°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°

01
Isati
ntheroom.If
eltmyheadgodizzyandfel
t
l
ikeIwasgonnavomit.NoIwasn'
tcr
azy.I
'm
butcr
azy
Isai
dthatcont
inuousl
yinmyhead.Iscr
eamed
i
nanger.No.Pl
ease
Isawherwalki
ngt
owar
dsmeandIcr
iedasshe
camecloser
.
"Noooo!
!!
!"
Shesmi
l
edatmeanddi
sappear
edagai
n.
Iwasalonei
nthatroom.Ther
ewasat i
ny
windowandali
ttl
ebed,andabucket
Il
ookedatmy
sel
fint
hel
i
ttl
ebr
okenmi
rr
or
pr
ovi
ded
Il
ookedhor
ri
ble.
Iscr
eamedandhi
tmyheadont
hemi
rr
or.If
elt
t
hebl
oodr
unacr
ossmyf
ace.
I
'
m notcr
azy
.
I
'
m not.Iscr
eamedagai
nanddi
tmyheadon
t
hefl
oor.
.
.
ROMEO
"Nat
hanwegoi
ngt
obel
ate."
Iwasi
ntheki
tchenl
ooki
ngupst
air
s.
"I
'
m comi
ngBr
o"
Hecamei
nrunni
ngwi
thhi
ssoccerki
tbagand
abal
l.
hi
m:I
'
m her
e
HehadgrownsomuchafterMom' sdeat
h.I
havebeenl
ooki
ngaf
terhi
m since.I
t'
sbeen10
year
s.
Hewas10nowandI
'
m 27y
ear
s.
Ky
il
eisi
nvar
sit
ydoi
ngherl
asty
ear
.
Ir
ubbedhi
shai
randpl
ayf
ulpunchedhi
m.
Heranaroundt
hecount
erwi
thmer
unni
ng
af
terhi
m.
me:
Goty
a.
Hel
aughedasIti
ckl
edhim.Ist
oppedwhenI
r
eal
i
zedwer eal
l
ylat
eforhi
ssoccerpr
act
ise.
Wedrovetothesoccerpr
act
isesi
l
ent
lyunt
ilhe
br
okethesil
ence
hi
m:Wheni
npopscomi
ngback?
Il
ookedathi
mthenf
ocusedont
her
oad.
Ki
ngl
eftSout
hAf
ri
caandwentt
oLondonaf
ter
Mom'
sdeath.
me:
Soon
hi
m:Ican'
twai
ttoseehi
m.
Nat
hanhasnev
ermetKi
ng.
If
akedasmi
l
edt
henf
ocusedont
her
oadagai
n.
WhatNat hanactual
l
ysai
dmademethi
nkof
Lubabal
o.Tot hi
nkI'
veal
sonev
ermetmyf
ather
.
Ithur
ts.
Howsel
fi
shhewas.
Hewasn'
tev
enatMom'
sfuner
al.
Howsel
fi
shofhi
m.
Whenwegottothepracti
seanddr
oppedhi
m
of
f.Hewasonlyf
ini
shingat5andi
twasonly1.
SoIdeci
dedt
ogot otheoffi
ce.
"MrMat
thews.
"
Thatwast
her
ecept
ioni
st
me:
Hel
l
oTi
na.
Ismi
l
edandwal
kedaway
.
Igoti
ntheoff
iceandJessi
ca,
myPAwason
thephone.
Inoddedasshewav
esherhad
Ist
art
edget
ti
ngsomewor
kdone
Itwassur
elyabusydaybecauseIonl
ylef
t
workat7,
IaskedKyi
leto
f
etchNat
hanf
rom hersoccerpr
act
ise.
Arri
vinghomeKyi
leandNat
hanwer
eset
ti
ng
thetablef
ordi
nner
me:
Eveni
ng
t
hem :
Hey
Iwalkedupstai
rst
otakeaqui
ckshowerand
ever
y t
hing.
"Thi
sTast
e'sgood"
I
treall
ydid.Kyi
l
ecooksi
nthehousesi
nce
Gl
oriaresi
gned.
her:
Don'
tyout
hinki
t'
sti
meweseeI
sabel
l
a?
Il
ookedathert
henf
ocusedonmyf
ood
me:
Noi
t'
snott
ime
her:
Whynot?I
t'
sbeen10y
ear
s.
Ist
oodupandl
ookedather
me:
Isai
dI'
m Notr
eady!
Thenl
eftt
her
unni
ngr
oom.
.
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
02
I
'
m notcr
azy
.
I
'
m notcr
azy
.
Iwokeupi
nbed.Myheadwasheav
y
If
eltmyheadandi
thadabandage.
Ifel
tbet
tert
oday
.Il
i
eddownandIsawf
lash
backsagai
n.
Isawherhangi
ngf
rom t
hecei
l
ing.Thebaby
cryi
ng.
Iwant
edt
ocr
y.
Ial
sohadsuici
dalthought
s.Iqui
ckl
ysatupand
cl
earedmythroat
.
Mydooropenedandanur
secame.
Nur
se:
Goodmor
ningMi
ssMat
thews.
me:
Oh,
hi
her:Howar ey
ouf eel
i
ng?Her
e'sy
our
breakf
astandpil
l
s
me:
Thanky
ou.
It
ooki
tandat
e.Shedi
dn'
tmove.Shewat
ched
measIat
eanddrankmypi
ll
s.
her:
You'
resoy
oungandbeaut
if
ul
Ismi
l
ed
me:It
'sbeen10y
ear
sandIhav
en'
tseent
he
wor
ld.
Il
ookeddown
her:
Don'
twor
ry.You'
l
lgetbet
ter
Ismi
l
ed
her:
Youhav
eav
isi
tor
Iwasshocked.
me:
Idon'
twantt
oseet
hatper
son
her:
Whynot?
me:
Aft
ert
eny
ear
s?Onl
yaf
ter10y
ear
s
her:
Please.Sher
eal
l
ywant
stoseey
ou
Il
ookeddown.
Shebeggedunt
ilIagr
eed.
Iwal
keddownt
hehal
l
.Iwal
kedsl
owl
y.
I
twasmyfir
stti
meaf
tert
eny
ear
swal
ki
ng
downt
hathal
lway
Ilookedar
oundwhenIgottothev
isi
ti
ngar
ea.I
l
ookedtoseeifIr
ecogni
sedsomeone.
Ky
il
e.
Shest
oodupandwav
ed
Iwal
kedt
oher
Shesmi
l
edandIsawt
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngherey
es.
me:
Hi
her:I'
m sor
ry.Iwouldhavecameear
li
erbut
Romeowoul dn'tal
lowme.Hedoesn'
tknowI'
m
here.I
'
m sosor ryI
sabel
la
Shesai
dmyname.Itwasthef
ir
stti
meaf
tert
en
year
shear
ingsomeonesaymyname.
Iwatchedherasshecr
iedsi
l
ent
ly.Isai
d
not
hingatall
.
Her:
I'
m sosor
ry.It
rul
yam
Il
ookeddownandt
het
ear
sfel
l
me: Youknowseeingherhangi ngfr
om that
ceil
ingmademeweak.Isuf f
erfrom depr
ession
becauseofwhatIsawt hatday.Icutandhit
my selfonwall
severyday,youknowwhy?
BecauseIdon'twanttot hi
nkaboutit.Howher
babycr i
edther
eont hebedasshehangt here.
Ithurt
Ist
oppedandl
ookedup
me: Isaweveryt
hing.10year
s.Fort
eny
ears
nobodycamet ovisi
tme.Nobodycametosee
howI'm copi
nginthishel
l
.
Shecr
ied.
me:
Leav
e
her:
ButI
sa-
me:
Leav
e
Shest
oodupandhel
dmyhand.
her:
Ilov
eyouI
sabel
l
a
Shet
henwal
kedaway
.
.
NKOSI
NATHI
Iwentoutf
orf
reshai
raf
terwor
kingmyassof
f.
Ideci
dedtogotohomeandbeal
one.Iwor
ked
enoughfort
heday.
Idr
ovehomel
i
steni
ngt
o'Amal
obol
o'
"Ngi
zal
aneZi
ntombi
zodwa.
"
Isangal
ongal
lthewayhome.
Li
vingal
onereall
ysucked.Ther
ewasnot hi
ngto
do.Iwentupstai
rst
otakeaquickshowerthen
wenttothekit
chentomakeaqui cksandwi
ch
Myhel
per
,Gl
ady
swasonsi
ckl
eav
e
Iat
eanddr
anksomeHei
neken.
"NKOSI
NATHI!
!"
Ist
oodupandwentt
othedoor
.Iknewitwas
mom.Sheli
vesi
nKZNwithdadandI'
minCape
Townforwor
k.
Iopenedthedoorandbentt
ohugher
.Inst
ead
shekissedmycheeks.
her:
Mnt
awananami
(Mychi
l
d)
me:
Mama(Mom )
her:
Ujani
?Awusaf
uni
ukuzaekhay
awena
(Howareyou?Youdon'
twantt
ovi
sit
/come
homeanymore)
Il
aughedandpi
ckedherbagsf
orher
.
her:
Ungahl
eki
(Don'
tl
augh)
Shefol
l
owedmet
otheki
tchen.Sheopeneda
fewpots
her:
Uphekeni
(Whatdi
dyoucook)
me:
Angi
phekanga(Idi
dn'
tcook)
Shel
ookedatmet
heopenedt
hef
ri
dge
me:
Angi
naskhat
i(Inev
erhav
eti
me)
her:Kwamel
eut
hol
eumf
azi
keh!(Thengeta
wif
e.)
me:
I'
m notr
eady
her:
Asaziuy
ihl
ouzont
hini
(Iwonderwhaty
our
dadwil
lsay)
me:
Hai
imama
Iwal
kedt
othel
oungeandwat
chedsome
f
oot
bal
lwhi
l
eshedi
dthecooki
ng
I
'm Nkosi
nathi
Stembi
soKhumal
o.I
'
m 35y
ear
s
ol
dandt hi
sismystor
y
.
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
03
NATHI
Mom hasbeenonmychaseaboutf indi
nga
wif
e.Iseri
ousl
ydon'twantone.IknowI'
m not
get
tinganyyoungerbutI
'
m notready.
YesIhavemybasicbi
tchesbutI'
ll
neverwi
fe
them.Theyj
ustaf
termymoney .Iwant
someonewhowi l
ll
ovemenotmymoney .
YeaI
'
m awel
lknownbusi
nessman,
sowhat?
Iwasatwor
kdaydr
eami
ng.
"Nkosi
nat
hi!"
Il
ookedupandi
wasshockedt
oseeNandi
.
Shelookedbeauti
fulf
rom thelastti
meIsaw
her.Nandii
smyhi ghschoolgirl
fr
iend.I
cheatedonherinourmatri
cy earandInever
sawheragain.
Shest
oodt
her
e.
Shehadabodyofamodel.Heraf
rowasneat
ly
combesupandsher
evi
ledherperf
ectt
eet
has
shesmil
ed.
me:
Nandi
?
her:
Nkosi
nat
hi.
me:
Howdi
d-.Wai
tist
hisr
eal
l
yyou?
Shesmi
l
edandcameov
ert
ohugme.
her:
I'
m sogl
adt
oseey
ou
me:Ihav
en'
tseeny
ousi
ncet
hedaywebr
oke
up
her:
ThedayIr
egr
et.
Il
ookedather
,mer
elysur
pri
sed
me:
Regr
et?
her:
Nkosi
I'
veal
wayslovesy
ou.Youknowt
hat
.
YouknowwhenwebrokeupIwashurt
.
me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
her:
Imi
ssy
ou.Imi
ssedy
ouev
ery
day
me:
Nandi
aft
er17y
ear
s.
Shel
ookeddownt
henupagai
n.
her:
Ist
il
ll
ovey
ou
Iwal
kedt
omydoorandcl
osedi
t.
me:Nandil
ookI
'
vemov
edon.Thoseday
swer
e
l
onggone.
her:
Let
'sbr
ingt
hem back
me: Nandii
twasni
ceseei
ngy
ouagai
nbutI
'
ve
gotworktodo.
Shedugi
nhernagandt
ookoutacar
d.
her:
Cal
lmewheny
ouchangey
ourmi
nd
Sheputt
hecar
dont
het
abl
eandl
eft
.
Nandi
hadal
waysbeenl
i
ket
his.Want
ingt
hings
t
obedoneherway.
Reason'
sIbr
okeupwi
thher
.
Youseeicouldn'
tbewit
hher.Ial
sowantt hi
ngs
tobedonemyway .I
'
m athugandit
'salways
beeni
nmybl oodsoIcan'tbecont
roll
edbya
woman
I
fthathadtohappenshewoul
dseet
hesi
deof
Shadow.Therealsi
deofme
Ineededabr
eakf
rom t
heof
fi
cesoIwentout
forl
unch.
AndNandi
wasal
lIcoul
dthi
nkof
.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Ir
anoutoft
heHospi
tal
.Yes,
Iranaway
.Iwas
st
il
li
nmyugl
ybi
gov
eral
l
sandIwasbar
efoot
.
Ther
ehadbeenainci
denti
nthehospi
tal
andI
managedt
oescape.
Iwasrunni
ng.Ididn'
tknowwhereIwasrunni
ng
to.Iwascr
yingandmyf eetwer
eburni
ng.
Imi
stakenl
yrani
ntosomeone.I
twasahuge
manprobabl
yinhi
slate20'
sorear
ly30'
s.
Hewasdr
essedf
ormal
l
y.
hi
m:Youshoul
dwat
chwer
eyou'
regoi
ng.
Oureyeslookedforasecondt
henIr
anagai
n
unt
ilIst
opped.Ididn'
tknowwher
eIwas.
Isatonat
inyr
ockandcr
ied.
HowdidIgethere?10yearsagoIwasamodel
and3r
dyearstudenti
nVarsit
y.
Howf
unnyl
i
fei
s.
.
.
NANDI
Afterseei
ngNkosi
nat
hiIleftt
ogohome.Iwas
tooobsessedwit
hNkosi.I'
vealwaysl
ovedhim
butI'
m marri
ednowandIhav e2kids.Butdamn
Nkosi.
Il
ovedhi
m.
Iwal
kedslowl
ydownt hepassagetomy
bedr
oom andchangedintosomethi
ngmore
comfor
tabl
ebutallIcoul
dthinkofwasNkosi
.
Heishandsome.Tal
l
,darkandmuscular
.Hi
s
Colognehadal
waysbeenthesamesincehi
gh
school.
Hehadst
ronghandsanygi
rlwoul
ddi
efor
.
I
nhi ghschoolever
ygir
lwarnedhim buthewas
roughatt i
mes.Nkosi
iseverygi
rl
'
sdr eam.He
hasn'tchangeandhesti
ll
lookedli
kehis20.
Damny
ouNkosi
nat
hi.Damny
ou.
WhydoIhav
etol
ovey
ousomuchev
enwhen
I
'
m mar
ri
ed.?why?
I
'
m Nandi
Thabi
l
eDumaandt
hisi
smyst
ory
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
04
NANDI
Iwasi
nLunga'
sarmsinourki
ngsi
zedbed.My
mindwasel
sewher
e.
Wehadjustmadel ovebutal
lIcoul
dthi
nkof
wasNkosi.Howhel ookedatmewhenhetook
myvigi
nit
y.Hishetookapartofme.Howwe
l
ovedeachother.
Ismi
l
edal
oneasIt
houghtofhi
m.
Lungal
ookedatmeandr
eal
i
zedIwassmi
l
ing
hi
m:Babyy
ou'
resmi
l
ing
me:
Iknow.I
'
mjustt
hinki
ngofy
ou
Ihadtol
ie.Hedidn'
tdeser
vetoknowaboutmy
dir
tyt
houghts.Ismi
ledathi
m andki
ssedhi
s
cheek.
Lungahadthemostbeaut
if
uley
esandt
he
fi
nestsmi
le.
hi
m:Mybaby
.ReasonswhyImar
ri
edy
ou
me:
Ilov
eyou
hi
m:Il
ovey
out
oobaby
Heki
ssedmyfor
eheadandal
l
owedmet
orest
onhi
schest
Suchadar
li
ng.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Iwal
keddownt
hest
reet
.Itwasdar
kanddul
l
.
Every
oneseemedt oknowt
heirf
inal
desti
nat
ion.
Il
ookedaroundanditwasver
ybusy.Iwasst
ill
baref
ootandabitcol
d.
Isawagr
oupofki
dsdr
inki
ngbeer
.Il
ooked
aroundagai
nandIcouldn'
tfi
ndanyoneIknow.
Iwalkeddownthenheardsomeonesaymy
name.
It
urnedar
oundandi
twasSi
ndy
Thegirl
whowor ksatt
heMent
alHospi
tal
.She
i
sprobablyi
nher30'
sormyage.
Shewasqui
etshockedt
oseeme
her:
Isabel
l
awhyy
ou'
reher
e?
Youescaped
Il
ookeddown.
me:
Sindy-
her:
Nodon'
tsayany
thi
ng.Let
'
sgot
omyf
lat
.
Shehel
dmyhandandwest
art
edwal
ki
ng
her:
Isabel
l
ait
'sv
erydanger
ousher
e
me:
Iknow.I
'
m sor
ry
her:
It'
sokay
.
Wewalkedsi
l
entl
ydowntheroad.Al
lwecoul
d
hearwer
evoi
cesofot
herpeopl
e
Wefi
nal
l
yf ort
oafewflat
sint
hatar
e.They
wer
epai
ntedwithacr
eam whi
tecol
our
her:
Goi
n
Iwalkedinandlookedar
ound.I
twascl
eanand
ver
yor gani
sed
me:
Nicef
lat
her:
Thankyou.Let
'sgetyouint
oawarm bat
h
andwhi
leyoubathI
'l
lprepar
esomet
hingtoeat
me:
Thanky
ouSi
ndy
Sheshowedmetot
hebat
hroom andl
eftt
o
makeusfood.
It
ookalongshower
.WhenIwasf
inal
l
ydoneI
dr
iedmybody
me:
Sindy
her:
I'
m assumi
ngy
ouneedcl
othes
Shedi
sappearedint
oaroom t
hencameback
wit
hapairofpyjamas
her:
Her
eyougo
me:
Whyy
ou'
redoi
ngt
hisf
orme?
her:
BecauseIl
i
key
ou
Wi
tht
hatsai
dshel
eft
.
Igotdr
essed.Thepy
jamaswer
eabi
tti
ghtbut
theydi
dfi
t.
her:
Whydi
dyour
unaway?
Wewerei
nthel
oungeeat
ingSpaghet
tiand
mi
nce.
me:
It'
shor
ri
blet
her
e
her:Iknowbuti
twasn'
tnecessar
yforyout
o
runaway.Youcoul
dhavebeencaught
Il
ookeddown
her:Youcanst
aywi
thmeandI
'
llhel
pyouf
ind
ajobsomewhere
me:
Real
l
y?
her:Isabel
l
aIlostmyhusbandandt wokidsas
wellasmysi st
eri
nacaraccidentt
woy ears
ago.Ineedsomeone.AndI'
m happyIgoty ou.
Isawt
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngherey
es
me:
I'
mtr
ulysor
ry
her:
It'
sokay
Weshar
edahugandat
eov
eral
i
ghtconv
o.
Thi
swast
hest
artofanewchapt
er.Ihadt
o
makei
twor
k
.
.
NATHI
Imademyownf
oodsi
ncemom hadl
eft
.
Isati
nfrontoft
heTVwi
thbot
tl
eofHei
neken
andfood.
I
'
m at
ypi
cal
Zul
umansomeatwaswhatIat
e
ever
yday.Ihadj
ustcamebackf
rom meet
ing
thegent
sf r
om t
heforce
"NKOSI
NATHI!
!!
!!"
Someonekeptbangi
ngonmydoor
Iopenedandi
twasNandi
me:
Howdi
d-
Sheclosedmymouthwitht
heti
pofherf
inger
andtookofft
hecoatshewaswear
ing
Damn.
Herbodywasrevealedandshewaswear
inga
bl
ackli
nger
iewit
hr edheel
s.
Shet
ookast
epbackandl
ookedatme
Shet
henki
ssedmeandIr
esponded.
Theki
sswasr
ough,
longandpassi
onat
e
Nextt
hingwewereonmybedandIwasont op
ofher
.Herl
inger
iewasoffandIwasnaked.I
i
nsert
edacondom thenwenti
nwithouta
war
ning.
Amoanescapedhermout
h
ShegroanedandmoanedasIwentdeeperand
fast
er.
Icoll
apsedont
opofheraf
terourst
eamy
sessi
on
me:
Damn
her:
Ilov
eyou
Igotof
fherasIcaughtmybr
eat
h
me:
Goshower
Iworemyadidasshor
tsandwentdownst
air
s
foranot
herHei
neken
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
05
NATHI
IdrankthemyHeineken.Iwait
edf
orNandito
fi
nishshower
ing.Shewast al
ki
ngl
ong.Iwanted
heroutofmyhouse.
Ihear
dfoot
stepscomi
ngf
rom t
hest
air
s
her:
BabyI
'
m done.
Il
ookedather
.
me:
I'
m noty
ourbaby
.You'
remar
ri
ed
her:
But-
me:
Gogety
ourcoat
.I'
l
ldr
opy
ouof
fathome.
her:
Act
ual
l
yIcamewi
thmycar
me:
Great
.Youknowt
hewayt
othedoorkesi
s.
Iwal
kedawayandwentt
omakeaf
ewphone
cal
l
s.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Iwokeupt henextmor
ningandwentstr
aightt
o
theki
tchen.Si
ndywasnowheret
obef ound.
Shel
eftal
i
ttl
enot
eont
hef
ri
dge
"Morni
ngI
sabel
la.Ial
readyl
eftforwor
k.Il
eft
youR200i
ncasey ouneedanythi
ng.
Seey
oul
ater
.
Si
ndy
."
Iopenedt
hef
ri
dget
olookf
orbr
eakf
astandi
t
wasdry.
Iwenttochangeint
oclot
hesSindyhadputon
thebedr
oom couch.Iwashedmyfacethen
wentouttobuyfoodIcouldeat
.
Iboughtbread,eggsandmil
kandabarof
chocolat
e.Iwalkedbackt
othefl
att
henmade
myselfbreakf
ast.
Aft
erbreakf
astIwat
chedTVunt
ilIgotbor
ed.I
deci
dedtogobacktobedsi
nceIhadnothingt
o
do.
.
.
NANDI
Nkosicanbever
yrude.Whathedi
dlastni
ght
wasnoton.DoesheevenrememberI'
m hi
s
f
ir
stlove.
Iguessnot
Iwokeupthenextmorni
ngandgotr
eadyfor
work.Theki
dshadal
readyl
eftwi
tht
hei
rfather
soIwasalone.
Iwentdownstai
rsf
orbr
eakfastt
hendeci
dedt
o
cal
lNkosi
.Ihadtoconf
ronthim.
Hisphoner
angaf
ewt
imesandagi
rlpi
ckedi
t
up.
v
oice:
Hi.Whoam It
alki
ngt
o?
Ii
mmediatel
yhungupandcont
inuedwi
thmy
br
eakf
ast.
Howcoul
dhedot
hist
ome?
NkosiandIl
ovedeachother.Watreal
l
y
happened?Wheredidoutlovego.?
Il
ostmyappeti
tei
mmedi
atel
ysoIdeci
dedt
o
l
eaveforwor
k.
.
.
ROMEO
Ihadrecei
vedacall
from t
heMent
alHospi
tal
tel
li
ngmeI sabel
l
aescaped.
Wher
ecoul
dshepossi
blybe?
Sheknewnoonebesi
desusbutshedi
dn'
t
comehomelastni
ght
.
Iwasworri
edabouther.Imayhav
enotv i
sit
ed
heratt
hehospi
talbutIsti
l
llov
edherandshe's
sti
l
lmysist
er.
Isatont
hecouchandt
houghtwher
eshecoul
d
be.
"Romeo!"
I
twasKy
il
e
her:
Ihear
dthenews.
me:
I'
m wor
ri
edKy
il
e
her:
Itol
dyouweshouldhav
etakenI
sabel
l
a.
Shewoul
dbesaf
ewi t
hus.
Shesatdownandcr
ied
me:
I'
m sor
ryKy
il
e.
her:
Ifany
thi
nghappenstoher
.You'
reno
l
ongermybrot
her
.I'
ll
hateyouRomeo
Iwat
chedasshest
ormedoutt
her
oom
Thi
swasamess.
.
Iknowi
t'
sshor
tI'
m busy
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
06
I
SABELLA
Af
ewweekshadpassedandIwasst
il
lst
ayi
ng
wi
thSindy.Shehadgott
enmeaj obandIwas
st
art
ingtoday.Iwasbot
hexci
tedandnerv
ous.
Iwokeupear l
ythatday.Ibat
hed,
dri
edand
l
otionedmybody .Si
ndyandIhadgone
shoppingtobuymecl ot
hesandshoesaswel
l
asotherthi
ngsIneeded.
SoIworeblackjeans,theT-shi
rtIwasgi
v en
andbl
ackallstars.It
iedmyhairintoabunand
woreali
tt
lemake- up.Ithenwentdownstair
sto
makebreakfast.
Imadebacon,
eggs,
cheesesl
i
ces,
Vienna'
sand
toast
edbr
eadwit
hcoff
ee.
Si
ndyjoi
nedmelaterandwehadbr
eakf
astov
er
al
ightconv
ersat
ion.
her:
Sohowy
ouf
eel
i
ng?Ar
eyouner
vous?
me:
Bot
hner
vousandexci
ted.
Shesmi
l
ed.
her:
You'
l
lbef
ine.Nkosi
nat
hii
sagoodman.
me:
Looksl
i
key
oul
i
kehi
m?
Shel
aughed.
her:
Hismybr
other
.
me:
Oh.
Webot
hlaughed.
Aft
erbreakf
astshedroppedmeof
fatwork.
Themanager,Layl
ashowedmearoundans
i
ntr
oducedmet ootherstaf
fmember
.Icoul
dn'
t
meettheownertoday,hewast
aki
ngadayoff.
Ist
art
edwor
kal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.
Theplacewasful
li
nanhour
'st
imeandonl
y
ri
chpeoplecamehere.
I
tisav
eryf
ancyr
est
aur
ant
.
Whatast
art
.
.
.
NATHI
Theseweekshavebeenlong.Nandi
andIhad
becomesexbuddiesbutIknowshewant
ed
more.IwasoverherandIsawherasnot
hing
butafuckbuddy.
Any
way
s
Idecidedtotakeadayofff
rom bot
hbeinga
businessmanandar est
aur
antowner.Ineeded
ti
meaway .
Iwokeuplat
ert
hatday
,tookabat
handchi
l
led
athome.
MyphonerangasIwaswat
chi
ngt
her
epeatof
asoccermatch.
I
twasGunnar
Hi
m:Boss
me:
Khambani
(what
'
sgoi
ngon?)
hi
m:Boss,
hisback
me:
Fuck!What?Whendi
dhecomeback?
hi
m:Af
ewweeksback
me:
Andy
out
ell
i
ngmet
hisnow
hi
m:Ionl
yfoundouty
est
erdayboss.
me: FuckGunnar
.Kant
iwhatdoIpayy
ouf
or?
Fuckman!
hi
m:Ei
shhadeboss(Sor
ry)
me: Makesur
eyouwatchhi
severymov
eand
updat
emeont hedet
ail
syoufi
nd.
hi
m:Shoboss.
Ihungupandcal
l
edHammer
hi
m:Shadowhowar
eyouboy?
me: Fi
rstofal
lyoudon'
tcal
lmeboy.Secondl
y
wedon'thaveti
meforapett
ytal
kandlast
ly
Lungaisback.
hi
m:Fuckwhat?
me:
Myr
eact
ionexact
ly.
Hammeri
smybestf
ri
end.Wegotwayback
f
rom cr
eche.
hi
m:Thatmot
her
fucker
me:
Arey
out
hinki
ngwhatI
'
mthi
nki
ng?
hi
m:Myguni
sreadybabe.
me:
I'
m noty
ourbabeThokozani
Wet
henshar
edal
augh.
HowIl
ovedmyni
gga.
me:
Okayenough.Tel
ltheboy
swe'
l
lmeetat
t
hef
orcet
oni
ght
hi
m:Sho
Ihungupandwhi
stl
ed
Iseeawar
.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Iwasonl
yleav
ingat9soIst
il
lhad2mor
e
hour
slef
t.
Therest
aur
antwassti
l
lpackedandmor
e
peopl
ewestil
lcomi
ngin
AsIwasdaydr eamingagr oupofmencamei n.
Theysaidnot hi
ngt oeachot her.Theyal l
walkedcaml ytoat abl
ef arfrom everyone.The
arewascov eredinagl asswal landnoonehad
beentherethewhol eday .Mymai nfocuswas
onthetall
estoft hem all
.Hewast allanddark.
Hehadbeaut ifuleyesbutthemostser iousbut
handsomef ace.Ihadn'tseensomeonet hat
handsomesi nceI '
dbeenoutoft hehospi t
al.
Hewaswearingj
eans,whit
elacostegol
fT-shi
rt
andwhit
eNikesneaker
s.Theyallwal
kedinand
satdown.
Lay
lawal
kedonoutofnowher
e
her:
Youseet
hosement
her
e?
Shepoi
ntedatt
hemenwhohadj
ustcamei
n.
Inodded
her:
Pleaset
aket
hist
othem
me:
Okay
Shegav
e5bot
tl
esofbeerandIwal
kedt
othem
Igavethem thei
rbeerandasIwasaboutt
o
walkawayt heguyIwaslooki
ngatear
li
erhel
d
mywaisttightl
y
hi
m:Don'
tyougr
eety
ourcust
omer
s
Il
ookedathi
shand
Ir
oll
edmyey
esathi
m
hi
m:Don'
trol
lyourey
esatme
Hesai
dthati
nadeepv
oiceandi
tcameoutas
acommand
me:
Orwhat?
hi
m:Doy
ouknowwhoIam ?
Il
aughed
me:I '
m notheret
oknowwhoev er
yoneis.I
'
m
heretowork.Nowify
ouwi
llexcuseIneedto
getbacktowork.
Hel
etgoofme.
hi
m:Leav
e.
Hegav
emet hescar
iestf
aceandIl
eft
i
mmediat
ely
Howr
udehei
s.
Idi
dmyshi
ftt
henl
eftf
ort
heday
.
Whataday
°
THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
07
NATHI
Iwenthomeafterthemeet
ingwitht
heboysat
myrestaur
antwhichwecal
l our"
for
ce.
".
Iwasst
il
lshockedbyt
heatt
it
udeoft
hegi
rlI
metear
li
eronwhohappenedtobemynew
empl
oyee.
Shespoketomei nawaynoonehasev erhad.
Shehadconfidenceandsomet
hingel
semy
mindcoul
dn'tgetto.
Ihavetoadmi tshe'
sbeaut
if
ul.Shehasthe
ti
niestfi
gureandthemostcurvyhipsand
biggestass.
Herhai
riscurl
yandv erydark.Shehasthe
mostbeauti
fulhazeleyesaccompaniedbylong,
t
hickeyel
ashesandey ebrows.Shehastinypi
nk
l
ipsandabeaut i
fulst
raightt
eeth.
Damn.Suchbeaut
y
Butshewasst
il
lrudeandIhadt
otal
ktoher
.
Iwasdist
urbedbyaknockonmydoor
.Iwent
tocheckanditwasNandi
.
Shesmi
l
edwhenIopenedt
hedoor
.
her:
Nkosi
.Unj
ani
(howar
eyou?)
CanIcomei
npl
ease.
Il
ookedathert
henmadespacef
orhert
ocome
i
n.
Isai
dnot
hing.
Shesatont hecouchandf oldedherarms.I
wonderedifsheev erspendstimewithher
fami
ly?She'sabusywomanandanyf r
eeti
me
shegetsshe'shere.
Ist
il
lsai
dnot
hing.
Sheal
sosai
dnothi
nginst
eadshekeptl
ooki
ng
atmeli
keal
ostpuppy
.
Iwal
kedt
othef
ri
dgeandgotsomeHei
neken.
If
inal
l
ydeci
dedt
obr
eaki
nawkwar
dsi
l
ence
me:
Nandi
whyy
ouher
e?
Shel
ookeddownandst
art
edpl
ayi
ngwi
thher
newl
ymadenail
s.
me:
Nandi
?
Shel
ookedup
me:
Whyy
ou'
reher
e?
her:I
'
m her
etot
ell
youI'
m di
vorcednow.So
youcanhav
emeallbyy
oursel
f
me:
ButIdi
dn'
thav
eapr
obl
em shar
ingy
ou.
her:
Well
Idid.Ihadt
ochoosebet
weenyou
andmyhusbandandIchoseyoumyl
ove.
Igav
eheradeat
hst
are.
Shel
ookeddowni
mmedi
atel
y.
me: Li
stenher
eNandi
.I'
m noty
ourl
oveandI
don'
twantyou.
her:
Buty
oucanmar
rymenow!
Shescr
eamed.
me:
Nandi
Idon'
twantt
omar
ryy
ou.
her:
ButNkosi
I-
me:
No!Gett
hehel
loutofmyhouse.
her:
Please
Igav
eheraser
iousf
aceandshest
oodup
her:
I'
ll
leav
e.
Shewal
kedoutandIsatont
hecouch.
Nandi
hasal
way
sbeent
roubl
e.
WhatwasIt
hinki
ngal
l
owi
ngherbacki
ntomy
l
if
e?
Thi
swasabi
gmess.
ButIhadbiggerpr
obl
emsl
i
kehowIwasgoi
ng
toki
llLunga.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Thefoll
owingdayIwokeupear
lytopr
epar
efor
work.Iknowitwasgoi
ngtobealongday.
Ibat
h,dr
iedandl
oti
onedmybody
.
Iworej
eansandt
herestaur
antT-
shir
twr
it
ten"
La'
Khumz"inbol
dlet
ter
sandallst
ars
Il
eftmycur
lyhai
rtohangl
oosel
y.
Iworealit
tl
emake-upandwenttot
hekitchen
toprepar
ebreakf
astbutSi
ndywasal
ready
done.
me:
Goodmor
ning
her:
Mor
ningSweet
y
IsmiledasIsatonachai
randwai
tedf
or
breakfastt
obeserv
ed
.
.
ROMEO
Ist
il
lhadnonewsaboutIsabel
la'
swhereabout
s.
Kyi
lewassti
l
langr
yatme.It ri
edapol
ogizi
ng
butshedi
dn'
twanttospeaktome.
Iwasonmytot
aki
ngNat
hant
ohi
ssoccer
pract
ise.
hi
m:Br
owhat
'swr
ong?Youdon'
tseem t
obe
l
i
steni
ngt
ome
Isnappedawayf
rom mythought
sandt
ri
ed
focusi
ngonwhatNathanwassayi
ng
me:
Huh?
hi
m:Isai
dIgot90%f
ormymat
hspaper
me:
oht
hat
'sgr
eat
Hef
rownedandIl
ookedathi
m
me:
what?
hi
m: Cany ouatl
eastshowsomei
nter
esti
n
whatI
'm sayi
ng
me:
Sor
ry
It
henf
ocusedont
her
oadagai
n.
TobehonestIdi
dn'
tcar
ewhatNat
hanwas
say
ingr
ightnow.
Ihadt
ofi
ndawayt
ofi
ndI
sabel
l
a.
.
.
NATHI
Ideci
dedtostopatt
herest
aurantt
hatmorni
ng.
ItwasaSatur
dayandIknewitwasgoingt
obe
busy.
WhenIar
ri
vedIsati
nat
abl
eforonei
nst
eadof
goi
ngtomyoff
ice.
Ideci
dedt
ocal
lLay
la
Sheanswer
edont
hesecondr
ing
her:
Your
ighther
edi
dyouhav
etocal
l?
me:Yes,IwantcoffeeandIwanty
ousendt
he
newgi
rl
.Don'tt
ellherI'
mtheowner
Shef
rowned
her:
Why?
me:Layl
ayouknowIhatetal
kingtoy
ou.Just
doi
tandstopaski
ngquest
ionsli
kemymot her
Ihungupandwai
ted
Thegi
rlcameal
mosti
mmedi
atel
yaf
termycal
l
ShegroanedwhenshesawmeandIsmi
l
ed.
Well
let'
ssayitwasaevi
lsmi
l
e
me:
Iseewemeetagai
n
her:
Youagai
n
me:
Sti
l
ldon'
tgr
eety
ourcust
omer
s?
shef
akedasmi
l
e
her:
Hel
l
oSi
r.Howi
syourmor
ning?
Shesai
dsar
cast
ical
l
y
me:
That
'sbet
ter
.You'
redi
smi
ssed
Shecli
kedhert
oungeanddi
sappear
edi
nour
ki
tchen.
Il
aughedandt
henwentt
omyof
fi
ce
Icall
edLay
laandaskedhert
othecal
lthenew
gir
lin.
I
t'
sti
mesheknowswhoIam andnotf
uckwi
th
meagai
n
°
THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
08
NATHI
Shecameinminut
esl
ater
.SheknockedandI
al
lowedheri
n.
Shefr
ozewhenshesawme.Shet
henl
ooked
down.
me:
Takeaseat
Shesatdownandst
art
edpl
ayi
ngwi
thhernai
l
s.
Isai
dnothi
ngforamoment
.Ij
ustl
ookedather
ador
ingherbeaut
y.
Iwasl
ostf
oramoment
.
me:
LookatmeMi
nehl
e
Yes,
Ihadl
ookedatherCVbef
oreshecame.
Iwassurpr
isetoseesheonl
yhadamatr
icand
noworkexperi
ence.Imeanshe'
s31y
ear
sold
thi
syear
.
Shel
ookedatmef
orasecondt
henl
ooked
downagai
n.
me:
Isai
dlookatme
Isai
dthathar
sher
.
Shequi
ckl
ylookedup
me:
Thewhatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou?
her:
Youdon'
ttal
ktowomanl
i
ket
hat
me: Wel l
youdon'tdeservetobetr
eatedli
ke
one.Afterthebehavi
orIrecei
ved.I
sthathow
youtreatyourcustomers?
her:
I'
m sor
ry
me: Wel
lI'
m sor
ryt
oo.May
bey
oudon'
t
deser
vethi
sjob.
her:
Nopl
ease.Ineedt
hisj
ob.
me:
Ionl
yhi
redy
oubecauseSi
ndyi
smysi
ster
.
Shel
ookeddown.
me:
Fuckenl
ookatme!
Shel
ookedup,
shockedatt
het
oneofmyv
oice
her:
Doy
ouhav
etoscr
eam ?
Shegav
emeapuppyf
ace.
Il
ookedaway
.
Iwasj
ustt
oweakwheni
tcamet
oher
.
me:
Gett
hef
uckout
.
Shest
oodupandl
efti
mmedi
atel
y.
Isatdownandsmi
l
ed.
Damnshewasonel
ady
.
.
.
I
SABELLA.
Damn.Sohi
stheowner
.
Idor
egr
etmybehav
iort
owar
dshi
m.
Il
efthi
sof
fi
ceandwentt
othewor
kar
ea.
Iwentandhel
pedanol
dmansi
tt
ingal
one.
Itwasabl
ackinhis50'
s.Ihadseenhi
m
somewher
eIjustdon'
tknowwher e
Hesmil
edwhenhesawme.I
t'
slikehehad
knownmei
ny ear
swhenhel
ookedatme.
me:HiSi
r.I
'
mI sabel
laandI'
m newher
e.Woul
d
youl
i
ketoorderanyt
hing?
Hesai
dnot
hingbutsmi
l
ed
me:
Sir?
hi
m:You'
rebeaut
if
ul
me:
Sir
,I'
mtooy
oung.Youcan'
tfl
i
rtwi
thme
hi
m:Ihear
dabouty
ourmot
her
.I'
m sor
ry.
What?
Whoi
she?Howdi
dheknowmymot
her?
hi
m: Iwashopi
ngyou'
dser
veme.Icameher
e
assoonasIhear
dyouworkher
e.
Il
ookedathi
m,speechl
ess
me:
Whoar
eyou?
Hesai
dnot
hing,
inst
eadhest
oodup
hi
m:I
twasni
ceseei
ngy
ou
Hewasaboutt
owal
kawaybutIhel
dhi
shand.
Hel
ookedatme.
me:
I'
m sor
ry.
hi
m:By
eMi
nehl
e.
Hewal
kedaway
.
"St
art
ingt
roubl
ewi
thourcust
omer
sagai
n?"
Il
ookedandi
twasMrOwner
.
me:
Woul
dyoushutupf
oroncei
nyourl
i
fe?
Icl
i
ckedmyt
oungeandwal
kedaway
.
Hewasser
iousl
yir
ri
tat
ingmenow.
Yeshewashotandal
lbuthedi
dn'
thav
etobea
pl
anint
heass.
.
.
I
'm sor
ryf
orsuchashor
tinser
t.Myphonei
s
gi
vingmeprobl
ems.
°
THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
09
NANDI
Iwast ir
edofLungabeggi ngmenott oleave
him.ImeanI 'minl ovewi thsomeoneel se.Yes
therewasat imewhenIl ovedLungabutt hose
ti
mesar egone.YouknowLungacanbe
controll
ingatti
mes.Ir ememberwhenhef i
rst
l
aidhi shandonme, t
hat '
stheInolonger
cherishedhim .That'st hedayIreal
izedthatmy
l
ov eforhim hasv anished.Butwheni tcamet o
Nkosi ,i
twasdifferent.Hewasmyf irstl
oveand
Icouldn'tl
etgosoqui ckly.Wehadaf ut
ureplan.
Yes,
Lungaist
hef
atherofmyt
woboy
sbutI
hadtof
oll
owmyheart.
Li
ndokuhleandMpil
oenhl
ewill
havet
o
under
standthi
s,maybenotnowbutl
ateri
nli
fe.
Iwasinthel
oungeli
steni
ngt
oLungabegme
agai
n.Ihadaskedhi
mt omoveout.
him:Nandi
thi
nkaboutt
heki
ds.Whatabout
them ?
Il
ookedathi
m,shocked
me:Whataboutt
hem Lunga?Thosekidsar
e
mi
ne.Icant
akecareofthem anyday
hi
m:You'
rehar
dlyathome.
me:
Icangetananny
.
hi
m:Icant
akecar
eoft
hem.Nandi
please
Het
ookmyhandi
ntohi
s.
hi
m:Nandi
Ilov
eyou.
Hel
ookedathi
m
me:
LungaI-
"Daddy!"
Mpi
l
orani
ntot
her
oom andi
ntoLunga'
sar
ms.
Hepi
ckedhi
m upandki
ssedhi
sfor
ehead.
Lunga:
Howar
eyouboy?
Mpi
l
o:Imi
ssedy
oudad
Il
ookeddown.
Justa7y earoldwouldsoonreal
izethathi
s
fatherwil
lbegoneforgood.Lungalovedhis
kids,nodoubtbutIcoul
dstayinaloveless
mar ri
agebecauseoftheki
dssake.
Thi
sismyhappi
nesswer
ear
etal
ki
ngabout
.
Lunga:Nandi
I'
ll
hav
etogo.Ihopet
ospeakt
o
yousoon.
Iwat
chedhi
m asheputMpi
l
odownandwal
k
tot
hedoor.
Tothi
nkHewasoncemyhappi
ness,hewas
oncet
helov
eofmyli
fe.HewasoncethemanI
l
oved.
Howi
tal
lfadedaway
..
..
.
.
NATHI
Nowomenhasev
erspokent
omei
nthatway
.
I
sabel
l
awassomet
hingel
se.
Shedi
dn'
tseem tocar
ewhoIam andwhatIdo.
Shedi
dn'
tcareaboutmymoneyormypower.
Ihadt
owi
feher
.
Iwasi
ntheof
ficedoingsomepaperwor
kbut
mymindcoul
dn'tgetof
fIsabel
l
a
I
twasaSatur
dayandIknewi
twasbusyatt
he
r
est
aur
antbutIdi
dn'
tgo.
Al
thoughIwant
edt
ohearI
sabel
l
a'sv
oice.
Wai
t,si
ncewhendoIcar
eabouther
.
Ican'
tbeI
nlov
esosoon.
I
'm notready
.IknowI'
ll
hur
therasandIdon'
t
wantthattohappen.
Ican'
tbei
nlov
ewi
thI
sabel
l
a.
Notsosoon.
Ical
l
edNandi
togett
hisof
fmymi
nd.
Sheanswer
edont
hesecondr
ing.
her:
Hi
me:
I'
m cr
avi
ngf
ory
ou
her:
BabyI
me:
Comet
omypl
acet
oday
.Iwanty
ou
Shel
aughed.
her:
Time?
me:
8o'
cl
ockshar
p.Wearsomet
hingsexy
Shel
aughedandIhungup.
Ishackedmyheadandcont
inuedwor
king.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Therest
aur
antwasr
ealbusy.Idi
dn'
tev
enhav
e
thet
imetocheckmyphone.
Iat
tendedatabl
ewithoneguysit
ti
ngt
here.He
wasprobabl
yinhisear
ly30'
s.Hewasyel
l
ow
andhewasinasui t
.
me:
Hel
l
osi
r.MayIpl
easet
akey
ouror
der?
Hesmi
l
edatme.
hi
m:Hel
l
opr
incess.
me:
Hi
hi
m:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Ismi
l
ed
me:
Youror
dersi
r
hi
m: Howabouty
ougi
vemeyournumberso
nextt
imey
oucandel
iv
ermyor
der?
Il
aughed.
me:
Mybosswoul
dnev
eral
l
owt
hat
Hel
aughedandl
ookedatme
hi
m: Okay,
howabouty
ougi
vemey ournumber
sonextt
imewecomeheref
ordi
nner?
me:
No
hi
m:Okaypl
easegi
vemey
ournumber?
me:
No
hi
m:Pl
ease
me:
Youror
der
.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Hegotupandt
ookhi
swal
l
etandkey
s.
me:
I'
m guessi
ngy
ouwon'
tor
derany
thi
ng.
hi
m:What
'sy
ourname?
me:
Excuseme?
hi
m:That
'smyor
der
.Iwoul
dli
ket
oknowy
our
name
Ismi
l
ed
me:
I'
mIsabel
l
a.I
sabel
l
aMat
thews
hi
m:Br
ian.Br
ianBanda.
Hewal
kedaway
.
.
.
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
10
NATHI
Aft
erdoi
ngagreatamountofwork,Iwent
st
rai
ghthome.Iwasdogti
red.Idon'tt
hinkI
'
ll
beabl
etohandleNandi
.
Arri
vi
nghomeIt ookashowerandworemy
greysweatpant
sandnothi
ngontop.Iwent
downstai
rsandtookaHeinekenf
rom t
hefr
idge
asIcall
edGunman.
Heanswer
edont
hesecondr
ing
hi
m:Boss
me:
FedeBoy
,anynewsonLunga?
hi
m:Act
ual
l
yyessi
r.
me:
I'
mli
steni
ng
him:Lungshasawif
eandtwoki
ds,boys.He
movedhere6weeksagoandt
heplott
ingtoki
ll
youandHammer
me:
What?
hi
m: Hi
sact
ual
l
ypl
anni
ngt
ocomet
oni
ghtwi
th
hi
sboys
me:
Fuck?What?Hav
eyout
oldHammer?
hi
m:No
me:
Cal
lhi
m nowandt
ell
him
hi
m:Si
rwi
l
lyoubef
ine?
me:Yesboy
,justcal
lHammerandt
ell
himt
he
news
hi
m:Shoboss
Ihungupandj
ustasIwasaboutt
ocal
lNandi
tocancel
mydoorbel
lrang.
Istoodupimmediat
elyandshewasst
andi
ng
therewear
ingal
inger
ieandheel
s.
me:
Nandi
Shesmi
ledandki
ssedme.Ipul
l
edoutal
most
i
mmediatel
y
me:
Youhav
etogo
her:
What?Butbabywhy?
me:
I'
ll
-
Befor
eIcoul
dfi
nishmysent
enceIhear
d
gunshot
s.
ShescreamedandItr
iedcl
osingthedoort
o
prot
ecther,butt
heywereal
readyin.
Il
ookedatLungaandhef
roze.
Hewasn'tl
ooki
ngatme,
inst
eadhewasl
ooki
ng
atNandi
hi
m:Sohi
sther
easony
ou'
rel
eav
ingme?
Shel
ookedscar
edandf
ri
ght
ened
hi
m:I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyoudammi
t!
me: Don'
tyoudar
ecomeandscr
eam i
nmy
house!
hi
m:OrwhatNkosi
nat
hiKhumal
o?
"OrI
'
llki
l
lyou"
Il
ookedandi
twasHammerandt
heot
herboy
s.
Lunga:Nandi
ishether
easonyou'
vebeen
cominghomelat
etoyourki
dsandhusband?
Shesai
dnot
hing.
hi
m:Andyoubast
ad.You'
vebeensl
eepi
ngwi
th
mywi
fe.
Iwasshockedtofi
ndoutNandiandLungaar
e
marr
ied.
Shedidn'
tmenti
onhim
me:
Iwasj
ustgi
vi
ngherwhaty
oudi
dn'
t
Lunga:
I'
ll
kil
lyouShadow!
hammer:
AndI
'
llki
l
lyou
Nandi
sti
l
lsai
dnot
hing.Shej
ustl
ookedatal
lof
usl
i
keal
ostpuppy
.
Hammer:
Thi
sisget
ti
ngbor
ing.
IheardagunshotandNandiscr
eamed.Lunga
fel
ldownnearmyf eetandHammerkept
shooti
nghim
Nandi
:STOPNOW !
!!
!
Hammerl
ookedatherandst
opped.
Thenhe.
lookedatme
him:You'
rest
il
lfucki
ngthisbi
tchfr
om hi
gh
school
.It
houghtyou'
reoverher.
Nandi
:I'
m notabi
tch
hi
m:AndI
'
m nott
alki
ngt
oyou.I
nfactl
eav
e
Shel
ookedatmeandIsai
dnot
hing
Shel
ookedatLungaoncemor
eandl
eft
.
Whatani
ght.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Ihadf
ini
shedmyshi f
tbutSi
ndycoul
dn'tfet
ch
metodaysinceshe'
sworki
nganightshif
t.
Iwal
keddownt
her
oadt
ocat
chat
axi
toour
fl
at
Acarst
oppednearmeasIwaswal
ki
ng.
It
urnedandl
ooked.
I
twasBr
ian
Hecameoutandwalkedt
ome.Hesmi
l
edwi
th
hi
sper
fectwhi
tet
eet
h.
hi
m:Iseewemeetagai
n
me:
Arey
oust
alki
ngme?
him:No,IwantedtocomeeatatLa'
Khumzbut
Isawy'
al
l al
readycl
osed.
me:
Ohy
eah
hi
m:Wher
eyouof
fto?
me:
Home
hi
m:Oh,
youusual
l
ywal
k?
If
rownedandheal
mostl
aughed
me:No, mysi
sterusual
l
yfet
chesmebutshe
can'
ttodaysoI
'm goingt
ocatchat
axi
.
hi
m:That
'snotsaf
e.I
tsl
ate.ComeI
'
lldr
opy
ou
of
f
me:AndhowdoIknowi
t'
ssaf
etor
idewi
th
you?
Hel
aughedt
hist
ime
hi
m:Iwoul
dnev
erdoany
thi
ngt
ohur
tyou
Il
ookeddown
hi
m:Ipr
omi
sey
ou.
me:
Okay
Wewentinandwedr
oveov
eral
i
ght
conv
ersat
ion.
Igav
ehi
m di
rect
ionst
oourf
latandpul
l
edr
ight
i
nfr
ontoft
hegat
e.
me:
Thanky
ou
hi
m:I
t'
sapl
easur
eMi
ssMat
thews.
Ismil
edandIwasaboutt
owal
koutwhenhe
hel
dmyhand.
hi
m:Youf
orgott
ogi
vemey
ournumber
me:
Idi
dn'
tfor
get
,Ij
ustdon'
twantt
o.
Hegr
oaned
me:
Thanksf
ort
her
ide.
I
'
m sor
ryi
t'
sshor
tI'
vebeenbusyl
atel
y

°
THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
11
I
SABELLA
Iwokeupearl
ythenextmor
ning.Iwasabi
t
l
azyforwor
ktody.
Iwenttothebat
hroom andtookashower ,dr
ied
thenl
oti
onedmybody .Iworetheusual
,black
j
eans,t
heLa-KhumzT- shi
rtandbl
ackallstar
s.
Icombedmyhai
rint
oamessybunt
hewor
e
hoops
Iwentt
othekit
chentomakebr
eakf
astbut
Si
ndyhadal
readydonethat
.
Weat eoverali
ghtconversat
ion.Shegaveme
taxi
faresi
nceshecouldn'tdr
opmeof fatwor
k.
Sheactuall
ylef
tabitearl
ytoday.
It
ookmyasset
sandl
eftt
hef
lat
.
"Wantar
ide?"
Il
ookedbehi
ndanditwasBr
ian.Ir
oll
edmy
ey
esandwalkedtohim
me:
Wantdoy
ouwanther
e?
hi
m:Goodmor
ningMi
ssMat
thews
me:
You'
renotanswer
ingmyquest
ion
Hesmi
l
edandIr
oll
edmyey
esagai
n
hi
m:Icameher
etogi
vey
ouar
ide
me:
DidIsayIwantone?
hi
m:Jeeznoneedt
ober
ude
me:
Sor
ry.I
'
mjustt
ir
ed
hi
m:I
t'
sokay
.Sodoy
ouwannar
idewi
thme?
me:
Sur
e
Heopenedt
hedoorf
ormeandIhopedi
n.He
wentt
ohissi
deandwel
eft
.
hi
m: Sotel
lmehowlonghav
eyoubeen
worki
ngatLa'
Khumz?
me:
Itsbeenaf
ewmont
hs.
hi
m:Isee.
Wekeptqui
etf
oraf
ewsecondst
henhebr
oke
t
hesi
lence
hi
m:Howaboutwegooutf
ordi
nnert
oday?
Il
ookedathi
m
me:
Why?
hi
m:BecauseIwantt
oeatwi
thy
ou
me:
That
'snothappeni
ng
hi
m:Pl
easeMa'
am
Ial
mostl
aughedathi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
on
me:
No
hi
m:Pl
ease
me:
No
hi
m:Pl
ease
me:Okayf
ine.Fet
chmeat10,
Ionl
yknockof
f
at9.
hi
m:Per
fect
Hest
oppedatLa'
KhumzandIgotout
.
hi
m:Seey
oul
ater
Il
aughedandwenti
nsi
de.
Br
ian,
Bri
an,
Bri
an
.
.
NATHI
Weonlymanagedtocl
eanthemessthis
mor
ning.Ihadcal
l
edtheboysforhel
p
Aft
ercleaningthemessIheadedst
rai
ghtt
o
t
herestaurant.I
twasalr
eadybusywhenIgot
t
here.
Iwentstraightt
omyof fi
ceandmadeaf
ew
cal
lsregardingLunga'
sdeath.
"Sor
rysi
rtoi
nter
rupty
ou"
I
twasLay
la,
themostdi
sli
kedst
affmember
.
me:
Whatdoy
ouwant?
her:
Isabel
l
aisn'
tfeel
i
ngwel
l
me:
Wher
eisshe?
Iwasact
ual
l
yst
art
ingt
opani
c.
her:
She'
sinmyof
fi
ce
me:
Cal
ltheambul
ance
Iwentt
oheroff
iceandshewassi
tt
ingweakl
y
onthechai
r.
me:
Minehl
e
her:
Sir
.
Shesai
dthatweakl
y
It
ri
edcal
mingherdown
Lay
lacamei
nmi
nut
esl
ater
Lay
la:
Theambul
ancehasar
ri
ved
Iqui
cklypi
ckedherupandl
edt
hewayt
othe
ambulance
Theyputheront hebedandLayl
awenti
nwi
th
her.IaskedZit
atohelpfort
hedayt
henI
fol
l
owedt oambulance.
Ical
l
edSi
ndyandshesai
dshewasonherway
.
Wesatf
or2hour
saf
terSi
ndy
'sar
ri
val
.
"I
'
m guessi
ngy
ou'
reher
eforMi
ssMat
thews"
me:
YesDoct
or
Si
ndy:
Howi
sshe?
Doc:
Sheat
efoodpoi
soni
ng
me:
Foodpoi
soni
ng?
Doc:Yessi
r.I
t'
sagoodt
hingy
oucamequi
ckl
y,
shewoul
dn'
thavemadei
t
Sindy:Nkoai
nat
hi!Kant
ikhuy
enzakal
ani
lapha
kaLa'
Khumz?(What 'sgoi
ngonatLa'
Khumz)
me:
IguessIgot
taf
indout
her:
Youbet
ter
Doc:
Shebeabl
etol
eav
etomor
row
me:
I'
ll
fet
chher
Si
ndyl
ookedatme
Doc:
Hav
eagoodday
Hel
eft
Si
ndy:
Whyar
eyou-
me:
Don'
tev
enask.
Iwal
kedaway
°
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
12
I
SABELLA
Iwokeupinthehospi
tal
weakandti
red.I
wantedwatert
opinchmythi
rst.
Il
ookedaroundt
hentr
iedsi
tt
ingup.Ihated
hospi
tal
s.Iwant
edtogohomeandj ustsleep.
Iwasst
il
ltr
yingt
osi
tupbutIwasweak.
"Whooal
emmehel
pyou"
Il
ookedatt
hedoorandi
twasMrBanda
hi
mself
.
Hehel
pedmesi
tupt
hengav
emeagl
assof
wat
er.
Igul
pedt
hewat
eral
latonce.
hi
m:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
me:
I'
mfi
nej
ustabi
tweak.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Hej
ustl
ovedsmi
l
ing.Hewasal
way
ssmi
l
ing.
me:
Howdi
dyouknowI
'
m her
e?
Hesmi
l
edagai
n
hi
m:Ihav
emyway
s.
Ihear
dfoot
stepsandIl
ookedatt
hedoor
.
MrKhumal
o.
hi
m:Br
ian?Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Br
ian:
ToseeMi
ssMat
thews
hi
m:Leav
e!
Hewasshout
ingwhi
chscar
edme.
Br
ian:
Nkosi
nat
hiy
ouwon'
ttel
lmewhatt
odo.
Nkosi
nat
himov
edcl
osert
ohi
m
hi
m:Isai
dleav
eBanda.
Br
ianl
ookedatmet
henki
ssedmyf
orehead
hi
m:I
'
llcal
lyou
me:
Wher
edi
d-
hi
m:By
e.
Hel
eft
.Ther
ewasawkwar
dsi
l
encei
nther
oom.
Nkosi
nat
hil
ookedatmei
rr
it
ated.
me:
What?
hi
m:Don'
twhatme
me:
Excuseme
Iwassur
pri
sedbyhi
sat
ti
tude
hi
m:Youcan'
tdat
eBanda
me: YeaIcan.Yes,
you'
remybossatwor
kbut
you'
renotthebossofmyli
fe.
hi
m: I'
mtel
li
ngyoukehntombazane.Youwi
l
l
notdat
ehim,whet
heryouli
kei
tornot
me:
Iwi
l
ldat
ehi
m
hi
m:I
'
llki
l
lyou.
Il
aughed
me:
I'
ll
dowhat
everIwannado,
thi
sismyl
i
fe.
hi
m: I
sabel
laYOUWI
LLNOTDATEBANDA.
KUPHELELALAPHO!
!
Wi
tht
hatsai
dhest
ormedoutt
her
oom
.
.
NATHI
Il
eftt
hathospi
talpi
ssedthanever.Iwasn'
t
gonnaal
lowIsabel
latodateBanda.Hisnotthe
ty
peforher.
Hewoul
dabuseheri
fshedi
dn'
tl
istent
ohim.
Hewoul
dneveral
l
owhertogoout.Hewould
bev
erybossy
.
I
sabel
l
awi
l
lnotdat
ethatman.
Idr
ovet
other
est
aur
ant
.
me:
Lay
laIwanty
oubymyof
fi
cenow.
her:
Okay
Iwentstr
aightt
omyoffi
ce.Idi
dn'
twai
tfor
morethan5mi nut
esandLayl
awasinmyoffi
ce.
me:Someonepoi
sonedI
sabel
l
aandIwanty
ou
t
ofi
ndoutwho
her:
Okay
me:
Leav
e
Imadeaf ew call
sthenwentbacktothe
hospi
tal
tof et
chIsabel
la.Ihadbr
oughthera
adi
dastraksui
tandsleepersfr
om Edgar
'sj
ust
soshecancov erherbody.
her:
Noty
ouagai
n
Shesai
dthatasIent
eredt
her
oom wi
thher
cl
othes
me:Yesmeagai
n.I
'
m her
etof
etchy
ou
her:
I'
m def
ini
tel
ynotl
eav
ingwi
thy
ou
Hel
aughedatme
hi
m:Yeay
ouar
e.
Ihandedhert
hepl
ast
icbagandshel
eftt
o
change
Shecamebackandshel
ookedbeaut
if
ulas
al
ways.
her:I
'
m bitl
eavingwithyou.You'
rev
ery
arr
ogantandrude.Idon'
tneedsuchnegat
ivel
y.
I'
l
lcal
lSindy
Ihadnoti
met oarguewi
thhersoIjustpi
cked
herupandputheronmyshoulder
.Shekept
hi
tti
ngandf i
ght
ingmebutIgotherinmycar
andweleft
Shewassul
ki
ng
her:
Ihat
eyou
me:
Doy
ouwantf
ood?
her:
Idobutnoty
our
s.
Idr
ovet
oSt
eer
sandgotherf
ood.
her:
Arey
oual
way
sli
ket
his?
Icoul
dseeshe'
sangr
y.
me:
Her
e'sy
ourf
ood.
Shej
ustlookedati
tthenl
ookedaway.Iputi
t
onherl
ap
Shedi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng
Idr
ovehert
omysist
er'
sfl
atandshewentout
l
eavi
ngthef
oodi
nmycar
me:
Yourf
ood
her:
Fucky
ouandy
ourf
ood
Iwentoutmycarandpi
nnedheragai
nstt
he
wal
kasIheldherarm
me:
Don'
tev
ersayt
hatagai
n.
Shekeptqui
etandl
ookedaway
.
It
henl
etgoofher
.
me:
Her
e'sy
ourf
ood.
Shet
ooki
tandl
eft
.
Iwentst
rai
ghthome.Ri
ghtnowIneededa
Hei
neken.
.
.
KI
NG
I
t'
sbeen10yearssi
nceIlef
tSouthAfri
ca.I
wonderhowNathanl
ooks,whatheli
kesand
howhisdoi
ng.
Iwasi
napl
anef
rom Londont
oCapeTown.
Icouldn'twai
ttoseehi
m.Andobv
iousl
yal
lthe
otherkids.
Il
eftforLondonaft
ermywifecommi t
ted
sui
cide.Ineededt
obealone.Somepeoplemay
j
udgemebecauseIl ef
tmyki dsbehi
ndbuti
t
wasn'
teasy
.
Il
ovedBl
ueandIcoul
dn'
tcope.
Mykidshadt
ounder
standitwastoomuchfor
me,ImeanIl
ostt
heloveofmylif
e.Iwasn'
t
gonnast
ayher
eandrai
sethatchi
ldal
one.
Thejour
neyl
ast
edf or24hour
s.Iar
ri
vedat
CapeTownat08:00am andbookedinahot
el.
Ineedr
est

THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
13
I
SABELLA
Iwasgiv
entwoday sawayf
rom wor
k.
Appar
entl
yIneededsomerest
Idoadmi tIhav
erestedenoughbutwhowoul d
saidnotofreel
eave.Iwasinthel
oungewith
Sindy.Weweresil
entl
ywatchi
ngtelev
isi
on.I
wast hinkingaboutherbr other,MrKhumal o
arggImeanNkosi nathi.Howdar ehedowhat
hedidear liert oday?Hewasar icharrogant
andr udebr at .Ihat r
edt hef actthathismyboss
andt hefactt hathi sbossi ngmyl i
fearound.I
meanwhot ellst heirempl oyeewhot oornot
date.ImeanBr ianBandai sav eryniceguy .All
hedoesi ssmi le.Hedoesn' tseem likeat hreat
tomeorany onef orthatmat ter.Nkosinathiwas
beingar r
ogantasal way s.Hehadnor i
ghtto
reactthewayhedi dt oday ,hisonlymyboss
andmyf latmat e'sbr otherandt hat '
swer eit
shouldend.
"Youl
ookwor
ri
ed."
Si
ndysai
dthatwi
thaconcer
nedf
ace
me:
It'
snot
hing.I
'
mfi
ne
her:
Isabel
l
a..
.
me:
Okayf
ine,
it'
syourbr
other
Shel
ookedandmeshocked
her:
Who?Nkosi
nat
hi
me:
Yeshi
m
her:
Whatabouthi
m?
me: LookSindyIunder
standhi
smybossand
al
lbuthisbeenbull
ingme
her:
What?Why?
me:
Imett
hisguy-
her:
Soy
oumetaguy
.
Ibl
ushedabi
t.
me: Yes,
Imetaguywhom Ili
ke.Buty
our
br
othersaysIshoul
dn'
tdat
ehi
m
Shel
aughed.
me:
I'
m sor
rydi
dIsaysomet
hingf
unny?
Shel
ookedatmeandpl
acedherhandonmy
l
ap
her:LookIknowNkosi
nathiandhemightbe
fal
l
ingforyou.Hi
stoooverprot
ect
ive.
me:Nothat
'si
mpossi
ble.Hecan'
tbef
all
i
ngf
or
mewhenhissorudet
ome.
her:
Wel
lhi
sli
ket
hat
.
me:
Toomuchf
orabr
other
Shel
aughedagai
nbutt
hist
imel
ouder
.
her:
EnoughaboutNkosi
nat
hi.Whoset
hisguy
youmet?
Il
ookeddown
me:
Bri
anBanda
Shel
ookedast
houghshesawaghost
.
her:
WHAT?
.
.
NATHI
IwaswithHammerandGunman.Wewer e
havi
ngaf ewdr
inksandt
alki
ngaboutr
andom
thi
ngs.
Hammer:
I'
mtel
l
ingy
ouboy
.Nat
ashai
shot
.
me:
ButI
'
m ov
eral
lthesebadbi
tcheschi
ef
Theyl
aughedandHammerpl
ayful
l
yputhis
handonmyhandtocheckmy"t
emperat
ure"
Hammer:
Arey
ouokayman?
Gunman:Buty
out
hebaddesther
e.Many
ou
l
ovepussy
Il
aughedasIsi
ppedmybeer
Hammer:
Okaybutpl
easebangherf
orme
Weal
ll
aughed.
me:
Whydon'
tyoudoi
t?
Hammer:
Many
ouhav
eto.
Hegav
emeapuppyf
ace.
Il
aughed
Hammer:Whathappenedt
oyouf
ucki
ngNandi
any
way?
me:
I'
m ov
ert
hatass.
Gunman:
I'
m gl
ad
Theboyslef
tatmidni
ghtaf
tersomanybeers.I
tr
iedcal
l
ingIsabel
l
abutshedidn'
tanswersoI
wentandtookashowerandwenttobed.
.
.
Rememberourdeal
.

°THESCARSMADEHERSTEONGER°
14
I
SABELLA
Sindyl
ookedshockedwhenImenti
onedBr
ian'
s
name.Icoul
dareshewasmov edbywhatIhad
j
ustsaid.
Ihel
dherhandt
ocal
m herdown.Shef
akeda
smi
l
e.
me:
Sindydoy
ouknowhi
m?
her:
uhm no,
it'
sjustt
hat-
Shest
oodupandwal
kedt
otheki
tchen,
I
fol
l
owedher
me:
It'
sjustwhat?
her:
Not
hing.Woul
dyoul
i
kecof
fee?
me:No.Iwoul
dli
keyoutotel
lmewhat
'
sthe
bi
gdealwi
thBr
ianBanda?
Shescr
atchedherhead.
her:
Isabel
l
ayouneedt
ost
opseei
nghi
m
me:
Eveny
ou.
her:
Youdon'
tunder
stand.Hi
sbadnews.
me:
Badnews?
her:
Youneedt
ost
ayawayf
rom hi
m.
Shewal
kedoutt
hef
latanddr
oveaway
.
Whatwast
hebi
gdeal
wit
hBr
ian?
Myphoner
angandi
twasanunknownnumber
.
cal
l
er:
MissMat
thews
me:
Bri
an
hi
m:HowaboutIt
akey
ououtf
orbr
eakf
ast?
me:When?Now?
hi
m:Yes.I
'
m out
side.
Igi
ggl
ed.
me:
I'
m comi
ng
Ihungupandwor
eshoes.Ihadal
readybat
hed.
Il
ockedt
hef
latandwentdown
Hewasst andi
ngoutsi
dehi
scar.Hewas
weari
ngjeans,abl
ackgol
fT-shi
rtandbl
ack
Guccisneaker
s.
me:
Hey
hi
m:;
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
me:
You'
rel
yi
ng
Hewaslyi
ng.Iwasj
ustweari
ngashoul
derof
f
whi
tedr
essandbrownsandal
s.
Hel
aughed.
I
sBri
anbadnews?Heseemedl
i
keanangel
to
me.Heal
wayslaughed.
hi
m:Weshoul
dgo
Heopenedthedoorf
ormeandwentt
ohi
ssi
de
t
henwedr oveof
f.
Wewentt
osomef
ancyr
est
aur
ant
.
Il
i
kedt
hedecooft
hisr
est
aur
ant
.
me:
Nice
hi
m:I
t'
smyf
avour
it
e
Wesatdownandt
ookouror
der
s.
me:
Sowhatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
hi
m:I
'
m abusi
nessman
Wespokeaboutr
andom t
hings
"Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngonher
e?"
I
twasmybossagai
n.
me:
Excuseme?
hi
m:Whyar
en'
tyouatwor
k?
me:
Yougav
emeadayof
fremember?
hi
m:t
orestnott
ogoar
oundwi
thmen
me:
Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
Hepi
ckedmeupandputmeonhi
sshoul
der
.
Iwashi
tt
ingupandf
ight
inghi
m
me:
Putmedowny
ouasshol
e!
Hechuckedmei
ntohi
scaranddr
ovet
osome
f
ancyhouse.
.
.
KI
NG
Iwasst
il
li
nthehotel
getti
ngr
eadyt
omeet
Romeoandtheot
herkids.
Icoul
dn'
twai
ttoseehowt
heyhav
egr
own.
Ibat
hedandlot
ionedmybody.Iwokej
eansand
awhiteshi
rtwi
thNiket
akki
es.
Iwentdownandt
oldt
hesecr
etar
yI'
mleav
ing
Weweremeet
ingatLa'
Khumzr
est
aur
anti
n
Jo'
bur
g.
Theyhadn'
tarr
ivedwhenIar
ri
ved,
soIj
ust
order
edcoff
ee.
Theyar
ri
vedminuteslat
erbutt
omysur
pri
se
I
sabel
lawasn'
tthere.
Romeo:
Pops
Ky
il
e:Daddy
Shehadgr
owntobeabeauti
ful
youngwoman.
Shel
ookedli
kehermot
her
.
Weshar
edahugandt
hesatdown
Il
ookedatNat
hanandhej
ustdi
dn'
tknowwhoI
am.
me:
Nat
han
Nat
han:
Hi
me:
Doy
ouknowme?
Heshookhi
shead
Nat
han:
No
me:
I'
myourf
ather
Hest
oodupandcamet
ohugme
Nat
han:
Romeosai
dIwoul
dmeety
ouoneday
.
Ismi
l
ed.
.
.
BRI
AN
Il
eftaf
terNkosi
nat
hitookI
sabel
l
a.Thi
sboy
wasgoingtobetheendofme.
Growi ngupNkosiandIwerefri
ends,cl
ose
fri
ends.Weshar edever
ythi
ngunti
lIbetr
ayed
him andkill
edhiscousi
n,Aphi
wewhowasmy
gir
lfr
iend.Iki
ll
edAphiwesoIcouldpayrevenge
forwhathadhappenedbet weenNkosiandI
Nowwei nl
ovewiththesamegi
rli
t'
sgonnabe
har
dtogett
oIsabel
la.
Ihadt
omakeapl
anr
eal
qui
ck

°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
16
NATHI
Isabel l
awasgivi
ngmeahar dti
me.Itr
ied
talkingtoherbutshekepti
gnori
ngme.Iended
upgi v
ingupandleavi
ngherinmyhousealone.
Iknewagecoul dn'tl
eavesi
ncesheknew
nobodyandi fshecall
edSindy,
shewound
believeshe'
ssafe.
Iwenttomycompanyforaqui
ckmeeti
ngt
hen
wenttoseehowt
hingsaregoi
ngatt
he
rest
aurant
.
her:
Thenwhyy
oul
eav
ingme?
Iwaswit
hNandi
atherhouse.Theki
d'
swer
en'
t
ar
ound
me: Iwasnev
erwit
hyou.Myl
ovef
ory
ou
endedyear
sago.
her:
ButIst
il
ll
ovey
ou
Ikeptqui
et
her:
Whyy
oudoi
ngt
hist
ome.
Isai
dnot
hing.
her:
tal
ktomedammi
t
me:
Youknowbet
tert
hant
otal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
.
Shel
ookeddownandsai
dnot
hing
her:Whydi
dy ouki
llmyhusbandt
hen?Di
dn'
t
youki
ll
himjusttobewit
hme
Ial
mostl
aughed.
me:
Nandi
I'
minl
ovewi
thsomeoneel
se.
Shelookedatmewi t
ht earsthr
eateni
ngher
eyes.Shewantedtosaysomet hingbutthe
wordscouldn'
tcomeout .Shesatdownonher
couchandburiedherheadi nherhands.
me:
I'
m sor
ry
It
ookmyasset
sandl
eftherhouse.
MyphonerangandIpi
ckedi
tupal
most
i
mmediat
ely
v
oice:
Hel
l
owhoset
his?I
'
lll
i
ket
oor
derpi
zza.
Shegi
ggl
ed.I
twasI
sabel
l
aandshewasdr
unk.
her:
Pizzaman.Pl
ease
Shegi
ggl
edagai
n.
her:
Okayt
henI
'
llj
ustmakemyownf
ood.
Shehungupbef
oreIcoul
dsayany
thi
ng.
Idr
ovest
rai
ghthomeandmyki
tchenwashal
f
onf
ir
e.Shewaschoki
ngbadl
yont
hesmoke.
Ipi
ckedherupandt
ookhert
omyr
oom,
she
wassti
ll
choki
ng.
Ical
ledGunmant
oar
rangef
ormyki
tchent
obe
fi
xed.
DamnI
sabel
l
a.
.
.
.
BRI
AN
Ihadbeentryi
ngtogetaholdofI
sabel
labut
nothi
ng.Shewasn'tanswer
ingmycall
sand
thatal
onepissedmeof f
.
Iwentt
oLa'
Khumzbutshewasn'
tar
ound.
OnmywayoutIbumpedi nt
oawoman, she
wast
all
,darkandhadanafr
o.Shehadabody
ofamodel.Unl
ikeI
sabel
l
ashewasthin.She
wasbeaut
if
ulandhadt
heni
cestsmi
l
e
her:I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hatme:
It'
sokay
.Br
ian
Banda
her:
Nandi
Duna
me:
I'
m pl
easedt
omeety
ouNandi
.
her:
Likewi
se.
Shewasaboutt
owal
kawaywhenIhel
dher
hand.
me:
Arey
ouher
etost
ay?
Shesmi
l
ed
her:
Yes
me:
Arey
oual
one?
her:
Yes
me:
Canweeatt
oget
her?
her:
Sur
e
Wewentbacki
nandat
e.Wespokeaboutour
l
iv
esandIwasshockedIf
undoutshehast
wo
ki
ds.
me:
Soar
eyoucur
rent
lyi
nar
elat
ionshi
p?
Hersmi
l
efaded
her:
No,
wej
ustbr
okeup
me:
I'
m sor
ryt
oheart
hat
her:
Arey
oui
nar
elat
ionshi
p?/
me:
No.
Thent
her
ewasawkwar
dsi
l
ence.Icl
ear
edmy
thr
oat
.
me:
Weshoul
dget
ti
nggoi
ng.
her:
We?
me: Iwast
hinki
ngwecoul
dhav
edeser
tatmy
house
Shel
aughed
her:
I'
dlov
ethat
.
Ipai
dforourbi
l
lthenl
eft
.
Shewasf
oll
owi
ngmewi
thhercar
Arri
vi
ngatmyhousewehadwi neandhada
l
ightconv
ersat
ionaboutr
andom t
hings.
Shewasawonder
ful
woman
me:
I'
m sor
ryabouty
ourhusband.
her:
It'
sokay
.
Welookedeachot
heri
ntheey
est
henourl
i
ps
col
l
ided.
It
henki
ssedherneckandstr
ippedhernaked.A
moanescapedf
rom hermouthwhenIplayed
wi
thmytongueall
overherbody.
Ipl
ayedwit
hherclitandshegr
oaned.Imuf
fed
herandshekeptscreami
ngmyname.
Iputar
ubberandent
eredwi
thoutawar
ning.
ShegroanedandmoanedasImov esfast
erand
fast
er.Ir
eleasedandcol
l
apsedontopofher
.
Damnshewasgood.Toogoodi
fyouaskme
.
Pl
easecomment
.Yourcomment
smat
ter

°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
17
I
SABELLA
Iwokeupi nanunfamiliarpl
ace,t
hisis
defi
nitel
ynotSi
ndy'
spl ace.Myheadi skil
l
ing
me,Ihav eamajorheadache.Ihadbeen
dri
nkingalotl
astnightandI'mreall
ytir
ed.
Iinstantl
yrememberI '
m atmybosseshouse
andnotatwor k.AndSi ndymi ghtbev er
y
wor r
ied.Ithengoandr insemymout hina
bathroom closeby.Ihat ealcohol,i
t'
snicewhen
youdr inkbutinthemor ningy oufeell
ikedy i
ng.
Any wayIgodownst ai
rsandNkosi nathii
s
maki nghimselfbreakfast.Heseemschi l
led.
me:
Whyam Ist
il
lher
e?
hi
m: Hel
lotoyouto.Youwer et
odrunkt
ogo
home.Neverdri
nkli
kethatagai
n,y
oualmost
bur
nedmyki t
chen
me:
Sindymustbewor
ri
ed.Ihav
etogo
hi
m:Ical
l
edher
,she'
satwor
k
me:
Speaki
ngofwor
k,Ihav
etogot
owor
k
hi
m:You'
rewi
tht
heboss,
you'
ref
ine.Tr
ustme.
Il
aughandt
akeaseatonahi
ghchai
rneart
he
count
er.
Hepassesmebr
eakf
astandIdi
gin
i
mmediatel
y
Weeatsi
lent
lyandhewashest
hedi
sheswhen
wedone.
Itakeabathandweart
hesamecl
othesf
rom
yester
day
.
me:
Takemehome
Isayt
hatasIpeeki
nhi
sst
udyr
oom.
hi
m:I
'
m busy
me:
SoIhav
etowai
tfory
ou?
Ir
oll
myey
es
hi
m: Don'
trol
lyourey
esatme.Dosomet
hing
her
e.
Hecont
inueswi
thhi
swor
kandIwal
kaway
Iwatchsomet
elev
isi
onbutI
'
m di
stur
bedbya
knock
Iopenandit'
saoldwomanwi
thahuge
sui
tcasenearher
.
her:
Hel
l
o
me:
Hi
her:YoumustbeNkosi
nat
hi'
sgi
rl
fr
iend.I
'
m hi
s
mother
me:
I'
m sor
rymabut-
Shewal
ksi
nbef
oreIf
ini
shmysent
ence
her:
Wher
ehi
she?NKOSI
NATHI!
!!
Il
ookather
her:
Won'
tyouhel
pmewi
thmybag
It
akeherbagandNkosi
nat
hiappear
sfr
om t
he
st
air
s
hi
m:Ma
her:
Awwwmybaby
Shepl
ant
ski
ssesonhi
sface.
hi
m:Mot
herpl
ease,
I'
m notachi
l
dany
mor
e.
her:Iseeyouf
inal
l
ygotagi
rl
fr
iend,
she'
s
beauti
ful
.
Shesmi
l
eswi
thherhandst
oget
her
.
Nkosi
nat
hiandIl
ookateachot
herandI
'
m
conf
used
me:
Ihav
etogo
her:
No,
sitdown.I
'
llmakecof
fee.
If
akeasmi
l
eandsi
tdown.
Shedi
sappear
sint
heki
tchenandIl
ookat
Nkosi
nat
hi
me:
Soy
ouwontt
ell
her?
hi
m:Iwi
l
l.Iknowhowf
orwar
dshei
s.
Il
aughandshakemyhead.
Whatawoman.

THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
18
I
SABELLA
Il
ookathim bl
ankly
.Ishrcr
azy?Hismot
her
can'
tthi
nkwedating.Ist
andupandwal
ktohi
m.
me:
Youbet
tert
ell
herwenotdat
ing.
Iwhi
sper
.
hi
m:Iwi
l
l
Hegi
vesmea"
you'
reannoy
ingme"l
ook.
me:
Good,
nowt
akemehome
"Nonotnow.Ist
il
lhav
etot
alkt
oyou"
Hismotherwal
ksinwithatr
ayoftwocupsof
coff
ee.Il
ookatherandshejustsmi
l
es.
her:
Sitdown[LooksatNkosi
nat
hi]Wena
hamba
Il
ookatherandNkosinat
hi wal
ksaway
.He
can'
tl
eavemewithhismot her?
Il
ookathi
m andhesay
snot
hing,
inst
eadhe
goesupst
air
s.
Hi
smot
hert
urnst
omeandsmi
l
es
her:
Takey
ourcof
fee.
Itaket
hecof
feeandpourt
wot
easpoonsof
sugar
her:Sotel
lmewhoar
eyou?Whatdoy
oudo
forali
vi
ng?
Ideci
det
opl
ayal
ongunt
ilNkosi
nat
hit
akesme
home
me:
Wel
lI'
mIsabel
l
aMi
nenhl
eMat
thewsI-
her:
You'
rebl
ack?
Shecut
sin.
me:I
'm hal
fcol
our
ed.Hal
fbl
ack.Wellmy
mot
herwascolour
edandmyfatheri
sblack
her:
Ohandwher
edoy
ouwor
k?
me:AtMrKhuma-
,ImeanNkosi
nat
hi'
s
r
est
aurant
Sheopensherey
eswi
del
yindi
sbel
i
ef
her:
Why?
It
ell
hermyst
oryandshei
shappySi
ndysav
ed
me
her:I
'm sor
rymychi
l
d.I
'
m gl
adSi
ndi
siwef
ound
you.
Ismi
l
eanddaynot
hing.It
akeasi
pofher
cof
fee
her:
Tel
lmeabouty
ouandNkosi
nat
hi
Ichokeonmycof
fee
her:
Arey
ouf
ine?
me:
Ofcour
se
her:
Yourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thNat
hi,
howi
sit?
Icl
earmyt
hroat
me: We'
renotdat
ing.Hi
sjustaf
ell
ow
col
l
eague.
Sheput
shercupdownandl
ooksatmewi
tha
fr
own.
her:
NKOSI
NATHI!
!!
!!
.
.
NATHI
IhearMam'
Khumal
ocal
l
ingmef
rom t
hel
ounge.
Istopworkingi
mmedi at
elyandgetoutofthe
study.Iwal
kdownt hestai
rsandsee
disappoi
ntmentfi
ll
edinhereyes.Minehl
eis
l
ookingdownpl ay
ingwiththespooninhercup.
her:
Hlal
aphansi
(Si
tdown)
Okay
,what
'sgoi
ngon?
me:
Yini
Ma(What
'swr
ong)
her:
Ubanil
onaendeUfunani
Lana(Whoset
his
andwhati
sshedoingher
e?)
Il
ookathert
henMi
nehl
e
Iknowi
mmedi
atel
ythatshet
oldMawenotan
i
tem
Icl
earmyt
hroatandl
ookaway
her:
Ngi
khul
umanawe!
!(I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou)
me:
Ngi
sebenzanay
e(Iwor
kwi
thher)
her:Yeywena,manj
eUf
unani
Lana(Sowhati
s
shedoingher
e)
IlookatMinehl
eandshedoesn'
tknowwhatwe
takingabout
me: Ngobangi
yamthandaNa(She'
sher
e
becauseIl
oveher
e)
Shel
ooksatmewi
thsur
pri
sedey
es.
her:
Ye?(What?)
Mi
nehl
e:It
hinky
oushoul
dtakemehome
MaKhumal
olooksathert
heme.
her:
Myi
sekhay
a(Takeherhome)
me:
Okay
her:Angikachedingawewena.Sisazokhul
uma
(I'
m notdonewithyou.Westi
llhavetotal
k)
Ai
ithi
swoman!
!!
.

°
THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
19
NATHI
Itookmycarkey sandindicatedtoMinehl
ethat
I'
lldr
iveherhome.Shewal kedtothedoorand
saidhergoodby estomymot her.Wewentin
thecarandt heridestar
ted.Wewer equiett
he
wholedrivetoherf l
at.Wear r
ivedafew
minuteslaterandwebot hwentout .
Shecl
osedt
hedoorandst
oodbyt
hegat
e
her:
Thanky
ouf
ort
aki
ngmehome.
Inoddedandwest
aredateachot
her
.
Icl
ear
edmyt hr
oatandshewasaboutt
owal
k
awaybuthel
pherhand.
Shel
ookedatme
her:
Whyy
ouhol
dingme?
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroatagai
n.
me:
Isabel
l
aIhav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
her:
Whati
sit?
Ipul
l
edhert
omeandheldherwai
st.Ourey
e's
metandwesai
dnot
hingf
oramoment .
her:
Letmego
me:
No
her:
Thent
ell
mewhaty
ouwant
edt
otel
lme.
me:
I..
I.
.
her:
Ihav
eal
i
fe.Saywhaty
ouwannasay.
Shepull
edast
rai
ghtf
aceandIknewshewas
ser
ious.
me:
Ilov
eyou.
Shelaughed.Shestoppedi
mmedi
atel
ywhen
shesawhowser iousIam.
her:
Arey
ouser
ious?
me:
Minehl
eIl
ovey
oudear
ly.
her:
Ineedt
ogo.
Il
ethergoandshel
eft
.Ist
oodt
her
eand
watchedhergo.
If
eltIhav
efai
l
ed
Iwant
edt
ocr
ybutIf
oughtmyt
ear
s.
Iwenti
ntomycaranddr
ovehome.
NowIhadt
odealwi
ththatMot
herofmi
ne.
Ma'
Khumal
ocanbetoomuch.
.
.
I
SABELLA
HeletmegoandIwenti nsi
deourf l
at.It
hrew
myselfont
hecouch.IneverknewNat hil
oved
me.Itwastoomuchtotakein.Ineverknewhis
behavi
orwasal
lbecausehel ov
edme.Ist ood
upandwenttomakemy sel
fcoffee.
Howcoul
dNat
hil
oveme?Hi
ssupposet
obe
myboss.
Isatont hecouchagainandt houghtofhowmy
l
ifehaschanged.Justy esterdayIwassome
depressedgirl
whowast hrowni naMent al
Hospitalanddidn'
tknowl ove.Forteny earsI
wasi nthathel
l.
Ist
il
lwonderwhatwoul
dhav
ehappenedi
fmy
motherdi
dn'
tki
llher
sel
f.
Isti
llwonderwhatwouldhavehappenedifI
didn'
tsuff
erfr
om depressi
on.WouldIbe
mar r
iedwit
hkids?Woul dIhaveaproperj
ob?
WouldIstil
lbethi
s31y earol
dv i
rgi
nlady?
Wher
eisKi
ng?
Howar
emysi
bli
ngs?
It
houghtofal
lthi
sandt
henagai
nofNat
hi.
DoIfeel
thesamewayforhi
m ?I
sthatwhyI
wal
kedawaybecauseIl
ovehi
m domuch?
Coul
dhebemysoul
mat
e?
.
.
ROMEO
Ki
nghadmov edinandwashelpi
ngmef
ind
I
sabel
l
a.Iwantedtobether
eforher
.
I
sabel
l
adi
dn'
tdeser
vet
his.She'
smysi
ster
Wewer esocl
osewhenwewer
eyoung,
what
happened?
IwasaSat urdayni
ght.IwasinLa'Khumz
rest
aurantwaiti
ngformygi r
lf
ri
end,Pamel
a.
She'sfouryear
solderthanme.Wemetl ast
yearandhav ebeendatingsi
ncethen.
Iwasl
ooki
ngatt
hemenu,
looki
ngf
orasof
t
dri
nkt
oorder
"Hi
sir
,whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oor
der?"
Il
ookedupandt her
eshewas.Shehadn'
t
changed.Shesti
l
lhadcurl
yhai
r.Shewasway
beauti
fulnowandhadthemostbeaut
if
ulbody
.
Iwasshockedandsowasshe
me:
Isa
her:
Romeo
Isawtearst
hreat
eni
ngherey
esandIst
oodup
toembraceher.
me:
I'
m sor
ry
Shel
etgoandwi
pedhert
ear
s.
her:
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgo.
me:
Isabel
l
apl
ease.
her:
Whatdoy
ouwant?
me:
CanIatl
easthav
eyournumber
s?
ShegavemehernumbersandPamel
awal
ked
i
naftershehadwal
kedaway.
Godi
sgood.
.
PLEASELIKEMYNEW BOOK.HerSt
ory:
Busi
siweHlongwane.
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
CONTI
NUATI
ON
NATHI
Idri
vestraighthome, wi
thmusicplay
ingsof
tl
y
from t
her adio.Iarri
vehomeandpar kmycar.I
takemyphoneandcarkey s.Il
ockmycarand
walktothedoor .Iopenandthekit
chensmell
s
divi
ne.
Itr
ustMa'Khumalowi
ththepot
s,she'
sagreat
cook.Igoinandshel
ooksatme.Isaynot
hing
andwalkpasther.
her:
Hey
ewenaNkosi
nat
hi
Ist
op,
tur
nandl
ookather
.
Shegi
vesmeaser i
ousl
ookandIknowshehas
sonmuchtosay.I
fIwasst
il
lachi
ldshewoul
d
havel
ongbeat
enme.
Iwai
tforhert
otal
kandshewal
kst
ome.
her:
Comel
et'
ssi
tdown.Kuf
anel
esi
khul
ume
(weneedt
otal
k)
Idoasi
nst
ruct
edandshedoest
hesame.
Shefoldsherhandsandlooksatmewi
tht
hat"
I
'm concer
nabouty ou"f
ace.
her:Nkosi
nat
hiulalanomsebenzi
wakho(Ar
e
yousleepi
ngwit
hy ourcol
l
eague)
Ial
mostl
aughbutIhol
dev
ery
thi
ngi
n.
me:
Hay
imama
her:Manj
ewhylenyombazaneehl
alanoSi
ndy
beyi
l
anaihambanchunu(Sowhywast hatgi
rl
whostayswit
hSindyher
ewalki
ngnaked)
Il
augh
me:
Hay
imamai
Mini
dressl
eya
her:
Isshef
itt
obeawi
fe?
me:
Mot
herpl
ease.
her:
Don'
tmotherpleaseme.Youar
e35y ear
s
ol
dMaraawunamf azinabant
wana(buty
ou
don'
thav
eawi
feandki
ds)
Ist
andup
me:MotherI
'
llmar
ryMi
nehl
esoon.Umf
azi
wamil
oyana(She'
smywif
e)
her:Awukamshelinokumshel
a(Youhav
en'
t
evenaskedherout)
Il
augh
me: Rel
ax(
a)wenagogoomdala,
umf azi
wama
l
oyana.Nomakanj
ani(She'
smywife.Nomat
ter
what)
Shelaughsandgoesbacktot
hekit
chen.Igo
upstai
rsandtakeashower
.Af
tert
hehygiene
processIdr
yandloti
onmybody.
Iwearmygreypl
ainT-
shi
rtandAdi
daspant
s
wit
hNikeSandal
'
s.
"Wozauzodl
a"(comeeat)
Ma'Khumaloscr
eamsfr
om thelounge.Igo
downstai
rsandshe'
sal
readyseat
ed.
Isi
tdown,
wesayapr
ayerandweeat
.
.
.
I
SABELLA
Igobackt omyshiftaft
erRomeoandhi s
gir
lfr
iendl
eave.I
'
m happyIsawhim butI'
m stil
l
angryaboutthewholeMentalHospi
talsi
tuat
ion.
Igoat t
endedamanwhoseal oneandIknow
him.Hecameweeksago.Hespokeabouthow
sorryheheaboutthelossofmymot herand
saidit'
sni
ceseeingme.Ilookatmeandhe
smiles.
me:
Youagai
n.
hi
m:I
'
m happyt
oseey
ouagai
n.
me:
SirIdi
dn'
tgety
ourname?
hi
m:Youdon'
trememberme?
Ishakemyandhesmi
l
es.
hi
m: Ofcour
sey
ouwon'
t.Il
eftwheny
ouwer
e
onl
y7.
Il
ookathim car
eful
lyandtr
yremembermy
chi
ldhoodmemor i
esbutIdon'
tseehi
spi
ctur
e.
hi
m:Mi
nenhl
e,wher
e'sRomeo?
Il
ookathi
m andI
'
m shockedheknowsRomeo.
Whoi
she?
me:
Whoar
eyou?
Isayi
mpat
ient
ly.
hi
m:I
'
myourf
ather
,Lubabal
oMbat
ha.
Het
akesmyhandi
ntohi
sandIsnat
chi
taway
.
What?
Hecomesonl
yaf
ter24y
ear
s.
If
eel
tear
sescapemyey
esandbur
nmyey
es.
Howcoul
dhebesosel
fi
sh?
°THESCARSMADEHERSTRONGER°
20
I
SABELLA
Hest andsupandIst epback.Iwi
pethetears
thatkeepfall
i
ng.Het ri
esholdi
ngmeandIst op
him.Ilookathim andIjustseeasel
fi
shman.A
manwhonev ercaredforusincl
udi
ngmy
mot her.Ihavesomanyquest i
onsbutIj
ust
can'taskhim.Anothermanr ai
sedhi
schil
dren.
Wher ewashe?
Hemov eshi
smout hbutcl
osesitagai
n.Ist
are
athi
m andhelooksdesper
ateforsomethi
ng
hi
m: Minehl
epl
ease.Letussi
tdownandt
alk
aboutt
his.
me: Tal
kaboutwhat?I
t'
sobv
iouswewer
e
nev
erimport
anttoyou!
Isayt
hatl
oudandaggr
essi
vel
ythatev
ery
one
l
ooksatus.
hi
m:Pl
ease
me:
Leav
e.Goandnev
ercomeback.
hi
m:ButI
'
myourf
ather
.
me: Myfat
heri
sinLondon,
themanwho
act
uall
yrai
sedme.Nowleave.
Hel
ooksatmeoncel
astt
ime
hi
m: I'
my ourfat
hernomatterwhat
.Imade
mist
akesbutIwanttofixt
hem.Pleasef
orgi
ve
meandI '
l
lbehereanyti
mey ouwanttot
alkor
askquest
ions.Il
oveyou
Hewal
ksawayandIcr
y
"Come,
weneedt
otal
k!"
Nat
hisay
swi
thaser
iousf
ace.
hi
m:Myof
fi
cenow
HewalksandIf
oll
owhi
m.Igetint
ohi
sof
fi
ce
andhesit
sdownandl
eansback.
hi
m:Cl
oset
hedoor
.
Icl
oset
hedoorandqui
ckl
ywi
pemyt
ear
s.
hi
m:Si
tdown.
Idoasi
nst
ruct
ed.
hi
m: Whatthehell
wasgoi ngoni nther
e?
Shouti
ngatamanl ikethatinfrontofmy
cust
omers.That
'sinappropriat
e
me:
I'
m sor
ry
Isaycal
mlyandsof
tl
y
hi
m:Whowast
hatman?
me:
Myl
ongl
ostf
ather
.
Thet
ear
scomer
ushi
ngbackandIl
ookdown.
hi
m:Younev
erdot
hatagai
n!
me: Yeahofcour
se.Youwon'tunder
stand,
growingupyouhadadadwhocar ed.I
fyou
wereinmyshoesy ouwouldhavedonethe
samet hi
ng.Nowifyouwil
lexcusemeIhave
yourcostumer
stoattendsoyoucangetthat
bi
gfatcheckatt
heendoft
hemont
h.
Iwal
kawaybuthegrabsme.Hel
ooksatme
andIcr
ylooki
ngdown
hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry
Shel
ooksatmeandj
ustcr
ies.
.
.
NATHI
Il
ethercr
yinmyembr ace.I
'
m hol
dinghertight
andshe'
slett
ingi
tall
out .Mygol
fT-shi
rtis
stai
nedwit
htearsandsnotbutIdon'tmind.
her:
Ishoul
dgetbackt
owor
k
Shesayspul
li
ngouttheembrace.Ourey
esl
ock
forawhil
eandIcl
earmythroat.
me: Youdon'thaveto.Youcansither
eandI
canorderyousomet hi
ngtoeat.Shedoesn't
fi
ghtnorcomplain.Shesit
sdownandwai ts.
Itakemyphoneandor
derherst
eer
sandhang
up.
her:
Thanky
ou
me:
For?
her:
Ever
ythi
ng.
Shest
andsupagai
nandhugsme.
Herphonet
henr
ingsandsheanswer
s
her:Hell
o?Oh..
Yes.
..
Wherecanwemeet? .
..
Oh
okay.
..
.Wil
lNat
hanbether
e?...
.Okayseey
ou
then
Shehangsup
I
'
m hur
t.Soshel
i
kest
hisNat
hanguy?
I
'
mjustNat
hi,
thehel
per
.
Ni
ce.
Wesi
tinsil
enceandmoment
slat
erheror
der
i
sdel
i
vered.
her:
Thanky
ou
Shedi
gsi
nandIwat
chhereat
.
Suchabeaut
if
ulsoul
.
.
.
ROMEO
Isabellai
scomingov ert
onight.I'
vemade
arrangementswithher.Ir eall
ywantust ofix
things.Foroursakeandmot her'ssake.She
woul dbehappyseeust ogetherhappy.
Pamel aandherf atherarealsocomi ngover.
I'
veor gani
sedacheft oprepareameal gotus,I
j
ustwantmysi sterback.Iknowwenegl ect
ed
herbutInowIwantt hi
ngsf i
xed.
.
.
I
SABELLA
I
'
m atourf
latwear
ingear
ri
ngs.I
'
m prepar
ing
f
ortoni
ght
'sdi
nnerathome.I
'
m wil
l
ingtofix
thi
ngswithmysi bli
ngsandmov eonf rom my
badpast.I
'm wearingablackdresswithbrown
sandal
s.Nathi i
sinthel
oungewai t
ingf orme.
Heoffer
edtodr ivemetheresinceSindyis
worki
ngherni ghtshi
ft
.Itakemypur sewi t
hmy
phoneandlipsti
ckinsi
de.
Ij
oinNat
hii
nthel
ounge
me:
Wecangonow
hi
m:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
me:
Thanky
ou
Het akesmywai standourey escoll
ide.Wekiss,
astrongpassionatekiss.Webr eakitaft
era
whileandwegot othecar.I
'm abit
embar rassedbutheseemsf ine.Hedr i
vesme
homeandal lt
hememor i
escomef l
ashingback
thatitalmostmakesmecr y
.
Wegooutandhehol
dsmyhand
hi
m:By
e
me:
Comei
n
hi
m:No
me:
Please
Ibegunt
ilhef
inal
l
yagr
ees.
Wewalkdownt
hepat
handknock,
Kyi
l
eopens
f
orus
Shebr
eaksdownandIhol
dher
.
me:
Sshhhdon'
tcr
y.I
'
m her
enow.
her:
I'
m sor
ry
Shecri
esforawhi
let
henst
opswegoi
nand
ever
yoneseemsseat
ed.
If
reezewhenIseePamel
aandmyf
ather
.