Lov

e&Redempt
ion

PROLOGUE
Claudi
awasverydi
sappoi
ntedasweslowl
y
walkeddownthestr
eetaf
terbei
ngdeni
ed
accessatt
heclub.
Cl
aud-Thankst
oyouSway
!wenev
ergott
osee
Bl
ueIce
BlueIceisav erypopularrockbandt hatmeand
Claudiaarecr azyabout ,
Toni ghtthey
perfor
mi ngatt hisclubinourt own.Itwasfr
ee
entryforladi
esf rom 16:00-18:00but
unfort
unat el
yi twasnow20: 00andwewas
forcedtopayt heR150ent rancef eeatt
hedoor
butitwasal readyf ul
l.Cl
audwasv er
ymuch
annoyedatmeasi fl
ikeididt hi
sonpurpose,
sheknowst hest ruggleiam facingathome..
Cl
aud-Doyouknowhowmuchi
hav
ebeen
wai
ti
ngfort
hismoment
?
Me-Twof
ull
weeks
Isai
dthatwhi
l
eslight
lyr
oll
i
ngmyey
esshecan
beannoyi
ngatti
mes.
Claudi aandi hav ebeenbestf ri
endssi ncef r
om
highschool andnextweekMondaywest ar t
ing
colleget oget her .Ther easonwhywebecame
socl osewasbecauseoft hef actthatingr ade8,
fi
rstdayofschool wewer et heoddonesouti n
ourcl ass, wej ustcoul dn'tfitin.Claudi awas
whatt heycal leda" freak"whi lstiwasav eryshy
i
nt rover tthatwor ebi gglasses, backt heni had
ami norpr oblem wi thmyl eftey erandoml y
get ti
ngswol lenandbecomi ngr edf orno
appar entr eason.Iwast akent odifferent
Opt omet rist
sandal lofthem suggest ed
glassesbutasi grewupi foundey edr opst obe
muchr elievingt hant heGr annygl assesIused
towear .Wi t
hal lthathappeni ngwewer elucky
thatwewer enev erbulli
ed, itwasapr i
v at
e
school andbul lyi
ngwasnotaccept edour
principal hel dast r
ictpuni shmentf orbul l
iesso
noonewant
edt
ofal
lvi
cti
mtot
hat
..
Shehadherar m aroundmyshoul der
swhen
shesuddenlystopped,ilookedar
oundmostof
theshopswerecl osedforhertoseeany
thi
ng
i
nterest
ing.
.
Me-Whati
sit
?
Shel ookedatmeandgav emeherannoy i
ng
smilethatwor ksforherwhenshewants
somet hingfrom me,iexhal
edandlookedather
toowi thmyey essquintedandmylowerli
p
curvedr eadytoprocesswhatev
ershewas
goingt othrowatme. .
Me-Speakup!
Cl
aud-Ihappent
oknowt
hisOr
acl
ewhoi
sre.
.
Me-No
Icount
iedwal
ki
ngwi
thmyheel
shav
ingno
mercyonme..
Herbreat
hthatl
eftherhal
fopenedl
ips
i
ndicat
edtomet hatshewasfrowni
ng.
.
Cl
aud-Youdi
dn'
tev
enhearmeout
!
Shecaughtupwithmewhil
etheheel
sofher
bootsmadethat"cl
i
ckcl
i
ck"soundasshe
uppedherpace.
Sher
oughlygr
abbedmyar
mtr
yingt
ost
opme
fr
om wal
ki
ng..
Cl
aud-Youdi
dn'
tev
enhearmeoutSway
Me-YouknowIdon'
tbel
i
evei
nsuch
If
oldedmyar
mswi
thmysmal
lbagdangl
i
ng
ar
ound..
Claud-Butidobeli
eveinOracl
esandasmy
fr
iendyousupposedt osuppor
tme, pl
usyou
owemebi gti
meSwayf ormakingmet omiss
outonBlueIce'sper
formanceatthecl
ub
Claudi
aisaf i
rm believ
erinpsychics,Or
acles,
andeverythi
ngt hathastodowi thconnecti
ng
totheotherwor l
d.Shewi l
lneverstar
therday
unti
lshehasr eadwhatherZodi acsignpredict
s,
sheissoment al
ly,
emot i
onall
y,andphysical
ly
i
nvestedinthi
sthati
t'smakingherthi
nkshe
haspsychicpowerstoo.Heraccessori
es
rev
olvearoundAmulets,pendentskul
lsand
anythi
ngthatspel
lsoutSupernatur
al.
.
Cl
aud-Swayy
ouknowi
hav
eacal
l
ing,
so
pl
ease.
.
Ilookedatherandi couldseeitinhereyesthat
thismeanteveryt
hingtoher,i
t'
sherl i
fei
t's
whatshebelievesinandasabadf ri
endi have
nochoicebuttosuppor therri
dicul
ousness..
Me-Fi
nej
ustt
hisonce!
Shej
umpedupanddowni
nexci
tement
..
Cl
aud-Thanky
ou.
.Thanky
ou.
.Thanky
ou.
.
Me-Let
'sgobef
orei
changemymi
nd
Itookoffmyheel
sastheywer
ewear i
ngme
downandwebot hrant
othenextst
reetwi
th
Claudi
ahavi
ngherhandhuggi
ngmyar m.
Wegottotheli
ttl
eshopjustatt
hecor
neroft
he
st
reet
,iwassurpri
sedt
oseet hesi
gnatt
he
doorst i
llsaying"Open"att histimeoft henight
.
West oodatt hedoorandl ookedateachot her,
Claudiawasexci tedandner vousatt hesame
ti
me.Sheopenedt hedoorandwewal kedin.
Wewer ewel comedbyascentofabur ning
i
ncensei lookedar oundandt her
ewasal otof
statuesst andingar oundt hatlookedhighly
di
stur bi
ng, t
hel i
ghti nther oom wasr edandt he
fl
oorhadsomer edsoi lscatteredaround.Aswe
werest i
lltakenbyhowt her oom lookedwe
heardaf emal ev oicespeaki ng.Voice:Good
evening
Welookedatthedi
rect
ionweret
hev oicewas
comingfr
om andawomanst oodtherenextt
o
oneofthest
atues.
.
Cl
aud-Goodev
eni
ng
Her
-HowcanIhel
pyouy
ounggi
rl
s?
Cl
aud-Wear
eher
etoconsul
t
Shebowedherheadwit
hay el
lowshawl
wrappedar
oundherf
orehead.
.
Her
-Thi
sway
Sheledt hewayandwef oll
owed.Shel
edust o
herconsul t
ingroom whi
chappear
edbett
erthan
herreception,wewentandtookourpl
aceather
smalltable..
Her
-Noneedt
opaybecausei
hav
ebeen
wai
ti
ngf
oryou
Claudi
aandIl
ookedateachother"
wai
ti
ngf
or
you"whatt
hehel
ldoesthatmean?
Her
-Soshal
lwebegi
n?
Herl
ongr
ednai
l
scaughtmyat
tent
ion.
.
Cl
aud-Yespl
ease.
.St
artwi
thSway
Me-Me?
Claud-Yessoyoucanknowwhatt
hef
utur
e
holdsforyou
Imockedt
hatstat
ementwi
thachuckl
e,
unf
ort
unat
elyt
hestat
ementwasonlyamusi
ng
tome.
Me-Iam sor
ryjustt
hatIdon'
tbel
ievei
n
someonetel
li
ngmeaboutmyf ut
ureorhav
ing
powerst
hatseebeyondthehumaney e
Woman-Icannotpr
edictyourf
utur
ebutican
pr
edi
ctt
hef ut
ureeventst
hatawaityou
Thi
swastotal
lystupi
dbuti
lov
eCl
audi
aandi
wil
ldoi
tforher.
.
Woman-Car
dsort
hecr
yst
albal
l
?
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
..
Me-Car
dspl
ease
Shet
ookt
hest
acksofcar
dsandhandedt
hem
tome.
.
Her
:Shuf
fl
ethr
eet
imes
Idi
dasiwastol
dandthengavethecardsback
toher
.Shel
aidt
hem onthet
ablefacedown.
.
Her
-Youwill
pickfourcar
dswhichwil
lfor
etel
l
t
hefourf
utureevent
sthatawai
tyou
Il
ookedatCl
audi
aandshenodded.
.
Woman-Forsomeonewhoi
sanon-
bel
i
every
ou
seem pr
ett
yner
vous
Me-Iam notner
vous
Her
-ver
ywel
l
Ipickedupt
hef
ir
stcar
dandi
twaswr
it
ten
"CURSE"
Me-Cur
se?
Cl
aud-Pi
ckanot
herone
Ipickedanot
heronewhi
chwaswr
it
ten
"DEATH"
Me-Whati
sitam Igoi
ngt
odi
e?
Woman-Thecar dsmi
ghtpredi
ctev
entsthat
aregoingtofol
lowinyourl
i
feortheli
vesof
thosearoundyou
Iwentontopi
ckt
het
hir
dcar
dwhi
chwas
wri
tt
en"LOVE"
Cl
aud-That
'smor
eli
kei
t
Woman-Pi
ckt
hel
astone
Ipickedupt
hel
astoneandi
twaswr
it
ten
"REDEMPTION"
Mystorystar
tswit
hthesefourwor
ds:
Cur
se,
Deat
h,Love,Redempti
on.
Iam Swazi
"Sway
"Nguni
.
.
Tobecont
inued
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:01
Nomaswazi Nguni a20y earoldordinarygirl
wit
hdr eamsbi ggert hant heuniverseiswhoi
am buttomycl osestf ri
endsi gobyt he
ni
ckname" Sway "
.Igr ewupi nafarml i
vedwi t
h
Myf at
herandmybi gBr otherMv el
owhoi s
curr
entlyav erysuccessf ulandweal thy
busi
nessmanhehasachi ev edsoomuchf ora
32yearol d,notforgettingt hatheismar ri
edt o
abeaut i
fulkindheartedwomanhernamei s
Angelandi ndeedshel ivesupt ohername.
Mom andDadsepar at edwheni wasv er
yy oung,
Mom r emar ri
edandnev erlookedback.Her
husbandi sav er yruthl
essmanhedi dn'twant
meandMv elot obeapar tofmyMot her '
slife
sobasi cal l
yi hav enev erseenmyMot heri n
manyy ear s.Gr owi ngupi naf arm wasqui t
e
i
nterest i
ngwehadcows, chickens, andsheeps
myf athermadeagoodl i
v i
ngf r
om sel lingsome
ofhiscat tl
et opayupbi llsandmai ntainus
fi
nanci allyhowwemanagedt ohav ecows,
sheep, andchi ckensst il
lbeat sme.Wheni was
j
ust12y ear sol dwewer est ruckbyan
unfortunat eev ent,Dadpassedonf rom l ung
cancerandt henmyBr othersol dthef arm af ew
mont hsaf terDad' sdeathsot hatwecanst arta
newl i
fe.Heusedsomeoft hemoneyt obuya
housei nanur banar ea,insteadofusi ngt he
resttogot ov arsit
yhedeci dedt oinvesti nr eal
estateandt hatbr oughtaboutf ruitfulresults
becausei tmadehi m whathei stoday ,it'
smor e
l
ikeDadwat chedov erusandmadesur ewe
wasal right .From af arm girltoaspoi l
ed
teenager ,myBr otherdoesev erythi
ngf ormehe
evenboughtmeacar ,aRenaul tCliocash!buti t
wasasecondhandasecondhandt hatwasst i
l
l
i
ngoodcondi ti
ont hough.Heboughti tforme
wheni wasaccept edatt hepr i
vatemedi cal
colleget ost udyadi pl
omai nAnaest hesi a.
AlthoughanAnaest hesiologistisamedi cal
phy siciant hatstudied6y earsofmedi cinet hen
wentf urtheront ospeci alizeinAnaest hesia,the
colleget hati enroll
edi nof fersMedi cal
Diplomasi nonlyappr ovedmedi calcour ses
suchasAnaest hesia,Phar macy , Dental
hygieni st,Nursing,andanci ll
aryheal tht heni t
offershi ghercer ti
ficatestooi n6mont hst o
yearcour ses.Atf ir
stdepar t
mentofhi gher
educat iondi sapprov eofsuchcour sest obe
degr adedi nafor m ofDiplomasbutast hecase
keptonbei ngrev i
ewedi twasappr ov edaf ter
seeingt hatitsagoodwayt opr oducej obsi n
themedi calfi
eld.Sincei am doi ngadi plomai n
thecour sei wil
l onlybeal lowedt oadmi nister
Anaesthesiaundert hesuper vi
sionofan
Anaesthesiologistwheni star
twor kingso
basi
callycallmean" Anaesthesiol
ogi st
Assi
stant".Thecol l
egenotonl yoffer scour
ses
i
nhealthsci encesbutitof f
erscour sestooin
Engi
neer i
ng, Teaching,andaccount ing.
..
Mondaymor ningiwokeupearli
erthanusualto
prepareforschoolthi
sisnolongerhighschool
soIhav etolookmybestandmakesur et
hati
don'tgetpickedon.Iwasstandi
ngr i
ghtinfr
ont
ofthemi rr
orbusyapplyinganeyeli
nerwhen
myl efteyestart
edtear
ingupruini
ngt hewhol
e
thi
ng..
Me:
Dammi
t!
!
ThedooropenedandAngel wal
kedin,
she
l
ookedli
keshit
.Herhandrestedonthedoor
handl
ewhil
eherheadrestedonthedoor,her
weavewasani ght
maretolookat.
.
Me:
Itol
dyoudon'
tdr
inkt
hatmuchl
astni
ght
Her
:It
ri
eddr
inki
ngwat
erbutst
il
l.
.
Hervoi
cewasscr
atchygi
vi
ngherawayt
hatshe
hadaroughni
ght
..
Her:
IfMvelofi
ndsmesleepi
nghei
sgoi
ngt
o
knowthatsomethi
ngi
sup
Eventhoughmyl if
eisablissbutmyBr otheris
verystr
ictandveryi
nti
midat i
ng,ishouldhav e
start
edcollegel
astyearbutunfortunatel
yi
fail
edgrade11atsomepoi ntandmyBr other
wassomadatmehel it
erallydi
dn'ttal
kt ome
for3mont hs.Don'
tthi
nkhei sonlythatway
withmebutheal sothatwaywi thAngel too..
Shemadeherwayt
othet
oil
ett
otakeapi
ss.
Me:Iwonderhowy
ousur
viv
ewi
thhi
m mi
nai
can'
tshame
Her
:Ushongani
?(whatdoy
oumean)
It
urnedandl
ookedather
..
Me:Imeanwit
hthetypeofper
sonthatheis.
.
Howdoy ouev
enhavesexwithhi
m?I fiwashis
gi
rl
fr
iendorwi
feiwouldev
enbescaredtokiss
hi
m hei
sver
yint
imi
dat
ing.
.
Shel
aughed.
.
Her
:ungat
ophapha(don'
tbef
orwar
d)howhe
i
swithmeisnothowheiswit
hyouPhel
a!
Me:Yeahr
ight
!Utongenamanj
e(hewi
ll
come
i
nnow)screamingyournamey
ouwil
leven
t
remble
Shef
lushedt
het
oil
et.
.
Her
:utheut
ofikalaatar
ound10:
00am sol
et
mesleepabitit
's07:
00am
Me:
Goodni
ght
Shecameandhuggedme.
.
Her
:If
orgotmyf
ir
stbor
nisst
art
ingcol
l
ege
t
oday!
!
Me:
MaanAngel
stopi
t!
!
Her
:Haui
am apr
oudmommy
!
Me:Apr
oudmommywoul
dbr
ushhert
eet
hand
t
akeabath
Shesl
i
ght
lysl
appedmeatt
hebackofmyhead.
.
Her
:Ugcinebeseuyaphaphautangenamanj
e
Mvel
oandmakey oucr y(Youarewaytoo
f
orward,
Mv el
owill
comei nandmakey oucr
y)
Il
aughed.
.
Her
:Any
wayenj
oyschool
babyi
lov
eyou
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Shewalkedoutwithherbi
gassnotgi
vi
ngt
hat
ti
ghtbumshortofhersabreat
her
..
-
SARA
Myal arm wentoffandi openedmyey esi
cannotbel i
eveit
'sanotherdayandnew
beginningsformebecausei am st
arti
ngschool
i
nanewcol l
ege.Iyawnedabi tandthen
remov edthebedcov ers,igotoutofbedand
mademywayt ot hebathroom t
opee.
Immedi atel
ywhenIpul leddownmyunder wear
astrongpungentsmel l fi
l
ledtheatmospher
e,i
l
ookedatmyunderwearandidi
dn'
tl
ikewhatI
wasseei
ng.I
thappenedagai
n..
Mynamei sSaraandr ightnowIam i nt he
processofbecomi ngt henextpower fulwitch!i
am supposedt otakeaf termyMot herwhohas
beent rappedi napondatoursecr etroom.She
wasdef eatedbysomepower fulProphetandhe
tr
appedheri napondwhi chf orcedmet o
continuet helegacysi ncei am heronl ychi l
d.
It
'sal otofpr essureonmebecausemyMot her
wasav erypower ful sorcerershewasev en
named" Somandl akazi "there'snot hi
ngshe
couldn'tdot hat'swhymostofhercl i
entswer e
veryrichpeopl e.Meandherwer enev erclosei
hadmyownl if
ei wasenr ol
ledatsomev arsi
ty
butunf or t
unatelyi hadt ocomebackhomet o
clai
mt het hr
onei fi canputi tthatway ,
i hadto
startmyl i
feafreshl eav emyol dl i
febehi ndto
embr acet hisnewone.
Icurr
ent
lyl
i
veal
oneher
einherMansi
on,
allher
for
tunei
sminet
hought
hisl
if
ecomeswith
gr
eatr
ichesbuti
tal
socomeswi
thi
ts
di
sadv
antages.
.
Iwentbackt othebedr oom andputont he
Amul etaroundmyneck, itprotectsmef rom her.
Sinceherpuni shmentwast ot akethef orm ofa
serpenti t'
seasyf orhert ost r
ikemebecausea
snakei t
'snat ureist obitesot heAmul et
remi ndshert hatiam herDaught erandt hatshe
shoul dn'thur tme.Ionl ygett oseeherf ace
beingr eflectedbyt hewat er,thankst othe
Amul etihav en'tseenherast hesnaket hatshe
i
s.Ial way sl ockthesecr etroom pr eventingt he
mai dsf rom goi ngthere, thekeyt ot hedoorof
thesecr etr oom isaskel etonkeyt hatonl yi
have, andnooneel seint hehouse.Asi was
aboutt owal koutofmybedr oom togoandt al
k
tomyMot herast rongf orceknockedmeov er
maki ngmet of al
lont hebed.
Me:
No.
.Pl
easeno.
.
Anunseenent
it
ygr
abbedmyl
egsandpar
ted
them,icouldn'tseeitbuticoul
dheari
t
groani
ng.Itdidn'tsoundli
keahumanbeing,
it'
s
defi
nit
elynotahumanbei ng..
Myv estwasl i
ftedupandmyunder wearwas
takendowni t
ri
edt ogetupbuti felti
t'
sclaws
aroundmyneck.Myl egswer epar t
edandi
couldfeelaheav yweightontopofme, i
felt
beingcaressedal l
overmybodybysomet hi
ng
thaticouldn'
tsee.It'
sbett
erwhent hi
shappens
atnightinmydr eamst hanithappening
physical
lyli
kethis.
.
.
Tobecont
inued
Swatispl
easefor
givemeiam t
ryi
ngher
eand
ther
eIfigett
helanguagewr
ongdon'
tfi
ghtwi
th
me
Pl
easel
i
keandcomment
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:02
SARA
Al ongbl ackdr essandabl ackdoeki swhatI
waswear ingt odayi t'
samustf ormet ohav eon
thebl ackcol our .Tomanyi tsymbol i
zescl ass
andel egancebutt omei tsymbol i
zesdar kness,
evil,andt hati reignSupr eme.Thef inaltoucht o
myl ooki sabl ackey eli
nerandaMascar ai al
so
hadt heAmul etar oundmyneckbutIhi dit
i
nsi demydr esssoi tdoesn' tst
andoutand
attractunwant edat t
ention.AsIwasbusydoi ng
abi toft ouchupswi thmymakeupi sawhi m
standi ngbehi ndme, l
ooki nghandsomeasev er
.
Iturnedar oundonl ytor eali
zethere'snoone
behi ndmebutwhenIgl anceatt hemi rr
oragai n
iseehi m standi ngbehi ndmet hemanwho
torturesmeev er ynightinmydr eams, theman
whoownsmybodyandmysoul ..
Hi
m:Youl
ookgoodasal
way
s
MyMot hernev
ert
oldmeabouthim,whohei s
andwhathewantsfrom meandwhyeveryt
hing
i
shappeningli
ket
his.Hecameabitcl
oserand
wrappedhisar
msar oundme,
hist
ouchsent
shiver
sdownmyspi ne.Thewetki
ssatthe
backofmyearpar al
yzesmeinst
antl
yandifeel
obli
gedt osubmi
ttohim.Toworshi
phis
presence..
Heconti
nuedt okissmedownonmyneck
whil
ehishandwentupt osqueezemybreast
si
don'
tknowwhati tisabouthi
mthatmakesmy
eyestoroll
atatthebackofmyheadeachtime
whenhet ouchesme..
Af
terawhi
l
eofthatsoul
possessi
ngIcouldn'
t
hi
m any
more,
ifoundmysel
falonei
ntheroom..
.
.
ENZOKUHLE
Icouldsayt
hatIhadanormal chil
dhood
growingupiwasblessedwit
hPar entswho
weremadlyinl
ov ewit
heachot herandmy
Fatherwasasoleprovi
der
,hemadesur et
hat
meandmyMot herwerewellt
akencar eof
.I
woul dseemyFat herspoi lingmyMot her ,
surpr i
seki ssesev erynowandt hen, t
hei rlov e
wasv eryst r
ongandt hat'swhatkeptusgoi ng
asaf ami lyourhomewasf il
ledwi thwar mt h
andl ov e.Unf or t
unat elynotev eryst oryhasa
perfectendi ngandhappi nessi snotguar ant eed
forever ,asy ear spassedi twasdi scov er edt hat
myFat herwashav inganaf f
airwi thmy
Mot her '
sl itt
lesi sterandt hingst ooka
downwar dspi ral.Mom cr iedev ery day, shewas
hurtingev ery dayandwhenDadf i
ledf ordi vor ce
becausehewasnowi nlov ewi t
hmyMot her '
s
Sister,myMot hertragicallytookherownl ife.
Shecoul dn' tsur vivet hepai nany mor eseei ng
herownsi sterwi thherhusbandi tki l
l
edher
befor esheev endeci dedt ot aket hatr opeand
hangher self.Thepi ctureofherdangl i
ngar ound
withherf eetnott ouchi ngt hegr oundi s
somet hingt hathaunt edmef ory ears, Yesi was
theonewhof oundherhangi ngf rom t heki tchen
thatwast heonl yr oom t hatdi dn'thav eacei l
ing
atthatt ime.Mom' sSi st erMpul emov edi njust
aft
eraf ewmont hsofmyMot herbei ngbur ied
andt hat'swhenmyr elationshi pwi thmyFat her
changed.Idi dn' tli
keMpul eandi di
dn' twanther ,
ibl
amedherf ormyMot her'sdeat hi nf acti
hatedhermor et hani hav eev erhat edany one
onear th.Dadhadasuper mar kett orunsohe
washar dlyathomeMpul ewasn' twor ki ngandi
haddr oppedoutofhi ghschool notbecausei
wasacademi callychal lengedbutbecausei
wantedt ogetbackatmyFat herf oral lthepai n
hecausedmyMot her.Li f
eathomewasnot
sweetf orMpul e, i
woul dt ortureherandv erbal
ly
abusehershehasal way sbeenahumbl eand
quietsoul every ti
mewheni wasl i
ket hatwi th
hershewoul dj ustl ockher selfupi nt he
bedroom andcr yunt ilDadcomesback.Mpul e
wouldn' tevenhav et osayawor dt ohi m my
Dadwoul dseer ightthr oughherandhewoul d
att
ackmephy sicallythatatt imesi woul drun
awayf rom homet omyAunt 'spl ace.MyAunt
hasnev erbeenaper sonofpeacewhenI
showedupt oherhousewi thbr uisesthe
foll
owingdayshewoul dgost r
ai ghttomy
Father'
shouset oy ellandswearatMpul e
sayingshe'sruiningmyr elati
onshi pwithmy
Father.EversinceMpul egotmar r
iedtomy
Fathershehadendur edbr utalabusef rom my
Father'
sfami l
yespeci al
lymyAuntwhowoul d
constantl
ybashoutonher ,attimesmyAunt
woul dcarryasjambokj usttot eachhera
l
esson.Themor eandmor ei wasonmyAunt '
s
sideintortur
ingMpul et hemor eandmor emy
Fatherhatedmet oapoi ntwer eheswor et hat
shouldhedi eev erythingofhi si sgoi ngstraight
toMpul ethatbei nghi shouse, car ,
andt he
supermar ket
.
Thr
oughoutthei
rmar r
iagetheyneverhadki
ds
myAuntsaidGodwaspuni shi
ngMpulefor
whatshedi
dt omyMot her
.Iwastheonlychi
ld
bor
ntomypar ents.
.
Af
teraf
ewy
ear
smyFat
herdi
edav
ery
my steri
ousdeat h,accor di ngt oMpul etheywer e
driv i
ngt ot ownandhepul ledupt ot hesi det hen
l
ai dhi sheadont hest arringwheel .Aut opsy
sai dhedi edf rom hear tf ailurebutmyFat her'
s
fami lysai dMpul ehadsomet hingt odowi thhi s
deat hsot hatshecoul dgetev erythingt hatmy
Fat herowned.Iwasi nj ailwhenmyFat her
passedoni wasar r
est edf orassaul tthatl eft
theot herguyi nawheel chai randf unnyenough
noonef rom myFat her 'ssi dev i
sitedmenot
ev enmyAunt ,Mpul ewast heonewhov isited
me.Shewoul dcomeal mostev erydayandeach
ti
mewewoul djustsi tint hev i
sit
ingr oom, she
didal l t
het alkingandi woul dremai nqui etnot
say ingany thingt oher .WhenIwasr eleased
from j ailsheal lowedmet ocomebackhome
andshedi dtheunt hi
nkabl e,shesi gnedov er
ev erythingt ome.Thehouse, thecar ,
myDad' s
moneyandt hesuper mar ketshesai dalt hough
myDadandi nev ersawey etoey ebut
ev erythingofhi si sri
ght ful l
ymi ne.
Thi ngsgotbet terandbet terasi grewupwheni
sawhowmuchofahumbl esoul shewasmy
attitudetowar dsherchangedwhi chmademy
Fat her'sfami l
yt ohatemeaswel l sayingiam
sidingwi tht heenemy .From thereoni vowedto
prot ectMpul eandi hatemy sel
fforal ltheyear
s
iputhert hroughpai n,whathappenedwas
bet weenherandmyMot herandi shoul d'
venot
l
ett hatgetint hewaynowbecauseofmyanger
andbi tt
ernessf orallthosey earsmy
relat i
onshipwi thmyFat herwasr ui ned,hewent
downt othewor l
doft hedeadwi tht hi
ngs
bet weenmeandhi m stil
l messedup. .
.
NowIam 27y ear
soldandimustsayi have
grownupfr
om howi usedtobe, Yesidohang
outwit
htheboysonweekendsj usttohitthe
bl
untandhavedri
nksbutmyr elati
onshipwith
Mpulehasimprovedicar
eagr eatdealforher.
"Runni
ngout
tat
hingsIcoul
dprovemy self
, way
toowinni
ngI
'malosemysel
f.
.Every
dayt hey
gon'hat
eonus,Mamasaidshegon' pr
ayf orus
'
causeIcan'
tdot
hisonmyown.
."
Themusi
csuddenl
yst
oppedpl
ayi
ng.
.
Me:
"Yout
hatgi
rl
ie,
speci
alsomebodyi
know.
."
Itur
nedar
oundandMpulewasstandi
ngatt
he
doorgi
vi
ngmeadisappr
ovi
nglook..
Her:
YoumakingNoiseiam sur
ethewhol
e
nei
ghbor
hoodissi
ngingal
ong
Me:That
'sgoodwel
i
vei
nthehoodsot
hey
shoul
dsi
ngalong
Shechuckl
edandwal
kedi
n..
Her
:Fi
nishupbr
eakf
asti
sready
Shet
ookt
het
shi
rtf
rom t
hebedandhandedi
t
tome.
.
Me:
Thanky
ou
Iputont
het
shi
rt
..
Her:
Suchani
nter
esti
ngsongyoupl
ayi
ngwhi
l
e
younotev
eni
nar el
ati
onshi
p
Me:
Her
ewego
Her
:Don'
tyout
hinki
t'
sti
memar
a?
Shecameandf
ixedmyt
shi
rt
..
Me:It
houghty
ouenj
oyedbei
ngt
heonl
y
womaninmylif
e
Her:
Enzodon'
tdodgethequest
ionIknowt
hat
gi
rl
sarecr
azyaboutyou
Me:
That
'showIwanti
ttobe
Isqueezedhercheekandwal
kedt
otheki
tchen.
.
Her
:Enzoy
ou27y
ear
sol
d
Me:
Ist
il
lwannaenj
oymyl
i
fe
Her
:Webot
hknowt
hat
'snott
rue
Ikeptqui
et.
.
Her
:Younol
ongerhowy
ouusedt
obe
Me:Thelastt
hingiwanti
stobri
ngsomeone'
s
chi
ldher
eonlyforhert
obeav i
cti
m ofmy
anger
Shecameupt
ome.
.
Her
:OhhhBaby
..
.
Shet
ri
edhuggi
ngmebuti
gent
lypushedher
away
..
Me:Lookwef i
nejustyouandmeidon'
twant
pr
oblemsthaticoul
d'v
eprevent
ed
Shesmi
l
edandnodded.
.
Me:
Ihav
etogoi
hav
easuper
mar
kett
orun
Iki
ssedheronhercheek.
.
Her
:Eatsomet
hingwheny
ougett
her
e
Me:
Seewhyy
out
heonl
ywomani
nmyl
i
fe?
Shel
aughedwhi
l
eshaki
ngherhead.
.
.
.
SWAZI
It
houghtt
hatmaybeweweregoi
ngtobea
cl
assof10peopl
eifnot15i
wassur
pri
sedt
o
seet hatwewer eal otappr oxi
mat ely40
student s,whatdot hesepeopl eknowabout
Anaest hesia?Ohhagai nitwast heonl ycourse
i
nheal thsciencest hatacceptedl ate
applications.Ilookedatt het i
meandCl audia
wasr unninglat e,youwoul df i
ndherzodi acsign
toldhersomet hingel sethi
smor ning.Wewer e
i
nt heAnat omydepar tmentinoneoft helect
ure
hallswai ti
ngf orourl ecturerwhowasal so
runningl ate.
.
Claudiawalkedinaft
erafewmi nutest he
momentmyey esl
andedonher, i
wi shedthat
thefloorcoul
dopenupsot hatitcouldswallow
me.Icoul dhearafewpeoplegiggli
ngand
whispersattheback,shespot
tedmeandcame
tositdown..
Me:
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyouwear
ing?
Her
:What
?
Me:Youl
ookl
ikeahi
ppyf
rom t
he70sal
lyou
mi
ssingi
saguit
ar
Her
:don'
texagger
atei
lookl
i
keagy
psy
Me:
Youl
ooknot
hingl
i
keagy
psy
!
Her
:LookSwayi
tri
edl
ooki
ngl
i
keapsy
chi
c
t
odayokay?
Me:
Claudi
ayouar
enotapsy
chi
c!
Il
ookedar
oundandal
ley
eswer
eonus.
.
Me: Ohhhgoodnessmet hi
sisgoingtobea
l
ongdayher eiwastry
ingnottohaveusbet he
oddonesoutagain!ButthankyouClaudi
afor
taki
ngusbacktohighschool
Her
:Ohhhsor
rySwayf
orcr
ampi
ngy
ourst
yle
Me:Youmightnotcar
eabouty
ourr
eput
ati
on
buti
careaboutmine
Her
:Whatr
eput
ati
on?
Me:
Iam t
ryi
ngt
ocr
eat
eone!
!
Sheshi
ft
edfrom t
hear
gumentt
othedoorher
eyeswi
dened..
Her
:OhhhmyGoodness!
Me:
What
?
Itur
nedandl ookedatthedoori sawsomegi rl
walki
ngi n.
.Lordshewast hemostbeaut i
ful
thi
ngi haveeverseenexceptf orheral
lblack
outfi
t.Sheheldherbagandl ookeddownasshe
walkedtositattheback,shej ustst
olethe
wholeat t
enti
onandbroughti tonher..
.
Cl
aud:
suchabeaut
!
Me:
Iknowr
ight
IswearIhav
enev
erseensuchabeaut
if
ulsoul
befor
e..
Me:
she'
sagoddess
Cl
aud:
No.
.
It
urnedandl
ookedather
..
.
Her
:she'
sev
ili
am t
ell
i
ngy
ou
Me:
Real
l
y?
Claud:she'ssur
roundedbysomebadaur
a,
darkness,andgreatevi
l
.
Sheclosedherey
esandputherhandonher
chest
..
Her
:Thi
swhol
eroom needscl
eansi
ng
Me:
Claudi
ayouar
enotpsy
chi
c!
Sheopenedherey
es.
.
Claud:
weneedtogotothebat
hroom andsay
somecleansi
ngpr
ayer
..Comeon
Shest
oodupandt
ookherbag.
.
Me:Howdidwebecomef
ri
ends?Someone
shootmenow!
Cl
aud:
Swaycome!
.
Tobecont
inued
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:04
ENZO
Ihadanunexpect
edv i
sit
ort
odayj
ustaft
ermy
l
unchbreaki
twast hemanhimsel
fMv el
oNguni
buticall
him Jozinibecausethat
'
swher eour
fr
iendshi
pstarted.Jozinii
ssomel oungei
nmy
hood,averygoodpl acetohangoutaton
weekends..
Me:
Jozi
ni!
Hewaswear
ingasui
t.
.
Hi
m:Col
our
edboy
!
Me:
Shi
tmani
t'
sbeenawhi
l
e
Hi
m:YeahIwasoutoft
own
Me:
howmanymi
l
li
onsdi
dyoumake?
Hel
aughed.Wewer
est
andingatthedoorof
myoff
icewheni
sawBul
iapproachi
ngus..
Me:
Let
'sgooutf
orasmoke
Hetookof fhi
sjacketandhungitaroundhi
s
arm andthenwewal kedoutnotgiv
inghera
chancetocompl ai
naboutanythi
ng..
Wewal
kedoutt
othepar
kingl
otandst
oodnext
t
ohi
scar.
.
Hi
m: Arey
ougoodwitht
hesun?Imeani
don'
t
wantyoutur
ningr
ed
Me:
Don'
tst
artwi
thmeman
Hel
aughed.
.
Heopenedhi
scarandputhisj
acket
,hecame
backwi
thapackofci
garet
tesandali
ghter
..
Hi
m:sohowwer
ethi
ngsatJozi
ningeweekend?
Me:
Ionl
ywentSat
urdayst
il
lthesameshi
t
Hel
i
ttheci
gar
ett
e..
Hi
m:WasAngi
ether
e?
Me:
don'
tst
artman
Hi
m:Ij
ustneedt
oknowt
hat
'sal
l
Me:
YayenabekakhonaSat
urday(
shewas
t
her
eSat
urday)
Hi
m:andherexboy
fri
end?
Me:
Hewor
kst
her
eremember
Hi
m:Iknowbutdi
dtheyt
alk?Snuckout
?
Me:
ent
lekngenaendabeni
(gett
othemat
ter
)
Hel
eanedagai
nstt
hecar
..
Hi
m:Obv
iousl
yshel
i
edt
ome
Me:Seewhyi am singl e?Relationshipsand
marri
agesbringal otofunwant edstressifi
wannagosomewher ei don'
twantnoonebusy
nywenyweEnzouy aphi ?(wherear ey ougoing)
i
figotoacl ubthenl ateroni feelli
kesmashi ng
someonei wannadoi twithoutwor ryingthati
haveawifeoraser iousgi rl
fr
iendwhomi ght
fi
ndtheoneni ghtst andhi ghlyoffensive
Him:Areyouseri
ouswi t
hwhatyousay
ingor
yourdemonsarejusthaunt
ingy
ou?
It
ookoneci
gar
ett
eandl
i
tit
..
Myl astr
elat
ionshi
pdidn'
tendwel l
mygirl
fr
iend
cheatedonmeandi l
ostit,
iatt
ackedtheguy
shecheatedonmewi thanditwastense
becauseheendedbei ngwheelchai
rboundandi
foundmy sel
fbehindbars.
.
Hi
m:Icanst
il
lsayy
ouonpr
obat
ion
Me: Justsayi
am notthecopsf
avouri
teperson
buttheyhavelai
doffonmenowt hatihav
e
"changed"
Hi
m:Youst
il
lhav
eagun?
Me: Obv
iousl
ymyAunt '
ssonisgoingtobe
rel
easedfrom j
ail
soonandsi
ncey ouknowthey
hateMapsi r
eall
yhavetopr
otectherf
rom
them
Hi
m:Thi
nki
shoul
dgetagunt
oo
Me:
Why
?
Heshr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
s..
Hi
m:Ij
ustneedone
Me:
Youmor
ecr
azysoy
oudon'
tneedone
Him:Anywayl
ist
eniwannat
hrowabr
aai
on
Satur
dayyoushoul
dcome
Me:
Thatsoundscool
Hi
m:I
'
llaskAngi
etobr
ingherf
ri
ends
Me:
Try
ingt
ohookmeup?
Hegent
lypunchedmeonmyshoul
der
..
Hi
m:Yougott
hatr
ight
Me:
Idon'
tknowman
Hi
m:ComeonEnzoitwasalongti
meagoi
t'
s
t
imet
ogetbacki
ntothedat
inggame
.
.
SARA
Me:
Ireal
l
yenj
oyedy
ourcompany
Swaz
i:Sameher
eidi
dn'
tknowy
out
alkal
ot
Me:Onlywheni
am comf
ort
abl
ear
ound
someone
Swaz
i:Yougoodpeopl
e
Me:y
ouar
etoo.
.Ican'
tsayt
hesamewi
thy
our
f
ri
end
Swaz
i:she'
l
lcomear
ound
Me:
Ihopeso
Swaz
i:l
etmegoI
'
llseey
out
omor
row
Me:
Tomor
rowi
tis
Wehugged.
.
Swaz
i:Dr
ivesaf
ely
Me:
Yout
oo
Shewal kedawaytohercar.Iam apersonwho
struggl
est omakefri
endsbecauseofhowi
dressandmyper sonali
ty,
iam ver
yshyand
quietar
oundpeoplei don'
tknowbuttodayif
elt
verycomf ort
abl
earoundSwazi.
..
Wheni turnedaroundtogot omycari bumped
i
ntothisotherguy,hewasonhi sphoneandi
waslookingdown.Her eactedfastbyputt
ing
hishandar oundmywai stpr
eventi
ngmef rom
fal
li
ngbutunf ort
unat
elyhisphonewasn't
shownanymer cy.
.
Hi
m:Iam sosor
ry
Me:
Noi
am.
.Iam sor
ry
Heletgoofmeandpi ckeduphisphonet
he
scr
eenhadcracked,
hel ookedati
tbusyt
urni
ng
i
taround.
Me:
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry
Hesmi
l
edwhi
l
elooki
ngathi
sphone.
.
Hi
m:I
t'
scool
wewer
ebot
hatf
aul
t
Me:
Icanr
epl
acet
hescr
een
Hel
ookedatmewhi
l
erai
si
nghi
slef
tey
ebr
ow.
.
Hi
m:Youwannabuymeanewscr
een?
Me:
Yes
Iopenedmybag.
.
Me:Youluckybecausei
alway
scar
rycashf
or
emergenci
es.
.
Itookoutmywal l
etandopenedi
tbefor
eicoul
d
takeoutthecashheheldmyhand..
Hi
m:Wewer
ebot
hatf
aul
t
Me:
But
..
Hi
m:Iwon'
taccepty
ourmoney
Me:
Trustmei
hav
eal
otofi
t
Hel aughedandwal kedawaywhi leshaki
nghis
headi watchedhim ashi sonehandmadei ts
wayt ohispocket, hest oppedhalfwayand
tur
nedar oundtolookatme.It houghthewas
goingtosaysomet hi
ngbuthedi dn'
t,hi
sli
ps
mov edbutnov oicecameouti nsteadhe
l
aughedagai nthenf acedfowar dandcontinued
walkinguntil
hedi sappear edinoneoft he
buil
dings..
Icl
osedmyey
esandexhal
ed.
.
Me:
MaymyGodshel
pme
Iwentbackt
omybagandsearchedformycar
key
swhi l
eput
ti
ngmywal
letbackinsi
de.
.
.
.
ENZO
Jozini l
eftj
ustaf
terwehadsmokedaf ew
ci
gar ettesit
ookoutsomemi ntandchewedon
i
twhi lemakingmywaybacki ntothestor
e.My
moodchangedwheni sawBulist
andi
ngatthe
door, shehadherhandsfol
dedandwasr ocki
ng
herselfbackandfort
h..
Me:
Whatnow?
Her
:Iwantchange
Me:
Sis'
Queen?
Her
:Doy
ouseeherany
wher
e?
Me:
Aski
es?Am Iy
ourf
ri
end?
Isqueezedherl
owerl
i
p..
Shehi
tmyhandof
f.
.
Her
:Ouch!
Me:Nxa!Givemet hatatt
it
udeagain
ngi
zok'
klapa!(
giv
emet hatat
ti
tudeagai
nandI
am goi
ngt osmacky ou)
Iunl
ockedandwebothwal
kedi
nwhileclosi
ng
thedoorbehi
ndus,
shegav
emet hesackof
money..
Me:
Gowai
tout
sidebyt
hedoor
Shegav emeanannoyedf aci
alexpressi
on,
with
herarmsfol
dedsheturnedandheadedt othe
door.Iwat
chedhermaintaini
ngthatsexywalk
wit
hherblackfor
malpantsbr i
ngingouther
perf
ectsmallbut
t.
Ichuckl
edal
oneandsor
tedoutherchange.
.
.
.
SWAZI
Itt
ookmeatl east5mintogetoutofthecar
andgeti nsidethehousewheni sawmy
Brother'scarparkedinsi
detheyardjustclose
tothegar age,somet i
mestheatmospher eat
homei snotnicewhenhei saround.Icl
osed
thekitchendooraf terwal
ki
ngin,andtherewas
noav
oidi
nghi
m becausehewasatt
heki
tchen
maki
ngashakeforhi
mself
.
Me:
Goodaf
ter
noon
Hi
m:Af
ter
noon
Me:
Goi
ngt
othegy
m?
Hi
m:Yesl
ateron
Me:
Okay
Iwal
kedaway
..
Hi
m:Ey
yycomeher
e
Ist
oppedt
henl
ookedathi
m..
Hi
m:Howwasy
ourf
ir
stday
?
Me:
Itwasokay
It
ookoutapaperf
rom mybagandgav
ehi
m..
Me:
Textbookst
hati
hav
etobuy
Helookedati
tandt
henputi
tont
opoft
he
count
er..
Hi
m:Ar
eyougoi
ngt
opass?
Me:
Ihopeso
Hi
m:Youshoul
diam pay
ingwhat
?R18000?
Me:
R15000
Hi
m:I
t'
sst
il
lal
otofmoney
Me:
It'
sapr
ivat
ecol
l
egemycour
sei
scost
ly
Hi
m:Al
lthemor
ereasont
opass
Me:
IsAngi
ear
ound?
Hi
m:She'
ssl
eepi
ng
Me:
sick?
Hi
m:Sor
tof
f
Me:
Okay
Hi
m:don'
tfor
getSat
urdaymor
ningwegoi
ngt
o
t
hatwoman
Me:
tocheckmyVi
rgi
nit
yagai
n?
Hi
m:Yesy
ouknowt
hedr
il
l
Me:
Mvel
oiam 20y
ear
sol
d
Him: Andi
am payi
ngalotatschool
,givi
ngyou
alotofmoneyforall
owancemaint
ainingyoui
s
notcheapthel
astthi
ngiwantisanothermout
h
tofeed
Me:
Cani
got
omyr
oom now?
Henodded, iwalkedawayallupset.Mvelois
crazyidon'
tknowwhatgoesdowni nhismind
heshouldknowhowuncomf ortabl
et hewhole
experi
enceis.
.Insteadofgoi
ngt omyr oom i
wenttotheirroom iwantedt
ot al
kt oAngie
aboutthi
s..
Iopenedt
hedoor
.
Me:
Angi
e!!
Her
:Int
hecl
oset
Iwalkedtothecl
osetandshewasst
andi
ng
ther
ewi pi
nghert
ears.
.
Me:
Mvel
ois.
..Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
Shef
akedasmi
l
e..
Her
:Ngi
rightbaby
Il
ookedather
..
Her
:Whatwer
eyousay
ing?
Me:
Nev
ermi
nd
Her:
Comeandtel
lmehowschool
wasl
et'
sgo
si
tonthebed
Iwalkedoutf ir
stthi
nkingshewasf oll
owingme
butshewasn' t,iwentbackt ocheckherand
shewasbal ancingont hewal lwi
thherri
ght
hand.Herey eswer eclosedandshewasbi ti
ng
herl
owerlip, shelookedlikeshewasinpain.
.
Me:
Angi
e?
Shel
ookedatmeandt
ear
sfel
l
..
Her
:Iam okaydon'
twor
ry
Me:
may bewecant
alkl
aterwhenhegoest
o
t
hegym
Shesmi
l
edagai
n..
Her
:Lat
eri
tist
hen
Iwal
kedoutt
omybedr
oom.
.
.
Tobecont
inued
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:03
SWAZI
Wewer eintherestroom andi wasv er
ypissed
becauseri
ghtnowIshoul dbei nclass
att
endingbuthereiam enter
taini
ngCl audi
a's
madness.Shetookoutt wosmal lcardsthat
hadprayer
swr i
ttenonthem, shehandedme
one..
Her
:Youj
ustr
eadwhat
'
swr
it
tenher
e
Me:
What
everCl
audi
a
Her:That
'snotagoodat
ti
tudet
owar
dst
he
si
tuati
on
Me:Ishoul
dbei
nclassbuther
eiam
ent
ert
aini
ngmadness!
Her
:Madness?
Me:Claudi
ayouneedtostopthi
swhol
ething
i
t'
sgoingtoyourheadandit
'smaki
ngyou
soundverycr
azy!
Her
:Iam cr
azy
?
Me:
Youst
art
ingt
obe!
Shesai
dnocommentt
othatst
atement
..
Me:LookatyouClaudal
loft
hisi
scr
azy
!The
out
fi
t,j
ustl
etthi
sgookay?
Her:YouknowSwaysor
ryforsuddenl
ybei
ng
notgoodenoughf
oryouasaf r
iend
Me:
Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
Her
:Youdi
dn'
thav
etoo
Shewal
kedout
..
Thatmighthavecameoutwr ongbutshehadto
knowthetrut
hbecausehonestlywecannot
keepondoingthis,
shecannotkeepondoing
thi
stohersel
fit
'snott
herightwaytoli
ve.
.
.
.
ENZO
Runni ngasuper marketf ul l
yonmyowni svery
ti
ringi wasn' tcopingatal l andi wasn't
managi ngt ogettoev ery thingal l
atonce, soi
wasf orcedt ohiresomeoneel sewhowas
goingt obemyr i
ghthandmanwheni needhel p.
It
'sbeenay earsinceKi tsoj oinedusandhei s
doingpr et t
ygood, heisv erycommi tt
edandi
hav enev erbeent hishappywi thhiswor k.Ihave
othert wosuper vi
sorswhomakesur ethat
everythingr unssmoot hlywi t
ht hecashiersand
everythingel se,wear eabi gf amilystr
ivi
ng
towar dst hesamegoal andt hathasmadeus
oneoft hesuccessf ulsuper mar ketsaround.
Thesuper mar ketissituat edi nthehoodi t'
svery
conv enientf oranyonewhodoesn' twannause
theirmoneybygoi ngtot own. .
Ki
tso:
Col
our
edboy
!
Me:
EyyKi
tso
Ki
tso:
Zit
hini
lapho?(
howar
eyou)
Me:
ang'
rasi
(Iam notmaki
ngnoi
se)
Hesatdownathi
swor
kingst
ati
on.
Kit
so:Wegett
ingmor
est
ockl
ateroni
hav
ejust
confi
rmedi
t
Me:
Tant
wana(
thanky
ou)
Kit
so:
Ithi
nkweshoul
dhaveasaleforal
lthe
i
temsthatar
eaboutt
oexpi
resoon
Me:
That
'sgoodt
hinki
ng
Aswewer esi
tt
ingther
egoingoversomework
Bul
iwalkedi
n.Buli
isoneofourcashier
sshe
hasbeenworki
ngherefor2year
sandshei sa
bi
tofaheadache.
.
Bul
i
:Goodmor
ning
Shesatdown.
.
Ki
tso:
Whatcanwehel
pyouwi
tht
hismor
ning?
Bul
i
:Iam her
etocompl
ain
Me:
Aboutwhatnow?
Shecr
ossedherl
egs.
.
Bul
i
:Si
s'
Queeni
snotbei
ngf
airt
ome
Kit
sochuckled.Sis'
Queenisoneofour
Superv
isor
sshehasbeenher ewi
thusfora
veryl
ongtime,from si
ncemyFatherwassti
l
l
ali
veandrunningthispl
ace..
Me:
Whatdi
dshedo?
Her
:Myteati
mei sat10:
00am sheal
l
owedme
t
ogoat11:00yester
day
Me:
Why
?
Her
:Wewer
eshor
tofcashi
ersandi
twasbusy
Kit
so:Youwerej
ustl
atewi
thanhourBul
ii
t'
s
notabigdeal
Her
:Iti
sabigdeal!Itakemedsokayi
hav
eto
t
akethem nol
aterthan10:30
Ki
tsost
oodupandpatmeont
heshoul
der
..
Hi
m:Youony
ourown
Hewal
kedout
..
Bul
i:
Iser
iousl
ythi
nknowit
'st
imey
ouf
ir
e
Si
s'
Queenshe'
soldanyway
.
.
SWAZI
Afteratt
endingAnat omyi wenttojoi
nClaudia
i
nt hecaf et
eri
asincethel ect
urehall
forour
nextlecturewasoccupi ed.Ireal
i
zedthatI
wasn'tfairtoClaudiaearl
ieronandthatimight
havehur therfeeli
ngs..
Me:
Hey
Shekeptqui
et.
.
Me:
Iam sor
ry
Her
:Iam notcr
azySway
Me:
Iknowandi
didn'
tmeant
osoundsomean
Her
:It
'sf
ine
Me:
letmegobuyussomet
hingt
odr
ink
Itookmywal letandwenttobuyussomecans
ofsodawheni acci
dent
all
ybumpedint
othat
beauti
f ul
gir
lwhowaswear inganal
lbl
ack
outfi
t,herphonefel
l.
.
Me:
Iam v
erysor
ry
Ipi
ckedupherphoneandgav
eitbackt
oher
..
Me:
atl
easti
tdi
dn'
tbr
eak
Hel
ookedati
t.
.
Me:
Mynamei
sSwazi
butt
heycal
lmeSway
Her
:Sar
a
(
Sil
ence)
Me:woul
dyoul
i
ket
ojoi
nmeandmyf
ri
end
ov
erther
e?
Shel
ookedar
ound.
.
Me:
unl
essy
ouher
ewi
thsomeone
Her
:Noi
t'
sfi
ne
Me:
letmegetsomecansofsoda
Her
:il
lwai
ther
e
Iwentandgot3cansofSodaandthenwe
wal
kedtothetabl
ewereClaudi
awassit
ti
ng.
.
Sar
a:Howmuchdoi
owey
ou?
Me:
It'
sfi
ne
Wesatdown,Sar
asatnextt
omeandClaudi
a
coul
dn'
tbel
i
evewhatshewasseei
ng.
..
.
Me:Cl
audi
athi
sisSar
aandSar
athi
sisCl
audi
a
mybestf
ri
end
Sar
a:Hel
l
oCl
audi
a
Cl
audi
adi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
.
Me:for
giv
ehershei
suhm.
.She.
.She'
sa
psy
chic
Sar
a:Real
l
y?
Me:
Maket
hatshe'
str
yingt
obeone
Sar
a:That
'si
nter
est
ingi
am onet
oo
Me:
Real
l
y?
Sar
a:Yes
Cl
audi
a:Noy
ouar
eev
il
Sar
a:Excuseme?
Me:
Claudi
a!
Cl
audi
a:Youar
eev
ilandy
ourpr
esencei
s
wei
ghi
ngdownonmeheavil
y
Cl
audi
astoodupandshet
ookhert
hingst
hen
wal
kedaway.
..
Me:
Iam v
erysor
ryaboutt
hat
Sara:don'
tbe.
.Peoplet
endtojudgeme
becauseofhowi lookanddr
ess
Me:
Iknowt
hef
eel
i
ngofnotf
it
ti
ngi
ntr
ustme
Sar
a:Youseem l
i
keani
ceper
son
Me:
Yout
oo
Ipassedhert
hecanofsoda.
..
Her
:thanky
ou
Me:
toast
artoff
ri
endshi
p?
Her
:toast
artoff
ri
endshi
p
.
Tobecont
inued
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:05
SWAZI
Thatnighti cookeddinnerwhi
leAngiesatat
thetabl
et hatstoodinthemiddleofther oom.
Shewassi t
tingonthehighchairanddrinking
j
uice.Shewasv eryfarawaywithherthoughts,i
hadbeent ryingtoholdaconversati
onwi thher
buteveryt
hingi wassay i
ngtoherwasn't
regi
steri
ng..
Me:
Angi
e
Shel
ookedatme.
.
Me:Iknowsomet
hinghappenedbet
weeny
ou
andMv el
o
Sheputt
hegl
assdown.
.
Me:
Didhehi
tyou?
Her
:Why
?
Me:
Youl
ookedl
i
key
ouwer
ein
Pai
n
Her:Iam i
npainemot
ional
l
yandnowit'
s
ref
lect
ingphy
sical
l
yihavethi
sshar
ppai
ninmy
chest
Me:
Whathappened?
Iwal
kedcl
osert
oher
..
Her:
YouBr
otherhasawaywi
thwor
dsMv
elo
haswor
dsthatwound
Me:
Whatdi
dhesay
?
Her:
Asmuchasi wannatell
youbutican'
the
i
syourBr
otheraf
teral
lidon'
twantyoutosee
hi
m asamonster
Me:
Tool
atef
ort
hat
Her
:Yi
nimanj
e?(
what
'swr
ong)
Me:Sat
urdayhei
staki
ngmef
orVi
rgi
nit
y
t
est
ing
Shecl
osedherey
esandex
hal
ed.
.
Her
:Mv
elomar
a
Me:Ifonlyyouknewhowuncomf or
tableand
humili
ati
ngiti
shavingthatwomanforci
ngher
fi
ngersinsi
deofmei t
'ssomehow
Her
:Icani
magi
ne
Me:
Ican'
twai
ttogetmydi
plomaandt
hen
moveout
Her
:Don'
tyout
hinki
t'
sti
mey
oul
i
vey
ourl
i
fe?
Iwasn'
tunder
standi
ng.
.
Her:
Mvelouy
entayonkel
enf
tongobanaweyou
al
lowhi
m( Mvel
odoesall
ofthi
sbecausey
ou
al
lowhi
m)
Isatdownnextt
oher
..
Her
:Bonababyweal lgr
ewupwi t
hst
ri
ct
par
ent
smyFat herusedtobeatuswi
tha
sjambokheusedt olockthegateat18:00that'
s
howheenf or
ceddiscipl
ine.Onedayidecided
thatiwon'tgiv
eintohi sdemandsany morei
start
eddat i
ngnotsleepingathomegoi ngout
withfri
ends,yesatfi
rsthewoul dbeatme, ki
ck
meout ,nottal
ktome.Butast i
mewentonhe
j
ustgav eupandl etmebe
Me:soy
ousay i
ngimustdot
hesamet
hing
wi
thMvelo?uJozi
ni?
Her:Alli
m sayingishef indsi teasytocontr
ol
youbecausey ouallowhi mt oowhenhesay s
j
umpy ouaskhowhi gh?St ar
tl i
vingyourl
if
e
dateifyouwantt ooy eboy enaut okwatabuthe
i
sy ourbrother
,helov esy ouandhewi l
l
eventual
lyacceptthaty ougr owingup
Me:
Ireal
l
ydi
dn'
tthi
nkofi
tthatway
Shest
oodup.
.
Her:KantieHi
ghschoolbowent
anjaningama
boyfr
iend?(i
nhighschoolhowdi
dy ouhandl
e
theboyfri
endsi
tuat
ion)
Me:
Ihav
enev
erdat
edbef
ore
Shel
ookedatmeshocked.
.
Her
:Nev
erbeenki
ssed?
Me:
Nev
er
Her
:Youar
ethatscar
edofMv
elo?
Me:
Yes
Her:Kodwahedoesn'
tgotoschool wi
thyou
andheishardl
yathome,babyIficansneakout
andgot oJozi
niwhycan'
tyoualsosecr
etl
ydo
thi
ngs?
Me:Ahhhi
am scar
edi
feel
li
kehecanseer
ight
t
hroughme
Her
:onedayimustgowi
thyoueJozi
niy
ou
mustr
eal
lyl
iv
ealit
tl
ehau!
.
.
SARA
Icoul dn'
tst opt hi
nkingaboutt hatguyi bumped
i
nt oear l
ieronatt heparkinglot.Icouldn'tstop
picturinghi ssmi l
e,hislaugh, t
hewayhewal ks,
hisv erymuchat t
racti
veupperbody .Iam sur e
hei sintospor ts.Hei snotwowbutt here's
somet hi
ngabouthi m, somet hingabouthi s
char mt hatcoul dmakey oumel t
.Ihadj ust
fi
nishedbat hingi wasst andi
ngi nfrontofmy
mi r
roral lsmi l
ingwithat owel wrappedar ound
mybody .
.Itookmybodyl oti
ont heni heardmy
Mot her '
sv oicecalli
ngoutt ome. .
"
Sar
a..
.Sar
a..Sar
a"
Atf
ir
sti
ignor
edbutshecal
l
edoutagai
n..
"
Sar
a..Sar
a..Sar
a"
Iputthelot
ionontopoft heshel ft
hatstood
nexttomybi gmirr
or,wheni lookedatthe
mirr
oragaini sawhim andt histimearoundhe
di
dn'tlookhandsomeasal way shelookedvery
l
ivi
dandhehadagoatf acewi t
hhorns.Hehad
ahumanbodybutgoatf eet,hehadhuman
handswi thlongnai ls.Ifr
eakedoutandt ur
ned
aroundbutIcoul dn'tseehim standi ngbehi nd
meorany wher e,iturnedandl ookedatt he
mi r
rori couldn'tseehi mt hr
ought hemi r
rortoo.
Ilookedatt heAmul etontopoft hebedi walked
togeti tbutIf eltsomet hi
ngpushi ngmesoo
hardthati camei ncontactwitht hemi r
ror,ifel
l
butthemi rrordidn'tbreak.I
tonl ycr acked.I
l
ookedar oundwhi l
ei wasstil
lont hef l
oor,i
couldf eelhisgr oansbutcoul dn'tt el
l werehe
was.Icr awl edt othedoor ,iopenedi tand
crawledmywayoutoft hebedr oom
unfortunatelyi didn'tgetfar
.Het ight lygrabbed
onmyl eganddr aggedmebackt ot hebedr oom
thenthedoorcl osed...
"
Sar
a..Sar
a..Sar
a"
MyMot
hercal
l
edoutt
omeagai
n.
Me:
Mommy
!!
Mybedwast
urnedupsi
dedownthingsstar
ted
f
all
i
ngtot
hefl
oorfr
om mydressi
ngtable.
.
Iwasscar
ednol
i
e..
"Tal
ktohi
m Sar
a..Hei
syourhusbandt
alkt
o
him"
Me:
Mywhat
??
"
Hei
sav
eryj
eal
oushusbandt
alkt
ohi
m"
Isl
owl ygotupfr
om thefloorandmytowel
fell
,i
not
icedi thadbl
ood.Icheckedmysel
fandihad
abruiseonmyr i
ghtsidethinki
twaswheni
wasthr ownagai
nstthemi r
ror.
.
Iwasli
ft
edupf
rom t
hefl
oorandiwasgoingup
sl
owlycomi
ngi
ntocont
actwit
hthecei
l
ing..
"
Sar
a..Sar
a..Sar
a"
ItwaseasyformyMothert
osayishoul
d"t
alk
tohim"thi
sthi
ngdoesn'
twannat
alki
twantsto
kil
lme..
Aft
ert
ouchi
ngtheceil
i
ngi wasdroppedback
downonthefl
oorimust'
vebangedmyhead
ver
yhardt
hatibl
ackedout.
.
.
.
ENZO
I
twasal ongdayandIam gl
aditwasfi
nal
l
y
overiwasgoi
ngt omycarwhenibumpedint
o
Bulist
andi
ngalone,
iwentuptoher
..
Me:
shoul
dn'
tyoubeathome?
Her
:Uncl
edeci
dedt
oleav
eme
Uncl
eist
hei
rdr
iver
..
Me:
Why
?
Her:Iwascompressedit
oldhi
mtowaitf
orme
iwenttothet
oil
etandicamebackhehadlef
t
Isi
ghed.
.
Me:
Youapi
eceofwor
k!.
.Come
Shef
oll
owedme.
..
Me:
Whydoy
oual
way
shav
etobeext
ra?
Her
:Iam notext
rat
hisi
showi
am
Iunl
ockedandwegoti
nsi
de.
.
Me:couldn'
tyoucal
lyourboy
fri
endt
ocome
andpickyouup?
Her
:Hedoesn'
thav
eacar
Me:
Whati
fidi
dn'
tseey
ou?
Her
:Theni
woul
d'
vesl
epther
e
IlookedatherandithoughtaboutwhatKit
so
saidt hi
sothert
imethatBulii
sdoi
ngallofthis
thingsbecauseshehasacr ushonme.Icould
seet hatmylookwasmaki ngherbl
ushalit
tle.
.
Her
:Ar
ewegoi
ng?
Me:
Wewi
l
l
(
Sil
ence)
Me: Youknowforawhi
l
enowi
hav
ebeen
checkingyouout
Her
:Ha!
!Unamanga(
youar
ely
ing)
Me:Iam t
ell
i
ngyouespecial
lywhenyouwalk
outofmyoffi
cewi
ththatsexysmall
packageof
y
our
s
Shesmiledandcov
eredherf
acewit
hher
hands.
.Iext
endedmyhandandsqueezedher
thi
gh.
Her
:Thi
sisv
eryuncomf
ort
abl
eEnzoy
ouar
e
myboss
It
ookherhandandmadehert
otouchmy
manhood.
.
Her
:Thi
sisv
erywei
rdy
ouar
emyboss
Me:
sowhat
?
Shekeptqui
et.
.
Istart
edt hecar ,myaimistodrivetosome
darkall
ey way .Itwasver
ydif
fi
cultdriv
ingwhil
e
shewasbusysqueezi ngandr unningherhand
onmycr otch, l
ucki
lyt
heall
eywaywasn' tt
hat
fariparkedt hereanditwasverydark..
Her
:whati
fwegetr
obbed?
Me:
don'
twor
rywewon'
t
Isear
chedforapackofcondoms,ial
way shave
i
tinmycarandtheniopenedthedoor.Igotout
andwentatthebackseat
s..
Me:
Come
Shegotoutfr
om thefrontseatandcamet o
j
oinme.Ifshewasn'tsleepi
ngwi t
hanotherguy
ri
ghtnowiwouldprobabl ymuffherandallt
hat
butanot
herdickhasbeent her
esoi would
rat
hernot
..
Me:
Takeof
fyourcl
othes
Her
:Justl
i
ket
hat
?
Me:
Kant
isi
zodl
alal
a?(
areweher
etopl
ay)
Shedidn'tsayanythi
ngshestar
tedtaki
ngoff
hercl
othesunt i
lshewasleftwi
thher
under
wearandbr a,i
onlyt
ookoffmypantsand
mybriefs.Itookherhandandaskedhertopl
ay
wit
hmeandshedi d.
.
Wheniwashar
denoughit
ookoutacondom
andr
oll
edi
tdownsheknewwhatwasgoingto
happensowemai ntai
nedapositi
onthatwas
goingtomakeitpossi
bleformetoenterher.
Shewasnowst art
ingtogetscar
edasi
posit
ionedmysel
ficouldf
eelherheartbeat
ing
ver
yf ast
..
Her
:Enzoi
am notsur
eaboutt
his
Ii
gnoredherandforcedmywayin,f
or
someonewhohasaboy f
ri
endidi
dn'texpect
hert
obet hi
stight
..
.
Her
:Enzopl
easest
op.
.
Iconti
nuedfor
cingmywayinwithher
screamingali
tt
leandt
ryi
ngtogetmeoff
..
Her
:Enzost
op!
!!
Shestar
tedhit
ti
ngmeof fbutiheldbot
hher
handsti
ghtagainstherbreast
s..
Me:
Eyy
yst
opi
t!
!!
!
Shest
oppedfi
ghti
ngmeof fandihadmyway
wit
hherasshecouldn'
thol
dbackhersobs.
.
.
.
SWAZI
Wewer esupposedt ohav edinnertogetherasa
fami l
yunt i
lanar gumentbr okeoutbet weenmy
Br ot
herandAngi eiwasf orcedtogoandeati n
mybedr oom whi letheywentintotheirbedroom
too.Ihat efightsandt ohearthem fighti
ngwas
freakingmeout ,iheardhimy ell
i
ng, iheard
thingsbr eakingandAngi escreamingi didn'
t
knowwhatt odo.Itookmyphoneandcal l
ed
Claudia..
Sheanswer
edwheni
wasaboutt
ohangup.
.
Her
:Sway
Me:
Claudi
a
Her
:Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Icoul
dn'
thol
dbackt
het
ear
s..
Her
:Swaywhat
'swr
ong?
Me:MyBrot
herandhi
swif
earef
ight
ingagai
n
i
t'
sscar
yidon'
tknowwhatt
odo
Her
:Isi
tbad?
Me:
Ver
ybad
Her
:I.
.Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
Noi
am noti
am scar
ed
Her
:doy
ouwantmyMot
hert
odr
ivemet
her
e?
Me:
Yespl
ease
Claudi
aal
wayscomest
hroughf
ormeev
eni
fit
canbeat00:
00am.
.
Tobecont
inued
Noedi
ts
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:06
BULI
Iam i
narelati
onshipwi
thaguynamed
Mthokozi
siunfor
tunat
elyhi
swayofl
iv
inghas
separ atedusf orappr oxi
mat ely3y earsnow.
Mt hokozi si i
sat hugt hatgoesi nandoutofj ail
fr
equent l
ybynowheshoul d'vegot tenal if
e
sent encebutr umor shav eitthathi sMot her
consul tsacer t ainpower f
ulwi tchdoct or ,
basi cal l
yt hatI showhehasmanagednott o
stayi nj ailformor et han4y ear snomat terhow
bigt hecr i
mei s.Ev ersinceMt howasar restedi
nev erdat edany onel etalonehadsex, ithoughti
coul dwai tf orhi m butal ongt hewayi found
my sel ffallingf orEnzo.Whathappenedl ast
nightr eall
yki l
ledmysoul i
under standt hati put
himi nacompr omisi ngpositionbutwhatt urned
meof faboutt hewhol esituationwashowhe
handl edme.I tjustshowedt hathewant edt o
sl
eepwi t
hmeandpassont othenextone, he
wasn' tgent le, therewasno4pl ay,hej ust
want edt osat isfyhi mselfanddi dn'tcareabout
meandmyf eelings.Thi nki
ngaboutl astni ght
howhewaspi nningmyar msagai nstmy
breast s,hisbr eat honmyneckandmyf ace,
therewayhewasmoani ngtomysobsshat t
ers
mysoul intoami ll
ionpi eces.Hecoul dn'tev en
caret hatIwasn' tenj oy ingwhathewasdoi ng,
hei gnor edmycr ies, hei gnoredmewheni
beggedhi mt ost opi endedupcl osi
ngmyey es
andpr ay edthathef inishes.Themost
i
mpor tantr easonwhyIdi dn'twannal ookathi m
whenhewasdoi ngt hatwasbecausei didn't
wanthi sf acialexpr essi ont ohauntme, i didn't
wannat hinkofhi m enj oy i
nghi mselfatt he
expenseofmypai ni thinkt hatf oramanofhi s
sizeandconsi der i
ngt hef actt hati haven' tbeen
i
nt i
mat ewi thany onef orsol onghewoul dbe
mor egent lebuthewasn' t
.Itwasmor e
sickeni ngwhenhedeci dedt ospi tonmycooki e
j
ustbecausei wasn' tpr oduci ngmuchj ui cesf or
himt oenj oyv i
olatingmemor e.Yesi was
fall
ingf orhi m, Yesi hadahugecr ushonhi m,
may bei ledhi m onbutwhathedi dwaspur e
ev i
l
.Myper cept i
onofhi m hasgr eat l
ychanged,
hei snott hechar mi ngEnzoi knowbuthei sa
col
dhear
tedbast
ard.
.
Ifr
eakedoutwhenthedoorofmybedr oom
opened,i
twasver
yearl
yinthemor ni
ngandI
wasstil
li
nbedihadnointent
ionsofwakingup.
.
Voi
ce:
Hai
Bul
idi
dyouseewhatt
imei
tis?
Il
ivewithmySist
erwhoisol
derthanmeand
myMot her.Mymotheri
shar
dlyaroundt
hough,
sheisaliv
einmaid,soi
t'
sal
way smeandmy
si
ster.Myworksi
ntownatcl
icks..
Her
:Yi
niuof
ftoday
?(ar
eyouof
ftoday
)
Me:
Iam si
ck
Her
:Fl
u?
Me:
Ya
Her:Manj
ewhyungashongo?(
whydi
dn'
tyou
say
)
Iwouldtell
mysist
erwhathappenedbutsheis
crazyidon'
twannaupsether
,fi
rstofal
lshewi
ll
askwhydi dicl
i
mbinhiscar,whydidit
akeoff
myclot
hes,whydidigi
vehi
m ahandj
ob.Shei
s
goi
ngtoblameital
lonme..
Her
:Minaiam goi
ngt
owor
kI'
ll
seey
oul
ater
,
maybeI'
l
lgety
ousomemeds
Me:
Yespl
ease
Her
:By
e
Me:
Bye
Whenshewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoori
cr
ied.
..
.
.
SWAZI
Iwaswokenupbyanunusual smellwasn'
ta
badsmel l
butitwasveryunusual.Il
ift
edmy
headfrom mypill
owandl ookedaround,
Claudi
awasbusywal kingaroundtheroom wit
h
aburningsti
ck.Cl
audiacamel astni
ghtas
promised,whenherandherMot hergothere
that
'swhent hefi
ghtbetweenAngi
eandMv el
o
ended.Withalotofthi
ngsbrokeninthei
r
bedroom Angiehadnobr ui
seonher
whatsoeversoidon'tt
hinkMvelohither
..
Me:
Goodmor
ning
Shel
ookedatme.
..
Her
:Hey
Me:
whatt
imei
sit
?
Her
:6:
30
Me:
I'
ll
goandbat
hfi
rst
Her
:Justl
i
ket
hat
?
Me:
Yaj
ustl
i
ket
hat
Her
:Nogi
vi
ngmeshi
taboutcl
eansi
ngt
he
r
oom?
Me:
No.
.
Sheputtheburni
ngst
ickonthedr
essingt
able
butinawaythati
tdoesn'
tl
eaveburntmarkson
thesur
face,
shethencameandsatnexttome..
Her
:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
hismor
ning?
Ikeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
e..
Me:
Ihat
ehi
m
Sheshookherheadno.
.
Me:
IswearIhat
ehi
m
Her
:Sway
..
Me: Hef orgetsthatIam st
il
lgoi
ngtodat
e,i
am
goingtohav eaboy f
ri
endsomedayandwhen
heact sli
ket hatheisslowl
ybutsurel
ymaki
ng
met ot hi
nkt hatall
menar ethesame.He
shouldn'tbedoi ngsuchthi
ngsatall
Her
:Iam v
erysor
rySway
Me:Thelastthi
ngiwantisaguyt r
eati
ngme
thesamewayt hatmyBrothert
reatshi
swif
ei
sweariwoulddie
Her
:Wel
liam sur
ethaty
ourboy
fri
endi
sgoi
ng
t
obebet
ter
Isi
ghed.
.
Me:
Ihopeso.
.It
rul
yhopeso
Her
:Swaycanwet
alkaboutsomet
hing?
Me:
Yeahsur
e
Her
:TheSar
agi
rl
Me:Claudiacomeony ououtofallpeopl
e
shouldknowbettert
hantojudgeandt r
eather
l
ikethatj
ustbecauseshe'
sdiff
erent
Her
:Ihav
ethi
sbadf
eel
i
ngabouther
Me:
Claudi
a
Her:Nol
i
keser
iousl
yidon'
tfeel
herSwayshe'
s
evi
l
Me:
Justgi
veherachanceshe'
sgoodpeopl
e
Her
:goodpeopl
ear
enotev
il
Me:
Claudi
ashe'
snotev
ilshe'
sar
eal
l
yni
cegi
rl
Her
:Ir
eal
l
ydon'
twanty
ouget
ti
nghur
t
Me:
Yout
hinkshemi
ghthur
tme?
Her
:It
hinkso
Me:Youwor
ryal
ot.
.Comei
l
lbat
handy
ouwi
l
l
t
akeashower
Her
:Whyshoul
dit
akeashower
?
Me:
Youwhi
te.
.Youusedt
oit
Shel
aughed.
.
.
.
SARA
Iopenedmyey
estot
hesoundofmyMot
her
cal
li
ngmyname..
"
Sar
a..Sar
a..Sar
a"
Inoti
cedthatIwasstil
lonthef l
oorandmy
room wasamess, thi
ngswer eonthefloormy
bedwast urnedupsi
dedowny ouwouldswear
thataTornadowasher e.Il
ookedarounduntil
I
sawsomet hinggl
owing,itmustbetheAmul et
..
Igotupwi
thmyheadbangi
ngandIwentto
taket
heAmul
etandputi
taroundmyneck.I
l
ookedatmybr uiseandmyr i
ghtsi dewasabi t
swol lennow, iwasev enf eelingast i
nging
sensat ion.Igotmygownt henwor ei t,
i
sear chedf ort heskel et onkeyunt i
l ifoundi tand
theni wentt ot hesecr etr oom.Ent eringt he
secr etroom makesmef eel safet hat '
st heonl y
placewer et hatt hi ngcannotat tackme.I
walkedcl osert ot hepond, igott hesmal lred
stoneont hesi deandt hrewi tinsideoft he
pondwi t
ht earsst reami ngdownmycheeks.I
didn'tev enr ealizet hatt heywer ef all
ingi ntot he
wat er.Ther edl it
tlest oner epr esent slove
toget herwi tht heAmul etist heonl ywayi can
communi cat ewi thmyMot her .Isawsome
blacksmokear oundt hepondandt hent he
wat erst artedboi l
ing, fort hef i
rstt imeev er
somet hingunexpect edhappenedmyMot her
roseupf r
om t hewat erbutshedi dn'tfullycome
outoft hewat erj ustherheadandshoul der s.I
alway sseeherf acer eflectingi nt hewat erbut
todayi sawmor et hant hat..
.
Me:
Mom
Her
:Mybaby
Iwasov
erwhel
medwi
thdi
ff
erentemot
ions.
..
Her:Ohhhmypoorchildiwi
shi coul
dcomeout
ofthiswaterj
ustt
oholdyoubutunfort
unat
ely
therestofmybodyis.
.Iam st
il
lasnake
Me:
It'
sfi
ne
Her
:Noi
tsnotf
iney
ouar
est
ruggl
i
ng
Icoul
dn'
thol
dbackt
het
ear
s..
Me:
Whati
shappeni
ng?
Her
:Iguessy
oushoul
dknowt
het
rut
h
Me:
Whatt
rut
h?
Her
:Sometimesgr
eatsacr
if
icesi
nthewor
ldof
dar
knesshavet
obemade
Me:
Whatsacr
if
ices?
Her
:Formetogetmypower
s,myr
ichesandt
o
beaSomandl
akazi
i.
.
Me:
Youdi
dwhat
?
Her:Whenyouwerebor
ni..TheQueensofthe
darkworl
dmarr
iedyouofftoanenti
tynamed
Baphomet
Me:
Whoi
sthat
?Andwhoar
etheQueens?
Her:Wedon'thavemucht i
mef ortodaybut
l
isten.
.Youwer ecur
sedandt oberidofthe
caseyouwil
l needavir
gin,makesur ethev
irgin
i
ssomeonewhoi snotreli
giousorfull
ybel
ieves
i
nGod
Me:
Wher
ewi
l
lif
indav
irgi
n?
Her
:Youal
readyhav
e
Me:
Idon'
tunder
stand
Her:Iam mor
elikeyourancest
ornowi
wat
ch
yourever
ymov efr
om thi
spond
Il
ookedather
..
Her
:Yourschool
fri
endSwaypasst
hecur
seon
t
oher
Ishookmyheadno.
.
Me:
No.
..Nev
er!
Her:Youareawitch..ThenextSomandl
akazi
youhavenoconsciencegoodshouldn'
tresi
de
i
ny ou.
.youshoul
dn'tthi
nkofanyoneel
seother
t
hany oursel
f
Me:
Mom Swayi
sagoodper
son
Her
:Someti
mesl
i
fecanbeunf
air
..Swayi
syour
onl
yfr
eedom
.
Tobecont
inued
Pl
easel
i
ke&gi
vef
eedback
[
11/
13,
09:
00]Kunt
a:07
ENZO
Bul
i di
dn'
tshowupf orworktodaywhichisvery
unl
ikehershetakesherworkveryser
iouslyand
sheisoneofthebestcashier
sthatwehav e.
Sheisfri
endl
ywiththecustomersandapar t
from theconst antargument sshehaswi t
h
Sis'Queenbuthercol l
eaguesenj oywor king
wi t
hher, sheistheirvoiceofreason.May bei
wentov er boardlastnightbutshet ookof fher
clothes,shel i
ter
allygavemesi gnst hatshe
want edithenceIdi dit.Ididn'
tseeany thing
wr ongwi thitbecauset hat'
showmyoneni ght
standsar e,ifigetagirlatJozinioranycl ub
theyactual l
ygiveitupwi thoutevent hi
nki ng
twiceasl ongasy oubuyherandherf r
iends
somet hingt odri
nk.Iwaspushi ngthet roll
eyfor
Maps, shecamet odogr oceri
es..
Her
:Howi
sev
ery
thi
nggoi
ng?
Me:
Ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngf
ine
Her
:Iam gl
adt
oheart
hat
Mymindwasf arawaybutit
ri
edmybestt
o
bri
ngmyattent
iontoherwhenshesay
s
somet
hing.
.
Her
:Di
dy ouhearthaty
ourcousi
nMt
hokozi
sii
s
bei
ngr
eleasedsoon?
Me:
Icoul
dn'
tcar
eless
Her:Justpr
omisemet hatyouwon'tstar
tany
probl
emswi t
hhim heisverydanger
ousand
youseehedoesn'tevenstayfort
hatlonginj
ail
Me:Aslongashim andhi
sMot
herkeept
hei
r
di
stancet
henim good
Her:Icannotaffor
dtoloseyoui don'
twantyou
goingtojai
lbecauseofMt hokozi
siorworse
hi
m kill
ingyou,uyazi
uyahl
any a(youknowheis
crazy)
Me:
Iwon'
t
Shest
oppedandl
ookedatme.
.
Me:
What
?
Her:
Youreal
l
yneedtogetagirl
fr
iendEnzo
someonewhoisgoi
ngtogroundy ou
Me:
Thoughtweal
readybeent
hrought
his
Her
:Youhav
ebuti
hav
en'
t
Me:
Idon'
tneedagi
rl
fr
iend
Her:
Yesy oudoloveisabeauti
fulthingEnzo
andever
yonehast oexper
ienceit
.Youhav etoo
muchhate,anger
,youarestubborn,arr
ogant,
i
gnorant
Me:
Iam al
lthat
?
Her:Yesy
ouar
eandi
bel
i
evel
ovewi
l
lchange
you
Me:
ThenI
'
drat
hernotf
all
inl
ove
Shel
aughed.
.
Her:Youjusthav
en'tmetthatonegir
lbutyou
wil
lsoonandy ouwill
embr acethel
ovethat
bot
hofy ouaregoingtoshar e
Me:
Yeahr
ight
.
.
SWAZI
Ourf
ir
stclassthismorni
ngwasChemist
ry
mostofourclassmateswer
ealr
eadyher
e,now
wewer
ewai
ti
ngf
ort
her
estandt
hel
ect
urer
.
Cl
aud:
Ithi
nkiam goi
ngtoenj
oychemi
str
y
moret
hananyot
herclass
Me:Iam f
all
i
nginl
ovewi
thAnat
omyi
t'
s
st
rai
ghtf
orward
Saraenteredaswewer etalkingtodayshe
wasn'twearingal ongdressandadoek, she
waswear ingaskinnyjean,abl acklongsleev
e
tshir
tandshel etherweav espeakv olumesfor
her.Therewayt hatSaraisbeaut i
fulyoucoul
d
almostjustlookatherforthewhol eday
withoutbli
nking.
.Shespot tedusandcamet o
sitnextt
ome. .
Her
:Gi
rl
fr
iend
Me:
Heybabe
Ihuggedher
..
Me:
Lookaty
ousl
ayi
ngasal
way
s
Her
:yousl
ayt
oo
Me:
Yeahbutnotl
i
key
ou
Her
:Your
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ulSway
Me:
Thanky
ou
Shel
ookedatCl
audi
a..
Her
:Hi
Claudi
a
Shekeptqui
et.
.
Sar
a:St
il
lnott
alki
ngt
omehuh?
Claud:Justbecausemybestf
ri
enddecidedto
befri
endyoudoesn'tmeanyouandIshouldbe
fr
iendstoo
Sar
a:Oucht
hathur
t!
Il
aughed.
.
Sara:
Knowt hati
am notgoingtogiveupon
youClaudi
aonedayyouwi l
lseethatIam not
evi
l
Cl
aud:
What
everSar
ajustdon'
ttal
ktomeokay
?
Sar
a:Okay
Cl
audi
afi
xedherey
esonSar
a..
Sara:
Iam notsupposedt
otal
ktoy
oubuty
ou
canstar
eatme?
Claud:
Ist
hatanAmul
ety
ouhav
ear
oundy
our
neck?
Sar
atouchedi
t.
.
Sar
a:Yesi
tisi
am i
mpr
essedCl
audi
a
Cl
aud:
Whatdoy ouneedanAmuletfor
?Who
ar
eyoutr
yingt
oprotecty
our
sel
ffrom?
Sar
a:Act
ual
lymyMot herwasapsychi
csoi
hav
ealotofhert
hingsinmyhouse
Cl
audi
a'
sey
eswi
dened.
.
Cl
aud:
Real
l
y?
Sar
a:Yesy
oushoul
dcomeov
ersomet
imeand
see
Cl
aud:
Not
hanky
oui
l
lpass
Sar
a:Shoul
dyouchangey
ourmi
nd.
.
Cl
aud:
Ipr
obabl
ywon'
t
Sar
a:Okayt
hen
Claudi
akepthersel
fbusywithherphonewhil
e
Saraandiheldaconversat
ionj
usttal
kingabout
random st
aff
..
.
.
BULI
Mycr yi
ngwasdi stur
bedbymyphoner i
ngi ngi
checkedandi twasMyboy fr
iendi
recognizethe
l
andli
nef rom pr
ison.Icomposedmyselfand
thenpickedup..
Me:
Lov
e
Hi
m:Mbal
iyam'
(myf
lower
)
Myheartmeltswhenhecall
smet hat
,
Mthokozi
sii
severyt
hingt
hatever
yonehat
es
buthi
sloveformeisgenui
ne..
Hi
m:cav
akebay
ang'
khi
phasoon(
iam get
ti
ng
outsoon)
Isatupst
rai
ght
..
Me:
Wheni
ssoon?
Hi
m:may
bet
hisweekornextweek
Me:
Icannotwai
ttoseey
ou
Hi
m:Ei
shwenangik'
khumbul
abl
i
ndkanj
ani
(i
mi
ssyousoomuch)
Me:
Imi
ssy
oumor
e
Hi
m: howhaveyoubeen?Am i
kil
l
ingsomeone
whenIgetr
eleased?
Me:No..Bengi
z'
phet
hekahl
e(i
hav
ebeen
behav
ing)
Hi
m: That'
smygir
lmang'
phumal
angiyak'
shada
st
rai
ght(wheni
getoutofher
eiam goi
ngto
marr
yy ou)
Ichuckl
ed.
.
Me:
Ican'
twai
t
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ouNunuy
ezwa?
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Him:Youknowwegetl
i
mit
edt
imesoI
'
llcal
l
youagai
ntomor
row
Me:
Okayl
ove
Hi
m:By
e
Me:
Bye
Icannotwaitf
orhi
mtogetreleasedi
don'
t
knowifishoul
dtel
lhi
m aboutEnzoornot
..
.
Tobecont
inued
[
11/
13,
09:
01]Kunt
a:08
SWAZI
4DAYSLATER
Satur
dayfinal
lycameandi thoughtmyBrother
would'
veforgottenaboutt
hev i
rgi
nit
ytest
ing
thi
ngbuthedi dn't
,hewasstil
lver
yadamantt o
takemet here.Ther ehasbeenagr eatchange
i
nt hi
spastday s,Angi
eandMv elost
opped
fi
ghti
ngandar guingtheywer eacoupleinlove
youwoul devendenyt hattheyhadalt
ercat
ions.
Iwasgl adthatt hi
ngswer enowf i
nebetween
them becauser eall
yihatef i
ghts.
.
Iwassit
ti
ngonthebedwaiti
ngf
orClaudi
ashe
wasshoweri
ng,
i needsomemoral
support
fr
om her
..
Todaywehav i
ngabr aaiandIhaveinv
itedSar
a
tocomeov ersi
ncemeandherar enowgood
fr
iends,herandClaudiaaresti
ll
notseeingeye
toeye..
Ihear
daknockatt
hedoor
..
Me:
Comei
n
ThedooropenedandMv
elowal
kedi
n..
Hi
m:HeyKi
ddo
Me:
Hey
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandmadehi
swayt
ome.
.
Hi
m:Cani
sit
?
Me:
Yes
Hesatdownnextt
ome.
.
Me:
Claudi
aisgonnawal
kint
odr
essupso.
.
Hi
m:I
t'
sokayI
'
llbequi
ck
Me:
Okay
Him:Iknowy ouf eelli
keiam bei ngunfairto
youbutiam doingt hisbecauseIwanty out o
beabletogiveyour sel
ftoawor t
hyguy ,there'
s
vul
tur
esoutt heresomeonewhowi l
lonlysleep
wit
hy outhenmov eont othenextone.Idon' t
wantmyl i
ttl
esisterbeingat ennisballt
hat '
s
goi
ngt obebouncedar oundt othenextguy
I
twasver
yawkwardhav
ingt
hisconv
ersat
ion
wi
thhi
mi won'
tl
ie.
Hi
m:Youwi
l
lthankmeoneday
Me:
Yaasur
e
Hi
m:Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ouguy
sint
hel
ounge
Hest
oodupandwal
kedout
..
Iam nowconsi der
ingwhatAngiesaid,
Mv elo
willnott
akemeser iouslyunl
essishowhim
thatihavegrownup.It hinki
shoul
ddefini
tel
y
startdat
ingnow..
Cl
audi
awal
kedinwit
hherbodywetandat
owel
wr
appedar
oundherbody
..
Her
:Thatwasr
efr
eshi
ng
Iwasonmyphone.
.
Her
:St
il
lmadaboutt
hev
irgi
nit
ytest
ingt
hing?
Me:
It'
shumi
l
iat
ing
Her
:Iti
ssomehow.
.Gl
adi
am notav
irgi
n
Me:
sti
l
lnotget
ti
ngbackt
oget
herwi
thy
ourex?
Her
:Noi
hav
emov
edon.
.
Me:
Ihav
edeci
dedt
ost
artdat
ing
Her
:Real
l
y?
Me:
Yesi
thi
nki
am r
eady
Her
:Wel
lwhatki
ndofguy
sdoy
oul
i
ke?
Me:
Ihav
enoi
dea
Her:ShameSwayy oumakeitsoundli
kea
chore.
.It
'ssupposedtobesomet hi
ngthat'
s
spontaneousthesparkhast
obespont aneous
Me:
It'
sdat
ingCl
audi
anotr
ocketsci
ence
Her
:Ther
e'sf
eel
ingsinv
olv
ed.
.It
'sal
othar
der
t
hanyoumakeitsound
Me:
Idoubt
..Dr
essupwehav
etogo
.
.
SARA
Hav i
nghi m holdmyhandli
kethi
swasj ust
breathtakingthewayhewouldlookatmeand
thensmi lemademebl ush,wi
theveryt
hing
that'
shappeni nginmyli
fehehasbeenmyj oy
forthepastf ewdays.Si
nceouri
ncidentinthe
parkinglotthatday,
ibumpedint
ohim again
andt histi
meheaskedf ormynumber sother
thanmepay i
ngt ohavehi mfixhisphone.We
hav ebeent al
kingov erthephoneev erynight,he
woul dvideocallmeandi wouldevenfallasleep
whi l
est i
l
lont hephonewi t
hhim heisjustso
amazi ngtoputi ntowor ds.Todaywewer e
goingonourf ir
stdatei expectedhimt otake
meoutt oacl assyrestaurantyouknowt hose
typeofdat esbutheset tl
edforapinicinstead,i
thinkit'
ssweet ..
Wef oundagoodspotandil
aiddownthetowel
onthegr asswhi
l
eheheldt
hebasket,i
twasa
bi
twi ndyandmyweavewasallovermyface.
Helaughed..
Me:
What
?
Hi
m:l
etmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat
Iknel
tonthet
oweltoprev
enti
tfrom bl
owing
over,
heknel
tdowninfr
ontofmeandt r
iedto
cl
eartheweaveawayfr
om myface.
.
Hi
m:Her
e..
Ismi
l
edandl
ookeddown.
.
Me:
Blessi
ngRadebear
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
Hi
m:Wegonnabegoodi
li
ket
hewi
nd
Me:
Ify
ousayso
Blessi
ngisstudyi
ngEngineeri
ngatourcol l
ege
andhei salsoi
ntheschool'srugbyteam now
thatexpl
ainswhyheisabi tbuffedup..
Me:Sohowdi
dyoucomeupwi
tht
hepi
cni
c
i
dea?
Him:Iwantedtodosomethi
ngt
hat'
suniquenot
ever
yonegoestothepar
kandhaveapicnicas
thei
rfi
rstdat
e
Me:def
ini
telynot!Especi
all
yeat
ingf
rui
tsal
ad
t
hendowni twithgrapeti
ser
Hechuckl
ed.
.
Hi
m:andt
hat
'swhatmakest
hisdat
esospeci
al
Me:Youshoul
d'
veletmepayforyourphone
scr
eenyoucoul
d'
veusedthatmoneytotake
meoutonapr
operdat
e(sar
casm)
Hel
aughed.
.
Hi
m:Iam r
ichert
hany
out
hink
Me:
Real
l
y?
Hi
m:Yes
Het
ookouthi
sphone.
.
Hi
m:Seef
ixed
Me:
Thatwasqui
ck
Hi
m:MyDadboughtmeanewone
Me:
Youspoi
l
edar
en'
tyou?
Him:Iwi
sh.
.Heboughtmebecausehewas
buyi
ngmysibl
i
ngsthi
ngst
oo
Me:
Howmanysi
bli
ngsdoy
ouhav
e?
Hi
m:Onesi
sterandt
wobr
other
stheyt
ri
plet
s
Me:
Shuuuy
ouguy
sar
eabi
gfami
l
y
Hi
m:Youdon'
thav
esi
bli
ngs?
Me:
Unf
ort
unat
elyno
Hesatdownandil
aidmyheadonhi
sthi
ghs,
he
st
art
edplay
ingwi
thmyweave.
.
Hi
m:Yousobeaut
if
ul
Me:
Thanky
ou
Heleanedoverandki
ssedmei
putmyhand
ar
oundhisneck..
.
.
BULI
I
thasbeent woday snowsi nceMt hokozisi
was
rel
easedf
rom jai
landi haven'tseenhim asy et
becauseihavebeenbat t
li
ngwi ththenightmare
ofwhatEnzodidtome, i
thoughti twouldbe
bett
erbynowbuti tgotworseandwor se..
MySist
ernoti
cedthatmybehavi
orwasst r
ange
andworseihaven'
tshowedupforworkina
whil
esoiwasforcedtotel
lhert
hetr
uth.Ionl
y
toldherthetranspor
tleftmesoEnzoof fer
edto
givemeal if
tbuthedi dn'
tdriv
emest r
aight
homehepul l
edupatt hisdarkal
leyandr aped
me.It ot
all
yleftthepartaboutmet aki
ngof fmy
clothesandgivinghim ahandjob..
Her
:What
?Bul
iwhydi
dn'
tyousayear
li
er
Me:
Becausei
wasscar
ed
Icov
eredmyf
acewi
thmyhandswhi
l
ecr
ying.
.
Her:t
hisi
sabsur
d!Fir
stthi
ngMondaymor ning
wegoingtot
hestore.
.Unzongi
thol
akahl
e( he
wil
lknowme)
.
Tobecont
inued
Noedi
ts
[
11/
13,
09:
01]Kunt
a:09
SARA
Bl
essi
ngdroppedmeof fatmyplaceaf
tert
he
pi
cni
c,wedidn'
tchi
l
lforthatl
ongbecauseI
havetogotosomebr aait
hatSwayinvi
tedme
too.Wewerestandingnex
ttohiscarandhe
washuggingme, i
didn'
twannaletgoplushe
wassmelli
nggood..
Hi
m:Don'
tyouwantmet
odr
ivey
out
othebr
aai
?
Me:
NoI
'
llbef
ine
Hi
m:You'
l
lcal
lmewheny
ougett
her
e
Il
ookedathi
m..
Me:
Youar
esosweetandsocar
ing
Heki
ssedme.
.
Me:
Whatar
eyourpl
ansf
ort
oday
?
Hi
m:I
'
llj
ustbei
nmyf
latwi
thmyboy
swegoi
ng
t
owat
chsoccer
Me:
Thoughty
ouwer
est
il
lst
ayi
ngathome
Hi
m:Noi
am ol
dtobel
i
vingathome.
.Iam 21
Me:
Ohw.
.
Hesqueezedmycheek.
.
Hi
m:Cal
lme
Me:
Iwi
l
l
Heki ssedmeandt henwalkedaway .Thi sis
totall
ywhatIhadnotexpect ed,Blessingi s21
andi am 25suchabi gagegap.Af t
eri coul dn'
t
seehi scarany moreiwalkedinthey ard.The
fi
rstt hingi di
dwheni gotinsi
dethehousewas
togost raighttomybedroom andgett he
Amul et,iputitar
oundmyneckandt henwent
tothesecr etroom t
ot al
ktomyMot her .Ithrew
ther edst oneinthepondandaf teraf ew
secondsi sawherfacebeingrefl
ectedi nthe
wat er..
Her
:Hi
baby
..
Me:
HeyMom
Her
:Youl
ookhappyt
oday
Me:
Iam
Her
:Somet
hinggoodhappened?
Me:
Forsomeonewhocanseebey
ondhow
di
dn'
tyouseemydat
e?
Her
:Yourdat
e?
Me:
YesIam seei
ngSomeone
Her
:Sar
a..
Me:Iknowaboutthecur
seandev
ery
thingMom
butihav
efal
lenforhi
m,hei
ssuchagreatguy
Her
:Whoi
sthi
s"guy
"
Me:Bl
essingRadebe.
.HeissoogreatMom t
he
wayhelooksatme,smil
esatme..Hemakes
mefeell
ikeIam t
heonlygi
rli
nhisworl
d
Her
:Bl
essi
ngRadebe?
Me:
Youknowhi
m?
Her
:Nobutt
henamet
hinki
hav
ehear
dit
bef
ore
Me:
Wel
lhei
sagr
eatguy
Her:Thismorni
ngi coul
dn'
thav
eaconnect
ion
wit
hy ou,i
couldn'
tseeyoumoreli
kesomet
hing
wasblockingme
Me:
That
'saf
ir
st
Her:
Sarayoucannotdat
ethi
sguywhi
l
eyou
st
il
lhav
ethecurse
Me:
Iam notpassi
ngont
hecur
set
oSway
Mom
Her:Theny ouarehurt
ingy ourself.
.Your
spir
itual
husbandwi l
ltor
mentt hisguyandhe
mightev enki
ll
him,themi nutey ouandBlessing
decidetobeinti
matehei sgoingt osmellhim
offyouandy ounotgoingt oli
kewhat 'sgoingto
happen
Me:
Isn'
tther
eanot
herway
?
Her:Unfor
tunat
elynobaby.
.Youneedtopass
onthecursetosomeoneelse,aVir
ginthati
s
notstr
onginfai
th.Shewil
ltakey
ourplaceand
behiswife
Me:
Iam nott
hatev
ilMom
Her:YouarethenextSomandlakazi
Saray
ou
needtostar
ttaki
ngy ourcal
l
ingofbecomi
nga
wi
tchser
iousl
y
Me:Ihadaver
ygoodmor
ningi
am notgoi
ngt
o
l
ett
hisrui
nmymood
Istoodupandwalkedout,
locki
ngthedoor
behindme.Iwenttomyroom tochangemy
tshi
rtsot
haticangotothebraai
..
Ilookedatmy sel
fonelastt
imeinthemi r
ror
thinki
ngaboutBlessi
ngandsmi l
ingwheni fel
t
somet hi
ngaroundmyneck, i
twasl i
ke
somet hi
ngorsomeonewasst rangli
ngmei t
wasanuncomf ort
abl
eandpainfulfeel
i
ngt hatI
feltcl
awssinkingi
ndeeperint
omyski n..
.
.
BULI
Mthocall
edmeawhi leagoandtol
dmet hathe
i
sgoingtocomebyandt akemeout,honest
ly
speaki
ngiwasn'ti
nthemoodtogooutalli
wannadoistojustsl
eepall
day.MySist
erwas
sti
llmadatwhati tol
dheraboutEnzoi was
standingbythewallandlookingatherwhil
e
shewasdoi ngthelaundry,t
hewayshewas
handli
ngtheclothesicouldsensethatshewas
mad. .
Her:Yazi
ucabangaukut
hiuwubani
yena?(
who
doeshethinkheis)
Shecont
inuedwi
tht
hel
aundr
y..
Me:
Ijustt
hinkweshoul
dleav
ethemat
ter
Shepoi
ntedatmewi
thherhandf
ull
off
oam.
.
Her
:Yeywenaungang'
hl
any
isi
!(don'
tmakeme
mad)
Shecl
i
ckedhert
ongue.
.
Me: Enzohasmoneyhewi llgetagoodl awyer
whoi sprobabl
ygoingtomakehi m winthe
case,plusther
e'snoevidence.Ithappeneda
fewday sagoi haveal
readybat heandheused
acondom. .
Her
:Yazi
uyi
sil
i
maBuy
i!Idenyt
haty
ouar
emy
Mother
'schil
dri
ghtnow!Yesesuy
isi
l
ima(
You
ar
estupid)
.
.
SWAZI
Unf or t
unat elyformybr ot herwedi dn'tfindt
he
womanshehadgonedownt oKwaZul u-Nat
al
forherDaught er'
sUmemul o.Wedr ov eback
homeandt her ewasaf ewguest salreadyfor
thebr aai.Oneguesti npar t
icularcaughtmy
attent ion,someguywhowashel pingmy
Brot hert obr aaimeat .Ihav enev erlookedata
guyt hiswaybef ore,ev erythingabouthi m
seemedt obebr eatht aking.Icl oselylookedat
him ashi sl i
pswer emov ing,hisshal l
owsmi l
e,
therewayhewasst andi ng, therewayheused
handgest uresi j
ustcoul dn'tstopst arri
ngat
him. .
Voi
ce:
For
geti
thei
snoty
ourt
ype
Thev
oicemademej
umpal
i
ttl
e..
.
I
twasAngi
e..
Me:
What
?
Her
:Enzo.
.For
geti
thei
snoty
ourt
ype
If
akedasmi
l
e..
Me:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Shegav
emeasi
desmi
l
e..
Her
:Enzoi
snoty
ourt
ypet
rustme
Shewal
keduptot
hem wi
that
rayt
hathad
spi
cedmeat
..
.
Tobecont
inued
[
11/
13,
09:
03]Kunt
a:10
SWAZI
I
twasnowget ti
ngabitl
ateandSarawasstil
l
nothereasyetshedi
dn'
tevencal
lortextme
thatshewasn'
tcominganymor
e.Ithi
nkitwas
abitr
udef
rom hersi
deifshedi
dn'
twanna
comesheshoul
d'vesai
dso.
Myat tenti
onhasalway sbeenonmyBr ot
her
's
fr
iend,ishowedupev erywherewher
ehewas
j
usttol ookathim hefasci
natedmeal ot
.
Claudi
aandi haven'tspokenshewasbusy
entert
ainingt
heguest swit
hherret
arded
psychictheor
ies.
.
Iwasstandingbythegateget
ti
ngsomef r
esh
ai
randalsoseei fSar
awasgoingtoshowupi
di
dn'tf
eell
ikebeingindoor
sanymoreoratthe
backofthey ar
dbecauseiwasn'
tseei
ngmy
brot
her'
sfri
endany more.
It
ookoutmyphonefrom mypocketandtext
ed
Sar
a" Ar
eyousti
ll
coming"i
stoodther
eand
wait
edforhert
orepl
y.
.
Aft
erafewminutesofstandi
ngthereist
art
ed
smell
ingacol
ogne,itsmel
tniceandtheni
hear
dav oi
cebehindme..
Voi
ce:
Iam noty
ourt
ype
Islowlytur
nedaroundandi
twasmyBr ot
her'
s
fr
iendmykneesst art
edget
ti
ngweak,myheart
start
edbeatingf
astseei
nghim st
andi
ngthat
muchcl osetome.Hewasmor ehandsomeup
cl
ose..
Me:
Excuseme?
Heputhi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
s..
Hi
m:Youhav
ebeenst
alki
ngmesi
nce.
.
Hegothi
shandoutandl
ookedathi
swrist
wat
ch,
itwast
hesamecolourashi
ssneakers.
.
Hi
m:Thi
nkf
oraf
ewhour
snow
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ngabout
Her
aisedhi
sey
ebr
owandl
i
ckedhi
slowerl
i
p..
Hi
m:Real
l
y?
Hewasmakingmefeelsomet y
peofway,i
l
ookedaway
.Hesli
ghtl
ybrushedmylowerl
ip
wi
thhist
humb,i
gotgoosebumps..
Hi
m:Theni
t'
sgoodt
haty
ouwer
enotchecki
ng
meout
Me:
Yesi
wasn'
t
Hi
m:Becausei
don'
tdoki
ds
Me:
Andi
don'
tdoadul
ts
Hel
aughedandr
ubbedhi
snoseBr
idge.
.
Isawsomegi
rlappr
oachi
ngus.
.
Her
:Enzo!
Het
urnedandl
ookedather
..
Shewashol
dingagl
assofwi
ne.
Her
:Iwonder
edwer
eyoudi
sappear
edt
oo
Shestoodnexttohi
m andheputhi
sar
m
aroundhershoul
der
s..
Her
:Hey
Me:
Hi
Her
:Sowhat
'sgoi
ngonher
e?
Enzo:not
hingi
cameoutf
orabl
untandshe
i
nvadedmyspace.
.
Myey
eswi
dened.
.
Her
:Real
l
y?
Enzol
ookedatmewi
thasmi
rkonhi
sface.
.
Her:
Real
ly.
.It
hinkshehasoneoft
hosel
i
ttl
e
st
upidcr
ushesonme
Shel
aughed.
.
Her
:Shameso"
sweet
"
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osaybecausei
don'
tl
ike
conf
ront
ati
ons.
.
Her
:Foodi
sready
Hi
m:Iam comi
ng
Shel
ookedatmef
rom head-
to-
toe
Her
:I'
l
lgobacki
n
Shecat
walkedherwaybacki
ntot
hehouse.He
l
ookedatmeandwi nked.
Hi
m:st
opst
alki
ngme
Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
,ist
ood
t
her
eal
ldumbf
ounded.
.
Me:
Whatt
hehel
lj
usthappened?
.
.
BULI
Mthot ookmeoutt osomepub&gr i
ll
sot hatwe
canhav esomet hingtoeatandspendsome
ti
met ogether.Hewasdr i
nki
ngcastl
elit
eandI
wasdr inki
ngHunt er'
sgold,t
herewasmeatand
rol
lsont hetablewewer esit
tingonthecouch
andhewaswat chingthegame..
Hi
m:kant
iZkhi
phani
?(what
'
sgoi
ngon)
Il
ookedathi
m..
Me:
Huh?
Hi
m:Nunuzay
ouhav
ebeenqui
et
Me:
Sorryj
ustt
hatmySi
sterandi
foughtt
his
mor
ning
Hi
m:why
?
Me:
Aghy
ouknowhowGci
nai
sli
ke
Hi
m:Thendon'
tl
ett
hisaf
fectourni
ght
Me:
Sor
ry
Heki
ssedmeonmycheek.
.
Isawsomeguywav
ingathi
m..
Hi
m:Letmeat
tendhi
m..Ngi
yeza(
iam comi
ng)
Hest
oodupandwal
kedaway
..
.
.
SWAZI
Saraonl
yshowedupwheni wasaboutt
ogoi
n,
shehadascarfar
oundherneck.
.
Her
:Heysor
ryi
am l
ate
Shehuggedme,Ial
sonoti
cedthatherey
es
wereabitr
edandswol
lenli
keshehadbeen
cr
ying.
.
Her
:Iwashel
dup.
.Unf
ort
unat
elymydat
e
endedl
ate
Ialsonoti
cedt
hatshehadanunusual
fishy
disgust
ingsmel
laswehugged.
.
Her
:Buti
am her
enow
If
akedasmi
l
e..
Me:
Whyt
hescar
f?I
t'
snotr
eal
l
ythatcol
dhey
Shetouchedi
tandigotagl
i
mpseoft
her
ed
brui
sesonherneck.
.
Her
:It
houghti
twoul
dgogoodwi
thmyout
fi
t
Me:
Isee
Her
:shal
lwe?
Me:
Yawhynot
Wewal kedintothehousewi t
hmebusyasking
my sel
fifsheisabusedornot .
.Sheaskedmeif
wecangot omybedr oom shesaidshewasn'
t
i
nt hemoodf oracrowd.Idirectedhert
omy
room,iremainedatthekit
chent odishupf
or
us..
Enzowal
kedinfr
om thel
oungehemakesme
real
l
yner
vousidon'
twannali
e..
Hedidn'
tsayany
thi
nghewal keduptothe
ki
tchendoor
,heopenedbutdidn'
twal
kout..
Hi
m:Youchecki
ngmeoutagai
n
Iqui
ckl
ywentbackt
odi
shi
ngup.
.
Hewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoor
,iputmy
handonmychestandexhaled.
.
.
.
BLESSI
NG
Myf r
iendsjustleftaboutanhouragoandIwas
busytidyi
ngupt hrowingempt ybott
lesofbeers
i
nt hebinandal sotakingtheplat
estothesink.
Ikeptonlookingatmyphonehopi ngthatSara
wouldcallortext,butnothing.
.
Wheniwasabouttogobacktotheloungea
pl
atef
ell
,if
oundthatst
rangebecausei
twas
i
nsidethesi
nk.Ilookedati
tforawhil
ewheni
sawashadowj ustpassi
ng,thi
swasv er
yweir
d
somethingl
i
kethishasneverhappenedbef
ore.
.
Iwentt
otheloungeandgotmyphonet
ocal
l
myDad,heanswered.
.
Hi
m:Boy
Me:
Pops
Hi
m:Howar
eyou?
Me:
Goodi
guess.
.Andy
ou?
Hi
m:Youguess?
Me:Idon'
tknowi
fim ov
err
eact
ingbuti
thi
nki
sawashadowpassi
ngintheki
tchen
Him:f
unnybecauseiwasaboutt
ocal ly
ou.
.I
di
dseethatyouareaboutt
obeattackedbya
demon
Me:
What
?
Him:
Blessi
ngthere'
ssomeonewhoi
scl
oset
o
yout
hatcar
riesheavyev
il
If
oundt
hatst
range.
.
Me:Idon'
tknowbecausei
sti
l
lhav
ethesame
f
ri
endsnothi
ngisnew
Hi
m:It
hinki
shoul
dcomeandsee
Me:
Popscomeoni
thi
nky
ouov
err
eact
ing
Hi
m:Bl
essi
ngt
hisi
sser
ious
Me:
Cani
tal
ktoMom?
Hekeptqui
ett
henaf
termyMom wasont
he
phone.
.
Mom:
Hel
l
oBokki
e..
Me:
Mom
Mom:
Howar
eyouCupcake?
Me:
Goodandy
ou?
Mom:
Iam f
inei
justmi
ssmybaby
Me:
Mom.
.Iam 21
Mom:
Sowhat
?Youst
il
lmybaby
Me:
Notany
mor
e
Mom:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?
Me:
Justchi
l
li
ngwaswi
thmyf
ri
ends
Mom:
Whenar
eyouv
isi
ti
ng?
Me:
Mom i
wast
her
eaf
ewday
sago
Mom:
buti
missy
ouBl
ess.
.
Me:Iwil
lcome.
.Pl
usi
wanty
out
omeet
someone
Mom:
"Someone"
Me:
Ihav
eagi
rl
fr
iend
(
Sil
ence)
Me:
Nol
o?
Mom:
Agi
rl
fr
iend?
Me:
Yes
Mom:
Soundsser
ious
Me:
Ithi
nki
tis
Mom:
Wel
liwoul
dli
ket
omeether
Me:
Thanky
oubutdon'
ttel
lZai
ne
Mom:
Why
?
Me:Hehasstar
tedsayi
ngiam goi
ngtobe
demonatt
ackedidon'
twanthi
mf r
eaki
ngout
mygir
lf
ri
end
Mom:
IfDadsay
sthatt
heni
t'
str
ue
Me:Mom Pleasecani
justdateagi
rlwi
thout
herknowi
ngwhomypar entsare
Mom:
Arey
ouembar
rassed?
Me:Noijustdon'
twantmygir
lf
riendbei
ng
i
nti
midat
edt hatmyf
atheri
sZaineRadebeor
dat
emebecauseoft hat
Mom:
Okayt
henwewi
l
ltal
kmor
e
Me:
Okay
Mom:
Ilov
eyoubaby
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo
.
Tobecont
inued