Herhear

t-Myst
ory
I
ntr
o..
.
Name:
Mbal
i
'ent
leSi
phoset
huSet
i
Age:
24
Iam Xhosagi rlbor nandbr edinQueenst own.I
grewupwi t
hmymot herasanonl ychi
ld.My
dadl eftust hemi nutehef oundoutmymot her
waspr egnant.Butmymot hernevergav eup
despitet hecircumst ances.Shewor kedasa
nurseatal ocalclinicthenlaterworkedata
pri
v atehospi t
al.Inev erreal
lyneededany thi
ng
asaki d, Ihadev erythingexceptforafather's
l
ov e.
IwenttoQueenstownGir
lsHi
ghandcompl
eted
mystudiesther
ethenofcour
sewentt
o
uni
versi
ty(
Univ
ersi
tyofFor
tHare,EastLondon).St
udiedHR
andgraduat
ed.JustgotastablejobandI'
m
enj
oyi
ngi
t.
Ihav ehadbadexper i
encewi thr elat
ionshi ps
andmyl astoneendedbadl ybecauseof
distance.We'dbeent ogethersi ncehi ghschool
andmymom war nedmeabouthi m andInev er
l
istenedt i
llhedidthesamet hingmyf atherdid.
Lef tmewhenIt oldhim Iwaspr egnant .My
babywast heonl ygoodt hingIgotoutofmy
relati
onship.Enzokuhl e,
she's2nowand
stay i
ngwithmymom i nQueenst ownbecauseI
j
ustgotmyl i
fetogether..
Char
act
ers.
..
Mymom(
MaMf
ene)
Enzo
Si
babal
we(
Mybestf
ri
end)
Si
ya(
babydaddy
)
Buhl
e(af
ri
end)
[
05/
14,
11:
49]Mk:
Inser
t1
.
.
Mymom shookmeasshewokemeupf
rom a
ver
ylongni
ght
.
Mom:
Mbal
ivuka!
Me:
5mor
emi
nut
es.
Mom:
Mbal
i
'ent
leSi
phoset
huSet
ivuka.
Ismileandgotupt ocheckthet
ime.Itwasonly
9andIwasst i
lldrowsybecausewehadj ust
arr
ivedat4fr
om t heCrossover
(31stDecember
to1stJanuar
ypr ayer
).
Me:
youcangonow.
Shesmil
edt
hewalkedout.Iwokemybabyup
andshesmi
l
edtheminuteshesawme.
Me:
baby
Enzo:
baba
Shelookedsocute.Ipi
ckedherupandwe
walkedtothebat
hroom tobr
ushourteet
hthen
weheadedt
otheki
tchenf
orbr
eakf
ast
.
Mom:
whenar
eyoul
eav
ing?
Me:
lat
eront
oday
.
Herfacei
mmedi atel
ychanged.IknowIcoul
d
st
aylongerbutIneededtogorestali
tt
lebef
ore
work.
Mom:
yi1stnamhl
anj
eMbal
i
.
Me:Iknowma.ButIneedt
opr
epar
eaf
ewst
uff
bef
orework.
Iknewthisdi
dn'tsi
twel l
wit
hherev
ent
hough
I'
vebeenhereforli
ke3weeksnow.Imi
ssed
l
ivi
ngaloneandmyf r
iendst
oo.
Me:
okf
inendi
zohambaFr
iday
.
I
twasTuesdayt
oday
.Shesmi
l
edabi
t.
Wehadbreakf
astt
henaft
erbr
eakf
astIwentto
takeabat
hwit
hEnzothenwegotdressedi
n
short
sandwhi
teshi
rt
s.
Mom:
niy
aphi
?
Me:
nowher
e.
Wewalkedtotheloungethenj
ustwatchedtv
thewhol
eday.Idecidedt
ocallSi
baandt el
lher
Iwoul
dn'
tberetur
ninganytimesoon.
Si
ba:
sthandwa.
Me:
hey
.Howar
eyou?
Si
ba:
good.Howf
arar
eyou?
Me:
ahndi
zobuy
aFr
iday
.
Si
ba:
yho3day
syonke.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryl
ove.
Si
ba:
it'
sfi
ne.Ij
usthav
etobest
rongt
hen.
Me:
yep.Sel
aamanzi
anecementuxol
e.
Shel
aughed.
Si
ba:
Ilov
eyouv
ha?
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oomuchki
n.
Wehungupthenther
ewasaknockandmy
mom l
ookedat.
Me:
expect
ingsomeone?
Mom:
no
Igotupandwenttoopenandt omysur
pri
seit
wasSiya(
thebabydaddy).Iknowhowmymom
canbearoundhim soIgotoutandwestood
outsi
de.
Si
ya:
hi
Me:
hi
Si
ya:
uhhappynewy
earbyt
heway
.
Me:
thanks.Happynewy
eart
oyout
oo.
Hej
ustsmi
l
ed.
Ihadbeenwi t
hSi yasi
ncegr ade11(17y ear
s)
ti
llIwas20andt hatwas4y ears.Hemeantt he
wor l
dt omeandwehaddr eams.Event hough
wewer eindi
fferentuni
versi
tieswestil
lmade
ti
mef oreachot her.It
rust
edhi m wi
th
everythingi
nmebuthepl ayedmej ustlike
everybodyelse.
Si
ya:
ndi
zobonauEnzo.
Eventhoughhehadl eftmewhenIt ol
dhim
aboutmypr egnancy,hewaspr esenti
nhis
chi
ld'
slif
e.Hemadeanef f
orttoseeheras
manyt i
mesaspossi ble.Helpswithherneeds,
educati
on,clot
hes,nannyfeesandwhatnot .
Me:
uhok
Si
ya:I
'
llbr
ingherbackbef
ore6.Mypar
ent
s
wantt
oseeher .
Inoddedt
henwal
kedi
nsi
de.
Me:
uhmamauSi
yauf
unauEnzo.
Mom:
uyamf
una?
Me: hedidn'
tsayi
tli
ket
hatbuthewant
sto
spendtimewi t
hher.
Mom:ndi
thul
evhaMbali
.Doasy
oupl
ease.
Ngumnt
anawenukakade.
Iknewshehadalotmoretosaybutsi
nceEnzo
wasaroundshekeptsomestuf
ftohersel
f.I
wenttopackabagf
orEnzot
henway
aku
t
atakhe.
Enzo:
tat
a!!
Shewassoexci
tedt
oseehi
m.
Si
ya:
babawam.
Het
ookheri
ntohi
sar
ms.
Si
ya:
Ipr
omi
seI
'
llbr
ingherback.
Inoddedthenwal
kedbackinsi
de.Mymom was
sti
l
langry
.IknowshehatesSiy
abutIcan'
tuse
hi
sdaughteragai
nsthi
m.
Mom: youknowwhatIhate?Thefactthathe
hasthener vetocometomyhouseaf t
er
every
thinghe'sdonet
oy ouandyoujustchoose
toforgetevery
thi
ngandplayhappyfamili
es.
Me:I'
m notpl
ayi
nghappyfamili
es.Ngumntana
wakhenaye.Hehasever
yrighttoseeher
.
Mom:okMbal
i.You'
ret
headul
ther
eandy
ou
knowev
ery
thi
ng.
Shewalkedtoherbedr
oom andcl
osedthedoor
.
Ist
ayedinthel
oungejusthopi
ngIhadl
eft
.My
mom canbesounf ai
ratti
mes.
At5Idecidedtost
artonsupperasitwas
getti
ngl
ateandmymom wasst i
l
llockedinher
room.Nyaniat6Ihear
dmydaught er'
slaught
er
outsi
deandIopenedbefor
etheyknocked.
Shecamer
unni
ngt
omeandIpi
ckedherup.
Si
ya:
thanks.Wehadagoodday
.
Inodded.
Si
ya:
uhambani
ni?
Me:
Fri
day
.
Si
ya:
ohIhopeIseey
ouagai
nbef
orey
oul
eav
e.
Ij
ustsmi
l
ed.
Heleanedovertoki
ssmyf oreheadthenEnzo's
cheek.Idon'
tknowhowstupidIcanbebutI
j
ustthoughtther
ewassti
llhopef orus.Hegave
mehopet hatwecouldst
il
lwor koutandthats
whatmademymom angr
y.
Igoti
nsi
det
hencl
osedt
hedoor
.
Enzo:
uphi
ukhul
u?
Me:
user
oomi
niy
akhe.
Enzo:
okby
e.
Sherantoherroom andIcarri
edoncooki
ng.At
7Idishedoutandservedthefamil
y.Weati
n
thel
oungewhilewatchingthenews.If
edEnzo
whil
steati
ng.
..
[
05/
14,
11:
49]Mk:
Inser
t2
.
.
Il
aterwashedthedishesthenwentt
obedwith
mydaughter.Shekepttel
l
ingmeabouttheday
shehadwithherdadandIwasgl adshe
enj
ouedherself
.
.
OnFr
idaymor
ningIwokeupandt
ookabat
h
thenworeskinnyj
eansandav est
.Iwentto
wakeEnzoupt henbathedher
.Shewasso
quietandIknewsheknewIwasl eav
ing.
Enzo:
uyahamba?
Me:
ewebaby
.Butndi
zobuy
a.
Enzo:
ngomso?
Ihat
edleav
ingherbehi
ndbutIhadt
o,because
ofwork.
Me:
ewe.
Shesmi
l
ed.
Idr
essedheri
nherpi
nkj
umsui
t.
Wewal
kedtotheloungeandIpouredcereal
for
t
hebot
hofusthenwewentt ositi
nthelounge.
Mymom wasalr
eadythere.
Me:
mol
o.
Mom:
mol
o.Uhambakwaear
lyna?
Me:
Ihav
ewor
konMondaynj
e.
Mom:
uneweekendy
onkenj
e.
Me:ohhayi
mama.Don'
ttr
ytochangemymi
nd
agai
n.Pl
usuzobuy
ausi
singomso.
Mom:
ok.
Wehadbr eakf
astthenIwashedthedishesand
wentt
of etchmybagsandpackedt hem int
he
car
.Yep,thefi
rstt
hingIdi
dwhenIgotaj ob,I
gotmyselfacar.AnavyFordFi
esta.
Mom:
sot
hisi
sit
.
Shecamet
ohugmeandEnzocr
ied.
Mom:
uzobuy
aumama.
ShenoddedandIki ssedherthendroveoff
.I
hatedseeingherl
ikethat
.Idrovetotownand
boughtaf ewsnacksfortheroadthenfi
l
ledup
myt ankthendrovetoEastLondonallal
one.
Iarr
ivedatl
ike1thenunpackedever
ythi
ng
ther
ewast ounpack.Irent
edanapart
mentin
BeaconBay.Itwasclosertowor
kerandsafer
too.
Thefri
dgewasemptysoIt
ookmycarkeysand
drov
et oRet
ail
Par
ktobuyafewgr
ocer
iesthen
Ical
ledmymom.
Me:
mamakaMbal
i
.
Mom:
sweet
hear
t.Uf
iki
l
e?
Me:
eweI
'
mjustbuy
inggr
ocer
ies.
Mom:
ohh.How'
sthatsi
desof
ar?
Me:
per
fect
.
Mom:
mhh.Uzani
ningapha?
Me:
hai
bomamaIj
ustl
eft
.
Shegi
ggl
ed.
Me:
khawuni
keuEnzo.
Ther
ewasashuf
fl
ethenanar
gument
.
Mom:
yhohai
kesanaakaf
uni
.Usaqumbi
l
e.
Il
etoutasi
gh.
Me:
ok.
Wehungupt
henIdr
ovebackhomeand
unpackedever
ythi
ng.Iwant
edtotakeanapbut
befor
ethatIneededtocal
lSi
baandtel
lherI
hadarri
ved.
Me:
mychocol
atebut
ter
fl
ymunchki
n.
Shel
aughed.
Si
ba:
fri
endubanx
eki
l
e.Whatt
hehel
li
sthat
?
Me:
thati
syou.
Si
ba:
uphi
,I
'v
egotpl
ansf
orus.
Me:myplace.Iwast
hinki
ngoft
aki
nganap
t
hough.
Siba:
oklal
abutI
'
llbet
her
eat7.Buhl
eisal
so
comingwit
h.
Me:
oksi
yaphi
?
Si
ba:
youaskt
oomanyquest
ions.
Shehungupbef oreIcoul
dsayanythi
ngmor e.I
smiledt
omy selfthenwenttomybedroom and
tookanap.Iwokeupat5t hent
ookashower
bytheti
mendi qibamygirl
swereal
ready
knocki
ng.Iwenttoopenwi
thmyt
owel
wrappedaround.
Buhl
e:i
fIdi
dn'tknowbet
terI
'
dsaykukho
umntuomfi
hleapha.
Me:
Iwasi
ntheshowerxol
weni
.
Si
ba:
nxi
banxi
ba,
iguy
szam zi
l
indi
l
e.
Me:
Iknewi
neguy
slepl
any
akho.
Theyl
aughed.
OkSibawasabi tshort
erthanme, abitchubby
butshecal
lshersel
fthi
ck.Curvesfordays.Not
tooli
ght
,bi
gey esanddimples.She'syoursize
36to38typeofgirl
s.
AndontheotherhandBuhlewasski
nny,cur
vy
aswell
.Yourmodeltypeofhei
ght
.Si
ze30and
32.Yel
l
owbonewi thsmallbr
owneyes.
Mebei ngtheshor tormi
ddl
esizedgirl
.Nott
oo
thi
ckjustright.Nottool
i
ghtaswellandnott
oo
darkeither
.Size32or34.Thatsme.Round
browney es.
Theywer
eal
readydr
essed.
Si
ba:
ntombazanay
akwaSet
ihambonxi
ba.
Il
aughedthenwalkedtomybedroom.Si
nce
shementi
onedguy sIdeci
dedtowearmyblack
hi
ghwaistedjeanandawhitecr
optopand
whit
esneakers.
Si
ba:
mamakaEnzonj
e.
Ismi l
ed.Wet ookacoupl eofpi
ctur
est henleft
.
Wewer eusi
ngmycarsoIdr ovetothishouse
i
nVi ncentandt hat'
swherethepoolpartywas
happening.Itwasal r
eadypackedwhenwegot
theresoIfoundaspott oparkt
henwewal ked
i
n.IswearInear l
yfaint
edwhenIsawSi yather
e
too.Heof t
env i
sitedELandIknewhehad
fri
endsthissidebutIwasn'texpect
ingt osee
him.
Si
ba:
iyhoo.
Hecameov
ert
ousandhuggedme.
Si
ya:
wannacomemeetmyf
ri
ends?
Me:
ahSi
ya.Icameher
ewi
thmyf
ri
ends.
Si
ya:
ohsor
ry.
Heki
ssedmycheekt
henwal
kedov
ert
ohi
s
f
ri
ends.
Buhl
e:i
thi
ninal
ent
o?
Me:
I'
m sol
ost
.
Welaughedt henwal
kedov
ertowherethe
boozewasandwest art
edtheni
ghtwit
haf ew
shots.ThenIgotmyredwi
ne.
Buhl
elef
twi
tht
hisot
hergi
rlkwashy
ekamnano
Si
ba.
Si
ba:
Ifeel
li
kendi
zokushi
ya.
Me:
you'
resomean.
Siba:y
ouknowwhenwest ar
tofftheni
ghtwi
th
shotsitawakest
hehoenessinsi
deus.
Il
aughed.ShewalkedawayandIj
ustwentt
o
si
toutsi
deallal
one.ThenSi
yawal
kedovert
o
me.
Si
ya:
youst
il
ll
ovey
ourr
edwi
ne?
Ismi
l
edt
hennodded.
Si
ya:
Imi
ssy
ouy
azi
.
Ther
ehegoesagai
n,gi
vi
ngmef
alsehope.
Me:we'
vebeendownt
hisr
oadbef
oreSi
yaand
i
tdi
dn'
twork.
Si
ya:I
'm ser
ious.Igotatransf
ert
othi
ssi
deand
Iwantustowor konthings.
See,Ist
il
llovedhi
m andIdoubtI '
l
leverstop.He
madeaf ooloutofmet wi
cebutIsti
llhadthe
sameamountofl ovef orhi
m.Hemademe
beli
evethatheonlycheatedbecauseofthe
dist
anceandIbelievedhim.HestayedinPor t
Eli
zabet
handIwasi nEastLondonsoI
underst
oodwher ehecamef rom.
Me:
andwhyar
eyouonl
ytel
l
ingmet
hisnow?
Si
ya:Iwasgoi
ngtocall
y ouandtel
lyouthi
sbut
si
nceyou'
reher
e,Ij
ustthoughtwhynot.
Me:
ohh.
Siy
a: sowhatdoy
ousay
?Wannagi
veus
anothershot
?
Me:
it'
snott
hateasy
,Ineedt
othi
nkabouti
t.
Henodded.
Si
ya:
I'
ll
giv
eyoual
lthet
imey
ouneed.
Heseemedli
kehehadchanged.Onlyj
udgi
ng
bythewayhespokel
atel
y.Hesoundedso
si
ncere.
Wet henspokeaboutever
ythi
ngnj e,fr
om our
daughtert
othepartyt
owor kthenl at
erIcall
ed
myf ri
endsandweleft
.Itwasalready3i nthe
morning.
Si
ba:
sowhat
'shappeni
ngkuwenoSi
ya?
Buhl
e:andy
ouguy
swer
esocosy
.
Me:
not
hing.We'
rej
ustpar
ent
stoEnzo.
Buhl
e:Iknowt
hatl
i
e.
Me:
I'
m ser
ious.
Si
ba:
you'
rebl
ushi
ng.
Il
aughed.Wefi
nal
l
yarr
ivedatmypl
ace.They
weregoi
ngtosl
eepov
er.
Buhl
e:ar
eyouguy
sbackt
oget
her
?
Me:
noty
et.
Si
ba:
soi
t'
sgoi
ngt
ohappen?
Me:
nizobona.
Ididn'
twanttoseem nai
veandagreeto
everyt
hinghesai
d.HeknowshowIf eelabout
hi
m andheal waysusesthatt
ohisadvantage.
Idr
ankwat
erthenchangedt
opj
s.Andweal
l
wentt
obed.
..
[
05/
14,
11:
49]Mk:
Herhear
t-Myst
ory
I
nser
t3
.
.
IwokeuponSat
urdaymor
ningandwentt
o
makebr eakfastformybabies.Bacon,cheese
gri
ll
ers,eggs,mushroomsandt oast.Iknowit
wast oomuchbutIl ovedthem toomuchf or
them tostarve.Myphonerangandi twasSiya.
Me:
hel
l
o.
Si
ya:
mor
ningsunshi
ne,
unj
ani
?
Me:
I'
m al
lgoody
ou?
Si
ya:
goodt
oo.How'
sthehangov
er?
Me:
noneoft
hat
.
Si
ya:
mhh.Meetmet
hisaf
ter
noon.
Me:
ist
hatanor
der
?
Si
ya:
nondi
yakucel
a.
Me:
okke.Tel
lmewhenandwher
e.
Si
ya:
wil
lsendy
out
hedet
ail
s.
Me:
sur
e.
Ihungupandt
hegi
rl
swal
kedi
n.
Buhl
e:If
eel
li
kesi
thandi
we.
Me:
alway
snj
e.
Wehadbreakfastwhi
lehavi
ngarandom
conv
ersat
ionaboutev
erythi
ng.
Si
ba:
sol
i
kendi
nomnt
uomt
hsa.
Buhl
e:Iknewl
aguyi
binenj
ongo.
Il
aughed.
Si
ba:noman.Idon'
tdor
elat
ionshi
ps.Sour
ceof
i
ncomeley
aqha.
Welaughed.Si
bareal
lywasn'
tar el
ati
onshi
p
ty
peofgirl
.Sheoncehadaseriousrel
ati
onshi
p
qhawadikwa.Appar
entl
ytheguybecame
bori
ng.
Me:
zangewat
hini
kewena.
Buhl
e:nam Ineedt
hat
.Nobangomi
nist
erabay
3.
Myf r
iendswerecr
azykodwa.Af
terbr
eakfast
theywashedthedi
shesandIwenttotakea
bathandworehighwaist
edshor
tsandacr op
t
opandmywhi
teal
lst
ar.
Si
ba:
uyaphi
wena?
Me:
ndi
godusani
nat
shi
.
Buhl
e:i
t'
sev
en1y
et.
Me:
ndi
funaul
alamna.
Theytooktheirst
uffandIdr ovethem home.
SibastayedinSouthernwoodandBuhl ein
Amalinda.Theyalsostayedinflat
s.Buhle
wantedust ostaytogetherbutIcoul
dn'treall
y
standSiba'
sblessersandmymom woul djust
showupsoIneededmywonspace.
Aft
erdr oppingthem of
fIdr
ovetoOceanBasket
i
nVi ncentPark.Thatswher
ewe'dbemeeting
wi
thSi ya.Iarr
ivedandhewasalreadywai
ti
ng.
Hesmi ledthenwav edwhenhesawme.I
walkedov ertohim andwehugged.
Me:
sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ouwai
ti
ng.
Si
ya:
it'
sfi
ne.
Iorder
edprawnsandcal
amariandhewentf
or
sushi,
it'
sal
waysbeenhi
sfav
ourit
e.
Me:
sowhenar
eyoumov
ingt
hissi
de?
Si
ya:I
'
m herenow.I
'
mjustwai
ti
ngf
orcour
iert
o
br
ingmystuff
.
Me:
mhh.
Si
ya:
wannat
ast
e?
Ishookmyhead.
Si
ya:
comeoni
tsj
ustf
ish.
Me:
it'
sraw.
Siy
a:okmamelaneh.Let
'spr
etendt
haty
ouhad
toeati
tinor
derf
orEnzotosurvi
ve.
Il
ookedathimt
henbur
sti
ntol
aught
er.Hewas
soseri
ous.
Me:
I'
dpr
obabl
yletherdi
e.
Si
ya:
ouch!Wast
eyesper
m sam.
Wel
aughedandmostoft
hepeopl
elookedat
us.
Me:
okkel
etmet
ast
e.
Iopenedmymout handhef
edme.I
twasn'
tas
badasIthoughti
twas.
Me:
it'
snotsobad.
Si
ya:
Itol
dyou.
Me:
mxm
Wehadspokeaboutever
ythi
ngt
henl
aterl
eft
.
Hehadmyhandinhis.
Si
ya:
kaneney
ou'
vegoty
ourowncar
.
Me:
yeah.
Si
ya:
mhh.
Hepull
edmeinfort
helongesthugev
er.He
f
inal
l
ypull
edawayandIkissedmyfor
ehead.
Si
ya:
Ilov
eyouok?
Inodded.
Iwant
edt
ogi
vehi
m anot
herchanceandt
his
waspr
obabl
ygoi
ngt
obet
hel
ast
.
Me:
uhm Si
yaIwannagi
veusanot
herchance.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Si
ya:
nyani
?
Me:
ewe.
Heki
ssedmesomanyt
imes.
Ifi
nall
yleftanddrovebackhome.Icooked
supperthencalledmybaby.Andthist
imeshe
agreedtotalktome.Wehadav er
ylongconv
o
abouteverythi
ngthenIfi
nal
lyhungup.Hadmy
supperthannday ol
ala.
ThenextdayIwokeupandwentt ochurchthen
obviouslyhadl
unchwithSiya.Hewasstil
l
stayi
ngathi sf
ri
endsplace.Sohe'
dbevisit
ing
meof ten.Iwoul
dn'
treall
ywanttobearoundhis
fr
iendsal l
thet
ime.Soitwouldonl
ymake
senseifhecameov er.
Ideci
dedt
otel
lSi
baabouti
tkwangokukuse
earl
y.
Si
ba:
yho.
Me:
what
?
Siba:
lomntumadeafooloutofy
out
wiceand
youstil
lgi
vehi
m achance.
Me:
ndi
yamt
handaSi
baandhe'
smybabydaddy
.
Siba:yho.I'
m noti
netojudge.Ifhemakesyou
happyt henI'
m happyforyou.I
fhebreaksy
our
heartagain,I
'l
lbehereforyou.
Me:
enkosi
.
Si
ba:
uzot
hini
umama?
Me:comeonSiba.Mymom can'
tst
andi
nthe
wayofmyhappiness.
Siba:
ifyousayso.I
mandi
lal
e.I
'
vegotwor
k
tomorrow.
Me:
okby
e.
Wehungupandtobehonestshesounded
di
sappoi
ntedi
nme.Andshewasj ust
pr
etendi
ngtobehappybecauseIl
eftherwi
th
nochoi
ce.
.
Iguesswe'
l
lhav
etoseewher
ethi
stakesus.
[
05/
14,
11:
49]Mk:
Inser
t4
.
.
Mondaymor ningwaswor k.Iwokeupt othe
sweetestmessagefrom Siyaandthatj
ust
mademyday .It
ookabat hthengotdressedin
ablackboycondressandbl ackheel
s.Fixedmy
hai
r.Ihadmynat ur
alhai
r.YeahIhav ereall
y
l
onghai r
.
Iwentt otheki
tchenforbreakf
astthenbr ushed
myt eethandtookmyst uffanddrovetowor k.I
wor kedwi thSi
basoI '
dobv i
ouslybumpi ntoher
atwor k.Igott
owor kandgotrighttoi
t.Iwas
goingt hr
oughsomeappl i
cati
onsandt hatcan
drainone.
Ngel
unchSi
bawal
kedi
n.
Si
ba:
mybaby
.Let
'
sgof
orl
unch.
Me:
phi
?
Si
ba:
Idon'
tknow.Town,
what
ever
.
Me:
okmasambeke
It
ookmyst uffandwedr ovetoWimpyint
own.
Il
ookedforarelevantpar
kingspotandwe
walkedi
n.Orderedburgerssat
ya.
Si
ba:
sot
ell
mei
qal
eni
nil
ent
oyakhonoSi
ya?
Me:
Sat
urday
.Canwenott
alkabouthi
m.
Iknewi
fwecar r
iedonshe'
dprobabl
yjudgeme.
Makemef eel
guilt
yfort
ryi
ngt
omaket hings
ri
ghtwi
thhim.
Si
ba:
ok.Uy
ani
nieKomani
?
Me:
Ijustgother
enj
e.
Si
ba:
it'
sjustaquest
ion.
Me:Enzoneedst
ogetusedt
omenotbei
ng
ar
oundsonotanyti
mesoon.
Si
ba:
puni
shmentkodwa.Uzani
niy
ena?
Enzousuallyvi
sit
edwellonl
ywhenI
'm onl
eav
e.
Ifetchherandshespendsacoupl
eofdays
withme.
Me:
notsur
eyet
.
Si
ba:
Sundaykukhoeny
eichi
l
lsesh.
Me:ha!NoSi
bandi
zol
alamna.I
'
vegotwor
kon
Monday.
Si
ba:
weal
ldo.
Ididn'
trespond.Ineededt ogetmyl if
eont r
ack
andIcoul dn'tkeepgoi ngtotheseparti
esli
keI
havenot hingtodo.ThedayIgav ebir
thto
EnzokuhleIt oldmy sel
fIwouldneverplay
gamesagai nIwasl ivi
ngforher
.Shehadt o
haveagr eatf uturewi t
heveryt
hingsheneeded
andwant ed.Idi dn'twanthertosufferandIuse
theexcuset hat" Ihadheratay oungage".
Afterl
unchwepai
dt hendrov
ebacktothe
offi
ce.Mydaywasbusy ,
anditwasonlyt
he
fi
rstdaysoIwasexpecti
ngmore.Aft
erworkas
usualIdr
oppedSi baoffatherpl
acet
henI
drovetoSteersIwashungr yandIwasn'
treall
y
i
nt hecookingmood.Igothomeandasal ways
i
twasqui et.Iconsider
edtakingmydaughter
butIknowhowi twouldhurtmymom soI
decidedtoletitgo.
Ichangedtomypjsthenswi
tchedt
het
von
whil
eeatingmyburger
.
Ther
ewasaknockonthedoorandIt
houghti
t
wasSibaandBuhl
e.
Me:
comi
ng!
Iwentt
oopenandi
twasSi
ya.
If
rozebecausehehadasmal l
bagwi
thhi
m
moreli
keanov er
nightbag.
Me:
hi
Hesmi
l
edandhuggedme.
Si
ya:
sur
pri
se.
If
akedasmi
l
e.Wemaybedat
ingbutIwoul
d
sti
l
lpreferhetol
dmebef
orecomi
ng
unexpected.
Iopenedandhewalkedtomybedroom.Myf
lat
wasonebedroomed.Idon'
tusual
lyhav
e
vi
sit
orssoIdon'
tneedtheot
herroom.
Ij
ustst
oodther
etryi
ngtot
hinkofwaysto
appr
oachthematt
erwit
houtsoundi
ngli
kea
badper
son.
Hewalkedi
nandhel
dmef r
om behi
nd.He
ki
ssedmyneckandIj
ustst
oodther
e.
Si
ya:
whyar
eyoudot
ense?
Me:
not
hing.
Wewentt
osi
tdown.
Si
ya:I
'l
lbespendi
ngt
heni
ght
.Ihopey
oudon'
t
mind.
Me:
nonotatal
l
.
Wewatchedtvt
oget
her
.Idi
dn'
treal
lyhavef
ood
t
ooff
erhim soi
fhewashungr
yhe'dhaveto
makeasandwi
chorsomet
hing.
Me:
ahndi
yol
ala.
Si
ya:
soear
ly?
Me:
Ihav
eal
ongdayt
omor
row.
Si
ya:
ohwel
lmasi
yol
ala.
Wewal
kedt
ot hebedr
oom andhechanged
whi
l
eIwasal
readyinbed.
Me:
arey
oust
il
laty
ourf
ri
endspl
ace?
Si
ya:
yep.
Me:
mhh.Wor
k?
Si
ya:
Ihadat
ransf
ersoIwor
kobv
iousl
y.
Me:j
ustaski
ng.Sohav
eyoust
art
edhouse
hunt
ing?
Siy
a: uhLuzukoandIl
ookedatafewpl
acesso
bytheendoft hemont
hIwouldhavemadea
decision.
Me:
ok.
Hepull
edmecl oserandwecuddledtil
lIf
ell
asl
eep.Idi
dn'
tevencallmydaughterandthat
mademef eelbad.
.
SoSi yaandIspoket hefol
lowingmor ningand
heaskedt omov einwi t
hme.Iwasf ir
st
hesitantbuthebeggedandIf inallyagreed.Onl y
becausehecompl ainedaboutt hel i
ving
si
tuat i
onathi sfriendspl ace,appar entlyhehas
gi
rlsov erallthetime.ImeanIwoul dn'twanta
bunchoft hir
stygi r
lsallovermyman.He
broughtal lhisclothesonTuesdayev ening.It
wasqui t
eal otofst uf f
.Butmypl acewoul dbe
backt onor mal byt heendoft hemont h.Itol
d
myf riendsandSi bawast hefirsttojudge.I
don'tblamehert houghbutIj ustwi shshe' d
considermyf eeli
ngs.
.
Soi
t'
sFri
daynightandsincekushushuI
'min
myshor
tpj'
s.Andit'
sreall
yti
ght.OkIwoul
dn'
t
sayIhav
eahugebut
t.I
tmedi
um si
ze.Vi
sabl
e
too.
Si
ya:
tooshor
t.
Me:Iworethesey
est
erdayandy
oudi
dn'
t
compl
ain.
Si
ya:
it'
sFr
idayt
oday
.
Me:
mxm.
Hechuckled.It
ookmyphoneandor
der
edpi
zza.
I
'm usedtostay
ingal
onesohe'
dhav
eto
underst
and.
Si
ya:
youandt
akeout
s.
Me:
Icookedy
est
erday
.
Siy
a:I'
vebeenher
efor5day
sandy
ouonl
y
cookedonce.
Me:
I'
m nobody
'swi
fe.
Si
ya:
ify
oucook,
Imi
ghtwi
fey
ou.
Hegav
emeaseduct
ivel
ookandhegotupto
ki
ssme.Hel
aymegentl
yonthecouchandhe
gotont opofme.Thi
ngswer eget
ti
ngabittoo
heatedbutIcar
ri
edon.I'
dprobabl
ystophim
beforehegetst
otherealdeal.
Hewasrubbi
nghi
msel
fagai
nstmeand
gr
oani
ng.
Ther
ewasaknockonthedoorsoIgotbecause
It
houghti
twast
hepizzaguy.Tomysurpr
iseit
wasmymom andEnzo.Il
it
erall
yfr
ozet
il
lEnzo
j
umpedtomyarmsfrom mymoms.
Mom:
sur
pri
se
Iwasreal
l
ysurpr
ised.Il
ett
hem i
nandmymom
j
ustst
oodshockedwhenshesawSiya.
Mom:
hay
ingumhl
ola.
Tomakemat t
erswor
sethepil
lowswer eonthe
fl
oorandhi
sjeanwasunbut
toned,Idon'
teven
knowhoworwhy .
Enzo:
tat
a!!
Iputherdownandsher
ant
ohi
m.
Mom :yeywenaSat
anay
ekal
omnt
ana,
unxi
be
uhambeapha.
Me:
hay
imama.
Mom:
Mbal
il
eav
ethi
stome.
Me:
Idon'
twanthel
p.Si
yast
aysher
e.
Shel
aughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
Mom: Icl
earl
ywastedmymoneytaki
ngyout
o
expensi
veschool
s.Umuncumahm Mbal
i
.Can'
t
youseethi
smani splay
ingy
ou.
Il
ookedatSi
yawhowasbusywi
thhi
sdaught
er.
Me:
uhm Si
yacany
oupl
easego.Justf
or
t
oni
ght
.
Henodded.Ki
ssedEnzothenmeandhet
ook
hi
scarkeysandwalkedout.
Mom: whyar
ey oudoingt
hist
oyoursel
f?You'
re
smart
,beaut
if
ul,f
un.Youcangetsomeoneelse
buthi
m.
Me:
whydoy
ouhat
ehi
m somuch?
Mom: Heonlywant
stodest
royyou,
evenaf
ool
canseethat
.He'
sjeal
ousofyou.
Me:
wow.
Mom:Itr
iedIreal
lydi
d.Don'tsayIdi
dn'
twarn
youwhenheleavesyouforsomeonebetter
.
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
eveshesai
dthatt
omyf
ace.So
muchforamother
..
.
[
05/
14,
11:
49]Mk:
Inser
t5
.
.
Aft
erthatwholesessi
onofargui
ngandcryi
ng
mymom deci dedshe'
dsleeponthecouchand
Iwenttosleepwit
hmydaught er
.Shewas
al
readyfastasl
eepaft
ersupper.
If
ell
asl
eepi
mmedi
atel
y.
Thenextmor
ningmybabywokemeup.
Enzo:
mama!
Il
ookedupandshewasal
lsmi
l
es.
Enzo:
uphi
utat
a?
Me:
usendl
i
niy
akhe.
Enzo:
uzoza?
Me:
andazi
butsi
yakwi
mov
iesneh?
Enzo:
yey
!!
Shei mmedi atel
yj umpedoutofbedandwentt o
thebat hroom.Iwentandpour edwat eri nthe
batht ubthenwet ookabathtogether.Af t
erour
bathshewor ejeansandawhi teshirt.Iwor e
myol ivejumpsui tandmaroonheels, fi
xedmy
hairthenwal kedout .Mymom washav i
ng
coffeeandshel ookedli
keshehadn' tsleptatal
l.
Shehadbagsunderherey es.Thathur tmet o
thecor e.Iwast heoneresponsibl
eformy
mom' shear tbreakonceagain.
Me:
mor
ningma.
Shej
ustl
ookedatmeandsmi
l
e.
Me:
uhwe'
regoi
ngout
.Wannaj
oinus?
Mom:
no,
hambanoEnzoI
'
llbef
ine.
Me:
arey
ousur
e?
Mom:
ewe.
Wehadbr eakf
astthenleft
.Wef i
rstdrov
et othe
beachandshepl ay
edwi t
hthewat er
.She
enjoy
edthebeacht oomuch.Wet ookpictures
toget
herthendrovetoHemi ngways.
Enzo:
uphi
umakaz
i?
Shecal
l
sSi
bat
hat
.
Me:
ukhona.
Wef i
nal
lyar
ri
vedandIt ookhert oEl
ect
ric
Avenue,t
her
ewasl aughterandsomuch
exci
tementi
nherv oi
ce.Af t
erthatl
ongdaywe
wentforl
unchthenmov ies.Iwassotir
edand
nowEnzowasf astasl
eep.
Idr
ovehomeandar
ri
vedatl
ike4.Car
ri
edEnzo
i
nsi
deandmymom wasinthekit
chencooki
ng.
Me:
we'
reback.
Sheturnedandsmiled.It
ookEnzot
omy
bedroom t
henwalkedbacktotheki
tchen.I
neededtospeaktomymom.
Mom: Si
yacamet
ofet
chhi
scl
othest
his
af
ter
noon.
Me:
huh?
Mom:hesai
dhe'dgobackt
ohisf
ri
endsplace
andbyMondayhe'
dhavehi
sownplace.
Me:oh.MamaI '
mreal
lysorr
yforhur
ti
ngyou
l
iket
hatbutcanyoupleasej
ustl
etmef ol
l
ow
myheartj
ustthi
sonce.
Shej
ustsmi
l
ed.
Mom: oksthandwasam.I '
m gi
vi
nghimjustt
his
onechance.Ifheeverdoesanyt
hing,
I'
ll
make
sur
eIhurthim myself
.
Ihuggedherfort
helongestt
imeev
ert
hen
fi
nall
yletgoandshekissedme.
Shefi
nishedcookingat6andwehadsupper
.
Enzowasst i
l
lfastasl
eep.
Mom:
mvuseshewon'
tsl
eep.
Me:
myeke.I
'
llpr
obabl
yst
ayupwi
thher
.
Mom:
ok.
Wef i
nishedandIwashedt hedishesthenwent
tobed.Andobv i
ouslyEnzowokemeupat11
andIfedher.West ayeduptogetheralmosthal
f
theni
ght ,
watchi
ngt vwhil
emymom sl ept
.
.
OnSundayt heyl eftandi twasj usttear s.I'
d
neverstopcryingwhenIl eaveormymom and
Enzoleave.SoIhav en'thear df
rom Si yasi nce
heleftonFriday.Idef ini
telywasn'tgoi ngt o
Luzuko'shousesi nceIknewhehadt hat
Sundaychillsesh.Idi dn'twantdr ama.Si baand
Buhlewerepr obabl ytheresoIdi dn'treallyhave
someonet ochi l
lwi th.Wat chedmov i
esf ort he
restoftheafternoont henhadsupper .Mymom
hadcookedf ormebef oreshel eft.After
supperIwentst raightt obedandsl ept
i
mmedi at
ely
.
Thenextmorningwaswor k.Ihat
eMonday s.I
gotup.Wenttotakeabath,dri
edmy sel
fthen
l
otionedmybodyandgotdr essed.Myphone
ranganditwasSiya.Ir
oll
edmyey esthen
answered.
Me:
Siy
a
Si
ya:
nobaby
,lov
eorwhat
ever
.
Me:
mor
eli
kepr
odi
gal
boy
fri
end.
Hechuckl
ed.
Si
ya:
Ineededt
ogi
vey
ouandy
ourmom space.
Me:oneminut
ecal
ltoatl
eastcheckony
our
daught
er.
Si
ya:
I'
m sor
ry.Canwemeetf
orbr
eakf
ast
?
Me:
noI
'
m al
readyl
ate.
Si
ya:
luncht
hen?
Me:
sur
e.
Si
ya:
pluswecangoseemynewpl
ace.
Me:
ok.
Si
ya:
Ilov
eyouok?
Me:
ok
Ihungupt hengotdr essedinakneelengthski
rt
andshirtwithmynav ybl
azerandblackheel
.I
l
ookedmy selfinthemirr
orandIwashot .Had
anappleforbr eakfastt
hendrovetowork.
Traf
ficwashect i
candIendedupbei ngmore
l
ate.Igottowor kandmadecof f
eethengotto
i
t.Sibawalkedi n.
Me:
yhoawunqabe.
Siba:Ihav
et opul
lthi
slov
eydov
eyt
hingwi
th
Luzukokalok.
Me:
yho.
Si
ba:
howwasy
ourweekend?
Me:itwasgood.Igott
ospendt
imewi
thmy
daughterandmom.
Si
ba:
andy
oudi
dn'
ttel
lme.
Me:
bav
elebaf
ikaFr
idayni
ght
.
Si
ba:
uSi
yay
ena?
Shesai
dthatsi
tt
ingdown.
Me:hel
eftkal
ok.Thent
her
ewassomuch
dr
ama.
Si
ba:
yho.Isawhi
m wi
tht
hisot
hergi
rli
zol
o.
Iwashur
tal
i
ttl
e.
Me:
phi
?
Si
ba:kulachil
lsesh.Andshewasi
ntr
oducedas
hi
s"gir
lf
riend"
.
Iwasget
ti
ngangr
y.
Me:
nyani
?
Siba:ny
ani
.Hewasshockedt oseemebuthe
carri
edonl
ikenot
hinghappened.
Me:
yho.
Si
ba:
I'
m sor
ry.
Me:
it'
sfi
ne.
Iwon'tl
ie,
Iwashurttot
heext
reme.Ithasn'
t
evenbeen2weeksandhe'sal
readycheati
ng.
It
'squit
eobvi
ousthathewasbusywiththi
s
gir
lf
ri
endthewhol
eweekend.
Sibal eftandIcarri
edonwi t
hwor k.Sincewer
e
goingt omeetf orlunchIusedthisasan
oppor tunityt
oaskhi m.Hetoldmet omeethim
atSt eersinVincentsoIdrovethere.Hewas
alreadysi t
tedbusyonhi sl
aptop.Dressedina
nav ysui t
.Isatopposit
ehim anditwasonly
thent hathenot i
cedme.
Si
ya:
ohy
ou'
reher
eal
ready
.
Me:
yeah.
Si
ya:
ufunant
oni
?
Me:
ribspl
ease.
Hegotupandwentt
oor
der
.Camebackand
l
ookedatme.
Me:
what
?
Si
ya:
not
hing.Justadmi
ri
ngy
ourbeaut
y.
Me:
mhh
Siy
a:IgotahouseinAmali
nda.3bedr
ooms
and2bathrooms.YouandEnzomightbe
mov i
nginsoon.
Ichokedonmysal
i
va.
Si
ya:
arey
ouok?
Me:
yeah.Sohowdi
dyouspendy
ourweekend?
Siy
a:wit
hthegent
sobv
iousl
y.Soi
twasmeat
andbooze.
Me:
qha?
Si
ya:
utheni
uSi
babal
wekuwe?
Me:
wasshesupposedt
osaysomet
hing?
Si
ya:
shepr
obabl
ytol
dyouIwaswi
thagi
rlr
ight
?
Me:
mhh.
Si
y a:wel
lthat
'smygirlf
ri
end,
asi
nfemal
e
fr
iend.Wewor ktoget
her.
Me:
ohh?
Siy
a:y
oudon'
ttr
ustme?Wecancallherand
askwhoshewaswit
hthi
sweekend.
Me:
that
'snotnecessar
y.
Theybr
oughtouror
derandwedugi
n.
Si
ya:
how'
sourpr
incessdoi
ng?
Me:
fine.Butsher
eal
l
ywant
edt
oseey
ou.
Si
ya:
youshoul
d'
vet
oldme.
Me:
Ithoughty
ou'
dcal
l
.
Si
ya:
I'
ll
makesur
eIseehersoon.
Me:
ok.
Wef ini
shedeati
ngthenlef
t.Iwasdri
vi
ng
behindhimtohisnewhouse.Wef i
nall
ygot
ther
eandIpar ked.I
twasbeauti
ful
.Wegot
i
nsideanditwasspacious.
Si
ya:
li
kei
t?
Me:
Ilov
eit
.
Hehel
dmecl
oserandki
ssedme,
sodeepIf
elt
l
i
kenotlet
ti
nggo.Hefinal
l
ypul
l
edoutand
l
ookedmeintheeye.
Si
ya:
Mar
ryme.
Ij
ustlookedathim shocked.Nothi
ngcoul
d
comeoutofmymout hatthatmoment.He
l
ookedsosi ncer
e.Iwantedt ogi
vehim my
answerbutIjustwentmut e.
..
[
05/
14,
11:
50]Mk:
Inser
t6
.
.
Ipul
ledawayfrom hisembr aceandhelooked
conf
used.I
'v
ebeenwi thSiy
af oryear
sandI
knowwhathe'sabout .Iwouldn'
tmov ei
nto
anyt
hingsofastwithhim.
Si
ya:
am Ir
ushi
ngt
hings?
Me:
yes
Siya:
I'
m sor
ry.Ij
ustt
houghtsi
ncewe'
vebeen
toget
heryouwon'tmind.
Me:mhh.Iactual
l
ymi
nd.Kul
ate.Ihav
etogo
backt
owor k.
Iki
ssedhischeekt henwalkedout .Igottomy
carandletoutasigh.Ididn'tevenreal
izeIwas
holdingmybreat
hf orthatlong.Idrovebackto
wor kandj
ustfi
nishedof ft
hent ookSibahome.
Me:
sol
i
keSi
yaaskedmet
omar
ryhi
m.
Shewasshockedt
henj
ustl
etoutasl
i
ghtl
augh.
Si
ba:
he'
sjoki
ngr
ight
?
Me:
that
'swhatIal
sot
hought
.
Siba:
ifIdidn'
tknowbet
terI
'
dsayhe'
shi
ding
something.
Me:
sameher
e.ButI
'
llt
ryandf
indout
.
Si
ba:
final
l
yyouseet
hel
i
ght
.
Igi
ggl
ed.
Imayhav elookedvul
ner
ableinhiseyesorhi
s
presencebutIsti
ll
hadabrain.Ihadmyheartto
thi
nkof .
Me:
I'
veal
way
sseent
hel
i
ght
.
If
inal
l
ydr
oppedherof
fanddr
ovehome.
.
Amont hwentbyandev eryt
hingseemedok
withSiy a.Ihadt ost udyhim abitandthere
seemedt obenot hingwr ongwithhim.Wel l
therewer egirl
sher eandt her
ebutwe' dpull
through.Hehadmov edintohisnewhouseand
ofcour seIv i
sit
edsomet i
mesandhedi dthe
same.Weev enwentoutonsomeweekends.I
wasi nlov eandev erythi
ngwasgoi ngright
.On
Valentinesdayhepr oposedagainand
obv i
ousl yIagreedbutweagr eedt otakethi
ngs
slow.Ther ewasnor i
ngorany t
hingbuthesent
alettertomyf ami l
y .Mymom di dn'teventr
yto
soundexci tedforme.
.
Soit
'
saSatur
daymorni
nginFebr
uaryandt
he
pr
evi
ousni
ghtwasamazingwi
thSiy
a.
Igotupandkissedhi
sli
psandhecar
ri
edon
wit
hthekiss,
niceandsl
ow.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:
Ithoughtul
ele.
Si
ya:
Iguesst
heki
sswokemeup.
Me:
you'
redi
rt
ymi
nded.Ndi
yohl
ambamna.
It
ri
edt
ogetuobuthepul
l
edme.
Si
ya:
justone.
Me:
ha.
aSi
yay
ougoti
tal
ll
astni
ght
.
Si
ya:
mhh.
Hehadpl
eadi
ngey
esandIf
inal
l
ygav
ein.
Weki ssedthensinceIwasont opIfeltthebig
guy.Hepul l
edmypj t
opof fthenmyshor t
s.
Basicall
yIwasnakedandheonl yhadhis
boxerson.Heopenedt hedrawerwi t
hhi sfree
handandt ookoutacondom.Icoul dn'tafford
havi
nganot herbaby.Ihelpedhim putiton.
Thenhei mmedi at
elyinserthimsel
fandI
star
tedgr i
ndi
ngwi t
hhi shandsonmywai st.He
keptgroani
ngandsay
ingst
uffIcoul
dn'
tev
en
hear.
Hewenti
ntoodeepandImoaned.I
mmedi
atel
y
f
li
ppedmeoverandwenti
ntoodeep,t
oof
ast,
t
oohard.
Igr
abbedhi
sbackf
orgr
ip.
Moansandhisnameweret
heonl
ythi
ngt
hat
escapedf
rom mymout
h.
Ifel
tmysel
fbui
ldupandIfi
nal
l
yleti
tallout
andhefoll
owedri
ghtaf
termeandcol
lapsedon
topofme.
Si
ya:
you'
reamazi
ng.
Icouldn'
tevenbreathesoIjustsmiled.After
somet imeIgotupandwentt otakeashower .
Itwaslongandwar m.Igotoutandl otioned
my sel
fthengotdressed.Siyawasbusywi t
ha
callsohewalkedout .Iworemynav yjeananda
whitecroptopwithmyf li
pflops.
Si
ya:
uyaphi
?
Me:
Ineedt
ogetmyhai
rdone.
Si
ya:
wher
e?
Me:
Vincent
.
Si
ya:
I'
ll
takey
ou.
Hewentt otakeabaththengotdressed.We
usedhiscarthendrovetoVi
ncent.Ihaven'
t
gott
enaweav edoneinawhil
esoIwant ed
somethingwithcurl
s.Si
yasatthewholetime.
Me:
I'
m done.
Si
ya:
I'
ll
pay
.Umhl
ebyt
heway
.
Me:
thanks
Heswi
pedthenweleftforl
unch.I
twasgr
eat
bei
ngwi
thhim,al
otfuthi.
.
Soitwastheweekendwherehe'dgotofamil
y
fort
henegoti
ati
ons.Idr
ovedownt o
Queenst
ownont heFri
dayandhesaidhe'dbe
comingonSatur
day.Ndif
ikengolal
asi
nceit
waslate.Bot
hmyf
ri
endswer
ether
e.Bebezo
l
alaekhaya.
Thenextmorni
ngIwokeupandwentt otakea
bat
h.Madebreakf
astforever
yone.Myuncles
wouldbear
ri
v i
ngdur
ingtheday.Mymom
wal
kedin.
Mom:
mor
ningmyl
ove.
Me:
mor
ning.
Mom:
sot
hisi
sreal
l
yhappeni
ng?
Me:
Iguessso.
Mom:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
vegr
ownupsof
ast
.
Me:
ha.
akemama.
Shewasstart
ingt
ogetemotional
.Myfri
ends
anddaught
ercameandwehadbr eakf
ast.Bay
o
hl
ambaandmyuncl esar
ri
ved.Imadeteafor
ever
yone.
Uncl
e:uf
ikani
nil
omf
anakubal
atengoku.
Me:
it'
sonl
y2nj
e.
Mom:
hewassupposedt
obeher
eat12.
Iwentt
omybedr
oom.
Si
ba:
and?
Me:
he'snother
eyet
.Myf
ami
l
yisget
ti
ng
i
mpati
ent.
Buhl
e:Icani
magi
ne.Cal
lhi
m.
It
ri
edcal
l
ingandi
trangt
il
lvoi
cemai
l
.
Me:
voi
cemai
l
.
Buhl
e:y
ho.Let
'sgomakel
unch.
Wewalkedtothekit
chenandst
art
edcooking.
Madelunchf
orev er
yonet
henat4weserved
t
hem.Itri
edcall
i
ngagainandst
il
lthesame
r
esul
t.
Myf amil
ywasaski
ngthousandsofquest
ions
soIjustdeci
dedt
osleep.Enzocameandslept
nexttome.
"
Mama!
!"I
twasEnzo.
Me:
mhh.
Enzo:
vukakul
ate.
Igotupandshesmil
ed.Itwasalr
eadydark
outsi
deandGodknowsIwasf umingwit
hanger
.
HowcouldSiy
aembarrassmel i
kethi
s.
Si
bawal
kedi
nwi
thBuhl
eandmymom.
Si
ba:uhMbal
iIcal
ledLuzukot
ofi
ndoutwhat
'
s
goi
ngonandit
'snotgood.
Me:
kwenzekent
oni
?
Mom: Si
yawasinvol
vedinacaracci
dentesi
za
apha.He'
sbeenadmitt
ed.
Me:
njani
?
Si
ba:wedon'
tknowbutLuzukosay
sit
sreal
l
y
bad.
Ij
ustbrokedownthenandther
e.Whatifhe
doesn'
tsurv
ive,
whatam Igoi
ngtotel
lEnzo
whensheasksaboutherdad.Thi
swasal l
a
hugemess..
[
05/
14,
11:
50]Mk:
Inser
t6
.
.
Ipul
ledawayfrom hisembr aceandhelooked
conf
used.I
'v
ebeenwi thSiy
af oryear
sandI
knowwhathe'sabout .Iwouldn'
tmov ei
nto
anyt
hingsofastwithhim.
Si
ya:
am Ir
ushi
ngt
hings?
Me:
yes
Siya:
I'
m sor
ry.Ij
ustt
houghtsi
ncewe'
vebeen
toget
heryouwon'tmind.
Me:mhh.Iactual
l
ymi
nd.Kul
ate.Ihav
etogo
backt
owor k.
Iki
ssedhischeekt henwalkedout .Igottomy
carandletoutasigh.Ididn'tevenreal
izeIwas
holdingmybreat
hf orthatlong.Idrovebackto
wor kandj
ustfi
nishedof ft
hent ookSibahome.
Me:
sol
i
keSi
yaaskedmet
omar
ryhi
m.
Shewasshockedt
henj
ustl
etoutasl
i
ghtl
augh.
Si
ba:
he'
sjoki
ngr
ight
?
Me:
that
'swhatIal
sot
hought
.
Siba:
ifIdidn'
tknowbet
terI
'
dsayhe'
shi
ding
something.
Me:
sameher
e.ButI
'
llt
ryandf
indout
.
Si
ba:
final
l
yyouseet
hel
i
ght
.
Igi
ggl
ed.
Imayhav elookedvul
ner
ableinhiseyesorhi
s
presencebutIsti
ll
hadabrain.Ihadmyheartto
thi
nkof .
Me:
I'
veal
way
sseent
hel
i
ght
.
If
inal
l
ydr
oppedherof
fanddr
ovehome.
.
Amont hwentbyandev eryt
hingseemedok
withSiy
a.Ihadtostudyhim abitandther
e
seemedt obenothi
ngwr ongwithhim.Well
thereweregi
rl
shereandt her
ebutwe'dpull
through.Hehadmov edintohi
snewhouseand
ofcour seIv i
sit
edsomet i
mesandhedi dthe
same.Weev enwentoutonsomeweekends.I
wasi nloveandev erythi
ngwasgoi ngright
.On
Valentinesdayhepr oposedagainand
obv i
ouslyIagreedbutweagr eedt otakethi
ngs
slow.Ther ewasnor ingoranythingbuthesent
alettertomyf amil
y.Mymom di dn'teventr
yto
soundexci tedforme.
.
Soit
'
saSatur
daymorni
nginFebr
uaryandt
he
pr
evi
ousni
ghtwasamazingwi
thSiy
a.
Igotupandkissedhi
sli
psandhecar
ri
edon
wit
hthekiss,
niceandsl
ow.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:
Ithoughtul
ele.
Si
ya:
Iguesst
heki
sswokemeup.
Me:
you'
redi
rt
ymi
nded.Ndi
yohl
ambamna.
It
ri
edt
ogetuobuthepul
l
edme.
Si
ya:
justone.
Me:
ha.
aSi
yay
ougoti
tal
ll
astni
ght
.
Si
ya:
mhh.
Hehadpl
eadi
ngey
esandIf
inal
l
ygav
ein.
Weki ssedthensinceIwasont opIf el
tt hebig
guy.Hepul l
edmypj t
opof fthenmyshor t
s.
Basicall
yIwasnakedandheonl yhadhi s
boxerson.Heopenedt hedr awerwithhi sfree
handandt ookoutacondom.Icoul dn'
taf ford
havi
nganot herbaby.Ihelpedhi m putiton.
Thenhei mmedi at
elyinserthimselfandI
star
tedgr i
ndi
ngwi t
hhi shandsonmywai st.He
keptgroaningandsay i
ngst uffIcouldn'teven
hear.
Hewenti
ntoodeepandImoaned.I
mmedi
atel
y
f
li
ppedmeoverandwenti
ntoodeep,t
oof
ast,
t
oohard.
Igr
abbedhi
sbackf
orgr
ip.
Moansandhisnameweret
heonl
ythi
ngt
hat
escapedf
rom mymout
h.
Ifel
tmysel
fbui
ldupandIfi
nal
l
yleti
tallout
andhefoll
owedri
ghtaf
termeandcol
lapsedon
topofme.
Si
ya:
you'
reamazi
ng.
Icouldn'
tevenbreathesoIjustsmiled.After
somet imeIgotupandwentt otakeashower .
Itwaslongandwar m.Igotoutandl otioned
my sel
fthengotdressed.Siyawasbusywi t
ha
callsohewalkedout .Iworemynav yjeananda
whitecroptopwithmyf li
pflops.
Si
ya:
uyaphi
?
Me:
Ineedt
ogetmyhai
rdone.
Si
ya:
wher
e?
Me:
Vincent
.
Si
ya:
I'
ll
takey
ou.
Hewentt otakeabaththengotdressed.We
usedhiscarthendrovetoVi
ncent.Ihaven'
t
gott
enaweav edoneinawhil
esoIwant ed
somethingwithcurl
s.Si
yasatthewholetime.
Me:
I'
m done.
Si
ya:
I'
ll
pay
.Umhl
ebyt
heway
.
Me:
thanks
Heswi
pedthenweleftforl
unch.I
twasgr
eat
bei
ngwi
thhim,al
otfuthi.
.
Soitwast heweekendwher ehe'dgotofamily
fort
henegot i
ati
ons.Idrovedownt o
Queenstownont heFridayandhesaidhe'dbe
comingonSat ur
day.Ndi f
ikengolal
asinceit
waslate.Bothmyf r
iendswer et
here.Bebezo
l
alaekhaya.
Thenextmorni
ngIwokeupandwentt otakea
bat
h.Madebreakf
astforever
yone.Myuncles
wouldbear
ri
v i
ngdur
ingtheday.Mymom
wal
kedin.
Mom:
mor
ningmyl
ove.
Me:
mor
ning.
Mom:
sot
hisi
sreal
l
yhappeni
ng?
Me:
Iguessso.
Mom:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
vegr
ownupsof
ast
.
Me:
ha.
akemama.
Shewasstart
ingt
ogetemotional
.Myfri
ends
anddaught
ercameandwehadbr eakf
ast.Bay
o
hl
ambaandmyuncl esar
ri
ved.Imadeteafor
ever
yone.
Uncl
e:uf
ikani
nil
omf
anakubal
atengoku.
Me:
it'
sonl
y2nj
e.
Mom:
hewassupposedt
obeher
eat12.
Iwentt
omybedr
oom.
Si
ba:
and?
Me:
he'snother
eyet
.Myf
ami
l
yisget
ti
ng
i
mpati
ent.
Buhl
e:Icani
magi
ne.Cal
lhi
m.
It
ri
edcal
l
ingandi
trangt
il
lvoi
cemai
l
.
Me:
voi
cemai
l
.
Buhl
e:y
ho.Let
'sgomakel
unch.
Wewalkedtothekit
chenandst
art
edcooking.
Madelunchf
orev er
yonet
henat4weserved
t
hem.Itri
edcall
i
ngagainandst
il
lthesame
r
esul
t.
Myf amil
ywasaski
ngthousandsofquest
ions
soIjustdeci
dedt
osleep.Enzocameandslept
nexttome.
"
Mama!
!"I
twasEnzo.
Me:
mhh.
Enzo:
vukakul
ate.
Igotupandshesmil
ed.Itwasalr
eadydark
outsi
deandGodknowsIwasf umingwit
hanger
.
HowcouldSiy
aembarrassmel i
kethi
s.
Si
bawal
kedi
nwi
thBuhl
eandmymom.
Si
ba:uhMbal
iIcal
ledLuzukot
ofi
ndoutwhat
'
s
goi
ngonandit
'snotgood.
Me:
kwenzekent
oni
?
Mom: Si
yawasinvol
vedinacaracci
dentesi
za
apha.He'
sbeenadmitt
ed.
Me:
njani
?
Si
ba:wedon'
tknowbutLuzukosay
sit
sreal
l
y
bad.
Ij
ustbrokedownthenandther
e.Whatifhe
doesn'
tsurv
ive,
whatam Igoi
ngtotel
lEnzo
whensheasksaboutherdad.Thi
swasal l
a
hugemess..
[
05/
14,
11:
50]Mk:
Inser
t7
.
.
Aft
erIfi
nal
lycal
meddownIchangedt
omy
sweatpant
samdahoodie.
Me:
Ihav
etogoseehi
m
Buhl
e:we'
l
lcomewi
thy
ou.
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
sandt
ookmycarkey
s.Buhl
e
wasdr i
vi
ng.Wear ri
vedatthehospi
tal
andhis
parentswer
eatt hewait
ingroom.Iwentov
erto
them andgreet
ed.
Si
ya'
smom:
unj
ani
ntombi
?
Me:
I'
m ok.
Therewasagi
rlnextt
oherandshecl
ear
edher
thr
oat.
Smom: ohLelet
huthisi
sMbali,
umamaka
EnzoandMbal it
hisisLel
ethuSi
ya'
swifeor
fi
ancée.Ebebuyakokwabowhenallt
his
happened.
Icouldn'
tbeli
evewhatIwashear ing,
sohesai d
he'
dcomet oseemyf amil
ybutheknewt hathe
setthatdat
ef orsomeot herwoman.Iknew
Siy
awasacheatbutt hi
swasev i
l
.Whywoul d
helietomyf ace,pret
endtoplayhappyfamili
es
onlytofi
ndouthe' smarryi
ngsomeoneel se.
Iwenttosi
tdownbecauseIsuddenlywent
di
zzy.Si
baandBuhl
ewer ebymysi de
i
mmedi
atel
y.
Si
ba:
it'
sal
lgoi
ngt
obeokay
.Ipr
omi
se.
Me:
it'
snotSi
ba,
howcoul
dhel
i
eli
ket
hat
?
Buhle:he'
snev
erdeser
vedy
ouMbal
i
.Li
vef
or
yourchil
dqha.
Inodded.Iwasstil
li
ntears,It
ri
edt
opullmy
self
toget
hersoIdon'tmakeascene.ImeanIdi
dn't
wanthisparent
sandwi f
et obeget
ti
ng
suspi
ciousandIgettoembar r
assmysel
fmore.
Me:
masambe.
Igotupandt
heyf
oll
owedr
ightbehi
ndme.
Me:
uhmamasi
yahamba.
Smom:
oknt
ombi
.
Thedoct
orwalkedi
nandIjustst
oodbecauseI
want
edtohearwhatthepr
oblem was.
Dr
:Mr
sBooi
?
Thegir
lst
oodup.Shewasbeaut
if
ulImustsay
.
Yel
lowbone,
whit
eeven.Pi
nkli
ps,bi
gbrown
eyes,
curvesf
orday
s.Shehadev
ent
urnedpi
nk
fr
om cry
ing.
Dr:uhm we'
vet r
iedeveryt
hingi
nourpowert
o
stabi
li
zehim anditworkedbutheneedssome
ti
met orest
.
Lel
ethu:
uhm canIseehi
m?
Dr
:just5mi
nut
es.
Shefoll
owedthedoct
orandIjustdeci
dedt
o
l
eave.WewalkedtothecarandIjustl
et
ever
ythi
ngout
.
Buhl
e:y
ou'
l
lbeokMbal
iIpr
omi
se.
Me:
no
Si
ba:
whatcanwegetf
ory
ou?
Me:
lot
sofi
cecr
eam.
Theygi
ggledandtheydrov
etothegar
age.Si
ba
wangenayedwa.Shecamebackwith2tubsof
chocol
ateicecr
eam andwedrovehome.
Me:
uhm coul
dyouguy
stel
lmyf
ami
l
ywhat
happened.I
'
m noti
nthemoodt
hef
aceanyof
them att
hemoment.
Si
ba:
ok
Igothomeandwentstrai
ghtt
omybedr
oom.
Enzowasfastasl
eep.Mymom wal
kedi
nwhi
le
Iwasbusywithmyicecream.
Mom:
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Me:
I'
m okay
.
Mom:
nyani
?
Me: wellI
'
llt
ryandbeok.Imeanther
e'snothi
ng
Ican'tdoaboutitbutmov
eon.He'smarri
ed.
Mom: ohmntanam.Iknowy ou'
l
lpul
lthr
ough.
Uzobari
ght
.He'l
lregr
eteverdoi
ngthi
stoyou.
Ij
ustnodded.
Shehuggedmesot
ight
.
Me:
youcanl
etgonow.
Shegiggledt
henpul
l
edaway .Myfr
iends
walkedinandwehadicecr
eam ti
l
lwef el
l
asl
eep.If
eltabi
tbet
terbutt
hepai
nwast
her
e.
Thenextmor
ningItookabathearl
yint
he
morni
ngandgotdressed.Wentt
obathEnzo.
Enzo:
ndi
funauhambanawe.
Me:
uyaf
undanj
eEnzo.
Enzo:
funuhl
alanawe.
Shest
art
edcr
ying.Iwant
edhertocomest
ay
wit
hmeIreal
l
ydidbutIsti
ll
neededti
me.
Me:
uzohl
alanam kal
ok.Thul
a.
Shefinall
ycal
meddownandIwashedherface
thendriedher
.Dr
essedhert
henwewalkedto
mybedr oom.Idr
essedhert
henwewal
kedt o
theki
tchenforbr
eakfast
.
Mymom wasal
readyt
her
e.
Me:
ahmol
o.
Mom:
mor
ning.
Me:
weneedt
otal
k.Enzowant
stost
aywi
th
me.
Mom:
cany
oust
aywi
thher
.Wi
l
lyoucope.
Me:shehasanannyher e.Icanj
ustget
someoneforhersi
ber i
ght.YouknowhowI
hat
eleav
ingherbehind.
Mom:uhokke.Youcantakeher
.Justmake
sur
eshegoestoschool
.
Me:
shewi
l
l.
Wehadbr eakfastr henmyf r
iendsf i
nall
ycame
andwel ef
t.Ididn'tev enwantt ost ayathome
muchl onger.Itwasar emi nderofev eryt
hing
thathadhappenedov ertheweekend.Si baand
Buhlewer edriving.Ireallywasn' tinthemood
todrive.Theydr ovet hemsel v est otheirpl
aces
andIdr ovetomypl aceal lalone.Themi nut eI
gothome.It ookev ery t
hingt hatbel ongedt o
Siyaandpackedi tinabl ackbagt henputi tin
thelounge.He'dpr obablycomeandf et
chi tthe
minuteheget soutofhospi t
al .
Ist
art
edcooki
ngsupper
.Ihadsupperal
lonmy
own.Emai
ledmybossthatIwon'
tbeatwork
thenextday
.Ineededtogonannysearchi
ng
andschoolhunti
ngformybaby.Af
terallt
hatI
hadsupperthenwenttobed.
..
[
05/
14,
11:
50]Mk:
Herhear
t-Myst
ory
I
nser
t8
.
.
Iwokeupt henextdayandIt ookabathworea
mini ski
rtwit
hheel s.DuringtheweekIwasa
heelsgirlandobv i
ouslydur i
ngtheweekendIt
's
sneakers.Iworemybi kerjackett
henwalkedto
thekitchenforbreakfast.Ipouredcer
ealfor
my selfthencal
ledmymom.Thehel perthi
ng
wouldbeapr oblem.
Mom:
Mbal
i
.
Me:
unj
ani
mama?
Mom:
goodandy
our
sel
f?
Me:
good.UhmamaIwast
hinki
ng,
howabout
usisi
azengaphawhenIfi
ndaschoolforEnzo.
Plussheknowsherbet
tert
hananyone.
Mom:
arey
ouser
iousaboutt
his?
Me:ewe.MybabyneedsmeasmuchasIneed
her
.
Shesi
ghed.Iknewshewashur
t.Butsheknew
thi
swasboundt ohappen.
Mom:
okI
'
llspeakt
oherl
ater
Me:
ok.Ki
ssEnzof
orme.
Mom:
ok.
ShehungupandIknewthatt
hisdi
dn'
tsitwel
l
wit
hherbutmychil
dhadtobehappy.Her
happi
nesscamefi
rst
.
IdrovetoSelborne.Therewasapr eschool
thereandthepr i
cewasr easonableplusit
l
ookedr eal
lynice.Ispoketot hem gavethem al
l
herdocument sandshegotaspace.Iwasso
happy.Soonitwoul dbejustthet woofus.After
thatIwentforlunchatSpur .Ineededsteakand
Iwine.Justtocelebrate.Afterl
unchIdroveto
Buhle'
swor kplace.Ineededt othankherfort
he
wholeweekend.Shewor kedatthisl
awf i
rmin
Vincent.Igotther
eandpar ked.Wentthr
oughto
recepti
onandaskedi fshewasbusyandshe
wasn'tsoIwal kedtot heboardroom.Shewasa
PAf orsomel awyer.
Iwal
kedi
nandshesmi
l
ed.
Buhl
e:awusezof
lames
Me:
enkosi
.
Buhl
e:andwhatdoIowet
hissur
pri
sev
isi
t?
Me:Ijustcamet osaythanky ou.Thankyoufor
bei
ngt her
ef ormethroughthispastweekend.
Wellsi
ncef orev
ermahnBuhl e.
Shesmi
l
ed.
Buhl
e:t
hat
'swhatf
ri
endsar
efor
.
Me:
Iknowbutt
hanky
ouany
way
.
Igotupandwehuggedf
ort
hel
ongestt
ime
ever.Wepul l
edapar twhenwehear dsomeone
cleart
heirthr
oat .It
urnedandGodwashe
yummy .Smal lsexyhazelbrowneyes.Darkskin
butnottoodar k.Bodytodief or
,hi
ssuit
actual
lydrewt heshapeofhi sarms.Hewast oo
much.
Buhl
e:ohI
'
m sor
rysi
r.
If
igur
edi
twasherboss.
Him: i
t'
sactual
lyfi
ne.Ij
ustwantedy
outocl
ear
mydi ar
yfortherestoftheday
.Ihavea
personali
ssuetoattendto.
Hi
svoi
cewasheav
enl
y.
Buhl
e:wi
l
ldosi
r.
Hesmi
l
edt
henwal
kedout
.
Buhl
e:IguessI
'
m of
f.
Me:
uyaphi
?
Buhle:
I'
ll
sleepf
ort
her
estoft
heday
.Pl
ease
dropmeof f.
Me:
sur
e.
Wewal kedt othepar kinglotthengoti nmycar
anddr ov eoff.Idroppedherof fatherpl ace
thennday akuSi ba.Ihadt othankheraswel l
thenaf t
ert hatIdrov ehome.Ical l
edmymom
andt oldheraboutt heschool thingandshe
soundedhappy .Shet oldmeshewaspr oudof
me.ThatIwasn' tlet
tingthiswhol emar riage
thingbringmedown.I thappenedandt here
wasnot hingIcoul ddoabouti tbutmov eon.I
criedabouti tandnowIhadt ogetov erit.I
couldn'tallowSi yatohav econt r
ol ov
ermyl i
fe
l
iket hat.Hehadt oseemef l
ourishanddo
biggerthingswi t
houthi m.
SoonFridayI'
dgofet
chmydaughterandher
nannyandthey'
dbemovi
nginwit
hmef orgood.
Ihadcerealf
orsuppert
henf
ell
asl
eep.Iwas
real
l
ylazytocook.
Thenextmorni
ngwaswork,Igotupanddidt
he
nor
mal r
out
inethendr
ovet
owor k.Ihadt
o
cat
chuponthewor
kImissed.Ihadlunchat
mydeskt
henaft
erl
unchIcarr
iedon.Afterwor
k
Idr
oveSi
bahomeandIwenttomypl ace.
Therouti
newentonf oraweekt il
lFr
iday
.On
Fri
dayafternoonIdrovehomeasusual t
hen
wenttochangeandhadsomet hi
ngtoeat.
Therewasaknockont hedoorandIwentt o
openandi twasSiya.Ili
ter
all
yfrozewhenIsaw
hi
m.Hi sarm wasbandageandhehadacr ut
ch.
Si
ya:
hi
Ital
lcamebackt ome.Emoti
onsst
art
ed
buil
dingup,Iwasst
art
ingt
ogetangry
,tear
y
andemot i
onal.
Me:
hi
Si
ya:
uhwher
eyoul
eav
ing?
Me:
yes.
Siy
a:oh.CanIpl
easehav
e10mi
nut
esofy
our
ti
me.
Iopenedspacef
orhi
m andhegoti
n.
Siy
a:Mbal
iIam sosorr
y.Idi
dn'
tmeanf
or
thi
ngst
oendli
kethis.
Me:
meani
ng?
Siy
a:youknowIl
ovedy ou.Isti
l
ldo,
Iwi
ll
for
everl
oveyouf
uthibutIjusthadt
ochoose.
Me:di
dyouhavetol
etitgot
oextr
emest hough.
Coul
dn'
tyouj
ustendatmebeingyoursi
de
chi
ck?Di
dyouhavetohumil
i
atemel i
kethat
?
Si
ya:
I'
m sor
ry.
Me: youaren'tsorr
y.Youhadallthesemonths
tochangey ourstorybutno,youwentr i
ght
aheadbecausey oucouldn'
twaittohurtme
onceagain.Iwi shyouwouldhav ejustdi
edin
thatcaraccident.Nazii
zint
ozakho.Phuma!
Si
ya:
pleasej
usthearmeout
.
Me:doyouwantt
olieagai
n?Wel
lnoSi
yaI
'
m
donel
ist
eni
ngtoyourl
ies.
Hejustst
oodthere.It
ookthebl
ackbagand
t
hrewitoutsi
dethenIpushedhi
m outand
l
ockedthedoor .Satonthef l
oorandcri
edmy
l
ungsout.Ididn'treal
i
zeIwast hi
shurtti
llI
act
uall
ysawhi m.Icr i
edtil
lIcoul
dn'
tcry
anymore.Iwentt ogetaglassofwaterthanI
l
eft
.Itwas7whenIdr ov
edownt oQueenstown.
[
05/
14,
11:
50]Mk:
Inser
t9
.
.
If
inal
l
yar
ri
vedaf
ter9andmymom openedf
or
me.
Mom:
Ithoughty
ouchangedy
ourmi
nd.
Me:
noIhadal
i
ttl
ehol
dup.
Mom:
mhh.Yourf
oodi
sint
heov
en.Ndi
yol
ala.
Me:
ok.
ShewalkedawayandIopenedt heovenand
hadmysupperallal
one.Ideci
dedtocallSi
ba,
I
neededtotel
lherwhatj
usthappened.
Si
ba:
youdoknowsomeofusar
eatour
"
sleepov
ers"
Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:
xol
oI'
l
lcal
lyout
omor
rowt
hen.
Si
ba:
not
het
ha.
Me:
ukubani
kqal
a?
Si
ba:
Luzukoobv
iousl
y.
Me:youshoul
djustdat
ehi
m qha.Uy
ekeudl
ala
ngomnye.
Si
ba:
noo.Thet
ha.
Me: soli
keSi y
adeci
destoshowhi
mselfatmy
place.Apologi
zesamil
li
onti
meswithno
explanat
ion.
Si
ba:thener
veyazi
ulaphaandIf
eel
li
ke
ndi
funauyom r
ubbi
sha.
Me:
ha.
akeSi
ba
Siba:
hayiMbal
iI'
myourbi
gsi
sandIwi
l
ltake
careofy
ou.
Il
aughedal
i
ttl
e.
Me:hayiSi
ba.He'
llt
hinkI'
m notovert
hiswhol
e
t
hingorndi
samf una.Justl
ethim be.
Shel
etoutasi
gh.
Si
ba:
fine.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo,
byenow.
Ihungupbeforeshecoul
dsayanythi
ng.
Walkedtomybedroom andchangedtomypj
'
s
thengoti
ntobed.
Thenextdaywaslong,Ijustwant
edt ol
eave
al
readysoSundayafter
noonIpacked
ever
ythi
nginmycarandmydaught erwas
al
readyi
nthefrontseat
.
Mom: pl
easet
reatherwell,
Iwantt
obet
heway
t
hatsheiswhensher et
urns.
Me:
comeonmama,
she'
smydaught
er.
Mom:
ngumnt
anam uEnzo.
Me:
yeahy
eah.ButIpr
omi
sewe'
l
lbot
hbeok.
Nosi
sinay
euzobar
ightIpr
omi
se.
Shehuggedmeonelastt
imethenIwal
kedt
o
mycarandhoot
edthendrov
eof f
.
Enzo:
yey
!
Li
ndi
:uf
unaugezakengoku.
Li
ndiwewasEnzo'
snanny.She'
slookedaft
er
Enzosi
nceshewasborn.AndItrustherwi
th
mydaughter
.
Idrovetot
hegar ageandboughtgoodi esfor
theroadanddrovest r
aighttoEastLondon.My
babykepttal
ki
ngnonst op.Shewassoexci t
ed
aboutmovinginwi t
hme.Wef inal
l
yarriv
edand
unpackedevery
thing.
Me:ahLindi
Iknowthepl
aceissmallbutI
'
ll
wor
konget t
ingabi
ggerpl
aceprobabl
ynext
month.
Li
ndi
:akhongxaki
sisi
.
Ir
eal
lywasn'tf
eel
i
ngokabouti
t.Hersleepi
ng
i
ntheloungewasnotpar
toft
heplan.IguessI
di
dn'
treal
l
ythi
nki
tthr
ough.
Li
ndicookedt henwehadsupperandwentt
o
bed.Pr
eparedf ort
henextday
.Itwasgoi
ngto
beEnzo'
sf i
rstday.
Iwokeupt henextdayandt ookabathwi
thmy
babyshewassosl eepy,shame.Butshehadto
getusedtoit.Wegotdressedthenwentfor
breakf
ast
.
Enzo:
icocopopsmama.
Shesai
dthatsul
ki
ng.
Me:
I'
ll
buyt
hem t
oday
.
Enzo:
yho.Ndi
hlut
hike.
You'
dswearshewasolder
,justbythewayshe
spokebutshewasonl
y2,welltur
ning3soon.
Me:
suf
unasi
xabanekeneh?
Sheknewtherewastr
oubl
ewhenIsai
dthat
.
Shepull
edherbowel
andate.
Li
ndi
wasal
readyawakei
nthel
ounge.
Me:ahsi
yahambakeLi
ndi
.Yonkei
ntoi
khona.
I
'l
lseey
ouat4or5.
Li
ndi
:oksi
si.
Me:
cal
lmeMbal
i
.
Shesmi
l
edt
henIwal
kedoutwi
thEnzo.
Me:
soar
eyour
eady
?
Enzo:
ewe.Mamaut
atauzani
ni?
Me:
Idon'
tknowbaby
.
Enzo:
akandi
funi
?
Me:
uyay
azi
njeuy
akut
handaut
atakho.
Shesmil
ed.Wefinal
l
yar
ri
vedatherschool
and
Iwal
kedheri
n.Shegotmoreexci
tedwhenshe
sawthepl
ayarea.
Enzo:
wowmama!
I
dramaekul
ent
ombi
kodwa.
Me:
Iknowbaby
.
Igoti
ntr
oducedt
ohert
eacherandsomeoft
he
nanniesthensignedacoupleofthi
ngsandIl
eft
.
Iwasal r
eadyrunninglat
e.Butl
uckyforme
ther
ewasn' tmucht r
affi
canymore.
Idroveandasal
waysIsloweddownast he
robotwentor
angebuttodaywasn'
tmylucky.I
fel
tacarbumpagainstmine,
from t
heback.At
fi
rstIwassoscar
edbutIdecidedtogoout.
Itwastoobadbuymyl i
ghtwasbroken.U"
Mr
Accident
"fi
nall
ydecidedtocomeoutofhiscar
andt omysurpri
seitwasBuhle'
sboss.
Hesmil
edwhenhegotoutandIkeptast
rai
ght
f
ace.
Hi
m:whatal
ovel
ysur
pri
se.
Hewal
kedcl
osert
olookatt
hedamage.
Hi
m: I
'l
lpayjustcal
lmyPA,
wecanset
tl
eit
wi
thoutpol
ice.
Me:excuseme?Si
zol
i
ndar
ighther
eti
l
lthe
pol
i
cear r
ive.
Hi
m:Ihav
etobei
ncour
tin5mi
nut
es.Ndi
yaku
cel
a.
Me:doesitl
ookli
keIcar
e?I
t'
snotmyf
aul
tyou
l
eftyourof
fi
celat
e.
Het
ookoutacar
dandgav
eitt
ome.
Hi
m:pl
easecal
lmyPA.I'
l
ldeal
wit
hyout
he
mi
nut
eIcomeoutofcourt
.
Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
f.
Suchar
rogance,
nxx.Buthewassohot
.
Igoti
nmycaranddr
ovetowor
k.Iwassol
ate
andIknewmybosswoul
dbeonmyneckabout
bei
nglate.
Igotinrushingandshewasalr
eadyther
e
standingri
ghtinfr
ontofmyoffi
ce.Shewasa
verystri
ct,
youcouldtel
lshewasinchar
ge.Mrs
Biyana.
Me:
I'
m sosor
ryI
'
mlat
e.Ihadal
i
ttl
ehol
dup.
Bi
yana:don'tyoudaremakeyourpr
oblems
mine.Iexpectyoutobeher
eat8ev er
ydayno
excuse.
Me:
yesma'
am.
Shewal kedawayandIgotinandstar
ted
working.Bef
oreIcoul
dforget
,Ideci
dedtocal
l
Buhle.
Buhl
e:st
handwa.
Me:
hey
.
Iwasl
ooki
ngathi
sbusi
nesscar
dthewhol
e
ti
me.
Buhl
e:andhowar
eyou?
Me:
per
fecty
ou?
Buhl
e:good.
Me:
MrNgoma?Doeshehav
eanopeni
ngt
oday
?
Shel
aughed.
Buhl
e:wenanoMrNgoma?
Me:Ij
ustneedt
osetanappoi
ntmentwi
thhi
m,
t
oday.
Buhle:i
yho.Wel
lheonl
yhas30mi
nut
esand
thatisat1:
30
Me:
per
fect
.Ineedt
oseehi
mthen.
Buhl
e:Mbal
idon'
tbemeanIneedt
oknow.
Me:
I'
ll
lety
ouknow.Justchi
l
l.
Ihungupbef oreshewouldconti
nued.Icar ri
ed
onwor ki
ngthenatlunchIdrovetothegar age
andboughtapi ethenateiti
nmycar .At1: 20I
drovetoVincent.MrNgoma'sworkpl ace.I
arri
vedatexactl
yhalfpastandwenttot he
waiti
ngarea.Buhlecame,shesmiledwhenshe
sawme.
Buhle:
ngena.I
'l
lwaitf
ory
our
ighther
e.Ineed
toknoweveryt
hing.
Me:
it'
sst
ri
ctl
ybusi
ness.
Iwalkedinandhewasbusywi t
hacall.Iwent
tositri
ghtopposit
ehimtil
hewr appeduphis
cal
l.Camet omysi deandstoodinfr
ontofme
l
eaningont hetabl
e.
Hel
ookedsoy
ummybutIhadt
oconcent
rat
e.
Ngoma:whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo,
buyy
oua
newcar
?
Ar
rogance.
Ir
oll
edmyey
es.
Me:
Ijustneedmycarf
ixed.
Ngoma:sur
ethen.I'
l
lneedy
ourcarkey
sandI
'
ll
dr
opyouoffatwork.
Me:
sur
e.
Igav
ehi
m mycarkey
sandwewal
kedout
.
BuhlegavemealookbutIj
ustsmil
edand
walkedaway.Wegott
otheparki
nglot
.
Me:funnyhowy
ourcardoesn'
tev
enhav
ea
dent
.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Wegoti
nthecarandhedr
oveof
f.
Ngoma:
I'
m Khwezi
byt
heway
.Khwezi
Yanga
Ngoma.
Me:
Mbal
i
'ent
leSi
phoset
huSet
i.
Khwez i
:i
nter
est
ing.Ar
eyouabeaut
if
ulf
lower
though?
Me:
Iusual
l
yleav
ethatt
opeopl
e.
Khwezi:
mhh.I'm sorr
yaboutyourcarbythe
way.Iwasinahur r
y.Ihadthi
simportantcaseI
neededtohandl
e.
Me:
asl
ongasy
ou'
regoi
ngt
ofi
xit
.
Wear
ri
vedatmywor
kpl
ace.
Khwez
i:canIhav
eyournumber
?
Myheartstar
tedtwer
kingt
henandt
her
e.I
near
lyzonedout.
Me:
why
?
Khwez
i:Ineedt
ocal
lyouwhenIbr
ingy
ourcar
.
Hesaidthati
nasar
cast
icway
,ital
most
soundedgay.
Me:
oh.
Hehandedmehi sphoneandIdi
aledmy
numberthensav
edit.
Khwez
i:t
hanky
ouMi
ssSet
i.
Hesmi l
edandIgotout .Wal
kedoutt
hen
walkedinsi
de.Iknewhiswaswatchi
ngme
becauseIcouldfeel
hiseyesonme.Gotback
toworkandf i
nall
ysomeguydroppedof
fmy
car.
..
[
05/
14,
11:
51]Mk:
Inser
t10
.
.
At4Iknockedof
fthenwal
kedoutoft
heof
fi
ce
wit
hSiba.
Si
ba:
Ihear
daboutt
hewhol
eMrNgomat
hing.
OhuBuhl
ekanene.
Me:
huh?
Si
ba:
don'
tyoudar
eactl
ost
.
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
ret
alki
ngabout
.
Si
ba:
Mbal
isudi
ka.
Me:
heeandazi
nje.
Si
ba:
God,
andi
phi
ndendi
thet
henawe.
Il
aughed.
Me:I
'
llt
ell
youandBuhl
eatt
hesamet
ime.
Tomorr
ow?Lunch?
Si
ba:
sur
ethen.
Idr
oppedheroffatherpl
acet
henwentt
ofet
ch
mypri
ncess.Shewassohappy.
Me:
andt
hen?Howwasy
ourf
ir
stday
?
Enzo:
bekumnandi
.
Me:
I'
m gl
ad.
WedrovehomeandasalwaysLi
ndiwas
cooki
ng.I
'
m goi
ngt
oenjoyhavi
ngherar
ound.
IwenttotakeashowerbecauseIhadal
ong
day.Af
termyshower,Iworemypjs.I
twasn'
t
real
lywar
m soIwor emygowntoo.Myphone
rangfr
om thedressi
ngtabl
eanditwasSi
ya.
GodknowsI '
m notinthemoodforhi
m.
Me:
Siy
abul
ela.
Si
ya:
that
'saf
ir
st.
Me:
yeahuf
unant
oni
?
Si
ya:
youdon'
thav
etobemeany
ouknow.
Me:
ufunant
oni
?
Si
ya:
whydidn'
tyout
ell
memydaught
erst
ays
wi
thyounow?
Me:
andwenauv
engabani
?
Siy
a:Ical
l
edy ourmom becauseIwant
edt
o
tal
ktoherbutshetol
dmeshest ayswi
thy
ou
now.
Me:
mhhh
Si
ya:
whyar
eyout
urni
ngmydaught
eragai
nst
me?
Me:
andwhywoul
dIdot
hat
?
Si
ya:
becauseIbr
okey
ourhear
t.
Me: youshouldknowmrbynow.Idon' thold
grudges.I'
m sooverthatvha.I'
m happyforyou
butIjusthopeyouwon' tf
orgetwhaty oudidto
mewhenkar mapay syouav isi
t.
Si
ya:
whatar
eyousay
ingMbal
i
?
Me:
not
hing.Nowi
fyou'
dexcuseme.
Ihungupbeforehecoul
dsayany
thi
ngandmy
phonerangagain.
Me:
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
!
"
Someonei
sinabadmood"
I
twasKhwezi
.Iwassoembar
rassed.
Me:
I'
m sosor
ry.It
houghti
twassomeoneel
se.
Khwez
i:car
etoshar
e?
Me:
nope.
Hechuckl
ed.
Me:
soMrNgomawhatdi
dIdot
odeser
vesuch
al
atephonecal
l
?
Hechuckl
edagai
n.
Khwezi:
qui
tthef
ormali
ti
es.Ij
ustwant
edt
o
checkonhowyouare.
Me:
whatwoul
dbet
hepr
obl
em?
Khwezi
:youwer
einami
nicaracci
dentt
his
morni
ng.
Ibur
sti
ntol
aught
er.I
sthi
sguyser
ious?
Khwez
i:I
'
m gl
ady
ou'
ref
indi
ngt
hisf
unny
.
I
twasquietforafewsecondsandt
hatwast
he
momentIreali
zedIact
uall
yki
ndofl
iket
heguy.
Khwez
i:mi
ndmeet
ingmef
orl
uncht
omor
row?
Me:
Ihav
elunchwi
tht
hegi
rl
stomor
row.
Khwez
i:di
nner
?
Me:
Ican'
treal
l
ydol
ateni
ght
s.
Khwezi
:woman,youaresodi
ff
icul
t.
Wednesdayl
unchthen.
Me:
ok.
Khwez
i:I
'
llsendy
out
hedet
ail
sthen.
Me:
ok
Li
ndi
wal
kedi
n.
Li
ndi
:awancuma?
Me:
itsaf
ri
end.
Li
ndi
:hay
ikhangendi
buze.
Ij
ustkeptonsmi
l
ing.
Li
ndi
:supperi
sready
.
Wewal
kedoutandwentt
othel
ounge.
Enzo:
mamandi
funai
swi
mmi
ng.
Me:
Iknowst
handwa.Sat
urdaysi
yashoppi
ng.
Shesmi
l
ed.
Wef i
nishedsuppert
henIwashedt
hedishes.
Spentacoupleofhourswat
chingt
vthensayo
l
alaafter9.
Thenextmor
ningwedi
dthenor
m wi
thmy
daughter ,Idroppedherof fatschool t
hendr ov
e
towor kIwasear lysoIwentt ogetmy sel
f
coffeet henst ar
teddoingsomer esearchon
thisKhwezi guy.IknowIsoundl ikeast al
ker
butIhadt obepr eparedforthenextday .Iknow
i
t'sjustlunch.Ist ar
tedwor ki
ngthenIhada
discipl
inaryhear i
ngtoattend.Afterthatlong
sessioni twasl unch.Si
bacamet omyof fi
ce
i
mmedi ately.
Me:
youshoul
dhav
ebeenaj
our
nal
i
st.
Shel
aughed.
Webot hwal
kedoutanddr
ovetoVincent
.
That'
swherewe'
dbemeetingBuhl
e.Shewas
al
readywait
ingf
orusatMuggandBean.
Wehuggedt
hensatandor
der
ed.
Buhl
e:Imi
ssedy
ougi
rl
s.
Me:
Isawy
ouy
est
erday
.
Buhl
e:wedi
dn'
treal
l
ysi
tandt
alk.
Si
ba:
sizel
euMrNgomaapha.
Buhl
e:Si
ba!Wenanendaba.
Si
ba:
mxm.Sowhat
shappeni
ng?
Me:
not
hingi
shappeni
ng.
Buhl
e:thenwhydoIhav
eyouonhi
sdi
aryf
or
l
unchtomorrow?
Si
ba:
pleasebehonest
.Wewon'
tj
udge.
Shel
ookedsoser
iousandIj
ustl
aughed.
Me:ther
eisnothi
ngIswear .Hebumpedi nto
mycar,askedmet ocomet ohisworkplaceto
di
scussthedamageandt hattookplace.The
l
unchisprobabl
yjusttoapologi
ze.
Si
ba:
whatpar
tar
eyoul
eav
ingout
?
Me:
not
hing.
Buhl
e:ohmygoshMbal
iyoul
i
ket
heguy
.
Me:
no
Isai
dthatt
ryi
ngsohar
dnott
obl
ush.
Si
ba:
Icanseer
ightt
hroughy
ouandIknowy
ou
l
i
kehi
m.
Me:
Idon'
t.
Buhl
e:wel
lMrNgomaisaniceguyI'
m sur
e
you'
l
lenj
oyhear
inghi
m apol
ogi
ze.
Igi
ggl
ed.
Ouror
derf
inal
l
yar
ri
vedandIdugi
n.
Me:
okfi
ne.May
beIl
i
ket
heguybuti
tends
t
her
e.
Them:
final
l
y!!
Me:
niy
angxol
a.
Wehadourl unchwi t
haconv ersat
ionin
betweent henfinal
l
ySi bapaidthebill
.Wetake
turnswheni tcomest ot hebi
ll
.IdroppedBuhl
e
offthenwel eftnoSiba.Gottowor kand
continued.Ineededtot akeabreak,workwasa
bittoomuch.
Aft
erworkwel ef
tandIwenttofet
chmy
daught
er.St
il
lenerget
icasev
er.
.
SoWednesdayf inal
lyarr
ived.Iworeanav y
kneel engthtightdresswithnavyheels.Itwas
quit
eahotdaysoIdi dn'
treal
lyneedaj acket
.
Thedr esswasboobt ubed.Showedof fmy
curvesper fectl
y.Maroonl i
psti
ckwithnomake
up.Idon' tdomakeup, mommysai dI'
ma
natural.
Sobef
oreIl
eftSi
bapoppedi
n.
Si
ba:mngani
youar
efabul
ous.Hewon'
tknow
whathi
thi
m.
Me:
thanky
ou.
Ifi
xedmysel
fonelastt
imethenlef
tsi
ncehe
sai
dhe'
soutsi
de.Yes,hei
nsist
edonfetchi
ng
me.
Igottothecarandheopenedt hedoorforme.
Wedr ovetothi
ssurpr
isel
ocati
onwi tha
random conver
sat
ionabouttheday.Final
l
y
arri
vedatGrazi
aandwewal kedin,handinhand.
You'dswearwe'r
egoi
ngt osomeimportant
galadi
nner.Gott
oourtableandheopenedthe
chairf
orme.
Khwez
i:whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
odr
ink?
Me:
redwi
nepl
ease.
Idon'
tcar
ewhatti
meoft
hedayi
tis,
orwhoI
'
m
wit
h.Redwinei
smybest
ie.
Heopt
edf
orwat
er.
Khwez
i:sot
ell
meaboutMbal
i
?
Me:
whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oknow?
Khwez
i:ev
ery
thi
ng.
Me: Mbalii
sori
ginal
lyfr
om Queenstown.The
onlychi
ld.Mymom r ai
sedme.I'
m 23t ur
ning24.
Ihavea3y earolddaughter
.Shestayswit
hme
nowanfy eahthatsi
t.
Khwezi
:i
nter
est
ing.Don'
tyouwantt
oknow
aboutme?
Me:
Iobv
iousl
ydo.
Khwezi:Khwezi i
salawy er
.Ikindaownt hatl
aw
fi
rm.Wellitbelongst
omydadbutsoont obe
mine.Bornandbr edhere.Onlyleftforv
arsi
ty.I
have2sisters.Andyeah.WellI'm 28.
Me:
ohwow.
Khwez
i:sowher
e'st
hebabydaddy
?
Me:
Idon'
tev
enwannat
alkabouthi
m.
Hechuckl
ed.
Khwez
i:t
hatbad?
Me:
ver
ybadbutt
hat
'sast
oryf
oranot
herday
.
Khwezi:
mhh.YouknowI
'
m gl
adt
hewhol
e
acci
denthappened.
Me:
real
l
y?
Khwez
i:y
eah.Igott
omeety
oupr
oper
ly.
Me:
Icoul
dhav
est
il
lmety
ouaty
ourof
fi
ce.
Khwezi:Idon'
tdooff
icemeetups.That
'
swhyI
neverpaidatt
ent
iont
oy out
hedaywef i
rstmet
.
Me:
ohh?
Khwez
i:badexper
iencewi
tht
her
ecept
ioni
st.
Il
aughed,
hehadt
hiswei
rdf
aci
alexpr
essi
ons.
Me:
Icani
magi
ne.
Ourf
oodf
inal
l
yar
ri
vedandweat
e.
Khwez
i:sowhencanImeety
ourdaught
er?
Me:
whywoul
dyoumeether
?
Khwezi
:I'
mfr
iendswi
thhermot
her
.I'
m sur
e
Buhl
ehasmether.
Me:
ohsur
e.Idon'
tknow.We'
l
lsee.
Khwez
i:mhh.Whatar
edoi
ngSat
urday
?
Me:
shoppi
ngwi
thmydaught
er.
Khwez
i:i
t'
sadat
ethen.
OhGodt hi
sguyismov i
ngt
oof
ast
.Enzowi
l
l
getal
lty
pesofideas.
Wecarri
edoneat
ingwhi
l
ehav
inga
conv
ersat
ion.
Theguywasr
eall
yni
ce.SomethingI'
dcal
lmy
ty
pebuti
twastoosoonforal
lthat
.
Hepai
dthebi
l
lthenwewal
kedt
ohi
scar
.
Khwez
i:Ienj
oyedspendi
ngt
imewi
thy
ou.
Me:
li
kewi
se.
Khwez
i:don'
ttel
lmey
ou'
ret
hosegi
rl
s.
Me:
whi
chgi
rl
s?
Khwezi
:theIl
oveyouandt
heyr
epl
ywi
thme
toot
ypeofgir
ls.
Ibur
sti
ntol
aught
er.
Me:
noI
'
m nott
hosegi
rl
s.
Hel
etoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef.
Hi
sphoner
ang.
Khwez
i:sor
ryIhav
etot
aket
his.
Inoddedt
henpl
ayedwi
thmyf
inger
s.
Khwezi
:baby
..
.uphi
?.
..okI
'
m onmyway
..Il
ove
yout
oo
Hehungupt
henl
ookedatme.
Khwez
i:Ihopeyoudon'
tmi
ndsomeoneel
se,
i
t'
ll
bequickIpr
omise.
Me:
it'
sfi
ne.
Sothisguywasgoingtof
etchhisgir
lf
ri
endwit
h
me.Mymooddr oppedtozeroimmediatel
y.
AndIcouldn'
tevenshowitbecauseI
'l
ll
ook
obsessedorsomethi
ng.I
t'
sgoingtobealong
day.
..
[
05/
14,
11:
51]Mk:
Inser
t11
.
.
Hedr
ovet
oVi
ncentandi
twasqui
et.
Khwez
i:andt
hen?
Me:
I'
mjustl
ooki
ngatt
het
ime.
Khwez
i:r
elaxy
ou'
l
lbebackatwor
kbef
orey
ou
knowi
t.
Wef
inal
l
yar
ri
vedandpar
kedi
nfr
ontofagi
rl
wear
ingschool
uni
for
m.Shegoti
ntheback.
Her
:bhut
i
Khwez
i:st
handwa.
Her:
t hanksf
orfet
chi
ngmeuyamazi
utat
akho.
Hewoul dhavebeenonmyneckt
hewhole
af
ternoon.
Theyl
aughed.
Khwez
i:ohsor
ryMbal
i
.Thi
sismylit
tl
esi
ster
ChumaandChumathi
sismyfr
iendMbal
i.
Itur
nedtofaceherandahehadthebiggest
smil
eonherf acewi
thherhandstr
etchedout.I
shookherhand.
Chuma:youdon'thav
etosugarcoatany
thi
ng
thoughKhwezi
.Icankeepsecr
ets.
Khwez
i:she'
sjustaf
ri
end.
Chumal ookedsomuchli
keKhwezibutal i
ght
er
ver
sion.Shewasbeaut
if
ul.Icoul
dn'
treal
lysee
herbodybecauseshewasinschoolunif
orm.
NiceEngl
ishaccentplusshegoest
oagi
rl
s
schoolj
ustli
keIdid.
Chuma:
soy
ousay
.
Khwezi
:Ij
usthavetodr
opherof
fthenI
'
llt
ake
youbackt
owor k.
Ij
ustnodded.
Hedrovet
ohispar
entspl
aceandChumagot
outwentt
ohisbr
other
ssi
de.Kissedhi
mthen
j
ustwavedatmeandshewalkedaway.
You'dswearthesetwoaredati
ng.ButIloved
thei
rrel
ati
onship.Iki
l
lforar
elat
ionshi
plikethat
withasibl
i
ng.
Khwez
i:shel
i
kesy
ou.
Me:
andwhydoy
ousayt
hat
?
Khwez
i:Iknowmysi
ster
.
Me:
mhh.Howol
disshe?
Khwez
i:she'
s17.
Me:
int
erest
ing.
Wefi
nall
yar
ri
vedatmyworkpl
aceandas
al
wayshecametoopent
hedoorforme.
Khwezi
:Ienjoyedmysel
fwi
thy
ou.IguessI
'
ll
seeyouSaturday.
Me:
sur
e.
Helookedmestrai
ghtint
heey
eandIdi
dthe
same.Thisguywaskil
l
ingme.
Khwez
i:canIki
ssy
ou?
Igi
ggled.Whoaskssuchaquest i
onthough.I
noddedshylyandhewentin.God,hi
sli
pswer e
somethingelse.I
tfel
tsomagical
.Iwaspinned
agai
nstthecarandhishandsonmyar ms.
Ipull
edawaybef
orewecoul
dgoi
ntodeep.I
suckedonmylowerl
ip.
Khwez
i:don'
tdot
hat
.
Me:
why
?
HelookeddownandIfol
l
owedhi
sey
es.Andhe
washard.Il
aughed.
Me:
byeKhwezi
.
Iwalkedawayfeel
i
ngall
somight
y.Il
ovei
t
whenIcanturnsomeoneont
henleav
ethem
hanging.
Igott
omyof
fi
ceandSi
bawasseat
ed.
Si
ba:
niqal
eendl
i
ni?
Me:
lent
okut
heni
?
Si
ba:
you'
rel
ate.
Me:
itwashar
mlessl
uncht
oapol
ogi
ze.
Si
ba:
right
!
Shesai
dthatwal
ki
ngaway
.Shest
oodbyt
he
door
.
Si
ba:Ibett
hat
swhysomeofy
ourl
i
pst
icki
s
missi
ng.
Il
aughed.
Me:
Sibabal
wendi
yeke.
Shewal
kedaway
.
Isatdownandt houghtaboutthedaywehad.I
thi
nkI'mfal
li
ngforthisguy.Iknowit
'stoosoon
butIcan'
treal
lyhelpi
t.Youcan'tr
eall
ycontr
ol
yourfeel
i
ngs.
Igotbackt
owor
k.
At4Iknockedof
fandSi
bawasal
readywai
ti
ng
formebymycar.
Me:
mot
howamot
ho
Shel
aughed.
Si
ba:
you'
rei
nagoodmood.
Me:
aren'
tIal
way
s?
Si
ba:youshoul
dhav
elunchwi
thhi
m mor
e
of
ten.
Me:
it'
snothi
m.
Si
ba:
keept
ell
i
ngy
our
sel
fthat
.
Il
etoutasi
gh.
Me:
doy
out
hinkIshoul
dtel
lhi
m howIf
eel
?
Si
ba:
ofcour
se.Howel
sewoul
dheknow?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
Si
ba:
mxel
eleke.
Iagreed.Dr
oppedherof
fthenwenttofet
ch
Enzo.Herdadcall
edwhil
ewewer est
il
lonthe
wayhome.Si y
aknowshowt orui
nagoodday.
Me:
hel
l
o
Si
ya:
unj
ani
?
Me:
goodwena?
Si
ya:
great
.CanIseemydaught
eronSat
urday
,
mywifewant
stomeether
.
SeenowIdon'
twanttosoundbit
terbutIcan'
t
real
l
ychanget
heplansbecauseIwantto
sati
sfyhi
m.
Me:
weal
readyhav
epl
ans.I
'
m sor
ry.
Si
ya:
don'
tbebi
tt
er.
Me:I
'
m notbeingbi
tt
er.Ican'
tchangemypl
ans
onl
astminut
e.YoucanseeheronSundayafter
chur
chofcour
se.
Si
ya:
whycan'
tyoudot
hat
?
Me:Ibroughtherher
e.Whenwer
eyougoi
ngt
o
seeherifIdi
dn't
?
Si
ya:
Ist
il
lpayf
orev
ery
thi
ng.
Me:Siyabul
elaIwishyoucoul
dunderstandit
's
notaboutmoney.Icouldpayforev
eryt
hingall
onmyown.Idon' tneedyourmoney.Nx.It
's
ei
therSundayornextweek.
Ihungup.
Enzo:
ngut
atal
owo?
Me:
ewe.UzokubonaSunday
.
Enzo:
final
l
y.
Shesai
dthatr
oll
i
ngherey
es.
Me:
hee.
Wefi
nall
yarriv
edandItookourbagsand
wal
kedin.Itol
dLindi
nottocook.I
'
dbe
or
deri
ngin.Ineededtogi
veherabreak.
.
.
SoSat urdaymor ningKhwezi call
edtoconf ir
m
i
fwe' r
est il
lonandIagr eed.Webot ht ooka
bathnoEnzo.Shewor eherwhi teshir
twi t
h
j
eansandIwor ethattoo.Wehadbr eakfast.
Wentt owat chtvforsomet imet henKhwezi
camet of etchus.Apparentl
yhepr eferredusing
onecari fwe'regoingtospendt imet ogether.
Hesawt het wocar st
hingasawast eof
resources(petr
oltobespeci f
ic).Wear ri
vedat
Hemi ngway sthenshoppedf ormydaught er.
Khwez
i:shel
ookssomuchl
i
key
ou.
Me:
Iknow.
Enzo:
mamandi
l
ambi
l
e.
Khwez
i:uf
unaut
yant
oni
?
Enzo:
pizza.
Khwez
i:Panar
rot
isi
tist
hen.
Wewal kedtoPanarrotisandor deredpizza.My
daughterwaswelcomi ngsoshej ustwemtwi th
thefl
ow.Wehadaconv ersat
ionabout
ever
ything.Wi
thjustlaughterinbet ween.Aft
er
l
unchIhadt ot
ell
Khwezi howIf eel.
Wetookal
ltheshoppi
ngbagst
othecarand
dr
ovetomyplace.
Khwez
i:bekumnandi
Enzo?
Enzo:
ver
y.
Shesai
dthatnoddi
ngr
epeat
edl
y.
Me:
Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ou.
Khwez
i:concer
ning?
Me:
sizot
het
ha.
Khwez
i:I
'
m scar
ed.
Wef
inal
l
yar
ri
vedatt
hecompl
ex.
Me:
iyaendl
i
niEnz
o.
Shegotoutt
ohugKhwezi
thenshewal
kedt
o
thedoor
.
Khwez
i:t
het
hake.
Me:uhm ok.Ihaven'tknowny ouforlongright.
I
t'
sonlybeenaweekIguess.I '
m notforci
ngy ou
i
ntoanyt
hingbutIt hi
nkIkindalikeyou.Noti na
f
ri
endlyway.Like,Ihavefeel
ingsfory ou.
Hej ustlookedatmewithastraightface.
Coul dn'
tevenreadhi
sfaci
alexpr essi
ons.Oh
GodImessedup.Iwasonl ythinkingof
running..
.
[
05/
14,
11:
51]Mk:
Inser
t12
.
.
Ashewasabouttorespondmyphonerangand
i
twasSi
ya.Thi
sguybor esme.Asi
fplayi
ng
wi
thmyheartwasnotenoughhesti
ll
tri
esto
makemyli
femiserabl
ebyusingmydaughter
.
Me:
Siy
a
Si
ya:
wheredoyougett
hener
vetogooutwi
th
mydaught
erandot
hermenwhil
eIgett
osuf
fer
.
Me:
soy
ou'
rest
alki
ngme?
Si
ya:
that
'snott
hepoi
nt.Poi
ntisI
'
m not
al
l
owedtoseemydaughterbutot
hermenar
e.
Me:whenyoucanacty
ourage.Andt
alkt
ome
l
ikeanor
malfat
her,
cal
lme.
Ihungupbeforehecoul
drespondbecauseI
knewwe'dbegoingupanddown.Ar gui
ng
aboutev
eryt
hingther
eistoargueabout
.
Khwez
i:babydaddy
?
Me:
yeah.
Khwez
i:hemustbeahandf
ull
.
Me:
twohandsf
ull
.
Hechuckl
ed.Atl
eastt
hatgott
oli
ght
enupt
he
mood.
Khwez
i:y
ou'
reamazi
ng,
youknowt
hat
?
Ibl
ushedbutt
ri
edt
ohi
dei
t.
Khwezi
:youare.Imeani
ttakesalotofcour
age
tocof
feesyourfeel
i
ngst
oaguy .AndIknowI
l
edy
ouon.
Me:okjustt
ell
meIshoul
dn'
thav
eandI
'
m such
afool
.
Khwez i
:no.Il
ikeyouIr eal
lydo.Ili
kedyoufrom
thefi
rstti
meIsawy oui nmyofficewit
hBuhle.I
knowy ou'
vebeent hroughalotandIhav ebeen
too.Webot hhaveal otofbaggageandIguess
wecant akethingsslow.
Me:
whatdoy
oumeant
aket
hingssl
ow?
Khwezi:y
ouknowwhatImean.Makeuswor
k
butIdon'
twantust
orusht
hings.
Iknewexact
lywhathemeantbutIj
ustneeded
himtosayit
.
Me:
mhh
Khwez
i:sowe'
ret
oget
her
?
Inoddedshyl
yandhepul
l
edmei
nforaki
ss.I
pul
ledoutasalway
s.
Me:
Ineedt
ogo.
Khwez
i:I
'
llseey
out
omor
rowt
hen.
Wekissedonelastti
meandIt ookt
heshopping
bagsandwalkedinside.Enzowasfastasl
eep.
Shemust'
vebeent i
redf r
om thedaywehad.
Iunpackedev
ery
thi
ngt
henwentt
ost
art
cooki
ng.
Khwez iandIwer etoget herbuti tfeltwei r
d.I
hadgot tenmy selfintoanot herrelati
onshi pand
Ihaddr amawai ting.Heev ensai dsohi msel f,
hehasal otofbaggage.Nowwhenonecansay
thataboutt hemselv esjustknowi t'
saboutt o
getreal.Khwezi seemsl iket hiseguy swhocan
getanygi rlandthatf ormewasanot her
problem.Heseemedl i
keaoneni ghtst andt ype
ofguybutwe' dsortt hatal loutast imegoesby .
Thent here'
sSiyawhoi sal readycausi ngdr ama
andt hi
swhol eKhwezi t
hi ng.Whydi dn'tIj
ust
l
istentomymot her.Mot her sknowbestand
sheknewwhatshewast alkingaboutbutIst i
ll
fel
l f
orhim.
Ifi
nall
yfi
nishedcooking.Servedevery
one
becauseEnzowasal soawakenow.Af ter
supperIwashedt hedishes.Khwezical
ledthen
Iwenttobed.Iwasal sotir
ed.Ireal
lyneededa
breakfr
om ev er
yone.
Thenextmorni
ngndi
vusweyiknockatabout6.
Li
ndicametoknockatmydoorasIwas
wear
ingmygown.
Li
ndi
:ndonqenauv
ula.
Iwal
kedtot
hef
rontdoorandopenedandi
t
wasSiy
a.
Me:
att
hist
ime?
Siy
a:Ijustt
houghtI
'dcomef
etchmydaught
er
befor
ey ougotochurch.
Me:
ulel
e.
Si
ya:
mvusekal
ok.
Iat
tempt
edtocl
oset
hedoorbutIst
oppedand
l
ookedathi
m.
Me: Youarebegi
nningtobecomeaner ve.A
paininthebut
tvha.StopusingEnzokuhleto
gettome.She'sourdaughterandit
'snother
problem ev
ery
thi
nghappened.Thel eastwecan
doist r
ytobeciv
ilf
orhersake.
Si
ya:
Iam bei
ngci
vi
l.
Me:
toomuchi
faskme.
Isai
dsar
cast
ical
l
y.
IwenttowakeEnzoup.Bat
hedhert
henfedher
.
Shelef
twit
hherfat
herandshewassoexci
ted.
.