Your

sTr
uly
#1

InShakawe,thewindblewcoldair,
winterseason
hadendedbutitwasst i
llascol
d.Rethabil
ecould
barel
yfeelherfi
ngersasshesatont hebenchat
thehospit
alwit
hheryoungerbrotherstar
ingatthe
pict
uresonthewalls.
Shehadseent hem mor ethanshecoul dcount ,had
readever ylett
er ,
evenreadt hewor dsbackwar ds.
Thoughaf t
eral lt
hetimesshehadsatont hesame
bench, st
aredatt hedi
rtywhi t
ewal l
sthatalways
stayeddirty,staredatthosepi ct
ureswithfolded
corners,shenevergotusedt othefear.
I
talwaysmadeherweak.I twasn’thereveryday
fearofbei
ngpi ckedonbyot herkidsbecauseshe
wast hi
ckandhadst ret
chmar ks,defi
nitel
ynotthe
fearofbei
nghar assedbyherGui danceand
Counseli
ngteacher…butr at
heritwast hefearof
l
osinghermot her.I
tscaredhersomuch, i
tmade
t
ear
sbur
nhereyes.
Thecoldbreezebl ewpastt hem astheysatont he
coldmetalbenchesst i
lli
nt hei
rschooluniforms.
Rethabi
le'
sstomachgr owl ed,sheswallowedand
l
ookedatBat angashef i
ddledwi t
hhisf i
ngers.He
turnedt
oherf eel
inghereyesandsmi ledshowi ng
histwomissingteeth.Shecoul dthefeartoo…The
bothknew…Shesmi ledandt ouchedhi scheek.At
l
easthehadhi sjersey.
“
Areyoucol
d?”
Heshookhi
sheadthenopenedhismout
h.“
Tha-
Tha-
Tha-
Thabi
le…m-mamaissick?”
Hestammered,someti
messhewishedshewere
theonest
ammer i
ngnothim.Shewouldt
akethe
str
uggl
efrom hi
m anyday.
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.Thedoct
ori
sgi
vinghermedi
cine.
”
Henodded, sheknewhewashungr ythoughhe
wouldjustkeepqui et
.Tear
sburnthereyesasshe
satthere.At earr
oll
eddown,sheturnedwipi
ngi
t
awaywi ththebackofherhand.Shet ookadeep
breathandt urnedtohert
enyearoldbrother
.
“
Areyouhungr
y?”
Heshookhi
shead.
“Wewil
lpassbyElang’
shousebef
orewegohome.
Shesai
dshewillst
ealsomefoodf
orustoday.
”
Henoddedagai nandcont
inuedfi
ddli
ngwi t
hhis
fi
ngers.Rethabi
let
ookadeepbreathwaiti
ng.A
nursewalkedovertot
hem.Rethabi
lestoodup
quickl
y.
“
Ismamaok?
”
Thenur
sesadl
ylookedather
.“Shewi
llbef
inemy
gi
rl
.”
“
Canweseeher
?”
“
Yes.Wegavehersomet
hingf
ort
hepai
n.”
“
Eemma,thankyou.
”Ret
habi
let
urnedt
oBat
eng.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Batenggotupandwal kedwithhissi
stertothei
r
mother’
swar d.Ret
habil
elookedather,i
tseemed
shewasl osi
ngweightwitheachday,shecould
bar
elyrecognizeheranymore.Shecouldseeher
mother’
sbones.Batengr ushedover
.
“
M-mama.
.”
MmagweRet
habi
lesmi
ledweakl
y.“
Myboy.
.”
“
I-
I…”Hecl
osedhi
seyesbr
ief
ly.“
Idr
-dr
ewy-
y-you.
”
Shesmi
ledandt
ouchedhi
scheek.“
Showme.
.”
Heopenedhi sbagandshowedher .Ret
habi
le
sil
entl
ywatchedastheyspoke,shesnif
fedwi
ping
hertearswit
hthebackofherhand.Hermother
tur
nedt oherandsmil
ed.
“
Thabi
…come…”
Hervoi
cewassoweak, shet
ookmoment sin
bet
weeneachword.Rethabi
l
eslowlywalkedover.
MmagweRethabi
lelookedatherki
dsthensmiled.
“
Thabi
…don’
tcr
y…Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathermot
hert
henputherhands
onherf
acecryi
ng.
“
Iam scar
ed…”
Hermotherpul
ledhercl
oserandhuggedthem both.
Shecl
osedhereyesasherownt ear
sfil
ledhereyes.
“
Ther
eisnoneedt
obescar
edThabi
…Iam her
e.”
Ret
habilecri
edmor eholdi
ngontohermother.
MmagweRet habi
lehel
dherbreat
hholdi
ngit
t
ogetherthenshesmi l
edwipi
ngRethabi
le’
stear
s.
“I
t’
sokThabi…it’
sok.Don’
tcr
y…Iam her
ewi
thyou.
Iwil
lneverl
eaveyoursi
de…”
Shel
ookedatbot
hherki
dsandsmi
led.
“Ial
waysgoi
ngtobet
her
e.Ipr
omi
se…Iam comi
ng
home…tomor
row.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathert
ear
ful
ly.“
Youar
ecomi
ng
home?”
MmagweRethabil
enodded.“
Yes.Whenar
eyou
f
ini
shi
ngyourexams?”
“
Nextweek.
”
“
Whatar
eyoul
eftwi
thwr
it
ing?
”
“
Engl
i
sh,
Biol
ogy,
andSet
swana.
”
“
Thel
astpaper
sri
ght
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Iknowyouhavepassed.Youar
ebr
il
li
ant
,myl
it
tl
e
Doctor
..
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledwi
pingawayhert
ear
s.
“Youar
egoi
ngtobeaverysuccessf
uldoct
or.You
aregoi
ngt
osavel
ives.
.”
“
Iam goi
ngtohelpyou.Iwilldoever
ysurger
yso
t
hatyouneverhavecancereveragai
n.”
Hermothersmil
ed.“
Iwantyout ogohomeand
cl
eanthehouse.Cl
eaneveryt
hing.Fol
dmyclothes
ni
cely…youknowthatdresst
hatyouli
ke?Thered
one?TheoneIworeatthechurchanniver
sar
y?”
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Yes.Il
ovet
hatdr
ess.
”
“Takeitandputi
twit
hyourt
hingsi
nyourr
oom,
keepitformeok?”
“
Yes.
”
Hermotherchuckl
ed.“
AlsothoseheelsIbought
thatt
imewhenwewentt oGaboronetogether
.They
gowellwit
hthatdr
ess.Takethem andkeepthem
forme.”
“
Yesmama.ButImakesur
enooneent
ersyour
r
oom.
”
“
Iknowsweet
ie…butIwi
llbehappyi
fyouar
ewi
th
them.Youseemyj ewelr
ybox.Ther
eisthi
ssetof
earr
ings,
abraceletandanecklace…Alsokeep
them.Andmyf avor i
teperf
ume.”
Conf
used,
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Ok.
”
“Iam comi nghomet omorr
ow.Don’tcomehere
afterschool.Takeyourbr
otherhome.Iwi
llbet
her
e
wai t
ingforyou.”
“
Ok.Youf
eelbet
ter
.”
“Yes.Waybet
ter
.Il
oveyouThabi .Neverl
etanyone
separat
eyouandBatang.Youwillst
aytoget
her.
AuntyKeemii
syourmot herok?
”
“
Yesmama.
”
“Bat
ang,
Iloveyoumyboy…t
omor
rowaf
terschool
,
gohomewi t
hThabi
.Ok?”
“
O-o-
ok.
”
“Thabi
…underthebed,thereisabox.Abi gbox.It
hastheimport
antdocument s.I
nt hatbox,thereis
money.Takeit,
keepitsafe.Idon’twantitstolenby
thi
eves.Thehouse…Ourhouse.I twasmyf ather’
s
house.Hegaveittome.Iextendedi t
.From me, it
goest
oyouandyourbr
other
.”
Shelai
ddowncat chi
ngherbr
eat
h,eyescl
osed.She
openedthem andsmil
ed
“
Iloveyou.Somuch.Iwi
llseeyout
omor
row.
”
Rethabi
lenoddedsmi l
ing.Shef
eltr
eli
eved.Good
t
hingshehadcl eanedtheprevi
ousnight
.
“
Bye…”
Thekidsturnedandwalkedoutsmi l
ing.Mmagwe
Rethabil
eputherhandoverhermout hcryi
ng.The
otherpati
entwhohadbeenwat chingsadlyst
ood
upf r
om herbedandhuggedher .
“
Itwi
llbef
ine.
”
“
Mykids…mykidsarest
il
lyoung…Godhel
pme…
modi
monthuse…theyar
eyoung…Godplease.
.”
“
Shhhh….
”
“
Theyneedme… myki
dsneedme…”
Shecriedsomuchaspai
ncont
inuedsucki
ngout
hersoul.
*
**

Rethabil
ewal kedhomewi thBatang,Shetookat ur
n
goingtoherbestf ri
end’
shouse.Shel ookedatthe
bigcastlehousewher eElangstayed.Sometimes
shewasenvi ousofherf ri
endwhogotaP20not e
everysingledayforlunchatschool.Ithadtobe
nicestayinginthatbighouse.
Rethabilelookedatthesunsett
ingandstood
acrosst hehouseunderatreewithBat
ang.Minutes
l
ater,Elangwal kedout
.Rethabi
lesmil
edasher
fr
iendrushedoverhol di
nghertouchscreenphone
andal unchbox.
“Youwer
esupposedt
obeher
etwent
ymi
nut
es
ago.”
“
Sor
rythamma,t
hedoctort
ookti
mewi
thmamabut
t
omorr
owsheiscominghome.”
El
angsmiledal
soasrel
ieved.“See?Itol
dyounott
o
worr
y.Sheisgoi
ngtobefine.Take..
”
El
anghandedRet
habi
let
hel
unchboxwi
tht
hef
ood.
Ret
habi
lequicklyopenedi
tandswall
owedstari
ng
att
hechicken.Shetookapieceandhandedi
tto
Bat
ang.
El
angsmiledashequi
ckl
yatei
t.“
Iputal
otoff
ood
kedi
rel
alekamosomapakel
a.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Byt
heway,
yourboyf
ri
endsentamessage.
”
ElanghandedRethabil
ethephone.Shelookedat
themessagefrom Atang,herFacebookboyf
ri
end.
Theyalwaystal
kedthroughElang’sphonesi
nce
shedidn’
thaveone.
Ret
habileopenedthemessage,herheartpoundi
ng.
Sheslowlysatdownbytherockandr eadthe
message.
At
ang:Heybabe,wher
eexactl
ydidyousayyou
st
ayinShakawe?Areyoubackfr
om work?
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.El
angputherhandonherwai
st.
“Thabi
le,
areyousmi l
ing?Thi
sguyi saski
ngabout
whereyoustay.It
hinkhewant stocomeandvi si
t.
Kanahedoesnotknowt hatt
hereisnoLorrai
ne,
thatactual
lyLor
rai
neisj
ustaFacebookpi
cturewe
bumpedi ntoandnowan18yearoldhighschool
schoolerisusi
ngit
.”
Ret
habil
esighed.“At
angwoul
dn’
tcomethissi
de.
HeisinSouthAfri
ca,hef
lewt
her
eearl
ier
.Heiswil
l
bebackintwodays.”
“Mmat hi sisget
ti
ngoutofhand.Iam gett
ing
scared.Weshoul dhavenevercr
eatedthatLorr
aine
account .Itwasj
ustmeanttobeajokebutnowyou
aredeepi nar el
ati
onshi
pwithanoldanoldman
youbar elyknow?”
Rethabi
lesighedstar
ingatEl
ang.“
Ijustwantt
obe
happy.Thisistheonl
ypersonwhomakesme
happyElang.”
El
angsatbesi
deherfr
iend.
”Iwantyousaf e.Thi
s
guyseemswayolder
,gapehel
awear elyi
ngtohim.
Whatifhecomesher
e?Nnakeat saba.”
“At
iei
snotthatol
d.Hei
sjustt
all
.Iwonderhowhi
s
voi
cesoundsli
ke…”
Thegi
rl
slookedateachot
herandl
aughed.
“
Met
oo.Mmeol
ebegaal
ebogal
e.”
“
Ati
eisnotl
iket
hat
.Osof
tmot
hoo.
”
Elangshookherhead.“Youwouldneveront he
phone.Thabil
e,Iam ser
ious.Youshouldendthi
s.I
knowyour eal
lyli
kehim butngng…gapet hose
tatt
oosmma, helooksdangerous.Helooksscary.
”
“At
iei
snotdanger
ous.Youar
ejudgi
nghi
m wayt
oo
ear
ly.
”
“Thabi,evenifhe’
snotdangerousbuthei sgoi
ngt o
slapyouf orlyi
ngtohim,makinghim bel
ieveyou
areathi r
tyyearoldameri
canwho’sadoct or.Otsi
le
gor enyedisa,nnammakeat saba.Haveyouseen
hishand?Mot hootagoclapawaswel aGabor one
kabackf li
p.Idon’twantt
osee.”
“Iwil
ldoitnextweek.Thi
sismyf i
rstr
elat
ionshi
p.I
am surehewouldn’teevenlookatmeifhesawme
i
nr eall
if
e.”
“Ri
ghtnownoonewoul dlookatus, wear edar
k
becauseofthesun,weprobabl
ydon’ tknowhowto
bathproper
ly,
releswenyana.Waitti
llwegot o
Univer
sit
yofBotswanawenagi r
l!Heeeeigagonna
mur
rr!
!!
”
Rethabil
elaughedt
henlookedatt hephone
real
izi
ngbewasonl i
neandr epl
ied.
‘
Lorrai
ne’
:Istayneart
heseni
orschoolbutIam
goingtoKasanetomorrowmorni
ngonabusi ness
tr
ip.
At
angstar
tedt
ypi
ng.Ret
habi
lest
aredatt
hephone
wai
ti
ng
At
ang:Whatt
imear
eyougoi
ngt
her
e?”
‘
Lor
rai
ne’
:at9am.Ar
eyoust
il
linSA?
Atang:Yes,
Iam st
uckthi
sside,
it’
srai
ningsoall
fl
ight
shavebeencancell
edduetobadweat her
.
Lor
rai
ne:Sor
rymot
howame
At
ang:Whot
aughtyout
hat
?
Lorrai
ne:Ihavebeenl
ear
ning.Ihavet
swana
fr
iends.
At
ang:Sowheredi
dyousayyouar
efr
om i
n
Ameri
caagai
n?
Lor
rai
ne:TexasHoust
on.
At
ang;Ok.Wewi
llt
alk,
Ihavet
ogo.
Thegreendotonhisnamedisappear
ed.Ret
habi
le
si
ghedsadlythengaveEl
angherphone.
“
Thankyou.
”
El
angsi
ghedstar
ingatherfri
end.“
Nextweekyou
br
eakupwit
hthisguy.It
hinkit’
senoughnow.Four
mont
hsisenoughThabil
e.”
“
Iwi
llbr
eakupwi
thhi
m.”
Ret
habil
estoodup.“
Letmegohome.Iwi
llseeyou
t
omorrow.”
“
Bye.
”
Rethabi
lewal kedawaywithheryoungerbrother.
ElangstaredatRethabi
le’
schatwi t
hAtang.She
wenttohispr ofi
leagai
nandlookedathisprofil
e
pict
ure,t
het att
oosonhisarmsscar edhersomuch
shelookedatt hephoneforawhil
econt emplati
ng
j
ustbreakingupwi thhi
mt hendeleti
ngtheprofi
le
al
ltogether.
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handt
yped.
Lor
rai
ne:Hi
,Icntdodi
seni
mo.I
tsntwkngnI
m gng
bck2TxssrrnsoItnkit
sbsti
fwejstpr
twys.Iwsh
unthnbthppnnss,
plsnoit
sntu,
btmi.Udsvbtt
r.
By.
Shequicklywentt
otheset
tingsanddeact
ivat
edthe
account.Shesi
ghedsat
isf
iedandwalkedtothei
r
gate.

*
**

HeadedtoShakawe,HeadedtoShakawei
nhis4x4
pi
tchblackAmarok,
Atangfi
xedhiscapdr
ivi
ngwit
h
onehand.
Hi
stwi
nbr
otherl
aughed.“
Shei
scatf
ishi
ngyou?
”
“Yeah,
ifIdi
dn’
tshowNayangthepict
ure,
Iwoul
d
nothaveknown.Gat
wethatpi
cturei
ssome
Zambianladywhost
aysinAmer i
ca.
*
Aganglaughedmor
e.“Itoldyou…kanadi
lot
sa
Facebookkemaakahela.”
“IknowbutIwasalr
eadyinMaunsoImi
ghtaswel
l
got oShakaweandseewhat
’sup.
”
“Ican’
tbel
ieveYayahurtyousomucht
oapoi
nt
youdateFacebookgir
ls.”
“
Don’
tst
artwi
thme.
”
“
Gir
lswhocat
fi
shareugl
y…Iam j
ustsayi
ng.I
fI
wer
eyouIwouldj
ustl
eavet
hisgi
rlal
one.”
“Goodt
hingIam notyou,
Iam goi
ngt
ogett
othe
bott
om oft
his.
”
“
Sharpmist
er.Pleasekeepyourhandst
oyour
sel
f
whenyougetthere.
”
Atangdr oppedthecallwit
hasigh.Hisheart
skippedashel ookedaheadstari
ngatt heelephant
i
nt hemi ddl
eoft heroadwithaC180.ItblewIt’
s
tr
unkst ampingont hegroundangri
ly.Atanghooted
asi tbegunpushingtheBenz.Hebrightenedhis
l
ight shooti
ng.
Theangr yelephantl
ookedover ,
At angconti
nued
hooting.Theelephantblewi
t’strunkmovingback
andwentt ot hebi
gtreebesidesher oad.Atang
steppedont heacceler
atoraddr ovetoBenzr ol
li
ng
downhi swindow.Thel adyintheBenzst eppedout
cryi
ng.
At
angl
ookedather
.“Let
’sgo!
”
Shehur ri
edoverholdi
ngherhandbagandj umped
i
nt heAmar ok.At
anglookedattheelephantgetti
ng
abigbr unchanddroveoff
.Theladylookedatt he
rearvi
ewmi rr
orwatchi
ngtheelephantdestroythe
car.Sheputherhandoverhermout h,tear
sr ol
li
ng
downhercheeks.
“
Iam st
il
lpayi
ngt
hel
oan…God”
At
anglookedatheri
nshock.“
Youcouldhavedi
ed!
I
syourloantheonl
ythi
ngyoucanthi
nkabout?”
Shelookedathi
m andbur
sti
ntoaloudcr
y,herf
ace
ugl
if
yingasherli
pscur
veddown.
.
.
.

Goodmor
ning,
tagyourf
ri
end,
wear
est
art
ing
Your
sTr
uly
#2
Atangdroveforawhil
east hel
adycri
ed.Helooked
atthet
imeasr ai
ndroplet
sheavil
yfel
lonthecar
accompaniedbyhal
e.
Hesloweddownrol
li
ngdownhiswi
ndowsl
ight
ly.
Thecoldai
rbl
ewinthecarmaki
ngt
hewoman
shi
verwhil
eshesni
ff
ed.
At
angst
oleagl
anceather
.“What
’syourname?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Zaza.
”
“
Wher
ewer
eyougoi
ng?
”
“I
…”Shecl
osedhereyes,
atearr
oll
ingdown.She
sni
ff
ed.
“
Shakawe…”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nShakawe?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oseemymother
’ssi
ster
.Sheisnot
wel
l,
mymotheri
ssi
cksoshecoul
dn’tcome.
.”
Zazasni
ffed.“
Ijustgott
hatcar6mont
hsback.I
boughti
twithaloan.”
At
angl
ookedatt
heShakaweboar
dandsi
ghed.
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Ithoughti
twaspassingsoIst
opped.Idi
dn’
t
r
eali
zeitwasangr
y.”
“Iam sorr
yaboutyourcarbutt
hatthingwasgoi ng
tokil
lyou.Whenitget
sangry,t
hereisnost oppi
ngit.
Ipromiseyou,i
fyoudidn’
tgetoutofthatcar,t
hey
weregoingtofi
ndyoudeadt omorrow.”
“
Thankyou.
.forsavi
ngme.
”
At
ang’
sphonerang.Her
eachedf
ori
tandpi
cked
t
heunsavednumber.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“SoyoudecidedtorobmyhouseAt
ang?
”Yaone
yel
ledontheotherend.
“
What
?”
“Youdeci
dedt
orobmyhouse?Youar
esochi
ldi
sh
Atang.
”
“Whywoul dIr
obyou?Areyoutryi
ngtohavea
conversat
ionwit
hmeorwhat ?Osekawabatago
ntena,
ot aswabaYaone.Di
dyouseemer obbi
ng
you?”
“
Soi
fit
’snotyou,
whoi
sit
?”
“
Botsar
ragoomae, l
antesterl
onanxl
a.Iam going
t
ocomet her
e.Iwantyoutoaccusemeofbullshit
f
acetof
ace.”
“
Iwasj
ustaski
ngbecausesomeoner
obbedme.
”
“Andyouassumeit
’sme.Ket
sil
egogot
hubaka
clapa.Keet
ako.
”
Shehungup.Zazaswal
lowedandtookadeep
breat
hst
ari
ngaheadwhilehedr
ove.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Thepol
iceort
oyouraunt
?”
“
CanIpl
easest
artatt
hepol
ice…?
”
“
Ok.Doyouknowwher
eiti
s?”
“
Yes.Youcant
akeyournextl
eftt
urn.
”

Atthepol
icest
ati
on,At
angremai
nedinthecaras
Zazajumpedouttheni
nsi
dewhil
eitr
ainedheavi
ly.
Her eachedforhi
sphoneandl oggedinon
Facebook.Amessagepi ngedonhi smessenger
.He
cl
ickedoni tandopenedLorr
aine’
smessage.
Hef r
ownedtryingtoreadwhatwaswr i
tt
enbuthe
couldn’
tunderstandanythi
ng.Matteroffact
,it
didn’
tsoundli
ket hepersonheusuallyspoketo.
Thatonehadt heperfectEngl
ish.
Helaughedwonder i
ngi
fmaybeheweredeal
ing
wit
hkids.I
tdidn’
tlooki
twasagrownper
sonwho
hadwrit
tenthat
.
Her
epl
ied.
At
ang:Huh?
Hestaredathisphoneforawhile.Hewenton
Facebookandsearchedforheraccount
.Hesighed
notfi
ndingi
tthenhewentt ohi
scontact
sand
cal
ledhisfr
iend.
“
Atang.
.”
“
Phef
o,di
dyougetanyt
hing?
”
“
Yeah,Itr
iedtocal
lbutyourphonewasn’
tgoi
ng
t
hrough.Ihackedt
heaccount.Igott
henumber.
”
“
Sendi
ttome.
”
“Don’tdoanyt
hingstupidther
e.Youar
enott
hef
ir
st
persontogetcatf
ished.Youwon’tbet
hel
ast
.At
l
eastsheneveraskedf oryourmoney.
”
“
Sendt
henumberot
swemot
seo.
”
“
Iam sendi
ng.Mr
.Gcal
led.Your
efusedt
ofl
yhi
m
t
oKasane?”
“I
t’
sraini
ngcatanddogsandthewindist
oomuch.
Iam nottaki
ngchanceswit
hmylif
e.Iam api
lot
yesbutIam notabouttodi
eint
henameofmoney.
Renkapar alesahel
a.”
“
Letmego,
myr
eal
lif
egi
rl
fr
iendi
sher
e.”
At
angl
aughed.“
Voet
sek!
”
Phef
olaughedmor
e.“
Shar
pAt
ang.Isentt
he
number.
”
PhefohungupasZazawal kedoutoft
hepoli
ce
stat
ion.Sheranoverandgotint
hecarshi
veri
ng,
herclothessl
ight
lywet
.
“
Whatdi
dtheysay?
”
“
Not
hing.Theyar
enotsayi
nganyt
hingi
ntel
li
gent
.”
Shewipedhert
ear
swi
thherhands.At
angst
art
ed
thecar
.
“
Shoul
dInowt
akeyout
oaunt
’shouse?
”
“
Yes.
”
Atangst
art
edtheAmar
okandr
ever
sedf
rom t
he
poli
cest
ati
on.
“
Gost
rai
ghtt
il
lyouseeaschool
.”
Hejoinedtheroadanddr ovewhileshedirectedhi
m.
Hefinall
yparkedthecarinfrontofthegate,his
bri
ghtli
ghtsmadehi m seethehousepr operl
y.A
curt
ainmoved.
Zazasi
ghed.“Letmegoandknock.Maybet
hey
moved.Il
astsawthem whenIwas20.”
“
Iwilldr
ivei
n.I
t’
sok.I
t’
stoomuddy,
ifyour
unyou
wil
lfal
l.
.”
Heopenedthedoorandquickl
yjumpedoutand
openedthegat
e.Hegotbackinhiscarwet
,hi
st-
shi
rtcl
ungontohisski
nevenmor e.
Hedrovei
nandparkedrightt
hever
anda.ZazaShe
st
eppedoutandknockedonthedoor.

Rethabil
e’
sheartpoundedsomuchasknock
persi
sted.Shewenttotheki
tchenandt
ookt
he
ki
tchenknife.
Someoneyel
ledout
side.
“
Aunt
y!I
t’
sZachar
ia!Aunt
y!”
Rethabil
eputawaythekni
feandhurr
iedt
othedoor
thenopened.Shel
ookedatAuntyKeemi’
s
daughter.
.
“
Thabi
le!
”
Rethabi
lesmi
ledandunlockedt
hebur
glarbar
.Zaza
huggedherti
ghtl
y.Ret
habil
eremai
nedinherar
ms
hol
dingontoher.
Zazast
eppedback.“
Howi
saunt
y?”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Shei
sfeel
ingwaybet
ter
.Shei
s
comi
nghomet
omor
row.
”
“Sheiscomi
ng?Ithoughthercancerhad
progr
essedt
ootherpart
softhebody..”
“
Shei
sget
ti
ngbet
ter
.Shei
sget
ti
ngdi
schar
ged
t
omor
row.
”
Batangwalkedoverandstoodbesi deshissi
steri
n
hi
sshorts.Zazalookedathim andsmi l
ed.
Rethabi
lelookedatthedoubl
ecabguessi ngitwas
probabl
yherboyfri
endwhohadbr oughther.The
dooropenedandamanst eppedout .
HehandedZazaherhandbag.“
Yourphonei
s
r
ingi
ng.
”
“Thanks,
uhthesear
emycousi
ns.That
’sRet
habi
le
andthat’
suh…what’
shi
sname?”
Ret
habi
leputherhandonherbr
other
.“Bat
ang.
”
Theboyfriendturnedandl ookedatthem fi
xinghis
basebal
lhi scap.Rethabi
le’sheartski
ppedasshe
stagger
edback, kneesweak.Hert hr
oat
i
mmedi atelydri
edasherhear tpounded.Helooked
ather.
“
Hi,
Iam At
ang.
”
Bat
angsmil
ed.“
Y-y-
yournamei
-i
-i
-i
sli
kemi
ne.Ia-
a
-
am al
soca.
.cal
ledAtang.
”
Atangsmi
led.Zazal
ookedathi
m ashemovedf
rom
her.
“
Iknowr
ight
?It
hinkyouandIcanbegr
eatf
ri
ends.
”
Bat
angnoddedsmi
li
ng.“
Twi
ns!
”
At
angl
aughed.“
Ili
ket
hat
,howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
Iant
e-t
e-t
enbu-
butyouar
eol
d.”
“I
tdoesn’tmatter
.Wecanstil
lbetwi
ns.Hereis
somethingforyou..
”At
angputhishandinhisback
pocketandtookoutahundredpulanot
e.He
handedittohim.
Bat
angl
ookedathi
sol
dersi
ster
.
“
Thabica-
canI
…ta-
ta-
taket
hemoney?
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathi
m andsl
ight
lyshookherhead.
Bat
angl
ookedathim.
“
I-
“
Zazal
aughed.“
Youcant
akei
tBat
ang…t
aket
he
money.
.”
Heshookhisheadandhuggedhi
ssist
er’
sleg.
Zaza’
sphonestar
tedri
ngi
ngagai
n.Shetookitf
rom
herhandbagt
henwalkedi
nsidet
hehousepicki
ng.
Atanglookedather,Ret
habi
lekeptherheaddown,
herheartraci
ng.Shecouldf
eelhiseyesonherand
shewonder edifmaybehewasstaringathowfat
shewas.
“
Hi.
.”
Rethabilekeptherheaddown,herhandsshaki
ng.
Het ouchedherchinandt i
lt
edherhead.Achil
lran
downherspi neasherent i
rebodyfr
ozeathistouch.
Helookedi nhereyes,unablet
okeepeyecontact,
shel ookeddown.
Heputt
hemoneyi
nherdoekandsmi
led.“
Keepi
t
f
orhi
m ok?
”
Shenodded.
“
Huh?
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Hest
eppedbackasZazawal
kedover
.
At
angl
ookedather
.“Ar
eyoust
ayi
ngher
e?”
“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Heturnedandwal kedbacktohiscar.Rethabil
e
watchedashegoti nhiscarandreversedout,her
heartsti
llpoundi
ng.Hesteppedoutintherainand
cl
osedt hegate.Helookedovert
hengoti nhiscar
anddr oveoff.
Zazasi
ghed.“
Let
’sgeti
n.I
t’
sget
ti
ngcol
d.”

*
**

Atangdrovet
oalodgethenparkedhi
scarand
call
edthenumberhehadgott
en.
Thephonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Af
emal
evoi
cepi
cked.
“
Goodevening,wearecall
ingfr
om PostOf
fi
ce,
t
her
eisapackaget hati
sgetti
ngdeli
ver
edtoyou.
Whoam Ispeakingwit
h?”
“
Youar
espeaki
ngt
oEl
angLepang.
”
“
Howol
dar
eyouMs.Lepang?
”
“
Iam 18year
sol
d.Wher
eist
hepackagef
rom?
”
“
Iti
scomi
ngf
rom TexasHoust
on.
”
“
Texas?I
nAmer
ica?
”
“
Yes.Maywepl
easehaveyourdi
rect
ions.
”
El
angqui
ckl
ydi
rect
edhi
m.
“
Thankyou.Yourpackagewi
llar
ri
vet
omor
row.
”
“
ThankyoubutIdon’
tknowanyonef
rom Texas.
”
“
Youwi
llhaveyourpackaget
omor
row.
”
At
anghungupandst
eppedoutoft
hecar
.

*
**
Thefoll
owingmorni
ng,Zazasati nthesit
ti
ngroom
makingphonecall
s.Rethabil
ewal kedoutofher
room wit
hheryoungerbrotheri
ntheirunif
orms.
ShelookedatRet habile’
sschooldr essthathugged
herthi
ckbody, hereyeswentupt ohersofthai
rthat
wascombedi nanaf rot henherf ace.Shewas
beauti
ful
,verybeautiful.Itwast hatkindofbeauty
thatwasuniqueandr are.Hert hickbodyandt i
ny
waistmadeherenvi ous, shehatedhert hi
nbody.
Shehadt r
iedever yt
hing, from protei
nshakestothe
pil
lseventheinjecti
ons.
Zazasmiled.“
Iam goingtogotothehospi
taland
seeaunt
y.Mamacoul dn’
tcome.Shewasatt he
hospi
tal
,herbloodpressur
eishighbutsheis
coming.
”
“
Ok.Butmamai
scomi
nghome,
shei
sbet
ternow.
”
“
That
’sgood.
”
Rethabi
lesmiled.“
Thatguyf
rom yest
erday…i
she
yourboyfr
iend?”
Zazal
aughed.“
Nohun.Idon’
tevenknowhisname.
Iwasatt
ackedbyanel
ephantl
astni
ght.Hesaved
me.Il
eftmycart
her
e.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“It
’sok.Someonejustcal
ledmeaf t
erseei
ngmy
thingsinthecar
.Shesentpict
ures.I
t’
snotthatbad.
Itcanbef i
xed.Myinsur
ancecompanywi l
ltake
car eofi
t“
“
Ohok.Wewi
llseeyoul
ater
.”
“
Oksweet
ie.ByeBat
ang.
”
Batangwaved.Zazawat
chedastheywal
kedout
thensi
ghedpressi
ngherphone.

*
**

Thatsamemor ni
ng,Atangpar
kedunderatr
ee
opposit
ethehouseElanghaddir
ect
edhim
yest
erday.
Thegateopenedandaschoolwalkedout
.Atang
call
edhernumberagai
nstari
ngather.El
ang
stoppedt
hentookoutherphoneandanswered.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Atangchuckledindi
sbeli
ef.Hestart
edthecar
hangi
ngupt hendrovetoher.Hesteppedoutwhi
le
shestaredathiscar
.Elangheartski
ppi
ngasshe
camef acetofacewit
hhim.
“
Hi,Iam l
ookingforLorr
aineWar
ren,
shest
ays
whereyoujustcamef r
om.Doyouknowher?”
“
I.
.I-
“
“
Liet
omeandIam goi
ngt
obur
yyoual
ive.
”
Peer
andownherdr
essasshest
aredathi
m.
“
Itwasn’
tme.ItwasRet
habi
le!It
oldhert
ost
op.I
t
wasRethabi
le!
”
.
.
.
Wehaveof f
ici
all
yst
art
ed.Ihopeyouhavetagged
thatfr
iend.Thosewhowerestil
ltr
yingt
oadjust
,
yester
daywasyourday.Yadumayat samaya!
Your
sTr
uly
#3

“
It
’sRet
habi
le!I
twasn’
tme.It
oldhert
ost
op…”
At
angst
aredathert
henherpee.“
Geti
nthecar
.”
“I
twasn’tme.Shewasusi ngmyphonebecause
shedoesn’thaveaphone.Iswear
..
”
“
Getint
hecar
,youar
etaki
ngmet
oRet
habi
le.Get
i
n.”
El
angl
ookedar
ound,
shel
ookedatt
hegat
e.
“Iwil
lcat
chyou.Youcan’toutr
unme.Youar egoi
ng
totakemetoRethabi
le.YouthinkIam her
efor
gameshuh?Maybeyouar etheculpr
it
-“
Elangstartedcryi
ng.“Itwasn’
tme.Iswearitwasn’
t
me.I twasThabi l
e.Idon’twantt
odie.Iwi
llt
akeyou
toThabile.Sheiswaiti
ngf ormetogiveherandher
brotherfood.”
“
Geti
nthecar
.”
Shelookedatt
hepitchbl
ackAmarokwithbi
g
wheelsthenhi
sti
ntedwindows.Hi
stat
toosscar
ed
hersomuchmoretear
sroll
eddown.Hewassot
all
,
he’
dprobabl
ybur
yherali
ve.
“Youarewast
ingmyt
ime.Iam notgoi
ngt
otel
lyou
agai
n.”
Sheslowlygoti
nthecarandsatatt
heedgeoft
he
l
eatherseat
.Atangj
umpedinhiscaranddr
oveoff
.
“
Gost
rai
ght
,shei
swai
ti
ngbyt
hebi
gMor
ulat
ree.
”
Atangl
ookedatheratt
hebackseat.Itwasact
ual
ly
funnyt
hathehadbeenplayedhighschoolki
ds.
Whathadatt
ract
edhimtot hatpr
ofi
leagai
n?
“
Ther
eshei
s…”
Shepoi nt
edatt hebi
gt r
eewhereRethabi
lewas
standinglaughingwit
hheryoungerbrot
her.She
raisedherheadandl ookedathi
scar.El
angopened
thedoortost epout.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Tswal
alebat
ileo.
”
Sheslowlyclosedthedoorsnif
fi
ng.At
angst epped
outofthecarandwal kedovert
oRethabi
le.She
heldherbrot
her’shandandmovedback,herhear t
raci
ng.
Bat
angsmiledrecogni
zinghim.Atanggotcloser
.
Ret
habi
leputherarmsar oundhersibl
ing.
“
Tha-
Thabit
ha-
th-
that
’sA-
Atang,
he-
“
“
Shhh.
.”
Bat
angclosedhi
smout
handsmi
ledatAt
angwho
smi
ledback.
“
Heybuddy…bi
gup…”
Theybumpedf i
stssmil
ing.At
angt
urnedt
o
Rethabi
lest
il
lsmili
ng.
“
HiLor
rai
ne.
”
Sheswal
lowed,herheartski
ppi
ngabeat
.Awaveof
di
zzi
nessslammedher .
“
Kanaker
engMsWar
ren?
”
Fearweakenedherasshestoodbef
orehi
m,i
t
cri
ppledever
ypartofhert
hatshej
ustst
oodt
her
e
st
aringathim asi
fhewereaghost.
“Imustsay,yourpr
ojecti
sgoi
ngreall
ywell
.Don’
t
youmi ssTexasHouston?Doyouevenknowwhere
thati
s?”
Ret
habi
leswal
lowedahugel
umponhert
hroat
.
“MsLorrai
neWar
ren…ar
eyout
heor
igi
nalort
he
subst
it
utewasgokwal
aeni
mo?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”Hervoi
cewasbar
elyaudi
ble.
“It
ravel
edal
lthewayf
orMsLor
rai
ne.Wher
eis
she?”
“Iam sor
ry.Pleasedon’
tme.Ineveraskedfor
anythi
ngfrom you.Iam sor
ryIl
ied.Iwasgoingt
o
stop.Mybrotherhasonebutme. ”
“
Sowhoi sgoingt
otaket
hepuni
shmentf
orbei
nga
l
iar
?Yourfr
iend?”
Elangopenedt hedoor.“No!Rethabi
le.Shedidthi
s.
Itwasn’tme.Shewast heone!Sheshoul dget
punishedalone.Shewast heonecatf ishi
ngyou.I
didn’
tdoanyt hi
ng.Punishher!Notme. ”
Rethabi
lel
ookedatEl
angsadl
y,t
ear
sfi
ll
ingher
eyes.
“
Elangyouar
etheonewhosai
dIshoul
drepl
yhi
m.”
“OmaakaRethabi
le.Sheistheone.Idi
dn’tdo
anyt
hingIpr
omise.Sheisthemastermind.Puni
sh
heral
one.
”
Batangstoodinfr
ontofhersi
sterpr
otecti
vel
ythen
droppedhisschoolbagandpi
ckedast onereadyt
o
at
tack.

*
**

Att hehospi
tal
,thedoctorl
ookedattheti
me
standingbymmagweRet habi
le’
sbedwher eher
bodyl ai
d.Hehadseencount l
esspeoplediebutthe
hopehehadseeni nthosechi
ldr
en’seyeshaunted
him.Itwouldcrushthem.Hewi shedhehadj ust
toldthem…
“
Timeofdeat
h07:
10a.
m.”
Thenursesighedtearf
ull
y.Shesni
ffedthi
nki
ngof
theki
ds.Shecouldn’ti
magineherdyingandleavi
ng
herki
dsallalone.
Thedoctorcoveredthebodywi
thasheetand
walkedoutleavi
ngthebodytobet
akentothe
morgue.
Thenur sefoll
owedafterthedoctorthenseconds
l
ater,anothernursewalkedin.Sheuncoveredthe
deadbodyandt ookapicture.Shecoveredthebody
againandwal kedoutpostingonherf akeFacebook
accountthathadover3kf ri
endswi t
hacapt i
on.
‘ Geuij
obathong.Dir
isangdicondom i
ja,
bonanggompieno,kanayoneyabolaya.
Condomise’
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#4

Rethabil
etri
edtopullBatangbackbuthe
stubbornl
ystoodi
nf rontofherasifhecould
actual
lydosomething.Rethabil
etearf
ull
ylookedat
him.
“
Icat
fi
shedyou.Iam sor
ry.Iam notLor
rai
ne
War r
en.Icr eat
edtheaccountwi t
hmyf r
iend.Iam
sorryfordraggingyoual lt
hewayher efornothing.
Elangdidnot hi
ngwr ong.Itwasallme.”Shesni ff
ed.
“Iam sorry.Ihaveanexam at0830, mybr other
needst obeatschoolont i
mesot hattheteacher
doesn’tpi
ckonhi m.Pl easeletusgo.”
Atanglookedatherandsi ghed,washereall
y
deali
ngwithkidsrightnow?Heevenf el
tli
kea
pedophil
ejuststandingther
ewi t
hthem.Hehad
expectedsomethingdiff
erent,
nottwoteenager
s.
“Geti
n,Iwilldr
opof fatschool.Neverdot
hatagai
n.
Youwi l
lmeetdiff
erentpeopleandnotallwil
lbe
l
enientonyou.Oki l
ewacl apiwa?(Haveyouever
beenslapped?)”
Ret
habi
leshookherhead.
“Oneyouwil
lgetsl
appedforpl
ayingwi t
hpeopl
e.
Focusonschoolorsomet
hing.Getin.Iwon’
thurt
you.
”
HelookedatBatangandl
aughed.“
Geti
nbuddy…I
won’thur
tyou.
”
Ret
habi
lesl
owl
ywal
kedt
othecarandopenedt
he
backdoor
.Bat
anggoti
n.At
angl
ookedatRet
habi
le.
“
Tsenakopel
e.(
Geti
natt
hef
rontseat
.)
”
Rethabil
eclosedthebackdoorandgoti natthe
fr
ontseat.Herthi
cknesscoveredthewholeseatas
herdressroll
edoverexposingherthi
ckthi
ghs.She
putherschoolbagonherl apthenlookedatElang
whowasst aringather
.
At
angl
ookedatEl
ang.
“
Doyouwantt
ochange?
”
“
No.Ihaveanot
herdr
essatschool
.It
’sf
ine.
”
Rethabil
elookedoutthr
oughthewindowashe
drove,shesighedt
hinki
ngofherdream.Shehad
l
eftearli
ertopassbythehospi
talbefor
egoi
ngto
school.
Elangt ookoutal unchboxf r
om herbag.“
Thabi
take.Iknowyoudon’ thavefoodathomeandt hat
youdi dn’teat.IcookedforyouandBatang.Youcan
l
eavesomef oryourmot herl
ateron.
”
Ret
habi
let
urnedandt
ookt
hel
unchbox.
“
Thankyou.
”
ShelookedatAt
ang.“Youcandropusof
font
he
nextt
urn,wewil
lwalkfr
om ther
e.”
El
anglookedatRethabi
le.“
Mydr essi
swet.Ican’
t
wal
ktoschool.Peoplewil
lsee.Idon’
twantt
obe
l
aughedat.”
“
Wher
eishi
sschool
?”
Elangquickl
yanswer
ed.“
Taket
henextt
urnr
ight
thenlef
t.
”
“I
t’
sfarwi
thacar
.AndIwanttogot
othehospit
al
andseemymother.Youcandr
opEl
angatschool.
”
At
angignoredheranddrovetothepri
maryschool
.
Hepar
kedbyt hegate.Ret
habil
esighedt
hengotoff
wi
thherbrother
.
“I
gnoret
heki
dswhobul l
yyouok?Iwi
llwai
tforyou
outsi
de,
youwil
lfi
ndmehere.Li
stent
oteacherand
dowhatshesays.Ok?
”
“
O-o-
ok.Tha-
Thabi
?”
“
Yes…”
“
Thatman…”Hepoi
ntedatt
heAmar
ok.“
He-
he-hei
-
i
sabadperson?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Ili
edtohim butIapol
ogi
zed.
”
Shehuggedhimthensmiled.“
Bye..
”
Hesmil
edthenwavedwalki
nginsi
detheschool.
Ret
habi
lewait
edwatchi
nghim wal
ktohisclassti
ll
hegoti
n.
Sheturnedtothecar.“
Thankyouf ordroppi
ngus
off
.Iam goingtothehospit
al.Iam sor
ryforwhat
happened.Iwil
lneverdoitagain.
”
“
Ret
habi
le,
geti
n.Iwi
llt
akeyout
her
e.”
“
Idon’
twantt
okeepbur
deni
ng-
“
“
Iwi
llt
ellyoui
fyouar
ebur
deni
ngme.Geti
n.”
Shel
ookedathimthengotin.Her
ever
sedwhi
le
El
angpressedherphone.
Atanglookedatherandchuckl
ed.“
Sowher
e
exact
lydoyoust ayi
nHouston?”
Shelookedathi
m andf
oundhi
m smi
li
ng.“
Iam
sor
ry.”
“
IfIhadasked,
whatwer
eyougoi
ngt
osay?
”
Shel
ookeddownembar
rassed.“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“Youareagoodl iar.Iactuall
ybeli
evedmostofyour
l
ies,eventhefactthatyouhaveonechi ld.Ishould
havesuspectedwhenyout oldmehowmuchyou
earn.Kenekesetseker ekekopat wohundr ed
nyana,IthoughtIhadhi tjackpotl
ennakeikutwise
gokopamadi .
”
Ret
habil
elaughed.Hesmi
led.“
Mxm ondi
sapoi
nti
le
wena.
”
“
Sor
ry.
”
“Yousaidyouaredoct or
…osekawat holao
tsamekelamobagol ongRethabi
le.(
Neverpl ayli
ke
thatwi
thelder
s.)Youar eachil
d.Bonagompi enoe
karekepedophil
emobanneng.Ot aredi r
isadi
phoso.(LooknowIl ookli
keapedophile.Youwi l
l
makeusmakemi stakes.)
“
Takeyourr
ight
.”
Heturnedri
ghtandlookedather,
hiseyesgoingto
herneckrol
ls.Helookedawaywithasigh.Minut
es
l
aterheparkedhiscarinfr
ontoft
hehospital
.
Att
hebackseat
,El
ang’
shear
tst
oppedasshecame
acr
osst
hetrendi
ngwomanwhohaddiedofHIV.
Sheopenedt
heor
igi
nalpostandl
ookedatt
he
capt
ion.
‘
‘ Geuij
obathong.Dir
isangdicondom i
ja,
bonanggompieno,
kanayoneyabol aya.
Condomise’
(HIVguys!Usecondoms, l
ooktoday,
HIVkil
ls.
)
Herheartbeatsofastasshereadthecomments
t
hatwerebelowt hepict
ureofRethabi
le’
sdead
mother
’sbody.
Hert
hroati
mmedi
atel
ydriedup.Shelookedat
Ret
habil
ewhowassmili
ngwithAtang.
“Ij
ustwantt
omakesur
eshesl
eptpr
oper
ly.Iam
coming.
”
Shegotof
fleavi
ngherbagbehi
ndt
henhur
ri
ed
i
nsidet
hegate.
“
Thabi
le’
smot
heri
sdead.
”
At
angt
urnedt
oher
.“What
?”
Tear
sfil
ledElang’
seyes.“Theyhavepost
edher
.
Sheisdead.Shehadbreadcancer.Thedoct
orsai
d
i
twastool at
eforanyt
hing..
”
El
anggotof
fthecarandr
anaf
terherf
ri
end.
“
Thabi
!”
Ret
habi
let
urnedassheappr
oachedt
heent
rance.
“
Huh?
”
“Kat
sosentamessage.MaMot shegwaisdoi
ng
revi
sionsri
ghtnowwi
ththem.Let’
sgoanddotoo.
Youwi l
lseeyourmom af
tert
heexam.Let’
sgo.
”
“
Itwon’
ttakel
ong.Herwar
d-“
“Thabi
,youwi l
lcomelat
er.Let’
sgopl
ease.GapeI
don’tt
hinkweshouldbedelayingt
hatscar
yman
aft
erwepl ayedhim.Let
’sgo.”
“
Youcango.Iwanttoseemymot
her
.Iam not
l
eavi
ngwi
thoutseei
ngher.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edElang’
seyes.“Thammapl
ease…l
et’
sgo
andwri
tetheexam f
ir
st.
”
“Itwon’tt
akelong.Iam notgoi
ngtotal
ktoher
.Just
seeher.Gotoschool .Iwil
lcat
chwit
hyougapeI
readallni
ght.Iam fi
ne.”
Ret
habi
lewal
kedi
nsi
det
hehospi
talt
henhur
ri
edt
o
hermother’
sward.El
angfol
lowedaf
terher
.
Rethabi
lesmil
edstar
ingatt
heemptybed.
“
Ithi
nktheydischar
gedheral
ready.Shemusthave
wenthome.”
Hermother
’snur
sewal
kedovert
henl
ookedatt
he
t
wogirl
s.
“
Gir
ls,
shoul
dn’
tyoubeatschool
?”
El
anghel
dRethabi
le’
shandt
ight
ly.Anot
hernur
se
wal
kedover
.
“Uhu,thi
sisthegi r
lwho’smot herdi
ed?It hought
shehadonl yonedaught er
.Iam sorrygi r
ls.Eish,go
that
abuti tshallbewel
l.It
’snottheendofwor l
d.
Lif
eshallgoon.Canceri sadeadl ydisease.The
doctordi
dever ythi
nghecoul d.Sorr
yaker e.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatheri
nconf
usi
onwhi
let
heot
her
nur
sepi
nchedher.
“
Ma?
”
Hermother
’snur
sel
ookedatRet
habi
le.“
Got
o
school
.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedather
.“Pl
easenevert
alkaboutmy
motherli
ket
hat,
shegotdi
schar
ged.Shef
eel
s
bet
ter.Shei
sathome.
”
El
angsniff
edasat earrol
leddown.Hermother
’s
nursel
ookedatherthensighed.“Sosor
rymygirl
.
Justgotoschoolandleaveallt
his.
”
“
Eemma.Di
dmamat
akeever
ythi
ng?
”
“Justgot
oschool
.Iwi
llcheck.Goandwr
it
eyour
exam.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Thegi
rl
swalkedout .Rethabi
lesmil
edsomuch,
El
anghadlastseent hatsmil
emonthsback.
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatherhappi ly.“
Iam happymama
wasdi
scharged.Ican’twaitt
ogohome. ”
El
angnoddedforci
ngasmil
e.Theygoti
nthecar
.
At
anglookedatbothoft
hem.
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Shewasdi
schar
gedal
ready.
”
Elangsatatt
hebackseatandsni
ff
ed.Sher
ubbed
hereyesandlookedatt
hepostagai
n.
Atangstar
tedt
heengi
neanddrovethegir
lsto
school
.Heparkedmet
ersbef
oretheschool.
Ret
habil
elookedathi
m smi
li
ng.“
ThankyouandI
am sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Theysteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtothe
schoolgate.El
angnoti
cedotherst
udentsstaringat
them,sheputherarm overRet
habi
legivi
ngt hem a
l
ook.

*
**

At
angsatinhi
scarforawhilethenstart
edhiscar.
Hehonest
lywasn’
tabouttogethimselfi
nvolved
wi
thki
ds.Hejoi
nedtheroadanddr oveoff.
Hisphonest
art
edri
ngi
ng.Hel
ookedatAgang
cal
li
ngthenpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Didyouf
indher
?”
“
Itwasan18yearol
dschoolki
d.”
Agangl
aughed.“
Obat
athupa.El
egor
ehowugl
yis
shet
hatshei
snotdat
ingheragemat
es.
”
“Shei
sact
ual
lynotugly…j
usti
nnocentandpl
ain.I
am onmywayback.”
“
Ok.Ihopeyoudi
dn’
ttouchheri
nanyway.
”
“
Mxm, ot
anyelaAgang.Ij
ustsai
dshei
saki
d.DoI
l
ookl
ikeapedophi
let
oyou? ”
“I
sn’tshe18?Thosepeopl
ear
eal
readyf
ucki
ng.15
yearoldshavesex.
”
“
Whosl eepswi
tha15yearol
d?Whoget
ser
ect
ion
f
rom t
hat?”
“
Iam justsayi
ng.Butoncesheisover18,
shei
s
f
ine.Kemosadihelaohelet
sing.
”
“Iam nott
ouchi
ngachild.Ouragedi
ff
erencei
stoo
much.Shecan’thandl
emeei t
herway.Sheist
oo
soft
.”
“Sheistherightf
ulone.Atleastyouknowshewon’ t
cheatorleaveyouf orthemanshecal ledfri
end.
Sheisinnocent.Youmar kyourterri
tory,omonnela
dick,
youcust om designherforyourself
.Ifshei
s
thati
nnocent ,
maybekevi rgi
n.Imagineknowi ng
youaretheonl
ywho’severbeeni
nther
e…”he
whist
led.“
Imagi
ne…”
At
anglaughed.“
Somethingiswrongwit
hyou.You
ar
eful
lofshit
.Iam l
ist
eningtot
hatnonsense.
”
“Iwasjustsaying.Don’
tdoi
t.Idon’
tdot
hatkegal
e.
Iam goodwi t
hDi di
.”
“
Thatwomani
smar
ri
ed.
”
“Gaanyal wathat
athat
aakere.No,gamot eng
teng…oont ophela,
gagobad.Gadeepmo
mar r
iage.Gapewhosaidwecan’thi
titbecauseyou
mar r
iedher?Mist
er,
gatweshari
ngiscaring.Iam
helpi
nghi m.”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ogetbeat
enoneday.
”
“
Nxla,akanyel
a.Iam doi
nghi
m af
avorher
e.
Mist
er,goshar
p.”
Hehungup.Atanglookedathi
sfat
hercal
li
nghi
m
i
mmediat
ely.Hebithisl
owerli
p.
“
Eish.
.”
Hesi
ghedt
henpi
cked.“
Papa!
”
“At
ang,whati
sgoingon?GatweYaonemarr
ied
anot
herman?Didn’twepaymagadif
ort
hatgir
l?
What’
sgoingon?”
“
Rra?
”
“
Onkut
uleboy!
”
“
Hel
lo?Papa?Hel
lo?
”
“
AtangDani
els!
”
“
Hel
loo?Papa?He-
“
Hehungupandswi
tchedof
fhi
sphone.

*
**

I
nKasane,
Rr agweAtangangr
il
ycal
ledhi
m agai
n
whi
lehi
swifewatched.
“Heswit
chedof
fhi
sphone!Canyoubel
ievet
his
boy?”
“
Papa,
cal
m down.It
hink-
“
“
Cal
m down?Thatboymadeusgat
herher
eandgo
t
othatgi
rl
’shouse!Whatnonsensei
sthi
s?”
“
Hewon’texpl
ainpr
oper
lyi
fyouar
eyel
li
ngathi
m
l
iket
hat
.”
“Theprobl
em isyoubabiedtheseboystoomuch.
Todaylook!Godwhatkindofpunishmenti st
his…
OutofanythingGodcouldhaveblessedmewi th,i
t
hadtobet heseboys.Icoul
dhavet akenadonkey
i
nplaceoft hem.Adonkeywoul dhavebeenmuch
bett
er.Whatisthi
s?Thisboywant stokil
lme.”
“
Don’
ttal
kaboutmychi
ldr
enl
iket
hat
-“
“Isi
llt
alkaboutt
hem howeverIwantMargaret
!”Ge
yell
edangril
y.Heputhi
shandonhi schestf
eeli
ngit
ti
ghteni
ng.
“
IfIcoul
dsel
lthem…Iwoul
dsel
lthem f
orf
ree!
”
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#5
Ret
habi
lewalkedoutoftheexaminat
ionhallthen
pi
ckedherbagwheretheotherbagswere.Elang
al
sowalkedoutthenpi
ckedherbag.
“
Howwasi
t?”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Itwasf
ine.Iam goi
nghome.
”
“
Youar
enotst
ayi
ngt
ost
udy?
”
“
Ngng,
Iwantt
oseemama.Youcanst
ay.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.Let
’sgot
oget
her
.”
Theywalkedoutoftheschoolpremi ses.El
ang
l
ookedatherfri
endandswal lowed.Theywal ked
si
lent
lyheadedhome.El angpassedt heturnt oher
houseandwentstraightwit
hRet habil
e.From afar
shecouldseecarsparkedinfrontofthegat e.
Ret
habi
lef
rowned.“
Ther
ear
epeopl
eatourhouse.
”
ElangheldRet
habil
e’
shandastheyapproached.
Rethabil
e’
sheartr
acedastheywalkedt
hroughthe
gate.Zazawal
kedoutofthehouseandlookedat
them.
“
HeyThabi
…”
“Who’scar
sarethese?I
smamaher
e?Shewas
dischar
gedint
hemor ni
ng.
”
AuntyKeemiwal
kedout
.Shel
ookedather
daught
er.
“
Zaza,
goandhel
pint
hehouse.
”
Rethabil
elookedathermother
’sol
dersister
,her
heartpounding.Zazat
urnedandwalkedinsi
dethe
house.AuntyKeemi smil
ed.
“
Youar
esobi
gThabi
…”
“
Wher
eismama?
”
Shewalkedoverandhuggedherhol
dinghert
ight
ly.
“Imi
ssedyouThabi…”
“
Wher
eismama?
”
“
Iam sor
rymygi
rl
…Iam sor
ry.
.”
“
Aunt
ywher
eismama?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
.”
“
Isshesl
eepi
ng?
”
“
Shei
sgone.
”
Thabimovedbackandl
ookedather
.“Gonewher
e?
Shesaidshei
scominghome.”
“Shedi
dn’
tmakeit
.Thepai
nwast
oomuch.God
haslai
dhert
orest
.”
Thabishookherhead.“
Ngng…shegotdi schar
ged.
Sheisfi
ne.Shewasmuchbetteryest
erday.Sheis
fi
ne.
”
“
Shedi
edi
nthemor
ning.
”
Elangsni
ff
edastearsr
oll
eddown.Thabishookher
headasherauntt
riedt
otouchher
.
“
Mamai
sfi
ne…”
“Iam sor
ryThabi….Butsheputupagr
eatf
ight
.
Shewasst r
ong.”
Shel
aughedt
henst
oppedandl
ookedatEl
ang.
“
Iam sor
ryThabi
…”
“
Ispoket
omamal astni
ght
…Iwenttothehospi
tal
i
nthemorni
ng.Shehadbeendi
schar
ged.”
Herauntshookherhead.“
Shehadpassedonwhen
youarr
ived.
”
Shedr
oppedherbagt
hent
urnedandr
anout
.
“
Ret
habi
le!Thabi
le!Thabi
!”
Heraunthur
ri
edoutoft
hegat
e.
“
Thabi
le!
”
El
angputherbagdown.“
Iwi
l
lgoaf
terher
.”
“
Ok,
bri
ngherback…”
El
angwal
kedout
.

Att
hehospit
al,
Ret
habi
lewal
kedt
owar
dsher
mother
’snur
se.
“
Iwantt
oseemama.
”
Thenurselookedatherandswal
lowed.
“Ret
habil
e…”
“
Iwantt
oseemymot
her
.Takemet
owher
emy
mot
heri
s.”
“
Comeandsi
twi
thme.Come…”
Shet
ookherhandandl
edhert
othebenches.
“Yourmot her’
scancerhadspr eadout.Therewas
nothinganyonecouldpossiblydo.The
chemot herapywastoomuchonher ,shehadasked
ust ostopthetreat
mentbecauseei t
herway…i twas
justtoolat
e.Shehasbeeni nal otofpain.I
tsl
owly
kil
ledher.Sheleftt
hisforyou…”
Thenur
set
ookoutt
hel
ett
erf
rom herpocket
.
“
Shesai
dit
’sf
oryou…”
Rethabil
etookt
hel
ett
erandopenedi
t,herhands
shaking.

‘
DearRet
habi
le

IrememberwhenIgavebi rt
htoyou…Ihadbeeni n
l
aborf or8hoursorso.Mymot herdi
dn’
tknowIwas
pregnant,Iwasscar
edbutIknewIwaskeepingyou.
OnlyKeemiknew.Shewat chedmepushyouout
andwhenIhel dyouinmyhands, Iknewmyjoyhad
come.Myhappi ness.Il
ovedyouwaybeforeIgave
bir
tht
oyou.Youwer esobeautif
ul.Rightt
hereI
knewIwoulddoanythi
ngf oryou.Ilat
ergaveyoua
beaut
if
ulbr
otherandIloveyoubot hsomuch.

Ihavefoughtbutthetimehascome.Whenyou
readthi
s,Iwillbegonebutonlyphysical
lybecause
Iwil
lfor
everbei nyourheart
.Iam nowr est
ing.Iam
nolongerinpain.Youhavebeennot hingabeautif
ul
soul…don’tchangethat.RemainasmyThabi …t he
ThabiIknow.

Yourbrot
hernowonl yhasyou.Don’ tleavehim
Thabil
e.He’sallyouhave.Youonl yhaveeachot her
.
Loveandpr ot
ectoneanot her.Iknowit’
sgoingto
behardwithoutmamabutl if
egoeson.Youar e
goingtohavetobest r
ongandl eadyourbrother
.

IwishIcouldli
vetoseeyoumakei tinl
ifebutthi
s
i
slifeandwecan’talwayshaveitourway.Don’tlet
anyonetakethehouse.It
’syour
s,ri
ghtf
ullyso.I
t’
s
yourbrot
her’
shouse.
Ihavespokent oyourauntyandbeggedhert ot ake
youandBat ang.Shewon’thavetost aywithyouf ul
l
ti
mebecausesoonyouar egoingtoUB.Bat angi s
theonlyoneshewi l
lstaywithherti
llyoucant ake
him underyou.Don’
tagreetobesepar ated.Stick
together
.Don’tagr
eetobet akeninbyyouruncl e.
Hewant sthehouse.Hehasbeenwant ingitsince
mamapassedon.Hewasangr yt
hatmamagave
thehousetomeandnott ohim.

Mamahadaf arm.Inevertoldyouaboutit,
she
nevert
oldanyoneabouti t
.Itwasherfather
’sfar
m.
Thedocument soft
hatf arm ar
einthatboxunder
mybed.It’
snowyour s.Ilongchangedowner shi
pof
i
ttoyouandyourbr other.

Themoneyi nt
hebox, keepitt
il
lyoureal
lyneedi
t.I
spoketoLovemore,thatt
alent
edZimbabweanman
whomakescof f
ins.Ialr
eadypaidhim.Goandsee
him soyoucanchooseani ceoneforme.Letmebe
buri
edi
nmychurchuni
for
m.Iwantt
obebur
ied
besi
demymother.

From mycl othes,l

etBatangchoosesomet hi
nghe
want sbefor eotherrel
ati
vestakeanythi
ng.Therest,
l
ett hem take.IloveyousomuchRet habil
e.Iwil
l
foreverloveyou.I t
’soktocry…youcancr y.It
’sfi
ne
tocr y.Mamal ovesyousomuch, tel
lBatangIlove
him sosomuch.Letmer estnowmybaby…

Mama.
.’

Ret
habi
le’
stearsf
ellonthel
ett
er.Shel
ookedatt
he
nur
seandletoutaloudcryscr
eaming.
“
Mama!
”

*
**

Lat
ert
hatday,
Elangsatwi
thBat
angi
nthehouse
whi
let
hei
rauntpacedupanddownwor
ri
edl
y.
Zazalookedathermother.“
Mama, yourbl
ood
pressur
ehigh.Pl
easesitdown.Letherbe.
”
“Zachar
ia,mysisterisdead.Herdaught
erisno
wheretobef ound.Whatshei stryi
ngt
otakeherli
fe
whereversheis?Don’teveropenyourmouthifyou
havenothingint
ell
igenttosay!”
El
angwentonFacebookandpost
edapi
ctur
eof
Thabi
l
eagai
n.
‘
Pleasehelpusfi
ndmybestf r
iend.Shewaslast
seenatthehospi
tali
nherunif
orm.Pleaseshare…
hernameisRethabil
eKai
sara.’
El
angsighedandputherarmsar oundBat angwho
wassti
lli
nconfusi
on.Herphonevi br
ated.She
swal
l
owedst ar
ingatAtang’
snumbert henshe
st
oodupandwal kedoutsi
depickingthecall.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
IjustsawyourWhat
sAppst
atus,
whathappened?
”
Hi
svoicewassodeepandhusky, El
angtookadeep
br
eat
h.“Herauntt
oldherabouthermotherwhen
wecamebackhome.Sheranoutgoingt othe
hospi
tal
.WhenIgott
her
e,shehadal r
eadyleft
.Now
wecan’tf
indher
.Wehavelookedeverywhere.
”
“
Andherbr
other
?”
“
Hei
swi
thme.
”
“
Ok.Shar
p.”
Hehungup.Elanglookedar
oundhopi
ngtoseeher
walki
ngoverbutt
herewasnoone.Justdar
kness.
Tearsst
unghereyes.Shesni
ff
edashermother
cal
led.
“
Mama…”
“
Hasshebeenf
ound?
”
“
Ngng,
Iam scar
edmama…”
“Sheisf
ine.Shepr obabl
yjustneedssometi
me.
Youknowshel ovesherbrot
hersomuch.She
wouldneverleavehim.Areyougoi ngt
osl
eepther
e?
Icancomesoyoucansl eepinthecar.
”
“Iam wi
thBatang,i
t’
sfi
ne.Iwil
lwai
tforThabiher
e.
Shehasn’teat
enthewholeday,maybeyoucan
bri
ngsomef ood.”
“
Ok.
”
Elangwipedhert
earsandwalkedinsi
det
hehouse.
Somer el
ati
veshadstar
tedsi
ngingsomechur
ch
songs.
Elangsatdownandpul
ledBat
angcl
oserst
il
linher
schooluni
for
m.

*
**

Atangj umpedinhiscaratthelodgeandsatst
il
lfor
seconds.Hewasn’ tevensurewhyhehaddecided
tostayandnotleave.Hestartedtheengi
neand
reversedoutofthelodge.
Atangreachedforhi
sphonet henwenttothei
r
Facebookconversat
ions,hescrol
ledupt
il
lhegotto
themessageshehadt oldhim aboutt
heoneplace
sheli
kedtogosomet imes.
Hesloweddownr ol
li
ngdownhiswindowthen
askedfordi
recti
onsfrom ahawkeronthesi
deof
theroad.Heli
stenedcaref
ull
yanddroveoff
.
Hejoinedt hegravel
roadanddr oveforawhile
l
ookingf ortheBaobabtree.Hetookat ur
nseei ngi
t
onthesi deoftheroadandpar kedunderitt
hen
j
umpedout .Helookedattheriverf
rom adistance
andwal kedoverwonderingifshehadt hr
own
her
selfinside.
Hi
sphonevibrat
edinhispocket
,het
ookitoutand
l
ookedathismothercal
li
ng.Heputt
hephoneon
si
lentandl
ookedaround.
At
angsi ghedseei
ngherseatedonarocka
di
stancefrom hi
m.Heslowlywalkedover
, she
l
ookedathi mthentur
nedtotheri
veri
nsilence
“Iam sorr
yaboutyourmom.Don’
tyouwantt
ogo
home? ”
“
Iwantt
ogot
omymot
her
.”
Atangcrouchedbef
oreher
.“Youryoungerbr
other
needsyou.”
Rethabil
elookedathimt earf
ull
y.“Shesaidshewas
gett
ingdischarged…shesai dshewasgoi nghome.
”
Tearsroll
eddown.“ Ididn’
tsayIloveyouback…I
j
ustleft
.Iwantt odi
et oo.Iwanttodietoo…”
Atangstoodupandhel pedherup.Hewr appedhis
tatt
ooedvei
nedar m ar
oundherasshest art
ed
cryi
ngforherloss.Herpaincouldbehear dfr
om
hercri
es.Atangbendedandpi ckedherup.He
walkedtohiscarandputheratt hebackseat.
Rethabi
lecri
edsomuchi tact
uallyhur
t.
Heheldherconf
usedonwhatt
oevendot
omake
herpai
nstop.
“
Iwantmama…”
Heswal lowedt henleanedoverandbabykissedher.
Atangtouchedherchi nandfrenchki
ssedhersalt
y
softl
ips.Shecr iedbetweenthekiss,
hekissedher
harder,hishandonhert hickthi
gh.Hedickjer
kedin
hispantswaki ngupf rom i
t’
ssleep.
Hishandwentunderherschooldr esst i
llhe
touchedherpanty.At
angmovedhi slipsdownt o
herjawthenherneckwhi l
egentlypushingher
downt oli
eonherback.Heki ssedherneck, and
thenherli
pswhilehertear
sfellonthecarseat .Her
skinwassosof t
,heunzippedherdr essont hesi de
thentookitof
fwhileshecri
ed.Heunbut tonedher
shirtandt
ookitofffol
lowedbyherbra.Atang
touchedherfi
rm bigbreast
,hishear
traci
ngashis
dickgotevenharder.Heunzippedhi
spantsgivi
ng
i
tr oom.
Heleanedoverandki ssedhernipplethem opened
hismouthandgent lysucked.Sheletoutamoani n-
betweenhercr
ies.At angsuckedherhar der
squeezi
ngherot herbreast.Hemovedt otheother
oneandsuckedoni twhil
ehi sot
herhandwent
i
nsideherpanty.Het ouchedherthi
ckkuku.
Atangdr
oppedkissesdownherbel l
ybuttonthen
hookedherpant
ieswithhisthumbandpul l
edthem
out.Hel
ookedatherthickkukuandpartedherkuku
l
ips.Heswall
owedstaringatherf
laps.
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathi
m,hermi
ndsl
owl
ytaki
ngi
n
whatwashappeni
ng.
“
Atang…”
Atangl eanedoverandstart
edmuffi
ngher.Hesli
d
histonguedownhersl itt
asti
ngherj
uicesand
suckedherpussy.Ret habi
lemoanedatthe
unmat chedpleasure,
sheheldherbr
eath,hert
oe
cur
li
ng.
“
Ati
e…”
Sheraisedherheadandlookedathishead,her
ent
irebodystif
fenedasthepleasur
eburntherl
ike
wil
df i
re.Shecl
osedhereyesandopenedt hem
wil
dlyspasming.Herjui
cesgushedoutasshe
moanedl oudl
y,herbodyvi
brati
ng.
Atanggotupandki ssedherli
pslet
tinghertast
e
hersel
f.Hepulleddownhisbrief
sthenitsprungout
alli
nit
’sglor
y,pre-
cum al
readyoozingout.He
rubbedhimselfonherwetness,shewassowetand
ready.
Hemovedhi swaistsl
idi
ngupanddownhersl i
t
whil
egr untedinherear,
hishandstouchingher
everywhere.Shemoanedsof tl
yunderneathhi
s
chest,hekissedherpushingatherentr
ance.
Herubbedhimsel
fonherandpushedevenmor
eat
hert
inykukuhol
e.
Rethabi
lef
rownedatthepressure,
Atangputhi
s
handsunderneat
hherbuttholdi
ngherand
#removed.
htt
ps:
//www. f
acebook.
com/gr
oups/
809549596663
175/?
ref=shar
e_group_
li
nk
.
.
Readtheremovedsceneatt
hegr
oupunder
announcement
.
Your
sTr
uly
#6

InAtang’scar,Ret
habi
leslowlyopenedhereyes.
Herheartskippedasshefelthim sl
ight
lymove
underneathher.Sheswall
owedasever ything
playedinherhead.Tearsf
ill
edhereyes, shegotof
f
him bumpingherheadont hecar’sroof
top.
“I
shi
i…”Shetouchedherheadt
henputherhands
onherbreastashewokeup.Hesatupr
ightand
swit
chedont hel
ight
.
Hel
ookedathert
ear
srol
li
ngdownhercheeks.
“
Hey-
“
“
Kebat
agoyal
apeng.*
(Iwantt
ogohome.
)”
“
Ok,
areyouok?
”
“Kesi
ame.Kebat
agoyal
apeng.(
Iam f
ine.Iwantt
o
gohome.
)”
Het riedtot
ouchherbutshemovedbackwi ping
hert earswi
ththebackofherhand.Ret
habil
e
pickedherbraandputitonashertearsconti
nued
roll
ingdown.
“Icanwal
kifyoucan’
tdr
opmeof
f.I
t’
scl
ose.I
knowashortcut.
”
“Iwi
lldr
opyouof f.
”Heputhi
shandsonherwaist
andlookedather.“
Ket agoi
sal
apeng.(
Iwi
llt
ake
youhome.)Don’tcry.
”
Shenoddedt henpickedherschoolshir
twi t
hthe
ShakaweSeni orSchoolemblem i
mprintedoni t
.
Sheputitherwaistcoveri
ngherleaki
ngkuku.He
reachedforthet-
shir
tandhelpedherputi ton.He
quickl
ybuttoneditupthenpi
ckedherdr essand
helpedherputiton.Hepull
edupt hezipthen
pi
ckedhermi
nimousef
ullpant
y.
“
Yourpant
yisni
ce.
”
Shelookeddownsil
entl
y.Hel
if
tedherlegandputi
t
thr
oughtheholef
oll
owedbytheotherleg.She
l
ift
edhersel
fupsl
ightl
yashepull
editup.
“
Areyoui
npai
n?”
“
No.Iwantt
ogohome.
”
“
Got
othef
ront
.Justj
umpover
.”
“
Ishoul
dst
epont
hecarseat
s?”
“
Yeah.Jumpover
.Iam goi
ngt
otakeal
eak.
”
Heopenedthedoorandsteppedoutoft hecar.
Rethabi
lej
umpedoverandt ri
edtoseatbuther
pussywassosor ei
tfel
tli
kesomeonehadbur nther.
Shemovedt othesi
desli
ghtlysoshecouldsitwith
onebutt
.Atangopenedthedriver
’sdoorandgotin
thecart
henstart
edtheengine.
“
DoyouwantPanado?
”
“
Rra?
”
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Doyouwanta
pai
nki
ll
er?
”
“
Nyaar
ra.
”
“
Lor
rai
ne…”
Shelookeddown.Heturnedherfacet
ohim and
l
ookedatherlips.Hel
ickedhi
slowerl
ipandleaned
overthenki
ssedher.
“
Areyoui
npai
n?Lookatme.
”
Shel
ookedi
niseyesandnodded.
“
Ok.
”
Heopenedthecompactandt
ookoutasachetof
pai
nki
ll
ers.Hehandedt
hem t
oher
.”
“
Iwi
llgetwat
eratasuper
mar
ket
.”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Shelookedoutthr
ought hewi
ndowashedr oveof
f.
Hepar kedhi
scaratasupermarkerthenquickl
ygot
out.Shewatchedhim ashewalkedinsi
de,afew
minuteslat
erhewalkedbackholdi
ngapl asti
c.
“Thepharmacywascl
osed.Iwil
lgetyout
he
emergencypil
lst
omor
row.Take…”
Hehandedhert heplasti
c.Rethabil
eopenedand
tookoutwat ert
hendrankthepill
sasAt angdrove
herhome.20mi nut
eslat
erhepar kedacrossthe
house,shelookedoverandlookedatt hepeople
gather
edi nhermother’
syard.Minutespassedas
shestared,shecouldseeotherscryi
ngwhi l
eother
s
j
ustsat.
Tear
sit
chedhereyes,
shesni
ff
ed.“
Thankyou.
”
“
It
’sok.Iam sor
ry…”
“Mamai
sal
ive,
Iam goi
ngt
owaitf
orher
.Shesaid
shei
scomi
nghomesoIam goi
ngtowai
tforher
.”
Sheopenedt
hedoorandst
eppedoutt
henputt
he
pl
ast
iconthecarseat
.
“
Takei
t,i
t’
syour
s.”
Shelookedatitt
hentookit
.At angwat
chedheras
shewalkedtowardsthegat
et henputhi
shandson
hisf
ace,gui
ltyweighi
nghim down.

*
**
Rethabil
ewalkedpastt hecrowdastheystar
edat
her.Shewalkedinsidethehouseandlookedatthe
ful
lhouse.Theyhadpushedhermot her
’ssofas
againstt
hewall.Otherpeoplewereseat
edont he
fl
oor.Herauntrai
sedherheadf rom t
hemat t
ress
shewassi t
ti
ngonwi t
hBat ang.
“Thabi
!”Shest
oodupandhuggedher
.“Thankyou
God.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatherbr
otherwhoseemedl
ost
.
“
Iam f
ineaunt
y…”
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“
Iwasatt her
iver
.Mamadoesn’ tl
ikehersof
asli
ke
t
hat
.Icleanedthehouse.Idon’
twanthertofi
nd
t
hem l
ikethat
.Shedoesn’tl
ikei
t.”
Herauntnodded.“
Ok…wewi
llpusht
hem back.
”
“
Iam t
ir
ed.Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.Bat
ang,
come…”
Batangstoodupandl
ookedatisol
dersi
ster
.“Tha-
Tha-Thabi
,m-m-mamaisdead?
”
Ret
habil
eshookherhead.“
No.Shesaidsheis
cominghome.Wearegoingtowai
tforher.Shei
s
comi
ng.
”
Herauntsni
ff
ed.“
Thabi
…shei
sgone.
”
“Aunty,kekopaosekawar ial
o.(Pleasedon’tsay
that.
)It’
sbadlucktosaysuchthings.Mamasai d
sheiscomi nghome.Theymadeami stakeatthe
hospital
.Mamai scominghome.Shei scomi ng.
Pleasestopcryi
ng…whyar eyoucr ying?”Tears
fi
ll
edhereyesashervoi ceshook.“Whyar eyou
cryi
ng?Shei scominghome.Bat angandIwi llwait
forherhere.”
AuntyKeemil
ethertear sfal
lunabl
et oremai n
str
onganymore.Shel ookedathersister’
schildr
en
andstar
tedcr
ying.Shesl owlyknel
tcrying.She
cri
edsomuch,event hosewhower enotcr ying
beguncryi
ngsil
entl
y.
“Lel
omocomeback!Whatam Isupposedt odo?
Godbr i
ngherback!Thi
spainistoomuch…These
kidsaretooyoungGod…Ket asimolahakae?
(Wheream Isupposedtost
art?)Lel
omocome
back..
”
Ret
habi
let
ookherbr
other
’shandandl
edhi
mto
thei
rroom.Shegotinwit
hhim andsatont
hebed.
Batangtear
ful
lyl
ookedatissi
ster
.
“
Thabi
…m-
m-mama…”
Rethabi
leat
earthathadfal
lendownhi
scheek.
“Sheiscomi
ng.Don’tcr
y.”
“
Thabi
…”
Shewrappedherarmsaroundhim.Thedoorsl
owly
openedthenEl
angwalkedin.Shecl
osedthedoor
andwalkedovert
henputherarmsaroundbothof
them.
“Iwassoscared.Wherewereyou?Isawthatyou
cameinAtang’scar
.Ishetheonethatf
oundyou?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“
Att
her
iver
.”
El
angsni
ff
edt
hest
rongmal
escent
.
“
Yousmel
lli
kehi
m.”
“
Iwasi
nhi
scar
.”
“
Iwasinhiscart
oot
hatday.
”Elangl
etgoand
l
ookedather
.“Di
dhehugyou?”
“
Ng…”
“Doyoul i
kehim?Hedoesn’ tlookli
keagoodman.
Hehast att
oosandhei sscarry.Idon’
tthi
nkwe
shouldbetalki
ngtohi m.Gapehel aIam surehe
hashistypekoGabor one,Idon’tt
hinkhedatesgirl
s
l
ikeyou.Hewasonl ywi t
hyoubecauseyouhadl ied
tohim.Andyouar et ooyoung.Menl i
kehi
ml ikebig
womanwhowor k,
esengr onayaana.Hedoesn’ t
evenli
keyou. ”
Rethabil
el ookedather.El
angheldherhand.“Ithi
nk
weshoul dst ayawayfrom t
hatman.Hel ooksli
kea
devilworshipper.Heisnotgood.Peopl
ear e
dif
ferentont hephone.Helooksli
kehebeat s
woment oo.Didyouseehowbi ghishandi s?Even
hisvoiceisscarry.Nnakeamot shaba.(
Iam
scaredofhi m.)”
“
Ok.
”
El
angl
ookedatherandsneezed.“
Mma,howlong
di
dheevenhugyou?Waitseyousmel
lli
kehewas
r
ubbi
nghi
sbodyonhi
m.”
“
Notl
ong.
”
“
Youshoul
dn’
thavel
ethi
m event
ouchyou.
”
“
Ng…”
“
EbileIam bl
ocki
nghi
m.Wedon’
tneedsuchi
nour
l
ives.It
houghthewasgoi
ngt
obeatus.
”
Rethabi
lesati
nsilencestari
ngatthewallslowly
zoningout
.Shestoodupawhi l
elaterandlaid
Batangdown.Elangyawnedt henfrownedst ar
ing
atawetstainonRet habi
le’
sbutt
.
“
Somet
hingi
sonyourbut
t.
”
Ret
habi
letouchedherbut
t.“
Ithi
nkIsaton
somet
hingwet.”
Shetookoffherdr
ess.El
angl
ookedatt
hehi
ckeys
onherneckandherchest.
“
Whathappenedt
oyourneck?
”
Ret
habil
etur
nedt
othemi
rr
orandl
ookedatt
he
hi
ckeys.
“
Uh…I
-“
“
Heel
a,whatdi
dthi
smandot
oyou?
”
“
Ng?
”
“
Didhet
ouchyou?Whatdi
dhedo?
”
“
Not
hing.
”
‘
Thabi
…It
houghtwewer
ebestf
ri
ends…”
“
Wear
e.”
“Sowekeepsecr et
snow?I j
o!Aft
erIst
ayedwith
yourbrot
herthewholeday,wait
sethi
sfri
endshi
pis
onesided.I
t’
sli
keIam forci
ngmyselfonyou
wait
seThabile.
”
“
Butnot
hing-
“
“
Ebi
leomaakat
hisdays!Peopl
echange.
”
“Hekissedme.Andputi
tin.Idon’
tknowhowit
happened.I
tjust
…”Sher
ubbedhereyes.“Hej
ust
didi
t.
”
“
Didwhat
?Sex?
”
Thabil
enodded.El
angputherhandoverhermout
h.
“Herapedyou?”
“
Idon’
tknow,
I-“
“Hedi
d!That’
srape.Weneedtoreportt
hisman.I
l
ongsawit.Howcanhet akeadvant
ageofyour
pai
n?”
Aunt
yKeemiopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.El
ang
l
ookedather
.
“
Amanr
apedherwhenshewasatt
her
iver
.”
“
What
?Thabi
le?
”
Thabi
l
elookedatheraunt
.“Ma?
”
“
Whoi
she?Doyouknowhi
m?”
Elangnodded.“
Sheknowshim onFacebook.He
rapedher,
shewasavirgi
n.”
AuntyKeemil
ookedatherni
ece.“
Putonyour
uni
form.Wearegoi
ngtothepoli
cest
ati
onright
now!”
.
.
.
MerryChri
stmasever yone , hopeyoubl essed
ones.YetanotherChrist
maswear etogether,Iam
morethanjustgratef
ulforyoursuppor tandlove.I
hopewehavemor eChr i
stmasestogether.Ilove
youall
,Iwouldn’tbeherewithoutyou.
Your
s…Fez
Your
sTr
uly
#7

Atthepol
icestat
ion,
Rethabil
esteppedoutofher
aunt’
scartoget
herwithheraunt
.Herlookedoverat
her.
“Don’
tworry,
theywi
llcat
chhi
m.Hei
sgoi
ngt
ojai
l.
Ibel
ieveyou.
”
Rethabi
leswal
lowed.“
Peopl
ear
egoi
ngt
otal
k
aboutme.”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
.Iwi
llst
andwi
thyou.
”
“
Theyar
egoingt
ot al
kaboutmekoskolongcal
l
ing
memorenamesthantheyal
readycal
lme.Hedidn’
t
r
apeme.
”
“Thabi
,i
t’
sokmygi r
l.Iknowyouar
escared.I
t’
s
normaltobescar
ed.Whatyouwentthr
oughis
traumat
i-
“
“
Hedi
dn’
trapeme.I
twasn’
trape.
”
“
Thabi
le-
“
“
Hedi
dn’
trapemeaunt
y…”
Herauntl
ookedathert
ears.“
Thabi,t
her
eisno
needtobescar
ed.Iam her
e.Iam heret
oprot
ect
you.Noonewil
ltal
kaboutyou.”
“
Hedi
dn’
trapeme.Iwantt
ogohome.
”
“
Ifhedi
dn’
trapeyou,
whatdi
dhedo?
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathershaki
ng.“
Hehuggedme.
Andki
ssedme.”
“
That
’sal
l?Huh?
”
“Hedidn’
trapeme.Hef
oundmeatt
her
iverand
broughtmebackhome.
”
“Youarescar
ed…waiti
nthecar.Iwil
ltal
ktot
he
poli
ce.I
t’
sokmygir
l.Si
tinthecar.
”
Rethabilegotint
hecarsni
ffi
ngthentookout
Elang’
sr ingi
ngphonef
rom herback.El
anghad
givenittohersoshewouldshowAt ang’
spict
uret
o
thepolice.
Shel
ookedat‘
AtangDanger
'cal
li
ngt
henpi
cked
andputt
hephoneonherear.
“
Hi,
letmespeakt
oRet
habi
le.
”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Hel
lo…”
Hisvoicesoft
ened.“
Hey,
didyoudr
inkt
he
painki
ll
ers?
”
“
No.Notyet
.Iwi
lldr
inkt
hem.
”
“Ok.Ij
ustgotaworkcall
.Theyneedmeatwork
tomorr
ow.Ishoul
dhavegonebackt odaymor
ning…
Iam goi
ngnow.Willyoubeok?”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“Iwil
lcomebackinacoupl
eofdays.ButIwantt
o
giveyoumoneyfort
heemer gencypi
ll
.Shoul
dI
comebyordoanewal l
et?”
“
Isti
llhavet
hatP100yougaveBat
ang.Icanbuy
wit
hthatmoney.
”
“Ngng,t
hat’
shi
smoney.Notyour
s.Iwi
llgi
veyou
your
s.Kete?
”
“
Youcansendi
t.I
t’
sst
il
lfi
ne.
”
“
Ok.ButIwantt
oseeyou.Ar
epeopl
est
il
lawake?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok,t
henyoucansneakout
.Iwi
llcomei
nanhour
.
Thatshoul
dbefi
ne.”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Pleasedr
inkt
hepai
nki
ll
ers.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Youneedyourownphone.
”
“
Iwi
llbuyonewhenIgetmyal
lowance.Iam goi
ng
t
obuyanicephone.
”
Atangchuckl
ed.“That
’smonthsfr
om now.You
needatemporaryonetil
lyoucanaff
ordyour
sel
f
one.”
“
Idon’
thavemoney.
”
“
Iwi
llgi
veyou.
”
“
Youdon’
thavet
o.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
o.”
“
Butyouarest
il
lpayi
ngl
oans.Yousai
dyour
f
inancesar
eti
ght.
”
Helaughed.“
Ican’tbel
ieveIwassohonestwi
th
youthinki
ngIam t
elli
nga26yearoldwomanand
yetIgotonebigl
iefrom an18yearol
dgirl
…now
woman. ”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It’
sinthepast.Let
’sl
eaveit
.IknowIam under
t
ightbudgetbutIcanaff
ordaP500phone.Iwil
l
j
ustdri
nkwat er.
”
“Don’
tfor
gett
oaddsugari
nthewat
er.I
tmakesi
t
bett
er.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Iwi
lldothat
.Ihear
dyourf
ri
endear
li
er,
t
her
eisnofoodathome?”
“Si
ncemamahasbeenatt hehospit
al,
shehasn’
t
beenworki
ng.Iworkabi
tonweekendsbutithasn’
t
beenenough.El
anghavebeenhelpi
ngus.”
“
Wher
edi
dshewor
k?”
“Shemakesbaskets.Nicebeauti
fulbasketsand
shesewstradi
ti
onalclothes.Wehadal it
tleshop
butwehadt ocl
oseitbutwenor mallysellto
tour
ist
s.Imakejewelr
yal ongsi
dewi thher.”
“
Youar
eal
soat
ail
or?
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Yes,butIam notasgoodas
mamabutIhavebeendoingherorder
s.”
“
Soyoudependonyourf
ri
endf
orf
ood?
”
“
Somet
imes.
”
“
Idon’twantyoudoi
ngthatanymor
e.I
fther
eisno
f
ood,youtel
lme.Idon’
tli
keher.
”
“Youdon’
tknowherwel
l.Shei
sagoodperson.She
hasstoodbyme.Wehavebeenfr
iendsf
orm 1.She
i
smyonl yfr
iend.
”
“Iknow.Iam notsayingstopbeingf
ri
endswit
hher.
Ijustdon’
tli
keher.That’
sall
.Ifyouwantsomet
hing.
Tellme.Ok?”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Herauntwal
kedoutoft
hepol
icest
ati
onwi
tha
f
emalepoli
ceoff
icer
.
“
Ihavet
ogo.Bye.
”
Shequickl
ydroppedt
hecal
l.Herauntopenedt
he
doorf
orher.
“
ComeThabi
…youcant
alkt
oher
.”
Ret
habil
el ookedatthepol
iceof
fi
cershaki
ng.The
pol
iceof
ficersighed.
“
Come,
mme,
letmet
alkt
oheral
one.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theywalkedi
nsi
det
hepol
icest
ati
onandt
oget
off
ice.
“
Sitdown.
”
Ret
habi
lesatdownandl
ookedather
.
“
Howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
18year
sol
d.”
“
Youhaveaboyf
ri
endr
ight
?”
“
He-
“
“Youdo.Noneedtoexpl
ainyour
sel
f.Yout
wohad
sextoni
ghtaker
e?”
Ret
habi
lenoddedl
ooki
ngdown.
“
Didhedoi
twi
thf
orce?Washef
orci
ngyou?
”
“
No.
”
“
Didyoul
ikei
t?Wasi
tni
ce?
”
Ret
habi
lesi
lent
lyl
ookeddown.
“Rethabil
e,l
ookatme.Yourauntwant storeport
rape.Rapeisaser iousmat t
er.Ifyoureportrape,i
t
meanshewi llgot herejailbecausewear egoingto
takeyout obeexami nedandsi nceIam hearingyou
wereavi rgi
n, i
tmeanshebr okeyourhymen.You
areprobablybr uisedandswol lenrightnowno
wonderyouar ewal kingthewayyouar ewalking.I
t
won’tlookgoodf orhimi fyour eport.I
sthatwhat
youwant ?Wasi tnice?”
“
Yes.
”
“Doyouwantt oreporthi
mt osaveyoursel
ffrom
thebacklashyouaregoingtogetforopeningyour
kegstoamanyoupr obablyloveandlethi
m be
jail
edsoyoucanl i
veinregretoryouwanttodot he
rightt
hing?”
“
Itwasn’
trape.
”
“Ok.Thentherei
snocase.Tellyourauntheisyour
boyfr
iendandyoulethi
m becauseyoudi daker
e?
Youcoul dhavesai
dnoRethabile.Youcoul
dhave
saidstop.Di
dyousayanyofthosewor ds?”
“
No.
”
“Goandtellyourauntaboutyourman.Iam sor
ry
aboutyourmom. ”
Rethabi
lestoodupandwalkedoutt
othecar
.She
gotinandlookedatheraunt
.
“
Didt
heyopent
hecase?
”
“Idon’twanttor epor
tandhavepeoplegossi
pme.
Everyonewillknowandf orevert
alkaboutme.God
willpuni
shhim.Ij ustwanttogohomeandwai tfor
mama.Pl easet akemehomeAunt y.
”
Herauntsi
ghedsadl
y.“
Didheuseacondom?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Iam sorr
y.Ishoul
dhavedonebet t
er.Ishoul
dhave
l
ookedforyoumore.Iam sorr
ymygi rl
.Lel
omo
mustbeweepingwhereversheis.
”
Shehuggedher.Rethabi
lesi
ghedwr
appi
ngher
ar
msar oundhertoo.

*
**

Athome,Rethabi
lewal
kedi
nherr
oom andf
ound
El
angseatedonthebed.
“
Whatdi
dthepol
icesay?
”
“
Idi
dn’
trepor
t.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Hedi
dn’
trapemeEl
ang.
”
“Soyouwil
li
ngl
yopenedyourl
egsf
oramanyou
don’
tevenknow?”
“
Iknowhi
m.”
“
From Facebook?Ar
eyoul
ist
eni
ngt
oyour
sel
f?”
“
Ijustwantt
osl
eep.
”
“
Ican’
tbeli
eveyouopenedyourlegsforamanyou
j
ustmet.Iwasworr
iedsickaboutyouwhil
eyou
wer
ebusyopeni
ngyourl
egsf
ormen!
”
“
Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Bri
ngmyphone.Iam goi
nghome.
”
Ret
habi
leunl
ockedt
hephonet
hent
ext
edhi
m.
Ret
habi
le:Iam gi
vingbackthephone.Don’
ttextor
cal
lont
hisnumberanymor e.
Hequi
ckl
yrepl
ied.
At
ang:Cool.Iam comi
ngnow.Wi l
lbeher
einten
mi
nutes.Iwil
lparkwher
eIdroppedyouoff.
Rethabi
ledel
etedt
hemessagesthenhisnumberas
gavebackthephone.El
angsnat
cheditandangr
il
y
walkedout.
Ret habil
eclosedthedoorandl aidont hebed
besi desherbrot
hercountinginherhead.Mi nutes
l
at ershegotupandsl i
dherf eetinherf l
ipfl
ops.
Sheopenedherwi ndowt hankfulithadnobur gl
ar
bar sthenjumpedoutandcl osedi tsli
ghtl
y.She
grabbedt hebucketatthebackoft hehousethen
steppedoni tandjumpedovert hefence.
Herhear
tpoundedasshehur
ri
edwher
ehehad
droppedher,heflashedhisl
ightsoncethenshe
walkedtothecar.Atangleanedoverandopened
thedoorforher.Rethabi
legotinandclosedthe
doorthenturnedtohim.
At
angl
eanedoverandki
ssedher
.
“
Iam goi
ng.Iwi
llbebackbef
oret
hebur
ial
.”
“Mymotheri
snotdead.Shei
sgoi
ngt
ocome
home.
”
Helookedatherandnodded.“
Ok.Cal
lmewhen
youneedanythi
ng.Iwi
llsendt
hemoneytoyour
fr
iend’
snumber.”
“
Ok.
”
“Goandgetani cephone.Iwil
lgi
veyoumoreifi
t’
s
notenough.From ther
eyoucangettheemer
gency
pil
l.Andfoodifneeded.Getasi
m car
dandcallme
i
mmedi at
ely.Ok?”
“
Ok.
”
Heki
ssedheragai
n.“
Goandsl
eep.
”
Shegotof
fthecarandhurr
iedbackhome.At
ang
st
art
edhiscaranddroveof
fewall
ett
ingt
hemoney.
*
**

AtElang’
shouse,
Elang’
sphonevi
brat
edfr
om
underherpi
ll
ow.Shetooki
tandopenedt
he
message.

FNB DATANGsentyouP2800.00.Getcashat
CashPluspart
nerorPressPROCEEDatFNBATM.
PIN26434,i
svali
dfor16hrs.I
fPI
Nexpir
ed,dial
*130*
392#

Herheartski
ppedasshelookedatt
hemoney.She
putherhandonherchestandswall
owed.

FEW DAYSLATER…
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#8

AFEW DAYSLATER…

Rethabi
lel
ookedatthecoffi
nsear
lymor
ning.
Lovemorelookedathersadl
y.
“
Youcanchoosebet
weent
hoset
hree.
”
Herl
ipst
rembledasshest
aredatt
hecof
fi
ns.
Bat
angpoint
edatone.
“
Thi
-Thi
sone.
”
Lovemor
ewal
kedoverandopenedt
hebr
owncof
fi
n.
“
Thi
sone?
”
“
Y-yes.
”
Hel
ookedatRet
habi
le.“
Thabi
?”
Painchockedherasshest
aredati
t.Shepressed
herli
pstoget
herhol
dingi
tinandnodded.
“Ok.Iam sorryforyourlossThabi .Iknowwhatyou
aregoingthrough.Ihavebeent here.Iknowthe
pain.Thedenial.Iknowthehope.Iknowt he
sleepl
essnights.Iknowi tall
.Itwon’tgetbett
er…
notnow.Af t
eral lt
herel
at i
vesar egone…t hefuner
al
willst
artt
hen.Iam sor r
yThabi .”
Shelookeddowncr yi
ngsilentl
y.Hewalkedover
andhuggedher.“Buttimewi l
lpass.Thewoundwil
l
heal
.Andyouwi l
lforeverhavethememor i
es.”
Shesni
ff
edcryi
ng.Lovemoremovedbackas
Ret
habi
lewi
pedawayhert ear
s.
“
Yourmotherhasal
readypai
dsoi
t’
sok.Doyou
wantt
ranspor
ttot
hehospit
al?
”
“No.Myuncl
ebroughthi
svan.Hewi
llcar
ryi
t.
ThankyouLovemore.
”
Hesmi l
ed.“Mynamei sact
uall
ynotLovemor
e.My
brot
herisLovemore.Wedot hi
stoget
her,
Iam t
he
youngerbrot
her.Far
ai.
”
“
Sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
.”
“
Iwi
llgoandcal
lmyuncl
e.”
Rethabi
lewal
kedouttoherauntwhowaspar
ked
behindherol
derbr
other
.
“
Wehavechosen.
”
“
Okmygi
rl
.Letmet
ellyouruncl
e.”
Ret
habil
e’
sphonerangf r
om herj
acket
’spocket.
Shetooki
toutandsteppedbackansweri
ngAt ang’
s
cal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
Iam passingGumar
e.Iwil
lbetherei
nless
t
hant
wohour s.Di
dyouchoosethecoff
in?
”
“Yes.Wearegoi
ngtotakeherf
rom t
hehospi
taland
bri
ngherhome.”Hervoi
ceshook.
“
Iwi
llbet
her
e,keet
a.”
“
Ok.
”
Rethabi
lewat
chedasheruncl
est
eppedoutoft
he
t
ruckwithtwomen.
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llbet
her
einl
esst
hant
wohour
s.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandsl
i
dthenewphonebacki
nher
pocket
.

*
**

Justaft
erGumar
e,Atangpi
ckedhi
smot
her
’scal
l
dri
vingwit
honehand.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Ati
e…howar
eyoumybaby?
”
“
Mama,
your
eal
izeIam agr
ownmanaker
e?”
“
Youwi
llal
waysbemybaby.Godblessedmewi
th
t
woki
ds…onlytwo.Howar
eyou?”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Yourf
atheri
snothappy.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
Hesighedwonder
ingwhattotel
lher
.“Shewas
cheat
ingonmewi t
hhercoll
eagueatwork.I
deci
dedtoendtherel
ati
onshi
p.”
“Andwhydidyounott el
lus?Atang,
kanawepaid
magadifort
hatgir
l.Wehadcl ai
medherasour
s.
Herfat
herdemanded12k.Wegavet hatmoney
t
hinki
ngwear ebuil
dingaunion.”
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
ost
ressyou.
”
“St
ressme?At ang,Iam yourmother.It
’smyduty.
Youhavet ocomehomeandexpl aintothefamil
y
whathappened.From there,wearegoingtothat
famil
y.Theyneedtoexpl ai
nthemselvesandwear e
goingtocancelwhateverwehadagr eedon.That’
s
howt hi
ngsaredone.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
It
’sok.Sowhendi
dthi
shappen?
”
“
It
’sbeenf
ourmont
hs.
”
Shetookadeepbr eat
h.“
Itol
dyou.Whenyouf i
rst
broughtt
hatgir
ltome.Youhadjustmether.Two
yearsback.Thi
siswhatImeant
.Butit
’sfi
ne.
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oShakawet
oseeaf
ri
endwho’
slosta
mot
her.”
“
Oh,
sosor
ryt
oheart
his,
itmustbehar
donhi
m.”
“
Yes.
”
“
Kemang?Pr
ince?Ot
swaShakaweaker
e?”
“Nomama,Pr
ince’
smot heri
sfi
ne.Youdon’
tknow
him.I
t’
sawor
kmat e.Bye.”
“
It
’sawoman?Idon’ttr
ustBal
ete.Ngng…your
f
atheroncehadanaff
air
-“
“
Mama,
letmedr
ive.I
t’
snotawoman.
”
“Youar
emysonAt ang.Iknowi
twhenyouor
Agangisl
ying.I
t’
sawoman.Ihopeshe-“
Hedroppedthecallandlookedatthewomanont he
si
deoftheroadstandingbesidehercar
,herbonnet
open.
Atanglookedatthet
imethenlookedather
.She
fl
aggeddownhi scardesper
atel
y,hegotcl
oserand
recogni
zedher.Hestoppedthecarbesi
desher.
Zazasmiledopeni
ngthecardoor
.“Hi…ohJesus
thankyou.It
houghtnoonewouldeverf
indme.I…”
“
Eit
a,what
’sup?
”
“Ibor
rowedaf ri
end’scar
.Itjuststar
tedsl
owing
downt heni
tstopped.Idon’tknowwhat ’
swrong
withi
t.Iam goi
ngt omyaunt ’sfuner
al.
”
“
Iwoul
djumpstartyoubutIdon’
thavej
umper
s
wit
hme.Icangi
veyouar i
de.”
“
Ok.Letmel
ocki
t.Iwi
llseei
twhenIcomeback.
”
“
Yah.
”
Zazarushedoverandclosedthebonnett
hentook
herhandbag.Shelockedthecarandjumpedi
nthe
Amarok.
“
Thankyou.Youar
eal
wayssavi
ngme.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hesteppedontheaccel
erat
orspeedi
ngoff.She
l
ookedathisarmthenhi
swat chandhishands.She
t
ookadeepbr eat
handsmi l
ed.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oseemygi
rl
.”
Herheartsank.Ok…heobvi ouslyhadagirl
fr
iend.
Suchmenwer eneversi
ngle.Itdidn’
tmakesense
foramanl ikehi
mt oevenbesi ngleunl
ess
somethingwaswr ongwithhim.Hewast al
l,
buff
andhadt hatvoi
cethatwoulddr i
veanywoman
crazy.
Zazasmil
ed.“
Sheisluckytohaveyougoi ngupand
downli
kethi
s.If
orgottotakeyournumbert hat
ti
mesoIcanthankyoupr oper
lyforsavi
ngmef rom
deat
h.”
“I
t’
sok.Yout
hankedmeenough.I
tcoul
dhavebeen
anyone.
”
“Youri
skedyourl
if
e.I
tcoul
dhaveat
tackedyou.
Thankyou.”
“
Sur
e.”
Zazat
ookoutherphoneandt
ext
edherf
ri
end.
Zaza:Mma!Ibumpedi
ntot
hathunkagai
n!!
Fr
iend:Youl
ie!
Zaza;It
ell
ingyou.Bat
hongwai
tset
hisman…mma
wai
tsesomemanar
ejustt
hei
t.
Fr
iend: osi
mol
otseZaza
Zaza:Iam tel
li
ngyou.Hei shothot!Hei
s
Hedeser vestobeintheMen’smagazine.Heist
he
typethatdeservesever
ygoodt hi
ng.Hedeser
ves
peaceandgoodsexever yti
mehedemandsi t
.
Fr
iend:Iwantt
oseehi
m!
Zaza:Wai
t.
.
Zazaadjust
edherseatandsatatanangl
e.She
tookhi
m asidepi
ctureandsenti
ttoherf
ri
end.
Fr
iend:HEY!
!!
”
Zaza: t
oldyou.
Fr
iend:what
’shi
snameagai
n?
Zaza:Idon’
tknow.Iam goi
ngt
oaskt
oday.Hehas
agirl
fr
iendbuti
onkheeee!
Fri
end:Whocaresanymoremma?Wait
set
hose
tat
toos…ekar
eLanceGrossi
nShamaarMoor
.
Zazasmil
edandcont
inuedchat
ti
ngt
oherf
ri
end
whil
eAtangdr
oveinsi
lence.
*
**

I
nShakawe,ever
yonegat
heredatt
hegr
aveyar
d
l
atert
hatmorni
ngwhil
esingi
ng.
Rethabil
estoodwi thherbrotherst
ari
ngather
mother’
scof fi
n.Herchurchmember ssang
beauti
full
y,everyonejoi
ningin.Tear
sroll
edasshe
l
ookedathermot her’
spor t
rai
tontopofthecoffi
n.
Itwasanol dpicturet
hathadbeent akenbefor
ethe
cancer.
Sherememberedthatdaysowell
.Shelookedatt
he
smil
erememberingexact
lywhatshehadbeen
smil
ingabout
.
Herauntstoodbesidesher.Theyslowlybegun
l
oweringthecoff
insinging.Thepastorsaidaprayer
astheythrewahandf ulofsoili
nsi
de.Rethabi
le
l
ookedattheboxt henshel ookedatthemen.
“
Takeherout
….Takeherout
!”
Herauntpul
ledherbackast
heyst
art
edf
il
li
ngt
he
gr
avewithsoi
l.Ret
habi
lef
oughtf
rom hergr
ip
cr
ying.
“
Stop!Takeherout
.Mama!Takeherout
!Mama!
”
Heruncle’
swif
ewalkedoverandhel
pedpul
lher
back.Shescr
eamedcryi
ng.“Mama!Youareki
ll
ing
her!St
op!”
Bat
angsi
lent
lycr
iedwat
chi
nghi
ssi
ster
.
“
Mama!St
op!Takeherout
!Mama!
”
Ot
herr
elat
ivesl
ookeddowncr
yingt
ooasshecr
ied.
“
Leaveme!Mama!
”
Themenf i
ll
edthegrave.Rethabi
le’
sauntlethergo.
Shedroppedthegr
oundcr yi
ngandcr awledtothe
heapofsoil
.Shest
arteddiggingoutwit
hherhands.
“
Mama!Mama!
”
Elangt
earf
ull
ywat chedherfri
endt
ogetherwit
h
someclassmates.At earr
oll
eddown.Shelooked
downandsilent
lycried.
Li
ghtdr
oplet
sofrai
nstartedf
all
ingont
hem.
Ret
habi
leconti
nuedtr
yingtodi
goutthesoi
l.
.
.
.

Your
sTr
uly
#9

Herauntt
ear
ful
lywal
kedover
.
“
Thabi
,shei
sgonemygi
rl
…”
“
Shei
ssuf
focat
ingaunt
y…l
et’
sgetherout
.”
“
Thabi
…”
“
Hel
pme…shei
sgoi
ngt
odi
e.”
Ther
aindr
opl
etsgotheavi
er.
“
Thabi
,l
et’
sgo.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngwi
thoutmama.
”
“
Ret
habi
le,
let
’sgo!
”
“
Iam notgoi
ng.
”
Ar
elat
ivewal
kedover
.
“
Keemi
.Letherbe.
”
“
It
’sr
aini
ng…”
“
Letherbe.Lethercr
yforhermot
her
.”
AuntKeemigotupsl
owlyandt
ookBatang’
shand.
Hepull
edhishandbackandwal
kedovertohi
m
si
ster
.
“
Th-
Th-
thabi
…let
’sg-
g-go.
”
Ret
habi
lecr
iedevenmor
e.“
Mama!
”
Keemiwalkedoverandpi
ckedhersi
ster
’ssonwi
th
ever
ystr
engthshehad.
“
Shewi
llcome.
.let
’sgo.
”
Shewal
kedawaytoget
herwi
theveryoneel
seas
somehurr
iedt
othei
rscar
sandothershurr
iedback
tot
hehouseonfoot
.
El
anglookedatherfri
endthenturnedandwalked
awayescapi
ngf r
om therai
n.Ami nutel
atert
here
wasnoone,justher
.Rethabil
estoppeddiggi
ngand
l
aidontopofthegraveastherainpouredonher.
*
**

At
angpar
kedout
sidet
hegat
e.Zazasmi
led.
“
Thankyousomuch.What
’syournameagai
n?”
“
Atang.I
t’
sok.
”
“It
hinkIshoul
dtakeyournumberf
ort
hef
utur
e.
Youhavehelpedmedomuch. ”
“I
t’
sallgood.
”Her
eachedforhi
sbr
other
’sbusi
ness
cardandhandedi
ttoher
.
Zazal
ookedathi
sname.“
Agang…It
houghtyou
sai
dAtang.
”
“
Ngng…it
’sAgang.Youmi
shear
d.Youcancal
lme
t
her
e.”
Zazal
ookedathi
sbusi
nesscar
dagai
nsmi
li
ng.
AgangDani
el
Physi
other
api
st
Shesmi
led.“
Iwi
llcal
l.Thankyou.
”
“
Hasyourauntbeenbur
iedal
ready?
”
“
Uhl
etmeask.
”
Sherol
leddownthewindowandaskedawoman
hol
dinganumbrell
aoverheadwal
kingt
hrought
he
gat
e.
“
Dumel
ang,
ist
hebur
ialdone?
”
“Yes.Everyonehasl
eftt
hegr
aveyar
dexcept
Rethabil
e.”
“
Int
her
ain?
”
“
Yes.Shei
shur
ti
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Zazsl
ookedatAt
ang.“
Yes,
it’
sdone.
”
“
Wher
eist
hegr
aveyar
d?”
“
Oh…youseet hatroadwher epeoplearecoming
f
rom.St
rai
ghtyougo, yout akeyoursecondlef
t
t
hengostr
aight.Youwillseeit.Why?”
“
Justaski
ng.Ihavet
ogo.
”
Zazasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Shest eppedoutandhur ri
edt othehousewhi l
eit
rai
ned.At angdr oveoffheadedt othegraveyard.He
parkedhiscari nsideandl ookedaround.Hiseyes
fel
lonher ,hequi ckl
ysteppedout .Heshudderedas
thecoldrainfellonhim.Het ookoffhisl
eather
j
acketandt hr
ewi tinthecart henwalkedover
wearinghi sboots.Hecr ouchedbef or
eherand
touchedher .
“
Thabi
…”
Sher
emai
nedst
il
lont
opoft
hegr
ave.
“
Thabi
…let
’sgo.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Pleasehel
pmedi
gherout
..
.”
“
Babeshei
sgone.Shei
srest
ingnow.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Shei
sdyi
ngi
nsi
det
her
e.”
“Thabi…youknowyourmom l ovedyou.Shei
snow
rest
ing.Shei
snotinpainanymor e.Shei
snot
cryi
nganymore.Letherrest
…shei sgone.
”
“
Weneedt
odi
gherout
.Youdon’
tunder
stand.
”
Atangpickedherupandwal
kedwi
thhert
othecar
.
Shescreamedcr yi
ng.
“
Mama!Putmedown!
”
At
angputherinthecar
.Shetr
iedt
opushhi
m of
f
cr
ying.Hegr
abbedherhands.
“Stop!Yourmom i sdead.Asmuchasi tishardt o
comei ntot er
mswi t
h,that’
sreali
ty.That’
syour
reali
tygoingf or
war dnow.Iam notgoi ngt otellyou
howt of eelbecauseIhaveneverbeeni nyour
shoes,butIam sur ethatthewayyouar efeel
ingi s
thesamewayBat angi sfeel
ing.Forhimi t’
s
probablywor se.Heneedsyouasmuchasyouneed
him.Idon’ tknowyourmot herbutIknowshe
wouldn’twantyoui ntherainli
ket hi
s.Idon’twant
youint her ai
nlikethi
s.”
Shel
ookedathi
m shaki
ng.“
It
’st
oomuch…”
Hehuggedhertightl
y.Shebr okedownonhi schest.
Heheldherforminutesti
llshestoppedcryi
ng.He
l
aidherdownont hecarseatandcover edherwith
hi
sjacket
.Atangclosedthedoorandj umpedont he
dr
iver
’sseatwet
.Hel ookedatherf i
ghti
ngwithher
hi
ccupswhi
lesni
ff
ing.
“
Iam t
aki
ngyouhomet
oBat
ang.
”
Shest ar
edintonothingsni
ffi
ng.Atangstart
edthe
caranddr oveherhome.Hepar kedbyt hegatethen
steppedoutandpi ckedherupfrom thebackseat.
Heknockedont hedoorholdi
ngherinhi sar
ms.
Al
adyopenedt
hedoor
.
“
Dumel
ang…”
TheladylookedatRet
habi
lethenatt
heman.
“Thankyoumyson.Comei nsidewi
thher
.”
Atangwal kedi
nsi
dethef
ullhousewit
hpr
obabl
y
guests.Theladyl
edhimtothebathr
oom.
“
Putheri
nthebat
htubsoIcanbat
hher
.”
At
anggentl
yputherinthet
ub.Thel
adywal
kedout
.
At
angrubbedhercheek.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
.Iam sor
ryIcamel
ate.
”
Thel
adywal
kedbacki
nagai
n.
“
Thankyousomuchson.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Atangwalkedoutandgotinhiscar.Hest
art
edthe
engineanddroveoff.Hi
sphonerang,hel
ookedat
hisbrot
hercall
ing.
“
Yah?
”
“
IsZazapr
ett
y?”
“
Osi
amehel
a.Shei
sThabi
’
scousi
n.”
“Outoft
en,
howdoyour
ateher
?Idon’
twantugl
y
gir
ls.
”
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.Shei
san8.Ij
ustdon’
twanther
.”
“
Ok,
soyouwentt
oShakawe?
”
“
Shar
pmi
ster
.”
Aganglaughed.“
Ithoughtyouwer
enoti
ntoki
ds.
Whathappenedtoyou? ”
“
Voet
sekAgang!
”
“Youarealr
eadygoingupanddownforthisgi
rl
.
GaboronetoShakaweismorethanathousand
kil
ometer
saway…youwanther ?”
“
Shejustl
osthermother
.Iam j
ustbei
ngsuppor
ti
ve.
What
’swrongwitht
hat?”
“Whyareyougett
ingdef
ensive?Mistercal
m down.
Aslongassheisnotunder
age, youaregood.
”
Atangcli
ckedhistongueandhungup.He
thought
ful
lylookedathi
sphoneabouttocal
lher
butthensighed.Hewouldwai
tabitl
onger.

*
**

AtRethabi
le’
shome,Keemidr
essedupherni
ecei
n
warnclot
hesandsighed.
“
Comeandjoi
nus.Wear
eaboutt
odi
scussaway
f
orwar
d.”
Shestoodupandwalkedout.Shet
ookouther
phonewalki
ngtothebathr
oom.Shelockedher
sel
f
i
nsidecal
li
ngherhusband.
“
Keemi
…”
“
Didyout
hinkabouti
t?”
“It
oldyou,onl
yonewi l
lstaywit
hus.Wear enot
goingtotakeal
lyoursist
er’
sburdens.Wealsohave
l
ives.Onl
yonechi l
dcancome.Youchoosewhowi l
l
come.Ihavealreadyspokenandthat’
sit
!”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#10

Atthefuner
alaft
ereat
ing,
Rethabi
lesatonthe
couchwithherbrot
her
.Hermother’
solderuncl
e
stoodupholdi
nghiswalki
ngsti
ck.
“Bagaetsho, it
’sbeenaver ydiffi
cultweekforallof
us.Todaywehavebur i
edmybr other
’sdaughter.As
aparent, Ihaveneveri maginedonedayIwoul d
havetocr yandbur ryLel
omobutwear ehere.
Lelomol eavesbehi ndtwochi ldr
en.From hereI
knowpeopl ear egoingtotheirhomesandgoon
withtheirlivesbutnotforherchi l
dren.Theyhave
l
ostt heirmot her.Theyhavenof at
herandnowal l
theyhavei sus.Shehadt wokids,Rethabi l
ewhoi s
18year sol dandatt hemoment ,sheiswr it
ingher
form 5exami nations.Sheal sohadBat ang,
Rethabi le’
syoungerbr other
.Hei stenyear soldand
hedoi ngst andar d4.Theyneedaguar dian,
someonet ot aket heresponsiblyoftheirmot her.I
woul dtaket hem butwi t
hmyheal t
h,Iwon’ tgive
them thecar et heyneed.Icoul dn’tevencomet o
seet heirmot herasshef oughtforherlife.
Bagaet sho, thesechi l
drenareourchi l
dren.But
don’tfeelpr essur edt otakethem becausei fnoone
can’t…Iwi lltaket hem wi thmysi ckness.Iam
sayingt hisbecauseIdon’ twantyouf eeling
pressur edtot aket hem thenlat
erabuset hem.”
Keemiswall
owed.“Lelomohadbeggedmet otake
them bot
hbutunf
ortunatel
yIcannottakethem al
l.
MyhusbandandIar edeali
ngwithfi
nancial
probl
ems.Icanonl
yt akeoneatthemoment .”
Rethabi
lepul
ledherbr
othercl
oser
.Thei
runcl
e
nodded.
“
Lel
omowasmysi
ster
.Iwoul
dneverl
etherki
ds
suf
ferwhenIam t
here.I
fKeemicam onl
ytakeone,
Iwi
llt
aketheot
herone.”
Theuncl
e’swi
felookedatherhusband.“
Uh.
.
RragweThat
o…-”
Theunclelookedather.“Wecant akeone.My
si
stercanonlytakeone,wewi lltaketheother
.
Thesechil
drenareoursister
’schi l
dren.Wewillnot
l
etthem suff
erwhilewear ethere.”
Thei
runclenodded.“
Ok.SoKeemi
,whi
chonear
e
youtaki
ng?”
“
IcantakeThabi
.Modi
ricant
akeBat
angi
nthe
meant
ime.”
“WhyRethabi
le?YoushouldtakeBat
ang.Heneeds
youmore.Heissti
llyoung.
”
Keemilookedatherbr
other
.“Whydoyouwant
Rethabi
lesomuchatyourhouse?Iam t
aki
ng
Rethabi
le,
Ialr
eadysai
dIam taki
ngher
.”
“
Bat
angi
syoungKeemi
.Heneedsyoumor
e.”
“
Theyarebothyoung.Ret
habi
lewi
llbest
ayingwi
th
meti
llshegoestoUBsoshecanbeadoct or,
when
shegoes,
Iam t
aki
ngBat
ang.
”
“Ifyoucan’tt
akethem bot
hnow, thenyouwon’t
takethem bothinthef
utur
e.Youwantyour
husbandtohar assmysister
’sdaughterhuh?
”
“
Har
asswho?Youdon’
tknowmyhusbandwena!
”
“Iknowthatgoodfornothi
ngthingyoucal l
husband.Whatkindofmanst aysathomet he
wholedayandcan’tputfoodont hetable?Heis
abusive,
youwanthimt otakeouthisfrustr
ati
ons
onmyni ece?”
Keemiangr i
lyl
ookedathi m.“Myhusbandwor ks!
Youthi
nkweal ldon’
tknowwhyyouwantt ostay
wit
hRet habi
le.Youwillnevergett
hishouseseloke
wena!”
“Selokewenakemang?Ket agor
agaKeemi
!”He
stoodupangri
ly.Keemi
stoodupt
oo.
“
Oragamang?Youar
enotget
ti
ngt
hishouse!
”
“Idon’
twantthishouse!Thatwasagesback.Why
wouldItakeawayt heonlyt
hingt
hesechil
dren
have?Ibroughtmyownhouse!Iam f i
ne,
mysonis
worki
ng.Idon’tneedanythi
ngf r
om anyone.Iwill
takebot
hgapei fIshoul
d.IlovedLelomo!Iknow
shethoughtIwasaf t
erherhousebutIwasaf terit
tenyear
sback.Gi vemeabr eak!
”
“
Youar
enotget
ti
ngRet
habi
le.
”
“
Enough!
”
Theybot
hst
aredatt
hei
runcl
e.
“
Howol
dar
eyou?Ar
eyouki
ds?
”
Keemisl
owl
ysatdown.
“
Youhaveembar rassedmetoday!Whatbehavi
ori
s
t
his?Inf
rontofthepeopl
e?Huh?Rethabil
e,who
wil
lyoustaywit
hmydaughter?”
“
Mamasai
dweshoul
dnotbesepar
ated.
”
Keemisi
ghed.“
It
’st
empor
aryThabi
.”
“
Mamasai
dweshoul
dnotbesepar
ated.
”
“Rethabi
lemygir
l,Iknowwhatyourmot
herwant
ed.
Pleasetr
ytounderstandmygi
rl…”
“
Iwi
llst
ayher
ewi
thhi
m.”
“
Andwhatwi
llyoueat?Batangneedst
oeatt
oo.
Whowi
llmai
ntai
nthishouse?”
“
Iam notsepar
ati
ngf
rom mybr
other
.”
“It
’sonl
yforacoupleofmonths.”Keemist
oodup
andsatbesideher.“
It
’sonl
yforacoupleofmont
hs
thenIwil
ltakeyourbrot
heri
n.”
Rethabi
lelookedathert
earful
ly.“
Mamasai dwe
shouldnotseparat
efrom eachother
.Iam not
l
eavingmybr other
.”
Keemit ear
srolleddownhercheeks.“Rethabile
please…pleasemychi l
d.Iwouldt
akeyoubot hbutI
cannot.Idon’twantyouorhimt osuffer
.Please
understand…Iknowwhatyourmot hersaid.Iknow
butyouar enotget t
ingsepar
atedfor
ever.Your
brotherwil
lstaywi t
hyourunclebutonlyti
llyougo
toUBt henIwi l
ltakehim.”
“
Mamasai
dweshoul
dnotsepar
ate.
”
Theuncle’
swif
est
aredinannoyance.Shel
ookedat
herhusbandt
henf
oldedherarms.
“
Keemi
,i
fthei
rmot
hert
oldt
hem nott
oget
separat
edt henIdon’
tthi
nkyoushoul
dseparate
them.Thewhol efamil
yisher
e,t
heycanallhel
p
contr
ibuti
ngsomet hi
ngpermonthtohel
passist
youwi t
hthechildr
en.”
Keemilookedathersi
steri
n-l
aw.“Ican’tt
aket
hem
bothatthemoment.Icanonlytakeone.Icanonl
y
takehi
m onceThabigoestouniversi
ty.
”
“
Iwil
ltakeBatang.
”Modi
rispoke.“
It
’sf
ine.Youcan
t
akeRethabi
le.”
Hiswif
elookedathi
m angri
ly.“
Whyareyou
separ
ati
ngtheseki
ds?Rethabil
edoesn’
twantt
obe
separ
atedfr
om herbr
other
.”
Keemil
ookedatRet
habi
le.“
Thabi
-“
“
Iam notl
eavi
ngBat
ang.
”
“Doyouwantt ost arvet odeat
h?Youarenot
wor ki
ng.Thisi
sonl yt emporar
y.Youarenotgetti
ng
separatedforgood.Iam sur eyourmotherwould
understand.Youcan’ tremainhereal
one.Batangis
goingtoneedf ood.Hei sgoi
ngtoneedproper
care.”
“
Iam notl
eavi
ngmybr
other
.”
Keemisighed.“Iwil
ltakehi
m nextmonth,inthe
meantimeIcant akeyouwithsoIcanf i
ndabi gger
housetostay.Yourunclecantakehimforthis
monthwhi l
eIlookforabiggerhousethenIwi l
ltake
hi
m.Ipr omise.Justonemonthsol ookforanother
house.Onemont h.”
“Iam notleavi
ngmybr ot
her.Youwillf
indusher
e
afteronemonth.Iam notgoinganywherewit
hout
mybr other.
”
Keemistoodupandwalkedoutdefeat
ed.Ret
habi
le
l
ookedattherel
ati
vest
hatwerestari
ngatherand
l
eanedbackonhermother’
scouchhol di
ngher
brot
her
’shand.

*
**

Laterthatday,af
termostpeoplehadlef
t,Keemi
walkedinsideRethabi
le’
sroom whereshewas
seatedont hebedwhileBatangslept
.Shesat
besi
deher
.
“Thabi,Il
ovedyourmot hersomuch.Il ovedher
mor ethananyt hing.Godhasst olenf r
om me.Iam
hurti
ng.Iwi shIhaddonemor e.IwishIhadbeen
here.Mysi st ercalledmet hemor ningshedi edand
beggedmet ot akeyoubot h.Iwasgoi ngtobutt he
sit
uati
onatmyhousecannotal lowmet otakeyou
andyourbr ot heratt hesamet ime.Iknowshedi dn’
t
wantherchi l
dr entobesepar ated,Iknowt hatmore
thananyone.Iknowwhatshewant edbutIcan’tdo
i
tnow.Icanonl ytakeonechi ld.Eitheryouor
Batang.Ihadopt edforyoubecauseIknewsoon
youwi l
lbegoi ngt ouniversit
yt henIwoul dtake
yourbrother .Pleaseunder stand…Ican’ tl
eaveyou
here.Mysi st erwoul dturninhergr ave.Iam sure
sheisal r
eadyt urningwher evershei sbecauseIam
alr
eadyf ail
ingt odoonet hingshe’ severaskedme
todo.Keagokopangwanaka…”
“Iam sorryauntybutIam notl
eavi
ngBatang.I
t’s
eit
heryout akeusbothoryouleaveus.I
understandyoursit
uati
onbutIam notgoingto
l
eavemybr otherwhenheonlyhasme.Mamasai d
weshoul
dnotbesepar
ated.
”
Zazawal
kedi
nandl
ookedathermot
her
.“Mama.
.”
“Pl
easetal
ktoyourcousi
nZaza…pl
easemakeher
under
stand.
”
Zazal
ookedatherthenatRet
habi
le.“
Ok,
pleasego
anddr
inkyourpi
ll
s.”
Keemistoodupandwal
kedout
.Zazal
ookedat
Rethabi
le.
“Refuse.Don’ tagreet ogoingwithher .Herhusband
i
sar apist.Heisamonst er.Stayherewi t
hyour
brother.Shewon’ tbeli
eveyou.Hei saper vert
.Ili
ke
yourst rongwi l
l.Iheardyoucansewandmake
baskets, nowt hatyouar edonewi thschool,youcan
focusoni t.Andal so…youar eanor phannow.You
willgetmoneyf rom thegovernment .Alsothe
condol encesmoneyi sthere.Don’tall
owt hem to
convinceyouot her wi
se.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedather
.Zazahuggedher
.Ret
habi
le
sni
ff
ed.
Zazast
eppedback.Ret
habi
le’
sphoner
angf
rom
thebed,
Zazal
ookedoveratthebrandnew
SamsungasAtangcal
led.Rethabi
ler
eachedf
ort
he
phoneandpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hey,
kekontl
e.Takwano.Obusy?(
Iam out
side.
Comehere.Areyoubusy?
”
“
No.
”
“
Takwano.(
Comeher
e.)
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Hehungup.Ret
habi
lest
oodup.
“
Myf
ri
endi
sher
etoseeme.
”
“
Ok.
”
Zazawalkedoutwithher.Ret
habil
elookedatt
he
bl
ackAmar okacrossthei
rhouse.Zazachuckl
edi
n
di
sbel
iefstar
ingatitt
oo.
“
Letmegoandsayhit
omyper
son.He’
sher
efor
me.Hewant
sme.”
Ret
habil
estaredasZazaconf
ident
lywalkedover
.
Herphonestart
edri
ngi
ngasZazawal kedout
t
hrought
hegat
e.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whatar
eyoust
andi
ngt
her
efor
?Takwano.
”
“
Zazasai
dyouwanther
,Idon’
twantt
o-“
“Rethabi
le,
karet
akwano.Yourcousinisfor
ward,
whosai dIwanther?Am Inotheref
oryou?Bri
ng
Batangretsamaye.(Br
ingBatangsowecango.)”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#11

Zazawal
kedtowar
dsthedoorsmiling.Shetr
iedt
o
opent
hedoorbuti
twaslocked.Atangroll
eddown
thewi
ndowandlookedatherhol
dinghisphone.
Zazasmi
led.“
Hi.
..whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
At
angl
ookedatt
hehouseandst
aredather
.“Ar
e
youcomi
ng?
”
“Ever
yoneisleaving.I
fIl
eave,
peopl
emi ghtsteal
.
Zazaismycousi n,shemetyoufi
rst
.Idon’twant
hertothi
nkthat-
“
“
Whocar
eswhatshet
hinks?
”
“Theyaremyr
elat
ives.Mymot
heri
snother
e
anymore.”
Zazastaredathi
m ashespokeonhi
sphone,
his
tonesoft
.
“
Ok,
Iwi
llwai
ther
e.”
“
Itmi
ghtt
akel
ong.
”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llwai
t.
”
Hehungup.Zazasmi
led.
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Ar
eyoual
readygoi
ng
back?
”
“
No.
”
“
Wel
lIam goi
ngnow.
”
“
Shar
p.”
“Iknowyouar
eher
eforme,
whathappenedt
oyour
person?
”
“
Whosai
dIam her
eforyou?
”
Zazasmi
led.“
Whodoyouknowher
eAgang?
”
“
That’
snotyourbusi
nessbuti
t’
snotyou.Saf
e
j
our
ney.”
Heroll
eduphiswindowpressi
nghi sphone.Zaza
wait
edforhi
mt olaughi
toutunlockingthedoorbut
hecarr
iedonpressi
nghi
sphoneasi fhewasn’t
seei
ngher.
Sheknockedont
hewi
ndow.“
Agang!
”
Shewalkedr
oundthecarandknockedonhi
s
window.Her
oll
eddownhiswindowandlookedat
her.
Shesi
ghed.“Whoar
eyouheretosee?Youdon’
t
knowanyoneher
eexpectme.
”
Heleanedbackfi
xinghiscapthensmil
edbrief
ly
l
ookingdownonhi sphone.Helookedatheragai
n.
Zazalookedathi
ssmileandsmi l
edback.
“
What
?Whodoyouknowexpectme?Ibr
oughtyou
her
e.”
“
Youar egoi
ngt
omakemygi rl
fr
iendt
hinkIact
ual
ly
wantyouwhenIreal
lydon’
t.
”
Zazal
aughed.“
Shei
snother
eaker
e?”
“
Shest
ayssomewher
eher
e,keemet
siene.
”
Ret
habi
lewalkedoutofthewit
hablackpl
asti
cand
st
art
edpicki
ngli
tt
eraroundtheyar
dinalongdress.
“ThenwecanmeetkoGaborone.Whatshedoesn’
t
knowwon’tkil
lher
.Whenar
eyouleaving?Kanayou
neverknowthefut
ure,
Imaybeyourtype.
”
“
No,
youar
enot
.”
Hersmiledi
sappear
edthenshel
aughed.“
Iwas
j
oking,
Imeanasf ri
ends.
”
“Idon’
tdofemalebest
iesbecauseIdon’
texpectmy
gir
ltohaveone.Kedil
otsamasepahela.
”Het ook
outhiswall
etandhandedheraP100note.
“
Canyoupl
easehel
pherpi
ckl
it
ter
?”
Zazalookedatt
hemoneyandsmi
led.“Shei
smy
cousi
n.Youmetherl
astti
me.Iwi
llhel
pher,
you
don’
thavet
opayme.
”
“
Ok,
shar
p.”
Embar r
assed,sheturnedandwalkedbackinthe
yard.Shewasn’tevensurewhathadjusthappened.
Rethabil
elookedattheAmar okt
henatZazawho
start
edhelpi
ngherpi ckl
it
ter
.
“Thabi,
haveyouseent
hatcarbef
ore?Imean
beforeIcamewit
hhim.
”
“
Ngng…”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ishewai
ti
ngf
oryou?
”
“Notexact
ly.Hei
sher
etoseesomeone.It
hinki
t’
s
busi
ness.”
“
Ok.
”
Theyconti
nuedpicki
ngl i
tt
erasmor epeopl elef
t.
Almostanhourlat
er,Rethabi
lefini
shedcl eani
ng
thehousewhil
eZazaputawayt heplates.She
l
ookedoveratthegate,hiscarwasst i
llparkedat
thesamespot.Hermot herwalkedintheki t
chen.
“
Wehavet
ogo.Yourf
atheri
sal
lal
one.
”
“
Yourhusband?
”
“
Zachar
iah…”
“Ma?Iam j
ustsayi
ng.I
sn’
titt
ooear
lyt
oleaveher
alone?
”
“EvenifIstay,sheisnotchangi
nghermi nd.Ihave
togohome.Iknowsoonshewi llbecall
ingcr yi
ng
forhelp.Thiswon’tlast
.Ret
habilewi
llhavet o
understandthatshecan’tal
wayshavei therway.
Sheshoul dappreciateweareeventryi
ngt osupport
herandherbr other.
”
Zazasi
ghed.“
Wecango.
”
Theywal kedout.Rethabi
lest
oodbyt hedoor
watchingthem getinthecarandreverseout.She
l
ookedatwher ecar sandpeoplehadbeen, i
twas
empty.Eventhenei ghbor
shadl ef
t.Shewatched
heraunt’
scardr i
veof f
.Hereyesfellonthemuddy
ground.Tearsfi
lledhereyes.
Shewalkedinsi
dethehouseandl
ookedather
mother
’spict
urefr
ameont hewal
l.Shebl
inkedas
shewonder
edwhichst
eptotakenow.Shet
ookout
ther
ingi
ngphoneandl
ookedathi
m cal
li
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Pleasecomeher
e.”
“
Bat
angor
obet
si.(
Bat
angi
ssl
eepi
ng.
)”
“
Shoul
dIcomeandcar
ryhi
m?”
Sherubbedhereyes,hervoi
ceshaking.“
No.Heis
goi
ngtocryagain.Idon’
tknowwhatt otel
lhi
m.”
Shesnif
fedhol
dinghercry.“Idon’
twanttowake
hi
m up…”
“
Thabi
…”
“
Iwanttocry…ithurt
s.Myhearthur
ts.Iwantt
o
wakeup.Iam scar
ed.”Hervoi
ceshookevenmore.
“
Comet
ome.Come.
”
“
Peopl
ear
egoi
ngt
olook.
”
“
Pret
endt
heyar
enott
her
e.”
Shewal kedoutsi
deandwentt ohiscarthengotin.
Histi
ntedwi ndowsprotect
edherfrom t
hestares.
Atangadj ust
edhisseatthenpul
ledheroversoshe
wouldstraddlehim.Hewr appedhisar msaround
herholdi
nghert i
ghtly.Rethabil
eclosedhereyes,
herheadonhi schest .Hersil
enttear ssl
owlywet
hist-
shir
t.Atangkissedherf oreheadholdingher
warm body.Timesl owlywentbyashehel dher
.He
wasn’tsurewhatexact lyhewasdoi ngbuthe
actual
lydidn’
tregretbeingwi t
hher .Herubbedher
back.
“
Thabi
le.
.”
Sheraisedherheadandlookedather
,hereyes
reddi
sh.Shewasbeautif
ul.
“
Rra?
”
Hewipedawayhertearst
henkissedher
.He
car
essedhercheekbabyki
ssi
ngher .
“
Didyougett
heemer
gencypi
ll
.”
“No.Iwasscar
edtogoi nandbuy.Youcangoand
buy.Idon’
twantpeopl
eknowingthatInowdo
thi
ngs.”
Hi
shear
tski
ppedabeat
.“What
?”
“
Iwasscar
ed.
”
“
Soyoudi
dn’
tbuyt
hepi
ll
?”
Sheshookherheadst
ari
ngathi
m.“
Icanst
il
lgeti
t
aker
e?”
“
Fuck!Whatt
hef
uckRet
habi
le?
!Whatdi
dIt
ellyou
t
odo?”
“
Keneket
shaba…(
Iwasscar
ed.
)”
“
Butyouwer
enotscar
edt
obuyaphone,
why?
”
Shekeptqui
et.Heputhishandsonhi
sfacecur
sing
under
neathhi
sbreath.
“Myper
iodhadendedthedaybefore.I
twasmy
saf
eperi
od.Iam sor
ryIdi
dn’
tgetitbutIhavet
he
money.
.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#12
Atangparkedt
hecaratthepharmacyandstepped
outofthecarl
eavi
ngherbehind.Mi
nutesl
aterhe
walkedoverwi
ththepi
ll
s.
Hegrabbedabot
tom ofwat
erf
rom t
hebackseat
andhandedi
ttoher
.
“
Dri
nk.
”
Hewatchedherdr
inkt
hensi
ghed.“
Ifi
tdoesn’
twor
k,
youar
egoingtobeamom.”
“
Idon’
twantt
obeapar
entyet
.”
“Thenmaybeyoushouldboughtthatpil
lRet
habil
e.
Youdidn’tmi
ndpeopletal
kingaboutyouaft
eryou
boughtthephoneaker
e?”
“
Maybeyoushouldnothavet
akenmyvi
rgi
nit
yat
t
hebackofyourcarwi
thnocondom.
”
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Areyouhungr
y?”
“
No.
”
“
Isar
elat
ivet
aki
ngyouguys?
”
“
No.Iam donewi
thmyexams.Wearegoi
ngto
r
emainathome.Mamasaidweshoul
dnotbe
separated.Mybr
otherandIar
epackage.Ther
eis
notakingoneandleavi
ngtheother
.”
“
Makessense.Butyouar
enotwor
king.
”
“Iam goingt
osewandmakebasket
sful
lti
me.I
fit
doesn’tpanout
,Iwi
lll
ookf
oraj
ob.”
Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveherbackhome.
“GoandtakeBat
ang.Iwantt
otakeyouguys
somewhere.Whatdoyouthi
nkweshoul
dcallour
chi
ld?
”
“
Iam notpr
egnant
!”
Shest
eppedoutofthecarwhil
ehel aughed.
Ret
habi
lewalkedi
nt hr
oughthegate.Shelookedat
El
angwhowasseat edbytheVeranda.Elangstood
upandlookedatt
hecarthenatherfri
end.
“
Whati
shedoi
ngher
e?”
“
Hewasher
efort
hef
uner
al.
.”
El
anglookedatt
hecar.“
Andalr
eadyyouar
elet
ti
ng
hi
m dr
iveyouaround.Wher
eisBat
ang?”
Ret
habi
leunl
ockedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.She
wal
kedt
oherr
oom whi
leEl
angf
oll
owedbehi
ndher
.
“
Thabi,
thismanisnotgood.Soonaroundpeopl
e
wil
lbesayingyouhavesugardaddy.
”
“Youdon’
tknowhim El
ang.Hei
sagoodman.
Tatt
oosdon’
tdef
inehim.Heisapi
lotandhei
s
goodathi
sjob.Okil
eatswamodai l
ynews.
”
“
Thenwhyi
sheaf
teryounothi
sagemat
es?
”
“
Ili
kehi
m.”
“Soonyouwillbepregnantandhewi l
lleaveyou.
That’
swhatmenl i
kehim do!Theywi l
lhavesex
withyouthenleaveyou.Youwon’ tgotoUBand
youwillr
emainher emotheri
ngaf atherlesschi
ld.
”
Rethabi
lebitherl
owerl i
pandlif
tedBatangwho
wassleeping.Shewalkedoutwi t
hhim asheslowl
y
wokeup.At angsteppedoutofthecarthentook
hi
mf rom herarmsandputhi m atthebackseat
.
Rethabi
lewalkedbackt othehouseandlockedthe
door.SheturnedtoElang.
“At
angisnotabadpersonElang.Iknowhescar
es
youbutheisnotabadperson.”
“Yourmotherj
ustpassedonandal
readyyouar
e
yougoingoutwit
hmen? ”
Rethabi
lel
ookedatherandsi
ghed.“
Wewi
llt
alk
l
ater.
”
Shewal kedtotheAmar ok.Atangopenedthedoor
forherthenshegotinwhi l
eEl angwatched
standingbythegateinshock.Hej umpedinand
kissedherbeforedri
vingoff.Sheshookherheadi
n
disbel
iefandclappedonce.
Shet
ookoutherphoneandst
art
edt
ypi
ng.
Elang:Youaregoingt hroughr egretthi
sRet habil
e.
Don’tsayIdidn’
twar nyou.Whatmakesyout hink
thatthi
smancanact uallywantyouaf teryou
catfi
shedhim?Hei spl ayingwi t
hyoubecausehe
hasseenthatyouar eeasyone.Wat choutmoghel ,
nnanextyearIam goi ngt hroughvar si
ty.Idon’t
knowaboutyou, youwi llbenur si
ngababywhi l
eI
am inGabs.Youj ustbur i
edyourmot her,you
shouldbemour ningnotchasi ngaf terdicks.
Shesentt
hemessageandwal
kedhome.
*
**

Zazaleanedbackinhermother’
scarhol
dingher
phone.Shethoughtf
ull
ytappedhisnumberand
cal
ledhim.
Hi
sphoner
angacoupl
eoft
imest
henhepi
cked.
“
Hey…”
“Hi
,IhopeIdi
dn’tcauseprobl
emsforyou.Idi
dn’
t
knowyourgir
lf
ri
endst aysar
oundt
here.”
“
It
’sok.Shedi
dn’
tseeanyt
hing.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.Bye.
”
Shehungupandleanedbackdel
eti
ngt
henumber
accept
ingt
hel
oss.

*
**
InGaborone,
Agangsati
nhi
scarandcal
ledhi
s
brot
her.
“
Yah?
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
oZaza?
”
“
Not
hing.Mi
sterIhavesomeonewi
thmegoshar
p.”
Agangl
aughed.“
Ican’
twai
ttomeett
hisone.
”
At
anghungup.Agangst
art
edthecart
ext
ingZaza.
Hi
sphonevi
brat
ed,hepi
ckedt
hecall
.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Hi,
hel
eftf
orhi
str
ip.Iam comi
nghome.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Iam t
ell
ingyousoyouknowt hatIam coming.I
don’
twantt ofi
ghtwithyourdi
rtygir
lsbecauseI
knowyoubr ingthem t
othathouse.”
“
Babe,
ther
eisnoone.
”
“
Iam j
ustsayi
ng.
”
“
Saysthemar
riedwoman.Canyoust
opthi
s?Wa
mbor
aebil
e.I
fyouarel
ookingf
orafi
ght
,don’
t
comet omyhouse.Iam notdeal ingwi t
hstupi
d
i
nsecurit
iest onight.Youknewwhatyouwer e
gett
ingyour selfint
owhenwef i
rstmet.Ifuck
whoeverIwantwhenIwant , samewayyoul etyour
oldmanr ideyou.Don’ tcomewi thanattit
udetomy
house.Iwi l
lfuckyousohar dyouwi llhateme.”
Shekeptqui
etandsni
ff
ed.
“
Areyoust
il
lcomi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”Hervoi
cewasnowqui
eter
.
“
Shar
p.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Hehungupannoyed.

*
**

InShakawe,
AtanghelpedRethabi
leinthespeed
boathehadhir
ed.ShelookedatBatangwhowas
nowawakeandallsmiles.
At
angl
ookedather
.“Ar
eyougood?
”
Shenoddedsi
tt
ingdownsmi l
ing.Bat
angstoodby
thest
eer
ingwheelhappi
ly.At
angsmiledathim.
“
Areyour
eady?
”
“
Y-Y-
Yes!
”
Hesmiledthent
urnedthekey.Ret
habi
let
ooka
deepbreat
hastheboatgentlymovedf
rom wher
e
theot
herboatswereparked.
Shetookadeepbreathashepi l
otedthespeedboat
withBatangwhi
lechatt
ing.Shelookedatthe
watersaroundt
hem andslowlyrel
axedast hewind
brushedherski
n.
At
angt
urnedt
oher
.“Come…”
Shestoodupandwalkedover
.Atangputheri
nfr
ont
ofhi
m andhuggedherfr
om behi
nd.
“
Hol
dthest
eer
ingwheel
.”
Shetoucheditwhi
leBatangwat
chedexci
tedl
y.
Rethabi
legi
ggledgent
lynavi
gat
ingt
heboat.Atang
ki
ssedherneck.
“
Youar
egoodatt
his.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Don’
tleaveme.
”
“
Iwon’
t.Iam r
ighther
e,Ipr
omi
se…”

SI
XMONTHSLATER….
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#13

SI
XMONTHSLATER…

I
nShakawe,
besidesther
oad,
Ret
habi
lesmi
led
t
alki
ngt
oawhitelady.
“Thissli
ngbagismadewithonl
ybeads.Iuse
diff
erentki
ndsofbeadsal
sodif
fer
entcol
orsto
createthedesi
gn.
”
Thewhi t
eladysmil
edholdi
ngupthebag.“Thi
sis
gorgeous.Howlongdoesitt
akeyout
ocr eat
e
such?”
“
Aday.
”
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.Howmuchagai
n?”
“
P350.
00.
”
“
UhIdon’
thavepulasbutyoucantaket
his…”The
l
adyt
ookout$100.Rethabi
lesmi
ledhappil
y.
“
Thankyousomuch.
”
“Youdeser
vemor
efort
his.I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.Thank
you.
”
Thewhit
eladygotbacki
nhercarasRet habi
leput
themoneyinherpur
se.Anothercarst
opped.Two
l
adiesst
eppedoutandwalkedover.
“
Hi.
.kebokae?(
Howmuchi
sit
?)”
Rethabil
epoi
ntedatherembroi
der
ybeadnecklaces.
“That’
sP250each.ThebagsareP350each.The
beadedtopsareP350eachtoo.
”
Theot
herl
adypi
ckedt
het
op.“
Nyaamma,
P350i
s
t
oomuchf
orj
ustt
his.
”
Herf
ri
endl
ookedover
.“Atl
eastP200.
”
“
KanammeIonl
yhaveP150.
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatt
hem.“
It
’sP350.
”
“That’
salot
.IknowsomeoneonFacebookwho
sell
sthesef
orP100.Sheget
sthem f
rom Thai
land.
”
“
Imakemi
newi
thmyownhands.I
t’
sP350.
”
“Noonewil
lbuyt
heseatsuchhighpr
ices.You
pri
cel
ooki
ngatyourcompeti
tor
spri
ces.Thiscan’
t
beP350.
”
Ret
habi
le’
sphoner
ang.Shet
ooki
toutandpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
*
“Hi,
IjustsawyourpageonFacebook.Yourt
hings
arebeauti
ful
.Doyoudodeli
veri
es?”
“
Notatt
hemoment
.”
“Ok,
pleasesendmedir
ect
ionstowhereyouar
e
sel
li
ngfrom.Iwantt
hebeadedtoo,t
hebagandI
sawyoumakeGer manPri
ntclot
hes.
”
“
Eemmabutf
ort
hoseIwor
konor
der
.”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Lermesendyout
hedi
rect
ions.
”
“
Ok.Thankyou.
*
Ret
habi
lehungupandl
ookedatt
het
wol
adi
es.
“
Thankyouf
orst
oppi
ngbyThabiDesi
gns.
.”
Theot
heroneoutdownt
het
op.Whatyouar
edoi
ng
i
sthef
t.
”
Theladywhosoldtradit
ionalf
oodbesi
des
Ret
habilel
aughedast heywalkedt
othei
rcar
.
Ret
habilel
aughedtoo.
“Fearsomeonewhocan’ taff
ordsomet hi
ng.They
willsayal
lthegi
bber
ish.Don’ttheyknowpeople
actuall
ybuywithnocompl ai
nts?
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Iam usedt
osuch.
”
“NnammaIcan’ tkeepqui
et.Weareallt
ryi
ngt o
makemoney.Iwoul dnothavekeptqui
etthamma.I
won’tbei
nsul
tedbyawomanwhowear sdirt
ywi gs
ebi
leokareolebetsigot
hapa.“
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
That
amma!
”
“Iam t
ell
ingyou.IhaveachildThabiandIstandin
thesunthewhol edaytoputfoodonthetable.I
won’tl
etsomeonewi thyell
owpimplesinsul
tme
becauseor eki
leHondafityasecondhand.”
Rethabi
lef
orwar
dedt hedi
recti
onst
oacustomer.
Sheputawayherphonesmi l
ingasElangwal
ked
overwit
hanumbr el
l
aoverherhead.
Shestoodbesi
desThabil
eeati
ngherspi
cybil
tong.
Sal
ivafi
ll
edRethabi
le’
smouthasshesal
ivat
edthe
bi
lt
ong.
“
CanIpl
easehave…i
tsmel
lsni
ce.
”
El
anggavet heent
irepackett
oher.“
NnammaI
won’tbeabletost
andinthesunthewhol
eli
ket
his.
I
’dratherdi
eshem.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledeat
ing.“
Iam savi
ngenought
o
t
akeBat
angwithwhenIgotovarsi
ty.
”
“Whyshouldhest aywi
thyouwhenyouraunti
s
al
ive?Shewillst
aywithhi
m.Youraunti
sin
Gaboroneakere?”
“
Ngng,
shest
aysi
nMol
epol
ole.
”
“Hewi l
lst
aywi t
hher.Whyshoul dyoutakehim?
Gaboronelif
eisexpensi
ve.Heisgoi ngtoneeda
nanny,gapekidsinGaboronecarrysnacksto
school.Gaboronel
if
eisexpensive.Youcan’tst
ay
withachildwhenyouarealsonewt her
e.Ki
dsget
kidnappedtoo.”
Ret
habi
lesi
ghed.“
Youdon’
tunder
standEl
ang…”
“Iunderst
andThabibutyoucan’tlethim suf
fer
whenyoucangethel p.Iunderst
andt hatyouwant
t
ost aywithhi
m nowbuti maginewhenyouar e
f
ightingtocomplet
eassignmentsandot herthi
ngs.
Heneedsapr operguardi
an.”
Rethabi
lesighedfini
shi
ngthebi
lt
ong.El
anglooked
atRethabi
le’schubbycheckt
henherneckr
olls.
“
Youar
esof
att
hesedays.
”
Ret
habi
lepausedchewi
ngandl
ookedather
.“Ng?
”
“Youar
esofat
.Youlookwayolderthanyourage.
Youneedt
oexerci
se.I
maginegoingtoUBlikethi
s.
Youneedt
odropeati
ngtoomuch. ”
“
Ihaveal
waysbeenl
iket
his.
”
“YesbutyouneedtolosewaitThabi
.Youlookli
kea
hippo.Youcan’
tbefati
nhighschoolandalsoat
Universi
ty.
”
That’
slookedover
.“Shei
snotfat
.Sheist
hickand
beaut
iful
.Whyshouldshelosewei
ght
?”
Elanglookedather.“Iwasnott
alki
ngt
oyou,
Iwas
talki
ngtomyf r
iend-“
“
Idon’
tcare,
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou.Whatki
ndofa
f
ri
endareyou?”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatThat
a.“
That
a-“
Elanglaughed.“
Don’
tyouhaveachildtothi
nk
about?Thammaknowyourt argetmarket
.Ahigh
schooldropouti
snoti
nmyl eague.
”
“Youar eatoxi
cfri
end.Formeit’
sthef actt
hatyou
thinkyouareallt
hatbutyouarenothing.Don’tbr
ag
tooloudaboutUBbabebecausedon’ tforgetyou
aretheoneher egoingwit
haveragegrades.Imay
havedr oppedouttwoyearsbackbutIpassedwi t
h
allB’s,
Thabiisgoi
ngwi t
hstrai
ghtA’sandwena
wasdiDandC’ sstandher etolookdownonme
becauseIhaveachi l
d?Don’tletthefactthatIhave
achi l
dgetintoyourheadsomucht hatyouthink
youcant al
ktargetmar ketwit
hmesweet y,youare
allfaceandnobr ai
ns.Don’ttryme, Iam notthat
typeyouwal kover,Iwillmopthef l
oorwithyour
blackbutt.
”
Ret
habi
le’
sphoner
ang,
shest
eppedbackpi
cki
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,i
t’
sFarai
.Iam br
ingi
ngacust
omertoyouwho
wasabag.Areyouhomeorbytheroad?
”
“
Iam att
her
oad.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Ret
habi
lelookedatEl
ang.“Thabi
,ar
eyougoi
ngt
o
l
ethert
alktomeliket
hat?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Youknowwhat
,it
’sok.Cl
ear
lyIam notwant
ed
here.Shar
pmma.”
Sheangri
lywalkedaway.Ret
habil
esadlyl
ookedat
herasshewalkedaway.That
asighed.
“
Iam sor
rybutIcan’
tst
andyourf
ri
end.
”
“
Peoplemisunderst
andher.El
angi
snotabad
f
ri
end.Sheisjustli
ket
hat.
”
“
Shel
ikesatt
enti
on.Shewon’tgetitf
rom me.By
t
heway,youlookbeaut
if
ul.Il
ikeyourdr
ess.
”
“
Imadei
t.
”
“I
t’
spr
etty.IwishIcoul
dsewsoIcanmakeboy
someclothes.
”
“
Icandoi
t.Ihavesomemat
eri
al.
”
“
Thammar
eal
ly?
”
“
Yes.
”
Acarst
opped.Ret
habi
lesmi
ledasshewal
kedover
.
“
Hi,
wespokej
ustnow.Mynamei
sYaone.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Ret
habi
le…”
“UhIwantthebag,thetopandthenecklace.Ialso
wantadressIwillwearformytradi
ti
onalweddi ng.I
sawyourotherpict
uresonyourFacebookpage. ”
Yaoneunlockedherscreenandshowedher .“See
whatyoumadeher e…Iwantmi nesli
ghtl
ydifferent.
Iwantmi
newithl
acearmsandal
soi
tshoul
dbea
fi
taandf
lar
etypeofdr
ess.
”
“Icandothat
.Icandoasket
chandsendi
ttoyou.
Fornowletmejustt
aket
hemeasurement
s.”
“
Ok.
”
Rethabi
letookhermeasurementst
henwrot
et hem
downbef or
epicki
ngoutthethi
ngsshewanted.
“
Ther
e..
”
Yaonepaid.“
ThankyousomuchThabi.Pl
ease
sendthesket
ch.Iam l
eavi
ngShakawetomorr
ow
wit
hmyman.Wewer eherevi
sit
ing.
”
“
Eemma,
Iwi
llsend.
”
Yaonesmi l
edthenwalkedtot
hecar.Shegoti
nand
droveoffj
ustasFaraipar
kedhisbr
other’
ssi
ngle
cabIsuzu.Hesteppedoutwit
haladythenwalked
toThabil
esmili
ng.
“
Hey…Ibr
oughtyouacust
omer
.”
Thabi
l
esmi
led.“
Dumel
ang…”
“
Hi,
yourt
hingsar
ebeaut
if
ul.CanIhavet
hebag
pl
ease.
.”
“
Yes,
keP350.
”
Shesoldt
heback.Theladysmi
ledt
henl
ookedat
Far
ai.“
Thankyou.Bye…”
“
Bye.
*
Shewalkedaway.Far
ail
ookedather
.“Hey…howi
s
busi
ness?”
“
Good.
”
“
Icansee,
moneyi
smaki
ngyoul
ookgood.
”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Thesuni
smaki
ngmedar
ker
.”
“
Act
ual
lyno.Youst
il
llookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Youar
elyi
ng!
”
Far
ailaughed.“
Iam t
ell
ingyou.Ar
eyoust
il
l
sel
li
ng?”
“Ngng,
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ort
hatl
ady.Ihavet
ogo
homenow.
”
“
Letmehel
pyou.Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.
”
‘
’
Thankyou.
”
Faraihelpedherpackwhilet
heyl
aughedchatt
ing.
Heputever ythi
nginthecart
henopenedt
hedoor
forher.Rethabi
let
urnedandwavedatThata.
“
Bye…”
“
ByeThabi
.”
Thabi gotinthecarthatl
ookedl i
keitwasolder
thanher .Helif
tedthedoorslight
lyupandpushedit
toclosemaki ngal oudsound.Hewal kedr
oundt he
carandj umpedi n.Hereversedthemanualcarand
j
oinedt heroad.
Far
aist
olegl
ancesatherashedroveherhome.He
st
oppedthecarbyatuckshop.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hejumpedout.Secondsl
aterhegotbackin
hol
dingapacketofSimbachipsandcoke.
“
Take…youpr
obabl
yhadal
ongday.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Ret
habi
leopenedt
heSi
mbachi
psandst
art
ed
eat
ing.Hechangedthegearsanddr
oveherhome.
Far
ai parkedt
hecarinfr
ontoft
hehousej
ustas
Ret
habi l
eopenedthecoke.
“
Wher
eisBat
ang?
”
“I
nthehouse.It
oldhimtostayi
nthehouseonce
hecomesbackfrom school
.Hedoesn’
topenfor
anyonewhoisnotme.”
Shesippedhercoke.Farail
ookedather,
shewas
sobeauti
ful
,herpresencealwaysmadehim
ner
vous.Rethabi
leturnedtohim andsmil
ed
makinghim smil
eback.
“Iam goi ngtoMaunt omorrow.Iam del
iver
ingt
wo
coffins.Therei
samovi ethatjustcameout,Iwas
wonder ingifmaybeyoucancomewi thme, wewil
l
wat chitintheafter
noonthencomeback.Justto
celebratehowf aryouhavecome. ”
“
Ihaveneverbeeni
naci
nema.
”
Faraismil
ed.“Metoo.ButIam sur
eitwi
llbeni
ce.
Pleasesayyes.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Iwoul
dli
ket
hat
.”
Faraismil
edwil
dly.“
Youwon’tr
egreti
t.Ipr
omise.
Theysaidit
’sani
cemovie.Iwil
lbehereearl
y
mor ni
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Letmehel
pyouwi
thyourt
hings.
”
Hegotoutoft
hecarandcarri
edherthi
ngstot
he
Ver
anda.Hewalkedandopenedthedoorf
orher.
Ret
habi
legotoff
.
“
Thankyou.
”
Far
ainodded.Shesmil
edthenwal
kedt
othedoor
.
Sheknockedonthedoor.
“
Bat
ang!Bat
ang!
”
Batangunlockedt
hedoorandt heburgl
ar.Ret
habi
le
tur
nedandwavedatFar aiwhosmi l
edwavedback.
Shecarri
edherthi
ngsinsideandlockedthedoor
.

*
**

Far
aidr
oveof
fsmi
li
ngal
one.Hepar
kedatt
he
househeshar
edwithhi
sbrotherandj
umpedoutof
thecar
.Hewalkedi
nsi
de,hi
sbr ot
herl
ookedathi
m.
“
Andt
hen?
”
“
Shesai
dyes.
”
“Iheardherboyfri
enddr i
vesanAmar ok.Ihopeyou
arenotsetti
ngyour sel
fforaheartbr
eak.Il
ike
Rethabil
e,sheisagoodgi rlbutsheseesyoulikea
fri
end.Don’thurtyoursel
f.
”
“
Iwillseeal
lthatwhenIgett
here.Iam t
aki
ngher
wit
ht omorr
ow.Thatguyisnotmarriedt
oher.She
i
snotmar ri
ed.”
Theol
derbrot
herlookedathi
m andsi
ghedcooki
ng
papontheparaf
fi
nst ove.
Far
ail
aidont
hecouch,
asmi
lest
il
lonhi
sface.

*
**

Lat
erthateveni
ngjustaf
termidnight
, Ret
habi
le’
s
phonerangwakingherupfrom hersleep.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey…”
Hereyessnappedopenashespoke.Shel
ookedat
t
hecallerI
Dandsmi l
ed.
“
Att
ie…”
“
Opent
hedoor
.Iam out
side.
”
Shegotoffbedandwal kedtothedoor
.She
unl
ockeditthedoorthentheburgl
arbarandlooked
athi
mi nhiswor kuni
for
m.Shehadneverseenhi m
i
nhisworkuni f
orm buthelookedsogood.I
tfithi
m
perf
ect
lyli
keitjustmadeforhim.
Heopenedhisarms,
Ret habi
let
ookastephuggi
ng
hi
mt i
ght
ly.Atangwrappedarmsaroundher
ki
ssi
ngherneck.Hesteppedbacksli
ghtl
yand
ki
ssedher.
“
Imi
ssedyou…”
Shesmil
edshyl
ysti
lli
nhi
sarms.“Imissedyout
oo.
It
houghtIwasgoi
ngtoseeyounextweek.
”
“Iknow…Icoul
dn’
tfl
youtagai
nwi
thoutseei
ng
you.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#14

Rethabi
lesmil
ed.Thelastti
meshehadseenhi m
hadbeenoverthr
eeweeksback.At angl
ooked
i
nsidethehouse,
hiseyesfall
ingonhermother
’s
pi
cturefr
ame.Hebabykissedhersqueezi
ngher
breast
.
“
Let
’sgot
othecar
.Lockt
hedoor
.”
Shetookthekeysfrom i
nsidet
hehousethen
l
ockedandwal kedwit
hhimt othecar
.Heopened
thedoorforherandwatchedassheapproached.
Shecli
mbedi nthenhejoi
nedherandclosedthe
doorstar
ingather.
Hesmiledandpickedherupthenpl
acedheronhis
l
ap.Hernightdr
essrodeover.At
anglookedather
bi
gbreastsandtouchedthem.Hegentl
ymassaged
ont
opofherni
ghtdr
esst
henhepul
ledi
tdown.
Atangleanedoverandkissedherneck.Sheclosed
hereyesasherpantiesgotdamp.Atangkissedlips
andsmi l
ed.“Howiswork?”
Rethabil
esmil
ed.“Peopl
elovethebeadwork,
especial
lywhi
tepeople,
theyevenpayext
rafort
he
pieces.
”
Hesmil
edback.“
That
’sgoodbabe.Youar
enai
li
ng
t
his.
”
“
Isawhemoneyyousentt
ome.Thankyou.
”
Atangcont
inuedplayi
ngwit
hherbreast
sthenlai
d
herdownandt ookofft
heni
ghtdr
ess.Helookedat
hercar
toondrawnunderwear.
“
Babe,doyouact
ual
lygot
otheshopsandbuy
t
hesepant
ies?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Imaket
hem.Why?
”
Helookedatt
hecar
toonchar
act
eroni
t.“
Theyar
e
ni
ce.”
Shesmi
led.Hepull
editoutandgotontopofher
ki
ssi
ngherwhil
etouchingher.Ret
habi
let
ooka
deepbreathasheunzippedhispants.Herubbed
hi
mselfonherwet.Ret habil
emoanedsof t
ly
movingherwaistunderneathhim.Sheunbutt
oned
hi
sshirtthenhel
pedhimt akeitof
ffol
lowedbyhis
whit
evest .
Heki
ssedherandpushedhi
sdi
cki
nsi
de.Herkuku
sl
owl
ystret
chedoutf
orhim.
Rethabi
leputherhandonhi
schestfl
inching.At
ang
rubbedhimsel
fonherandheldherwaistashe
pushedinagain.
“
Awww…At
ang…”
Herli
tt
lekukuhuggedhi
mti
ght
ly.Hegr
unt
edi
nher
earsqueezi
ngherbody.
“
Ahhshi
t!
”
Hepushedi nhal
fofi tkissi
ngherneckt henhe
slowlybegunthr
ustingwi thonlyhalfhisdick.Her
kukumassagedhi sweaponmaki nghim gruntand
quiverontopofher.Shef eltsoogoodorwasi tthe
factthati
thadbeent hreeweekst houghwhenever
hemadel ovetoher,shef elteventi
ghter.
Sheslowlymovedherhandsf rom hischest
moaning.Atangkissedherl
ipsandpushedt her
est
ofhisl
engthdeepi nsi
dewit
hasi nglethr
ust
.She
pi
nchedhim closi
nghereyes,hef el
tmorethanj
ust
deep.
“
Atang!
”
Hekissedherenj
oyingtheti
ghtnessandwar mth,i
t
al
waysf el
tgooddeepinsi
deher .Heslowlyeased
outthenpushedhi
mselfbackinsideagain.
Rethabi
letr
iedt
omovebackbutt her
ewasno
spacetomovebackt owit
hherheadagai nstthe
door.
Hekissedherwhi l
emovinghiswaistt
appi
ngallher
cor
ners.Shegotevenwet tert
hemorehesankin.
Herbodyrelaxedadjust
ingtohisdi
ck.Heputher
l
egsonhi sshouldersandgentl
ydri
ll
edfi
ll
ingher
wit
hhisdick.
Rethabi
lemoanedatthepleasur
e,shelookedat
hi
mt henclosedhereyesasthepleasuredoubl
ed
up.Heincr
easedhispacegroaning.Hisphonerang
fr
om thefr
ontseatassheclosedhereyes
spasmi
ng.
At
angsl
ammedhimselfinsi
deacoupl
esmore
t
imest
henst
il
ledr
eleasi
nghisseedsi
nsi
de.
Shelookedathim br
eat
hingheavi
ly.Hegotof
fher
thenreachedf
orhisphoneandpicked.
“Yeah…youf oundsomeone?….Ok, howlongwil
l
sheittake?…Ok, askher
…Iwillsendthemoneyto
you,howmuchdoyouneed? ..
.Ok,met oo.
”He
droppedthecall.Ret
habi
lel
ookedathim.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Noonei
mpor
tant
.”
“
Whatwer
eyousayi
ngmet
oot
o?”
At
angl
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Whatwer
eyousayi
ngmet
oot
o?”
“
Babe…don’
tdot
his.Canwenotgodownt
hat
r
oad?”
Shel
ookedathim andsatupri
ghtpi
cki
ngher
ni
ght
dress.At
angsighedandhandedherhi
sphone.
Shel
ookedatthelastcal
lerwhi
chwashismother
.
Shegavebi
rt
hhi
sphone.
“Iwasjustaski
ngwhoyouweret
alki
ngt
o.I
fIam
notsupposedtoask,
sayso.
”
At
angki
ssedher
.“Ormaybeyouj
usthavetotrust
me.Whywoul
dIcheatonyouinf
rontofyou?
”
Shelookeddownsli
ghtl
yembarr
assed.At
angt
ilt
ed
herchi
nandkissedhertaki
ngt
henightdr
essf
rom
her.
Meanwhi le,Rethabil
e’sneighborwhowasst andi
ng
bythewi ndowst aredatthecarpar kedi
nfrontof
thehousewi t
hRet habil
einside.Shecoul
dn’tsee
anythi
ngt houghsheknewsomet hi
ngwas
happeningint hatcar.Shecl appedherhandsand
walkedtoherdaught er’
sroom.
“Mavis,Rethabi
le’
srichol
dmanishere.Ican’t
bel
ievethischil
d.Hermother
’sbodyi
sst i
llwarm
andalreadyshebr i
ngsmenintheyar
d.”
Mavi
slookedathermother
.“Mama, goandsl
eep.
Youar
edistur
bingme.LetRethabi
lebe.
”
“
It
sver
ydi
srespect
ful
.Iam goi
ngt
otel
lher
t
omor
row.Ican’
twat
cht
hisbehavi
orgoon.
”
Maviscl
osedhereyesandtur
nedt
heot
her
di
rect
ioni
gnori
nghermother.

*
**

Thefollowi
ngmor ning,
FaraiparkedtheIsuzuby
thegatethenlookedattheblackAmar okparkedin
theyard.Hetookadeepbr eathandst eppedoutof
hiscarthenhewal kedovert
ot hedoorpassingthe
car.
Heknockedont
hedoorandwai
ted.

Insi
detheAmarok,
Ret
habi
lewokeupasFarai
call
edhername.At
angwokeuptooandl
ookedat
her.
“
Who’
sthat
?”
“
Myf
ri
end.
”
“
Whatf
ri
end?
”
Rethabi
lepi
ckedherni
ghtdressandoutiton.“The
onethatmademymot her
’scoffi
n.Far
ai.Ihad
agreedtogotoMaunwithhi
m sowecangot ot he
Cinema.”
“
Youagr
eedt
owhat
?”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
He-
“
“
Idon’
thavef
emalefr
iends.Idon’
tbelieveinsuch
f
ri
endshi
psandIdon’
tli
kesuchf r
iendships.
”
“
Far
aii
s-“
“Idon’
tgiveafuck.HecanbeJesusf orallIcar
e.I
don’tl
ikeit
.Iwi
llbeyourfr
iendifyouwantaf ri
end.
Youarenotgoingtohavemakemal efri
endsasf ar
asyouar ewit
hme.St ayhere,
Iwillt
alktohim.”
“
Atang-
“
Heputonhi spantsandst
eppedoutoft
hecar
shir
tl
ess.Farait
ookadeepbreat
hashewalked
over.
“
Sur
elai
taka…”
“
Eit
a..
”
At
anglookedoveratI
suzuparkedatt
hegat
ethen
whi
stl
ed.“Myfat
hersti
llhast
hat.
”
Far
aismi
led.“
Thecari
sal
egend.
”
“
Tel
lmeabouti
t.At
ang…”
“
Far
ai.
”
“Farailait
aka,Iam goi ngtobest rai
ghtwithyou,
what everfri
endshi pthingyouhavegoi ngonwi t
h
mygi rlIdon’tl
ikei t
.AndIwanti ttostop.Unless
youar eherr el
ativewhi chIam sur eyounotsoI
wanti ttostop.Remaj itaandIam sur eyou
under standwher eIam comi ngfrom.Iknowyou
probabl yli
keher, Idon’tblameyou, sheisapr et
ty
thi
ng.Butt hepr oblem isthatshei smineandIdon’ t
l
ikepr edatorsaroundmyper son.”
Far
ait
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Iunder
stand.
”
“
Surelai
taka.
.”Theybumpedshoul
der
s.Farai
t
urnedandwal kedt
ohiscaranddr
oveoff
.
At
anggotbacki
nthecar
.Ret
habi
lel
ookedathi
m.
“
Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?”
“Iendedthefr
iendship.Iam notgoi
ngtoenter
tai
n
bohe’sjustmyf r
iend.Itdoesn’
tworkl
iket
hatwit
h
me.”
“
Iam notyourex.
”
Atangkissedher
.“IknowbutIj
ustdon’
tli
kei
t.
That’
sjustmebabe.Samewayyouhaveapr oblem
withmesayingmet oo.”
Shesmi l
ed.“Ij
ustwantedt
oknowwhower
etal
king
to.That
’sal
l.Atang…?
”
“
Yeah?
”
“
Whydon’
tyoueversl
eepi
nthehouse?
”
Hel
ookedather.“Idon’
twantt
odisr
espectyour
mot
herli
ket
hat.Itfeel
sli
kesheisl
ooki
ngatme.”
“
Isi
therpi
ctur
efr
amei
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom?Ican
movei
t.
”
“
It
’snotherpi
ctur
efr
amebabe,keepit
.ThedayI
marr
yyou,Iwil
lsl
eepint
hehouse.Ipr
omise.
”
Hi
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngagai
n,Ret
habi
lel
ookedat
t
heCal
lerI
DasYaonecal
led.
Heanswered.“Hi
,Iwillt
alkt
oyoulater
….Isai
dIwi
ll
t
alkt
oyoul at
er…Iwillcal
lyou…ok.
”Hehungup
t
henkissedherholdi
ngherinhisarms.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#15

AtangsqueezedRet
habi
le’
sbr
east
,shef
li
nched
pushi
nghishandoff.
“
It
’spai
nful
.”
Hesmi
ledandki
ssedher
.“Sor
ry.
”
Hemovedhishandt
oherbel
lyandr
ubbedi
tgent
ly
whi
lesmi
li
ng.
“Igotyouthosebi
gumbrel
lassothatyouarenot
underthesunthewhol
edayattheroadsinceyou
r
efusedapr
opershop.
”
“Idi
dn’
trefuse.Ij
ustwantedsomewher
ewher
eI
cangettheexposureIneed.”
“Iwantyoutolear
nhowtodrive.Youshouldgeta
dri
ver’
sli
cense.Youcanst
artatthedri
vingschool
,
howmanymont hsdoyouhavetil
lyoustartatUB?
”
“
Thr
eemont
hs.
”
“
Ist
her
eadr
ivi
ngschoolar
oundher
e?”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok,wear egoingtoregi
steryoutoday,i
fyouarea
fastl
earner,youwouldbedr i
vingbefor
eyoustart
school.Iam goingtopayhim extr
atomakesur e
yougett hebest.
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Byt
heway,
wher
edoesyouruncl
eli
ve?
”
“
Hestaysi
nOr
apa.Mymot
her
’suncl
eist
heone
t
hatst
aysi
nMaun.”
“
Maunwher
e?”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathi
m.At
angki
ssedher
.
“
Ijustwantt
oknow.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andt
oldhi
m.At
angnodded.
“Iwantt
otakeyououtforshoppi
ngtoday.Maybe
youcanalsodoyourhairt
houghIhadsentyou
moneyforthat
.”
Sheshyl ysmiled.“
Batangneedednewschool
shoesandanewbag.Iboughthi m aschoolshi
rt
thenIboughthi m abikesothathewon’thaveto
begot herchi
ldrenforthei
rbi
kes.Themoneygot
fi
nished.”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyousayanyt
hing?
”
“
Idon’
twanttofi
nishyourmoney.Theoneyouare
l
eftwi
thaf
tert
hebankt akest
heoneforthel
oan.
”
Atanglookedatherandsmil
ed.“Iwi
llj
ustdri
nk
water
.Asl ongasyouaregood.Iwanttotel
lyou
something.”
“
What
!”
“
Remembermyex?Theonet
hatcheat
edonme?
”
Ret
habi
le’
shear
tski
pped.“
Yes.
”
“
Whenwebr
okeupIhadalreadypai
dmagadi
.We
wer
egoi
ngt
ogetmarr
ied.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Icaughtherwi thhercoll
eaguewhowas
i
nt r
oducedt omeasagayguyt hat’
swhyIj ust
neverhadapr oblem wi
thit.Hedidn’
tappeargayto
mebutIdi dn’
treadmuchi ntoitbecauseIhadbeen
withthiswomanf or3yearsandwewer ehappy.I
hadf l
ownoutt oSAandIwasgoi ngthroughcome
backthef oll
owingdaybutt herewasachangeof
plans,Ihadt oflythepr
esidenttoMaunsoIhadt o
comeback. ”
“
ThePr
esi
dent
?”
Helookedather .“Iam apilotbabebutjustnotyour
ordi
narypi
lot.Iam ami li
tarypil
ot.It
oldyouwhen
youwerestil
lfakingidentit
y.”
“
Youar
easol
dier
?”
“Iwasapilotfi
rst
.Istudiedabroad.Icouldn’
tfind
j
obsoIwenti ntomilit
ary.Thatwasf ortwoyear s.
Theyli
kedmeenoughsoIj oi
nedtheS. W.A.Tteam
butIam onlycall
edifnecessary.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m conf
used.“
What
?”
“Withconnect
ionsandall,Igotajobasami l
it
ary
pil
otbutsometimesIam al soj
ustyourordinary
pil
ot.If
lythepresi
dentsomet i
mest oo.Sometimes
Iam partofhi
ssecurit
y,that’
sifnecessary.
”
“
Sowhatar
eyou?
”
“
Iam ahust
li
ng.That
’sal
lyouneedt
oknow.
”
“
Doyouevenhavebankl
oans?Youpr
obabl
ymake
alotofmoney.
”
Hel
ookedi
nhereyes.“
NoIdon’
thavel
oans.
”
“
Isthatwhyyoucanj
ustr
andoml
ysendme1kper
week?”
“Iwantyoutohaveeveryt
hingyouneed.Iam a
provi
der.That
’stheki
ndofmanIam.Youneedt o
getusedtothat.
”
“
Whydon’
ttoi
nvestt
hatmoney?
”
Atangsmiledandki
ssedher.“
Listen…Ihadtofly
backthesamedayIhadf l
ownoutbecauset he
fol
lowingdayear
lymorni
ngIwasgoi ngthroughfly
thepresi
dentt
oMaun.Ithoughtitwouldbeagr eat
surpr
isetomyexandt hat’swhenIwalkedinonher
withhergaycoll
eaguef uckingi
nmyhouse.Il osti
t
andstabbedthem botht houghtheydi
dn’tdi
e.She
convi
ncedherboyf r
iendt osaysomethingel
seso
thati
nreturnIl
etthem cont i
nuewitht
heir
rel
ati
onshipinpeace.”
Ret
habi
leswal
lowedl
ist
eni
ng.
“Shecal l
edmel astweek,i
tseemsherboyfr
iend
wasi nvolvedinsomeshadydealingsandhewas
arr
est edsoshewasaski ngforsomemoneyt ohel
p
bailhim out.
”
“
Youst
il
ltal
ktoher
?”
“
No.Shecal
ledme.
”
“
Andwhatwi
llyoubeget
ti
ngi
nret
urn?
”
“
Not
hing.Shesai
dshewi
llpayi
tback.
”
“
Whyar eyoutel
li
ngmeal
lthi
s?Dowhatyouwant
wantyourmoney.”
Ret
habi
ler
eachedf
orherni
ghtdr
essandputi
ton.
“Iam t
ell
ingyoubecauseyouar emygi
rl
fr
iendandI
beli
eveintranspar
ency.Iwantyout
obeont he
sanepageasIam.Youj ustdon’
tgetupsetbecause
Iam tel
li
ngyouwhathappened.Iam j
ustgoing
honest.I
fyoudon’
tli
kesomething,
yousayi t
.”
“Idon’tl
ikethatyoustil
ltalktoyourexgirlfr
iends.I
alsodon’tli
kehowyoucomeher etofuckmei n
yourcarl i
keIam apr ost
itute.Idon’
tli
keit.Itmakes
mef eelcheap.Ifwecan’tdoi tli
kenormalpeopl e
thenlet’
snotdoi tatall
.It’
suncomf ort
ableint he
car.Youar etheonlymanIhavebeenwi thbutI
don’tthi
nki t
’ssupposedtobel i
kethi
s.Whydoyou
evendot hat?”
“Iwi
llchange.Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn’treal
izebutnowI
know.Iwillbookusint
oal odge.Iwon’ttal
ktoher
anymore.Ipromise.I
sthereanythingelseIshoul
d
change?”
“
No.
”
Heputheronhisl
apt
henl
if
tedherdr
essand
r
ubbedhercli
t.
“Ok.Idon’
tli
keyourpanti
es.Theyar
eni cebutI
don’tl
iket
hem onyou.Itmakesmef eelasifIam
havingsexwithatenyearol
d.Thepantiesarenice
butsomeonewhocanr
ideadi
ck,
Idon’
tthi
nkyou
shoul
dwearthose.
”
Hekissedherandmovedherupsl i
ghtl
y.Ret
habi
le
l
ookedathimf eel
ingi
tatherent
rance.Hesl
owly
l
oweredherdownoni t.
Hel ookedinhereyes.“
Ilovehowyouar egoodat
yourhust l
e.Iam i
mpressed.Ilovehowyouar e
focusedanddet er
mined.Ilovehowyoul oveyour
brotherandalwaysincl
udehi mineveryt
hingyoudo.
Ilovejusthowmuchyouar ebeautif
ulandsoftand
thick.Youaresobeauti
ful.AndIloveyou.Ial
so
l
ovet his….Lookatyour
self.
”
Rethabi
lel
ookedathi
sdicksl
idingi
n.Shetooka
deepbreat
handlookedathi
m, herl
ipssl
ight
ly
part
ed.
At
angki
ssedherandt
ookof
fthedr
ess.
“Idon’
tlikebei
ngpushedorl imitedwhenIwanti t
.I
wanttoenj oyyouwi thouthavingt obegf
or
anythi
ng.Physicaltouchi smyf irstl
ovel
anguage.I
j
ustdon’tlovethi
sbutIneedi ttot hi
nkpr
operly,
to
dist
ress.Ili
kecelebrati
ngwi t
ht his.I
fIam sad,t
rust
me…sexwil
lmakemehappy.IfIam mad,sexwi
ll
cal
m medown.I
fIam al
readyhappy,
itwi
llmake
mehappi
er.
”
Hegent
lymovedunderneat
hher.Heki
ssedher
sl
owlymovi
ngunderneathher
.
“Itwilltakeyouawhi letoreall
yknowmeever ypart
ofmebutIneedyout oknowt his…forme,sexis
i
mpor tantintherelati
onship.It’
supt her
ewith
fait
hful ness,honestyandl oyal
ty.Sexdoesn’
tbore
me.Iam t ell
ingyout hissoyouknowbabe.I nthe
future, youshouldstillknowIthinkaboutsexalot
andIl ovetohavesex.Ok? ”
Shenoddedmoani
ngashegavehersl
owdeep
st
rokes.
“
Tal
ktome…”
“
Iunder
stand.
”
Hesmi l
edandkissedherser
vinghersl
owly.He
squeezedherandsuckedhernippl
egentl
y.
Rethabil
erubbedhi
sheadmoani ngasshegoteven
wetter
.
“Ialsoval uef
aithf
ulnessbabe.I fyoucheatonme
afterIhavegivenyouever ythi
ng,Iwil
lki
llyou.Iam
notj okingandit’
snotahabi tt
hatIsaythisto
peopl e.Atacertai
nlevel,Iunderstandwhymyex
woul dhavecheat edbutthi sti
mear oundIhave
vowedt odothingsdiffer
ent l
y.”
Ret
habi
lel
eanedoverand#r
emoved.
.

Shefi
nall
ystoppedandl
aidherheadonhi
schest
br
eat
hingheavil
y.
Secondslat
ershegotoffhi
m andopenedt
hecar
doorthenst
eppedout.
“Mybrot
herisawake.Don’teverthreat
entokillme
agai
n,Iwil
lrepor
tyoutothepolice.Iam notyour
ex.
”
Sheclosedt
hedoorandwalkedtothedoorj
ustas
mmagweMavi swalkedoutofherhousehol
dinga
cup.
Shesmi
led.“
Thabi
le,
howar
eyou?
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedover
.“Iam f
ine.
”
“
That
’sgood.
”
Rethabi
leunl
ockedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nthe
house.

*
**

Latert
hatday,El
angopenedRethabi
le’
sst
atuses.
Shelookedatthenewhair
styl
eandwhatseemed
l
ikeanewdr essandnewheels.
Sheopenedmor eofherst
atuses,
nopict
ure
showedAtang.Obvi
ously,
itmadesensethatshe
wouldn’
twantpeopl
etoseeherboyfr
iendwhowas
oldert
hanher.
Shezoomedi noneofthepicturesandstaredatthe
weavei nRethabil
e’
sheadthatl ookedl
ikeherreal
hairespeci
all
ywi t
htheedgesl aiddown.She
touchedherbr ai
dsboredwiththem knowingthat
weavewoul dlookbett
eronher .Eventhedress..
Shesi
ghedt
henwentt
oherFacebookand
sear
chedf
orAt
ang.
Hi
saccountwaspr i
vati
zed.Shesenthim af
ri
end
r
equestandsighedgoingtoherFacebook
messagesthatsheneverrepl
ied.

*
**

I
napresident
ialsui
teatari
verl
odgei
nShakawe,
At
angstoodbyt hebal
conyst
ari
ngatthewat
ers
whi
leRethabi
leandBatangworet
hei
rnewclot
hes.
Hecal
ledhi
sfat
herhol
dingacanofbeer
.
“
Atang…”
“
Didmal
omecal
lyou?
”
“Hedidmi nutesback.Yourmot heri
snothappy.
Shesayst hatgir
lisachickbutIsawherpi ctur
e
andIli
keher .Youngandf resh.Notst
ressful
.Now
toyouwilltr
ainherandmakeheryour s.Idon’t
supporti
mpr egnatingpeople’
sdaughter’
sbutIam
happyyouar etakingresponsibi
li
tyf
oryour
acti
ons.”
At
angsmi
led.“
Sowhenwi
lli
thappen?
”
“Weweret
hinki
ngnextweekend.Whati
sshe
sayi
ng?
”
“
Shedoesn’
tknowyet
.”
“
Sheneedst
oknow.
”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
ocr
y.”
“Shewi l
lkeepquiet.Whocr i
esfor
ever?Iam fi
nal
ly
havingagr andchi
ld.Godisgood.Ithoughtyou
wouldgivemenot hingbutstr
essand
disappoint
ment sti
llIdi
e.”
At
angl
aughed.“
Iam myf
ather
’sson.
”
“
Boy,
Iwasnot
hingl
ikeyou!
”
Atanglaughedandhungupt henwal
kedint
he
room.Hel ookedatherst
ari
ngather
sel
fonthe
mirrorsmil
ing.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmiledt
urni
ngt
ohi
m.“
Thankyouf
ort
he
cl
othes.
”
At
angsi
ppedhi
sbeerandki
ssedher
.“Haveyou
hadyourper
iodt
hismont
h?”
Sheopenedhermout
htoanswerwi
thayest
hen
paused.
“
No.I
thasn’
tcomeyet
.Why?
”
“
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
”
“
It
’scomi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Andt
heonef
orl
astmont
h?”
Shethoughtofl
astmont
hthenl
ookedathi
m.“
It
came,why?”
“
Iwantyoutousecont
racepti
vessot
heyneedyou
t
ofacerul
edoutpr
egnancy.”
Sheswal
lowedst
ari
ngathi
m.“
Iam notpr
egnant
.”
“
Ok,
butwhati
fyouwer
e?”
“
Iwouldn’
tbe.Iam notgoi
ngthroughbri
ngachil
d
whenIam onl
yachi l
dtoo.Iam notgoi
ngtogetUB
wit
hababy.Iwouldabortit
.”
“
Youwhat
?”
Ret
habi
lesi
ghed.“
Att
iecanwenott
alkabout
pregnancyandkids?Iam notgoi
ngtohavekidsti
ll
Ihaveadegreeandwor ki
ngandalsomar r
ied.I
wanttoestabl
ishmyselff
irst
.NowIam justa
chil
d.”
“Soyouwouldabor
tmychi
ldbecauseyoudon’
t
haveal
lthat
?”
“Iam notpregnantsono.Iam notabor
ti
ng
anythi
ng.”
“
Whati
fyouwer
e?”
“Iwouldal
sogoandpi
ckamil
li
onwhi
leati
t.Pl
ease
stop.Doyoul
ikemydr
ess?
”
Hesi
ppedhi
sbeerandnoddedsi
tt
ingdown.“
Yah.
”
.
.

Anot
herbonuscomi
ngup
Your
sTr
uly
#16

Thatsameeveni
ngYaonesatint
heguesthouse
thencall
edAt
ang.I
trangacoupl
eoft
imesthenhe
answered.
“
Yah?
”
“Hi,
therr
ahaveyout
houghtabouti
t?Iwi
llgi
veyou
themoneybackassoonasmyl oanget
s
approved.
”
“
Iam notgi
vingyoumoneytobai
loutt
hemanyou
wer
echeati
ngonmewi th.
”
“
At angt
heweddi
ngi
sint
wodays.Iam goi
ngt
obe
alaughi
ngst
ock.
”
“Atl
eastnowyouwil
lknowhowt hatfeels.Andyou
needtostopcal
li
ngme.It
’snolongerfunny.You
mustbetakingmysi
lenceforsomethi
ngel se.Don’
t
annoyme.”
Hehungup, Yaonelookedatherphone
di
sappoi
nted.Shethoughtf
ull
ycall
edhersi
ster
.
“
Yaya…”
“
Iam havi
ngsecondt
hought
saboutKago.
”
“
Why?
”
“Ahhmmat hi
srel
ati
onshi
pisal
readybor
ingmeI
don’
tthi
nkIst
il
lwanttogetmar
ried.
”
“
Isi
tbecausehel
osthi
sjob?
”
“Hedoesn’twanttolookf
oranotheronegapeI
don’tt
hinkIlovedhi
m.Idon’tt
hinkIeverdi
dwait
se.
Itwasjustexcit
ementofsomethingnew.”
“
Youmessedup,
youseenow?
”
Yaonesi
ghed.“
Iwant
edt
ohur
thi
m back.
”
Thesistersighed.“Ahhmma, whathappenedhas
al
readyhappened.Canyouj ustmoveon?Kago
l
ovesyou.I tshouldn’
tbeaboutthemoneybutI
aboutthelove.”
“Atangusedtospoil.Ilackednothingwit
hthatman.
Ilovedhim.Someti
mesIwonderwhatIdi dto
Amant l
e.IsawherandKagot al
kingsometime
back.Latert
hatweek, Ifoundherear i
ngi
nmy
house.Itwasjustl
ikethatt i
meatAt ang’
shouse.
”
“Yaya…areyousureitwashers?Kanathatti
me,
AtangsaidithadbeenyoursandIcoul
dbelieve
him becauseIhadboughtyouandMantlethesame
earr
ingsbymi st
ake.
”
“Iam notstupi
dTsi
tsi
.Iknowhesl
eptwi
thher
.He
candenyi tal
lhewant
s.”
“Yourpr oblem Yaonei syoudon’ tli
stentoreason
mysi ster.Idon’tthi
nkAmant l
esl eptwithAtang,
shedi dn’thavear easont o.Justbecauseshesl ept
withthatoneboyf ri
endofyour swhowasal r
eady
cheatingonyoudoesn’ tmeanshenowgoes
aroundsl eepingwi t
hyourman.Youneedt oletgo,
howmanyr elati
onshipwi l
lyoudest royjust
becauseyout hinkAmant l
esleptwi t
hthemanyou
wouldbedat ing?Seewhathappenedwi t
hAt ang,
nowyouar eregrett
ing.Youneedt oseesomeone.
Youar enotabadper son,Iknowbutyouhavet o
forgi
veandheal .Thisisnol ongerhealth.”
“
IloveAt
ang.Idon’
twantt
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
“
ForgetAt
angYaone.Thatshi
tsank.Youhur
tthat
mantoanextentt
hatevenaft
erever
ythi
nghesti
ll
camet oyoubeggingforyouguystof
ixthi
ngs.You
brokehim.If
eelsorryfort
henextwomaninline,he
willpr
obabl
yhurtherbecauseofwhatyoudid.”
Yaonesni
ffed.“
Idon’
twantt
ogetmar
ri
ed
anymore.
”
“
Sleep.Wewi
llt
alkt
omor
row.
”
“No.Idon’twantt
ogetmarriedanymoreTsitsi
.Iam
notdoingthattoKago.Hedeservesbett
erand
that
’snotme.Idon’tl
ovehim..Iwanttocancelthe
wedding.”
“
Yaone-
“
“Iam notgett
ingmarr
iedanymore.Iam goi
ngt
o
stayhereforther
estofmyleave.
”
“
Yaone,
magadiwaspai
d-“
“
Wewi
llr
efundt
hemoney.
”
“Doyouthinkt
hisisajokeYaone?Youjustdon’t
wakeupandsayyoudon’ twanttogetmar r
ied
becauseyoucanclearl
yseethatt
hef ut
ureisblurr
y.
Thisi
snothowi t
’sdone.Youcan’
tsayyouwant ed
tohurtAt
ang,i
t’
snotaboutthatbecauseeven
beforet
heincidentwit
hAmantlehappened,you
alr
eadywant edKago.Youfel
linl
ovewithhim.Now
thathe’
slosthisjobyour
eali
zeyoudon’tlovehi
m?
“Idon’
tcar
ehowi twi
llbedonebutIam annot
gett
ingmarri
ed.
”

*
**

Thefoll
owingday, earlymor ni
ng,
Atangst aredat
Ret
habilewhil
eshesl eptthenhetouchedherbel l
y.
Hesmi l
edalone,hel eanedoverandgent lykissed
her
.Rethabil
esl i
ghtl
ymovedi nhersleep,Atang
l
ookedatherf acethent ookhisphoneandt ookher
pi
ctureswhil
eshesl eptlikeheusuall
ydi d.
Heputawayhi sphonet henleanedoverandki ssed
her .Rethabi
leturnedherheadandscr atchedher
thighi nhersleep.Atanglif
tedthesheettur
ningher
tohersi de.Her ubbedhimselfbetweenherlegsand
slowl ypushedt heti
p.Rethabil
emovedi nhersl eep
andpul l
edthesheett ocoverhersel
f.Hestroked
himsel fandslowlypushedi n.Hepausedenj oying
herwarmth.Hesli
dintheent
ir
edickwaki
ngherup.
Atangpushedhersoshecouldli
eonherst
omach
withdi
ckpluggedi
n.
Her eachedforapil
lowraisi
ngherupsli
ght
ly
putti
ngitonstomach.Hepushedhert hi
ckt
highs
togetherandstar
teddri
ll
inginandoutki
ssi
ngher
back.
.
Rethabil
epull
edt hesheetsmoaningintothepi
ll
ow
whileconvul
sing.Her emainedi
nsideforacoupl
e
ofsecondsandf inal
lysli
dout.
Hetur
nedheraroundandki
ssedher
.Rethabil
e
l
ookedathi
m exhaust
edwhil
eherpussyburnt.
“
Hey…Ihavet
ogo.
”
Shef
rowned.“
Now?
”
“Yeah…Iam f
lyi
ngouttomorrowmor ni
ng.Iwi
llsee
youproper
lynextweek.Iam goi
ngtocomeandget
yousoyoucanseemyhousei nGabs.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Youar
etaki
ngmet
oGabor
one?
”
“
Yes.Youar
est
art
ingatt
hedr
ivi
ngschool
t
omor
rowt
odayr
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“I
fyougetyourl
icensebef
oreyoust
artschool
,Iam
goingt
ogetyouacar .
”
“
Acar
?”
“
Yes.
”
Ret
habi
leputherhandsonherf
acescr
eami
ng.“
A
car
?”
“
Yes.That
’si
fyougeti
tbef
oreyoust
artatUB.
”
Ret
habi
lehuggedhi
mlaughi
ng.“
Acar
?Ar
ealcar
?”
“
Yes.
”
Tearsf
il
ledhereyes.“
Att
ie…ar
eyouser
ious?You
wil
lbuymeacar ?”
“
Yes.
”
Sheputherhandsonherf
acel
aughing.Herlaugh
sl
owlyturnedi
ntoacr
y.At
anghuggedherkissing
herf
orehead.
“
Ihaveneverhadanyonebuymeanyt
hing.
”
“
Thi
swi
llbeyourf
ir
st.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
odr
ivi
ngschoolt
oday.
”
Heki
ssedherl
ips.“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
Hegotof
fherandputonhissweatpant
sthen
wal
kedtothebat
hroom.Hisphonestar
tedri
ngi
ng
j
ustasheopenedtheshower.
Shereachedforitandlookedatanunsaved
numbercall
ing.Shegotof fbedt
henpickedhi
st-
shi
rtandputitin.Shewalkedtothebathr
oom and
knockedonthedoor .
“
Att
ie…yourphone.
”
“
Tsena.
.”
Sheopenedthedoorandwalkedin.Shelookedat
hismuscles,
nowhim bei
nginmili
taryexpl
ained
thatbuf
fedbodyandhishei
ght,
alsothataura
aroundhim.
Shelookedathishaircutt
henhisbeard.Herwent
downt ohi
schest .Hehistat
toostart
edonhisri
ght
breastgoi
ngtohisr i
ghthand.Hi
sl ef
thandal
so
hadonwhi chextendedtohisback.Thesewerethe
kindofmenhermot herdi
sli
ked.Sheassoci
ated
tatt
ooswi
thevi
lness.
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
Ngng,
unsavednumber
.”
“
Answer
.”
Ret
habi
leanswer
edandputt
hephoneonspeaker
.
“
SoyoublockedmeAtti
e?Iam notaski
ngf
or
moneyanymore.I
t’
sok.
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathim.Hepulledhercl
oserwi
th
hi
swethandsandkissedherneck.
“Ibl
ockedyoubecauseIwantt
ocutof
fal
l
communicati
onwithyou.
”
“Iknowyoupr obablyhatemebutcanwet alk?Iam
nol ongergett
ingmar ri
edandIwantt oexpl ain
mysel f
.Ihurtyoubecauseofwhathappenedwi th
mysi ster
.Itdoesn’texcuseanythingbutitwasn’ t
becauseIdi dn’tl
oveyouanymor ebecauseIdi d.I
sti
lldoandi fthereisachance,Iwanttof i
xt hings.
”
“Youaret
alki
ngbull
shitr
ightnow.Ther
eisno
chanceofusfi
xingt
hingsever.AndIhavemoved
on.IfoundsomeonewhoIr eal
lyloveandIrespect
herandourrelati
onshi
p.Iam tell
ingyouforthelast
ti
me..don’tcallmeagain.Ihopeyouheardme. ”
Rethabi
lehungupandsmiled.“
Letmegoand
checkifBat
angisawake.
”
“
Don’
tyouwantt
obat
h?”
“
Ngng…”
Shequicklywal kedoutthenputhisphonedown
andpickedher s.Shesatdownt houghtf
ull
ythen
wentont heinternetconnect
edt othel
odge’sWi
Fi.
Shecouldn’trememberwhenl astshehadseenher
peri
odthoughsheoncesawbl oodsomet i
me
backm
Shetookadeepbr
eat
handt
ypedi
nont
hesear
ch
bar
.
‘
howdoyouknowyouar
epr
egnant
'
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handwai
tedf
ort
her
esul
ts.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#17

At
angpar
kedt
hecaratt
hegat
e.Bat
angsmi
led.
“
I-
I-
Imi
ssy-
y-youal
ready.
”
At
angsmil
ed.“Imi
ssyoutoo.Iam comi
ngnext
weekt
otakeyoutomyhouse.”
Bat
ang’seyeswhenwi dened.“
We-Wear eg-
g-g-…”
Heclosedhiseyest
ryi
ngt omakeupt heword.
Ret
habilel
ookedathim andsmiledencour
agingly.
“
Goi
ngt
ost
aywi
thyou?
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Yes!
”
Helaughed.“Iwi
llcomeandtakeyou.”They
bumpedf i
sts.At
anglookatRethabi
leandpushed
herhai
rback.
“
Hey…ar
eyouok?
*
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Somet
hingi
sof
f.Tal
ktome.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“Iloveyou.Iloveyousomuch.Iknowour
relati
onshiphasj ustst
artedandIknowyouar e
youngbutIwi llneverlimityouf r
om reachingt he
sky.Iwi l
lbeyournumberonef an.Youar eahar d
wor ker,
youar esmar tanddet er
mi ned,nothingcan
stopyou.Il ovet hataboutyou.Ineedyout oknowI
alsowantnot hingbutt hebestforyouandt hat’s
whyIam her et oassistyoui nanyway.Youar enot
alone.”
Shesl
owl
ysmi
led.“
Ianscar
ed.
”
“
Ofwhat
?”
“
I…”Sheclosedhereyesandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h
t
henlookedathim.
“
Not
hing.Iwi
llbef
ine.
”
“
Tal
ktome.I
t’
snotnot
hing.
”
“Il
oveyousomuch,itscaresme.Ihaveneverbeen
sohappyIcan’
thel
pbutt hinki
t’
stempor
ary.”
“
It
’snot
.”
“Youhavej ustawayfrom alongtermr el
ati
onshi
p.
Ther easonyouwer eevent al
kingtomeonmy
Facebooki sbecauseyouwer et r
yingtodistr
act
yourself.Iam scar
edIam ar eboundandt hatyou
areonlywi thmebecauseyoual sofel
tsor r
yforme.
Igetscar edwhenIt hi
nkofbeingwi t
houtyou.Iget
scaredf ormybr ot
her.Helovesyoumuch”
“Iam notgoi
nganywhere.Iloveyou,
youareno
rebound.Il
oveyou.Il
oveyousomuch. ”Hel
eaned
backoverandkissedher.Batanggi
ggledandput
hishandsonherface.
Shelaughedthensteppedoutgetti
ngt hei
r
shoppingbags.Atanggottherestofthem andput
them i
nthehousewher etherestofthebagswere.
Hekissedherwhi l
eBatangrantothebackoft he
housewithhistoy.
“
Iloveyou.Don’
tfor
gett
hat
.”
Shegotanot
herkissthenhewalkedoutgoi
ngto
hi
scar.Shest
aredstandingbythedoor
,hejumped
i
nhiscaranddroveofffl
ashinghi
sli
ghtsonce
Rethabi
lewal
kedbackinthehouseandt
ookher
phoneandcall
edElang.
“
Elang,
didt
ogetmymessage?
”
“
Yes,
Iam her
e.”
Thedooropenedt
henEl
angwal
kedi
nthehouse.
“
Igoti
t.Whathappened?
”
“
Letmehavei
t.
”
El
angt ookoutt
hehomepregnancyt
estf
rom her
pocketandhandedi
ttoher
.
“I
tmeansmamausedherot
herone.Thi
sist
heonl
y
onel
eft
.Goandpeeoni
t.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Doesn’
theusecondoms?
”
“Nobuthebuysmeemer gencypil
lssonowhe
wantsmetousecontracept
ivesandpregnancy
shoul
dberuledout
.Ihaven’
tseenmyper iodina
whil
e.Iam scar
ed.
”
“I
tni
ghtbestressbecauseofyourmom’spassi
ng.
Iam sur
eit
’snothi
ng.WhereisBatang?
”
“
Atangboughthi
m at
oy.It
hinkhe’
satt
hebackof
t
hehousewithit
.”
“
Het
ookyouguysoutf
orshoppi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
.”
“
Yourhai
risni
ce.
”
Rethabi
lesmiledwalki
ngtothebat
hroom.El
ang
fol
lowedbehindherandstoodbythedoorwhi
le
Rethabi
lepeedinthesti
ck.
Shewal
kedoutwit
hitandputitont
hebedthensat
downonthef
loor
.Elangsatdownbesi
deher.
“
Whati
fyouar
e?”
Rethabil
eremainedqui
etstar
ingatherbed.Time
seemedt obemovingsoslowly.Shesatther
e
thi
nkingofthatni
ghtshehadlosthermother.
Elangst
oodupt
hent
ooki
t.Shet
urnedt
oRet
habi
le
andshowedher
.
Tearsfi
ll
edRethabil
e’
seyesasshestar
edatt
he
twoli
nes.Theyrol
leddownhercheeksgoi
ngdown
toherneck.
“Youneedt oabortit.Youcan’tgot oUBpr egnant
Thabi.YoualsohaveBat anginyourpl at
e.Howwi l
l
youmanageal lofthat ?Howwi llyouevenst udy
abroadifyouhaveababy, Iam suretheywil
llook
i
ntothat.Yourauntt oldyoushecan’ ttakeyouand
Batangatthesamet ime,whenyougoover seas,do
youthinkshewilltakeyourbr otherandyourbaby
toget
her?”
Mor
etear
srol
leddownhercheek.
“
Unlessyoutel
lhi
m sothathecandumpyou.Men
l
ikehi
m arehappyt
il
lyougetpregnant
.Hei
sgoi
ng
t
odenyit.
”
“At
angisnotl
ikethat
.Hei
stheonl
ymanIhave
beensl
eepi
ngwi t
h.Hewon’
tdenyhi
sbaby.Iam
goingt
otel
lhi
m. ”
“Thenwhathappenswhenyout ellhi
m?Youkeepi t
thenhedumpsyouandnowyouar easingle
mot herwho’sal
soamot hert
oherbrother
.
Anyways, t
hat’
snotmypr obl
em.Itol
dyoui twi
ll
endi ntear
s.Ther
e,youhavebeengetti
ngfucked
withoutacondom.Itol
dyouandyour efusedto
l
ist
ent ome.Wedon’tknow!Nowitmakessense
whyyouar esofat
.Youlookl
ikeahippo.I
magi ne
goingtoUBlooki
ng40whenyouar ejust19.Forget
bei
ngadoct or
,maybeanursebecausewaaii,you
havejustf
uckedupyourchanceofbeingadoct or
.”
“
Stopcal
li
ngmeahi
ppo.Idon’
tli
kei
t.
”
“
Butt
hat
’showyoul
ook.
”
“Isai
ddon’tcal
lmeahippo.Youalwaysf
ind
somethingnegat
ivet
osayaboutmeyetwear e
fri
ends.
”Rethabi
lest
oodup.“Idon’
tli
kei
t.
”
“Soyouwantmet ol i
etoyou?Chil
ehaveyou
l
ookedatyour sel
font hemirr
or?Yournecksweat
s
babes.Lookatyour sel
f!I
fyouwantmet oli
etoyou,
i
twon’ thappenhere.Youlookfat
.Ebil
ethat
’swhy
someoft hoseclot
hesyougotwon’ tl
ookgoodon
youbecauset heyareforpeoplewi
thcert
ain
bodies.”
“Ihavehaditwi
thyournegativity.Youalwayswant
tobebettert
hanmei neverything.Itmustbe
putti
ngyouonpressureseeingwhatAt angdoesf or
meandnowyouwantt odest roymysel festeem.
Pleasel
eave.Idon’
tthi
nkt
hisf
ri
endshi
piswor
king
anymore.
”
“Youknowwhat ,
youarer i
ght
.LennaIwantto
dist
ancemysel ffr
om gi
rlswhodonothingbutopen
l
egsf oroldermenthengetpregnant
.Peopl
emi ght
star
tthinkingkel
ebelet
elenna.
”
“Awhore?Youareanempt yenj oyvesselwho
copi
esinexams.Pi
tyyoucoul dn’tdothati
nthe
fi
nal
.Imagi
neanAst udentdroppingtoD’sandhow
manyarethoseC’
swhi chsavedyou? ”
“Theyonl yneed6subj ects, t
herestdon’tmatter.I
madei tto36poi nt
s,doesn’tmat t
erifIhaveD’sor
C’s,oskalayo, Iam goingtouni versi
tyandnot
pregnantl i
keot herpeopleIknowwhoar esl
eeping
withancest ralspi r
it
s.AtleastIam anempt yvessel
whi chdoesn’ tsleeparoundget ti
ngf uckedfornew
clothes.Pover tyisdanger ous,i
twi l
ltur
npeople
i
nt oprostit
utes.”
Rethabil
eangril
yslappedher
.El
angsl
appedher
back,Rethabi
legrabbedhert
ooandpunchedherso
hardthatshefell
.
“
Getout
!”
El
angsl owlygotup.“ Iam goi
ngtoreportyout
othe
poli
cethentelleveryonethatyouar
epr egnant
!
Stupi
dugl yfatbit
ch!Ihopeyougivebirthtoanugl
y
babyli
keyour sel
f.Youl ookli
kemymot her’
sage.
Nxla!
”
Shewal kedout.Rethabi
let
earf
ull
ypi
ckedthe
pregnancytestthathadtwoli
nesandputherhands
onherf acecryi
ng.
Shegotunderbl anket
sandcover edherheadcryi
ng.
Awhi lelat
ershesniff
edpressingherphoneon
Facebooksear chi
ngforabort
ionpil
ls.Shecame
acrossanumbert hencall
edt hepersonsi
tti
ng
upright.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Dumel
ang,
doyoust
il
lhavet
heabor
ti
onpi
ll
s?”
“
Yes.Cyt
otec.Doyouwant
?”
“
Yes.ButIam i
nShakawe.
”
“Iam i
nMaun, Icangetamor
ningbust
other
e.I
t’
s
P850plusdel
ivery.
”
“
Iwi
llt
akei
t.
”
“
Seeyout
omor
row.
”

*
**

At
anglookedatt
het
imedr
ivi
ngt
hencal
ledhi
s
br
other
.
“
Atang…”
“Iwantasmallcar
.Thatf
ri
endofyour
s…doeshe
sti
llsel
lcar
s?”
“
No.Hel
ongst
opped.Whi
chcardoyouwant
?”
“
Idon’
tknow,
maybeaPol
ovi
voorGol
f.
”
“
YouwantaGol
fforwhat
?”
“ForThabi.Idon’twanthertostr
uggle.Shei s
carryi
ngmychi l
d.Soonenoughshewi l
lbestayi
ng
i
nGabsf ul
ltimeasamom andast udent.Iwantt
o
thi
ngseasi erforherbyallmeans.Iwantahouse
too.Athreebeds.Somet hingbi
gbutnott oobig,i
t
shouldjusthaveenoughspaceandi tshouldbe
ni
ce.Shewi
llbecomi
ngwi
thherbr
other
.”
“Ir
eall
yli
kethi
sThabigir
lbutacar
?Can’
tyoujust
gethersomeonet
odr opherof
fandpi
ckher?
”
“No.Acari
sabet t
eropti
on.GoandcheckforaGol
f
7.Iwanti
tinwhit
e.Iwil
lshowitt
ohernextweek.
Sheisgoi
ngtoloveit
.”

*
**

Thefol
lowingmor
ningRet
habil
ewaitedbythebus
st
opwher eshewasmeeti
ngtheman.Acab
st
oppedthenathi
nshortmansteppedout.
Rethabil
estoodupashewal kedovert
henhe
handedhert hephar
macypaperbagwhi l
ewear
ing
acapt hatcover
edhalfhi
sface.
“Theyar
etwoinsi
de.Oneyoudr
inkandt
heot
her
youputi
tinyourvagi
na.
”
Rethabi
leopenedthepaperbagandl
ookedatthe
pi
ll
s.Shesighedthentookoutmoneyf
rom her
pocketandhandedhim.
Hequickl
ycountedandsmil
ed.“
Ok.Remai
nat
homeaf t
erdri
nki
ngthem.Thepr
ocessi
spainf
ul
andyouwi l
lbl
eedbutnott
oomuch.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Bye.
”
Hegoti
nhi
scabwhi
leshewal
kedhome.

Athome, Rethabi
lesatinherroom gladBat
angwas
atschoolthenagedr ankone.Shetookoffher
panti
esandl ai
dont hebedt henpushediti
nher
vagi
nawi thhermiddlefinger.
.
.
.
Apol
ogi
esf
ami
ly,
Ihadt
hewor
stheadacheofal
l
t
ime.
Your
sTr
uly
#17

ThatsamemorningAt
angsatontooofhi
sbonnet
st
arri
ngattheA45.Hi
sfr
iendwal
kedoutoft
he
houseinhi
sunif
orm.
“
Lai
taka!
”
At
angjumpeddownandbumpedshoul
der
swi
th
Pr
ince.
“
Sel
lmet
hiscar
.”
Pr
incel
aughed.“
Ijustboughtt
hisAt
ang.
”
“
Youwi
llbuyanot
herone.It
hinkmmagweSar
ona.
”
Pr
incesmi
led.“
Whati
fit
’saboy?
”
“
It
’sagi
rl
.Icanf
eel
it.Hernamei
sSar
ona.
”
“Iam pr
oudofyouboy!Youareabi
gboynowbutI
am notsel
li
ngmycartoyou.GotoNal
ediMot
ors.
Theyhaveit
.”
Pr
ince’
sgi
rl
fr
iendwal
kedoutoft
hehousei
nshi
rt
s
andatopthatshowedhernippl
es.Atangtookout
hi
sphonewhi l
ePrinceat
tendedtoher.Shewalked
backi
nthehouse.
At
angsi
ghed.“
Howar
ethi
ngs?
”
“
Wearegood.Wear
ehappy.Ihavebeent
hinki
ngi
f
mar
ryi
ngher.
”
“
Youwantt
omar
ryher
?”
“Iknowyoudon’tli
keherAt
angbutIl
oveher
.Ihave
neverbeenhappier
.”
“
Don’
ttaket
histhewrongwaybutthatgi
rlisnott
he
t
ypeyoumarry.Wehadathreesomewiththisgi
rl
.”
“
That’
sinthepast
.Il
oveher
.Ican’
tswi
tchof
fmy
f
eel
ings.
”
At
angshookhi
shead.“
Iam war
ningyou.
”
“
Aker
eyouwon’
tsl
eepwi
thher
?”
“WhenhaveIeversl
eptwi
thsomeoneyouare
seei
ng?Iam j
ustsayi
ngsheisnott
hetypeyou
marry.
”
“
Becauseofwhatshewasdoi
ng?I
twasduet
o
ci
rcumstances.Loneisagoodper son.Shewas
j
ustlooki
ngformoneyt hen.Thisisli
feAt ang.You
neverknowthef ut
ure.Thetruthisthatmaybeyour
gi
rlisnotwhatyouar eseeingrightnowbecauseof
ci
rcumstances.Imeanshe’ slimit
edatt hemoment .
Yousaidshewant stobeadoct or.Whatifthenage
j
ustreali
zesshe’sforthestreet
s.Ithappens.
Peoplechange,notthatIam sayingshewi l
lchange
butsameasLone.Shehaschangedf orthebetter
.”
“
Ret
habi
lei
sal
readyher
sel
f.
”
“Sheisonl
y19,l
et’
stal
kwhenshei
s25year
sol
d.
Rightnowshe’
ssti
llababy.
”
“
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?
”
Pri
ncesmil
edthenunlockedhiscar.“Not
hing.You
bet
termar
ryherquickl
ybeforetheytakeherand
makeherseet
hef unstuffi
nthewor l
d.”
“
Tsek!
”
Princelaughedinhi
suni
for
m,Atangsmil
ed
recall
ingthedayshewer
easoldiert
oo.
“
Iam goi
ngt
hroughwor
k.Legadi
maonkemet
si.
Youknowhowhei
s.”
Atanggotinhiscarandreversedthendroveof
f
headedtoNalediMotors.Helookedattheti
ny,he
sti
llhadt
wohour sbeforefl
yingout.

*
**

Zazasatinheroff
iceatthi
rdfl
oorst
ari
ngatthe
parki
nglotl
ostinherthought
s.Herphonest
art
ed
ri
ngingstar
tl
ingher.
Sheslowl
ypickedi
tandlookatAgangcal
li
ng.She
st
aredati
tforawhil
ethenpicked.
“
Whatdoyourwant
?”
“
Hey,
canyoucomeovert
oni
ght
?”
“
Tof
uck?
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Agang, whatexact
lyarewedoing?Isthi
sa
r
elat
ionshi
pori t
’sj
ustsex?Iam conf
used.”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“Us.WheneverIneedyou,
youarenotther
e.You
onlycallmetomakesexappoi
ntmentswhenyou
arebored.”
“
It
’snotl
iket
hat
.Canwet
alkt
oni
ghtaboutt
his?
”
“
Ifeell
ikeIam wast
ingmyt
ime.Youonl
ywantme
f
orsex.”
“
Babe…”
Zazasi
ghedst
ari
ngatt
hewal
l.
“
Babe,
Iloveyou.Ok?
”
Zazasmi
led.
“IknowIhavebeenashittyboyf
ri
end.IknowandI
am sorr
y.Iwil
lchange.Let’
stal
ktoni
ghtwhenyou
come.”
Shebl
ushed.“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Aganghungup.Zazasmi
ledopeni
ngherl
apt
op.
*
**

Latert
hatdayi nShakawe,Ret habilegrunt
edinpain
onherbed.Shepul ledthesheetsast hepai
n
sl
ashedherabdomeni nhalf.Shecur ledherbody
i
ntoabal lcryi
ngast hepai
ni ncreased.Anurgeto
pushcameagai n,
shegotoffbedl ookingatt
he
bl
oodal loverthebedandonher self.
Shesquattedpushingbutnot
hingcameoutj ust
moreblood.Sheslowlylai
donthefloorcr
ying,her
pi
nkdresshadt ur
nedr ed.
Thepaingotsoextremeasshel ai
dont hefloor.
Sheslowlygotupfeeli
ngweakwhi lebloodl eaked.
ShereachedforherphoneandcalledEl ang.The
phonerangtwicethenshedroppedt hecall.She
di
aledAtang.
“Thi
sisafr
eeannouncementf
rom mascom,the
numberyouhavedi
aledi
snotavai
labl
eatthe
moment.Pl
easetr
yagainl
ater
.Thankyou.
”
Shewentt
oWhat
sAppanddi
daVNcr
ying.
“
Atanghel
pme….Myst
omachai
ii
ii
i!
”
Shedr
oppedt
hephonesl
idi
ngt
othegr
oundcr
ying.

*
**

I
nthesitt
ingroom,Batanglaidont
hecouchasl
eep
wit
hthebottl
eofhisjuiceonthefl
oorwhil
e
SpongeBobSquarePantsplayedontheTV.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#18
(THI
SINSERTCONTAINSSENSI
TIVECONTENT
THATOTHERREADERSMAYFI NDDISTURBI
NG.
READER’
SDESCRITI
ONADVICED.)
InSouthAf r
ica,
Joburg,At
angswit
chedonhis
phonewal ki
nginsi
detheroom.Hesatdown
connecti
nghi msel
ftothewif
iandwait
edforhi
s
messagest orepor
tin.
Hi
sfat
her
’sWhat
sAppmessagecamet
hrough.
Paps:Yourunclewenttoseet heKaisar
auncleand
askedifwecouldcomenextweek.Theyhave
agreed.Bytheway,Gasegor erent
segotlhel
e
magadi ?Il
iket
hisgi
rlgapeof it
.Youseem tol
ove
her.I
fit’
sonlydamagest heyaregoingt
ocharge
youlotsofmoney.Betterontsemagadi.
At
angsmil
ed,
seemsbabygir
lhadwont
heol
d
man’
shear
tbyjustl
ooks.
Atang;Shei
sonly19,
Iwanthertheregrowal i
tt
le
sosheunderst
andsourrel
ati
onshi
pf ul
ly.Right
nowi fImar
ryher
,Iwi
llbemoreofherfat herrat
her
thanherman.
Hesentthemessagethenscr
oll
eddownand
openedRethabi
le’
s.
HeopenedherVN.
“
Atanghel
pme….Myst
omachai
ii
ii
i!
”
Hesatuprightandpl
ayedtheVNagai
nlist
eni
ngt o
hercryi
ng.Hishear
tpoundedsomuchashecalled
her.I
trangunansweredt
henhecal
ledheragai
n
Heswal lowedthensear
chedforElangonhis
contact
s.Hef r
ownedreal
izi
nghehadl ongdel
eted
hernumber .Hecal
ledPri
ncegett
ingup.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Themonnadoyourememberthet
imeIaskedyou
togetmeRethabi
le’
snumberwhenshewassti
ll
catf
ishi
ngme?”
“
Yeah…”
“
Sendmet
hatnumberagai
n.Idel
etedi
t.
”
“
Ok.Why?
”
“
Justsendt
henumber
.”
“
Ok.
”
Atangpacedifsomethi
nghadhappenedt
othe
baby.Shesoundedli
keshewasinsomuchpain.
Helookedattheti
mewonderingi
fhecoul
dgeta
busbackhomet henmaybecal
linf
orafavor…he
thought
ful
lyl
ookedathi
sphone.Pr
incesentt
he
numberagain.
Atangtappedi
tandcal
ledher
.Itr
angt
hri
cebef
ore
shepicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
keAt
ang.Ar
eyouwi
thThabi
?”
“
No.Iam athome.
”
“
Whenl
astdi
dyouseeher
?”
“
Uhi
nthemor
ning.
”
“Canyoupleasegoandcheckuponher
…Iwi
llget
youadrink.
”
“
Uhok.I
sever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Idon’tt
hinkso.Howl
ongwi
lli
ttakeyout
oget
t
here?
”
“
Fivemi
nut
es.
”
“
Makei
tthr
eef
ort
wodr
inks.
”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngnow.
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupandmadeanot
hercal
l.
“
Atang…”
“Raps,Ineedafavor.Iam i
nSAandsomet hi
ngis
goingonwi t
hmygi r
l.SheisinShakawe.Thutocan
fl
yalone,Iam t
hinki
ngofdrivi
ngtoGabst henfl
ying
from GabstoShakawe.Ineedachopper.”
“Yeah,Igotyoubutwhat’swrongwithher
?You
knowwomanover exaggerat
e.Maybeit
’snot
hing
big,sheprobabl
yjustwantsatt
enti
on”
“
ShesentaVN.I
t’
snotnot
hing.I
t’
ssomet
hing.
”
“
Thechopperwi
llber
eadyf
oryouwhenyouget
t
her
e.”
“
Sur
e.Ioweyou.
”
“
Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
”

*
**
AtRet
habile’
shouse,Elangwal
kedthr
oughthegat
e
wit
hherdogbr eathi
ngheavi
lyf
rom al
lther
unni
ng.
Sheknockedont hedoor.
“
Thabi
!Thabi
!”
Sheknockedagai
nbangi
ngt
hedoor
.“Thabi
,ke
Atang!
”
Sheiswaitedthenwalkedtot
hewindow.She
fr
ownedatt heopenwindowthenmovedt hecurt
ain
tooneside.ShelookedatBat
angsleepi
ngont he
couch.
“
Bat
ang!Bat
ang!
”
Hewokeupf
all
ingof
fthecouch,
hisl
it
tl
ehear
t
r
aci
ng.
“
Opent
hedoor
.”
Herubbedhi
seyesthenwal
kedtothedoor
.El
ang
wal
kedoverandgotint
hehouse.
“
Whyi
stheTVon?Wher
eisThabi
?”
Heyawnedst
agger
ingsl
eepy.“
S-sl
eepi
ng.
”
Hegotbackont hecouchandclosedhiseyes.
El
angclosedthedoorandwalkedtoThabi’sroom.
Sheopenedthedoorasherphoner ang.Shepicked.
“
Iam her
e,l
etmewakeherup.
”
“
Ok,
thenl
etmespeakt
oher
.”
“
Ok.
”
Elangwalkedi
n.Herphonefellf
rom herhandsas
shescreamedinhorr
or.Shelookedatthebloodon
thebedthenonthefl
oorandonThabi le.
“
Thabi
!”
Shehur
ri
edoverandknel
tdownbef
oreher
.
“
Thabi
le!
”
Shet
urnedherar
oundandl
ookedatherf
ace.
“
Thabi
!”
Shepull
edherhandonherl
apcr
ying.“
Thabi
…
Thabi
l
e!Thabiwakeup!
”
Sheshookherbutsheremai
nedsti
ll
.Thedoor
openedthenBat
angwalkedin.Hef
rozest
ari
ngat
hi
ssistert
henatthebl
ood.
“Bat
ang,
goandwakeupRr agweMoja!Tel
lhi
m we
needacart
otakeThabit
othehospi
tal
.Run!Run
fast
!”
Heranout
.El
angputThabil
e’
sheaddownand
st
art
edwit
hchestcompressi
ons.Shel
ookedatt
he
bl
ood.
“
Thabi
!”
Shest
oppedt
hengotherphone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngon?
!”
“Ther
eisbl
oodallover
…shei
scover
edonbl
ood.
Sheisnotmovi
ng.Shewon’
twakeup.
”
“
Fuck!Fuck!
”
“
Thereisal
otofbl
ood.Ont
hebedandont
he
f
loor
.”
ThedooropenedthenRragweMojahurri
edi
n.He
l
ookedatthesit
uati
on,
hishear
tskippi
ngabeat.
“
Hel
pmecar
ryher
.”
El
anghungupt
henwal
kedoverandpi
ckedher
fr
iendslegswhilet
heoldmanl i
ftedthehands.Wi
th
hi
spainfulback,hewalkedoutcarryi
nghertohi
s
ol
dCor oll
aparkedbythedoor.Theyputherheavy
bodyinside.Hegotinhiscarpr
aying.
“
Godtheyj
ustl
ostthei
rmot her
…havemer
cyon
t
hem.Theyar
eonlychil
dren.”
Elangl
ockedthedoorthengoti
nthecarwi
th
Batangonherlap.Hestar
tedhi
scaranddr
oveof
f
headedtothecli
nic.

*
**

Atanggoti
ntherentalcarovert
hir
tyminutesl
ater
anditt
ookoffheadedtotheborder.Hedial
edElang
l
ookingatt
hetime.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
What
’shappeni
ng,
tal
ktome.
”
Shesnif
fed.“
Thedoctorsarewi
thher.
.There…
Therewasblood.I
twasal ot
…al
loverthefloorand
onthebed.Onherdressandonherlegs.Therewas
blood…t
her
ewasa…a…”Shest
art
edcr
yingt
alki
ng.
“Shewasn’
tmovi
ng.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
At
angbi
thi
slowerl
i
phol
dingt
hest
eer
ingwheel
.
“
Iam comi
ng.Wher
eisBat
ang?
”
“
Her
ewi
thme.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llbet
her
etomor
rowmor
ning.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lyoui
ntwent
ymi
nut
es.
”
Shesni
ff
ed.“
Ok.
”
Hehungupandt ookadeepbr eathtryi
ngtocalm
downbuthecouldn’tseem t
obeabl eofthinki
ng
anythi
ngbuther…theVN.Maybei fhehadseeni t
earl
ier
…fuck!Heshouldhavejusttol
dher .
.
Hetookanot
herdeepbr
eat
hf eel
ingt
heeart
h
cl
osinguponhi
m.TheVNpl ayedinhi
shead…f
uck
At
ang.
Hesteppedont heaccel
eratorovertr
ackingtwo
l
ongtrucks.Hegotbacki nhislanemissi
ngt he
oncominglorr
ybyani nch.Hishandssweat edwhil
e
shaki
ng.Helookedatthet i
mecal l
ingheragain.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Anyt
hingyet
?”
“
Ngng…”
“
Ok…Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupst ar
ingatt
heroad.Hefoundhimsel
f
wantingt
opr aybuthewasn’tevensur
ewhereto
st
art.Hereachedforhi
sphoneandcalledhis
motherspeeding.
“
Heel
ooo?
”
“
Mama.
.”
“
Att
ie…howar
eyou?I
t’
slat
e.I
sever
ythi
ngok?
”
“It
hinkThabihaslostt
hebaby.Herfr
iendfound
herinapoolofblood.ShehadsentmeaVNcr yi
ng
i
npai n.Shedi
dn’
tknowshewaspr egnant.It
hink
l
osinghermotherandall…shewasn’taware.The
pregnancywasami st
ake.Idi
dn’tpl
anit
,itj
ust
happened.Pl
easeprayforherandourbaby.Iam
scared.
”
“MaraAtang,howcoul
dimpregnateachild?Bet
ter
yet,
youcouldhavetol
dher.Whatifshefoundout
thenpani
cked.Str
esscausesmiscarr
iage.”
“
MamaImi
ghtl
oseher
,thi
sisnott
het
imef
ort
hat
!”
“Iam j
usttel
li
ngyou.Cal
m down.Iknowyouar
e
scaredbuthavefai
th.
”
“
Canyoupr
ayf
orher
?”
“Yes…fat
her,wecomebef or
eyouasyourchi ldren…
wecomet oyouaski ngforyourmercyLord.We
havecomet oyoubecausei fnott
oyou,wehave
nowhereelsetoturnto.Weonlyhaveyou.Fat herI
bri
ngyouRet habi
le,LordIdon’
tknowherorwhat
happenedbutLordIcoverherwi t
hthebloodof
Jesus…”Shecontinuedprayingwhil
ehedr ove.

*
**
InShakawe,
thedoct
orwal
kedover
.El
angqui
ckl
y
st
oodup.
“
IsThabiok?
”
“
Iwoul
dli
ket
ospeakt
osomeoneol
der
.”
RragweMoj ast
oodup.“Iam her
e,Iam t
hei
r
neighbor
.Theystayal
one.”
Hesi
ghedsadl
yst
ari
ngatt
hem.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#19

“
Ist
her
eaf
ami
lymemberher
e?”
El
angtearf
ull
ylookedathi
m.“
No,
justheryounger
br
other
.Issheok?”
“She’sget
ti
ngtransf
erredt
oMar i
nainGaborone.I
don’thaveal
lthedetai
lsasyetbutsheconsumed
somethingverypoi sonous,Iam suspecti
ngin
attemptstodoanabor ti
on.Shelostalotofblood
andhadahear tattackcausedbyext ensi
veinternal
bloodlosstogetherwithintensepain.Sheissti
ll
bleedi
ng,wear etransferr
inghertoGaborone.”
Elanglookedatt
hedoct
orandswal
lowed.
.
“Abort
ion?”
“
Ifyouhavear
elat
ive’
snumber
,we’
dli
kei
tpl
ease.
”
El
angshookherhead.“
Idon’
thaveany.
”
Herphonest ar
tedr
inging.Shel
ookedatAtang
cal
li
ng,shelookedatthephoneforawhil
eand
fi
nal
lypicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Issheok?
”
“Theyar
etransf
erri
nghertoGabor
one,
Mar
ina.
She’sbl
eedi
nginter
nal
ly.
”
“
Theyar
etr
ansf
err
ingherwi
thwhat
?”
“
Ambul
ance.
”
“
Thatwi
llt
akel
ong.Letmeor
gani
zesomet
hing.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Letmespeakt
othedoct
or.
”
El
anglookedatt
hedoct
orandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Shewalkedtot
hedoct
orandwhi
sper
ed.
“Herboyf
ri
end.Pleasedon’
tsayi
twasanabor
ti
on.
Heisnotmentall
ywel l
.”
Shehandedhi
mthephoneandsighedsteppi
ng
back.Bat
angt
ear
ful
lyl
ookedatElang.
“
I-
i-
isThabidyi
ng?
”
“No.
.no.Shei
sjustnotwellbutshewil
lbef
ine.
Sheisj
ust…ali
tt
lesick.Butshewil
lbefi
ne.
”
Hesatdownont hebenchwipingawayhistearsas
fearweakenedhi m.Thiswasthesamehospi talhi
s
mot herhadcomet oandneverret
urned.Hewiped
histearswiththebackofhishand,thethoughtof
hissisternotr
eturningbr
okehisheartfur
ther
.
Thedoctorgavethephonebackt
oElangand
walkedaway.Elangputt
hephoneonherear
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Achopperi
scomi
ngt
ocol
lecther
.Bat
angi
sgoi
ng
wit
h.”
“
Ok,
Icancomr
ywi
tht
oo.
”
“Doesyourmot
herknow?Idon’
twantunnecessar
y
drama.
”
“
Shewi
llunder
stand.
”
“Idon’tunnecessarydr
ama.Butthanksforgoi
ng
over.Iwillsendthemoneyforyourdri
nks.
”
“
Wai
t-
“
Hehungupbefor
eshecouldsayanyt
hingelse.She
swal
l
owedthenslowl
ysatdownwithBatang.

*
**

InGaborone,
Agangsi
ppedhi
sbeercal
li
nghi
s
brot
her.
“
Agang…”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Thabihadami
scar
ri
age.Iam onmywayback.
”
“
What
?”
“Shemusthavefoundoutandpani
cked.She’
s
bleedi
ng.
.Ishoul
dhavetol
dher.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iknowyouwer
eexci
ted.
”
“Shemightdi
e.Thebabyi
sleastofmywor
ri
esr
ight
now.”
“
Ist
her
eanyt
hingIcandot
ohel
p?”
“Sheisgoi
ngt
oar r
ivebeforeme,shehasali
tt
le
brot
her.Hewi
llbeallal
one.Canyougethi
mf or
me.”
“
Yeah.Iwaswi
thPr
inceandPhef
o.”
“
Ok.Iwi
llt
ellyouwhent
heyl
and.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Agangwal
kedt
otheguys.
.
“
Thabihadami
scar
ri
age.
”
Phef
olookedathi
m whi
stl
ing.“
Shi
t!
”
“
Yeah…”
“
Whenheaskedforhernumberwhoknewshe
woul
dbehi
spersontoday?”
Princesighed.“
Whoknew?Hehadmel
ooki
ngf
ori
t
too.Eish…howi sshe?
”
“
Shei
sbei
ngt
ransf
err
edt
oGabs.
”
Phefoli
thi
sci
gar
ette.“
Shei sbeauti
fulandt
hick.O
katswaalemonat
ewai tse.Kanathesechubby
onestendt
ohaveitthi
ckandj ui
cy.
”
Pr
incel
aughed.“
Phef
oweeh!
”
Phef
olaughed.“Iam j
ustsayi
ng.Thi
sgi
rlhadmy
boydoingupanddownsf orher,
shemustbesweet
andti
ght.Kehotplat
e.”
“
Ist
hishowyout
alkaboutourwomen?
”
PhefolookedatAgang.“Iam justsaying..I
t’
sa
generalstat
ement.IhaveneverseenAt anglikethi
s
forawoman.NotevenYaonegott hi
s.It’
seitherhe
real
lylovesherorhejustl
ovest hefactthatsheis
i
nnocentandpr egnant.
”
“Iknowmybr ot
her
..hel
ovesher
.Letmego,
her
brotheri
scomingt
oo.”
“
Sur
eboy!
”
Agangwalkedtohi
scarandjumpedi
n.Hi
sphone
rangasherever
sedhi
scar.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heybabe,
areyoucomi
ng?
”
“
Notnow.Ihaveanemer
gency.
”
“
Agang-
“
“
Wewi
llt
alkwhenIgett
her
e.Shar
p.”
Hehungupbef
oreshecoul
dsayanythi
ng.The
mar
riedwomancal
ledhi
m.Hesighed.
“
Yah?
”
“
Heybabe,
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ihavesomeone.Comet
omor
row.
”
“
Agang…”
“
Iwi
llseeyout
omor
row.
”
Hervoi
cebr
oke.“
Agang…”
“
Wewi
llt
alkt
omor
row.
”
Shebr
okedowncr
ying.Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.

*
**

InShakawe,theparamedi
csgotRethabi
lei
nthe
planet
ogetherwit
hherbrother
.El
angstoodover
.
“
Iam t
hebabysi
tt
er.
”
Thepi
lotl
ookedathi
m. .“
Ther
eisnospace,
sor
ry.
Someonehasbeenarrangedf
ortheki
d.”
“Ret
habil
eismyfri
end.Iam goi
ngwi t
hher
.Her
brot
herisscar
edofpeople.Heneedssomeonehe
knows.”
“
Ther
eisnospace.
”
“Iwi
llsi
tatt
heback.Idon’
ttakemuchspace.I
swear.”
“
Sor
ry.
”
“
Please…Ihavet
ogowi
thher
.”
“
Sor
rybutwecan’
ttakeyou.St
epback.
”
Thepi
lotgoti
n.El
ang’sheartr
acedasshel
ooked
att
hespaceinthechopper.
“
Icansi
tther
e!”Shepoi
nted.
Shemovedbackast heheli
copter
’sbladesspun.It
slowlyli
ftedit
sel
fgoingup.Shesadl ywatcheditas
i
twentaway.Tear sf i
ll
edhereyes.Shewi pedone
thathadr ol
leddownhercheekt henshewal kedto
theparkinglotwhereRragweMoj awaswai ting.
Sher ubbedhereyesast hepainofwat chi
ngt he
heli
copterleavewit
houtherafterallshehaddone
chokedher .
Shesni
ff
edwipi
ngawayanot
hert
ear.RragweMoj
a
l
ookedathi
mthendr
oveherhomeinsil
ence.

*
**

InGaborone,
overtwohour
slat
er,
Agangtal
kedt
o
hisbr
otherwalki
nginsi
det
hehospit
al.
“
Iam goi
ngi
n.”
“
Ihavej
ustpassedZeer
ust
.Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Shar
p.”
HehungupjustasZazastar
tedcall
ing.Hedr
opped
t
hecallwal
kingt
owardstherecept
ion.Hesmil
ed.
“
Hey…”
Shel
ookedathim andsmil
edst
ari
ngathi
m.She
swal
l
owedfixi
ngherdress.
“
Someonej ustcamet
hrough.A19yearol
dgi
rl
f
rom Shakawe.”
“
Oh…t
hebl
eedi
ngone?
”
“
Yes.Wher
ecanIseeher
?”
“
She’
saboutt
ogoi
ntosur
ger
y.”
“
GreatbutcanIqui
ckl
yseeher
?”
“
Whoar
eyout
oher
?”
“Herbr
other
.Shecamewi
thherbr
other
.Wher
eis
he?”
“
Uhamal enursetookhi
mtobat
hroom.Hewant
ed
t
opee.He’scoming.”
“Can’
tIqui
ckl
yrusht
oseemysistert
henIwi
ll
comeandtakehim.Wher
eissheagain?
”

InRethabi
le’
sroom,Agangwal kedinstar
ingatt
he
bed.Helookedatherconnectedtomachinesand
gotcl
oser.Helookedatherfacethenthemachines.
Shemovedt henslowlyopenedhereyesunder
heavymedicati
on.Tearsrol
leddownasshestared
athim.Agangmovedt heoxygenmaskf r
om her
face.
“
Atang….
”Shecl
osedhereyescr
ying.
Agangt
ouchedherhand.“
It
sok.
.”
“
Iam dyi
ng…”
“
Shhh…noonei sdyi
ng.Youarenotdying.
.not
whenIam her
e.Iwon’tl
ett
hathappen.Igotyou…”
“
Don’
tleaveme…”
Hervoi
cegotf
aint
er.Heputbackt
heoxygenmask
andsqueezedherhand.Shesqueezedhi
sli
ght
ly
befor
eherhanddroppedfol
lowedbythemachi
nes
beepi
nguncontr
oll
ably.
.
.
.

Happynewyearevvveeer
ybody!Loveandl
ight
Your
sTr
uly
#20

Att
heSouthAfr
icanbor
dergate,
Atangst
oodinside
t
heoff
icespl
eadingwi
ththei
mmi gr
ati
onoff
icer
.
“
Iknowi
t’
spast12butIam beggi
ngyou.
”
Theelderl
ywomancont i
nuedpackingherthings.
“Theborderiscl
osed.I
t’s00:15.Theyshouldhave
notevenletyouin.Wear enotinBotswanaher e,
I
am goinghomet omyf amil
y.Pleasedriveoutand
waitoutsi
dethegate.Weopent omor r
owat6.
Someonewi
llhel
pyout
hen.
”
“Pl
ease…mygirl
fr
iendj
usthadami
scar
ri
ageand
sheisal
one.Pl
ease…”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
o-“
At
angt
ookouthi
swal
letandt
ookoutsomemoney.
“
P600.
”
Shelookedathim.“Itwasbusyt oday.Iam t i
red.I
am exhausted.
.Ican’tfeelmyfeet.Theyare
swoll
en.Iam hungryandt hir
sty.Iwantt oknockoff.
Youcan’tcomeher eatt hi
sti
mehol di
ngsix
hundredrandorwhat everiti
s,ngikhathel
e!”
“
Please…pl
ease.
”
Shel
ookedatt
hemoneyt
hent
ooki
tandsatdown.
Shepr
ocessedal
lhi
sdocument
s.Shel
ookedat
hi
m.
“Nextti
mecomeont imebecauseokwenzeke
namuhl angekekuphindekwenzeke.Kuf anel
e
wenzei si
qini
sekosokuthiuyafikangaphambi
kokuthisi
vale.Nat
hisiyakhathalal
apha.Asiwona
amarobhot hi
.”
Atangsmil
ed.“
Thankyou.Youhaveagoodhear
t.
Youaregoi
ngtoheaven.
”
Sheshookherheadgetti
ngup.“
Unenhl
anhl
a
namuhla.Angiyenaumunt
uonzi
ma.Vel
eufi
ke
ngesi
khathi
.”
“Ngiyabongasi
thandwa.Lal
akahlentokazienhl
e.
UfananoBeyonce,bakebakutshel
alokho?”
Thel
adysmi
led.
.“Hamba!
”
“
Banomona.
”
“
HambaAt
ang!
”
Atanghurr
iedoutlaughi
ngt henj
umpedinhi
scar
headedtotheTlokwengbordergatewher
e
someonewasal readywait
ingforhi
m.
Inlessthantenminut
eshedr
oveoffheadedto
GPH.Hedr ovethr
ougharedt
raf
fi
cli
ghttaki
nga
deepbreath.

*
**
AtGPH,Agangsatwi thBatangwhowasasl eep,
his
headonAgang’slap.Agangpr essedhisphone
wonder
ingwhatcoul dbetakingtoolong.Helooked
upandsighedstari
ngatZazawal ki
ngover.
Shel
ookedatBat
angandf
rownedconf
used.
“
What
’smycousi
ndoi
ngher
e?”
Agangl
ookedather.“
Youareyel
li
ng,
whyar
e
t
alki
ngasifIam st
andi
ngatther
oad?”
“
Agangt
hisi
smycousi
n!Myaunt
’sson.
”
“
Ok,
then?
”
Zazal
ookedathi
m,bethear
traci
ng.“
Agang…who
di
dthi
schil
dcomewith?”
“
Sitdown.
”
Sheslowl
ysatdownst
ari
ngathi
m wai
ti
ngf
oran
expl
anati
on.
“
Thi
sisyourcousi
n’sbr
other
,Ret
habi
le.
.Ret
habi
le
i
sAt
ang’sgi
rlf
ri
end.
”
Zazal
aughed.“
Nicejoke.Babewhat
’smycousi
n
doi
nghere?Whereishis-
“
“
Thabii
sAtang’
sgi
rl
fr
iend.Thegi
rl
fr
iendhevi
sit
s
i
nShakawe.
”
“
Noo!
”
“
Theycameher
etoget
her
.”
“No…yousai
dyourbr
other
’sgi
rl
fr
iendj
ustl
ostt
he
baby?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ret
habi
lei
sonl
y19!Whatdoyoumean?
”
At
anghur
ri
edover
Hel
ookedatZazat
henatAgang.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“Thedoctori
sst
il
lwi
thher
.Theyar
edoi
nga
surger
y.”
“
Ok.
”
Zazalookedathi
minshock.“
Thabii
s….God!Ineed
totel
lmama…”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Canyoujustwai
tti
llwethedoct
or
t
alkst
ous.Wewi l
lbet
akeitf
rom t
ot her
e.”
Atangsatdown..handsonhisface.Zazastaredat
him ashesatopposit
ethem.Shecouldn’teven
underst
andhowt heyhadstart
edtherelat
ionshi
p.
Nowi tmadesensewhyRet habi
lehadrefusedto
comewi t
h.
Timeslowl
ypassedastheywai
ted.Overt
hir
ty
minut
eslat
er,At
angst
aredatt
hedoctorwait
ingf
or
anexpl
anati
on.
“
Whathappenedt
oher
?”
Thedoct orlookedathi m.“ Wehavest oppedt he
bleeding.Wef oundmi fepristoneandmi soprostoli
n
herbl ood.Abor tionpi l
ls.Mi f
epristoneendst he
pregnancy.I twor ksbybl ockingt hehor mone
progest erone.Wi thoutpr ogesterone, thel i
ningof
theut erusbr eaksdownandt hepr egnancycannot
cont i
nue.Mi sopr ostolmakest hewombcont r
act
causingcr amping, bleedingandl ossoft he
pregnancysi milartoami scar r
iage.Thi susual ly
wor ksper fectl
yf orpregnancybel ow12weeks.
After12weeks, wer ecommendr atherasur gical
abor t
ion.Yourgi rl
fri
endwasar ound23- 25weeks.
Shehadwhatwecal lani ncompl eteabor ti
on.She
l
ostal otofbl
oodandthebabyboywoul dn’
thave
survi
vedanyway.Wef oundherbloodfr
om t
he
bloodtank.Goodthi
ngtheheartatt
ackwasn’t
severe.Shewil
lbefi
ne.”
Atangf r
owned.“No.Shedi
dn’
tknowshewas
pregnant.Ther
eisnowayshewouldhavea
aborted.
”
Thedoct orsi
ghed.“ At
ang,atthisstageyoucan
thi
nkwhat everyouwantt othinkaboutwhatcoul d
havepossi bl
yhappenedbutanabor ti
ontookplace.
Youcalledmet ocomeandhel pyourgir
l…Ididjust
thatandIam t el
lingyouwhathappened.I twasa
fai
ledaabor t
ion. .onethatcouldhavekill
edher.
Aborti
oncanki l
l.Shelostthegirl
.”
Heshookhisheadtearf
ull
y.“
Someonegaveher
somet
hing.Shedi
dn’tknow.”
“Youcangoandt alktoher.I
fshedi
dn’tknow,Iwil
l
alsotakeitshedi
dn’tknowshewaslosingthebaby.
She’sgoingtoneedyou.”

*
**
InRethabi
le’
sroom,At
angstoodbyhersi de
holdi
ngherhand.Theyhadtakenoffherweave.He
l
eanedoverandkissedherl
ipsthencaressedher
cheek.
Sheopenedhereyesandl
ookedathi
m.Tear
sfi
ll
ed
hereyes.At
angki
ssedher
.
“
It
’sok.I
t’
sok.
”
Hertearsfellt
ot hepil
lowasshecried.At ang
huggedher ,Rethabil
eputherar
msar oundhim
cryi
ngloudly.Atangbl i
nkedhol
dingher .Hekissed
herneckthenherl ips.
“Iam sorr
y.Ishoul
dhavetoldyou.Idi
dn’tknow
how,it’
sthatti
meyoudidn’tbuyt
hepill
.ButI
shouldhavebeenresponsibl
eenoughtobuyi tf
or
you.Ishouldhavebeenresponsi
bleenoughtohave
usedacondom.Iam sor r
y.”
Sheputherhandsonherfacecryi
ng.Atanghugged
heragai
nthensnif
fedbl
inki
ng..Heletbergoa
whil
elat
erandwipedherface.
“Thedoctorsai
dyouar egoingtobeok.Butwel ost
ourbaby.Hesaysi twasanabor t
ion.Anincomplet
e
aborti
on.Didanyonegiveyouanyt hi
ng?Iknowyou
didn’
tknowyouwer epr
egnant.AndIwi l
lfi
ndwho
didthi
stoourchild.”
Shelookedathi
minsil
encet
henopenedhermout
h.
“Youwantedababy?
”
“NotthewaySasawasconcei vedbutonedayIdi
d.
Iwasgoi ngtotakeresponsi
bil
it
y,Ihadal
ready
aler
tedmyf amilyandIwasgoi ngtopaydamages.I
am sti
llgoi
ngtobecauseyouwer ecar
ryi
ngmy
chil
d.Wasi tEl
ang?”
Tearsf
il
ledhereyesonceagai
n.“
ButIam young
forababy…Iwasn’tgoi
ngtomanage.
”
“Iwasgoingtobewithyouandhelpyou.Youwere
notgoingtobeal
one.Iwasnotgoingtoabandon
mybaby.Oryou.Iwasgoi ngtot
akeresponsi
bil
i
ty.I
l
oveyou.Youwer enevergoingt
obealone.Wasit
Elang?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m unsur
eofwhatt
osay.
“
Tal
ktomebabe.
.”
“
I…”
“
It
sok.Youcant
ellme.Tal
ktome.
.wasi
ther
?”
“
I…I
…”
At
angl
ookedather
.Ret
habi
lesatupr
ight
.
“Iwasn’tready.Iam sorry.Iboughtthem f
rom
someguyonFacebook.Idi dn’tknowitwouldbe
thatpainf
ulort her
ewoul dbedomuchbl ood.Itwas
me.Iwasscar ed.Isti
llhaveschool.
.Iam noteven
working.Iwasscar ed.”
At
angpaused.“
What
?”
“
Icanseeyouwant
edt
hebaby.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Youabor
tedt
hebaby?
”
Tear
srol
leddownhercheeks.“
Iwasscar
ed.
”
“
Youabor
tedt
hebabyThabi
?”
Shelookedathi
m, pai
nandconf
usi
onmi
xedwi
th
hoperefl
ect
ingback.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hel
ookedathert
henchuckl
ed.“
Youki
ll
edmy
chi
ld?
”
Shesl owlygotof
fbed.“Iwasn’
treadyAt
ang.I
foundoutwhenyoul eft
.Ijustl
ostmymother.I
can’taff
ordababy.”
“Di
dyoumakeyoursel
fpregnant
?DidIsayIwasn’
t
goi
ngt ot
akecar
eofthebabythatyoudeci
dedt
o
abort
..
?”
“
No…Iwasj
ustscar
ed.I
…thoughtyouwoul
d
l
eave.
”
“That’
sjustnonsenseandyouknowi t!
”Heyell
ed.
“IfIhadwantedt oleaveyou,Iwouldhavel
ong
donet hatwhenIr eal
izedyouhadabr ot
hert
hat
dependedonyou.Whatwasi sitt
hatmadeyou
thinkIwouldleaveyou?Obuamasepa! ”
“
Iwasscar
edAt
ang…Idi
dn’
tknowwhatt
odo…”
“Youwer enotscared.Ifyouwer escaredyoucoul
d
havetoldsowef igureitouttogether
.Youwer e
alwaysgoingtoabor ther.Youhadmadet hat
clear
.”
“
Atang-
“
“Whywereyoucal
li
ngmecr yi
ng?Youknewwhat
youweredoi
ngakere?Idr
oveallthewayf
rom
Jobur
gforyou.WhenyousentthatVNyoushoul
d
havej
ustsai
dtheenti
retr
uth.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.BabeIam sor
ry.
”
Atangsighed.“ Youcoul dhavedi edbutit’
sok.Iam
goingtotakebl amef oritall
.IfIhadusedacondom,
youwoul dnothavegot tenpregnantandt houghtI
wouldleaveyout hendeci detoabort.It
’smyf aul
t.I
am sorry.Iam sor r
yf ort hepainyouwentt hr
ough
today.Iwillhaveyour eturnedhomet omorrow.
Batangisal sohere, Iam sur ehewi t
nessedal lt
hat.
Iam sorry.Iam act uallyreali
zingmecomi nginto
yourli
feiscausi ngmor ehar mt hangood.”
Sheshookherheadcr ying.“No…itwasme.I
shouldhavetol
dyou.Ishoul dhavenotl
ist
enedt
o
Elang.Don’
tsaythatplease…”
“I
t’
snotaboutElang.Youdeser
vebett
er.Il
oveyou
butifyoucanthi
nkIcanleaveyoubecauseyouare
carr
yingmybloodthenIthi
nkyoudeservebett
er.
”
Shecr
iedevenmor
e.“
No…Il
oveyou.Iwantyou.I
wasj ustscaredAt ang… canwetr
yagai
n
Atti
e…please..Iwon’taborti
tagai
nIswear
…Iwi
ll
keepi t
.Don’tleaveme.”
ThedooropenedthenAgangwalkedinwit
hBatang.
Bat
angranovertohissi
sterandhuggedher.
Ret
habil
ewipedhertear
swi t
hthebackofherhand
andhuggedhim.
Hecri
edhol
dinghi
ssi
stert
ight
ly.At
angl
ookedat
her
.
“
Iwillwai
tforhi
m out
side.Thisi
smytwi
nbrotherI
t
oldyouabout.Agangwillbr
ingBat
angi
nthe
morning.
”
Ret
habil
elookedathi
stwin.Theylookedso
i
denti
cal
…Agangt ookof
fhisjacketsmil
ing.
“
Idon’
thavet
att
oos.Hehas.
”
At
angt
urnedt
othedoor
.
“
Att
ie…pl
ease.
”
At
angsi
gheddi
sappoi
nted.“
Bye.
”
Heopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedout
.
“
Atang!
”
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandwal
kedout
.
“
Atang!
”
Aganglookedather.“
Heisjustupset
.Hewi
llcal
m
down.Don’twor
ry.Helovesyou.”
Ret
habi
let
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Hei
sleavi
ng
me.
”
“No.Helovesyou.Hewillbeheret
omorrow.Hei
s
alsot
ir
edf r
om al
lthedr
iving.Hewil
lseeyou
tomorr
ow.”

*
**

Attheparki
ngl
ot,Agangopenedthedoorf
or
Batangwhojumpedinatthebackseat
.Heclosed
thedoorandwalkedtohi
sbrotherwhowasseated
ontopofthebonnet.
“
Sheabor
ted?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Butshei
sst
il
lyoung.
”
Atangl ookedathi m.“ Exactly.Shedidwhatwas
bestf orher.Idon’tevenbl ameher .Ineedspaceor
sheneedsspacet ogr ow.Shedoesn’ tdeser
vetobe
dealingwithallthisbul l
shit.Shedeservesbett
er.I
don’tevenhavet herighttobemadather .Thanks
fortoday.”
At
anggoti
nthecarandl
ookedoveratBat
ang.
“
Heybuddy!
”
“
Arey-
y-youl
-l
eavi
ngus?
”
Atangsi
ghedt
hentur
nedt
ohi
m.“
Iwi
llneverl
eave
you.Ar
eyouhungr
y?”
Henoddedsmi l
ingreassur
ed.Atangstar
tedt
hecar
anddroveof
ff i
ghti
nghispain.Herol
leddownhi
s
windowdri
ving.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#21

Atangparkedthecarandwal
kedinsi
dehi
shouse
withBat
angwhol ookedathi
shugeTVin
amazement .
“
Y-y-
yourTVi
sbi
g!”
At
angsmi
led.“
Yes,
youcanseeever
ythi
ngoni
t.
”
Bat
angl
ookedar
oundsmi
li
ngwi
thamazement
.
“
C-c-
canIst
ayh-
her
ewi
thy-
y-you?For
ever
.”
At
angl
aughed.“
WhataboutThabi
?”
“
She-shewi
llst
ayh-
h-h-
her
etoo!
”
“
Thatsoundsl
ikeapl
an.Come…”
Atangledhi
mtotheotherroom t
henopenedthe
door.Bat
anggaspedst
aringatt
hebigbed.”
“
It
’shuge!
”
“
Youaregoi
ngt
osl
eepher
etoni
ght
.Youar
eti
red
r
ight
?”
“
No.I
-Iw-
w-wasi
napl
ane!
”
“
Ahel
icopt
er.Di
dyoul
ikei
t?”
“
Yes!Is-
s-sawever
ythi
ng!
”
“
That
’sgoodbuddy.Comeandsi
t…”
Atangwal
kedt
othebedandsatdown.Batanggot
onthebedsmi
li
ng.HelookedatAt
angsmili
ngso
muchAtangsi
ghednotsureofwhatt
otel
lhim.
“
Iwantt
otel
lyousomet
hing.Iwantyout
oli
sten.
”
Bat
angnoddedst
il
lsmi
li
ng.
“Iam goi
ngtogoawaywithworkforawhileand
youwon’tbeseei
ngmeanymor e.Iwi
llt
rytocome
andseeyoubutitwon’
tbethesamelikeIseeyou
now.”
Bat
ang’
ssmi
leddr
opped.“
Y-y-
youar
ego-goi
ng?
”
“
Notf
orever
.”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhiseyesandr
oll
eddownhi
scheeks.“
B-
ButI
…loveyou.
”
“
Iknow,
Iloveyout
oobutIhavet
ogo.
”
“
I-
Iw-
w-wantt
ogowi
-wi
thyou.
”
At
anghuggedhi
m ashecri
ed.Het
ookadeep
br
eat
hrubbi
nghisback.
“
Iam sor
rybuddy.
”
“
D-don’
tgo.
”
Bat
angcri
edsomuchti
llhefel
lasleep.At
ang
pi
ckedhi
m upandgent
lylai
dhim downont hebed
bef
orewal
kingout
.
Hewal kedinsi
dehisbedroom t
akingoffhi
sclot
hes
physical
lyandemot i
onal
lyexhausted.Hewal
ked
i
nsidehisbathroom andstoodunderthecol
dwater
forawhi l
ethenlat
erwalkedouttohisphone
ri
nging.
Het
ooki
toutandpi
cked.
“
Ret
habi
le,
Iam t
ir
ed,
Iwantt
osl
eep.
”
“
Iknowyouar
eangr
y.Iam sor
ry.
.”
“Iam notangryt oatyou.Youdidnothingwr ong,
stopapologi
zingf ordoingwhat’
sbestf oryou.Iam
angryatmysel fforthi
nkingt
hiswasit.Iexpected
thist
ogoacer tai
nway.YouneedspaceorsodoI .
Wewi llt
alkt
hen. ”
“
Youar
ebr
eaki
ngupwi
thme.Il
oveyou.Pl
ease…”
“
Iloveyout
oobutt
hisi
sfort
hebest
.”
“Atang…keagokopa…don’tl
eaveme.Iwasj
ust
scared.Pl
easedon’
tleaveme.
”
“I
t’
snotgoi
ngt
owor
k.Notnowatl
east
.Pl
ease
sl
eep.
”
“
Whatam Igoi
ngt
otel
lBat
ang?Hel
ovesyou.
”
“AndIl
ovehi
mtoobuthewi
llunder
standast
ime
goeson.
”
Shestar
tedcr
ying.Hesi
ghedcl
osi
nghi
seyes
si
tt
ing.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Can’
twet
ryagai
n?”
“Weren’tyoutheonewhosai dyouar etooyoungf
or
ababy?Youar er
ight.Focusonget tingtoUBand
act
uallygetti
ngyourdegr ee.Youwi l
lfi
ndsomeone
whowi lll
oveyourightandhewon’ tputyouunder
anysortofpressure.Look,sleep.Batangwil
lbe
wit
hyoui nt
hemor ning.Youar efl
yingbackhome.I
wil
lsendyousomemoneyi ncaseyouneed
anyt
hing.
”
Hehungupandswi
tchedof
fhi
sphone.

*
**

Thefoll
owingmor ning,
Rethabi
lewait
edinher
room al
readydressed.Herhear
tski
ppingasthe
dooropenedthenAgangwal kedin.
“
Hi…”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedbehi
ndhi
m.“
Wher
eishe?
”
“
Hehadt
ogo.Hef
lewami
nist
erear
lymor
ning.
”
“
Wheni
shecomi
ngback?
”
“
Iam notr
eal
lysur
e.”
“
Doyouhavet
hekeyst
ohi
shouse?
”
“
Yes-no.No.Idon’
thave.Thechopperi
sal
ready
wai
ti
ng.”
“
Ok.Takemet
ohi
shouse.Iwi
llwai
tforhi
mther
e.”
“
UhRet
habi
le-
“
“
Let
’sgo.Ihavebeendi
schar
ged.
”
Shet
ookherbr
other’
shandandwal
kedoutwi
th
hi
m.Agangfol
lowedbehi
nd.
“Thabi,Idon’
tthi
nkthat
’sagoodidea.Hei
sst
il
l
upset.Ithi
nkyoushouldgivehi
m sometimet
o
processeverythi
ng.
”
“
Takemet
oAt
ang’
shouseandf
ocusonZaza.
"
“
Iknowmybr
other
-“
“AndIknowmyman.Willyout
akemet
her
eorI
havetofi
ndmywayther
e? ”
Agangunlockedhiscar.Ret
habil
ewal kedoverand
goti
n.Batangjumpedi nattheback.Aganggotin
anddroveoff.Heparkedthecarbesidesthe
Amarokawhi lel
ater
.
Rethabi
lel
ookedathishousest
eppi
ngout
.Agang
knockedonthedoor.
“
Atang!
”
Minuteslat
erAtangopenedthedoorhol
dingacan
ofbeerinhishand.HelookedatRet
habi
le.
“
Shoul
dn’
tyoubeonyourwayhome?
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatAgang.“
Thankyou.
”
At
anglookedatAgang,Bat
angsmil
edandhugged
hi
mtight
ly.Agangt
urnedandgoti
nhiscart
hen
dr
oveout.
“
Areyougoi
ngt
oletmei
norshoul
dIj
ustsi
ther
e?”
“
Youcansi
tther
e.”
Shenoddedthensatdownont
hever
anda,
herf
eet
onthepavement.
“
Whenyouwantmet
ocomei
n,youwi
llcomeand
t
akemein.
”
Bat
angl
ookedathi
ssi
stert
henatAt
ang.
“
Arewe-
we-
wesi
tt
ingout
side?
”
“
Yoursi
sterwant
stosi
tout
side.
.let
’sgoi
n.”
Rethabi
lel
ookedatAtangandlookedatherfeet
remaini
ngseatedashewalkedinhishouse.

*
**
I
nShakawe,Elangcal
ledRet
habi
leaft
ercl
eani
ng
Thabi
’
sroom andwashingherbl
anket
s.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“ThankGodyouar
eok.Iwassoscared.Idi
dn’
t
sleepl
astni
ght
.Howareyoufeel
ing?
”
“Iwantnot hi
ngtodowi t
hyou.Youar eapoisonous
plantinmyl i
feandIhavebeenl ett
ingyougrownot
knowi ngIam poisoni ngmyself.Iwantyoutost ay
farawayf rom me,thisf r
iendshipcangot ohel
lf or
allIcare.Iam f
ineal one,Idon’tneedyou,Inever
did.Iwantyouf arfrom me.Nevercal lmeever
again!From hereIam bl ockingyou!”
“
Thabi,
ist
hisbecauseofourfi
ght?Thi
sisnott
he
f
ir
stti
mewef i
ght,Iam sor
ryf
orthethi
ngsIsai
d,I
-“
“Gotohel
lwi
thyourapology!St
ayawayf
rom me
sel
fi
shdumbbit
ch,nxla.
”
“
Thabi
-“
“Don’tcal
lmeeveragain.Goandl
ockf
oryournext
vict
im becauseIam done!
”
Shehungup.El anglookedatthephonesadly.She
fi
nishedoffcl
eaningtherestofthehousethen
walkedoutandt ookRethabi
le’
sdrysheetsinthe
house.Sheputt hem onthebedthenwalkedout
andlockedthedoor.
SheputthekeyswhereRethabi
leal
wayskeptand
walkedout
.Atearroll
eddown,shequi
ckl
ywipedit
andconti
nuedwalkinghome.
Far
aidr
ovepasthert
henr
ever
sed.“
Hi…”
El
angl
ookedover
.“Hi
.”
“
IsThabihome?
”
“
Ngng.
”
“Ihavebeentr
yingt
ocal
lherbutherphonei
snot
goingthr
ough.
”
“Shewentt
oGabor
onewithherboyf
ri
end.Idon’
t
knowwhenshewil
lbeback.
”
Far
aisi
ghedsadl
y.“
Thanks.
”
HetookaU-t
urnwhi
leEl
angwal
ked.Hedr
ove
besi
desher
.
“
CanIgi
veyoual
if
t?”
El
angsmi
led.“
Iam al
mosthome.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Jumpi
n.Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
El
anggotint
henhedrovet
oherhouse.El
ang
smil
ed.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shesmi
ledt
henst
eppedoutwhi
lehedr
oveaway.

*
**

InGabor
one,
Keemihel
dherphonet
alki
ngt
oher
uncl
e.
“
Whatdoyoumeanpr
egnant
.”
“
Theywanttopaydamages.Ihavesai
dyesand
t
oldt
hem t
ocomenextweekend.”
“Ret
habi
lei
sachil
d!Whatmansl
eptwit
hachi
ld
anddeci
dedtoi
mpregnat
eher
?Itmustbet
heman
whor
apedher
.Iwi
llnotal
lowi
t!Notever
!”
“
Rapedher
?”
“
Yes.I
fit
’shi
m,wear
erepor
ti
nghi
m.”
“Keemiwhatar eyout al
kingabout?Youar eal
lover
theplace.ThefamilyIam tal
kingaboutar eavery
organizedfami
lyandt heyareveryrich.Thei
rson
i
mpr egnatedourchildandhei staki
ng
responsibi
li
tyf
orit,heisnotdenyingthebabyand
that’
swhatmat ter
s.Ifsheispregnantthenthereis
nothingwecandot hanacceptthesituati
on.
”
“Sheisjustachi
ld.That
’swhyIwantedt
ost
aywi
th
her.Iam taki
ngherundermywing.
”
“
Areyout
aki
ngherbr
othert
oo?
”
“No.Mybr
otherwi
llt
akehi
m andt
hat
’sf
inal
.Iam
goingt
oShakawe.
”
“Thedamagesaresti
llgoi
ngtobepai
d.Iam not
sureoft
hei
rplans,
theymightal
sopaymagadi“
“
Overmydeadbody!Thatwi
llnothappen!Not
whenIam al
ive!
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#22

AtanggaveBatanghisplat
eoffoodj ustas
someoneknockedont hedoor.Hesighedand
walkedover
,helookedathishelper
’sdaughter
.
Shesmi
led.“
Mr.Dani
el.
.”
“
Hi…uh?
”
Shesmil
ed.“
Kelebogi
le.Uhmamahadt oback
homeformycousin’
swedding.Iam her
etocl
ean
andwashyourclot
hes.”
“
Kel
lyr
ight
?”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Comei
n.”
Hemovedfrom thedoort
henKell
ywalkedin.Atang
l
ookedatRethabil
ewhowassleepi
ngstil
lsi
tti
ngon
t
hever
anda.
“
Thabi
!”
Sher
emai
nedst
il
l.Hewal
kedoverandshookher
.
“
Ret
habi
le!
”
Shesl
owl
ywokeup.Hesi
ghed.
“
Comei
n.”
Shebitherlowerlipandstoodupst i
llabi
tdrowsy
fr
om hermedi cati
on.Atanglookedattheblood
stai
nonherdr ess.Rethabil
eturnedandlookedat
herdressreal
izinghewasst ari
ng.Sheswallowed
star
ingatthebloodstain.Shelookedatwher eshe
hadbeensi t
ti
ng.
“
Iwi
llcl
eani
t.
”
“
Iwi
lldoi
t.Goandt
akeabat
h.”
Shet
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Godownthepassage,
thel
astdoort
oyourl
eft
.
Ther
eisam ensui
teint
heroom.Usemythi
ngs.
”
Shet
ri
edt
otouchhi
m buthemovedback.
“
Youwi
llf
indsomet
hingt
oweari
nthewar
drobe.
”
Shewalkedinsi
dethehousethenlookedatthe
womani nsi
dethehouse.Shetur
nedandl ookedat
Atang.
“
Who’
sshe?
”
“
Goandbat
h.”
At earrolleddownt henshewalkedtohi
sr oom.She
closedt hedoorsniffi
ngandputherhandsonher
facecr yingsil
ent
ly.Shecri
edforawhilethen
wal kedtot hebat
hroom andtookoffherclothes.
Shest oodundert heshowerandopenedt hewat er.
Coldwatersprayedallherbodyt hatshetensedbut
sheremainedstil
lthenslowlysatdownont heti
led
fl
oor,herheadbetweenherl egs.Shest ar
edatthe
bloodgetwashedawaygoi ngdownt hedrai
n.
Pai
nchokedher
,shebrokedowncryi
nginhis
bat
hroom,t
heshowerswall
owinghercr
ies.

*
**
Atangmoppedthebl
oodstai
nthenwal
kedi
nhi
s
houseandl
ookedatKel
ly.
“
Youknowwher
eever
ythi
ngi
sri
ght
?”
Sheturnedt ohi
m,helookedlikethewhol
ewor l
d
wassitti
ngont opofhishead.Shecouldtel
lhe
wasn’tal
rightormaybeitwasj usther
.Heoft
en
l
ookedscar ytoherbutnottoday.Shenodded.
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hewalkedtohisbedr
oom hol
dinghiscanofbeer.
Shelookedatt
hekidwhowasst ar
ingather
,Kell
y
smil
edandwaved.
Hesmi ledbackandwaved.Kel
lywal
kedtothe
guestroom andputherbagonthebed.Herphone
rang,shequickl
ytooki
tout.
“
Mama.
.”
“
Kel
ly,
areyout
her
eyet
?It
’s8o’
cl
ock.
”
“
Yesmama.
”
“
Ok.Pl
easecl
eanpr
oper
ly.Cl
eanever
ycor
nerof
thehouse.Makesur ehisclot
hesareclean.Checkif
thereisstil
lfoodinthefri
dge,i
fther
eisany, i
t’
s
ruined.Throwi toutandcooksomet hi
ngfresh.You
havebeent othathousewithmeal ot,
youknow
whathel ikes.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Kell
yputawayherphonethentookoutthe
cl
eaninguni
for
m.Shetookoffdressandputont
he
uni
for
mt henstar
tedcl
eani
ng.

At
anglookedathisfat
hercal
li
ngwhi
leseat
edon
hi
sbed.Hepickedthephone.
“
Hel
lo.
.”
“At
ie…yourmot
herhasj
usttol
dme.Iam sor
ry,
I
knowhowexcit
edyouwere.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.I
thappens.
”
“
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngwedonow?
”
“Let’
sjustgoaheadandpayt hedamages.Shewas
carryi
ngmydaught erei
therwaysoit
’sonl
yright
thatIdo.”
“
Ok.Howi
sshe?
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Sur
epops.
”
Hehungupandlookedattheensui
tedoor.Hegot
upandwal
kedinsi
de.Helookedatherthenwalked
over
.
“
Ret
habi
le…”
Atangcl osedthetapandtookat owel
.Hewrapped
i
taroundherandpi ckedherup.Heputheronthe
bedandwal kedovergohiswar dr
obe.Hel
ookedat
hi
scl othesandt ookouthi
stracksui
tandan
oversizedt-shi
rt
.
Ret
habi
lest
aredathi
m ashedr
iedhert
henappl
ied
l
oti
ononherbodybef
oredr
essi
ngherup.
“
Iwi
llgetyoupads.Doyouneedanyt
hingel
se?
”
“
Ngng…”
“
Iwi
llbeback.
”
“
Doyouhat
eme?
”
“
Whyshoul
dIhat
eyou?
”
Tearsitchedhereyes.“ Iwasscar ed.Iwasso
scared.Ican’tevent akecareofBat angpr operly.I
am onlylearning.Thet houghtofbei ngamot her
scaredme.Iwasal soscar edofwhatpeopl ewoul d
sayaboutme.If earedf ormydr eams…Iam sor r
y
Atang.Iam scar edthatIam l osingyou.Idon’ t
knowwhatIam supposedt odowi t
houtyou.Iam
soscar edIwantt ohol dont oyouf orever .IknowI
hurtyou.Icanseeyouar ehur ti
ng.Iwi shIknew
howt omaket hepaint hesamewayyoudi dformy
brotherandI .Iwantt omakeyouhappy.Pl easet el
l
mewhatIshoul ddo…Iwi l
ldoi t
.Buti fthereis
nothing,i
t’
sok.Iwi l
lgo.Idon’ twantyout ohateme
becauseIl oveyou.Doyoust i
lll
oveme? ”
“Il
oveyoubutIneedspace.Andsoyou.Idon’
t
hateyou.Icanneverhat
eyoubutIneedtospace.
”
Shebi
therl
owerl
ipt
ryi
ngt
ohol
don.Shenodded.
“Ok.Ther
eisaneveni
ngbust
oShakawe.Bat
ang
andIcantaket
hatone.”
“
Ok.Doyouneedanyt
hingel
sef
rom t
hemal
l?
”
“
Bat
angneedssomecl
othes.
”
“Let
’sgot
ogether.Iwi
llwaiti
nthecar
.Hecanst
ay
behi
ndwithKell
y.Hewant stowatchTV.
”
Shenoddedwipi
nghertear
sholdi
nghercry.He
l
ookedather
.Shepressedherl
ipstoget
herwit
hher
ot
herhandonhermouth.
“Iam notbreaki
ngupwi t
hyou.Ijustneedspace.
That’
sall.Iwanttodealwit
hthi
sonmyown. ”
Shenodded.“
Ok.
”
Hewalkedout .Rethabilewipedhertearsandstood
upintheoversizedtracksui
t.Shefol
dedt he
waist
bandofhi ssweat pant
sacoupleoft imesthen
al
sothebottomsoft hepant s.Sheputont heshoes
shehadgottenatt hehospit
alandwal kedout
holdi
ngherphone.ShelookedatBat
angwho
seemedhappyinfrontoftheTV.
“Bat
ang…Iam comi
ng.Wear
egoingtogetyou
someclot
hes.Whenwecomeback,
wear egoi
ng
homeok?”
Hel ookedatherandsadlynodded.Ret
habi
le
sighedandwal kedouttohi
scar.Shegoti
nthenhe
reversedanddroveoff.
Herphoner
angi
nherhands.
“
Aunt
y…”
“
Ret
habi
le,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Sheswal
lowed.“
Ma?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam athome.
”
“Soyouhavenowbecomeal i
arhuh?Busysl eeping
wit
hgr ownmenandget t
ingpregnant
?Yourmot her
i
st ur
ninginhergr ave!Youhaveembar r
assedt his
famil
yRet habi
le!NowIseewhyyoudi dn’twantt o
comewi thme, itwassoyoucandoal lyour
nonsensei nmysi ster
’shousedisr
espect i
ngher .
Thi
siswhyyoulostthatbaby!Iam comi
ngt
othat
man’shouseandwear egoi
nghome!Youruncl
e
wil
lbetaki
ngBatangandthat’
sthat!
”
“Noonewi l
lseparatemybrotherandI.Iam
Batang’
slegalguardianandIwil
ldecidewhat
happenswi t
hhim.Iam sorryyoufeelIhave
embarrassedthisfamil
ybutnoonei staking
Batangfrom me.Iam notgoinganywher ewithyou
sodon’tbotheryoursel
f.
”
“
Ret
habi
le-
“
“GoodbyeAunty.Don’tscr
eam somuch,youhave
highbl
oodpressure.Wedon’twantyoudyi
ngon
us.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#23
AtGameCi tyMal l
,Atangpushedt het r
oll
eybehind
Rethabil
ewhileshewal kedi nf
ront
..shestopped
thentooksomej eans,shel ookedatthem and
searchedforBatang’
ssi ze.Shecheckedt hepri
ce
tagandquicklyputthem back.Shecont inued
walking.
Atangpushedthet r
oll
eyandpi ckedt hepantsthen
putthem i
nthet r
oll
ey.Rethabil
epickedsome
shorts,
shelookedatthepr i
cethent ookBatang’s
si
zeandt ur
nedt othetrol
ley.Shefrownedatt he
pantsshehadl ef
tbehind.
“
That
’st
ooexpensi
ve,
Iwi
llgett
hisi
nst
ead.
”
“
It
’sok.Hewi
lll
iket
het
rouser
.”
“
Buti
t’
stooexpensi
ve.
”
“
It
’sok.Iam payi
ng.Heneedst
wot
-shi
rt
s.”
Shetookadeepbr eat
handputtheshor t
sinside
befor
et urni
ngandconti
nui
ngwalking.Shepicked
twot-shir
tsandthr
ewthem i
nthetroll
ey.Atang
tookanI r
onmant -
shi
rtandputi
tinsidewit
hwhi te
sneakers.
Hel
ookedather
.“Doyouwantsomet
hing?
”
Ret
habil
eshookherhead.“
No.Yougotmeenough.
Let
’sgoandpay.
”
Sheledhi
mtothecashi
er.Het
ookouthi
scar
d.
Thecashi
erl
ookedathi
m.
“
P634.
55.
”
“
Iam swi
ping.
”
Themalecashierl
ookedatRet
habi
le.At
angl
ooked
att
hecashier
.
“
Obatagonj
elammabol
ait
aka?(
Doyouwantmy
woman?
)”
Thecashi
erl
augheduncomf
ort
abl
y.“
Nyaa.(
No.
)”
“Yaanongkengomolebankar
eobatagomot saya
nemi st
er?(
Thenwhyareyoul
ooki
ngatherasif
youwanther?)
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwasj
ust
…-“
“Osekawat olaolebabanyanabar
onayalo.Ota
kgobal
a.(Don’teverl
ookatourwomanlikethat
.
Youwillgethurt
.)
”
Themanbehi ndAt anglaughed.“
Baf
anababa
nyatsabathommeenemmaboomont legor
e.Omo
tswarekamat setsel
eko.(
Theseguys
underest
imatepeopleyourwomani stoobeaut
if
ul.
Treatherwell
.)”
Rethabi
lelookeddownshyl
yasAt
angpunchedhi
s
password.Het ur
nedt
othemansmil
ing.
“
Nnamomothowameokaswa.(
Wheni
tcomest
o
mywomanyouwi
lldi
e.)
”
Themanlaughed.“
Don’
tsor
rysi
r.Reut
ule.(
We
hear
d.)
”
Atangsmil
edgett
ingtheplast
icwi
thBatang’
s
cl
othes,
heputhisarm ar
oundRethabi
le’
swaist
andwalkedoutwit
hher.
“
Areyousur
eyoudon’
twantanyt
hing?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Thankyou.
”
“
Don’
tyouwantt
opl
aityourhai
r?”
“Iwi
llf
indsomeoneathomet
odomyhai
r.You
don’
thaveto.
”
“
Iwi
llsendyout
hemoneyf
oryourhai
r.
”
Hewalkedoutwit
hhert henopenedthedoorf
orher.
ShegotintheAmarok.Heclosedthedoorandput
thepl
asti
catthebackseat.
“
Iam comi
ng.Twomi
nut
es.
”
Rethabil
ewatchedhim wal
kbackint
hemall.The
manf rom t
heclot
hingshopappr
oachedand
knockedonherwindow.
Sher
oll
edi
tdownandl
ookedathi
m.“
Dumel
ang.
”
“
Hi,
what
’syourname?
”
“
Ret
habi
le.
”
“
Who’
sthatguyt
oyou?Yourbabydaddy?
”
“
Myboyf
ri
end.
”
“
Cool
guy,
real
lycoolguy.CanIgetyournumber
?”
“
Ihaveaboyf
ri
end.
”
“YeahIknow.Butyouarenotmar
ri
ed.Younever
knowwhoyoursoul mat
eis.
”
HetookRethabil
e’
sphonefrom herhandsand
swi
pedt hescr
eenunlocki
ngitt
henpagedhi msel
f.
Hesmiledgivi
ngbackthephone.
“
Iam Nat
efobutcal
lmeTef
o.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Hesmil
edandwal kedtohi
scar.Ret
habi
lewatched
i
nshockashegoti nsi
dehi
scaranddroveof
f.She
l
ookedatherphoneandswall
owed.
Herphonevi
brat
ed.Sheopenedt
hemessage.
Unsavednumber
:Youar
ereal
lypr
ett
y.
Rethabil
equickl
ydeletedt
hemessageandnumber
t
hensi ghedwaiti
ng.Atangwal
kedoverminutes
l
ater.Hegotinthecarholdi
ngaconoficecream.
Hehandedt heicecream t
oher
.
“
Thi
sisyour
s.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Igotyout
his.Ij
ustt
houghtyoumi
ghtl
iket
hem.
”
Ret
habil
etooktheshoppi
ngbagandtookoutabox.
Sheopeneditandl
ookedatt
hesparkl
ingheel
s.
Shegasped.
“
Att
ie…!
”
“
Youl
iket
hem?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Theyar
ebeaut
if
ul.Il
ovet
hem…Il
ove
you.
”
Herphonevibr
atedagain.Sheopenedthemessage
f
rom Tefoandblockedhisnumberthendel
etedthe
message.
Rethabi
leputawayherphoneandputt heshoesat
thebackseat.Shel
eanedoverandkissedhi
m.He
hesit
antl
ykissedherbackandquickl
ypull
edaway.
“
Putonyourseat
bel
t.
”
Ret
habil
eputontheseatbel
tandleakedherice
cr
eam ashestart
edthecaranddrovebackhome.
Ret
habil
ewalkedinsi
dethehousef i
nishi
ngherice
cr
eam.Shelookedaroundwonderingwher eher
br
otherwas.
Sherel
axedli
steningtohi
ml aughf
rom t
heot
her
room.Atangwalkedinsi
dethehouse.
“
Takwano.(
Comeher
e.)
”
Hewalkedtohisbedroom.Shef oll
owedbehi ndand
l
ookedathim.Atangpulledhercloserandkissed
hersqueezi
ngherbreastwhil
epushi ngheragainst
thewall
.
Shefli
nchedashesqueezedhersorebreast
.He
tookofft
hehoodi
eandT- shir
t.Hest
aredather
thi
ckbreastt
hent
ookofft hebra.
Hesqueezedt
hem agai
n,Ret
habi
lescr
eamedatt
he
pai
n.
“
Atang!
”
“
Youaremaki
ngnoi
se.Obat
aBat
angaut
wa?(
You
wantBat
angt
ohear
?)”
Shelookedathim herheartpounding.Hekissed
heragain,t
histi
mer oughl
ywhi l
esqueezingher
thi
ckbutt.Hetookoffhist
-shir
tstari
ngather
fear
fuleyes.
“
Kneel
…”
Sheknel
tdown.Atangunzi
ppedhi
spantsandt
ook
outhi
sdick.Her
ubbedhimsel
fonherl
ips.
“
Open.
”
Sheopenedhermouth,Atangpushedhisdicki
nher
warm mout
h.Herstomachl i
ft
edashepushedway
deeperi
nsi
de,shegaggedmovi ngbackwar
ds.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofuckyourmout
hsi
ncei
tcan’
tbeyour
pussy.I
fyoutr
yfi
ghti
ngme, Iwi
llf
uckyourass.
Keepyourhandsonyourt
highs.
”
Sheswall
owedstari
ngathim,ther
ewasjust
somet
hingaboutthewayhewasst ar
ingather
,it
wasn’
ttheusualanditmadeherscar
ed.
At
anghel
dherheadand–#r
emoved.
.
Rethabil
e’sturnedasshef ai
ledtobreathewithhi
s
dickdeepinsidehermout h.Tearsrol
leddownwhi l
e
becont i
nuedf uckinghermout h,shegagged
pinchi
nghert hickt hi
ghs.Hegr unt
edshoot i
nghis
l
oadi nhermout h.Hepusheddeeperr el
easi
ngin
hermout h.Shepushedhi m back,herstomach
contentcomi ngr i
ghtout.Atangmovedback
watchinghervomi tonthef l
oor.
Shedownbr eathi
ngheavily.At
angsighedrel
ieved
thenhehelpedherupf eel
ingabitgui
lt
y.He
touchedherbreastandkissedherfor
ehead.
“
Iam sor
ry.Come…”
Het
ookhert
othebat
hroom.Ret
habi
lel
eaneddown
bythesi
nkwashinghermouth.Hetur
nedt ohi
m, he
ki
ssedherl
ipsandpickedherup.Hewalkedwit
h
hertot
hebedroom andlai
dherdownthenlai
d
besi
deherpul
lingheri
nhisarms.
Heheldherti
ght
ly.Rethabi
leputherar
m ar
ound
hi
m snuggl
ingevencloser.

*
**

Outside,
Keemidrovet
hroughAtang’
sgateand
parkedbesi
dehim whi
leZazasatonthepassenger
seat.
“
Mama,
Ithi
nkweshoul
d-“
Keemist
eppedoutofhercarandmar
chedi
nsi
de
t
hehouseangri
lywhil
eyell
ing.
“
Ret
habi
le!Ret
habi
l
ecomeoutnow!Ret
habi
le!
”
Zazawal
kedi
n.“
Mama-
“
“
Ret
habi
le!
”
At
angwal
kedf
rom t
hebedr
oom shi
rt
less.
“
Hey!St
opyel
li
ngi
nmyhouse.Ar
eyousmoki
ng?
”
“
At angt
hisi
smymot
herandyouwon’
ttal
ktoher
l
ike-“
“HeyVoet
sekwena!Whoaskedyou?Gett
hef
uck
outofmyhouse.Lant
wael
alona!
”
Keemi
’
shear
tracedasshest
aredathi
m.
“
Isai
dgetgoi
ngkanagakeut
wal
e?”
Keemiwal kedoutt
aki
ngoutherphoneandcall
ed
thepol
ice.Atangcl
osedthedoor
.Zazaputher
handonherchestwhileherhear
tbeatwayfast
er
thannormal .
Hermotherspokeont hephone.“
Hell
o?Myni
ece
hasbeenkidnapped.Ineedyourhel
p.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#24
Ret
habi
lefi
nishedcleani
ngthef
loorthenwal
ked
t
owardsthedoorjustasAtangwalkedin.
“
Youraunti
sout
side.Shei
sher
eforyou.
”
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
oher
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal kedoutsi
deandlookedatZazat
henher
aunt.Keemilookedathert
henranoverand
wrappedherar msaroundher.
Ret
habil
elookedatZazaknowingi
twasal
lher
doi
ng,nott
hatitmatt
eredanyway.
“
Aunt
y..
”
“
Iam t
aki
ngyouhome.
”
Rethabi
lesighed.“Iam goi
ngtomymot her
’shouse.
Iam notstayi
ngher enoram Igoi
ngwi t
hyou.I
appreci
atethefactthatyoucareaboutmesomuch
butIam goinghome. ”
“
Thabi
-“
“
Bat
angi
scomi
ngwi
thme.
”
“
Ret
habi
le,
yourmot
herwant
edyout
ost
aywi
th
me.
”
“Mymot herwant edyoutot akemybr ot
herandI
together.Youcoul dn’
tdoit.Youwantt otakeone
andl eavetheot her,
thati
snotgoi ngtohappen.I
willneverletthathappen.Irespectyou.Idon’
twant
tobedi srespectful
.”
“
Ret
habi
le,
Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyouher
e.”
“IknowbutIdon’
tneedyourhelpatt
hemoment.I
am fineatt
hemoment.Iwil
ltel
lyouwhenIneed
help.
”
“Youknowwhatngwananyana, Iam si
ckandtired
ofchasi
ngaf t
eryoul i
keaheadlesschi
cken.You
areungrat
efulbutlet’
sseewhereyour
ungrat
eful
nesswi l
llandyou.Youthi
nklif
eiseasy
aker
e?Iam goi ng,
ifyoudon’tcomewithmet hen
youaredeadt ome. ”
“
Dri
vesaf
ely.
”
ZazalookedatRethabi
leinshock.“
Thi
sisgoingto
endintearsIam t
ell
ingyouandyouwillhaveno
onetoturntothanmymot her.
”
“Whatendedi ntear
swasyouwant i
ngmymant hen
goingafterhi
stwinbrotherthi
nkingyouwillgett he
samer esult
s.Iam notdisr
espectful
.Don’
tpushme.
Yourmot herisabouttofal
l,pl
easetakeherhome.I
won’tturntoyourmotherwhol etherhusbandr ape
you.”
Keemigaspedt henlookedatZazaasRet habi
le
walkedbackinthehousecl osingt
hedoorbehind
her.Shethoughtf
ullywalkedtoAtang’
sbedroom.
Shepickedherphonef rom thebedwhil
ehe
showeredthenwentonFacebookandpost ed
pict
uresofherwor konherpage.
Shesmiledassomeoneli
kedtheposti
mmediatel
y.
Herphonevibr
atedassomeonesenthera
WhatsAppmessage.Sheopenedthemessage.
Customer
:Hidear,
justsawyourpostonFacebook.
Ihaveaweddi
ngcomi ngupintwoweeks,my
desi
gnerondi
sapoi
ntil
e.Ineedadressf
ormyself
andmygirl
s.Weare7i ntot
al.
Thepersonsentt
hetypeofdressedshewantedf
or
herbr
idesmaidst
henhersel
f.Rethabi
lezoomedi
n
t
hepi
ctur
est
henr
epl
ied.
Ret
habil
e:Hi
,Icandothatbutsinceyouareonl
y
gi
vingmetwoweeks,Iam goingtochargeyou
more.
Customer:Moneyi
snotapr
obl
em.Kebokae
deposi
t?
Ret
habi
le;Yourdr
essi
sP3000.Theonesf
oryour
gi
rl
sisP1800each.
Cust
om:Per
fect
.Howmuchi
sthedeposi
t?”
Ret
habi
le’
shear
tpoundedasshet
yped.
Ret
habi
le:7k.
Cust
omer:pl
easefor
wardyourbankdet
ail
s.Iwil
l
makepaymentthensendyoual
lourmeasurements.
Ret
habi
le:ok.
Shefor
wardedheror
angemoneydetai
lsasAtang
wal
kedoutofthebat
hroom.Hel
ookedather.
“
Aret
heygone?
”
“
Yes.Whatt
imedoesourbusl
eave?
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lsomeoneandask.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hisphonestart
edringi
ngbesideher.Rethabi
le
pi
ckeditandlookedatElang’
snumber .Shestared
athi
sphonef orawhilethenhandedhim hisphone.
“
Elangi
scal
li
ng.Yout
alkt
oEl
ang?
”
“Ispoket
oherwhenIwant
edhert
ocheckupon
you.Iwasworr
ied.
”
“Sowhatar
eyoudi
scussi
ngnow?Aker
esheknows
Iam her
ewit
hyou.
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhyshei
scal
li
ngRet
habi
le.
”
“Answerher
.Ial
sowantt
ohearwhatyout
wot
alk
about.
”
“Iam notgoi
ngtoanswerherbecauseIhave
nothi
ngtodiscusswi
thher.
”
“Iwantt
ohearwhatshehast
ost
ay.Youshoul
d
answerher
.”
“
Ret
habi
le-
“
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogetmybr
otherr
eady.
”
Atanganswer
edandputheronl
oudspeaker
.
“Yah?”
“
Hi.I
sThabiwi
thyou?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
CanIpl
easespeakt
oher
?”
At
anggavehert
hephonet
hendr
essedup.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
omboki
le?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Aoomma, oversuchasmallissue?Iam sorry.I
knowIhurtyoubutyouknowIdi dn’tmeanit.
ThammawenaIwi l
lwashyourclothesfortwo
months.Unblockme,Ihavenewst otel
lyou.”
“Idon’
tli
keyourbehaviorsometi
mes.Kebonegor e
otwaetsigor
ekedi di
metsibutIam t
ir
edofit.Iam
goingtounblockyoubutifyoutr
ymeagai nIam
goingtocutyouoffforgood.Imeanit.Gakele
l
elope.
”
“
Loudandcl
ear
.Unbl
ockmef
astsoIcanIt
ellyou.
”
“Andl
ett
hisbethel
astt
imeyoucal
lAtang.Gaket
si
gorel
edi
scussaengmmegaker at
e.”
“
Sor
ry.
”
“
Bye.
”
El
anghungup.Rethabi
lel
ookedathi
m ashe
fi
nishedupdr
essi
ng.
“
Pleasebl
ockEl
ang.
”
“
OK.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oseeaf
ri
end.Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
.”
“Ifyouevergoandimpregnatesomeoneout
side
thisrel
ati
onshi
pbecauseIabortedt
hebaby,Iwi
ll
neverforgi
veyouebil
eIwilldumpyou.”
“
Youseet
hatmout
hofyour
s-“
“Iam tel
li
ngyouwhat ’
sgoingtohappen.Iam
sayingitt
odayAt angsot hatyouknow.Goandt ryit
.
Iam forgi
vingper sonbutIwil
lneverfor
giveyoufor
thatandIwi l
lleaveyouandnevert akeyouback.IfI
doitwon’tbeoutofl ove.
”
Hel
ookedathersi
lent
ly.“
Emma,
keut
ule.Ke
t
samaye?”
“
Youcango.
”
Shetookherphoneandopenedthemessagef r
om
Orangemoney.Shesmi l
edhappi
lythenwenton
WhatsApp.Shelookedattwomoremessagesfrom
di
ffer
entcust
omer sandrepl
iedt
othem whi
lehe
st
aredather.
Hewal
kedoutandchuckl
eddr
ivi
ngout
.

*
**

Keemipar
kedt
hecaratZaza’
swor
kpl
ace.
“
Soyouhavegoi
ngaroundt
ell
ingpeopl
ethatyou
wer
ehavi
nganaffai
rwit
hmyhusband?”
“Youmeanthatyourhusbandwasr api
ngme.
SomehowIam gladsher efusedt
ogowi t
hyou.It
wouldbeashamei fyoutookhertoyourhusband
sohecanhavehiswaywi t
hhersinceyoucan’
t.
”
“
Zachar
iah!
”
“
Trut
hhur
ts.Bye.
”
Zazasteppedoutandwal
kedi
nsi
det
hebui
ldi
ng
pi
ckingAgang’scal
l.
“
Hi.
”
“
Ithi
nkweshoul
dcal
litqui
ts.Idon’tl
ikeawoman
whocan’
tmi
ndherownbusi ness.
”
“
What
?”
“Iam beginni
ngtothi
nkthatyoupr
obabl
yst i
llwant
mybr otherandIr
eall
ydon’tcar
ebutIam onewith
you.
”
“
Soyouwer
eusi
ngme?
”
“No.Youwantedthi
sasmuch.Don’tbedr
amati
c.I
f
youdidn’
twantthi
sthenyoushoul
dhavesai
dso.”
“
Youandyourbr
other
-“
Aganghungup.Zazast
aredatherphonei
n
di
sbel
ief
.
*
**

Lat
erthatday,
Rethabi
legoti
nthebuswithBat
ang
andsatbythewindow.Atangl
ookedather.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Gof orthedri
vingschooll
essons.Whenyoumove
t
hisside,youaretaki
ngyourli
cense.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Shesmi
ledbl
ushi
ng.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Heleanedoverandbabyki
ssedhert
hent
urnedt
o
Bat
ang.
“
ByeBuddy.
.”
“
Bye.
”
Thebumpedfist
s.At
angsmil
edatRet
habi
leand
gotof
fthebuswhil
eshest
aredwit
hasmil
e.
Thebussl
owl
ydr
oveoutofbusr
ankasshel
ooked
athermanwal
kingt
owar
dshi
scar
.

THREEMONTHSLATER…
.
.
Af
ternoon.Iam sorr
yIam l
ate.Firstdaybackat
workwashectic.Themorni
ngi nsertiscomingup.
Your
sTr
uly
#25

Thr
eeMont
hsLat
er…

AtUB,Rethabi
lewal
kedoutoft
hepremiseshol
ding
herst
udentIDcardandhert
imetabl
einherhands.
Shegottothebusstopwher
eBatangwaswaiti
ng
wit
hthei
rbags.
Ret
habi
leputthet
inetabl
eandst
udentI
denti
ty
car
dinBatang’
sschoolbagt
hendial
edAtangagai
n.
“
Thi
sisaf
reeannouncementf
rom-
“
Shehungupwor r
iedl
ylooki
ngatt
hetime.Tear
s
fi
ll
edhereyesasshesatdownwaiti
ngforEl
ang.
Minut
espassedthenElangwal
kedover.
“
Hey,
didyougethol
dofhi
m?”
Ret
habi
leshookherhead.“
No.
”
“KanannaIgotaccommodat i
onandIam sharing
soIcan’tt
akeyouandBatangt ot
heroom because
Iam notsurewhoIam shar
ingwith.
”
“
Wewon’tbet
her
eforl
ong.Iam sur
ehei
str
avel
ing
t
hat
’swhyhi
sphonei
soff
.”
“ThabimmaIdon’twanttobekickedoutofthe
room.Idon’
thavear i
chboyfr
iendtogiveme
moneyandIwon’ thaveanywheretogowhen
thi
ngsturnsout
hf orme.Whycan’tyoujustf
inda
house?Akereyouhavemoney. ”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llf
indsomet
hing.
”
“
Letmehel
pyoul
ookonFacebook.Al
lyouneedi
s
aroom.
”
“
Iknow.Ihadf
oundsomet
hingbut
…”Ret
habi
le
si
ghedthenpr
essedherphonewhileEl
angsat
downandopenedherFacebookthenst
art
ed
sear
chi
ngforaroom t
orentnearUB.
Rethabil
ecal
ledthenumbershehadsaveddays
back.Itr
angtwice.
“
Hel
lo?
”Af
emal
evoi
ceanswer
ed.
“Dumel
ang.Mynamei sRethabile.Isawyourhouse
onFacebookdaysback.I
sitsti
llavail
abl
e?”
“Notreal
ly.Iam wai
ti
ngforsomeonewhojust
cal
ledmet omakepayment .Hehadcall
edint
he
morningbutifyoucanbeathimtoit
,youcant
ake
i
t.”
“
CanIcomeandseei
t?Ihavecashr
eady.
”
“
Yes.Hur
ry.
”
“
Eemma,
thankyou.HowdoIgett
her
e?”
Rethabi
lel
ist
enedast
hewomandi
rect
edhert
hen
hungup.
“
Ifoundar
oom.Iam goi
ngt
oseei
tthenpay.
”
“
Howmuchi
sit
?”
“
950.
”
“Fai
r.Idon’
tunder
stand,whydi
dn’
tyoul
eave
Batangwithyourmother
’suncl
e?”
“
Elang-
“
“Iam justsayi
ng,nowbesi desyourschool,you
havet oworryabouthim.What ’sgoingtohappento
him whenyougowher everyouwantt ostudy
abroad.Wi l
lyoutakehim with?Youar eonl
ya
studentThabi.Asmuchasyouwantt ohonoryour
mot her’
swishes,keepinmi ndthatyouarealsoa
chil
dandyouneedhel pwithBat ang.”
“Idon’tmindst
ayingwit
hmybrother
.Itmakesme
feelbett
erknowingIam wi
thhi
m andthathei
s
safe.”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowhenyougoover
seas?
”
“
Iwi
llcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenIgett
oit
.”
“Whatwil
lhappenwhenyouhaveeveni ngcl asses?
Thi
sisnotShakawewher eyoucanj ustlockhim
i
nsidet
hehouse.ThisisGaborone.Childrenget
ki
dnappedinGaborone.Alotofthi
ngshappeni n
Gabor
one.Iam nott
ryi
ngtobenegat
ivebutIt
ryi
ng
t
omakeyousee.Hei sgoingt
oneedclot
hes.
Uni
for
m.Ngwanawast ur
aThabi
.”
“Soyouwant edmet oleavehim?Iwi l
lneverl
eave
mybr otheraslongasIcant akecar eofhim.Heis
mychi ld.Letmewor ryabouthisfutur
e.Youcan’t
rel
atetomebecauseyoudon’ thavesibl
ings.
Maybei fyoudidyouwoul dunderst
andme.Unt i
lI
goabr oad, Iwi
llst
aywithhim.Iam going.”
“Youarenevergoi
ngt
oenj
oyvar
sit
yli
febecause
youarenowamot her
.”
Thabi
l
egotherbagandst
oppedacab.
“
Speci
al…”
“
Let
sgo.
”
Thecabdr
iverst
eppedoutandputt
hebagsi
nthe
boot
.
“
Bat
angl
et’
sgo.
”
Theygoti
ncarwhil
eElangwatched.Thecabdrove
off
,El
angwalkedbacki
nsidet
heschoolpremises
i
nhershortdr
essandwenttoherroom.Her
roommatehadarri
ved.Shet
urnedfrom hermir
ror
holdi
nghermakeupbrushandlookedatElang
smili
ng.
“
Hi,
Iam Koket
so.
”
El
angsmil
edbackl
ooki
ngatt
hecol
oredgi
rl
.“Hi
.I
am El
ang.
”
Koketsogi
ggled.“
IthoughtIwasgoingt
ohave
weir
doasar oommat e.Iam goi
ngtoapart
yko
bl
ock5.Let’
sgot ogether
.”
“
Uh,
Idon’
tknowanyone.
”
Koket
solaughedr
oll
inghereyes.“
Youdon’thaveto
knowanyonetoat
tendaparty.Youjustl
ookcute
andsexy.
”
Elangsatont
hebedwat
chi
ngasKoket
sor
anar
ed
l
ipsti
ckonherl
ips.
“
SomerichNiger
ianguyt
hrewapar
ty.I
fyouwant
f
reemoney,youwil
lcomewit
hme.Whereareyou
f
rom?”
“
Shakawe.
”
“
Heel
ang!Sof
ar.Haveyoueverbeeni
nGabor
one?
”
“
Yesbutt
ojustvi
sit
.”
“Youknowwhat ?Youarecomi
ngwithme.Iam
goingtoteachyouGabsli
femoghel
.Youar
egoing
toenjoyyoursel
f.
”
Elangsmil
edexcit
edl
y.Herphonest
art
edringi
ng,
shelookedatFar
aical
li
ngthenputi
tonsi
lent
stari
ngatKoket
so.

*
**

InBl ock8,Rethabil
epaidt hecabt henst eppedout
.
Thecabdr i
vergotherbagsst aringatthebody
trappedinherbodyhuggi ngdr essthathuggedher
thickness.Wit
hherbr ai
dst i
edi nabun, hecould
seeherr oundf aceclearl
y.Shesmi l
ed.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Sheopenedthegatethenpushedherbi
gsuitcase
i
nsidewhil
eBatangfoll
owedbehindher
.She
wal
kedtothebighouseandknockedont hedoor.
Shelookedatherbrother
,hewasunusual
lyqui
et.
Thedooropenedt henaladysmi
ledherhandover
herpregnantbel
ly.
“
Hi…”
Ret
habi
lesteppedbacksmil
ingback.“
Mynamei
s
Ret
habi
le.Wejustspoke.
”
Theladysmiled.“Iam Angelabutcal
lmemmagwe
Palesa.Theotherguyjustcall
edbeggi
ngmenott o
giveanyonethehouse.Comeandsee, i
sthatyour
son?”
“
Hei
smybr
other
.”
“Ok.Mynamei sAngela.Myhusbandi
snotyet
home,he’
ssti
llatwork.Youwil
lmeethi
mlater
.
Whenisyourfurni
tur
ecomi ng?
”
Ret
habi
lefol
lowedbehi
nd.“
Idon’
thaveany.Iam
st
udent
.”
MmagwePal
esaturnedandlookedatRet
habi
le.
“
Youareast
udent
?Youl ookolder
.”
Sheopenedthedoort
otheservant
squart
ers.“
Thi
s
i
sit.I
t’
srel
ati
vel
ybigandt
hereisnogeyser.
”
Ret
habi
lewalkedintheti
nyroom passi
ngthesi
nk
j
ustout
sidet
her oom andsmil
ed.“I
t’
sfi
ne.Itwi
llbe
mybrot
herandI.”
“
Ok.Youhaveyourownelectr
ici
ty.Yourwat
eri
s
i
ncl
udedi
nt her
ent.Yoursi
nkisoutside.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Thereisnoceil
ingorfi
tt
edwardrobe.That
’swhy
theroom isP800.Iunder
standyouareastudentso
Iwillneedmymoneyever ythi
rddayofeach
mont h.”
“
Eemma.
”
MmagwePal esasmil
ed.“That
’sal
l.I
fyouneed
anyt
hingelse,Iwil
lbeatthemainhousebutyou
canalsocallme.MyhusbandandIar enotnoi
sy
peopl
eandwedon’ tl
ikenoi
sypeopleorpar
ty
peopl
e.Ourhousei snotashebeen.”
“
Eemma.
”
“Iknowyouprobabl
yhavefr
iendsbutyourf
ri
ends
shouldknowwhentocome.Wedon’ twant
stranger
sdoi
ngbackandfort
hhere.Ihavea
daughterandval
uabl
esinmyhouse.Somepeopl
e
arethi
eves.Doyouhaveaboyf
ri
end?”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok.Thenitmeansyouwi
llbeusi
ngthebackgate.
Thereisasmallgat
ebehi
ndyourhouse.It
hinki
t’
s
bestthatway.
”
“
Hehasacar
.”
“
Kesugardaddy?
”
“
Ma?
”
MmagwePal esal
ookedatherbody.“
Ihopeyouar
e
notoneoft
hosegirl
smmawhodat eol
dermenfor
money.”
“
Hei
snotanol
dman.
”
“
Ihopesobecausei
fnotIwoul
dhavetoaskyouto
l
eave.Anyways,
wel
come.Doyouhavethemoney?”
“
Yes.
”
Ret
habil
etookoutt
hepurseandhandedAngi
ethe
money.Shecount
editandsmil
ed.
“
Ok.Youcanset
tl
ein.Wewi
llt
alkl
ater
.”
“
Eemmat
hankyou.
”
Shewal kedout.Ret
habil
esighedthenlooked
around.Sheopenedt hesui
tcaseandtookouta
blanketthensatdownwithBatangstar
ingatthe
ceil
ing.
Shepickedherphone,
herhear
tski
ppedasAt
ang
cal
ledback.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
Ijustl
anded.Ar
eyoust
il
latUB?
”
Shetookadeepbreat
hlist
eni
ngtohim,hi
svoi
ce
deepandhusky.Shebl
inkedt
ear
ful
ly.
“
No.If
oundasmal
lroom.Iam wi
thBat
ang.
”
“
Keet
a.Packyourt
hingswear
egoi
nghome.
”
“
Ithoughtyoubl
ockedme.Youhavenotbeen
t
alki
ngtome.”
“
Isai
dIneededspacet
oheal
.Sendmeyour
l
ocat
ion.
”
“
Ihadal
readypai
drent
.”
“
Youwi
llgetyourmoneyback.Iam comi
ng.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#26

Atangdroveintheyardtal
kingonthephonet hen
parkedinfr
ontoftheservant’
squart
er.Rethabi
le
gotupandl ookedathi
mt hroughthewindowashe
steppedoutofhiscarputt
ingonhiscapwi thhis
phoneonhi sear.
Rethabi
let
urnedtoBat angwhowasnowsl eepi
ng.
Hedidn’
tseem thatexcitedaboutt
hemovethough
sheknewhim seeingAt angwouldsett
hemood
ri
ght.
Shet ur
nedtohi
m andsmiledashecont
inued
tal
kingonhisphone.Sheopenedt
hedoorand
walkedout.
Atangtur
nedandl
ookedatherasshest
oodbyt
he
door.Hewal
kedover
.
“
Wewi
llt
alk.Letmeat
tendt
osomet
hing.
”
Helookedather
,shewasthickerandthedr ess
huggedever
ypartofherbody.Hewr appedhi s
armsaroundherpul
li
nghercloser.Sheclosedher
eyeshuggi
nghim br
eathi
nginhiscologne.
“
Wewi
llt
alk.Iwi
llcal
lyou.Sur
e.”
Hehungupandsl i
dhisphoneinhispocket
.He
hel
dhertight
ly.Tearsf
il
ledhereyes.Shecl
osed
hereyesasat earr
oll
eddownhercheek.
Hekissedhernecksqueezi
ngherbody.Mmagwe
Pal
esawalkedoverpushingherbi
gbell
yfor
ward
whi
leholdi
ngtheleaseagreement
.
ShepassedtheblackAmarokwi t
hthebigtir
es.She
car
eful
lyl
ookedati tt
henwalkedovertothedoor.
Shepausedstar
ingatRethabil
ehuggingaman.
Shetookadeepbr eat
happroachi
ng.
“
Ret
habi
le…”
Ret
habi
lemovedbackandl
ookedather
.At
ang
l
ookedathert
oo.
“
Ibr
oughtt
hel
easeagr
eement
.”
“
Shewon’
tbest
ayi
ngher
e.”
MmagwePal
esal
ookedupathi
m.“
What
?”
“
Shewon’
tbest
ayi
ngher
e.Iam t
aki
ngherwi
th.
”
“
Uhbut
-“
“Aker
enothi
ngwassi
gnedasyet
?Shehas
changedhermi
nd.
”
MmagwePal esal
ookedatRethabi
le.“
Ifyouknew
yourboyf
ri
endwasgoingto-
“
At
angshookhishead.“
Tal
ktomeifyouhavean
i
ssue.It
hinkIwasl
oudenough.
”
Rethabil
elookedathim.Ther
ewassomet hing
aboutthewayhespokeespeci al
lywhenhismind
hadalreadybeenmade.Hedi dn’
trai
sehi
svoice,he
remainedcalm butf
ir
m.
Ret
habi
lelookedathi
m smi
li
ngashetookcont
rol
oft
hesit
uation.MmagwePal
esabl
inkedt
hen
si
ghed.
“
Iwi
llgethermoney.
”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedaway.At
angt
urnedt
o
Rethabil
eandstaredatherchubbycheeks.He
l
eanedoverandki ssedher.Ret
habi
leclosedher
eyesstandingonhertoeskissi
nghi
m back.Hi s
handswentdownt oherbutt
.Hesqueezedthick
behind.Rethabi
leputherhandsonhischestfeeli
ng
hiserect
iononherstomach.
Rethabi
lel
ookeddown.“Batangi
sgoingtobe
happytoseeyou.Hethoughtyouhadlef
tforgood.
”
At
angbi
therl
owerl
ipsmi
li
ng.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Iam f
at.
”
“
Whot ol
dyout
hat
?Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
.Il
oveyou
l
iket
his.
”
Hecaressedhercheekthenwalkedi
nsidet
he
house.Shetookadeepbr eat
handfol
lowedhi
m
i
nside.Helookedatherbag.
“
That
’sal
lyougot
?”
Batangqui
ckl
ywokeupheari
nghisvoi
ce.Herai
sed
hisheadandl
ookedatAt
ang,asmil
ecoveri
nghis
face.
.
Hel
eapedandj
umpedi
nhi
sar
mshuggi
nghi
m.
At
angsmi
led.
“
Heybuddy!
”
“
I-
Imi
ssedyou!
”
“
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
”
Rethabi
lefol
dedtheblanketont
hefloor.Sheputit
backinthebagwhileBatangchat
tedhappilywit
h
Atang.ShewalkedoutasMmagwePal esastoodby
thedoor.
“Hereisyourman.IhopeIneverseeyouagain.I
shouldbechargi
ngyouforwast ingmyti
me.Ihope
youdidn’tmakemyhousedirty.Someonewho’s
seri
ousaboutthehouseiscomi ngsopl
easeleave
now.”
Ret
habil
etookthemoneyback.“
Iam sor
ryf
ormy
wast
ingyourti
me.”
At
angwalkedoutwi
tht
hebagwhi
leBat
anghel
d
hi
sbag.
“
Let
sgo.
”
Rethabi
lesmil
edatmmagwePal
esa.“
It
scl
ean.You
cancheck.Thankyou.
”
Atangputt hebagatthebackseat.Bat
angjumped
i
nbehindhi sseat
.Rethabi
legotinthecart
hen
Atangclosedthedoorwhil
esheputont heseat
belt
.
ShelookedatBatang.
“
Areyouhappy?
”
Batanglookedather.“
Im-
m-mi
ssourr
ealh-
house
butI-
I-
Iam happy.”
“Imissouroldhousetoo.Butwear
egoi
ngt
ost
ay
hereti
llIam f
ini
shedatschool
.”
At
anggoti
nthecart
henpaused.
“Comeanddr
ive.Ispoket
oyouri
nst
ruct
or.Hesays
youar
egood.
”
Hesteppedout .Rethabil
etookof fherseat bel
tthen
swappedseat s.Atanglookedatherasheadj usted
thecarseatmovi ngclosertothesteeringwheel .
Shest ar
tedt hecarshakingthenr eversedsl owlyti
ll
shewasout .Shej oi
nedther oadanddr oveof f
slowl
yst eppingont heacceleratorholdingt he
steer
ingwheelwi thbothhandswhi lestaringahead.
Het
ookouthi
sphoneandt
ookapi
ctur
elaughi
ng.
“
Babeyouknowyoucanj
ustr
elax.Ther
eisnoneed
t
odri
veli
kethat
.”
“
Wher
edoIt
urn?
”
Hel
aughed.“
Tur
nri
ght
.”
Ret
habil
e’
sphonerangf
rom Bat
ang’sbag.Bat
ang
t
ookitoutandsmi
ledst
ari
ngatFarai
.
“
Thabi
,Far
aii
sca-
ca-
cal
li
ng.
”
At
angt
urned.“
Letmeseebuddy.
”
Ret
habi
leswall
owedashet ookthephone.He
pi
ckedandputonloudspeaker.
“HiThabi…areyouwit
hEl ang?Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
o
callherbutshei
snotpicking.
”
“
No.Shef
oundaccommodat
ionatUB.Il
efther
t
her
e.”
“
Canyoupl
easecal
lher
,Iam wor
ri
ed.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Hehungup.Ret
habi
lest
oppedbyt
her
edt
raf
fi
c
l
ightandl
eanedl
ooki
ngathi
m.At
angsi
ghed.
“
Youar
est
il
lfr
iendswi
thher
?”
“
Shei
smyonl
yfr
iend.
”
“
Idon’
tli
keher
.”
Shel
ookedathi
mthent
urnedt
other
oadi
nsi
lence.

*
**

InBlock5,Koket
sowalkedinsi
deahousewi th
Elangbehindher,
bothgir
lsi
nmi nidr
esses.She
l
ookedateveryonedressedinwhitej
ustl
ikethem
andsmi l
ed.Koketsodr
aggedhertothebar.
“
Twogl
assesofchampagnepl
ease…”
“
Sur
e!”
Thebart
enderpour
edthem champagne.Koket
so
handedt
heothergl
asstoEl
angthenlaughed.
“
Cheer
stogoodl
if
e!”
El
angl
aughedsi
ppi
ngherwi
ne.ANi
ger
ianhi
tsong
star
tedpl
aying.Koketsoscreamedjoi
ningthe
crowdwhiledancing.El
angsippedmor eofthe
champagnewat chingwhil
emovi ngherbodyfrom
si
det osi
de.
Herphonesi
lent
lyrangi
nherpursewhi
leshe
f
ini
shedherdri
nkthengotanot
herone.
Koketsowalkedoveranddraggedherint hecrowd
whil
esomeonegr opedherbutt.Sheturnedtolook
butwiththecrowd,shecoul
dn’tevenseewhoi t
was.ASout hAfri
canamapianosongpl ayed.
Koketsoscreamedraisi
ngherglassupwhi le
si
ngingloudlyasshedanced.
Theydancedf orawhi l
eandgotmoredrinksget
ting
drunk.Koketsodraggedhertothet
oil
etandtook
outherweedt henapagef rom myt
hebible.She
rol
ledthecigaret
teandliti
tup.
Someoneknockedonthedoor.Koket
soopened.
Twothi
nmenwal kedinhol
dingthei
rglassesof
whi
skyint
heirhands.
“
Rakopa,
whyar
eyouhi
dingwi
tht
hegoodt
hings?
”
Koket
sol
aughedt
aki
nganot
herpuf
fbef
ore
handingthecigarettet
ooneoft heguys.They
exchangedthecigar et
teandfinal
lyhandeditt
o
Elang.Notwantingt oseem outofplace,
shetookit
andpuf f
edoncet henbl ewoutthesmoke.Koketso
smiledadElangt ookanotherpuffli
keapr ot
hen
blewthesmokei nt heair.
Koketsor
oll
edanotherci
gar
ett
east
heyal
lsaton
t
hef l
oorget
ti
nghighwhil
esippi
ngt
hei
ral
cohol
.
Koketsost art
edlaughingwi t
htheotherguylyi
ngon
thebat hroom f
loorswhiletheotheroneki
ssed
Elangt ouchi
ngherbr east.Hishandwent
underneat hherdressthenheshi f
tedherpanty
touchingherpussy.El angweaklypushedhishand
l
aughingoutofi t
.Theguyl ookedatKoketsoand
hisfri
end.
“
Iam t
aki
ngherhome.
”
Koket
sonoddedlaughi
ngatnot
hing.Theguy
hel
pedElangandwalkedoutwi
thhertaki
nghert
o
hi
scar.
Hejumpedinanddrovetohi
shousewhileEl
ang
f
ellasl
eepbesi
deher.Hepar
kedhiscarathi
s
houseandhel pedheri
nsi
dehishouse.El
ang
giggledasheputheronthebeddrunktoo.Hegot
ont opofherkissi
nghert
akingouthi
sharddi ck.He
pushedherpant ytot
hesideasshefel
lasleep.He-
removed.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#27

Atatwobedapart
mentinGaborone,
Ret
habi
le
l
ookedar
oundthenlookedatAt
ang.
“
Younowst
ayher
e?”
“
No.Youwi
llbest
ayi
ngher
ewi
thBat
ang.
”
Rethabi
le’smouthdropped.“Ican’
taff
ordthi
s
houseAt ang!Itl
ooksexpensi
ve.Aroom isenough
forme.That ’
swhatIcanaf f
ord.Thi
sistoobig.
”
“
Iam t
heonewho’
spayi
ngf
ori
t.
”
“Thankyouforthi
sbutIam notgoi
ngtostayhere
andhaveyoupayr entf
orme,rentwhi
chIcan’t
evenaff
ord.Whatifwebreakuporwhatifyoudie?
WhatwillIdo?
”
“Iam notdyi
ngandwearenotbreaki
ngup.AndI
am nottheonepayi
ngforthi
shouse.BDFpaysf
or
i
t.Iam tr
yingtomaket
hingseasi
erforyou.
”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Iwantt
obeablet
otakecar
e
ofmybr ot
herandIshoul
dthi
ngsnotwor
kout
betweenyouandI.”
“Andwhywoul
dn’
ttheywor
kout
?What
’sgoi
ng
on?”
“
Nothi
ng…Iam j
ust
…”Shelookedupbl
inki
ng.At
ear
r
oll
eddown.“
It
stoobi
g.”
“I
tsenough.Eveni
fwebr
eakup,
Iwi
llst
il
lletyou
st
ay.”
“Andifyournewgi
rl
fri
endi
snothappywit
hthat
?If
Iwereyounewgirl
fr
iendIwoul
dn’
tbehappywit
h
that
.”
At
angputhi
shandsonherwai
standpul
ledher
cl
oserandkissedher.Heranhi
shandsal
loverher
bodyashisdickhardenedinhi
spant
s.
Het ookherhandandplaceditonhi
sdick.
Rethabil
eputherhandinsidehi
spantsandtouched
hi
sweapon.Hegr unt
edinhermouthsqueezingher
body.Sheletgothensighed.
“
Iam onmyper
iod.
”
“
What
?”
“
Iam onmyper
iod.
”
Bat
angwal
kedf
rom t
hebedr
oomssmi
li
ng.
“
Thabit
h-t
her
ear
ebeds!
”
Rethabil
eturnedandwal kedtothebedrooms
walki
ngpastt hetwocouchesi nthesmallsit
ting
room.Sheopenedt hef i
rstr
oom andlookedatt he
singl
ebedandt hef
itt
edwar dr
obes.Shewal kedto
theotherroom andlookedatthebigbedf i
guring
thatwasherr oom.
Sheslowlysatdownthi
nking.Atangopenedthe
doorandwalkedin.Heclosedthedoorbehi
ndhim
l
ockingit
.Shelookedathim asheadvanced
t
owar
dsher
.
“Iam notgoi ngt ostayhere.Iwi l
llookforahouseI
canaf f
or dbutIwi l
ltakethef urni
turewith.I
understandyouar etryi
ngt ohelpbutIwantt ohave
myownpl ace,myownhouse.Iwantt obefreeand
stressfree.Iwillstayherewhi l
eIlookf oraroom to
stayin.Iappr eciat
eyourhel p,Iknowyouwantt o
maket hingseasi erforme.Butyoual readydo.You
domor et hanenoughal r
eady.Ican’ tacceptthi
s.I
am sorry.”
Atangpushedherdownsoshel aidont hebed, her
hi
psspr eadi
ngover.Hesl owlytookof fherdress,
Rethabil
eraisedherbodysohecoul dpul li
tout.
Atanglookedatherthighsthenherhi ps.Hiseyes
movedt oherstomacht henherbr easttrappedin
herbra.Heunhookedt hebraandt ouchedthem as
hi
spr ecum oozedwettinghispants.
Helookedatherthighsrubbi
ngagainstoneanot
her
,
shesti
llhadt
hepr egnancyfatevent
houghshehad
l
ostthebaby.Hepar tedherthi
ghsandlookedat
herpantynot
ici
ngherpad.Hel ookedather.
“
Whatdi
dIsayaboutt
hesepant
ies?
”
“
Iam onmyper i
od.Iam notcomf
ort
abl
ewear
ing
t
heotherones.
”
“Thenf
indtheonesyouar
ecomfor
tabl
ewi
th.When
Iam ar
ound,Idon’
twantt
oseet
hem.”
Hepul
ledthem outt
oget
herwit
hherpad.Hegoton
t
opofherkissi
ngherwhil
eunzi
ppi
nghispants.He
r
ubbedhimselfonherwhi
let
ouchi
ngherbody.
Herpussygotwetashecont inuedrubbi
nghimself
onher,herhormonesheight
ening.Hekissedher
neckthenlookedather
.
“
Imi
ssedyou…”
Sheputherhandsinsi
dehisshi
rtandtouchedhi
s
ski
n.Atangt
ookoffhert-
shir
tandkissedherhar
der
pushi
ngatherentr
ance.
Rethabi
lemoanedatt
hei
ntr
usi
onf
li
nchi
ng.She
pushedhischest
.
“
Atang…Iwantust
ogett
est
edf
ir
st.
”
At
angheldherwai
stpushi
ngi
n.Herpussysl
owl
y
st
ret
chedopenashesli
dinhi
sweapon.
“
FuckIl
oveyou!
”
Hegentlypushedi nsi
deblockingherpathwit
hhis
pi
pe.Hel ookedatherandki ssedhersqueezi
ngher
br
east.Heki ssedherneck.
“
Keepi
tdownf
ormeok?
”
Shenoddedt
aki
ngmul
ti
pledeepbr
eat
hs.He.
.
.
Rethabi
lescreamedi nthebat hr
oom holdingthe
si
nkwhi l
estaringatherselfonthemi r
ror.She
cl
osedhereyest ightl
ylett
ingitoutsquatti
ng.Atang
conti
nuedpoundi ngintoherthengrunted
off
loadi
ng.Hesl iditoutki
ssingherneckwhi l
eher
l
egsvibrat
ed, herkneesweak.
Hetur
nedheraroundandpickedherup.She
qui
ckl
ywrappedherlegsar
oundholdinghimti
ght
ly.
Hepartedherbuttcheekspushi
ngherdownhis
semierecti
on.Shemoanedweakl yi
nhisear
exhausted.
Hehel
dheragai
nstt
hewal
lfucki
ngherwi
thdeep
f
astt
hrust
s.
*
**

Thatsamenight
,Elangslowlyopenedhereyesand
l
ookedaroundwhilethethi
nman’ sbrot
herfucked
her.Shesl
owlysl
ippedoutofconsciousunableto
evenmakeoutanything.
Themangr untedenj
oyingever
ythrusti
ntoher
ti
ghtness.Hisbuttcl
enchedashewentf aster
moaning.Het hrewhisheadbackfeeli
nghisload
rushi
ngt hr
oughhi spi
pe.Hesti
ll
edspur t
ingouthi
s
thi
ckcum insideherthenhegotoffshaking.
Thethinmanwal
kedi
nandl
ookedathi
sbr
other
l
aughing.
“
Goshar
pyaanong,
youhavebeenati
tgol
ekane.
”
Thebrot
herlaughedt henof fbedpulli
nguphis
pant
sthenwal kedout .Thethinmanl ookedat
El
ang’snakedbodywhi leherpussyleaked.He
pi
ckeduphi st
-shirtandwi pedherthentookoffhi
s
pant
sagain.Hef l
ippedhert henpartedherbut
t
cheeksstar
ingatherbutt
hole.Hehadal ways
wonderedhowi tf
eltandi
tlookedsot ight.He
str
okedhisdickandpushedi nforcef
ullygladhe
hadinj
ectedherwithasedative.

*
**

Thef
oll
owingmorningRethabi
leopenedthefr
idge
andl
ookedatt
hef ood.Shesmil
edreali
zingt
his
manhadwentalloutforher
.
Shef oundhersel
fthi
nki
ngtwiceoff i
ndi
ngherown
placewhenshecoul dsavethatmoneybutthen
again,thef
uturewasanuncer t
aintomorr
ow.She
tookaf ewthi
ngsthenstart
edfryingacoupl
eof
thingswhil
esingi
ng.
Herphonerangont
hekit
chencount
er.Shel
ooked
ati
tthenpi
ckedFar
ai’
scal
l.
“
Thabi
?”
“
Hey.
”
“
Ishet
her
e?”
“
No.
.”
“
Ok,
howi
sitt
her
e?”
Shesmi
led.“Theschooli
shugeandbeaut
if
ul.Igot
myti
metable.Iam r
eadyforcl
assnow.
”
“
Andaccommodat
ion?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
olookf
orsomet
hing.
”
“
Youar
est
ayi
ngwi
thhi
m now?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Becar
eful
.Ifyouneedanythi
ng,cal
lme.Cal
l
meanyt
ime.Iwi
llbether
eforanythi
ng.”
“
Far
ai-
“
“
Iam sayi
ngi
tasaf
ri
end.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Ok.Thankyou.Ar
eyoust
il
l
l
ooki
ngforEl
ang?”
“No.Ical
ledt
otal
ktoyoubutt
hewayyou
answeredtol
dmeyouwerewithhi
m.”
“
IthoughtyouandEl
angwer
eget
ti
ngcl
ose.
”
“
Idon’
twanther
.Il
oveyou.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Ret
habil
eputdownt
hephonet
henpi
ckedi
tand
cal
ledEl
ang.
“
Thenumberyouhave-
“
Rethabil
edroppedthecal lasacardroveinout side
foll
owedbyadoorcl osing.Secondslater,alady
openedthedoorinheels.Shel ookedatRet habil
e
thenmodeledherwayt ot hebedrooms, herheels
echoingonthetil
edfloors.
“
Att
ie!
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#28

“
Att
ie!
”
Theladycont
inuedcal
li
ngopeninghisbedr
oom
door.Shel
ookedathim sl
eepi
ngwithasheet
coveri
nghisl
owerbody.
“
Atang!
”
Atangwokeupastheladywalkedf
urt
heri
nthe
room,herheel
smaki
ngnoise.Shel
ookedathi
m
smili
ng.
“
Hi…”
At
angf
rowned.“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Icamet
omeetyourper
son.
”
At
angt
hrewapi
ll
owather
.“Nayanggetout
!”
Nayanglaughed.“
Sor ude!Tsoga.(
Wakeup.)
”She
pi
ckedthepill
owandputi tonthebedthenwalked
out
.Shepausedst andingbythedoorandtur
n
l
ookingathim.
“
Youl
ookgood.
”
“
Out
!”
Nayanglaughedandwalkedtothesi
tt
ingr
oom
smil
ing.ShelookedatRet
habi
lewhowasjust
st
ari
ng.
“
Hi.Ar
eyout
hemai
d?
Ret
habi
lesi
lent
lyl
ookedatheri
ncompl
etesi
lence
thenputt
hefor
kdownandwalkedt
ot hebedr
oom.
Sheopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedatAtangwhowas
putt
ingonhi
st-
shi
rt
.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Who’
sthatwoman?Andpl
easedon’
tli
etome.“
“That
’sNayang.Myuncl
e’
sdaught
er.Shei
smy
cousi
n.”
Ret
habi
lesi
ghedr
eli
eved.“
Oh…she’
spr
ett
y.”
“
Didshesayanyt
hingt
oyou?
”
“
No.Shejustwal
kedi
nli
ket
hispl
acewasher
s.I
t
hought
…”
Atangki
ssedher.“
Shei
sjustmycousi
n.Shei
sthe
onewhoactual
lytol
dmeyouwerecatf
ishi
ng.
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Shecal
ledmeamai
d.”
“
That’
showsheisbutIwi
llt
alkt
oher
.Come,
letme
i
ntr
oduceyou.
”
Hetookherhandandl
edhert othesi
tt
ingr
oom.
Nayangl
ookedupfrom herphoneandsmil
edat
At
ang.
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatherf
lawl
essmakeupt
hen
si
ghed.
“
Nayang,
thisi
smygi r
lfr
iend,
Ret
habi
le.Babe,
thi
s
i
smycousin,Nayang.
”
Nayangl
ookedatRet
habi
leandsmi
led.“
Hi.
”
“
Hi.
”
Nayanggotuppul
li
ngdownhershor
tdr
ess.“
Can
wetalk?I
npri
vat
e.”
Rethabi
lewalkedtotheki
tchent ofi
nishupcooking
whileNayangstar
ed.Atangwal kedoutsi
de,she
fol
lowedbehindhim andsmiled.
“
Shei
sfat
.”
“Sheisthickandbeaut
if
ul.Nevercal
lheramai
d
everagain,evenwhenj
oking.Idon’
tli
keit
.Noone
wil
ldisr
espectmywoman. ”
“Shei
stoof atAt
ang.Ithi
nkyoumovedonf r
om
Yaonetooquickl
yandsettledforwhateveryou
coul
dgetyoureyeson.Doyouevenl ovethisgirl
?
Yaonehurtyou.Youaredealingwithaheartbreak
andyou’vefoundtheperf
ectcandidat
et ouse.”
“
IloveRet
habi
le.Sayshei
sfatonemor
eti
me.
”
Nayangt ookadeepbr eat
handexhal eddeepl
y.“I
am justsayi
ng,youwer etalki
ngtoherwhi l
eshe
catfi
shedyou.Youwentaf t
erher,
caughtheri nher
l
iesandnowyoul oveher?Idon’tthinkyoulovethi
s
one.Ifyouneededf ul
lti
mesext ohealyoucoul d
justgott
enthatinst
eadofdr aggi
ngsomeonei nt
o
yourheartbr
eakissues.Youar egoingtohurther.
”
“Youarenotinmyhear t.Youdon’tknowwhatIf eel
.
Ifi
twassex,Iwoul dhavelonglef
therandpr obably
wouldn’
trememberherunl essshewasar elati
ve
whomadei tami ssiont
oal waysbeinmyf ace
everysi
ngleday.Whatdoyouwant ?”
Nayangsmi
led.“
DoIannoyyou?
”
“
Youar
eannoyi
ngmer
ightnow.
”
“
Ihear
dyouwer
enotf
lyi
ngsoIcamet
oseeyou.
”
“
Ok.Bye.Whot
oldyouIwasher
e?”
“
Agang.
”
“
Mygi
rl
fr
iendst
aysher
e.Don’
tcomeher
eagai
n.”
Het
urnedandwal
kedbacki
nthehouse.Nayang
gotinhercarthentookherphoneandcal
ledher
si
sterdri
vingout.
“
Naya…”
“IsawAtang’
sgirl
fri
end.Outofal
lthepr evi
ousone,
sheistheoddoneout .YouknowhowAt anglikes
hiswomen,thisti
mehewentandt ookt hisfatgir
l
helawasmar agoamaki maki
mawi thneckr ol
ls.I
t’
s
l
ikehegrabbedthefir
stthi
nghecoul dgethiseyes
on.”
“
YoumeanRet
habi
le?
”
“
Youknowher
?”
“Papatoldmeabouther .Sheisthewomanhepai d
damagesf or.Iwasn’tsupposedt otel
lyouthat.The
famil
ykeptthei ssueont hel
owl ow.Hegother
pregnantmont hsbackthenshehadami scarr
iage
andlostthebaby.Isawherpi ctureonAt ang’s
profi
lepi
ctureawhi l
eback.Idon’ tknowhowher
bodylooksbutshehast hefaceIwon’ tl
ie.Sheis
verybeauti
ful.
”
“
Youkeptt
hisf
rom me?Why?
”
“Naya,dor eal
izethatbecauseofyourli
tt
lecr ushon
thi
sman, youneverl i
keanyofthewomanheget s
i
nar elat
ionshipwi th?Funnyenoughhowt he
rel
ati
onshi pendswhenyouandwhoeveri twill
becomebestf ri
ends.Yaonewaswi thAtt
ief orso
l
ongwhi l
eshewor kedinJwaneng.Hewashappy.
Thenshemovedt oGabs.Youbecamef riendswi t
h
herandal lofasuddenYaonei scheati
ng.Youneed
tokeepyour selfundercheckbecauseAtangi syour
brot
her,t
hatcanneverchange. ”
Nayanglaugheddri
ving.“
Areyouserious?Ihaveno
crushonAtang.Heismybr other
.Idi
dn’ttel
lYaone
tocheat
.Maybeshewasal wayscheati
ngonhi m.”
“Whatevermma,stayawayfr
om Ret
habi
le.Gape
sheistooyoungtobefri
endswi
thyou.
”
“
Shel
ooks30.
”
“
Ngng…It
hink20orsomet
hing.
”
Nayangl
aughed.“
20?Wai
tseYaonedi
danumber
onmycousin.
”
“
Shar
pmma!
”
“Shedoesn’tl
ook20.Shei
sfatandl
ooksol
der
.
Ebil
eIthoughtshewasthemaid.
”
Thesi
sterl
aughedt
oo.“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ohel
l.Bye.
”
Shehungupl
aughi
ngheadedt
owor
k.

*
**

Thatsamemor ning,Tshepangwalkedtothebus
stopnearherhousel ooki
ngattheti
me.Shest ood
atthebusstopwai t
ingforhercombi.Minut
es
passedthenshemovedbackt ositonthebench.
Herheartski
ppedasshesawt hegir
lwhowas
sl
eepi
ngont hebench,
herotherhandont hegr
ound.
Sheputherhandonherchestandsighed
wonderi
ngwhysomeonewoul djustchooseto
sl
eepont hebenchi
nsuchashor tdress.
Minutespassed,
Tshepangl
ookedagai
nthen
walkedover.
“
Hi…”
Sher
emai
nedst
il
l.
“
Hi!
”
Shesti
llr
emai
nedst
il
l,
Tshepangshookhert
owake
herup.
“
Wakeup!
”
Acombidr ovepastherasshewokethegi
rlupwho
seemedwayt ooyoung.Elangsl
owl
yopenedher
eyes.Tshepangsmiled.
“
ThankGod,
areyouok?
”
Tshepanghel
pedhersi
tup.El
angst
aredi
nto
nothi
ngdrowsyandconf
used.
“
What
’syourname?
”
“
Elang…”
“CanIcal
lsomeonet
ocomeandpi
ckyouup?Ar
e
youok?”
Elanggotupasherstomachli
ft
edt henhurriedt
o
thebincl
osebyandvomited.Herthroatburntas
shestagger
edbacktothebench.Tshepangt ook
outherbott
leofwat
erandhandedi ttoher.
Elangt
ookitanddr
anksomewatert
ryi
ngto
rememberwhathadhappenedt
hepr
eviousni
ght
.
Herbodyhurtsomuch.
Shelookedatherhandbagt
henopenedi
t.Her
phonewasgone.
“
Ilostmyphone.
”
“
Shoul
dIcal
lsomeonef
oryou?
”
“
Yes,
myf
ri
end.
”
Tshepangtookoutherphoneandgavei
ttoEl
ang.
El
angdialedRethabi
le’
snumberandputt
hephone
onherear.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Thabi
…thankGod.Idon’
tknowwhathappened,
I
am str
anded,
didAtangcome?”
“
Yes,
youar
est
randed?
”
“
Yes.Canyoupl
easecomeandgetme.
”
“
Str
andedwher
e?Ar
en’
tyouatt
hecampus?
”
“Ngng…comeandhel pme.Idon’
tknowwher
eI
am orhowIgother
e.”
Tshepangwhi
sper
ed.“
Youar
einTl
okweng.
”
“
Gat
weTl
okweng.
”
“
Idon’tknowwheret
hati
s.LetmeaskAt
ang.
Whereexactl
yar
eyou?”
Elanggavet
hephoneback.“
Pleaset
ellherwher
e
exactl
yIam.”

*
**

Elangst
oodupast heblackAmarokparkedbesi
des
herwit
hRet habi
leseatedatthef
rontseatwhi
le
Atangdrove.Shegotinatthebackholdi
ngher
handbag.
“
Thankyou.
”
Ret
habil
elookedather
.“Whatwer
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?”
“
Iwaswi
thKoket
so.Myr
oommat
e.”
“Youal
readymadenewf
ri
endswhoabandonyou
onthef
irstday.
”
“
Shedi
dn’
tabandonme.
”
“
Thenwhywer
eyoust
randed?
”
El
angremai
nedqui
et.Mi
nut
esl
aterAt
angpar
ked
hi
scaratUBcampus.
“
Thankyou.
”
Elanggotoutoft
hecar.Ret
habi
lest
eppedoutt
oo
andlookedatherf
ri
end.
“
Areyouok?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edEl
ang’
seyes.“
Yest
erdayatt
hepar
ty,
I-“
“
Youwentt
oapar
tydr
essedl
iket
hat
?”
“
Huh?
”
“Youl ookli
keaprostit
ute.Howdoyouwearthati
n
public?Andyoudon’ tevenknowanyonetobe
attendinganypar
ties.That’
showthosestr
anger
s
sleepwi t
hyouthenaf t
erthatsomeonescr
eams
rape.”
“Idon’
tneedtoknowanyonetoattendapar t
y.AndI
don’tl
ookli
keaprosti
tut
ebuti
fIlooklikeonethen
youareone.BetweenyouandIyouar etheonewho
sl
eepswi
thamanf
ormoney.
”
“
Youar
eungr
atef
ul-
“
“YousaidIlookli
keaprosti
tute!Andnoone
screamsrapeunlesstheywerer aped.Stoptal
king
asifatt
endingapartywithpeopleyoubar el
yknow
meanspeopl eshoul
dsleepwi thyou.Peoplego
theret
ohavef unnottofuck.Andi fIscr
eam rapeit
meansIwoul dhavegottenrapped.Yourboyf r
iend
i
swai t
ingforyou.Bye.
”
El
angwal kedt
oherr
oom holdi
nghertear
s.She
openedthedoort
henwalkedinandl
ookedat
Koketsowhowasdoinghermakeup.Shesmil
ed.
“
Hi!Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
”
Elangst
aredatheri
nshock.“
Soyoulett
hatman
takemewhereverhetookme?YouknowIdidn’
t
evenknowhim.”
“Heel
a,Iam notababysit
ter.Iwastheretohavef
un
nottol
ookaf t
eryou.Gapeifyoudidn’twanttogo
wit
hhim, youcoul
dhavej ustsai
dno.Youwant ed
toandyouwantt oshif
tblame.Noonef or
cedyou
togotothatpart
y.”
Koketsost
oodupandpi ckedherbagthenwal
ked
out.El
angputherhandsonherfacecrying
rememberi
ngbitsoftheprevi
ousnight
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#29

At
angsati nhiscartal
kingt
ohi
sfatherwhi
le
wai
tingforRethabi
lewhowasbuyinghersewing
materi
alinsi
deashop.
“Ihopeyouaresmartaboutt
hethingsyoudof or
thi
sgirl
.Il
ikeher
,don’
tgetmewr ongbutitwillhurt
yousomuchmor ewhentherel
ati
onshipdoesn’ tgo
thewayyouexpectitt
ogo.Andifyouimpr egnat e
heragain,
youaremarryi
ngher.
”
“Shewoul dn’tagr
ee.Shewantstogoabroadf
orher
degree.Shewon’ tagr
eetomarri
agebutmaybethi
s
ti
meIwi lljustmakesurenot
hinghappenstomy
chi
ld.
”
“
Youwantt
otr
apherwi
thababy?
”
“Iam secur
ingourfut
ure.Onceshegoeschances
ofushavingababyar esli
m.Herdegreetakes7to
10years.Maybeherli
feplanswil
lchange,Idon’
t
knowbutatl easti
fwehaveachild.
.”
“
Soyouwantt
oimpr
egnat
eheragai
n?”
“Iwantababy.LosingSaronamademer eal
izeI
wantachil
d..Iam gett
ingold.Achi
ldal
sosecur
es
ourfut
ure.
”
“
Maybeormaybeyouar
ejustscar
edawhi
teman
wil
ltakeher
.”
Atangchuckl
ed.“Yes.Achi
ldwi
llbemysecur
it
y.
ButIreal
lywantachild.
”
Ret
habi
lewal
kedoutoft
heshophol
dingapl
ast
ic.
“
Papa,
Iwi
llt
alkt
oyoul
ater
.”
“
Ok.Yourmot
heri
sdoi
ngmuchbet
ter
.”
At
angsmi
led.“
That
’sgood.
”
“
Yes.Ok,
bye.
”
Hehungup.Atangputdownhi
sphoneasRet
habi
le
goti
nthecar
.
“
Iam done.
”
At
angst
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveherhome.
“Iam f
lyi
ngtoMaunl
atert
oday.Iwi
llbecomi
ng
backtomorr
owmorni
ng.”
“
Ok.
”
Atangparkedt hecarandlookedather.“Pl
ease
stayher
e,youdon’ thavetolookforati
nyr oom t
o
stayi
nwhenyoucanst ayhereforfr
ee.Iknowyou
wanttobei ndependentbutletmehelpyou.Batang
i
shappyher e.Ther
eisspacef orhi
mt obef r
ee
too.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
obur
denyoumor
e.”
“Il
oveyou.Iam doi
ngt
hisbecauseIl
oveyou.Look
atme…”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledandl
ookedathi
m.
“Keagor ata.Idon’texpectyout odoanythi
ngfor
meot herthanjustbeingf ait
hfulandloveme.Iwil
l
giveyouever yt
hing…al lIneedisfai
thful
ness.I
needtoknowifIcantr
ustyou.Andwhenyouno
l
ongerwantme…i t
’seasy.Youjustt
ellme.Iwon’
t
holdyouhost
ageinarelati
onshi
p.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Idon’
tcheat
.”
Hesmi l
edtouchingherchi nthenleanedoverand
ki
ssedher .Acarpar kedbesideshi s,
hesealedthe
ki
sswi t
hababyt hekissandl ookedathi sbr
other
steppingoutofhi scar.Rethabil
etookherplasti
c
andwal kedinsidethehousewher eBatangwas
sl
eepingont hecouch, theremot econtr
olonhis
chest.Rethabil
esmi l
edst ari
ngattheTVmount ed
ont hewall.
Rethabil
ewal
kedtothebedr
oom andcaughther
ref
lect
iononthemir
ror
.Shegotclosert
othemirr
or.
Sheneededthegym…shebiggerthanbefor
e.She
satdownonthebedandsearchedforgymson
Facebook.

*
Out
side,
Agangl
ithi
sci
gar
ett
eandbl
ewoutt
he
smoke.
“
Soshe’
sthr
eat
eni
ngyou?
”
“
Yah…”
“
Itol
dyoutostayawayfrom t
hatwoman.Marri
ed
womenaretr
icky.Andyouhavealott
olose.
”
“Shedoesn’
tcare.Igotsocl
oset
ost
rangl
inghert
o
deathyest
erday.
”
“Icantal
ktoheri
fyouwant
.Shewon’
tbot
heryou
aftert
hat
.”
Aganglookedathisbrot
herrecall
ingtheti
methey
werest
illatschoolt
hensmil
ed.“Iwillhandl
eit
..but
t
hanks.Howi sitgoi
ngwithher.”
“Wearefi
ne.Iam happysheisnowhere.Maybe
thi
swaywecanbot htakethi
srel
ati
onship
seri
ousl
y.”
“
Osekawat
shosangwanasi
r.
”
At
anglaughed.“
WhywouldIscareher?Iam j
ust
gr
oomingherint
oaproperwoman.Thisti
meIam
gi
vingi
tallmyal
l.I
fshecheat
s,Iam goi
ngtokil
l
herandwhoeveri
tist
hatshewi
llbet
est
ingme
wit
h.”
Aganglookedathisbrot
herandsighed.“ Iam sure
shelovesyoutoo.Noteveryonecheats.Youmi ght
fi
ndthatshegenuinel
ylovesyou.Rethabileseems
l
ikethatwoman.Giveheraf ai
rchance.Shei snot
Yaone.”

*
**

AtUBcampus, Elanglai
donthebedcr yi
ngsil
ent
ly.
Shetri
edtoblockhermindfrom al
ltheti
meshe
dri
ft
edinandoutofconsciousness.
.Shelookedat
herphonethenreachedfori
tandcalledRet
habil
e.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Shesni ff
ed.“
Iam sor ryforcall
ingyouaprostit
ute.
Lastnightattheparty,Igotsodr unkandhigh.Two
menj oinedKoketsoandI .Iwassmoki ngweed.I
gotsodr unkIcouldn’twal kt
henhet ookmet ohis
house…hedr uggedmeal ongway.Iremember
sl
ippi
nginandoutconsciousness…t
her
ewas
someoneelse.Iam scar
ed…”
“Iam sor
ry….ShouldIcomethere…?Iam sor
ry
aboutwhatIsaidtoo.Didyourepor
t?”
“
Theyar
egoi
ngt
osayIam l
ying.
”
“
Iwi
llgowi
thyou.Iam comi
ng.
”

*
**

Rethabi
lewalkedoutwithElangfr
om thehospit
al
holdi
ngherhand.Sheunl ockedt
heAmar okand
j
umpedi n.Elangsl
ight
lysmi l
edgett
ingi
nont he
passengerseat.
“
Thi
scari
sni
ce.
”
“
Atangsai
difIcr
ushi
tIshoul
dn’
tcomeback.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Hel
ovesyou.
”
Ret
habi
lestart
edt
heengine.“
Ilovehim butther
eis
j
ustsomethi
ngabouthi
m…Idon’ tknow..maybeit’
s
i
nmyhead. ”
“
What
?”
“
Idon’
tknow.Iam happyhest
il
lwant
sme.
”
“
Hel
ovesyou.IhopeIal
sogetsomeonewhol
oves
mel
iket
hat
.”
Ret
habil
elaughed.“
Cat
fi
shagoodl
ooki
ngman.
Youneverknow.”
Elanglaughedt
oo.“
Idon’
twantt
obesl
apped.Iam
scared.”
Rethabi
lesl
owl yreversedt henj
oinedtheroad.She
tookadeepbr eathsteppingont heaccel
erator
dri
vingat30km/ hrgoingtot hepoli
cestat
ion.She
parkedawhilelaterandsi ghed.
“
Let
’sgeti
n.Ihopet
heyar
restKoket
so.
”
Thegi r
lssteppedoutoft hecarandwal kedinside
thepolicestationhol
di nghandswal ki
ngpastYaone
whowaswal kingoutholdinghercerti
fi
ed
document s.Shespot tedAt ang’
scarandsmi l
ed
walkingover.Sheopenedherumbr ell
at hewaited
forhim standingbesidest hecar.I
thadbeena
whilesinceshesawhi m andshewasn’ tsur
ehow
theconver
sati
onwasgoi ngt
ogo.Yaonefixedher
dresswait
ingpat
ient
ly.Shet
ookoutherl
ipsti
ck
andranitonherl
ips.
Aboutthi
rt
ymi nut
eslat
er,Rethabi
lewalkedoutwit
h
El
ang.Sheunlockedthecarfrom adist
ance,Yaone
cl
osedherumbr el
laandfrownedasRet habi
le
walkedpastherandgotinthecar.
Shewal
kedovert
othedr
iver
’ssi
deopeni
ngt
he
door
.
“Hi
,whoar
eyouandwher
eist
heowneroft
his
car
?”
“
Ma?
”
“Whereistheownerofthiscar?Canyoustepout
,I
wil
lbedamnedi fIl
etafatthingli
keyoutakemy
man.Nyaal al
a,st
epoutandhandovert hosecar
keys.Ebi
leoimelakol
oi.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#30

Yaoneopenedt
hedoorwi
der
.
“
Getout
.”
Rethabi
lel
ookedathersummerdressandbl
ack
dustypumps.Hereyeswentupt
oherweaveasshe
tr
iedtofi
gureouti
fshewastheex.
“
DoIknowyou?
”
“Youdon’
thavet
oknowme,
getoutofmyman’
s
car.
”
Ret
habi
ler
eachedf
orherphoneandcal
ledAt
ang.
“
Babe…”
“Yourexgi
rl
fr
iendisherehar
assingme.Shesays
shewantsthecar.It
hinki
t’
sher.Tal
lthi
nwoman
withtwocomplexi
ons.”
“
Putonl
oudspeaker
.”
Ret
habi
leputt
hephoneonl
oud.
“
Youar
eon.
”
“
Youar
eget
ti
ngonmyner
ves.
”
Yaoneswal
lowed.“
Atang-
“
“Iam goingt
otel
lyouonce,
Iwon’
tsayi
tagai
n,get
awayf r
om mycar.”
“
Att
ie-
“
“
IfIsayitagain,youaregoi
ngtoregr
eti
t.Mar
kmy
words.Babe,pleasecomeback.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Ret
habi
lehungupt
hencl
osedt
hedoor
.Yaone
l
ookedather
.
“
Doyouser
iousl
ythi
nkwhatyouhavewi
thhi
m wi
ll
wor
kout
?”
“Whatyouhavewit
hhi
miswhatdi
dn’
twor
kout
.
Pleasemoveback.
”
“WhatIshar
edwi
thAt
angi
smor
ethanwhatyou
canever-
”
“Youar
einthepast.Youar egoi
ngtoremainthere
butgoaheadandcontinueembarrassi
ngyourself
,it
seemsthat
’syourspecial
ty.I
fyouarenotbegging
formoney,youarehumil
iat
ingyoursel
f.Doesn’
tit
getti
ri
ng?Beingrej
ect
edcountlessti
mesbecause
youcouldn’
tkeepyourvagi
nainyourpanty?”
“
Thammayouar
etoof
att
othi
nkyoucan-
“
“
Andyouar
et oothi
ntobet
alki
ngt
ome.Moveback
mot
howasjeso.”
Rethabil
est
art
edthecarwhi
leYaoneangr
il
ylooked
ather.Sher
oll
eddownthewindow.
“Stopusi
ngt hewr ongf oundationforyourfaceand
thoseeyebrowsar etoobl ackandbol d.Iam nota
makeupexpectbutIam sur ethegoalistonotlook
l
ikeajoke.Youl ooklikeacl ownwi ththatr
ed
l
ipsti
ck.Havecl ass.Youcan’ tfai
lateveryt
hing.
Pickyourstruggle.Stepback. ”
YaonesteppedbackasRethabi
ledroveoff
.El
ang
l
ookedather .“
Wasthathi
slongti
megi r
lf
ri
endhe
brokeupwith?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Becar
eful
.”
“
Atangwon’
tgetbackwi
thher
.Ifhewant
edt
ohe
woul
dhavedoneit.Pl
easestop.Iam notgoi
ngt
o
di
scussmyrel
ati
onshipwit
hyou. ”
“
Iam t
ryi
ngt
omakeyouseewhatyouar
emi
ssi
ng.
”
“
Letmel
ear
nfr
om mymi
stakes.Iam happy.
”
Ret
habil
eincr
easedt
hespeed.Shepar
kedatt
he
par
king.
“
Ithi
nkyoushoul
drest
.Andt
akeyourpi
ll
s..
”
“Thankyou.Atangr
eall
ytrust
syou.Toletyoudr
ive
hiscarthenr
entoutahousef oryouandyour
brother
.Hedoeseveryt
hingforyou.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
It
sonl
ytodayhel
etmedr
ivei
t.
”
“Iam happyforyouchomi.Aft
erever
ythi
ngyou
havebeent hrough,
youdeser
vetobehappybutI
hopeyoul eaveroom f
ordi
sappoi
ntment.
.”
Ret
habil
esighed.“El
angcanyouj ustbehappyf
or
mewithoutmentioni
ngothert
hings?”
Elangsighed.“
Iam sor
ry.Iam wor
kingonmy
negati
vity.
”
“
Wor
khar
der
.”
El
anghuggedherandst
eppedoutofthecar.She
sl
owlywal
kedaway.Rethabi
lesi
ghedthendrove
outoft
hepremi
sesheadedbacktotheapart
ment.
Shedroveinthroughthegateandpar kedthecar
thensteppedout.Thenei
ghborwhohadj ustdrove
i
nr ai
sedhishandatherwavi ngi
nhissui t.
Rethabil
esmiledandwavedbackt henwal ked
i
nsidethehousewher eAtangwaspl ayingvideo
gameswi thherbrot
her.
Helookedatherandsmil
ed.“
Youneedtotakeyour
l
icensesoyoucanproper
lydr
iveyourowncar.
”
Shesmiled.“
Yourcarisni
ceandbi
g.Maybewhen
yougoforyourtr
ipsIcandri
vei
tar
oundforyou.Hi
Batang.
.”
Helookedatherandsmiledbrief
lywhilepressi
ng
thegamepad.Atangpull
edhercl oserandkissed
herthenmadehersitonhislap.Rethabil
ebither
l
owerl i
psi
tt
ingsli
ghtl
yintheairholdi
ngherwei ght
.
Atangpul
ledhert
osi
tinpr
oper
ly.Ret
habi
lel
ooked
athim.
“
Icangr
abachai
r.Iam t
oof
at,
letmesi
tona
chai
r.
”
Heki
ssedherneck.“
Youar
enotf
at.
”
Shesmi l
ed.“
Thereisnoneedt olietome. .Il
ookat
myselfonthemi r
rorandIknowwhatIsee.Iam
only19andIwearsi ze42,44.Iprobablylookol
der
thanyou.That’
swhypeopleeasi l
ybelieveIam
Batang’
smot her
.”
“
Doyouknowhowmuchyouar
ebeaut
if
ul?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Thankyou.
”
Atanglookedatherasshel
ookedawayr
ubbi
ngher
eyes.
“
DidYaonesayanyt
hingt
oyou?
”
“
Not
hing.
”
At
angl
ookedatBat
ang.“
Buddy,
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atangst
oodupandpickedherupbri
dalst
yle.He
walkedwi
thhert
othebedroom t
henputheronthe
bed.
“
Whydi
dyour
emai
nwi
thmeaf
teryouf
oundoutI
wascat
fi
shi
ng?Whydi
dyoust
ay?
”
“Iwasn’
tgoingtostay.Iwasgoi
ngtoleavebutI
coul
dn’tgetyououtofmyhead.Ithi
nkIalready
l
ovedyouf rom yourl
ie.
”
“
Youwer
eangr
yIl
ied.
”
“
Iwasbutnotsomuch.Ihadexpect
edi
t.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Iwantt
ogot
othegym.Iam
toof
at.
”
“Youarenotfat.Andifyour eall
ywantt ogotothe
gym, Iwil
lmakeaplanf orthat.Iloveyou.Aft
ermy
exIthoughtIwasdonebuther eIam.Iam i nlove
withyou.Neverdoubtthat.Youar ethemost
beautif
ulwomanIhaveevercameacr oss.”
Het
ookof
fherf
lar
eddr
essandki
ssedherski
n.
“Il
oveever
ysi
ngl
epartofyou.Igotyousomet
hing.
Youaredonewi
thyourper
iod?”
“
Yes.
”
Heopenedt
hewardrobeandt
ookoutashoppi
ng
bagt
henhandedi
ttoher.
“
Goandt
ryt
hem on.Iwi
llwai
ther
e.”
Rethabi
lelookedi
nsideandl ookedathi
m.She
stoodupinherfullpl
ainblackpantyandpi
nkbra
thenwalkedtothebathroom.
Shet ookof feverythi
ngandputont hethongand
themat chingbr a.Shelookedatherpubichai
rand
frownedt henwal kedoutwi t
htheshoppingbagin
frontofher.
“I
tdoesn’
tlookr
eal
lygoodbecauseIhaven’
t
shavedyet
.”
“
Letmesee.
”
Rethabi
leputt
heshoppi
ngbagdown.At
angl
ooked
ather.
“
Iwi
llshaveyou.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledshyl
y.“
Iwi
lldoi
t.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.Ihavehai
rremover
.”
Hewal kedtothebathroom andwalkedoutholdi
ng
thehairremovercream.Heputat owelonthebed
andhelpedherlieonit.Hepull
edoutthethong.
Rethabil
eclosedhereyesgiggli
ngasheappliedthe
hai
rremovercr
eam.
Atangopenedherl
egsappl
yingt
hor
oughl
y.He
fi
nishedup.
“
Oknowwewai
t.
”
Helai
dbesi
deher
,sheputherar
m ar
oundhi
m,her
headonhi
schest
.
“
Iloveyou.
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

*
**

AttheUBcampus, Elanglaidonherbedst ari

nginto
nothi
ngwhi l
ecr yi
ng.Thedooropenedt henKoketso
walkedin.ShelookedatEl angthencont i
nued
chatt
ingonherphonel oudlywhil
el aughi
ng.She
undressedandchangedi ntoanotherdressbef
ore
walki
ngoutst i
llonherphone.
El
anglai
donhersi
deandbrokedowncr
ying.She
cr
iedsomuch,
herbodyqui
veri
ng.Awhi
lelat
ershe
st
oppedandj
ustl
aidont
hebedmot
ionl
ess.

*
**

Yaonewalkedinsideherhouseandtookoffher
shoes.Shepacedupanddownt hentookherphone
andcall
edAtangwi thhernewnumber .Hi
sphone
j
ustrangti
lli
tstopped.
Shesni
ff
edt
ext
inghi
m.
Yaone:Il
oveyou.Iwantust
ofi
xthi
ngs.Iwi
lldo
anyt
hing.Pl
ease…
Shesentt hemessagethenwait
edbutther
ewasno
response.Anhourpassed,shecal
ledhi
m agai
n.
Shef rownedwonderi
ngifwhyitwasn’
tgoi
ng
throughanymore.

*
**

Zazawal
kedi
nsi
deAgang’
sof
fi
cet
hatsameday.
Agangl
ookedatherseat
edwi
thamani
nhi
sof
fi
ce.
Hesmil
ed.
“
Excuseme,
letmeat
tendt
othi
s.”
Hest
oodupandwal
kedoutwi
thher
.
“
Iam busy,
whatdoyouwant
?”
Zazaopenedherhandbagandhandedhimthe
homepregnancytestt
oget
herwit
hpict
uresfr
om
theUl
tr
asound.
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.I
t’
saboy.
”
Sheturnedandwalkedaway.Aganglookedatthe
homepr egnancyt
estt
hatshowedli
nest henatthe
pi
ctures.Heswall
owedleani
ngagainstt
hewal l
.

*
**

AtKeemi
’
shouse,
Keemi
lookedatherhusband.
“
Ican’
tfor
cehert
ost
aywi
thme.
”
“
Ithi
nkweshoul
dtaket
heki
ds.
”
“
What
?”
“Sheisonl
yachild.Sheneedsyourgui
dance.Let
hercomeandstaywi t
hherbrother
.Wewillj
ustsel
l
hermother
’shousetohelprai
seherandher
brot
her.
”
“
Lel
omowoul
dn’
twantt
hat
.”
“Lel
omoi sdead.Wewillbedoi ngwhat
’sbestfor
thi
skids.Tel
lheryoucant akeherandherbrother
.
Looknowl i
tt
leboysaresleepingwit
hherfini
shing
her.
”
Keemit
ookherphoneandcal
ledRet
habi
le.
“
Aunt
y…”
“Ret
habi
le,Iknowyouwantt obewithyourbrot
her
.
Youareri
ght.Idon’
tthi
nkit
’srightt
oseparat
eyou
andhim.Youcanbot hl
ivewithme.”
Thehusbandnoddedst
ari
ngather
.
“
Iam f
inewi
thBat
angher
e.Butt
hankyou.
”
“Iam gi
vingyouonel
astchance,
whent
hingsf
all
apart
-“
“Iwi
llsur
viveaunt
y.Butt
hankyou.Haveagood
day.
”
Ret
habi
lehungup.Keemi
lookedatherhusband.
“Sheisgoi
ngtor
egrett
his.Trustme,Iwi
llgi
veher
onlyamonthandshewillbecryi
ng.Iam t
ell
ing
you.”
Thenei
ghbor’
sdaughterknockedonthedoor.
Keemiopenedforher
.Thefiveyearol
dwalkedin.
“
DumelangmmagweZake,
mamai
saski
ngf
ort
he
money.
”
“
Ok,
waithere.Iam goi
ngacr
osst
her
oadt
otake
mymoney.Iam coming.”
Keemiwalkedoutwhi leherhusbandstar
edatthe
chubbychildhungril
y.Heputhishandsinsi
dehis
pantswhil
eshei nnocentl
ysuckedherthumb.A
minutelat
erhegr unt
edclosinghiseyest
hengotup
andwalkedt ot
hebedr oom whil
eKeemiwalked
i
nsidethehousewi ththemoney.

TWOYEARSLATER…
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#31

TwoYear
sLat
er…

AtUB, Rethabi
lewalkedtoherl ect
ure’soff
icei
n
blackjeansandanOr landopiratesblackt-
shir
tthen
knockedonhi sdoorholdingherpr i
ntedandbinded
assignmentinherhand.Sheopenedt hedoorand
walkedin.Helookedupf rom hislaptopandleaned
backonhi schairsmil
ingstar
ingather .
“
Kai
sar
a…”
“
Mr.Kgosi
,Ihavebr
oughtmyassi
gnment
.”
“Ahh,per
fect
.Iwi
shal
lyourcl
assmat
eswer
eas
seri
ousasyou.Comei
n.”
Rethabil
ewalkedfurt
herintheoff
iceandputher
assignmentonhistable.Hetooki
tandopenedit
.
Hesmi l
edreadingthr
ough.
“Br
il
li
antKaisar
a,youhavepotenti
al.I
twi
llcar
ry
youfar.Youarefocused,
keepitup.
”
“
ThankyouSi
r.
”
Hesmi l
ed,hewasoneoft heyoungl ect
uresand
ever
yt i
meshel ookedathi
m,her emindedherof
theSkeem Saam actorwhoplayedLehasa.Or
maybei twasjustthecompl
exionthatmadehim
l
ooklikehim.
“
Iwi
llmar
kitt
oni
ght
.”
“
Ok.
”
“Ihavethi
stextbookatmyhouse.I thelpedme
whenIwasatvar si
ty,Istoleitandneverwentback
whereIstolei
t.Ithi
nkyoumi ghtlikeit
.Itri
ed
searchi
ngforiteverywher ethinkingIwi l
lgetit
somewher ebutseemsi t
’snott hereanymor e.I
twi
ll
helpyou.”
Hest
oodupput
ti
nghi
sst
ethoscopear
oundhi
s
neckandtookouthisbusinesscardthenwalked
overtoher
.Rethabi
letookadeepbr eathst
ari
ngat
him cl
oset
hedistancebetweenthem advancing
l
ikeshewaspreyhe, t
hepr edat
or.
“
Callmewhenyouneedit.
”Hegotcl
osert
oher
l
ett
ingheri
nhal
ehi
scologneandopenedt
hedoor
.
“
Seeyout
omor
rowi
ncl
assKai
sar
a.”
Ret habi
letur
nedandwal kedtotheparki
ng,she
rel
easedherbr eathreal
izingshehadbeenhol di
ng
i
tt henlaughedaloneunlockingthewhiteMercedes
BenzA45.Shegoti nthenst ar
tedtheengineand
reversedoutofUB.
From adi
stance,
ElangsawthewhiteBenzdri
veout
,
sheheldherbagproper
lyandranoveral
ready
screami
ng.
“
Thabi
!”
Thabi
stoppedt
hecart
henEl
angj
umpedi
n.
“
Yoh!I
t’
shot
.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Tel
lmeabouti
t.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Waai
,doyoueverf
eeli
t?You
cont
rolyourweat
herkanawena.
”
Ret
habi
ledr
oveof
flaughi
ng.“
Wher
eto?
”
Elangsighed.“Iam goi
nghome.Iam t
ired.My
l
apt op’
schargerisnotworki
nganymore.Ihadtogo
tothecomput erlabanddomyassignment sf
rom
there.”
“
All
owancegaeseet
seni
?(Hasn’
tt
hral
lowance
r
eport
edinyet
?)”
“I
tdidbutIpai
drent
,boughtfoodandhadmy
phonefi
xed.Mymoneyi sal
readyfi
nishedt
hat’
s
whyIhadaskedyoutopickmeupi nt hemorni
ng.
”
Rethabil
elookedatElang’
sphone.El
angl
eaned
backont hecarseatsinki
ngi
ntothecomf
ort
,her
eyesclosed.
“Ihadt odr
opoffBat
angtoschool.Theschoolbus
didn’tcomeandIwasalr
eadyrunninglat
eformy
mor ningl
esson.
”
El
angopenedhereyesandlookedather.“
ButIhad
al
readyaskedyout
henightbefor
eRethabil
e.”
“
Idi
dn’
tknowBat
ang’
sschoolbuswoul
dn’
tshow
up.Iwasgoi
ngt
ocome.
”
El
angsmi l
ed.“
YoucouldhavejustsaidnoThabi.
Youcouldhavesai
dthatl
astnight.Iwouldhave
pl
annedmydaywel l
.SometimesIf eelt
his
fr
iendshi
pisonesi
ded.
”
“ElangIal
sohavemylif
etol
ive.Iam sor
ryIcan’
t
alwaysbedoingwhatyouwantmet odowhenyou
wantmet odoit.
”
“Yourpr oblem isyoul iketogetlickedbet weenyour
buttever ysingletime.Youbehaveasi fyoupayf or
thi
scart obemovi ng.Mmawhenyoudon’ twantt o
dosomet hing,youj ustsayso.It oldyouIdi dn’ t
havemoneyt ogot oschoolandyousai dyes.When
youcoul dn’tcome, youtellmewhenyouf eltlikeit
andIwasj ustwai tingforyoubecauseIam st upi
d
thatway.Funnyhowt hingschangeThabi le.Havi ng
arichmanhadgot tenintoyourheadsomucht hat
youf orgotwhof edyou, yourbrotherandyour
mot herwhent hingswer ehardf oryou.Ist olepads
foryoumoghel ,
stolemoneyf oryou,gotbeat enfor
you.Todayyouar et heonet r
eatingli
ket his…wena
Rethabi l
eKai sara?Whenyourmot herwasdyi ng,
whowasther
eforyou?Whentheysai
dyourmot
her
waski
ll
edbyAIDS,whowastheref
oryou?Ir
eal
ly
hopet
hisl
ast
sforever
.”
Ret
habil
elookedather
.“Ihavebeenpicki
ngyouup
anddroppi
ngyouoffmostoft het
ime,Ihave
bor
rowedyoul ot
sofmoneyyouneverr et
urn,
moneythatcanbuyeveryt
hingyougaveme. ”
Ret
habi
lest
oppedt
hecaront
hebusst
op.
“I
t’
snotmyf aul
tyourboyfr
iendisnothingli
kemi ne,
yourprobl
em i
syouwantmet ofeelguil
tyfor
havi
ngwhatyout hi
nkyoushoul dbehaving,that
won’thappenandIam ti
redofyourstinki
ngat t
it
ude,
getoutofmycar.Iam overthi
s.Pleasegetoutof
mycar .
”
“Mycar ? ”El
anglaughed.“ Okil
ewar ekakoloiwena?
War emycar ?”Shelaughedevenhar derclapping.
“Mycar ?Wena?Mycar ?Don’tembarr assyoursel
f,
walkingar oundasi fyouboughtthi
scarwhi l
eyou
aredat i
ngasugardaddy.Don’ tbr
agt ooloud
sweet y,youcan’taffordanyofanythingyouhave.
AtleastIcanaf fordmyshi t!
”
“I
fyoucouldaffor
danythi
ngwhatareyoudoi
ngat
Niger
ianpart
iesoemetsibohowmuchdoyou
wonts,nowonderyougotraped,
ret
ardedj
eal
ous
bi
tch!”
Elangangril
ypull
edRethabil
e’shairscrat
chingher.
Rethabil
etookofftheseat
beltandgr abbedhertop.
Shepunchedhert hatbl
oodspur tfr
om Elang’snose.
Rethabil
e’snosefl
aredasshest eppedoutoft he
carthenwalkedoutgoingroundt oherdoor.She
openedt hedooranddraggedheroutwi thherold
braidsandpunchedheragain.
Acardr
ovebyt
hent
hedr
iverr
oll
eddownt
he
wi
ndow.
“
Thammaot l
abol ayamotho.
.mot l
ogele..
”The
manyel
led.Rethabil
epushedElangfrom hercar
t
hengotElang’
sbagandt hrewitontheroad.
“Ican’taf
forditbutIhaveit,
unlikeyou.Ihaveitall
andyoudon’ t.AtleastIsl
eepwi thhim andgetmy
worth,unli
keyoubutwhatcanyouexpectaf t
er
getti
ngusedbyt womenal lnightlong?Maybet hey
wereevenmor ethantwo.Kotengokomet sadick.
(Youprobablyswal
lowt
hedick.
)Ipi
tyyoursocold
boyfr
iend,i
tmustbesadsl
eepingwi
thabor ehol
e
l
ikeyou..
”
Elangl
ookedathercr
ying.“
Sayst
hegi
rlwho
abort
edagrownbaby,youaregoi
ngt
ohell
!”
“
Iwi
llmeetyout
her
eloosevagi
na!
”
Shewalkedroundandgoti
nhercarthendr
oveoff
.
El
angli
pstrembledasshewipedhernosewit
hhert
-
shir
t.
Themanwhohadsloweddownstoppedhi
scarand
st
eppedoutt
henwalkedovert
oher
.
“
Hi…ar
eyouok?
”
El
ang’sheartr
acedasshet r
iedtokeepi
ttoget
her
.
Shepickedherhandbagthenlookedupt
ryingt
o
st
opt hebl
eeding.Herhear
tachedsomuchshe
brokedowncrying.
Themanl ookedatherconf
used.“
Hi…i
sther
e
anyt
hingIcando?”
El
angshookherheadt
henwalkedawaywipi
ngher
nose.Overt
went
yminut
esl
atershewalkedi
nsi
de
t
hepol
icest
ati
on.

*
**

Rethabil
ewalkedinsidethehouseandsl
owlysat
downi nthesi
tti
ngroom.Sheputherhandbag
downt aki
ngoffhershoesasshesatdown.She
couldn’
tremembert helastt
imeshehadfought
.
Ret
habi
let
ookadeepbreathwonderi
ngwhyshe
hadl
ett
heusel
essfr
iendshi
pdragforsol
ong.
Shereachedforherphonethencal
ledAtang
unbutt
oningherjeans.Shesi
ghedattherel
ieft
hen
uncl
ippedherbrawi t
honehand.
Hi
sphoner angti
lli
tst
opped.Shepr
essedherli
ps
t
ogetheranddial
edhisnumberagai
n.I
trangfora
whi
lethenhepicked.
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Hey…”
At
angcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.“Hi
…”
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?Imi
ssyou.
”
“
Imi
ssyout
oo.Iwi
llbebacksoon.
”
“Idon’
tunderst
andwhyyouhadtogoonat
ri
pwi
th
othersol
dier
swhenyouarenotone.
”
Hespokesoft
ly.“
It
snotafullt
imet
hing.
.They
neededme.Thesepoacher
sareget
ti
ngoutofhand.
Iwil
lbebacki
nnot i
me.”
“
Ihadafightwi
thElangtoday.Youknowhowshe
i
s.I
tgotphysi
cal
..Ipunchedhertwi
ce.”
“Iam notgoi
ngt
osayanyt
hingaboutyourf
ri
end
anymore.”
“
Youwer
eri
ght
.Ishoul
dhavel
ist
ened.
”
“
Youknowwhathappenswhenyoukeepasnake.I
t
wil
lbi
teyouoneday.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ishoul
dhavel
ist
ened.
”
“
It
sok.Il
oveyou.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledl
yingont
hecouch.“
Iloveyou
t
oo.”
“
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Rethabi
lecl
osedhereyest
henher
phoner
ang.Shepickedt
hecall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Ret
habi
leKai
sar
a?”
Ret
habi
lesatupr
ight
.“Yes,
who’
sthi
s?”
“Youar espeaki
ngt oSuperint
endedBant l
a,wehave
ElangLepangher e.Ineedyouher eatthepoli
ce
stati
onin15mi nutes.Ibel
ievesinceyouhaveacar,
that’
sshouldbeenought imekanayangMs
Kaisara?”

*
**

SomewhereinBotswana,Pr
inceputpr
essureon
Atang’
sgunshotwoundthatwasonhisstomachat
thebackofavanwhileasoldi
erdr
ovethem fr
om
thebushtoacli
nicnear
by.
Princel
ookedathi
sfri
endandlaughedshaki
ng.
“Doyour emembert
hetimeIgotshot…fuckI
thoughtIwasgoi
ngtodie.Iwasconvi
ncedIwas
dyi
ng.”Hesmiled.“
ButImadeit.Youhavebeen
her
ebefore.Beenshotbefor
e.Twice.Thi
sis
not
hing.Youaregoingtobeok.”
Atanglaughedt
hencoughedoutblood.“
You’
ve
al
waysbeenscar ed.Fr
om t
hefi
rstti
meko
tr
aini
ng.”
Pri
ncesmil
ed.“
Beingscar
edi
sagoodt
hing.But
yougott
hatguy.
”
At
anglookedatPr
inceandsmi
ledsl
owl
ycl
osi
ng
hi
seyes.
“
Mist
erosekawarobal
a,batagojel
amonyana.
(
Don’
tsl
eep.Theywi
llf
uckyourgi
rl.
)”
At
angtri
edtol
aughbutrat
hercoughedoutmor
e
bl
ood.Pr
incel
ookedatt
hedri
ver.
“
Skumba,
dri
vef
ast
er!
”
Skumbast
eppedont
heaccel
erat
orspeedi
ngaway.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#32

Atthepolicestat
ion,
Ret habil
elookedatElang
who’slipswereswollen.Elanglookedatherwipi
ng
herblood,ther
ewasbl oodal loverherT-
shir
t.
Ret
habil
et ookadeepbr
eat
handl
ookedatt
he
pol
iceof
ficer.
“Sheatt
ackedmef ir
st.Iwasdr i
vinghomet henr an
overwantingal i
ft
.Shegoti nmycarandst art
ed
makingnoi seabouthowIcoul dn’tpickherupint he
morningthoughIexpl ainedtoherthatmybr other’
s
schoolbusdi dn’
tcomei nt
hemor ningsoIhadt o
drophim off.Shepull
edmyhai rscratchi
ngme, I
punchedheri nselfdefense.
”
“Sheisl
ying.Idi
dn’
tdoanythi
ngt oher
.Shegot
angrybecauseIsai
dshesleepswi t
holdermenf
or
money.Shepunchedmeanddr aggedmeoutofher
carbeati
ngme. ”
Ret
habi
leangr
il
ylookedather
.“Soyouwon’
tadmi
t
t
opul
li
ngmyhai
rscr
atchi
ngme?
”
El
angputherhandsonherfacecr
ying.Thepol
ice
of
fi
cerl
ookedatRethabi
le.
“
Let
’sseewher
eshescr
atchedyou.
”
Rethabi
let
urnedshowinghim herneck.“
Shewas
fi
ghti
ngme.Ifoughtback.
”
“
Stopl
yingRet
habi
le.
”
Thepoli
ceoff i
cersighed.“Thereisawitnesswho
sawyouhitt
ingyourf riendont hesi
deoft heroad.
Lookatyourselfthenlookather …youcoul dhave
ki
ll
edsomeone.Shei spr essi
ngchargesmeani ngI
am goi
ngtol ockyoui nsidebecausewenaoMar k
Henryaker
e? ”
“
Shest
art
edi
t.
”
“
Youshouldbehumbl
ingyour
sel
fapol
ogi
zing
r
athert
han-
“
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ofor
giveher
.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatt
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
.“MayIpl
ease
makeacal
l.
”
“
Yes.
”
Rethabi
legotupandwalkedoutsidecal
li
ngAtang.
Hisphonejustr
angthenstopped.Shetookadeep
br
eathandsenthim amessage.
Rethabi
le:Heybabe,Elangi
spressi
ngcharges.She
tol
dthepol i
ceIat
tackedherwhensheatt
ackedme.
Iam scared.
Shelookedatherphonewonderingwhom t
ocall
.
Shescroll
edthr
oughhercontactli
standmost
peopl
ewer ej
ustherclassmat
es.
Shecameacr
ossAgangt
hent
appedhi
sname.
Af
emal
evoi
cepi
cked.“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
canIt
alkt
oAgang?
”
“
Andwhoar
eyou?Li
stenher
e-“
Ret
habil
ehungupbeforeAgang’
sgi
rlf
ri
endcoul
d
goontal
king.Shecal
ledAt
angagai
n.
“
Ret
habi
le,
hi,
it’
sPr
ince.
”
“
Ohhi
…canIpl
easespeakt
oAt
ti
e…”
“
Yesbuthe’
sbusyatt
hemoment
.Somet
hingi
s
goi
ngon.Imakesur
ehecal
l
syoubackt
omor
row.
”
“
Tomor
row?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ther
rai
t’
sanemer
gencyand-
“
Pr
incehungup.Ret
habi
lecal
ledhi
m agai
n.

*
**

Atthecli
nic,
thenurseat
tendi
ngtoAtangl
ookedat
hisfr
iendwhowashol di
nghisphonewhil
eshedi
d
chestcompressi
ons.
Shebr
eat
hedheavi
lyl
ookingathi
m.“
Thedoct
ori
s
comi
ng.Whokeepscal
li
nghim?”
“
Hisgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Thenur
sesmi
led.“
Whyar
eyounotpi
cki
ng?
”
“Iwoul
dn’
tknowwhatt
otel
lher
.Ishegoi
ngt
obe
ok?”
“
Yes.Wej
ustneedt
ocont
aint
hesi
tuat
ionher
e
t
henhavehi
mtr
ansf
err
ed.
”
“
Ok,
ahel
icopt
eri
scomi
ngt
ogethi
m.”
“
Per
fect
.”
“
Letmespeakt
oher
.”
Pr
incef
rowned.“
What
?No!
”
Thenur
sesmi
led.“
Ijustwantt
omakehercal
m
down.
”
“
No.Youwantmyfri
endPear
l.Godknowswhatyou
wil
lsayt
ohi
sgir
l.
”
Pearll
aughed.“
Iwantyourf
ri
end?Whot
oldyou
that
?”
Shel
ookedatAt
angt
henatPr
ince.
“
Ili
keyouguysf
orwhatyoudo.Don’
tgeti
t
t
wisted.
”
Thedoctorwalkedwi t
htwomor enurses.Pearl
l
ookedatPrinceasanot hernursetookovert he
chestcompressions.Hestil
lhadtheot herhandon
thewoundpressingon.
“
Letgo.Hei
sinsaf
ehands.
”
Pr
incel
ookedather
,hel
etgot
henPear
lpushed
hi
m out
.
“
Youneedtocal
m down.Yousai
dthi
sisnothi
s
f
ir
stt
imeri
ght?”
“
No.I
t’
snot
.”
“Thenyouar egood.Don’twor r
y.Thehel
icopt
eris
comi ng.Heisgoingtoreceivethehel
pheneeds
thengohomet ohisgir
lf
riend.Youhaveacut,come,
Iwillcl
eanitup.”
“
Areyounotgoi
ngt
ohel
p?”
“ThoseareERnur ses.Theyknowwhatt heyar
e
doing.ThatwasanERdoct or
.Atangi singood
hands.Theirf
ir
stintui
ti
onisstabil
izehim.They
won’ttakeoutthebull
etbuttheywi l
lkeephim al
ive.
Come. ”
Shewal kedwithhimtoheroff
ice.Shewalkedi
n
anotherroom andcamemi nut
eslaternowin
anotherdress.Shesatdownputti
ngonglovesand
star
tedattendingt
othecutonhishand.
Shecl
eanedupt
hecutandputabandageoni
t.
Pr
incesmi
led.
“
Thanks.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
“
Letmespeakt
omycol
league,
he’
sout
side.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hestoodupandwal kedout .Pearlsmi
ledstar
ingat
himinhisunif
orm,thesemenal wayslookedgood.
Itwasli
ketheybornspeci
ficall
yforwhattheydid.
Shesmi l
edthentookofft
hegl ovesanddisposed
them t
hinki
ngofAtang.
Hi
sphonestar
tedr
ingingagain.Pear
llookedat
‘
Babe’
cal
li
ngthensighedpicki
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Ther
ewassi
lence.Pear
llookedatt
hephonet
hen
smil
ed.
“
Heeel
loo?
”
“
Wher
eisAt
ang?
”
“
Obusy,
canIhel
pyou?
”
“
Pleasegi
vehi
mthephone.Ineedt
ospeakt
ohi
m.”
“
Iam sor
rybuthe’
sbusy.Whatdi
dyouwant
?”
“
Iwantt
ospeakt
omyman.That
’swhatIwant
.”
Pearllaughed.“Youwantt ospeakt oyourman?
Hunny, calm down.Whenhe’ souti nthewildness,
youcan’ tcl
aim him.Hewi l
lcallyou.Beagood
gir
lfr
iendandj ustwait
.Goodgi rlswait.St
opcal l
ing
everysecond, wamol spisalewenamma, l
ethim
breathe.Iwil
ltellhi
m youcalled.”
Pearlhungupandputthephonedown.Prince
walkedinandl
ookedatAtang’sphoner
inging.He
cutthecal
landswit
chedoffthephone.

*
**

Atthepoli
cestati
onRethabi
letearf
ull
ycalledhi
m
againbuti
twasn’tgoi
ngthroughanymor e.She
tookadeepbreathtr
yingtocalm downbuther
thought
sranwi t
hhersomuchat earrol
leddown
hercheekwhil
eherheartpounded.Shesni ff
edthen
scrol
ledt
hroughhercont
act
sunsur
eofwhot
o
evencall
.

El
angl
ookedatRet
habi
leasshewal
kedbacki
nthe
of
fi
ce.
“
Iam st
il
lpr
essi
ngchar
ges.
”
Rethabil
el ookedather .“
Iam sorryElang.You
knowt hisisnotthefirstti
mewef i
ght.Iam sor
ry
forthethingsIsaid.Iwasj ustangrybutIam sorr
y.
Iam sorryIcouldn’tpickyouupatyourhouse.Iam
sorryforpunchingyou.I twon’thappenagain.Iam
sorry.Canwej ustforgetithappenedandmoveon.
Iloveyou.”
Elanglookedatherangr
il
y.“
Youthinkyouareup
therewit
hJesusbutIam goingt
ohumbl eyou.Iam
notdroppingt
hecharges.Notaf
teryoual
most
kil
ledme.”
Thepol
iceof
fi
cerst
oodup.“
Come.
.Iam l
ocki
ng
youi
nsi
def
orassaul
t.
”
“
Wait,
Elangplease…Ihaveanexam t
omorr
ow
morni
ng.Keagokopa.Youknowhowi mport
anti
t
i
sformet ot
akeal lmyexams.
”
Elangr
oll
edhereyes.“
Youshoul
dhavet
hought
aboutt
hatbef
oreyoubeatme.”
Elangwatchedasthepol
iceoffi
cerdr
aggedherout
thensmil
edposti
ngthepictur
esshehadtakenon
face.
‘
Af t
erItol
dmoghelt ost opsleepi
ngwi tholdmen
formoneysheat tackedme.Wai t
sefriendshi
pske
maakahel a.Iam fi
neandcur r
entl
yatt hepol
ice
stati
on.She’sbeenar r
ested.Iam goingtohumbl e
her.Peopl
ewhodon’ tworkfortheirmoneyba
l
apisa.’
El
angshar
edherpostt
ovar
iousgr
oups.

*
**

Out
sidet
hepol
icest
ati
on,
Pul
est
eppedoutofhi
s
cartal
kingont
hephone,hi
scoatonwhi
lehi
s
stet
hoscopehungonhisneck.
“Iwi
lll
ookathi
sresul
tsandseei
fIcanget
anyt
hingel
seothert
hanwhatyoual
readygot
.”
Theot
herdoct
orsi
ghed.“
Thanks.
”
Pul
ehungupandwalkedovert
othepol
icest
ati
on
onthef
rontdesk.
“Hi
,Iam Pul
eKgosi.Iam her
eforRet
habi
leKai
sar
a.
She’
sbeenarrest
ed.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#33

El
angwalkedpastPul
eholdinghert
issue.He
i
mmediatel
ynoti
cedher,
hehadseent hem toget
her
acoupl
eoftimes.Hewalkedaft
erher.
“
Hi…”
Elangt
urnedal
mostt
ri
ppi
ngt
hensmi
led.
“Dumel
ang.”
“
Iam Pul
e.Youar
ebeaut
if
ul,
canIgi
veyoual
if
t?”
Elanglookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Uh,
yes.Thank
you.”
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Pulepr
essedthekeystohi
syell
owBMW.El ang
l
ookedoverandlookedatM4,shesmil
edstar
ingat
thecar
.Theyell
owishgol
dcolormadeitl
ookextr
a.
Shehadneverseenitupcl
ose.
“
Yourcari
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Theygoti
nthecar.El
angkeptherhandsonher
thi
ghstonotmessuphiswhit
ecarseats.He
l
ookedatherst
art
ingtheengi
ne.
“
What
’syourname?
”
“
Elang.
”
“
Youar
eRet
habi
le’
sfr
iend,
right
?”
El
angshookherhead.“
No.
”
“Iam Pul
e,heruncl
e.Shecalledmeandtol
dme
whathappened.Iam sorr
yitcametothi
s.Idon’
t
evenknowwhatgoti nt
oherbutIam sor
ry.Have
youbeentothedoctoryet?”
“
Youar
eheruncl
e?”
“
Yes.She’
sneverspokenaboutme?
”
“
No.
”
“Idon’tblameher.Iwasneverr
eal
lycl
osewithmy
sibl
ingsbutthat
’snotthecase.
”Helookedather
andsmi led.“
Youar epr
ett
y.”
Elanglookeddownatherhands.Pul
erol
leddown
thewindow.
“Iknowyouareupsetandhurt.Butcanwecomet o
anunderst
anding?Howmuchdoyouwantt odrop
thechar
ges?Iwillal
sopayforyourmedicalbi
ll
.”
Elangl
ookedathi
m.“
Youwantt
opaymet
odr
op
thechar
ges?”
“
Howmuchdoyouwant
?”
El
anglookedathimthi
nking,shebadlywantedto
humbleRethabi
le,
hermissingherexam would
meanshewoul dhavef
ailedandshewoul dkiss
Harvar
dSchoolOfMedicinebye.
Shelookedupandl
ockedeyeswi
thhi
m,hesl
ight
ly
smil
edmakingherski
nburn.
“Maybeaf t
ert
hiswecangooutf
ordi
nner
.Iam
star
ving.That
’si
fyoudon’
tmi
nd.”
“
Ret
habi
ler
eal
lyhur
tme.
”
“
Iknow…Iam sor
ry.Pl
easef
orgi
veher
.”
Shet
hought
ful
l
ylookedathi
m.“
Iwantaphone.
”
“
Whi
chphone?
”
“
ASamsung.I
t’
s4k.
”
“
Goandsayyouf
orgi
vehert
henIwi
llt
ransf
ert
he
moneyt
oyou.
”
“
Ifyoudon’
t?”
“Youwi l
ljusttel
lthem your
eal
lywanttolay
charges.Iwillgi
veyout hemoney,
please…”
“
Ngng,
sendt
hemoneyf
ir
stt
hen-
“
“Iwi l
lgiveyou5k.Ifyoudon’ tdropt hecharges,we
aregoi ngtojusttogetal awyer.Shewi l
lbeout
l
at esttomorrowmor ni
ngt henfr
om t herewewi l
l go
tocour t.Youdon’thaveal awyer,allyouhavei s
what ?Abl oodstainedt-shir
t?Andwhat ?Some
pictures?Andhowf arwi l
lyougetwi ththat?Thisis
notanAmer icanmovi e.Thisisreallif
ein
Bot swana.”
El
angswal
lowed.“
6k.
”
“2k.Takei
torl
eavei
t.Idon’
tcar
e..pl
easest
epout
ofmycar .
”
“
Yousai
dyouwoul
dgi
veme5-
“
“
Ihavechangedmymi
nd.Yout
hinkyouar
esmar
t-
“
“
Iwi
llt
akeP4000andsayIf
orgi
veher
.”
Pul
elookedather
.“Dr
opthechar
gesfir
stthenIwil
l
gi
veoutthemoney.Gapewanti
a,Ineedtogetto
work.
”
Elangsteppedoutofthecarandwentbacki
nsi
de
thepoli
cestati
on.Shewalkedbackt
othe
superi
ntendent’
sof
fi
cet
henknocked.Shewal
kedi
n
secondslater
.
“
Ihavet
houghtaboutmydeci
sionandIwantt
o
f
orgi
vehersi
nceshesaysshei
ssorry.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Whatchangedyourmi
nd?
”
“Shei
smyf
ri
end.Idon’
twanthert
omi
ssher
exam.
”
“Ok.Butalsounderstandwear eworkinghere.You
can’tpr
esschargesthendecideyouwantt odr op
them becauseyouwantt o.Wewor kwi t
hprocedure
here.Andwear enother eforyouonly.Wehave
othermatter
stoattendtothat’
swhyweaskedyou
i
fyouar esurebeforeyouwentaheadandpr essed
charges.
”
“
Iwasst
il
langr
y.Iam sor
ry.
”

Rethabi
lewal
kedoutofthecel
lthengotherphone
backoveranhourl
ater
.Shewalkedoutofthe
pol
icest
ationpul
li
ngupherjeans.El
angl
ookedat
herst
andingbytheent
rance.
“
Nextt
imeIwon’
tfor
giveyou.
”
Rethabi
lesighed.“Ithinkt hi
sfri
endshipshoul d
comet oanend.Ihaveal waysforgi
venmostt hi
ngs
youdobecauseofhowf arwehavecomebutIcan’ t
anymore.Youar etoxicandyouwi l
lneverchange.
Thingsalwayshavet ogoyourwayornoot herway
atall
.Youalwaysf indi teasytotryandbr eakmy
spir
it
.Youal waysremi ndmeofever yt
hingyoudid
forme.Ineverknewi twasadebtbutIbel ieveI
haverepaidit.Don’
ttalkt ome, don’tcal
lme.You
andIaredone.Iam t iredoft hi
sbackandf orthwit
h
you.”
“
Good.Becausel
ennaIam t
ir
ed.
”
El
angwal
kedovert
oPul
e’
scarwher
ewasst
andi
ng
byhi
sdoor
.
“
Mymoney.
”
“
Yournumber
?”
El
angcal
ledouthernumbert
henPul
edi
dan
ewal
let
.El
angtookoutherphoneandl
ookedatt
he
messagewit
hasmile.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youcango.
”
“
Yousai
dsomet
hingaboutdi
nner
.”
“
Ihavechangedmymi
nd.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m conf
usedthenshel
ookedback
asRet
habi
lewal
kedover.Hesmil
edst
ari
ngather.
“
Youj
ustsai
ditsoIwoul
ddr
opt
hechar
ges?
”
Pul
eglar
edather
.“Didn’
tIgi
veyouyourmoney?
Whatdoyouwant?”
“
Areyouevenheruncl
e?”
“
MaybeIshoul
drever
semymoney.
”
“
Youcan’tdothat
.Iwil
ltel
lthem yout
hreat
enedme
t
odropthecharges.
”
“
Goahead.
”
Pul
eunl
ockedhi
dphoneandrever
sedtheewal
let
.
El
angl
ookedathi
m asamessageref
lect
edinher
phoneshowingtheewall
etrever
sal.Shet
urnedand
walkedbackinsi
dethepol
icestat
ion.
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathi
m.“Iam sor
ryf
ort
oday.I
di
dn’
tknowwhotocall
.”
“
It
sokKai
sar
a.Ar
eyouok?
”
Shenodded.“Iam f
ine.Thankyou.IknowIwasout
ofl
ine.Iam sor
ryMr.Kgosi.
”
Pul
elookedatherashervoi
ceshook.“
Thabi
le…ar
e
youok?”
Ret
habi
lesni
ff
edasat
earr
oll
eddown.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Hey….
”Hegotcl
osert
oher
.“I
t’
sok.
”
Moretearsroll
eddown.Sheputherhandonher
mouthcrying.Pul
elookedatherandhuggedher
.

*
**

Insi
dethepol
icest
ati
ont
hesuper
int
endentl
ooked
atElang.
“
Iwanttopr
esschar
gesagai
n.Shehadherr
elat
ive
t
hreat
eni
ngme.”
“Doyouhaveevi
dencet
owhatyouaresayi
ng?I
f
youhaveevi
dence,
showusr
ightnow.”
“
Nobuthei
s-“
“Youknowwhat ,
youthinkthi
sisapl aygroundhuh?
Yout hinkthisisyourmot her’
shousewher eyou
canj ustcomei nanddoasyoupl easeandwe
shoul djustbej umpingaroundforyou.Thisisa
policestationandwedealwi t
hrealmat ter
s.Weare
nother etopl aygames.Iam goingt oputyoui na
celltonightforgivingfal
seinf
ormat i
on.MaybeI
shoul dletyoust aytheweekendt oo.Whatdoyou
thi
nkt hisis?Getup!Iam t aki
ngyout oacel l
.You
wil
lt hinkcarefull
yaboutyourlif
ef r
om there.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#34
Ret
habi
lest
eppedbackandsi
ghed.
“Thankyou.Ihavet
ogohome.Mybr
otheri
s
alone.
”
Pul
erubbedhercheek.“
CanIdr
opyouof
f?”
“No.Butt
hankyou.Thankyousomuch.I
twon’
t
happenagai
n.”
“
Howwi
llyougohome?
”
Rethabi
lepr
essedt
hecarkeysunl
ocki
nghercar
.“I
wil
lusethat
.”
“
Ok.Seeyout
omor
row.
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Rethabi
lewalkedtohercarandgotin.Shedial
ed
Atangagain.Sheclosedhereyest
earful
lyasthe
pr
erecordedvoicespoke.
“
Thenumberyouhavedi aledisnotavai
labl
eatthe
moment.Pleaset
ryagai
nl at
er.Thankyou.Thi
sisa
f
reeannouncementfr
om- “
Shedr
oppedt
hecal
landt
ext
edhi
m.
Rethabi
le:Therei
snoneedt oswitchoffyourphone,
Ial
readyknow.Saveyour sel
ftheener
gyandhave
yoursel
fanicelif
e.Iknewthi
swoul dhappen
soonerorlater
.Ihopeshemakesyouhappy.
Shesentthetextasatearrol
leddownhercheek
andfellont
hescreen.Rethabil
eraisedherhead
andcaughtherlect
urestari
ngather .Shest
arted
thecaranddrovehomewhi lesnif
fi
ng.

*
**

Thatsamenight,Zazarockedhersicksonwhile
seatedonherbed.Sheputherhandoverhi s
for
ehead,hi
stemper at
urewasstil
lhigh.Sheslowly
l
aidhim downandgotof fthebedtakingherphone.
Shecal
ledAgangsi
tt
ingdown.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Ar
eyouf
reet
otal
k?”
“
Yeah…”
Zazaswal
lowed.“
Iknowyouhat
eme…”
“
Idon’
t.Il
onggotoveri
t.
”
Tearsbur
nthereyesaslookedatt
hepictur
ef r
ame
ofhersononthewall
.Hehadhi sf
ather
’sears.And
theyhadthesamesmile.
“
Iknowt heDNAt estssai
dhei snotyoursbutever
y
t
imeIlookathim, Iseeyou.YouweretheonlyoneI
wasseeing.TheonlymanIwassl eepingwith.
”
“
Zaza,
Iam t
ryi
ngt
osl
eep.
”
“Isti
llthi
nkthemarri
edladyyouwereseei
ngdi
d
somet hingbecauseyouaret
heonlymanIwas
sleepingwith.
”
“Noonedidanyt
hingtothetests.Iam notyour
son’
sfat
herandthat’
sthat.St
opt ryi
ngtodragme
i
ntohisl
if
e.Apartofmei sactuall
ygladheisnot
mine.
”
Shenoddedholdingt hephone.“
Hei snotwell.He
hasnotbeenwelllately.Atf
ir
stIthoughti
twas
becausehi
steethar ebeginni
ngtogr owoutbuthe
i
snotgetti
ngbetter.Wear ewait
ingforthetest
r
esul
ts.Iknowyouarehi
sfather
.Ihavenor
eason
t
okeeplyingt
oyou.Goodnight.
”
Shehungupandputherhandst
oget
herpr
ayi
ng.

*
**

Agangwalkedbacki
nsi
dethehousepr
essi
nghi
s
phone.Hosgir
lf
ri
endl
ookedathi
m.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Noone.
”
Nkamol ookedathisphoneandsi ghedknowinghe
wasprobablylyi
ng.Shef eltt
heburni
ngurgeto
snat
chthephonef rom hi
m andcheckbutsatsti
ll
,
herhandsonherl ap.Agangsatdownpr essi
nghis
phonewhi l
eshest aredinsil
ence.
Hel
ookedather
.“What
?”
“
Not
hing.
”
Nkamomovecl
oserandleanedagai
nsthi
schest
l
ooki
ngatt
heattheTV.Agangputhisar
m ar
ound
herwhi l
epr essinghisphone.Sheraisedoneeye
whiletheot herremainedattheTV,herheadi nthe
sameposi t
ion.Shewat chedashescr ol
ledonhis
Facebook.Hepausedatapi ct
ure.Nkamomoved
sl
ightl
ycl oser.Aganglookedather,shet ur
nedher
eyestot heTVr emaini
ngcalm.Agangwentbackt o
pressi
nghi sphone, sheturnedoneeyeovert ohis
phonememor izingt
henameasher eactedwitha
heart.
Hisphonestar
tedringi
ng.Shet ur
nedwit
hherhead
andlookedas‘Thabil
e’cal
led.Agangqui
ckl
ypi
cked.
“
Thabi
..
”
Thabi
l
esni
ff
ed.“
Hi,
wher
eisyourbr
other
?”
“
Im Ghanzi
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Wher
eexact
lyi
nGhanzi
?”
“
What
’sgoi
ngonThabi
?”
“
Yourbr
otheri
scheat
ingonme.Iwantt
ogot
her
e.”
Hegotupandwal
kedoutwhi
leNkamowat
ched.
“
Atangwi
llnevercheatonyou.Hel
ovesyou.
”
Rethabi
lesniff
ed.“
Awomananswer edhi
sphone.
Nowheswi t
chedoffhi
sphone.Ishouldhave
knownt hatwholet
ri
pwasawayf orhi
mt ogoand
cheat.
”
“
Hey.
.li
stentome.Hel
ovesyou.Hel
ovesyoumor
e
t
hananythi
ng.”
“
Ifyoucan’
ttel
lmewher
ehei
s,i
t’
sfi
ne.
”
“Iwouldt el
lyouifIknew.AllIknowi sthatheisin
thebush.Idon’ tthi
nkheischeating.Hehasgr eat
plansforyouandhi mintheearlyfut
ure.Lethim
comeandexpl ainhimsel
f.Don’tbequicktojump
goconcl usions.Andevenifhewer etocheat,he
wouldn’tlethissidechi
cktouchhi sphone.”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“Don’
tbe.Youhavenoreasont
obe.Doyouguys
needanythi
ngther
e?”
Shesni
ff
ed.“
Wear
efi
ne.
”
“
Areyousur
e?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Cal
lmewhenyouguysneedanyt
hing.
”
“
Ok.
”
Aganghungup.Hecal
ledhi
sbrother
.Thecal
l
di
dn’tgot
hrough,
hecall
edPr
ince.
“
Agang…”
“
Letmespeakt
oAt
ang.
”
“
Anacci
denthappened.Buthe’
sfi
ne.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Hegotshotbuthe’
sok.
”
Agangswal
lowed.“
Wher
eishe?
”
“
He’sbeentakentoSA.ButIcan’
ttel
lyouwher
ehe
i
s.Youunderstandaker
e?”
“
Howser
iousi
sit
?”
“
He’
sfi
ne.Don’
twor
ry.
”
“
Wher
eishi
sphone?
”
“
Ihavei
t.Why?
”
“
Who’sbeenanswer
inghi
sphone?Thabisai
da
womanansweredhi
sphone.
”
“
Awoman?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Nooneansweredhisphone.Iswi
tchedi
toff
.
Unless…f
uck!Iwi
llsor
titout
.Itwasanurse.
”
“At
angobatagonyal
a.Hecan’
thavesuch
happeni
ng.
”
“Iwillt
alkt
oher.She’
sbeenwanti
nghim,If
orgot
hisphoneinheroffi
ce.It
hinkt
hat
’swhenshe
pickedthecal
l.
”
“Tal
ktoher
.Iwi
llt
alkt
oThabi
.She’
sal
ready
cryi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Keepmeupdat
edwi
thAt
ang.
”
“
Sur
e.”

Nkamost oodbehindthedoorwhil
eAgangwrapped
uphiscallout
side.Shehurr
iedt
othecouchashe
walkedbackinthehouse.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oseeaf
ri
end.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Whatf
ri
end?
”
“
Youdon’
tknowhi
m.Iwi
llbebacki
nanhour
.”
Hepickedhiscarkeys.Nkamostoodupand
watchedhim ashewalkedout.Hegotinhiscarand
droveoff
.Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.Shecouldn’
t
underst
andwhyGodal waysl
ethergeti
n
rel
ati
onshipswit
hmenwhoal wayscheatedonher.
Sheblinkedr
ubbinghereyesknowi
nghewasoutt o
cheatonher.Shelaiddownonthecouchholdi
ng
hercri
es.Painchokedhersomuch,shebrokedown
cryi
ng.

*
**

AtRethabile’
shouse,
Agangparkedbesi
des
Rethabi
le’scart
hensteppedout
.Hewalkedtot
he
doorcall
ingher.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam byt
hedoor
.Open.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#35

“
Iam out
side.Opent
hedoor
.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupandwai ted.Ret
habil
eopenedthedoor
minut
eslat
er.Aganglookedatherreddi
shswoll
en
eyesandsmiledassheunlockedtheburgl
arbar
.
“
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andsni
ff
ed.Agangsmi
led.
“
Atangwoul
dnevercheatonyou.
”
Atearr
oll
eddownhercheek.Shewi
pedi
twi
tht
he
backofherhand.Agangsi
ghed.
“
Pleasedon’
tcr
y.Hel
ovesyou.Youknowt
hat
.He’
s
pr
oventhatyoueveryday.Whyareyoudoubt
ing
hi
m now?Hashegi venyouareasontot
hinkhe
woul
dcheat?”
Sheshookherheadsni
ff
ing.
“Exactl
y.He’sinthemi ddl
eofami ssi
on.Pr incehad
hisphone.Prince’ssi
deanswer edt hecallthinki
ng
i
twasPr i
nce’sotherphone.Iam sor r
yithappened.
Iam sorryyouhadt ocr yf
orthat.Idon’tblameyou
buttrustyourmanenought oknowwhenhesays
heonl yl
ovesyou, hedoes.”
Shewi
pedof
fanot
hert
earnoddi
ng.Agangsmi
led.
“Andifamanreall
ylovesyou,
he’dhavenoreason
tocheat
.Pl
easejustwaitf
orhim.He’
sgoingto
comebacktoyou.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Areyouguysokt
hough?
”
“
Wear
efi
ne.
”
“
Ifyouneedanythi
ng,don’
thesi
tat
etocal
lme.Iam
aphonecallawayMrsDaniel
.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledbl
ushi
ng.Agangchuckl
ed.
“
Gobacki
nthehouseandl
ockup.
”
Shenoddedthenlockedt
heburgl
arbarandthe
door.Agangwalkedtohi
scart
henrever
sedoutif
thegate.Hest
eppedoutandcl
osedthegatebefor
e
dri
vingbackhome.
Hewalkedi
nsi
dehi
shousemi
nut
eslat
er.He
l
ookedatNkamosl
eepi
ngont
hecouchthenwal
ked
over
.
“
Babe…”
Sheopenedhereyesandlookedathi
m.Hef
rowned
real
izi
ngshehadbeencryi
ng.
“
Whathappened?
”
Shesatupr i
ghtandsighed.“Ithi
nkweshoul dend
thi
s.Youhavebeenaf termef orsixmont hscoming
tomywor kplaceeveryday.ThereasonIhadbeen
rej
ectingyoui sbecauseIam insecure.Mybaby
daddyhur tmesomuchIt houghtIwasgoi ngtodie.
Istayedthroughoutal lhi
sshenanigansbecauseI
l
ovedhi m.Mypr obl
em isthatwhenIl ove,Il
ove
withmyal l.HedestroyedmesomuchIcoul dn’
t
recognizemysel ft
henhedumpedmeandmar r
ieda
womanhe’ djustmet .Itri
edwi thmynext
rel
ationshi p.Idi
dever ythingagoodwomancoul d
possiblydoandIgothi mi mpr egnat i
ngmycousi n.
Theyst ayt ogetherr i
ghtnow.Fr om thereit’
sj ust
beenaser i
esofmebei ngused.Iam usedt othe
hurtsomuchIal waysexpecti t.Iam soi nsecur e…
i
t’sli
keadi seasedest royingme.Whenyoul ef tallI
havebeent hi
nkingi sthatyouar echeat i
ngonme.
Everythingyoudoi ssuspi ci
oust ome.Isnoop
aroundl ikeIam cr azy…Isni ffyourcl ot
hes.Iwant
toknowwhatyouar edoi ngonyourphone, whoyou
aretalki
ngt o,whyyoudi dn’taanswermycal l
i
mmedi at el
y.Ihaveanxi etyandIt hi
nkIam
depressed. .Iam i nconst antpai n.Somet imesIcr y
mysel ftosl eepwhenIt hinkofever ythi
ngandj ust
wonderwhyme…youdeser vebet terthant his.AndI
knowyouar egoi ngtogett i
redsoi t
’sbetterIl eave
onmyown. ”
Agangl ookedatNkamoandsmi l
edstar
ingather
whileshewi pedhertear
s..Shepushedherlonghai
r
backt henstoodup.Shewasshor t
,soshortshe
barelyreachedhischest
.
“Iknowyougot hroughmyphoneandt hatyou
snoopar ound…al ot .Iknowyouquest i
ont hethings
Idot houghyouneversayi toutl oud.Iknowyoucr y
atnight .Iknowyoueavesdr oponmyconver sati
ons.
Youpr obablyknoweachofmyFacebookf r
iends..
I
knowyouhear dmyconver sationwi t
hPr i
nce.Isaw
yourshadow.Iact ual l
ywant edyout oaskme
wher eIwasgoi ngbutIal sowant edyout otrustme
enought oknowIwon’ tcheatwi thmysi sterin-l
aw.
Iloveyou.Wi t
hyouri mper f
ect i
onsbecauseIam
notper fecttoo.Iwantt histowor k.AndIwantust o
wor ktomakei twor k.Iwantust oseeat herapist
.
Maybeasi ndi
vidualsf ornowt henasacoupl e.Iam
nothidi nganything, Ihavet oldyouever ythi
ngso
feelfreet odoanyt hingt hatwi l
lmakeyourday
better.”
Nkamol
ookedathi
minshock.Aganghuggedher
.
“Il
oveyou.Mysist
erin-
lawisfi
ne.Iwenttocheck
uponherbecauseIknowmybr ot
herwoulddothe
same.Zachar
iacal
ledaboutthechil
d.It
oldyouall
abouti
t.
”
“
Maybeyoushoul
djustbl
ockher
.”
Shetookouthisphonefrom hi
spocketandhanded
i
ttoher.Agangunlockedhi
sphoneandbl ockedher
.
Nkamosmi l
edhappily.
“
Doyoust
il
lwantt
owat
cht
hemovi
e?”
Agangputdownhi
sphoneandt
ookof
fherni
ght
dr
ess.
“
No.Iwantt
ofuckyou.
”
Hekissedhertouchinghernakedbody.Hepi cked
herandputheront hedini
ngt ablet
henpushedher
chestdown.Agangpul l
edouthi st-
shi
rtthenleaned
overdroppi
ngkissesfrom herneckdownt oher
chestthenf
urt
herdownpassedherbel lybutt
on.He
ki
ssedherkuku.
Nkamomoanedgr i
ndi
ngagainsthi sface.Agang
walkedtothekitchenandcamebackwi t
htwodish
towels.Heti
edeachhandt oherl egandopenedher
l
egsevenmor e.Hetookoffhist-shir
tandcovered
herheadwi t
hitsoshewoul dn’tseeanything.
Hetookouthi
shar dveinedweaponsmackedher
cl
itwi
thi
t.Shefl
inchedt r
yingt
ocloseherl
egsbut
heheldt
hem i
npl ace.Agangpushedtheti
pand
ci
rcl
edinsi
dewhil
ebi
ti
nghisl
owerlip.He
cont
inuedt
easi
ngherget
ti
ngherevenmor eset
.
Nkamot ri
edmovi ngslowerimpati
entforit
.Agang
sl
ippeditoutandr ubbedhersensi
ti
veclitmaking
hermoan.Hest oppedandpushedi nani nch…then
anotherandmor e.Nkamopul l
edatrestr
aintsas
Agangpushedhi sent i
redi
ckinsi
de.
Her emainedst
il
lthenki
ssedherandrepeat
edl
y
fi
ll
edherpat hr
ubbingagai
nstherwal
lwhile
caressi
ngeverycorneri
nsi
deherkuku.
Nkamomoanedt ryi
ngtomoveaagai nsthim.Itf
elt
dogoodhermoansgotl ouder
.Agangtouchedher
breastwhilethrusti
ngint
oher.Hepoundedi nt
oher
grunti
ngandgr oani
ng.Helookedathimself
disappeari
ngi nsi
deherpussy.Thetableshookwith
everythrust.
Shetri
edt
omoveherar
msasherent
ir
ebody
i
tched.
“
Agang…ahhh…”
Agangdugdeeperwhi
lef
ucki
ngherhar
d.Shewas
sosweethef
oundhimsel
fthi
nki
ngaboutpul
li
ng
outbutfuck!Shewasj ustt
oogood.Herpussy
begunnarrowingonhim.Tearswethist-
shir
t,t
he
pl
easuremul t
ipl
ying.
Nkamoscreamedspasming.Agangwenti
nfull
for
cecumming.Hegaveheronestrokemaki
ng
sureheof
fl
oadedever
ythi
ngintoher.
Heunti
edherthentookof
fhi
st-
shi
rtf
rom herf
ace
andki
ssedhersli
dingout
.
“
Wecanwat
cht
hatmovi
enow.
”
Shesmi
lednoddi
ng.

*
**

Atthej ai
lcell
,El
angst oodatthecornerlockedwi t
h
otherladies.Shegottir
edandsatdown.Shest i
ll
couldn’tbeli
eveshewassl eepinginjai
lallbecause
ofRethabi l
e.Angerandpai nmadeherbr eathe
heavil
yandshecoul dn’twaitt
il
lshewasr eleased.
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hpl
anni
ngi
nherhead.There
wasnowayshewoul
dwat
chRet
habi
legooverseas,
shewasgoingt
ogetherof
fherhighhor
seand
bri
ngherdowntoear
thwereever
yonewas.

*
**

Thefoll
owingmorning,
Rethabi
lewal
kedoutofthe
examinati
onhal
landsighedwithasmil
e.Oneof
hercl
assmatesalsowalkedoutandl
ookedather.
“
Hey…”
Ret
habi
lesmi
ledback.“
Hi.Kat
lor
ight
?”
Shesmi
led.“
Kat
so.Ret
habi
ler
ight
?”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Sor
ry,
yes.
”
“
It
’sok.Howwasi
t?”
“
Itwasf
ine.
”
“Yah,IhopeIdi
dwell
.Isawyouappl
iedt
obe
sponsoredtogotoHarvar
d.Met
oo.”
Rethabi
lesmi
ledast
heywalkedt
ogether
.
“Awesome.Ihopewequal
if
ywait
se.”
Katsonodded.“
Metoo.Megoi
ngt
her
ewoul
d
changemyf ami
lyf
orever
.”
“
Met
oo.
”
Ret
habi
lewat
chedast
wosol
dier
swal
kedt
othem
Katsohel
dherbagpr
oper
lyner
vousst
ari
ngatt
hei
r
guns.
Ret
habi
le’
shear
tracedast
heyst
oodi
nfr
ontof
t
hem st
ari
ngather.
“
MsRet
habi
leKai
sar
a?”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“MynameisOmpi
leandt
hisi
sTir
o.Ret
swaBDF,
doyouknowMrAt
angDaniel
?”
“
Yes.I
sheok?
”
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
.“Youhavet
ocomewi
th
us.
”
Herhear
tpoundedsomuchasherkneesgotweak.
“
Whathappenedt
ohi
m?I
sheok?
”
“
No.Youneedt
ocomewi
thust
oconf
ir
m hi
sbody.
Anacci
denthappenedyest
erday.Ever
yonei
s
wai
ti
ngforyou.
”
Shelookedatt
hem,
herent
ir
ebodyweakeni
ng
fur
ther
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#36

TheyledhertotheBDFnumberplateGol
f.Ompi
le
openedthefr
ontseatdoorf
orher.Shel
ookedat
him,shehadn’tsai
dawordyetorevenmadea
sound.
“
Geti
n.”
Shegoti
nandstaredahead,herfaceblank.Ti
rogot
i
natthebackwhil
eOmpi l
etookthef r
ontseat.He
st
art
edthecaranddroveoffheadedtot heai
rpor
t.
Ti
rol
ookedathert
hicknessf
il
li
ngt
heent
ir
eseat
whilehersummerdressrodeupexposi ngherthick
yel
lowt hi
ghs.HehadheardaboutAt ang’
sgirl
fr
iend
andalwaysthoughtpeoplewerejustexagger
ating.
Shesilent
lysatont
hef r
ontseatnotmovi nganinch.
Hesighedl ooki
ngoutsidet
hewi ndow.Ompi lestol
e
gl
ancesatherwonder ingwher eAtanghadgot ten
her.Helookedatherhandst henshor tcleannails.
Onherwr istwasablackmanl ywat ch,possibly
Atang’
sbutnowheunder st
oodwhyAt anghidher .
Hef
inal
lypar
kedt
hecar
.“Let
sgo.
”
Shesl
owl
ylookedathi
m.“
Wher
eismyboyf
ri
end?
”
“
Wear
etaki
ngyout
ohi
m.Let
’sgo.
”
“
Yousaidconfir
m….Whatdoyoumeanconf
ir
m?
Whatdoesthatevenmean?
”
“
Youwillsee.
.let
’sgoorel
seyouwi
llmi
ssyour
f
li
ght
.”
“
Idon’
tunderst
and.Makemeunder
stand.Wher
eis
myboyfr
iend?Iam cal
li
nghi
m.”
“
Heisnotgoi
ngtoanswer
.Ifyouwantt
oseehi
m,
l
etust
akeyoutohi
m.”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iam goi
nghome.
”
Rethabi
leopenedt
hedoorandst eppedout
.Ti
rogot
outofthecarandgrabbedherhand.
“Yourmanisnothome.He’
saman,notaboyf
ri
end
kanahedoesn’
tmakeyoucum?Doeshemakeyou
cum? ”
Shel
ookedathi
minshock.
“Exact
ly,t
hatmakeshi m yourman.Aboyf ri
endis
someonewhodoesn’ tmakeyoucum.Asl ongashe
hit
sitandmakesi train,
he’saman.Andyouar ehis
woman.Wear etakingyoutoyourman.Tur n
aroundandwal kinsidet
heairpor
t.Iam notAtang
whopr obabl
ybegsandl i
cksthegroundyouwal k
on.Turn,now!”Hecommandedf i
rmlyandl oud.She
l
ookedathi m.
“
Iam goi
nghome.Iwi
llwai
tformymant
her
e.”
“
Ok,
ver
ywel
lthen.
”
Tir
obendedt henpickedherupandthr
ewherover
hi
sshoul der.Rethabil
escreamedashewal
kedwith
herinsi
det heairport
.
“
Thusang!
”
Ompi l
ewal
kedbehindhim.Minutesl
atert
hey
walkedtot
heborderi
nggate.Ti
roputherdown,her
bodyrubbi
ngagainsthi
swakeningeverysensei
n
hi
m.Heswal l
owedasshest eppedbackfi
xingher
dress.
Shewasst ubborn,i
tturnedhim ontohavea
womanchal lengehi
ml ikethat.Heforgotthelast
ti
mehehadsomeonej uststandupt ohim andshe
l
ookedfearless.Hewonder edhowAt anghandl ed
herknowingwhohewas.Shepr obablystressed
him morethananywomanhe’ dbeenwi t
h.
“
Mybr
other
-“
“
Agangwi
llsor
toutyourbr
other
.”
“St
optal
kingwhenIam t
alki
nganddidn’
tyousay
ever
yoneiswai
ti
ngforme?Who’severyone?
”
Ompi
lechuckl
edthensmi
ledt
aki
ngouthi
sphone.
Ti
rol
ookedather
.
“
Youwi
llf
indoutsoon.
”
“
HowdoyouknowAt
ang?Whathappenedt
ohi
m?”
“
He’
sdead.
”
Sheangril
ylookedathi m.“Neversaythataboutmy
maneveragai n.Ifi
t’
sli
fti
ngbricksandputti
ngt hem
atonecornerandbackwher eyougotthem allday
atworkhasgot tenint
oyourhead, don’
tthi
nkyou
candisposeitonme. ”
Ompi
lebur
sti
ntoal
oudl
augh.
Ti
rof
rowned.“
Idon’
tli
keyou.
”
“
Goodf
oryou.
”
Theygotint
heplane.Ret
habi
lesatbyt
hewi
ndow
anddial
edAgang.
“
Thabi
..
”
Shetookadeepbr
eat
hast
ear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.
“Whatsgoi
ngon?”
“Iwi
llt
akecareofBatang.Theytol
dmehegotinto
anaccident
.Iam notsurewhat’
sgoingon.Hewas
shot
.”
“
Shot
?”
“
Yesbuti
t’
sAt
ang…hewi
llbef
ine.
”
“Theysaidtheyar
etaki
ngmet oconfi
rm hi
sbody.I
don’tevenknowwhatthatevenmeans.”
“
Relax.I
t’
sok.He’sf i
ne.I
fanythi
ngwaswr ong,
I
wouldhavef
eltit…ok,Iam lyi
ngbutIam sur
eheis
f
ine.Hey…don’tcry.He’
sfine.
”
“
Ianscar
ed.
”
“
Don’
tbe.Iwi
llr
emai
nwi
thBat
angher
e…“
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Igotyou.
”
Shehungupandputherphoneaway.Shet
ooka
deepbreat
hasthepl
anetookof
fwit
hOmpileand
Tir
oseatedbehi
ndher
.

*
**

Elangwal
kedinherroom thatsamemor
ning.Her
roommatelookedoverather.
“
Hi…ar
eyouok?
”
El
angsi
ghed.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
IsawyourpostonFacebook.Wasi
tyourf
ri
end
whodr
ivest
heBenz?”
“
Yes.Theonehersugardaddygother
.”
Herroommatesmi
led.“Wai
tsebat
hongIal
soneed
asugardaddyi
nmyl i
fe.
”
“
That
’sj
ustpr
ost
it
uti
on.
”
“NgngElangmma.Somet imesyesbutsomet
imes
i
t’sl
ove.Idon’tt
hinkther
eisanyonewhowouldbuy
youaBenzj ustforf
un.”
“Therei
snolovel
iket
hat.Keprost
it
uti
onhel
a.And
Iam goingt
oexposeher.Ever
yoneshoul
dseethi
s
gir
lforwhoshetr
ulyi
s.”
“
Uhu,
thef
ri
endshi
pisover
?”
“Shethi
nkssohighl
yofhersel
f.Let
’sseehowshe
wil
ldealwi
thherboyfr
iendandtheworldfi
ndi
ng
outsheabort
edababy.”
Theroommatelookedatheri
nshock.“
That
’s
wit
chcraf
t.Whywouldyoudothat
?”
“Iam goi
ngtofixthatpat
heti
cfatt
hing.Goi
ng
aroundthi
nkingsheisbett
erthanme.Shewon’t
seeitcoming.ShecankissHarvar
dbye.Nxla!
”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
Elanglookedatherandlaughed.“Lookatyourf
ace.
Iam joki
ngmma.Mxm, Iam justannoyedbutI
thinki
tsbestIfor
giveherandmoveon.KanaThabi
i
smydayone. ”
Theroommatelaughed.“I
ja,
yougotmethere.Iam
happyyouar
echoosingpeace.Iwil
lseeyoulater
.I
havealat
eaft
ernoonlesson.”
“
Ok,
bye!
”
Theroommat ewalkedout.El
angpressedherphone
andsearchedforLyser
gicaciddi
ethyl
amideand
Phencycl
idi
ne.Shereadthrought
heireff
ect
sand
whattheycoulddo.
ShewentonFacebookandsearchedforthem.Over
thi
rt
yminut
eslat
ershecameacr ossapostanda
number
.Shecopieditdownandcalledt
heperson.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
doyoust
il
lhaveLSDandPCS?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwantt
hem.Howmuchi
sit
?”
“
P300f
orbot
h.”
“
Iwi
llt
akei
t.CanIhavet
hem t
oday?
”
“
Yesbutyouknowwhatt
heydor
ight
?”
“Yes.Iam medi
calst
udentandwear
enotan
experi
ment.”
“
Ok.Let
’smeetatRai
lPar
kMal
ltoday.Say2p.
m.”
“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
El
anghungupandsmi
ledt
hencheckedherbank
bal
ance.
“OkMr sBenz…l
et’
sseeyougoi
ngt
oAmer
icaaf
ter
playi
ngme.”
Shewalkedtot
hebat
hroom andshoweredt
hen
changedint
oabodyhuggi
ngdressthenwal
kedout
l
ockingbehi
ndher
.
*
**

Twohour slater
,Rethabil
eheldherschoolbag
properl
yast hecarthathadtakenthem f
rom OR
Tambopar kedinfrontofabuildi
ng.Shelookedat
Ompi l
ewhowasseat edbesidesher.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Theysteppedout .Tir
ogotoutf r
om thefront
passengerseat.Theywer enowonj usttheirclot
hes,
shewasn’tevensur ewher etheyhadchanged.
Theywalkedint hebuildi
ng,Rethabi
lequickly
noti
ceditwasahospi t
al.Shewalkedbehindt he
twomenwhol edt hewayt henapproachedadoor .
Ompilel
ookedatherandsi
ghed.“
Wewi
llwai
t
out
side.
”
Heopenedthedoor
.Ret
habi
leslowl
ywalkedin
t
henfrozest
ari
ngasOmpil
eclosedthedoor
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#37

InJohannesburg,Atangsmiledonthebed.She
hurri
edoverdroppingherbagandhuggedhi m.
Atangadjustedhi
msel fsohecouldwraphisar
ms
aroundher.Shetearful
lycuppedhi
sface.
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Thingsdi
dn’
tgoexact
lyaccor
dingt
opl
anbutIam
f
ine.
”
“
WhenIcal
ledyouyest
erday-
“
“Ihadbeenshot.Ididn’ttel
lyoubecauseyouhad
anexam inthemor ning.Iknowhowi twas
i
mpor t
ant,howdiditgo? ”
Shesmi
ledashewi
pedhert
ear
.“Wel
l.It
hinkIdi
d
wel
l.
”
“
That
’smygi
rl
.”
“It
houghtyouwer
echeati
ngaft
erPri
nce’
ssi
de
chi
ckansweredhi
sphone.Il
oveyou.
”
At
angrubbedhercheekt
henherl
ips.Hepul
ledher
cl
oserandki
ssedher.
“
Yousmel
lgood.
”
Shegiggl
edstar
ingathi
m.“
It
’st
heper
fumeyou
boughtmethatt
ime.”
“Yousmellni
ce.”Helookedinherwor ri
edeyes.“
I
am fi
ne.Theytookoutthebull
et.Iam good.They
wil
lrel
easi
ngmet omor r
ow.Iwantust ogo
somewherebeforewegot oVicf al
ls.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Wher
e?”
“Youwillseet
omor
row.Ihavebookedyoui
na
hotel
.”
“
Iam notgoi
nganywhere.Iam goi
ngtost
ayher
e
wit
hyou.Imissedyou…yourbeardhasgr
own.
”She
t
oucheditpl
ayingwit
hit
.
“
Liedownwi
thme.
”
Shel
ookedatt
hebedandl
aughed.“
Wewon’
tfi
t.
”
Hescootedt
ooneside.Rethabi
lesmiledand
cl
imbedonthebed.Shelai
donhersi deputt
ingher
ar
m aroundhi
m,herheadonhi schest.Shesmil
ed
i
nhisarms.At
angr
ubbedherthickbuttsqueezing
f
rom t
imetoti
meagai
nwhilekissingherforehead.
“El
angr eportedmetothepol ice.Theyarr
estedme
forassaultbecauseshewentt herewit
habl eeding
nose.Icalledyouandthat ’
swhenyourphonewas
answered.Isentyouamessaget hencall
edAgang
buthisgirl
fri
endanswer edthephoneandshei s
wasr ude.Ididn’
tknowwhoel setocallbecauseI
hadanexam i nt
hemor ning,Icall
edmyl ecture.He
cameandpai dElangtodr opthecharges.”
Shelookedathimtoandf
oundhi
m smi
li
ng.She
rel
axed.“Iwasscar
ed.
”
“Youseewhyi t’
simportanttostayawayf rom that
gir
lright
?Atleastyousawi tforyoursel
f.Inever
l
ikedherr i
ghtf
rom thebeginning.AndIhopet hisi
s
thelastt
imeIhearabouther .Iwillpayt
hel ect
ure
backwhenwegohome. ”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Iam sor
ryIdi
dn’
tli
stent
oyou.
”
Hekissedher
.“Ther
eall
essoni
soneyoul
ear
n
your
self.
”
“
Yourbear
dmakesyoul
ookol
der
.Kanagat
weke
j
olasugardaddy.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Ili
ket
hisl
ookmor
e.”
“Therr
abatagotsayagot
weodzaddy.Il
oveyou.I
don’twantt
oloseyou.
”
“
Butbabet
hisi
sal
ook.
”
Rethabi
lelaughedput
ti
ngherlegoverhi
m.“
They
wil
lsnatchyou.Idon’
tknowhowt ofi
ght
.Wi
th
El
angIknowshecan’ tfi
ghtf
orshit
.”
Atangkissedherhandtouchi
ngherr
ingf
inger
.
“Yourf
ingersaresmall
.”
Hetookoutari
ngfr
om under
neat
hhi
spi
ll
owand
sl
idi
ton.Hetooki
tout
.
“
Yourf
ingeri
sreal
lysmal
l
.”
“
Who’
sri
ngi
sthat
?”
“
Tiro’
s.Hewant
stoproposetohi
sbabymama.Her
f
ingersar
eal
mostli
keyours.
”
“
Itwasabi
tloose.
”
“
Hewi
llhavet
ogeti
tal
ter
ed.Ti
ro!
”
Thedooropenedt
henTi
rowal
kedin.Hesmil
ed
star
ingatAt
angbewhoseemedcomfort
abl
eand
happy.
“
Yah?
”
“Youwil
lneedt
ogeti
tal
ter
edsl
ight
ly.Just
sli
ght
ly.
”
“
Ok.Wear
egoi
ng.
”
“
Thanksf
orbr
ingi
ngMr
sDani
el.
”
“
Shar
plai
taka.
”
Theybumpedf i
ststhenhewal
kedout
.Rethabi
le
snuggl
edclosert
ohermanwhi l
eherubbedher
thi
ghthenherbutt.

*
**

InGaborone,
Elanggoti
nHondafi
t.Aladyl
ookedat
him.Shehandedhim abl
ackpl
ast
ic.
“ThereisLSD,i
t’
sanhall
uci
nogendr
ug.I
tcauses
hall
ucinat
ions,
alli
nal
l,
itt
emperswi
thyourbr
ain.
Makeyouseeandf eelthingsar enott her
e.You
mayf eeljoyandeuphor ia,feelli
keyouar efloati
ng
butyoucanhaver eall
yt err
ifyi
ngt houghts.It’s
effectsareunpredi
ctable.Itstartswor ki
ngwi t
hin
thi
rtymi nutesandgoi ntofullpeaki n2-4hour s.
Thislastsfor12hour s.It’
sadanger ousdr ug.
Const antusemaycauseper manentdamaget othe
brain.Itcanevencauseschi zophrenia.”
“
HowmuchdoIt
ake?
”
“
Onet
abl
eti
senough.
”
“
Ok,
att
heot
herone?PCS?
”
“I
t’
sPCP.Phencycl idi
nei sami nd-al
ter
ingdrugt hat
mayl eadtohall
ucinations,
it’
sassameasLSD.I t
causesauditor
yhal l
ucinati
ons, i
magedi st
orti
on,
severemooddi sorder
s, andamnesi amayal so
occur.Ital
socausesacut eanxi et
yandaf eeli
ngof
i
mpendi ngdoom, paranoia,vi
olenthostil
it
y,a
psychosesindi
stinguishabl
ef r
om schizophrenia.”
“
Soi
tdoesn’
tki
ll
?”
“Hi
ghamountsofthosel
eadst
osei
zur
es,
coma
andwor
se,deat
h.”
El
angnodded.“
Addi
cti
ont
ooaker
e?”
“Yes.PCPi saddicti
veanditsuseof
tenl
eadst
o
psychologicaldependence,
cravi
ng,
andcompulsi
ve
PCP-seekingbehavior.”
“
Youknowsomuch,
areyouadoct
or?
”
Shesmi
led.“
No.Doyouhavemymoney?
”
“
Yes.
”
El
angt
ookoutt
heP300andhandedi
ttoher
.
“
Thankyou.
”
“Eemma.Pleasedon’
tover
dose.LSDcausesvi
olent
andpsychoti
cbehavi
or.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Elangsteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtothe
combi ssmili
ng.Shegoti
natthefrontseatand
start
edtypingRethabi
leaFacebookmessage.
El
ang:Hi.Iknowwear efighti
ng.Iam sorry.It
ook
outmyfrustrat
ionsonyou.Iknowyouhavebeen
bymysidef orthelongestandIkeept akingyouru
fi
rgr
unted.Iam sor r
y.Ifeeldepressed.Ihavebeen
dr
eamingoftheni ghtIgotrapedsomuchthatcan’t
sl
eep.Ikeepthinki
ngit’
sgoingtohappenagain.I
am bei
nghaunt ed.Iam goi
ngcrazy,somet
imesI
j
ustwanttokillmyself
.Iam sorry.Pl
easef
orgive
me.Youar et
heonl yoneIhave.
Shesentt
hemessageandsmi
ledknowi
ngher
per
son.
Sheinsert
edthenewsim car
dandquickl
y
regi
ster
editt
hensentAtangamessage.
‘
Unknown’:Soyouthi
nkyouknowyourgi
rlf
ri
end?
Didshet
ellyouaboutt
hebabysheabor
ted…your
baby…
Shesmi l
edfeel
ingasi
fshewasinJamesBondfi
lm.
Sheputawayherphoneasthecombigotf
ullt
hen
thedr
iverdr
oveof f
.

*
**

Lat
ert
hatdayAgangwalkedi
nthehousewi
th
Bat
ang.Nkamolookedatt
hechi
ldt
henathi
m.
“
Hey,
thisi
sBatang.Ret
habi
le’syoungerbr
other
.
Wewil
lbestayi
ngwithhi
mtillshe’
sback.Shewent
t
oSA.”
“
Doesn’
thegaver
elat
ives?
”
“
Hedoes.Iam hi
suncl
eandhewi
llbest
ayi
ngwi
th
me.
”
Nkamol
ookedatt
hechi
ldsuspi
ciousl
ythenshe
f
akedasmil
e.
“
Ok.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#38

El
angsmi
ledasherr
oommat
egotback.
“
Hi…”
Shesmi
led.“
Hi.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
tgot
oschoolt
oday?
”
“Ngng.Iam notf
eel
ingwel
landmyf
acei
s
swol
len.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llseeschoolonMonday.
”
“
Yah…”
Ther oommat esatdownonherbed.Elangstoodup
thenpouredj ui
ceintwogl
asses.Shesecret
ly
droppedapi l
linthedri
nkt
hengrabbedaf or
kand
quicklymixed.
Shesi
ghedt
urni
ngt
oherr
oommat
e.
“
Take…somej
uice.
”
Ther
oommat
esmi
l
ed.“
Thankyou.
”
Theroommatesi
ppedthecolddrinkandgulpedi
t
al
ldownquenchi
ngherthir
st.Shetookoutanovel
andlai
donherbedreadi
ngwhi l
eElangslowly
drakeher
s.

*
**
Thabiopenedhereyeswaki ngup.Shel ookedatt he
whit
ewal l
sandgotof fthebed.Shel ookedatAt ang
sl
eepingthensatdownst ar
ingathim.Shet ookout
herphonethentookapi ctureofherhandhol ding
hi
s.Shereachedf orherbagandt ookoutherl aptop
andbooksandst artedstudyingwhil
ehesl ept.
Hisdooropenedt
heanur sewal
kedi
nhol
dingf
ood.
ShesmiledatRet
habi
le.
“
Iam goi
ngt
owakehi
m upsohecaneat
.”
Rethabil
esmiledbackthenfr
ownedsni ff
ingthe
boi
ledegg.Herstomacht ur
ned,sheputthelaptop
downandr ushedtothebathroom intheroom and
vomited.Shewalkedoutminuteslaterwi
pingher
mouth.Atanglookedatherwor r
iedl
y.
“
Areyouok?
”
“Yes.YouknowIdon’
tli
keboi
ledeggs.Thesmel
l
getstome.”
Hel
ookedatt
heeggst
hencl
osedt
hem.“
Oh…”
“
Itsmel
lsl
ikef
art
.Youcaneat
.”
Shetookherlaptopandbooksthensatatfarcorner
oft
her oom.Atanglookedatherconf
used.She
smil
edandlookedatherl apt
opconti
nui
ngst udyi
ng

*
**

Zazasati
nthedoct
or’
sof
fi
ceasheexpl
ainedt
o
her.
“
Asfeared,t
hetumoriscancerous.Hehasgr ade4
mali
gnantbrai
ntumorandit’
saggr essi
ve.Iknow
t
hisi
snotwhatyouexpectedtohear …”
Zazalookedathim hol
dingherboyinherarms.He
hadlostsomuchwei ght,shecoul
dfeelhi
m
sl
ippi
ngf r
om herhands.
“I
thasal r
eadyspr
eadt
hroughouthi
sbrain.Wecan
dor adi
ati
onandchemot
herapybut…it
’snotgoi
ng
totakeitaway.
Shesmi
ledhol
dinghi
mti
ght
er.“
He’
sal
lIgot
.”
“
Ist
her
ehi
stor
yofcanceri
nyourf
ami
ly?
”
“Yes.Myaunthadi
t.Mygr
andmot
her
.Andt
he
hist
orygoeson.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ir
eal
lyam.
”
Shelaughedasat earrol
leddown.“
He’stooyoung.
He’sbeencryingtogotoschoolwit
hmynei ghbor
’s
daughter.Ir
efusedbecause…he’
sjustt
ooyoung.I
wasgoi ngtotakehi
m nextyear
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Sheswal
lowed.“
Ican’
tlosehi
m.”
“
Radiat
ionandChemoi
spai
nful
.Hi
sli
tt
lebody
won’
thandl
eit.
”
Sheshookherheadcr
ying.“
Ican’
tlosehi
m.I
can’
t.
”
“Thetreat
mentsarenotonl
ypainf
ulbutt
heyare
expensiveandi
t’
snotgoingtomakehim bet
ter
.”
“Ican’tl
osehi
m.Ican’ t.
”Shebitherl
owerli
p
stari
ngatthedoctor.“Ican’
t…he’
sallIgot
.Iwil
lsel
l
mycarandmypl ot.Iam notlosi
nghim.Ican’
t…”
“
Iknowt hi
sishar
dforyou.Iwi
llgi
veyout
imet
o
t
hinkaboutit
.”
“Ican’
tlosehi
m…Ican’t.Youdon’
tunder
stand…I
havenot hi
ngwit
houthi
m. ”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”

Zazawalkedoutcar
ryi
ngherboythenputhi
m at
thebackseat
.Shegoti
nhercarandputherhands
onherfacecryi
ng.
“
Godpl
ease…”
Shetookadeepbr eat
handlookedathim sl
eepi
ng
peaceful
ly.Shereachedforherphoneandcall
ed
Atangbutt hecal
ldidn’
tgothrough.Shedi
aledhi
s
numberwi thherothersi
m card.I
trangtwi
cethen
hepicked.
Shequi
ckl
yhungupandt
ext
edhi
minst
ead.
Zaza:TodayIwenttogetAJ’
sresult
s.Thedoctor
hadspokenaboutcancerawhil
ebackbuthehad
brusheditof
fbecausewehadhope.Ther esul
ts
camebackandhehascancer .Grade4braintumor.
It
’salreadyspr ead.Hesayswecandor adiationand
chemot herapybuti t’
salreadyt oolat
e.Ishoul d
havet akenhimt othehospitalearli
er.Ididn’tseei t.
Ithoughtmostoft hesympt omswer ej ustor dinary
sickness.Myi gnor anceandsel fi
shnessi st he
reasonhei ssi ck.Iblamemysel f
.Iam goi ngt ot ake
himf orhistreatment sbecauseIam notgoi ngt o
l
osehi m.Iwi llkeepyouupdat ed.
Shesentthemessagethensni
ffedputt
ingher
phonedown.Shestar
tedtheengineanddrove
homeli
steningt
oTrai
nWr eckbyJamesAr thur
whil
ehersonslept
.

‘
Layi
ngi
nthesi
lence
Wai
ti
ngf
ort
hesi
rens
Si
gns,
anysi
gnsI
’
m al
ivest
il
l
Idon’
twannal
osei
t
I
’
m notget
ti
ngt
hrought
his
Hey,
shoul
dIpr
ay?Shoul
dIpr
ay
Tomysel
f?ToaGod?
Toasavi
ourwhocan
Unbr
eakt
hebr
oken
Unsayt
hesespokenwor
ds
Fi
ndhopei
nthehopel
ess
Pul
lmeoutoft
het
rai
nwr
eck
Unbur
ntheashes
Unchai
nther
eact
ions,
I’
m notr
eadyt
odi
e,notyet
Pul
lmeoutoft
het
rai
nwr
eck
Pul
lmeout
,pul
lmeout
,pul
lmeout
Pul
lmeout
,pul
lmeout
’

Shestoppedthecaremot i
onswr ecki
ngher.She
gotoutandstoodinfrontofhercarasthesunset .
Shekneltdowncrying.Shecri
edsomucht illshe
wasjustgasping.

*
**
AtAgang’
shouse,
Nkamoopenedt
hemessage
fr
om t
heunsavednumber
.
7267* ***:TodayIwentt ogetAJ’ sr esults.The
doctorhadspokenaboutcancerawhi l
ebackbut
hehadbr ushedi toffbecausewehadhope.The
resultscamebackandhehascancer .Grade4br ain
tumor .It
’salreadyspread.Hesayswecando
radiati
onandchemot herapybuti t’
sal readyt ool ate.
Ishoul dhavet akenhimt othehospi t
alear l
ier.I
didn’tseeit.Ithoughtmostoft hesympt omswer e
j
ustor dinarysickness.Myi gnor anceand
self
ishnessi st hereasonhei ssi ck.Iblamemysel f.
Iam goi ngtot akehimf orhistreat ment sbecauseI
am notgoi ngt olosehim.Iwi llkeepyouupdat ed.
Shest
art
edt
ypi
ngherr
esponse.
‘
Agang’:Hei snotmysonsoIdon’ twanttoknow
anythi
ngabouthi m..l
ethi
m dieifhe’
sdying.Idon’
t
care.Stopt ext
ingmeorcalli
ngme.Iam i na
seri
ousr elati
onshipandIl
ovemygi r
lf
ri
end.Iam
notgoingt odealwi t
hyourgarbagedrama.Tellthe
fat
heroft hatchil
dnotme.
Shesentt hemessaget hendeletedi tt
ogetherwith
theoneZazahadsent .Shesighedput ti
nghis
phonebackwher eshehadgot tenit.She
thought
fullypickedi
tupandbl ockedherbef or e
putti
ngthephonedownagai n.Mi nuteslat
erAgang
walkedfrom thebedroom dressedt henheki ssed
her.
“
Iam goi
ngoutwi
tht
heboys.Iwi
llbebackl
ater
.I
l
oveyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
HekissedherthenwalkedovertoBatangwhowas
watchi
ngTV.Theybumpedf i
ststhenhewalkedout.
Shewalkedbehindhim am wavedashedr oveout
thesheclosedthedoorandlookedatBatang.
“
Wher
eisyourmot
her
?”
Bat
angt
urnedt
oher
.“She-
she-
shei
sdead.
”
“
Isheyourf
ather
?”
Bat
angsmi
ledandshookhi
shead.“
N-No.
”
“YouknowwhatIdot
oliar
s?”Shewalkedgothe
kit
chenandwal
kedbackwithajugf
ullofhotwat
er.
“
Ibur
nthem.Tel
lmet
het
rut
h.I
sheyourf
ather
?”
Bat
angl
ookedatherconf
used.“
Idon’
tli
e-l
ie-
“
“
Hey!Iwi
llbur
nyou!
”
Hi
shear
tst
art
edpoundi
ngashel
ookedather
.
“
Who’
syourf
ather
?”
“
I-
Il-
“
Nkamogotcl
oserhol
dingt
heket
tl
eofhotwat
er
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#39

Bat angleapedbumpingint
oherasshegoteven
closer.Thehotkett
lesl
ippedfr
om herhands
drippingherfeet
.Shescreamedastheli
dopened,
thehotwat erburni
ngher.
Bat
angr
ushedt
otheki
tchenandcamebackwi
th
col
dwat
erf
rom t
hef
ri
dgeandpour
edherl
egs.
“
So-
sor
ry.
”
Nkamosatdownast hepainweakenedher
.Bat ang
pickedhi
ssmal lphonefr
om t
het abl
eandpressed
thebutt
ons.Hedi al
edtheambulancenumberhe
hadmemor izedandputthephoneonhisear.

*
**

Atthecl
ub,Agangparkedhiscarthesteppedoutof
hi
scarlist
eni
ngtotheloudmusi cfr
om theclub.
Hisphonerangthenhepickedthisf
ather’
scall
.
“
Papa…”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
lyi
ngt
her
etomor
rowmor
ning.
”
“Idon’tunder
standwhyyoudi dn’
tcometoday.
Tomor rowanythingcanhappen.Youshoul
dhave
slepthere.
”
“
Iwi
llbet
her
eint
hemor
ning.
”
“Yourbr
otheri
spayi
ngmagadi.Iwantyoutosee
howit’
sdone.Maybeitwi
llmot
ivat
eyoutoo.”
Agangl
aughed.“
Papawee,
canyoul
etmebe?
”
“No.Youaregrowing.Youarenotgoi
ngt
ost
ay
youngfor
ever.Youaregett
ingold.
”
“
Ihaven’
tmett
her
ight
fulper
sont
omar
ry.
”
“
Don’
tyouhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
Ourr el
ati
onshipi
snewandit
’sgoingtot
aketi
me
t
il
lIcanbesur eshei
stheoneIreal
lywantt
o
marry.”
“I
tdidn’
ttakeyourbrot
hert
hatl
ong.Ij
ustwantyou
sett
leandhavekids.Ti
meismovingmyboy.”
“Idon’twanttomar r
yforthesakeofjustget
ti
ng
mar ri
ed.IwanttogetmarriedbecauseIam i
nlove
andseeaf ut
ure.Idon’
tseeitwit
hthewomanIam
currentl
yseeing.
”
Hi
sfat
hersi
ghed.Pl
easecomeear
lymor
ning.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Hehungupt
henputawayhi
sphoneandwal
ked
i
nsidet
hecl
ubst
ari
ngatt
hel
adywal
kingi
nfr
ontof
hi
m.
Hi
sphonevibr
atedi
nhispocket
.Het
ooki
toutand
pi
ckedNkamo’scal
lwal
kingout
.
“
Babe…”
“Yourchil
dhasbur
ntmewi
thwat
er!
”Shescr
eamed
hyster
ical
ly.
Agangf
rowned.“
What
?”
“
Hebur
ntme!
”
“
Hebur
ntyou?
”
“
Myl
egs!
”Shecr
iedscr
eami
ng.
Aganghur
riedt
ohi
scaranddr
oveof
fheadedback
t
ohishouse.

*
**

El
angwatchedherroommatel
aughinglyi
ngonthe
fl
oort
alki
ngal
one.ShegotupandlookedatEl
ang.
Shet ur
nedt
othewal lscreamingasifshewas
seeingsomet
hing.Sher antothebat
hroom, El
ang
stoodupandclosethebat hr
oom doorlocki
ngher
i
nside.
Shesatdownonherbedknowingf
orRethabi
leshe
wasgoingtogi
vehertwopi
ll
sofeach.Onedi
dn’t
seem t
oreal
lybedoi
ngthej
ob.
Shelai
donherbedandcheckedifRethabi
lehad
readhermessagebuti
thadn’
tbeenopenedasyet.
Shebitherl
owerli
pandtypedanotherone.
El
ang:Pl
easet
alkt
ome.If
eell
ikeki
ll
ingmysel
f.
Shesentt hemessageandsighedgoi
ngtoher
ti
meline.ShepausedcomingacrossRet
habi
le’
s
pict
ureofherhandandAtang’s.Shel
ookedatt
he
capti
on.
‘
Myhappypl
ace.
’
Elangl ookedatthe23heartr
eactionsonthe
picture.Shescroll
edpastt
hepicture.Her
roommat ebangedthedoorscreaming.El
ang
switchedonherBl uet
oothspeakerandstart
ed
playingmusi cl
oudly.
*
**

Att
hehospital,
Agangwalkedinsi
deNkamo’sroom.
Helookedatthenursebandagingherl
egs.He
wal
kedovertoher.
“
Whathappened?
”
Sheputherhandsonherfacecryi
ng.Helookedat
herlegsandhuggedher
.Hesighedconfused,t
he
nursewalkedout
.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Myphonewasri
ngi
ngsoIwentt
oanswerit
hol
dingt
heket
tl
e.Hepushedmeandi
tfel
l.
”
“
Hedi
dn’
tdoi
tonpur
pose.
”
“
Hedi
d.”
“He’sonl
y12.Comeon,
whywoul
dhedoi
ton
purpose?
”
“Idon’
tknow.Maybeheshoul
dgobackt
ohi
s
house.Tohismother
.”
Aganglookedather
.“It
oldyouhe’
sRet
habi
le’
s
br
other
.”
Nkamolookedathi
m angri
ly.“
Youar
elyi
ng!You
t
hinkIdon’
tknowhe’syour
s? ”
Agangsteppedbackst
ari
ngather
.“Ar
eyou
i
nsane?”
“
Thatt
hingt
ri
edt
oki
llme!
”
“
Youar
ecr
azy.Iam goi
ng.
”
“Youarealiarandcheat
er.Onkgadifebe!
”She
screamed.“Youthi
nkIdon’tknowyourtri
cks?I
knowitall
.”
Shegotoffbednowcrying.“
Goonandcal
lme
cr
azy.Ihavebeencal
ledworse.
”
Aganglookedathert
hensighedreal
izi
ngj
usthow
br
okenshewas.Hepi ckedherupandputherback
onthebed.
“Pleasesl
eep.Iam goi
nghome.Mysi
steri
n-l
aw’
s
brotheri
salone.Il
oveyou.
”
Hewal
kedout
.Nkamoscr
eamedcr
ying.
*

AtAgang’shouse,Agangwalkedi
nandcl osedthe
doorwonderi
ngwhyBat anghadn’
tlockedoritwas
theshockofeveryt
hingt
hathadhappened.
“
Bat
ang!
”
Hewal
kedt
otheguestr
oom andf
oundhi
m seat
ed
ont
hebedwit
hhi
sbag.
“
Heychamp…”
“
Wh-
wher
eisThabi
?”
“
Shewentgoseeuncl
eAt
ang.Ar
eyouok?
”
Het
ookadeepbr
eathli
kehedidwit
hthespeech
t
her
api
stt
henhestar
tedspeaki
ngsl
owly.
“
Iwantt
ogohome.Iwi
llwai
tforRet
habi
let
her
e.”
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Yourwi
fedoesn’
tli
keme.Shewant
edt
obur
nme
wit
hwat
er.Iwantt
ogohome.”
“Shei
snotmywife.Iam sor
ryIlef
tyouwithher.
Youdon’
thavet
ogobecauset hi
sismyhouseandI
l
ikeyouver
ymuch.Thisisyourhousetoo.Ok?”
“
She-
“
“Sheisnotcomingback.Youdon’thavetogo.Your
sist
erwillcomeandtakeyouwhenshecomesback.
Tomor r
owwear egoi
ngt oseeyourunclethen
comeback.Doyouwantt owatchamovi e?”
Batangsmi ledthenwal kedoutwi thAgang.They
satdownandpl ayedanact ionmovi e.Agangl ooked
athim seatedbesideshi m.Itwoul dfeelgreat
havingason…butt henhewasnotsur eabout
Nkamo.Nott hathe’dbeensur ei nthefirstpl
ace
butnowhedoubt edal otoft hi
ngs.Hel ookedatt he
TVwat chingasJasonSt atham jumpedf rom a
movi ngcartoanothermovi ngcar.

*
**

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning,
Atangputonhi
st-
shi
rt
sl
owlyt
henwalkedt othehospi
talbedwhere
Ret
habi
lewassleepingwithherli
pspart
ed.He
l
eanedoverandkissedher.
“
Hey…”
Shewokeupandlookedathi
m si
tt
ingupr
ight
.She
yawnedt
hensmil
ed.
“
Wear
egoi
ng?
”
“
Yes.Wear
egoi
ngt
obat
hatt
hehot
elandgo.
”
Shegotoffthebedthenpickedherbooksbendi
ng.
Atangsmackedherbut tmakingitj
iggl
e.She
tur
nedlaughing.Heki
ssedherandwal kedout
carr
yingherbag.
Theygotinacarbyt heentr
ance,himt akingthe
fr
ontseat.Hest ar
tedthecaranddr ovewhi le
Rethabil
estaredattheSouthAf ri
canstreetsforthe
fi
rstti
me.Awhi lelat
ertheywalkedinsideahot el
.
Rethabil
esmiledtakingeveryt
hing.Shef oll
owed
behindhim smil
ing.Theygotinanel evatorthat
whiskedthem up.
Secondsl
atert
heyst
eppedout
.At
angi
nser
tedt
he
car
dbehadgot t
enont hedoorandopenedi t
.
Ret
habi l
ewal kedinwhi l
eheheldt
hedooropen.
Thebeaut yofther oom l
eavi
ngherspeechless.She
walkedtot hebalconyandlookedatt
het al
k
bui
ldingsandbusyr oads.
Shewalkedbacki
nther
oom.“
Babe…t
hispl
acei
s
beaut
if
ul.
.”
Atangt
ookof
fhi
st-
shi
rt
.“Iknow.Let
’sshowerand
getgoi
ng.
”
“
Ok…”
Shewalkedt othebat hroom ashepr essedaphone
i
ntheroom.Shet ookof fherdr essstaringatthe
hugebathroom.Shet ookof fherpant yandbr athen
putt
hem nicelyont hehanger .At angwal kedin
unzi
ppinghispant s.Hel ookedathi sgirl,hi
seyes
movingfrom herbr eastsandf urtherdown.
Hepul l
edhercl
oserandsqueezedherbreast
.She
fl
inched.Hesmil
ednotici
ngthechangesnowt hat
hewaspayi ngat
tent
ionthenhehuggedtight
ly
ki
ssingherneck.
“
Thankyou…FuckIl
oveyousomuch.
”
Sheputherarmsaroundhi m huggi
nghim unsur
e
whatshewasbeingt hankedfor.At
angmovedhis
headandkissedher.Rethabi
leputherhandonhis
chestgoi
ngdownt ohisbandage.
Atangkissedhermor ecaressi
ngher ,hishand
movedbet weenherlegsthenhet ouchedherwet
fol
dscur si
ngunderneathhisbreath.Heopenedher
l
egsmor etaki
ngouthisdick.Hepushedher
againstthewallandhookedherlegt hatshestood
ononel eg.Helookedinhereyescur vinghisback
and#r emoved.

*
**

InMaun, afleetofcarsfrom theDani elfamily

parkedoutsideMmagweRet habil
e’saunt ’sgate
thattheneighborsstoodbyt heirfencesj ustst
aring.
Insi
det hehouse,themagadinegot i
ations
conti
nuedbet weenthetwof amili
es.Thenei ghbor s
conti
nuedst ari
ng,minuteslatertherewasul ul
ati
on
i
nt hehousef oll
owedbyt raditi
onweddi ngsongs
bei
ngsung.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#40

Rethabi l
epulledtheduvet sconvul sing.Hereyes
rol
ledbackaspl easur eparal
yzedher .Herp*ssy
squeezedhi m maki nggr untinherearbur yi
ng
himsel fdeepinsideher .Hedicj er
ked, hiscum
l
andi nginside.Heki ssedhert henr emainedstil
l
enjoyingjustbeinginsi deher.Herbr eathi
ngwent
backt onor malthenhesl i
ditoutandl ookedather
smi l
ing.
“
Iloveyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
At
anggotof
fhert
henpickedherupandwal
ked
wi
thhert
othebat
hroom.Awhilelat
ert
heywal
ked
outl
aughi
ng.Someoneknockedonthedoor.She
fi
xedthet
owelaroundherbodyashewalkedtot
he
door,
atowelonhislowerbody.
Hegotapl
asti
cthenwalkedbacki
nther
oom.“
Igot
yousomet
hingtowear
.”
Hehandedherthepl
asti
c.Ret
habi
leopenedi
tthen
t
ookoutadressandathongtoget
herwit
ha
mat
chingbraandsandal
s.
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Shedressedupwhi l
eheopenedhi sbagandtook
outsomeclothes.Shewatchedhim asheputona
j
eanandat -shi
rt,
thet-
shi
rtclungontohi
sbody
showinghismuscles.
“
Youcanusemyt
hings.
”
Ret
habil
elookedinsi
dehisbagandt
ookoutt
he
l
oti
on.Sheappli
edstari
ngathim.
“
Sowhocookedf
oryoui
nthebush?
”
Heputonmyawat ch.“
Wedoitour
selvesbutt
her
e
wasal odgenear
byandanel
derl
yladyalways
cooked.”
“
WhatwasPr
ince’
ssi
dechi
ckdoi
ngt
her
e?”
“Theonlyl
adi
esaroundcl
osebyarethenurses.I
thi
nkit
’soneoft
hem.Iam notsur
ethough.Why
areyouaski
ngal
lthis?
”
Sheappl
iedhi
srol
lont
henhi
sfr
agr
ance.
“
Iam j
ustaski
ng.
”
“
Ifhe’
scheat
ingi
twoul
dbewi
thoneoft
hel
adi
es
t
here.
”
Shecombedherhairt
henputdownthecomb.
Atanghel
pedherupandki
ssedher.
“
Iam notcheat
ing.Pl
easet
rustme.
”
“
Ido.
”
“
Good.Let
’sgo.
”
Shewalkedoutwi t
hhim goingtothecarout
side.
Atangdrovethem backtotheair
portagai
nand
walkedinsi
dewithher.Thabil
efol
lowedbehi
ndhim
tr
yingtoguesswher ewastakingher.
Hekedhert
owherethepl
aneswer
ethent
ookher
t
oasmallpl
ane.Themanwhohadbeenst
andi
ngin
f
rontofi
tsmi
led.
“
Atang.
.”
“
Suresure.Ihavemygi
rl
fr
iendwi
th.Tel
lSkhuIsai
d
t
hanks.Iowehim.”
“
Sur
e.”
Themanwal kedawaythenRet
habil
elookedathi
m
happi
ly.Shejumpedi
nhisarmsexcit
edly.

*
**

Thatsamemorning,Zazaadver
ti
sedherpl
otand
cari
nsever
algroups.ShewentonWhatsAppand
post
edonherstory.
Shelookedathersonwatchi
ngTV.Itmadeher
smil
e.Zazaconti
nuedadvert
isi
ng.Shewentt
oher
messagesandswal l
owedherproud
Zaza:Hi.Iknowyousai dyouwantnothingt
odo
wit
ht hechildbutIneedyou.Iam sel
li
ngmycar
andpl ot
.Pleasehelpme.Iwil
lpayyouback.
Shesentthemessagebutitbounced.Shelookedat
herphone,ateardr
oppingont heski
n.AJstart
ed
cl
appinghishandswit
ht hecartoonchar
acterhe
waswat chi
ngwhilesi
ngingalong.
Zazalookedoverwatchinghi
m singhappi
ly
cl
appingandmovi nghisbody.Shetookapict
ure
smil
ingtearf
ull
y.
Hecont
inuedsi
ngi
ngobl
ivi
oust
owhatwasgoi
ng
on.

*
**

El
anglookedatgetroommatewaki
ngup.She
smil
edstari
ngather.Ther
oommateslowlysay
upr
ightf
eeli
ngsasifshehadbeenhitbyatr
ain.
El
angsmi
led.“
Areyouok?
”
Sheshookherheadr
ecal
li
ngbi
tsandpi
ecesofl
ast
ni
ght.
El
angsi
ghed.“Wait
seyoudi
dn’
tsl
eeplastni
ght
.
Youwer
escreamingandmumbli
ng.Ievenst
art
ed
pr
ayi
ngbecauseIwasscar
ed.
”
Theroommat el
ookedatherconfused.“
Iwas
dreaming?I
tfel
tsoreal
.Youlockedmei nt
he
bathr
oom and…”
“
Ilockedyouwer
e?”
Theroommatelaughed.
.“Ican’
tbel
ieveitwasa
dream.Yoh…Iwasgoingcrazyinmydr eam.Matt
er
offact
,Iwascr
azy.”
El
anggotupf
rom herbed.“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.Iguessit’
sschoolstr
ess.Theexamswer
e
wher
ehectic.Ican’
tbel
ieveitwasadream.
“
Itwas.
”
Shegotupandpouredher
sel
fsomewaterfeel
ing
sl
eepysti
ll
.Shel
ookedather
sel
fthensi
ghed
wonder
ingwhyshewouldhavesuchadream…

*
**

I
nMaun,
Keemisati
nhercarwat
chi
ngasmor
eof
herr
elat
ivescel
ebrat
ed.Herbr
otherwal
kedover
andgotinhercar.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“Youshouldhavesai
dno.Howcoul
dyoumar
ryher
offj
ustl
ikethat
?”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Shei
sst
il
last
udent
.Shei
sachi
ld!
”
“Ret
habil
eishappywit
hthi
sman.Andsowhatif
she’
ssti
llastudent
?Heisdoi
ngr
ightbyher
.I
suppor
tthis.
”
“
Becauseyoul
ovemoneysomuch!
”
“Idon’
tevenknowwhat
’swr
ongwi
thyou.Orwhy
youarefight
ing.
”
“Mysi
sterwouldnothavewant
edherdaughterto
getmar
riedl
ikethi
s.Thi
smanistoooldforher.
”
“Yourhusbandi s11yearsol
derthanyou.What’
s
wr ongwithyou?Youaresobitt
erbecauseshe
didn’tcomerunningt
oyouwhenhermot herdi
ed.
Thatshedi dn’
tneedyou.Youaresickandstupi
d.”
Hesteppedoutoft
hecarandwal
kedt
owher
e
ever
yonewas.

*
**

InCapeTown,l
aterthatday,
Rethabi
lesmiledas
Atangwal
kedtowardsthebeachwi t
hher.Thesun
slowl
ysat
,shelookedaroundhappil
y.
“
Ihaveneverbeent
othebeach.
”
Hehel
dherhandandsmi
led.“
Iknow.
”
Shel
ookedatt
het
rai
lofr
osepet
als.
“
Aret
hesef
orsomeone?
”
At
angshr
ugged.“
Idoubt
.”
Shewal keddownt hebeachwit
hhim asitgotdar
k.
From adistanceshecouldseecandl
es.She
squeezedhi shand.“
Arewesupposedtobeher e?
”
“
Iwanttoshowyousomet
hingt
henwegobackt
o
t
hehotel
.”
Shesmi l
edandnodded.Theyapproachedthe
candl
es.Rethabi
lel
ookedattheglowingstonesi
n
thewaterthatmadeabigheartmakingthewater
glow.
At
angl
ookedar
oundt
henf
rowned.
“
Iam comi
ng.It
hinkt
heyr
emovedi
t.
”
“
What
?”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hedi sappear edintothedarkness.Rethabil
e
swallowedl ookingar oundnowt hinki
ngofal lthe
horrorstoriesshehadhear d.Shelookedatthe
stonesi nthewat er,hereyesfall
ingonsomet hing
shininginside.Shet ookoffhershoesandgoti nt he
water .Thewavesmadeherhear tpoundsomuch.
Shehadseenenoughmovi estoknowal otcoul d
happeni nt hewat er.Shehurri
edoveranddi pped
herhandi nt hewat er,t
hewat erbarel
yreachingher
knees.pi ckeditupandl ookedatthegli
tter
ingr i
ng.
“
Hey.
.”
Shedr
oppedt
her
ingi
nthewat
erst
art
led.At
ang
smi
led.
“
Hi…”
Sheputherhandonherchest
.“Youscar
edme..I
thi
nksomeoneispl
anningsomethi
nghere.We
shoul
dgo.”
Shel
ookedi
nthewat
erandpi
ckedt
her
ing.
“
See?Weshoul
dgo.Letmeputi
tback.
”
At
angt
ookt
her
ingf
rom her
.
“Letmesaysomet hi
ngfi
rst…Iknowthedr
eam i
sto
goabroadforschool
.Iknowwhatyouwant.AndI
wanttoseeyouachievi
ngit.Iwantt
obebyyour
sidewhenyouachieveit
.”
Rethabi
lesmiled.Het
ouchedherhands.“Il
oveyou
somuch.Iwantt obewithyoufor
ever.Iwantus
toget
herineveryway.Iwantt
obeyourper manent
cheerl
eader
.Yourpermanentnumber1f an.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
“
Ihaveneverbeent
hishappyandIwantt
ofeell
ike
t
hisf
orever
..
”
Heslowl
ywentdownonhi
skneei
nthewat
ert
hen
hel
doutther
ing.
“
Iam al
readyt hehappiestmanint heplanet.Iwant
t
omakeyout hehappiestwomani nthepl anet.I
wantustobeanof fi
cialteam.Idon’tknowwhatt he
f
utur
ehol dsbutIwantt oexper
ienceitwi t
hyou.
Marr
ymebabe…l et’
smakei toffi
cial
…Pl easebe
MrsDaniel…”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#41

Rethabi
lelookedathiminshock.Shepunched
hersel
fbuthewasst i
llt
here,
stil
lkneel
ingholdi
nga
ri
ng.Shethoughtofherdegree,hergoals,
whatshe
wanted.Sheswal l
owedthenlookedinhisfearf
ul
eyes,t
earsburningherown.Atearroll
eddownher
cheek.
Theri
ngst
aredr
ightbackather
.Anot
hert
earr
oll
ed
down.
“
Whataboutschool
?”
“Iwil
lneverst
opyouf rom t
hereachingthegreater
height
syou’vealwayswant edt
or each.Iwanttobe
byyoursidehelpi
ngyour eachthem.Iknowyour
dream…Iwi l
lnotstandbetweenyouandt hat
.Il
ove
you.”
Shel
ookedatt
her
ingagai
nandnoddedcr
ying.
Hel
ookedathersmi
li
ng.“
Ist
hatayes?
”
“
Yes.
”
Atangcl
osedhi
seyesthenopenedt
hem andsli
dit
onherfi
nger
.Hegotupandhuggedhert
ightl
y.
From adist
ancethecameramanhi r
edcapt
ured
everyt
hingastheyki
ssedstandi
nginthewat
er.He
stoppedthevi
deoandsmiledsati
sfi
ed.Hewalked
awayhummi ng.

*
**
I
nKasane,t
hateveni
ng,
RragweAtangsmiled
r
eadi
ngAtang’
smessage.Helookedathi
swife.
“
Atangsaysshesai
dyes.
”
“Good.Wewouldn’thavewantedtogobackt ot hat
famil
yagain.Whathedidwasar i
sk.Thatgir
lissti
ll
young,i
t’
snotli
keshei sdesperat
etosettl
edown.
Sheisnotunderpressureunli
kesomewomen. .”
“Sheloveshim.Shemakeshi m happy.He’
sver
y
happywi t
hthatgi
rl
.Andhedi drightt
omar r
yher
beforeshewentoverseas.Thesewhitemenare
vult
ures.NowshewillbegoingasRet habi
le
Daniel.
”
“
Atl
eastAt
angcanbr
eat
he.
”
“Sheprobabl
ymakesitdif
ficul
tforhimtobreathe.
Sheistoobeauti
ful
.Butshe’stheri
ghtf
ulsi
zef or
him.Notthefooddepr
ivedgirl
sheusedt osleep
with.
”
MmagweAt
angl
aughed.“
Stopi
t.
”
“
Iam t
ell
ingyou.Iwentt
her
ethel
astt
ime.He
doesn’
tsl
eepatni
ght
.”
“
AiiRr
agweAt
ang!
”
“Iam t
ell
ingyou.Herepresent
suswel
l
..t
hat
’s
exact
lywhatItaughthim.”
“
Whatdi
dyout
eachhi
m?”
RragweAtangtookthebi
blef
rom herl
apandputi
t
asidet
henkissedher.
“
Iwi
llshowwhatIt
aughthi
m.”
Shel
aughedashegotont
opofher
.
“Don’
tdothatthi
ngyoudidlastt
ime.Nnakealapa.
Iam notyounganymore.Mangoleameabotoko.
(Mykneesarepainf
ul.
)”
Hekissedhertaki
ngof
fherni
ghtdr
essthen
r
eachedforthelubont
hesideofgthebed.

*
**

Lat
ert
hateveni
ngAgangwal
kedi
nhi
shousest
il
lin
hissuit
.Batangfol
lowedbehi
ndyawni ngwith
exhausti
on.Agangswitchedont
hel i
ght,hi
sheart
skippedasbelookedatNkamositt
ingonhi scouch.
Agangl
ookedatBat
ang.“
Goandsl
eepbuddy.
”
Bat
angnoddedandwal
kedaway.Agangsi
ghed.
“
Howdi
dyougeti
nsi
de?
”
“
Ihaveaspar
ekey.
”
“
Ihavebot
hmykeys.Wher
edi
dyougetyour
s?”
“
Ihadonemadef
orme.Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ng
f
rom?”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Ok.Soyoucancomei
nandoutas
youpl
easei
nmyhouse.?”
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“Ithinkyouneedt ohealfrom whatyouwent
through.Seeat herapi
st.Whathappenedwi th
Bat engshowedmej usthowbr okenyouare.Iknow
youwant edtobur nhim sohecanadmi ttomebr ing
hisf at
herwhenIhadt ol
dyouwhom hewas.You
needt oseesomeone.Youneedpr of
essi
onalhelp
andnowIseei twhyyourr el
ationshi
psdon’tlast
.”
“
Youar
ebr
eaki
ngupwi
thme?
’
“
Youneedt
imet
oheal
.”
“
ButIam f
ine.
”
“Youarenot.Youneedhelp.Iwil
ldr
opyouof fat
yourhouse.Anddon’tt
hinkyoucantrypsycho
tendenci
esonme, Iwil
lki
llyou.
”
Shelookedathi
mt ear
ful
lyandstart
edcr yi
ng.
Agangwalkedtotheguestroom andlookedat
Bat
ang.
“Buddy,Iam dr
oppi
ngof
faunt
yatherhouse.Come
andlock.”
“
Ok.
”
AgangwalkedovertoNkamoandpickedherupat
asshecri
edevenlouder.Bat
angcl
osedthedooras
AgangputNkamoi nsi
de.
Hejumpedinanddrovetohersi
ster
’shouse.
Agangpar
kedatthegateandlookedatNkamo.
“
Let
sgo.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“Youneedt oseesomeone.Iwi llpayforyour
sessionsbutyouneedhel p.Iwillsendyoumoney
foryourlegs.Iwillbekeepingint ouchwit
hyour
ther
api st
.Aftershedeclar
esyouwel l,wewil
lget
backt ogether.
”
Hesteppedoutoft hecarandtookherinsi
det he
gatecarryi
ngher.Heknockedont hedoor.
.seconds
l
aterNkamo’ ssi
steropenedthedoor.Shelookedat
heroldersi
sterandsighed.
“
Whatdi
dshedo?
”
“
CanIputherdown?
”
Thesist
eropenedthedoorwider
.Hewal
kedinand
putheronthecouchthentur
nedtot
hesi
ster
.
“
Yoursi
sterneedshel
p.Iam goi
ngt
ofi
ndsomeone
t
ohelpher.
”
Theyoungsi
sternodded.“
Ok.Ihopeshedi
dn’
t
causemuchdamage.”
“
No.
”
“
ThankGod.Thankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngherher
e.”
“
Cool
.”
HekissedNkamot henwal
kedout
.Nkamo’
s
youngersi
stersi
ghed.
“Youcoul
dn’tkeepitgoingcouldyou?Youruinedit
l
ikeyourui
never yt
hingelse.IwishIcoul
djusttake
youanddumpyouatSbr anabecauseIam ti
red!I
am ti
redNkamo.It hi
nkyoushoul dgobackhome.
Tomama…”Thesi stersnif
fed.
Nkamoshookherheadt
ear
ful
ly.“
Iwi
lll
oseAgang.
”
“Youhaveal
readyl osthi
m becauseyoudon’
twant
todri
nkyourpil
ls.Ithi
nkyoushouldgohome.I
can’
tkeepdoingthis.Notanymore.
”

*
**

InCapeTownt hefoll
owingmor ni
ng,Rethabil
e
l
ookedatherdi amondr i
ngonherfinger,
itfi
t
perfectl
y.Sheskiditoffherf
ingerandlookedatit
closelybefor
eslidi
ngitbackonherf i
nger.Atang
walkedbacki ntheroom andlookedather.
“
Iwi
shwecanst
ayabi
tlongerbutwewi
llcome
back.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngme.Il
ovei
t.
”
Heki ssedthent ookherbagandwal kedoutwith
her.Theygoti nacabwai ti
ngforthem atthe
entrance.Rethabiler
estedherheadonhi schest
stari
ngatherr ing.

*
**

InGaborone,Agangpar kedhiscaratZaza’
shouse
andwalkedinsidethroughthegate.Heknockedon
thedoorandwai t
ed..minuteslat
ershewalkedout
.
“
Hi.
.Iwantt
odot
het
est
sagai
n.”
Shenoddedthenmovedfrom t
hedoorlet
ti
nghimi
n.
Shewalkedt
ot hesi
tt
ingr
oom andtur
nedtohim.
“
Youcant
akehi
m.Iwi
llr
emai
nher
e.”
“
Areyouok?
”
Shenodded.“
Ifoundabuyerformyplotbutshe
saysshehasonly50k.Iam t
hinki
ngofj
usttaki
ng
that.Ididresear
chandtherei
sahospit
ali
nSouth
Afri
ca.Theycansavehi m.Theyhavedeal
twit
h
grade4br aincancerbef
oreandwon.Iam goi
ngt
o
takeal oantoo.”
Agangl
ookedathi
m.“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Hehascancer
?”
“
Isentyouamessage.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tseeanyt
hing.
”
Shepi
ckedherphoneandhandedi tt
ohim whi
le
mumbli
ngi naudi
bly.Shesatdownandkeptquiet
i
m completesil
encestari
ngatthewall
.Agang
l
ookedatthemessagesandswal lowed.
“
I…”
“
Youbl
ockedme.
”
Hesl
owl
ysatdown.
Shesl
owl ytur
nedt ohim.“Iam goingtosavehi
m.”
Shesmiledtearf
ull
y.“Iam notlosingmyson.Not
l
iket
his.I’
dratherdie.Iam notlosingmyson.
”
Agangpul
ledheri
nhi
sar
msasshebr
okedown
cr
ying.
*
**

AtSirSeret
seKhamaInternat
ionalAi
rpor
t,At
ang
walkedoutwit
hRethabil
e.Amanst eppedoutoft
he
Amar okandhandedAtangthecarkeys.
“
Thanks!
”
Themansmi
ledwal
kingaway.“
Sur
e,wewi
llt
alk.
”
Theygoti
nthecar
,At
angl
ookedatRet
habi
le.
“
Ihavet
otel
lyousomet
hing.
”
“
What
?”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#42
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
What
?”
“
Ial
readyspoket
omyuncl
es.
”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handswal
lowed.“
Obat
ago
nt
samagadi
?”
“
Yes.
”
“What
’sgoi
ngt
ohappent
ouswhenIgoabr
oad…i
fI
go.
”
“
Youaregoi
ngt
ogo.Andwewi
llbef
ine.Wewi
ll
f
indawaytomakei
twor
k.”
“Whati
fyougett
iredofwai
ti
ngf
ormet
ocome
back?Wil
lyoudi
vorceme?”
“Ther
eisnot
hingt
hatwi
llmakemet
ir
ed.I
t’
sal
eap
offai
th…”
Hekissedher
.“Don’
tovert
hink…wewi
lldealwi
th
eachdayasitcomes.Together
.”
“
Itf
eel
sli
keadr
eam.
”
Hesmi
led.“
It
snot
.”
Shelookedatherr
ingandsmi
led.“
Youwantmet
o
tal
ktomalume?”
“
Ial
readyaskedmyuncl
est
o.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.Sowhenar
eyou-
“
“
Yest
erday.Idi
dyest
erday.
”
“
Youdi
dwhat
?”
“
Ipai
dyourbr
idepr
ice.
”
Shepaused.“
Youwhat
?”
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
owai
t.
”
“
Soyoual
readypai
d?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Howmuch?Whot
ooki
t?”
“
Youruncl
e.He’
sgoi
ngt ot
alkt
oyou.Ij
ustwant
ed
t
otel
lyoubefor
ehecal
led.
”
“
Howmuchdi
dyoupay?
”
“
That
’smysecr
et.
”
Shesmi
led.“Ican’
tbel
ievet
his.Youwantt
omake
meawif
e? ”
“
Youar
eal
readyawi
fe.
”
Shelookedatherri
ng.“Ican’
tbel
ieveyoureal
ly
wantmeasawi f
e.Ineverimagi
nedgetti
ng
marr
ied.”
“Onemor et hi
ng, It
hinkyouar epregnant.Youare
getti
ngthicker.Iam notsur esogoandcheck.Iam
workingmanwhocanaf f
or dmywi f
eandchildr
en.
Pleasedon’tkillmychildifyouar e.Icanaff
ord
taki
ngcar eofyouandhi m maki ngsureyouhave
everythi
ngyouneedatal ltimes.Icanaf f
orda
nannywhocanhel pus.Eveni fyouar etogo
abroadforschool ,Iwil
lsti
lltakecareofyouandt he
baby.”
Shelookedathi
mthought
ful
lyt
henswal
lowed.
“But
…”
At
angki
ssedher
.“Pl
easedon’
tki
llmychi
ld.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkIam pr
egnantAt
ti
e.”
“
Let
’spassbyt
hecl
ini
c.Iwantapr
operscan.
”
Hestar
tedthecaranddroveof
fheadedt
oacl
ini
c
whi
leherheartpounded.
*

Att
hecli
nic,Atangwalkedi nsidewithher.Hespoke
t
othereceptioni
stwhil
eRet habile’
sheartracedso
muchshef oundherselfshaking.Theysatdownby
t
hewaiti
ngar eawaiti
ngf orthedoctor.
Atangheldherhandandki
ssedi
t.Mi
nut
esl
atera
femaledoct
orwalkedover
.
“
Mr .AndMrsDani
el,
Iam Dr
.Ti
ku,
youcancome
t
hrough.”
Theyf
oll
owedaf
terhert
oherof
fi
ce.
“Wewantt odoscanandseei
fmywi
fei
s
pregnant
.”
Thedoctorsmi
led.“
Ok.Youcanputont
heboon
tuber
ighti
nthebathroom.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atangtookouthisphonethenpi
ckedacal
lwal
king
out.Ret
habil
elookedatthedoct
or.
“
Ithi
nkIam pr
egnantbutIam notr
eady.Canyou
sayIam not
.Pl
ease.
”
Thedoct
orl
ookedather
.“Youwantmet
oli
e?”
Tear
sfil
ledhereyes.“
Iam notready.Idon’tknow
howithappened.Iam oncont
raceptives.Pl
ease…I
can’
thaveababynow. ”
“
Andwhathappensaf
teryousayyouar
enot
?”
“Iwanttodoasurgicalabor
ti
on.Iam notr
eady.
He’smyboyfr
iend.Ihaveschool.Idon’
twanta
chil
dli
miti
ngme.Please…”
Thedooropenedt henAtangwalkedin.Rethabil
e
smiledwal
kingt ot
hebathroom.Minuteslatershe
walkedoutandgotont hebed.Atangexcit
edlyheld
herhandsmi l
ing.
“
Wewi
lldoat
ransvagi
nalscan.
”
Shet
ookapr
obeandputsomegi
rloni
t.
“
It
’sgoi
ngt
obeal
it
tl
ecol
d.”
Rethabil
etookadeepbr eat
hasthedoctorpushed
theprobeinsi
deher.Theyalll
ookedatscreen.The
doctorswall
owedthenturnedtoAtang.
“
Uh…no.Idon’
tseeanyt
hing.Fal
seal
arm Iguess.
”
At
ang’
ssmi
ledi
eddown.“
Areyousur
e?”
“
100%.
”
“
Pleasecheck.
”
Shelookedatt
hescr
eenandsi
ghed.“
Not
hing.
.I
am sorr
y.”
Hesighed.“
Okthanks.
”Hel
ookedatThabi
.“Ar
e
youokbabe?”
Tear
srol
leddown.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Don’
tcr
y.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Heki
ssedher
.“Don’
tbe.Butcanwet
ry?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andnoddedcr
ying.“
Yes.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Real
ly?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
Hehuggedhert
ight
ly.“
Thankyou.Let
’sgohome
andst
artt
ryi
ng.
”
Hi
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngagai
n.Het
ooki
toutand
l
ookedatPri
ncecal
l
ingt
henki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
Letmetaket
his.
”
Hewal
kedout
.Shel
ookedatt
hedoct
or.
“
Thankyou.
”
Thedoctorwalkedoverandpushedtheprobe
i
nsideheragain.Ret
habil
efrowned.Shemovedit
onandaboutt henpausedastheybothli
stenedt
o
thehear
tbeat.Thedoctorsmil
ed.
“
It
’sagirl
…sheisprett
ystrong.Youar
eabout17
weeks.Congr
atul
ati
ons.”
“Iwanttobookf
oranabor
ti
on.Doyouper
for
m
abort
ions?
”
Thedoct
orsi
ghed.“
Yes.
”
“
Iwantt
obooki
n.Tomor
rowmor
ning.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shegotupandchangedt
henwal
kedout
.At
ang
smil
ed.
“
Let
’sgoandt
ry.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iwasoncont
racept
ionsoi
tmi
ght
t
aket
ime.
”
“
It
sok.Il
oveyou.
”
Shesmi
ledhuggi
nghi
m.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#43

Rethabi
lewalkedi
nsideAtang’
shousewhi l
ehe
foll
owedbehindcar
ryingt
heirbags.Shesatdown
feel
ingheavyonhershoul
ders.Atanglookedather
.
“
Areyouokbabe?
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Iam f
ine.Justt
ir
ed.
”
Atangwalkedtothebedroom witht
hebagst hen
camebacki nsweatpant
sshirt
lessholdi
nghis
l
otion.Ret
habil
elookedatbandagerightabovehis
abdomenashesatdownt aki
ngherlegs.Hepl aced
t
hem onhi
slapandt
ookof
fhershoes.
Heputsomelot
ioninhi
shandandgentl
y
massagedherf
eet.Her
aisedhi
sheadandf
ound
herst
ari
ng.
“
Youshoul
dst
opwear
ingcl
osedshoesf
ort
he
whol
eday.
”
Shesmil
ed.“
OkDoc.
”Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
“At
ti
e…”
Hesmi
led.“
Yes…”
“
Whatwi
llhappeni
fwedon’
thaveki
ds?
”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Whatwi
llhappeni
fwedon’
thaveki
ds?
”
“
Whydoyouask?
”
Sheputherf
eetdownandstraddl
edhi
m.At
angout
hi
shandsaroundherwai
st.
“Youbadlywantachi
ld.Icanseeyouare
disappoi
ntedt
hatIam not
.Butwhatifwejustdon’
t
havekids?”
“
Whywoul
dn’
thaveki
ds?YouandIar
efer
ti
le.
”
Shelookedathi
m andsmil
ed.“
Woul
dyoul
eaveme
i
fIcouldn’
tgi
veyouachil
d?”
“
Babewhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“WhatwillhappenifIcan’tgi
veyoukids?Anythi
ng
canbeapr oblem.Whati fIcan’
tcarr
yfullt
erm?Or
whatifIcan’tgetpr
egnantbecauseIoncehadan
abor
ti
on…whatwi llhappenthen?”
“
Wewi
llseeksecondopi
nion.Ther
ear
eopt
ions.
”
“Can’
twejuststaywit
houtkids?WhydoIhavet o
shareyourl
ove?Chil
dlesscouplesarehappy.Ther
e
arealotofpeoplewhoarehappywi t
houtkids.
”
“
Ret
habi
le-
“
“
Didyouknowcanceri
sheredi
tar
y.Imayhaveit.
Mymotherhadi
t.Hermot
herdidtoo.Icanhavei
t
t
oo.”
“
Babe-
“
“
AndImaydi
eandl
eavemychi
ldr
ent
osuf
fer
!”
“
Thabi
..
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Iwasj
ustwonder
ing…”
“
Don’
tyouwantki
ds?
”
“
Ido.Ij
ust…”Sheki
ssedhi
m.“
Ido.Iwasj
ust
wonder
ing.Ido.
”
“
Tal
ktome.
”
“
Iam f
ine.Justt
hatsomet
imesIwonder
.”
“Iknowcancerisher
edit
ary.Buti
tdoesn’
tmean
youhaveitorthat
’si
ncurabl
e.”
“
Iknow.Ij
ust
..“Shesi
ghed.
At
anglookedinhereyes.“
Andyouwon’tshar
emy
l
ove.Il
oveyou.Il
oveyoumorethananythi
ng.”
Shesmi
ledr
est
ingherheadonhi
schest
.“Il
ove
yout
oo.
”
Atangfli
ppedt hem andst ar
edather.“Idon’tknow
whattomor rowhol ds.Orwhatt hedayaf t
erhasi n
stor
e.IknowIl oveyou.IknowIwoul dchooseyou
overandoveragai n.IknowIwantyout oday…
tomorrowandt hedayaf terthat
.Iwantyouf orever
.
IknowIam wi llingtotakeal eapoffait
handt rust
ourlove.IknowIwoul dgi veanyt
hingforyou.”
Shesmi
ledemot
ional
ly.“
Iam scar
ed.Iam scar
ed
ofthefutur
e.Iam scaredofwhatthefut
urecan
bri
ng.Iam scaredofdyingandleavi
ngthepeopl
eI
l
ove.Iam scaredoflosingyou.Il
oveyousomuch…
Idon’twanttoloseyou.”
“Youarenotlosingme.Andyoudon’thavet
obe
scared.Iam r
ighther
eandreadytogiveyou
anyt
hing.Whatdoyouneedf rom me?”
Shesni
ff
ed.“
Not
hing.Youar
eper
fect
.”
Atangkissedhertaki
ngoffherdress.Hesl
owly
madel ovetoheronthecouch.Rethabil
emovedher
waistunderneat
hhim ashekissedherneckmoving
ontopofher .

*
**

Agangsati nZaza’shousewhil
esheslepti
nhis
arms, hepressedthi
sphonecheckingdoct
orsi
n
India.Zazamovedont opofhim waki
ngup.She
quicklygotupthinki
ngofherson.
Agangpul
ledherback.“
Hey…he’
sok.Hewokeup.
Wat
chedTVandat
ethenhepl
ayedandsl
ept
.”
“
Whatt
imei
sit
?”
“
It
’sj
ustaf
ter4.
”
“
Isl
eptt
hewhol
eday?
”
“Yes.Goodthi
ngi
sIfoundadoct
ori
nChi
na.He
canhelphim.He’
sgood.
”
Zazasmi
led.“Ok…howmuchi
sit
?Iwast
hinki
ngof
sel
li
ngmypr oper
tyt
oo.
”
“
Youdon’thavetosel
lanyt
hing.Iwi
lldi
ginf
rom
mysavi
ngsandIcangetmuchmor emoneyfrom
t
hebank.
.Itshouldbeabl
etocovermostthi
ngs.
”
“Iwi
llgi
veyout
hemoneyf
rom t
hepl
otandcar
.To
addon.”
“Ok.I
t’
snotyourf
aul
t.St
opbl
ami
ngyour
sel
f.You
areagreatmom.”
Zazashookherhead.“
Iam not
.ButIwi
llbeabet
ter
mom.”
“Youar
ethebestmom.Youcoul
dn’thaveknown.
Youarehuman.St
opbl
amingyoursel
f.”
Hehuggedher
.Shehel
dhi
mti
ght
lynowhopef
ul.
“Ihavet
ogoandpickBat
angfr
om school
.Ifyou
don’tmi
nd,wecancomeher
eandkeepyou
company.”
Shesteppedback.“
Maybeyoushoul
ddoDNAt
est
s
fi
rst
.”
“
Itcanwai
t.
”
“
Wher
eisThabi
?”
“
Wit
hAt
ang.
”
Zazasmil
ed.“Youguyscancome.Ihopeyour
gi
rlf
ri
enddoesn’tmi
nd.
”
“
Iendedt
hat
.Itwasn’
twor
king.
”

*
**

Elang’
sroommat esatintheroom thi
nkingofher
dream t
hatevening.Shecouldn’
tstopthinking
aboutit
.Shesti
llcouldn’
tbeli
eveitwasonl ya
dream.Ithadn’
tli
keitatallormaybeshewasgoi ng
cr
azy.
Shepi
ckedhernovel
.El
angwal
kedi
n.“
Hi.
.”
Shesmi
led.“
Hi.
”
Elangsatonherbedtakingoutherphone.She
checkedherFacebookmessagesbutt herewas
nothi
ng.Shetookhershoesandl ai
donherbed
constr
ucti
ngherplan.Theroommat er
eadacouple
bodsentencesfr
om hernovelthenputitawayand
l
aidonherbed.
El
angl
ookedatherandcont
inuedwi
thherpl
ans.

*
**

Thef
oll
owi
ngday,
Atangpar
kedt
heAmar
okatUB.
“Cal
lmewhenyouar
edone.Iwi
llcomeandpi
ck
youup.
”
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandwavedwal
kingaway.
Shetookoutherphoneandcall
edadif
fer
entcli
nic.
“Hi
,Iwouldli
ketomakeanappoi
ntmentf
ora
sur
gicalabor
ti
on.”
“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
17weeks.
”
“
Unf
ort
unat
elyDr
.Ikemedoesn’
t-
“
“Iwasraped.Idon’
twantt
okeept
hischi
ld.
Please…”

*
**

Dr.Tikusati
nheroff
icethatsamemor ni
ng,guil
ty
eati
ngherup.Shereachedforherphonestari
ngat
Atang’snumberonapieceofpaper.Shedial
edit
thencall
edhim.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Mr.Dani
el,
it’
sDr
.Ti
ku.Ihavet
otel
lyousomet
hing.
Iam sorr
yI.
.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#44

At
anghel
dhi
sphonedr
ivi
ngwi
thonehand.
“Ijustreal
izedt
hatthemoni t
orwewer eusing
yest er
daywastogof orservi
cingbecauseit’
sbeen
givingussomepr oblems.Ifpossibl
e,mayyou
pleasecomewi thyourwifeforanotherscan.Fr
ee
ofchar ge.Wegreat
lyapologizefort
his.
”
“
Uhyeah.Iwi
llbr
ingherl
atert
oday.
”
“
Per
fect
.Seeyousoon.
”
Hehungupandsmi l
ed.Hedial
edRethabil
ebuther
numberwasbusy.Hesighedanddr
ovet oAgang’
s
workpl
ace.
Heparkedatt
heparki
nglotandwalkedi
nsi
dethe
bui
ldi
ng.Ther
ecept
ioni
stlookedathi
m,hedi
dn’t
knowt
hisone.Sheseemednew.Hesmi
led.
“
Hi.
”
“
MrDani
el.Goodmor
ning.
”
“
Canyoupl
easebr
ingmecof
feet
omyof
fi
ce.
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
At
angwalkedawayt
henwentupt
hestair
s.He
l
ookedathi
sbrot
her
’sPA,
Olesmi
led.“
Twinni
e.”
At
angl
aughed.“
OtaswabaOl
e.Ot
eng?
”
“
Yeshe’
sin.
”
At
angopenedhi
sbrot
her’
sdoorandwal
kedinsi
de.
Hesatdownwhi
leAgangspokeonhi
sphone.
“Ineed200k.CanIgeti
tthen?…Ok,
when?Ok,
cool.
”
Aganghungupwhi
l
eAt
angst
ared.
“
Thatmuch?Whati
fitdoesn’
twor
k?”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Ithast
owor
k.”
“
Don’tt
akemoneyfrom t
hebank.Iwil
lgetyouthe
moneybutyouneedtocaref
ull
ythi
nkaboutthi
s.
He’sachil
d,oneyou’
vebeendenyi
ng.Canhe
handl
eit?He’sonl
y2.”
“
He’
smyboy.If
ail
edhi
mfort
woyear
s.Notagai
n.”
Atanglookedathi
sbr
otherandnodded.“
Iwi
llget
youthemoney.”
“
Thanks.Zazai
shopef
ul…”
“
Howi
sshehandl
ingi
t?”
“
Shei
sscar
ed.Shesayst
hecanceri
sher
edi
tar
y.”
“
Yah…Thabii
sscar
edshemi
ghtgeti
t.
”
“
Chancesar
ehi
gh.
”
“
Shei
sscar
edofdyi
ngandl
eavi
ngherchi
ld.
”
“
Iam scar
edmysonmi
ghtdi
e..
”
“
Wher
eisNkamo?
”
“It
ookhertohersi
ster
’shouseaf
tersheal
most
burntBat
angaccusi
nghim ofbei
ngmyson.”
“
Shewhat
?”
“
Shebur
nther
sel
finst
ead.It
hinkpur
posel
y.She’
s
t
oodamaged.
”
“
Thesecr
azyonesar
eyourt
ype.
”
Aganglaughed,
Oleopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedat
Atang.
“
Cof
feeyagagoet
sil
eMr
.Dani
el.
”
At
anglookedatherandsmi
led.“
Thanks.Youl
ook
ni
ce.
”
Ol
esmi
ledandcl
osedt
hedoor
.At
angst
oodup.
“Ihavetogo.Wewil
ltal
k.Youar
edoingwel
l.I
heardyouwereint
henewspaperlebaf
anaba
corrupt
ion.
”
“
Connect
ions!
”
Atanglaughedwal
kingout
.Olewat
chedhim ashe
walkedoutthensi
ghedpri
nti
ngadocumentforher
boss.

*
**

Aroundl
unchhour,
Ret
habi
lewalkedoutoft
he
l
ibrar
yhol
dingabookwi
thherbagonherarm.She
tookoutherphoneandcal
ledAt
angwal
kingt
othe
gate.
“
Hi,
Iam done.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
llbet
her
eint
enmi
nut
es.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hehungup.Shewalkedoutoftheschoolpremises
andsatbythebusst
opwaitingforhi
m.Herphone
rang,shet
ookadeepbreat
hstaringatheruncl
e
call
ing.
“
Mal
ome…”
“
Thabi
,howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Let
eng?(
Areyouwel
l
?)”
“
Wear ewel
lmyni
ece.Uh,
ist
hisagoodt
imet
o
t
alk?
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“Ok.TheDanielf
ami l
ycameandpaidyourbri
de
price,
Iam sur
ehet ol
dyou.Wehadbeent ol
dthi
s
youngmanwasr eadytoof
fi
cial
lymakeyouhisand
alsothathewasgoingtoaskforyourhandi
n
mar
ri
age.
”
“
Hedi
d.Thankyouf
orwhatyoudi
d.”
“Nowor r
ies.Ir
eall
yliket
hisyoungman.Hel oves
youandt akescareofyouandyourbr ot
her.Iam
happyGodbl essedyouwithagoodmanwhol oves
you.Iknowwher evermysisteri
s,sheissohappy.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“Wear enowonewi ththeDani elfami l
y.Theyar e
goodl evelheadedf amily.Theyacknowl edget he
factthatyouhaveayoungerbr otherandt heydon’t
mi nd.Iam notgoi ngtot akemuchf rom t hemoney
thatcamebutr atherIwast hinkingwer enovat e
yourmot her’
shouseandputat ombst oneonher
grave.Fort helongesttime, mysi sterandIdi dn’
t
talkbecauseshebel i
evedIwasst i
llaftermy
mot her’
shouse, notthatIbl amedherbut …i twas
tenyear saftermymot her ’spassi ngt hatIaccept ed
thatthehousewasher s.Idi dn’ttryresol vi
ngour
disagreement s,Iwaspr idefulandIr egreti tmore
thananyt hing.Ididn’
tevenknowshewassi ck.ButI
willdorightwi t
hherkids.Iknowyouwantt ogo
abroad,Ineedyoutoknowthatwheni
tget
sto
assist
ingyouwithanyt
hingyoumayneed,
Iam
al
waysher e.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.
.“Eer
ra.
”
“
Goodmychi
ld.Iwil
lcal
lyousowecandi
scusst
he
t
ombst
onei
ssue.”
“
Yes.
”
Hehungup.Rethabil
esmiledhappi
ly,shel
ookedat
herf
ingert
hentookouttheri
ngfrom herpocket
andsli
ditonherfi
nger.
“
Hi…”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatEl
angasshesatbesi
deher
.
“
Iam gl
adIf
oundyou.Ihavebeenl
ooki
ngf
oryou.
”
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“
Iknowyouareangr
ywithme.Youprobablyhate
me.Idon’
tbl
ameyou.Youhaveever
yrighttobe.
”
“
Elang-
“
“Iam sor
ry.Iam sorr
yIt
ookoutmyfrustr
ati
onson
you.Youdidn’tdeser
vet
hat
.Iam sor
ry.IknowI
don’tdeser
veyouasaf ri
end.Thereisonlymuch
someonecant akeandIknowyouar eti
red.Iam
sorr
y.”Tearsf
il
ledElang’
seyes.“Igotyouthis
j
uice…peaceof f
eri
ng.Idon’
thavemuchmoney. ”
TheAmar
okpar
kedbyt
hebusst
op.
“
Ihavetogo.Thi
sfri
endshi
pshouldjustend.It
hink
weshoul
djustkeepourdi
stance.Goodluck.
”
Shest
oodupt
aki
ngherbag.El
angst
oodupt
oo.
“
Yourj
uice.
”
Ret
habil
esi ghedandtookthesmallbot
tleof
or
angejuice.Shegotinthecar.El
angwat chedas
Ret
habil
er eceivedaki
ssthenherboyfr
ienddrove
away.

*
**

At
angl
ookedatRet
habi
ledr
ivi
ng.
“
Youar
efr
iendsagai
n?”
“
No.She’
sbackagai
nbutt
hist
imei
t’
snotgoi
ngt
o
wor
k.Iam sot
ir
ed.
”
“Iwantust opasst
hrought
hatcl
inicfi
rst
.The
doctorcal
ledandwantstodoanotherscan.
”
Ret
habi
leswal
lowed.“
What
?Why?
”
“
Shesaidthemoni
torsheusedwassupposedt
ogo
f
orser
vici
ng.Youmightbepregnant
…”
Rethabil
eheldAtang’
shand.“
Pleaselet’
sgo
tomorrow.Ihaveanexam i
nthemor ning.Wecan
gointheafter
noon.Iam t
ir
ed.Andhungr y.
”
“
Itwon’
ttakel
ong.I
t’
sjustt
womi
nut
es.
”
Sheleanedoverandkissedhim whi
let
heywant
ed
fort
hetraf
fi
clightt
oturngreen.
“Canwepl easegotomorr
ow.Thatpl
acemakesme
nervous.Idon’
twanttobepokedwit
hthi
ngstoday.
Let’
sgot omorrow.
”
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Rethabi
let
ookoffhershoesadjust
ingt
hecarseat
.
Sheputherfeetonthedashboardandcl
osedher
eyesrel
axi
ng.
Sheslowlyfel
lasl
eep.Hedroveforawhil
ethen
fi
nal
lyparkedthecarunderatr
eeandlookedather
smil
ing.
“
Babe…”
Thabi
l
ewokeup.Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Wear
e
home?”
Shesatupr
ightst
ari
ngatt
hebush.“
Wher
ear
ewe?
”
“Thisi
saplot
.Justoutsi
deGabs.Iwast
hinki
ng
thataf
terwegetmarr
ied,maybewebuyaplotand
buil
dourhome.”
Shelookedatt
hespacet
henathi
m.“
Youwantt
o
bui
ldahouse?”
Heshookhishead.“No.Iwantustobui
ldahome.
Toget
her
.Itwil
lbeforourfamil
y.”
Shesmil
ed.“Iwoul
dlovethat
.Youar
epayi
ngf
ori
t
ri
ght
?Idon’tmoneynow.”
Helaughed.“
Wear eone.Mymoneyi
syourmoney.
That’
swhatitmeansbeingat
eam.Ther
e’snoIi
n
thi
s.Onl
ywe. ”
Hepul
ledheronhi
slapadj
ust
inghi
sseat
.He
ki
ssedher
.Thabi
lesmi
led.
“
Ok.Youwantt
hisspace.
”
“
Iwantyoutoseei
tsothatwecanf
indsomewher
e
webot
hlikeandwantt
ostayat
.”
“
Ili
kei
t.I
t’
sfarf
rom t
heci
tyr
ush.
”
Atangtouchedherstomach.“Thankyouforsayi
ng
yesforachild.Ican’
twai
tforthi
s.Iam t
hinki
ng
maybei t
’sgoingtobeaboy.”
“
Oragi
rl
.”
Hesmiled.“
Ifi
twi
llbeagi
rl
,weshoul
dcal
lher
Warona.”
“
No.War onai
stooordi
naryandcommon.Il
ike
Mir
aya.IwantEngl
ishnames.”
“
Whatdoest
hatevenmean?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.I
t’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Ekar
el eunalamakul
a.Ebil
erekabitsasecond
bornRajesh.
(Soundsl
ikeanIndianname.Wemi ght
aswellcallt
hesecondbornRajesh.
)”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Ther
raMi
rayai
sbeaut
if
ul.
Ut
wa…mmagweRaya.
”
“
War
onai
sni
cebabe.
”
“
No.Andi
fwehaveaboy.
.wewi
llcal
lhi
m Ramon.
”
“
Mai
naamakul
a.”
“
RragweMi
rayal
eRamonDani
el.
”
“
No.TheboykeOt
sil
e.I
twi
llbeWar
onaOt
sil
e.I
t
makessense.
”
“Mi
rayaandRamon.Yournamescanbesecond
names.Nnakebat
agonnammagweRaya. ”
“
MmagweWawa.
”
“
Atang.
.keRaya.TsaboWar
onaket
sagagokwa.
”
“MmekanaommagweWar ona.I
t’
sadonedeal .
Youwi l
lbet
hemostbeautif
ulmmagweWar onain
hist
ory.
”Hetouchedherst
omach.“Shewillbe
beauti
ful
.Maybeshewouldhaveyoureyes.”
Rethabil
esmiledthenputherhandoverhi
s.
“Hopeful
lynotyourears.
”
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thmyear
s?Theseear
sar
esexy.
”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Theyl
iedt
oyou.
”
“
Thesecanbef eat
uredi
namagazi
ne.That
’swhat
madeyoufal
lforme.”
Herstomachvi
brat
ed.At
angki
ssedher
.“Let
’sget
youfed.
”
“Il
oveyou.Ourdaught
eri
sgoi
ngtobebeaut
if
ul.
Andyouaregoingtobeanamazi
ngDad.An
amazinghusbandtoo.
”
Hesmi l
edshylytouchi
nghisbeard.Shekissedhi
m
taki
ngitoutf
rom hispantst
henshepushedher
panti
estothesideandslowlysatonit.Hegrunt
ed
squeezi
ngherwai st
.
Apolicevanparkedbesidest
hem.Ret habi
lequickl
y
j
umpedof f.Atanggrabbedhi
sjacketandoutover
hi
sdicksitt
ingproperl
y.Thepol
iceoffi
cerstepped
outandwal kedover
.
“
Dumel
ang…i
sever
ythi
ngokher
e?”
Atangnodded.“Yeah.Iam At
angandthisi
smy
wife.Youhaveparkedinourpl
ot.I
sn’
tthat
t
respassingmorena?”
“
Ijustwant
edt
oseei
fever
ythi
ngi
sok.Dumel
a
mme. ”
Rethabi
lesmi
ledandwavedmaki ngsurehesees
herri
ng.Thepoli
ceoff
icernoddedandwalkedto
hi
scarthendroveoff
.Atangtookoffhi
sjacket
.
“
Come.
”
Shesmil
ed.“
Goandpee.Iwantt
oeat
.Wewi
lldoat
home.
”
“
Youcan’
tdot
hisandsayIshoul
dpee.
”
“
Goandpee.Iam cal
li
ngNandos.
”
Helookedatherbeggi
ngher
.Shel
ookedathi
s
weapon.
“
Babegoandpee.Iam hungr
y.”
“
Youar
eevi
l.
”
Hegotoutofthecar
.Shegr
abbedherphoneand
cal
ledt
hecli
nicshehadcal
ledear
li
eron.
“
Hi,
Iwoul
dli
ket
ocancel
thatappoi
ntment
.”
“
Goodaf
ter
noon.Wewi
llcancelyou.Thankyou.
”
Sheputawayherphonewatchi
nghim walkover
zi
ppi
nghispants.Hegoti
nthecarandkissedher.
“
Didyouor
dersomet
hing?
”
Sheshookherheadsmi
li
ng.“
Whatdi
dyouwantt
o
eat
?”
“
You.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ij
o.Yourl
if
eishar
d.”
At
angst ar
tedthecaranddrovewhi
leshecal
led
Nandos.Shegrabbedthejui
ceshehadgott
enfrom
El
angandst ar
teddri
nking.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#45

Atthemall,
Thabil
erol
leddownthewi
ndowsint
he
carfanni
nghersel
fwit
hherhandwhil
ewait
ingf
or
Atangwhohadwentt ocol
lectt
hei
rorder
.She
openedherbagandtookoutapaperandconti
nued
fanni
nghersel
fbutt
hemor eshedi
d,themoreshe
sweated.
Atangwalkedbackandgoti
n.“
Ther
eyougo.Ar
e
youok?”
“
Iam bur
ning.
”
At
angst
art
edt
hecarandswi
tchedont
heAi
rcon.
“
Bet
ter
?”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iam notf
eel
ingt
oogood.
.
l
et’
sgohome.”
“
Wecangoseeadoct
or.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
No.Iwantt
ogohome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atangdroveoffwhi
leRethabi
lescratchedherar
m.
Herskinburntsomuchitfel
tlikesomeonehadset
heronfir
e.Shetookadeepbr eathcl
osinghereyes
thensheopenedthem.
Shef
rownedunabl
etoseepr
oper
lyt
henr
ubbed
t
hem.At
angpar
kedt
hecarandl
ookedather
.
“Letmegoandpi
ckupBat
ang.Agangi
sgoi
ngt
o
Zaza’
shouse.
”
“
Ok.Iam goi
ngt
ogoandt
akeashower
.”
“
Ok.
”
Rethabil
esteppedouthol
dingt
hephone.She
unlockedthehouseandbewalkedi
nadAt ang
reversedout.
Sheputt
hefoodonthetabl
eandtookoffher
cl
othest
henbeswit
chedontheAChopingt he
bur
ningwoul
dgoawaybutitgotworse.
Rethabil
ewal kedtothebat hroom t
henstoodunder
thecoldwat er.Shesighedf eel
ingi
tgetbett
er.A
whilel
atershest eppedout, shescr
eamedst ari
ngat
hermot hersit
tingont hebedcovered,worms
movingar oundherbody.
Shesli
ppedtryi
ngtorunandfel
ldroppingthet
owel
.
Shelookedoveratt
hebed,hereyeslocki
ngwith
hermother’
seyeswhichwereblackandscary.
Shescr
eamedl
ouderget
ti
ngupt
henr
anoutoft
he
bedr
oom.At
angopenedthedoorandl
ookedather
assher
anovernaked.
At
anghuggedhertaki
ngoffhisj
ackettheput
ar
oundherwhi
leBatangwalkedin.Ret
habil
e
l
ookedathi
m,horr
orrefl
ect
inginhereyes.
Shesl
owlyturned.Hermot
hersmi
ledshowingher
bl
ackshar
pt eethwhil
esl
owlywal
kingover
,worms
cl
imbi
ngher.
“
Atang!She’
scomi
ng!Hel
pme.
”
Atangl
ookedbehi
ndherst
ari
ngatt
hewal
lthenhe
huggedher
.
“
Babe…i
t’
sok.I
t’
sok.
”
Ret
habi
lecr
ied.“
Shei
scomi
ng.Shei
scomi
ng!
”
“
Noonei
sher
e…hey.
.lookatme.
.”
Shetr
iedtopushhim outofherwaybuthehel
dher
ti
ght
lythenhepickedherupwhil
eshehurri
edher
headonhischesthidi
ng.
Hewalkedwi
thhert
othebedr
oom andl
aidher
down.
“
Babe.
.”
Shekeptherheadonhischest
,hereyesti
ghtl
yshut
whil
esheheldontohim.Helookedaroundthe
room andsi
ghedconf
used.
“Thabi
…t her
e’snooneher
ebabe.Di
dyouhear
something?”
Sheslowlymovedherheadandl
ooked.Shewas
gone.Thabisi
ghed.
“Shewashere.Si
tt
ingont
hebed.Shel
ookedscar
y.
She’
shaunti
ngme. ”
“
Babewho?
”
“
Ihavet
ogo.Ican’
tst
ayher
e.Iam notsaf
e.”
“
Whatar
eyout
alkabout
?”
Thabi
legotof
fthebedisandopenedthewardrobe.
Shetookoutalongdr
essthenputitont
opoft he
j
acket.Shepi
ckedsomepantsandputthem on.
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Atanglockedt
hedoornot
ici
ngsomet
hingwas
completel
yoff
.Shel
ookedli
keshewashighon
somet
hing.
“
Didyousmokeanyt
hing?
”
“
What
?”
“
Oreatsomet
hing?Becausesomet
hingi
swr
ong.
”
Shelaughed.“
Wrongwi
thwho?You?Iam goi
ngt
o
school
.”
“Youar
enotgoi
nganywher
e.Whatdi
dyou
smoke?”
“Whyareyouaccusingmeoft hi
ngsIdonotknow?
Huh?Whydoyoul i
kebehavi
nglikemyparent
?Iam
notyourchi
ld.Iwantt
ogo.Opent hedoor
!”
“
Iam notopeni
ngt
hatdoor
.”
Sheturnedtothedoor
,herhear
tski
ppedasher
motherstoodbythedoornowinherchur
ch
uni
formlookingbeaut
if
ul.
Shesmi
led.“
Thabi
…”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Mama…”
“
Comeher
emygi
rl
…Imi
ssedyou.
”
Thabiwal
kedoverandhuggedher.At
angwatched
asshehuggedtheairt
alki
ngal
one.Shesni
ff
ed
thent
ouchedtheai
rasifshewasholdi
ng
somethi
ng.
Sheturnedandlaughedtal
kingal one.Hesighed
knowingshehadgot t
ensomet hing,hethoughtf
ull
y
tookouthisphoneandtookavi deowhi l
eshe
l
aughedalone.
“
Thabi
…”
Thabi
l
etur
nedt
ohi
m.“
Shhh.
.mamai
sher
e.”
“
Comeandl
iedown.
”
“
Youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.Mamawi
llhearyou.
”
Atangwat chedherseatonthebed.Hepul l
edher
cl
oser..“
Ineedyout osleep.Iwi
llcooksupperwi
th
Batang.Sleepwhateveryoutookoff.
”
“ButIam notsl
eepy.AndIf
eelhot
.Myski
nis
burni
ng.
”
Shefannedherselfwithherhand.Atangkissedher
thenwalkedout.Rethabi
lefol
lowedhim out.She
l
ookedatBatangi ntheli
vingroom,heslowly
t
urnedi
ntoabi
gsnake.I
tsl
owl
yhi
ssedcomi
ng
t
owardsher
.
Shemovedback,
herhear
tpoundi
ng.
“
Snake!
”
At
angwal
kedf
rom t
heki
tchenhol
dingagl
assof
wat
er.
“
Whatsnake?Dr
inkt
his.
”
Rethabi
lerant
othekit
chenandgrabbedakni
fe.
Atangwalkedover,
herhear
tpoundedsomuchas
healsochangedint
oasnake.
Herkneesslowlygotweak.ShelookedatAt
ang
changingbackthencaughtherbefor
eshecoul
dfal
l.
Batanglookedoverconf
used.
“
Ist
her
easnake?
”
Atangl
aughed.“
No.Yoursi
sterat
esomebuns.
Theymakeyoucrazy.Shewi
llbefi
ne.
”
Bat
anglaughed.“
Shei
sscr
eami
ngl
ikei
tacr
azy
per
son.
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
Hepickedherupandwalkedwit
hhert
ot he
bedr
oom.Hel ai
dherdowngladhehadthedrug
fr
om histr
ip.
Het ookof
fherclot
hesandcover edherwi
tha
f
leece.Heleanedoverandkissedhersmil
ingt
hen
walkedtothekit
chenandstartedcooki
ng.

*
**

AtZaza’
shouse,Agangwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse
hol
dingabott
leofwine.
Zazasmi
led.“
Hi…”
Agangsmi
ledback.“
Igotuswi
ne.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hewal
kedi
nsi
de.Zazasmi
ledwal
kingbehi
ndhi
m.
“
Ifoundabuyerf
ort
hecar
.Henegot
iat
edt
o50k.
”
“
No.That
’swayt
olow.
”
“
Hesays-
“
“Iwi
llsel
lthecarforyou.Don’
tletknowyouare
desperat
ef ort
hei
rmoney.Theywi llt
akeadvant
age
ofit
.Youhaveabeaut if
ulcarand50ki sj
usta
j
oke.”
“
Weneedt
hemoneyqui
ckl
y.Wecan’
t-
“
Agangpulledhercloser.“
Lookatme…lookinmy
eyes…wewi llhandl
ethis.Rel
ax…Iknowyouar e
scared.Soam Ibutbreathebabe…wewillsel
lthe
carattheri
ghtamount .Ok?”
Shet
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Idon’
twantt
owai
tso
hedi
es.
”
Agangki
ssedher
.“Noonei
sdyi
ng.Wewi
llwi
n
t
his.
”
Shewrappedherar
msar oundhi
mrubbi
ngher
tear
sonhiswhit
eshir
t.

*
**

Elangpacedinherr
oom wonder
ingi
fshehaddrank
thejui
ce.Ther
ewasnowayofknowingti
llmaybe
t
omor
row.
Herr
oommat
ewal
kedi
n.El
angsatdown.
“
Hi.
”
Theroommat esmil
ed.“Hi.Wai
tseIcan’
tgetthat
dream outofmyhead.Ikeepthi
nki
ngandIj ust
…”
El
angsmi
led.“
Itgotyou.Iam sor
ry”
“Isti
llcan’
tbel
ievei
twasadream.Ikeep
remember i
ngthingsandi
tdoesn’
treal
lyf
eell
ikea
dream. ”
“
Butbeyouwer
esl
eepi
ng.Isawyousl
eepi
ng.I
’
m
wasawake”
Theroommatesatdown,Elanglookedatt
het
ime
thencl
osedhereyescur
iously.

*
**

Latert
hateveni
ngAt angwatchedTVwhil
epr
essing
hi
sphone.Hel ookedatthemessagehehadgot
ten
fr
om anunsavednumbert hendelet
edi
t.
Hi
sphoner
ang,
hepi
ckedt
hecal
ltur
ningt
otheTV.
“
Hi…i
t’
sRor
isang…”
“
DoIknowyou?
”
“Sorr
y…ImeanDr.Tiku…Icouldn’
tsleep.Your
gir
lf
ri
endispr
egnant.17weeks.It
’sagirl.She
wantstoabor
tbecauseshesaysshei snotr eady.
Shehadaskedmenott otel
lyou.Ijustwantedyou
toknowthetr
uth.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#46

Thefoll
owingmorningRethabil
eopenedhereyes
andstaredatthewall
.Shelookedaroundtheroom
asherheadspun.Sheslowlysatuprightl
ocki
ng
eyeswithAtangwhowasseat edonachai rst
ari
ng
ather
.
“
Hi…”
“
Hi.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hfeel
ingt
ir
ed.“
Ifeelt
ir
ed.
”
“
Whathappenedt
oyou?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Ihadt
his…I
…wasIdr
eami
ng?
”
“
No.Whathappened?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Ijust
…Iwasseeingthi
ngs.Isaw
mama.Youturnedint
oasnake.”
“
Whatdi
dyout
ake?Di
dyout
rydr
ugs?
”
“
No.Idi
dn’
ttakeanyt
hingthewhol
eday.Ij
ust
…I
wasl
osi
ngit
.Ikeptseeingmama.”
At
angst
oodup.“
Andyoudi
dn’
ttakeanyt
hing?
”
“Idi
dn’
t.Ihadanexam i
nthemorni
ng.Fr
om t
her
e
youcamet opi
ckmeup.Idon’tdodr
ugs.
”
“
Soyouj
ustwentcr
azyoutofnowher
e?”
“
MaybeIam bei
nghaunt
ed.
”
“
Haunt
edbywho?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.ButIdi
dn’
ttakedr
ugs.
”
“Bal
oibakwalonabastrongakere?(Thewi
tchesi
n
yourfami
lyar
estrong,
aren’
tthey?)
”
Sheswal
lowedcl
osi
nghereyes.
“
Ormaybeyouwer
etr
yingt
odoanot
herabor
ti
on.
”
Ret
habil
eopenedhereyesandl
ookedathi
m.
“What
?”
“Youhear
dme.Soyouwerejustgoi
ngt
oki
llmy
babyli
keyoudi
dwi
ththef
irstone?”
Herhear
tski
ppedasshel
ookedathi
sangr
yface
“
Idon’
tknowwhat
-“
“
Thedoct
orcal
ledmeandt
oldmet
het
rut
h.”
“
Whatt
rut
h?”
“
Aboutt
hebaby!Iknow!
”
Ret
habi
legotof
fthebed.“
Whatbaby?
”
“
Ket
agot
hubakakl
apa,
koor
eont
aet
swakeng?
”
Sheswal
lowedst
ari
ngathi
m.
“
“
Wher
eyouj
ustgoi
ngt
oki
llhert
oo?
”
“
Atangwhatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Soyouar
egoi
ngt
opr
etendl
ikeyoudon’
tknow?
”
“
Youar
escar
ingme.Idon’
tknowwhat
-“
Atanggaveherl
ighti
ngslapthatshestaggered
fal
li
ngasherearrang.Shebli
nkedslippi
nginto
confusi
onashercheekburntasifithadcatchon
fi
re.
“
Standupandl
ieagai
n.”
Shesl
owl
ygotup,
herhandonhercheek.
“
Soyouar
enotpr
egnant
?”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
Heslappedheragai
n,herl
ipst
rembl
edt
henshe
st
art
edcr yi
ng.
“
Youdon’
tknowanyt
hingaboutt
hebabyaker
e?”
Shecr
iedl
ouderput
ti
ngherhandsonherf
ace.
“
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou!Howmanyhaveyouki
ll
edso
f
ar?
”
“
Ipani
ckedbutIwasn’
tgoi
ngt
ogot
hroughwi
thi
t.
”
Atangsmiled.“Whycan’
tyoujustbehonest
Rethabi
le?Isthatt
oohardtodo?”
“IswearIwasgoingtokeepit
..Ipani
cked.Igot
scaredbecauseIam notr
eady.”
“
Youar
enotr
eady?
”
“
Att
ie…Iknowwhatyouar
ethi
nki
ng…”
At
angshookhi
shead.“
No.Idon’
tthi
nkyoudo.
”
“
Iwasnotgoi
ngt
ohur
tthebabyIswear
.”
“
Idon’tbeli
eveyou.
.Idon’tthi
nkyouevenloveme
t
obeginwi t
h.Iam convenientf
oryou.Idon’
tthi
nk
i
t’
slove.”
Tear
swentdownt
oherneck.“
Iloveyou.At
ang…”
“Iam begi
nningtowonderhowmanymor
ebabi
es
youhavekill
ed.”
“Iwasn’
tgoingtohurtthebabyIswear.Ipani
cked
yest
erday.Iwasn’
tthinki
ngstr
aight
.”
“
Didt
heysel
lyout
hewr
ongpi
ll
sthi
sti
mear
ound?
”
Mor
etearsf
ellasshel
ookedathi
m.“Iwasn’
tgoi
ng
t
ohurtt
hebaby…Igotscaredt
hat
’swhyIaskedher
nottosayanyt hing.Youhavet obeli
eveme.Iknow
Iwaswr ong.Iam sor ry.”Shehel dhi shand.“Iwas
nevergoi ngtogot hr
oughwi thit.Iknowyouar e
questioningme…andIdon’ tblameyoubutshe’ s
here.”Sheputhi shandonherst omach.“ Sheissti
ll
here.Iwasnevergoi ngt ogot hroughwi t
hi t
.Idon’
t
knowwhathappenedyest erdaybutIdi dn’tdo
anything.Ididn’teveneatanyt hing…Iwr otemy
exam andcal ledyou…t henwedr ovetotheplot.
Pleasebel i
eveme…”
“
Iam goi
ngout
,Ihavethi
ngst
odo,
yourcr
ocodi
le
t
ear
sarenowboring.
”
“
Atang-
“
“Youknowwhathurt
sme?I t’
sthef
actthatIknow
youdon’tl
oveme.NotasmuchasIdoanywayor
maybenotevenatal
l.Youarecomfort
ablewitht
he
setup.Thi
ssetup…itworksf
oryou.”
“
That
’snott
rue.Il
oveyou.Don’
tsayt
hat
…”
“
Idon’tknowanymore.Cal
lbackDr.Ikeme,he
wantstoknowmoreaboutyourrapeandalsohow
f
arthepregnancyi
s.Hesayshewi l
lbendtherul
es
i
fyoureal
lyneedt
ogothr
oughwit
htheabort
ion.I
di
dn’
treal
izemaki
ngl
ovetoyouwasrape.
”
“
Att
ie.
.”
“
Doyout
hinkt
hisi
swor
kingkanar
afor
cahel
a?”
“
Iloveyou.Iwasnotgoi
ngt
ogot
hroughwi
thi
t.
”
“
Idon’
tknowanymor
e.”
Sheheldhi
shandscryi
ng.“Iwasn’
tgoingt
odoi
t.I
wasn’
tthi
nki
ngproperl
y.Ihadcancel
edthe
appoi
ntment
s.”
“
Letmego.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Osekawat
sameya.
”
“
Letgoofmyhands.Obat
agont
ena.
”
Hepulledhi
shandawayandwalkedout
.Ret
habi
le
putherhandsonherf
acecr
ying.

*
**

At
ang’
sphoner
angashedr
ove.Hepi
ckedt
he
unsavednumber
.
“
Yah?
”
“
Hi.I
t’
sPear
l.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
Pearll
aughedtoo.“Ij
ustspoketoPri
nce.Iam sor
ry
foransweri
ngyourphone.Iwasn’tt
ryi
ngtocause
probl
emsi nyourrel
ati
onshi
pbutIam sorry.I
twas
unprofessi
onalandoutofli
ne.
”
“
Otaswabakana.
”
“Sor
ry.Iwasnaught
y.KanaPri
nceonkomantse.
GatweIshoul
drespectmysel
febi
lekeswabi
le
mogomaswe. ”
At
angl
aughed.“
It
’sok.
”
“
Ihear
dyouaredoi
ngwell
.Iwaswor
ri
ed.Youl
eft
t
hissi
debl
eedi
ngtodeat
h.”
“
Thanks,
Iam f
inenow.
”
“
Pleasedon’
tgetshotagai
n.”
“
Iwi
llt
rynott
o.”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Heheldthephonegohi
searwai
ti
ngf
orhert
ohang
up.Pear
lgiggl
ed.
“
Shar
p.”
“
Otshegang?
”
“
Sepe.Igott
ransf
err
edt
oGabs,
Iwi
llbest
art
ingko
Mar
inaonFriday.
”
“
That
’sgr
eat
.”
“
Yeah…ifyourgir
lf
riendwon’tgetmadmaybeyou
wil
lshowmear ound.Ihaveneverbeent
oGabs.”
“
Areyouser
ious?
”
“Yes.Ist
udiedkoSerowe.Iam from Mait
engwe
andIstayedinFrancist
ownallmylif
e,wentto
Seroweforschool.Workedther
e,gotransf
err
edto
Orapa,Kasanethem here.
”
“
Howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
25.Pl
easedon’
tlaughatme.
”
At
angl
aughed.“
Iam not
.Iam j
ustshocked.That
’s
al
l.
”
“
Iam movi
ngt
omor
row.
”
“Ok.Youwil
lcal
lmewhenyouar ri
vetomorrow.
Withthewayyouareforward,
Iwouldhavenever
guessedyouhaveneverbeeninGabs.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iam notf
orwar
d.”
“
Youar
e.”
Pear
lsi
ghed.“
Bytheway,
congr
atul
ati
onson
payi
ngmagadi.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Yaht
hanks…”
“
Youdon’
tsoundexci
ted.
”
“
Iam.
”
“
That
’snothowexci
tementsoundsl
ike.
”
Atangparkedont
hesi
deoftheroad.“Iam exci
ted.
ButIthi
nkIam al
onei
nthi
srel
ationshi
p.”
“
Why?
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkshel
oves.Notenought
oset
tl
eand
haveaf
ami
ly.
”
“
Whydoyousayt
hat
?”
“Icanseeitwi
thheract
ions.Shelikest
heideaof
usbeingtoget
herbut
…Idon’ tt
hinkshelovesme.
”
“Iam sor r
y.Idon’tknowhowot herwomandoi tbut
GodknowshowIwoul dthankhi m everydayifIhad
amanl ikeyou.Orj ustamanhel awhol ovesme.
Someonewhowoul ddoanyt hingf orme.Icr avef or
thatkindoflove.Pur elove.Lovet hatcomes
nat ur
all
y.WhenIl ive,Ilovehard.Ihavenevermet
someonewhol ovedmet hesamewayIwoul d.But
ahh…i t’
sdiffi
culttomeetpeopl ewi thpur e
i
nt enti
ons.Iam sor ryforwhatyouar egoi ng
through.Chancesar esheknowsyoul oveherand
woul dfeeditanythingshegi vesyou.Sheknows
thepowershehasoversoi tmakesi teasierf
orher
tohur tyoubecausesheknowsyourhear twon’tlet
youl eave.Iam sorry.Butmaybeshel ovesyouand
justdoesn’tknowhowt oshowi tpr operl
y.”
At
angsighed.“
Ihavebeenwant i
ngachi l
d.Thef
ir
st
pr
egnancysheabort
edit.Iunder
stood.Shewas
youngt hen.Nowwear egetti
ngmar ri
edandshe
waspl anningtoabor tagain.Isuspectedshewas
pregnantandtookhert oagynecol ogi
st.Shethen
tol
dthegynecol ogisttotel
lmeshe’ snotpr egnant
soshecanabor t.
”
“I
tmeansshedoesn’
twantki
ds.Icangi
veyou
one.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy.
”
Herelaxedastheyconti
nuedchatti
ng,t
he
conversat
iongotl
ight
erastheylaughed.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#47

Justaft
erdusk,Ret
habil
esetupt hedi
nnert
able
andsmiledstar
ingatherwork.Shewalkedt
othe
bedroom andputonaneveninggown.Shelooked
atherselfonthemi r
rort
henranherli
psti
ckonher
l
ipsagai n.Sherubbedherbell
yandwalkedtothe
si
tti
ngr oom whereshelitupcandl
esandswitched
offt
hel i
ghts.
Ret
habi
lesatdown,herhandoverherst
omach.
Ti
meslowlypassedasshesatwaiti
ngforhim.
Al
mostanhourlatershecal
ledagai
nbuttherewas
st
il
lnoanswer.
Shelookedatt
het i
meandcont i
nuedwaiti
ng.
Almosttwohourslatersheyawnedandlaidonthe
couchstar
ingatthewal l
.Shesl
owlyfel
lasleepas
moretimepassed.

Thefoll
owingmor ning,Atangwalkedinsi
dehis
house.Hepausedst ari
ngatt hesetupthenclosed
thedoor.Rethabil
eopenedhereyeswaki ngup.She
yawnedget t
ingupf r
om thecouchstil
linher
eveni
nggown.Shel ookedatAtangreali
zinghewas
onlyarr
ivi
ngt henshelookedatthetime.Itwasjust
af
ter6.
“
Wher
edi
dyousl
eep?
”
Hewalkedpasthergoi
ngt
othebedr
oom.She
f
oll
owedafterhi
m.
“
Youdi
dn’
tcomeback.
”
“
Iwaswi
thPhef
o.Iwaswat
chi
ngagame.
”
“
Whatgame?
”
Atangtookoffhi
st-
shir
twalki
ngtot
hebathr
oom.
Rethabi
letookof
fhetheel
sgoingaf
terhi
m.
“
Whatgame?
”
“Whatdoyouwant
?Don’
tyouhaveabor
ti
onst
obe
doi
ng?”
“
Iwai
tedf
oryou.
”
“
Goodf
oryou.
”
“
Iwaswor
ri
ed.
”
“
Wor r
iedaboutwhat
?Thatyourcar
dtogoodl
if
e
mightbegone..wambor
a,kebatagot
hapa.
”
Shel
ookedathi
mtear
ful
ly.
“Yourcr
yingpl
anisannoying.Ther
eisnot
hingnew
aboutyourwat
erworks.Cl
osethedoor,
Iwantto
bath.
”
“
Iknowyouar
eangr
y,Iam sor
ry.I
-“
“Youar
enotsorry.Youar
esorryyougotcaught.
Foral
ltheot
hertimeyoudidn’
tgetcaught
,you
werenotsor
ry.
”
Het ookoffhi
spant
sthentookashowerwhi leshe
st
oodbyl ikel
ostwetpuppy.Minutesl
aterhe
walkedout.Heopenedthewardrobeandbegun
dr
essi ng.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Ihavet
hingst
odo.Whatdoyouwant
?Money?
”
Atearrandownhercheek.Shewipeditwi
ththe
backofherhand.Hefi
nisheddr
essingandputon
hi
sfragrance.
“
Canwef
ixt
his?
”
Hegrabbedhiscap.“Iam goi
ngout
.Don’
twaitup.
I
fyougot oyourhouse,l
eavemykeysnextdoor.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Hisphonerang.Rethabi
lel
ookedatthecal
lerbut
hequickl
yswipedthescreenpicki
ngwhil
ewalking
out.
Sher
anaf
terhi
m.“
Atang!
”
Hegotinhiscaranddroveoffsmi
li
ng.Shesniffed
walki
ngbackinthehouseaspainstr
angledher.
Sheswall
owedholdinghertear
sbuttheysti
llf
ell
downhercheeks.

*
**

Agangsmi
ledst
ari
ngatZazai
roni
nghi
sshi
rt
.
“
Thankyou.
”
Shesmiled.“
It
sok.Whenar
eyoudoi
ngt
heDNA
test
s?”
Agangreachedforhi
sshi
rtandputi
ton.“
Iwi
lldoi
t.
Buti
tdoesn’tmatt
er.
”
“
Itdoes.I
tdoesmat
ter
.Pl
easedot
het
est
s.”
Hesi
ghedbut
toni
ngup.“
Ok.
”
Zazasmi
led.“
Thankyou.Forever
ythi
ng.
”
Agangreachedforhi
sti
eandputitar
oundherneck.
Zazasmiledl
ookingi
nhiseyes.
“
Doyour
ememberwhenyoubr
okeupwi
thme?
”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Yeah.
.”
“
Youhat
edmedi
dn’
tyou?
”
“
No.
”
“Youdi d.Afteryouhadsexwi thmet hef i
rsttime,
youwer edonewi thmet hen.ButIst ayedand
slowlyyourannoyancegr ewtohat r
ed.Istayed
becauseIact ual
lylovedyou.AndIkeptme
wonder ingifIhadbeent hatdesperatethatAt ang
wouldhavehi sbrotherfuckmewheneverhef elt
l
ikeit.Honest lyIwouldn’thavemi ndedbei ngt ol
d
thatIdon’twantyouanymor e,butIguessIl oved
yousomuchIhadwant edyout osayi t
.Iam sor ryI
draggedyouback.That ’swhyIwantyout odoDNA
test
s.Iwantyout odoever yt
hingyouar edoi ng
knowi ngit’
sf oryourson.”
“
Iam sor
ry-
“
“
Don’
tbesor
ry.Youdi
dnot
hingwr
ong.
”
Agang’ sphonerang.Zazawalkedtoherbedroom
andl aiddownbesideherson.Shemovedcl oser
l
isteningtohim br
eathi
ng.Shesighedclosi
ngher
eyes.
I
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom,
Agangpi
ckedNkamo’
scal
l.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Hey,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Soyouarecheat
ingonme?Iam atyourhouseand
Isl
epther
e.Whoar eyoucheat
ingonmewi t
h?”
“
Howdi
dyougeti
nmyhouse?
”
“Youarej
ustl
iket
her
estofthem!Ifyouthinkyou
cancheatonmeandgetawaywithit,youare
wrong!
”
“Ican’tdot
hiswithyou.Iam done.Ourr
elat
ionshi
p
i
scl earl
ynotworking.Youneedseri
oushelpfor
yourpsychoticbehavior
.LeavemyhousebeforeI
callthepol
ice!
”
“Iam goingt
oburnthishouse.Youar
enotbreaki
ng
upwi t
hme!Never!YouandIar emeantt
obe!You
aretheloveofmyli
fe!Iam notgoi
nganywhere!
”
Aganggr
abbedhi
scarkeysandwal
kedout
.
“Tryanyf
unnygamesi
nmyhouseIwi
llbur
ryyou
ali
ve!”
Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
fheadedt
ohi
shouse.

*
**

Athishouse,
Nkamoconti
nuedcutti
nghispant
s
wit
hascissor.Shet
ookhi
sjacketandcutt
hearms
i
nhalf.
Shetookallofhisclot
hesandwal kedoutwi t
ht hem
andwalkedwi t
ht hem t
othebin.Sheputever yt
hing
i
nt hebi
nandwal kedbackinthehouse.Shel ooked
athisTVandsl ammedi tonthefloor.Shewalked
aroundt
hewhol ehousejustopeningthetaps.
Agangparkedoutsi
deandhur
ri
edi
nsidehi
shouse.
Hefrozestar
ingathi
supsi
dedownhousewhi
le
sl
ashedt
hecouches.
Agangpulledherwit
hherhairandsmackedher
face.Shescreameddroppi
ngthekni
fe.
“
Whatt
hef
*ckar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
Hel ookedatherboi li
ngwithanger .Hegrabbedher
hairanddr aggedhert othebathroom wher ewater
wasnowspi l
li
ngf r
om thetub.Hepushedherhead
i
nsi dethewat er.Nkamokickeddr owning.She
cont i
nuedfighti
ngscr at
chinghim.Agangr emai
ned
sti
llforawhi letothenpull
edheroutandt hrewher
ont hefloor.Shegaspedcoughi ngoutwat er.
Shelookedathim,herhear
tpoundi
ng.Agangt
ook
offhi
sshirtandti
e.
“Wantwael
awena,aft
erIputyoui
nli
ne,
youwi
ll
nevert
ryi
tonanyoneelse.
”
Nkamomovedbackt
err
if
ied.

*
**
Atangdroveinthroughayardwhereatr
uckloaded
withpr
opertywaspar ki
ngbythedoor
.Hestepped
outofhiscarjustasthedr
iveroft
hetr
uckjumped
outofthetr
uck.
Pearlopenedthedoorandsteppedoutthenshe
smiledlooki
ngatAtang.Heeyesmovedf rom her
shortbl
ondehairmovingtoherbeauti
fulfacethen
downatherper f
ectbodywrappedwiththebondage
dressshehadon.
“
Hi…”
Hesmil
ed.“Youmadei
t.Sor
ryt
her
ewasnogr
and
wel
come.”
Pear
llaughed.“
It
sok.Iam sot
ir
ed.
”
Atangwal kedtothetruckdri
verandbegunhel
ping
carr
yherl i
ttl
efurni
tureint
hehouse.Twenty
minuteslaterAtangtookouthiswall
etandpai
dt he
tr
uckdriver.
“
Thankyouboss!
”
“
Sur
esur
e!”
Hej
umpedinhistruckanddr
oveof
f.Pear
lwal
ked
i
nsi
deherbachel
orpadandsmil
ed.
“
Notbad.
”
“
Soi
t’
sfr
eeaccommodat
ion?
”
Shelaughed.“Feel
snicebei
nganur
se.Idon’
t
worr
yaboutr entmoney.Il
ovei
t.
”
“
It
’scut
e.”
Sheputherbagandl
eanedagai
nstt
hewal
lst
ari
ng
athi
m.
“
Areyoust
ayi
ngoryouhavet
ogo?
”
Helookedathersmi
le.“
Iwi
llhel
pyoumoveyour
f
urnit
urethengo.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Theymovedherf ur
nitur
earoundputt
ingt
hehouse
i
nor derwhil
echatt
ing.Al
mostanhourlat
er,
Pearl
thr
ewher sel
fonherbedexhausted.
“
Iam sot
ir
ed!
”
“
Shoul
dIor
derf
ood?
”
“Pl
ease…Iwi
llshoweri
nthemeant
ime.Iam so
sweaty.
”
Atangsatonherbeddi
ali
ngafastfoodr
est
aur
ant.
Pearlst
oodupandtookhert
oil
etr
ybagthenwal
ked
outsmili
ng.
Shecoul
dn’
tunder
standhowsomeonewouldj
ust
pl
aygameswithsuchamanbutwhatwasthat
phr
ase…someoneelse’
sstonei
ssomeoneel
se’
s
di
amond.
Shewal
kedoutawhi l
elat
er,at
owelwrapped
ar
oundherbodythenwalkedbacki
nherbedroom.
Shesmi
ledstar
ingathimlyi
ngonthebed.
Pear
lputdownhertoil
etrybagandgotontopof
hi
m sit
ti
ngonhisdic.Atangopenedhi
seyesand
l
ookedathersmil
ing.
“
Foodi
scomi
ng.
”
Shesmi
ledt
henshel
eanedoveranddr
oppedaki
ss
onhi
sli
ps.
“
Obat
ankgol
egawena.
”
Pear
lchuckl
ed.“
Thankyouf
orhel
pingmet
oday.
”
Heputhi
shandsonherwai
st.“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shemovedherwai stsl
ight
lyfeel
inghisdi
ck
beneathher.Sheki ssedhimr ot
ati
ngherhips.He
ki
ssedherback, hi
shandsgoi ngdownherbut tas
hisdi
ckj er
kedwaki ngup.Hi sphonestart
edringi
ng,
shepausedki ssinghim andtookouthisphone
fr
om hispocket .Shelookedat‘Babe’cal
li
ngand
gaveittohim.
Hi
slookedatt
hecal
lerandsi
ghedpi
cki
ng.

*
**

Ret
habi
lehel
dherphone.
“
Yah?
”
“Hi
…I …”Shesni ff
ed.“Il
oveyou.Iam sadyout hink
Iam withyouf ormoney.Iam sadyout hinkIdon’t
l
oveyouandt hatIam withyoubecauseIl ovethe
set
-up.Ihaveneveraskedf oranyt
hingf r
om you
whichmakesmewonderwhyyousayt hattomeor
maybei t
’sangertalki
ng.Iknowyouar eupset,
brokenanddi sappoi
nted.Nothi
ngIam goingtosay
willbebeli
evableatt
hispointbutIpromi
seyou..I
wasnotgoi ngtogot hroughwit
hit.Canweplease
fi
xt hi
s.”
“
Iam busyr
ightnow.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Hehungup.Ret
habi
ler
ubbedhercheekt
hentooka
deepbr
eat
hlyi
ngonthecouchi
nhishouse.

*
**

Pear
lsmi
ledt
henki
ssedhi
m agai
n.
“
Icangi
veyouwhatyouwant
.”
Shetookof
fthetowelandr
emai
nednaked.At
ang’
s
hear
tpounded.
Shebitherl
owerli
pandki
ssedhi
m agai
ntaki
ngi
t
outf
rom hissweat
pant
s.
“
Pear
l-
“
“
Shhh…don’
tthi
nkabouti
t.
”
Shestrokedhim,herownhear tr
aci
ng.Sheopened
hermout handstart
edsuckinghim.Hegrunt
ed
star
ingather.Sheclosedhereyeslet
ti
nghim but
thebackofherthroat.
Hegroanedthenshestoppedandstraddledhi
m.
Sheslowlysatonit
.Atangsqueezedherwaistas
herpussysqueezedhi
m.Justbeinginsidefel
tdo
goodhefeltl
ikehewasabouttoexplode.She
l
ookedathimt henki
ssedhim bef
oregetti
ngoff.
“
Sor
ry.Letmeputonsomecl
othes.
”
Helookedatheri
nshockasshetookoutadress
l
ikeshehadjustnotsatonhi
m.Hegotoffbedwit
h
hardon.
“
Areyouser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“Yes.Idon’tt
hinkweshoulddothi
s.Thankyoufor
whatyoudi dtodaybutwehardl
yknoweachot her
.I
can’tal
readyber i
dingyou.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#48

Laterthatday,Rethabil
eparkedbyBatang’
sschool
gateandwai ted.Agangparkedbehindherthen
smiledwalkingovert oher
.Heknockedonher
windowt henshel ookedoverandforcedasmile
rol
li
ngdownherwi ndow.
“
Hi,
Idi
dn’
tknowyouwer
epi
cki
nghi
m.”
Rethabil
esmiled.“
Imisshi m.Ihaven’tbeen
spendingti
mewi thhi
ml ately.Ishoul
dhave
communi cat
ed.Iam sor
r y.
”
Agangl
ookedatherpuf
fyeyes.“
Areyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Tal
ktome.
”
“
Ngng…keshar
p.Justschoolst
ress.
”
“
Thabiwee…i
t’
sme.
”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Iknow.
”
“
Whatdi
dhedo?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Not
hing.
”
“
Idon’
tbi
te.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyest
henshesi
ghed.“
It
snot
hing.
”
Helookedi nhereyes.Shelookeddownasat ear
randown.Shewi peditoffandsmiledst ar
ingather
nail
s.Batangwalkedover,Agangturnedand
bumpedf ist
swithBatang.Rethabi
lefixedherface
andsmi l
ed.Theychat t
edforawhilethenAgang
tur
nedtoher .
“Youdon’thavetobealone.Iknowyouthi
nk
becausehe’smyt wi
nIwi l
lsi
dewithhi
m…butyou
arenowpar tofthef
amilyandasmuchasyouare
hiswif
e,youar emysist
er.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Eer
ra.
”
Bat
anggoti
nthecart
henl
ookedathi
ssi
ster
.“Hi
.”
Rethabi
lest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.“
Howi
s
school?
”
“
Fine.
”
Shelookedathim andsmil
ed.“
AtangandIar
e
get
ti
ngmar ri
ed.Wear eal
lgoi
ngtobeafamil
y.”
“
Yes!
”
Rethabil
elaughed.“
Andyouar
egoi
ngt
obean
uncle.
”
Bat
anglookedatherconf
used.Ret
habi
lesmil
ed.“I
am goi
ngtohaveababyandyouwi l
lbetheuncl
e.”
Hismouthdroppedopenashelookedather.
Rethabi
lel
aughedputt
ingherhandoverhi
smout
h.
“
Fli
eswi
llgeti
n.”
“
Youar
epr
egnant
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
ohaveababy?
”
“
Yes.Let
’sgoandgetsomesnackst
henwat
cha
movi
ekolapeng.
”
“
Ok.Whatwi
llwenamet
hebaby?
”
“
War
ona.
”
Bat
angsmi
led.“
The-
The-
“
“
Takeadeepbr
eat
hin.I
t’
sok.
”
Hesmiledanspokesl
owly.“
Ther
eisagirlcal
led
Waronaatschool
.Shei
sniceandpret
ty.
”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedathi
m.“
Youl
ikeher
?”
Bat
angl
aughed.“
Idi
dn’
tsayIl
ikeher
.”
Shesmil
ed.“
Aker
elennaIam j
ustaski
ng.Doyou
l
ikeher
?”
“
Ili
kehert
hewayGodl
ikesme.
”
Rethabil
ebur stoutl aughingpar kingatamal l.She
turnedofftheengi nest il
llaughingt henpaused
stari
ngatt heentrance.Sheswal l
owedst ari
ngat
Atangwal kingoutoft hemal lholdingplasti
cswith
awoman.Theyl aughedt henkissed.Herhear t
poundedsomuchi tfeltl
ikeitwasvi br
ati
ng.
Herkneeswentweakasshewat
chedt
hem l
augh
agai
n.
“
Thabi
!”
Shel
ookedatherbr
other
.“St
ayi
nthecar
.Iam
comi
ng.”
Rethabil
esteppedoutofthecarandwalkedover.
Shemovedevenf ast
erf
eeli
ngherfeetgeteven
heavier
.Eachstepshetookthreat
enedtopullher
undertheground.
Heunlockedthecar
,thewomanputherhandonhi
s
chestki
ssinghi
m.
“
Atang!
”
Atangtur
nedlocki
ngeyeswit
hRethabi
le.Hi
seyes
poppedoutashefrozedr
oppingoneofthepl
ast
ic
hewashol di
ng.
Thewomanalsol
ookedoverconf
usedt
hensmi
l
ed
maki
ngsenseofwhatwasgoingon.
“
Heybabe…”
Rethabi
lel
ookedathi
m openi
nghermout
h.Tear
s
rol
leddown.
“
Whoi
sthi
s?”
“
Fuck!I
t’
snotwhatyout
hink.
”
“
Isawyouki
ssi
ng.Whoi
sshe?
”
Pear
lsi
ghed.“
Iwi
llwai
tint
hecar
.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedather
.“Wai
tinwho’
scar
?”
Pear
lrol
ledhereyes.“
Iam nott
alki
ngt
oyou.
”
“
Atang,
kebual
ewena!Who’
sthi
s?”
“
She.
.shei
smycousi
n.”
“
Youki
ssyourcousi
ns?
”
Heputthepl
ast
icsdown.“
It
’snotwhatyouar
e
t
hinki
ng.”
“
Isawyou…”
Pearlgoti
nt hecar
.Ret
habi
lel
ookedathert
hena
Atangshaking.
“Tel
lhert
ogetout
.Youar
enotgoi
ngwi
thher
.We
aregoi
nghome.”
“
Shei
smycousi
n.”
“
Inyourf
ami
lyyouki
ssyourcousi
ns?
”
“
Itwasn’
taki
ss.Youar
eoverr
eact
ing.
”
“
Atangam Icr
azy?
”
“
Youdi
dn’
tseepr
oper
ly.
”
“
AtangIsawyou!Tel
lhert
ogetoutoft
hecar
.”
“
Iam j
ustdr
oppi
ngherof
f.
”
Tear
sroll
eddown.“AtangIam beggingyou.Tel
l
hert
ostepout.Let
’sgohome…pl ease.
”
“
Iwi
lldr
opherof
fandcomehome.
”
“Youarenotgoi
nganywher
e.Tel
lhertostepoutof
thecar.At
angpl
easedothi
s.Youarebreaki
ngmy
heart
.”
“
Shei
smycousi
n.Iam onl
ydr
oppi
ngherof
f.
”
Herhear
tbr
okeevenmor
e.“
Atang….
”
“
Iwi
llseeyouathome.
”
Hepickedt
hepl
asticsandputt
hem i
nthecar
.She
l
ookedathi
m cr
ying.
“Ther
rawhyareyoudoi
ngt
his?Pl
easest
op.Ke
kopareyel
apeng.
”
“
Iwi
llmeetyouathome.
”
Shehel
dhishandcryi
ng.“
Youarehurt
ingme.We
ar
egett
ingmarri
ed.Pl
easedot
his.Il
oveyou.
”
“Ret
habil
e,Iwi
llseeyouathome.Shei
smycousi
n.
Idon’
tknowwhatyouwantmegosayorwhyyou
ar
eevencr
ying.
”
“
AtangIsawyouki
ssi
ngher
.”
“Whywoul dIki
ssmycousin?Youdidn’tsee
proper
ly.
.Whatyouaresayi
ngdoesn’tmakesense.
Iam droppi
ngherof
f.Sheismyuncle’sdaught
er.
”
“At
angyouki ssesher.Isawyou.Pleasedon’
tdo
thi
s.Iloveyou.Iknowyouar eangryatmebutdon’t
dothis.Pleasedon’tdothist
ome. ”
“
Iam dr
oppi
ngherof
fthenIwi
llcomehome.
”
Shewentdownonherkneesbeggi
nghi
m.“
Atang
pl
ease…pleasel
et’
sgohome.
”
“Youarecausingascene.Iwil
lmeetyouathome.
Peoplearebeginni
ngtostar
e.Gohome.Iwillsee
youthere.
”
Hegoti nhi
scarwhilePear
latehermagnum then
hedroveaway.Rethabi
lesatonthepavement
cr
ying..Thesecur
it
yguardwhohadbeenwat ching
walkedoverandpull
edherupsadly.
“Osekawalelamysist
er.Got
lasi
ama.Don’
tcr
y.
Godwillseeyout
hrough.Got
lasi
ama.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#49

Atthemall,
Ret habil
egotinthecar,
Batangput
downhissister’
sphonepausi nghi
sgame.
Rethabi
lest
ar t
edt hecaranddrovetoAgang’
s
house.Sheparkedbyt hegateandcall
edhim.
“
Thabi
…”
“
Hi,
Iam par
kedatt
hegat
e.Ar
eyouhome?
”
“
No.Atwor
k.What
’sup?
”
“
IthoughtIwoul
ddr
opof
fBat
ang.Buti
t’
sok.
”
“
Bri
nghi
mtot
heof
fi
ce.
”
“
It
’soki
f-
“
“
Ret
habi
le…br
inghi
m..ok?
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Iam wai
ti
ng.
”
Ret
habil
eputdownherphoneanddr
ovet
oAgang’
s
company.
Bat
angl
ookedathi
ssi
ster
.“Ar
eyouok?
”
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Youar
ecr
ying.
”
Rethabi
lewi
pedawayhert
ear
s.“
Iam sor
ry.Iam
fi
ne.”

AtAgang’sworkpl
ace,
Ret
habi
leparkednearthe
entr
ancewhereAgangwasst
anding.Shelookedat
herbrot
her.
“
Pleasesl
eepoverwi
thhi
mtoday.Iwi
llgetyou
t
omor r
ow.
”
Bat
anghuggedhissist
er.Rethabi
lecl
osedhereyes
hol
dinghi
mtight
ly.Sheletgo.
“
It
sok.
”
Hesteppedoutoft
hecarandwal
kedovert
oAgang.
Theyfi
stbumpedthenBat
angwalkedi
nsi
dethe
bui
ldi
ng.
Aganggoti
nthecarandl
ookedather
.“Ar
eyou
ok?”
Ret
habi
lesi
ghed.“Yourbrot
heri
scheati
ng.”She
t
ookadeepbreathfeel
ingheremot
ionsri
seagain,
t
earsf
il
li
nghereyes.
“I…At anghasbeenwant i
ngachi l
df orawhi l
enow.
Eversi nceSar ona.Itoldhi m Iwasn’ tready.He…
thenwewentf orascanaf t
ersuspect ingIwas.I
knewchanceswer ethatIwasbutIwason
contracept i
ves.Idon’ tknowhowi thappened.I
panicked…besi desthati fIgivebirth,oneofuswi l
l
best ayingwi t
ht hebabyandshewon’ tgettofeel
howi tf eel
stohaveamot herandf ather…canceri n
ourfami l
yisher edi
tary.Ipani cked.Iaskedt he
doctort osayIwasn’ tbecauseIwasconsi deri
ng
abortion.Butthef oll
owi ngdayIchangedmymi nd
seeingj usthowbadl yhewant edachi ld.Icanceled
myappoint
ment.Iknowitbar
elymakessensebut
t
hedoctorwhoIaskedtoli
ecall
edhim andtol
dhi
m.
He’
supsetandnowhei scheat
ingandkissi
ngher
i
npubl
ic.”
Rethabi
lewi
pedawayhert
ear
s.Agangsadl
ylooked
atherandhuggedher
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“HesaidIam overr
eacti
ng.HesaidIdidn’
tsee
proper
ly.Hesaidi
t’
shiscousin.Hewentwithher
.I
knowhe’ ssl
eepi
ngwit
hher .
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Ret
habi
lepul
ledawayandl
eanedbackonherseat
.
“
Iwi
llwai
tforhi
m.”
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
ohi
m.He’
slosi
ngi
t.
”
“
Thankyouf
ort
aki
ngBat
ang.
”
“
Anyt
ime.
”
Agangst
eppedoutthenRet
habi
ledrovehome.She
par
kedandsteppedoutoft
hecarholdingthekeys.
Sheunl
ockedthedoorandwal
kedinsidethehouse.
Shesatdownandst aredattheTVcryi
ng.Her
phonerang,sher
eachedf ori
tthent
ookadeep
breat
hstari
ngatthelandl
ine.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Ret
habi
leKai
sar
a,i
t’
sMsPi
l
ane.
”
Shesatupri
ghtasoneofherseni
orl
ect
uresspoke.
“Goodaft
ernoonDr
.Pil
ane.
”
“Mydaught
er,
Iam atMini
str
yofEducat
ion.How
oft
endoyoucheckyouremail
s?”
“
Uh.
.”
“
Youar
edonewi
thyourexamsr
ight
?”
“
No.Ihavet
hel
astonet
omor
row.
”
“Themi nistr
yapprovedyoursponsor shi
p
appli
cat i
onbasedont he4.5GPyougotl ast
semest er.Yourr
esultsforthi
ssemest eraret
helast
requi
rementneeded, ifyougetanythingabove4.0
i
nwhi chknowi ngyou, youalreadygotit
.From t
here
youaregoi ngtohavet owritethatminiexam f
or
HarvardSchoolsoyougetaccept edintotheschool
.
Youar eleavingi
nlesst hantwomont hs.Youare
oneofthebestst
udent
sri
ghtnowsoever
yonei
s
backi
ngyouup.Youhavemadeit.
”
Rethabi
lemout
hdr
oppedopenast
ear
srandown
hercheeks.
“Thabi
…youdidi
t.Youwi
llconti
nueyour
postgr
aduat
edegreei
nHarvard.
”
Shebrokedowncr
ying.“
Mama….Mamal
ookat
me…lookatmeMama! ”
Dr
.Pil
anesni
ff
ed.“
Sheisl ooki
ng.Shei
slooki
ngmy
gi
rl
.Shei
sseeingi
t.Iwi
llseeyoutomorr
ow.”
Dr
.Pi
l
anehungup.Ret
habi
lesatont
hef
loor
.
“
Mamal
ookatme…l
ookatme…Iam goi
ng.
.”
Sheputherhandsoverherf
aceasli
ghtdr
oplet
sof
waterhi
ttheroof
.Therai
ngotheavi
erwhi
le
Ret
habil
ecried.

*
**

Pear
lsmi
ledst
ari
ngatAt
ang.
“Thankyouf
orwhatyoudi
dear
li
eron.It
hought
youweregoi
ngtothr
owmeoutofyourcar.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
It
’sok.
”
Pear
llookedathi
ssadf
ace.“
Shewon’
tdumpyou.
”
“
Thelastt
imeIsawhercr
yli
ket
hatwaswhenher
mot
herdied.
”
Pear
lheldhi
sface.“Shewil
lbefine.Shelovesyou.
Youguyscanalwaysf i
xthi
ngs.Stopstr
essing
your
sel
f.Youwil
ldiewithstr
ess.Nkalelagore.
”
At
angchuckl
ed.“
Ishoul
dgo.
”
“
Youhaven’
teat
en.Pl
easeeatf
ir
st.
”
“
Pear
l-
“
Shekissedhim putt
ingherhandunderneat
hhist
-
shir
t.Shetouchedhissel
lbuil
tbodythenshe
unzippedhispantsandoutherhandinside
touchingi
t.
Hegruntedsqueezi
ngherwaist
.Shest
rokedi
t
smeari
nghisprecum whi
leatit
.
At
angpi
ckedherupandputheront
hebed.Het
ook
of
fhershir
tdress.Herbodywasf
lawl
ess,shehad
nosingl
estr
etchmar k.Het
ookof
fherbr
aand
ki
ssedherneck.
Pearlmoanedclosi
nghereyesashemovedhi sli
ps
from herneckt
ohersmallbreast
s.Hesqueezed
them, hi
sli
psmovingfur
therdown.Hetookoffher
l
acet hongandopenedherlegsfurt
her
.
Hisheartpoundedashisdickgotevenharder.He
rubbedhimselfonherwetness.Pearlmovedhe
waistbeneat
hhi mthenhelpedtakeoffhi
st-shi
rt
.
Shetouchedhistat
tooedskin.
At
angpushedhisweaponi
nside.Hegroanedasher
wal
lshuggedhi
sweapon.Shefeltsogood.
“
Fuck!
”
Shelookedathi
m andkissedhim hol
dingher
breat
hfeel
ingdeeperi
nher.Atangslowlysl
idout
andpushedbackinagain.
“
Shi
t!Fuck!
”
Hegaveherthethi
rdthrust
,Pearlmoanedsof
tl
yin
hi
sear.Herphonestart
edringi
ngfrom t
hebed.She
r
eachedf
ori
tandpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?What
?”
Atangtr
iedt aki
ngthephonefr
om her,
shelaughed.
“I
tsmymot her.Sor
ry.Gohome,f
ini
shofft
here.
She’swait
ing.”
“
No…comeon.
”
Pear
lpushedhischest.“
Mymom ishavi
ngan
epi
sode.Ineedtoat
tendtoherAt
ang.
”
“
Cantshewai
t?”
“
Shewi
lldi
e.Pl
ease…”
Hel
ookedatherasi
fhewasaboutt
ocr
y.
“
Fini
shof
fathome.
”
“
Icanwai
tforyou.
”
“No.It
’sl
ate.Goandgi
vei
ttoher
.Shewi
ll
appreci
ateit
.Go…”
“
Thammakeagokopa.
”
“Youwantmymothert
oduebecauseIwast
oo
busyhavi
ngsex?
”
Sheki
ssedhim.Hegotoffher
,Pear
lgotof
fbedand
hel
dherphonetoherear
.
“Mama…don’
tpani
c.GohomeAt
ang.Iwi
llcal
l
you.
”
Shehel
dherphonestar
ingathi
m.Heslowlygotup
andwenttot
hebathr
oom wherehepeedandputit
backi
nhispant
s.
Pearlsmi
ledashewalkedoutsadl
y.Sheclosedher
doorandconti
nuedt
alkingt
ohermother.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#50

AgangwatchedasZazahuggedBatangbythedoor
whil
eherepli
edt oanemai
l
.Hesighedthought
ful
ly
t
hencall
edRet habi
le.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam wai
ti
ngathi
shouse.
”
“
Doyouneedmet
her
e?”
“
No.Butt
hankyou.
”
“I
fyouneedanyt
hingcallme.Att
imesl
iket
hisI
hatet
hathehasmyf ace.”
“
Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
HehungupasZazawal
kedover
.Shel
ookedathi
m.
“
Areyoucomi
ngi
n?”
“
Yes.Il
oveyourdr
ess.
”
Zazal
ookeddownandl
aughed.“
Ilookl
ikeadoor
.
Nowonderyoulef
tme.
”
Hel
aughedt
oo.“
Youl
ookedbet
terpr
egnant
.”
“
Noteven.
”
“
Youl
ookl
ikeamodel
.Il
ikei
t.Por
tabl
e.”
Shesmil
ed.“
Shoul
dIdi
shf
oryou?Yoursoni
s
awake.
”
“
Dishup.Iam comi
ng.
”
Zazanoddedt hentur
nedandwal
kedbacki
nher
house.Agang’sphonevi
brat
edri
ngi
ng,hel
ookedat
Nkamocal l
ing.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oki
llmysel
f.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
Hehungupandbl
ockedhert
hencal
ledhi
sbr
other
.

*
**

Atang’
sphoner
angashedr
ovehomewhi
lei
t
rai
ned.
“
Agang…”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Wit
h?”
“
Soyouar
enowcheat
ing?
”
“
Sher
anandt
oldyou?
”
“Newvagi naisdri
vingyoucrazyIseebutyouare
goingtoregretthi
s.Trustme.Youaregoingto
regrett
his,Ihaveneversai
dthistoyoubutyouare
goingtocr y.
”
“
Sheki
ll
smyki
ds!
”
“Becauseshe’snotready.Andshedidn’tki
llt
he
currentonesowhat’syourpr obl
em?Shecoul d
haveabor t
edbutshedi dn’
t.Sheisst
il
lcarr
ying
yourchildthenyougoandcheat .Comeon…i sn’ti
t
toosoon? ”
“
Agang-
“
“
Ihopeyouknowwhatyouaredoing.Youhad
f
inal
lyf
oundawomanwhol ovesyouandyouonl
y-“
“Shedoesn’
tloveme.Iwishshedidbutshedoesn’
t!
Shelovedwhatthisr
elat
ionshi
pdoesforher
.She
neverl
ovedme. ”
“
Youaregoi
ngcrazybutit
’sok.Thi
nkwhat
everyou
wantt
othi
nk.Youwil
lthi
nkofthisday.
”
Hehungup.At angdroveinhisyardandparked
nexttoRethabi
le’
sBenz.Hest eppedoutofhi
scar
andhurri
edinsidethehouse.Hesighedwalki
ngin.
Hetookadeepbr eathstar
ingatRethabi
lewhowas
seatedonthecouch.
Shel
ookedathi
m wi
thpuf
fyswol
leneyest
hen
st
oodup.
“
Iam goi
ngt
otakeashower
.”
“
Youruncl
e’
sdaught
eri
sNayang.IknowNayang.
”
“
Youdon’
tknowever
yfami
lymemberi
nmyf
ami
ly.
”
“I
tshowyouthi
nkIam thatst
upid.Idon’
tknow…
maybeit’
sthei
mpressIgaveyou.MaybeImade
youthi
nkIwasstupi
d.”
“
Ret
habi
le-
“
“Isawyoukissi
ngt
hatwoman.Iam notcr
azy.Why
areyoulyi
ng?”
“Ar
eyoust i
llpr
egnant?Oryouhavedonetheusual?
Iam notsur
eaboutyouanymor e.Ican’
twai
thelp
butthi
nkyouar egoi
ngtokil
lmireofmychil
dren.
”
“
Itwasonl
yonce.
”
“
What
ever
.”
Hewalkedpasthergoi
ngtot
hebathroom.
Ret
habil
ewentafterhi
m.Hetookof
fhist-
shir
tand
gr
ewitonthebed.Hesatdowntaki
ngoffhisshoes.
Ret
habi
lepi
ckedhi
st-
shi
rtandsni
ff
edi
t.
“
Yousl
eptwi
thher
?”
“Idon’tf
uckmycousi
ns.Ret
habi
leIam t
ir
ed…
Please…”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Youdi
d.Icansmel
lheral
l
overyou.At
ang…”
“
Youraccusat
ionsar
eat
urnof
f.
”
“
Atangyouar
ebr
eaki
ngmyhear
t.
”
Helookedathertear
sandgotup.Heki ssedher,
hertear
srol
leddownasshedr oppedthet-shi
rt
.He
pushedhertothebedandtookoffherdress.Atang
tookouthi
sdickandpushedherpantyt othesi
de.
Hepushedhisdi
cki nsi
dethenlookedather.He
ki
ssedherandclosedhereyesimagi ni
ngPearl
’s
perf
ect
ion.Hegr
unt edi
maginingjusthowher
pussyhadfel
tsogood.Rethabil
epr essedherl
ips
t
oget
hersmel
li
ngt
heot
herwomanonhi
m.
Hefuckedherharder
,itfel
tdi
ff
erent
.Hewasn’
t
t
ouchingherl
ikeheusual l
ydi
d,notki
ssi
ngherand
t
aki
nghi st
imewithher .
Hef
uckedherevenhar
derandst
il
ledgr
unt
ing.
“
FuckPear
l…”
Ret
habi
lelookedathim andbur
stint
otears.He
l
ookedatherreal
izi
nghissli
poftongue.Hesighed
t
hengotoffherandwalkedtothebathroom.
Rethabi
leputherhandoverhermouthcr yi
ng.His
phonestart
edringi
ng.Shequickl
yreachedforit
andpicked.
“
Hey,
youf
orgotyourwal
let
.Comeandt
akei
t…”
“
Hei
snotcomi
ngt
her
e.”
“Uhu…honey…youar esti
llholdingon?IfIwereyou
Iwouldjustleaveonmyownbutyouwantt okeep
hurti
ngyourselfdosuityourself.Youhavelosthim.
Maybei fyouwer enotbusytryingtobeagr aveyard
kil
li
nghischildr
en…maybe…j ustmaybeyouwoul d
sti
llhavehim.Butnowhe’ sgone.Sor r
y.”
“
You-
“
“Youcan’tpossibl
ycompet
ewi
thme.Youar
efat
.
Tellhi
m Pearlcall
ed.
”
Shehungup.Rethabi
leswall
owedandputhi
s
phonedown.Shesatsti
llst
ari
ngatt
heri
ngonher
fi
nger
.
At
angwal
kedoutwi
that
owelwr
appedar
oundhi
s
wai
st.
“
Pear
lcal
led.
”
“
Youanswer
edmyphone?
”
“Ir
ememberher…sheistheladywhoanswered
yourphonewhenyouwerestil
latyourt
ri
p.I
rememberhervoi
ce.Whereyouevenonawor ktr
ip
oryouwerewit
hher?”
“
Youar
elosi
ngi
t.
”
“Iam not.Idon’
tknowhowyouhi tshotbutyou
werenotatawor ktrip.Youwerewit
hher .This
didn’
tstartj
ustnow.Al lt
hat5monthsyoucl ai
med
tobeonawor ktr
ip,youwer ewi
thher.Sayingyou
wereont ri
pwasal i
eyouknewIwoul dn’tquestion
youabout
.”
“
Youcancheck-
“
“Idon’
twantt
ocheckanything.Notwhenyouhave
sleptwi
thmeafteryouhavesleptwi
thherpossi
bly
givi
ngmediseases.”
“Youaregoingcrazy.Youwon’ tbestandhereasif
youareinnocentwhenyouhavedonenot hingbut
kil
lmybabies.Youdon’ tevenloveme.Youl ove
whatmymoneydoesf oryou,youlovethethingsI
doforyouormaybet hat’
showyouwer erai
sed.O
batagombor awena,.”
“Ineverl ovedyouf oryourmoney.Il ovedyouf or
you,youpi eceofshit!Don’tputmymot herint
othi
s,
sher aisedmewel lthat’
swhyIam goi ngt oHar
var
d
tobedoct or.Mymot herdidwell!Sher aiseda
womanwhocanst andonherown, Idon’tneedyou
tosur vive,whodoyout hinkyouar e?Youar ea
weakl ing!Youcoul dn’tdateyouragemat esand
decidedt ogoaf terme.I tmakessensewhyYaone
l
eftyourass!Iam sogl adthishappenedsonowI
cangoandabor tyourl i
ttl
edirt
,Iwoul dneverwant
tobeassoci
atedwi
thacommunitydi
ckwhenI
havemadeitandIam upt
her
e.”
“
Youar
edosur
eaboutHar
vad,
theydon’
tjustt
ake-
“
“Tsek!Iblameyourf atherwhoneverl ovedyouf or
theamountofbul lshityouhavegr ownupt obe.
NnapapiIam goi ngt oHarvard.Mi ni
stryof
Educationappr ovedmyappl i
cation.ImagineifI
actual
lywentaheadandgotmar r i
edtoyouandbe
stuckwi t
hyouwhenIcoul dbemeet i
ngbet t
ermen
whowi llbeinmyl evel.
”Shelaughed.“ Imagine
beinginAmer icasayi ngIam mar r
iedketogelabo
Zayne,boAndr ew…mi ssi
nganoppor tuni
tytohave
whitekidsal lbecauseofyou?Inever !
”Shecl apped
herhands.“ Iam goi ngt otheStates,youwi l
lremai n
herewithPear l
.Ihopei twor
ksandshegi vesyou
hundredki ds.Bet terit’
snotme, LegoneIwoul dn’t
wantmyki dst ohaveyouasaf ather!Itwouldbea
curse.
”
Helookedatheri
nsi
lence.“
Yourappl
icat
ionwas
approved?
”
Shesmi
ledt
ear
ful
lyt
hent
ookof
fhi
sri
ng.“
Yes.
Thankyouf orshowi ngmewhoyouar e.Youhave
savedmef r
om fut urehear t
br eak.Youhavet aught
meagoodl esson.Andi fIst ayedwi thyouf oryour
money,Iwoul dhaveneverst ayedf orthatlong
becauseyoudon’ thavet hemoneyt ogiveme.
Othermengi vet heirgirl
fr
iends15kmont hly,they
buytheirgir
lfr
iendsdiRangeRover ,youareher e
cryi
ngforwhat ?Secondhandcar ?Otherment ake
thei
rgir
lfr
iendst oPar is…thei ronetripinPar i
swi l
l
buyyourcar .Don’tr ai
seyourvoi cesayingyouhave
moneypapi ,youar enoti nt hesamel eaguewi ththe
bigboys.OngwanaAt ang.Butwhatcanwesay?
Youarewhoyouar e.Tellyourf amilywehave
brokenup.Iam donewi thyou.Got oPear l
.Shehas
gotyourwal l
et.”
Rethabi
legrabbedhercarkeys.“ Andyouknow
whatannoysme?I t’
sthefactthatIknowIchose
thewrongtwin.Agangi smuchbet termant hanyou
caneverbe.Iwi shIhadmethi mf i
rst.Youarethat
onetwinthatthedoctorsshouldhaveki l
led.Buti
t’
s
ok.Imean,Beyoncel eenehadanex, youwi l
lbe
thatexi
nmyl i
fe.Ir
rel
evantex.Goanddi spl
ayyour
weaksextendencies,don'
tfor
gett
oputyour
ener
gyint
oyourf oreplay.
"
Shewalkedoutanddr
oveout
.Atearr
oll
eddown
hercheekf
oll
owedbyanot
herone.
“
It
’sokRet
habi
le…i
t’
sok.
”
Shestoppedbytheredt
raff
icl
ighthol
dingi
tin.Her
phonerang,shel
ookedathi
m call
ingandhungup
thenbl
ockedhim.

SI
XWEEKSLATER…
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#51

TWOMONTHSLATER.
.
InShakawe,Rethabilefini
shedcl
eaningthehouse
thenfi
xedhermot her’spict
urefr
ame.Shet ooka
deepbreathandwal kedt ohermother’
sbedroom.
Everyt
hingwasstill
int hesamepositi
on.
Tearsfil
ledhereyesasshel ookedatthebed.She
satdownonhermot her’
sdressi
ngtableandstared
athersel
font hemi r
ror.Sheopenedthedrawerand
smil
edst aringatt
hepi ct
ureinsi
de.Shetookitout
andchuckl edstar
ingatherandhermot her.
Shest oodupandwal kedtothewardrobewhereher
mot her’
sdresswas.Shet ooki
toutrememberi
ng
herwear i
ngit.Tearsroll
eddown.Shet ookof
fher
dressandputi ton.Shet ookouttheperf
umeand
sprayeditonher sel
fjustli
ghtl
ythewayhermot her
usedt o.
Sheturnedtothemir
rorandbrokedowncr yi
ng.
Shesatdownont hebed,minutespassedthenshe
fi
nall
ykeptquiet
.Thedooropenedf ol
lowedby
Batangwalki
ngin.Hepausedst ar
ingatthedr
ess.
“
That
’sMama’
s?”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Yes…Iam abi
tbi
g,i
tfeel
sti
ght“
“
Itl
ooksni
ce.Yousmel
lli
keher
.”
Sheshowedhi
mtheper
fume.Hesmi
led.
“
Shel
ovedt
hatone.
”
“
Shedi
d.Youwant
?”
Heshookhi
shead.“
Iam goi
ngt
ocr
y.”
“
It
sokt
ocr
y.Come…”
Sheopenedherar
ms.Hewal kedoverandcri
edin
hissi
ster
’sar
ms.Thabibi
therlowerl
iphol
dinghi
m
ti
ghtl
y.
Hefi
nal
lykeptqui
etandsatbesi
desher
.“Iwi
shI
wasgoi
ngwi t
hyou.”
“Metoo.Butyouwi
llbevisi
ti
ng.AndassoonasI
can,
youaregoingt
ost aywithme.”
“Whycan’
tIst
aywi
thuncl
eAgang?He’
sreal
ly
cool
.”
“
Becauseuncl
eAgangi
suncl
eisAt
ang’
sbr
other
.”
“Sohedoesn’
tli
keusanymor
ebecauseyouar
e
angr
yatuncleAtang?
”
“
No.Buthecan’
tst
aywi
thyou.
”
“
Zazai
sal
soni
ce.
”
“
Herchi
ldi
ssi
ck.Shecan’
tst
aywi
thyou.
”
“ButIam notangr
yatUncl
eAt
ang.Youar
ethe
angryone.”
“
Bat
ang,AtangandIar
enol
ongeri
nar
elat
ionshi
p.
Webrokeup.”
“
Why?
”
“Becausehefoundanot
herper
son.Ifsomeone
doesn’tl
oveyouanymore,
youlett
hem be.
”
Batangl
ookedather
.“Sor
ry.Whydi
dn’
tyouj
ust
saythat
?”
“
Youraregoingt
ostaywi t
houruncl
e.AssoonasI
f
indajobthenIwil
ltakeyou.
”
“
IloveyouThabi
…”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.Il
oveyou.
”
Theyhuggedeachothert
henfinall
ywalkedoutof
thebedroom.Ret
habi
le’
sphoner ang.Shepi
ckedi
t
from t
hetabl
eandanswered.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Thabi
,i
t’
sZaza…howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngnnemma?
”
“
IsAt
angt
her
e?”
“
Thabi
-“
“
Iknowhe’
sther
e.Nextweek.Iam goi
ngnext
week.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Ok…Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssyou.
”
“
How’
sthebaby?
”
“
Fine.He’
sfi
ne.Wear
ehopef
ul.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
“
Didyougoaheadwi
tht
heabor
ti
on?
”
“Longback.Iam happythatIam notgoi
ngt
obea
singl
emot heratmyage.GapeIdon’twantt
o
i
nconveniencemonnawasgaPhel e.
”
“
Uhok.Bye.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Shehungup.Thabiwal kedt oherbedroom and
draggedthebagsoutsidetogetcar.Sheput
everyt
hingintheboot.Shewentbackt othedooras
Batangwal kedout
,Rethabil
elockedthedoorand
j
umpedi nhercarwit
hBat ang.
Shecal
ledheruncl
est
art
ingt
heengi
ne
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Malome,Iam onmywayt
her
etodr
opof
fBat
ang
t
henIwil
lgo.
”
“
Ok.Wear
ewai
ti
ng.
”
“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
“
It
sok,
whatt
imei
syourf
li
ght
?”
“
Int
heeveni
ngt
oday.
”
“Okmydaughter
.Wearesoproudofyoubutwhat
aboutyouandAtang…Hepai
dmagadi.Youarehi
s
wif
e.”
“
Idon’
twantt
ogetmarri
ed.Idon’tt
hinkIeverwant
t
ogetmar
ri
ed.Iwantt
obef r
ee.”
“
Mar
ri
agei
s-“
“At
ang’sbehavi
orshowedwhathecoul
dhavebeen
capabl
eofoncehegotmarri
ed.Idon’
twantt
oget
marri
ed.”
“Thabi
,youcan’
tint
oawil
dani
maljustbecause
youandyourhusbandhadal
it
tl
efr
icti
on.”
“
Hecheat
edonme.Idon’
twanthi
m anymor
e.He
l
eftmecr
yingatt
hemal
lgoi
ngwit
hher.Iwi
llnever
f
orgi
vehi
m. ”
“
Mydaught
er-
*
“
Iam onmywayt
her
e.”
Hesi
ghed.“
Ok…*
Ret
habi
lereversedjustasFaraipar
kedbesi
det
he
gat
eandwal kedin.Hewalkedoversmil
ing.
Ret
habi
lesmi l
edsteppingoutofthecar
.
Far
aismi
ledt
henhuggedhert
ight
ly.Shesi
ghed
put
ti
ngherar
msaroundhi
m withhereyescl
osed.
“
Hey…”
Shesmi
ledt
henst
eppedback.“
Hi.
”
Far
aismi
led.“
Youar
egoi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssyousomuch.
”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Met
oo.
”
“
Don’
tfor
getme…pl
ease.
”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
Farai
tookherhandsi
ntohi
sandki
ssedt
hem.“
Iam
happyforyou.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Hehuggedheragainthenletgo.Helookedather
l
ipsandleanedovert
okissher.Shelookeddown,
hisl
ipsl
andingonhercheekinsteadthenshe
smil
ed.
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
Far
aiswal
lowedandcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.“Yeah…cal
l
me.”
“
Iwi
llbye!
”
Hewatchedherget
ti
nginherwhit
eBenzthen
wavedassherever
sed.Shewavedbacksmil
ing
anddroveof
f.
*
*

Atangi
nsert
edanewsim cardinhi
sphoneand
call
edher
.Thephoner
angt wicet
henshepi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
pleasedon’
thangup.Canwet
alk?
”
“At
angyouandIhavenot
hingt
otal
kabout
.St
op
cal
li
ngme.”
“
Ineedt
oseeyou.
”
“
OkaePhel
e?”
“
Weneedt
otal
k.”
“Wehavenothi
ngtotal
kaboutit
.Leavemeal
one.I
am aboutt
orepor
tyouforhar
assment!”
“
Babepl
ease…Iknowyouar
eupset
.”
“
Idon’
twantyou.
”
“
Wher
eist
hebaby?
”
“
Inheaven.
”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Youabor
tedheragai
n?”
“Yes.ItoldyouIwoul
d.Iwoul
dneverwantt
obe
associatedwit
hyou.”
Hecl
osedhi
seyessit
ti
ngi
nbuscar
.“Why?Why
woul
dyouki
llher
?”
“
BecauseIwantnot
hingt
odowi
thyou.
”
Her
ubbedhi
seyessadl
y.“
Didyoueverl
oveme?
”
“
Yes.Notanymor
e.”
“
Thabi
-“
“Idi
d.Notanymor e.Youhavetaughtmet
hatl
ove
doesn’tgetyouanywher
ebecausewearewit
h
peoplewhodon’tknowwhatloveis.”
“
Canwet
alk?Wher
ear
eyou?Kebat
arebua.
”
“Iam notgoi
ngtotal
ktomebecauseyouandIar
e
done.Therel
ati
onshi
prani
t’
scause.
”
“
Please…”
“
Bye.
”
“
CanIcomewher
eyouar
esowet
alk?
”
“
No.
”
“Imessedup.Myactionswer einfl
uencedbyanger.
Iwasangr yandIwantedtohur tyouback.Iwas
hurtbecauseevenaf
terassuringyouofmyl ove.
.
youstil
lwentaheadtookplananabor t
ion.”
“Iam happyyougotangr yandshowedmewhoyou
are.Iwillneverfor
giveyouf ort heamountofpain
youputmet hrough.Forsl eepingwithmeaf t
eryou
sleptwithher.Forembar rassingmeandchoosi ng
her.Iwillneverfor
giveyou.Youhur tmesomuchI
willneverforgi
veyouf orit.Stayawayf r
om me!I
havenot hingofyourswi t
hme.Youevenhadt he
audacitytohernamewhi leont opofme.Ilongtol
d
youIwoul dneverforgi
veyoui fyoucheated.
”
“
Iforgaveyouwhenyouki
ll
edSarona,
Iam al
so
wil
li
ngtoforgi
veyouf
orSarona-
“
“
HeywenaSat an,youarenotGod.Idon’
tneedyour
f
orgi
veness.Pl
easeleavemealone.”
“
Babe-
“
Shehungup.Hetr
iedcal
li
ngagai
nbutitdi
dn’
tgo
thr
ough.Hesi
ghedthenst
eppedoutofhi
scarata
cardeal
ershi
p.Acardeal
erwal
kedt
ohi
m.
“
Boss…”
“Eit
a,shownewhatyouhave.Iwantsomet
hing
niceformywif
e.”
Hisphonevibr
ated,het
ookitoutf
rom hi
spocket
andlookedatPearl
call
ing.
“
Pear
l…”
“
Whereareyou?Youar
est
ressed.ComeIwi
ll
massageyou.
”
“
Thammadon’
tdot
his.
”
“
Dowhat
?Come…Iwi
llmakeyouf
eelbet
ter
.”
“
Iam busynow.
”
“Att
ie…come.Youneedt
ocum soyoucant
hink
properl
y.Come…”
Heswal
lowedl
ist
eni
ngt
oherl
uri
ngvoi
ce.
“
Ilovemywi
fe.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Ili
keyourbodyandIwantt
ofuckyououtofmy
system butnotenoughtocont
inuedest
royi
ngmy
rel
ationshi
p.Youlookli
keyoucouldbeagood
fuck.”
Pearll
aughed.“
Whenyouwantme,
youknowwher
e
tofi
ndme. ”
Shehungup.At
angsi
ghedandpoi
ntedatacar
.
“Thatone.
”

*
**

Zazahel
dherphonet
alki
ngt
oAgang.
“
Can’
tyout
alkt
oyourcousi
nbabe?
”
“ThabiandIarenotclose.Gapewhatyourbr
other
didisunfor
givabl
e.”
“
Hewasangr
yandhur
t.He-
“
“Heshoul
downupt ohi
sshit.IdoubtThabiwil
l
forgi
vehi
m.Sheknowsshecanmakei twithout
him.Hermotherdi
dwi t
houtaman.Idon’ tknow
whatitwi
llt
akeforhertof
orgivehim.”
“
Iam get
ti
ngi
nameet
ing.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungup.Zazaf
ini
shedprepar
ingherson’
sfood
t
henwalkedt
ohisroom wherehewassleepi
ng.
Shetookadeepbreat
hstari
ngathi
m.Thechemo
wastaki
ngatollonhi
sli
tt
lebodybutshewasgoi
ng
tokeephi
mf i
ghti
ng.
“
Hey…”
Shetouchedhi
scoldhand.Acol
dchi
llr
andown
herspi
neasshelookedathi
m.Shesl
owlypi
cked
hi
m.
“
Hey….Baby…wakeup.
.”
Her
emai
nedst
il
l,
hisbodycol
d.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#52
Ret
habi
ledr
oveinheruncle’
syar
dthataf
ter
noon
andpar
kedbesi
deshisNissandoubl
ecab.
Meanwhi
leattheneighbor’
shouse,mmagweKaelo
fr
ownedstar
ingatthecar.Hernei
ghborl
ookedat
her.
“
Who’
sthat
?”
“I
t’
sLelomo’
schild!Shehasbroughtherbr ot
herso
hecanburdenus.Iwonderwhyshej ustcan’
ttake
herbrot
herwhereversheisgoing.Kanaweal ready
haveourbudgetsgapeIjustdon’twanttocareof
anyone’
schil
drenwhennoonehel pedmewi thmy
ki
ds.”
Shestoodannoyed.“ Sheshouldbelooki
ngfort
hat
boy’sfat
herinsteadofbringi
nghi
mt ome.Idon’
t
knowwhatpeopl et
hinkIam, asl
avewho’smeant
totakeofeveryone’schi
ldren.
”
Thenei
ghborl
aughed.“
Tel
lheryoucan’
t.
”
“HowwhenRragweKaelotol
dhershecoul
dbri
ng
him.Somet
imesIhat
ethismansomuch.Ketol
ake
i
potsagor
eoi
tagor
ekemai
dkanasl
avesa
gagwe.
”
“
Nyaamma,st
andourgr
ound.Youcan’
tbef
orced
t
obeananny.
”
“Heisnotgoingtostayinmyhouseforf
reeeati
ng
myf oodforf
ree,dr
inki
ngmywat erf
orfr
ee.That
’s
notgoingtohappen.Iam notachar
it
yhouse.Ke
eta.
”
MmagweKael
owalkedtoheryar
dasherhusband
wel
comedhi
ssist
er’
schi
ldr
en.
Rethabil
esmiledwal
kinginsi
dethehousewi
thher
uncle.Herunclesmi
ledhappi
ly.
“
Iam pr
oudofyou.Youhavecomesof
ar.
”
Ret
habi
lenodded.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Sowher
eexact
lyar
eyougoi
ngi
nAmer
ica?
”
“
Bost
on,
Massachuset
ts.
”
“Whereisthat?Waitsedon’
tbotheryoursel
fmy
chil
d.Idon’tknowthoseplaces,whatIknowisyou
aregoingtoAmer i
ca.Mysi st
eri
shappywher ever
sheis.
”
MmagweKaelowal kedi
nsi
det
hehouseandsay
nextt
oherhusband.
“
Ret
habi
le,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ineaunt
y,howar
eyou?
”
“Wit
ht hewayyoumadei tclearyouwouldnever
separatef
rom yourbr
otherIam surpr
isedyouare
l
eavinghimtoday.”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Iwi
llt
akehi
m af
terIhave
set
tl
ed.
”
“Ng…Isee.ButThabi ,weneedt otalkaboutyour
marriage.Youjustcan’tdeci
deyouwantt obreak
upthenupandgowhenmagadiwaspai dforyou.
It
’sdisrespect
fulandpaintsourfamilybad.Aft
er
everythingthi
smandi dforyou,itshowsjusthow
ungratefulyouaretojustthi
nkyoucandumphi m.
Thatmani syourhusband.Youshoul dnotbehere,
youshoul dbewi t
hyournewf amil
y!”
Herhusbandl
ookedather
.“Mogat
saka,
Thabisays
hewascheati
ngand-
“
“
Whatmandoesn’
tcheat
?Doest
hatmeanwe
shouldleaveourhusbandsbecausewear ebeing
cheatedon?It’
snatureforamantocheat .
Rethabil
eisnottheonlywomanwi thavaginaon
eart
h.Everyotherwomanhasavagi naanditwas
madef oraman.Youwanthi mt otastethesame
foodeverynight
?”
“
MmagweKael
o-“
“Shewasl uckyt
ohavef oundsomeonewhol oved
herthewayshei s.Nowwho’ sgoingtowanther.
Mendon’ twantf
atwoman!Youshoul dgobackto
yourmanandaskf orf
orgivenessandmoveonwi th
l
ife.Andhelawhat’swrongwi t
hUBi fImayask?UB
i
sst i
ll
-“
“Enoughwoman!I fmyniecedoesn’ twanttoget
mar r
iedt
henthat’
sit.She’
syoung, shecanalways
fi
ndsomeoneel se.Justbecauseyouset t
ledfor
l
essbecauseofenvydoesn’ tmeanever yone
should!I
fyouhavenot hi
ngintel
li
genttosay…you
knowwhat ?Justkeepquiet.Goandspr eadgossip
i
nt hestr
eets.
”
MmagweKael
okeptqui
et.Ret
habi
let
ookadeep
br
eat
h.
“
I-
“
“Got oHarvard.Bringthatdegreehome.Iam pr oud
ofyou.Batangwi l
lstayinmyhousewi thme.He
willbemyson.Heshal leatwhatIeat.Heshal lst
ay
andl i
vehappilyinthishouse.Goandt akeyour
degree,don’tfeelpressuredtotakehim.Iwi l
lbehis
fat
her ,
hismot her,hisguardi
an.Iwilldorightby
him.”
Tear
sfi
ll
edRet
habi
l
e’seyes.“
Thankyou.
”
“
It
sal
ri
ght
.”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatheraunt
.“Thankyouaunt
y.”
MmagweKael
olookedather
.“Eemma.
”
Ret
habi
leopenedherbagt
hent
ookoutaphone.
“IboughtBatangapr
operphonesohei
sabl
eto
communi cat
ewi t
hme.”
Shegaveittohi
m.Bat
angsmi
ledst
ari
ngatt
he
smartphone.
“
Yes!
”
Hehuggedhersi
sterhappi
ly.Ret
habi
lesmi
led
wrappi
nghi
sarmsar oundher.
Shel
ookedatt
het
ime.“
Ihavet
ogo.Myf
li
ghti
sfor
9.
”
Theyal
lstoodupandwalkedoutexpectf
or
MmagweKael o.Outsi
deRet
habi
letookoutdone
moneyfrom herpur
seandgaveitt
oheruncle.
“
Idi
dn’
tbutanyt
hingso-
“
Heshookhi
shead.“
Nomydaught er
.Thi
sisyour
home.Hi
shome.Therei
sfood.Youdon’
thaveto
gi
vememoney.”
“
It
stohel
pint
hehouse.
”
“Ican’
taccepti
t.Keepi
tforyour
self.Youdon’t
knowwher eyouaregoi
ng.Wewi llbefineher
e.”
Ret
habi
leputi
taway.“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
“
It
sok.
”
Shewal kedtothecarisandgoti
nwit
hBatang.She
openedherbagandt ookoutt
hemoneyhermother
l
eft,i
twasst il
lint
heplast
icshehadf
ounditi
n,
untouchable.Shegaveitt
ohim.
“
Keept
hismoney.Whent
hingst
urnbad,t
akei
t,go
t
other
ankandgetabust
oGaborone.Youwil
lgo
t
oAgang’
shouse.
”
Henodded.
“Iwil
lleaveyouwi tht
hi scar d.I
thasmoneyi nsi
de.I
don’twantyout ouset hismoneyunl essandonlyif
necessary.Youhaveapasspor t.Iam goingtofi
nd
ajobandseei fIcantakeyou.Butf ornowbea
goodchi l
d.Don’tbedisr espectf
ul.Readyourbooks
andpass.MmagweKael oi snotthenicestwoman
butouruncl ei
ssodon’ tmi ndher.Ifanyt
hing
happenscal lme.Iwil
lgi veyoumynumberassoon
asIarrive.Butti
llt
hen, callAgang.OrFar ai
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shegavehi
m hermot
her
’sper
fume.“
Staywi
tht
his.
I
t’
sMama’s.”
Bat
angsmi
ledt
aki
ngi
t.“
Ok.
”
Rethabi
lehuggedhi
m.Tearsfi
ll
edhereyest
hen
shelaughed.“
Idon’
twantt
oleaveyou.
”
“
Ican’
twai
ttocomet
oAmer
icat
oo.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Ok.Bye…”
“
Bye.
”
Heputt
hemoneyandbankcar
dinhi
spocket
.
“
Thepi
nis0887.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hesteppedoutthenwaved.Rethabi
lest
art
edt
he
carandrever
sedthendroveoffheadedt
o
Gaborone.

*
**

Agangwalkedi
nZaza’
shousel
atert
hatdayt
aki
ng
of
fhist
ie.
“
Babe!
”
Hewalkedtohisson’sroom andopenedthedoor.
Hesmiledstar
ingatZazawhowasont hefl
oor
hol
dinghiminherar ms.Hi
ssmi l
eslowl
y
di
sappearedashest ar
edathertear
s.Heslowly
wal
kedoverandl ookedathi
sson.
Hisheartpoundedashet ouchedhisl
it
tl
ehand.
Zazalookedathim cr
yingsil
entl
y.Heswall
owed,
tear
sburninghisowneyes.Nowi tmadesensewhy
shehadnotbeenanswer ingherphone.
Hetookouthi
sphone,
hishandsshaki
ngt
hen
cal
ledhi
sbrot
her
.
“
Agang…”
“
Hei
sgone…”
Ther
ewassi
lence.“
Shi
t!
”
“
Whodoyoucal
l?Whatdoyoudo?
”
“
Letmecal
lsomeone.Iam comi
ngt
her
e?”
Atearr
oll
eddownAgang’
scheek.“
Whatshoul
dI
do?”
“
Iam comi
ng.Wher
eisZaza?
”
“
Wit
hhi
m.Hi
sbodyi
scol
d.”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Shoul
dIcal
lmama?
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lher
.”
“
Maybehei
sst
il
lal
i
ve.Mamacanpr
ayf
orhi
m.”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Aganglookedathisson,
hisenti
rebodycrumpl
ing
down,hecouldfeelhi
sstr
engthdrai
nout.Heknel
t
bef
oreZaza.
Shel
ookedathim andcri
ed.Heputhisar
ms
ar
oundhercr
yingtoo,t
heirchi
ldbet
weenthem.

*
**

El
angscroll
edthroughThabi’
sFacebookti
meline
wi
thherfakeaccount,shehadn’
tpostedanyt
hingin
awhil
e.Shesighedthendial
edhernumberbuti t
di
dn’
tgothrough.
Shel ookedatthepil
lsonherbedunablet
owaitt
il
l
schoolsr e-
openedsoshecanproperl
ydri
veher
crazy.
Sheputt
hepi
ll
sawayj ustasherr
oommat
ewal
ked
i
nlaughi
ngonherphone.
“
Iam comi
ng.Gi
vemet
womi
nut
es.Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
Shehungup.El
angl
aughed.“
Who’
sthat
?”
Theroommatelaughedt
oo.“
Myboyf
ri
end.Iam
goi
ngout.Seeyoutomorr
ow.”
Sheputonherf l
ipflopandpickedheral r
eady
packedoverni
ghtbagt henwalkedout.Elanggotof
f
herbedandwal kedoutt henwat chedherroommate
j
umpi nherboyfriend’sAudi5.Bor ed,
shewalked
backinthehouse.
ShewenttogetFacebookmessagesandl ookedat
thehi
’
sinherinbox.Shewenttoeveryprof
il
eof
eachper
sonandsi ghedputt
ingherphoneaway.
Thefi
shinherinboxwasn’tt
hefishshewanted.

*
**

Hourslateri
nGaborone,Rethabi
lepar
kedatthe
air
port,
herheartr
acing.Shegotoutandtookher
bagsthendraggedthem insi
deSirSer
etseKhama
Int
ernati
onalAi
rport
.
“
Kai
sar
a!”
Rethabi
let
urnedandl
ookedatMr
.Kgosiwal
king
over.Hesmil
ed.
“
Dr.Kai
sar
a…”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Sir
..
”
Hegotcl
oserandgotherbags.“
Ihavebeensentt
o
seeyouof
fandgiveyouwordsofencouragement
.”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Let
’sgoi
nDr
.Kai
sar
a.”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
det
henhesmi
ledst
ari
ngather
.
“Youaregoingtomakeit.Youaregoingtobet
he
doctoryouwanttobe,youjusthavetoknowwhich
doctorthati
s.Iam pr
oudofyouKai sar
a.”
“
ThankyouSi
r.
”
Hehuggedher .Rethabi
let
ookadeepbr eat
hf eel
ing
hi
smuscl esaroundher.Hi
sbreathbrushedher
neck.Sheslowlyputherar
msar oundhim,herheart
beati
ngwayf aster
.Hepull
edawayandsmi l
ed.
“
Goodl
uck!
”
Shesmi
ledt
aki
ngherbags.“
Bye.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Youknowwhat
?Fucki
t!
”
Hepull
edhercl
oserandkissedher
.Rethabil
e
gaspedasheki
ssedherravishi
ngherl
ips.He
pull
edawayandsmil
ed.
“
Go.
”
Sheswal
lowedt
hensl
owl
ytur
nedandwal
kedaway.

*
**

Int
heplane,Ret
habi
let
ookapi
ctur
eandpost
edi
t
onherFacebook.
‘
Har
var
dher
eIcome.Dr
.Kai
sar
aint
hemaki
ng.
’
Shelookedathercapt
ionthensmil
ed.She
unbl
ockedAtangandtextedhim.
Rethabil
e:Hi.Iam l
eavi
ng.Ihaveleftyourcaratthe
air
port.Thecarkeysarewiththeair
portstaff
.Itol
d
them youaregoingtocomeandcol lectthem.You
canalwaysreselli
torbett
eryet,gi
veittoPearl.I
l
efttheri
nginsi
dethecar.Imovedmyt hingsf
rom
yourhouse,
what’sl
efti
swhatIf ound.Bye.
Shesentt
hemessagej
ustast
heai
rhost
ess
st
art
edtal
king.

*
**

Pul
ewat chedasRethabil
e’
splanetookoff,
heheld
uphisphonet aki
ngavideothensmiledwatchi
ngit
goup.Hewal kedoutoftheair
portandjumpedin
hi
scar.

*
**

AtAgang’
shouse,
Atangr
eadt
hemessageand
t
ri
edcall
ingher
.
“
Thenumberyouhave-
“
“
Shi
t!
”
Pr
incewal
kedover
.“Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Thabii
sgone.
”
Princesi
ghed.“
Youmessedup.Bigti
me.For
gether
evertaki
ngyouback.Noti
nthi
sli
fet
imeanyway.
It
’sover.
”
Heswal
lowedsi
tt
ingdown,
real
it
ydawni
ngonhi
m.
“
Iloveher
…”
“
It
stool
atenow.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#53

AtJohannesburgORTamboI nternati
onalAir
port
,
Rethabi
lecheckedoutuponar r
ivalthencheckedin
forherconnect
ingfl
ight
.Wit
honl yherlapt
opbag,
shewalkedtoTerminalAfol
lowi ngbehindtwo
whiteladieswhowerel
aughing.Shetookadeep
breathgladshehadchangedintoherjeansand
sneakers,itmademovi
ngmucheasi er.
Minuteslat
ersheboar dedintotheBrit
ishAir
ways
fl
ightandsatbyt hewindow.Shel ookedaroundat
thebeauty,herheartpounding.Amansatbesi de
herandgaveheranod.Shesmi ledandlookedout
throughthewindow
“
Goodeveni
ngl
adi
esandgent
lemen.
”
Rethabil
etookadeepbr eat
hasaf li
ghtat
tendant
spokesoftl
y.Sheswi t
chedoffherphonefol
lowing
i
nstructi
onst henputonherseat
beltt
oget
herwi t
h
everyoneelse.
Sherubbedhersweat
ypal
msandtookadeep
breat
hastheplanesl
owl
ytot
ookoffheadedt
o
LondonHeathr
ow.

*
**

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningi
nBot
swana,
Keemisi
ghed
st
ari
ngatherdaught
erwhowassi
tt
ingont
he
matt
resscr
ying.
“Idon’tunderst
andwhyyounevert oldmet hebaby
wassi ck.Maybethisiswhyhedi edbecausethe
biblesaysrespectyourmotherandfatherforl
ong
l
ife.Youdon’teventalkt
omeorcheckhowIam
doingyetyouar emydaught er
.”
Otherrel
ati
veslookedather
.“NommagweZaza,
t
hat’snowayt ospeaktoachil
dwhoi
sgri
evi
ng.”
“Thisist
herightwayt
obecauseZachari
adoesn’
t
respectme.Todayshegavebi
rt
htoaf at
her
less
chil
dwhodi ed.”
MmagweAgangf r
owned.“Youwillnotspeaktoli
ke
that
.Ihaveheardenoughofthi
s,ifyoucan’t
sympat hi
zewi
thyourdaughter
,don’t
.WhatIwill
notletyoudoi
sdestroythi
swomanf ur
ther
anymor e.
”
“
Yoursondi
dnotpay-
“
“Yes,hedi
dnotandhewillbutIwi
llnotl
etyou
harassthi
schi
ld.Whatki
ndofamot herareyou?
Areyounotashamed?Youshouldbeashamed. ”
Keemil
ookedateveryonewhowasnowlooki
ngat
hert
hecli
ckedhertongueandwal
kedout
.
Zazasnif
fedasmmagweAt angsatdowntonextt
o
her.Out
sideot
herr
elat
ivessangchur
chsongs.

*
**

At
anghandedthecashiermoneyatashopthen
wal
kedouthisnewsim car
d.Hegotinhiscarand
i
nser
tedi
tthenregi
ster
editbef
oretr
yingtocal
lher.
“
Thenumberyouhavedi
aledi
snotavail
ableatt
he
moment
,pl
easetr
yagainl
ater
,thankyou.
”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handcal
ledBat
ang'
snumber
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heybuddy,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
What
’sup?Wher
ear
eyouguys?
”
“
Iam atmyuncl
e’
shouse.Thabiwentt
oAmer
ica.
”
“
Sheal
readyl
eft
?Wasn’
tshegoi
ngnextweek?
”
“
No.I
twaslastni
ght.AndIam notsupposedtotal
k
t
oyouanymorebecauseyouhaveanewgi rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Whosai
dthat
?”
“
Thabi
.”
Atangsighed.“
It
sok.Sheisangr
yatmethat’
swhy
shesaidthatbuti
tdoesn’
thavet
obeli
kethat
.Iam
al
waysher e.
”
“
Sot
her
eisnonewwoman?
”
“
No.Ther
eisnoone.Hasshecal
ledyouyet
?”
“
Notyet
.”
“
Okbuddy,
look,
don’
ttel
lherwespoke.
”
“
Ok.
”
At
anghungupandputhi
shandsonhi
sface.Pear
l
st
art
edcal
li
ng.
“
Isai
dIwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“At
ang,Ij
ustsawt
hatyourbr
other
’ssonpassedon.
Iam sosor
ry.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Itcan’
tbeeasyonhim.Ort
hechi
ld’
smot
her
.Iam
r
eall
ysorr
yforyourl
oss.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Didyoumanaget
otal
ktoRet
habi
le?
”
“Iam notgoingtodi
scussmywifewithyou.I
fI
everdid,i
t’
sstoppi
ngtodaysonevermenti
onher
name.”
“Ok.Iam sorr
y.Uh, mytapisleaki
ng.Idon’tknow
whot ocall
.It
riedeveryt
hingbutitwon’tandwater
hadfil
ledthekitchen.
”
“
Cal
lapl
umbert
hen.
”
“Idon’
tknowanyoneandIhaven’ tgot
tenpaid.
Couldyoupleasefi
xit.Idon’
tthi
nkIwillbeabl
eto
handlethewaterbi
ll
.Ineedhelp.
”
“
Soyouwantmet
oleavemynephew’
s-“
“Iam sur
ei twon’
ttakelong.At
angIam sor
ryf
or
whateverthatkdi
dbecauseIam seeingyounow
hateme.Iam sorry.Pleasehel
pme.”
“Idon’
that
eyoubutIwantt
ost
ayf
arawayf
rom
you.”
“
Iknow.Iwon’teverallyou.Ij
ustwantmytapt
obe
f
ixedbef
oreIdrownt hehouse.Please.
.”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.Pl
easehur
rysoyoucangobackt
othe
f
uneral
.”
Atangstart
edt hecaranddrovet oPearl
’
shouse.He
parkedinsi
deheryardandwal kedinsideherhouse.
Hewal kedtothekit
chenwher eshewasonher
kneesmoppi ngthefloorwit
hat owel.Helookedat
thetapewhichshehadt i
edwithanothertowel.
Shegotup.“
Ifyoutakeofft
het
owel
,thewat
eri
s
goi
ngtogoeverywhere.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Goandcl
osei
tatt
heback.
”
Pearlnoddedandwalkedoutinheroi
nknightdr
ess.
Shewal kedbacki
nandf oundhi
m alr
eadyworki
ng
onthetap.Shekneltdownandconti
nuedmopping.
Hef
ini
shedupandl
ookedather
.“Goandopeni
t.
”
Shegotupandwal
kout
sidet
hem openedi
t.She
wal
kedbacki
nsi
det
hehouseandsmi
led.
“
Youf
ixedi
t!
”
“
It
stempor
ary,
youneedt
ogetanewt
ap.
”
“Thankyou.Iwant
edt
ocal
lyouyest
erdaybutIgot
scared.
”
“
Gotscar
edofwhat
?”
“
Youhat
eme.Iwi
shIknewwhatIdi
d.”
“Idon’
that
eyou.Ij ust
…Imessedupwi t
hmy
rel
ati
onshi
p.Idon’tknowhowIevenletithappen
becauseIl
oveher .IknowIdo.Maybei
twasanger
andpainbutIloveher.Iwant
edtosavemy
rel
ati
onshi
p.”
“
Iunder
stand.Ihopeever
ythi
ngwor
ksout
.”
“Shelef
t.Idoubti
t.Sheal
readywentt
oHar
var
d,
sheisgoingtomeetmuchbet t
ermen.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Ial
waysf
earedwhenshegoesshewoul dleaveme
butnowIknowf orsuresheisgoi
ngtomoveon.
Maybeshewillneverevercomeback.
”
Pear
lst
aredathi
ssadf
ace.“
Iam sor
ry…come…”
Shepull
edhimtoherbedroom andpushedhim on
thebedthent
ookoffherdressremai
ningnaked.
Hel
ookedatherbodyt
henshegotont
opofhi
m.
Sheunzi
ppedhispantsandt
ookouthi
sdickthen
l
eanedoverandsuckedit
.Hegr
unted,
hisdi
ck
get
ti
ngevenharder
.
Pear
lrai
sedherheadand#r
emoved.
.
Shegrabbedhi shandsgaspingthenspasmed
moaninglouder.Atangbithisl
owerli
p,hiscum
comingatfullspeed.Sheclosedhereyesashe
fi
ll
edherup.
“
Shi
t!
”
Heslowlysl
idoutbr
eathi
ngheavi
ly.Hisphonerang
i
nhispocket.At
angtookadeepbreathandpicked
hi
sbrother
’scal
l.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Pear
lcal
led…hert
apwas-
“
“
Whatt
hef
uckdi
dthi
swomanf
eedyou?
”
Atangwalkedoutofherbedr
oom.“
Somet
hingi
sin
hervagi
na.”
“
Youf
uckedherf
orr
ealt
hist
ime?
”
“
She’
s..wow!
”
“
Atascal
eof10?
”
“
Shei
sat
en.
”
“
Idon’
tbel
ieveyou.
”
“
Comeandf
eeli
tforyour
sel
f.
.”
Pr
incespoket
o.“Who?Pearl?Lennakeabat
a.We
ar
ecoming.Sendlocat
ion.
”
Atanghungupandsentthel
ocat
ion.Hewentback
toPear
l’
sbedroom andf
oundherasleep.Heki
ssed
her.
“
Hey…”
Sheopenedhereyesandsmi
led.
“
Hi.
”
“
Ili
keyou.It
hinkIshoul
dacceptIl
ostThabiand
moveon.”
Shesmi
led.“
Ohh.
.”
“
Yeah…andyouar
eper
fectf
orme.
”
“
Iam happyf
eel
thatwaybecauseIl
oveyou.
”
Atangki
ssedher
.“Ok.Uhbyt
heway,
youknowI
haveatwinri
ght
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Mybr ot
herandIar eone.Weshareeverythi
ng.
Incl
udingwomen.Thabiwasour sboth.I
fit’
sto
mucht ohandlewecanendt his.Becausemy
brot
herandmyf r
iendli
ketoshareeveryt
hing.I
fI
am notther
e,eit
herPrinceorAgangiswi t
hyou
keepingyouhappy.YougetwhatImean? ”
Sheswal
lowedandnodded.
“
Shoul
dwecont
inue?
”
“
Yesbutwewi
llal
lsi
tdownsoIunder
standhow
t
hiswor
ks.
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Soyoual
sosl
eepwi
thPr
ince’
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
Yes.Al
soAgang’
s.”
Shenodded.“
Ok.Ihavenever
…donet
hatbef
ore.
”
“Iunderstand.Agangl
osthi
sson.He’ssad.He’
s
comi ngover.Hewantstomeetyou.Toget
herwit
h
Prince.Theywanttosayhit
henwegot othe
funeral.
”
“
Ok,
letmedr
essup.
”
“
Don’
t.Ist
il
lwantt
ofuckyou.
”
Hefl
ippedhermaki
ngherkneelandst
rokedhi
msel
f
t
hen#r emoved.
.

Shestoodonhert
oesunabl
etot
akei
tast
ear
s
fi
ll
edhereyes.
Herbedr
oom dooropenedt
henhistwinwal
kedi
n
f
oll
owedbyPr i
nce.Agangl
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed
walki
ngover
.
“
Hey….
”
Pearll
ookedathi
sbr other
,tear
srol
li
ngdownwhi
le
Atangconti
nuedfuckingher.
“
Shhhh.
.it
’sok.Osekawal
ela.
”
Heki ssedhercheekst henherli
pswhi l
esqueezi ng
herbr east.Pri
ncesli
dhishandbet weenherpussy
l
ips.Her ubbedhercli
tgentl
ywhilecaressingher
body.Pear l
’
sheartpoundedasallthreemen
surroundedher .Sheclosedhereyesatt hepleasure.
Atanghi titaspotasPr i
nceconti
nuedr ubbingher
cl
itwhi leAgangkissedherneckwhi speringsweet
nothingst oherear.
ShemoanedinAgang’smout hlet
ti
ngitoutagai
n.
Atanggaveheronel
aststrokeandrel
eased.He
movedandkissedherback.
“
Iwil
lseel
aterbabe.Letmer
ushbackt
othe
f
uner
al.
”
Atangwipedhimselft
henpickedhisphoneand
walkedoutasAgangbendedhermor enowbehind
behindher
.Pri
ncetookouthisweaponandpushed
i
tinhermouth.Hegent l
ytappedherthr
oatenj
oyi
ng
hi
msel f
.Agangheldherwaistandpushedhisdi
ck
i
nsi
decur
singunder
neat
hhi
sbr
eat
h.Theybot
h…

*
**

I
nOrapa,
Bat
angpackedhiscl
othesi
nhisnew
r
oom.MmagweKaelowalkedi
nandlookedathi
m.
“Whattimear
eyoucl
eani
ngt
hehouseandmaki
ng
breakf
ast?
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Ma?
”
“Hey, doyout hi
nkyouar ejustheretoeatandgot o
thet oil
et?ThisisnotGabor oneandIam notyour
sister.Thishousei snotgoi ngtocleanit
sel
f.St
art
cleaningr ightnowt henafterthatcook.Myclot
hes
aredi rty.Theyneedt obewashed.I fyoudon’twash
them t henyouwi llsleepoutsidedoyouhearme? ”
Henodded.Shel
ookedathi
mthencl
ickedher
t
onguewalki
ngout.
“Makesur
eyoumopever
ycor
nerandr
aket
he
yar
d.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#54

InLondon,twohour sbehindofBot
swana,the
Brit
ishAir
waysf l
ighttouchedgr
oundinLondon
Heat hr
ow.Itsl
idsmoot hl
yontherunwayandfinal
ly
stopped.TheAirhostessspoke.
“Goodmor ningLadiesandGentlemen,
wehave
touchedgroundinLondonHeat hrowwherelocal
ti
mei s07:35.Connecti
ngfl
ighttoBost
on,
Massachuset t
swillbeint
wohour sandthi
rt
y
minutesforthosegoingtoBoston,wel
comet o
London.”
Rethabi
lesmiledtaki
ngof ft
heseat
bel
texhausted
fr
om justsi
tt
ing.Shet ookadeepbr
eat
hast heygot
offthepl
aneatTer minal5.
Ret
habi
lecheckedoutast
hecol
dbr
eezebr
ushed
herskin.Sheopenedherl aptopbaggl adshehad
doneherr esearch.Sheputonherj acketthenpull
ed
herbagst othesitti
ngar eawher eotherpassengers
thatwerewai t
ingfort heconnectingfli
ghtwere
beingled.Rethabil
eputherbagsdownl ooking
aroundunabl etobel i
eveshewasact uall
yin
London.Theai rportlookedsobusywi t
hamountof
peopleshewasseei ngt houghthattooknot hi
ng
from t
hebeaut yoft heairporti
tself
.
Shetookoutherphoneandswit
chedi
tont
hen
smil
edconnecti
ngtotheWif
i.
Herphonevibrat
edasmessagenotifi
cat
ions
star
ted.SheopenedherWhatsAppandlookedat25
messagesfrom anunsavednumber.Shecli
ckedon
themessage.
Number
:Heyi
t’
sEl
ang
Number
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Number
:Ican’
tbel
ieveyoul
eftwi
thoutt
ell
ingme
Number
:Yourappl
icat
iongotappr
oved?
Number
:Wai
tseyouar
etr
ickyThabi
le,
Ican’
t
bel
ievet
his.Ir
eal
lyt
houghtwewer
efr
iends
Number
:WhataboutAt
ang?
Number:Youar
ejustgoi
ngt
oleavewi
thoutawor
d?
Gi
rl
s
Number
:WhataboutBat
ang?
Number
:Wai
tseourf
ri
endshi
pwasonesi
ded!
Number
:Ican’
tbel
ieveyouar
egoi
ngt
oHar
var
d!
Thabi
ler
eadt her
estroll
inghereyest
henblue
ti
ckedal
lofthem andrepli
edsomeofher
cl
assmate’
smessages.Shecl i
ckedonBatang’
s
numberandsenthim amessage.
Thabi
:Hey,
nowi
nLondon.Howi
sit
?
Themessaget i
ckedonce.Sherepli
edmore
messagesthenstoodupandwal ktotheglasswal
l
st
aringataplanethatwaslandi
ng.Shetooka
pi
ctureofi
tthenacoupleofself
ieswhichshe
postedwit
hacapt i
on.
‘
London,
check.Nextf
li
ghtt
oBost
on.
’
Shesmi
ledr
eadi
ngt
hecomment
sfr
om her
pr
eviouspict
ure.Sherepl
iedt
omostcomments
smil
ing.AgangsentheramessageoverWhat
sApp.
Agang:Hey,
MsHar
var
d.
Thabi
smi
led.
Thabi
:Hi
.
Agang:Soyouj
ustl
eft
?
Thabi
:Itwasf
ort
hebest
Agang:Wemi
ssyoual
ready.
Thabi
:Focusonyourbr
other
Agang:Iam happyf
oryou.
Thabiwal
kedtothewai
ti
ngar
eaandsatdown
hol
dingherphone.

*
**

I
nBotswana,Agangsati
nhi
scarst
ari
ngat
Ret
habi
letypi
ng.
Thabi
:Thankyou.Iam ner
vous.
Het
ypedhi
srepl
y.
Agang:Don’
tbe.Yougott
his.
At
angwal
kedoverandgoti
nthecar
.
“
Youneedashower
.”
Agangputhi
sphonei
nhi
spocket
.“Yeah.
.”
“Mamasai
dZazawant
sAJt
ogetbur
iedher
ein
Gabs.
”
“
Yes,
shewant
stobecl
osert
ohi
m.”
“
Ok.Iam sor
ry.Iknowyoudidever
ythi
ngyoucoul
d.
I
twashisti
me.Hewasi nalotofpai
n.”
“
Yeah…t
hankyou.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
IsawRethabi
le’
spi
ctur
esonFacebook.She’
snow
i
nLondon.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Isaw.
”
“
Iam sor
rybutIt
oldyouso.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Pear
lisbeaut
if
ulandshe’
sagoodf
ucki
ng
candi
date,
butthat’
sall
.Idon’tt
hinkshe’sthekind
ofwomanyouwoul dwanttosett
lefor.Yesher
vagi
naisbewitchedbutthat
’sal
l.Idoubtbesides
l
ustyoufeelanythi
ngforher.Oji
setse.Youlostthe
bestt
hingforwhat?”
“Iam goi
ngtowaitf
orhertocal
m downt hen
maybegoandseeher .She’
sangryri
ghtnow.She
saidIhaveweaksexperf
ormance.Idon’
teven
knowwhatshemeantbecauseIam t heonlyshe’
s
everbeenwit
h.”
Agangl
aughed.“
Shepr
obabl
yjustwant
edt
ohur
t
you.
”
“GatweIdon’tcompar
et obigboyswhobuythei
r
gir
lf
riendsRangeRoversgivi
ng15kall
owances.
”
Agangl
ookedathi
mlaughi
ng.At
angsi
ghed.
“Watsgega,
kenalestr
ess.Iam goi
ngtowaitforher.
Keduetsimagadi
.Iam goingt
of i
ghtf
ormy
marri
age.WheneverIthi
nkofhermovingon,Ifeel
l
ikedyi
ng.Thabii
smygi rl
.”
“
Shei
sgoingtocomebackmarri
edt
oar i
chwhi
te
manwhodri
vesRoll
sRoyceandFer
rar
is,
now
call
edDr.Pet
ersout wemal
aagagoanabothoko,
o
kareokanyelammegot swametsi
.Orewahemao
utweohemasephi nyasal
ekgowasesenkgang
perfumeyaVersacewakgamiwakematheebeo
swa. ”
“
Otanyel
aomar
ete!
”
Agangl
aughedasAtangst
eppedoutofhi
scar
.He
si
ghedt
henfoll
owedhisbr
other
.

*
**

Pearll
aidonherbedsnif
fingwhil
emassagingher
abdomen.Sheslowlygotoffbedasherpussybur
nt
thenstoodbyhermirr
orfacingbackwardand
bendedlooki
ngback.Shesighedunabletosee
anythi
ngduetohowswol lenshewas.
Shewipedawayhert
ear
sandsl
owlywal
kedtothe
bat
hroom.Shefi
ll
edi
twit
hwat
erandaddedsome
bat
hingsal
ts.
Shegoti
nsi
deandsoakedherpussyasshe
thoughtofhowAgangandPr i
ncehadt akenturns
onherfuckingherinallwayspossible.Shewasn’t
surehowRet habil
ehadstayedthatlongbei ng
fuckedbythreemenl i
kethatt
houghnowi tmade
sensewhyPr incehadbeenangrythet imeshe
answeredThabi ’
sphone.
Awhilelat
ershegotoutofthebatht
ubandwalked
toherbedroom.Shetookherphoneandcal
leda
number.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,Iwantt
hatmi
xtur
eagai
n.TheoneIhadi
s
f
ini
shed.
”
“
Ok,
howwasi
t?”
“
Hecoul
dn’
tst
op.I
twor
ked.
”
“It
old.Iam notathomer
ightnow.Comel
ateron
andcollecti
t.
”
“
Ok.Thanks.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandlaidonthebedl
ist
eni
ngt
oher
kukut
hrobbi
ngpainf
ull
y.
*
**

Batangbendedundert hesunwashi ngheraunt ’

s
clot
hes.Shel ookedathim sippi
ngherj uicet hen
walkedtother oom hewasgoi ngtobeusi ng.She
openedthewar dr
obeandlookedathi sclothes.She
star
tedsearchingthrowi
ngsomeofhi sclotheson
thefl
oor.Shepausedr eachingforthepl asticof
money.Sheopenedi tt
hent ookoutt hemoneyand
counted.Hermout hdroppedassher ecount edthe
P2000pul athensheputinherbr a.
Shel ookedathisphonewi t
haf rown.Heevenhad
abet terphonethanhers.Shetookoutthesi
m
cardst henwalkedoutwiththephoneandhidit
everythinginherbedr
oom.
Shet hought
ful
l
ylookedatherhusband’sjacket
whereheusuallykepthi
smoneyt hentookitand
searchedthepocket
s.Shetookoutthemoney
i
nsidet henwal
kedwiththej
ackettoBatang.
“
Alsowasht
his.I
fyouf
indanymoney,
bri
ngi
tto
me.
”
Bat
angbreathi
ngheavi
lyasshedroppedthejacket
ontopofthehugepi
leofcl
othest
hatsti
llneededto
bewashed.
Shewalkedt
othehouseandsati
nfr
ontoft
heTV
watchi
ngaPaki
stanser
ies.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#55

Lat
erthatday,Zazast
atedi
ntot hinai
rsurrounded
byrel
ati
ves.Shehadneverfeltsoaloneinherl i
fe.
Shekepthopingtowakeupandl aughaboutt he
ni
ghtmarebuttheheavyfogjustwoul dn’
tleave.
Shehadst oppedcryi
nginhopethatitwi
llj
ustgo
away.Butshef oundher
selfst
il
lonthatmattr
ess,
st
il
lfeel
inglost…sad.Herhear
tfel
tdoheavyitwas
asi
fbr
ickswer
ebei
ngl
oadedont
opofi
t.
Shehadstaredathispict
urefordol ongsli
ppi
ng
i
ntomoredenial
.Itjustdi
dn’tfeelr
ighttobesit
ti
ng
onthatmatr
ess.Atangwal kedinsi
det hebedr
oom.
Hismotherl
ookedathi mtoashei sst ar
edather.
“
CanIpl
easesi
twi
thheral
one.
”
Hi
smothernoddedandgotuptoget
herwit
hthe
r
estoft
herel
ati
ves.Hetookof
fhisshoesandsat
wit
hher
.Zazalookedathi
m.
“Ijustwantmyson…Idon’tunder
standwhyIwas
givenhimforhi
mt obetakenaway…t obest
olen
from me..
”
Hehel
dherhand.Zazal
aughed.
“I
tdoesn’
tmakesense.Hewast
ooyoung…he
hadn’
tli
vedhi
sli
fe.
”
“Hewil
lfor
everbewi
thus…her
e.”Het
ouchedher
chest
.
“Iwanttoholdhi
m.IjustwantmysonAgang…I
wantmychi l
d.Ij
ustwantmychil
d.Idon’
twantt
o
besithereandcr
y…Iwantmyson!Iwantmyboy…”
Aganghuggedherasshecr
ied.Awhi
lel
atershe
wassil
ent
.
“Iam sorr
y.MaybeifIhadbeenther
ewecould
havesavedhim.Iam sorr
y.Iknowitwon’
tbr
ing
him backbutIam sor
ry.
”
Zazastar
edatthewal
linsi
lencesni
ff
ing.Agang
rubbedherbackr
ubbi
nghiseyes.
“Hewasinpai
n.Heisrest
ingnow.Looki
ngoverus.
Heisf
reefr
om thepai
n.”
“
Iwi
llneverbef
reef
rom i
t.If
ail
edmyson.
”
“Youdidn’
tfai
lhim.Youf oughthar
dert
hananyone
couldhavefought.Helovedyou.Il
ovedhi
mt oobut
he’snolongeri
npai n.
”
“
Myhear ti
sinpai
n.It
’st
oomuch…thepai
nist
oo
much.Idon’
twantthepai
ntoo…”
Her
ubbedherback.“
Wewi
llmakei
ttoget
her
.”
“Idon’
twantt
hepai
nAgang…Idon’
twantt
hepai
n…
Iwantmyboy.”
Agangki
ssedhercheekr
ubbi
ngherback.
*
**

Out
side,
RragweAt
angl
ookedathi
sson.
“
Sowhatnow?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
owai
tforher
.”
“Waitforhert i
llwhenAtang?Andi fshechoosesto
workover seasthenwhat ?Youneedtosett
ledown.
Youcan’ tjustwait…Rethabilei
snottheonlyt
hick
beauti
fulwomanonear th.Youwil
lmoveon, maybe
nextti
meyouwon’ tcheatli
keateenager
.Heruncle
i
sver yupset .
”
“
Iloveher
.Iwasj
ustangr
y.”
“Nowlookatwhatyourangercostyou.Youdon’ t
cheatthewayyoucheated.Yourwifeshouldnever
suspectit
.Oreventhi
nkyouar echeati
ng.Women
have10sensesandt heycanjustcatchthatyouare
snif
fi
nginawhi f
f.Youshouldhavebeensmar t
.Not
thewayyoubehaved.Likeanimmat ure.
”
“
Iwantt
ovi
sitherandgi
vehert
hegi
ftIgother
.”
“
Womanar eful
lofthemsel
vessomet
imes.Shecan
r
efusei
tbecauseshecan.”
“
Youar
enothel
ping.
”
“WhatshouldIhel
pingyouwith?Takeresponsi
bil
it
y
ofyourbehavi
or.Youdidn’
tgetthatf
rom me.”
Rr
agweAtangwal
kedovert
ohi
swi
feasPr
ince
wal
kedover
.
“
Ihavet
ogo.Iwi
llbeher
etomor
rowmor
ning.
”
“
Yahsur
e!”
“
TakechekePhel
ethengohome.
”
At
angl
aughed.“
Osekawadi
rat
hat
alewena.
”
“
Oner
oundt
henIgohome.
”
Pri
ncelaughedt
henwalkedtohiscar
.Hedr oveof
f
andpassedbyamallgett
ingafewthingscash.He
thr
ewawayt her
ecei
ptdrivi
ngt
oPearl’shouse.
Hewalkedinsideherhouseandf oundherl
yingon
hercouch.Pearll
ookedattheredrosesandthe
pl
asti
chei swasholdingincl
udingfood.
“
Hi…Igotyousomet
hings.
”
Pearlsmil
edsi
tt
ingst
ari
ngatt
hef
lower
s.“
Theyar
e
beauti
ful
.”
“
Likeyou.Ial
sogotyouf
oodanddonesnacks.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hesatbesi
desher
.“Ar
eyouok?
”
“Yes.Soareyouokwi
thanot
hermansl
eepi
ngwi
th
yourwife?
”
“Yeah…it’
snormal
tous.Pluswhywouldyoucheat
i
fyouar eget
ti
ngallt
heloveandat
tent
ionyou
need.”
Shesmi
led.“
Iguess.
”
“Youarespecial
.Youhavebeendr i
vingmyboy
crazy.Youareri
ghtfulwomanforhim.Hewantsto
getmar r
ied.Youarerightwomanforthat
.Youl
ook
l
ikeahappyendi ng.
”
Pear
lbl
ushed.“
Thankyou.
”
“I
tsok.Youjusthavetobeour
sandthat’
sal
l.You
arenotonl
yAt ang’
s.Youar
ealsoAgang’
s…mi ne.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Good.
”
Princekissedherthentookoffhergown.He
touchedhernakedbodyandl ai
dheront hecouch.
Het ookouthi sweaponstar
ingatherswol l
en
reddishmeat .Hisweapongotharder.Heleaned
overandmuf fedhercl
eankukupushi nghistongue
i
nsi de.
Pearl
moanedsof t
lyasheconti
nuedsucki
ngand
suckl
ingherbr
ingi
nghertotheedge.Shegotwet
ashecarri
edonmuf fi
ngher
.
Heraisedhisheadasherbodybegunshakingthen
bepushedhi sweaponi
nside.Pear
lputherhand
overhischestf
eeli
ngherpussyache.
Hekissedhert
hrust
ingmer
cil
essl
yint
ohersweet
hotkuku.
.
Pri
nceoff
loadedinsi
dethengotoffherj
ustashe
Agangwalkedin.Pri
ncekissedhert
henwalkedout
zi
ppinghi
spant s.
Pear
lbr
eat
hedheavi
lyst
ari
ngatAgangashet
ook
outhi
sdi
ckst
ari
ngatherkuku.
Sheswal
lowed.“
Agai
n?”
Hegotontopofherki
ssi
ngher
.“Imi
ssedyou.You
l
ookbeaut
ifull
i
kethi
s…”
Heki
ssedherget
ti
nghi
msel
freadyt
ofuckher
.

*
**

Batangfi
nall
yfi
nishedwashi
ngandhangi
ngthe
clot
hes.Hewalkedinsi
dethehousewi
thbur
ning
reddi
shwrist
sandapai nf
ulback.
Hisbodyacheddomuchandhungermadei tall
worse.Hewentt ohi sroom,helookedathisclothes
onthef l
oorinconfusion.Helookedatwherehi s
mot her
’smoneyhadbeenbutt herewasnot hi
ng
anymor e.Heswallowedandwal kedtothebedt o
takehisphonebuti twasn’tt
here.Hesearchedthe
enti
reroom buttherewasnot hi
ng.
Hisuncl
e’
scardrovei
nthenhewalkedi
nsidet
he
househol
dingmaizemeal
.HeopenedBatang’
s
doorandlookedatBat
angwhowassear
chi
ngf
or
somethi
ng.
“
Bat
ang…”
Bat
angl
ookedathi
suncl
ecr
ying.Hef
rowned.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“Ican’
tfi
ndmyphoneandmymoney.Thabil
eftme
somemoney.”
“
Iam sur
eever
ythi
ngi
sher
e.”
MmagweKael
owal
kedi
nsi
det
hebedr
oom.
“
What
sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Bat
angsayshi
sphoneandmoneyi
smi
ssi
ng.
”
“Ihaven’tseenanyt
hing.Iwasbusywashingthe
clot
hes.Iam sureit
’ssomewhereinhere.Why
wouldThabievengi veachil
dmoneyandbuyt hat
bigphone?He’ sachil
d.Whatdoesheneedt he
phonef or?Heshouldfocusonhisschoolbooksnot
phonesandmoney. ”
Bat
angt
ear
ful
lyl
ookedatherknowi
ngi
twasher
.
“
Bat
ang,
whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat
?You
thi
nkIwoul
dst
ealyourt
hings?Me?Iam at
hief
now?”
“
MmagweKael
ohedi
dn’
tsayt
hat
.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ocook.
”
Shewal
kedaway.Batang’
suncl
esi
ghed.“
Iwil
lhel
p
youl
ook.Iam sur
ethephonei
ssomewhereher
e.”

*
**

InBoston,Massachusetts,
Thabicheckedoutand
walkedovertowherepeopl ewhower erecei
ving
thei
rfr
iendsandrelat
iveswer ewait
ingholdi
ng
boardswithnameswr it
tenont hem.Shelooked
aroundstari
ngatallt
hewhi te.
Shetookadeepbr
eat
hthencaughthername
wri
tt
enonbeawhitepaper
,‘R.KAI
SARA,
BOTSWANA’.
Shewal
kedovert
hent
hel
adysmi
ledather
.
“
Hi,
youmustbeuhRet
abi
le…”
Thabi
l
esmi
led.“
Yes.Ret
habi
le.
”
“
Oh…i
t’
sRe-
tha-
bil
e!”
Shenoddedsmi
li
ng.“
Yes.
”
Thewhi t
eladysmiled.“Lovel
y!MynameisLucy
Dean.Iam from Harvar
dSchoolOfMedici
neandI
willbeyourcar
etakerti
llyouknowyourwayaround.
Pleasecomewi t
hme. ”
Lucyt
ookt
heot
herbagandl
edThabi
leout
sidet
he
ai
rpor
t.
.
.
.
Goodni
ght
Your
sTr
uly
#56

AtHar
vard,
LucyledRethabi
let
othedormswhile
shel
ookedaroundst
ari
ngattheotherst
udent
s
ar
ound.Lucyknockedonadoorsmil
ing.Anot
her
st
udentopenedthedoor
.Lucysmi
led.
“
HiMosa,
Ihavebr
oughtyourr
oommat
e.”
Rethabil
esmil
ed,Mosasmiledopeni
ngthedoor
fur
ther.Lucyl
edRet
habil
einsidet
heroom.
Shelookedatt
hetwobedswithadeskandachai
r
oneachsideofthebed,
thecl
osetatt
heother
cor
ner.
Lucysmi l
ed.“Mosa,thi
sisRethabil
eKaisara…your
roommat ethisyear
.Sheisdoingherpostgr aduat
e
andshei sfrom uhBoswana.Rethabil
e,t
hisMosa
Bimbo,sheisf r
om uhZambia.Yout wocancat ch
up,t
omor rowwear esorti
ngoutclassesand
ti
metables.Bye.”
Lucytur
nedandwalkedout
.Mosal
ookedat
Rethabi
lesmi
li
ng.
“
Hi,
Ifeelbet
terseei
ngmynei
ghbor
.”
Ret
habi
lel
aughed.“
Met
oo.Whendi
dyouar
ri
ve?
”
“
Lastnight
.Theynevert
oldIwasgoi
ngt
osi
tfort
he
l
ongestti
me.”
“
Mybut
thur
ts.
”
Mosal
aughed.“
Whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
”
“
Postgr
aduat
einBi
ology.
”
“
Fir
styear
?”
“
No,
lastsemest
eri
nmysecond.
”
“Iam doingmyf
ir
styear
,postgr
aduat
ein
Chemi st
ry.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
Nice.I
sther
eWi
Fiher
e?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ineedt
otal
ktomyyoungbr
other
.”
Rethabil
etookoutherphoneandwenton
WhatsApp.Shesi ghedstar
ingathermessaget hat
hadn’tbeenrepl
iedyet.Shelookedathi
slastseen
worri
edlywonder i
ngifsomethinghadhappened
thensheiswentt oheruncle’
schatandvideocalled
him.
I
trangf
orawhi
let
il
lhef
inal
lypi
cked.Hesmi
led.
“
Thabi
!”
“
Mal
ome,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Haveyouar
ri
ved?
”
“
Ijustar
ri
ved.
”
“
Godi
sgr
eat
!”
“Ihavebeentryi
ngtocommuni
cat
ewi
thBat
ang,
I
can’tgethol
dofhim.”
“
Hemispl
acedhisphone.Wehavebeenl
ooki
ngf
or
i
tandwecan’
tfi
ndit.
”
“
Wher
edi
dhel
osei
t?”
“
Hesaysi
twasi
nthehouse.
”
“
Iwantt
otal
ktohi
m.”
“
Ok.
”
Rethabi
let
ookadeepbr
eat
hasBat
anggott
he
phone.Hesmil
ed.
“
Thabi
!”
“
Hi,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Wher
eisyourphone?
”
“Inthemor ni
ngwhenIwaspacki ngmycl ot
hes,
Aunt ycameandt ol
dmet owashhercl othes.Ilef
tit
onthebedandwashedt heclothesthewhol eday.
WhenIwasf ini
shed,i
twasnott hereanymor eand
alsothemoneyyougaveme.Mycl otheswer eon
thefloor.Shesaysshedoesn’tknowbuti twasonly
meandhert hewholeday.
”
“
Youwashedhercl
othes?
”
“Yes.Shesai
dIcan’
tst
ayher
eforf
ree.Iwantt
ogo
home.”
Tear
sfi
ll
edRethabi
l
e’seyes.“
Ther
eisnooneat
homeBatang.
”
“
Can’
tIgot
ouncl
eAgang?
”
“Letmecallsomeone.St
aywi
tht
hatphonesoIcan
callyouback.
”
“
Ok.
”
Ret
habi
lehungupt
hencal
ledAgang.
“
Thabi
…”
Shet
ookbr
eat
hasAt
angpi
cked.
“
Babe…”
“
Hi,
isZazat
her
e?”
“Hi
,she’
ssleeping.Agangi
swit
hher.Sheslept
ear
lytoni
ght.Can’tIhel
pyouwi
thwhateveri
tis?
”
“
No.Notyou.
”
“
Iknowyouar
eupsetbuti
t’
sme…youcant
alkt
o
me.
”
Atearr
oll
eddown,
shequi
ckl
ywi
pedi
tbef
oreMosa
coul
dsee.
“
Ithi
nkt
hatshi
psank.
”
“Youbr
ingangr
ywi
thmedoesn’
tmeanIcan’
thel
p
you.
”
“Youcan’tbecauseyouwil
lment
ioniti
nthefut
ure
l
isti
ngallthethi
ngsyou’
vedoneforme.That
’sthe
personyouar e.
”

*
**
I
nBot
swana,
Atangswal
lowedl
ist
eni
ngt
oher
.
“
Iam sor
ryf
orhowIspoket
o-“
“
Don’tbesor ry.Yousai
dhisyoufel
t.Allal
ongyou
j
ustfeltIwaswi thyoufort
hemoney.Itexplai
ns
mistthings.Ineedtospeakwi
thAgang, heiswil
l
t
alktoZazaf orme.”
At
angwatchedasAgangwal kedovert
henheout
t
hephoneonlouderspeaker
.
Agangl
ookedathi
sbr
other
.“What
’sup?
”
“
Agang?
”
Agangl
ookedathi
sphone.“
Hi.What
’sup?
”
“Ihadlef
tBatangwithmyunclethi
nkinghewas
safether
ebutmyuncl e’
swifehasalr
eadystar
ted
abusinghim.Iam scar
edofwhatcanhappeninthe
futur
e.Idon’
thaveanotherpl
anforhim att
he
moment .
”
“
Doyouwantmegot
akehi
m?”
“
No,
canZazadoi
t?”
“
Wej
ustl
ostt
hebaby…”
“
What
?No…”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iam sosor
ryIdi
dn’
tknow.Iam r
eal
lysor
ry…”
“
It
sok.
”
“Iam sor
ry.Uhandi
t’
sok.Letmej
ustt
alkt
omy
uncl
e.”
“
IfyouwantmeorAt
ti
etot
akehi
m,i
tcanhappen.
”
“No.It
hinkit
’sbestIdon’
t.Youar
eAt
ang’
sbr
other
andIam tryi
ngtomoveon. ”
“
Thabi
,youwi
llbedoi
ngt
hisf
or-
“
“Iwi
llr
atherhestaysthere,
endureitti
llIcantake
him.Butthanks.Iam sor
ryforyourloss.Passmy
condol
ences.”
Shehungup.At
angsi
ghedsadl
ythencal
ledher
back.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Iknowyouwantnothingtodowi t
hmebecauseof
whathappened.Idon’
tblameyou.Youwant
nothingt
odowi t
hme, that
’sunder
standabl
ebut
doesBat
anghavet
osuf
ferf
ori
t?”
“Iwil
lmakeapl anf orhim.YouarethelastpersonI
wouldwantmybr ot
hertostaywithhim.Gapeyour
gir
lf
rienddoesn’ tseem li
keshewoul dappreci
ate
mybr other’
spr esence.Youshowedmet hatyou
wouldchooset hatwomanoveranyoneandIdon’ t
wantmybr othert ofi
ndhimselfhomelessbecause
Pearldoesn’twanthi m.TotaIdon’tthi
nkyouandI
shouldevent alking.Ti
llnowIam stil
ltr
yingto
fi
gureoutwhathappenedbuti t
’sok.Youdon’thave
toexplainanythingt ome.”
“Iwasangry.Iam notexcusingmybehaviorbutI
wasupset.Itwasthef actt
hataft
erIr
eassuredyou
ofourf
utureyoust i
llwentaheadandli
edtome. ”
“Iwasnotr eadyforachil
d.Iwasgoingtokeepher
foryoubutIam gl adyouandIareoverbecauseI
didn’
tfeelguil
tywhenIgotridofi
t.I
maginethe
burden…t hestr
essandwhatkindofangerthrows
youinanot herwoman’sarms?Iam hangingup.
Don’tcallmeback. ”
Shedr
oppedt
hecal
l.At
angswal
lowedt
hent
urned
t
ohi
sbr
otherwi
thasadf
ace.

*
**

AtHarvardcampus,Ret
habil
ehel
dMosa’
sphonet
o
herearcall
inghermot
her’
suncl
e.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hel
lo,
Rremogol
okeRet
habi
le.
”
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Mal
omekeRet
habi
le.
”
“
Thabi
…?”
“Eer
ra.Iwentt
oAmericaf
orschool
.Idon’
tknowi
f
RragweKaelohadt
oldyou.
”
“Hedidmychi
ld.Hedi
d.Iam sopr
oudofyou.Iam
happy.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Butheal
sot
oldmeyouhadaf
ightwi
tht
hatboy.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Thesethi
ngshappen.I
t’
snor
malf
orpeopl
etof
ight
.
I
tdoesn’
tmeanyouwalkaway.
”
“Eerr
a.Ical
ledyout otel
lthatRragweKael ohad
saidhewoul dtakeBatangandst aywithhim whil
eI
am atschoolbutmmagweKael oisnothappyabout
thatandshehasst art
edmi str
eati
nghim.Ij ust
arri
vedinAmer icat
oday,Ilef
thimt hereyester
day
andshehasal readystart
ed.Idon’tknowwhatt o
do.”Shesniff
ed.
“Don’tcr
y.Ineverl
ikedthatwoman.Shei svileand
youruncledoesnotseei tbecauseheisbli
ndedby
l
ove.Ther easonwhynooneevervi sit
shimi s
becauseofhi swi
fe.Lethim cometome.Hewi ll
staywithme.Iam 72year soldbutIam sti
llali
ve.I
don’tmindstayi
ngwi t
hhi m.Hecancomet ot he
farm andli
vewithme.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Iwil
lneverletmybrot
her
’sgr
andchi
ldrensuf
fer
whenIam there.Pl
usmyownkidshatemesoIget
l
onel
y.Somecompanywoul dbegood.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
It
sokmychi
ld.Lethi
m come.
”
Ret
habil
etear
full
ysmil
eddr
oppi
ngt
hecal
l.She
di
aledherbr
otheragai
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Shesi
ghedasheruncl
epi
cked.“
Hel
lo,
letmespeak
toBat
ang.
”
“
Ok,
isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Bat
angcome…”

*
**

I
nOr
apa,
Bat
angt
ookt
hephoneandwentout
side.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi,
IspoketoRremogol oNthutung.Hesaidyou
cancomet othefarm.Iknowyouwer enowusedto
thecit
ybutit
’sonlytemporary.Takethecard,
go
andcashoutmoneyt omorr
ow.Packyourbags,
whenyouleavet
omorrow,gowit
hyourbagsand
takeabustoMaun.Iwil
lcal
lRr
emogolotowaitf
or
youatther
ank.He’
sold.Hel
phim ar
ound.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Don’
tworryaboutthephone.Iwil
lgetyouanother
one.Don’
tsayanything.Tomorr
owyouar egoingto
Maun.Givethephonet omalome.”
Batangwalkedbackint
hehouseandgavet he
phonetohisunclet
hem wentt
ohisroom and
st
artedpacking.
“
Thabi
?”
“Malome,Ihavespokent oRr emogol oNthutung
andaskedhi mt otakeBat ang.MmagweKael ois
nothappyaboutBat angl i
vingi nherhouse.Idon’t
wanttobreakyourmar r
iageorcausepr oblemsi n
yourhomesoIt hinkit’
sbestBat anggoest oMaun.
Iam goingtoignor ethef actthatmmagweKael o
tookBatang’sphoneort hef actthatshetookt he
P2000Ihadl eftforhim.Iwi l
lignor et
hefactthat
shemadehi m washal lhercl othes.Iwil
ltakeitt
hat
i
twasf orsleepingunderherr oof.Thankyouf or
wanti
ngtoassistbutformypeaceofmi
nd,
Ihave
deci
dedBatangleaves.”
“
Thabi
,suchi
ssuescanbesol
ved.
”
“Idon’
tthi
nkthiscanbesol ved.Youareagood
man.Ihaveseeni tbutyourwifeisnothappywit
h
mybr ot
herli
vingwithher.Batangwil
lcatchabus
toMaunt omorrowmor ni
ng.Ti l
lIt
akehim,hewil
l
bestayi
nginMaun.Ihavet ogo.Bye.”
Shehungupt
henhest
oodupandl
ookedathi
s
wif
e.
“Iwantt heP2000youst ol
et ogetherwithBat ang’
s
phonei nanhour sorIsweart oyou, youwi l
lsleep
i
nj ai
lforthef
ttonight
!Whatki ndofaper sonar e
you?EvenSat anisbetterthanyou.Yourhear tis
rot
tenIcanevensmel li
t!Youar esoevi landhave
separatedmef rom myf amil
y.Butnotanymor e.
Bri
ngt hatmoney. ”
“Areyouaccusi
ngmeofbei ngat hief
?Me?You
knowwhat ?Iwi
lll
eave.Iwi
llnotstaywher
eIam
notwanted.”
Shewal
kedoutoft
heki
tchenangr
il
y.Themoneyi
n
herbreastst art
edburningher.Shef rownedast he
hi
tgotwor se,shescreamedt akingoutthemoney
andthrewi tont hefl
oor.Herbr eastconti
nued
burni
ng,itf el
tli
kesomeonewasbur ningplast
icon
i
t.Shescr eamedevenl ouderrunningtothe
bathr
oom t akingoffherdress.
Herhusbandl
ookedatt
hemoneyt
hentookadeep
br
eathwonder
ingwhyhehadmarr
iedher
.
“
Lebel
elame!Nt
huse!(
Mybr
east
!Hel
pme!
)”
Shecont i
nuedscr
eaming.Hewal
kedt
othe
bathroom anl
ookedatthebur
nwoundonher
breast.
“
It
sbur
ning!I
t’
sbur
ning!I
jooweeee!
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#57
Batangwal
kedoverandl
ookedcuriousl
y.Heraunt
cr
iedsomuchroll
ingont
hefloornaked.
“Iam burni
ng!Iam bur
ning!Iam bur
ning!Br
ing
coldwater.
”
Batanglookedathisuncl
ewhowasjuststar
ing
thenrantothekit
chenandcamebackwiththe2
l
iterbot
tleofcokeful
lwit
hwater
.Heopeneditand
poureditonher.
Sheturnedar
oundashecontinuedpouri
ng.Heran
backtotheki
tchenoncei
twasempt yandpouredi
t
onher.Shecalmeddownthensighedcr
ying.
“
Itookt
hemoneyandphone.Thephonei
sunder
t
hebed.
”
Batang’
suncleswallowedstil
linshock.Helooked
ar
oundt hehousethenlookedatthewoundonher
breastt
hathasjustappearedfrom nowhere.
Batangwal kedoutandwenttohisroom ams
continuedpacki
nghisclot
hes.MmagweKael o
slowlygotupandwal kedoutsi
de.Shelai
ddownon
theVer andaasthecoldwindbrushedherpai
nful
i
nf l
amedbody.
*
**

AtAt ang’
shouse,Atangwal
kedinsi
dehi sbedroom,
herper f
umewasst i
lli
ntheair
.Heswallowedt r
ying
tofigureoutwhathadhappenedtohi
m.Hehad
destroyedarel
ati
onshiphehadputhiseverythi
ng
i
nf orsomeonewhowasnotevenwor thit.
Hishear
tachedsomuchaahetr i
edt ocomei nto
ter
mswi t
hit
.Heopenedthewardrobeandl ooked
atsomeofhercl
othes.Het
ookoutherdr essthen
l
aidonthebedhol
dinginbr
eat
hingi nherscent.
HetookouthisphoneandwentonherFacebook.
Hesmi l
edstari
ngatthepi
cturesshehadjust
post
ed.Shelookedbeauti
fulasusual
,hesmiled
st
aringathersmil
ethensavedherpict
ureinhis
phone.
Heheardhi
smaindooropeni
ngfol
lowedbyhis
fat
her
’svoi
ce.Her
emainedst
il
lhol
dingherdr
essi
n
herar
ms.
Hi
sdooropenedsecondsl
aterashi
sfat
herwal
ked
i
n.
“
Atang…uhu?Ar
eyousni
ff
ingadr
ess.
”
“
Iam t
ryi
ngt
osl
eep.Youwi
llsl
eepi
nthenext
r
oom.”
“Sni
ff
ingherdr
esswon’
tbr
ingherback.Youneed
tomoveon.Youmessedup.Idon’
tseethatwoman
comingback.
”
“
Canyoubor
rowmeyourphone?
”
“
Whatdoyouwantt
odo?
”
“
Iwi
llr
etur
nit
.Ther
eisf
oodi
ntheki
tchen.
”
RragweAtanglookedathi
ssont
hengavehi
mthe
phoneandwalkedout.
Atanglai
donthebedthensavedhernumberi
nhis
phone.Hewenttohi
sWhat sAppandWhatsApp
call
edher.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hey,Ij
ustwantedt
ocheckifyoumadeapl anfor
Batang.IknowIam bot
her
ingyou.Iam sor
ry.
.Iam
wor
ri
edabouthi
m.”
“Idi
d.Andyesyouarebother
ingme.Whyar eyou
soconcernedaboutBat
ang?He’snotyour
concer
n.”
“Ihavecar
edforhim si
nceImethim.Ican’
thel
p
thatIl
ovehim andwantnot
hingbutt
hebestfor
him.”
Shesighed.“
Iam t
ryi
ngt
osl
eepAt
ang.Pl
easest
op
thi
s.WhereisPear
l?”
“Ther
eisnoPear l
.Iwasnotcheat
ing,Iwasr eal
ly
onatripIswear.Youcanaskanyone.Inever
cheat
edbefore.IwasangryandIam sorry.Idon’
t
wanttoloseyou.Idon’
twanttobewithoutyou.”
“Iam hangingup.Iam t
ootir
edf
ort
his.Tomor
rowI
am changingmynumber .”
“Iwi
lldoanyt
hing.Pl
easedon’
tleaveme,
Ilove
you.
”
“YouthoughtIwasjustgoi
ngtoforgi
vedi
dn’
tyou?
ThatbecauseIshoweddesperat
ionIwasn’
tgoi
ng
toleave.
.thatbecauseyoupai
dmagadiIwasjust
goingtotakeit
..youwer ewr ong.Itol
dyouIwoul d
l
eaveIyousl eptwithanot herwoman.Youdi dand
camebacksmel l
ingl i
keher .Youhadt hegutsto
getontopofmeaf terfuckinghert hencal lher
nameont opofme, afterallthatyouwantt oputit
asami st
ake?Ami stakei sneverwel l
t hought.Iam
goingtogetoveryouandmoveon.That ’sgoingto
happenIwi l
lfi
ndsomeonewhodeser vesme.Not
you.Someonewhol ovesme.I t’
snotyou“
“
Iloveyoumor ethananyt
hing.Iwi
llgi
veanyt
hing
f
orus…f oryou.Iwil
ldoanythi
ng…“
“
Stopcal
li
ngmecor nert
ocorner
.Youar
est
eal
ing
mypeace.Iam bl
ocki
ngthi
snumber.
”
“
It
’spapa’
sbi
rt
hday.Hewant
stosayhi
.”
“
Idon’
twantt
otal
ktohi
m.
“CanIjustl
ist
entoyoubreat
he?Iwantt
oli
stent
o
youbreathi
ng.Isweart
hat’
sall
.”
“
Bye-
“
Shehungup.Helai
ddownhol
dingherdr
essi
nhi
s
ar
mst ear
ful
ly.
Hi
sfat
herwal
kedi
nandl
ookedathi
m.
“
Atang.
.”
Her
emai
nedst
il
lsni
ff
ing.
“Ifyouwantheryouwi llhavetopr
ovet oherthat
youcanbet hemansheneeds.Ist i
lldon’
t
understandwhatmadeyoucheatonsucha
beautif
ulfi
tgi
rlbutshei syourwif
esoyoucan
chooset ohol
dont r
yingt owinherback.Ifshe
reject
syou,pi
ckyourl ossesandmoveon. ”
RragweAtangpickedhisphoneandwalkedout
.He
wentonhisWhat sAppandlookedatRet
habi
le’
s
number.Hetappeditandcall
ed.
“Iam ti
redofthisAtang.Idon’
twantyou!Acceptit
,
you,Ihateyoumor eever yt
imeyoucallmewi t
h
yourinfest
eddick,nxla!Youaskedwhatyoucould
do,goanddi e.Iam sureyourparent
swillbr
eathe
bett
er.”
Rr
agweAt
angcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
…“Makot
i…”
Ther
ewasdonesomesi
lence.
“
Makot
i…howar
eyou?
”
Ret
habil
ehungup.Rr
agweAt
angl
ookedatphone
t
hensigheddef
eat
ed.
MmagweAt
angwal
kedoverf
rom t
heki
tchen.
“
Wherei
sAt
ti
e?
Heputawayhi
sphoneandsatdown“
Cryi
ngf
or
Ret
habi
le.
”

“
**

Thefol
lowi
ngmor ningPearlsl
owl
ytookoffher
cl
othesatt
hedoct or’
soff
iceandopenedherl
egs.
Hetouchedherreddishskinwi
thafrownand
l
ookedmor ecar
efull
y.
“Yougotacut
…youneedsti
tches.I
fwedon’ttr
eat
thi
s,youar
egoingt
ohaveaninfect
ion.What
happenedt
oyou?Whereyouraped?”
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
Ok.
”
“
Iwantt
ogetext
rast
ichessoi
tget
ssmal
ler
.”
Thedoct
orl
ookedather
.“What
?”
“
Whencani
tIgeti
tdone?
”

*
**

InBoston,Ret
habil
eswitchedof
fherphoneand
l
aidont hebedexhaust
ed.Shesighedcl
osi
ngher
eyes.Mosalookedather.
“
Youar
epr
egnant
?”
Ret
habil
eopenedhereyesandl
ookedather
.
“What
?”
Mosalookedatherbel
lyandsmi
led.“
Not
hing.You
cansl
eep.”
Ret
habi
lenoddedandcl
osedhereyessl
eepi
ng.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#58

InOrapa,
mmagweKael ol
ookedatherwoundand
putonadresswhi
leherhusbandst
ared.
“
Batangisgoi
ngtoday.Ihavedeci
dedtodr
ivet
o
Maun.Iwil
lbecomingbacktomorrow.
”
“
Soyouar
eleavi
ngmewhi
leIam notf
eel
ingwel
l
?”
“Yourevildeedsmadet
hishappen.Howcoul
dyou
stealhi
smoney? ”
“
Iwaskeepi
ngi
tsaf
eforhi
m.”
“Youwerekeepingitsaf
e?Wel ookedforthat
moneyeverywhere!Idon’tevenunderstandwhy
youhatedhispresencebecauseyoudon’ tpaythe
bil
lsi
nthishouse!Iregr
etmar r
ying.Ir
egr et
tedeven
befor
eIdid.
”
Hewal kedout.MmagweKael otookadeepbreat
h
walki
ngoutoft hebedroom.Shewat chedher
husbandcarryingBatang’sbagsoutsi
dewhile
Batangbehindhi m.Theygotinthecarthenhe
st
artedtheengi neanddroveoff
.Shetookadeep
breat
handwalkedoutt
ooholdingherhandbag.
Sheopenedherumbrel
laheadedtothecl
ini
c.

*
**

AtPear
l’
shouse,AtangwatchedasPear
ldr
ankt
he
morni
ngaft
erseatedinhi
scarwithonebut
t.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.I
t’
spai
nfult
oseat
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ishoul
dhavet
oldt
hem t
otakei
teasy.
”
Shenoddedhol
dingt
hebot
tl
eofwater
.At
angt
ook
outsomemoneyandgavei
ttoher
.
“Getsomet
hingf
oryoursel
f.Iwi
llaskAgangt
o
bri
ngtheot
herpi
lll
ateron.
”
“
He’sgoi
ngt
owant
.Gi
vei
ttome,
Iwi
llr
emai
nwi
th
i
t.
”
“No.Hewon’t.Ihavespokentothem.Noonei s
goingtot
ouchyou.Iam sorry.Hewillcomelater
andalsocheckuponyou.Iam f l
yingouttoday.”
Pear
lnoddedcounti
ngthemoney.Shesmi
ledt
hen
l
ookedathim.“
Iloveyou.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Iknow.Ihavet
ogo.
”
Sheslowlygotoutofthecarandl
impedt
oher
house.Sheturnedandwaved.Hewavedbackand
droveoffcal
li
ngAgang.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam onmyway.Ar
eyoual
readyatt
hegr
aveyar
d?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwi
llbet
her
eint
went
ymi
nut
es.
”
“
Shar
p.”

*
**

Atthefuner
al,Keemisatbesi
deherdaught
erast
he
pastorpr
eachedinfr
ontofthem.
“
Wher
eisRet
habi
le?
”
Zazar
emai
nedi
nsi
lencest
ari
ngatherson’
s
pictur
eont opofhi
slit
tl
ecof f
in.Sherecall
edthe
ti
medur ingheraunt
’sfuneral
…shest i
llcouldrecal
l
Thabi’
scr i
es…shehadcr i
edsomuch. .noonehad
beenablet ohur
ther.Shehadt houghtshewasj ust
beingdramaticandwantedattenti
on.
Tear
sroll
eddownasshel eanedonAgangwhowas
seat
edtheothersi
de.Hekissedherf
oreheadast
he
past
orcarr
iedon.
Minuteslat
ereveryonestoodup, Pri
ncewalked
wardsthecoffinwithPhefo.Atangwalkedovertoo,
Agangt ookadeepbr eaththenalsowalktothe
coff
in.Theyallcarr
ieditheadedtothegravethey
hadalreadybeendug.
MmagweAt angstartedsingi
ng,ever
yonej
oinedas
theywalkedtothedugoutgr ave.Zazasni
ff
ed
cryi
ngstandingwithhermot herwhokeptl
ooking
aroundsearchi
ngf orRethabi
leinthecr
owd.
Thepastorsai
dapr ayerasthecof fi
nslowlywent
down.Thefamilymember sallthrewahandf ulof
soi
linsi
de.Zazagotherhandf ulandlookedather
son’
scoffi
n.Shehadneverf eltpain.I
tfel
tphysical
.
Agangputhi
sar
m ar
oundherhol
dingher
.
Shethr
ewthesoili
nsi
deandcri
edinhisarms.
Agangwrappedhisar
msaroundherholdi
ngher
ti
ght
ly.
Atangpi ckedashovelwi t
htheothermenand
startedfil
li
ngt hegrave.Hetookoffhisjacket
remai ni
ngwi thhiswhi t
elongsleevedshirt
.He
foldedthesl eevesandcont i
nued.
Fr
om adi
stance,
afewKai
sar
arel
ati
veswat
chedas
hewor
ked.
Theot
hercousinchuckl
ed.“
Lesekal
atswapel
o
bat
hong,
that’
sRethabil
e’
sman.”
Thethi
ncousi
nsmi
led.“
Ret
habi
lei
snother
e
aker
e.”
“Yesbutthati
sherhusband.Gapehaveyouseen
Rethabi
le?Thatmanisusedtomeatnotameat l
ess
drumsti
ck.Holdyour
selfmma,wecan’tal
waysfear
forourmenbecauseofyourboneyass.”
Thethi
ncousi
nkeptqui
etandcont
inuedst
ari
ngat
Atang.
*

Peopl
ebegundi
sper
sing,
Atangl
ookedatAgang.
“
Iam f
lyi
ngt
oSA.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Don’
tfor
getPear
l.
”
“Iwon’
t.Iam t
hinki
ngofwor
kingoutt
hingswi
th
Zaza.
”
“
Iam sur
eshewi
lll
iket
hatt
oo.
”
“Yeah…Iwillseeyouwhencomeback.Iheardpapa
tal
kabouthowwhenhecal l
edRethabi
leyester
day,
shethoughtitwasyouandwentoffwi
thinsult
s.”
Atanglaughed.“Iknow.She’
supset.Iwon’
tst
op
call
ingher.She’
syettoblockme.”
Pri
ncewalkedover
.“Iam goi
ng.Lonepassesher
condol
ences.
”
Agangnodded.“
Thanks.
”
Pr
incebumpedshoul
der
swi
thhi
mthenwal
kedt
o
hi
scar.At
angsi
ghed.
“
Shar
p.”
Agangwatchedashisbrot
herwalkedt
ohi
scar.He
si
ghedandwalkedtohiswhereZazawasal
ready
wait
ing.
At
anggoti
nhi
scarpr
essi
nghi
sphone.
“
Hi…”
Heraisedhi
sheadandlookedatoneoft
heKai
sar
a
r
elat
ives.Herol
leddownhi
swindow.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Ourcar
saref
ull
,Iwaswonder
ingi
fyoucoul
dgi
ve
meali
ft
.”
“Iam headedtowork.Ial
readyr
unni
ngl
ate.You
cangot othatcar
…”
At
angpoi
ntedatAgang’
scar
.“Hecandr
opyou
of
f.
”
“Aoorr
a…youcandr
opmeof
fal
ongt
heway.Thabi
andIarecl
ose.
”
At
anghoot
edf
lashi
ngatAgangwhowasr
ever
sing.
“
Hewi
lldr
opyouof
f.
”
Shesteppedbackasheroll
eduphiswindow.She
walkedovert
oAgang’scarandgoti
n.Zazalooked
ather.
“Foranugl yper son,youhavesomuchconf idence
tothinkyoucangoaf terpeople’
smen.Omaswe
thataAmo, ifIwereyouIwoul dstopembar r
assing
mysel f.Everyoneknowst hat
’sThabi’smanbutyou
beingyou, youcoul dn’
thel pbuttakeyoursmel l
ing
vaginat here.Iwonderhowyourf atherfeel
sin
Orapaknowi nghisdaught erisnothingbutanugl y
whor e.Ler ebuisathatalona.”
Amor
emai
nedqui
etasAgangdr
oveof
f.

*
**

I
nBoston,Rethabi
lelookedout
sidethr
oughthe
windowearl
ymor ni
ng.Shesmiledhappil
ythen
t
ookapictur
eofher sel
f.Shesmi l
edchangi
ngher
What
sApppr
ofi
lepi
ctur
e.
Shel
ookedatheraunt
’smessage.
Keemi :Mydaughterwast herewhenyourmot her
passedonandyoucoul dn’ tevenbot hercomi ng
today.Youaresoungr ateful,mydaught ereven
canet oseeyourdickmot herbutyounever
botheredwhenhersonwassi ck.Ihopeyouet
canceranddi easlowpai nfuldeat h,
Inevert hought
youwoul deverturnouttobet hispersonyouar e.
Mysi steri
sturni
nginhergr ave.
Rethabi
leblockedanddeletedhernumber.She
conti
nuedreplyingsomeofhermessages.Awhi le
l
atersheputonhersummerdr essaft
erbathing.
Shelookedather sel
fonthemirr
orandsmi l
ed.
Mosawal kedoutoft hebat
hroom,atowelaround
herbody.
ShelookedatRet
habi
lesmi
li
ng.“
Pregnancyl
ooks
goodonyou.”
Ret
habi
let
urned.“
Ohno…I’
m notpr
egnant
.Il
ost
t
hebaby…amont hago.
”
“
Oh…sor
ry.Iam sor
ry.
”
Ret
habi
lesmi
led.“
It
sok.I
t’
sthebabyf
at.
”
Mosanodded.“
Youl
ookgood.
”
“
Iwantt
olosewei
ght
.”
Mosal
aughed.“
Whenyoushedof
fthewei
ght
,gi
ve
i
ttome.
”
Thegi
rl
slaughed.Thabit
urnedbackt
othemi
rr
or
andsi
ghedsmili
ng.

THREEYEARSLATER….
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#59

THREEYEARSLATER.
.
InMaun, t
heschoolsirenr
angasBat angfi
nished
uphisSciencenotes.Hepackedhisbagsinhis
schoolbag.Hestoodupwi thhis‘
SchoolPresi
dent’
badgeonhi swhit
eironedshir
t.Hepickedhisbag
andwalkedoutlookingattheti
me.
Hisfr
iendr
ushedover.“ThemonnaBat
ang,o
hedi
tsehomewor kyaMat hs?Nnaempolaya
nxondomfethu,
ene1l egwasnyedi
saleene.
”
Batangl
ookedathi
m.“
Iam submi
tt
ingmybook
ri
ghtnow.”
“
Eht
aker
echaChat
henwesubmi
ttoget
her
.”
Batangt
ookouthi
sbookf
rom hi
sschoolbagand
handedi
ttohi
m.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Sur
elai
taka.
”
Batangwalkedoutandhurri
edtot heLibr
ary
l
ookingathiswatch.Hishear
tskippedashe
watchedherwalkoutinherschooldressthat
reachedj
ustaboveherknees.
Herf
ri
endj
oinedhert
alki
ngl
oudl
yasusual
.He
l
ookedathernowner vous,t
hefri
endwasalways
there.Someti
meshej ustwi
shedshewoul
djust
breakherlegandstayathomesohecouldhavea
properconversat
ioni
nherabsence.
Heappr
oachedt
hem,
thef
ri
endl
ookedathi
m.
“
Hi?
”
Bat
angl
ookedatherasshel
ookedathi
mtoo.
“
HiLebo,
canwet
alk?
”
Lebo’
sfr
iendl
aughed.“
Uhu!Whatdoyouwantf
rom
Lebo?
”
Bat
angsi
ghed.“
Iwantt
otal
ktoher
.”
“
Talkehh,
what’
shol
dingyourt
ongue?Thecat
?
Wit
hthewayyoutal
kli
keasnail
,Ibet
”
Lebol
ookedatherf
ri
end.“
Seba-
“
“Ngng,letfar
m boytel
luswhathewant s.Weneed
togohome.What ’
saform 2st
udenthavetosayto
aform 3student.Koor
eonyatsannakanamang?
Tal
k!Talkfast.Wedon’thavet
hewholedayhereto
l
ist
entoyousayonewor dfort
wentyhours!”
Batanglookedatherbignoseandsmal lChinese
eyesasshespokel oudlythatevenotherstudents
star
ed.Hehat edhersomuchj ustst
ari
ngather
faceannoyedhimt othelast.
Lebogangsi
ghed.“
Wecant
alk…”
Shewalkedfr
om herfr
iend.Bat
anglookedather
wit
hasmi r
kandfoll
owedLebowhi l
eLebo’sfri
end
l
aughed.
“
Thewonder
sshal
lneverend!
”
Batangsi
ghedasshewalkedwi
thLebo.“
Idon’
tli
ke
fr
iend.Opapi
leebi
leomodomo.
”
Lebol aughed.Thewayhespokewithhi
sdeep
voiceandt hatsl
ownessalwaysmadeherbl
ush.
“She’sactuall
ynice.Justl
oud.
”
Batangt
ookoutasmal
lgi
ftbagf
rom hi
sbagand
handedi
ttoher
.
“
Happybi
rt
hday.
”
Lebosmiledtaki
ngit.Sheopeneditandtookout
theearni
ngs,watchandchocolat
e.Shelookedat
thebeauti
fulwat
ch.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul…”
“
Iaskedmysi
steri
nAmer
icat
ogetf
orme.
”
“
Wow….
”
“
Iam gl
adyoul
ikei
t.
”
“
Ilovei
t.ThankyouBat
ang.
”
Shehuggedhi
m.Hisheartski
ppedandpoundedso
muchasherski
ntouchedhis.Shest
eppedbackas
hesmil
ed.
“
Wear
ecl
osi
ngonFr
iday,
maybewecanhangout
.”
“Iam goingt
oBost
ont
hehol
iday.Iam goi
ngon
Friday.
”
“
Oh…t
hat
’s…t
omor
row?
”
“
Yes.Mysi
sterhasal
readybookedmyf
li
ght
s.”
Lebosmi l
edastheywalkedoutoft
heschool
premisesandtookther
oadtoherhouse.She
smiled.
“
Iwi
llseeyounextt
ermt
hen.
”
Henodded.“
Yes.
”
Hetookadeepbreat
hgoi
ngt
hroughwhatAt
ang
hadtol
dhi
mt osay.
“Ir
eal
lyli
keyou.Iknowyouareol derbutagei
sjust
number.I
tdoesn’tdef
ineanyt
hing.Iwantyou.
”
Lebonervousl
yl ookedupathi
m.Hedi
dn’
tlook
youngerthanherbecauseofhi
shei
ght
,hi
sbeard
andhisvoicetoo.
Bat
anglookedathert
henleanedoverandki
ssed
her
.Withconfusi
onandshock,shemovedherli
ps
andmistaki
nglybi
thi
stongue.
Bat
angmovedbackt
hensmi
led.“
Haveyouever
ki
ssedbef
ore?
”
Sheshyl
yshookherhead.“
No.
”
Hel
eanedoverandkissedheragai
n,t
hist
imewi t
h
abi
tmoreconfi
dence.Hemovedbacksmi l
ing.
“
CanIt
akeyournumber
?”
“
Yes.
”
Shetookoutapieceofpaperandapenthenwrote
downhernumberwi t
hherneathandwri
ti
ng.She
handedhi
mt hepaper.Hesmiledt
aki
ngit.
“
Thanks.Bye.
”
Lebowatcheshi
m ashet
urnedandwal
kedbackt
o
theschool
.Herf
ri
endwal
kedover.
“
Didyouj
ustki
sshi
m nemma?
”
Lebosi
ghedput
ti
nghergi
ftbagi
nherbag.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
What
’st
hat
?”
“
Not
hing.
”
“
Isn’
theyoungf
oryou?
”
Lebost
artedwalki
ngsmil
ingwonderi
ngwhenhe
hadnot
icedher.Herf
ri
endclappedherhandsonce.
“
Wow!
”

Bat
anghurr
iedtohi
sclassandfoundhi
sfr
iend
wai
ti
ngforhim.Kar
abosmiled.
“
Yougother
?”
Batangjumpedthenki
ckedtheai
rcel
ebr
ati
ng.Hi
s
fr
iendlaughedcel
ebr
ati
ngtoo.
“
Tsenayanaboy!
”
Theybumpedf
ist
s.“
That
’smyboy!
”
Batangsmil
ed.“
Tsal
ayagagweyemasweyel
eene
eleteng.
”
“
ORat
onkiyel
e?Nxl
a!Kant
egoswal
enggomo?
”
Bat
angl
aughed.“
Let
ssubmi
trevaye.
”
Kar
abopickedhi
sbagandwal
kedoutchat
ti
ngwi
th
Bat
ang.

Almostanhourlate,Bat
angwalkedinsi
dethe
houseatthefarm andfoundhi
sgrandfat
herfi
xing
theol
dcof f
eetabl
e.
“
Papa…It
oldyouIwoul
dfi
xthat
.”
Hel
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
It
’snot
hingbi
g,j
ust
l
oosescr
ews.
”
Bat
angtookt hescrewdr
iverf
rom hi
m.“Youwi
ll
hur
tyoursel
f.Sitdown.Didyoudri
nkyour
medicat
ion?
”
Theoldmangr unt
edsit
ti
ng.“
Idi
d.Bat
ang,
Ican
takecar
eofmyselfmyboy.Don’
tworr
y.Di
dyou
packyourpasspor
t?”
Batangputdownhi sbagandstart
edf
ixi
ngt
he
tabl
e.“Yes.Ever
ythi
ngispacked.
”
“
Yoursi
steri
sgoi
ngt
obesohappyt
oseeyou.
”
Bat
angsmil
ed.“Met
oo.Ican’
tbel
ieveIam goi
ngt
o
bei
nanair
plane.
”
Hisgrandfat
herlaughed.“OldbackIwor kedf ora
whiteman.Hehadhi splane.Itwassmal lbutinmy
eyesitwasthebiggestIhadeverseen.Thef irst
ti
mehef lewwithmeImessedupmypant s.I
rememberhowembar r
assedIwasandhowhe
l
aughedatme.Iwi l
lneverforgetit,
from t
hen, I
neverfl
eweveragai n.Don’tbelikeme.”
Bat
angl
aughed.Theol
dmanl
aughedt
oot
hen
st
art
edcoughi
ng.Hiscoughwor
ri
edBat
angso
much,i
tact
ual
lyscaredhi
m.
Hegothim agl
assofwat
erandgavei
ttohi
m.
“Dr
ink.
”
“
Thankyoumyboy.
”
“
Iam scar
edt
oleaveyoual
one.
”
“
Don’tbe.Iwi
llberi
ghtherewhenyoucomeback.I
wil
lheherewaiti
ngforyoumyson.”
Bat
angtearf
ull
yhuggedhi
m.Theol
dmanhugged
hi
m back.
“Iwi
llbeherewai
ti
ngforyou.Iwi
llonl
ydi
ewhen
youarefi
nishedwi
thschool
.”
Bat
angsni
ff
ed.“
Idon’
twantyout
odi
e.”

*
**

InGabor
one,Zazawalkedoutofhermeeti
ng
hol
dinghert
abletandmadeherwayt oherof
fi
ce.
HerPAwalkedinsidehol
dingf
lowers.
“
Thesecamef
oryou.
”
Shesmiledalreadyknowingwhotheyweref
rom.
ThePAputt hem onherdesk.Zazatookt
hentook
outthenote.Shereaditandbl
ushedasherPA
walkedout.
Zazat
ookherphoneandcal
l
edhi
m.
“
Hey…”
“
Hi,
Ijustsawt
hef
lower
s.Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.Canwegof
ordi
nnert
oni
ght
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Great
.Iwil
lmakesomereser
vat
ions.Iwantt
otake
thi
ngstothenextl
evel
.Il
oveyouandIknowIwant
you.”
Shesmi
ledst
ari
ngathernai
ls.
“
Iwi
llcomeandpi
ckyouupl
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hehungup.Zazat ookadeepbreathsmil
ing.Her
phonerang,shel
ookedatthecal
lerID,
hersmi l
e
di
sappeari
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heybabe,
whatt
imear
eyouknocki
ngof
ftoni
ght
?”
“
Lat
e.Ihaver
epor
tst
osubmi
t.
”
“
Whatt
imei
slat
e?”
“
Maybear
ound8.
”
“
8?”
“AgangyouknowIam behindschedul
e.Thattr
ip
youtookmet owit
houtconsul
ti
ngwithmefirst
madet aket
enstepsback.
”
“
Youneededt
hatt
ri
p.”
“
Youli
ketaki
ngdeci
sionsalone.Youshouldhave
t
oldme.YouknowIdon’tl
ikefunnysurpr
ises.
”
“
Babear
ewef
ight
ing?
”
Zazasi
ghed.“
Iam j
ustt
ell
ingyou.Iam wor
kingl
ate
toni
ght
.”
“
Iwant
edust
ogoout
.”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkIwi
llmakei
t.
”
“
It
’sok.Wecangowhenweknockof
f.
”
“
Iwil
lbet
ir
edt
hen.Can’
twej
ustgosomeot
her
t
ime?”
“
Ihaveplansforust
onight
.Ithast
obetoni
ght.
Whatevert
imeyouknockoff,wewi
llgot
hen.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Hehungup.Shel
ookedatherphonebor
ed.

*
**

Atangwal kedouti
ftheairportholdi
nghissmall
overnightbag.Hetookouthiscarkeysapproaching
i
tatt heparki
ngthenunlockeditandj umpedin.He
j
umpedi nsi
dethensighedstaringathismessages
reporti
n.HeopenedhisFacebookthencl
ickedon
hername.Shehadchangedherpr ofi
lepi
ctur
e.He
smiledreact
ingt
oitt
hensentheramessage.
Atang:Heybabe,
justfl
ewbacktoBotswana.Iam
headedhomenow.Il oveyousomuch.
Hesi
ghedsat
isf
iedt
henst
art
edhi
scaranddr
ove
home.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#60

ThateveningAgangpar kedhi
scaratZaza’
s
workplacethenhesteppedoutoft
hecarand
walkedtothesecuri
tyguardseat
edbyt heent
rance.
“
Mor
ena.
.”
Thesecur
it
yguar
dlookedathi
m.“
Boss,
howcanI
hel
pyou?”
“
Ilooki
ngformygi
rl
fr
iend.She’
swor
kingl
ate
t
onight
.”
“
Ther
eisnoonehere.Thel
astpersontol
eavewas
aman.Thebui
ldi
nghasbeenlocked.
”
“
Areyousur
e?”
“Yes,ever
yonehadlef
t.Icameher
eatsi
x.The
buil
dingisempty.
”
Agangsighedtaki
ngouthi
sphonewonderi
ngi
fshe
hadalr
eadywenttoherhouse.ThePhoner
ang
unanswered.
“
Ok,
Ithi
nkshewenthome.Thankyou.
”
“
Sur
e.”
Agangturnedcall
ingheragai
nanddr ovetoher
house.Heparkedhiscarthenwalkedtothedoor
hol
dingthesparekeys.Heunlockedthedoorand
walkedinsi
desearchi
ngforherbutthehousewas
empty.
Hetri
edcalli
ngheragainbutherphonejustr
ang
unanswered.Heworri
edlysatdownandwai t
ed.An
hourlat
erhecall
edagainbutsti
llt
herewasno
answer
.
Hecal
ledhi
sbr
other
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Ithi
nkZazai
scheat
ing.
”
“
Why?
”
“Icanfeeli
t.I
t’
st hesecretphonecall
s,t
hedist
ance
i
nt herel
ati
onship.Shefeelsli
kesheismi l
esaway
from meevent houghwear eont hesamebed.Our
sexdoesn’tevenf eel
thesame…”
“Af
terever
ythi
ngyout
wohavebeent
hrough,
do
youthi
nkshecandothat
?”
“
Icanf
eelhersl
ippi
ngf
rom myhands.
”
“
Wher
eissher
ightnow?
”
“IhadtoldherIwanttotakeherout.Shet ol
dme
hereverydayexcusethatshei
swor kinglate.Isent
toherwor kpl
aceandshei snotthere.Iam call
ing
hersheisnotpicking.
”
“
Waj
elwa.
”
“
Mot
howat
engot
sil
egonyel
a,bant
wael
a.What
’s
sohardaboutt
ell
ingsomeoneyoudon’
twantthem
anymore?Omongweot si
legonyel
a.Zazat
hinksI
am ayearol
d.”
“
Don’
tgot
ojai
l.
”
“I
fIgo,
it’
sgoingt
obewor
thi
t.Shewant
stosee
anot
hersideofme.
”
Aganghungupthengotinhi
scarandparkedt
he
caratt
heback.Hegotbacki
nthehouseand
wait
edforheront
hecouch.

*
**

Zazasi
ppedherchampagneonther
ooft
op
rest
aur
antst
ari
ngatherpar
tner
.Hesmil
ed.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Zazabl
ushed.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Iwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
Zazal
ookedathi
m.“
What
?”
Hetookoutt
her
ingandshowedher
.Zaza’
shear
t
ski
ppedasshel
ookedati
t.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Igoti
tforyou.
”
Zazatookitandlookedati
tcaref
ull
y.Shehad
neverseenanythi
ngdobeautif
ul.
Tear
afi
ll
edhereyes.“
Ilovei
t.
”
Het ookitandsl
idi
tonherfinger
.Herl
eanedover
andki ssedhert
hentheyconti
nueddi
ningont
he
rooftop

*
**

InBoston,
lat
erthatday,hoursbehind,
Rethabil
e
walkedoutofthelect
urehallholdi
ngherbooks.
Shelookedatthetimeandhur r
iedhomecar r
ying
herbooks.
Al
mosttwent
ymi nut
esl
ater
,sheopenedt
hedoor
t
ohert
inyapart
mentandwalkedi
n.Shetookof
f
hershoesbythedoorandwal kedt
othecouch.She
satdownexhaustedt
hent ookherphoneand
rel
axedstr
etchi
ngherlegs.
SheopenedherWhat sAppmessagesasa
Facebooknoti
fi
cati
onpinged.Alr
eadyknowingwho
i
twas, shei
gnoreditandcarr
iedonrepl
yingtoher
messages.
Mosawalkedi
nherapar
tmenthol
dingamug.She
smi
led.
“
Hi…Iam i
nneedofmi
lk.Doyouhaveany?
”
Rethabi
lest
oodupandwentt ohert
inyki
tchen.She
openedherfr
idgeandtookoutherl
astmi
lk.She
pouredforMosajustabi
t.
“
Thi
sismyl
ast
.”
“
Thanks.
”
“
It
sok.
”
“
Chr
iswasher
elooki
ngf
oryou.
”
Ret
habi
lef
rowned.“
Forwhat
?”
Mosasi
ghed.“
Hel
ovesyou.
”
Ret
habi
ler
oll
edhereyes.“
Idon’
t.
”
“
Thabi
,Chri
sisagoodman.He’
sathi
rdyear
r
esi
dent,
handsomeandl
ovesyou.
”
“Ihaver esponsi
bil
iti
es,andIam j ustnotinto
rel
ationships.Oneni ghtofsexcan’thavehi m
thi
nkinghei sinlovewi thme.Heshoul dhavest uck
tojustbeingmyf riend.Iwillnotbecor neredint
o
rel
ationshipbecauseIwashor nyanddr unkand
decidedt ofuck.
”Shesi ghed.“Iwasal sost r
essed
aboutmyexams.AndIst i
llam.”
Mosalookedather.“
Idon’
tknowwhathappenedto
youpr
eviouslybut…consi
derhi
m.He’
sagoodguy.
Downtoearth.Youdon’
thavetobeahear
tbreaker
.”
“Thengof orhi
m Mosa.Iwantt ogetmydegr ee…I
wanttobeabl etotakecareofmyl i
tt
lef
ami l
y.Chri
s
andIwillwantdiff
erentthi
ngsthenhewilldecideto
cheat…Iam notpainti
ngeveryonewitht
hesame
brushbutmayber elat
ionshi
psarenotmycal li
ng.”
Ret
habil
etookof
fhert
-shi
rt
.Mosalookedather
t
att
oojustbel
owherbr
east
.Sheshookherhead.
“
Youneedt
ogot
ochur
ch.Iknowyouwer
enot
raisedl i
kethis.Nott obet hiskindofper son.You
aregoi ngtor egretallofthis.Allthemi ssed
oppor tunit
iesandchances.Youar egoingt owat ch
otherpeopl ehappyandyouwi llremaint hi
sbitter
per sonthatyouar e, youaregoi ngt obesadandI
feelsadf oryou…f orthosear oundyou.Youwi l
l
becomeevenmor ebi tt
er,i
twi l
ljuststartwithyour
ex.Youar efullofsomuchangerandwon’ taccept
yourpar tintohowt hingsfellapar t
.Youwantt obe
thevi cti
m somucht hatyouwal karoundwi ththe
excuseever ywhereyougo.Andt hat’
sthetruth.I
pit
yyourbr otherforhowmuchhel ooksupt oyou.
Forhowhet hinksyouar eGodwheni nfactthatyou
areadest r
uction.Ipi t
yyourdaught er…forhaving
suchavi ndicti
vemot herwho’ssocaughtupi nher
ownsel fi
shness.”
Rethabil
elookedatherandlaughed.“Idi
dn’tcome
toAmer i
cat obejudgedbyanyone.Youdon’ tknow
meorwher eIhavebeenorwhatIhavebeen
thr
ough.Goandf ocusyourener
gyonyourabusi ve
fat
herwhoi ssti
llbeati
ngyourmotherandmaki ng
yoursist
erhissecondwi f
e.Orbett
eryetfocuson
yourt her
apysessi onsbecausebet weenyouandIi f
thereisanyonewi thangeri t
’sdefi
nitelytherape
vict
im.Theonl ydest ruct
ionhereisyou, maybei f
yourmot herl ovedyouandyoursi sterenoughshe
shouldhavepr otectedyoui nst
eadofshi el
ding
herselfwithherdaught er
s.Don’tbri
ngmybr other
ormydaught erint
oyourmessedupl i
fe,wombl ess
whor e.Tryi
ngt omakeyour selfJesus’ cousinwith
fakeChr i
stianit
ypr etendi
ngt obehappy, Iwillmop
thefloorwithyourassmoghel e.
”
Mosal ookedatheri
nshock.Thedooropened,
Thabilookedoverasherdaught
erwalkedi
n
fol
lowedbyhernannybehindher.
“
Mama…”
Thabi
wat
chi
ngherr
unover
.Thabipi
ckedherup.
“
Heysweet
y…Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shehuggedherandt
ookadeepcal
mingdown.“
I
missedyoumyangel
…”
Mosawal
kedout
.Thabil
ookedatt
henanny.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.Seeyout
omor
row.ByeLomo…”
Lel
omosmi
ledandwavedexci
tedl
y.“
Bye!Byebye!
”
Thenannylaughedandwalkedout.Thabil
ookedat
herdaught
er,t
earsf
il
li
nghereyes.Shetookadeep
breat
handkissedherdaught
ersit
ti
ngdown.
Lomosmil
edi
nhermother’
sar
ms,
Thabil
ookedat
hert
wobunsandsmi
led.
“
Iloveyou…”
“
Kissmama.
.”
Thabikissedher.Lomogiggledburyi
ngherfaceon
hermot her’
schest.At
earrolleddownThabi
’s
cheek,shewi pedi
tawaykissingherdaught
er’
s
for
ehead.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#61
InBoston,
Rethabil
ewat chedherdaughtereat
watchi
ngcartoonsont helaptopwhil
eshehelda
bookinherhands.Lelomol aughedatthelapt
op
scr
eenpausingeating.
Thabisighedthenconti
nuedstudying.Sheopened
anotherbook,herphonestart
edr i
ngi
ng.She
reachedforitandlookatt
heBot swananumber
call
ingherwonderingwhoi twas.
Shesi
ghedt
henpi
cked.“
Hel
lo?
”
Ther
ewassil
ence.Thabil
ookedatherscr
eent
hem
putt
hephoneonherear.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Shef r
ownedatt hesil
encethensighed.“Whydo
youkeepdoi ngthis?I
sitnecessary.Iknowyouare
l
isteningAtang.Idon’
tknowwhatyouar etr
yingt
o
achievefr
om thisbutdon’tyoufeelsorr
yforme?
Allthi
sisunnecessary.
”
“
Hi…”
Thabi
paused.“
Elang?
”
El
angchuckl
ed.“
Hi…”
“
Wow!Iam sor
ryabout
..It
houghti
twas-
“
“
Atang.I
t’
sok.Iam sor
ry.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
No.Don’
tbe.I
t’
sni
cet
ohearyour
voi
ce.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Howi
sschool
?”
“Schoolisf
ine,
nowpur sui
ngBachel
orofMedi
cine,
BachelorofSurger
y.”
“
Wow!Andhowl
ongi
sthatgoi
ngt
otake?
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Wel
lqui
etaf
ew.Butnott
ool
ong.
”
“Iam havi
ngf
oryou.You’
veal
wayswant
edt
obes
doctor.
”
“It
hinkIunder
estimatedit
.IthoughtsincemyPre-
Meddegr eewouldjustbeli
keeverythi
ngelse,
I
shouldknownfrom theGREt estt
hatthesepeopl
e
werenotplayi
ng.”
“Thetestyout
akebef
orebei
ngaccept
edi
nto
Harvard?”
“Yes.Thatwasdohar
d,Ithoughtitwouldendther
e
butit
’sanongoi
ngthi
ng.Thefirstyearher
e,Icr
ied
whenIsawmyr esul
tsattheendofthesemester
.I
wasfight
ingt
ostayabovetheli
ne.I
thappenedwith
t
henextsemester
.Ihavelostwei
ghtElang…not
f
rom gym…ofcauseInowdobutwow! ”
El
angl
aughedhar
d.“
Thabi
!”
“Iam tel
lingyou.Ihavel
ostweightbecauseof
stress,f
or get
ti
ngtoeatandmorestress,bei
ng
underpr essure.I
t’
snotwhatIt
houghtitwouldbe
l
ike.”
“
It
salwaysdiff
erent.Ial
waysseeyourpict
ureswi
th
myfakeaccount.Youaresti
llbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Elangsighed.“
Unempl
oyed.Veryunempl
oyed.Iam
beginningtohat
emydegree.If
eelIwast
edmy
ti
me. ”
“
It
sonl
ybeenayearEl
ang.Youneedt
obepat
ient
.”
“
Ifl
if
ecoul
dal
sobepat
ient
.”
“
Itwi
llhappenf
oryou.
”
“
Ihopesoon.Iwasnowsel
li
ngweavesandwigs.
I
t’
sbeenkeepingmeaf
loat
.Idon’
tknowf
orhow
muchl
onger
.Iam bar
elyhol
dingon.
”
“Iam sorr
y.Keephustl
ingt
il
lyouf
indsomet
hing.
Youwi l
lgiveatest
imonyoneday.
”
“
IhopeIdo.Andyou?Anypl
ansofvi
sit
ing.
”
“Ihadwantedtocomel astyeargotnervous…
scaredofwhatwai t
sf orme.Ijustl
eft.Ipackedmy
bags,andlef
t.Iwasr eady…Ihadal r
eadypacked
mybags, Iwenttotheai r
portandjustcouldn’
t.SoI
camebackandcr ied.”
“
Whathappenedt
oyouandAt
ang?
”
“Hewant edababysomuchandIdi dn’t.Igot
pregnantandIwant edt oabor ti
nwhi chIchanged
mymi nd.Hefoundoutandwasver yupset .Hewas
heartbrokenandIguessdi sappointedt hathe
questionseverythi
ngaboutusandmyl oveforhi m.
That’swhenhedeci dedt ofindsomeoneel sewho
possiblycouldlovehim.Iremembercr yingko
AirportJuncti
onmal lbegginghimt otelltheot her
womant ostepoutoft hecarsowecoul djustgo
home.Ihadseent hem kissing,t
hismanl ookedat
meandsai dshe’smycousi nandt hatIdi dn’tsee
proper l
y.ThatIwasoverr eacti
ngandthatI
soundedcr azy.Iknel
tbegginghim,bythatti
mehe
didn’tcareanymor e.Iwenthomeandwai t
ed.He
l
at ercame, herperfumealloverhim.Hesleptwi
th
mewi thoutbathingaft
erhavingtohavesleptwi
th
hert henhesai douthername.Iguesshehad
i
magi ningi
twashernotme.That ’
showt hat
ended. ”
“
Iam sosor
ry.
”
“I
tsti
llhurt
stothinkabouti
t.Obvi
ousl
yIknowshe
wasbet t
erthaninbutforhi
mt osayhernamewhi
le
ontopofme. .i
thurtsmealot.”
Elangsi
ghed.“Iam sor
ryfr
iendbutmaybeyou
shouldj
ustfor
gethim andmoveon.Kanaobviousl
y
hisli
fei
smovingforward.
”
“Hehasmynumber .IknowBatanggaveitt
ohim.I
f
he’
snotsendingmessagesoverFacebook,
hecal
ls
keepsqui
et.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Oir
ang?
”
“Waletsaebeadidi
mala.Somet
imesIdon’
tanswer
unsavedBotsnumbers.
”
“
Sot
hesecondpr
egnancy…youdi
dwhat
?”
Ret
habi
lel
ookedatherdaught
er.“
Iabor
tedmma.
”
“
Iwouldtoo.I
maginehavi
ngachi
ldwi
thacheat
ing
man.Thatwouldmeanyouwoul
dbeti
edtohimfor
t
herestofyourl
if
e.”
Thabi
sighed.“
Yeah…”
“
Soyouwi
llnevergetbackwi
thhi
m?”
“I
fIdoi twouldbet ohurthim.Iwoul dbreakhimtil
l
hekill
shi msel
f.Iwouldf i
nishhim,itsowon’tbefor
l
ove.WhatIhavef orthatmani shatred.Iwould
hurthimt othelast
.IimagineitElang.Iimaginehim
ki
ll
inghi mself
.Iam holdingagrudgeand…”Tear s
fi
ll
edhereyes.“ Somet i
mesIt hi
nkIneedhel p.”
“Youarefi
ne.Yourangerisjust
if
ied.Youhave
ever
yr i
ghtt
obeangr y.LennaIwouldjustbeangr
y
l
ikeyouare.YouarehumanThabi .It’
soktobe
angry.I
t’
soktobehat ef
ul.I
twil
lwearoffasti
me
goeson.”
“
Iguess.
”
“
Gapehewasyourf
ir
st.Fi
rsthear
tbr
eaksar
enott
o
bet
akenl
ight
ly.Hewasyourfi
rstinever
ythi
ng.I
t’
s
omynormalt
hatyoucryforsolong.
”
Shelaughed.“Youar
eri
ght
.Whenmethi
m Idi
dn’
t
knowanything.”
“
See?Thehear
tshal
lheal
.”
“
Thankyouf
orcal
li
ngme.
”
“
Iam happyIspoket
oyou.
”
“
Met
oo.Imi
ssedyousomuch…”
“
Wehaveneverhadaf
ightt
hisl
ong.
”
“
No.Wehavenot
.”
Theybot
hlaughed.
El
angsi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ryThabi
.”
“
It
sok.Il
ongf
orgaveyou.
”
“Thankyou.Howi
sAmer
ica?Kanasomeofusj
ust
seeitonTV.”
Thabisi
ghed.“I
tshard.I
t’
sreal
lyhar
d.Ican’
tgeta
secondj
ob…af ullti
meonebecauseofschool.I
havetopayrent.Ihavet
obuyfood.Ineedtosend
Bat angmoneyever ymont h.Ihavet opayot herbil
ls.
Allowancei sbarelyenoughEl ang.Iam l eftat0
whenever yt
hinghasbeenpai d.Andt hef oodis
bar elyenough…Idon’ teateveryday.WhenIf orget
toeat ,good.Somet i
mesi t’
sstarvati
on.Dr inkwater
andmoveon.Ri ghtnowt hereisnot hi
ngi nthe
house.Ihadsavedenoughmoneyt ogetBat i
eto
visit.He’ssoexci t
ed.Hedoesn’ tknowhe’ scomi ng
tohunger .MaybeIam shoul dturntopr ostit
uti
on.”
El
angl
aughed.“
Stopj
oki
ngl
iket
hati
ja.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Letmer
ead.Ihaveanexam
tomor
row.Bye.”
“
Bye.
”
Rethabil
ehungup.Shesi ghedmassagingherst
if
f
shoulders.Lomostoodupandwal kedtowar
dsher.
Thabi smil
edstar
ingatherbeaut
if
ulface.
“
Hi…”
“
Himama.
.”
Rethabi
lepi
ckedherup.Shel
ookedatheri
nnocent
eyes.
“
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
omor
rowbaby?
”
Sheki
ssedherl
ipsandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatherbooks.

*
**

Thefol
lowingdayinGaborone,
Agangwokeupto
Zaza’
svoiceoutsi
dethedoorwhil
esheunl
ocked
herdoor.
“
Iam homenow.Thankyou.Il
oveyou-
“
Shepausedwalki
ngi
nsidethehousethenlocked
eyeswit
hAgang.Sheswall
owedast hephonef el
l
fr
om herhands.
“
B-babe…”
Agangstoodupt
henl
ockedt
hedoorandpi
cked
herphone.
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
Zazatookadeepbreat
hasherheartracedsomuch.
“Iwasatafri
end’
shouse.Acol
league.Iknocked
offr
eall
ylat
eandwasjusttoot
iredtodri
vehome. ”
“
Icoul
dhavepi
ckedyouup.
”
“
Ifor
got
.”
“
For
gotwhat
?”
“Iam sor
ryAgang.Iknowit
’saboutwhat
everyou
hadplanned.Iwasjustt
ooti
red.
”
“
Nooneistal
kingaboutt
hat.Iam t
alki
ngaboutthe
f
actt
hatyoucouldhavecal
ledmet opickyouup.”
“Iknockedof
far
ound10.It
houghtyouwer
e
sleepi
ng.”
“
What
’st
hepasswor
d?”
“
Iam nottel
li
ngyouanyt
hing.I
fyoudot
rustme
t
henwehavenot hi
ngbet
weenus.Wemi ghtwewel
l
j
ustcal
litqui
ts.
”
Agangl
aughed.“
Ok.
”
“
Yes!
”
“Ther
eisnot
hingatt
hebackofyourhouse.Come
andsee.
”
Shewalkedoutwit
hhi
m.Zazalookedashe
unl
ockedhiscar
.Heopenedt
heboot,shewal
ked
overandl
ookedcur
iousl
y.
Agangpickedherupandputheri
nsidewhileshe
screamed.Heclosedt
hebootandsighedwalki
ng
backinhousediali
nganumberwit
hhi sphone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Ineedafavor
…Ineedtogothr
oughsomeone’
s
phonebutther
eisapasswor
d.”
“
Bri
ngi
t.
”
“
Sur
e.”

*
**

AtAtang’
shouse,At axidroppedoffEl
angbyt he
gat
e.Shesteppedoutandt ookadeepbreath
wal
kingtothegatepulli
ngdownhershor tdress.
Shetookadeepbr eaththenpressedthei
ntercom.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#62

At
angspoket
hrought
hespeakerbyt
hegat
e.
“
Yeah?
”
El
angtookadeepbreat
h.“HiAt
ang.I
t’
sElang.CanI
pl
easetal
ktoyou.I
t’
simport
ant
.It
’saboutThabi
.”
Therewassilence.Shewai t
edner
vouslythenthe
gateopened.Shewal kedinandwenttothedoor
j
ustasAt angwalkedoutinonlyhi
ssweat pant
s.
Shetookadeepbr eathstari
ngatal
lhistatt
oos.
Shepul
leddownherdr
ess.“
Hi.
”
“
Whathappenedt
oher
?”
“
Canwesi
tandt
alkwhi
leseat
ed?
”
Helookedathert
henopenedt
hedoorwi der
.She
wal
kedi nhi
shouse,
hereyesf
ellonThabi’
spict
ure
f
rameont hewall
.
“
Sitandt
alk.Ihopei
t’
simpor
tant
.”
Shesatdownbi
ti
ngherlowerl
ip.Shelookedathi
m
wait
ingf
orhi
mtositbutheremainedup.She
si
ghed.
“Thabitol
dmeabouthowyoust il
lwanther .I
thoughtyouneededt oknowsomet hi
ng.Shei smy
fri
endandIdon’ twanthertohurthersel f
.Sheis
planni
ngont akingyoubackonl ytohur tyou.She
wantstodest r
oyyouandwat chyoukillyoursel
f.
Shedoesn’tloveyouanymor e,shehat esyouand
j
ustwant stohur tyou.Youhavenor easont o
beli
evemebut …”
Sheopenedherhandbagandtookoutherphone.
Shewenttoherrecor
dingsandfastf
orwar
dedto
thatonepar
t.
“I
fIdoi twouldbet ohurthim.Iwoul dbreakhimtil
l
hekill
shi msel
f.Iwouldfinishhim,itsowon’tbefor
l
ove.WhatIhavef orthatmani shatred.Iwould
hurthimt othelast
.IimagineitElang.Iimaginehi
m
ki
ll
inghi mself
.Iam holdingagrudge
and…Somet imesIt hi
nkIneedhel p.”
Shest
oppedt
her
ecor
ding.
“
Playi
tfr
om t
hest
art
.”
“
Uht
heot
hert
hingsar
enoti
mpor
tant
.”
“
Iwantt
oheari
t.
”
Shepressedplayfr
om t
hebeginni
ng.At
ang
l
ist
enedthenlookedatEl
ang.
“
Cal
lheragai
n.Askherwher
eshest
aysi
nBost
on.
”
“
What
?”
“
Youhear
dme.
”
“
Myairti
mei
sfi
nished.Ij
ustwant
edyout
oknow
t
hatshe-
“
“
Iwi
llbuyai
rt
ime.
”
Het
ookhi
sphoneandboughtherai
rt
ime.
“
Cal
lher
.”
El
angswall
owedthem di
aledThabi
.Herphone
st
art
edri
nging.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi…ar
eyoual
readysl
eepi
ng?
”
“
Yes.Iam 7hour
sbehi
ndyou.
”
“
Sor
ry.It
houghtyouwer
eawake.
”
“
Ngng…butl
etmewakeupandr
ead.If
ellasl
eep.
”
“
Ok…sowher
eisexact
lydoyoust
ayi
nHar
var
d?”
“IstayatBright
onAl
lst
on.Notthebest
neighborhoodbutaf
for
dable.Why?Youwantt
o
visi
tme? ”
El
angl
aughed.“
No.Justcur
ious
“
It
snott
hatf
ancybutr
eal
lyaf
for
dabl
e.Ei
sh…”
“
What
?”
“
Iregr
ettel
li
ngyou.Kanawenawhenyougetangr
y,
,youairmybusi
nesstothepubl
ic.
”
“
Aowwmma…Ihavechanged.Iwasyoungt hen.
Maybeonedayaf
terIgetaj
obIwi
llvi
sityou.”
Thabil
aughed.“
57t
hEver
ett
…youl
ookf
ormeandI
wil
lbether
e.”
“
Myai
rt
imei
sfi
nishi
ng.Bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
El
anghungupandl
ookedatAt
ang.
“
Shedoesn’
twant
-“
“
Whatexact
lywher
eyouhopi
ngt
oachi
evef
rom
t
his?
”
“
Iwant
edyout
oknowt
het
rut
h.”
“Iwantyounowher eclosetoRethabi
le.IfIhear
youcal l
sheragai
n,Iam goi
ngt oshootyouand
burryyou.I
fyouthinkIam joki
ng,t
ryit.Ihopethi
s
i
st helastt
imeyoucallher.
”
El
angl
ookedathi
m.“
Ijustwant
edt
ohel
pyou.
”
“IsaidifIhearthatyoucal
ledRet
habi
le,
otsi
lego
nyela.Getout.”
Sheslowl
ystoodupandwal
kedout.At
angwal
ked
tohi
sbedroom cal
li
nghi
sbr
other
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Shecame?
”
“
Yes.I
nthemor
ning.
”
“
Whatdi
dshesay?
”
“Sheisyetgoi
ngtosaysomethi
ng.Iam gi
vingher
ti
met othi
nkofheranswer
s.Shethi
nksIam
playi
ng.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Athome.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oMassachuset
ts.
”
“
Todowhat
?”
“
Tot
ryagai
n.”
“Andyout
hinkt
hist
imeshewi
llt
ellyouwher
eshe
stays?
”
“
Iknowwher
eshest
ays.Iwantmygi
rlback.
”
“
Don’
tgetar
rest
edinforei
gncount
ri
es.Thatsi
de
t
heyar
restf
orharassment
.”
“
Iam notl
eavi
ngt
il
lIt
alkt
oher
.”
“
Becar
eful
.”
Atanghungupandpackedhi
sbagsi
ntoat
ravel
ing
bag.
*
**

Thephonetechni
cianunl
ockedZaza’
sphoneand
handedi
ttoAgang.Agangtookadeepbreat
hthen
openedhermessages.
Heswall
owedthr
oughhermessagesthenwentt o
herWhat
sApp.Hesi
ghedthentookoutsome
moneyfr
om hi
spocketandgavetot
het echni
cian.
“
Thanks.
”
“
Sur
e!”
Agangwalkedgohiscarandjumpedin.HereadAl
hermessagesandputherphonedownweak.He
tookamoment ,
hishandonherface.Hest
artedhi
s
caranddrovebacktoherhouse.
Heopenedtheboot
.Zazagaspedcoughingwhi
le
tearsr
oll
eddownhercheeks.Agangsi
ghedbe
defeat
ed.
“
Ijustwantt
het
rut
h.”
Shest
art
edcr
ying.“
Pleasedon’
tki
llme.
”
“
Iwantt
het
rut
h.”
“
Agang.
..
”
“
Iwantt
het
rut
h.That
’sal
l.Thet
rut
h.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Youar
esor
ryaboutwhat
?”
Shelookedathi
m shaki
ngwi
thf
ear
.“I
…he…Il
ove
you.
”
“Iwasnotboldingyouhostageinthisrel
ati
onshi
p.
Youcouldhaveeasi l
ydumpedmenott ostri
ngme
alongwithst
reetniggas.Wantwaela.Iwasactual
ly
thinki
ngofgett
ingmar ri
edtoyouthinki
ngmaybe…”
Agangsighed.“Getoutofmycar .Iam notpayi
ng
yourrentbytheendoft hi
smonth.Iam sureyour
mancanmanage. ”
Zazasl
owl
ygotout
.Agangclosedhi
sboott
hen
j
umpedinhi
scaranddroveoff
.

*
**
Thef oll
owingmorningi
nBoston,
Thabif
ini
shed
dressingthenpackedhert
hingsi
nherbag.She
l
ookedatt heti
mewonder i
ngwhereherdaught
er’
s
nannywas.
Shet
ookherphoneandcal
ledher
.
“
HiTabi
..
”
“
Hi,wher
ear
eyou?Myexam st
art
sint
hir
ty
minut
es.
”
“
Iknow,Iam sosorr
ybutIhadanacci
dentonmy
wayther
e,Iam att
hehospi
tal
.”
“
What
?Isi
tser
ious?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Iam scar
ed.
.Ican’
tfeelmyl
egs.
”
Thabil
ookedatherdaught
ert
ear
ful
ly.“
Cantyouget
anyonetohel
pme? ”
“
Iam sor
ryTabi
.”
Shehungup.Thabiputherhandsonherf ace
holdi
nghertear
s..Shet hought
full
ypickedLomoup
them wal
kedoutwi thherbag.Shelockedt hedoor
andwalkeddownst air
stoMosa’ sdoor.She
knockedandwaited.Mosaopenedsecondsl ater
.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
Rethabi
lesi
ghed.“
Canyoupl
easeremai
nwi t
hhe.I
wil
lbebackintwohour
s.Iam wr
it
inganexam.”
“
No.
”
Mosaclosedt
hedooronThabi
’
sface.Thabiputher
daught
erdown.
“Youar
egoi
ngt
ost
aywi
thaunt
yMosaok?Il
ove
you.
”
Sheki
ssedher
.Lomowaved.
“
Byemama…”
Thabiknockedont hedoorandlist
enedas
foot
stepsapproached.Sheturnedandranof
f.
Mosaopenedt hedoorthenlookedatLomowho
wassmi l
ingather.Shelookedovertohermot
her
whowasf eetawayrunning.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#63

LaterthatdayAgangwalkedinsidehishouseand
foundKel l
yir
oni
nghisclothes.Sheturnedtohi
m
sti
lli
nherChoppiessupermar kett
-shi
rt.
“Hi
,mamai snotwell
.Ial
readywentt
oAt
ang’
s
house.Iam f
ini
shi
ngupher e.
”
Hesmil
ed.“I
t’
sokbutmmagweKcooksf
orme
whenshe’
shere.
”
Kel
lyl
aughed.“
Iwi
llcook.
”
“
Thankyou.What
’swr
ongwi
thmygi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Kel
lyl
aughed.“
Yourgi
rl
fr
iend’
sul
cer
sar
emaki
ngi
t
har
dforher.
”
“
Didn’
tshegett
reat
edl
astt
ime?
”
Kel
lysighedsadl
y.“Shedi
dbut …she…your
gi
rl
fri
endbeli
eveinthepastorheal
inghersowear
e
wai
tingforSunday.Wearegoingtochurchand
maybeshewi l
lgetheal
ed.”
Agangnodded.“
Isee.Iwi
llcal
lher
.”
Shesmiled.“
Don’
tsayIt
oldyout
hat
.Shewi
llbe
upset
.”
“
Iwon’
t.Il
oveyourshor
thai
r.Il
ikedyourl
onghai
r
t
oo.
”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Ili
ket
heshor
thai
r.I
t’
saf
for
dabl
e.”
“Youcutbecauseofmoney?Wher
eisyour
boyfr
iend?
”
“
Gotmar
ri
ed.
”
“Iam sor
rytoheart
hat.I
fitmakesyouf
eelbet
ter
,
Zazaisgett
ingmarr
ied.”
Kel
lysadl
ylookedathi
m.“
Iam sor
ry.Iknowyou
l
oveher?”
“Yeah.I
t’
sli
fe.Keeta,
Ihopeyoudi
dn’
tcookf
or
Atang.HewenttotheStat
es.
”
“
Ihopeshet
akeshi
m back.
”
Agangnodded.“
Met
oo.Hehasl
ear
nthi
slesson.
”
Agangwalkedt ohiscl
eanbedroom.Hewalked
backtothesitt
ingroom awhil
elat
eralr
eadyinhi
s
greysweatpantsandat-shi
rt
.Helookedatheras
shef
ini
shedupi
roni
ng.
“
Thankyou.Thehousel
ooksspot
less.
”
Kel
lyputhi
sshi
rt
sandpant
stohi
sbedr
oom.She
camebackandsmil
ed.
“
Justhowyourgi
rl
fr
iendl
ikesi
t.
”
“
Iam goingtocal
lher
.Godhel
pst
hosewhohel
p
t
hemselves.
”
Kel
lywal
kedtot
heki
tchen.Hef
oll
owedaf
terher
andsmil
ed.
“
WhatcanIdo?
”
Shelookedathim.“Youcanst
artmaki
ngt
hesal
ad.
Ihadalreadyst
art
edwiththemeat
.”
“
Ok,
whatam Isupposedt
ocut
?”
Shesmil
edthenopenedthefri
dgeandtookouta
coupl
eofthi
ngsforhi
m.Shewashedt hetomatoes
thent
ookachoppingboardandaknif
e.
“
Cutt
hem l
iket
his…”
Sheshowedhim.Agangnoddedandt
ookover
whil
eshetookouthermar
inat
edmeatfr
om t
he
f
ri
dge.Shel
ookedathi
stomat
oesandl
aughed.
“
Thosear
ehugeAgang….
”
“
Yousai
dIshoul
dcutl
iket
hat
.”
Kel
lyt
ookthekni
fef
rom hi
mthencutagai
n.“
Iwant
i
tli
ket
his…”
Helookedathi
stomat
oest
henher
s.“
What
’st
he
di
ff
erence?”
“
Theyar
enot
.Cutpr
oper
ly.
”
Hest
art
edcutt
ing.Shesmi
led.“
That
’sbet
ter
.Be
f
ast
.Ihavet
ogohome. ”
Agangtur
nedt
oher.“Iwi
lldr
opyouof f
.Pl
easest
ay
andeatwit
hme.Eat
ingal
onei sbor
ing.
”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Ican’
t.
”
“Pl
ease…Iwon’
teatyou.Iwi
lldr
opyouof
fatt
he
gat
e.”
“
Mamawon’tli
keit
.Shedoesn’
tevenli
kethi
s
f
ri
endshi
p…shebeli
evesi
nprof
essional
ism.Idon’
t
wantt
o-“
“
Don’
tyouhavef
ri
ends?
”
“
Ido.
”
“Youwil
ltel
lheryouwerewit
haf ri
end.Notme.
Stay…Iam cut
ti
ngthesetomatoesnicel
yforyou.
”
Kel
lysi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”

*
**

Elangscroll
edthr
oughherFacebooklat
erthat
evening.Shecameacrossherroommate’spost,
theyhadpar t
edwaysassoonast heygraduat
ed
andnowshewasget t
ingmarri
edtoherboyfri
end.
Elangwentthroughherpi
ctur
esandli
kedthem
thenmovedonscr ol
li
ngdownonFacebook.Her
l
andlor
dst ar
tedcall
i
ng.El
angbitherl
owerlip
wonderi
ngwhatexcuseshewasgoi ngtogive.She
knewthismont hshewoul
dgetevict
ed.Therewas
nowayar oundit.
Shesatupr
ightst
ari
ngatherr
oom.Therewas
not
hingmuch.Shewenttohercont
act
sthent
ooka
deepbr
eat
handcal
l
edhermot
her
.
“
Ela…”
Shesmi
led.“
Iwentt
othei
nter
viewt
oday.
”
“
And?
”
“Theysaidtheywil
lcal
lme.Idoubtit
.Iam t
hinki
ng
ofcomi nghome.Ican’
taf
fordtokeepstayi
nghere
withoutajob.
”
“Iam happyyouar enowunder
standi
ngwhatIwas
sayi
ng.Youwi l
llookforaj
obwhileyouar
ehome.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Howi
sThabi
?”
“
Shei
sst
ruggl
ingi
nAmer
ica.
”
“
Inthebearfutureshewon’tbestruggl
ing.Notso
much.Doctorsarethemostrespectedpeopleint
he
wor
ld.She’
sgoi ngtobesuchabr i
ghtst ar
.Her
motheri
sproudwher eversheis.
”
Elangnodded.“
Yes.Iwi
shIhadst
udi
edmedi
cine
too.”
“
Butyourdegr
eei
sst
il
lasgood.
”
“
Iwi
llgetat
ruckf
ormyt
hings.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandst
art
edpacki
ngherbel
ongi
ngs.

*
**

Justaft
ert
enint
heevening,Agangpar
kedhi
scar
,
hi
slight
sofft
henlookedatKel
ly.
“
Thankyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Bye.
”
“
Whi
chChoppi
esdoyouwor
kat
?”
Sheshookherhead.“
No.Andbye.
”
“
Wai
t,Iwant
edt
otakeyououtf
or-
“
“Youaregoingthroughaheartbr
eakAgang.Iknow
youarelookingforsomet
hingtotakeawayyour
pain.I
twon’tbeme.Goodni ght.
”
Shest
eppedoutoft
hecarandwalkedt
othegat
e.
Sheopenedi
tandwalkedi
nwhil
ehewatched
smi l
ing.Shegotinthehouse,Agangdr
oveof
f,hi
s
l
ightsst i
lloff
.Heswit
chedthem onStt
hecor
ner
disappear i
ngoutofsi
ght.

*
**

Hourslat
erinBoston,Ret
habilewait
edatt
he
air
portholdi
ngaboar dwit
hhi sname.She
excit
edl
ywat chedasthearr
ivalswal
kedover
.She
watchedasot her
shuggedscreamingwhil
eothers
cri
ed.Shelookedaroundhopingtoseeherbr
other
asthearri
val
swal kedout
.
Minutespassed,herhear
tst
art
edpoundi
ng.She
walkedtohelpdesk.
“
Eveni
ng…”
Al adysmi
ledather
.“Eveni
ng…howcanIhel
p
you?”
“Uhmybr ot
herwassupposedt obearr
ivi
ngtoo.
BA1445..uhhe’
sfrom London.Hi
snamei sBatang
Kaisar
a.Heiswit
hRachelMot sumi.
”
Thel
adyl
ookedather
.“Whi
chf
li
ghti
sit
?”
“BA1445.HisnameisBat
ang…”Shespeltitout
.“B
ATANG KAISARA.Hei smybrother.Hewas
supposedtobeinf
li
ghtBA1445.
”
“
Thabi
!”
Thabitur
ned,t
ear
sf i
ll
edhereyesasheranoverto
her.Hehuggedhercryi
ng.Thabihel
dhi
mt i
ghtl
y,
herowntearswett
inghercheeks.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#64

InBoston,Ret
habil
eopenedherdoorandwalkedin.
Batangfoll
owedbehindhersmili
ng,hi
dhear
traci
ng
wit
hexcitement.Hetookoffhi
sshoesbythedoor
andsteppedont heAmeri
canfloor.
“
Thi
sfl
oori
ssof
t.
”
Thabi
lookedathi
m andl
aughed.“
Youar
egoi
ng
cr
azy.
”
“Ever
ythi
ngisbeaut
if
ul.”Hel
ookedatt
het
wo
couchesandthepai
ntingonthewal
l.
Bat
angsmi l
edstar
ingatthesl
idi
ngglassdoort
hat
l
edtothesmallbalcony.Het
urnedhi
sheadand
l
ookedattheki
tchen.
“
It
’ssmal
lbutbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
It
sreal
lysmal
l.
”
Hewalkedt othebathr
oom andsmil
edlooki
ngat
theAmericanshowerandtoil
et.Hepr
essedthe
butt
ontheni tf
lushed.
Henoddedi
mpr
essed.“
Smar
t.
”
Helookedathersi nkandopenedthetaptouchi
ng
thewater.Somehowt hewaterfel
tdi
ffer
ent.I
t
defi
nit
elydidn’
tfeell
ikewat
erfrom t
heBotswana
dam…
“
Thewat
erher
eisni
ce…”
Thabilaughedharder
.“It
sjustwat
er.Youmustbe
ti
red.I
twasal ongjourney.
”
Bat
angwalkedoutandsmi
led.“
No.Iam nott
ir
ed.
Wherei
syourTV?”
“
IhaveNet
fl
ixonmyl
apt
op.
”
“
Yes!
”
Thabi
smi
ledt
hent
ouchedhi
sbear
d.“
Youar
ebi
g“
“Andyouarebeaut
if
ul.
”Hetouchedherhai
rand
chuckl
ed.“
Andyouhavelostweight
..
”
“
Youl
ikedmef
at?
”
Hesmiled.“
Iloveyou.Idon’
tcar
eifyouar
ethi
nor
t
hick.
”
“
Ilostweight
.Gym anddi
et.Andl
otsofst
ress.So
muchstress.
”
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Shehuggedhi
m.“
Met
oo.
.”
Anotherdoorinthehouset henMosawal kedout
her
.Batangl ookedatthebabyiswhol ookeddo
muchl i
kehissisterandturnedbacktoThabi.She
l
ookedatt hebabyagai nthenThabi
.
Thabi
wal
kedoverandpi
ckedherupasBat
ang
st
oodi
nshock.
“
Bat
ie,
thi
sisLel
omo.Lomo.LomoKai
sar
a.”
“
Kasar
amama?
”
Thabismi
ledki
ssi
ngherdaughter
’s.“
Yeshunny…
thi
sisBat
ang.Heismybrother
.”
Mosasi
ghed.“
Ibat
hedher
.Iam goi
ng.
”
Thabiswall
owedandf oll
owedheroutsi
de.“
Thank
you.Iam sor
ryaboutyester
day.Iwasoutofli
ne.I
wasangrybutitdoesn’tmakealr
ight
.Iwasupset.I
fel
tatt
ackedandjudged.Ishoul
dnothavesaid
whatIsaid.
”
Mosasighed.“
Iam happyi
thappened.NowIcan
yourt
ruecolor
s”
“
Youpr
ovokedme!
”
“
Itol
dyouthet
rut
h.Youdon’
twanttoaccepti
t.But
f
oryouusemypaststr
uggl
esagai
nstme….”
“Iam sorry.Ididn’
tmeanit.Iam sorry.If
elt
attacked.Youat t
ackedme.Pr ovokedme.Iwasn’
t
goingt ojustkeepquiet
.”
“
Itol
dyout
het
rut
h.Youar
esel
fcent
ered-
“
“Youat tackedme.Iwasn’ tgoingtokeepquiet.Iam
sorryIsai dthet
hingsIsai d.Ishoul
dhavenott aken
thatfar.ButIwasn’ tgoingtokeepquietaf
teryou
haveat tackedputt
ingmydaught erandmybr other
i
ntoi t
.Thankyouf orstayingwithmydaughter.”
Thabiwal
kedbacki
nherhouseandlookedat
Batangwhowassti
llst
ari
ngatLomo.
“
Itol
dyouIwashavi
ngababy.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Shei
sour
s?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Shei
sreal
lybeaut
if
ul.Andbi
g..
”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
“
Iwant
edt
osur
pri
seyou.
”
Hepickedherup.Lomolaughedtouchi
nghisnose.
Bat
anghisarmsar oundher
,tear
sfil
li
nghereyes.
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul….
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Shei
s…”
Hesni
ff
ed.Lomol
ookedathi
stear
s.
“
Mama…hecr
ying?
”
“
He’
shappy.
”
Bat
anglaughedandsatdownhol
dingher
.Thabisat
down.
“
Iam happyyouar
eher
e.Imi
ssedyou.
”
Hesni
ffed.“
Imi
ssedyout
oo…Imi
ssedyouso
much.
”
Shehel dhishand.“
Youarehere…Iwi l
lbedonei n
threeyearsthenIwil
lst
artmyr esi
denceprogram.I
willbegett
ingpaidpl
usallowance.Iwil
ltakeyou
then.”
“
WhataboutPapa?Idon’
twanthi
mtost
ayal
one.
”
Thabilookedathi
m andsi
ghedchangi
ngt
het
opi
c.
“Yourhaircuti
sni
ce.
”
“
Uncl
eAt
a-…I
…”
“
Hewhat
?”
“
Tookmet
othebar
ber
.”
“
Ihopeyoudi
dn’
ttel
lhi
m youwer
ecomi
ngher
e.”
“
No!Idi
dn’
t.
”
Thabi
sighed.“
Idi
dn’
tli
kewhatyoudi
d.”
“
Iknow.Iam sor
ry.Ij
ustl
ovehi
m.”
“
Hei
syourf
ri
endgonekoo!Hei
snotmyf
ri
end.
”
Bat
angl
ookeddown.“
Hel
ovesyou.
”
“
Hedoesn’
t.Hewi
llt
ellyouwhatyouwantt
ohear
.“
“
Hedoesn’
tli
e.Iwi
sh…”Hesi
ghed.
Thabishookherhead.“I
twil
lneverhappen.Don’
t
holdyourbr
eath.Iam t
ryi
ngtomoveon.Howam I
supposedtoifIdon’
thavethesupportofmy
famil
y?”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ij
ust
…Iam sor
ry.
”
Thabihuggedhi
m.“I
tsok.Let
’smakeapr
omi
se…
thet
hreeweeksyouareherenoAt
ang.
”
“
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Thabi
lookedatherdaught
erwhowasnowsl
eepi
ng.
“
Areyouhungr
y?”
“
Iateal
oti
nthepl
ane.Il
iket
hatl
adywhocame
wit
hme.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Shewasni
ce.
”
“Iwasscar
edwhenwecheckedi nLondon.They
wantedtoseet
heaffi
davi
ts.Theycal
ledt
he
Botswanaembassy.
”
“Ihear
d.Iwasscaredtoo.Butyouar
eherenow.
Youcansleepi
nt hebedroom wit
hher.
”
“
Whataboutyou?
”
“
Iwi
llsl
eepont
hecouch.
”
“
Iwi
llsl
eepont
hecouch.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Ok.Letmeputhi
m down.Adj
ustt
hecouch.I
tcan
t
urni
ntoabed.
”
Thabitookherdaught
erandwalktothebedroom
andlai
dherdaughterdown.Shetookaduvetanda
pi
llowthenwalkedovert
oBatangwhowas
standi
ngbythebalconysnappi
ngpictur
es.
“
Ist
her
eWi
Fi?
”
“
Yes.Letmeputt
hepasswor
d.”
Shet ookhisphoneandent eredthepasswor d.
Batangsmi ledthenpost edhispictur
es.Thabi
adjustedthecouchandoutt hepi l
lowandducebt
down.Shewal kedtot hekit
chengl adherallowance
hadr eport
edt oday.Sheopenedt hef ri
dgeandt ook
outthePopeyeschi ckenshehadl eft.Shetooka
canofCoke.Sheheat edthechickenandt ookthe
foodt ohersit
tingroom.
Sheputi
tonherl
it
tl
etabl
ethensatdownonher
ti
nyt
ablewi
thherbooks.
“
Ihaveexams.
”
Batangwal
kedbacki nt
hesit
ti
ngroom andpicked
theboxofPopeyes.Hetookapict
ure.Thabi
l
aughed.
“
Youar
egoi
ngcr
azy.
”
“Thepeopl
emustknow.Kehemapef
oyaAmer
ica
goha.”
Shel
aughedhar
der
.“Osekawar
ekgol
ega.
”
“
Whatdoyoucal
lthi
spl
ace?
”
“
Wear
eBr
ight
onAl
lst
onApar
tment
s.”
“
Ican’
twai
ttot
ellt
hem Iwasi
nBr
ight
onAl
lst
on.
”
Shesmi ledwatchi
nghimtakepicturesof
ever
ything.Herphonevibr
ated.Shesmi l
edseeing
thecal
lerIdthenwalkedtoherbedroom picki
ng.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Kai
sara,
Isawt hequest
ionsyousentme.Iwi
ll
r
epl
ythem assoonasIgettothehospi
tal
.”
“
YesSi
r.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Howar
etheexams?
”
“
Har
d.But
…Iam doi
ngmybest
.”
“Thebestiswhatwewant
.Youar
edoi
ngr
eal
lywel
l
Dr.Kai
sara.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Howi
sLomo?
”
“
Lomoi
sfi
ne.Bat
anghasar
ri
ved.
”
“
Hemustbesohappy.
”
“
Hei
s.Hewon’
tst
opt
aki
ngpi
ctur
esofever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Lethi
m be.
”
Shegi
ggled.“
Iam t
aki
ngt
hem t
othepar
k
tomor
row.”
“
Whenam Iget
ti
ngi
nvi
ted?
”
Shesmil
ed.“Youar
ewel
comet
ovi
sitt
het
iny
apar
tment.
”
“Iam goi
ngt
ocome.MaybewhenBatangcomes
backhome.Idon’
twantt
oover
whel
m yourli
tt
le
fl
at.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Yeah…”
Pul
esighed.“
Youar
emaki
ngever
yonepr
oud.Keep
i
tup.”
“
YesSi
r.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Getsomesl
eep.I
t’
slat
ether
e.”
“
Yes.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Bye…”
Shehungupandsmi
led.Shewentt
othesi
tt
ing
room andsmi
ledwat
chi
ngherbr
othert
akevi
deos
ofhimself

*
**

I
nGabor
onePul
e’
sfr
iendl
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.
“
Ojol
alest
udentyaanongMi
ster
?”
“Thabii
snotmyst
udentandno.She’
snotcomi
ng
back.Notnow.
”
“
So?
”
Pulesi
ghedwal ki
nginsi
dethehospit
al.“
Shei s
beauti
ful
,i
nandout .She’
sbeenhurt,
beent hrough
themostbutsheisstrong.Sheisagogetter.Sheis
ahardwor ker
.Sheisawonderfulper
son.”
Hisf
riendlookedathi
m.“
Youar
efal
li
ngf
orher
.I
canseeit.Becaref
ul.
”
Hisfri
endwalkedaway.Pulerushedtohisoffi
ce
andsighedsitt
ing.Heunl
ockedthisphoneand
thoughtf
ull
ylookedatherpi
ctur
es.Hef ound
hi
msel
fsmi
li
ng.

*
**

Elanggoti
nthebusthatsamemor ning.Sheleaned
backonherseatandsighedt
earful
lyastheboys
sl
owlymovedgoingoutofstat
ion.Tearsburnther
eyes,sher
ubbedthem.
Thepassengerbesi
desherl
ookedather
.“Hi
,ar
e
youok?”
Shenodded.Hesmi
led.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shet
urnedt
ohi
m.“
Rra?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Forwhat
everr
easonyouar
ecr
ying
f
or.
”
Shenodded.“
Thanks.
”
Hepr
essedhi
ssmallphonet
henputi
tonhi
sear
.
Hesi
gheddi
sappoi
nted.
“
Thammakeadi mafounuyagago.Myairt
imei
s
f
ini
shed.Ineedt
ocal
lsomeoneurgent
ly.
”
El
anggavei
ttohi
m.Hesmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
Shenodded.Hedi
aledanumberandcal
ledi
t.
“Hell
o?Igoti
nthebus….Ngng,
theydi
dn’
tseeme.
Sure…”
Hehungupandgavebackt
hephone.“
Thanks.
”
El
angt
ookbackphoneandsi
ghedr
elaxi
ng.

*
**

Agangpar kedatmmagweKel l
y’shousethen
steppedoutandwalkedinsi
detheyardheadedto
thedoor.Heknockedandsteppedback.Ami nut
e
l
at erKel
lyopenedhol
dingherhandbag.
Shesmi
ledt
henl
ookedbacki
nthehouse.“
Mama,
Agangi
sher
etoseeyou.
”
Agangchuckl
ed.Shel
ookedathi
mthenopenedt
he
doorwi
der.
“
Comei
n.”
Hewalkedi
nandlookedatmmagweKwhowas
seat
edonthecouchhol
dingherbi
ble.Shesmi
led.
“
Agang…”
Hewal kedoverandhuggedher
.Shesmi
ledashe
satbesidesher.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Bet
ter
.”
“
Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay?
”
“
Themanupt
her
eisi
ncont
rol
.”
“
Youdi
dn’
tseet
hedoct
or?
”
“
Ihavegi
veni
tal
ltoGod.
”
“Mymot heri sjustl
i
keyou.Igr ewupi naChr i
sti
an
home.Shepr aysandbel ievesjustlikeyou.She
l
ovesGod, shehasFai thinhi m.Andasmuchas
shet aughti stoprayandgi veallthebattl
est ohi
m,
sheal sotaughtust hatGodhel pst hosewhohel p
themsel ves.AsmuchasIwanthi mt oheal.my
headache, heshouldfindt hepai nki
ll
eralready
doingsomet hing.Fait
hi syoubel i
evingyoushallbe
healedthr oughhi smercyandl ove, i
t’
syou
bel
ievi
ngthathewi l
lmakethemedicati
onwork.
Let’
sfi
ghtthiswit
heveryt
hing.Pl
ease…”Heheld
herhands.“Imissyou.
”
MmagweKsmi l
dthenfixedhi
sti
e.“
Youl
ook
handsome.Yourmotherrai
sedagoodman.
”
“
Wil
lyouseeadoct
or?
”
“CanIgotomor
rowwhenIcomebackf
rom
church?
”
Heki
ssedhercheek.“
Yes.CanIt
akeyou?
”
“
Yes.
”
AganghuggedherasKell
yst
oodbythedoorat
watchi
ng.Aganggotupandl
ookedather
.
“
CanIdr
opyouof
f?”
Kel
lynoddedsmi
li
ng.“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
Agangwal
kedoutwi
thKel
lyandgoti
nthecar
.She
smil
ed.
“
Thankyouf
ort
alki
ngt
oher
.”
“
That
’smygi
rl
.”
Shel
aughed.Agangst
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.

Atamal
l,
Agangpar
kedt
hecar
.Kel
lysmi
led.
“
Thanks.
”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Nothappeni
ng.Bye!
”
Shesteppedoutofhi
acatanswalkedaway.Agang
l
aughedwat chi
ngherassherani
nsidet
hemal l
in
herj
eansandChoppiest-
shir
t.
Hest
art
edthecaranddrovet
owor k.Hosphone
r
ang,
hetookitoutandpi
ckedZaza’scal
l.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Hi,
canwet
alk?
”
“
About
?’
“
Iam sor
ry.IknowIhur
tyou.
”
“
Don’
tbe.Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Maybewecan-
“
“
Ihavemovedon.
”
“
Soqui
ck?
”
“
Yeswhynot
?”
“
Ithought
-“
“
Stopt
hought
ingandst
opcal
li
ngme.
”
Hehungupandbl
ockedhernumber
.

*
**

InBoston,Thefol
lowingmor ni
ng,
Thabifini
shed
hol
dingherdaught er
’shai
rintoabun.Shetooka
smalltoot
hbrushanddi dthebabyhair
sandwhi l
e
sheplayedavideogameonhermot her’
sphone.
Thabi
fini
shedupandsmi
led.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi l
edtouchi
ngitwit
hherhand.Shewalked
outofthebedroom.Thabiopenedt
hewardr
obeand
tookoutadress.
Lel
omol
ookedathermother’
sphoneri
ngi
ngand
swi
pedt
hescreenandputitonherear
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Amal
evoi
cespoke.“
Hi…howar
eyou?
”
“
Fine…”
“
Whatusyourname”
“
Lomo…”
Bat
angwal kedoutofthebat
hroom al
readydressed.
Lomol ookedathim andputthephonebehindher
smil
ing.
“
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
Shegi
ggledthent
hrewhersel
fonthecouch.
Bat
angturnedassomeoneknockedonthedoor
.
Hewalkedoverandopened.Hi
shear
tski
pped,
Lomocamef r
om behi
ndhim andl
ookedt
oo.Atang
smil
ed.
“
Heybuddy…”
.
.
.
Iam sosor
ryaboutyest
erday
Your
sTr
uly
#65

Atang’
seyesfel
lonLel
omo,theresemblance
i
mmedi at
elycat
chi
nghisat
tenti
on.Shesmi ledt
hen
rai
sedherarms.At
angswall
owedt henpickedher
up.
“
Hi…”
Shesmi
led.“
Hi…”
Batangswal
lowedt
henwal
kedout
sidecl
osi
ngt
he
door.
“
Didyouf
oll
owme?
”
At
anglaughed.“
IfIknewwewoul
dhavecome
t
oget
her,Lebo’
sboyfri
end.
”
Bat
angsmi
led.“
She’
sgoi
ngt
obeupset
.Ij
ust
promisednott
oeverment
ionyournamei
nfr
ontof
her.
”
“
Iwi
llhandl
eher
.Who’
sbabyi
sthi
s?”
Lel
omohel
dhi
sbear
dsmi
li
ngmaki
nghi
m smi
le
back.
“
What
’syourname?
”
Batangswall
owed.“
Shei
smynephew.Ij
ustsaw
heryest
erday.
”
Atanglookedather
,hi
shear
tvi
brat
ingagai
nsthi
s
chest
.
“
Howol
disshe?
”
“
3.”
Hedroppedhisbagandheldherwithbothhands.
ThedooropenedthenRethabi
lewalkedoutholdi
ng
aglassofj
uice.Shef
rozestar
ingathim,herknees
weakeni
ngasacol dchi
llr
anownherspi ne.
Atanglookedather.Shewastil
lasbeauti
ful,
his
eyesslowlywentdownherbody, shehadlost
weightthoughshestil
lhadhadvolupt
uouships.He
swall
owedandl ookedinhereyes.
“
Hi…”
Tearsfil
ledhereyesandr oll
eddownhercheeks.
Shestaggeredbackgetl ipstr
embl i
ng.Atang
handedLomot oBat angthem huggedher.She
gri
ppedhi st-
shirtholdi
nghimt i
ghtl
yasher
emotionsrose.Acr yescapedherlips,Batang
walkedbacki nthehouseashi ssistercr
ied.
Atanghel
dherwarm bodyti
ghtl
yki ssi
ngherneck.
Hercri
esdieddownminutesl
ater
, hefeltherbody
begint
orel
axinherarmsasshef oughtherhi ccups,
herheadonhischest
.
Minutespassedastheyheldeachotherli
kenothi
ng
el
semat ter
ed.Thabicl
osedhereyessti
llhol
ding
hi
st-shir
t.
Hermi ndtookherbackt oalltheti
mehehadhel d
herl
ikethat,t
hememor i
esst i
llf
eltf
reshinhermind.
Thoseneckki ssessti
llf
eltthesame, st
il
lweakened
herthesamewayt heydidagesback.Hi stouch
remindedherofeveryot hertouchhehadever
made.
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hinhal
inghi
sscent
.God
At
ang…shebr eat
hedoutthenslowlyl
etgoand
st
eppedback.Shewipedhertearsandsni
ff
ed
l
ooki
ngathim.
Hisbeardhadcr
owdedhi sfacebuthestil
llooked
asgood.Hishai
rcutputoutallhi
sfaci
alfeatur
es.
Shelookedathi
sbuffedupbody.Hewasmor e
buff
edthanthel
asttimehesawher .Probably
taki
nghisjobmoreseri
ously.
Hesmi
led.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul…”
Sheopenedhermouthtorespondbutnot
hingcame
outr
atherat
earrol
leddown.
“
Ver
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
Hemovedcl
oserandwi
pedawayhert
ear
sast
hey
r
oll
eddown.
“
Finewi
ne.
”
Shechuckl
edt
ear
ful
ly.Hecuppedherf
ace.
“
Met
siaAmer
icaaber
eka.
”
Shel
aughedcr
ying.Hesmi
ledcar
essi
ngherf
ace.
“
WhenIl
eaveher
e,ket
atsa25l
it
ter
s.Theywi
ll
havet
ounder
standatt
heai
rpor
t.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Theywon’
tal
lowyou.
”
Hishear
thammeredagai
nsthi
schestasshespoke.
“Maybe.
.buti
t’
swort
hatry.
”
Hi
seyeswenttohersl
ightl
ypartedl
ips.Helooked
i
nhereyesforamomentdebatingwithhimself
.He
sl
owl
yleanedover
,hi
slipsbrushedagainsther
s.
Hepartedhi
sli
psandsoftlyki
ssedher.Thabi
gaspedashetookcont
rolofherli
ps.Heturnedi
t
i
ntoaf r
enchki
ss,hi
shandswentdownt oherwai
st.
Shestagger
edbackweakly.
Atangheldheragai nstthedoor,hi
shandsnowall
overher.Thabislowlytouchedhisbicepski
ssi
ng
herbackasever ypar tofherbodywokeup.He
rubbedhisbodyagai nsthers,shestoodonhert
oes
wrappingherarmsar oundhisneck.
Thedooropened,Thabimovedbackqui
ckl
yand
swal
lowed.Batanglookedather
.
“
Phone.
”
Hehandedhert
hephone.Thabil
ookedatPul
e
cal
li
ngt
henqui
ckpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey…haveyoul
ookedi
ntowhatIsentyou?
”
Shecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.“No.Notyet
.”
“
Ok.Ianswer
edever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.Ar
eyoual
readyatt
hepar
k?”
“
No.notyet
.”
“
CanIvi
deocal
lyou?
”
Atanglookedatherhear
ingt
hemal evoi
ceatthe
otherend.Heswall
owedwonderingift
hatwasher
boyfri
end.Nott
hathewouldblameher.Shehad
probablymovedon.
Thabi
lookedathi
mthenspokeont
hephone.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
“
Ok.Iam onmywayhome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungup.At
angl
ookedatherphonet
henather
.
Thabir
ubbedherl
ipsassher
ecal
ledPear
l.
.she
pul
leddownherdr
ess.
“
Howdi
dyouf
indme?
”
“
IsLomomi
ne?
”
“
DidBat
angt
ellyou?
”
“
No.Ihi
redaPI
.”
“
Tost
alkme?
”
“
Ineededt
ofi
ndyou.Iwasgoi
ngcr
azy.
”
“
Thati
sil
legal
!Wher
eisPear
l?”
“
Ther
eisnoPear
l.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Nother
e.Babe-
“
“
Don’t…pleasedon’
tdot
hat.Thatki
sswasa
mist
ake.Don’tt
hinki
tmeansanythi
ng.I
tdoesn’
t.
”
“
IsLomomine?She’
smineright
?Shelooksso
muchli
keyou?Whywouldyoukeepherfrom me?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m,herangerr
isi
ng.At
angsi
ghed
“
Whydi
dyoukeepherf
rom me?
”
“
Becauseshei
snotyour
s.”
“
Shei
sthr
ee.
”Hesi
ghed.“
Thabi
-“
“Shei
snotyour s.She’stwo.Herfatherwastheone
whohadj ustcall
ed.Isleptwithhi
m aweekaf ter
thedi
vorce.Stopforci
ngyour sel
fonmydaught er.
Sheisnotyoursandwi l
lneverbeyours.Herfather
i
sPuleKgosi .
”
At
angl
ookedathershaki
ng.“
Idon’
tbel
ieveyou.
”
“That
’syourownissue.Sheist
woyear s.My
daughterhasafat
herandit’
snotyou.Seeingyou
j
ustremindedmeofal ot.I
fyouthoughtcoming
herewouldmakemet akeyouback,youhave
wastedyourti
me.”
“
Idon’
tbel
ieveyou.
”
“
Suityoursel
f.ButLomoi
snotyour
s.Thi
sisher
f
ather…”
Sheshowedhim api
ctur
eofPul
e.At
angl
ookedat
herUBlect
urer
.
“
That
’sherfat
her.YouandIdon’thaveanythi
ng
t
oget
her.Don’
tforcemydaughteronyourself
.She
hasafat
her.Iam sur
pri
sedyourPIf
ail
edt
otel
lyou
that
.Ashame…”
Helookedatherandbl
inked,
pai
nchoki
nghi
m.“
I
don’
tbeli
eveyou.
”
“
Youdon’
tbel
ievewhat
?ThatImetabet
terman?
”
“Youwantt
obreakme…sheismine.Idon’
tbeli
eve
anyoft
hatcrapyouj
ustsai
d.IwantDNAtests.
”
“Ok.Wewi l
ldothem.Mat t
eriffact
..l
et’
sdot hem
today.Thesooneryoucrawlbacktowhat evershut
boxyoucamef rom,thebetter
…”
Thabi
walkedbacki
nherhouse.Shedi
akeda
numbergoi
ngtoherbedr
oom.
Chr
ispi
cked.“
Thabi
…”
“Hi
.IneedDNAtest
sdoneonmydaught
er.ButI
needafavor
…”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#66

I
nBost on,Ret
habil
eputherdaughter
’sdocument
s
toget
herwithhisandwalkedoutofherroom.
Batanglookedather.
“
Whyar
eyoul
yingt
ohi
m?”
Thabi
tur
nedt
ohi
m.“
What
?”
“Whyareyoul
yingt
ohim?I
t’
shi
sdaught
er.Why
areyoul
yingt
ohim,
?”
“Whydoyout hi
nkIam l
yingt
ohi
m?Lomoi
snot
hisdaught
er.
”
“
Shehashi
smout
h.”
“
Soyougoar oundl
ookingatpeopl
e’
smouths?Thi
s
i
snotAtang’
sdaughter
.Lomohasherfat
herand
i
t’
snotAtang.
”
“
Letmeseehi
sbi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
ethen.
”
“
Bat
angwhat
’swr
ongwi
thyou?
”
“
Letmeseeherbi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
eifyouar
enotl
ying.
”
“Iam notshowi
ngyouanyt
hing.I
t’
snothi
s
daughter.Di
dyoubr
inghi
m here?
”
“Idi
dn’
tbr
inghim anywhere.Whyareyoudenyi
ng
Lomothechancetohaveherf at
heri
nherli
fe?You
wanthert
ogrowf ather
lessoryouar
ejusthopi
ng
togi
vehertot
henextmanyoumeet ?”
“
Don’
ttal
ktomel
iket
hat
!Iam ol
dert
hanyou.
”
“
Whati
fshewantsherfat
her?Ifyouar
enotl
ying
l
etmeseehi
sbir
thcert
ifi
cat
e.”
“Iam notshowingyouanyt
hing.Idon’
tknowwhat ’
s
gott
eni nt
oyoubutIam youroldersi
sterandyou
aregoingtorespectme.
”
Batangst oodup.“ Respecti
sear nedandyout ryi
ng
tokeept hischil
df r
om herfatherwon’ tmakeme
respectyou.Whydoyouwantt okeephi m away
from hisdaughter?Lomodeser vestogr owupwi th
herfatherpresentinherlif
e.”Hisvoiceshookas
tearsfi
lledhiseyes.“Youmi ghtnotseet he
i
mpor tancebecauseyougr ewupwi thoutaf at
her
butIknowi t
’snicetohaveadad.Ihaveseent he
diff
erencebet weenmeandmyf r
iendswi thfat
hers.
Uncl eAt angdi dn’
tdoanyt hingtoLelomo.Iknow
myf atheroncewant edt obei nmyl if
e.
Nt atemogol ot ol
dmet hatmamawast oangr y,she
refused.Shehat edhi m.ButIwant edmyf ather.I
woul dhavel ovedtohaveadad.Hedi dn’tdo
anyt hingt ome…Ideser vedt ohaveadad.I
deser vedt obel i
keot herkidst oo!Youal sodi d.But
mamawasangr yatever yman.Yourf atherdoesn’ t
evenknowhehasadaught erouttherebecause
mamar anof f.Wedeser vedt ogrowupwi t
hf athers.
Ther ei snot hingrespect ableaboutkeepi ngchi l
dren
from thei rfathers.Ther eisnot hingspeci alabout
that !
”Hi stear sroll
eddown.“ I
fyoucan’ tseemy
poi ntgoandl ookatyour selfinfrontoft hemi r
ror
andyout ellmewhatyousee! ”
Tear
sbur
nthereyesasshel
ookedathi
m.
“Lelomodeservest ohaveafather.I
fyoucan’t
forgiveuncl
eAt angforwhathappened, i
t’
sfi
nebut
Lomoshoul dn’thavetosuff
erforthat.Hedid
nothingtoher.Shedeserveshisloveandat t
ent
ion.
”
Thabiwipedawayat
earthanhadrandown.She
outherbagdownsni
ff
ing.Herdaught
erl
ookedat
hersadl
y.
“
Mama…”
Batangpi
ckedherup.“
Mamai
sfi
ne.Comeandsee
yourdad.
”
Thabiwatchedasheopenedherbagandt ookout
thebir
thcert
if
icat
e.Shepressedherl
ipstogether
holdi
nghertearsashewalkedout.Sheturnedand
walkedbackinherbedroom.

Outsi
de,At
angsmiledhol
dinghi
sdaught
er.Bat
ang
handedhimthebi
rthcer
ti
fi
catewher
eshehad
l
ist
edhim asthef
ather
.
Hesmil
edst
ari
ngathernames.‘
Lel
omoWar
ona
Kai
sar
a.’
At
angt
ookadeepbr
eat
handl
ookedatBat
ang.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Cryi
ng.
”
Henoddedthenl ookedathisdaught
ersmil
ing.She
wasbeauti
ful.Shelookedsomuchl i
kehermot her
.
Shesmil
edt ouchinghisbeardagai
n.
“
Hi.
.”
Lomosmi
led.“
Hi…youwantmama?
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Yes.Iwantmama.
”
Lomot
urnedhert
othedoor
.“Mama…”
Bat
angsighed.“
Idon’
tthi
nkshewantst
oseeyou.
AndIwon’tl
etyouseeherbecausei
tmakesher
cr
y.”
“
Youar
edoi
ngagoodj
obatt
hisbr
otherbusi
ness.
”
Batangsmil
ed.“
Iam t
ryi
ng.Thabit
akest
het
rophy
atbeingt
hebestbi
gsist
er.
”
“Pleaseletmet alktoher
.Iwon’ttakemuchtime..
I
knowshei sangryatme,Ijustneedaminute.Just
ami nut
et henIwillgo.
”
Bat
angt
hought
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
60seconds?
”
“Yes.60seconds.Just60secondst
henIwi
llbe
out.
”
“Ok.60secondsandyouar
egoi
ng.Iwi
llbe
counti
ng.
”
“
Ok.”At
anglookedatLel
omo.“Heybaby…l
etme
t
alktomama.Mynamei sDaddyok…saydaddy?
”
“
Dada.
.”
Atangsmi l
edandkissedhercheek.Hehandedher
toBatangthenwalkedinsi
de.Batangpoi
ntedatt
he
bedroom door
.
“
Iam count
ing.59…”
At
angwal kedt
ot hedoort
henknockedbef
ore
walki
ngin.Hefoundherseat
edonherbedcryi
ng
si
lent
ly.
Hecr
ouchedbet
weenherl
egsandl
ookedather
.
“Shei
sbeaut i
ful
.Shel
ookssomuchl i
keyou.Sheis
smarttoo.Andcantal
kproper
ly…Iguessshetakes
aft
eryoubecauseIknowIwasn’tt
hatsmart.
”
Hecuppedherfaceandwipedhert
ears.“Ihurt
you…IwishIknewwhattodotomakei talr
ight
.I
wastooangryIdest
royedwhatwehad.Itwashard
tobel
ieveyouwerenotgoi
ngtoabor
twhenyouhad
thedoctorl
iet
omet heprevi
ousday.I tfel
tli
keyou
werejustsayi
ngitbecauseIhadcaughtyou.Iwas
soupset,Iwantedadistract
ion.Ineversleptwit
h
herwhenIwaswi t
hyou.Ihavenor easontolieto
you.Iwasgoingtosleepwi t
hhert hatday,butI
didn’
t.Il
oveyou.Therehasn’tbeenanyoneel se.I
am happyyoukepther .
”
“Ididn’
t.Shejustwouldn’tdie.Itookthepil
ls.Ibl
ed
andIhadcr amps.WhenIwentt ogetmywomb
cleanedout .
.shewasst i
llthere.Thedoctorssaidit
wast oolate.AndthatifItr
iedi tIwoulddi
e.Ididn’
t
wantt odie.Iwasscared.”
“Il
oveyou.Ihaveneverst opped.I t’
salwaysbeen
you.Iwanttobepar tofherlife.Iunderstandyou
weretooangryyouwant edtokeepmeaway…butI
wanttobeapr esentfather.Whi cheverarrangement
makesyoucomf or
table…asl ongasIam herf ather
.
IwantyoubackandIwi lldoanyt hing.
..“
Thabisni
ff
ed.“
Don’
tyout
hinki
t’
sal
it
tl
etool
atef
or
that
?”
“
It
snot
.Justgi
vemeachancebabe…gi
vemea
chance.Keagokopa…Il
oveyou….
”
Hel
ookedatherbeggi
ngher
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#67

Rethabileshookherheadst
ari
ngathim.Tears
gl
istenedinhereyes,shesi
ghedcl
osinghereyes.
Theyr ol
leddownhercheeks.Sheopenedhereyes
andt ouchedhisface.
“Ispentalltheseyearswor ki
ngonmyhat r
edfor
you…Iwor kedonhat ingyousomuch.Ihadhad
dayswher eIj ustwanttopi ckupyourcal land
i
nst eadofhangi nguporsayi ngwhat ever
…Ijust
wantt otel
lyout hatIhavenomoneyandt hatyour
daughterisj ustexpensivebutIwoul dr at
hersl
eep
onwat er…becauseIwor kedonbl ockingyouinmy
l
ife.Ineedhel p…”Shesni f
fed.“Ir
eallyneedhelp.I
needhel pwi t
hLomo.Sheshoul dbegoingtoa
daycarebuthernannyal readyisexpensive.
All
owancei sbarelyenough.Itonlycoversforme
notmydaught er.Andshehast oeat…shehast o
wearcl ot
hes.Somet imesi t
’sjusthar
dbecauseI
haveschool …r i
ghtnowhernannygoti nan
accident.
.ifBatangdidn’tcome, Idon’
tknowwhatI
wasgoi ngt odonextweek.Thel oadformeal oneis
toomuch.Ican’ t…Iam f ail
ingtotakepropercareof
mydaught erwhilefi
ghti
ngt ogetadegr ee.Ineed
help.”
“Whatdoyouneed?Iwi l
lgi
veyouwhat
everyou
needformai
ntenance.Howmuchdoyouneed?”
Shesmi l
edtearf
ull
y.“Alot.UhIam notearni
ng
anythingotherthanall
owance.SoIwi l
lneedmoney
forherday-care.Forherfood.Forhernanny.For
herclothes.Shedoesn’thavemuch.Butwemake
usewi thwhatwehavewor k.
”
“
Ok.
.howmuchdoyoupayr
enther
e?”
“$690.Uhi
t’
sti
nyandit
’sanol
dapart
ment.The
ceil
ingi
sal
socrackedt
hat’
swhyi
t’
ssortof
af
for
dabl
e.”
“
Howmuchi
stheday-
car
e?”
“
$1100.Permont
h.”
“
Ok,
andhernanny?
”
“
Ipay$100perweek.Shedoesonli
neschool
ingso
whi
leshedoesthat
,she’
shelpi
ngmewi t
hLomo.
I
t’
swaytooli
tt
lebutsheunderst
ands.
”
“SoifLomoisnowgoi
ngt
oadaycar
e,doyoust
il
l
needherful
lti
me?”
“No.Shecancomeear l
ymorningtohelpprepare
herforschoolandmaybeaf
terschoolbecauseI
somet i
meshavetogototheli
brar
yorhavean
eveningcl
assmeaningIwil
lgethomequi t
elate.
”
“Ok.Thenmaybenowwecanpayheraccor di
ngto
hoursthatshe’
shere.Onthedaysyouar
enotat
school,youcantakeover
.”
Ret
habi
lenodded.
“
Howmuchdoyouneedf
orherf
ood?Enough
f
ood.
”
“
$200shoul
dbeenough.
”
“Ok…andcl
othes.I
fIgi
veyou$2500,
wil
litbe
enoughf
orher?”
Shesni
ff
ed.“
Yes,
it’
smor
ethanenough.
”
“
Howmuchi
sagoodapar
tmentar
oundher
e?”
“
It
spr
icey.
”
“
Howmuch?
”
“Agoodstudi
oapar
tment
sst
art
sat$1500.I
t’
s
expensi
ve.
”
“Ok…Iwil
lgiveyoutheext
ramoneyf
oragood
studi
oapart
ment .
”
“No.I
t’
stoomuchmoney.I
t’
sal
ot.Wher
ewi
llyou
getal
lthatmoney?
”
“
Ist
art
edaschoolbusbusi
ness.Iam notpoor
.”
“
Schoolbus?
”
“Yes.Igotthr
eecombi es.IhadoneatfirstandI
madeadealwi t
hapr eschoolthathadj
ustopened
totranspor
tthei
rstudents.Theyhave50st udent
s
sofar.Besi
dest hose,Ihaveanothergr
oupof10…
highschoolst
udent
s.Imakegoodmoneyf
rom
that
.”
“
Howmuchdoyouchar
geperst
udent
?”
“
P500.Fueli
sexpensi
ve.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Thatwasasmar
tmove.
”
“
Yeah…Iam t
hinki
ngofget
ti
nganot
hercombi
e.”
“
Mor
emar
ket
?”
“Yeah…Iam eyei
ngapr i
mar yschoolthati
sabout
toopen.Apri
vatethi
ng.IfIcanbagt hem…maybeI
cangetabusinstead.
”
“
Iam happyyoucanaf
for
dLomo.
”
Hechuckl
edthengotupandsatbesi
desher
.“You
l
ookbeaut
iful
.”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.Whatdi
dyoudowi
tht
hat
pl
ot?
”
“
Not
hing.Ij
ustboughti
t.I
t’
saf
orest
.”
Shenoddedt
hensi
ghed.“
Thankyou…f
orhel
ping
wit
hLomo.”
“
Iwoul
ddoanyt
hingf
oryou…andher
.”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Doi
tforyourdaught
er.Iam not
taki
ngyouback.
”
Hesmiled.“Youar
enott
aki
ngmebackr i
ghtnow.
Wejustfoundeachot
her
.It
’sunder
standabl
e.”
“Idi
dn’
tfi
ndyou.”Shel
aughed.“
Iam nott
aki
ngyou
backever
.Ij
a.”
“Wear emeanttobe.Wearegoingtorai
seour
daughtert
ogether
.Osoulmat
eyaaka.Ifyouref
use
mygr andmotheri
sther
e…she’sgood.Nkukuota
nkemelekadinao.
”
Thabil
aughed.“Gaoswabe.I
twon’
twor
k.Iam not
yoursoul
mate.”
Atangsmi
led.“
Redimeantt
obe.Ebi
leIl
oveyou.
Gapewearemar r
ied.
”
Shechuckled.“Iam notgoingtotakeyouback
wenamogat saPhele.Notaf t
ermaki ngmecr yon
pavementsot samayalePhel e.Iwi
llneverforget
howIcriedforyoulikeIwascr azythenyout oldme
sheisyourcousinafterIsawyouki ssingher.OreI
am overreact
ing,
ifIevertakeyoubackyouare
goi
ngt ohatewomenf ortherestofyourl
if
e.You
wil
lhangyourself
.”
“
Ineverl
ovedher
.Andshe’
sint
hepast
.Il
oveyou…
Who’
sPule?”
“
Mynewman.
”
Heswall
owed.“Wheredoeshestay?Andyouar
e
l
ying.Whatboyf
ri
endlet
’syousl
eeponastomach
f
ullofwater
?”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Hei
sapot
ent
ial
.”
“I
fIseehim Iam goi
ngtoshoothi
m.Iam goi
ngto
shootever
yonewhot ri
esi
t.Youar
emywi feandwe
areafamil
y.Wehaveachi l
d.”
“Youshoul dseehim.He’
sadoctorgapehewalks
aroundwi thbi
gdickener
gy.He’
sprobablygoodat
thedepar t
menttoo.He’
sagoodkisser.I
t’
sthe
confidenceforme…he’soneoft
hosemenwho
don’ttal
kal ot
.Il
ikehi
m.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oki
llhi
mifheget
scl
oset
oyou.
”
“
Ij
o…soIshoul
djustbesi
ngl
e?Iam t
ooyoung,
I
needar
ealmanwhowon’
tcheat
.”
“
Imadeamist
ake.Onethatwon’
thappenagai
n.I
l
oveyou.
”Het
ouchedherchinandki
ssedher.
Herhear
tracedashekissedherharder.Heslowly
l
aidherdownandgotont opofher.Thabitouched
hi
schest,herni
ppl
eshardeni
nginherdr ess.Her
dr
essrodeupashegoti n-
betweenherlegs.
Hi
sdickgotevenhar
dertent
inghispants.Thabi
moanedsoft
lyasherubbedhimselfonher.
Hersoftmoanedtur
nedhim onevenmorehe
rubbedhi
mselfonheragai
n.Herpussyt
hrobbed
gett
ingwett
er.
Atangkissedherneck,hisli
psgoingf
urtherdown.
Hequicklytookoffherdress.Hi
sheartpoundedso
muchitf el
tli
kehewasgoi ngtohaveahear tat
tack.
Heuncli
ppedherbr aandsqueezedherbr eaststi
ll
rubbi
nghi mselfonher.
Heleanedoverandsuckedhernippl
es.Shecl
osed
hereyes,herhandinhi
shead.Shemoanedmoving
herwaistunderneat
hhi
m.
Atangsl i
dhishandi nsideherpantyandtouched
herwet nesswithagr unt.Hetookouthi
shandand
pull
edoutherpant iesthenlookedathersmoot h
p*ssy.Hel eanedoverandki ssedherp*ssyasifhe
waski ssingherli
ps.
Thabiclosedhereyesmoani ngali
tt
lel
ouder.He
workedhismout honherlikehewaspaidto.Thabi
moanedhi snamef eel
ingherenti
rebodyi
tch.She
touchedherbreastmoaninghisname.
Atangrai
sedhisheadtakingof
fhist-
shir
tand
ki
ssedheragain.Heunzippedhi
spantsandt ook
outhishardoozi
ngdick.Heranitupanddownher
wetsli
tgroani
ng.Helookedinhereyessli
dingup
anddownherwet ness.
“
Iloveyou…”
“
Mhmmm….“
Hesmi
ledt
hen#r
emoved.

htt
ps:/
/www. f
acebook.
com/ gr
oups/809549596663
175/?r
ef=shar
e_group_l
ink(
Theremovedi sshared
atthegroupunderannouncements)
.

Sheletgothepil
lowandpull
edherhai
rconvul
sing
uncontr
oll
abl
y,herpussyexpl
odi
ngin.
Helookedatherbigbreastsbounci
ngasherpussy
squeezedhim.Hi
sdi ckjer
ked,hegaveheracoupl
e
morepower f
ult
hruststhensti
ll
edpumpinghis
seedsinsi
dehergroaning.
Thabicl
osedhereyesasdeposi
tedal
lhi
sthi
ckcum
i
nsideher.Atangl
etgoofherl
egsandki
ssedher
sl
idi
ngout .
“
Iloveyou.
”
Sheopenedhereyesbreat
hingheavi
ly.“
Goodfor
you.Iam st
il
lnotgoi
ngtotakeyouback.Don’
t
rai
seyourhopes.”
Sheturnedandcl
osedhereyesdozi
ngoff
.Atang
chuckl
edstari
ngatherknowi
ngitwasgoi
ngt otake
morethanjustat
ri
ptoBostontowinhi
sgirlback.

*
Inthekit
chen,Atangfi
nishedcooki
ngthenhe
dishedupforhisnephewandhi mself
.Hewalkedt
o
thekit
chenwher eshewaswat chi
ngcart
oonson
Thabi’
slapt
op.
“
Lomo…comeandeat
.”
Lomoquickl
ygotupandwalkedover.Shelookedat
thepl
ateal
readyr
eachi
nginsi
de.Shegrabbeda
handf
ulofri
ceandputi
tinhermouth.
At
angwal kedoutandsmiledst
ari
ngathi
sdaught
er.
I
tsti
llf
eltunr
ealthathehadact
uall
ymadeahuman.
Hesatdownbesi
deBat
ang.“
Letmef
eedher
.How
i
sschool?
”
At
angpickedLomoandputheronhi
slapt
aki
ngher
pl
ate.
“
Your60secondswas1hourandf
ivemi
nut
es.
”
Atangsmil
edthenstar
tedf
eedinghisdaught
er.
Lomoswallowedpicki
ngmorericewit
hherti
ny
hand.Sheopenedhermoutheatingmore.
At
angchuckl
ed.“
Am Isl
owsweet
y?”
Hequickenedhispacefeedi
ngher.Afewminutes
l
aterheputheremptyplatedown.Lomogotdown
t
hem pickedherbott
leofjui
ceonthefl
oorand
l
ookedathim dri
nki
ng.
Hesmil
edmaki
nghersmi
leback.At
angl
ookedat
Bat
ang.
“
Howi
sschool
?”
“Fi
ne.Iwantedtoj
ointhedebatecl
ubbutIcoul
dn’
t.
Theteachersai
dIspeaktooslow.Ir
eal
lyl
ikedi
t.
”
“Hehasapoi ntbutitmakesyouf eelbet
ter,
the
debateclubist otr
ainyoutoonhowt othink
cri
ti
call
y,itboostsyouconfidenceespeciall
yfor
publi
cspeaki ng.Youreal
lydon’tneedacl ubtohel
p
youwiththat.”
Bat
angsmil
ed.“
Ist
hatyourwayt
omakemef
eel
bet
ter
?’”
At
angl
aughed.“
It
’st
het
rut
h.AndLebo?
”
“
Iki
ssedher
.”
At
angsmiled.“
That’
smyboy.Don’thavesex
t
hough.Shewil
lgetpregnant
.Pr
egnancyisr
eal
.
Youar et
ooyoungf orsex.Justwaitforabit
.But
whenyoudoori fyoudeci deto…useacondom.I
knowyourhor monesarer agi
ngandasmuchasi t
willbeni
ce,i
fyoudon’tuseacondom i twil
lnotbe
nice…notatall
.OtherpeoplearebornwithHIV.
Imaginegett
ingHIVwhi l
eont opofitshe’
s
pregnant
.”
Bat
angsmi
ledshyl
y.“
Iam notgoi
ngt
odoi
t.
”
“
Good.
”
“
Areyouget
ti
ngbackwi
thThabi
?”
“
That’
sgoi
ngt
otakeawhi
le.Ihavet
owi
nherback
f
ir
st.
”
“
Maybeifyoudosomethi
ngniceforhershewi
ll
t
akeyouback.Somet
hingshereal
lyl
ikes…”
“
Likewhat
?”
Bat
angsmiled.“Myi
deasdon’
tcomecheap.Iam
ver
yexpensive.
”

*
**
I
nBotswana,l
aterthatday,
Zazatri
edopeni
ng
Agang’
sgatewithherremotebutherr
emotewasn’
t
worki
ng.
Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
ledhi
m.
“
What
?”
Sheswallowedathi
scol
dt one.“
Uhhi
…Iam atyour
house.Thedoorwon’
topen.”
“
Becauseyouar
enol
ongerwel
come.
”
“
Iam her
eformycl
othes.Youar
ebei
ngpet
ty.
”
“Iwi
llpackyourcl
othesandbr
ingt
hem.Iam not
home.”
“Whereareyou?Wai t
seIfinditf
unnyhowyoucan
j
ustjumpt oanotherpussy.Youaresuchajoke
Agang.Ihavenevermetanyonel i
keyou.You
probablyneverl
ovedme.Koor eyoualwayshavet
o
beont opofpeople’
skidswithyourdi
ckinsi
de
them.Youar edi
sgusti
ng.”
“Youknowwhat,Iprobabl
yneverlovedyou
Zachar
ia.Maybeitwasjustgr
ieft
hatmademest
ay
wit
hyou.Andwhyar eyouhunguponwhatIdo
wit
hmydi ck?Imean,ar
en’
tyouget
ti
ngmarri
ed?I
am bl
ocki
ngyou,youareget
ti
ngonmynerves.
Nxl
a!”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#68

AgangstoodneartheChoppiesent
rancel
ooki
ngat
hiswatch.Kel
lywalkedoutwit
hacoll
eague
l
aughingatsomethinginherj
eansandtheworkt
-
shir
t.
Kell
ylookedathim andlaughedwalki
ngpasthi
m
withherfr
iend.Thefri
endlookedathi
m smil
ing
thenwaved.Hesmi ledpoli
tel
yandgrabbedKel
ly’
s
hand.
“
Ianher
eforyou…”
Sheturnedt
ohim andsmil
ed.“
Ok…whatisthi
s?
Youfoll
owmear oundt
il
lyougetme?Iknowmen
putgoodeff
orti
ntoget
ti
ngyou.Theydo.
.”
Herf
ri
endsmi
led.“
Bye…”
Kel
lysmi
ledather
.“Bye.
”
Thef
ri
endwal
kedawayt
henKel
lyt
urnedt
oAgang.
“Cam youjustleaveme?Iknowyoucangetany
other
…i tdoesn’thavetobeme.Thi sdoesn’thave
tobeachal l
enget oyou.Itdoesn’
thavet obea
chall
engeofmepl ayinghardtogetandyout ryi
ng
togetmebyal ltr
ickspossi
ble.I
tdoesn’thavetobe
l
ikethat…”Shesmi l
edthenlaughed.“
Please…”
“I
t’
snot.Iam l
ooki
ngf
orf
ri
endshi
p.That
’sal
l.I
t’
s
notachall
enge.
”
Shesighed.“ Ok…i st hatatr
yadiffer
entangle
thi
ngyyouj ustdid?Agangi t’
snotgoingtowor k.I
am notstupi d.Iam agr ownwomanwho’ sbeen
therebef
or e.Not hingyouaredoingisnewt ome.
Pleasedon’ tdothis…i t’
sexhaust
ing.Iam t
ired.I
j
ustwantt ogett hr oughmyday.Gohome, takecare
ofmymot her ,watchTVandsl eep.”
“Iam nottryi
nganything.Ij
ustwanttobeyour
fri
end.Youseem likeacoolperson.Ijustwantus
tobef r
iends.Noteveryoneist
ryi
ngt ogetinyour
pants.Iam nottr
yingtogetinthem.Ijustwantus
tobef r
iends.Andtrustme,Iwon’tt
ryanything.
”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Ok.Ihavet
ogo.Bye.
”
“
Icandr
opyouof
fathome.
”
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
“
Asaf
ri
end.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
obeyourfri
end.Ihaveenough
f
ri
ends.
”Shel
aughed.“
Icantakeacombi .
”
“
What’swrongwi
thusbri
ngfri
ends?Iam good
f
ri
end.Icanbeagoodfr
iend.
”
Kell
yturnedandstar
tedwal
king.Hewal
kedwi
th
herthenunlockedhi
scar
.
“Canwegof ormovi estoget
he? .Idon’
twanttogo
alone.Peoplewilll
ookatmeebebant seba.There
i
samovi ethatjustcameout .Ihavebeenwant ing
togobutnotal one.Ican’taskPr i
nceorPhefo,they
arebusygapeasmaj i
tawej ustdon’tgotomovi es
toget
her
.Gogaynyana.Andmybr
otheri
snother
e.
Canwegotoget
her…?”
Heopenedt
hecardoorf
orher
.Kel
lyl
ookedathi
m.
“I
fyouthi
nkyouandIaregoingtobeat hi
ng,you
aregoi
ngtobesodisappoint
edbecauseift
hereis
anyonewhoisl
evelheaded,i
t’
sme.Iknowr ed
fl
agswhenIseethem.”
“Idon’
twantustobeathing.Iwantyouasaf r
iend
becauseindeed,
youar
elevelheaded.Idoneeda
l
evelheadedsomebodyinmycor ner.
”
Shesmiledandgoti
nthecar
.Agangsmil
edcl
osi
ng
herdoorthenr
ushedtot
hedri
ver
’sdoor
.

*
**

Zazapar kedhercaratherhouseandsati
nsi
def
or
awhi l
e.Tearsstunghereyes,shet
ookadeep
breathunabletounderst
andwhyshewasso
botheredandhur t
.
Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.Sheopenedherhandbag
andtooki
tout.Shel
ookedatherboyfr
iendcal
li
ng,
nowtheexci
tementandthr
il
lofhear
inghisvoi
ce
gone.
Shebli
nkedt
henwait
edf
ort
hecal
ltoendbef
ore
typi
ngamessage.
Zaza:Iknowal laboutPear l
.Thenur se.Itouched
yourphoneaf terthef uneralandIsawt he
messagesi nyourgr oupwi thyourfriendsand
brother.Itbotheredmesomucht hatyouwoul d
evenhavet hreesomesdur ingourson’ sbur i
al.Not
onlyt hatbutitprovedt omet hatyouwer enot
seriousorj ustincapableofbei ngserious.Youonl y
camebackbecauseofoursonandwhenhedi edI
fel
tt hatconnect i
onf adeaway.Iact uall
yhad
hopes…hopesf orus.It houghtf i
nallywedowoul d
havesomet hingr ealbutyouwer ejustnotintoi t
.I
am happyyousai dyoudon’ tl
oveme, thati
twas
onlygr ief
.NowIcangetmar r
iedwithouthavingt o
feelguiltyaboutt hewayweended.
Shesentt
hemessageandsni f
fedsteppi
ngoutof
hercar
.Shecall
edbackherboyfr
iendunlocki
ngher
doorandwal
kinginsi
deherhouse.
*
**

InOrapa,mmagweKaelolaidonthehospi
talbed,
thedoctorwal
kedoverput
tingamaskonoverhi s
nosetoavoidt
hesmellofrott
ingmeat.
Helookedather.“Wearegoingtohavetotakeoff
theotherbr
easttoo.Thei
nfecti
onhasgottenworse.
Ihaveneverseenanythi
nglikeyourcasebefor
e.”
“
Am Igoi
ngt
odi
e?”
“
No.Youar
enotgoi
ngt
odi
e.”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.“
It
sLelomohaunti
ngme
becauseofwhatIdidtoherson.Idi
dever
ythi
ng
butshewon’tl
eavemeal one.Shewant
stokil
lme.
”
Thedoctorsi
ghed.“
Ithi
nkwearegoingtohavet
o
recommendsomeonet otal
ktoyou.Wherei
syour
husband?”
“Atthef
arm.Hedoesn’
tst
ayathomeanymor
e
becauseIsmel
l.
”
“
Iam sor
ryt
oheart
hat
.”
Shewipedawayhertear
s.“
Ineedtotal
kto
Ret
habil
e.Shehastohelpmebefor
eIdie.
”

*
**

InBost on,Thabiopenedhereyeswaki ngup.She

tookadeepbr eathgetti
ngof fbedassemenr an
downheri nnerthigh.Shepickedherdressand
wipedher selfandputonmyanot herdressthi
nking
ofgettingemer gencypill
s.Shewasal r
eadyon
contraceptionbutLomohadbeenconcei vedwhil
e
shewasoncont racepti
on,Atang’
ssemencoul dn’t
betrusted.
Sheputonanot herdr
essandwalkedoutofher
room.Batangtookoffhi
searphonesseat
edonthe
fl
oorwit
ht hel
aptoponhislap.
Thabi
lookedatAtangsleepingonthecouch,Lomo
sl
eepi
ngonhisbr oadchest.Hisbi
gbodycouldn’t
fi
tonhersmallcouch,hi
slegswereont hefl
oor.
“
Whatt
imedi
dhesl
eep?
”
“
Anhourback.
”
“
Didyouguyseat
?”
“
Yes,
Icooked.
”
Thabi
slowl
ypi
ckedLomot
henshookhi
m.
“
Atang…”
Hewokeupandl
ookedatherl
azi
ly.
“
Comeanduset
hebed.
”
Heslowlygotup.Sheledhi
mtoherbedr
oom t
hen
l
aidhisdaughterdown.
“
Youcanl
iedownwi
thher
.”
Hel
ookedathershor
tdr
esssi
tt
ingont
hebed.
“
Liedownwi
thus.
”
“
Iam notsl
eepy.Notanymor
e.”
“
Please…”
Shelookedathi
m andsighedt
hengotinthemiddl
e.
Shelai
donhersidethenhespoonedherholdi
ng
hercl
ose.
“
Howi
sschool
?”
“
Har
d.Ver
yhar
d.ButIam goi
ngt
ogetmydegr
ee.
”
“Youwil
l.Iknowyouwi
ll
.Youar
eabr
il
li
antst
udent
Dr.Dani
el.
”
“
Iam nott
aki
ngyouback.
”
“
DidIsayyouar
e?”
Heturnedherar
oundandpul
ledhercl
oser
.“Idi
dn’
t
sayanythi
ngMrsDani
el.
”
“
Iam nott
aki
ngyouback.
.”
“Yourbodyi
ssof
t…yousmel
lgood.Yousmel
lli
ke
us.”
Sheputherheadonhi
schestandcl
osedhereyes.
“Areyoucomingbackhomeaft
eryouar
edonewi
th
schooloram Imovi
ngheret
oyouandour
daughter
?”
Thabil
aughed.“
Iam nott
aki
ngyouback.Youar
e
notgoi
nganywhere.
”
“
Whenareweoffi
cial
izi
ngourmarr
iage?Orshoul
dI
mar
ryyouagai
n?Icandothat…”
Thabi
putherar
m ar
oundhi
m.“
Sleep.
”
“Whendoyouthinkwewil
lhaveoursecondborn?
Aft
eryouaredonewit
hSchool?Iwil
ltakeanyt
hing
aslongasIam wit
hyou.
”
“
Wit
hmewher
e?”
“Wi
thyou…lovi
ngyou.Imissedyou…Imi
ssedyou
somuch.Il
ikethi
sfeel
ing.
”
“
Whatf
eel
ing?
”
“Thi
sfeel
ing.If
eel happy.Iam happy.Wi
thyou,
our
daught
erandBat ang.Itfeel
sperfect
.”
Thabi
giggl
ed.“
Idon’
tfeel
anyt
hing.
”
Atangputhishandi nsi
deherdr essandtouched
hersli
ckp*ssy.Hemovedsl i
ghtlythenkissedher.
Hesqueezedherbr eastandunzi ppedhispant s
taki
ngitout.Heturnedherar oundt henpul l
edher
waistcl
osercurvinghi sbody.Heki ssedherneck
pushingthr
oughherpussyl ips.Hisdicpar tedher
swoll
enfoldssinkingf ur
therinsideherwet ness
withalowgr unti
nherear .
*

Bat
angfini
shedanepi
sodeofaseri
esinhissi
ster
’s
l
aptopandtappedt
henextepi
sodecur
iousl
y.
Aknockonthedoori
nterr
uptedhim.Hest
oodup
andwalkedtot
hedoorthenopened.Awhi
teman
smil
edathim.
“Hi
,youmustbeThabi
’
sbr
other
,fi
nal
lymeet
ing
you.
”
Bat
angf
rownedashespokef
ast
.Themansmi
led.
“Iam Chr
is.Yoursi
ster’
sboyfr
iend.Ihavebeen
tryi
ngcal
lherbutIthinkshe’
sdeepi nherbooks.
CanIcomei n?”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#69
Bat
angl
ookedathi
m andsmi
led.
“
Youar
eThabi
’
sboyf
ri
end?
”
Chr
issmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Hebanna!Lekgowal
ame,
war
eomangkana?
”
Chr
isl
ookedathi
m conf
used.“
What
?”
“Ehsorr
y.UhIdi
dn’
tknowThabihadaboyf
ri
end
becauseshei
smarri
ed.
”
Chr
isf
rowned.“
What
?”
“Yes.Uhmagadiwaspai dforher .Whatdoyoucal l
i
ti nEnglish?Uhh…br ideprice!Yes.InBot swana,
whenyoumar ryawoman, we, t
hebr ide’
sf ami
ly
don’tgiveyouourdaught erf orfr
ee.Soyoubr ing
youruncl esandyouraunt st oourf amilythenwe
negotiatethepriceyouwi l
lmar ryherf or.The
amounti st oappreci
ateusf orraisingherandal so
touniteourf amili
estogether.Afterthat,youhave
tradi
ti
onal l
ymar ri
edher.”
“
Ok?
”
“Yes.SouhLomo’sf
ather
…youknowherr
ight
?I
am sureyoudo…”
“
IknowLomo.
”
“Good.Lomo’sfatherpaidt
hatmoney.Andmarri
ed
Thabi.SoThabiistradi
ti
onal
lymar r
iedt
oLomo’
s
fat
hersoyoucan’ tbeherboyfr
iend.Youar
eher
nyatsi
.”
“
Hernat
si?
”
“
Nyat
si…saynya…”
“
Nya…”
Batangsmi l
ed.“Yes.Youarehernyatsi
.Inot
her
words,youareher…si depiece.Yes.Meani
ngyou
aresmallhouse.Smal lhouseisyou.Bi
ghouseis
Lomo’sfather.
”
“
Theybr
okeup.
”
“Theyhadbr okenup.Youareright
.Buttheybroke
upont hei
rown.Usthefamil
ies…wedon’ tknow
anythingsotheyhadseparat
ed.Ithinkseparat
edis
ri
ghtfulter
m.Now…t herei
sasmal lproblem on
yourside…”
“
Whatpr
obl
em?I
sshei
n?Ineedt
otal
ktoher
.”
“Emapel elekgowa…wai t.Youcan’ tgeti nbecause
Lomo’ sf atheri shere.Hei sher ef orhi sdaught er
andf orhi swi fe.Their.
..i
jo,sekgowabanna. .uh
theyar ebondi ngasaf ami l
ysoIcan’ tletyoui n.In
Botswana, ifyoumar ri
edsomeonet hensomeone
elsesleepswi tht hatpersonyouar emar r
iedto, you
who’ sbeensl eptwi t
hwi llbesuedt henwewi lltake
yout othechi ef’swhereyoul iedownnakedand
theybeatyournakedbut twi thabi gf atst i
ck.Those
peopl ecanbeat .Youwon’ tseatf oramont h…your
skinwi l
lpeelof f.Yourbut twillbleed.Wecanst i
ll
dot hat,youwi llbesummonedt oBot swanat hen
theywi l
lbeatyou.Hei sst i
llhere,youseem l ikea
niceguysoyouwi l
ljusthavet ocal lher .Hecan’ t
seeyou.Iam doi ngthisforyouChr istoffer.
”
Chr
issi
ghed.“
Whati
sshedoi
ngwi
thhi
m?”
“
Idon’tknow..butt
heyarei
nthebedroom t
ogether
.
Wit
hLomot oo.It
hinkt
heyaret
alki
ngaboutthe
f
uture.
”
“
Pleasecal
lher
…Ineedt
otal
ktoher
.It
’s
i
mpor
tant
.”
“Iam sor
rybutIcan’
tletyoui
n.Cal
lher
.Bye
Chri
stoff
er.
”
I
t’
sjustChr
is!
”
Batangputhi shandonhischest
.“I
jowee!Youare
yel
lingatme?Doyouknowt hatsi
nceThabidoesn’
t
haveaf ather,
Iherbr
othermakesmeherf at
her.
Youj ustyel
ledatme…”
“Ididn’
tyel
l…Ij
ust
…Ir
eal
lyneedt
otal
ktoher
.
Please…”
“Iam sor
ry.Cal
lher…remember..smallhouse.
.big
house.Youcallf
ir
stwhenyouar esmal lhouse
l
ekgowa..youknowt heset
hingsakere?Okbye. "
Bat
anggotbackinthehouseandl
ockedt
hedoor
.
Hesighedcont
inui
ngwit
hhisshow.

Out
sideChr
ist
ookouthi
sphoneandcal
ledThabi
.
Herphonestart
edringi
ng.Mosawal kedoutofher
housedressedup.ShelookedoveratChri
ssmili
ng.
“
Hi…”
“
Hey,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Looki
ngf
orThabi
?”
“Sheisnotpi
cki
ngandherbr
otherwon’
tletmei
n
becauseLomo’sfat
heri
sher
e.”
Mosaf
rowned.“
Lomo’
sfat
her
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thabiandthatmanl ongbr
okeup.Shewon’teven
t
akehiscal
lsorrespondtohismessages.
”
“
Appar
ent
lyhei
sher
e.”
“Nope.ThewayThabihat
eshim,shewoul
dnever
l
ethim anywher
ecloset
oher.It
hinkshej
ust
doesn’
twanttoseeyou.
”
“Shecall
edmeearl
ieronsayi
ngsheisbr
ingi
ng
Lomot odoDNAtestsandshewantsmetogiveher
fal
seresult
s.”
“
Whywoul
dshewantf
alser
esul
ts?
”
“Idon’
tknow.Butshereal
lyneededt
hehel
p.SoI
broughtt
hetest
ingki
t.
”
“
Uh…ok.Idon’
tunder
standwhoshe’
slyi
ngt
o
t
hough…”
“
Ijustneedt
otal
ktoher
.Letmecal
lheragai
n.”
Hecall
edheragainthenl
ist
enedt
oherphone
r
ingi
ngtil
litst
opped.
“
Shei
snotpi
cki
ng.
”
Mosasi ghed.“Iam sor
ry.Idon’
tthi
nkyoushould
berunningaftersomeonel i
kethi
s.Justl
etherbe.
It
’senoughbeggi ngnow.”
“
Ireal
lyl
oveher
.Iam notsur
ewhatIdi
dwr
ong.
”
“Idon’
tthi
nki
t’
syou.I
t’
sher
.Shehat
esever
ymen.
Sheisjustat
oxi
cball
.”
Chri
ssighed.“Iknowshe’sbeenhur
tbefore.Iwant
tobethereforher.Iwanthert
oseethatnot
ever
yoneislikeherex.”
“Shewon’tseeit
.Sheisinvest
edinherbi
tt
erness
andhatr
ed.IfearforLomo.Sheisnotafi
tparent
.”
Chr
issi
ghed.“
Iwi
llcomebackl
ater
.”
“
Letmewal
kwi
thyou.
”
Henoddedandwal
kedoutoft
hecompl
exwi
thher
.

*
**

Atthecinema,t
hemoviecametoanendasKel
l
y
fi
nishedherpopcor
n.Agangsmi
led.
“
Ilovet
hismovi
e.”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Ilovedi
ttoo.I
twasr
eal
lyni
ce.
”
Theygotupandwal
kedout
.
“
Thankyouf
orcomi
ngwi
th.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
“
Shoul
dwegetsomet
hingt
oeat
?”
“
No.Ir
eal
lyneedt
ogethome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theywal
kedout
sideandgoti
nthecar
.Agang
start
edthecaranddroveoff
.Awhi
lelat
erhe
parkedacrosst
heroad,hi
sli
ght
soff
.
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Thankyouf
ort
aki
ngmet
her
e.”
“
No,
thankyouf
orescor
ti
nganol
dmant
her
e.”
“
Ihavet
ogo.
”
“Wher
eisyourchur
ch?Iwil
lcomeandpickyou
guysatchur
chtomorr
owthengotothehospi
tal
.”
“
Iwi
llsendyout
hedi
rect
ionswi
thMama’
sphone.
”
Agangsmil
ed.“
That
’sst
il
lfi
ne.Al
sowhatt
imedoes
chur
chend?”
“I
tdepends.Iwi
llsendyouamessagewheni
t’
s
al
mostover.”
“
Ok.
”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Thankyou…f
oral
lyouar
edoi
ng.For
mama…”
“
It
’sok.Iseemymot
heri
nher
.”
Kell
yleanedoverandhuggedhi
mthenmovedback.
“Bye…”
Shesteppedoutt
hecarandranovert
othegate.
Agangsmi l
edwatchi
nghergeti
nthehouset
henhe
drovehomesmili
ng.

*
**

Thatsameevening,Zazasati
nfr
ontofherTVt
hen
thought
ful
lycal
ledhermother
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Mama…”Zazapausedli
steni
ngt
oanambul
ance
si
rent
hroughthephone.
“
Mama,
areyouok?
”
“No.Iwasatwor k.Ijustcamebackandf oundyour
fatherbeingbeatenbynei ghbors.Hewascaught
rapingaf ouryearoldwhomi ghtbedeadright
.Iam
soscar ed.Thepol i
cear eeverywher
e.Thereis
bloodever ywhere.Zazamyhusbandi snotmoving
andhehasbl oodal lover…jeso…”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#70

Zazasatupr
ight
,herhear
tpoundi
ng.
“
Hedi
dwhat
?”
“
Noonei
sgi
vinghi
m at
tent
ion.Hei
sdyi
ng.
”
“
Ihopehedi
es!
”
“
Youwantmyhusbandt
odi
e?”
“Howdoyoust il
lcallt
hatmonst
erahusband?Hei
s
amonst er
!Hejustrapeda4yearol
d!Howdoyou
sti
llcal
lhi
m yourhusband?”
“Soyouwantmet
orej
oicet
hatmyhusbandmaybe
dead?”
“Yesbecausehei
samonst
erandhedeser
vest
o
die!
”
“
MmagweOmpi
’
schi
ldwonder
sar
oundnaked.Iam
sur
eothermenhavesexwi
thher
.Shewasal
ready
bei
ngused.
”
“
Whatki
ndofawomanar
eyou?
”
“MmagweOmpiwant edherchi
ldt
obeusedthat’
s
whysheletherwonderaroundnaked.Nomanwill
eversl
eepwithanyoneunlesst
hepersonwant
ed
i
t.”
“
Soyouar
esayi
nga4yearol
dwant
edi
t?”
“Iam sayi
nghermotherwant
edit
.Sheenj
oyedher
daughterbei
ngused.Shewassel
li
ngherdaught
er.
”
“
Youarethemostevi
lper
sononear t
h.Youknewhe
wasrapi
ngmeand…Idon’tbeli
eveyouaremy
mother
.Youcan’
tbemymot her.
”
“
Youwant
edt
osl
eepwi
thhi
m.Il
ong-
“
“Iwasonly10!”Tearsfi
ll
edZaza’seyes.“You
watchedhim vi
oletme!Youwat chedhimt akeaway
myinnocence…youwat chedhim abusemeever y
day…Ididn’
twanti t
.Idi
dn’twanttosleepwi t
hhim.
Iwasonlyachi l
d!”
“
Ifyoudi
dn’
twanti
t,youcoul
dhaver
epor
tedi
t.I
di
dn’
thol
dyoudown.
”
“Ihopetheyki
llyout
oo!Youar
egoi
ngt
oroti
nhel
l
youevilwoman!”
Zazahungupbr
eat
hingheavil
y.Shebi
therl
ower
l
ip,t
hememori
esfi
l
lingherhead.
Atearroll
eddown,shequi
cklywipeditassomeone
knockedonherdoor.Shestoodupthenopened.
Agangl ookedatherr
eddi
sheyes.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ok.Ibr
oughtyourcl
othes.
”
Hehandedhert
hebag.“
Ipackedever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Ok,
shar
p.”
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngt
osayanyt
hingaboutPear
l?”
“Webrokeup.
.Idon’
tthi
nkIoweyouany
expl
anati
on.
”
“
Whati
sitt
hatIdon’
thave?Whati
sitt
hatwon’
t
makeyoul
oveme?
”
“
Zaza,
can’
tyouj
ustf
ocusonyourweddi
ng?
”
“Youcoul dn’
tevenr espectyourson’ sfuneral
.You
don’trespectyourself.Toyouever ythi
ngisabout
secandyourdi c.Youwi llneversett
ledown, you
willj
ustcontinuetobet hisjokeofamanf orthe
restofyourlifebecauseyouar eadisappoi nt
ment.
”
“Iam notgoingtoexchangewordswit
hyou.Iam
l
eavingbecauseyoudeci dedIwasn’
tgoodenough
andwasal readypl
anningyourweddi
ng.”
Hetur
nedandwal
kedt
ohi
scar
.Zazaangr
il
y
l
ookedathi
m.
“
Youar
epat
het
ic!
”
Hegotinhiscaranddroveof
f.Zazawalkedbacki
n
herhouseandputherhandsonherfacecryi
ng.

*
**

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
,Kel
lysmi
ledast
hemovi
eshe
watchi
ngended.Sheyawnedswi t
chingof
ftheTV
thenwalkedtoherroom whereherphonewas
chargi
ng.Shegotitfr
om herdressingt
abl
eandlaid
onherbedl ooki
ngatthethr
eemi ssedcal
lsfr
om an
unsavednumber .
Sheignoredthem andwentonherFacebookand
scr
oll
eddownhert imeli
nelaughingatmemes.Her
phonestart
edr i
nging,shelookedattheunsaved
numbercalli
ngandhesi tantl
ypicked.
“
KenneteWi t
chcrafthell
o?Press1i
fyouwantto
j
oinsatanism, pr
ess2i fyouwanttogeta
t
hokoloshi,press3i fyouwanttogotothel
andof
t
hedead, press4t ohangup.”
Agangbur
sti
ntol
aught
er.Kel
lysi
ghed.“
Wher
edi
d
yougetmynumber
.”
“Thammakebat
anumber1.HowmuchmoneydoI
get?”
“
Iam ser
ious.Wher
edi
dyougetmynumber
?”
“
Yourmom.Ist
il
lwantopt
ion1.
”
“
Youar
edi
stur
bingme.Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Youdon’
tsoundl
ikesomeonewho’
ssl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Agangwhati
sit
?”
“Imi
ssedmynewf r
iendsoIt
houghtIwoul
dcal
l
andsaygoodni
ght
.”
“
Ok,
goodni
ght
.Bye.
”
“
Wai
t…Iwantt
ocomet
ochur
cht
oot
omor
row.
”
“
What
?”
“Iwanttocomet
ochur
ch.Toyourchur
ch.
Tomorrow.”
“
Why?
”
“
Topr
ay.Whatel
sedopeopl
edoatchur
ch?
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ist
her
eadr
esscode?
”
“
Just
…”Shesi
ghed.“
Beappr
opr
iat
e.”
“
Jeansandat
-shi
rt
?”
“
That
’sst
il
lfi
ne.
”
“OrshouldIwearIsui
t?Idon’
twantt
obet
heodd
oneout.”
Shecl
osedhereyes.“
Ajeanandat
-shi
rti
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok..canwegot
oget
hert
hen?Idon’
twantt
ofi
nd
myselfl
ost
.”
“
Isentyoudi
rect
ions.
”
“
Iwantsi
twi
thyouguys.
”
“
Agang-
“
“
IneedGod…pl
ease.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Thankyou.Idon’
thaveaBi
ble.Wewi
llshar
eyour
s
akere?
”
“
You…yes.
”
“
DoIannoyyou?
”
“
Yes.No…ai
iAgang!
”
“
Didyoueat
?”
“
No.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Iwasn’
thungr
y.”
“
Wher
ehadyoueat
en?
”
“
Nowher
e.Iwasj
ustnothungr
y.”
“
Shoul
dIgetyouf
oodnow?
”
Shel
aidonhersi
de.“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
“Chi
psandr ussi
an?Icangett
hosebyafi
ll
ing
stat
ion.Iwi
llbether
eint
hir
tyminut
es.
”
“
AgangIsai
d-“
Hedroppedthecal
l
.Kel
lycl
osedhereyes
f
rust
rated.

THI
RTYMI
NUTESLATER…

Agangwal kedi
nsi
dethegateandwenttoher
window.Heknockedsoft
lyandwait
ed.Kel
ly
openedhercurt
ainsl
ight
lyt
henhesmiledhol
ding
theplast
ic.
Sheopenedherwi
ndowandwhi
sper
ed.“
Isai
dIam
nothungr
y.”
“
Iaskedt
hem t
ohi
tthef
ood.
”
Hegavehertheplast
ic.Kel
lyopeneditandl
ooked
att
hefoodtoget
herwi t
hacolddrink.
“Agangstopt
his…ther
ragoanddealwi
thyour
heart
breakal
one.”
“Iam nothear tbroken.Iam goi ngtosound
heartl
esssayi ngthisbutitwasn’ tl
ovewithZaza.
Wel ostourchi l
d.IfeltIneededt obewithher.It
wasn’tlove.Iam gladshef oundamant olove…she
deservesit.Iam happyIdon’ thavetotr
ysohar dto
showIl oveher .
”
Shesighed.“Chur
chstar
tsat9.Wel
eaveat8
becauseIam anusheratchur
chsoIneedtohel
p
them setup.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Iwi
llbeher
eat8.
”
Shecl
osedherwindowandclosedthecur
tai
n.
Agangsmil
edthenwalkedoutoft
heyard.
I
nherr
oom,Kel
lyopenedherdr
inkandtookasi
p
t
henst
art
edeat
ingthechi
psandrussi
an.
*
**

I
nBoston,Ret
habil
efi
nishedcooki
ngwhi
leAt
ang
t
ookoutthepl
ates.
Helookedatherbodyandsmi
led.“
Ili
keyour
t
att
oo.”
“
Thanks.
”
Shet
urnedcat
chi
nghi
mlooki
ngatheri
nacer
tai
n
way.
“
What
?”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ost
opatsomepoi
nt.
”
At
angputhi
shandsonherwai
standpi
ckedherup
pl
aci
ngheront
hecount
ertop.
“
Idon’
tthi
nkso.
”
“Iam notgoi
ngt ot
akeyouback.Idon’ tthi
nkIwil
l
evergetoverwhathappened.Il i
ket
his..butIam
notgoingtogiveyoueverythingsoyout r
amplei
t
andthrowitonmyf ace.Itoldyouwhatwoul d
happenifyoucheat.Youcheat ed.Nowt heseare
theresul
tsofyouracti
ons.Ili
kehavingsexwi t
h
you.It
’snice…maybeapar tofmemayst i
lll
oveyou.
Matteroffact,
Iknowapar tofmest il
lloveyou.But
that
’sit
…youhur tme.Youbr okeme.Idon’ tthi
nk
i
t’sf
ixable.
”
Atangcuppedherf ace.“
It
sf i
xabl
e.Ij
ustneeda
chance.Iloveyou.ImessedupbutIloveyou.I
knowIwasn’ tthebestpr
eviousl
ybutIcangiveyou
everyt
hing.Il
oveyou…Iam notacceptingdefeat
..
youaremi ne.”
Hekissedherwr appi
nghi
sarmsar oundherwaist
.
“Iam notgivi
nguponus…onourf amily.Idon’
t
carehowl ongitt
akesme…Iam notgivingup.”

THREEWEEKSLATER…
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#71

THREEWEEKSLATER

Zazal
ookedatt
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
.
“It
hinkeveryonehatedher .Especial
lywit
htheway
shewasdef endingherhusband.I tcouldhavebeen
theenti
recommuni t
ywhopl annedherdeath.
Mamaneverl eavesthegasopenandshewoul d
neverki
llherself
.Atleastnotbybur ni
ngherselfi
n
herhouse.”Zazasniffed.“Someonewant edher
deadtogetherwi t
hherhusband. ”
Thepol
iceofficersi
ghed.“
Ithinksotoo,t
he
communitywasupsetespeci al
lyaft
erher
stat
ements.Iam sorryf
oryourloss.
”
Zazawipedawayherat
eart
hathadr
oll
eddownher
cheek.
“
Thankyou.
”
Zazawalkedoutofthepol
icest
ati
onandgoti
nher
carpi
ckupheruncle’
scall
.
“
Mal
ome…”
“
Zaza,
howar
eyout
oday?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ifeelli
kespir
itofdeat
hisr
oamingaroundmy
f
amily.Ihavelostbot
hmysist
ersandIdon’
tknow
whattodo.”
“Ther
eisnobody.Wewi llbur
rywhatt hef
orensi
cs
managedtoget.Theashes.Idon’tthi
nkweshould
haveabiggather
ing.Justsomethingsmall
,burr
y
theashesandmoveon. ”
“
Weneedacof
fi
n.”
“Wewillgetonefrom mazezuruorj
ustbur
ryheri
n
aplast
ic.TotaIdon’
tthi
nkweshouldbewasting
moneyonashes.GapeIhear dmmagweKaelois
notwell
.Iam sureyouneedmoney.”
“
Idon’
tthi
nki
t’
sri
ghtt
ojustbur
yheri
napl
ast
ic.
”
“Butwhatcanwedo?I
t’sjustashes.AndIdon’t
thi
nkalotofpeopl
ewi
llcomeknowi ngthetypeof
personshewas.”
“
Mydaught
er-
“
“Idon’
thavemoneyt oo.Herhusband’sfamil
ycan
buythecof fi
nbutIdon’thavemoney.Weshoul d
j
ustputherashesi naplast
icandmoveon.Idon’t
understandwhyweneedt ospendal otofmoney
onherasi fshemadeagooddi ff
erencetotheworl
d.
Thedevi li
srejoici
ngri
ghtnowwi t
hhisevil
daughter.That’senough.
”
“
Mychi
ld,
Iknowyouar
esoangr
y-“
“Iam notangr
y.Idon’
thavemoney.Iam notbuyi
ng
acoffi
nnoram Ibuyingfood.Weshoul
djustdump
herashesinaholeandgohome. ”
“
Youaret
ooangryri
ghtnow.Iwi
llcal
lyou
t
omorr
ow.Goodbye.
”
Zazaputawayherphoneanddrovet
oherhouse.A
for
eignnumbercal
ledherasshewal
kedi
nsideher
house.
“
Zachar
iaspeaki
ng,
hel
lo?
”
“
Zaza.
.”
Zazasmi
led.“
Thabi
…”
“
Iam sor
ry.I
-“
“
Don’
tbe.She’
swher
eshebel
ongs.
”
“
Ihear
dthewhol
est
ory.
”
“
Iam pr
ayi
ngshedi
edcr
yingi
npai
n.”
“
Iam sor
rythatwasyourreal
it
y.Youdidn’
tdeser
ve
i
t.Noonedeservedi
t.Theywerejustki
ds.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edZaza’
seyes.“
Thankyouf
orcal
li
ng.
”
“
It
’sok.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ihear
dyouar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Ithoughtwewer
egoi
ngt
omar
ryi
nthesame
f
amily.
”
“
It
’st
ri
cky.
”
“Hedidn’tloveme.Ihear dAtangisther
e.Iam
surpri
sedyounevert ol
dmeaboutt hereasonyou
andAt angact uall
ybrokeup.Iknowwear enot
closebutIj ustthoughtsi
ncewear erel
atedyou
wouldt el
lme. ”
“Welluh…I.
..youwer
edeal
ingwi
thyourson’
s
si
tuati
on.”
“Iwi
shyoutol
dme.Iwouldhaveprot
ectedmy
hear
tfr
om Agangt
hen.Buti
t’
sok.Iam happynow.
”
“
Iam happyyouar
e.Ihavet
ogo.Bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Zazaputdownthephoneandki
ckedof
fhershoes
wonderi
ngiff
ir
ehadbeentooeasy.

*
**

Kell
ywalkedoutofChoppi
esSuper
mar
ketand
foundhi
m wait
ing.Shesmil
ed.
“
Don’
tyouhavemeet
ings?
”
Agangshookhi
shead.“
Ipost
ponedever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Iwantt
otakeyousomewher
e.”
Kel
lyf
oldedherar
ms.“
Agang-
“
“
Youwi
lll
ovei
tther
e.Youneedi
t.Idot
oo.Pl
ease…”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedoutoft
hemal
lwi
thhi
m.“
I
can’
t.Mymotherneedsmetobet
her
eforher
.The
medicat
ionmakesherdr
owsy.
”
Aganggr abbedherhandandsmi l
ed.“Youar e
goingtoseewi l
dani mals…gof oradventures…you
aregoingtohavef un.Takelotsofpictures.Eatni
ce
al
readycookedf ood.Enjoyaser enepeacef ul
envir
onment .Youwon’ tregretit
.Andyourmom has
anurse.Shewi llbef i
ne.Please…”
“
Agang-
“
“
Iam notdoi
ngi ttosl
eepwit
hyou.Havesomef ai
th
i
nme.Iactuall
ylikeourf
ri
endship.Iam happywit
h
whatweare.Iam happywit
hthis.”
Kel
lysl
owl
ysmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Agangsmi
led.“
Real
ly?
”
Shegi
ggl
edst
ari
ngathi
swi
fesmi
le.“
Yes.
”
Hehuggedherpicki
ngherupt
henputherdown
andhuggedheragain.
“
Thankyou.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Hemovedbackt hentookherhandandl edhert
o
thecar.Heopenedthedoorforher
.From a
dist
ance,Yaonespott
edhim andwalkedover
smili
ng.
“
Hi…”
Agangt
urnedandsmi
led.“
Hi…what
’sup?
”
Yaonesmi
led.“
Iam good.Ihaven’
tseeyoui
na
whil
e.”
“
Yeah,
it’
sbeenami
nut
e.”
“
Yeah…”
“UhKell
y,t
hisi
sAtang’
sex,
Yaone.Yaonet
hisi
smy
bestf
ri
end,Kel
ly.
”
Kel
lysmil
edandwaved.Yaonewavedbacksmi
li
ng
t
henlookedatAgang.
“
Niceseei
ngyou.Bye…”
“
Yeahyout
oo.
”
Shewal
kedawayinherfor
malwear.Kel
lysmil
ed
ashecl
osedherdoorf
orherandj
umpedi n.
“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Youwi
llsee.
”

*
**

I
nBost on,attheai
rpor
t ,
Thabisatwit
hBatangand
Atang,herhandholdi
ngBat ang’who’
sheadwason
Thabi’
slap.Thabir
estedherheadonAt ang’
schest
whileLomor est
edont heothersi
de.
Shesighedsadlyasthei
rplanegotcal
ledout
.
Atangkissedherandsmiled.
“
Iam notgoi
ngf
orgood.Il
oveyou.
”
“She’
sgoingt
ocr
y.Seet
hewayshe’
shol
dingyou
alr
eady.
”
“
Youar
emygi
rl
s…”
“
Iam st
il
lnott
aki
ngyouback.
”
At
angl
aughed.“
Iloveyou.
”
Thabi
sighedget
ti
ngcl
oseri
nhi
sar
ms.Bat
ang
movedtoo.
At
angki
ssedher.“
Wehavet
ogo.Iwi
llcal
lyou
whenwearr
ive.
”
Theyallstoodup.Thabiwrappedherarmsaround
hi
m smi l
ingthentookherdaughter
.Lomolookedat
herf
ather.
“
Iam goi
ngmama.
.”
“
Nohun…wear
est
ayi
ng.
”
At
angpi
ckedthebagsasBat
anghuggedhi
ssi
ster
t
henhi
sniece.
Lomolookedathi
mt ear
ful
lyt
henl
ookedather
fat
herr
aisi
ngherl
itt
lemearms.
“
Daddy.
.”
At
angki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Loveyou…”
Thabiwatchedast
heywavedt hentheex.Lomo
l
ookedathim andst
artedcryi
ngfi
ghti
ngtogowith
hi
m.At angtur
nedadistantawayfr
om herand
waved.
Lomoscr
eamedmor
ecr
yingf
orhi
m.Thabir
ubbed
hereyestaki
ngadeepbr eat
hgetti
ngreadyto
comfortherdaught
er.Sherubbedherowneyes
wit
hasi ghassadnessandempt i
nesstookover
.
.
.
Iknowit’
sshortbutIam notwell.Idrankmypill
s,
theymakemeext remelydrowsy.Pleaseforgi
vethe
shorti
nsert
.Keepliki
ngandcomment i
ng.Il
oveyou
l
ots!
.
Your
sTr
uly
#72and#73

Thabi carr
iedherdaught erinsidethenewst udio
apartment.Shecl osedt
hedoorwi thherfootand
walkedt oherr oom.Shel aidLomodownwhot ook
asaddeepbr eathinhersleep.Thabisighedand
walkedout ,thenewhousedi dn’tfeelasnice
anymor e…i tfel
tsoempt yandf or
eign.
Shepi
ckedBat
ang’
scapandl
aughedknowi
nghe
wasgoingt obesohurttof i
ndouthehadf orgot
ten
i
t.Sheputitdownandpi ckedupAt ang’
sjacket.
Shelookedatitt
henpickedi tupandputiton
befor
elyingonhercouchi nhali
nghisscent.
Shepi ckedherphoneandunl ockedit.Sheopened
herCamer afol
derandlookedatt hedozenpi ct
ures
theyhadt aken.Tearsburnthereyesasshe
wonder edwhyherhear twassogul l
ible.She
couldn’tseem toremembert hehurtanymor e.
Shesni f
fedandswipedt hescreenst aringattheir
pi
cturetogether
.Shewi pedat earthenpl ayeda
vi
deot heyhadtakentogether.Shel ookedathi s
smile.
.atthewayhehadbeenl ookingather .She
pl
ayedanot hervi
deoofhi m andLomoashet ri
edto
styl
eherhair.Shesighedwithasmi le,Batang
appearedont hevi
deohol di
nghai rpins.
Thabiwat
chedasBat
angtriedt
okeepLomost i
ll
whil
eshedrewonherbook.Shetur
nedherhead.
“
Daddy…”
At
anglookedatherdr
awingandsmiled.I
tal
ready
l
ookedli
kehehadalwaysbeenther
e.Thabisi
ghed,
shehadalr
eadyseenthatshewasnol
ongert
he
favor
it
eparentt
heseconddayaft
erAt
ang’
sarr
ival
.
Shewatchedt
herestofthevi
deossmil
ingand
l
aughi
ng.Herphonerang,shel
ookedatPul
ecall
ing
andpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
ishet
her
ewi
thyou?
”
“
No.Theyl
eft
.”
“
Incl
udi
ngyourbr
other
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Soyouar
ebackwi
thhi
m?”
Thabi
lookedatt
hewal
l.“
Hei
sLomo’
sdad.
”
“
Iknow.Ar
eyoubackwi
thhi
m?”
“
No…notr
eal
ly.
”
“
Doyoul
ovehi
m?”
Thabi
sighed.“
Mr.
-“
“
Pul
e.Doyoul
ovehi
m?Behonest
.”
“
Yes.Hei
smydaught
er’
sfat
her
.Hewasmyf
ir
st.
Rr
agweLomowasmyf
ir
sti
never
ythi
ng.
”
“
Doyoul
ovehi
mtoapoi
ntoft
aki
nghi
m back?
”
“
I-
“
“
Areyout
aki
nghi
m back?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Washef
ucki
ngyouonhi
sst
ayt
her
e?”
Thabir
emainedi
nsi
lenceunsur
eoft
her
ight
fulway
toanswerhi
m.
Pulesighed.“ Talkt ome?Wher eyousl eepingwi t
h
him?…Youknowwhat ?Myguessi sthatyouwer e.
Afteralltheyearswi t
houtseeinghi m,Iam sur eyou
l
ethi m bet weenyourl egs.Youpr obablyt hinkyou
canf i
xt hingsnowt hatheseemst ohavecome
backt ohi ssenses…youar ethinkingtor aiseyour
daught ertogetherwi t
hhi m.Beapr operfami ly.Ibet
youar et hinki
ngassoonasyougetyourdegr ee,
yougohomet ohim…sexhasneverbeenl ove
Rethabi l
e.Sexwi llneverbelove.Under standt hi
s…
doyouact ual
lyt
hi nkhelovesyou?Don’ tyout hi
nk
i
fhedi d, hewoul dhaveneverhur tyour i
ghtf rom
thebeginni
ng?Menactr
ightforthewomenthey
l
ove.Ifyouaret
hatwomant ohim,hewoul
dhave
neverhurtyout
hewayhedid.”
Thabi
swal
lowedi
nsi
lence.
“Cheat i
ngi sachoi ce, hewasn’ tevensor rythen
becausehedi dn’texpectyout oleave.Hepr obabl y
justthoughthewoul dgetawaywi thit.Hisegowas
bruisedbecauseyoul efthim.I fhel ovedyou, he
woul dhavenevercal l
edhernamewhi leont opof
you.Hedi dn’tloveyouenoughorr espectyou
enoughbackt hen.What ’
sdi f
ferentthist i
me?Your
daught er?Menl eavet hei
rwi veswhot heyhave
beenmar riedtof or20pl usyear s,theyl eavet heir
kidsf ort
hepeopl etheyt rulylove.Ar eyout hat
personf orhim?Thatoneper sonhewi l
lstophi s
entirewor l
df ortogi veyouwhatyouneed.Don’ tget
hurtagai nbecauseyout hinkhe’ sinlove…t hathe’s
changed.Ther ei snochange…hej usthasn’ tmethi s
onet ruelove.Youwi l
lseeitwhenhemeet sher.”
“Idi
dn’
ttakehi
m back.
”
“
Iwasj
ustmaki
ngyousee.I
fyouwantt
ogi
vei
ta
chachancege,
doso.Youneverknow.Maybehe
actual
lyl
ovesyouandjustmadeamistake”
Thabi
lookedupbl
inki
ng.“
Howi
swor
k?”
“
Tiringbutsavingli
vesismycareer
.Il
ovesavi
ng
l
ives.Whenar etheresul
tscomi
ngup?”
“
Nextweek.Iam ner
vous.
”
“Youdi
dwell
.Youareabr
il
li
antdoctorThabi.You
areahardwor
ker
,youar
esmar t
.Stopwor r
yingso
much.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyout
hinki
ngt
odoyourr
esi
dence?
”
“
Ther
eisahospi
tali
nLA..Iwasthi
nki
ngoft
hator
t
heoneher
einMassachuset
ts.
”
“
LAi
sagoodpl
acet
olear
n.”
“
Iti
s…”
“
Ididmyr esi
denceinAustral
ia.Ihavebeen
t
hinki
ngofgoingbackt oschool.Il
ovebeinga
f
ami l
ydoctorbutIt
hinkIwantmor e.”
Thabi
lookedatherani
ncomi
ngcal
lcomi
ngi
n.
“
Ihavet
otakeanot
hercal
l.Iwi
llcal
lyouback.
”
Shedr
oppedt
hecal
landpi
ckedheruncl
e’
scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Thabi
,Idon’
thavemuchai
rt
ime.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
howi
saunt
y?”
“
It
s-“
Thecal
lcut
.Thabical
ledhi
m back.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Howi
saunt
y?”
Hesighed.“Shei
sali
ve.Butit
’snotl
ooki
nggood.
Sheisalwaysinpai
n.Wehavet ri
edever
ythi
ng.
Goingtochurch,
goi
ngt oheal
ers…goi
ngto
hospit
als.I
t’
snotworki
ng.
”
“
Eish…Ihaveaf
ri
endi
nGabor
one.Icanaskhi
mto
l
ookather.
”
“Thatwil
lbesohel
pful
.Thankyou.Idon’
tthi
nk
heretheywantt
ohelpher.Youknowhowi ti
s.”
“
Iknow.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
sok.UhIspoketoNt
atemogol
o…hesai
dBat
ang
i
sther
ewit
hyou.”
“
Hewasvi
sit
ing.He’
sonhi
swayback.
”
“Iam happyyouloveyourbr
othert
hewayyoudo.
Lomot aughtyouwell
.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Shedi
d.”
“Iwantedtotalkt
oyouaboutAt ang.Hi
sfat
her
call
edtoday.Theywanttoknowwhati sgoi
ngon.I
f
yout wodon’twantabi
gweddi ng,i
t’
sfi
ne.Wecan
justgotothemolaodi
’soff
ice.
”
“
Att
ieandIar
enotbackt
oget
her
.”
“Hisfathertol
dmeAt angi stherewithyouandt hat
thereisachi l
d.Thabi
le,Idon’tt
hinkit’
srightt
o
haveyourel dershear
ingthingsfrom neighbors.I
don’tknowwhyyout hinkyoudon’ tneedus…we
areyourf amil
ymydaught er
.”
Thabi
swal
lowed.“
Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.
”
“Youhadachil
dandkeptherasecretforthr
ee
year
s,thi
ri
!No…Idon’
tli
kethi
s.Thenyousayyou
arenotbackwi
thhi
m whenhei sther
ewi t
hyou,
thereisnot
hingli
ket
hat.St
opmaki
ngusfools!We
aregrownups.Youneedtocomebackanddeal
withthisi
ssue.
”
“
Atang-
“
“Atangisyourhusband.Youandthatboyshoulddo
therightt
hing.Iam t
iredofbei
ngaskedquest
ionsI
cantanswer .Todayyouhavebeenkeepi
ngpeople’
s
grandchil
drenfrom t
hem.Weneedt oseethat
chil
d.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Ihopeso.Wecan’
tcont
inuetr
eat
ingyouli
kea
baby.Youcanhavesex.
.youar
eclear
lygr
own.
”
Shekeptquiet
.Hewentonrepr
imandi
ngherf
or
moreminutesthensi
ghed.
“
Ihopeyouhear
dme.
”
“
Idi
d.”
“
Good.Whenar
eyouf
ini
shi
ng?
”
“
Iam doi
ngmyM. DrightnowthenIwi
lldomy
f
oundati
ont
rai
ningandcoretr
aini
ngand-“
“Howmanyyear
s?Youar
egoi
ngt
ocomeback
old.
”
Thabi
laughed.“No.Medi
cinet
akesal
ongt
ime.But
Iwon’
tbeold.”
Hesighed.“Thabi
…youar egrowi
ngmychi ld.I
knowwhatyouki dsoftodaysay…thatt
hereisno
rushforanythi
ngandindeedther
eisnorushbut
youneedt othi
nkofthedir
ecti
onofyourli
fe.Ok?”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“Good.Iam gi
vingyout
il
ltomor
rowt
otel
lmeyour
deci
sionwit
hAt ang.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Hehungup.Thabisi
ghedandcl
osedhereyes
t
hinki
ng.

*
**

InBotswana,
Elangfi
nishedcooki
ngherf
atcakes
outsi
deonthefir
ethenputthem i
nabucket
.She
packedherstockinherplasti
cthencar
ri
edher
thi
ngsoutsi
def r
om thebackroom.Hermother
l
ookedatherwal ki
ngoutside.
“Iknowthi
si snotwhatyouexpect edtocomehome
tobutyourfathersaysyouneedt olear
ntostand
onyourown.Il i
keyourdeterminati
on.Thabi
managed,youwi llmanageto.”
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Shewalkedoutheadedt
otheschool.Mmagwe
El
angwal kedbacki
nherhouse.Shelookedather
husband.
“
Ithi
nkweshoul
dlethercookont
hest
ove.
”
RragweEl angl ookedathiswifeindi
sbeli
ef.“
Isthat
whatweagr eedon?Youwantt ospoilt
hischil
dt oo
much.Lethercookont hefi
re.Wearenotgoingt o
spoonf eedagr ownwoman.El angneedstolearn
thatsomet i
mesl i
fei
sunfair
.Sheneedst owork.I
am notgi vinghermyhar dearnedmoney.Shemust
wor kforher s.Thabimanagedj ustfi
ne.What’
st he
diff
erencebet weensheandThabi ?”
Hest
oodupandwal
kedout
.
*
**

Elangsatyouatthepr i
mar yschoolandputonher
captoprotecthersel
ffrom theharshsun.She
l
ookedatt hetimeknowi ngthestudent
swer eabout
toknockof ft
henmessagedThabionWhat sApp.
El
ang:Magwi
nyakeP1.
Thabi
readt
hemessageandst
art
edt
ypi
ng.
Thabi:Wear
ebackati
t?It
houghtyousai
ditwasn’
t
foryou.
El
ang:Iwantt
ober
ich.Iwi
shIknewhowt
osew
Thabi
:sell
ingtoschoolkidswil
lbri
nginmoneyt oo.
Doitwit
hposi ti
vit
y.Iknowyou’r
edoubtf
ulbutyou
needtobedet erminedtodoit
.Maybeyouarenot
meanttowor kforotherpeopl
e
El
angsmi
led.
El
ang:,
Youmustber
ightwai
tse.
Thabi
:Keeppushi
ng
El
ang:Ican’
twai
ttoseeyou.
”
“
Hi…”
Elangr ai
sedherheadandlookedatFar
ai.She
smilednot i
cingt
hechanges.Hewasabitlighti
n
compl exi
on.Heactual
lyl
ookedgoodwithhi scl
ean
haircut.
Shel
ookedathi
scl
eanj
eansandat
-shi
rt
.“Far
ai!
”
“
Ifi
tai
n’tt
heGabsci
tyr
eject
.”
Elanglaughed.“
Mxm.
.wai
tseGabor
onel
if
eisnot
foreveryone.
”
“
It
scal
ledsi
nci
tyf
orar
eason.
”
“
Sat
anst
ayst
her
e.Youl
ook…di
ff
erent
.”
Hesmi
led.“
InagoodwayIhope.
”
Shelookedbehi
ndhi
m andsmi
ledatt
heMazda
Axel
abehindhim.
“
Yes.I
sthatyour
s?”
“
Yeah…Ideci
dedt
ogetar
ealj
ob.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Wher
e?Ther
raIal
soneedaj
ob?
.”
“
AttheSafar
i.Ar
iskyj
obbutwor
thi
t.Whi
tepeopl
e
t
ipyougood.”
“
WaitseIhavealwaysf
earedt
hosej
obs.Idon’
t
wanttobeeatenbyaLion.
”
“I
t’
sariskyj
ob.Butpaysbil
ls.Iwantt
orai
se
enoughmoneyandst ar
tsomet hi
ng.
”
“
Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?”
“
Iam notsur
eyetbutIhaveapl
an.
”
“
Afteryoustartt
heplan,cal
lme.Icanbeyour
r
ecepti
onistorPA.Iam goodli
stener
,aqui
ck
l
earner.Icanmulti
task.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Iwi
llkeept
hati
nmi
nd.Youl
ookgood.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
HetookoutaP20not
efrom hi
spocketandhanded
hert
hentookt
wosweets.
“
Niceseei
ngyou.
”
Hetur
nedandj
umpedi nhiscarwhi
leshesmil
ed.I
t
washardt
obel
ievethatt
hesameguywhomade
cof
fi
nswasnowt hi
smant hatdr
ovesuchacarand
l
ooked…l
iket
hat
.Shel
ookedatt
heP20wi
tha
smil
e.

*
**

I
nGaborone,Kel
lyfini
shedpacki
ngherbagthen
wal
kedtohermot her’
sbedr
oom wherehermother
wasbusyonherphone.
“
Mama.
.”
MmagweKqui ckl
yputawayherphone.Kel
ly
l
ookedatherandlaughed.
“
Andt
hen?
”
“
What
?”
Kel
lyshookherheadandsmi
led.“
Not
hing.Iam
goi
ngtoFifi
’
shouse.”
“
Ok.Becar
eful
.”
“
Emma.
”
Shehuggedhermot
herandwal
kedout
.Shewal
ked
downt
hestr
eetwhereAgangwaspar
kedt
hen
j
umpedinhi
scar.Agangsmil
ed.
“
Hey…”
Kel
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Whenam Ibei
ngr
etur
ned?
”
“
Inacoupl
eofdays.
”
“
Itookf
ourdaysl
eaveatwor
k.”
Agangst
art
edt
hecar
.“Per
fect
.”
Kell
yputonherseat
bel
tashedr
oveof
f.Shelooked
athishandandl
ookedoutt
hewi
ndowsmili
ng
al
one.
Unablet
ocontai
nher
sel
f,shet
urnedt
ohi
m.
“Pl
easetel
lme…”
Agangl
aughedst
ari
ngatherf
ace.“
Bepat
ient
.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
odi
efr
om cur
iosi
ty.
”
Hepi
nchedhercheek.“
Ket
adi
ramout
htomout
h
mna.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy.
”
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Sheturnedtohi
m andsmi l
ed.Agangsmiledback
thentur
nedtotheroadreachi
ngforherhand.He
heldherhandanddrovewithone.
Sherelaxedont hepassengerseatashedrove.
Kell
y’
shear tbegunpoundingashet ookt
het ur
nto
theair
port.Sheswallowed.
“
Agang…”
“Relax.Wearecol
lect
ingsomet
hingf
rom t
he
air
por tt
henwego.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Ial
mostwast
edmyhappi
ness.
”
“
Yout
houghtIam f
lyi
ngyououtoft
hecount
ry?
”
“
Mxm.
.”
Agangl
aughed.“
Fli
ghtt
ri
psar
enotf
orf
ri
ends.
”
“
Ihat
eyou.Ihadpackedmypasspor
tjusti
ncase.
”
Hel
aughedpar
kingatt
heai
rpor
t.
“
Let
’sgoi
ntoget
her
.”
Kell
ygotoutwit
hherhandbag.Agangt
hrewhi
scar
keysatsomeone.Kel
lyl
ooked.
“
Whyar
eyougi
vinghi
mthekeys?
”
“
Tol
ookaf
tert
hecar
.Let
’shur
ryupandgo.
”
Theywalkedi
nsi
detheair
port
.Kell
y’
shear
tski
pped
asheledthewayhol
dingherhand.
Theycheckedin,t
hemanhehadgivenhi
skeyst
o
fol
lowi
ngwi t
hthei
rbagsbehi
nd.
Tear
sfi
ll
edKel
ly’
seyes.“
Agang…”
Helookedather
.“Ithoughtyouwouldhelpmefi
nd
aTanzaniangi
rl
fri
endmaybewhenwegot o
Zanzi
barormaybeatKi l
imanjar
o.Ineedanexot
ic
someonei nmyli
fe.
”
Kel
lyhuggedhi
m.“
Thankyou.
”
Agangwrappedhisarmsaroundher
.Theyhel
d
eachot
herforminut
esthenAgangletgo.
“
Let
sgoandgetmygi
rl
fr
iend…”
Kell
ylaughedwi
pingawayat
ear
.“AyeAye
captai
n!”
Agangpickedherupandthr
ewheroverhi
s
shoul
derthenwalkedt
othei
rboar
dinggat
ewhi
l
e
shel
aughed.

*
**

InMaun, RragweElangwal kedtowardsmmagwe

Thabi’sgr
ave.Helookedar oundthenstarted
plucki
ngoutt hegr
assar oundthegravelikehedid
everymonth.Heputt heflowershehadj ustgot
ten
ont opandsighedtearf
ully.
“Ibr
oughtyourf avorit
e.Imi ssyou.Imi ssyouso
much.Ihear dThabihadt akenBatangf orhis
holi
day.Shel oveshim somuch.She’ sdoingagood
j
ob.Shet akesaf t
eryou.Ihearshei sdoi ngwell.I
readabouthersomet i
mebacki nthenewspaper .
Sheisappar entl
ytheonl yMot swanast udentatthat
school.Ourdaught eri
s…smar t.Bri
ll
iant…theysaid
sheisbril
li
ant.Shei sgoingt obethebestdoct or.I
wishIcanpl aymypar tbutIam limit
ed.Iwi shIcan
bethere…”Hesi ghedsadl y.“Il
oveyou.Ihavet o
go.”
Het
urnedandwal
kedaway.
*

MmagweEl
angl
ookedathi
m ashewal
kedi
nthe
house.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Iwentt
oseemyf
ather
’sgr
ave.
”
Hewalkedpasthergoi
ngtothebedroom wherehe
l
ockedhimsel
finthebathr
oom andputhishands
onhisfacecr
ying.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#74

Lat
erthatday,
Elangpackedther
emai
ningstock
shehadandstartedwal
kinghomemuchslowly.
Shecouldn’
tseem t
othinkofadiff
erentbusi
ness
i
deathatwouldhelpherleavehome.
Theconstantcompar i
sont oThabibroughtback
j
usthowshegr ewup.I tdidn’tseem t
ohave
changed.Thir
tymi nut
esl atersheslowlyopened
thegatethenclosedit.Shet iptoppedtotheback
room andunlockedthedoor .Shewalkedinand
l
ookedatt hedarkness.
Swi t
chingontheli
ghtwouldbringhermot hertothe
room, sheputherthi
ngsdownandl itherphone’s
torch.Shesatonthebedandwentt oaj obvacancy
grouponFacebook.Shescr ol
leddownl ookingfor
somet hingbutal
lshewasseeingwasmai djobs.
Tear
sfil
ledhereyesasshethoughtofworki
ngfor
someone.Itdi
dn’
tfeel
beright
.Notaftergi
vingf
our
year
stovarsit
y.
Shel
ookedatoneadver
t.
‘
Lookingf orsomeonetoassi
stmy6yearold
daughterandIinMaun.Mustbeofbet ween26-
35,
years.Mustbegoodwi thki
ds,shoul
dbeableto
speakfluentEngl
ishandSetswana.Shoul
dbeable
tohelpmydaught erwit
hhomework.Mustbea
goodcl eanerandbeablet
owashandi r
onbutmost
i
mpor tantl
y,shoul
dbeabletocl
ean.Sal
aryP2800.
Call745****’
Shelookedatthesal
aryr
eal
izi
ngt
hattheposthad
j
ustbeenposted.Shequi
ckl
ycopi
edthenumber
andcall
ed.
I
trangt
wicet
hent
hemanpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hel
lo?
”
“IjustsawyourpostonFacebookt hatyouneeda
helper.MynameisEl ang,
Iam aUBgr aduat
e,Iam
veryfluenti
nEngli
shandonSet swana.Iam 24
yearsoldbutIam ahar dwor
ker.Iam goodwi t
h
kids.Icancook,
clean,washandi r
on.”
“
Canyoucomef
orani
nter
viewt
omor
row?
”
El
angsighedl
ist
eni
ngt
ohi
sfor
eignaccentnow
quest
ioni
nghi
m.
“
IcancomebutIam comingfr
om Shakawe.Ican
t
akethemor
ningbusther
e.”
“
Youar
etoof
ar.Ineedsomeonecl
oseby.
”
“Iam goodwit
hki
ds,
Iam whatyouneed.Iam a
hardworker
.”
“Idon’twanttowast eyourt
imei ncaseyoudon’t
meett herequi
rement s.I
fmychilddoesn’tl
ikeyou,
I
won’ttakeyou.Youar et
oofar,
Idon’twanttohave
toreturnyouafteryouhavetraveledallt
heway
here.
”
Shesi
gheddi
sappoi
nted.“
Ok,
thankyou.
”
Shehungupandcont i
nuedscr
oll
ingt
hrought
he
group.Sheslowl
ygaveupandlai
donherbed
exhausted.

Int
hemainhouse,mmagweEl angcarri
edthefood
tot
heroom t
henslowlyopenedt hedoor.She
swi
tchedonthel
ightandlookedatherdaughter.
“
Elang.
.wakeup.Food.
”
El
angopenedhersl
eepyeyesandl
ookedather
mother
.
Hermot
hersmi
led.“
Eat
.Howdi
ditgot
oday?
”
“
Itwasf
ine.
”
“
Maybeyoushoul dstar
tmaki
ngsomet
ypeof
j
ewel
ry.Forsel
li
ng.”
“
LikeThabi
?”
“
Yes.I
twor
kedf
orThabi
.”
“Whyshoul
dIdowhatThabiwasdoi
ng?Iam not
Thabi
!”
“Whoareyourai
singyourvoiceat?Wearejust
tr
yingtomoti
vat
eyouher e.Weallknowyouar enot
Thabibutsi
ncesheisyourfri
end,wethoughtshe
wouldbeenoughmot i
vat
ionforyou.”
El
angtear
ful
lyl
ookedathermot
her
.“Idon’
tknow
howtomakejewel
ry.Shoul
dIal
sosew?”
“
Elang,
areyoupl
anni
ngt
osel
lmagwi
nyaf
ort
he
r
estofyourl
if
e?”
“
Iwi
llcomeuponwi
thsomet
hing.
”
“
Good.
”
Hermotherputthefooddownandwalkedout
.
El
angtearf
ull
ylaidherheadonherpi
ll
ow.

*
**

Hourslaterthatevening,AgangledKellyinsi
de
thei
rroom atahot elalongtheIndianoceanin
Tanzania,Zanzibar.Kell
ysmiledlooki
ngar oundthe
bigbeautif
ulroom holdinghercompl i
ment ar
yglass
ofwine.Shewal kedt othesli
dingdoorsthatled
outsi
deandopened.
Shesmi l
edstar
ingatt
hewater
sasacoldbreeze
brushedherski
n.Shewal
kedbacki
ntheroom.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
.”
Agangputdowntheirbagsthenpickedtheroom
phone.Kel
lyt
ookoffhershoesasheor deredfood.
Heputdownthephoneandsmi l
ed.
“
Shoul
dIbat
hfi
rstoryouwi
ll
?”
“
Letmebat
hfi
rst
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shepickedherbagandwalkedwi t
hitt
otheensui
te.
Shel
ookedatt hehugeovalshapedtubsmil
ing
fr
om eartoear.

Intheroom, Agangswi
tchedoffhi
sphonetoget
her
withhersandputthem away.Awhilel
atert
hehotel
broughtthei
rfoodasKell
ywalkedoutinher
pyjamasalready.
Aganglookedatheri
ntheshor
tsandthet
op,
her
ni
pplesshowing.Het
ookadeepbreat
handsmil
ed.
“
Foodi
sher
e.”
“
Final
ly.Iam hungr
y.”
“
Youcanst
arteat
ing.Iam goi
ngt
oshower
.”
Shesmi
led.“
Thet
ubi
sni
ce.
”
“Tubebatameandmyexot
icgi
rl
fr
iend.Af
terIget
her,
Iwil
lbat
hint
hetub.
”
Kel
lysmil
ed.“
Areyour
eal
lyher
etol
ookf
ora
gi
rl
fri
end?
”
“
Yes.Iam notl
eavi
ngwi
thoutagi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Hewal kedtot hebat hr
oom.Kel l
ylookedathim and
si
ghed.Shel ookedatthef ood,herstomach
grumbling.Shepi ckedapi eceofmeatandst art
ed
eati
ng.Mi nuteslaterAgangwal kedout,atowel
aroundhiswai st.Shelookedathi schestgoing
downhi sfaintabst henhisV-line.Shelookedaway
andcont i
nuedeat ing.Heopenedhi sbagandt ook
outsweat pantsandwal kedbacki nthebathroom.
Kell
ylookedar oundsear chingforherphone.
Agangwalkedoutnowi
nonl
ysweat
pant
s.She
l
ookedathim.
“
Haveyouseenmyphone?
”
“Iputi
taway.Noonei
sgoingt
obeusi
ngt
hei
r
phoneswhil
ewearehere.
”
“
Pict
ures?
”
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
oenj
oyt
hiswi
thoutphones.
”
Kell
ysmi led,hereyeswentdown.Shet ookadeep
breathstaringatitandl ookedaway.Hesatdown
withherandat e.Hehadnosi ngl
etattooonhi
sskin,
i
twasf unnyhowshecoul dn’
timaginehistwi
n
brotherwithoutallhi
st attoosandstil
lcoul
dn’
t
i
magi neAgangwi ththem.
Hecaughtherst
ari
ng.“
What
?”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Not
hing.
”
“
Byt heway,accommodati
oni
sexpensi
veher
e.We
wil
lbeshari
ngt hi
sbed.
”
Shenodded.“
Ok.Thankyou…f
orbr
ingi
ngme.
”
Hel
ookedinhereyesandsmi
led.“
Don’
tfor
getwhy
wear
ehere.”
Kell
ysi
ppedherdr
ink.“
Whyl
ookf
oragi
rl
fr
iendso
far
?”
“
Freshbl
ood.Gapet
hel
adi
esher
ear
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Ithoughtyouwer
ejoki
ng.
”
“
No.Iam si
ngl
e.Ineedt
oset
tl
edown,
getmar
ri
ed,
haveki
ds.Iam get
ti
ngold.Theper
sonIwant
doesn’
twantmesobetterIfi
ndsomeoneel
se.
”
Kel
lynoddedandat
einsi
lence.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmor ninginBotswana,TheBotswana
ai
rl
inesfl
ightlandedatSSKI nter
nat
ionalAi
rport
.
Bat
angsmi ledast heycheckedoutandwalkedout
oft
heairport.Hebr eat
hedintheBotswanaairand
l
aughed.
“Backt
ounpur
ifi
edai
r,wai
tseRonaboBat
angr
ago
swakannet
e.”
At
angl
aughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy.
”
“
Amer
icaomonat
e.Ican’
twai
ttogoback.
”
Pr
incehoppedofft
hebonnetasAtangwalkedover
wi
thBatang.Hehel
duphisfist
satBatang.
“
Showmewhatyougot
!”
Bat
angputdownhi
sbagput
ti
nguphi
sfi
sts.Pr
ince
thr
ewapunch,
Batangdodgedandpunchedhi
sri
bs.
Pri
ncej
umpedback.
“
Youwantt
oki
llme?
”
Bat
angl
aughed.“
Oldage.
”
Pr
incel
aughedt
henpi
ckedhi
m upput
ti
nghi
m over
hi
sshoul
der.
“
Want
wael
awena.
”
AtanglaughedasBatanggotdown.Theygotint
he
car.Pri
ncestar
tedthecaranddrovet
oAtang’
s
house.AtanghandedBatangthekeysasPri
nce
parkednexttohiscar
.
Bat
angsteppedoutandwal
kedt
othedoor
.Pr
ince
l
ookedatAtang.
“
Whatdi
dshesay?
”
“Ihur
ther
,shehastrusti
ssues.Icausedal
lthat
andIam goi
ngtotakeresponsi
bil
it
yformyact i
ons.
It
’sgoi
ngtotakeusti
met obewher ewewere.”
“
Asl
ongasyouar
efi
xingt
hings.
.“
At
anggotoutoft
hecar
.“Wher
eisAgang?
”
“St
il
ltr
yingtowi
nKel
lyover
.Het
ookhert
o
Zanzi
bar.”
Atanglaughedwal
kingt
owar
dst
hedoor
.“Sur
e
boy!”
Pri
ncereversedanddr
oveof
f.At
angwal
kedi
nsi
de
thehousejustashi
sphoner
ang.
Hesmi
led.“
Iassaboutt
ocal
l.Wej
ustar
ri
ved.
”
“
Youwer
etaki
ngt
ool
ong.Tr
avel
ledsaf
ely?
”
“
Yes.Iwi
lldr
opBat
angof
ftomor
row.Iam f
lyi
ng.
”
“Thankyou.Byt heway…Isuspecthehasa
gir
lf
riend.Iheardhi
mtalki
ngtosomeonet heot
her
day.Heobvi ousl
ynowknowsal ot.Canyoutal
kto
him?”
“
Yeah…”
“
Ican’taf
for
danotherchi
ld.He’
stooyoungt
oo.I
wanthimtofini
shschool
.”
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
ohi
m.”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Howi
sLomo?
”
“Shewokeupandcr i
edsomemor ebeforesl
eepi
ng
again.Shewil
lbef i
netomorrow.Iwast hi
nki
ng
whenIst ar
tmyr esi
denceprogram youtakeher
becauseIwon’thavetimetogiveherallthe
att
entionsheneeds.”
“
Yes.Icant
akeher
.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“Ithi
nkyoushoul dmoveon.I t’sgoingtobeyear s
ti
llIam donewi thschool .Youar egrowingold.You
shouldn’thavet owai tformewhenyoucanmove
on.Idon’tthinkIwantanot herchi l
d.Idon’tt
hi nkI
wantt ogetmar ri
ed.Thoset hi ngsar enotinmy
futurepl
ans.AndIcan’ tf ul
lyt rustyou.Ican’tbe
herewor ri
edi fyouar echeat ingornot .I
fyoucoul d
cheatinmypr esence, i
tmeansi nmyabsencei twi
ll
bewor se.Ican’ tbewi t
hamanIcan’ ttr
ust.Idon’t
seeourf utur
et oget herexpectusco- parenti
ng
Lomo.Idon’ tevent hinkIwi llgetoverwhat
happened.Idon’ tthinkyour eal lyloveme.Iknowa
manact sr i
ghtf orawomanhel oves.I
fyout ruly
l
ovedmeyouwoul dhavenevercheat
edonme.I
don’tbeli
evecheatingi
sami st
ake.Youmadea
choiceandcheat edonme.IknowIdeser vebetter
thantobeyoursecondbest .Ei
therway,Ilongtold
youIwoul dneverforgi
veyouifyoucheated.That
hasn’tchanged.Youshouldmoveonbecauseyou
andIar edone.”
“
Whodi
dyout
alkt
o?”
“
Rra?
”
“
Whodi
dyout
alkt
o?”
“
Noone,
Ijusthadt
imet
othi
nkt
hingst
hrough.
”
“Someonefi
ll
edyourheadwit
hallyouaresayi
ng.I
t
doesn’
tsoundli
keyou.I
sitt
hatl
ectureofyour
s?”
“
No,
Atang-
“
“Tellhim kareotsil
egonyelaomar ete.Iloveyou.I
f
Ididn’tyouwoul dknow.YouknowIl oveyou.I
woul dgiveanythingforyou.Iknowyoudeser ve
betterandIam goi ngtogiveyout hat
.Ar eyou
goingt oletsomeonewhoobvi ouslywantyout o
decideourf utur
e?Ofcausebecauseheknows
wher eIfuckedup, hewi l
lknowexact lywhatt osay.
Idon’tevenl i
kethatguy.Koor ehe’st aki
ng
advant ageofthis.Whyar eweevenl etti
nghi min
ourbusi ness.ImessedupbutIdi dn’tdoi tbecause
Idon’tloveyou.Ihavel ovedyouf orthel ongest
ti
menow.Il earntfrom mymi stakes…don’ tlet
someonedeci deforusbabe.Iwantyout ot el
lme
youdon’ tloveme…t el
lmeyoudon’ tlovemeandI
promi seyou,Iwi l
lstoptr
yingtof i
xus.Sayyou
don’tloveme…”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#75

At
angwal
kedt
ohi
sbedr
oom hol
dinghi
sphone.
“
Tal
ktome.War
eng?
”
“Idon’
ttr
ustyouespeci
all
ywhenyouar
ether
e
doingGodknowswhat ?
”
“
Whatwoul
dmaket
hingseasi
erf
oryou?
”
“
Iam her
eandyouar
ether
e,At
ang-
“
“
Dist
anceisnotexcuse,tel
lmewhatyouneedf r
om
metomakethingsbetterforyou.Avi
sitever
y
month?Doyouwantt hat?”
Shesnif
fed.“I
t’
stooexpensi
ve.Youar
ealready
spendi
ngal otofmoneyonus.Youdon’thavet
o
comeeverymont h.
”
“
Ok,
thenwhatdoyouwant
?”
“Iwanttobeabletotr
ustyouenoughnottoworry
aboutwhatyouaredoingwithwho.Iwanttoabl
eto
trustyouenoughtoknowyouwon’truntoanot
her
vaginabecauseyouarenothappywithme.”
“
Icanwor
kont
hat
.”
“Ial
sodon’tl
ikehowyoumakedeci
sionsonyour
ownwithouti
ncludi
ngme.”
“
Iwi
llwor
koni
t.
”
“Idon’
twantanotherchi
ld.Notnowanyways.I
don’twantt
obeanabsentmot her
.Iwantt
obe
thereformychi
ldren.
”
“Youcanstil
lbether
eforthem,evenifit
’snotf ul
l
ti
me.That’
swhenco- par
entingcomesin.I t
’sall
abouthel
pingeachother
,backingeachot her.You
arenotal
one.Iam notaabsentfather
.”
“Iknowbutschooli
sdemandi
ng.Maybei
n6year
s
orso.”
“
Lomowi
llbe9.
”
“Iwas9whenBat angwasbor
n.Wecanhavet
he
otheroneaf
tert
hat.”
“Babe…youknowhowlonel
yyouwereal
one.9
yearsi
salot
.Sheisgoi
ngtogetbor
ed.
”
“
Itur
nedoutf
ine.
”
“Canwecompr omiseabit
?Idon’tmindsteppi
ngup
andhel
pingwiththebaby.Icantakel
eaveandhelp.
Iwon’
tbotheryouaboutbabiesherefor
th.
”
“
Wenarrayouarenott
obetrusted.I
fitdoesn’t
wor
kout,Idon’
twantt
obeleftwitht
woki ds.Other
mendon’
tlikewomenwit
halotofkids.”
“MaybeIam aski
ngfortoomuchri
ghtnow.How
aboutwerevi
sitt
hisi
ssueinayear
?”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iam nothappyaboutyourf
ri
endshi
pwi
thyour
l
ect
ure.
”
“
Hei
smyment
or.
”
“
Ment orament
aramasepayaana?Whathasour
r
elat
ionshi
pgott
odowithyourdegr
ee?”
“He’
sal
soaf r
iend.WhenIhadnoonei
nmycor
ner
hewasther
e.”
“
Idon’
tli
kesuchf
ri
endshi
ps.
”
“Pul
ei sagoodfri
end.Agoodment or.Agood
l
ecture.Hehelpsmeal ot
.Hehashel pedmeal ot
more.Ineedhimi nmycorner.Hehasadegr eein
medicine.HeknowswhatIam t al
kingwhenIask
himtohel pme.Iam notgoi
ngtogetr i
dofhim
becauseyouinsecur
eandj eal
ous.Youdon’ teven
knowhi m.Heisagoodguy.Idon’ tcheati
n
rel
ati
onships.
”
Atangsighed.“Iam notcomf
ort
abl
ewi
thyour
fr
iendshi
pwi t
hhi m.
”
“
Youwi
llgetusedt
ohi
m.Myuncl
ecal
led.Hewant
s
t
oknowthewayforwardwit
hus.Idon’
twantt
oget
mar
ri
ed.Notnow.Iwantt
ogetmydegreefi
rst
.”
“
Iwouldneverst
opyouf
rom goi
ngaf
terwhatyou
want
.Youknowmebynow. ”
“
Iknow.Iwantyout
omar
ryadoct
or.
”
“
Areyour
eal
lygi
vingusashor
t?”
“
Thi
sist
hel
astchance.
”
“
Iloveyou,
Iloveyousomuch.
”
“Il
oveyoutoo.Youneversl
eptwi
thPear
l?Yousai
d
youdidn’
twhenwewer etoget
her
.Oryoudi
dafter
webrokeup?”
“
Babe,
canwej
ustmoveonf
rom t
his?
”
“
Yes.Af
teryouanswerme.
”
“
Whatar
ewegai
ningf
rom t
his?
”
“Kengosabategonkar
aba?(
Whydon’
tyouwantt
o
answerme?)
”
“Ij
ustdon’
twantust
okeepbr
ingi
ngheri
ntoour
conver
sati
ons.
”
“
Didyousl
eepwi
thheraf
terwebr
okeup?
”
“
Idi
dn’tsl
eepwit
hher.Babecanshej
ustr
emai
nin
t
hepastwhereshebel
ongs?”
“
Ijustwantt
oknow.Youdi
dn’
tsl
eepwi
thher
?”
“
Idi
dn’
t.
”
“
Soyouneversl
eptwi
thher
?”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ineversl
eptwi
thher
.”
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
hen?
”
“
Iam notanswer
inganythi
ngthathasthepot
ent
ial
t
ohurtyouandtakeustenstepsback.
”
“Ij
ustwanttoknowwhatyoudi
d?I
fyouki
ssed,
just
saywekissed.
”
“
Iam notanswer
ingt
hat
.”
“Thatni
ght
…herper
fumewasal
loveryou.Whatdi
d
shedotoyou?
”
“IsaidIam notansweri
nganyofthat
.Canwestop
this?WhatIdidordidn’
tdodoesn’
tmatt
er.I
twasa
mi st
ake.OnethatIregr
et.
.MmagweLomo…
please.
”
“Di
dthefactthatIwasfatbot
heryou?Youknow
what…i
t’
sf i
ne.Ihavelostwei
ght.Ibel
ieveyou.Iam
goi
ngtobelieveyou.Youdon’thaveanyreasonto
l
ienow.Wear estart
ingover
.”
Hesatonhi
sbedt
houghtf
ull
ybutthenagai
ntel
l
ing
herwoul
dmeanmoredoubtandhurt…
“Ther
ewasnot hi
ngwrongwit
hyou.Itwasn’
tyour
bodyoranyt
hingoft
hatsort
.Imessedup.Itwasall
me.”
Thabi
sni
ff
ed.“
Ok.
”
“
Imi
ssyou.
”
Sheyawnedsl
eepy.“
Imi
ssyout
oo.
.Pl
easedon’
t
cheatonme.
”
“
Iwon’t
.Ihavel
ear
ntmyl
esson.Thammakeago
r
ata.
”
“
Ng…”
“
Babe…sowhat
’st
henameofyourl
ect
ure.Atl
east
l
etmegett
oknowhimtoo.
”
“
Pul
eKgosi
.He’
sni
ce.
”
“
Ober
ekakae?
”
“
GPH.
”
“
Doyouknowwher
ehest
ays?
”
“
Phase4.
”
“
Wher
einPhase4?
”
“
Iam notsur
e.Idon’
tknow.Why?
”
“
No…j ustcur
ious.Maybewecanal
lbefri
ends…I
t
hinkIneedaf r
iendl
ikehi
m.Adoct
orfr
iend.”
“
Ng…”
Heheldthephonetoherearl
ist
eni
ngtoherfal
l
asl
eep.Heli
stenedt
oherforawhil
ethenhangup
andcall
edhisfat
her.
“
Atang…di
dyougether
?”
Hesmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“Atl
east
,sowhatnow?Idon’
tli
kewhat
’s
happeni
ng.
”
“
Imessedup,Idon’tt
hinkourfami
lyshoul
dbehave
l
iket
hesai
nts.Thabididwhatshet
houghtwasbest
consideringhowweended.Idon’
twantherbei
ng
putagai nstt
hewallt
oanswerquest
ionsshecan’
t
answer .Wehaveadaughter
.NowIknowandIwi ll
stepupasaf at
herandasherman.Idon’
tto
pressureherint
oanythi
ng.
”
RragweAt angsi
ghed.“Iunderst
andbutt hereare
waysthingsaredone.Wej ustcan’
tignorethefact
ther
eisachi l
dthatwaskeptawayf rom us.Iknow
youloveherandyouwantyourf amil
ybackbut
whathappenedshouldbeaddr essed.”
“
IknowbutIdon’
twantherat
tacked.
”
“
Noonei sgoi
ngtoat
tackher
.Yourmot
herdoesn’
t
l
ikeheranymor
e.”
“
Iloveherandshei sgoi
ngtohavetomakepeace
wit
hit.Everyonei
sgoingtohavet
omakepeace
wit
hit.Ihavetotakecar
eofsomethi
ng.Wewil
l
t
alk.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Atanghungupthentookashowerandputonbl
ack
cl
othes.Heopenedhiswardr
obeandunl
ockedhis
safethent
ookourhisgun.Hesl
idi
tint
heinner
pocketofhi
sblackleat
herj
acketandwal
kedout
.
HelookedatBatangwhowaspr essi
nghi
sphonein
thesit
ti
ngroom.
“
Buddy,Iam goi
ngt
oseesomeone.Iwi
llbeback
l
ater
.”
“
Yahsur
e…”
Atangwal
kedoutt
henj
umpedinhisbrandnew
bl
ackmodifi
edFor
dRangerRapt
orandrever
sed
out.
Heputonhi
scapanddr
oveof
fheadedt
oGPH.

*
**

InTanzania,Kel
lywalkedwithAgangalongthe
beachsmi l
ingwhileheheldherhand.Thewind
blewherdressoverandoverexposingherthighs.
Shesmi l
edast heyapproachedthei
rbeach
l
aungeloungechairs.Shelai
ddownonher sunder
thebi
gyellowumbr el
la.
Agangl
ookedatt
hecur
lyhai
redl
adyhehadseen
att
hehot
elasshewal
kedpastt
hem i
napi
nkbi
kini
.
“
Doyour
emembert
hisl
ady?
”
Kel
lyl
ookedandf
rowned.“
No.Whoi
sshe?
”
“
Wewereintheelevat
orwi
thher
.Iam goi
ngt
otal
k
t
oher
.Iam coming.”
Hegotupandf ol
lowedher.Kell
ywat chedashe
caughtupwi t
hherandsai dsomet hi
ngt hatmade
herlaugh.Hecont i
nuedwalkingbywi thhertal
king.
Kell
ylaiddownwai ti
ngforhi
mt ocomeback.
Almostthir
tyminuteslat
erhewal kedbacksmi l
ing.
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ulr
ight
?”
Kell
ynodded.“
Shei
s.Shei
spr
ett
y.Wher
eisshe
fr
om? ”
“SheisSouthAfr
ican.Iam t
aki
ngheroutonadate
l
ateron.She’
ssobeaut i
ful
,okar
ePearlThusi
.”He
smil
edlyingdown.
Kell
ysmil
ed.“
Iam happyyoufoundsomeone.I
hopeyouarer
eadyforarel
ati
onshi
p.”
Agangl
ookedathersur
pri
sedatherr
eact
ion.“
You
knowIam.”
“
Ihopeshe’
sokwi
thmypr
esence.
”
“
Itol
dheryouar
emysi
ster
.”
Kel
lyl
aughed.“
Youshar
eabedwi
thyoursi
ster
?”
“MaybeIam sleepi
ngonthecouch.Shedoesn’
t
knowweshar ethebed.
”
Kel
lyl
ookedathim andlaughedmore.“
Youaref
ull
ofj
okes.
”Shegotof fherl
oungerandgotont
opof
hi
m si
tti
ngonhisstomach.
Agangswallowedput
ti
nghi
shandsonherwai
stas
shelookedathi
m.
“Ineedyout ounderstandsomet hi ng…nnar raIam
l
over .WhenIl ove,Igiveitmyall.Maybet hat’
s
alwaysbeenmyweaknessbutIam l over.Ilove.I
makesur etolovewi t
hmyal l
.Igivei teverything.I
wantt obel ovedtoo.Tobeshownl ove.Tobe
cherished.Beputf ir
st..Iwanttor eceivethesame
l
oveIgi ve.Forsomepeopl eit’
st oomuch… Idon’ t
challengethem enoughIguess.Somepeopl ear e
afterhalfbakedlovet hatkeepsthem chasi ng.Iam
notthat.IgetcaughtandIgi veital lup.
”
Henoddedmut
e.
“Iknowyoubr oughtmeher etomakemej ealous
becauseobviousl yIf
eelacer
tainwayaboutyou
now.Iam nott hatpersonwhowi l
lgiveyouthe
reacti
onyouar ehopingtoget.Megoi ngcrazy..i
t’
s
notgoingtohappen.Iwantyout opr ovetomet hat
youar edeser
vingofmyl ove.
”Shel eanedcloser
andr ubbedherlipsonhis.Hi
sdickst i
rr
edinhis
pants.
“Showmewhyi thastobeyou.
”Shemovedherbut
t
backandsatonhisdickt
henmovedherwai
st
feel
ingi
tgethar
der.
“Orbett
eryet,
let’
sjustfuckandmoveon.Yout ook
usfortest
inglastweek,isi
tbecauseyouwantedt o
havesex?Noneedt oli
etomeaboutanyt hi
ng.Ican
giveyouwhatyouaf ter
…atthispointIwanti
ttoo.
Youhavebeenshowi ngmeyourdick,Iam cur
ious
now.”
“Iwantyoutobemygi rl
.Iam fal
li
ngi
nlovewi t
h
you…withthepersonyouare.Iwanttobeina
properr
elat
ionshi
pwithyou.It
’snotj
ustsex.Ido
wantt
ohavesexbutIwantmor
ethant
hat
.”
Shelookedinhiseyesandt ouchedhisfacethen
ki
ssedhim.Shet ouchedhischestashishear t
pounded,hi
sdickgetti
nghar der.Hesqueezedher
waistf
eeli
ngherwar m pussyrightonhisdick.The
beachshortshehadondi dn’thelp.
Shepausedandlookedathi
m hel
plessface.She
movedherwaistagai
nrubbi
nghernowt hrobbing
p*ssyonhi
m.Hegr unt
edclosi
nghiseyesslightl
y.
Shemovedherwai
stagai
n.Heshi
ver
edgr
unt
ing
agai
n.
“
Fuck!
”
Hisshort
srodeoverexposi
nghi
sdick.Shefel
titon
hermoistpant
iesandmovedagai
nmoani ng.
Shelower
edthei
rumbrell
at ohi
dethem.Atang
movedhishandstoherbreast
.Herpussythrobbed
moreassheconti
nuedrubbingher
selfonit
.The
soundshekeptmaki
ngmadeherdr ipevenmor e.
Sheputherhandbet
weenherlegsandshi
ft
edher
pant
ytothesidet
henrubbedherfl
eshonhi
s.She
closedhereyesatt
hepleasur
e.Shecoul
dn’t
rememberthelastt
imeshehaddonet hi
s..i
thad
beenmor ethanayearandherbodycoul
dn’thel
pit
.
Theycont
inuedhumpingmoaningandgrunti
ng
undert
hei
rumbr el
ladr
ivi
ngeachotheri
nsane.
Aganggroanedlift
ingherup, sheheldhisdi ck
upri
ghtandslowlyloweredher selfonit,
shepaused
half
wayashest retchedherwal ls.Agangclosedhis
eyespushinghimselfingruntingast hepleasure
weakenedhim mor e.Kel
lylookedathi mf eeli
ngbit
deepinsi
de,herpussysqueezi nghim.
Hesqueezedherwai sthar
der.Hisdi
ckjerked
i
nsideher,
Kellygaspedthenclosedhereyes
spasming,herp*ssyclampi
nghisweapon.Hehel d
herhi
pseasinghi sweaponoutthensli
dbacki n.
Shemoanedi nhisearcreaminghisdi
ck.
Agangcursedgivi
ngheronemorest r
okethenhel
d
herinpl
acecummi ng.Weeksofhi
scum fil
ledher
canalwhi
leheletoutarest
rai
nedgroan.
Kell
ylai
dherheadonhischestwi
thasi
gh.Agang
wrappedhi
sarmsaroundher.
“Iwantmor
e…mor ethant
his.Iwantyou.It
hinkI
am i
nlovewit
hyou.”
Kel
lysmi
ledr
emai
ningst
il
lont
opofhi
m.

*
**

AtGPH,
Atangsmi
ledatt
her
ecept
ioni
st.
“
Hi…”
Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
ledback.
”Dumel
ang…”
“Iam her
etoseeDr.Kgosi…Ihaveadel
iver
yfr
om
him..f
rom Ret
habi
leDaniel
.”
“
Letmei
nfor
m hi
m.”
Shepickedt
hephoneandcal
ledhi
m.Shel
ookedat
Atang.
“
Youknowwher
ehi
sof
fi
cei
s?”
“
No.
”
Shedi
rect
edhi
m smil
ing.At
angsmil
edbackand
wal
kedawayheadedt
ohi sof
fi
ce.Heopenedt
he
doorandwal
kedi
n.
Pul
elookedathi
m.“
Hi.
.”
Atangcl
osedthedoorandl
ookedar
oundt
heof
fi
ce.
“Yourof
fi
ceisni
ce.”
Pul
efr
owned.“
Whoar
eyou?
”
At
angsmil
ed.“
Sor r
y,If
orgott
ointroducemyself.I
am At
angDani
el.Youaremywi f
e’snewf r
iend.
”
Pul
esmi
rked.“
Youar
eher
etot
hreat
enme?
”
Atangtookouthisgunthencockedi
tandpoint
edi
t
athim.“No.Iam her
etobuil
dfri
endshi
p.Di
dshe
tel
lyouthatIki
llf
orali
ving?
”
Pul
elookedatthesi
lenceronthegunand
swal
lowedkeepingabraveface.“
Am Isupposedt
o
bescared?
”
Atangpull
edthetr
iggerandf
ir
ed.Pul
e'
sheart
skippedasthebul
letgr
azedhi
scoatgoi
ngthr
ough
hischairt
othewall.
“No.Idon’
tthi
nkso.Idon’
tmi
ss.Iam t
rai
nedt
o
nevermiss.
”
At
angwalkedoverandlookedatt
hehol
eont
he
wal
l.Het
urnedandlookedatKgosi.
“
Iam notabadperson.It
hinkyouaregoodperson
t
oo.Ihateshoot
inggoodpeople.Seeyouar
ound
f
ri
end.”
Atangsal
utedhim andwal
kedoutputt
inghisgun
backinhisi
nnerpocket
.Heunl
ockedhiscarand
j
umpedi nasanursewalkedi
nfrontofthecar
smili
ng.
Atangsi
ghedthenst
art
edhi
scaranddr
oveof
fli
ke
hedidn’
tseeher.
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#76

I
nShakawe,
Elangser
vedt
hel
astf
atcaket
oa
studentandsmi l
ed.I
tseemedf at
cakesandf r
esh
chipsweresell
ingmoret hananyt
hingelse.She
packedupeverythingthathadremainedandstood
upf r
om bri
cksshehadpi ledi
ntoastool.
Far
aipar
kednextt
oherr
oll
ingdownhi
swi
ndow.
“
Hey,
canIdr
opyouof
fathome?
”
“
Yes.Pl
ease.
”
Shegotinthecarandputherbagonherl
ap.
“Thankyou.
”
Far
aismi
leddr
ivi
ngof
f.“
Howwasi
ttoday?
”
“Betterthatyester
day.St
udent
slikefatcakesand
freshchi psalotmore.Tomorr
owIam goi ngto
comei nthemor ni
ngandlat
erduringtheday.I
thinktheybuymor ei
nthemorning.”
“
Theydo.Youar
edoi
ngwel
l.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Helookedatherandsmi
led.“
Whoknewyouwoul
d
eversel
lfatcakes.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Lif
e…i
jo.It
houghtaf
tervar
sit
yI
woul
dimmediat
elygetaj
ob.Gett
owor
k…Ihadso
muchhope.
”
“Unempl oymenti sever ywher e.Ithi nkweal lt
hi nk
aftervar si
t y,wewi llgetjobsandenj oylife.Af terI
gotmydegr eeIt houghtt hisisit.Iam goi ngt oget
myof ficej obandwearsui ts…wher e?Iwasi nZi m
then.Li fegotsohar dthat ’
swhenmybr othercame
toBot swana.Heusedt obeagar dener .Ir emai ned
behi nd, Iwasst ayingwi t
hmyuncl e.I twashar df or
himt oosoIbecameaconduct oratt her ank.You’ d
bar elygetanyt hing…It urnedt oat hief.Ipi ck
pocket ed, Iwasatast agewher eIf i
nanci ally
under st oodwhypeopl est eal
.Irai sedenough
moneyt ogether e.Idi dn’thaveapasspor t.AllI
knewwast hatIam goi ngt oGabor one.Mybr ot her
stayedi nat inyr oom wi t
hf ourot hermenandhe
wassl eepi ngont hef l
oor .That’swhenIl ear ntt hat
bringhungr yisal uxur y.Wewoul dwal kfr om
Mogodi t shanet oBusr ank. ”
“
Youar
elyi
ng!
”
Far
ailaughed.“
Iam t
ell
ingyou.I
twashard.That
’s
whatunemploymentdoesbutyoukeepgoing
becauset
hewor
ldneverpr
omi
sedyouanyt
hing.
”
“
Atl
eastyoumadei
tnow.Wher
eisyourbr
other
?”
“
Makingcoff
ins.He’
sdoi
ngwel
l
.Hemakesot
her
t
hingst
oo.”
“
Iam happyforyou.Ir
ememberwhenyouusedt
o
l
ookdir
tyinyourfl
ipfl
opsdr
ivi
ngt
hatol
dcar.
”
Far
aismiled.“
Lif
e…”Hepar
kedt
hegat
e.“
That
’s
j
ustli
fe.
”
“
Somet
imesIwi
shIchosemedi
cinel
ikeThabi
.,
”
“
Why?
”
“Shemadeagoodchoi ce.Shewillneverbe
unemployed.AndIwoul dnevergetcompar edt
o
hereverywhereItur
n.Nowi magineIam
unemployed,notadoctorandIam backi nm
parent
’shouse.”
“Wearedif
ferent
.Thabii
sThabi
.Youar
eyou.Your
successwi
llneverbethesame.
”
“
Yeah…t
hankyouf
ordr
oppi
ngmeof
f.
”
Hesmi
ledandnodded.Shest
eppedoutandwal
ked
i
nsidethegate.El
angtur
nedandwaved.Hewaved
backthendroveoff.

*
**

Zazasteppedoutofhercarstar
ingatt
hepictur
es
BatanghadpostedonFacebook.Shepausedatt he
sel
fiehetookwit
hThabi,Atangandali
ttl
egirl
.She
zoomedi nthepi
ctur
eandlookedatthechil
d.
Sheunlockedherdoorandwal
kedingoingtoher
WhatsApp.Shecall
edThabiwi
thvoicecal
lclosi
ng
thedoor.
“
Zaza…”
“
Youhaveachi
ld?
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Yes.
”
“
Wow!Andyouhi
dher
?”
“
Aiimma…”
Zazal
aughed.“
Atangmustbehappy.
”
“
Hei
s.”
“
Soyouguysar
ebackt
oget
her
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Atl
easthel
ovesyou.Iam happyf
oryou.What
’s
hername?”
“
Lel
omo.
”
“That’
snice.Iam happyf oryou.Hopefull
ythere
won’tbeanycheat ingscandalsagain.Iam sti
ll
disgust
edt hattheyallsl
eptwithherthoughIhad
forgi
venAgang.Iknewaf tert
hethreesome.Ididn’
t
askhim anything.Ijustf
orgaveit
.Ishouldhave
asked.”
“
Thr
eesome?
”
“Theonewi thPearl
.Whathur t
smei sthatt
hey
sleptwit
hherwhi l
eImour nedmyson.Thedayhe
wasbur ied.Ialwayst houghtPrincewasthebet
ter
onebuthewaspar tofi t
.Theyallhadsexwitht
hat
woman.I fyouhadr eadt hosemessagesinthei
r
group,youwoul dhavedi edIam tel
li
ngyou.Iwi
sh
yout ol
dme.Whydi dn’tyoutel
lme? ”
“Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.At
ang
sleptwi
thher
?”
Zazapaused.“
Yes,
isn’
tthatwhyyoubr
okeup?
”
“
Iti
sbuthedeni
edsl
eepi
ngwi
thher
.”
“
Waaka!Hedeni
edi
t?”
“Yes,
Isawhim ki
ssi
ngheratthemall.Hetol
dme
shewashiscousi
nandsai dIwascrazy.Lat
ert
hat
dayhecomesbacksmel l
ingli
keher
.Butitwas
befor
eyourson’
sdeath.
”
“
Atangistheonewhofoundher.Hewassl eepi
ng
wit
hherbefor
eAgangandPr i
ncethenitseems
t
heyallmetupandfuckedher
.Together.Andit
wentonforadayortwo.”
“
Ij
o,kemat
hat
a.(
It
’sapr
obl
em.
)”
“
Sohe’
sbeendenyi
ngi
t?”
“
Yes.Ai
iit
’sapr
obl
em.Iam sor
ryyouwentt
hrough
t
hat
.”
“Yeahbutatl
eastAtangl
ovesyou.He’
sbeensingl
e
allt
hist
ime.Enemmaher egret
sit
.Andnowyou
haveachil
dtogether
.Youtwohavear easont
ofix
t
hings.
”
“
Howar
ethef
uner
alar
rangement
sgoi
ng?
”
“Well
.Wearegetti
ngwhat everashesofhertheygot
.
NnaIam justgoi
ngt odi
gahol eandt hr
owher
i
nsidethenmoveonwi thmyl if
e.Koorethatwoman
doesn’
tdeserveadigni
fi
edf uneral
.”
Thabi
laughed.“
Don’
tsayt
hat
.”
Zazal aughed.“Iam tell
ingyou.Iam notpayi
ngfor
asi nglethi
ng.Iam put t
ingherinaplasti
cand
throwingheri nahole.Iam prayingsheisburni
ng
i
nhel l.Atleastshel
ef tthatpl
ot.Iam sel
li
ngi
tke
rekekol oi
.”
“
Mydaught
eri
sawake,
Iwi
ll
cal
lyoubackl
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
Thabihungup.Zazat
ookoffhershoesthengoi
ng
thr
oughtheweddinggownsherfri
endhadsenther
.

*
**
I
nBost
on,
ThabigaveLomoabot
tl
eofj
uice.
“
Sitdown.
”
“
Iwantdaddy…”
Thabilookedatherandsighedt
henvideocal
led
Atang.Hisphonerangforawhil
ethenhepicked
smili
ng.
“
Hey…”
“
Hi,
Lomowant
stot
alkt
oyou.
”
Shehandedt hephonet oher.Lomosmil
edstar
ing
atherf
atheront hescreen.Thabiwal
kedawayas
theyst
art
edchat ti
ng.Shesatonherbedthen
openedherlaptopthoughtful
ly.
AwhileLomowalkedoverwi
ththephonesmi
li
ng.
Shehandedhermothert
hephoneandcli
mbedon
thebed.
Thabil
ookedatAtangandsi
ghedcal mly.“
Ispoke
toZazaandsheaskedmewhyInevert ol
dher
aboutPearlwhenIf
oundout.Iam notsureifI
real
lywantyoubackanymor
e.Youar eal i
ar.Igave
youachancet obeopenwi
thme.Tobehonestbut
youst
il
lchoset
oli
e.Idon’tknowwhatyout
hinkof
meAtangbutIam notst
upid.”
“
Iam sor
ryIl
iedbutIj
ustwantust
omovepast
t
hat
.”
“
Youwantust
omoveonwi
thyourl
ies?
”
“
Babedidn’
tIpayenoughf
ormysins?Idi
dn’
twant
t
osayitbecauseIknewwhati
twoul
ddo.”
“I
’drat
heryoukil
lmewi t
ht het
rut
hthanl
ietomet
o
prot
ectme.Ijustcan’
tbel
ieveyoual
lsl
eptwit
h
her.
”
“Isleptwit
hheronce.Ididn’tsl
eepwithhert
hat
night.Iswear.I
tdi
dn’
tmeananyt hi
ng.Pl
easedon’
t
breakupwi thme.That’
st heonlyIl
iedabout
.”
Thabi
sighed.“
Pleasegoandshave.Youl
ookf
unny
wit
hallt
hatbeard.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Eemma.
”
“
Ist
her
eanyt
hingel
seyout
hinkIshoul
dknow?
”
“
No.Ipr
omi
se.That
’sal
l.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
lll
ett
hissl
ip.
”
“
Thankyou.Il
oveyou.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Lomosmi
led.“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oopr
incess.
”
Lomot
ookt
hephonet
aki
ngovert
heconver
sat
ion.

*
**

InZanzibar
,lat
erintheevening,
Agangwalkedout
ofthebathr
oom af t
ertaki
ngashowerthenlooked
atKell
ywhowasl yi
ngont hebedholdi
ngherphone.
Shesenthermot heramessaget henswit
cheditof
f.
Agangl
ookedather
.“Youspoket
oher
.”
“
Yes.Ihavesentamessage.
”
Hetookthephonefr
om herandputi tawaythengot
ontopofher.Heki
ssedherget t
ingbet weenher
thi
ghs.Agangtookoffhernightdressandkissed
hersqueezi
nghersmallbreast
s.
Shechuckl
ed.“
Ammeot
lakgona?
”
Hel
aughed.“
Oncewehaveachi
ldt
heywi
llgr
ow.
”
Kel
lylaughed.“
Ift
heydon’
tgr
owt
henwear
egoi
ng
t
ofight.
”
Hesmiledthenki
ssedherneckt aki
ngoffhi
st owel
.
Hemovedhi swai
stslidi
ngupanddownherwetsl i
t.
Shemovedherwai stunderneathhi
mimpatientl
y,
Agangsli
dhishandunder neathherwai
stand
#removed.

*
**

ThatsamenightElangl aidonherbedl ooki

ngat
Batang’
sFacebookpi ctures.Shestaredatt
hechild
i
nt hepi
ctur
esimmedi atel
yconnectingthedots.
Shelookedatal
ltheirhappyt ofaces.Herfacegot
sourasshescrol
ledt hrough.Shewentonher
WhatsappandtextedThabi .
Elang:Ican’
tbel
ieveyoutookbackt
hemanwho
cheatedonyou.Hei sgoi
ngtocheatagai
nthen
gi
veyouanotherchi
ld.I
t’
sgoi
ngt oendi
ntear
s.
Youareyetgoi
ngtocryIam t
ell
ingyou.
Herphoner
ang, shel
ookedatt
heunsavednumber
cal
li
ngandpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi…i
t’
sFar
ai…”
El
angsmi
led.“
Hi.Wher
edi
dyougetmynumber
?”
“Il
onghadi
t.Iam sur
pri
sedyoust
il
lhavet
hesame
number.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ineverchanged.
”
“CanIcomepi ckyouup.Themoonisout
,it
’s
beauti
fulatt
heriveronni
ghtswhent
hemooni s
out.
”
El
angsmi
led.“
Yesyoucan.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hehungup.Shegotof ft
hebedandqui ckl
yputon
adr essandfl
ipfl
ops.Herphonevibr
atedmi nut
es
l
ater .Shet
ookitoutandhurr
iedoutusi
ngt hesmall
gate.
Shej
umpedi
nhi
scarsmi
li
ng.
“
Hi…”
Farail
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Hey…Igotussome
snacks.
”
Hedroveof
fheadedt
obetheri
verthenparked
under
neat
hwhatusedtobeThabi
’sfavor
it
espot.
Farait
ookoutt
hesnacks.El
angsmi
ledst
ari
ngat
theri
ver.
“
Thankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngme.
”
Far
ail
ookedathersmi
li
ng.“
Youar
ewel
come.
”

*
**

InBoston,Thabi
’sheartpoundedasshewai tedfor
herfi
rstyearM.Dresultstoload.Theyslowl
y
cover
edherl apt
op’sscreen.Sheswallowedthen
l
ookedather4. 0GPA.Shescr eamedhappil
y
j
umpingupanddown.
FI
VEYEARSLATER.
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#77

FI
VEYEARSLATER

I
nGaborone,Atangt
ri
edontheweddingsl
imfi
t
t
uxedostandi
nginfr
ontoft
hemirr
or.Hefi
xedhis
t
iethensi
ghed.
Bothoknockedonhi
sdoorandspokesof
tl
y.
“At
ang…”
Atangwal
kedt
othedoorandopened.Hel
ookedat
her.
“
Yeah?
”
“
Lomohasst
art
ed.Shei
snott
alki
ngt
ome.She
saysshewant
stot
alkt
ohermom.
”
Atangsi
ghed.“
It
’sok.Iwi
llhandl
eit
.Youcanpacj
herbag.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bothowal
kedtotheki
tchen.At
angwalkedt
ohis
daught
er’
sroom t
henknockedbef
orewalki
ngi
n.He
l
ookedathersi
tt
ingonherbedinonl
yherpant
y.
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandsatbesi
desheront
hebed.
“
Heypr
incess…”
Shet
ear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Whywon’
tyoucal
l
mama?”
“Youknowshei satworkri
ght?Sheisinthemiddle
ofsavingl
ivesri
ghtnow.Sheisdoinganoperati
on
andyouknowshei snotall
owedtobeonherphone.
Butifyouwantthepersonsheistr
yingtosaveto
die,
Icancallher
.ShouldIcal
lher?
”
Atearrol
leddownhercheek.At
angwipeditt
hen
r
eachedforherni
ghtgownandcoveredherwit
hit
.
Hepickedherupandplacedheronhisl
ap.
“
Iknowyoumi
ssher
.Iam notr
efusi
ngt
ocal
lher
,I
wouldcallherforyoueverysecondbutr i
ghtnow
sheiswor ki
ngsohar dsoshecancomeandl ive
here.Shemi ssesyoutoo.Shemi ssesyousomuch.
Assoonasshei sdone,Iwil
lcallherforyou.Ilove
you.”
Shesniffedinhisar ms,herarmsar oundhi
m.Atang
kissedherforeheadt henplacedheronthebedand
tookherschooldr ess.Hedr essedherupand
zippedherdress.
Het
ookoutherwhi
tesoaksandhel
pedherout
t
hem onbef
oreput
ti
ngonherschoolshoesonhi
s
f
oot
.
Hetookacombandherhairoi
ls.At
angputtheoil
s
i
nhairandcombedthel
onghairgentl
y.Het
iedthe
bunonthemiddl
eofherheadsmili
ng.
Lomogotof ft
hebedandl ookedathersel
fonthe
mirror
.Herbunwasnotstraightbutwhoknewt hat
!
Atanglookedati
t,i
tcoul
dbeasi depuff.That
workedtoo.
“
Doyoul
ikei
t?*
Shet
ouchedi
tsmi
li
ng.“
Yes.Butmybabyhai
rs
Daddy…doever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Lomo,
youknowIdon’
tknowt
hat
.Aunt
yBot
ho-
“
“
Idon’
tli
keher
.Shewant
stobemymom.It
old
mama.”
Atangpausedhol
dingt
hesmal
lbr
ush.“
Yout
old
yourmom what?”
“ThatAuntyBot
howantstobemymom andt
hat
shelikest
ogetcloset
oyou.
”
“
Andwhatdi
dmamasay?
”
“
Shesai
dokandt
hatIshoul
djustl
ist
ent
oyou.
”
Atangsi ghed.“AuntyBot hoisnother et orepl
ace
yourmom Lomo.Ther ei snoneedt odisli
keher
whenshei sonlytr
yingt ohel
pyou.Shewant sto
maket hingseasierforyoubyhel pingyou.Ihave
seenhowyout reather,youaregr ownnowLomo.I f
youdon’ tlikeAuntyBot hothenit’
sj ustgoingtobe
justyouandI .Youwi l
lhavetost artreall
yworking
aroundt hehouseandcookt oo.Ican’ tdo
everythingsowehavet osharethedut i
es.Youwill
havet ost artal
sowashi ngandi r
oni ngtohelpme. ”
“
ButIcan’
twash.
”
“Youdon’twantAuntyBothowhodoesitf
orus
meaningyoudon’tminddoingwhatshedoes.
.you
aregoingtohavetostar
tcooki
ngtoo.
”
“
ButIdon’
tknowhowt
ocook.
”
“Idon’
tknowwhatyouwilldobutyouwi
llneedt
o
cook.Youdon’
tli
keAuntyBothowhodoesthat
ri
ght?Youwil
lhavetodoit.
”
Tearsfi
ll
edLomo’
seyes.“
Idon’
tknowhowt
o
cook.”
“Thenyouar egoingtost opwi t
hyouratti
tude.I
don’tl
ikeit
.Youar egoingtor espectAuntyBotho
assomeonewho’ shelpingus.Idon’tknowwher e
yougett otellyourmot herthethingsyoutellher
butmaybet hat’
swhyshewon’ tcomethisside.”
Lomosni
ff
edast
ear
srol
leddown.
“Aunt
yBothoisjustdoi
ngherjob,shei snott
ryi
ng
tobeyourmother,shei
str
yingtohel pyoubutfeel
freet
ostar
twashingyourowncl othes,i
roni
ngyour
ownclot
hes,cookyourownf ood,cleanand
everythingelse.Ifnotyouar egoingtoshowBot ho
ther espectsheneeds.Youar egoingtobeagood
girl
,awel lmanner edgir l
.IfIcatchyoubeing
disrespectfultoher,youar egoingt ost
arthelpi
ng
your sel
f.Ireall
ydon’tlikeyourbehavior.Youare
rudeanddi srespect
ful.Idon’tknowwhot aughtyou
thatbehaviorbutIdon’ tlikeit.
”
Lomoputherhandsonherf
acecr
ying.“
Ijustwant
mama.”
Atangtookadeepbreathinthenwal
kedt oherwi
th
thebrushandgel.Hedidherbabyhair
sthenput
everyt
hingaway.Helookedatherf
acethen
grabbedasmalltowelandwipedhetearsaway.
“
Youar
erunni
ngl
atet
oschool
.Comeandeat
.”
Hepickedherupandwalkedtothesit
tingroom
wi
thher.Heputheronthedini
ngtable.Botho
wal
kedoverwithherpl
ateandputitbeforeher.
“
Herbagi
spacked.
”
Atangl
ookedathi
sdaught
erassher
eachedf
ort
he
spoon.
“
Whyar
eyounotsayi
ngt
hankyou?
”
Bot
hol
ookedathi
mthensmi
led.“
It
sok-
“
“
Lel
omo!
”
Herl
ipsshookasherl
ipscur
vedt
ear
ful
ly.“
Thank
you.
”
BotholookedathersadlyasLomo’
st ear
sroll
ed
down.Shewi pedthem awaywit
hthebackofher
hand.Herlit
tl
ehandshookassher eachedforthe
spoon.
“
Letmehel
phereat
.”
At
angangr i
lyl
ookedather
.“Youwantt
ofeedan
ei
ghtyearold?
”
Bot
hoswal
lowedathi
sangr
ytone.“
Ijustwantt
o
hel
p.”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.Shecaneat
,shehashands.
”
Lel
omosl
owl yat
ewhilewipi
ngawayhertear
s.
Minut
esl
atershegotupandgotherpackedbag.
Atanglookedather
.“Youdi
dn’
tpackt
hatbag
yoursel
f.
”
Lomot
ear
ful
lyl
ookedatBot
ho.“
Thankyou.
”
Bot
hosmi
led.“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Atangwalkedt ohisbedroom andcamebackwi th
hiscarkeys.Theywalkedoutt ogether.Shegotinat
thebackasAt angjumpedi nont hedriver’
sseat.
Bothopressedt hegat
er emotekeys, t
hegat esli
d
openthenAt angreversedout
.Hej oinedther oad
anddroveof fheadedtotheschool.
Helookedathi
sdaught
ert
hroughtherear
view
mir
ror.Herr
eddi
sheyesmadehim sad.Heparked
t
hecaratherschool
.
“
Begood.
”
Shesni
ff
ed.“
Thankyou.
”
“Lomoyoucan’ thaveeverythi
ngyouwantbecause
youwanti tpr
incess.
”Het urnedt oher.“
Iam
disappoint
edinyourbehaviort owardsauntyBot ho.
Ididn’
tevenknowt hatyoucoul dbemeanandr ude.
Noteveryonewant stobeyourmom.Weknowyou
haveonemot her.Butthesepeopl eareonlytryi
ng
helpyou.AuntyBothoisjustlikeAuntyKelly.You
don’ttr
eatauntyKell
yrudely,why?Bot hoisonly
helpi
ngjustli
keauntyKell
y.Iwantyout
othi
nkof
yourbehaviort
oday.Whenyoucomebackf rom
school,
yourrudeatti
tudeshoul
dnotbether
e.Am I
cl
ear?”
Shesnif
fednoddi
ng.Hert
eacherwal
kedover
smil
ing.
“
Hel
lo…”
AtangsmiledasLomogotoutofthecarwit
hher
bagwhilesnif
fi
ng.Hert
eacherl
ookedatherthenat
herfat
her.
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.Byepr
incess…Il
oveyou.
”
Herl
it
tl
evoi
cebr
okeasshespoke.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shegreetedhert
eacherandwal
kedt
ohercl
ass.
Theteachersmil
ed.
“
Shoul
dIbeawar
eofsomet
hing?
”
“
No.She’
sfi
ne.Howi
sshedoi
ng?
”
“Shei
sabr i
ll
iantst
udent
.Ver
ysmartandfri
endly.
ButIhavebeenpicki
ngsometinyt
hingsf
rom her.
I
shermot
hert
her
e?”
“
Yes.Butshei
snother
ewi
thus.Shel
ivesabr
oad.
”
“It
hinkherabsencei
shavingsomeeffect
sonher.
Wedi danexerci
seafewdaysback.Somethi
ng
aboutmoms.Andsher ef
usedbecauseshesaidher
mom doesn’tl
ikeher
.”
Atangswal l
owed.“Hermot heri
sstudyingmedici
ne
i
nHar vard.She’
salwaysunderpr essureandbusy.
Wedogett ovi
siteveryholi
daybutbecauseofher
shif
ts,shedoesn’tgettoseeherasof t
enasshe
wantsandwhenshedoes, i
t’
sbri
efbutwewi l
lwork
onit.
”
“Ok…butwecanwor ktoget
her.AsmuchasIam
onlyateacher
,Iam Lomo’sparentatschool
.Ican
giveyouahand.Tryfindwayswecanr ai
sea
beauti
fulni
cegir
l.Ihavetogo.Bye!”
Sheturnedandhurr
iedtoherclassi
nherheels.
Atangdroveofft
henlookedattheti
meandcal l
ed
her.Hi
sheartski
ppedast hecal
lwentt
hrough.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey…ar
eyouhome?
”
“
NotyetbutIam knocki
ngof
f.
”
“
Soyouar
est
il
lnotcomi
ng?
”
“
It
sal
readyt
oolat
eAt
ang.Theweddi
ngis
t
omor
row.Whatti
mewoul
dIhavearr
ived?
”
“Youdon’
thavetoj
ustcomef orthewedding.You
cancomeforus.Wemi ssyou.Lomomi ssesyou.”
Hetookadeepbreat
h.“Ineedyou.Ourdaughter
needsamom. ”
“At
angwhatshouldIdo?Ijustcan’tupandleave.I
am doi
ngmysecondyearr esi
dent.It’
shar
d.Iwant
tobether
ebutci
rcumstanceswon’ tall
owit
.”
“Lomowant syouratt
enti
on.Sheneedsyourl
ove
andIcanseeshe’ sdoi
ngeverythi
ngtotr
yandget
whatevershecan.Iam notevensurei
fIam r
aisi
ng
herri
ght.If
eelli
keIam fai
li
ngher.”
Thabisighed.“
Thisi
swhyIdi dn’
twantt ohavekids
backthen.YouseenowIseem l i
keani ncompetent
parent
?Shepr obabl
ythinksIdon’
tcareabouther.I
workti
relessl
y.Iam al
waysoncall.Ican’taf
for
dt o
missanythi
ng.That’swhyIhadsai difyouwantto
moveon, moveon.Idi dn’
texpecti
ttowork.Idon’
t
sofeelfr
eetofi
ndsomeoneel sewhocanl oveyou
andgiveyoueverythingyouneed.Becauseit’
snot
meatt hemoment .
”
“
WhataboutLomo?Shoul
dsheal
sof
indamom?
”
“Si
ngleparentsnevercomplain.Theydoever yt
hing.
Whycan’tyoubehermom?Ineverf el
tmyf at
her’
s
absencebecausemamawor kedhardt oalsobea
fat
hertome.Youar enotevent ryi
ngAt ang.Youare
j
ustleavi
ngt hatgapopenknowi ngthatIam unable
tofi
lli
tatthemoment .Yousai dparenti
ngwas
aboutassist
ingeachother
.Assi stme.Ineedyour
assi
stance.”
“Acallwon’thur tyou.Justacallt
ocheckonher .I
f
Idon’tmattertoyou, fi
ndbutdon’tyouthinkLomo
deservesal i
ttl
ef r
om youbecauseyouar ethere
andsheknowsi t …asimpleVNsoshehear syour
voi
cewon’ ttakeanyt hi
ngf r
om you.Justyou
checkinguponher .Iam suresheiswilll
oveit.
Anything…asl it
tleasitcanbe.Maybej ustyou
sayi
ngyoul oveher .
”
“
Isshet
her
e?”
“
Shei
satschool
.”
“
Ok…Iwi
lldoaVN.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Il
oveyou.It’
snott hatIdon’
t.Ido.ButIam f
ail
ing
you.Iknowit’
snotf air
.Iwantyout obehappy.
Evenifit
’snotwithme.Thehospi talIam wor
kingat
i
sagoodhospi t
al.Theypaywel lonceyouarenow
arealdoctor
.Iwast hi
nki
ngof …sett
li
ngonceIam
done.Maybet henIcant akeLomo.She-”
At
angcutt
hecal
landswal
lowed.
.
.
.
.
Apol
ogi
es,
Idosedof
f.
Your
sTr
uly
#78
InL.
A,Thabiwalkedoutoft
helockerr
oom al
ready
changedholdi
ngherhandbag.Anursewal
kedpast
hersmil
ing.
“
ByeDr
.K!
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Bye.
”
Shewal
keddownt
hecor
ri
dorgoi
ngt
other
ecept
ion.
“
Thabi
…”
Thabi t
urnedandlookedatherat
tendi
ngwalki
ng
over.Shetookadeepbr eat
hasheapproachedand
walkedwi t
hher.
“Youaredoingverywell
.Iam actual
lyhappyIgot
oneofthebestresident
sinmyt eam.Youare
defi
nit
elyswimmingwi t
hthesharks.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
ThankyouDr
.O’
Nei
ll
.”
“Youdidmarvelouslyontheoper at
ionyoudid
today,
wehavebeenobser vi
ngyouandyouhavei t
i
nyouDr .Harvard.Youhaveever yt
hinginyouto
getthi
s.Youarest art
ingthir
dyearsoon,meaning
youarenowaseni orresi
dent,youaregoi
ngtohave
thenewinter
nsshadowyou.Andno, Iam not
sayingyouar enowt hebestthi
ngaf t
ersli
ced
bread.”Het ur
nedtoherandsmi led.“Butyoucould
be.Youwi llst
il
lhavemewi thyoubutyouar egoing
tobeaf orceonyourown.Congr atulati
ons,Dr
.
Harvard.”
Thabismil
edhappi
ly.“
ThankyousomuchDr
.
O’Nei
ll
.Thankyou.
”
“No.Thankyourhardwor k.Youhavebeengear i
ng
the48hrsshift
sthepastweeks, youneedt
or est
.
Gohome, gotoyourdaughter.Whenyoucome
back,youareaseniorresident.IneedyoureadyDr.
Harvard.Ineedyoureadyt otakeover.”
Hewal kedpasttherecept
iongoingtotheri
ghtwi
ng
ofthehospi t
al.Thabiputherhandsonherface
happily.Oneofhercol l
eaguesrushedoverand
smiled.
“
Whatdi
dtoughguysay?
”
Thabi
smil
ed.“
Igettobewi
thmydaught
er.Iam
goi
nghome.Seeyou.”
Sherushedoutt
akingoutherphone.Shewent
onl
inechecki
ngforlat
enightf
li
ghts.Shet
wist
ed
herl
ipsst
ari
ngatt
he23:
05f
li
ghtl
.Shehai
leddown
acabandjumpedi
n.
Thabi tookoffhershoesandwal kedt oher
bedroom al r
eadybookingherfli
ghts.Shewenton
theairBotswanaf l
ight
sandsi ghednotf i
nding
anythingflyi
ngtoMaunf rom Gabor onetomorrow.
Shesmiledt
hencalledAtangbutt
hecal
ldi
dn’
tgo
thr
ough.Sheexci
tedlycal
ledBat
ang.
“
Thabi
…”
“
Hey,
areyouguysgoi
ngt
oget
hert
otheweddi
ng?
”
“Iwanttobutit
’sinKasaneandIhaveagroup
assignmentt
omor row.Idon’
twantt
odelayUncleA.
He’sleavi
ngtonightandIdon’
twanthi
mt ospend
mor emoneyonme.Hepai dmyrentl
astweekand
helpedmebuyf ood.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Hepai
dyourr
ent
?”
“Yes.Whenareyoucomi
ng?Hemi
ssesyou.Weal
l
doespecial
lyLomo.
”
“
Iam get
ti
ngint
hefli
ghttoni
ght
.Iwi
llar
ri
ve
t
omorrowint
heaft
ernoon.”
“
Yes!
”
Thabismiled.“Iwil
lcal
lyou.Maybewecango
toget
her.Iwillt
alktoZazasoshecanborr
owme
hercar.
”
“
Ok,Iwil
ltr
yandpusht
hegr
oupwor
kint
he
mor
ning.
”
“
Shar
p.Don’
ttel
lthem.
”
“
Cool
.”
Thabihungupandcall
edZazaget
ti
ngoffbed.She
openedhercl
osetandthr
ewsomeclot
hesont he
bed.
“
Dr.Kai
sar
a…”
Thabi
smiled.“
Hey,thammaIam comi
nghome.I
needacartoKasane.”
“
Youar
ecomi
ng?
”
“Yes.Myatt
endingj
ustrel
easedme.It
houghtIwi
ll
bewor ki
ngt
hroughout
.”
“
Ican’
twaittoseeyou.I
t’
sbeenyear
s.Bat
hong
wher
everAtangishecan’
tcont
ainhi
mself
.”
“Ididn’ttel
lhi m.Kanat hingshavebeent ense
betweenusl ately.Ihavebeent ell
inghi mtor eplace
mebecauseIdon’ tseehim beingpat ientformuch
l
onger .Ibar elygett i
mef oranythi
ng, youwoul d
thi
nkt hatmaybeIcanspar etenmi nut esbuti fIam
notatt hehospi tal,Iam casestudyingorIam att he
l
ibrary.OrIam oncal l
.It
’shard.WhenIgett hatt en
minut esofmyt ime…Idoseof fbecauseIam so
exhaust ed.Itgi veshi mtheimpr essiont hatIdon’ t
careandi t
’snotf aironhim.”
“
Eish,
Igetyouwai
tse.Medi
cinei
sdemandi
ng.
”
“Ithoughtitwouldbeawal kinthepark.But…next
yearismyt hi
rdyearasr esident
.Iwil
lbeaseni or
resident
.Andmaybeaf terthat,Icanfi
nishoffat
home.Iam sur eifIapplyt ofini
shoffmypr ogram
atoneoft hehospi t
alsbackhome, t
heywi l
lagree.I
am agener alsurgeon,Iam notspecial
izingsoi t
shouldbef ine.
”
“Iam sureAtangwouldlikethat.Menlikehim are
diff
icul
ttofi
ndThabi..onceyoul osehim,gett
ing
him againi
sdiff
icul
t.Totawef alli
nloveoncei nour
l
ifeti
me..pr
operpurelove.Idon’twantt ol
ietoyou,
asmuchasyouwantt ogett
hisdegr
eewit
h
ever
ythi
ngi
nyou,don’
tloseever
athi
ngel
sewhi
lest
i
t.Fi
ndyourbal
ance.
”
“Iam cominghome.Iwon’tbeabl etostartt
he
weddingwiththem butIwi
llfi
nishwiththem.Ilove
Atti
e…somet i
mesIgetdof rust
ratedtoo.Isaywhat
Idon’tmean.He’sbeensopat i
ent.Aft
ernextyear,
ketamonnelaJunior.”
Zazal
aughed.“
Maybemar
ryhi
mfi
rst
.Secur
ethe
man.”
Thabi smil
ed.“Getmarr
ied…wear
ehalfway
mar r
ied.Off
ici
ali
zingi
tisagoodi
dea.Pear
lot
okaa
tsayamonnawame. ”
“Mxm, haveyouseent hatKellyi
spr egnantagai
n?
Ebil
eshe’ sgetti
ngmar riedlooki
ngl i
keahippo.
KooreIwonderwhatshe’ sthi
nking.Whoonear t
h
getsmar r
iedl
ookinglikethat?Hernoset akesmost
spaceonherf ace,she’sfatanddar k.Koor
e
everythingisallovert
henshedeci deydtoget
married.”
Thabi
laughed.“
Youneedt
oheal
.”
“Iam f
inewithmyunhealedheart
.Ihat
et hem so
much.Ipraytheydivor
ce,t
otaIcan’
twaitti
llshe
fi
ndshim cheat
ing.KanaAgangisaseniorcheati
st!
IhopehehasAI Ds.”
“
Wedon’
tsayt
hatanymor
e.”
“
Mxm…anywho,
Ihopet
heydi
vor
ce.
”
Thabi
smil
ed.“
Wil
lyoubor
rowmeyourcar
tomor
row?
”
“
YesMr
sDani
el.
”
Thabimassagedhert
empl
esasherheadache
st
arted.
“
Iwi
llcal
lyouonceIl
and.Myheadhasst
art
ed.
”
“Ir
eadsomewher
ethatheadachesar
esympt
oms
ofbrai
ntumor
.Am Ipar
anoid?”
Thabilaughed.“Yes.Noteveryt
hingiscancer.Iam
notresti
ngenoughanddr i
nkingenoughwat er,
Iam
al
waysst ressed.Thatcontr
ibutest
oit.
”
Zazalaughedtoo.“
Iam cr
azy.Butyoushoul
djust
getchecked.
”
“
It
snotcancer
.Ial
wayscheck.
”
“
ThankGod.
”
“
Letmepack.Bye.
”
Thabiputdownt hephoneandgr abbedher
medicat
ion.Shef rownedl ookingatthealmost
emptycontainerthendr ankt wo,shethoughtof
Zaza’st
heory,shebr ushedi toff,
itwasthe48hr
shi
ftski
ll
ingherbutt hen, i
twaspar tofsuccess.
Shetooktwomor etosilencei tandstart
edpacki
ng.

*
**

InKasane,
lat
erthatday,
Kell
ylookedatherbig
noseonthemirr
orandsighedtearf
ull
y.Hercousi
n
smil
ed.
“
Yournosei
sfi
ne.
”
“I
tsbi
g.IwishIcanpost
ponet
heweddi
ng.Bat
ho
batsi
legontsega.
”
“
Theywon’
t,make-
upwi
llcoveri
t.
”
“
Ilookugl
y.”
Thecousi nlookedatt hebigfl
arednoset hatl
ooked
l
ikeitwast akingsomuchoxygenl eavingnothing
foreveryoneel se.Kel
ly’
sswolleneyesmade
everyt
hingwor seespecial
lyt
hatlayerofdarkness
onherf ace.Shet ookadeepbr eathtr
yingnotto
l
aughandsmi l
ed.
“
Youlookbeaut
if
ul.Youar
egl
owi
ng.Pr
egnancy
l
ooksgoodonyou.”
Kellylookedatherselfonthemirr
or,t
hebi gnose
beingt hefi
rstthi
ngshewasseei ng.Tearsfil
ledher
eyesasshet houghtofAgang’sbachelorpart
yt hat
wast onight.Hewasobvi ousl
ygoingtoseebet ter
l
ooki ngwomen.At earrol
leddown,shewi pedaway
witht hebackofherhandt hencall
edhim.
“
Babe…”
“
Areyoust
il
lgoi
ngt
oyourbachel
orpar
ty?
”
“
Yes,
why?
”
“Doyouthi
nkit
’samat
uredecisi
ont
ogoto
bachel
orpar
ti
eswhentomorr
owyouareget
ti
ng
mar
ri
ed?
”
“
Didn’
tyouhaveabr
idalshower
?”
“Iwasn’
tlooki
ngatnakedmenatit.Gape
somethi
ngi swrongwit
hthebaby.Canyoucome?
”
“Iwi
llcal
ladoctorforyou.Iam goi
ngtoenjoy
myselfli
keyouenjoyedyoursel
f.Il
oveyou.Iwil
l
seeyout omor
row.Iam switchi
ngoffmyphone.”
“
Ifyougot
othatst
upi
dpar
ty,
wear
edone.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Bye.
”
Hehungup.Kel lybrokedowncryi
ng,hergett
ing
evenmoreugl i
er.Hercousi
npressedherli
ps
toget
herstar
ingatherf i
ght
ingnotbur
stint
o
l
aughter.
Herphoner
ang,
shequi
ckl
ypi
ckedsni
ff
ing.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Kell
y’
sbestfr i
endspoke.“Kell
ymma, Imissedthe
5p.m bus.Ij
ustarri
vedfrom Jwaneng.Iam att
he
hi
kingspotbuteish…thammadon’ tyouhave
anyonecomi ngther
etoassistme?Iam st r
anded
now.”
“
Uh…l
etmet
alkt
oAgang’
sbr
other
.”
“
Mydanci
ngpar
tner
?He’
sst
il
lher
e?”
“
Yes.I
fhehasn’
tlef
tyet
,hecanhel
pyou.
”
Thef
ri
endgi
ggl
ed.“
Ok.
”
“
Hehassomeonei
nhi
sli
fe.Don’
ttr
yanyt
hing.He
i
sfai
thf
ul.
”
“
Idon’
ttr
yanyt
hing.Thankyou.
”
“Wai
tthere,
ifhehasn’
tlef
t,hewi
llcomeandpi
ck
youup.”
“
Ok.
”

*
**

InGaborone,atTaunghiki
ngspot,At
angstopped
thecar.Kel
ly’
sbestfr
iendwalkedoverwi
thher
overni
ghtbagandopenedt hebackdoor.
At
angturnedt
oherasBothoandLomowhower
eat
t
hebackseatl
ookedather
.
“
Jumpi
nont
hef
rontpassengerseat
.”
“
Ok.
”
Sheclosedt
hedoorandgotinatthefr
ontseat
.She
smil
edandspokequiet
lyasshelookedathi
m.
“
Dumel
ang…”
At
angl
ookedatherandsmi
ledback.“
Ekaebasi
?”
Let
tyl
aughed.“Imissedi
t.Iknockedof
fabi
tlat
e,I
wasinameeting.
”
“Bytheway,
that
’smydaught
er,
Lomoandher
nanny.”
Let
tyt
urnedt
othem.“
Higuys!
”
Lomol
ookedatherwi
thaf
rown.Bot
hosmi
led.
“
Hi.
”
Let
tyt
urnedbackt
oroadasAt
angj
oinedt
her
oad.
“
Thankyou.Idon’
tknowwhatIwasgoi
ngt
odo.
,
.”
“
It
’sok.Whoknewyouwoul
devergetst
randedwi
th
t
hewayyouaresoloud.
”
Let
tyl
aughed.“
Iam notl
oud.
”
“
Omodumo.(
Youar
enoi
sy.
)”
Atangdrovethroughthefi
ll
ingst
ati
onandpar ked
thecar
.Hisphoner angthenhesteppedoutholdi
ng
i
t.Thefuelatt
endantwalkedoverasthefor
eign
numbercalledhim.
“
Ful
ltank.
”
Thef
uelat
tendantnodded.“
YesBoss.
”
At
angwalkedr
oundt
hecarl
ooki
ngathi
swheel
s
t
henpi
cked.
“
Yah?
”
“
Hey…uhIbor
rowedaphone.Iam i
nLondon.
”
“
So?
”
“
I…Iam sor
ryforhowIspoketoyourhour
sback.I
wasoutofl
ineandjustt
ir
ed-
“
“Youknowwhat ?Iam sickandti
redofyoualways
beingthevict
im!Weallgetti
red,
Igett
iredt
oobutI
don’tt
alktoyouli
ket
hat .
”
“
Babe-
“
“
Idon’
tthi
nkIcancont
inuewi
tht
hisnonsense
anymore.Clearl
yIam f or
cingmyselfi
ntoyourl
if
e
andIam tir
edofal waysbegging.Iam f
edupof
al
wayschasi ngafteryou.Idon’
tthi
nktherei
s
anyt
hinglefttofi
ghtfor.”
“IknowIhavebeendiffi
cult.Butit
’snotbecauseI
don’tl
oveyou.Il
oveyou, Iam justunderpressure.I
wanttobethereforyouandourdaught erbutit
’s
hard.Youdon’
twantt ounderstand-“
“Ihavebeennothingbutunderstandi
ng.Youdon’
t
seetheimportanceofdoingthesmallthi
ngsfor
yourdaughter
.Youdon’tseet heneedoflovi
ngyour
owndaughter.”
“Ican’tbeful
lyinherli
fenowbecauseof
cir
cumst ances.At
tiei
t’
shard.Thi
swasoneofthe
reasonsIdidn’twantki
dsthen.Buti
tdoesn’
tmean
Idon’tloveher.
”
“Youareveryimmatureormaybeyouj ustdon’t
underst
andwhatbeingamot heris.Youar enoti n
herli
featall
.Asimplephonecallshouldn’thurtyou.
Thisisyourdaught
er.Thi
sisyourchild.ButIguess
thi
sistheresul
tsofgrowi
ngupwi t
houtaf ather.I
j
ustthoughtyouwouldwantbet terf
oryour
daughterbutthent
hisisyou.Youareallaboutyou.
Iam donewi t
hyou.Iwillgl
adl
yfindsomeoneel se
becausethere’
snofutureinyou.Thereneverwas.”
Hehungupandgotbacki nhiscarasthefuel
att
endantf
ini
shedup.Atangopenedhiswall
etand
handedhim mul
ti
pleP200notesthendroveof
f.Hi
s
phonerangagai
n.Hepickedannoyed.
“Youareangr y.Iunder
stand.Iwantbet
terf
ormy
daughterthat’
swhyIwor khard.Andmaybet hi
sis
theresul
tsofgr owingupwithoutafat
herbutIt
ry.I
l
oveyou, Iwishyouwoul dwalkami l
einmy-“
“
Wandistur
ber.Iam dr
ivi
ng.St
opcall
ingme,
the
wor
lddoesn’
trevol
vearoundyou.
.”
Atanghungupandswi t
chedoffhi
sphone.He
l
eanedbackonhisseat,hi
shandont hesteeri
ng
wheel.Hel
ookedathisphonewonderingifhehad
beentoohushbutthenhowmuchbeggi ngand
chasi
ngwashesupposedt odo?Whatki ndofa
rel
ati
onshi
pwast hat
?Lett
ylookedathispissed
faceandquiet
lyl
ookedoutthr
oughthewi ndow.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#79

Thef ol
lowi
ngdayear l
yinthemor ni
ng,Atangdrove
i
nKasane.Hel ookedatt heti
measl i
ghtdroplet
sof
rai
nf el
lonthewindshiel
d.HelookedatLet t
ywho
wassl eepi
ngthenturnedtothebackandl ookedat
hisdaughteral
sosleeping.Hesi
ghedt hendroveto
thelodgewhereKellywas.Heparkedbyt hegate.
“
Let
ty…”
Shesl
owl
ywokeupt
henl
ookedar
ound.Shesmi
led.
“
Wehavear
ri
ved?
”
“
Yeah…”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Yeahsur
e…”
“
Seeyoul
ater
.”
Henoddedandwat chedherst
epout.Atang
reversedanddr
ovetohispar
entshouse.Hedr
ove
throughinsi
det
hatgateandpar
kedbesideshi
s
brother.
Hesteppedoutofthecart
henopenedt
heback
doorandpickedhi
sdaughter
.
“
Bot
ho!
”
Bothosnappedhereyesopenthenyawned.Shegot
thei
rbagsandfol
lowedhiminsidet
hehouseasthe
showersofrai
nconti
nued.
MmagweAtangsmil
edasAt
angputLomowhowas
awakenowdown.
“Mybaby…”Shehuggedher.Atangki
ssedhis
mother’
scheekandwalkedtoAgang’
sroom.He
openeditandl
ookedathim sl
eepi
ngacrosst
hebed.
“
Agang!
”
Agangj
umpedwaki
ngup.Het
ouchedhi
shead.
“
Fuck!
”
“
Wakeup,
wanyal
ami
ster
!”
Aganggotof
fthebed.“
Whatt
imedi
dyouar
ri
ve?
”
“
Now.Youneedt
obat
h.Youar
est
inki
ng.
”
Agangnoddedr
ubbi
nghi
seyes.“
Didyout
alkt
o
Thabi
?”
“
Iam donewithher
.Iam movi ngon.Ihavebeen
wasti
ngmytime.IthoughtifIwasbeingpati
ent
wit
hherbutIam i
nt herel
ationshi
pal
one.”
Thei
rfat
herwal
kedi
nandl
ookedatAt
ang.“
Itol
d
you.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Yeah.
”
“Yourpr obl
em isyouarepushy.Shedoesn’ tlove
you,notenoughf oranythi
ng.Maybei fyouwer enot
pushy, youcouldhaveseenthat.Youhavewast ed
eightyearsoverawomanwhodoesn’ tevenlove
you.Somet imesloveisnoteveryt
hingAt ang.Alot
ofthingshavet omakeitwork.Nowatyourst age,
thegoali st
ofindsomeonewhounder standsyou
haveadaught er,someonewhocanl oveyour
daughterandt akecareofher.Yourgoalistof i
nd
someonewhocanl oveandrespectyou.Whocan
hel
pyouconquer .Weallhavebeeninlove,cr
azyin
l
ovelikeyoubutwhenyouunder standthatl
oveis
noteveryt
hing,
youwi l
lknowjustri
ghtwomanf or
you.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Ireal
lyl
ikedThabi
.”
RragweAt angnodded.“Idi
dtoo.Butwecan’t
al
wayshavewhatwewant .Goandbath.Obata
goredia.Youhiredayachtsowecanenj oyt
he
weddinginside.
.Idon’
twanttobedelayed.
”
Aganglaughedwal
kingout
.Rr
agweAt
angl
ooked
atAtangandsmil
ed.
“Youtr
ied.I
t’
stimetoletgo.Lomoneedsapr esent
mother.Youneedar ealwomanbyyoursi de.You
needanotherchil
d.Lomoi slonely.Iknowwher e
yourhearti
s…loveisaf unnythingmyboybut
someti
mesyouneedt ouselogic.”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“
Good.Wear
egoi
ngt
oenj
oyt
odayandcel
ebr
ate
yourbr
other
.”
Rr
agweAt
anghuggedhi
mtot
henwal
kedout
.

*
**

Themake-upart
istf
ini
shedworki
ngonKell
y’
sface.
Kell
yslowl
ytur
nedtothemirr
orandsmil
edstar
ing
athersnat
chednose.
“
Ilookbet
ter
.”
Themake-upar
ti
st.“
Itol
dyounott
owor
ry.Il
ooked
worsewhenIwaspregnant
.”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Idi
dn’tgetl
iket
hatwhenIwas
car
ryi
ngmyolderson.”
“
Thi
sonei
sagi
rl
?”
Kel
lyl
aughed.“
No.I
t’
saboy.Thankyou.
”
Lett
ywalkedoutofthebat
hroom alr
eadydr
essedi
n
herbestl
ady’
sdress.Shesmiled.
Kel
lysmi
ledback.“
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Kell
ylookedatherbestf
ri
end’
sbodyandsmi
led.“
I
can’
twaittogetmybodyback.”
“
Soon.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Let
tygott
hewhitegownandhel
pedherputi
ton.
Kel
ly’
smotherwalkedi
nandsmi
led.
“
Wow…”
Let
tyfi
xedthedressescapesmi l
ing.Shetookthe
vei
landpinnediti
nherbeauti
full
yst yl
edhair
.Kel
ly
putontheblockheel
sandtearful
lysmi l
ed.
“
Ilookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Hermot
herhuggedherf
rom behi
nd.“
Youar
e.”

*
**

Agangwalkedoutofthehousewithhisbr
other
al
mostoveranlater
,bothofthem i
nthei
rsli
m
f
it
ti
ngt
uxedos.
Oneoftheiraunt’
sulul
ated.RragweAtangwal ked
outandstoodbetweent heboysinhi
st uxedo
smil
ingast hephotogr
aphersnappedpictures.
Princedroveinandwalkedoverinhi
ssuit.He
bumpedf ist
swithAgangsmi l
ingandjoi
nedthem
forpict
ures.
RragweAtangsmiled.“
Let
sgotothechurchand
getmarr
ied.Theyachti
swait
ingf
orus.”
Theywal kedtothei
rcars,Atanggotinonthe
dri
ver’
sseatinAgang’scar .Pri
ncewalkedtohi
scar
.
Everyonejumpedi nt
heirscarsanddroveoff
headedtochur chwheretheywer egoingt
omeet
therestofthegroomsmen.

Atchur
ch, At
angandAgangsteppedoutoft
hecar
andwalkedinsi
dethechurchwi
thever
yoneelse.
Theywalkedtotheal
terandwai
tedwit
hthe
Rever
end.
At
ang’
sphonevi
brat
ed,
het
ooki
toutandpi
cked
“
Bat
ang…”
“
HiUncl
eA!
”
“
What
sup?
”
“
Wher
eist
heweddi
ngbei
nghel
d?”
“Af
terchur
ch,
wear
egoi
ngt
oayacht
.Why?Ar
e
youhere?”
“
No.Ij
ustget
ti
ngr
eadyt
obr
ag.
”
“
Iwi
shyoucame.
”
Batangl
aughed.“Assi
gnmentshavemebr eat
hing
thr
oughthestr
ollebi
leIhavebeenchecki
nghow
muchmal epr
ostit
utesearn.I
t’
snott
hatbad.”
At
angl
aughed.“
Obuamasepa.
”
“
It
’shar
dbutIam happyt
hisi
shappeni
ng.
”
“
Yeah,metoo.Uh,Iam comingbackt
omor
row.I
wantust
otalkaboutsomething.
”
“
What
?”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.Doyourassi
gnment
.”
“
Ohok.
”
“
Shar
p.”
Hehungupandputt hephoneonsilentj
ustasLetty
walkedinthelongbodyhuggingdr
ess.Shel ooked
athim andsmiledl
ookingdown.Atangsmiledand
l
ookedbackatt hechurch’
sentr
anceasKelly
walkedinwithhermother.
Agangswall
owedst ar
ing,hi
sheartraci
ng.She
sl
owlyadvancedthenhermot herhandedherover
.
Hesmi l
edshaki
ng.Kellyl
ookedathim and
whisper
ed.
“
Youl
ooksohandsome…”
At
angst eppedbackandsatdownwithPri
nce.He
watchedasLettygotKel
ly’
sfl
owersandsatdown.
Henoticedacoupleofeyesonherandsi
ghed
l
eaningbackonhischair.

*
**
InGaborone,Zazalookedatt
heweddingpi
ctures
l
aterthatday.Shetookadeepbr
eaththenput
downherphoneasherhusbandwal kedfr
om the
kit
chenholdinglunch.
Zazasmi
led.“
Final
ly!
”
Herhusbandsmi
led.“
ChefThusoi
nthehouse“
Shesmil
ed.Herphoner
ang,
shet
ooki
toutand
pi
ckedBatang’
scal
l.
“
Bat
ang…”
“Hi
…Iam doneatschool.CanIcomeandpi ckthe
car?Thabiisonherwayherefrom SA.Iwassti
ll
doingmyassi gnment
,Ij
ustsawthemessageshe
sent30mi nut
esbacksayingshewascheckinginto
fl
yt hi
ssi
de.”
Zazasmi
led.“
Ok.Youcancome.
”
“
Iwi
llbet
her
einacoupl
eofmi
nut
es.
”
“
Ok.
”
Zazahungupandl ookedatThuso.“Thabii
s
coming,sheaskedformycarsoshecangot o
Kasane.She’
sabr i
detothatf
amily.
”
Thusonodded.“
That
’sok.
”

*
**

Twent
yminuteslater
,Bat
angrever
sedoutofZaza’
s
yar
dinherPorsche.Hedroveof
fpicki
ngLebo’
scal
l.
“
Hi,
areyoust
il
lcomi
ng?
”
“Yes.Iam goi
ngt
opi
ckmysi
ster
’sf
rom t
he
air
port.
”
“
Ok,
Imi
ssyou.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Imi
ssyout
oo.
”
“
Ok,
Ihavet
ogo.Iam st
il
latt
hef
uner
al.
”
“
Cool
,Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hehungupandcal
ledhi
sot
hergi
rl
fr
iend.
“
Bat
ang.
.”
“
Hey,
Iam l
eavi
ngnow.
.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“
Iam i
npai
n.Buti
tshoul
dbeoversoon.
”
“Iam sor
ry.Butyouknowwhywedeci
dedon
abort
ionakere?”
Shegr
unt
ed.“
Ng.
.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Hedroppedthecal
l.Overtwent ymi nuteslaterhe
par
kedattheair
portthenhurriedi nsi
de.Hi sheart
ski
ppedashissist
erwalkedoverdr aggingherbag
i
nhersize38jeansandaj acket .Thabifixedher
capasherlongshi
nyweavef ellonhershoul der
s.
Shehuggedherbr
other
.“Hey!
”
Hel
ookedathersmili
ng.“Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Okar
e
aHol
lywoodact
resses.”
Thabi
laughed.“
Let
sgo.
”
Theywalkedoutt
oZaza’scar
.Thabismil
edstar
ing
atthePorchet
henjumpedinonthedri
ver
’sseat
.
Sherol
leddownthewindowbr eat
hingin…tear
s
fi
ll
edhereyesasshethoughtofthedayshehad
l
astbeenhere.Howmanyyear swast hatago.
..
?
Shesmiledthenl
ookedatBatang.
“
Ihaven’
tbeenher
ein-
“
“
Eightyear
s.”
Shel
aughedt
ear
ful
ly.“
Shoul
dwego?
”
“
Yes.
”
Shest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.Shel
ookedatt
he
ti
me.
“
Mymemor
yisabi
tjagged.
”
“
Igotyou.
”
“
Cal
lAt
ti
e.”
Bat
angcalledAtangasThabidrove.Shesl
owed
downbythet r
affi
cli
ghtandlookedonhersi
de.A
combidr
iverlookedathert
oandswal l
owed.
“
Tlhammaomont
le.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Hesmi
ledatheraccentt
hencl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
“
OMot
swana?
”
Thabi
laughedt
aki
ngof
f.“
Eer
ra.
”
Bat
anglookedatherandsmil
ed.“
Youdon’
tlook
l
ocalwai
tse.He’
snotpicki
ng.
”
“
It
’sok.Wewi
llar
ri
ver
eal
lyl
ateatni
ght
.”
“
Yes…”Hesmi
led.“
Happi
nessi
sgoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m.
Thabismileddr
ivi
ngoutofGaborone,herhear
t
pounding.Shel
ookedatherengagementringon
herfi
ngerasexcit
ementoftel
li
nghim shewas
readyforaweddingr
ushedthroughputherbody.
Hersmi l
egrewasshethoughtofherdaughter
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#80
InKasane,l
aterthatday,Bot
hohandedLomoa
glassofj
uice.Lomol ookedather
.
“
Canyoupl
easecal
lmymom.
”
Bot
hosatdown.“Idon’
thaveyourmom’
snumber
Lomo.Youwil
laskyourdad.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Hewon’
tcal
lher
.”
“
Hewi
ll
.Don’
tcr
y.”
Lomolookeddown,tear
sfil
li
nghereyes.Bothosat
wit
hherinthecarasthemarriedladi
esadvi
sed
Kel
lyint
hehousewhi l
ethemar ri
edmenspoketo
Agang.
At
angwal
kedoverpressi
nghi
sphoneandgoti
n
t
hecar
.HelookedatLomo.
“
Areyouokpr
incess?
”
Lomoputherhandonherfacecryi
ng.Bothotook
thegl
assofj
uicefr
om her
.Atangputhisphone
downthenhuggedher
.“
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Iwantmama.
”
Atangsi
ghedthentookhisphoneandtri
edcall
ing
thenumbershehadcall
edhim wit
hyesterdaybuti
t
didn’
tgothr
ough.HewenttoherWhatsappand
l
ookedatheronli
nestat
us.Hetappedthecalli
con
andputthephoneonhisear.
“
Att
ie.
.”
“
Hey,
pleaset
alkt
oyourdaught
er.
”
“
Ok.
”
At
anghandedLomot
hephone.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Heybaby.
.“
Lomocr
iedmor
ehol
dingt
hephone.
“
Lomo…“
“
Iwantt
ocomet
her
e.”
“
Iam comi
ngt
oyou.I
t’
sok…”
“
Iwantt
ocomet
her
e.Youwon’
tcome.
”
“
Ok.Ok…youwi
llcome.Tomor
rowwewi
llbe
t
oget
herIpr
omi
se.”
“
Youar
ebuyi
ngt
hef
li
ghtt
icketf
ormeanddaddy?
”
“
Yes.Tomor
rowwewi
llbet
oget
her
.Don’
tcr
y.”
Shesni
ff
edpant
ing.“
Wear
egoi
ngt
ost
aywi
th
you?
”
“
Yes.Yes.Youwi
llst
aywi
thme.
”
“
Ok.Youpr
omi
se?
”
“
Yes.Ipr
omi
se.Il
oveyousomuch.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Let
tywal
kedovert
oAt
angsmi
li
ng.“
Hi…t
her
racan
youpl
easedr
opmeoffatt
hel
odge.
”
At
angmovedf
rom hi
sdaught
er.
“
Yeah.
.”
Ont
hephone,
Thabisi
ghed.“
Who’
sdaddyt
alki
ng
t
o?”
“
Idon’
tknowher
,wecamewi
thhert
otheweddi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Gi
vedaddyt
hephone.
”
Lomojumpedoutoft
hecarandhandedherf
ather
thephone.
At
angsi
ghedput
ti
ngt
hephoneonhi
sear
.“What
?”
“
Whoar
eyoudr
oppi
ngatt
hel
odge?
”
“
Areyoudonet
alki
ngt
oLomo?
”
“
Yes,
I-“
“
Besidesourdaught
er,
youandIhavenot
hingt
o
t
alkabout
.Bye.”
Hehungupandl
ookedatLet
ty.“
Yeah,
Icandr
op
youof
f.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Atangl
ookedatLomowhowassmi
li
ng.“
You
happy?
”
“
Yes.
”
HelookedatBot
ho.“
Goi
nsi
de.Iam dr
oppi
ngher
of
f.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
BothosteppedoutofthecarandledLomoinsi
de
thehouse.Let
tygotinthecarwit
hAtang.
“
Theweddi
ngwasbeaut
if
ul.
”
At
anglookedatherwit
hasmi
le.Let
tycaughthi
m
st
ari
ngatsmil
edshyly.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Heshookhi
sheadwi
thasmi
leanddr
oveoutoft
he
yar
d.

*
**

I
nFranci
stown,Thabiwait
edforBatangwhohad
wentt
othetoil
etatthefi
ll
ingst
ati
on.Shecal
led
At
ang,herhear
tpounding.
Hecutt hecall
.Tearsit
chedhereyes.Shecal
led
him againbuti
tjustrangunanswered.She
swallowedscroll
ingthroughhercont
actsand
call
edAgang.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Thabi
sighedl
ist
eni
ngtohi
m pant
ing.“
Iam sor
ry.I
knowyouarebusyand-
“
“
It
sok.Iwasn’
tdoi
nganyt
hing.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Ohemahemaengyaanong?
”
“
Iwasdr
inki
ngwat
er.
”
Shelaughed.“
Ok.I
syourbr
otheranywher
ecl
ose
by?
”
“
Uh…wai
t.Letmel
ookf
orhi
m.Iwi
llcal
lyounow.
”
Hehung.Mi
nut
esl
aterhecal
ledherback.
“It
hinkhewentt
ogetsomet
hing.Lomoi
sat
home.”
“Pleasecal lhim.Tellhim Iam leavingFr anci
stown,
Iwi llbether epossiblybymi dni
ght.Canhenot
sleepwi t
ht hatgirlhe’
sdr oppingoffatt helodge?I
wantust of i
xthings.Ongadi l
ebutcanhenotbr ing
anot herwomani ntothis,Ilovehim.Wecanwor k
outsomet hing.Iam thinkingofcomi ngbackhome
andf ini
shingof fthi
sside.Il ovehim.Canwenot
hur teachot herbybr i
ngingt hi
rdpar t
iesintoour
relationship?Iam wi l
li
ngt ocompr omi se.IknowI
havebeenunf ai
ronhi m.”
“
Letmecal
lhi
m.Youar
eher
e?”
“
Yes.Cal
lhi
m.IknowIhavebeensl
acki
ngonmy
par
tbutIam her
enow.
”
“
Ok.
”
Thabi
hungupj
ustasBat
anggoti
nthecar
.
“
Wecango.
”
Thabist
art
edt
hecarandj
oinedt
her
oadheadedt
o
Kasane.

*
**

Agangdial
edAtang’
snumberbuthi
sphonewasof
f.
Hecall
edBothoagai
n
“
Whodi
dhel
eavewi
th?
”
“
MmagweLoapi
’
sfr
iend.Theonewasdihi
ps.
”
Agangwalkedbackinsi
dethehotelr
oom and
l
ookedathiswif
esleepi
ng.Hekissedhercheek.
“
Babe…wakeup.
”
Kel
lyopenedhersl
eepyeyes.“
What
?”
“
Cal
lyourf
ri
end.Iwantt
ospeakwi
thAt
ang.He’
s
wi
thher
.”
Hehandedherthephone.Kel
lysi
ghedandcal
led
herbutt
hephonewasof f
.
“
It
’snotgoi
ngt
hrough.
”
“
Thabii
scomi
ng.
”
Kell
ysighed.“
Shewon’
tsl
eepwi
thhi
m.Sheknows
aboutThabi.
”
Agangtookadeepbr
eat
hthensenthi
sbr
othera
message.
Agang:Thabijustcalledme.She’ sonherwayher e,
shesaidshe’sinFr ancist
ownnow.Sheshoul d
arri
velat
etonight.Pleasedon’ tsl
eepwi t
hKel l
y’s
fr
iendanddest r
oywhat everthati
sl eftbetweenyou
andThabi.Iknowyoul oveher ,osekawar eet
sa
Papa.Thereissadderaboutmar r
yingsomeoneyou
knowyoudon’ tloveespeci al
lywhent hereis
someoneyoual readyl ove.She’sher emeani ngyou
guyscannowdi scusswayst odot hings.That
womanl ovesyou.Shemi ghtnotbeexcel lentat
showingitbutshel ovesyou.
Hesentt
hemessageandsi
ghedhopef
ul.

*
**

Justaf
tert
wel
vemidni
ght
,Thabil
ookedatt
he
boardwri
tt
enMaunandsmil
eddri
ving.
“
Atl
ast
!Iam dot
ir
ed.
”
Bat
angsmi
led.“
Shoul
dIl
ookf
oraLodgeorwhat
?”
“Yeah.Iwil
lcal
lAganginthemor ni
ng.It
’sl
ater
ight
night
.Peopleareal
readysleepi
ng.Idon’
twantto
dist
urbthem.”
“
Ok.
”
Bat
angtookouthisphoneandsear
chedf
orl
odges
whi
lehi
ssist
erdrove.
“
Ther
eist
hisone.Theyhavet
wor
oomsavai
labl
e.”
“Ok.Cal
lthem.Tel
lthem wear
ecomi
ng.Al
soget
dir
ecti
ons.”
*

Atthelodge,Thabipar
kedhercarandleanedback
beyondtir
ed.Batangswall
owedstari
ngattheFord
Ranger.
Thabi
lookedathi
m.“
What
?”
“
Uncl
eAt
ang’
scar
.”
Thabi
lookedatt
heFor
dRanger
.“Car
slookal
ike.
”
“No.That
’shi
s.That
’shi
snumberpl
ate.He’
sher
e
“Hesmi l
ed.“
Heishere!
”
Thabiswal
lowedthensteppedouti
fthecar
,her
hear
tpounding.Shewalkedinsi
det
helodgeand
smil
edattherecept
ioni
st.
“
Hi.Wecal
ledyouawhi
leback.Fort
het
wor
ooms.
”
Therecepti
oni
stcl
earedhert
hroatgoi
ngt
hrough
herEngli
shinherhead.
“
Yesmam.Theyar
est
il
lavai
labl
e.”
Thabiopenedherwall
etandtookoutthemoney
payi
ng.Therecept
ioni
stsgavethem t
hekeysthen
l
edt
hem t
othei
rrooms.Bat
angwal
kedi
nhi
s.
“
Goodni
ghtsi
s!”
Shenoddedthenlookedatther
ecepti
oni
stas
Batangcl
osedhisdoor.Sheopenedherpur
seand
tookouta$100notethengaveitt
oher.
“
TheFor
dRangerout
side…wher
eist
heowner
?”
Therecepti
onistqui
ckl
yputthemoneyinherbr
east
andpointedattheroom besi
desThabi
’
s.She
smil
ed.
“
Isi
tacoupl
e?”
“
Yesmam.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Therecepti
onistwalkedaway.Thabit
ookadeep
breat
handknockedont hedoor.Sheknocked
l
ouder,herheartraci
ng.
Sheswall
owedasal adyopened,atowelaround
herbodywithherhai
rfaci
ngalldi
rect
ionsasifshe
wasacartoon.
“
Hi.
.”
Thabi
pushedheroutofherwayandwal
kedi
nthe
room.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#81

I
nKasane,Thabipushedheroutoft
hewaywal
king
i
n.Let
tyl
ookedather.
“
Excuseme,
whoar
eyou?
”
Thabil
ookedaroundt
heroom thenl ookedathi
s
cum dr
ippi
ngdownherleg.Shel ookedaround,
her
hear
tpoundingsomuch,i
tfel
tlikeitwasvibrat
ing.
Let
tyf
ixedhert
owel
.“Whoar
eyou?
”
Thabi
lookedather
.“Wher
eishe?
”
“
Who?
”
“
Wher
eisAt
ang?
”
“
Whoi
sAt
ang?
”
“
Love,wedon’thavet
odot hi
s…i t
’sunnecessar
y.
Whereishe?Iam her
eforhim notyou.”
“
Obuakaeng?Idon’
tknowwhoAt
angi
s.”
Thabil
ookedar
oundbutther
ewasnothi
ngthough
shecouldsmel
lthesexandhi
scol
ogne.The
col
ogneshehadboughthim.
“
Icansmel
lhi
scol
ogne.
”
“Yourmanisnottheonl
yonewitht
hatcologne.
Youar ehar
assi
ngme.Iam cal
li
ngsecur
it
y.Thisis
myr oom.Getout.
”
“Honey,thatper
fumeisli
mit
ededi
ti
on,doyouhear
me?Hei stheonl
yonewithi
tmoBotswana.I
t’
sa
newbr and.Whereishe?
”
Let
tyswall
owed,
herhear
tpoundi
ng.“
Idon’
tknow
anyAtang.
”
“
Wher
eisyourmant
hen?
”
“
Hel
eft
.Pl
easel
eavemyr
oom.
”
Thabi
wal
kedt
othecl
osetandopened.She
swall
owedt henmovedt hecur
tai
ns.Everypartof
herbeingtoldherhewasinthatr
oom.Tear sfi
ll
ed
hereyesasshewal kedtothebat
hroom butthere
wasnoone.Shewal kedbacki
ntheroom and
tear
ful
lylookedather.
“
Wher
eismyhusband?
”
“
Mma,
ther
eisnoAt
angher
e.Pl
easel
eave!
”
Thabi
’
seyesmovedaroundasherhear
tpounded
somuchitf
eltl
ikei
twasaboutt
oleapoutandrun
off
.
“
Iam notf
ight
ing.Wher
eishe?
”
Shel
ookedatthebedthenknel
tlooki
ngunder
neat
h.
Shesl
owlygotuplaughi
ngasat earr
oll
eddown.
“Rr
aet
sho,comeout.Kantekengont
ir
asemat
a?
Comeout.Iam notf
ight
ing.
”
Lett
ylookedatherandswal
lowedholdi
nghertowel
.
Atangslowl
ycameoutf r
om undert
hebed.Thabi
l
ookedathim.
“
Gawaaparabor
okgwesent
e.(
Yourpant
sar
e
i
nsi
deout
.”
Hel
ookedathispant
sandsl
owl
ytookt
hem of
fand
wor
ethem pr
operl
y.
“
Whyar
eyouhi
ding?DoIbeatyou?
”
“
It
snotwhatyout
hink.
”
“
Issheyourcousi
n?”
Heswal
lowedbyshaki
ng.
“
RragweLel
omo,
issheyourcousi
n?”
Heshookhishead.Lett
ymovedtothebat
hroom
doorst
ari
ngatThabireadyt
ohide.
“
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyouAt
ang.
”
Hel
ookedathert
ear
ful
ly.“
Youbr
okeupwi
thme.
”
“
Whyar
eyouhi
dingt
hen?Whyar
eyouhi
ding?
”
Heremai
nedquiet
.Thabil
ookedathi
m, herhear
t
br
eaki
ng.Sheswall
owedholdi
nghertears.
“
Whyareyouhi
dingAt
ang?Aker
ewebr
okeup?
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngundert
hebed?”
Thabi
lookedatLet
ty.“
Int
roduceusr
ra.
”
Hel
ookedatLet
ty.“
Thi
sismywi
fe.
”Het
urned
backt
oThabi
.“Idon’
tknowher
.”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eifyoudon’
tknowher
?”
Tearsr
oll
eddownhercheeksast
hepai
nweekend
her.
“
Wher
ear
ethecondomsyouwer
eusi
ng?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tsl
eepwi
thher
.”
“Iam notstupi
dAtang!Tsi
sadicondom!
”She
angri
lylookedatLet
ty.“
Didheuseacondom?”
Sheshookherhead.“
No.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
tusecondoms?
”
Heswal
lowedlookingdown.Sheangri
lypi
ckedthe
si
del
ampi nt
her oom andthr
ewitathi
m angri
ly.
“Kebualewenadammi
t!(
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou
dammit!
)”
Heputhisarmsonhisfaceasitcrushedbreaki
ng
onhim.Lett
ygoti
nthebathroom andlockedthe
doorshaki
ngwit
hfear.
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Whydi
dn’
tyouusecondoms?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyouusecondoms?
”
Heputhi
sbleedi
ngarmsdown.“Iwasn’
tthi
nki
ng
st
rai
ght
.Iam sor
ry.I
tdoesn’
tmeananyt
hing.
”
“
Ist
hatal
lyouhavet
osay?
”
“Babeont swere,obat
akereng?(Youcaughtme,
whatdoyouwantmet osay?)Iam sor
ry.Iwas
stressed.Ineededadi
str
act
ion.YousaidIshoul
d
replaceyou.”
“
Soyour
epl
acedme?
”
Herubbedhi
seyes.“
Iloveyoubutyouwer
e
br
eakingupwit
hmeyest er
day.
”
“
Iam aski
ngyoui
fyouhaver
epl
acedme!Bua
!(
Tal
k!)
”
“Youbrokeupwi t
hme.Iwasgoi
ngthr
oughalot.
After8yearsyoutel
lmeyouwantt
osett
lei
nL.A.I
wasst r
essed.
”
“
Issheyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
Shei
sanobody.
”
Herhear
tracedsomuchaspai
nchokedher
.
Hel ookedathert earf
ull
y.“Iam sorry.Youwer e
breakingupwi t
hme.Ihavebeennot hi
ngbut
patient.Ihavedonenot hi
ngbutl oveyout hebest
wayIcan.Ihavegi venyouever ythi
ngandhave
beenf aithf
ul.Iwasfrustr
ated.Ijustwant edto
forget.Ihavenomor eexcuses.Itwasj ustsex,it
meantnot hi
ng.Iloveyoubuti fyouwantt odump
mef orher,i
t’
sok.Youhavebeenwant ingt odoit
forawhi lenow. ”
Shenodded.“
Ok.Goodni
ght
.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Sheturnedandopenedthedoorjustasthel
odge
secur
it
ywalkedover.Helookedather.
“
Iwascal
ledt
othi
sroom.
”
Shewalkedpasthim andgotinherr oom.Shesat
onthebedf orminut
esasherbr ai
npr ocessed.She
putherhandsonherf acecr
ying.Herhear tached
somuch, shegaspedasashar pstruckherchest.
Thabi
putherhandonherchestcr
ying,
herchest
ti
ghtening.Sheslowlysli
dtot hefl
oorgaspi
ng,
tearsroll
ingdown.Shegr abbedthesheetsfi
ght
ing
tobreathe,theshar
pget t
ingmor eworse.She
weaklylaiddownmaki ngsounds, herhandonher
chestthenf i
nal
lystopped,herbodyremaini
ngstil
l
withnomovement .

*
**

Int
henextr
oom,At
angpi
ckedhi
sthi
ngswhi
le
Let
tywat
ched.
“
Isshegoi
ngt
osueme?
”
Atangwalkedoutandputhi
sthi
ngsinhiscar
.He
switchedonhi
sphoneandopenedAgang’s
message.Heclosedhi
seyesfeel
ingevenmore
weak.
Helookedatherroom thensl
owlywalkedoverthen
pausedhalfway.Shewastooangry.Hesentback
tohiscarandsatdown.Sheneededt i
met ocal
m
down.Hisphoner ang,
hepickedwit
hasi gh.
“
Yah?
”
“
Didyouseemymessage?Thabii
scomi
ng.Mi
ster
,
wher
eareyou?
”
“
Shecaughtme.
”
“Soyousl
eptwit
hthatwhorebecauseshehashi
ps?
Ihopeyouusedacondom becauseshehasHIV!
”
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#82

“Soyouwentaheadandsleptwi
ththatwhorewit
h
hips?Ihopeyouusedacondom becauseshehas
HIV.”
At
ang’
shear
tski
pped.“
What
?”
“
Didyouuseacondom?
”
“
Ithappenedi
nther
ushoft
hemoment
.”
“
KanawaakaAt
ang.Youknewyouwer
egoi
ngt
o
fuckher.Whycan’tyoujustl
oveThabiri
ght?What
doesittakef
rom youtoloveherri
ght?Isithardfor
youtoloveherri
ght?Ijustdon’
tbel
ieveitshouldbe
hardforyoutol
ovesuchawoman. ”
“
Agangyouwoul
dn’
tunder
stand.
”
“Iunderstandyouar eapieceofshi
t.Ihopeshe
doesn’ttakeyoubackandyoul ivet
owat chanot
her
manl oveherr i
ght.Wabor a,
shewaswi l
li
ngto
movef oryou.Al lt
hatwasneededwaspat i
ence.
Youdon’ tdeserveher.Youneverdi
d.”
“
IknowIf
uckedup-
“
“Fuckingupisyourspeci al
ty.Nxlamsunu!Ihope
shedoesn’ tt
akeyouback.Soonenoughshewon’ t
justbeThabi, shewi
llbeDr.Kaisara,asur
geon.But
youwon’ tenjoythefeel
ingofhavingasmar t
womanwho’ scapableonyoursi de,wenayoucan’t
relatetothat
,akerewenayourt ypeislowcl
assHIV
i
nf estedvagi
nas.”
“
Oramangor
emsunu?
”
“Whoel
seam Ital
kingt
oifnotyou.Omar
etegape.
Nxl
a!Di
thal
a!”
Hehungup.At angsteppedoutoft
hecarand
walkedbacktoLett
y’sroom.Hepausedabout
knock,nowhewouldseem l i
kehewasbackfor
more.Heturnedandwal kedbackt
ohiscarwit
hout
shoes.
Hegrabbedhisphoneisabouttocallhert
hen
si
ghedreal
izi
nghedidn’tevenhavehernumber.He
onhishandsonhisfacefeeli
ngasifhisworl
dwas
cr
umblingdown.

*
**

Thatsamenight,
rragweAt
ang’
sphonerangwaking
hi
m upfrom hi
ssleep.Her
eachedf
ori
tonhisside.
“
Agang?
”
“
Doyoul
ovemama?
”
“
What ?Boyyoucal
ledmei
nthemi
ddleoftheni
ght
f
orsuchnonsense?Whyar
eyounothavi
ngsex
r
ightnow?”
“
Answerme.
”
“
Yes,Il
oveyourmot
herAgang.What
’sgoi
ngon
wit
hyou?”
“YouknowAtanglovedRet
habi
le,
whydi
dyouf
il
l
hisheadwi
thnonsenseear
li
eron?”
“
Boy-
“
“
Whyareyour
obbi
nghi
mthechancet
oal
somar
ry
f
orl
ove?
”
“
Isai
dlovei
snotenough.8year
sisenought
ime-
“
“
Whyishis8year
sbot
her
ingyou?Ar
eyout
heone
wai
ti
ng?
”
“
Boywhodoyout
hinkyouar
etal
kingt
o?”
“Iam t
alki
ngtoyou.Youj
ustrui
nedAtang’
s
marri
age.Ihopeyouarehappyt
hatnowhecango
andlookforawomanhedoesn’tloveandset
tl
efor
thesakeofsett
li
ng.
”
“Agang…youareangryatmebutIam l
ost
.Iam
yourfat
her
,Idon’
tli
keyourt
one.
”
Agangdroppedthecal
l.MmagweAt
angl
ookedat
herhusband.“
Whatisi
t ?
”
“Nowthathehasari
ngonhi
sfi
ngerhet
hinkshe
cantal
ktomeanyhow.”

*
**

Let
tysati
nthebat
hroom hol
dingt
hephone.
“Soyousleptwi
thhi
m wi
thoutacondom knowi
ng
yourst
atus?”
Lett
ysni f
fed.“I
tallhappenedtoofast
.Onemoment
hewaski ssingmeandt henextheispushinginhi
s
bigdick.Ididn’
tevenenjoyit
.Hewassor ough.I
t
waspai nful
.”
Kell
yangri
lyshout
ed.“Whydidyousleepwithhi
m?
Didherapeyou??Nowi tl
ooksli
keIbroughtmy
whoringf
ri
endtoruinhi
smar ri
age.Why?”
Let
tysni
ff
ed.“
Itwasami
stake.Iam scar
edshei
s
goi
ngtosue.
”
“Sheshould.Koor
eotsamekelamomanyalonga
rona.Thi
speoplehavebeentoget
herf
ortenno
yearsandyoujustcamewithyoursmel
li
ngvagi
na“
Let
tybr
okedowncr
yingadKel
lyhungup.

*
**

Atthelodge,
thefol
lowingmorning,Bat
angyawned
walki
ngoutofhisroom.Hepausedst ari
ngat
Atang’
scarthenwalkedover.Hesmi l
edlooki
ngat
Atanginhiscarshi
rtl
ess.Heknockedont he
windowconfused.
At
angwokeupandl
ookedathi
m.Her
oll
eddown
t
hewindow.
“
Buddy…”
“
Isawyourcaryest
erday.Ihaveasur
pri
sef
oryou.
”
At
angswal
lowed.“
Yeah?
”
“
Yes.Wai
tint
hecar
.Iam comi
ng.
”
Batanghurr
iedtohissist
er’
sdoorthenknocked.He
waitedacoupleofsecondsandopenedt hedoor
knowingshewaspr obablyst
il
lsl
eeping.
“
Thabi
,It
oldyou.I
twasuncl
e…”
Hi
svoicetr
ail
edashelookedatThabiont
hef
loor
.
Heswall
owedatherposit
ion.
“
Thabi
!”
Hishear
tpoundedasbelookedather
.Hesl
owl
y
knel
tbef
oreherandtouchedherf
ace.
“
Thabi
…”
Sheremai
nedsti
ll
.Heshookherasacol
dchi
llr
an
downhisspi
ne.
Atangslowl
yopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedather
.Hi
s
heartdr
opped.
“
Thabi
!”
Bat
angl
ookedathi
m cr
ying.“
Shei
snotwaki
ngup!
”
Hewal
kedoverandt
ouchedherunconsci
ousbody.
“
Babe…”
Atanggotupandpickedherup.Batangrushedto
thecarandopenedthedoor.At
angputherinside
thenjumpedi
n.Batangjumpedinatthepassenger
seat.At
angstar
tedthecaranddroveoff
.
*
**

Atthehospit
al,Bat
ang’sheartpoundedashe
waitedwit
hAtang.Somehowsi t
ti
ngtherejust
remindedhim ofhi
smot her
.Heneverseem t o
for
getthefear…thefearwheneverhevisi
tedhis
motheratthehospit
al.
At
angl
ookedathi
m.“
She’
sok.
”
Bat
angnodded.“
Iam j
ustscar
ed.Igetscar
ed.
”
“
It
’sokt
obescar
ed.
”
Heforcedasmile.“Shesai
dshei scomingback.
Andthatshewantst omarryyou.Actsurpr
ised
whenshetell
syou.Iam sohappy.Itfeel
slikeeach
puzzl
eisfi
ndingit’
splace.
”
At
angbl
inked.“
Shewant
stogetmar
ri
ed?
”
“Yes.Shei
scomingback.Lomoisgoi
ngtobedo
happy.Sheget
stogrowupwi t
hbothpar
ent
s.”
At
angnodded.“
Yeah…”
Thedoct
ort
owal
kedovert
othem mi
nut
esl
ater
.
Hel
ookedatbot
hoft
hem.
“
Iwoul
dli
ket
ospeakt
othef
ami
ly.
”
At
angstoodup.“Iam herhusband.Thi
sisher
br
other
.Isever
ythi
ngok?”
Thedoct
orl
ookedatbot
hoft
hem.
“
Unf
ort
unat
elyshesuf
fer
edamaj
orhear
tat
tack.
”
At
angswal
lowed.“
And?I
ssheok?
”
Thedoct
orswal
lowedunsur
eofhowt
oexpl
aint
o
them.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#83

Att
hehospi
tal
,thedoct
orsatwi
tht
hem i
nhi
s
of
fi
ce.
“
Ret
habi
lehadahear
tat
tack,
asever
ehear
tat
tack.
I
sthi
sherf
ir
stt
ime?
”
Batangshookhishead.“No.Sheoncehadahear
t
att
ackbefore.Buti
twasmi l
d.Itwasduet
oint
ense
pain.What’
sgoingtohappenthen?”
“Herhear tstopped.Compl etel
y.Shehadsudden
cardiacarrest.ButitstartedagainIassumei n
seconds.Somet i
mesi ftheheartstopscompl et
ely,
i
twi l
lrestartit
selfwithinaf ewsecondsandr et
urn
toanor malel ectri
calpattern.Butwearenotsur e
howmanysecondsormi nutesThabiwenton
withoutoxygent oherbr ainandthismeanst hereis
apossi bil
it
yofbr aindamage.Andwewi llonly
knowj usthowsever eitiswhenshewakesup.The
goodt hingist hatsheisnotbr aindead.Thereis
hope.”
At
angswal
lowed.“
Andwhenwi
llshewakeup?
”
“Idon’
tknow.I
tmightbetoday.I
tmi
ghtbe
tomorr
ow.Nextweek.Nextmonth…i
tdependson
her.
”
Batangl
ookeddownt
henputhi
shandsonhi
sface.
Atanghuggedhi
m.
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
obeok.
”
“
Ishoul
dhavebecheckeduponher
.”
“
Youwoul
dn’
thaveknown.Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
Thedoct
orsadl
ylookedatt
hem.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
At
angnodded.“
Canweseeher
?”
“
Yes.
”

AtThabi’sr
oom,Batangheldhissist
er’
shand
tearf
ull
y.Heopenedhismouthtosaysomet hi
ng
nothingcameout,r
athert
earsrol
leddown.He
wipedthenwitht
hebackofhi shandunableto
beli
evethatt
hiswashappening.
Hewalkedoutmi
nut
esl
atersni
ff
ing.At
angl
ooked
athi
m.
“
Youcanwai
tint
hecar
.Iam comi
ng.
”
Henoddedget
ti
ngt
hecarkeysandwal
kedaway.
Atangwalkedi
nt her
oom.Hesl owl
ywalkedoverto
bed,kneesweak.Hetouchedherhand,
tear
sfil
li
ng
hi
seyes.
“
Hi.
..“
Sheremainedsti
ll
.Heswal
lowed,
gui
lt
ymaki
ngi
t
har
df orhi
mt obreat
he.
“Iam sorry.Foreverythi
ngIhaveeverputyou
through.Idon’tdeserveyou.Youareheretoday
becauseofme.Youdeser vebet
ter
.Youdeser vet
he
best.Youar enotperfectbutyoudeser
vebet t
er.I
am sosor ry.
”
Atearfel
lonherhead.Hewipedi tawayt hen
ki
ssedherhand.“Il
oveyou.Iloveyoumor ethan
anythi
ng.Iam havi
ngyoutransferred.Youwi l
lget
bett
erhel
p.”
Hesnif
fedkiddi
ngherf
oreheadthenwalkedout
.
Hi
sphoner angashewalkedtohiscar
,hishead
sl
ouched.
“
Papa…”
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Imessedup.She’
snevergoi
ngt
otakemebl
ack.
”
“
Whatdidyoudo?Agangcall
edmelastni
ght.He
wasangryhespoketomel
ikeIwashisfr
iend.He
wasdi
srespect
ful
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam t
hepr
obl
em.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
At
angt
ookadeepbr
eat
handbr
ief
lyexpl
ained.
“
Soshe’
satt
hehospi
talr
ightnow?
”
“Yes.Shewasgoingtocompr omiseandmoveher
e.
Shewant edustogetmarri
ed.Ifonl
yIhadbeenj
ust
alit
tl
emor epat
ient
.Justabitmorepati
ent
.”
“
Iam sorr
ymyboy.Iwasthei
nfl
uencer
.Ij
ust
t
houghtIwasl
ooki
ngaft
eryou.“
“Ihavel
osther.Ihavel
ostherforgood.WhatdoI
do?She’
sont hathospi
talbedbecauseofme.”
“
Dowhatyoufeel
isri
ght.What
everdeci
sionyou
t
ake,
Iwi
llst
andwithyou.”

*
**
Kel
lyl
ookedatAgangwal
kingoutoft
hebat
hroom
af
tert
aki
ngabath.
“
Babe,
areyouok?
”
“
Yeah…”
“Whyar
eyouupset
?IswearIdi
dn’
tknowLet
tywas
goi
ngtodot
hat.
”
“Butyouknewyourf
ri
endi
sawhor
e.Youknewshe
hadacrushonAtang.
”
“
Agang-
“
Hedroppedthetowel
.Shelookedathisweapon
andputhert
highstoget
her
.Juststar
ingatithad
hersoaki
ng.
Hedressedupandsighed.“
Iam goi
ngt
oseeThabi
.
Shehadaheartat
tack.”
Kel
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
BecauseofLet
ty?
”
Hepickedhi
scarkeys.“Iwil
lcomeandpickyouup
thenwecango.”Hekissedhercheekandsighed.“
I
am notangr
yatyou.Iloveyou.
”
Shehel
dhi
shand.“
Keakopa.(
CanIpl
easehave.
)”
Hestaredatherbumpt hensi
ghed.“Iam not
comfortabl
edoingitwhenyouarethisf
ar.If
eell
ike
Iam pokingthebaby.
”
“
Youar
enotpoki
ngt
hebaby.
”
Heswall
owed.“
Canwej
ustdoi
taf
teryougi
ve
bi
rt
h?”
“Iwi
llbegoi
ngonmat
erni
tyl
eavet
hen.Wewon’
tbe
havi
ngsex.”
“
Iknow.Iwi
llwai
t.Bye.
”
Hehurri
edout
.Tear
sfi
ll
edKel
ly’
seyesasherp*
ssy
t
hrobbed.

*
**

Zazahel
dherphonet
alki
ngt
oBat
ang.
“
Whatar
ethedoct
orssayi
ng?
”
“
Hesai
dhewon’
tknowj
usthowdamagedherbr
ain
i
sifiti
sbecausehe’snotsur
eifaf
terhowl
ongdi
d
herheartr
est
arti
tsel
f.
”
“
AndAt
ang?
”
“
Hespokewit
hhisfr
iendi
nGabor
one.She’
sget
ti
ng
t
ransf
err
edt
here.
”
“Ihavereadaboutt
heheartrestart
ingitsel
f.I
ttakes
afewsecondsf ori
ttohappen.Lesst hanten.Iam
surethat’
snottoomuchforhert ohavebr ai
n
damagesodon’ tworr
y.Shewillbeok.At angison
topofthis.
”
“
Wear
egoi
nghomet
oseeLomo.
”
Zazasmi
led.“
Youwhat?Thabihear
ingLomo’
s
voi
cewil
lbethemot
ivesheneedstowakeup.
”
“
Ihopeso.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandcont i
nuedwateri
ngherplant
s.
Shelookedatherhandshaki
ngthenpaused
thi
nkingofThabi
.Shegotevenmoreworri
edthen
walkedtohergar
denchair
sandsatdown.
*
**

Atthehospitali
nKasane,AgangwalkedinThabi
’
s
room andsighedstari
ngatherconnect
edto
machines.Hest oodonthebesideofherbed
star
ingather.
Hestoodbyjuststar
ingatherf
orminut
esthen
sl
owlyreachedforherhandunsur
eofwhattoeven
say…wheretobegin.
Hi
sphonevi br
ated.Het
ookitoutandl
ookedathi
s
f
athercal
li
ng.HeletgoofThabi
’shandpi
cki
ng.
“
Rra?
”
“
Canyoucomehomesowecant
alk.Yourbr
other
i
sonhiswayher
e.”
“
Ihavenot
hingt
osayt
oAt
ang.
”
“
Agang…come.Beher
eint
went
ymi
nut
es.
”
Hedroppedthecallt
henlookedatThabif
or
minut
esholdingherhandthenfi
nall
ywalkedout
.
*
**

Bothofini
shedbathi
nginthebathr
oom thenturned
offthewateri
ntheshower.Shequickl
ydried
hersel
fthenputonherclot
hesandwal kedout.
Atanglookedatheraswalkedover.
“
Wher
eisLomo?
”
“
Int
her
oom.
”
Hewalkedoverandopenedt
hedoor
.Hel
ookedat
heral
readydr
essedup.
Shej
umpedof
fthebedsmi
li
ng.“
Wearegoingt
o
mamanow?Shesai
dwewillbet
oget
hert
oday.
”
Atangtookadeepbreat
h.“Yes.Butnotrightnow.I
havetobathandchange.Butuncl
eBat angishere.
”
Shegasped.“
Hei
sal
sogoi
ng?
”
“
Yes.Bot
hopl
easet
akeherout
sidet
oBat
ang.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
Hewalkedoutpressi
nghisphoneandwentt
ohis
fat
her
’sstudyroom.Heknockedandwal
kedin.The
oldmanlookedathim.
“
Sitdown.Wher
eisyourbr
other
?”
Agangopenedthedoorwal
kingi
n.Theirf
ather
sighedst
ari
ngattwogrownmen,tal
landbig.He
tookadeepbreat
h.
“
Areyouj
ustgoi
ngt
ost
and?Si
tdown.
”
Theybot
hsatdown.
“MaybeIam t oblame.Iknowyouar el
ookingfor
someonet obl
ameAgang, andmaybeIam t oblame.
WhenIsai dAtangshouldfi
ndsomeonewhowi l
l
l
ovehi m andrespecthim,Isai
ditl
ooki
ngatt he
si
tuation.MaybeifIalsoknewthatmmagweLomo
wascomi ngIwouldnothavesaidanyt
hing.Iwas
l
ookingoutf oryourbrot
herbutIunder
standyour
fr
ustrati
on.Whathappenedhashappenedand- “
“
Whathappenedshoul
dnothavehappened.Doyou
f
alloutofl
ovet
hatqui
ckl
y?”
At
angl
ookedatAgang.“
Whatexact
lyi
syour
pr
obl
em?DoyouwantThabi
le?Ar
eyouaf
termy
wi
fe?
”
Agangpausedthensmiledsadly.“
Soyout hi
nkI
wantmmagweLomo?ThatIwantt hewomanyou
l
ove?Kooreyoujustcan’tseeyourfaul
ts,
youwant
t
oturni
tonsomeone. ”
Atangsighed.“
Iam havi
nghert
ransf
err
edt
omy
Gaborone.”
“Idon’
twantyourwi f
e.Icar
eaboutherbecause
youloveher.Ij
ustwantyout obehappy.Iknow
youloveher,nonormalhumanbei ngcanstay5
yearsgett
ingbearminimum unlessyouarereal
l
yin
l
ove.Iam sadinsteadofputt
ingyourfootdown
withRethabi
le,
youwentt oanewvagi na.Howdo
youunloveaper sonsofast
?”
“
Itwasami
stake.AndIl
oveher
.Itwasj
ustsex.
”
“Youf uckedherroundafterround.Andyouare
disrespectfult
othelevel
ofnotusi ngacondom.
Youdon’ tdeserveThabil
e.WhenshewakesupI
hopesher eali
zesyoucan’tt
ameawi l
danimal
….It
willalwaysgobackt othewilderness.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#84

Thei
rfat
herl
ookedatt
hem.
“
Agang,
wegett
hatyouar
eangr
y-“
“Iam tal
kingtoAgang.Didyougetthetr
eat
ments?
Areyemi ster
,atl
eastl
et’
sdealwit
hyour
unfai
thfulnessonl
y.Di
dsheseeyoudi dn’
tusea
condom? ”
“
Yeah…”
“Oj
eleerr
or.Youhavelosther
.Aftert
hisdon’
teven
bot
heryoursel
f.Justst
ayaway.”
“
KanaThabidumpedmealready.She’
sbeen
want
ingt
oendourrel
ati
onshipforawhil
enow.
”
“
Shet
houghtshewasdoi
ngwhatwasbestf
oryou.
Butshewascomi ngforyou.Travel
edthousand
mil
esforyou.Thendroveforovertenhoursforyou.
Nowimaginesomeoneenj oyi
ngher …andtrustme…
someoneisgoingtoenjoyher.Let’
sgo.”
Thei
rfat
hersi
ghedst
andi
ngup.“
Let
aisot
aaker
e?”
Thebr
other
swalkeddi
scussi
ngget
ti
ngt
est
ed.
MmagweAt angwal
kedin.
“
Whatwer
eyout
alki
ngt
othem about
?”
“Theyweretalki
ngbet
weent
hemsel
ves.Iwasj
ust
herefordi
splay.
”
“
Ilongtoldyoutostopi
nvolvi
ngyoursel
finthei
r
i
ssues.Theyalwayssor
titout.Theyhavebeenlike
t
hatsincetheywerebor
n.Nowyouar etheonethat
l
ookslikeanidi
otbonebail
e.”

*
**

Agangsmil
edathi
sniecewhowasst
andi
ng
besi
desBat
anghol
dinghishand.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Il
oveyourhai
r.
”
Lomosmiled.“
Wear
efl
yingt
oAmer
ica.Wear
e
goi
ngtoseemama.”
Agangl ookedatBat
ang.“Al
lwil
lbewell
.Youknow
yoursisteri
sstr
ong.Shejumpstar
tedherown
heart
.Howmanypeopl edoyouknowdot hat
?”
Batangsmi l
ed.“Sheisstrong.Maybeitwas
exhausti
on.Shedi dn’
tletmedrive.Shedr
oveal
l
aloneforhours.
”
Atangwalkedoutofthehousenowclean.Botho
fol
lowedbehindhim hol
dingherandLomo’small
bag.AganggotinthecarwithLomothenBothosat
atthefr
ontpassengerseat.
Aganglookedathi
sbrot
her
.“Iam behi
ndyou.I
al
readyspoketosomeonet
oassistyouassoonas
wearri
ve.”
“
Ok.Thanks.
”
Agangnoddedandwalkedt
ohiscar
.Hedi
aled
Let
tyashisbr
otherdr
oveout
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
it’
sAgang.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Iam wait
ingforthebustoMaun.Iam sor
ryf
or
whathappened.Pl easet
ellhi
mthatmyvir
all
oadis
undetect
able.Buthecangoandgettreat
mentifhe
hasdoubts.”
“No…wait
.Don’
tgoyet
.CanIcomeandpi
ckyouup?
Iwantt
ogiveyousomet
hing.
”
“
DoesKel
lyknowaboutt
his?
”
“Wai
tforme.Orgobacktot
hel
odge.Iwi
llcome
andgi
veitt
oyouthere.
”
“
AgangKel
lyi
smyf
ri
end-
“
“Iwillmeetyouatt
hehoteli
nmaybeanhour
.Iam
sti
lldoingsomethi
ngr
ightnow.
”
Hehungupanddr
ovebehi
ndhi
sbr
other
.

*
**

Atthehospi
tal
,At
angwalkedwi
thhi
sdaught eri
n
Thabi’
sroom.Lomol
ookedathermotherl
yingsti
ll
onthehospi
talbed.Shewal
kedoverandhel
dher
hand.
“
Mama…”
Atangswal
lowedandwalkedover
.“Lomo…
rememberwhatIsai
d?Shewon’tbeablet
otal
kto
youbackbutshecanhearyou.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Isshegoi
ngt
odi
e.”
“
No.Sheisnotgoi
ngtodie.Shei
snotdyi
ng.She
won’
tdi
ebecauseshelovesyou.
”
Lomosniffedthent
urnedt
ohermot
herand
touchedherhand.
“
Mama…”
Sheclimbedonthebedandtouchedhermother
’s
face.Shel
aidonhersi
de,herhandoverhermot
her.
AtangsatdownandheldThabi’
shand.
Lomolookedatherf
ather
.“Ar
ewegoi
ngt
o
Ameri
ca?”
“
Notnow.Shewant
edt
osur
pri
seussoshecame
t
ous.”
“
Whenshewakesupwear
egoi
nghomer
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ican’
twai
ttoshowhermyr
oom.Andourhouse.
I
sshegoi
ngtoleave?
”
“
Yesbutonedayshei
sgoi
ngtot
akeyouandyou
wil
lli
vei
nAmeri
cawit
hher
.Youwil
llovei
t.
”
Lomosmi l
edhappi
ly.At
anglookedatThabiand
si
ghedsadly.Heki
ssedherhand,shemovedher
handsl
ightl
y.
Atang’
sheartski
pped,hestar
edatherhand
wonderi
ngifhehadimaginedit.Hewai
tedstar
ing
atherhandbutnothi
nghappened.Hetookadeep
breat
hmovingcloserhol
dingher.

*
**

Agangwalkedi
nsidet
heroom andlookedatLet
ty.
Shestoodupputt
ingherhandsbehi
ndher.
Agangt
ookoutt
heemer
gencypi
ll
s.“
Igotyout
hese.
Dr
inkt
hef
ir
stone.
”
“
Iwasgoi
ngt
obuyt
hem.
”
“
Goodt
hingIhavesavedyoumoney.
”
Hehandedherthebott
leofwat
er.Shedr
ankt
he
f
ir
stoneandsighed.
“
Iwi
lldr
inkt
heot
herone.Ihavet
ogo.
”
“
Openyourmout
h.”
Let
tyopenedhermout
h.Agangl
ooked.
“
Lif
tyourt
ongue.Iwantt
oseeunder
neat
h.”
Sheli
ft
edhertonguet
henmovedi
tar
oundsohe
coul
dcheckeverycor
ner
.
“
Iswal
lowed.Idon’
twantachi
ld.Shewi
llsueme.
”
“Youwil
lgotomorrow.Iwil
lcomelatersoyoucan
taket
heotherone.Idon’
ttr
ustyou.Ifyoucoul
d
openyourl
egsandl ethi
mf uckwit
houtacondom,
whatwil
lstopyoufrom wanti
ngtokeephischi
ld?
”
“Idon’
thavemoneyt
opayf
oraccommodat
ion
here.
”
“Iwi
llpayf
ori
t.IfIdon’
tfi
ndyouher
e,Iwi
llhunt
youdownandf i
ndyou.”
Hewalkedout
.Let
tysl
owlywal
kedtot
hebat
hroom
andpull
eddownherpant
ytopee.
“Ahh!
”Shef li
nchedasherwar m peeburnther
alr
eadyburningsor emeat.Tear
sfil
ledhereyesas
heldherpee.Shet ookadeepbreathandletitout
.
Thepainhadhert earsrol
li
ngdownhercheeksas
shesatont hetoi
letseat.

*
**

Aganggoti
nhi
scarpi
cki
ngKel
ly’
scal
l.
“
Babe…”
Shest
art
edcr
ying.
“
Hey…what
’swr
ong?
”
Sheconti
nuedcryi
ng.Agangstart
edthecarand
droveof
fheadedbacktothehotel
.Herushed
i
nsideandknockedonthedoor.Kell
yopenednaked
whi
lesni
ff
ing.
Agangwal
kedinsi
dehuggi
nghert
hencl
osedt
he
doorwi
thhi
sfoot.
“
Hey…whathappened?
”
“
HowwasThabi
?”
“Sheisnotr
esponsi
veatt
hemomentbutshewi
ll
befine.
”
“
Am It
oougl
y?”
Hesi
ghedknowi
ngwher
eitwasgoi
ng.
“Kel
ly…t
hedoctorsai
dweshoul
dtakei
teasy.We
hadsexlastni
ght.
”
“
Ifeell
ikeyoudon’tl
ove.Thi
sisyourchi
ld.Idi
dn’
t
makemysel fpr
egnant.WhydoIhavetosuffer
?”
Hesmi
led.“
Iam suf
fer
ingwi
thyou.
”
Sheputherhandinsidehi
spantsandt ouchedit
.
Aganglai
dheront hebedstari
ngatherbelly.He
l
aidheronthesideandlaidbehindhertaki
ngitout
.
Shestuckoutherbuttbr
eathi
ngheavily.
Hepar
tedherbut
tst
roki
nghi
msel
fandpushedi
n.
Hepausedwi t
honlyhaddi
cki
nandgent
lyt
apped
hercar
efulnotthegoi
nwaydeeper
.

*
**

Thenur
sesmil
edathi
m handi
nghi
m hi
sPEP
medi
cati
on.
“
Youhavetogett
estedagainaf
tert
hreemont
hsso
makesur
eyoutestagai
n.”
“
Yeaht
hanks.
”
Atangstoodupandwalkedoutgoi
ngtot
hecar
whereBatangwasal
readywaiti
ngwit
hLomoand
Botho.
“
Mr.Dani
el!
”
Atangtur
nedandl
ookedatThabi
’
snur
sewhowas
runni
ngover
.
“
Youneedt
ocomeback.
”
Hef
rowned.“
Whathappened?
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#85

ThenurseopenedthedoortoThabi’
sroom.Atang
walkedi
nandf oundthedoct
orwithThabiwhowas
awake.Hisheartr
acedasherushedovertoher
si
de.
“
Babe…”Hel
ookedatt
hedoct
or.“
Issheok?
”
Thedoctorsmi
led.“Yes.I
tmeansittookherhear
t
j
ustsecondsbeforeitr
estar
tedi
tsel
f.I
tdoesn’
t
al
wayshappen,itbarel
yhappens.”
Het
ouchedherhandandsmi
led.“
Hey…”
Thedoctort
ouchedhershoul
der
.“Youhavet
otake
i
teasy.Keepcal
m.”
Hesmi
ledandwal
kedout
.At
angt
ouchedhercheek.
“
Youscar
edt
heshi
toutofme.
”
Shelookedathi
m andsi
ghed.“
Wher
eismy
daughter
?”
“
Theyar
eout
sidei
nthecar
.Iam sor
ry.
”
Shesmi l
ed,t
earsfi
ll
inghereyes.“Buthowisiteasy
foryou?Youal wayssayyoul oveme…howi sit
easyf oryoutohurtsomeoneyoul ove?Itcomes
naturall
ytoyouorwhat ?Howi siteasyforyouto
hurtme?Idon’ tunderst
and.
”
Heswal l
owed.“ Iam notgoi ngt omakeexcuses.I
wasf r
ustrated.Iwasangr y.Angr yandf rustrated
becauseyoudon’ tseem toseemyef fort
si fyou
finditeasyt osayt hewayt hingsyousay
somet imesorj ustthewayyousayi t.AndIt ooki t
allbecauseImessedupt hingst obeginwi t
h.It ol
d
mysel fIwoul dbepat ientwi thus.Takei tdaybyday
butsomet i
mesyoudon’ tseem t obeont hesame
pagewi t
hme.Nkar ekagof orcaandmaybeIam
andi twasal lbecauseIl oveyou.Youar ealways
telli
ngmet oreplaceyou…doyour eali
zet hatevery
ar gumentwehavehad…i tendedwi t
hyout elli
ng
met oreplaceyou?Idon’ tthi
nkit
’sfai
rthatafterI
giveyoumyal l,yougett ot hr
owt hatonmyf ace.I
knewyourpr ogram woul dbedemandi ng.Weal l
knewi twouldbedemandi ngbabe…wedi scussed
this…”Hesmi l
edt earful
ly.“Andwehadapl ani n
place.Butjustacal lseemst otakesomuchf rom
you.Justat ext…i ttakesawaysomuchf rom you.”
Her ubbedhiseyes.“Iwasangry,fr
ustrat
edand
hurt.BecauseIalsogethur
t…Iam human.Imi ght
notshowi tbutIgethurt
.Shewasadi str
acti
on.
Andyoucaughtme.Iam sor ry.Iam sor r
yforallt
he
hurt.Iam sor
ryforLomo.Iam sorrythatIgotyou
pregnantandnowi tmakesyoul ookli
kean
i
ncompet entparent.
”
Hesi ghed.“Iam sor rythatyouhavehadt oputup
withmeandmynonsense.Iam sor ryf ortheheart
attack.Iknowi t
’sbecauseofme.I t’
snoteasyf or
met ohurtyou.IloveyoubutIdon’ tthinkIam
l
ovi ngyout heri
ght fulway..Youdeser vebet t
er
babe. .
.Iloveyousomuchbutt here’sjustt oomuch
thathappened.Al othashappened.Iwantt omake
thi
swor kbutIcan’ tli
vewiththefactt hatIhurtyou
t
oapoi ntofyoual
mostdying.Idon’
tthi
nkt
hings
wil
leverbethesame.Ibel
ieveinusbut…maybewe
metatthewrongti
me.”
Shelookedatt
hetear
sinhi
seyes.Hehel
dher
hand.“Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul…”
Thabi
’
stearsfel
lont
hepi
ll
ow.Hewi
pedt
hem away
wit
hhishands.
“
Andyouaregoi
ngtobethebestsur
geon.Icansee
i
t.
”Hesmil
ed.“
Iloveyou.
”
Sheputherarm overherf
oreheadandl
etoutal
oud
cry.Atangpul
ledherupandhuggedher
.Heheld
ti
ghtlywipi
ngawayhisownt ear
.
Hel
etgomi
nut
esl
aterandki
ssedher
.
“Iwil
lgoandtellBat
angtocomewi thLomo.She’s
goingtobesohappyt ohaveyourespondingt
oher.
Ihadmycousi ncoll
ectZaza’
scar.Iwil
laskhi
mt o
dropitof
fincaseyouneedi t
.ShouldIbookyou
i
ntoahot el
?”
Shesni
ff
edandnodded.
“
Iwi
lldot
hat
.Theywi
llbeher
einmi
nut
es.
”
Hel
aidherdown.“
Takei
teasy.
”
Hewalkedoutandwentt
othepar
king.At
ang
smi
ledlooki
ngatBat
ang.
“
Thabii
sawake.Lomo,
mommywant
stoseeyou.
”
“
Shei
sawake?
”
“Yes…Bat
ang,goinwit
hher
.Iam goi
ngt
obooka
hotel
room f
oryouguys.
”
“
Ok.
”
Batangwalkedinsi
dethehospi
talwi
thLomo.Bot
ho
remainedi
nt hecarst
ari
ngathim.
“MmagweLomowillbewit
hherwhil
esheishere.
Youcangohome.Iwil
lgetyouabusti
cketf
rom
her
etoGabs.Or
….”
At
angt
ookouthi
sphoneandcal
ledPr
ince.
“
Atang…”
“
Haveyoul
eftyet
?”
“
Wear
eaboutt
o.Why?
”
“
Themonnacanyougi
veBot
hoal
if
t.
.”
“
Yeah.
.whataboutLomo?
”
“
Hermom i
sher
e.”
“
Thabii
sher
e?”
“
Yes.Wher
eshoul
dIbr
ingBot
ho?
”
“
Letmesendyoumyl
ocat
ion.
”
At
anghungupstar
ti
ngthecar
.Heopenedt
he
l
ocat
iont
hendr
oveoff.

*
**

I
nthehospi
tal
,Thabit
ight
lyhuggedherdaught
er.
“
Heybaby.
.“
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Imi
ssedyousomucht
oo.
”
Lomowipedhermot
her
’st
ear
s.“
Youdi
dn’
ttel
lme
youwer
ecomingher
e…”
“
Iwant
edt
osur
pri
seyou.
”
Bat
angl
ookedather
.“Iwassoscar
ed.
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Somethi
ngi
sgoi
ngonbet
weenyouand
At
ang.Whati
sit
?”
Thabi
lookedatLomoandsmi
led.“
Not
hing.
”
Batang’
sphoner
ang.Het
ooki
toutandl
ookedat
Lebocall
ing.
Hewal
kedoutanswer
ing.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Hi.Howi
syoursi
ster
?”
“
Shei
sawakenow.
”
“
ThankGod.Ipassedbyyourgr andf
ather
’sfar
m
t
odayandhelpedhim cl
ean.Icookedforhimtoo.
”
Batangsmiled.“
Thankyou.He’
sgoi
ngt
otel
lmeal
l
aboutitwhenIcallhi
m.”
“
Yeah…Iloveyou.Idon’
thavemuchai
rt
ime.
.Ican’
t
wai
ttoseeyou..
”
“
Ifsheget
sdi
schar
gedt
oday,
Iwi
llcome
t
omor
row.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
Shehungup.Bat
angt
ransf
err
edt hel
astai
rt
imeon
hisphonet
ohert
hent
urnedgett
ingbackinthe
room.
Helookedupput t
inghisphoneawayandwal ked
backintheroom.Hesmi l
edstar
ingatThabiand
Lomowhi speri
ngwhilelaughi
ng.
Bat
angt
ookouthi
sri
ngi
ngphoneandpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
letmet
alkt
oThabi
..
”
Bat
angwalkedwi
tht
hephonet
oThabi
.Thabiputi
t
onherear
.
“
Atang…”
“Ibookedyouguysi
ntoapresi
dent
ialsui
te.Ar
eyou
gett
ingdischar
gedt
oday?
”
“
Yes,
butl
ater
.”
“Ok.Cal
lmei fyouneedanyt
hing.Iwil
lpassby
befor
eIleave.Iam goi
ngtoGaborone.”
“
Ok.
”
Ther
ewassil
enceasnoonehungup.Ami
nut
e
wentbyt
henAtangsi
ghed.
“
Youwi
llcal
lmewhenyouneedsomet
hing.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupthencal
ledbacki
mmedi
atel
ybuthung
upbef
oreshecoul
dpick.
Bat
angshookhi
shead.“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#86

Lat
ert
hatdayi
nKasane,
Thabil
ookedatherdoct
or
andsi
ghed.
“
Iwantt
obedi
schar
ged.
”
Thedoct
orsi
ghed.“
Thabi
le,
Iam keepi
ngyouher
e
f
orobser
vat
ions.
”
“Youarenotgoingtokeepmeher e.Mychil
dcan’t
sleephere.Ei
therway,youhavebeenobser vi
ngme
thewhole.Iam adoctor.Asurgeon.Iam f
ine.”
“Goodthi
ngyouareadoct
or,t
herei
snoonewho
canunderst
andwhyyouhavetoremai
nhereother
thanyou.Pl
easefi
ndsomeonetocomeandcoll
ect
them.Iwil
ldi
schar
geyoutomorr
owmor ni
ng.Do
youwantaphone?”
“
Ifeelf
ine.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Ineedyouf
eel
ingmor
ethanf
ine.
.”
Batangnodded.“
Iagr
ee.Pl
easel
ist
ent
othe
doctor
.”
Thedoctorsmi
led.“See?Heagrees.Thabiahear
t
at
tackisnotapanicattack.
.Iwanttomonit
oryou
meaningyouaresleepi
ngher et
onight
.”
Shelai
ddowndef
eat
ed.Bat
angsmi
led.“
Iwi
llcal
l
uncl
eAtang.
”
“Maybehelef
t.Hesai
dhei
sgoi
ngbackt
o
Gaborone.
”
Bat
angdial
edhi
snumberandputthephoneonhi
s
ear
.Thephoner
angt
hri
cethenAtangpicked.
“
Buddy…”
“Ar
eyoustil
lar
ound?Thedoct
ori
snotdi
schar
ging
Thabi
today.
”
“
Yes.Doyouwantmet
opi
ckyouguysnow?
”
“
Yes.Thankyou.
”
“
Iwi
llbet
her
eon15mi
nut
es.
”
Bat
angsmi
leddr
oppi
ngt
hecal
l.“
Hei
scomi
ng.
”
Thabinodded.“Ok.Iwi
llseeyouguyst omorrow
then.Wewi l
lgototheChoberiverthenmaybego
home.Elangsaidourhouseistheonl yhousewhich
sti
lll
ooksthesame.Iwanttoext endandrenovate
i
t.”
“
HasFar
aimar
ri
edheryet
?”
Thabishookherhead.“
Notyet
.Gat
wehe’
ssayi
ng
heisnotyetr
eady.”
“
Howmanyki
dsdot
heyhave?
”
“
Two.
”
“
Sot
heyar
est
ayi
ngt
oget
her
?”
“Yes,Ihavetocallherorel
seIwi llbeaccusedof
beingfake.Idon’
tthinkFarail
ovesher .If
eelshe
pressuredhimtobewi thher.Faraineverl
ikedher.
Heact ual
lyneverwantedthefir
stbabybutyou
knowhowEl angis.
”
“Shewon’tl
eavehi
m eveni
fsheknew.Ial
wayssee
herfami
lygoalspi
ctur
esonFacebook.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Byt
heway,
howi
sLebo?
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Iam happyf
oryou.Don’
thur
ther
.”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
“Iam ser
ious.I
fyour
eal
lyl
oveher
,don’
tbr
eakher
heart
.”
Henodded.
“
Andpl
easeusecondoms!
”
Bat
anglaughed.“Whydoyoual
wayst
hrowt
hisi
n
wheneverwediscussLebo?
”
“
Idon’
twantyout
ohaveki
dswhenyouar
est
il
lat
school
.Youcannotaff
ordababy.Iwantyoutoget
yourdegrees,
getaj
obthengetmarri
edandhave
ki
dswi t
honewoman.Iam looki
ngoutforyou.
”
“
Iknow…ar
eyoubr
eaki
ngupwi
th…youknow
who?”
Theybot
hlookedatLomowhowast aki
ngpi
ctur
es
wit
hhermother’
sphone.Thabisi
ghed.
“Youandhim canremai
nclose..Usparti
ngways
doesnotmeanyouar ei
nvolved.Hewillst
il
lbe
ther
e.Justnotwit
hme.It
’snotwor ki
ng.”
“
Whyi
sitnotwor
king?
”
“
Alotofr
easonsBat
ang.
”
“Youjustcan’tsayalotofreasonswhenyouhave
alsoputmei nthisr
elati
onship.Ideser
vet
oknow
thosereasons.”
“
Thedi
stancei
staki
ngal
otf
rom us.
”
ThedooropenedthenAt
angwal
kedi
n.Bat
ang
l
ookedathimthenatThabi
.
“Whatdiddi
stancedo?Youareal
mostdone.Can’
t
youjustbepati
ent?Soonyouar
ecomingback
home.It houghtyousaidyouwer egoingto
compr omiseandgetmar r
ied.Whathappened?You
saidyouwer egoingtofinishoffyourresi
dency
here.Whathappenedt othat?Toever ythi
ngyou
werepl anni
ngonourwayher e.Whathappenedt o
that?”
“
Bat
ang,
Lomoi
sst
ari
ng.Pl
easego.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Iwantt
oknow.
”
Atanglookedathi
m.“
Buddy…wewi
llt
alk.Let
’snot
dothisinfr
ontoft
hechi
ld.
”
Hetear
ful
lyl
ookedatAt
angt
henf
orcedasmi
le
t
urni
ngtoLomo.
“
Lomo,
givemamaherphone.
”
Lomowalkedoverandhandedt
hephonet
oher
mother
.Thabismil
edhuggi
ngher.
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Bat
anghel
dLomo’
shandandwal
kedout
.
Lomot
urned.“
Byemama…”
“
Byebaby…seeyout
omor
row.
”
Shewalkedout.AtanghaveBatangt
hecarkeys
thenwalkedi
nsideThabi’
sroom.
“Bri
ngthem backi
nthemorning.Iwil
lbeget
ti
ng
dischar
ged…Iwanttotakef
orar oadtr
ip.
”
“Ok.Doyouneedabi ggercar
?Iam sur
eZaza
needshercarback.
”
“
Sheneversai
danyt
hingbutIcanhi
re-
“
“
Youcanuset
heFor
d.Iwi
llt
akeZaza’
scarback.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.Thankyou.
”
“
Doyouneedanyt
hingel
se?
”
“
No.Iam f
ine.JustLomo’
scl
othes.
”
“Shehadn’
tbroughtalot
.Wewer
esupposedt
o
havewentbackyester
day.”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
llbuysome.
”
“
Icangi
veyoumycar
d.”
“
Youdon’
tneedt
o.Iam f
ine.
”
Hel
ookedather
,Thabit
urnedt
ohi
m.“
Whati
sit
?
Pleasego.Theyar ewai tingforyou.Isawyour
medi cineint hemor ning.Ihopeyout akethem
faithf
ully.Youhaveachi ld.Ijustwi
shyouused
condoms.Dot heyi
rri
tat eyou?Dot heymakeyour
dickitcht hatyoucan’ twearone?Oryoudon’ tknow
howt ouseone? ”Herhear tasracedasheranger
rose.“Oryouwantchi ldren?Youar edisgusti
ng!
Youevenl ef
tourchi l
dwi thanannysoyoucango
stickyourdi cki nwhat everwhol eyoufind,aslong
asi thast wol egsandavagi na!”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.“Yougoaroundcoll
ect
ingdirt
!
Kooreor at
alesweakere?Youdon’tcar
eabout
anythi
ngbutyourdick.Thel
eastyoucandoi sthi
nk
foryourchi
ldifyoucan’
tdoitf
oryou.Getout!”
Heslowlyturnedandwal kedout.Thabit
ookadeep
breat
handr eleased.Herheartachedsomuchshe
putherhandsonherf acecr
ying.
Minut
eslat
ershepul
ledher
sel
ftoget
herandl
aidon
hersi
de,
hereyescl
osed.

*
**
Overanhourl
ater
,Pulewalkedi
nsi
dethehospi
tal.
Hisfr
iendsmi
ledastheybumpedshoulder
s.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Come.Youowemef orkeepi
ngherher
e.She
want
edtobedi
schar
ged.”
“
Thanks.
”
Hel
edhert
oThabi
’
sroom.
“
Inher
e.”
“
Thankyou.
”
Thabi’
sdoct
ornoddedthenwal
kedaway.Pul
e
knockedt
henopenedthedoorwal
kingi
n.
Hel
ookedatThabiwhowasf
aci
ngt
heot
hersi
de
t
hencl
osedthedoor.
“
Hey…”
Thabi
tur
ned.Pul
esmi
led.“
Sur
pri
se!
”
Shesmi
ledshocked.“
Hi!
”
“
Soyoucomeandyoudon’
ttel
lus?
”
Hewal
kedovert
oher
.Pul
elookedatherbeaut
if
ul
f
acesmil
ing.
“
Youl
ook…wow.
.”
Thabilaughed.“
Yout
oo.Howdi
dyouknowIwas
here?
”
“
Connect
ions.Ican’
tbel
ieveIam seei
ngyou.
”
“
Mer
oom”
Pul
elookedatherr
eddi
sheyes.“
Areyouok?
”
Thabi
nodded.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youreyesar
epuf
fyandr
ed.
”
Awaywardtearr
oll
eddown.Shequi
ckl
ywi
pedi
t
awayl
ooki
ngdown.
“
Tal
ktome…what
’swr
ong?
”
Hetouchedhercheek,
hiscol
dweddingri
ng
t
ouchingherski
n.“What’
swrong?Tal
ktome.”
Herl
ipstr
embled,
sheputherhandonherf
ace
t
earf
ull
y.Pul
ecuppedherface.
“
Tal
ktome…”
Moretear
srol
leddown,
Pul
ehuggedherhur
ryi
ng
heri
nhiswarm ar
ms.
Her
ubbedherbackt
henwi
pedawayhert
ear
s.
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Icaughthi
m cheat
ing.
”
Pulelookedinhereyes.“
Hedoesn’tdeser
veyou.
Hedoesn’ tl
oveyou.YouseewhatImeant ?Hewil
l
neverstop.Maybeheoncel ovedyoubutIdon’
t
thi
nkt hatl
oveisst
il
lther
e.Iwishyoucanseeit…”
Hewipedawayat
eart
hathadr
oll
eddownand
smi
led.
“
Youdeser
vef
armuchbet
ter
.”
Hemovedcl
oser
.“Youdeser
vewaybet
ter
…”
Puleti
lt
edherchi
nandki
ssedherasanot
hert
ear
rol
leddownhereye.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#87

Thabi
closedhereyesr
eceivi
ngt
hekids.Hekissed
hermoreowninghermouth.Hepausedthenpull
ed
awaysmili
ng.
“
IcameassoonasIhear
dyouwer
eher
e.”
Shesmi
led.“
Idi
dn’
tknowyouar
emar
ri
ed.
”
Pulel
aughedt
hentooki
tof
f.“
Ladi
esl
ovet
her
ing.I
tol
dyouIwasget
ti
ngone.”
Thabi
laughed.“
Isi
twor
king?
”
“Notreal
ly.
”Pul
esmiled.“
Itshoul
dnotbel
iket
his…
Iwishyoucanleavehim.”
“
Wear
edone.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Youendedi
t?”
“Ther
eisnothi
ngl
eft
.Hedi dn’
tevenuseacondom
andIsuspectt
hegi
rlisHIVposit
ivebecausehe
hadPEPinthemorning.
”
“Iam happyyouar
ewal
kingaway.Whenar
eyou
goingback?”
“
Int
woweeks.Iam goi
ngt
obeaseni
orr
esi
dent
.
Pulesmi
led.“It
oldyou…youar
edest
inedt
obea
br
ightst
ar.AndLomo? ”
“Hewi
llst
aywit
hherwhil
eIfi
nishof
f.Ican’
ttake
herwi
thme.Sheneedspr
operatt
ent
ion.”
Pul
etouchedherhandt
henr
ubbedherl
ips.“
What
ar
eyourplans?
”
“
Iwantt
otakeBatangandLomof
oraboatr
idet
hen
maybef
rom t
her
egohome.ToShakawe.
”
Pul
elookedatherl
i
psasshespoke,heleanedover
andki
ssedheragai
n.Thedooropenedf
ollowedby
Agangwalki
nginholdi
ngafastf
oodpaperbag.
PulemovedasThabir ubbedherl
ips.Agangstar
ed
atbothofthem t
henlookedatPul
e.Heangr i
ly
walkedoverandpunchedhim.
“
Agang!
”
Pul
est
agger
edbackt
henst
oodupr
ight
.
“
Bonami
ster
,Idon’
twantt
ofi
ghtwi
thyou.
”
“
Wat
wael
awena?
”
Agangpunchedhi
m again,
Pulet
hrewapunchback.
Thabiscr
eamedpressi
ngtheemergencybut
ton.
TwonursescamerushinginasPul
epunched
Agangagai
n.Thabigotofft
hebed.
“
Pul
e!”
Themalenur
sepull
edPul
ebackj
ustassecur
it
y
walkedi
nandhel
dbothmen.
AganglookedatPul
ebr
eat
hing.“
Otsi
legonyel
a
wena!
”
Thenursel
ookedatThabiandhel
pedherbackon
thebed.
Oneofthesecur
it
yguardssi
ghedf
igur
ingwhatt
he
fi
ghtpr
obablywasabout.
“Gent
lemen,t
hisi
snotaboxingcent
er.I
t’
sa
hospi
talandyouaredi
srupt
ingt
hepeace.”
Pul
esi
ghed.“Hest
art
edit.Idon’
tevenknowwhy
hei
sfi
ghti
ng.Iwashereandhewal kedi
nfi
ght
ing.
”
Thesecur
it
yguar
dlookedatThabi
.
“
Doyouknowhi
m?”
Thabiswall
owed.“
Yes.Hei
smyex’
sbr
other
.
Agangpleasego.
”
Aganglookedather.“Youar
ehur
ti
ng.Pl
easedon’
t
l
etyourangeri
nfluenceyou.
”
“Nothi
ngi sinfl
uencingme.Yourbrot
herandIare
done.Idon’tappreciat
etheviol
enceyouare
bringi
ngher e.Pul
ei smyguest.Youfoundhi
m here.
Pleaseleave.Idon’twantdr
ama. ”
AganglookedatPulethenwal
kedrubbinghis
bleedi
ngli
p.Thenurseandsecur
ityguards
foll
owed.Pul
etouchedThabi
’shand.
“
Areyouok?Iam sor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
“Iam f
ine.It
’sok.Iam sor
ry.He’
sneverbeena
viol
entperson…atleastnotinmyeyes.
”
“
It
sok.Let
’sf
orgeti
t.
”
Pul
e’sphonerangi
nhi
spocket
.Het
ooki
toutt
hen
swi
tcheditof
f.
“
It
’swor
k.Doyouwantmet
ost
ay?
”
Shenodded.Hesatdownhol
dingherhand.

*
**

Attheparki
nglot,
Aganggotinhi
scarandsatst
il
l
fi
rawhi l
ebefor
estart
inghi
scaranddr
ivi
ngoff
di
alinghernumber.
Herphoner
angf
orawhi
le.“
Agang…”
“Iwantt
otel
lyouhel
ovesyoubecauseIknowhe
does.
”
“Iam donewi
thyourbr
otherAgang.Hemovedon.I
hopesheiswort
hit.
”
“
Idon’tknowwhattotel
lyou…orhowt
otel
lyou
j
usthowmuchhel ovesyou.”
“Ican’
tbewithamanwhor unst othenearest
vaginawhent hi
ngsgosouthint herel
ati
onship.
Nowhe’ sgoingaroundcol
lect
ingdiseases.He
doesn’tusecondoms,koor
ehe’ ssocarelesshe
wantst
ogivemehisvi
ruses.Iam notgoi
ngt
ost
ay
f
orthat
.If
orgavehi
m once,notagai
n.”
Heswal l
owedthenputawayhisphone.Heparked
hiscaratthehotel
’
sparki
ngl
otandwentt ohis
room.Kell
ylookedathi
m hol
dingtheremote
contr
olinherhands.
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Not
hing.
”
Hewalkedtothebat
hroom t
henwalkedoutminut
es
l
ater
.Helai
dont hebedwit
hher.Kell
yworri
edl
y
t
ouchedhisli
p.
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Thabihasal
readymovedon.Il
osti
t.
”
“
Youf
oughthernewboyf
ri
end?
”
“
Hei
sthatoneguywho’
sal
waysbeent
her
e.”
“ButThabii
snotyourbusi
ness.Idon’tl
ikehowyou
arejumpingaroundf
orher
.Iunderstandsheisyour
brot
her’
sbabymamabutl etAtangdealwi t
hhis
ownmess.Pl ease…t
hewayyouar ebehavingone
wouldthi
nkyouar et
heboyfr
iend.St
op.Idon’tthi
nk
Ievenlikeheranymore.Hel
afrom thedayshe
call
edyouatni ght
.Whydoesshet hinkit
’sokt ocal
l
youaftermi dni
ght
?Sheknowsyougotmar r
ied.I
didn’
tli
keit.Idon’
tthi
nkIst
il
lli
keher .Pl
easestop.”
Agangl ookedathiswif
e.“Ther
eisnoneedt o
disl
ikeher.Iam sorr
yIhavebeenjumpingaround
forher.Iwil
lkeepmydistanceandletAtangdeal
withhisbusiness.
”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“Butwhomovesoni noneday?Idon’ tthi
nkshe’s
everlovedyourbr other.Ithi nkatfir
stshewaswi th
himf orstabi
lity.Shel ovedt het hi
ngshedi dforher.
Thecar ,t
hehouse…ever yt
hing.Thenwhenshe
movedt ot hest ates,shedi dn’treall
yneedhi m
anymor eandnowsher eal
lydoesn’ t.She’sadoctor
andwhatnoti nHar vard.At angshoul djustmoveon.
Youshoul dst opencour aginghi mt of i
ghtfor
someonewhocan’ tcompr omi seforherman.
Someonewhohol dsgr udgesf oryears.Abandons
herdaught er.Weknowshei satschoolbutf rom
whatyout el
lmei tseemsl i
keshewi llchoose
herselfoverever ything.She’ sselfi
shandsel f
cent
ered.At
angdeser
vesmuchmor
ebet
ter
.”
“
Youdon’
tknowThabi
-“
“Iknowenoughtoknowt heki
ndofpersonsheis.
Sheexpectseveryonear
oundhertoli
ckthegr
ound
shewalkson.It
’sherwayornootherwayatall
.”
“Canwest optal
kingabouther?Shedoesn’ tknow
youexist,youdon’tevenknowhert hatmuch
exceptfrom seeingheronweekendst hedaysshe
wasstillaround.BesidesthatandwhatIt el
lyou,
youdon’ tknowher .Iam notgoingtotalkabouther
andtellyouaboutt hepersonshei sbecauseitwil
l
makei tlookli
keIam belitt
li
ngyou.Let ’
sstop.
”

*
**

Thefoll
owingmor
ning,
Atangpar
kedthecarand
l
ookedatBatangwhowasnottal
kingt
ohim si
nce
l
astnight.
“
Iwi
llgoandgether
.Youguyswi
llbegoi
ngwi
th
t
hecar.
”
Atang’
sphoner
angj
ustashest
eppedoutoft
he
car.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi
,pleasebri
ngmybr ot
heranddaught
er.Iwon’
t
betakingyourcar
.Ihavemadeaplan.”
“
Iam her
e,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shehungup.Minutesl
atershewalkedoutlaughi
ng
hol
dingPule’
shand.Heswallowedwatchingthem
l
aughing,
hishear
tbeati
nguncontrol
labl
y.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#88

AtangwatchedasThabiwal
kedoveri
nanor ange
fl
aredshortdr
esst
hatshowedherthi
ckt
highs.Her
but
tlif
tedt
hedresswhil
ethewi
ndbl
ewitmore.
SheletgoofPul
e’shavewhost
oodbyhi
scarwhil
e
shewalkedover
.
Shehadtakenofft
hewigandhadtiedherhai
rint
o
abun.Shewalkedoveri
nherheel
sandsmi l
ed
st
ari
ngatBatangandLomo.
“
Heyguys,
let
’sgo.
”
Bat
anglookedatPul
ethenbackathersi
ster
.At
ang
si
ghed.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
CanIpl
easehavemydaught
er.Bat
ang,
let
’sgo.
”
Lomol
ookedatherconf
used.“
Whataboutdaddy?
”
“Lel
omopleaselet
’sgo.Wearegoi
ngtori
dea
speedboat
.It
’sgoingtobef
un.Let
’sgobaby…”
“
Iwantt
ocomewi
thdaddyt
oo.
”
Thabi
lookedatAt
ang.
“
Didyout
ellt
hem?
”
At
angcl
osedt
hecardoorandpul
ledhert
othesi
de.
“Canyounotdothi
stotheki
ds?I
t’
stoosoon.They
aretr
yingt
oacceptt
hatwearenolongert
oget
her.
”
“Whatam Idoi
ngtothem?Ididn’
tdoanythi
ng.
That
’sPul
e.Myf r
iend.Whatam Idoi
ng?
”
AtanglookedatPul
ethenather
.“Agangt
oldme.
Don’tyouthi
nkit
’st
oosoonfortheki
ds?”
“Youdidn’
tthi
nkofLomowhenyouwer eri
dingyour
gir
lf
ri
endwi t
houtacondom.Batangisagrownman,
hewillunder
stand.Pul
eisonl
yaf r
iend.
”
“
Soyouki
ssyourf
ri
endsnow?
”
“
Samewayyouki
ssyourcousi
ns.Atl
easthei
snot
myrel
ati
ve.
”
Atangsmil
edsadl
y.“
Youneverf
orgavemef
or
Pearl
,di
dyou?”
“
Atang-
“
“
No.Ifyouresentedmedeepdowni
nyourheart,
whydidyoutakemeback?Orwhereyouwaiti
ngfor
t
heri
ghtfulopportuni
tyt
ohur
tmeback?Because
t
hatwasyourpl an.”
“
Idon’
that
eyou.
”
“Youdo.Deepdownyouknowyouhat emef or
hurti
ngyou.Deepdownyouknowyouhat emef or
ourdaughter.That’
swhyi t’
seasyforyounott ocall
meoryourdaught er.Youhat eme.Whydi dyou
agreetotakemebacki fyoudi dn’
tloveme?IknowI
wasper si
stentbutyoucouldhaver eject
edmeal l
thoseti
mes.Iwasgoi ngt ogiveupatt heend.You
didn’
thavet ol
ieunderneathmewhi l
eyouhat ed
me. ”
“Ididn’that eyou.Ilovedyou.Allthatwasneeded
waspat i
ence.Youf ail
edatit.Pul
eisonlyaf riend.
Lomowi llgetusedt ohim.Batangunderstands
what ’
sgoi ngon.YouandIar edone.WhoIam
fri
endswi thorwhoIki ssi
snotyourbusi ness.Tel l
yourbr othert okeephi sdi
stance.Idon’
tappr eciate
whathedi dlastnight.Whycan’thepunchyouf or
sleepingwi t
ht hatwoman?Idi dn’
tcomeher ef or
drama.Gi vememyki ds.
”
Helookedathershr
inki
nghi
seyes.Thabit
ooka
deepbreat
hknowinghewasgoingtocausea
scene.
“
Doyout
hinki
t’
sfai
rtomoveonwi
tht
hesameguy
yout
oldmeyouwer
efr
iendswi
th?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hetookadeepbreat
hasablockpainf
ull
ysaton
hi
sthroat
.Shel
ookedathi
m wait
ingfori
t.
“Il
oveyou.Idon’tknowwhatelsetosay.Ke
fel
etswe.Il
oveyousomuch. ”Her ubbedhi
stear
ful
eyes.“Buti
fit
’shim youwant
,it
’sok.Iwon’
tmake
yourli
feali
vinghell
.Ifai
ledt
ocher i
shyou.
”
At
angtur
nedandwalkedbackt
ohi
scar
.Heopened
t
hedoorforLomo.
“Princess…Itoldyout hatmamaandIar enolonger
boyf r
iendandgi r
lfri
endr ight?Meaningmeand
mamacan’ talwaysbet oget herl
ikeweusedt obe
together.ButIwillsti
llbeyourdadandmamawi ll
stil
lbeyourmom.Webot hloveyout hesameway.
BatangIknowyouar eangr y.Iknowyouar e
disappointed.Icouldhavebeenbet t
er,coul
dhave
donebet terorIshoul dhavenevermadet he
decisionsImade.ButIam human.Imessup
somet imes.ButIl earn.Iwill l
ear
nandbebet ter
nextt i
me.Yoursi sterisher etospendt i
mewi thyou
andLomo.Pleasegowit
hher.Iam goingt
oGabs.
Wewillmeetther
e.Lomo,Iwi
llmeetyouathome.
”
Hekissedhi
sdaught
er’
sfor
eheadandhuggedher
.
Shesniff
ed.
“
Iloveyou.
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Heletgoandputherdown.Thabihel
dherhand.
Batangalsost
eppedoutoft
hecar.At
angbumped
fi
stswit
hhi m.
“
Benicetohim.She’
syoursi
ster
’sf
ri
end.Idon’
t
wanthert
hinki
ngIam i
nfl
uenci
ngyou.”
Bat
angnodded.At
angl
ookedatThabi
.
“
Tel
lmewhenyouar
ebr
ingi
ngt
hem.Havef
un.
”
Hegotinhi
scaranddroveoff.Thabiwatchedashe
wentawaywit
houtevenatt
empt i
ngtofightforher
.
Shetur
nedawaydisappoi
nted.
“
Let
sgo.
”
Shel
edt
hem t
othecar
.Pul
esmi
led.
“
Hi…”
Batangglar
edathi
mthenl
ookedaway.Thabi
openedthedoorf
orLomo.
“
Geti
n.”
“
Iwantdaddy.
”
“Lel
omo,
youhear
dyourf
atheraker
e?Geti
nthe
car.
”
“Iwantustobeafami
ly.Ij
ustwantt
ohavea
normalfamil
y.”
“Wellt
hati
snotgoingtohappen.Yourf
atherandI
arenotinarel
ati
onshi
panymore.”
Tear
srol
leddownLomo’
seyes“
Whydoyouhat
e
ussomuch?”
“
Whosai
dIhat
eyou?
”
“Ihear
dyoutheot
herdayonthephonewi
thdaddy.
Yousaidyoudi
dn’
twantme.”
Thabiswal
lowed.“
Yourf
athermadeyoul
ist
ent
o
that
?”
“Iover
hear
dyou.Iknowyouhat
eus.Idon’
twantt
o
gowi t
hyou.
”
“
Idon’
that
eyou.Il
oveyou.Lomopl
ease…”
Pul
esmi
led.“
Lomo-
“
“
Don’
ttal
ktome,
Idon’
tli
keyou!
”
Thabi
angri
lysmi
rkedherf
ace.“
Stopi
t!Geti
nthe
car
!Now!”
LomoturnedtoBatangi
nshock.Sheslowl
ycurved
herl
ipscryi
ng.Bat
angopenedthecardoorand
hel
pedherinsi
de.
“
It
’sok.Don’
tcr
y.”
“
Iwantmydad.
”
“Aft
erthi
s,sheisgoingbackandyouwillgobackt
o
yourdad.Don’tt
alkorshewil
lbeatyou.
”
Thabil
ookedatherhandshaki
ng.Bat
angcl
osed
thedoorandl
ookedather.
“MaybeItoowouldn’
tstaywithawomanwhodon’ t
l
ovemeasmuchasIl oveher .Who’snot
committedandwhoisunf or
givingbutpr
etendsto
be.Hetoldmeeveryt
hing.Andyes, hewaswr ong
tohavecheatedonyouthefirstti
mebutthesecond
ti
menotsomuch…yout oldsomeonewho’ sbeen
chasingyou, tryingt oloveyouf oryearst ofi
nd
someoneel se.Youhadnohopef orther elat
ionship.
Yousai dthat.Hedi dn’tcheatonyou, forittobe
cheatingheshoul dhavebeeni nar elat
ionshi pbut
hewasnot .Hewasal lalone.Lomoi sright.You
hatethem.Iwonderwhyyouevent rytobegi nwith.
Ihopehemakesyougood.St opbeat i
ngher
becauseyouwanthert oli
keyournewboyf r
iend.I
don’tli
kehimt oo.Youcan’ tf
orceust olikehi m.I
am goi ngtocat chabust oMaun.Iam notgoi ng
wit
hyou.Iam goi ngt oseeNt atemogol othengo
backt oGabor one. ”
“
Youdon’
tunder
stand-
“
“NoIdounderst
and.Iunder
standper
fect
ly.Be
happy.Bye.
”
Heturnedandwalkedaway.Tear
sfi
ll
edThabi
’
s
eyes.Pul
ehuggedher.
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
ieveIbeatmydaught
er.
”
“
Apologi
ze.Bat
angi
sri
ght
.Youcan’
tfor
cet
hem t
o
l
ikeme.”
Shesni
ff
edcr
ying.Theyf
inal
lygoti
nthecar
.Thabi
tur
nedt
oLomo.
“
Iam sor
ryf
orhi
tt
ingyou.
”
Sheremainedqui
etlookingoutt
hrought
hewi
ndow.
Thabisi
ghedthenturnedahead.
Pul
est
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveaway.

*
**

AttheChoberiver
,Thabismil
edget
ti
ngi
nthespeed
boat.Shesmil
edhelpingLomowhohadalongface
i
nandsmi led.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
olovei
tLomo.
”
“CanIgohomeaf
terwear
efi
nishedt
henyoucan
goback?”
“Wearegoi
ngtospendti
metoget
herLomo.Wor
k
onyourat
ti
tudeandst
opsul
king.
”
Lomosatdownandf ol
dedherar
ms,
airi
nher
chubbycheeks.Pul
esmil
ed.
“
Letherbe.I
t’
sok.She’
sachi
ld.
”
Thabi
sighed.“
Idon’
tknowhowt
ohandl
eher
….”
“
Itwi
llt
aket
ime…t
akei
teasywi
thher
.”
Pul
estart
edt
heboat.Thabiwatchedashe
st
ruggl
edtomaneuveri
tfurt
herint
othewater
.
“
Youknowhowt
osai
l?
”
“
Yes,
it’
sbeenawhi
l
e.”
Shesl owlysatdownandwat chedast heboat
moved.Shecaughther selfr
ecall
ingtheti
meAt ang
hadt akenthem f oraboatr i
deinShakawe.Hehad
beeni ncontroltheent i
reti
me.Pul el
ookedatheras
hesai l
edtheboat .Hepickedupspeed, Thabi
smiledthenlookedatLomowhowasnowsmi l
ing
holdingonwhi lest ar
ingatthewat er
.
Thabi
lookedatPul
esmi
li
ng.“
CanIt
ryt
oo?
”
“
Come.
”
Shestoodupandwal kedoverthenhel
dthewheel
exci
tedly.Shetookasharpturnlaughi
ng,Lomol ost
herbalancesli
dingtothesi
de.Herheartpounded,
sheslowlygotupt owalkovertohermother.Lostin
excit
ement ,
Thabitur
nedthewheelmaki
ngahuge
splash.Lomoscr eamedfal
li
ngonherside,her
headhi t
ti
ngthecorneroft
hespeedboatthenfel
l
i
ntot hewater.
.
.
.
Ar
ewest
il
lawakef
oranot
herone?
Your
sTr
uly
#89

Thabi
laughedandl
ookedatPul
e.
“
Ilovet
his.
”
Hehuggedherf
rom behi
nd.“
Ther
e’st
hist
ri
ck
know.
”
Hei ncreasedt
hespeedgoingdownther
iverwit
h
herst andi
nginfr
ontwhi
leshesmil
ed.Minutesl
ater
shel aughedasPulef
ini
shedshowi
ngherhisold
tr
ick.
Hequi
ckl
yst
oleaki
ss.“
Youar
eanat
ural
.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Sheturnedsmi
ling,
hersmi l
eslowlydissol
ved,
fear
tr
ickl
ingdownherspine.Herheartski
ppedasshe
l
ookedatthebloodont heboat
.
“
Lomo!
”
Sheletgooft
hewheel
.Pul
esl
owl
yst
oppedt
he
boat
.
“
Lomo!
”
Thabi
lookedi
nthewat
erscr
eami
ng.“
Lomo!
”
Pul
elookedatt
hewat
ert
oo.“
Fuck!It
hinkshef
ell
i
nthewater.
”
Thabi
shookherheadpani
cki
ng.“
No…Lomo!
”
“
Lel
omo!
”
Pul
equi
ckl
ytookouthi
sphone.“
Letmecal
lhel
p…”
“
Ther
eisbl
ood.She’
sint
hewat
er…she…Lomo!
”
Thabil
ookedaroundthenstart
edt
aki
ngof
fher
shoesasherheartpounded.
“
Ther
ear
epr
edat
orsi
nthewat
er.
”
“
Mydaught
eri
sint
hewat
er!
”
“Youdon’tknowwhereshefel
lint
hewat
er.Iam
call
ingf
orhelp.Babel
ist
en-
“
“
Mydaught
eri
sint
hewat
er!She’
sint
hewat
er!
”
“
Thabi
-“
Shepushedhim ashetouchedher.“Mydaught
eri
s
dyi
ng!She’
sdrowning!Iam notwait
ingf
orno
goddamnhelp!
”
“
Ther
ear
ecr
ocodi
lesi
nthewat
erRet
habi
le.
”
“
Andshei
nsi
de!Shei
sinsi
dewi
tht
hecr
ocodi
les!
”
Shej umpedininsi
dewi t
houtthinkingtwice.The
coldwaterhadherinstantl
yfr
eezi ngasbody
temporari
lygotparal
ysed.Sheswam ar oundgoing
downt hewaterwhilel
ookingaround.Sheswam
evenmor efurt
herbuttheunclearwat ermadei t
dif
ficul
ttosee.Sheswam upandcoughedgaspi ng.
Pulelookedathersti
lli
ntheboat.“Hel
piscoming.
Therearecrocodi
lesinthewater
..l
etpr
ofessi
onal
s
l
ookf orher.
”
Thabi dippedundert hewat eragainstil
lsear chi
ng
fort
hepi nkdr ess.Shewentf urt
herdowni ntothe
waterf i
ght i
ngt osee.Somet hingtouchedherl egs,
shetur ned, herheartbeatingwayf ast
er.She
openedhermout handswal lowedt hewat er.She
panickedevenmor et r
yingtoswi m upbutt hewater
fel
tmor eheavi ertoswimt hrough.Shepushedher
bodyup, fearandpani cexhaust ingher.
Handstouchedherthenhelpedherupasshe
slowlyl
ostconsci
ousness.Pul
eswall
owedasthe
rescueguardswam upwithThabi.
“
Isawcr
ocodi
leandi
t’
scomi
ng.Hel
pus.
”
Therescueboatgotclosert
henhelpedbothof
them i
nside.ThemanlookedatThabithenstar
ted
doingchestcompressi
onswhil
ePul ewatchedfrom
hisboat.
“
Issheok?Iam adoct
or,
Icanhel
p.”
Therescueteam gotcl
osert
ohisboatandtheman
whohadr escuedThabipi
ckedherupandjumped
toPule’
sboat.
“
Let
’sgo!Sheneedshel
p.Mycol
leagueswi
ll
cont
inuesear
chi
ngf
orthechi
ld.Whatdr
essdi
dyou
sayshehadonagai
n?”
Pulelookedatt
hem t
ryi
ngt
oremember
.“Uh…r
ed.
Orange.”
“
Ok.
”
Themanconti
nueddoingchestcompr
essi
onsas
Pul
espedoffheadedt
othedork.
Thabigaspedthencoughedoutwater.She
conti
nuedcoughingoutthewaterj
ustasPule
pull
edtheboattoastop.Themanpi ckedThabiand
gotoutwithher.Hehur
riedwi
thhertooneoft he
ambulancesthatwasalr
eadyonstandby.
Thabi
openedhereyesandl
ookedathi
m.
“Mydaughter
!Mydaught
er!
”Shescr
eamed.“
My
daught
er.
”
Themanputheronthest
ret
cheri
nfr
ontoft
he
ambul
anceandhel
dherdown.
“
Myteam isint
hewat
erlooki
ngforher
.Ineedyou
t
ocalm down…wewil
lfi
ndher.Wewon’tst
op
l
ooki
ngtil
lwefi
ndher
.”
Tearsroll
eddownhercheeks.“Iwantmydaughter
.
Takemeback!Somet hingtouchedmylegint
he
water.It
’si
nthewaterandshei si
nsi
dethewater
.I
needt ogetmydaughter.
”
Pulestoodbyandheldherhand.“Babeletthem do
thei
rjob.Theywi
llf
indher
.Theambul anceis
alr
eadyheretogethert
othehospitalassoonas
theygetherout
.”
Thabishookherheadcryi
ng.“Somet
hingi
sint
he
water
!It’
sgoi
ngtoattackher.
Themanheldherhand.“
Iam goi
ngback.Wewil
l
fi
ndherIpr
omise.MynameisTeko.
.what’
syour
name?”
“
Ret
habi
le.
”
“OkThabile.Youar eri
ght.Thereissomethi
ngi nthe
water
.Ther ear ealotofthi
ngsinthewater.Ican’t
namet hem al l.It
’swateraft
erall
.Iwantt
ogetyou
yourdaught erbutIcannotdot hatifyouwanttogo
backintherebecausemyconcer nwon’tbeyour
daughteronl y.Iwanthert ohavemyf ul
latt
ention.I
wanttolookf orher…letmedot hatandwai tf
orme
here.Iam goi
ngtodoever
ythi
ngIcant
ogetyou
yourdaughter
.”
Thabinoddedcr
ying.Tekowal
kedbackt
othe
speedboatandspedbacktohist
eam.
Pul
elookedatThabi
.“Theyar
egoi
ngt
ofi
ndher
.”
Shegotoffthestret
cherastearsroll
eddown.“She
mightdie…Iwasn’tl
ooking.Ishouldhavebeen
l
ookingafterher
.Maybei fshehadonal if
ejacket
.I
di
dn’tevenbothergivi
ngheral i
fej
acket.Howcould
Ibesocar el
ess.
”
“
Youjustwant
edt
ofor
getyourst
resses.Theywi
ll
f
indher
.”
“She’sbeeninther
eformaybemorethantwenty
minutesnow..sheswall
owedalotofwaterthen
stoppedbreathi
ng.Herhear
tst
opped.She-“
“
Don’
tthi
nkabouti
t.Shei
sfi
ne.She’
sfi
ne.
”
Hehuggedherasshecri
edscar
ed.Herphoner
ang
i
nhispocket
,hetooki
toutandl
ookedat‘
Husbae’
cal
li
ng.
“
He’
scal
li
ng.
”
Thabi
lookedatherphone,
herhear
tbeat
ingeven
more.
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
obesoangr
y.”
“
Don’
ttel
lhi
mthen.Atl
eastt
il
lshe’
sfound.
”
“Heknowspeopl
e.Maybet
hencanhel
p.Theycan
hel
plooki
ng.
”
Shegr
abbedt
hephoneandpi
cked.
“
Atang…”
“Hi.Isentyoual istofheraller
giesincaseyou
forgot.Youwant edt otakeherforaboatr i
de,i
t’
sa
bitcloudy.Shehassi nusesandt hewindcanmake
them start
.Pleasej ustbewi t
hher .Shefor
gother
presentforyouint hecar .CanItalktoher?”
Thabi
swal
lowedshaki
ng.“
Somet
hinghappened.
”
“
What
?”
“Pul
egotusaspeedboat .Wewer eridi
nginthe
Choberiver
.It
houghtIwouldjusttakethewheelf
or
acoupleofseconds.WhenIturnedshewasn’ t
ther
e.”
“
Whatdoyoumeanshewasn’
tther
e?”
“
Shef
elli
ntot
hewat
er.
”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Shef
elli
nthewat
er.
”
“Howwhensomeonewaswi
thher
?Di
dhepushmy
daught
er?
”
“No.Pulewashol
dingt
hewheelwi
thme.Shewas
seatedalone.
”
“Shewasal
one?Whatdoyoumeanshewas
alone?
!”
“
Iwasj
ustgoi
ngt
otakeacoupl
eofsecondst
hen-
”
“
Butshei
sonl
y8!
”
“
Imadeami
stake…Idi
dn’
tthi
nkshewoul
dfal
l.
”
“
Sheisei
ghtyear
sol
d.Whywouldl
eaveheral
one?
I
nherspeedboat
?She’
sachi
ld.
”
Thabiputherhandoverhermout
hcr
ying.“
Itwasa
mist
ake…”
“
Letmet
alkt
oher
.Ihopeyouar
est
il
lnoti
nthe
wat
er.Letmet
alkt
oher
.Wher
eisBat
ang?
”
“
Her
efusedt
ocomewi
th.
”
“
Letmet
alkt
omydaught
er.I
ssheok?
”
Thabi
pressedherl
ipst
oget
hercr
ying.
“Ret
habi
le,
givehert
hephone.Iwantt
ospeakwi
th
her.
”
“
IjumpedintolookbutIcouldn’
tfi
ndher
.The
r
escueteam i
sstil
lsear
ching.”
Hi
svoicegotfaint
.“Thabi
…babepleasest
op
pl
ayi
ngliket
his.Pleasest
op.Letmespeaktoher
.”
Shest
art
edcr
ying.“
Theyar
elooki
ngf
orher
.”
“Thabipl
ease…pleasest
op.Comeonbabe…when
didwestartput
ti
ngkidsintoourfi
ght
s?Letme
speaktomydaught er
.Thisisnotf
unny.
”
“
Theysai
dtheyar
egoi
ngt
ofi
ndher
.”
“
Ret
habi
le…wher
eismydaught
er?
”
“Theyar
elooki
ngf
orher
…hesai
dtheywi
llf
indher
.
Iam sor
ry.
”
*
**

At
angtookashar
pU-tur
nspeedingback.Thabi
cr
iedt
hrought
hecar
’sspeaker
s.
“
Theyar
elooki
ngf
orher
…”
Hehungupandsteppedontheaccel
erat
or
speedi
ng.Hi
sphonerangagai
n.
“
Agang…”
“
Iam inGabor
one.Iam goi
ng.Iwi
llbebacki
na
week.
”
“Thabit
ookLomoi nthemor ningwi
thherboyf
riend
andnowshe’ stel
li
ngmet heywentforaboatri
de
andLomof elli
nthewater.Theycan’
tfi
ndher…”He
swall
owed,hisheartr
acing.“Mydaught
erissti
lli
n
thewater…”
“
Fuck!
”
“
Shewasseatedal
onei
ntheboatwhil
etheyhad
f
un.Iknowhowsheget
swhenexcit
ed.Sheforget
s
ever
ythi
ng.I
t’
sonl
ybeenanhour
…”
“
Shoul
dIcomeback?Iam comi
ngback.
”
“Iwi
llneverforgi
veherifshedidsomet hingtomy
daughter.Iwil
lki
llher
.Iwil
lki
llthem both.”

*
**

InGabor
one,Kel
lyf
oldedherar
msasAgangspoke
onthephone.Hedr
oppedthecallandl
ookedather
.
“Lomoismissi
ng.Shef
elli
nthewat
eri
naspeed
boati
nKasane.”
“
Ok.So?
”
“
Atangi
sal
one-
“
Herbi
gnosefl
aredasshookherhead.“Youarenot
goi
ngbackAgang.Yourbr
otherwi
llsor
titout
al
one.
”
“
Kel
ly-
“
“
No.Youar
enotgoi
ngbackAgang.Wear
egoi
ng
forourhoneymoon.Youar enotgoi ngtoruinit
becauseofawomanwhopr obabl yki
ll
edherown
childtofocusonherdegr ee.Howdoesachi l
dfal
l
i
nt hewat erwhileundersupervisi
on?Lewenacan’ t
youj ustseeit’
safishystor
y.Onl yacoupl eofhour
s
afterAtanggivesherthechildshedoesn’ tcare
aboutt henthatchil
disnowmi ssi
ng.Itdoesn’t
makesense. ”
Agangl ookedather.“Mybrotherneedsme.Iam
notgoingtoenj oymyselfwhil
ehisdaughteri
s
missing,probablydead.Thi
sisnotaboutThabil
e.
It
’saboutLelomo, myniece.Iam goingback.
”

*
**

At
angparkedthemodi f
iedFor
dRangerwi t
hbi
g
wheel
sandwal kedovertowhereThabiwas
st
andi
ngwi t
hherboyfri
end.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
Thabi
lookedathi
m st
il
lcr
ying.“
Onemomentshe
wasther
eandtheot
hershewasn’
t.Ihadbeenwi
th
hert
heenti
ret
ime.
”
Ther
escuet
eam wal
kedover
.Thabir
ushedover
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“Wehavebeenl ookingf oranhournowandwe
can’
tseem tofindher.Wehaveaskedf orhelpto
searchforherbutatthisstage,wear el
ookingfor
thebody.She’sdeadi fshe’ssti
lli
nthewater.
Chancesofalsofindingherbodyar esli
m because
ther
earecrocodil
esi nthewat ermeaningthey
couldhaveeatenherbynow.Iam sosor r
y.”
Thabi
shookherheadcr
ying.“
No…no…pl
easemo.
.
“
Tekosi
ghed.“Iam sorry.Maybeifshehadonali
fe
j
acket
,locat
ingherwoul dhavebeeneasybutnow
wearelooki
ngforar eddress-
“
“
Pink!I
t’
sPi
nk.Api
nkdr
ess.PI
NK!
”
“Yourboyf
ri
endi
ssaidr edoror
angebutitdoesn’
t
matter
.Wearegoingtokeepsearchi
ngforthebody.
Andwear enowinvol
vingthepol
icemakingita
pol
icecase.Ther
e’sadeadper
soni
nvol
vednow.
”
Atangsl owlylookedatherf eel
ingweak.“ Thabil
e
whathappenedt omydaught er?Ther eisnowaya
chil
dcanj ustdisappearl
ikethat.Idon’tbeli
evethat
.
Idon’tbelieveyouwoul dgetint hewat erwit
hher
withoutherhavi ngal i
fej
acketonbecauseyou
knowshe’ snotagoodswi mmer .She’sscaredof
wat er.Thereisnowayyouwoul dleaveher
unat t
ended.”Tear sfi
ll
edhiseyes.“ Thereisnoway
youwoul ddot hatbabe.Comeon…cal lof
fthisj
oke.
Wher ei smychi ld?”
Shel
ookedathi
m cr
ying.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#90

Atangtear
ful
lyl
ookedatherbeggi
ngherwi
thhi
s
eyes.
“
Comeonbabe…”
“I
…Ihadbeenwi t
hher.Ijustl
ookedawayf ora
second..she’
sinther
e.”ShelookedatTeko.“Shei
s
i
nt her
e…she’snotabody…she’ sinthewater.We
needtogether.”
Shetr
iedt
owal
ktot
hewat
erbutTekopul
ledher
back.
“
Thabi
le…”
At
angshookhi
shead.“St
opcr
yingandt
ellme
wher
emydaughteri
s!”
Pul
elookedathi
m.“
Stopshout
ingather
,she’
s-“
At
angangri
lypunchedhi
m sohardt
hathef
ellt
hen
cr
ushedhi
sballswit
hhisshoe.
“
Obualemangomar
ete!(
Whot
hef
*ckar
eyou
t
alki
ngt
o?)
Pul
egr
oanedatt
hepai
n.TekopushedAt
angback.
“
Atang…-
“
“
TK,Iwantmydaughter
.Bathobabatsamekel
a
mogonna!(
Thesepeopl
eareplayi
ng.
)Iwantmy
daught
er!
”
Thabi
cri
edmor
e.At
angbr
eat
hedheavi
ly.
“Wathodi
a!(
Youar
emaki
ngnoi
se!
)Wher
eismy
daught
er?
”
TekopushedAt
angback.“
Atang-
“
“Iwantmydaught
er!Takemewhereshefel
l.Let
’s
goback.Leenewamar et
eoat
e..
letsi
legonnela
mgwanake.”
Theywalkedbacktotheboatandjumpedi
n.Thabi
putherhandoverhermouthcryi
ng.
Theywentbackt
owher et
heotherr
escuet
eam was
st
il
lsear
chi
ng.Thabil
ookedar
ound.
“
Itwassomewher
eher
e…”
Atanglookedather
.“Somewher
eher
e?Poi
ntus
exact
lywhereshefell
!”
“
Iam notsur
e.I
t’
ssomewher
eher
e.”
“
Yiudon’
tevenknowwher
eshef
ell
!Whatki
ndofof
amotherar
eyou?”
At
angl
ookedatPul
ewhowasseat
edgr
unt
ingi
n
pai
n.Tekost
oodi
nfr
ontofAt
ang.
“At
ang…thegoali
sfi
ndi
ngyourgi
rlr
ight
?Ri
ght
?
Notfi
ght
ing.
”
“Shedoesn’
tevenknowwheremychi l
dfell
!”At
ang
puthi
shandsinhisheadastearsfi
ll
edhiseyes.
“Youcan’
ttel
lmethatRet
habil
e!”
Shecr
iedevenmor
e.“
Itwasher
e..
.itwasher
e…”
At
angt
ookof
fhi
sshoes.Tekopushedhi
m back.
“Youarenotgoingint
hewater
.Ther
e’sacr
ocodi
le
here.I
t’
sal
ert.Letmyteam-
“
“Foraful
lfuckenhouryoudi
dn’
tfi
ndher
!Iam
gett
ingmydaughter.
”
“
Atang,
li
stent
ome…bynowwear
ejustl
ooki
ngf
or
abody.
”
Atearr
oll
eddownhi
scheek.“
Stopr
efer
ri
ngt
omy
daught
erasabodyt
hemonnaTK…”
“
That
’st
her
eal
it
y!She’
sdead!
”
Atangshookhi
sheadt
henj
umpedi
nthewat
er.TK
cursed.
“
Fuck!
”

*
**

InGabor
one,avandroppedKel
lyatAgang’shouse.
Thecabguyhelpedherwit
hherbagsinsidet
he
housewhil
eshespoketohercousi
nont hephone.
“Hegoti
naf l
ightt
oMaun.AhhmmannayaanongI
don’
tknow.Koorewehadalr
eadycheckedi
ntof
ly
outt
henhejusttookof
f.
”
“
Idon’
tunder
stand.War
ewhathappened?
”
“At
ang’sbabymamaki l
ledthei
rdaughter.Therei
s
nootherexplanat
iontothi
sbecauseshegott hat
chi
ldtodaythenallofasuddenshef el
linthewat er
andshe’smissing.”
“
Wai
t…eng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Waaka!(
Youar
elyi
ng!
)”
“
Iam t
ell
ingyou.YaanongAganghasr
anovert
o
t
hem l
ikeheusual
lydoes.Onewoul
dsweart
his
womanishisgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Aowmma,
hisni
ecei
smi
ssi
ng.
”
“I
tsnotaboutthenieceonl
y.It
’showheal ways
j
umpt ohelpher.It
’snotf
air
.Idon’teven
under
stand,i
t’
slikeshehasaholdonhi m or
somethi
ng.”
“
Ij
o…Idon’
tknowwai
tse.
”
“Shefeelsi
t’
soktocallhi
m atmi dni
ghtknowi ng
verywellhe’
samar r
iedwoman.I t’
slikeshethinks
becausesheisAtang’sbabymama, everyone
aroundhim shoul
dbowt oher.Ihopeshegoest o
jai
l.
”
“Ican’
tbel
ievet
his.Iam drivi
nghome,
letmecal
l
youbackassoonasIar rive.”
“
Ok.
”
Kel
lyhungupt
hencal
ledAgang.
“
Thi
sisaf
reeannouncementf
rom-
“
Shehungupthensatdownhol
dinghert
ears.She
sni
ff
edswit
chingontheTVandwait
edforhiscal
l.
*
**

Zazamoanedsof t
lyasherhusbandgaveherthe
l
aststrokeandst
il
ledfi
ll
ingherwit
hhisinf
ert
il
e
seeds.Heslowl
ygotoffherandkissedher
.
Zazasmi
led.“
Thatwasamazi
ng.
”
Thusosmi
led.“
Yeah…doyouwantsomet
hingt
o
dri
nk?”
Shenodded.Heputonhi spantsashi sdickshrunk
gett
ingsmal l
er.Hewalkedoutthenshesi ghed
putti
ngherhandbet weenherpussyl i
ps.She
rubbedherclitknowi
ngsheonl yhadami nutetil
lhe
walkedbacki n.Shel
aiddowni magi ningathick
l
ongweaponf il
li
nghercanal,
stretchingherwal l
s
beyond..shebitherl
ipgoingfasterimaginingthose
deepf astt
hrusts.
GodAgang…shesqueezedherbreastst
uckinher
wil
dthoughts,
thatdi
ckgoi
nginandoutwhil
ehe
merci
lessl
yfucksher
.Herl
egsstart
edshaki
ng,she
l
etoutaslightmoanputt
inghert
highstoget
her
spasming.Shesighedt
hentookoffherhand
breat
hingheavi
ly.
Thusowal
kedbacki
nhol
dinghi
sgl
ass.
“
Ther
e…”
Shesmil
edtaki
nghergl
ass.“
Didyout
hinkabout
whatIt
oldyou?
”
Thusosi ghed.“
Iam happywi t
houtkidsbabe.TotaI
don’tseemysel frai
singachi
ldthatisnotmine.I
don’twantust obr i
nghomeat otalst
rangerandsay
wear eraisi
nghi m orher
.Can’
twej uststayl
ike
thi
s?”
“Iwantachi l
d.Iam lonely.Andsheorhedon’ t
won’tbet otalst
rangerifwebot hloveher.Come
on…Idon’ twanttohavemyownki dsbecauseI
knowheorshewi l
lprobablydieofcancer.You
can’thavekids,Iam goodwi ththat.Butwecan
adopt…Iwantachi l
d.Iwantust ohaveachi ld.
Please..
”
“
Iam notcomfor
tabl
ewi
ththeidea.Gapeachi
ldi
s
alotofwor
k,t
oomuchexpenses.Andwearehappy.
Canwenotr
uini
twi
thachi
ld?
”
Zazasi
ghedthendr
ankherj
uicedef
eat
ed.“
Letme
cal
lThabi
…”
Shegotof
fbedthenputonherdressandwal
ked
outoft
hebedr
oom dial
inghercousi
n.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Zazaf
rownedl
ist
eni
ngt
ohercousi
nsbr
eaki
ng
voi
ce.
“
Thabi
…”
“
Lomoi smissi
ng.Wewereinthespeedboat
,she
f
ellandshe’
smissi
ng.Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Thabi
..whatar
eyousayi
ng?
”
“
Wecan’
tfi
ndher
.”
“
Thabi
le.
.Idon’
tunder
stand…”
Thabi
star
tedcr
yingont
hephone.
Zazafel
therkneesget
ti
ngcol
d,shel
eanedagai
nst
thewall
.
“
Thabi
…whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Shef
elli
nthewat
erandwecan’
tfi
ndher
…”
“
OhmyGod…”

*
**

InKasane,
Atangswam backtot
heboatand
cli
mbedin,hi
sbodyfr
eezing.
HelookedatThabiwhowasst
il
lcr
ying.Teko
si
ghedreli
eved.
“Wear
egoi ngtotakealookfurt
herdownt
here
al
ongtheri
ver.Ifanyt
hing,
weshouldbeablet
oget
somet
hing.Maybesomet hingshehadon.
”
“
TK!
”
Oneofther
escueguar
dsi
ntheot
herboatshout
ed.
“Wegotsomethi
ng!
”
Thabil
ookedover,
herhear
traci
ng.TKswayedt
he
boatgoi
ngover.
“
What
?”
Atanglookedast
heyshowedt
hem awetpi
nk
sneaker.Hesl
owl
ysatdown.
“
That
’sher
s…”
TKsi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ryAt
ang.Iam cal
li
ngthepol
ice.
Wecanassumeshehasbeeneaten.Fuck…”
Thabishookherheaddr
oppi
ngt
oherknees.“
No!
No!Lomo!”
At
angputhi
shandsonhi
sfacecr
yingsi
lent
ly.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#91

Tekosi
ghedsadlythenwentbackt
othedor
k.Thabi
shookherheadcryi
ng.
“She’
sinsi
de…wecan’
tleaveher
.Wecan’
tleaveher
!
Lomo!”
Tekohel
dher
.“Thabi
le,
it’
stool
atenow.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
No…i
t’
snot
.Wecannotl
eave
her
…goback!”
Pul
eswal
lowedasshecr
iedhyst
eri
cal
ly.
“
Goback.Wecan’tl
eaveher
…wecan’
tleaveher
.
Wecan’
t!Lomo!
”
Tekoheldhert
ight
lyst
oppingherfr
om j
umpi
ngi
n
thewater
.Shepushedoffhishand.
“
Lomo!Lel
omo!
”
Tekost
oppedt
heboat
.Thabil
ookedatt
hewat
er.
“
Wecan’tl
eaveher
…pleasewecan’
tleaveher
.”She
wal
kedovert
oAtang.
“At
ti
e…tel
lhi
m.She’si
nthewat
er…wecan’
tleave
her
…pleaset
ellhi
m.”
Helookedather.Somehowhest i
llhopeditwas
onebadjoke.Sheknel
tbeforehim.“Please…t
alkt
o
hi
m.She’sinsi
de..wecan’
tleaveher.”
Helookedinhereyesasshecri
edthenhegotup
pi
ckingherupandgotoutoftheboatwi
thher.She
scr
eamedcr
ying.
“
No!Iam notl
eavi
ngher
!”
Hepl
acedherdown.“
Thabi
-“
“
Att
ti
e…pl
ease….
”Shecuppedhi
sface.“
Please…”
“
Lett
hem dot
hei
rjob.
”
“Shei
sal i
ve.Weneedt
ogether
.At
angpl
ease…we
can’
tleaveher.
.”
Sheknel
tbef
orehi
mtouchi
nghi
slegs.“
Atang
pl
ease…”
Pul
eslowlywalkedtohiscarandputhi
shandson
hi
sface.Heswitchedonhisphone.Hesighedas
hi
swifestar
tedcall
ing.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Hi,
whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
“
Iam notsur
e.Maybet
omor
row.Theyst
il
lneedme
t
hissi
de.”
“
Ok…Imi
ssyou.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.Letmehandl
esomet
hingher
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupthenl
ookedthr
oughhi
sr earviewmi
rr
or
asAt
anghuggedThabiwhowassti
llcrying.

Atangpickedherupandwal
kedwit
hhertothecar
.
Tekosighedfol
lowi
ngbehi
ndwit
hthei
rshoes.
“
Ihavecall
edthepol
ice.Theyar
ecoming.You
mightwantt
ogetyourstori
esst
rai
ght
.”
At
angnodded.“
Thanks.
”
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
okeepl
ooki
ng.
”
At
angsadl
ynodded.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Justdoi
ngmyj
ob.I
twasgoodseei
ngyou.
”
Atangnoddedt
henTekowal
kedaway.Thabil
ooked
athim.
“
Iki
ll
edmychi
ld…”
Hesi
ghed.“
Let
swai
tfort
hepol
ice.
”
“
Iki
ll
edmychi
ld….Iki
ll
edmydaught
er…”
“Whydidyouleaveheral
one?
”Atangsighed.“
I
don’
tunderst
andThabi.Whywouldyouleaveher
al
one?”
Sheputherhandsonherfacecr
ying.Hesatont
he
groundl
eani
ngagainstt
hecarhopeless.

*
**

Zazacal
ledThabiagai
nbutshest
il
lwasn’
tpi
cki
ng.
Shedial
edBatang.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hey,l
etmespeakt
oThabi
?Haveyouf
oundher
yet?
”
“Iam notwi
thThabi
.Iam onmybewayt
oMaun.
Foundwho?”
“
Oh.
.letmecal
lher
.Bye.
”
Shequi
ckl
yhungupandcal l
edThabiagai
nbut
ther
ewasnoanswerst
il
l.Thusol
ookedather.
“
Ther
ear
ecr
ocodi
lesi
ntheChober
iver
.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Don’
ttal
kli
ket
hat
.”
“
Sor
rybutchancesar
ethatshe’
sdeadandeat
en.
”
Zazatr
iedcal
li
ngagai
nbutt
her
ewasst
il
lno
answer.

*
**

AtAgang’
shouse,
Kel
lysi
ghedt
hent
ext
edAgang.
Kell
y:Idon’tknowwhyyoumar ri
edmet orunafter
yourbrother’
sbabymamal i
keaheadl esschicken.I
thi
nkit’
sveryquestioningonhowyouwoul dmove
mountainsforher.Iam beginningtothi
nkmaybe
youhaveal wayswant edher.Iam star
ti
ngtodoubt
ourmar r
iage.Iam reall
ynothappy.
Shesentthemessagethencall
edAt ang.She
quickl
yhungupbefor
ehecoul danswer .Thelast
thi
ngshewantedwasthem fight
ing.Shecal l
ed
Agangagaint
hesatuprightashisphoner ang.
“Ij
ustsawyourmessage.Canwet
alkwhenIget
back?Iloveyou.Bye.
”
HehungupthenKel
lyt
ear
ful
lymessagedher
mot
herin-
law.

*
**

Atang’
sphoner
angi
nhi
spocket
.Hesl
owl
ytooki
t
outandpi
cked.
“
Agang.
.”
“
Anyt
hing?
”
“
Wefoundhershoe.She’
sdead.Wearewai
ti
ngf
or
t
hepol
icesoi
tcanbeanof f
ici
alsear
ch.
”
“
Fuck.
.”
“
Isti
llcan’
tbel
ievet
hisi
shappeni
ng.Iwaswi
thher
i
nthemor ni
ng…”
“
Iam i
nMaun.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Wher
eisKel
ly?
”
“
Wehadt
opost
pone.
.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Aganghungup.At angputt hephonedownwhi l
e
Thabisatsti
lli
nthecarstaringatthewater
.She
sl
owlywentovert hosesplashesshekeptmaking…
herdaughterhadprobablyfall
entherewhil
eshe
hadfun.
Shekepthereyesatthewat erasifwishingLomo
wouldjustswi
m out.Herdaughter’scri
esfrom
earl
ierr
anginherhead.Shehadn’ twantedto
come…shehadbeenangr y.Anothertearrol
led
downhercheekasshet houghtofhowLomohad
askedherwhyshehat edher.
Shelookedar
oundt
hecarthensmil
edstari
ngat
theBarbi
eski
ppi
ngropebehi
ndthedri
ver’
sseat
.
Sheslowl ypickeditupandgotoutoft hecar.She
walkedt heopposi t
edir
ect i
ongoingtothebush
wit
hsl owqui etsteps.Minuteswentbyt henthe
pol
icear ri
ved.AtanggotupasTekowal kedover
wit
ht hepol i
cetalki
ngtot hem br
ief
lyexplai
ning
wheret heyhadl ookedsof ar.
Thepol
iceof
fi
cerl
ookedatAt
ang.
“
Kai
saraJuni
or…Iam sor
ryf
oryourl
oss.Iam sur
e
i
tmustbepai
nful
.Sowhowaswi t
hthechil
d.”
Tekoanswer
ed.“
Hermot
herwas.
”
“
Ok,
wher
eisshe?
”
Atangturnedt
othecar.“
Shewasher
emi
nut
es
back.Ithi
nk…Thabi
!”
Teko’
sphoner
ang.
“Sur
e?.
..What
?..
.Ar
eyousur
e?Gat
wehowol
dis
she?Ok…Iam comi
ng.
”
Hehungupandl
ookedatAt
ang.
“Afri
endofmi nejustcall
ed.Hesaystwofisher
men
areatthehospit
al.Theybr oughtachi
ldwhowas
drowning.Hethi
nksi tmightbeLomo.Shef i
tst
he
descri
pti
on.Eventhedr ess.”
Atang’
shear
tst
art
edpoundi
ngwi
thhope.“
Let
’sgo.
Thabi!
”
Hel
ookedar
ound.“
Thabi
le!
”
Hewal
kedar
oundt
hecar
.“Thabi
le!Di
dshegoback
t
othewat
er?
”
Tekoshookhi
shead.“
No.Someonewoul
dhave
seenher.
”
At
angwal
kedar
ound.“
Thabi
!”
Hewal kedbackt
othecarandlookedinsi
de.He
pausedstari
ngbehindhi
sseatthenhelookedat
Teko,panici
nhiseyes.
“
Lomo’
sski
ppi
ngr
opei
snother
e.”
“
Shi
t!
”
Oneofrescueguardswalkedover.“
Isawher
walki
ngthatdi
rect
ion.It
houghtshewasgoingt
o
pee.”
At
angr
anovert
hedi
rect
ion.“
Thabi
!Thabi
le!
”
Hel
ookedatt
het
all
treesl
ooki
ngf
orher
.
“
Thabi
le!Thabi
!”

*
Pul
est
eppedoutofhi
scarandwal
kedovert
oTeko.
“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Tekoi
gnoredhimlookingathiscol
leagues.“
Let’
a
hel
phimlook.Idon’
tthinkshe’
sfar
.Shepr obabl
y
l
ookedforthecl
osesttree.
”
Theyallwal
kedtowardst
hebushincl
udingt
he
pol
ice.Pul
ecluel
essl
yfol
lowedbehi
ndthem.

Sweatrol
leddownAt
ang’
sbackashescr
eamed
hername.
“
Thabi!Thabi
le!I
fyoucanhearme…pl easedon’
tdo
t
his.Tekosaystwofishermenf
oundachi l
dwho
wasdrowning.It
hinkit’
sLomo.Thabi
le!
”
Hetookacouplemor
esteps.Heswal
lowedst
ari
ng
atherdangl
ingl
egsf
rom atr
ee.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#92

From behi
nd,Teko’seyesal
sofel
lonThabile’
s
dangli
nglegs.Atangranoverj
umpedont hebranch
grabbi
ngitwithbothhishandsasifhewasabout
todopull-
ups.Hisextr
aweightonthebranchbroke
fr
om thetree.
Thabi
’sbodyfellt
ogetherwi
thbranchasAt
ang
l
andedonhi st
wof eet.Heknel
tbefor
eher
l
ooseningtheropearoundherneck.
From herst
ruggl
edbreat
hingpatt
ern,
hecoul
dtel
l
shehadonlydoneit
.Tekosighed.
“
Justi
nti
me…”
At
angtookofft
heropethr
oughherheadand
pi
ckedherupassheslowl
ygainedconsci
ousness.
Hewal kedwit
hherbacktothecar,Pulelookedat
herandsighedsl
ight
lydi
sappoint
edt hatshehad
actual
lytr
iedt
otakeherownlif
e.
“
Issheok?CanIt
akeal
ookather
?”
Atangl
ookedathi
m.“Yourf
amil
ywi l
ltakeagood
l
ookatyouwhil
eyouliei
nyourcoff
inifIeversee
youanywher
enearherormychil
d.”
Atangturnedgoingtohi
scar.Heputherinsideand
pickedhisphoneonthegroundbefor
ehej umpedin
thendroveoffheadedtothehospi
tal
.Helookedat
herasshenl ai
datthebackseati
nsil
ence,tear
s
roll
ingdown.
“Twof
isher
menf oundagi
rl
.It
hinki
t’
sher
.Sheal
so
hasapinkdress.
”
Sheremai
nedst i
ll
.At
ang’sphoner ang,
hel ookedat
herscr
eenstari
ngatBatangcall
ing.Heignor edt
he
cal
l.Mi
nuteslat
erheparkedatthehospitalandgot
out.
Hehel
pedThabioutandl
ookedi
nhereyeswi
ping
awayhert
ear
s.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Heheldherhandandledheri
nsi
det
hehospi
tal
.Hi
s
hear
traci
ng.Hebri
efl
yspoketot
henur
sebythe
r
ecept
ionwhodi
rect
edhi
mtot
hechi
ldr
en’
swar
d.
Theybothwalkedover
.Thabil
etgoofAtang’
shand,
hereyesski
mmi ngthr
oughtheki
dsintheward.
Sheswall
owedst
aringatthedoctorat
tendi
ngher
daught
er,
herf
eetsurgedherfor
war d.
“
Lomo!
”
Lomot urned,
herli
tt
lehear
tski
ppi
ngabit.Thabi
ranoverandpull
edherinherarmsti
ght
lyholdi
ng
herwhilecryi
ng.
“
OhGod…ohGod…”
Lomosniffedhuggi
nghermot her
.At
angpul
led
them bot
hinhisarmsasrel
ievecool
eddownhis
body.Thabil
ookedathi
m cr
ying.
“
Shei
sok…shei
sok…ohGodt
hankyou…”
Lomosmiledinherparent
sarms.Thabicuppedher
facet
henlookedatthebandageonherforehead.
Thedoct
orwal kedover
.
“
YoumustbeMsDani
el’
spar
ent
s.”
At
angandThabit
urnedt
othedoct
or.Thabil
ooked
atKat
loi
nsur
pri
seandsmi
led.
“
Hey…”
Kat
losmi
ledt
henhuggedThabi
.“JesusThabi
!”
Thabi
laughed.“
Ahhmma,
youar
eher
e.”
“
Iam her
e…youlook…l
ikeamom whohada
missi
ngchi
ld.
”
Thabil
aughedsni
ff
ing.“
Youdon’thowmanyti
mes
Ihavedi
edandwokeupi nt
helasttwohour
s.”
Atanglookedatt
hem hol
dingLomo’
shand.Thabi
smiled.
“
UhKat
lo…r
ememberAt
ang?
”
Katl
onodded.“
Ialwayssawhi
mfr
om adi
stance
butIremember
.”
“Hei
sLomo’sfat
her
.At
angt
hisi
sKat
lo.Wewer
eat
UBtoget
her
.”
At
angnodded.“
Nicemeet
ingyou.
”
Thabi
sighed.“
Howi
sshe?
”
“
She’
sfi
ne,
thecutonherf
oreheadi
snott
hat
seri
ous.Themensayt heysawyouandAt angspin
withthespeedboatandt hat’
swhent hechildf
ell
,
theywereabi tfar,
yout wodidn’tseethem and
that’
swhenoneoft hem divedinandgotherout .
Theyimmedi atelybroughtherherebecauseshe
wasn’tmoving.”
At
angl
ookedatThabi
.“Youwer
edoi
ngspi
ns?
”
Thabi
lookeddown.“
ThankyouKat
lo.
”
“
It
sok.She’
sfi
ne.Tr
aumat
izedbutf
ine.
”
AtanglookedatKatl
o.“
Didyouwr
it
eareport
.Ineed
i
tforthepoli
ce.Theyneedt
ohaveanai
rt
ightcase
forchi
ldnegli
gence.
”
Thabi
tur
nedt
ohi
m.At
angnodded.
“Goodt hi
ngTekoi sthere.Hewi lltel
lthepolicej
ust
howdanger ousitistogeti naspeedboatwi tha
mi norwhodoesn’tevenhaveal ifejacketonher
thenyoudospi nswi t
hyourboyf ri
endl eavi
ngher
unat t
ended.Doc,Ineedt hatreport.Totawecan’ t
staywi t
hpotenti
almur derersamongstus. ”
Thabi
swal
lowed.Kat
lol
ookedatThabit
henat
At
ang.
“
Ok.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Lomosmi
led.“
Areweal
lgoi
nghomenow?
”
Thabisadlyl
ookedather
.“Iam sor
ry.Iwasn’
t
l
ooking.Iam sor
ry…”
“
Ifor
giveyou.Butmyf
orgi
venessi
sexpensi
ve.
”
Thabi
chuckl
edt
ear
ful
ly.“
Iwi
llpaywhat
ever
amount.
”
Lomosmil
ed.Thabit
ouchedt
hebandaget
hen
smil
ed.
“Wearefi
nished.Youcannowgohomewi
th
daddy.
”
“
Yout
oor
ight
?”
“
No.Iwi
llgoback.
”
Lomo’
ssmi
leddi
sappear
ed.“
ButIdon’
twantyout
o
go.
”
“
Daddyi
sgoi
ngt
otakegoodcar
eofyou.
”
Shestart
edcryi
ng.“
Idon’
twantyout
ogo.Pl
ease
don’
tleaveme.”
Thabi
sighedhuggi
ngher.Thepoli
cewal
kedi
n.
Theyl
ookedatThabiandAtang.
“
Canwenowaskyoubot
haf
ewquest
ions?
”
Thabi l
ookedatAt ang.“Iam st
art
ingmyseni or
resi
dencei ntwoweeks.Iam sor r
y.Iwascar el
ess
andirresponsibl
e.Shecouldhavedi edandIam
responsiblef
orit.Iam sorr
y.Iwassocaughtupi n
myownbubbl eIdi dn’
treal
izet
hedamageIwas
causing.Itwon’thappenagain.Youcant akeher.
”
Atanglookedatherthenturnedtothepolice.“
She
hadourchild.Tal
ktoher,thedoctorwil
lgiveyoua
repor
t.Chil
dnegli
genceisill
egalri
ght?Pleasedo
theri
ghtthing.
”
Thabi
tear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Atang-
“
At
angkissedLomo’scheek.“
Hey…wear ecomi
ng.
Wearegoingtot
alktothepoli
ce.Il
oveyou.
”
Lomowat chedastheybothwalkedawaywi
tht
he
pol
ice.Thepoli
ceoffi
cerl
ookedatThabi
.
“Youcanst
artt
alki
ngorwecant
akei
ttot
hepol
ice
stat
ion.
”
Thabil
ookedatAtangwhohadhi
sar
msf
olded
wait
ingforhert
otalk.
“Iwentforarideinaspeedboatwi thher.Iwasso
exci
tedIforgoteverythi
ngelse.Istart
edspinning
theboat.Shelostbalanceandf elli
ntothewater.I
wascarelessandi r
responsi
ble.Iwaswr ongandI
am sorr
y.Itwon’thappenagai n.Imadeami st
ake.”
Thepol i
ceoffi
cersi
ghed.“Whatyoudi di
schil
d
negli
genceandat t
emptedmur der.Nomother
behaveslikethi
s.Shecouldhavediedandyou
wouldhavebeenr esponsibl
eforit
.Otherwomen
arecryi
ngf orbabi
eswhileother
sat t
empttoki
ll
thei
rs.”
Thabiswal
lowed.“
Iwaswr
ong.I
twon’
thappen
agai
n.”
“
Itwon’
tbecausewear
elocki
ngyouup.
”
Thabi
lookedatAt
ang.“
Atang-
“
“
Iam begi
nni
ngt
othi
nkyouwant
edt
oki
llmychi
ld.
Youneverwant
edheri
nthef
ir
stpl
ace.
”
Thabishookherheadcryi
ng.“
IfIdi
dn’twantherI
wouldhaveneverkepther
.Iwouldnevertr
ytokil
l
mychild.
”
Oneoft
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
stookoutt
hehandcuf
fs.
“Wearear
rest
ingyou.Youwillt
ellusexactl
ywhat
youweret
ryi
ngtodoatt hepoli
cestat
ion.”
Theydraggedheraway.Hesi
ghedandwalked
towar
dshisdaughter
.Lomolookedbehi
ndhi
m.
“
Wher
eismama?
”
Atangsmil
ed.“
Thepol
icet
ookhert
oaskhermor
e
questi
ons.
.”
“
Ok…”
At
anglookedatherunabl
etobel
ievehehadal
most
l
osther
.

*
**
Awhil
elat
erAgangwalkedtowardst
hechi
ldren’
s
war
d.Hiseyesi
mmediatel
yfellonhi
sbr
otherwho
wasseat
edbesi
desLomo’sbed.
Hewal
kedoverandsmi
ledst
ari
ngatLomowho
wassl
eepi
ng.
“
Shei
sok?
”
“
Yeah…j
ustt
raumat
ized.
”
“
Wher
eisThabi
?”
“
Att
hepol
ice.
”
“
Shewasar
rest
ed?
”
“
Right
ful
lyso.
”
Agangl ookedathi m.“Iam sureshedi dn’
tdoi ton
purpose.Somet imeswegetover exci
tedandf orget
samewaywegetf r
ustratedandfindourselves
cheati
ngwi thoutcondomsget t
ingdiseases.You
bothmessedup.I fthi
si snotawakeupcal l
,Idon’t
knowwhati s.Canyouj ustgetyourwi f
eandst op
thi
s?”
“Iam notsur
eaboutt
herel
ati
onshi
panymor ebut
she’
sgoingtosl
eepinacel
ltoni
ght.Sheneedsto
under
standt
heconsequencesofheracti
ons.
Maybetwonight
s.Twonightsar
eperfectforher
.”
“
Whati
fthatdoct
orguygoest
o-“
“Ifhehasadeathwi shhewi llt
ryi
t.Mmeeneot si
le
gonyela.Thabii
syetgoi ngtopayf orwhatshedi
d
today,wasntwaela.Iam goingtoputherinher
place,
afterIam done,sheisgoingtohatemebut
shewi l
lbebackinline.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#93

Atthepoli
cestati
on,Pulesatint
hei
nter
rogat
ion
room andsighedexhausted.
“Idi
dn’
tseet
hechi
ldf
all
.Suchmi
stakeshappen.
Comeon…”
“
Ormaybeyoupushedt
oel
imi
nat
eanyt
hing
connect
inghert
oAt
ang.
”
Pul
elookedathi
m andfr
owned.“WhywouldIt
ry
andki
llherj
oy?Areyououtofyourmi
nd?
”
“Thisisanat t
empt edmur dercase.Wearenot
playinggamesher e.Youtwoalmostkill
edachi ld
throughrecklessnessormaybei twasonpur pose.
Youar egoingt otalkonewayort heot
her.Youare
goingtotalk.Yout hinkt
hisisagame? ”
Pulelookedatt
heti
me,itwasnowtwohoursof
bei
ngaskedt hesamequesti
onsoverandover
again.
“
Iwanttocal
llawyer.Iam notsayi
nganyt
hingel
se
t
il
lmylawyergetshere.”
“Thiscaseisnotgoi ngtof avoryou.Youwer ewith
awomanwho’ sprobablybi t
terbecauseshewas
hurt.Maybeyout oopl annedt histogether.
.mat t
er
offact,Ibeli
eveyout wopl annedt histogetherso
youcangetr i
dofthischi l
dbecauset hereisnoway
anyonewoul dleaveachi l
dunat tended,withnolif
e
jacket
.Callyourlawyer ,youwi l
lneedhi m because
youar elooki
ngatj ai
ltime.”
*

I
ntheotherr
oom, anot
herpol
iceof
fi
cergr
il
led
Thabi
withquest
ions.
“
Sowhatwast
hepl
an?Togetr
idofher
?”
Thabi
tear
ful
lysni
ff
ed.“
Iwoul
dneverki
llmychi
ld.I
l
oveher.
”
“Idon’
tbel
ievethat
.Yourboyf
ri
endissaying
anotherst
ory.Youaregoi
ngtojai
lforaverylong
ti
me.”
Shenodded.“
Ok.Iwoul dnevertryandmur dermy
ownchil
d.Iworkhardsot hatIcanbet hepar ent
sheneeds.
”Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.“ Iwasj usttr
ying
tohavesomefun.Iwasr eckl
essnessandcar eless
butIl
ovemydaught er
.Ihavenot hingelsetosay.
Mychesthurt
sandmyheadi saching.Pleasejust
takemetomycel l
.Ihavenothingmor etosay. ”
Thepol
iceof
fi
cerl
ookedatherasshecr
iedsi
lent
ly.
“
Shecoul
dhavedi
ed.
”
Thabileanedbackont hechair
.“Idon’tdeser
veto
behermot her.Atangwil
ltakegoodcar eofher.She
couldhavediedbecauseofmycar el
essness.
Pleasetakemet omycel l
.Iam ti
red.Lockmeup.I
havenof i
ghtleftinme.”
“
Whenwer
eyousupposedt
ogoback?
”
“
Nextweek.
”
“Mistakeshappen, Iknowt hatbet terthananyone.
Butmi stakesthathappensbecauseofsi l
lyt
hings
getust hemost .Whatmakesi twor seisthefact
thatyouchosef uni nst
eadofyourdaught er.The
l
eastyoucoul dhavedonewasl etherwearal i
fe
j
acket .Iknowyouwoul dn’tki
llyourownchi l
dbutif
shedi ed,noonewoul dl i
stentot hat .Shewasyour
responsibil
it
yinthatboat .Imaginei fi
thadbeen
Atangi nyourplacewi t
hhi sgirl
friend.Him spinni
ng
withtheboatandyourchi lddrowni ng.Whatwas
goingt obeyourr eacti
on? ”
“Ihavenoexcuse.Myheadi
sreal
lyachi
ng.Please
takemetomycel landl
ockmeup.Ihavenothingt
o
say.Myheadisaching.
”
Henoddedt henstoodup.Thabist oodupand
fol
lowedhi mtothecell.Heletherin,
shewalkedto
wornoutf or
m andlaiddowncl osinghereyesas
herachedsomuchi tfeltl
ikei
twasaboutt o
explode.
Thepoli
ceof
fi
cerwal
kedt
ohi
sof
fi
ceandcal
led
Atang.
“
Yah?
”
“Yourgi
rlf
ri
endlookssick.Iam keepi
ngherher e
toni
ghtbuttomorrowifshe’sworse,Iam going
havetoinvol
vemybosses.Wal wala.(She’ssi
ck.)
”
“
Whati
sshef
eel
ing?
”
“She’
sbeensayingheadache.Mymot herdi
edthe
sameway.Tot aIshoul
dhavehertakentothe
hospi
talbutf
oryouIwillkeepher
.”
“
Shej ustwant
stober
eleased.Letherstayt
her
e.I
wil
lseeheraft
ert
wodays.Don’tlethergett
oyou.
”
“
Atang,
Iknowasi
ckper
sonwhenIseeone.
”
“Shewil
lbefi
netomorr
ow.Gapehelahowcanher
headnotacheaf
teral
lthecr
yingshedi
dtoday.
”
“
Shedi
dn’
tmeani
t.
”
“
Iwi
llseeheraf
tert
wodays.Andherboyf
ri
end?
”
“Enewedon’thaveacaset ot
a.Wearegoi
ngto
havetorel
easehim becausehe’
ssayi
ngshedi
dn’
t
seeherfal
l.AnditcomesbacktoThabi
le,
shei
sthe
mother.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Shar
p.”

*
**

Lat
ert
hatni
ght,At
anglai
dhisdaught
eronthebed
att
hehot
elaft
ershehadfal
lenasl
eepwatchi
ngTV.
Hewalkedtothesi
tt
ingroom i
nthePresi
denti
al
sui
teandsatdowntakinghi
sphone.Heleaned
backcal
li
ngBatang.
Hisphonerangf
orawhi
le,
Bat
angpi
ckedj
ust
befor
eitcoul
dst
op.
“
Hel
lo?
”
Atangfr
ownedatt
hehur
ri
edbr
eat
hing.“
Wher
eat
e
you?”
“
Att
hef
arm.
”
“
Letmespeakt
otheol
dmant
hen.
”
“
Orobet
si.(
He’
ssl
eepi
ng.
)”
“
Bat
ang,
didyouuseacondom?
”
“
Iam att
he-
“
“Isendsomeonetot
hefar
mrightnow!Osekawa
batagonkaket
sa.Di
dyouuseacondom?”
“
Yes.
”
“Youbetterhavebecauseifyouhaveachildthen
youbetterstar
tmakingplanonwayst otakecareof
thatchi
ld.Youareonlytwenty!Youaretooyoungto
beababydaddyort obegetti
ngdiseases.
”
“
Iusedacondom.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Sincewhendowel
iet
oeachot
her
?*
“
IknowIwentagai
nstt
her
ules-
“
“
Ther
ulesar
ether
etopr
otectyou.It
oldyout
o
carr
yacondom wher
everyougo.Youshould
al
wayshaveacondom toavoi
dmistakesbei
ng
done.”
“
Yes.
”
“
Good.Youar
eatherhouse?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Don’tgetcaught.Herf
atherwi
llhat
eyoufort
he
restofyourli
fe.Emonatekukubutdon’tl
eti
tgett
o
yourhead.
“
Yes.Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lThabi
.”
“
Aninci
denthappenedt
oday.Wear
etr
yingt
ofi
nd
wayst
odealwiththematt
er.
”
“
Idon’
tli
kehowyoual
wayshur
tmysi
ster
.”
“
Iknow.Iam sor
ry.Iknowt
hisaf
fect
syout
wo.
”
“
Whatnow?
”
“Wearegoi
ngtohavet
oacceptt
henew
arr
angement
s.”
“
Iam r
eal
lysad.
”
“
Soam I
.Af
teryouar
edone,
leave.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atanghungupt henlookedatthepoli
ceoffi
cer’
s
numberthi
nkingofThabi ’
sheadache.Hesighed
gett
ingupthenlookedattheti
mewal kingoverto
Lomo.
Heshookhergent
ly.“Hey,
Iam yout
oget
somet
hingdownst
airs.Iam comi
ngnow.
”
Shenoddedsl
eepyt
hem cl
osedhereyestur
ning
whil
esnori
ngwit
hhermouthopen.Atangpi
cked
hi
scarkeysandwal
lett
henhurr
iedout.

*
**

InGaborone,Agangwal kedi
nhisbedroom and
foundhersleepinghuggingt
hepill
ow.He
undressedthelaidbehi
ndherholdi
ngher.
“
Hey…”
Kel
lyopenedhereyest
hensi
ghed.“
Hi…”
“Il
oveyou.Mor ethanyout hink.TherewasnowayI
wouldhavecel ebratedi
npeacewi t
hLomomi ssing.
Lomoi smyni ece, mybrother ’
sonlydaught er.Iwas
boundt ogetwor ri
ed.Isawyoupost edwhat ’
sgoi ng
ononsomeFacebookpage.Pr i
nce’swifesawi t
.I
am disappoi ntedyouwoul dt akeourper sonmat ters
tothepubl ic.
.Iam sadofever yt
hingyousai dabout
Thabi.Youmi ghthavenotst atednamesand
remainedanonymousbuti t’squiteclearwhom we
aretalkingabout .Tocallheramur dererwas
extr
emeconsi der i
nghowshel i
kesyou.Iwishyou
tookyourt imet ounderstandherbutIwon’ tsay
muchi nf earofmypr i
vatemat t
ersbeing
broadcast edonFacebook. ”
Heslowl
yli
ft
edherbuttstr
okinghimsel
fand
pushedhi
sweaponinsideherwetness.

*
**

Att
hepol
icest
ati
on,At
anghandedt
hemedi
cat
ion
t
othepol
iceof
fi
cer.
.
“Thabi
’
smedicat
ionforherheadache.
.pl
easekeep
aneyeonher
.Incaseshetri
eskill
ingher
sel
f.
”
“
Ok.Ar
eyousur
eyouwantust
okeepher
?”
“
Yes.Iwi
llgetheraf
tert
wodays.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hewalkedoutofthepolicest
ati
on,af
emal
epoli
ce
of
fi
cerlookedathimthenlookedawaysmi
li
ng
whil
epressingherphone.
At
anggoti
nhi
scarandpi
ckedhi
sfat
her
’scal
l.
“Atang,whati
sthi
sweareheari
ngaboutLomo
drowning?Ibumpedi
ntoMolef
e…”
“Papa,letmedealwi
thmyf amil
yissuesal
one.I
don’tneedyouoranyonegett
inginvol
ved.
”
“Atang,Ikeepl
oosingmor ehopei
nthiswoman.
She’sgoingtokil
lyouoneday.Mightnotbe
physicall
ybutshewilldr
ainyousomucht i
llyou
die.
”
“Thatwon’thappen.Thi
swast hel
astst
rol
l.Lomo
i
sgoi ngtohavethemothersheneedsanddeserves.
Hermot herwil
lbethatmother
.Sheneeds
st
rai
ght
eni
ngup.
”
“Idon’tkknowmyboy.Obvi ouslyyouwon’ tli
sten
tome.Dowhat ’sri
ghtforyouandt hatchil
d.
Somet imeswehavet oacceptt hatsomet hingsare
justnotmeantt obe…Ihopeyour eal
izethatsoon
beforeyoul oseyoursel
fbecauseIsweart oyou,
youar egoingtoendupki ll
inghert henyour sel
f.
Thinkcarefull
yaboutwhatyouwant .Li
keIt oldyou,
somet i
mesl oveisnotenough. ”

TWODAYSLATER…
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#94

TWODAYSLATER…
Atangpar
kedhiscaratpoli
cest
ati
onearl
ymor
ning
thenst
eppedoutofthecar.Hel
ookedathi
s
daught
eratthebackseat
.
“
Iam comi
ng.Twomi
nut
es.
”
Shenodded.At
angwalkedinsi
det hepol
icest
ati
on
andl
ookedatThabiwhohadal readybeenrel
eased.
Shel
ookedathim andsi
gnedadocument .
Shegotherphoneback.At
anggavet
hepol
ice
off
iceranodthenl
ookedather
.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Shewalkedbehi
ndhim bar
efoot
.Heopenedt
he
doorf
orher.Shel
ookedathim.
“
Iwantt
ogohome.Youcant
akeLomo.
”
At
angcl
osedt
hedoorst
ari
ngather
.
“
Didn’
tyoucomeal
lthewayher
eforher
?”
Tear
sfil
ledhereyes.“Idon’
twantt otr
yandmurder
myowndaught eragainwhom Igavebi rt
htoand
kept
.Myowndaught erwhoIj ustdeci
dedtowai
tti
ll
sheisei
ghtyearsoldtokill
.”
“Di
dyouwantmet opr aiseyouforwhatyoudi d?
Whatdidyouexpect?Ar oundofapplause?What
youdidwasstupidandr eckl
essanditalmostcost
usourdaught
er.Youdeser vedtobeinprisonfor
morethantwodaysbecauseIdon’ tevenknow
whatyouwerethinking..ormaybeyouwer ej
ust
thi
nki
ngofyourselfandyourownenj oyment.”
Shesniff
edashespokegett
ingpissed.“
That’
swhy
Iam sayi
ngyoucantakeher
.It’
sfine.Pl
easestop
yel
li
ngatme.”
Hesighedandspokecal mlyyetfi
rmly.“Youcame
her
ef orherandyouar egoingtospendtimewith
her
.Ihaveal l
owedyout odoasyoupl easefortoo
l
ong,youar egoingtodowhat ’
sneededf r
om you.
Sheexpect syouratt
enti
onandyouar egoingto
gi
veitt oher,
Idon’tcar
eifIhavetoforceyouor
what,tsenamokol oi
ng.”
Heopenedthedooragai
n.Shesl
owlygotinthecar
atsatonfr
ontseat
.Hestr
appedtheseat
beltonher
thencl
osedherdoor.
Lomosmi
ledhappi
ly.
“Imi ssedyou.Didyouhealt
hepeoplei
nthepolice
station?Daddysaidyouwerehelpi
ngthepol
ice.I
mi ssedyou.Ithoughtyoul
eft
.”
Thabismil
edt
urni
ngt
oher
.“Imi
ssedyout
oo.I
missedyousomuch.
”
Atangwal
kedroundt hecarandjumpedinthecar
asLomotookoffherseatbeltandhuggedher
.
Thabismi
ledt
earful
ly.
“
Iloveyou…”
Lomogiggl
ed.“
Iloveyout
oo.Idon’
twantyout
o
evergo.
”
Thabit
ouchedherf
aceandki
ssedher
.At
ang
tur
nedtoLomo.
“
Pri
ncess,
let
’ssi
t.Andputonyourseat
bel
t.
”
Lomomovedbackandputonherseat bel
t.He
star
tedthecaranddrovet
othehot
el.Heparkedt
he
carthentheyst
eppedout.
Theywal
kedt
othei
rsui
te.At
angl
ookedatThabi
.
“
Freshenupwhi
leIor
derf
ood.Wear
egoi
ngf
ora
r
oadtrip.
.”
Shenoddedthenpulledherbagi nsidethe
bathr
oom.Lomowal kedbehi ndher.Thabiclosed
thedoorandfi
ll
edwat erinthebathtubwhileLomo
tookouthermother
’sbat hi
ngthings.Shetookout
Thabi’
sperf
umeandspr ayedit
.
Thabi
undr
essedandslowl
ygoti
nthewat
erwhi
le
Lomosmil
edstar
ingather
.
“
Youhavet
att
oos.Sasa’
smot
hersai
dit
’sevi
l
.”
Thabi
chuckl
ed.“
Shei
slyi
ng.
”
“
Yourbr
eastar
ebi
g.Bi
ggert
hanauntBot
ho’
s.”
Lomotouchedhermother
’sbr
eastt
hensmi
led.“
I
wantt
obathwithyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shequi
cklyundressed,
Thabismi
ledasshegoti
n
thewat
er.Shelaughed.
“
Hot
!”
Thabi
laughed.“
Come…”
Shemovedcl
oserandoutherheadonhermot
her
’s
chest
.
At
angknockedont
hedoor
.Thabisi
ghed.
“
Come….
”
Heopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedathi
sgi
rl
s.
“Iam goi
ngdownst
air
s.Doyouguyswant
anythi
ng?”
Thabishookherhead.Lomoshookherheadt
oo
smil
ing.
“
Ok.Iwi
llbebackj
ustnow.
”
Hecl osedt hedoorandwalkedout.Awhilel
ater
Thabi steppedoutofthebatht
ubwi t
hLomo.Thabi
gotthewhi tetowelsanddri
edLomo.Shehel ped
herlotionthenLomoputonhercl othesandsmiled
walkingoutoft hebathr
oom smell
ingli
keher
mother .
Lomosmi
ledasherf
atherwal
kedbacki
n.
“
Ismel
lli
kemama.
.”
At
angsmi
led.“
That
’sni
ce.Foodi
scomi
ng.Wher
e
i
sshe?
”
“
Int
hebat
hroom.
”
Henodded.Atangopenedt hedoorassomeone
knockedonthedoor .Lomosmi l
edast hei
rfoodgot
pushedin.Thehotelladyquickl
yputitonthetabl
e
thenwalkedout.Al
mostt wentyminuteswentby,
Atanglookedatthebathroom doorthengotup.
Hewalkedtothedoorandknockedwal
kingi
n.
Thabi
turnedholdi
ngtheli
tt
lebr
ushshewasusing
tol
aydownherbabyhai r
s.
Atanglookedatherbaggyt-
shir
tthenhershor
ts
thatexposedhersmooththi
ghs.Heswallowed
putti
nghishandinhispocket
.
“
Wearegoingwayinsi
det
hebush.Therearet
hings
t
hatbi
te.Youmi
ghtwantt
oputonjeans.”
“
Iwi
llputonj
eanswhenwear
ri
ve.
”
Helookedathert hi
ghsagainhi
sdicksti
rr
ingi nhis
pants.Shetur
nedbackt othemir
rorandfinishedup.
Shebendedput t
ingherthi
ngsbackinhert oil
etr
y
bag.Shetiedhershoelacesandlookedathim.
“
Iam done.
”
Hest
oodbyt
hedoorst
ari
ngather
.“Don’
tyout
hink
yourshor
tsar
ewayt
ooshor
t?”
“
Ili
ket
hem.Theyar
enott
ooshor
t.
”
Shewalkedpasthi
m draggingherbag.Hetur
ned
andlookedathert
hickbuttthathadfi
ll
edt
he
shor
ts.Shesatdownandr eachedforamuffi
n.
Shequi
ckl
yat
ethenst
oodup.
“
Wecango.Iam done.
”
Atangtookherbagandwal kedoutwi
thi
twhile
Thabi f
oll
owedbehindwit
hLomo.Theyallgotin
thecar,Atangl
ookedatherthi
ghsassheputonher
seatbel
t.
Unbot
hered,
sheputonhersunglassesroll
ingdown
thewi
ndow.Atangstart
edcaranddroveof f
.His
eyesl
andedonherthighsagai
nthenhet ookaU-
tur
n.
Thabi
lookedathi
m.“
Youf
orgotsomet
hing?
”
“
Yes.Lomo,
stayi
nthecar
.Thabi
le,
come.
”
Shelookedathi
m confusedashesteppedout.He
openedtheboot
.Thabitookofft
heseatbel
tandgot
outofthecar
.Shewalkedoverandlookedathim
r
ampagingt
hroughherbag.Hegr
abbedapai
rof
j
eanst
henclosedherbag.
“
Atangwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Hecl
osedt
hebootandpul
ledherbackt
othei
r
r
oom.
“Wearenotgoi
ngwi
thyoul
ooki
ngl
iket
hat
.Pl
ease
change.
”
“
Iam notchangi
ng.Il
ikemyshor
ts.
”
“
Thabi
leIdon’
twantt
oar
guewi
thyou.
”
“
Iam notchangi
ng!
”
“Soyouwantt
owal
kar
oundl
ooki
ngl
ikea
prost
it
ute?
”
“
Iam notl
ooki
ngl
ikeapr
ost
it
ute.Il
ookgood.
”
“
Youl
ookhal
fnaked!Icanseeyourbut
tcheeks.
”
“
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmybut
t?”
“Eveni
fIdon’
twanttolookati
t,i
tisoutintheopen
tobeseen.I
fIcanseeit,
itmeanseveryoneelsei
s
goingt
osee.Isthatt
hekindofatt
enti
onyouwant
whenwear ewit
hourdaughter?
”
“
Whyar
eyoubr
ingi
ngLomoi
ntot
his?
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Thabipl
ease…”
“
Ili
kemyshor
ts.
”
Atangpi
ckedherupandpl
acedheront
hebed.
Thabil
aughedpushi
nghi
m off
.
“At
ang…youar eover
react
ing.Mybuttcheeksare
notout.Justbecauseyouareimagini
ngthem out
doesn’
tmeant heyareout.Otherwomenwear
short
s-“
Hesighed.“Iam human.Ihavef eel
ingstoo.I t
doesn’
thelpthatIstil
lloveyouandthatinmyhear t
youaresti
llmygirl.IwantLomot oenjoythi s.I
wanttoenjoythi
swi thherwi t
houthavingtot hi
nk
aboutmenl ooki
ngatyourbut tandthighs.Igetthat
youli
keyourshor t
s,andt hatt
hereisnothingwr ong
wit
hthem butplease…pl easemeetmehal fway.”
Shel
ookedi
nhi
seyes.“
Ok.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Thankyou.Iwi
llhel
pyouchange.
”
Heuntiedhershoel
aces.Thabil
aidback.He
unbut
tonedhershir
tsthenpull
edthem downher
l
egs.Helookedatherlacet hongthentookadeep
breat
h.Heswall
owedgott hejeans.Thabigotof
f
thebedandputonthej eanbef or
eputti
ngonher
shoes.Shel
ookedatthet entinhispants.
“Gasegoreof ouneleyournewgi
rlf
ri
end.Youhave
asituat
ionthere.Youmightwanthersor
ti
ngyou
outbeforewego. ”
“
Idon’
thaveagi
rl
fr
iend.Iam si
ngl
e.”
Thabiwal
kedoutwit
hhershort
snowinjeans.She
thr
ewtheshor
tsbackinherbagandgotinthecar
.
Minut
eslat
erAtanggoti
nandstart
edthecar.
Herever
sedanddroveoff.Heconti
nuousl
ystol
e
gl
ancesatherasshelookedoutthr
oughthe
wi
ndow.

*
**

Pul
eparkedt
hecaratt
hepolicestat
ionandwal
ked
i
nsi
de.Hewentt
othefrontdesk.
“
Dumel
ang,
Iwantt
oseeRet
habi
leKai
sar
a.”
“
Shewasr
eleasedi
nthemor
ning.She’
snother
e.”
“
Shewasr
eleased?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hef
rownedt
aki
ngouthi
sphoneandcal
ledher
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam wit
hLomoandherf
ather
.Wear
egoi
ngf
ora
r
oadtri
p.”
“Youaregoingwi t
ht hesamemant hatcheat
edon
you?Whywoul dyougobackt osomeonewho
obvi
ouslydoesn’tloveyouandjustwantstohurt
you?Whatar eyouhopi ngtogetf
rom that
?Howdo
yourepeat
edlygobackt osomeonewhoal ways
cheat
sonyou? ”
“Thisi
saboutmydaught er.He’scomingwi t
ht o
makesureshei ssafeatallti
mes.Icameher ef or
her.Myrel
ationshi
pwithherf at
herhasnothingt o
dowi t
hher.Andshealsoget stoenjoyourattention
atthesamet i
me.Don’ttal
kt omeasi fIcan’
tthink
formysel
f.Iam doingwhat ’
sbestformydaught er.
ShealmostdiedwithyouandI.Iam notgoingto
repeatt
hesamemi stakeagai
n.JustbecauseIlet
youkissmedoesn’tgiveyoutherightt
oint
errogat
e
mel i
keyourgir
lf
ri
end.Iam not.Knowyourplace.”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#95

Thabi hungupst ari

ngatAt angashest oodbesi
de
theroadbuyi ngMor etl
wa( Wil
dberri
es)fr
om a
hawker .Shesighedr ecall
ingthedaysshehad
stoodbesi detheroadsel l
ingunderthehotsun.The
sunhadn’ tmat t
eredbackt hen.Ithadnever
mat t
eredtohermot hertoo.
Pul
estart
edcalli
ngagain,
Thabicutt
hecalland
swit
chedoffherphone.At
anggotbackinthecar
andhandedThabiaplasti
cful
lofMoret
lwa.
“
Thanks.Ihaven’
teat
ent
hissi
ncehi
ghschool
.”
“
Kanakeal
ebal
agor
eovi
ll
agegi
rl
.”
Thabi
smiled.“
Shakaweatouri
stat
tr
act
ionar
ea.
WehavetheOkavangori
verpassi
ngthr
oughus.
Gonacheeseboykemathata.
”
“Cheeseboykemang?KegoletsimoKasane.I
usedtoswiminther
iverwher
eyoualmostkill
ed
mydaughter.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andl
aughed.“
Ij
a..
”
“Papausedtobeatusever
ydaybecauseofgett
ing
i
nt hewaterebi
leatt
heendIwouldn’
tevenfeel
painyagobitswa.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Doi
ngthi
ngsyoushoul
dn’
tbe
doi
ngstart
edwaybackforyouaker
e?I
tst
art
s
whenyouaresmall
.”
Hesmiledthenchuckledstarti
ngthecar.Thabi
openedherplast
icandstartedeati
ng.Shelooked
backatherdaughterstr
uggling.
“
Lomo,
doyouneedhel
p?”
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atangtookaturnfurt
herint
othebushes.Thabisat
upri
ghtwonderingwherehewast aki
ngthem.He
droveforanot
herhourthensloweddownast hey
approachedaSafariCamp.
Thabi
satupri
ght.Hesloweddownandpar
ked.
Thabi
lookedathimthenbackatt
hecamp.
Fr
om adi
stanceshecaughteyeoft
hreeZebr
as.
“
Wear
eher
e…l
et’
sgo.
”
Hejumpedoutofthecar.Thabif
ollowedandhel
d
Lomo’shand.Anel
derl
ymanwal kedovertot
hem
weari
ngjeansanalongsleevedshirtt
uckedi
n.
“Mr.andMr s.Dani
el,
welcome.Youcancome
thr
ough,mynamei sEdward.Iam t
heover
seerher
e.
Iwil
lhelpyouwi t
hyourbags.”
At
angshookhishand.“
Thanks.Iwil
lcar
ryt
hebags.
I
t’
sok.Thi
sisourdaught
er.Lomo.”
Edwardsmiled.Hi
saccentwasdi f
ferent
,he
soundedverymuchf orei
gn.Heledthem tot
hei
r
that
chedroofchalet
.Heunlockedthedoorandlet
them i
n.Theywalkedin,Thabismi
ledatthe
woodenf
loort
hent
hebed.
Shetookoutherphoneandswit
chedon.I
t
complai
nedofbatt
erylowat5%.
“
Wher
ear
ethepl
ugs?
”
Edwar dsmil
ed.“LikeIhadexpl ainedt
oMr .Dani
el,
herewedon’thaveel ectr
ici
ty.Wear eallabout
taki
ngyouawayf r
om t hecit
ylifeandjustenjoyi
ng
natur
e.Therearecandl esthroughoutther oom t
o
l
ightitupatnight.
”
Thabi
lookedatAt
angwhoseemedunbot
her
ed.
“Wealsodon’
toff
erfood.Si
nceyouareourguests
atthemoment,t
hefi
replaceisyour
salone.The
ri
verisdownt
herebutavoidgoi
ngther
eatni ght
.”
At
angsmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Edwardsmi
ledandwal
kedout
.At
angt
urnedand
foundt
hegi
rlsl
ooki
ngathi
m.
“What?Wearegoingtoenjoythi
swit
houtlif
e
out
side.Sonophones.Wewi l
lworkt
ogetherto
makesur eweeat
.Ibroughtussomemeat .Wewil
l
befi
ne.”
“
ButIwant
edt
owat
chmymovi
e.”
Atangl
ookedathi
sdaught
ert
hent
ookt
het
abl
et
fr
om her
.
“Youwi
llwatchitwhenwegohomebaby.Ri
ght
nowwear egoingtowat
chour
sel
ves.
”
Thabil
ookedatherphoneasAtangopenedhi
s
hand.Shesl
owlygaveitt
ohim andsi
ghed.
“Ihopeyouarenotexpect
ingmet ocook.Iam not
cooking.Youbr
oughtushereknowingthesit
uation.
Iam sureyouhadaplaninplace.
”
Heputawayt
hegadget
sandsmiled.“
LomoandI
wi
llbr
aai
.Wearegoi
ngtohavef
un.”
Thabiwal
kedoutandt
urnedt
oAt
ang.Heputhi
s
handsonherwaist
.
“
Wedon’
tneedel
ect
ri
cit
yandourphonest
ohave
f
un.
”
“
IsawaZebr
a.Whati
fther
ear
eLi
onst
oo?
”
“
Ther
ear
enoLi
ons.Rel
ax.Wantt
oseet
her
iver
?”
“
NO!
”
Hesmil
ed.“Ok…ther
eani
cegazebooutsi
de.I
t’
s
hoti
nhere.Wecangoandsi
toutsi
de.
”
“LomoandIar egoingtosi tbytheGazebo.Weare
goingtotakeashowert henputonourbi ki
niswhi
le
youbringcoldj
uice.Il
ikemi newithi
ce.Andwear e
hungry.Lunchwon’thurt.RightLomo?”
Lomonodded.“Yes.Iwantor
angej
uice.Noi
cei
n
myjui
ce.Butcold.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Guys,
wear
ewor
kingt
oget
her
-“
Thabiwal
kedt
oherbag.“
Ther
eisnowe.I
t’
sonl
y
you.
”
Sheopenedherbagandtookoutherbl
uebiki
ni.
Shealsot
ookoutthepi
nkbiki
nisshehadbought
forLomo.
“
Lomo,come…let
’sgi
vedaddyachancetogetour
f
ood.Canwepl
easefi
ndoutjui
cesready?Ili
ke
minewi
thi
ceandnonforMsDaniel
.Makei tcol
d
t
hough.
”
Hewatchedt
hem ast
heywalkedinsi
dethe
bat
hroom.Mi
nut
eslat
ertheywalkedouti
nthei
r
bi
kini
s.Thabiopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedout
side.
“
ComeLomo.
.”
Theywal
kedtothegazebowhereThabismi
led
l
ookedatthei
rdr
inksindi
sposabl
ecups.At
ang
l
ookedatherandtookadeepbreat
h.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Shameyouhadt or
eplaceme.”Shewhispered.
“Thisli
tt
leget
awaywouldhavebeenoursyou
know…andnowi nst
eadyouar et
reat
ingpotenti
al
diseases.
”
Shereachedforhercupandt
ookasi
p.“
Thankyou
fort
hejuice.
”
Shesatdownandcl
osedhereyesenj
oyi
ngt
hecool
breeze.

*
**

InMaun,
ElangopenedThabi’
sprof
il
epictur
e.She
zoomedi
nt hepi
ctur
estar
ingherandLelomo.She
openedThabi’
sstat
usandlookedatal
lthepict
ures
shehadpostedofhersel
fandherdaughter
.She
pausedatthel
astpict
ureofAtang’
shandholdi
ng
thesteer
ingwheel
.
ShewenttoThabi
’
si nboxandstar
tedtypi
ng,
her
hear
tget
ti
ngheavierwitheachword.
Elang:Hi,Iseeyouarearound.It’
sfunnyhowour
fri
endshiphasslowlydiedinthepastyear s,
I
thoughtIwasi magini
ngt hi
ngsbutifyoucancome
backwi thoutt
ell
ingmet oapointthatIhavet of
ind
outthroughyourstatusitsaysalot.Ij
ustdon’t
understandwhathappened. .i
sitsomethingIdid
nemma?
Shesentthemessagebuti tti
ckedonce.She
si
ghedtearf
ull
yallal
onei nthehouse.Wit
hher
chi
ldr
engone,theloneli
nessgotevenmor ewor
se.
Farai
’
scardrovein.Elangstoodupandputthe
cushi
onsnicel
y..
Hewal
kedi
nmi
nut
esl
atert
henhel
ookedather
.
“
What
?”
“
Youar
ehomeear
li
ert
hanIt
hought
.”Shesmi
led.
“
Nott
hatIam compl
aini
ng.
”
Hewalkedpasthergoi
ngt
othebedr
oom.She
f
oll
owedbehindhim.
“
Icameher
etochangemyt
-shi
rt
.”
El
angl
ookedathi
st-
shi
rt
.“Whati
swr
ongwi
thi
t?”
Hechangedi
ntoanot
hert
-shi
rtandsi
ghed.
“Not
hing.
”
“
Youseem of
f.I
sitbecauseoft
hepr
egnancy?
”
Farait
ookadeepbr eath.“Ijustdon’
tunderstand
whywekeephavi ngkids?Di dn’tweagreethat…”He
si
ghed.“I
t’sexhausti
ng.Al otofkidsareexpensi
ve
especi
all
yiftheotherpersoni ntherel
ati
onshipis
notbri
nginganyincome.”
“
Far
aiwhatdoyouwantmet
odosi
nceIcan’
tgeta
j
ob?
”
“Youhavet wohandsandf eet!Youcansur el
ydo
something.Idon’twantthisbabyandyouar enot
goingtokeepit.Youcan’tkeepget ti
ngpregnant
l
ikeyouar epaidto.Idon’tevenbel i
eveyouforgot
yourshot.Youjustwantedanot herachil
d.Another
chi
ldi
snotgoi
ngt
osavet
hissi
nki
ngshi
p.”
Hewal
kedout
.El
angf
oll
owedhi
m sni
ff
ing.“
Far
ai-
“
“Bytheway,mymotheriscomi
ng.Shedoesn’
t
knowaboutuscohabit
ingsomakesureby
tomorrowyoushoul
dbebackatyourhouse.
Sharp.
”
Hewal kedoutandgotinhi
scarthendroveoff
.A
tearr
olleddownElang’
scheeks.Sheputherhands
onherf acecr
ying.

*
**

Meanwhil
einGabor
one,
Pul
e’
swi
fegotanenvel
ope
f
rom herPI
.
“
Itookpi
ctur
es.Ever
ythi
ngi
sint
her
e.”
Shetookoutt hepict
uresandst ar
edathim ki
ssi
ng
hissocalledstudent
.Shehasl ongsuspected
somethingwasgoi ng.Sheswal l
owedstari
ngatall
thepi
cturesthenshel ookedatthePI
.
“
Thankyou.
”
Henoddedandwalkedout
.Pul
e’
swi
fet
ookher
phoneandcal
ledherl
awyer
.
“
Tsame.
.”
“
Ihaveevi
dence.Iwantt
osuef
orhomewr
eckage.
”
.
.
.

Your
sTr
uly
#95

Thabi hungupst ari

ngatAt angashest oodbesi
de
theroadbuyi ngMor etl
wa( Wil
dberri
es)fr
om a
hawker .Shesighedr ecall
ingthedaysshehad
stoodbesi detheroadsel l
ingunderthehotsun.The
sunhadn’ tmat t
eredbackt hen.Ithadnever
mat t
eredtohermot hertoo.
Pul
estart
edcalli
ngagain,
Thabicutt
hecalland
swit
chedoffherphone.At
anggotbackinthecar
andhandedThabiaplasti
cful
lofMoret
lwa.
“
Thanks.Ihaven’
teat
ent
hissi
ncehi
ghschool
.”
“
Kanakeal
ebal
agor
eovi
ll
agegi
rl
.”
Thabi
smiled.“
Shakaweatouri
stat
tr
act
ionar
ea.
WehavetheOkavangori
verpassi
ngthr
oughus.
Gonacheeseboykemathata.
”
“Cheeseboykemang?KegoletsimoKasane.I
usedtoswiminther
iverwher
eyoualmostkill
ed
mydaughter.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andl
aughed.“
Ij
a..
”
“Papausedtobeatusever
ydaybecauseofgett
ing
i
nt hewaterebi
leatt
heendIwouldn’
tevenfeel
painyagobitswa.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Doi
ngthi
ngsyoushoul
dn’
tbe
doi
ngstart
edwaybackforyouaker
e?I
tst
art
s
whenyouaresmall
.”
Hesmiledthenchuckl
edstart
ingt
hecar .Thabi
openedherplast
icandst
artedeat
ing.Shelooked
backatherdaught
erst
ruggl
ing.
“
Lomo,
doyouneedhel
p?”
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atangtookaturnfurt
herint
othebushes.Thabisat
upri
ghtwonderingwherehewast aki
ngthem.He
droveforanot
herhourthensloweddownast hey
approachedaSafariCamp.
Thabi
satupri
ght.Hesloweddownandpar
ked.
Thabi
lookedathimthenbackatt
hecamp.
Fr
om adi
stanceshecaughteyeoft
hreeZebr
as.
“
Wear
eher
e…l
et’
sgo.
”
Hejumpedoutofthecar.Thabif
ollowedandhel
d
Lomo’shand.Anel
derl
ymanwal kedovertot
hem
weari
ngjeansanalongsleevedshirtt
uckedi
n.
“Mr.andMr s.Dani
el,
welcome.Youcancome
thr
ough,mynamei sEdward.Iam t
heover
seerher
e.
Iwil
lhelpyouwi t
hyourbags.”
At
angshookhi
shand.“
Thanks.Iwi
llcar
ryt
hebags.
I
t’
sok.Thi
sisourdaught
er.Lomo.
”
Edwardsmi l
ed.Hisaccentwasdi f
ferent
,he
soundedverymuchf orei
gn.Heledthem tot
hei
r
that
chedroofchalet.Heunlockedthedoorandlet
them i
n.Theywalkedi n,Thabismi
ledatthe
woodenfloorthenthebed.
Shetookoutherphoneandswit
chedon.I
t
complai
nedofbatt
erylowat5%.
“
Wher
ear
ethepl
ugs?
”
Edwar dsmil
ed.“LikeIhadexpl ainedt
oMr .Dani
el,
herewedon’thaveel ectr
ici
ty.Wear eallabout
taki
ngyouawayf r
om t hecit
ylifeandjustenjoyi
ng
natur
e.Therearecandl esthroughoutther oom t
o
l
ightitupatnight.
”
Thabi
lookedatAt
angwhoseemedunbot
her
ed.
“Wealsodon’
toff
erfood.Si
nceyouareourguests
atthemoment,t
hefi
replaceisyour
salone.The
ri
verisdownt
herebutavoidgoi
ngther
eatni ght
.”
At
angsmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Edwar
dsmi
ledandwal
kedout
.At
angt
urnedand
f
oundt
hegi
rl
slooki
ngathi
m.
“What?Wearegoingtoenjoythi
swit
houtlif
e
out
side.Sonophones.Wewi l
lworkt
ogetherto
makesur eweeat
.Ibroughtussomemeat .Wewil
l
befi
ne.”
“
ButIwant
edt
owat
chmymovi
e.”
Atangl
ookedathi
sdaught
ert
hent
ookt
het
abl
et
fr
om her
.
“Youwi
llwatchitwhenwegohomebaby.Ri
ght
nowwear egoingtowat
chour
sel
ves.
”
Thabil
ookedatherphoneasAtangopenedhi
s
hand.Shesl
owlygaveitt
ohim andsi
ghed.
“Ihopeyouarenotexpect
ingmet ocook.Iam not
cooking.Youbr
oughtushereknowingthesit
uation.
Iam sureyouhadaplaninplace.
”
Heputawayt
hegadget
sandsmiled.“
LomoandI
wi
llbr
aai
.Wearegoi
ngtohavef
un.”
Thabiwal
kedoutandt
urnedt
oAt
ang.Heputhi
s
handsonherwaist
.
“
Wedon’
tneedel
ect
ri
cit
yandourphonest
ohave
f
un.
”
“
IsawaZebr
a.Whati
fther
ear
eLi
onst
oo?
”
“
Ther
ear
enoLi
ons.Rel
ax.Wantt
oseet
her
iver
?”
“
NO!
”
Hesmil
ed.“Ok…ther
eani
cegazebooutsi
de.I
t’
s
hoti
nhere.Wecangoandsi
toutsi
de.
”
“LomoandIar egoingtosi tbytheGazebo.Weare
goingtotakeashowert henputonourbi ki
niswhi
le
youbringcoldj
uice.Il
ikemi newithi
ce.Andwear e
hungry.Lunchwon’thurt.RightLomo?”
Lomonodded.“Yes.Iwantor
angej
uice.Noi
cei
n
myjui
ce.Butcold.
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Guys,
wear
ewor
kingt
oget
her
-“
Thabiwal
kedt
oherbag.“
Ther
eisnowe.I
t’
sonl
y
you.
”
Sheopenedherbagandtookoutherbl
uebiki
ni.
Shealsot
ookoutthepi
nkbiki
nisshehadbought
forLomo.
“
Lomo,
come…l
et’
sgi
vedaddyachancet
ogetour
f
ood.Canwepl
easefi
ndoutj
uicesr
eady?Ili
ke
minewi
thi
ceandnonforMsDaniel
.Makeitcol
d
t
hough.
”
Hewatchedthem astheywalkedinsi
dethe
bat
hroom.Mi nut
eslat
ertheywalkedoutint
heir
bi
kini
s.Thabiopenedthedoorandlookedoutsi
de.
“
ComeLomo.
.”
Theywal
kedtothegazebowhereThabismi
led
l
ookedatthei
rdr
inksindi
sposabl
ecups.At
ang
l
ookedatherandtookadeepbreat
h.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Shameyouhadt or
eplaceme.”Shewhispered.
“Thisli
tt
leget
awaywouldhavebeenoursyou
know…andnowi nst
eadyouar et
reat
ingpotenti
al
diseases.
”
Shereachedforhercupandt
ookasi
p.“
Thankyou
fort
hejuice.
”
Shesatdownandcl
osedhereyesenj
oyi
ngt
hecool
breeze.
*
**

InMaun, El
angopenedThabi ’sprof
il
epicture.She
zoomedi nthepicturestar
ingherandLel omo.She
openedThabi ’
sstatusandl ookedatallt
hepi ctur
es
shehadpost edofher sel
fandherdaught er.She
pausedatthelastpictureofAt ang’
shandhol ding
thesteer
ingwheel.
ShewenttoThabi
’
si nboxandstar
tedtypi
ng,
her
hear
tget
ti
ngheavierwitheachword.
Elang:Hi,Iseeyouarearound.It’
sfunnyhowour
fri
endshiphasslowlydiedinthepastyear s,
I
thoughtIwasi magini
ngt hi
ngsbutifyoucancome
backwi thoutt
ell
ingmet oapointthatIhavet of
ind
outthroughyourstatusitsaysalot.Ij
ustdon’t
understandwhathappened. .i
sitsomethingIdid
nemma?
Shesentthemessagebuti tti
ckedonce.She
si
ghedtearf
ull
yallal
onei nthehouse.Wit
hher
chi
ldr
engone,theloneli
nessgotevenmor ewor
se.
Far
ai’
scardrovein.Elangstoodupandputthe
cushi
onsni
cel
y..
Hewal
kedi
nmi
nut
esl
atert
henhel
ookedather
.
“
What
?”
“
Youarehomeearl
iert
hanIt hought
.”Shesmi
led.
“
Nott
hatIam complai
ning.
”
Hewalkedpasthergoi
ngt
othebedr
oom.She
f
oll
owedbehindhim.
“
Icameher
etochangemyt
-shi
rt
.”
El
angl
ookedathi
st-
shi
rt
.“Whati
swr
ongwi
thi
t?”
Hechangedi
ntoanot
hert
-shi
rtandsi
ghed.
“Not
hing.
”
“
Youseem of
f.I
sitbecauseoft
hepr
egnancy?
”
Farait
ookadeepbr eath.“Ijustdon’
tunderstand
whywekeephavi ngkids?Di dn’tweagreethat…”He
si
ghed.“I
t’sexhausti
ng.Al otofkidsareexpensi
ve
especi
all
yiftheotherpersoni ntherel
ati
onshipis
notbri
nginganyincome.”
“
Far
aiwhatdoyouwantmet
odosi
nceIcan’
tgeta
j
ob?
”
“Youhavet wohandsandf eet!Youcansur elydo
something.Idon’twantthisbabyandyouar enot
goingtokeepit.Youcan’tkeepget ti
ngpr egnant
l
ikeyouar epaidto.Idon’tevenbel i
eveyouf or
got
yourshot.Youjustwantedanot herachil
d.Another
chil
disnotgoingt osavet hi
ssinkingship.”
Hewal
kedout
.El
angf
oll
owedhi
m sni
ff
ing.“
Far
ai-
“
“Bytheway,mymotheriscomi
ng.Shedoesn’
t
knowaboutuscohabit
ingsomakesureby
tomorrowyoushoul
dbebackatyourhouse.
Sharp.
”
Hewal kedoutandgotinhi
scarthendroveoff
.A
tearr
olleddownElang’
scheeks.Sheputherhands
onherf acecr
ying.

*
**

Meanwhil
einGabor
one,
Pul
e’
swi
fegotanenvel
ope
f
rom herPI
.
“
Itookpi
ctur
es.Ever
ythi
ngi
sint
her
e.”
Shetookoutt hepict
uresandst ar
edathim ki
ssi
ng
hissocalledstudent
.Shehasl ongsuspected
somethingwasgoi ng.Sheswal l
owedstari
ngatall
thepi
cturesthenshel ookedatthePI
.
“
Thankyou.
”
Henoddedandwalkedout
.Pul
e’
swi
fet
ookher
phoneandcal
ledherl
awyer
.
“
Tsame.
.”
“
Ihaveevi
dence.Iwantt
osuef
orhomewr
eckage.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#96

AttheSafariCamp, l
atert
hatdayjustaf
terdusk,
Thabisatbyt hefi
reinhersweatpant
sandal ong
sl
eevedtopwhi leAtangbraai
edthemeetwi t
h
Lomonar r
atingsomet hi
ngthathadhappenedat
school
.
Shescrat
chedherneckl
ookingatt hedarkness
sur
roundi
ngthem.Atanglaughedwi thhi
sdeep
voi
cemakinghersmiler
elaxi
ng.Shet ri
edt ol
ist
en
tot
heconversat
ionbutf
oundher selfst
aringathim.
Therewasj ustsomethingaboutthisman.He
wasn’tyourusualtypeofmen, no…At angwas
dif
ferent
.Ormaybeshej ustl
ovedhi m.Heli
ft
edthe
cornerofhisli
pssmi l
ing.Sheswallowedthi
nkingof
him underthebedhidingfrom her
.Thecum
dri
ppingfrom thatwoman’sinnerthigh.
Tearsit
chedhereyesasshest ar
edathi m
wonderingjusthowhemanagedt ocheat…she
thoughtofChris…shehadneverfull
yopenedt
ohi
m
becauseshekeptcomparinghimt oAtang.
Shelookedatt hegroundasatearr
oll
eddown.She
tookadeepbr eathhuggingherl
egssi
tti
ngonthe
stool
.Somehowshef eltasi
faheavyl
oadwason
hershoulder
s.
“
Mama!
”
Thabi
rai
sedherheadandl
ookedatLomowhowas
hol
dingapl
atef
ullwi
thmeat
.Thabismi
ledand
l
ookedatAt
ang.
“
Thanks.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Yes.Thankyou.Smel
lsni
ce.
”
Shepickedthemeatandstart
edeating.Lomogot
herpl
ateandsatdown.Atanglookedatherasshe
atei
nsilence.Lomocont
inuedtal
kingloudl
y.Thabi
l
ookedatherandsmi l
ed.
“
Mama,
areyoul
ist
eni
ng?
”
Thabinodded.“
YesMsDaniel.Iam l
ist
eni
ng.What
di
dteachersayaft
eryousai
dt hat
?”
Shesighedthenwentont
alki
ng.Theyfi
nished
eat
ingthenLomolookedatherf
ather
.
“Daddyt
ellusf
orkt
ales.Don’
trepeatt
heonesyou
alr
eadyt
oldme.Anddon’tmakeanyup. ”
At
angl
aughed.“
Ok,
comecl
oser
.”
Lomomovedcl
oser
.At
angl
ookedatThabi
.“You
toobabe…”
Thabi
movedcl
oser
.Hel
ookedatt
hem andsmi
led.
“
Eneer
il
egonal
emgwanyanaomontl
emontl
e…
(
Onceuponat
imet
her
ewasaverybeaut
if
ulgi
rl
.)
”
Lomol
ookedathi
mli
steni
ngcur
iousl
y.
“Shewassobeautif
ul.
.morethanthestars.She
hadthemostbeauti
fulsmil
eandshewasver y
i
ntel
li
gent…li
keyou.Shestayedi
nthevill
agewi t
h
hermotherandbrot
her.Onedayshe-“
“
Daddywhatwashername?
”
At
angsi
ghed.“
UhMet
si.
”
“
Daddyt
hat
’snotar
eal
name?
”
“I
tis,
justbecauseyouhaveneverhear
dofi
t
doesn’
tmakei tunr
eal
.”
“
Oookay.
.”
“
Shoul
dIcont
inue?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok.Onedaywhenshewaswal
king,
shesawanol
d
uglywoman.”
“Daddy,
no.Wher
ewasshegoi
ng?Di
dhermot
her
sendher?”
“
Lomo,
can’
tshej
ustwal
kwi
thoutbei
ngsent
?”
“
Yousoundl
ikeyouar
emaki
ngi
tup.
”
Thabismil
edast heyconti
nuedarguingwitheach
sent
encehesaid.Shef i
nall
ykeptquietl
eaningon
him.Atangcont
inuedasshesi l
entl
ylist
enedtil
lhe
wasdone.
At
angl
ookedatherandsi
ghed.
“
AndhereIthoughtshewasact ual
lyl
ist
eni
ng.O
r
obet
si.(
She’sasl
eep.)Iwi
llputherdown.”
Hepickedherupandwal kedt
othechal
etwit
hher
.
Thabilookedaroundr
eadytoruni
fanyt
hingcame
fr
om thedarkness.
Atangwal
kedbackovert
oherandsatdownst
ari
ng
ather.
“
Tal
ktome…”
Shesmi
led,
herheadonherknees.“
Whatdoyou
wantmetosay?
”
“
Anyt
hing…”
Shebl
inked.At
angwalkedt
ot hecarandcame
backwit
hacampi ngai
rmatt
resstogetherwi
ththe
pump.Hequickl
ypumpeditthenlookedather
.
“
Come….
”
Shegotupandwalkedover.Shetookof
fhershoes
andlai
ddownwit
hhi m.Theylookedatt
hestars.
Atangtur
nedt
oher.
“Iam happyyouareher
e.Ihaveneverseenour
daughterthi
shappyinawhil
e.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Ihavebeenashi
tt
ypar
ent
.Iknow.
”
“
Notshi
tt
ybutbet
tercoul
dbeachi
eved.
”
Shelookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Youar
eamazi
ngat
thi
sDadbusiness.
”
Hesmi
ledshyl
y.“
Thanks.
”
Ther
ewassi
lenceasshel
ookedatt
hest
ars.
“Il
oveyou.Idon’
texpectyoutobeli
evemewhenI
sayIloveyoumorethananythi
ng.Atthi
spoi
ntI
knowwehaver eachedtheT-j
unct
ionofwhet
herwe
keeptryingorj ustendi
t.”Heturnedandl ookedin
hereyes.“ Iknowyouar ehurt
ing.Ihavecaughtyou
cryi
ngt wicesi ncewegothere.IhatethatIam the
reason.Nott hatIam excusi
ngitbutitdidn’tmean
anythi
ng.I twasj ustamomenti nfl
uencedwi t
h
angerandpai n.Youdeservebetter
-“
“No. .
”Tear sf
il
ledhereyes.“ Youar et heonewho
deser vesbett
er.Youwer epatientlongenough.You
ar ehumanaf terall
.Ihavebeent hewor st..Ihave
takenoutmyf rustrati
onsonyou…onus.Youar e
right.Icanaffordacal leveryday.Ididn’tcal lon
pur posesomet imesbecauseI …kepthopi ngyou
justf i
ndsomeoneel se.Someonewhowi l
lbet here.
Someonewhoi spr esent.Someonewhowi l
llove
youj ustright
…someoneyoucandependon.I t’s
har dformet obet hatper sonrightnow.Iam goi ng
back…Ihavewor kedsohar dforthis.
.andIdon’ t
thinkyoushoul devenputupwi thit.Iwantt oset
youf r
eebecauseIcan’ tpr omiseanyt hi
ng.Youar e
gr owingold.Youcan’ tkeepchasi ngme.Il oveyou
butIcan’ thel
pbutf eelwemetatt hewr ongt i
me.I
don’ twantust okeephur tingeachot her .Ialso
don’
twanttokeepcryi
ng.It’
spai
nful
…Ialsodon’t
wantyoutokeepbegging.Il
oveyouenoughtolet
yougo.”
Helookedatherashert
ear
sfel
l.At
angwi
pedaway
hert
ears.
“
Youwantt
oendt
hisf
orgood?
”
Thabismil
ed.“
Iknowthereisawomanoutt heref
or
you.Someonewhowi l
lloveyouandputyoufir
st.
Youwon’thavetobegortocompromisealotmore
andrecei
vewayless.
”
“I
fthat
’swhatyouwantok.Iam notf
ight
ingthi
s
ti
mearoundbabe.It
hinkwearepastthat.Iam
goingt
ogiveyouwhatyouwant.”
Shelookedathi m noddingandbur i
edherheadon
hischestcrying.Atanghuggedherki ssi
ngherneck.
Heclosedhi seyeshol di
nghert i
ghtl
y.Shef
inall
y
keptquietandbr eathedheavi
lypantingwhi
le
snif
fi
ng.Hemovedherheadsl ightl
yandsmiled.
“
CanIki
ssyou?
”
Shel
aughedwi
pingat
ear
.“Makei
tgood.I
twon’
t
behappeni
ngagai
n…”
Heleanedoverandkissedher.Thabiclosedher
eyesashisli
pstouchedhers,hefrenchkissed
weakeningherasherheartraced.Heslowlygoton
topofher,hi
sdickget
tinghardasshet ouchedhis
chest
.
Atangopenedherl
egswi thherkneebreat
hing
heavi
lyontopofher.Thabipul
ledouthist
-shi
rt.He
tooki
toffqui
ckl
yandki ssedheragai
nassher an
herhandsonhisbroadchest.
Hesli
dhishandunderneat
hherwaistpul
li
ngherup
andgri
ndedhiser
ecti
onagainsther
.
Thabimoanedsoftl
ytouchingthebackofhishead
wit
hherotherhandonhi sback.Hegrindedhi
s
er
ectiononheragainlet
ti
ngoutagr unt.Hemoved
hi
slipsfr
om herli
psgoingtoherneck.Sherubbed
hi
sheadmoani ng,herp*ssythr
obbing.
At
angmovedhisli
psfur
therdownsuckedher
ni
ppl
esontopofhert
hintext
urel
ongsleevedt
op.
Thabi
thr
ewherheadback.“
Ataang….
”
Heslowl
yl i
ft
edhert opandt ookitoff.Hebreathed
heavi
lyt
ouchi ngherbreast
sandsqueezedt hem.
Hesuckedherni pplesagai
ngoi ngabi thar
der.She
cri
edoutinpai nmixedwithpleasure.Hesucked
evenhar
dert hatherp*ssythrobbedevenmor eas
herpant
iesgotevenwet ter.
Hekissedhergoi
ngdownherbel
lybut
tonand
pul
ledouthersweat
pant
s.
Thabi
slowl
yopenedhereyesandl ookedathi
m
weakl
y.Hetookoffherpant
iesandlookedather
cl
eanthi
ckp*ssy.
Hel eanedoverandpartedherp*ssyli
pswi t
hhis
tongueandgr azedherswoll
enclitwit
hhistongue.
Thabi l
etoutamour n,
hereyesclosed.Atang
suckedhereat i
ngherp*ssy.Thabisqueezedher
breastmoaning.Hermoansgotl oudergett
ing
closer.
Heli
ft
edhisheadandkissedher.Thabisl
idher
handinsi
dehi
spantsthenshetouchedhishard
weapon.Shet
ookitoutandstr
okedhi m.
“
Didyoubr
ingcondoms?
”
Hepausedandl
ookedat
.“Uhyes.I
nthecar
.”
Thabi
puthi
sdi
cbacki
nhi
spant
s.“
Goandt
ake
them.
”
Hequi ckl
ygotupnotwant i
ngt onegot i
ateanyt
hing
andr antothecar.Hequicklyconnect edhisphone
tothecarandpl ayedasongt okillanysoundst hat
couldwakeuphi schi
ld.Khoisan’
sSet hubege
playedasher ushedbackt oher.Het ookouta
condom andqui ckl
yopenedi twithhist eet
hwhile
Thabi t
ookouthi shar
ddi c.Hesli
dt hecondom on
hisweaponandpushedherdownpul li
nghercloser.
Thabi
closedhereyesashepushedhimselfi
nsi
de.
Shecl
osedhereyesfeel
inghi
m str
etchherwall
s.
“
Lookatmebabe…”
Sheopenedhereyesandl ookedathi
m ashe
sl
owl ypushedhi msel finsi
de..Hel
eanedover
ki
ssinghersl idi
ngoutt henhepushedbacki nagai
n.
Shebi thisli
pmoani ng.Hemovedhi swaistf
il
li
ng
herupi neveryangl e.Sheclosedhereyesatthe
unexplainablepleasure.Shepusheddownhi spants
wit
hhert oes.
Thabimovedbeneathhim moani
ng.Herp*
ssy
narr
owedonhim, shesankhernai
lsi
ntohi
sski
n
whil
eheconti
nuouslydri
ll
edher.
Shet hrewherheadbackasast rongur getopee
cameoverher .Shet i
ghtenedhermuscl estryi
ngt o
holdi ti
n.At anggr untedatt hef eeli
ngofherpussy
clampi nghar donhi m.Fucki twast oosoonbuti t
feltwayt oogoodhecoul dn’tstopt ogi
vehi msel fa
second.Shecoul dbar el
yfeelthecondom, itfeltli
ke
i
twashi smeatonher sandeachdeepst r
okehe
gavehert ouchedhersoul .Itgotwaysweet er,Thabi
rolledhereyes, theirsweat ybodi esgri
ndingagai nst
eachot her.
Hisdickpushedwaydeeperi nt
oherthathetapped
atenderspotthatsentherbodyint
omul t
ipl
e
expl
osionsasshesquat t
ed,herp*ssyspasming.
“
Ataaang!OhhIl
oveyou….
”
Herp*ssygrippedhisdickt
ightl
yashepushed
backi
nside,hegroanedsqueezingherwaistas
pl
easurehadhi m vi
brat
ingontopofher.Hegave
anot
herthrustpushingdeepinsi
dethenfl
attened
himsel
finherpumpingouthi
scum.Hest
il
ledon
topofherdr
ained.
Thabiwrappedherar msaroundhi m.Minuteswent
bythenhesl owlysl
idout.Thabiweaklyli
ft
edher
headandl ookedasheslidout,thecondom sti
ll
i
ntact.Shesighedandrelaxed.Hetookoffthe
condom andpul l
edherinhisarms.
Hekissedher
.“Il
oveyou,
Iwi
llneverst
opl
ovi
ng
you.
.”
Shesmil
edexhaust
edt
hent
ouchedhi
sbear
d.“
I
l
oveyoumore…”
Shelaidherheadonhischest
.Theyhel
deachother
whil
ethef l
ameslowl
ydieddown.Hesighed
cl
osinghiseyeswonderi
ngifhi
sheartwasreadyt
o
acceptreal
it
y.
Khoisan’
sSethubegepl
ayedonr
epeatast
heyhel
d
eachother.

‘
Ntunt
uset
hubege
Set
hubege
Nt
unt
uset
hubege
Lef
aekanaset
hubege
Nt
unt
uset
hubege
Set
hubege
Nt
unt
uset
hubege
Lef
aekanaset
hubege
Bor
okobonebol
ethat
abosego
Gobegol
ethat
aoseyo
Ompi
thet
sikeshel
eket
a
Waphamor
it
iwasnt
shi
rel
etsa
Wamphal
esedi
If
eelbet
ter
Kenal
ewenagoyagoi
leng
Ej
aser
ati
KennaLewena
AososeLer
ato
Sososenal
erat
o’
Thesongcont
inuedpl
ayi
ngt
il
ltheybot
hfel
lasl
eep.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#97

AWEEKLATER…

I
nShakawe, At
angdrovethr
oughthegateat
Thabi
’shouseanddrovethr
oughtheshortgr
ass.
Shetookadeepbreathl
ookingatt
hehouse.Lomo
l
ooked.
“
Thi
sisyourhousemama?
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Itl
ooksol
d.”
Thabi
smi
ledst
eppi
ngoutoft
hecar
.
“
Iti
s.”
MmagweMavi sl
ookedoverseatedbyherver
anda
andfi
xedherl
ongexpi
redspectacl
esstar
ingat
Ret
habil
e.
ShesquintedhereyesasThabil
ookedaroundthe
yardsmil
ing,amanandachi l
dalsosteppedout.
Sheslowlyputherplat
eofTsabanadownt hen
stoodupandwal kedovert
hefence.
“
Ret
habi
le!
”
Thabi
tur
nedandsmil
edtyi
ngherl
ongbr
aidsshe
hadpl
ait
edadayback.
“
MmagweMavi
s,howar
eyou?
”
MmagweMavissmiled.“Iam f
ine…i
t’
sbeenyear
s.
Youl
ongl
eftanddecidedtoabandonus.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Iwasatschool
.”
Shef
rowned.“
Allt
heseyear
s?”
“
Yes.Iam st
udyi
ngt
obeadoct
or.
”
“Wooow!I
fMavi
scouldseewhatot
herchi
ldr
enare
doi
ngmaybeshewil
lstophavi
ngki
dsever
yyear.
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmygi
rl
.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Ist
hatyourhusbandanddaught
er?
”
Thabi
noddedknowi
ngshewasgi
vingt
heent
ire
communit
ysomethi
ngt
otal
kabout
.“Emma.”
“
That
’sgood.Iam happyt
oseeyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Thabiwalkedt
ot hedoorasmmagweMaviswalked
backtoherver
anda.Shesatdownwatchi
ngclosel
y
asthemanof f
loadedbagsthenl
astt
hepl
ast
icsof
grocer
ies.
Thabiunl
ockedthehouseandwal kedin.She
l
ookedathermot her’
spi
ctur
eframeont hewall
.
Shetearf
ullysmil
edli
keshecouldactuall
yseeher
st
andingrightt
here.
Shel ookedatthei
roldgreencouchest henthe
smal lCRTTv.Shesmi led,i
twasdust ybut
everythi
ngwasi nplace.TrustBatangt ovisi
tand
notmoveanyt hing.Sheslowlywal kedtothe
ki
tchenandl ookedattheirgreenkitchenunit.
Shewalkedoverandopenedit
.Hermother’
s
favor
it
eglasseswer
esti
llt
here.Atearr
oll
eddown
asshetouchedthegr
eenbreadbin.
Atangwalkedoverhol
dingthei
rgr
oceri
es.Heput
everyt
hingdownandtouchedherwaist
.“Areyou
ok?”
Shel
aughedtear
ful
ly.“I
tfeel
sli
kehome.Imi
ssher
.
Thewoundneverheals.
”
“
Shei
swat
chi
ngoveryou.
”
Thabismil
ed.“Ihopeshei spr
oud.Shealways
wantedmet oeit
herbeal awyerordoct
or…though
shelovedt
heideaofal awyermore.Whereis
Lomo? ”
“
Taki
ngagr
andt
our
.”
Thabisighed.“
Canshepleasest
aybehi
ndwi
thme?
Iwil
ldropheroffwhenIcome.”
At
angnodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Lomowal
kedi
nt heki
tchenandsmi
led.“
Ther
eisa
swi
ngatt
heback.Wasityours?
”
“
Nobaby.
.itwasBat
ang’
s.Don’
tgetoni
t.I
t’
sol
d.”
Atangsmi
ledmovi
nghishandsfr
om Thabi
.“Ican
fi
xyouguyssomet
hingbef
oreIgo.”
Lomosmi
led.“
Yes.
”
Hewal kedoutsidewithLomo.Thabiwal kedtothe
bedrooms.Sheopenedhermot her’
sroom andtook
adeepbr eath.Sheslowlywalkedinandst oodby
thedoorwat chi
ngAt anglaughwi t
hLomowhi l
e
i
nspectingtheswi ng.
Shesmi l
edthenwalkedoutgoingtoherroom.
Minuteslat
ershestar
tedcl
eaningwipingofft
he
dust.At
angwal kedi
nasshef i
nishedup.
“
Imadeanewswi
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“BythewayIhavebeent hi
nkingofget
ti
ngBatanga
smallcar,maybeaGolf
.He’sreal
lydoi
ngwell
at
school.It
hinkhedeser
vesit.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Thankyou.Hewi
lll
ovei
t.
”
“
He’
smyboy.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyouf
orbei
ngaf
atherf
igur
eto
hi
m.”
At
angtouchedherchin.“
Thereisnoneedt
othank
me.Wemetf orareasonLor
raine.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Ij
a.”
“Ihavet
ogo.Iam f
lyi
ngt
omor
rowmor
ning.Iwi
ll
seeyouwhenyoucome.”
“
Yes.
”
Lomowalkedi
nthehouse.Hel
ookedatherand
smil
ed.
“Iam goi
ngnow.Seeyouwhenmamadr
opsyou
off.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hekissedhercheekandputherdown.Thabi
wal
kedhi mt ohiscarandstoodbysmi l
ingashe
j
umpedi n.Hest ar
tedtheenginethenwinkedather
bef
orereversinganddrivi
ngof fput
ti
ngonhiscap.
Thabiwal
kedint
hehouset
hent
ookherphoneand
cal
ledEl
ang.
“
Thabi
…”
“
Hi,
Iam athome.Youcancomeover
.”
“
Areyousur
e?”
Thabi smil
ed.“
Yes.ThammaIam sorr
y.Iknowyou
feelabandonedbuti
t’
snotonl
yyou.YouknowI
l
oveyou.Come…”
El
angl
aughed.“
Iam comi
ng.
”

*
**

AtEl
ang’shouse,El
anglookedatherki
dswatching
TVthenpickedherphoneputt
ingonherfl
ipf
lops.
Hermotherwalkedfr
om theki
tchen.
“MmagweMavisjustpassedby.ShesaysThabii
s
backandshei
sthinli
keshehasHI V.
”
Elanglaughed.“
Shehadalreadyar
ri
ved?Wait
se
thisol
dhagi j
a.Iam comi
ng.Iam goi
ngtoseeher
.*
“
Tel
lhersheshoul
dcomebysometi
me.Iwi
llcook
amarvel
ousmealj
ustf
ort
hedoct
or.Hermother
mustbesopr oud.Awhol esurgeon.Imagi ne…
somepeopl earebl essed.Ijustlovehowshei s
focused.Ishouldcal lt
heprincipalattheseni or
school.Thabishoul dgoandmot i
vat
et hoseki ds.
Theyshoul dknowt hatyoursi tuat
iondoesn’ tdefi
ne
you.Andt hefactthatshehasonl yonechi ldandi s
focusedonherf utureislovely.Imeanshe’ snot
having100kidscohabi t
inglikeotherpeople…”
Elangsi
ghedashermot herwentonprai
sing
Rethabi
leshamingheratt hesametime.She
walkedtoherroom andopenedherhandbagt hen
tookoutsomepi l
ls.Sheputthem i
nherbraand
walkedout.
Minuteslat
ershewalkedt
hrought
hegat
eand
walkedinsi
dethehouse.
Thabismi
ledandhuggedher.El
angl
aughed
wrappi
ngherarmsaroundher.
“
Fri
end!
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Wow…you…ar
eyoupr
egnant
?”
El
angsmi
led.“
Far
aiwant
edt
hel
astone.
”
“
Hedi
d?”
“
Yeshedi
d.”
“
That
’sni
ce.
”
Lomowal
kedf
rom t
hebedr
oom hol
dinghert
abl
et.
“
Mama,
ist
her
eWi
Fi?
”
“
Nobaby.
”
El
anglookedatThabi
’
sbeaut
if
uldaught
er.Lomo
smil
ed.
“
Hel
lo.
.”
El
angsmi
led.“
Hi.
.”
Lomolookedathermot
her.“
Shoul
dIcal
ldaddy
andaskhimtogetusone?
”
“No.Wewil
lmanagewit
houtWiFi
.Goandt
akeout
yourdi
rt
ycl
othessoIwashthem.
”
Shet ur
nedandwal kedbackt othebedr
oom.Thabi
smiled.“Si
t.Ihaven’tcooked.Letmepouryou
j
uice.”
Thabi
wal
kedt
otheki
tchenandcamebackwi
th
t
woglassesofj
uice.Sheplacedt
hem ont
he
t
abl
e.El
angtookoutherphone.
“
Canyoupl
easechar
gemyphonef
orme?
”
“
Yes.
”
Thabistoodupandt ookherphonetothebedroom.
Shepausedst ar
ingatLomot al
kingt
othephone
wit
hal owvoice.SheputElang’
sphoneont he
chargerandwalkedoutli
kesheisdidn’
thearher
tal
kingtoherfat
her.
El
angl
ookedatheral
readydr
inki
ngherj
uice.
“
Sohowi
sschool
?”
Thabi
satdownr
eachi
ngf
orherj
uicet
hent
ooka
si
pchatt
ing.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#98
Thabicatchi
ngasmel lfrom t
hejui
ce,
thet
aste
i
tselfmakingherspitoutthejui
cei
mmediat
ely.
Elanglookedather.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Itt
ast
esf
unny.
”
“
What
?”
“I
thasfunnytasteandsmell
.Itdoesn’
tsmel
lli
ke
Orangejui
ce.Theresomet
hingont hi
sjui
ce.
”
“
Minei
sfi
ne.Checkt
heexpi
rydat
e.”
“NgNg,i
tdoesn’
tsmellspoi
lt
.Itsmel
lsl
ike
somet
hingwasputinsi
de.”
Elang’
sheartpounded.Thabitookasmallsi
pthem
aboutitoutgett
ingup.“Ther
eissomethi
nginthis
j
uice.Letmet asteyour
s.Maybeit’
sme.”
Thanit
ookElang’sgl
assandsippedjustabi
t.
“Your
sisfi
ne..somethi
ngisonmyj ui
ce.”
Thabiwalkedt
othekit
chenwit
hhergl assand
openedthebott
leofj
uicet
hensipped.Elang’
shear
t
poundedsomuchasshest
oodup.
Thabi
walkedbackf
rom t
heki
tchen.“
Didyouput
somethi
nginmyjui
ce?
”
“
What
?”
“Tourjui
cet
ast
esfi
neam soist
heonef
rom t
he
bott
le.Whyi
sminedif
fer
ent
?”
“
Maybei
t’
syourcup.
”
“
Mycupt
hatdi
dwhat
?Iwashedt
hesecups.
”
Elangswall
owedsweat
ing.“
Nnemmawhatareyou
accusingmeof?Di
dyoucallmeher
etof
ightwi
th
me? ”
“
Whoi
sfi
ght
ingwi
thyou?
”
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
“Youarenotgoinganywher
eEl
ang.Whatdi
dyou
outinmyjuice?
”
El
angwal
kedt
othedoor
.Thanipul
ledherbag.
“
Whatdi
dyouputi
nmyj
uice?Kebual
ewena!
”
“
Leavweal
oneThabi
le.
”
“Notti
llyout
ellmewhatyououti
nmyj
uice.What
areyouhopingtoachi
eve?”
“
Leavemeal
one.
”
Thabil
ockedherdoorandputthekeysinherj
ean
pocket
.Shewalkedtotheki
tchenwhereshewalked
backholdi
ngaknif
e.Elangsteppedback.
“
Ifyouhur
tmybabyandIyouar
egoi
ngt
ojai
l.
”
Thaniwalkedoverthentoreherdresswitht hekni
fe.
Thesachetofpil
lsimmedi atel
yfel
l.Thabipicked
them upandtookthem out.Shelookedatt hem
caref
ull
yandlookedatEl ang.
“
Elangwhati
sthi
s?”
“
Thosear
emybl
oodpr
essur
epi
ll
s.”
Thabit
ookadeepbr
eat
handhandedhert
wo.
“Thent
aket
hem.Dri
nkyourpi
ll
s.”
El
ang’
shear
tpoundedsomuchassweatwent
downbet
weenherbreast
s.
“
Youcan’
t-
“
“
Putt
hosepi
ll
sinyourmout
h.”
El
ang’
svoi
cebrokeasshecr
ied.“
Idon’
twantt
o.
Opent
hedoor
.”
“Youaregoi
ngtodri
nkyourpi
ll
s.Iwi
llmakeyou
swall
owthem mysel
f.
”
Thani
pul
ledEl
ang’
sar
m.El
angscr
eamed.
“Youarenotgoi
ngwit
houtt
ell
ingmewhatt
hese
pil
lsar
efor!Youar
egoingt
odr i
nkt
hem.
”
Elangangril
ylookedathercr yi
ng.“Ihateyou!Ihat
e
youdomuchIwi shyoucandi ejustl
ikeyour
mot herdi
ed.Iprayfornothingbutyourmi ser
y
everynightRethabil
e.Ihateyou.”
Thabi
laughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy.
”
“Maybe…maybeIam cr azyRethabil
ebutdon’ tyou
thi
nkyouwouldbei fyougr ewupal lyourl
if
ebei ng
comparedtosomeone?Wasi tschooloranyt hing,
I’
dgetcomparedtoyou.Ihaveneverl i
vedmyl i
fei
n
peacebecauseofyou.Ever yt
hingIdoget s
comparedtowhatRet habil
ewoul dhavedone.Even
now!Ihavenopeace.Myboyf r
iendhasacr ushon
you.Imagi
nehowt hatis.EverywhereIturnit
’s
Rethabi
let
hatRethabilethi
s!SoyesIam cr azy!I
am cr
azybecauseIam nothappy.Ihavenever
enj
oyedmylif
ebecauseofyou.”
Thabi
steppedbacktear
sfi
ll
inghereyes.“
Sowhat
?
Youwantedtoki
llme?”
“YesIwant
edtokil
lyou.Youwer egoingt
odieand
i
twasgoingtolookl
ikesuici
de.Iboughtt
hem on
mywayherefrom ShakawejustforyoubecauseI
am si
ckandti
redofyou.”
“
Ifeelsor
ryf
oryou.
”
Thsnithr
ewthepill
sonherf ace.“AndFaraidoesn’
t
l
oveyou.Heneverdi d.Youtrappedhim wit
hkids
hopinghewilll
oveyou.It’
sashamet hatyouwoul d
thi
nkchil
drenkeepaman.Getoutofmyhouse…”
Thabiunl
ockedthedoor.El
angpickedherpi
ll
s
sni
ffi
ngandwalkedout.Thabil
ookedathersadl
y.
“
Gethel
p.Youneedhel
p.”
Shecont
inuedwal
king.Thabicl
osedhereyesand
st
oodagainstt
hedoor,herhandsonherface.

*
**
InNami bi
a,Kel
lysatinthe5starhot
elroom taki
ng
pict
ur es.Sheuploadedthem onherFacebookand
Instagram.Agangwal kedfr
om thebathroom and
reachedf orhi
sphone.
“
Wear
egoi
nghomet
omor
rowmor
ning.
”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Thi
swasni
ce.
”
Heki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
Kell
ysmiled.“Iam sorr
yaboutmybehavi
or.Ij
ust
di
dn’tl
ikethatyouwer ejumpi
ngar
oundforyour
brot
her’
swi f
ef or
getti
ngme.”
Agangsighed.“I
t’
sok.SomehowIfeelyouhadyour
fr
iendsl
eepwi t
hmybr ot
heronpurposebuti
t
doesn’
tmatternowbecauseThabiandAtangbr
oke
up.”
“
IswearIdi
dn’
ttel
lLet
tyt
odot
hat
.”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
.”
Kel
lyl
ookedathi
mt ear
ful
ly.“
Ihadt
oldhert
ost
ay
awayfr
om hi
m Iswear.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heki
ssedhert
hendressedup.Kel
lyputherphone
downandl
aidbesi
deshim.
“
Iwouldneverpl
anforyourbr
other’
smarr
iageto
f
ail
.Idon’
thateThabi
,i
twasjustjeal
oust
alki
ng.I
l
oveyou.”
Agangsmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shesmil
edrel
ievedbutthenguil
tywei
ghedher
downasshethoughtofthefactt
hatherbestf
ri
end
wasther
easonAt angandThabihadbrokenup.

*
**

InMaunhour slater,
At angstoppedatthefill
ing
stat
ionthenroll
eddownhi swindowslooking
around.Hecaughtsi ghtoftheAudiont heother
sidewithtwoladiesinside.Theonedri
vingst epped
outinherwhiteformalpant sandawhit eblazer.
At
angwatchedasshekickedherti
reswithherl
ong
st
il
ett
os,
herlonghai
roverhershoulder
s.She
turnedlookingoverwhi
leholdingherphoneand
what eversheseemedtobesayi ngseemedseri
ous.
.
shewal kedinsidet
hefi
ll
ingst at
ionst
ore.At
ang
sighedandl ookedatt
hef uelatt
endantwhohad
beenst ari
ngtoo.
“Lai
taj
a,t
senyaf
ullt
ankt
henwi
pemywi
ndshi
eld.I
am coming.
”
Hesteppedoutandwalkedinsidethestor
e.He
pi
ckedtwocansofenergydrinksandqueued
behi
ndherwhilesheconti
nuedt al
kingonthephone.
“It
seitheryout akeitoryoudon’t
.Whatyoudoi s
notmybusi nessbutt r
ustme,youdon’twantthi
s
takentocour t
.Ifyouthi
nkjustbecauseyouarea
man, youwi lloppressmet hesamewayyou
probablydot oyourwifethenyouhaveanother
thingcomi ngf oryou.Mynamei sRebantl
eMosweu,
don’tforgetmyname. ”
Shedroppedthecal
landpushedthechocolat
eto
thecashi
er.At
angpushedhisenergydr
inkstothe
cashi
er.
“
Iwi
llpayf
orever
ythi
ng.
”
Shet
urned.“
Icanpayf
ormyownchocol
ate.
”
“
Thammakeagot
shaba,
don’
tki
llme.
”
Shepausedthenchuckl
ed,
herf
acesof
teni
ng.“
I
canpayfori
t.
”
Atangsmi
led.“Iwon’tf
orgetyourname.Youcan
t
rustmeont hat.
”Atangpaid.
Shet
ookherchocol
ate.“
Thanks.
”
Hewal
kedoutwi
thher
.“Iam At
ang.
”
Shesmil
ed.“
Thankyouforthechocol
atet
hatI
coul
dhavepaidf
ormyself
.”
Hewal kedwit
hhertohersil
verRS7.Heopenedthe
doorforher
,shegotin.At
angreachedforher
busi
nesscardonherdashboardandsmi l
edstar
ing
athernameandherj obposi
ti
on.
“
Makessense.
”
Rebantl
elaughedstar
tinghercarthendr
oveof
f.
Atanglookedatherbusinesscar
dagainand
walkedtohiscarsmil
ing.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#99

Laterthatsamedayaf terdi
nner
,ThabifaceLomo
thelaptopinthebedroom thenwal
kedoutandwent
tothesitt
ingroom i
nherpyj amashort
sandshirt
.
Shesatdowndial
ingAt
ang.Sheli
stenedt
oitr
ing
forawhi
lethenhefi
nal
lypi
cked.
“
Hey…”
Shesmi
led.“
Hi,
IhopeIam notdi
str
act
ingyou?
”
“
No.What
’sup?Howar
eyouguysset
tl
ing?
”
Thabil
eanedbackont
hecouch.“
Ihear
dhert
alki
ng
toyouaboutWif
i.
”
“Shewil
lgetusedtoit
.Ther
eisWi
Fiathomebut
shedoesn’
tuseitever
yday.
”
“
Shei
swat
chi
ngmovi
esnow.Wemi
ssyou
al
ready.
”
“
Isawabeaut
if
ulsomeone.
”
Thabi
pausedt
hensmi
led.“
Sosoon?
”
“
Myeyesar
enotcl
osed.
”
“
What
’shername?
”
“
Rebant
le.
”
“
Onascal
eoft
en,
howbeaut
if
uli
sshe?
”
“
She’
sbeaut
if
ul.Shei
saj
udge.
”
“
Uhu…el
egor
ehowol
disshe?
”
“
Shei
sol
dert
hanyou.
”
“Soshe’snowyournewChicken?Hopef
ull
yyou
catchherthi
sti
mearound.
”
Atanglaughed.“Ithi
nkIwantt
ogothi
nks
di
fferent
ly.
.ifIchooset
ochaseher
.Olebegaal
e
bodipanyana.”
Thabi
lai
dont
hecoucht
henputherl
egsup.
“
Don’
tsl
eepwi
thhert
hef
ir
stni
ght
.”
“
Iwon’
t.Iwantt
odot
hingsdi
ff
erent
lyi
nmynext
rel
ati
onship.Fi
rstt
hingisacceptingtheendofyou
andI.Ithi
nkthatwil
lmaket hingseasierf
ormeifI
havenohopet hatyouandIcaneverbe.Toaccept
thatyouareonlyLomo’smot her.
”
“Ok.That ’
sagoodfi
rststep.Nnat otari
ghtnowI
don’tthinkgojol
akeprior
ity.Iwantmydegr eedo
badsomet i
mesIdon’tseeanythingbutthat.I
almostt her
e.Iwant
edt ostaythereforawhi l
eaft
er
myr esidency…whenIbecomeanat t
endingbutI
wanttocomebackhome.Iwantt oopenapr i
vate
cli
nicafterIworkabi
ttoseehowwedot hi
ngs.”
“Iam pr
oudofyou.Ihaveneverseenahardworker
l
ikeyou.Agogetter.Il
ovet
hataboutyou.When
youwantsomething,yougofori
t.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
“Ihavebeenthinki
ngaboutthepl
otweweregoi
ng
toget.AndIthinkIshoul
dputiti
nLomo’
sname.
Maybebui l
dahouset her
e.Notasbi
gasIwanted
but…somet hi
ng.”
“Orgi
vei
ttome.KanaAtangyoumarri
edme.I
knowIwal
kedi
nt hatmar
riagewi
thnot
hingand
nowIam goi
ngt
owal
koutwi
thnot
hingagai
n?”
Hel
aughed.“
Youhavest
art
ed.
”
“Atangwee…dotherightthing.Gapei
fIam stayi
ng
therei
tmeansLomowi llalsobestayi
ngther
e.I
gavebackthecar.Gi
vemet heplot
.Pl
ease…think
aboutit
.Wewillt
alkwhenIcomebackt oBots.”
Thabi’
sphonevi
brat
edri
nging.Shelookedatthe
unsavednumbercal
li
ngthensighedcutti
ngthecal
l.
“Elangwantedtokil
lme.”Sheputherlegsdown
narrat
ingwhathadhappened.“Ithi
nkt hatt
imeI
wentcr azyshehadputsomethi
ngint hedrinkshe
gavemebecausei twast heonl
ythingIconsumed
thatday.”
“
Ilongt
oldyouIdon’
tli
ket
hatper
son.
”
“Iknow.Butyouknowwhenyougr ewupwi t
h
someone,complet
elycut
ti
ngthem of
fishard.Iam
gladthi
shappened.NowIcancloseofft
hischapter
forgood.
”
“
Ihopeyoumeani
t.
”
“
Ido.
”
Herphonerangagain.“
Att
iel
etmecal
lyouback.
Someoneiscall
ing.
”
Shehungupandpi
ckedt
hecal
l.
“
Ret
habi
leKai
sar
aspeaki
ng,
hel
lo?
”
“Hi.Youaret al
kingt
oKaoneTaol e,MrsKgosi’s
l
awyer .Mrs.Kgosiissuingforhomewr eckageafter
shegotevi denceofyouandherhusbandki ssing.
Wear egoi
ngt ohavedocument sdel
iver
edt oyou.I
reali
zeyouar eanaspiri
ngdoctorwhohasa
reputati
onandIam sur ethi
sisnotthekindof
publicit
yyouwantt oyourname.Iwantust oset t
le
thi
soutofcour t
.Noonehadt ogethumi l
iat
ed.”
“
Iam sor
ry,
youl
ostme.Iam bei
ngsuedf
orwhat
?”
“Homewreckage.Youar
ehavi
nganaf
fai
rwi
th
PukeKgosi
.”
Thabil
aughed.“
Iam nothavi
nganaffai
rwit
hPule.
.
Idi
dn’
tevenknowhewasmar ri
ed.Hesai
dther
ing
wasforfun.
”
“
Soinyourbr
ainyoubel
ievedheisjustwear
inga
r
ingf
orfun?Howstupi
dar eyou?Doesamanl i
ke
himlookl
ikehewouldjustwearar i
ngforfun?She
wantsP100k.Ei
therwesortitoutofcourtordr
ag
youtocourt
…yourchoice.Youhaveunt i
ltomorr
ow
morningt
ogiveusyourresponse.”
Thelawyerhungup.Thabist
aredatherphonef
ora
whil
einshockthencal
ledPule.
“
Thabi
-“
“
Ijustgotacal
lfr
om yourwi
fe’
slawyer
.”
“
Iam sor
ti
ngi
tout
.Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
”
“
Sor
titoutandst
ayawayf
rom me.
”
Thabihungupandblockedhi
m.Shesighedst
il
lin
shockthencal
ledAt
angagainlyi
ngonhersi
de
rel
axi
ngherbody.

*
**

AtElang’
shouse,Elangsatonherbedatt
he
backroom whil
eherchil
drenpl
ayedonthefl
oor
.
Shesubmi t
tedherCVthroughemailt
oacompany
thatwasl
ookingf
orsomeonewi
thher
quali
fi
cat
ions.
Meanwhileheroldestdaughteropenedhermother
’s
handbagandtooksomepi l
ls.Shesmiledwal
kingt
o
heryoungersi
ster.
“
Letsplay…wasl
wal
aandIam adoct
or.Dr
inkyour
medicat
ion.
”
Shegaveherbr
otheronemedicinel
aughing.They
cont
inuedpl
ayi
ngwhileeat
ingthepil
ls.
El
angscrol
ledthr
oughherFacebooktimel
ine
passi
ngpeoplecel
ebr
ati
ngtheirachi
evements.She
swall
owedtaki
ngadeepbreaththencall
edFarai.
Hisphoner
angacoupleofti
mesbef orehefi
nally
pi
cked.
“
Elang…”
“
Hey,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Fine.Whati
sit
?”
“
Ijustcal
ledt
ocheckuponyou.
”
“
Iam f
ine.Ihavesomet
hingIneedt
otel
lyou.
”
“
Ok,
what
?”
“
Ihadawi f
ebackhomeandshe’soffi
cial
lymoved
t
hissi
de.Iwil
lbestayi
ngwi
thherandourkids
meani
ngyoucan’tcomebacktothehouse.”
El
angf
rowned.“
What
?”
“
Mywi
feandIwi
llbest
ayi
ngt
oget
her
.”
“
Whatwi
feFar
ai?
”
“
YouandIar
edone.Pl
easedon’
tbot
herus.
”
El
angsl
owl
ygotup.“
Far
ai,
whatwi
fe?
”
“HernameMoni caandshe’salreadyhere.She’
s
beauti
fulandalsoahardwor ker.Shewillbehelpi
ng
mef i
nancial
ly.Sheiscarr
yingoursecondchi l
dand
Idon’
twanthert ohaveadi ff
icultpr
egnancy.So
youcan’tcomeback.Al sopleasegetajob.”
“
WehavekidsFarai
!Iam comi
ngt
her
e.Doyou
t
hinkt
hisi
sajoke?”
“Don’
tbothercomi
ngbecausenoonewillopenf
or
you.Iam donewit
hyou.Wearedone.Getajob
becauseyouaregoingt
oneedit
.”
*
**

Thatsameni ghti
nMaun,Batangjumpedt hr
ough
thewallatLebo’
shouse.Hewalkedtothebackdoor
whereLebowasst andi
ng.Shequickl
ylethimin
andledhertoherroom.
Hesmi l
edkissi
ngher.Hegentlylai
dherdown
getti
ngontopofher.Lebotookoutacondom fr
om
underneat
hherpil
low.Batangtookoffherni
ght
dressandtouchedherbreast
.

From thenextr
oom, mmagweLebobewokeup
pressed.Shegotupleavi
ngherhusbandsleeping
thenwalkedoutofthebedroom.Shewalkeddown
thepassagepassingLebo’sroom.Shesi
ghed
stari
ngatLebo’
sbedr oom l
ightt
hatwassti
llon.
“
Godt
hisgi
rl
…”
Sheopenedt
hedoorwal
kingi
n.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#100

MmagweLeboscr eamedasBatangj
umpedoffher
daught
er.Hequi
cklypul
leduphi
spantsput
ti
ng
awayhisdic.
MmagweLebost
agger
edbackt
henwal
kedt
oher
bedr
oom.
“
RragweLebo!Wakeup!
”
Lebo’
sjumpedoffbedput
ti
ngonherni
ghtdr
ess
thent
hrewBatang’
sshoesathi
m.
“
Run!Run!
”
Batangr
anoutt
hrought
hebackdoorasr
ragwe
Lebowokeup.
“
Ther
eisamani
nthehouse!
”
Hel
ookedathi
swifeandqui
cklygotup.Heranout
i
nhisbl
ueandwhit
eboxers,
hisbigbell
yshaki
ng.
Heswal
lowedasBatangj
umpedoutthroughthe
wal
l.
“Kelegodu?(
Wasi tat
hief
?)Howdi
dheevengeti
n?
Didhetakeanyt
hing?”
MmagweLeboshookherhead.“
Hewasi
nLebo’
s
r
oom.”
“
Doi
ngwhat
?Lebo!
”
Herushedt
oherroom andl
ookedathi
sdaught
er.
“Di
dhedoanyt
hingtoyou?Wearecall
ingt
he
pol
ice.
”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshelookedathermot
her
beggingherwi
thhereyesnotsaynothi
ng.
“
No.Maybehewasaboutt
otakemyphone.
”
Herf
athersighed.“
Howdidhegetin?Whereal
lthe
door
slocked?Lebodidyoul
ockallthedoor
s?”
Lebonodded.Herf
athersi
ghedwalkingt
othedoor
butt
herewasnosignofast r
uggl
e.Itwasprobabl
y
oneofthosethi
eveswhoreal
lyknewthei
rjobs.He
si
ghedwor r
iedl
yandtur
nedtohiswif
eand
daught
er.
“
Let’
slock.Wewil
ldealwit
hthisint
hemor
ning.
.I
wil
lsl
eepinthesi
tt
ingroom t
onight
.”
MmagweLebol
ookedatherdaught
ert
hensi
ghed.
“
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dsetf
reeBobbyf
ree.
”
RragweLebonoddedt henwalkedoutsideandset
thei
rdogbull
dogloose.Helookedaroundt heyar
d
andwalkedbackinthehouselocki
ngbehi ndhim..
Lebowalkedbacktoherbedroom andki cked
Batang’
st-
shir
tunderthebed.Hermot herwal kedin
andlookedatherangri
ly.
“
Lebogang-
“
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shewal
kedoverandsl
appedheracrossthef
ace.
Lebopr
essedherl
ipst
oget
heri
nsilence.
“Youbr
ingmenwit
hanimalt
hingsi
nmyhouse!
Undermyroof
!Huh?”
Leboswal
lowedst
ari
ngathermot
her
’sangr
yface.
“
Doyoupayr
enther
e?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hermothersl
appedheragai
nandbangedherhead
onthewallmul
ti
plet
imes.
“
Youbr
ingmeni
nmyhouse?
!”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hermotherst
eppedbackthenwalkedout
.Lebo
t
ouchedherheadinsi
lencestandi
ngagai
nstthe
wall
.

*
**

Batangli
mpedasacr ampweakenedhisri
ghtleg.I
t
gotsopainfulhest
oppedt
ryi
ngtohandlethepain
butitwassomuchhesatdownl eani
ngagainsta
wall.Heclosedhi
seyesbr
eat
hingheavi
lysti
ll
shaking.
.
Hi
sphoner
ang,
het
ooki
toutandpi
cked.
“
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Igotacr
amp.Iam cl
oseby.What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Papathi
nksit
’sat
hief
.Mamai
sangr
ybuti
t’
sok.
ShouldIcal
lyouacab?”
“
Yes.Thanks.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwi
llcometothefar
m kamoso.Ihave
t
odropoffacoupleoft
hingsatmyaunt’
shouse.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“Il
oveyout
oo.Iam cal
li
ngacab.Wher
eexact
lyar
e
you?”

*
**

I
nGabor
onePul
e’
swi
feangr
il
ylookedathi
m,
f
umi
ng.
“
Soyoucheatonmeandt
hreat
ent
odi
vor
ceme?
”
“Isai
difyousuehert
henwemi
ghtaswel
lget
divor
ced.
”
“
Youar
enotevensor
ry.
”
“Whosai dIam notsor ry?Ionlysaidifyousue
Thabithenwewi llmeetincourtfi
nalizi
ngour
divor
ce..Iam sorryIkissedher.Butthat’sal
lIdi
d.I
didn’
tsleepwi t
hher .Iloveyoubutifyouwantt o
walkaway, goahead.Wear emarri
edoutof
communi t
yofpr opert
ysoever yonewal ksaway
withwhat ’
stheir
s.Iam sl eepi
ng.”
Tearsf i
ll
edhereyesashet urnedsleeping.Shegot
offbedhol di
nghertear
sf i
ll
ingdefeated.Itwasn’
t
j
ustt hathehadcheatedbutal sot
heamountof
arroganceandprideinhisvoice.
It
’sl
ikehedi
dn’tevencare.Hepressedherphone
andcall
edhernumber.Itragtwi
cet henshepi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Pl
easest
ayawayfrom myhusband.Wehaveki
ds.
Canyounotdest
roymyfamil
y…keagokopa.”
“Hi.Idi
dn’
tknowyourhusbandwasmar r
ied.He
goesaroundsayinghei
ssingl
e.Idon’tevenwant
him.Ihaveneversl
eptwi
thhim.Tellhi
mt onever
callmeagain.
”
Ret
habi
lehungup

*
**

Atangdroveinsidehi
shouset hatsameevening
andwalkedinsidehishouse.Rebantl
e’
sbusiness
cardfel
linhi
shands.Hebendedt henpi
ckeditup
knowingobviouslyacal
lwouldannoyher.
Hesmil
edwal ki
ngtohisbedroom di
ali
ngher
number.Herphonerangforawhil
ethenshe
answer
ed.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Yourhonor
…”
Rebapausedf
orasecondandsi
ghed.“
Whatdo
youwant?”
Hesmi l
edpicki
ngt
heunf
il
ter
edannoyancef
rom
herf
eistyvoi
ce.
“
Ihaveafri
endwhoisi
nneedofalawyersoI
t
houghtsi
nceIhaveaj
udgei
fafri
end,youcoul
d
hookusupwi t
hagoodl awyer.Hisbabymama
won’tl
ethi
m seehisdaughter
.It’
sbeentwoyear
s
ofrunni
ngaround.
”
“
Youneedmet
ogetagoodl
awyer
.”
“
Butyoucanhel
p.”
“Ican’
thel
pyou.Youl
ookli
keacriminal
.Idon’
t
knowwhatmakesyouthinkyoucancallmeand
stri
keaconver
sati
onwi
thmeasi fIam i
nyour
l
eague.”
Atanglaughed.“
Rebantl
eweeh,calm down.You
wil
ldiealonewit
hthatatt
it
ude.Youaretoooldt
o
bepicky.Youneedadick.Agoodone. ”
“
You-
“
“Cal
m down…br eat
he.Nooneisfi
ghti
ngyou.Iam
notathi
ef…Iam justagunman.Legalone.So
rel
ax…Iam notoutther
est
eal
ing.Justki
ll
ing.
”
“
What
?”
“
S.W.
AT.
”
“
Oh.
.sor
ry.Ij
ust
-“
“
Youneedadi
ck.
”
Thabi
’
sincomingcallcamethr
ough,hedroppedi
t
andcont
inuedtal
kingtoRabi
.“Idon’
t…Iam
hangi
ngup.”
“
Wait.Nextweekist
heMantshwabi
sideser
trace…
l
et’
sgotogether
.Unwind…havef
un.Youneedit.
”
“
Youmustt
hink-
“
“Iam notthi
nkinganythi
ngotherthanf
un.Come
withme.Let’shavefun.Iwanttohavefun.No
expectat
ions.Justi
nnocentfun.
”
“
Iam aver
ybusywoman-
“
“
Wher
edoyoust
ay?
”
“
Ihaveresponsi
bil
it
ies.Ican’
tjustupandleavel
ike
aheadl
esschicken.Findsomeoneel se.
”
“
Iwantyou.St
opf
ight
ing.I
t’
sjustf
un.I
nnocent
f
un.
”
“
Bye!
”
Shehungup.Hesmi
ledt
henr
ecei
vedamessage
fr
om ‘
Babe’
.
Babe:
Hey,
justchecki
ngi
fyouhavear
ri
ved.
Atang:YesIhave.Iam t
ir
ed,
Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep,
goodnight.
Hesentthemessagethenthought
ful
lychangedher
namefrom ‘
babe’
to‘Rethabi
leK’
.

*
**

AtElang’
shouse, Elangwokeupi nthemiddl
eofthe
ni
ghttotakeherki dstothetoi
let
.Sheshookthem.
Shepausedst ar
ingatt hewhit
efoam comingfr
om
herchil
dren’
smout h.
“
No…wakeup!
”
Sheshookthem thenoffbedsteppingontheempt
y
sachetofpi
ll
s.Shelookedatherkidsthen
screamedforhel
p.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#101

Rethabi
ler
ushedthr
ought ot
hegateholdi
ngat
El
ang’shousewheretheywerealr
eadyputti
ngt
he
ki
dsinthecar.El
anglookedathercr
ying.
“Theydr
ankt
hepi
ll
s.Idi
dn’
tseet
hem,
theywer
e
playi
ng.
”
Thabiputherfi
ngersoverherdaught
er’
sneck
feel
ingforherpul
se.
“
Whati
sthenameoft
hosepi
ll
s?”
El
angshr
uggedcr
ying.MmagweEl
angsmi
led.
“Thabi
,Iam sohappyt
oseeyou.Youlookbeauti
ful
.
Iwasdisappoi
ntedear
li
eronwhenyouhad
someonesentoverwit
hElang’
sphone.Butyouare
herenow.”
“Mama,weneedt
ogetmyki
dst
othehospi
tal
!They
aredyi
ng!
”
“
That
’si
ftheyar
enotal
readydead.Idon’
tknow
whyyouar emakingsomuchnoi sebecauset hese
ki
dsdyingwi llbeofmuchhel p.Theyeatal otand
areexpensive.Youcan’tkeephavingkidsand
expectotherpeoplet
otaket heburdenyoubr ought
uponyour sel
f.LookatThabi…herdaught erdoes
notli
veonhandout sbecausesheact uall
ywor ks.
”
RragweElangwal
kedoutandsmi
ledst
ari
ngat
Thabil
e.
“
Thabihowar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Weshoul
dgot
othehospi
tal
.”
TheyallgotinthecarthenrragweElangstartedt
he
caranddroveof fheadedtothehospit
al.Minutes
l
atertheysteppedoutwiththekidsandhurried
i
nside.

Thabisatwi
thEl
angont
hebenchwai
ti
ngf
ort
he
doct
or.
“
Didyouwantt
oki
llyourki
ds?
”
Elangtur
nedt
oher
.“Whywoul
dIwantt
oki
llmy
chil
dren?
”
“
Idon’
tknowEl
ang…”
“Iwoul dneverhurtmychildren.Theyaretheonly
peopleIhavei nmyl i
fe.Faraidumpedme.Hesai d
hiswi fenowstayswi t
hhim andIshoul dstayaway
from himt oget
herwithmyki ds.Mypar entspr
efer
myf riendotherthei
rowndaught ersowhywoul dI
killt
heonlypeopl ewholovemeRet habil
e?”
Thabi sighedthenst oodup.“Whatt heki dsdranki s
notpoi son.Justmedi cat
ionforpatientswi t
h
schizophr eni
a.Icouldsmel li
tfrom myj uice.Itwas
notgoi ngt oki
llmesoyouwer escammed.I t
defi
nitelywon’ tki
llt
hekids.Theyobvi ously
overdosedbuti twil
lbepumpedout .Theywi ll
probabl ybeher eforadayort wobutnot hi
ng
i
ntense.Iam sor r
yyouhavet urnedi ntotheper son
youar e.Iheardwhatyourmot hersai d.Iam sor r
y
thatthishasbeenyourl i
fe.IwishIknew, i
fIdidI
woul dhavest ayedaway.Justbecauseyoucan’ t
getanof f
icejobdoesn’tmakeyoui ncapable.You
areagoodcook.Youcangeti ntothatline.Start
somet hi
ng.Sellmagwinyaatschools.Attherank.
Youcangof ar
.AndFar aiwon’
tabandonhi skids
becauseyouar enotgoingtolethim.Got ocourtso
thathegetstopayacer tai
namountof
maintenance.Heisnowabusi nessownersot rust
me, hewon’tbepayinganythi
ngl essthan1.5k.And
hewoul dn’
twanttododget hecour t
.”
Thabitookoutsomemoneyf rom herpocket.“
Take.
It
’snotmuchbutagoodki ckstar
t.Youneedbea
hustl
erElang.Youneedt
osweatf oryourmoney.I
am going.Goodluck.
”
Thabitur
nedandwalkedout
.Elangsni
ffed
counti
ngthenot
esofmoney.Tearsrol
leddownas
shecountedt
heladyP200oftheP2600.Sheput
themoneyawayandoutherhandsoverherface
cryi
ng.

*
**

Zazalai
donherbedthateveni
ngunabl
etosl
eep.
Shereachedf
orherphoneandwentonFacebook
whereoneofheroldf
ri
endshadpost
edapi
ctur
eof
herandherbaby.
Zazasmi l
edthenr eactedwithaheart.Shemoved
onscroll
ingdownt odi st
racther
self
.Shepausedat
Agang’spict
uresofhi m andhiswifeatthei
r
honeymoon.Sher olledhereyesopeni ngal
lthe
pi
ctures.ShelookedatKel l
y’shugenoseand
l
aughed.Shesenthi m amessage.
Zaza:Congr
atul
ati
ons!
Shelookedt
hroughther
estofthepict
uresand
car
ri
edonscroll
ingdownherti
meline.
Themessengernot
if
icat
ionpi
nged.Shecl
ickedon
hi
smessage.
Agang:Thanks.
Zaza:Kemaaka,
nnakebi
tt
er(
Iam l
ying.Iam
bi
tter
.)
Her
epl
iedt
henputherphoneonsi
lent
.
Agang:Bi
tt
erf
orwhat
?
Zaza:al
otoft
hings.Iam st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
oryour
karma.
Agang: Sat
ankewena
Zaza: mxm, l
eswal
engtota?(Whenyoudyi
ng?
)
Yourwifeisf
ini
shi
ngoxygen.Ican’
tbr
eat
he
proper
ly.
Agang: waai
ii
Zaza:Ar
eyoubacki
nGabs?
Agang:
Yes,
why?
Zaza:It
houghtIwoul
dwishyouanunsaf
ejour
ney.
Totannalantena(
Youannoyme.)
Agang:Cal
m down…gapewhatkar
ma?You
cheat
edonmer emember?
Zaza:Icheatedbecauseyouwerenotser iousabout
menordi dyouloveme.Itfel
tfor
cedf orthreeyears.
Youwer enothappy.AndIwasst i
llhurtoverthe
factthatwhenIcri
edformyson, youwer ebusy
havingsex.ButIhavegather
edyouar eGod’ sfav.
Agang:Ok…youdohaveapoi
ntt
her
e.Di
dIever
apol
ogize?
Zaza:No.Never
.AndIam goodwi
tht
hat
.Iwantt
o
hol
dont
omybi
tt
erness
Agang:Wher
eisyourhusband?
Zaza:Sl
eepi
ng.
Agang:Iam sor ry.Iam sor ryIneverapol ogi zedfor
whatIputyoui nthef i
rstplace.Ihur tyoual ot,I
knowourson’ sdeathst i
llhur tyou.Iknowi thurts
youthatIwasnott heremostofhi slif
e.Iknowyou
thi
nkhi sdeat hdi
dn’thurtmeasmuchasi thurtyou.
Butitdid.Ithurtmeandi tstilldoesbecausei fIhad
beenapr esentparent,maybehewoul dn’ thavedi ed.
Iam sor r
yf orPearl
.Itwasdi srespectful.Toyou
andourson.Iam sor ryIneverhadt heconf idence
totellyouthatIdidn’tl
oveyou, nott
hatt her e
anythingwr ongwi t
hyoubutIj ustdidn’tloveyou.
Youar eanamazi ngwoman.Iam happyyouar e
happynow.Andyes, youcanhol dont oyour
bit
terness.Idon’tevenbl ameyou.Ideser veyou
hati
ngme.
Tearsfi
ll
edZaza’
seyes.Shesnif
fedthenswit
ched
offherphoneandlai
donhersidecryi
ngsil
entl
y.
AWEEKLATER…

InGabor one,Atangpar kedhi scari nf r

ontofher
gateandst eppedout.Hepr essedt heintercom.The
gatesl i
dopen.Hej umpedbacki nhi scarnot
seeinganyonet hendr ovei n.Hepar kedbehi ndher
Audit henjumpedout .Hepausedhear inglaughter
comi ngfrom thebackyar dHewal kedt otheback
andpausedst ari
ngatagr oupofl adi eswear ingt-
shir
tspr i
ntedBRI DEMAI DS, onlyonel adywasi na
dress.
Theyal
llookedathim.At
angsmi l
edtaki
ngoffhis
capandlookedatRebawhowasal sowearinga
BRIDEMAI Dpri
ntedt-
shi
rthol
dingaglassofwine
i
nherhand.
Withoutt
heformalcl
othes,
shelookedact
ual
ly
si
mpl eandbeaut
if
ul.Sheslowl
ygotupandwalk
overtohim.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Shepushedhiminthehouseast
hel
adi
esst
aredi
n
si
lence.At
angsmil
ed.
“
Hi…”
“
Howdi
dyouf
indmyhouse?
”
“
Ihavemyways.Youl
ookcut
eyourhonor
.”
“
Areyoust
alki
ngme?
”
“
No.Ipl
eadnotgui
lt
ytot
hat
.Youbl
ockedme.
”
“
Forar
eason.
”
Atangl
ookedinhereyes.“Let
sgot ot
hedesertr
ace.
Let’
sgoandhavefun.Youar enotdoi
nganythi
ng
thi
sweekend.Youdon’thavetodateme.Idon’
t
wantarel
ati
onshi
ptoo.”
“
Idon’
tevenknowyou.
”
Atangsmi led.“Mynamei sAt ang.Youknowwher e
Iwor k.Ihaveonechi l
d.Adaught er
.Shei s8.Her
mot herandIbr okeupbutIt hi
nkshehadbeendone
withther elationshi
pforacoupl eofyear snow.She
staysinL. Awher esheisstudying.Istaywithmy
daught erher e.Ihaveatwinbr other.Hedoesn’t
havet att
oosandIdon’ thaveaf riendwhoneedsa
l
awyer .Iliedaboutt hat
.Iknowyouar eoneof
youngestj udgesi nBotswana.Youhavet wosist
ers.
Youhavenochi l
d.Youar ebeauti
fulandsmart
.You
arealawabidingcit
izen.Iam notmuchofthatbutI
havealegalj
ob.Look, wedon’thavetodat
etogot o
thedeser
trace.Idon’tevenhavetofuckyou.I
t’
s
j
ustfun.I
nnocentfun.”
“
Iam busy.
”
“Ok.Iwil
lgoal
one.Bye!Byt
heway,
youl
ook
beauti
ful
.”
Hewal
kedoutt
hensmi
led.
“
Byel
adi
es!
”
“
Byeeee!
”
Hewalkedtohiscarandjumpedi
n.Reba’
sol
der
si
sterwal
kedinthekit
chen.
“I
sthatyournewboyf ri
end?He’
ssohot.Heel
ang!I
neverknewwehadt hattypemoBot
swana.Wait
se
onal ethatt
hing!Yeeerr
rman!”
Rebal
aughed.“
Hei
snotmyboyf
ri
end.
”
“
What
?”
“
Hei
sthatguyIt
oldyouabout
.S.
W.A.T.
”
“
Ser
ious?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
IfIwereyouIwoul
dhavelongsai
dyes.Hei
sthe
t
ypeofmanyoubarelyf
ind.Imagi
nehavi
ngki
ds
wit
hhim.Gir
l!
”
“
Hehasachi
ld.
”
“
Sowhat
?”
“
Ijustdon’
tli
kehi
m.”
“Youare32year soldReba.Yourt ypeishim.Atthi
s
age,mostpeopl ehaveki ds.Mostl
ythreeortwo.
Thegoalwoul dbet ofi
ndonewhodoesn’ thavea
crazybabymama. .youar enotgoingt
of i
ndaman
whodoesn’ thaveachild.Maybei fyouwereinyour
twenti
esbutnowwaaai i.Andyoul ow-
keyfindhi
m
attr
act
ive.Hehast hisaur awit
hhim…Iwoul dchest
withhi
m. ”
Rebal
aughed.“
Wenakana.
”
“Ifyouplayhardtoget
,hewi l
lleave.Thesedays
theydon’tchaseaft
erusf ort
ool ong.Theyl
etgo
andl ookforsomeoneelse.What’shisname?”
“
Atang.
”
“
Whatwashesayi
ng?
”
“
Hewant
sust
ogot
othedeser
trace.
”
“
Go.
”
“
Ican’
t.I
t’
sD’
sbr
idalshower
.Ican’
tjust
-“
“
Callhi
m.Go.Goandhavefun.Heseemsl
ikeaf
un
man.Youonl
yli
veonceReba…”

*
**

Thabihel
dLomo’shandwal
kingoutofSSKai r
port
.
Zazasmil
edthenhuggedt
hem both.Thabismil
ed.
“
Hi…”
Zazal
ookedather
.“Youl
ookwow…”
Thabi
laughed.“
Thanks.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oo.
”
“
Mxm.
.wher
e?”
Theywal
kedtoZaza’scar
.Zazaputt
hebagsi
nthe
bootwhi
leThabical
ledAt
ang.
“
Thabi
…”
“
Iam comi
ngt oyourhouse.Zazai
sdr
oppi
ngusof
f.
Wej
ustarr
ived.”
“UhIam nothome.Dr
opof
fLomoatAgang’
s
house.
”
“
Ohok…wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
othedeser
trace.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Lomocangot
oo.
”
“
Ihavecompany.
”
“
Oh…”
“
Yeah.
”
“Soyouarenotgoi
ngt
oseemebef
oreIgo?Iam
goingt
oday.
”
“Iam sor
rybutshej
ustcal
ledmet
ocomeandpi
ck
herup.”
“
Areyouwi
thhernow?
”
“
No.Iam onmywayt
opi
ckherup.
”
“
Can’
tyouj
ustcomesoyoucanseemeof
f?”
“No.Ithi
nki t
’sbestthi
sway.Seeingyouwil
lmake
thingsharderforme.Iwil
lprobablyf
uckyouand
startget
ti
nghopef ulagai
n.Akereweagreedthat
ourshipsank?Ri ght?”
Sheswal
lowed.“
Yes.
”
“Ok.Wewi l
ltal
k.Thankyouf
orcomingand
spendingsomet i
mewi t
hLomo.Goodluckonyour
senioryear
.”
“
Yeah.
..
”
“
Bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Hehungup.Thabit
ookadeepbr
eat
handgoti
nthe
car
.

*
**

AtReba’shouse,Rebawalkedouthol
dinga
t
ravel
ingbag.Atangsteppedoutandsmiledt
aki
ng
i
tstar
ingather.Shehadonet i
edgethair
.Heput
herbagi
ntheboot
.
“
Thankyou.
”
“Bef
oreyouhavehi
ghhopesandgetwayaheadof
your
self
,Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.
”
“
What
?”
Shesi
ghedstar
ingathi
m.“
Iam HI
Vposi
ti
ve.Iwas
bor
nwithi
t.
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Ok.Canwegonow?
”
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orher
.“Shal
lwe?
”
Rebasmil
edthengoti
nt hecar.
.Atangcl
osedthe
doorandwal
kedroundthecar.Hisphonerang,he
l
ookedatRet
habil
ecall
ingthencutthecal
lgett
ing
i
nthecar.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#102
I
nGaborone,Thabi
lesi
ghedasZazapar
kedat
Agang’
shouse.
“
Letmet
akeheri
n.”
“
Ok.Iwi
llwai
ther
e.”
Thabist
eppedoutofthecarwithLomowhowas
qui
et.Thabil
ookedathercheekswit
hai
rthen
smil
ed.
“
Heybaby…ar
eweok?
”
“
Iwantt
ogowi
thyou.
”
“
Gowi
thmet
oschool
?”
At
earr
oll
eddown.“
Yes.
.”
“
Lomo…”
Lomoputherhandsonfacecrying.Thabihugged
her
.Lomocriedf
orawhile.Thabismiledwipi
ng
awayherdaught
er’
stear
s.
“I
t’
sok.Iam goi
ngtobecal
li
ngyoual ot.Ever
yday.
Youcan’tcomewit
hatschoolbecauseIam always
busyandnoonewillbewi
thyou.ButIam comi ng
backaf
terayear
.Wewi
llst
ayt
oget
herf
orever
.I
l
oveyousomuch. ”
Lomosni
ff
ed.“
Idon’
twantt
obeawayf
rom you.
”
“
Youwon’
tbe.Iwi
llcal
lever
yday.
”
Thabigotherdaughter
’sbagandrangtheint
ercom
toAgang’sbighouse.Thegat
eslidopenthenThabi
walkedtothedoorwithLomojustasKell
yopened
thedoor.
Thabi
smi
led.“
MrsDani
el…hi
!”
Kel
lysmi
ledst
ari
ngatThabi
’
ssmi
le.“
Dr.Kai
sar
a.”
Thabi
laughed.“
Waai
!For
getmebei
ngDr
.Kai
sar
a
mma.”
Thabi
huggedhert
henst
eppedback.“
Youl
ook.
.-
“
“
Likehi
ppo.
”
Thabil
aughed.“
Youl
ookl
ikeaver
ybeaut
if
ul
whale.
”
Thebot
hlaughed.Kel
lyl
ookedatLomo.
“
HeyLomo…”
Lomosnif
fedhol
dinghermot
her
’sdr
ess.Kel
ly
l
ookedatThabi
.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ohaveapr
obl
em t
oday.
”
“
Iknow.I
twoul
dhavebeeneasi
eri
fAt
angwas
t
aki
ngher.
”
“Iknow.Youl
ookgor
geous.Isawyourpi
ctur
eson
Facebook.
”
Thabismil
ed.
.“Thanks.Congr
atul
ati
onsonthatr
ing.
Iam happyAganggotyou.Ial
wayslikedyou.
”
“
Youl
ikedmeormycl
eani
ng?
”
Thabil
aughed.
.”
ThammaIador
edyou.Youknow
that
.Howfararewe?”
“
8mont
hs.
”
“
Almostt
her
e.Iam happyf
oryouand-
“
“
MrsD!
”
Thabi
lookedatAgangandl
aughed.“
Mar
ri
edman!
”
Hewavedhi
sri
ngsmi
li
ng.“
Ssup?
”
“
Ibr
oughtyourdaught
er.
”
Aganghuggedhert
henpi
ckedLomo.
“
Heybaby!
”
Lomosni
ff
ed.Agangpaused.“
Tal
ktodaddy.
.”
Lomoburi
edherheadonhi
sshoul
dercr
ying.Thabi
si
ghed.
“Iwant
edt otel
lAtangt hati
tseemswearegoingto
haveaproblem today,hedidn’
tpickmycal
l.Kot
eng
hethi
nksIam tryingtor ui
nhishappi
nesswit
hhis
newgirl
fr
iend.”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Idon’
tthi
nkt
hat
’sar
ealt
hing.He
j
ust-
“
“
It
sok.
.wegotyouatl
east
.Lethi
m be.
”
AganghuggedLomot henwalkedinthehousewi
th
her
.Kel
lylookedatThabiandsighedgui
lt
il
y.
“Iknowyoumustbet
hinki
ngIbr
oughtLet
tysoshe
cansleepwi
thAt
ang.
”
“
Let
ty?
”
“
Thel
adywhoAt
ang-
“
“
Oh!Hernamei
sLet
ty?
”
“
Yes.Isweartoyou,Ididn’
tevenknowt hatthat
’s
whatshewaspl anni
ng.Iwouldneverdestroyyour
marr
iageofpurpose.
”
“It
sok.It
’snotyou.I
fAtangdidn’twantt osleep
withher,
hewoul dnothave.Hewant edherasmuch
asshepr obabl
ywantedhim.It’
sint hepast.Ofwe
aremeantt obe,wewil
lbe.Ifnottheni tmeans
therear
epeopleoutthereforus.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Don’
tbe.Youhavenot
hingt
obesor
ryabout
.”
Kel
lysmi
ledj
ustAgangwal
kedbackwi
thLomo
whowasnowlaughing.
“
Ok,
let
’ssaybyet
omom.
”
Lomowalkedoverandhuggedhermot
her
.“Bye.I
l
oveyou.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Iloveyoumor
e.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Cal
lmeever
yday.
”
“
Iwi
ll
.”
Thabi
smi
led.Lomol
etgoandst
oodbesi
deAt
ang
smi
li
ng.Thabimovedback.
“
Ok.
.bye!
”
Agangsmi
led.“
Bri
ngi
thome.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
It
’scomi
ng.ByeKel
ly.
”
Thabiturnedandwalkedbacktohercousin’
scar
.
Kel
lysighedsmili
ng.Agangkissedherneckand
whispered.
“
See?
”
“
Ifeelgui
lt
y.”
Agangsmilednoddingt
henwatchedasZaza
rever
sedherPorscheCayenneanddr
oveoff
.

Thabilookedattheti
measZazadr oveherbackt
o
theair
port.Thabil
ookedoutt
hroughthewindowin
sil
ence.Zazasmi l
ed.
“
Areyouok?
”
“Imissmydaught
eralready.Iwi
shIcantakeher
wit
h.Iwishmybrotherwashere.Idi
dn’
tevengetto
spendti
mewithhim.”
“
Youknowhel
ovesyour
ight
.”
“
Iknowbut
…GodIneedt
ofi
nishandcomehome.
”
“
Youaredone.Youareapproachi
ngthef
ini
shl
ine.
Whi
chiswhyIthinkyoushouldholdont
oyour
man.
”
“
Ithi
nkAt
angandIar
edone.He’
smovedont
oo.
”
“Hesti
lll
ovesyou.Ther
e’sst
il
lti
metosayIl
ove
you.Iwantustomakethiswork.”
“I
t’
sunfaironhimtokeephol di
ngonlikethi
s.We
wantdif
ferentt
hingsrightnow.Hedeservesbet
ter
.
Il
ovehim somuch, Iwon’ tl
ieandsayIdon’t
becauseIdo.Butit’
sjustunfai
rtowanthimtokeep
holdi
ngon.Hekeepsgi vi
ngandneverget
somethi
ngback.”
“
Hewi
llsoongetback.
”
Thabilookedather
.“I
fIgetagr
eencardmaybeI
wil
ltakeLomoandBat ang.Wecanal
lstayi
n
Amer
ica.I
t’
sanopt
ion.
”
“
Idon’
twantyoul
osi
ngagoodman.
”
“Idon’
twanttokeeptaki
ngadvant
ageofhi
slove.
Hedeservesbett
er.
”
Zazaparkedthecaratt
heairpor
t.“
Hey…
someti
mesabi tofsel
fi
shnesswon’tki
ll
.NnaIwi
ll
neverl
ikeanygir
lhedates.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Zaza!
”
“
Iam t
ell
ingyou.
”
Theyst
eppedoutofthecar
.Thabidr
aggedherbag
i
nsidet
heair
portandhuggedZaza.
“
Thankyou.
”
Zazahuggedherback.“
Onl
yapl
easur
e.Bye…”
“
Bye.
”
Zazawalkedout.Thabiturnedanddraggedherbag
walki
ngaway.Tear sfi
ll
edhereyes.Shetookadeep
breat
hchecki
ngi n.Awhi l
elatershegoti
ntheplane
headedt
oSout hAf r
ica.
Tear
sbur
nthereyesasshel
ookedatherphone.
Somehowshefoundherhear
tbr
eaki
ng,notthat
shewasagai
nsthim movi
ngonbut
…itsti
llf
eltl
ike
thet
imeshehadlef
t.
Shesni
ff
edthencal
ledherbr
other
.Hi
sphoner
ang
forawhi
let
henhepicked.
“
Thabs,
Iam onmyt
her
enow.
”
Shesnif
fed.“
Iam l
eavi
ng.Thepl
anei
saboutt
o
takeof
f.
”
“
Shi
t!Iam i
nthecab.
”
“I
tsok.Il
oveyou.Pleasetakecar
eofyour
sel
f.Iam
proudofyourmarks.Iam sohappyyouar
etaking
yourschoolt
hingsseri
ously.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ishoul
dhavel
eftear
li
eronyest
erday.
“
“
It
sok.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Il
oveyou.
”
Thabismi
led.“
Ok.Ihavet
ogo.Iwi
llcal
lyouwhenI
arr
ive.
”
Bat
angsni
ff
ed.“
Ok.
”
“
Bye…”
Shehungupandt houghtf
ull
ylookedatAt
ang’
s
number.Shetappeditandst
artedtypi
nga
message.Sheispausedhalf
wayandputdownher
phonenotwantingtoseem j
ealousor…per
haps
bi
tter
.
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyesagai
n.Shesni
ff
edt
her
ewas
noonenextt
oher.
Thef
li
ghtat
tendantst
art
edt
alki
ng.
“Ladi
esandgentl
emen,
weareaboutt
otakeof
fbut
ourfl
ighti
sgoi
ngtobedel
ayedwit
honlyt
wo
minutes.
.”
Thabisi
ghedl
eani
ngagainsthersi
t.Af
li
ght
at
tendantwal
kedovert
oher.
“
MsRet
habi
leKai
sar
a?”
Thabi
nodded.Shemovedt
henAtangwalkedover
.
Thabi
hel
dherbreat
hinsur
pri
se.Atangsmil
ed.
“
Hey…”
Atearroll
eddownhercheek.Hepul ledherupand
huggedhert i
ghtl
y.Thabiwrappedherarmsaround
hi
m crying.Atangkissedhernecksqueezi
ngher
body.Hepul
ledawayandl
ookedi
nhereyes.
“Idon’
tthi
nkIcanevergetoverhowbeaut
if
ulyou
are.
”
Shechuckledblushi
ng.Hewipedhertearsaway
andkissedher.Thabicl
osedhereyesrecei
vingt
he
sof
tgentleki
ssinf r
ontofot
herpassengers.He
pul
ledawayandbi thisl
owerli
p.
“
Chaseaf
teryourdr
eams.Youar
eal
mostt
her
e.”
Shenoddedsmi
li
ng.At
angrubbedhersof
tli
pswit
h
hi
sthumbthendr
oppedababykissonherli
ps.
“
Bye.
.”
Shenodded,
herhandsonhi
swai
st.“
Bye.
”
Hel etgoandwalkedaway.Thabislowlysatdown.
Minut esl
atert
heplanet
ookoff.Thabiputonher
earphoneslist
eni
ngtoAli
ciaKeys.

‘
Haveyouevert
ri
edsl
eepi
ngwi
thabr
okenhear
t?
Wel
lyoucoul
dtr
ysl
eepi
ngi
nmybed
Lonel
y,ownme,
nobodyevershuti
tdownl
ikeyou
Youworethecrown,
youmademybodyf
eel
Heaven-
bound
Whydon’
tyouhol
dme?Needme
It
houghtyout
oldme,
you’
dneverl
eaveme
Looki
ngi
ntheskyIcoul
dseeyourf
ace
ThenIknewr
ightwher
eIf
iti
n
Takeme,
makeme
Youknowt
hatI
’
llal
waysbei
nlovewi
thyou
Ri
ght
,‘
ti
ltheend,
ohh

Sotoni
ght
,I’
m gonnaf
indawayt
omakei
twi
thout
you
Toni
ght
,I’
m gonnaf
indawayt
omakei
twi
thoutyou
I
’
m gonnahol
dont
othet
imest
hatwehad
Toni
ght
,I’
m gonnaf
indawayt
omakei
twi
thout'

*
**
At
angwal
kedtot
hepar
kingl
otwher
eTevawas
wai
ti
ngi
nthecar
.Hej
umpedinandlookedather
.
“
Ok… wecangonow.
”
Rebanoddedsmi
li
ng.“
Ok.
”
Hesmi
ledst
art
inghi
scaranddr
oveof
f.

*
**

InMaun, Elangwalkedinthetinyroom shehad

rentedthenlookedatherkidssleepingonthesmall
mat tr
ess.Sheturnedandlookedatever yt
hingshe
hadboughtf orherbusiness.Shetookadeep
breath.
“
OkEl
ang…t
imet
omakemoney.
”
Shesatdownjot
ti
ngdownhertar
getmarketand
howshewasgoingtoschedul
ehersel
fbet
weenthe
school
s,r
anksandthebar
s.
*
**

Meanwhil
einGaborone,Pri
ncegotinhiscaratt
he
BDFcamp, hi
sphonerang.Helookedatthe
unsavednumberandpickedwit
haf rown.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.I
t’
sPear
l.Weneedt
otal
k.”
“
Who?
”
“
Pear
l.Thenur
se.Weneedt
otal
k.”
“
Thef
uck?Aboutwhat
?Iam happi
lymar
ri
ed.
”
“Iknow.Ihaveachil
d.Iam notsur
ewhosheisfor
butIam notwellandther
eisnooneinmyfamil
y
whocan-“
“Nevercallmeagai n.Ihavenochi ldwi t
hyou.I
usedacondom.I fyoucoul dletthr
eemenf uckyou,
whoknowshowmanyot hermenyoul etfuckyou.I
don’thaveachi l
dwi t
hapr ost
it
ute.Ifyoucallme
again,Iwi
llpersonall
ytakeyout oyourmaker
beforeyoursicknessdoes. ”
Pr
incehungup,hishear
tpoundi
ng.Hequickl
y
bl
ockedherandtookadeepbreat
h.Hetooka
minut
etocalm downanddroveoff
.

TWOYEARSLATER…
.
Let
'squi
ckl
ypar
ti
cipat
eandgetmor
e
.
Your
sTr
uly
#103

TWOYEARSLATER…

Agangf inisheduphismeeti
ngwi t
hthe
shareholdersatAGInsur
ance.Hewal kedtal
kingof
theboardroom andoutofthebuil
dinglooseni
nghis
ti
ethenj umpedinhiscar
.Het ookouthisphone
andcalledhi swi
fe.
Kell
ypi
ckedt
hecal
laf
teracoupl
eofr
ings.“
Hey
babe…”
“Iam donewiththemeet
ing.Iam onmywayhome
totaketheki
dstoyourmother’shouse.Shoul
dI
pickyoufrom t
here?
”
“Yeah.Thanks.Canyoupassbycol
lect
ingmy
dressfrom Hel
len?
”
“
Shewasst
il
lnotdone?
”
“
NgNg,
shewasf
ixi
ngacoupl
eoft
hings.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llgeti
t.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Hehungupandst ar
tedthecardr i
vingoffheaded
home.Abouthal
fanhourlater,
Agangpar kedthe
carathi
shousethenwalkedinsidet hehouse
wherehi
skidswherebusyplayingwi t
hthenanny.
Hisol
derdaught
erstoodup,
herf
acebr
ight
eni
ng.
Agangsmil
edpicki
ngherup.
“
Hey.
.”
Hi
syoungerdaught
erscr
eamedr
unni
ngover
.He
pi
ckedherupt
oo.
“
Ladi
es…ar
ewer
eadyt
ogot
oGr
anny’
shouse?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Let
stakeourbags.
”
Heputt hem downthentheyranovert
ot heirr
ooms.
Minuteslat
ertheywalkedouthol
dingtheirbags,
t
heirnannybehindthem.
“
Mr.Dani
el…”
“
HiTsi
tsi
.Ever
ythi
ngi
spackedf
ort
hei
rweekend?
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
“Thanks.Youcancomewi
thussoIdr
opyouof
fat
yourhousetoo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Tsi
tsigrabbedherbagandwal
kedoutwi
thher
boss.Shesatatthebackwi
tht
hekids
Aganggotinthecarandlookedattheti
mebef
ore
dr
ivi
ngoff
.Hedr oppedthenannyfi
rstt
hent
hekids
i
natthei
rgrandmother’
shouse.
MmagweKel
lysmi
led.“
Son.
.”
“
Mama,
Ibr
oughtyouf
ri
ends.
”
MmagweKel
lyl
aughed.“
Imi
ssedt
hem.
”
Shehuggedhergr
andki
ds.Agangputt
hei
rbags
down.
“
Iwi
llpi
ckt
hem upl
ateSunday.
”
“
Ok.Ihear
dyourbr
otherwant
stogot
her
ight
t
hing.
”
Agangsmi
led.“
Hedoes.I
t’
sbeenl
ongover
due.
”
“
Iam happyhe’
sget
ti
nghi
shappyendi
ng.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Theychart
edforabitthenAgangwalkedoutand
drovetot
hetail
ortopickhi
swife’
seveni
nggown
befor
egoingtopickherup.

*
**

AtKel
ly’
sPr
int
ers,
Kel
lyhel
pedhert
eam packt
he
pri
ntedbooksi nthei
rboxesforshippi
ng.They
fi
nishedupthenshesmi l
edproud.Sheturnedto
thedoorandl ockedeyeswithAgang.Shesmi l
edas
hewal kedoverwithoutati
e.
Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherki
ssi
nghert
hen
t
urnedtotheboxesofbooks.
.
“
The5kbooks?
”
Kel
lynodded.“
4kar
eal
readygone.Onl
yone
t
housandislef
t.
”
Agangsmi
led.“
Iam happyf
oryouguys.
”
Kel
lygi
ggl
ed.“
Wecanal
lknockof
f.
”
Herwor
ker
sscr
eamedhappi
ly.
“
Thankyoubossl
ady.
”
Theyalltoolt
heirbel
ongingsandwal kedout
.
AganglookedatKel l
yinhershir
tformalbody
huggingdress.Hepickedherupandputheront op
oftherecepti
onistt
ablegett
ingbetweenherlegs.
“
Babe…weneedt
ogoandpr epar
e.Ist
il
lhavet
odo
mymake-
upandi
ttakesl
ong.”
Agangkissedherunzi
ppinghi
spant
s.Heshi
ft
ed
herpant
yt ot
hesidetaki
ngouthi
sdic.
Kel
lyswal
lowedashe…

Agangsl
idouthiswetdicaf
tert
hequi
ckst
eamy
sessi
onandkissedher
.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Hepi ckedherupthrowi
ngheroverhi
sshoulderand
walkedoutcarryi
ngherandherhandbag.Helocked
thedoor sandwalkedwit
hhertothecarwherebe
placedherinsi
de.
Kel
lysi
ghed.“
Ifeel
gui
lt
y.If
eell
ikeIshoul
dtel
l
Thabi
.”
“
Itol
dyout
ost optal
kingt
oher.Youtal
kingt
oher
i
swhyyoufeelthewayyouarefeel
ing.
”
“Shei
sLomo’smother
.Idon’tthi
nki
t’
spossi
blet
o
stopt
alki
ngt
oher.Herdaughteri
sal
wayshere
undermycar
e.”
“Herdaughterbei
ngher edoesn’tmeanyounowt el
l
herAtang’
sbusiness.Ifther
eisanythingsheneeds
toknow,Atangwillt
ellherpersonal
ly.
”
Kell
yputonherseat
bel
tandnodded.Agangki
ssed
herli
psthenwal
kroundhi
scarandjumpedin.

*
**

InMaun, Lebopackedherbaginherroom t
hen
cal
ledBat ang.Hi
sphonerangunansweredt
hen
shelookedatherphonewonderingwhyhewasn’t
answering.
Hermot
herwal
kedi
nandl
ookedather
.“Ihopeyou
gett
hej
ob.
”
Lebosmil
ed.“Metoo.Ihavedonemyresear
chon
thecompany.Ij
usthopeit
’snotanor
ali
nter
view.
”
“
Eveni
fiti
s,youwi
llbef
ine.
”
Lebosmi
ledt
henhuggedhermot
her
.“Il
oveyou.
Thankyou.
”
MmagweLebosmi l
ed.“
Ihopether
eisr
eal
lyajob
i
ntervi
ewandt
hatyouarenotgoi
ngtot
hatboy’
s
house.”
Lebosmi
led.“
Iam goi
ngt ot
hei
nter
viewandIwi
ll
beatmmagweNeo’ shouse.
”
Hermot
hersmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Lebotookherbagandwal
kedoutoft
hehouse
goingtot
hebusrank.

*
**

AtElang’skit
chenhut ,
Elangdi
shedf orher
customer si
nthel at
elunchhour.Thear omaofher
foodcalledeveryonewhopassednear .She
continuedsell
ingforawhilet
il
leverythingwas
fi
nished.
Sheputhermoneyi nherbreastthenclear
ed
ever
ythi
ngputti
ngitinthecar.Shegotinanddrove
toherhouse.Shestoppedintraf
ficandleanedback
si
ngi
ngwi
thherr
adi
o.
El
angt urnedherheadasaf amil
iarvoicespoke.
Shelookedathist hreeki
dsatthebackt henhis
wif
eont hepassengerseat .Shewat chedasthey
l
aughedatsomet hing,asomehowabur ni
ngur get
o
j
ustyellathimtryingtooverpowerher .
Shet ookadeepbr eathwonderinghowhecoul d
j
ustlovehi sotherki
dsyetwouldn’tevenseehis
otherkids…ithadnowbeent woyear ssi
ncehel ast
sawt hem.Hedr oveof fassoonast het
raff
icl
ight
changedt ogreen.Elangdroveofftooheadedtoher
house.

*
**

InCour t
, Rebali
stenedtothelawyerwhowenton
tal
kingforawhi le.Sheli
stenedtohim keepi
nga
neutrallookthenlookedattheaccusedwhi l
e
j
ournaliststookpictur
es.
Rebaf
inal
lygaveherver
dictt
henwal
kedoutof
court
.Shegotinhercarandsmil
edtaki
ngher
phonebutt
herewasst i
llnomessagefr
om At
angt
o
sayhappybi
rthdayorsomethi
ng.
Shecall
edhisnumberbuti twasoff
.Shegotonher
caranddrovetohishouse.Shepressedt
hegate
remoteanddroveinknowingshewasabouttodeal
withhi
sspoil
tbratdaughter.
Herphoner
angasshepar kedhercar
.Shesmi
led
pi
cki
ngheryoungersi
ster
’scal
l.
“
Hi…”
“
Reba,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
AtAt
ang’
shouse.
”
“
Doi
ngwhat
?Canwegoout
?”
“
Wher
e?”
“
Somewher
equi
etandni
ce.I
t’
syourbi
rt
hday
t
oday.
”
“
Ok.Iam comi
ngt
opi
ckyouup.
”
“Iam get
ti
ngi
nAt
ang’
shouset
odealwi
thhi
sspoi
lt
brat
.”
“
Reba…”
“What ?Wai t
semmat hischil
disj ustasetbackand
Atangspoi lshertoomuch.Idon’ tsayanythingbutI
feelsomet hingsaretoomuch.Il ovethi
smanbut
hisdaught ergetsintheway.Iam j ustwait
ingfor
hermot hert ot
akehersoshecanst aywithher
wher eversheissot hatlennaIgett oenj
oyt hi
sman.
Ihavenopr obl
em wi t
hki dsbutthisoneis
somet hingelseaii
….koorewhat evershecriesfor
,
sheget s.Therenol i
mittoanything.”
Hersist
erlaughed.“
IfyouandAtangeverget
marri
ed,youshouldhavehersenttohermotheri
f
i
t’
sli
ket hat
.”
“Iam t
el l
ingyou.Letmecheckonhert hencome.I
guesst hiswhyIneverwant edamanwi thkids.I
t’
s
j
ustal otofwor k.I
t’
shardmot heri
ngachil
dwhoi s
notyour s.Ij
ustdon’tconnectwit
hher.Ij
ustdon’t
havethest epmot herboneinmybody.Ithinkit’
s
becauseIwantmyownki ds.Anyways,Iam coming.
Bye.”
Shehungupandwal
kedi
nthehouse.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#104

Rebawal
kedinsi
deAtang’
shouse.Lomowalked
fr
om t
heki
tchenholdi
ngaglassofj
uicei
nshort
s
andandaBarbietop.
Shel
ookedatRebaalmostdroppi
ngherglass.She
st
oodsti
llj
ustst
ari
ngbethenRebasighed.
“
Hi,
wher
eisyournanny?
”
“
Bat
hing.Daddyi
snother
e.”
“Iknow.
”Rebalookedatheroil
yf r
eshchipsonthe
couchthenbackatherfatbody.Shelookedsofar
shecouldn’
tunder
standwhyAt angkeptfeedi
ngher
j
unk.
Bot
howal
kedovert
hensmi
ledst
ari
ngatReba.
“
Dumel
ang…”
“
Whyar
eyouf
eedi
ngheroi
lychi
ps?
”
“
Shewant
edt
hem.
”
“Sowhat?Can’tyouseehowfatshenowis?She
doesn’
tevenlookherageandIbetwit
hthatbody
sheisnotevenbathi
ngproper
ly.
”
Lomolookedatherbodyhol
dinghergl
asst
ight
ly
asdaddy’
sfri
endyell
ed.
“Pl
easetakeawaythosechi
ps.Lethereatheal
th
Lananotatall
.Thi
seati
ngisnotnormalkana
mmagweoj ahel
ayaana?”
Bothoslowl
ywal
kedovert
othechi
psandpi
cked
them up.
RebalookedatLomoagai
n.Herf
atbodymaki
ng
herj
ustwonderhowmuchshewaseat i
ng.
“Pleasemakeherasal adorsomethi
ngelse.Stop
givingherjunkfood.I
t’
snotheal
thyforngwana.
She’ sover
sized.Ki
dsheragearenotasbig.She’
s
j
ustf atandit’
snotevencute.
”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedbackt
ohercar
.Lomo
wal
kedtothecouchandsatdownqui
etl
y.Bot
ho
l
ookedatherandsmil
ed.
“Lomo…rememberwhatt
odayi
s?Don’
tcr
y.I
t’
s
almostt
ime.
”
Lomosmil
edr
emember
ingt
henj
umpedof
fthe
couch.
“
Shoul
dIgoandchange?
”
“
Yes.
”
Lomor
ushedt
oherr
oom exci
tedl
y.

*
**

Rebaparkedt hecaratheryoungersi
ster’
shouse
thenwalkedinsidethehousesti
lli
nherheels.Her
youngersist
ersmi l
edinaneveningdress.
“
Igotyouadr
esst
oo.
”
Rebasmi
led.“
Uhu…”
“
Yes.Wear
egoi
ngsomewher
eni
ce.Themake-
up
ar
ti
sti
salmosther
e.Comeandf
reshenup.Howdi
d
i
tgowit
hhisdaughter
?”
“
Fine.
”
“
What
’shappeni
ngwi
thAt
ang’
sdaught
er?
”
Rebat urnedasherol dersist
erwal kedin.“Ijust
don’tconnectwi thher.Apparentl
yhermot herhad
saidshewoul dtaki
nghersomet i
mebackbutshe
neverdi d.Iam notfull
yenjoyingmyr elat
ionship.
Atangl et’
st hi
schil
dcont r
olhim.Hei sanamazi ng
manandIl ovehim butthewayheput sherf irsti
n
everythingmakesmef eel
li
kehewoul dchooseher
overme. ”
Abal
engl
ookedatReba.“
Kanammeyouknewhe
hadachi
ldwhenyoustar
tedseei
ngt
hisman.
”
“Idi
dn’texpectittobel i
kethis.That ’
swhyInever
l
ikedmenwi t
hchi l
drenbecausei fnotthefactt
hat
theyarebusysneaki ngwi t
ht heirbabymamas, thei
r
chil
drenjusttaketoomuchat tention.It
’shardt
o
rel
ateifl
ennaIdon’ thaveachi l
dofmyown.My
expectat
ionsoft herelat
ionshipar enotfull
ymet.I
havetomostoft hetimecompr omi seforhi
s
daught
er.NotthatIhatehischi
ldbutshemakesit
di
ffi
cul
tformet oenjoytherel
ati
onshi
pbecauseof
howherfathertr
eatsher.”
Abalengputherhandbagdownandl ookedather
sist
er.“Suchi ssuesar esensi ti
veReba.Rai si
ng
them willmakei tlookl ikeyoucan’ taccepthi schild
andmakehi m quest i
ont herelat
ionshi palltogether
.
Igetyourpoint ,tot at herear epeoplewhoj ustfindi
t
hardtoacceptt heirpar tnerschildr
enandi tdoesn’t
makeyouabadper sonbutyourappr oachover
suchissuescanbever yt ri
cky.It’
sbeenoverayear
withthi
sman.Youhadenought imet ol earnhi m
beforeyoust arteddat i
nghi m.Hegaveyoua
chancet oknowt het ypeofmanhewasbef ore
havingyoudeci de.Youhadal readyf all
enf orhim
bythenbutyouknewt hatbesi desjustbei ngAt ang,
he’sRragweLel omo.Youknewandmethi s
daughtermont hsaf terst art
ingther elati
onshi p.You
shouldbecar ef ul.Don’ tmessupagoodt hing.You
haveagoodmanwhol ovesyou, spoi l
syouand
doesever yt
hingamancanpossi blydof ora
woman.Youknowhi sgoal sinli
feandyouknow
whathewant
s.Don’
tbeyourownwi
tchReba.
”
“Youareright.Idon’
twantt oseparatehimf r
om his
chil
dbutagai nIam fai
li
ngt oaccepther.Ifeverwe
getmarri
ed, Iwanttostaywi t
hmymanandmyki ds
alonebecauseIam t el
li
ngyou, Iwon’tbeableto
l
oveLelomobecauseal readyIdon’t.Idon’
thateher
atthesamet ime.Iam justhopinghermot hertakes
her.”
Theyoungersi
sterl
ookedatReba.“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Shewasi
nNewYor
korsomet
hingIdon’
tknow.
”
“Kemathat
a.Whostayssofarandforget
sabout
herdaught
er?Thensheexpect
sotherwomentodo
herj
ob?Basadi!(
Women!)”
Abal
engsmil
ed.“
Enoughaboutabsentmother
’s.
Rebaneedst
ogetdr
essed.I
ssabirt
hday!
”
Thesi
ster
slaughedwal
kingt
othebedr
oom.

*
**
Earl
ieri
nt heevening,Pr
incewalkedinatthe
beauti
fuldecoratedhall
.Lonesmiledget
tinga
gl
assofchampagnef rom anusher.Shelooked
aroundandsmi ledimpressed.
“
Atangi
sser
iousaboutt
his.
”
Pr
incenodded.“
Hei
s.”
Lonesmil
ed.“Idon’
twantt
oseeThabicomi
ngback
andcl
aiminghermanback.”
“At
angisoverRethabi
le.Thatshi
plongsankand
nnaIli
keReba.Onal ethatthi
ng.Gapeshe’ssmart
andfocused.That
’st
hekindofwomanAt angneeds
byhisside.
”
Agangwal
kedinwit
hKel
ly.Theybumpedshoul
der
s
asthel
adi
eshuggedwhi
speri
ng.
MoreofKel
ly’
sfr
iendsandcol
leagueswalkedi
n.
Agang’
sphonevi
bratedi
nhispocketthenhepi
cked
Abal
eng’
scall
.
“
Hey…”
“
Hi,
wearecoming.Shei
sst
il
lint
hedar
k.I
sAt
ang
t
her
eal
ready?
”
Agangl
ookedatt
het
ime.“
Almosther
e.”
“
Ok.
”

*
**

Outsidethebui
ldi
ng,At
angsati
nhi
scart
alki
ngt
o
hi
sf atherwear
inghi
ssuit
.
“
Youruncl
esareonthestandbyj
ustwai
ti
ngf
oryou
t
ogiveusthegoahead.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Tal
ktomeAt
ang.
”
“Rebaisamazi ng.She’ssmar t
,intell
igent.When
theysai
dbehi ndaver ysuccessf ulman, therei
sa
woman, theywer eri
ght.She’sthatkindofwoman.
She’sfi
nanciall
ystable,shebri
ngsal ottot het
abl
e
othert
hanbeaut y.Sheisaj udgebutr espectsme
asherman.WhenIf i
rstsawherIt houghtshe
woul
dbetheopposi
te.Icanseeshet
ri
eswi
th
Lomobut
…”
“
Butwhat
?”
Atanglookedatt her
ing.“Deepdownitdoesn’tfeel
ri
ght.Iknowyousai dloveisnotever
ythingbutI
feell
ikeIam justset
tl
ingbecauseIhavet o.Il
ove
herbutIdon’tthinki
t’
senoughf ormarri
age.”
“Atang, t
hatiswhatgrowingupmeans, youneedt o
acceptt hatyouwon’thaveever
ythi
ng.She’s
everythingyouneedinawoman.She’ sdr i
ven.Il
ike
thi
swoman.She’ sont hesamepageasyou.Love
wil
lfindyoual ongway.Loveisnoteverythi
ngbut
youwi lllear
ntoloveherevenmorewithtime.Don’t
l
oseher .Youwon’tgetanyonel
ikeheragain.”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“
Dot
her
ightt
hing.Iam i
nful
lsuppor
toft
his.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
At
anghungupandtookadeepbr
eat
hst
eppi
ngout
sl
idi
ngt
heri
nginhi
spocket
.
Hewal
kedi
nsi
det
hehot
elgoi
ngt
othebi
g
conf
erencer
oom.Agangsmi
led.
“
Theyj
ustar
ri
ved.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Yougood?
”
“
Yeah…”
Aganggr
abbedt
hemi
c.
“
Sheisher
e.Wear
eswi
tchi
ngof
fthel
ight
s.Le
r
eady?”
Thecrowdcheer ed.Secondslatertheyswit
chedoff
theli
ghts.Atangtookadeepbr eathwaiti
ng
somehowt ryingtorememberhowpeopl eusuall
y
proposed.Minuteslat
ertheladi
eswal kedinthe
darkconferenceroom,theli
ghtsimmedi at
elycame
onandever yonescreamed.
‘
SURPRI
SE!
’
Atang’
sphonerangfrom hispocketasRebawal ked
i
nwear i
ngabeauti
fulsparkli
ngreddress.He
l
ookedatthenumberanddi sappearedtotherest
roomsastheysangforRebawhowasst i
lli
nshock.
“
Hel
lo.
.?”
“
Hi,it
’sThabi
.Canwet
alk?Di
dIcat
chyouatt
he
r
ightti
me?”
“
Yes,
whati
sit
?”
“Ineedt
otel
lyousomethi
ng.Iam ar
ound.Ij
ust
spoketoBot
ho.Iam out
sideatt
hehotel
.Canwe
tal
k?”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#105

At
angswal
lowed.“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Out
sideatt
hepar
king.
”
Heputhishandonhischest
,hi
sheartpoundi
ng.“I
am aboutt
opropose.Kebat
agonyala.Andsett
le
down.Rebaisagoodwoman.Iloveher.
”
“Ineveraskedyouaboutthatbutgoodf
oryou.Iam
happyyoul oveherandyouwantt odor
ightbyher
.”
“
Youar
ehappy?
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Comeher
e.”
“
Youar
ehappyt
hatIam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
Shelaughedevenmor e.“
Yes.Ther
rat
akwano.
(Pl
easecomeher e.
)”
“
Whatmakesyouhappyaboutmeget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Atang,
keng?
”
“
Ijustwantt
oknow.
”
“Iam happyyouf
oundt
her
ightwomanf
oryou.O
bataeng?”
“
What
’smaki
ngyouhappyaboutt
hat
?”
“
Pleasecome.Iwi
llt
ellyou.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hehungupandwalkedoutther
estr
oom t
hen
walkedt
otheot
herexi
tdoorasReba’
sfr
iends
huggedher
.
From adi
stancePr
incewat
chedashisfr
iend
walkedouti
nahurry.Heki
ssedLone’
scheekand
fol
lowedaft
erhim.

*
**

Outsideatt heparkinglot
,Thabiflashedherwhi
te
Maser atilevantetrofeoonce.Atangswal l
owed
stari
ngatt hecar.Hesl owlywalkedt oherwi
ndow.
Thabi roll
edi tdownandsmi l
edpushi nghercur
led
hairbehind.
Shel
ookedathi
minasuitandsmi
led.He
swal
l
owedstari
ngather
.
“
Geti
n.”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handgoti
nthecar
.Shet
urned
t
ohi
m.
“
Whyar
eyousoscar
ed?
”
“
Iam notscar
ed.
”
“
Thenwhat
’swr
ong?
”
“
Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.Iam goi
ngt
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Goodf
oryou.Youdeser
vet
obehappy.
”
“
Yousai
dyouar
ehappyf
orme.
”
“Iam happyyouarehappy.Ir
eal
lyam.Youdeser
ve
nothi
ngbutlove.
”
“
Youar
eback?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.Iam back.Youl
ookhandsome.
”
Hesmi
ledshyl
y.“
Thankyou.
”
Sheleanedoverandf
ixedhi
stie.At
ang’
sheart
poundedsomuchasshet ouchedhim.Shel
ooked
athi
m andsmi l
ed.
“
Youkeepyourbear
dnow?
”
“
Ihaven’
thadt
imet
ogot
othebar
ber
.”
Shetouchedhisbear
d,hi
shear
tracedsomuchthat
hegasped.Thabil
ockedt
hedoorsthensmi
led.
“
Lomot
oldmeshei
sscar
edofyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Hadyouaskedher
?Ifyouaskchi
ldr
ensucht
hings
want
ingt
obelowkeyspies-
“
“Shhh…Iam notfight
ing.
”Thabismiled.“
Iam not
fi
ghti
ng.Iam notheretorui
nyourlif
eoryour
happiness.Noneedtobedefensive.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Iam notbei
ngdef
ensi
ve.
”
“Youshouldbehappyt
oknowthatonedayIwill
probabl
ybedeadandthenyouwon’thaveanyt
hing
toworryabout
.”
Hel
ookedather
.“Youl
ookni
ce.
”
“IgotajobatGI
PS.Theyappr
oachedmemonths
back.Iwanttot
akeLomo.Andstaywi
thher
.”
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Youar
ereal
lymovi
ng?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Yes.I
twasaboutt
ime.
”
“
Yourr
esi
dence?
”
“
Iam nowanat t
endi
ngsur
geon.Iam gr
aduat
ing
l
atert
hisyear
.”
“
Youmadei
t.
”
Thabismiled.“
Idi
d.Iwantt
ost ar
tacli
nicwhil
eI
work.I
twillbeinMaun.I
t’
sclosertohome.Iwant
tobeclosertohome.”
“
That
’sagoodpl
an.
”
Shelookedi
nhi
seyesandsmi
led.“
Ijustwant
edt
o
seeyou.”
Hel
ickedhi
sli
ps.“
Why?
”
Shesmil
ed.“Imi
ssedyou.CanIt
akeLomo
tomor
row?”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Goandaskhert
omar
ryyou.Andgoodl
uck.
”
Sheunlockedherdoor
s.Helookedatherf
orawhi
le
thenst
eppedoutandwalkedbackinthehotel
.
Thabist
aredatherst
ari
ngwheelf
orawhil
ethen
st
artedhercaranddr
oveof
fholdi
nghert
ears.
At earr
oll
eddown,shewipeditoffthenl
ookedat
thehotel
.Shedial
edhim agai
n.Itrangoncethenhe
picked.
“
Thabi
..
”
“Iwantababy.Lomoislonel
y.Sheneedsasi
bli
ng.
Oneshecanf ul
lyr
elat
eto.”
Ther
ewassi
lencef
oracoupl
eofseconds.“
What
?”
“Canwegiveourdaught
erasi
bli
ng?Shei
slonel
y.
Sheneedssomeonetoplaywi
th.
”
“
Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.Youwantmet
ocheat
?”
“Iwantyoutogiveyourdaughterasi
bli
ng..
someoneshecanr elat
etofull
y.Youdon’tknow
whereli
fewil
ltakeusAtang.Sheneedsasi bli
ng.I
wanthertohaveasibli
ng.Iwantustohaveababy.
Wewi l
ltal
ktomorrow.Thinkabouti
t.
”
Shedroppedthecal
landsigheddrivi
ngtothehotel
shewasstayi
ngat.Shewalkedinsidegoingtoget
room t
hensatonthebedtakingoffhershoes.She
tookadeepbreat
hthencall
edanumber .
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.
.it
’sThabi
…”
Dr.O’
Nealchuckl
ed.“
Hey,
Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
oget
holdofyou.Ar
eyouhome?”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Yes.Uh…ar
emyr
esul
tsbackyet
?”
“
No.Notyet.Butmyguessisthatevenifi
t’
sbr
ain
t
umor,i
t’
snotthatbig.I
t’
smanageable.I
t’
snot
hing
wecan’
tdealwith.
”
Thabinodded.“
Yeah.Youar
eri
ght
.It
’spr
obabl
y
nothi
ng.”
“
Exact
ly.Youhavenot
hingt
owor
ryaboutThabi
.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Howi
sit
?”
“
Ijustarr
ived.Iam goi
ngtoseemydaught
er
t
omor r
ow.Herf at
herisget
ti
ngmarr
ied.
”
“
Areyouok?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“
Yes.Iam happyf
orhi
m.”
“
Ok.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
Shehungupandl
aidont
hebedcl
osi
nghereyes.

*
**

At
anghuggedRebaatt
hepar
ty.
“
Happybi
rt
hdaybabe…”
Rebasmil
ed.“
Hi,
thankyou.Foral
lthi
s.It
hought
youfor
got
.”
At
angki
ssedher
.“Iwoul
dneverf
orget
.”
“
It
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Helookedinhereyesasshesmi led.Shewas
per
fect,pr
obabl
ytherightwomant owi f
e.Hisfat
her
wasright,
hecouldn’
tgetital
l.Hehadt ojust
…
set
tl
e.
Butt
henThabiwasf i
nallyback.Asecondchild
woul
dj ustper
fecteverythi
ng.Theywillbeperf
ect.
Him,her,Lomoandt heirsecondchil
d.Hisfamil
y
di
dn’
tlikeheranymor ebuttheydidn’
tmat t
er.
AndmaybeMaunwoul dn’
tbesuchabadpl aceto
moveto..
awayfrom t
hecityandeveryt
hingel
se.A
fr
eshstar
tforbothoft
hem.Hecoul dalr
eadyseeit.
Rebagi
ggl
ed.“
What
?”
Hesnappedoutofi
tandlockedeyeswi t
hReba.I
t
hadtakenhert
imetogivein.Andshelovedhim.
Hehadseenitandbreaki
ngherheartwasn’t
somethi
nghewaswilli
ngtodo.Notaftershehad
gi
venhi
m heral
l.
EdSheer an’sThinkingoutloudstart
edpl
ayi
ng.His
heartracedashel ookedather.FuckAt
ang…just
doit.Don’tmessupagoodt hi
ngbecauseofa
womanwhowi l
lpr obablydeci
detomovebackif
shewant sto.Yout r
iedwit
hThabi…itdi
dn’
twork
out.Timet ooff
iciall
ymoveon.
Ei
therway,hefi
gur
edit’
dmakeeveryonehappy.
Andhewillst
opgett
ingaskedwhenhewouldget
marri
ed.
Hesl
owlywentdownonhiskneegoi
ngthr
oughhis
wor
ds.Rebafr
ozest
ari
ngathim onhi
sknee.
.he
t
ookoutari
ng.Shel
ookedathim.
“
Att
ie…”
At
angtookadeepbreat
h.Heopenedhi
smout
hto
t
alkbutnot
hingcameout.
Rebascr
eamed.“
Yes!Yes!OhmyGod!Yes!
”
Shekneltdownhugginghi
m.Atanglookedathis
fr
iendthenhisbrot
herast
heyj
ustst ar
ed.The
caughtsightoft
hecameraonhim andforceda
smi
lehuggi
ngherback.
.
.
.
Let
squi
ckl
ypar
ti
cipat
eforanot
herbonus
Your
sTr
uly
#106

Theygotupfrom t
hefl
oorhuggi
ng.Atangsl
idt
he
ri
ngonherfi
nger.Rebashowedever
yoneherri
ng
cryi
nghappi
lywhil
etheycl
apped.
At
angki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyoumor
e.Il
oveyou.
”
Abalengrushedoverandhuggedhersist
er.Agang
walkedtohisbrot
herandhuggedhim smil
ing.
“
Thabii
sher
e?”
Atangnodded.Agangmovedbacksmi
li
ngast
he
cameraguyconti
nuedshoot
ing.
Bothowal
kedint
heconferencehallwi
thLomo.
Atangsmi
ledwal
kingovertohisdaught
er.
“
Hey!
”
Lomohuggedherf
ather
.“Imi
ssedyou.
”
At
angsmi
led.
.“Imi
ssedyout
oo.
”
RebalookedoveratLomoandherf at
her.She
l
ookedawayhuggi ngherfr
iendsandcol
leagues.
Atangpickedhi
sdaughterupandplacedheronthe
chair
.HelookedatBotho.
“
Hey…”
“
Hel
lo.
”
“
Youl
ookni
ce.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
At
angsatwi
thLomo.“
It
saunt
yReba’
sbi
rt
hday
t
oday.
”
Lomonodded.Atanghel
dhisdaught
er’
shand.
“Aunt
yRebaandIaregoingtogetmarr
ied.And
she’
sgoi
ngtostaywithus.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edLomo’
seyest
henshenodded.
“
Hey…lookatme.
”Het
il
tedherchi
n.“
What
’s
wrong?
”
“
Whycan’
twebear
eal
fami
lywi
thmama?
”
Atangsi
ghed.“MamaandIloveeachotherbutnot
asboyfr
iendandgi
rl
fr
iendanymore.It
oldyouthi
s
Lomo.”
“Idon’
twantyout
omar
ryaunt
yReba.Shei
s
scary.
”
“Sheisnotscar
y,i
t’
sbecauseyoujustdon’
tli
keher.
She’sagoodperson.Andsheli
kesyou.Sheisnot
goingtobeyournewmom. .yourmom wil
lsti
llbe
yourmom. ”
“
Iwantust
ostaywi
thmama.Whydon’
tyoul
ike
mamaanymor
e?”
Fr
om adistanceRebawatchedasLomocried.She
si
ghedsippingherwi
nethenshewalkedover
smil
ing.
“
Heyguys,
Lomo,
areyouoksweet
y?”
Sheburi
edherheadonherfat
her’
sshoul
dercr
ying.
Atangsi
ghed.“
Iam sor
rybabe.
”
“I
t’
sok.Maybeweshoul
dgo.Iatethecake.Iam
goodnow.MaybeAgangcantakeher.
”
Thabihel
dherf
athert
ight
lycr
ying.Hel
ookedat
Botho.
“Gotot
hecar
.Iam comingt
ogether
.Lomo,
wear
e
goi
ng.Got
othecarwit
hauntyBot
ho.”
Bothogotherf
rom At
angt
henwal
kedoutwi
thher
.
Atangsi
ghed.
“
Iam sor
ry.She’
sabi
temot
ional
.”
“
Shewant
smommyanddaddyt
oget
herr
ight
?”
“
Babe-
“
“Sheisachil
dAtti
e…wecan’texpecthertoj
ust
acceptr
eal
ity.Maybesheshoul
dstaywi t
hhermom.
Youknow,sheneedshermom.Idon’ twantt
omake
herunconf
ir
medi nherownhome. ”
At
angl ookedather
.“Uhhermom arr
ivedher
e.
MaybeIcandr opherof
fatthehot
elwhereher
motheris.
”
Rebanodded.“
Ok.Wecangot
oget
hert
henwecan
gohomeandcelebr
ate.
”
“Wecan’tbothl
eaveourguests.Theygat
heredher
e
forus.Letmedropheroff
.Hermot herwi
llmake
herunderst
andbett
er.Iwi
llcomeback.”
“
Ok.Il
oveyousomuch.Il
ovemyr
ing.
”
Hesmi
ledandki
ssedher
.“Ok,
Iwi
llbeback.
”
Hetur
nedandwal kedoutf
oll
owingBotho.He
l
ookedatBothostandi
ngbyhiscarwithLomo.
At
angunlockedthecarandputhisdaught
eri
nsi
de.
“
Thankyou.
”
Bot
hosmi
led.“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Thanks.
”
Hewalkedroundhi
scarandj umpedin.Helooked
atLomowhowasst i
llsni
ff
ing.Atangsighed
star
ti
ngtheengi
neanddroveof fcal
li
ngher.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whi
chhot
elar
eyouat
?”

*
**
Atthepart
y,Rebasmi
ledst
ari
ngatherr
ing.
Abalengsmil
ed.
“
Wher
edi
dhego?
”
“MmagweLomoisback.Shej
ustar
ri
ved.Hei
s
droppi
ngLomot
her
e.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Hesai
dyest
oLomost
ayi
ngwi
thhermot
her
.”
“
Good.Butl
ewenadon’
tactl
ikeyouwant
edt
oget
r
idofhi
sdaught
er.
”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
“
Iam happyf
oryou.
”
Rebasmi
ledhappi
ly.

Fr
om adi
stanceAgangl
ookedatPr
ince.
“
Ican’
tbel
ieveThabii
sback.
”
“
Shei
sdr
ivi
ngaMaser
atil
evant
etr
ofeo!
”
Agangwhi
stl
ed.“
Ser
ious?
”
“Yeah.Shewasdef i
nit
elymakinglot
sofmoney.I
sawhert ouchhisbeard.She’
sbacktocause
confusi
oni nhi
slif
e.”
“Helovesher.I
fonl
yl ovehadamanualt henhe
wouldknowhowt ounl oveher.Heisnothappybut
papaisputt
inghim underpressur
e.”
“NnatotaasmuchasIl ikeThabi
le,Idon’
tthi
nk
she’
sther i
ghtwomanf orhi
m.She’snotmar ri
age
materi
al.Shecanj
ustleavehimifitsuit
sher.Look
howfarhe’scomewithReba. .
”
Pr
ince’
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.Het
ooki
toutand
l
ookedatt
hecall
er.
“
Iam comi
ng…”
Hest
eppedbackpi
cki
ngPear
l’
scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hey,
areyoust
il
lcomi
ngt
omor
row?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Iam packi
ngourt
hings.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Eat
ing.
”
“
Iwi
llcal
lyouguysl
ater
.”
“
ByeDaddy!
”
Pr
incesmi
led.“
Youhavest
art
ed.
”
Pear
lgi
ggl
ed.“
Sor
ry.Ican’
twai
ttoseeyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
“
Iloveyou.Bye.
”
Shehungupt
henhewal
kedbackt
oAgang.

*
**

AtangparkedatthehotelwhereThabiwas.He
steppedoutofthecarandopenedt hedoorf
or
Lomo.Hehel pedheroutthenlockedhiscarand
walkedinsi
de.Hebriefl
yspoketot herecept
ioni
st
thentheywentuptot hesecondflooratthehotel
.
Atangtookadeepbr eat
htocalm hi
msel
fdownbut
i
tdidn’tseem t
ohelp.Helookedatt
hedoor
Number sandfinal
lyappr
oached19.Hegent
ly
knocked.
Hest eppedbackholdinghi
sdaughter’
shand.
Footstepsapproached.Sheopenedthedoor
.Lomo
scr
eamedl et
ti
nggoofherf at
her’
shandandthrew
herselfi
nhermot her’
sarms.Thabil
aughed
huggingherback.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
”
Shewipedawayherdaught
er’
stear
ssmi
li
ng.“
Ilove
yourdr
ess.
”
Lomosmi l
ed.Thabil
ookedatAt
angwi
thher
reddi
sheyes.
“
Thankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngher
.”
“
Areyouok?
”
Thabinodded.“
Yes.If
eelmuchbet
ternowt
hat
she’
shere.”
“
Ok.UhIam goi
ngback.Shewascr
ying.Shesai
d
yes.
”
Thabi
smi l
edt
henl
ookedatLomo.“
Geti
nsi
de
sweet
y.”
Lomol
ookedatherf
ather
.“Daddycome…”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Lomo…l
etmet
alkt
odaddy.
”
Shenoddedandwalkedinsi
detheroom.Thabi
smil
edleani
ngagai
nstthewall
.“Iam happyshedi
d
“
Atanglookedather
.“Iwoul
dn’
tbehappyi
fIwas
you.Iwouldbeangryri
ghtnow.
”
Thabi
laughed.“
Youneedsomeonebyyoursi
de.
I
t’
snotme.Iknowthat.Ihaveaccept
edi
t.
”
At
angnodded.“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m..“
Atang-
“
“I
…”Heputhishandsonhisfacethentur
ned.He
l
ookedbackather.“
Youreyesarered.Whywere
youcr
ying?
”
“
Iwasn’
t-
“
“
Canwebehonest
?Pl
ease…why?
”
“
WhatdoyouwantmetosayAtang?Webr
okeup
t
woyear
sbacksothatwecanmoveon.
”
“Iwantyoutotellmeyouloveme!”Heroared
angri
ly.“
Dammi tThabi
le!Iwantyoutel
lmeyou
wantme, youwantus!Iwantyout obestr
aight
for
war dwit
hme! ”
Shetear
ful
lyl
ookedathi
m,heremot
ionsr
isi
ng.“
I
wanttoababy….Pl
ease…”
Shet
ouchedhi
m.Hest
eppedback.
“
Unt
ilyouar
ehonestaboutus,
for
gett
hebaby.
”
Het
urnedandwal
kedaway.
“
AtangIl
oveyou…Il
oveyou.
”
Het
urnedandl
ookedatherasshecr
ied.
“
ButIdon’
twantyout
oleaveher
.Come.
.comet
o
me.
”
“Ican’
tdi
videmysel
fbetweent
wopeopl
e.St
op
playi
ngwit
hmyf eel
ings!
”
Shesni
ff
ed.“Youwon’
thavet
o.Att
heendi
twil
l
j
ustbeher.St
opfi
ghti
ngme.Come…rr
agweLomo…
comet
ome…”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#107

Attheparty,
Rebalookedatthetimethencal
led
Atang.Hisphonerangunanswered.Shecall
edhim
againbutitj
ustcont
inuedri
nging.
Shesi
ghedfi
guri
nghewaspr obabl
ydr
ivi
ngback.
Kel
lywal
kedovertohersmi
li
ng.
“
Hey…”
Rebasmi
led.“
Hi.
.”
“
Happybi
rt
hdayandcongr
atul
ati
ons!
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Luckyyoudidn’
thavet
owaitforthatl
ongf
or
marr
iage.Someofuswait
edyears.”
Rebal
aughed.“
Iguessi
fyouknowyouknow.
”
“
Yes.Iam happyAt
angf
inal
lyf
oundt
her
ight
ful
woman.”
Lonewal
kedover
.“Hi
…congr
atul
ati
ons!
”
Rebasmi
led.“
Thankyou.
”
Lonesmil
ed.“
Lomocansleepoveratmyhouse.I
am sur
eyoutwowi
llbebusytoni
ghtcel
ebr
ati
ng.”
“
Atangwentt
odr
opof
fLomot
ohermot
her
.”
Kel
lypaused.“
Thabii
sar
ound?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
AndAt
angi
swi
thThabi
?”
Rebashookherhead.“
No.Hewentt
odr
opof
f
Lomo.Heisjustdr
oppi
ngherof
f.
”
“
Oh.
.wel
lcongr
atul
ati
onsnonet
hel
ess.
”
Theladiest
urnedandwal
kedaway.Lonesi
pped
herwine.
“
Thef
utur
eisbl
urr
y.”
Kel
lyl
aughed.“
NnaIwantt
hem t
ogetback
t
ogether
.Idon’
tli
ket
hiswoman.Bot
hosaysLomo
f
earsher.
”
“Enesheisfi
ercebutnotbad.She’
sni
ceandsmart
.
Sheinti
midatesmebecauseofthewomansheis,
notthatIdi
sli
keheranyhow.”
“
Sheshoul
dbeget
ti
ngcl
osewi
thLomo.
”
“Notever
yonecli
cksatf
irstsi
ghtwi
thki
ds.I
twi
ll
probabl
ytakeherawhil
e.”
“Thabishoul
djusttakebackherf
ami
ly.They
shouldrai
sethei
rtogether
.”

*
**

Thabismil
edstar
ingatAt
ang.Theunsurenessand
doubtinhi
seyesmadehersad,notthatshe
bl
amedhi m.Hewalkedoverandcuppedherface.
“
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome?
”
“
Lomoneedsei
therasi
sterorbr
other
.”
Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedherl
ips.Thabicl
osedher
eyes,hereyesthudding.Hekissedhermore,she
putherhandsonhi swai str
eceivi
ngtheki
ss.His
handswentdownherbodyashecar essedher
breaststhenherstomach.
Hisphonestart
edringi
ngagai
njustheslippedhis
handinsi
deherpyjamapantsandinsideher
stomach.Hegruntedonherli
pstouchingher
wetness,hi
sdickgrewdohardinhispantsthen
morehecont i
nued.
Shel etoutasli
ghtmoanashisprecum wethi
s
bri
efs.Hisphonestar
tedagai
n.Het ookouthi
s
handf rom i
nsi
deherpant
yandpeel edhi
mselffr
om
her.Het ookouthi
sphoneandlookedatReba
cal
ling.
Thabismiled.“
Bye,
thankyouf
orbr
ingi
ngour
daughter
.”
Hewatchedhergeti
nther
oom andcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndher.
At
angpi
ckedt
hecal
lwal
kingt
ohi
scar
.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
It
sbeenanhour
.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Dri
ving.Iam comi
ng.
”
Hedroppedt
hecal
lget
ti
ngi
nthecart
henhedr
ove
of
f.

*
**

Rebawaitedforhi
m atthepar
kingl
othol
dingher
phone.Minutesl
aterhepar
kedhiscar
.Shebe
walkedoverandgotin.
“
Hey…”
At
angl
ookedather
.“Youwantt
ogohome?
”
“
Ng…Iam t
ir
ed.
”
Hestartedtheengineagai
nanddr ovehome.Rena
tookoffherheelsandputherfeetonthedashboar d.
Shelookedatherr i
ngthensmiled.Hepar kedathi
s
houseandwal kedinsi
dewithher.Rebat ookoffher
dressandbr ar
emai ni
ngwit
hherG- st
ring.
Shest
oodonhert
oesandki
ssedhi
m.At
ang
t
ouchedherwai
st.
“
Iam t
ir
ed.Ineedt
orest
.Canwedot
his
t
omorr
ow?”
Rebal
aughed.“
Sincewhendoyousayno?
”
“Ihaven’
tbeenrest
ingpr
operl
y.Iam soexhaust
ed.
Ijustneedtobathandsl
eep.Iam sor
ry.
”
Hetur
nedandwal kedi
nsidethebathr
oom.Reba
sl
owlysatdown.Hisphonerang,shereachedf
ori
t
andansweredt
heunsavednumber .
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi
.Thi
sisRet
habi
le,
canIpl
easespeakt
orr
agwe
Lomo.”
“
Hei
sbat
hing.CanIpassonamessage?
”
“Yesplease.Iam comingbyt
omor
rowmor
ningt
o
coll
ectLomo’sclothes.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Minut
esl
aterAt
angwal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom.
Rebasmi
led.
“
Ret
habil
ecal
led.Shesaysshe’scomi
ngby
t
omorr
owmorningtocollectLomo’
scl
othes.
”
“
Ok.Anyt
hingel
seshesai
d?”
“
No.That
’sal
l.
”
Henoddedthenputonhissweatpantsbef
ore
get
ti
ngunderthecover
s.Rebajoinedhi
m.
“
Areyouok?
”
Henodded.“
Justexhaust
ed.
”
Rebal
aiddownput
ti
ngherar
m ar
oundhi
m.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorning,Rebawal kedf r
om t
he
bedr
oom inherblacksuitandheel s.Herf
ormal
wearal
waysgavet heconf i
dencesheneeded.She
l
ookedatAt angwhowaspr essi
nghi sphone.
“
Iam done.
.let
’sgo.
”
Theywal
kedout
,At
angsl
idi
nghi
sphonei
nhi
s
pocket
.Hepr
essedt
her
emot
ethent
hegat
esl
id
open.
Rebast eppedbackasthewhi t
eMaser at
idr ovein.
Atangwat chedasThabiparkedherbeastofacar .
Sheopenedt hedoorandsteppedout .Atangl ooked
atherhipsinthatwhi
teslack.Thabiwalkedoveri n
heels,
hermakeupsl i
ghtl
ydonebutshel ooked
beauti
fulasever.
.
Rebal
ookedathercart
henather
.Thabismi
led.
“
Hi,
youmustbeReba.
”
Rebastr
etchedherhandshookThabi
’
s.“
Judge
Rebant
leMosweu.”
Thabishookherhand.“
Iam Thabi
.Lomo’
smot
her
.
Il
ikeyoursui
t.
”
Rebasmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
Thabi
noddedt
hent
urnedt
oAt
ang.“
Hi…”
“
Hey.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Iam her
efort
hecl
othes.
”
Hewal
kedbacki
nthehouseandcamebackwi
th
thebag.Hewal
kedtohercarandputi
tatt
he
backseatt
henl
ookedatLomo.
“
Hey…”
Lomosmil
ed.“
MommyandIar
egoi
ngt
oournew
house.
”
“
That
’sni
ce.
”
Thabi
gotinthecarandl
ookedatAt
angsmi
li
ng.
“Shei
spret
ty.”
Helookedatherandsmi
ledback.“
Want
wael
a
wena.”
Thabi
star
tedherengi
ne.“
Youl
ookhot
.Bye.
”
Sher
ever
sedanddr
oveof
f.Rebasi
ghed.
“
Iam r
unni
ngl
ate,
canwego?
”
Henoddedthenunl
ockedthecarandjumpedi
n.
Rebal
ookedathim get
ti
nginthecar
.
“
Whatwer
eyouguyssmi
li
ngabout
?”
“
What
?”
“
Isawyouguyssmi
li
ngateachot
her
.Whatwer
e
yousmi
li
ngabout
?”
“
Shesai
dyouar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Rebalookedathi
m ashedr
ovet
hensi
ghed.“
Do
st
il
lloveher
?”
Hel
ookedather
,Rebasmi
led.
“
Iam sor
ry.
.Ij
ust
…Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Youhavenot
hingt
owor
ryabout
.”
Rebanoddedassur
ed.
“
Thoughyoudidn’thavet
ointr
oduceyour
selfli
ke
t
hat.Yousoundedimmatureandchi
ldi
sh.Ididn’
t
l
ikeit
.”
“Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn’texpecthert
ocomedr i
vingt
hat
.
Ilowkeyfelti
nti
midated.Itwaschi
ldi
sh.
”
Hedrovef orawhi
leandf
inal
lypar
kedhi
scarather
wor
kpl ace.
“
Bye.
”
Rebal
eanedoverandki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandwal
kedaway.At
ang
droveoffpi
cki
nghisfat
her’
scal
l.
“
Papa.
.”
“Congr
atul
ati
onsmyboy.Iam sohappy.Ij
ust
spoketoyouruncl
e.Hewi
llcal
lrr
agweRebasowe
cansetadate.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#108

At
angsi
ghed.
“Papawee,di
dyouevert
ellbomal
omet
ogot
he
Kaisar
afamil
y?”
“
No.Idi
dcal
lheruncl
ethough.
”
“
Sonot
hingof
fi
cial
wasdone?
”
“
Not
hingof
fi
ciall
ikewhat
?”
“KanaThabiandIdi
dn’
tpr
oper
lybr
eakup.Aker
eke
duetsimagadi
.”
“
Didyouwantyour90kbackf
rom t
hatf
ami
ly?
”
“
No.Iam j
ustaski
ng.
”
“
No.Butwecansor
titout
.”
“
No.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Howmuchdoyouhavesavedf
orReba?
”
“
Notmuch.
.It
hinkweshoul
dwai
tabi
tsoIcanput
mor
emoneyintoit
.”
“
Elegor
ehowmuchdoyouhave?
”
“
Notmuch.
”
“
Howmuchdoyouhave?
”
“Ionl
yhave10k.Ij
ustf
ini
shedthef
latssoIam bi
t
brokegapewi
thLomo’sfees,
Iam l
eftwit
honl
y
10k.”
“Iunder
stand.Doyouneedhel
p?Icansel
lacoupl
e
ofcowsthenyouwi l
lref
undmeonceyougett
he
money.It’
snothi
ngbig.”
“No.Iwanttomarrywit
hownmoney.Itwon’
tfeel
properi
fItakeyourmoney.Canwej
ustwait
?”
“At
ang,kanayouruncl
e’
sareready.Iknowyou
havebeenbuyingandbui
ldi
ngalotofpr oper
ty.I
wanttoassi
styouasmyson. ”
“
Iknow.Givemeaweek.I fIdon’
tgetanyt
hingby
t
hen,Iwi
llacceptyourmoney.
”
“
Ok.
”
Atanghungupdr i
vingtohi sfl
atswherethe
contr
actorwaswai t
ingforhim.Hedr oveinthr
ough
thegatestar
ingatthreeblocksofflat
s,eachwith
18twobedsapar tments.Hest eppedoutofhiscar
andwal kedovert
ot hecontractor
.
“
Moyo,
ever
ythi
ngi
sdone?
”
“Yes.Wearegoodt
ogo.Thepar
kingspacesar
e
alsodone.
”
Atanglookedoveratt
hem.“ Il
ikei
t.Iwi
llaskmy
guystocomeandhaveal ookthenwear egoodt
o
go.Iwil
lfi
nishofft
herestofthepaymentassoon
asIgetreportf
rom t
hoseguysbutgoodj ob.”
Moyosmi
led.“
Youknowyoucanal
wayscounton
me.
”
“
Iknow.Iwanttobuil
dmyhousebutIwantmywi fe
t
obepar tofi
torever
ythingwewil
lbedoi
ngsolet’
s
t
alknextweekaboutthatsowecanmakeaplan.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
llber
eady.
”
Theywal kedt othefir
stbl
ockandwal kedinsi
det
he
apartment.At anglookedattheti
lest hem the
ceil
ing.Het ookal ookatt
hebi gsitt
ingr oom t
hen
theopenpl anki t
chentogetherwiththet wo
bedrooms.
“
Ili
ket
his.I
t’
sneat
.LetmegoMoyo.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
At
angwal
kedtohi
scartaki
ngouthi
sri
ngi
ngphone
t
henhepi
ckedhi
sbrot
her’
scal
l.
“
Agang…”
“Papajustcal
ledme.
.hesaysyouar
einaf
inanci
al
sit
uati
on.”
At
angl
aughed.“
Ignor
ethatone.
”
“
Whati
sThabisayi
ng?
”
“
Shewant
sust
ohaveababy.
”
“
Ababy?
”
“
Yes.ShesaysLomoi
slonel
yandneedsasi
bli
ng.
”
“
Soshewant
syouback?
”
“Shesaysshejustwant
sababy.KanaThabiwas
ntwael
a.It
hinkIgavehert
oomuchpowershe
thi
nksshecanjustcommandmear ound.
”
“Neel
angwanaseasebat angMist
er.Osekawa
mosokodisa.(Givet
hechil
dwhatshewant s.Don’
t
behardonher .
(Ebil
ennaIagreewit
hher .Lomo
getsl
onel
y,everwonderedwhyshelikesithere?
Shegetst
opl aywiththegi
rl
sthi
sside.”
“
Kant
eot
hol
aosuppot
aeng?
”
Agangl
aughed.“
Nnakesuppot
aThabir
raet
sho.
”
“Ij
ustcan’
tdropeverythi
ngbecauseThabideci
ded
tocomeback.Ican’thurtRebali
kethi
s.Asmuch
asIloveThabiIwon’tembarrassReba.
”
“
Iam sur
eshewoul
dn’
twantt
obeyoursecond
bestl
eene.Misteryouhaveachanceofgett
ing
yourfamil
yback.Asecondchildi
swhatyouneed
atthi
sstagei
nlife.Yourgi
rli
sback.Rebawi
llbe
fi
ne.”
“Shewon’ tbe.Whatyouneedt oknowisthat
behindthatfeistywomanyousee, thef
ier
cejudge…
ther
ei sactuall
yaf ragil
ewomanbeneat h.She’
s
beenhur tbefore.Shehasbeent hroughsomuch.I
promisedIwoul dbedi f
ferent
.IpromisedIwould
l
oveher .Sheopenedherhear tandl etmein.Andto
acer t
ainlevelIloveher.NotasmuchasThabibutI
l
ovehert oacer t
ainlevel.
”
“Soyouwouldsacri
fi
ceital
lforawomanyoudon’ t
evenlovet
hatmuch?Youar emaki ngamist
ake.Iu
arefi
nenowbecauseThabileenei sst
il
lsi
ngle.The
momentshef i
ndssomeoneyouar egoingtodie.
Heart
breaki
sar eal
il
lnessmister
.Wedon’twantto
burr
yyouafteryouhavecol
lapsedanddied.
”
“
Iam dr
ivi
ng.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Atanghungupthentappedhi
sphonesl
owingdown
ataredtr
aff
icl
ight
.HewenttotheGPSphone
t
racki
ngappthenontheconnect
eddevi
cesand
l
ookedatLomo’sGPS.

*
**

Pr
inceputhi
sbagsi
ntheboott
hent
urnedt
ohi
s
wi
fe.
“
Iwi
llseeyoui
naweek.
”
Lonesi
ghed.“
Imi
ssyoual
ready.
”
Hekissedherandsmi
led.“
Onl
yaweekandI
’
m
back.Il
oveyou.”
Lonesteppedbackashegoti
nhi scarthenhe
rever
sedanddroveoff
.Shewalkedbacki nt
he
houseandsatonthecouchsadlycall
ingKel
ly.
“
Hey…”
“Inevert
houghtnothavi
ngkidswoul
dbot
herme
butit’
sgett
ingt
omeKel l
y.”
“
Youhaveanunder
standi
ngman.
”
“Pri
nceseeshi sfriendshavekids.Obat abana.Our
marriageisnol ongerthewayi tusedtobe.Things
arediffer
ent.Andhe’ salwaystravel
ing.Okare
ther
ei ssomet hi
ngoutt hereforhim becausehe’
s
alwayst r
aveli
ng.”
“
Don’
tthi
nkl
iket
hat
.Hel
ovesyou.
”
Lonesnif
fed.“
Hedoesn’tlookatmethesame
anymore.Icanfeel
him pull
ingawayandIam
scar
ed.”
“Comeoverandlet’
sdist
ressnyana.Theki
dsare
nothere.Ebil
eIf
eell
ikeswimming.Comelet’
s
skinnydip.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Lonehungupandwal kedtothebedr oom wher
e
shechangedint
oashirtbacklessdressthen
walkedouthol
dingt
hekeyst oherredconverti
ble.

*
**

Lomosmi
ledast
heyvi
ewedt
hehouse.Lomo
l
ookedatt
hebi
gpoolatt
hebackyar
d.Thabiwal
ked
over
.
“
Doyoul
ikei
tLomo?
”
Lomosmi
led.“
Arewegoi
ngt
ost
ayher
emama?
”
Thabi
nodded.“
Yes.
”
“
It
shuge!
”
Thabi’
sheelsechoedasshewal
kedoutanswer
ing
anincomingcall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
HiThabi
…”
Thabi
swal
lowed.“
Ihavei
tri
ght
?”
Dr.O’Nealsi
ghed.“
It
snottheendoft
hewor
ld.I
t’
s
j
ustahumpal ongway….Ahumpyoucan
overcome.”
Tearsfil
ledhereyes.“Mymot
herhadi
t.I
t’
s
heredi
tary.Howbadi sit
?”
“Stage3.Asurger
yandchemo,
mayber
adi
other
apy
alsowil
lsor
titout
.”
At
earr
andown.“
Howf
arhasi
tspr
ead?
”
“I
tsmanageabl
e.Wehavedetect
edabi
tear
ly.You
havenot
hingtowor
ryabout
…”
“
Thanks…”
“Youneedtost
artt
het
reat
mentorel
sei
twi
llkeep
spreadi
ng.
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.St
ayst
rong.
”
Hehungup.Acardroveinoutside.Shequi
ckl
y
wipedhert
earsandwal
kedout sideput
ti
ngonher
sungl
assestohi
deherreddi
sheyes.
ShewatchedasAt
angpar kedbesi
deshercart
hen
st
eppedoutandwalkedover.
Thabi
lookedathi
m ashecl
osedt
hedi
stance
bet
weenthem.
“
Howdi
dyoubuyt
hat
?”
Shelookedathi
m andsmi
led.“
Iwentt
othecar
deal
ershi
pandgotit.
”
“
It
sexpensi
ve.
”Hest
oodbef
oreherandt
ookof
f
hersungl
asses.Thabil
ookeddown.Het
ilt
edher
chi
nandlookedinhereyes,hi
seyessof
tening.
“
Hey…what
’swr
ong?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Not
hing…”
“
Tal
ktome…”
Atearrol
leddownasshel
ookedathi
m.Shesmi
led
t
earful
ly.
“
Not
hing…Iam j
usthappyt
obeback.
”
“
It
snotnot
hing.Tal
ktome.
”
Herli
psquiveredasshelookedathi
m.Shelooked
downandbr okedowncrying.At
angworr
iedl
y
huggedherasshecriedevenlouder
.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#109
At
angwi
pedawayhert
ear
sandhel
dherwai
st.
“
Pleaset
alkt
ome.
”
Shesni
ff
ed.“
Iwantyoutoenj
oyyourli
fewi
thout
meholdi
ngyoubackever
ychanceIget.
”
“
Whosai
dyouar
ehol
dingmeback?
”
“I
fitwer en’
tformeyouwoul dhavet
hefami
ly
you’vealwayswant ed.Maybeyouwoul
dhavemet
Rebant l
einstead.Youwouldhaveal
otofki
dsri
ght
now. ”
Atangwipedawayatearthathadr
oll
eddownher
cheek.Shel
aughedcryi
ng.
“
Youcoul
dhavehadi
tal
l…ever
ythi
ng…”
“Ihaveeverythi
ngIneed.MaybeIwoul dhavehada
l
otofki dsbutmaybet henIwouldnotbewher eI
am today.Iam happywi t
hmydaught er.Iam
content.Asecondchildwouldjustperf
ectitallbutI
wouldn’tchangeathingevenifIcould.
”Hecupped
herface.“Imadethischil
dwithsomeoneIl ove…I
l
ovemydaught ersomuchbecauseshei sar esult
oflove.Ifi
tweren’
tforyou,IwouldnothaveLomo.
Iam happywi
thwher
eIam.
”
Heleanedoverandki
ssedat
eart
hathadr
oll
ed
down.
“
Iloveyou.Idon’
tregr
etyou.Idon’
tregr
etus.Tal
k
t
ome…”
Shet earfull
ylookedathi m.“Whenmamagot
diagnosedwi t
hcancer ,Iwasscar edbutshe…she
saidi twasnot hing.Shet oldmet hedoct orscoul d
healherandevent houghIhadbeent herewhent he
doct orbr okethenewst hatitwasnowatst age4,I
believedi t.Iwasdesper atetobelieveit.EachdayI
wat chedasshesuccumbedt othepainandt ortur
e.
Somedayswer ewor seandsomewer ebet ter.The
better …wer ethebest .Itwoul dfeelnormal .We
woul dl augh…wewoul dpl ay.Andondaysi twas
wor se, i
twasunbear able.Bat angandIwoul dsleep
atthehospi talwi t
hher.Iwoul dnotsl eept heent i
re
nightbutj ustwat chherbecauseIwasscar edto
sleepandwakeupt omydeadmot her.
.”Hert ears
roll
eddowngoi ngdownt oherneck.
“
Somet
imest
heygaveherst
rongmedi
cat
ion,
she
woul dsleepl i
keshewasdead.Iwoul dcr ysomuch
butIcoul dneverdoi tinfrontofBatang.Hewas
j
ustachi ldthen.Whenshedi ed…shesai dshewas
comi nghome.Shesai dshewascomi nghome…”
Thabi lookedathi m crying.“Idon’twantt ol eavemy
daught er.Sheisst i
llyoung…sheneedsme.Idon’ t
wantt odi e.Iam soscar ed.Idon’twantt ogo
home….Nott hewaymamawenthome.Idon’ twant
todie…”Shepausedt henl aughed.Shel aughedso
mucht il
lherlaught urnedintoacr y.“Isn’titjust
ri
diculousj usthowIwor kedhar donl ytohavest age
3br aincancer ?Isn’ti
tjustcrazyhowIl imited
mysel ffrom enjoyinganyt hi
ngandt oldmysel fit
wasgoi ngtobedi fferent…isn’ti
tjustcrazyAt ti
e
j
usthowIgavemyal ltoabadgeIwi l
lnevereven
gettoenj oy…If eelstupid…Ishoul dhavej ustbeen
adr unkard..”
Atanghel
dherinhi
sarmsasshecr i
ed.Heblinked
holdi
nghert
ight
lywhi
leshesobbed.Helookedup
bl
inki
ngawayhisowntears.
Hepickedherupandwal kedwit
hhertothecar
.He
putheratbackseatandsatbesi
desherbef
ore
placingheronhisl
ap.Sheputherheadonhis
chestpanting,
hertear
sjustr
oll
ingdown.At
ang
wr appedhisarmsaroundherandremai
nedsti
ll
.
Theyremai
nedst
il
lforawhi
let
henheki
ssedher
neck.
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngt
odi
e.Iwon’
tletyou.
”
Sheremainedsti
llst
raddl
inghi
m.“Don’
tletme…
don’
tletmedie…Idon’twanttodi
e…don’tletme
di
e.”
Lomowalkedouthol
dinghertabl
et.Shel
ookedat
herf
ather
’scart
henrushedover.
“
Itookal
otofpi
ctur
esofournewhouse.
”
Atangsmil
ed.“
Youwi
llshowme.Di
dyout
aket
he
bedrooms?
”
“
No.Shoul
dI?
”
“
Yes.Iwantt
oseeever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Mama-
“
“
Shei
ssl
eepi
ng.Wear
ecomi
ng.
”
Lomot
urnedwi
tht
het
abl
et.At
angr
ubbedherback.
Hemovedherheadandl
ookedather
.
“
Iloveyou.Youar
enotgoi
ngt
obeal
one.
”
“
Youaregetti
ngmarri
ed.Iam happyweparted
ways.I
magineaf
terwait
ingforyear
sthenIhappen
t
odie…thatwoul
dbet r
agic.
”
“Youarenotdying.YouarenotdyingwhenIam
here.Iam notGod…butIam notlett
ingyoudie.I
l
oveyou.Il oveyousomuch…Andt herecanonly
beoneyou…Iwi l
lmakethi
ngsright…Iwillmakeit
ri
ght.”
“
Youcan’
tleaveher
…whati
f-
“
“
Idon’tcar
e.Iam choosi
ngyou.Iam choosi
ngus.I
l
ow-keythankcancer…becausethat
’sgoi
ngtobe
myexcuset ogett
hewomanIl oveback.”
“
Thechemoisgoingt
akeawaymyhai
r.Iam goi
ng
t
obebald.Andi
nconstantpai
n.”
“Youwoul
dlookbeaut
if
ulbal
d.Andyoudon’
tbe
alone.
”
“
Iwon’
tbeabl
etohavesex.
”
“
Icansur
vive…”
Hel
aidherdownandpushedherhai
rfr
om herf
ace.
“
Iloveyou…”
Thabismiledashegotont
opofher
.“Il
oveyou
too…Iloveyoumore…”
Heleanedoverandf renchki
ss.Hekissedher
harder,hi
sheartraci
ngashisdickhardenedinhis
pants.Shetouchedhisbackasheopenedherl egs
wit
hhi skneecaressi
ngheront opofherclot
hes.

*
**

Rebawal kedoutofcourtpr
essi
ngherphone.She
dialedAtangandputthephoneonherearsmili
ng.
Itrangforawhil
ethenstopped.Shecal
ledhi
m
agai nbutt
herewasnoanswerst i
ll
.
Shesenthi
m amessage.
Reba:Hey,j
ustfi
nishedwiththetri
al.Shouldwedo
l
unch?Wher eareyou?Imi ssyoualready.Ilove
you.Ican’
tstopl
ookingatmyr ingbyt heway.Ifeel
l
iketel
li
ngtheworldthatIhavefinal
lygottenmy
happilyeverafter.Itcoul
donl ybeyouwhocoul d
l
ovemet hewayIam andmor e.Youhavebeen
nothingbutamazi ngtome.Ican’ twai
ttobeyours
for
ever .Iam sorryaboutt hi
smor ni
ng.Ifeelso
embar rassed.Itwaschi l
dish,youwereri
ghtandit
wil
lnothappenagai n.It
rustyouandloveyouwi t
h
everythinginme.
Shesmi l
edthenwalkedt ohercargl
adherPAhad
broughtit
.Shest
art
edt heenginecall
inghim agai
n.
Hisphoneconti
nuedt oringunanswered.Sheput
downt hephoneanddr ovetohishouse.

*
**

AtBatang’sapart
ment,Lebowalkedthrought
he
gat
et hentowardsthegatehol
dingherhandbag.
Shesmi l
edpassinghiswhiteGolft
hatwasparked
bythebedroom window.Sheopenedt hedoorand
walkedin.
Awomanwalkedfrom t
heki
tcheni
nonl
yhi
sshi
rt
hol
dingamet
alspoon.
“
Uhu?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
”
Lebo’shear
tpoundedsomuchasshel ookedatthe
gir
linherman’sshi
rt
.Sheputherhandonher
chestthenwal
kedtothebedr
oom.Thegi r
lfol
lowed
behindher
“Heelaausinyana,whatdoyouthi
nkyouar edoi
ng
paradinginmyhouse?Iam call
ingthepol
ice,ar
e
youment all
ydist
urbed?”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#110

Leboturnedt
ot hegi
rlwhowassti
lll
ookingather
.
Angertookoverasshestoodi
nthemi ddleoft
he
bedr
oom.
“Thi
sismyman’
shouse.OkaeBat
ang?(
Wher
eis
Batang?
”
“
Excuseme?
”
“
Heywenammagowasl
ebel
ete!OkaeBat
ang?
”
Thegi
rll
ookedather
.Lebowalkedt
otheki
tchenbe
andgoti
nthejugofhotwat
er.
“
OkaeBat
ang?(
Wher
eisBat
ang?
)”
Bat angwalkedi
nsidethehouseholdingasmal
l
plasti
c.Hi
sheartskippedasshelockedeyeswi
th
Lebo.Hiskneeswentweak.
Thegi
rll
ookedathi
m.“
Babe-
“
“
Youhavet
ogo.
”
Leboshookherhead.“Gowhere?Wherei
sshe
going?Nooneisgoinganywheret
il
lyout
ellme
what’sgoi
ngonhere!”
Bat
angputdownt
hepl
ast
ic.“
Babe-
“
“
Don’
tcal
lmebabe.Tal
k!”
Heswall
owed.Thegir
llookedatBat
angwhowas
pani
cki
ng.Shefol
dedherarms.
“
Bat
ang,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“What
’sgoi
ngonisyousl
eepi
ngwithmyman,
Iam
goi
ngtocookyouwit
hthi
swatert
oday!
”
Bat
angswall
owedwetti
nghi
sdr
ythr
oat
.“Babe…I
…
i
t’
snotwhatyout
hink.
”
Lebowalkedovertohim, hemovedtheopposi
te
dir
ect
ion.Lebolockedthedoor
.“Iam goi
ngtocook
bothofyouwiththiswater.
”
“
Lebo,
let
’st
alkaboutt
his.Lethergo.Pl
ease.
.”
Leboopenedt
hel
idr
eadyt
ospl
ashhi
m wi
thhot
water
.
“
Hernamei
sMaduo.
.”
Lebol
ookedatMaduowhonowl
ookedt
err
if
ied.
Sheopenedt
hedoor.
“
Out
!”
“
Mycl
othes-
“
“
Out
!”
Shehurr
iedout
.Lebocl
osedthedoorandl
ookedat
Bat
ang.Shesil
ent
lyl
ookedathi
m.
“
Iam sor
ry…pl
easeputdownt
hewat
er…l
et’
stal
k.”
“
Whatmakesyout
hinkyoucancheatonme?
”
“
Babe,
can-
“
“
Whatmakesyoucheat
?”
“
Iam sor
ry.Pl
easeputt
hewat
erdown.Il
oveyou-
“
Lebospl
ashedhal
fthewat
erbur
ninghi
shands.
“
Fuck!
”
“I
tsthosehandsthatmakeyoubehavel
ikeyou
havedicsforbr
ains.
”.
Shet
hrewdownhi
sel
ect
ri
cket
tl
ebr
eaki
ngi
tthen
wal
kedout
.

*
**

Atangpar
kedthecaratt
hehotelt
henpickedThabi
whowassleepingandwalkedi
nsi
dethehotelwi
th
her.
Hegentl
yplacedheronthebedandtookof
fher
heel
s.Helookedatherbeaut
if
ulf
aceanddroppeda
ki
ssatthecor
nerofherli
ps.Atanglookedather
hi
pstr
appedinthosepantsthentookhist-
shi
rt.
Hegotont opofherandki ssedherli
pswhil
eshe
l
aidstil
lsl
eepi
ng.Het ookof fhertopandki
ssed
hertouchi
ngherbreast.Thabislowlywokeupashe
rubbedhimsel
fonherwhi lekissi
ngherneck.
Sheweaklyl
aidunderhim,heki
ssedherli
ps
uncl
ippi
ngherbrathenhesqueezedherbreast
s.
Hisphonest
artedr
inging.
“
Answeri
t.
.”
“
It
snott
hati
mpor
tant
.”
“
Ngngansweri
t.She’
sbeencal
li
ng.
”
Hepull
edoutherpantsandherpanti
estoget
her.
Herubbedhimselfonhergr
unt
ing.Hetookouthi
s
di
cand#r emoved.
.

Thabivi
bratedwi
thherbackagainstthewalland
herl
egsaroundhiswaistconvul
sing.Atang
rammedhi msel
fdeepinhergrunti
ngandof fl
oaded
mor
eofhi
scum i
nsi
deher
.
Hewalkedwithhertot
hebedandl aiddownthenhe
sl
idoutfr
om herpussyl
eavi
ngat r
ailofhiscum
behi
nd.Thel
aidonhersideexhaustedthenfel
l
asl
eep.
Atangpickedhisphonef r
om t
hefloorandlookedat
the6mi ssedcall
sfrom Rebaandtwof r
om his
uncle.Heputonhi sbr
iefandwalkedouttothe
balconycall
inghi
suncleback.
“
Atang…”
“
Mal
ome.
”
“
Howar
eyoumyboy?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Let
eng?
”
“Yes,Iam fi
ne.Igotacallf
rom yourfat
herandhe’
s
tel
li
ngmeyoudon’ thaveenoughmoneyf ormagadi
.
Idon’tbeli
evethat
.Youwoul dnothaveproposedi
f
youdidn’thaveenoughmoney. ”
“Iwasexpect
ingsomemoney.It
houghtIwoul
d
havegott
enthatmoneybynow.”
“
Atang,
tal
ktome.Doyour
eal
lywantt
ogetmar
ri
ed
becauseitsoundsl
ikeyouar
etr
yingt
odel
ayt
he
process.
”
“
MmagweLomoisnotwel
l.She’
sbeendi
agnosed
wit
hcancer
.”
“Andhowishercanceryourbusi
ness?Youst
il
llove
herdon’
tyou?
”
“
Shegavemeachi
ld.“
“Soyouwantt
ost
opt
henegot
iat
ionsbecause
she’
ssick?
”
“
Iwantt
ot akecareofher
.Andourdaught
er.Iwon’
t
f
reel
ydoitifIhavepai
dmagadi
.”
Hisunclelaughed.“Yourfatherisnotgoingt obuy
that
.Startworki
ngonabet terexcuse.Her eall
y
l
ikesthi
sgi r
l.Hewant sherforyou.Ifit’
smmagwe
Lomoyouwant ,t
hat’sfi
nebutdoi trightf
ully.
Whateverthisgir
lfedyoui sdangerous.”
At
angsmi
led.“
Shedi
dn’
tfeedmeanyt
hing.
”
“
Waaka,
shef
edyousomet
hing.
”
Atanglaughed.“
Iwi
llcal
lyouwhent
hemoneyi
s
ready.
”
“Ok.Byt
heway, i
fyouareal
readymar
riedlawful
ly,
noonecanforceyoutogetpaymagadibecause
nowitwi
llbeunlawful
.”
“
Rra?
”
“
Iam t
alki
ngt
omysel
f.Bye.
”
Hehungup.At
angthought
ful
lyl
ookedatThabi
t
henmadeacall.

*
**

LaterthatdayRebapar
kedhercaratAtang’
shouse
thensteppedoutwit
hherfi
lesandlapt
opbag.She
unlockedthedoorandwal
kedintheempt yhouse.
Rebaputherthingsdownanddial
edhi
m agai
nnow
worr
ied.Sheslowlysatdownashepi
cked.
“
Hey…”
“
Hi.Ihavebeencal
l
ingt
hewhol
eday.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwasbusy.
”
“
Ok.Wher
ear
eyounow?Iam athome.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
“
Met
ookengyaanong?Sayi
tpr
oper
ly.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Rebasmi
led.“
IsLomost
il
lwi
thhermot
her
?”
“IhadtodropheroffatmmagweKelly’
shouse
wherehercousinsare.Hermot
herhadtodo
something.
”
“
Soshet
ookt
hischi
ldt
ogi
veherback?
”
“Shegotbusy.I
fsheknewshewoul
dhavet
aken
her.
”
“
Ok.Soshei
sgoi
ngt
obest
ayi
ngwi
thherf
ullt
ime
r
ight
?”
Thegateopened.Rebahungupashedrovei
n.
Secondsl
aterhewalkedi
nsidet
hehouse.
“
Whatdoyoumeanst
aywi
thherf
ullt
ime?
”
“
Imeanwi
llLomobenowl
ivi
ngwi
thhermot
her
?”
“
Yesbuti
t’
saf
lexi
blesi
tuat
ion.
”
“It
hinkyoushoul
dhaveaproperarr
angementfor
her.Li
keustaki
nghol
idaysandhertaki
ngschool
days.”
“Thatwil
lonl
yapplyi
fThabimovessomewherefar
.
Rightnowshestaysi
nGaborone,wecaneasi
ly
movet hechi
ldar
ounddependi
ngonthesit
uati
on.”
“Howmuchwasshepayi ngformai
ntenance?Was
sheevenpayi
nganyt
hing?”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Ij
ustwanttoknow.Si ncewearegett
ingmarri
edI
thi
nkweshouldbet ranspar
entaboutever
ythi
ng.
Thati
ncludesRethabil
eandLomo. ”
“Thereisnoexactamount .Shesentwhatshecould
affordeachtime.AsmuchasIhearyourpoi nt
abouttransparency,Ialsothi
nkit
’stoosoon.We
willdi
scussever ythi
ngonceIpaymagadiandi t’
s
notnow.Iam goi ngthr
oughaf i
nancialst
rai
n.Iam
goingtowai tt
il
lIhaveenoughf orpropermagadi.
”
“
Howmuchdoyouhave?
”
“Ihave8k.I
twas10butIusedt
he2konpayi
ngt
he
expensesfr
om t
hepar
ty.
”
“
Howmuchdi
dyouwantt
obudgetf
ormagadi
?”
“Maybe100k.Youdeser vemor e.Idon’thavet
hat
ki
ndofmoneynow.Wewi l
lneedmor ef ort
he
weddingitsel
ftoo.Thatcangoupt o200kcost s.I
am st
illpayi
ngthatloanItookfrom thebank.I
t’s
har
dr i
ghtnow. ”
“Icanlendyousomemoneyf ormagadi .Icangi ve
youthe100k.Iknowyouhavebeenput ti
ngal lyour
moneyi ntoproperty.Soonyouwi l
lgetyourr eturns
andevenmor e.Theweddi ngcanwai t
.Myf ami l
yis
expecti
ngacal lfrom yourf amily.Idon’twantt obe
thatpersonwhoget sengagedf oryearsbef ore
magadii spaid.Iam nott r
yingt orushyoubutI
wantyout oknowyoucancountonmef orbackup.
Icanbeat eam player.Idon’tevenmi ndasmal l
wedding.Iloveyou…t hat’
swhatmat ters.“
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#111

At
angf
rownedst
ari
ngather
.
“Youwantmetopaymagadiwi
thyourmoney?I
shoul
dmarryyouwi
thyourmoney?
”
“
No.Iam l
endi
ngi
ttoyouandyouwi
lll
aterr
etur
n
i
t.
”
“Iam notgoingtomar r
yyouwi t
hyourmoney, you
mightaswel lmarryyoursel
f.Iam notbroke,j
ust
goingthroughafinanci
alsit
uat i
on.AssoonasI
haveraisedthemoney, Iwil
lpaymagadi .Gape
therei
snor ush.I
t’snotli
keIwaspl anni
ngt odoit
nextweek..Iwil
lsendmyuncl estoyourfamil
y
whenIam r eady.
”
Rebalookedathi
m sadl
y.“
Ok.Iam sor
ryf
or
suggest
ingit
.”
“Babecanyouj
ustl
etmebethemanher e?Youar
e
notgoi
ngtobeengagedf
ordonkeyyear
sbutri
ght
nowi
snotaf
inanci
all
ygoodt
imef
orme.
”
“
Iunder
stand.Iam sor
ry.
”
Heki
ssedhercheek.“
It
sok.
”
Shelookedathim.“
Ihavebeenthinki
ngofki ds.I
wantust ost
artt
ryi
ngforababy.Ifeell
ikeIam
gett
ingtoool
dandIstil
ldon’
thaveachi ld.Iwant
one.”
“
Ok.Canwedothataft
erwegetmar r
ied?Idon’t
wantt
ohaveanymorekidsout
sidemarri
age.”
Rebanodded.“
Iwi
llst
artcooki
ng.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofr
eshenup.
”
Hewal kedawayt aki
ngoffhisshirt.Shel ookedat
hisbroadsexybackashedi sappeareddownt he
passage.Ithadbeenawhi lesincehehadt ouched
her,t
helastt i
mewasbef orehehadt r
avelledout
andherper i
odwhi chwasappr oachingmadeher
hormonesr ageevenmor e.Shetookof fherheel s
andpickedherhandbagt henwal kedaf t
erhi m.She
undressedlisteni
ngasl
isteningtotheshoweri nthe
ensuit
e.
Withherti
ppyt
oes, Rebawalkedinsidethe
bathr
oom andlookedathim undertheshower.She
sl
idtheshowerglassdooropenandwal kedi
n.Her
bodyshiver
edast hecoldwatert
hrashedherbody.
Shehuggedhimf rom behi
nd,herbreastagai
nsthi
s
back.
At
angt
urned.“
I-
“
“
Imi
ssyou.
”
“
Canwedot
hisl
ater
?Ineedt
omakeaphonecal
l.
”
“
Babe…pl
ease…”
“
Ihaveal
otonmypl
ate.Canwedoi
tlat
er?
”
“Atangwhat’
swr
ong?Di
dIdosomet
hing
yester
day?
”
“No.Ij
ustdon’
tfeel
li
kesexr
ightnow.I
thas
nothi
ngtodowithyou.
”
“Youhavebeenoff
ishsinceyoudr
oppedoffyour
daught
eratthehot
elyester
day.Whathappened?
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Somet
hingwasdi
ff
erent
.Ar
eyouhavi
ngsecond
t
hought
s?”
“
Reba-
“
“
Ebi
leIam Reba.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Babe…”
“Somet hinghappened.Icant el
lfrom yourbehavior
.
Wehavebeent oget herformor ethanayearandnot
oncehaveyoueverwentt heentiredaywi t
hout
tal
kingt omenomat t
erhowbusyyoucanbe.You
neversay‘ met oo’.Itwast hef i
rstti
meyouever
respondedt omel i
ket hat.Thesadt hingisthatI
havebeenher ebef ore.Iknowhowi tgoes.Sheis
back.Thi ngswer efinewhi l
eshewasaway.Iasked
youi fyouwer ereallyoverherandyoul ookedmei n
theeyesandsai dyes. ”Shet ookadeepbr eathas
tearsfil
ledhereyes.Shel ookeddownnotwant i
ng
himt oseet hetearsi nhereyes.
At
angl
ookedathergui
lt
il
y.Shesmi
ledl
ikeabi
ggi
rl
t
aki
nghi
sshowergel.
“
It
’sok.Goandmakeyourcal
l.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam j
ustwor
ri
edaboutLomo.Ket
a
i
pakanya.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Haveyouchangedyourmi
nd?
”
“
Ijustneedt
ime.
”
Shest oodonhert i
ppytoesandkissedhim
touchinghisweapon.Shestrokedhisdickasher
pussyt hrobbed.Hepushedheragainstthegl
ass
wallski ssi
ngherbackashisdickslowlygoti
t’
s
erect
ion.
Hesli
dhishandbet
weenherp*ssyl
ipsthenrubbed
hercl
it
.Rebamoanedwi
thhisbigbodyagainsther
.
Hepushedinafingerandtappedherg-spor
t.Reba
sankhernai
lsi
ntohisskinthr
owingherheadback.
Hepushedinanotherfi
ngerandconti
nued
fi
nger
ingherasshemoanedpushedupagai nstt
he
mall
.
“
Att
ie…”
Atangpickedherlegcur
vi nghi
sbackandpushedin
withhi
ssemihar derect
ion.Hegentl
yeasedhis
weaponoutandpushedbacki nagai
n.Hethought
ofThabi,hisdi
ckgotsof tthemor
ehethoughtof
her
,itf
eltl
ikehewascheat
ingonher
.
Hest
oppedandsl
idoutput
ti
nghi
shandsonhi
s
f
ace.
“Iam sor
ry…Iam havingerecti
onswi t
hmydi ck.I
thi
nkIhaveerecti
ledysfuncti
on.Itst
artedawhile
back.Ihavebeentaki
ngVi agratogetitup.Iam
sorr
y.”
“
Howl
onghasi
tbeenhappeni
ng?
”
“
Amont
hnow.
”
Shet
ouchedhissof
tweaponandlookedathim
nowfeel
inggui
lt
yofcor
neri
nghi
ml i
kethat.
“Iam sorr
y.Youshoul
dhavet
oldme.Di
dyouseea
doctor?
”
“
Iam embar
rassed.
”
“Iwi
llgowit
hyouifyouwant
.Iam her
e.Don’
tbeat
your
selfupfori
t.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Thankyouf
orunder
standi
ng.
”
Rebasmil
edthenwatchedhi
m wal
koutwhi
leher
pussyt
hrobbedst
il
l.
*
**

AtMoremiGameReserve,Okavango,
Pri
ncegave
Pearlt
hel
astthr
ustandst
ill
eddeepinherf
il
li
ngher
hotpanpussywit
hhiscum.
“
Fuck!
”
Heslidoutandstaredathersweetpussy.Hecould
nevergetenoughofher.Heleanedoverandkissed
herthentouchedherbump.
“
Areyouok?
”
Sheslowl
yopenedhereyesexhaust
ed,
herpussy
bur
ning.
“
Ng…”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Pear
lsmi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Het
ouchedherbr
east
.Pear
lgotof
fbed.
“
Iam t
ir
ed.Thebabyi
sti
redt
oo.
”
Pr
incel
aughed.“
Didhet
ellyout
hat
?”
“
Yes.WhatwasLonedoi
ngal
lal
ong?
”
Shewrappedatowelar
oundbody.Pr
incel
ookedat
herandsmil
ed.
“
Wear
enotdi
scussi
ngher
.”
Pearlsatdown.“If
eelyouarenevergoi
ngtol
eave
herandatt heendIam theonewhoisgoingt
o
suff
er.”
“
LoneandIar
emarr
iedi
ncommunityofproper
ty.I
f
wegetadi
vor
ce,
sheget
shal
fofeveryt
hing.
”
“Didn’
tyouthi
nkofthatbeforeyoust ar
tedgi
ving
meki ds?WehavekidsPrince.Withthisone,
three!I
am themotherofyourchil
dren.Ideservebet
ter
thantobehiddenonjelamopl asti
king.
”
“Canyoucalm down?Thedoct
orsai
dyourbl
ood
pressur
eishi
gh.”
“
Howcani
tnotbehi
ghwhenIam al
one?
”
“
Babe,
pleaseunder
standwher
eIam comi
ngf
rom.
”
“
Iunder
standt
hatyoul
oveyourwi
feandyouwon’
t
l
eaveherf
oranythi
ng,notevenyoursons!Af
terI
gi
vebir
tht
othisone,Iam breaki
ngupwithyou.”
“Babe…lookatme…Il oveyou.Il
oveyousomuch.
AndIwoul dgi
veanythingtobewithyou.Youknow
whatIstandtolosei
fIt aket
hedivorceroute.Iam
workingonitwi
thmyl awyer.Iam notjustsit
ti
ng.
”
Pearllookedathim.“Isai
dwhatIsai
d.Iam f
our
mont hspregnantri
ghtnow.Youhavefi
vemonths
tosetthingsstr
aight
.”
Pr
inceki
ssedher
.“Ok.
”
“
Pleasegoandseewhatt
heki
dsar
edoi
ng.
”
Hegotupandputonhispant
sthenwalkedout.
Pearlst
oodupandl
ockedher
selfi
nthebathr
oom
cr
ying.

*
**

Thefol
lowingmorni
ng,Thabisl
owl
yopenedher
eyesasAtangfi
ll
edherpathwaywit
hhisharddi
c.
Hepressedherdownkissi
ngherneckandtookher
t
otheheavens.
Hegrunt
edasherpussyspasmedclampi
ngdick.
Hepusheddeeperi
ntoherpussyashi
scum came
r
ushi
ngthrough.
Hekissedherbacklet
ti
ngthel
astdropi
nthenhe
easedoutandturnedherar
ound.Hesmil
edkissi
ng
her.
“
Heybeaut
if
ul…”
Thabitouchedhi
schestsmil
ing.“
Youshoul
dbeat
yourhousewithyourper
son.
”
Thabi’
sphonerangf
rom herbedsi
de.Shereached
fori
tandpickedwhi
lehekissedherneck.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
it’
sReba.Iam sor
rytocal
lsoear
lyi
nthe
mor
ningbutIneedtotal
ktoyou.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#112

Thabi’
shear
tski
ppedasshehel
dthephone
proper
ly.
“
HiReba.
”
At
angl
ookedather
.
“Uh…Iwant edt oapol
ogizef ort
hewayIcame
acrossyest erday.TobehonestIhavebeen
expectingabi tt
erbabymamaorsomet hingalong
thoselines.Ihavebeenf eelingsoashamedabout
thewayIi ntroducedmysel f.Kefeel
abochi l
dish
hela,worsewhenyoudi dn’trespondwithsame
atti
tude.”
“
Ididn’
ttakeoff
ense.Lennai
fIwereaj
udge,
I
wouldi
ntroducemyselfl
iket
hat
.”
Rebalaughed.“
Nevert
hel
ess,Idon’
twantyou
t
hinki
ngIam thatper
sonbecausetotaIam not
.”
“
It
sok.
”
“Ihopeweneverst
eponeachot
her
’st
oes.That
’s
all
.Haveagoodday.”
“
Yout
oo.
”
Shedr oppedt
hecal
l.At
angki
ssedher
.Thabi
touchedhisbear
d.
“
She’
sni
ce.
”
“
Don’
tdot
hat
.Pl
easedon’
tdot
hat
.”
“
Whatdi
dIdo?
”
“Canwef ocusonuswhi
leIwor
konl
ett
inghergo
gentl
y?”
“
Canceri
str
icky.Idon’
tthi
nk-
“
“IknowwhatIwant.Andit’
syou.Alsoyougetti
ng
better
.Iam notwal
kingawayfrom you.Fr
om us…I
am notlet
ti
ngusdown.IwillbedealwithReba.
”
“Sheisgoi
ngt obehear
tbroken.I
t’
sgoingtobr eak
her.Shehaslovedyou,
acceptedyourchi
ld.Letyou
i
nherheart.Alloft
hatt
ojustbebroken.I
thurts.”
Hel
aidbesi
desherandpul
ledheri
nhi
sar
ms.
“Il
oveyou.Iam notgoi
ngnowhere.Iknowshei s
goi
ngtobebr oken,
Iam awar
eoft hatbutifImar
ry
herwearebothgoingtobemiser
abl e.She’
s
ever
ythi
ngbutnotf
orme.It
’snothi
ngtodowi t
h
you,i
t’
sever
ythi
ngtodowit
hme.Don’ tf
eelgui
lty.
Marryi
ngherwasal
readyquest
ionabl
e.”
Thabi
rel
axedi
nhi
sar
ms.
“Thereisadoct
ori
nSout
hAf r
ica.Hewantsto
diagnoseyousowecanst
artwithyourt
reat
ment
plan.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Wewi
llgonextweek.
.”
Thabi
movedcl
osert
ohi
m byl
aidherheheadon
hi
schest
.

*
**

I
nKasane,
rragweAt
angcal
l
edhi
syoungerbr
other
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Didyout
alkt
oAt
ang?
”
“
Idi
d.Hei
ssayi
ngt
hesamet
hing.It
hinkweshoul
d
j
ustgi
vehi
m space.Whenhehast
hemoney,
hewi
ll
t
alkt
ous.”
“Iam t
hinki
ngt
olendhim somemoney.Iwi
llsel
la
coupl
eofcowstoraisesomethi
ng.
”
“Hesaysheisgoi
ngtogetsomemoneysoon.Let
him doi
tathi
sonpace.Let
’snotcor
nerhi
m.”
“
Nooneiscorneri
nghim.Atangi
sagrownman, i
t’
s
t
imehesett
lesdown.Hisagemateshavebeen
mar
ri
edforyearsnow.
”
“LetAtangdothingsathisownspeed.Gapeaski
ng
thatgi
rlifshewantstomarryhim di
dn’
tmeanhe
wantedt odoini
ttomorrow.Hewi l
lcal
lal
luswhen
heisready.Obvi
ouslyit
’snotnow.”
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
ost
artdel
ayi
ng.
”
“I
fhedelaysitthenwewi llt
alkt
ohi m.Fornowit’
s
waytooearly.Let’
sjustwaittohearfrom hi
m.I
cal
ledhim.Whenhei sreadyhewi l
ltalkt
ous.For
nowlet’
swai t
.”
Hehungup.RragweAtangcal
ledhi
sson.Hi
s
phoner
angforawhil
e.
“
Papa…”
“Iwasthinki
ngmaybeweshouldgototheKaiaaras
sothatlewenawhenyoumarryReba,t
herewon’t
beanypr evi
ouscommi
tmentsyouarei
nvolvedin.”
“
Justl
eavei
t.Idon’
tmi
nd.
”
“
It
’st
her
ightt
hingt
odo.
”
“Papa,l
ett
hem be.Gapeaker
eever
yoneknowst
hat
ThabiandIbr
okeup.”
“Ok.Howi
sLomo?Youshoul
dbr
ingher
someti
me.
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.Iwi
llmakeapl
an.
”
“Ok.Ihopeyoudon’tt
hinkIam put
tingyouyou
underpressur
e.Ij
ustgotexci
tedtoknowt hatyou
havefoundsomeonet ofi
nall
ysett
lewith.
”
“Iam goi
ngt
omarryt hewomanIl
ove,youdon’
t
havetoworr
y.Iwi
llseether
estaf
terIhavemar
ri
ed
her.
”
Rr
agweAt
angsmi
led.“
Ok.Wewi
llwai
tforyou.
”
*
**

Latert
hatdayBatangwat
chedast
henur
se
bandagedhishands.
“
Youwi
llbef
ineonaweekort
wo.
”
“
Thankyou.Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Thenur
sel
ookedathi
m andl
aughed.“
Thankyou
son.
”
Bat
angsmil
ednaught
il
y.“
Osekawast
hol
ao
mpit
sason,
otarekgol
ega.
”
“
Youar
eol
denought
obeson.
”
“
Andyouareoldenoughtogetbendedont
hist
abl
e
t
hengetf
uckedti
llyoucan’
twalk.
”
Shel ookedathim speechl
essl
yashestar
edather
asifdar i
ngher.Hest oodupandwalkedoutwitha
smile.Thenurseoutherhandoverchestasher
heartpounded.Shest oodupandwalkedtothe
bathroom tochangeherpantyli
ner
.
Bat
angpi
ckedAt
ang’
scal
lget
ti
ngi
nhi
scar
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Ijustgi
tacal
lfr
om Lebo.Oi
rangyangyaanong
Mist
er?”
“
Itdi
dn’
tmeananyt
hing.Butnnat
otadi
stanceya
mpol
aya.
”
“
Ithoughtyoul
ovedt
hisgi
rl
?”
“Idobutdistanceisslowlyki
ll
ingever
ything.Long
distancer
elati
onshipsarenotforme.Ilongtoldher
this.“
“Iam comingthere.Wewi
llt
alkwhenIgett
here.
Thabiisherewithme.Wearehavi
ngdinnert
here.
”
“
Thabii
sher
e?”
“
Yes.Wear
ecomi
ng.
’
Batangputdownhisherphoneandst
art
edt
he
engineanddroveof
f.

*
**
Thateveni
ng,Rebaf i
nishedherdi nnersetupthen
l
itupthecandlesbeforeswitchingofftheli
ghts.
Shetookadeepbr eathstari
ngatt heromanticset
up.Shesatdownwai ti
ngpat ientl
yinherred
l
inger
ie.
.Thir
tyminuteswentbyt henshecalledhim.
“
Thi
sisaf
reeannouncement
-“
.
Shecutthecallandtext
edhim.Anhourwentbyas
shesatalone.Shecall
edagai
nbutther
ewasno
answerthenshecall
edAgang.
“
Hey…”
“Hi
.Ar
eyouwi
thyourbr
other
?Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
o
cal
lhi
m.”
“
Hei
sher
e,wear
ewat
chi
ngamat
ch.
”
Oh,
letmet
alkt
ohi
mthen.
”
“Ri
ghtnowhewentt
het
oil
et.Iwi
llaskhi
mtocal
l
younow“
“
Ok,
thanks.
”
Hehungup.Mi
nut
eswentbyt
henshecal
ledKel
ly
i
nst
ead.
“
Hi.
.”
“
Hey,
hasAt
angar
ri
vedt
her
e?”
“
Arr
ivedher
e?No.Notyet
.Hei
scomi
ng?
”
“
Yes.ToseeAgang.
”
“
Ngng,
he’
snother
eyet
.”
“
Ok,
thanks.
”
Shedroppedthecallandt
ookadeepbreat
hwait
ing.
Hernoseflar
edwitheachbreat
hshet
ookwhil
eher
hear
traced.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#113

AtBat
ang’shouse,t
hateveni
ngThabiwatchedas
Bat
angandAt angwatchedasoccermat
ch.Wi t
h
bot
hifthem suppor
ti
ngthesameteam,theymade
somuchnoi
seshef
oundher
sel
flaughi
ng.
“Thi
sguydoesn’
tknowwhathe’
sdoi
ng.He’
s
self
ish!
”
Theyconti
nuedwatchi
ng,Thabil
ookedaround
Batang’
shouse.Onthewallwasapict
ureoffr
ame
ofhim wi
thLomo.Shenibbledonherf
oodgetti
ng
l
ostinherthought
swhil
elyingonacouch.
From t
heothercouchAtanglookedoveratThabi
whowasst ar
ingatthenothi
ng.Themat chwenton
halft
ime.Hestoodupandsatwi thher
.
“
Hey…”
Thabi
slowl
ylookedathi
m.Shesmi
led.“
Hi…”
Heki
ssedher.Bat
anglookedatt
hem t
henst
oodup
andwal
kedtothekit
chen.
Thabi
smi
led.“
Theyar
eonhal
ft
ime?
”
“
Yes.Ar
eyouok?
”
Thabinodded.“
Yes.Justt
ir
ed.Myheadi
sachi
ng
too.
”
“
Shoul
dIgoandgetyousomet
hingatt
he
phar
macy?
”
“
No.I
t’
sok.Wat
chyourmat
ch.
”
“Iwon’tt
akel
ong.Iam comi
ng.Iwi
llgowi
th
Batang.”
“
Att
ie…i
t’
sok.
”
Heki
ssedher
.“Wear
ecomi
ng.
”
Hewal
kedt
otheki
tchen.“
Let
sgo.
”
Bat
angl
ookedathi
m.“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”
“
Youwi
llsee.Let
’sgo.
”
Theywal
kedout.Thabil
aidonthecushionont
he
couchst
ari
ngattheTV.Hervisi
ongotblurr
edt
he
moreshestar
ed,shesni
ffedt
earful
ly.
Herphonerangf
rom t
hesmal
ltabl
e.Hesl
owl
y
r
eachedforit
.
“
Zaza…”
“
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?Iam bor
ed.
”
“Iam wit
hBat
angandAt
ti
e.Theyar
ewat
chi
ng
soccer.
”
“
Atang?Youguys…i
sn’
theengagednow?
”
“
Hei
s.”
“Whatareyouguysdoi ngthen?Didn’
tyoubreakup
withhim?Kant emmegonewhydoyoudot histo
people?Yout woendedthingsundert
hepretextof
therelat
ionshi
pnotworkingoutandnowyouar e
backatitagainhurt
ingotherpeopl
einthemix.”
“
Myheadi
sachi
ng.Iam hangi
ngup.
”
“
Iam j
ustconcer
ned.
”
“
Thankyou.ButIam f
ine.
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngt
ohappennow?
”
“Idon’
tknowZaza.ButIam sur
eshewi
llhavehi
m
attheend.
”
“Idon’
tsuppor
tthi
s.I
t’sunnecessary.Idon’
teven
underst
andwhyyout wobrokeupi fitwastoget
backtoget
heragai
n.”
“YouarethelastpersontojudgeanyoneZaza.You
havedonewor serthingsi
nlif
e.Wewi l
ltal
k.Ihave
enoughonmypl at
et obelectur
edandjudged.
Goodnight.
”
*
**

Rebat
ear
ful
lyspoket
ohersi
ster
.
“
Hehaschanged.
”
“
Yousaidhehaderecti
ledysf
unct
ion.Whati
fthat
’s
whatst
ressi
nghi
m? ”
“
Itst
art
edtheni
ghthedr
oppedof
fhi
sdaught
erat
t
hehotel
.”
“
Reba…”
Rebasni
ffed.“
Ithi
nkhe’
schangedhi
smi
ndor
somet
hing.”
“Idoubti
t.Notaft
erwhathewentt
hrought
oeven
proposetoyou.”
“
Iwi
llki
llmysel
fthi
sti
mear
ound.
”
“
Canyouni
ttal
kli
ket
hat
.”
Shesni
ffed.“I
fhepl
aysmeIam goi
ngt
oki
llhi
m
thenmyself
.”
“
Idon’
tli
kewhatyouar
esayi
ng.
”
“Iam t
elli
ngyou.Atangi
snotgoingtol
eaveme.
Notafterever
ythi
ng.Notaf
terwasti
ngmytime.
“
Yousoundcr
azy.Idon’
tli
kei
t.
”

*
**

Onthewayt
omal
l,
Atangl
ookedatBat
angwhi
le
dr
ivi
ng.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Idon’tt
hinkIcanmanageal ongdi
stance
rel
ati
onships.Ifi
ndmysel
flookingf
orsomeone
whoi stherewhenIneedher.Leboi
snotalways
avail
able.
”
“
Didyout
ellhert
hat
?Don’
tyout
hinkshedeser
ves
t
oknow?”
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
oher
.”
“
Dothat
.Bewiththewomanyoulove.Gabor
onei
s
t
ri
ckyBat
ang.Don’tl
eavet
hewomanwhowaswi th
youwhenyouhadnot hi
ng.Shesawsomet hi
ngin
you.Lovedyou.Everygi
rlhasadiff
erentkindof
p*ssy.Theydon’
ttastet
hesame.Youwi l
lnever
fi
nishallthewomen.Leboistheoneyoul ove.Don’
t
l
oseher .”
“
Ok.
”
Henodded.At
angpar
kedatt
hemal
l.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hesteppedoutoft
hecarandwal
kedi nsi
dethe
mall
.Hetookouthi
sphoneandswitchediton
get
ti
ngThabi’
sheadachemedi
cat
ion.
Helookedatthetwomessagesf
rom Rebaand
cal
ledherback.
“
Hey.
..
”
“Whereareyou?Pleasedon’
tsaywit
hAgang
becauseIknowyouar enott
herenei
therar
eyou
wit
hPr i
nce.Don’
tli
etome.Wher ear
eyou?”
“
Iam wi
thBat
ang.
”
“
Yourex’
sbr
other
?”
“
Heneededhel
p.”
“
Whyareyoust
il
lincont
actwi
thRet
habi
le’
s
f
ami
ly?
”
“
BecauseIhaveadaught
ert
her
e.”
“
Ihavebeencall
ingyou.Yourphonehasbeenof
f.
What’
sgoingonAgang? ”
“
Iwasbusy.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Wher
edoesBat
angst
ay?
”
“
Reba-
“
“Iam notcomfor
tabl
ewit
hthesetup.I
tfeel
sli
ke
youarestil
lhol
dingont
oRethabi
le.
”
“
Iam hi
sfat
her
.Ir
aisedhi
m.”
“Sowhatifyourai
sedhim?Iam notcomfor
tabl
e
wit
hthesetup.Ihaveneverbeen.Youpayhi
srent
,
youboughthim acar
,yousendhim moneyever
y
month.I
t’
sal ot
.Iam notcomfor
tabl
ewithi
t.
”
“Ir
aisedthi
sboy.Ican’
tjustdr
ophi
m becauseyou
arenotcomfor
tablewit
hit.”
“
Woul
dyoul
ikei
tifIwer
est
il
ltaki
ngcar
eofmy
ex’
sbrother
?Pleasecomehome.Ihavebeen
wait
ingforyou.Kekopaot
lel
apeng.(Pl
easecome
home.)”
“
Reba-
“
“At
angplease…”Hershookasshespokel
ike
someonewhowascr ying.“
Pleasecomehome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupandpai
d.At
angwal
kedbackgohi
scar
andj
umpedin.
Hest
art
edthecaranddr
oveof
fhol
dingt
he
medi
cat
ion.
AtBat
ang’
shouse,
Atanghel
pedThabidr
inkher
pi
ll
s.
“
Letmedr
opyouof
f.
”
Thabi
huggedherbr
other
.“Il
ikeyourhouse.
”
“
Thanks.Iam happyyouar
eback.
”
Theywalkedoutandgotint
hecar .Thabilookedat
hi
m andsmi l
edbeforel
ooki
ngoutt hewindowwhi l
e
bedrove.Heparkedatt
hehotelandwal kedtoher
r
oom wi
thher
.
“
Iam movi
ngt
omyhouset
omor
row.
”
Heki
ssedher
.“Ok.
”
“Canyougohomeandgiveyourfi
ancésome
att
ent
ion?Don’
tcomei
nthemor ni
ng.St
ayat
home.”
“
Iloveyou.
”
Thabi
satdownashewal
kedout
.

*
**

AtAtang’
shouse,Rebapacedupanddownhol
ding
herphonethenshecal
ledhi
m.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam dr
ivi
nghome.Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
“
OtsamayahakaeAt
ang!
”
“
Iam t
enmi
nut
esaway.
”
Rebahungupandl ookedattheti
me..Exact
ly
twelveminut
esl
aterhedrovein.Shetookadeep
breathashewal
kedin.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Itol
dyouwher
eIwas.
”
“
Thewhol
edaywher
ewer
eyou?
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Answerme!”Sheyel
ledl
osi
ngi
t.“
Wher
ewer
eyou
t
hewholedayAtang?
”
“
Iwasvi
ewi
ngt
hef
lat
s.”
“Thatyoufor
gotyouhavesomeoneinyourl
ife?
”
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes.Shel
ookeduptokeepthem at
baybutonestil
lrol
l
eddown.“What’
sgoingon?”
“
Don’
ttal
ktomeasi
fIam yourchi
ld.
”
“Iwi
llt
alktoyouhoweverIwantwhenyoubehave
l
ikeachild!Youhavechanged.Wher
eismyAtang?
Becausethisisnothi
m.”
“
Babe-
“
Anot
hert
earr
oll
eddown.“
Whathappenedt
omy
man?Whyareyouhurt
ingmeneerra?Whatdi
dIdo?
Pl
easet
ellmewhatIdi
d.Isi
tyourex?”
“
No.Iam sor
ry-
“
“Thi
ngswereper
fectbef
oreshecamet
henshe
cameback…”
“
Canwecal
m down?
“I
fyout hi
nkyoucanpl aymeAt angyouar ewr ong.
Notaf tereveryt
hing.Iwi l
lkil
lyout henmysel f.I
promi seyouIwi l
lkillyou.Af teryouaredeadt henI
willki
llmysel f
.Trustmeont his.Youwon’tpl ay
withmyf eeli
ngsandgetawaywi thi
t.Everything
wasf inetil
lshecameback.Ihavedonenot hingbut
l
oveyou.Youwi l
lnothumi li
atemeAt ang.
.youwi l
l
notembar rassme.Iwi llki
llbot hofusifyout ryit
.I
sweart oyou.Shewi llburryyou.Iswearonmy
mot her’sgrave.I
fyouhaveal waysgot t
enaway
withhur ti
ngpeopl e,
thist i
meyouwi llgetawaywi t
h
i
tinyourgr ave.
”
“
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
”
“
No.Iam t
ell
ingyou.I
t’
sapr
omi
se.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#114

At
anglookedatherasshebr
eat
hedheavi
lyt
ryi
ng
t
oholdhertear
sback.Heputhi
shandsonher
wai
st.
“
Hey…”
Shel
ookedathi
mtear
ful
ly.
“
It
’sok.Cal
m down.
”
“Youarehur
ti
ngme.Idi
dn’
tanyt
hing.
”Hervoi
ce
brokeasshespoke.
Atangwr
appedhisarmsaroundher.Shesniff
edin
hisar
ms.At
angpickedherupandwal kedtothe
couchwi
thhert
hensatdown, heronhislap.
“
Iwantt
obehonestwi
thyou.CanI
?”
Shenodded.“ WhenImetyouIhadbr okenupwi t
h
Thabi .Iwasr eadyf oraf reshst ar
tbecausemy
relati
onshi pwi thherhadf ailed.Iknowi ttookt ime
foryout oletdownyourwal lsandletmei n.Iknow
i
tt ookyouawhi l
etol oveme.Iwaspat i
entenough
withyoubutIr eali
zedsomet hingthel astcoupl eof
mont hs.You’ dratherIleaveLomowi thAgangso
wecanbet ogether.Whi chi snotwr ongwhenwe
wantt ospendqual ityti
met ogetherbuti thappens
allthet i
me.Youdon’ twantmydaught eraround
andIdon’ tbeevenknowwhy.Twomont hsback
youaskedmewhyIcan’ tgivemydaught ertostay
withmymot her.Iaskedyouwhyandyousai dsoi t
makest hingseasi erf ormeyetyouf oundmewi tha
child.Iknowmydaught erbutshei sal sonotf ree
aroundyou.Younevert rytoconnectwi thher .You
aredi stant.You’ dratherpl ayagameonyourphone
thant alktoher .Itdoesn’ thavet obehect ic
conver sation.Justasi mpl etalktogethert oloosen
up.Exact l
yf i
vemont hsago, Iwassur eitwasyouI
wasgoi ngt omar r
y.Ispoket omyf atheraboutand
Itookyout oKasanet omeetmypar ents.NowIam
notsur ebecauseal readyyouwantLomot ost ay
wi
thhermot
herundersomel
ousyexcuse.
”
“Younevertol
dmeIhadt
opl
ayst
epmot
hert
oyour
daught
er.”
“Idi
dn’texpectyoutoplayst
epmot hert
omy
daughter,I
..eit
herway,i
fIam marr
yingyou,I
expectyout o.I
fyouneverconnect
edwithher,how
areyougoi ngtodoitnow?”
“
Youar
ejustl
ooki
ngf
orr
easonst
oshi
ftbl
ame.
”
“Iam t
ryi
ngt
oletyouseewher
ewear
ehavi
ngaf
all
out.
”
“Youar el
ying!Youwantt osayiti
sthereasonyou
havebeenact ingf unny.Youaretr
yingtoblameme
foryouractions.Youwantmet oapologi
zef oryour
behaviorbecausenowal lofasuddenit’
smyf aul
t
thatyouactdi f
ferent.Otswakae?(Wher eareyou
comingf r
om? )”
“
Iwaswi
thBat
ang.
”
Shegotupandl
ookedathi
m.“
Youar
elyi
ng!
”
“
Cal
lhi
m andaskhi
m..
”
“
Iwantt
oseeyourbankbal
ance…youar
elyi
ngt
o
meaboutt
he8k.Ret
habi
lei
sther
easonyouar
enot
sur
eanymore.
”
“Youar ethereasonIhaven’ tbeensur eanymore.
Ret habi
ledidnothingbutyouknowwhat ?Iwoul d
rathermar r
yhert hanyoubecauseIknowshel oves
mydaught er
.Mydaught erwi llal
wayscomef i
rstto
me.I fyoucan’trelatewithhert henwemi ghtas
wel lendit
.Iam tiredofwal kingoneggshel lswith
you.Iam notanyofyourex, Iconstantl
yhaveto
provemysel ftoyouandgett hreatened.Iam sick
ofit.Youneedt or eali
zethatnotever yoneisyour
ex.”
“
Sonowyou’
drat
hermar
ryher
?”
“Yesbecauseshel ovesmydaught er
.Ifyoucan’ t
acceptamen’ schildt
henforgettherelat
ionship.
Mydaught erwillbewhereIam.Iwi l
lneverpar t
withher.Beitwegetmar ri
ed,shewillbestaying
withus.That’
sonet hingt
hatyouwon’ teverchange
soifyoucan’tlovehernow,forgeti
t.
”
“SonowLomoisyourexcusef
ornotcall
ingand
bei
ngGodknowswhere?Sheistheexcuse?”
“IwaswithBat
ang.Bat angi
snotgoinganywher
e.
He’sbeeninmylifelongbef
oreyou.Youfoundhi
m
t
hereandbewi l
lforeverbet
here.
”
“Thi
ngswer
efi
nebef
oreshecame.Doyoust
il
llove
her?
”
“
Iam notanswer
ingt
hat
.”
“Youarenotgoingtohurtmeandgetawaywi thit
.”
Shesniffedcryi
ng.“
Youar enotgoingtogetaway
withi
t.Youcameaf terme.Youmademel oveyou.I
havebeennot hi
ngbutgoodt oyou.Ifyouhada
probl
em wi t
hhowIwasi nter
acti
ngwi thyour
daughteryoucouldhavesaidsomet hi
ng.I’drat
her
bedeadt hangethumili
atedandembar rassedby
you.”
“Thenlet
’sendi
tnowbeforewegof ar
.Let’sbr
eak
up.AndtobehonestIdon’
tthi
nkwear erightf
or
eachother.Mydaught
erandIarenotforyou.Let
’s
endit.
”
Hewal
kedtot
hebedroom l
eavi
ngsherst
andi
ngi
n
t
hemiddl
eoft
hesit
ti
ngroom cryi
ng.
*
**

Thefoll
owingmorni
ng,Lonefini
shedwithheryoga
exer
cisesandst
oodupf rom t
hemat .Shepi
cked
herphoneandstoppedthemusicthencall
edPrince.
“
Thenumberyouhave-
“
Shedroppedthecal
landwalkedtotheki
tchen
wher
eshemadeher sel
fasmoothiegoi
ngthrough
somepictur
eswithherhusband.
Shesmiledatt
heirweddi
ngpictur
ethenchanged
hersoci
almediaprof
il
epict
ures.
Shequicklybl endedheri
ngredi
entsthensatdown
scrol
li
ngthr oughherFacebook.Shepaused
comingacr ossapostonapaget hatposted
people’
sprobl ems.Shesatuprightseei
ngthatit
hadonlybeenpost ed30minutesbackbutalready
i
thad3. 5kcomment s.

‘
Hiadmin,pl
easepostmeanonymous.Ihavea
pr
oblem,ImetthemanIam wit
htwoyearsback.I
am someonewho’ sbeenhur tal otinthepast .
Whent hismanappr oachedIr ejectedhi mf or
mont hsandf i
nal l
ygavei nt houghIhadexpl ained
tohi m whyIwoul dr atherbesi ngle.Iam someone
who’ sdat edbabydaddi esandhavet hor oughl y
beenhur tsoIdon’ tlikemenwi thki ds.
Unfor tunat elyt hisonehasachi l
dhest aysf ullti
me
with.Ihaveneverconnect edwi t
hhi schi ld, Itried
butf aileduponr eali
zi ngt hatt hischi l
dlooksexact l
y
l
ikehermot herandInowst art
edf eel i
ngl ikeIwas
compet i
ng.Ihaveal wayskeptdi stancebet ween
mysel fandt hischi l
d.Idon’ that eherbutaf t ermy
pastexper i
ences, Ij
ustwantt obesaf er athert han
sorry.AndIal soj ustwantt ogi vemyf i
rstl ovet o
mychi ldren.Ist ayedwi thhi m notconcer nedabout
thechi l
dbecausehehadsai dthechi ld’
smot her
wasgoi ngt ot akeherchi ldandl ivewi thher , t
he
mot herwasbasedout si
deBot swana.Al lalong
everyt hinghasbeenf i
net illtheexcameback.Guy
hasbeenact ingf unny.Heusedt ocal lmeort ext
medur ingt heday.Nowhedoesn’ tanymor e.Iam at
ast agewher eIhaver eachedt heedge.Hesayswe
shoul dbr eakupbecauseIdon’ tconnectwi t hhi s
chil
dbutIcanseehewant shi sexback.Ihad
askedhi mifhewasoverhi sexbeforewest arted
dating,hesaidyesbuthisactionsayother
wi senow.
Myhear ti
sbreaki
ng.Idon’tknowwhatt odo, Ifeel
playedandused.Iam t hi
nkingofkil
li
ngthebot hof
us.Ilovehim somuch, Iam notpsycho,i
fhewasn’ t
overhisex, Iwant
edhimt ojusttel
lmeinsteadof
l
yingt ome, mindyou,wear eengaged.
’
Lonet
ookscr
eenshotandsentt
oKel
ly.
Kel
lyr
esponded.
Kel
ly:
Heee
Lone:I
tsoundsf
ami
li
ar
Kell
y:Idoubtthough,kanaRebaisawomanof
cl
ass.IdoubtsheevenhasFacebookgapehel a
womanl i
keherdon’ tt
alkaboutki
ll
ingt
hemsel
ves.
It
’srar
etota.Shehaseveryoneshecaneverneed.
Lone:Youar
eri
ghtt
hough.Butf
orasecondt
her
eI
wasgone
Kel
ly:
No.I
t’
snother
.
Lone:Pr
ince’
snumberi
sst
il
lnotgoi
ngt
hrough.
Kell
y:Heisworki
ng.He’
sasol
dier
.Idoubthehad
ti
mef orhi
sphone.Thammacanyoujustwai
tfor
yourman?
Lone:Ei
shok.Iam doi
ngavl
ogtodayf
ormy
YouTubechannel
.Wanttof
eatur
e?”
Kel
ly:
Yes.Countmei
n.
Lone:maybewecangof
orshoppi
ngf
orcont
ent
.
Kel
ly:
Ok.LetaskAgangt
osendmesomemoney.
Lone:BythewayIhavebeenthi
nkingifgoi
ngback
toschool
..
nnammaIam bor edhereathome.
MaybeifIhadki
dsli
keyouitwouldn’tbesobor
ing.
Kell
y:What’
stheuseofgoi ngtoschooli
fyouwon’
t
getajob?It
’sbeenyear
sebi l
ennaIgaveup.Iam
goodbeingahousewi f
ebecauseAgangpr ovi
des
formeandhel ovesme.Youwi llwast
eyourti
meat
schoolonl
ytobeunempl oyed.
Lone:Ij
ustwantsomethingtodo.EvenifIdon’
t
workatleastI’
dhavesomethi
ng.Iwasinmyt hi
rd
yeararvarsi
tywhenIdroppedout.Iwantto
conti
nue.
Kel
ly:
Youwi
llbewast
ingyourownt
imebut
Lone:Comel
et’
sst
artshoot
ing.
Kel
ly:
Comi
ng.

*
**

Thabif
ini
shedtypi
ngherbusi
nesspl
anfort
he
cl
ini
cthensmiledgoi
ngthr
oughit
.Shefi
xeda
coupl
eoferror
sandsavedthedocument
.
Herphoner
angasshecl
osedherl
apt
op.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Goodmor ni
ngMsKai
sar
a.Yourf
urni
tur
eisr
eady
f
ordel
iver
y.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Ok.Iam sendi
ngyout
headdr
ess.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Shesentthem t
headdresst
oherhousethengotof
f
bedandputonhershoesbeforewalki
ngout
hol
dingherhandbagandcarkeys.
Shegoti
nhercaranddr
oveof
fpi
cki
ngAt
ang’
scal
l.
“
Hey.
.“
“Doyouhavepl
anst
oday?Iwantt
otakeyou
somewhere.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Somewher
ewher
e?”
“
Somewher
eal
one.
”
Shesmiled.“
Ok.Iam onmywayt
ohousenow.The
fur
nit
ureisbei
ngdeli
vered.
”
“Ok.Iam comi
ngther
e.Bytheway,Ihaveputup
ournamesattheDC’soff
ice.Bye.
”
Hedroppedthecal
l
.Thabil
ookedatherphonei
n
shocksl
owingdowntothemorni
ngtraff
ic.

*
**

AtAtang’shouse,Rebatearful
lylai
dont hebed
huggingthepil
low.Hersisterconti
nuouslycal
led
herwhi l
eshelaidst
il
lcr
ying.Shesl owl
ygotupa
whil
el at
erandmadeacal l
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi,
Iwantant
i-
fr
eeze.HowsooncanIgeti
t?”
“
Ant
i-
fr
eeze?
”
“
Yes.HowsooncanIgeti
t?”
“
Today.
”
“
Thankyou.CanIpassbycol
lect
ingi
t?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Sheputonherclot
hest
henwal
kedout
.Shedr
ove
offl
ooki
ngattheti
me.

.
.
.
Mor
ning,
thi
sisourmor
ningi
nser
t.
Your
sTr
uly
#115
Thabismil
edst
ari
ngathernewfurni
tur
einher
house.Themenfr
om t
hefurni
tur
eshopsmiledat
her.
“
Wear
edone.
”
“
Thankyou.Il
ovei
t.
”
“
Eemma.
”
Shewalkedoutwit
hthem.Herphonevi
brat
edinher
pocketasshest
oodbythedoorwatchi
ngthem
dri
veoff.
Shet
ooki
toutandpi
ckedt
hel
andl
ine.
“
Dr.Kai
sar
a,hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.
”
Thabipausedt
henl
aughed.“
Itol
dyout
onevercal
l
me.”
Pul
echuckl
ed.“
Idon’
tbl
ameyou.
”
“
Wher
edi
dyougetmynumber
?”
“
Isawyoul
ist
edundermot
ivat
ionalspeaker
swho
aresupposedt
ospeakt of
irstyearmedici
ne
student
satUB..yournumberwasl i
stedunderyour
name.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Whatdoyouwant
?”
“
Iwantt
oseeyou.Iam asi
ngl
efat
her
.”
“
Idon’
tbel
ieveyou.Youwantyourwi
fet
osueme.
”
“Ourdivor
cewasfinal
izedt
hreemonthsback.I
t’
s
over.Isawyourexisnowdatingaj
udge.
”
“
Goodf
orhi
m.Iam sor
ryaboutyourdi
vor
ce.
”
“
Iam overi
t.I
twasnotmeantt
obe.
”
Atang’
scardrovei
nthr
ought
heopengate.He
parkednextt
ohercart
henst
eppedoutf
ixi
nghis
cap.
Hewasmor ebuffedup,shewonderedifi
twas
workorhimj ustgoi
ngtot hegym.Shelookedathi
s
t-
shirtwhi
chwashol di
ngont ohismusclesthen
thatbroadchest.
.thatchestshelai
dunderwhil
e
hebreathedheavil
yont opofher.
Hewalkedwit
hintent
ion,
shetookadeepbreat
has
hecl
osedthedist
ancebetweenthem l
ikeaj
aguar
comingfori
t’
sprey.Hereyeswentdowntothatzi
p,
shetookadeepbreathstari
ngatt
hatbump.Baby
daddywasn’
tjustanor di
nar
yman…no, hewasway
pastj
ustbei
ngordinary.
Hel ookedinhereyesappr
oachi
ng,hisvei
ned
tatt
ooedarmsal r
eadyopen.Hewrappedthem
aroundherpulli
ngherinhi
sarmsandsqueezedher
thatsheletoutasli
ghtmoan.Yeeer
rr!Whata
machoman.
Hekissedhernecklet
ti
nghi sbear
dcar
essherski
n.
Goosebumpseruptedfrom herski
nassheputher
handoverhisbi
cepsfeeli
nghisweapononher
stomach.
“
Hey…”
“
Hel
lo?Thabi
?”Pul
espokeovert
hephone.
“
Hi,
Ihavet
ogo.Bye.
”
ShehungupandsighedinAtang’
sar ms.Hel
etgo
andki
ssedherli
ps,
heturnedthekissint
oafr
ench
ki
ssashishandswenttogetbutt
.
Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngagai
n.Heseal
edt
heki
ss
wi
thababyki
sst
henl
ookedatherscr
een.
“
Who’
sthat
?”
Thabi
lookedatherscr
een.“
Pul
e.”
“
Youst
il
ltal
ktohi
m?”
“
No.
”
“
Whyi
shecal
li
ng?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.HesayshegotmynumberatUB.
”
Thabipi
cked.“
Hi.Iwoul
dappreci
ateitifyouandI
don’
tcommunicateatal
l.Pl
easerespectmyspace
andthankyou.
”
Shedroppedthecal
landsmi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
s
annoyedface.
“
Ongadi
le?(
Areyouupset
?)”
Hepinchedhercheekt
henki
ssedher
.“Canhebe
outofl
ivesf
orgood?”
Thabi
nodded.“
Yes.Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
”
“
Weneverwentt
oVi
cFal
ls.Iwantt
otakeyou
t
her
e.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Dot
heydobunj
eej
umpi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Arewegoi
ngt
oday?
”
Hesqueezedherbr
east
s.“
Yes.Wear
edr
ivi
ng.
”
“
Youneversai
danyt
hingaboutt
hebaby…”
“Ir
eadaboutChemo.It’
snotgoodf
orthebabyandI
don’twantanyt
hingt
hatcanj
eopar
dizeyouget
ti
ng
thehelpyouneedtoget
.”
“Wecanfindasurrogat
e.Someonetocar
ryour
baby.Al
ltheyneedisyoursemenandmyeggs.
”
“Babecanwejusthaveourbabyonceyouar
ewel
l
?
CanIjustwor
ryaboutyouonly?
”
“Wedon’
thavet
oworryaboutanyt
hing.Wej
ust
needsomeonewhoi
shealthy.
”
“Iwanttobeabl etoconnectwit
hmychildf
reel
y.
Canwej ustdealwitht
hecancerfornow?Assoon
aswearedonewi t
hyourtreat
mentandyouare
cancerf
ree,Iwil
lgiveyouthebaby.
”
“
Itmi
ghtt
akeyear
sti
llIam cancerf
ree.Ordon’
t
youwantachi
ld?
”
“YouknowIdo.Rightnowi snott
her
ightt
imi
ng.
Youarenotdyi
ng.West i
llhaveti
met
omaket he
baby.
”
Atearr
oll
eddown.At
angwi
pedi
tawaywi
thhi
s
t
humb.
“
Babe…”
“Youdon’tknowhowt hiswil
lgo.St
age3canceris
nochildplay.It
’saggressi
ve.I
tcantakemet wo
yearstowint hebattl
e.Idon’
tevenunderst
andyour
reasoni
nganymor e.I
fyoudon’twanttohavea
chil
dwi t
hmesayso. ”
“
Ok.
.it
’sok.Wecanhavet
hebaby.
”
Thabi
sni
ff
edsmi
li
ng.“
Thankyou.
”
“
Olel
elang?(
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
)”
Shesmi
led.“
Youar
emaki
ngmecr
y.”
Heki
ssedher
.“Sor
ryaut
wa?
”
Thabi
blushedandspokesof
tl
y.“
Eer
ra.
”
At
ang’
sphoner
angi
nhi
spocket
.Het
ooki
tout
,
ThabilookedatRebacal
li
ngt
hent
urnedand
walkedinsidet
hehouse.
At
anganswer
ed.
“
Yah?
”
Rebasni ffed.“Iam sor ryIwasdi stantt oLomo.I
guessl ovi ngyoumeansl ovingever ythingt hat
comeswi thyou.Ishoul dhavet r
iedhar der.Idon’ t
hateLomo.Ij ustfearlovingsomeone’ schi ldt hen
havehert akenawayf rom me.Ifearbei ngl abeled
bythechi ld’
smot her .Icouldhavebeenbet ter,I
agree.Icoul dhavedoneal otbetter.Ishoul dhave
communi catedmyf earswi thyou.Kei ponaposo
andIwantt of i
xit.Idon’twantt osepar ateyouf r
om
yourchi ld.Youar eagoodf ather
, Idof eellikeyou
spoilhert oomuchsomet imesbutIt hinkit’s
becauseIdon’ thaveachi l
dsoIcan’ tjudgeyouor
beopi nionat ed.Iam sor ry.Icanfixit.It’snot hingI
can’tfi
x.”
“
Wewi l
ltal
k.Iam goi
ngforawor
ktr
ipupnor
th.I
wil
lbebacknextweek“
“
Ok.CanIseeyoubef
oreyougot
hen?Idon’
twant
yougoingfeeli
ngthewayIf eel
.Ifeell
ikeIam
l
osingyou.Iam scared.Iam soscared.Ifeel
sui
cidal
.Idon’tknowbutmaybei t
’sbecauseIhave
l
ovedyouwi theveryt
hinginme.”
“Iam l
eavi
ngnow.Wewi
lldi
scussever
ythi
ngonceI
comeback.”
“If
eell
ikeyouar
elyi
ng.Ar
eyout
aki
ngherwi
th
you?”
“
Don’tyouthi
nki
t’
sbestwejustbreakupbecause
t
hisbackandfor
thbusi
nessisstart
ingt
oboreme.”
Rebasni
ff
ed.“
Iam sor
ry.I
t’
sok.Iam sor
ry.
”
“Iam goingwit
hRaps.Youcancallhimifyouwant
butbecar ef
ulofhi
swif
e.Shedoesn’tl
ikewomen
whocal lherman.”
“
No.I
t’
sok.
”
“
Ok.Shar
p.”
“Il
oveyouAtang.”Shepausedcr
ying.“
Iloveyouso
much.Keirengneerr
a?(WhatshouldIdo?)Iwi
lldo
anythi
ng.WhatshouldIdo?”
“
Wewi
llt
alkwhenIcomeback.Il
oveyout
oo.
.”
Hehungupandwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.

*
**

Rebasati nhercarcr yingholdingherphone.She

l
ookedatt heanti-
freezei nhercarthensniff
ed
taki
ngit.Sheopenedt hebot t
leoforangejui
cethem
pouredantif
reezeinsi de.Sheclosedthebottl
ethem
shookitbeforelookingar oundt hest
reet
.She
l
ookedatLomopl ayi ngwi t
hhercousinsoutside
mmagweKel ly’
sgat e.
Aschoolki
dwal
kedpasther
.
“
Hey.
.come…”
Theschoolki
dtur
nedandwalkedbackcar
ryi
ngher
heavybagfi
ll
edwit
hbooks.
“
Dumel
ang.
.”
“Hi
,doyouseethatchil
dinthebluedress?Sheis
mydaughtervi
sit
inghergrandmother.Idon’
twant
hert
oseeme, shewil
lcryformei fshedoes.Gi
ve
hert
hisj
uice.
”
Shehandedi
tovert
oget
herwi
thaP10not
e.
“
Getyour
sel
fmagwi
nya.
”
Theschoolki
dsmil
ed.“
Eemma.Shoul
dIt
ellheri
t’
s
fr
om hermother
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theschoolki
dwalkedawayandwentovert
oLomo.
Rebastar
tedther
entalcaranddr
oveof
f.
Abal
engst
art
edcal
l
ing.Rebapi
cked.“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Okae?
”
“
Iam goi
nghome.
”
“
Whatdi
dhesay?
”
“
Hei
sgoi
ngonawor
ktr
ip.Iapol
ogi
zed.
”
“
Good.Nowyouhavet
olear
nlovi
nghi
sdaught
er.“
“
Yes.
”
“
It
snothar
d.Justopenupyourhear
ttoi
t.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Ihavet
ogo.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Ok.
”
Rebaj
oinedt
heA1r
oaddr
ivi
ngbackhome.

*
**

Lomogotthejui
ceandspokewi
thherEngl
ish
medi
um Engli
sh.
“
Mymom washer
e?”
Theschoolki
dnodded.“Butshel
eft
.Shesai
dI
shoul
dgiveyout
hat.Bye.”
Lomosmil
edopeningt
hecol
djui
cewhi
leher
cousi
nsal
sowait
edtodri
nk.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#116
Lomoopenedthej
uiceandsi
ppedsmil
ing.Her
cousi
nsswal
lowedassheswall
owed.
“
Youcandr
inkt
oo.
”
MmagweKel
lywal
kedover
.
“
Lomo,
whatar
eyout
hreedr
inki
ngt
her
e?”
“
Mamaboughtmej
uice.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Shewent
.”
“Gi
vemet hat
.Iwi
llpourf
oryoui
ngl
asses.How
canyourmotherj
ustcomeandgowi
thoutgreet
ing
peopl
e?”
Shetookthejuiceandwalkedinsi
dethehousewi
th
theki
dsfoll
owingbehindher.Shetookouther
phoneandcalledAtang.
“
Mama.
.”
“KanteyaanongmmagweLomocomesanddoesn’
t
greetpeopl
e?”
“
MmagweLomo?
”
“Yes.Shejustdroppedasmallbott
leofj
uicefor
Lomo.Ijustdon’tunder
standwhyshewoul dcome
andleavewithoutgreet
ingpeopl
ekanakedilotsa
goAmer i
ca? ”
“
Mamawee,
mmagweLomokemangyaanong?
”
“
Ret
habi
le.
”
“
Ret
habi
lei
sher
ewi
thme.
”
“
Thenwhocameifnother
.KanaLomoisher
ewi
th
j
uicet
hatwasbr
oughtbyhermot
her.
”
“
Iam her
ewi
thThabi
.Di
dLomoseet
hisper
son?
”
MmagweKel
lyl
ookedatLomo.“
Lomo,
didyousee
mama?”
“No.Sheaskedachi
ldt
ogi
vei
ttome.Ionl
ysawa
car.
”
“
Whatcar
?”
“
Onel
ikemmagweO’
s.”
MmagweKel
lyspokeont
hephone.
.“AHondaFi
t.
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhot
hati
s.Di
dshedr
ink?
”
“
Judtasi
p.Notmuch.
”
“Hermot
heri
shere.Idon’
tknowwhodrivesa
HondaFi
t.Pl
easedon’tl
ett
hem dr
inki
t.
”
“Ok.Letmet hr
owi taway.Kanatherei
saHondaFi t
thatki
dnapskids.Ithi
nkshewast ryi
ngtolur
ethe
kidswit
hjuice.Iam notl
etti
ngthem outofmysight
anymore.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
SoifThabii
swi
thyou,
wher
eist
hatot
her
woman?”
“
Mamabye.
”
Hehungupbef oreshecoul
dsayanyt hi
ng.She
shookherheadandspill
edthej
uiceinthesinkt
hen
pouredt
hem afizzydr
inkfr
om t
hef r
idge.”

*
**

Rebawal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse,
herhear
tpoundi
ng.
Shewonder
edifLomohaddr
ankt hej
uice.Hergui
lt
madeherst
andupandpacearound.
Herhear
tpoundedsomuchthatshefel
tabi
tdizzy
t
hem shesl
owlysatdown.Sheswall
owedshaki
ng.
Whenhadshebecomeamur dere?
Sheswallowedthenstooduppacingagain.Whati
f
theyquesti
onedthatst
udent?Obviousl
yhewould
descri
behertothepoli
cethenshewoul dgotoj
ail
formurder.
Rebaunlockedherphonethi
nki
ngofcalli
ngKel
l
yto
askforhermother
’snumber.Buti
fLomodoes,her
phonecallwoul
dmaket hi
ngssuspici
ous.
Sheputherphonedownandputherhandsonher
face
Tearsf
il
ledhereyes.Wast hi
sthepersonshewas
now?Shetri
estothinkofthepersonshewas
bef
oreAtang…atearrol
leddown.
Sheshouldhaveknownthatithadbeent oogoodt
o
betr
ue.Shewasj ustmeanttogethur
tfrom ti
meto
ti
meagain.Thatwashowi tal
wayswent .Shewoul
d
l
oveuncondit
ionall
yandhaveherlovethrownon
herf
ace.
Shestoodupandpacedt
ear
ful
ly.Shejustcouldn’
t
under
standwhyhehadmadehertastehappiness
onl
ytosnatchi
taway.
Shehadbeendiffer
entthi
stimearound.Shehad
gi
venitall
.Moretear
sroll
eddownt henshepaused
unl
ockingherphone.Shelockedt
hescreenandsat
down.
Shesatst
il
lformi
nut
est
hencal
ledKel
ly.
“
Reba.
.”
“HI
.Canyoupleasef
orwar
dmeyourmother’
s
number
..IgotLomosomethi
ngshemi
ghtli
ke.”
“
Ok.Ij
ustspoket
ohernow.
”
“
Oh.
.di
syout
alkt
otheki
dst
oo?
”
“Yes.Theyarehappy.Mamawasjustt
ell
ingme
someonet r
iest
oluretheki
dswi
thjui
ce.Thiswor
ld
mma. ”
“
Jui
ce?Di
dtheydr
ink?
”
“
Gat
weLomot
ookat
inysi
p.Mamat
hrewi
taway.
”
Rebabreat
hedoutr
eli
eved.“
Good.Ei
shwej
ust
needt
obeextracar
eful
.”
“
Wedo.
.anywaysl
etmef
orwar
dthenumber
.”
“
Yeah.Thanks.
”
“
Goodni
ght
.”
Rebahungupandputherhandsonherf
ace
rel
ieved.

*
**

I
nMaun, l
atert
hatdayElangfi
nishedcount
ingt
he
moneyshehadmadet hatday.
Sheputawayt he2kunderthebedandsmiled
taki
ngherphone.ShewentonherFacebook, she
pausedcomi ngacr
ossThabi’
snewprofi
lepictur
e.
Itwasherfeetonthedashboar
d.El
angsmiledat
thecapt
ion.
‘
Thereissomet
hingaboutr
oadt
ri
pswi
tht
her
ight
peopl
e…'
Shel
ikedt
hepi
ctur
eandcomment
ed.
El
ang:i
t’
sever
ythi
ng!
Shecont inuedscroll
ingdonhert i
meli
ne.She
pausedcomi ngacrossagover nment1mi l
li
on
tenderpostneedingacat er
ingcompany.Sher ead
throughthedet ai
lsandj umpedof fthebedalmost
fall
ing.Shegotherl aptopfrom thewardrobeand
satont hebedswi tchingitontosendher
appl i
cat
iongladshehadr egist
erherbusiness.
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hthencl
osedhereyes.
“GodIknowi nthepastIwasn’tthegreatest
person…butIneedt hi
s.Ihavethreekids.Iwant
them tohaveeveryt
hingtheymayeverneed.Pl ease
helpme…”
Sheopenedhereyesanddentherappl
icat
iont
othe
emai
laddress.
Sheclosedherl
aptopandlai
dont
hebed
cont
inuingonFacebook.
Shecameacrossoneofhermal
eFacebookfri
end.
Healwayspost
edpict
ureswi
thhi
stwokids.She
smiledli
kinghi snewprofil
epi ctur
e.Sheleaned
backgoi ngthroughhistimeline.Shehadn’tdone
thatinawhile.Hewasoneoft hosehandsome
mat uremeni ntheirf
ort
ies.Hej usthadthatthi
ngin
him…t hat…Elangsmi l
edl i
kingthepictur
eofhis
twokids.
Hewasaneyecandy.Shewentbackgoher
t
imel
ineandcont
inuedscr
oll
ingdown.
Hermessengernotif
icati
onpinged.Sheopenedher
messages.Herheartskippedasshelookedathi
s
messagerightatt
het op.
Sheopenedi
t.
LeatsoAtsoZaba:Goodeveni ng,
mynamei s
LeatsoZaba.Iam abusi nessowner,IownZaba
Logisti
cs.Iam 45yearsoldandIhavet woki ds.A
daughter,8yearsoldandaboy5year s.Ihavebeen
fol
lowingyouf orawhi l
enowandIt hinkyouar ea
verybeautif
ulselfdri
venwoman.Iam i nterestedin
getti
ngtoknowyoubet ter
.Iwouldli
ketot akeyou
outfordinnersomet i
meandmaybewecanbet o
knoweachbet ter.That’
sifit
’sokwit
hyou.
Elang’
smout hdroppedopen.Shepinchedhersel
f
wonderingifr
eall
yitwashappening.Shetooka
deepbreaththentyped.
Elang:Evening,mynamei sElang,
alsoabusi
ness
owner .Ir
unacat er
ingcompany.Ihavethr
eekids,
thefatherisabsent
.Ithi
nkdinnerwouldbeni
ce.
Hest
art
edt
ypi
ng.
Leatso:Perfect
.Howabouttomorr
ow?Wecanmeet
attherestaurantorIcanpi
ckyouup.What
ever
worksf oryou.
El
ang:Tomor
rowi
sfi
ne.Wecanmeett
her
e.
Leat
so:Ok.Goodni
ght
.Thankyou.
Elangbl
ushedt
henthr
ewherheadbackont
hebed
l
ikeshewasachil
d.

*
**

Latert
hatni
ght
,At
angheldThaniagainstt
hecar
thatwaspar
kedonthesi
de.Hegruntedinherear
f
ucki
ngher.Thabicl
osedhereyesconvul
sing
moani
ng.
At
angcontinuedhammeringhert
hengroanedas
hi
sdi
cjerkedspurti
ngouthiscum i
nsi
deher.
Hekissedhert
hensl
idoutandputherl
egdown
f
ixi
ngherpanty.
“
Let
sgo.
”
Heopenedt hedoorforherasacarspedpastt hem.
Sheslowlygot .Heclosedthedoorandwentt ohi s
sideandjumpedi n.Hestartedthecarandr ej
oined
theroad.Thabiclosedhereyesr egai
ningher
energy.Atanglookedatherandsmi l
ed.Shewas
beauti
ful,
evenmor ebeautifulf
rom thefi
rstti
mehe
hadmether .
Thabi
openedhereyesandsmi
led.
“
What
?”
“
Keagor
ata…(
Iloveyou.
)”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
AlwaysbyGavinJamespl
ayedonYaronaFM.
Thabii
ncreasedt
hevol
umeandsmiledsingi
ng
al
ong.
‘
You’
rei
nmyhead
Al
ways,
always
Ij
ustgotscar
ed
Away,
away
I
’
drat
herchokeonmybaddeci
sions
Thanj
ustcar
ryt
hem t
omygr
ave
You’
rei
nmyhead
Al
ways,
always,
always’

Atanglookedatherandsmi
leddr
ivi
ng.Hi
shear
t
content
.

AWEEKLATER…
.
.
Qui
ckl
ypar
ti
cipat
eandl
et'
sgett
henextbonusat
2240hr
s.
Your
sTr
uly
#117

TwoWeeksLat
er…

Att
heDi st
ri
ctCommi ssi
oner’
sOff
ice,
Thabismil
ed
i
nal ongwhit
egownt hathuggedhercur
ves,her
hai
rstyl
edbeauti
ful
ly.
ShefacedAtangwhowasi nhiswhi t
eformalsuit
.
Hesqueezedherhands,
shet ear
full
ysmi l
ed,her
hear
traci
ngasAtangrepeatedaftertheoff
icer
.
“I,
AtangDani el,
takeyouRethabi
leKaisarat
obe
myl awfulweddedwi fe,
tohaveandtohol df
rom
thi
sdayf orward,forbet
terorf
orworse,forr
icher
,
forpoorer,
insicknessandinhealt
h,toloveandto
cherish,
untildeathdouspart.
”
Agangsmil
edwat chingashi
sbrot
hermarryt
he
womanheloved.Kellywhowasseatednextt
oher
manwatchedrecall
ingthet
imeshehadstood
whereThabiwasst andingsayi
ngthosevows.She
smil
edasThabibl ushedwhileAtangpromi sedto
l
ovehert i
llhedied.Pr i
nceandLonewat chedsi t
ti
ng
behi
nd.Theot hersi dewasThabi'
sunclewho
coul
dn’tstopsmi l
ingseatedwithAtang’syoung
uncl
e,hiswi f
ebesi deshim.Bat
angt ookpictures
seat
ednextt oLomowhowasi nherwhi tedresstoo.
Thabir
epeatedaf
tert
hecommi
ssi
onert
oo.He
smil
edatthem.
“
Nowthatyouar
ehusbandandwi
fe,
youmayki
ss
t
hebr
ide…”
At
angsmil
edthenleanedoverandki
ssedher,
his
weddi
ngr
ingonhisfinger
.Atang’
suncl
estoodup.
“
That
’smyboy!
”
Thabishyl
ybr oketheki
sslookeddown.Awhi l
e
l
atertheywalkedoutastheladiessangwedding
songs.ThabilaughedasAtang’sauntsangeven
l
oudercelebrati
ngthesecr
etwedding.
“
Arur
ilebol
elet
eimal
ome
Ar
uri
lebol
elet
eimal
omemoj
adi
thogo
Gor
eset
logol
oseanyal
wa
Gor
eset
logol
oseanyal
wamol
apeng’
Theyal
ljoi
nedinsingi
nggoi
ngtothei
rcars.Thabi
gotint
hecarwithAtangi
nherwhit
egownt hen
smil
edstar
ingatherri
ng.At
anggotinandkissed
her.
“
Areyouok?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Iam yourwi
fe.Legal
ly.
”
“
Atl
eastt
hat
’snowoutoft
heway.
”
“
Doyout
hinkt
her
estofyourf
ami
lywi
llaccept
me?
”
“Idon’tcarewhattheydo.Youaremywi f
eand
that’
sit.Ther
eisnochangi ngt
hat.Iwoul
dchoose
youandLomoi fIhaveto.”
Heki
ssedhert
henstar
tedt
hecaranddroveto
wher
etheywer
egoingtohavet
hei
rminirecept
ion.

*
**
I
nPri
nce’
scar
,Lonesmi
ledasPr
incedr
ovebehi
nd
At
ang.
“
Thatwasbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Yeah.
.”
“
Ifeelsor
ryf
orRebat
hough.Noonedeser
vest
his.
”
“
Shewi
llbef
ine.
”
“Thereisnorecoveri
ngfrom t
his.If
eelf
orher.
.
i
magi nebeingplayedforafool
.ShepostedAtang
yester
dayt al
kingabouthowmuchshel oveshim.
Imaginenowf indi
ngoutthatheisamarriedman
andyoust andachancet obesued.”
“
Lif
eisnotf
air
.”
“
Kemat
hat
a.”
“
Yeah.
.”
Lonel
ookedathim andsmi
led.“
Maybei
t’
sti
mewe
gotmarr
iedagai
n.”
Pri
ncelookedathert
henbackatt
her
oad.“
Ineed
tot
ellyousomethi
ng.”
Shet
urnedt
ohi
m.“
What
?”
“Iam notblamingyouf orthi
s.Il
oveyou.Iam
happywi t
hyou.Butt heissueofusunabletohave
chil
drenbot her
edme.OfcauseIunder st
andthat
thereisnothingyoucandobutyouknowmydr eam
i
st ohaveki ds.
”
Lonest
oppedsmi
li
ng.“
Areyoudi
vor
cingme?
”
“
No.Il
oveyou.Idon’
twantt
oleaveyou.
”
“
Thenwhat
?”
“Iknowthisisgoingt ohurtmebutIhadnochoi ce.
Ihavekidswithanot herwoman.Shei s…Il oveher
andourkidsasmuchasIl oveyou.Idon’ twantt o
havetochoosebet weenyouandherbecauseIl ove
youboththesameway.Wehavet woki dsandnow
expecti
ngourthird.Idon’twantt okeepl ying
anymoreormaki ngupst or ieseveryt
imeIhavet o
seemychi l
dren.Iwantt olovet hem i
nt heopen.
Youcouldn’tgi
vemewhatIwant edsoIgot
someonewhocoul d.Iam sor ryfordoingi tbehind
yourbackbutitiswhati tis.Idon’twantadi vorce.I
l
oveyou.Iwantyou.Butshe’ snowal sopar tofthe
pict
ure.
”
Lonelookedathiminsil
ence.Hermi
ndsl
owl
y
tr
yingtoprocessbutf
ail
ing.
“
What
?”
“Therei
ssomeoneelse.AndIwanther .Ial
sowant
you.Wearegoingtofi
ndwayst omakeitwork,
it’
s
goingtohavetoworkbecauseIdon’twantto
choosebetweenyouandher .Youaremywi f
eand
sheisthemotherofmychildren.
”
Lone’
skneeswentcol
dashespokewi
thout
hesi
tat
ion.

*
**

Behi
ndthem,Kell
ypost
edapict
ureofher
sel
finher
tr
adi
ti
onalwearonherWhat
sappstat
us.
“
Babywee,
isPr
incecheat
ing?
”
Agangl
ookedather
.“No.Why?
”
“
Ther
rat
ellme.Iknowyouknow.
”
“
Idon’
tknowt
houghheact
sfunnysomet
imes.
”
“
KanaLonesuspect
shei
scheat
ing.
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Eveni
fIknewIwoul
dn’
ttel
lyou.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Babeyoushar
eever
ythi
ngwi
thLone.Yout
woar
e
l
iket
wins.
”
“
Iwoul
dn’
ttel
lhert
hat
.”
“
Youhaveal
oudmout
h.”
Aobabyr
ra!
”
Agangsmi
led.“
It
’st
het
rut
h.Youcan’
tkeepa
secr
et.
”
“
Ican!
”
“Youar
ealoudmout
h.Youal
wayst
ellLone.ButI
don’
tknow.
”
“
Idon’
tbel
ieveyou.
”
Agangl
aughed.“
Iam ser
iousbuti
fhei
s,maybe
he’
sbor
ed.”
“
Bor
edofwhat
?”
“Nospar
k.Kanai
tcanbeabitbor
ingtohave
someonewhodoesnot
hingbutwait
sforyouthe
whol
eday.Whoof fer
sthesamethi
ngever
ynight
.
Whodoesn’tputmucheff
orti
ntomaki
ngthe
r
elat
ionshi
pfun.”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“Kanababysomet imesgobat aPrinceat sena
molapengandf i
ndherwear i
ngsomet hi
ngsexyt hat
showsskin.Idon’tknowwhot ol
dmar ri
edwoman
thatyoudon’tweart hongsandlacepant i
eswhen
aremarri
edwhenIf elli
nlovewit
hyouwhi leyou
worethose.Totait’
sbor i
ng.”
“
Lonedoest
hat
?”
Heshrugged.“Iwasjustgivi
nganexampl eofwhy
Pri
ncecanpossi bl
ycheat.Mightbethat.Mightbe
shehasnowt urnedint
oabor ingwif
e.It
’sat ur
noff
cominghomet osomeonewhoj ustdoesn’tcar
e
anymore.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Baby…doyoumeanme?
”
Hesmi
led.“
Areyout
hat
?”
“Ihavest
ret
chmar ks.Theymakeme
uncomfort
able.Iam t
ryi
ngtol
osewei
ghtbutmy
stomachi ssti
llbig.Mybr eastshavef all
en,theyare
saggy, Ilookli
keIbr east fed100ki ds.Iam not
happywi ththewayIl ookandt hat’
swhyIpr ef ermy
fullpantiesi
nst eadofat hong.Il i
ketuckinginmy
stomachi nmypant y.Idon’ twearshor tthi
ngs
anymor ebecauseIdon’ twantpeopl et oseet he
dar kpigmentbet weenbymyt highsbecauseoft he
thighsr ubbi
ngagai nsteachot her.Ili
kesexi nt he
dar k,
itmakesmef eel bettert
hatyouar enotseeing
thewayIam now. ”
“Iknowyouhaveaf l
abbytummy.Mychi ldr
endi d
that.I
t’
snott hatbad.Idon’ thaveapr oblem with
yourstomach.Yourst retchmar ksmakeyoul ook
sexierespecial l
ytheonesonyourass.Youri nner
thi
ghsdon’ tbot herme.Youdi dn’
tcauseiton
purpose.Ist i
llloveyouli
ket hat.Youstil
llook
beautif
ulandsexy.Ihat esexi nthedark.Iwantt o
seemydi ckdeepi nthatp* ssy.Iwanttowat ch
p*ssytakei tthenwat chyoucum.Iwantt olookat
yourbreastwhi let
heybounce.Iwantt oseeever y
partofyou.Il ikeyouont hongsandot hersexy
thi
ngs.”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Iam sor
ryIwasnowbor
ing.
”
“
Don’
tbe.
.wewil
lwor
koni
t.Wecanst
artgoi
ngt
o
t
hegym t
oget
her
.”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Iwoul
dlovet
hat
.IsPr
incecheat
ing?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Youshoul
daskhi
m.”
“
Heissecreti
vethesedays.Iwi
llaskAt
ti
ebutI
won’
ttel
lyou.”
“Babydon’
tdot
hat
.Iam cur
ious.Theyseemedof
f
hela.
”
Agangdr
ovebehi
ndPri
ncewhi
lehi
swi
fet
rued
fi
shi
nggossi
pfr
om hi
m.

*
**

AtAtang’
shouse,Rebafi
nishedset
ti
ngupfi
rthei
r
out
doorpicniconhi
sgreenlawnthenshet
ooka
pi
cturesmil
ing.
Shegotherphoneandsenthi mt hepi cture.She
walkedbacki nthehouseget t
ingthem t het icketsto
Paris.Shelookedatthetime,hehadl eftear l
y
mor ningt
odealwi thaleakageatoneoft hef l
ats.
Hewasobvi ousl
yalmostback.Sher ushedt othe
bedroom andchangedi ntoasummerdr essandl et
downherhai r
.SheopenedherWhat sappt hen
viewedKelly’sst
atuses.Rebasmi l
edt henr epli
edt o
thepictur
e.
Reba:Thatdr
ess!Who’
sweddi
ngi
sit
?
Kel
lyr
esponded.
Kel
ly:
Thanks,
it’
smyf
ri
end’
sweddi
ng
Rebaopenedmor eofthepictur
esandsmi l
edatthe
décoroft
herecepti
on.Shet ookscr
eenshotssavi
ng
them f
orherownweddi ng.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#118
Attheweddingrecept
ion,
Atangswit
chedonhis
phoneint
het oi
let
.HelookedatReba’
spict
ureand
si
ghedcall
ingher.
“
Hey…”
“
Canwenotdot
his?
”
“
Atang…”
“It
oldyouIneedabr
eak.Youwon’
tleavemyhouse
andyouareinmyspace.
”
“At
angyouar ehur t
ingme..Whatyouar edoingto
meisnotfair.Evenyoumaysayi t’
sbecauseof
youri
ssuewi thLomo, i
t’
snotfai
r.Youarehur t
ing.
Youarebreakingme.Amont hagowewer efi
neand
i
nloveandt odayyouar etr
eati
ngmeasi fIcheated
onyou.Youar edestroyi
ngmeAt ang.IfIhaddone
somethi
ng,Iwoul dunderst
and.TotaIjustdon’t
under
standwhyIam bei ngtreat
edlikeyour
enemy.”
At
angt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ijustneedspace.
”
“
Whatdi
dIdot
omakeyouwantspace?Pl
easegi
ve
mear eason.At
angwehavehadtimeswegot
angr
yateachotherbuti
t’
sneverbeenl
iket
his.
”
“Wewil
ltal
ktoni
ght
.Ther
ear
ethi
ngsIneedt
otel
l
you.
”
“
Tel
lmenow.
”
“
Ineedusseat
ed.Iwi
llseeyout
oni
ght
.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupt
hencal
ledanumber
.
“
Atang…”
“
ThemonnaIwanttogivet
hoseot
herf
lat
stoReba
t
oget
herwit
hmyhouseand500k.Howsooncan
wemakethathappen?
”
“
Whydoyouwantt
ogi
vehert
hoset
hings?
”
“Iwanttooffi
cial
lybreakupwithher.Shedeserves
mor e.I
fshedemandsf ormoretot
aIam readyto
giveital
ltoherforwast i
nghert
ime.Ormaybe
i
nsteadofmyhouseIcangethert heG- wagon
she’sbeenwant i
ng.”
Hi
slawyerwhi
stl
ed.“
Bashi
money!
”
Atangl
aughed.“
Tsek!Themonnacanthishappen
asearl
yaspossi
ble.Ebi
lel
etmecallsomeonewho
cangetmetheG-wagon.Icangetherthat
,300k
andtheapar
tmentsinst
eadoft
heflat
s.”
“
Ok.Letmewor
kont
heowner
shi
pdocument
s.”
“
Thanks.
”
“Congrat
ulat
ionsbyt
heway!I
t’
sbeenl
ong
overdue.
”
“
Thanksmyman.Wewi
llt
alkl
ater
..
letmegoandbe
wit
hmywif
e.”
“
Sur
e…”
Hehungupt
hent
hought
ful
lyt
ext
edReba.
Atang:Pl
easeremai
nathome.Iwi l
lbethere
around5sowecant al
k.Iam swi
tchingoffmy
phone,Iam doi
ngsomethi
ng.
Heswi t
chedof fhisphonethenwentbackt
ohis
recept
ion.Hel ookedathi
swi f
ewalki
ngover
,Thabi
smiledlockingeyeswithhi
m.Hesatdownnextto
herandki ssedherli
ps.
*
**

Aroundlunchhour,El
angservedhercust omersin
hermovableshopinherunif
or m.Herwor kers
helpedherontheothersi
detryingtoreducethe
l
ongqueueofcust omerswhopat ient
lystoodunder
thesunwaiti
ngforherfoodonlythoughf rom a
cornert
herewassomeonewhocookedt oo.
Thir
tyminuteslat
ert
hequeuehadr educed,
she
conti
nuedwor ki
ngti
lll
unchhourwasoverthenshe
si
ghedsitt
ing.
Herwor
ker
slookedatherwi
thasmi
le.
“
Thatonl
ywasover3k.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Iam sot
ir
ed.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Theworkerlookedatthebi
gJeeppar ki
ngneart
he
shop.Thedriverst
eppedoutinjeansandat-
shi
rt
.
Shesmiledashewal kedoverlooki
ngathi
swatch.
“
Dumel
ang…”
Themansmiled.Hewasnotthatgoodlooki
ngbut
wit
hhi
scleanli
nessyoucoul
dhardlyt
ell.
“
Hi…canIhavet
wohot
dogsandt
wocansofcoke.
”
Thewor
kernodded.El
angopenedhereyesatt
he
voi
cet
henstoodup.
At
sol
ookedatherandsmi
led.“
Hey…”
Elangsmi
ledandqui
ckl
ytookof
fherapr
onandhai
r
cap.
“
Hi…”
“If
igur
edi
fIcoul
dn’tt
akeyouforl
unchthenIwoul
d
cometoyouforl
unch.Arehot
dogsok?”
Shel
aughed.“
Theyar
efi
ne.
”
Shest
eppedoutofhermovabl
eshop.At
soputhi
s
ar
m ar
oundherwaistandki
ssedher
.
Theworkergavethem t
hehotdogsthenwal
kedto
hiscar
.El
anglookedathiswatch,shehadnever
seenawatchlooksosexyonaman.
“Icameear
li
eronandf
oundt
hel
ongestqueueever
here.
”
“I
tsmont
hend.Peopl
ehavemoney.I
tget
sreal
ly
busy.
”
“Ihaveat r
ipt
oGabst
omorr
ow.Iknowyouar
e
busybutIwaswonderi
ngi
fwecouldgoto
together
.”
Elangsmil
ed.“Yes.Iwoul
dliket
hat.Ihaven’tbeen
toGaboroneinyearsnow.Eversi
nceIleftthat
place,
Ineverwentback.
”
“
Why?
”
“
Gaboronei
snotforever
yone.Gapebyt
hatt
imeI
wasunempl
oyed.Iwasstruggl
ing.
”
At
solaughed.“NnaIl
eftGabor
oneaft
ertheyhur
t
me.I
t’
sbeautif
ulmmehel akebi
tt
ergore.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Whatdi
dtheydot
oyou?
”
“Iusedt odatethisgir
lwaslayqueen.It houghther
familywasr ich.ShedroveCRV, bythenitwasa
hugecar .Shewoul ddropmeof ftoworkwiththat
car.Iusedt owasht hatcateverydaymakingsure
koloiyagababyeskoon.Shei ntr
oducedmet oher
father.Keiponakeset sikenyetsi
.Iwouldwasht he
father’
scarwheneverwevisi
tedhim.Hewoul dgi
ve
mesomemoneyt othankme.Iwoul dgetsent
aroundandinmyheadIam t hi
nkingIam doingit
formyf at
heri
n-l
awkant eIdon’tknow.Iwalkedin
ont hem f
ucki
ng.Kaut wankarekeaswa, kesahemi
sente…”
El
angt
hrewherheadbackl
aughi
ng.
“Heel
s,kooreIdi
edandr
esur
rect
ed.Thepai
nwas
unbearabl
e.”
“
Yousawi
tal
l.
”
“
Thef
oll
owi
ngdayIgoti
nthebusandcamehome.
”
“
Wher
eisshenow?
”
“Marriedtoherol dman.Theyar erichandtheyare
alwayst r
avel i
ng.Theyhavet wokidsandtheyare
happy.Ipr ayedf orthei
rkarmaforyearsandit
’sli
ke
Godkeptbl essingthem evenmore.Aft
erawhi l
eI
real
izedthatIwast heproblem.
”
“Nnababydaddydumpedmesayinghiswifehas
movedintoget
herwit
hthei
rki
ds.Allal
ongIthought
Iwastheone.Helef
ttheki
dsandI.Hehasnever
seenthem.Hejustsendsmadiamaintai
nanceand
that
’sal
l.
.t
heki
dsdon’ tevenknowhi
m.Andheis
happy.Hi
sotherkidsarehappy.”
“
That
’sl
if
e.”
“
Ihavebeenthroughsomuchi nmyli
fe.Iam notal
l
i
nnocenti
tei
therbutIam happywi
thwhereIam in
l
if
e.”
“Noonei si
nnocent
.Ithinkweallhaveapast.So
sinceyourbabydaddy,youhavebeensingl
e?”
“Yes.Andf ocusingonmybusi nessandmyki ds.
Andal soIwasl ooki
ngf orsomeonewhocan
acceptandl ovemyki ds.It
’shar
dthesedays.Ihave
twogirlsandaboy.IneedsomeonewhoIcant rust
tolovemyki ds.Totreatthem wit
hcareandlove
becauseIbel i
evelovi
ngmemeansl ovingmy
chil
drensamewayasl ovi
ngyoumeansl ovi
ngyour
chil
dren.Theyar epartofyou.Theycomewi t
hyou.”
Atsolookedatherinadmir
ati
on.Damnwherehad
thismaturebeaut
yhidi
ng?Sheconti
nuedtal
king
stari
ngathim,shewassobeautif
ulandl
ooked
youngerthanherage.Thewayshespokesomuch
sensei
ttur
nedhi
m on.Ri
ghtt
her
ewashi
swi
fe.
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
Shesi
ppedherdr
ink.“
Soyourex?
”
“
Webr
okeupmont
hsback.
.shewasmar
ri
ed.
”
El
angl
aughed.“
Sor
ry.
”
“
It
sok.Leyondchemi
str
yyat
engwasweak.
”
“
Yourbabymama?
”
“Sheismar ri
ed.Webrokeupwhenoursecondchil
d
wasbor n.Wear ever
ycivi
li
zedandwer ai
sethe
kidstogether
.Herhusbandisaverygoodman.I
am happyshemetsomeonel i
kehi
m.Tot ahela
there’
snobadbl oodbetweenmeandher .
”
Elangnoddedeatinghotdog.Theycont i
nued
chatti
ngforawhilethenfi
nall
ysteppedoutoft he
carlaughi
ng.Hewasn’ tt
all
,abitbelowtheaverage
heightofaman.Shef oundherselfstar
ingathi
szi p
tr
yingtolocatei
tbutthen,shewasj usttoool
dt o
bejudgingdics.
What
everhehad,asl
ongashewasagoodman.
At
socaughtherst
ari
ngt
henlaughed.
“
Youcant
ouchi
tandseei
fitwi
llwor
kforyou.
”
El
angl
aughedembar
rassed.“
Iwasn’
t-
“
Heki ssedherpushingheragainstthecarthenout
herhandoni t
.Elangunbuckledhi
sbeltand
unzippedhi spantsthenputherhandinsi
de
touchingit.I
tgrewinherhands,sheswal l
owed
thent ookoutherhand.
“
Isi
tokf
oryou?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Yes.
”
“
Whenam Iseei
ngyourp*
ssy.
”
Shesmil
edwal
kingbackgoherst
ore.“
In
Gabor
one!”
At
sosmil
edfi
xinghi
spant
sst
ari
ngatherasshe
wal
kedaway.

*
**

Att
heweddingrecepti
on,l
aterthatday,Lone
wal
kedoutofthetoi
letsni
ff
ing.Kell
ylookedather
.
“
Areyouok?
”
“
Ng…why?
”
“Youhavebeenl
ooki
ngsadt
hewhol
eday.What
happened?
”
“
Hei
scheat
ingandhast
hreeki
dsout
side.
”
“
What
?”
“
Hesayshewant
shersonowhewi
llbeseei
ngher
i
ntheopen.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
.”
“
Let
snotr
uinThabi
’
sweddi
ng.Let
’sgoback.
”
“Iwanttopee.Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn’
texpectt
hisf
rom
Pri
nce.”
Lonenoddedandwalkedoutsniff
ing.Kell
ygoti
n
thet
oil
etandwipedtheseatthenpull
edherpanti
es
duesit
tingonthetoi
letseat
.Sheunlockedher
phonerepl
yingherWhatsappmessages.
Sheeopenedhercousi
n’smessage.
Rer
e:Heywena,
whoi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Kel
ly:
Afr
iend
Rer
e:Waaka,
Isawyoul
eavet
hemol
aodi
’
sof
fi
ce
Kel
ly:
Ijo
Rer
e: af
terGod,
fearmen!I
sn’
thedat
ingt
he
j
udge?
Kel
ly:
Obat
agonkol
egawena
Rer
e:Ar
en’
ttheyengaged?
Kel
ly:
pel
oej
asar
ati
Rer
e:FEARMEN Notanent
ir
ejudgebei
ngpl
ayed
Kel
ly:
Bye!
Rere:andyoual
lsmi
lewi
thher
?Wai
tsey’
allar
e
snakes
Kel
ly: I
jo,
shar
pmma

*
**

Kel
ly’
scousi
ntookscr
eenshot
soft
hemessages
andsentt
hem t
ooneofherf
ri
ends.
Rere:Mmar ememberthathandsomeguywadi
apartmentst
sel
einPhakalane?Hejustgotmar
ri
ed
toanotherwoman,men!”
Fr
iend:Waaka!
Rer
e:Kanahe’
sengagedt
oJudgeMosweu,
that
l
adyokareJudgeFai
thFr
enki
ns
Fr
iend:Hegotmar
ri
edbehi
ndherback?
Rere: gomaswe, wait
semenaremadeto
embarrassus.Kanamoghelpostedal
ongt
hingon
Facebookaboutthei
rrel
ati
onshi
pandl
ove
yester
day.FEARTHATOTHERGENDER!
Fr
iend:Whenar
etheydyi
ng?

*
**

Rere’
sfri
endst
ookscreenshot
sofhermessages
andwentonherFacebookandpostedthem
i
ncludi
ngRere'
sscr
eenshotswithKel
ly.
Fr
iend:Af
terGod,
fearmen!Haai
Comment
sst
art
edr
oll
ingi
naspeopl
eshar
edt
he
post
.
Comment
:Waaka!
Comment
:Thi
sot
hergenderi
sevi
l
Comment
:Ij
oweee!
Comment
:Gat
wet
heyar
echeat
ingonj
udgeJudy?
Comment
: ifj
udgescangetpl
ayed,
WHOMSTAREWE?
Comment
:What
?
Comment
:AsIbr
ingmypopcor
n
Comment
:Mj
olot
hedat
ing
Mor
ecomment
scamet
hroughwhi
lepeopl
eshar
ed
t
hepost
.

*
**

OneofReba’
scousi
nscameacr
osst
heshar
edpost
thatwastrending.Shereadthr
oughthe
screenshot
sandr eadt
hroughthecomments,her
heartpounding.Shement i
onedhersi
steri
nthe
commentsect ion.
Cousi
n:I
sither
?
Hersi
sterr
epl
iedt
othecomment
.
Repl
y:MODI
MO!
Thecousi
nthought
ful
lysavedthescr
eenshot
sand
sentt
hem t
oRebaoverWhat sapp.
Cousi
n:Hi,
thi
sistrendi
ngonFacebook.Ar
ethey
nott
alki
ngaboutyou?
Themessaget
ickedoncet
hensecondsl
atert
wice.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#119
Elangparkedhercarandwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse
call
ingFarai
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Canwet
alkaboutt
heki
ds?
”
“
Iam wi
thmyf
ami
ly.
”
“Theyneedmorethanj ustmoney.Theyneedyour
presencei
nthei
rlives.Youcan’
tjustsendmoney
andexpectever
ythingtobewell.
”
“Look,
Iam wit
hmyf ami
ly.Iam notgoi
ngto
j
eopardizemyfamil
y’
shappinessbecauseofyou.
Youwant edt
hoseki
dsdoyoubet heirf
ather
.”
Hehungup.Elangtookadeepbreathclosi
ngthe
doorthensmil
edatherchi
ldr
enwatchingthei
r
favor
it
esoap.Thenannywalkedfr
om thekit
chen
Goodeveni
ng.
”
“
HiRose.Havet
heydonet
hei
rschoolwor
k?”
“
Yesmadam.
”
El
angsmil
ed.“
Rose,
it’
sElang.Stopcal
li
ngme
madam.Youmakemef eelol
d.”
Rosel
aughed.“
Iam sor
rymmagweBenah.
”
El
angwal kedt
oherbedroom andsatonthebed
pr
essingherphone.Shethought
ful
lycal
ledThabi
smil
ing.
“
Thenumber
-“
Elangcutt
hecall
.Shewouldjusttalktoher
tomorrowandapologi
zeforeveryt
hing.Shesmi
led
getti
ngupandstart
edpackingforhertri
ptomor
row.

*
**

InKasane,
rragweAt
angcal
l
edhi
sbr
otherst
ari
ng
athi
scows.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hel
lo,
haveyouspokent
oAt
ang?
”
“
Yes.Iam comi
ngt
her
etomor
rowsowecant
alk“
“
Hashef
oundt
hemoney?
”
“
Iam comi
ngt
her
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupandl ookedathiscowsgett
ing
r
ebranded.Hesteppedbackandopenedhis
messagefrom afor
m 5student.
Her
:Hibaby,Iam onmywayhome.Wher
eshoul
d
wemeet?Ihopeyougotmemyphone.
Hesmi
ledexci
tedl
ythencal
ledher
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Wher
eam Imeet
ingyou?
”
“Iam att
hefarm.Goandwai
tatt
hel
odge.Iam
dri
vingbackri
ghtnow.
”
“
Okdaddy.
”
Shehungup.Justhi
m cal
li
nghim daddyhadhi
s
di
ckgett
inghar
dinhispants.

*
**

At
sowal
kedi
nhi
shousel
atert
hatdayt
alki
ngt
ohi
s
br
otheront
hephone.
“
Iwantt
oseet
hiswoman.
”
Atsosmi l
ed.“
She’sbeauti
ful
,peti
tet
oo.She’s
amazing.Wear egoi
ngt oGaboronetoget
her
tomorrow.Iwanttoint
roducehertothegir
lswhen
wecomeback. ”
“Iam happyforyou.Loveherri
ght.Mostl
ysingl
e
mot her’
swantseriousmeninthei
rli
ves.Theyknow
whatt heywant.Theyarenotconf
used.Imean
singlemother
’sesengdibabymama. ”
Atsolaughed.“
Iknow.Shei
sspeci
al.Shei
ssmar
t
andintel
li
gent.
”
“She’st
heone.Ican’
twai
ttomeether
.Ihopeyou
don’twai
ttool
onglewenamonna.”
“
Iwon’
t.Look,
wewi
llt
alk.Letmecal
lmyper
son.
”
Hi
sbrotherl
aughedt
henhehungupandcal
led
El
ang.

*
**
I
nGaboronel
atert
hatday,Atangpar
kedt
hecarat
Thabi
’
shousethenlookedather
.Shesmi
led.
“
Todaywasbeaut
if
ul.
”
“I
twas.Iam goi
ngtomyhouse.Iwantt
otal
kto
RebathenIwil
lcomeback.
”
Thabi
nodded.“
Ok.
”
“Iam t
hinki
ngofcompensat
ingherforwast
ingher
ti
me.She’sbeenwant
ingaG- wagonforawhil
e
now.”
“
Youwantt
obuyheraG-
wagon?
”
“
Tocompensat
eher
.Whatdoyout
hink?
”
“Ithi
nkaG-wagonisext
r eme.Sheisnotthefir
st
womant ohaveherheartbroken.AtthesametimeI
underst
and.Sheopenedher sel
fuptoyouandyou
brokeher.I
fyouf
eelaG- wagonwi l
lsoothherhear
t
thendoit.
”
“
Iwast
hinki
ngt
heG-
wagonandsomemoney.
”
“
No.AG-
wagoni
sfi
ne.Not
hingel
se.
”
“Ok.Ihavesor
tedoutourf
li
ght
stoCapet
ownf
or
yoursurger
ytomorr
ow.”
Thabikissedhim.“ Canwenott hinkaboutanyt
hing
elseexceptthattonighti
sourweddi ngnight
.The
restwil
lcomet omor row.Goandsor toutyour
fi
ance.Iwillwaitforyouhere.Iloveyou.
”
Thabist
eppedoutoft
hecarandli
ftedherdr
ess
walki
ngtowardst
hedoor.Sheunl
ockedandwalked
i
nsideasherever
sedanddroveof
f.

*
**

Lanawalkedinsidet
hehousewit
hPri
nceandtook
offhershoes.Shesi
lent
lywal
kedtot
hebedr
oom
andundressed.
Pr
incel
ookedather
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Youarenotsor
ry.Don’
tapol
ogi
zef
ort
het
hings
youarenotsorr
yabout.
”
Shewalkedtot
hebat
hroom andt
ookashower
.A
whil
elat
ershewal
kedoutwithat
owelar
oundher
body.
Pr
incest
oodupandt
ri
edt
ouchi
ngherbutsheback.
“
Pleasedon’
ttouchme.
”
“
Areyouangr
y?”
“
No.Iam happy.Thankyouf
oraski
ng.
”
“Ihopeyouarenotthi
nki
ngofdi
vor
cebecauseno
onewillwantabarr
enwoman.”
“
Iam thi
nki
ngofit
.Tobehonestyouhavenever
r
eall
ybeenint
othi
smarri
ageri
ghtfrom t
hestart
.I
wonderwhoyoucameaft
ermei nthefi
rstpl
ace.
”
“
Idi
dyouaf
avor
-“
“Whatfavorwenadogdi ck?Ont wael
amogo
maswe, youdidwhoaf avorwithasmal ldick?How
doyouf eelbei
ngbetweent womenwi thmachi ne
gunsintheirpant
s?Menwhoshoul dbecheat ing
aret
hel i
kesofAtang.Haveyout akenagoodl ook
atAtang?Whi l
eyougetpaidpeanutshei nvested
hismoney.Buyspr oper
ty.Bui
ldsproperty.Hehas
bigdickener gyanditsuitshi m.Youwi ththe
disabil
ityyouar et
heonewhoi sbusyyetyouhave
nothingt oyourname.Il ongsawt hatyoutreatme
diff
erently,
haveyouseenhowKel lyi
st r
eated?You
embar rassmeandyesIam di vorcingyout ojust
showyout hatyouain’tshit.Iam goi ngtomar r
yan
oldmanwhodoesn’ twantki ds.Ther raIam
beautif
ulandsexy.I twon’tt akemel ongtor epl
ace
youandyouknowwhat ’
st heni cet hi
ngaboutt his
i
s?Iam wal kingawaywi thhal fofever yt
hingyou
own. ”
Shegr abbedherbagandwalkedoutt
henjumpedin
hercar.Shestart
edtheengi
neanddroveoff
,her
heartpounding.
Pai
nbl
ockedhert
hroatast
ear
sbl
urr
edhervi
sion.
S

*
**

AtAtang’
shouse,Rebatookadeepbr eathaf
ter
set
ti
ngupdinner.Shelookedatever
ythingand
si
ghedf
ixi
ngherengagementr
ing.
Shel
ookedatthetimethenl
ookedatherphone.
Shehadn’tt
oucheditt
oavoi
dcall
inghi
mt oannoy
hi
mf ur
ther.
Moremi nuteswentby.Shest oodupandtooki
t
t
henswi tchediton.Shesatdownast onsof
messagescamet hrough.Sheopenedher
Whatsappt henopenedAbal eng’
smessage.
Abal
eng:Reba,
wher
ear
eyou?
Abaleng:Reba,areyouhome.Pleasestaythere.I
am dri
vingfrom Ghanzir
ightnow.Iam coming.
Abal
eng:yournumberisnotgoingt
hrough.Iknow
t
hismustbepainful
.Ican’
tbel
ieveAtangwoulddo
t
his.
Abaleng:Iam comi
ng.Il
oveyou.Henever
deservedyou
Rebafr
ownedconf
usedandopenedhercousi
n’s
message.
Cousi
n:Ar
etheyt
alki
ngaboutyou?
Rebaopenedt
hescr
eenshot
s.Herhear
tst
oppedas
shereadthroughthescreenshots.Shesatupr
ight
asherheartbeatwaytoof astsheputherhandover
herchest
.Herphonest art
edr i
nging.
“
Aba…”
“
Hey,
hedoesn’
tdeser
veyou.
”
“
Whatmakesyout
hinki
t’
shi
m?”
“
It
’snot
?”
“I
tsnot.Kel
lyisat
tendi
ngafri
end’
sweddi
ng.Idon’
t
evenunderstandwhypeopl
ewoulddr
agmyname
l
ikethat.
”
“
Reba….Someonesawhi
m att
heDC’
sof
fi
ce.
”
“Mymani snotmar
ri
ed!Abal
eng,
Atangisonhis
wayhomer i
ghtnowandwearegoingt
odiscuss
ever
ythi
ng.”
“
Ok…It
hought
…GodIwassoscar
ed.
”
“
Att
iewoul
dneverdot
hat
.”
“
Iguess.Ok…Iam sor
ryf
orassumi
ng.
”
“
It
sok.Iam cal
li
ngKel
lysoshecanputt
hesel
ies
t
orest
.”
“
Yahbecausei
t’
str
endi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Rebahungupandcal
ledKel
ly.
“
Reba…”
“Hi.Canyoupl easeputthoseliest
orestthatare
tr
ending.Ihavear eputat
ionandIdon’twantmyme
mixedtogetherwithsucht hi
ngs.Kanaeveryoneis
assumingit’
sAt ang.”
“
Oh…uhok.
”
“
Canyoudot
hatnow?
”
Kel
lysi
ghed.“
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.
”
.
.
.
Thi
sourmorni
nginsert
,sorr
yIam l
ate,
let
'squi
ckl
y
par
ti
cipat
eandgetourbonuses.
Your
sTr
uly
#120
Kell
ycl
osedthedoori
nthebat
hroom andt
ooka
deepbr
eath.
“ItwasAt ang.Hewasmar r
yingThabi.Theyare
nowl egall
ymar r
ied.Iam sorry.Noonedeserves
thisbutitiswhatiti
s.Theyhavet iedt
heknotand
theyarenowhusbandandwi fe.”
Ther
ewassil
encef
oracoupl
eofseconds.Reba
st
art
edl
aughi
ng.
“Ok.Ni
cet
ry.Thammapleaseaddresstheseli
es.I
haveamajorcaseinmyhandsrightnow.Idon’
t
needmynamedr aggedl
iket
his.
”
“Iam sor
ry.Iknowi t
’shardtobel
ievebutIwil
lsend
youtheweddi ngpict
ures.It
hinkyoushouldjust
l
eavebecausenowThabicansueyouf orseeing
herman.Youar eaJudge, youknowhowt hi
sgoes.
TheyaretogetheratThabi’
shouser i
ghtnow.”
“
Youar
elyi
ng.
”
“
Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyouher
e.”
“
Youar
elyi
ng.
”
“Ok,gotoThabi
’shouseinPhakal
ane.
”Kel
ly
dir
ectedhertot
hehouse.“That
’swher
etheyar
e.
Look,saveyour
sel
fthetear
s.”
“
Stopi
t.
”
Kel
lyhungupandfor
wardedtheweddingpi
ctur
es
andvi
deostoher
.Agangknockedonthedoor.
“
Babe.
.”
Kel
lyfl
ashedthet
oil
etandwal
kedout
.Agang
ki
ssedhercheek.
“
Theki
dsar
esl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Evenmadam bestgi
rl
?”
Shewastir
ed.Haveyouseenmychar ger
.Kana
Lomoneverstopstaki
ngpict
ureseveni
fshesees
thatt
hebat
ter
yi sdyi
ng.”
Kell
ytookhisphoneandwal kedwithi
ttothe
bedroom andputitont
hechar ger
.Shelookedat
Agangknowi ngt
hescreenshotsweregoingtofi
nd
thei
rwayt ohim.
“
Ithi
nkImadeami stakepost
ingmypict
ures.Rer
e
t
iedt
ofishgossi
pfrom me.Ij
ustbr
ushedheroff
butsheconnect
edthedot sandshesaysshesaw
usleavi
ngthecommi ssi
oner’
soff
ice.Shesentour
messagestoherfr
iendandnowi t’
salloversoci
al
media.”
“
Yout
oldsomeone?
”
“
No!Whywoul
dI?Idi
dn’
t.
”
“
Kel
ly-
“
“
Ijustbr
ushedof
fnotwant
ingt
osayanyt
hing.
”
“
Idon’
tli
ket
hisbehavi
orofyour
s.”
“
Agang-
“
“
Iam t
alki
ng!
”
Shekeptqui
et.
“Idon’tl
ikehowyoucan’ tkeepanyt hi
ngt oyour self
.
Yourmout hjustcan’tkeepqui et.Youal wayshave
tobespr eadi
ngpeopl e’sprivatemat t
ersst i
cking
yournoseont hingst hathavenot hi
ngt odowi th
you.Youar eagossi per,everyoneknowst hatmy
wifeisachatterbox.It’
snotcut e.Idon’tli
kei t
.Mi nd
yourownbusi ness!St ayoutofpeopl e’sthings.
Knowi ngyou,youalreadyt oldLone’sbusi nessto
peopl
e.”
Shel
ookeddown.“
Idi
dn’
t.
”
“It
sonl yamat t
erofti
me.Canyoust opandjust
behavel i
kemot her
…likeawi f
e.Idon’tl
ikeyour
ratchetbehavi
or.Iam notgoingtohaveawi fe
who’ sagossiperandlikesspreadi
ngpeople’s
business.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“St
ayawayf r
om peopl
e’
sissues.Focusonour
busi
ness.Taket
hatenergyandputintoourf
amil
y.”
“
Yes.
”
Hesi
ghed.
.“Let
’sgoandbat
h.”
Shefoll
owedhimli
keawetpuppy.Shegotunder
theshowerwit
hhim.Agangki
ssedherpi
ckingher
up.Heheldherint
heairhi
sdi
cpoint
ingri
ghtather
entr
ancethenhe…

*
**
AtAt ang’
shouse,Rebastaredatthepict
uresin
si
lence.Tearsdroppedokherscreenast hevideo
ofthem kissi
ngplayed.Hi
mi nhistuxedoandherin
awhi tegown.Nottheusualweddinggown…i t
l
ookedmor eli
keaneveninggownbuti thuggedher
curvesandbut t
.
Shewat chedastheyhugged,herhear
tslowl
y
breaki
ngintoami l
li
onpieces.
.Tearsr
oll
eddown
hercheeks.Sheunlockedherphoneandcall
edhi
m.
“
Hey,Iam f
il
li
ngupmyt
ank.Iwi
llbet
her
eint
en
minut
es.
”
“
Youmar
ri
edher
?”
Ther
ewasapause.“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shewhi
sper
ed.“
Youmar
ri
edher
…”
“
Canwedi
scusst
hisonceIgett
her
e?”
“Youmarri
edher…youmar r
iedher.
”Shegasped
thenputherhandoverhermouth.“
Youmarri
ed
her?”
“
CanIpl
easeexpl
ainwhenIgett
oyou?
”
“
Youmar
ri
edher
..Isawt
hevi
deo…youmar
ri
ed
her
.”
“
Iloveher
.”
Hert
earsrol
leddown.“
Youl
oveher
?Youl
oveher
?
Whataboutme?Areyoual
sogoi
ngtomar
ryme?
Whataboutme?”
“Iam sor
ryf
orwast i
ngyourt
ime.Iknowanapol
ogy
won’tmakeitr
ightbuti
fIhadmarri
edyouIwoul
d
havebeenunhappy.”
“
Why?
”
“Youar eanamazi ngwomanReba.Youar e
beautif
ul,selfdriven.Youar eeveryt
hinganyman
want sandmar ryingyouwoul dhavehur tyoumore
becauseIwasi nl ovewi t
hsomeoneel se.Ireal
ly
thoughtIwasoverher .Iam sorr
y.Iloveyout oobut
notasmuch.Iam i nl
ovewi t
hThabi.It’salways
beenher .Therei snothingwr ongwithyou.Youar e
perfectbutyouar ejustnotforme.Iwoul dnothave
madeyouhappyi fImar r
iedyou.Youhavea
chanceoff indingsomeonewhol ovesyout heway
youdeser vetobel oved.”
“
Youwer
eaf
termef
ormont
hs,
youmademef
all
foryouandIdi
d.Il
oveyou.Whatam Isupposedto
dowi t
hmylove?Whatdi
dIdotodeservethis?Tel
l
mewhatIdid!”
“
Iam sor
ry…”
Shebr okedowncryi
ng.“At
angIloveyou.Eade
don’tdothi
stome…At angplease…youcanmar ry
bothofusundercustomarymar r
iage.Iam sorr
y…I
pushedyout oher
.BabyIam sorry.I
tcanwor k…”
“Youdeser
vebett
erthanbeingasecondbestand
Thabiwoul
dneveragreetothat
.Wearealr
eady
marri
edsother
eisnot ur
ningbacknow.Youwill
fi
ndsomeone-“
“Iwantyou!Iwantyou.At
angyouarebr
eaking
me…Godhel pme…Godpl easehel
pme.Ilove
him…”
“
Iam sor
ry.
.”
“At
ang…peopl
earegoi
ngt ol
aughatme…Iam
goi
ngtobealaughi
ngstock.
”
“
Iwi
llt
akeal
lthebl
ame.Idi
dthi
s.”
“
Myhear
t…At
angpl
ease…whycan’
tyoul
oveme
t
oo?
”
“
Iam comi
ngt
her
e.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“Youwon’
tgetawaywi
ththi
sAt ang.Youwon’
tli
ve
happyaf
terhur
ti
ngme.Iwon’tall
owit…I’
drat
her
bedead.
.”
“
Reba–“
Shecutt hecal
landwenttothebedroom, t
ears
rol
li
ngdownhercheeks.Shel ookedathissafethen
unlockeditandtookouthi
sgun.Shet ookadeep
breathstari
ngatitt
henwalkedout.Shegotinher
caranddr oveof
f.

*
**

Abal
engpassedJwanengi
nhercarwhi
lel
ist
eni
ng
t
ogospelsongs.
Herphonevibrat
ed.Shesl
owl
yreachedf
ori
tand
openedReba’smessage.
Reba:AbaAt
anghashur
tme.Idon’
tthi
nkIwi
llever
recoverfrom t hi
s..Iam alreadyal aughingst ock.
Hegotmar ri
edaf t
eraskingmet omar ryhimi nf r
ont
ofpeople.Idi dnot hingbutl ovehim…wher edidIgo
wrongAba?I tcan’tbebecauseofLomo.I tcan’tbe.
Hemar r
iedhi sexaf terIfaithful
lylovedhi m.Am I
crazytof eelthewayIf eel?Ihaver eacheda
breakingpoi nt.Ican’tdothi sanymor e.Ican’tbe
thatonewomanmenuseanddumpt omar ry
woment heyl ove.Ican’tcar ryonwi t
hsuchbad
l
uck.Iwon’ tbeabl etofaceanyonet omor row.I’d
ratherbedeadt hanhavepeopl elaughatmewhi l
e
Atangl i
veshappi l
yeveraf ter.Hehast of eelwhatI
am feeli
ng.Il oveyou.Al waysandFor ever.
Abal
engswallowedthencall
edhersist
erbuti
t
di
dn’
tgothrough.Shesteppedontheaccel
erat
or
morespeedi
ngwhi l
ecall
ingAtang.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Mysi
steri
ski
ll
inghersel
f.Pl
easesaveher
.It
hink
shei
satyourhouse.
”
“
Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
“
Letmet
alkt
oherwhenyougett
her
e.”
Abal
engover
tookat
ruckheadedt
oGabor
one.

*
**

AtThabi’
shouse,
Thabif
ini
shedwi t
hherromant
ic
setup.Shet
urnedonherspeakerandst
arted
playi
ngaromanti
csong.
Herphoner
angassheputthebott
leofwi
nei
nice
i
nherli
nger
ie.Shepi
ckedZaza’
scall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Youmar
ri
edhi
m?”
“
Huh?
”
“
It
sal
loverFacebook.Sowhywasn’
tIi
nvi
ted?
”
“
Ther
eisani
ncomi
ngcal
l.Wai
t.
”
Thabi
hungupandpi
ckedt
hecal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi
.Uhit’
sReba.IcametodropoffLomo’sdol
l.Uh
shefor
gotitathome.I
t’
sherfavor
it
e.Iam att
he
gat
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Thabi
pressedt
hegater
emot eandopenedhergat
e
qui
ckl
yputti
ngonhersi
lkygown.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#121

Shewal
kedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom cal
li
ngAt
ang.
“
Hey…”
“
Hibabe,
howdi
dtheconver
sat
iongowi
thReba?
”
“Sheknows.Ihaven’
tseenher
.Iam athomeand
she’
snothere.
”
“
Shei
sher
e.She’
sbr
ingi
ngLomo’
sdol
l.She-
“
“Mygunismi ssingdon’
topenf
orher
.Pr
esst
he
emergencybutton!Shi
t!
”
Thedooropenedthenshewal
kedinhol
dingt
heguy.
Thabi
swallowed,
herphoneonherear
.
“
She’
sher
e.”
“
Iam comi
ng.Iam onmyway.
”
Rebasmil
edtear
ful
ly.“
Pleasehangupandputt
he
phonedown.
”
Thabihungupandputt
hephonedown.Reba
smil
edtearf
ull
y.
“Youar
ebeauti
ful.Iseewhyhewoul
drunaft
eryou
agai
n…Idi
dn’tevenknowyouwereadoctor
…”
Thabi
watchedasshespokecal
mly.Tear
srol
led
downReba’scheeks.
“WhenImetAt t
ie…It ol
dhim Ihadbeenhur t
before..
thatIhadgi venuponl ove.It
oldhimt hatI
hadpl ayedami lli
ont i
mes.Iwasn’tevenlying..
I
wasf ocusedonmyj ob.Hekeptcomi ngafterme.
Youknowhowhei sdon’tyou?Howcoul dInotf al
l
forhim Thabi?”Shesni ff
ed.“Howcoul dInot?Ifell
harderthanIt hought.AndIgavei tmyall.Ididn’
t
holdback.Ishoul dhave.Ishouldhavehel dback
buthemademebel ieveinlove.Iwashappy.For
thefi
rstti
meIwashappy.Hepr oposedt ome.I
neversaidanythi ngaboutmar r
iage.Wehavenever
hadconver sat
ionsaboutusbei ngmar ri
edthough
hehadl ongsaidhewant stogetmar riedoneday.I
thoughtmaybei twoul daft
er5or7year s.Youknow
howi tgoes.Thenyoucameback. .everyt
hing
changedt hatnight..whenhecameback, hewasn’t
Atanganymor e.Nowyoumar ri
edhi m.”
Thabil
ookedatt
heguni
nherhandsandt
ooka
deepbreat
h.
“Iam sor
ryfort
hehurtyouar
egoi
ngt
hrough.
Pleaseputawaythegun.”
Rebalaughedcr ying.“
Iam notputti
ngt hegun
downbecauseIam goi ngtoki
llyoutoday.Iam
goi
ngt oki
llyouandki llmysel
f.Youar enotgoi
ng
tol
ivehappilyafterwit
ht hemanIlove.Iam going
tomakehimf eelwhatI’mfeel
ing.He’sgoingto
burr
ytheloveofhi sl
if
e.”
“I
tsnotwor t
hit.Youhavealott
olovefor
.Youar ea
verysuccessfulwoman.Youhavebrokenrecor
ds.
Youar
est
rong.I
tdoesn’
thavet
oendt
hisway.
”
“It
sgoi ngtoendl i
kethi
s.Youdon’tgoaround
hur t
ingpeopleandexpectust oj
ustbestrong.”
Tear sroll
eddownashervoi cebroke.“
Heshoul d
havel eftmealone.Buthewentandmar r
iedbehind
myback.Iam t heonewhonowhast opickupthe
pieceswhi leyouenjoyhappi
ly.I
tdoesn’
tworklike
this.
”
“Rebapl
ease…youcanhavehi
m.Iwi
lldi
vor
ce
him.”
“Yousaidyourvowsandsai dtil
ldeat
hdouspar t.
Youwillhonorthosevows.I
magi nefi
ndingoutthat
yourmani smar r
iedt
hroughsocialmedia.Hesaid
hewasgoi ngtodealwithaleakageinthemorni
ng.”
Thabi
’sphonest
artedtori
ngi
ng.Rebacockedt
he
gunwalki
ngover.Thabist
eppedback,
herhear
t
poundi
ng.
Rebapi
ckedt
hephoneandanswer
ed.
“
Hi…”
At
angsi
ghed.“
Pleasedon’
tdot
his.Shedi
dn’
tdo
anyt
hing.I
twasal
lme.Deal
wit
hme.
”
“Iam deal
ingwithyou.Throughher .Youwil
lcr
yfor
herfortherestofyourl
if
e, youwil
lbemi ser
abl
e
andattheendyouwi l
lki
llyoursel
f.
”
“
Please…Iknowyouangr
y..youarej
ust
if
iedbut
t
hisisnotwort
hgoi
ngtojai
lfor
.”
“
Iam ki
ll
ingbot
hofust
oni
ght
.”
“Iwil
lmar
ryyoubot
h.Icandot
hat
.Wecanmakea
plan.
”
“Li
es!Youar
ejustsayi
ngi
tbecauseyouar
e
scared.
”
“Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?BecauseIwi
lldo
anyt
hing.
”
“
Star
tpr
epar
ingf
oraf
uner
al.
”
Thabi
lookedather
.“Letmespeakt
ohi
m.Pl
ease.
.”
Rebagavehert
hephone.Thabihel
ditwi
thbot
h
hands.
“
Hey…”
“
Hey,
Iam ami
nut
eaway.Ther
ear
epeopl
ecomi
ng.
I
t’
sok.Justdel
ayher
.”
Thabil
ookedatRebatear
ful
ly.“
Iloveyou.Iwantt
o
tel
lyouIloveyoui
ncaseInevergetanother
chanceto.”
“
Iloveyout
oo.Youwi
llgeti
tanot
herchance.
”
“
Pleaseusemyeggs.
”
“
Babe-
“
“
Tel
lLomoIl
ovehersomuchandIwi
llf
oreverdo.
”
“
Thabi
-“
“
Iloveyou.
”
Sheputt
hephonedown.Rebasni
ff
ed.
“
Tomorrowwewi l
lbeheadl
inesbutnonofi
twi
ll
mat
terbecausewewil
lbedead.”
Thabilookedattheguni nherhands,
herheart
pounded.Wi t
houtthi
nkingtwiceshereachedf
or
guntryingtotakei
tfrom Reba.

*
**
Atangdrovei
ntheopengat espeedi
ngandpar ked
behindReba’
scar.Hest eppedoutthenfrozeasa
gunshotwentofffr
om insidethehouse.Hisknees
wentweekjusthiscoll
eaguesvandr ovethrough.
Thesecondgunshotwentof f
.Herangot hedoor
andopenedrunningin.
HiseyeslandedRebawhowashol dingthegunon
herhandsinshock.AtanglookedoveratThabiwho
wasont hefl
oorlyi
nginapoolofbl ood.Hergown
cover
edonbl ood.Heslowlystaggeredtowardsher
andpull
edherbodyi nhisarmsweakl y.
“
Babe…”
Helookedatherf
aceshaki
ng.Hi
stear
sfel
lonher
f
ace.
“
Babe…comeon…babe…youar
eal
ri
ght
.“
Hebithislowerl
ipstandi
ngwithheri
nhisarms.
Hi
scolleagueswalkedinhol
dingguns.Atang
st
aggeredoutwithherandputherinthecar.
Hej
umpedont
hedr
iver
’sseatanddr
oveof
f
headedt
othehospi
tal
.

Rebadroppedthegunandknel
tstari
ngatthebl
ood.
Herhandsshaking.Oneoft
heS.W.A.Tguysst
ared
ather
.
“Youshouldhaveki
ll
edyoursel
ftoobecausehe’
s
defi
nit
elygoi
ngtofi
nishwhatyoustart
ed.
Shel
ookedathi
m emot
ionl
ess.

*
**

Atthehospi
tal
,Atangsatwai
ti
ngf
ort
hedoct
or.
Agangrushedover.
“
Issheok?
”
“
Theyhavenotsai
danyt
hing.
”
Thedoct
orwal
kedover
.At
angqui
ckl
yst
oodupand
l
ookedathi
m,t
ear
sinhi
seyeswhi
lehi
shear
t
t
hudded.
“
Issheok?
”
Thedoct
orl
ookedatt
het
winsandsi
ghedsadl
y.

FI
VEYEARSLATER…
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#122

Fi
veYear
sLat
er…

Kel
lywalkedinsideherof
fi
ceearlyi
nthemorni
ngin
ashortf
lareddressandheels.Shesatdownt
alki
ng
t
oaclient.
“
Kel
ly’
sdécorcomeswi
thdi
ff
erentpackages.We
cangiveyout heFul
lpackaget
hatcomeswit
h
ever
ythi
ng, al
lyouwil
lneedusjustt
heguest
sand
yourcater
ingcompany.”
“Ok,It
hinkIwouldli
kethatpackage.Idon’
twantt
o
str
essoveranythi
ng.”
“Ok,youcansendmeaf ewideasyouhavedowe
canwor konsomet hi
ng.Theful
lpackage
nevert
helessgoesforP6800.Thati
ncludest
het
ent
too.Youdeposit4kint
oouraccount.
”
“
Eemma,
shoul
dIdoi
tnow?
”
“
Yes.Wewi
llsendyouourbankdet
ail
s.”
“
Ok,
thankyou.
”
Kel
lyhungupsi
tt
ingandcal
ledoneofher
employees.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Oli
via,
howi
sitgoi
ng?
”
“
Wear
eal
mostdonewi
tht
hesetup.
”
“Ok.Pl
easefi
nishupeveryt
hing.Wear
etr
yingt
o
sel
lourbusi
nessther
e.”
“
Yesmam.
”
Kellyhungupandsatopeni ngherlaptoptowat
ch
thecourttr
ialItwasf unnyhowt hi
swomancould
eventhinktoapplyforpar ol
eaf t
erwhatshehad
done.Shelookedatt het i
met henwentonher
Facebookandopenedt hepagewher etheli
vewas
beingbroadcastedatcour t.
Shesmi l
edstari
ngathermanont hescreensit
ti
ng
nexttoAtanginthei
rsui
ts.Shel
ookedatt he
perver
tedcomment sastheli
vecont
inued.
Comment
:shnak
Comment
:bat
hong
Comment
:Thesemenyoweee!
Comment:Atangkesoul
mat
eyamebathong.God
hadapl
anf ormewhenhemadethatman
Comment :Wait
sethiswomam deser vestorotinjail
.
Whatshedi dwasmor et
hanevil.Shedeserves
ever
ythingcomingherwayandmor e.Shewasnot
thef
irstwomant ohaveherheartbrokennei
t heris
shethelast
.Ihopesheissentencedt odeat
haf ter
t
hisat
tempt
Comment:Heebathong!Isthi
swomanseri
ous?
Shecan’
tbeser
ious.Afterwhatshedi
d?
Comment:kil
lher
!Lett
hem hangher
.Shedoesn’
t
deser
veparol
e.Sheisdanger
oustot
hecountr
y
Comment :Menwi l
lmakeusdot heunthi
nkabl
e, i
t’
s
sadtowat ch.Thiswomanwasf inebeforeshemet
thi
sguy.Hewentaf terher, br
okeherwalls.Made
herbel
ievehel ovedher .Ihavebeent her
ebefore.I
knowthehur t.Theconf usion.Cheat
ingisonething
buttogoandgetmar r
ied?No!
Comment:She’
sbeaut
if
ul.Shecoul
dhavef
ound
anot
herman.
Comment
: wi
llmakeyoudot
heunt
hinkabl
eIt
ell
you
Comment
:Lockherupf
orgood.Evi
lwoman.
Morecomment sroll
edi n.Kell
ycont
inuedwat chi
ng,
shetookoffherheel
sl eaningbackagainsther
chai
rli
steni
ngasherl awyerstart
edtalki
ng.
*
**

AtthehighCour
t,Li
nast
oodi
nfr
ontoft
hej
udge
t
alking.
“Beforeanyofusar eanyt hi
ngwear e, somebr ing
l
awyer s,judges,doct ors,businessowner sandso
fourt
h, wear ehuman.Wel i
vetomakemi st
akes
andl earn.Idon’ tbelievether eisanyonewhowas
bornevi l.From thet i
meRebant lewasbor n,she
wasbor ni ntorejecti
on.Hermot herhat edher .She
blamedherf orthepover t
ytheywer ei ntoapoi nt
wher esheaabandonedherathersi ster’
shouse.
Thesi sterwhohadt wodaught er salready.Rebant l
e
washat edbyt heauntandt heaunt ’
swi fetookt hat
tohisadadvant ageandst artedr api
nghersi nce
wasonl yt woyear sol d.Andt hat’showshegotHI V.
From t herei twast her ape,theabuse, both
emot ional l
yandphysi call
y.Whenshewas12, she
gotpr egnantandwasf orcedt oabor t.Sheonl y
escapedt hiswhenshewentt ouni versity.Herf ir
st
weeki nGabor oneshewasr apedbyat axidri
ver .
Shehadi troughf rom thebegi nning.Thenshe
meetsamanwhocl aimst oloveheronlyforhimto
humili
ateandembar rassheri nfr
ontoft henati
on.
Mycl i
entwasnoti nther i
ghtstat
eofmi ndwhen
sheincidenthappened.Shewasangr y,hurtand
damaged.Emot ionshadbeenbui l
dingup.She
didn’
twakeupandpl anshoot i
ngMr sDani el
.It
happenedduet oemot ions.Duetoal otof
emotions.”Lunacontinuedtalki
ngturningtoface
thecourtwhilethemedi ahousestookvi deos.
Rebasni ff
edi nherorangej umpsuit.Shesl owly
tur
nedandl ookedathersi ster
s.Abalengt earf
ull
y
smiledstari
ngathersi ster.Atearrolleddown, t
his
wasonceapowerhousewoman.Af orce.Nowshe
wasj ustanotherconvictinanor angeuni form.She
hadl ostweight,shewassot hi
nitlookedl iket
he
windcoul djustblowheraway.
Rebat urnedandl ookedatAtangandAgangseat ed
besideseachot her.Sheturnedbacktothejudge
tryi
ngt oholdhertearsbuttheysti
llr
oll
eddown.
Shel ookeddownandsni f
fed,herhandschained
together.
Li
nasatdownawhi
lel
atert
henl
ookedatReba.
“
It
sok.Wehaveaf
airshot
.”
Thejudgel
ookedateveryone.“Thiscour
tis
adjour
nedaswegoi nt
odel i
berat
ion.Court
resumesat1100hr
s.Courtadjourned!
”

Out
sidet
hecour
t,Agangsi
ghed.
“
Ihopeshe’
snotl
etout
.”
“
Ifshei
sIam goi
ngt
oki
llher
.”
Atangouthi
sri
ngi
ngphoneandpi
ckedBat
ang’
s
call
.
“
Champ…”
“
Iam aman.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Iam wat
chi
ngt
hecase.Ihopeshedi
est
her
e.”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Iwant
edt
otel
lyousomet
hing.
”
“
What
?”
“
Leboi
spr
egnant
.”
At
angt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ok.What
’syourpl
an?
”
“
Iwantt
omar
ryher
.”
“
Doyouhavemoneyt
ogetmarr
ied?Imeanmoney
f
ormagadi
.Fort
heweddi
ngandeveryt
hingel
se.
”
“
Eer
ra.
”
“
Howmuchdoyouhave?
”
“
200k.
”
“
Ok.Wecanmakeitwork.Iwi
llt
alkt
oyouruncl
eso
wegett
hebal
lrol
li
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Iam proudofyou.Idi
dn’
tthi
nkyouwoul
dbagthe
t
ender.Iwasthi
nki
ngmaybeyoucanstar
trunni
ng
t
hebusiness.
”
“
Real
ly?
”
“Yes,
youhavewhati
ttakes.Iam pr
oudofyou.
Anywaysfr
om her
ewear egoingtothevenue.Ar
e
youatt
heai
rpor
tal
ready?
”
“
Yes.Ican’
twai
ttoseeher.She’
sgoingt
ol ove
whatyoupl
annedforher
.She’sgoi
ngtocry.”
Atangsmil
ed.“Yeah.Themonnabri
ngmygi
rl
sin
onepieceorketagogatamolal
a.”
Bat
angl
aughed.“
Yescommander
!”
At
anghungupsmi
l
ing.

I
ncourtat1100hr
s,ever
yonel
ookedatt
hej
udgeas
t
hehegaveouttheverdi
ct.
“Thedefendantcommi tt
edacr ime,abigcr i
mewe
can’
tjustoverl
ookbecauseshewasemot ional.
Everyonegetsemotionalbecauseatt heend, i
ndeed
wear ehuman.Buti feveryoneactedoutof
emot i
on,wecouldbedead.Thedef endantyesgas
aroughandbedi ff
icultupbri
ngingbutonceol der
shecouldhavesoughtf orhelp.Shecouldhave
seensomeone.Yes, shewasdecei ved,li
edt o,hear
t
brokenbutt hatdi dn’
tmeanshehadt odowhatshe
did.Thef i
rstgunshotasi ntheevidencewasa
resul tofast ruggl e.Thesecondonce, t
hevi ct
im
wasont hef l
oorandsheshotheragai n.However
wedounder standt hatsometimeswedoact
i
mpul sivelybutMsMosweut ooka25mi nutesdri
ve
toMr s.Dani el ’
shouse.Shehadenought imet o
thinkt hingst hroughandsot hecourtsti
llfi
ndsher
guiltoft hechar gesasshehadever yintentiontoki
ll
andendl i
fe.Ther ei snoexcuseforheract i
ons.And
becauseoft hat ,wet ookasecondlookintoher
sent enceandt hereforewesentencehert odeath
throughhangi ng.Cour tcasecl
osed!
Everyonegaspedinshockast
hej
udgegavea
harshsentence.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#123
Li
nagaspedinshockasthejudgest
oodupand
walkedout
.RebalookedatLi
na.
Li
nashookherhead.“Don’
twor
ry.Idon’
tlett
hat
happen.Iwi
llt
akei
tfurt
her
.”
Tear
sfi
ll
edReba’
seyest
henr
oll
eddown.
“
AllIdi
dwasl
ovehi
m.That
’sal
l.That
’sal
l.
”
Thepr i
songuardscameanddr aggedheroutas
shecried.Themediahousesconti
nuedtaki
ng
pict
uresaeshecried.At
angremainedsti
ll
.What
hadjusthappened?
Zazagotupf
rom behi
ndt
hem.
“
Shedeser
vesi
t.
”
Atanggotupandwalkedout.Hegotinhiscarand
puthishandsonhisface.Hi
sphonestart
edringi
ng.
Heslowlytooki
toutandpickedhi
sfather
’scall
.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whatdi
dthej
udgesay?
”
“
Theyf
oundhergui
lt
y.Theyar
egoi
ngt
oki
llher
.”
“
Youmustbehappyt
hen.
”
At
angswal
lowed.“
No.
”
“
Youwant
edj
ust
ice.
”
“
Notl
iket
hat
.”
“Youhurther.Ofcauseshewoul
dreact.Maybenot
toanextentofshooti
ngmmagweLomobutyou
neverknowwhatsomeonewi l
ldointhemidstof
pain.Iam notsayi
ngmmagweLomodeser vedit
butyoucausedt hi
s.”
At
angr
emai
nedqui
et.
“Youcausedherheartache.Youhur
ther.You
coul
dhaveleftherwhenyousawt hatyoudidn’
t
l
oveher.”
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
obr
eakherhear
t“
“
Wel
lyoust
il
ldi
d.Nowyouknow.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Havet
heyar
ri
vedyet
?”
“
Batangi
spicki
ngthem up.Theyshoul
dbel
andi
ng
i
nthir
tymi
nutes.
”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
oloveever
ythi
ng.
”
“
Ihopeso.
”
“
Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Howi
smama?
”
“
Busyi
nhergar
den.
”
“
Ok.
.”
Agangwal
kedovert
ohi
scar
.
“
Yougood?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“Shedidt hist
oher sel
f.Imaginei
fweweretokil
l
everyonewhohur tus…ot her
shavebeenthr
ough
worset hanher.Iam talki
ngaboutkidswhowere
soldtobesexwor kersandneverhaveanescape.
Theironlyescapei sdeath.Yesshewentthr
oughso
muchburi tdoesn’tgi
veyout her
ightt
ogoshooti
ng
people.”
“Ineverknewshewasr aped.Shetol
dmeshewas
bornwithHIV.Idi
dn’
tknowt hatsi
deofher
s.Idi
dn’
t
knowhermot heri
sactuall
yherauntort
hathert
o
sist
ersar
eact
ual
lycousi
ns.Shenevert
oldmeal
lin
that
.”
“
Don’
tthi
nkabouther
.Focusont
oday.
”
Atangnodded.Agangwalkedt
ohiscaranddrove
off.At
angalsost
artedhi
scarandrever
sedf
rom
theparki
ngspace.
Zazarushedoverandknockedont
hewi ndow.
Atangrol
leddownthewindowandlookedather.
“Hi,
Iam sorry.Idi
dn’
tbr
ingmycar
.Canyoupl
ease
dropmeof fathomesoIcangetmycar.
”
“
Yeah.Jumpi
n.”
Zazagotinthecar,herbagonherl ap.Atangtur
ned
ontheradi
ot okil
lthesil
ence.Alwaysplayed,
he
tookadeepbr eat
hr ecal
li
ngthatfai
thf
uldayon
thei
rwaytoVi cFall
swi t
hhersingingalong
Hei
ncr
easedt
hevol
ume.

‘
Whatam Isupposedt
odowi
thoutyou?
I
sitt
ool
atet
opi
ckt
hepi
ecesup?
Toosoont
olett
hem go?
Doyouf
eeldamagedj
ustl
ikeIdo?
Yourf
ace,
itmakesmybodyache
I
twon’
tleavemeal
one
Andt
hisf
eel
sli
kedr
owni
ng
Tr
oubl
esl
eepi
ng
Rest
lessdr
eami
ng.

You’
rei
nmyhead
Al
ways,
always
Ij
ustgotscar
ed
Away,
away
I
’
drat
herchokeonmybaddeci
sions
Thanj
ustcar
ryt
hem t
omygr
ave
You’
rei
nmyhead
Al
ways,
always,
always’
Zazalookedathim wonderi
nghowhehaddonei t
al
ltheseyears.Hi
sbeardhadgr ownoutthoughhi
s
hai
rcutsti
lll
ookedgood.Helookedhandsome…
defi
nit
elymaturi
nglikef
inewine.
Shet houghofthepossibil
it
ythatcouldhave
arose…hi m andheragain.Shecouldhavetaken
careofThabi ’
skids,
lovedthem l
ikehers.Shecoul
d
havet akencareofhim.Ormaybei tcouldhappen.
Shet
ouchedhi
shand…
“
Youar
est
rong.
”
At
angl
ookedather
..“
Thanks.
”
“
Iam happyj
ust
icewi
llf
inal
lybeser
ved.
”
“
Yeah…”
“
Youneedahai
rcut
.Youl
ookwayt
oool
d.”
Atangpul
ledawayhi
shandandscr
atchedhi
s
beard.
“
Ili
kemyl
ook.
”
Zazasmil
ed.“
Itdoeslookgood.Youl
ook
handsomeMr.Daniel
.”
At
angchuckl
ed.“
Thanks.
”
“
Takeyoursecondr
ight
.”
Shelookedathi
shandsashet ur
nedt hesti
rr
ing
wheel.Hi
snail
swereshortandclean.Andthose
hands…comet othi
nkofi
t,shehadmetAt angfi
rst
.
Shesawhi mfi
rst
.Hehadbeenher s.
Shet
uckedherhai
rbehi
ndhereardi
rect
inghi
m.
Hepar
kedt
hecarbyhergat
e..
“
Thankyou.
”
At
angsmi
led.“
Ok.
”
“
Seeyoul
ater
.”
Atangnodded.Zazalookedathisli
pst
henli
cked
herownsteppingoutofthecar.Shewal
ked
towardsherdoorashedr oveoff
.

*
**

Kel
lycal
ledAgangdr
ivi
ngf
rom wor
k.
“
Babe…”
“
Hey.Iwaswatchi
ng.Idon’
tknow,
isi
tfairt
hatshe
i
ssentencedt
odeath?Shemadeamistake-
“
“Ami stake?Thatwasnotamist
ake.Shehadever
y
i
ntentiontodowhatshedid.
.andyouarethel
ast
persont osaysuchthi
ngsaf
teryoudir
ect
edherto
Thabi’shouse.*
Kel
lysi
ghed.“
Ateweevergoi
ngt
omoveonpast
t
hat?
“WehavebutIcan’
thelpbutt
hinkt
hatmaybei
fyou
didn’
tThabi
’
sresi
dent
ialaddr
esstoher
.“
“Iknowyoubl
amemef orwhathappened.IknowI
gaveRebaThabi
’
saddressbutIdi
dn’twantwhat
happenedt
ohappen.
”
“
Youwant
eddr
ama.
”
Kel
lysadl
ysi
ghed.“
Ihavechanged.
”
“
Haveyoureal
izedt
hatnoonel
ikeshangi
ngout
wit
hyoubecauseoft
hat?
”
“Ido.Iam goi
nghome.Iwi
llseeyouwhenyou
comeback. ”
Shehungupandcontinueddri
vinghomeholding
hertear
s.I
twasenoughpeopleblamedherforwhat
happenedbutt
ohaveherhusbandr emindheral
l
theti
mealwaysdr
ainedherthatsometi
messhe
wonderedwhyshewasst i
llmarr
iedtohim.

*
**

El
angpassedt hel
adyvil
lagebeforeGaborone
dri
ving.Sheleanedbackthenlookedather
husbandnextt ohersl
eepingandsmi l
ed.She
hummedt oanoldschoolsong.Thesongr eached
i
t’
speakasshesangl oudwakinghi m.
“Iam walki
ngonsunshine!Iam walki
ngon
sunshine!Iam wal
kingonsunshine!
”
Atsolookedatherasshesanghor
ri
blywhi
le
smil
ing.
“
It
sti
met
ofeelgood!
”
Shehi
tthesteer
ingwheelmovingherupperbody.
Atsol
aughed.El
anglookedather.
“
Iam wal
kingonsunshi
ne!
”
Het ookouthisphoneandtookavideotosendt o
thekidsassheconti
nuedsingi
ngwhiledri
vingand
dancing.Shecl
appedherhands,herri
ngsparkl
ing.
Thesongendedassheover
tookasmallcarint
heir
hugeLandCrui
ser
.Shel
aughedhappi
ly.Atsosaved
thevi
deo.
“
Doyouknowwher
ethevenuei
s?”
Elangnodded.“Yes.ButIwantustochecki
ntoa
l
odgeandf r
eshenup.Kanaalmostever
yonewil
lbe
there.Iwanttol
ookgood.Batangalr
eadysentt
he
l
ocat i
on.”
At
sonodded.“
Ok.
”
El
angt
ookat
urndr
ivi
ngt
oal
odge.

*
**

I
nPri
son,Rebalai
donherbedcr
yingi
nsi
lence.Her
f
ri
endsadl
ylookedather
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ilovedhi
m.That
’sal
l.WasIwr
ongt
olovehi
m?”
“No.Youj ustl
ovedt hewrongman.Whathappened
happened.Hopef ull
yyourlawyeratl
eastgetsyou
l
ifesentencethandeat h.Tot
annaIwouldr at
herbe
herethanoutthere.Thewor l
disunfai
rReba.No
onewi l
leverseet hatyouwerepushedtodowhat
youdid.Theonewhowasshoti sthevi
cti
m and
youaret hebadper son.”
Rebalookedathercr
ying.Thef
ri
endhuggedher
t
ight
ly.
“
It
’sok.
”
Rebacr
iedsomucht
il
lherbodyached.

*
**

Attheair
por
t,Bat
angwaitedpatientl
ywait
ingfor
them.Hecaughtsi
ghtofLowal kingoveri
nher
j
eansandat opwhil
eholdingheryoungersist
er’
s
hand.Theyl
ookedsomuchl ikehissist
eri
twaslike
hewasst
ari
ngatayoungervi
sionofThabi
.
Theyspott
edhimt ooandrushedover.Bat
ang
huggedthem t
ight
lyastheyscreamed.
“
Hey!
”
Lomosmi
led.“
Wear
eback!
”
Bat
angl
aughed.“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Lomopulleduphersize32jeanst
hatherhi
psbe
andbutthadfi
l
led.Batangl
ookedatRiyawhowas
j
ustsmili
ng.Hepickedhist
hreeyear
soldnei
ce
smil
ing.
“
Heysweet
y…”
Riyasmi l
ed,Bat anglookedatherdi mpl esasshe
shylylookeddown.Unl i
keherol dersister,shewas
quietandshy.Hesmi ledt henlookedasshewal ked
overslowlydr aggingt heirbags.Ahugesmi lebr
oke
onhi sface,t
ear sfil
l
inghi seyes.Hesl owlyputRiya
downandwal kedovert henhuggedher ,t
ears
rol
lingdown.Shewr appedherar msar oundh
smi l
ingassilentlycriedhol di
ngher .
.hi sgrownman
demeanorl ostinemot ions.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#124

Atherl
awf
ir
m,Li
naspokeont
hephone.
“
Deathsent
encewast
oomuch.Wewantanot
her
t
ri
al.
”
“
Lina-
“
“Thatwoman…deathsentence?
”Shesighed.“
She
didn’
tdoitonpur
pose.Thetwentymi
nutesdri
ve
couldhavebeent
hetimeshegotevenmor eupset
.”
Herfri
endsi ghed.“
Look,
goandpleadgui l
tyunder
i
nsanity.Iknowsomeonewhocanhel p.Iwil
l
connectyouwi thhi
m.Thiswil
lbetheladychance.
TheJudgewashar sh.Moret
hanjustharsh.Of
causeabi gcrimewascommi t
tedbyitwasacr i
me
ofpassion.Iknowt hi
swoman.Lovingthewr ong
personcosthersomuchbutshedoesn’
tdeser
ve
thedeathsentence.I
t’
stoomuch.
”
“
Connectmewi
tht
heper
sonyouknow.
”
“
Ok.
”
Li
nahungupf
rust
rat
edf
eel
ingl
ikeshehadf
ail
ed.

*
**

Loneparkedhercaratthemallandsteppedoutin
herhotpantsandfli
pfl
ops.Sheputonhergl asses
l
ockinghercar.Shetur
nedast hecarbesi
dehergot
unl
ockedthenPr i
ncewalkedoverholdi
ngplasti
cs.
Helockedeyeswithherandswall
owedasshe
st
aredpushingherlongBrazi
li
anweavebehi
nd.
Lonesmi
led.“
Hi…”
Pri
ncesmil
edbacknervousl
yst
ari
ngathersexy
bodyouti
ntheopen.
“
Hi.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youar
enotatcour
t?”
“
Onl
yami
nimum numberwasneededt
her
e.”
“
OhIsee.Youl
ookgood.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Thanks.
”
“
Shar
p!”
Shewalkedaway,herbut
tcheeksshowi
ng.She
walkedconf
ident
lywit
hnocareofwhowasst ar
ing
ornot.
Heputt heplast
icsinhiscarthengoti
n.He
unlockedthescreenandlookedatthemissedcal
ls
fr
om Pearl.Hecalledherback.
“
Babe…”
“
Hey,
Ijustwant
edt
oaski
fyouar
etaki
ngt
heki
ds?
”
“
Yes.Iam onmywayhomenow.
”
“
Ok.Iam t
heonl
yonenotwant
ed?
”
“
Canwenotdot
his?Youknowexact
lywhyt
hey
don’
twantyou.
”
“
Thei
rwi
veshat
eme.
”
“Noonehat
esbutyousl
eptwit
hallmyfriends.I
don’
twantt
hem f
eeli
nguncomfor
tabl
e.”
“
Ij
ook.
”
“
Iam dr
ivi
ngbackhomenow.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.

*
**

Elangfi
nishedherflawl
essmakeupthengotupand
putonherdr ess.Atsowal
kedf
rom t
hebathroom
thenpausedsmi li
ng.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
El
angbl
ushed.“
Thankyou.
”
Elang’
sphoner
angf
rom t
hebed.Shewal
kedover
andpicked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“Hi
.It
’sFarai
.Look,Ineedsomemoney.Ineedt
o
gobacktoZimt oni
ght.Thepol
icei
saf
termyass
overt
hatissue.
”
“
Whati
ssue?
”
“The5mi ll
ionfr
om theinsur
ancecompany.Iam
underinvesti
gati
onforscam andthef
tbutIpromi
se
you,someonei sframi
ngme.Theyhavef rozenal
l
mymoney.Ineedt oescape.
.pleasehel
pme. ”
“
Hel
pyou?WenaFar
ai?
”
“Ij
ustneedathousandsoIcangeti
nthebus.Mu
carshavebeentaken.
.Deal
ingwi
thi
tonceinZi
mis
bett
erthanher
e.”
“
Ihavenoreasontohelpyouconsi
deringit
’sbeen
t
hreeyear
ssinceyoulastpai
dmaintenance.”
“
Iknow.Iwi
llpayi
tal
lonceIgeti
t.
”
“
Letmedi
scussi
twi
thmyhusbandf
ir
st.
”
Shehungupandl
ookedatAt
so.
“
Far
aineedshel
p.He’
saski
ngf
or1k.
”
“No.Lethi
mf i
ndot
herpeopletobor
rowhi
m money
becauseherei
t’
snothappeni
ng.”
Shesmi
led.“
Ok.
”
Hekissedherthenpickedhershoesandpl
aced
them i
nfrontofher.
shesli
ppedherfooti
nsi
de
smil
ing.

*
**

InOrapa,mmagweKaelolaidunderthetreewi
th
herf
latchestast
hecoolbreezecaressedherski
n.
Herhusbandspokeonthephonesmi li
ng.
“
Ifhei
sready,
Iwi
llgetever
yoner
eadyt
oo.
”
“
Thankyou.Butt
hegi
rli
sal
readypr
egnant
.”
“
It
sok.Hewi
llhavehi
swi
feassoonashei
s
r
eady.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Iwantyoutobepresent.Iwantyout
obethereas
hisfat
her.Youhaverai
sedthisboyandt
urnedhim
i
ntoaman.MayGodbl
essyoumyboy.
”
“
Thankyou.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
Hehungupandsmi
li
ngst
ari
ngathi
swi
fe.
“
Bat
angwant
stomar
ry.
”
Shelookedathi m andnoddedunabl
etotal
k.He
sadl
ylookedatherst il
lwonder
ingwhathappened.
Hedidn’tunderstandhowshehadnowgonef r
om
twonobr east
sandst rokeandcri
ppl
ed.
Heki
ssedhercheekt
hensatdownhappi
ly.

*
**

Atangparkedhiscarandwalkedar
oundatthe
venue.I
tlookedsobeauti
ful
.Hetookouthi
sphone
picki
ngZaza’scal
l.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Hi.Ar
etheyher
e?”
“
Yes.UhIwast
hinki
ngi
fyouneedanyhel
p,Ican
hel
pyou.Wit
hhousechor
es.Wi
thcooki
ngand
cl
eani
ng.”
“
Ok?
”
“
Event
ohel
pwi
tht
heki
ds.
”
“
Iwi
llkeept
hati
nmi
nd.
”
“Youdon’thavetodealwi t
hitallal
one.Youhave
beenstrongforfartoolong.Youneedsomeonet o
helpyouwi t
htheload.Iknowt heyarecomi ngbutI
am sureyouwi l
lsti
llbeexpectedtodoever yt
hing.
Youdeser vebet
terthanthat.Iknowthesituati
on
butyoualsodeservet obetakencareof.”
“
Iam doi
ngf
ine.
”
“
Haveyoueat
enyet
?”
“Zaza,
Ithi
nkIam fi
ne.Thankyouforcarr
ying.You
areThabi’
scousi
n.It
hinkyouarecrossi
ngt hel
ine.
”
“
Ithi
nkyouneedhel
p.”
“
Iam f
ine.Bye.
”
Hehungupl
aughedcal
li
ngBat
ang.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Howf
arar
eyouguys?
”
“
Wear
ecomi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Mostpeopl
ehavear
ri
ved.
”
“
Almostt
her
e.”
At
angswal
lowed.“
Howi
sshe?
”
“Beauti
ful
.Shelooksti
red.Shehasn’
tsai
daword.
.”
Hisvoiceshook.“Di
dwel osehersomewher
eal
ong
t
hel i
ne?”
“
No.I
t’
stheef
fect
.It
’sok.Justbr
ingt
hem.
”
“
Ok.
”
At
angsl
idhi
sphonei
nhi
seart
aki
ngadeepbr
eat
h.

*
**

Batanggotbackint hecarandjoi
nedtheroad.He
l
ookedatLomoandRi yawatchi
ngvideosatthe
backseatthenturnedt oher
.Sheslowlyl
ooked
awayfrom thewindowandl ookedathim,asmile
sl
owlycover
edherfacet
hensheopenedhermout
h
andspokesoft
ly.
“
Youl
ookgr
own…”
Bat
angsmil
edasatearroll
eddown.Hel
ooked
awaywi
pingi
tof
fthenturnedtoher
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
ledt
henl
ookedoutt
hrought
hewi
ndow
agai
nwi
thadeepsi
gh.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#125

AtPr
ison,
Rebal
ookedatAbal
engandsmi
led.
“
Hi.
”
Abal
engsmi
ledback.“
Hey,
howar
eyou?
”
Rebasmi
led.“
Fine.Iam f
ine.
”
“Ispoket oLi
na.Thatjudgementisgoingtobe
reversed.She’
sworkingont hi
s.Shewon’tletyou
die.Sheisnotgoingtoletithappen.She’
sgoingto
appealagain.Thatwomani sj
ustevil
.”
“No.Somet i
mesi t
’stosetanexampl e.Ireal
ly
wantedtokillher.Thef i
rstti
meIshot ,shewanted
totakethegunf r
om me.Ther ewasast r
uggle.I
pull
edthet r
igger.Myhandhadbeenoni t
.ThenI
sawherbr eathingstil
lafterIshother,
shewas
movingslightlysoIshotagai naimingforherchest.
Ihadeveryint ent
iontokillher.I
fAtangdidn’
twalk
i
nwhenhedi d,Iwasgoingt oshootheragain.I
wantedtoendher .”
Abal
engsi
ghed.“
Itwasi
nfl
uencedbyemot
ions.
”
“
Atangmustbehappy.
”
“
Idon’
tknowbutyouar
enotdyi
ngher
e.”
“Iam her
eandhegetstoli
vehappil
yeveraf
ter
.”
Tearsfi
ll
edReba’
seyes.“
Iam suddenl
ythebad
personbuthepushedmetomyl i
mit.
”
“
Kar
mawi
lldealwi
thhi
m.”
Tear
sfel
ldownhercheeks.“
Whi
leIgethanged.
”
“
It
snotgoi
ngt
ohappen.Li
nai
sgood.
”
“
Theydon’
tdeser
vet
obehappyAba…”
“
Ther
eisnot
hingwecando.
”
“
Ther
eis.Shecanst
il
ldi
e.”
“
Reba-
“
“Youcanbefr
iendherandpoi
sonhert
odeat
hor
burnt
hem inthehouse.
”
“
Reba!
”
“Al
lyouneedustolocki
nsi
deandst
artt
hef
ir
e.
Nobodyeveri
nvest
igat
esfi
res.
”
“
Youwantmet
obecaughtoncamer
as.
”
“Thenyoucanpoi sonhert odeat
h.Youmi xiti
na
frui
tblendorsmoot hi
e.Maybesmoot hie.Mixalot
ofthingsincl
udi
nggar l
icthenputArsenicchemical
i
nside.It’
scolor
lessandhasami ldgarli
codorbut
that
’sifyoureal
lysnif
fit,
nosmel lort
aste.”
“
IfIgi
vei
ttohert
henpeopl
ewi
llknowi
twasme.
”
“Youmonitorhermovementssoyoucat chher
aloneorf
indawayt omakeitseem l
ikeit’
sfr
om
someonesheknows.Makesur eyouputal ot
toget
herwithsomethi
ngsedati
vesot hatheshe
passesoutanddiesinhersl
eep.”
Abal
engtookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ihaveneverki
ll
ed
someone.
”
“At
angdeser
vest
obur
ryher
.Notaf
terever
ythi
ng
hehasdone.
”
“Theyhavesomethi
nggoi
ngont
oday.MaybeIcan
bri
bethewaiter
.”
“
Exact
ly.Youcanhavei
tputi
nherj
uice.
”
“
Ok.Sowher
edoIgeti
t?”
“
Iknowsomeonewhocanhel
p.”

Abal
engwal
kedourandgoti
nhercarcal
li
ngLi
na.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Whatar
eherchances?
”
“Wayup.She’ snotgoingtobehanged.Wear e
taki
ngi twayupsowecanappealagai nwitha
diff
er entjudge.She’
sobviouslynotgoingtocome
outinacoupl eofyears.It
’sgoingtobesometime
butt heyar etr
yingtosetat onethesamewayt hey
dof ormen.Iam j ustgoingt ogetherofft
hedeath
sentence.Maybei fshebehavesi npri
son…”
“
Ifi
thappenst
hat
…”
“
Thatwhat
?”
Abashookherhead.“
It
sok.Pl
easekeepme
i
nfor
med.”
“
Ok.
”
Abalenghungupandr
ever
sedcal
li
ngheryouher
si
ster.
“
Aba.
.”
“
Rebawant
stof
ini
shof
fwhatshest
art
ed.
”
“
Shewant
stoki
ll
…-*
“
Yes.Wi
thAr
seni
cpoi
son.Iam goi
ngt
ocol
lecti
t
now.I
twi
llbeputi
nherj
uicet
henshewi
lldi
e.”
“
Andwhowi
lldoi
t?”
“
Me.ButIneedhel
p.”
“
Andwher
ear
eyouget
ti
ngt
hispoi
sonf
rom?
”
“
Someguysheknows.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
ieveyouar
eevenconsi
der
ingt
his.
”
“
Theyhur
ther
!”
“Weal lhavebeenhur t.AndIdon’ tevent hinkhe
l
ovedher .I twasal ltoogoodt obet r
ue.Het oldher
mul t
iplet i
mest hathewasdonewi thherbutshe
sti
llstayed.Kant ewhydon’ twel iketaking
responsi bilit
yforouract ions?Ofcauseshewas
hurtandbr okenbuti sshet hefi
rstpersont obe
heartbr oken?Shedeser vest obei njailifshecan
sti
llplanmur ders.Iam ashamedyouar epar tof
thi
s.Don’ tyouknowt hatj aili
sreal.LookatReba…
thatshoul dtellyouthatpr isonain’tyourmot her
’s
house. ”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ohel
pmysi
ster
.At
angdeser
vesi
tand
mor
e.”
“
Ok.Pl
easenevercal
lmet
oinvol
vemei
nyour
mur
derpl
ans.”
Theyoungersi
sterhungup.Abal
engputdownher
phonedri
vingt
ot heguy’
shouse.

*
**

Att
hepoli
cestat
ion,
theyoungersi
sterwal
ked
i
nsi
dethepol
icestat
ionhol
dingherphone.
“
Dumel
ang,
Iam her
etorepor
tpeopl
ewhoar
e
t
ryi
ngt
ocommitmurder
.”
Thepoli
ceoff
icerl
ookedatherassheplayedt
he
recor
dedcal
lbetweenhersel
fandAbal
eng.She
alsopl
ayedt
heonet hathadbeenr
ecordedmonths
backofRebabegginghertoki
dnapLomo.
Thepol
iceof
fi
cerl
ookedather
.
“
Comet
hissi
de.
”
Sheheldherbagpr
oper
lyandf
oll
owedt
hepol
ice
off
icer
.
*
**

AtLi
na’
sof
fi
ce,
sher
ecei
vedacal
l.
“
Yeah?
”
“Hey,yourcli
ent’ssist
erisherewi threcordi
ngsof
yourclientst
il
ltryi
ngtocont i
nueandf i
nishoffwhat
shestar t
edthroughhersisters.It
’snotlooking
goodf oryou.Thejudge’sdecisionmaygetapass
consi
der ingt
hatevent odayshe’sst i
llt
ryingtoki
ll
peopl
e. ”
Li
naswal
lowed.“
Whatr
ecor
ding?
”
“
Herhasr
ecor
dingsf
rom phonecal
ls.
”
“Whati
fshemadet
hem up.I
t’
snotvi
abl
e
evi
dence.
”
“
Hervoi
cecanbehear
dloudandcl
ear
ly.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Li
nasl
owl
ysatdownexhaust
edf
rom Reba.
*
**

Agangwalkedinsi
dehishouseandfoundKell
y
cooki
nginthekit
chen.Behuggedherfr
om behind
rubbi
nghisdi
ckonherbutt.
“
Hey…”
“
Hi…”
Shemovedf r
om thest oveandwenttothesi
nkthen
star
tedwashi
ngdi shes.Agangli
ft
edherdressand
pull
edherherpantytot hesi
de.Hecurvedhi
sback
andpushedhisdicinside.
Kel
lycl
osedt
het
apandcl
osedhereyesashe…
.
Aganggrunt
edf i
ll
inghercanal
.Hesl
idi
toutand
t
urnedheraround.
Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedher
.
“
Hey…”
Kel
lysmi
led.“
Hi.
”
“
Ithoughtwewer
egoi
ngt
oget
her
.”
“Noonel ikesbei ngaroundmeandyouar ealso
goingt oleavemebusywi t
hyourpeopl e.Everytime
wegooutt ogethert
ojoinot herpeopl e,Iendup
alonewhi leyouchatwi thpeopl ewhodon’ tli
keme
possiblylabelingmebad.Youneverdef endin
publicandIhaver eal
izedthatdeepdownyouhave
thishategr owing.Youhat eme, Ihavet r
iedto
i
gnor eitbutnowIseeIam nothappy.Yes, Iwas
wr ongfortelli
ngReba.YesIt akethebl amef ornot
beingabl etokeepqui et.Butsomet imesIneedyou
onmysi de.ItneverhappensandIj ustthinkifyou
can’tbewi thmeanymor e,
maybet henl et’
sgeta
divorce.Let’spartwaysandj ustcopar ent.
”
Agangl
ookedather
.“Idon’
that
eyou.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Itdoesn’
tfeell
ikei
tAgang.I
tfeel
sdi
ff
erent
.”
“Iam gui
lt
yforteasi
ngyouaboutyoubeinga
chart
erboxbutIloveyou.Idodefendyou,
mostof
theti
meyouar enotther
etowitnessit
.Iam sor
ry
forabandoni
ngyouwhenwegooutbutInever
l
abelyou.Youarewif
e.It
hinkIcandobetterasa
husband.Yesyouwerewrongfortel
li
ngRebaand
everyt
hingel
se.I
tget
stomest i
llt
hatyoudiditbut
i
tdoesn’tmakemehateyou.Il
oveyou.Iwantt obe
withyou.”
Kel
lysi
ghed.“Whenyouwantadi
vor
cej
ustsayso.
Iwi
llgl
adl
yfreeyou.
”
Agangpickedherupandputheront
opoft
he
ki
tchencounter
s.
“Il
oveyou.Noonei sgett
ingadivor
ce.Wedon’t
mentiondivorcei
nthi
shouse…ever.Ifyouar
e
unhappyaboutsomething,sayi
tsowecanf i
nda
waytof i
xit.
”
Heki
ssedheropeni
ngherl
egs.
“
Weshoul
dgo.Mybr
otheri
swai
ti
ngf
orme.
”

*
**

Bat
angpar
kedatabui
ldi
ng.Hel
ookedather
.
“
Stayher
e.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Bat
ang-
“
“
Justt
womi
nut
es.Lomo,
Riya.Let
’sgo!
”
Thegirlsst
eppedoutofthecar.Hewalkedi
nsi
de
thebuil
dingwit
hthem.At angsmil
edashiski
dsran
overtohim.Hepickedthem upatthesameti
me.
Lomol aughed.
“
Daddyputmedown.
”
Heputt
hem downt
henhel
ookedatLomo.
“
Ili
keyourhai
r.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Awhi
tel
adydi
dit
.”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Nice.
”
“
Daddymyhai
rtoo…”
HelookedatRiya’
shai
randpi
ckedherup.“
It
s
beaut
if
ul.Il
oveit.
”
Ri
yasmi
led.“
Ist
hisourhouse?
”
“I
t’
snotahousebutaf
terher
e,wear
egoi
ngt
oour
house.
”
Hekissedcheekandputherdownst
ari
ngatBat
ang
whonowhadt hesameheightashi
m.Hisgym
bodylookedgood.
“
Taket
hem wher
eever
yonei
s..
”
“
Ok.She’
sint
hecar
.”
“
Ok.Oi
sakaekodut
hemonna?
”
Batanglaughedpi cki
ngRiyathenhewalkedaway
withthegir
ls.Atangt ookadeepbreat
hstar
ingat
hisdaughters.TrustGodtogivehi
m girl
sonlysohe
canjustli
veinf ear.
Hesighedandwalkedout.Hi
shear
tracedashe
appr
oachedthecar.Heopenedt
hedriver
’sdoor
andgotin.
Shesl owlyturnedthehim,herweightlosswasso
visi
bleitbroughttearstohiseyes.Theylookedat
eachot herinsil
ence,shefinal
lysmil
edf i
xingher
doekt hathadcover edherbaldhead.Shesmi l
ed
tear
fully.Tear
sr ol
leddownhercheekst henshe
l
aughed.
“
HaveIevert
oldyout
hatIl
oveyou?
”
At
angnoddedsmi
li
ngemoti
onall
y.“Yes.Il
oveyou
t
oo.Il
oveyoumor
ethananyt
hing.Iloveyoumore
t
hanli
fei
tsel
f.
”
Shesmi ledandtouchedhi
sbear
d.“36roundsof
chemol ater
,somanysurgeri
esl
ater
…roundsof
radi
otherapysessi
onslat
er…Iam t
ir
ed.AtangIam
ti
red.Iwanttobehappy.”
“
Babe-
“
“Iwantt
obehappy.Idon’twanttoli
vei npai n
anymore.Thekidsdon’
tdeser
veallthis.It’
s
traumat
izi
ng.Idon’
twantyoutoli
vel i
ket his
anymore.SometimesIwishIhaddiedt hatday.At
l
eastyouwoul dhavecr
iedandmovedon.Iam
holdi
ngyoubackandIam sorry.
”
Heshookhi sheadt henpull
edheronhi slapasshe
cri
ed.“I
’dlosei
tal lf
oryou.I
’dloseeveryt
hi ngf
or
you.Don’tbesorry…whenIsai dinsi
cknessandi n
healt
h,Imeantit.Imeanteveryword.Don’ tbesor
ry,
youhavenot hi
ngt obesorryaboutbecauseIwoul d
nothaveitanyot herway.Iwouldsti
llst
andbyyour
si
deeveni fwerewi ndtheti
me.Iwoul dstandby
youandhol dyourhand.Iwoul dst i
llst
ayupatnight
andmakesur eyouar ebreathi
ngbecauseIam
paranoidaboutyou.Iwoul dwalkongl assesforyou
becauseIloveyou.Ther eisnoAt angwi t
hout
Rethabil
e.Iwoul dchooseyoubabe…Iwoul d
chooseyouoveranyt hi
ngbecauseIam t rulyonl
y
yours.AndIwon’ tstopfi
ghtingforus.Andi f
anyonehasapr oblem wit
hit,t
heycangoandhang
themselves.Iam honoredt oactual
lybet heoneto
l
oveyoubabe. .Iwouldn’
thaveitanyot herway.I
l
oveyou. ”
Thabi
bur
iedherheadi
nhi
sneckcr
ying.

*
**

Abalenggott hel
itt
lebot
tlefr
om Reba’
sper
son
thengotinhercar.Shestart
edherengi
neand
droveoffheadedtothevenue.
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#126

At
angki
ssedherneck,
hisar
msar
oundher
.
“
Ipl
annedsomet
hingf
oryou.
”
Thabi
breat
hedout
,herhotbr
eat
hhi
tt
inghi
sneck.
“
It
’si
nsi
de.
”
Sheopenedhereyesandl
ookedathi
mthen
touchedhi
sbear
d.
“Youneedapr
operhai
rcutandal
soyouneed
shave.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Eemma.
”
“
Bat
angi
ssobi
g.”
“
Hewant
stogetmar
ri
ed.
”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Towho?Lebo?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Shei
sagoodgi
rl
.Abi
tcr
azybutgood.
”
“
Hei
stheonewhodr
iveshercr
azy.
”
“
What
’swai
ti
ngf
ormei
nsi
de?
”
“
Peopl
e.Whol
oveyou.AndwhatIgotf
oryou.
”
“Canyoutakemehomeaf
tert
his?Iwantt
osl
eep.I
am ti
red.
”
“
Yes.
”
Theysteppedoutofthecar,Thabii
nal ongdr ess
wit
hlongsleeves.Shetookherscafffr
om thecar
andputaroundherneckt ocoverbones.Thedar k
ci
rcl
esunderneathhereyeswer emuchvi si
ble.
Atangtookof
fthedoekf
rom herheadtofi
xit
,she
l
ookedathim,herseemi
ngwayt oobigandheavy
forher
.
“
Ilookhi
deous.Iknow.
”
At
angkissedher
.“Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Youl
ookl
ike
af
ight
er.”
Shesmi
led.“
Noneedt
oli
etome.
”
At
angwr
appedt
hedoekar
oundherheadand
smil
ed.“Idon’
tneedgot
oli
etoyou.Youar
e
beaut
if
ul.”
“
Letmeappl
yli
pst
ick.
”
“
Ekae?
”
“
Inmyhandbag.
”
Atangtookoutthel
i
pst
ickf
rom herhandbagand
ranitonherl
ips.
“
Dothi
s..
”Herubbedhi
sli
pst
oget
her
.Thabismi
led
r
ubbi
ngherl
ips.
Atangputbagt heli
pstickthenwalkedinsidethe
buiawit
hher .Thabilookedattherecepti
on.It
l
ookedlikeahospi t
al,thewhit
emadei tfeelli
kea
hospi
talthoughtherewasnot hing.
Theywalkedpastt
heelevat
orheadedt
ot he
backdoor
.Heheldhishandandopenedthedoor
andwalkedoutwit
hher.
Thabigaspedst
ari
ngatherf
amil
yandfri
ends,
each
hol
dingapaperboardwi
thasweetmessage
wri
tt
enoni t.
Tear
sfi
ll
edhereyesassher
eadAgang’
sboar
d.
‘
Team ThabiAl
lTheWay!
’
Shel
ookedatPr
ince’
s.
‘
Cancerai
n’tsh*
tifyouar
eThabi
’
.
Shel
aughedandreadever
yone’
sshor
tmessage
andpausedatKel
ly’
s.
‘
Iam sor
ry.
’
Thabi
smi
led.“
Youdi
dnot
hingwr
ong.
”
Kell
yshookherheadt
ear
ful
lyt
henwal
kedoverand
hugged.
“
Iam sosor
ry.
”
“
Don’
tbe.Youdi
dnot
hingwr
ong.
”
“
Idi
d.Maybei
f-
“
“
Whathappenedhappened.I
t’
sal
lthepast
.Let
’s
moveon.
”
Kel
lyst
eppedbacksni
ff
ing.
Thabil
ookedateveryoneelse,
tear
srol
leddown
thenshesnif
fed.Shelookeddownwipi
ngawayher
tear
swiththebackofherhead.
Atangputhi
sar
m ar
oundher
.Shet
ear
ful
lyl
ooked
athim.
“
Thankyou.
”
At
angki
ssedher
.“Il
oveyou.
”
Shet ur
nedtoeveryone.“Thankyou.Ever
yone.For
thesupportandlove.Isawallyourmessages
Agang.”Thabil
aughed.“ Andallyourmemes
Elang.”
El
angl
aughed.“
Allf
oragoodl
augh.
”
“Youkeptmecr ackedup.Iappreci
ateeveryone
here.Youhavebeenamazi ng.ThankyouLomo…
fortaki
nggoodcar eofmeonmyl astchemo, f
or
doingmymakeupandmaki ngsureIlooked
beautif
ul.ThankyouRiyaforal
sohelpingme. ”
Ri
yasmi
led.Thahil
ookedatherbr
other
.
“Thankyouforbei
ngther
e,f
oral
lthemot
ivat
ional
emotionalbl
ackmai
li
ngvi
deos.
”
Bat
angsmi
led.Thabil
ookedatAt
ang.
“Andthankyouf
orl
ovi
ngme.Idon’
tdeserveit.I
don’
tknowwhatyouseebutt
hankyouforstaying
bymyside.Forpayingmymedicalbi
ll
stoo.Thank
youf
oreveryt
hing.Icannevert
hankyouenough.”
“Iam theluckyone.”Hehel dherhands.“ Iknow
yourdream wast ostartyourownpr acti
ce.Your
ownl i
ttl
eclini
c.AndIknowt hatcancerhasdelayed
everyt
hingbuti tdoesn’tmeani tshouldn’
thappen.I
knowyouar eleftwit
haf ewmor eroundsofchemo
andIbel i
evethatafterthiswear edonebecausewe
aredefinit
elywinners.SoIt houghtwhynotst art
sett
ingupf oryousot hatwhenyouar ewell
…you
takeoff.”
Thabi
lookedathi
m conf
used.
“
Bat
angandIt
hendeci
dedt
obui
ldyout
his…“
Hepoint
edatthebui
lding.Thabil
ookedast
women
br
oughtoutabannerinwr i
tt
en‘LOMOPREMI UM
CENTER'.
Thabi
swal
lowedst
ari
ngi
nshock.
“Ir
eadyourbusi
nessplan.Iknowyoudr eamtof
thi
s.Maybenotexact
lyli
kethisbutsi
milar.When
yougetmywell,
wecanal waysmakei twhatyou
want.
”
Zazawat chedast earsrol
leddownThabi’
scheeks.
Shel ookedmor ethanjustsick,
morel
ikeawalki
ng
skeleton.Shewassot hi
nshecouldbarel
y
recognizet hethickgi
rlsheonceknew.Talkabout
thealmi ghtyfall
ing.
Mor echemor oundsmeantthecancerwassti
ll
there.Zazasighed,i
twasli
kewatchi
ngdeathri
ght
i
nf rontofyoureyes.Herpr
esencesurpr
isi
ngl
y
didn’tbot
herherthatmuch.Poorthi
ngwasonher
wayt ohergrave.
Andthathead…shel ookedl
iket
hatcart
oon
char
acter
…t hatoneLomol i
kedwhenevershe
vi
sit
ed.ThecockroachinMonstersvsAli
ens.
Shesighedholdi
ngherglassofwi neasAtang
huggedher.Somehowt herelat
ionshi
plooked
for
ced.Itwasli
kehewasj usttryi
ngtoohard.She
pausedfeeli
ngguil
tyofherthoughtsbutThabi
hadn’
tcaredwhenhersonwasdyi ng.Shehadnot
evenvisi
tedher,
notevenoncet oseehim.
Andhonest
lyherdeat
hwouldjustsetever
yonef
ree
fr
om t
heconstantwor
ry.Whatdidsheevenhave
now?Stage4cancerorwhat
?What everi
tiswas
j
usttaki
nglongt
oendher.Shewast ir
edofital
l
.
Ei
therway,whywastemoneygetti
ngsomeonewho
wasdyinganenti
repri
vat
epract
ice?
Sheal
mostr
oll
edhereyesast
heyki
ssed.
From theothersi
deElangstaredsni
ffi
ngfeel
ing
emotional.Herhusbandputhisarm ar
oundher.
Witheveryonewiththei
rpart
ners,t
heyeit
herheld
handsorhuggedexpectt heki
ds,BatangandZaza.
Pr
ince’sphoner
ang.Het
ooki
toutandpi
cked
walki
ngaway.
“
Pear
l.
”
“
IwishIwasthere.Iam seei
ngt
hatBat
angi
s
t
aki
ngavideo.”
“
Yousl
eptwi
thherhusband.
”
“
Areyouembar
rassedofme?
”
“Iam notbutIam notgoi
ngt ot
akeyoutomy
fri
endswhom youhavef uckedbefor
e.Theyt
ooar
e
notcomf or
tabl
ewiththesetup.Idon’
twantt
o
maket hem uncomfort
abl
e.”
“
Whenar
eweget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“Itol
dIdon’twantt ogetmarri
ednotaft
er
everyt
hingIl osti
nmydi vor
ceset
tl
ement .Canwe
justbeli
ket hisandnotcompli
cat
ethings?Iwil
lsee
youlater.Bye.”
Hehungupandsmi
ledasThabigott
hekeys
smi
li
ng.

*
**

Abal
enghandedt
hewai
termoneyandt
hepoi
son.
“
Youputi
tinherj
uice.
”
“
Wil
lshedi
e?”
Abalengf
rownedthent
hewai
tersmi
ledhol
dingt
he
1kinherhands.
“
Ok.
”
Thewaiterst
eppedoutofthecarandwal
kedinsi
de
thecl
ini
cgoingtothebackdoorwher
eever
yone
was.
Shewal kedtothejuicesandpour edagl assfor
Thabi qui
cklypour
edt hecontentsfacingawayf rom
everyone.Sheputthel i
tt
lebott
leinherpocketthen
putthejuiceonatrayt oget
herwitht hr
eemor e
glasses.Shewalkedovert oThabiandgavehera
glass.Shepassedt heothertwotot hekids.
Thabismi
ledasever
yonewal
kedovert
oher
huggi
ngher.
Zazawalkedoverandhuggedhert
oosmi
li
ng.
“Cuzy…”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Thammat
hankyouf
orcomi
ng.
”
Zazalaughed.“
NowthatIam di
vor
cedIhavel
ot’
s
ofti
mei nmyhands.
”
“
Asl
ongasyouar
ehappy.
”
“Iam.Iknowthismustbehardonyou.Ifyouneed
anyhelp,youknowIalwaysther
e.Beitwi
ththe
kidsorthehouse.Iwi
llal
waysbether
e.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Iknowthecanceri
swayt ooaggressi
ve.AndIam
happyyouarefight
ingbutdon’
tyouthinki
t’
staki
ng
everythingfrom youbecausesti
llyouarenot
getti
ngbet ter.Youshoul
dbeenj oyi
ngyourl i
fenot
goingt hroughsomuchpai n.Youshouldbe
travel
ing.Spendi ngt
imewi t
hyourkidsbecausewe
allknowhowt hi
sends.AndalsoIwantyout oknow
thatyoudon’ thavetoworryaboutLomo, Riyaor
evenAt ang.Iam heretohelpthem wit
hever ythi
ng
theyneed.Youshoul dl
etitbeandjustenjoy.”
Thabilookedatheri
nsi l
encethensighed.“
Ifeel
di
zzy.Youcanhavet his.
.”Shehandedherthej ui
ce
si
tt
ing.ZazalookedatAtangwal ki
ngoverthen
walkedawaysippingthecoldjui
ce.

*
**

I
nPr
isonRebahel
dthephoneasLi
nayel
led.
“Howcoul
dyoudothi
s?Whyar
eyousabot
agi
ng
your
sel
fandmaki
ngmelookst
upi
d?”
“
Youdon’
tunder
stand-
“
“
Idon’
tunder
standwhat
?Iwasoncemar
ri
edt
oa
manwhohur tmecount lessti
mes.Ididn’
tdie
becausehebr okemyhear t
.Hesleptwit
hmysi st
er.
Yes…Idi dn’tdie.Thewor l
ddoesnotoweyoushi t!
Weal lhavebeent hroughsomuch.Howdoyou
holdagr udgef oryears?F* ckenmoveon!Youar e
goingtor otinprison.Wear egoi
ngbackt ocourt
againwi t
hadi f
ferentjudge.Youwon’tgetdeath
sentencebutyouar egoi ngtospendtherestof
yourlif
ether e.Youhaver ui
nedeveryt
hing.”
Rebar ubbedhereyescryi
ng.“He’shappyenjoying
hisli
fewhileIsuff
er.Hedeservestocryt
oo.Hi s
karmai scoming.Andhewi l
lcrytoo.Hedeserves
toli
veaunhappyandsad. ”
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#127

Thewait
erswall
owedstar
ingatZazawi
tht
hej
uice.
Herphonerangi
nherpocket.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Didshedr
ink?
”
“
Yes.What
’sgoi
ngt
ohappent
oher
?”
“
Not
hing.Bye.Nevercal
lme.
”
Abalenghungup.Thewaiterst
aredatZaza.Her
hear
tpoundedast het
houghtofbeingarr
estedf
or
murdercrossedhermi
ndt henhavi
ngherdaughter
remainwithhergr
andmotherwhowasawi t
ch.
Tear
sf il
ledhereyes,herdaught erwasonlytwo.
Hergrandmot herwon’tlethergot oschoolthe
samewayshehaddonet oher.ShewalkedtoZaza
hol
dingat r
ayandintentional
lybumpedi ntoher.
Zazascr eamedast heglassslippedfrom herhand
andfellspil
li
ngthejuiceonher .
“
Iam sosor
ry…”
Zazamovedbackwi
pingherwhit
edr
essi
nshock.
Theor
angestai
nonherdress.
“
Iam sor
rymam.
”
“
Youhaver
uinedmybedr
ess!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iam sor
ry.
”
Kell
ywal kedover
.“Let
sgotothebat
hroom andt
ry
tocleanit.Kel
lyt
ookZaza’
shandandledhertot
he
bathrooms.
“
Takeof
fthedr
ess.
”
Zazatookof
fthedressannoyed.Kel
lygott
hedr
ess
thenwentbythesi
nkwashingonlythestai
n.
“
Iover
hear
dyout
alki
ngt
obeThabi
.”
Zazal
ookedather
.
Kellycont
inuedtal
kingcalmly.“
Iheardwhatyou
toldherandIfindi
tsadt hatyouwouldtel
lyour
owncousi ntostopfight
ingforherl
if
esoyoucan
takeoverherfamil
y.”
“
Didyouhearmesayt
hat
?”
“Yes.Weal lknowwhatyoumeanwhenyousayyou
willtakecareofherfami l
yoncesheisdead.Al l
alongIt houghtyouwer eThabi’
sfr
iendasmuchas
youbear ehercousin.Buttohearyoubesayt he
thingsyousai d,youdefeatedme.Youar ever
yevil
.
Idon’ tknowwhatyouar ethi
nki
ngwillhappenin
yourtwistedheadbuti twon’thappen.Noti
nthis
l
ifet
ime.At angwi l
lnevergi
veyouasecondgl ance
youbitterwitch.Iprai
seGodyoursondi ed,i
magine
i
fIhadt odealwithyourbitt
ernessfort
herestof
myl i
fe.Youar edisgusti
ng.Ifyoudivor
cedyour
husbandt hinkingThabiisdyingthenyouhave
anotherthingcomi ng.
”
Kell
yfini
sheduphandedthedr
ess.“Youcanwait
foritt
odryorgohome.IfIwer
eyouI ’
dchoosethe
l
atterbef
oreyouembarr
assyoursel
fevenfur
ther.
”
Kell
ydriedherhandsandwalkedoutherheel
s
cl
ackingont hewhit
eti
lesasshewalkedmoving
herhipsfrom si
detosi
de.
Zazatookherdr
essandputi ton.Shewalkedout
goi
ngt ot
heparki
nglotthengotinhercar.Shetook
herphoneandstar
tedtypingThabialongmessage.
Zaza:Kell
ywashar assi
ngme.Shesai
dafew
off
endingthi
ngssoIam goinghomebecauseIcan
cl
earlyseeIam notwantedher
e.
Thabi
openedt
hemessaget
henst
art
edt
ypi
ng.
Thabi
:Ok.Tr
avelsaf
ely.
.
Zazastar
tedt
ypi
ngt
henstoppedandr eadt
he
messageagai
nanddroveof
fangri
ly.

*
**

AtPri
nce’
shouse,
Pear
lmixedhersol
uti
onwhi
le
t
alki
ngtoherf
ri
endonthephone.
“Hedoesn’
ttakemeanywher
eanymor
e.Thingsj
ust
changedbet
weenus.Ekar
eallwedoi
sfuck.”
“
Youst
il
ldr
inkyoursol
uti
on?
”
Pear
lsi
ghed.“
Ifeari
fIdon’
thewi
lll
eaveme.
”
“Butyouknowsexi ndoesn’tkeepamanr i
ght?I
don’tthi
nkheeverl ovedyou.Hepr obabl yj
ust
want edsomeonewhowoul dgi vehim kidssincehi
s
wifecouldn’
t.Youwer ejustababymaki ngmachine.
That’sall
.Nowt hatyougavehi mtheki ds,he
doesn’tseeyouasawi febutassomeonehecan
fuck.”
“
Hewoul
dn’
thavel
eftLonei
fhedi
dn’
tloveme.
”
“
Hedi
dnotl
eaveLone.Shel
efthi
m.”
“
Ifeelyouar
enegat
ive.
”
“Iam notgoingtoli
etoyouifthat’
swhatyouare
hopingfor.Youlethi
m useyout hi
nki
ngheloved
you.Menl ikePr
incearenott
het ypet
hatcoul
dbe
unsureofyou.Ifhewantedhewoul dhavemarri
ed
youbynow. ”
“
Youar
ejustnegat
ive.
”
“Pearl
,i
tdidn’
ttakemyhusbandf iveyearstomarr
y
me.Princestil
ldoesn’twanttobeseenwi thyou
becauseyouar ethatwomanwhosl eptwi
thhismy
fri
endsgetti
ngfuckedever ycorner.Aft
ertheywer
e
donewi t
hyou, t
heyspi tyououtli
keausedcondom.
Whatmakesyout hinkhewoul dloveyou?”
“
Hel
ovesme.Iknowmyman.
”
“I
jomma,cont
inuedr
inki
ngt
hings.Myhusbandand
Iam ar
egoi
ngoutforsomef
reshair.Wewil
ltal
k.
Thefr
iendhungup.Pearltookadeepbreat
hand
gul
pedhersolut
ion.Shetookoutthepl
ainyoghur
t
andquickl
yatei
t.Shewalkedtothesit
ti
ngroom
andlaidonthecouchhol
dingherphonewhi
ledoi
ng
kegelexer
cises.

*
**

Abalengparkedhercarinhergat
ejustasapol i
ce
cardroveinbehindher
.Herheartbeatincr
easedas
herkneesgotweak.Twopol i
ceoffi
cerssteppedout
andwal kedovertoher
.
Theyknockedonherwi
ndow.Shesl
owl
yrol
ledi
t
down.
“
Dumel
ang.
.”
“Mr
sThar
i,canyoupleasecomewithuscomewi
th
ust
othepoli
cestat
ionforsomequest
ioni
ng.
”
Abal
engl
ookedatt
hem shaki
ngwi
thf
ear
.

*
**
Lat
erthatdayAtangopenedthedoorf
orThabit
hen
shegotin.Shel
eanedbackfeel
ingweak.
“
Mama, IhavetaggedyouonmyFacebookpost
.I
wantustostar
ttheli
vevideo.
”
“
Lomo,
Idon’
twantt
obeonFacebook.
”
“
Butyouhavef
ans.
”
“
Youar
etheonewi
thf
ansnotme.
”
Atanggoti
nthecart
henst
art
edt
heengi
neand
rever
sed.
“Ok,
thencanwedoaphot
oshoott
omor
row.Daddy
canmommyandIdoaphotoshoot
?”
Thabi
shookherhead.“
Lomo.
.”
“
Itwi
llj
ustbeaphot
o-“
“
Lel
omoIsai
dno!
”
“
But
-“
At
angl
ookedathert
hrought
hemi
rr
or.“
Lomo…”
Shekeptquietandsadl
ylookedoutt
hrought
he
window.Thabirubbedhereyesi
nsil
ence.
At
angsmiled.“
Wewi
llhaveaphot
oshootsomeday.
Notnow.
”
Ri
yasmi
led.“
Iwi
llt
akepi
ctur
est
oodaddy?
”
“
Yes.Wewi
llal
ltakepi
ctur
es.
”
Hehel
dThabi
’
shand.“
It
sok.
”
Shenoddedsni ffi
ng.At angtur nedbyt hefi
ll
ing
st
ationsteppedoutt alki
ngt ot hef uelatt
endant.
Thabi t
ookadeepbr eathwat chi nghim speak.She
sl
owl ysmiledthenpausedashi sphoner ang.She
l
ookedati tthenreachedf orit.Shel ookedat
unsavednumbercal l
ingthenpi ckedt hecall
.
“Heybabe,Ij
ustl
anded,IknowyousaidIshoul
dn’
t
Ineedali
fthome.Mysistercoul
dn’
tcome.Shegot
busy.
”
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#128
“Hi
,youar
espeaki
ngt
oMr
s.Dani
el.What
’syour
name?”
Therewassil
encef
orasecondt
henshespoke.“
I
havetogo.Bye.
”
“Yourhel
pwasappreciat
ed,Icanseehepr obabl
y
gotsomeonewhocanhel phimr eli
efthefr
ust
rat
ion
butIam backnowandyoucanbackof f
.Kebuale
wenasentewithr
espectakerennaka.Yaanongke
kopaontsutel
ekeagelel
apal aaka.”
“
Tel
lAt
angt
ocal
lme.KeMamo.
”
Shehungup.Thabitookadeepbr eathhol
dinghis
phone,herhandsshaki
ng.At angwal
kedinsi
dethe
fi
ll
ingstat
ionstor
eandwal kedoutminut
eslat
er.He
gotbackinthecarandkissedhercheek.
“
Igotyouchocol
ate.Ourf
li
ghtl
eavesont
hir
ty
minut
es.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
ogot
oMaun.Let
’sgot
othehouse.
””
At
angl
ookedather
.“Babeourf
li
ght
s-“
“
Takemet
othehouse.Iam t
ir
ed.
”
Atangstart
edthecaralr
eadysensi
ngsomethi
ng
wasof f
.Hedrovetothei
rhouseinGabor
one.He
droveinthr
oughthegateandparkedi
nthegarage
nexttohercar
.
Het ur
nedtohiskidswhowerealreadysleepi
ng
thencarri
edthem onebyoneinsi
det hehouse
beforefi
nall
ycomingbackforThabi.
“
Let
sgoi
nsi
de.
”
“
Whoi
sMamo?
”
At
abgf
rowned.“
Who?
”
“
Mamo.Whoi
sMamo?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Whoi
sshe?
”
“At
ang,don’
tyout
hinkwearetoogrownf
orl
ies?
Don’
tyouthi
nkweshouldpastthat
?”
“
Iam l
ost
.Babewhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Tear
sfil
ledhereyes.“
Whoi
sMamo?Ther
eisno
needtol
ieAtang.”
“
BabeIdon’
tknowwhot
hati
s.”
“
Waaka!Whyar
eyoul
ying?Ol
dhabi
tsdodi
ehar
d
don’
tthey?
”
“
Thabi
-“
“
Youcan’teventel
lmethet
rut
h.”Tear
srol
leddown.
“
Cantyoujustbehonest
?”
“
Idon’
tknowwhot
hati
s.”
“
Shecal
ledyou.Ispoket
oher
.”
At
anglookedatherf
urt
herconf
used.“
Shecal
led
me?”
“Stopmakingmef eel
stupid.Ijustneedthetrut
h.I
am notdivor
cingyouforthat.Ijustneedtoknow
thetrut
h.”
“Idon’tknowwhot hati
sRet habi
le.Idon’
tknow
whyshewoul dcallme.
”Het ookhisphoneand
unlockedhisscreen.Helookedatthenumberthen
call
edi t
.Helookedather.
“I
t’
snotgoingt hr
oughbutIdon’tknowwhot hati
s.I
am notcheati
ngonyou.Iwi shyoucouldhavea
l
itt
lefai
thi
nme. .
Ihavebeennothi
ngbutfai
thfult
o
you.Ihavelovedyouandyouonl y.WhywouldI
cheatwhenIhappywi thyou.”
“Youbeinghappywi t
hmehasneverst oppedyoui n
thepast.Shecal
ledwant i
ngtobepickedforthe
air
port
.Iknowitshei syoursi
de.Iwasi nSouth
Afri
cafortwomont hs.Iknowyouareseeing
someoneconsideri
ngi twearenothavingtosex.”
“
Ist
hatwhatyout
hinkofme?
”
Shesni
ff
ed.“Ij
ustwantyout
obehonestwi
thme.
Howlonghaveyoubeenseei
ngher
?”
“Iam notcheati
ngonyou.BecauseIloveyou.Iam
sadyouwoul dstil
lmenti
onmypastmi st
akeseven
afterever
ythi
ng.Iam morethanj
ustsadthatyou
woul dact
uall
ythinkIwoul
dcheat.
”
“Youarenotgoi ngtoemot ional
lybl
ackmailmeto
getawaywi t
ht his.Iknowyouandt hepersonyou
beare.It
’sf*cki
ingliesthatgettomebutIam
surpr
ised.Thisiswhoyouar e.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
”
“
Yes!Wal
kawayl
ikeacowar
dyouar
e.”
At
angtookherbagsandwalkedi
nsi
dethehouse
l
eavi
ngherwit
hthephone.Hetookashowerand
putonhi
sbr
ief
sjustasshewal
kedi
nwi
thr
eddi
sh
eyes.
Hegotinbedbyandl
aidonmyhisside.Thabi
sadlybewal
kedt
othebathr
oom t
ryi
ngtoholdher
tear
s.

*
**

Zazadr
ankmoreofthestrongpai
nki
ll
ersasher
st
omachached.ShelookedatMamo.
“
Youwillcal
lhert
omor
row.Butdoi
twhi
leIam
t
her
e.”
Mamonodded.“
Ok.Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Yes.Thankyouf
orwhatyoudi
d.”
Mamosmi
led.“
Anyt
ime.
”
Mamost eppedoutoft hecarwithherhandbagand
walkedint hr
ought hegate.Zazatookadeepbr eat
h
sweatinganddr ovehomei nexcruciat
ingpain.She
sl
owl ywalkedinsidethehouseandboi leddone
water
.Shemixedacoupl
eofthi
ngsanddrankital
l
bef
orelyi
ngdownonthecouchgrunt
ingi
npain.
Shecl
osedhereyesast
hepai
nincr
eased.

*
**

LaterthatnightPr
incelai
dawakegoingt
hroughput
Lone’sFacebookpi ct
uresandshel
ookedli
keshe
wast r
avelingalotthoughther
ewasnopictur
eofa
man.I tmadehi mfeelbett
er.
Shelookedbeaut
if
ulandherbodyl
ookedeven
moretoned.Heconti
nuedsavi
ngherpi
ctur
esinhi
s
phone.
Pear
lturnedi
nhersl
eep.Pri
ncetur
nedand
cont
inuedscr
oll
ingt
hroughthepi
ctur
es.
Hewenttohermessengerandsentheramessage
t
hroughmessenger
.
Pr
ince:Hey…”
Hewai
tedf
orherr
epl
ywhi
lePear
lsnowedl
oudl
y.
Hegotupandwal
kedt
othebat
hroom hol
dinghi
s
phone.
Pr
ince:Imi
ssyou.
Hei
ssenti
tsi
tt
ingont
het
oil
etseat
.

*
**

Atthepoli
cestati
on,Abel
engsatinjai
lcel
l.She
tookadeepbreathasshethoughtofbeinglocked
i
npr i
sonforbeinganaccompli
ce.Ifanyt
hing
happenedtoThabishewouldnowgot oprisonfor
murder.
Shesnif
fedthi
nkingofherhusband.Hewas
obvi
ouslygoi
ngtor epl
aceher.Shesni
ff
edagai
n
seat
edwi t
hotherlawoffender
s.

*
**

AtAt
ang’
shouse,
Thabiwal
kedouti
nagownand
satdownstar
ingathi
m sl
eepi
ng.Sher
eachedf
or
herphoneanddial
edMomoasherheartr
aced.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Momo?
”
“
Yes.Whoi
sthi
s?”
Thabitookadeepbreat
h.Shepressedherl
ips
toget
herandwipedawayhertears.
“
Hel
lo?Whoi
sthi
s?”
“Youar espeakingt oAtang’swif e.Idon’tknow
whatar rangementyouhavewi thAt angbutIdon’t
havet heenergyt ofight
.Ihavecancerandmy
chancesofsur vivalareclosetozer o.Wehavet wo
kids.Iwantmyki dsexperiencewhatahappyf amily
feelsli
ke.Nnakakeagokopa. .
.”Thabit ookabr eat
h
wipingawayhert ears.“
Pleasej ustgi vemea
momentwi thmyhusbandandki ds.Youwi llt
ake
overonceIam dead.Iam beggi ngyou. ”
Mamosi ghed.“
Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tknow.Totatobe
honestIdon’
tevenknowyourhusband.Iam j
usta
cl
eaner,mybossaskedmet odothat.Pl
easedon’
t
confr
onther
.Isti
llwantmyjob.Iam notahome
wrecker
.Iam sor
ryforthepai
nandconf usi
on.
”
“
Who’
syourboss.
”
“
Zaza.Iam sor
ry.
”
Thabicl
osedhereyes.“
Thankyou.Forbei
ng
honest.
”
“
Eemma.Goodni
ght
.”
Shehungup.Thabiwal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom and
l
ookedatAtangwhowassleepi
ngasgui
lt
ychoked
her
.
Sheslowl
ywalkedt
owar
dst
hebedandgotonbed
thent
ouchedhim.
“
Babe…”
Her
emai
nedsl
eepi
ng.Sheshookhi
m gent
ly.
“
Att
ie…r
ragweLomo…”
Sheshookhim.Hewokeupandlookedather
.
“Ret
habi
leIdon’
twantt
ofi
ght
-“
“
Iam sorry…Iwaswr
ongandoutofli
ne.Iam sor
ry
f
orcall
ingyounamesandaccusi
ngyou.Idohave
f
ait
hinyoubut
…Iam sor
ry.Pl
easef
orgi
veme.
.”
.
.
.

Doparti
cipat
equi
ckl
ysowecansqueezei
n
anot
herbonus.
Your
sTr
uly
#129

At
angsi
lent
lyl
ookedather
.
“Iam sorry.Ijust
…Ithought…it’
shar dnottot hi
nk
aboutit.I
t’snothi
ngt odowithtrust.It
’severythi
ng
todowi thme.Iam t heprobl
em.It hink…Iwantt he
bestforyoubutIam scar edofwat chingithappen
whenIknowIam nott hebest.Iam…Iam not
makingexcuses.Iam sor ry,
Iwaswr ongbut …
someonej ustcal
ledyourphoneandspokel ike
that
…Igoti tscar
edandwentoutofl ine.It
rustyou.
Ido.AndIlonggotoverthepast
.Idi
d.I…”She
bli
nked.
.“Butsometi
mesIam onlyhuman.Kego
thokget
simait
seo.Iam sorr
y.Pl
easeforgi
veme.
”
“
Youwer
esosur
eIam cheat
ing.Whathappened?
”
“
Ithoughtt
hingst
hroughcal
mly.Iam sor
ry.
”
“Letitbethelastti
meyout alktomel i
kereko
strat
eng.Idon’tknowwhoMi mikanaMoll
yis.I
don’tevenknowt hatnumber .Iknowit’
snaturalto
assumeaf terthephonecal lbutt
ocallmenamesi s
somet hi
ngIwon’ tent
ert
ain.Ihavenevergiveyoua
reasontot hi
nkIwouldhur tyouliket
hatagain.”
“
Iam sor
ry.I
twon’
thappenagai
n.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
sok.
.let
’smovepasti
t.
”
Hepul
ledherl
ightbodyont
opofhi
m.Thabismi
led.
“
Thankyouf
orbei
ngmat
ureenought
owal
kaway.
”
Hepul l
edhercloserandki
ssedher.Hefl
ipped
them gent
lygetti
ngontopofhim get
ti
ngbetween
herlegscaressi
ngherbody.
“
Att
ie…”Shel
ookedathi
m under
neat
hhi
m.
Hel
ookedinhereyes.“
It
’sok.Rel
ax.Iam not
t
aki
ngitf
ar.
”
Hetookoffhernightdressandkissedhermor e.He
ki
ssedherneckt henherli
ps.Thabi’
sheartpounded
ashetookof fhi
sshirtandpull
edoutherpanty.He
l
ookedatp* ssy,
hisheartraci
ngashisdicgrew
evenharderinhispants.
Hegent l
ymassagedherbreaststhenunzippedhi
s
pantsandtooki
tout.Shefearful
lyputherhandon
hi
schestasher ubbedhi
msel fonherbreathi
ng
heavil
ytryi
ngt
okeephimselfundercheck.
Hisdi
ckgotevenhar derasprecum oozedout.He
smearedi
tonherasandpar t
edherp* ssyli
ps.He
coul
dbarelybeseehersweethol e.Hepressedthe
ti
pathertenderent
rance…
“
Att
ie…”
Helookedathert i
nyholeal
readyimagini
ngthe
pl
easur eofbeingburieddeepinsi
de…fuckhe
missedi tthatmuch.Heleanedoverandsuckedher
deli
cately.Thabisl
owlyrel
axedslowlygett
ing
aroused.
Atangcont
inuedworki
nghi
stongueinhermuffi
ng
herli
keapro.Shel
etoutasl
ightmoan,herni
ppl
es
hardeni
ng.
Heli
ftedhi
sheadandherl
ipsr
unninghisdicup
anddownhernowwetsli
t.Heslowl
yreachedfor
thel
ubeonhissi
deofthebed.
Thabilookedathim asherubbedhislubr
icat
eddick
onher.Shet ookadeepbreathasfearhadher
tensi
ng.Atangkissedherneckgentl
ymassagi ng
hercli
twithhisdick.
Sherel
axed,
herhandsonhi
sbi ceps.At
angsl
id
downandpushedatherent
rance.
“
Att
ie-
“
“
It
sjustt
het
ip.
.Ipr
omi
se.
.”
“
Att
iei
t’
s..awww.
.”
He#r
emoved
.
Hepushedi
nalmosthalfhi
sdickandst
il
led
gr
oani
ng,hi
sjui
cesfi
ll
ingherup.
Hesli
doutandwatchedashermeatcl
osedup
whil
ehiscum r
andownherbutt
.Hetur
nedher
ar
oundandlookedathert
ear
s.
Heki
ssedher
.“Iam sor
rybabe…”
Shesni
ffednoddi
ng.Hepul
ledheri
nhi
sar
msand
si
ghed.
“
Thankyou.
.”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Iam happyIcoul
dhel
p.”
“Bytheway,Zazaoffer
edtohelpmeandthekids.I
t
sortofsoundedli
keshewasalsooff
eri
ngtohelp
mei ninappr
opri
ateways.Maybeyoucantal
kto
her.
”
“Ihavenot
hingtotal
ktoZachari
ahabout.Iwantt
o
cutheroff
.Pleasebl
ockherbecauseIam al
so
goingtobl
ockher.”
“
Ok.Consi
deri
tdone.
”

*
**
AtZaza’
shouse,Zazacontinuedsweati
ngslowly
walki
ngoutofherhousehol di
nghercarkeys.She
l
ockedthedoor.Heri
ntesti
nest ur
nedasshe
walkedt
owardshercar,shepausedandvomi ted
bl
oodont hegr
ound.
Hernei ghborwhowassmoki ngoutsi
delookedover
asshest r
uggledget
ti
nginhercar.Thepai
nt wi
sted
herintesti
nes,shesl
owlykneltdownaspain
cri
ppledher .
Theneighborj
umpedovert
hef
encet
hrowi
ngher
ci
garet
te.
“
Hi…ar
eyouok?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m cr
ying.
“
Myst
omach….
”
Hepi
ckedherupandputheratt
hebackseatt
hen
j
umpedhercaranddr
oveoutthr
oughtheopengate.
Hel
ookedather
.“Hey…whathappened?
”
Shecoil
edherbodyint
oabal l,
painweakeningher
fur
ther
.Hedroveevenfasterheadedtothehospi
tal
.
Hepull
edupattheemer gencyroom andcarri
edher
i
nsi
descr
eami
ngf
orhel
p.

Att
hehospit
al,
thenei
ghborparkedhercarpr
oper
ly
t
henwalkedbackint
hehospit
alandsatdown.He
t
ookadeepbreathpi
cki
nghisfriend’
scal
l.
“
Lai
taka…”
“
Lef
ikawehavear
ri
ved.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Remembermynei
ghbor
?”
“
Whi
chone?TessaThompson?
”
Lefi
kalaughed.“Yeah,
she’snotwell
.Irushedhert
o
thehospit
al.Gongweaftert
hisIwil
lshootmyshot.”
Hi
sfr
iendl
aughed.“
Youhavenotbeeni
nthegame
f
orawhil
e,oi
tsegoposha?
”
“
Want
wael
awena.
”
Anursewalkedovert
ohi
m.“
Dumel
ang,
thedoct
or
woul
dliket
oseeyou.”
Hef
oll
owedafterhert
othedoct
or’
sof
fi
cehangi
ng
upt
hensatdown.
“
Isever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes,
whoar
eyout
oher
?”
“
Her
…herboyf
ri
end.I
ssheok?
”
“Wear esuspect ingyourgi rl
fr i
endingestedar seni
c
chemi cal.It
’sver ydanger ouspoi sonthatcauses
thecramps, diarrhea, vomi ti
ng, sweati
ngandj ust
excruciatingpai n.Wear egoi ngtoperform bowel
i
rrigati
on.Aspeci alsolutioni spassedt hrought he
gastrointestinaltract,flushingoutt hecont ents.The
i
rrigati
onr emovest racesofar seni
candpr eventsit
from beingabsor bedint othegut .Wear eal sogoing
todot hechel ati
ont her apy.Thi str
eatmentuses
certai
nchemi cals,includingdi mercaptosuccinic
acidanddi mer capr ol,t
oi solatethearsenicf r
om the
bloodpr oteins.”
“Ei
shdoct
or,
thosebigwor
dsar
eforme.I
sshe
goi
ngtobeokthough?”
“Yes.Buti
nawhil
e.Shewil
lrecover
,it
’sgoodyou
broughtheri
n.Wewil
lmoni
torherheartandki
dney
f
unct
ionbecausear
seni
caf
fect
sthose.
”
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Youcangoandseeher
.”

InZaza’
sroom,
Lef
ikast
oodbesi
desher
.Hehel
d
herhand.
“
Hi….
”
Zazasl
owl
yopenedhereyesandl
ookedathi
m.
Lefi
kasmi
led.
“
Hi.Youar
egoi
ngt
obef
ine.
”
Zazaspokeweakl
y.“
Iwaspoi
sonedatt
hepar
ty…”
“
Bywho?
”
“Mycousi
n.Shegavemeherj
uice…shewant
sto
hur
tme.”
“
Doyouwantt
orepor
thert
othepol
ice?
”
Zazat
ear
fulshookherhead.“
It
sfi
ne.Canyou
pl
easebor
rowmeyourphone.
”
Lef
ikahandedhert
hephone.Zazadi
aledAt
ang’
s
numberandputthephoneonherear
.
Thabipi
ckedt
hecal
lmeasLef
ikawal
kedoutgi
ving
herspace.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Soyoupoi
sonedmeatyourpar
ty”
“
Excuseme?
”
“Iam att
hehospital
.Ist
art
edget
ti
ngsi
ckaf
terI
drankyourj
uice.Youareevi
l.
”
“Idi
dn’tpoisonyou.Idon’tevenhavear easonto
butgoaheadandbel i
evewhat everyouwantt o
beli
eve.Iam verydisappoint
edt hatyouaretr
ying
byallmeanst ogetridofmet oapointofhaving
yourmai dcallt
owreckmymar r
iage.Notthatit
’s
enoughyouwantmet odieandt akeovermyf amily.
Iam goingt okeepfi
ghtingti
llmyver yl
astbreath
andeveni fIweretodie,youwi l
lneverbewith
Atang.”
“
Eveni
f?Youar
egoi
ngt
odi
e.Youwon’
tbet
her
e
butIwi llbe.WhenIsai dallthatIwasj usttr
yingt o
easeyourst resssot hatatleastyouknowi t’
sme
withAt angandt hekids.Afteryoudie, Iwil
lbet her e
tocomf ortAtangf orhisl
ossandIwi llmakesur e
youar ef orgotten.Thatli
tt
leper f
ectfami l
yofyour s
willbemi ne.ImetAt angfirst.Hewasmi nefir
st .Go
aheadandenj oyyourlastmoment sbecauseIcan
alreadyhearyourdeat hcal l
ingforyou.Don’ twor ry,
Ishallsingandcr ywhi l
ewel oweryourcof f
in.Iwi ll
takegoodcar eofhim andt hekidswhi leyourbody
rots.”

AYEARLATER….
.
.
.
Your
sTr
uly
#130

AYEARLATER…
Atangsilentlyst
aredatt
hegrave.Ithadonlybeen8
mont hssinceherdeathbuthesti
llcouldn’
tseem to
ful
lgraspt hatshewasgone.Heknel tandplucked
outthegr assaroundhergr
avecleaningitup.He
fi
xedt hefreshfl
owershehadgottenandsatont op
ofthegr ave.
Hecoul dsti
llhearhervoi
ceinhishead.Sti
llhear
herlaughorcal lhi
sname.Het ri
edtoremembert he
l
astthinghehadsai dt
oher.Theyhadbeen
l
aughi ngathowcr azyinl
ovehewas.Whatwas
thatshehadsai d…somet hi
ngaboutbeingwiththe
ri
ghtfulper
sonwast hebestgi
ftGodcouldever
giveanyone.
Tearsburnthi
seyes.Hehadn’tseenitcoming.I
t
hadtakenhim byshock.Somehowhej ustdidn’
t
underst
andhowGodwor kedsometime.Shehad
beensopr eci
ous…
Hestaredathernameimpr
int
edont hegl
ossy
tombstone.Hestoodupmi
nutesl
aterandrubbed
hiseyessadly.
“
Iloveyou…”
Heblinkedastearsfi
ll
edhiseyes.Hetookadeep
breat
ht hentur
nedandwal kedbackt
ohi scar
.He
j
umpedi nandlookedatt
het i
methenjoinedt
he
roaddrivi
ngoff.
Hi
sphoner
ang,
her
eachedf
ori
tandpi
cked.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Okae?(
Wher
ear
eyou?
)”
“
Iam onmyway.Ihadt
oseeherf
ir
st.
”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Ihopeyoupassedmyl
ovet
oher
.”
At
angl
aughed.“
Sheknows.
”
“
Didyout
ellherIl
oveher
?”
“
Yeah.It
oldheri
nmyhear
t.
”
“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“Ijustlef
tthegr
aveyar
d.Iwi
l
lbet
her
elat
eat
night.”
“
Ok.Aslongasyouar
ri
vebef
oresi
xint
he
mor
ning.
”
“
YeahIwi
llbet
her
e.”
“
Sur
e,youhaveyoursui
taker
e?”
“
Yes.Ker
eady.
”
“
Haveyouspokent
oPr
ince?
”
“Yah,he’
sonhi
sway.I
shecomi
ngwi
thhi
snew
gir
lf
ri
end?”
“Hewon’
tleaveher
.She’
stoobeaut
if
ulf
orhi
m.He
can’
tbr
eat
he.”
“
Iam happyhebr
okeupwi
thPear
l.
”
“Heneverlovedher
.OrLonetoo.Kegor
ehel
amy
boyopekisiwakekuku.(
P*ssydri
veshi
m cr
azy.
)”
Aganglaughed.“MmekanaPear
leneomonat
e.
(
Pearli
ssweet .
)”
At
angl aughedt
oo.“
Exact
lywhyhewentaf
terher
.I
am happyshedidgi
vebeaut
if
ulki
ds.
”
“
Isawt
hatLonei
sdat
ingsomeNi
ger
iandude.
”
“
Ihear
d.Oj
olal
ebowhot
sdoyouwont
sbaby.
”
Theybur
sti
ntol
aught
er.
“
Andhei
sri
ch.
”
“Yes.ButIl
ikethenewgirl
..she’
syoungandpr
ett
y.
Ithi
nkheact ual
lyl
ovesher.”
“
Yeahkanashe’
sshy.
”
“
Ihaveani
ncomi
ngcal
l.Iwi
llcal
lyou.
”
“
Sur
e.”
At
anghungupandpi
ckedani
ncomi
ngcal
l.
“
Heysweet
ie.
.”
“
Daddy,
canyoupleaser
echar
gemyphone?Ther
e
i
snoWiFiher
e.”
“Lomo,yourot
hercousi
nsareal
lther
e.Putaway
yourphoneandplaywit
hthem.”
“
Butt
heydon’
tli
keme.
”
“Youdon’
tknowthat.Youj
ustassumet
heydon’
t
becauseyoudon’
ttalkt
othem.Wherei
sChr
issi
e?”
“
Aunt
yKel
lyi
sonherwaywi
tht
hem.
”
“
Ok.Justwai
tfort
hem.Putt
hephoneaway.
”
“
Daddy,
youar
eki
ll
ingmyvi
bet
obehonest
.Isor
t
off
eelabusedconsider
ingIdidn’
tbr
ingmysel
fon
ear
th.Iam yourr
esponsibi
li
ty.
”
Atanglaughed.“
Andasmyr esponsibi
li
ty,
Iam
sayingputawaythephone.WhereisRiya?”
“
Playi
ng.
”
“
See.
”
“
Ok.Bye.
”
“
Iloveyou.
”
“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
Shehungup.At
angi
ncr
easedt
hespeedheadedt
o
Maun.

*
**

I
nMaun,Lomopr
essedherphonesmi
li
ngasMax
t
yped.
Max:
Iam dr
ivi
ngover
.Iwi
llseeyout
omor
row.
Lomo:Ok.Imi
ssyou
Max:
Met
oo.ButIcan’
tmeetyoui
npubl
ic
Lomo:Iknow.
Max:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Lomo:Not
hing.Keemet
simycl
osecousi
nst
o
come
Max:Ok.Myphonei
sal
mostof
f.Wewi
llt
alkwhenI
ar
ri
vether
e.
Kel
lysnat
chedt
hephonef r
om Lomol
aughi
ng.She
l
ookedatthemessagest
henLomotookherphone.
“
Aunt
y!”
Kel
lyl
ookedathert
hencl
osedLomo’
sdoor
.
“
Hi.
”
Lomol
ockedherphone.
Kell
ysmiledst
ari
ngather
.“It
houghtwewer
ebest
fr
iends…”
“
Wear
e.”
“
Who’
sMaxt
hen?
”
“
Noone.
”
“
Comeon…”
“
Youwi
llt
elluncl
ethenhewi
llt
elldaddy.
”
“
Iwon’
t.Ipr
omi
se.
”
Lomosmi
ledshyl
y.“
He’
smyboyf
ri
end.
”
“
Isawt
hathedr
ives…ni
ce,
howol
dishe?
”
“
22year
sol
d.”
“
Isn’
theal
it
tl
eol
dforyou?
”
“
Ilovehi
m.”
“
Iknowbutyouknowwhatol
derguyswantr
ight
?”
“
MaxknowsIam notr
eadyf
orsex.
”
“
Whati
fhewant
sit
?”
“
Idon’
twantt
ohavesex.Iam st
il
lyoung.AndI
wantt
obeadoct
or.
”
Kel
lysmil
ed.“
Good.Ifyouwantt
obeadoct
ort
hen
youhavetoworkhar
d.Andbecaref
ul.
”
“
Yes.
”
“Butif
..whenyouhavesex,
tel
lmeok?Don’
tbe
scared.”
Lomosmi
led.Kel
lyhuggedher
.“Ial
sowantt
osee
hi
mtomor
row.”
Lomonodded.“
Ok.
”
“
Chr
ist
iei
slooki
ngf
oryou.
”
Theywal
kedoutt
omeethercousi
ns.

*
**

Batangsmi l
edst
ari
ngathi
ssonatthebackseat
thenlookedathi
swifewhi
ledr
ivi
ng.
“
He’
shandsome.
”
Lebol
aughed.“
Baby,
yousayt
hisal
mostever
yday.
”
“
Becausehel
ooksl
ikeme.
”
Lebol
aughed.“
Inyourdr
eams.
”
“
Hedoes.Lookathi
sface.
”
Lebotur
nedandl
ookedathi
m.Hedi
dlookl
ikehi
s
fat
herbut…
“
No.Hedoesn’
t.
”
“
Hedoes.
”
Lebol
aughed.“
Ok.
.youwi
n.”
Bat
ang’
sphonerang.Leboanswer
edi
tforhi
m
put
ti
ngi
tonloudspeaker.
“
Bat
ang.
.”
“
Rra?
”
“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
Iam i
nRakopsnow.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llar
ri
vel
ateatni
ghtbutIam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.Di
dyouseeher
?”
“
Yes.
”
Bat
angsi
ghedsadl
y.“
Ok.
”
“
It
sok.Wewi
llt
alk.
”
“
Ok.
”
At
anghungup.Lebosmi
led.
“
Ilovet
her
elat
ionshi
pyouhavewi
thhi
m.”
Bat
angsmi
led.“
Hei
smyf
ather
.Justt
hatone
f
atherIdon’
tcal
ldadbuthei
s.”
Lebonoddedsmi
li
ngasBat
angdr
ove.

(
(Copyr
ight@2022byFezMat
siki
ti
.+26775447725
Allr
ightsr
eser ved:Nopartofthisbookshallbe
repr
oduced, dist
ribut
ed,orusedinanyform orby
anymeans, electroni
c,phot
ocopying,mechanical
ly
orotherwi
se, withoutt
hepriorwrit
tenper
missionof
theauthor
.Anyper sonwhodoesunaut hori
zed
worksinrelati
ont othi
spublicat
ionwil
lbeli
ableto
cri
minalprosecut i
on.)
)

*
**

Elangfi
nishedwithhermakeupear
li
ert
hatni
ght
whileAt
sowat chedsadl
y.Shegotupandputon
herheel
s.
“
Babe…”
“
Ifeell
ikeyouar
egoi
ngt
odot
hingst
hatyou
shoul
dn’
tbedoi
ng.
”
“
Whywoul
dIdot
hat
?”
“
It
sjustaf
eel
ing.
”
“Tel
lthatf
eeli
ngt
ogoaway.BecauseIl
oveyou.I
am goingtobewi
tht
heladi
es.I
t’
sladi
esni
ghtout.
”
Hel
ookedatherdr
ess.“
Youl
ookt
oobeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Becauseot
herl
adi
eswi
llbel
ooki
ngbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Can’
tyouj
ustt
ellt
hem youcan’
t?”
“
No.Goodni
ght
.”
Sheki
ssedhi
mleavi
ngherr
edl
ipst
icki
mpr
int
edon
hi
sli
ps.
Elangtookherbagandwalkedout
.Shewal
kedto
theplayr
oom wheretheki
dswherepl
ayi
ngwit
hthe
baby.
Shesmil
edthentookapi
ctur
eandwal
kedout
cal
li
ngherbestf
ri
end.
“
Hel
lo?
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”Shegoti
nhercar
.“Hel
ooksl
ikehe’
s
aboutt
ocr
y.”
Herfr
iendlaughed.“
Ij
omma,
hubbyj
ustcal
led.Be
saysbefor
ehegoeshomehe’scomi
ngtoseewhat
wearedoing.”
El
angst
artedthecar.“Ai
imma,
Iam comi
ng.I
s
MmaDalreadyther
e? ”
“
Shei
sonherway.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
llbet
her
eont
went
ymi
nut
es.
”
“
Far
aical
ledmeyest
erday.
”
“
Andwhatdi
dhewant
?”
“He’
saski
ngf
orsomemoney.Hesayst
hingsar
e
bad.
”
“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
ievet
hatt
hisguywasaf
raudst
er.
”
“
Ilongsawaf
terheboughtt
hathouse.
”
Herf
ri
endl
aughed.“
Wenamma,
goshar
p.”
“
Bye.
”
Sher
ever
sedanddroveoffheadedtot
hehot
el
wher
ethepar
tywasgoingtobeheld.
*
**

Thefol
lowingmor ni
ng,
att
heRiver
sidelodge,
Pri
nceparkedhiscarandl
ookedathisyoung
beaut
if
ulgirl
fr
iend.
“
Ready?
”
“
Yesj
ustt
hatyourf
ri
endsscar
eme.
”
“
Don’
tmi
ndt
hem.Theydon’
tbi
te.
”
Tseosmil
ed,Pr
incel
ookedatherdimpl
es.Shewas
sobeaut
if
ul,
itmadehim uneasy.
Hel eanedoverandki ssedherthensteppedout
,
Pri
ncei nasui tandTseoinabeaut i
fulbody
huggingdr ess.Theywalkedinsidetheri
verl
odge
wher etheredcar pethadbeenroll
eddown.They
fol
lowedi ttothebackofthelodgewher ethe
Okavangor i
verpassedby.
Pri
ncesmiledatthebeauti
fulsetupwithwhi
teand
gol
d..t
hewal kedtotheweddingceremonysetup.
Tseosatdownwhi lePri
ncejoinedhisf
ri
endsatthe
ai
sle.
From theguestswhower ealreadyseat ed,some
watchedPr i
ncewal kedadmi ri
ng.Tseol ookedat
him,tall
,buf
fandhandsome.Wasi tasoldierthing
orwasi tonl
yhi m?Het ur
nedt oherandwi nked
makingherbl ushlookingdown.Shehadmeet
understoodthe‘Agei sjustanumber ’
statementt i
ll
shemethi m.Bei ngwithhim washeaven, his
dement edbabymamawasn’ tani ssue,shewasst i
ll
goingtoputthatoldieinherpl ace.Mommadi dn’t
rai
seaweakl ing.

*
**

Kell
ydrovei
nt hr
ought
hegateattheRi
versi
de
l
odgeandparkedhercar.Shest
eppedoutofthe
carwit
hthekids.
Lomopul l
eddownherdr esst
hathuggedhercur
ves.
Talkaboutbeingbui
ltl
ikemama.Shelookedso
beauti
fulandgrown.El
angparkedbesi
dehercar
andalsosteppedoutinamatchingdr
esslike
Kel
ly’
s.El
ang’shusbandwavedathert
henwal
ked
t
hroughthelodge.
Kel
lyl
ookedatLomo.
“
Lomo,
goi
nsi
de.
”
Shewalkedi
nsi
dewi
thhercousi
ns.Kel
lyl
ookedat
El
ang.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“Shesai
dshehadr
unr
usht
owor
k.Somet
hingt
hat
neededher
.”
Elang’
sphonevi
brat
ed.Shet
ookoutf
rom herpur
se
andsmi l
ed.
“
She’
sher
e.Let
’sgoi
n.”
Theywal kedi nholdingthei rl
it
tl
ebouquet s.They
walkedint hrought heRiver si
delodge.Kellysmi led
catchingAgangst ari
ngst andingwithPr i
nceand
Atang.Shesl owlywal keddownt heai sl
ewi t
hEl ang.
Itactual
lywassur pri
singt hatAtangwasget ting
mar r
iedconsi der
inghowhi smother’sdeathhadhi t
him.Poorl adywasj ustfounddead.Shehaddi edin
hersleepfrom nat uralcauses.Shel ookedatr ragwe
At
angseat
edatt
hef
rontr
olesmi
li
ngpr
oudl
y.
Theystoodattheot hersideofthepriest.Minutes
l
aterKennyLattimore,Foryoupl ayedthenBat ang
walkedoverholdinghissister
’shand.Inherwhi te
gown,Thabislowlywal kedwithhim holdingher
bouquetwit
hherot herhand.
Atangsmi l
edwat chingherwal kover.Hershorthair
hadbeenst yl
edintowavyst yle.Shel ookedso
beauti
ful
.Hehadmetherwhenshewasonl y18
andshewasmat uringl i
kefi
newi ne.Theyhad
defeat
edthecancer ,theyhaddef eatedeveryother
chall
engeandbabygi rlwasstil
lhers.Tearsfi
ll
ed
hereyes,helookeddownr ubbinghiseyes.
Herai
sedhisheadasheadandsmi
led.Thabi
l
ookedatt
het ear
sinhi
seyest
henshesmi l
ed
emoti
onal
ly.
Hehel
dherhandst
hecuppedherf
aceandki
ssed
her
.
“
Iloveyou…”
Thabi
smil
ed.“
Iloveyoumor
e…Il
oveyouso
much.”
Thepri
estsmil
edwit
heveryoneel
se.Thepr
iest
st
art
edtheprocesst
orenewthei
rvows.

*
**

Zazasati nLefa’shouselaterthatdaygoi ng
throughThabi ’
sweddi ngpict
ures.Shel ookedatt he
picturesbeingwelcomedi ntotheDani el
’sfamily.
Shel ookedatThabi ’
sGermanpr i
ntdressandaher
blanketblanketaroundhershoul der
sshowi ngthat
shewasnowamar ri
edwoman.Zazar oll
edher
eyes, wasitnecessarythoughconsider i
ngt hey
wer ealreadyl
egallymarried.
ShelookedatThabi’
swavedthenherbody.She
seemedt obegai
ningalot
.Zazazoomedi nthe
pict
ure.Shewasprobabl
ybacktosize34.
Sheswipedthr
oughl ooki
ngatthepi
ctur
esofher
withAt
angandt hei
rkids.Shel
ookedatLomo’
s
grownupfigur
e,themor eshegrew,
themoreshe
l
ookedli
kehermot her.
Zazasi ghedthencont
inuedscroll
ingdown.On
secondt houghtandunfri
endedThabi.Shepaused
comi ngacrossanarti
cleaboutReba.Zazaread
throughjustasLefi
kawal kedbackholdi
ngthei
r
glassesofjuice.
“
Babycanyoubeli
eveRebahasbeensent
encedto
l
if
e?Andhersi
stert
ofi
veyearsf
ortr
yingt
okill
me.”
“
Theydeser
vei
t.
”
“If
eeltheyareli
tt
lehar
shonReba.Anyonewoul
d
havereactedthesame.”
Lefi
kashookherhead.“Youdon’
tgoshooting
peoplebecausesomeonebrokeyourhear
t.She
deservesthatandmor
e.”
“
Soyout
hinki
twasr
ightf
orAt
angt
opl
ayher
?”
“Nobutshewaswr
ongt
oshootsomeonei
nan
att
empttoki
ll
.”
“
Butl
i
fe?
”
“
Yes.I
fitwer
eamanwhatwoul
dyoubesayi
ng?
”
Zazasi
ghed.“
Iwantt
ohaveki
ds.
”
Lef
ikasmi
led.“
Canwest
artt
ryi
ngnow?
”
Zazal
aughed.“
Yes.
”
Heki
ssedherget
ti
ngont
opofher
.Zazal
ookedat
hi
m.
“
Doyouseeuseverget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Yes.Maybei
ntwot
othr
eeyear
s.”
Shesmi
ledt
henpul
ledhi
mforaki
ss.

*
**

RragweAtangwalkedinsi
dethel
odgewherehi
s
younggirl
fr
iendwasandsmiledt
aki
ngoffhi
s
jacketwhi
leshel
aidonthebednude.
Hequi
ckl
yundr
essedexci
tedl
yget
ti
ngont
opofher
.
Shegiggledastheoldmanki ssedherpar
ti
ng
gett
ingreadyt
opushi nhisdic.Shemoanedsof
tl
y
ashepushedi ngrunt
ing.Nowt hathi
swif
ewas
dead,hedidn’
thavetofeelguil
ty.
*
**

I
nMaun,laterthateveningAt
anggrunt
edont
opof
Thabi
off
loadinghisthickwar
m seedsi
nsi
de.
Hel
ookedather
.
“
Hey…”
Thabi
smi
led.“
Iam pr
egnant
.It
hinki
t’
saboy.
”
At
angsli
doutandl
ookedather
,ahugesmi
leon
hi
sface.
“
Real
ly?
”
Shesmi
led.“
Yes.
”
“
Fuckyes!Yes!
”
Thabi
laughed.Atangt
ouchedherbel
ly.“
Canwe
namehim Junior
?”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“
FuckIl
oveyou!
”
Hehuggedher
.Thabiwr
appedherar
oundhi
m
l
aughi
ng.
“
Iloveyout
oo…”

.
.THEEND.
.
.
.
butallgoodthi
ngsconet oanend.Iwoul dl
iket
o
thankever
yoneforthei
rsupport
,ti
yguyswer e
amazing.Thankyoutoourbreadwinners,wecan’
t
thankyouenoughforwhatyoudidf orus.Dokeep
aneyeont hepage.Til
lnext