
ressedaboutt
his
whol
ethi
nggoingon??ar
eyouthinki
ngaboutyour
f
utur
e??
Her:*si
gh*nah,
imadepeacewi
tht
hef
actt
hatmy
boyfr
iendi
saMaf i
aleader
.
Me:t
henwhati
sit
??
Her:iam worr
iedaboutNtandoandSandr
a,but
mostlyNtando,shei
sgoingt hr
oughal
otandst
il
l
hastoacceptthisl
if
estyl
e..
Me:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Her
:ir
emembert
hef
ir
stt
imeimetheratt
he
company, shewassoi nnocentandsweet ,ieven
helpedhercar r ytheboxes. .if
eltsomehowcheer ed
byt alkingtoher .
.shewasgent le,sweetandvery
ki
nd. .whenshet oldmet hatshewasgoi ngback
homebecausehercont ractwasf ini
shed,ifel
tbad.
.
iwasr eadytoaskyout opl easehireherasan
extracl eaner
,butshet oldmet hatherauntgother
ajobi nt hevil
lage,shewoul dbewor ki
ngf orMr
Zuluandshet ol dmet hatMrZul uwasaki ndman
honor edbyt hesoci et
y..
.ir eal
lythoughtshewould
bewor kingnow, nothere. .
Me:..
..
..
..
..
..youdonthavet
owor
ry,
Lubai
staki
ng
car
eofher .
.
Her
:iknow.
.
Me:dontwor r
yaboutt hem, t
heywi l
lbeowk. .
Ntandoisgoingthroughal ot,
butLubai stheref
or
herandSbusisoandPi nky,Sandr aaswell
, Khut
so
i
st her
eforher.
.itr
ustmyguys, theywil
lnever
al
lowanythingtohappent otheirgir
ls.
.evensaint,
heislooki
ngafterPearlandAmeah.andme, well
mybabyi sowksoiwi l
ljustworryaboutSiya.
iwast easi
ngher
,shehi
tmeont
heshoul
derasi
laughed..
Me:hahaha,
owk,
owk.
.iwi
llal
sot
akegoodcar
eof
you.
.
Her
:youshoul
d..
shepout
ed.ismi
led.
[
12/
28,
13:
14] :121
.
*
*WeeksLat
er*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iputmyhandsovermyear
s,isatdownwi
thmy
headonmyknees.
iwasli
keasmallgi
rlwhowasaf r
aidandhadt
o
shaf
thersel
fint
hecorneroutoff
ear.
.
idi
dntwantt
orememberanymore,
iwasowknow.
.
idi
dntwantt
oremember,
idontcar
enow..
iwastr
yingt
ocovermyearsfrom hearingt
he
voi
cesofmyaunttel
li
ngmehowusel essiam,how
shehat
esmeandhowidi sgusther.
.
iwassitt
ingonthef loor
,coopeduplikethat
becauseiwasafraid, MrZuluwouldhurtme,iwas
afr
aidhethathewoul dappearri
ghthereandri
ght
now,andhurtme, slapme, touchme..
iwasaf
rai
d..
ihavenoideahowmanyment ouchedmewant i
ng
tosleepwit
hme..l
uckil
ynothi
nghappened, wel
l
,
accordi
ngtowhatiremember,theyal
ljustwoul
d
touchme, t
ouchmythighs,
touchmybr east
,but
theywouldn'
tdomuch..
butallthoset
ouchedisti
llf
eltasiftheywer
est
il
l
touchingmeasofnow. .iwasafraid..
most l
yiwastouchedbyallt
hementhatwould
comewi thmyaunt(AuntMary)
.af
terhersessi
on
withthosemen,theywoul
dcometot hi
sroom and
startt
ouchi
ngme. .
icoul
dntunder
standwhy,
whyal
loft
hem?
?
ithengott
ounder
standthatmabye,
myauntwas
theonewhotol
dthem todothat
..
ir
ememberoneday.
.
.
*
*Fl
ashback*
*
Theguywast
ouchi
ngmeandt
hatday,
Samuwoke
upandsawhi
m..
Samu:MAMA!
!
hi
m shout
ingwoket
heot
her2(
Mpi
loandSne)
Samuthensawmecryi
ngandqui
ckl
yhuggedme
astheguyr
anoutt
heroom.
.
myauntcamei
n..
Aunt
:Samu,
whati
sit
??
Samu:mama,ther
ewasamanhere,hewasbusy
touchi
ngNt
andoandNtandowascr
ying.
.hedi
dnt
stop.
.
AuntMar
ylookedatme.
.iwi
pedmyt
ear
s..
Aunt
:touchi
ngNt
ando?
?
Samu:yesmama.
.
Aunt
:di
dNt
andowakeyouupt
ohel
pher
??
Samu:nomama,
ijustwokeupbecauseiwant
edt
o
got
othebat
hroom
Aunt
:Nt
ando,
comeher
enana.
.
iwalkedoutt
her
oom andwentwi
thhertomyr
oom
whichshewassl
eepi
nginwit
hthatguy.
.
Aunt
:ist
hist
hef
ir
stt
imet
hishappened?
?
ishookmyhead.
.
Aunt
:real
ly?
?howmanyt
imes?
?
Me:al
otoft
imes.
.
Aunt:soamani st
ouchingyouandyoudont
scr
eam orshoutorevenwakeSamuuporsomeone
tohelpyou.
.youkeepquiet
??andyoudontevent
ell
me??
Me:noAunt
,hesai
difisai
dawor
dhewoul
dKi
ll
t
hekids.
Aunt
:andyoust
il
llethi
mtouchyou?
?whydidnt
youwakeSamuupbyst yl
eofsomet
hing?
?
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Aunt
:soifSamudidntgot
othebat
hroom,
woul
d
youhavespoken?
?
ikeptqui
et.
.
Aunt
:sot
hatmeansyoul
ikesi
t.
.
il
ookedatherandshecamecl
osert
ome.
.
Aunt:soibringmyboyfri
endheretohavesome
qual
ityti
meandyouar ebusysteali
ngthem and
sl
eepingwi t
hthem..nowonderineverl
ast
edl ong
wit
ht hem..youwit
ch..
Me:iswearauntidi
dnt
..
Aunt
:ohhhshutup.
.
shesai
dthatsl
appi
ngmeacr
osst
hef
ace.
..
sheconti
nuedi
nsul
ti
ngmeandaccusi
ngmeand
al
sohitt
ingme.
.
*
*endofFl
ashback*
*
.
ihuggedmyl
egsandj
ustkeptcr
ying.
..
aft
erawhi
lePearlcameinandr
ushedt
omeasshe
sawthest
ateiwasin..
Pear
l:haiNt
ando,
areyouowk?
?
idi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Pear
l:Nt
ando?
?
il
ookedatherwi
thmyf
acef
il
ledwi
tht
ear
s..
Me:isi
tpossi
blet
oer
asemymemory..
.isi
t
possi
blet
onotbeabl
etor
ememberagain?
?
Pear
l:why?
?it
houghtyouwant
edt
oremember
..
Me:alliwant edtor ememberwasLuba. .because
mebei ngli
ket hishur tshim..ithought
remember i
nghi m woul dmakehi m happyandwe
wouldbewhowewer e..butalongwi t
ht hose
memor iesli
est hememor i
esofpai n,pain...andi
cantbareitanymor e..icantsleep,icantt hink,
i
cantdoanyt hing,becausewhenido. .ikeephavi ng
fl
ashbacksofever ythingthathappened. ..from
whenmymot herdi ed,tohowmyauntt reat edme,
tobei
ngki dnapped. .itsjusttoomuch. .
Pear
l:.
..
..
..woul
dyoul
ikemet
ocal
lLuba?
?
ishookmyhead.
.
Me:hewi
llonl
ygetwor
ri
edandbedistr
actedf
rom
whathei
ssupposedt
odo..
.idontwantt
odist
ract
hi
m..
Pear
l:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:youknow, isomet imesf eelli
keidontreall
y
knowwhoLubai s..ihaveal otofquesti
onst oask
him..butifear
...ifearthatjustasiwant edtohave
mymemor ybackandir eceivedthesepainf
ul
memor i
es,i
twoul dbet hesamewi ththeanswer s.
.i
fearthatiwil
lask,andiwontl i
ketheanswers..
.
Pear
l:whatar
ethequest
ions?
?
Me:iwantedt oknow, whyhebr oughtmeher e??
whatheissobusywi ththatifheisdistr
actedwe
mightbekil
led..
.whywear etarget
edandwhydoes
healwayssayt hathewillalwaysprotectme. .
.ij
ust
wantedtoknowwhatwasgoi ngon...everyonehere
seemstoknow, exceptf
orme. .
Pear
l:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:doc.
..
.doyouknow?
?
Pear
l:ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
heanswer
??
il
ookeddownanddeci
dedir
athernot
..
Me:ir
athernot
..
.it
sowk.
..
Pear
lhuggedmeandil
aidonherl
apassher
ubbed
myshoulder
s..
.
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
l
aterar
oundLunchti
me,thegi
rl
sdeci
dedtohave
Lunchtoget
herasabi
gfamil
ywitht
hekids.
.
Boi
:haiSi
ya,
sitdownbef
oreimakeyousi
t.
.
Si
yapout
edandwentt
osi
tdown.
.
Boi
:Pi
nkyyout
oo.
.
Pi
nkyal
sowentt
osi
t,Ameahwasal
readysi
tt
ing.
.
Sandra:Si
ya,
Pinky,whydoyouli
kegivi
nggranny
Boit
yheadache??cantyouseeshei
salreadyol
d..
Boil
ookedatSandr
aandSandr
alaughed.
Pear
l:i
fBoii
sagr
andmot
her
,thenwhatai
??
Sandr
a:agr
eatgr
andmot
her
..
ever
yonel
aughed.
.
Ntandowasj
ustseat
edt
her
esmi
li
ngasever
yone
l
aughed.
.
shewoul
dn'
tlaughl
i
keever
yone,
justasmi
lewas
enoughf
orher.
.
shesatbackasshewatchedever
yonehappyand
makingjokesandt
easi
ngeachother
..
t
hehel
percamedownwi
thSbusi
so.
.
Nt
andosawherandcal
ledher
..
Nt
ando:sor
ry!
!
t
hehel
perl
ookedandshesmi
led.
.
Nt
ando:canihaveSbusi
so?iwi
llr
etur
nhi
m back.
.
TheHel
per:ohowk,
iwi
llgi
vehi
mtoyouaf
terhe
haseat
en.
..
Nt
ando:icanf
eedhi
m,i
tsf
ine.
.
t
hehel peragr
eedandwentt
ogi
veSbusi
sot
o
Ntando..
Ntando:mayipleasebeexcused,
iwi
llgof
eed
Sbusisoout
side.
.
Boi
:andLunch?
?
Nt
ando:iam notr
eal
lyhungr
y..
Pear
l:youhaven'
tbeenhungrysi
ncel
astni
ght
..
.
youhavetoeatsomethi
ng..
Ntando:owk,
mayyoupl
easebr
ingmyf
oodout
side
f
orme? ?
Pear
lnodded.
.
Pear
l:asl
ongasyoueat
..
Nt
andosmi
ledandwal
kedout
..
shewentout
side(
backgr
ound)undert
heshade.
shesatonthet
abl
espl
acedout
sideandput
Sbusi
so'sf
oodonthet
abl
e..
shet
henst
art
edf
eedi
nghi
m..
seei
ngSbusi
somadeNt
andof
eelcal
m andhappy.
.
fort
hef i
rstt
imesi
nceshecameher
e,shef
eltreal
ly
happyandf el
tasi
fshewasget
ti
ngther
apythough
Sbusiso.
.
Ntando:hiSbusiso,sorryidi
dntcometoseeyou
sooner,youwer eunderdoc'scareandididntwant
toint
ervene,butnowicanandiwi l
lbedisturbi
ng
youeveryday..youwillbeseeingmyuglyf acemore
of
tennow.
.
shesmil
edasSbusi
sokeptmovi
nghi
sli
tt
lef
eet
andhands.
.
af
terawhil
ePearlbr
oughtNt
ando'
sfoodand
Nt
andothankedher.
.
seeingSbusisoeatdi
dmakehercravetoalsoeat
..
sosheat eandevenaskedt
hehelpertoputmore
forher.
.
thegir
lswereshockedbuthappyt
hatshewas
atl
easttr
ying.
.
butPear
lasadoctorknewthatshewasopenl
ike
thi
sbecauseofSbusi
so..
[
12/28,
13:
14] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
Cont
inuat
ion
.
*
*Lat
ert
hatday*
*
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Luu:*
sigh*ar
eweal
lset
??
Khut
so:it
hinkwear
e..
Luul
ookedatLuba.
.
Luu:iknowyouhaveithardli
lbr
o,butnowweneed
you.
.wemanagedt ocomet hi
sfar,
nowweneed
yourbrai
nsaswetacklethemostsensit
ivepar
tof
thepl
an..
Lubal
ookedupatever
yone.
.
Luba:
*si
gh*mhm..iwil
lputmymi
ndateaseand
tr
ymybesttof
ocus..
t
heynodded.
..
Joe:canwecal
litaday,
iam st
arvi
ng.
..
Sai
nt:ial
mostsai
dthesamet
hing.
..
Luu:yah,
let
sgo.
.
t
heypackedt
hei
rthi
ngsandal
lwentt
othecar
.
theyalwaysuse1bigcartogotothei
rplaceand
cum back.andthedr
iveri
salwayseit
herLuuor
Joe..
t
heygoti
nthecarandLuudr
ove.
.
Joe:ahhhhh,i
tssosad...whi
lesomegotoget
somegoodnightmassages, wehavetogoand
sl
eepwi t
hthisti
rednessandachingmuscl
esal
lby
oursel
ves.
..
Luu:hahaha,
whosai
dyoushoul
dn'
thavet
imet
o
meetawoman? ?
Joe:hai
,i
tsyourf
aul
tforal
waysmakingmework,
if
i
twasntforwork,
iwouldhavegot
tenmar
ri
edl
ong
ago..
Luba:
reall
ynow??idontt
hinki
tswor
k,ij
ustt
hink
i
tspurel
ythegayscar
e..
Joe:what
??
Luba:
beawareSai
nt,
youmightf
indJoenextt
o
youwhenyouwakeupint
hemorning.
.
Luu:wit
honlybr
ief
son.
.andyouwi
llknowyou
werefucked.
.
Khut
so:ouuuuuuuu.
..
.
Saint
:hai
,hai
,hai
..
.whyme?
?outofal
lofus,
you
choseme..
Khut
so:hai
,yout
heonl
ysi
ngl
eoneher
e..
.
Sai
nt:whosai
dJoewi
llonl
ygof
ort
hesi
ngl
e??
Joe:iwasabouttosayt
hat
,imeanLubai
sthe
mostattr
act
iveoneformet
oattack.
.
Luba:
hai
..
Joe:sexyt
oo.
..
Luba:
bra,
iwasonl
yjoki
ngowk,
nowst
op.
..
Joe:ouuu,
thef
iest
yness.
..il
ike.
.
Khut
so:aouuuuuuJoe!
!no!
!!
Khut
sol
aughed.
.
Luu:hai
,myl
ilbr
oisof
fli
mit
s..
Saint
:ohhhl
ookatt
hat
..t
hewol
fbr
other
stack
team..
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Luu:butJoe,l
etsbereal.
.ifyoudontgetagi
rlaf
ter
thi
smi ssi
on,
iwillar
rangeonef oryou.
.
Joe:noneed..mabyeimi
ghtmakeamoveon
Saint
'ssi
ster
..
Sai
nt:hai
,Br
ocode.
..
t
heylaughedsohar
dthatLuul
ostal
it
tl
efocuson
t
heroad..
Luu:hai,
dontmakemel
aughl
iket
hat
,ial
mostl
ost
focus.
.
Luba:
geeSai
nt,
thatwasf
astl
ikeyouknewhewas
goi
ngtosayt
hat.
.
Sai
ntj
ustshookhi
sheadl
ooki
ngatJoe.
Joe:ahahha, chill
,shemaymakeagoodgi rlf
riend,
orwifesinceshei sadoctor ,
imeani tsan
advantaget ohaveadoconourt eam, butstil
l,she
i
st oochill
edf ormyl iki
ng..ialr
eadyt oldyou, ili
ke
roughgi r
lssinceiam mor edownt oearthtypeof
person..imeanl ookatLuba, heisintimidat
ingand
rough,buthef ellforaninnocentyounggi rl
..
i
magi neifhewasdat i
ngsomeonet ough,itel
lyou,
Lubawoul dnotbeatpeace, becauset heywoul d
fi
ghtleft,r
ightandcent er.
.
Khut
so:sowhatwil
lhappeni
fyouf
indsomeone
whoischi
ll
edl
ikeyou??
Joe:wewillbot
hbechill
ed,
andiwi
llbebor
ed,
ili
ke
agirlt
hatcanchal
lengeme..
Luba:
ahhhhh,
li
keLuu?
?
Joe:al
most
..
.
Saint:i
tbet
terbesomahn..event houghdati
ngher
wouldmeanherst ayi
ng,butsti
ll
,irat
herhaveher
l
eave, t
henhaveherdateyou..oranymaf i
afort
hat
reason..
.
Khut
so:why?
?di
dshesayshei
sleavi
ng?
?
Saint
:shesai
dafterthi
smissi
on,
sheasksmet
olet
them go.
.pr
acti
call
yjustl
ett
hem go.
.
Luu:i
tmaybef
ort
hebet
ter
..
Khutso:whydoyousayt hatLuu,
theyareal
lthat
Sainthas,andwhatift
heli
ttl
eonestar
tsthi
nking
thatSaintabandonedt
hem??
Joe:i
twi l
lbeforthebest
,tr
ustme..
.imeanil ef
tmy
famil
ybehind,it
salsoli
keiabandonedthem..
.
whenal lt
hosethingswerehappeni
ngtoyou,your
famil
ies,di
danythinghappentomyf amil
y??
t
heyal
llookedathi
m andr
eal
izedt
hathehada
poi
nt.
.
Joe:theenemiesprobablythinksidontcareabout
them,ortheyjustdontbothertosearchforthem
becausewhent heydor esear
ch, t
heygettoseethat
inevervi
sitt
hem. .
Sai
nt:soial
sowontt
ovi
sitt
hem?
?
Joe:that
'swhattheywillt
hink,becauseinr ecords
nothi
ngcomesoutt hatyouvi si
tedthem. .ivi
sitmy
famil
y,oncein2year..andwhenido, ineveruse
publi
ctranspor
t,ihi
reaprivatejetandflyhomeand
back.
.
Khut
so:Luui
sri
chenought
obuyapr
ivat
ejet
,why
hi
re?
?
Luu:ifibuyi t
,theenemi eswillhaveaguessthat
weusei ttofl
yar ound, andmabyewehi dourloved
onesar ound,sot heywontbel i
evethatthosewho
arefarwer ej
ected,theywi l
lguesst hatweusethe
j
ettoseet hem..buthi ri
ngitisdiff
erent,
theynever
fi
ndoutt hatwef l
yusi ngapr i
vatejet.
.
Sai
nt:gee,
that
'ssmar
t.
.
Luba:evennow,weusedapri
vateplane.soDK
wontknowt hatwef
lewtoCuba,hewillj
ustt
hink
wearest i
lli
nRSAbutweareinhidi
ng..
Luu:yah.
.
Luba:tobehonest,whenweal ll
ostourl
ovedones
andyoudi dnt,
idoubtedyou,butl
ucki
lybef
orei
deci
dedt okil
lyou,ispoket
oLuuandhet ol
dme
ever
ything..
Joe:gee,
youtel
li
ngmethati
fyouhadn'
tspokento
Luu,iwouldbedeadf
orsomet
hingidi
dntknow??
Luba:
mhm.
.
Khut
so:ouch.
.
t
heycont
inuedt
alki
ngast
heydr
ovehome.
.
afterawhi
let
heyarri
vedandast
heyenter
edthey
foundever
yonesi
tt
ingatthet
abl
ewait
ingfor
Dinnert
oset.
.
LubasmiledwhenhesawNt andosi
tt
ingwit
hthem
whil
eholdingSbusi
so..Nt
andowassmili
ngand
pl
ayingwithSbusi
so..
Luba'
shear
teasedandhesmi
led.
.
hefel
trel
ievedanditf
eltasi
fahugeweightwas
l
if
tedoffhisshoul
der.
.hismoodl
itup.
.
t
heguyswal
kedi
n..
Saint
:mhm,mhm, mhm..ismell
somedel
ici
ous
food.
.nowiam morehungry.
hesai
dthisr
eachi
ngforapeaceofmeat
,but
Sandr
ahithi
shand..
Sai
nt:ouch!
!ahhhh!
Sai
ntpoutedashelookedatKhut
sowhowas
l
aughi
ngathim andgivi
nghimthelookof"
sui
ts
youwell
"
heki
ssedhi
shandandjustwenttosi
tnextt
oPear
l
wher
eAmeahwassitt
ingandpickedAmeahup.
.
Sai
nt:Ameah,
thatl
adyhi
tmyhand.
..
hesaidt
hisl
oudenoughf
orSandr
aandKhut
sot
o
hear
..
Ameah:whi
chl
adybr
other
??
Sai
nt:t
hatone.
.
Sai
ntpoi
ntedatSandr
a..
Ameahsmi
ledatSandr
aandl
ookedatSai
nt.
.
shet
hengotof
fSai
ntandr
ant
osi
tnextt
oSi
ya.
.
Sai
nt:hai
,evenmyownl
it
tl
esi
sterdoesntl
oveme.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
sai
ntl
ookedatPear
l.
.
Pear
lmovedabi
tawayf
rom hi
m..
.
Pear
l:bak'
l
ayi
le(
sui
tsyouwel
l)
sai
ntpout
edandl
ookedaway.
.
Sai
nt:iam r
eal
lyanor
phannow.
.
t
heyl
aughed.
.
Lubawentt
osi
tnextt
oNt
andoandSbusi
so.
.
Luba:
hail
ove,
youowk?
?
shel
ookedatLubasmi
li
ng.
Ntando:hiLuba.
..iam f
ine,
whataboutyou?
?ar
en'
t
youtir
ed??
Lubashookhi
shead.
.Lubat
henl
ookedatSbusi
so
andstar
tedpl
ayi
ngwit
hhim.
.
Nt
andoj
ustl
ookedatSbusi
sopl
ayi
ngar
ound.
.
NtandohasneverputSbusi
sodowneversince
Lunchtime.
.shehasbeenwithhim.
.Sbusisoeven
sl
eptinherarmsandshetookhimtoherbedr oom
andsleptwi
thhim..whenhewokeupcrying,she
wokeupandpl ayedwit
hhim,fedhi
m andchanged
hi
m. .
t
heyhavebeengl
uedt
oget
heral
ldaysi
ncel
unch.
.
t
heyal
lhaddinnerlaughi
ngandt al
kingandt
heni
t
wast
imeforeveryonetogosleep..
thehelpercamet ofet
chSbusisoandNtandof
elt
downagai n,butshethoughtmabyei
fshecoul
d
sleep,
shewoul dbebet t
er.
.
.
*
*Luba*
*
iwasi
nmyr
oom.
.
todayiwasi
naverybett
ermoodtheneverbecause
isawNtandosmil
eandalsosheseemedatease..
soiwouldsl
eeppeacf
ull
y..
.
af
terawhi
le,
someoneknockedonmydoorandi
wentt
oopen.
.itwasNt
ando.
..
shewal
kedi
n..
Me:Love?
?whati
sit
??
shel
ookedatmeandicl
osedt
hedoor
..
.
Me:di
dyougetni
ght
mar
esagai
n??
shedi
dntanswerme,
shej
ustl
ookedatme.
..
Her
:Luba.
..
Me:Love.
.
Her
:pl
easesl
eepwi
thme.
.
Me:sure,
iyousleepi
nmyr
oom,
idonthavea
pr
oblem wit
hthat.
.
Her
:no.
..imeant
,canyouhavesexwi
thme.
..
.
iopenedmyeyesandl
ookedather
..shel
ooked
deadseri
ous.
.
"
what
???
"
[
12/28,
13:
15] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
Cont
inuat
ionoft
heCont
inuat
ion
.
*
**Luba*
**
Me:What
??
Her:*sigh*inallmymemor ies, mostment ouched
me, t
heyt ouchedmei nappropriat
ely,t
heexperience
wast erri
ble,
painful.
.havingt ocryateverytouch
andrememberi tt
illthi
sday. .so,i
fyoucansl eep
wit
hme, breakmyvi rgini
ty,
t hen..
..
..
..t
henmen
wontt ouchmeagai nbecauseiwontbepr icey
anymor e,andmabye, j
ustmabyeiwontbe. ..
..
..
...
..
..
..
Me:(
int
err
upt
ed)ar
eyour
eady?
?
shel
ookedatLubaandl
ookeddown.
..
Her
:Luba.
..
..
Me:Love,itol
dyouiwasheref
oryou.
..nobast
ed
wi
lll
aytheirhandsonyouowk??
shel
ookeddownast
ear
sdr
oppedf
rom hereyes.
.
ir
aisedherf
ace.
.
shel
ookedatmewi
thhert
ear
yeyesandt
het
ear
s
camemor
eout
..
Her
:Lubapl
ease.
.iwantt
ofor
get
,iwantt
hepai
nto
goaway.
.
Me:andyout
hinkhavi
ngsexwi
thmewi
llmakeyou
bet
ter
??
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:Love,
comeher
e..
ihel
dherhandandl
eadhert
othecouch.
.
ihel
pedhersi
tdownandsatnextt
oher
,butshi
ft
ed
mybodytolookather
..
it
henhel
dherhands.
.
Me:speaktome,whatisgoingon??whatpai
ndo
youwanttofor
getthatyouevencameheretoask
meforsuchathing???
shest
art
edt
ocr
ymor
e..
imovedmor
ecl
osert
oherandl
ookedather
..
Me:speakt
omeLove.
.
Her
:di
d..
..di
dit
ellyou,
howmyauntusedt
oabuse
me?
??
il
ookedather
..
.
ishookmyhead.
.
Me:ij
ustguessedshewas,becausewhenisent
mylawyeratauntChl
oe'
shouse,hesai
dhesaw
youbrui
sedonyourneck.
.
Her
:..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Me:howl
onghasshebeenabusi
ngyou?
?
Her
:eversi
ncemymom diedandauntChl
oewent
t
ostayinanot
hercount
ry.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
her:shewoul dmakemecl ean, cookandal lt
hat,
andevenhi tmef orsmal lt
hingsl i
kespi ll
ingwat er
ont hef l
oor ,ormaki ngamessort hingsl i
kethat..
..
butt haticoul dtake, i
twasntbad. .itonlygotbad
whenshewoul dbr i
ngmeni nthehouseandsl eep
wit
ht hem, thendur i
ngt henightthemenwoul d
comet other oom iam inandst artt ouchingme. ..
.
(st
ar tscrying)shehadt hosement ouchme.iwas
scared, cryingandf eltreal
lywor t
hl ess.itwasnt
onesbutcountlesstimeswithdi
ff
erentman.i
al
readyknewt hatifshebri
ngsamanhome, iwoul
d
havetogothrought hat
..
idi
dntsayanythi
ng,iwasangr
y,iwaspissed,i
wantedtogetoutofher
e,wakethatauntofhers
andkil
lheragai
nbutthi
stimeverypainf
ull
y..
.
iwouldal
sojuststar
tlooki
ngf
orallthosedi
rtymen
andkil
lal
lofthem onebyoneforhavingtodare
touchmyPrincess.
.
butididntwanttoint
err
upther,iwantedhert ovent
allshewant sandtocr
yallherpainsout..iwanted
tolist
en..soiputmyangerasideandj ustli
stened
toher..
shecont
inued.
.
her:whenigott heoppor tunit
yt obewithauntChl oe
andwor kasacl eaner ,iwassohappy, happyaf tera
l
ongt i
me, igettosleeppeacef ullyagai
n, igett
obe
fr
ee,igettobeme. .ireceivedlovefrom auntChloe,
alovethatihadf orgotten,imissedmymom al l
overagain..t
hen...
.thenigotki dnapped,andal lmy
tr
aumasst artedagai n.
.thatman, MrZul
u, he
broughtmebackt owhatauntMar ydidtome.
.he
alsotouchedme, hewouldforcehi
mselfonmeand
(cryi
ngmor e)and..
.evenhaveaknif
eonmyf ace
j
ustt ogetmet o.
..
..t
o..
..
.
Me:owk,
owk.
..r
elax.
..t
akeabr
eat
h..
.it
sowk.
..
ir
ubbedherandl
ethercr
yforami
nut
e..
.
af
terawhi
leshewi
pedhert
ear
sandl
ookedatme.
.
her:i
tisonl
ywheni am wi
thSbusi
sothatibecome
happy,whenif
ellf
ree.
.wheniwanttoli
ve..
.
ismil
edwhenisawhersmi
li
ngt
alki
ngabout
Sbusi
so.
.
Me:owk,
iwi
llhel
pyou.
.
Her
:huh?
?
Me:iwi
llhel
pyouchaset
hebaddr
eams
Her
:youmean.
..youmean.
..
me:yes,
iwi
llsl
eepwi
thyou.
.
ismiledandshel
ookedar
oundandatmet
hen
aroundagain.
.
i
twasl
ikeshedi
dntbel
ievet
hati"
agr
eed"
..
ihel
dherhandandt
ookhert
omybed.
.
Me:makeyour
sel
fathome.
.
iopenedt
hebl
anket
sandshesl
owl
ygoti
n..
Her
:do.
..
.doyouhave.
..
..
Me:noneedf
ort
hat
..j
ustcomei
nthebl
anket
s..
shel
ookedl
ikeshewashesi
tat
ing.
.
ismi
ledather
..
shef i
nall
ycameinthebl
anket
s..shel
ayi
nthe
blanketsandl
ookedatme..
ihel
dherwai
standpul
ledheri
n..
t
heni
putherheadonmychest
..
Me:haveapeacefulsl
eep.
.iam her
etoguar
dyou
andprot
ectyoufr
om thosenight
mares.
.
Her
:huh?
??
Me:j
ustt
hinkaboutme,andyouwi
llsee,
those
ni
ght
mareswontdist
urbyou.
.
shedi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ismi
l
ed.
.
iswi
tchedof
fthel
ampandjustbr
ushedherhead
asshewenttosl
eepandial
sowenttosl
eep.
butiwoul
dpr
obabl
ylethersl
eepf
ir
st.
.
.
*
*Pear
l**
iwasi
nmyr
oom l
ooki
ngout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
..
youmustbeaski
ngwhyiwasl
ooki
ngoutt
he
windowsol
ateatni
ght
..
wel
l,
i am i
nasit
uati
onthatinevert
houghtiwoul
d
bei
n..asit
uat
ionthati
nvol
vesmyf eel
ings.
iwasthi
nki
ngri
ghtnow,
howt
otaket
hesef
eel
ings
outandi
gnoret
hem..
well
,ihavebeenthi
nki
ngaboutLuba,
howhetr
eats
Ntando,howhelovesherandhowhecar
esabout
her.
.
igottooexposedtotheirl
ovethatiendedup
admiringt
hem andafterthat
,ist
artedwantinga
guyli
kehim, andnow,ihavebeent hi
nkingabout
him..
ial
waystryt
ot akemymi ndoutofi
t,butiof
tenf
ind
mysel
fjustt
hinkingabouthi
m..
ihavet
oleavethi
shousebefor
eif
indmysel
fdoi
ng
thi
ngst
hatishouldn'
tbedoi
ng.
.
ialwaysheardthatpeoplewhohavesecretl
ovefor
others,
lat
erdevelopjeal
ousyandthentheyst
art
beingobsessi
ve..iguessthat
'swhatiam f
eari
ng
ri
ghtnow..
ihaven'tgott
enjeal
ousyet,becauseactuall
yilove
seeingthem suppor
teachot herandidontwant
them toleaveeachother
,theyaregoodf oreach
other,
nooneshoul ddaretearthem apart
,noteven
me..
nowiwishiwasanemot iondoctor
,sothatiknow
howtodealwit
hthesefeeli
ngs.
.iwouldcallStacy,
butwearen'
tal
lowedtomakecal l
s..
.
ihavetogetmyselfoutofthi
s,imust.
.iam nota
famil
ybreakerbutalovebuil
derandcheerer
,soi
mustcheerforthem notr
uinthi
ngsforthem..
Nt
andoi
sonel
uckygi
rl
.andiwi
shherwel
l.
.
t
hebestthi
ngtodonow, i
salwayscheert
hem,
that
wil
lki
llt
hefeel
ingsihave.
..
[
12/
28,
13:
17] :112
.
*
*2Mont
hsl
ater
**
*
*NARRATOR*
*
al
most4mont
hsofplanni
ng,
getti
ngreadyand
pr
epar
ingt
ogoagai
nstabeasthavecometoplay.
t
heboyswer
eready,
ever
ythi
ngwasset
,thet
ime
wasnow.
t
heboyswerei
nthei
rpl
anni
nghi
doutdoi
ngt
he
l
astt
ouchups.
.
Khut
so:al
ldone.
.
Joe:met
oo.
Sai
nt:done.
.
LubaandLuul
ookedateachot
her
..
Luu:your
eady?
?
Luba:
always.
..
t
heyal
llookedateachot
her
..
Luu:wehavecomethisfar
,nowi
tsei
therweki
ll
thatbast
ardorheki
ll
sus..
.
Luba:
onewayort
heot
her
..
theycont
inuedt
alki
ngandmaki
ngsur
eal
lwas
good.
t
hent
heywentbackhome.
.
t
heydi
dntar
ri
velatel
ikeal
ltheot
herdays,
today
t
heyar
ri
vedaroundLunchti
me..
theywalkedinandthegir
lswer
ehappyt
oseethem,
buttheworryontheirf
acesmadet
hegir
lswor
ri
ed
aswell.
.
Luu:Boi
ty,
getever
yonedownt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom,
but
l
eavethekidsupst
air
s..
Boiwasconf
usedbutst
il
ldi
dwhatshewast
old.
.
af
terawhi
leever
yonewasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
.
Ntandowastol
dbyLubathatheisaMaf i
a,of
causeNtandodi
dntl
ikei
tandspentsomedaysnot
speaki
ngtoLubaandevenwantedtobreakupwi
th
Luba,buttheyfi
xedthi
ngslaterandNt
ando
acceptedbecauseshereal
izedhowmuchshewas
i
nlovewi t
hLuba..
t
hegir
lsal
socontri
butedi
nspeaki
ngt
oNt
andot
o
makeherunder
stand.
soever
yonecametotheli
vingr
oom andt
heyal
lsat
downtohearwhatLuuandtheguyswant
edtosay.
.
Luu:asyouallknow,webr oughtyouguysher e
becauseofyoursafet
y,andyouguyswi llneverbe
safeunti
lthi
sguywhoki l
ledourlovedoncei sdead.
so,i
thascomet othatpointwherewehavet ogo
backtoSouthAfri
ca..
thegirl
swereshocked. .wel
ltheyallknewt hatt
his
daywoul dcome, butseemsliketheyrelaxedand
forgotabouti
t,andnowt hatithasarri
ved, i
tgave
them ashocker.
Joe:youal lwil
lstayhereandourmenwi l
llook
afteryou,noonewi lll
eavethi
shouse,
ifyouneed
somet hi
ng, youlett
heguardknowandhewi l
lgeti
t
foryou..nocallsshouldbemadeaswel l,andt
o
makesur eyoudontevenmaket hemistakeof
cal
li
ngsomeone,
wewi
llbet
aki
ngyourphones.
..
Pear
l:t
henhowdowebei
ncont
actwi
thyouguys?
?
Luba:thr
oughSi mon..hewi l
lbetheonewewi l
lcal
l
i
fwewantt otal
ktoyouandi fyouwanttot
alktous,
thenyougot ohim..hewillknowifweareavail
able
ornot.
.butpleasebewar ned, wemaybemost l
y
unavai
lablebecausethismissionisver
y
dangerous..
Boi
:sowhenar
eyouguysl
eavi
ng?
?
Luu:Tomor
rowni
ght
..
Sandr
a:sosoon?
Joe:i
tsbeenabout4mont
hsnow.
.soi
tsnotsoon.
..
t
heycont
inuedt
alki
ngt
othem andf
il
li
ngt
hem in.
.
t
hemoodwasnowdownandsadnesswasf i
ll
ing
t
hehouse..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Luu*
*
iwal
kedi
nmybedr
oom andf
oundBunnyl
ayi
ngon
t
hebedi
nthemostsexyposi
ti
on.
.
ichuckl
edandwentt
oher
..
Me:mhm.
.andt
his?
?
Her:well
,sincemyWol fisl
eavi
ngtomorr
ow,i
fi
gurediwoul dsayapropergoodbyesot
hatyou
canf i
ghthardert
ocomebackandgetsome
"welcomeback"presents.
.
il
aughedal
it
tl
eandl
eanedi
ntoher
..
Me:r
eal
ly?
?il
iket
hesoundoft
hat
..
Her
:iknewyouwoul
dli
kei
t.
.
.
(
removedpar
tisi
nthegr
oup)
.
*
*Sandr
a**
i
twaslateatni
ghtandij
ustwokeupt
ogot
othe
bat
hroom..
icamebackandgoti
nthebl
anket
..
.
il
ookedatKhut
sowhowasf
astasl
eep.ismi
led.
.
iswi
tchedont
hel
ampandsatupont
hebed.
.
nowthatiwasup,icoul
dntsleep.
.itwasntbecause
iwasthi
nkingaboutsomet
hingorwor r
iedabout
somethi
ng,ij
ustmissedmyfami l
ynje.
.
FYI
, t
heboyslef
tanot etomyparent
ssayingiam
goi
ngoutwithafriend,whi
chwasboi,Boial
so
cal
ledmysist
erandspoket oherbef
orewecame
her
e,sotheybel
ievedit.
.butnowimissthem..
Khut
sowokeup.
.
Khut
so:babe,
whyyouupsol
ate?
?ar
eyouowk?
?
Me:yes,iam f
ine.
.sor
ryiwokeyouupwi
tht
he
l
amp, icanswit
chitof
f.
.
Khut
so:no,
no,
no,
itsowk.
.
Me:sor
ry.
.
Khut
so:whati
sit
??youl
ookbot
her
ed.
.
Me:ij
ustmi
ssmyfamil
y,ij
ustwantt
oknowi
fthey
ar
eowkandift
heymissmetooornot.
.
Khut
so:mhm.
..
it
henl
ookedathi
m..
Me:iam al
sowor
ri
edt
hatyoumi
ghtnevercome
backtome.
Khut
so:*
sigh*stopst
ressi
ng,
ever
ythi
ngwi
llbe
owk.
.ipr
omise..
il
ookedathi
m..
hesatupandpul
ledmei
ntohugme.
.
Hi
m:iwi l
lal
waysbewithyou,
eveni
nthef
utur
e,i
am notgoi
nganywher
e..
Me:r
eall
y??howam isupposedtobeli
evethat
whenyouhaven'
tevenmarkedyourter
rit
ory.
.
hel
ookedatmeconf
used.
.
ismi
led.
.
hel
ookedatmewonder
ingi
fiam j
oki
ngornot
..
Khut
so:owk,
qui
tpl
ayi
ng,
gobackt
osl
eep.
.
Me:whosai
diam pl
ayi
ng.
.
hel
ookedatme.
.
il
eanedi
ntoki
sshi
m..
.
hel
etmeki
sshi
mforawhi
let
henhepul
ledme
away.
.
Khut
so:Sandr
a,ar
eyousur
e..
Me:mhm..iwasgoingtowai
tforal
it
tl
ewhile,
but
whoam if
ooli
ng,i
tsnotli
kei
am avir
gin.
..
Khut
so:younot
??
Me:no,myi nnocentf
aceandpl ayf
ulbehaviorof
ten
makespeopl ethi
nkiam notexperi
enced,but
act
uall
y,ihaveplayedar
oundi nmyl i
fe.
Khutso:youshouldhaveneversai
dthat
,nowiam
gonnaFu* *youcold.
..

(
removedpar
tisi
nthegr
oup)
[
12/
28,
13:
17] :113
.
*
*Nextday*
*
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwokeupt
oLubacuddl
ingme.
.
ismi
ledandst
art
edpl
ayi
ngwi
thhi
scheeks.
.
hesl
owl
ywokeupandopenedhi
seyes.
.
ismi
ledathi
m..
Luba:
(sl
eepyvoi
ce)youar
eawakeal
ready?
?
ishookmyhead.
.
Luba:
mhm,
whatt
imei
sit
??
icheckedhisphonet
hatwasont
hedr
awer
,it
hen
showedittohim..
Luba:
sti
llear
lymoss.
.whydidyouwakeup?
?ar
e
youhavi
ngnight
maresagai
n??
Me:mhm, mhm, ij
ustwokeup..ihavebeen
sl
eepingsopeaceful
lywi
thyou,nowiwi l
lst
art
havi
ngnight
mar esagai
naft
eryoul eave.
.
il
ookeddownandpout
ed.
.
hehi
tmyl
ipspl
ayi
ng.
.
Me:mhm.
..
ihel
dmyl
ips.
.
Him:j
ustsl
eepinoneofmyshirt
sandyouwont
havet
henight
mares,i
twi
llbel
ikeiam her
ewi
th
you.
.
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hi
m:comeher
e..
hecametomeandlai
dmyheadonhi
sshoul
der
andthenbr
ushedmyhai
r.
.
Hi
m:dontt
hinkt
oomuch,
owk?
?
Me:whati
fyoudontcomeback?
?
Hi
m:iwi
ll
,tr
ustme.
.
Me:youpr
omi
se?
?
Hi
m:yes.
.
heki
ssedmyf
oreheadandki
ssedmyhead.
.
Hi
m:nowst
opst
ressi
ng,
itsnotheal
thy.
.
il
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.
.
Hi
m:t
hat
'
smygi
rl
..
.
Me:Luba.
..
.
Hi
m:mhm.
.
Me:at
least
,getmepr
egnant
,thatway,
ifi
thappens
t
hat.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
bef
oreicoul
devensaymor
e,hepi
ckedmeupand
pul
ledmedownashegotoverme.
hethenstar
tedpl
ant
ingbabykissesal
lovermy
faceandneckinapl
ayfulway.
.healsostar
ted
ti
ckli
ngme..
Me:Luba..
.ahahahahaha.
..Lubamahn.
..
ahahahaha.
.
het
henst
oppedandl
ookedatme.
.
Him:youli
kethinki
ngnonsense,
dontworry,iwi
llbe
back,youj
ustfocusonallowi
ngdocPearltohelp
youandwhenigetbackandyouar e100%f reeof
thi
str
auma, t
heniwi l
lgi
veyou16kids.
..
Me:16?
?
Hi
m:youwantmor
e??
?26t
hen.
.
Me:ahhhhh?
???youwantt
oki
llme?
?
Hi
m:no,
iwantt
obl
essyou.
.
Me:mxm.
.(smi
les)
het
henki
ssedmeonmyl
ipsandt
henpul
ledout
..
Hi
m:il
oveyou.
.
Me:il
oveyout
oo.
.
hesmil
edthenhegotof
fmeandwentbacki
ntot
he
bl
anket
s..
Me:yousl
eepi
ngagai
n??
Hi
m:mhm,
iwantt
ousemyt
imewi
sel
y..
.
il
aughedathi
m..
al
lofthesudden,
hepul
ledmet
owar
dshi
m and
cuddl
edme..
ij
ustsmi
led.
.
Me:whosai
diwantt
osl
eep,
letmego.
.
Hi
m:l
it
tl
eWol
fwant
stosl
eep.
.
il
aughedathi
m sayi
ngthatwi
thababyVoi
ce.
.
Lubacanbeli
kethi
s??
Me:owkl i
tt
leWolfy,gotosl
eep.
.mamaWol
fwi
ll
pr
otectyoufrom predat
ors.
.
hel
aughedandj
ustsl
ept
..
.
.
*
*Sai
nt*
*
iwokeupearl
yanddecidedt
ogot
otheki
tchent
o
havesomet
hingt
odrink.
igoti
nthekitchenandt
ookagl
assandwentt
o
pourwater
,thendrankt
hewat
er.
.
af
terawhi
le,
ihear
dfoot
steps.
.
ist
oppedandsl
owl
ylookedback,
icoul
dntsee
anyone.
.
myhear
tst
art
edski
ppi
ngasil
ookedar
ound.
.
asiwaslooki
ng,
immedi
atel
ysomeonet
ouchedme
scar
ingme..
Voi
ce:ahhhhhhh!
!
iscr
eamedandt
ri
edt
obl
ockandpr
otectmysel
f.
.
t
hent
hatper
sonl
aughed.
.
il
ookedupasiwascoupedont
hef
loor
..i
twas
Pear
l.
.
Me:Pearl
,that
'snotfunny,
doyouknowiwoul
d
havedi
edofahear tatt
ack??
Pearl
:hahahahaha,
justl
ikeyear
sago,youst
il
l
haven'
tgott
enoveryourfearofGhost
s??
Me:**
sigh*
*no.
.andyouknowt
hat
,butyoust
il
l
wantt
omessaround.
.
Pear
l:hai,
iwasheretogetagl
assofwat
er,
isaw
youfreaki
ngoutal
ready,
soideci
dedt
oscareyou.
.
me:mxm.
.
Pearl
:rememberhowiwoulddothatwhenwewer e
growi
ngup..scar
eyouthenlaughatyourr
eact
ion?
?
me:yah,
unt
ilonedaywhenial
mostdi
ed.
..
Pearl
:thatwast hedayidecidedt obeadoctor,
i
al
wayst houghtdoctorsalsotreatfear
sandfeel
ings,
buthereiam, butsti
llcantt
reatyourfear
..
Me:butthen,becauseofyourconstantscari
ngme,
igott
oapoi ntwhereigotscaredjustali
tt
le,i
tsnot
li
kebefor
ewheniwoul dalsocr y.
.
Pear
l:hahahaha,
yah.
.
ismi
led.
.
Pear
l:iwi
shyouwel
lint
hismi
ssi
on.
.comeback
saf
e..
Me:t
hankyou.
.
shesmi
led.
.
Me:Pearl
,aboutwhatyouaskedmet
odo.
.me
l
ett
ingyouguysgo..
shel
ookeddown.
.
Pear
l:yout
hinkiam bei
ngsel
fi
shr
ight
??
Me:act
ual
lyit
hinkyouwer
ejustl
ooki
ngoutf
or
Ameah.
.
shesmi
led.
.
Me:iwi l
ldothat.
.iwil
lletyouguysgoandl i
veyour
l
ives,iwil
lonlyvi
sitonesin2years,
iwillusea
privatej
eti
nsteadofpublictr
anspor
t,t
hatwaymy
visit
swontbet r
aced..
shesmi
led.
.
Me:j
ustpromisemethatyouwilll
ookaf
terAmeah
andal
waysletherknowthatil
oveherandwil
l
al
waysloveher.
.
shel
ookedatme.
.
Pear
l:ipr
omi
se.
..
wehugged.
.
Me:t
hankyou.
.
sher
ubbedmyback.
..
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Nar
rat
or*
*
i
twast
imef
ort
heguyst
oleave.
.
t
heyhadpackedthei
rst
uffandt
hei
rmenwereher
e
t
opickt
hem uptotaket
hem tot
heplane.
t
heyal
lsai
dgoodbyet
othei
rlovedones.
..
af
tersayi
nggoodbye,
theboysl
eftandt
hegi
rl
s
werelef
tlonel
y..
.
Ntandoheldhernecklaceandsmi ledasshesaw
Lubaleavi
ngt hehouse, Boij
ustl
ookedatLuuand
wantedtocrybutshekeptst r
ongandsmi led
i
nstead.Pearljustt
urnedandwentt oplaywi t
hthe
ki
dssincealltheydot hesedaysispl ay,andSandra,
Sandracouldntholdherself,
shecried,butshecried
ver
ysoft
lysothatshewoul
dn'
tshowKhut
sohow
sadshewas..
aftert
hecardroveaway..Boiwentt
ohugNtando,
thenwhil
ehuggingNt ando,
shecall
edSandr
aand
theyhuggedtogether
..
Boi
:wher
eisPear
l??
Nt
ando:wentt
osi
twi
thPi
nkyandt
hem.
.
Boi
:haaaahhh!
!owk.
..
t
heyhuggedt
hent
heyal
lbr
eat
hed.
.
Boi
:theywi
llbeback,
let
sbest
rongf
ort
hem.
.owk?
?
t
heot
hergi
rl
snodded.
.
[
12/28,
13:
17] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
124
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Boiwal
kedint
heki
tchenal
readyannoyedbyt
he
noi
setheki
dswer
edoinginthehouse.
.
Boi
:HAI
II
II
II
II
!!
!!
t
heki
dsgotscar
edandl
ookedather
.
Boi:cantyouguysheart
hatyouar
emaki
ngnoi
se?
?
huh??
t
heki
dsst
oodt
her
elooki
ngdownnotknowi
ngwhat
t
odo.
.
Sandr
awal
kedi
nlooki
ngatBoiandt
heki
ds.
.
Boicl
i
ckedhert
ongueandwentt
ogetsomewat
er.
.
Sandr
a:i
sitsaf
etot
alkt
oyou?
?
Boi
:ifyouar
eher
etoannoyme,
theni
tsnotsaf
e..
.
Sandr
asmi
led.
.
Sandr
a:youseem ver
ymoodyt
hesedays,
youmi
ss
Luu??
Boi
:..
..
..
.mabye,
mabyenot
..
.
sheopenedt
hefr
idget
ogetsomef
rui
tsandwent
tosi
twit
hSandr
a..
Pear
lwal
kedi
nandl
ookedatBoi
..
shesmi
ledatBoiandwentt
ogetsomewat
er.
.
Pear
l:gi
rl
s..
t
heygr
eet
edback.
.
Sandra:hai
,wher
eisNt
ando?
?issheowkwher
e
sheis??
Pear
l:it
hinktheper
sonwhoneedsmoreatt
ent
ion
andhelpisthatwomansi
tt
ingnextt
oyou.
..
Sandr
alookedatBoiandBoil
ookedatBot
hof
them.
.
Boi
:what
??
Pear
lwentt
osi
tnextt
oBoi
..
.
Pear
l:t
ellme,
areyoupr
egnant
??
Boi
:hai.
..dontbespeaki
ngthingsyoudontknow
her
e..who'spregnant
??doilookpregnant
??
Pearl
:di
dyouf or
gett
hatiam adoct
or?
?iknow
theset
hings.
..
Boi
:youar
easur
geont
obeexact
,soyoudont
knowt
heset
hings.
.
Pear
l:owk,
ifyousayso.
..
Pear
lthenst
oodupsmi
li
ngandwal
kedaway.
.
Sandr
a:wher
ear
eyougoi
ngsi
s??
Pear
l:iam goi
ngt
ocheckonouradul
tlastbor
n..
SandralookedatBoiasshet
houghtaboutwhat
Pearlsai
d..
anditwasstar
ti
ngtomakesense, t
hemoods,t
he
appeti
te,
theweir
dmixi
ngoffood,thecr
avi
ngsand
al
sotheweirdsmell
ssheget
st hatnooneget
s..
shewasst
ari
ngatBoi
..
BoilookedatSandr
a,i
sther
esomet
hingyouwant
totel
lme? ?
Sandr
ashookherhead.
.
Boi:iam notpregnant
,sobet
tergetwhatPearlsai
d
outyourhead..Luuandihavebeencareful
..
Sandr
a:car
eful
??soyouusepr
otect
ion?
?
Boipausedal
it
tl
e.t
henr
emember
edt
hatLuunever
act
ual
lycamei
nher
..shet
henr
elaxed.
..
Boi:no,
butwehavebeencar
eful
..heusest
hepul
l
outmethod.
.
Sandr
a:ahhhh.
..owk.
.
Sandradidntsayanythi
ng,shet ri
edtotakeasmal
l
sl
icedfr
uitfr
om Boi,butBoiquicklyhi
therhand
andshedr ewitbackwhil
er ubbingit
..
Sandr
a:st
ingy.
..
Boij
ustsmi
led.
..
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwasi
nmyr
oom pl
ayi
ngar
oundwi
thSbusi
so.
.
af
terawhi
le,
Pear
lcamei
nandismi
ledather
..
Pearl
:ohhh,
mypat i
entkeepsget
ti
ngbett
er.
.iam
happytosayiam averyhappydoct
ornow..
Me:hahaha,
yesDoc, t
hankyouforhelpi
ngmeout .
.
whatyousuggest
edisreal
lyworki
ng..icaneven
st
ayhappyevenaftert
hehelpert
akesSbusiso..
Pearl
:that'
sbecausenowyouknowt hatyouhave
Sbusiso,LubaandPinkyaroundandtheywil
llove
youforever,t
heyareyourf
ami l
y..
Me:i
ndeed..whi
chremindsme,ihaven'
ttakent
ime
t
obondwi t
hPinky.if
eelbad.
.
Pearl
:hai ,
dontf eelbad,ial
sot hi
nkihavel ostmy
connectionwi thAmeah. .imeanthoseki dsjustplay
nje.
.theywakeup, theygoandpl ay,aft
erbr eakf
ast,
goandpl ay, aft
erlunch,goandpl ay,
afterdinner,
theysti
llwantt oplay..isowishthatgamer oom
wasnother e..i
tspoil
tthesekids.
.
Me:hahahahaha.
..
Pearl:l
uckySbusi
soissti
llyounganddoesntknow
whatsgoingon,orel
se,hewoul dal
sobeattr
acted
tothatgameroom..
Me:iguesstheycr
eat
edi
tsot
hatt
heki
dswoul
dbe
di
str
acted.
.
Pearl
:haimara,
itsbeenmonthsnow,dontt
heyget
ti
red.
.wealsomissthem..if
eelr
epl
aced.
Me:hahahaha,
theyar
ejustki
ds,
iguessi
tsf
unf
or
t
hem t
opl
ayar
ound.
Pearl
:yah.
.iguess.
.haveyoupl
ayedgames
befor
e??
ishookmyhead.
Pear
l:howaboutigot
eachyou??idontknowmuch,
ij
ustknowtheraci
nggames,come..
Me:huh.
..
Pearl
:comeon,itwillbefun..aniam bor
ed..your
si
stersdownst
airsjustmakemet i
red.
.oneis
moody,iguesspregnancyi splayi
ngher,
theother
onejusttal
kst
oomuch, icant..
.
il
aughed.
.
Me:andme?
?
Pear
l:t
hat
'swhyiwantt
opl
aygameswi
thyou
moss..
il
aughedandnodded.
.
Me:owk.
.
wewal
kedout
..
if
ir
stwentt
ogiveSbusi
sotothehel
per
,thenwe
wentt
ojoi
nthekidsi
nthegameroom..
i
twasbi
g..
.it
sli
keahouseoni
tsown.
.
i
thadsomeki
dssect
ionsandsomeadul
tgami
ng
sect
ions.
.
Pear
loper
atedandwesatt
oget
hert
ost
artt
he
game..
[
12/
28,
13:
17] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYPEPE
CHI
CHI
)
.
125
.
*
*DaysLat
er*
*
*
*Boi
**
iam i
nmyr
oom andiam f
reaki
ngout
..
accordingt
othecal
endarandmyti
mel
ine,
iwas
supposedtogetmyperiodsal
ongt
imeago,buti
haven'tgot
tent
hem..
.
t
hist
ookmebackt
owhatPear
lwassayi
ng.
.
"
coul
ditbet
hatiam pr
egnant
??cantbe"
isatonmybedandt
houghtabouti
t.
.
aft
erawhile,idecidedtof
indout.
.assumi
ngwont
hel
pmewi thanyt hing,
sobett
erifi
ndoutwhet
heri
am oriam not..
iwal
kedoutmyroom andkeptast
rai
ghtf
aceasi
fi
wasjustf
ine.
.
il
ookedf
ort
hehel
per
..
ifoundherinthel
aundr
yroom pr
epar
ingt
omake
thelaundr
y..
Me:excuseme,
canyouhel
pmepl
ease.
.
shel
ookedatmeandwal
kedt
ome.
.
Her
:howcanihel
pyoumam?
?
Me:iwouldli
keyoutopl
easegobuyf
orme
somethi
ng,pl
ease.
.
Her:buy?
?whydontyouaskthemen?
?theyar
ethe
oneswhoareal
lowedtogetout
..
Me:icant
..i
tisver
ysensi
ti
ve.
.
Her
:ohhh,
youwantt
obuywomant
hings.
.
Me:yes,
somet
hingl
iket
hat
..
Her
:noworry,
youcangi
vemeandiwi
llgi
vet
hem,
t
heywontknowwhoitbel
ongst
o..
shesai
dthatl
aughi
ng.
.
Me:i
tsact
ual
ly,
aPr
egnancyt
est
..
Her
:huh?mam i
spr
egnant
?congr
atul
ati
ons.
.
Me:thankyou..butcanyouaskt hattheydontt
he
guysaboutthis,idontwantt
ogi vefal
sehopefor
nothi
ng..af
terthetestiwi
llt
ellt
hem. .
Her
:nopr
obl
em mam.
.
ismi
ledandt
hankedheragai
n..
shetol
dmeshewoul
dletmeknowoncei
thasbeen
bought
..
.
*
*Pear
l**
Me:ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
opl
ay?
?
Ameah:imi
ssbr
otherSai
nt,
wher
eishe?
?
Me:youal wayspl
ayi
ngwithyoursibl
ingswhen
yourbrotheri
sher
e,youneverevengivehi
ma
glance,
whyyouwanthi m now??
Ameah:atl
eastiwoul
dseehi
m andseet
hathei
s
around,
nowidontseehi
m..di
dhegoweremom
anddadwent??
Me:no..hewentout,
hewontbebackforal
ong
whi
le,butwhenhecomesback,hewil
lcomeback
wi
thsomanypr esents.
.
Ameah:r
eal
ly?
?
Me:yes.
.sodontst
ressyour
sel
f.
.
Pi
nkycamet
ous.
.
Pi
nky:Ameah,
let
srun,
Siyai
scomi
ngt
ocat
chus.
..
Ameah:ahhhhhhhh!
!
t
heyr
ant
oget
her
..
il
aughedandshookmyhead.
.
ithensi
ghedandj
ustl
ookedar
oundt
her
oom iwas
in.
.
ismi
ledandstoodupt
ost
andnextt
othewi
ndow
andseethevi
ew..
l
ooki
ngatnat
urej
usthel
pedmet
orel
axmymi
nd
andbody.
.
"
wellt
herei
snothi
ngt
odoi
nthi
shouse,
imi
ghtas
wel
lwatchTV.
."
soeachroom hasaTVandit
sconnect
edtoNetf
li
x,
andthat
'swhatibi
ngwatchmostoft
heti
me..
il
aidonmybed.
.
i
nsteadofwat chi
ngdr
amasiwouldr
atherj
ust
sl
eep..that'
sevenmor
eact
iveandhasgood
benefi
ts..
il
aidont
hebedandcl
osedmyeyes.
.
.
*
*Nt
ando*
*
iwasinmyroom, dr
essedinLuba'
sclot
hing,i
t
wasntl
ateyet
,butij
ustmissedhim soiworehis
cl
othi
ng.
.
Sandr
aknockedandcamei
ntomyr
oom.
.
Sandr
a:ohhhhh,
youmi
sshi
m al
ready?
?it
sonl
y
beenf
ewdays..
Nt
ando:howl
ongwi
llt
hemi
ssi
onl
ast
??
Sandra:j
ustt
ellyoursel
fthati
twil
ltake4mont
hs,
thenifi
tsl
ess,thenyouwi l
lbehappyandti
mewil
l
fl
y..
Nt
ando:whati
fit
smor
ethen4mont
hs?
?
Sandr
a:t
heniwoul
ddi
e..
Nt
ando:hahahaha.
.dontyoumi
ssKhut
so?
?
Sandr
a:ido..al
ot,butit
rynottothi
nkmuchabout
hi
m becauseimightstar
tcryi
ng..t
hat'
swhyi
al
wayswantt odosomething.
.
Nt
ando:youwantmet
odosomet
hingwi
thyou?
?
Sandra:yes.
..l
etsgowat
chamovi
e,oradr
ama
ser
iestogether
..
Nt
ando:whydontyouaskBoi
??
Sandra:sl
eepi
ng.
..shesayssheisnoti
nthemood..
iam star
ti
ngtobeli
evePearl
isri
ght,
Boiispr
egnant
Nt
ando:pr
egnant
??
Sandra:mhm. .sheissomoodyt hesedays,
ver
y
weirdifyouaskme. .allt
hesymptomsof
pregnancyarethere..
Ntando:wow,t
hat '
sgreatr
ight
??imeanevenifLuu
doesntcomeback, shewil
lhavet
helit
tl
eoneto
rememberhim by..buti
fLubadoesntcomeback,i
wonthaveanythingtorememberhim by.
..
Sandr
a:youhavet
heneckl
ace.
.ithel
pedyou
rememberhi
m..
Ntando:buti
tcoul
dgetl
ost
,st
olenort
aken.
.achi
ld
i
sdiffer
ent.
..
Sandr
a:*si
gh*igetyou.
.butst
opst
ressing,t
he
guyssai
dtheywouldcomebackri
ght,sotheywil
l
beback.
.dontworr
y..
ismi
led.
.
Sandra:come,l
etsgowatchamovieoralove
drama..l
etsgocrytoget
heraswemissourmen.
.
come..
shehel
dmyhandandij
ustf
oll
owedasismi
led.
..
.
*
*Bont
le*
*
t
heyshowedupagai
n..t
hisi
smychancet
ogeton
t
hei
rside.
.
i
fihelpthem wit
hthi
smission,
makei tlookli
kei
wantedtokil
lthi
sDKallal
ong,thenmabyet hey
mighttr
ustmeandallowmei ntheirci
rcle.
.
t
hatway,
itwi
llbeeasyt
ogetwhatbosswant
s..
iputai
nkont
hef
inalpl
anni
ngandsmi
led.
.
l
etsdot
his.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
18] :126
.
*
*Boi
**
iwasinmyroom,thepackagearri
vedandihave
al
readygonet
hroughthesteps.
.
r
ightnowiam wal
kingar
oundmyr
oom wai
ti
ngf
or
t
heresul
ts.
.
mybodyi
sgoi
ngthroughal
otatt
hismoment
,not
t
omenti
onmyfeel
ings.
.
iam ner
vous,
scar
ed.
..andal
lthatj
unkofamess.
..
ibr
eat
hinandout
..
af
terwhi
le,
icheckmyt
ime.
.
ii
mmediat
elystopasiseet
hati
tisnowt
imet
o
checkt
heresul
ts.
.
iswal
lowandwal
ksl
owl
ytot
het
est
s..ihad2j
ust
tobesure.
.
it
ookt
hef
ir
stone.
.
it
urnedi
tar
oundandl
ookedati
t.
.
(
Sh*
**)
myt
ear
sthr
eat
enmyeyes.
.
"
cantbe"
it
aket
hesecondoneandagai
n,r
eal
it
yki
cksi
n..
"
iam.
..pr
egnant
?"
il
ookatt
hem bot
h..
att
hatmoment
,someoneknocksont
hedoor
..
i
twasafterawhil
e,whenireal
izedt
hatt
hatper
son
wasknockingonmybedroom door.
.
iquicklyhitt
het
est
s,wi
pedmyt
ear
sandt
hen
breathed..
iopenedt
hedoorandi
twasPear
l.
.
me:Doc?
?
Her
:canicomei
n??
Me:yes,
ofcause.
.
shewal
ksi
nandl
ooksatme.
.
Me:huh.
.ist
her
esomet
hingicanhel
pwi
th?
?
Her
:youl
ookbumped.
..wer
eyoucr
ying?
?
me:huh.
..no..
.imeanyah.
..yah.
..imi
ssLuu,
hence
whyiwascr yi
ng.
.
Her
:ohhhhhh,
lovepuppi
es.
.
Me:(
fakessmi
li
ngandsof
tlaughi
ng)
Her
:butidontt
hinkt
hat
'st
her
eason.
.
Me:huh?
?
Her
:thet
est
spr
ovedposi
ti
ver
ight
??
il
ookedather
..
.howdi
dsheknow?
?
Her
:sot
heydi
d??
atthatmomentmytearsst
art
edthreat
eningmy
eyesagai
n..andt
hist
ime,t
heyactuall
ycameout.
.
it
henl
eti
tout
..icr
ied.
.
Her
:Hai
..
.
shecamecl
osert
omeandhuggedme.
..
icr
iedevenhar
derassher
ubbedmyback.
.
.
*
*lat
er*
*
wewerenowsit
ti
ngont
hebedandPear
lwas
hol
dingmyhand.
.
Pear
l:Lubanziwillbesohappytocomehomet othe
newsthathisgirlispr
egnant
..i
sn'
tthatt
hebest
newsever..iadmireyou.
..
idi
dntsayanyt
hing,
ijustsmi
led.
.
Pearl
:youdontcheer
edupt
hough,
youl
ookmor
e
fear
fulandi
nwor r
y..
ist
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
.
Pearl:Boi..iunderstandthatbeingpr egnantatt hi
s
ti
mei snotagoodt hing,andalsotohavet hischil
d
growupi nahouseofgunsandmi ssi
onsand
escapi ngisalsonotf un,buteverychi l
di sa
blessing..imeanl ookatSbusi so,event houghhei s
notNt ando'sbiologicalson,buthei sherson. .she
i
spr act i
call
yamot herof2, Pi
nkyandSbusi soand
sheseemst obehol dingitdownver ywel l.
.soyou
canal sodoi t.
.
ist
il
ldi
dntsayanyt
hing.
..
att
hatmoment
,someoneknockedonmydoor
..
Voi
ce:MsWol
f.
..youhaveacal
lfr
om Mrwol
f.
.
"
iam notMr
sWol
fyet
..
"isai
dthati
nmymi
nd.
.
t
heycal
lmet
hatbecauseLuusai
dtheyshoul
d..
iwenttoopenthedoorandthenit
ookt
hephoneas
theguardwai
tedoutsi
dethedoor.
.
il
ookedatPear
l.
.shenodded.
.
ibr
eat
hed.
Me:Luu.
.
Luu:Bunny,
areyouowk?
?
Me:mhm.
.whywoul
dn'
tibeowk?
?
Luu:iwastol
dthatyouaskedthehelpertoaskt
he
guardstobuyyouapregnancytest
..areyou
pregnant
???
iwentsi
lentf
orawhile,
iwast
ryi
ngt
ogat
hermy
breat
handcourage.
.
Luu:Bunny?
?
Me:huh.
..no.
..no.
.iam not
..
.
Luu:andt
het
est
s??
me:ohhhh. .
.well,iwasnotfeeli
ngwell,soPearl
andSandr astart
edt easi
ngmesayi ngit
sbecausei
am pregnant,soigotscared,iaskedthehelpert
o
helpmeandt oday,justamomentago, itest
edand
theresul
tscameoutnegat i
ve..
asisai
dthatPear
llookedatmewit
hwi
deeyesand
ij
ustsi
gnaledf
orhertokeepqui
et.
.
Luu:ohh,owkthen..iwasreal
lywor r
iedthatyou
wouldhavetogot hroughthejour
neyonyourown. .
well
,ift
hat'
sthecase, t
henit
sowk. .atl
eastyouare
f
ine.
.
Me:mhm..butiam l
it
tl
edisappoi
ntedt
hough,
i
r
eall
ywi
sheditwaspositi
ve..
Luu:reall
y??it
houghtyoudi
dntwantt
otr
ybecause
of.
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
Me:icantr
unawayf
oreverr
ight
??
Luu:tr
ue.
.looksl
ikemygirli
sgrowi
ngstr
ong.
.dont
worry,
whenicomeback, iwil
lmakeyoumywife
andwewi l
lhavedozensofkids.
.
il
aughedasial
socr
ied.
.
Luu:owk.
.st
aywel
lowk.
.imi
ssyou.
.
Me:imi
ssyoumor
e..
Luu:owk,
pleasegi
vet
hephonet
otheguar
d..
me:owk.
.
iopenedt
hedoorandgavet
heguar
dthephone.
.
it
henwentt
osi
tont
hebed.
.
Pearl
:Boi
,whydi
dyoul
ieaboutt
hepr
egnancyl
ike
that
??
il
ookedatherandst
art
edcr
yingagai
n..
Pear
l:whati
sit
..t
alkt
ome.
.
il
ookedatherst
il
lcr
ying.
.
Me:when. .
..
.(cl
ear
edt hr
oat)sometimeago, igot
stabbedinmywomb, andthedoctorssai
dt hati
hadahi ghchanceofnotcarryingababyfullterm..
meaning,imightmiscarr
y,orlosethechi
ldatbi r
th,
ordiewhilegivi
ngbir
th,j
ustSbusiso'
smot her..
Pear
l:ohhhhhhh,
iam ver
ysor
ry,
idi
dntknowt
hat
..
Me:mhm. .
.ifihadtoldLuuthatiwasindeed
pr
egnant,i
tmi ghtdi
stracthi
m andgetthem ki
ll
ed.
.
soir
athernot...
shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:andpl
ease.
.pl
easeDoc.
.iwouldappr
eci
atei
tif
youhel
pedmekeepthi
sasecret
..
shel
ookedatme.
.
me:pl
ease.
..
Pearl
:yoursymptomsareobvi
ous,
sotheywi
ll
suspect
..butipr
omise,
iwontsayaword.
.
inodded.
..
me:iwi
llal
sotryt
obelessint
hei
rfaces,
sot
hat
t
heydontnoti
ceanyt
hing.
.
shenodded.
.
isi
ghedandl
aidonherl
ap.
.
sher
ubbedmyshoul
der
sandkeptt
ell
ingmet
hat
al
lwi
llbeowk.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
18] :127
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
weseeNtandopl
ayi
ngout
sidewi
thAmeah,
Siya
andPi
nky.
.
shekeptrunni
ngaft
erthem,put
ti
ngthem onher
backandspinswit
hthem,andallt
hosefun
acti
vit
ies.
Nt
ando:Gr
rrr
rrr
rrr
!!
!!t
hel
ioni
scomi
ng.
..
Pi
nky:ahhhhh!
!bi
gli
ongetaway.
.
shesai
dthatasshesmi
ledt
ryi
ngt
orunf
ast
ert
hen
Nt
ando.
.
Si
ya:na,
na,
nana,
na.
..
..na,
na,
nana,
na.
..
..
shesai
dthatmakingt
hemonkeyfacewi
thhi
s
handsmakingear
sonhishead.
.
Nt
andor
anaf
terhi
m andher
anawayl
aughi
ng.
.
Ameahhi
dbehi
ndachai
randNt
andosawher
..
.
shequi
ckl
ywentt
oherandgother
..
shest
art
edt
ickl
ingher
..
Nt
ando:hai
,if
oundyou.
.if
oundmymeat
..
.
Ameahkeptl
aughi
ng.
.
Nt
andoputAmeahdownandst ar
tedt
ickl
ingher
,
Ameahcoul
dntst
oplaughi
ng.
.
Si
yaandPi
nkyr
ant
oNt
andoandj
umpedonher
..
Ntandof
ellfl
atonthefl
oorandt
he3ofthem
st
artedt
ickl
ingherandjumpi
ngonher
..
shekeptl
aughi
ngassheal
sot
ri
edt
ogett
hem of
f
her
..
Pear
landSandr
akeptwat
chi
ngt
hem f
rom t
he
bal
cony.
.
Sandr
a:shei
ssur
elyhavi
ngf
unhai
..
.
Pearl
:mhm..unl
ikeus,sheget
sherhappiness
whensheplaysaroundorwhensheiswith
Sbusi
so.
..i
tseemsbeingwithkidsbr
ingsherj
oy.
..
Sandra:shecoul
dmakeaver
ygoodpr
imar
y
teachert
hen..
.
Pear
l:hahahhayah,
mabye.
.
Sandr
a:howi
sshet
hough?
?hasshegot
tenbet
ter
??
Pearl
:asyoucansee..shei
shappy.
..notj
ust
happybuttr
ulyhappy.
..
Sandr
a:ahhhh,
wel
l,
that
'sgoodnewsr
ight
?
Pear
l:mhm.
..
Sandra:butshei
snotsocial
andf
reewi
thus,
isi
t
becausewear enotki
ds?
??
Pear
l:haveyout
ri
edt
omakehercomf
ort
abl
e??
Sandra:sheonlyspendst
imewi t
huswhenwe
speci
fical
lyaskherto.
.ot
herthenthat,
sheiseit
her
sl
eeping,wit
hSbusisoorwit
ht hekidsplayi
ng
ar
ound.
.
Pearl
:remembert hatshedoesntknowuswel l
..she
nevergotusedt ousther ef
oresheseesusasher
adult
sratherthenherfriends.
.sosherespectsus,
andhasal inetosay,thesearemysi st
ers,
therefor
e
curt
ainthi
ngsishoul dnotdo. .
Sandr
a:ohhhh,
isee.
.
Pearl
:mhm..herper
sonali
tyissorefr
eshi
ngthough,
imeansheisawholefreshnessinthi
shouse..
unl
ikethemoodyBoiandthet al
kat
iveSandr
a.
Sandr
a:andt
heupt
ightDoc.
.
Pearll
aughedasSandr
asai
dthatal
readyr
eadyt
o
run.
..
sheshookherheadandl
etherbe.
..
.
Boiwal
kedi
n..
Boi
:whatar
eyouguysdoi
ngouther
e??
Sandr
a:wat
chi
ngNt
andoandt
heki
dspl
ayi
ng.
.
Boi
:ahhhhh,
huh,
Sandr
a,canispeakt
oforasec?
?
Sandr
a:owk.
.
Boi
:Doc,
iwi
llbr
ingherbackqui
ckl
y..
Pear
l:nopr
obl
em.
.
BoiandSandr awenttoBoi'
sr oom asPear
l
remainedatthebalconysti
lll
ooki
ngandsmi l
ingat
theonesplayingonthegrounds
BoiandSandr
asatdownont
hebed.
.
Boi
:Sandr
a,ineedyourhel
p..
Sandr
a:mhm?
?
Boi:youknowt
hatwehavebeenf
ri
endsf
orl
ong
ri
ght??
Sandr
anodded.
.
Boi
:andyouknowt
hatit
rustyour
ight
??
Sandr
anoddedagai
n..
Boi:andasaf r
iends,youwouldhelpmei
n
everyt
hingineedandal sosuppor
tmeinany
decisi
onimaker ight
??
Sandr
awasnowcur
iousbutst
il
lnodded.
..
Boi
:remembert
het
imeigotst
abbed?
?
Sandr
a:yah,
iremember
..
boi
:rememberwhatit
oldyouaf
terigotoutt
he
hospi
tal
??myworri
es.
.
Sandra:ohhh,yousaidt hedoctorsaidyour
pregnancywoul dbepai nf
ul,andalsoyoumightnot
carryful
lter
m..youal sosaidifyougotpregnant
,
ei
theryouwi l
lmi scar
ry,orthechil
dwi l
ldi
eatbir
th
oryoumi ghtdieatbirth.
.
Boi:exactl
y..anddoyour ememberthatiwouldj
oke
andsayi fiwouldbepr egnant,iwouldabor
tthe
babywhi l
eithasn'tdeveloped,toavoi
dallt
hepain?
?
Sandr
a:owk,nowiam scar
ed.
.Boiwhyar
eyou
bri
ngi
ngthi
sup??
Boi
:Sandr
a..
..
..
..
.iam pr
egnant
..
.
Sandr
alookedatBoiwi
thwi
deeyes.
.
Sandr
a:what
??
Boi
:mhm.
.
Sandraj
ustl
ookedatBoist
il
lpr
ocessi
ngt
he
i
nformat
ion.
.
Boi
:sonowineedyourhel
p..
Sandr
a:wi
thwhat
??
Boi
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Sandra:ohhhhellno.
.dontt
ellmeyouwantt
o
abortt
hechild?
?
Boi
:it
sjustabout2weeks,
itsnotdevel
opedyet
,so
iwontbekil
li
nganyone.
.
Sandra:howdoyouknowt
hati
tsnotyet
devel
oped??
Boi
:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Sandr
a:Boi
,youcantdot
his.
.
Boi:imust .
..icantstandgoingt hr
oughwhatt he
doctorssaidiwoul dgot hr
ough, icantstandfal
li
ng
i
nl ovewi t
ht hi
schildandhavi ngtolosehim/herin
thelaterstage,icantstandlosingmyl i
fe.thi
shas
tobedone. .
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi
:andyouhavet
ohel
pme?
?
Sandr
a:iam sor
ryBoi
..buticanthel
pyou.
.ifLuu
f
indsout
,hewi
llki
llbot
hofus.
.
Boi
:that
'swhyineedyourhel
p..
Sandr
a:sor
ryBoi
..
.
Boi:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.youwonthel
p??soyouwantme
togothroughthehellt
hatcomeswit
hthis
pregnancy??
Sandr
a:i
tmi
ghtnotbel
iket
hat
..
.
Boi
:andyout
hishow?
?
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Boi:soyouwoul
dbeowk,i
fidiegivi
ngbirt
h??or
seeingmemiser
abl
eaft
erl
osingthischi
ldinthe
fut
ur e?
?
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
sandr
awasnowt
ear
y,shedi
dntknowwhatt
odo.
.
Boi:pl
easehel pme.
.helpmegetthesaferwayto
aborti
on,orelse,
imightj
ustdowhateverthe
i
nternetsaysabouthomer emedi
estoaborti
onand
i
fidiethenitsunfor
tunat
e...
Sandr
alookeddownasboiwi
pedhert
ear
s..
.
[
12/
28,
13:
19] :Cont
inue
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Sandr
a:sowhat
sthepl
an?
?
Boi
:ar
eyousayi
ngyouwi
llhel
pme?
?
Sandra:evenifidonthelpyou,
yousti
llgoi
ngtodo
i
tanyway, soiratherhel
pyougetthesaferwayt
o
doitthenhavingtoletyoudothenon-
saferwayto
doit.
.
Boismi
ledatSandr
a..
Sandr
a:so?
?
Boi:wel
l.
..t
hepl
anisnotfi
nalyet,butal
liknowis
thatwecanneveraskt
hehelpertohelporthe
guards,
theyar
ealll
oyalt
oLuu, t
heywi l
ltel
lhi
m..
Sandr
a:sowhatwi
llyoudo?
?canyouaskPear
l??
Boi
:no.
.idontt
rusthert
hatmuchyet
..shemi
ght
al
sotel
lLuu.
.
Sandra:whataboutme,
aren'
tyouaf
rai
dthati
mighttel
lLuu??
Boi
:ifyoudo,
consi
derourf
ri
endshi
pover
.
Sandr
alookedawayandsi
ghed,
thenl
ookedather
..
Sandr
a:icantbel
ievehowser
iousyouar
e..
Boi
:ihaveto..idontwantt ogothroughal
lthat
pai
n..iam notreadyforthat.
.andihavetodoit
now,befor
et hi
schilddevelopedevenmore..
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Boi
:ithoughtaboutsomet hing.
.iwantyouto
pr
etendthatyoujuststartedyourperi
odsandyou
ar
ehavingperiodpains..youwi l
laskt
heguardst
o
l
etyougobuyt hoseladyst uffonyourown.
.
Sandr
a:butt
heymi
ghtnotal
lowme,
oraskaguar
d
togowit
hme..
Boi:dontwai
tfort
hem toeventel
lyouthatyou
shouldtakeaguar
d,suggestt
heidea.
.
Sandr
a:huh?
?
Boi:whenyousuggestthei dea,
theywontbe
suspici
ousofanythi
ng..theywil
lthi
nkyou
genuinel
ywantthosethings..
Sandr
a:whydontyoudot
hat
??
Boi:Docal r
eadyknowsthatiam pregnant
,ifidoit
,
shewi l
lsuspecti
timmediatel
yandhaveme
stopped..buti
fyougo,noonewillsuspectyou..
Sandr
a:ohhhh.
..
Boi:youwi l
lbuywhatyouneed, menstrualpainpill
s
andsomeot hermedi cationst omaket his
beli
evabl e.someonewi llbeatt hepharmacyaswel l.
whenheseesyou, hewi llgiveyoutheowksi gn,you
shallknowi t
shi m..youwi llgoaskhi m whereist he
menst rualpill
s..hewi l
lshowt hem toyou,opent he
boxpr etendingt oseeinsi de,thenhewi l
lsnickthe
pil
lsint hebox..youwi lldr opthemoneyont hefloor
andpi cki tupasi fhedr oppedi t.
.andgiveittohim.
Sandr
a:whoi
sthi
sguy?
?
Boi:heistheguyif oundonFacebook,
ispoketo
him andalready,ijusthavetogobackandtel
lhim
theplan.
.hewi llactgayjusttonotl
ooksuspi
cious.
Sandr
a:youseem t
ohavebeent
hinki
ngaboutt
his
forawhi
le.
..
Boi:Luudoesntallowust ouseourcardstomake
tr
ansfers,andtheykeepcashi nt
hehouset oavoi
d
beingtracedhere.sothatwil
lworkinour
advantage..andalso,
askt obuyalotofj
unk,andi
meanal ot
..
Sandr
a:why?
?
Boi:t
hatwil
ldi
stractt
hem from seei
ngthatwe
boughtsmallt
hingsforalotofmoney,buyalotof
snackswil
lthr
owt hem of
fonhowmuchwespent ..
Sandr
a:haaaaa!
Boi
:al
lyouhavet
odoi
sdot
hat
..t
hat
'sal
l.
.
Sandra:butwhati
figetcaught??li
kewhati
fthe
guardwantstogetint
hephar macywithme??or
theguymessesupwi ththesnicki
ngofthepi
ll
s.
Boi:ever
ythi
nghasari
sk,
wej usthavet
ogi
vei
tour
bestandhopeitwor
kswell
..
Sandr
a:ir
eal
lydontl
iket
his.
.
Boi
:ial
sodontl
ikei
t,buti
tmustbedone.
.
Sandra:*SI
GH*dontyout
hinkLuui
sgoi
ngt
obe
angryifhefi
ndsout
???
Boi
:hewont
..
.
Sandr
a:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
.
*
*Lat
er*
*
*
*Pear
l**
iwasinthekit
chenhavi
ngacupofcof
feewhen
Ntandoalsowalkedi
ntogetsomewat
er.
.
Me:youl
ooksoexhaust
ed.
.
Her:mhm..wi
thallt
her
unni
ngar
oundwi
tht
he
ki
ds..hai
,i
tst
ir
ing.
.
Me:youseem t
obeenj
oyi
ngt
hei
rpr
esence.
.
shenodded.
..
Her
:theyremindmeofmysi
bli
ngs.
.Sne,
Mpi
loand
Samu..imissthem.
.
Me:haaaa,
nowisee.
.
shegotagl
assofwat
erandcamet
osi
tdown.
.
Me:iseenotonl
yyourmood,
butyourheal
thhas
beenimpr
oving.
.
Her
:mhm.
.idof
eel
ver
yst
rong.
.
Me:j
ustdontoverdoi
t.
..Lubast
il
lwant
stoseeyou
i
nonepiece.
.
Her
:hahaha,
yesDoc.
.
Me:speaki
ngaboutLuba,
haveyouspokent
ohi
m
si
nceheleft
??
Her
:mhm.
..yes.
..
.
Me:dontyoumi
sshi
m??
her
:ido.
..ever
yni
ght
..
.hehel
pedmehealf
ast
er.
.
Me:mhmmm. .wel
l,
yougotyour
sel
fagol
dri
ght
t
here,
neverl
ethi
m go.
.
Her
:thankyouDoc.
.wher
eisSandr
aandBoi
?
Me:t
heyar
esomewher
eint
hehouse.
.
her
:soyousi
tt
ingher
eal
one?
?
inodded.
.
her
:shoul
dikeepyoucompany?
?
Me:wi
llyou?
?
Her
:mhm.
.icanevenhavesomecof
fee.
.nowi
cr
aveonesi
nceiseeyoudr
inki
ngone.
.
il
aughed.
.
shest
oodupt
omakecof
fee.
.
Ameahranint
hehousewi
thPi
nkybehi
ndherand
Si
yalast
..
Pi
nky:si
siNt
ando,
come,
wear
ewai
ti
ngf
oryou.
..
Her
:sor
ryguys,
sisi
isver
yti
red,
canir
est
??iwant
t
ohaveCoff
ee..
.
t
heyshowedasadl
ook.
.
il
ookedatt
hem.
.
Me:i
fyougiveNt
andoabr
eak,
iwi
llconsi
dergi
ving
yousweet
s..
t
heycheer
ed.
.
Ameah:youcanr
estt
il
lthenextdaysi
sNt
ando.
.
webot
hlaughed.
.theyr
anout
..
Me:t
heysur
elyl
oveyouhai
..
Nt
ando:t
heyj
ustenj
oypl
ayi
ngwi
thme.
.
Me:mhm.
..wel
l,
thankyou.
.
Nt
ando:f
orwhatdoc.
.
Me:forkeepi
ngthem sobusythattheydonteven
r
eali
zethattheguysarenothere.
.
Ntando:Pinkyasksal otabouthi
sfat
her,hemisses
hi
m. .Si
yaasksaboutLuuaswel l
,andAmeahasks
aboutSaint.
.thereareti
meswhent heygetsadand
star
taskingquestionsthenihavetotakethem out
ofthosethoughts..
Me:mustbedi
ff
icul
t.
.
Nt
ando:no.
.justf
ewl
aughsandt
ickl
esandt
hey
ar
eoutofit
..
il
aughed.
.
me:haiki
ds.
.iwi
shiwasaki
dnow.
.
Nt
ando:yah.
..met
oo.
.
Me:hai
,youcantwi
sht
hat
,wi
llLubadat
eaki
d??
Nt
ando:ofcausenot
..hewi
llal
sobeaki
d..
wel
aughed.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
19] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYPEPE
CHI
CHI
)
.
128
.
*
*Daysl
ater
**
*
*NARRATOR*
*
t
hepl
ani
snowi
nact
ion.
Sandr
afakedthepai
nsandr
ant
otheguardswit
ha
facet
hatshowedhowshewasi
nneedforwhatshe
wasinneedfor.
.
Me:sor
ry,
excuseme.
.caniaskf
oraf
avor
??
Guar
d:yesmam,
howcanihel
pyou?
?
Me:ij
ustst
art
edmymont
h..
.iam i
npai
nandi
needsomepil
ls.
.
t
heguardcaughtonwhatshemeantand
r
esponded.
.
Guar
d:noprobl
em mam,youcanjustwrit
ethe
nameofthepil
lsandwewil
lgeti
tforyou.
.
Me:nosi
r,youwontknowwhi
choneiwant
,iam
ver
ysensi
ti
vet
opil
ls,
andifigetawr
ongpi
ll
,my
bodymaynott
akei
twell
..
guar
d:butmam,
wecantl
etyouout
..
Me:wel
lwedonthaveachoi
cedowe?
?
shef
akedhavi
ngpai
ns.
.
Me:ahhhhhhh!
!
Guar
d:mam?shoul
dwecal
lthedoct
or?
??
Me:no..ineedthepil
ls.
.getKhutsooncal
lorone
oftheguysandl ett
hem knowiwanttobuypil
ls,
theycanletaguardgowi t
hme. .
wi
tht
hatsai
dtheguar
ddi
dthat
..
t
hephonewasanswer
edbyLuu.
.
Luu:yes?
?
Guar
d:yessi
r.
.MsSandr
arequest
stogot
othe
phar
macy.
Luu:why,
what
swr
ong?
?
Guar
d:t
hatt
imeoft
hemont
h..
Luu:cantt
heguar
dsgett
hepi
ll
sforher
??
Guar
d:shewant
saspeci
fi
cpi
lliguess,
sosheasks
t
ogohersel
f.
.
Luu:huh..owk.
.butsend2/3guar
dstowi
thher..l
et
theguardsalwayssetaeyeonher.
.nomi
stakes..
Guar
d:yessi
r.
.
hehungupandt
heguar
dlookedatSandr
a..
guar
d:3guar
dswi
llgowi
thyou.
.thi
sway.
.
hewentt
ocal
lthe3guar
dsandexpl
ainedt
othem.
theygoti
nthecarandt
heydr
oveSandr
atot
he
pharmacy.
.
Sandrawasscared,
shewasevensweati
ng
becauseofbei
ngafrai
dofbei
ngcaught
..i
tfel
tto
herthatshewasonsomeseri
ousmissi
on..
t
heygott
othephar
macyandal
lgotout
..
Sandr
akeptl
ooki
ngatt
hem ast
heyf
oll
owedher
..
whentheygott
othedoor
,theywant
edt
ogeti
nwi
th
her
..
Sandra:youcantal
lenterwi
thme,youwil
lscar
e
thepharmacypeople,
theywil
lthi
nkwethugs,
at
leasthave1comewi thme.
.hewil
lactasmy
br
otherorsomething.
.andpl
easer
elaxyourf
ace,
it
mightscarepeopl
e..
theguardswereli
ketheydi
dnthearher
,but2
stayedbackbecausetheyf
oundsenseinwhathe
said.
.
whenSandracamei
n,hesawt
hegayguyl
ooki
ng
atnai
lpol
ish.
.
shelookedathi
m andhesmi
ledt
oconf
ir
mifi
twas
her
..
theguygavet
hegi
rlt
heowksi
gnandt
hegi
rl
smil
ed..
wit
houtmakingi
tobviousshefakegr
oanedinpai
n
andtheguyandotherhel
perscametocheckher.
.
Lady:sor
rymam,
areyouowk?
?
Me:yes.
.it
sjustpai
n,j
ustasmal
lpai
n..
Lady:yousur
eit
snotser
ious?
?
Me:no,t
hat'
swhyiam her
e..iam her
etogetsome
menstr
uati
onpai
n..
l
ady:ohhhi
tst
hat
??
Me:yesmam.
.
Guy:ohh,
thepi
ll
sar
ethi
sway.
.iwi
llshowher
..
t
hel
adywasthencal
ledbyanothercust
omerso
t
heguywentt
owheretheboxesare..
het
ookabox.
.
Guy:doyouusethese??myl
it
tl
esi
sterusest
hem
anditwor
ksfort
hem. .
Me:iwoul
drat
heruset hepi
ll
sialwaysuse, iam
ver
ysensi
ti
vesoifitakeapi
llthatiam notusedto,
mybodymightreact
..
guy:ohhowk.
.
it
ookaboxofpi
ll
siwasgoi
ngt
obuy.
.
Me:howmuchi
sthi
s??
theguytookt
heboxandbowedt ochecktheprice,
ashebowedtocheckt hepri
ce,hesni
ckedt hepil
ls
i
nt heboxasplannedandthenstoodstr
aight.
.
guy:i
tsR76.
Sandr
awasalr
eadyt
oldt
hepr
iceoft
heabor
ti
on
pi
ll
swhichwasR###
Sandr
ahadal
lthecashonher
..
shethent
ookt
hatamountandputi
tbehi
ndot
her
boxesandsmi
led.
.
shet
henwentt
othecount
erandpai
dfort
hebox.
.
afterpayi
ng,thegayguywenttopayf
orani
tem so
thatitdoesntbecomesuspi
cious.
.
Sandr
athengotoutandaskedt
ogobuysome
pads.
.
t
heguar
dsagr
eedasl
ongast
heyf
oll
owher
..
whenshegoti
nthest
ore,sheboughtthepadsand
al
soalsoal
otofj
unkjustl
ikeBoisai
dsheshould.
.
shethencameoutandt
heguar
dswer
eshockedat
thef
oodshebought.
.
t
heygoti
nthecarandatthatmomentaphoner
ang,
i
twasKhutso.
.theguar
dpickedup.
.
Guar
d:si
r?
Khut
so:gi
vehert
hephone.
.
Guar
d:yessi
r.
.
hehandedt
hephonet
oSandr
a..
Sandr
awasscar
edt
hinki
nghewasbast
ard.
.
Sandr
a:hal
o
Khut
so:babe.
.ar
eyouowk?
?
Sandr
a:Khut
so?
??huh.
.yesiam f
ine.
.
Khutso:arethepai
nst hatbad?
?youhardly
complainedaboutpainsintheprevi
ousmonths,
youneversaidanythingaboutpil
lsandyoubei
ng
sensit
ive,whati
swr ong??
Sandr
a:huh..
...
..well
..
..
.well
..ial
sodontknow.
.
theyj
uststar
tedthismor ni
ngsoihadtoquickl
yget
thepi
ll
s..
Khut
so:di
dntPear
lhavet
hepi
ll
s??
?
Sandr
a:idoubt
..
Khut
so:youdi
dntaskher
??
Sandr
a:huh.
..
.notr
eall
y..
..babeiwasi
npai
nandi
coul
dntt
hinkst
rai
ght.
.
Khut
so:ahhhh.
..owk.
..
Sandr
a:mhm,byethen.
.iwantt
odr
inkonenow.
.
mypainsar
eter
ri
ble.
.
Khut
so:di
dyoueatsomet
hing?
?
Sandr
a:ij
ustboughtf
ood.
.
Khut
so:mhm owk.
.getwel
l.
.wi
llbet
her
esoon.
.
Sandr
a:mhm.
.
Sandr
aqui
ckl
ygavet
hephonet
otheguar
d.
sheopenedapacketofchi
psandst art
edeati
ng
thensheopenedtheboxofpil
lsandwhenshesaw
thesmallabor
ti
onpil
lsonthesideherhear
traced.
.
shetookoutt
hemenst
ruat
ionpi
ll
sgent
lyandt
ook
i
t..
i
twasntgoi
ngt
odoanyhar
m soi
twasowk.
.
shethensatbackandsatbackasshel
ist
enedt
o
herhear
t.
.
whenthecararr
ivedbackhome,
itwasahuge
r
eli
eveforher
.
shewal
kedoutwithal
lthepl
ast
icandwal
kedi
nthe
housei
nahurry.
.
shet
ookal
lthosef
oodi
ntheki
tchenwer
ePear
l
was.
.
Pear
llookedatherf
rom whenshewal
kedfrom t
he
door
,sheseemedf i
ne,
li
kenothi
nghappened.
.
Pear
l:youf
ineal
ready?
?
Sandr
a:huh.
..no.
.ijusthadonepil
lonmywayher e,
icoul
dntwai
t,sothepainkindofl
oweredal
it
tl
e..
Pear
l:huhowk.
.
Sandr
ahur
ri
edt
oBoi
'
sroom.
.
shef
oundBoionherbedsl
eepi
ng.
.
whensheknockedBoir
ant
oopent
hedoort
hen
shel
ocked.
.
Boi
:and?
?
Sandr
agavehert
hepi
ll
s.
Sandra:doyouknowhowscarediwas.
.ift
hese
guardswereabl
etosmel
lfear
,iwouldbebusted.
.
Boi
:iam sor
ry.
.
Sandr
a:*
breat
hsout
*
Boi
:thankyou.
..t
hankyouver
ymuch.
.
Sandr
a:i
tsnotl
ikei
hadachoi
cehai
..
Sandr
awasabi
tsar
cast
ic.
.
Boil
ookeddownandopenedt
hebox,
shesawt
he2
smallpi
ll
s..shesi
ghed.
.
Boi
:canyoupl
easel
etmebeal
one.
.pl
ease.
.
Sandral
ookedatherandsl
owl
yst
oodup.
.shehel
d
Boi'
sshoul
ders.
.
Sandr
a:ist
il
lhopeyouwi
llchangeyourmi
nd.
.
shet
henl
eft
..
Boisatt
her
elooki
ngatt
hepi
ll
s..
shest
art
edcr
yingasshehel
dherst
omach.
.
"
iam sorry,
iam verysorr
y,iknowwhatiam doi
ng
i
sself
ishandwr ong,butpl
easeunder
standmy
f
eel
ings,iam sorr
y..
."
shet
henputt
hepi
ll
sinhermout
handgul
pedi
t
down.
.
t
henshel
aiddownandst
art
edcr
ying.
.
[
12/
28,
13:
19] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBYPEPE
CHI
CHI
)
.
129
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
asoneisgoi
ngthroughherjourneyof
di
sappoi
ntmentsandascar edf
ut ur
e,theothers
fi
ghtf
orthesaf
etyoftheirl
ovedonesandt or et
urn
hometo"whatseemedlikeahappypl ace"
theboysspreadapar
tandmadeamovet
othe
othergangs.
.
Lubarel
eased2bombst
hatexpl
odedr
ightar
ound
thepl
ace..
themenstar
tedshoot
ing,
bloodwasspi
ll
edand
deat
hfi
ll
edthearea.
Luu'
smenwenti
naswel
last
heboys.
.
KhutsoandLubamadetheirwaytothecomput
er
room andki
ll
edever
yguardthatwasther
e..
t
heyswi
tchedof
fal
lcamerasandmadesur
etoput
avi
rusi
nthecomput
ers.
.
t
hatwayal
lthedat
awoul dbedest
royedandnoone
woul
dknowhowt orest
orethem.
.
t
heother3wal
kedi
nki
ll
ingandf
ight
ingwi
tht
he
men.
.
JKwast
hent
akenoutbyt
heot
herdoort
oescape.
.
asLuuranaft
erhim,unexpect
edl
y2menat
tacked
hi
m andhisgunfel
l.
.
theypoi
ntedhim wi
thagunbutbef
oret
heycould
shoothi
m, agunwentoffandt
hose2menfell
downinfrontofLuu.
.
Luulookedbackthi
nki
ngitwasoneofhi
sguys,
but
i
nsteadhesawaper sonwhowasfull
ycover
ed,
evenhis/herf
ace.
t
heper
sont
hrewagunt
oLuuandLuucaughti
t.
.
Luusawsomet
hing.
.
thepersonhadabut
ter
fl
ytat
tooonhi
s/herwr
ist
area.
.
hej
ustcoul
dntf
igur
eoutwhoi
twas.
.
butbecausehehadJKt
ogoaf
ter
,hedi
dnthave
ti
met oask.
hel
efthi
mther
eandr
ant
oJK.
.
Sai
ntwasal
soout
number
ed.
.
butwi
ththehel
pofthismysteri
ousper
son,
heal
so
managedtogetoutofthesi
tuat
ion.
.
heal
sosawt
hebut
ter
fl
ytat
too.
.
t
heboyskeptgoi
ng.
.
Joegotasi
gn..asi
gnthatLuuwasf
acingJKand
Lubawasabouttosett
hebombout.
..
.
hefoundt
heot
her
sandt
heyal
lrant
owher
eLuu
was..
Luuhadhi
sgunpoi
ntedatJK.
.
Luu:Sur
pri
se,
Sur
pri
seJK.
..howar
eyou?
?
JK:youhavesomener
vecomi
ngt
othel
ionsden
l
iket
his.
..
Luu:iknowri
ght
??t
hat
'sshoul
dsaysomet
hing
aboutme..
JK:yah,
thatyouar
est
upi
d..
JKthoughthesti
llhadtheupperhandbecauseof
theguyswhowat chfrom adi
stance,butl
it
tl
edi
dhe
knowthattheywerethefi
rstt
odi e.
..
helookedaroundanddi dntseeanyonemaking
acti
on..hi
sfacialexpr
essionchanged.
.heknow
knewitwast heendofhi m..
Luu:iam notanani malli
keyou, idontkil
linnocent
peopletohurtyou..
.soyourwi veandki ds,theywil
l
carr
yonl i
vingwithoutyou..butasf oryou.
.wegot
5wor dsforyou..
.
Sai
ntshothi
m ont
heknee.
.
hegr
oaned.
..
Sai
nt:NEVER!
Khut
soshott
hesecondshotont
hesameknee.
.
Khut
so:MESS!
Lubashott
het
hir
dshotont
hesameknee.
..
Luba:
WITH!
Joeshott
hef
ort
hshotont
hesameknee.
.
Joe:THE!
Luuthenl
ookedathi
m andr
aisedmygunandshot
thesameknee.
.
Luu:WOLVES!
!
aft
ersayi
ngthat,
theyal
lpoi
ntedJKwi
thagunand
atoncest
heyallshothi
m.
5bull
etsont
hesameknee,
5bul
let
sal
loverhi
s
body.
.
hewaski
ll
edwi
th10bul
let
s..
t
heboysthengotr
eli
eved,
aft
ersomuchf
ight
ing,
t
heyweredone.
.
Lubasmi
ledandl
ookedatt
heboys.
.
af
tert
hat
,theywal
kedl
eavi
ngt
hepl
acel
iket
hat
..
t
heysmi
led.
.
t
heywer
ebl
oody,
amessandsomehadsome
pai
nsont
hei
rbody.
.
ont
heot
herhand.
.Boikeptcr
ying.
.
i
thasbeenhour
snowandshewasst
art
edt
ofeel
cr
amps..
shewenttothet oi
letthi
nkingshehadtodonumber
tobutshereal
izedt hatshewasbleedi
ng.
.
shewentt
othet oi
letandsatdownont
hef
looras
thecr
ampskickedinhard..
shelayt
herecryi
ngast
hebl
oodf
il
ledt
hef
loorand
pai
nhurtherbad..
Sandrawaspl
ayi
ngout
sidewi
thNt
andoandt
he
ki
ds..
Pear
lhappenedtoseeherandwonder
edi
fshewas
fi
nealloft
hesudden.
.
"
shoul
dn'
tshebesl
eepi
ng?
?"
shethenst
art
edthi
nki
ngofBoiandr
eal
izedt
hat
shehadn'
tseenBoit
oday.
.
shewentt
oherr
oom andwhensheopenedthe
door
,shesawbl
oodonthebed,
shepanickedand
r
ant
othet
oil
etandsawBoil
ayi
ngont
hef
loor
..
Boiwassweat
ing,
cryi
ngandi
napoolofbl
ood.
.
Pear
lwentt
oher
..
Pear
l:Boi
???
Boil
ookedatPear
l.
.
Boi
:iam sor
ry.
.iam sor
ry.
..(
cryi
ng)iam sor
ry.
..
Pear
l:whatdi
dyoudo?
?
Boi
:iam sor
ry.
..iam.
..
..
..
.sor
ry.
..
Pear l
'
sheartbrokebecausesheknewwhatBoidi d.
.
wellsheguessedi t
..si
nceBoiwasjust2weeksor
mor e,mi
scarri
ageforhersituat
ionwouldnot
happennow, itwouldprobablybearound8weeks..
pearlputt
heSandrasit
uati
ont
oget
herandknew
thatBoidi
ditonpurpose.
.
shehel
dBoi
'
sheadandr
ubbedi
t.
.
pear
l:howsel
fi
shcanyoubeBoi??it
houghtyou
smartert
hent
his.
..why?
??why?
??
Boidi
dntsayanyt
hing,
shej
ustkeptcr
yingand
cr
ying.
.
Boiwasi
nbl
ood,
sweatandt
ear
s.
[
12/28,
13:
19] :(
INSERTSPONSOREDBY
ANONYMOUS)
.
130
.
*
*NARRATOR*
*
Pear
l:her
eissomewat
er,
dri
nk,
youwi
llf
eelbet
ter
..
Sandra:doyout
hinkyoucanbeabl
etopul
lahappy
facewhentheygether
e??
Boi
:mhm,
iwi
llbef
ine.
.
i
tsbeendayssi ncetheinci
denthappened,Boi
doesntgetcrampsanymor ebutsheisstil
lhavi
ng
smallbl
eedinghencewhyshewear ssomepadsall
theti
met i
llt
hebleedingfi
nishes,
whichwillbe
aboutaft
er2weeksorso. .
shehasn'
tbeenwellbutwhatcanwesay,ever
yone
bar
estheconsequencesofthei
ract
ions.
.
theypreparedl
unchexpecti
ngtheguyst
ocome
homeear lysi
ncetheyhavebeenonthepl
anef
ora
whilenow..
t
heywai
tedandwai
ted.
.
thecl
ockpassed1pm,
2pm,
3pm andt
heguyswer
e
nothome.
.
aft
eralongwhil
ewhent hegi
rlshavegi
venupon
waiti
ngfort
hem,thedooropenedandtheboys
enter
ed.
.
t
hesi
ghtwasgoodbutal
sobad.
.
thegir
lswer
ehappytoseet
hem al
lal
ive,
but
,just
but.
.Luuwasdrunk.
.
hewassomessedupt
hatJoeandLubahadt
o
car
ryhi
m home.
.
t
hegi
rl
swer
epuzzl
edt
owhyhewassodr
unk.
.
buttheyt
houghtmabyet
heywer
ecel
ebr
ati
ngt
hat
theygott
hrought
hemissi
on.
.
Sandra:wer
eyoucel
ebr
ati
ngyourvi
ctor
ywi
thout
us??
Khut
so:Vi
ctor
y??Vi
ctor
yisnotcel
ebr
atedwi
tha
sadf
ace..
Sandr
a:huh?
?
Khut
so:l
etst
akeLuut
ohi
sroom.
.
Pear
l:whati
shappeni
ng?
?
t
heydi
dntanswerher
..
t
heyj
ustwalkedtot
akeLuut
oanot
herr
oom,
not
t
heonethatheshar
edwit
hBoi.
.
Sai
ntSt
oodt
her
eandsi
ghed.
.
pear
lwentt
osai
nt.
.
Pearl
:Sai
nt,
whatishappening??didntyouguysget
theJKguy??ishest
il
loutthere??didheescape?
?
Sai
nt:no.
.hei
sdead.
.
Pear
l:sowhyi
sever
yonecomi
nghomecol
dand
sad.
.
Sai
ntl
ookeddownandl
ookedatBoi
..
Sai
nt:l
etsj
ustsayLuuwasl
ooki
ngforwar
dto
cominghome,hewassohappy.
.unt
ilhef
oundout
somet
hingdi
stur
bing.
.
Boiwasnowafrai
dandscar ed.
.shewassur ethat
hersecr
etwasout.
.buthow? ?howwoul dLuu
know??imeaneveryt
hingwaspl annedwellandif
heknewinti
me,hewoul dhavest oppedher
..soBoi
waswonderi
nghowLuuf oundout .
.
Pearl
,Sandr
alookedateachot
herandt
henl
ooked
atBoi.
.
Ntandowasconf used,shedi
dntknowwhattodo..
butforher,
shejustthoughtt
heywereti
red.
.soshe
decidedtogivet
hem spaceandgot oSbusi
so.
.
Sai
ntl
ookedatt
hegi
rl
s..
Saint:i
tsnotmyplacetosaymore.
.Luuwil
l
decidedwhattodo,ihavetogocheckont
heguys.
.
helef
tthegi
rl
sther
eandt
hegi
rl
slookedateach
ot
her.
.
Sandr
a:wher
edoesKhut
sof
iti
nwi
thal
loft
his?
?
Pearl
:youhel
pedBoi
..youpr
act
ical
lygott
hepi
ll
s
forher
..
Sandr
alookedatPear
landl
ookeddown.
.
Boi:iam sor
rySandr
a,iam sor
ryidr
aggedyoui
nto
thi
s..
pearl
:dontwor r
y,yourdamagewontbeasmuchas
Boi'
sdamage. .Khutsomightforgiveyou..butasfor
Boi.
..idontknow..hemightforgiveyou,hemi ght
not.
.
Boi:knowingLuu. .
..ial
sodontknowwhatt o
expect..iwasntthi
nkingstr
aightwhenthis
happened, buti
thappenedandicantt ur
nback
ti
me. .iwasselfi
shandiwi l
lacceptwhateverhe
wishest odo..
Boisai
dthi
stear
ingup.
.
shewi
pedhert
ear
sandl
ookeddown.
.
Pear
landSandr
ahuggedher
..
Luuwastakent
oanot
herr
oom andt
her
ehewas
pl
acedonthebed.
.
t
heyputheri
nthebl
anketandt
heyal
lsi
ghed.
..
.
Joe:*
sigh*wi
llhebeowk?
?
Luba:mhm..butiam mor
ewor
ri
edaboutwhenhe
becomessober.
.
Joe:eash.
..i
tsbad.
.
whati sgoi
ngon? ?doesLuuknowaboutt he
sit
uationorisheupsetforsomethi
ngelseandthe
girl
sar ej
ustassumingandafrai
dforsomething
thatisnoteventhere?
whatdoest
hef
utur
ehol
dandwher
etof
rom her
e..
well
,al
landmor
eshal
lber
eveal
edi
nthenext
Season.
..
haveahappyhol
idayandgoodbye.
.
ENDOFSEASON1