Chapt

er#1

Her
:(cr
ying)
PleaseRose.
.l
etmego
Rose:
(cr
ying)No.
..
Icant.
.
Her:(
cryi
ng)youhavet
oletgoandt
hatway-
you
wil
lli
veabetterl
if
e
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Idontwanti
t,Iwantyou
Her
:(cryi
ng)Youhavet
oletgo,
yourhur
ti
ngme
.Pl
ease..
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Nakedinoo!

.
..
Rosepoppedherheadof fthepill
owwi thsweatall
overherfaceandapoundi nghear tscreamimg
"Nakedi
".Hereyeswonder edar oundherelegant
room onl
yt ofi
ndherselfonlythere.I
twasal r
eady
morningandanot herdaywi t
houtherbestfri
end.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshebr okedowncr yi
ng.I
t
hasbeenf ouryearsbutitf
eelsl i
keyester
day.Thi
s
i
ncidentblockedherwayf orwardandshesee' s
Nakediaroundt hehouse.Sher arel
ysmile.Not hing
seemst obeabl et ol
ightenuphermoodandt ickle
herforhertol etoutherpleasantgiggl
eseversi nce.
Herparentst r
iedwi t
hgiftsandt aki
nghertothei r
events,
fashionshowsandal lthosetri
psthatrich
peoplegot o,butitseemedt obesl owl
ybui l
ding
wall
sar oundherhear tandpai nti
ngherbloodbl ack
.Heronlywi shwast owakeupwi thNakedibyher
si
de.
Shetr
iedrunni
ngawayandsneakingoutbutt
hey
al
waysfoundherbefor
eshecouldgetanyfur
ther
.
Evenpeoplear
oundherwereneverabl
etomake
herl
oughnorsmileabit.

Shewasr i
chwi
thnai
ls,
hadever
ythi
ngbutint
he
i
nside-
shewasscr
eamingontopofherl
ungswit
h
noone-noonet
ohelp.

Heroll
edoffthebedi
ntearsandwenttoherinsui
t
whereever
ythingwasneat
lybeaut
if
ul,
hertowels
wereallwhit
eanditsurel
ysmel l
edgirl
y.She
st
rippednakedandopenedt hecoldshowercryi
ng
underit.
Thecoldwaterpouredfrom herheadand
downl i
cki
nghersmooth,radiantski
n.

Aft
erfewmi nsshest eppedoutanddr iedhersel
f
bef
oreapplyingal ot
ionandgotdr essedinher
cl
assyclothes.Shegr abbedherphoneandwent
downstai
rsgr eet
ingeveryoneshemetonherway
down.Sr eachedt hetableandsatdownwi t
hher
par
entswhower ealreadyreadyforwor k.

Her
:(
slowl
y)mor
ning
Them:Mor
ningdar
li
ng/
mor
ningpr
incess

Sheservedhersel
fandst
art
edeat
ingasher
par
entslookedather.

Mot
her
:Howar
eyout
odaybaby?
Rose:
Fine,
I'
m..
fi
ne
Fat
her
:Yousur
e?
Rose:(
noddi
ng)
Mother
:Hunnyyoudontl
ookf
inet
ome,
youl
ook
pal
e.Tal
ktome.
Rose:Isai
dI'
mf i
nemom !Can'tIhavepeace?At
l
eastoncesothatIcanhavemybr eakf
asti
npeace!
I
sthattootomucht oaskfor?
!
Fat
her:
(hal
fshout
ed)Rose!That
'snotagoodway
tot
alkt
oyourmother,apol
ogi
ze!
Mother:Noi
tohk..
itohk(t
oRose)Sor
rybaby.
.I
di
dn'tmeantoupsetyou.
Rose:I
'
m sor
rytoo.
Ilostmyappet
it
e(st
oodup)
haveagoodday.

Withthatshewalkedupthestai
rstoherr
oom and
openedherlapt
opt henat
tendedonli
necl
asses.

Meanwhi
ledownst
air
s..
.Hermot
herl
ookedather
fat
herwhoseemednottobebot
her
edt
hatdi
r
daught
eri
sslowl
yfadi
ng.

Mother:(
scoff)
Soyourser
iousl
ygoi
ngt
oignor
e
whatjusthappened?
Father:What?Roseneedst oforgetaboutt
hatgirl
andunder standthatI
'm al
sotryi
ngt oprot
ecther
fr
om thewor l
doutther
e, i
t'
snotsaf e.
Sheneedst o
getthatthatfri
endofhersisdeadandsi xfitunder
andshe' l
lneverseeheragain,she'snomore. She
needst ogrowup.
Mother:Jack!.Pret
ectherfrom t
hewor l
doutthere?
Forwhat?Doyouevenknownorr eal
isehowlong
she'
sbeenl ockedupinhere? Sheneverevengot
thechancetoenjoyherteenyear s.
Shenevergot
thechancetomakenewf r
iends.Shenevergotthe
chanceto-DATE!
Father:Nodaught
erofmi nei
sgoingtodateunti
l
she's35androseissti
ll18.
Thatmeansnotinthe
next17years.Ori
fshewanttodate,I
'l
lper
sonall
y
l
ookf oraboyforher
.ThatwayI'
llal
sobesaving
hertheheart
break.Ifshewantedt
ot hosef
ri
ends
yourtal
kingabout,shewouldhavehadthem by
now.
Mother:Ar
eyounuts?!Howwillshewhenshe'
s
l
ockeduplikeananimal?Doyouevenheryour
sel
f?
YouwanttoarrangemydaughterI'
m asi
ll
y
marri
age?OvermydeadbodyJack!Youhearme
?Overmydeadbody!
Father
:Watchyourwor
ds!Whosaidanyt
hing
aboutmarr
iage?Yourt
wist
ingmywords.
Mot
her
:Wow!

Wit
hthatshest
oodupandwentt
otakeherbagson
t
hecouch.

Fat
her:
Whataboutyourbr
eakf
ast
?
Mothed:Il
ostmyappet
it
e.I
'
m of
ftowor
k,havea
ni
ceday.
Fat
her
:It
houghtIwasgoi
ngt
odr
opyouof
f?
Mother
:(
scoff
)Hel
ang!Youknowwhat-Thanksbut
It
hinkI
'l
ldri
vemysel
ftoday.

Sheleftleavinghim al
oneonthetabl
efullt
abl
e.He
si
ghedt hensnappedhi sfi
ngersandaskedthe
maidstocl earthetabl
ethenstoodupandtookhis
bri
efthenl ef
t.

I
naCr
uise

Abigai
lleanedont hebal conyonl yi
nhersi l
kygown
andwat chedovertheoceanast hethecruisedrove
al
ong. I
twasabeaut i
fulmor ning.Shetookadeep
breat
hinhalingthemor ningoceanai r.Shef el
tbold
armswr apar oundhertinybodyandcomf ort,
safet
y
al
ongwi thlovecoveredher. ItwasBr eeze.

Br
eeze:Mor
ning.
.
Gai
l:Mor
ning
Br
eeze:howar
eyou?
Gai
l:I
'
m goodandyoubaby?
Br
eeze:i
m al
sogood.

Thewasamomentofsi
lenceast
heybot
hlooked
overt
heocean.

Breeze:IwishSagiwasherewit
husandthe
vacati
onstart
ingsothatwecoul
dhaveourt
ime
alone.
Gail:Sameher
e,buttheEnter
pri
sewon' truni
tsel
f,
wecantputourfullt
rustonSam andBi l
ly.Onthe
otherhandSagi,
weleftheral
one,runningthi
s
thi
ngsbyherself
.Shemustbedepr essedbynow.
Br
eeze:Yeahshemustbe.
..
Gail
:(t
urnedwi
thaconcer
nedf
ace)I
'
m wor
ri
ed
abouther(t
ear
y)
Br
eeze:Iknow.
..
butcantwemakethi
sabitl
onger
?Sagicanhandl
etheClub,
Far
m andEnt
erpri
se.
Besi
desshecanpul
lal
lthej
obsmoret
hatanyone
anddogood.CommonbbeIbegyou.
Gail:No...
andyoupr omisedtosel
lthevlob.If
eel
cozyaboutt hi
s.Idon'tl
ikeherar
oundallthose
thugs,Iknowsheknowsandabl etotakecareof
herselfbutIdontl
ikeit.
Br eeze:Iunderst
andyouandIt otal
lyhearyoubut
babyt hatclubismybaby, theonlyt
hingIstart
ed
from scratchunti
litwasoneoft hehighestcl
ubsin
thecount r
y, t
heonet hatf
edandr ai
sedmewhen
myf amil
ywasf ucked.
Gail
:AndSagiisyourwi
feBreeze!(
cal
ming)ohk.
.I
getyou.
..butcanyoupl
easefi
ndherabetterpl
ace
towork?Thatwayshewontber i
ski
ngherlif
eeach
day.

Breezetookadeepl ookinhereyesandf orsome

reasonhefeltwhatshewassayi ng.Heletgoofher
waistandleanedont hebal
conyast hesoftairhi
t
softl
yonhisskin.Hissecondwifehasalwaysbeen
theonetotakebulletsf
orhim nowandt hen.The
onewhowasst r
ongert hanthem al
landalso
fear
less.Theonet hatalwayshi
dherpainjustt
o
makesur ethei
rallfi
ne,wouldn'
titbegoodto
consider?

Gai
l:
Justt
hinkabouti
tohk.
.?

Sheki
ssedhisbackandwal
kedbacki
nsi
del
eavi
ng
hi
sm i
nthoughts.

Att
heTaxiRank

Itwasalwaysbusyasal ways.Peopler unningup

anddownl ookingf ortherightt
axist ogettotheir
desti
nat
ion.Ont heot hersideofther oad, t
here
wouldusuallybepeopl ewhosellfruits,vat
koekes
,ci
garet
tes,coffeeort eaandalsosnackst obeabl e
tofeedt
heirfami l
iesbackathome. Ont hecornerof
deranktherewoul dbeagr oupofmangambl ing.
Ont hesideoft her oad-ayoungmanl ooked
sidewaysbef or ecrossingt heroadcheckinghi s
pocketsheadi ngt ot hegambl i
ngcor ner.Het ook
outR10andl ookedatt heboar dandt odaythey
start
edwi thspi nning.Hesear chedhi sbackpocket
andt herewer et wof i
ver amscoi ns.Anolderman
spanhi scoint henhequi ckl yputdownhi swi tht ai
ls
andswal lowedasmor epeopl eputheadsi ncet he
fi
rstoneputheads. Theol dmanl ookedatthet en
ofthem whoputt hemoneyandsmi l
edb4qui ckly
removinghi shandsandf rownedl ookingatthet ai
ls
.Kagisoqui cklygr abbedt hemoneyandsmi l
edas
everyonel ookedathi m pissed. Hef r
ownedl ooki ng
atthem andt ookoneconeandspant henever yone
putmoneyont heboar dbutsi xoft hem wonal lthe
moneyandshar edit.

Lateraround15h00-Theywerenowpl ayi
ngdice
andcar ss.Af
terhefai
ledtwi
ce,Kagi
sowentt othe
bathroom andhisR600inhissafepocketi
nhis
boxersandwentoutzippinghispantstocoverup
.Hewentoverwi thonlyR50andplayeduntilt
hey
t
houghthehadnot
hingl
eftt
hem st
il
lpayi
ng.

Onhiswayhepassedbytheshi
pandbought
veget
abl
es,
frui
ts,
mealandbr
eadthenhel
eft.

Hegothomeandf oundhissickmot
heronthe
groundcr
yingandbeggingas4mant hrewthei
r
stuf
foutofthehouse.Hethr
eweveryt
hingdown
andrantohismotherandhuggedher.

Kg:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Youcantdot
hat!
Man:Youhaven'
tpayedyourrentandyouknowyou
havet
opaytherentint
hefir
st2weeksoryourout!
Kg:ButmanIt
oldyouIwasgonnapayyou.
Her
e!

HestoodupandwenttohisbagandtookoutR200
andaddedi
twiththeR400heearnedt
odaythen
gaveitt
ohi
m. Themancountedthemoneyand
l
ookedathi
m withasmirk.
HerubbedKagiso'
s
shoulderandKagi soslappeditof fthentheman
call
edhi smanandt heywalkedoutoft heyar d.
Kagisol ookedatt hem ast heywal kedoutwhenhe
spottedagi r
linawhi tedr
esst hatwasbel owhi s
knees.Shehadl onghai rl
ookingt owar dshi m but
herfacewasn' tclear.Hismot herchokedf rom the
tear
s, hequi ckl
ywentt oherandhel oherst and
taki
ngheri ntothehousewhi l
eshecr ied.Hehel ped
herlayont heoldbedandwentt ogett herestof
thei
rst uffoutside. Helookedatt hesi deifther oad
andt hegi r
lswasn' tthereanymor e, probablycought
ataxi.Hesi ghedandwentbacki nsidewi ththeir
stuf
fandpackedt hem backbef orehest arted
cooking.
Afterawhi l
eheser vedhi smotherandwentt osit
ont hestoopandat ehis.Hi seyeswelledupwi t
h
tearstot hethoughtthathi smothercouldleavehim
anytimeandhe' llbel eftwit
hnoonebuthi mself.He
hast ofindawayt omakemoneyever ydayandbuy
hermedi cat
ionorshecoul dgetworse.Hehad
appliedforjobsbutst i
llt
herewasn'tanyresponse
event oday. Herubbedhi stearsandswal l
owed
bef
orest
art
ingt
oeat.

Kagi
so:(l
ow)IguessIhavetogobacktosteal
ing
fr
om peopl
e'shouses.
Poli
cewouldn'
talwayscatch
me.GattadowhatIgatt
ado. .
.
.
.
.
.Andther
ewego!Ourf i
rstchapt
erofthestor
y
,hopeyouli
kei
t .Ifnotdropyourfeel
ingsonthe
commentsecti
onandI'l
ltr
yagain.

Li
ke,
shar
eandCOMMENT
[
08/
02,
13:
18]Lynne :Chapt
er#2

Thenextmorni
ngKagi
sotossedyohi
smot
her
s
rankl
edbeaut
if
ulf
ace.
Thoughshewasabi
tdar
ker
,hecoul dseeabi tofhimsel fthere.Hekissedher
foreheadandgotof ft
hebedandwentout si
det o
fetchwat erandusedpr emast ovet owar mit.When
i
twaswahepour edinabat hdi shandbat hed
whol ehismot herwasst il
lasleep.Af t
erfewmi nshe
appliedlotionandgotdr essed. Thoughhewasn' t
ri
ch, he'sclot
hespinswar ealwayst idyandhe
smel ledfresh.Hebrushedhi shai randputonacap
beforedi sposi
ngt hewater.Hecamebackand
prepar edapor r
idgeandat ebef oresayinghisgood
byes.

Kg:Mom ,
mama?
Her
:(
sleepy)mmhh?
Kg:I
'm goi
ngt
othesideoft
her
oadatt
hemal
l.I
'
ll
seeyouwhenIgetback.
Her:Oh.
.pl
easet
akecar
eofyour
sel
f,dontwor
ry
aboutme.
Kg:YouknowIwil
l..
anddpntf
orgett
otakeyour
medicat
ionwer
emakingprogr
esshere.
Her
:Iwont.
Kg:Ohkbye,
l
oveyou.
Her
:Loveyout
oo.

Wi t
hthathewentoutt hedoor.Itfel
treall
y
heartbreakingeverytimehel ef
therbehi ndallby
herself.Noonei nt henei ghborhoodeveraccept ed
them .And. .hecouldn'tblamet hem afterallt
he
troubleshe'scousedj usttoputbr eadont hetable
.Hear r
ivedatat axirankandcl i
mbedat axiand
afterawhi leitwasf ullanditleft.
Hegotoffandwentt
ostandonthesi
deoftheroad
wi
thothermanwhotri
edtostopcar
sforapiecej
ob
.

Guy:Heyman,
what
'sup?
Kg:Goodman,
you?
Guy:I'
m good.
Demnyoulookgood,
they'
regoi
ngt
o
chooseyouasalways.
Kg:(
chuckl
es)
whydoyousayt
hat?
Guy:Commondudeever yt
imewhenyourher
eyour
theonlyonetheypi
ck.Theyevenaskaboutyou
whenyournothere.Lastweeknonofuswas
pickedbecauseal
lofthem sai
dtheywant
edyou.
Kg:Youl
ie
Guy:I
'
m seri
ous.Manyoushouldf i
ndar ealj
ob
usi
ngthat.
Tellt
hem t
ohireyouinsteadofthem
goi
ngaroundlooki
ngforsomeonetodoso.
Kg:Theywoul
dn'
t.
Guy:Theywill
.Fr
om t
hepoi
ntofvi
ewyouseem l
ike
youputeff
ortandhardwor
kinwhatyoudoand
that
'swhytheywantyoumostoft
heti
metodothe
work.
Kg:NahmanIdon'
tthi
nkso.

Al uxur
ycarstoppedandever
yoneelser
anover
.Thewi ndowopenedandtheladyl
ookedatallof
them withtoomuchmakeuponwhi l
echewinga
gum .
Her:I
'
ml ooki
ngforsomeonewhocanf
ixbr
oken
pi
pes.Anyonehere?
Man:Ican.
Her
:Ohkgeti
n.

Everyoneel
sesteppedbackandt
hemangoti
nthe
carandtheladystoppedl
ooki
ngatt
hem .

Her
:anyonewhoknowshowt
otr
im?
Ever
yone:
Ican
[
08/
02,
13:
19]Lynne :Cont
inuat
ion#2

Lady:Anyonewhocant
ri
m?
Ever
yone:Ican.

Thel
adylookedatt
hem bef
orechoosi
nganelder
manthenhegotinbef
oreshedroveof
f.Kagi
so
l
ookedatt hecarasi tdisappear edandcomi ngt o
thinkofi t,thatwashi sdr eam carmadehi mthink
evenl esserofhi mself.Washeevergoi ngt obeabl e
tobel ikeanyot herpeopl ehi sage.Imeanhe' s
already22wi thnopl anorl eadt ohi swayf or
war d
tosuccess.Al waysi tshi m ont hest r eets,he
doesn' tevenr ememberhowi t'
sl i
ket ospendt he
whol edayatyourpl acewi thnowor riesonwhat
yourgoi ngt oeatt omor r
ow, clothesandshel t
er.He
sighedbef or elookingupt heskyt henwentt ojoin
othermanast heyt ri
edst oppi ngcar s.Abussl owly
drovebyt oont heothersi deoft her oadand
stoppedatt hebusst opandopenedt hedoor .Hi s
eyesr ant ot hebuswhent heyl andedonagi rl
sitti
ngbyt hewi ndowl ookingt owar dhi m andst il
l
event odayherf acewasn' tcl ear.Hel ookedat
otherwi ndowsandot herpeopl ewer ecl earand
whenhel ookedwher et hegi rlwas, shewasn' tthere
butaanol dman.Hi shear tski ppedwhenhe
l
ookedar oundt oseei fanyoneel sesawt hatbut
nop, theywer ef ocusedonwhatt heywer edoing.He
thoughtmaybei twashi smi ndpl ayi ngt ri
ckswi th
him whenheshooki tof fandcont inuedt ryi
ngt o
st
opcar
s.

ATTHELYONSMANSI
ON.

Around3h00pm, Rosest oodonherbal conyl ooking

downatt hehel persastheyl oughed, high-f
ivedand
playfullyhiteachot her.
Them cal l
ingeachot her
fri
endsandt easingeachot her.Howf reethey
l
ooked. Shebi therlowerlipaspi ctureofherf r
iend
l
ayinghel plesslyont hathospi t
albedpoppedr i
ght
i
nf r
ontofhereyes.Thatgi rlwasmor et hanjusta
fri
endt oherbutf amily,mor eli
keasi ster.Theonl y
personshewasabl etocommuni cat ewi thfreel
yso.
Theonl yf r
iendsheeverhadsi ncechi l
dhood.
Nakediwasaj oyful,del
ight f
ulandcont ent
edgi rl
andwhenshel oughed,shel oughedl ikeababy.She
wasal wayspl easedandcheer fulandr i
ghtthatwas
thereasonwhyshecoul dn'tseet hepai nshewas
carrying.Fi ghtingcancerandr apeatt hesamet ime.
Shecoul donl yi maginethepai n.Nakediwas
alwayst hef i
rstpersontoseewhenshewasnot
ohkbutshecoul dn' t.Shecoul dn'tseehereven
whenshewasonabr eakdownnorseeacl uethat
herf r
iendwasgoi ngt hroughthemost. Somuchf or
agoodf riend.Hercr ackingvoi cewhenshet oldher
she" couldn'ttakei tanymor e"layingthere.Theway
herbonesshowedupandherundereyeswi t
hno
hair.Howshet oldher" t
hepainwast oomuch".
Whent hedoct orscamei nandt ri
edescor t
ingher
whileshehel dont oNakedi '
smot i
onlessbody
screami ngherl ungsout.Al lthatcamebef or
eher
eyesl i
keamovi east earsburnedhereyes. She
wentbackt oherr oom andpi ckedNakedi 'spict
ure
onherst udytableandhuggedadearl i
feoutofit
.Shescr eamedhernamemel ti
ngdownherf luf
fy
carpetcr yingoutl oud.

Rose:
(cr
ying)I
'
m sososor
ry.Comeback.
.

#AtACRUI
SEPARKI
NG

Br
eezeputonehandi
nthepocketwhi
leanot
her
onehel dGai l'
swai stcar eful
lyhelpi
ngherof fthe
boatl eadinghert ot hecar.Shef i
xedhershades
ast hewindt ookhersummerdr essandgoti nthe
car.Theywer enowt hecent erofat
tenti
oncour se
mostpeopl ewi l
lturnont heirt
oeslooki
ngatt hem .
Mustbef unbei ngbor nintotheLyonsfamily,well
atleastthat'swhatt heyt hought.Theguardsput
thebagsi nt hetrunkandgaveBr eezethekeysand
hedr oveof f.Theguar dswentt otheir
sandsped
aft
ert hem .Br eezetookof fhisshadesandpul l
ed
Gail'
shandandki ssedi t.

Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Yoursobeaut
if
ulyouknowt
hat
?
Gai
l:(
blushi
ng)yout
ellmeal
mostl
ikeever
yday.
Breeze:andI'
l
lcont
inuer
emi
ndi
ngyou.Yourapar
t
ofme, myheart
beat
.
Gai
l:andSagi
?
Breeze:Therewoul dn'tbeaheartbeatwi
thouta
heartright
?.Ifthereisnohearttherewontbea
heartbeatandifthere'
snoheartbeattheheartwi
ll
di
e.Soyoubot hcompl et
emebabe.
Gai
l:Ncoowyoumi
ssher?
Br
eeze:Ver
y!
Gail:Imisshertoo.Icantwaitt
oseewhatshehas
prepared,I
'm sur
esheout di
dhersel
f.She'
sagr
eat
cook.
Br
eeze:youbot
har
e.Il
oveyoubabe.
Gai
l:Il
oveyout
oo.

Hekissedherhandandsteppedontheaccel
erat
or
asshegiggl
edwhilet
heguardsspedaft
erthem
tr
yingtocat
chup.

#ATBREEZESHOUSE

Sagitookthecookingspoonandscoopedsoup
fr
om thepotandt asted,sheslowl
yr oseherhead
fr
om thespoont aki
ngi nthedeli
ciousnessdown
herthroat.Shesmiledi mpr
essedandt ookat abl
e
bowlandpour edthest ewbeforetaki
ngittothe
dinnertablet hatalr
eadyhaddi f
ferentkindof
deli
ciousdi shes.Sheni cel
yplacedi tdownandput
thedi shclothonhershoul derholdingherwaist
smi l
ingimpr essed.Shecover sthef oodandwent
backt otheki tchentowasht hedishesshewas
usingbef oregoi ngtotakeashower.
.
Aft
erawhil
eshewal keddownst
air
sweari
ngbuddy
out
fitwi
thwethai
rtalki
ngovert
hephone.

Sagi :Olebi
leItoldyouthatBreezeisonhiswayand
he'llseeyout omor r
ow.Whydoyoukeepi nsi
sti
ng
thatIshoul dtellyoutoexpand?Iknownot hi
ng
aboutt hisshitheputonmydeskal lIknowis
attendingmeet ingsandreporti
ng.Iknownot hi
ng
aboutRussi ansbei ngthesuppli
ersorwhom ever
fuckt hatis.Idistri
but
eIdontgiveorders.
Olebil
e:Yeahyourri
ghtyoudistr
ibute,
butplease
gi
rl,gi
vethewor doutwerel
osingprofusionmoney
here.I
fyoudot hist
hesuppl
ywi llbehighandthat
waywel lmake-
Sagi:Dudeno!Idontwantt hi
st oblowinmyf ace,I
dontwantt ogetpuni shedf orsomeshi t
tyshit
deali
ngsIknowshi tabout.Il etBreezeknowabout
thi
ssoyouguyscant alkitoutt houghIknowhe
wontagr eetothiscour ser ecentlyther
ewasan
arr
estofDanger. Theyf oundbr icksinhistr
unk0lus
hewashi gh.Sopleasedopushmet odo
somet hi
ngI '
llr
egretdoing.

Shehangupbeforehecoul
dgoanyfur
therand
pour
edhersel
fwineanxi
ousl
ywai
ti
ng.

Ont
hesi
deoft
her
oad.

Thesunwasscor chi
nghotwhenKagi solif
tedhis
shir
tandwi pedthesweatoffhisfaceandtookoff
hiscapfanninghimself
.Heputi nbackonandsaw
asportcarapproachingwhenhel if
tedhishand
tr
yingtostopthem .Hisfacedroppedfrom the
speedslowlythi
sguywontsl owdownandhearhi m
out.Greathewaswi thagirl,
nowonder.Thecar
passedwi t
hhi ghspeedf ol
lowedbywhatseemed
l
ikethei rguards.Hesi ghedandl ookedaroundhim
,i
twasonl yhim sel f.Hesi ghedandt r
iedonemore
ti
mebutnoonest opped.Heevent uall
ygaveup
andwal kedtot her anksearchinghispocketsand
heonlyhadmoneyf orret
urn.Hesawaman
standingbyhi st axiandt odaywasoneoft hosedi
re
desper atedaysf ormoneyt ohim .Heswal l
owed
beforewal ki
ngt owar dshim.

Kg:Dumel
ang.
Man:Gor
engmonna?
Kg:uhm .
.agor
esel
o.Eermal
omeI
'
mlooki
ngf
ora
pi
ecejob.
Man:Nahboyzat odayt
hoseotherboyshadalready
washeditasyoucanseebutcomebackaf teraday
,ipr
omiseI'
llgi
veyouaturnf
orR50.
Kg:
(bi
tli
p)keal
ebogamal
ome.
Man:xapmot
logol
o.
Kagisolookedaroundandallt
hist
axi
sherewere
clean.Hespottedanelderwomansewingwitha
tableoffr
uit
sbyherside.Hetookashortpr
ayerin
hisheartandwalkedovertoher.

Kg:Thobel
abagol
o.
Woman:t
hobel
angwanaka,
howar
eyou?
Kg:
I'
m goodbut(
heavi
lysi
ghed)notr
eal
ly.
Woman:What'
swr
ongar
en'
tyouher
etobuy
somet
hing?
Kg:no.
.Iam l
ooki
ngf
orapi
ecej
ob.
Woman:ohI
'
m sor
-
Kg:
(bowi ng)I
'm desperat
ehlemma.I, Ihavea
si
ckmot herathomeandI (
tear
y)andI '
mt heonly
oneshehasandshe' sdependi
ngonme.Ineedt he
moneyeveni fi
tsR5t oaddsot haticanbuyher
medicati
on.Anyt i
mesoonshemi ghtleaveme.
Thedoctorsaidishouldmakesur eshet akesher
medicati
ondaily.Iknowbringi
ngt hi
supwontmake
awayf ormebutpl easemma, Ineedhelp.Icould
doanything,anythi
ng.Icanevenwashcl ot
hes,
dishes,
cl
eanyar ds,massage, di
gt oi
let
sorclean
them ,mmaeasehel p.Ihaveal ottocoveri
na
mont hplusrentorwewi llendupunderabr idge
again.Pleasehelpme, eveni fi
t'
snotyouhel pme
fi
ndonemmaI '
m begyou. (
tear
y)

Justthetoneofhi svoicebr oughttearstothe

womanseyesasshest aredintohistearydesper
ate
eyes.Onl yifshehadachi ldwhocar edthi
smuch
aboutheri nsteadofsl eepingaroundandbei ng
broughtbacki ndi f
ferentcar s.Him bowingdown
l
ikethathol di
ngt heoldwomanshandcought
people'
seyesbuthecar edless.Thewoman
noti
cedal ltheeyesandst oodupandhel dKagiso'
s
shouldershelpinghi m standandf orsomer eason
shefeltl
ikegi vi
nghi m ahugandhuggedhi m .Care
andunder standingcover edKagisoast ear
sroll
ed
downhi scheek.
.
.
.Commentf
ormor
e
.
[
08/
02,
13:
20]Lynne :Chapt
er3

Stil
lhuggi ng,thewomanf elthistear swetti
ngher
ont hebackandwai tedaf ewmor emi nutesuntilhe
calmedt hentheybr okethehug.Hewi pedhistears
andl ookedatt hewomanwhogaveheracr ateand
theybot hsatdown.Thi sboywascl eant obet he
onecr yi
ngandbeggi ngstranger sforhelp.Hehad
l
onghai rthatwaspl atedcor nrowsandhewasl i
ght
skinned.Sheneversawamanl ookinggoodwi t
h
platedhai runtilt
oday.Shet houghtt heywer ecrazy
butt odayi twaspr ovenother wisecour sethisone
changedt hedeclaration.Shesmi l
edwonder i
ng
whot hewomanwaswhogavebi rthtosuchaboy
whol ovedhert othatextent.

Woman:haveyoueat
enanyt
hing?
Kg:aowamma.
Woman:youcanhaveabanana,
appleandthat
pi
eceofawat
ermel
onther
e.I'
m sur
eit'
llbal
ance.

Kagisol
ookedatherandshesmi ledathim andhe
ret
urnedi
tbeforedoi
ngashewast ol
d.Thewoman
gavehim at
ableknif
esohecanbeabl etocutthe
watermel
on.Afterheatehisstomachwassat i
sfi
ed
andhewenttot hr
owt hepeel
sinthetrashbinand
camebacksitt
ingdown.

Woman:Youohk?Yourf
ull
?
Kg:yest
hanksal
otmma.
Woman:yourwel
comemyboy.Mynamei
sSyl
via
Kani.
Kg:ohsor
ry,
I
'm Kagi
soMokwena.
Sylvia:ohk.Somyboyt hisisal
lIcanofferyouI
havenot hingel
se.You'l
lbehelpi
ngmewi t
hthe
tablewhileImakedressesandbeads.Iknowi t'
s
notwhatyouexpect edbutthisi
sallIcanhelpwit
h.
Kg:
(smi
li
ng)t
hankyousomuch.I
t'
smor
ethan
whatIexpect
edt
hankyou.
Syl
via:you'
rewel
comemyboy.

Theyconti
nuedchatti
ngt r
yingtoknoweachot her
asmor ecustomerscame.Ar ound5pm they
packedeverythi
ngputthem inawheelbarrowand
KagisopushedittoSyl
via'
shouse.Whent heygot
ther
ehehelpedherputever yt
hingi
nsi
deand
walkedout.

Sylvi
a:here,t
aket
hisandaddtoyourmot
hers
medicat
ionmoney.Taketwoappl
esandbananas
forher.
Kg:thankyoubutyoualr
eadydi
denoughandI
real
lyappr
eciat
eyour-
Sylvi
a:Yoursodi sr
espect
fulmyboy.Don'
tyou
knowt hatyoucantdecl
ineanel
dersgi
ft?
Kg:Iuhm .
.
Syl
via:(
loughs)t
akei
tbef
oreIsl
apyou.
Theyloughedandhet ookt
heR50andthefr
uit
s
beforetheyhuggedandhelef
ttot
herank,
coughta
taxiandwenthome.
.
Aft
erawhi lehegotof ft
hetaxiinf
rontofhisgate
andhepayedt hedriverbeforehedroveof f.Hegot
i
nandcl osedthegateandwentt othehouseand
knocked.Heknockedsever alt
imesandwhent her
e
wasnor esponsehewal kedi nwit
hapoundi ng
heart
.Thecandl ewasnotl itandthehousewas
dark.Helitthecandleandlookedar oundwhenhe
sawhismot herlayi
ngont hebed.Hewal kdover
cal
li
ngherandgent lyshookherashef el
thisheart
beati
nghar donhischest.

Kg:mama?Mama?
Her
:(sl
eepy)mmhh.
.

Heheavi
lybr
eat
hedoutandt
ouchedhi
schest
bef
oresmili
ngandl
ookedatherasshet
urned
l
ookingathi
mthensmil
ed.

Her:(smi
li
ng)yourback?You'
vebeengonet
he
wholeday,
Iwassowor ri
edaboutyou.
Kg:yeahI
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat.
Her
:it
sohk.
Kg:Di
dyouhaveyourmedi
cat
ion?
Her
:Idi
d.IhopeIgetbet
tersoon.
Kg:youwi
ll.Haveyoueat
enanyt
hing?
Her:yeah,
Ievent
ri
edcooki
ngpapandcabbage.
Haveyou?
Kg:mmmhyep.

Hewal kedt
othepot
sandopenedt
hem before
servi
nghimself
.Hewentt
owashhishandsi na
bowlandcamebackthenst
art
edeati
ngsit
tingon
plast
icchai
r.
Mot
her
:youshoul
dtakeabat
h,yousmel
lsweat
.
Kg:(
loughs)noI
'
m notgoi
ngt
obat
htoday.
Her:youareoryoursleepi
ngont hefl
oor.Yournot
ent
eringthi
sbedsmel li
ngli
kethatandItol
dyou
nottostandsolongont hesunandI'm sur
eyoudid
.Hunnyyou'llbl
eed,youknowt hat
.
Kg:yeahIknow.Iwontst
andont
hesunIpr
omi
se.
Her
:gr
eat
.Sohowwasyourday?
Kg:itwasdrowsybutImanagedt
ofi
ndal i
tt
lejob
thatwil
lkeepusgoi
ngfornow.Iwil
lbeworkingto
sellf
rui
tswithmmeSylvi
a.Shewaskindenoughto
l
etmehust lewit
hher.
Her
:oh.
.mayGodbl
essher.Pl
easethankherf
or
meandI
'l
lgot
hankherwhenIf
eelbett
er.
Kg:Iwi
llmom .

#AtBr
eezeshouse
Sagiplayedagameonherphonel ayingonthe
couchwhent hedooropened.Shet hrewherphone
ontheot hercouchandr anacr osstheroom tothe
door.Breezewal kedin pull
ingt hecasebut
droppeditwhenhesawSagir unningoverand
coughther.Shewr appedherlegsar oundhiswaist
andtheyt i
ghtlyhuggedbeforet heyleanedinfora
passionatekiss.Breezewrappedhi shandsonher
thi
ghsbal ancingherbefor
ebr eakingthekiss.

Br
eeze:heysmucl
es.
Sagi
:heybaby.Howar
eyou?
Br
eeze:nowIcanf
ull
ysayi
m good.Andyou?
Sagi
:Icansayt
hesame.

Theykissedonemoret
imeandshesli
ddown.Gai
l
walkedinandshewentt
oherhuggi
ngherand
pul
ledherfaceFr
enchki
ssi
ngherandbrokei
t.

Gai
l:ohksomeonemi
ssedme.
Sagi
:al
ot.Letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat.

Theyhelpedeachotherwit
hthebagswhileBreeze
pul
ledthebiggeroneandtheywentt
oputt hem
upstai
rsandcamebackt othedi
nnertabl
e.
Theyallset
tl
eddownandSagiopenedthefood.
Thearomahi tt
hei
rnosesandthei
rmouthwater
ed
i
nstant
ly.Theyser
vedthemsel
vesandpoured
whine.

Gai
l:babysaygr
ace.
Br
eeze:(
chocked)excusemewhat
?
Sagi
:saygr
acei
tsyourt
urn.
Breeze:commonwi ves.Themanoft hehousej
ust
ret
urnedandalreadyyoursayi
ngIshoul
dpray?.
Wher ewil
lIst
art?
Sagi
:howeveryouwant.
Br
eeze:I
'
m asi
nnerhewontl
ist
ent
ome.
Gai
l:whosai
dso?
Br
eezel
ookedatt
hem ,
andyept
heywer
eser
ious.

Br
eeze:ohkl
et'
srai
seourgl
asses.
Sagi
:(
loughs)r
aiseourgl
assesf
orwhat?
Breeze:yougirl
ssaidIshoul
dpr
ayandwhenIsay
rai
seyourglassesyouaskwhy?
Gail
:Wearen'
tpr
ayinggangst
eri
sm her
ewhy
shouldwerai
segl
asses?
Br
eeze:soshoul
dIsaybowyourheads?
Sagi
:andhol
dhandsbabe.
Breeze:ohk..
.l
et'
sbowourheadsandhol
dhands.
Youguysar emakingmeyourpastor
.
Gai
l:j
ustpr
ay.

Theyal
lbowedthei
rheadsandwait
edforabouta
minwit
houtBr
eezeprayingwhent
hegir
lsrosethei
r
headsl
ooki
ngathim bowinghi
sheadwit
hout
sayi
nganyt
hing.Theyloughedcour
singhimto
rai
sehi
sheadlookingatthem wi
thasmile.

Breeze:andAman.Yougi
rl
saren'
twel
lmanner
ed
,whyareyouloughi
ngwhi
leI'
m pr
ayi
ng?
Gai
l:youwer
en'
tpr
ayi
ng.
Br
eeze:Iwas.

Theyloughedandaskedhimt opr
ayagai
nbuthe
ref
usedsoGailprayedandtheyst
art
edeati
ngwhi
le
chatt
ing.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Rose'smotherJane,walkedpassedherdaughter
's
room andstoppedonhert oesl
ookingatherdoor.
Shehasn'tseenhertoday.Shewalkedoverand
knockedbuttherewasnor esponse.Shesli
ghtl
y
openedthedoorandwal kedinswitchi
ngonthe
l
ight.Shetur
nedandfoundl
ayi
ngonthebed
f
acingthecei
li
ngthenshewal
kedoversi
tt
ingon
t
heedge.
Notknowingwhattosayshel
ayednextt
oheral
so
faci
ngthecei
li
ng.Rosetur
nedherheadl
ooki
ngat
her.

Rose:mom ar
eyouohk?
Jane:Ar
eyou?
Rose:yeah.
..
I'
mfi
ne.
Jane:baby. ..
youknowyoucanal wayst alktome
ri
ght( f
acingher )Icanseet hatyournotal r
ight.I'
ve
beenpr etendingtobest rongt hinkingyou' l
lgeton
yourfeetbuthunnynotonl yar eyouhur ting,your
hurti
ngmeyourmot her.Igethur tseei
ngyoul ike
thi
s.Ever yt
imeIpasst hisr oom andhearyou
sobbing, youdontunder standhowmuch
heartbreakitputsmet hrough.IknowwhatI '
m
aboutt osaywi l
lsoundvi gorbuthunny, she'sgone.
She'snomor eandt here'snot hingwecandoabout
that.Iwi shitwaspossi blet obr i
ngthedeadback
buti
t'
snot.Nakedii
sgone,
goneandnevert
obe
seenagai
n.
Rose:(
tear
y)mom st
opr
ubbi
ngi
tin.

ShestoodupandJaner
oseherupperbodyl
ooki
ng
ather.

Jane:i
t'
str
ueandyouhavet
o-
Rose:
(cr
ying)mom st
op!Yousai
denoughal
ready!

Asshewasaboutt osaysomethingherf at
herJack
enter
edther oom andlookedatthem thenatRose.
Rose'sheartcrackedbefor
ehecoul dsay
any5coursesurelywhateveri
sgoi ngt
ocomeoutof
thatmouthwasnogood.Notgoodatal l.

Jack:Rose?What
'swr
ong?
Rose:not
hingdad.
Jack:doesn'
tlookl
ikenot
hingwhenyouhavea
ri
verfl
owingonyourcheeks.Hunnywhat
'swrong?
Jane:nothi
ng,wewer ej
usthavi
ngamot herand
daughterconver
sat
ionandIguessIpushedtoo
hard-
Rose:(
cryi
ng)youpushedmor
ethanhar
dmom !
Thatwasmy-
Jack:soit'
saboutthatstupidgir
l.Rosewhat'
s
wrongwi t
hyou, nowyourover doingitmygi
rl
.No
onemounsf oroverayearespeciall
yforaf
ri
end.
Babygetitintoyourthickskul
l"Shesdeadandsi
x
feetunder"shesnol ongeravai
lable.
Jane:Woaw!It hi
nkyoualsosai
dmorethan
enough.Let
'sgetoutofhere.
Hunnygetsomesl
eep
andwelltal
ktomorrow.
Rose:Ihat
eyoubot
h,howcoul
dyou!
Jack:Rose!She'
sdead!Youbur i
edher!Stopwi t
h
yournonsenseandfi
ndotherf
riendsifyouwant
them .Wecantkeeppamperi
ngyoul i
keyoursti
lla
babyoryoujustl
osther.Wealsolostfri
endst
hat
wegr ewupwithfr
om whenwewer e6butwe
managedt omoveon.Yournotgi vi
ngthatgi r
l
peace,l
ethergo.Whent hesunr i
setomor rowI
dontwantt ohearanythi
ngaboutt hatstupidgir
l
anymorei nmyhouse.Andi fyoucrymakesur e
thatyoucryforareasonablethingcourseifit'
sthat
girl,
Ipr
omi set
ogiveyout hemosthur ti
ng
punishmentyouwontevent hi
nkofsheddi ngat ear
everagain.Your18f orchri
stsake!.

Rosest oodthereasherthroatdri
edandtears
streameddownhercheeksl ooki
ngatheratfuri
ous
fathernotblinki
ng.Jane'
stearsburnedhereyes
andsheexi tedtheroom t
ot hemainbedroom wit
h
tearsroll
ingdownhercheek.Thef earandhatredin
herdaught er'
seyes.
BackinRose'
sroom Jacklookedatherandwentto
takeNakedi
'
sframedpict
ureasRosel ookedathi
m.

Jack:Thi
sist
hethingt
hatkeepsyoucr
yingnow
andthen?Apict
ure?
Rose:
(cr
ying)
Dadpl
easeputi
tdown,
Ipr
omi
seI
wontevercr
yagai
n,pl
easeputi
tback.Pl
ease.
.

Shesaidthatquickl
ywipinghertear
sandputher
handstogetherbeggi
nghi m.Shefearf
ull
ywent
overl
ookinginhisangryeyesandwi thshaky
handsshetookt hepict
urefr
om hisgri
pandheld
ontoit.

Jack:hunnyIl
oveyoubutifIhavet
odot
hisf
oryou
tobeyoursel
fagai
nIwil
l.
Rose:
Iknow.
Jack:wi
peyourt
ear
sandgot
osl
eep.Goodni
ght.

Heopenedt hebl anket sf

orherthenshegotinsti
ll
holdingthatpictureandhecover edherki
ssingher
foreheadandl eftswi tchi
ngofftheli
ghts.Roseput
thepictureont heheadboar dandl ookedatitas
tearsroll
eddownt othepill
ow.Somehowshe
wonder edifherf atherwasr i
ghtorhewasj ust
tal
kingoutofhat redforherfri
end.Sheclosedher
eyestr
yingtostopthetear
swhi
lei
nthought
sand
event
uallyf
ellasl
eep.
.
.
.
Commentf
oranot
herone
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
20]Lynne :#Chapt
er4

#AtKagi
so'
shouse

Earl
yint hemor ni
ng,Kagisolookedathimselfon
thecrackedmi r
rorbeforetakingabrushand
brushedhi shai
rthenputi tbackweari
ngacap.He
wenttodi sposethewat erandcamebackmaki ng
himselfacupoft eaandsatdownget t
inglosti
n
thoughts.Hismot hertossedandturnedandf i
nal
ly
openedhereyesandl ookedathim witht
hecupon
hi
sli
ps.Sheli
ft
edherupperbodyandbal
anced
wi
thherel
bowslooki
ngathim.

Her
:Hey.
.
Kg:.
..
.
Her
:Kagi
so?
Kg:.
..
Her
:Heiwena!
Kg:Huh?
Her
:Whoi
sshe?
Kg:
Whoi
swho?
Her:t
hegir
lyourt
hinki
ngabout.Theonemaking
youstar
eoutspaceconsumingyourmindl
ikethat.
Kg:(
scof
fs)Noonemom .

Hesaidthatst
andingupandwashedt hecupina
bowlandwipeditputt
ingitback.Hetur
nedtohis
motherl
ookingathim andshehadthat"Idont
bel
ieveyou"l
ookonherface.Hewal
kedoverand
wentononekneelooki
ngather.

Kg:What?
Her
:Yout
ellme.Whoi
sshe?
Kg:I
tsnobody.
Her:Cantbe"
nobody".YourhandsomeI
'
m sur
e
gi
rl
st hr
owthemsel
vesonyou.
Kg:
(l
oughs)Mom.
Her
:I
'm ser
ious.
Kg:Nogi
rlwi
llf
allf
orsomeonel
ikeme.
Her:Whynot
?Yourahar
dworki
ngmanandyour
handsome?Whywoul
dn'
tthey?
Kg:Thewor
ldi
sdi
ff
erentnowmom.
Her
:Howdi
ff
erentKagi
so?
Kg:Mom ,gi
rl
sthi
sdaysaren'tl
iket
heonesyou
guyswerewhengrowingup.Theywantguyswit
h
money,maninsui
ts,manwithnicehai
rcuts,
man
withcar sandhouses.Notuswhowal kandaskf or
piecej obsont hesi deoft her oadt hencomeback
homewi thasmal lgreenpl asticbagt hatcarri
es
only2appl esandacabbage.Theywantguyswhol l
takethem t oasal onandpl aitlonghai r
sandput
fakelashes.Guyswhol ltaket hem outt o
restaurant satni ght, buyt hem expensi vegi
fts,gi
ve
them moneyf orspar s, nails,payt heirrant s,
actual
ly
payt heirbi ll
sandal ot.Whol ldat eal ikemewi t
h
l
onghai rcor nrowsonhi shead?.Aguywhowear s
oldclot hest hatarel ayedont hegr oundi nthe
mi ddleofashi ningbr ightsunl ightsol donlyR10.A
guyst ayi nginoner oom?Aguywi thtwoboxer s?
Noone' sdaught erwi llfallfort hat,notevent heone
whogr ewupi npover ty.Asf ort her i
chonest hey
woul ddar estoopsol ow.Idoubtsomeonel ikeme
willeverhaveaf ami ly.I'l
levendi ebeingt heKagiso
Iam ,wi thoutagi r
lf
riend.
Her
:(sadl
y)butyouusedt
ohaveagi
rl
fr
iend.
Kg:(
stoodup)wher
eisshenow?Marri
ed.Shes
marr
iedandhastwochil
drenwi
thahusband
whoseasecret
arywhi
leshesanur
se.Livi
ngher
l
if
e.Theonej
ustusedme.
Her
:Theot
heronewho?Usedyouhow?
Kg:Masedi.Nevermi ndhowsheusedme.Let 's
j
ustleaveitli
kethatbutknowthatI
'
llneverhave
one.Yourt heonlyonewholovesmeandI '
m happy
wit
ht hat
,withyou.

Hekissedherfor
eheadbefor
ehuggi
ngherf
ora
whi
lefeeli
ngthecomfor
tandlovei
nherwar
m ar
ms
l
ayi
nghi sheadonherchest.

Her:ohmyboy. .
.donteverthi
nksol owofyour sel
f
l
ikethat,dontlookdownonyour sel
fli
ket hat,ever.
She'l
lcomewhent hetimeisright.Youst i
llhavea
l
ongwayuponyourl i
fewithsomuchbl essings,
for
giveuponyour sel
fli
kethat.Yourdream of
becomi ngalawyerwi l
lfi
nall
ybet r
ue,eveni fit
doesn'tworkoutGodhasapr eciousblessingf or
you.Iloveyoumyboy.
Hi
m:Il
oveyout
oomom .
Hest
oodupandki
ssedhercheekandl
eft.

#AtBr
eezeshouse

Thegoldensunlightpeekedthr
oughthecurt
ains
andhitGai
l'
sclosedeyeswhenshef rownedand
pul
ledtheshi
tsonherf ace.Sheopenedhereyes
andgotoutofbednakedgoi ngint
otheinsui
t.
Shewal kedintot heshowernakedandbal ancedthe
wat erbeforestandi ngunderi t
.Lastnightwas
amazi ngandhot.Shecoul dbarelyfeelherlegs
andhercooki ewasonf i
reandswol len.Shet ri
ed
touchingher selfbutst oppedbef or
eshecoul dand
steppedoutwr appi ngherselfi
nat owel .Howt he
helldoeshedot his?Cour seclearl
yifshe'sswol l
en
soi sSagi.Shel ookedather selfonthemi rror
drippingwat erandt ookanothertowelwi pi
ngher
hair.Shewal kedoutandwentt ohercl osetandgot
dressedbef oregoi ngt ositi
nfrontthemi rr
or
appl yi
ngno-bakeupmakeupandt i
edherl onghair
bef
orewearingaBrazil
ianweave.Shelookedat
her
selfbef
oretaki
ngitoffandti
edherhairi
ntoa
bunthenappli
edstyl
inggeldoi
ngedges.
Meanwhi leBreezeturnedt
ohersideusi
nghishand
l
ookingf orherbutitwasempt yt
hentur
nedtoSagi
andpul l
edherinforacuddl ewhi
leshewas
sl
eeping.Heki ssedherneckwakingherandli
ft
ed
herl
egi nsurt
inghertigeri
nherswoll
encooki
eand
shereleasedasof tmoun.

Br
eeze:(
cur
singt
hrought
eet
h)f
uck.
.
Sagi
:(mouni
ng)aahbabyI
'
m..
I'
m ohGod.
.shi
t.

Hekissedherneckwhil
etheotherhandt
wist
edher
ni
pplerel
axi
ngherandslowlygri
ndinandoutof
her.Morni
ngsession.
Meanwhile,Gailshookherheadwithasmil
e
l
ookingatthem throughthemir
ror
.Shecouldonly
i
magi newhatherpussywasl i
keorwhat'
sgoingto
happentoitaf
terthis.ThankGodsheescapedit.
Hiserectiondoesn'teasi
lygodownbutmaybeaf ter
3or4r oundswhenal one.Buthermounsplus
watchingt hem l
ikethatmadeherwanttoget
undressedandj oininbutno-shehadt ogetback
ondutyt oday.
Shewor eherear -
ri
ngsandst oodupwear i
ngher
heelsbeforegrabbingherhandbagandl aptopbag.
ShelookedatSagi sfaceandl i
ckedherl
ipsbefor
e
walkingoverkissi
ngherwhi l
eshemounedi nher
mout h.Sherubbedherot herboobkissi
ngher
harder.Shebrokethekissandsmi ledbi
ti
ngherlip
andwal kedout.

Outsi
deJackpar kedhiscarbesi desSagisand
si
ghedlookingatit.Thisgirlneverli
kedhereven
bef
oredatinghisbrotherandnowshe' sevenworse.
Hedoesn'tknowwhybutt heyneversaweyet oeye.
Hestart
edt heengineputti
ngt hegearonr ever
se
whensomeoneknockedont hewi ndow.

Gai
l:heyyou
Jack:si
steri
nlaw,
howar
eyou?
Gai
l:I
'
m good,
andyou?
Jack:I
'
m al
sogood.
Gai
l:Ar
eyouher
eforyourbr
other
?
Jack:yeahbutIguessIshoul
dgetgoingcour seI
'
m
notgonnaseehim withherar
ound.Idon'tknow
whatIdidtoyoursist
erwifef
orhertodisli
keme
l
ikethis.Di
dshet el
lyouwhyshehatesme?
Gail
:Whateverfeudyouhavewi t
hheri
snonofmy
busi
ness.Andnoshedi dn'tt
ellmewhybutf ormy
poi
ntofvi
ewIt hinkit
sbecauseofthedangeryou
andyourolderbrot
herJamesonceputBr eezein
whenhewasyoung.
Jack:soBr
eezetol
dyouguysaboutt
hatshitt
hat
happenedalongti
meago?Whycan'thejustmove
onandlett
hatgo?Isai
dwe'resor
ry.
Gail
:Sett
ingahouseonf i
rewhilesomeoneis
i
nsideandset
ti
ngupt hei
rparentstodeat
hisnot
somethi
ngyoucaneasilyfor
give.Youandyour
brot
herJamestr
iedtokil
lhim whenhewasyoung
andthatthi
ngissti
lleati
nghimt hathisbrot
her
tri
edtokil
lhi
mf ori
nherit
ance.Youbot hnewt hat
theyweregoingtogivemostoft hewealthtohim
andplannedtokil
lhim byburningthehousehe
i
nheri
tedwhilehewasi nside,Jack!?
Jack:Wewereyoung,Iwas19andIdi dn'
tknow
whatIwasdoingandIwasn'tthinki
ng.Jameswas
23.ButnowI'm 40IknowbetterandI'm sor
ry.I
real
lyam .
Jamesisalsopayi
ngi njai
l.I'
m sorr
y.
Gai
l:yourapologi
singt
othewrongper
son.You
owethattoyourli
tt
lebr
other.
Jack:It
houghthi
m andIwer
egoodandont
he
samepage,soIguessIwaswrong.
Gail
:he'sagangsterJack.Youmadehi m whohe
i
s.Yout ur
nedhimi ntoamonst erheissoconvey
yourcause.Butcarryitcar
eful
ly.-br
otheri
nlaw.

Shegoti
nhercarandst
art
edt
heengi
ne.

Jack:Wher
eishe?Ineedt
otal
ktohi
m .Ineed
someonet
otal
ktoaboutsomet
hing.
Gai
l:he'
sout.He'
satEl
li
e'
shouset
her
eonl
ySagi
i
nsi
de.Youshouldsay"
hi"
Jack:NO!no.
..
Ithi
nkI
'
llj
ustheadback.I
twasni
ce
seei
ngyou.

Her
ever
sedanddr
oveof
fandsidi
dGai
l.
InsideBr eezehel
dontoSagiswaistgi
vingherl
ast
strokesandpumpedhi sshootsinsi
deofherbefor
e
sli
dingoutandhi sjui
cesli
doutofherpotdownher
i
nnert hinghs.Shemeltedonthebedwi t
ha
throbbingpussyandsweatalloverher.Hejust
drainedal lt
hatener
gyputofher.
Hewal kedtothebathr
oom andprepar edabubble
bathforherandwentbackt hencarr
iedherandput
herinthebathgett
inginwit
hher,let
tingherreston
hischestpl
ayingwithherhairasshedozedof fi
n
thebath.

#Att
heLyonsMansi
on
Jackparkedhiscaroutsi
dethenleanedback
gett
inglosti
nthoughts.Healmostki l
ledhis
brot
herbecauseofmoneyandpr opert
y.Pr ovi
ng
himselftopeopl
ewhocar edlessthathewasaman
.Helpingsethispar
entsdeath.Tearsbur nedhis
eyeswhenhet ookadeepbr eathandst eppedout
walkinginsi
dethehouse.
Hewal kedupstai
rsandt ookadeepbr eathbefor
e
knocki
ngonRose' sdoor.Thedooropenedand
si
deleanedoni tlookingathim .Hereyeswer e
swoll
enyoucoul dt el
lshesleptcryinglastni
ght.
Thisbabyrightherewashi shappi nessbeforebut
ri
ghtnowshehadt ur
nedintoar ealbell
yacher.

Jack:howar
eyouhunny?
Rose:Iwasn'
tcr
ying,
Ipr
omi
set
hisi
sjustuhm .
.I
yest
erday
Jack:iknow.
.i
tsohk.
Heki
ssedherf
oreheadandlookedatherbef
ore
wal
kingt
othemainbedroom andthr
ewhimselfon
t
hebedwhil
eJanetookhercoatandcarkeys.

Jane:yourbackal
ready?
Jack:coul
dn'
tseehi
m.
Jane:l
etmeguess.
.Sagi
?
Jack:hewentt
ohi
sbestf
ri
end'
shouse,
Ell
ie.
Jane:ohk.
.i
mift
owor
k.Goodbye.
Jack:ButIsai dI'
m sorr
y.HowlongdoIhaveto
apologize?Ther estofmyl
if
e?Hewant smet o
ki
sshi stoes?Hecanki ssmyasscourseI
'm not
goingtodot hat.
Jane:Stayawayfrom Breeze.Hedoesn'tl
ikeyou,
hehatesyou.Yoursuf f
ocatinghim wi
thyour
presencelethi
m be.It
senoughyouki l
ledtheboy
i
nhi m al
readysolethi
m bebef or
ehedoes
somet hi
ngstupi
d.
Jack:soyoual
soar
eonhi
ssi
de?
Jane:ther
ear en'
tanysidesherehunny.Youtri
ed
toki
llhim dontyougetit?He'sagangsternow,a
fear
edonesol ethi
m bebeforehekil
lsyouwit
hout
remorse.
Jack:What
everI
'
m notgi
vinguponmybr
other.
Jane:Whi
chone?JamesorBreeze?Imeanwe
bothknowthatBr
eezewant
snothi
ngevenabi
tto
dowithhi
m.
Jack:(
sigh)We'
reLyons.I
'
m sur
ewe'l
lwor
kthi
s
outwhenhecomesbackputofjai
l.
Jane:goodl
uck.
Jack:r
ightcauseI
'
llneedi
t.ButIwant
edt
oonl
y.
Jane:It
houghtyoudi
dn'tl
iket
alki
ngaboutt
his.
Howcomear ewetal
kingabouti
tandnotRose?

Jacklookedatherasshegr
abbedhercarkeysand
walkedout.

#Att
het
axir
ank.
Kagisosmiledataladyandputwhatshewant edi
n
aplasti
candgavei ttoherandshegavehi m money
andshel ef
t.Hesatdownandl ookedatSylvi
aas
shemadet hetradi
tionalbeaut
if
ulisi
cholo.Hehad
alwaysseenthisandi tl
ookedsoamazi ngwornby
youngwoman.

Kg:sowhat
'st
hatsi
gni
fy?
Sylvi
a:ohthismyboy..thi
shatismost l
ywor nby
mar r
iedZul
uwoman.ButIguessweAf ri
canslost
ourrootsandnoweveryonewear sitasafashion
tr
end.Thosedaysoncemar r
ied,aZuluwoman
wouldwearthishatonadailybasistosi
gnifyher
mar r
iedst
atus.
Kg:oh.
.andt
hebeads?
Sylvia:Thi
sZulubeadswer eusedtoasal anguage
betweenmal eandf emalet
oexpresstheirfeel
ings
,massagef rom opposi
tesexandrelat
ionship
status.
Kg:t
hey'r
ebeauti
ful
.I'
m aPedibutIdon'
tknow
anyt
hingaboutourt
radi
ti
onalat
ti
re.Canyoutel
l
me?
Sylvia:(smi l
e)soam I .ThePediatti
res.Wellt
hey
arethemostcol orfuloft
heSouthAf ri
cancult
ural
atti
res.Ther i
chvibrantcol
orsrepresenthappi
ness.
Beingbr ightyel
lows, bl
ue,pi
nkwhi t
eturquoi
se.We
aremuchmor elikeNdebelecoursewear e
renownedf orourbeadwor kdesignandr i
chcolor
s.
Idontknowi fyouknowbutweal sohavewhatwe
callitNtepaandLebol e.
Kg:yeahIheardaboutthem andI
'
vealsoseen
them .They'
repret
tycool
.Whataret
heymadeof?
Coursetheyweighabit?
Syl
via:(
loughs)
youl
iet
heydont
Kg:i
ntel
li
ngyoumma.
Syl
via:t
heyar
emadeoutofani
mal
sski
n.
Kg:Wow..canyout
eachmehowt
omakea
br
acel
et?
Syl
via:f
orwho?
Kg:me!
Syl
via:huuu.
..
Kg:f
orr
eal.I
t'
llbemyn.
Syl
via:ohk.
.t
akethebeadi
ngwi
reandcutt
he
l
engthofabout3-
4inchesl
ong.

Hetookthebeadi
ngwir
eandcutitwi
thout
measuri
ngwhenSylvi
aloughedl
ooki
ngathim.

Kg:what
?
Sylvi
a:that'
snot3-
4inches,
that
s20.I
t'
llbegood
foranecklace.
Kg:t
henIguessaneckl
acei
tis!

.
.
.
.
.
Commentpl
ease
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
20]Lynne :#Chapt
er5

Att
het
axir
ank.

Itdidn'tevent
akehim solongtogetholdofi
t.Af
ter
beingshowedt hereandtherehemanagedt o
cont i
nueonhisownandmadehi spiece.I
twasn'
t
reall
yhar dasitseemedbutprett
ysimple.
Itwasbrightandbeauti
fulwi
thadiamondpatt
ern
i
nt hemiddle.Syl
vial
ookedattheneckl
aceand
smiledadmiringl
yandlookedathi
m.

Syl
via:
Wow!I
'
mimpr
essed!
Kg:Thankyoumma.
Syl
via:youevenmadeitbettert
hanIthoughti
t
wouldbe.Youusedonlybrightcol
orsandit
at
tr
acts.It
sreal
lybeaut
if
ul.
Kg:(
smil
ing)Thankyoumma.It
hinkI'
llgi
vet
hist
o
mymotherjusttoshowhowmuchIloveand
appr
eci
ateher.
Sylvi
a:that
'ssweetofyou.(Thoughtf
orasec)
Maybeyoucoul dhelpmebothsidesdontyouthink?
You'l
lal
sohel pwit
hthebeadswhileImakedresses
thatwaywe'llbeabl
etorai
semor emoneyquickly.
Kg:I'
dli
ket
hat.Asforthi
sone-thi
sonei
sfora
speci
alwomanclosetomyheart
.
Syl
via:That'
ssweetmyboy.Sowhatar
ewe
makingnext?

Kagi
sorai
sedtheneckl
aceadmiri
ngitwhenacar
st
oppedinfr
ontoft
heirt
ableandthewindowroll
ed
down.Amani nasuitsmil
edtaki
ngoffhisgl
asses
l
ooki
ngattheneckl
ace.
Man:Ei
tameibr
ah
Kg:Ei
ta.Howar
eyou?
Man:I
'
m good.That
'sabeaut
if
ulneckl
acer
ight
t
here.
Kg:Thankyou.Iwouldn'
thavemadei
twi
thoutt
his
beaut
if
ulwomanher e'shel
p.
Man:wow.Itr
eal
lyi
sbeauti
ful,
brightandi
tshows
t
hatitwasmadebyanel
atedperson.
Kg:t
hankyou.
Man:Howmuchi
sit?Ar
eyousel
li
ngi
t?
Kg:uhm .
.sel
l?No.I
twasspeci
all
ymadef
or
someone.
Man:Fr
om thedi
amondsi
gn-Icoul
dtel
lshe'
slucky
.Ohkcxxlman.
Kg:Wai
t.
!Icanmakeyouonei
fyouwanti
t.
Man:real
ly?ManI 'm get
ti
ngmarri
edint
woweeks
andmyf i
ancedoesn'thaveaneckl
ace.Were
havi
ngatr adi
ti
onalweddingsoIwanti
ttobeagi
ft.
Kg:Yeah.
.I
'l
lmakeonef
oryou.
Man:(
smili
ng)t
hankyouman.Canyoual
soadda
br
acel
et?
Kg:yeah.
.whendoyouwantt
hem ?
Man:howf
astcanyouf
ini
shbot
hoft
hem ?
Kg:comebackaf
ter3days,
Ipr
omi
seyou'
l
lfi
nd
t
hem ready.
Man:(
smi
li
ng)howmuchwi
l
litbe?
Kg:uhm .
..

Itwasforthef
ir
sttimebei
ngaskedaboutaprice
andont opoft
hathecamebef or
ehecouldprepare
himsel
f.Hebithisli
pandlookedatSyl
viawhen
shesmiledandturnedt
otheman.

Syl
via:t
hatwoul
dbeR500myboy.
Man:(
jawdr
opped)ohk.
.
Kg:uhm .
.
Syl
via:Youwanthert
olookamazi
ngandbeaut
if
ul
i
nheratti
rer
ight
?
Man:yeah.
..
Sylvia:womanl iket ol
ookgoodandcl
assyevenin
theirtr
adi
ti
onal att
ires.Shewantst
ofeelst
rong
andst andtallowninguphercrown.Theywantto
feelthemselvesintheirat
ti
res.Tol
ookabsolut
ely
stunning.
Man:(
sighsmil
ing)ohki
t'
sset
.I'
l
lcomegett
hem
onWednesday.
Kg:Wontdi
sappoi
nt.

HedroveoffandKgsatdownandsmiledwi
thafist
onhi
slipsamazed.Wasitreal
lyt
hatgood?.He
l
oughedandhuggedSylvi
aandsatdownsurpr
ised.

Kg:hel
ikedi
t!
Sylvi
a:It
oldyoui
tsst
unni
ng.Maybet
hat
'swhat
yourgoodat,
desi
gn.
Kg:Wow!Icantbel i
eveit.Sother
e'sabett
erway
tomakemoneywi thoutsteel
ingorgambli
ng?Why
didn'
tIt
hinkoft
his!
Syl
via:bet
tergetst
art
ed!
Kg:di
dyour
eal
lyhavet
ochar
gehi
mthatmuch?
R500?
Sylvi
a:you'
l
lunder
standwhyIdi
dwhenyouget
therenowgetst
art
ed.

#AtBr
eezeshouse

Sagisatont het oweli nherswi mt wopi ece

applyi
nganai lpaint.Breezesphoner angbyher
si
deandshequi cklyfini
shedupandcl osedt henail
pai
nt.Shegr abbedt hephoneandf rownedl ooking
attheJack'
scal landwai tedf oritt
ocut.Hecal l
ed
againandshel ookedatBr eezeswi mmi ngint he
poolthenswi tchedi tonandbl ockedJackt hen
smiledputt
ingi tback.
Shegr
abbedherdr
inkanddr
ankl
ooki
ngatBr
eeze
asheswam t
othest
air
sandwal
kedout.
Itwasli
keshewasl ooki
ngatamagazi
necover.
Damnhermanwashandsome.Shebi therl
ip
l
ookingathim andhesatnextt
oherwi
thatowel
aroundhisneck.
Shelookedathiswater
yf ace,Godthem l
ips!.She
bi
therli
pwhenhel eanedi nforakissandthey
melt
edont hetowelspi
ll
ingthejuice.Hegotont op
ofherandhishandscursedherbodyandsl idhis
handinherpanti
eswhenshehel dhisgri
pstopping
hi
m.

Sagi
:(sul
k)babyno.
..
Br
eeze:Iknow.
.I'
m notgoi
ngt
ofuckyou.
Sagi
:ithur
ts.
Br
eeze:Iknow.
.Letmehel
peaset
hepai
n.

Shehesi
tantl
yletgotofhisgri
pandheslowly
l
eanedbacklookinginhereyes.Shehadli
ght
browneyel
idswithlongl
ashes.Shewasalsohai
ry
withbabyhai rsthatslightl
ytouchi ngwi t
ht he
eyebrows.Herhear tl
yl i
pswer etocr avef or.He
slowlysl i
dhi shandbet weenherl egst ouchingher
swol l
encooki eandshef l
inchedabi tbi ti
ngherl ip.
Heki ssedherandunt iedthesideofherswi mmi ng
pant i
es.Heki ssedhergoi ngdownherbel lybut t
on.
Hel ookedatherf acewhensher aisedherheada
bitlookingathi m andl ayedbackl ooki ngupt het r
ee.
Heusedhi shandt ocur seherboobandsl owly
wentdownhercooki ewor ki
nghismagi conher.
Shel i
ftedherupperbodyasherbodyheat edand
thesensat ioncover edherwhol ebody.Shecl osed
hereyesmouni ngbi t
ingherl i
pandbi therf inger
usingherot herhandpushi nghimf urtherin
betweenherl egsspr eadingthem . ..
.#$-

#Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Rosewentt
hroughherI nst
agr
am pict
uresand
commentsbeforel
oggingoutandwentt oYouTube
l
ooki
ngatcookingvideos.Atherageshestil
l
doesn' tknowherwayi nthekitchen.Talkabout
washi ngherownl aundr y.Theonl ythingsheknows
i
swashi ngherpant i
esandbr as.Shesi ghedand
wentonanonl ineshoppi ngwebsi teandbought
fewt ops, hoodies,dressesandj eans.Shewor eher
mor ningshoesandwal kedoutherr oom andwent
downst air
s.Whatshel i
kedaboutt heshopi sthatit
didn'ttaket i
met odel i
ver.Anytimesoont heymi ght
beonherdoor step.Shewentt othekitchenandsat
ont hehi ghchai rl
ookingatt hehelpercooking.

Rose:hey.
Her
:heyMi
ssRose
Rose:pl
easej
ustcallmeRose.Noneedtobe
for
malwithme,I
'm youragemat
eI'
m sur
e.
Her
:howol
dar
eyou?
Rose:18,
you?
Her
:I'
m 20.
Rose:oops!I
'
mtoof
orwar
d.
Her
:(
loughs)notr
eal
ly.Justt
hatIl
ookyounger
,
yournott
hefi
rstper
sont
oassumeI
'
m 18but
mostlyt
hinkI
'
m 15or16.
Rose:oh.
.
Her
:yeah.

Shekeptoncooki
ngwhileshesattherepressi
ng
herphone.Awhil
elat
eradoorbellrangand
anothermai
dwenttocheckwhoitwas.

Man:del
iver
yforMi
ssRosel
laLyon.
Mai
d:oh.
.she'
sher
e.
Man:ohk,
pleasesi
gnher
eforme.
Her
:ohk.
.

Shesignedandtheyexchangedsmi l
esthenhe
gaveherthehugeboxandl eft.Themaidst r
uggled
abitwit
hitbutmanagedtoputi nonthetable
l
ookingatit.I
tmustbefungrowi nguprich.You
caneasil
yorderwhat
everyouwantandwhenever
youwant.Shoppi
ngsprees.Ever
ythi
ngofthis
famil
ywasexpensi
ve.Shewentt ot
hekitchenand
cal
ledherandshetookherboxtoherroom .

Mai
n1:she'
sli
vingwet
hu!
Cooker
:Yeahshei
s.Mmet ot
aobonal
aasa
i
tumele.She'
sal
wayscr
ying.
Maid1:YeahInoticed.Ihear
dshelostherbest
fr
iendandeversi
nce, shewasneverseenonthe
str
eets.Nooneeversawherout si
dethi
shouse
exceptwhenshegoesoutont hosewhatyoucall?
Fashionwara-
wara.
Cook:
Icanimagine.
.otogaautwilebothokof
roher
tobel
iket
hisevenaft
erallt
hisyears.
Maid:Haayiiminangi cabangauguthishe'
sjust
bei
ngl i
keanyot herrichkidsnj
e.Cr yi
ngover
not
hing.Ifshewasmydaught er,
I'
llsl
apherso
har
dshewoul dn'tevenremembershehadaf ri
end
shelovedinaweek.
Cook:
(ignor
ing)Aonat
ir
oSi
ndi
swa?{
Dontyou
havewor
kSi
ndi
swa}
Si
ndi
:Ido.
.bu-
Cook:
thengetbackt
oitbef
oreMrLyoncomes
back.

Si
ndi
swarol
ledhereyesandwentbackt
owor
k
l
eavi
ngt
heladycooking.
Meanwhi l
eRosest earsburnedhereyesl eani
ngon
thewal lholdi
ngt hebox.Shesi ghedgainingher
strengthandwentt oherroom .Shekickedthedoor
closingitandputt heboxont hebedtaking
everythingout.Shet ookhercamer aandseti tup
nicelyont hetri
podandwor ehernewclothest aki
ng
pictures.Al i
tt
ledistr
acti
onalwayshelpedputt he
mi ndatease.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
20]Lynne :#Chapt
er6
Threedayslater-Kagi sodrankwat erf
rom the
bott
leandputi tdowncont inuingtomaket he
necklace.Thiswast he4thpi eceandhelikedhow
i
tcamet obe.Sylviasmi l
edlookingathim .Heput
hisalli
nwhat everhedoesandt hat'
swhatmade
him whohei s.Thel oveheput sinwhateverhedid
madehi sworkbr i
ghtandbeaut i
ful
.Hewasr eal
ly
anamazi ngboy.Acarpar kedi nfr
ontofthem and
themanf rom thelasttimesteppedout.

Man:hey.
.
Kg:hi
..howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Man:I
'
m good.
.exci
ted!Andyou?
Kg:I
'
m al
sof
ine.
Man:Unj
anima?
Syl
via:Ngi
yaphi
lamyboywena?
Man:I
'
m al
sof
ine.
Kagi
sotookoutt heneckl
aceandbr aceletandgave
i
ttohiminapl asti
c.Themansf acebr i
ghtened
l
ooki
ngatt hebeautif
ulandcol
orfulpieces.He
smil
edandt ookouthiswall
ett
akingoutt heR500
andgaveittohim.

Kg:Thanksal
otman.
Man:Nothankyou.Thisarebeauti
ful,I
'
m sur
emy
wi
feisgoi
ngtolovethem .Yourreall
ygooddude.
Kg:t
hankyou.
Man:youshoul dopenabusi nessandmakemor e.
I'
m surepeopl ewillsupportyou.Addabi tofart
-
l
ikedrawi ngsandal lthosethingspeoplel
iket
o
decoratetheirhomes.Peopl elikehavi
ng
somet hingoftheirrootsintheirhome.Decorat
e
dishes,furni
ture'
sandwhat everthatcanmakethe
housel ookamazi ng.
Kg:(
chuckl
es)di
shes?
Man:yeah.
.notl
ikeyou'
l
lbeusi
ngthatpai
ntyou
addwit
hwaterri
ght?Youwil
lneedt
hatonethey
use,
nott
hatpai
ntusedatschool
sri
ght
?
Kg:(
chuckl
es)Pai
nt?
Man:(
loughs)
yeahwhat
everi
tisyoucandoi
t.You
candr
awr i
ght?
Kg:yeah.
.
Man:thenmakeuseoft hatski
ll,
takeitouton
somethi
ngandear nmoney.Youcandr awandgo
toAnna'sGaller
yatt hemal l
andsellit.She
support
syoungar t
istsandIpromisebyt heendof
themonthyourpi ecewoul dbeboughtbyt hen.
Anywayt hanks-keepi tup.Yourreall
ygood.
Kg:sur
e..

Themangotinhi
scaranddr oveoffwhil
eKagiso
wasl
ostint
houghts.Syl
viasmiledlooki
ngathim
l
ostl
iket
hatl
ooki
ngatwher ethecarwas.

Syl
via:"
Desi
gn"It
oldyou.
Kagisol
ookedatherasshesmi l
edcarr
yingon
sewingl
ikeshesaidnothi
ngwhilehumming.He
l
ookedattheunfi
nishedneckl
aceandshrugged
cont
inui
ngwhent hreegir
lswal
kedoverandbought
2bracel
ets.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Jackwal kedi nt hehouseunbut toni nghi sj acket

andwentupst airs.Heputever ythingdownand
walkedt oRose' sroom buthewasn' tt here.He
walkedt otheci nemabutshewasal sonott hereso
hewal kedt othegym andf oundheront hecabl e
crossovermachi ne.Hewat chedherasshecar ried
ontraini
ngunt ilshewasdonesweat inganddi dt he
burpees.Onl yifhertrai
ningandget ti
ngf itli
ket his
madehert hinkcl earl
yandhel pmoveon.He
si
ghedandwal kedoverasshewi pedt hesweatof f
herandt ookoft heheadsetsl ookingathi m.

Rose:
(heavi
ly)dad!Idi
dn'
tseeyou-
hearyou.
.
Jack:
(scof
fs)youwouldn'
twit
hthosel
oudt
hings
anddrowningyour
selfinagym .
Rose:mmh.
.
Jack:howar
eyou?
Rose:I
'm ohk.
.Iwasn'
tcryi
ngIpromi
se.SoIfound
anewhobby- i
llkeept
rai
ningwhenIf
eelli
kecryi
ng
missi
ngher.
Jack:hunnywhenIsai dI
'l
lpuni
shyouwhenyou
cryI,Ididn'
tmeanlikeyoushouldn'
tcryi
ngli
ter
all
y.
Ididn'tmeanitl
ikeyoushouldbeaf r
aidtocr
y.Its
ohkt ocrybut-t
hewayyouar edoingiti
ts-
Rose:Annoyi
ng?
Jack:ener
vat
ingandt
hroe.Hunnyyou-
Rose:Ihear
dyoudad-
(swal
lowed)I
'
llnevercr
y
,maunformyfri
end.Shewasmyf r
iend!Mysi st
er!

Shesaidthatleavi
ngthegym andjoggedtoher
room andlocked.Sherantotheshowerandopened
i
tstandingunderitst
il
linhergym wearwit
htear
s
fl
owing.
MeanwhileJackclenchedhisjawsandtookouthis
phoneandt r
iedcall
ingBreezebuti
tst
il
ldidn'
tgo
thr
ough.Hewentt ohisoff
icedownst
air
sandused
thetel
ephonecall
inghim.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

WiththelaptoponBr eezeslaps, theylayedt here

watchingthemovi eREALHUSBANDSOF
HOLLYWOODl oughingwhi l
eeatingpopcor ns.
Breezesphoner angbySagiwhensher eachedf ori
t
andf r
owned.Shehadnochoi cebuttogi vei tt
o
him .Breezelookedatitandsi ghedput ti
ngthe
l
aptoponGai lgett
ingoffthebedwear inghi sshoes
andwal kedout.Sagi sbitherli
pandt hrewapop
corninhermout hwhenGai lchuckledlookingather .

Gai
l:babyt
hey'
rebr
other
s..youknowther
e's
not
hingyoucandotoseparat
ethem.
Sagi
:Iwonderwhatt
roubl
ehebr
inghi
mthi
sti
me.
Gail
:Doyour
eal
lyhavet
othi
nkhebr
ingst
roubl
e
ever
yti
mehecal
ls?
Sagi:i
sn'
twhatheal waysdo?Jackal waysdrags
himintohisshitandBreezeistheonethat'
salways
l
eftinthemiddle.Thei
rbrotheri
sinjai
landnowhe
thr
owshi scursesatBreezewhohast ohelphim
wit
hhismess.HeusesBr eezeasaweaponandI
dontli
keit,notevenatinnybit.
Gail
:Igetyou,butJackcal l
inghim doesn'thaveto
al
waysmeanhei sintrouble.Theycouldbet alki
ng
aboutafamil
ymat terorcheckingeachot herthe
waysibli
ngsdo.IknowJacki sfuckedupbutgi vi
ng
hi
m achancewoul dn'thurt.
Sagi
:Ibeti
twi
ll.
Gai
l:Haveyour
eal
izedt
hatheal
readyt
hinksyou
hat
ehim?
Sagi
:I'
m gl
adhedoescour
sehel
it
eral
lygoes
agai
nstmystomach.
Gai
l:
(l
oughs)yourcr
azy.
..
ist
her
eanywayt
o
convi
nceyouot
her
wise?
Sagi
:(f
rown)No.

Gai
lloughedandshegotcl
osert
oherandputthe
l
apt
opI nthemiddl
eandconti
nuedwat
ching.
Meanwhi
leBreezesatonhi
schai
rinhi
sof
fi
ce
t
alki
ngonthephone.

Breeze:So.
.i
sthi
swhyyoucal
ledmebr
other?To
tel
lmeaboutyourf
ami
lymatt
ers?
Jack:Iwantyoutot el
lmeifI'
m wrongorr i
ght.I
meanIwantt opr
otectherfr
om anyhealthissues
andfrom theworldoutther
e.WhenIt ol
dhershe
cantleavethehouseyearbackIwast r
yingt o
prot
ectherf r
om t
hem-
Br
eeze:(
sarcast
ic)
Russianst
hatyoumadeadeal
wi
thanditwentstr
aightsout
h.
Jack:yeah-that..
NowwhenIsaidI'
m goingto
punishherislikeisai
dI'
m goi
ngtoki
llher.Shei
s
al
waysscar ednowand-
Br
eeze:(
sigh)sowhatdoyout
hink?
Jack:wel
lIt
hinkI
'
mri
ght.I
-
Breeze:Soiftoyoui
tlooksri
ght-whydoesmy
opini
onmat t
er?Whatdiff
erencewil
litmakecour
se
youlist
entonooneexceptyourbrotherJames?
Jack:He'salsoyourbrotherBreeze.AndIthi
nk
maybeyouropi ni
onwi llmakemeseet hi
ngs
dif
ferent
lyandbeabl etowalkwi t
hmydaught eron
thesamepace.Myf amilyi
steari
ngapartandI
cantloosethem ,Icantloosemydaughtertoasill
y
gir
linagr ave.
Breeze:WenaMrMayerl i
sten.
.I'
m notagood
advicerbutIthinkt
hef i
rststepistoqui tyourshitty
job.It'
sbestifyoul eaveitcourseithasbr ought
nothingbutdangert oourwhol efamily.I'm not
goingtoalwaysbeyourshi el
deverytimeyouput
youandyourf amil
ieslifeindanger.Andyoul eave
Rosemounf oraslongasshewant s,whot hef uck
tol
dyout hatwhenaper sonismour ningyourl osing
them tothedead.St opcalli
ngherf ri
endnames
,yourpushingherawaycour seyoucal lherloved
onenames.Lethercr yforhowevershewants,
i
sn'tshehasnot hi
ngelsetodo?.Shehasno
fr
iends,she'salwaysl
ockedinthehousebecause
herfatherdoesn'
twanttomanupandf i
ndanother
j
obt hatwontputherli
feindanger,shewastaken
outoffschoolandputhomef orcedtoat
tendonli
ne.
Manyou' vefuckedupyourkid.
Jack:Whatar
eyousaying?ThatIshoul
dquitmy
j
obandl etmydaught
erdecayawayfrom me?
Breeze:Idon'
tknow.
.dowhat
everyouwant.Qui
t
andletRosebeoryougoaskforanadvi
cefr
om
yourbrot
her.
Jack:Iknewtal
kingtoyouwasl
iket
alki
ngby
myself.Iwontgetanswers.
Br
eeze:NdodaleaveRosealone.She'l
lst
op
whenevershewantst
o.Whof orcedyoutost
op
cr
yingaft
eryousetupyourparent
sdeath?You
mounedover2yearsplusr
egre-
Jack:Breezethi
sisdi
ff
erent
.Rosehastoletgo,
weallletgointheendwhat'
ssodi
ff
icul
tforhert
o-
Br
eeze:Letmyni
ecebe.Lethercr
yforal
lshe
want
s.
Jack:Cantbel
ieveyousuppor
tthi
sshi
tshe'
sdoi
ng!
She'sover
reacti
ng!
Br
eeze:So.
.?
Jack:Andyouar
e,youknowwhat
?ByeBr
eeze.
Breeze:Andst
opt
hreat
eni
ngt
hatki
doryou'
l
lhave
todealwit
hme.
Jack:I
'
mthef
atherher
e.
Breeze:andIgr
ewupbei ngt
hreat
enednowand
then,soIwontl
etanyonegot
hroughthatwhi
leI
'
m
here.
Jack:Idi
dn'
tevenment
ionwhatt
hepuni
shment
was!
Breeze:Idon'tcare.Li
tt
leyousaytoagirlherage
cancourseahugedamageandshemi ghtendup
commi tt
ingsuici
de.Andcomi ngtothi
nkofit-that
s
myonl ynieceandmyf avori
teone.SoIwontl et
onegettoherl i
kethat,
notevenyou.
Jack:Thi
sismydaught
erBr
eeze.
Br
eeze:That
'smyni
eceJack.
Jack:I
'
mthef
ather
!
Br
eeze:I
'
mtheuncl
e.
Jack:Iknowwhat'
sbestformydaught
er!Andas
thefat
her,I
'
m notl
ett
inghergetst
uckt
othatgi
rl!
Br
eeze:andast
heuncl
eimt
ell
ingyout
oletherbe.
Jack:Yoursopathet
ic!Idontevenknowwhycal
led
youcourseclear
lyyou-
Br
eeze:Igotnospacef
oryou-r
ight.

Breezehangupbeforehecouldgofurtherandhis
eyeslandedonablackandwhiteportr
aitofhis
wiveshuggingshi
rt
lesswit
honlyjeansintimat
e
withwethair.Hesmiledwhenhisphoner ang.

Br
eeze:Ol
ebi
le.
Ol
e:Whatt
hefuckdude!Whyt
hehel
ldoyouhave
t
ocallmynameli
kethat?
Br
eeze:(
chuckl
e)howdi
dIcal
litout
?
Ole:(
int
imat
ing)"
Olebi
le"whatt
hehellman?No
needtosoundboldonmyname!" Ol
ebil
e"
Br
eeze:(
loughs)Whatdoyouwant
?
Olebi
le:Iwasjustgonnasay"
hel
lo"butwi
ththe
wayyoucalledoutmynameIhavetosay"fuck
you".
Br
eeze:It
houghtbyt
het
imeIcomebackyou
woul
dhavechanged.
Ole:Youknowwhat?I'
m havi
ngapar
tyonFri
day,
getdown.Ther
e'l
lbesomepeopl
eI'
dli
keyouto
meet.
Br
eeze:Sur
e..
seeyout
her
e.
Ol
e:comewi
thmywi
vespl
ease.
Br
eeze:Iwi
ll
..buyt
hem non-
alcohol
icdr
ink.
Ol
e:sor
ted.
."Ol
ebi
l
e"j
eezdude.

Breezeloughedbef
orehangi
ngupandwalkedto
thekit
chenandtookoutanicecr
eam and3spoons
t
henwal
kedbackt
other
oom.
Thegirl
smovedasi
deandhegotinbet
ween
put
ti
ngt hel
apt
oponhi
m andtheyenj
oyedt
he
i
cecream.

.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
21]Lynne :#Chapt
er7

Around19h00, Breezewal kedoutofhi scl

oset
wearinghisblackhoodi eandwentt ocheckSagiin
thei
rcloset,hefoundherappl yingal i
psti
ck
bendingoverthemi rror.Hehat edseeingheri na
shortdressli
ket hi
sgoingtoacl ub.Ofcour sehe
runsitandshecant akecar
eofher sel
fbutthere
wasj ustsomethingaboutseei ngyourwi f
egoi ngto
worki nsomethingsoshor tthatwhenshebentover
yourmi ndj ustbl
owsoff.Shet urnedonherheels
wear i
ngabl ackmaskinherblackshortt
ightdress
thatrevealedherhourgl
assfigure.Shewasl i
ghtin
compl exi
on.Sheal wayslookedgoodi nwhatever,
shewast ooper f
ectt
obewor kinginaclubatnight
surroundedbymen.Shepul ledherblackpuffy
coatandpur seandwalkedoverhugginghim.

Sagi:
What
?
Br
eeze:Idontl
iket
hatdr
essSagi.Takei
tof
f.

Shepul
ledawayfrom t
hehugandwenttostand
i
nfr
ontofthemir
rortur
ningar
oundchecki
nghersel
f.

Sagi
:Idontseeanyt
hingwr
ongwi
thi
t,whyshoul
d
It
akeitof
f?
Breeze:Sagiyouramar ri
edwoman,whatt hef
uck
i
st hat?!Thatdr essi
stooshortf
orsomeonewhose
beenmar ri
edf orabout2andahal fyear.
Whothe
hellar
eyout ryingtoimpress?Dontseeyour
showi
ngof
fmyshi
t!
Sagi:
Breezesi
ncewhendi
dyoust
artcompl
aini
ng
aboutmydressi
ng?Whythef
ucknow?
Breeze:Iwontr
epeatmysel
fdressproper
ly
accordi
ngtoyourst
atus!I
'l
lbeinthecar!
Sagi:What'
swrongwi t
hyou?!BreezeI
'm worki
ng
i
nacl ub!Icantj
ustshowupinal ongdressasif
I
'm goingt
oagat her
ingorshi
t!Ihavetodressli
ke
i
t.
Br
eeze:Sagichanget
hef
uckendr
essorst
ayhome
!

Heshookhe' sheadbeforesteppi
ngoutgoing
downstairs.Sagitur
nedwi t
haf r
ownandlookedat
hersel
fagainont hemir
ror.Shetookitof
fandwor e
asweat erwit
hashor tt
ight,l
ongsocksandkicks
addingwi t
hacap.Shet ookherbagandputin
everyt
hingshewoul dneedfortheni
ght.
Meanwhil
e...
Breezel
if
tedGailst
il
lki
ssi
ngherand
putherontopofthecounter
.
Br
eeze:yousur
eyoudontwantt
otagal
ong?Sagi
mi
ghtneedyourhel
pther
e.
Gail:No..
I'
mt i
red,
aft
erI'
m donewiththosefil
es
andgoingt hroughsomedocument sI'm goi
ngto
takeashowerandgeti nbed.TheGaller
ywasbusy
today,wehadal mostli
ke10peoplewhocamet o
showust hei rwork,sowesignedthem inandnow
theyarepar tofusGail
's.I
'
m sureSagicanhandle
thenightl
ikesheal waysdoesalone.She'sgood.
Breeze:I
'
mi mpressed.Neverthoughtartcanmake
suchamountandal otofpeoplear
eintoit.But
babeplease..
.you'
llneedsomeonet otakecareof
you,andiwill
.
Gai
l:(
loughs)you'
l
lbebusyBr
eeze,Idontwantt
o
beaburden.
Br
eeze:Mybur
den.
.
Gai
l:no.
..
yougo,
I'
llbef
inebymysel
f,Ipr
omi
se.
Br
eeze:ohk.
.gi
vemeaki
ss.
Shegi ggledl
eaningoverkissinghim asSagi
walkedt othefr
idgetal
kingoutanappl eandbiteit.
Shewal kedoverwhenBr eezebrokeitandtookher
offthecounterandSagiki ssedhergoodbye.
Breezekissedhercheekandhel dSagiswaist
l
eadi ngherouttothecar.

Br
eeze:Wasn'
thar
dwasi
t?
Sagi
:What
ever
..
.
Br
eeze:whatwast
hat
?
Sagi
:itwasn'
t!
Br
eeze:goodgi
rl
,Il
oveyou.
Sagi
:loveyout
oo.

Hepulledherhandandki
ssedi
tbefor
eputt
ingiton
thegearandputhisont
opchangi
nggearswithher
astheyspedoff.

AtKagi
so'
shouse
Kagi
soandhi smothersatunderthemoonli
ghtwi
th
st
eelcupsinthei
rhandsdrinki
ngteawhil
ehe's
motherwrappedhersel
finablanket
.

Kagi
so:Youar
egett
ingbet
terandbet
termom .I
'
m
pr
oudandhappy.
Mot her
:It oldyout hatnosicknesscanknockme
downsoeasi ly,justli
kethat!.Nomyboy!Not
whenIst i
llbelieveinthemosthi ghGodt hatnever
forsakeus.SoonI 'l
lbestandingstrongagain.
TherewasnowayIwasgoi ngtoleaveyouto
struggl
eint hiswor l
dalone,Iwoul dn'
trest
.Let'
s
thankGodf orstil
lkeepingmeher ewi t
hyou.
Kagi
so:(
smil
ing)Amen.Ihavesomet
hingf
oryou
.l
etmegeti
tinsi
de.

Hewenti
nsi
deandcamebackwitht
heneckl
acei
n
apl
ast
icbagandgavei
ttoher.
Mot
her
:Ist
hisasnake?
Kagiso:(
loughs)Mamawhywoul
dIgi
veyoua
snake?
Mother
:Ket
lar
eengekwagal
aokarekenoga
.(
Whatdoyouexpectmet
othinkwheni
tfeel
sli
ke
asnake)
?
Kagi
so:(
loughs)noma,
it'
snotaasnake.
Mot
her
:hhhmm.

Sheopenedt or
ethepl ast
icandtookoutwhatwas
i
nside.Sher aisedifupandt hebrightmoon
l
ighteneditupasi tsparkl
edabit.Thebr ightcol
ors
smoot hedherhear twhenasmi l
edbui l
tont hesi
de
ofherlips.Shesmi l
edlooki
ngatitandt urnedto
hersonpul l
inghimi ntoahug, t
ightl
yhuggi nghi
m.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)mamashar
p.
Mother
:thi
sissobeaut
if
ul,
thankyoumyboy.
Wheredidyoubuyi
t?Howmuchwasi t?
Kagiso:act
ual
lyIdi
dn'tbuti
t.I
twasspeci
all
y
madef orawomanclosetomyheart,
myqueen.
Foryoumom .
Mother:(
teary)ohmodi mo!Thankyouverymuch
myboy.Il oveit.Iknewonedayyou'l
lfi
ndyour
passi
onandt hi
sisit.I
tsbeaut
if
ul.
Kagiso:t hankyou.Ial r
eadysol df ewpi ecesand
someonesai dIshouldalsost artdrawingandt ake
them toGai l
'sGall
ery.She'salsoatar t
istsandal so
suppor t
syoungar tist
storeacht heirdreams.I fI
candr awsomet hi
ngbeaut i
fulandeyecat chingI
cantakei ttoher,shewi l
lbuyi tfrom mewi tha
reasonabl epri
ceIputoni t.Thenshewi lltakeitup
i
nherGal ler
yandseehowmanypeopl el i
kei tand
howmucht heyboughtitsot hatnextt imet hey'll
buyitper sonal
lyfrom me.
Mother:Oh..
.Idon'
tknowhowi tworksbutIhear
d
t
hatthatgir
lhel
pedgrowal otofar
ti
stsandnow
t
heyareont hei
rown.I'
m sureshecanhelpyouyou
t
oo.
Kagi
so:Ihope.ButIdon'
twantt
ogetst
uckwi
th
herfor
ever
,Iwanttostar
tmyownbusi nesst
oo.I
dontknowwhatitwil
lbeoffbutIwantt
ostar
tit-
Mother:Kagi
solook,Ihearyou.Butlet
'stakeone
st
epatat ime,andyou'l
ltel
lmeaboutthat
busi
nesswhenyourst abl
e, andfi
nanci
all
y.It'
sa
goodideabuttakei
tslow.I'm pr
oudofyou.
Kagi
so:t
hanksmom .

AtThecl
ub.

Breezeparkedhe'scarandtheybothsteppedout
andhet hr
ewt hekeystoayoungmanwhocought
them smil
ing.HewaitedforSagiandsheheldhe'
s
handandki ssedhercheek.

Guy:
(smi
li
ng)Boss!
Br
eeze:howhaveyoubeen?
Guy:I
'
vebeengood,
justt
hatOl
ebi
lewasn'
ttaki
ng
upwit
hme.
Br
eeze:whatdi
dhedo?
Guy:hesai
dIhedoesn'twantmeanymoreatthe
doorasaguar
d, hesaysI'
m young.Nowheput
mehere,hesaysIshouldonl
yhelpwit
hcars.
Br
eeze:I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
m.
Guy:t
hanksboss.Bossl
ady.
Sagi
:HeySammy.
Guy:yougud?Youl
ookdi
ff
erentt
oni
ght
.
Sagi
:(si
gh)iguessi
twast
imef
oral
it
tl
echange.
Sammy:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Asal
ways.
Sagi
:thankyou.
Sammy:goodt
ohaveyoubackboss.
Br
eeze:Xo.

Theywal
kedi
nsidethebuil
dingandhegoti
nthe
carandt
ooki
ttothegarage.
Clubsli
kethi
sonesareal
waysful
landl
it.Hadt
he
bestli
quor
s,bestst
ri
pper
s,t
oughmanagementand
alwayshadsomet hi
ngnewandent er
tai
ning
everyday.Fullofhotchi cksandni ggas, gangsters.
Not eenagersareall
owedt oent erthepremi ses,not
whenyourbel ow18cour seanyt i
meabul letcanf l
y
upthesky.Ai rNightClubwasoneoft het opclubs
aroundandever yyoungst ercoul dn'twaitt ogetin
andf eelhowitfeltt
of l
yi nt hef aceofdangerl i
ke
everyoneelse.It
'salwaysaf ullhouseatAi rNight
club. SagiandBreezepar tedwaysandshewentt o
takehergunput ti
ngi tonherwai standt ookout
smal lbagsofpurecocai neandwentt ogivet hem
tothebar manandot herst ot hestr i
pper'
s.
Meanwhi leBreezegoti nal i
ftandwentt ot heroof
wher ethemeetingwas.Her aisedhi sarmsanda
memberoft heothergangsear chedhi m.

Breeze:Don'
tyout
hinkyouwoul
dhavef
oundi
tby
now?
Guar
d:Ineedt
obesur
e.
Br
eeze:mxm .
Theguardssteppedbackandhewalkedover
bumpingshoulderswi
thever
yone.

Ol
ebi
le:whatt
ookyousol
ong?
Br
eeze:I
'
m her
enow,
am Inot
?
Man:St
oner
ight
?
Br
eeze:nop.
.
Man:ohf
orgi
vemefor
ebei
ngf
orwar
d,Iconf
use
yout
oo..
Youmustbe-
Br
eeze:canwecutthi
sshor
tIhaveanot
her
meet
ingtoat
tend.
Man:Sur
e..
haveasi
t.

Theyal
lsatdownandt hewait
erpouredthen
gl
assesofwhiskeyandtheydrankdi
scussing
gangst
errel
atedmatter
s.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
21]Lynne :#Chapt
er8

Ar
ound12H00

Thetoproofwasal
lqui
tewit
honlythesoundof
musicdownatthecl
ubheard.
Allmenlookedat
eachotherast
hei
rbodi
esit
chedtoseeeachother'
s
bodi
eslayingi
napoolofbl
ood.Breezel
ookedat
t
hem andbi
thi
sli
pbef
oresi
tt
ingdown.

Breeze:soyoutel
li
ngmet hat,hol
donman[ laughs)
holdon. .What?!Areyoubeingforr
ealri
ghtnow?
Youwantmet obebeinvolvedinatr
aff
icki
ng?
WhatilooktoyouDan?Asal esmanorsomet hing?
Mangett hef**
*outhere?
Man:Inot herwords..yeah..
Butnotasal esman.
That'
sjustlikeoverreacti
ngdon'tyout hi
nk?Ok
Scarit
'snotl i
keit
'l
lbet hefi
rstt
imepl ayi
ngwi t
hfi
re
hereyoual waysdo.Al lweneedi sforyoutohelp
uswiththecops.Iknowyouhaveconnect ion
i
nsidesohel puswi thbl i
ndi
ngthem sot hatwecan
dothisfast.Weonl yneedhel pwithyour
connecti
onsyst em that'
sall
Breeze:okaybiggystopcal
li
ngmenames.I '
m not
Scar.Stopf****
**playi
ng.Let'
ssayIhel
pyou,
whatsthereforme?Imean...Igat
taknowwhat'
s
ther
einthebagf orme.
Men:4mi
ll
ion.
Br
eeze:
(f
rowned)mengett
hef
***of
fmybui
ldi
ng
bef
orei
tcr
ashyourskul
l.
Dan:Thi
nkabouti
tAi
r.
Br
eeze:Idonthel
pwhencomi
ngt
othatshi
t.Ki
ds?
Woman?
Dan:
sayssomeonewhosel
lst
hem cocai
ne.
Breeze:(l
oughs)Thatwasagr eatone, I
'
llgi
veyou
that.ButI
'l
ladviseyoudoyourr esearchnextti
me
beforecomingtof***offonmyf ace.Nowgetyour
a*****ofmyf***nbuil
ding.Dontf or
getyour
puppetsonyourwayout.Theymaki ngmycl ub
grouch.
Dan:Justt
hinkabouti
tAi
r.

Hesai
dthatwal
kingt
owar
dst
heel
evat
or.

Breeze:oh...
anddon'teventhinkaboutgoi
ngoff
theroutewit
hme.I fIdarehearawor dabouta
missingki
dorwoman, I'
mf uckingyouupman.I
wonthesitat
etogetonaf li
ghtjusttoputabul
leti
n
yourskull
.
Dan:i
sthatat
hreat
?
Br
eeze:naht
akei
tasapr
omi
se.

Withthatsai
dhegotint
otheli
ftwi
thOdir
il
eand
exchangeddarel
ookswithDanasthedoorsl
id
cl
ose

Odi
:Real
lyman?Youj ustt
urneddownadeal!That
shi
tcangetusvendi
ng.
Breeze:Wouldyouhaver
atherpr
efer
redIgi
ve
them yoursi
ster
?
Odi
:Whythefuckwoul dyougiveupmysi sterf
or?
Manthatwasourtickettotheelevat
ethatyouj ust
t
urneddown.Whatt hef***wereyouthinkinglett
ing
t
hats***
tgo.Allyouhadt odowas-
Breeze:Stopyell
ing!Dudeweretal
kingabout
forci
ngpeopleintoprost
it
uti
on,por
nography,
make
them per
form sexualact
stodozenofmen.
[
08/
02,
13:
21]Lynne :#Chapt
er8Con.
.
Br eeze:St opyel li
ng.!Dudewer et al
kingabout
for cingpeopl eintopr ostit
ution,por nogr aphy,
maket hem per form sexualact st oadozenofa
fuckenni ght .Transpor tthem f rom cityt oci
ty
feedi ngt hem dr ugsandmaki ngt hem sexsl aves.
Theycoul dbei ndangerofphysi cal i
njuryfrom
viol ence,heal t
hi ssuesi ncludingsexual l
y
transmi tt
eddi seases.I magi nei fitwasyoursi ster,
Bot le.Goi ngt hroughal lthats* **knowi ngthatyou
myf ri
end, youar et hef******r easonwhyshe' s
ther e.Youknow. .somet i
mesmanyouhavet othink
out sidet hebox, putyour selfint heshoesoft hose
whowi llbevi cti
ms.Thi nktwi ceormaybet hri
ce
..maybef our f
old.

Thelif
tstoppedandhesteppedoutleavi
ngOfiri
lei
n
thoughts.Heevent
ual
lygotoutbef
or ei
tcould
closehiminandhewentpastthecrowdt othebar.

Odi
ri
le:I
'
llhaveat
allvodkacr
anber
rypl
ease.
Het ur
nedaroundandwat chedthecr owdgocr
azy
toasongandspot t
edBr eezewalkingupthest
air
s
andstoodattheVIPbalconylookingdownatthe
crowd.Maybehe'sright.Hegothe' sdri
nkand
drankwatchi
ngladi
esshaket hei
rf ut
ures.
Meanwhi
leSagiwal
kedovertoBr
eezeandhugged
hi
mf r
om behi
ndbef
orestandi
ngbyhe'
sside.

Sagi
:youohk?
Br
eeze:yeah.
.ar
eyou?
Sagi
:mmmhh.
.di
dyougeti
t?Imeant
hedeal?
Br
eeze:nop.
.
Sagi
:thatbad?
Br
eeze:ext
remel
y..
Sagi
:whatwasi
tabout
?
Br
eeze:I
'
drat
hernott
alkabouti
t.
Sagi
:Icant
aket
hat.
Sheleanedinki
ssi
nghi m whenhe'sphoner angin
hi
sbackpocketwhenSagit ookitout.Hegr abbed
herhandloughi
ngthroughthekissandl eanedback
winki
ngatherwalki
ngaway.Shesmi l
edlookingat
hi
m andalsogotbackt owork.

Br
eeze:yeah?
Voi
ce:Bosswegothi
t?
Br
eeze:
..
..
what
..
.?
Voi
ce:Wegothi
t,21br
icksar
egoneal
ongwi
tht
he
t
ruck.

Hecutthecal
landj
oggeddownthestai
rsmeeti
ng
Odi
ri
leonthewayoutandgoti
nt hecardr
ivi
ngoff
.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on
Sti
lli
nherbeaut ysleep, herbrainstart
edt operkup
.Hermuscl esbecamet empor aril
yparalyzedand
hereyesdar tedbackandf orth.Inherdr eam she
wassi t
tinginthedar kwhenshehear daf amili
ar
voice,itwasherf r
iend.Asmi l
ebuiltupont he
cornerofherl i
pswhenshesawher.Shet r
ied
huggingherbutshecoul dn'
tmove.Hersmi le
droppedandherhear tstar
tedr aci
ng.Al lofa
suddenacol dchi
llrandownherspi neandt hehair
onherar msr ose.Shel ookedatherf ri
endwhena
roarstartl
edher.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
21]Lynne :Con2

I
nRose'
sroom

Shelookedatallsi
dewhenshesawanani mal
str
uctur
eslowlywalki
ngover.Thiswasnotl
ikea
pet.I
twasbig.Herheartpoundedhardonher
chestwhentearsblurr
edhersight.Shebli
nkeda
fewtimesandlookedatthestruct
ure,i
twasn' tcl
ear
butsurel
yitwaswal ki
ngtowardsher.Shel ooked
atherfri
endwhowassmi l
ingandtearsrol
leddown
evenmor e.

Nakedi:youshouldfindhim Rose.He'
swaitingf
or
you.He'slooki
ng.You'l
lbehappyagain.Findhim,
andwhenyoudo. ..
dontletgo,l
etyourheartbe.
He'syourhappiness.Findhim..
.f
indhi
m...
find
him..
.he'
syourhappiness.

Shewassl owl yfadingawayandt heani malwas

getti
ngcloserandcl oser.Shecoul dli
ter
all
yfeel
herheartbeatinghar dtoapoi ntitcouldcrushher
chest.Shet r
iedr unningbutshecoul dn't.Shetr
ied
l
ifti
ngherlegsbutnot hi
ngchangedt hat.Sti
ll
cryi
ngandt ryi
ngshest art
edscr eaming.She
couldn'
tunderstandwhyal lofasudden.
Herbodyshookandshepoppedoffherbedl
ike
popcor
nswithherl
egsshoot
ingup.Shewas
coveredinsweat ,
shakingwi thapoundi nghear t
unabletobreatheproper l
y.Shef eltli
keshewas
sti
lli
nherdream cour seforasecondherr oom
l
ookeddar k.
Theai ri
nt heroom cover edhermaki ng
herfeell
ikeshewasi nabat ht
ubf ullofice
breathi
nghard.Shedi dn'tevenrealizethather
parentswereinherr oom .Shet r
iedt aki
ngadeep
breathwhenshecoughedunabl etobr eathe
properl
y.Sher oll
edt othesideoft hebedcour se
sheforgothowt obreathwhenJackcoughther
beforeshecouldf al
l.
Hereyeswander edaroundher
room withsuspici
onandpar anoi
a.

Jane:Rose!Rosel
la!Lookatmehunny!
Breat
h!.
..
Trybr
eathi
ng!Slowly.
.!
breat
h..
Jack:Wer
eher
e!I
twasj
ustadr
eam!I
tsohk.
.

Shedidasshewast ol
dandf i
nal
lycamebackt o
hersensesandcoughtup.Shemeltedinher
father
'sar
mscryi
ngandher ubbedherbackwitha
breaki
ngheart
.Tear
sburnedJane'stearsandshe
j
oinedi
nandt
heyal
lhuggedsi
tt
ingont
hef
loor
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
22]Lynne :#CHAPTER9

ATBREEZES

Earlyinthemor ning,Breezepar kedthecarandhe

steppeedtogetSagi.Hepi ckedherupf rom her
seatwhileshesasl eepandki ckedthedoorbef ore
walkingintothehousecar ryi
ngher .Yesterdaywas
aver ybusydayf orher.Hecl imbedt hestairsand
headedt otheirbedr oom wereGai lwaslaying
asleeppeacefully.Heputhernextt oGailbef ore
pulli
ngthesheet sont hem andwal kedtothe
showert hr
owi ngcl othesont hefloor.Hebal anced
thewat erbeforest andi
ngunderi tlettingt hewat er
l
ickhisski n.Hehel dont othewal lwithbot hhands
andhi seyesl andedonhi st att
edhandswi thhi s
wivesnames.Hesmi l
edthinkingoft hedayt hey
convincedhi mt ohavet hem att hecl ub.Thatwasa
mont hbef oretheirwedding.Hest il
lcoul dnot
beli
evet hathegotmar ri
edt othebot hoft hem and
thattheylovedeachot hersobadt heycoul dki l
lfor
oneanot her.Theydi dnotgetal ongatf irst,butnow
theyareunsepar able.Talkaboutsi ster-wivesl ove
.Heshookhesheadbl ushingundert hewat erand
l
ookedup.Af t
erawhi lehest eppedoutandgr abbed
atowelwi pinghi mselfheadi ngtohi scl oset, got
dressedi nhispjs. Hewalkedoutandwentt ojoin
them inbedpul l
ingthem closert ohi m, l
ayi ngt heir
headsonhi schestandki ssedt hem ont heirheads
beforedozi ngoff.

AtKagi
so'
shouse

Ar
ound10H00i
nthemor
ning.
..
Kagi
sof
ini
shedup
sweepingt heyar dandpi ckedther ubbishwi thhis
handsput ti
ngt hem inabucketbef oretakingitto
disposeitont heot hersideoft her oad.Hecame
backandt ookt hebucketbehi ndt hehouse.
Sweat i
ngundert hebl azingsun, het ookof fhis
shirtt
owi pet hesweatof fwhenacarpar kednext
door.Hest oppedwi pi nghimselfandl ookedatt he
car.AnAudir s8.Awomanst eppedoutf ollowed
byherdaught ersulkingwi thheadset son. New
neighbours.Atl eastnewf acesar oundher e.He
scoffedbefor ewalkingi ntothehouse.
Meanwhi let
heyoungl adyt hatwassul king
swallowedafterwhatshej ustsaw.Hehadagr eat
body.Shel ookedattheiryardandcoul dnt
understandwhyahandsomemanl ikethatwould
l
iveinsuchapl ace,coursedemn!t hatsamanr i
ght
there.Shehasntseenhi sfaceyetbutshecoul dtel
l
thatthathai
rlookedgoodonhi m .Hermot her
call
edherandshepul l
edhercasewal kingintot
he
housewer eshef oundhermot herwi t
ht helandl
ord
l
aughi ng.
Mother:Bonologetthebagsinsi
deandst
opsulki
ng
.Ilongtoldyouthatwewer egoi
ngtomovefr
om
Santon.
Bonol
o:youcouldhavel
eftmewit
hdadmom.And
besi
desaintiol
denoughtomakemyown-
Mot her:gotoyourr oom younggirl.Babyithought
wet alkedaboutt his.Igotanewj ob, t
hatswhywe
hadt omoveher esoicoul dbecloseby.Icantkeep
travel
ingal ongdi st
anceasl eeponlyfewhours
them samer out
ine.I m apsychol
ogist,ineed
enoughr estsot haticanhelppeopl e.Icanthelp
them whi l
eim sleeping.
Bonol
o:t
hat
sal
lyouevercar
edaboutmom !your
j
ob.

Shewal kedf
urthernotknowingwher eiswherebut
shemadeupwi tharoom thathasawi ndowfacing
Kagisoshouse.Sheputherst uffdownandwal ked
towardsthewindowandopenedt hecurtai
nlooking
athishouse.Alreadyshewasst art
ingtostal
k.The
doormadeasoundwhenKagi sosteppedout
weari
ngacapandheadedt othegatewhenshe
qui
cklywalkedoutofherr
oom passi
ngbyher
motherrushi
ng.

mot
her
:wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
,weneedt
otal
k.
Bonol
o:i
m goi
ngf
orawal
k,i
llber
ightback.
Mother
:buthunnyyoudontknowanyonear
ound
her
e?
Bonol
o;I
M COMI
NGMOM,
WONTBELONG.
Mot
her
:ohk,
youbesaf
eal
ri
ght?
!!
Bonol
o:pr
omi
se!
!!
!

Shejoggedoutthegat
eandsawhi m walki
ngfast
whensher anaf
terhi
m unt
ilshecoughtup.Her
heartwaspounding,
andeveryst
epclosertohi
m
fel
theavy.

Bonol
o:hey.
.
Kg:hey.
.howar
eyou?
Bonol
o:i
m good.
.you?
Kg:i
m goodt
oo.
Bonol
o:Bonol
o.
Kg:sul
ker.
.Kagi
so
Bonolo:
(l
aughed)Sul
ker?iwasntsulki
ng,wehad
anargumentinthecaraboutsomething.
Wherear
e
youheading?
Kg:t
otheshop.Iwantt
obuysomet
hingt
her
e.
You?
Bonol
o:i
m her
ewi
thyou,
ainti?

Kagi
sosloweddownt othereplywi t
haf r
ownand
shebrushedtheembar assmentwi thacutej oking
l
aughterbuthedidnttakeit.Shelookedupathi m,
andmanwashehandsome.Hi sheartshapedl ips
andthatadamsappl e.Li
ghtskinned.Shet hought
shehasseent hem al
l,butnowshedi dntknow
anymore.Hewasntt allbutalit
tl
eont hetallside,
medium .Hewashandsomef rom thedepthofhi s
eyesunder neaththecapt othegentleexpressi
onof
hisvoi
ce. Shet r
acedhishandst hathadvei nswit
h
hereyes,t
heywer ehardwithbroadf i
ngers.
Impossibl
yenor moushands, atleastthatswhat
shethought .Hisslapcoulddefi
nitel
ybr eakyou
j
aws.Shesmi ledsweetlyl
ookingathi mt r
yingt
o
showshemeantnodi srespect.

Kg:di
dntaskyout
ocomewi
thme.
Bonol
o;im sosorr
ythatwasrudeofme.Iasur
e
youim nott
hekindofperson.i
m sor
ry.
Kg:i
tsohk.
..
yougotabadwayofaski
ngt
owal
k
wit
hsomeone.
Bonolo:(
loughs)icantaket
hat.S..Kagi
so..
.tel
lme
aboutthisplace,imeanim newhereso, it
hinki
t
wil
lbeagr eatideatohavesomeonet ot
ellme
aboutit.Showmear ound.Canyou?
Kg:sur
e..
.

Theycr
ossedt
her
oadandwentt
otheshophavi
ng
al
ightconver
sat
ion.

ATt
heLyonsMansi
on

Rosewal keddownst ai
rswear ingherpjwithmessy
hairandwentt ojoinherparentont hetabl
ehaving
breakfast.JanelookedatJackbef oreclesri
ngher
throatl
ookingatRose.From t helookofher
mot hersfaceshecouldtelli
twasntwhatshewoul d
l
iket ohear,especi
all
ysti
lltr
yingtof i
gurewhather
dream wasabout.Sheputhergl assdownand
l
ookedatherpar ent.

Rose:Iknowiscar edyoubutipr omi seitwont

happenagain.Illstartgoingtochurchandseei fi
coul
dgetbet t
er, courselastkni
ght. .
.isawhor rorin
mydr eams.Andnodontaskmeabouti tcourse
thel
astthingiwanti stogoseeat herapistorgot o
theSanatori
um .Ipr omiseyouim good.Oh. .
and
dad,yousaidishoul dtel
lyouwhat everiwantr ight
andyoullgetitf
ormesi nce,well-im notal l
owedt o
getoutofthehouseright?iwasthi
nkingmaybe
youcouldgetmeanewl aptop,aMacbook.Ohand
ineedoner oom i
nthehouse, iwantt
ot ur
niti
ntoa
studi
o.Anddadyourgoi ngtohelpme, bot
hofyou
actual
y.Oneotherthi
ngis...si
nceim 18ineedmy
owncarandahouse.
Jack:what
?ar
eyouohk?f
everorsomet
hing?
Rose:nodad.
..
youwantmetogetoverNakedir
ight
?
theniguesst
hatst
hepri
ceyoubot
hwi l
lhaveto
pay.

Shesai dthatandstooduplikeshedidntmakean
adultdemandandwal kedbacktoherroom wer
e
shegotnakedandgoti nabath.Downstai
rsher
mot herandfatherl
ookedateachothersti
l
surprised.

mother
:iwantmydaught
erback!t
hisi
snotf
unny
anymore.Shesl
osi
nghermind.
Jack:it
hinki
tsaboutt
imeshegotbackt
othe
sanat
ori
um .Theyt
ri
edthelastt
imeandi
m pr
ett
y
suret
heycandoevenbett
ernow.
Mothe:Jackicantlosemybabyoveranightmarei
n
asingl
enight,wehavet odosomethi
ng.Ifsendi
ng
herbackther
ewi l
lhelpgett
hingsbet
tet
henletsdo
i
t.

.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
22]Lynne :#Chapt
er10

Dur
ingt
heday

Todaywasar
oast
ingday.Ever
yoneont
hest
reet
s
wasunderashadehi di
ngthei
rski
nsfr
om t
he
scorchingsun.Kagi
soandBonolowal
kedunder
thetaxirankshadet
oamanwhowassel li
ng
l
olli
popsandboughttwobeforet
heywentt
o
anotheroneandboughtspi
nach.
Walki
ngwi t
hagi rlwascertainlysomet
hinghewas
notusedto,soitwasdef i
nitelyawkwar
df orhi
m.
Plusheroutf
itwasst unni
ng, showingt
hatshewas
fr
om arichfamily.
Shewasneatwi thherhairstyledwit
hstyl
inggels
andwi t
hbut t
erfl
iesonhertwobuns.Shehada
coolgoldenskincolorwithfullli
ps,hazel
prominenteyes,shor tinheightandal it
tl
ebitofa
curvedforeheadmakingherl ookevenbeautif
ul.
Herbodywasj ustnormal,mi ddlesi
zes.
Ast heywerewalkingbackhomeenj oyingeach
other'
scompanyl aughing-Doyouknowt hatkind
offeeli
ngoffeeli
nglikeyou'rebeingwat ched?Yep
thatone.Ast heywer ewalki
ngdownt her oadan
unusualfeel
ingwashedoverhi sbodyandacol d
chil
lrandownhi sspine.Hest oppedonhi str
acks
andt ur
nedaroundwi ththeloll
ipopinhismout hand
forsomer easonhet urnedandhi seyesscanned
aroundcouldn'tseeanyt hi
ng.ConfusedBonolo
alsostoppedandl ookedatt hedi
recti
onhewas
faci
ngbutdi dn'
tseeanyt hingbutataxit
hat
stoppedandpassenger sgotoffbefor
eitdroveof
f.

Bonol
o:Ar
eyouohk?
Kagi
so:yeahI
'
mfi
ne.
..
yeah.
.j
ust.
.
Bonol
o:j
ust
..
.?
Kagi
so:uhmm.
.justhear
daf
ami
li
arvoi
cecal
li
ng
me.
Bonol
o:butnoonecall
edyou.Imeani
ftheycal
l
ed
youIwoul
dhavealsohear
dthem.
Kagi
so:Maybeit
'smyminxmindplayi
ngtri
ckswit
h
me.So. .
.whydi
dyouguysleavewhereyouli
ve
bef
ore?
Bonol
o:well
..
.howshoul dIstar
tthis..
k..My
motherandfathergotdivor
ced,reasonbeingdad
wascheati
ngoher .Itwasn'tf
orthefir
stti
mehe
cheat
edonher ,
butshedecidedt ostayformysake.
Kagiso:oh.
..
sorryaboutt
hat.Itmust
'vebeen
di
sturbi
ngseeingyourparent
spartwaysafterso
l
ong.
Bonolo:i twas.Butnomat terhowhar di thitme,
traumatizedmet hatmyf ami lywast earingapar t
thewasnot hi
ngIcoul dhavedonet or estoreit.It
wasagl assthatwasal readybr oken.Havi ngt hem
partwast hemostst ressful thingIeverwent
through.Hercr yi
ngoutherl oveandpai noutever y
chanceshegothadanef fectthatIst artedf i
ghti
ng
atschool .Whent heycal l
edt hem . .
noni fthem
managedt oshowupsosuspensi ondur i
ngexams
i
twas.Pl useverynowandt henget t
ingt oseemy
ownf athercomepi ckuphi sot herchildrenat
schooltearedmei nsidet hatIendedupbei ng
diagnosedwi thanAdj ustmentdi sorder.
Kagi
so:What
'st
hat?
Bonolo:uhmm. .
.i
tsl
ike..
itoccurmostlywhenyou
haveahar dti
mecopi ng,
your eactst
ronger
expectedinasit
uati
on.
Kagi
so:soundsser
ious.Ar
eyouokt
hough?
Bonolo:youcansayt hat .I
'vebeent akingmy
medicationsoyeah.ThankGodt heymanagedt o
putmef i
rstandputt heirdif
ferencesasi debef
oreit
wastool ate.Theyt ookmet oapsychot her
apy.
Gavemeemot ionalsupportandal lt
hat.Andhe' s
wif
ewasn' tasbadasIhadt hought.Shewoul d
sometimest agalongwi thdadandmademe
understandt hatshemi ghtnotbebybl oodbutshe's
al
somymot her.Andguesswhat ?
Kagi
so:what
?
Bonolo:t
hatdi
dn'tsitwel
lwithmymom .
.cr
azyasit
i
s.Soshedecidedt olookforaj
obandpl
ace
el
sewhere.Godmusthavebeenonhersidecourse
shefoundthem wit
hi n4monthsandt
hat
'showwe
endeduphere.
Kagiso:can'timaginemegoi ngthroughallt
hat.
Butatleastyoustil
l haveadad,shelter
,amother
andamot herbybloodandt heyallworkfi
nejobs
andabletot akecareofyou.Nowl ookatyou,
heal
thyandbackonyourf eetYoushoul dbe
grat
eful.
Bonol
o:Iwi
shIcoul
d,t
rustmeIdo.
Kagi
so:soadi
vor
cecanbet
hatscandal
ous?
Bonolo:(l
aughs)Gothae'scandal
ous'..
it
sfarmore
worsethanthatespecial
lywhentheyweremar r
ied
forover17years.Ithasahugeeffectonchil
dren.
Kagi
so:kanahowol
dar
eyou?
Bonol
o:I
'
m 20,
you?
Kagiso:(l
aughs)Noway!Youl ookl
ikeyour15or
16.I'm 21.Jeez.
.It
houghtyourst
il
lakid,
underage.
Bonol
o:commonman.
.youramonthsol
derthan
me.Skamponakel
esl
enderwaakanyagoreI'
m
st
il
lakid,I
'
m ol
d.
Kagi
so:Damn!Tswanagi
rl
sar
eful
lofsur
pri
ses!
Bonol
o:whataboutPedigi
rl
s?
Kagi
so:ourgi
rl
sar
e..
.manl
yki
nd-but
cxxlunl
ike
you.
Bonol
o:(
laughs)Manl
y!?Kanaodogsbat
hor
a.
Kagi
so:What
ever
..
andpl
easedontcal
lme"
Rra"or
i
sit"
Ra",
youmaki
ngmef
eelol
d.Nodi
srespect
t
hough.
Bonol
o:ohk..butwhenaper soncall
syouthati
t
showsthatt
her espectyou.Justl
ikewhenyou
guyssay'morena'ormonna.
Kagi
so:Understood..buti
maginecal
li
ngme'
Ra'
in
publ
ic.
.especi
all
yinyourheight
,common.
.
Bonol
o:whywhat
'swr
ongwi
thi
t?
Kagi
so:justthatthat"
Ra"woul
dbemuch
appr
eciat
edinpr i
vatenoti
npubl
ic.FeelwhatI
'
m
sayi
ng?(Wink)
Bonol
o:(
laughs)you'
redi
rt
ymi
ndedKg.
Kagi
so:i
naguybr
ah.
.i
tsi
nmynat
ure.

Hesaidthatwithaseri
ousf aceandast urnvoice
givi
ngherchill
sandgiggles.Shepl ayfull
y
smackedhim ontheshoul dercoursingeveryone
aroundtopict
urethem asacoupl e.Butagainthe
feel
ingr
eturnedastheywer ebusyl aughingand
Kagisopret
endedtober unningturningback
checkingherandar oundnottoaler
ther,
butst
il
l
couldn'tseeanyonewat chi
ngthem.Sohecarr
ied
onpl ayi
ngwithherallthewayhome. .
.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Rosestaredatherlapt
opwi thherhandsont he
keyboardasthedream keptonrepeati
ngitselfi
n
herhead.Sheclenchedherj awsandhitherheada
fewtimeshopingitwil
lerasethememor ybut
nothi
nghappened, soshehitharderpul
li
ngherhair
astearsrol
ledoutherpressedeyes.

Rose:Nononono!!NAKEDIPLEASE!
!

Thedoorf l
ewopenandt hemaidfr
om lasttimein
theki
tchenrushedtoherpul
li
ngherint
oat ight
hug.Rosepl ayedherheadonherchestcryingand
shesoftl
yrubbedherbackcal
mingherdown.St il
l
rubbi
ngherbackhundredsofquest
ionsran
throughhermi nd.Howi sonesoobsessedwi ththe
dead?Howdoesaper sonmoanf orsolong?And
manymor e.Rosefinal
lycalmeddownanddozed
offonherchest.Themai d(
Dineo)lookedather
cuteroundfaceandsmi ledbeforelayi
ngherdown
andpulledafleeceonher.Sheheadedt othedoor
whenRosest oppedher.

Rose:pl
easedontgo.
.dontl
eaveme.
.pl
ease.
.

Justt hesoundofhervoi cebr oughtahear t

breakto
her.Shesl owlyattemptedt owal koutbutthinki
ng
ofleavinganothergirlwhoi sinneedofherhel p
str
uct ureherandshecl osedt hedoorwal ki
ng
towar dsher.Rosemadeaspacef orherandshe
gotinbedandpul l
edt hefleeceont hem .Dineo
smiledandpul l
edherput tingherheadonherchest
andt heybothrelaxeduntiltheyfellasl
eep
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
25]Lynne :#Chapt
er11

I
nJack'
sof
fi
ce

Jackswangar oundwi thhischai

randfacedout si
de
thehugewi ndowlookingatthebeauti
fulvi
ewoft he
mall.Car sandpeopl edoingupsanddown, goingin
ouy.Hi sdaughterusedt olovegoingshopping.
Sheusedt oshoplikethere'
snotomorrowandmost
ofthet hingsshebought,shewouldendupgi vi
ng
them away.Sheusedt ogetcheer
edupeasi ly,
with
somet hingsosmal ll
ikeahug.
Butthenthatgi
rldi
edalongwithherf
ri
endandonl
y
hercorpseisl
eftwalki
ngaround.
Atthi
spointhehatedNakeditoanextentthat
whenhethoughtaboutithecoul
djustgot her
eand
di
gherouttofeedherremainstocr
ocodiles.That
gi
rldi
ed,
andwhenshedi edshepul
ledhisdaughter
wi
th.

Thesli
ghtl
yopenedandamanwi t
hhugebellyina
sui
twalkedinsmil
ingathim .Hestoodupsmi l
ing
andtheyshookhandsbeforetheybothsatdown.

Jack:Jacob.
.manIhaven'
tseenyoui
nadecade.
Wherehaveyoubeen?
Jacob:I'
vebeenar ound.Isn'
tthatl
ennabannaler
e
l
athil
e?Kanaret swaalongwayback.Af teryougot
marri
edyouneverbot heredtocomecheckonus
whower est
il
lont hemarket.Youinst
antl
y
di
stancedyourselffr
om us.
Jack:Ihadt ocourseyouguyswer enotasgoodas
appeared.BesidesIhadt omoveawaysi nceIhad
foundaj obhereandwant edt
ostartmyfamil
yf ar
awayf r
om home.Thatpl acekanaeneempakel a
str
esshel acourseeveryti
meIlookedatmypar ents
housememor i
eswoul djustoccupyme.Di
memor iestsemaswehel a.ButnowIguessits
gett
ingevenwor se.Ithinkmaybemypar entsare
puni
shi
ngmeorsomet
hing.
Jacob:Jangyanong?
Jack:It hinkt heyar epuni shingmet hroughmy
daught er.Shehadaf riendandt heywer esocl ose.
Whenshedi edIguessshet ookal ongwi t
hmy
daught ercour senowmydaught eral ivi
ngghost .
Sheget sni ghtmar es,doesn'twantt ogoout ,she
criesalldayevenaf terthisyear s.Shei sal ways
hur tandIputt heblameonme.Al lthebadchoi ces
Imadewheniwasyoungar ebackt ohuntmeand
mybabypayst hepr i
ce.Idontevenknowwhatt o
donext.It r i
edgi vi
ngherwhat eversheeverwi shed
forbutst il
l.Adayagokanashehadani ghtmar e.
Mybabywaspar al
yzedf r
om t hatni ghtmar ef or
almostl ike3f ***nmi nutes.Shaki ngasi fshesaw
aghost ,t errif
iedasf .Likeshewasdr aggedi ntoa
hor ror
.Sweat yandunabl etot alknorbr eathe
proper l
y.Nowshehadn' tsteppedoutofherr oom
sinceandi tssl owlyki l
lingmeseei ngherl iket hat.
(Swal l
owed)Shessl owl ylosinghersoult ot hatgirl
whoi ssixf eetunder groundandwhenyout alk,i
t'
s
l
ikeyourt ryingt oreplaceherf ri
endordi srespect i
ng
t
hedead.Ij
ustdon'
tknowanymor
e.
Jacob:Haveyout
ri
edt
aki
nghert
othement
al
hospi
tal
?
Jack:wedid.Butitdidn'
twork.Seeweoncet ook
hertothehospi
talandhellyeahi
tworked,!Buti
t
wasn'tforl
ongt
illshewasbacktomoani ngher
fr
iend.
Jacob:youshoul dt ryfur theranddon' tgiveupon
her.Takehert oseeapsychi at r
istmaybeshe' l
lbe
abl
et oopenupandt alk.Tal kingisoneot herway
toheali
ngf aster.Ifshecantt ellyouguyswhati s
wrongorherf eel i
ngs,t henf i
ndapr of essi
onalwho
wil
lopenlyt al
kt oo.Andi nherst ateyoushoul dlimit
whatyousayt oher, shemi ghtnotbest ableand
endupcommi tti
ngsui ci de.Peopl elikeherar e
mostlikelytocommi t
tingsui cidewi thoutt hi
nking
twi
ce.Takehert oapsychot herapy.Gi veheral lt
he
supportsheneedscour sewi thyouasherpar ents
byhershewoul dfighttent i
meshar dert oset
hersel
ffree.Stayposi t
ive.Don' tgoanywher enear
herwithanegat i
vemi ndsetcour seal lthethings
yousayar ecal culatedandaddedt oget her.
Jack:Yourr
ight
..
Icantl
ooseher.She'
smyonl
y
seedinthi
sworld.
Jacob:Thendoal
lyoucant
ohelpher,tr
ybeyond
expect
ati
onsandpower
.She'
snotgone,she'
sjust
l
ockedinacageandneedahandtoreachout
.
Jack:yeahneh.
.Sohowi
syourl
if
egoi
ng?Howar
e
theboys?
Jacob:They'r
egood.Lef aismar ri
edandDonaldi
s
ret
urni
ngf rom t
hest ates.AndbecauseIknow
howst upidmysini s,hewon' tbri
ngawi f
ealongof
hischoice.He'dratherfuckt hewholeofSouth
Afri
cathanbeingl oyal.Hesaf rai
dofcommi t
ment
andthat'sgoi
ngt oendi naf ewmont hs.
Jack:meani
ng?
Jacob:meani ngI '
mreturningtheol dr
uleofour
greatgrandparents.I
'm goingt olookforagi
rlt
o
mar r
yhim assoonashel ands.Sameday!.Ke
l
apisit
sekemakgakgaagaDonal d.Thatboyorata
kukuJack!.Lennakel erragwekeaer atahel
a
mosimaneyoet i
legommol a.Whenhewasi n
schoolwewoul dgetcompl ainsthathehadsex
wit
hgi r
lsi
nthetoi
let
s.Thei rpar
entswould
thr
eatentosueoropenacasebutesengwameboy.
Hewenton.Ipayedal otofmoneypayingfor
damageshecousedatschool .Worsepar
tinthe
toi
let
s,agai
nstt
hewal l!He'saddi
cted.
Jack:(l
aughs)l
ikefat
herli
keson.Youalsowoul
d
fuckalotyoucanthandle.Iwonderhowyouwere
abletopickoneoutofal
landmovewi thher
.Heis
you!
Jacob:Kanayenaowor se.ThankGodhef i
nished
schoolwi
thoutarecor
d.Anyway..
Icamebytosay
high,
Ihavetoheadback.Seeyouaround.
Jack:Thanksforthechat,
i
thel
ped.Maybewe
shoul
ddodi nnersometi
me.
Jacob:yeah..
here'
smycar d.Callmeanytime.
Where'
sBreezebyt heway?Haven'tseenhim si
nce
hewas13.Rumor ssayherunsthest r
eetand
ownsthatsuccessfulcl
ub.I
shegangst eror
somethi
ng?
Jack:you'
ret
heonl
yonewhodoesn'
tknowBreeze
i
sagangster.Hei
sfear
edar
oundhere.Got
mar
ri
edt
otwol
adi
es.Sweetandpsycho.
Jacob:(l
aughs)that
'sapackageofeverypolygamy.
Anotheronehast ohavemoralswhi
letheotherone
l
osesitinasplit
.Itwasniceseei
ngyouman.
Jack:Yout
oo.Obadumedi
sekol
wapeng.
Jacob:Yout
oo.

Thebro-huggedandhelef
tleavi
ngJackint
hought
s.
Hesatdownandpi ckedhi
sphonecalli
nghi
s
assi
stant.

Jay:hey..
canyoupl easehelpmef indthebest
Psychotherapisti
ntown.- -
--NoI'm ohkit
sfor
someone--thankyou,pleaseclearmyschedulefor
thedayIhaveaheadache.- -ohkbye.

Hepickedhi
sbr
ief
,phoneandcarkeysandwent
out.
Att
heMal
l

Gailwal kedaroundt heshelvespushingat rol

ley
pickingsomet hing'
swhi l
ehummi ngasong.She
stoppedpi cki
ngsomet eenstuf
fsandputt hem i
n
thetrolleyheadingtothewi nesection.Shesmi l
ed
l
ooki ngatherf avor
itewi neandpicked3oft hem
beforegoi ngtotakeanol i
veoil
.Shepushedher
trol
leyandwentt opaywhenat al
ldarkbeauti
ful
mancoughtherat t
entionshoutingoverthephone
walkingover .Shet ookouthercar dandwhenshe
wasaboutt opayast r
ongar m str
etchedgivi
ngthe
cashi eracard.

Man:I
'
llpay.
..
Gai
l:uhm no.
.t
hanksbutIhavemycar
dan-
Man:ii
nsi
st.
Gai
l:ohk..
butdontexpectanyt
hinginr
eturn.
Matteroff
actbuyherlunchcourseiwasaboutt
o
buyherone,soadditontop.Shesaf r
iend.
Het urnedlookingatherwi t
hasmi l
eandshe
l
ookedawaywi thaseriousface.Thecashi
er
l
ookedatt hem beforegoingtogetwhatshewould
l
ikef orlunchandcamebackscanni ngever
ythi
ng.
Gailturnedandpi ckedhershoppingbagsbefore
smilingatt hecashierwhosmi l
edbackhappil
y.

Gai
l:(
winks)gi
rlyouj
ustscor
edyour
sel
fal
unch,
l
uckyyou.
Cashi
er:Thankyoumam.

Shewalkedawayast hemansmi ledimpressed

taki
nghiscardbit
inghisli
pandf oll
owedhert oher
car.Sheputever
ythingint
hebootandf r
owned
l
ookingathimleaningagainsthercar.

Gail
:move..Ihaveahusbandtofeedyourwast
ing
mytime.(checkedherwri
st)andhehatesi
twhenI
don'
tfol
lowtime.Tloga.
Man:(
smi
li
ng)yoursomi
ser
ly.
Gai
l:excuseme?
!
Man:youjustrobbedmeR200sayi ngIshouldbuy
someonelunchclaimingheryourf
riend.Funny
thi
ngissheplayedalongwithyou.Sgebengu!
Gai
l:youi
nsi
stedr
emember
?Nowgetoutofmy
way.
Man:you'r
egoodatt
his,usingthispret
tyinnocent
facet
oit.Whatmor
eareyoucapabl eof?Course
nowIalr
eadyknowone,whichistheabil
itytofool
someone.
Gai
l:Mur
der
.That
'swhatI
'
m capabl
eof
.

Helookedatherneutr
alf
aceandfr
ownedbut
event
uallysmi
ledsteppi
ngasi
deandshegoti
n.
Hetookouthisbusi
nesscardandt
hrewi
tonher
l
apsmi l
ing.

Man:li
ketoseemoreofyout
hug.Enj
oyt
her
estof
yourdaybeaut
if
ul.
Hewal kedawaybef oreshecoul
dsayanyt hi
ngand
shesmi ledlookingatthecardonherlap.She
pickeditreadinghisname. "
Mxol
isi
".Sheshookher
headbef oreputtingitasi
deanddroveoff.

AtBr
eezeshouse

Breezeslowl
yopenedhiseyestoSagisbabyface
andkissedherf
oreheadbefor
eheadingtothe
shower.
Af
terafewminshesteppedoutandwor
ehi
s
cl
othesbef
oregoi
ngdownstai
rs.
Hecheckedhisphoneandithadseveralmi
ssed
call
sandmassages,hesighedgetti
ngapearand
wenttositdown.Acallcamethroughandhebut
thepearansweri
ng.

Odi
ri
le:dontt
ellmeyouj
ustwokeup.
Br
eeze:Ri
lewhatdoyouwant?
Odir
il
e:Iwantyoura*
*her
eatt
hecl
ubi
n15
minutes.

Hehangupbef orehecouldrespondandBr eeze

si
ghedt hrowinghisheadback.Het ookouthis
phoneanddi aledJackbuthedidn'tpi
ck,tr
iedrose
butstil
l.Hehat edcall
inghissi
sterinlawcourse
al
waysi tgetawkwar danduncomf ort
able
somewher edur i
ngthecall.Hedi al
edherandshe
pickedupaf t
erfewrings.

Jane:(
sof
tl
y)Hel
lo?
Br
eeze:hey,
howar
eyou?
Jane:I
'
mfi
ne,
you?
Br
eeze:Godd.I
sJackar
ound?
Jane:I'
m atworksoI'
m notsurei
fhehadal
ready
knockedofforwhat?Trycall
ingt
hehouse
tel
ephone.
Breeze:ohk.
.ar
eyousureyourohkt
hough?You
sounddown.I sever
ythi
ngohk?
Jane:I
'
llbef
ine
Breeze:Soyournotfi
ne?Youjustsai
dyourfi
ne
whenIcall
ed.Youl i
edwhenyouknowIhatebeing
l
iedtoJane.What'sup?
Jane:
(scof
fs)Youhatewhentheyli
etoyoubutyou
l
iemorethananyt
hinginthi
sworld.Youli
eal
lthe
ti
mebutdonotwantust oli
eback.
Breeze:youwon'
tunderstand,mynisahabbitand
hobby.That'
swhyI'm pr
ett
ygoodatitandableto
seewhenonei sl
ying.Andwhenyoul i
eIfeell
ike
you'r
eteasi
ngmesayi ngIcantl
ie,
soIgetangry.
Jane:(
laughs)what
?
Br
eeze:yeah.
.sowhat
'sgoi
ngon?
Jane:(
sigh)I
'
drat
hernott
alkovert
hephone.
Br
eeze:t
henI
'
llseeyoul
ater.
Jane:(
sof
tl
y)ohk.
Thewassi l
enceastheybothwait
edtohearift
he
otherst
il
lhassomethingtosaybutnot
hing,
sothey
st
ayedlikethatwi
ththei
rheart
sraci
ngforabouta
minute.

Br
eeze:bye.
.
Jane:bye.
.

Hehangupandl ookedathisphonebeforeheavil
y
si
ghing.Hewentupstai
rsandwor ehissneaker
s
befor
et aki
nghi
scarkeysandleftminutesl
aterGail
drovein.

AtKagi
so'
shouse

Around19h00PM.Kagi sowalkedoutoft
he
holdi
ngadr ybr
eadinhi
shandeat i
ngandsaton
thestoep.Hefi
nishedi
tandlayeddownfaci
ngup
theskylooki
ngatthest
ars.
Asmil
ebui
ltf
rom t
hecor
nerofhi
sli
pandshook
hi
shead.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Bonol
o

Heclosedhiseyessmi l
ingandr eplayedt oday'sday.
Shessozest.Shedoesn' tcareabouthi sstatus.
Shesdoesn'
tevenl ookdownonhi m sayi nghei s
l
eavinginaoner oom shack.Eat i
ngspi nachwi th
pap.Leavi
ngwi t
hhi smotherandal lt
hosehur t
ful
thi
ngstheyalwayssayt ohim .Hesi ghedashi s
mindsuddenlydrif
tedoffli
keaswi tch.
*
***
*
Heslowlyopenedhi seyest oadarknightwithbirds
fl
yingupt hesky.Het urnedhi sheadtother i
ght
andthewasnot hi
ngbutt allscaryt
rees.Hishear t
poundedandhest oodup.Hewasi nthemi ddleof
ascar yforest.Heturnedar oundlooki
ngatt he
unfamili
arplacewithnodi recti
onowayt oshow
howhegother e.Amovementcamef r
om the
branchesandhet urnedar oundashi sheartraced.
Heheavi l
ybr eathedatt ookast epwhenhe
suddenlyst eppedinwat er.Helookeddownandt he
waterwascl eanreachingupt ohisknees.Hi s
handsshookf rom fearget ti
ngsweat y.Hel ooked
aroundandt heforestwasnowi nwat erandt he
waterturneddar k.Sl owlyhecoul df eelhisfooton
thesand, hewasn' twear inganyshoes.Somet hing
sli
ghtl
ytouchedhi sfoodandhecoul dliter
allyf eel
hisheartbeat i
ngonhi sthroatri
ghtnow.Her ubbed
hisfacewi t
hhi sshirtandwhenhel etgol ooking
aroundfur t
herhecoul dseeaf loweront opoft he
water.Ashet ri
edbr eathingproperlysomet hing
quickl
ypassedbehi ndhi mt ouchinghi sshoul der.
Hisheartalmostj umpedoutbuthest oodst il
l
unabletomove.

Voice:(whisper
)Thefl
ower
..
the
fl
ower .
.f
lower..
fl
ower
..
.

Hecouldl
it
eral
lyf
eelhi
sheartbeathardonhi
s
chestf
rom t
hewhisper
ing.Hetri
edrunni
ngaway
buthi skneesf ail
edhi m unabl
et obentandhelp
himr un.Hesl owlyt ookastepbyst eptr
yingto
changedi rectionbuthi slegswouldonlymove
towar dstheflowerandnowher eel se.Hetooka
stepf urt
her,butbef orehecouldputhi sf
ootdown
hef aceditelsewher ewhenhet wistedhi
sankleand
felli
nt hewat erscreami nginpain.

*
***

Kagiso'
smot herrushedoutofthehouseassoonas
sheheardaloudbangont hegroundandsaw
Kagisosweatingdustinghimselfstandi
ngupand
satonthestoep.Her ubbedthesweatwi t
hhisshir
t
andpull
edhisl egtohislapexami ni
ngitwithshaky
hands.

Mot
her
:Kagi
sokeng?

Hedi
dbr
eat
hexcer
cisesandl
eanedbackhol
ding
hi
schestandsighedi
nrel
iefashi
smot
herl
ooked
athi
m notknowingwhatt
osay.

Kagi
so:Ial
mostdi
ed

Hismotherfr
ownedlooki
ngathi
mr ubbi
ngt
he
sweatoffhi
sfaceandbreat
hedheavi
ly.
.
Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
26]Lynne :#Chapt
er12

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Ar
ound21h00.Janei
nject
edherpati
entbef
ore
pr
essi
ngacottonwher
esheinject
edhim.
Jane:hol
dthi
sformepl
ease.Thankyou.

Heheldonandshewenttocheckhi
sfil
ebefore
wri
ti
ngsomethingdownandwroteal
ett
erforhim.
Shetor
eitandputiti
nanenvel
opeandhandeditt
o
hi
m ashepressedhisar
m.

Jane:
(chuckles)i
tohk.
.youcanl
etgoi
t'
snotl
ike
yourbleedi
ng.Justadrop.
Man:(
smi l
e)You'
l
lneverknow,maybeIbl
eedwhen
Igeti
nject
ed.
Jane:thoughasmal lerwoundofaninject
ion.
Please.Here.
.you'
llpassbythecli
nicandt heywi
ll
gi
veyouyourmedi cation.Youri
mproving,keepit
up.
Man:t
hankyouDoc.
Jane:don'
tment
ioni
t.

Hest
oodupandt
ookt
hel
ett
erbef
orehewentout.
Janesighedtaki
ngof ft
hegloveandthrewt
hem i
n
abinbeforewashingherhands.Thedoorslowl
y
openedandshet urnedlooki
ngatBreezewi
thhi
s
handsinthepockets.
Helookedsmar ti
nsweatpantsandabighoodie
hi
dinghishalfofhi
sface.Healwayspr
eferr
ed
bl
ackandi tsur
elookedgoodonhim .Wil
lheever
wearsuit
s?

Br
eeze:St
ari
ngi
srude.
Jane:
(embar
rassed)ki
ddi
ngme.
.Iwasn'
tst
ari
ng.
WhywouldIstare?
Br
eeze:youdonthavet
odenyi
t.I
tsnor
mal
..
but
di
srespect
ful
.

Hesatdownandshepul l
edatissuewipingher
hands.Shethrewitawayandsatonherchai r
pul
li
ngitunknowinglyt
hatherdressreveal
edher
boobs.Breeze'
seyesjumpedtoherchestl ooking
athersmoothbabies.Hispant
sst r
etchedandhe
clear
edhisthr
oatlooki
ngawayputt
inghishandsin
thepocketl
eaningbackasshesatproper
lypul
li
ng
herdressupherchest.

Jane:youohk?
Br
eeze:hmm?
Jane:Osi
ame?
Br
eeze:
(cl
ear
edt
hroat
)yeahngi
'
right.Wena?
Jane:uhm .
.
Br
eeze:nol
yingMr
s.Whati
sit
?
Jane:i
tsRose.Shei
sst
art
ingagai
n.
Br
eeze:St
art
ingwhat
?Youcant
alkt
ome.
Jane:I'
m worriedabouther.Br eezemybabyi s
dieingandmyhandsar etied.There'snothi
ngIcan
dot ohelpher(teary).Itr
iedwi t
hmedi cat
ion,taking
hert ot
hehospi tal
,therapist,
vacati
onsandal lbut
mybabyi ssl
owl yfading.Allsheevert hi
nksort alk
aboutitsNakedi .Whenyout rytohelpherit'
slike
tell
inghertoforgetNakediandr epl
aceher.
Recent l
yshe' sbeenhavi ngni ghtmar esandwhen
shewakesupshest ruggl estobr eat handherbody
becomet empor ar il
ypar alyzed.Sheal waysdr ags
hersoulbackf rom t hi sni ghtmar esandI 'm afraid
thatonedayshe' lldiei nthem .( Cryi ng)AndIcant
l
oosemyonl yf r
ui tBr eezeIcan' t.She' sobsessed
withthedead.Ioncecoughtherwear i
ngher
clot
hes.Thent heot hert imeshel itcandl esi nthe
housesayi ngshe' st alkingt oherf riendaski ngher
toreturntoher.Adayagoshehadani ghtmar eand
shewasshaki ng, Imeanshaki ngt oanext entthat
thebedwasal somovi ng.Cr yingi nhersl eep
screaming.( tear y)Scr eami nghername!Idont
knowwhatt hatgi rldidt omydaught er.Iusedt o
l
oveherbutnowIcoul dj ustdi eandki l
lheri nspi r
it
courseshe' sturni ngmydaught eri ntoanevi langel.
Seeingheri nt hi
sst atei seat i
ngmeBr eeze.I. .I.
.I
don'tknowwhatt odo.It ri
edt akinghert ochur ch
andt heyprayedf orherandst il
l.Thatgi rlishol di
ng
ont omydaught eranddoesn' twantt olethergo.
Rosei spossessed.Myonl yrose.Thef lowerofmy
womb!( Crying)
Breezelookedathernotknowi ngwhatt odoasshe
putherhandsonherf acecryi
ngi nthem .Histhr
oat
driedandheswal lowed.Hiswi vesusedt ocryand
heknewonl yonewayt ocomf ortt
hem buthe
couldn'
tdot hattoher.Hebi thisli
pandr ubbed
them withhisthumblookingatherasshecr i
ed.

Jane:(
snif
fs)Andguesswhatyourbr
otherdoest
o
worsenthesit
uat
ion?
Br
eeze:
..
.
Jane:hemakesthreat
s!Threat
ensRose!.Now
Roseisalwaysinf
earandpain.Doesiteveroccur
tohimthatheismakingt
hingsevenworse?Who
knowsmaybewhenhedi dthosethreat
sNakedi got
evenangryandnowshe'sdoinghermost.
Br
eeze:
..
Jane:(cr
ying)Icantlooseher
..Icant.MaybeI
shouldgovisitheratthecemeteryandaskherto
l
etRosebe.Shecanmakemesuf f
eronherbehal
f
thencour
set
hisi
smor et
hanshecanhandl
e.I
t'
s
beenyear
snowBreeze.Year
s!!

Breezelookedatherasshet urnedpinkfr
om her
cryi
ng.Hecl enchedhisj
awsf ighti
nghimself
.He
wasn'tgoodinadvicesorcomf ort
ing.Hetapped
hi
sf ootonthegroundafewt imeandbi t
ehislip
beforestandi
ngupandwentt oherside.Hehelped
herstandandpul l
edherint
oahug.
Hishugr aisedherbodycellsfrom sleep.She
hasn'tf
eltboldstrongarm aroundherbodyi nyears
.She'susedt oabigbel
lypushi nginherhungry
stomachf urtheri
n.Oh..andhesmel ledsogood
.Thisguywasat urnon.Whati ssodi f
fi
cul
tthat
Jackisnotabl etohavethisbody?
Herbodyheat edasherpanti
essoaked.She
wrappedherhandsar oundhi
m smelli
nginhi
s
cologne.Withherheadonhischestshecoul
dfeel
hisheartbeati
ngfast.Shebl
ushedashisweapon
pokedherst omach.
Meanwhi
leBr
eezekeptsayi
ngsmal
lpr
ayer
sinhi
s
heartf
orhi
sbonert
odi
ebuti
tst
ret
chedeven
fur
ther
.
Bot
hoft
hem wonder
ed"
Woul
ditbeabadi
dea?
"
Janer oseherheadl ookinghimi ntheeyeswi thher
handsst il
lwrappedar oundhim .Hel ookednot hi
ng
l
ikeJackandt heirbi
gbr o.Het ookhismot hers
beauti
f ulfacecourseshecoul dseehermot herin
l
awi namanf orm.Andboydi dhel ookcute.She
bitherlipandwentbackl ayi
ngherheadonhi s
chestwonder i
ngwhatwasr unninginhismi nd
coursehi sfacewasj ustneutral
.
Meanwhi l
ewithherinhisar msBreezepressedhis
eyes.Shehadbr ownt empt i
ngeyeswithheavy
l
owerl ips.Hepr omisedtoneverdot hi
s.Hecl osed
hiseyeswi th"Shesyourbr other
swife"wor ds
repeati
ngi nhishead.Butt henthememor yofhis
brothersetti
ngfiretothehousewhi l
ehewasi nside
rubbedt hosewor dsoff.Hisparent
smur der.
Revengeoccupi edhi sheadashef oughttheargeto
pickherupbutnohecoul dn'
t.
Hehel
dherwai
stcl
osert
ohi
m maki
ngherf
eelhi
s
dragonandpul ledherchi nt ohisf aceki ssingt he
shitoutofher.Het ookof fhercoatandl oweredt he
stri
ngsofherdr essdownandherbr eastspoi nted
athim .Hebi thislipandni ppledherasshe
mounedhol di
nghi shead.Damnhewasgood.
Shepul ledhisheadf oraki ssandsl i
dherhandi n
hispant sandgaspedt hrought hekiss.Shepul led
awayf rom thekissandbi therliplookingathi m
,againhehadaneut ralfacebutnowwi tht hose
eyes.Shebi therf i
nger swhenhet ossedhert othe
tablepushingever ythingasi dewi thher.Herhear t
poundedashel ift
edherdr essup.Hest eppedback
abitlookingatherr oundbut twiththoser edlace
pantiesandsmi rkedbef oret eari
ngt hem andshe
gasped.

Jane:B.
.Br
eeze.
..
Br
eeze:shhhhh.
..

Shetr
iedget
ti
ngupbuthepushedhert
othet
abl
e
asherhear
tpounded.
Br
eeze:Ihat
ebei
ngdi
stur
bed.

Heusedhi slegtoseparateherlegslookingather
pinkcookieandhesl owlyrubbedittakingouthis
weapon,damnshewassoaked.Hermounsf il
led
theroom andshebi therfi
ngertryi
ngt oreduceher
volume.Hewasr eall
ygoodatt his,withonlya
touchdownt her
eshewasal readyhigh.Hestroked
hisdragonand""""

Hegaveherhi sl astshotswhil
ehepi nnedher
againstthewallandpul l
edherfaceforaki ss
beforesteppi
ngback.Het ookatissuewi ping
himselfasshesl owl yl
andedonthegr oundwi t
h
shakylegsunabl et ost
andwhilehismi l
kslowly
wentdownhert highs.Hepackedhi mselfand
pickedherupput t
ingheronthebed.Thatwas
knewt oher.Shel ookedathim andhel eanedinfor
akiss.Hebr okei tandshedozedof f.
Hest
oodt
her
elooki
ngather,
gui
ltst
rucki
nandhe
bithisl
ipbefor
esteppingbackandputeverythi
ng
i
npl ace.Surehecouldn'
tleaveherpanti
eshere.
Heputt hem i
nhispocketandopenedt hedoor.He
turnedlooki
ngatherandleftcl
osingthedoor.He
passedbyt hetabl
e.

Breeze:MrsLyonsaysyoushoul
dclearher
schedule,
andnoonemustdist
urbher.She'
snot
feel
inggood.
Lady:Ohk..
.Isawthatshewasnotohk,
shewasn'
t
sayi
ngmuchnorsmi l
ingandt
hat'
snotr
eal
lyher.
Prayshefeelsbet
tersoon.
Breeze:(
cleart
hroat
)yeah.
.hopeso.Rememberno
oneshoulddistur
bher.
Lady:I
'
llper
sonal
lymakesur
e.
Br
eeze:Thati
ncl
udesyou.
.Bye
Lady:bye.

Breezeli
ghtl
yhitt
hetabl
etwoti
mebeforewalki
ng
outwithhishandsint
hepocket
s.Theladyl
ooked
athi
m suspi
ciousl
y.Heneverspentmor
ethanan
hourher
ebeforebutt
odayhespent2hours.

Lady:Fami
lymat
ter
smaybe.

Sheshookherheadandgotbackt
owor
k.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezepar
kedhiscarandhitt
hewheel f
ewt i
mesin
regret
.Thi
shasnot hi
ngtodowi t
hher.Di dhejust
makeherpayforherhusband'
ssin.Hel lyeahshe
wasgoodbutreall
y?Takingadvantageofher
sit
uati
onandmaki ngherpayonbehal fofher
husband?.
Heclosedhi
seyesandsmel l
edhi
sclot
hes.His
cl
othessmel
ledherperfumeandsmell
edsexatthe
sametime.Heputhisheadonthewheelbef
ore
si
ghingandsteppedout.
Hegoti
ntothehouseandhear
dSagiandGai
l
t
alki
ngi
nthekit
chenandwalkedf
asttot
hestai
rs
whenSagisawhim.

Sagi
:heybaby.
.

Hest oppedont hestai

rsandturnedlooki
ngather
asshest oodagainstthewalli
nshor t
sandabiggy
tshi
rtbarefoot
.Het ookst
epsbackf orci
ngasmile
l
ookingather .

Br
eeze:smucl
es.
.
Sagi
:wher
ehaveyoubeen?Odir
il
eandElicame
l
ooki
ngforyou.Hesai
dyouguyspar
tedandhadto
meetupagai
nbutdi
dn'
tshowup.
Breeze:Iwaswit
hJack.Tr
yingt
ofi
gur
eawayt
o
helpRose.She'
sget
ti
ngworse.
Sagi
:(
sadl
y)Oh.
.ishoul
dgoseehertomor
row .
Whyareyouuneasy?Isever
ythi
ngohk.
Br
eeze:hmm?
Sagi
:isever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?
Br
eeze:Sagiwhoset
hemanher
e?
Sagi
:what
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?

Helookedatherasshesuspi ci
ouslylookedathim.
Thisoneneverbeggedoutandi fhecontinuedshe'
ll
comecl osertohim andthat'
snotgonnaendgood.
Het ur
nedwal ki
ngt othei
rroom andlockedbefore
taki
ngof fhiscl
othesputti
ngthem inhisclosetand
wenttot akeashower.

Meanwhil
eSagilookedatthedoorfi
ghti
ngthear
ge
t
ogobangi tt
appingherfootofthef
loor
.She
t
urnedandjoi
nedGai li
nthekit
chen.

Gai
l:what
?
Sagi
:somet
hingi
snotr
ight.Hedi
dsomet
hing.
Gai
l:Hedi
dnot
hing,canthegooutwi
thoutyou
quest
ioni
nghi
m .He'
l
lbemadsayi
ngwar
awar
a
youknowhim.
Sagi
:what
ever
..
Gai
l:Rel
ax.
.her
e'syourf
ood.

.
.
.
.
.Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
27]Lynne :#Chapt
er13

Att
heHospi
tal

Ear
lyar
ound4am i
nthemor
ning,
Janesl
owl
y
openedhereyest oapost erofabody.Shesi ghed
tossingandgotof ft hebed.Herpunaniwassour
andhot.Sheputherhandbet weenherl egsand
fl
inchedandl ookedatherhandcover edi nBr eezes
rain.Di dhej ustcum i nher?.Buthel lshehasn' t
orgasmedi nal ongt imeandi tfel
tgood.Hedi d
mi raclesonher.Eversi ncei twashershewas
neverposi ti
onedi nt hoseposi ti
onsdur i
ngsex.
Toucheddownt her eorgotherbr eastsuckedl ike
that.Shesmi l
edl i
cki ngherl i
pst hinki
ngofhow
theirbodi escl appedagai nstoneanot her.Howhe
tossedherl ikeshewassomesor tofadol l.Howhe
pinnedheront het ablesmashi ngherf rom behi nd
andt ossedheragai nput t
ingherl egsonhi s
shoul derf uckingt heshi toutofherwhi l
ecubi ng
herbr east s.Howherpul l
edherhai r,spankedher
,kisses, hel pedherst andandputoneofherl egs
ont hechai rmadeherhol dont ot hetable.Howhe
pickedherandpi nnedheragai nstthewal l.Damn
hesaGodi nt hi
s.Nowonderhemar r
iedtwowi ves.
Hei sabl et omakeyoucum 2t othreet i
mesi na
rowwi thouthi sreleasi ng.Buthedi donceandaf ter
hewasdonecl eaninghi spi pehewentagai n.
Shegiggl
edandpul l
edherdressdownandwentt
o
hert
ableshelookedonthefloorandfr
owned
l
ooki
ngatt hei
rmessandwentt ogetamop.She
camebackandcl eanedever
ything.
Hereyescoughttheclockbythewal
landherhear
t
ski
pped.Shedroppedt hemopandtookherbag
phoneandbagfixingherhai
ronherwayout.
Shelookedatt
henur
seont
het
abl
eandwal
ked
over.

Jane:hey.
..
Lady:Doc..howareyoufeel
ing?Yourbrot
heri
n
l
awt ol
dmet hatyousai
dyouwer esi
ckanddonot
wantanydistur
bance.SoIaskedDoctorZweneto
coverupf
oryou.
Jane:oht
hankver
ymuch.Uhm .
..
wer
eyou
worki
ngdoubl
eshi
ft
s?
Lady:yeah.
..
coverups
Jane:ohk.
.t
hankyou.
Shewal kedoutf i
shi
ngf orherkeysi
nherbagand
gotthem unlockinghercar.Shesighedandl ooked
atherselfont hemirr
orandt ookoutherhairbrush
andbr ushedit.Hiscolognewasst i
llonherclot
hes
soshet ookoutherper fumeandspr ayedhersel
f
beforedrivi
ngoff.
'
'
''
'
'
Shegott hereandparkedhercari nthegar age
beforesteppingoutwit
hapoundi ngheart.She
tookast eptowardsthehousebuti tfel
theavy.She
l
eanedagai nstthecarastearsbur nedhereyes.
Shel ookedattheri
ngonherf ingerandt earsroll
ed
downhercheeks.Shej ustcheatedonherhusband.
Wi t
hhi sbr
otherontopofthat.Shewasnevert he
kindtocheatandnotoncehasshecheat edonher
husband.Whathasshet urnedint o?.
Shel
ookeddownasmor etear
srol
leddownand
shegat
heredher
sel
ftoget
herwipi
nghertear
sand
wenti
n.
ShepassedbyRose'
sroom andsl
ight
lyopenedt
he
doorandsawDineosl
eepi
ngbyherside.Thisgi
rl
wassosweetandwel lmannered.Shecouldn'
t
underst
andwhysheendedupbyt hest
reet
ssell
ing
herbody.ButthankGodshesawt heli
ghtandquit
befor
eit'
stool
ate.Sheclosedthedoorandwalked
tothemainbedroom andsl
owlywalkedin.
Shel ookedathi m undert hesheet ssnoring.This
washerhusband.Themant hatlovedher
throughoutever ything.Theonet hatputar ingon
herf i
ngerbutshedeci dedtogi vehisfoodt ohis
brother.Tear sburnedhereyesandshewal ked
towar dsthebat hroom andl eanedont hebasi n
crying.Didshej ustgiveher selfli
kethat.She
pour edwat erinthebat ht
ubandt ookofherdr ess
andr emember edhowhet oreherpant ies.She
rubbedhert earsandgoti ntot het abandl ayedin
thereclosinghereyesl i
steningt oherboi li
ngcookie.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Around7am ,
Odi
ri
lepar
kedhiscarandwal
ked
t
owar dst
hehouseandputt
hepinbythedoorandi
t
unl
ockedandhewal kedi
n.Theywerenotyet
awakeorBreezebecameBreezeont
hem .
Hewal kedt
othekit
chenandopenedthefri
dge,
tookoutabowloffoodbefor
ewarmingthem and
pouredhimsel
fjui
ce,satont
hehi
ghchaireati
ng.
MeanwhileSagiwalkeddownt hestai
rsi
nabiggy
tshi
rtt
hatlookedmorelikeadressonherwit
h
messyhairrubbinghereyes.Shewalkedtot
he
kit
chenandsi ghedl
ookingatOdir
il
e.

Odi
ri
le:Heybaby.
Sagi
:hey.
..andwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Odi
ril
e:I'm eati
ng.Youguysknowhowtocook
unl
ikethatstupidf
oolIaccommodat
edi
nmyhouse
.
Sagi
:yoursi
ster
?
Odiri
le:yeah.
.shedoesn'
tknowhowtocook,what
sheknowsi st
alki
ngshitonl
y.Wealwaysoder
takeawaysbecouseshechasedmycookaway.
Sagi
:theyoushoul
dgetagi
rl
,theonewho'
l
lcook
f
oryout
hen.
Odi
ri
le:whydoIneedt
ogetonewhenIhaveyou
andGail?
Voi
ce:Theyaremineandtheycookformenotus.I
marr
iedthem wedidn'
tmarr
ythem .

Breezewal
kedinandwenttost
andbySagipulli
ng
herforaki
ssandsatnextt
oOdiri
lewhi
leSagi
madet wocupsofcof
feeandgaveonetoBreeze.

Odi
ri
le:whataboutme?
Bot
h:Whataboutyou?
Odi
ri
le:yameyonaekae?
Sagi
:Odi
ri
leyourdr
inki
ngj
uice.
Odi
ril
e:youshoul
dhaveaskedmeifI
'm donewi
th
hejui
ceorwhatcour
seI'
m done.NowIwant
cof
fee.
Br
eeze:youknowt
hisi
sai
n'taRest
aur
antr
ight.
Sagi
:andyou'
ref
ini
shi
ngf
ood.
Odir
il
e:aoSagi.
.justacupofcof
feewoul
dn'
thur
t
youknow.
Sagi
:noOdi
ri
le.
Odi
ri
le:one.
.
Sagi
:no
Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyougonnal
ether-
Br
eeze:i
t'
sherhousenotmyn.
Odi
ri
le:mxm .

Sagil
aughedandwentupst ai
rsleavi
ngthem al
one.
Odir
il
echuckl
edbef or
estandi
ngupandmadehi s.
HelookedatBreezewhowasnotdr i
nki
nghis
cof
feebutrat
herrunninghi
sfingeronthehold.

Odi
ri
le:Whati
sit?
Br
eeze:not
hing.
Odi
ri
le:i
t'
snotnot
hing.Comeonspi
tit.
Br
eeze:spi
twhat?
Odiri
le:st
opwi t
hthi
squestion.YouknowmanI
cameher etotel
lyoushi
tbutI'm onholdbecauseI
wantyout orel
axsothatt
heshi tI'
m gonnasay
stuckinyourhead.Whenyourl i
ket hi
sIknowI'l
lbe
tal
kingonmyown.Nowt ellmewhat '
swrong?
Br
eeze:not
hing.
Odi
ri
le:not
hinghuh?Sowher
ewer
eyoul
astkni
ght
.
Breeze:ar
eyoumywif
enow?WhydoIhavet
otel
l
youaboutmywher
eabout
s?
Odir
il
e:soyouweresomewher
edoi
ngsomet
hing
youshoul
dn'
tbedoingr
ight
?
Br
eeze:Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
.
Odiri
le:BreezeIknowyoumor ethanyouknow
yourself
.Whenyoudi dsomethingyoubecame
dist
antandqui et?Youdr i
ftof
fandyouanswera
questionwithaquest i
on.Youdonteatyoudo
nothing.Whati sit?
Br
eeze:i
sthatknowi
ngme?
Odi
ri
le:youj
ustdi
dwhatIsai
dri
ghtnow.Answer
aquesti
onwi
thaquest
ion.
Br
eeze:ar
eyougonnal
eti
tgo?
Odi
ri
le:Idontt
hinkso.

Br
eezesi ghedlooki
ngathi m anddrankhiscoff
ee
whil
ehewai ted.Heshookhi sheadandyeahhe
wasright.Odiri
leneverlet
'sshitgo.He'drat
her
pr
ovokeyoual ldayuntilyousaywhat '
sup.

Br
eeze:If
uc-

Gai
lwalkeddownstai
rsinhersuitanddist
ract
ed
hi
m .Shewalkedovertohim andkissedhi
scheek
bef
orewalki
nggreeti
ngOdiri
le.

Gai
l:Babyt
odayI
'
mtaki
ngyourcar.
Br
eeze:what
'swr
ongwi
thyourcar?
Gai
lIdontwanti
ttoday.Iwantyour
s.
Br
eeze:why?
Gai
l:cour
seIwantyourcar.

Hechuckledandshesmi ledhugginghi
mf rom
behind,ki
ssedhisneckbef or
ewalkingoutleavi
ng
them .Odir
ilelookedatGailwalki
ngoutandt uned
hisatt
enti
ont ohim.Breezelookedathim andgot
offt
hechai rshakinghi
shead.Odi ri
lel
ookedathim
whenhi seyesfellonalovebiteonhisneck.

Odir
il
e:didshej
ustl
eaveal
ovebi
teonyouwi
tha
babykiss?

Breezestoppedonhistracksandlookedathi m.
Yesterdaynonofthem kissedhisneckandt hey
defi
nitel
ydidnothavesex.Onl yonepersonl ef
tit
there.Hejoggedupthest air
sandwenti ntothe
bathroom l
ooki
ngathisneck.Sagist eppedoutof
theshowernakedandl ookedathimr ubbinghis
neck.

Sagi
:Ar
eyouohk?

Het urnedlooki
ngathernudeandswal l
owedbefor
e
walkingovertoavoidthelongconver
sati
onaft
er
hi
sanswer .Hepulledherint
otheshowerki
ssi
ng
herwet ti
nghisclot
hes.
.
.
.
Wi
llpostanot
heronel
ater
[
08/
02,
13:
33]Lynne :#Chapt
er14

AtBr
eezeshouse

Meanwhi
ledownstai
rsOdir
il
elookedathi
swri
st
andsi
ghedbefor
estandi
ngandwentt owasht
he
dishestheywer
eusing.Hewipedthem andpacked
them backbef
oregrabbi
ngabott
leofwateri
nthe
fri
dgegoingupst
air
s.
Hestoodbythei
rdoorandheardthesoundofthei
r
bodi
esclappi
ngagainstoneanot
herandthei
r
mouns.Hechuckledbeforegoi
ngbackdownstair
s
whenJackwalkedin.

Jack:Odi
ri
le
Odi
ri
le:Jack,
what
'sup?
Jack:not
hingman.Wher
e'sBr
eeze?
Odi
ri
le:hesbusyupst
air
swi
thSagi.
Jack:Ibet
tergetgoi
ng.Thanksbye.
Odiri
le:Eban!Whyar eyoualwaysleavi
ngwhen
she'saround?Doyouhavesomesor tofhi
stor
y
togethert
hat'
sfuel
ingthebeefever
ynowandt hen?
Jack:no.MeandSagidonothaveanyhistor
y.I
j
ustknewherwhenshestar
teddat
ingBreeze.I
don'
tknowwhyshehatesme.Shewant snothi
ng
todowithmeandshe'
salwaysangryt
oseeme.
Herhat
eformei
sal
waysquest
ionabl
e.
Odiri
le:Sagii
sagoodgirl.Shefor
gavealotof
peoplewhohadbeefwithher.What'ssodi
ffi
cul
t
forhertofor
giveyouf
ordoing?
Jack:nothing.Ihavenot hingagainstthisgi
rlbut
thewayshehat esmei sdi stend.Ialwaysquest i
on
myselfwhatIdi dt oherbutIcan' tseem t ofi
ndthe
answers.Gai lt
hi nksitsaboutt hatincidentt
hat
happenedyear sback.Evensoiaskedf or
forgi
veness.Br eezef orgavemewhycan' tshedo
thesameandbesi desthishasnot hingt odowi t
h
her.It
sbet weenmeandmybr ot
hers.Shesj usta
daughterinlaw, sheshoul dbehavel i
keoneand
stopplayi
ngBr eezespar ent.
Odir
il
e:ButIalsounderst
andheri fthat
'sthecase.
Youalmostkill
edherhusband.Theonl yperson
shelovedandyoualmosttookhi m awayfrom her.
Imaginei
fitwasherthatalmostkil
ledyourwi f
eby
set
ti
ngat i
mebombonhercar.Woul dyousayi t
wasami stakeandyouforgiveherjustl
ikethat?
Aft
ertaki
ngyourloverawayf r
om you?
Jack:Iwouldn'
tandthisusdi
ff
erentman.Thi
sis
betweenbrother
s,whydoesshehavetosti
ckher
noseintoourbrot
herhood?.
Odi
ri
le:yeahneh.
.

Breezewal keddownt hestai

rsinsweatpantswit
h
noshirtonandf rownedlookingathisbr
other.Hi
s
heartpoundedbutplayedcooll ooki
ngathis
annoyedf ace.Hewal kedoverandsatdown
oppositehim bal
ancinghisheadwi t
hhisarmson
hi
st hi
ghs.

Jack:howar
eyoudoi
ngyoungman?
Br
eeze:good.
(cl
eart
hroat
)you?
Jack:I'
m good..I'
vebeentr
yingtocal
lyoubuti
t
didn'
tgot hr
ough.Itri
edyouforli
ke3to4timei
n
thelastcoupleofdays.Where'
syourphone?
Br
eeze:i
nmypocket.Andhowi
sthatpossi
ble-
Het ookouthisphoneandandcheckedonlyt
ofind
thathiscal
lswereblocked.Onl
yonepersondi
d
thi
s?Hesmi l
edbutinghisl
ipandunbl
ockedhi
m
beforeputt
ingthephoneback.

Jack:so.
.?
Br
eeze:youwer
ebl
ocked.
Jack:whydi
dyoubl
ockme?
Br
eeze:Idontbl
ockanycal
lsmygir
lsdo.Andt
hey
bl
ockyouifyou'
redoi
ngsomet
hingt
heydonotl
ike.
Jack:(
sighed)i
sitSagi
?
Breeze:Whydoesever
ythi
ngt
oyouhast
otowi
th
Sagi?Itcoul
dbeanyofus.
Jack:kanayourwif
ehatesme.Shesaysi tal
lthe
ti
meandmakessur et
hatIdonotforgetthatshe
hatesme.Shel i
kessayi
ng"Jack..wait
siyour
upsetti
ngmystomach".Likewtf.Shesaysi t
withoutevent
hinki
ng.
Odi
ri
le:(l
aughs)nowthatsoundsmor
elikeher.
Shedoesn'
trunaroundthebushshet
ell
syou
str
aighti
ntheeye.That'swhatIl
ikeabouther.
She'snotevenscaredofcal
li
ngoutsomeone's
packagesinpubli
c.Shestandhergroundthatone.
Talkaboutpieceofshi
t.
Breeze:Y'
al
lleavemywi f
eal oneohk.Andwena
Ril
estopcall
ingmywi f
eapi eceofshit.I
'
llpunch
youinthemiddleofyourfacerightnow.
Odi
ri
le:
(l
aughs)I
'
dli
ket
oseei
tcomi
ng.
Br
eeze:Mxm .
..
Soyousayyou'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
l
meri
ght?Whatisi
tthatyouwant
ed?

Jackr ubbedhisfaceandl ookedathi m biti

nghisli
p
.Br eezesheartpoundedl ooki ngathim .Coul dshe
havet ol
dhim aboutt heirsecret?Asmuchashe
want edhimt opayt hi
swashi sbrotherandshewas
hisandmothi m .Hel ookedathi m andswal lowed
meanwhi leOdiri
lelookedathi mr ubbinghi shands
together.Breezeneverbehavedl i
ket hi
st oward
Jack'spresence.Heal waysr emainedhi mselfbut
todayhewasnot, ratheruneasyt appinghi sfooton
thefloor.
Jack:i
tsRose.

Breezer
eleasedaheavysi
ghl eani
ngbackand
rel
axedl
ookingathi
m .Ont heotherhandOdi
ri
le
l
ookedathim wit
hsuspici
on.

Br
eeze:iknow.
Jack:
whatdoyouknow?
Breeze:uhm whatwer
eyougonnat
ellme?About
hernightmar
es?
Jack:howdoyouknowt
hat?
Breeze:(
clear
edt
hroat
)Ihaveasi
steri
nlaw
remember .Shet
oldoneofmywivesandshet
old
me.
Jack:oh.
.
Breeze:She'
sgonnabeohk.Takehert
ofort
her
apy
andshe'l
lgetbackup.
Jack:butwet r
iedthatr
emember ?Eventookhert
o
ament alhospi
tal.NowI'm onl
ylef
twithonechoi
ce.
Br
eeze:whi
chi
s?
Jack:I
'mthi
nki
ngift
hePsychot
her
apyi
sn'
t
hel
ping.
.weshoul
dconsul
taseer.

Breezeseyespoppedatt hesamet imeasOdiri

le
l
ooki ngathim .Helookedatthem andnohe's
decisionwasf i
nal.Ift
here'
sanythi
ngheis
concer nedaboutri
ghtnowit'
shisdaughter
.

Jack:yeah.
.maybehecanblocktheevi
lspi
ri
taway
fr
om mydaughter.I
tstheonlyway.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
33]Lynne :#Chapt
er15

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Theybot hlookedathim asherubbedhishands

together.Hewasser i
ous.Jackst oodupand
pickedhiscarkeyswhenSagiwal keddownst ai
rs
i
nherspaghet t
idr
essthatreveal
edherhour glass
fi
gur e.Todaysheletherhairl
osebounci ngonher
shoul der
.Odiri
let
racedherbodyandsmi led
l
ooki ngatBreezeontheotherhandJackswal l
owed
thinkingwhysuchanangel i
ccreaturehateshim so
bad.Shewasbeaut i
fuleveninsimpleclothes.
Odi
ri
le:Wow.
.youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Wher
eyougoi
ng?
Sagi
:I'
m goi
ngtocheckonRoseandIhave
somethi
ngtotal
kaboutwi
thJane.
Br
eeze:(
hear
tski
pped)whati
sthat
?
Sagi
:somet
hingsomet
hing.
Odi
ri
le:t
odayI
'
m yourboybaby.Let
'sr
ide.
Breeze:Ri
demyf
oot!Sagiyournotgoi
ng
anywhere.
Sagi
:Excuseme?
Br
eeze:Yournotgoi
nganywher
etoday.
Odi
ri
le:Andt
henwena.She'
snotgoi
nganywher
e?
Breeze:Odi
ri
leI
'
mtal
kingt
omywi
fest
ayoutof
thi
s.
Sagi
:Butwhy?
Br
eeze:Not
hing.Goupst
air
s.

Sagibitherl
ipf
ighti
ngheri
nnersel
ftobustout
i
nfrontofhisbr
otherandOdi
ri
le.Shetur
nedback
t
othei
rroom andbangedt
hedoor.

Odir
il
e:r
eal
ly?She'
sastayi
nnow?Kanashewas
goi
ngtoseeJane.Shewasgoi
ngt
oyourbrot
her
's
house.
Br
eeze:I
'
llmeetyouatt
hecl
ub.
Jack:Youknowherandidontgetalongbutdontdo
thi
stoher.Idontknowi fi
t'
sfort
hefir
stt
imeor
whatbutdontbethathusband.Anywaybye.

Hepickedhiskeysonthetabl
eandwalkedout.
Odir
il
ealsostoodupandlookedathi
m befor
e
chuckl
ing.

Odi
ri
le:youmyguysmellguil
t.AndIwontleavei
t
l
ayi
nguntilyout
ellmewhatyoudid?Anywaybye.

Helef
tleavi
ngBreezeal
lal
one.Hest
oodupand
wentupstai
rs.Heslowl
yopenedt
hedoorand
walkedi
nonhersit
ti
ngbythemirr
orbrushi
ngher
hai
r.Hesatontheedgeofthebedandshelooked
athimthr
ought
hemi r
ror
.

Br
eeze:hey.
Sagi
:whatwast
hatabout
?
Breeze:not
hing..
.am Iwrongtowanttospenda
daywi t
hmywi f
e?Ididn'tknowitwascri
me.
Sagi:Breezewhatwast hatabout?Dontgiveme
thatcourseitseemedal otmorethanthat.Youjust
orderedmel ikeI
'm yourchi
ldbashful
ingmeinfr
ont
ofyourf r
iendandbr ot
her.
Br
eeze:Ijusttol
dyouIwantt
ospendtimewit
hyou
.BabeeversinceIr
etur
nedweneverhadourt
ime
al
one.Imissyou.
Sagi
:sodoesthatgi
veyoutheri
ghtt
obeal
l..
Idont
know.Breezewhat'
swrongwit
hyou?
Breeze:Sagiij
ustt
oldyouwhyIdi
dthatandI
'
m
sorry.I
twonthappenagai
n.
Sagi
:hel
lyeahi
twonthappenagai
n,youscar
edme
ont
opoft
hat.
Breeze:youscared?Pl
ease.Sowhatwer
eyou
goingtodothere?
Sagi
:toseeJaneandRose.Babypl
easeletmego
seeher.Ri
ghtnowRoseneedsusmorethanever
andyouknowit.
Br
eeze:Soyourgoi
ngt
her
etoseeJane?About
what
?
Sagi
:somet
hingsomet
hing.Whydoyouwantt
o
knowsobadl
ywhatI'
m goingt
oseeherf
or?
Br
eeze:j
ustaski
ng.

Sagist
oodandpi
ckedherphonebef
oreki
ssi
nghi
m
.

Sagi
:I'
l
lber
ightback.

Shewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoorbehi
ndher.
Breezequi
ckl
ytookouthi
sphonedial
ingJane.
Jane:hey.
.
Br
eeze:Haveyousai
danyt
hing?
Jane:No.
.why?
Breeze:ohkkeepi
tthatwaywebot
hhavesomuch
tolose.Bye.

Hehangupandsi
ghedbef
oreget
ti
ngdr
essedand
l
eft.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Kagisosatunderamarulat
reeint
heiryar
d.The
dream pl
ayedinhi
smindwhi l
ehestaredatt
heir
house.Aheavywi ndblewhiscapthatwasonhis
kneetothegatewhenhesnappedandwentt ogeti
t
.
Hepickeditanddustedt
hesoi
lofandputi
ton.Hi
s
eyeslookedatt
hesideofther
oadandther
eshe
was.Shewasj ustst
andi
ngthereinherwhit
e
dresswi t
hlonghai
randanunclearface.Hestood
therelooki
ngatherandsheal
sol ookedathi
m
withoutmoving.
Heopenedt hegateandwhenhet ri
edt ocr
ossthe
roadacocacolatruckhookedandhest eppedback
l
etti
ngitpass.Aft
erithaspassedshewasnowher e
tobeseen.Hel ookedaroundandtherewas
nowhereshecouldhavehi ddenunseen.
Heheldhi
swaistandwal kedbackint
othei
ryard
whenBonolosmothersteppedoutofthehousei
n
herf
ormalweartal
kingoverthephone.

Her
:wai
t..
Hel
loboy
Kagi
so:Hey.
.

Shegotinthecaranddroveof
fwhenBonol
o
steppedouti
nhershort
scoveredi
npai
ntandwent
tostandbythefance.
Bonol
o:heyyou.
Kagi
so:hey.

Hecouldn'thel
pbutlookathersmoot
hlegsandup
toherchest.Hercr
optopwascoveredinpai
nt.
She
hadanamazi ngbodyandtodaysheti
edabunon
herhead.

Kagi
so:what
'sup?
Bonol
o:not
hing.
.ishoul
dbeaski
ngyout
hat.
Kagi
so:not
hing.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngcover
edi
n
pai
nt?
Bonol
o:oh..
I'
mjustpai
nti
ngsomet
hingt
hatIdont
evenknowwhati
tis?
Kagi
so:oh.
.
Bonolo:Comeseei
t.Maybeyoucoul
dhel
psi
nce
youloveart.
Kagi
so:Idontt
hinkt
hat
'sagr
eati
dea.
Bonol
o:comeon,youscar
edI
'
llf
uckyou?
Kagi
so:(
laughs)what
?No.
.j
eezdude.
Bonol
o:t
hencome.

Hel ookedatherasshesmiledreveal
ingherone
di
mpl eandwal kedoutoft
hegat etohers.She
openedt hedoorwidel
yforhim andhesteppedin
beforeclosi
ng.
Helookedaroundanditdi
dn'tlookli
ketheyjust
movedi n.Thehousewasr eal
lybeauti
fulandful
ly
f
urnished.Shepull
edhim byhishandandl ethim
t
otheirstor
eroom t
hatshehadt ur
neditintoher
workplace.

Bonol
o:her
eiti
s,whatdoyout
hink?

Itwasapaint
ingofaballeri
nadancinginther
ainat
nightwi
thstr
eetli
ghts.Hepi ckedabrushand
dippedi
tinapaintandpaintedtheli
ghtstomake
them abi
tdim.
Kagiso:it
sraini
ngri
ght?Sotheli
ghtscan'
tbethat
bri
ght.Butother
wisei
tsper
fect
.Ilovetheoi
lpaint
usedandt heli
feyougavei
nit.Thescapesand-
Bonol
o:(
sof
tl
y)Kagi
so.
.
Kagi
so:hmm?

Heturnedwi thonehandinthepocketandanother
oneholdingthebrush.Herheartpoundedl
ooking
athi
m .Shecoul dn'
tbeli
eveshehasfall
eninl
ove
wit
hhi m alr
eady.Shebitherli
plooki
ngathim and
camecl osertohimtryi
ngtotal
kbutwordsstuckon
hertongue.

Bonol
o:whydontyoumakeone?I'
m sur
eIcan
l
earnfr
om your
sandnextt
imeI
..
wontmakea
mist
ake.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)sur
e.Doyouhaveext
raboar
ds?
OrA4s?
Bonol
o:(
cleart
hroat
)yeah.
.t
her
e.
Het
ookawhitepaint
ingboar
datsetitupbef
ore
t
aki
ngthepai
ntsandtwochairsandsatdown.

Kagi
so:comesi
t.

Shewalkedoverandsatnextt
ohim andhesmil
ed
atherbef
orestar
ti
ngtopaint
.Sheputherhands
betweenherl
apsandlookedathi
m paint
ing.

Bonol
o:sowhatar
eyoupai
nti
ng?
Kagi
so:Idon'
tknow.
Bonol
o:soyourj
ustpai
nti
ng?I
ndar
kcol
orsonl
y?
Kagi
so:(smil
ing)somethi
ngt hat
'si
nmyhead.I
t
hasbeentheresincel
astnight.
Bonol
o:Adream.Mustbeabadonef
oryout
o
pai
ntwit
hdarkcol
orsonl
y.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)yeah.
.
Bonol
o:canIt
ellyousomet
hing?
Kagi
so:sur
e,whati
sit
?
Bonol
o:pr
omi
semeyouwon'
tfr
eakout.

Kagi
soputthebrushdownandturnedhi
satt
enti
on
t
oher.Shebitherupperl
ipandhepull
edherhands
i
nhisgent
lysqueezi
ngthem .
Histouchgavehergoosebumpsandshelooked
ri
ghtinhiseyes.Hewassor el
axed.Coul
dtell
ing
hi
m aboutherf eel
ingsr
uint
herel
ati
onshi
pthey
have?Shel ookeddownontheyhandsandbackat
hi
m.

Kagiso:youcantel
lmeanyt
hing,Ipr
omi seIwont
reacti
nanabjectmanner
.Whati si
t?(smil
ed)

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Sagipar
kedhercarbef
orest
eppi
ngoutandwent
t
owardsthehouse.Shepressedthedoorbel
landa
mai
dr ushedoveropeni
ngforher.

Mai
d:gooddayMr
sLyon
Sagi
:(
smi
le)
Sagipl
ease.
.Cal
kmeSagi.
Maid:(
smil
ing)I
'
m usedtocal
li
ngyouMrsLyonso
i
tsgonnat
akelongformetogethol
dofSagionl
y.
Sagi
:Asl
ongasyoucal
lmeSagiont
heendi
tsohk
.
Mai
d:Yesmam .
Sagi
:isRosear
ound?
Mai
d:she'
sinherr
oom mam.
Sagi
:ohkt
hanks

Shewalkedupstai
rsgr
eet
ingeveryoneshecomes
acrossandwenttoRose'
sroom .Shel i
ght
ly
knockedandRoseansweredherbeforeshecoul
d
getinsmil
ing.
Sagi
:(smil
ing)where'
smyf
avour
it
eper
soni
nthe
whol
ewi deworld?
Rose:heyaunt
y.Howar
eyou?
Sagi
:I'
m sadrightnow.Commonsmil
eforme
pl
ease,justonceinawhil
epl
ease.
Rose:
(f
orcedsmi
le)
Sagi
:thatonei
tsf
orcedbutt
hankyou.Whatar
e
youuptoo?
Rose:Iwaswat
chi
ngt
hismovi
e.Hor
ror
.
Sagi
:youst
il
lwat
cht
hat,
aren'
tyouget
ti
ngscar
ed?
Rose:Isawt
hewor
st.(
Sigh)
Sagi
:li
kewhat?
Rose:Idontwannat
alkabouti
t.
Sagi
:fai
renough.
Rose:ar
eyouher
ewi
thauntGai
landuncl
e?
Sagi:
no..
theyar
ebusybutI
'
m sur
ethey'
l
lcome
checkonyou.
Rose:checkonmef
orwhat?
Sagi
:justt
osayhi.Theyhaven'
tseenyoui
na
whil
e.
Rose:t
heyt
oldyoudi
dn'
tthey?
Sagi
:tol
duswhat?
Rose:Aunti
eyourabadl iaryouknowt hat? .My
parent
stoldyouthatI'
m havingnightmaresr i
ght?
Whyar eyouguyssoobsessedwi thme, whycant
youjustl
eavemeandmyf ri
endalone!.That '
smy
fr
iendnotours!.Nakedii
smyf r
iendleaveusal one!
JustsayitAunti
e.Theytolddidn'tthey?!aboutmy
night
maresright?
Sagi
:Idon'
tknowwhatyourt
alki
ngabout
.Ar
eyou
havi
ngnight
mares?

Shesighedandst
oodupwi
thherl
apt
opandsat
nextt
oSagionthebed.

Rose:Sor
ryforyel
li
ngatyou.Idi
dn'
tmeanto.Let
's
watchyourf
avorit
emovie.I
'm gl
adyourher
e.I
l
oveyou.
Sagi
:it
sohkIl
oveyout
oo.

TheyhuggedandRoseswi t
chedonherl aptopand
Nakedi'
spictur
eflashed.Sagil ookedatherthen
backatthelaptopandt heyleanedont he
headboardwatchingthemovi e.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.

Gailwalkedaroundwi t
habuyershowingher
beauti
fulpiecesthatcouldf
iti
nverywell
inadini
ng
room.Theyst oodbyahugeoneofbr i
ghtfl
owers
andlookedati tandsmiledateachot
her.

Gai l
:thi
soneisalsomyf avori
te.Iputi
thereso
thatwhomeverget sinhereshouldseehow
amazi ngourart
istsare.I
twaspai nt
edbysome
guynamedPhapano.He' sgood.Foundhi m bythe
streetspai
nti
ngont hestr
eets.Youknowt hose
sil
lyboysthatpaintpeopl
e'swall
sr i
ght?(they
l
oughed)yeah.Iaskedhi mt omakeapai nti
ngor
drawsomet hingformeandi l
lputitintheeyesfor
him andthereiti
s.Het ookouthisall.Hei sso
tal
ented.Rightnowhei sbusywithanot heronein
ourpaint
ingroom .
Woman:yoursuchagener ousinspi
ringwoman
Gail.Iwishever
yoneel
sewasj ustl
ikeyou.You
helppickupthosewhoareinneedandhelpthem
fi
ndt hei
rsel
vesinar
t.Youragoodwomankeepi t
up.
Gai
l:t
hankyou.
Woman:I'l
lhavei
t.Wherearet
hepaper
sifther
e
arepaper
scoursemyhouseneedssomethi
ngto
cheeri
tup?Wher edoIpay?
Gail
:(l
aughi
ng)al
ri
ghtalri
ghtgother
ethey'
l
lhel
p
you.Thankyouforvi
sit
ingGail
'sGal
ler
y.
Woman:Ishouldthankyouforopeni
ngsucha
l
ivi
ngplace.I
t'
llhel
pourchi
ldrenalot.They'
llst
op
wit
hdrugsandf i
ndthemsel
vesabet t
erplacetobe
her
e.
Gai
l:t
hankyou.

Theyshookhandsandshewentt omakepayments
andGailsighedwit
hasmi l
eandlookedatthe
pai
nting.Sheisreal
lyupgradi
ngnonstop.Her
Gall
eryisgrowingbi
tbybitanddaybyday.

Voi
ce:Wow.
.t
hisi
sasur
pri
se.

Sher ecognizedthevoi ceandcoul dn'thelpbut

smileandt urnedlookingathim .Hewasi nasui t
thatheldont ohisbodyandhehadunbut tonedt he
shir
tonhi schestwi t
hacr ossneckl aceon.He
l
ookedl ikehejusthadahai rcutandmandi ditlook
good.Hewal kedovert ohersmi l
inglookingather
fi
gurei nhersuit.Thiswasawomanr ightthere.

Mxo:sgebengundi
n'.Howar
eyou?
Gai
l:I
'
m goodandhowar
eyou?
Mxo:I
'
m al
sogood.Youl
ookgood.
Gai
l:t
hanksandsodoyou.
Mxo:
(pl
ayf
ull
y)Iknow
Gai
l:you'
resof
ool
ingyour
sel
fdontyou?
Mxo:butyouj
ustsai
dIl
ookgoodnaweangi
sho?
Gai
l:Iwasj
ustbei
ngci
vil
.Nowt
hatIl
ookatyou
..
mmhmmhyourbad.
Mxo:isthi
showyouwelcomecust omersar
ound
her
e?Youshouldgetfir
ed,l
etmet al
ktoyourboss.
Coursethi
sishi
ghl
yunacceptabl
e.Ishoul
dreport
youtotheCPA.Cal
ltheboss.
Gai
l:Her
eshei
s?
Mxo:wher
e?I
'
m ser
ious.
Gai
l:yourl
ooki
ngather.

Mxolisilookedatherandsmi ledbef
orethesmi l
ed
tur
nedi ntoalaughter.Hislaught
erwassimilarto
Breezes.Theyl aughliket
heyownt helaughter
moment s.Hest oppedandlookedatherbefore
t
urni
ngbackt
other
ecept
ioni
st.

Mxo:hey.
.whoset
heowneroft
hispl
ace?
Man:i
tsMr
sAbi
gai
lLyon.Thatoner
ightt
her
e.
Mxo:
(f
rowned)Lyon?Asi
nfr
om t
heLyonf
ami
ly?
Man:yessi
r..
Lyon.She'
smar
ri
edt
oBr
eezeLyon.

Mxoswallowedlooki
ngatGailandTher
esano
possi
blewayshewasmar ri
edtoagangster
.He
smil
edwalkingoverandst
oodbyherlooki
ngata
fr
eehandsketch.

Gai
l:so.
.?
Mxo:Gai
lri
ght
?Iwannat
akeyououtonal
unch.
Gai
l:(
lookedathi
m)unf
ort
unat
elyI
'
m mar
ri
ed.
Mxo:Iknowthat
'swhyit
'safr
iendl
unch,nota
r
omanticdat
e.Youstil
lhavemynumberr i
ght,
cal
l
meifyouchangeyourmind.HaveagreatdayMrs
Lyoni
twasni
ceseei
ngyou.

Hewalkedt
othepaymentsi
teandGai
ltur
ned
l
ooki
ngathim bef
oregoi
ngt
oherof
fi
ce.

AtBonol
osHouse

Bonol olookedathi m andt ookoffhiscap.Hehad

abeaut ifulfaceandhi seyeli
dswer ebr own.Hisli
ps
weret ocr avefor.Shel ookedinhiseyesand
couldn'thelpbutleanoversl owly.Kagi sosawher
andt houghtofst oppingherbutknowi nghow
embar rassedshe' l
lfeelhealsoleanedoverand
thei
rf oreheadsmet.Theyshar edbr eathswhen
thei
rlipssl i
ghtlyt
ouchedandt heyFr enchkissed.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
33]Lynne :#Chapt
er16

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

RoseandSagihuggedbyherdoorandSagismi led
befor
eleavi
ng.Rosesi ghedandwentbackint
oher
room whenlonel
inessstr
uckher.Atearr
oll
ed
downandshewentt nhercloset.
Shetookoutherfr
iendsshi
rtandat r
ackpanthat
Nakediusedt
oloveandhuggedt hem ti
ghtsmil
ing
walki
ngbacktoherroom .Shetookoffhercl
othes
andworethem bef
orewalkingtothemirr
orsmili
ng
onherown.
Thi
sf el
tli
keshewaswi t
hheraround.Wearingher
cl
othesfeltl
ikeshewasclosert
oherevenifshe
wasnotar ound.Shefel
therint
hoseclot
hes.
Shesmil
edbefor
epicki
ngherpi
ctur
eandl
andedon
thebedl
oughi
ngalone.
Meanwhi
ledownst
air
s.
Sagiwalkedtotheparki
nglotwhenJanepul l
edby
hersideandtheysmiledateachother.Jane'
shear
t
poundedasshest eppedoutofthecarandstood
i
nfrontofher.
Whati
fBr
eezet
oldher?Whati
fshef
oundout?
Shebeat
edhersel
fst
andingi
nfr
ontofhercour
se
Sagi
shandshavenobreakswhencomingtoher
man.
Sagiopenedherarmsandtheyhuggedpat
ti
ng
eachothersbacksbef
orest
eppi
ngback.

Jane:Ihaven'
tseenyoui
nawhi
le.Howhaveyou
been?
Sagi
: I
'
vebeengood.Theuniver
sehasbeen
smil
ingatme.Whataboutyou?
Jane:I
'
vebeengoodt
oo.Andot
her
s?
Sagi
:them t
oo.Uhm Ihear
daboutwhathappened.
Jane:(
heartski
pped)Sagii
t'
snotwhatyouthi
nk.It
al
lhappenedsof ast.Seet
hisi
showithappened.I
was-
Sagi
:Iknowyoudontsl
eepwi
thwi
thRosei
nthe
sameroom .
Jane:what?
Sagi:Janeyoudonthavet oactst
ronginf
rontofme
.Idontknowt hepai
nofseeingyourdaughter
slowl
ydr i
ft
ingawaybutknowt hatyoucanshareit
withme, us.We' r
eafamil
yandRoseneedsus
toget
her.Sheneedsal lt
hesupportshecanget
especial
lyfrom herl
ovedones.Sheneedusmor e
thaneverrightnow.
Jane:(
rel
ieved)thankyou. .
YoursocaringandI
real
lyappreciatetheloveyougi veRosell
a.(Sigh)
YouknowIt ri
edSagi-Idi dbut...Ij
ustdon'tknow
whattodoanymor e.Nakedidoesn'twanttol etmy
daughterbeandi thurt
sseeingherlikethat.
SometimesIf eel l
ikeIdidn'
tdoenoughasamot her
.Ishouldhavet oldhertostayawayf r
om thatgirl
whenIhadt hechancet oo.Ish-
Sagi:Janedontbeatyour
selft
ohar daboutthi
s.
Youragoodmot herandweal lknowthat.Your
doingwhatamot herdoestohelpthei
rchild.
(Phonerang)ohIhavetogo.Justknowt hatyoura
goodmot herandyourdoinggood.
Jane:t
hankyou.
Sagi
:bye
Jane:bye.

Sagigotint
ohercarandputthephoneonspeaker
putt
ingitdownanddroveout.

Odi
ri
le:Mybabe
Sagi
:heyyou.
.what
'sup?
Odir
il
e:I
'
mlooki
ngf
orthatbl
oodyhusbandof
your
s.Wher
eishe?
didhecomebackt ohissenses
?
Sagi:(
chuckl
es)hedid.Ilef
thim homewhenIl eft
I
'm notsurei
fhesthereorhelef
t.I'
llcheckhi
mf or
you.
Odi
ri
le:Assebl
ief.

Hehangupandshedr
oveof
f.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y

Gailwalkedoutt
otherecepti
onandgaveherher
off
icekeyswhenadel i
verymanwal kedi
nholdi
ng
fl
owers.Hesmi l
edlookingatther
ecepti
oni
stashe
smiledback.

Gai
l:anyonei
nmyhousewhohasasecr
etadmi
rer
?
Recepti
oni
st:iguesst
her
ei s.Iwonderwhot
hey
ar
ef r
om .Ormaybeitf
rom yourhusband.
Gai
l:pl
easenotBr
eeze.
Del
iver
yman:Goodeveni
ng.I
smi
ssGai
lLyon
wor
kingher
e?
Gai
l:
(f
rown)t
hat
'sme.Whoar
etheyf
rom ?
Del
iver
y:si
gnher
epl
ease.

Gailsi
gnedandt
hemangaveherabunchof
fl
owersandasmall
gif
tbagbef
orewal
kingout.

Recept
ioni
sts:Nowwhohasanadmi
rer
?
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)mxm .

Shewal kedoutt
ohercarandgoti
nbef
ore
reachi
ngf ort
henot
e.

"Beaut
if
ulf
lower
sforabeaut
if
ulwoman"

Itwasj
ustthatandnonameofwhot heycamef
rom
.Shesmiledandputthem att
hebackbefor
e
openi
ngthegift
.
Shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngatherf
avor
it
echocol
atesanda
smallbox.Shetooki
toutandgaspedl
ooki
ngat
thediamondneckl
ace.
Shescr
eamedbef
oredi
ali
ngBr
eeze.

Br
eeze:babe
Gai
l:(
scr
eami
ng)Il
ovei
tIl
ovei
tIl
oooovei
t.
Br
eeze:Youl
ovewhat?
Gail
:(
smi
li
ng)yoursuchachar
merhubby.Il
ove
yousosomuch.Cantwaittorocki
t.
Br
eeze:Gai
lwhatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?Lovewhat
?Rockwhat?
Gai
l:NcoowIl
oveyoubabeseeyouathome.

Shehangupandputever
ythi
ngbackbef
oredr
ivi
ng
offwi
thahugesmi
le.

AtAi
rCl
ub
Br
eezelookedatthephoneandwalkedi
nandt
he
st
uffwasprepar
ingfortheni
ght.
Hest oodinthemi
ddl
eofther
oom andlooked
around.Sohemadeitevenaf
terever
ythi
nghes
beent hr
ough.
Acal
lcamet
hroughandhepi
cked.

Sagi
:Heybabe,
wher
ear
eyou?
Br
eeze:I
'
m att
hecl
ub.I
sever
ythi
ngohk?
Sagi
:yeahever
ythi
ngisalr
ightIwasjustchecki
ng
uponyou.Odiri
lewaslookingforyou.
Br
eeze:ohkI
'
llcal
lhi
m.
Sagi
:ohkl
oveyou.
Br
eeze:l
oveyout
oo.

Shehangupandwentt
othebarandpouredagl
ass
ofwhi
skeydr
inki
ngi
tatagobefor
eleavi
ng.
AtBonol
oshouse

Kagi
sol
ookedatherandt
racedherj
awli
newit
hhi
s
t
humbbefor
eplant
ingababykissonherl
ips.

Kagi
so:so..what'
sup?We'vebeenki
ssi
nga
t
housandtimesandyouhaven'
ttol
dmewhatyou
wereabouttosay.
Bonol
o:I
..
uhm .
.I
.
Kagi
so:Bonol
otal
ktome.
Bonol
o:(
sighed)st
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt?
Kagi
so:st
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt.
Bonol
o:ohk.
.I
..Il
oveyou.

Shelookeddownandhel ookedathernotknowi ng
whattosay.Sheraisedherheadandl ookedathim
asheheldherhandsinhis.Ohkt hiswas
embarrassi
ngwhatwasshet hinking.Sheclosed
hereyesandbreat
hedoutheavi l
y.
Bonol
o:I
'
m sosor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
o-
Kagiso:itsohk.Ther e'
snothi
ngwr ongabout
someoneexpr essi
nghowt heyfeel.Beingagir
l
doesn'tmeanyoushoul dbeheldbackandbe
scaredt ocracktheice.Youshouldf eelf
reet
otal
k
yourselfout.
Bonol
o:soyournotdi
sappoi
nted?
Kagi
so:what!No!
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)smi
li
ng.
.so?Whataboutyou?

Helookedatherbeforeleani
ngi
nakissandpicked
herfr
om hersitput
ti
ngheronhislaps.His
packageexpandedunderherandshesli
dherhand
i
nandgasped.Shepul l
edawayandlookedathim
thenherhandinhispants.Shebi
therli
pand
l
ookedIhiseyes.

Kagi
so:Soyourscar
edI
'
m gonnaf
uckyou?
Bonolo:I
..Iwanttoknowi fyoulovemeornotfi
rst.
Youcantjustslidei
ntomyl egsknowingyoudont
l
oveme.I '
m notcheap.JustbecauseIsaidmyself
outdoesn'tmeanI '
m alosegir
l.Iwantitt
obelove.
Iwantyout omakel ovetome.Notf uckmehela.
So..
?Doyoul ovemeornot?
Kagi
so:Ido.
Bonol
o:youdowhat?
Kagi
so:Il
oveyou.

Shesmiledandki
ssedhi
m befor
est
andi
ngand
tookhi
shandleadi
ngtoherr
oom .

AtBr
eezes

Breezewalkedintothehouseandhiseyeslanded
onthebeautif
ulflowers.Hewalkedoverandsawa
noteandreadit.Hisheartbeatf
asterwhenGail
walkeddownt hestair
sinabeautif
uldressl
ooking
good.Hiseyesl andedonhernecklookingatt
he
diamondneckl ace.Hecantr ememberbuyingt
his
typeofaneckl ace.Ofcourseheboughther
diamondneckl acesbutnotthispat
ter
n.Thisone
l
ookedheavy.Sheevenhadabeaut if
ulhappy
smi l
eonherf aceandt hatanger
edhim evenmore.
Shewal kedoverandst oodinfr
ontofhi
m and
turnedaround.

Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)doyoul
ikei
t?
Br
eeze:Abi
gai
lwher
edi
dyougett
his?
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)whatdoyoumean?Youboughti
tfor
me.
Br
eeze:Abi
gai
lwher
edi
dyougett
heneckl
ace?
Gai
l:babecomeon.St
opplayingwi
thmel
iket
hat
.
Youboughtitf
orme.Idi
dn'tknowyo-
Breeze:Abigai
ldon'
tfuckwi
thme!Whot
hef
uck
gavethist
oyou?
Gai
l:babeI
-
Ahotslaplandedonhercheekandshel andedon
thegroundhit
ti
nghard.Herheartpoundedhardon
herchestandforasecondshelosthersit
e.She
openedhereyesandeveryt
hingwasspinningtoher
assheheldhercheek.
Hegaveherhi
shandandhelpedherstandasshe
hel
dontohercheeki
ntear
s.Hewr appedhis
handsar
oundherwai
standlookedathercal
mly.

Br
eeze:babe.
.?
Gai
l:(
shaky)mmh.
.?
Br
eeze:babe?
Gai
l:Babe.
?
Br
eeze:Whogotyout
hisneckl
ace?
Gai
l:yo-

Befor
ehersentencecouldendanot
herslaplanded
heronthetabl
ewi t
haringi
ngear.Sheburstcryi
ng
andtri
edrunni
ngawaywhenhepul ledherbyher
handandpul
ledheri
ntoahugr
ubbi
ngherback.

Breeze:shhhhh.
.Readyt
otal
k?whoi
sthef
our
th
party?
Gai
l:(
cryi
ng)
Br
eeze:Babepleaset
alkt
ome.Whoboughtt
his?
Ar
eyoucheatingonme?
Gai
l:No.
.
Breeze:Gai
lyourmaki
ngmeangr
ynow.Whogot
youdisneckl
ace?
Gail
:(
cryi
ng)BabeIswearIdon'
tknowwhatyour
t
alki
ngabout.Ithoughtyo-

Hegaveheranotheroneofthebackofhispal
m
andshefel
lonthetablesmashi
ngt hevar
seof
fl
oweronthefl
oorasherheadrangwi t
hblood
comingoutofhernoseandmout h.
Meanwhi
leSagipar
kedthecarandhear
daglass
br
eaki
ngandrushedoutwit
houtevenswit
chi
ngof
t
heengi
ne.
ShewalkedinandsawGailsorrowful
lycryi
ngon
thet
ablewit
hBreezebrewingwitheverysecond.
Sheranoverandstoodinbetweenthem and
huggedGail
.

Sagi
:Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngBr
eeze?Ar
eyou
cr
azy?!
Br
eeze:WhenIcomebackIneedt
hatname.

Hewal kedoutandt ookSagi

scar.Meanwhi l
e
Sagiseyeswelledupf r
om seeingherl
iket
hisand
theyhuggedwal ki
ngupt hestair
s.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
34]Lynne :#Chapt
er17

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Withafi
negirlsi
tt
ingonhislapki
ssi
ng,hissist
er
Dit
ebogowalkeddownstair
sandroll
edhereyes
befor
eheadingtotheki
tchenandmadeher sel
fa
cupofcoff
ee.
Shewal kedbacktothedi
ningr
oom andstood
i
nfrontofthem f
oldi
ngherarmsandtheybroket
he
ki
ss.

Ditebogo:Whatthehelli
sthi
sOdi
ri
le?Br
ingi
nggirl
s
aroundwhi l
eI'
m around?Whatsor
tofdisr
especti
s
that?
Odi
ri
le:excuseme?
Gi
rl
:babewhoset
his?
Odi
ri
le:nevermi
ndher.Shesmysi
ster
.
Di
tebogo:nosweet
iehe'
slyi
ng.I '
m hi
swi
fe.Now
whydontyougetyoursexyassofmymanandget
t
hehelloutofmyhousebeforeIbl
owyourheadof
f.
Gir
l:youknowgir
l.Unt
ilIseear i
ngonthatf
inger
orhisI
'l
lst
ayawaybutunt i
lthenhesourman.Hes
st
il
lonthemarket
.
Dit
ebogo:ohsoyour
espectt
her
inghuh?OhkI
'
ll
showyoutheri
ng.

Odiri
lesighedscratchinghi seyebrowandDitebogo
walkedupst air
sjoggingmumbl ingsomet
hing.The
gi
rlsmiledandl eanedi nkissi
ngOdi r
il
ewhenshe
heardaguncocki ngandshej umpedoffhi
slap
l
ookingatDi tebogopoi nti
ngagunather.Odi ri
le
quickl
yst oodupwi thdr oppedjaws.
Hissi
sterwasalwayscr
azybuti
tseemedl
ikeshe
gotdangerousdaybyday.

Odi
ri
le:Wt
far
eyoudoi
ng?
Dit
ebogo:(t
oher)youwantedt
her
ingri
ght?Here'
s
heringbi
tch.St
ayt hef
uckawayf
rom peopl
e'
s
housesohk.
Her
:(
shaky)ohk.
.

Shesaidthatgrabbi
ngherpur seandranoutwhi l
e
herdresspull
edup.Meanwhi l
eoutsi
deBr eeze
parkedandsawt hegir
lrunningoutinfearandgot
outheadingin.Hestoodbyt hedoorandwat ched
them shout
ingateachother.Thiswast heirdail
y
routi
ne.Hewalkedtothekitchenandtookouta
beerandopenedbeforegoingt ost
andbyl ookingat
them dri
nki
ng.

Odi
ri
le:Ser
iousl
yDitebogo?Mywife?Mygun?
Andwherethefuckdidyouevengeti
t?!
Di
tebogo:i
twasjustthebegi
nningbrot
her.Iwont
l
etyoubri
nganywomani nt
hishouseanymore.
NotwhenI'
m st
il
laround.!
Odi
ri
le:kanat
hisi
smyhouse.Gaonamai
tseo
kengkawena?
Di
tebogo:Mai
tseo?Real
ly?Wenaobol
ell
annaka
mait
seo?
Odiri
le:Dit
ebogoyourreal
lystar
ti
ngt opissme.I
tookyoui nbecouseyouneededaccommodat ing
notforyout ocomeandcont r
oleverythi
ngIdo.
Stopinvadinginmyf***npri
vacy.Bet hankf
ulyou
gotar oofaboveyourdumpheadst upid!.Thisis-
Ditebogo:Ngngr a.Iwontstopuntilyouset tl
efor
oneandst opbri
ngingthem i
nshapesl ikeyour
changi ngunderwears.HIvandSTI '
sar ereal.You'l
l
getsickf r
om cli
mbingeveryhorseyouseeont he
streets.Ir
eall
yappreciat
eyourhelpbutIwontst op
unlessyoudeci detokickmeoutbutknowt hatthe
l
astt hingIneedisbeingtheoldersi
blingtomy
oldersibli
ng.Brother!

Shesai
dthatandwal
kedtotheki
tchent
aki
ngher
cupoft
eaandwentupstai
rs.
Meanwhi
leOdir
il
ecl
enchedhisj
awsandpinched
hi
snosebefor
etaki
ngthegunandcheckedi
fitwas
l
oaded.Fort
unatel
yitwasn'
theputitdownand
Br
eezewalkedoverandsatontheopposit
ecouch.

Odi
ri
le:youl
ookl
ikeamess.
Br
eeze:sodoyou.Letmeguessshechasedyour
di
nnerawayagai
n?
Odi
ril
e:mxm .Youknowshet hinksshecancont r
ol
mylif
ejustbecauseshest ayswi t
hme.I '
m herbig
br
otherforchr
istsakeandI '
m single.Shoul
dn'
tshe
behappythatIspenthalfofmyshi tonher?
Breeze:t
hatshoul
dbelessofyourworri
esr
ight
now.Wher ei
sthatgi
rlheadedr
ightnow?

Odiri
lelookedathim ashet houghtabouti
t.Coul
d
shehave?.Her ushedt othedoorandpeeked
out
sideandsi ghsshut t
ingthedoorandheldhis
waistlookingatt
hest ai
rs.

Odi
ri
le:Di
tebogo!
Di
tebogo:(
inherr
oom)What
!!
!?
Odi
ri
le:FuckYouohk!!!Yourgoi
ngt
ospenda
ni
ghtinj
ailt
akeashower!!

Hesai
dthatwal
kingbackandsatdownlooki
ngat
Br
eezewhochuckledandtookasipfr
om thebeer.

Breeze:
(chuckl
es)ser
iousl
y?Yougonnal
ett
hat
happen?
Odir
il
e:yeah.
..
sheneedstobetoughtalesson.
SheneedstoknowthatI
'
m herbigbrot
hernother
agemate.Sheneedstoknowherplace.
Breeze:youdoknowshemi ghthavearecor
dri
ght?
Anddontf orgett
hatyoucantbealawyerwit
ha
record.Shesonher6thyear.
Odi
ri
le:What
ever
.Thi
soneneedst
obeputt
oher
pl
ace.
Breeze:soyourgonnaletabit
chruinyoursister
s
l
ifejustl
iket
hat?Youdontevenknowt hatgir
land
yourwill
ingt
osacrif
iceyoursi
ster
sdream forher.
Odir
il
e:Man. .sowhat'
supwi
thyou?Anddont
eventhi
nkaboutlyi
ngtomecour
seIcanseeyou
didsomethi
ng.Whatisit?
Br
eeze:I.
.Ihi
ther.
Odir
il
e:yougonnahavet
obeal
it
tl
ebi
tmor
e
speci
fi
c.
Br
eeze:Gai
l.Iputmyhandsonher.
Odi
ri
le:Excusemewhat
?!
Br
eeze:yeah.IknowIwaswr
ongandi
-
Odi
ri
le:f
uckyouman!

Hest oodupandwentt ot
hekitchenandBreeze
fol
lowedhim gul
pingtheremaini
ngdrinkandsaton
thecounter
.Odiri
letookouttwobottl
esandgave
him oneshaki
nghisheadi ndi
sbeli
efandtookasip
.

Odi
ri
le:Why?
Br
eeze:It
hinkshe'
sseei
ngsomeone.Canyou
i
magi nethatsheevent ur
nsthetabl
esthinki
ngI'm
thatdumbsayi ngI'
mt heonethatboughtherthat
heavydiamondneckl ace.Sheevenwor emy
favori
tedressandlookedbeautif
ulfort
hisdude.I
boughthernecklacesbuttheyaren'
thuge.I'
m sure
shealreadyhasaneckpai nsfrom t
hatshit.
Odiri
le:soyousayi
ngshe'schestonyou?ButGai l
wouldneverdothat.Thatgirlcameawayback
withyouintoamarri
age, shecantj
ustthrowall
thatawaynow.Shel ovesyou.She'llneverl
eave
youandyouknowi t.
Br
eeze:Di
dyouheart
hepar
tofwear
ingahuge
di
amondneckl
ace?
Odi
ri
le:soyourmadbecouseshehada"huge
di
amondnecklace"on?.Breezemaybet
hatshi
t
wasboughtbysomeoneclosetoher.
Breeze:Odiri
leareyousayi
ngI'
m stupidcour
seI'
m
tel
li
ngyout hatshetr
iedt
opinitonmesayi ng"you
boughtitforme".Whywoul dIbuyhersuchan
expensivegif
tandshutSagiout?Whatkindofa
husbandwoul dthatmakeme?Gai lseessomeone
behindmybackandI 'm goi
ngtofindoutwhoand
I'
m gonnagivehim aslowone.Cl ear
lythi
sguyis
ri
chf orhi
mt obuythatanditwontbehardtofi
nd
outwhoi ti
s?
Odi
ri
le:Whati
fyourwr
ong?Whati
fther
e'snoone?
Br
eeze:t
henwhot
hehel
lboughthert
hat?
Odiri
le:nahmanyourj ustinsecur
ethat'
sall.And
yeahi t
snormal..
butGailwouldneverdothattoyou
andSagi.Shel ovesyouguysmor et
hananyt hing
i
nt hi
swor l
dandt helastthi
ngsheneedsi sbringi
ng
youguysdi seases.Goapol o-Whatt
hefuckwher e
youthinki
ngman?Rai singyourhandonawoman?
Breeze!Fuckyouman!

Het ookoutahisphoneandcal l
edthatgi
rlbuther
phonedidn'tgothr
ough.Hesi ghedandlookedat
Breezeashest oodupandhewentt ohissidebiting
hisli
pandpunchedhi m onthestomach.Br eeze
grounedholdinghi
sstomachandl eanedont he
counterandsatdownt aki
nghisbeeranddranki t.
Br
eeze:Real
ly?
Odiril
e:Wedownhi twomant hissideohk?Go
apologize.Mandoyouknowhowmuchyourhand
hurts?Ididnothingtoyou.Your shitstenti
mes
harderimagineahowshef eltwhenyouhi ther.
Manyoursl apmademancr y, whatmadeyout hi
nk
shecanhandl eit?IpraySagit akeyourballsout
forhitt
ingher.Iknowshewon' tletitsl
ide.

Br
eezel
ookedathi
m andsi
ghedf
ini
shi
nghi
sdr
ink.

AtBonol
os

Kagi
solookedatherasshelayedonherchestand
smil
edkissi
ngherfor
ehead.Hecareful
lyl
aidher
downandgotoffthebedandwor ehi
sclot
hes.
Thesoundofthedooropeni
ngstar
tl
edhim andhe
l
ookedatBonolowhopeaceful
lysl
ept.
Thesoundofst
epsapproachedandhequickl
y
squeezedhi
msel
fbehi
ndt hedoorasi
tsl
idopen.
Hehel
dhisbreathwit
hapoundi
nghear
tasher
mot
herlookedather.
Bonoloneversl
eptt
hist
imesowhat
'ssodi
ff
erent
aboutit?Shesi
ghedandcl
osedt
hedoorgoi
ngt o
hers.
Kagisobr
eat
hedoutandheardherdoorcl
osi
ngand
wait
edforafewminswhenthewaterranandhe
st
eppedoutofher
oom andcareful
lycl
osedthe
door.
Hesneakedhiswayouttot
hedoorandtrippedon
themathfal
li
ng.Heheldhi
sbreathandtookshor
t
prayer
sheari
ngthewat
erstoprunni
ng.

Mot
her
:Bonol
o?!I
sthatyouhunny?Bonol
o!

Shefi
guredi
twasherheadandcont
inued
shower
ing.
Meanwhil
eKagisostoodupholdi
nghi
sbreathand
sl
owlyandcar
efull
yopenedthedoorwal
kingout.
Hecaref
ull
ycl
oseditandbreat
hedout.
Voi
ce:Sgebengu!Vi
mba!
Kagi
so:What?!
.
.
.
.
.
Comedyf
oral
ongerone
[
08/
02,
13:
34]Lynne :#Chapt
er18

AtBonol
o'shouse

Kagiso'
sheartbeathar
donhi schest
.Heknewthis
wasnotgonnaendwel lfr
om thelookonhisf
ace.
Thiswouldn'
tbethefir
stti
mebeingbeatenbyan
angrycommuni t
y.Butthi
stimesurel
yitwi
lll
end
hi
mi nacasketthanonahospi t
albed.
Comingt
othi
nkofit,
fearpar
alyzedhi
m ashi
s
hear
thammeredi
nhischest.
Hisbodyshookwi
thf
earandhi
shandsbecame
sweaty,
hewasinacomplet
est
ateoff
ear.
Heswall
owedlooki
ngatthemanashekeptonand
oncal
li
ngthecommunityandtheywer
esl
owly
gat
her
ingaloti
neverysecond.

Man:Tswamonna!Tl
akwano!
Woman:
lenkwenkwe!Phumaapho!
Kagiso:(
trembli
ng)Nono!It
'snotwhati
tlooksl
ike!
Y'
allaremi sr
eadi
ngme!Please!
Man:Reut
loi
leholekanakauena!Tl
oomonapel
e
r
euhulel
akant l
e!Tloo!

Thewhol ecommuni
tyroaredasmor ecamewi t
h
sjamboksandwoodreadyt obeathim .Tears
welledupandashefearcl
aweduphi sthroat
,he
wasf rant
icwi
thf
earashisfacewasashen.He
tookadeepbreat
handandt ookst
epswi thhi
sjell
y
l
egsandt err
or.Ever
ystepbecameheavy.He
reachedthegateandmanchargedathi
m pul
li
ng
him wit
hhisclot
hesouttot
heground.

Kagi
so:(
scr
eaming)Please!I
'
m sosorry!For
give
me!Kekopatshwarel
obagolo!Kealekgopel
a!
Ntat
eMokwanayouknowIwoul dneverd-
Mokwana:No!Youal
waysr
epeatthesame
sent
ences!Weast
hecommuni
tyhavehear
d
enoughofyou!
Kagi
so:ButIwa-

Sti
llonhiskneesbeggi ngaf ootlandedonhisback
andhef ellonhi stummyi npai nscreaming.More
andmor emanst artedsteppingonhi m andhe
rol
ledintoabal lhidinghisheadwi thhishands.A
womancamewi tha20l i
terofwat erandsplashed
him .Hegaspedwhenanot heronespl ashedhim
again.Her aisedhi sheadwhent heykickedhim
andhisheadhi tar ockandbl oodsprangwhenhe
puthishandwi thhist earsrunningdownhi scheek.
Hebendast
hepainbecameunbear
abl
eandhi
s
si
tesl
owl
ygotbl
urry.

Awhiplandedonhisbackandheletgoasmore
f
oll
owed.Het r
iedfi
ghti
nghiswayoutbutt
hey
wer
etoost r
ongforhi
m.
Awhiponthelegsandt
ookhimtothegroundand
t
hist
imeeverywhipspl
ashedbl
oodoutcutti
nghi
m
.

Meanwhi
leBonol
ofoughtwit
hthedoorandranout
seei
ngagroupofpeopl
ebeati
ngsomeone.
Kagiso'smot heralsoranoutoft heshackint ear
s
withthelit
tl
eener gyshehadl eftscreamingand
cryi
ngbutt womancoughtherkeepi ngheraway.
Thepai nshotheront heheart.Mor etearsroll
ed.
Itexplodedmaki ngherdizzyandr eel.Thepai n
wasl ikeneedlesthathadbeendi ppedinal cohol
hadj ammedonherhear t.
Neveri
nherl
if
ehassheeverf
eltl
essofamot
her
l
ikeatthi
smoment .Hersonsscreamsbroughtso
muchpaininherthatshechockedtr
yingt
obreak
f
reefrom t
hehold.

Kagiso'
smom :(screaming)l
etmysongo!Have
mei nst
ead!Please!Stop!Mokwanastopthem !
PleaseIbegyoudontkillmyson!He'
sallt
hati
have!Mokwanapl ease!Isweart
oGodI'l
lki
llyoui
f
hedies!I'
m goi
ngt ohuntyoudown!

Mokwanachar
gedatherasshef
oughtt
ryi
ngt
o
br
eakfr
ee.

Mokwana:NottodayVeroni
ca!Nottoday!Your
sonisathi
ef,dork,
bonehead,
stupid,vagr
ant
,
fi
lt
hyandajackassl
ikehi
sdeadfather!

Hi
swordsangeredandboil
edher,sher
aisedher
l
egwit
houtt
hinkingt
wicehit
ti
nghi
m bet
weenthe
l
egsandhegroanedfal
li
ngdownonhiskneesand
t
heypul
ledherawayassheki
ckedi
ntheai
r.

Veroni
ca:SayanotherwordwithmysonandI'l
l
showyouwhatI '
m capabl
eoffeveni
nt hi
ssi
ck
body!Sayitagai
nandr ai
set
hemonst eri
nmeyou
stupi
dwret
ch!
(
Tot hetwomanhol
dingher
)Nt
logel
elena!
Ntl
ogele!

Thebot hletgoandsherant ot
hecrowdandfought
herwayi ntoKagiso'
sintears.Shepushed
everyoneasidecryi
ngandf i
nal
lyl
andedonher
son'sbloodybody.Shepul l
edhiminasever
yone
steppedback.
Shepul
ledhisheadt
oherchestast
ear
sbl
urr
edher
si
teandlandedonhi
shead.

Veroni
ca:(cr
ying)babywakeupmommyi shere!
Kagisodontleaveme!Tsogangwana'
katsoga!
Pl
easeIloveyousosomuchpl ease!Pleasewake
up!

Shehel
dont
ohi
m asbl
oodcover
edhercr
ying.

Veronica:Doyouwhatyou'vedone!Doyousee
whatyoudi dt
omyson!MmeSeshal ookatmyson
andtellmehowyou'dfeeli
fitwasyourson!Tel
l
meal lofyou!Tel
lme!( Cr
ying)Whathasmyson
donet oyouwhathashedonet hi
sti
me?. .

Ofcoursenohumanbeingdoesn'thavefeeli
ngs.
Especial
lywoman,regretandembarrassment
al
ongwi thshamecoveredthem al
l.Theyall
steppedbackandshelookedatthem withherson
hardlyabl
etobreat
he.
Bonoloranoverandstoodonherst
epslooki
ngat
hi
m .Tearsburnedhereyesandshesl
owlywalked
overandwentdownt ouchi
nghisf
acewithshaky
hands.
Bonol
o:(
shaky)babypl
easewakeup!Dontleave
me!Kagiso?Babe!(Tothem)Whathaveyou
done?!
Man:hewassneaki
ngoutofyourpl
ace,
soI
-
Bonol
o:Soyout
houghthewasathi
ef!
?Hewas
wit
hme!Hewashelpi
ngmewi t
hmydr awi
ngs!
Man:(
shame)I
'
m sosor
ryI
..
I
Bonol
o:Youknowhet oldmeaboutyouguys!
Aboutt
hisyoupeoplecalli
ngyoursel
facommuni t
y!
Hetol
dmet hatyouoncedi dt
histohim !How
coul
dyouevencalleveryonewit
houtbeingaware
ofwhathappened.Youpeoplearesohal f-
wit
ted!
Bonolo'
smot her
:Bonol
onowyourbei
ng
di
srespect
fultoyourel
der
s!
Bonolo:Nomom t hi
sstupi
dcommuni t
yhave
al
waysbeent r
eati
nghiml i
kethis!Theydontcar
e
abouthi
m yettheycal
lthemselvescari
ng.
Bonolo'
smom:Hunnyyoudon'
tknowt
hat!You
dontevenknowt
hisguy,
hecouldbel
yingf
oral
l
weknow.
Veroni
ca:mysoncanbeal otofthi
ngsbutal
iar
hesnot!Watchyourt
ongueifyouwantustobe
goodneighbor
s.Notwhencomingtomysonplease.
Bonol
o'smom:Mxm .
..
Bonol
olet
'sgo!
Bonolo:I
'm notgoi
nganywher
eunt
ilanambul
ance
ar
rives!Didanyonecal
lanambul
ance?Howfar
ar
et hey?
.
..
.:
..
..
Bonolo:Ar
eyoukiddi
ngmerightnow?Amani s
dyi
ngandnotevenoneofyouhadt hecour
ageand
sympathyt
ocallanambul
ance?Icantbeli
evet
his?
Areyoupeopl
ehumanordevil
'saroundher
e?
Woman:Bhekisi
sawenant ombazanyanayol
imi
,
asi
bonaabal
inganibakho.Simdal
akunawelapha!

Bonolo'
smot
herpul
ledherbyherhandawayf
rom
ever
yonetot
hei
rgat
e.

Mot
her
:What
'swr
ongwi
thyou?
Bonol
o:whatdoyoumeanwhat
'swr
ongwi
thme?
Mom Kagi
soisdyi
ng?
Mother
:Icanseethat.Andt
her
e'snot
hingyoucan
doabouti
t!Geti
nthehousenow!
Bonol
o:AtleastIwoul
dhavet
ri
edtosavehi
m!
Whyareyouevenl i
kethi
s?Ar
en'
tyousupposedt
o
bemerci
fulthanme?
Mot
her
:geti
nthehousenow?
Bonolo:mom what
'swr
ongwi
thyou?Whyar
eyou
l
ikethis?
Mot her
:BonoloIsaidint
hehousenow!Youj ust
gotheref oraf
ewdaysandal readyyouactl
ikea
detecti
ve.Youdon'tknowthatguyandyetyouf i
ght
forhimlikehe'
ssomesor tofaGodt oyou.Stop
withyourmadnessandgeti nside!

Atearrandownhercheekandshet r
iedrunning
backbuthermothercoughtherandasl aplanded
onhercheek.Bonolo'
smout hdroppedasshehel d
ontohercheekl
ookingatherfuriousmot her.
Mot
her
:int
hehousenow!

Shebitherl
ipandsl
owl
ywentinsi
de.Shet
ookher
phoneanddial
edanambul
ance.

Meanwhi leKagiso'
sunconsciousl
ylookedather
mot herandshepulledhi
m evencloserkissi
nghis
for
ehead.Agr oupofmengatheredont hesidewit
h
gui
ltandf ear.Theyhadneverbeatenayoung
persontoapoi ntwerehewouldbecomeso
unconscious,nolosesomuchbl ood.

Man:Ithi
nkmaybeweshoul
dcal
lthepol
iceandan
ambulance.
Man2:No!Thatwi llspendhalfofusinjail.Ihavea
bett
eridea.Wecantl etthi
sreachtothepol i
ce
whatwi l
lhappentoouryoungki ds.Letthisboybe
alessontothosewhowoul dtr
yt odounlawfulact
i
npurcommuni t
y.
Man3:sowhatar
eyousuggest
ing?
Mokwana:Onet
hingf
orsur
e.Weendwhatwe
st
art
ed.

Li
kesomeonej ustwhisper
edtohim whatt
heywere
pl
anning.Hisheartski
ppedandoutofnowherehe
qui
cklystoodupkissi
nghismotherscheekandr
an
asfastashisl
egscancar r
yhim.
Hismot herlookedathim asdropsofbl oodlefta
tr
ailandmanst ar
tedrunningafterhi
m .Tears
burnedhereyesasshesatt hereonthegr ound
coveredwithhersonsbl ood.Neverinherlif
ehas
shethoughtshe' l
lseethi
sday.I thurtsobadshe
couldfeelherheardbreakingtopiecesandf inal
l
y
becamedust.Sheputherhandsonherf aceand
burstoutcrying.Awomancameoverandhugged
her.

Woman:I
'
m sososor
ryMmaKagiso.Icant
i
magi
newhatyoumustbef
eel
ingri
ghtnow.
Ver
oni
ca:(cr
ying)Whatimfeel
ing?Usel
essSeli
na!
Pur
posel
ess!MostofallPai
n..That
'swhatIf
eel!
PAI
N!

Shestoodupandf
oll
owedthetr
ailr
ubbi
ngher
tear
sleavi
ngt
hepoorwomanfeeli
nggui
lt
yonthe
ground.

AtBonol
o's.

Bonol
olaidonherbedwithtearsrol
li
ngonthesi
de
onhereyes.Shetur
nedandcheckedt hecl
ockit
was17h36.Sothey'vebeenalloverhi
sbodyti
ll
then.
Att
hispoi
nthermot
herwasatt
hebot
tom ofher
wor
ryli
st.
Shestoodupwi pi
nghertearsandwenttoher
cl
osetandwor ewarm cl
othesbefor
etaki
ngher
phone.Shewentoutandwentt ohermot her
s
bedroom butt
herewasnoone, soshetookhercar
keysbefor
eopeni
ngthegateandr
ant
othegar
age,
gotint
hecarandrever
sed.
Meanwhil
ehermot hersawt
hegat
eopenandt he
gar
agedoorsli
dopen.SheranoverbutBonol
o
wasal
readyrever
sing.

Mot
her
:Bonol
ost
opt
hecar!
Bonol
o:(
insi
de)no!

Shei ncreasedtheradi
ovolumeandwentoutasher
motherkepthi t
ti
ngthecar.Shehookedbefore
dri
vingof fleavi
nghermother,
Sofi
athereholdi
ng
herwai st.
Sheneverregret
tedtaki
nghertoadr
ivi
ngschool
l
iketoday.Shesighedandwenttosi
tonthe
ver
andawai t
ingforhertor
etur
n.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.
Br
eezeandOdir
il
esteppedoutoft
hehouseand
wentt
oBreeze'
scarandhegotin.

Odiri
le:youheadmer ight.Dontuseyourhandf or
hertotellyouthetrut
h.Si l
enceisthekey,she'
ll
feelguil
tyifshe'
scheat i
ngandeventuall
yburst.
Andwhomevert hisguyi swewillmakesurethathe
hatesthedayheevermetAbi gail.
Breeze:Ihear dyou.Ijusthopeit'
snottoolatefor
met oapologize.Iwasj ustangryandyep, ali
ttl
e
bitinsecureandnowIknowt hatIhadnor i
ghtto
raisemyhandonher.Thatwassol owand
der i
sionofme. (
scoffs)f
unnythingis-Idonteven
knowhowI '
llapologi
zeformyi r
rati
onalbehavior
.
I'
m sost upid.
Odi
ri
le:ohyesyouar
e!
Br
eeze:
Odir
il
e:Yeah..Commonmanapol ogizi
ngdoesn't
meanyourst upi
dormakeyouanyl essofaman
butacknowledgi
ngandowningupt oyourmi st
akes.
Makesyout oughandl
ookmor eofar easonabl
e
andl
etoneknowt
hatyournotpr
oudofwhatyou
di
d.
Br
eeze:Idoubtshe'
l
leverf
orgi
vemeaf t
erwhatI
j
ustdi
d.Youshouldhaveseenthefeari
nhereyes.
Howshakyshewas, manIjustf
eelli
keane'
er-
do-
wel
l.
Odi
ri
le:Tr
ustmeyouar
e!
Br
eeze:
Odir
il
e:whatI '
m beinganhonestf
ri
endhere!Or
wouldyouratherprefer
redIl
ieandcongr
atul
ate
yourbadnessbehavior?
Br
eeze:Nopbutatl
eastnott
orubi
tonmyf
ace.
Odiri
le:WellI'
m sorrybroforbeinganhonestfr
iend
courseIain'tgonnast opnorli
et oyou.Thatwasso
fooli
sh,dull,brainl
ess, i
gnor
ant ,i
diot
ic,
dumb,
naive,crazy,ri
dicul
ousandabsur dofyou.Andto
addabombast icwor degomaniacalofyou.
Br
eeze:(
loughs)
yeahneh.
.Shar
p.
Odi
ri
le:Voet
sek!IhopeSagicut
sof
fyourbal
ls
whenyougetther
e.
Br
eeze:She'
l
lnot,
she'
smywi
fer
emember
.
Odi
ri
le:Youmean"
Our
"wi
fe.

Theyloughedasher
eversedanddroveof
f.Odi
ri
le
shookhisheadandwentbackinsi
de.

Somewher
eint
heBush.

Kagisobalancedhimselfwit
hthetreeandheldon
tohisstomachandf el
tawar m wetwatery
substance.Hebr oughthishandtohisfaceandit
wasbl ood.Hepulledhi
sshirttoandlookedatt
he
hugeopenpar tonhisstomach.
Hiswholebodywashurti
ngsobad.Hesighedand
keptonwalki
ngwhenhesawacel l
phonetouch
l
ighti
ng.Helookedbackandt
heretheywere.
Hegatherdhi
mselfandstartedrunni
ngagainfora
l
ongerdist
ance.Hesawar oadandseemedl i
kea
carwascoming.Her anasf astashecanand
whenhewast her
ehet r
ippedandf el
lontheroad.
Thepaindisappear
edinaspli
tashi
seyestur
nedto
thecarthatwasraci
ngandtheli
ght
sbl
indedhim
and...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.COMMENT
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
34]Lynne :Chapt
er#19

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Jackwalkedinandcl
osedthedoorbehi
ndhi
m
befor
elooseni
nghist
ieheadi
ngupstai
rs.
HepassedbyRose'
sroom andwentt
othemai
n
bedr
oom .
Heputthebr
iefonthebedbefor
etaki
ngof
fhi
s
cl
othesandwenttotakeashower.
Af
terawhi
lehesteppedoutandwrappedhimsel
f
wi
thatowelandwenttosi
tattheedgeofthebed
whenhi
sphonerang.

Jack:Jacobmyol
dfr
iend.
Jacob:Jack.
.howar
eyoumonna?
Jack:I
'
m good.
.andyou?
Jacob:Keal r
ightmybro.HeyIwast hi
nking.How
aboutwemeetupt omorr
owt here'
ssomet hi
ngI'
d
l
iketodiscusswithyou.It
'sverysensit
ive.I'
dli
ke
ustolookeachot heri
ntheeyelikemen, as
parent
s.
Jack:I
sever
ythi
ngohkt
sal
ayame?
Jacob:Everythi
ngisj
ustf
ine.JustthatIhavea
hugerequestandIknowyournotgonnalikeitbutI
j
usthaveto..youknowtal
ktosomeoneIt rustand
knowt
hatt
heyar
erespect
fulandhonor
abl
e.
Jack:Howhugeisthi
srequestt
salamoel
enggor
e
yournotabl
etoaskoverthephone?
Jacob:veryhugemyf r
iend.Veryhuge.Ij
ustwant
youtocomeemot i
onallypreparedcour
sei
t'
shuge.
ButIpromiseyouthati
twi l
lbenefi
tbot
hsi
tes.Our
famil
ies.
Jack:"
Benef
itbot
hfami
li
es"how?
Jacob:Let
'smeetupf
oryout
ofi
ndout.
Jack:ohk.Wher
e?
Jacob:Yout
ellme.
Jack:LenakanaalepreparedkasepeJacob.Oreo
batameetingbutyoudontknowwher ewewi l
lmeet
?Osal el
etsaengosaitsefarekakopanang?We
wil
lmeether eatmyhouse. I
'l
lsendyouthe
address.
Jacob:(l
aughs)Ohk.
.Justknowt
hati
twontbe
greatnews.
Jack:(
sigh)l
et'
shopeIwontr
egr
etmeet
ingwi
th
you.
Jacob:sodoI
.

Hecutt hecallandshookhisheadbeforedi
ali
ng
Janebutshedi dn'tpi
ckup.Het r
iedher3ti
mesbut
sti
ll.Hethrewt hephoneonthebedandwor ehis
cl
ot hesbef
oregoi ngdownst
air
s.

I
nRose'
sroom .

Rosest oodbythebalconylooki
ngoutsi
deinthe
dark.She'sbeenstandinghereformorethan30
minsandst i
llnot
hingcamet omi ndt
owhatwas
thedream wasabout.Shesi ghedandfol
dedher
armsgoi ngbackintoherroom .
Shesatonthebedlooki
ngatherphonebyhersi de.
Shewantedtocal
lsomeonebut"who" .Whowi ll
l
ist
entoher?.Tger eachedfori
tandcalledGail
buti
tdidn'
tgothr
ough.Het r
iedSagibutsti
ll.
Loneli
nessst
ruckin.Sheknewever
yti
mewhenshe
feel
sli
kethi
sthere'
sonlyoneper
sonthatcomei
n
mi
nd.
NAKEDI.
Tear
sblurr
edhersightandeventual
lyr
oll
eddown.
Shegather
edhersel
fandwi pedhert
earsstandi
ng
upandwenttoherclosettaki
ngouthersweater
weari
ngitgoi
ngdownst ai
rs.

Sheheardherfat
her'
svoiceandwentt othedi
nner
tabl
eandfoundhim dri
nkingj
uice.Jacksmil
ed
l
ookingatherandsheforcedasmi l
ebackbefore
sit
ti
ngdown.

Jack:hey.
.howar
eyou?
howyouf
eel
ing?
Rose:I
'
m gooddad.You?
Jack:I
'
m al
sogood.
Rose:howwasyourday?
Jack:itwasgood.Andlastt
imeIgott omeetmy
oldfri
endJacob.Lif
eisful
lofsur
prises.NnaI
thoughtthatguyl
onglef
tSouthAfr
ica.
Rose:youroldfr
iend?Theonethat
'swit
hyou
al
mostever ypi
ctureofyouwhenyouwer eyoung?
Theonet hatl
ovedablackleat
herj
acket
?
Jack:(l
aughs)yeahthatone.Iwonderwher et
hat
j
acketendedcour sehenevertookitof
f.Evenwhen
i
twasdi rt
yhe'l
ljustwipeitwit
hawetclothand
wearitagain.Hisparentsalwayscomplai
ned
aboutit.
Rose:youseemedcl
ose.
Jack:yeahwewerebutwesepar
atedandInever
gottoseehi
mti
lladayago.
Rose:Wher
e'smom ?I
sshehome?
Jack:no.
.I'
m sur
eshe'
l
lbehomel
ate.
Rose:Canwegogether?Pl
ease.
..
Jack:ohk.
.gogetmykeys.

Rosestoodupandj oggedupst ai
rs.Jacksmi l
ed
allbyhimsel
fandshookhi shead.Doesthi smean
theyhavetostoplooki
ngforapsychologist?.His
daughterhasbeenthroughalotandthistimehe'l
l
dowhat
everi
ttakest
omakesur
ethatshesohk.
Rosecamebackwi
tht
hekeysandt
heywentout.

Ont
heRoad.

Br
eezehitthebri
ckpull
ingthehandbri
ckandt
he
wheel
sscratchedontheroadassmokecameout.
Heshuthiseyesandthecarstoppedashi
sheart
hi
thar
donhi schest.
Heopenedhiseyesandquickl
ytookouthi
sgun
undert
heseatbefor
esteppi
ngout.
Heslowlywal
kedoverai
mingandsawamanl
ayi
ng
j
ustaninchawayfr
om thecarwheel.
Hel
ookedbad.Heshookhi
m usi
nghi
sleg.

Breeze:heybuddy..
areyouohk?( Snapped)Oh
ri
ght!Yournotohk..whatastupi
dquesti
ont oask.
Hell
ll
loooowww..youdor eal
izei
t'
sinthemiddleof
thebush,for
estr
ight?Hey. .
Het hrewhishandsandshookhisheadbefor
e
goingi nt
othecarandstar
tedtheengi
ne.He
reversedabitanddroveoff.
Hest
oppedami
terawayasgui
ltst
rucki
n.

Br
eeze:I
'
m sogonnar
egr
ett
his.

Hereversedwit
hspeedandagainst
oppedani
nch
awayfrom hi
sheadandsteppedout.

Br
eeze:ohk.
.getup.
.

Hehelphim st
andupandputhi
minthepassenger
s
seatbuckl
inghi
m andwentt
othedr
iver
'ssi
te.
Helookedathi
m andshookhi
sheadbef
oredr
ivi
ng
headi
ngtthehospi
tal
.
Br
eeze:Youl
ookl
ikeamessbyt
heway.

.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
34]Lynne :Chapt
er#20

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Breezesatont hebranchespressinghisphone.He
wenttoGai l
'
snumberanddi al
edherbef orehanging
upbeforeshecoul danswer.Hishear tbeatraced
andhebr eathedoutbeforecall
ingSagi.Calli
ng
Sagiwhil
eyouknewwhatyouhavedonet oupset
herwasneveranopt i
on,buthehadt o.Hesi ghed
put
ti
ngt
hephoneonhi
sear.

Br
eeze:he-
Sagi:youbettergetyourassbackhomebef oreIgo
allwil
danddeci detosli
tyourthroat.Gethome
andexplainyourselfandsortoutthi
sshitt
hatyou
tooarefight
ingabout.Andonel astthi
ng"fuckyou
Breeze"

Shehangupandheshookhi sheadbeforestandin
up.Henot i
cedhisbrot
hersfamil
yapproachingand
walkedoutbeforet
heycanevencallhi
m .Hest il
l
couldn'
tbr
inghimselft
othefactt
hathesleptwith
hisbrot
herswifeal
lbecouseofsomethingthat'
s
beendoneal ongti
meago.
Whydoesi tal
wayshavet
obet hegoodonewho
ar
ealwayscoughti nt
hemiddl
eofevery
misunder
standing?
Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveoffj
ustasJackandhi
s
f
amil
yappr
oachedt
hei
rcar.
Rose:Wast
hatuncl
eBr
eeze?
Jack:yeah.
..
Iwonderwhathewasher
efor?
Jane:hebr oughtsomeyoungmanher e.Hewas
brutal
lyinj
ured.Breezesayshef
oundhim bythe
roadonhi s.wayhome.Thatboyhaslostalotof
blood,hesinabadst at
e.
Jack:Idoubtt
hat.Hecoul dbetheonethatbeat
himforallweknow.IdontknowwhyBr eezehasto
abuseotherpeopletakingouttheanger9fhis
chil
dhoodonot her
s.Hehast ocalm downwe
heardenoughofhist antr
umsf ort
hepastcoupleof
years.
Rose:Uncleisn'
treal
lyl
iket
hat
.He'sjustmadat
youanduncl eJames.Youguysaretheonest hat
turnedhi
mi ntowhoheisdad.Dontbesur pr
isedby
hisbehavi
orcourseyouhadahandini t.

Jackt
urnedl
ooki
ngatRosewhi
leJane'
seyebr
ows
l
ift
ed.
Rose:And..
.I..
.say.
..
that
..
out
..of.
..
respectand
underst
anding.
...
.

Jackscoff
edbef
oredr
ivi
ngof
fwi
tht
hesi
lencei
n
thecar.

AtBr
eezes.

Breezewalkedint
ot hehouseandclosedthedoor
behindhim bef
orethrowi
ngthekeysont hetabl
e.
Het ookoffhi
sjacketgoi
ngupstai
rstothemai n
bedroom.Ahotsl aplandedonhischeekassoon
asheshutt hedoor.

Br
eeze:Andt
hen?
Sagi:
thisi
sforhi
tt
ingherandr
unningawayfr
om
yourprobl
emsret
urninghomeat2am i
nthe
morning.
Sheopenedt hedoorandwal kedoutandBr eeze
sighedandt ookof fhi sshi rt.Het urnedtot hebed
butGai lwasn' tther e.Hewal kedt othebat hroom
andf oundhersl eepi nginabat ht
ubf ul
lofwat er.
Hewal kedoverandsatont het oiletlookingather
asshel ayedi nt here.Hercheekwasr edwi thabit
andhereyehadpur plewel tsunder neath.Pai n
blockedhi sthr oatast ear sbur nedhereyes.The
thoughtofanot hermancomi ngint obr eakhi s
homeapar tjustl i
ket hatandwi thherwi l
li
ngt o
throwawayever ythingt heyhadwasl i
keaneedl e
pokinghi shear t.Andseei ngherwi thabl ueeyet oo
playedar oleonhi shear t.Hercr iesandt er ror
whenhesl appedherf il
ledhi sheadandt ear s
start
edr oll
ingdownhi scheek.Heswal lowedand
wipedhi stear sbef orewal ki ngover.Hel ookedat
herandsl owl ysof tl
yt racedhi sfingeronhercheek
whenshecut elysmi l
edbef oreget ti
ngbackt osleep
again.Hesmi ledandsof t
lyt ouchedher.

Br
eeze:(
sof
tl
y)Babe.
.?Let
'sgetyououtoft
her
e
bef
oreyoucat
chcol
d..
babe?
Gai
l:(
sleepy)mmmhhh.
.
Br
eeze:common.
.you'
l
lgetsi
ck.

Hesl idhishandsi nandpi ckedherupfrom thetub

aswat erdripped.Shehel dont ohi
sneckandhe
walkedt ot heirclosetandputheront hesof a
wipingherwi ththet owel.Nowshewasf ull
yawake.
Shel ookedathi m ashewi pedherandwentt oher
shelvest akingoutherpj s.Hecamebackandknel t
i
nfrontofherandhel pedherwearherpant i
es.
Tearsf il
ledhereyesast hefearandhear
t br
eak
cover edher.Hehel pedherwearherpj sandt ook
herhandsi nhi s.Tear sr
olleddownhercheeks
l
ooki ngathi m whenhecubedherf acekissi
ngher.

Breeze:IknowwhatIdi disunf or
get t
ableand
unforgi
vablebabebutI'm sorr
y.Itwassowr ongof
met oall
owmyemot ionstakeoveri nsteadofus
sit
ti
ngdownandt al
kitthrough.Iknowi tsgoi
ngto
takelongtoforgi
vemeandI '
m will
ingt owait.
Pl
easef
orgi
veme.
Gail:(teary)Youdontt rustmeBr eezet hat'sthe
problem.Youdontt rust!Doyou?Howcoul dyou
thi
nksol owofme.Br eezeIknowI '
m mar r
iedto
yout hat'swhyever ygiftIreceiveIt hinki t
'sfrom
you.Idontknowwhosentt hatifitwasn' tyou.I
evencal l
edyout hemi nutesIr eceivedt hef l
owers
andt heneckl acebecouseIt houghti twasyou.
Sorrywontj ustifyyourr eacti
ont owar dsme.Il ove
youBr eezeandI '
llnevercheatonyounott oeven
thi
nkabouti t.Il oveSagi.Whywoul dIt hrowallthe
goodt hatIhave?Youneedt ot rustmeandst op
witht heinsecur iti
escour senotonl yar eyouhur t
ing
meyourbr eakingme.Idontunder standwhyaf ter
somanyyear sst uckwi thyouwoul dyout hinkso
l
itt
leofme.I thur tsmor ethatyoudon' tbelievein
me, youdontt r ustme.Whi chbr i
ngsust othis-
whati smar r
iagewi thoutt r
ust?
Breeze:yourri
ghtandI'
m sor
ry.YesIwas
i
nsecurecourseIdontwannaloseyou.BabeIlove
yousomuchandt hat
'swhyI'
m her
estanding
i
nfrontofyoutosaytheonlyt
wowor dsthathar
dly
comeoutofmymout h.I
'
m sor r
y.Thet houghtof
anothermansnat chingyouawayf rom mescar ed
me, alot.AlotthatIendupdoi ngthingsIendup
regret
ting.I
'm sosorryMrsBr eezeandIpr omiset
o
neverraisemyhandonyou, ever.IloveyouandI
dontwantt oloseyou.Idontseemysel fgoing
throughallt
hatpainoflosingyou.Il oveyou.
Gai
l:Butwhati
fyour
e-
Breeze:IsweartoGodi
twoul
dneverhappenever
again.Kebakil
e.

Shewi pedhert earandhuggedhi m astheyst oodin

themi ddleofthecl oset.Hepi ckedherupandt hey
walkedt othebedr oom wher eSagiwassi t
tingon
thesitti
ngont hebedl eaningont heheadboar d
undert hesheet sfol di
ngherar ms.Br eezest oodby
hersidest i
llcarryi
ngGai llookongather.Hel ooked
atherser i
ousf aceandcoul dn'thel
pbutlaughat
her.Thegi rlsbot ht ri
edtomai ntainaseriousf ace
butbust edupl aughi ng.Br eezeandGailtriedto
stoplaughingbutSagi sridicul
ouslaughterkept
them l
aughingwhi l
eont heot herhandSagil
aughed
athowt heycouldn'tst
oplaughi ng.Breezef
ellwi
th
Gailonthefluf
fymat hstil
llaughingandnowSagi
l
aughedevenhar derwit
ht earsroll
ingdownher
cheeks.Sobasi call
yitbecameal aught
erni
ght
coursetheyallcouldn'
tstoplaughing.

AtKagi
so'
shouse

Kagiso'smot herVeronicawipedhert earslayingon

theoldbed.Al lsortsofimagi nati
onsf i
ll
edher
mindasmor et ear
sroll
ed.Shenevert houghtaday
wouldcomewher ehersonsl ifewouldendsot ragic
andshor tl
ived.Heronl yson.Thepai ncamewi t
h
forceandshepoppedf rom thebedunabl eto
breathe.Shehi therchestandmassagedi tbefore
grabbingthecupofwat eront hetabl
eanddr anki t
atago.Shesi ghedwi t
ht earsstil
lmassagi ngher
chestandsl owl ymelt
edf ormt hebedt othefloor.

Ver
oni
ca:(
cryi
ng)
Dearl
ord.OhGod.Pl
easegui
de
mysont hroughoutthistought
ime.Ir
efuseto
bel
ievethatsomethingbadhadoccurredtohim but
wit
hyouIkeephopi ngthathe'
sst
il
lbr
eathingai
r
outofhislungs.Pleasekeephiminyourshadow
andleadhim and...
.

Apainfull
umpst ruckonhert hr
oatandshebroke
downcr yi
nglayi
ngont heground.Hercriesf
il
led
theroom wit
hever ysecond.Veroni
cacri
edsohad
from t
hebottom ofherlungsbutwithnoonetohelp.

AtBonol
o'shouse.

Bonolodrovethr
oughtheopengateandchecked
theti
mebef or
eparki
nginfrontoft
hehouse.Tears
fi
ll
edhereyeswhenshel eanedonthewheeland
brokedown.

Bonol
o:(cr
ying)Ti
me.
.weneededt
ime.
.Notaday
OnlyGodplease..
Shef r
ustr
ati
nglyhitthest
eeringwheel before
l
eaningbackl i
steni
ngt ot
hepai ninherhear t.The
painoflosi
ngsomeoneyoul ove.Them bei ng
snatchedawayf rom youbyagr oupofpeopl e
sti
ngs.Theyhaven' thadmucht i
me.Justwhen
yout hi
nkthingsaregoingsmoot hlyf
oryout hen
boom again.Shewasn' tmarriedbuti
tfeltli
keshe
wasorshehadknownhi mforl i
kefor
ever.
Shetookherphoneandst eppedoutl
ockingt
hecar
andwentinsi
de.Shepassedbyt hedinni
ngroom
andsawhermot hersl
eepingonthecouchwitha
fl
eeceandwalkedtoherroom .
Shelandedonthebedandpul
ledapi
llowt
oher
facescr
eamingthepai
nout,
butnot
hing.

AtTheHospi
tal
.

Thenur
sepushedt
hebedint
oawar dandparkedit
bef
orel
ocki
ngthewheel
s.Shecheckedever
ythi
ng
andcoul dn'thel
pbutf eelsorry.Thi
sboyl ookedso
youngf orhimt obei nthi
scr i
ti
calcondit
ion.Thank
Godhewasf oundont ime.Somepeopl eareGod
sent,whoevendr ivesinthebushi nthemi ddl
eof
thenight.Shesi ghedandl ookedathi m wrapped
withbandagesandal lthedrips,thi
nkingofall
thosestitchesbroughtat eartohereye.

Nurse:yoursost
rong.Godsai
dnotnowmyboy
,i
tsnotyourti
me.Godblessyou.

Bei
nganur sesometi
mesisemoti
onal
lydr
aini
ng.
Shecheckedthedr
ipsfort
hel
astti
mebefore
wal
kingout.

.
Twomont
hsl
ater
.
COMMENT
[
08/
02,
13:
35]Lynne :Chapt
er21

Janeslowlyopenedhereyest othegoldensun
peeki
ngthrought hecurt
ainsandtossedt oJack
whowassnor ingont heothersi
de.Shel ookedat
hi
m beforegetti
ngoffthebedandwentt othe
bathr
oom.
Sheleanedont
hebat
hroom si
nkandl
ookedat
her
self.
Shewasgai ni
ngweightandcompl exion.Herbreast
weretender,
soreandsensitive.She' salways
exhausted.Thoughsheknewwhatwasgoi ngon
withherbodyshestil
lrefusedt obel ievewhatshe
thi
nks.Shesliddownherpjpant sandpant i
es
l
ookingatthewhitecleanpadandswal lowed.This
wasthesecondt i
meshehasn' tseenherper i
ods.
Sheshookherheadast earsbur nedhereyesand
sli
ddownsi t
ti
ngont hetoil
etl ookingatt hepad.
Atthismomentshef el
tunwor
thyandstupi
d.She
st
artedtocountdaysandweeksbefor
ebutstil
lit
al
lcamet ooneperson.Shetr
iedrememberi
ng
whenshehadsexwit
hherhusbandbef
oreBr
eeze
butst
il
l,t
hecal
cul
ati
onscameuptohim.
Shesl
owl
ystoopupandtookof
fhercl
othesbef
ore
st
andi
ngundert
heshower.
Minutesl
atershesteppedoutandwentt oappl
ya
l
oti
onandgotdr essedtakinghercarkeys.
MeanwhileJackstret
chedhishandt ohersidebut
i
twascold.Heopenedhi seyesandr aisedhi
s
upperbodytoJanef i
ddli
ngherhandbag.Shewas
gett
ingpret
ti
erandpr et
ti
er.Herbuttslookedsexy
i
nthosetights.

Jack:goodmor
ning.
Jane:hey.
Jack:howar
eyou?
Jane:I
'
mfi
ne.I
'
mfi
ne.
Jack:ohk.
.

Shekeptf
iddl
ingwi
thherbagandwi
thever
y
secondshegotir
ri
tat
ed.Jackl
ookedatherand
rai
sedhiseyebr
ows.

Jack:Thatbagdi
dnot
hingt
oyou.Whatar
eyou
l
ookingfor?
Jane:Myphone.
Jack:Dontyouthi
nkyouwouldhavef
oundi
tby
then?Youlefti
tdownst
air
slastni
ght
.

Shelookedathi
m andsighedbef
orehangi
ngthe
bagonhershoulderandwentout.Heshookhis
headbeforeget
ti
ngoffandwenttotakeashower
too.

ATBr
eezes.

Sagiconnectedherphonet
oheripodsandput
them onbeforeput
tingt
hephoneintheback
pocketl
ist
eningtothemusi
c.Shesangalongwit
hit
asshewenti
ntot
hel
aundr
yroom andputt
he
cl
othesi
nsi
de.
Breezepassedbythedoorwhenshehear dhersing
andwenti nsi
deandlookedatherasshebel l
y
danced.Manshewasgoodatdi smorethanany
otherdance.Hewatchedherasshemovedher
fi
gurel ef
tandri
de,
backandf orwar
dandcent er
beforeshestart
edgr
inding.Hesmiledbit
inghisli
p
andst oodbehi
ndhermaki nghergr
indonhim.
Shelaughedandkeptgrindi
ngashispackage
expandedandwhent hesongwasovershet ookt
he
i
Podsoutl ooki
ngathim smil
ing.

Sagi
:you'
renaught
y.
Br
eeze:andyouar
ear
eal
lygooddancer
.
Sagi
:thankyoubaby.Goi
ngt
othecl
ub?
Br
eeze:nopt
othehospi
tal
.
Sagi:areyousi
ck?Isanyonei
njur
ed?Ohyeah
thatguy.What'
shi
sname?
Br
eeze:Idontknow.Hehasn'
tbeenf
ort
hepast
twomonths.Thedoctor
sswit
chedoffthemachi
ne
butl
ucki
lyhewasabletobr
eatheonhisown.
Sagi
:poorguy.Whathappened?
Breeze:Idon' tknowbabe.Ihaven' ttal
kedtohi m.
AllIknowi sIgothim byt heroadinthemiddl eof
thenightandhewasbadl yinj
ured.Luckil
yt here
wasnot hi
ngonhi sbackwhenhewasr unningaway
.Thedoct orssaidhe'
llbeawakebyt hisweekso
hopef ull
yI'
llgett
oknowwhathappenedcour sethe
l
astt hingIneedi sanotherbagonmyshoul der.
Sagi
:yeah.He'
sshouldbef i
nebynow.Buthe
must'
vebeenrunningawayf r
om somethi
ngorhe
messedupwi t
hthewr ongonesandtheycoughtup
wit
hhim .Ij
usthopehedoesn'tbri
nganythi
ngwith
hi
mt oyoucourseI'
llmurderhi
m .Yourri
ghtyou
haveenoughalr
eady.
Breeze:(ki
ssedhercheek)ohkI'
l
lseeyoulat
er.Oh
andtherearesomeshi r
tsinmycloset,f
ir
stdrawer
onther i
ght.Ifor
gottotakeout.
Sagi
:I'
l
lgogett
hem .Haveagr
eatday.
Hewentoutandsheputonheri Podsandwentt o
hiscloset.Sheopenedt hedrawerandpul l
edthem
outwhenapi nklacepantiesf
ellont hefl
oor.Her
heartskippedlookingatthem andshesl owlytook
offtheiPodsput t
ingthem int
hepocketbef ore
pickingthem .Theylookedbiggerandshedi dn't
evenhavet hiscolour.Thisone'
swer ebri
ghtand
torn.Shecheckedt hesizeandGai lalsowouldn'
tfit
andher e.
Shetookoutherphoneandtookapi
ctur
eoft
hem
bef
oresendi
ngt hem t
oGai
l.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.

Gailreadt hr
ought hedocument
sandfinal
lysi
gned
whenamassagenot i
fi
edonherphone.She
reachedf oritwhenthedooropenedandher
assistantwal kedi
n.

Assi
stant
:Mor
ningMr
sLyon.Her
e'syourcof
fee.
Gai
l:Yourt
hebest.Theusual
ly?
Assi
stant
:(smi
li
ng)t
heusual
Gai
l:t
hankyoubabe.
Assi
stant
:Yourwel
come.

Shewal kedoutandGailsi
ppedhercoffee
unl
ockingherphonewhenapi ctureofpinkpanti
es
appearedonherscreenwithSagishandholdingit
wit
hf i
ngerti
ps.
Sher
eadt
hemassage"Tel
lmi
iedi
sisnotur
s"
Sheputt
hecof
feedownanddi
aledher.

Sagi
:pl
ease.
Gai
l:Ar
en'
ttheyyour
s?
Sagi:
Iwear30-
31,
5.
Gail:AndIwear28-
29.5onmywai standt
hat'
sli
ke
32-35ifI'
m notmi
staken.Yourt
heonewithbi
gass
theymustbeyours.
Sagi:notheyarenot.Igoshoppingeverynowand
thenbutnotoncedoIrememberwear ingthi
s
colour.Thi
ssh*ti
sbright.Idon'
twearthiski
ndof
colors.Andthesi
ze,Ialwayscheckthesize.
Gail
:Areyouseri
ous?Thinkagainmaybeyouonce
boughtt
hem anddidn'
tcheckthesi
ze.
Sagi
:No.
..t
hisar
edef
ini
tel
ynotmi
ne.
Gai
l:soyout
hinkhe'
scheat
ing?
Sagi:Hebett
ernotcourseI
'
llki
llt
hatbit
chwit
hmy
barehands.Anywayletmenotstressyouwe'
llt
alk
whenyougethome.
Gai
l:Don'
tdoanyt
hingst
upi
d.
Sagi
:Iwont.

Gailhungupandzoomedt hepictur
ethoroughl
y
andshealsohaveneverseenthiskindofpanti
esin
thehouse.Shesi
ghedandgotbackt oworkthough
thefactt
hatBr
eezewascheatingplayedtennisi
n
hermind.
Att
heHospi
tal
.

Breezewalkeddownt hepassagebef oreget t

ingi
n
theroom .Hewalkedovert othebedandl ookedat
theyoungmanl ooki
ngout sidethewi ndow.He
seemedt ohavebeenlostint hought sthathedidn'
t
evenhearhim walki
n.Br eezecl earedhi sthr
oat
andat earr
andownt hecor neroft heeyeoft he
youngmanwhenhequi cklywi pedi t.
Hisheartpoundedlooki
ngatt hepersonheheard
stor
iesabout.Him hi
msel fBreezeLyon,theAir
himself
.Heswal l
owedlooki ngathisbol
dserious
faceandslowlysatupstraightleani
ngbackputti
ng
hishandsonhistummywi thdrips.
Breezetur
nedhi
sheadt
othesi
deandnar
rowedhi
s
eyebrows.

Br
eeze:what
'syourname?
Hi
m:Kagi
so.Kagi
soMokwena.
Br
eeze:Howol
dar
eyou?
Kagi
so:21.
Br
eeze:Wher
ear
eyouf
rom ?
Kagi
so:Mahl
areng.
Br
eeze:Mahl
areng?Thatf
uckeduppl
ace?
Kagi
so:
..
.
Br
eeze:Whathappened?
Kagiso:Idon'
trememberhalfofeveryt
hing.AllI
rememberisthatIhaveamot herwhoissickback
ther
eandI '
m heronl
yhope.I'mt heonethatbuys
hermedicati
onandfeedshersinceherbodyi s
weak.
Breeze:howdoyourememberwhereyourfr
om but
donotrememberwhathappened?Youlyi
ngtome
ri
ght?
Kagiso:IsweartoGod,I
'm notl
ying.That'
salli
remember.Idontevenknowhowigother eand
whymybodyhasscar sandotherinj
uri
es.Mybody
i
sinpainbutIdon'tknowwhathappenedt ome.
I
'm alotoft
hingsbutIdontli
kel
ylie.
Br
eeze:soyoudoknowhowt
oli
eandyourl
iei
ng
t
ome?
Kagiso:ever
yoneiscapabl
eoflyi
ngMrLyonj ust
thatweknowandar eabletosepar
atet
hetiming
andthepositi
onwewi l
lbein.AndnowI'm notin
thepositi
ontoli
e.

Breezel
ookedathim ashel
ookedathim backand
thethedooropenedandadoct
orwalkedin.

Doctor
:ohfinal
ly.HeyI'
m DoctorSmi t
handI'
l
lbe
yourdoct
orfornowonsi nceDoctorLyoni
supsent.
I'
l
lbetaki
ngoverhalfofherpat
ientsandyou
happentobemyn.So. .Mruhm ..
Kagi
so:Kagi
soMokwena.
Doctor :(wrotehi snamedown)MrMokwena.You
hadabr ai
ni njurycoursedbyablowt othehead
thatleadt oconcussi on.Nottoworryyetweare
sti
llgoingt odoscanst oseehowyourgoi ng.How
areyouf eeling?Headache?Ri ngingintheears?
Feellikevomi ting?Dizzi
ness?Anything?
Kagi
so:HeadacheandyeahIf
eell
ikevomi
ti
ng.My
ear
srangwhenIwokeupbutnowtheyarefi
ne.I
canhearcl
ear
ly.Ali
tt
lebi
tdi
zzy.
Doct or
:Ithinkyoursufferi
ngfrom Concussi
onbut
I
'llhavetor unthosetestsfi
rstbef
oreIcouldgo
further
.Br eeze:Sohehasnomemor y?
Doctor
:yeah.
.t
hat'
soneofthesymptoms.From
l
ookofaneyesIthi
nkhedidn'
tloseever
ydet
ail
.
Lossofmemoryandconfusi
onareoneofthe
symptomsofConcussi
on
Kagi
so:sohowl
ongwi
llIbei
nthi
sst
ate?
Doctor:f
oraboutthr
eemont hs.Sometimesgoon
forayearormor e.Dontst
ress.Mostconcussi
ons
resol
veontheirownwi t
houtanylast
ingeff
ect
s.
Kagi
so:
SoI
'
llbef
ine.
Doctor
:yeah.We'llhavet
otakeyouandhaveMRI
scanandseeifyoudonthaveanybleedi
ngi
nthe
brai
nbutfi
rstyou'
l
l havet
oanswerafewquest
ions
formeohk.
Kagi
so:sur
e.
Doct
or:What
'syourmot
her
'sname?
Kagi
so:Ver
oni
ca.
Doct
or:whathappened?
Kagi
so:Idon'
tknow
Doct
or:Notevenahi
nt?
Kagi
so:nop
Doct
or:anyf
ri
endsorgi
rl
fr
iend?
Kagi
so:ahhhhhhnop.

Thedoct
orwr
otedownaft
eraf ewquest
ionsbef
ore
st
eppi
ngoutl
eavi
ngthem bot
h.

Br
eeze:shoul
dIgi
veyouahi
ntmaybe?
Kagiso:sur
e,whoknows?Maybei
tmighthel
p
rest
oremymemorycourseal
lIr
ememberisol
d.
Breeze:ohksoIwasdri
vingwi
thaful
lspeedand
youfellont
heroad.Ist
oppedi
nchesawayfrom
yourhead.Doyourememberanyli
ght
sblindi
ng
yoursi
te?
Kagi
so:nop.
Br
eeze:mmhhohk.

Heputhi
shandsi
nt hepocket
sandwal
kedout
l
eavi
ngKagi
sosti
llt
ryi
ngtoremember.

Att
heOt
herHospi
tal
.

Janelai
dont hebedast hedoctorappli
edthegel
onherbelly.Shefli
nchedfrom t
hecoldandsat
backwhent hedoctorputtheul
trasound.The
soundofahear t
beatmadeherhear tskipasshe
l
ookedatt hescr
eenwi t
htearyeyes.From the
screenshecouldtel
lshewascor rectwit
hthe
cal
culat
ionsandwasmaybet womont hspregnant
.
Awhi
lelaterthedoctorgaveherat
issueandshe
wi
pedherselfbefor
epulli
nghershi
rtdown.
Doc:Youdon'
tlookt
ooexci
ted.
Jane:that'
sbecauset
hiswasami
stake,Icantbe
pregnant
.

Thedoctorl
ookedatherandJanelookedathi
m
back.Sheknewhowhi smindwasl i
kenowandshe
bi
therli
pbeforet
aki
ngherprescr
ipti
onandwalked
out.

.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
35]Lynne :Chapt
er22

Att
heHospi
tal

Kagi
soleanedbackwithhi
smindr
epeat
ingt
he
samethi
ngsthathappenedal
ongti
meago.He
keptrememberi
ngthi
ngst hathappenedl
ike2-
3
yearsbackandcoul
dn'tr
ememberanyt hi
ngfur
ther
fr
om thoseyear
sexceptthathismotherwassi
ck.
Hesighedlookingatthedriponhi
shand.He
doesn'
tremembert helastti
mehesbeenina
hospit
albefor
e.Heputhi shandonhisf
orehead
andmel t
eddownl ookingupthecei
li
ng.

Kagi
so:whathappened?

Att
heLyonshouse.

Rosewalkeddownt hest
air
swi
thherphonei
nher
handsplayi
nggames.Janewalkedi
nwithpuff
y
eyesandassoonasshesawRoseshebr eat
hedin
andwipedhertear
sandputonasmile.

Rose:Ar
eyouohk?
Jane:yeah.I
'
mfi
ne.Whataboutyou?
Rose:I
'
mfi
ne.
Jane:good.

Janeavoi
dedhereyesandwal
kedupt
hest
air
s.

Rose:mom ?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Jane:not
hingRose!
?It
snot
hing.Il
ostapat
ient
.
Rose:It
houghtyout
ookf
ewdaysof
ffr
om wor
k.
Rose:yeahwhat
ever
.

Shewalkedupt hest
air
sbefor
est
oppi
ngonher
tr
acksandturnedbacktoRosewhowasst
il
l
l
ookingather,shesi
ghed.

Jane:I
'
m sor
ry.Ilostapati
enttobr
eastcancer.
Shewasmyf avor
itepat
ientandwehadbonded.
Andnowshe'sgone.
Rose:
(f
oldedherar
ms)butmom younevergott
oo
emoti
onalf
orl
osi
ngapat
ient.Wel
lnoti
fIcant
hink
ofi
t.Whatup?
Jane:WellhunnyI
'm human.Wedoct orsare
humanandwehavef eeli
ngs.Webondwi thour
pati
ents.Webondt oapointthatweevenmake
mistakesofbondi
ngtoomuchandenduphur ting
others.Wemakemi stakesandsomeoft hose
mistakescantbef
ixednotwhent heyar
eTWO
FUCKENMONTHS! !
!!

Rosenar r
owedhereyebrowstohersuddensnap
outofblue.Janethr
ewherhandsupandwent
upstai
rstothei
rroom andl
ockedhersel
fbef
ore
thr
owingherselfont
hebedandcr i
ed.

Rosescof f
edbeforegoingintotheki
tchenandt ook
outf
ruitsalad.Shetookoutaf orkandsatont he
hi
ghchai rgoingt
hroughFacebookvi deos.Sheat e
whil
escrolli
ngandavi deocoughtherat t
enti
on.
Shepresseditandwat chedasacommuni tybeata
guyashescr eamedhisl ungsout.
Di
neosneakedbehi
ndherandpeakedlooki
ngat
whatshewaswatchi
ngandsighedandRose
dr
opped.

Rose:JesusChr
ist
!
Di
neo:sor
ry.Di
dn'
tmeant
oscar
eyou.
Rose:Dontdothatagai
npl
ease!Youal
mostgave
meaheartatt
ack.
Di
neo:nowyou'reover
reacti
ng.Whyar
eyoueven
watchi
ngsuchahurti
ngvideo?Imeanoutofall
vi
deosonFacebookyoujustchoset
owatchthat.
Rose:Cur
iosi
tyIguess.(
Taki
ngherphone)
Dineo:poorguy.Iwonderhowthatwomani s
copingrightnowcoursei
tssai
dthatthatguyi
snot
yetfoundandhesbeenont her
unsincethatday.
Whichislike2monthsnow.
Rose:Somepeopl
earestr
ong.Howwasheeven
abl
etogetupcour
sehelostsomuchbl
ood?Thi
s
peopl
edonthavemer
cy.Imeanthi
sisahuman.A
l
ivi
ngperson.
Di
neo:Apparentl
yheissomesortofacr
imi
naland
t
hisi
snotthefir
stti
mebeingbeat
ensobrut
all
y.
Rose:sowhathappenedt
hist
ime?Whatdi
dhedo?
Dineo:(putvegi
esonthecounter
)Theysayhewas
sneakingoutofhisnei
ghborshouseinbroadday
l
ight!Thener ve!But.
.hewascoughtbyaman
passingbyandhecal l
edoutthewholecommunity.
Rose:ohGod.
.
Dineo:yep.I'm meanIthi
nktheydidgoodcour se
theytoughthi
m alossontoneverever,evert
hink
aboutbreaki
nginotherpeopl
e'sproper
ty.They
madesur ethatwhenheevent hi
nksofcrimehe
cri
es.
Rose:(
rol
ledeyes)Maybehehadhi
sreasons.
Dineo:Nothi
ngjusti
fi
esCri
meRosell
a.(Peel
inga
potato)Weshouldgetri
dofthi
scr
imi
nalacti
vit
ies
andbui l
dabett
erplacetol
ive.
Rose:
(scof
fed)

Rosest
oodupandt
ookoutanot
herpeel
erandhel
o
herastheychatt
ed.Thi
shel
pedheral
otl
atel
yto
for
getaboutherli
fe.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Thepoli
celookedatVeronicaast
ear
srol
leddown
hercheeksbefor
etheystoodupandheadedout.
Shestoodupandwentinsideast
ear
sblurr
edher
si
ghtandshetri
ppedf
alli
ngdownherkneesand
cr
iedonthefl
oor.

AtBonol
o's

Bonolomovedawayf rom t
hewi ndowwi thtearsi
n
hereyesandsatonthecouchf eelingl
ikeshecould
j
ustscream t
hepainaway.Thepai nwassomuch
thatwhenshethoughtaboutshet houghtabout
howeveryoneusuall
ygottakenawayf r
om her.She
i
ncreasedthevol
umeonherspeakerandbust ed.
Firstitwasherfamilybeent ornapartandherdad
takenaway.Thenhermot herseparati
ngherfrom
him andhisfamily.Nowi twasKagi so,someone
whomadeherf eelli
kehersel fandmor et
hatshe
neverhadi nalongt i
me, wast akenawayf r
om her.
Aal i
yah-mi
ssyoupl ayedfrom herspeakerasshe
cried.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.

Gailtappedherf
ootundert hedeskasshehel
dthe
peninherhandwi ththethoughtofBr
eezegri
ndi
ng
anotherwomanpl ayedinhermind.
Shepr essedhereyesandfi
nal
lystoodupand
grabbedherbagandphoneheadi ngout.She
fi
shedherkeysal lt
hewaytothecarandunlocked
i
tbefor egett
ingint
hrowi
ngthebagbehindand
star
tedt heenginewhensomeoneknockedonher
window.
ShelookedatMxoli
sismi
li
ngi
nhisf
ormalwearand
shesmiledr
oll
ingdownthewi
ndow.
Mxo:t
her
eshei
s!
Gai
l:yeahher
eshei
s!What
'
sup?
Mxo:Not
hingexceptt
hatIhaven'
tseenyoui
na
whi
le.Imissyou
Gai
l:youdon'
tevenknowme.Howcanyoumi
ss
me?
Mxo:t henletmegettoknowyou.Pl easeGai
l.And
pleasedontt hr
owthe"I
'm marr
ied"cardonme
courset odayIwokeuponawr ongsideofthebed
andI '
m nottakingi
t.Justonedinnerandyoucan
takeitfrom t
hereanddeci
de.
Gai
l:(
scof
f)Deci
dewhat
?
Mxo:i
fI'
mtheri
ghtper
sontobeinyourl
if
eornot.
Goi
ngoutwit
hmewoul dn'
thur
tyouknow.Eveni
f
i
tsonce.
Gai
l:ohhel
litwi
ll.Sobadt
hatoneofuswi
llendup
Iabodybag.
Mxo:whatdoyoumean?
Gai
l:Igotacr
azysi
sterwi
feandac-
Mxo:It
oldyouthatI
'
m nott
aki
ngitt
oday.Meetme
onFri
dayat17h00atBl
osCafe.
Gai
l:t
hatwoul
dn'
tbeal
unch.
Mxo:whateveri
twi
llbej
ustbet
her
e.Igot
somet
hingtoshowyou.

Hesai
dthatgett
ingbacki
nhiscaranddr
oveoff
l
eavi
nghersti
llt
hinki
ngabouti
tandfi
nal
lyl
eft.

AtBr
eezes

Breezewal
kedinthehouseandthrewthekeyson
thetabl
ebesi
desthedoorandwentintothedi
ning
room drawnbythesmelloffood.Hismouth
wateredwi
thever
ystepcloser.
Sagismil
edstandi
ngupwit
hawi neandwalked
overtohi
m andhuggedhi
m asusualbef
orekissi
ng
hi
m.
Sagi
:howar
eyou?
Br
eeze:hungr
y..
Sagi
:ofcour
seyouar
e.

Sheletgoandtheysatar
oundt hedi
nnert
abl
ewi
th
thei
rfoodcover
edwithacloche.
Gailwalkedi
nandsmi
ledbef
oreki
ssi
ngbothof
them andwentt
owashherhandsandcameback
sit
ti
ngdown.

Br
eeze:howwaswor
k?
Gail
:workwasgreatbabe.Todaywesol
dal
most
l
ike8to10pi
eces.
Sagi
:that
'sgood.
Br
eeze:yourr
eal
lygoodatt
his.Keepi
tup.
Gai
l:t
hankyoubaby.
GailopenedherfoodandsodidSagi.Breeze
openedhisplat
eandf r
ownedlooki
ngatt hepink
l
acepant i
es.Heclenchedhisj
awsbef oreput
ting
theclochebackandbitherl
ipl
ooki
ngatSagi.
Meanwhil
eGaill
ookedatSagiandsighedather
smir
klooki
ngatBreeze.Sheshookherheadand
dr
ankherwinewithBreezest
il
llooki
ngatSagi.

Sagi
:isever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtbaby?

Sagismir
kedl
ookingathim backashelookedat
her.Theymadeanintenseeyecontactl
ikeboxer
readyt
ohearthebel
lwhenGai lst
oodup.

Gai
l:I
'
llgodi
shupf
oryou.
Br
eeze:f
orgeti
tbabe.Il
ostmyappet
it
e.

Gai
lsatdownandhesl
owl
yst
oodupwi
thhi
seyes
onSagi.
Sagi
:wherethefuckdoyout
hinkyourgoi
ng?Dont
yout
hinkyouhavesomeexpl
anati
ontodo?
Br
eeze:Idon'
thaveanyt
hingt
osayt
oyou.
Sagi
:ohbabydon'
tgi
vemethat.Sitt
hefuckdown
andtel
luswhoi
sthethi
rdwi
fesothatIcoul
dgo
buyheradi
amondcasket
.
Br
eeze:Idontknowwhatgameyourpl
ayi
ngbu-
Sagi:t
hisi
sn'
tagameBreeze.Youwentoutand
fuckedanot
herwomanandI'm pr
ett
y
prett
ysureyoudontevenknowherstatusandthen
camebackt ofuvkusbecausethat
'swhatyoudo.
Youlefttwopxxxisi
sthehouseandwentt ochase
anotheronewhoyoudontevenknowwhosebeen
ri
dingitandcamebackwi t
hthesamedi i
ckyou
usedandusedi tonus.
Br
eeze:Sagiyourget
ti
ng-
Sagi
:nonono. .
..Breezeyouareinamar r
iage.
Whatevershi
tthatyoudooutt herecomestoallof
us.Yourprobl
em isyoul ovepussyalotBreeze
andyouseem tobel osingitwhenyouraroundit
coursetheknowledgeofdiseasescrossthe
window.Whosepant i
esarethosecoursethey
aren'
tours?Areyoucheat i
ng?
Br
eeze:Sa-
Sagi:
DontSagimeandgi
vemet
hatbi
tchesname!

Breezelookedatherfi
ght i
ngtojustgr
abherbyher
neckandbl ocktheai
rfrom passing.Hebithi
sli
p
andkissedGail'
scheekbef or
eheadingoutasSagi
fol
lowedhim out.Shegr abbedhim bythesweat
er
andhithim onthebackunt i
ltheywereoutsi
deby
thecar.
Br
eezet
urnedandl
etherhi
thi
schest.

Sagi
:whoi
sshe?
Br
eeze:whoi
swho?
Sagi:t
hewomanyoursl eepi
ngwi t
handmakesyou
l
oseyourtouchoncheatingski
ll
s.Youjustbrought
herpant
iesi
ntoourhouse!AndI '
m notgi
vingup
unt
ilyousayt
hatname.
Br
eeze:SagiI
'
m notcheat
ing.
Sagi
:agggWr
onganswer!

Shel andedahotsl aponhischeekandhehel dher

byt heshouldersroughl
ypinningheragainstt
hecar
kissingherasshet ri
edpushinghim backbut
slowl yandslowlygotweak.Hesl ithi
shandunder
herdr essandtouchedherfleshasshegasped.He
rubbedherf orafewsecondswhi l
esheweakly
pushedhi m backbutherbodydi sappoint
edher.
Aft
eraminshepul
ledhersel
fandcrossedherl
egs
pushi
nghi
m backl
andinganothersl
ap.

Sagi
:youar
enotget
ti
ngi
tunt
ilIf
indputwhoshe
i
s.

Shehithi
m ashemadehiswayi ntothecarandgot
i
n.Shet r
iedopeningt
hedoorbuthelockedit
st
art
ingtheengine.Shel
ookedaroundandpicked
abr
ickbyt
hef
lower
s.
Breezefr
ownedl ookingatherasshethrewthe
bri
ckont hescreenwhenhel eanedhi
dingandit
broke.Glassedsplashedandthebri
ckfellont
he
passengersseet.Her ai
sedhisheadtohersti
ll
l
ift
inganotherbri
ckinherhand.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyoucr
azy!
Sagi:OhmaybeIam baby.Kar
ekemangyenaa
nj
elangmonna?Kemang?
Br
eeze:Putt
hef
uckenbr
ickdown!
Sagi
:Wr
onganswer!

Shethrewt hebrickbutBr eezehadst eppedont he

accel
eratorandi tr
eversedwi thspeedandt hebr i
ck
l
andedont hel i
ght.GailrushedoutsidetoBr eeze
rever
singwi t
habr okencarandSagibur ningwi t
h
angerandabr i
ckinherhand.
Gai
l:whathaveyoudone?
Sagi
s:Iwantt
oknowt
hatbi
tch.Br
eezei
sful
lof
shi
t.
Gail
:Butthr
owi
ngbr
icksathi
m,wasi
teven
necessar
y?
Sagi
:yeahi
twas.
Gail:Youcoul
dhavej ustl
etmetal
ktohi
mifyou
couldn'
tcont
rolyouremoti
onsSagi.
Sagi
:Hel
lno!
Gai
l:Whynot?
Sagi
:Cour
seyourf
uckensof
t!

Shethr
ewt herockandrushedi
nsi
del
eavi
ngGai
l
ther
esti
llhol
dingherwaist
.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse

Odi
ri
lel
ookedatt
hescr
eenandf
rownedl
ooki
ngat
Breeze.Hepr essedthebutt
onandthegat e
unlocked.Hewentt owardsthedoorandwal ked
outlookingathim asheparkedandsteppedout
andt heglassesfel
loffhi
m.
Hecouldn'thol
ditandendeduplaughi
ngand
Breezelookedathi
m passi
nghim goi
nginsi
deas
hefoll
owed.

Odi
ri
le:(
laughi
ng)Andt
hen?Whathappened?
Br
eeze:
(dr
inki
ngbeer
)Sagihappened!
Odi
ri
le:Def
ini
tel
ySagi.

Hetriedt
oholditbutassoonashesawthepri
nton
hischeekhebustedlaughi
ngevenl
eani
ngagai
snt
thecounter.

Br
eeze:Gattahat
eafri
endt
hatf
indsyourbad
si
tuat
ionver
yamusing.
Het
ookoutanot
herbeerandpassedhi
m goi
ngt
o
t
hel
ivi
ngroom .

.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
35]Lynne :Chapt
er23

AtTheLyonsMansi
on

Jackwal kedi
nwithhi
sJacobandJackledhimto
hisbar.Theytooktwogl
assesandpoured
themselvesastr
ongbrownli
quorandsatdownon
thehighchair
s.

Jacob:Haveyout
houghtaboutwhatIsai
d?
Jack:Jacob.
.yourmybestoff
ri
endsandt
rustmeI
real
lyunder
standwhyyourdoingthi
stoyourboy.
Butwhatyouraski
ngistoobig.Thiscoul
dtearmy
famil
yapartwit
houtevenaconsider
ati
on.
Jacob:Iknowitshuge.That'
swhyItoldyouthat
I'
l
lgiveyoumoretimetothi
nkthi
sthroughunti
lyou
comeupwi thananswerandawayt oapproachthi
s
toyourfami
ly.
Jack:Idontknowman.Idon'
tknow.
Jacob:Jackthi
scouldbenef i
tbothsidesofthe
famil
y.Thiscouldsavebothourfamilyhonours.I
knowit'
salottotakeinbutIneedtoknowt he
answerasintodaysot hatIcancarr
yonwi thother
arr
angements.Thechoi ceisyour
s.

Hegul
pedhi
sdr
inkandl
ookedatJackwai
ti
ngf
or
hi
sanswer.
Meanwhil
e.Thedoorbel
lrangandRoser
ushedand
openedf
orapostman.

Post
man:I
sthi
sthehouseofMrJackLyon?
Rose:Yessi
r.I
tis.
Post
man:pl
easesi
gnher
eformemi
ss.

Rosesignedandt ooktheenvel
opebeforet
heman
l
eftandsheclosedt hedoor.Di
neowalkedover
readyt
oknockof fandstoppedinf
rontofher.

Di
neo:What
'st
hat?
Rose:i
t'
sformydad.Idontknow.I
tdoesn'
teven
haveanameonitoranyt
hing.
Di
neo:ohkbyegi
rl.Seeyou.
Rose:besaf
e.

TheyhuggedandDineolef
t.Roset
urnedthe
envel
opesidet
osideheadingt
othebarandwal
ked
i
nt oanawkwardmoment .

Rose:Sor
ryt
odi
stur
b.Dadt
hisi
sforyou?
Jack:t
hankyouhunny.Whoi
sitf
rom ?
Rose:Idontknow.Thepost
manj
ustdr
oppedi
t
andleft.
Jack:ohk.Thankyou.

Roset urnedheadingoutwhenJacobscannedher
hourglassbody.Shewasaf i
neyounglady.Hebi
t
hisl
ipandl ookedatJackwhowasopeni ngthe
envelopeandsi ghed.

Meanwhi l
eDineocoachedherpocket
sandshe
real
izedshehadf or
gott
enhercel
lphoneandwent
back.Shewal kedinandsear
chedwhenRose
appeared.

Rose:youback.
Di
neo:
yeahIf
orgotmyphone.
Rose:I
'
llgochecki
tupst
air
s.
Di
neo:yourmyar
mer
.
Rosesmi l
edandwentupst ai
rsandshekept
sear
chingbeforedecidi
ngtogocheckt helaundry
room .Cur
iosi
tyfoughtherwhenpassingbyt hebar
andsheclenchedherf i
stbef
oreeavesdropping.

Jacob:what?
Jack:not
hingser
ious.
Jacob:Youknowyoucantkeeponl i
kethis.One
wayoronedayyou' l
lhavet olethergo.Shesno
l
ongerachildJack.Shel egal.I
fyouletthispast
youdontknowt hekindofal i
feisaheadofherand
thekindofmani swaiti
ngoutt hereforher.Shesa
Lyon.Soeveryonewi lljumpatt heopportuni
tyof
beingwit
hthefamousJackandJaneLyonj ustso
theycanrobyout hemi l
li
onsyouhavei nyour
account.Mysuggest i
oni sclearandclean.
Jack:Icantmakethef uckendeci
sionsforher
Jacob.I'drat
herhaveherl ear
nfr
om hermi st
akes
thanprot
ecti
ngherfrom thosedeci
sionsandnever
l
earn.Shenotmentallyfi
t-
Jacob:Yess!Shei snot!That 'swhyI '
m off
ering
youthisdealonasilverplatt
ermyf ri
end.This
couldhelphereaseandt hinklessofherwor ri
es
andwor rymoreaboutherf uture.TrustmewhenI
saythisisoneofthebestdeci sionsyouwoul dhave
evertakenyourenti
reli
fe.She' llthankyouforthat.

Jacklookedathim befor
epouri
nganothergl
ass
andtheysatther
e.Di neocl
osedhereyesandtook
adeepbr eat
hsneakingaway.Rosespot t
edher
wit
hherphonei nherhandandr anoverscar
ingher.

Di
neo:Shi
ii
t!
Rose:Sor
ry!
(smi
li
ng)
Di
neo:i
tsohk.Justdontsneakuponpeopl
eli
ke
t
hat.
Rose:Fir
stofal
lyouwer
etheonewhowas
sneaki
ng.Why?
Di
neo:I.
.Ij
ustdi
dn'
twantyourdadt
onoticet
hatI
wasst
il
lhere.ImeanIshoul
dhaveknockedoff2
hour
sago.
Rose:Daddoesn'
thaveaproblem wi
thworker
s
wholoveanddotheirj
obwell.Whoarealsowell
mannered.Hewouldn'
tsayanythi
ng.
Di
neo:you'
l
lneverknow.
Rose:Ar
eyouohk?
Di
neo:mhhmm yeah..Imeanyeah.
.I
'mf
ine.
Who'
sthatmanwithyourdad?
Rose:ohyeah.
.thati
suncl
eJacob.Anol
dfr
iend
ofdad'
s.Why?What '
sup?
Di
neo:uhm not
hing.Not
hing.Hej
ust.
.Idontl
ike
hi
m al
ready.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)
ohpl
easehe'
ssweat.
Di
neo:Idon'
tknow.
Rose:Di
neoar
eyousur
eyourohk?
Di
neo:(
smi
li
ng)yeah.
.t
akecar
e.Goodni
ght.
Rose:Goodni
ght.
Theyhuggedonelastt
imeandshewentout.Rose
tur
nedonhertoesandsighedasl
onel
inessst
ruck
i
nandshewentupst ai
rs.

I
nthemai
nbedr
oom.

Janet ossedtoanot hersi deandbackandagai n

beforekicki
ngt hesheet sof fandf acedupthe
ceil
ing.Shest i
llcouldn'tgettotermswi ththefact
thatshewaspr egnant.Shewasaboutt obea
mot hertoababywhoi tsf at
herhadnochi ldrenor
neverevenpl annedt ohavechi l
drenanytimeby
withhistwowi ves.Newl yweds.Shej ustbrokean
alr
eadybr okenbr otherhood.
Asmuchasshedi dn' twanttohavethischi
ldshe
couldn'tki
llani nnocentsoul .Herparent
sdidn'
t
raiseherli
ket hisandnei t
herdidtheycondone
aborti
on.Butr aisi
ngt heki
donherhusbandwoul d
alsocostespeci al
lyifJackfindsoutthati
ts
Breezes.Lat eorear l
y.SagiandGai lwouldhat
e
heriftheyf i
ndoutt hatsheisthefir
stwomant o
carrythei
rhusbandsseedi
nherwombbefor
et hem
.Shecanal readyimagi
net
heembarr
assment,
hatredandallthosef
oll
owi
ngbademoti
onsthat
fol
low.
Butrightnowt hiswasnotabouther.Shewasa
gooddoct orherselfandsheknewthatstressing
wasnotgoodf orthebabyandasamot hershehad
toclearthespacef orherbaby'
sarr
ival
.Itwoul dbe
bett
erifsheget sthisoveranddonewiththanwai t
fort
het rut
htor evealit
sselfi
nthemostcr uelway.
Shewipedhertearsandbreathedbefor
egr abbi
ng
herphoneandscr ol
li
ngsearchi
ngforBreeze.She
l
ookedathisnumberf orafewsecondswi t
h
hesi
tati
onandfinall
ydial
edhim wi
thapoundi ng
heart.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Odir
il
esighedleani
ngbackandpulledt hesnacks
l
ookingatBreezewhowaslayingont hecouch
t
alki
ngnonst op.Hecouldsensether egret
,fear
,
guil
t,shame,confusionandanxiet
yi nherfr
iends
voi
ce.Hekeptraisinghishandsandshaki nghis
headpluswit
htheal coholi
nhissystem madehi m
nojusti
ce.

Breeze:Imean.Itwasamomentofweakness.
WaitIshoul
dn'tcal
litamomentofweaknesswhat
shouldIcal
lit?Whatshoul
dIcalli
tOdi
ri
le?
Odi
ri
le:Advant
age.
Breeze:yeahItookadvantage.Wai
twhat
?Nonot
advantage.I
'l
ljustgowit
hamomentofweakness.
Odi
ri
le:andt
hatonemomentofweaknessi
sgoi
ng
t
ocostyou.
Breeze:Andt hatmomentofweaknessisgoi
ngto
costmemymar ri
age.(
Scof
fed)imeancommon.It
wasj ustonce.ImeanonelikeonewithOnefi
nger
.Ohsor r
y1 .
Odi
ri
le:Youshoul
dsl
eep.Yourdr
unk.
Br
eeze:I
'
m notdr
unkIhad12bot
tl
esonl
y.
Odi
ri
le:andthat
'sal
ot.Youevent
ookawhol
e
bot
tl
eofwhiskeyal
oneman.
Br
eeze:noyouhel
pedme.Isawyou.
Odi
ri
le:Idi
dn'
t.
Breeze:whatever.SoasIwassayi ngbefor
eIwas
rudelyi
nterr
upted.
..
itwasonlyonce.Inheroff
ice.
Ont hetabl
e.Ont hewall.Onthechair.Onthe
door.Ont hefl
oor.Andont hebed.
Odi
ri
le:youwer
ebusynowwer
en'
tyoumyf
ri
end?
Br
eeze:(
drunkvoi
ce)Ver
yyyyyy.
Odi
ri
le:Wasshegood?
Br
eeze:
Odi
ri
le:what?I
'
m aski
ngwasshegood?
Breeze:t
odayI'
m beinghonestwit
hyoucourseI
seemyancestorshaveturnedthei
rbacksonme
andtookmycheatingskil
lsawayasSagisaid
soooooo.
.I'
mmasayYess. .
shewasdelici
ous.
Very.
Odi
ri
le:muchbet
tert
hant
hem ?
Br
eeze:pussyi
spussyman.
Odir
il
e:noit
'snot.Wearet
alki
ngaboutyou
cheat
ingonyourtwowoman.Whom ar e
commi t
tedandloveyouwi
thyoursexaddi
cti
on.
Br
eeze:I
'
m notaddi
cted.
Odi
ri
le:soanswer
.
Breeze:(
sigh)I
'vebeenaroundpussyf
oralong
ti
mesoi t'
shardtodif
fer
enti
atebet
weengoodor
bad.
Odir
ile:yesyou'
vebeenar
ounditforalongti
me
that
'swhyyou'reabl
etodi
ffer
ent
iatebetweengood
orbad.Sowhat 'si
tgoi
ngtobe?
Breeze:Idotnknow.WhatIknowi
sIenj
oyedi
tbut
nowI '
mregrett
ingi
t.
Odi
ri
le:you'
vebeent
alki
ngbutyouhaven'
ttol
dme
t
hename.Whoi sshe?
Br
eeze:youdon'
twannaknowt
hat?
Odi
ri
le:Ido
Breezesphonerangandher ai
sedhi
sfingertaki
ng
outthephoneinhispocket
.Heputittohisface
andsmi l
ed.

Br
eeze:t
alkaboutt
hedevi
landt
hedevi
lshal
lcal
l.
Odi
ri
le:act
ual
lyi
ts"
come"
Br
eeze:what
ever
..
(t
othephone)heyyou.Whatup?
Jane:Idontwantmuchofyourt
imesoI '
l
ljusthave
togetri
ghtontoitandt
henthedeci
sionwillbeup
toyou.Ohk.?Ohk?
Br
eeze:can'
tjustsayohk.Ohkwhat?
Jane:t
hatyou'
l
lgi
vemeanaccur
ateanswer
.No
hi
deandseek.Ohk?
Br
eeze:what
'supwi
tht
he"
Ohk'
s"?
Jane:courseIneedyout obespecif
icandthi
nk6
ti
meshar derthanyouusuall
ydocour sewhati
m
abouttotellyoumightchangeyourli
fefor
ever
.Or
rui
nyou.
Br
eeze:mmmhh.
Jane:Mmmhhwhat?
Br
eeze:j
ustsayi
tal
ready.
Jane:t
hisi
sser
iousBr
eeze.
Br
eeze:Shoul
dIhangup?

Janesighedasherheartpoundedhar
donherchest
andsheswal l
owedthi
nkingshesaboutt
obr
eaka
marri
ageintothr
eepart
s.
Meanwhi
leBreezeyawnedl
ist
eni
ngt
oherbr
eat
h
sl
owlyi
ncreasi
ng.

Br
eeze:ohkgoodni
ght
.
Jane:(
fast
)I'
m pr
egnant!

Hisheartskippedandthephoneslidfrom hi
s2
secondparalyzedhandandhitthetil
ecracki
ngthe
screen.Al
lthealcoholi
nhissystem r
ushedoutout
ofnowhereandhewasf ineasifheneverdrank.
Hel
ookedatOdi
ri
lewit
hdroppedj
awsandpi
cked
t
hephoneput
ti
ngitonhisear.

Br
eeze:youwhat?
Jane:(st
umbl
ing)I
'
m..
I'
m..pr
egnant
.
Br
eeze:I
'
m bei
ngGoddamned!

.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
36]Lynne :Chapt
er24

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse

I
twasli
keforaf ewminstheclockst
oppedti
cki
ng.
Br
eezer
ubbedhi seyebrowslooki
ngatOdi
ri
lewho
waswai
tingforanexplanat
ion.
Br
eeze:Wher
ear
eyour
ightnow?
Jane:I
'
m home.
Br
eeze:Meetmeatt
heCaf
e.
Jane:BreezeI
'
m st
il
lamarr
iedwoman.Icantjust
l
eavemyhousei nt
hemiddl
eiftheni
ghtjusttohe
wit
ht hemanwhomyhusbandcallsabrother.Igot
ahouseandaf ami
ly.
Breeze:Enoughwit
hallthatcourseweal lknow
yourmarri
edandli
vingaf ol
kloremarriagewith
yoursocall
edhusband.Buti fyourcarryi
ngmy
chil
dandyoursureyou'
llmeetmei nthenext20
mins.
Jane:Hesyou'
rebr
other!
Br
eeze:Idontcar
e.Justbet
her
eohk!

HehungupandOdi ri
leputthebottl
eonthetabl
e
andleanedbackwait
ing.Br eezel
ookedathi
m wit
h
nar
rowedeyebrowsandst oodupwi t
hhalfabot
tl
e
andheadedout .Odi
ril
eli
ftedhishandsand
dr
oppedt
hem bef
oresi
ghi
ng.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Janehi
tthephonel
ightl
yonherpalm countl
ess
ti
mesbeforest
andi
ngupi nherpj
sandt ookthecar
keysweari
nghersl
eepers.
Shewalkeddownst
air
sandheardMal
evoices
speaki
ngbutasshegotcl
osert
heyst
oppedtal
king.
ShewenttoJack'
sbarandl
ookedatJacobbef
ore
smil
ingatt
hem .

Jane:Hey.
Jacob:HeyJane.Howar
eyou?
Jane:I
'
m good.You?
Jacob:I'
m al
sof i
ne.Youlookamazi
ng.Your
glowingmorethanthel
astti
meIsawyou.Jack
takesagoodcareofyouIsee.
Jane:(
smi
li
ng)Hedoes,
he'
sadar
li
ng.
Jack:Il
oveyou.
Jane:Il
oveyout
oo.
Jack:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Jane:I
'
m goi
ngout.ToSagis.Sheaskedmeto
comehelpherwi
thsomet
hingandBr eezewi
ll
accompanymeback.
Jack:Br
eezehasabodyguar
ds.Coul
dn'
thesend
someonetocomepi
ckyouup?
Jane:hedid..
uhm justt
hatIpr
efermyowncar
thanri
dingwit
hast r
anger.Imeanyou'
l
lnever
knowwhtmi ghthappenthi
sdays.
Jack:r
ight.Letmeseet
hisguyhesentbef
orehe
fol
-
Jane:(cutin)nono!Imeanno.I t
sohk.Ican
handlehim .Hestheonet hatdri
vesthem allthe
ti
me.Justbeher ewi t
hyourf r
iend,besidesyou
haven'tseeneachotherinawhi l
e.I'm sureyougot
alottocatchupon.Ri ghtJacob?
Jacob:Yeah.Andsomeunf
ini
shedbusi
nesst
o
di
scuss.

Jackturnedlookingathim andsighedbef ore

steppingovertoJaneandki ssedherf orehead
beforehuggingher.Thef eeli
ngofhi sarmsar ound
hermadeherf eel safeandlovedthewayBr eeze
makesherf eel.Thoughshewasn' tsurebut
everyt
imeshehear sBreezeshecoul djustmeltand
cry.Wasn'tsur eifitwasloveorthepr egnancy.
Theyletgoandshewalkedoutleavi
ngt
hem .Jack
satonthechai
randlookedatJacob.

Jacob:What?
Jack:WhatI
fIsayohk?What
'st
her
einf
ormy
daughter
?
Jacob:Wewoul ddoanyt hingf oryourdaughter
.
She'l
lhavearoyalli
fe.She'llbesaf e,ri
ch,
educatedandeverythingelset hatyoualways
wishedforher.Power.She' l
lli
vel i
keagoddess.
Noenemywi l
lmakei ttoheri nunderourpr ot
ecti
on.
Jack:Br eezeal
readymakessurethatnothi
ng
harmfulrichismydaughter
.Iknowt hatt
hismi ght
beinar ushbut,Icanj
ustsellmydaughterjustli
ke
that.
Jacob:Jackhowl onghaveweknowneachot her?
haveIeverbet rayedyourt rust?haveIever
promi sedyoual ie?haveIevereverl iedtoyou?I
don'tknowwher eyougett hisideasal lofasudden
aboutmebutIcanpr omi seyout hatyourdaught er
willbesaf einmyar ms, undermyf ami l
y's
protection.Imean, Breezei sagangst er,aruthl
ess
gangst erandhei sassoci at edwi ththemost
danger ouspeopl eyoucaneveri magi ne.Jackwe' r
e
tal
kingr ealgangst ersImeant her ealpeopl ewho
beeni nt hi
syearf oral ongl ongt i
meRussi ansI
meanWhot hef***deal sthemot herfuking
Russiansandexpectgoodoutoft hat.Mostof
thosepeopl e'sfami l
yendupi naboxi nacasket .
Sixfeetundermyf ri
end.Iknowi t'
snotmypl aceto
say,butIcar eaboutyourdaught erandt rustme
whenIsayIwantwhat '
sbestf orher.Notsol ong
agoyouwer ecryingaboutherhavi ngni ghtmaresI
meandoesni ghtnursewhoknowst heymightbea
si
gn.Asi gnthatsheshoul dmoveonandgetaway
fr
om allyourfamilymember s.Notinanoffensi
ve
waybutIj ustthi
nk, Icandobetter,
notbet
terthan
youbecauseyouar eherparentsbutIt
hinkIcando
something.Justthinkaboutit
.

Jacobgulpedhi
sdrinkandpethisshoulderbef
ore
headi
ngout.Jacobr ubbedhisnosebri
dgebefore
pouri
ngadr i
nkandgul pedi
t.Hepickedhisphone
anddial
edBreeze.

Br
eeze:yep?
Jack:Halobro.
.Ij
ustwant
edt
ochecki
fJanehas
arr
ivedsafel
yther
e??
Br
eeze:ar
ri
vedsaf
elywher
e?
Jacob:Ithoughtshesai
d..shesai
dshewas
comingtoyourhousecourseSagical
ledher.
Breeze:ohyeah..
ther
esheis.Theyaredownstai
rs.
Youknowl adi
es.Shedidn'
tsayhi,
theyj
ustgotto
what
everthey'
redoi
ng.Sheseemst
obef
orget
ti
ng
t
hatI
'm herbrot
heri
nlawhere.
Jack:(
smil
ing)ohk..
pleaset
akecareofher.And
makesureyoubr i
ngherbackyoursel
f.Idontt
rust
yourguar
ds.
Br
eeze:ohkcxxl.
Jack:goodni
ghtl
it
tl
ebr
other.
Br
eeze:bye.

Breezecutthecallandhesi ghedbef
or estandi
ng
upandwentupst air
s.HepassedbyRose' sroom
andslight
lyopenedl ooki
ngathersit
tingont he
studytabl
ewithherheadphonesonwat chi
ng
movies.Hesi ghedandst eppedbackclosingthe
doorandwentt ot hemainbedr oom.

Att
heCaf
egar
age.

Janepar
kedhercarandswi
tchedof
ftheengi
ne
l
ooki
ngaround.Shespot
tedBreezescarand
st
eppedoutcl
osi
ngthedoorandwentintohi
s.
Shegotinandsatdownbi
ti
ngherli
p.Herhear
d
beathar
donherchesti
tcoul
djustj
umpout.
Breezel
ookedatherandsi
ghedbef
orel
ooki
ng
outsi
dethewindowandscoff
ed.

Br
eeze:t
ellmeJane.Yourwhat?
Jane:I
'
m pr
egnant
.
Br
eeze:Ar
eyouevensur
ethatt
hatbabyi
smi
ne?
Jane:whatdoyoumeant
hebabyi
syour
s?Of
coursei
t'
syours.
Breeze:youknowt her
earechancest
hati
tcoul
dbe
Jack'scour
seyouandIonlyhadamomentof
weakness.Ithappenedonce.
Jane:wellthatmomentofweaknesscr eateda
human.Thatmomentofweaknesspl antedaseed
i
nsideofmet hati
sdevel
opingeverysingleday
Breeze.Thatmomentofweaknessputar eminder
i
nsideofme.
Breeze:sowhycoul dn'tyoujustgetri
dofi t?I'
m
married,yourmarri
ed.Thatchi ldisgonnacour sea
hugef l
amebet weenbot hourfamili
es.Lookatmy
face.Imar ri
edapsychopat h.Sheslookingforyour
andt r
ustmeshewontst opunt i
lshefindsyou.And
thelastthi
ngIneedi shavingachildoutofwedl ock.
Jane:Whatdoyoumeanshe'
slooki
ngforme
Breeze?Howdidsheknowt
hatyouhadaoneni
ght
stand?
Breeze:Rememberwhent hi
ngsgotheated?I
ri
ppedt hosesexypantiesofyoursandIcouldn't
j
ustleavet hem l
ayi
ngt her
eincasesomeone
enter
edyourof fi
cewhileyoursleepi
ng.SoIt ook
them withmeandf orgottoburnthem .Iputi
tinmy
drawerandwhnSagif ounditshewentallSagi.
(Smili
ng)
Jane:Whatcoul
dbepossi
blyf
unnyaboutt
hat
Breeze?
Breeze:Dontyoufinditfunny?Ij
ustgotcought!
BySagi.Trustmewhatshedi dt
omei sjustt
he
beginni
ngofhell.Helli
tsgonnabreakl
oose.
(
Smi
rk)
Jane:KanaSagionelecr i
minalrecor
d!Att
empted
mur der!OhmyGodBr eeze!Howcoul dyoubeso
careless?Youshoul
dhavej ustl
eftmypanti
es.
Breeze:Welldontyout
hinki
t'
sali
tt
letoolat
etobe
point
ingfi
ngers?Weshouldbethi
nkingabouthow
wewi l
ldealwit
hyou.
Jane:Whatdoyoumean?
Breeze:JaneI '
m agangster.Butthatdoesn' tmake
meanyl essofahuman.Ihavemyhumani tyandI
knowt hati t'
snotgoingtobeeasyf oryouwal ki
ng
downt her outewithJackwhi l
ecarryinganother
manschi ld.Iknowhowi tistogrowupal one.And
Iknowt hatsomeofmydeci si
onsar enotgoingt o
sitwellwi thyoubutknowt hati
tisoutofcar e.And
afteryoucal led,onmywayher eIrealizedthatyou
thinklessofmewhencomi ngtobei ngaf at
her.
Jane:whatdomean?
Breeze:youwant
edmet ochoosebet
weenmy
fl
ashandbloodandhappi
ness.
Jane:Br
eezei
-
Breeze:AndIt otal
lyunderst
andwhyyoudi dthat.
BecouseI'm anunlawfulpersonandever yone
ar
oundmei salwaysat ar
get.SoIguessi t
'sa
motherlyi
nstinctorsh*tbutIcantwal kaway
.(
pulli
ngherhands)Pl easedontforcemet oleave
what'sminebehi ndandl i
vel
ikenothinghappened.
Jane:Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
Breeze:WhatI 'm sayingis..
Wemadet hischi l
d
together.Wear egonnar aiseittogether.Iwantmy
chil
dt ogr owupknowi ngthatIlovehi m orher.I
wantt obet her
eformychi l
d.Iwantt obet herefor
youandourchi l
d.AndIpr omiseyout his.Nohar m
shallreachourchi ld.Noti fIsti
llhavemybl ood
runningthr oughmyvei nsandai rinmyl ungs.One
thi
ngi s..Icantpromi setobeper f
ectbutIpr omise
totry.Letmebet hereforyouandourchi ld.
Jane:
(t
ear
y)ButwhataboutJack,
Gai
l,Sagiand
Rose?
Breeze:Wecancrossthatbr
idgewhenweget
ther
e.Fornowlet
'slett
heaircooldown.Thatchi
ld
i
smyf
ir
stpr
ior
it
yri
ghtnow.

Jane'stearsr
oll
eddownwhenshequi cklywiped
them buttheycoul
dn'
tst
opf l
owing.Breezepull
ed
herinforahugandshebr okedownonhi sshoulder
.

Jane:(
cryi
ng)t
hankyou.
Breeze:Shhh.
.yournotal
oneont
his.We'
rei
nthi
s
together
.

Heleanedbackandl ookedatherinthetear
yeyes.
Heslowlywipedhertearswithherthumband
smil
edbeforekissi
ngherforehead.Shesmi l
ed
l
eaningbackwhenBr eezephoner angandhe
pi
cked.

Br
eeze:heybaby.
Gai
l:Hunnywher
ear
eyou?I
'
m wor
ri
edaboutyou,
i
tsalmost12.
Br
eeze:Cl
ear
ingmyhead.I
'
m att
hehot
el,I
'
mfi
ne.
Gai
l:shoul
dIcomebet
her
ewi
thyou?
Breeze:nobabyit
'snotsafe.Juststayathomeand
I
'l
lbet her
efi
rstt
hinginthemorning.How'sSagi
?
Gail
:She'
l
lgett
her
e.She'
sst
il
lfur
iousbuthi
ding
heremoti
onsasusual
.
Br
eeze:(
sof
tl
y)ohk.
.I
'm sor
ryaboutal
lthi
s.
Gail
:it
sohk.Sl
eeponi
t.We'
l
ltal
ktomor
row.Bye
,l
oveyou.
Br
eeze:Il
oveyout
oo.

Theyhangupandhesighedl
ookingatt
heti
me.He
turnedl
ooki
ngatJanewhowaslooki
ngathi
m and
theysmil
ed.

Breeze:cal
lJackandt
ellhi
m changeofpl
ans.
Yoursleepi
ngover.
Jane:What?Ican'
tdot
hat
.
Br
eeze:ohyessyouwi
ll.Cal
lhi
m .Now!

Shet
ookherphoneanddi
aledJack.

Jane:Heyhunny.
Jack:(
sleepy)Heybabe.Ar
eyouohk?
Jane:yeahI'
mf i
ne.Justthatt
hegirl
schanged
plansandyourbr ot
hersaysIcantdr
iveatni
ght,
coursehesscar edsomethi
ngmighthappentome
andyou'llki
llhi
m.
Jack:(
smil
ing)He'
sri
ght,I
'm goi
ngtoki
llhi
m.
Yeahyoucantdri
veatt
hishourbyyour
self.Guess
I'
l
lseeyoutomorr
ow.Il
oveyou.
Jane:l
oveyout
oo.

ShehangupandBr
eezest
art
edt
heengi
nebef
ore
dri
vingof
f.
Breeze:l
ovei
npar
adi
se.Yousur
egothi
m under
yourspel
l.
Jane:
(smi
li
ng)j
ustdr
ive.Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Br
eeze:Hot
el.
Jane:o.
.h.
.k.

.
.
.
Typi
ng
[
08/
02,
13:
36]Lynne :Chapt
er25

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Thenextmor ningBr
eezedrovethroughandparked
ontheparkingspot.Theyturnedl
ookingateach
otherandsmiledbefor
esteppingout.Thiswas
sl
owl yget
ti
ngoutofcontrol.Them smil
ingateach
otherever
ychanget
heyget.Thewal
kedsi
deways
tothehouseandwal
kedintoahousesmel
li
ng
divi
ne.
Theyheadedtothedinni
ngroom andf
oundDineo
prepari
ngthet
ablef
orbreakfast
.Shewasahard
workerandever
ythi
ngshedidshediditwi
th
passion.

Dineo:goodmor
ningMr
sLyon.Goodmor
ningMr
Lyon.
Bot
h:Mor
ning.
Di
neo:howar
eyou?
Bot
h:good/
fine.Andyou?
Dineo:I
'm good.Letmegocal
lRose,
breakf
asti
s
ready.

Dineorushedupt hestai
rswhenJackwal keddown
i
nasui tandsmiledlooki
ngatthem .Hewal ked
overandki ssedJanewhenBr eezeclear
edhi s
throatandlookedaside.
Jack:notl
ikei
tst
hef
ir
stt
imeseei
ngt
his.
Breeze:Idon'tknowwhatyourt
alki
ngabout
.My
eyesaresti
llvir
gin.

JaneandJacklaughedandhesmi ledwhenRose
fr
om thestai
rsspot
tedBreeze.Shejoggeddown
andrantowardshimjumpinginhisarmssmili
ng.
Breezepi
ckedherbri
dalswingi
ngherlikeal
it
tl
ekid.

Breeze:t
her
e'smyf
avour
it
eni
ece.Howhaveyou
been?
Rose:Good.Howaboutyouuncl
e?
Breeze:I'vebeenfinebabygirl.Youhavegr owna
l
otsi ncethelastt
imeIsawyou.Gr eatthi
ngyour
sti
llinyourageshapeorel seyou' l
lbelooki
nglike
your53yearol dmot hersi
nceal lyoudoi seatand
chill.
Rose:Iwor
kout.Dadboughtmesomefewthing
andmademeagym room tokeepmysel
foccupi
ed
.
Br
eeze:i
sitwor
king?
Rose:t
her
eandt
her
eyeah.
Br
eeze:t
hat'
sgood.Youmaki
ngpr
ogr
essI
'
m
pr
oudofyou.
Rose:t
hankyou.
Breeze:Igat
tabounce.Ihavetwoeggswai
tingf
or
met ocomehomesot heycouldst
artcr
acki
ngandI
havetogocheckonapat i
ent.
Rose:I
'
m comi
ngal
ong.Ri
ghtdad?
Jack:hunnyyouruncl
eisaver
ybusyguyyou
know.I'
m sur
ehe-
Breeze:NoIhavenot
hingt
odot
oday.Dontwor
ry
she'l
lbefi
ne.I
tsohk.
Rose:yes.
Jane:j
ustbecar
efulohk?

Br
eezewr
appedhi
shandar
oundRoseshoul
der
wit
hasar casti
cf aceandtheylaughedbef
orethey
walkedout.Jackl ookedatJaneandtheysatdown
smili
nganddi shedup.

Jack:she'
sget
ti
ngbet
terandbet
ter.
Jane:yeah.Ourbabyi
ssl
owl
yget
ti
ngher
sel
fback.
Jack:yeah.Yourbeaut
if
ulyouknow.
Jane:
(bl
ushi
ng)ohpl
ease.
Jack:NoI
'
m ser
ious.Andyourgai
ningwei
ght
.
Jane:Ishoul
dst
artexer
cisi
ngt
hen.
Jack:Imeanyourgai
ningwei
ght
.Yourdi
ff
erent
.
Hot!
Jane:ohk.
..
.t
hankyoudar
li
ng.

Sheraisedhergl
assandt
heysmi
ledbef
oreshe
drankandtheyate.

AtBr
eezeshouse.
BreezeandRosewalkedi
ntothehouseandas
soonasSagiheardt
hedooropenandf ootst
eps,
shejumpedofft
hebedandr usheddownstai
rs.

Sagi
:(shout
ing)Wherethef
uckhaveyoubeen?
!
(SawRose)Imissedyoubaby.
.
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Imi
ssyout
oo.
Sagi
:heybaby.
.
Rose:heyaunt
y..howar
eyou?
Sagi
:I'
m angr
y.Cour
seImi
sshi
m.
Rose:Icani
magine.Y'
allmi
sseachot
hereveni
f
yousaweachotherafewhoursago.
Sagi
:Lovedar
li
ng.Love.
Rose:Isi
teverwantt
ofal
linl
ove.
Sagi
:Anddont.Lovehur
ts.

Rosel
aughedandwenti
ntot
heki
tchenandt
ook
outanicecream whileSagiandBreezel
ookedat
eachotherwithfur
iouseyes.Breezepassedbyher
andwal kedt
ot hemainbedroom whereGail
steppedoutoftheshowernaked.

Gai
l:hey.
Br
eeze:heybabe.Howar
eyou?
Gai
l:I
'
m good.You?
Br
eeze:I
'
mfi
ne.Goi
ngt
owor
k?
Gai
l:notl
ikeIhaveanyt
hingt
odoar
oundher
edoI
?
Breeze:youcouldjustuset
hestor
eroom.Tur nit
i
ntoyourpaint
ingroom youknow.Thatwayyou
won'thavetooverworkyour
self
.Youcanhi r
e
someonet omanaget heGal
ler
yinyourabsence.
Gail:l
ikethewayyoudowi ththeclub?Not hank
you.Ilovebeingaroundar tandhelpi
ngt hosekids
reachtheirdr
eamsinar t.AndIcantdot hatifI'
m
sit
ti
ngher eandhomepai ntinginmyownspace
whileIshouldbethereshowi ngthem nottohide
thei
rselvesandtr
yt osharewhatt heyhavewi ththe
wor
ld.Il
ovewhatIdobabe.
Br
eeze:Fai
renough.
Gai
l:Soar
eyougoi
ngt
otal
kaboutl
astni
ght?
Br
eeze:Ir
athernot.
Gail
:Hidi
ngawayf r
om t
hiswonthelpyou.You
wontbeoneasebecausei t
'l
lweighyouBreeze.I
knowsomehowsomewher einther
eyoufeelbad
butyou'r
escaredyourgoingtolosesomethingif
youtal
kitout.Iwantanswer s.Sagiwantanswers.
Andyouknowt hatshewontletthi
sflowunti
lshe
fi
ndsoutwhoyouwer ewith.Whydi dyoucheat?
Br
eeze:Babeudi
dn'
tcheat
.
Gai
l:i
fyoudi
dn'
t.Whyaret
hosepant
iesi
nyour
dr
awer?Whodotheybel
ongto?
Br
eeze:noone.
Gail:Idon'
tknowwhyyourdoi ngthi
sbutyour
hurti
ngusBr eeze.Sagii
shurt
ingbehindthatbold
mask.Doyouknowt het
houghtofyourpartner
ri
dinganotherperson.Doyouknowhowmuchi t
hurts?Whydi dyoudothat?
Breeze:(
sighed)i
twasamomentofweakness.I
t
happenedonce.Ipromise.
Gai
l:Wi
thwho?
Br
eeze:nott
henamenow.
Gai
l:whynot?Iwantt
oknowwhoi
tis?
Breeze:sot
hatyoucoul
dt el
lher?andyouknow
Sagihasonl
yanacceler
ator.
Gai
l:shedeser
vest
oknow!Shesyourwi
fe!
Br
eeze:Iknow.AndIcanthur
ther.Nei
theryou.
Ort
hatonceoff.

Gailputonherr
agandsatonthemirr
orunt
iei
ng
herhairasi
tbouncedonhershoul
der
s.Shesighed
l
ookingathimthrought
hemirr
or.

Gai
l:
(sof
tl
y)Wasi
tgood?
Br
eeze:Gai
ldont.
Gai
l:t
ellme.
.Wasi
tgood?Pl
easedon'
tli
e.Af
ter
ever
ythi
ngyoudi
d,Ideser
vet
het
rut
h.Wast
he
pussygood?
Br
eeze:(
swal
lowed)Yes.

Li
keaneedl
ethroughherhear
t.Gai
lswal
lowedthe
l
ampandsighedfight
ingt
hetear
sandopenedher
makeupbagdoinghernomakeupmakeup.
Br
eezesatonthebedgui
ltst
ri
ckenandsi
ghed
l
ooki
ngather.

Br
eeze:Saysomet
hingpl
ease.
Gai
l:l
ike.
.
Breeze:anythi
ng.Shout,scr
eam oranyt
hingbut
notthesil
encetreat
ment.
Gai
l:ohk.
Br
eeze:ohk?
Gai
l:(
sighed)Il
oveyouBr
eeze.
Asifthegui
ltwasn'
tenough.That"Il
oveyou"hurt
evenmuch.Hebi thi
slipandlookedatherasshe
stoodupandgotdressedgrabbingherbagand
keys.

Gai
l:I
'
llseeyoul
ater.
bye.
Br
eeze:bye.

Sheki
ssedhim andsmil
edbef
oreleavi
ngandhe
st
oodupgoingtotakeashower.
Outsi
deat earrandownhercheekasshegoti nthe
carandshewi pedit.Thecardwasstil
lther
e.She
tookoutherphoneandwr otehim amassage
befor
eputtingitbackanddroveoff.

Af
terawhil
ehesteppedout,l
oti
onedandworehi
s
bl
ackcl
othesasusualbef
oregoi
ngdownstai
rs.
SagiandRosesmil
edwhil
echatt
ingandBr
eeze
tookanappl
elooki
ngatt
hem .
Br
eeze:I
'
llseeyouguysl
ater.
Rose:Nouncl
e.I
'
m comi
ngal
ong.
Breeze:I'
mj ustgoi
ngtocheckonapat
ientandI
'
ll
berightback.Iwonttakel
ong.
Rose:st
il
l..
I'
m comi
ng.
Sagi
:st
il
lst
ubbor
n.
Rose:Uncl
eusedt
osayI
'
m st
ubbor
nli
keyou.And
Iam .
Sagi
:(l
oughed)what
ever
.Youguysbesaf
e.

Breezeki
ssedhercheekbefor
esheandRose
huggedandleft.Sagit
ookoutherphoneandwent
toYouTubelookingatt
hecookingvi
deo.

Att
heHospi
tal
.

Br
eezewal
kedt
other
ecept
ionanddi
dwhathedi
d
andthenurseallowedhimin.Acol dchi
llr
andown
Rose'sspi
neandherst omachturned.Shetook
breat
hsandf ol
lowedBreezesteppi
ngintoaward.
Thebedwasempt y.Breezesi
ghedwi t
hhishands
i
nt hepocket
ssatdownl ooki
ngatRosewhowas
somehownotgood.

Br
eeze:ar
eyouohk?
Rose:I
'
mfi
ne.

Shesai dthatwi t
hassur inghim andhesatback
relaxingandshesati nt heotherone.Kagisot ook
babyst epst owardsthebedf rom thebathr
oom and
frownedl ookingatBreeze.Hedi dn'
tknowwhybut
thisguyshadaf eltpresence, soint
imidat
ing.He
wal kedtothebedandgat her
edhi msel
fgetti
ng
backandsi ghedoncehegotonl eani
ngback.
Meanwhil
eRosef el
tli
kehereyeswherebetrayi
ng
herandshebl
inkedlooki
ngattheguyfrom t
he
vi
deo.Hewasevenhandsomet hatshecouldhave
possi
blyi
magi
ned.Sheneversawaguywi t
hsuch
l
ongplat
edheri
nherent
ir
eli
fe.I
twasl
ikel
ooki
ng
atar
eali
tyst
arwhowasinhospi
tal
.
MeanwhileKagiso'
sbodysuddenl
ygotchill
sand
andthepainhisstomachbecamepainful
.Heshut
hi
seyesast hemachinesstar
tedbeepi
ngand
Breezequi
cklystoodupandwenttocallanurse.
Meanwhi leRose' shear tpoundedl ookingat
Kagiso'sashemumbl edi npai n.At earrandown
thesideofhi seyet othepi l
lowhol dingtightl
yt ohis
stomach.Shebutherl ipbef orestandingupseei ng
thathewasal soi ncreasingbyhol di
ngont i
ght.She
pull
edhi shandsawaywhenbot hoft hem their
bodiesbloodr anf asti ntheirveins.Thet ouchof
hersmoot hhandcal medhi m abi tthought hepai n
wasst i
llther e.Hesl owl yopenedhi seyest oana
beautif
ulgi rllookingathi m wi t
hwor ry.Theireyes
l
ockedandt heyl ookedateachot her.Thedoorf lew
andadoct orwal kedi nwi t
hanur se.Rosest epped
backlooki ngathi m notwant ingtobr eaktheeye
contact.Thenur sepul ledheroutandwheni tbroke
i
twasl iket heyj ustcutsomet hingfrom her.
Thenur
secl
osedt
hedoorandsher
ushedt
oit
l
ooki
ngati
tli
steni
ngt
ohi
m ashemumbl
edi
npai
n.
Meanwhi
leBr
eezel
ookedatherasshesl
owl
y
t
ouchedt
hedoor.

Br
eeze:Rose.
.?Ar
eyouohk?
Rose:He'
sinal
otofpai
n.He'
shur
t.

Br
eezenar
rowedhi
seyebr
owsconf
used
.
.
.
.
.
CommentandLi
ke
[
08/
02,
13:
36]Lynne :Chapt
er26

I
ntheHospi
tal
.
Breezenar rowedhi seyesandwal kedovert oher
pulli
nghersl owlybyherhandsi tti
ngwi t
hheront he
bench.Hehel dherhandi nhishandsandl ookedat
herashereyest earedup.Henevert houghtthat
thisdisorderorwhat everisgoingonwi t
hherwi l
l
kickinsof ast,i
nabl i
nk.Hehat edthethoughtto
haveki ckedinallthoseni ght
mar esbackj ustby
comi ngwi thherhereatt hehospi t
al.Thi
schi l
dhas
beent hroughal otandt helastthingsheneedsi sa
restl
essni ght.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyouohkbaby?
Rose:(t
ear
y)Isawi
t.Isawthevideo.Theyganged
uponhim asacommunityandcaredl
essifhewas
hur
ting.
Br
eeze:Wai
twhatvi
deo?
Rose:t
hevideowherethewholeofhiscommunity
beathi
m .Hismothert
riedtost
opthem butshe
coul
dn't
.Shelookedli
keshewasalsoinpain.The
waytheybeathi
m uncle,evenanani
malisnever
beat
enl
iket
hat.
Br
eeze:Whythef
uvkwereyouevenl
ooki
ngatt
hat
vi
deoRose?Anyway-wher
eist
hisvi
deo?
Rose:IdontknowwhyIwat chedi
tbutIfel
tdrawn
t
owat chi
t.IsawitonFacebook.Peoplewereeven
t
alki
ngaboutit.I
twastr
ending.

Breezesighedlookingatherandforsomer eason.
Lookingatherwasl ikel
ookingathermothers
roundfacewiththoseaboveheavyl i
ps.Herbr own
eyesandhowhear tshewas.Lightskinnedwith
l
ongbl ackhair.Almostlookedl
ikeacoloured.
Heshookhisheadandsatbackt aki
ngouthis
phone.Hewentt oFacebookandsearchedthe
vi
deowheni tappear
edandhewat ched.Rosetri
ed
l
ookingandhepausedl ooki
ngatherwithhi
s
eyebrowsup.

Rose:(
smi
li
ng)f
ine.
Shesatbackandl i
stenedonl
y.Br
eezerubbedhis
eyebrowandl ookedatRosebefor
eloggingoutand
switchedoffhisphonestandi
ngupjustasthe
doctorsteppedout.

Doct
or:(
smi
li
ng)Gr
eatnews.

Br
eezeandRosest
oodup.

Doct
or:He'
sback.
Br
eeze:Whatdoyoumeanhe'
sback?
Doctor:itseemsl
ikewhenthepai
nstungini
t
tr
iggeredallt
hememories.Heremembers
everyt
hing.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.

Gai
lwal
kedoutf
rom herof
fi
cehol
dingaf
il
eand
wentt otherecept
ionwher eshegavei ttot he
recepti
onistbefor
et urni
ngaroundheadi ngback.
Mxolisienter
edbef oreshecoulddisappearand
whistl
edabi tandshesmi l
edlookingathi m.He
walkedovert oherandsmi ledbeforetakingher
handki ssi
ngit.

Mxo:(
smi
li
ng)
HeyAbi.
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)Heyyou.
Mxo:Howar
eyou?
Gai
l:I
'
m good.
.andyou?
Mxo:I'
m mor ethangood.Act
uall
yI'm exci
ted!
Aft
errecei
vingyourmassageIcouldhardlyfocus
atworksoIj ustdeci
dedt
ocalli
tadayt ocome
spendthedaywi thyou.
Gail
:Youshoul
dn'
thavedonet
hat.Youcouldget
fi
redandIdontwantt
obether
easonbehindthat.
Mxo:(
smi
li
ng)i
fIdot
henI
'
llgetf
ir
edhappy.
Besi
desI
'
m myownbossaswelll
ikeyou.
Gai
l:oh.
.r
eal
ly.Whatki
ndofbusi
nessar
eyou
r
unni
ng?
Mxo:Let'
ssavethatf
ort
het
abl
e.Let
sgetgoi
ngi
f
youdontmind.
Gail
:Notatal
l.Mymoodwasr ui
nedanyway.I
t
wasmydayof fbutIdeci
dedt
ocome.Letmego
getmystuf
f.
Mxo:Per
fect
!I'
l
lbeout
side.

Hewatchedherassheranmissyi
nherfor
malwear
i
nheels.Hesmil
edbeforet
hrowi
ngtheki
ssupin
t
heairandcoughtt
hem bef
orewalki
ngoutgr
eet
ing
t
herecepti
oni
st.
Therecept
ioni
stl
ookedathi
m suspi
ciousl
yand
shookhisheadwhenGailwal
kedoverwithherbag.

Gail
:Uhm somethingcameup.Canyoucl
earmy
schedul
efortherestoft
heday.
Recept
ions:yesmam .
Gai
l:per
fect
.I'
l
lseeyou.
Recept
ioni
st:Bye.

Shewentoutandspot tedhimleaningagainsta
di
ffer
entcar.Thisti
mei twasaPor sche.Black
ki
nd.Thi sguymustbel oaded.Hesmi ledmeeti
ng
herhalf
wayandt ookherbagholdingitforherand
hel
dherhandescor ti
nghertothepassenger ssi
de
andopenedt hedoorforher.

Gail
:(hesi
tant
ly)maybeIshoul
dfol
lowyouwi
thmy
car.
Mxo:CommonAbi
.It
'sj
ustaf
ri
endl
ydat
enota
r
omanticone.
Gai
l:st
il
l.

Mxoli
sismil
edwhenhisdi
mpleappearedandhe
l
ookedasiderubbi
nghi
smustache.Gailt
ri
ednott
o
bl
ushbutthisguywasamazi
nglycut
e,handsome.
Hepull
edherhandinhi
sandputitonhischest
l
ooki
ngi nhereyes.
Mxo:I '
m aver ylawfulpersonmyl ove.Icoul dnever
hurtyou.AndIpr omi senottotouchyouwi thout
yourper missionordoanyt hi
ngi nappropr i
ate.If
youf eeluncomf ort
ableoranythingjustt el
lme.I '
m
anopenper son.Ipr omisetokeepyousaf eand
protectyounott heot herwayaround.Pl easet r
ust
me.
Gai
l:
(sof
tl
y)ohk.

Hesmiledbeforeopeningthedoorwideforherand
shegotinbefor
ehecl oseditandwenttohisside,
goti
nanddr oveoff.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Sagifi
nishedeatingandwashedherdish,dri
edit
andputi tback.Shedrankwaterbefor
egoing
upstai
rsjoggingandwentt ochangehercl
othes
i
ntoani ceclassyfl
oraldr
ess.Shesatstoodonthe
mirr
orandl ookedathercurl
yhairbeforelet
tingit
l
oose.Sheneededanewhai r
style.Shesmi ledall
byherselfandwentouttoBreeze'sclosetandt ook
outhiscardbeforeshewentoutt owearher
matchingheels.Shewor eherfavori
tenecklace
andspayedherper f
ume, t
ookherbagandheaded
out.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Odir
ilefini
shedwor ki
ngonsomedocument sand
for
war dedsomeemai l
st oBr eezebef
oreshutti
ng
thelaptopwhenhi ssisterwal kedi
nfrom school.
Shewentst r
aightt
otheki tchenwherehewasand
l
eanedont hecountertakingt hecont
ractl
ookingat
i
t.

Dit
ebogo:(sarcast
ic)Wowwel l
wellwell
brother.
YouandBreezecomeal ongwayandfinall
ymade
i
t.ButIdontunderstandwhyast r
ipcl
ub.Pl ease
tel
lmewhyl eaveclub808thatwasoperati
ngso
wel
landdeci
det
oexpandi
twi
thast
ri
pcl
ub?
Odi
ri
le:Cl
ub808alsohasstri
pper
sinsi
de.Nowwe
j
ustwantt
oexpl
oreanothercl
oud.
Di
tebogo:mmmh?
Odiri
le:Wehavebeenrunningaclubwithonly
femalestri
pper
sandhellyeahitwasgoingf
ine.
Butthisti
meIwantustospi cei
tupwithMale
str
ippers.
Di
tebogo:(
jawsdr
opped)What?
Odi
ri
le:yep.
Di
tebogo:AndBr
eezeagr
eedt
oal
lthi
sshi
t?
Odi
ri
le:notyet.Heissti
lloccupi
edwi
thwomanup
hi
sbedandbesi desit
houghtaboutt
hisf
ormont
hs
now.

Dit
ebogowenttothefr
idgeandtookoutaf
ruit
sal
adandputitonthecounterandt
ookouttwo
for
ks.
Di
tebogo:youknowbot
herIal
wayssuppor
tyou
wi
theveryt
hing-
Odi
ri
le:(
cuti
n)butcr
ime.
Dit
ebogo:Yesanythingbutcr
imebutt hi
sisi
nsane.
Thosethi
ngsonlyhappeninAmer i
ca.This-thi
sis
Afr
ica.SouthAfri
ca.Whoi nt
heGoddamnAf ri
can
conti
nentwouldagreetobeastri
pper?Who?
CoursenoSotho,Nguni,Tsonga,Vendanoteven
Namamengr oupwouldagreetothat.
Odi
ri
le:you'
l
lneverknowsi
ster
...

Heat eali
tt
lebef
oreki
ssi
ngherf
oreheadandwent
upstair
s.Fewminslat
erhecamebackwearinghi
s
casualwear.

Dit
ebogo:Black.Bl
ack.Black.Dontyougett
ir
ed
ofblack?Youandyourfr
iend?
Odi
ri
le:Nonono!Wedont!
Hetookhi
sphoneandcarkeysandwentout
l
eavi
nghersmil
ingbyher
selfandcont
inuedeat
ing.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Veronicawalkedoutofthehousebalancinghersel
f
wit
ht hedoorandwentt osi
tonthest oepunderthe
hotsun.Shehasn' tt
akenhermedicationsinceher
sonwentmi ssing.Apartofhergaveheran
unpleasantsensewhil
eanotheronegaveherhope.
Shetri
edtokeephersel
fbel
ievi
ngthatheisfi
ne
whereverhei
sbutjustt
hethoughtitgavehert
he
worst.Maybehedied.
Thepoli
cecouldn'tfi
ndhisbody.Buttherewasjust
somethi
ngoffaboutt hi
swholeinvest
igat
ioncourse
i
tdidn'
tgofurt
her.Theyjustdroppedherl
ikethat
wit
houtfur
therinvesti
gati
on.
Sheshookherheadandcouldfeelherswoll
eneyes
pai
ningsi
ncetherewerenotear
slefttocr
y.She
si
ghedandbalancedherheadwithherhandrest
ing
herheadandsatundert
hehotsun.

Meanwhi
le.
Bonolomovedt hecurtai
nandwatchedasKagiso'
s
mothersatunderthehotsun.Shehadlostso
muchwei ghtyoucouldevenseeherbonesfr
om a
di
stance.Sheevenl ookedpal
e.
Shewor ehershoesandtiedherafr
obeforetaki
ng
hercardandphonewalkingout.Shetookher
motherscarkeysandwenti nt
othegarage,gotin
andreversedbefor
edri
vingoff.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Jack'
sphonerangandheanswer
edwalki
ng
downstai
rsi
nhiscomawearandabri
efinhi
shand.

Cal
ler
:Gooddaysi
r.ThisisJasmineMai
tefr
om
S**
***Sanat
ori
um .Am It
alki
ngtoMrJackLyon?
Jack:Yest
hisi
shi
m.
Call
er:Wearecall
ingt oletyouknowthatyour
daughterhasanewpsychol ogi
st.Weapol ogizefor
ourdelay.Rose'
ssessi onwouldbest arti
ngon
Mondayandhast obeher eforabout4- 5mont hs
sothatshecangetal lthehelpsheneeds.Ormor e.
Meaningevenayearoryear s.Ifyouhavet i
me
pl
easepassbysot hatwecant alkmor edetai
ls.
Jack:Ohkt
hankyouver
ymuch.
Cal
ler
:Haveagooddaysi
r.
Jack:yout
oo.

Jackhangupbeforesighi
ngandturnedbackand
wenttothemainbedroom wherehefoundJane
si
tti
ngonthebedreadingabook.Hesatnexttoher
andusedhisfi
ngerloweri
ngthebooklooki
ngather
andshelookedathi
m smili
ng.

Jane:Changedyourmi
nd?
Jack:notr
eal
ly.Ihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.Ij
ust
r
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om t
heSanat
ori
um.
Jane:Per
fectwhatdi
dtheysay?
Jack:t
heysai
dRosewi l
lbeunderadiffer
ent
Psychol
ogi
standthathersessionswi
llbest
art
ing
onMonday.Thatleavesuswi t
honly5daystobe
wit
hherandtel
lheraboutthi
s.
Jane:Howl
ongwi
llshebet
her
e?
Jack:4-
5mont
hsormor
e.
Jane:Whatdoyoumeanmor
e?
Jack:Shemightbether
eforoverayearoryear
s.
It
'l
ldependonwhatwe'r
edeali
ngwith.

Jane'seyesbur
nedwithtearsandsheputher
handstoherfacecr
yinginthem whenJackpul
led
herinandhuggedherti
ghtly.

Jack:Iknowbaby.Iknowit'
salottotakeinbut
ther
eisn'tanot
herwayar
oundthis.Thisistheonl
y
opportuni
tyandshotwehavetosaveourdaughter
fr
om thismiser
y.Wetri
edalmostlikeever
ythi
ngin
ourpowerbutdidn'
thel
p.AtleasttheSanator
ium
oncehelpedsoIguessifwegiveitmoretimethi
s
ti
meit'
llwork.
Jane:ButJack.
.mybabywi
ll
-
Jack:youwi l
lseeRosemyl ove.Itwontbelikethe
l
asttimewher eyousawheroncei n2mont hs.
Thoughyouwontbeseei nghereverynowandt hen
i
t'
sbet t
erthannothi
ngatall.Weourselveshavet o
bestrongforher.Idontknowthefulldet
ail
sbutI '
m
goingther
eaftermymeet i
ngtofindoutaboutthe
wholeprocess.
Jane:ohk.
.soar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lher?
Jack:IdontknowhowI '
m goingt otel
lherthis
coursethelastti
meIsenthert hereshedidn'teven
wantanythingtodowi t
hme.So. .
Iguessthisti
me
weshoul dall
owt hem t
ocomet akeherinst
ead
othert
hangi vi
ngherredflags.
Jane:Ohk.
..
Jack:I'
m sor
rybabe.Wel
lgett
hrought
his.I
promise.
Hehuggedheronelastti
mebeforeki
ssi
ngherand
st
ooduppicki
nghisbriefcase.

Jack:seeyoul
ater.Il
oveyou.
Jane:Il
oveyout
oo.

Heki ssedherforeheadandl ef
t.Tearsbur
ned
Jane'seyesuntilshebr okeandcri
ed.Thiswast oo
much.Sur eshewant edhertogethelpbutpart
ing
almost4ormor emont hsevenyearswasal i
ttl
e
hush.Sher eachedf orherphonewithoutt
hinki
ng
twiceanddialedBr eeze.

Att
heHospi
tal
.

Thedoct
orfi
nishedexaminingKagisoashelayed
ther
ewit
hhishandonhi sforeheadcl
osinghi
seyes
.Thenursef
ixedthedri
ponhi sotherhandand
pul
ledt
hesheetcoveri
ngtohi
sloverbodyandt
hey
wal
kedoutl
eavingthem .
Everyt
hingcamer ushingintoKagiso'sheadli
kehe
waswat chingarealit
yshow.Howhi smot her
beggedandbeggedf orthem t
ostop.Howher
voi
cecr ackedandshechockedont hetears.How
hefoughthewayt owar dshim andfinal
lymadeit.
Herwar mt ear
sfal
lingonhisheadwhenhewas
unconscious.Howshest oodupforhi m .Herwar
m
hugandhowhef eltli
keahumanagai ninherarm
ful
lofwar mthandlove.
Atearr ol
ledoutof
fhisclosedeyesandfel
lonthe
pil
lowasmor eandmor efol
lowed.Hesnif
fedas
thetearschockedhim butsti
llhedi
dn'
tcoughnor
openedhi seyes.Heslidhishandtohi
seyesas
mor etear
sr ol
ledi
nsil
ence.
Breeze'sphoner angandhet ookitoutlookingat
Jane'scal l.Heexcusedhimselfandwentout.
Rosest oodt herelooki
ngathim silent
lycryi
ngas
herhear tshutter
ed.Shenevert houghtmencancr y
.Toheri twasl i
ketheydon'
thavet ear
sandnowi t
hurtlookingathi mtryi
ngtoholdbackt hepainin
hi
sheart.Sheswal
lowedandsl
owlywal
kedover
andsetonthesi
deofthebedl
ooki
ngathi
m.

Rose:(
sof
tl
y)I
'
m sosor
ry.

Hesniff
edandsighedbefor
ebiti
nghisli
p.Rose
hesi
tant
lyr
eachedforhi
shandt hatwaslayi
ngon
hi
sstomachandhel di
tsoft
lysqueezi
ngit.

Rose:i
t'
llbeal
ri
ght
.Ever
ythi
ngi
tsgoi
ngt
obe
al
ri
ght.

Herwor dssl
oweddownhi shear
trat
eandhe
cal
meddownandt hetearsst
opedfl
owingashi
s
heartcametoeasefeeli
ngherhandandher
encouragement.

Out
side.
Br
eezel
ist
enedt
oJaneasshesobbedwhi
let
alki
ng
.Hedidn'tknowifi
twasthepr
egnancy,her,
ort
he
nort
her
lythingt
ocryoutofbl
uebutsomehowhe
coul
dfeelherpai
n.

Jane:(cr
ying)I
'
m scar
edBr eeze.Idontwantto
l
oseher.shesbeenthr
oughsomuchal readyf
ora
gi
rlherageandsheissti
llgoingto-toohmyGod.
Breeze:I t
sohk. .Igetyou.Youdontwantt opart
wayswi thyoudaught er
, f
ine.Butr emembert hisit
i
sn'taboutyouandyouf eelingsont his.It
'sabout
Rose.Herwel lbeingshoul dbet hef i
rstthi
ngtoput
i
nmi ndi nallofthisbabe.Shei sgoingt othe
Sanat orium forhel pnott ost ay.Iknowyouwontbe
abletocommuni cat ewithhermor eof t
enbutbei ng
theref orheremot i
onal l
ywoul dpushhereven
furt
hert oi mprovesot hatyoucanhaveherbacki n
yourar ms.Iknowi thurtlovebutt hi
sisnotabout
youit'sabouther.
Jane:Iknow .Andt
rustmeIdowanthert
oget
hel
pbuti-
Br
eeze:babyl
ist
en.Thi
sisRose.Ri
ghtnowshe
needsyoumor ethanever.She' snotstabl
eandyou
beingli
kethatwoul dli
terall
ybreakherbackto
squareone.Best rongf orher.Youonl yhave5
dayssomaket hebestofoutoft hem andmake
surethatsheneverf or
get showmuchyoul oveher
evenif50years.I t
'sbeenmor ethan7yearsorso
i
npai n.Canyoueveni magi nehowr aggedsheis
i
nsidecompar edt oyou.
Jane:Ij
ustdon'
twantt
oloseher.
Breeze:yournotgoi
ngtol
oseRosebabe.Butyou
willi
fyoukeeponcryi
nganyt
imewhenshehasto
gogethelp.
Jane:
(sni
ff
ing)Ohk.
.
Br
eeze:I
t'
llbef
ine.Ipr
omi
se.
Jane:Ohk.
Br
eeze:Yeah.
..
Igat
tagetbacksoI
'
llcal
lyoul
ater
.
Hol
don.Howar ewedoing?
Jane:
(smil
ing)Wear
edoingj
ustf
ine.Justsadt
hat
oursi
steri
sleavi
ngusi
nacoupleofdays.
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Youracr
ybabybutohk.I
'
m gl
ad.
Takecar
e.
Jane:yout
oo.

Hehangupandsmi
ledbef
oreheadi
ngbacki
nsi
de.

Att
heMal
l.

I
naSal
oon.
Sagiswangaroundwit
ht hechairsmili
ngwhenher
hai
rswangandcoveredherf ace.Shel aughed
si
tt
ingbackandthehairdresserfi
nishedoffby
cut
tingt
heendsandcombherst rai
ghtenedlong
hai
r.

Hair
dresser
:(smil
ing)Youmyfri
end,
yougot
beauti
fulbl
ackhai
r.IwishIwasyour
ightnow.
Sagi
:ohpl
ease.Your
sisevenl
ongert
hanmi
ne.
Hai
rdr
esser
:Noi
t'
snot.Anywaydoyouwantme
t
ost
yleyouorl
eti
tbeasi
tis?
Sagi:
itsohkasi
tis.Il
ikei
t.Ishoul
ddot
hismor
e
oft
en.

Shestoodupandwentt opaybeforelooki
nghersel
f
onemor eti
meonthemi rr
orandcheckinghernail
s
andsmiledhappyaboutthei
rser
vice.Shebither
goodbyeandwentoutheadingtoFoodLovers
Market.

Bonolopi
ckedthebusketandwentaroundthe
shel
vespicki
ngsomespi cesandal
l.Hermind
dri
ft
edli
stentoasongbyLar i
ssaLambert
-Weak
andshesangalongli
steningtoi
twit
hheadphones.

Igetsoweaki
ntheknees
Icanhar
dlyspeak
Il
oseal
lcont
rolandsomet
hingt
akesoverme
I
ndaze,
yourl
ovessoamazi
ng
I
t'
snotaphaseIwantyout
ost
aywi
thme
Bymysi
de,
I'
llswal
lowal
lmypr
ide
Yourl
ovei
ssosweet
I
tknocksmer
ightof
fmyknees
Yeahyeah
Cantexpl
ainwhyyourl
ovemakesmeweak

Ont heotherrawOdi r
il
eheldthebasketl i
steni
ngt o
herelegantvoiceasshesangandf unnyenough,
thishappenedt obehisfavori
tesong.Hesmi led
andwentt othesidelookingatherasshesang
alongeverylyri
c.Shel ookedyoungandshor t
.
Wi t
hasmoot hbrownskinandnat uralhai
r.Shor t
girl
sarealwayshar dheadedandt hatr i
ghtthere
seemedl i
keahel lwhole.Butthenchar m.
Heslowl
ywalkedovertoherandstoodi
nfr
ontof
herandshesl
owlystoppedsi
ngingandsmil
ed
backtoOdi
ri
lewhowassmi li
ng.
Bonol
o:I
'
m sosor
ry.WasIl
oud?
Odi
ri
le:
(smi
li
ng)Ver
yloud.
Bonol
o:ohmyGod.WasIbad?
Odi
ri
le:Ver
ybad.Youwer
emessi
ngupt
hel
yri
cs.
Bonol
o:Ar
eyouser
ious?OhmyGod.
.buthow.
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m ki
ddi
ngyouwer
egood.Butl
oud.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)
almostgavemeaf
ri
ght.
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m Odi
ri
lebyt
heway.
Bonol
o:I
'
m Bonol
o.
Odir
il
e:Soareyoubuyi
ngfoodforaspeci
al
occasi
onorsomethi
ng?Nooff
ensebuttheyar
ea
l
ot.
Bonolo:Ohno. .
uhm .Thisaren'
tmynonly.I
'm
buyi
ngt hem forsomeonewhosest r
uggl
ingtoget
ontheirfeetandIjustcouldn'
tst
andbywatching
hersufferwhenIcoul dhel
p.
Odir
il
e:Yourki
nd.Mindi
fIjoinin.Idonteven
knowwhatsomeofthist
hingsmysi st
ersentme
are.Car
etohel
pafri
endalso.(bl
inkedli
keakid)
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)ohknopr
obl
em

Theycont i
nuedshoppingoverasmal lt
hereand
therechatunti
ltheyweredoneandwentt opay.
Odiri
lelookedatafamili
arsecondladyinf
rontof
them andscannedhercl ot
hes.Therewasonl yone
personheknewwi t
hthiskindofcl
othes.Butthe
hairwasdi f
fer
ent.

Odi
ri
le:Pl
easeexcusemef
orasec.
Bonol
o:cxxl.

Odiri
lepassedbyandt appedherwhenSagit ur
ned
around.Damnedwasshecr azil
ygeorgi
os.Odir
il
e
chuckledbeforemovingherf r
om theli
neand
huggedhert i
ghtlybef
oresteppingback.Hegentl
y
putthehairbehindherearlookingatherasshe
smiledathim.

Odi
ri
le:Youl
ookamazi
ngsmucl
es.
Sagi
:Thankyoubaby.
Odi
ri
le:wher
eist
hepar
ty?
Sagi
:(
chuckl
ed)ther
e'snopar
tydude.Iseeyougot
your
selfal
ady.heygirl.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Hi.
Odir
il
e:(smil
ing)yeahri
ghtthereiswhereIint
end
tol
endit.Akerelenayourefusetocook,cleanand
doeveryt
hingformejustl
ikethatstupi
dinmy
house.
Sagi
:Wear
enotyourwi
fe'
sOdi
ri
le.
Odi
ril
e:Yeahri
ght.That
'swhyI
'
mthi
nki
ngof
get
ti
ngmyselfsomeone.
Sagi
:Aboutdamnt
ime.
Odi
ri
le:(
chuckl
ed)wher
e'sBr
eeze?Isenthi
m some
emai
landhehasn'tr
epl
iedmeyet.
Sagi
:emai
labout?
Odir
ile:Wewer ethi
nki
ngofexpandingbutwehad
notidea.SoIdidsomethingsomethingst
upi
dand
sentittohi
m .Justbusi
ness.
Sagi:
He'satthehospi
tal.Wentt
ocheckuponhi
s
pat
ientbutI
'm sur
ehe'
sonhi swaycour
sehewent
wit
hRose.
Odi
ri
le:Howi
sshedoi
ngbyt
heway?
Sagi:She'
sgetti
ngther
e.Butyoucouldseethat
she'
sstil
lst
ruggli
ng.Rosehasbeenthroughalot
andIcantimaginewhatJanei
sgoingthrough.
Odir
il
e:Youshouldcheckuponher.Sheneeds
yoursuppor
tnotonl
yasaf ami
lymemberbutasa
si
ster
.
Sagi
:yeahIwi l
l.WaitIhavebeenmeani
ngt
oask
youthi
s.Iknowi t
sweirdbutyourt
heonl
yoneI
coul
dtrustandbeli
eveont hi
s.
Odi
ri
le:ohk.
..
Sagi:(
put
ti
ngeveryt
hingont
het
il
l)I
sBr
eeze
seei
ngsomeone?
Odi
ri
le:uhmm .
.Idon'
tknow.Yout
hinkhe'
sseei
ng
someone?
Sagi:
That'
sthereasonwhyI'
m aski
ngcour
seI
'm
notsure.It
hinkheisbutatt
hesameti
meIwishto
bel
ievet
hathehadaoneni
ghtst
and.Butwi
thwho?
Odi
ri
le:Uhm hedidn'
ttel
lem anyt
hing.I
'
llt
ryt
alk
t
ohim andseeifIcangetsomethi
ngoutofhim.
Sagi:pl
easedocourseI'
m wor
ri
ed.Notonlyhi
s
healt
hbutIlovehi
m .AndIdontthi
nkI
'
llbeabl
eto
standitseei
ngGai
lbreak.
Odi
ri
le:Iunder
stand.
Sagi
:(
toBonolosmil
ing)Sor
rybbef
ort
aki
ngyour
manawayf r
om you.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)uhmm.
.nopr
obl
em.
Sagi
:Ohkseeyou.

Shekissedhi
scheekbefor
etaki
ngherbagsandl
eft
.Odiri
leandBonol
opaidandwentoutpushi
ngout
thei
rtr
oll
eysandst
oppedattheent
rance.

Bonol
o:ohkseeyou.
Odi
ri
le:canIgetyournumber
?
Bonol
o:Ihaveaboyf
ri
end.
Odi
ri
le:butyou'
renotmar
ri
edr
ight?
Bonol
o:I
'
m not.
Odi
ri
le:t
henyourst
il
lont
hemar
ketbabe.

Bonolosi
ghedsmil
ingandtookhisphoneand
punchedhernumbersandgaveitback.

Odi
ri
le:ohkseeyou.
Bonol
o:bye.

Theyhuggedbefor
etheypar
tedandeachwentt
o
thei
rcar
sdri
vingoff
.

AtaResor
t.

Mxoli
sisl
owl
ydroveonadri
vewayandfinal
ly
par
kedandtur
nedlooki
ngather
.Gailsmil
ed
blushi
ngandlookedoutsi
dethewindow.Mxol
isi
bitehi
slowerl
ipandtookoutabli
ndfol
dwhenGail
turnedl
ooki
ngathim.

Gai
l:It
houghtt
hiswasaf
ri
endl
unch.
Mxo:Andt
hathasn'
tchangedl
ove.Facear
ound.

Gailsmi ledfacingawayandMxol i
sibl
indfol
dedher
beforegent lyholdhershoulderandwentout
closingt hedoor.Hewentt ohissideandopened
thedoorandhel dherhandhelpi
ngheroutl eavi
ng
herst uff.Hecl osedthedoorandledherinbutshe
waswal kingslowly.Hescoopedherupandshe
l
aughedmaki nghi mlaughandlif
tedherinsidet
he
building.
.
.
.
.
.

Commentandl
ike
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
37]Lynne :Chapt
er27

AtKagi
so'
shouse

Laterthatafternoon.Bonoloparkedthecaratthe
gateandwentoutt otakef
ewpl ast
icoff oodi
nthe
bootbef oreclosingitandheadedinside.Sheput
theplasticsont hedoorandknockedwhenaf aint
voiceanswer edcomei n.
Sheslowl ywenti
nwi t
htheplasti
canditwasall
dar
ki nsideandmessedup.Herhear tshut
ter
edto
l
ookingatherlayingonthebedallweak.Kagiso
wouldn'tbehappytoseeherlikethi
s.Healways
madesur et
hatsheateandtookhermedicati
on.
Hi
sabsencesur
etooki
tst
allonher.

Bonol
o:Dumel
angma.
Ver
oni
ca:Dumel
angwana'
ka.Gobyang?
Bonolo:Not
hingmuchj
ustboughtyousomet
hing
toeat.
Ver
oni
ca:Yoursoki
ndmybabybutyoudi
dn'
thave
t
oo.
Bonolo:YesIshouldhave.Kagisowasmy-hei s-
wasmyf ri
endandhewoul dn'tf
orgi
vemeifIletyou
dieoutofhungerwhil
eI'
m aroundandcouldhave
donesomethingtohelp.Justpl
easeletmehelp
you.Iknowlosingyoursonisoneofthe-
Veroni
ca:(
teary)Nobabyyoudontunder
standhow
i
tis.Ithur
ts.Idonteventhi
nkI'
l
lbeableto
st
omachanyt hing.Nounti
lmysonisfound.
Bonolo:mamanotonl ydidyoulosehim .Ialsol
ost
.IalsolostsomeoneIlovedandadoredal otmore
thanIthoughtIcoul
dloveaperson.
Ver
oni
ca:Whatdoyoumean?
Bonol
o:itdoesn'tmatt
er.Whatmat t
ersri
ghtnow
i
syourhealt
handwel lbeing.Idontknowhim ver
y
muchbutyoudi dsotel
lme. .wil
lhebepleasedto
seeyoul
ikethi
s?

Veroni calookedatherandsl owlygotupsi ttingon

thecr ate.Tearsr ol
leddownandshel eanedcr ying
faci
ngdown.Agr eenplasticcoughtherat tent i
on
andshepul leditlooki
ngatt hatpiecehemadef or
her.Herhear tsankasshewi pedt het earsbutkept
oncomi ng.Hi ssmi l
eandhowheusedt osay"
Mom dr inkyourmedi cat
ion"" We'remaki ng
progress"andt hosecount l
essIloveyou' sfr om
him .Howheal waysmadesur et
hatsheat e, hada
roofaboveherheadandhust ledforfoodand
medi cationjusttoseeherbackt obei ngher sel f.
Shesmi ledyot hefactofhatingtoseehi shar d
workandsweatgot odrain.Shewi pedhert ear s
andlookedatbonol owit
ht heneckl acei nherhands
andsmi ledlookingather.
Veronica:hemadet hi
sformebefor
e-youknow-
(scof
f)everyt
hinghappened.Hehadjustf
oundhi
s
passionandtalent.
Bonolo:(
smi
li
ng)Wow.
.i
tssobeaut
if
ul.Lookatt
he
col
ors.
Veroni
ca:hetoldmethatt
hecolour
sheusedhada
meaning.Loveandharmony.Idon'
teven
remembertherestoft
hemeaningsbehi
ndthi
s
(l
aughs)
Bonol
o:I
tssobeaut
if
ul.
Veroni
ca:hewasworki
ngont
heot
heronce.
(Poi
nti
ng)Ther
etheyar
e.

Bonolograbbedtheplasti
candgaveittoherand
satonthefloorl
ookingather.Veroni
cagavehera
bracel
etandshef i
titanditl
ookedperf
ectonher.
Shesmi l
edlooki
ngupather.

Bonol
o:wow.Thisar
eamazingmama.Hedi
dn'
t
menti
onhehadsuchagi
ftt
ome.Thisar
ebeaut
if
ul.
Veroni
ca:Kagisoisverysecreti
vemygirl.He'd
rat
herbott
leuphispainjustsohecouldlist
ent o
youandhelp.Hedoesn' tl
ikeitwhenpeoplefeel
sorr
yforhim.
Bonolo:yeah..
.hedoesn'treal
lyt
alkmuchabout
hischil
dhood.Actuall
yabouthimself
.Heusedto
l
istentomeeveryt
imeandnevereverl ookeddown
orthoughtofmeanyhow.Hewoul dhelpmewi t
h
mydr awingsandguidemet her
eandt her
ebutnot
oncewi l
lhementi
onanythingabouthimself
thoughtout.
Veronica:that'
smyboy.Hecar e'
sal otabout
other
st hanhimself.Heisful
lofl
ove.Butheisalso
i
npai nandonl yneedsahandt oreachouttohim.
Ithi
nkyourt hatpersoncour
seIoncecoughthim
spell
ingoutyourname.
Bonol
o:(
blushi
ng)Real
lyma?
Veroni
ca:(
smi l
ing)yeah..hewasjustoutsideri
ght
ther
einthestoep.Hewasl ayi
ngshirt
lesslooki
ng
upthemoonsmi l
ingallbyhimsel
fcalli
ngoutyour
name.Andt henal lofasuddenhefelloffsweati
ng
al
lscar
ed.
Bonol
o:oh.
.
Veroni
ca:It
hinkmaybehewasafr
aidyou'
dal
so
breakhi
sheartl
iket
herestdi
d.
Bonol o:Iwoul dn'tdothattohi
m .Ilovehi m .And
mebei ngher emadoesn' tmeant hatI'
m hereto
earnyourl oveandwel comeashi sgirl
fri
endbut
becauseIwantt ohel pyou.Thisher eisnotabout
him butyou.He' stheonlymant hatI'l
lal
waysl ove.
Noteveni nt henextcoupl eofyears.He's
i
rreplaceableinmyhear t.
Ver
oni
ca:yoursoki
ndmydear.Thankyou.

Bonolost
oodupandgaveherthebracel
etbef
ore
openingt
hewindowsandcurt
ainsandstar
ted
cleani
ngazt
heyhadsmallconver
sati
onsther
eand
there.

Att
heHospi
tal
.
Rosehel dKagiso'
shandwi t
honehandandf i
nal
ly
helditwithbothhands.Theywerebr oadandhad
veins,realman.Breezeslowlywalkedinand
closedthedoor.Hecoughtt hi
ssit
eandst oodat
thedoorlookingatthem .
Rosebitherl i
pbef orepul l
inghishandfrom hi s
eyesandhel ditlookingathi m .Kagisoslowl y
openedhi seyesandl ookedather.Herhear t
poundedasbut t
erfli
esf lewaroundinherst omach.
Hisbrowneyesevenl ightunderthoselongl ashes
andhehadacut enar r ownosewi thheartshaped
l
ips.Asi fthatwasnotenough, hehadbabyhai rs
you'
dswearhehadagayi nhim .Hewassof uvken
l
ightskinnedhandsome.
MeanwhileKagi
solookedatherscanni
ngherbaby
facedowntoherli
ps.Shehadbr owneyesli
kehis
andalit
tl
ebitofChi
neseeyespushairytoo.She
hadaverycutefor
eheadtoo.

Rose:
(sof
tl
y)I
'
m Rosel
la.Rosel
laLyons.
Kagi
so:(
cracki
ng)Kagi
soMokwena.
Rose:
(smi
li
ng)youcant
alk.

Kagisonarrowedhiseyebr owstr
yingnottolaugh
buteventuall
ylaughedlookingasi
deast heyheld
hands.Rosesmi l
edlookingathim andBreeze
smil
edf r
om acor nerl
ookingatthem beforel
eaning
agai
nstthewal l
.
Kagi
solookedatheragai
nbutcoul
dn'
thel
pbut
bl
ushandsodidshe.

Rose:(
smili
ng)
I'
m sosorr
y.Justt
hatyou'
vebeen
qui
teeversi
nceIgother
e.
Kagi
so:(
laughs)soyout
houghtIwasmut
e.
Rose:Youdi
dn'
tgi
vemeadoubt
.
Kagi
so:Wel lRosel
la.
.Icantt
alk.Icandowhat
ever
youarecapableofdoi
ngasahuman.Ial sousea
bat
hroom .
Rose:
(l
aughs)Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
oaskt
hat.
Breezef r
ownedlooki
ngatthem .Rosehasn'
t
l
aughedwi t
hanyoneinadecadebutsmileonl
yor
chuckle.Hestoodstr
aightl
ooki
ngatthem and
couldn'thel
pbutsmil
eevenmor e.
Heshookhi
sheadandcheckedt hetime.Hehated
t
oruint
hisbuti
twastimef orthem toleave.He
wal
kedoverandtheykeptquietlooki
ngathim.

Kagi
so:MrLyon.
Br
eeze:Cal
lmeDad.
Kagi
so:What?
Br
eeze:youmaki
ngmesoundol dandyoucantcal
l
mebymyname.I '
m notyouragemat
e.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)soI
'
m supposedt
ocal
lyoudad?
Breeze:yeahunti
lwefi
ndawayforyoutocal
lme.
Actuall
yit
'sgoodcour
seyou'
l
lbeprepar
ingmeina
way.
Rose:Wooww.
..
isAunt
yGai
lorSagipr
egnant
?
Br
eeze:What?No.
.Anywayi
t'
sti
met
ogo.Wi
llsee
yout
omor
rowman.
Kagiso:ohk..t
hankyoubyt heway.Idon'
tknow
whatIcouldhavedonei fyouhadn'
tshowedup.I
real
lyappreci
ateyourhelp.Ioweyoubigti
me.
Br
eeze:yeahyoudo.
Rose:Nohedoesn'
t
.
Br
eeze:Wenashutup.Thi
sismenbusi
ness.
Rose:youshoul
dn'
thavesai
dthat
.Youj
ustdi
gged
your
selfahel
lwhol
e.
Breeze:Youjustmetthi
sguyandal
readyyour
defendi
nghim .Heiwenayouoweme.Wenal et
's
go.Keepwelldude.
Kagi
so:Bye.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Byewhat?
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)ByeRose.
Rose:
(smi
li
ng)Uncl
ehedi
dn'
tsaydad.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)ohkbyeRoseand(
hesi
tant
ly)Dad
.
Theyal
llaughedastheybothheadedout.Kagi
so
shookhi
sheadbef or
esinki
ngdowncar ef
ull
yand
l
aiddownsmi l
ing.She'
ssoamazi ngl
yperf
ect.

I
NTHECAR

Breezeopenedthedoorf
orRoseandshegotin
beforehecl
osedandwentt ohissi
de.Hegoti
n
andclosedthedoorandstart
edtheengi
neand
l
ookedathersmi l
ing.

Br
eeze:ar
eyouohk?
Rose:
(smi
li
ng)mmhh.Whynot?
Br
eeze:not
hing.Justt
hatyou'
vebeensmi
li
ng
si
ncewegotout.
Rose:Inotuncl
e.Butdi
dyour
eal
lyhavet
otel
lhi
m
t
ocallyoudad.
Br
eeze:coul
dn'
tthi
nkofanyt
hingf
orhi
mtocal
lme
wi
th.
Rose:Uncl
eorBr
otherwoul
dhavedonei
t.
Breeze:Nah.
.Ial
readyhavepeoplecal
li
ngmethat
soIneedanewname.DaddyBr eezeforhi
m.
Rose:butt
hat
'st
ort
ureuncl
e.Ki
dnappi
ng.
Br
eeze:noi
t'
snot
.
Rose:i
tis.

Br
eezedr
oveastheykeptar
guingkeepi
ngitupand
wentt
obuyfoodbef
oreheadingtot
heLyons
Mansi
on.

AtTheResor
t.

Gaildrankchampagnef rom t
heglassandputit
downl ooki
ngatMxol i
siwhohasbeenl ooki
ngat
herforquit
eawhi lenow.Shenar rowedhereyes
smili
ngandl ookedasideavoidi
nghiseyesand
pi
ckedaf ry.
Gai
l:(
blushi
ng)What?
Mxo:i
sitwr
ongt
oadmi
re.I
'
m meani
fiti
sIcoul
d
st
op.
Gai
l:yournotadmi
ri
ng.Yourst
ari
ng,
itsr
ude.
Mxo:(
chuckl
es)sai
dwho?
Gai
l:Me.
Mxo:Wel
lI'
m notst
ari
ngI'
m admi
ri
ngl
ove.Sot
ell
memoreaboutyour
sel
f.
Gai
l:t
her
e'sr
eal
lynot
hingmucht
oknowaboutme.
Mxo:There'
snosuchathing.Weal lhaveal
otto
sayaboutoursel
veswe'
rejustnotusedtot
alk
aboutour
selves.
Gail
:mmh. .I'
m Abigai
lSele.Marri
edtoBreeze
Lyon.I'
m 28.Iwasbor ninCapetownbutr
aisedin
Soweto.Ihaveacrazysisterwi
fe,SagiMorgan
Lyon.IownGai lGall
ery.
Mxo:
(chuckl
es)
That
'si
t?
Gai
l:Yeah.
.
Mxo:Tellmemore.Aboutyourfamil
y,your
chil
dhood,yourl
ikesanddi
sli
kesyoucoul
deven
tel
lmeaboutyourhusbandifyouwantt
o.
Gai
l:Myhusband?
Mxo:yeah.
.whynot.
Gai l:ohk..Iwasbor nt oShel leyandSamuelSel e.I
have3si bl ingsandI '
mt helastone.Mychi ldhood
wasj ustlikeanyr egul arki dschi l
dhood.Iwasno
differentf rom anyot herchi l
dren.Mypar entswer e
strict.Imetmyhusbandi nprimar ywhenIwasi n
the6t hgradeandhewasi ngrade7.Our
relat i
onshi pkickedof fwheniwasi ngr ade8andhe
wasi ngr ade9.Hewasaver yver ybadboyi nhigh
school .Heusedt odi sr espectt eachersandwasa
bully.Hewasal wayscoughti naf ight.Hef ought
oversmal lthingsandt hatwast ri
gger edal ltheway
from home.Hi sparent sdi edint hehandsofhi s
l
ovedones.HemetSagiwhenIwer ei nt hesame
class, gr
ade12andt hei rrel
ationshipki ckedof f
ther ewi t
houtmyknowl edge.Igott oknowabouti t
whenwewer eincollege.Ihat edt hisgi rlwithevery
bitofme. ,butwhenIgott oknowher, irealizedi
wastoquickt
oj udgeher.Kanaweoncefoughtin
compassmeandherbecomeofhi m, andallhe
sai
dwas"Nowt hati
sabestwaytostarta
rel
ati
onshi
p"(chuckles)
Mxo:Hesoundscr
azy.Buti
twor
ked.Buthow?
Gail:hei s.Itdi
dwor k.Het ookusbot honadat e
andlockedusi naroom forlikea2mont hfor
cing
ustogett oknoweachot her.Hewoul dcome
checkuponusandbel i
ke"babewhat '
sSagis
favori
temeal ""Sagidi
dGai ltel
lyouwhathel i
kes
anddi sl
ikeswhenhavi ngsex"" Gai
lwhat '
sSagis
favori
tesexposi ti
on""What 'sherdeepestsecret"
allt
hosequest i
ons.Untilfi
nall
ywegott oocl
oseto
eackot herandkneweachot her.Hehel pedmeal ot
withmycar eerandeverythi
ng.Thent woyearsago
weal lgotmar ri
edthesamedayt il
ltoday.
Mxo:What
'shedoi
ngf
oral
ivi
ng?
Gai
l:heownsacl
ub.Cl
ub808.
Mxo:t
hatal
l?Hedoesn'
thaveanot
herhust
leasi
de
j
usti
ncaset
hecl
ubshutsdown?
Gai
l:not
hat
'si
t.Thecl
ubi
shi
sbabywi
thhi
s
fr
iend.Hegr ewupwit
hit.I
tstart
edasasmal l
pl
acet ojusthavef
unasteenagersunt
ili
tgr
ewi nt
o
whatitis.
Mxo:Soallt
heri
cheshehascomef
rom onecl
ub
t
hatherunswit
hhisfr
iend?
Gai
l:yeah.
Mxo:Thatcantbe.Thatguyhasover10mill
ioni
n
hi
saccountandallt
hatcomesfrom onesi
nglecl
ub
.
Gail
:(swall
owed)whyar
eyouaski
ngsomuch
aboutthi
s?
Mxo:NoI'mjustaski
ngbabe.Justthati
t'
shar
dto
bel
ievet
hatonecangetri
chfrom oneclub.
Gail
:Wel lt
hatcl
ubmakespr et
tymuchthanyou
couldpossibl
yimagine.I
nanighti
tcanmakemore
thousandsandthousands.
Mxo:oh.
.sot
herearen'
tany-youknowwhatl
et'
s
enj
oyourmealbabe.

Gai
lsmi
ledandt
ookt
hef
orkandkni
feeat
ingwhi
le
Mxolookedatherwi
thhi
sheadbal
ancedonhi
s
handssmil
ing.

.
.
.
.

Idontf
eelwel
ltoday.I'
llt
ypeal
ongerone
tomorr
ow I '
mr eal
lysorr
y .
.
.
.
COMMENT
[
08/
02,
13:
37]Lynne :Chapt
er28

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.
Breezeparkedthecarandtheybothsteppedout.
Thesmilehasn'tshookfrom herf
aceandi twas
pl
easingtoseet hi
ssit
eofher.Theywal kedinthe
houseandDi neoappearedfrom t
hestai
rsand
smiledwalki
ngt owar
dsthem .

Di
neo:youl
ookl
ikeyouhadf
un.
Rose:Idi
d.Event
houghIwasatt
hehospi
talt
he
wholeday.
Di
neo:hospi
taldoi
ngwhat?
Rose:(
lookedatBr
eeze)Wewentt
oseeuncl
e'
sson
.

Breezecoughedbef
orel
ooki
ngar
oundt
henbackat
them .

Br
eeze:i
sanyonehome?
Di
neo:yessi
r.Mr
sLyon.She'
sint
hei
rroom .I
'
llgo
cal
lhi
m.
Breeze:Uhm noi
tsohk.Iwi
llgocheckher,
I'
m
sureyouguyshavealott
ocatchupon.

HewinkedatRoseandshesmi l
edpul
li
ngDineoto
t
heki
tchen.Breezelookedatherandsi
ghedbefor
e
j
oggi
ngupt hestai
rs.
Her eachedthedooranddi dn'tbotherknocki
ngand
wenti n.Hef oundJanelayingont hebedinher
nightdressthathadpul l
edupr eveali
ngherbutt
cheeks.Het urnedhisfacelookingattheview
beforelocki
ngt hedoorashi spantsexpanded.
Janehear dthedoorlockandwokeupl ooki
ngatthe
doorwhenshecamef acetofacewithBreezeand
theykissed.Breezeputherbacktobedget ti
ngon
herasshehel pedpullouthissweater.Hishands
scannedhi sbodyandpul l
edoutthepant i
esbefore
playi
ngwi thhercookie.Histouchsentpleasur
eup
herbody.Wi thoutwastingti
meshehel phim pull
downhi spantsandboxer swhenhismamba
sprangoutt oherentr
ance.Shecoul dneverget
usedt
othi
s.

Jane:Rose.
Br
eeze:She'
soccupi
ed.
Jane:Br
eezewai
t.
Br
eeze:Iwon'
tbel
ong.
Jane:but.
.
Br
eeze:It
oldyouIhat
ebei
ngdi
stur
bed.

Heshutherwi thaki sspushi nghi

mselfi
nwhenshe
stretchedandf l
inchedpul li
ngoutfrontt
heki sswit
h
af rown.Sher aisedherl owerbodywhenhe
stoppedl ett
ingheradj ustandkissedherandshe
relaxedandhest artedgrindingi
nandoutof fher
slowl ybefor
eincr easingthekiss.Shebitherli
p
andr emember edt hatt heroom wassoundpr oofed
andl etoutenjoyingt hedick.Hewast hebesti n
thisandmen. ..
*
***
***
***
Br eeze'sspeedincreasedhisspeedasthei
rbodi
es
clappedagai nstoneanotheronthecorneroft
he
bedhi t
tingitfr
om behind.Mounsandgr oansfi
ll
ed
theroom whenJaneputherhandonhi shandon
hiswai st.

Jane:
(mouni
ng)I
'
m..
im.
.ohmyGod.
.

Br eezegavehert helaststrokesbef or
er eal
izing
i
nsi deofherholdingont i
ghtonherwai stshoot ing.
Janel andedont hebedwi thherassupashewas
stillpluggedinsi
deofher.Hepul ledoutwi that r
ail
andl ethersinkdownt hebedandwal kedt ot he
i
nsui twashinghisdi ckandpackedi tbeforewet t
ing
acl ot handwentback.Hewi pedherandwentt o
hercl osetandcamebackwi thherpant i
esand
madeherweari twhi leshewasasl eep.Herpi cked
herandputheront hecouchandandt ookt he
beddi ngandwentt oputi tinthebat handf i
lledt he
tab.Hewentoutandputheront hebedandputa
fleeceonherbef oreki ssi
ngherf oreheadasshe
l
aidasl
eep.Shewassocuteandt
hepregnancy
t
reat
edherverywel
l.Her
anhisfi
ngeronher
j
awli
neandsighed.

Breeze:Don'
tletanot
hermanfuckyouwhi
leyour
carr
yingmychild.Notevenhi
m.

Hebuthisli
pandst oodupcheckinghi swristwatch
.Hesbeeni nt
her eforabout30mins.Heshook
hisheadandunlockedt hedoorl
eavingitwideopen
andwentdownst air
s.RoseandDi neochat t
edin
theki
tchenandhebr eat
hedoutbeforewalkingout
andwenttohiscar, goti
nanddroveof f.

Meanwhi
lei
ntheki
tchen.
Rosecutthecar
rot
sandputthem i
nthepotandst
ir
whenDineoaddedali
tt
lebi
tofsal
tbefor
epeeli
ng
t
hepotatoes.

Di
neo:Ihearyougi
rl.Butwhoset
hismyst
eri
ous
goddesst
hatmakesyoubeal
lsmil
ey?Di
dyoueven
cat
chhisnameoryouguyswerej
ustsmi
li
ngand
admiri
ngeachot
her?
Rose:Wel l(
smi l
ing)hisnamei sKagiso.Hesj ust
soamazi ng.Idontknowal otabouthim yetbut
there'
sthisfeeli
ngthatkeepspushingmet owant
toknowhi m evenbetter.ButI'
m notsureifuncle
willal
lowmet ocomewi thhim ever
yti
mehegoest o
seehim.
Di
neo:doyoul
ikehi
m?
Rose:(
blushi
ng)
Dineo.
.Ij
ustmett
hisguyf
orchr
ist
sake.
Dineo:f
rom myl ookofeye, youseem likeyoulike
hi
m .Wecallthatloveatfi
rstsighti
fyouf orgot.
Andnoyoudontneedper missiontolovedar l
ingor
goseehim.Youknowwher ehei sright.Youknow
wheretofi
ndhi m andyouryardisfullofguards
andcarssoletsasenotl
elomma.
Rose:DineoIjustcan'
tleaveandgojumpuptoa
st
ranger.Heisamazi ngandwhenItouchedhim..
it
waslike..
Idontknow.Li kewehadsomesortofa
connect
ionorsomet
hing.Idon'
tknowhowhef
elt
buttomeitwassomethingel
se.
Di
neo:yousee.Youl
ovehi
m .Yourmeantt
obe.
Rose:Nowearenot.Idontknowt hi
sguy.And
besi
desIoncehearddadsayinghewouldn'
tal
low
metodateunti
lI'
m 35soim wait
ing.
Dineo:Shutmybackdoor!War eengwena?35?
Kanannanar ragoakatswaanalediplanf
oryour
futur
eandt hatmeanstyi
ngyourknott
edsi
nceyou
couldn'
t.Gi
vet hi
sashotathear
t.Holdontothi
s
andseei fl
ast.
Rose:(
sadl
y)yeaht
hat
'st
het
hing.
.Not
hingl
ast
s.

Sheturnedaroundandconti
nuedstari
ngwhen
Dineoletgoofthekni
feandlookedathersadl
y
befor
econtinui
ng.

Ont
hewayback.
Mxost ol
egl ancesatGailandsmi ledholdi
ngt i
ght
tothewheel.Meanwhi l
eGailtri
edhar dnottosmi l
e
andfinal
lydid.Mxopul ledherhandandki ssedit
befor
eput t
ingitont hegearandchangedt hegear
wit
hherbef oreholdingon.Wi ththeirhandsont he
gear,Gaill
ookedatt hei
rhandsandl ookedathim
whenguiltstruckandshel ookedout si
de.Mxo
l
ookedatherandki ssedherhandagai ndr i
vingwit
h
onehand.

Mxo:Ar
eyouohk?
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)Yeah.
.I
'mf
ine.

Abl ackMer cedesappearedinfr

ontofthem .Gail
noticedthenumberplateandt hecolourwhenshe
quicklysankdownwi thapoundi ngheartandit
spedpastt hem .Mxoli
silookedatherlookingl
ikea
l
itt
legirlandcouldn'
thel
pbutl augh.Gailhidher
faceandsatbackcover ingherfacelaughingashe
l
aughedsohar d.
Mxo:(
laughi
ng)Wt
f..
Gai
l:t
hat
'smyhusbanddumbheadandyour
l
aughi
ng.Hei
sdangerous.
Mxo:Soam I
.Butdi
dyour
eal
lyhavet
ohi
deunder
t
heseat?
Gai
l:dontexagger
ate.
.Ij
ustsank.
Mxo:Didn'
tlookli
ket
hattome.Youwer edoi
ng
moret
hanjusthidi
ng.It
'sl
ikeyougett
err
if
ied
whenyouseehim .Why?
Gai
l:Not
hingser
ious.
Mxo:sother
e'smoret
othathi
ding.What
'she
doi
ngtoyouAbigai
l?I
sheabusingyou?
Gail
:what?no.Breezewouldneverdothatt
ome.
Helovesme.Heal waysmakessurethatI
rememberandknowt hat.That
'sal
lheevergi
ves
me
Mxo:ohyoumeant
oughl
ove.
Gai
l:No.
.
Mxoli
sicl
enchedhi
sjawsandpull
edbythesi
deof
ther
oadandcheckedhisphonebef
oreput
ti
ngit
downlooki
ngatGail.

Mxol
isi
:Gailt
alkt
ome.Cour senowyournot
maki
ngsense.IsBreezeabusi
ngyou?
Gai
l:Isai
dhe'
snot.
Mxo:Gai lIpr
omi sedtopr
otectyouandI'
m not
goingtobreakmywor dj
ustbecauseyourhol
ding
back.Ifheisjustbeopenwi t
hme.Thi swil
lst
ay
betweenus.IsBr eezehi
tt
ingyouordidheeverhit
you?
Gai
l:(l
ookedout
side)Noheneverdi
d.Andhe
wouldn'
t.
Mxo:Youknowyoul ookstupidwhenyoul
ie.Your
l
yingandyouravoi
dingmyeyesAbi.Whyisi tso
hardforyout
oopenupt ome.Whyar eyoulying
courseIcanseet
hatyourholdi
ngback?Whywont
youletmein.
Gai
l:
(shout
)Cour
seI
'
m pr
otect
ingyou!
Mxo:Fr
om what?
Gai
l:He'
l
lki
llyou.
Mxo:Whywouldhedothat?Forbei
ngyourf
ri
end
ort
ryi
ngtogetcl
oset
oyou.
Gail
:No..
buthe'
snotwhatyoupainthim as.Hes
notawomanabuser.Hemi ghtbealitofthi
ngsbut
not(l
ow)t
hat.
Mxo:(si
gh)Fine.Youdontwannat al
kfine.You
don'
twantmet or
eachout, fi
ne.Thenwear enot
goi
nganywher euntilyoutel
lmewhathedoest o
youthatyoursoafraidofhim .Yourgoi
ngtotel
lme
l
ikei
tornot.
Gai
l:Nowyour-
Mxo:ohhel
lyeahbabecal
lmewhat
everyoul
ikeas
l
ongasitpl
easesyoubutwear
enotgoi
ng
anywher
eunti
lyoutel
lme.
Gail
:it
sget
ti
nglat
e.Ishoul
dbehome.St
artt
he
engi
neanddri
ve.
Mxo:no.
Gai
l:Icandr
ive.
Mxo:Ar
eyour
eadyt
otal
k?
Gai
l:I
'
m gonnacal
lt-
Mxo:Who?Sagi?Thecr azysisterwifewhowant s
younowher enearmen.Howar eyougoi ngt o
explai
nt his.Breeze?Thesameper sonyouhi d
whenhepassedby, hidinginanot herguyscaron
topoft hat.Jack?Thesamebr othert oyour
husbandwhoi spushi ngt ohardt oear nBreezes
trust,
sur elyhe'
llt
ellhimj usttogetcl ose.Jane?
Thebr otherswife?Sur elyshe'l
ltellherhusband
andherhusbandwi l
ltellBreeze.Thesameper son
whomakesyourl egsicecol d.
Gai
l:(
tear
y)What
'swr
ongwi
thyou?
Mxo:Ij
ustwantwhat
'sbestf
oryou.
Gai
l:(
tear
y)Noyoudont.
Mxo:Thenl
et'
swai
tIfyoudontwantt
otal
kandI
'
ll
t
akeyouhomeat9PM.Howt hat?
Gai
l:No!
Mxo:Whynot?
Gai
l:(
bur
st)He'
l
lbeatme!
Itwasl i
keeveryt
hingar
ounddidn'
texist.
.Mxol
isi
clenchedhisjawsandlookedather.Tears
streameddownhercheekandshel eanedback
l
ooki ngout
sidethewindowcryi
ng.

Gail:(
teary)yourri
ghtI
'
m scar ed.Butheonl
ydid
thatonce.Heneverl ai
dhi shandsonmeot hert
han
then.He' smyhusbandandIl ovehi
m .Hemadea
mistakeandIf orgi
vehim .Itwasonlyonceandhe
apologized.
Mxo:
So.
.hehi
tyou.Whywoul
dn'
tyout
ellme?
Gail:CourseIdon'tknowyouMxol i
si.Youj
ust
camei nt
omyl if
ejustl
iket
hatdontexpectt
oget
everydetailaboutmymar r
iage.We'vebeen
thr
oughal otmor eworsethanthi
s.
Mxo:whatcoul
dpossi
blybeworset
hanhimrai
sing
hi
shandonyou.Whydi dheevendothat?
Gai
l:I
..Ir
eci
evedadi
amondnecklaceandthanked
hi
m .Buttomysurpr
isei
twasn'
t.Ikeptonsayingi
t
washim unti
lhelosti
tandhitme.Hebuysus
diamondsnecklacesbutnott
hatkindcourseIonce
toldhi
m Idontl
ikehugenecklaces.IguessI
pushedtoohard.Buther eal
izedhismistakeand
camebackt oapologi
zeandIf or
gavehim.
Mxo:Whyaar eyousof uckingsof
t!It
sguyslike
himthatkeepplayi
ngwi t
hyouremot i
onsand
event
uall
yyou'l
lloseyourselfest
eem.He'sgonna
doitagainandagaincourseonceyoulethim get
awaywi t
hityougivehimt hepoweroveryou.
Anyway..
let
'sgetgoing.

Hestar
tedtheengi
neanddr
oveof
fwhi
leshe
st
aredoutsi
de.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.

Mxolisiparkedthecarandtheysatinsil
ence
l
ookingout side.Hereachedforherhandand
ki
ssedi tbeforepul
li
ngherchinlooki
ngather.Her
l
ipsweresodr awi
ngandbuthi sl
ip.Helookedi
n
hereyesastheyslowlyleanedin.Heheldher
cheekandpulledherandt hei
rli
pstouchedand
fi
nall
ytheyFrenchkissed.
Withbloodrushi
ngthroughthei
rvei
ns,t
hewhole
carheatedandGailsankherhanddownhisabs
andintohisexpandedpants.
Sher ubbedhi m whenhel eanedtheseatandpi cked
herupwi thoutbreakingthekiss.Her anhi
shand
aroundherbodyandhel pedheroutofherjacket
andshi r
tandcamef acetofacewithherboobs.
Babywasn' twear inganybra.Hesmi ledandkissed
herboobsr unninghi shandinsideherpantsand
i
nt oherpantiesandshewasmadl ysoaked.She
gaspedashermoansbecamel oudandshehel don
tohisheadashesuckedherbr eastswhileshe
playedwithhi sdick.
Theytookabreathandki
ssedwhenhehelpedher
outofhert
rouserandtor
ethepant
ieswhenshe
fr
owned.
Mxo:I
'
llbuyyouapackofpi
nkdi
amondpant
ies.

Shegiggledwhensheunzippedhispantsand
l
oweredthem tohiskneesal
ongwi t
hhisboxers.
Shelookedathisdickandhel
ditbit
ingherli
ps.He
l
ookedatherandpul l
edherchi
nkissingher.

Mxo:
(sof
tl
y)youdon'
thavet
oifyoudontwantt
o.
Gai
l:
(l
ow)I
..
Iwanti
t.Iwantt
his.

Shekissedhi m andhehel dherbut tslowl

yloweri
ng
herasitpushedi t'
swayt hroughandshef rowned
beforereal
izingamounwheni tfi
nallyfi
tal
lin.She
satabitadjustingtoit.Herwaphol di
ngont i
ghtto
hisshit
twasl i
kebeenthrownt oanot herl
andof
l
iving.Heki ssedherasshesl owl ywentupand
downonhi m wi thhishelp.Damndoesever yguy
shemeet shavet ohaveabi gdi ck?Butshitwas
gooood.
*
***
*
Sheridt
heshitoutofhim wi
tht
hecarshakingli
ke
fuckandwhenshewascl osehehelpedherkeep
goingwhentheybothrel
easedandshecoll
apsed
onhischestsweati
ng.Hesmi l
edkissi
ngherhead
andputbackhisdickwhenshefrownedti
red.

Gai
l:No.
..
Mxo:don'twor
rybabe.Justl
ett
ingi
tsl
eepi
nit
s
r
ight
fulpl
ace.Rest.

Shewentdownabittaki
ngital
linandbi
therl
ipas
shesl
owlydozedof
fwhil
etheyhugged.

.
.
.
.
.Comment.It
ri
edt
oday
[
08/
02,
13:
37]Lynne :Chapt
er29

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Ar
ound23h00
Breezesatonthecouchinthebedroom calli
ngGail
butshedidn'
tpickup.Hesighedthinki
ngt heworst
.Whatifwhathi sconf
essi
ontocheatandpl easure
droveheraway.Heshookhi sheadandst oodup
goingdownstai
rsandtookouthisphonetext i
nghis
ITandsentthemessage.
Sagisatont
hehi ghchairwit
habot t
leofwi nenext
toherandherphonei nherhand.Shepi ckedthe
bott
leanddrankfrom themouthandputi tdown.
Shetappedthephonei nthebackcountlessti
mes
anddial
edGailforthe30thti
mebutst i
llitdi
dn'
t
answer.
Breezewal
keddownt hestairshirt
lesswit
honl yhi
s
tr
ackpantsreveal
ingever
ypi eceofhim .Sagiseye
l
andedonhisbui l
tbodywitht hei
rnamest at
tedon
hischest
.Sheremember edthi
sdayli
keitwas
yester
day,t
hedaytheyforcedhimtotat
toothei
r
namesonhim .Butthosedayshavepassed,the
gooddayshadcomet othepast.
Sheswall
owedbef orepouri
nginthegl
assashe
l
eanedont hecountercomingfacet
ofacewi t
hher.
Thisdar
kbabyf aceofherswasevenmor ecute
whenshewaswor ri
ed.Shedrankherwinebut
event
uall
ypickedthebottl
ewhenhegr abbedit
fr
om herholdi
ngitinhishand.

Sagi
:Br
ingi
tback.
Br
eeze:no.
Sagi
:Br
eezebr
ingmyshi
tback.
Br
eeze:whyareyoudrinki
ngl
iket
his?Iknowyour
worr
iedandsoam Ibutnowyouroverdr
inki
ng.
Sagi:youweredri
nki
ngaswel lwhostoppedyou?
Gaili
sn'
tansweri
ngmycallsandItri
edherforthe
30thti
menow.Whati fsomethinghappenedtoher?
Br
eeze:Dontt
hinkl
iket
hatbabepl
ease.Iknow
yourworr
iedbutdr
inkingi
snotanopt
ion.It
hought
youoffal
lpeopl
ewillknowthat.

Hepi nchedhercheekandwenttospil
lthewhol e
bottl
einthesink.Hetookaglassandpourwat er
beforegivi
ngittoherandsatnexther.Hesmi led
l
ookingathernewhai rdoanddiditl
ookgr eaton
her!.Hesmi ledbefor
etucki
ngthehairbehindher
earandhel dherhand.
Shelookedatt
heirhandsandl ookedathi
m.She
knewthatsomethi
ngwasupbutcoul dn'
tputa
fi
ngeronin.Hewasdi ff
erentthi
sdays.Shepul l
ed
herhandanddrankthewat erashesadlylookedat
her.

Br
eeze:Let
'st
alk.
Sagi
:Your.
.(swal
lowed)Di
ff
erent
.
Br
eeze:Whatdoyoumean?
Sagi
:youchanged.I
t'
sli
kemyhusbandi
srepl
aced
bysomeoneso..
Idon'
tknow.
Breeze:Nothi
nghaschangedwi
thmebaby.I nsti
ll
thesameguyyouf el
linl
ovewi
th,theoneyou
married.Mylovef
oryougrowsdeeperanddeeper
everyday.
Sagi
:(t
ear
y)WhydoIhaveaf
eel
ingt
hatt
hat
'snot
tr
ue?

Hisheartshutt
eredt othesoundofherpainf
ulvoice
.Lookingatherlikethisnowmadeever yt
hingclear
.Hecheat edonhi swife'
sandbackstabbedhis
brot
her.Hesl owlypul l
edhishandsandleanedon
thecounterasitallsank.Somethingheneverfelt
everbefore.Mixedupf eeli
ngs.Itwasnowt hathe
real
izedthathehasf eeli
ngsforJaneandatthe
samet i
mehel ovedhi swife'
s.
Meanwhi l
eSagi'sheartshutt
eredint
opi ecesnot
reci
evingareplyf r
om hi
m andt hatr
ighttherewasa
redflag.Sheblinkedseveralt
imestryi
ngt ohold
thetearsbackwhent heybetrayedherandi nrol
led
downhercheekt hentheotheronefoll
owed
foll
owedbyt herest.
Meanwhil
eBr eezesawhert
eardroponthecount
er
andheraisedhisheadl
ooki
ngatherwhenshe
tur
nedherfaceawaysil
entl
ycryi
ngwit
hherchinin
hershoul
der.

Br
eeze:Babe?
Sagi:
(br
eaki
ng)Whoi
sshe?
Br
eeze:Noone.
Sagi
:(f
acedhi
mint
ear
s)yourl
ying!

Hebi thislipbeforetr
yingt oholdherbutshe
movedi nt earslooki
ngathi m.Sheshookherhead
beforesitti
ngbackpl ayingwi thherfi
ngersont he
counterwhenhereyesf ellonherdiamondr ing.
Shet ouchedi nplayi
ngwi thi tar
oundherfinger
whilehel ookedatherwi t
hapoundi nghear t.He
neverthoughtt hatthethoughtofherl eavi
ngwoul d
ter
rif
yhi m sobad.

Sagi
:(sni
ff
ed)Todayyouwer
ethel
astper
sont
obe
wi
thher.Whatdi
dyousayt
oher?
Br
eeze:Not
hing.
.Iswear.
Sagi
:(sof
tl
y)agai
n..yourl
ying.
Br
eeze:(
sighed)ohk.
.I
..
Iconf
essed.
Sagi
:conf essedwhat?Thatyoucheat edandthose
panti
eswer en'
tours?ThatIwasr i
ghtallal
ong.
Thatyouleftusandj umpedintoanotherwomans
l
egs?Thatyout appedanotherwomanwhi lewe
werehereinyourhousewai ti
ngforyout ocome
home?
Br
eeze:Yes.

Herheartsankstrai
ghtint
oherst omachand
crushedwhenshesmi ledwithtearsroll
ingdown
hercheek.Shelookedathim smi l
ingandf i
nall
y
l
aughedoutt hepainbutthatdidn'
thelp,inst
eadit
hurtmore.Shef r
ownedandf inall
ybustedcr yi
ng.
Breezel
ookedatherandnowi twasclearhedidn'
t
knowwhatt odo.Hercr
iescutdeepert hanakni
fe.
Heclenchedhisj
awswhenhi sphoner ang.He
l
ookedatherandsi
ghedwal
kingt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom
andansweri
ng.

Br
eeze:Yeah.
Call
er:Wef oundher.She'
sst
il
lathergal
ler
y.Her
cari
sst i
llt
here.
Breeze:hercari
ssti
llt
her
e?Ar eyouki
ddingme?.
Isaidlookf
orhernotherf
uckencar!Iwanther!
Cal
ler
:Thi
siswhereherphoneandcarl
eadus.
Pl
usherneckl
acesir.
Br
eeze:Fi
ne.I
'
llbet
her
e.

Hecl enchedhisjawsbef or
ejoggingupt hest ai
rs
andcamebackwear ingasweat erandNi kekicks.
Hepassedbyt hekitchenandstoodbyher.He
hesi
t ant
lyli
ft
edhi shandandt ouchedherbackas
shesi l
entl
ycri
ed.Her ubbedherbackbef ore
pull
ingherclosehuggi ngher.Shewr appedher
handsar oundhisneckwhenhel if
tedherandput
heront hecounterandsatl i
kethatf or3mi ns.
Br
eeze:I
'
m sor
ry.

Shedidn'
treplywhenshegotdownandpushedhi m
back.Shewentt othedr awersandpull
editl
ooki
ng
i
nsideforawholemi nute.Breezesmil
edtaki
nga
fewstepsbackwhenal lofasuddenakni fef
lew
pasthimfoll
owedbyt hatglassofwaterandit
brokeonthewall.

Br
eeze:Wt
F!
Sagi
:(
cryi
ng)i
thur
ts!

Shecamer unni
ngtowar dshi
m holdingakni f
e
whenher anoutthedoorandlockedwhenshe
bangedthedoorshoutingfr
om theinside.He
si
ghedbreathi
ngoutandj oggedtowardst hecar
anddroveoutbeforesheusesanotherdoor.
Meanwhi
leSagist
abbedthedoorrel
easingthepain
i
nherheartwhenshemistakenl
ycutherinnerhand
courseherhandsl
idandbl
oodf l
owedout.She
screamedrunni
ngtotheki
tchenleavi
ngatr
ailof
bloodandputherhandint
hesinkopeningthetap
cryi
ng.

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.

Wi thGaill
ayingonhischestheheadf ootst
epsand
l
iftedhishead.Threemenwentt owardsGail'
scar
holdingtorchesl
ookinginsi
de.Anot heronehelda
tabletanddidwhathedidbef orest
eppingclosert
o
theGal l
erydoorandwentt ocrackthedoorpinand
i
tunl ocked.Theyallwentinsi
dewhi l
eanotherone
stoodout si
de.
Mxolisisl
owl
yshookGailwhohaddozedof
fonhi
s
chestnakedwit
hhiminsideofher.

Gai
l:(
sleepy)mmmhh.
.
Mxo:Gett
otheot
hersi
debabe.
Gai
l:(
sleepy)
Wai
t..
let
'ssl
eepal
it
tl
ebi
tlonger
.
Pl
ease.
Mxo:Pleasej
umpt ot
heseatandIpromiseyou'
l
l
haveal
lthesl
eepyouwantwit
hmei nsi
deofyou.

Shesmi ledsti
llsleepyandheki ssedherbef ore
helpinghertothepassenger sseet.Shel ayed
asleepandhepul ledhi sjacketandputi tonher.
Shewassobeaut if
ulthatf orasecondhegotl ost
i
nherbeaut yfor gettingthattheirlooki
ngf orher.
Hesnappedoutofi tandt ookof feveryjeweller
y
shewaswear i
ngi ncl udingther i
ngandputt hem i
n
thebagbef or
est ar t
ingt heengine.Hesl owl ydrove
pastabi nandt hrewherbagi nsideandst eppedon
i
tdr i
vingoffwithf ullspeed.
Onthewayhenot
icedaf
ami
li
arcarandsmi
led
dr
ivi
ngpasti
t.
Meanwhi l
eBreezel ookedatthecaront hesi
de
mirrorwheni tcl
ickedthatthiswasforthesecond
ti
meheseesi t.Henar r
owedhi seyesanddrove
i
ntot hepar
kinglotrightwhereMxolisihadparked
beforeandsteppedoutwal kingtowardsthe
buil
ding.Thet
womenst
eppedoutl
if
ti
ngt
hei
r
shoulder
s.

Men1:Shesnother
e.
Br
eeze:Ar
eyouki
ddi
ngmer
ightnow!
Men2:Igotsomet
hing.

Thementr
ail
edthetr
ackerwhenitledhi
mtoabin.
Hesi
ghedandopenedthebintaki
ngoutherbag
andwal
kedbacktoBreeze.

Men2:If
oundt
his.

Breezetookherbagandsi ghedl ookingatit.Wor

ry
andfearoccupiedhim .Whati fsomet hi
ngbad
happenedtoher .Thethi
rdmenl ookedaround
whenhenot i
cedt hatt
hecart hatwaspar kedther
e
hadleftandBreezehadpar kedt here.
Men3:Thecar.It
hinkshewasI
nthecart
hatj
ust
l
eft.
Br
eeze:Whatcar?Whosecar?Whi
chki
nd?
Men:Ar
edPor
sche.I
fI'
m notmi
staken.
Breeze:Sh* t!Didn'
tyoucheckallt
hecarslikeI
i
nstructedyout o?Kanakelepatelaalotofmoney.
Whati fthatguyorwomani safr
ickinseri
alkil
ler
?
Damn!

Hewal kedt othecarandslammedt hedoorl eavi

ng
them andhi tthewheel.Helookedatherbagand
turnedt helightsonbeforeopeningi tpouringout
herst uffont heseathopi
ngf oranot ebutnon.I n
factherweddi ngri
ngwast helastonet ofallout.
Hishear tski ppedandheslowlyt ooki ti
nhi shand
l
ooki ngati t.Sosheleftwit
hanot herguyt ostarta
whol eknel ife.AsharppainstruckI nhi sheart
whenhet ouchedhi schestleaningont hewheel .A
minut elaterhegotupandst ar
tedt heengi ne
drivi
ngof f.
Att
heHospi
tal
.

Thedoorscr at
chedont heti
leopeningashel ayed
ther
ethinki
ngaboutgoi nghome.Aver ychil
lyair
fi
ll
edtheroom maki nghisbl
oodr ushdownhi s
body.Somet hi
ngscr at
chedhim underneathhisfoot
andhej umpedt er
ri
fiedonl
ytoseesomet hi
nghe
neverthoughthe'dsee.Thereshewas.Thegi rli
n
awhitedressanduncl earf
ace.

Kagi
so:Whoar
eyou?

Tohissur
pri
sehewasnotscar ed,notatal
l.He
hel
dhischestwhenthethoughtofheswall
owed
hi
sfearcr
ossedhim .Butno..

Kagi
so:Whyar
eyouf
oll
owi
ngme?Whatdoyou
want
?Whoareyou?
Her
:You.
.ar
etheChosenone.
Kagi
so:chosenWhat?Whyme?Bywho?
Her
:youwer
echosenbyaf
ri
end.

Hervoicestart
edf adingandslowlyandslowlyso
didshe.***Kagisopoppedf rom hissl
eep
scanningaroundwi thapoundingheartandsweat
dri
ppingoffhisface.Hehel dhischestl
eaning
backandt r
iedtakingbreathexcer
cisesunti
lhewas
calm.

BackatBr
eezeshouse

Breezeunl ockedthedoorandgoti nandwhenhe

shitithef r
ownedl ooki
ngatt hecutsandbl ood.He
turnedar oundashi sheartbeatincr
eased.Heput
Gail'
sbagont hetableandf oll
owedt hetr
ailof
bloodi ntothekit
chen.Hef oundSagisit
tingonthe
fl
oorwi t
habl oodydishclotharoundherhand
holdingabot tleofwhiskeyinherhandal lmessed
up.Shel ookedbehindhim andchuckl eddrunk
dr
inki
ngherl
iquorashest
oodt
her
elooki
ngather.

Sagi:
letmeguess.
.She'
scheat
ingal
so(
giggl
e)

Shelaughedwhent hepainincreasedandshe
frownedstandingupwithherlockedlegs.She
threwherheadbackmovi ngthehai rof
fherface
andwalkedt owardshi
m drunkhol di
ngthebottl
ein
herhand.Shel eanedonhisface.

Sagi:I
fyouguysar
echeat
ingonme.I
'
m gonnaki
ll
them .Ohk?
Shel
if
tedherbl
oodyhand.

Sagi
:Onebyonebyonebyonebyone.
.

Shesmil
edandwal kedpassedhim si
ngingt
he
"Onebyone"balanci
ngherselfwit
hthewall
walki
ngupst
air
s.Meanwhi leBreezebi
thisl
ip
l
ooki
ngatal
lherbl
oodintheki
tchenandknewt
hat
t
hatwasnotathr
eatbutaPROMI SE.
.
.
.
Comment
.

.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
40]Lynne :Chapt
er30

Thenextmor
ning.

Rosegotupfrom herbedwithasmil
eupherface.
Shemovedherhai rf
rom herf
aceandgotup
openi
ngthecurtai
ns.Ithasbeenawhil
esinceshe
di
dt hi
sforhersel
f.
ThedooropenedandJanewal kedin.Rosel
ooked
atherandsmiledbef
orerunni
ngintoherarmsand
theyhuggedbefor
esit
ti
ngont hebed.

Rose:mom yourgl
owi
ng.Gi
vemewhat
everyour
usi
ng.
Jane:whatdoyoumeanI'm gl
owi ng?I'veal
ways
beenli
kethi
sjustt
hatyoudidn'tpaytoomuch
att
enti
ontome.What '
swit
hal ltheenthusi
asm?
Whatdidyouandyourunclegetupt oyester
day?
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Not
hing.
..

Shestooduptaki
ngoffherni
ghtdr
essthr
owingi
t
onthebedasJanelookedatherwai
ti
ngforan
answertot
hisnewher.

Jane:Rose.
..
Rose:fi
ne, wewenttohi
shouseandIsai
dhel
lot
o
auntSagiandGai
lthenwewenttoseehi
sson.
Jane:(
hear
tski
pped)wai
twhat?
Rose:Yest
hat.
.hi
sson.Cr
azyr
ight?

Shechuckledandt
ookoffherpant
ieswal
kingi
nto
theshowerandtur
nedt
hewat eron.
MeanwhileJanescoff
edasangeroccupiedherand
shestooduprushi
ngout.Shewenttot hei
rroom
andchangedintoadresswhenJacksteppedoutof
theshowerwithatowelwr
appedaroundhiswaist.

Jack:Hey.
.wher
ear
eyour
ushi
ngof
fto?
Jane:Woul dyouatleastoncetr
ytostayoutofmy
business.Beingmar r
iedtoyoudoesn'
tmeanyou
actuallyhavetoknoweveryli
tt
lebi
tofmeormy
wher eabouts.
Jack:(
frown)Excuseme.

Sheti
edherhai
randpickedhercarkeysandwhen
shewasaboutt
oexitt
her oom Jackshuti
tbef
ore
st
andi
ngbef
oreher.

Jack:Weneedt
otal
k!
Jane:Well.
..Cantwhat
everyouwantt
osayt
ome
waitunt
ilIcomeback?
Jack:Noi
tcant,
weneedt
otal
kabouti
tri
ghtnow!
Jane:ohwel
lunf
ort
unatel
ydearhusband,I
'
m on
mywayoutsowhateveriti
sitbet
terwai
t.

Shepushedhim asi
deandopenedt hedoorgoing
out.Jacktur
nedlookingatthedoorconfusedt
o
whatshejustsai
d.Itwaslikethewomanhe
marri
edchangedinasi ngl
enight.Hesighedand
pi
ckedhisphoneont hebeddiali
ngJacob.

Jacob:Ol
dfr
iend.
Jack:Lestcutt
hechasenowshal
lwe?
Jacob:f
inebyme.
Jack:Iwantyoutogi vemeyourwor dt hatifmy
daughteri
smarri
edt oyourson, you'
lldowhat ever
i
nyourpower,withever ycelli
nyourbodyt opr ot
ect
her.Thatnomatterwhatmat t
eryouandIar e
gonnahaveinthefutermydaught erwillal
waysbe
onyournumberpr i
ori
t yli
st.Thatw-
Jacob:Jack.Itoldyouthatyourdaughteri
sal soa
daughtertome.Webot hwantourchi l
drenbackt o
themselves.Youwantyourdaughtertobeher self
againandIwantmysont ocomebackhome.Thi s
i
st heonlyway.AndyesIpr omiseyouf r
om the
bottom ofmyheart,comehighorlow, your
daughtershal
lli
veinpeaceandprotected.Her
wishwillbeourcommand.
Jack:f
ine.
Jane:Youmadear i
ghtchoi
cemyfr
iend.Ipr
omise
youthatyouwi
llnotl
iveyor
egr
ett
his.DoesJane
knowaboutthi
s?
Jack:pr
epareever
ythi
ng.Leavemyfami
lyt
ome.I
wantthi
soverasinli
keyest
erday.
Jacob:Ohk.I
'
llgat
hermyf
ami
lyandweshal
lbe
t
hereint
henext3daysf
ort
henegot
iat
ions.Ihope
t
hisgoeswel
l.
Jack:sodoI
.

Hehangupandr eleasedaheavysi ghandsat

downcounti
ngthehat einhi
sf amil
ieseyes,
especi
all
yRosel
la.Butit'
sforthebest.Hegotup
andwenttogetdressedbeforeleaving.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezescr abedt hebloodoffthef

loorshakinghi
s
headandf i
nallythrewthebrushinthewat er
standingup.Hewentt ohisbarandtookouta
bottl
eofwhi skeyandpour edinaglass.Hehearda
cardrivi
ngt hroughandsi ghedashisheart
pounded.Hest ooduphol di
ngtheglassandwent
tothedoorst eppi ngout.Tohissurpri
seitwasn'
t
whohet houghti twas.
Janesteppedoutoft
hecarandrushedtowards
him .Aslapl
andedonhischeekandhertuned
l
ookingatherwit
hnarrowedeyebr
owasshest ood
ther
ebrewing.

Br
eeze:goodmorningtoyout
oo.Iseemyguy
wokeupviol
enti
nthere.
Jane:Stopwi
tht
hatcr
ap.Whenwer
eyoupl
anni
ng
ontell
ingme?
Br
eeze:Tel
lyouwhat?
Jane:Thatyouhaveabl
oodyson!
Breeze:(l
aughi
ng)Sot hat
'sit?Youj
ustdroveal
l
thewayf r
om yourhousejusttoconf
rontmeabout
mehavi ngason.WhatI fIdi
d?
Jane:Thel
eastyoucouldhavedoneistel
lmeyou
hadasoninsteadofheari
ngthi
sfrom Rose.
Breeze:Ohk. .
hol
donmamadear est.IfIremember
clearl
y..
.youandIhaveonlyonet
hingbindi ngus
togetherher
e.Thatbabyyourcar
ryi
ng.I fitwasn'
t
forthatwehavenobusinessatal
lexceptthatyour
mysisteri
nlaw.SowhateverIdoorhaveorhave
doneisnonofyourGoddamnbusi ness.I
ncludi
ng
whetherIhaveasonornot.AndifI'
m corr
ect
st
ressingi
snotgoodforthebaby.Soleavemy
busi
nessalonebefor
eyouhurtmychi l
d.
Jane:yoursopathet
ic.Youknowf orasecondi
thoughtmaybeyourdiff
erentorshouldisayhoped
thatyou'
dbediff
erentnowt hatyouhaveachildon
thewayandyou'll
-
Breeze:conf
ess?Tel
lal
lmysecr
etst
oyou?Open
uptoyou?
Jane:yes..
.Br
eezeIt
houghtyouandIhada
connecti
on.Somethi
ngwas-
Br
eeze:Wel
lyout
houghtwr
ong.Cl
ear
ly.

Janel ookedathim whentearsblur

redhersit
eand
shest eppedback.Breezelookedinhertear
yeyes
ashishear tachedtoholdherinisarmsandt el
lher
shewaswr ong.Buthecoul dn'
t.Hehadt oprotect
herfrom Sagiandnotonceshowahi ntorshe'l
l
hurthischildwit
houtablink.
Janest
oodont hereforawhi l
ewaitingforatl
east
anexpl
anati
onoranI 'm sorr
ybutnot hi
ngcameout
ofhi
smout htocleartheair.Hejustlookedather
wit
houtshowinganyemot i
ons.
Shebi therl
ipandrushedtohi m smashingthe
glassinhishandandpul l
edhi mintoakiss.She
heldont i
ghtonhisassheki ssedhim buthewasn't
replyi
ngnordidheatleastholdher.Butwhat ever
i
swasshewasnotwi ll
ingtostopuntilhereact.

InsideSagihear dagl assbrakeandshesl owly

raisedherl owerbodysl eepy.Sher ubbedhereyes
andgotof fthebed.Al lofasuddenshef elt
nauseousandr ushedtothebat hroom andopened
thesitthrowi ngup.Itwasl ikeeverythingwas
beingdr ai
nedoutofhersyst em asshet hrewupf or
about3mi ns.Af terawhi l
eshecol lapsedont he
floorrubbinghermout hasuncont roll
ablet ear
sran
downhercheek.
Sheraisedherhandandsl
owlyr
emovedt he
di
shclothandfrownedl
ooki
ngatthei
njur
y.She
balancedher selfstandingandf l
ashedt het oil
et
beforestandingi nfrontofthemi rror.Bl oodcought
herattenti
ononherwhi teshirtandshequi cklytook
i
tof ft
hrowi ngitont hefloor.Shet ookoutt hefir
st
ai
dandcl eanedherwoundbef oreput t
inga
bandageandbr ushedherhai rwal kingout.
Everythi
ngcamepl ayingintohermi ndasshe
walkedintohercl osetandtookof fhertightsand
wor eafloraldress.Shewal kedoutandt ookthe
bottl
eofhal fwhi skeyandakni fe,unlockedt hedoor
andwentdownst airs.
Shest oodont hestai
rslooki
ngatthebacketwitha
scrubberandsighdwal ki
ngtothekitchen.She
mistakenl
ysteppedwher eitwaswetandsl i
pped
fal
li
nghur t
ingherhand.Tear sf
loweddownher
cheeksast hepainbecameunbear ableandshe
screamed.

Sagi:
(cr
ying)ohmyGod.
..
ah

Out
sideBr
eezehear
dSagicr
yandbr
oket
heki
ss
l
ooki
ngatJanebef
oreswal
lowi
ngandbabyki
ssed
her.

Br
eeze:youshoul
dgo.
Jane:I
'm notgoi
nganywher
eunti
lyoutel
lmethat
youdon'treal
lymeani
twhenyousaidyoufeel
nothi
ngaboutus.
Br
eeze:Isai
dIdont!

Hecl
enchedhi
sjawsasSagiscr
iesgott
ohi
m and
her
ushedinwhenJanef
oll
owed.
Breezewentdownandpi ckedherupputt
ingheron
thecounterandJanepull
edherhandbefore
removingthebandageandf r
ownedlooki
ngather
deepwound.

Jane:Whathappened?What
'swi
tht
hebl
ood?Sagi
whathappened?
Sagi:
(cr
ying)Iwant
edt
ost
abhi
m butImi
stakenl
y
cutmyhand
Jane:(
looki
ngatBr
eeze)Whywoul
dyouhur
tyour
husband?
Sagi:Hecheat
ed.Doyouknowhowmucht
hat
hurt
s?
Jane:No..Idon'
t.Butstabbi
nghi
m ?Whatwoul
d
youbenefitfr
om t
hat?Whatoutcomedoyouthi
nk
you'
llhaveoutofit?Funeral
?Becomeawidow?
Sagi
:Thatwoul
dbemuchbet
tert
hanget
ti
nghur
t
l
iket
his.Atl
east-
Jane:Yousoundcr azyri
ghtnow.Whatkindofa
wishi sthat.Whywouldyousaythat?Didn'
the
apologize?Stopwi
thyourlunat
icactandfaceyour
problemsl i
keawoman.Vi ol
enceisnotanopti
on.
Lookwhatyoudi dtoyoursel
fbecauseof-
Sagi:
Welli
fyoumustknowJane.Viol
enceist
he
onl
ythingt
hatBr
eezeunder
standsandguesswhat
i
talsomakesmehappyandithelpmeheal.
Jane:Eveni
fyouenduphur
ti
ngyour
sel
f?
Sagi
:that
'st
hepoi
nt.Onehast
ogethur
tforhi
mto
under
standalloft
his.Hedoesn'
tunder
standthatI
l
ovehim andmyl oveforhi
misnottheonetojust
becutshortj
ustbecausehedeci
destocheator
moveoni fhewanttomoveonwi t
hthatb**hhe
cheat
eduswi th.
Br
eeze:Ineversai
dI'
m movi
ngonwi t
hher.BabeI
l
oveyou.Ithoughtbynowyouwouldknowthat.
Whywouldyouquestionmylovef
oryou.
Sagi:
(tear
y)yest
erdayIaskedyouasi
mple
questi
onandyoucouldn'tanswermeBr
eeze.Do
youknowhowmuchi thurts?
Breeze:Babe.Ineveranswer edthatquesti
on
becauseyouknowt heanswert othat.Iloveyou
Sagi.Icoul
ddoever ythi
ngjusttobewi t
hyou.I fit
waspossibleI'
dbuyt hewholeuniversejustt
o
showhowmuchIl oveyou.Icheat edbecausei t
wasamomentofweakness.What evert
hat
happenedbetweenmeandt hatwoman( swall
owed)
meantnothing.Nothingatall.

Meanwhi
leJane'
seyesbur
nedupl
ooki
ngathi
m
andhel ookedatheroncebeforeholdi
ngSagis
hand.Sagil ookedathi
mi ntheeyesandrightt
her
e
sheknewt herewasnot hi
ngtothatexpl
anati
onbut
tocalm herandpainther.Shesmiledastears
rol
leddown.

Sagi:
Iknowwhatyourtryi
ngtodo.AndbabyI
'm
sor
rybutit
'snotwor
king.Igaveyoumywordand
unl
ikeyou..
Ikeepmyn.

Shegotoffthetabl
epul
lingherhandandwentt
o
takehercarkeysandl
eft.
Meanwhi
leBreezebi
thi
slipandhitt
het
abl
ebef
ore
t
urni
ngtoJanewhosetearrol
leddown.

Br
eeze:notyout
oopl
ease.
Jane:soyourser
ious.Youf
eelnot
hingf
orme?
Br
eeze:YesIf
eel
not
hing.
Sheshookherheadandwentoutleavi
nghi m
l
eani
ngagainstt
hecounter.Hisf
eeli
ngmi xedup
whenherushedoutandstoppedatthedoor.He
di
dn'
tknowwhot ofol
low.SagiorJane?.

AtMxol
isihouse.

Gailtossedont hebedandst r
etchedherhandt o
Sagissidebuti twascold.Sheslowlyopenedher
eyesandherhear tski
ppedlooki
ngatt heunfamil
iar
room .Shegotupandl eanedont heheadboard
whensher eal
izedthatshewasnotwear ing
anything.
Sheswahercl othesont hecouchandqui ckly
rushedoutofbedandputt hem on.Shest oodby
themirr
orfi
xingherhai randl ookedaroundf orher
bagbutitwasn'tthere.Herhear tpoundedsohar d
onherchestreplayingyesterday'smemor y.

Gai
l:OhmyGod.
.whathaveIdone?
SheworeherheelwhenMxol i
siwalkedinhol
dinga
tr
ayofEngl
ishbreakf
ast.Hissmiledropped
l
ooki
ngatherasshel etgobefor
eshecoul dfi
nish
wear
inganothershoe.

Gai
l:Whathappened?
Mxo:Whatdoyoumeanwhathappened?

Heputthetr
ayont hebedandwalkedtowardsher
whensheraisedhershoer
eadytostabhim wit
hit
assheslowl
ysteppedawayfrom hi
m.

Mxo:
(sur
rendered)ohohk..
hol
don.Putt
heshoe
down.I'
m notgonnahurtyouGai
l.
Gai
l:Isai
dwhathappened?
Mxo:Exact
lywhatwasmeantt
ohappen.Wehad
sex!I
nthecarandher
e.
Gai
l:youmustbeki
ddi
ng.OhGod.
Sheputherhandonherforeheadr ubbi
ngitwhen
shefel
tthatsomethi
ngwasmi ssing.Shelookedat
herhandandherringwasn'
tthere.Shelookedat
asherangerstar
ed.

Gail
:Where'
smyr
ing?Whathaveyoudonewi
thi
t?
Bri
ngitback.
Mxo:I'
m sureit
slost.Someonemusthavet akenit
andsoldit.It
hrewitwit
htherestofyourst
uffin
thebi
natyourgallar
ylastni
ght.
Gail
:youwhat?
!Thatwasmyweddi
ngr
ingdumb
head!
Mxo:Iknow.
Gail
:noyoudont.Il ovemyhusbandandj ust
becauseIwasallsmileyonyouitdoesn'
tmeanI
wantout.Itol
dyoual lmyprobl
emsbecauseI
wantedsomeonet otalkt
o.Af r
iend.ButIguessI
tookitt
oofar.I
'm amar r
iedwoman.AndIl ovemy
husband,yougetthat?IloveBreeze.Nomat t
er
whatI'
m hi
sandhe'smi
ne.WTF!Yout
hr-(
sigh)
I
'm gonnaki
llyou.
Mxo:i
fyouwant edsomeonetotal
ktothenwhy
di
dn'
tyougof orather
apy.
?Ifyoulovehimthat
muchthenwhywer eyouwithmeandhi di
ngfrom
hi
m ?WhywhenIwokeyout ojumpt ot
heother
si
dedi
dn'tyougetoutandruntohim ?Why?
Gail
:BecauseIneededabr
eakt
opr
ocess
ever
ythi
ng!
Mxo:pr
ocesswhat!?
Gai
l:Dontyouyel
latmest
upi
d!Gi
vemeyourkeys.

Shespreadoutherhandwhi l
eanot
heroneheldt
he
shoe.Heshookhi sheadandtookt
hem outofhi
s
pocketandgavethem toher.

Gai
l:you'
l
lgetyourcaratt
heGal
ler
y.
Mxo:ohk.
.Wi
llIseeyouagai
n?
Gai
l:Idon'
tthi
nkso.Consi
dert
hisasmygoodbye.
Ohandasamat teroffact
.I'm notaf
rai
dofBr eeze.
He'
sdonethewor stt
oscaremebutst il
lhedidn't
managetoscar
emeof f.Hit
ti
ngmewasl ow
compar
ingtowhathe'scapableoff.

Shewentoutwear
ingoneshoewi
thanot
heronei
n
herhandl
eavi
ngMxoli
sibr
oken.

.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
40]Lynne :Chapt
er31

AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y

Gai
ldr
ovethroughtheparki
nglotandswitchedoff
t
heengine.Sheexhaledasherheartbeatsohard
onherchest.Tearsbl urr
edhersit
ewhenshe
l
eanedbackcover ingherface.Shecouldn'tbeli
eve
thatshejustcheat
ed.Thever ysamet hi
ngt hatshe
doesn'twantherpartnerstodo.Thiswaswei ghing
i
nt heheartthanshehadi magined.Butthennow
what?Ther ewasnot hingshecoulddo,I
TSDONE.
Shewi pedhertearsopeningthedashboar dand
foundwi pes.Sheusedt hewipeswi pingoffher
rui
nedmakeupandt hrewt hem onthesit.Shefixed
herhairandwor ehershoebef oresteppingout
shutt
ingt hedoorwit
ht hekeysinside.
Shepulledher
selft
ogetherandwentt
othebin
sear
chingforherbagbuttherewasnot
hing.She
wenttoanotheronebutsti
ll,
ther
ewasnothi
ng.
Fearalongwit
hallemotionsconsumedherast ear
s
burnedhereyesasshekeptfishi
ngf orherbag
taki
ngputtherubbish.Aguardnoticedherand
walkedoversurpr
isedtoseehertakingoutthe
rubbi
shoutofthebi n.

Guar
d:mi
ssGai
l?
Shequi
ckl
yletgobl
inki
ngawayhert
ear
sandput
onasmil
elooki
ngathim.

Gai
l:Hey.
.
Guar
d:whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
Gail
:uhm . .
yest
erdayIkindathrewawaysomever y
i
mpor tantdocumentsi
nmyt rashbin.Andt oday
whenIcheckedIf ounditdisposedsoI .
..
uhm..
thoughtmaybeIcouldfinditifit
'snotyetuhm ..
you
know.
Guar
d:oh.
.Itmustbeaver
yimpor
tantdocument
.
Gai
l:Ver
y..
Guard:butI'
m surewher everi
tcamef rom they
havecopi
es, surel
yt heywouldn'
tmi ndgivi
ngthem
toyouagainwoul dt
hey?Imean. .searchi
ngabi n.
It
'ski
nda.
.weirdseeingyoudot hat.
Gai
l:ohyeah..
youral
ifesaver.Whydi
dn'
tIt
hink
oft
hat.Thankyouver
ymuch.
Guar
d:nopr
obl
em .

Shesmi l
edawkwar dlyleaningagai nstthebi
n
l
ookingatt heguar dwhor aisedhi seyebrows
confused.Her aisedhi shandbi dinggoodbyeand
l
eft.Shesi ghedandi thitagain,shedi dn'
thave
moneyf ortranspor t,herlicense,herri
ng,herID
,herphoneandwhenshet urnedherhead, hercar
wasnott here.Tear sroll
eddownhercheekswhen
shelazil
ywal kedbackt oMxol i
si'scarandgotin.
Thiswasdef initelynotwor thit.
Sherai
sedherheadandsi
ghedst
art
ingt
heengi
ne
anddroveof
f.

AtBr
eezeshouse

Breezesatont heendofthebedpl
ayingwi t
hGail'
s
ri
ngwhenat earescapedhi
seye.Hequi ckly
rubbeditandbi thi
sli
p.Maybethi
sisallonhi m.
Hewast hereasonwhyhi sownfamil
yist eari
ng
apart.Butf orhertodotheexactsamet hingthathe
di
dwassounl ikeher
.Clearlyshewantedanout.
Andont heotherhand,Sagi.Shewassl owlylosi
ng
herselfbitbybitandit
'sallbecauseofhim.Shei s
nowat i
ckingtimebombt hatal
readyt
hreatenedhis
ownchi ldbecauseofpai nheputherthrough.

Out side,Itfeltweirddr i
vingintoanot herman' s
proper tywithasi deniggascar.Shesl owlydr ove
throughwi t
haheavygui l
tandpar kedont he
parkingspace.Shepr essedhereyest oget herand
steppedout.Hercarcoughtherat tentionwhenher
hear tbeatraisedt oapoi ntshecoul df illl
ikei twas
ri
ghtonhert hroat.Shesl owlywal kedi nthehouse
andi twassosi l
ent.Abucketwi t
hbl oodywat er
coughtherat tenti
onwhenshet ookof fherheel s
andf ol
lowedt het r
ailofbl oodtot heki tchenwer ei
t
wasal l
over,event hesi nk.Shesl owl yputt he
shoesdownasherkneessl owl ygotweekandweek.
Sheswal lowedandsl owlypul ledher sel ft
ot he
bedr oom andsl owlyopenedt hedoort oBr eeze
l
eani ngdown.
Heslowl
yrai
sedhi
sheadl
ooki
ngatherandbackat
herr
ingi
nherhand.
Gailclosedt
hedoorbehi ndherasherwholebody
shookoutoff ear.Hereyeslandedonherringin
hishandsashesl owlyplayedwithitandherbagby
hisside.Nowshehadnot hingtosayexcepttel
lthe
tr
uth.
Br
eezel
ookedatherandst
oodup.

Br
eeze:Forhowl
onghast
hisbeengoi
ngon?

Catgothert
ongueasshest
oodt
her
ebi
ti
ngher
fi
ngernai
ls.Hewassocalm.

Br
eeze:Gai
l?
Gai
l:mmmh?
Br
eeze:Howl
onghaveyoubeenseei
ngt
hisguy?
Gai
l:I
'
m notseei
nghi
m baby.Hei
suhm af
ri
end.
Br
eeze:Afri
endhuh?Gai
lIwasn'
tbor
nyest
erday.
Di
dyousleepwit
hhim?
Gai
l:No!Imeanno.
.Idi
dn'
t.
Br
eeze:yourl
ying.Di
dyousl
eepwi
thhi
m?
Gail
:IswearIdi
dn'
t!(
bowing)bel
ievemebaby.I'
d
neverdot
hattoyoubaby.Youknowiwon't.Il
ove
you.
Br
eeze:il
oveyout
oo.

Hepulledheruphuggi ngherandal lhecoul dsmell

wasaman.Hesl owlyhelpedt akeof fherclot
hes
whenhi seyesl andedonal ovebiteonherneck.
Notonebutal otoflovebi t
es.Heswal l
owedand
unbutt
onedhert rouserlet
ti
ngi tfal
ldownt oherfeet
andshest eppedoutoft hem .Hewentbackabi t
l
ookingatherandhi seyesl andedonherl ace
panti
est hatwer estai
nedoft hemansr ai
n.He
rubbedhi sfaceleaningagai nstt
het ableasat ear
escapedagai nandher ubbedi t.
Meanwhi
leGai
llookedatherr
efl
ect
ionont
he
mirrorandnot
icedt
hest ai
nwhenshequi
ckly
pul
ledherrobeembarrassedandshamef
ulastear
s
rol
leddownhercheeks.

Gail
:(cr
ying)I'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeanfori
tto
happen.I..hadnoideawhatiwasdoi
ng.I'
m sor
ry.
Breeze:Areyoukiddi
ngme?Youhadnoi deaof
whatyouwer edoing?thatl
amebaby?Dontl ieto
mecour sewebothknowt hatwhenyouopent hose
l
egsyouknewwhatwasaboutt ohappen.The
momentyoust ret
chedyourlegsapart
,youknew
ther
ewasadi vkgoingtopenetr
ateyou.Dontshit
onme.
Gai
l:(
cryi
ng)I
'
m sor
ry.
.for
giveme.
Br
eeze:howmanyr
oundsdi
dyougi
vehi
m?
Gai
l:(
cryi
ng)babypl
ease.
.
Br
eeze:Gai
lpl
ease.
Gai
l:It
hinki
twas5orsi
x
Breezesjawsdr oppedlookingatherthroughthe
mi r
rorandturnedlooki
ngatherasshehi dherface
cryinginherhands.Br eezechuckledbeforeput
ting
ther i
ngbackint hebedandl ookedatheronemor e
ti
meandwal kedoutoft hedoorlaughingin
disbeli
ef.

.
.
.

Sorr
yguysI
'mi
ncl
ass.I
'
llt
ypeal
ongeronewhenI
gethome.

.
.Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
40]Lynne :Con32
Breeze'
sjawsdr oppedlooki
ngathert hr
oughthe
mirrorandtur
nedl ooki
ngatherasshehi dherface
withherhandscr yi
nginthem .Breezechuckl
ed
puti
ngt her
ingont hebedandl ookedatherone
mor eti
meandl aughedindisbeli
efwalki
ngoutthe
door.

Herubbedhi sheadlaughi
ngandheadedoutoft he
housewhenhesawanunf ami l
iarcar.Thesame
carthatpassedbyhimt wot i
mesyest erday.He
cl
enchedhi sjawsfi
ghti
ngt heangeri nhimtojust
smashi tandgotinhiscardrivi
ngof f.

Af ewmi nslater,
Sagidroveintotheyardusingone
handandpar kednexttoanunf amil
iarcar.She
steppedoutoft hecarandgr abbedhermedi cati
on
befor eclosi
ngt hedoorandheadedi nside.She
wal kedintothemai nbedroom andf oundSagion
herkneesont hefl
oorcryi
ng.Asmuchasi thurt
herseei ngherl i
kethi
sapar tofherwant edtograb
herbyt hehai randlandjustoneonherpr et
tyface.
Shespottedtheringonthebedandwal kedover
taki
ngitinhishand.Sheremember edthedaythey
saidthei
rvows.Thedayt heywereallhappy.She
sighedputt
ingitbackl
ookingather.

Sagi:I
'
m gonnamakeyout hesamepr omi
seImade
toyourhusband.I fIf
indhi
mI '
m gonnaki
llhi
m.
Andneitheryou,copsoranybodyaregonnado
anythi
ngaboutit.

Thewayhervoi
cewassocold,Gai
lrai
sedherhead
i
ntear
slooki
ngstr
aighti
nherst
onecol
deyes.She
wasdi
ffer
ent
.

Sagi:ohyesdarli
ng.Noonef ucksupmy
happinessandgetstol
ive.Noone.I'm gonnakil
l
them .Onebyone.Letitsi
nkin.I'
m donetaking
yourcrap.Bothofyou.Imtir
ed!

Shewal
kedt
othedoorandsi
ghedwhenshet
urned
l
ooki
ngather.

Sagi
:youshoul dprobablytakeashower,you
smelll
ikewhoeverfuvkthatis.Andifyourgonna
car
ryonbabyt el
lhimtot akeiteasyonyourski
n,
j
usttocoverhi
st r
acks.

Shewinkedatherbef
orewal
kingawayleavi
ngher
sit
ti
ngonthefl
oorwit
hapoundinghear
t.Aftera
fewminsshestoodupandwalkedtot
hebat hr
oom.

Meanwhi l
eSagiwal kedi ntotheki tchenl ookingat
herbl oodandsi ghedl eani ngagai nstthef ridge.
Tear sburnedhereyesandevent uallystarted
flowing.Justliket hat, herpar tnerletinot her
peopl eint
otheirmar ri
agewher etheirhappi ness
l
ays.Shewal kedt ot hel eavingr oom andt ookt he
telephonebyt hewal lcalli
ngt hecl eaningser vice
bef orewalki
ngt oBr eeze' soffice.Shesatonhi s
chai randwentt hrought hedr awerandwhenshe
foundnewsi m cardsandanewNoki aphone.She
smil
edallt
ohersel
fbef
oretaki
ngt
hem andwal
ked
out.Theysur
earegonnapay.

Att
hehospi
tal

Rosewalkedtot herecepti
onisthol
dingabusketof
fr
uit
sandr equestedtoseeKagi sowhenathenurse
l
etherthr
ough.Shesl owlypushedthedooropen
andcameeyet oeyewi t
hhim whenherheart
ski
ppedandsheshyl ywalkedover.

Rose:(
smi
li
ng)
sor
ryaboutt
hat.It
houghtyouwer
e
asl
eep.
Kagi
so:(smil
ing)Goodthi
ngI
'
m awake.Youseem
l
ikeyouenj
oysneakinguponpeopl
e.
Rose:Notr
eal
ly.IsneakwhenI
'
m scar
ed.
Kagi
so:youscar
edofme?Why.
Rose:Iuhm .
.yes..Idontknowwhy.Maybeit
s
becauseI'
m notusedtoyou.HereIbr
oughtyou
t
his.

Kagisosmil
edlooki
ngatherwhenshesmiled
uncontr
oll
abl
yputti
ngthebasketont
hetable.She
pi
ckedanappleforhim andhandedi
tandshe
pi
ckedabananabef or
esitt
ingdown.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)
youar
esweet.Thankyou.
Rose:Nopr
obl
em.
Kagi
so:Idontmeantosoundr
udebutIgat
taask
orel
seyouruncl
ewil
lhangmyheadonastick.
Rose:Hewont.Youcanask.
Kagi
so:Youbarel
yknowme, Imeanyoujustmet
meadayagoandal r
eadyyoubroughtmefrui
ts.
Doe'
sanyoneknowthatyourher
e?Nooffense.
Rose:uhm .
.no.Nooneknowst
hatI
'
m her
e.
Kagi
so:your
anaway?
Rose:Whatno!
Kagi
so:
Rose:ohkf
ine.Isneakedout.
Kagi
so:Why?
Rose:(
smil
ing)yousoundl
ikeyoudontwantme
her
e.IfyoudontIc-
Kagi
so:No.I
t'
snot
hingl
iket
hat.Ij
ustwantt
o
knowwhy.
Rose:Whydoyouwantt
oknowwhy?
Kagiso:Idon'
tknow.Justt
hatIf
eell
ikeyour
runningawayfr
om somethi
ng.Morel
ikeaburden.
Andyourbottl
edup.
Rose:Wel l.I
..I'
m gonnabehonestwi thyoucour se
onewayoranot herI'
l
ljusthavet otal
kout.I'm
kindalonelyandconf used.Ij ustcantseem tobe
abletohealandmoveonaf termyf ri
endspassi ng.
I'
m unabletomovepastt hef actthatshesnomor e.
Idontknowwhat '
swr ongwi thme.Ever yt
imewhen
I'
m homeI 'm notf eel
ingli
keI '
m home.Idontl ikeit
therei
not herwor ds.Buti tkindaf eelsdif
fer
ent
whenI '
m nott hereandmovi ngf rom heretother e
andsomehowI..
.idi
dn'
tfeell
ikethatyesterday
wheniwasaroundyou.Whent henursespul l
edme
outt
hetimeyouwereinpainIfeltl
iketheirtaki
ng
somethi
ngfr
om me.

Kagisolookedatherasshet
oldhim pl
ayingwit
h
thebananapeels.Sherai
sedherheadlookingat
him andbitherl
ipwhenhesmiledatherandshe
smiledback.

Kagi
so:
(smi
li
ng)
mmhh.
.
Rose:yeah.
.Iknow.Yout
hinkI
'
m wei
rd.
Kagi
so:No.Notatal
l.
Rose:Thenwhyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
iket
hat?
Kagiso:Justt
hat.
.Inevermetsomeone
courageousasyouare.Mostpeoplewouldhave
al
readykill
edt
hemselvesi
ftheycantseentofi
nda
wayf or
ward.Yourt
ough.
Shesmil
edlooki
ngathi
m ashebutt
heappl
eand
smil
edather.
.
.
.
.

Comment
.
[
08/
02,
13:
41]Lynne :Chapt
er33

Att
hehospi
tal

Kagisolookedupt heceil
ingwi thhishandunderhis
headasabal ance.Rosel ookedathi m andsmi l
ed
l
ookingatherhands.Hewasr eal
lyeyecatch.Too
att
racti
ve.Shel ookedathi m smil
ingwhenshegot
l
ostinthoughts.Kagisof elthereyesonhim when
hesmi l
edandt urnedlookingatherwhenshe
quickl
ylookeddownatherf i
ngerssmili
ng.
Kagi
so:What
'supPal
esa?
Rose:Pal
esa?(
Laughed)Real
ly?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
.what
'swr
ongwi
thi
t?I
sn'
tRosea
fl
ower?
Rose:I
tisbutact
ual
lymynamei
sRosel
la.
Kagi
so:What
'si
tmean?

Shelookedathi mt r
yingtofi
ndameani ngwhen
Kagisolaughedatherandshehi dherfacelaughing
withherhandsl aughing.Shehadasweetmel odic
l
aught er
.Hel ookedatherandbalancedhimself
withhiselbowandpul l
edherhandawayfrom her
facelookingi
nhereyes.Sheshyl ylookedinhim
andlookeddownashesatback.

Kagiso:yougotbeaut
if
ulbr
owneyes.Ar
eyousur
e
yournotacolor
ed?
Rose:
(bl
ushes)I
'
m sur
e.100% .Youal
sohavegot
br
owneyeswi
thl
ongl
ashes.You'
dswearyourgay.
Ar
eyou?
Kagi
so:(
laughs)
What?Fvckno!Jeezbabygi
rl.

Het
ri
edhol
dingi
tandevent
ual
lyl
aughedl
ayi
ngon
t
hebed.

Rose:(
smil
ing)Idontunder
standwhylaughi
ng
cour
seI'mjustaski
ngasimplequest
ion.Areyou
gayornot?Ormaybeyourat t
ract
edtoboth?
Kagi
so:(
laughi
ng)No.
.I'
m st
rai
ghtdar
li
ng.
Rose:Ri
ght.Seet
hatwasn'
tsohar
dwasi
t?
Kagi
so:j
ustt
hatIcantbel
ieveyouaskedmet
hat.
Rose:Ij
usthadt
oknow.
Kagi
so:Soallal
ongwhenyouwerest
ari
ngatme
t
hat'
swhathasbeeneat
ingyouup?
Rose:uhm .
..
Kagi
so:Iknowt
hat"
uhm "
dontyoudar
eli
etome
Pal
esa.ImeanRose.Spi
titout?
Rose:i
twasnot
hing.
Kagi
so:youknowIgotal
ltheti
measl ongasI '
m
st
il
ltr
appedonthi
sbedtotakeoutwhateveryour
bot
tl
ingupint
hathear
tright
?
Rose:Well.
.Doyoueverfeelli
kerunningaway?I
meanhaveyoueverhadamomentwher ebyyou
wanttofi
ndawayt oexityourdai
lyli
ferout
ineand
j
ustheadwheretomorrowl i
es?Getawayf rom
ever
ythi
ng..
?
Kagiso:Everysecondofmyl i
fe.AndIhavethe
tendencyoffeel
ingli
keIdontbelongther
eor
aroundanyone.Itendtof eell
essorunwanted.
Shamef ulandal
lthosethings.LikeI
'
m holdi
ng
peoplebackfrom t
heirl
ives.
Rose:yeahthat'
st hething.Ial
sofeellikeI
'vebeen
t
rappingmypar entf orquit
ealongtimewi t
hmy
fr
iendspassing.Ever ysecondoftheirli
veswas
waistedonme, tryingtofindmesolutionforward
t
his.Iheldthem backandwhenIt hinkofitnow-
i
t'
sl i
keI'
m apieceofwor k.Ahugebur dentothem ,
actual
lyt
her estofmyf amil
yandsomet i
mesIf
eel
l
ikeIshouldn'tbetherear
oundthem .Iwast
edso
mucht i
meoft hei
rli
ves.
Kagi
so:Dontt
hinkl
iket
hat.
Rose:butIj
ustcanthel
pit.I
t'
sli
keallalongI'
ve
beenwrappi
ngthem aroundmyli
ttl
efingerandnow
Idontknowhowt o-
Kagiso:Theiryourfamil
y.Theywer ethereforyou
becausetheysawt hatyouneededt hem t
hemost.
Losingslovedonehadneverbeeneasy.Youmi ght
havelostapersontento15year sagobutt hegap
theylef
tcouldbehar dt
of i
ll.AndIguessthat'
s
whathurtyou.Losingyourbestf r
iend.
Rose:Shewasmor ethanjustafr
iend(teary)she
waslikeasist
er.HerandIgr ewupt ogetherand
hadplansforourfuture.Ishar
edsomuchwi thher
thanwithanyotherperson.Shewassomuchmor e
.Shemeantsomucht ome.
Kagiso:t
ellyouwhat?Ineverhadsomeonet ocall
afri
end.EveryoneImetlookeddownonmef ort
he
past21yearssinceiwasborn(r
aisedeyebr
ow).
Eversinceil ostmydad. .t
hingst ookt heirtallonme
andmymom .Ever yoneal wayssee' smeasa
mistaket hatshoul dhavebeenabor tedand
unwant edper sonher eonear th, placedbymi st
ake.
Theonl yper sonIcansayI '
m cl osetoi smymom .
AndIdontknowwhatwoul dhappeni fIloseher.
Theempt inesst hatIwoul dfeel.Af t
erIl ostmydad,
i
twasl iket hewor ldwascl osinguponme.Li keI
wasst andi ngi nar oom i nthedar kcalli
ngoutwi th
noonet ohel p.If eltalone.Butonewayoranot her
Ihadt omoveonpastt hat,cour seIhadamot her
whoal soevent uallylostherj obf rom sicknessa
mont hlaterduet osi ckness.Sof rom thereIhadt o
hustl
ej ustt omakesur ewehadr oofaboveour
headsandsomet hingi nourst omach.Al lI'
m saying
i
sIknowt hef eeli
ngofl osingsomeone.I twontj ust
goawayi nabl ink.Butonewayoranot her,you
gatt
amoveon.Li fegoesonbutmemor ies.
Memor i
esar et het heonest hatwoul dkeept hem
cl
oset oourhear t
s.

Shewi
pedhert
ear
sandsni
ff
edbef
orel
ooki
ngat
hi
m .Kagi
sol
ookedatherandpul
ledherhand
ki
ssi
ngit.

Kagi
so:youknowwhatmymom usedt
osay?I
meanalwayssays.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)What?
Kagiso:shel
ikesthisquot eof.
.Neverletthepast
geti
nt hewayofyourl i
ving.Letthepastremain
pastandletl
etthefuterunfoldbutrememberto
al
wayskeepmemor iestokeepyougoi ng.
Rose:
(smi
led)Shesoundssweet
Kagiso:Thesweet estl
adyonear th.Iunderstand
whenyousayyouwantt orunaway.Hel lyeahwe
allwishtor unawaywhenwef acechal l
enges,but
j
ustdontl etitbeahabit.Youcango, butdonot
l
eavehome, justgogetyourself.Youcantr unaway
forever
.Theyar eyourfamilyandyourhome.And
trustmether eisnoplaceyoucanf i
ndloveandt he
pieceyoul ackofinyourhear totherthanhome.
Shesmi l
edlooki
ngathim andbitherl
ipl
ookingat
theirhandslockedli
kethat.Hekissedherhand
andpi ckedastrawberr
yandfedherwhenshe
blushedl i
keababyreceivi
nglol
lypop.

Kagi
so:f
vckyoursobeaut
if
ul.
Rose:(t
hankyou)

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse

Odir
il
esippedhisbeerl
ookingatBr eezeashe
narr
atedthewholestor
y.Her ubbedhi sheadand
thr
ewt hebot
tl
einthebinandpi ckedadr umsti
ck
andopenedanotherbeer.Hesighedsi tt
ingback
andlookedathi
m.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyouevenl
ist
eni
ngt
ome?
Odi
ri
le:ohyeah.Iam .
Br
eeze:youdontl
ookl
ikei
t.
Odi
ri
le:Howol
disRose?
Breeze:Whatdoyoumeanhowoldi
sRose?Shes
18.Whatdoyouwantwithher?
Odir
il
e:Aft
er12i
tsl
unch.Iwannamarr
yher.It
seemsli
keyourf
ami
lyisf
uckedupfun.Iwanna
j
ointhepar
ty.
Breeze:Odir
il
eIjustputmyplat
eonyourtableand
thi
siswhatyoursaying.Youalr
eadyar
epar toft
he
famil
y.Andnoyournotmar ryi
ngmynieceshe's
wayt ooyoungtoyou.
Odi
ri
le:Af
tert
wel
vei
tsl
unch.
Br
eeze:i
nyourmot
her
shouse.
Odi
ri
le:Ever
ywher
eint
hewor
ld,af
ter12i
t'
sti
me.

BreezelookedatOdi
ri
leasheplayedwi
thhi
s
eyebrowseatingt
hedrumsti
ck.

Br
eeze:Odi
ri
lei
-
Odi
ri
le:Whatt
hepoi
ntBr
eeze?Huh?Tel
lme.
WhatwillIsayt
hatwoul
dmakeadi
ff
erencet
oyour
si
tuat
ion.
Br
eeze:Idontknow.Justsaysomet
hingdontj
ust
si
tbackandwatchmedr awn.
Odir
il
e:youputyoursel
fint
his,
nowmanupand
sor
tyourshi
tcoursenooneisgonnasor
titoutf
or
you.
Br
eeze:I
sthata-
Odir
il
e:Whatdoyouwantmet osay?Idonteven
knowwhoyouf vckedt hatmadeyousoweekdown
ther
e.Youramar ri
edman, totwowomen.
Shouldn'
tyouhavelearnthowt okeepyourpant
s
onbyt het
imeyouent eredthi
srelat
ionshi
p.
Br
eeze:Odi
ri
le-
Odir
il
e:Iknowshecheat ed.Butwhoforcedher
i
ntoit.Ohyeahyoumi ghthavenotbutwhopushed
heremotionsintoit?.Shehadnor i
ghttoandso
di
dyou.Youbot ht houghtaboutyoursati
sfact
ion
andforgotthatyournoti nthi
salone.Youkill
ed
Sagi.She'sawal ki
ngcor pse.
Breeze:Man..
Iknowt hatIf
vckedupwhencomi
ng
toher.Ido.AndIloveher.Ij-
Odi
ri
le:Whoi
sthi
schi
ckanyway?
Br
eeze:Idon'
twant-
Odiri
le:t
henyouseemyf r
iend.
.yourholdi
ngback
yetyouwantmet oadviseyou.Soal lIcansayis
youseethewayyoupr otecthername, prot
ecther
justj
ustl
iket
hat.Shiel
dherl i
kethatwithalli
nyou.
Br
eeze:Whatdoyoumean?
Odir
il
e:thi
nkaboutit.I
fSagicanbreakyourcar
wit
hrockswi t
hyouinsi
de,throwyouwi t
haknife
andaglass,chaseyouwithaknif
eandevenl ook
youri
ghtintheeyeandmakesucht hreatsi
magine
whatthepai
nyoubot hhaveputherthroughdi
don
her.Mentall
ycourseaccor
dingtomei tdamaged
her.BADLYmyf ri
end.

Breezelookedathi
m ashepl
ayedwit
hthebottl
e.
Odiri
lepickedanot
herdr
umst
ickandbit
eitl
ooki
ng
athim.
Odi
ri
le:Justsayi
ngbuckl
eupmyboy.Cour
set
his
i
sjustthebegi
nni
ng.Prepar
efort
hewor
st.

Breezeswal
lowedl
ooki
ngathim whenhethought
aboutit.Meanwhi
leOdi
ri
lel
eanedbackrel
axing
si
ghed.

AtBr
eezes.

Gailwalkeddownt hest ai
rswear i
ngabi ggytshir
t
andat i
ghtbar efootholdingthemoneyi nherhand.
Theser vicecleaner spackedever ythingbackni cel
y
andr eceivedthemoneybef oreheadi ngout.Gai l
cl
osedt hedoorandl eanedagai nstit.Shesi ghed
andwal kedt ot hekitchenwher eshet ookout
everythingshe' l
lneedf orthemealandst ar
ted
cookingwi thhermi ndrunningar ound.

Meanwhi
leSagiputt
hesi
m car
dint
henewphone
andusedherphonetransfer
ingai
rt
imewi t
hasmi l
e
upherface.Shewalkedintothemainbedroom and
satonthebeddial
inganumber .Averyscaryvoice
answer
ed.

Voi
ce:Yes
Sagi
:HySt
one.
St
one:Sagi?Bossl
ady.
Sagi
:Ineedaf
avor
.
Stone:Nonobosslady.Yourhusbandaskedme
nottodoyouanyfavors.Hesaidhewants-
Sagi
:Wel
lhe'
snotont
hephonewi
thusnowi
she?
St
one:St
il
lI'
m notsuppo-
Sagi:Iwonderhowhe'
dfeel
ifIt
ellhi
mthatyou
oncewentbehindhi
sbackandstoleamit
er.Shhh.
.
Icantimage.
St
one:Whatdoyouwant?
Shesmil
edwhenGail'
sphoner ang.Shewalked
overt
oherbagandtookitoutlooki
ngat"Mxoli
si"
sheanswer
editandkeptquietputt
ingi
tonherear.

Mxolisi:Beforeyousayanyt hing.Ij ustwantt olet

youknowt hatI'
m sorr
yifthi
swhol et hingf eels
wrongandcanpossi blyrui
nyourl ife.Butt omei t
fel
tri
ghtbaby.Youdontl ovet hatman.Youknow
youdont.Justt hatyourtooscar edt omoveon.
ButIwontf orceyout odowantyoudontwantt odo
.That '
swhyI 'm set
ti
ngyouf ree.ButIwantyout o
knowonel astthingbeforewepar t.I. .Iloveyou.I
haven'tfel
tli
kethiseverinmyl i
fewit hanyot her
woman.ThemomentImetyouIknewt h-
Sagi:Wat
senwaomar
ete.Mxm .

Shehangupwi
thannoyanceandanswer
edher
s.

St
one:Poorguy.Whoi
sit
?
Sagi:
Nonofyourdamnbusi
ness.Iwantyout
o
t
racksomeonef
orme.AndIneedagun.
St
one:What?

Shesatbacki
nthebedandf
oldedherl
egsbef
ore
l
ooki
ngathernail
s.

Sagi
:Andacid.Al otofaci
dbaby.(
evi
ll
aught
er)I
l
ovescience.Ihavegivenmysel
fasci
enceproj
ect.
(Smi
ked)

.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
41]Lynne :Chapt
er34
Somewher
eont
her
oad.
Janehasbeendr ivi
ngaroundt hewholetownf or
quiteawhilenow.Shest illcouldn'
tbri
ngher self
togethert
ot hefactthathedoesn' thaveevenas
l
ittl
easat i
nybi tofaspar kinhi mforher.She
stopedbyt herobotandl eanedbackhol dingt he
wheelwi t
hbot hhands.Shechuckl edsmi li
ng
thinki
ngoft hei
rmemor yt ogether.Howt hisbaby
cameabout.
Sheheldherstomachrubbi
ngitandwhent hegreen
l
ightfl
ashed.Shetookatur
ntot hecl
ini
c.Itwas
aboutdamnt i
meshefocusesonhermar ri
age.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Sagisteppedoutoftheshowerandwr appeda
towelaroundherbodyst eppi
ngi nherf l
uff
yshoes.
Shest oodbythemirrorandsmi ledlookingather
elegantski
n.Shetracedherf ingeronherar mthe
wayBr eezeal
waysusedt o.Awei ghofsadness
coverdherasshehuggedher selfcl
osinghereyes
pi
cturi
nghim .Tearsburnedhereyesast hey
fl
oweddownhercheekst i
llcl
osinghereyes.His
smellandhissmile.Hisboldarmswr apping
aroundherbodymakingherf eelmoreli
keal i
tt
le
gi
rlagain.Safet
y,l
oveandcomf or
t.
Butthenthatisallinthepast.Sheopenedhereyes
andlookedather selfont
hemi rror
.Shehated
seei
nghert earsandhowshel ookedf
eeli
ngli
ke
thi
s.
Shesmi
ledandwi
pedhert
ear
s.

Sagi
:Bi
ggi
rl
sdon'
tcr
ySagi.Bi
ggi
rl
sdontcr
y.

Shesmi l
edlooki
ngather sel
fandletthetowell
oose
l
ookingather self
.Shelookedather sel
fand
touchedherhour glassf
ingertoherass.She
smiled.Sheneededsomesor tofabreakfrom al
l
ofthis.Shewal kedoutandwenti ntothei
rroom
andpi ckedherphonedialingOdiri
le.
Odi
ri
le:Ohhel
oowyou.Wassup?
Sagi:Not
hingj
ustt
hat,I
'
mfeel
ingal
it
tl
ebi
tmi
xed
up.Ineedamakeover
.
Odi
ri
le:ohk.
.Whatdoyouwantdo?
Sagi
:Doyoust
il
lhavenumber
soft
hatguywho
doesi
nkar
t?
Odi
ri
le:Tat
toos?
Sagi:
Exactl
y.Sodoyouhavehi
snumber
s?
Locati
on?
Odir
il
e:babyIdon'
tthinkthat'
sagr eati
dea.Thus
thi
ngscancourseahugemesst oyourhealth.I
suggestyougoseeadoct orf
irstandcheckifyou
donthaveanycomplicat
ions.Thi sshi
tcancourse
youhealt
hissuesl
ikeskinall
ergiesandshit
.
Sagi: Odiri
le.Thecarryi
ngmot herfvcker.The
responsi blebaby.RightnowIwi shedIhadmar r
ied
youi nsteadofyourfriend.ButtodayIwasn' t
askingi fthiscancostme.Iwant edt osimple
thi
ngs.Locat i
onornumber s.
Odi
ri
le:Yournoti
nther
ightst
ateofmi
ndSagi.
Thatshi
thurt
sandIdontt
hinkyou'
l
lbeabl
etogo
thr
oughwithi
t.Letmetel
lB-
Sagi:Nonosmar
tpants.Don'
t.Ifyoudontt
hink
youcanhel
pmethenfineIwontforceyou.You
don'
thavet
oaddBreezeinever
ything.
Odir
il
e:ohkf
ine.I
t'
snotonmet hough.It
'syou,
youwantedt
his.I
'
llt
extyouhi
sdetai
ls.
Sagi:
(smi
li
ng)yourt
hebest
.

Shehangupandsmi l
edheadingtothecl
osetand
worehersi
mpleclubbl
ackoutfi
t.Whenshewas
donethemessagegotinandshewentout.

I
ntheki
tchen.
Gailhear
dfootst
epsfr
om t
hest
air
sandsher ushed
outoftheki
tchenwit
haspoonandlookedatSagi
smili
ng.

Gai
l:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Ij
ustf
ini
shedcooki
ng
andI
'
m onl
ylef
twi
thpr
epar
ingt
het
abl
e.
Sagi
:Welldarl
ingasyoucanseeI'
m onmyway
.Buti
tsmellsgreat?
pleaseputmi
neint
hewar
mer.
Gail:Whereareyougoi ngdressedl i
kethat?You
knowhe'snotgonnaliket hatdresscode.Your
mar r
iedyoushouldatleastdresslikeit.
Sagi:
Atl
eastI
'
m notcl
imbi
ngi
ntobeds.
Gail:(cl
earedthroat
)ohk..ThereasonwhyIcooked
todayi sbecauseIwantust ositdownasaf ami
ly
andt alkthi
sout.Wecantcar ryonliket
his.I
thoughtsi t
ti
ngdownal lt
ogetherwecanf i
nda
soluti
ont othisoverdi
nner.
Sagi
:Maybeyoushoul
dhavet
houghtaboutt
hat
yest
erday.

Gailswall
owedputti
ngherhandsi nthepocketof
theapronandlookedather.Sagiputonhershades
andkissedherli
psbef or
eheadingoutbreaki
ngit
sidetosidei
nherleathermini
skir
t.
Gai
lst
oodatt
hedoorl
ooki
ngatherandbutherl
ip
cl
osi
ngthedoorast
ear
sroll
eddownhercheeks.
Shewal
kedbacktot
hekit
chenandpour
edhersel
f
morewi
necryi
ng.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Aftersendingthemessage.Hewal kedbacktothe
l
ivingroom andfoundBreezehol
dingtheremote
passingeverychannelnotknowi
ngwhatt owatch.
Heevent uall
ythr
ewitonthecouchandr ubbedhis
facebeforelooki
ngatOdiri
le.

Br
eeze:I
tsJane.
Odi
ri
le:uhmm.
..
?
Br
eeze:t
hewomanIsl
eptwi
th.I
tsJane.
Odi
ri
le:Janeasi
nJane?Yourbr
other
swi
fe?
Br
eeze:yep.
Odi
ri
le:Wt
F!Areyououtofyourdamnmind.I
meanareyoucr
azy?Withyourbrot
her
s"WIFE".
Ar
eyout
hatdesper
atef
orr
evenge?
Br
eeze:That
'snott
hewor
st.
Odi
ri
le:t
ellmet
hewor
st.

Helookedathim andl
eanedbackpl
ayi
ngwi
thhi
s
r
ingaroundhisfi
nger.

Br
eeze:She'
spr
egnant
.

Odi
ri
le'
sjawsdr
oppedl
ooki
ngathi
m.

Breeze:Wit
hme.Wi t
hmychild.Andnowt hi
ngare
getti
ngoutofhand.Sheisfall
ingforme.Gai lal
so
usedheremotionstohurtmewhi l
eontheot her
si
dewebot hturnedourbacksononeper sonwho's
al
waysbeent herethewhol
etime.Sagiisnol onger
herself
.Idamagedher.Thingsdontlookgood
man.
Odi
ri
le:Shei
scar
ryi
ngyourf
ir
stwat
ermel
on!
That
'sf
uvckedup!
Br
eeze:t
ellmeabouti
t.
Odir
il
e:Damn.Sowhatar eyougonnadoaboutit
?
Imeanyoucan'thi
dethi
sforever
.Tr
uthhasaway
ofcomingout
.Andt hel
ongeryouhi
dethebi
ggerit
get
s.
Breeze:RightnowIwast hi
nki
ngofconf essi
ngthe
pregnancy.Butafterseeinghowcheat i
nghastorn
them .
..
Idon'tt
hinkrightnowistherightti
me.On
theotherhand,asmuchasIhat emybr otherIal
so
wouldhatetoseet hepaininhiseyesafterfi
ndi
ng
outaboutthis.I
tsgonnaki l
lhim .Li
kethewasi t
doestoSagi.
Odir
il
e:Man. .I.
.Idontknowwhattosay.Al
lIcan
sayis,bet
tertel
lbefor
eit'
stool
ate.
Breeze:Sagiseemeddet er
minedt onotst
opeveni
f
Igojumpf rom thetall
estbuil
ding.She'
swhatshe
i
st odayal
lbecouseofme.Shet hr
eat
enedmychil
d.
Myownchi l
d'sbloodwi l
lbeonherhandsal l
becouseofme.She' s.
.thi
ngsar esobadIwanna
takethem allback.
Odir
il
e:Youdoknowt hatsomewomanwhenthey
arepregnantt
heyt
endt ofal
linl
ovewi
tht
hef
ather
ri
ght?Doyouhavef eeli
ngsforher?
Breeze:Idon'tknow.Idon' tknowifI'
m scar
edto
hurtherorI'
mr eall
yinl
ovewi thher.Idontknowif
whetherthi
sisjustal i
tt
lecrush,l
ustoriti
sreal
l
ove.ButwhatI '
m sureofismyf eel
ingsformy
gi
rlshaven'
tchangedabi t.I'
m st
il
lmadlyinl
ove
withthem .
Odi
ri
le:Man.
..
Idontknowwhatt
osay.Thi
sisa
mess.
Breeze:Dontsayanythi
ngmyguy.Youwer eri
ght.
Iputmyselfinthi
ssoI'l
lhavetogetmyselfout.
Comehi ghorlow.I'
m wil8t
odowhat everi
tisso
thatmychildshal
lnotcomei nt
oaf amil
yli
kethis.

Hestooduppi
cki
nghi
skeysandl
ookedathi
swr
ist
wat
ch.

Br
eeze:Igat
tagot
othecl
ini
c.Iwannabuy
somet
hing.
Odi
ri
le:al
ri
ghtman.Becxxlohk.

Theybr
ohuggedbef
orehewentout.

Att
het
att
ooshop.

Sagitookof fhershadel ooki

ngatt hebuildi
ngand
si
ghedst eppingoutoft hecar.Shegr abbedher
bagpackandst eppedputl ookingaround.Ther e
wasmusi ccomi ngfr
om t heinside,morel i
kei
twas
aclub.Shewal kedoverandr angthebellwhena
bigbounceropenedt hedoorandshegoti t.The
wholeroom wasf i
ll
edwi thweedsmokeanddi sco
l
ightsli
ghtingupt heroom
Shefoll
owedthemusicpassingmygi r
lsnakedand
al
lthosethi
ngs.Shewentt othetat
toocorner
whereshestoodonthedrawingsbythewall
l
ookingforatat
too.
Guy:Sagi?!

Shet
urnedaroundl
ooki
ngathi
m andsmi
led
l
ooki
ngattheshopowner.

Sagi
:Howhaveyoubeen?I
t'
sbeensol
ongEl
i.
El
i:I
ndeed.Ilastsawyouwhenyouforcedyour
husbandtotat
tooyournamesonhi
m .Thatnight
wasablust.HowmayIhel p?
Sagi
:Iwantat
att
oo.Thi
sone.

Elismi
ledbef
orel
ooki
ngatthemachi neandpull
ed
herbythehandgoi
ngtotheVIP.Onlyifsheknew
howmucht hi
shurt
s,shewouldn'
tchoosesucha
hugetatt
oo.

Att
heCl
ini
c.
Breezest eppedoutoftheCl
ini
choldingasmal l
bag
andsi ghedgoingtohiscar.Whowoul dhave
thoughtthathe, hi
mselfhi
sloveli
fewillgett
othis
highbr i
dge?.Hegoti nhiscarandleanedback
relaxi
ngwhenhespot t
edafamili
arcar.
Janealsosteppedoutoft hebui l
dingwit
hasmi l
e
upherfaceholdingasmal l pl
astic.Helookedat
herandthought.Righttheret hatwasawoman.
Herbodywasj ustsoper f
ectandshehadbr ains.
Thoughsomet i
mesi tt
wist sfacingaway.Hi sbaby
mama.Thinkingofthatbroughtqui l
twhenhe
cl
osedhiseyesandl eanedont hewheelforaf ew
secondsandst art
edthecardr i
vingoff.
Meanwhi l
eJanesawafami l
iarcarpassingbyher
carandswallowed.Hedidn'
tevenpayat tent
iont
o
him anymoreandsomehowt hi
shurts.Sheheldher
tummyandsi ghedst
art
ingthecaranddr oveoff.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Gai
lhear
dthedoorunl
ockwhenshegotupf
rom
thekit
chenf
loorholdi
ngabottl
eofwineandwent
toseewhoitwas.Shewal kedoverandsawBr
eeze
standi
ngbythedinnertabl
eandsetdown.
Sherubbedherhandonhert
ightswalki
ngoverand
setdown.Theawkwardnessfil
ledt
heroom when
shelookedathi
m.

Gai
l:Hey.
.
Br
eeze:Hi.

Thosewer etheonlywordsthatmanagedtocome
outoftheirmouths.Breezesighedandputthe
smallbagonherpl at
elookingather.Shel
ookedat
hi
m andt ookthebaglookinginsi
de.MorningAft
er
pi
ll
s.
Him putt
ingthi
smadeevent heembarr
assmentand
shameconsumeherasshel ookedi
nsi
deandput
theasidelooki
ngatherhands.

Gai
l:Thankyou.
Heforcedasmileandbeganservi
nghi
mselfasshe
satt
herenotknowingwhattosayordonext.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Janegotintothehouseandtookbreathexcer
cises
beforewalki
ngtothebedroom.Shef oundJack
si
tti
ngont hebedunbutt
oninghisshi
rtandshe
smiledwalki
ngover.Jacklookedatherandshook
hi
shead.

Jane:BabyI
'm sorr
y.Idi
dn'
tmeanal
lthoset
hings
Isai
dinthemorning.
Jack:Youaredi
ff
erentt
hisdaysJane.Yourtongue
sl
ipsout.Youaddressmeinaverydisr
espectf
ul
manner.
Jane:Babythat
'swhyI'
m sorr
y.Or eal
isedmy
mistakesandI'
m wi
ll
ingtocheeryouup.Here.
Herhear tpoundedasshetookoutthreepr egnancy
test
sgi vi
ngthem tohi
m .Hisfacel
ightenedup
l
ookingatt hetwoli
nesoneachofthest icks.He
stoodupandmadeherst andbefor
eembr acingher
i
nat ighthug.Hewasgoi ngtobeaf atheragain.

Jane:i nsorr
yudidn'
ttel
lyouinti
me.Iwasn'tsur
e
butafterIthr
ewupf r
om thesmellofeggsand
real
izedthatIwasaggressi
vetoyouIwentto
checkup.
Jack:(smil
ing)noneedtoexplai
n.Dontapologi
ze.
Iforgi
veyou.OhmyGod.Thi scall
sforafamil
y
celebr
ati
on.I'm goi
ngt
obeaf athertot
wo.

Janelookedathiseartoearsmil
eonherf aceand
coul
dn'thelpbutlaugh.Thiswasherhusbandand
shehadt akenthehappinessf
rom hi
m butnowshe
i
swill
ingt oearni
tback.Shesmiledl
ookingathim
ashef i
ddledforhisphoneandfi
nall
yfoundit.
Jane:Whoar
eyoucal
li
ng?
Jack:mybrot
her
.(Smi
li
ng)Heshoul
dknow.He
deser
vest
o.
Jane:(swall
owed)Cantwewaitali
tt
lelongerand
enjoythenewsandjoyofthi
spregnancybeforewe
tel
leveryoneel
se?
Jack:Br
eezei
sfami
ly.He'
snotl
ikej
ustanyone
mylove.

Hehel
dherhandki
ssi
ngi
tasherhear
tpoundedso
har
donhi
schest.

Br
eeze:Yes
Jack:Li
tt
lebr
other
.Guesswhat?
Br
eeze:
..
.
Jack:Ihavegreatnews.Janei
spr
egnant
.I'
m
goingt
obeaf athertot
wo!
Br
eeze:uhm.
.what?
Jack:Shei
scarr
yinganot
herf
lowerofmi
ne.I
sn'
t
thatamazi
ng?
Br
eeze:(
scof
fs)hmm .
.
Jack:Canwepl easecel
ebrat
ethistoget
herasa
family.Iwantust ocometogetherandrai
se
glassestoanewmemberofourf amil
y.Comehave
dinnerwit
hust omor r
ow.
Breeze:NahIwontbether
e.Butim sur
eGai
land
Sagiwould.Congrat
sbyt heway.
Jack:Tha-

Hehangupbeforehecanf i
nishtal
kingandJack
si
ghedlooki
ngatthephone.Meanwhi l
eJane'
sfeet
gotcol
dasshestoodtherelooki
ngathim.

Jack:Hewontmakei t.YourknowIthoughtwehad
passedthepastandatleastmybrot
herwillbe
happyforme.Butinsteadhehangsuponme.
Jane:Itsohkbaby.I '
m surewecancelebrat
e
withouthim .Dontl
etBreezegeti
nthewayofyour
happiness.Yourgoi
ngt obeafathersoon.We
reall
ydon'tneednegati
vit
ynowdowe?

Jacksmil
edandki
ssedherbef
orehol
dingher
hands.

Jack:Il
oveyouJane.
Jane:Il
oveyout
oo.

.
.
.
.

Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
41]Lynne :Chapt
er35
Att
heHospi
tal
.

Rosestoodupstil
lhol
dingKagiso'
shandand
smiledl
ookingathi
m notwanti
ngtoletgo.She
pul
ledherhandbufcouldn'
tfr
eehersel
ffrom hi
s
gri
pandf i
nall
ysatdownlooki
ngathim.

Rose:youdor
ealizei
t'
slateandIgott
agethome
ormyunclewi
llhangthatheadofyoursonast
ick.
Kagi
so:(
smil
ing)Sonowyouragr
eei
ngt
hathe'
l
l
hangmyheadonast i
ck?
Rose:NoIdont.ButI '
m surehe'
lldomuchmor e
thanthat.Hebelievesthatpuni
shmentisbetter
thandeathcourseindeat hyouwontfeelthepai
n
butifhepunishesyou, he'l
lmakeitpai
nfulsoyou
cansuffer.
Kagi
so:YouLyonsar
ecr
eep'
s.
Rose:(l
aughs)t
hatwear
e.I
fyoul
etmegoI
pr
omi setocomebackt
omor
row.
Kagi
so:Pr
omi
sei
sapr
omi
se.
Rose:Ipr
omi
se.

Kagisosl
owlyl
etgoandshestooduplookingat
hi
m .Shewinkedathi
m andhesmiledthenshe
walkedout.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezepl ayedwi t
hhisfoodasangerandj ealousy
fi
ll
edhi m upi nthestomach.Hecl enchedhisjaws
anddr ankhi swine.Hekeptonpl ayingwit
hhi s
foodasGai lstol
eglimpsesathim andat e.Hesaw
herlookingathi m andturnedlookingatherwhen
shequi cklylookedinherplate.

Br
eeze:Youwannasaysomet
hing?
Gai
l:Uhm no.Notatal
l.
Thedoorbel
lrangandhestoodupgoi ngtoopen.
Herubbedhisheadandpull
edt hedooropentoa
man.Hewashi ssizeandheightbutali
tt
lebut
dar
kerthanhim.

Br
eeze:Heyman.HowcanIhel
pyou?
Guy:Hey,
mynamei
sMxol
isi
.IsGai
lar
ound?
Br
eeze:Whatdoyouwantwi
thmywi
fe?
Mxol
isi
:Icamet
ogetmycar.Thatoneovert
her
e.
Breeze:Soyourt heonet
hatwaswit
hmywi fe
yesterdayal
lnightandat
ewhatbel
ongstome.
Yout heguythatateonmytabl
ewit
houtprot
ecti
on.
Mxoli
si:Youknowmant
hisi
snott
her
ightt
imet
o
dothi
s.YesIwaswit
hherbut-

Withoutt
hinki
ngtwiceBr eezeraisedhisfootand
ki
ckedhim betweent helegsandhef elldown
hol
dingbetweenhisl egsgroaninginpain.Breeze
punchedhiminthef acesidetosi debeforeki
cki
ng
hi
schestandf el
ldownwhenhegotonhi sstomach
punchinghi
m acoupl eoftimes.Mxoli
sit
ri
edto
pushhim of
fbutBr eezegrabbedhi
shandspinni
ng
them downwit
hhi skneesandcontinuedpunchi
ng
him whil
ehegroanedi npain.

Mxol
isi
:Getof
fme.

Gailheardthenoiseandrushedoutoft hehouse
whenshest oppedonhet rackslooki
ngatBr eezeon
topofMxol i
siwhowasbl eedingbuthecont i
nued
punching.Shequi ckl
yranoverandt ri
edstopping
Breezebuthepushedherandshef ellonherbut t
cryi
ngandl andedast r
ongpuncht hatbroke
Mxolisi
'sjaw.

Breeze:Yougottheball
stocometomyhouseand
l
ookmei ntheeyeafterwhatyoudi
d?!Wantwael
a
kanamonna.I'm goi
ngtokil
lyou.

Gai
lst
oodupandpul
ledhi
m byhi
sshi
rtbuthe
grabbedherhandandpushedherbackont he
ground.Shestoodupagainandthist
imef el
lon
them andMxoli
sigotfr
ee.Heusedhislastener gy
andpushedGailasideandpunchedBreezeont he
mout hbefor
ehespearedhi
m andtheyfellonthe
fl
ower s.
Carli
ghtsbouncedonthethem andSagistopped
thecarandsteppedoutr
unningover.Shelookedat
them f
ight
ingandusedallherfor
cepushingthem
apart.Withangeri
nthem theypushedheraway
andshet r
embledandgainbalance.

Sagi
:St
opi
t!Isai
dst
opi
t!Br
eezest
op!

Shelookedatt hem andf rustr

ati
onal ongwi thanger
fi
ll
edherupandsher ushedt othecart akingouther
bag.Shel ookedforhermakeupmi rrorandbr okeit
ontheground.Shepi ckedt wobiggergl assesand
walkedover.Shest oodt herelookingatt hem but
theydi
dn'tstopsoshest abbedBr eezeont hethi
gh
whenhef ellonthegroundgr oani
ngwi tht heglass
st
illthereandbloodcomi ngout.Mxol i
sisawthe
oppor t
unityandjumpedathi m wit
hapunchbut
Sagist abbedhim withanotheroneoft hearm and
hel andedont hefl
oor.Theybot hgroanedofthe
groundandshet urnedlookingatGai lwhowas
si
ttingont hegroundcrying.

Sagi
:(shout
ing)Sot
hisi
shim ?AnswermeorI
'
ll
al
sostabyouorworsesl
ityourt
hroat
.
Gail
:(
cryi
ng)Yess!I
tshim .Hej
ustwant
edhi
scar
back.Hewasn'thereforme.
Sagi
:Mxm .

Sagiwalkedint
ot hehouset ot hemainbedroom as
thepai
noft hetattocoverherwai stsi
detoherleg.
Shetookoffhercl othesandwor eherragbefor
e
goingdownstair
st of etchi ces.Tearsburnedher
eyesasitgotwor seandwor se.Shequickl
ywentto
thebathr
oom andt hrewt hei cesinsi
deandopened
thecol
dwat er.Shet ookof fherr agandshewasal l
swoll
en.Shest eppedi nsidet hecoldwaterand
l
ayedbackr elaxi
ngl i
steni
ngtothepai
n.Thoughi
t
waspainfulitwasn'taspainf
ulcomparedt
otheone
shef
eltinherhear t.

Meanwhi l
eoutsi
de.Gailr
ushedt
oBreezeasshe
groundedonthegroundandhesi
tant
lyt
ri
edpull
i
ng
theglassout.

Br
eeze:Gai
l..
pul
lthedamnt
hingout.I
thur
ts.

Gaill
ookedathi
sfaceandbi
teherl
ipcl
osingher
eyesandpull
edoutthegl
assandbl
oodflowed.
Mxolisilookedatthem andst ooduphol dinghis
arm .Seeingherl i
kethi
swi thhim hurthim somuch.
Hethoughtmaybewhenhecamebyshe' l
lbreak
fr
eeandcomewi t
hhim butno, shedidthe
opposite.Hel ookedatthehouseandshookhi s
headr emember ingthevoicethatcall
edouthi s
packageandi twast hatgirlt
hatstabbedhi m .The
oneGai lsaidshewascr azyandhebel i
ttl
edher
wor
d.

Mxol
isi
:Gai
l?Ineedt
hecarkeys.
Gail
:Ther
einsidet
hecar.(Teary)Anddon'
tyou
evercomebackhere.Idontloveyou.Il
ovemy
husband.Leavemealoneandnotonceshowyour
faceonmyaccount.Ihateyou.

Heswal lowedt hepai nlookingher.Br eezet urned

l
ooki ngatherandl ookedatMxol isi
.Thoughhe
alsohatedhi m heknewt hatseeingthewomanyou
l
ovet urntoanot hermanhur tsomuchmor ethan
anyinjury.Helookedasi deandbackatGai lwho's
tearsrol
leddownhercheeks.Asmuchasheal so
l
ovedheranot hermanl ovedhert ooandi fsheal so
l
ovedhi mt hewayhedi d, shewouldn'tcheat.She
woul dholdont ot hepainanddealwi t
hi tina
reasonablemannert hewayt heyalwaysdo.But
i
nstead,wi thouthesi t
ationhewentt ohi mt hesame
dayofhi sconfessi onshowi nghimt hatwi thevery
secondt helovet heyshar edwassl owlyf ading
away.

Breeze:
Doyoul
ovehi
m ?Justbehonestwi
thme
Abigai
l.

Shel ookedathim andbackatMxoli

siwhohel dhis
handwi thaswollenface.Shetr
iedsearchingfor
thelovebutatthismomentshecouldf i
ndt he
answert ohisquesti
on.Shetur
nedlookingat
Breezewhohadaemot i
onl
essfacelookingather.

Gai
l:I
twasl
ust.Amomentofweakness.
Breeze:Didyouenj
oyyoursel
fyester
day?Imean
the(cl
earedthr
oat
)thesex?Wasi tgood.
Gai
l:(
tear
y)babypl
easedontaskmet
hat.
Breeze:Justanswert
hedamnquest
ionsowecan
sortthi
soutonceandforal
l.Di
dyouenjoyt
hesex
?
Gaill
ookedinhiseyesandeveni
fhewascal
m she
cansensethepaincomingoutofhi
svoi
ceandhis
eyessaidi
tall.

Gai
l:No..
Idi
dn'
t.I
twasf
ullofemot
ionsand
sor
row.Idi
dn'
tenj
oyi
t.

Mxolisiswal
lowedandt urnedaroundheadingt
ohis
car.Hecouldt akethepai
nanymor e.Heari
ngthose
wordscomeoutofhermout hwaslikecut
ti
ngyour
heartwitharazoreventhoughithurts.
Hegoti
nhi scarwhenatearr
andownhi
scheek
andhi
sphoner ang.I
twashisfat
her
.Heanswer
ed
ashedroveout.

Hi
m:Donal
d!
Mxol
isi
:(si
ghed)Jacob?
Jacob:Obitsannarragowi t
hmyname?Whenar
e
youret
urni
ngf r
om overseas?
Mxol
isi
:inacoupl
eofmont
hswhy?
Jacob:courseyouneedtogether
ebyt wodays.
Wehaveal ottotal
kaboutandnotoverthephone.
Wehaveacer emonycomingyoushouldbeher eas
afamil
ymember .
Mxoli
si:(
sighed)f
ine.
.fi
rstIneedt
osor
toutsome
t
hings.
Jacob:Somet
hing'
sli
kewhat?
Mxol
isi
:they'
reper
sonaldad.I
'
llseeyout
hen.Bye
.
Jacob:bye.

Hesi ghedandst art

edt hecar.Nonofhisf ami
ly
member sknowt hathei nt
owncour setothem he
wasal awyeroverseasnotknowingheownsaLaw
Firm hereinSouthAf r
ica.Butthentheywer et
he
l
eastofhi sproblemsr i
ghtnow.Hehadt osavethe
womanhel ovedf r
om thatculpr
it
.Hesmi l
edand
tookat urnheadingtothepolicestati
ontoopena
caseofassaul t
.
Meanwhi l
e.Gai lputBreezeshandar oundher
shoulderandhel pedhim stand.Thepai nst r
uck
him ashepul l
edhi sl
egandf rowned.Whatki ndof
awifedoest histoherhusband.Heknewt hatshe
wasvi ol
entbutthiswasget t
ingoutofhandandi t
seemsl i
keshedoest hi
swi thouthesit
ationwhichis
notgood.Gai lstoppedandl ethim adjustthepain.

Gai
l:Thegl
asswassharpandl
ong.Thewound
mustbedeeptoo.Letmegogett
hecarI
'
llt
akeyou
t
othehospit
al.
Br
eeze:I
tsj
ustal
it
tl
ewoundGai
l.
Gai l
:andthatl
it
tl
ewoundhur t.Andalot.Your
l
osi ngmor ebl
oodlookatyou.IknowI'm notyour
favourit
epersonatthemomentbutst i
llt
hatwont
stopmef r
om pushi
ngyourassintothatcarand
driveyoutothehospit
al.

Br
eezesmi
ledl
ooki
ngasi
deandst
oodononel
eg
assher ani
ntot hehouseandcamebackwi
ththe
carkeys.Shehel pedhimi
ntot
hecarandst
art
ed
theenginedri
vingof f.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Roseenter
edthehouset oamout hwateri
ngaroma.
Hermouthwateredinstant
lyandshewalkedtothe
ki
tchenwhereherparentswerekissi
ngsit
ti
ng
aroundt
hetabl
e.Shesmi l
edlookingatt
hem and
satdown.

Jack:
(smi
li
ng)heyhunny.Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
Rose:Iwasat.
.uhm.
.uncl
e'
spl
ace.
Jane:howar
ethey?
isever
yoneohk?
Rose:yeaht
heyar
eal
lcheer
edupandbubb6as
usual
.

Janeswal
lowedt
othatst
atement
.Soi
tmeanshe
doesn'
tcar
e.Shewor
eitof
fwi
thasmi
leand
l
ookedather.

Rose:Sowhat
'st
heoccasi
on?Di
dImi
ssed
somethi
ng?
Jack:
(smi
li
ng)t
akeaguess.
Rose:DadI
'
m badatguessi
ng,
youknowt
hat
.
Jack:t
ryi
ngneverhur
t.
Rose:Ohk..
youboughtmom acar.
Yougot
pr
omot i
ons.
..
?Youboughtmeahousemaybe?
Jane:(
laughi
ng)noti
n3year
sbaby.
Rose:oht
henwhati
sit
?
Jack:We'
reexpect
inganewf
ami
lymember.Your
gonnabeasist
er!
Rose:
(f
rown)What?
Jane:
(smi
li
ng)Yeass.
.

Shel
ookedatt
hem andt
hesmi
leont
hei
rfaces
broughtt
ear
st ohereyes.Shest
oodupandwent
tohugthem .Shehadalwayswantedasi
bli
ng.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
41]Lynne :Chapt
er36.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

GailandBreezewalkedouthandi nhandwi thher

holdi
ngasmal lpl
asticbagofhispr escr
ipt
ion.She
pressedthekeyandt hecarunlockedhelpi
nghim
i
ntot hecarandclosedthedoor.Shewentt ot
he
dri
versideandgotinbef or
eclosingthedoorand
st
ar t
edtheenginedrivi
ngoff.
Breezel
ookedatherandl
ookedoutoft
hewi
ndow
asthecardroveof
f.
Br
eeze:YouknowIl
oveyour
ight?

Gai
llookedathi
m andsmi
ledbef
orel
ooki
ngback
att
her oad.

Gai
l:Iknow.AndIl
oveyout
oo.
Breeze:AndasmuchasIloveyouIdontwantyou
tothi
nkthatyourst
uckwi
thmefortherestofyour
l
ife.
Gai
l:Whatdoyoumean?
Breeze:Isawhowyoulookedatthatguy.Howyou
defendedhim .Youmi
ghtsayyoudontlovehim but
you'r
ebodylanguagesaysadif
ferentt
hing.
Gail
:BabyIwasj ustscar
edthatyou'
l
lki
llhi
m and
I'
l
lenduplosingyou.Idontwantyoutogoto
pri
sonbecauseofmysel f
ishness.
Breeze:Iwouldn'
thavekil
ledhi
m eventhoughI
verywantedtoo.Look..
ithappenstohaveequal
feel
ingsfortwopeopleatthesamet i
me.Andf r
om
thelookoftheeyeyouhavef al
lenforthi
sguy.Gail
I'
vedoneal otworsethancheat, andhurtyou.So
I'
mt helastpersontost
andbet weenyouandyour
happiness.Ifwhoeverthefuvkt hatwasmakesyou
happythenIwontst opyout obewi thhim butI
'l
l
stopyout ooifyoukeepholdinghandswi thhim
behindmyback.
Gai
l:Baby-
Breeze:Letmesayf ir
stplease.( Swallowed)GailI
l
oveyouandIdontwannal oseyou.Yourmyf i
rst
l
ove.Myf i
rstwi fe.Thef i
rstpersont hatIeverlet
closet omeaf terwhatI 'vebeent hroughwi thmy
family.Theonl ypersonIr elayedonwi thmyheart.
Yourt hebestt hingthathaseverhappenedt ome
andIf uvkedt hatup.Buti fhecant r
eatyoubetter
thent hatshallbe.Il oveyou.God. .Iloveyouso
badAbi gai
l.Buti fIloveyou( teary)ifIloveyou
thenIguessIshoul dletyoube.

Gai
l'
shear
tski
ppedandshehi
tthebr
eakr
ighti
n
themiddleoftheroadandat earrandownher
cheek.Sheturnedlooki
ngathi m ashestar
edout
ofthewindow.From theref
lecti
onont hewindow
shesawhi stearr
oll
ingandforherthuswast he
fi
rstt
imeseeinghistear.

Gail:(t
ear y)BreezeIloveyou.Youmusthaver ead
mewr ongbutIl oveyou.IknowwhatIdi dwas
wrongbuti m cer t
ainl
ysur eaboutmyf eelings.I fI
want edt oleaveyouIwoul dhavedonet hatal ong
ti
meagobutIst ayed.AndI 'm notgoinganywher e.
Ther eisnoanyot hermant hatI'
m goingt ol ethim
i
ni fit'
snotyou.Yourt heonl ymant hathasakey
tomyhear t.YesIhavef eelingsforMxol isibutt hei
r
notasst r
ongast heonesIhavef oryou.The
feeli
ngihavef orhim ar en'
tabl etopul lmet ohi m
butf oryout heyar eunexpl ainable.Iloveyouand
I'
m notl eavingyou.I '
m sor r ythatcheatedandI '
m
sorrythatIl ethimi nt
oourmar ri
age.It rulyam .
Br
eeze:youhavefeel
ingsf
ort
hisguyGai
landhe
al
sohasfeel
ingf
oryou.An-
Gail
:Ithappenedonce.Iwashurtbythefactt
hat
youleftandwenttofuvkanot
herwomen.Iwas
hurtbyyourconfessi
on.Iwasn'
tint
herightst
ate
ofmind.
Br
eeze:butnowyouar
e.
Gai
l:St
il
l.Idon'
tknowhowt
osayt
hist
oyoubutI
l
oveyoumor e.
Breeze:Areyousure?CoursewhateveryousayI
haveaf eel
ingt
hatyouhi
dingback.Yournotbeing
honestwithme.
Gai
l:(cr
ying)babyI'
m notl
ying.Il
oveyou.Pl
ease
bel
ieveme.Ir eall
yloveyou.

Breezeturnedlookingatherandtouchedherf
ace
rubbingherte6withhisthumb.Hepul l
edheri
nfor
atighthugasshecr i
edonhisshoulder.

Br
eeze:Il
oveyout
oo.
Aft
erawhil
etheybroket
hehugandshewi
pedher
t
earsanddroveof
f.

AtBr
eezes.

Apoli
cecarparkedoutsidef
oll
owedbyMxolisi.
Twopoli
ceoffi
cerssteppedoutoft
hecarandso
di
dheheadingt othehousewheretheypr
essedthe
doorbel
l.

Sagihear dthedoorbel last heypressedit

countlesstimes.Shesi ghedopeni nghereyes
l
ookingatt heceili
ng.Shef i
nall
ygotoutoft he
waterandwor eherslipper swithherwetf eetand
hergownheadi ngdownst air
s.Shel ookedi nthe
kit
chenandt hediningroom butt heybot hwer en'
t
there.Thedoorbel lr
angag6andshecl enchedher
jawsandopenedt hedoori nf r
ustr
ati
oncomi ng
facetof acewithtwopol i
cemanandMxol isibehi
nd
them .Herski ncrawledl ookingathisfaceand
almostf el
tli
kethrowingup.
Sagi
:YouknowofficerIhavever
ybadmannersand
temper.Coul
dn'
tyoupr esst
hebutt
ononcei
nstead
ofpl
ayingmusicwithit?
Off
icer:I
'm of
ficerMashegoandthi
sismy
col
leagueoffi
cerSele.I
syourhusbandar
ound?
Sagi
:(f
oldedhands)DoIl
ookl
ikehi
skeeper?
Of
fi
cer
:manwer
eher
et-
Sagi:ifhewasher ehewouldbetheonet
oopen
thedoorforyoudontyouthink?Imeanit
salmost
11o'cl
ock,nomanal l
owshiswif
etoopenthedoor
thi
stime.Unl essyouguysdo.Anywaywhyare
youlookingforhim?

Carli
ghtsbouncedont hem beforet
heycould
answerandGaildroveinparkingbesidesthepol
ice
van.Gail'
sheartpoundedlookingatthepoli
ceby
thedoorandMxol i
si.Breezesighedandopened
thedoorsteppi
ngoutasGai ll
ookedathi mlimp
overtot
hem .Shequi ckl
yfoll
owedhim.
Br
eeze:Shal
lwe?

Heputhishandstoget
herbehindhim without
hesit
ati
onasSagiandGail'
sheartpounded.The
poli
ceoffi
cert
ookoutthecuffandcuffedhim
befor
epushinghi
mt owardsthecarast hey
watched.

Br
eeze:Youknowt
her
e'snoneedt
ober
oughwi
th
me.
Offi
cer:Youknowwe'vebeenonyourtailf
orqui
te
alongtime.Ihopet
heyli
nkyourassaultcaset
o
everycri
meyouevercommi t
ted.Tsena!

Theypushedhimi nsi
deandcl osedt hedoorand
wenttothei
rsidesanddr oveoff.Meanwhi leSagi
l
ookedatthecardr i
vingoutandt helight
s
di
sappearedintot
hedar kness.Thi sfel
tli
kethey
weret
akinghim awayf rom herwithoutagoodbye.
Ithurtsherever ytimeheget sawayf rom herbut
whenhe' shereal lsheeverwant sistoi nf l
ictpai n
onhi m .At earr andownhercheekwhenshel ooked
atMxol i
siwhot urnedheadi ngt ohi scar .Sagi s
bloodboi l
edwhensheki ckedhershoesof fandr an
towar dshi mjumpi ngonhi sbackhi tt
inghi m
count lesstimesscr eami ng.Gai l
'
shear tski pped
l
ooki ngatherandr anoverandt r
iedpul lingher
awaybuti nsteadshebi tMxol isiont henecknot
l
etti
nggoandbl oodflowed.Mxol isiscr eamedi n
painandt ri
edshaki ngherof fbutshebur iedher
teethevenmor eonhi sneck.Her ant ohi scarwi th
herst il
lgluedonhi m andhi theragai sntt hecar
breakingt hewi ndowandt hat '
swhenshel etgo.
Hehel dhisneckt hatwasi npai nasbl oodf l
owed
outlooki ngathercover edwi thhisbl oodonher
mout h.Shecoughedst andingupandl ookedathi m
withr age.Gai lranoverandst oodbef oreher
l
ooki ngatherr angegr owingwi t
hever ysecond
l
ooki ngatMxol isi
,plust hebl oodt hatscat teredon
hermout hf l
owing.
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyoucr
azy?
Sagi:ohhunny,Didshef
orgett
oment
ionshehad
acrazysist
erwif
e?

ShepushedGai lasi
deandr ant owar dshim.
Mxoli
siheldherhandandt wi steditaroundher
backandshescr eamedinpai nwhenhepushedher
andshef el
ldownhi t
ti
ngherheadont hepavement
andblankedout.Gail'
sheartr acedlookingatSagi
notmovingandr ushedtoherpi cki
ngherheadto
herl
apchecki5herpulseast ear srol
ledout.

Gai
l:Nono.
.Sagiwakeup.Sagipl
easewakeup.

Mxoli
si'
sheartbeat
edsohardacr
osshi
schestit
coul
dlit
eral
lyjumpoutl
ooki
ngathermoti
onl
ess.
Hi
smout
hwentdr
yandhi
sheadwentbl
ank.

Gai
l:(
cryi
ng)Whathaveyoudonet
oher?It
oldyou
tost
ayawayf r
om melookwhatyoudi
d?Cal
lan
ambulancedontj
ustst
andther
e.

Hequi ckl
ywenti nsidehi scarandpi ckedhisphone
calli
ngtheambul anceandt heyt oldhimt hey' l
lbe
therein1n30mi ns.Hi shear tskippedandhangup
l
ooki ngatherasshecr iedhol dingSagii nherar ms.
Whet heambul ancear rivesthey'llcallthepol i
ce
andhemi ghtgetar restedi fshe'sdead.Hecant
affordtobearrest ed,t hatcoul dendhi scar eer.
Especiall
ywithamur derr ecord.Hecl osedt hedoor
andst art
edthecardr ivingof fwi thfullspeed.
Meanwhi leGailscof fedl ookingathi m drivi
ngof f
andbackatSagi.Hedi dn'tevent ellherifhecal l
ed
theambul anceorwhat.
Shegatherdhersel
fandst oodupopeni ngthecar
doorintheback.Shewentbackt oSagiandpi cked
herthoughshewasabi theavyf orherandputher
i
nt hecarbuckli
ngherandcl osedthedoor.She
rushedtothedri
verssi
deandl ookedatSagi
makingsureshewasf ineforspeedanddr oveof f
steppi
ngont heaccel
eratorthewayBr eezetought
her.
.
.
.
.
.Adayl
ater

Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
42]Lynne :Chapt
er37

Att
hehospi
tal
.

It
'sbeenadaysinceshewasout.Gai lpressedher
phonesendingtheemai l
andsighedswitchi
ngitoff
andsatbacklookingatSagi.Shewassobeaut if
ul
andinnocentwhenshei sasl
eep.Herclearskin
paint
edherasthemosthear tgi
ftedper
son.The
factt
hatMxoli
silefthert
odiewassosur pri
sing
andnothingshehadpossi bl
yimaginedhi
mt obe
l
ike.Hedi dn'
tevenmakecont actt
ocheckhowshe
wasgoing .Shecoul dhavedied.Andthefactt
hat
thepoli
ceyesterdayr
efusedtoletheri
ntosee
Breezeit
chedher.
Thedoorsl
idopenandtheDoctorst
eppedinwi
th
Sagi
sfi
leandastet
hoscopearoundherneck.

Doct
or:Mr
sLyon.
Gail:Heydoc.Howisshedoi
ng?Isshegoi
ngto
befine,she'
sbeenoutf
oradaynowandI'
m
worried.Pl
easegi
vemesomethi
ngtokeepmy
hopeup.
Doct
or:
(si
ghed)Ihavegoodnewsandbadnews
MrsGai
l.Whichoneswouldyoul
iket
ohearfi
rst?
Gail:
Thebadnews.Thegoodoneswi
lleaseme
af
ter.
Doctor
:Accor
dingt
otheresult
swear edeali
ng
wit
hmor et
hanaLongter
m stressthathad
i
ncreasedt
heri
skofhermentalhealt
h.Thisis
morethananxi
etyordepr
essi
on.Somesor
tof
mentali
ll
ness.
Gai
l:Whatdoyoumean?Whatcoul
dthatpossi
bly
be?
Doctor
:Youwontli
kewhatI'
mt hi
nki
ng.Ihaveto
askyouaf ewquest
ionsbef
oreIcanexpl
ainexact
ly
whatwear ehavi
ngonourtabl
e.
Gai
l:Ohk.
.I
'm open.
Doct
or:hasMrsLyonevershowedanysoci
all
y
i
rr
esponsibl
ebehavi
or?
Gai
l:Notr
eall
y.Sagihasal
waysbeent
ooki
ndt
o
ot
hersandnotoncehassheeverr
eact
ed
i
rr
esponsi
ble.
Doct
or:ohk.Hassheeverdi
sregar
dedorvi
olat
ed
ot
herpeopl
e'
sri
ghts?
Gai
l:Yeah.
.whenshei
smadorunderal
otofpai
n.
Doctor
:mmh..hasi
ssheabl
etodi
sti
ngui
sh
bet
weenri
ghtandwrong?
Gai
l:Somet
imes.
Doctor:Doesshefi
nditdi
ff
icul
tyi
nshowi
ng
remorseorempathy?
Gail
:yeah..sheenj
oysinfl
icti
ngpai
nonhersel
f
andother
s.Shedoesn'tfeelsorr
y.Wel
lmostofthe
ti
me.
Doct
or:(
sighed)l
ies,
mani
pul
ateorhur
tot
her
s?
Gail:sheisnotreal
lythetypetoli
ebutabouther
feel
ings.Manipulati
vesomet i
mes.Andyesshe
hurtspeople.Shelit
eral
lyjustst
abbedourhusband
withaglassandj umpedonsomeone' sneckbit
ing
him .Daysbeforeshechasedhi m wi
thaknif
elikea
madwoman.
Doct
or:r
ecur
ri
ngpr
obl
emswi
tht
hel
aw?
Gail
:that
'shergame.Allt
heti
me.Whyareyou
aski
ngmet hi
sweirdquest
ionanyway?
Doct
or:Accor
dingtowhatyousai
dIt
hinki
ts
bi
ggerthanwethought.
Gai
l:Whatdoyoumean?
Doctor:It
hinkwer
edeali
ngwit
hPsychopat
hy.The
questi
onsIaskedyouweret
ofi
ndoutand
apparentl
yshehasbeenshowingyouguysr
ed
fl
agswi t
houtyourknowl
edge.Symptomsor
Psychopathy.

Gail
'
sjawsdr oppedlooki
ngatherandlookedback
atSagiwhowasi nnocentl
ylayi
ngtherewit
ha
bandagearoundherhead.Shescannedherf ace
andlookedbackatthedocandwhenshet hought
aboutit,
i
tallmadesenseandatt hesamet i
meit
di
dn't
.

Gai
l:What?
Doctor
:yeah.ButI'l
lhavetoveri
fythatwhenshe
wakesup?Justt hatfornowI'm gi
vingyouheads
up.She'sdangerous.Andthegoodnew.( Smili
ng)
she'
spregnant.Congrat
ulat
ion!
Gai
l::
(smi
li
ng)
Doctor
:I'l
lcomebackandwar nheronher
consumptionofal
coholcour
seIfoundalotof
al
coholinhersyst
em whichi
stoodangerousfor
t
hebaby.Youguysarel
uckyt
hebabyi
sal
soa
f
ight
er,
j
ustsl
ikehermom .

Gailswall
owedlooki
ngatherasshecheckedher
andwr otedownbefor
ewalki
ngput.Gaill
ookedat
Sagiagainandsatdownonthechairgoi
ngthrough
everyt
hingwithapoundi
ngheart.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Mxolisitossedandt ur
nedonhi sbedunabl etorest
andt hishasbeinggoingonsi ncethatincident.The
pict
ur eofSagisbodylayi ngmoti
onlessont he
groundkeptf l
ashingbackandhecoul dn'tevenpi ck
uphisphoneandf indouti ft
heambul ancear ri
ved
orwhat.Thel ookofhat redinGail
'seyeswasso
breakingwhenshesatt herewit
hSagii nherhands.
Andt hemostcowar dthingheeverdidwasl etfear
takecont r
oloverhim.
Hi
sphoner
angont
hechar
gerandhel
ookedat
Offi
cerMashegoscallunt
ili
thangup.Heknew
whathewasgoi ngtosaytohim andprobabl
yhe
mightbewantedont hest
reets.Thephonerang
againandheswallowedbeforepicki
ngthephone.

Offi
cer:Ngngmonna. .
thi
sisnothowitwork.Oko
kaemor ena?Youhavetocometothepoli
ce
stat
ionand-
Mxol
isi
:I'
m dr
oppi
ngt
hechar
ges.
Of
fi
cer
:What?
Mxol
isi
:Yeah.
.sor
ryf
orwast
ingyourt
ime.Let
hi
m go.
Offi
cer
:Wiatdi
dhebuyyouort
hreat
enyou
anyhow ?Cour
sei
fhedidwecanchargehi
m wi
th-
Mxoli
si:nohedidnot
hing.Just.
.I'
m dr
oppi
ngt
he
char
gesohk.It
'sonmenothi m.

Hehangupashisheartpoundedandputthephone
down.Aft
erwhathedidit
'sthel
isthecando.Let
thef
amil
yhavepeace.
Hesighedstandi
ngupandwentt otakeouthi
s
clot
hesoutofthecl
osetandhiscasethr
owing
them ont
hebed.Maybegoi ngtohisfat
her
wouldn'
tbesuchabadi deaaf
teral
l.

Att
hePol
icest
ati
on.

Br eezelayedont heol dmat tr

essf acinguplist
ening
tot hepai nonhi sleg.Hehasn' tchangedt he
bandageandcl eanedt hewoundi nhourswhi l
eat
thesamet i
mehecoul dn'tt
akei toffcourseitmight
cat chinfecti
ons.Att hispointhewonder edhowhi s
wi feswher ecopi ng.Hel ef
twithoutsayi ng
goodbyeandt het houghtofMxol isit
akingaway
Gsi lfr
om him br eakhi m evenmor e.Ont heother
handSagi.Theonl yfemal ehe'severmetwhowas
toost rongandpower fulinherownwaywassl owly
butsur elyturningi nt
oamonst erheneversaw
comi ng.Thel oveofhi sl i
feturnedoutt obeso
violenttoanext entthathecannotpr otectheraway
from her sel
f.Shewassl owlydr owningi nt
opai n
andsor rowofdar knessal
lbecouseofhim andhe
doesn'tevenknowhowt ohelpherout.Andont he
otherhandabur denoftr
uthisalsogett
ingtoo
heavyf orhi
mt houghhewasn'tsurei
tifit
'shi
sor
not,ifitisi
t'
llbetheendofhim .Bett
erwayi st
o
tel
lwhileit'
stooear l
y.
Theoff
icerunlockedthegat
eandwal
kedi
nlooki
ng
athi
m ashel ayedthere.

Of
fi
cer
:Ar
eyemonna.Ol
okol
lot
swe.

Breezet
urnedlooki
ngathi
m andstoodupwalki
ng
outandtheoff
icerl
ockedt
hecellbef
orel
eadi
ng
hi
m out.

Of
fi
cer
:Whatki
ndofmut
inyar
eyouusi
ng?
Br
eeze:Excuseme?
Off
icer
:Yeah.Imeanwhatkindareyouusi
ngthat
makessomanymanf earyou.Evenwhenyour
i
nside.Haayyi
imarn.Whateverki
ndyouuseI
wanti
t.I
t'
stoost
rongandi
tswor
kingf
oryou.
Br
eeze:mxm .Idontknowwhatyourt
alki
ngabout.

Theyar
rivedatt
hetabl
eandhesi
gnedbef
ore
aski
ngforaphoneandcal
ledOdi
ri
le.

Odi
ri
le:Bet
terbegood.
Br
eeze:Comegetmeatt
hepol
icest
ati
on.
Odir
il
e:Hell
otoyout ooslacker
.I'
vebeengood
andyeahIwasn'tmissi
ngyourcheati
ngassbut
becauseyourmyfri
end..giveme5mi nsandI'
l
lbe
ther
ecourseyouhavesomeexpl anat
iontodoon
howt hef
uvkyoulandedthere.

Breezebar ehiseyebrowsbef or
ehangingup
shakinghi shead.Het ookhisbelongi
ngs,(
watch
andhi sring)andwentout .Hesatunderashade
andaf terawhi l
eOdiri
leparkedinfr
ontofhi
m and
hehoppedi nthentheydroveoff.
Odi
ri
le:Tal
k..

Hesighedbefor
ehestar
tednar
rat
ingever
ythi
ng
headi
ngtohishouse.
.
.

.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
42]Lynne :Chapt
er38.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Odi
ri
lepar
kedt
hecarandsighedl
ooki
ngatBreeze.
Heswit
chedof
ftheengi
neandrel
axedtheseat.
Odi
ri
le:Soareyougoi
ngt
otel
lthem aboutt
he
pr
egnancy?
Breeze:Yeaht hat'
sthething.Idontknowifthe
babyismi neornot.Yest erdayJackcall
edasking
usoverf ordinnert
ocelebratethepr
egnancy.SoI
cantjustbreakmymar riagewithsomethingI
'm not
sureoff.
Odiri
le:WhydontyouaskforDNAt est?That
womani ssoattr
actedtoyouandt r
adit
ionall
yas
theysay,ifawomani satt
ract
edtoyouwhi le
pregnanti
tmeansitcouldpossibl
ybeyour s.But
dothoseDNA'sjusttobesure.
Breeze:What'
sthepointman?EvenifIdothem
ther
e'snoguarant
eethatshe'
l
lletmeneart
hat
babyevenit
smi ne.
Odir
il
e:Thengadir
ajal
oremotsenakalaw.Re
molatasemol
ao.Shehasnor
ighttokeepyouaway
fr
om yourchi
ld.
Br
eeze:Yeahneh.
Odiri
le:Justtellt
hem beforeSagifi
ndsoutabouti
t
herselfcourseifshedoesyou'l
llosethatki
dinher
handsandi t'l
lbeyourfault
.Ont heotherhandhow
areyougoi ngtodealwithGail?
Breeze:Iwasthinki
ngofsendingherawayfora
vacati
onjustheronl
ytodigdipperi
ntoherfeel
ings.
Forhertobeateaseandthink.AndI '
l
lgetaway
withSagitofi
xmymess.
Odi
ri
le:Soyoursendi
ngheraway.Dudewh-
Breeze:I t
stheonlythingthatcomesupt omymi nd
atthispoint.Herbeingawayf r
om mewi l
lgiveher
thepowert oovercomeherf earstoleaveme.She
i
shi dinghertruefeel
ingstryingtolockt hem away
forust osee.Shet hi
nksifshel eavesmeI '
llburn
thewhol ecit
ydownhunt i
ngt hatguyt hattookher
awayf r
om me.
Odi
ri
le:Woul
dyou?
Breeze:(br
eathi
ngi n)no..Iwont.I
t'l
lhavebeen
herchoiceandI'
llsupportherdeci
sion.
Odi
ril
elookedathi
m andsmil
edlookingathi
m
bef
orescoffi
ngandBreezet
urnedlooki
ngathim.

Br
eeze:What?
Odiri
le:Thatwouldbeafir
st.Butanywaydo
what'sri
ght.Youdidwrongsoit'
saboutdamntime
youf i
xyourshi
t.Gotakecareofthatwoundandsi
t
them downandt al
kli
keamar r
iedcouplenot
teenagers.

Theybrohuggedbefor
ehesteppedoutandOdir
il
e
droveof
fdiali
ngBonol
o.Hesmi l
edusingonehand
andconnectedtot
hecarput
ti
ngt hephonedown.

Bonol
o:Hey.
Odi
ri
le:HiBee.What
'sup?
Bonol
o:Not
hingmuch.Whataboutyou?
Odi
ri
le:Justmi
ssi
ngyou.
Bonol
o:(smi
li
ng)Odi
ri
leyoudontevenknowme.I
coul
dbeaser
ialki
ll
er.
Odir
il
e:Ideal
twi
thal
otmor
ewor
set
hant
hatbaby
gi
rl.
Bonol
o:Idoubtt
hat
.Whatcar
eerdi
dyouchoose?
Odi
ri
le:car
eer
?Dontyouwantt
ofi
ndout?
Bonol
o:Idot
hat
'swhyI
'
m aski
ng.
Odir
il
e:Thenlet
'smeetupforl
unch.I
tsf
ri
endl
y.I
promiseIwon'
tdoanythi
ngtomakeyouf
eel
uncomfort
abl
e.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t.
Odi
ri
le:Sweet.Bye.
Bonol
o:bye.

Hehangupandbr
eathedoutbef
oresmi
li
ngand
st
eppedont
heaccel
erat
or.

BackatBr
eezes.Br
eezewal
kedint
oahouset
hat
wastooqui
ettobeownedbytwowoman.He
sighedandl i
mpedont hest ai
rsupt otheirbedr
oom
taki
ngof fhi scl
othe.Hewal kedint
ot heshowerstil
l
witht hebandagewr appedar oundhi sthi
ghand
balancedt hewat ersteppingunderi t.Aft
erawhi l
e
hest eppedoutt ookof ft
hebandageandt ookout
thefirstai
dki t.Hesatont hetoil
etseatandopened
thekitcleaninghiswound.Af t
erawhi lehe
bandagedi tandclosedt hekitputt
ingitbackand
wentoutt ohi scloset.
Hewor ehisblackclothesandsteppedoutgoing
downstair
sandpi ckedhi sphoneonthetabl
eand
wenttomakehi msel ffood.Heputitonthecharger
anddialedSagibutherphonewentst rai
ghtto
voicemail
.Hedi al
edGai landitr
angbeforeshe
pickedup.

Br
eeze:Hey.
.
Gail
:Hey.Howar
eyou?Ar
eyouout?Ar
eyouohk?
Areyouhurt?
Breeze:(
smi
li
ng)Cal
m down.
.I
'mf
ine.Wher
ear
e
youguys?
Gail
:We' r
eatt hehospital.Sagiwentcr azy
yester
dayIthinkt hedoctorsareupt osomet hi
ng
here.Theythinkshehasament alil
lness.She'sa
psychopathBreeze.Shei sverydanger ousnotonl
y
topeoplearoundherbutt oher sel
falso.Theyt hi
nk
thestr
essthatwebot hcoursedhermi ghthave
beentoomucht hatitt
ri
gger edit.Di
dyouknowshe
wasapsychopat h?

Breezesfoodl
osttast
eashismouthwentdryand
hisbrai
ntwist
ed.Hisear
swentparal
yzedfora
secondwhenhesl owl
ychewedthefoodthatwas
alr
eadyinhismouth.

Gai
l:Br
eezedi
dyouknowaboutt
his?

Sohi swif
ewasapsychopat h?Heaskedhi mself
thatasthegui
ltofi
gnor antwashedhi m.He
couldn'
tevenreadt
hr ought hel
inesthatshehersel
f
wasbur yi
ngsomethingt hatsheneverwishedthem
toseeandhejusttri
gger edthat.Apartofherthat
wasreal
lyevi
landt
heykeptonpoki
ngi
t.Orshe
di
dn'
tknowalso.

Br
eeze:Gi
vemet
went
ymi
nsandI
'
llbet
her
e.
Gai
l:t
her
ear
egoodnewst
hough.
.
Br
eeze:j
ustkeept
henewst
il
lIgett
her
eohk.

Hehangupandl i
mpedgoingoutandwentt ot
he
gar
ageandlookedforhi
scarkeys.HetookanAudi
R8keysandgotinbefor
erever
singanddroveoff.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Jackwat chedJanet aki

ngouthi sclothesand
nicel
yfoldingthem putt
ingthem onthebed.The
pregnancywast reati
nghersogoodt hatthef
act
thathearrangedamar r
iageforthei
rdaughter
withoutherknowledgebr okehim .Buteit
herway
therewasnot urningbackandonewayoranot her
he'
l
lhavet
otel
lher.Hehat
edtorui
nthei
rhappy
momentsbutt
heniti
swhatiti
s.
Hewal kedoverandt
ooktheshi
rtfr
om herhand
andthrewitonthebedl
ookingather.Janesmiled
confusedwhenheheldherhandsinhisandkissed
them .

Jane:ohk.
.whati
sit?
Jack:pleasepr
omisemeyouwontbemadatme
aft
eritellyout
his.Wel
lnotmadenought
oleave
me.
Jane:(
smi
li
ng)Comeont
ellme.Whati
sit?
Jack:(swallowed)Imadeadealwi
thJacob.This
dealinvolvesourdaught
erandIpr
omiseyouit
'sfor
herwel lbeing.
Jane:Ohk..whatki
ndofadeali
sthatt
hatyouand
yourfr
iendmadeinvol
vingmyRose?
Jack:Aver
yhugedeal
.
Jane:.
..
ohk
Jack:Forherwel lbeing.Iasthef athermadet he
decisi
onthatIsawf itforourdaughter.Jacob
promisedtotakecar eofourdaught erandmake
sureshehasever ythingsheneeds.Medi cal
att
entionandalltheyshalleverwishf or.Herlif
e
willbeofanAl i
st.They' l
lpayal
lhermedi calbi
ll
s
andar eevenwill
ingtosendherover seastogetthe
helpsheneedspastt his.
Jane:Jacobcantof
feryousuchhuget
hingona
si
lverpl
aterf
ree.What'
sthecat
ch?

Jackswal
lowedlooki
ngdeepi
nhereyes.Thi
swas
l
ikeki
ssi
nggoodbyet ohi
smarri
ageanddaught
er
ontop.Buttheni
twasnowornever.

Jack:she'
l
lbegetti
ngmar ri
edt
oDonaldonFri
day
thi
sweektr
adit
ional
ly.Hisfami
lywi
llbeher
eina
dayfort
heLobolanegoti
at-

Asl
apl
andedonhi
scheekbef
orehecoul
dfi
nish
hissent
ence.Heturnedl
ooki
ngatherevi
leyesand
shestooduplooki
ngathi
m.

Jane:Iknewi twoul dcomet ot his.Didn'tIsayand

yousaidI'
mf ill
ingyourmout hwi thwor ds?You
arr
angedmydaught erinamar ri
ageJack.My
daughterinamar ri
age.Youwentbehi ndourback
andarrangedamar riagewhi leweshoul dbe
l
ookingforawayf urtherfrom t his.Att he
Sanatori
um theyar ecomi ngonFr idayandt hat
shouldbeourpr oblem solvingf orourdaught erand
wehavet ospendt hel it
tl
et i
mewehavewi t
hher
butyoucrossedt hel i
nesar rangi ngheri na
marri
age!Howcanyouevenmi xt hetwoand
besi
descantyouseet hateversi nceshewentout
wit
hheruncl eshe' sbeenl ight ninupandyouwant
to-
Jack:ItsdoneJane.I t
'ssetandtheweddingwi
ll
takeplaceonFriday.Icancel
edwi t
hthe
Sanatori
um.Andatl eastforonceJanesidewi
th
meandst andbymywor d.I'
mt hemanhereandI
say.
Jane:YouarenotamanJack.Whatkindofaman
doesthi
stohisownchi
ld?Whatofamanar eyou
tol
etanothermanmakeadealofyourownchi
ld?
Wh-
Jack:(
shouting)Iwi
llnott
oler
atethi
s.Rosei
smy
daughterasmuchasshe' syours.Youal
ways
makedeci si
onsbuttheyalwaysfai
landnowi
t'
s
aboutti
meyoul etmehandl ethi
s.
Jane:
(t
eary)yourr
ightshe'
syour
sasmuchasshe'
s
mine.Butdidn'
tIhavetohaveasayi
nthi
s?Jack?
Jack:youhadtoobutyouwer etooangrytol
ist
en
orevenlookatme.Youi gnor
edmeandspendt he
restoft
heweekangrywithmef ornoreason.You
didn'
tevenwantmenearyounorhearwhatI
wantedtotel
lyousothatwecansitandcomeup
withabyerri
deayetyouexpecttoknow.
Jane:(
cryi
ng)JackI
'
m pr
egnant
.
Jack:t
hat'
sbefor
eIknewandnowI'
m pr
ett
ysurei
t
wasthehormonesbutt
hedeci
sioni
smade.Deali
s
doneandseal
ed.
Hestoodupandlookedatherast
earsescapedher
eyes.Hebi
thisl
ipandturnedwal
kingoutasshe
l
ookedathi
m.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Breezesl
owlyopenedt hedoorandsteppedint
o
SagiandGaillooki
ngateachot herholdi
nghands.
Theybothturnedlookingathim andsmiledashe
walkedoverandki ssedthebothofthem andsat
withSagionthebed.

Br
eeze:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Sagi:Bet
ter
.ThankGodIdidn'
tlosemymemor
y
coursei
tsst
oredf
orbet
teruse.

GailandBreezeswall
owedl ooki
ngatherandshe
smiledi
nnocentl
ylooki
ngatt hem .Br
eezehel
dher
handwhiletheotherwrappedaroundherandshe
l
ayedonhi schest.
Sagi
:Youbot
hseem t
ense.What
'swr
ong?
Gail:Not
hing.We'rej
ustaski
ngour
sel
veswhati
f
worsecould'
vehappenedtoyou?Wewouldn'
t
for
giveoursel
ves.
Sagi
:(smil
ing)not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappent
ome.
Noti
nal ongtime.

Sagicl osedhereyesi nhal

inghisscentandsmiled.
It
'sbeensol ongsi nceshehel dherl
ikethi
sandi t
feltsodamngood.Sheopenedhereyest oGail
staringatherandf inall
ysmiled.SheheardBreezes
hear tpumpf ast
erandf asterwhenshef r
ownedand
raisedherheadl ookingathim.

Sagi:
ohkBr
eezegetawayf
rom meandl
et'
sal
lcut
thepl
ay.

Breezest
oodupfrom t
hebedandwenttostandby
Gailandputhi
shandsint
hepocket
slooki
ngather
asshefoldedherhandslooki
ngatt
hem .Theroom
gotsotensewhenGai l
'
shandsgotsweatyandshe
rubbedthem onhershi
rt.

Sagi
:Icandot
hisal
lday.
Gai
l:ohk.
.Iguessi
tsconf
essi
ont
ime.I
'
llst
art.

Theybot
hlookedatherassheswal
lowedand
l
ookedbackatthem .

Gail:YesIsleptwit
hMxol i
si.AndIdontknowhow
manyt i
mesI '
m gonnasayt hi
sbutI '
m notreal
ly
i
ntohim .YesIf el
lforhim butnotsostrongto
l
eaveyouguysandf orthatI'
m sor
ry.I'mtruly
sorry.Il
oveyoubot hsomuchandIdonthavea
wishtoleave.Yourmi rethanwhatIhaveever
wishedforandIwoul dn'
taskformore.I '
m sorry.

Theybot
hquickl
ytur
nedl
ookingatSagiwho'
sface
hadnoemoti
onsbutneut
ral
.Shelookedatthem
confusedintheheadandturnedlooki
ngatBreeze.
Gailsai
dthankedGodinherheartandalsoturned
l
ookingatBreeze.Herai
sedhi seyebr
owsand
rubbedhisheadlooki
ngatthem .

Br
eeze:myconf
essi
onwi
llbet
heendofussoI
'
ll
j
ustst
andback.
Gail:
noBreeze.Weareint
hist
oget
her,what
ever
youdidt
hisisthemomentt
osayyourpeace.

Breezel
ookedatt hem andwentpulledthechairto
thedoorleavi
ngahugespaceandsatdownast hey
bothnarr
owedt heireyebr
owslookingathim .He
tookouthishandsandr ubbedhisface.Nowor
never.Hebalancedhi shandsunderhishandsand
l
ookedatt hem .

Breeze:AsyouknowIcheat
edtoo.Andityou
guysdemandedhername.(si
ghed)i
tsJane.
Theybothtur
nedlooki
ngateachotherbefor
e
l
ookingbackathi
m ashealsolookedatthem .

Br
eeze:yeah.
.t
heJaneyouknow.Jack'
swi
fe.
Gai
l:andhowl
onghast
hisbeengoi
ngon?
Breeze:I
twasaonceofft
hingatherof
fi
ce.Itor
e
herpanti
esandputt
hem i
nmypocketandforgotto
getri
dofthem .
Gai
l:huh?
Br
eeze:Andt
hat
'snott
hewor
st.
Gai
l:Tel
lust
hewor
st.
Br
eeze:She'
spr
egnant
.

Gail
'sj
awsdr oppedasherheartsankri
ghtintoher
stomach.BreezelookedatherandthenatSagi
who'sbeenlookingathi
m wit
houtanyr eact
ionor
saythoughherangerwasslowlyraisi
ng.
Breeze:Sagi.Babe.It
sohkt obeangr ywithme
butdontuseviol
ence.IknowIf uckedupbigtimeto
thebothofyoubutpleasedon'tleaveme.Ipromise
tofi
xmymessandever ythi
ngwi llheoutofour
heards.Il
oveyoubot hsomuchand-
Sagi
:Youguyshavebeenpr
ett
ybusynowwer
en'
t
you?
Gai
l:Sagi.
..

Sagilookedatherandshet ookfewsteps
backwardstothedoorhi dingbehindBreeze.Sagi
l
ookedatt hem andsighedl eani
ngbackandr el
axed
watchingthem standi
ngf arawayf r
om her

.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
42]Lynne :Chapt
er39

Att
hehospi
tal
.

I
nSagi
swar
d

Sagilookedatthem astheystoodtherestari
ngat
her.Shecouldseethatt herewasmor etotheir
confessi
onbutcouldn'tputaf i
ngerati
t.She
sighedandleanedbackr elaxi
ngandlookedout si
de
thewindow.

Sagi
:what?

Theylookedateachot herbef
or el
ookingather.
Breezesheartachedandhesi ghedwal ki
ngovert
o
hersitt
ingontheotherchair
.Hel ookedather
beforepull
ingherhandandki ssedit.
Breeze:Iwontl i
e.I '
m madatyou.Yout endt ouse
vi
olencet oomuchf ormyli
king.Yesyouhave
everyr i
ghttobeangr ybutbrutal
it
yisnottheright
choicecour senotonl yareyouhurti
ngusbut
yourself.Iknowt hingshavebeenof ft
heringand
hellyeahwef uvkedupandf orthatwe'r
esorry.I
didn'tknowyouhadt hi
ssideofyouandI '
mr eall
y
sorrythatItri
gger edit.
Sagi:Whatsi
deareyoutalki
ngabout?Breezethe
onlysi
deofmet hatexi
stsistheonewi
ththeloveI
haveforyoutwoandyouhur tme.
Br
eeze:I'
m sosor
rybaby.I
'
mr eal
lysor
ryandI'
m
wi
ll
ingtomakethi
sri
ght.Ri
ghtbythebothofyou.

Gai
lwalkedoverandstoodnextt
ohim andhe
pul
ledherhandkissi
ngitst
il
lhol
dingSagi
sthen
l
ookedatthem .

Br
eeze:Gai
l.I
'
mmast
artwi
thyou.Iknowyousai
d
youdonthavef eelingsf ort hatguybutIhavea
feel
ingt hatt hat '
snott rue.Youcantkeepdenyi ng
yourselft olovesomeonebecauseyourscar edof
me.Dontdenyyour selfashotofhappi ness
becauseofme.Nownott hatI '
m getti
ngr idofyou
oranyt hingbutIt hi nkit'sbesti fyougogat herup
yourself.Di gdeeperi ntoyourf eel
ingandf indout
whoyouwantt obewi thcour seIcantshar eyou.I
promi set hatwhat everdeci sionyoumakeI 'l
lstand
byitcour seIl oveyou.You' llspendamont h
surr
oundedbyt heoceanwher eyou'l
lhaveapeace
ofmi ndandt hinkst raight .I '
llt
alktoGar ytof i
xt he
boatf oryou.I 'm notsendi ngyouaway,Ij ustwant
ustopar tingoodt ermsi fwear eandi fwe'renot
thenweshal lstartanewpage.Il oveyou.

Gail
'seyeswel
ledupl
ookingathi
m whenhest
ood
upandhuggedherbefor
ekissi
nghercubi
ngher
face.

Br
eeze:I
fther
e'sanot
herwaypl
easel
etmeknow
cour
serightnowthisi
swhatIcanthi
nkoff.Ihat
e
todothi
sbutit'
sforyourownhappi
ness.Il
oveyou.

Gailt
ear
sroll
edwhenshet urnedl
ookingatSagi
andwalkedoverhuggingherandsurpri
singl
yshe
huggedherback.Breezerubbedhi
sf acefaci
ng
away.

Gail
:(
teary)Iwasgonnaholdontothi
sunti
lwe'
re
donetalkingsothatt
hiscanbr
ingali
tt
lebi
tof
cheerupi nther
estofus.

Theybroket
hehugandhel
dhands.Shesmil
ed
andwipedawayhert
ear
slooki
ngatSagi.

Gai
l:Thedoct
orssai
dyourpr
egnant
.

Br
eezequi
ckl
yturnedl
ett
inggoofhi
sfaceand
l
ookedatt
hem .
Sagi
:What
?
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)you'
repr
egnant
!

Breezelookedatherneutralfaceashishear t
poundedsohar dhecoul dbarelybreathe.Asmi l
e
sl
owl ystart
edatthecornerofherlipsandf inall
y
widenedandBr eezebreathedoutrelaxingsmi li
ng.
Hewal kedoverandstoodnextt othem ast hey
huggedeachot herandfinall
ykissed.Gai lstoodup
andBr eezepul
ledSagiintoat i
ghthugal most
bl
ockingt heai
rtopassoutofhappi ness.

Sagi
:I-
cant
-br
eat
h..

Hequi
ckl
yletgoandt
heyal
llaughedl
ooki
ngathi
m
andhesmil
ed.

Br
eeze:I
'
m sor
ry.
.
I
nKagi
so'
swar
d

Kagisolaidont hebedr ecalli

ngever ymemor yhe
spentwithhi smot her.Hemi ssedthesoundofher
voice,herscent, herpresenceandheret ernall
ove.
Everythi
ngabouther.Heki ckedthesheet sbefore
getti
ngofft hebed.I t
sbeenawhi l
esincehe
walkedaroundwi thhi sownt wofeet.Hecl osedhis
eyesandf inall
yopenedt hem walkingouttot he
recepti
on.Hegott hereandl eanedont hecounter
l
ookingatt herecept i
onist.

Recepti
onist:Hey..youshoul
dn'
tbeoutofther
ein
factwal
kingaround.Yournotful
lyheel
ed.
Kagi
so:Iknow.ButcanImakeaphonecal
l?
Recept
ioni
st:yourdadisher
e,I
'
m sur
ehe'
l
lseeyou
soon.He'ssti
llwi
thhi
swife.
Kagi
so:Mydad?
Recept
ion:yes.MrLyon.
Kagiso:
oh.He'
s..thankyoubutIdon'twantt
ocall
him .Uwantt
ocallmymom andt el
lherI
'mfi
ne.
It
sbeensolongandI '
m sureshe'
snotdoingany
goodandtaki
nghermedi cati
on.
Recept
ioni
st:Iunder
standbutyoucan'tbehere.
I'
m sur
ewe'llf
indawayt oconnectwit
hherasf or
nowgobackt oyourwar d,
yourhurti
ngyourself
.
Kagi
so:common.
.j
ustonecal
ljustt
otel
lhert
hat
I
'mfi
ne.
Recept
ioni
st:you'
l
lhavet
hatmomentbutf
ornow
pl
easegotoyourward.

Kagi
solookedatherandsighedashishear
tsank
andheturnedwal
kingback.Hef el
tli
keapri
soner
att
hismomentevent houghpri
sonersar
eall
owed
tomakecalls.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Janel
ayedont
hebedcr
ying.Sheknewt
hiswas
notr
ightf
orthebabybutshecoul
dn'thel
pit.She
fi
nal
lygat
heredhersel
fandgotof
fthebedwi pi
ng
hert
earsandwalkedout.
Therewasnot imef orcryi
ng.Ifthi
swast heonly
chanceshehadwi t
hherdaught ert
henshe' sgat
ta
maket hebestoutofit.Shekeptthehopet hat
maybeJackwoul dcomebackandt el
lhera
dif
fer
entstorythatsheneedstoheart oeaseher
butti
mekeptt i
cking.
Shewal kedt otheki
tchenwher
esheusuallyfi
nds
herwithDi neobutshewasn'tt
here.Shewalked
backupst airst
oherroom andgentl
yknocked
befor
eget tingi
nbuti twasemptywithnosignsof
her.
Sheswallowedwal
kingouttotheirr
oom andtook
outherphonedi
ali
ngherstandingbythewindow.
Sheputt
hephonetoherearwhenshespott
edher
i
nthegardenpl
ayi
ngwiththei
rdogsandhangup
smil
ingl
ooki
ngatherr
unningaroundl
aughi
ng.
Herl
aught
erwassopleasi
ngandt
het
ypetojust
makeyousmil
eonyourown.Howshemissed
seei
ngthi
ssideofher.Shehadwai
tedf
orsol
ong
andfi
nall
yshe'
slaughi
ng.

Jane:Godpl
easedon'
tlett
hem mar
ryheraway
pl
ease.

AtMxol
isi
'
shome.

Ashedrovecloserandcl oser.Hecouldseehis
par
entsyardfullofcarsandpeoplerunningaround.
Hehadn'tbeenhomei nal ongti
mebutt hisi
snot
whatheexpectedt ocomehomet oo.Acel ebrati
on.
Hi
sbr
otherspot
tedt
hef
ancycarandsmi
led.

Lef
a:(
shout
ing)he'
sher
e!Donal
dhasar
ri
ved!

Theguysstart
edwhistl
ingi
nhappi
nesstoseehim
aft
ersolongastheygirl
sst
art
edscreamingl
ooki
ng
atthebeaut
if
ul,handsomemansteppingoutoft
he
car.Mxol i
sipul
ledacapi nt hecarandwor eit
hidinghiseyeashishear tpoundedtoallthe
celebrat
ionsofhisar
rival.Buttohissur
priseeven
el
eder swalkedoutul
lulatingholdi
nganythingthey
couldcar r
ydancinginfrontofhim asot
her s
sl
ightlyswipeddanci
ng.
Hi
sbrotherwalkedoverandtheysmi
ledateach
ot
herbeforehuggingf
oralmostaminute.

Lef
a:Wel
comehomel
it
tl
eone.
Mxol
isi
:Thankyoubr
other.

Theybr
oket hehuglookingateachotherandfinal
ly
l
aughedwhent heirmotherst
eppedoutoft he
housel
ookingclassyi
nhert r
aditi
onalatt
ir
e.She
smil
edlooki
ngathersonandr anoverfal
li
nginhis
armscr
ying.It'
sbeenawhi le.

Mxol
isi
'
smot
her
(Bet
ty)
:Ohmybaby!
Mxol
isi:Hel
lomot
her.
Bett
y:It
houghtyouhadabandonedme.Whydidn'
t
youvisi
tus?Didyourbossesbackatt
hest
ates
ref
useyouwitha-
Mxolisi
:nomother.Theydi dn't
.Justt
hatIhada
l
otofcasesthepasttwoyear s.EvennowIdobutI
hadtoasksomeonet otakecareofthem f
orme
thoughitt
ookalotofconvincing.
Betty:Imissyousomuch.Lookatyou.Youreven
glowingandal lgrownhelaosl
im .Gorengwenale
Lefaleoti
lekat selayee?(WhyareyouandLefaso
skinny)wer en'
tyoueating?Aret
hecasesalotfor
yout ohandle?
Mxoli
si:Mom I'
mfi
ne.AndnoI
'
m notski
nnyIwor
k
out.I
'
mi nshape.
Betty:youcallt
hisbei
nginshape?Mxm .Iknew
thatyougoingtherewasabadIdeanowlookwhat
theydidtoyouthere.Theyputwrongi
deasinyour
headjustsoyou-
Mxol
isi
:mom .
.
Bet
ty:f
inebutI
'
m goi
ngtomakeyousomefood.
Gomeetyourdadhe'
sinsi
de.Wel
comeback.
Mxol
isi
:Thankyou.

Shet riedpul l
ingoutt hecapbuthest retchedhis
neckasi desoshecoul dn'
treachsinceshewas
shor tandl aughed.Shesmi ledbeforehitti
nghim
ont hechestandwal kedawayl eavinghim withhi
s
brother .Lefal ookedathisfitbrot
herandbi thisl
ip
punchi nghi m ont hestomachwhenhet ookfew
stepsbackgr oaningholdi
nghi sstomach.Thegi rl
s
giggledl ookingatt hem astheboysl aughed.

Mxol
isi:Whatwast
hatf
or?
Lef
a: f
ornotcominghomef orover2yearsand
makingmet hecenterofeveryt
hingaroundher
e.
Welcomehomel it
tl
eone.
Mxol
isi
:Wow..
.sowhat
'st
hisabout?
Lef
a:youshoul
daskdad.

Helookedar
oundtheyardandi
twast
oof ul
l.He
spot
tedagroupofgi
rl
slooki
ngatt
hem andhe
wavedhisfi
ngersfort
hem wit
hasmi leandthey
gi
ggledwavingback.Hebuthisli
pfli
rtywhenhis
brot
herunknowingl
ytouchedhim onthebandage
andhefli
nched.

Mxol
isi
:Aaw.
.
Lef
a:t
hey'
reyoung.Whathappenedt
oyourhand?
Mxol
isi:Igotacut.Not
hingser
ious.

Lefalookedathim notbuyingitandpathisbackas
theybothlaughedandwal kedinsidet
hehouse.
Theywal kedtothedidi
ngandf oundhisunclesand
fathersi
tti
ngaroundwithtwobot tl
esofstr
ong
l
iquoront hefl
oor.Thiseldersjustmovedthetabl
e
j
ustt oputthei
rdri
nkont hemat hs.
Theyal lsmi l
edl
ookingathim andhisf
atherst
ood
upst r
etchinghishandsapartforahug.Hewal ked
overandt heyhuggedsmi l
ingbeforehegreet
ed
everyoneel seandtheysatdown.
Jacob:Wel
comehomeson.
Mxol
isi
:thanksdad.
Uncle1:Yeah. .bj
alekemonnat i
a.(Nowhe'sa
grownman)It houghtwearegoingtomeetthat
newlyfr
eshbloodwhowasaf rai
dofgirl
sbut..
.no
marn.He'slooksli
keheknowswher eit
'shi
dden.
Theonlythi
ngthathasnodefi
nit
ionofitsgoodness.
Isn'
tboy?

Theyal
llaughedandheshyl
ylookeddown.

Mxoli
si:(
smili
ng)Sorrymal
omebutIdontknow
whatyourtal
kingabout.
Uncle2:Hesl yi
ng.Heknowsverywellwhatyour
tal
kingabout.Youcan'tgoawaythi
sfartoolong
andt el
lusthatyouhaven'
tseenanakedwoman.
Especiall
yinAmerica.
Uncle1:Iknowhei
slyi
ng.Lookathissmil
e.Kana
kukuemonat emor
wa.Rightt
hereyouwontli
e.
AndI'm sur
eyoual
sodidwhatyouyoungst
er'
sdo
thi
sdaysdur i
ngsexuali
nter
course.Whatdoyou
cal
lthis?Uhm ..t
heonewher eyouli
ckeachot
her?
Lefalerekegodir
aeng?

Lefal
ookedathim andfinall
ylaughedlooki
ngat
Mxoli
siwhobithisli
ptryingnottolaugh.Hehad
for
gott
enhowhi suncleslovetalki
ngaboutsex
moreespeci
all
ywhent her e'
sagatheri
ng.

Lefa:Whenagi
rluhm .
.doesyout
heuhm you
know..-
Uncl
e3:Bol
elamor
ena.Bol
ela.Bi
tsa,
eremar
ete.
We'r
eal
lmenhere.
Lef
a:ohk.
.whenagi r
lput
sputsyourpenisinher
mouthdownherthr
oatandyoueathermout hit
'
s
cal
ledabl
owjobandwhenyoulickhervaginai
t'
s
cal
ledmuff
ing.
Uncl
e:yeaht
hatone.Muf
fl
ing.
.
Mxol
isi
:It
smuf
fi
ngnotmuf
fl
ing.
Uncl
e:Seeyouevenknowi
t.Thi
smeansyou'
ve
l
ickedsomeone'
sdaught
erspr
ivat
es.

Theyal
llaughedasMxol
isi
'sjawsdr
oppedand
fi
nal
lyhelaughedembar
rassed.

Uncle:sotellmeson.Howdoesi
ttast
e?KanaI
cantdot hatwit
hMmagoTshiamo.Shewasol
d.
Howi sit?
Jacob:Steveno.Yourdamagi
ngmysonseven
fur
ther.
Uncle2:naht heyar
ealreadydamaged.Asl ongas
heknowst hatwomancar r
yt hemostspecialt
hing
i
nt heworldbetweentheirlegsandabletomake
them cum thenthat
'si
t.Theyevenknowt histhi
ngs
Stevenistalki
ngabout.Youdi dthem r
ightson
? yourol
dnowyourdadwonthi tyou.
Mxol
isi
:(shyl
y)Yes.
.andi
t'
sgood.
Uncl
e:Itol
dyougor
egaat
shabekuku.Kukue
monatebanna.
Theyal
llaughedashekeptonpraisi
ngathowa
pussyi
slike.Aft
erawhil
etheyallset
tl
eddown.

Uncle2:Ankeompot
šemowenaši
mane.Ar
eyou
ready?
Mxol
isi
:Readyf
orwhatmal
ome?
Uncl
e1:(
lookedatJacob)
Youhaven'
ttol
dhi
m?
Mxol
isi
:Tol
dmewhat.
Uncl
e3:Ther
easonwe'
regat
her
edher
e.

Mxoli
sishookhi
sheadandturnedl
ooki
ngathis
f
ather.Jacobl
ookedathi
m andbackattheel
ders.

.
.
.

Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
42]Lynne :Chapt
er40

AtMxol
isihome.

Mxolisilookedathi sf atherasheexplainedt he
reasonbehi ndal lofthis.Everyt
hingthathast odo
withhim comi ngbackhome.Henevert houghtthi
s
thi
ngsofar rangedmar r
iagesexistbutnowt hathe
wasi nit,hej ustcamet ohisworstnightmar e.The
worstthingt hathaseverhappenedt ohi mi nthe
l
ast28year ssi ncehewasbor n.Hisbrai npoused
forafewmi nsmaki nganewconnect i
on, onethat
broughtangeranddi sappoint
ment .
Heclenchedhisjawsl ooki
ngathim andst
oodup
r
ubbinghisheadst i
llwitht
hecaponandangril
y
l
ookedathisfatherthenathisbrot
her.

Mxol
isi
:Youknewaboutt
hiswhol
ethi
ngLef
a?
Lefa:i
fIhadknownIwouldhavewarnedyou.But
ei
therwayIthi
nkit
'sf
oryourowngood.It
'sfort
he
best.Coursethat'
stheonlywayt ogetintoyour
thi
ckskullDonald.I'
m pr
ettysur etheinjuryonyour
handisnotbecauseyouscr atchedyour selfor
whatever
.I tonl
ycameonl yfrom anangr yman
becauseyoul i
kemessingpeopl e'smarriages.
Mxolisi
:Itoldyoui
t'
snothingseri
ous.Andno
actuall
yit
'sfr
omanangrywoman.( ToJacob)And
dadno.I '
m notdoi
ngthi
s.Whoever 'schi
ldyou
arr
angedf ormetomarrytellhert
heweddingisof
f.
Jacob:I'
m notaski
ngyouI
'mtel
li
ngyou.Your
gett
ingmarri
edandthat
'st
hat.Mywordi
sfinal.
Mxol i
si:ohmaybeyourwor dneedsalit
tl
ebitof
correct
ioncourseI
'
m notgoingdownt hatr
outeyou
plannedforme.Forchristsake!I
'm ol
denoughto
getawomanf ormysel
f.TheoneIl ove.
St
eve:
Wel
ltel
lust
henson.I
sther
eanyoneyou
l
ove?
Mxol
isi
:Yess!
Jacob:Whereisshe?America?Let'
sgomeether
courseal
lthi
spreper
ati
oni
sn'tgoi
ngtowast
e.
Mxol
isi
:no.
.she'
sher
e.Andyoucantmeetherdad
.
Uncl
e2:Whynot?Youl
oveherdontyou?
Mxol
isi
:Ido.Justt
hat.
.it
scompl
icat
ed.
Lefa:(
scof
fs)there'snothi
ngcompli
catedbrot
her.I
knowyou.Igr ewupwi t
hyouandwe'vebeenl i
kea
naleandafinger.Iknowyouhi ghandlow.Your
si
dewaysandcent er.She'
smarri
edisn'tshe?
Mxoli
si:She'snot!Youdontunderst
and.(Sat
down)Iloveher(t
eary)j
ustt
hat..
shedoesn'tl
ove
metoapoi ntwhereshecanleavehermant obe
wit
hme.Idon' tknowwhattodot ogether.Andit
hur
tsmeseei ngherwithhi
m.
Steve:(shookhead)Iknowt
hef
eel
ingmyboy.
Painfullove.
Uncl
e3:Butl
oveisn'
tpai
nfulunl
essi
t'
sthepai
nof
par
ti
ng.That
'si
tri
ghtson?
Mxoli
si:Idontknow.Al
lIknowi
sIl
ovehersobad
uncl
e.
Jacob:i
fithur
tst
heni
t'
snotr
eall
oveson.Tr
ue
l
ovehastobecomf orti
ng,passi
onatei
tsl
ikea
complex.I
fthatgi
rldoesn'
twanttobewit
hyou
thenl
etherbe.
Mxol
isi
:Butdadi
-
Jacob:i
fyoul
oveherl
ikeyousay.
.t
henyou'
l
llet
herbe.

Mxolisi
'
st earescapedhiseyewhenhepul
ledhi
s
shir
twipinghistearandsighedl
ooki
ngatt
heelder
s
rubbi
nghi spalmst oget
her.

Jacob:Ipr
omiseyou'lllovethisgi
rl.She'
ssti
ll
youngandverysmar t.I'm notdoi
ngt hi
sbecauseI
hateyouson.I'm doi
ngt hisoutoflove.You
alwaysfi
ndithardtofindloveandoncei tl
anded
youinahospital
.
Mxoli
si:butdadIdontknowthegirlyoupickedf
or
me.Shecoul dbecrazyandalotofotherbad
t
hings.
Jacob:t
hisonei
snotanyoft
hosebadt
hings.She
i
sbeauti
fulandrespect
ful
.Everyt
hingyou'dever
wishi
nawomanandever ythi
ngyoueverlongedto
havei
nyourlif
e.
Uncle2:Andyoudonthavetoknowpreci
ous
rel
ati
onshiptowit
hhertoknowthetypeofaper
son
sheisbeforethemar
ri
age.Therei
snoonekindof
l
ovest or
yboy.
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyouf
orci
ngmei
ntot
his?
Jacob:Anar rangedmar r
iageisnotthesamet hi
ng
asaf or
cedmar r
iageson.BeingforcedInt
o
marri
agei swhenbot hparti
esdonotgiveinfull
consentintothewholesit
uationbutinourcaseits
dif
fer
ent.I'm askingyoutogivei
nandi fyournot
wegettheoneyoul ove.
Mxol
isi
:Shesmar
ri
eddad.
Jacob:t
hent
hatl
eavesuswi
thone.Ipr
omi
seyou
wontregr
ett
his.

Mxoli
sipul
ledt
hecapf ur
thercover
inghiseyesand
l
ookeddownstil
lrubbi
nghispalmst oget
her.The
l
ovehehasf orGailwassopainfultoappointt
hat
hehimselfcoul
dn'
texplai
nit.Thethoughtofher
bei
ngwi t
hhim nowinsteadofhim shatt
eredhim as
hesattheresur
roundedbytheelders.
Hesighedwhenhest oodupput t
inghishandsin
thepockets.Maybemovingpastt hi
swasn'tsucha
badidea.Andifhedecli
nedthishewoul dbe
putt
inghisfami
lyint
oabi gshameonhi sfi
rstday
especi
all
ywhenit'
sallknownandpopul ar.

Mxol
isi
:Let
'sdoi
t.

Theuncle'
ssmil
edandstooduphuggi
nghi
m and
hi
sfatherst
oodupshaki
nghishand.

Fat
her
:I'
m pr
oudson.

Shakinghandstothisfeltwrongandsomet he
feel
ingofnotbeingful
lycommi tt
edtothiswashed
onhi m .Hewasn't
.Hel ookedatthem asthey
star
tedtal
kingaboutt
henegot
iat
ionsandhe
swallowedwalki
ngouttohi
sroom wit
haheavy
heart.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Rosesatonthegar denchai rwithawidesmi l

e
l
ookingatthedogspl aying.It'
sbeensol ongsince
shehadthisfeel
ingr unningthroughal
lthecell
son
herbodyandi tf
eltsogood.Di neowal kedover
wit
hat r
aywithherl unchandl utthem onthetable
l
ookingatherandsmi l
ed.

Dineo:youmyf r
iendlookr
eal
lyhappy.What
's
behindallt
hatsmileonyourf
ace.
Rose:It
snothi
ng.Justthatit
'sbeensolongand
af
terImetKagisoever
ythingjustf
li
pped.Heisso
amazingand..
.Iknow.
Di
neo:(
smi
li
ng)Doyoul
ikehi
m?
Rose:Di
neo.
..
Dineo:Youknowyoucantkeepr unni
ngawayf rom
myquest i
onright?Onewayoranotheryou'
llhave
toputonbiggi r
lpant
iesandswal
lowyourfearand
confessbefor
et heyt
akehim.
Rose:Aguyi
stheonet
hathast
omaket
hef
ir
st
move.
Di
neo:Whosai
dso?Whosett
hatr
ule?
Rose:i
tiswhati
tis.
Dineo:Watsenwawena.Ther e'
snosuchat hi
ng
thataguyhadtomaket hefir
stmove.Ifyouli
ke
theguyyouhaveeveryrightt
otellhi
m,hecouldbe
shytotel
lyouforal
lyouknow.
Rose:NoIwont.
Di
neo:t
henconsi
deri
tyourl
ossi
fyoudont.

Sheki
ssedherforeheadbeforegetti
ngbackt owork
l
eavi
ngRosewithascar edheart.Shewoul dn't
wantt
olosehim .He'stheonlypersonthathas
managedtopul
lheroutoft hedarknessshebeen
hel
dupinslowl
yandshecoul dfeelher
selfgetti
ng
ther
e.Shepickedherdri
nkanddrankwhenJane
walkedoversi
tt
ingnextt
oherandpickeda
sandwichfr
om herpl
ate.

Jane:(
chewi
ng)t
hisi
sgood.
Rose:mom.
..t
hat
'smyn.
Jane:I
'
m sor
ryhunnybutt
hel
it
tl
eonewant
eda
tast
e.
Rose:(smi
li
ng)howi
sthebaby?Icantwai
tfori
ts
ar
ri
val.
Jane:t
hebabyi
sfi
ne.Andyou?
Rose:I
'
m al
sogood.
Jane:thi
sdaysyourgl
owingandyoural
ways
smil
ing.Whosebehindthi
snewbabyofmine?
Rose:
(bl
ushi
ng)noonemom .
Jane:Iknowt
hatsmi
le.Whoi
sheorshe?Di
neo?
Rose:No.
.it
'snoone.
Jane:pl
easet
ellme.Youknowbabyyouandi
neverhadt hemot heranddaught ersortofbond.
Weneverhadt hechancet oocour seitshouldhave
startedatyourearlyage.Foryout oknowt he
i
ndescr i
bablemot herloveIhavef oryou.Havea
mot herdaughterstrongbond.Goshoppi ng,spars
andal lt
hosegirl
yt hingsweshoul dbedoi ng.Sit
withyoudownandyougett ot
ellmeaboutyour
dreamsandal lyourpl ansfort
hef uter.And
ofcourseboys.( Rosesmi l
ed)Beingyourr ole
modelbaby.Butt het i
mehaspassedandnowyour
old.Andi thurt
smet hatIdon'
thavemucht i
meleft
tobewi thyou.

Shepul
ledRosei
ntoahugast
ear
sbur
nedhereyes
.

Jane:t
ogett
oholdyouli
kethiseveryt
ime,anyt
ime
andanywher
eIl
ike.Andgettotellyoucountl
ess
ti
mehowmuchIl oveyou.(
closedeyes)Iloveyou
myRose.
Rose:(
tear
y)Il
oveyout
oomom .
Theyhuggedforawhi
leandf
inal
lyl
etgohol
ding
handssmil
ing.

Rose:hi
snamei
sKagi
so.
Jane:(
smi
li
ng)hhhmmm .
.
Rose:He'sagoodguy.He' salwayssmi l
ing.He'
s
handsomewi t
hlonghairandbrowneyes.Heeven
hasadi mpl eli
keuncleBreeze.He'scr azil
y
handsomemom .WhenI '
m wit
hhi m..Itendtofeel
thisconnectionthatIcantexpl
ain.AndwhenIpar t
withhim..ifeelli
keI'
ml eavi
ngapar tofmebehi nd.
Likesomet hingis-
Jane:Mi
ssi
ng?
Rose:Yeah. .missing.Hemakesmel aughand
whenhet ouchesmyhandl i
kehealwaysdoes,I
feelbutt
erf
li
esi nmyst omach.Heknowswhatto
saywhenIt ellhim myproblemsandhelpmeease.
He'sjustsoamazi ngmom.Idon'treal
lyknowhi
m
thatmuchcour sewej ustmetbutmom ..?
Jane:yessbaby?

Tearsstart
edrol
li
ngdownhercheeksasherheart
star
tedpoundingsohardonherchest
.Janesmi l
ed
l
ookingatherandyepthisi
sloveandshehersel
f
couldfeeli
t.I
t'
sashortofherdaught
ershappi
ness
.

Rose:(cr
ying)mom ..
I'
m scared.Idontknowwhy.
Thefeeli
ngIhavejustscaresmecour sejneverfel
t
l
ikethi
sbef or
e.It
'snewt omeandsost rongand
I'
m afr
aidit
sgonnahur tme.It'
sjustsostrongit
keepspull
ingmet ohim .It
hinkI'
m g-
Jane:(smil
ing)i
t'
scal ledLOVE.Youri nl
ovebaby.
Thestrongfeeli
ngyouf eelr
ightnowitslovemy
baby.Anditsohkt obescar edatfir
stbutwhenyou
holdontohi shandandal l
owhimt owalkt he
j
ourneywithyoui t
sgonnagr owst r
ongand
str
ongerthatyouwi llnotwanttoletgoscar edt
o
l
osehim .Soscar edyouwi l
lbewill
ingtodo
anythi
ngandever ythingjusttobewi t
hhim.
Sacri
fi
ceever
ythi
ngjustsoyoucanhol dont othat
handandthekeytohisheart.Youneverhadt he
chancetodat
e.Tobewi thaguybef oreandItoo
asyourmotherhaveafeeli
ngthathe'stheone
you'
vebeenwaiti
ngfor.He'syours.Andi fyoufi
nd
him,dontl
etgo.He'syourhappiness.

Rosenarrowedhereyebrowsheari
nghersaythat.
Itwasnotfort
hefir
stti
meshehear dthat.Her
heartst
art
edbeati
ngsohar donherchestasshe
l
ookedathermothersqueezingherhands.

Rose:Nakedi
..
Jane:What?
Rose:i
tshi
m!Theani
mali
nmydr
eams.Thebi
g
ki
nd.It
shim!

Thedr
eam repl
ayedi
nherheadasshel
ookeddeep
i
nhermotherseyes.
"Fi
ndhim..andwhenyoudo,
dontl
etgo.
.he'
syour
happi
ness.Findhi
m"

Rose:mom i
tshi
m..
!

Tearsrol
ledoutuncontr
oll
ablyasshekept
repl
ayingit.Janel
ookedatherturni
ngredcrying
andthishurthersomucht hatshepul
ledherlett
ing
hercryonherchestandshushedher.

Rose:(
cryi
ng)i
tshi
m..
.

.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
43]Lynne :Chapt
er41.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Jackwalkedintothehousetal
kingoverthephone
andwalkedtohi soff
icef
aci
ngoutoft hewindow.
HesawRosel ayi
ngonJane'schestcryi
ngand
sighedsi
tt
ingonhi schai
randpinnedhiselbowon
thetabl
e.

Jack:Ar
eyousur eyoursoni
snotgoi
ngt
oabuse
mydaughterJacob?
Jacob:mysonisnotthetypetohurtwomanJack.
He'drat
herl
etherhurthi
mt hanhim hurt
ingher.
AndnotoncehaveIeverreceivedacallorpar
ental
cominghert
ocompl ainabouthisbehavi
orexcept
formarri
edman.
Jack:Theni
fhel
ikesmar
ri
edwomanhowar
eyou
sosurehe'
snotgoingtobri
ngmar
ri
edwomani
nto
thehouseandst
artabusi
ngmydaught
er?
Jacob:I'
llper
sonall
ymakesurethatt
hatdoesn't
happenJack.I '
l
lmakesurethatwhenwegather
aroundasment oadvi
sehi
m wemakesur ei
tstays
i
nt hemind.I'
llputaneyeonherli
keadaughterI
neverhad.
Jack:Fi
ne.Soyout
alkedt
oyourson?
Jacob:yeahandheagreed.Iwasthi
nki
ngsi nce
wearedoneher e,f
amil
yhasgather
edalreadyand
ever
ythi
ngisready,howaboutwespeedt hisup?
Weshouldcomet omorr
owforthenegot
iations.
Jack:ComeonJacob.What
'st
herush?Ist
il
lwant
tospendt
hisf
ewhourswi
thher.
Jacob:yourtheonewhosai dyouwantt hisover
anddonewi th.Sot omorr
owwe' recoming.
Prepareher.We'llsendanatt
ir
ef orhert
hatshe'
ll
bewear i
ngtomor rowcoursei
t'
llalsobea
tr
adit
ionalwedding.
Jack:t
heyst
il
lhavet
ogot
o-
Jacob:t
hatcanbear
ranged.It
oldyout
oleavet
he
restt
ome.bye

Hehangupandher ubbedhisnosebeforestanding
upl ookingoutsi
dethewi ndowseeingthem comi ng
i
nt othehouse.Heswal l
owedandwal kedtot he
l
ivingroom wher etheywer eent
eri
ngandhest ood
therelookingathim .TheybothstoppedandJane
sighedl ooki
ngathim .Heknewt hisl
ookandhe
didn'tl
ikeitatal
l.

Jack:Canwesi
tdown.Weneedt
otal
k.
Jane:notnowJack.
Jack:noweneedt
ogetonwi
tht
his.Si
t.

JaneandRosesatdownl ooki
ngathim whenhe
rubbedhi
shandstogetherandlookedatRose.He
wasnotprepar
edtolosehisonlychil
dbutifi
t
meantgett
ingmarr
iedforhertobeonherr i
ght
stat
eofmindthenthat
'sit.
Jack:Rosebaby.YouknowIl
oveyour
ight
?
Rose:Yes.
Jack:andever
ythi
ngt
hatIdo,
idoi
tforyourown
good.
Rose:iknow.
Jack:WhatI'
m aboutt
otellyoui
sthecent
erof
hatetowar
dsaparentbutknowthatIdi
dthi
s
becouseIl
oveyou.
Jane:Jackpl
easedontdot
his.She'
sourdaught
er.
Jack:that'
sright.Ourdaught
er.Andwehavet
o
doanythinginourpowertomakesureshe'
ssaf
e
andfineandthisistheonlyway.
Rose:Whati
sisdad?Pl
easedontt
ellmeyour
sendi
ngmetotheSanat
ori
um,Ihat
eitther
e.

Jackswall
owedandl
ookedatherasshel
ooked
backathim.Hi
sonl
ypri
ori
ty.Hi
sonlychi
ld.Hi
s
fi
rstRose.
Jack:Tomor
rowyourget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.

EverybodypartofRosell
apousedl ookingather
fat
herwithastrai
ghtface.Theroom wentqui et
andonlythesoundofwor ker
s,bir
dsanddogswas
heard.Thuswasanot herl
evelofhatred,lastl
evel
i
nt hebookofli
ving.Rosescoffedlookingaway
unbeli
evabl
yshockedbywhathej ustsaid.

Rose:What?
Jack:I
'
m sor
ryhunnybuti
tsf
inal.Yourget
ti
ng
marri
ed.

Rose'seyesfl
oodedwi t
htearsl
ooki
ngatherfather
andshest ooduplooki
ngatherparents.Ri
ghtnow
shecouldjustspl
itonthem t
hewayshewasso
disgust
edbyt hewholethi
ngtheysatupforher.
Rose:YouknowIt houghtmaybeyouwer estar
ti
ng
towalkinmyshoeswi thmedad.Butal lyoudois
putmorepressureandmor eweightabovemyheart
andshoulders.Youenjoyseei
ngmei npainand
alwayscryi
nginsorrow.Youclaimtolovemeyet
younot.Youenj oyt
hissit
eofmeandyoudon' t
wanttoseemehappy.
Jack:Ido.That
'swhyIar
rangedt
hisf
oryouj
ust
soyoucangetthehel
pyouneed.
Rose:(
shout
ing)t
hehel
pIneed?Reallydad?The
hel
pIneed?DadIneedmyf amil
y!RightnowI
needmyfamilymoret
haneverbutyouaresel
li
ng
meout!Ineedyou!
Jack:I'
m notsell
ingyouout.I 'mj ustdoingwhat
's
bestforyouasaf ather.Andwhenyoural lgr
own
wit
hyourownf ami l
yyou' l
lunderstandthatasa
parentyou'
llhavet odoever yt
hingandt ake
sacri
fi
cesforyourchi ldren.
Rose:Evenwheni thurtst
hem ?Hellno.YessI'
ll
takesacri
fi
cesbutnottheonesthat
'l
laff
ectthem
sobadl i
kethi
s.Iwillbeabett
erparentt
hanyou'l
l
everbe!
Jane:Rose!
Rose:Ohwait..
ist
hisyoupl
antogetr
idofme
becouseyouhaveababyontheway?
Jack:Youknowwe'
l
lneverdot
hatt
oyou?Why
wouldwedothat
.
Rose:Idon'tknowdad!Youtel
lme.IsitbecauseI
can'
tmoveonpastmybestf r
iend?HaveIwasted
yourti
meenoughandnowI '
vegottoleave?You
gett
ingpregnantwasawaytogetri
dofmewasn' t?
Jack:(shouti
ng)Iwillnott
akethisf
rom you
Rosell
a.Yourol denoughtogetmar r
iedsostop
acti
nglikeabr at,achil
d.Andno.Thi sbabycame
tousasabl essingnotapushaway.Yourget ti
ng
marri
edt omorrowandmywor disfi
nal!Gotoyour
room andgetar estt
omor r
owyourinlawswillbe
here.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)DadI
'
m 18.
Jack:That
'swhyyourget
ti
ngmar r
ied.Yourno
l
ongerachil
dandthisi
sforyourowngood.
Rosesil
ent
lycri
edl
ist
eningtoherhear
tbreakwhi
le
beat
ingsohardonherchestwalki
ngtoher
bedr
oom.

Jane:Hiwcouldyoudothi
stoourdaughter?I
thoughtyousai
din2days.Lookwhatyou'vedone.
Aargh..

Janewalkedupthest
air
sgoi
ngtoRose'
sroom and
knockedonherdoorl
eavi
ngJackpr
essi
nghis
phone.

Jane:hunnyopent
hedoor.Tal
ktome.Let
'st
alk.
Rose:(
cryi
ngi
nsi
de)l
eavemeal
one.Tool
atef
or
t
alki
ng.

Att
heHospi
tal
.
Breezewal
kedoutofSagiswardandwentto
Kagiso'
swardandgentl
yknockedbef
oregoi
ngi
n.
Kagisosmi
ledandtheyfi
stbumpedandhesat
down.

Breezes:Youlookbet
ter.Whenaret
hey
di
schargingyou?You'vebeenher
eforawhi
lenow.
Son.
Kagiso:(chuckl
es)youal
readyt
oldever
yonet
hat
I
'm yoursonMrLyon.Anddontknow, maybenext
week.
Breeze:ohk.
.yessyourmyson.Andasmyson
youneedanewnamet hatI
'
llonl
yuseonyou.How
aboutAmory?
Kagi
so:(
laughs)
That
'sagi
rlnameMrLyon.
Br
eeze:Dadforyouandnoit
'snotagi
rlname,
ki
nda.(
nar
rowedeyebrow)
Kagi
so:no.
..
it
stoogi
rl
y..
.dad.
Br
eeze:OhkhowaboutBar
in?
Kagi
so:t
hat
'saTeut
oni
cname.
Breeze:that
'sthepoint
.Iwantyout
ohavea
uniquenamej ustl
ikemyn.
Kagi
so:Br
eeze?I
situni
que?(
Chuckl
es)
Br
eeze:Kindaandkindanot.Andsi
nceyoudont
wantanynameIgiveyou.I'
m goi
ngtogi
veyoua
cr
azyone.Bear.
Kagi
so:Asi nl
ike"
Bear
"?Wowt hatt
hemost
weir
destnameonehasevergi
venme.Bear?That
ananimal.
Breeze:yess.It'
sanEngl i
shnamemeani ngbr
ave,
courageousanddar ing.Goeswellwi
thyou.You
managedt oescapedeat hknocki
ngonyourdoorby
anangr ycommuni tyandhadcouragetogofur
ther
runningforyourl
ifeandwhenyougother eyou
fought.AndIseenowyourdar i
ngtogobackthere
i
sn't?
Kagiso:Ican'
tjustabandonmymom l i
kethat.
She'stheonlyoneIhavel eftandIdontknow
anyonef r
om myf amil
y.It ri
edtalki
ngtothe
recept
ionistt
oletmet al
kt oherjusttosayI'
mf i
ne
,I'
vebeeni nt
hehospi t
alt
oputheri nease.And
whenthi
swhol ethi
nghappenedshewassickandI
hadn'
tboughthermedicat
ion.I
'm sur
eit
sfi
nished.
Breeze:wher
edoyouwor k?Dot
heypayyou
enoughtocovereverbi
ll?
Kagi
so:Iwasn' tr eall
ywor kinglikear ealj obbuti
washust l
ing.Iam maki ngt r
aditionaljewel ryandI
canalsopaint.Isel lfruitswi t
ht hisoldl adywhoi s
ver
ykindandunder standingandatt hesamet i
me
wemaket hepiecesatt her ank.Igetatl eastR50a
dayjusttohavesomet hingi nourst omachsbuti f
wesoldmor epieceswebot hl eavewi thmaybe
300Reach.Iwasal sot hinkingofpai nting
somethingandt akei ttoGai l
'sGal l
erytoadver t
ise
mywor klikeotherpeopl eandgetmor emoneyt o
buymymom hermedi cation.Plust her ent.Gat ta
paytherent.
Breeze:R50aday?Whatifi
t'
snotenoughbythe
endoft hemont
handyourmomsmedi cat
ioni
s
fi
nished?
Kagi
so:Gambl
e.
Br
eeze:What?
Kagi
so:yep.
Breeze:Thenifyouar
e.Thelastt
imeyougambled
i
twasyourl astt
imeBear
.Kissgambl
ingi
ll
egal
ly
goodbye.Ar eyoudonewit
hschool?
Kagi
so:Yeah..
.mat
ri
candneverhadmoneyt
o
st
udyfur
ther
.
Br
eeze:ohk.Howaboutwemakeadeal.
Kagi
so:Whatsor
tofdeal?
Breeze:Iwil
lgiveyou2.5permonthtocover
everythi
ngyou'
llneedandI'l
lal
sopayforyour
studiesandinr
eturnyoustudyhardandmakesur
e
thatyoustayoutoftroubl
e.
Kagi
so:t
hat
'si
t?Studyandst
ayoutoft
roubl
e?
Comeon.What'
sthecat
ch?
Breeze:Iseemysel fi
nyouboy.Thoughmyst or
y
i
sdi f
ferentbutit
'sabutsimil
ar.Webot hhadtodo
whateverwegot tadowhetherlawfulorunl awf
ul
j
usttokeepl ivi
ng.Wear ewil
li
ngtot akeriskseven
thought heycanturnoutsobadfrom whatwehad
i
magi ned.Wecanevenbr eakthelawj usttohustl
e
forourownlivingandnotgetscaredoft he
outcomecour seweknowi t
'l
lcomedownt ot
hat.
Putother
sbef oreour
sel
ves.AndIdon' tknowwhy
butIdon'twantyoutogothrought hatanymor e
courseIcanseeyouraboutt orui
nyourf utur
el i
keI
did.Iwontletyoudothesamemi stakesIdid.Just
promisetostandbymeandl etmebeyourf r
iend.A
fri
endyouneverhad.

Hestr
etchedhishandtohim andKagi
sostret
ched
hi
sandt heyshookhands.Kagisoswal
lowed
l
ooki
ngathi m .Heneverhadsomeonedothatfor
hi
m andsomehowhef el
twhathewassaying.He
wasseri
ous.
Br
eezet
ookouthi
sphoneandunl
ockedgi
vingi
tto
hi
m.

Br
eeze:Youcancallyourmom .I
'
llbeback.My
wi
feisnotsogoodshe'sher
e.
Kagi
so:I
'
m sor
ry.I
ssher
espondi
ngwel
l
?
Breeze:yes.
..l
etmegobuyt
hei
rfoodbef
oret
hey
eatmeal i
ve.

HewalkedoutandKagisodial
edhi
smot
herashe
gotanxi
oustohearhervoi
ce.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Veroni
casteppedoutofthehouseholdingabucket
ful
lofdir
tywaterwalki
ngtorchesbackoft hehouse
anddisposedit.Sherubbedherhandonherski rt
andwalkedbackandputt hebucketbesidesthe
houseandgoti nt
othehouse.
Thatgir
lhasbeenhelpfulsomuchsheher sel
f
di
dn'tknowhowt othankher.Shetookouttwo
sl
icesofbreadandappliedpeanutbut
teronand
puteveryt
hingbackbeforet
akingherteaandsaton
oneofthechairsBonoloboughtherandate.
HerNoki
aphonerangandsheputhercupdown
pi
cki
ngthephoneandlookedatt
heunfami
li
ar
numberbef
oreanswer
ing.

Her
:Hel
lo.
..
Kagi
so:Mama.
..

Thebreadsli
ppedoutofherhandandf el
lonthe
fl
oorasherheartdancedi
njoyashereyesflooded.
Sheputherhandonhermout htr
yingsohardnotto
l
ethim heart
hatshewascryingbutfai
ledwhenshe
bust
edi nt
otear
s.

Ver
onica:(cryi
ng)Kagi
so.
.?I
sthatyoungwanawa
ka?(I
st hatyoumychild)
Kagi
so:i
t'
smemom .Howar
eyou?
Veroni
ca:but..buthow..theysaidyourdeadand
..
Icouldn'
tfi
ndyou.OhmysonIt houghtyoulef
t
mef or
ever
.Wher eareyou?Whathappened?Ar e
youohk?Di dtheyhurtyoureall
ybad?I s-
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)mom I
'
mfi
ne.Af
terImanagedt
o
escapeMrLyonf oundmeandtookmetothe
hospit
al.Ri
ghtnowaswespeaki nst
il
latt
he
hospit
alandI'
m bett
er.Howar
eyou?
Veronica:I
'm hol
dingon.DoyouknowhowmuchI
prayedforyou.ThankGodheheardmyprayer
s.I
missyou.
Kagiso:Imi
ssyoutoomom .Howareyouf
eel
ing?
Haveyoubeentaki
ngyourmedi
cat
ion?Doyousti
ll
haveenoughfood?
Veroni
ca:(smil
ing)Ohmyboy.I 'mfine.YessI
've
beentaki
ngthemedi cat
ionandeatingakereyou
gi
rlf
ri
endisforcingmetoo?She' sanamazinggir
l
andverystubborn.Shedoesn'
ttakenoforan
answer.
Kagi
so:Bonol
o?.
.
Ver
onica:Yeah..Haayi
ithi
sgirlf
ightf
orwhatshe
wantsshem .Sheissogenerous.Sheboughtmy
medicat
ion,
foodandalsohelpedwithther
ent.
Youchosewellson.
Kagi
so:Thanksmom .
Bonoloknockedonthedoorandwalkedinto
Veronicasmil
ingwit
htearsofj
oyrunni
ngdownher
cheeks.Shesmiledwal
kingoverandsatonthe
otherchai
rlooki
ngather.

Ver
onica:I'
m ser
ious.Shessl
ovelygi
rlf
ullof
pat
ience.Efel
aonalehlogoet
hatagore!
Kagiso:(smi
li
ng)She'
scxxl.Wasshet
heone
knocking?Pl
easeletmetal
ktoher.
Ver
oni
ca:ohkson.

Bonolonarrowedhereyebr
owstothat"
son"and
tookthephoneputt
ingitonherear
sli
steni
ng
attent
ivel
y.

Kagi
so:Nol
o?
Bonol
o:OhmyGod!
Herheartspi
ppedfi
ll
ingherwithhappi
nessand
tear
sroll
edout.Sheputherhandonhetf ace
cryi
nginjoywhenVer oni
castr
etchedherhand
rubbi
ngherbacksmilingather.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)comeonbabe.Dontcr
y.
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)It
houghtIl
ostyou.
Kagi
so:youcoul
dneverl
oseme.St
opcr
yingyour
br
eaki
ngmyheart.
Bonol
o:Buthow.
.?Wher
ear
eyou?
Kagi
so:Iwasfoundandbroughtt
othehospi
tali
n
t
ime.I'
m st
il
lher
e.****
***
*hospit
al.
Bonol
o:I
'
m comi
ng!

SheputthephoneinVeronica'shandwithout
wanti
ngtohearfurt
herandki ssedhercheek
rushi
ngout.Veroni
casmiledandputt hephoneon
herear.
Kagi
so:Bonol
o?
Veroni
ca:She'
sal
readygone.Whi
chhospi
talar
e
youat?
Kagi
so:nomom .Yousithomeandr ecover.Idont
wantyouonataxiacr
osstheci
tytryi
ngtogether e,
Iwantyouheal
thyandbackonyourfeet.
Ver
oni
ca:(
sar
cast
ical
ly)f
ine.
..

Thebothbast
edl
aughi
ngandcont
inuedt
alki
ng
overt
hephone.

Backatt
hehospi
tal
.

Afterhavingalongchatwithhismot hercatching
upt heyfi
nall
yhangupandhesi ghedsmi l
ing.She
hadanangel icvoi
ceshecoul dli
stentoheral lday.
Hel ookedatthephoneandt appeditanditwasn' t
l
ocked.Hewentt ohisgall
eyandl ookedatt he
beautif
ulclearpi
ctur
eofGailandSagi.Theywer e
theoneswhosepi cturear
eal otinhere.Talkabout
beaut
if
ulbl
ackwoman.Al
lhai
ltoBl
ackWoman.
Hewatchedvi
deosandt
heyseemedsohappy
t
oget
herbuthowthehel
ldoeshemanagewit
htwo
woman.Imeanhehasonedick.
Heshookhisheadwhent hedooropenedand
Breezewal
kedinholdingasmallpl
asti
cbagand
putitont
hetablel
ookingatthephoneandnowi t
hadhispi
ctureshi
rt
lesssteppi
ngoutofthepoolal
l
wet.HenarrowedhiseyesandlookedatKagiso.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyougay?
Kagi
so:(
laughi
ng)What?No..her
ethanks.Iwas
j
ustl
ooki
ngatyourpi
ctur
es.
Br
eeze:Di
dyouseeanyt
hing?
Kagi
so:Anyt
hingl
ike?Nudes?
Br
eeze:YousawmywomannakedBear
?
Kagi
so:No!No!No!Idi
dn'
t.Ij
ustl
ookedatt
he
onceont
op.
Br
eeze:What
ever
..
her
e'syourf
ood.Cat
chyou
l
ater.Igat
tagoson.
Kagi
so:ByeMrdad.

Thebot hlaughedandhewal kedout.Hepickedthe

plasti
candt hesmel loffrieshuthisnost
ri
ls
wateringhismout h.Het ookoutthefoodand
openedt hem thestartedeat i
ng.Thethoughtof
getti
ngt oseeBonol ogothi m smil
ingandhe
couldn'twaitt
oseehert oo.

I
nSagi
swar
d.

Thegirl
satethei
rfoodwhil
eBr eezesatont hechai
r
shooti
ngavideoofthem unknowi ngl
ydrinki
nghis
energydri
nk.Theysaidsomethingt oeachother
andlaughedandhesmi l
edcuttingthevideoand
edi
teditwit
hasongbef or
epost ingitonhisstat
us.

"
Cantgetenoughoft
hem "
Awhilelat
erhepickedtherubbi
shandwentto
thr
owt hem i
nthetrashbi
nandwalkedbacksit
ti
ng
nextt
oSagiont hebed.

Sagi
:youguysshouldgo.Yourgoi
ngt
owor
k
tomor
row.I'
llbef
ine.
Gail
:Actual
lyI
'
m goi
ngawayf oramonth.SoI
guessI
'l
lremai
nhereandspendmylasthour
swit
h
you.
Sagi
:Dontr
emi
ndme.Babe?
Br
eeze:mmnhh.
.?
Sagi
:Il
oveyou.Il
oveyoubot
h.
Bot
h:l
oveyout
oo.
Sagi:Youshoul
dgogetsomerest.Youl
ook
drai
ned.Gosleep.I
'
llbef
ine.
Breeze:no..
I'
m notgoinganywher
e.Iwantt
obe
herewithyou.Allofyou.
Theyallgotont
hebedevent houghtheyweren'
t
fi
tt
ingastheysnuggl
ed.Theyalll
aughedlooki
ngat
howt heywere.

Sagi
:guyst
hisi
sasi
ngl
ebed.
Gai
l:asl
ongaswe'
resl
eepi
ngt
oget
her
,itcan
br
eakforal
lwecar
e.
Br
eeze:Comeoneofyou.Letoneofyousl
eepon
me

Sagiquickl
ytossedandgotont opofhim andthey
alll
aughedasshel ayedherheadonhi schestl
ikea
baby.Theystartedchatt
ingonelastti
met oget
her
beforet
omor r
owar ri
vesandfinal
lyfel
lasl
eepon
thepoorbedallthr
ee.

Ar
ound21h00.

Bonol
orushedoutoft
hecarsl
ammi
ngt
hedoor
andpressedthelockbutt
onassher ani nt
othe
bui
ldi
ng.Shest oppedatthedoorandr anback
unl
ockingitandopenedthedoortakingouta
pl
asti
cbagandabasketoff r
uit
sandki ckedthe
doorpressi
ngthelockkey.Shewal kedintot
he
bui
ldi
ngandheadedt otherecepti
onist
.

Bonol
o:Hey.
.I'
m her
etoseeKagi
soMokwena.
Recept
ions:ohk.
.butausiyouknowvi
sit
ingour
have-
Bonolo:pleasemma.Kanahe' smyboyfri
endandI
haven'
tseenhi minawhilesi
ncehegotattackedby
thecommuni ty.Iknowit
'snoexcusebutplease
l
ekagot haloganyathemmawena.
Recept
ioni
sts:ohkfine.Si
gnher
e.AndI '
llgoshow
youwherehei s.Lelenalat
enabanana.Ketir
ong
l
etlompakelamat hata.
Bonol
o:kopaoi
ntshwar
elenemma.
Recept
ioni
st:gosi
ame.
Sheputt hependownandt heywalkedtoKagiso'
s
ward.Herhear dgotheavyandexcit
edwi t
hevery
stepcl
oserunt i
ltheywer
eatthedoor.The
recept
ionistwal
kedawayt ot
hebathroom as
Bonolobr eat
hedinandoutbefor
ewal ki
ngin.
Shesmiledl
ooki
ngathi
m peaceful
lyl
ayi
ngonthe
bedfaci
ngupandsheputeveryt
hingonthet
abl
e.
Shelookedathi
m andbyjustdoingt
hatherpanti
es
soakedasherwholebodylongedtof
eelhishands
al
loverher.Shehadmissedhim sobad.
Shewentt olockthedoorandcamebackl eaningin
foraki sswakinghim upandFr enchkissed.From
thescentKagi soputhi shandar oundherneck
pulli
ngherevenf urtherandusedanot herone
helpingheront hebedsi t
ti
ngonhi sstomach.He
helpt akeoffhersweat erandt opwhenhecame
facet ofacewithhert eenagebabi esandsmi led
l
ooki ngatherwi t
hhi smonst erstr
etchingnowand
then. Hecubedherbr eastintohishandsandl ift
ed
hisupperbodysucki ngont hem asshemoanedout
l
oudhol di
ngont ohishead.Damnt heybothhave
l
ongedf orthi
s*********
.
.
.
.
.
.
comment
[
08/
02,
13:
43]Lynne :Chapt
er42.

Ar
oundatNi
ght.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Jacksentseveralmessagest otheirfamil
y
member sandsi ghedlooki
ngatBr eezesnumber.
Hewascer tainl
ynotcomi ngevent houghhewas
i
nvited.Fi
rstofallaboutthei
rfeudandsecondly
becausehei smar r
yingRosetoanot herfami
ly.
Thiswholethingofthem alwaysfightingwas
star
ti
ngt ogetonhi slastnerveandsomet i
meshe
j
ustthinksongi vingupbecausei tseemsli
kehe'
s
theonly9netryingtor eachout.Buthenthiswas
abouthisdaught erandast heonlyunclear
oundhe
shouldbeavailable.
Hesentt
hemessageandl
eanedbackr
ubbi
nghi
s
f
ace.Thi
swasit.

AtMxol
isi
'
shome.

Thewhol ecrowdsangdi f
f erentweddingsongs
outsi
dear oundthefirerejoicing.Othermen
gatheredaroundtheirownf ir
ehavingdr i
nksover
somechat slaughingoutl oud. Awhitevandrovein
andthecousi n'
sranoverhel pingtolif
tofft
hehuge
potsandpl asti
cchairs.Itwasr eal
lyhappeningand
thevibethatwasf l
yingaroundt heplacewasofj oy.
Meanwhi l
eMxoli
sisatontherel
axingcouchwith
hishandsunderhisheadasapill
owl ooki
ngupt he
ceil
ingl
ist
eni
ngtot hecr
owdsinging.Sohisfather
wasseriousaboutrushi
ngthewholething.I
ts
happening.Heneverbelievedinthiswholethi
ngof
parentschoosingpart
ner
sf orthei
rchil
drenbutnow
thati
tishappeningtohim henowknowshowi ti
s.
Frustr
ati
ng, pi
ssi
ngandal lt
hosebademot ions.He
thoughtthiswholet
hingwasl efti
ntheelderl
ydays
butnah. .
.noti
nhisfamil
y.
Sonowhehasnochoicebutt
oleavet
hewomanhe
l
ovesandlearnt
oli
vewi
thanot
heronethathe
bar
elyevenknow.
Heshookhi sheadwhensomeoneknockedonhi s
doorandhecl osedhi
seyespr etendi
ngtosleep.
Hewasnoti nt hemoodforcompanyatt hi
s
moment .Rightnowhewi shedSagicouldjustgoto
thepol
iceandopenacaseagai nsthi
m sohecould
gotojail.
Hi
smot herst
oodonthedoorandsmi l
edl
ookingat
hi
m .It'
sbeenawhilesinceshe'
sseenherbabyand
i
tfeltsogoodtofi
nall
yseehim agai
n.Welland
al
ive.
Shewalkedi
nandwenttohiscl
osettaki
ngouta
fl
eeceandcover
edhi
m .Evenattheageof29,he
st
il
ldoesn'
tknowwhatt
hebedi
sfornorhowt
o
sl
eepproper
ly.

Bet
ty:somet
hingsver
ychange,
huh?Getar
estmy
boy.Fewhourslef
t.

Shesmi l
edtouchinghisbeardandchuckledathow
he'sgr
ownandsi ghedbeforewalki
ngputclosi
ng
thedoorbehindher.Mxol i
siopenedhiseyes
l
ookingattheceilingandsighed,andyeahthisal
so
ref
erstohisinconsider
atefather.

Mxol
isi
:Yeah.
..somet
hing'
sneverchange.

Att
heHospi
tal

Ar
ound4am .
Thiswassomethingthei
rbodi
esandsoulshave
beenlongi
ngfor.Thefeel
ingofeachbeenaround
eachotherandthewarmth.Beingineachot
hers
arms.
Kagisopul
ledBonol o'
sevencl oserwit
hhim sti
ll
pl
uggedinherwhi leasleepandshesmi l
edi
nher
sl
eepandsodi dhe.Aver ystingywindcovered
Kagisowhenhef rownedhol dinghereventi
ghtand
pull
edtheblanketonthem .Thi swassoodd.Ai n't
nowaysuchwi ndcangett hroughsuchwallsand
besi
desthewi ndowwascl osed.
Heslowlyopenedhi
seyeswhenhecoughtsi teofa
gir
lst
andingbythebedlooki
ngatthem.Thegirlin
awhitedressandl
oseheronhershoulders,dark
ski
nnedbeauty.Thi
st i
meherfacesoclearand
Godwasshebeaut i
fulwit
hthosehear
tshapedlips.
Shelookeddeepinhi
seyeslikeshedidn'
tnoti
ce
thathewaswithsomeoneont hebed,inhisar
ms
ontopofthat.Hi
sheartpoundedatherlookandhe
slowlyl
etgoofBonol
oandgotupl eaningback.
Hebuthi
sli
pbef
orepul
li
ngt
hebl
anketoverBonol
o
andl
ookedbackatt
hisgi
rl.

Kagi
so:Ohk.
..ar
eyoujustgonnast
andther
e
st
ari
ng?Howlonghaveyoubeenstandi
ngther
e?
Nakedi
:Longenough.I
'
m al
waysar
oundj
ustt
hat
someti
mesyoublockmeaway.
Kagi
so:bl
ockyouaway?Whoar
eyou?
Nakedi:I
'
m Nakedi.
Kagi
so:I
m-
Nakedi
:Iknowwhoyouar
eot
her
wiseIwoul
dn'
tbe
her
e.
Kagi
so:yourvoi
cesoundsf
ami
li
ar.HaveIseen
youbef
ore?
Nakedi
:Yep.
Kagiso:Ohk. .whatdoyouwant?Imeanyoushow
upoutofbl ueeveryt
imeand,howt hehel
lareyou
eveni nherecourseI
'm pret
tysur
ethatt
hatdoor
wasl ockedcourseanur set
riedt
oopenit?
Nakedi
:JustknowIgoti
n
Kagiso:Whatdoyouwantfr
om me?Whydoyou
keepfoll
owi
ngme?Andohyeah. .Iremember
seei
ngyouinmydr eams.WhydoIdr eam about
i
nsteadofdreami
ngaboutmygir
lf
riend?Whatdo
youwantcoursecl
earl
yyouwantsomet hi
ngfrom
me?
Nakedi
:Yourt
hechosenone.
Kagiso:Canyouatl
eastbemorespeci
fi
candst
op
wit
ht hecommas?Lastti
meIsawyouyousaidthe
samet hi
ng.Chosenwarawar
a.
Nakedi
:(
smi
li
ng)Ohk..yourt
hechosenone.
Chosenbyafr
iend.
Kagi
so:Andwho'
sandwhi
chf
ri
endi
sthat?
Nakedi
:Me.I '
mthefiendandIchoseyoubecause
yourt
heonlypersonthatcanmakemyf ri
endhappy.
She'
shappywhensheswi t
hyou.Kagisowhen
she'
swithyounothi
ngelsematter
s.Youcaneven
gofart
osayinhthatyouandherweresomehowor
somehowar emeanttobe.
Kagi
sor
aisedhiseyebr
owslooki
ngatherasshe
smil
edl
ookingathi
m andherubbedhi
seyes.

Kagi
so:am Idr
eami
ng?
Nakedi
:Yep.
Kagi
so:What?!
Nakedi:AndnowIneedyourhelp.Today
somethingisgoi
ngt
ohappent hatshoul
dn'
t.A
hugemi st
ake.
Kagi
so:Iwannawakeup.
Nakedi
:youaredr
eamingnotdeadKagiso.Gostop
i
t.Yourtheonl
yonewhocanhel pher.Yourher
happi
nessandshe'
syours.
Kagi
so:Wai
t.
."she"?

*
***
***
Kagi
sopoppedfrom thebedwi t
hapoundingheart
andsweatal
loverhim .Theairi
ntheroom cover
ed
hi
m makinghi
m shiverabitashelookedaround.
Bonol
orubbedheryeswaki
ngupandlookedathi
m
bef
oreput
ti
ngherhandonhischest
.

Kagi
so:I
twasjustadr
eam .Cal
m down.I
t'
sjusta
dr
eam.Let'
ssl
eep.

Thescreenofherphonel i
ght
enedwhent hebit
h
l
ookedatitont hefloor.Shehadputitonsil
ence.
Shesighedlookingathim andslowlyhel
pedhim
backashetriedt ofi
gureoutwhatthatwasabout
stat
ingatt
hecei li
ng.

Kagiso:I
'm notaghostri
ght?I'm notdead?When
shesaroundit'
scol
d?I sthathowdeat hisl
ike?
Coldnotinpeaceandcoolis?
Bonol
o:What?
Kagi
so:I
sit?
Kagi
so:Wel l.
.Idontknow.I'veneverdiedbefor
e
andneverseenaghostoranyt hi
ngafterli
fe.
What'
sallt
hecr eepyquest
ionsabout?Ar eyou
al
ri
ght
?
Kagi
so:Uhm .
.not
hing.
.I'
mfi
ne.I
'
m sor
ry,
let
's
sl
eep.

Hepull
edhert
olayonhischestbef
oreki
ssingher
headandt
heybothset
tl
edandi nawhil
ethey
dri
ft
ed.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Thetimeneverst opst i
ckingandt heworl
dnever
stopsrevol
vingj ustbecauseyouhavepr obl
ems.
Roselayedont hebedwi thherstomachandpuf fy
eyeswithnot earsl efttocryi
nthedar kroom .She
neverhadhersl eepsi nceyesterdayandevennow
shedidn'tf
eellikesl eeping.Atthismomentshe
missedtheonl yper sonwhowasabl et
ocomf ort
herthr
oughhar dt i
mes.

Rose:Wher
ear
eyou?IneedyouNakedi.Myl
if
eis
amess.

Thesoundofcar sdrivi
ngintotheyardmadeher
heartski
pli
steni
ngandshecoul dtel
litwasn'
tone
car,butmorecars.Shecl osedhereyeslist
eni
ngto
thepaininherheartasital
lsankin.Shewasbei ng
soldouttoamanshedoesn' tknownorhaveseen
before.Somuchf orlovi
ngpar ent
s.

Intheli
vingr oom.TheLyonel derswalkedi
n
l
ookingar oundthebeauti
fulmansi onandsmiledat
oneanother .JaneandJackwal keddownthestai
rs
wearingrespectful
lyandgreattheelder
sbefore
theysatdownandJanewentt omaket hem t
ea.

Lyonuncle:Wenamonna.Ar eyoucrazy?Aman
yourageJackdoesn' tknowthatyouhavetoinf
orm
thefamil
yearl
ierthatthere'
samanaski ngf
orour
daughter
shandi nmar ri
age?
Jack:i
nreal
lysor
ryt
hatIdi
dn'
tinf
ormedyou
earl
ier
.IknowIwaswr ong.Justt
hatwhent hey
camet heycameaf ewweeksbackandt hiswil
lal
so
hel
puswi thherhealt
htoo.Wedecidedt ospeed
thi
ngsupsoshecoul dbeundertheircar
eand-
Aunt:Wenawahl ol
aJack.Youhaveal otofzeros
i
nyouraccountyetyoufailt
of indthebestsol
ution
toyourchi
ld'
sprobl
em withit.Ifyoucantmakeuse
ofitt
henwhat'si
tforyoutohavei t?Whydoyou
havetobowdownt oanothermanwhenhecomes
wit
hadealespecial
lytheonet hatinvol
vesyour
onlychi
ld?
Jack:LikeIsai
d.Wet r
iedandI'
mreal
lysor
ryt
hat
youhadt odropal
lyourprobl
emsandcometo
supportus.Andtr
ustmewhenIsayI '
m doi
ngthi
s
forher.
Lyonucle2:Thischil
dneedsnonoft hatJack.She
needsyoutwo.Br eeze.Herfamil
y.Emot i
onal
suppor
tfrom youistheonethatcanhelpher
thr
oughthis.
Aunt
:Exact
ly.
Jack:Iunder
standyourangr
yanddontsuppor
tmy
decisi
onbutit
'sdone.Roseisgett
ingmarr
ied
todayandI'
m goingtoneedyouthroughal
lthi
s.

Janebr oughttheteaandpouredintothecupsas
theythrewJackwi thinsul
tsandandall.Shegave
them eacht hei
rcupsandpassedar oundthem
givi
ngt hem cupcakes.Shetootookhersandsay
downl ookingatthem astheychat
ted.

Aunt:Sowher earet
hey?Donttheyknowt hati
ts
rudetobelate?Besidesi
ftodayit
'stobethe
tradi
ti
onalweddingRosehastoleavethehouse
beforesunri
se.
Jane:(
tear
y)Doessher
eal
lyhavet
oleave.
..
today?
Uncle:af t
erthenegot i
ationsshehast ogowi t
hher
i
nl awsmakot i.Weshoul dtrytofi
teveryt
hing
togetherinthi
sshor tperiodoftime.Aftershe
l
eavesher eIthinkthey'l
lbei nt
roduci
nghert othe
ancestorsandt hentomor r
owthey'l
lbegoingtothe
homeaf f
air
sandmaket hisoff
ici
al.Idontknow
aboutt hewhitewedding.
Uncl
e2:Thatonecanal
waysf
oll
owaft
er.Eveni
f
i
t'
stwoyearsfr
om nowor10(
shr
ugged)

Acarbelldi
sturbedthem whenJane'
sheart
ski
ppedandshecl osedhereyesastearsburned
hereyes.Theauntlookedatherandsighed.No
womandeser vestogothroughthi
s,evenshe
wouldn'
tbehappyaboutt hi
swholethi
ngifitwas
herownchil
d.
Twounclesandoneauntst
oodupheadi
ngoutto
thegat
ewher eMxol
isi
'
sfamil
ywaswait
ing,
and
himinthecar.

Mxoli
si'
suncletookouta500Rofnot esandput
them onthegroundandawhiskeyandst epped
backgreeti
ngthem butt
heydi
dn'tanswer.Het ook
outanother500Randthat'
swhentheywel comed
them i
ntotheLyonproper
ty.

Theypar
kedt
hecarandst
eppedoutl
eavi
ngMxol
isi
i
nt hecar.Hesi ghedlookingaroundandsawt hat
her ecogni
zedthishousef rom somewhere.From
medi aplat
forms.Her aisedhiseyebrowsandtook
outhi sphoneandwentt ot hecontact
slooki
ngat
Gail'
snumber swhenhi sfatherknockedonthe
window andher ol
leditdown.

Jacob:Rememberyournotal
lowedtostepoutof
thecarri
ght?Notunt
ilwecomet ogetyou.
Mxol
isi
:Whati
fIwantt
ouset
hebat
hroom?
Jacob:you'
vehadsexcount
lesst
imessoI
'
m pr
ett
y
sureyoucanhol
dontothepee.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Dadi
tsdi
ff
erent
.
Jacob:t
henyou'
l
lsucki
tup.Uset
hatwat
erbot
tl
e.
Mxol
isi
:no.
.I
'dr
atherhol
don.Thanks.

Jacobsmiledbefor
ewal
kingawayandheroll
edup
thewindowlooki
ngatGail
'
snumbers.Heclenched
hisj
awsandcal l
edher.
Meanwhi
lei
nsi
de.
Theauntt
ookJaneandtheywalkedupst
air
s
hol
dingagar
mentbagleavi
ngthement onegot
iat
e.
Theygott
oRose'sroom andtri
edopeni
ngt
hedoor
buti
twaslocked.Janegentl
yknockedont
hedoor
wait
ingf
orherresponse.

Jane:Rosebaby.
.pl
easeopent
hedoor.Hunny?
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Idontwantt
hismom .Idontwantt
o
getmarri
ed.
Jane:I
'
m sosor
ryhunnybuti
t'
stheonl
yway.
Rose:i
sthatwhatyout
hink?Yougaveuponme
al
so.
Jane:hunnuI
'
dnevergi
veuponyou,
youknow
that.
Rose:t
henpleaseunderst
andwhenIsayIdont
wanttogetmarri
ed.I'
m sti
ll
youngt
ogetmar r
ied.
I
m notreadytosett
ledownandstar
tafamil
yyet,
especi
all
ywi
thsomeoneIhar
dlyknow.
Jane:opent
hedoorandl
etst
alk.Pl
ease.
..

Roserubbedhert earsandgotoffthebedstandi
ng
bythewindowl ookingatthecarsoutsi
de.Fora
second,suici
decr ossedhermindwhenshe
warnedhersel
fandsni ff
edwalkingtowardsthe
door.
Ift
hisiswhattheywanttohavepeaceofmindthen
theleatshecandoisgivei
n, besi
desshewast
ed
muchi fthei
rti
metryi
ngtohelpherwhil
eshedi
dn't
andt hr
ewt hei
rhel
pri
ghtattheirf
aces.
Shetookadeepbreathandopenedt hedoorwhen
Janehuggedhersotightthattheybothevencri
ed.
Theybroket
hehugandshehuggedt heauntand
theyswit
chontheli
ghtbef or
ecl osi
ngthedoorand
shestoodamongstitlooki
ngatt hem .

Aunt
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingmygi
rl?
Rose:I
'
llbef
ine.Act
ual
lyI
'
mfi
ne.I
fthi
siswhat
mom anddadwantsot
heycoul
dhavepeacein
t
hei
rhousebyget
ti
ngri
dofme, t
henfi
ne.I'
l
ldoit.
Jane:Hunny.
.
Rose:Whydontyousavet
hewhol
espeechforthe
l
it
tl
eonecoming.Ihopeyoudobett
erbyherthan
wit
hme.
Aunt
:Rose.
.
Rose:Noaunt .I'
vehaditwiththepr et
ensetocare
aboutme.Lookatme.I '
m notst abl
e.Atthispoint
Ineedmypar enttobewi t
hmeever ystepofthe
way.Tosuppor tmeemot ionall
ysoIcou-coul d
fi
ndmysel fagai
n.Butinsteadtheysel lmeout.I'
m
real
lysorrymom forbei
ngabust eddaught er
probablyoneoftheregr
etfulthi
ngsonyourl i
st.
Sorryforthedi
sappoint
ment .Forlovingmyf ri
end
somuch.
Jane:(
cryi
ng)Rosei
-
Rose:Let'
scutt
hepeptalkmom .
(sarcast
ic)
I'
m
get
ti
ngmar ri
ed.It
'smyweddingday.Dontmake
mesadt houghI'
m sad.
..
ohGod..Ihateyouboth.I
hat
eyoual l.
Aunt
:Roset
hat
'sn-
Rose:I
'
m goi
ngt
otakeashower.Iwontbel
ong.

Shewalkedawayl eavi
ngt
hem st andingther
e.
Jane'
seyeswelledupandfinal
lydr oppedwhenthe
aunthuggedherandsatheront hebedhuggi ngher
.

Aunt:She'
ssti
llangr
y.Shedoesn'
tmeananyoft
he
t
hingshesaid.
Jane:(
cryi
ng)
:shehat
esme.
Aunt:Rightnowi t'
snotthetimeJane.Youar e
gonnahavet obest rongforher.She'shavi
nga
toughti
mesot hel eastyoucandoi sstayposi
ti
ve
forher.I
tsohkf orhertolashoutlikethat,
because
she'si
npai not
hert hangoingtolashputonher
Inl
aws.St opcrying.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I
'mreal
lysor
ryi
fImessedupf am .Idontknow
whati
swhatontradi
ti
onalweddi
ngs.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
44]Lynne :Chapt
er43

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Infi
ndingouthowmuchshewaswor th,Mxolisi
'
s
uncleshadsomef ewdi f
fer
encesthattheyhadto
putintoconsi
derati
on.Someoft hequestions
i
ncludedherlevelofeducat
ionandaswel lasher
vir
gini
tystat
us.Herpr oper
ty,
ifwhethershehada
chi
ldandal
soMxol
isi
'
sst
atus.
Onceever
ythingwasclear
edaboutt
hem t
heLyon
fami
lynamedt hei
rpr
iceofeachcowandmult
ipl
ied
i
twit
hthenumberofcowst heydemandedandit
cametoapriceof50000R.
TheLyonuncl
elookedatJackandshookhishead
l
ooki
ngatMxolisi
'
sfamil
yandt heyl
ookedathi
m.

Jacob:I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?
Lyonuncle:Thi
schildiswor t
hmorethanthis.
Remembershe'ssti
llavirgi
n.Nochildandyess
shemightnothaveeducat i
onbutshe'
ssti
llgrowing
andgoingtoschool,
clearl
yshe'l
lbemorethant hi
s.
Soweaddupwi t
hanot her20000.
Steve:Aowabagol
o.Wedon'thavet
hatamounton
us.Wehave65000i nt
hiscaseandnomorethan
that.Wealsocamebar
inggi
fts.
Lyonuncle2:t
henwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
ewit
h
short
ageofmoney.Andyessi
t'
samustt
ocome
wit
hgift
s.
Jacob:(r
aisedhand)itsohk..wit
hal lduerespect
myelders.Wear esor
rywehaveshor tageof
money, andIknowwhatI 'm abouttosaywi llsound
di
srespectful.I
sitohkifwetransfertherestofthe
moneyintoyouraccount ?
Lyonuncl
e1:Nowt hat
'stot
aldisrespectonanot
her
l
evelson.Butsincewear erunningoutoftimeI
thi
nkthat
'souronlyopti
on.
Jacob:Thankyou.

TheotheruncleshookhisheadandJacob
tr
ansfer
redtheremaini
ngmoneyi nJack'
saccount
andshowedi ttot
hem .Thiswasnotwhatthey
agreedon.70000?Whoonear t
hmarri
eswith70
000?.Especial
lyi
nsouthAf r
ica.
Theygavethefami l
ythemoneycaseandputt wo
bott
lesofexpensi
veliquoronthetableshaki
ng
hands.Jacobandt heunclesstoodupheadingout
andfoundMxol i
sisit
ti
nginsi
det hecarbusyin
soci
almedialookingatafemalespictur
e.
Jacob:i
t'
sdoneson.She'
sof
fi
cial
lypar
tofour
famil
y.
Mxol
isi
:Ri
ght.
Jacob:
(l
ooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
e)I
sthather?
Mxol
isi:
yeah.Buti
tdoesn'
tmat
teranymor
eri
ght?
Myrelat
ionshi
pwit
hher.

Heswit
chedoffhi
sphoneandputi ti
nhispocket
l
eani
ngbackribbi
nghisfaceashestoodther
e
l
ooki
ngathim whil
etheunclesof
fl
oadedeveryt
hing.

Mxol
isi
:Shedi
dn'
tevenanswerherphone.Atl
east
t
ohearmeoutdad.
Jacob:Andwhatwer
eyougonnasayt
oher?
Mxol
isi
:Iwant
edtohearhervoi
cef
oronel
astt
ime
and.
.maybet
osaygoodbye.
Jacob:Ihat
etoseeyouli
kethisandI'
m sosor
ry
thatI
'
m notsor
rytohavearr
angedthi
sforyou.And
hatetodayt
hatfr
om thel
ookofaneye, youmi
ght
notbeherf
irstchoiceifshecandot hi
stoyou.You
tr
iedt
osaveyourr elat
ionshi
pwithherbutitf
ail
ed
son.Despi
tetheef for
t,cour
sethatoneI'
m sure
youputi
t.
Mxol
isi
:whatar
eyousayi
ngdad?
Jacob:I'mjustsayi
ng..sometimesther
ecomesa
l
ifeti
mewher ewef aili
nr el
ati
onshi
psdespit
eal l
theenergyandeffortbecausesomer el
ati
onships
arejustnotmeanttobe.Andmaybeyour sit'
salso
notmeantt obe.
Mxoli
si:andyout
hinkthi
srel
ati
onshi
pwi
tht
hisgi
rl
Idontevenknowhernamewilll
ast?
Jacob:hernamei
sRosel
la.Rosel
laLyon.

Mxol
isij
awsdroppedwhenhemovedhi
shands
f
rom hi
sfacel
ookingathi
sfat
her.

Mxol
isi:Asi
nli
keLyon,
Lyon?Br
eezeLyon?
Jacob:yeah.
.Br
eezeLyonisheruncl
e.Youhave
aphonebutyoudontmakeuseofit,whyar
eyou
st
il
lhavi
ngi
t?
Mxoli
si:t
hat
'sbecauseIdi
dn'
tknowhernamedad.
Ohfuck!
Jacob:mindyourlanguage.Comeonin.
Everyt
hingi
sfinal
izedtheyar
ewait
ingf
oryou.
Mxol
isi
:forwhat?
Jacob:yourt hei
rsonInl
awsot heyarereadyand
waitingtoacceptyouaspartofthei
rfamily.Then
from herewear egoi
nghomeandhaveal it
tl
e
celebrati
ontointr
oducehertoourancestorsand
then. .
Mxol
isi:andt
henwhat?
Jacob:andthenshe'
syoursf
ortheni
ght.We'l
lbe
si
tti
ngoutsi
dewhil
eyouguysdowhateveryouli
ke
courseyou'
l
lbehusbandandwif
e.
Mxol
isi:ohmygoodness.
.
Jacob:yeah..
nowgetoutandbeaman.Go
acceptyourwi
fe.
Meanwhi
leupst
air
s.
Rosesatont hetr
adit
ionalmathweari
ngher
eleganttr
adi
ti
onalatt
iret
hatsuit
edherper
fect
ly
reveali
ngherhourgl
assbodyast heel
eder
sadvised
her.
Hearingthem sayi
ngever
ythi
ngli
kethi
sgother
heartpoundi
ngsohar dastear
srandownher
cheeks.
Shet houghtshehadf oundherhappi nessandj ust
thenshe'sbeingswipedawayf rom it.Hermi nd
drif
tedtoKagisoasshet houghtt hedream through.
Whenshe' saroundhim, sheislikeadi f
ferent
person.Shebecomeshappyandhersoul sspr ead
i
tswi ngsandf l
yenjoyingthemomentf reewithout
anythingholdi
ngherback.Li keeverythingelse
disappearsandnothingmat t
ers.Shesmi led
picturi
nghissmileandhi slaughter.Thewayhi s
eyesspar kwhenhebl ushesandsmi leandhowhi s
dimplediplyappearswhenhel aughst hroughhi s
headbackwar dsrevealinghisAdam' sappl e.
Aknockont
hedoori
nter
rupt
edt
hem whenshe
ski
ppedandJanel
ookedatherasatearr
andown
Rose'
scheekl
ooki
ngatherfat
heronthedoor.

Jack:i
tst
ime.
.

JaneandRoseswallowedlookingathim and
l
ookedateachother.Theauntwal kedovert
oRose
andhelpedherst
andfixi
ngher.Event houghshe
ref
usedtowearmakeupshest il
llookedeven
beaut
if
ulandtheheadwr apevenmor e.

Aunt:Rememberwhatwet oldyoumygi rlevery

stepoftheway.Andr emembert hi
swil
lalwaysbe
yourhomet houghyounol ongerareaLyon.You
havenor oom ,
plat
eorwhat soeveryouusedt ohave
here.Putloveandrespectaheadasyoual waysdo.

Roseshookherheadlooki
ngdownatherf i
nger s
fi
ddli
ngwit
ht hem t
ryi
ngnottocry.Janewalked
overandpul
ledherint
oatighthugandshebr oke
downcr yi
ngonhershoulder
.Sheknewhermot her
coul
dn'tdoanythi
ngsoshejusthuggedherfort
he
l
astti
me.Justonel astt
imebefor
eshe'shanded
outt
oanot herman.

Rose:Il
oveyoumom .
Jane:Il
oveyout
oohunny.Sosomuch.

Theybr
okethehugandheldhandslooki
ngatone
anot
her
.Janeusedherthumbandr ubbedaway
hert
ear
slooki
ngatherswoll
eneyes.

Jane:RememberI'l
lalwaysbeher eforyouandI'
l
l
nevergi
veuponyou.I '
llal
waysbeher ewhenyou
needme.KnowI '
mj ustaphonecallaway.Iwil
l
al
waysl oveyou.Alwaysandf or
ever.

Theyhuggedonel astt
imeandtheycoveredher
wit
hahugebl anketasJackstoodt
hereholdi
ngin
hi
stears.Janeandoneoft heaunthelpedherout
asJackfol
lowedthem t
otheli
vingroom wher
e
Mxoli
siwassit
ti
ngwithherel
dersandhelpedher
si
tonthefl
oorandeveryoneset
t l
eddown.
Mxol
isil
eanedont
ohisfat
her
'searlookingatRose,
shel
ookedli
keapri
maryki
dinthatblanket.

Mxol
isi
:howol
dissheagai
n?
Jacob:It
oldyout
ouseyourphone,
aren'
tyouon
soci
almedia?
Mxoli
si:Ididn'
thavet
imetosear
chforher.
Besi
deswhenyoupai dthebr
idepri
cedi
dn'tyou
askf
irstherage?
Jacob:Idi
d..j
ustthatIdontwanttot
ellyou.You'
ll
havetoaskheryoursel
f.Iwasn'
tevengoingtotel
l
youhername.
Mxol
isi
:isshest
il
linpr
imar
y?
Jacob:Idontknow.

Mxol
isisi
ghedsi
tt
ingbackandsomehowhej
ust
coul
dn'
twaitt
oseeher.Heshookhi sheadand
l
ist
enastheelederspokeandgaveadvi
ses.

Jack:Son. .Ibeli
evenowIcant rustyouwi t
hmy
daughtersli
fe.Takecar eofherandl .
..
loveher.Be
ther
ef orherasmuchasshe' l
lbetheref oryou.
Takecar eofeachother.She'snowyourpr iori
ty
andyourpar tofthefamily.Yourfatherassuredme
ofyoubei ngaresponsibleman.Pl easedontl et
him downont hisone.
Mxol
isi
:Yessir.
.ImeanMrLyon.
.andt
hankyou.
(
Low)jesus.
.
Jack:f
rom ameasaf
athert
oyouson.
..
Ihandyou
myonlydaught
er.

Mxol i
sisatther
enotknowingwhattodowhen
Jacobpi nchedhim andhefl
inchedl
ooki
ngathim.
Hei ndicat
edwithhideyebr
owswhenhesi ghed
standingupandwal kedovertoRoseandknelt
beforeher.
Hiscolognepassedthr
oughandhi tRose'
snostri
ls
andherheartpounded.Itsmel
ledreall
ygoodand
expensive.Hetri
edtomovetheblanketoffherbut
sheheldont i
ghttoi
tandhesmi l
edlett
inggo
holdi
nghershoulder
s.

Mxoli
si:(l
ow) I
'm nott
hatol
dasyouimagi
nemeto
be.I'
m sti
llyoungandIpromiseI
'
m notawoman
abuser.Noneedt obeaf
rai
dofme.

Rosebutherl
ipclosi
nghereyesandhesighed
bef
oretaki
ngtheblanketoffherandshel
ooked
downplayi
ngwithherfingers.
Hel ookedatherski
ntoneandt
urnedl
ooki
ngatt
he
elderswhenJacobnarrowedhi
seyebr
owsandhe
turnedlooki
ngatRose.
Helift
edherfaceunderherchi nandcamef aceto
facewithherbeauti
fulbrownswol l
eneyes.Her
pinkheartshapedli
pswher etocravefor.Heused
histhumbt r
acingherjawlinebefor
eswallowing
andgaveouthi shand.
Shel ookedathi shandsomef aceandswal l
owed
bef orelookingathi sbol dhand.Sur elyi
fhesl aps
hershe' lli
mmedi atel
ybr eakherj aw.Shehesi t
antl
y
putherhandonhi sandhegaveanot herone
helpingherst and.Thedr essf i
tt
edherper f
ectly
holdingi nt oherhour glassf i
gureandwhen
reachi ngthekneesi twasl ikeanumbr el
la.She
evenhadt eenageboobsf rom lookingatt hedr ess
sinceshewasn' twear i
nganybr athatcoul dhave
showedup.Hebi thisliplookingatherandl etgo
ofheronehandandst oodbesi desherhol dingher
wai stwithonehandast heeledersdr anktot hat
rejoici
ng. .
.
.
.
.
.
Sorr
y..Iknowi
tsmixedup.LikeIsai
d..
Idontknow
anyt
hingaboutt
radi
ti
onalweddings
[
08/
02,
13:
44]Lynne :Chapt
er44.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

RoseandMxol i
siwalkedoutofthehouseand
part
edwayseachgoi ngtothecartheyusuall
yri
de
i
nwhenSt even,Mxoli
si'
sunclecal
ledthem and
theybot
hturnedlooki
ngathim.

St
eve:Whatar
eyouguysdoi
ng?
Mxoli
si:yousai
dweshoul
dgettot
hecarsi
t'
sti
me
t
oleavesowear eget
ti
ngi
ntot
hecars.
Steven:YeahIsai dyoushouldgettot
hecar
sbutI
meantonecar, bot
hofyou.Whyar eyou
separat
ing?Youshoul dri
dei
nonecar.Goonmy
daughter,yourridi
ngwi t
hhiminthesamecar.
Wenaopent hatdoorformydaughter!

Theel
der
slaughedwhenRoseshyl
ywal
kedover
andMxoli
siopenedthedoorbowi
ngdownal
it
tl
e
andshesmiledget
ti
ngin.

Rose:Thankyou.
Mxolisi
:Yourwelcomeki
ddo.Imean..
.uhmm you.
Yourwelcomegi..
yourMr
s..Miss.
.uhm Your
welcomemyl ady.Damn..
.!

Rosesmil
edroll
inghereyesintheshadowofthe
fadi
ngmoonli
ghtandhecl osedthedoorwit
ha
poundi
ngheartandwenttogetintheothersi
de.
Theel derpar t
edandt heyalsogotintodiffer
ent
carsandSt evegotintothesamecarwi t hRoseand
Mxol i
sidr i
vingthemiddlecarast heydroveout.
Afteraki l
omet erSt
evel ookedatthem throughthe
mirrorast heybothlookedout si
det hewindownot
evenlooki ngateachot herlosti
nthought s.He
chuckledgr abbingtheiratt
enti
onandcont i
nued
dri
vingl aughing.
Mxol
isi
:Whatuncl
e?
St
eve:Iwonderhowyourgoingt
obel
ikewhenyou
gotoyourhouse?Icanal
readyi
magi
ne.
Mxol
isi
:Imagi
newhatnow?
Steve:t
heairar
oundthehouse.Sil
ence.Onbed
you'l
lbefaci
ngdif
fer
entdir
ect
ionsworstsepar
ate
roomsinsteadofdoi
ngwhatawi f
eandhusband
aresupposedtobedoing.Imeanbehaving.
Mxol
isi
:Uhmm .
.
St
eve:YessI
'
mtal
kingaboutsexmot
logol
o.
Mxol
isi
:OhGod.
.

Mxol
isil
eanedbackput
ti
ngonehandonhi
sface
r
ubbi
nghi seyes.
OntheotherhandRosecl
earedherthr
oatasshe
fel
tuncomfort
abl
eandpull
edtheblanketand
cover
edherselfl
ooki
ngoutsi
dethewindow.

St
eve:Whyar
eyoubot
htr
yingt
oignor
eme?I
sn'
t
t
rue.
Mxoli
si:Canwenott
alkaboutt
hisnow,
Imean
ever?
St
eve:Why?I t
'snotl
ikeyouravi
rgi
n.Ohmy
God.
.boyyournotavirgi
nri
ght?
Mxol
isi
:Mal
ome!
Steve:What?I '
mj ustaski
ng.Letmegi veyou
anotheradvicethatI'
m suret
hathardheadedf ather
i
fyourdidn'tgiveyou.Womanl ovemenwhohave
moneyi ntheirpockets,menwithcl
eanhands,
menwhosmel lgr
eat, menwit
hnicehaircuts,men
whoar eclean, menwhocandowhat evershitto
protectt
hem orwhocandowhat everittakesto
protectt
hem butmostofal lt
heonethatcanuse
thei
rwaistinbed.
Mxol
isi
:Ohk.
.t
hanksf
ort
headvi
ce.
.I'
l
ltakei
tfr
om
t
here
St
even:Takewhatf
rom where?Iwasn'
tevendown
gi
vingyout
headvi
ceyetyourcut
ti
ngmeof f.
Mxol
isi
:that
'sbecauseIdontwantyol
ist
enand
.
.t
her
e'sawomani
nher
e.
Steve:greatcourseshe'
llbethewi tnesstothe
l
essonIgaveyou.Andyou' l
lli
stenkakgang(l ikei
t
ornot)AsIwassayi ng..t
heyl oveallbutaman
thatcanprovideinbed.Osekewanamel angwana
wabat hotwomi nutest
henabaomot lat
saka
meet seagagomor wa(don' tgetont opof
someone'schi l
dfortwomi nutesthenyouf i
llherup
withyoursemen) nomyboy.You' llhavetogrindin
andoutofherandi fyourclosehol donandwai tf
or
her-
Mxol
isi
:It
hinkshe'
saboutt
ovomi
tuncl
e..
!

Roset ur
nedlookingathim andhewasstil
lrubbi
ng
hiseyesandsheshookherheadcover ingherface
withtheblanketandli
ft
edherlegsrol
li
ngintoaball
tr
yingtogetsomesl eep.
Mxoli
sicoughtasi teofherr
oll
inghersel
fonthe
endoft heseattr
yingtomakeaspacebet ween
them andcouldn'
thelpbutfi
ndt hi
sfunny.Nogirl
haseverdonet hi
sbef or
e.Maintai
nspacebetween
t
hem ?Cl
ear
lyt
hiswasgoi
ngt
otakeal
otoft
ime
f
ort
hem t
ogetalong.
Heshookhi sheadandtookouthi
sphoneashis
unclecont
inuedspeaki
ngandputonhispods
l
ist
eningtoahighvolumemusicleavi
ngSt
even
speaki
ngallbyhimself
..
Afterawhil
eofnothear i
ngar esponsehechocked
them thr
oughthemi r
rorandreali
zedRosehad
coveredherselfandnotmovingcl ear
lyshewas
asleepandlookedatMxolisiwholeanedhishead
backwi t
hhiseyesclosedandpodshummi nga
song.Hesi ghedshakinghisheadandl ookedback
attheroad.

St
eve:What
ever
..
youhear
dme.

I
nJackandJane'
scar.

Janehadleanedonthewi
ndowlooki
ngoutsi
deas
theydr
ovealong.Shehadbeenqui
tesi
ncetheyl
eft
thehouseandneversai
dawor dtohi
m andithurt
him .Hesi
ghedrubbi
nghisbeardandlookedather
beforel
ooki
ngbackattheroad.

Jack:Ar
eyouohk?
Jane:.
..
.
Jack:Babyatleastshout
,scream ,
hitmeor
somethi
ngjustnotthesil
entt
reat
mentplease.
Jane:
..
.
Jack:Jane?YouknowIdontknowwhatwast he
useformetosendBr eezethatmessagecour seI
knewhewouldn'
tshowup.Iwast edal
lmyt ime
andSMS'ssendinghi mt heinvi
te.He'
stheuncle
hewassupposedtobet hereandontopoft hat
Rosewouldhaveappr eciat
edhissupportandhim
beingt
heresi
ncetheygetal ongverywellwould
havemeantsomethingt oher.Theleasthecould
havedonei-
Jane:
(annoyed)Lookatt
her
oadbef
oreyouki
llme
tomylastJack.
Jackswal
lowedl
ooki
ngatherandsi
ghedl
ooki
ng
backatt
heroaddr
ivi
ng.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Kagi
sot ossedandturnedf
orsomet i
menowand
fi
nal
lyfacedupt hecei
li
ng.Hecouldn'
tunder
stand
whyallofasuddenhewassl eepl
ess.Herubbed
hi
sforeheadandpul l
edBonol
ooversoshe
woul
dn'tfallandsi
ghed.
Hisminddr i
ft
edof ftoRoseasherlaughterfi
ll
ed
thewhol er
oom andhersmi leappearedri
ghtbefor
e
hiseyes.Thewayshewoul dlaughsohar dandend
uphidingherfacewi t
hherlit
tl
efi
ngermadehi m
smilelunat
icl
yt hathehimsel
fendedupput ti
nghis
handonhi sfacesmi l
ingini
t.Shewasso
amazinglyperfectandwhenshe'sher eheisablet
o
openupt oherl i
keheneverdidwithanyone.
Bonol
otossedandputherhandonhi
schestwhen
hi
ssmil
edroppedandhel ookedatherbabyf
ace
andsmi
ledandkissedherheadsti
llwit
hRosein
hi
shead.

Kagi
so:DearRose.

AtMxol
isi
'
shome.

Around06h30.Thecar sdrovecloserandcloser
whent heyst
art
edhi t
ti
ngt heystart
edhoot i
ng
makingnoiseandever yonewhowasawakeand
thosewhohadj ustarr
ivedstart
edr ej
oicingfort
hei
r
safearri
val
.Takingitast hesi
gnt hattheywent
wellandtheyhadher.
Mxol isitookoffhispodsandl ookedatRosewho
wasst i
llasl
eepevenwi ththenoise.Hesawhow
hereyeswher eswol l
enandr edeventhoughthey
l
ookedbeaut if
ulli
kethathecoult el
lshewascr yi
ng
allnightandcoul dn'
tsleep.Clearl
ythismarri
age
thingcamebet weensomesor tofconnect
ionshe
hadwi
thsomeonel
ikehehadandnot
hinghur
ts
moret
hanthat
.
Thecarpar
kedandpeopl
est
art
edul
lul
ati
ngand
si
ngi
ng.

Steve:Wearehereson.Wakethegi r
lupdontbea
snob.Andbegent l
e.Shelooksmor eli
keanegg.
Toof r
agi
leunl
ikedi
kobotšeditl
etšengmoo.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Iwi
ll.
Steve:keephercover
ed.Theresareasonwhywe
tookcarsthathadt
int
edwindows.
Mxol
isi
:goti
t.

Stevest eppedoutofthecarandj oi
nedinwiththe
si
nging.Meanwhi l
eMxoli
sil
ookedatRoseand
gentlyhitheront heshoul
dertr
yingtowakeherbut
shedi dn't
.Heclenchedhisjawsandshookhera
bitandshef i
nal
lywokeupst r
etchingandrubbed
hereyesl ikeababywi t
hfi
tswhenhesmi l
ed
l
ookingout si
dethewindow.Hej ustgotmarri
edto
aki
d.
Herubbedhislowerlipandlookedatherlooki
ng
out
sidethewindowaspeopl ewaited.Mxolisi
motherwalkedovertoherdoorandwai t
edout si
de
smil
ingandRosel ookedatherbeforel
ookingat
Mxolisi
.Theylookedsomuchal i
keandhewashi s
motherinaMal efor
m.

Mxol
isi
:Theysayyoushoul
dcoveryour
sel
f.
Rose:Why?
Mxolisi
:Thi
ngaboutint
roduci
ngyout
othe
ancestor
s..
Idontknow.

Shesighedpul l
ingt heblankettoherheadand
wrappedher sel
fsonoonecanseeherandMxol isi
steppedoutheadi ngt ohersit
e.Heopenedt hedoor
forherandhi smot herhelpedheroutwhent he
crowdstartedrejoicingl
ikethereswasn'tanot
her
daycomi ng.Bet t
ycover edherhelpingherfi
ndthe
wayandl edhert ot hekralwheresheboweddown
andMxol
isibowednextt
oher.

AtTheHospi
tal
.

Gailwokeupfi
rstandgotoffthebedgoingt
othe
bat
hroom.Afterusingthet
oil
etshestoodbythe
si
nkandwashedherf acewithwaterandused
Sagistoot
hbr
ushbrushingherteet
h.
Whenshewasdonesheshest eppedoutandf ound
Breezeawakelooki
ngatSagiasshesl ept
peaceful
lyontopofhim .HelookedatGailand
si
ghedwhenshewal kedover.Shestoodbyt heir
si
deandt uckedSagi
shai rbehi
ndherearlookingat
herinnocentf
ace.

Gai
l:shedeser
vesbet
ter.
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.shedoes.
Gai
l:pl
easet
ellherIl
oveherwhenshewakesup.
Shekissedherforeheadandsmi l
edl
ooki
ngather
andlookedatBreezenotknowingwhattodo.She
si
ghedletti
nggoofSagiandt urnedwal
kingaway.
Breezestoppedherbythedoorandsheturned
l
ookingathim.

Br
eeze:Af
tereveryt
hingt
hathaswentdownt he
l
eastwecandoi spartwi
thapropergoodbye.Let
medropyouoff.
Gail
:ThankyoubutSagineedsyourightnowmor
e
thanIdo,moret
hanever.Behereforher.I
promiset
obehavei
fyouthinkI'
l
lspreaduptoo
much.
Br
eeze:What.
.
Gai
l:nevermi
nd.Il
oveyou.
Br
eeze:Il
oveyout
wo.
..

Shesmil
edatt
hedoorandwal kedwalkedout.I
t
wassoheavyl
eavi
ngthem behind.Especi
all
y
whencomingt
othi
nkaboutthewhol emonth
wi
thoutt
hem .

.
.
.
.
.
Comment.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
44]Lynne :Chapt
er45.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Breezest
aredoutsidet
hewi ndowforqui
teawhil
e
nowsinceGaill
eft.Thefearofhermakingupher
mi ndaboutnotcomi ngbacktohim andgotothat
guygothi shear
tbeat ingsohar
donhi schest.He
closedhiseyesthinkingofhowlif
ewi t
houtherwil
l
bel i
ke.Plusontheot herhandhehadt omakesure
thathedoesn'tt
riggerSagiorshe'
llendupdoing
somet hi
ngveryunlawf ul.
Sagisl
owlyopenedhereyesonhischestand
yawnedlooki
ngathi
m .Hel ookedatherandsmi
led
cubi
ngherfaceandkissedher.

Br
eeze:goodmor
ning.
Sagi:
hey.
.
Br
eeze:howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Sagi
:I'
m ohk.
.j
usthungr
y.What
'sbot
her
ingyou?
Where'
sGail
?
Br
eeze:shehasal
readyl
eft.Ar
ound6am .
Sagi:
Andyoul
ethergobyher
sel
fBr
eeze?
Breeze:shesaidIshoul
dst
ayher
ewi
thyou.And
thatshelovesyou.
Sagi
:Baby.
.

Shegotupandsatonhi
sstomachandputher
handsonhi
schestasheputhi
shandsonherbut
t
sl
owlysmoothi
ngher.

Sagi
:youshouldhavegonewithher.Iknowy' al
l
aretr
yingtomakeitupformebutifyoureall
ydo
..
you'l
lknowthatIwantyouguysonacl eanslat
e.
Getalongandbri
ngthatjoywelost.Andyoucan' t
dothatwhenyourhere.YoubothbrokemeandI
wantyoubothtofixmebydoingwhat '
sright
,bring
backmyhappiness.
Breeze:Weagr eedt
hatshe'
llbeawayf oramont
h
only.Thatshouldbeenoughf orhert
omakeupher
mindi fshest
il
lwantst
obeint hi
smarri
ageor
decidestofi
ndherownhappi ness.
Sagi
:Whati
fshedeci
dest
oleave?Whatt
hen?
Br
eeze:t
henI
'
llsuppor
therdeci
sion.
Sagi:
(sar
cast
ic)Hhhmm .
Br
eeze:AndIexpectyout
odot
hesamebabe.
Pl
ease.Weletherbe.
Sagi
:Isai
dnot
hing.

Shepl
ayedwi
thhi
sbeardwit
hapouteonherface
whenhefr
ownedspanki
ngherandshef
li
nched.

Sagi
:Aooww.
.!
Br
eeze:Whatar
eyousi
lent
lypl
anni
ng?
Sagi:
Not
hing.
.(
laughs)
Br
eeze:Sagi.
.
Sagi
:I'
m ser
ious.
.

Hegavehert hatIdintbel
ieveyoulookwhenshe
shylylookedathim andfi
nall
ylaughedtr
yingtoget
offhim butherhel
dherdownwi t
hherwaist.

Br
eeze:Sagi.
.
Sagi
:Isweartoyoubabe.I
'
m notpl
anni
ng
anyt
hing.Dontl
ookatmeli
kethat
.
Br
eeze:
li
kewhat
?
Sagi
:that.
.

Breezelookedatherwhenshesl i
ddownblushing
l
ayingonhi schest.Heki
ssedherheadandt ossed
withhergetti
ngbetweenherl
egsont opofheras
shegiggled.Hepulledt
hepatientgownupandt or
e
herpantieswhenshehidherfacewi t
hbot
hhands
smili
ng.

Br
eeze:Tal
k..
Sagi
:BabeI
'
m notpl
anni
nganyt
hing.
Br
eeze:Wr
onganswer.

Hesl
owlystart
edpl ayi
ngwit
hhercookiewhen
bl
oodrushedthroughherbodyandpleasur
eki
cked
i
nassher el
easedasof tmoan.
Br
eeze:Ar
eyour
eadyt
otal
k?
Sagi
:mmmhh.
.I'
m not.
.pl
anni
nganyt
hing.
.
Br
eeze:Ar
eyousure?Kanayouhaveadi
ffer
ent
mi
ndset.Areyoupl
anni
nganyt
hingst
upi
d?
Sagi
:mmmmhh.
.no.
..
Br
eeze:Ohk.
.bet
ternot.

Hestoppedandpul leddownt hepat i

entgownwhen
shegaspedal lwetandreadyf oraction.Hesmil
ed
andkissedherandqui cklygotoffthebedwhenshe
l
ookedathi m ast
ounded.Sher aisedherupper
bodybalancingwithherelbowsl ookingathi
m as
hesatont hechairwearinghisshoes.

Sagi
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Breeze:yousaidyouwerehungry.
.soI
'm goi
ngto
getyousomethingtoeat.Idontwantmylit
tl
eone
tostavei
nthere.
Sagi:
Wel
l..
Ineedsomet
hingel
se.
Br
eeze:What
'st
hat?
Sagi:
(tear
y)Br
eezepl
easedontdot
hist
ome.
Comeback.
Br
eeze:WhatdoyouwantSagi?
Sagi
:Babypl
ease.
.youcantdot
hist
ome.
Br
eeze:I
fyouwontsayi
tthenIdon'
twhatt
o.

Hestoodupandkissedherf
oreheadasshel
ooked
athi
m .Hewinkedatherandtookhi
sphone
smil
ingandwalkedoutl
eavi
ngherhorny.

Outsi
de.Breezewal
kedtowar
dshiscarwhenhis
phonerangandheansweredunl
ocki
ngthecarand
gotinstar
ti
ngtheengi
ne.

Br
eeze:Odi
ri
le.
Odi
ri
le:It
oldyout
ost
opcal
l
ingmynamel
iket
hat.
WTFdude!I
'
m notyourbi
tch.
Br
eeze:(
chuckl
es)Whatdoyouwant?
Odi
ri
le:Thequest
ioni
s"Whathappened?
"
Br
eeze:ohk.
.
Odi
ri
le:Rememberthegi
rlItol
dyouaboutthe
ot
herdayatmyplace.WellIaskedheronadate
man.
Br
eeze:l
etmeguess.Sweat
ypal
ms?
Odir
il
e:ki
ndayesandki ndano.Thet hi
ngisshe
hasn'
tagr
eed.Shesaidshe'l
lthinkabouti
tand
somehowIfeell
ikei
t'
llbeano, soyeah.
Br
eeze:ohk.
.
Odi
ri
le:dontohkme.
.
Br
eeze:Whatdoyouwantmesay?
Odiri
le:SeeIwantyoutotel
lmeifwhatI'
m about
todoi sohkornot.Ri
ghtnowI'minmywayt o
Stone.Iwanthimt ot
rackhersot
hatIcouldfi
nd
herlocati
on.
Br
eeze:t
hat
'sst
alki
ngman.Ar
eyoucr
azy?
Odi
ri
le:I
nlove.Anddontbepl
ayingSupermanon
meyoudidfarmoreworset
hanthis.
Br
eeze:Youmeanwe?
Odi
ril
e:Whatever.
.ohandanothert
hing.It
oldher
i
t'
saf r
iendl
ydatebutuwanti
ttobear omant
ic
dat
e.
Breeze:youpl
anni
ngonbangi
ngt
hepoorgi
rlon
thefi
rstdat
e?
Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyouasexaddi
ct?
Br
eeze:What?
Odi
ril
e:Whyar eyoualwaysthi
nki
ngaboutsex?No
I
'm notpl
anni
ngonhavi ngsexwit
hhernotyet.
Someofusar en'
tli
keyou.AnywaybyecourseI'
m
wasti
ngmyt i
mewi thyou.
Br
eeze:Dontst
alkt
hatgi
rlOdi
ri
le.
Odi
ri
le:Tool
ate.I
'
m her
e.

HehangupandBr
eezeshookhisheaddri
ving
t
hroughont
heMcDonaldfol
lowingot
hercars.He
noti
cedamessageandt appedoni treadingt
he
i
nvit
at i
ont oRose'swedding.Hef rownedand
shookhi sheadanddi al
edJackbuti twentstrai
ght
tovoicemai l
.Het ri
edhi
m agai nbutstil
l.Hetri
ed
Janebuti talsodidn'
tgothrough.Hebi thisl
ipand
putthephonedownandi ncreasedthevolume
l
ist
eningt omusi c.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Aft
erint
roducinghertotheancest
orsMxoli
si
handedRosehi shandandhelpedherstandand
shepull
edherdr esswitht
heotherhandsoshe
wouldn'
tstai
ni twal
kingoutoft
hekral.
Everyonestar t
edr ejoici
ngsingingaweddingsong
l
ookingatt hebeaut i
fulyounglady.Roselooked
aroundasherhear tpoundedlookingforatleast
someonef rom herf amilywhoshe'sclosetoobut
nonwher et hereexceptherpar ents.Sheswal l
owed
astearsbur nedhereyesandshel ookeddownasa
teardroppedf oll
owedbyt heother.
Meanwhi leMxol
isipr
ayedinhi
sheartf
orthedayto
endalreadywhenhesawRosel ooki
ngdownanda
teardropped.Hesqueezedherhandandpull
edher
huggingandhidherfaceinhi
schestandshe
wrappedherhandsar oundhi
m.
Wi t
houtaclueofwhatwashappeni ng,thecrowd
start
edmaki ngnoiseevenlouderasshecri
ed
sorrowful
lybuttheycouldn'
thearher.

Backatt
heHospi
tal
.

Kagi
sogotof fthebedandwentt othebathroom
andstoodbyt hemirr
orl
ookingathi mself
.The
woundswer eheali
ngandothershadheal edand
onl
yscarsleft.Hesighedleaningintothesinkand
washedhisfaceandwhenhel ookedatthemi rr
or
hesawNakedist andi
ngthereallfur
ious.Hisheart
ski
ppedlookingatherbreat
hingangeroutofher.

Nakedi
:It
oldyout
ogost
opi
t!
Hequickl
yturnedbutshewasn'tthere.Her ubbed
hi
sfacewithar aci
ngheartandturnedbacktothe
mir
rorandshewasnott here.Hesi ghedt
aking
br
eathexerci
sesandwashedhi sfaceagainbefore
wal
kingtotheshowerbalancingthewaterandgot
i
nthinki
ngthrough.
.
.
.
.
Comment
[
08/
02,
13:
44]Lynne :Chapt
er46

Att
hehospi
tal

Kagi
sost
eppedoutoftheshowerwit
hat owel
ar
oundhiswai
standwenttotheroom .Hefound
Bonol
oeati
ngst
il
linbedandleanedoverki
ssing
her.

Kagi
so:youshoul
dgorefr
eshup.Andgetyour
sel
f
somethi
ngtoeat
,dontst
arveyour
sel
f.
Bonol
o:No.
.I
'm ohk.
Kagiso:Noloyournot.Lastni
ghtImust
'vedr
ained
al
ltheenergyinyouthat'
swhyyoureventool
azyto
getup.
Bonol
o:Wel
l..
youdi
dn'
t.Iwantanot
herr
ound.
Kagiso:(smil
ing)yourcrazy.
.I
'l
lri
ppyouapart.
Lastnightyouwerecryingsayi
ngIshouldn'
tputi
t
al
lin.
Bonolo:Iwashur
ti
ng.I
tsbeenmont
hs.Butnow
I
'm good.

Therewasaknockont hedoorandtheylookedat
eachbefor
eBonol ojumpedoffthebedandwor e
herbiggyt
shir
tonlyandKagisowor ethepati
ent
gownandhi sboxersandgotinbed.Bonol otr
ied
fi
xingherr
ichafr
obuti tdi
dn'
tsitwell
andshe
openedt
hedoort
oaDoct
or.

Doct
or:hey.
.
Bonol
o:hi.
.

Thedoct orl
ookedatherandsheshylyl
ookeddown
andshewal kedinlooki
ngatKagi
sowhoi nnocent
ly
payedthere.ShelookedatBonol
o'sJeanand
sweateronthechairandhadaclueofwhatwas
happeningandsheshookherheadsmi li
ng.

Doct
or:youki
dsj
ustcoul
dn'
thol
dyour
sel
f,i
sit?
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)sor
ry.
.
Doctor:it
sohk..
.atl
eastyoulockedthedoor.Some
j
ustleaveitandgiveusshocks.It'
snotthefi
rst
ti
mewi thyouguyshavingsexinahospital
.Even
ourstuffhavesexhere.Anyway..

Shet
ookt
hest
ethoscopeof
fherkneckand
checkedhim bef
oretaki
ngoutopht
halmoscopyand
checkedhiseyes.Shesighedsmil
ingandtookhi
s
fi
lewrit
ingdown.

Doctor
:Iseenor easontokeepyouher e.Wedi d
mult
ipletestandsti
l
lnosignofinfecti
onorany
ki
nndofbei ngunhealt
hy.Yourheali
ngfasterand
ever
ythingisohkwithyou.Onlywoundsl eftt
oheal
.
Kagi
so:soIcangohome?
Doct
or:yeah.
.I
'm di
schar
gingyout
omor
row.
Kagi
so:t
hankyoudoc.
Doctor:yourwel
come.Iseemadam isalr
eady
knowshowt otakecar
eofyou.Keepingyou
healt
hy.That'
sagoodt hingandal
sodr
inkalotof
waterandkeeponexercising.
Kagi
so:Iwi
ll.

Sheputthef
il
ebackandwalkedoutandBonolo
cl
osedthedoorwi
thshakyhandssmil
ingand
walkedt
owardshi
m .Shegotonthebedandsaton
hi
sst
omachandl
eanedi
nki
ssi
nghi
m.
Thedoorf l
ewopenandshej umpedof fandalmost
fel
lonthefloorbutquickl
ygotbal
ancestandi
ngup
bytheothersideofKagisowit
hherhandsbehi nd
herlooki
ngatt hehandsomeguyont hedoor.
Kagisolookedatt
hedoorandcl earedhist
hroatas
Breezewalkedinwithnarr
owedeyebr owsandput
theplast
iconthetablel
ookingatthem .

Kagi
so:Hi.
.
Br
eeze:Hey.
..
Kagi
so:Thi
sisBonol
o,mygi
rl
fr
iendandNol
othi
s
i
sMrLyon.
Br
eeze:Hi
sdad.

Hestr
etchedhi
shandandshaki
ngherhandand
st
eppedbackrubbi
ngKagi
so'
sheadanditwaswet.

Br
eeze:Whydontyouj
ustundot
hishai
rdudeand
getahai
rcut?
Kagi
so:no.
.
Breeze:thenundoi t.Yougotagir
lf
riendsurel
yshe
wouldn'tmindhelpi
ng.Lookingatt
hatmessedup
hairshehadt wobunsonherheadl ethergiveyou
onebandj ustincase.
Kagi
so:No.
.
Breeze:Iwasn'
taski
ng.Yourhai
rismessedup
andyouhavet odosomethi
ngabouti
t.Babygi
rl
undohishairpl
ease.
Bonol
o:Iwi
ll.
Breeze:Good.Ibr
oughtyousomet
hingt
oeat.I
gatt
acheckmywi f
eandheadoutsomewher
e.
Kagi
so:Noof
fensebutheadoutwher
e?
Breeze:Yest
erdayIrecei
vedaveryshocki
ng
messageandIonl ysawittoday.I
'
m goingto
Rose'sweddi
ng.

Hi
shear
tski
ppedandf
eltl
ikeast
ackofneedl
es
wasstabbedonhishear
t.Hegotupl
eani
ngback
l
ooki
ngathim andswall
owed.

Kagi
so:CanIcomewit
hyou?BesidesIwasgoi
ng
t
obedischar
gedtomor
rowmor
ning.
Br
eeze:r
eal
ly.Yougotavi
sit
or-
Bonolo:noitsohk.
.Iwasgoingtoheadback
anywayandcomebackt ogethi
mtomor r
ow.ButI
guessther
e'saweddingyouguysshouldgotoo,
youcangoasl ongasyoupromisetocomeback
homet omeandyourmom .Shemi ssesyou.

Kagisolookedatherbefor
epulli
ngherbyherhand
andkissedherbeforehuggingher.Breezel
ooked
atthem asmemor i
esofgoodt i
mef l
ashedbefore
hiseyes.Beforecheat
inggotinthewayandr ui
ned
everyt
hing.
Bonol
osmiledtaki
ngherjeansandsweaterand
wenttot
hebathroom weari
ngthem andcameback
weari
nghershoes.Shetookhercarkeysand
phoneput
ti
ngt
hem i
nherpockett
yingheraf
roi
nto
abun.

Br
eeze:I
syourhai
rlongert
hanher
s?
Kagi
so:Yep.
.

Breezel
ookedathi
m andpull
edhisbrai
dedhai
rat
theendoftherawanditwaslong.Heshookhis
headandletgoandBonolosqueezedKagi
so'
s
handonelastt
ime.

Bonol
o:Il
oveyou.
Kagi
so:Il
oveyout
oo.

Shesmi
ledandpi
ckedanappl
eint
hebasket.

Breeze:Taket
hepl
ast
ic..
I'
l
lbuyhim anot
heroneon
theway.Youneedi
tafterwhatyouguysdidlast
ni
ght
.
Bonol
o:Thankyou.

Kagi
soandBonoloshyl
ylookedateachot
her
smil
ingandshewal
kedoutleavi
ng.
Breezel
ookedatKagi
soandshookhi
sheadand
theybot
hchuckl
ed.

Breeze:appl
edoesn'
tfallfarfr
om thet
ree.Youhad
sexonahospi t
albed.Injuredontopofthat.
Kagi
so:Iwasst
arvi
ng.
Br
eeze:What
evergetup.
Kagi
so:Idonthavecl
othes.
..
Br
eeze:Wher
ear
ethecl
othesyougother
ewi
th?
Kagi
so:IdontKnow.
Br
eeze:Yoursi
ze.
.

Af
tergi
vinghi
m hi
ssi
zes,
Breezesi
ghedandt
urned
wal
kingoutandwenttoSagi
swardandf oundher
f
ini
shingupherfood.Heki
ssedhercheekandand
r
ubbedherbell
ywhenshegiggl
edandpi ckedt
he
r
emainingdr
umst i
ckandl
ethi
mt akeabite.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyouf
ull?
Sagi
:nop.
.Ist
il
lwantmor
e.I
'
m eat
ingf
ort
wonow
remember
.
Br
eeze:r
ight
.Whatdoyouwant?
Sagi:Pi
zzaandfishandchi
ps.Ohandal
soa
burgerf
rom bur
gerking.Andast
eakepi
epl
ease
andadr i
nk.
Br
eeze:Ar
eyousur
eyou'
l
lfi
nishal
lthat?
Sagi
:Yep.
Breeze:ohk.
.ohyest
erdayIr
eceivedamessage
fr
om Jack.Roseisgett
ingmarr
iedtoday.
Sagi
:What?
Br
eeze:that
'sexact
lywhatIsai
dwhenIsawt
he
message.
Sagi
:ButRoseisst
il
ltooyoungtobegett
ing
marri
ed.Shedoesn'
tevenhaveaboyfr
iendnordi
d
shehaveonebefor
e.Whoi ssheget
ti
ngmar ri
edt
o
whil
eshe'
ssounstabl
e?
Breeze:Idontknow.Hedi dn'tmentionwhoshe
wasget t
ingmarri
edto.Somet i
meshemakesme
wonderifreal
lyhecaresforthisgir
lorhe'
sjust
pret
endingbecausehe'sthefather.Howwi l
lRose
evenhandlethepressur
eofbei ngadaughterinl
aw
andsomeone' swif
eatherposi ti
on.
Sagi:t hi
siswayoutofl ine.What evertr
ainyour
brotherisridinginsur
eisaoneofment alheal
th
problem.Hedoesn' tt
hinkthroughoft heoutcomes.
Rosedoesn' tneedtogetmar r
iedsheneeds
medi calatt
ent i
onandherf amilyafterwhatshe'
s
beent hrough.
Br
eeze:Youcansayt
hatagai
n.
Sagi:Pl
easegothereandputsomewordsinhis
thi
ckskulsohecandropthi
swholenonsense
courseI
'm sur
ethi
swasoneofhispathet
icideas.
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.
Hekissedhercheekandwal kedout.Hegotint
o
hi
scaranddr ovetot
hemal ltobuyKagiso'
s
cl
othesandSagisfoodsti
lltryi
ngtogethol
dof
JackandJanebutcouldn'
tfindanyofthem .

Hour
slat
er.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Br
eezeparkedbyt
hegateandasecur
it
yguar
d
st
eppedoutandwalkedover.

Secur
it
y:MrLyon.
Br
eeze:hey.
.i
sanyonear
ound?
Secur
it
y:nosi
r.Theyl
efttodayearl
yinthe
morni
ngaf
tert
henegot
iat
ionsifI
'm notmist
aken.
Br
eeze:Damni
t!Ohkt
hankyou.
Thesecuri
tyguardwentbackinsi
deandhesi ghed
l
ookingatKagisowhowasl ooki
ngatthehuge
house.HeshookhisheadlookingatBreezeand
drankhi
sdrink.

Kagi
so:Howmanyr
ooms?
Br
eeze:16.
Kagi
so:Wow..
.soi
ftheydi
dn'tsaywher
ethei
r
goi
nghowar
ewegoi ngtogetther
e.
Breeze:Trackt
hei
rcars.Jackloveshi
sAudiQ5.
I
'm prett
ysureheusedthatone.
Kagi
so:Doyouknowt
her
egi
str
ati
on?
Br
eeze:Yep.
.

Breezeloggedintoacartrackerappandentered
therequir
ementanditappearedgivingt
hem even
thekil
omet er
saway.Heputt hephoneonthe
smar t
phoneholderandreversedsteppi
ngonthe
accel
erat
or.

Kagi
so:I
sRoseohk?
Br
eeze:Shewasn'
tbutaf
teryoushowedupi
nthe
pi
ctur
eshest
art
edchangi
ng.
Kagi
so:meani
ng?
Breeze:Rosel ostherbestf ri
endyear sbackt o
cancerandr ape.Shedi edinherar msandshewas
sti
lltooyoungbyt hen.Itwassohar dforhert o
movepastal lthat.Shest art
edhavi ngnightmar es
andst oppedlaughing,smili
ng, noreventalking.
Shewassentt oment alhospital,toseetherapist
andevenSanat or
iumsbutnot hing.Shecoul dn'tl
et
goofherf ri
end.Wewoul dtakeheroutandt ri
edall
wecant oputasmi leonherf acebutnot hi
ng
happened.Shef i
nishedschoolyep, butonline.
Sheputher selfonlockdownsi nceshewas13and
thatmadeherf at
herevenapai nintheass.She
wat chedmovies,studyonl i
ne, playmusic, eat,
shoponl i
ne,anduset hegym i nt hehouset ogether
mindof fandkeepher selfbusy.Thatwasherdai l
y
routi
neovertheyearsobsessedwiththedead.No
onewasabl etoputasmi leonherface,ever.
Wouldyoubel i
eveifIsaidthedayIcamewi t
hher
atthehospi
talfort
hef i
rstti
methatwast hefi
rst
ti
mesher el
easedal aughteraf
tert
hewhol esaga?
Kagi
so:What?
Breeze:Ser
ious.Ihaven'
thear
dherl
aughl
iket
hat
unti
lshemetyou.
Kagi
so:t
hat'
ssomet
hing.Wai
tst
il
lther
e.What
washerf
ri
endsname?
Br
eeze:Somet
hingNal
edi.
.Nabedi.
..
.

Kagisofacedroppedl ooki
ngathim whenhisheart
poundedt othelastthi
stime.Heopenedt he
windowf ortheairtogetinwit
houtl
imitand
swallowedlookingforward.Nowmor ereasonto
wantt obethere.

Kagi
so:YoumeanNakedi?
Br
eeze:yeaht
hatone.Di
dyouknowher
?
Kagi
so:Imether.
.
Br
eeze:Wher
e?
Kagi
so:I
nmydr
eams.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
comment
[
08/
02,
13:
45]Lynne :Chapt
er47

AtMxol
isi
'
shome.

Breezedrovecloserf
ollowingt
hetrackerwhenhe
spottedalotofcarsont hewayandot herpeopl
e
outsi
desi t
ti
ngoncampi ngchairsdri
nkingand
eati
ng.Ot herswerestandingi
ngroupseat i
ngand
hepar kedhiscaronthesideoftheroad, j
ustali
tt
le
f
arfr
om theexactl
ocati
onoftheweddi
ngsi
ncei
t
wasful
landtheybothsteppedout.
Peoplearoundt urnedl ookingatthehandsomemen
,whol ookedlikefatherandsont hought heylooked
l
ikegangst ersfrom lookingattheirdresscode.
Black.Theyhadt hosepl ayboybadboyai raround
them andt hosewal ksgotyouwonder ingwhatt hey
coulddoi nprivate.Theyhadbot hputt heirhands
i
nt hei
rpocket swear inghoodieshi di
ngt heireyesin
sweatpantsandNi kekicks.

Kagi
so:Ihat
eitwhenpeopl
est
areatme.
Br
eeze:YouandI
.

Theygott ot hegateandlookedar oundwhenhe

spottedJacki nthemiddleofaconver sati
onwi th
othermenandhi suncles.Hecl enchedhisjaws
l
ookingar oundandspot tedJaneandot herwoman
si
tti
ngont heverandaeatingbutshewaspl ayi
ng
withherfoodandonhersi det
hewasRosesi t
ti
ng
onthet r
adi t
ionalmathandasmal lwhit
eblanketon
hershoul
der
sandadoek.

Br
eeze:We'
rel
ate.I
t'
sdone.
Kagi
so:Ineedt
otal
ktoher.Li
ker
eal
lyneedt
o.
Br
eeze:
youcant.Af
tert
his.
.i
tswi
feandhusband
moment.
Kagi
so:Whatdoyoumean?
Breeze: commonson.Thei rgoi
ngtohavesex.And
Ithinkshe' savi rgi
nsotheychargedt
hem more.
Afterthesext hey'l
lhavetoshowtheel
dersthe
stainofbl oodont hesheetst
oproveapointt
hat
shewasst i
llaflower.Iwonderwhoshe'smar r
ied
tocour set hatguyneedsapi eceofmymind.
Kagi
so:yournotgoi
ngtot
hreat
enhi
m ont
heday
ofhi
sweddingareyou?
Br
eeze:I
'
m anuncl
e.Agangst
eruncl
e,soi
t'
smy
j
obtodoso.
Kagi
so:Yousur
ear
eamoodspoi
ler
.
Breezeshruggedhi
sshouldersandt heyheadedto
wherethemenwher e.Kagi sojustcoul
dn'tt
akehis
eyesoffRose.Thethoughtofanotherman
sweati
ngont opofherdidn'
tsitwellwit
hhimt hat
hecouldjustscr
eam .

Br
eeze:Bagol
o..
El
der
s:Mor
wa/Br
other.
.
Br
eeze:Howar
eyoual
l?
El
der
s:Fi
ne/
good
Lyonuncle:Ithoughtyouweren'
tcomingson.
Whyareyoul atecourseyouweresupposedtobe
ther
eattherenegoti
ationsasRosel
la'
suncle?
Breeze:Mywifehasbeenadmi t
tedsohadtobe
ther
ewithher.Shehadhitherheadsohardbut
nowshe'sgett
ingbet
ter.I
'm sosorr
yIcoul
dn'
tbe
ther
e.
Steve:Whatmatt
ersi
syouheretosupporther
duringt
histi
me.AndIthinki
t'
sbesti
fyougo
apologi
zetohernowinf
rontoft
hefemaleelder
s.
Br
eeze:Oht
hankyou.
Lyonuncl
e2:Andwhoset
hisyoungmanwi
thyou?
Br
eeze:Ohhe'
smyson.

Allt
heLyonfamil
ymemberst ur
nedlooki
ngathim
thenbackatKagi
sowhofoldedfi
stsinhi
spockets
astheygotsweat
ysti
llhi
dinghisfacewi
ththe
hoodie.

Jack:HowcomeIdon'tknowyouhaveason
Breeze?Theonehi
sageeven.
Breeze:Thatsbecauseidonthavet
oreportmyl
if
e
toyouJack.AndwhatIhaveornothavei snonof
yourbusiness.Br
other
.

Jackswal
lowedanddrankhi
sbeerandcl
enched
hi
sjawsswall
owingl
ookingatKagi
so.

Lyonuncl
e:Howol
dishe?Whoset
hemot
herand
whydidn'
tyout
ellusyouhadasonsowecango
payf
ordamagesandmar ryhi
m?
Breeze:that
'sbecausehi
smot herandIareon
goodt er
msandshedi dn'
twantmet opayallt
hose.
Andt hefami
lyagreedtonotcomei nbet
weenus.
He's21.21r i
ghtboy?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
Lyonuncl
e2:Who'
syourmot
herson?

Kagi
sol
ookedatBr
eezeandcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.

Br
eeze:
Doyour
eal
lywantt
oknowhernameuncl
e?
Lyon:yes.Wewantt
oal
someett
hel
adyt
hatgave
usahei r.
Br
eeze:Thenlet
'scuti
t'
sshortcour
seyou'
llnever
meethernorf
indhercourseshe'
satour
ist
.
Lyon2:thenwecansetupameet
ingwi
thherand
herparents.
Br
eeze:Th-
Jack:(
sarcast
ic)I
'
m sur
eshewouldn'
tminda
si
nglemeeti
ngnowwouldsheBreeze.Huhboy?

Breezebi
thisl
ipandtur
nedlooki
ngathim andhe
rai
sedhisgl
assasawayt opisshi
m off.Kagi
so
l
ookedatthem andl
ookedattheelder
swaiti
ngfo
ananswer.

Kagi
so:I'
l
ltr
ytal
kingt
ohercour
sef
ornowshe'
s
over
seasandshe'
l
lbebacki
n6monthsti
me.
Lyon:Pl
easeson.
..
askhert
osqueezusi
n.
Jack:Wai
t..
ifyourmotheri
soverseasandwe'l
l
comebackin6mont hsti
met henwhoisinchar
ge
asyourguar
dian?
Br
eeze:Hes21andheknowshowtol
ookaf
ter
hi
mselfpl
ushehasme.Excuseus.

Theybotht
urnedwal ki
ngawayandtheel
ders
conti
nuedwit
ht hei
rchatasJackl
ookedatt
hem
headi
ngtotheladieshavi
ngdoubt
s.
Meanwhi lethewomanl ookedatt hemani nbl ack
wal kingtowar dst hem andknel tbeforethem .
Rose' sfacel i
tupl ookingathi suncleandwhen
Kagi sopul l
edt hehatf rom hisfaceandl ooked
aroundandt heireyesmeti twaslikebutterfl
iesjust
fl
iesst rai
ghti ntoherst omach.Hewassocr azi
ly
hoti nblack.Shesmi ledr eveal
ingherangel icsmi l
e
andKagi sosmi l
edbackbi ti
nghislipwhenJane
l
ookedathi m andhecl earedhisthroatput t
inga
straightfacel ookingdownandRosegi ggled.Jane
turnedl ookingatRosewhenRose' ssmi l
edr opped
andshel ookeddown.

Ol
dwoman:canwehel
pyouson?
Breeze:yeah..
I'
mthebri
de'suncleandthi
sismy
son.I'dl
ikeawordwitht
hebridepleaseit
surgent,
I
wontbel ongIpr
omise.Iknowitsdisr
espect
fulbut
I'
m desperat
e.
Woman:Whatemer gencyisthatthatcoul
dn'
twai
t
unti
ltomor
row?Thi
sgirlcannotleaveoursi
de.
She'
snotall
owedtostandupf r
om t her
e.
Br
eeze:Justf
ewsecondspl
ease.
.
Ol
dlady:Noyoungman.

JanelookedatKagisoandherheartraced.Sot hi
s
i
st heson,theonethathesotol
dherof ffor.
Somehowi thurtt
hathehadasonbef or
et hechil
d
shewasbear i
ngcouldbebornandt hefactthathe
didn'
tcheckhergotherhear
tit
chingast ears
burnedhereyes.
Breezesi
ghedandstoodupandsodi
dKagi
soand
theyputt
heirhandst
oget
herl
eavi
ngt
hem i
npeace.

Kagi
so:Thatwentwel
l.
Br
eeze:youcansayt
hatagai
n.

Janegather
dherf earandqui
ckl
ystoodup
excusi
ngherselfandjoggedt
owardsthem ast
hey
l
aughedhol di
ngherbumper .
Jane:Br
eezewai
t..
!Br
eeze!

Breezesi
ghedandputali
ttl
esmil
eandtur
ned
l
ookingather.Shest
oodinfr
ontoft
hem l
ooki
ngat
KagisoandbackatBr
eezebefor
eswall
owing.

Jane:CanIt
alkt
oyou?I
npr
ivat
epl
ease.

Breezenarr
owedhi seyebrowsandKagi sobreat hed
outwhenBr eezethrewhimt hekeysandhewal ked
away.Janel ookedathi m notknowi
nghowt ost ar
t
thi
sandpulledhim byhishandt otheothersideof
thehouse.Meanwhi l
eJackspot t
edthem heading
asidewit
hherpul l
inghishandandcur i
osit
yki cked
i
naswel lasinsecurit
y.
Breezepull
edhishandawayfrom herandsighed
stoppi
ngandputhishandsinthepocketslooki
ng
ather.Shet ookadeepbreat
handt ur
nedlooking
athim .Him st
andi
ngri
ghtherei
nfrontofhermade
everyt
hingaroundhermakesense.Hest ol
eher
heartwi
thf ewmoment sofweaknessandst ol
en
moment soff un.Shewal kedevencl osetohim and
pull
edhishandput t
ingitonherbumpast hebaby
ki
cked.Br eezeswal l
owedl i
steningtothebabykick
andlookedi nhertearyeyes.Hepul l
edhishand
awayandputi ti
nhispocketst eppingbackwith
Sagiinhishead.

Jane:Pl
easedontdot
hisBr
eeze,
Ibegyou.
Br
eeze:Dowhat?
Jane:That.Yourhur
ti
ngmewhenyoupul
lyour
sel
f
awayfrom me.
Breeze:Janelook.Youraver
ygoodwomanand
respect
fulone.Dontl
etpai
n-
Jane:Yourtheonecour si
ngmepainbypul
li
ng
awayf r
om meBr eeze.
Dontyouseet
hat? I
'
m
pregnantandyourhurti
ngme.
Breeze:Yeahyourpregnantrespectyoursouland
thatbabyyourcari
nganddontl etyourfeel
ings
harm anyofyouandmor eespecial
lyyourbaby.
YouradoctorandI'
m sureyouknowver
ywel l
that
aquart
erofthepercent
agemostwomanl osethei
r
baby'
soverstr
ess.Y-
Jane:Icanthelpit.Yourt
hereasonbehi
ndmy
str
essBr eezedontyougetit
?.Whyareyou
i
gnoringme?Whyar eyounotgi
vingmeyour
att
ention?Wh-
Breeze:becouseI'm marri
edandIl ovemywi f
e's.
Meandyou- wasnotgonnawor kandwebot hknew
thatandignoredthehighli
ghts.Sagiiscrazy.
Meaningcr azyImeanshe' sapsychopath.AndI '
m
notsayingthisbecauseoft al
kingbutevent he
doctorconfir
medi t.She'
snotment all
yst ableand
shehasl uckofsympat hyandr emorse.I
-
Jane:Thenwhyareyoustil
lwi
thheri
fshe'
sgoi
ng
nuts.Whycantyoujustbewit
hme?
Breeze:BecouseIl
oveherohk!Ilovehersobad.
Andcompar edtowhatIf
eelforyou-it
'snothi
ng.
Andshe'spregnant
.
Jane:ButIloveyouBr
eeze.
.andIhatefeel
ingthi
s
way.I'm sorr
ytosayt
hisbutIwontst
opunt i
lI'
m
wi
thyou.Pl
easel
etmei
n.
Br
eeze:yourpr
egnantwi
thJack'
schi
ld.Wh-
Jane:it
'snothi
s.Iwasmadatt hef actt
hatyou
haveasonandIt houghtmaybei fisaidi
t'
shisI'
d
gettoyoubutthatdi
dn'thappen.Thischil
disyours
andneedsbothitsparents.Together.
Breeze:Janewhydoyoukeeppushi
ng?Besi
deI
'
m
badforyou.
Jane:BecouseIl
oveyouBr
eeze.Il
oveyou.
Breeze:Meandyouarenotgonnaworkwoman!
Yourmybrother
swif
eforchri
stsake!Thi
shast
o
st
op.
Jane:whyar
eyoudenyi
ngyour
sel
f-
Breeze:I'
m notdenyingmysel
fanythi
ng.I '
vegot
everyt
hingthatIneedandit
'sonl
yamat terofti
me
beforemymar ri
agegetsbackontrack.Finger
's
crossed.
Jane:(
cryi
ng)Br
eezepl
ease.
..
Breeze:Janeyourhear
t.YeahIgetthat,
soam I
.
Andt hankyouf
ortel
li
ngmet het
ruthaboutt
he
babybei ngmi ne,Ireall
yappr eciatethat.Butyou
andIcanneverbeani t
em .I'
llsuppor tthebabyand
betheref orhim/ herbutnotyou.Wel lIwillbet here
foryoubutnotasapar tofyou.Thankyouf orthe
goodtimesandIdontr egrethavingt hischildwi t
h
you,actuallyI'm happyt hatyourt heonecar r
yingit
othert
hanast rangerthatIhar dl
yknow.Butbaby
thegoodhascomet opass.Real ityhaski ckedi n
andwebot har emarriedandt heshi tthatwer e
doingisnotr ight.ItstotalWRONG.Ial waysdo
wrongbutt hi sone. .
Icant.I '
m sor r
yi fIgaveyou
wrongimpr essionsandIhopeyouf i
ndi ti
nyour
heartt
of orgiveme.
Jane:ButIdontt
hinkI
'
llbeabl
etoo.
Br
eeze:t
hent
ryhar
dbabe.Forme.
Jane:That
'st
hethi
ngBr eeze.Feel
ingsaren'
t
swit
ches.Youcantjustswitcht
hem off.Iwantyou
.

Br
eezel
ookedatherbef
orebiti
nghisli
pandshook
hi
sheadtur
ningar
oundtoleave.Thiswas
pointl
esstryi
ngf otalkheroutofherl
oveforhi
m.
Jane'sheartrai
sedwhenshehel dherbumperand
rantowardshi m pull
inghim byt
hesweatertur
ning
him aroundandpi nnedherlipsonhiski
ssi
nghim.
Meanwhi l
eJacki mpatientl
ytappedhisfootonthe
groundandr oughlystoodupheadi ngwherehesaw
them di
sappear.Ashesl owlyapproachedhishear
t
gotheavierandheavierandwhenst oppedbythe
cornerl
isteni
ngcar ef
ull
y.Het ookadeepbr eat
h
andsteppedoverandhi sheartdr
oppedi nt
ohis
stomachandhi smout hdr opped.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
45]Lynne :Chapt
er48

AtMxol
isi
'
shome

Jackst oppedonhistr
ackslookingatthem ast
hey
quicklybroketheki
sssteppingawayfrom each
other.Hel ookedatBr
eezewhenhecl earedhis
throatlooki
ngbackathiml i
kenothi
nghappened
withaneut rall
ookonhisface.Heknewt hathi
s
l
itt
lebr ot
herwasoutforhim, butwi
thhiswife?
Breezer
ubbedhi
sbeardl
ookingathimt henbackat
Janewhowasstandi
ngsti
llnotknowingwhatt odo
,touchorl
etgo.Hescof
fedandt r
iedwalking
awaywhenJackpull
edhi
m byhi swrist.

Jack:Areyoudar
ingmeBr
eeze?Whatt
hehel
lar
e
youdoingwit
hmywi f
e?
Br
eeze:Letgoofme.
Jack:Karewhatar
eyoudoingwithmywife?
BreezeI'
l
lbeatt
hecrapoutofyou,youknowthat?
Br
eeze:AndIsai
dletgo!
Jane:Jackpl
easel
et'
stal
kaboutthis,l
ethi
m go.
It
sourdaughter
sweddingforchr
istsake!
Jack:Br
eeze.
.Fort
hel
astt
ime.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
wit
hmywi fe?

Breezelookedathishandonhi
swristbefor
e
pull
inghishandfrom hi
sgri
pandcamef acetof
ace
withhim

Breeze:A-dontt
ouchme.B-Dontevert hr
eaten
meoraddressmet hatmannercour
seIt
akethem
tothehear
t
Jack:Br
eezewhatwer
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmywi
fe?
Br
eeze:Areyoubl
ind?Wewer eki
ssingJack.We
ki
ssed!Ar
eyousatisf
iednow.Wekissed!
Jack:She'
smywi
fe!
Br
eeze:So.
.?

Jackclenchedhi sjawsasangeroccupiedhi m and

hebl ewapunchatBr eezewhobithi
stonguel osing
balance.Br eezet r
embl edwhenhegotbal anceand
l
ookedathi m beforescoffi
ngandspitbloodas
Janest oodt herewithherhandsonhermout hand
tearsstreami ng.Breezelookedathi
m andasmi rk
start
edf rom hissidelipandheputhishandsi nthe
pocketsl ookingathim.
Fight
inghi
m backwoul dn'
tbepainf
ulcomparedt
o
thecakecooki
nginsideofJane.Thisbabywould
betheonetosett
lethescorebetweenthem .

Br
eeze:Feel
ingbet
ter?
Jack:Ineverwantt
oseeyounearmywi
feagai
n,
youhearme!Imeanever!
Br
eeze:What
ever
!(ToJane)GoodByeLove.
Helookedatthem oncemor ebef
oresmil
ing
walkingaway.Jackfrust
rat
edl
ylookedbackat
Janewhensher aisedherhandblocki
nghimfr
om
sayingwhathewant edtosay.

Jane:Pl
ease.
.notnow.

Shewal kedawayleavinghi
m standingther
eas
tearsburnedhiseyes.Outofal
lpeople,hisown
brotherwil
lbetheoneendinghismar ri
age.Hi
s
blood.Hewi pedhistear
staki
ngbr eat
hexerci
ses
gatheri
nghimselfandwalkedback.

Meanwhil
e,Mxolisi
'sauntwalkedoutofasmal
l
r
oom af
tersheprepareditandcall
edRose.Rose
l
ookedatherbef
or estandi
ngandwal kedi
n.

Aunt:Ipreparedyouabat hi
nsi
de.Gobathand
thenwaitforyourhusband.He'
llf
indi
nhere.The
elder
sarestil
ladvi
singhim,he'
l
lbewit
hyoushortl
y.
Goi
nsi
de.

Roseswall
owedandlookedbackwherehermot her
wassit
ti
ngbutshewasn'tt
here.Shelookedback
att
heauntandpull
edherdresswalki
ngin.
Shesatonthewhitesheetsl
ookingar
oundand
fi
nal
lytookof
fherheels.Someoneknockedonthe
doorandshestoodopeningforayoungl
adyher
age.

Her
:Hi.
.I
'm Mel
inda.Theysai
dIshoul
dbr
ingt
his
t
oyou.
Rose:Oh.
.thanks.I
'
m Rosel
la.
Meli
nda:Yoursobeaut
if
ul.Mycausi
nhashi
tthe
j
ackpother
e.
Rose:Thankyou.Soar
eyou.
Meli
nda:Anyway.
.letmel
iveyout
opr
epar
efort
he
deed.
Rose:Wai
t.
.whatdoyoumeant
hedeed?
Meli
nda:Ohcommongir
l!Youknowtheone,
two
t
hree.
.Menontopofawoman.Inandout?Tlof
f
t
lof
f?
Rose:oh.
.ohk.
.uhm .
.wow.
.

Herheartpoundedlooki
ngdownther
eandwr apped
herhandsaroundherbody.Meli
ndalookedather
tryi
ngtoreadher.Shesawhowherbr eat
h
suddenlychangedandfrownedl
ooki
ngathercute
roundface.

Mel
inda:Oh.
.uhmm .
.it
sohk.Dontbescar
ed.
Rose:I
sitgonnahur
t?
Meli
nda:Uhm .
.atf
ir
stbutwithi
nasecondyou'd
haveadj
ust
edandyou'llbegood.Justr
elax.Bein
themomentanddontfocusonthepain.
Voi
ce:Mel
indaa!
!
Meli
nda:That
'smymom.Igat
tago.You'
l
lbef
ine.
Dontworr
y.Ohk..
RoseshookherheadasMeli
nda'
smothercal
led
hercountl
esst
imesandshewentawayandshe
tookherhugebagi
nside.
Shel ayeditont hefl
oorandkneel eddown
searchingforherphoneunt i
lshefounditwithits
charger.Shel ookedar oundforaplugandpl ugged
herphonechar gingitbefor
etakingoffherclot
hes
,taki
ngof fthedoekandherhai rbouncedonher
shouldersthenshegoti nthebath.Shet r
iedtonot
thinkaboutwhatwasaboutt ohappenbutcoul dn'
t
helpasherhear tshatt
eredinpain.
Afterawhi leshesteppedoutandwr appedat owel
aroundherbodyandwentt ocheckherphone
fi
ndingiton24%.Sheswi tcheditonpull
inganother
toweldryingherhairstandingbythephone.Onei t
wason, sheunlockeditandwentt othecontacts
diali
ngBr eeze.

Br
eeze:Myf
avor
it
eni
ece.
Rose:Hy.
.uncl
e.howar
eyou?
Br
eeze:Howam I?I
'
m madbabygi
rl!I
'
m madl
y
mad!
Rose:Sameher
e.Yousaidyouwantedt
otal
kto
meaboutsomet
hingur
gent
?Isever
ythi
ngohk?
Br
eeze:Nop!Mysonhereisangr
ythat
'swhat
's
ur
gent.Letmegi
vei
ttohim.

I
nthecar.

BreezegaveKagisothephonewhenhepoi nt
edhim
outandKagisosmiledsteppingoutoft
hecarand
cl
osedthedoorleaningagainsti
t.

Kagi
so:(
sof
tl
y)Heyyou.
.
Rose:(
blushi
ng)Heyyou.
.
Kagi
so:Howar
eyou?
Rose:I
'
m..
Idontknow.You?
Kagi
so:Sameher
e.IdontknowhowIf
eelorhowI
am .

Theybothstoppedtal
kingsmil
ingovert
hephone
asiftheycanseeeachother.Aft
erawholeminut
e,
Kagisochuckl
edbit
inghisli
p..

Kagi
so:Youst
il
lther
e?
Rose:Yeah.
.uhm .
.Uncl
esai
dyouwer
eangr
y?i
s
ever
ythi
ngohk?
Kagi
so:Idontknow.MaybeIjustwantedt
osee
youonelastt
imebef
oreyougetmarri
ed.That
's
whatdr
oppedmyspiri
t.
Rose:Oh.
.uhmm .
.hmm .

Kagisochuckl
edli
steni
ngt
oherador
abl
evoi
ceas
shegiggl
edmakinghim wi
shf
ormorethanj
usta
phonecall.

Kagi
so:Rose?
Rose:Mmhh.
.

Wor dsstuckinhismout hashismouthopenedwit

h
nothingthatcameout.Hesi ghednotwanti
ngto
stressheronthisdayoropenupol dwounds.At
l
eastnotnow.Hepr essedhiseyest
ogetherand
tookadeepbr eath.

Kagi
so:Rose?
Rose:Mmmhh.
.
Kagi
so:Il
oveyou.

Backi
nther
oom .

Rose'sheartski
ppedasshestoodt her
ewiththe
phoneonherear.Sheswal l
owedl i
steni
ngtoher
heartbeatsofastonhert
hroatnotknowingwhatto
say.Shenevert ol
daboythatshelovedhim and
eventhoughshewant edt
osayi tbackshecouldn'
t.
Thedoorsl
owlyopenedwhenherhear
tpounded
evenmorehol
dingti
ghtont
hephoneasherknees
shook.
Mxolisiclosedt
hedoorl ookingatherfaci
ngthe
otherdirecti
onandcouldn'thelpbutscanherbody
l
ookingathercur vedbodyandsmoot hskin.He
shookhi sheadtryi
ngtoshakehi snastythought
s
awayandsatont hebed.

Mxol
isi
:Hi.
Rose:(
shakey)hi.

Meanwhi l
e..KagisoheardMxolisi'
svoicebreaki
ng
hisheart.Hecoul dhearherheavybr eat
hoverthe
phoneandf inal
lyshehangupwi thoutsayi
ng
anythi
ngt ohim .Hesighedlookingaroundwhen
hespottedteogirlswalki
ngoverandhewal ked
towardsthem .

Kagi
so:Hey.
.excuseme.
Them:Hy.
.
Kagi
so:coul
dyoupleasef
il
lmei
nher
e.Whoi
sthe
guyget
ti
ngmarri
edhere?
Gi
rl
:Donal
d.Butmostpeopl
ecal
lhi
m Mxol
isi.
Kagi
so:oh.
.sur
name?
Gir
l:Wedon'
tknow .Wej
ustst
oppedbyto
suppor
t.Weonlyknowhi
ssoci
almedianame.
D.MX.
Kagi
so:Asi
nli
keDM X?
Gi
rl
:Yeah..
butwi
thaful
lst
opaf
tert
hel
ett
erD.I
t'
s
anabbr
evi
ati
onofhi
sname.
Kagi
so:Ohk.
.t
hankyoul
adi
es.

Thegirl
ssmi l
edandwal
kedawaymumbli
ng
somethingandtur
nedget
ti
ngint
hecargi
ving
Breezehisphone.

Breeze:Ncncnc.Justt
hebegi
nni
ngmyboy.Just
thebeginni
ng.
Kagi
so:DoyouhaveFacebook?
Br
eeze:Nop.
.IhaveI
nst
agr
am.Why?
Kagi
so:Iwannaknowwhoshegotmar
ri
edt
oo.

Hegavehi m backthephoneandhel oggedint

o
Instagram searchi
nghim .Mxoli
si'
saccount
appear edfir
standheclickedonitl
ookingathi
s
picture.Hel ookedri
chfrom hi
soutfi
tsandthi
s
diff
erentcarshet ookpi
ctureswit
h.Clearl
yhe
doesn' tst
andachance.
Br
eezelookedathi
m andtookt
hephoneinhi
s
ar
msandl ookedatwhathewaslooki
ngatwhen
hi
sjawsdropped.

Br
eeze:WTF!Hel
lno!

Backi
nther
oom .

Roseputt
hephonedownandswal
lowedcl
osi
ng
hereyesandt ur nedlookingathi m .Hemovedhi s
eyesf r
om hergl owingsmoot ht highstoherface
andst oodupget t
ingclosertoher.Hest oodin
frontofherast heybothshar edt hesamebr eath.
Heusedhi sfi
ngerr ai
singherf aceandt heylooked
i
neachot her
seyesasherhear tpoundedsohar d
thisti
me, li
kemad.Heswal lowedl ooki
ngather
l
ipsandsl owlyleanedi nkissingherbutshedi dn't
reply.Hepul l
edbacksmi li
ngandl ookedather.

Mxol
isi
:Fi
rstt
imeki
ssi
ngaguy?
Rose:(
shookhead)
Mxoli
si:ohk.
.justf
lowwi
thme.Rel
ax.
.ohk.
Rel
ax...

Sheswal l
owedwhenhel eanedinagainandkissed
herandshej oi
nedinandsuddenl yitt
urnedintoa
Frenchkiss.Hishandtracedherarmssendi ng
chil
lsasanotheronewrappedar oundherti
nywai st
.Hebr okethekissandlookedatherwhenshe
l
ookeddownshyl y.Hepulledherchinupfacing
hi
m.

Mxol
isi
:Lookatme.
.

Shelookedathi m whent heymadeaneyescont act

andhesl owlyloosenedt het oweldroppingit.She
tr
iedcrossingherl egstohidehercooki ewhenhe
usedhislegpar ti
ngherl egsasherhear tpounded.
Hebithisli
pl ookingathert eenagebr eastand
l
owert oherflattummyandf urt
hertoherl i
tt
le
heaven.Hepul ledherhandsput t
ingthem onhi s
chestbeforepul l
ingherclosercubingherbr easts
ki
ssingher.
Heletgoandpulledouthisshirtr
emaini
ngwi t
hhis
pantslooki
ngatherasshest oodther
elooki
ngat
him wit
hapouhear t.Hedidhaveanawesome
body,li
kewow.Hepul ledherhandsslowlyandput
them onhisbandlooki
ngather.

Mxol
isi
:Unbuckl
etheband.
..
andt
hepant
s.
Roseswall
owedahugelampl ooki
ngathim and
sl
owlywit
hshakyhandstr
iedremovingtheband.
Hesmil
edlooki
ngatherandlookedaside.

Mxol
isi
:Rel
ax.
..

Shebr eathedi nandUnbuckl edhi sbandbefore

unbuttoninghi spant sandsl owlypushedt hem
downcomi ngf acetofacewi thhisexpandedboxer.
Shequi cklystoodst raightandlookedathi m when
hepul l
edheri ntoakissandpi ckedherl ayi
ngher
onthebedcur singever yi
nchofherbodymaki ng
herbloodr usht hr
oughhervei nsandherbody
warm .Hel ookedatherbef orekissi
nghergoi ng
downl eavingwetki ssestohercooki e.Het ri
ed
cl
osingherl egsagai nwhenhepushedherl egs
apartandhereyeswi dened.Hel ookedather
shakinghi sheadwi thasmi lebeforedivi
ngin
eati
nghercooki eli
keneverbef ore.Awei rdsound
escapedhermout hwhenshequi cklyusedboth
handscover i
nghermout hast hepleasur eki
cked
offraisi
ngherlowerbackpartingherl egseven
furt
herclosi
nghereyes.Ever ycellinherbody
shookwhenshef el
tawaver ushingt hroughher
twisti
nghertoesonthebedt ryingtocl oseherlegs
butMxol i
sipart
edthem evenf urt
hersucki ngher
untilsherel
eased.

Rose:OhmyGod..
I'
m sososor
ry.
.Idi
dn'
tmean
t
ooo..ohmyGod.
.I
..

Mxol i
sili
ftedhisheadl ookingatherunbeli
evabl
y
thatshej ustapol
ogized.Hesmi l
edandleanedin
whenshemovedherheadf acingasi
de.Hescof f
ed
beforeusi ngonehandcubi ngherchinand
forcef
ullykissedhermaki nghertast
eherself.He
l
etgoofherf aceandcur sedheronemor etime
beforelower i
nghisboxer sandhi smonster
droppedonhercooki e.Shel ookedathi
m asher
heartbeatsohar dthist i
me.
Mxol
isi
:Rel
ax.
.lookmei
ntheeyes.Dontbr
eak
t
heeyecont
act
.

Hestrokedhimselfbefor
egent l
yr ubbingonher
cooki
eandst oppedathersmal lent r
ance.She
l
ookeddeepi nhiseyeswhenhesl owlypushedin
andsheskippedtryingtomovecl osinghereyes
pushinghi
schest.Hepul l
edherhandandcr ossed
them onaboveherheadpi nningthem wi t
hone
handasanotheronehel dherwai stlooki
ngather
assheclosedhereyest i
ghtly.

Mxol
isi
:Rosel
ookatme.
.
Rose:I
thur
ts.
.
Mxol
isi
:Lookatme.
.rel
ax

Sheslowlyopenedhereyeswi thapouteand
l
ookedinhiseyeswhenhel eanedi
nkissi
ngher
andlookedI'
m eachother
seyes.Hegent lyrubbed
thr
oughherp***li
psandst opedatherentrance
sl
owl ypushi ngi nashereyeswidenedfeel
inghi
s
dickstretchedheropen.Heronehandmanagedt o
escapef rom hi sgri
pandt r
iedt
opushhi m of
fbut
hewast oost rongforher.Shef
eltli
keherbones
werecr ackingandhersoulwasl eavingherbody
whenshescr atchedhi
sbackclosinghereyes
screami ngwi thtearsr
oll
ingdownt hesi
deofher
eyes* *
* *
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
45]Lynne :Chapt
er49.
AtMxol
isi
'
shome.

Aft
ercr acki
ngherj ui
cyjarli
steningt oherscr eam,
Mxolisiwaitedforhertoadjusttohi ssi zeandt ake
i
nt hepainlikeabiggirlbefor
et hrustinginandout
sl
owl youtofherwi thbloodcomi ngoutf rom their
pri
vates.Hel ookedatherast earsr olleddownt he
si
deofhereyesandpul l
edoutget ti
ngof fher
l
ookingatt hebloodstaincoveringthem andont he
sheets.
Heswal l
owedget t
ingof fthebedasshel ayedthere
unabletocloseherlegssi lentl
ycryingwithher
handsonherf ace.Her ubbedhi sfaceandwal ked
totheinsui
tandprepar edabubbl ebathwi thsalt
andwentbackt ocar r
yherl ayi
ngheri nsi
deandhe
gotundertheshowerl i
st eningtohersof tcries
cutt
inghisheart.
Aft
erawhi l
ehesteppedoutandwor ehi
sclot
hes
befor
epull
ingthestai
nedsheetsandputthenew
onesthatwereonthecornerbefor
etaki
ngthe
bl
oodyonesout
sidet
otheel
der
sandt
heyal
lst
ood
uprej
oici
ng.

St
eve:Nowshe'
sour
s.She'
sourdaught
er.A
woman.

Mxolisiswal l
owedl ookingatt hem l
ookingatthe
bl
oodysheet sandsi ghedgoi ngbackinside.He
walkedtohercaseandt ookoutherni ghtdr
essand
panti
esl ayingthem ont hebedbef oregoingbackto
herandsatont hetoiletlookingatherlayi
nginsi
de
star
ingatt heceili
ngst i
llintears.

Mxoli
si:I'
m sorr
y.Ihadt
odothatsotheycoul
dsee
youwer esti
llavi
rgi
n.Rose?..
Ikn.
.AnywayI'
m
sor
ry.Letmehel pyouout.

Hemovedherhai rf
rom herf
acetackingitbehi
nd
herearbef
oretaki
ngoffhisshi
rtanddippedhis
handsinsi
deandpickedherupwal ki
ngtothe
bedroom wi
thher.Hehelpedherstandandpull
ed
hertoweldr
yingherandappli
edlot
ionedher.He
pull
edhernight
dressandhelpedherwearitand
pull
edherpanti
esgoingdownonhi skneesand
hel
pedherwi t
hittoo.Gi
rl
s!
Aft
erdr
essingher
.Heopenedhesheetsand
l
ookedatherasshest
aredathi
mterr
if
ied.

Rose:(
cryi
ng)No.
.I
'm st
il
lhur
t.
Mxolisi:(
smil
ing)Dontworr y..Iwon'tdoanythi
ng
youdontwantmet odo.I '
llrespectyourbodyand
notinvadeinanythingconcer ni
ngyourbody.I
wontt ouchyouinappropr
iateordoanyt hingtoyou
wit
houtyourper missi
on.Whathappenedwas
supposedt ohappencoursei tstr
aditi
on.Sickoneif
youaskme.

Rosel
ookedathi
m ashest
oodt
her
ewai
ti
ngf
orher
t
ocomegetin.
Mxol
isi
:Ipr
omi
senott
ohur
tyou.Comeon.
.

Sheswallowedandwal kedoverwi t
hherlegsapar t
andsatont hebedbeforeshecoul dli
ftt
her estt
o
thebedandhepul l
edthebl anketsonher.Hest ood
bylooki
ngatherandsmi l
edwal ki
ngbacktot he
bathr
oom andpickedhisshi r
tandwentt otakea
fl
eecesit
tingonthechairandt ookouthisphone.

Meanwhileoutsi
de.
.Breezel
ookedaroundf
orJack
whenhespot t
edhim aroundelder
sandwalked
overpul
li
nghim awayf r
om them .

Jack:(dr
unk)Yeeeimar
n!Breeze..
Wat
senwa
kapajang?Getyourfi
lt
hyhandsof
fmeyousel
fi
sh
prat!
Breeze:Idontgott
imef
oryourst
upi
ddrunkardass
ri
ghtnowJack.Youneedtostopthi
swholethi
ng!
Thatguy-
Jack:Whoar
eyout
otel
lmewhatt
odowi
thmy
daughter?Hhmm?Oakanyagor eoselomang
Breeze!Kissi
ngmywife!Andnowyouwantto
stopmydaught er
sweddi
ng!?Haai
ifot
sekmar
n!
Tlogatsel
engyame!
Breeze:Thatguyyoujustmarr
iedyourdaught
er
tooiswayolderthanher.He-
Jane:I
sn'
tJaneol
dert
hanyoubutyetyouki
ssed
her?Hhm?
Breeze:Jackt
hisisdif
fer
ent.Andcantyouforone
wholesecondjustnotmakethiswhol
ethingabout
meandJaneandt hi
nkaboutyourowndaughterfor
once.Putyoursel
finhershoe'
s!
Jack:Ohexcuseme!I
sthataf
ather
lyinst
incti
n
yourvoi
ce?Holdoni
sRoseyourdaughter
?
Br
eeze:What?
Jack:Howlonghaveyoubeenseei
ngmywi
fe
Breeze?Howlong?
Breeze:I'
m notseei
ngyourwif
eJack.Coul
dyou
shif
tthatfocusonRoseforawhil
e.Let
'sst
opthis
madnesssowecoul dcarryonwit
hourli
vestof
ight
oneanot
hert
heot
hert
ime.
Jack:Wel llistenhereyoul i
ttledevilbrotherofmi ne
.Ihat eyou.Ihat eever yinchofyourbodywi t
hits
everycell.IfRosei sr eall
ymydaught erandnot
yours, t
henmydeci sionisf inal.Rosei s
someone' swi feandshei sal readyintroducedt othe
ancestors..ohandshe' sal r
eadyde- flower ed.She
willl
ivehappyknowi ngt hatt heLyonevi lcreat
ure'
s
l
ikeyouar enol ongerpar tofherl i
feandmygi rlwil
l
moveonj ustf i
newi thoutsomeonel i
keyout ocall
anuncl e.Weshoul dhavebur nedyoui nthathouse
topreventt hiswholet hing.Nx!Youshoul dhave
burnedi nthathousemar n!Yourahugeescape
thatisn'
tneededont hisplanet.I '
m sur eJames
wishest hesamet hi
ngi njail.

Wor dsst uckinBreezesmout hast hewhole

memor yofhisbrotherstr
yingtobur nhiminthe
housef lashesbeforehiseyesbr i
ngingtear
s
burninghi seyes.Heswal l
owedapai nf
ullump
l
ooki ngatJackwal kingawaydr unk.Hesounded
l
ikeher eallymeantitandlikeheal wayswantedto
saythi
sonhi sfacebutdidn'tknowhowt o.He
himsel
falwayswant edrevengebutnotevenonce
hashewi sheddeat huponanyofhi sbr
other
sbut
theydi
dwi thoutremorse.Theysowant edhim
deadandt otall
youtoftheirli
ves.Heputhi shands
i
nt hepocketsandbi thi
sl i
pwal ki
ngbacktothecar
.

InsideKagisolookedatBreezewal ki
ngoverwi th
hisheaddownandst oppedl ooki
ngbackatt he
crowdcelebratingandtunedbackwal kingover
rubbinghisfaceandgotint hecar.Theai raround
him wassodi ffer
entt
hanwhenhewal kedoutof
thiscar.

Kagi
so:Ar
eyouohk?
Br
eeze:I
'
mfi
ne.
.Iam j
ustf
ine.
Kagi
so:Whatdi
dtheysay?
Br
eeze:Icoul
dn'
tst
opit.I
t'
salr
eadydone.Maybe
weshoul
dlett
hewholeChosenbyaFriendt
hing
unfoldbefor
etheireyes,maybet hatwoul
dopen
thei
reyes.(Sighed)Let'
sjusthopeitwoul
dn'
tbe
toolatebythen.

Hestar
tedtheengineandKagi solayedback
l
ooki
nginsideasthecardroveof f.Heswallowed
i
magini
ngofhowl ongitwoul dbebef or
etheycoul
d
seet
hewr ongofthiswhol
et hing.

Br
eeze:Let
'st
akeyouhome.
.
.
.
.
Amont
hlat
er
.
.
.
.
Comment
s.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
46]Lynne :Chapt
er50.

AtRose'
shouse.

Rosewal kedoutofthelaundr yroom wi thabusket

andwal kedt othebedroom wher eshesatont he
bedni celyfoldi
ngtheclothes.Shest oodupand
whent opackeachoft heirclothesint heircl
oset
beforetakingherlaptopwal kingtotheki t
chen
searchingf orcooki
nglessons.Thi swasso
embar rassingthatshedidn'tknowhowt ocook
withoutahel pfrom someoneorat ut ori
al.Luckil
y
Mxol i
siunder st
oodherandevenmadesur ethat
everythingshe'l
lneedisint hehouse. Clearl
yshe
spentsomuchofhert i
medoi ngnot hingandcr yi
ng
overherf ri
end.
Sheputthelapt
opont hecount
erandlookedat
Tast
echannelonYouTubeandt ookoutallt
he
i
ngredi
entsshe'
llneedbef
oreshestar
tedprepar
ing
di
nner.
Thought heyst
ayedinonehouse,theywere
star
tingtogetal
ongbuthardl
yspeaktoone
anotherandtheonlyt
imetheywereinti
mate,t
hat
wasont heirweddi
ngday.Herphoner angonthe
chargerandshepousedthevideo,
taki
ngitand
answered.

Rose:Heyaunt
ie.
Sagi
:Myf
avor
it
e.Howar
eyoudoi
ngmydar
li
ng?
Rose:I
'm get
ti
ngthere.I'mjusthavi
ngahar dti
me
comingtoter
mswi ththefactthatI
'm now
someone'swife.Andt hatmyownf athersol
dme.
Sagi:I'
m sorryyoufeelthatwaybabe.I '
m alsonot
getti
ngal ongwithwhatyourdaddi dbutthisis
reali
ty.Onewayoranot heryou'l
lhavetogetused
toamanwal ki
nginthatdoorexpectingt
oseeyou
i
nt hekitchenprepari
nghi m somethi
ngtoeat.Orto
seeyouwai
ti
ngf
orhi
minbed.
Rose:Wedonthavesex.Idoeverythi
ngli
kethey
sai
dIshoulddoonourweddingdayf orhi
m
,l
aundry,
cookandall.ButIj
ustcanthavesexwit
h
him.
Sagi
:Why?
Rose:Idontknow.MaybeI
'
m scar
ed.
Sagi
:Haveyouguystal
kedabouti
t.Kanahe'
sa
man,andhe'
sstar
ving.
Rose:lastti
mewespokeaboutsexwast hesame
daywel asthadit,ont
hedaywegotmar ri
ed.He
sai
dhewoul dn'
tdoanyt
hingtomewithoutmy
per
mi ssionandhe'
skeepinghiswor
d.
Sagi:Babyhe'saman.Wor styourhusband.He' s
boundtoyouandonl yyou.Buti fyoukeepdenyi ng
hi
m everymansr ighthe'sgoingtofindanot her
womanandbr i
nghert oyourhouset ohavesex
wit
hherinfrontofyou.Andt hat'
l
lmakeyouf eel
l
essandi t
sgonnahur t,
thoughyourbot hnotinlove
wit
heachot her.Menar esounpr edictable,you'l
l
neverknowwheni tcomest othem .
Rose:Soar
eyousayi
ngIshoul
dhavesexwi
thhi
m?
Sagi:
Thechoiceisyour
sbabygirl.Yourbody,your
choi
ceanddeci si
ontomake.Justdontdowhat
youdontfeell
ikedoi
ng.I'
m nott
alki
ngonhi s
behal
fbecouseIhatehi
m, I'
mjustsaying,hesa
man.
Rose:Igetyou..Whydontyouanduncl
elikehi
m
anyway?I'vebeenmeaningtoaskyouguys.
Sagi:
Uhm .
.Wejusthat
ehim becausehe'
smarri
ed
toyou.Not
hingyoushoul
dwor ryyour
sel
fabout.
Rose:I
sauntAbi
gai
lback?
Sagi:
Shewil
lbebackinaweek.Shesaidshe
needsmor
etimetoclearherheadabi
t.
Rose:Ohk.
.
Sagi
:Letmegetbackt
ocl
eani
ngbabe.Wel
ltal
k
ohk.
Rose:Yourcleani
ngwhilepr
egnant
.Andbel
lyi
s
growingsofast,yourst
il
lon3months.Why
doesn'tuncl
ehelpyou?
Sagi
:he'
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.Yest
erdayhi
m andher
fr
iendshadami nipart
ytocelebr
ateoneofthei
r
fr
iendswhojustgraduated.Hesleepsasi
fhe'sthe
onepregnant
.
Rose:(
smi
les)Icani
magi
ne.Bye.

Theyhangupandshecont
inuedcooki
ng.

Att
het
axir
ank.

Thetaxidroveintot het axirankandpar kedbefor e

allt
hepassenger sst eppedout.Kagi sost eppedout
andhanghi sschoolbagonhi sshoul derholdi
nga
PnPpl asti
cinhisot herhandwal ki
nghome.Br eeze
hasbeensohel pfultohi m andevenopenedhi m
anotherbankaccountwher ehesendshi m 1.5
everymont hspluspayi nghi sstudies.Fi rstmont h
wasn'tbadatal latcollege.Hespot tedmaSyl ivia
andsmi ledwalkingt owar dsher.Sylvi astoodup
smili
ngandopenedherar msf orhim andt hey
huggedbef oretheysatdown.
Syl
via:Howar
eyoumyboy?
Kagi
so:I
'
m goodma.Andyou?
Sylvi
a:Iwastraumat
izedaf
terhear
ingwhat
happenedtoyoucoupleofmonthsback.Ihar
dly
sleptpr
ayi
ngyoucomeback.Theyevent oldme
thatyouwerenowheretobefoundandyourdead.
Kagi
so:I
'
m adiehar
d.Thankyouforal
ways
put
ti
ngmeinyourpr
ayer
s.Ireal
lyappr
eci
ateyou.
Sylvi
a:Yourtheonl
ysonIhavemyboy.Howi
s
yourmotherdoing?I
ssheohk?
Kagi
so:She' sget
ti
ngt her
e.WhenIwasnotar ound
mygi r
lf
ri
endhelpedtakecareofher.Shehadeven
gai
nedwei ghtandabletomovearoundanddo
somechor es.Shehadmadepr ogress.She'
seven
l
ookingforajob.
Syl
via:(
smi
li
ng)that
'sgreatnewsmyboy.Isee
youhaveaschoolbag,areyoubacki
nschool?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
.I
'mincoll
ege.MrLyoni
spayingf
or
mystudi
esandI'
m doi
ngasmuchasIcant onot
di
sappoi
nthi
m .Hei
sreal
lyagoodmanandhel
ps
meoutalot,
Icantt
hankhim enough.
Syl
via:Wow.
.I
'mr
eal
lyhappyf
oryouson.

Meanwhi leBonolodrovebyt herankplayingmusic

drinkingamilkshakewhenhespot t
edKagi sosi
tt
ing
withanol dwomananddr ovebyst oppingbythe
table.Sher oll
eddownt hewi ndowandsmi l
ed
steppingoutandKagi sostoodupmeet ingher
halfwayandt heyhuggedbef orepull
inghertomeet
Sylvia.

Kagi
so:Babe.
.t
hisi
sMaSyl
viaKani.Mat
hisi
s
Bonol
o,mygir
lf
ri
end.
Bonol
o:Dumel
ama.
Syl
via:Hel
lomygi
rl
.Howar
eyou?
Bonol
o:I
'
m good.Andyou?
Syl
via:I
'
m al sogood.Youdi
dn'
tment
ionshewas
sobeaut
ifulson.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)oh.
.t
hankyou.
Kagi
so:I.
.want
edyout
omeetheri
nper
son.
Syl
via:Wel
lshe'
sreal
lybeaut
if
ulson.
Kagi
so:Thankyou.Ma..
letmegohomeandI
'
ll
comecheckuponyoutomorrow.
Syl
via:nopr
obl
em son.Gogetsomer
est.

Heki
ssedhercheekbef
oretaki
nghisbagand
pl
ast
icget
ti
nginthecarandtheydr
oveoff.

Bonol
o:Youraper
sonofpeopl
e.Yourt
ooki
nd.
Kagiso:Tothosewhohavebeent her
ef orme
duri
ngmywor stt
ime.Thatwomangavemean
opport
unit
ywhi l
enooneel secoul
dn'
t.Thel i
tt
leshe
gavemehel pedmeal otandwasabletof eedme
andmymom .
Bonolo:Icantimaginewhatyou'
vebeent
hrough.I
neverhadtoaskanyonef orapiecej
obormoney
becausewhat everIwant
edIalwaysgoti
t.I'
m
pr
oudofyout
hatyoudi
dn'
tgi
veuphopebabe.I
l
oveyou.
Kagi
so:Il
oveyout
oo.

Hepul l
edherhandandki sseditastheydr ove
al
ong.Herphonevi brat
edonphonehol derand
Odir
ile'
snameandpi cfl
ashedont hescr een.Her
heartski
ppedwhenKagi soletgoofherhandso
shecouldanswerbutshedi dn'
t,insteadshe
i
gnor edit.Hecall
edagai nwhenKagi solookedat
herandbackatt hephone.

Kagi
so:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oanswert
hat?
Bonolo:no..t
hispeopl
ecal
lalotandt
heycal
l
ever
ytimeI'
m wit
hyou.Theygotnoperf
ectt
iming.
Kagi
so:hecall
syouforthesecondt
ime.I
tcoul
d
beimpor
tantbabe.Answeri
t.
Bonol
o:no.
.
Kagi
so:Whynot?I
sther
esomet
hinggoi
ngon
bet
weenyouandhi
m?
Bonol
o:What?No!
Kagi
so:thenwhywon'
tyouanswerhi
scal
ls?
Answeri
tBonol
o.

Bonol
olookedathi
m andswal
lowedbeforesl
idi
ng
answer
ingthecal
landputi
tonloudspeaker
.

Bonol
o:Odi
ri
le?
Odi
ri
le:Ohhey.
.howar
ear
eyou?
Bonol
o:I
'
m good.You?
Odi
ri
le:I'
m good.LookIwant
edt
oaskyou
somethi
ng.
Bonol
o:canti
twai
t.I
'
m dr
ivi
ngandI
'
m wi
thmy
boyf
ri
end.
Odi
ri
le:(
hur
t)oh.
.uhm .
.ohk.
.I'
l
lcal
lyoul
atert
hen.
Bye.
Bonol
o:Bye.
Shehangupandbr eat
hedoutl ooki
ngathi m and
l
ookedbackattheroad.Afterawhilesheparkedat
hi
sgateandhepickedhisbel ongi
ngswithouta
wordandgotoutclosingthedoor.Shesi ghed
l
ookingathi
scomingtohersi deandshesl i
dt he
windowdownandtheyki ssed.

Kagiso:nextt
imedonthesi
tat
etoanswercall
s
i
nfrontofme.Igetj
ealousandthi
nktheworsti
f
youdont.
Bonol
o:ohk.
.Il
oveyou.
Kagi
so:Il
oveyout
oo.

Theykissedagai
nwhenVeronicast
eppedoutof
thehouseandheldherhi
pslooki
ngatthem and
smil
ed.

Ver
oni
ca:Yeeif
otsekl
ena!Notonmygat
e.
Theybrokethekissandlaughedl
ooki
ngather
smili
ngbythedoorwayhol di
ngherhips.Bonol
o
rai
sedherhandwavi ngatherandshewavedback
befor
eKagisosteppedbackandshedr ovehome.
Kagi
sosighedbi
ti
nghislipandwalkedintheyar
d
andhuggedhismotherandtheywalkedinsi
de.

AtBr
eezes

Sagitiedt hepl ast i

candpul leditoutofthehouse
andputi tint hedust bin.Shesi ghedrubbingthe
sweatof fherf oreheadandwal kedbackr ubbingher
bump.Shewal kedt othekitchenandcheckedher
potssmi li
ngandt ookacooki ngspoont asti
ng
beforesmi l
ingi mpr essed.Sheputt hespoondown
andtookoutt het abl ebowlspour i
ngeverydifferent
dishineachbef or et akingt
hem t othedinnertable
packingt hem ni cely.Shewentbackt ogettheot her
onesandabot tleofwi neforBr eezeandherjui ce
putti
ngt hem ni cel yont hetable.Shewentbackt o
thekitchenandwashedt hepot sshewasusi ngand
putt
hem backt
henwentupst
air
s.
Shewal kedint
othemai nbedroom f
indi
ngBr
eeze
st
illsl
eepingshir
tl
essandshookherheadtaki
ng
offherdresswalkingt
ot hebathr
oom.
Meanwhi leBreezestr
etchedhi shandtoherside
andfoundi tempty.Her aisedhisheadlooki
ng
aroundbutshewasn' tiinther e.Heheardher
hummi ngf r
om theinsuitandyawnedgr abbi
nghi s
phonel ooki
ngatthet i
me, itwas17h00.Hesbeen
outformor ethan9hour s.Hef rownedputti
ngthe
phonedownandgotof fthebedwal ki
ngtothe
bathroom.Hel eanedbyt hedoorr ubbi
nghiseyes
andlookedathersi t
ti
ngi nt hebubblebathsmi l
i
ng
athim andhesmi ledback.

Sagi
:(smi
li
ng)hel
lowsl
eepyhead.
Br
eeze:Heyyou.
.Howar
eyout
wo?
Sagi:Wearedoingj
ustf
ine.You?Headache?
Anythi
ng?Hangover
?
Br
eeze:nop.
.Idi
dn'
tdr
inkt
hatmuch.Ij
ustdi
dn'
t
havemuchsl
eepacoupl
eoff
ewday.That
'swhyI
sl
eptsol
ong.
Sagi:Ipreparedf
ooddownstair
sbutf i
rstyouhave
totakeabath.Ain'tnowayyourtouchi
ngmyf ood
bef
or ebathi
ng.
Br
eeze:l
etmegocl
eanupf
ir
st.I
'
m sur
ewemadea
mess.
Sagi
:youdi
d.Icl
eaneddontwor
rycomeher
e.
Breeze:youwhat?Babyyouneedt otakei teasy
ohk.Yourpregnant.Don'twei
ghyourselfthi
s
much.Icouldhavedonet hat.Andthatbabyi s
growingalotmorefastthanwehadpossi bly
i
magi nedsobecareful.Dooverwor
kyour self
.Ever
!
Sagi
:Wel
lit
'sdone.Comeher
e.
Br
eeze:SagiI
'
m ser
ious.
Sagi:
ohk.
.Iwon'
tover
wor
kmysel
f.Ipr
omi
se.

Hesighedt
aki
ngoffhi
scl
othesandgoti
nt he
bat
htubwit
hherandshel
ayedonhischest.Heput
hi
shandsonherbumpandsheputher sont opof
hi
swhent hebabykicked.Theybothscoff
ed
smil
inguncont
roll
ablyasthebabyconti
nued
ki
cki
ngandf i
nall
ystopped.

Br
eeze:Icantwai
tfori
tsar
ri
val
.Ihopei
t'
saboy.
Sagi
:Agi
rl.
Br
eeze:Boy.
Sagi
:Agi
rl.I
t'
sagi
rl
.
Br
eeze:Fi
ne.
.agi
rl.

Theybothlaughedandsighedsi
ttingback.Aftera
whil
etheygotoutandwentt obrushthei
rteeththen
wenttogetdressedbef
oregoingdownst ai
rs.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Janesatont
hecouchr
ubbi
ngherbumpwat
chi
ng
TV wi t
hasandwi chintheotherhand.Shel aughed
l
ookingatt hecomedywhenJackwal ked
downst ai
rsandsatopposi teher.Shedidn'tpay
muchat t
ent i
ontohim andcontinuedeati
ngwhi l
e
watchingt hecomedyl aughin.Jacksighedpicki
ng
theremot eandswi tchedtheTVof f.Jane'
ssmi le
slowlydroppedandsher oll
edhereyessighing
l
ookingathi m.

Jane:What?
Jack:Whenar ewegoingt
otal
kaboutwhat
happenedatt
hewedding?
Jane:Somet imenotnow. .Iwaswatching
somet hingr
eall
yent
ertai
ningswitchtheTVbackon
.Yout ooksomeonet hatenter
tai
nsmeawayso
pleasedontgetonmywor stsi
debeforeIspi
t
somet hingt
hatcoul
dhur tmorethanyoucould
possiblyimagi
ne.TurntheTVon.
Jack:JaneIfoundyouandmybr ot
herki
ssing.
Yourhandswr appedaroundhi
sneckwhil
ehiswere
scanningyourbody,howdoyouexpectmet okeep
qui
etandpr
etendl
ikenot
hinghappened?
Jane:Stopwor r
yingyoursel
fwithsomethi
ngyou'l
l
nevergettheanswer st
oo.Lif
ehasmovedonand
yoursti
llhol
dingtightt
osomet hi
ngthathappened
amont hago.GrowupJack!Gr owupmar n!

Sheputt hesandwi chbackint heplateandstood

upsl i
dingherfeetint
oherslipper sandwent
upstair
sholdingherbump.Jackswal lowedlooki
ng
atherwal kawayandsi ghedt aki
ngouthi sphone
call
ingRose.Shet oohasn'
tspoket ohim si
ncethe
dayofherweddi ng.She'
sbeeni gnori
nghiscall
anddoesn' tevenwantanythi ngt odowithhim .He
cutthecallandleanedbackput t
inghishandson
hisfacelett
ingitalli
n.

I
ntheBoat.

Gai
lwalkedoutoft
heroom t
yingt
heropeandwent
t
ostandonthebalconyl
ooki
ngovert
heocean.
Beingher ehasbeenr eallyr elaxi
ngwi t
hnot hingto
botherher.Thoughshemi ssedbei ngar oundher
crazysi sterwif
eandBr eeze.Act uallyshemi ssed
allt
hedr ama.Shesmi ledpi ct ur
ingSagipr egnant
i
nhermi ndandhowherhor monesar ecombi ning
withhernat ur
albehavior.Sur elythistimeher
ment alissueisoni t
st opl evel.Shehadmi ssed
beingi nhermansar ms, feelinghisar mswr ap
aroundherandhi swar mt h.Hear i
ngt hose'Ilove
you's'att heendofever yconver sati
onmaki ngher
feellovedandval uedt ot hel ast.Hiski sses.
Achefbroughtherfoodandputt hem onthet able
andshesighedwalkingoverpouringherselfsome
wineandsatdownenj oyi
nghermeal.Hermi nd
wasmade, shewant edherjoyback.Herf ami l
y.
SagiandBreeze.

AtRose'
shouse.

Mxoli
sidr
ovethrought
hegateandpar
kedint
he
gar
ageandsighed.Helookedathi
swri
stwat
ch
andpi ckedhisbriefandhisphonet henst eppedout
ofthecarl ocki
ngi t.Heusedt hegar agedoorand
walkedi nthehousewhenanamazi ngsmel lhithi
s
nostri
ls.Hewal kedt otheli
vingr oom andput
everythingonthecouchi ncludinghisj acketbefor
e
walkingt othedi
ningr oom andf oundf oodont he
tabl
e.Rosewal keddownt hest airsinherf l
oral
dressandsmi l
edathi m whenhesmi ledbackand
theysatdown.

Rose:Hi.
Mxol
isi
:Hi.
.
Rose:Howwasyoudayatwor
k?
Mxoli
si:i
twast i
ri
ngasal
ways.Deali
ngwit
h
arr
ogantcl
ient
sisnotsomet
hingonecansayt
hey
enj
oydoing.Yours?
Rose:Mi
newasj
ustmi
nei
nmyownwor
ld.Fi
ne.

Helookedatherandcouldn'
thelpbutsmi
le.They
bot
hstarteddi
shingf
orthemselvesanddagin.The
wayt heyweresodeliciousyou'dsweari twasn'ther
fi
rstt
ime.Hewasal soal waysexcitedtocome
homet odi
scovernewdi shesheneverhadbef ore.
Theywer ereal
lygood.Af t
erawhi le..
theyfi
nished
eati
ngandst oodupcl eari
ngthet able.Mxolisi
pull
edhi sshi
rtandstartedwashi ngthedishesas
shest oodbywithanotherdishclothanddr i
edthem .
Shepickedapl atef
rom thesinkdryingitwhenal l
ofasuddencol dwrappedar oundherbodyasshe
gotchil
lyandt r
embledandt heplatesli
df r
om her
handsbr eaki
ngont hefl
oor.Mxol i
siquickl
yt urned
l
ookingatherassheshi ver
edandsl owlycl osed
hereyeswhenhecoughtherbef oreshecoul dhit
theground.Herwhol ebodywassowar m butshe
wasshiver i
ngwithherteethcli
cki
ngagai nsteach
other.Hisheartpoundedsohar dhol di
ngheri nhis
armslookingather.

Mxol
isi
:Rose.
.Rose?Hey.
.Comeon.
.Rose?!

Heswal
lowedbef
orepi
cki
ngherupandwentt
othe
l
ivingroom .Hebalancedherwi t
hhist hi
ghpi cking
thecarkeysandhel dherrushingtothegar age.He
gotherintothecarandbuckl edherbeforepressi ng
theremot ef
orthegar ageandthegate.Hegott o
hissideandbeforethegar agedoorcouldfinall
y
openf ul
lyhesteppedont heacceler
atorreversing
anddr oveoutpressi
ngt hekeysandtheycl osedas
hespedt othehospital.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
46]Lynne :Chapt
er51

AtTheHospi
tal
.

MxolisisatbyRoseholdingherhandasthedoct
or
checkedhereyesandherhear trat
eandallt
hose.
Hesighedl ooki
ngatMxol i
sibef
oreopeni
nga
brownenvel openar
rowinghiseyesandshookhi
s
headlookingatRose.

Mxoli
si:Whati
sitdoc?I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtwi
th
her?
Doctor:Wel lMrMel eka.Unfort
unatel
yIcantgi
ve
youanyt hi
ng.Wer anmul t
ipl
etestj
usttobesur
e
andwegett hesamer esul
ts.
Yourwifeseems
perf
ectlyhealthyandf ine.Wecouldn'tf
ind
anythi
ngwr ongwi t
hher.
Mxoli
si:Buthow?Shewasl
it
eral
lyshaki
ng.Ar
e
yousureit
snotET?
Doct
or:Fort
unat
elyi
t'
snotETsi
r.Sheisperf
ectl
y
fi
neandIdontseewhyweshouldkeepherhere.I
'l
l
bedi
schargi
ngher.

Mxol
isil
ookedathi
m andcl
ickedhistonguebefor
e
l
ooki
ngatRosewhohasbeenl ooki
ngatt hecei
li
ng
f
orquit
eawhi l
enow.ShesighedlookingatMxoli
si
.

Rose:Youdi
dn'
tcal
lthem r
ight?
Mxol
isi
:Yourpar
ent
s?
Rose:Yes.
Mxolisi
:Yousai dyouwantedtocutt i
eswiththem
soIdidn'tseewhyIshouldthoughIwant edtoo.I
real
lydontunderstandwhyyou'dwisht odi
stance
yoursel
ffrom yourownparentsthough.
Rose:Ij
ustneedabr
eakfrom t
heLyondrama.I
f
dadinnotonmyneckthenthei
rfi
ghti
ngone
anot
herincl
udi
nguncleBreezeandauntSagi.Thei
r
j
ustalotformetohandl
e.
Mxoli
si:Soinotherwordsyourrunni
ngawayfr
om
yourownfamilyshadow?Whi chishi
ghl
y
i
mpossiblecourseevenifi
tdoesn'
tcomedir
ect
lyi
n
wil
l,onewayoranot heri
ndi
rect
ly.
Rose:I
'm notr
unningaway.Ijustwantthewhol
e
t
hingtopass.It'
sjustal
otformet ohandl
eplus
t
hefactthatI'
m marri
ed.
Mxol
isi
:mmhhh!

Hehelpedherofft
hebedandgotdownhelpingher
wearhershoes.Hestooduptaki
ngthecarkeyson
t
hetableandheldherhandandtheywal
kedout.

Thenextday.

Earl
yint
hemorning.Wit
hheadphonesonpl ayi
ng
l
oudmusicinhisgym wear,
Br eezejoggedont
he
tr
eadmil
lassweatdr
ippedoffhimliketheyj
ust
pouredwat eralloverhi
m .Hepr essedthebutt
on
slowingthepaceunt ili
tstoppedthenhegotoff
reachingforhat owel.Het ookouthisphoneand
stoppedthemusi candtookt heheadphones
headingtot hei
rroom .
Meanwhi leOdiri
leputthepi nont hedoorandi t
unlocked.Hegoti nandwal kedst r
aightt owards
thefri
dgewi t
hhi smindgl uedt oBonol o.Thi sdays
sheseemedoccupi edever ychanceheget stowant
tomeetupwi t
hhernorl itt
letot alktoherovert he
phone.Het ookoutsandwi chingr edientsand
madehi mselfasandwi chandat ewi thoutputti
ng
everythi
ngbackwher ei tshouldbe.Het ookouta
j
uicejarandputi tonthecount erbef oret aki
ngout
aglassandpour edhimsel fjuice, sti
lldidn'tputit
backinthef r
idge.
Aft
erawhi l
e, Sagiwalkeddownt hest air
s
bal
ancingherselfonthewallandbr eathedout.
Thisbumpwasget t
ingbiggerandbi ggerf ora
persononher3r dmont h.Shelookedl ikeshewas
onher5thmont h.Sher ubbedherfor eheadwhen
hereyeslandedont hecounterintheki tchen.
Sagi:
Breeze.
..
!

ShewalkedoverandfrownedlookingatOdi
ril
e
l
eaningonthecounterdri
nki
ngjuicewitha
cucumberinhi
shand.Shebi therl i
pandrushed
overgr
abbingthegl
assinhishand.

Sagi
:Whatt
hehel
ldoyout
hinkyourdoi
ng?
Odir
il
e:IthoughtIhadachancebabe.Youknow
forasecondIthoughtshewasmine.Butshe'
snot.
Sagi:Who?Packever
ythi
ngback!Thi
sisnota
foodhub.Whoist
hat?Startcl
eani
ng.

Odir
il
elazi
lyst
oodupandst
art
edput
ti
ng
ever
ythi
ngback.

Odi
ri
le:Remembert
hegirlIwaswi
tht
heot
herday
whenwemetatthestor
e?
Sagi
:Bonol
o?
Odi
ri
le:yeahyena.
!
Sagi
:yeahIr
ememberher.Whatdi
dshedo?
Odiri
le:Youseet hisgi r
lmysi st
erisadar l
ing.She
makesmel aughandmakesmef eelthingsIhaven' t
fel
tinyearssi ncemygi rl
f r
iendpassedon.Shehas
thi
sbeaut i
fulsmi lejustlikeyour sthatmakesme
wantt obowdownandki sshert oes.Fl opi sthat
she'sgotaboyf riend.Andt hi
sguyi salways
aroundhim andIcanthel pi tbut..
ithurts.I'm hurt.
Nowidontgett ot al
kt oherf r
eelyandf ullti
me.
Shedoesn' tanswermycal lssomet i
mes.Andon
theotherhand. .yourhusbandsai dIshoul dn'tt
rack
hercourset hat'
llbest al
king.Soyeah. .
inot her
wordsI '
m stucki nthemi ddl eofhur tandhappy.

Hewipedthecounterandtookoutacupmaki
ng
Sagiacupofteaandputitinf
rontofher.

Sagi:
Isi
tlustoryout
rul
yar
eint
oher?
Odir
il
e:LookatmeSagi..lookatme.I'venever
beenser
iouswit
hanyone'sdaughteraf
termygirl
andnowher.Ifeel
li
keshe'sami ssi
ngpartthat
hasbeenmissi
ng.
Sagi:Wel l.
.gogetyourgir
l.Ifyoutr
ulyloveher
thengogether.Fol l
owyouri nsti
nct
s.I fyour
i
nterestinheryouneedt oshowherandt hatyou'
d
makeagoodboyf ri
end.Trytelli
ngherhowyouf eel
.Thenl eavetheresttohertomakeherdeci sion
andtaket henextmovet owhethersheleavesher
boyfri
endorsher unstoyousoyoucoul dbot hhave
aromant i
cr el
ati
onshi
p.
Odi
ri
le:ButwhatifItel
lherandsheshut
smeof
f.
I
gnoresmeforever.
Sagi
:thent
heleastyoucandoi
srespecther
deci
sionbabe.
Odi
ri
le:But
..
Sagi:NoOdiri
le.Youcantfor
ceherint
othi
s.Just
tel
lthegi
rlhowyouf eelandl
ethert
akethewheel.
Breezewalkeddownt hestai
rsandpi
ckedhi
scar
keysonthet abl
ewalkingt
owardsSagi.Heputhi
s
handonherbumpandki ssedherbef
orebumping
shoulder
swi thOdi
ri
le.

Br
eeze:Yougood?
Odi
ri
le:nowt
hatIspoket
omygi
rl.
.hel
lyeah.
Breeze:t
henIguessweshoul
dgetgoi
ng.BabeI
'
ll
seeyoulater.
Sagi
:youbesaf
eal
ri
ght
?
Br
eeze:Ipr
omi
se.Il
oveyou.
Sagi
:Il
oveyout
oo.

Odi
ri
lel
ookedatthem astheyki
ssedwhenhe
smi
ledandwait
edf orBr
eezetostepback.

Odi
ri
le:Il
oveyoubabe.
Sagi
:(
smi
li
ng)Il
oveyout
oobabe.
Hewal kedoverholdi
nginhislaught
erandleaned
overforakisswhenBr eezepull
edhim byt
heback
ofhisneckandt heyal
llaughedastheywalkedout.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Janel ookedather selfont hemi rr

orandsi ghedas
mostofherdr essesdi dn'tfi
ther.Shel ookedatt he
messshemadeandt ookof ftheoneshewas
wear ingandsatont hebed.Shet ookherphone
andwentt hroughhergal lerylookingatpi ctures
whenshecameacr osst heoneJackshotwi thher
andBr eezesitti
ngont hegar denchai rs,mor elike
anunexpect edpi c.Bef oreallthef eel
inganddr ama
star
t ed.Whenever ythingbetweent hem wasj ust
normal ,li
kebr otherandsi ster.Butt henal lthathas
passedandl ooki ngatt hispic, t
hey'dmakea
perfectcoupl e.Theyl ooksogoodt ogetherand
theybot hdeser veeachot her.Shehast ogogether
man.
Shesmiledandstooduppicki
ngaf l
oraldr
essand
worehersleeper
s.Shetookhercarkeysandphone
andrushedout.
Onherwaydown. .Jacksatdownar oundt hetable
havingbreakfastaloneinhissui
treadyf orwor k.
Hespot t
edherr ushoutwi t
houtsayingevenasl it
tl
e
asagoodmor ni
ng.Hewashopi ngnowt hati twasa
newday, they'dsitdownandt al
kthisthroughbut
clearl
yhewaswr ong.Heswal l
owedshaki nghi s
headandevenl ostappeti
tewhenhet hrewt hef or
k
i
nt heplat
eandst oodup.Het ookhi sbriefandcar
keysthenleft.

BackatBr
eeze'
s.

Thirt
ymi nslat
er.Janedr ovethrought
heyar dand
parkedont heparki
ngl otbef
orechecki
ngher sel
fon
themi r
rorandsmi l
edst eppi
ngout.Shewal ked
towardsthedoorf i
xingherhairandsmiledbefore
presi
dentthebell.
InsideSagif r
ownedl ooki
ngatthedoorcal cul
ati
ng
thest epsshewoul dtaketowardsitandhowl ong
plusener gyitwouldtakehertogetthere.She
cont i
nuedeat i
ngwhent hebellrangagainbutstil
l
shegl ancedatt hedoorandcont i
nuedeating.It
rangagai nandshehi tthetabl
eget t
ingoffthechair
andsl owlywal kedover.Sheopenedt hedoorwith
aser i
ousf acewhenshecamebumpt obumpwi th
Jane.Shel ookedatherbumpt hatwaspoi nti
ngat
hersandl ookedatherf eel
ingli
kestrangl
ingherat
thispoint.

Jane:Hi.
.i
sBr
eezear
ound.
Sagi:howdoyouf
eelsl
eepi
ngwithyouhusbands
brot
her?Lit
tl
ebot
herontopoft
hat?

Janeswal l
owedlooki
ngatherandr ubbedher
bumpl ooki
ngbehindher.Sagisangerbrewedas
sheignoredherandkeptstr
etchi
ngherneck
l
ookingbehindher.Shebitherli
pandr oughly
pushedherbackwi t
hherbumpandcl osedthedoor
asshet rembledbackandfi
nall
ygainedbal
ance
l
ookingather.Sagiheldherhipswithaneut
ral
facelookingatJanewholookedatherwit
hanger.

Sagi
:Kar
ehowdoyouf
eel
mma?Kanaoavoi
da
nna?
Jane:SagiI
'
m notheref
oryouandyourtant
rums.
I'
m heret
oseeBreeze.Sostayoutofmyway
please.
Sagi:Hai
iwena!Youri
nmypropertyfi
rstofal
land
youaskingf
ormymanont opofthat!Skabatl
ago
ntenannakamakgakgaagagonnanyana!O
batl
angmonnengwame?
Jane:Kar
est
ayoutofmywaySagi!
Sagi:
(smili
ng)KanaketlogobetsaJane.Andtrust
meIdontwannahur tt
hatbabyyourcari
ngbutyour
pushi
ngmet otheedgenow.Whatar eyoulooking
forBreeze?
Jane:I
'
m nott
alki
ngt
oyouaboutthis.Stayi
nyour
l
aneandfocusonyourment
alhealt
hissue.Ifyou
werestabl
eupinthereBr eezewoul
dn'
thave
cheat
edoratleastl
earnedhowt ocont
rolthat
angerofyour
s.Butsi nceyoucanbabygirl..
sit
backandwatchandlear nhowt o-

Ahotslaplandedonhercheekbefor
eshecan
fi
nishhersent
ence.Sheheldhercheekl
ooki
ngat
Sagibefor
eretur
ningi
t.
Sagihel
dhercheekandsmi
led.

Sagi
:youhi
tmebi
tch!
Jane:(angr
y)Idi
d...
andjustsoyoushouldknow
whyIwasher e..
it
sbecauseI'm car
ryi
ngBreeze'
s
fi
rstheir
.AndIwanthi-

Justri
ghtthere.
Sagipull
edherbyherheadand
smashedheront hedoorandshelandedont he
fl
oorscreaminginpai
n.Likeitwasn'
tenough,she
grabbedahandf ul
lofherhai
randpull
edtohercar
andagainsmashedherheadont hewindowasshe
screamedagai ninpainbl eeding.Shepul l
ed
anotherhandf ullfr
om thebackofherheadandhi t
herfor eheadfourti
mesont hedoorbef or
ehitt
ing
herhar dandletgol eavingbl oodont hecarasshe
screamed.Shebi therlipl ookingatherasshe
cri
edont hegroundhol dingherbl eedingfor
ehead
andki ckedheront heneckandshef ellonherside
protectingherbump.

Sagi:A-youdon'ttouchme.NotwhenI
'm pr
egnant
,
I
'l
lkil
lyouwhencomi ngt
omybaby.I'
m mean
l
it
erall
ykillyouJane.Nx!

Shepulledherdr essandwalkedbackintot he
houseclosingthedoorbehindherleavi
ngJaneon
thegroundcryingi npai
n.Afterawhil
eaver y
strongpainhitherbelowherabdomenwhenshe
frownedscreaming.Shehel dherbumpbr eathi
ng
i
ncr yi
ngandbal ancedhersel
fwiththecarst anding
andopenedt hedoor.Shemovedt heglassesand
gotinscreamingandst art
edthecarasi thithar
d
thist
ime.Sheclenchedherj
awsasthebloodmade
i
t'swaytohereyesandshequickl
yrubbeditand
droveoutcr
yinginpain.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
46]Lynne :Chapt
er52.

I
nJane'
scar.
Janepull
edmor eti
ssuesfrom theboxandput
them onherforeheadcryi
ngasshemadeherway
tothehospit
al.Shewi pedherselfonemor et
ime
befor
epulli
ngherphoneanddi aledBreeze.Atf
ir
st
i
twentunanswer edthenf
inal
lyhepi cked.

Breeze:YouknowwhatJane.It hinkit'
sabout
damnt imeIgetarest
raini
ngorderagainstyou
courseyoucantstayawayf r
om mesi nceIcant
pushyouhar denough.Iwoulddoi tmywaybutI
cantsinceyourmybrotherswif
e.
Jane:Thatgoest oyourwi fet
oo.Li st
enwhenIget
tothehospitalI
'm cal
li
ngt hepol
iceandI 'm openi
ng
acaseagai nsther.Idontevenknowwhyyourst i
ll
wit
ht hi
scrazywoman.Shenotr ightforyou.
Tonightshe'sgoingtosleepinajailcell.Nx!

Shehangupbef orehecoul
danswerasshegota
l
it
tlebitweak.Shetookmoreti
ssuesandappl
ied
pressureonherfor
eheadasshemadeat ur
ninto
thehospit
alandwentt oparkonthepar
kinglot.
Shesteppedoutholdingherphoneandcarkeys
withherdresscoverdinbl
oodandshutthedoor.A
nursewhowasonl unchnoti
cedherandrushed
overtoherandhelpedherinside.

AtCl
ub808.

Out si
deBr eezetookthephoneof fhi
searwi t
ha
frownandt r
iedtocallheragai
nbutitdidn'
tgo
through.Het r
iedmor etimesbutsti
ll.Heshookhis
headdi al
ingSagiwheni tal
sowentanswer edfora
whi l
eunti
l shepicked.

Sagi
:Heybaby.
Br
eeze:Hì
i..
whatwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Sagi:Not
hing.
.I'
ml ayi
ngonthecouchhavingf
ish
fi
ngerswithpeanutbutt
erandtomatosauce.I
ts
real
lydel
ici
ous.Why?
Br
eeze:(
frown)Fi
shf
inger
swi
thpeanutbut
terand
tomat
osauce?Sagiwhatar eyoufeedi
ngmybaby?
Thosethi
ngsdontevengetalong.WasJanet
here?
Sagi
:Yeah.
Br
eeze:
Whathappened?
Sagi
:Wejusthadali
tt
lebi
tofachat.Agirlt
alk.
DontaskmewhyandhowIhandleitcourseit
s
bet
weenherandI.AndIhandl
editj
ustf
ine.

Thewayshewassocal m overthephone,iswear
you'
dfallfori
t.Hesighedashi sheartst
arted
raci
ngandhesmi l
edhangi ngupandopenedt he
cardoorjustasOdiri
lesteppedout.

Odi
ri
le:Andthen?Whereareyougoing?Those
manareheresoyoucouldseehowtheyper
form so
t
heycanstartdanci
ngt
onight
.
Breeze:Wellmyf r
iend.Ihaveanissuetohandl
e.A
bigonemoret hantowat chMalestri
pper
s.You
cameupwi t
ht heidea,I'
m sureyoucanhandlei
t
j
ustfinewi
thoutme.Cheer s!
Odi
ri
le:Wear
egoi
ngt
omakeal
otmoneymanout
oft
his!

Breezescoffedbeforeget t
inginthecaranddr ove
off.Odiri
lesighedtakinghisphoneoutofhi s
pocketandwentt ot hedialloglookinghesi
tat
ingto
callBonolo.Heclenchedhi sjawsandswi t
chedit
offputt
ingitbackandwal kedinside.
Insi
demanofdi ff
erentsexysi
zesandcol
orssaton
thestageshir
tl
esschatti
ngandwhenOdiri
lewalked
overtheygavehimtheiratt
ent
ion.

Odiri
le:Sorryguys.Bigguywontbeabl et
ojoinus
hesgotanemer gencyt
oattend, sowe'l
lhaveto
takeitonourown.Rememberyoubei nghereisnot
onlyaboutdancingandtakingyourclothesofffor
theladies.It
'saboutmaki
ngt hem happy.Some
comeher et
ogetawayf r
om theirdai
lyrouti
nes,
thei
rhusbands, andwhentheygetof ffr
om work,
theywantt orel
axandhavef unspendingtheirhar
d
earnedmoney.Isawhowyouguysar enotonly
greatdancersbutwi thskill
sandyourscal escome
withbet t
ermoney.Anot herthingisyouneedt o
alsoremembert hatyouneedt hewhol epackage,
forgetaboutanunheal thyrivalry.It'
snotonlyabout
thebody,t hepersonalit
yisj ustasi mport
ant .You'l
l
havet oengagewi t
ht heviewer sandt heindividual
s.
Youwi llbecomewel lknownbyt heendoft henight
,recommendedandnotonl ywi l
lyournamebe
passedon, Youwi l
lgetmor eclientsandgai n
yourselfmor et
ipswhi chisabi gpartofyoubei nga
Mal estri
pper.

Theycl
appedhandastheywhi
stl
edandheshook
hi
sheadraisi
nghi
shand.

Odi
ri
le:Andremember
..
sleepi
ngwi
thcl
ient
sisof
f
t
hetableman.
Al
l:(
laughed)butwhynot?
Odi
ri
le:i
tssimple.
.ifyouwantthem t
ocomeback
orr
ecommendyou, setsomeboundaries,l
imi
ts
anddontevercr
osst hel
ine.Youneedt obe
professi
onalguys.Kanayouguyswil
lbemorel
ike
arti
sts.Comeongents.It
scert
ainl
ynotapi
eceof
cake.

Theyalll
aughedast heygotupandoneofthem
remainedonthestagestret
chi
nghishandsand
walkedbackthencamebackst ar
ti
ngtherout
ine.

AtBr
eezes.

Breezedroveintotheyar
dandpar kedhi
scar
steppingoutwhenhesawgl assesontheground.
Hel ookedaroundandputhishandsinthepocket
s
beforewalki
ngi nt
othehouse.
Hecl osedthedoorbehindhim andwal kedtothe
l
ivingroom fi
ndingSagipeaceful
lysl eepingwitha
peanutbutteronherbumpandapl ateoff i
sh
fi
nger swit
htomat osourceonherchestwi tht
heTV
on.Het ooktheremoteandswi t
chedof ftheTV
thenmovedever ythi
ngfrom hertakingt hem t
ot he
ki
tchen.Hecamebackandpi ckedherl
egssit
ti
ng
downputti
ngthem onhi
slapsbeforegent
lywaki
ng
her.

Sagi
:(yawni
ng)yourback?
Breeze:yess..
andIthi
nkyoumighthavel
iedt
ome
.Whatar ethosegl
assesdoi
ngoutsi
de?Thought
youguyshadadecentchat?
Sagi:Wedi
d..andshepushedmerightwherei
t
hurt
s.BecouseIcanthandl
ethepainIl
asheditout
onher.
Breeze:Butbabyweagreednovi
olence!That
personispr
egnantan-
Sagi
:DontworryIwascaref
ul!Iwoul
dn'
thur
ta
baby.(
sarcast
ic)Yourbabyisfi
ne!

Shepull
edherlegsof
fhim andstoodupashis
mouthdropped.Herubbedhisheadbefore
st
andingandfoll
owedhertothekit
chen.
Br
eeze:It
houghtwet
alkedaboutt
his.Chances
ar
ether
ebaby.
Sagi
:ChancesBreeze!That
'soneofyourpr
obl
ems!
Youli
ketaki
ngchances!
Br
eeze:Sagi-
Sagi :No..I'
m notf inewi t
hi t!Ithurts.IthoughtI
coul dhandleitbutIcant, itsjusttoomuch.Ever y
ti
meIseeher, Ijustwantt oseeherf aceasI
strangleherrunni ngoutofbr eathinmybar ehands.
Andnowt hatbaby-( tear
y)Ihavenot hi
ngagai nsti
t
andIhavenoi ntentionsofhur tingitbutbyt hetime
i
tget stothispl anet..heorshe' l
lbeaconst ant
remi nderandIwontbeabl et olivewi ththat.
Unl essifi
twasGai l's.Todayshekeptonpoki ng
me, r
emindingmeever ythingIt ri
edt oburybehi nd
me.Idontt hinkherandIwi llevergetalongl i
kewe
usedt o.I'm sorrybabe. .Icant.Keepheraway
from meorI 'l
lki l
lhert hi
stime.Andmeani t.

Meanwhi
le.
.out
sideapol
icevandr
oveint
otheyar
d
andtwopol
iceoffi
cer
sst
epped.Theybothl
ooked
ar
oundandshookt
hei
rheads.

Off
icer1:I
'
vebeenherebef
orej
ustt
hatl
astt
imewe
wereherefort
hehusband.
Offi
cer2:Idontunderstandr i
chpeople.Theyhave
moneybuti nsteadofsepar ati
ngandgoseparate
wayst hey'
dratherfi
ghtlikecats.60%ofpeoplein
j
ailarerichwit
hnailsandar eabl
etoaffor
d
anythi
ngt heywantyetyou' dwonderwhycouldn't
theystayawayf rom Unlawfulactsandenjoyt
heir
l
ives.

Theylookedattheglassesont
hegr
oundand
l
ookedatoneanot herbefor
egoi
ngt
othedoorand
pressedthebel
l.
Meanwhi leBreezer ubbedhishandst ogetheronthe
counterasSagidr ankwat erwhent hebellrangand
theylookedatoneanot her.Sagisheartpounded
sohar donherchestandt heglassslippedputof
herhandbr okeoft hefloor.Breezerushedt oher
pull
ingherintoahug.
Sagi
:(cr
ying)Icantsl
eepi
njai
lBr
eeze.Pl
easehel
p
me.
Br
eeze:i
tsohkbabe.
.I
'l
lhandl
ethi
s.
Sagi:
I'
m sor
ry.
.I
'mreal
lysor
ry.Pl
easedontl
ett
hem
takeme.I'
m pr
egnant.

Breezepull
edouthisphonef rom thepocketdial
ing
Janebutitwentstraightt
ovoicemai l
.Sagilooked
athimintearsandr ubbedthem gatheri
ngherself.
Sheknewwhatshewasdoi ngandshehadt oface
theconsequences.Shesi gnedwithabeatinghear t
holdi
ngBreezeshandpul li
nghimt othedoorand
opened.

Of
fi
cer
:Mr
sSagiLyon?
Sagi
:Yess.That
'sme.
Off
icer:Youunderarr
estf
orassaul
ti
ngapr
e-hol
d
on..yourpr
egnantt
oo?
Offi
cer2:Kanar emmer ekongmonna,stopthe
questi
onsandl et'
stakethiswoman.Mam your
underarrestforassaul
ti
ngapr egnantwomen.
Everyt
hingyousayordowi l
lbeusedagainstyoui
n
thecourtoflaw.
Breeze:Ohkholdonwi ththesaysanddo'
sletme
tal
ktoJane.Thi sisafamilymatt
erandI'
m sur
ewe
canfixitwi
thoutincl
udingthepol
ice.
Off
icer2:Si
rwearedoingourjobandifyoust
ayin
ourwayorgoagainstitweareal
soorderedt
olock
youintooandyou'
llbechar
gedwi-
Sagi:
noneedf oral
lofthat.I
'
llgo.(
ToBr eeze)j
ust
promiseyou'
l
lnotletusspendmor ethan30daysin
pri
sonbabynor7.Pl ease.

Shel eanedinkissi
nghi m astheoff
icer
sst ood
therewat chi
ng.Shebr okethekissandsmi led
turni
ngar oundandt heycuffedherescort
inghert o
thecarbef oredri
vingout.Breezeseyeswel ledup
i
nt earsashi sheartachedwi t
hangerandpai n.He
clenchedhi sjawsandt ookouthisphonedi ali
ng
St
one.

St
one:Boss!Icanexpl
ain.Shef
orcedme!Ihad
nochoi
ce!
Br
eeze:(
frowned)What?
Stone:i
twasmonthsbackandItr
iedtotel
lhert
hat
Idontwanttogeti
nvol
vedandsheblackmail
edme.
I'
mr eal
lysor
ry.
Breeze:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?Whof
orced
youtowhat?
Stone:uhm .
.Iuhm .
.nothingboss.Noonefor
ced
met odoanythi
ng.Iwasj ustpl
ayingyou,
wanted
toseehowyou'dreact.
Breeze:Bett
ernotbelyi
ng.ButnowIneedyour
help.Lastweekmylawyerpassedawayandnow
there'
sanemergencyuponme.Ineedabest
l
awyert ogetmywifeoutofpr
ison.
Stone:Ithi
nkIhaveonei
nmi nd.Someoneso
professi
onalandknowswhattheydoi
ncourt.
Someonewhobr eat
hesl
awsbuthecostsalot.
Breeze:Moneyisnotapr
obl
em.Sendmehi
s
detai
lsandsetupameeti
ng.
St
one:oni
t.

Breezewalkedi
nsideandwentt otakehi scarkeys
whenhisphonenot if
iedhi
m .Hetooki toutand
openedhisemail
sl ooki
ngforcontactandbot hered
l
esst ol
ookatthenamesavi ngthem.Hecl osedt he
doorandjoggedtohiscar,goti
nanddr oveoff.

AtCl
ub808.

Odiri
lesatont hebarastheguysrehear
sed.He
clappedhandsasSagi swor
dsgotinhishead.He
sighedpull
ingabot tl
eofwhiskeyandpoured
himselfaglassandgul pedi
tatago.Hepour ed
anotheroneandt ookouthisphone.Heclearedhi
s
thoughtbeforedial
ingBonolo.

AtBonol
o'shouse.
Bonolo'
slayedonherbackreadinganovelonher
bedwhenherphoner angbyhersi de.Shesi
ghed
fol
dingthepageshewasr eadingandroll
edl
ayi
ng
onherstomachandpi ckedthephone.

Bonol
o:heyRi
le?
Odi
ri
le:Wow!Ani
ckname,
Ili
kei
t.Howar
eyou?
Bonol
o:I
'
m good.You?
Odi
ri
le:I
'l
lbegoodi
fyougi
vemeoneval
idr
eason
whyyouri
gnori
ngme?
Bonol
o:I'
m notignor
ingyou.Justt
hat.
.ever
yti
me
youcal
l,
I'
m aroundmyboyfri
end.
Odir
il
e:Soareyousayi
ngIgotabadt
imi
ngof
checki
nguponyou?
Bonolo:Yeah.Andal waysIhavetocomeupwith
l
iesthatyourmyf r
iendfrom wher
eIusedtol
ive
andthingsli
kethat.Andihatelyi
ngtohi
m cour
seI
l
ovehi m.
Odi
ri
le:Whataboutme?
Bonol
o:(
swal
lowed)Whataboutyou?
Odi
ri
le:Doyoul
oveme?

Herhear tbeatracedaswor dsstucki nhermout h

notknowi nghowt or eplyhim .Thisguywast otall
y
charmingbutsodi dKagi so.Theybot hhadt heir
waysofmaki ngherhappy.Odi ril
emakesherl augh
andliveint hemomentmaki ngt hewor ldaroundher
nottoexi stwhil
eKagi somakesherf eellikeshe' s
theonlygi rli
nthewor ldencouragesherandhel ps
herbygi vingherfullsupporti
ngever ything.Outof
allt
heyal lmakeherhappy.Shedi dn'twantt ohur t
him andl oosehim butalsodidn'twantt omi xt hem
courseitneverendswel l.Sheenj oyshi scompany
andhi sat t
enti
onandsheal sodidn' twantt olose
that.

Bonolo:butIhar
dlyknowyou.I
t'
shar
dtot
elli
f
whetherIl
oveyouornot.
Odi r
ile:Thengi vemeachance.Achancet oprove
mysel ftoyou.Iknowyouhaveaboyf ri
endbut
pleasegi veusashot.I '
mr eallyintoyouandIcant
helpbutwondermor e,justgivemeachancet olove
youandgi veyour selfthechancet ol ovemeandI
swearyou' llneverlivet oregretit.Icantpr omiseto
bet hebestpar tnerint hewhol ewi dewor l
dcourseI
knowi t'spar tofar elationshiptogr owt ohave
fi
ght sbutIcanpr omi setoneverl ive, I'
l
lalwaysbe
byyou.I 'vef al
lendeepandIl oveyouBonol o.I
l
oveyou.Icantt hinkofanyt hi
ngel set hisday
becouseofyou.Ikeepaski ngadvi ceswhi chis
somet hingIneverdocour seusual lyI '
mt heone
theycomet oforadvicesbutbecauseI '
m even
scar edabi ttocomeoutt oyouIdo.Youral ways
onmymi ndandmyt ongue.Myf riendi seventi
red
ofhear ingmecal loutyourname.Youmakemedo
crazyt hingsBonol oandI '
mt alki
ngaboutabnor mal
things. .
Bonol
o:(
giggl
es)
Odi
ri
le:(
smili
ng)onaseri
ousnoteNol
o.Iloveyou
andIwantyou.Iwantnoonebutyou.Idontcar
e
i
fyouhaveaboyfr
iendbutjustknowIwantnoone
butyouandI
'
llwai
tforaslongasIcantobewith
you.

Hesighedasshelist
enedandhehangupput t
inga
weighonherheart.Sheswal
lowedrol
li
ngback
l
ookinguptheceil
ingashermindspanaroundwith
cl
utchi
ngfeeli
ngs.Thiswasgoingt
obehar dthan
shethought
.

AtKagi
so'
s.

Kagi sowal
kedintotheyardholdingal
ivechicken
ashi smothersatunderatreecutti
nghernail
s.She
knewver ywellt
hathissonalwayshadat hingwith
chickenssoshest oppedcutt
inghernail
sand
wat chedhi
m ashewal kedtothesideandputt he
poorchickeninanempt ydustbinandwipedhis
facewi t
hhisshir
t.
Ver
oni
ca:hei
ivoet
sekwena!

Kagi
sot
urnedl
ooki
ngatherandl
aughed.

Ver
onica:yourgoingtosl
aught
ert hatchi
ckenthe
l
eastyoucandoi shonouri
tbeforeitsdeat
h.Who
oneart
hputachickeninadustbin.Takethatpoor
chi
ckenout.
Kagi
so:butmama-
Veronica:butmamawhat?Putthatpoorchicken
i
nt hathugebir
dcageyouoncemade.It'
llf
itinjust
fi
neint her
e.Heban!

Hesighedtaki
ngoutt hechickenandwentt oputit
i
nt hebi
rdcageandsheshookherheadt hen
conti
nuedcutt
inghernai l
s.Af t
erheputitther
ehe
wenttowashhi shandsonat apandgotinside
taki
ngouthisbookssi t
ti
ngont hechairandstart
ed
readi
ng.Hewasr eall
ycommi tt
edtothis.
Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Breezeracedintotheyardandhitt
hebreakwhen
thewheel sscrat
chedonthegroundleavi
ngmarks.
Hest eppedoutjoggi
ngintoastheguardsand
gardenerslookedhim wonder
ingwhatwaswrong.
Hebust
edintothehousewhenDi
neosawhi
m and
r
ushedoverwit
hapoundinghear
t.

Di
neo:MrLyon.
Br
eeze:Whereist
hatbi
tcht
hatcal
lsher
sel
fthe
l
adyofthehouse.
Dineo:uhm .
.MrsLyoni
snother
eyetbutMrMr
Lyonjustr
eturnedfr
om wor
-
Voi
ce:Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
!

Breezesmi
rkedandtur
nedlooki
ngatJackashe
gotofft
hestai
rswi
thhishugebell
yincasual.
Jack:Isai
dwhatar
eyoudoi
ngmyhouse?

OutsideJanepar kedhercarl ookingatBreezesand

smi l
edlookingatt hedoor.Maybehewasher eto
sweett al
khert odr oppi
ngt hechar gesbutshe
wasn'taboutt odot hatwithoutat asteofthatdick.
Shesmi l
edsteppingoutandcl osedt hedooras
everyonet ur
nedl ookingatherwi thabandage
aroundherhead.Shecl eardhert hroatwi
thasmi l
e
walkinginandf rownedt oBr eezeandJackl ooki
ng
l
ikeboxer sreadyf orafight.AssoonasBr eeze
sawherher ushedoverandpul l
edherbyherneck
withonehandandpi nnedheragai nstt
hewal l
blockingherairway.Herbagf ellofffr
om hergr i
p
slappinghishandof fwhenJackr ushedoveri n
angerandpul ledhi m awayandshecoughedf al
li
ng
onherkneescr yi
nggaspi ngf orair.
JackthrewapunchatBreezeandheret
urnedit.
Breezepull
edhi
m byhisneckandheadedhim on
hi
snosewhenhel ostbal
anceandstumbledback
hi
tti
ngaf l
owerver
seanditfel
l.
Breeze:Itol
dyout ostayawayf rom me!Mor e
especial
lyher!Yourpregnantforchri
stsake.Ifyou
dontcareaboutyourlif
etheleastyoucoulddoi s
thi
nkaboutt hatbabyyourcarr
ying!
Jane:(
cryi
ng)t
hat
'swhatI
'
m doi
ng!It
hinkf
ort
he
baby!
Breeze:Whatthehellwereyoudoingatmyhouse
i
nt hefi
rstpl
ace?Whatwer eyouexpecti
ng?A
warm welcomefrom Sagi?Forhertopopa
champagneatherstage?
Jane:(
cryi
ng)sheassaul
tedme!
Breeze:youwer edisr
especti
ngherinheryar d!
Andnowyoui nvol
vedthepolice.Yourluckyshe
thoughtofthebabyanddi dn'
tcrackyourthi
ckskull
foryouandt r
ustmeshewi l
l.Youhaveabsol utel
y
noideawhatyouj uststar
tedcourseshehasmor e
cookingforyou.IfIwereyouI '
ddropthose
chargescourseprisondri
vespeoplecrazy.Imagine
herwhensheget soutinherheal t
hconditi
on!Why
areyousocar el
ess?Agr ownasswomanl i
keyou
whoisadoct
orshoul
dknowmor enottomesswi th
aper
soninhercondi
ti
on!Whatthehel
liswr ong
wi
thyou?CantyouseeI'
mtryi
ngtoprotectyou?
Jane:(
cryi
ng)ButBr
eezeI
-
Breeze:No" but
's"Jane!Fr
om nowon. ..
youst ay
awayf rom meandmyf ami
ly!Notonceshoul dyou
contactmeorcomeanywher enearmeunl essits
i
mpor tant
!Yougonnagetyour sel
fkil
ledwoman!
Arg!

Hethrewhi shandsshaki
nghisheadinfrust
rat
ion
andwentout.Meanwhi leJackpul
ledhisshi
rtout
andrubbingthebloodashisnosebleed
uncontr
ollabl
y.

Jack:Whatwasthatabout?Coursecl
earl
yther
e's
moretoallt
hatandyou'vebeenseei
ng-
Jane:j
ustshutup.
Jack:noIwontshutupJane!Ano-
Jane:
(scr
eami
ng)Isai
dshutup!Justshutup!
Shutup!Idontwannahearyousayawor d!Idont
wannaheryouspeakandIdontevenwannahear
youbreath!Idontwannaseeyou!Idontwantto
l
ookatyou!Idontwantt ohearyourhear
tbeat
!
Justshutup!Shutup!

Shestooduphol
dingherneckandpickedherbag
cr
yingandwentupthestai
rsleavi
ngJackamazed.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
46]Lynne :Chapt
er53.

Att
hepol
icest
ati
on.

Breezeparkedhiscarint heparki
nglotandst epped
out.Hel ookedatthepolicebuil
dingandnotonce
hasheevert houghthe'dcomebackher eunder
diff
erentcir
cumstances,especial
lyforhiswif
e, not
again.Hewal kedinthebui l
dingandwentt othe
tablelooki
ngattheprettywomanont hetable
answer i
ngaphonecal l.Shecutt hecalll
ooki
ngat
him andsmi l
ed.

Her
:MrLyon.Ni
cet
oseeyouagai
n.
Breeze:Wi shIcansaythesame.Ineedtotal
kto
thedetect
ivethat'
shol
dingmywifescase.She'
s
pregnantandIneedtoseeher,shecouldbe
hungry.
Her:Det
ecti
veLetsoal
oistheoneonthiscase.And
knowingthebeefhehaswithyou,idoubthe'
l
l
all
owyout oseeher.Butl
etmecallhim.

Hebithi
sli
psteppi
ngbackasthel
adydi
dacal
l.
Hetookouthi
sphoneanddial
edStone.

Stone:Hesaystodayhewontbeabletomakei
t.
Hiswifei
snotfi
nesihe'l
lhavet
ostayinbut
tomorr
owhe'l
lbeabletomeetupwithyou.
Br
eeze:WTF!Di dn'
tyoutellt
hisguythatIneed
hi
m asi nli
ketoday?Icantl
etmywi fesleepi
nhere
whilecarr
yingmychild!Tel
lhimthatIwanthim as
i
nliketoday!

Hehangupt ur
ningaroundasthedet
ect
ivewal
ked
overtohi
m .Hesighedlooki
ngathi
ssmirkand
rubbedhi
sface.

Det
ect
ive:youandyourwi
fej
ustcantkeepyour
handst
oyour
sel
f,canyou?
Br
eeze:CanIseemywi
fepl
ease?
Detecti
ve:No!Youcant.Yourwif
eassault
eda
pregnantwoman.Shei sf
aci
ngami ni
mum
mandat orysent
encer
angeofoneyearchar
gedwi
th
assaultinthe3r
ddegreet
o5years.
Breeze:Butyouhaven'tchar
gedheryet!Iwantt
o
seemywi fedet
ecti
ve,she'spregnant
!
Detecti
ve:sheshouldhavethoughtaboutthat
beforeshelayedherhandonanotherwoman.Your
wifewillappeari
ncourtonMonday.I '
llt
rywit
h
everyt
hingIhavetomakesur ehercourt
appearanceisbroughtupf
orward.
Breeze:Dontdot
his.She'
spregnant
.Cantyou
guyshavesomesympat hy?
!Fineyou'
lldowhatyou
sayyou'ddobutnowyouhaven'tyetchargedher
withany-
Detect
ive:sheisguilt
y.There'
snowaywear e
l
ett
ingheroutofher ewithal
lthest
rongevi
dence
wehaveagai nsther.I'
m sor
ryman.ButIcantlet
youseeher.Al lyoucandoisf i
ndheragood
l
awyerthoughIdoubthe' l
lbeabletoapplyabailf
or
hercoursethi
sisserous.Maybet helawyerwil
l
helpwit
ht hei
mpr i
sonmentsentence.Butsince
youhaveconnectionsinsi
de,Idoubtit'
l
lbehardto
fi
ndherasecur i
tysquadforhersafet
yandt he
baby.

Hepathi sshoulderandturnedAroundleavi
nghim
feel
ingpowerless.Nowhemi ssedGailmorethan
ever.Heswal l
owedapai nf
ull
ampandt urned
aroundleavi
ngt hebuil
ding.Hegotinhiscarand
droveoff

I
nsi
deahol
dingcel
l.

Sagilayedonthest inkymat t
resssl
owlyrubbi
ng
herbumpcal culati
ngever yt
hing.Hermindwentall
bloodyassher ubbedherbumpwi t
houtemoti
ons
onherf ace.Shehear df
ootstepsappr
oachingand
turnedherheadl ookingatthepoli
ceoffi
cer
openingthegatef oranotherwomanwhowas
sorr
owful
lycryi
ngbeggingwit
hherhandstoget
her.
Theypushedherinsi
deandclosedt
hegatebefore
sheputherhandsbetweenthepol
esandthey
uncuff
edherasshebegged.

Her:
(cryi
ng)Pl
ease.
.Idi
dn'
tmeantoo,
youhavet
o
bel
ieveme.Hey!Itwasami st
ake!

Thepol
iceoffi
cerignor
edherandwal
kedaway
whensheinstant
lykeptqui
etandwi
pedhert
ears
rol
li
nghereyes.

Her
:Mxm !

Shetookoffherj
acketandturnedar oundlooki
ngat
Sagiandsmiledatherbutshedidn'tsmil
eback.
Shewalkedoverandsatont heothermat t
resse
l
ookingatSagi.
Her
:hi.
.I
'm Di
kel
edi
.
Sagi
:Sagi.
Her:Sowhatar eyoui nher efor?Ohwai tl
etme
start.Iwasonamoneyhei standIaccidentall
y
shotthewomant hatwassel li
ngi nt
heshop.Now
i
si ncama.If el
tguilt
yandpani ckedsoIcalledthe
poli
ceandr epor
tedmysel fandanambul ance.
Whi chist
hedumbestt hingonecaneverdo.Now
I'
m backtowher eIstarted.
Sagi
:Iassaul
tedapregnantwoman.Hi
ther
agai
nstt
hedoor,wi
ndowandhercarunt
ilshebl
ed.
Di
kel
edi
:di
dshedoanyt
hingt
oof
fendyou?
Sagi:yeah..
shesaidsomer
eal
lyof
fensi
vet
hings
tomeandt hesleptwi
thmyman.Andnowshe' s
pregnantwi
thhischil
d
Dikel
edi:Shit!Yousoundmorecrazythanme.You
hitapregnantwoman.ButIdontgetit..
whywoul
d
theyputyouinherewhenyouralsopregnant
?Are
theygoingtoputyouinpri
sonfor5years?
Sagi
:that
'swhatI
'
m wai
ti
ngher
etof
indout.(
Sigh)
Ihopenotcour
sewhenIgetout,
itsgoi
ngdown.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezewal
kedintot
heempt yhouseandthrewt he
keysonthetabl
ebythedoorandwal kedtowardthe
bar.Hesatonthehighchairandpull
edastrong
l
iquorbot
tl
eopeningitanddrankfr
om themouth.
Thehousef
eltsol
onel
ywi
thoutthem andcoul
dn'
t
i
maginehowshemustbeholdi
ngupint hecel
l.
Acallcamethr
oughwhenhet
ookouthi
sphone
andanswered.

Odi
ri
le:Youhome?
Br
eeze:Nop.
.
Odi
ri
le:Cool.
.cour
seI
'
m comi
ngover.
Br
eeze:(
li
pst
oget
her
)Bbbr
rr.
.
Hecutt
hecal
landdr
ankhi
ssor
row.

AtRose'
shouse.

Ar
ound8pm .
Rosest eppedputoft heshowerandpul ledatowel
wrappingher sel
f.Shewal kedt othemi rr
orand
l
ookedather self.Shewasbackt osquar eone
again.Sher ecognizedt hegi r
lont hemi r
rorandthe
otheronewasgone.Hi ddenbyt heoneshewas
l
ookingat.Shedoesn' tl aughandnot hi
ngpleases
her.Shesi ghedandwal kedoutt oherclosetand
tookthet owelof fapplyingl ot
iononherbody.She
l
ookedatt hespar kli
ngdi amondr i
ngonherf i
nger
andbitherl ip.Hereyessuddenl ygotheavywhen
sheblinkedmul t
ipletimesashersi degotblurr
y.
Herhear tracedwhensher ubbedhereyesand
whensheopenedt hem i tstartedtogetdar k.She
rubbedt hem agai nwhenshecompl etel
ysaw
darkness.Shecoul dn'
tseeanyt hing.Sheopened
hereyeswi delybutst i
ll.Sheusedherf i
ngers
openingthem,
butnotachangewhenshe
screamed.Shecri
edrubbi
ngthem butnot
hing
happened.
Inthedi
nningroom .Mxolisiwasonaphonecall
wit
hhishandt ypingsomethingonthelapt
opwhen
heheardRosescr eam.Het ookthephoneoffhi
s
earandli
stenedat t
ent
ivel
ybeforecut
ti
ngthecal
l
andstoodupr ushingupst
airs.
Her ant
oherclosetandfoundhernakedscreami
ng
whenhegaspedasshet r
iedfi
ndi
ngsomet hi
ngwit
h
herhandswithhereyeswideopencryi
ng.He
l
ookedatherassher ubbedhereyescryi
ngand
walkedoverandtri
edtotouchherbutshegotaway
fr
om him.

Mxol
isi
:Rose!I
t'
sme!
Rose:(cr
ying)Helpme!Icantsee!Icantsee
anyt
hing!Mxol i
sihel
p!Pl
ease!

Hef
rownedl
ooki
ngatherwhenhewal
kedover
wavinghishandbeforehereyesbutshecouldn't
seeanything.Sherai
sedherhandslooki
ngf orhim
whenhel edherhandandshepulledhim hugging
him asshecried.

Rose:(cr
ying)hel
pme.
.
.
.
Nextday
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
47]Lynne :Chapt
er54

AtBr
eezes
Thenextday.Breezetossedandturnedfortheone
hundredt
htimewi t
houtgett
inganysleep.He
checkedtheti
meandsi ghedlookinguptheceil
ing.
Thesheetsweresocol dwit
houtthem .Thehouse
fel
tsoempt yandsil
ent.Hewoul dn'
tsurvi
ve
withoutt
hem andwhichiswhyhehadt ofi
ghtfor
them .
Thet
imewas6am .
Heki ckedthesheet soffandl azilygotof ft
hebed
goingt otakeacoldshower.Af terawhi lehe
steppedoutandpul l
edabl anketdr yinghimselfand
wentt ostandbyt hemi rror.Hel ookedathi mself
andcoul dn'thel
pbutsmi leathowt heysol oved
seeinghim wetlikethis.HowSagil oveswrapping
hertinyhandsbehi ndhi m andl ayherheadonhi s
back.ThewayGai lloveskissing.Hesi ghed
walkingoutt ohiscl osetandappl i
edl ot
ionbefore
getti
ngdr essedinbl ackcasual .Hei sn'
tmuchi nto
suits.
Hewenti
ntot
hebedr
oom andf
ixedt
hebedbef
ore
l
ookingf
orSagi
smedicalhi
stor
yt hent
ookhi
s
phonegoi
ngdownst
air
st ot
hekitchen.
Heputever ythi
ngont hecounterl ookingaroundas
amemor yofSagifor cinghimt oeatf l
ashedbef ore
hiseyes.Hewasn' tevenhungr yt oday.Didn'tfeel
l
ikeeatingwhi l
ehiswi feisinjailsleepingonan
emptyst omachwhi lecar ryi
nghi sbaby.Heopened
thefri
dgeandpul l
edabot tl
eofwat erthentook
Sagismedi calhi
storyal ongwithhi sphonel eavi
ng
picki
ngt hekeysbyt hedoor.

AtRose'
shouse.

Roselayedont hebednotwanti
ngtoopenhereyes
coursethi
nki
ngwhat stheuse?MeanwhileMxoli
si
stoodbyhersideinhisfor
malwearlooki
ngather.

Mxolisi
:CommonRose.Let
'sgogetyoureyes
checked.
Rose:No.
.
Mxol
isi
:Soyou'
drat
herremainli
kethi
sfor
ever
?
Whoknowsmaybethedoctorcanfi
ndsomethi
ng
t
hat'
sbli
ndi
ngyou.
Rose:Itol
dyouI'm ohk.Lastt
imewewentt
here
t
heyfoundnot hi
ngwr ongwit
hme,whatmakesyou
t
hinkthey'
llf
indanythi
ngnow?
Mxol
isi
:lastt
imei
twasdi
ff
erent
.Ri
ghtn-
Rose:Youshouldgotowork.Yest
erdayyou
reci
evedmul
ti
plecal
lsfr
om yourcl
ient
s.Youdon'
t
wanttobeonthebadsidel
oosingt
hem.Go.
Mxolisi:I'
dr atherstayherewithyou.Anddon't
changet hesubj ectcourseI'
mt akingyoutothe
hospital.Likeitornot.Clientscanwait.Yourmy
fi
rstpriori
tyandi t'
snotupf ordiscussi
on.Your
healt
hmat ter'
stomemor ethanbeinginasuit
standingupf orsomeoneIdon' tevenknow.

Hewal kedt
oherclosetandtookoutapairofj
eans,
herbraandasweat er
.Hewal kedbackandpull
ed
thesheetoffandsheslowl
ygotupt henhehel
ped
herwearthem .Hewentbackt ogetherki
cksand
sockthencamebackhel pi
ngherweart hem.He
stooduplookingathercuteroundf ace.Herl i
ps
drawhiminwhenhehel dhimselfandbr eathedout
turni
ngheraround.Het iedherhairintoaponyt ai
l
thentookherhandtakinghertothebat hr oom to
washherteeth.Aftertheyweredonehepi ckedher
thenheadeddownst ai
rstomakeherf oodt oeaton
theway.

Rose:Ar
eyoucooki
ng?
Mxoli
si:What?No!I'
m badincooking,I
'
m maki
ng
youasandwichwithj
uice,
andi
nt heovenI'
m
heat
ingupthefr
ies.
Rose:Ohk.
.t
hankyou.
Mxol
isi
:yourwel
come.

Afterhewasdonehepackedeveryt
hingandhelped
heroffthechai
rheadi
ngt
othecar.Heopenedher
sideandshegotinandheputthefoodonherlaps
thenwenttohissi
deassheatewhilehedroveoff.
Heturnedlooki
ngatherassheatewit
houtopeni
ng
hereyesandsighedl
ookingatt
heroad.

Mxol
isi
:It
hinkweshouldcal
lyourpar
ent
sand
myn.Maybethey'
l
lhel
pu-
Rose:No..
notmyn.Mypar entshat
emet hat
'sthe
reasonI
'
m herewithyou.Theysoldmeoutandas
formymother,i
nsteadofstoppingt
hewholething
shewentalong.Idontwantthem anywherenear
me.Ever!
Mxoli
si:butthey'
reyourparent
s.Theydeser
veto
knowwhat '
shappeningwithyouri
ghtnow.Icoul
d
beabusingyou.
Rose:Wel
lyournot,
areyou?
Mxol i
si:I'
m notbut...
thi
nkofthebl ameI'
llhe
havingonmyshoul dersifanyt
hinghappenst oyou.
Whati fworsehappensaf tert
his?Doyouknowt hat
I'
llendupbei ngcoughtinthemi ddleofal
lofthis
j
ustbecauseyoust oppedmef rom picki
ngupt he
phoneandcal lt
hem ?Yourpar entswil
lseemeas
theguilty,
irr
esponsibl
eonei nallofthi
s.
Rose:(l
ow)st il
l..
.Idon'
twantthem nearme.I'l
l
taket
hefullblame.I fIdi
ejustknowthatit
'snot
yourf
ault
.I t
'sallonme.
Mxolisi:Nonono!Noonei sdi
eing.Yournot
l
eavingt hi
sworl
d.Wear enottal
kingaboutdeath
here,wearetal
kingaboutyourhealthnow.Whatif
nexttimeyouwakeuphavi nganet ernalbl
eedi
ng?
Howam Igoi ngtotakecareofthatonmyown?
Rose:Idon'
twantthem .Betteri
fyoucal
launt
y
SagianduncleBreeze.They'
retheonl
yonesI
consi
derpar
entsatthispoi
nt.Notmyn.
Mxol i
si:(swal
lowed)fi
ne.
.l
et'
ssayIcal
lyouruncl
e
andyouraunt ,
andt hesomethi
nghappensunder
theircare.Doyouknowt heycoul
dendup
arrested?Samet hinggoestome!
Rose:Whydoyoukeeppushi ngmetowar
dsmy
parents?!Idontwantthem i
nmylif
e!Iwant
nothingtodowi t
hthem !Whydoyoukeepfor
cing
therelat
ionshi
ptoworkwhiletomeit
salr
eady
broken?
Mxol
isi
:Becauset
hei
ryourpar
ent
sRose.And
ther
e'snoamountofhat redandangert hatcancut
andtakethataway.Theygaveyoul if
e.Icantdo
whattheycandof oryou, notevenat inybit.Icant
repl
acethem , Icantdowhatt heircapabl eofdoing
i
nyourl i
fe.Icantf i
llint hemi ssingpar tinbutthey
canatleasttry.Thei ryourpar entsandevent hough
yourangry,youcan'tr unawayf rom that.Youcan
getangry,openmul tipler est
rainingorders,get
away, di
e,lovehar d, dowhat evershi tthatyou
wantbutyoucannevergetawayf r
om apar ent.
Whoknows. ..
maybet heycanf indasol uti
ontoour
probl
em.

Rosepickedafryi
nt hel
unchboxandchewedi t
swal
lowingwit
hahugel amponhert hroat.Mxoli
si
l
ookedatherbeforepull
ingherhandandki ssedi
t
bef
oreputti
ngitonthegearchangingwithher.

Mxoli
si:I
'mjustsayi
ng-t
hinki
tthr
oughohk.
..j
ust
t
hinkabouti
t.
AtThePol
icest
ati
on.

Thepoliceof
ficerlookedatBr
eezebefor
e
unpacki
ngever ythingi
nthepl
asti
chewashol di
ng
,t
akingoutdifferentki
ndsoff
ood.Hesighed
putt
ingthem allbackandgavethetwoplast
icst
o
Breeze.

Offi
cer
:Followme.RememberI '
m doi
ngt hi
sonly
fort
hebabyshe' scarryi
ngotherthanthatwehave
nobusiness.Thebabyi sinnocentinallofthi
s.
I'
m goi
ngbehi nddetecti
veLetsoal
ojustsothebaby
cansurvi
ve.
Br
eeze:Ir
eal
lyappr
eci
ateyourhel
pman.Thanksa
l
ot.
Off
icer:Rememberyouhaveonl
y15mi
nut
esand
t
hat'sthat.
Br
eeze:Iwontbel
ong.
Off
icer
:Imeani
tMrLyon.Myj
obi
sont
hel
ine
her
e.
Br
eeze:youhavemywor
dof
fi
cer
.

Theywal kedi
ntoavisi
torr
oom leavi
ngBreezein
therethenhewenttotheholdi
ngcell.Hehitt
he
poleswi t
hthekeyswhenSagilookedathi
m with
puffyeyes.

Of
fi
cer
:Youhaveavi
sit
orMr
s.

Shel ookedatDikel
edipeaceful
lysl
eepi
ngandgot
offthemat tr
essthenwenttoputherhands
betweent hepoleandhecuf f
edherbefor
eopeni
ng
thegat e.Heclosedthegateandledthewayasshe
pacedbehi ndhim wi
thherhugebumpt othevi
sit
or
room .
Heopenedt
hedoorandshegavehi
m herhands.

Of
fi
cer
:I'
m sor
rymam .
.butIcan'
tremovet
hecuf
fs
.
Shesi ghedwal ki
nginandt heoffi
cerclosedthe
door.Hereyesf el
lonBr eezewhent hebothrushed
toeachot herandhegaveherat ighthug.She
raisedhercuf f
edhandsandhegoti nbetweent hem
andt heykissedast ear
sr andownhercheeks.The
kissgotheat edwhent heybr okeitandsher ai
sed
herhandsl etti
nghim outt hensatdown.She
smi l
edast heincredibl
esmel lhithernostri
ls.

Sagi
:Ar
ethosemyn?
Br
eeze:Yeah.
..

Het ookoutapl atefrom PnPwhensheshookher

headpoi ntingatt heMcDonal dpl
asti
c.Hesmi l
ed
taki
ngoutever ythingandputt hem onthetable.
Wi t
houtwast inganyt imeshepul l
edthem allcl
ose
toherandst art
eddi ggingin.Helookedatheras
sheat eli
kesomeonewhohasn' tatei
nal ongtime.
Tearsbur nedhi seyesashet houghtoffhowshe
copedi nsidesuchasmel l
yplacecourseclearl
yshe
couldn'
tsleeplooki ngathereyes.Shef i
nishedthe
McDonal d'
sf oodwhenshepoi nt
edatt he3boxes
ofDebonai r
spi zzaasshedr ankherdrink.Heput
them onthet ableandshegavehi m oneboxbef ore
shecontinuedeat ingbuthedidn'tl
ookingather.
Hewat chedheasshekeptonst ruggl
ingtoeatwi t
h
thosecuffson.Sheputt hesli
ceofpizzadownand
l
ookedathi m.

Sagi
:Babyeat.
Br
eeze:I
'
m nothungr
y.
Sagi:
ThenIwonteataswel
lifyournot.Eatwi
th
me.

Hesighedlookingatherandopenedt heboxt aking

outasliceandate.Shesmi l
edlookingathi m and
conti
nuedeat i
ngunti
lshefi
nishedbothboxeswhi l
e
hesti
llwaseat i
ngthe3rdsli
ce.Shedr ankhercool
dri
nkandt ookoutLayspotatochipswhenshet ri
ed
openi
ngbutshecoul dn'
t.ShesighedasBr eeze
tookthem fr
om herandopenedt hem forherthen
f
edher.

Br
eeze:I
'
m gonnagetyououtofher
e.Ipr
omi
se.
Sagi:Andpr omi set oneverl etmebei ngi nher e
dragyoubacki ncasewedon' tmakei tout.Lookat
you.Itsbeenadayandal readyyoul ookl ikeI '
ve
beeninheref orlikeamont h.Youl ookweak, outof
energy.Dontoverwor kyour self
,getsomer est.I
knewwhatIwasdoi ngandwhatIwasget t
ing
myselfint
owhenIhi ther.I '
mr eall
ysor ryt hati
becamesel fcent er
edandi nconsideratef orour
baby.SorryIl etmyemot ionsgeti nbet weenyou
andourbaby,ourf amily.Sor ryforbeingt he
reasonbehindal loft hi
s.
Breeze:I
tsohk..Yest er
dayIcalledStoneandhe
foundusagoodl awyer.Ihaven'tmethim yetbut
theywayhesai dit,itwasl i
keheknewal otabout
thi
sguycour sehedi dabackgr oundresear
chand
hisreput
ati
onisqui tepleasant
.I '
m goi
ngtomeet
thi
sguyandunt ilthen,yousaynowor dtoanyone
unti
lhegetshere.
Sagi
:Andunt
ilt
henyoudontst
arveyour
sel
f-
Br
eeze:Sagit
hisi
sser
ous.
Sagi:Iknow.Butdon'tyout hinkyoust ar
vingand
nottakingcareofyour
selfwillmakethingswor se
formei nhere?Whataboutyourheal th?Cour seu
knowyou' vebeendri
nki
ngl astnightBreeze!Do
youthinktort
uri
ngyourselfwillmakemehappyi n
here?courseit'
l
lki
llmeknowi ngthatyoursuf f
eri
ng
outthere.
Br
eeze:Fi
ne.
.I'
l
ltr
yto-
Sagi:
Nodon'tt
ry..
doit.Anddonttel
lGai
laboutal
l
ofthi
s.Shewon'tbeabletohandl
ethi
sandIdon't
wanttoseeherhereworri
edaboutme.
Br
eeze:Butshedeser
vest
oknow.
Sagi:
Iknow.BabyGai li
ssof
t.Sheistoof r
agil
e
andtr
ustmeshewon' tbeabl
etotakeit.Idont
wantherst
ressi
ngovermeandmysel fishness.
Promi
semet hatyouguyswil
lli
veonifIdon'tmake
i
toutofhere.Promi
seme.
Br
eeze:No.Icantpr
omi
set
hat
.Thi
sisnot
imef
or
negat
ivi
ty.Youar
eget
ti
ngoutofher
e.-
Sagi:
Comeonbabe.There'snowayI '
m get
tingout
ofthi
s.I'
m goi
ngin.Youhavetofacereal
it
yoft hi
s
ri
ghtnoworelseyouwontwhenitunfol
dsbef or
e
youreyesi
ncourt.

Theof
fi
cerknockedont
hedoorandopened.

Of
fi
cer
:Ti
mei
sup!

HewalkedovertoSagiandhel
pedherst
andasshe
pul
ledt
heplasti
cbagthatst
il
lhadf
ood.

Of
fi
cer
:Ican'
tal
lowyout
otaket
hat.
Sagi
:I'
m pr
egnantdude.Igethungryaft
erever
y
30minut
es!Haveyoueverbeenpr egnantbef
ore?
Doyouknowhowi t
'sl
iket
o-
Of
fi
cer
:ohkf
ine.
.
Shesmi l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m andl
eanedi
nki
ssi
ng
Breeze.

Sagi
:Il
oveyou.
Br
eeze:Il
oveyout
oo.

Shewalkedoutandtheoff
icel
edhert
ohercel
l.
MeanwhileBreezecl
ear
edever
ythi
ngandputt
hem
i
nanotherplasti
cbef
orest
andi
ngandwalkedout.
Hetookhi
sphone,
wal
letandkeysbyt
het
abl
eon
hi
swayput.
Hethrewt
herubbi
shinabinandopenedhiscar
get
ti
ngint
hendroveoffwi
thhishear
tfeel
ingheavy
l
eavi
ngherbehi
nd.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.
JacktossedtoJane'ssi
dewit
hhishandsearchi
ng
forherbutitwascol
d.Heopenedhiseyesand
l
ookedar oundbutshewasn'
tint
here.Nosignof
her.
Hesi ghedputt
inghishandinhisboxertryingto
givehimselfahandjobbuthisbell
ywashuge
dist
racti
nghim .Hekickedthesheetsoffandgot
offthebed.Her ubbedhiseyesgoingtot he
bathroom tol
ookforherbutshewasn' tt
her e.He
wentbackt othebedroom andtookhisgown
wear i
ngitasheyawnedandwentt ocheckt he
spareroomsbutshewasn' tther
eeither.
Theyhaven'thadsexinawhil
eandhemi ssed
bei
nginsideofher.Hewentbacktothei
rroom and
satonthebedwhent hedoorsl
idopenandJane
walkedininagym wear.

Jack:Hi
iehoney.
Jane:Hi
i..
Shewalkedtothebat hr
oom whenher ubbedhis
handst
ogetherandt ookoffhiscl
othesfol
lowing
her.Hewalkedint oherbalanci
ngthewat ernaked
andswall
owedwal kingoverrubbi
ngherbut t.
Janef r
ownedandi gnoredhim ashekepton
rubbingherbody.I twassomehowwei r
d.She
didn'
tfeelanythingwhenhet ouchedher, notevena
sparklikeheusedt omakeherf eel.Shest epped
undertheshowerwhenhef ol
lowedherst rocking
himselfandpar tedherlegswithhisfoot.Hehel d
hisdicktryi
ngtol ocateitt
oherentrancewhenshe
closedherlegsandt ur
nedaroundl ooki
ngathi m
withast r
aightface.

Jane:No.
Jack:Comeonbabe.Justf
oraf
ewseconds
pl
ease.
Jane:Isai
dno.

Shet
urnedar
oundandcont
inuedshower
ingwhen
hebithisli
pandpulledherbyherwaistbendi
ngher
over.Heusedhi shandpushingherheaddownand
anotheroneheldti
ghttoherwaist.Shetr
ied
fi
ghtingtogetupwhenheshovedhi smeatinsi
de
ofher.

Jack:ohshi
t!

Hehasn'tt
appediti
nalongtimeandfuckitfel
t
gr
eat.Tear
sescapedhereyeswhenshet r
ied
wal
kingawaybuthef ol
lowedherst
il
lpl
ugged
i
nsideofhert
hrusti
ng.

Jane:Jackst
op!I
'
m goi
ngt
ogetyouar
rest
ed!
Stop!
Jack:Justami
nbabe.
.ohf
uck!

Sheusedherfootandkickedhi
skneewhenhelost
bal
ancecoursehisfeetwerewetandl
etgoofher.
Sheusedthatmomentandpul l
edawaypushi
ng
hi
m andhefel
lofhi
sbuttassher
anoutl
eavi
ng
hi
m compl
etel
yunsati
sfi
ed.
Shequickl
yworehergownandpickedhercarkeys
wit
houtweari
nganyshoesandranout.
Meanwhi le.
.Jacklayedont hef loorintearswi tha
boner.Sohi smar ri
agewast hrowndownt hedr ain
j
ustli
ket hat.Becouseofhi sownbl oodbrother.He
puthishandsonhi sfacecr yi
ngast hepaincover ed
hi
shear t
.Henevert houghthe' dloseherl i
ket his.
Thelovehehadf orher, wasj usttoomuchandi t
hurt
s.Hi swifeisgone, l
osttohi sbr ot
herandhi s
daughterwant snothingtodowi t
hhi m .Hi
sf ami l
y
j
usttoreapar tandhedi dn'tseei tcoming.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
47]Lynne :Chapt
er55

Att
hehospi
tal

Mxolisihel
dRose' shandassheusedast icktof i
nd
herway.Hel ookedatherandsomehowi tf el
tgreat
hol
dinghernowandt hen.Thoughhewasabi tsad
,helikedbei
ngar oundher.Peopletur
nedl ooking
atthem ashewal kedwithhi
sblindwifetocarand
hel
phergeti t.Somewonder edwhy?Whywoul d
Godchoosesuchasi tefort
hisbeauti
fulwoman?
Hewentt
ohi
ssi
deandgoti
nthendr
oveout
.
Onthewayhekeptlooki
ngatherandbackatt he
roadwit
hsomanyquestionsthatneededanswers
raninhi
shead.MeanwhileRosekeptfeel
inghis
eyesonhim whenshesmiledshaki
ngherhead.
Rose:What?
Mxol
isi
:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
osayi
t?
Rose:Saywhat?
Mxol
isi
:"It
oldyouso"?Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oo?
Rose:Youwer ejustlooki
ngoutf orme.Igetitand,
thankyouf oral
lofthis.IdontknowwhatI '
dbe
doingifitwasn'tforyou.Iappr eci
ateyoubeing
patientandunder st
andingwi t
hme.Iguesst his
whol earrangementisn'tsobadaf t
erall
.
Mxol i
si :Itsnothingreall
y,youdon'thavetothank
me.Li keyousay, iti
sn'tasbadasIpictur
edi t.
Notwhenyouhavesomeonewhoi skindand
respect ful.Ireal
lyappreciateyout
oo.AndI
promi set obet herewithyoueverystepoftheway
untilwef indwhat'shappeningtoyouthoughwe
havenoi deawhatwer ef aci
ng.
Rose:Thankyou.
Mxol
isi:i
tsohk.LookIgattagett
othefi
rm .Ther
e
wast
hisclientt
hatkeptcal
li
ngsayi
ngit
'san
emergencysodoyoumi
ndt
aggi
ngal
ong.JustsoI
cankeepaneyeonyou.
Rose:(
smili
ng)Idont.Let
'sgo.Isowant
edtovi
sit
alawfir
m .I
t'
sashameIwontbeabl etoseehowit
oper
ates.
Mxolisi
:Hey..dontbeatyour
sel
f.You'
llbef
ine.
Thedoctorsfoundnot hi
ngwrongwit
hyou.I'
m sur
e
they'
l
lbefinebyt omorrow.
Rose:Ohk.
.

Hesighedlooki
ngatherandsmi
ledst
eppi
ngont
he
accel
erat
or.

Att
heLawFi
rm.

BreezeparkedhisCarandsteppedoutlooki
ngat
thehugebuildingwit
halogoofMal eka&
Associat
es.Hel ookedaroundandtookouthis
phonecheckingt hel
ocat
ion.Hesighednot
wantingtothinkaboutwhothat"
Mal eka"i
s,and
wal
kedint
ot hebuil
ding.Hewalkedtot
het
abl
eand
t
herecept
ionistsmi
ledlooki
ngathim.

Her
:Hi.Wel
cometoMal
eka&Associ
ates.You
mustbeMrLyon?
Br
eeze:That
'sr
ight.
Her:ohk.
.yourmeet
ingisi
n10mi
ns.
..f
oll
owme,
i
llshowyoutheboardroom .

Shest oodupf ixinghertightdr

esst hatheldher
bodyandt hescar fonherneckandl edhimt othe
boardroom.Theypassedbyal otofof fi
cesand
everyonet heymetont hewaycoul dn'thelpbut
wonderi freal
lyt hefamousLyonf ami lymember
Justwal kedint hebuil
ding.Theygott othe
boardroom andhet ookasi tastherecept i
onist
stoodbywi t
hherhandsbehi ndher.

Her
:MrMal
ekai
sfi
vemi
nsaway.Sor
ryf
-
Br
eeze:I
tsohk.Hesnotl
ate.I
'
mtheonet
hat
's
ear
ly.
Her
:(smil
ed)CanIgetyouanyt
odr
ink?Cof
fee?
Water?Tea?Juice?
Br
eeze:Waterpl
ease.Idontr
eal
lyf
eell
ikeIcoul
d
st
omachanythi
ngatthemoment.Thanksthough.

Shesmi ledleavingandhesatbackswi ngi

ngonthe
chai randsi ghed.Het ookouthi
sphoneandwent
tot hedialloglookingatGail'
snumbers.Heso
mi ssedt ohearhervoi ce.Hemissedherinhis
arms, herscentandhervoi ce.Butt
hepointof
sendi ngherawaywassoshecanpi ckupt he
piecesofherl i
feinpeaceandmakeuphermi nd.I
f
hecal led,thenal lt
hiswil
lbefornot
hing.
Heputthephonedownandrubbedhishands
toget
herpull
ingt
hehoodi
eonhiseyessit
ti
ngli
kea
badboyhighschoolki
d.

Out
side.
Mxol
isipar
kedt
hecaronhi
spar
kingspotand
steppedoutclosi
ngthedoor.Hewentt oRose's
si
deandopenedt hedoorforhertaki
ngherhand
andhelpedherout.Hecl osedthedoorandtook
outhisbri
efcasebefor
ehol di
ngherhandandled
herinsi
de.
Attherecepti
on.Thel adysmiledl ooki
ngather
bossandt heyoungwomanwal kingwi t
hast i
ck.
Shelookedatherandcoul dseeshewasbl i
ndbut
attheweddingshedidn'thaveit.Shescoffedwit
h
asmi l
ebeforefocusi
ngherattentiontoherjob.

Mxol
isi
:HiiTshego.Thi
sisRosella,my.
.uhm .
.my
wi
fe.Rose,Tshego..
ourrecept
ionist
.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Hi
i..

Shestr
etchedherhandandTshegost
ret
chedher
s
andshookhands.

Tshego:Ni
cet ofi
nal
lyseeyouthi
scl
ose.Kana
bosswasalloveryouattheweddi
ngsoIdi
dn'
tget
thechancet
owel
comeourbossl
ady.Yourso
beauti
ful
.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Oht
hankyou.
Tshego:YourwelcomeMr s.Siryoushoul
dt ake
pict
uresofherandputt
hem upi nhere.Surelyher
facewil
latt
ractmorecl
ients.
Rose:(smil
ing)Webot hknowt hat'
snotpossible.
Cli
entsarepull
edher ebecouseofdedicati
on,har d
work,howyouhol dyourstandardsandthegame
youpulli
ncour t.Notbeauty.Asl ongasyouguys
areupatyourgame, t
heycarelessaboutthe
beaut
yandal lthoseattr
acti
vet hi
ngsyoumayput
upinthebuildi
ng,coursethewor kwil
latt
ractthem .
Mxol
isi
:She'
sri
ght
.Sonopi
ctur
es.
Tshego:Ohcommonsi r.Thenputoneinyour
off
icesothatsomeofuscanseeherfaceever
yday
.Imeanweneedabeaut if
ulfacear
oundhere.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Anyt
hingf
orme?
Tshego:Yess.
.andno.Li
keyourequest
edearli
erI
submitt
edsomeofyourcasest
oourbestlawyers
andtheywerehappytot
akeover.(
Gavehima
brownenvel
ope)Thi
swasdeli
veredtodayearl
yin
themorni
ngforyou.Ohandyourmeet i
ngstar
tsin
twomins.Thecli
enthasar
ri
ved.
Mxol
isi:Oh. .
thankyou.LookcanyoutakeRosei n
myofficeforme.Makesur enoonegetsi nor
comesanywher enearher.Andpleaseorderher
somethingtoeat.Iknowitssooutofprofessi
on,
I'
mreallysorr
y.MyPAi snotheretoday.
Tshego:I
tsohk.

HegaveherR500andkissedRose'
scheekbef
ore
r
ushi
ngtotheelevat
or.
Meanwhileinsi
de.
.Breezel
ookedattheBigscreen
onthewallandsighedswingi
ngast hedooropened.
Heturnedbackandpul l
edthehoodieof
fhiseyes
whenhef r
ownedwi thjawsdropped.

Mxol
isi
:Sor
ryI
'
mlaaa.
..Hi
Br
eeze:Nowser
iousl
y..
I'
m bei
ngdamned!
AtBonol
o'shouse.

Withabasket,shewal kedi
ntohermot hersr
oom
andgotherdirt
yclothesbeforewalki
ngouttot he
l
aundryroom .Sheputt hesepar
atedtheclothesin
pair
sandputint hewhiteonesfi
rstbeforecl
osing
themachineandsett heti
meon.Shewal kedoutto
thebedr
oom andpul l
edherphonechecki ngher
massages.
Odir
il
ehasn'tsentheramassageaf terputti
ngt hat
bombonhert highs.Hehasn'tevencalledordi d
anyt
hingthathastocontactwit
hherandi thurt.
Shesighedsit
ti
ngont hebedlookingathispi ct
ure.

Bonol
o:Odi
ri
lewhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
ome?

Herdooropenedandshequickl
yhidherphone
l
ookingathermotherl
eani
ngont hedoor.
Bonol
o:Hi
imom
Her:Hi.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Bonol
o:I
'
m doi
ngl
aundr
y.
Her:
youneverdolaundr
yBonol
o.What
'sso
di
ff
erentaboutt
oday?
Bonol
o:oh...Ij
ustneededt
ogetmymindof
f
somet
hing.Tryt
okeepmyselfbusy.
Her:I
fyouwanttodothat,thenwhyaren'
tyouwi
th
yourboyf
ri
end?Imean. .healwaysputasmil
eon
thatl
onel
yfaceofyour
s.
Bonol
o:(
low)I
ts.
..i
t'
sjustsocompl
icat
ed.
Her
:(smi
li
ng)ohIknowt
hatsound.

Shewal
kedoverandsatont
hechai
rbyt
hemi
rr
or
l
ooki
ngather.

Her:Letmeguess(
sigh)t
her
e'sanot
heronei
nthe
pi
cture?
Bonol
o:Uhmm .
.
Her:Commonbaby.Youcant al
ktome.I t
'sbad
alr
eadythatyourkeepi
ngsecr
etsfr
om mewhi chis
notgoodcoursethathasaneff
ectonyourhealt
h.It
keepsmewor ri
ed.
Bonolo:Ohk. .yeah. .Hi snamei sOdiri
le.Wemet
thi
sonet i
mewhenIwasatt hemall.Wej ust
cli
ckedandt henwest artedt al
kingandgot o-I
meannotr eallybutwest artedchatti
ng.Thent his
onet i
meheaskedmeoutandsai dI'
llt
hinkabout
,andIdidn'tcour set hosewer ethedaysIf oundout
Kagisowasst illali
ve.Theconver sati
onsandcheck
upskeptgoi ngunt ilhest artedsuspectingthatI '
m
i
gnor i
nghim .AndIwasn' tcoursemostoft hetime
Ispenditwi t
hKagi sosi ncehe' stheonlyper sonI
knowar oundher e.Soadayagohepour edhi mself
outtomeandIcoul dn'tanswerback.Nowhe' snot
call
ingortexti
ngmeandi thurtsmama.
Her
:DoyouLoveKagoso?
Bonolo:(tear
y)Somuchmama.Ilovehim wi
thal
l
thatIhaveandI'
m wi
ll
ingt
oloseal
otforhi
m .I
l
ovehi
m.
Her
:Odi
ri
le?Doyoul
ovehi
m?
Bonolo:That'
sitma..(
cryi
ng)Idontknow.Cr azy
thi
ngisIalwayswanttohearhisvoice.Texthim
everyday.Iwanthisatt
enti
onandwhenIdontget
i
tIgethurt.Iwanthimtostickwit
hme.
Her
:DoesKagi
somakeyouhappy?
Bonolo:Yess.
.hedoes.Hei sgentle,cari
ngand
l
oving.Hei st
hef ir
stpersonthatappreci
atedmein
alongtimeandl ovedmef orwhoIam .He
welcomedmei ntot hi
stownandweconnect edthe
sameday.Hel istenstomeandal waystherewhen
Ineedhim.
Her
:WhataboutOdi
ri
le?
Bonolo:(cryi
ng)Odi r
il
eisanicef unguy.He' s
bubbl
yandal waysmakesmel augh.Ever yti
meI
seehim Ijustdontwantt heconversati
ont oend.I
wanthim bymysi deeverynowandt hen.He
makesmesmi l
eandl augh,wit
ht hatIforgetabout
ever
ythingelse,thewor l
daroundme.Hei salso
gent
lewi t
hmeandmakesmef eelli
keI'mt heone.
Li
keI
'
mtheonl
ygi
rl
.
Her:
NowIwantyout oputthem toget
herand
descri
betherel
ati
onshi
pyouhavewi thbot
hof
them .Cour
senowweknowt heybothmakeyou
happy.
Bonol o:(wipedt ears)Well..Kagisoi sgoodandnot
onlyt omebutt oever yoneelse.Ij ustf eell
ikehe
bottlesupever ythingandl endshi seari nst
eadof
l
ettingmedot hatforhim .Hei snotopenabout
himsel f.Hej ustwontl etmei n.He' dr atherease
mypai nofonebowwhi l
ehehasal otonhi m.He' s
toosecr eti
veandhi deshispai nper fectlyfi
neand
youwoul dn'tnoticehispain.Ont heot her
hand. .
Odiril
e.Idontknowmuchabouthi m, but
he'sopen.Het akesonest epatat imeandal ways
pour shimsel fouttome.Hei sjustsoamazi ngly
fi
ne.
Her:Thenyounowt hatyoutal
keditoutmygirl
..
tal
kedyourthoughtsandhear tout
.Tellme, what
areyougoingtodoabouti t?Theyarediff
erentin
thei
rownwaysandmakeyouhappy.Theyar e
waiti
ngindif
ferentdir
ecti
ons,Whoar eyourunning
t
oo?

AtTheLawf
ir
m.

Mxol isiputonehandi nthepocketandanot herone

rubbedhi sface.Br eezepul l
edt hesl eevesofhis
sweat erandouthi shandsont het ablelooki
ngat
him.Hescof fedshaki nghi sheadandMxol isi
l
ookedathi m cl
earinghi st hroat.Heknewhehad
tokeept hisprofessional andnotl ettheirpersonal
mat tergeti ntheway.Hef i
xedhi ssui tandsat
downopeni ngtheBr ownenvel opel ookingatSagi
pictureoni t.Hescof fedagai nbef orecleari
nghis
throatandf i
xedhi stieput ti
nghi shandsont he
tablet r
yingt okeepast r
ai ghtfacebutevent uall
y
l
aughed.Br eezenar rowedhi seyesl ookingathim
andhekeptonl aughi ng.Br eezel eanedback
l
ooki ngathi m stil
llaughingunt ilhecal meddown
stil
linlaught erandl ookedatt hef il
e.

Mxol
isi:Soshe.
.(smi
li
ng)shehi
tapr
egnant
woman?(Laughs)I
'
m sor
ry.
.Sheassaul
teda
pr
egnantwoman.I..
Breeze:Ithoughtt
hiswassupposedtobe
professi
onal.Whatareyoul
aughingatcour
se
ther
e'snothi
nglaughabl
e?
Mxoli
si:Idontknow.MaybeI'ml
aughi
ngbecouse
i
tseemsl i
keIreal
lyunder
est
imat
edher.
Br
eeze:Youmeant
het
imeyoul
efthert
odi
eaf
ter
hi
tt
ingher?
Mxol
isi:Idi
dn'
thi
ther.Yourwi
fecameatme.
Breeze:Noyoucameatus!Youi
nvadedi
ntoour
homeandt ookoneofus!.
Mxolisi
:Itooknoone!I fyoudi
dn'
tcheatmeand
Gailwouldn'
thavehappened.Youleftherandwent
tohaveanaf f
airout
sideofthemar
riage,why?
Becouseyourtheman?
Breeze:Youhadnor i
ghttobewi thheratthefir
st
place.Shehadar ingon.Wasn' tthatahintf
oryou
tobackof f?Ifyoucouldn'
trespecttheri
ngt hen
theleastyoucouldhavedonei srespectmyspace,
mypr opert
yandmywi f
e!Sagii
snotvi
olentunl
ess
provoked.Janepokedherj
ustt
hewayyoupoked
herthelastti
me.Whatmakesmemadi syouleft
hertodie!
Mxoli
si:Ididn'tl
eavehert odie!Icalledan
ambulanceaf t
ertheincidentandIwasal soinpai
n.
Youpanelbeat edmyf aceandshet ookitfarwit
h
hercrazi
nessandbi tme.Whodoest hat?!You
shoul
dhaveseent hewayshesmi ledwi thmyblood
scat
teredalloverhermout h.Imean. .
WTF?
Breeze:Toanswert hat..
yougonnaneedt
his.
(Pushedtheenvel
ope)Icoul dhavesuedyoufor
breaki
ngmymar r
iagelikethat.
Mxol
isi
:Butyoudi
dn'
t.Why?

Breezesatbackandsmil
edlooki
ngathim .Heput
hi
shandsbackatt het
ableandbithi
sli
pwi t
ha
smirk.

Br
eeze:Let
'ssay.
.Ihadal
otpl
annedf
oryouand
t
henf
oundoutsomet
hingi
nter
est
ing.
Mxol
isi
:What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Breeze:I
tmeansIdeci
dedtoletshi
tunf
old.
Courseyouwerenotmyntopunish.

Mxol
isil
ookedathi
m ashepickedthegl
assof
wat
eranddrankbefor
eputt
ingitdownbi
tinghi
sli
p.

Breeze:Anditsgonnahurtmyfriend.(
swall
owed)A
l
ot.Iwoul dn'
twishthi
stoanyonenotevenyou,but
knowi ngwhatyourdadandmyst upidfatass
brotherdi
d.Idoubtyou'l
lmakeitout.It'
l
lbebythe
graceofGodi fyoudo.Orher.

Hepi ckedt heglassagainanddr ankwaterashe

l
ookedathi mt r
yingtofigureoutwhathewas
tal
kingabout.Hebi thi
sl iplooki
ngbackatthef
il
e
sti
llconfused.Heshookhi sheadandsighed
putti
ngal lhiseffor
tint
ot hegamenow.
Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Jacksatont hebedandt ri
edt ocallJaneforthe
50thti
me.Hesi ghedt hrowingthephoneont he
bed.Tear sblurr
edhiseyeswhenwhet heyroll
ed
down.Hesni ff
edrubbi nghiseyeswhenhest ood
up.Aver ychil
lywhisper i
ngwi ndgotintotheroom
coveri
nghi m .Hisheartpoundedsohar donhis
chestfeeli
ngcoldwhenasl aplandedonhi sdick.
Hehidhi spri
vatescr yingandl andedonhi sknees
whenal lofasuddent hechi ll
yairstopped.Theheld
hispri
vatesevent i
ghtast heyhur tmor eandmor e.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

IntheJacuzzi
.Odi ri
leswam t
otheot hersi
deofthe
poolandtookabr eathswimmingbackdoi ngback
str
okes.Hegott otheendandswam t othest
air
s
andsteppedout.Hepul l
edtheblanketonthechair
wipinghi
mselfandsatdownpi ckinghisphone.
Hesighednotfi
ndinganymissedcal
lfr
om her.
Maybeshewasr eall
yint
othi
sguyandhewasj ust
adi
sturbance.
Heputthephonedownr ubbinghi
sfacewhen
Dit
ebogowalkedoverpi
ckinghisphone.He
qui
cklyst
oodupwhensher anawaytryi
ngt
o
unl
ockhisphone.

Odi
ri
le:gi
vememyphoneDi
tebogo!
Dit
ebogo:You'vebeencheckingthi
sphoneal
lday
si
nceyester
day.Whosecal lareyouwai
ti
ngfor?
Thatst
upidgir
lIoncechasedout ?
Odir
il
e:Wellyou'
vechasedoutal
otIevenl
ost
countofhowmanyt heyar
e.
Dit
ebogo:Thatmeansyou'
vebeenhoeri
ngaround
youevenlostcountonhowmanyyou'vebeenwit
h.
Odi
ri
le:I
'
llsmackyou!Sekabet
agont
ena!Gi
veme
myphone!
Di
tebogo:Onl
yifyougi
veme4000f
omyshoppi
ng.
Odi
ri
le:Di
tebogoIal
readyspendal
otonyou.Ipay
yourstudi
es,youeatmeandyoul i
veundermy
roof.Cantyougetajobalr
eadycoursesomeofus
needtobudgetfort
hefuterincasewehavewives
andchildr
en.
Di
tebogo:Br
oyouownacl
ub!-
Odir
il
e:Corr
ect
ion.Idontownaclub.Weownt he
cl
ub.Breezeowns60andIhave40%soassuch
heownlargest
ake,it
'shi
sclubnotmyn.I
'mjusta
shar
ehol
der.Hestart
edtheclubf
rom t
heground.
Di
tebogo:St
il
l..
.

Helookedatherandheknewver
ywel
lthatshe
wasn'
tabouttogiveup.

Odi
ri
le:Fi
ne.
.I
'l
ltr
ansf
eri
tint
oyouraccount
.Gi
ve
mebackmyphone.

Shesmil
edandwalkedoverhandingi
ttohi
sbefore
ki
ssi
nghischeek.Herol
ledhiseyest
ransf
eri
ngthe
moneyandsatdownasshej umpedli
kealit
tl
egir
l.
Hisphonerangi
nhishandandhelookedatt
he
cal
lerashi
sheartpounded.Het
ookadeepbreat
h
andanswered

Odi
ri
le:Heyyou.
.

AtBr
eezes.

Breezedroveintotheyar dwhenhiseyesfel
lon
Janesit
ti
ngbyt hedoori nhergown.Shestoodup
l
ookingathim dr i
vinginandparkedontheparki
ng
l
ot.Shebi therlipplayingwit
hthekeysinher
handsandbr eathedl ooki
ngathim st
eppi
ngoutof
thecarandwal kedover.

Breeze:Shoul
dIr
emi
ndyout
hatyourt
rans
passing?
Jane:Br
eezepl
easej
ustl
ist
ent
ome.
Br
eeze:Shoul
dIal
socal
lthecopsbecouseyouar
e
get
ti
ngint
omyner vesnowwithyoucomi
ngi
nto
myproper
tywi
thoutaninvi
tat
ion?
Jane:(
tear
y)Het
ri
edt
orapeme.Hewant
edt
o
rapeme.
Br
eeze:Excuseme?
Jane:Jack.Het
ri
edt
orapeme.
Breeze:HowcanJackr
apeyou?I
sn'
theyour
husband?
Jane:Yousaidnooneshouldfuckmebesi
desyou
andI'
m hol
dingontothat.Remember,makingl
ove
tomei nmyhouse?
Br
eeze:Comeonwoman.
..yourl
osi
ngi
tnow.

Hewalkedtothedoorandputinthepinandt
he
doorunl
ocked.Hegotinfir
standwhenJanetri
ed
towalki
nhest oodonthedoorwaylooki
ngather.

Jane:Br
eeze..
.pl
ease.Il
oveyou.Cantyouseet
hat
al
ready?Iloveyou.
Breeze:Janeyouhaveahusband.Gobackt ohim
andstopi nvadingmyspace.Youdi denough
damageal ready.Mywi feispregnantandnow
she'ssleepinginjailandofwhi chshemi ghtnot
makei toutf orayearal lthankstoyou.Mybabyi s
i
nj ai
lbecouseofyou.It oldyoutost ayawayf r
om
mebutyetyoudi dn'tl
isten,soIguesst hiswas
yourplay.Tosendmywi vesaways.Youwant ed
hertohi tyoujustsoyoucangetcl osetome.I sn'
t?
Jane:(
cryi
ng)No..Iwantedt
otal
kt oyou.Iwantt
o
bewithyoubutIdi
dn'tpl
anforal
lthi
stohappen.I
candropthechar
gesi-
Breeze:That
'sali
tt
letolat
edontyout hink?Andno
Jane.Icantbewithyou.Dontyougett hat?Ilove
mywi ves.Idontwantyou, Idontl
oveyou.You
needtostayawayf r
om meandmyf amilyorelse
you'l
ldealwi
thme.Andt r
ustmeI '
m notsogent le
towomanwhenI '
m angry.Icouldkil
lyou.Go
homeandyoushoul dn'tbehereinthefirstpl
ace.
Jane:(cryi
ng)Itoldyouhetr
iedtorapemeand
youdontcare?!Allyoutal
kaboutisthat
psychopathandthatlosewomanyo-
Br
eeze:Thatpsychopat
handl
osewomanaremy
wi
ves,andguesswhatbabe?Il
ovet
hem .Alot.
Sopl
easejustgohome.
Jane:(
cryi
ng)He'
l
lrapeme!
Breeze:Areyoucrazy?Doyouknowhowser i
ous
theaccusati
onyoumakeis?Jacklovesyouand
hesyourhusband.Howcanher apeyou?
Jane:(
cryi
ng)I
'
m carr
yingyourchi
ldDamnit!Do
youwanthimtorapemewhi l
eI'
m carr
yingyou
chi
ld?!

Breezesi
ghedrunni
ngoutofener
gy.Hel
ookedat
herandrol
ledhi
seyes.

Br
eeze:Bookahot
elandst
ayt
her
e.Awayf
rom me
!

Heshutthedoorbefor
ehereyesandshescoffed
cr
yingandhitt
hedoor.Shekepthit
ti
ngitunt
ilshe
wastir
edandturnedgoingt
ohercarandgotin.
Sher
elaxedtheseatcr
yingandl
ayedbackunt
ilshe
wasasleep.Ther
ewasnowayshei sleavi
ng.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
47]Lynne :Chapt
er56

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse

Odir
il
esatdownonthechai
randr ubbedhisbeard
wit
hthephonest
il
lonhisearandclearedhisthr
oat.
Meanwhil
eBonol
osighedandclearedherthroat
ei
ther
.

Bonol
o:Howar
eyou?
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m gud.
.Butnotgood.You?
Bonol
o:I'
m am andI
'
m not.(
Scoff)Iguesswear
e
onthesamecommonemot i
onstoday.
Odi
ri
le:Yeah.
.sohaveyout
houghtabouti
t?
Bonol
o:Yeah.
.
Odi
ri
le:And?.
.
Bonol
o:AndImadeadeci
siont
hat
'snotyetf
inal.
Odi
ri
le:What
'st
hatevenmean?
Bonolo:itmeansthatIloveyouOdi r
il
e.Butatt he
samet imeI'minl
ovewithsomeoneel se.I tsgonna
takeat al
lonmet otel
lhimt hatIf
elli
nlovewi th
anotherpersoninhisabsence.Hei sthef ir
stguyI
everlovedandnowyou. .youmakemef eell
ike,I
don'tknow.AllIknowisIl oveyouandatt hesame
ti
meIdontwantt ol
eavehi m cour
seIal solovehim.
Odi
ri
le:LookNol
o.I
'
m notr
ushi
ngyouandI
'
m not
pushingyoutobeingwit
hme.Dontf eelpr
essur
ed
becouseIsaidIwanttobewithyouandonlyyou.
Ifyoulovethi
sguy,thencar
ryonwiththe
rel
ati
onshipIwontbecomingatyou.
Bonolo:ButIcantpr
etendl
ikeyoudontexi
st.
Odir
il
eIloveyou.Andisobadlywanttobewith
you.
Odir
il
e:Iknowbaby..
.andIloveyou.AllI'
m saying
i
stakeyourti
me.I'
m notgoinganywhere.I'l
lbe
her
ewaiti
ngforyou.JustknowI'm wai
tingforthe
guytomakeami st
akesothatIcantakemyshot.
Bonol
o:Sowhatdowedo?
Odiri
le:Weputusonhold.I
'
mj ustgl
adt
hatyou
feelt
hesame.I'
m notgoi
ngtosleept
oni
ght
.Sayit
againandagai
nandagain
Bonolo:(
smi
li
ng)Il
oveyou.Il
oveyou.Il
oveyou
Odir
il
e.
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)DamnIcantgetusedt
othat.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on
Jackwalkedintothebedroom withhislegsapar t
andwentt ostandinfr
ontofthemi r
ror.Het ookof f
hisshotsandboxerlookingathisbonert hathas
beenstandingandithurt.Hesighedwal kingi nt
o
theshowerandopenedupt hecoldwat erast ears
fl
owed.Heget sr
ejectedandnowsuddenl yhehas
aboneroutofnowher e.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Ar
ound9PM.
Kagisotossedandturnedonthebedwhenhe
stopedstari
ngatthesmallwindow.Hesatli
kethat
forawhi l
ewhenhegotof fbedinhisnewpjsand
headedtowar dst
hedoor.Hestoppedatthedoor
withoutbli
nki
ngandturnedthekeyandopenedt he
doorwithhiseyeswideopen.Hestoodthefora
whileasthemoonshi nedbri
ghtonhim andhe
walkedout.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
48]Lynne :Chapt
er57.

Thenextday.
Kagisotossedwhenhef eltt
hingsstinginghim .He
quickl
yopenedhiseyeswhent heyfellonthegrave
nexttohim .Hi
sheartskippedwhenhepopped
l
ookingaroundandfoundhi mselfinagr aveyard.

Kagi
so:(
pani
cki
ng)Nonono!No!

Hedustedhimsel fl
ookingathisfeetandhewasn't
weari
nganyshoes.Her ubbedhisheadlooki
ngat
wherehewasl ayingandf rownedlooki
ngatthe
name, NakediSelema.Heshookhi sheadwitha
poundi
nghear ttaki
ngst epsbackwhenhet ri
pped
andfel
lonanot hergrave.Hequicklystoodupas
hecouldli
terall
yfeelhi
shear treadytojumpoutof
hi
schestandr antowardsthegat e.Hegott here
andlookedatt helockandhist houghtsranaround.
Howdi dheevengetpastal ockedgate.Hel ooked
atthel
ongf anceandbuthi slipgetti
ngoni tunti
lhe
magedt ogetout.Hest art
edr unningnotlooking
backwithnoi deaofwherehewasheaded.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Veronicaslowlyopenedhiseyestot hechi
ll
ycold
thatsnackintothesheet
s.Shel ookedatthewide
opendoorandyawnedt ur
ningtoKagi so'
ssidebut
hewasn' tt
here.Sheshookherheadandgotoutof
bedandwentt oclosei
tbefor
eget t
ingbacktobed.

Ver
oni
ca:Thi
sboywi
llki
llmeofcol
dmar
n.

Sheyawnedwhensl
eepcover
edherandshesl
ept.
*
**
Ar
ound8am .

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Jackl ayedI nt hebat hwi t

hhi sbonerst illthere
hurtingl ikehel l.Hecl osedhi seyest r
yingt ot ouch
i
twhenhef l
inchedofpai nandl etgol ayi ngin.
Tear sr olleddownt hesi deofhi seyesashesatl ike
thatwi thnoonet heref orhim .Gui l
tstr
uckhi m
whenhi smemor yr eplayedt heni ghtattheweddi ng.
Allthosehor riblewor dshesai dtohi sbr other.He
fel
tbadandnowhedi dn'tknowhowt ost arttof i
x
thi
swhol et hing.Heusedt obehear dbutnowno
onecar esabouthi m andhi sabout .Evenhi swi f
e.
Hest i
llcoul dn' tbelievet hatsheki ssedhi sbr other
andevenaf teral lthisweeksshehasn' tsai dat hing
abouti t.Shedoesn' twantt ot alktohim, t
oseehi m
andhavesexwi thhi m andal lbecauseofBr eeze.
Butt henwhowoul dn't?Br eezewasgoodi nshape
andhehadaver yfeltpr esence.Heshookhi shead
asthepainst
ingedandheputhi
shandsont
he
facescr
eaming.

Jack:Aaahh!

Hesawneededhersobadl yr
ightnowandwher e
wasshe?Nowher e.Heneededt ogettothe
hospit
albuthowwoul dhedothatwhenhesi nso
muchpai n.Hecouldn'
tevenstandupfrom t
he
batht
ubjustsohecouldpickupaphoneandcal l
ed
her.Hesighedsi
tti
ngbackandsi l
entl
ystar
ted
prayi
ng.

AtBr
eezes.

Breezesteppedoutofthehousewear inghiscapi
n
whenhesawJane' scaront hepar ki
nglot.He
shookhisheadwalkingoverandl ookedather
thr
oughthewi ndowasshesl eptsouncomf ort
abl
y
withherbumpexposed.Hi sheartsankashe
thoughtifthi
sist
rulyhisbabyandhet r
eat
sthe
mot herli
kethi
s.Howwi l
lhelookatthebabyinthe
eyesonedaywheni t
sgr ownandtellitt
hatheused
toil
ltreati
tsmotherli
ket hi
s.
Buttheherubbedallthatawaywi t
hthethoughtof
Sagilayi
nginthatsti
nkyplacebecauseofherand
si
ghedheadingt ohiscar.Heunlockedi
tget t
ingi
n
andsighedandt ur
ningtheengineonanddr oveout.

Meanwhi leJanehear dthecardr i

vi ngandqui ckly
wokeupl ookingar oundwhenshesawhi m drivi
ng
outwi t
hspeed.Herhear tshatteredasshest ared
atthegat e.Sohewasser iouslynoti nt oher.She
swallowedr ubbingherbumpandputt heseatr i
ght
beforestartingtheengi neanddr oveout.Maybe
sheshoul dgobackt owor kandst artaf reshwi th
thepregnancycour sef oll
owi nghim wontact ual l
y
benefither.Imeani twoul dbutnotet ernal l
y.She
rubbedhert eardr i
ving.I talsowasn' tbadt hatshe
hithi
mr i
ghtwher ei thurtst oo.Ser veshi mr i
ghtf or
playi
ngwi thhi sfeelingslikethat.Nowal lshehad
todoi swat chhim ashi ssobel ovedf ami lycrackI n
themiddl
eashet r
iedt
oputi
tal
ltoget
herand
event
uall
ycol
lapse.Whoknows.
.?shemighttake
thebat!

.
.
.
.
.
Wi
llcont
inuei
nthemor
ning
.
.
.
Goodnyty'
al
l
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
48]Lynne :Chapt
er58
AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Janedr oveint
otheyardwithapoundingheart.The
thoughtofhowshe' sgoi
ngtofacehi
m afterthe
stuntshejustpul
ledhotherwonderi
ngwor se.She
bitherl
ipclosi
nghereyesbeforedoi
ngbr eat
h
excerci
sesandst eppedout.
Shewal kedint
ot hehousetot hemout hwater i
ng
aromaasal waysandpassedbywal ki
ngtot heir
room .Shegott hereandslowlyopenedthedoor
gett
inginandcl oseditbehi
ndher.Shesi ghednot
fi
ndinghimi nthereandputherhandont he
bandaget hatwasonherf oreheadthrowingt he
keysont hebed.Shel etthegownloseandi tfellon
thefl
oorr emaini
ngnakedwal kingt
ot hebathr oom.
Wi t
houtlookingaroundshestoodinfr
ontofthe
mi r
rorandl ookedather
selfwhenshehear d
someonesni ff
ingbehi
ndher.Shequi ckl
yturned
hidingherselfwhenhereyesfellonJackinthe
bathtubsilentl
ycryi
ngwithhiseye'
sclosed.
Outofnowher e.
.herheartbr
okelookingathi
m
whenshel ookeddownbef orewalki
ngoversitt
ing
onthetoi
let.Shepl ayedwit
hherfingersbef
oreshe
putherhandonhi sshoulder.

Jane:(softl
y)Jack..
.?HoneyI '
m sorr
yifIhurtyou.
Itwasn'tmyi nt
enti
ontoo.Idontknowwhat '
s
gott
eni ntomebutIpr omiseIwillf
ixmyself.Iknow
wordst hemselfar
enotenoughandact i
onsdef i
ne,
promiseI '
l
lneverdi
sappointyouagain.I'
llgather
myselfupandgetbackt obeingthe-
Jack:(
breaki
ng)NotnowJane.
Jane:No.
.l
etmeapol
ogi
ze.
Jack:Notnowohk.
.?
Jane:(
scof
f)Why?doyouwantsexf
ir
st?
Jack:No.
.
Jane:Fi
neI
'
llgi
veyousext
henwecant
alk.
Jack:Idontwantsex.
.I
'm ohk.
Shest oodupdi ppi
ngherhandi nt hebat
htub
touchinghisdickandf r
ownl ookingathim.
Meanwhi l
eJackclenchedhisjawswi thhiseyes
ti
ghtlyclosedasshehel dhispainfuldi
ck.He
shookhi sheadnol ongerabletoendurethepain
andscr eamed.Janel etgolookingathim astear
s
rol
leddownhi seyeswi thapoundi ngheart.

Jane:Whatwast
hat?
Jack:.
..
.
Jane:Jackwhat
'sgoi
ngonwi
thyou?
!

Shequi
ckl
ydi
ppedherhandandr el
easedt
hewat
er
whenherj
awsdroppedcover
inghermouth.

Ont
her
oad.

Br
eezestoppedonthetraff
icli
ght
slist
eni
ngt
oloud
musi
cplaying"BabyIdeserve"byTanksi
ngi
ng
al
ong.

MaybeIdeser
ve
Foryout
ogooutandf
indsomeot
herguy
"
MaybeIdeser
ve"
Foryoust
aywi
thhi
m al
lni
ght
"
MaybeIdeser
ve"
Foryout
odoal
lthet
hingsIdi
dtoyou
"
MaybeIdeser
ve"
MaybeIdeser
ve(
ohyeah)
[
Repeatt
wice]
Foryout
oputont
hatsexydr
ess
Formet
oaskyou"
Whot
hehel
lyourt
rynai
mpr
ess
"
Foryout
oloughi
tof
f,l
ikei
tai
n'tnot
hing
Iknowi
tssomet
hingMaybej
ustMaybe
Tosi
tathomeandwonderwher
eyouar
e
I
sheki
ssi
ngyou,
touchi
ngyou,
hol
dingyou,
What?
Takeadr
inkt
ohel
peasemymi
nd
Iwannabemadaf
teral
lthoset
imes
(
Repeatchor
us)

Hesi ghedasr ememberedeverythingwit

htheboth
ofthem .Thedayshewasdr essedinthatel
egant
dress.Thewayhesl appedherasshebegged.And
hesodeser vedwhatwashappeni ngbutnotforitt
o
passt hroughthem .Sagideservesevenbett
er.A
guyint henextcarlookedathim ashekeptonand
onwi ththesong.Heknewt hatthiswasnotgood
atall.

Guy:(shookhead)NgngMr.Thatsongi
s
depressi
ng.

Breezet
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
m whenhescof
fed
smili
ng.
Br
eeze:That
'sbecauseI
'
m depr
essedman.
Guy:Thenyourmaki
ngyour
sel
fwor
sel
ist
eni
ngt
o
t
hat.
Br
eeze:Ir
elat
e.That
'swhyI
'
mli
steni
ngt
oit.
Guy:Nomar n.Atleastli
stentoWi nnieMashab
thant hat.YouknowIdontgetwhypeopl eli
ke
depressingsongsevenwhent heyseet hattheir
drowni ngdeepi ntodepressi
on.Thenextt hi
ngyou
hearthatt heycommi ttedsuici
deort heyhavea
ment alil
lness.What everisstressingyouman, f
ix
i
t.Takei tfr
om allsi
desandt r
imi tintosomet hi
ng
bett
er.I tsnottheendoft hewor l
d.St oplist
ening
tothatshi tandmanup.Faceyourpr oblems.
Breeze:Sui
cideiswayatt
hebackofmymi
ndman.
Ihavealotcomingtoli
vef
or.
Guy:Good.Onest epf or
ward.Nowt aket
hesecond
stepandchangethatsong.Thet hirdoneonandon
.Dontbeatyourselfl
ikethat.Whateverisgoingon
athemoment ,it
'sjustaphase.It'
llpassinti
me.
Juststayposi
ti
vealright
?Stopli
steningtothat.
Li
stent
oAmapi
anoasachangenott
hat.
Shap!
Br
eeze:Cxxlman!

Helookedatt hegreenl
ightandt heguyt ooka
di
fferentrout ewhenhecont inuedwi t
hhisshaking
hi
shead.Hechangedt hesongandpl ayedDaBaby
-Mast erpieceandshookhi sheadunt ilhefeeli
ntoit
.Hismi nddr i
ft
edwhenher emember edhef orgot
Sagist oi
letri
es.Hehitthewheel andmadeau- t
urn
dri
vingbackhomehopi ngt onotf indJanethere.

Somewher
eont
heRoad.

Kagisowalkedont hestreetsbarefootl
ooking
aroundstil
linpjs.Everywherehepassedever yone
turnedl
ookingathim.Heswal lowedt r
yingtof i
nda
wayt ohidehisfacewhenhest art
edunbr ai
dinghi s
hair.Aft
erawhi lehewasdonewhenheshooki tas
i
tfill
edhisfaceandbounci ngonhi sshoulders.It
wasar ichaf r
obeautif
ulafroforaguy.Butt henhe
hadnochoicetohaveit.Hecouldn'
taffor
dtocut
hi
shairsohismotherstar
tedplayi
nghim unt
ili
ts
grownli
ket
his.Nowpeopl estaredathi
m
wonderi
ngifi
twasaf i
twomanoraNdoda- mfazior
ajustamanwithlonghair.Butthenthepjs.
Hethrewhisheadt
hrowi
ngthehairbackwhenhe
hear
dvoicesandsawtwoschoolgir
lswal
kingover.

Kagi
so:Hey.
.I'
m sorr
y.Whatpl
acei
sthi
s?The
name?Whereisthi
splace?
Gi
rl
:It
sNor
wood.
Kagi
so:(
jawsdropped)uhm ..
ohkDoyouknow
wher
eBreezeLyonliveswhenyourher
e?
Gi
rl
2:TheCl
ub808owner
?
Kagi
so:Iguess.
.
Gir
l:Oh..hel
ivesonI
vyr
oad,
Idontr
emembert
he
address.
Kagi
so:Howf
ari
sthat?
Gi
rl
:about5km awayf
rom her
e.
Kagi
so:Wow. .
uhm .
.ohkcxxl.Thanks.Goodl
uck
onyourexams.
Gi
rl
s:Thankyou.

Hegaspedt hinki
ngofthedist
ancebetweenhi
s
townandNor wood.Andhewasn'teventi
redwhen
hewokeupt hen.Heshookhisheadashishair
bouncedandkeptwal ki
ngnotknowingwherehe
wasgoingbutl ooki
ngattheroadsi
gns.Heknew
thehousethough, j
ustthatt
hedir
ecti
on.

AtRose'
shouse.

Mxolisigoti
ntothecarandswi t
chedtheengi
neon.
Heputhi sheadont hestar
ingwheell
icki
nghisli
ps.
Hedi dn'
twanttoleaveherallal
oneandsohe
didn'
twanttheonl yper
sonclosetoRose,whom
sheconsiderapar entt
oremaininJai
l.Hesighed
getti
ngupandat temptedtogooutwhenhebi thi
s
l
ip.Shedi dn'
tknowaboutSagii nJai
land
yest
erdayhetol
dnonofthem aboutbei
nginthe
samebuildi
ng.Event
houghheandSagiwer en'
ton
goodtermshewouldn'
twantt
or unthatonRose.
Hesi
ghedr
ever
singanddr
oveout
.

Meanwhi le.
.insi
de.Rosel ayedont hebedwi thher
eyesst ar
ingatt hecei l
ingbutshecouldn'tsee.She
hummedt hesof tmusi cthatplayedonthel i
ttl
e
speakerbesi desher.Shedi dn'
tunderst
andwhyher
eyessuddenl ybet rayedher.Wher eallt
hosewei rd
things,wherear etheycomi ngf r
om suddenly.She
neverhadsuchpr oblemsbef or
e.Shenevergot
sickandwhenshewentt othedoctor
'sandt hey
fail
edt oi
dent i
fyit.At earrandownoutofhereye
whenshet houghtwhati fit
spermanent.She
woul dn'
tforeverseet hedayst hatGodlet'
sher
spend.
Shesniff
edwhenshef el
tawetl iqui
dbet
weenher
l
egs.Shef rownedpul
li
ngherdr essupandputher
handfeeli
nghersel
f.Hermi ndranbacktowhen
shehadherper i
odsunti
ltoday.Itwasherdat
e.
Tear
sburnedhereyesnotknowi
nghowshewas
goi
ngtogetthr
oughwiththi
s.
Shecl osedhereyesi maginingt heroom andst ood
upr eachingf orherst i
ckthensl owl
ywalked
strai
ghttohercl oset.Shegott hereandusedher
handt ofeelar oundwhenshegott othedrawer
openingi tandputherhandsi nsearchi
ngf orapad
andgoti talongwi t
hherpant i
es.Shethencl osed
thedr awerstillwiththepictureinherheadand
openedanot heronet akingoutat owel.Shehel d
them inherar mpitandagai nfoundherwayout
withherhandandt hesti
ckt othebathr
oom .

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Jane'sskinscrawledlookingathi
sdickwithher
handoverhermout h.Hehadabonert hathad
somet hi
nghugel ikeaballoonwit
hwaterinsi
de
thoughredont hemashr oom .Hewasallswollen
andevenl ookedlikehadal it
tl
ebi
tofpimpleson.
Shemovedcl oserandexami nedhi
m ashef l
inched
andl
ookedathi
minhi
m .Shebi
therl
ipandl
etgo
l
ooki
ngathim.

Jane:Whathappenedtoyou?Didyoufuck
someonewithoutchecki
ngthei
rst
atus?
Jack:Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?Ineverf
ucked
anyoneoutsi
deofmarri
age.What'
swr
ongwithme?
Jane:Idontknow.I '
veneverseenanyt
hingliket
his
before.Jackjustt
ellmethetrut
h?Whower eyou
sl
eepi ngwit
hcourseyourdicksaysadif
ferent
story?
Jack:I'm notcheatingJane.Inevercheatedand
neverhadar elati
onshipoutsi
dewedlock.Youhave
totrustme.Ial sodontknowwhat '
swr ongwithme.
AllIknowi ssomet hinghi
tmeandt henitstar
ted
hurti
ng.Ithurts.
Jane:Whatdoyoumeansomet hi
ngslappedyou?
Howcansomeonesl apyouandyoudontevensee
whoiti
s?St opl
yingandtel
lmewhoyousl eptwi
th
!
Jack:Forthethi
rdtimeJane.Idi
dn'
tsleepwit
h
anyone.I'
vebeenst ar
vingyess,
butnotoncehave
thethoughtofgoingouttofi
ndahoecrossedmy
mind.Isleptwit
hnobody.
Jane:Thenwhati
sthi
s?!
Jack:Idon'tknow.Yourthedoctor,youtellme!
I'
m hurt
inghere.Icantevenmovemyl egs,cour
se
onemovementt henthewholepackagestri
kes.I
ts
burni
ngl i
kehell.I'
minpainJane.Helpme. .

Thelookonhisfacemadei tsohardtokeeponwith
thequesti
on.Hewasr eall
yinpainandshehersel
f
didn'
tknowwhatitwaswi thal
ltheexper
ienceshe
had.Sheswallowedlookingati
tandputherhand
onhermout ht
ryi
ngtof i
gureoutwhatthehelli
t
was
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
48]Lynne :Chapt
er59

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Janeheldherchinlookingathim .Hereyeswel l
ed
upwi t
htearsashel ayedinther
ehi dinghisf ace
withhishandforhernott oseehim cr yi
ng.Heput
bothhandswhenherhear tsankandsheshookher
headintearshol
dingherbumpandwentt osi ton
thebatht
ubsideandl eanedinhuggi nghi m .She
somehowmadei tfeelworse.Hef el
tembar rassed
breaki
ngliket
hatinfrontofhermaki nghimf eel
evenweak.Hepul ledawayr ubbinghi seyesand
sheleanedbacklookingathim.
Jane:I
tsohkt
ocr
yJack.I
thel
pst
orel
ievet
hepai
n.
Jack:I
'
m notcr
ying.
Jane:Jack.
.it
sohk.Youral
sohuman.
Jack:Pleasehel
pmeJane.I'
m diei
nghere.I
t
hurt
s.Ithurt
ssobadandIdon'
tthinkI
'
llbeabl
eto
handlet
hepain.It
'ssomuch.Helpme.
Jane:OhkIneverdel twit
hthiskindof...
sit
uati
on
before.AndIhavenoi deatohowmuchofpai n
yourgoingthr oughbutI'
m hereforyou.Wear e
goingtogett hroughthi
stogether.NowIknowi t
hurts..
.butyourgonnahavet opul li
ttoget
her.I'
m
gonnat akeyout othehospit
al-
Jack:NonoJane!Nott hehospital.Howam I
goingt
ofacet hecrowdwhenI'mlikethi
s?Howwil
l
Il
ookatthedoct or
?Whatwi l
lpeoplethi
nkofme?
Howwi l
ltheylookatmeaftert
his?Nowaywear e
notgoi
ngt her
e.Yourgoingtotr
eatme.
Jane:Soyourmoreconcernedaboutwhatpeopl
e
wil
lsaythanyourwel
lbeing?
Jack:No. .notthatI'
m concer
nedaboutwhat
they'
l
lsaybutmyr eputat
ion.Megoingtot
he
hospit
almeanst hrowingmyr eput
ati
onanddi
gni
ty
downt hedrain.I'
m apo-
Jane:YouknowwhatMrReput at i
on'
è.Fir stofyour
i
npai n.Youcantdoanyt hi
ngforyour sel
fandal l
youcar eaboutisot herpeoplepointofviews.Jack
thosepeopledontcar eaboutyou.Theydon' tcar
e
aboutyourheal th.Alltheycareabouti stheirblogs.
Alltheywantt odoi sseeyouf allandbyr efusingto
gotot hehospital,yourgivi
ngt hem evenmor e
powert odri
veyouandr unyou.I '
m hereof feri
ng
youhel p,whichyouaskedbyt hewayandyou
shovemynoseback?
Jack:Al
lim sayi
ngi
sthat-
Jane:AllyoursayingisshitJack.Nowyouneedt o
suckituporelseI'llholdti
ghtt
othatdickunti
lyou
standupandwegett othehospit
al.Icantbe
nursi
nganol dassmanl i
keyouwhocar essomuch
abouthisreputat
iont hanhisownwel l
being.
Forgi
veme,Iwont.Never!
Jacksighedl ookiatherandshel eanedinhelping
him outofthebat htub.Thepaincamesohar don
him whenhecl enchedhisjawscr yingwithhisarm
aroundJane.Theywal kedintothebedroom and
sheputhi m onthebedbef orepulli
nghisgownand
helpedhim weari tandshequicklygotdressed
beforetheyheadedout.

AtBr
eezes.

Kagisostopedhol dinghiskneeswi pingthesweat

offhisfaceandsi ghedwal ki
ngt owardsthegat e.
Thegat ewaswi deopenandt hewasn' tevena
securit
yguar d.Somet i
mesyou' dwonderwhyhe
hasagat ecour secl earl
yithasnouse.I tsalways
wideopen.Hewal kedtowardsthever andaandsat
downt akingofft hepjsshirtwipinghimsel f
.He
spottedat apandwal kedoverjumpi ngthef l
owers
andwentt owashhi sfaceandt heshirtbefore
dri
nking.Hewashedt hesweatof fwiththeshirt
thent wist
editanddr i
edhimself.Hedr ankwater
againandwentt ositontheverandahangi ngt
he
shirtonhisshouldergett
inglostinthoughts.He
sti
llwonder edhowhegott othegr aveyardwit
hout
gettinghurtonthewayormuggedt houghhehad
nothi ngonhim, f
orsuchal ongdistance.Heshook
hisheadr ubbinghisfaceandsighed.Thi swasso
bother i
ng.

I
nthei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom.

Mxoli
sisatonthechairundertheli
ghtcheckinghis
watchforthefi
ft
eenthtimewhent hedooropened
andSagiwalkedinincuffs.Shehadnoener gyto
fi
ghtorarguebuttheleasthecouldhavedonei s
warnherwhoherl awyerwasgoingt obe.She
si
ghedwal ki
ngoverandsatont hechairl
ookingat
hi
m putti
ngherhandsont het
able.

Mxol
isi
:Hi
i.
Sagi
:Hey.
Mxol
isi
:Howar
eyouhol
dingupi
nther
e?
Sagi
:I'
mfi
ne.
Mxol
isi
:Ohk.
.-
Sagi:Whenisthehear
ing?I'
mt ir
edofwaiti
ng.
Sorr
yIheardsomepoliceoff
icersayi
ngthathe'
ddo
wit
heveryt
hinginhi
spowertopr ovemeguilt
yand
tomakesurethatt
hedateisbetweentheweekend.
Mxol
isi:Whi
chone?
Sagi:Thedetect
ive.Hekindahasathi
ngf
or
BreezesoIthi
nkhe'staki
ngitoutonme.
Mxoli
si:Wecanusethatt
omorrowi
ncour
ttoour
advance.Thedat
ehasbeensetupt
otomorr
ow.
Sagi:Mxoli
siyournottel
li
ngmeever ydetai
lIneed
toknow.Whyar eyouhighli
ghti
ngme?Nott hatI'
m
expecti
ngsomuchaf t
ertheinci
dentwehadbut
yourmyl awyer.Ithi
nkmaybeyoucoul dbemor e
prof
essionalandhelpmeoutoft hi
ssot hatwecan
bothli
vetofightanot
herday.
Mxol
isi
:Sagi.
.I'
m apr
ofessi
onall
awyer
.Idontl
et
personalmatt
erscomei nbetweenmywor kandmy
cl
ients.Whatwehadi sbehindmet houghi
tlef
ta
scar,areminder.Idonthaveaproblem wi
thyou.
Sagi:
Thentel
lme.Areyougoi
ngtobeabl
etohel
p
meoutofhere?Icantgi
vebi
rt
hinher
e.Doyou
thi
nkwe'l
lpul
lthi
sout?

Mxoli
silookedatherandhesohat edthelookshe
gavehim .Theonet hatpl
eadedanditsobr okehis
hear
tseeingthem l
ikethi
s,putt
ingtheiral
ltruston
hi
m.

Mxolisi
:Withal
ltheevi
dencetheyhaveagai
nstyou
..
.Idontthi
nkso.ButIcanpromisetoputmyall
j
ustsoyoudont-
Sagi
:Soyoursayi
ngt
her
e'snot
hingmuchyoucan
dotothi
scase?
Mxol
isi
:idi
dn'
tsaythat.Dontgiveupjustyet.I
sawyourmedicat
ionhist
ory.Wecanuset hatal
so
andt
hecourtshal
lgrantyouevenbet
ter-
Sagi
:They'
l
lsendmetoament
alpr
ison!I
'm not
cr
azy.Thatwomancamei
ntomyproper
ty,whichi
s
-
Mxoli
si:Trespassi
ng?Iknow.Igotal
lthat.And
sheemotionall
yassaul
tedyou-
Sagi
:Andshehi
tback!I
twasasel
fdef
ense!

Mxolisil
ookedatherasheremoti
onsturnedup.He
didn'
twanttostr
esshercoursehemightputthe
baby'
sl i
fei
ndanger.Hehadtobeconsiderat
eher e
Hesighedlooki
ngatherandshebreatheduntilshe
calmed.

Sagi
:Whyar eyounotgi vingmest r
aightup
answer
s?Whyar eyougi vingmear unar ound?
Thatbi
tchsleptwithmyhusbandandt respassed
i
ntomypr opertypregnantt ocomeandassaul tme
emoti
onall
y.YesIhi therf irstbutshehitback, soi
t
wasselfdefense!
Mxol
isi
:Wai
twhat?Shesl
eptwi
thyourhusband?
Pr
egnant
?
Sagi
:Yeah.
.di
dtheyf
orgett
oment
iont
hat?

Mxoli
sismil
edlookingatherandleanedbackwi
th
thepeninhi
shandsont hetableplayi
ngwit
hit.
Sagil
ookedathim andhesmi r
ked.

Sagi
:What?
Mxoli
si:Wel
lthi
sjustkeepsget
ti
ngbet
terand
bet
ter.

AtRose'
shouse.

Rosest eppedoutoft heshowerandusedherhand

tofindherst ickwhenshef ounditandhitaround
withitforat owel .Shefounditandpull
editwhen
thepadf ellont hefloorj
ustf
urtherfr
om her,and
shedr i
edher self.Sheagainusedherhandt of i
nd
herpant i
eswhenshef oundthem andagainlooked
forherpadbutcoul dn'
tf i
ndi tanywher e.Shef elt
aroundandgotonherkneessear chingbutcoul dn't
fi
ndi t.Tearsstar t
edr olli
ngdownhereyest othe
fl
oorasshewal kedonherkneessear chinggoingt o
theopposi t
edi r
ect i
on.Shest oodwhenshehi tthe
wallandshest oodupwi thitcr yi
ngusi ngittowal k.
Shef elti
tfeeli
ngi tsdirect i
onwhenshet ur ned
breathingandwal kedt ot hebat htub.Shekept
walkingwi t
houtani deashewast herewhenshehi t
thebat ht
ubandal mostf ellinside.Shecr i
ed
rubbinghert earsandsl owl ygoti nthebat htub
openingt hecoldwat er.Thet ubf i
ll
edwhi l
eshesat
i
nt hereandshecl osedi tl eani ngbackast ears
rol
leddownt hesi deofhereyesi ntot hebat h.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Veroni
casatunderthetr
eeeat i
ngacar r
otwai
ti
ng
forKagi
sotoret
urnbuthewasn' t.Herbl
oodkept
rushi
ngwhenshet houghtabouthim butwhyshe
hadnoidea.ShebitthecarrotwhenBonolowalked
i
ntot
hegateandcloseditbehi
ndherwalkingover.
Sher
espect
ful
lyputherhandstoget
hergreeti
ngher
andt
heybothsmil
ed.

Bonol
o:Howar
eyouma?
Ver
oni
ca:I
'
m ohkmygi
rl.Andyou?
Bonolo:I
m al
sofi
ne.Uhm .
.i
sKagi
soaround?
Thoughtt
odayhewasn'
tgoi
nganywher
e.
Ver
oni
ca:Hei
sn'
tgoi
ngt
oschool
?
Bonolo:Yeah..Ihavehist
imetabl
e.Todayhe
wasn'tat
tendi
ng.Hehasanexam i ntwodaysso
theygavethem sometimetoread.
Veroni
ca:Ithoughthehadgonetoschool.Hesnot
here.He'
sbeengonesi nceear
lyi
nthemor ni
ng
andevenforgottocloset
hedoorandhi
sphone.
Areyousurehedi dn'
tsaywher
ehewasgoi ngto
you?
Bonolo:Hedidn'tsayanyt
hing.KanammaKagiso
gaampol el
elesepe.Hestoosecreti
veandheget
s
l
ostinthoughtsandthenyouaskhim what'
sonhi
s
mindhebrushesitof
fnicel
ysoyouwouldn'
t
suspect
.If
eelli
kehehaschangedaft
erheretur
ned
home.He'salwaysdist
ant.
Veronica:YeahIreali
zedt
hat.Iknowhel oveshis
booksbutt hi
sdayshe'sal
waysont hem.He
doesn'tevengivehi
mselfabreak.Hecanr eadunti
l
atnightandnottakeabreakuntilyouaskforhim.
Wedontevent al
kli
keweusedt o.Hehas
nightmares,andalwaysal
ert
ed.Hasheevert ol
d
youanyt hi
ng?
Bonolo:no..he'
sjustbei
nghim whenhe'swit
hme.
Helist
ensandalwayssayst heri
ghtthi
ngs.He
doesn'tl
ookaler
ted.Hejustkeepsgett
ingt
ohis
ownwor ld.

Herphonerangwhensheswal
lowedl
ooki
ngat
Kagi
so'smother
.

Ver
oni
ca:I
tsohkmygi
rl.Youcant
akei
t.
Bonol
o:Thankyouma.Seeyou.
Ver
oni
ca:Byebye.

Shetur
nedaroundwal
kingawaywhenshesmi
led
answer
ing.

Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Hey.
.
Odir
il
e:YouknowIcoul
dn'tsl
eep.Iwantt
osee
you.Pleasej
ustl
etmeseeyouevenifi
tsonce.I
'
m
beggi
ngyou.
Bonol
o:ButIt
hou-
Odi
ri
le:Iknowbabe.Imi
ssyou.Pl
ease.
..

Shebi therl
ipandsi ghedblushi
ngasbut t
erfl
ies
flewinherstomachhear inghisvoi
ce.Damnhe
hadanamazi ngvoicethatcouldmeltyoujustri
ght
now.Shesmi ledwonder i
nghowheuseshi swaist.
Hi shandsalloverherbody.Shecoul dn'
twaitto
tastethosel
ips.
Bonol
o:Ohk.
.
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)Shoul
dIpi
ckyouup?
Bonol
o:Nosendmet
hel
ocat
ionandI
'
llbet
her
e.
Odi
ri
le:Il
oveyou.
Bonol
o:Il
oveyout
oo.

Sheblushedbr ushi
ngherli
pwithherf
ingerand
walkedinsidethehouse.Afewmi nsl
aterOdir
il
e
sentthelocati
onandshesteppedoutinanother
andgotint hecardri
vingof
f.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Janest
oodbythewindowbiti
nghernailasthe
doct
orshookhi
sheadlooki
ngattheresult
s.He
si
ghedputt
ingt
hefi
lebackandlookedatJaneand
Jack.
Jack:Docwhati
sit?
Doctor
:it'
snott
heSTD.Weranmulti
pletestand
t
heyallcomebackt
hesame.Ther
e'snothing
wrongwithyou.
Jane:Buthaveyouseenhi
m ?That
'snotheal
thy.
Surel
ythere'
ssomethi
ngwrong?Thati
snotnor mal
.
Doct
or:Mr
sLyonw-
Jane:Dontgi
vemet he"wef oundnothi
ng"card
please.Myhusbandisinpain.Hei shurt
ingsobad
andyouaresayingyouf oundnothi
ng?Godomor e
testandgi
vehim medicati
ontoslowdownt hepai
n.
Doc:Weal
readydi
dthatMr
s-
Jane:Thendoi
tagai
n!
Doct
or:i
fwegi
vehi
m mor
e,he'
l
ldi
eofover
dose
mam .Wea-
Jane:Thet
est
's!Runt
hem agai
n!Thi
sisnot
hing
l
ikefi
ne!

Thedoct
orl
ookedatherbef
orewal
kingout.Jane
bi
therl
ipastearsbur
nedhereyesandshet urned
l
ooki
ngathimlayingonthebed.Hel ookedather
andhecoul
dalreadyreadhert
hinki
nghecheat ed.

Jack:Iswear
..
Idi
dn'
tcheat.Youhavet
obel
ieve
me.

Sheshookherheadint
ear
sandr ubbedherf
ace
l
ooki
ngoutthewindowashelayedtherei
npain
l
ooki
ngather.

AtBr
eezes.

Lat
ert
hatday.

Kagisolayedonthever
andaasleepwiththeshi
rt
onhisfacewhenacardr ovei
ntotheyardand
parkedont hepar
kingl
ot.Abi
gailf
rownedsteppi
ng
outinherflor
aldr
essandsandalslooki
ngatthe
mani npjsandwal kedover.Shewentdownonher
kneesscanninghi m whenhereyesf el
lonhiseight
pack.Sheswal lowedscanni nghi m upandshook
herheadshaki nghi m .Shegentlyshookhim when
heyawnedwaki ngupandpul ledtheshir
toffhi
s
facecomingf acet ofacewithher.Shef rowned
l
ookingathisaf robutdamn, thi
sguywashel la
cutewit
ht hosebr owneyesandt hoseeyebrows
thatl
ookedwat ery.Andhi slips.Sheshookher
headlookingathi m ashegotupandputonhi s
shir
tbeforeshaki nghi shair.

Gai
l:Hi
i..
Kagiso:Hii.
.I'
m Kagi
so.Sorr
yforcomingher
e
unannounced.Ihadnowheretogo.I'
m her
etosee
MrLyon.

Andt
hewayhi
sli
psmoved.
..
damn.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
49]Lynne :Chapt
er60

AtBr
eezes.

Andt
hewayhi
sli
psmoved.
..
damn.
Shebitherl
ipl
ooki
ngathim andhel
ookedather
notsurewhatt
odo.Sheshookherheadandstood
upgivi
ngoutherhand.Kagi
soalsost
oodupand
shookherhand.

Gai
l:Abi
gai
l.Abi
gai
lLyon.
Kagiso:Kagi
soMokwena.Youmustbet
hef
ir
st
wif
e?
Gail
:Yeah.
.andyoumustbet
hesonhebr
ags
about.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Wow.
.iguess.

Theykeptshakinghandsl ongerthanusualwhen
Kagisoreal
izeditandgentlypull
edhishandputti
ng
ontheshirt
.Shel ookedathim asheputonhi s
shi
rtashismuscl esworkeduntilhepull
editdown.
Shesighedlookingathim andputonani nnocent
smil
e.

Gai
l:Let
'sgeti
n.I
'
m sur
ehe'
sout,
you'
l
lwai
tfor
hi
minsi
de.
Kagi
so:t
hanksal
ot.

Shesteppedoverputti
ngthepi
nandopenedt he
doorwidesteppi
ngaside.Kagi
sol ookedatheras
shelookedathim al
sowaiti
ngforhimt ogetinfir
st
butsodidhe.Shesi ghedandwenttot hecarand
openedtheboottaki
ngoutahugecasest r
uggling
wit
hit.Kagisobithi
slipandwalkedoverandt ook
i
tfrom her.

Gai
l:Thanks.
Kagi
so:Nopr
obl
em mam .

TheylookedateachotherwhenBreezecrossed
boththei
rmindsandshechuckledlooki
ngdown
tucki
ngherhairbehi
ndherearasKagisolooked
away.
Kagiso:Iam sorr
y.Ishouldn'
tbelookingatyou
l
ikethat,i
t'
ssowr onganddisrespect
fulofme.
Forgiveme,it
'l
lneverhappenagain.Afterseei
ng
MrLyon, Iwil
lbeoutofyourhair.
Gail
:(laugh)YournotinmyhairKagiso.Andno,
youdidn'tl
ookatmei nanyinappropri
atemanner.I
did.AndI '
mr eall
ysor
ryaboutthatcoursei
t'
llnever
happenagai nalso.

Theyl ookedateachot heragainforawhi l

ewi t
hout
sayinganyt hi
ngwhent heyrealizeditandlaughed
atthesamet i
me.Sheshookherheadandl edthe
wayi nsideandclosedt hedoorbehi nd.Heputt he
bagdownl ookingaround.Lastandt hef
irstt
ime
herei twasatnightandhedi dn'thaveenought i
me
tolookar ound.Thishousecanhi tanA-l
ist.She
l
ookedathi m andwalkedoverwhenhest op
l
ooki ngaroundandl ookedather.

Gail
:ifyoudontmind,canyoupleaset
akei
t
upstai
rs.Fir
stdoorontheri
ght
.
Kagi
so:Sur
e.

Shel ookedathim ashepickedthecaseupthe

stair
sandcoul dn'thel
pbutlookathishandswit
h
veins.Hewasn' tweari
nganyshoes.Sheshookher
headagai nandt hrewherbagonthecouchwalki
ng
tothekitchen.

Gai
l:Abi
gai
lst
ayi
nyourl
ane.St
opi
t.

Shewalkedintothekit
chenandstart
edprepar
ing
somethingtoeat.Ami nlat
erKagi
sowalked
downstair
sandst oodi
nthemi ddl
eoftheroom not
knowi
ngwhatt odo.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Bonol
olookedatt
heGPSonemor eti
meandthe
addr
esswhenshebreat
hedoutswit
chingt
he
engineof f.Herheartpoundedcount l
essti
mes
whenshet ookashor tprayer.Shewasr eal
lyhere,
forhim.Thegat eslidopenandsheswal lowed
start
ingtheengi nethendrovei nparki
ngnexttohis
carsteppingout .Shef i
xedhert i
ghtdress
breathinginandwal kedtowar dsthedoorringi
ng
thrbell.Af emalevoiceanswer edwhenherhear t
pounded.Di dshejustcomet oawronghouseorhe
hadagi r
lhere?Wor stawi fe.
Thedoorsl
idopenandagir
lst
oodt
herel
ooki
ngat
herwi
thastrai
ghtf
aceandnoemot
ions.

Bonol
o:(
swal
lowed)Hi
i..
I'
m Bonol
o.
Gi
rl
:Di
tebogo.HowmayIhel
pyou?
Bonol
o:I
'm her
etoseeOdi
ri
le.Het
oldmehe'
l
lbe
her
e,ishearound?
Di
tebogo:Ohsoyouroneoft
hechi
cksthatsuck
mybrotherandt
henl
eavenotl
ooki
ngback?
Bonol
o:What?
Di
tebogo:BonaGi
rl.Kopagor
eol
ebef
aot
swang
tengandneverlookback.Dontevercomeknocki
ng
onthisdooragainorel
seyou'
lll
oosethehandyou
usedtopressthatbutt
on.

Bonol
ochuckl
edl
ooki
ngather.Shecl
ear
lydi
dn'
t
knowwhoshewastal
kingt
oo.

Dit
ebogo:Tswannanyana.Boel
akol wapengpel
e
kegontshamenoveryfast.Mybrot
heris-
Voi
ce:Di
tebogo!

Shestoppedtal
kingandputonasmi leandturned
l
ookingatherbrotherwal
kingover.Odi
ri
lestepped
bef
oreherandpul l
edBonolobyherwaistinsi
deas
shestoodther
e.

Odiri
le:Nevereveri
nyourl
if
etal
ktoherl
iket
hat
everagain.Underst
ood?
Di
tebogo:NoOdi
ri
le.Thi
sgi
rli
snodi
ff
erentf
r-
Odiri
le:BonahawenaDi tebogo.Youwi l
lnever
addressherint hatmanneragai n.Andwhenever
sheishereyoushoul dsticktoyourl
imitsandstop
withthebeingt hebullcrap.Thisismyhouse. So
stopchasingawayever yguestofmi ne.Especi
all
y
nother.She'llcomeher ewhenevershewant sandI
expectyout oopenyourhandsf orher.Beonyour
bestbehaviorandr especther.
Dit
ebogo:Why?What 'ssodif
ferentabouther?
She'
llalsobreakyourhear
tli
kether estdi
dleavi
ng
youmi serabl
eformetodealwith.
Odir
il
e:Looksi
s.Iunderstandt
hatyourtr
yingto
l
ookoutforme,Igetit.AndIappr
eciat
eitalot.
Butcanyouatl
eastcoolitdown.I
'm ol
derandI
canmakemyowndeci si
ons.
Bonolo:Andfrom thewayyoursopr ot ect
iveover
hi
m. .Icanseeyour eal
lycareabouthim .Iknowit
mustbehar ddeal
ingwi thsomeonewhokeeps
makingbaddecisi
onsandcomecr yi
ngonyou.But
Ipr
omi se,Iwon'
thur tyourbrot
her.Ilovehim.
Di
tebogo:Yeah.
.ni
cewor
dsbutIdontbuyi
t.They
allsai
dthatandevent
uall
ydidtheoppositebesides
theonegirlt
hatdi
edwiththeloveforhim .Iswear
toyou. .
.i
fyouhurthi
m, I
'l
llookforyouandi -
Odiri
le:Ohkthat
'senough!Idontneedyoutolook
outformeDi t
ebogo.Shouldn'
tyoubeatyour
fr
iend'sandnotmakingthr
eatstomygirl
fr
iend?

Di
tebogolookedathi
m andlookedatBonol
obef
ore
gr
abbingherbagandcarkeysleavi
ng.
Bonol
osighedlooki
ngathim asheclosedt
hedoor
andwalkedovertoherwr
appinghishandsaround
herwai
st.

Odir
il
e:Andthatwasmyl
it
tl
esi
ster
.Sor
ryf
orher
behavi
orandi-
Bonol
oit
sohk.
.ki
ssme.
Odi
ri
le:Huh?
Bonol
o:Fuckme.
Herai
sedhiseyebrowswithasmilebuil
dingandso
washisboyexpanding.Heneverexpecteditt
o
comeupsof ast.Buthey.
..
theyal
socan.
Hel eanedinkissingherashi shandexpl oredher
body.Damnhi shandsdi dwonder s.Herphonef el
l
ofhergr ipwhenhet ooktheki sstoherneck
suckingt heshitoutofherl eavinghi
ckeysasshe
moaned.Shesl i
dherhandi ntohispant sasher
pantiessoakedandgasped.I sitabadl uckthatshe
al
wayscomesacr ossmanwi thbigdicks?Hi s
bloodr ushedthroughf eel
inghersof thandonhi s
boypl ayingwithit.Shebreathedashepul ledher
dressupandsl idhishandi ntoherpant i
esplaying
withhercooki ewhenherkneesgotweakandhe
pickedherupst i
llki
ssinggoingupst air
s.

AtBr
eezes.

Breezepar
kedthecarfeel
inghopeless.Heleaned
onthestar
ingwheelastearsburnedhiseyes.Why
di
dgoodpeoplealwayshavet opaytheprice?Sagi
wasi nther
ebecauseofhi m .Ifhehadn' tcheated
andhadababyout si
denoneoft hiswoul dhave
happened.Her ai
sedhi sheadr ubbinghi seyesand
l
ookedar oundwhenhi sj awsdr oppedl ooki ngat
Gail'
scar.Shewasn' tsupposedt obeher e,notin4
days.Hest eppedoutt hinkinghowhewasgoi ngt o
keephisonl ypromiset oSagit hathecoul dnever
breaksincehebr okeot hers.Hebr eathedst epping
i
nandputt hekeysont hetable.Hewal kedt othe
l
ivingroom andf r
ownedl ookingatKagi sowi thhis
headdown.Funnyhowhecoul dalreadyr ecognize
hisbackviewsof ast.
Hewalkedoverandputhishandonhisshoulder
bef
oresit
ti
ngdownasher osehi
sheadlooki
ngat
hi
m .Hechuckledlooki
ngathishai
randrubbedit
whenKagisolaughedpushinghi
shandoff.

Breeze:Noser
iousl
y..
youneedahaircut
.My
womandontevenhavesuchl onghai
r.Youl
ook
l
ikeZaharawhenshest i
llhadt
hataf
roinamal
e
form.
Kagi
so:Her
swasl
ongert
hanmi
ne.
Breeze:Iseenodi f
fer
ence.Imeancomeon
man..gi
rl
swi l
ldowhateveri
ttakestohavethi
skind
ofhair.Anyway..whyareyouinpjs?Couldn'
tyou
pi
ckabet terout
fi
t?
Kagi
so:That
'st
hethi
ng.Inevergott
hechancet
o
pi
ckabett
erout
fi
t.
Breeze:Whatdoyoumeanyounevergott
he
chancetoo?Itonl
ytakesami
ntodoso.
Kagiso:IknowbutIdi
dn'tgetthechancet
oo,tal
k
aboutwearingshoes,
brushingmyt eet
h,t
aki
nga
bath!

Br
eezef
rownedandl
ookedathi
sfeetbef
oreathi
m
.

Br
eeze:What
'supsunny?
Kagi
so:Iwokeupi
nacemet
ery.OnNakedi
'
sgr
ave
.
Br
eeze:What?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
.IdontevenknowhowIgott her
e,al
l
Ir
ememberislocki
ngthedoorandgetti
nginbed
sl
eepi
ng.Shehasn'
tbeenvisi
ti
ngmesi nceRose'
s
weddi
ngandnowIwakeuponhergr ave.
Breeze:Soyouweresl
eepwalki
ng?Forki
lomet
ers
fr
om hometothatcemeter
y?
Kagiso:Idon'tknow.Cour seIwasn'
tt i
redwhenI
gotup.Myf eefwer en'
thurti
ngorsore.I '
m not
eveninjur
edani nch.Talkaboutal
itt
lecutf r
om
treesorascratchfrom somethi
ng.Idonteven
rememberwal kingoutmydoororont heroad.
Breeze:uhm..Idon'
tknowwhattosay.I'
venever
seenaper sonsleepwalki
ngorheardsomeonewho
experi
encedit.Ihavenoideawhatit'
sli
keandhow
i
tis.ButI'm sureyouwerebroughtt
herebyherf
or
areason.
Kagi
so:Andwhatr easoncoul
dthatact
ual
lybe?I
meanRosei shappi
lymarri
edtoari
chguy,what
canpossi
blybeagainstt
hat?
Br
eeze:
Idontknow.
.butI
'
llhel
pyouf
indout.Go
t
akeabath.Youcanwearsomeofmycl ot
hesunt
il
wegetyounewonce.Youst
il
lrememberyourr
oom
r
ight?
Kagi
so:yeah.
.
Breeze:Good.Dontworry.I
'
llhel
pyout hr
ough
thi
s.Sheneedstorestandstopbother
ingyouguys.

Hepathi sshoul derandhest oodupgoi

ngt otakea
shower.Br eezer ubbedhi
sf aceashismindf i
ll
ed.
Hel i
ckedhislipst andi
ngandwentupstairs.He
didn'
tknowhowhewasgoi ngt of
aceAbigailand
l
iethroughhi steeth.That
'sifherdeci
sionismade.
Hewal kedint
othemast erbedr
oom andclosedthe
doorbehindhim whenGai lwal
kedoutofhercloset
wit
hawi desmil
eandr anoverhuggi
nghim .He
for
cedasmi l
edwithherinhisarmsandtheypulled
backlookingateachother.

Gai
l:Iloveyou..
.andIwantt
obewi t
hyou.Sor
ryI
wasn'taloyalwi
fe.Sorr
yforhur
ti
ngyouandnever
thoughtt
hroughmydeci si
on.Idecidedtotake
rusheddeci
sionsoutofpaintohurtyoubackbut
nowIknowbet ter.I
'
mr eal
lysorrybaby.Il
oveyou
andIwantust ostar
tover.Pleaseforgi
veme.
Breeze:If orgaveyoulongbeforeyouwereeven
gone.Whatwast heuseofmehol dingyouto
somet hingthatyoucanttakebackandofwhi chI
didandwor se?Cour sethat
'l
lhurtmemor et
hanit
willhurtyou.Il oveyoutoo.
Gail
:thankyoubaby.Ipr
omi
setobeagoodwi f
e
fr
om nowon.Tohonourandrespectyou.And
bri
ngpeacealongwit
hhappi
nessint
oourhome.

Shelayedherheadonhischesthol
dinghimti
ght.
Hesighedhuggingherbackandputhischi
nonher
head.

Gai
l:Wher
eisSagi?

Hepul
ledawayf
rom t
hehugandki
ssedher
foreheadbeforetaki
ngoffhi
sclot
hes.Abigai
l
l
ookedathi m asheignor
edherquestionbusy
takingoffhi
scl ot
hes.Hecouldn'
tbel
ievehewas
abouttostartthei
rnewchapterwit
hal i
e.

Gai
l:babewher
eisSagi?
Br
eeze:Shedeci
dedt
ogoaway.
Gai
l:t
owher
e?
Breeze:Shedi
dn'
tsay.If
oundanotewhenIgot
backfrom t
hecl
ubsayi
ngsheneededabreakt
o
cl
earherhead.

Hewal kedintothei nsui

tandt urnedont heshower
l
etti
ngt hecoldwat erli
ckhim .Gai lsighedast he
feel
ingtonotbel i
evinghi m washedoverher.He
didn'
tlookgoodandhel ostalit
tlebitofwei ght.
Shet ookoffhergownr emainingnakedandwal ked
totheinsuit.Shest eppedintotheshowerand
walkedovert ohim puttingherhandbehi ndhim and
start
edr ubbi
nghimt ohischest.Shest arted
pl
anti
ngwetkissedonhisbackwhenhebr eat
hed
outf
acingupandthewaterhithi
sface.Hewasn' t
i
nthemood.Heal wayswasdownt othi
sbuttoday
wasdiff
erent
.Hewasn'tfeel
ingl
ikeit.

Br
eeze:Nott
odayGai
l.

Shekeptongoingki
ssinghi
sbacktryi
ngt
oheatup
hisbl
oodbuttodayhewasn'tt
ouchi
ngherback.
Sheputherhandsonhischestwhenhegothel
d
them andt
ookthem of
fhim st
eppi
ngout.

Br
eeze:Isai
dnott
oday.I
'
m noti
nthemood.

Hegr abbedatowelandwalkedoutl
eavingheri
n
themi ddl
eoftheshower.Tearsbur
nedhereyesas
shest ar
edatwherehewalkedoutandmel t
eddown
crying.Maybehewasl yi
ngwhenhesai dhe
forgaveheranddidn'
tknowhowt ot
ellher.Maybe
hewasnoti ntoheranymore.Shesatther
easthe
wat
erwashedof
fhert
ear
sasshesi
lent
lycr
ied.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
51]Lynne :Chapt
er61

AtRose'
shouse.

Mxoli
sidr
oveintotheyar
dandpressedt
heremote
openi
ngthegaragethenpar
kedi
nside.Heclosedi
t
andpul
ledhi
sbri
efcasest
eppi
ngoutl
ooseni
nghi
s
ti
eki
cki
ngthedoorgoingi
nsi
de.
Hisst omachcrumbl edoutofhungerwhenhe
headedt ot
hekitchenandopenedt hefri
dgelooki
ng
i
nsi de.Itwasalmostempt y.Hebi thislip
wonder ingwhatsheat e,howshewasdoi ng?and
allthoseconcernedquest i
ons.Her ushedoutand
threwt hekeysandbr i
efcaseonthecouchgoi ng
upst ai
rsbusti
ngi nt
otheirroom .

Mxol
isi
:Rose!

Meanwhil
einthebathroom Rose'shear
tskipped
whenthedooropened.Shel i
stenedcaref
ullyand
smil
edintear
srel
axing.

Rose:I
'
minher
e!

Hi
sheartski
ppedthi
nki
ngthewor str
ushinginand
st
oppedbythedoorl
ookingatherinthebatht
ub.
Hebr eathedoutheavi
lyandsmil
edwhenhiseyes
fel
lont hepad.Hef r
ownedlooki
ngatherashi
s
heartsank.

Mxol
isi
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?Pai
ns,headache?
Rose:I
'
m ohk.
.whydoyouask?
Mxol
isi:Becauseyouronyourper
iods.
Rose:I
'
m not.
Mxol
isi:Youar
e.
Rose:I
'
m not.
Mxoli
si:Thenwhatar eyoudoi
nginabat
htubf
ull
ofwater?Isn'
tthatthewat
erpr
essur
ecanstop
yourf
lowtempor ari
ly?
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)I
tcan,
butI
'
m notonmyper
iods.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Soyoudonthaveanyabdomi
nal
cr
amps?Headache?Tenderbr
east
s?Fa-
Rose:(smi
li
ng)Tenderbr
east
s?Howdoyouknow
al
lthi
s?
Mxol
isi
:Wel
llet
'ssee.
.

Hebal
ancedhi
msel
font
hedoor
way.

Mxol
isi
:Igotamot
her-
Rose:(
chuckl
ed)yourmot
her?
Mxolisi
:Nol isten.Igotamot herandshehasa
daughter.SoIusedt obabysither
.Att heageof11
shehadherf irstperi
odswithmear ound.SoI
askedquestionsonmedi aandGoogl ed.Iwas
ter
rif
iedatfi
rstt hi
nkingshehadsomesor tof
cervi
calcancercour singavagi
nalbleeding.But
l
uckilyitwasn'tthat.
Rose:Outofal
lthi
ngyout
houghtofcancer?
Mxoli
si:Iwasst i
llanerdbythen.Butwi t
hthehelp
ofagir
lfri
endIreali
zeditwasn'
tanythingbadbut
heal
th.SoIst ar
tedaskingherquest
ionsandshe'd
answermewi thouthidi
nganythi
ngfrom me.I
knowal otaboutwomen.I '
vebeenar oundthem f
or
alongti
megi rl
.Ar eyouonyourdates?Anddont
l
iecour
seIhaveyourpadi
nmyhand.

Rosest
oodst
il
lint
hewat
erandbi
therl
ip.Thi
s
wasawkwar
d.

Mxoli
si:I
'
m notgoi
nganywhereunti
lyout
ellme.
ThoughIknowIwantyoutosayit.

Sheclosedhereyesandsi ghedsmili
ngbefore
st
andinginthebath.Mxoli
sigaspedlookingather
cl
ear
inghisthroatfeel
inghisboywakeup.Hebi t
hi
sli
pput t
inghishandsint hepocket
slooking
away.

Mxol
isi
:Iguessi
t'
sayes.
Rose:Ar
eyoul
ooki
ngatme?
Mxoli
si:YouknewIwasher eandst
oodupj ust
af
terItol
dyouIwasn'tgoi
nganywhereunt
ilyoutel
l
me.Besides..
(cl
ear
inghisthr
oat
)it
'snotl
ikeit
's
f
ort
hef
ir
stt
imeseei
ngyounaked.

Rose'smout hdroppedwi t
hhereyescl osedand
couldn'
thelpbutlaugh.Het ur
nedl ookingather
l
aughingandj oinedinpull
ingatowelwal ki
ng
towardsher.Hest oodbeforeherandl ookedather
mammar yglands.Theywer eroundedf ul
lboobs,
socharmi ngandseductive.Hebi thi
slipgoing
downt oherabsandst oppedbef orel
ookingdown
ther
e.

Mxol
isi
:Li
ftupyourhands.

Shelif
tedherhandsandhewr appedherwi t
ht he
towelbefor
escoopi ngherasshel aughedgoi ngto
thebedroom tohel pher.Af
terawhi leheordered
foodonli
neandt heysatonthebedwai t
ingovera
chatgett
ingtoknoweachot her.Het ookouthi s
phoneandt ypedoneofhi smostt rustedcousina
massagebef oreput t
ingi
tdown.Heneeded
someonet owat choverhertomor r
ow.
Thenextday.

AtBr
eezes.

Breezest aredatt hecei li

ngwi thGailsl
eepi ngonhis
chest.Hesi ghedgr abbinghi sphoneont he
headboar dlooki ngatt hecl ock.Hertri
alwas
starti
ngat7o' clocki nthemor ni
nganditwas5am .
Hesi ghedput tingt hephonedowngent l
ycar essing
Gail'
shair.Heki ssedherheadbef oregentlylayi
ng
heront hesi deandgotof fthebedheadi ngt othe
shower .Hest oodbyt hemi r
rorl
ookingathi mself
astear sburnedhi seyes.Nowt hisonehel l
a
weakness.Hepul l
edhi st eethbrushandappl ieda
toothpastebr ushinghi st eeth.Whenhewasdone
hesoakedhi smout handsi ghedasquest ions
crossedhi smi nd.
Howwi l
lshecopeinther
eforayear?.Blameand
guil
twashedoverhi
m whenat earr
andownhis
cheek.Nowhiswifewasgoingtospendher
merteni
ntyandli
fet
imeinpri
son.Amentalpr
ison
ontopofthat.Heshookhisheadrubbi
nghistear
andtookoffhi
spjpantsandboxerandst
epped
i
ntotheshoweropeningt
hecoldwater.

Aft
erawhi lehesteppedoutanddriedhi
mself
walkingtohiscl
osetandgotdressed.Hethen
walkedoutgrabbinghisphoneandheadedto
Kagiso'sr
oom andf oundhi
m si
tti
ngonthefloor
l
eaningont hebed.

Br
eeze:Hey.
.ar
eyouohk?
Kagi
so:yeah.
.justdi
dn'
twantt
osl
eep.
Br
eeze:Whynot?
Kagiso:Idontwantwhathappenedt heotherni
ght
torepeati
tself
.Thet houghtofwakingupi nthe
cemeteryjustscaresthehelloutofme.Whatwi ll
peoplethi
nkofmewhent heycomet oburythei
r
l
ovedoneandf indmel ayi
ngonhergr ave?Ase
gonabat l
arekemol oiwamonna?Doyouknow
whatt hey'
lldot ome?( Teary)Ijustwanthert o
l
eavemeal one.Mymot herissi
ckandwor r
ied
aboutmeatt hesamet ime.Thel ookonherf ace
everyti
meIzoom outcr acksme.Shehur ti
ngmy
l
ovedones.IknowIl oveRosebutwhataboutmy
mot her?Wher edoessheputherandmyl oved
ones?Rosei smarriedwhatel sedoesshewant?
Shemovedon!WhydoIhavet ogetuponher
grave?Igotexamsf orchr i
stsake!Whyme?Why
doesever ythingalwayshavet obeme?WhohaveI
wrongedont hisplanet?Whydi dihavet obet he
chosenone?

HelookedatBr eezewhenatearrandownhischeek
anddroppedhishead.Br eezest
oodtherelooki
ng
athim notknowinghowtoanswerhisrhetor
ic
questi
onthoughi thur
thi
m seei
nghimlikethat.

Kagiso:NotsolongagoIwasbeatenbyanangry
communi t
yforvi
sit
ingmygir
lf
ri
end.Theydidn'
t
evengivemethechancetoexpl
ainmysel
f.Ispent
twomont hsi nt
hehospit
alhavingnightmares.
Whichbr i
ngsmet othepointthatI'
vebeenseeinga
ghost.Ifalloff
rom mybed, stoep,chair
ever
ywher e!Igetcal
ledoutbutwhenIl ook,ther
e's
noonet here.SometimesIfeelcrazy.

Herubbedhi
stearandr
ubbedhi
shandst
oget
her
l
ookingatBr
eeze.

Kagi
so:I
'
m mean.
.I
'mj
ustapoorboy.Uneducat
ed
-
Br
eeze:butyouront
hatnowar
en'
tyou?
Kagiso:buti
sn'
tshetr
yingtoruint
hatforme? !
Lookatwhatshe'sdoi
ng?Shecar eslessaboutmy
fut
ureandmor eaboutherfr
iend,andbytheway
whoi smarri
ed.Whataboutme?Whydoesshe
havetoplaywit
hmyf utur
elikethi
sjustsoshecan
getwhatshewants?
Breeze:Idontknow.Icantanswert
osomethi
ngI
don'tknow.Igrewupmoder nandInever
experi
enceanythi
ngthatinvolvedtheunderground
gang.Onl ywhenIgotmar r
ied.ButI'm surethere's
somethingshesee'sf
rom farwayi nthefutureand
she'
stryingtocorr
ectitnow.Maybeshe' stryi
ngt o
prot
ectyouandRosef rom somet hi
ngthat'scomi ng
.
Kagi
so:Butwhyal
lthet
ort
ure?

Hebi
thisl
iprubbi
nghishandsagai
ntoget
herwhen
hef
rownedlooki
ngatBreeze.

Kagiso:hol
don..
ifI
'
m goi
ngt
hrought
his,
what
'
s
happeni
ngtoRose?

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Odir
il
egrabbedahandf ulofBonolo'
shai
rholding
ti
ghtonherwaisthit
ti
ngherf rom t
hebackasshe
pull
edthesheetsmoaningf ordearl
if
e.Their
moansf i
ll
edtheroom whenherbodymuscl es
twit
cheduncont
rol
labl
yasherbr
eathi
ngandhear
t
beatrat
echangedandherski
nfl
ashedfeel
ing
tensi
on.

Bonol
o:(
moani
ng)Od-
ir
-ahh.
.I
'm cl
o-aah

Theybothreleasedatt
hesamet imewhenhepul l
ed
herdi
ppingitalli
nshooti
nghisfamil
yinsi
deofher.
Theybothcollapsedonthebedbreat
hingheavi
l
yas
herpussythrobbed.Hepull
edherwhenshe
fr
owned.

Bonol
o:(pout
ed)I
'
mti
red.
.
Odi
ril
e:(
smi
li
ng)Iknow.Letmegopr
epar
eyoua
bat
h.

Hepulledherwi
thherchi
nandkissedherbefor
e
gett
ingofft
hebed.Hisphonevi
bratedonthe
headboardwhenhepull
edingoi
ngt othebat
hroom.
Odi
ri
le:Heyman!
Br
eeze:yousoundhappy.What
'sup?
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)not
hing.
Br
eeze:Not
hing?Real
ly?
Odi
ri
le:yeah.
.what
'sup?
Br
eeze:Justwant
edtofi
ndoutifyou'
l
lbeabl
eto
makeit.Yourt
heonl
yfr
iendshehastoo.
Odiri
le:Yeah..I
'
llbet
here.Iwontl
etmysmucl
es
facethejudgeal
lbyhersel
f.
Br
eeze:ohkt
hanksman.I
'
llseeyout
her
e.
Odi
ri
le:Yeah.
.butIhavecompany.
Br
eeze:(
chuckl
ed)agi
rl?
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)Nonofyourbusi
ness.
Br
eeze:I
sitt
hesameoneyou'
vebeencr
yingabout
?
Odi
ri
le:yeahman.Final
lyIgother.ManIlovet
his
woman.I'mreal
lyi
ntoherandIdonteverwantt
o
l
ethergo.
Br
eeze:butyousai
dshehadaboyfr
iend.Di
dthey
br
eakup?Oryourhersi
denigga?
Odiri
le:Br
eezeyoursupposedtobemyf
ri
endat
t
hismomentandcongr at
ulat
eme.Behappyt
hatI
foundhappinessal
soatlast.
Breeze:I'
mj usttr
yingtolookoutf oryou.Idont
wantyouget ti
ngcoughtint hemiddleofaf ightover
agirl.Iknowyoul oveherallI'
m askingisyoube
careful
.Dontt akerushi
ngdeci si
onsyetjust
becauseyout appedherpussyandi tfel
tgreat.
Studyherfir
st.
Odi
ri
le:ComeonBr
eeze.
Breeze:Iam happyforyouman.TrustmeIam .
I
'mj ustlooki
ngoutf
ormyonlyfr
iendinthi
swor
ld.
Congr at
ulati
onsman.
Odi
ri
le:(smi
li
ng)Thankyou
Br
eeze:Cantwai
ttomeetthatbi
tchthatr
epl
aced
mygir
lsandmeinthathear
tofyours.
Odi
ri
le:(
laughed)Fuckyouman!Fuckyou!
Theybothl
aughedandhangupt henheadded
waterf
ormingbubblesasthebat
htubf
il
led.He
wentbackandthrewthephoneonthebedpicki
ng
herupheadingt
ot hebat
hroom.

Odi
ri
le:Iwantyout
oaccompanymesomewher
e.
Pl
ease.
Bonol
o:(sl
eepy)
aslongasyouwontf
uckmewhen
wegetther
ecourseI'
m bur
ning.
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)iwont.I
t'
sinpubl
ic.

Shesmil
edast
heygoti
nthebat
handshel
ayedon
hi
schest
.

AtBr
eezes.

Abigai
lsmi
ledtossi
ngtoBreezesi
dewhenshe
fr
ownedrai
singherupperbody.Shel
ookedar
ound
theroom gett
ingoffthebedandpull
edhergown.
It'
sbeenamont hsinceshehadhisdickandhe
disappearsonherli
kethis.Shecheckedt
he
bathroom andhewasn' tt
her
e.Shesighedand
turnedaroundheadingout.
Onherwaydownst air
sshepassedbyKagi so's
room whenshest oppedonhert r
acks.Shebi ther
l
ipasheri nnerpar tsobadlywant edtoseet hi
s
beauti
fulguyi nthere.Shebi thersel
fveryhardand
tookbabyst epsbackst andingbyt hesli
ghtlyopen
doorlooki
ngathi m si
tt
ingont hemat hwithhis
headdown.Hehadbr ai
dedhi shairint
o6l ong
brai
ds.Damnt hi
sguy!
Shebutherli
pfight
ingt
ojustgoint
hereandmake
upaconversati
onjustt
ograbhisat
tent
ion.
Meanwhil
eKagi soopenedhi
seyesstil
lfacing
downfeel
ingsomeone'seyesonhim .Her aisedhi
s
headandfindi
ngnooneandsi ghedf
acingdown
agai
n.
Meanwhil
eGai
l'
shear
tpoundedsohardonher
chestbyt
hewal
lwhensheheldhermoutht
ryi
ng
nott
omakeasound.Shetookof
fhersl
eeper
sand
pi
ckedt
hem sneaki
ngaway.

Ar
ound6:
30am

Att
heSt
ateCour
t.

Breezesatinthecarlooki
ngatt
hetimeashi shear
t
keptraci
ng.Heknewhehadt obestrongforher
butthentheweaknesskeptoccupyi
nghim .He
closedhiseyesleani
ngbackputt
inghishands
together
.

Breeze:Lord.
.IknowI '
m notmuchofapr ayeranda
hugesinnerbeforeyoureyes.Ihumblemysel f
beforeyoutobewi thmywi feandbaby.Asshe
battl
estodayincour t,
iti
snotthelawyerIputmy
tr
ustin,norisitthejudge,buttoyou.Iprayyou
hearmycr i
es.Yourmyonl yhope.Inyourunfail
ing
l
ove, comealongsi deherinthi
scourt
.Makeyour
waypl ai
nforhertof ol
low.HelpMxol i
sit
ospeak
cl
early,confident
ly,andconvi
ncinglywhenhe
standsupf ormywi fe.Shineyourloveuponher
andletherliveunderyourshadow.( Tear
y)Bewit
h
her.Amen.

Hecl osedhiseyesforawhilewhensomeone
knockedont hewindow.I twasOdir
il
e.Hesmiled
wipinghistear
sandgr abbedhisphoneandkeys
steppingouthugginghim.

Odi
ri
le:She'
l
lpul
lthr
oughman.
Br
eeze:Ihopeso.
Odi
ri
le:Comeonman.Dontl
osehope.Yougat
ta
bet
hereforher.
Br
eeze:Iknow.
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)
Wher
eyoucr
ying?
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)
coul
dn'
thel
pit.I
'
m hur
t.Al
ot.
Acarparkednexttothem whentheybot
htur
ned
l
ookingatit.Janesteppedoutandsmil
edl
ooki
ng
att
hem closingthedoor.

Jane:Hi
iboys.
Odi
ri
le:Hi
i

Breezelookedatherasshewal kedint
othebui
ldi
ng
withangerboil
inginsideofhi
m .Heshookhishead
andturnedhisattent
iontoOdiri
le.

Br
eeze:Sowher
eist
hel
adyoft
hemoment?

Hewalkedtohiscarandpeekedt hroughthe
window.MeanwhileBonolo'
shear tpounded
l
ookingatBreezewhentheylockedeyes.Br eeze
fr
ownedopeningthedoornotsureandl ookedat
herwhenhisjawsdropped.Bonol oli
ckedherdry
l
ipsshamefull
yandembar r
assedavoi di
nghiseyes.
Odi
ri
le:Al
lhai
ltoBr
eeze!

Breezesnappedandt
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
mfor
cinga
smile.

Br
eeze:Wow!Uhm .
.she'
sbeaut
if
ul!Jackpotman
!
Odiri
le:Thankyou.Babet
hisismyfriendBr
eeze.
Breezethi
sisBonolo.Mygirl
fri
end.
Br
eeze:Hi
i.
Bonol
o:(
low)Hi
i.

Odiri
lehel
pedheroutofthecarassheavoided
Breeze'
seyes.Breezescof
fedunbel
ievabl
yand
l
ookedathiswatch.

Br
eeze:I
tsaboutt
ost
art9mi
nsl
eft.Webet
terget
i
n
Odi
ri
le:Yeah.

Breezel
ookedatt hem hol
dinghandsandsmi r
ked
pacingi
ntot hecour t
room.Nowi tseemsli
keJuicy
Wrldwasr ight-Allgir
lsarethesame.Butheynone
ofhisbusiness.Hi sheartsanklookingatSagiin
hermaternitydresscuffedbeingescortedi
n.So
thi
swasr eallyhappening.
Sheturnedlooki
ngar oundwhenshespot ted
Breezeandsmi l
edt r
yinghar dnott oshowhow
muchofaf earshewascar rying.Hesmi ledback
andshet ur
nedlookingar oundf oranyf ami l
iarf
ace
whenhereyesf ellonJaner ubbi ngherbumpwi tha
smileonherface.Justbyl ookingathershef el
t
l
ikeshecouldjustbreakt hi
scuf f sandgost rangle
hertodeath.Shebr eathedoutshaki ngherhead
whenheryesf ellonOdi r
il
eandt hegirlsheonce
sawatt hemall.Sheputonasmi lewhenhewaved
ather.Meanwhi leBreezelookedatMxol isiwhen
theybothsli
ghtl
ybowedt heirheadsandheopened
hi
sfi
lef
ixi
nghi
ssui
t.

Bail
ing:Al
lri
se.(Everyonestoodupasthejudge
satdown)Depart
mentOneoft heSt
ateCourti
snow
i
nsession.JudgeMi keWill
iamsonpresi
ding.
Pleasebeseat
ed.

Theal
lsatdownandnosoundwasmade.

Judge:Goodmor ni
ng,
ladi
esandgentl
emen.
Call
ingoutthecaseofJaneLyonver
sesSagiLyon.
Arebothsidesready?
Janesl
awyer
:Readyyourhonour.
Mxol
isi:Readyf
ort
hedef
endantyourhonour
.

Thecl
erksai
dhispar
tandt
het
ri
albeganast
hey
cr
ossedfi
ngers
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
51]Lynne :Chapt
er62

Thewhol
eofcour
troom wentsi
lentast
hej
udge
wrot
esomet
hingdown.
Sagispalmsgotsweatywhensher ubbedt
hem on
herdresstur
ninggivi
ngJaneadar elook.She
shookherheadandt urnedtoBreezewhohadbit
hisl
ipwithanxiet
yandcl osedhi
seyesshakinghi
s
head.Youcouldt el
lthatt
hiswast aki
ngitstal
lon
him .Behi
ndhim, Odiri
lenot
icedhi m shakingand
reachedoutsqueezi
nghi sshoulderasBonol o
l
ookedatthem .Theywer emor elikebrothersthan
fri
ends.
Sagi
seyeswell
edupbefor
etur
ningandr
ubbedher
bumplooki
ngatthej
udgeasherai
sedhi
shead
l
ooki
ngatherback.

Judge:Assaulti
nganunbor nchildbasedont he
degreeofharmt hebabysustainedmeani ngthe
hi
ghert hel
evelofharmt hegreaterthecr
iminal
penalt
ies.Assaultofapregnantwomani nt het
hi r
d
degreether
eforelooki
ngatyourheal thst
atement,
MrsSagiLyon, yourherebychar gedwit
hthe3rd
degreeharm ofassaultandsentencedfor9mont hs
i
nt heMentalpri
sonn- .
..
..

Sagisearsimmediat
elybecamepar al
yzedwhen
Breeze'
seyespoppedwi t
hhi sjawsdr
oppedas
thei
rheartpoundedt
ot helast.Botht
heireyes
well
edupint earsandstar
tedr
oll
ing.Theyboth
tur
nedlookingatJanewhenshesmi ledwavingand
satbackli
steningfur
ther
.
Meanwhi leOdiri
lefr
ownedl ooki ngatthej udge
cl
osingt hef il
eandstoodupl eavingther oom .Did
heevenr eali
zethatSagiwasal sopregnant?Di dhe
evenheart hepartwheretheysai dJanewast he
onethatcamet oherhouse?Thepar twher ethey
saidJanewast heonet obreaki nbetweent heir
mar r
iage?Becouseshewasbl ack?Ort heonlythe
partwer esheassaul tedapr egnantwomanand
ment alheal t
h.Thewhol ecour troom stoodup
l
eavingast hepoliceoffi
cerwal kedovert oSagi
escorti
ngherasshesi l
entl
ycr i
ed.
Mxolisieyeswel l
edupwhenhi skneesgotweak
andhemel tedonthechai rrubbinghishead.He
j
ustdi sappoint
edhisclientwhensheneededher
themost.Hehi mselfcouldt el
lthatt
hejudge
chargedunf air
lyanddidn'tsitwellwi
thhim .He'
l
l
havet odowhat everitt
akest ogetheroutofthere,
forRoseof course.
Meanwhi
leOdi
ri
lewal
kedt
oBr
eezeashebur
iedhi
s
f
acei
nhi
spal
msandpul
ledhi
m upf
orat
ighthug.

Odi
ri
le:I
'
m sor
ryman.
Br
eeze:(cr
ying)Shewontsur
vivei
t,shewont.
Odir
il
e:Hey..Sagiisaf
ighter.Youknowthat.
She'
llmakei
t.Allyougatt
adonowi sbet
heref
or
heremoti
onall
y.Wipeawayt hosetear
s.
Breeze:Thatwasunf
airandsoUnl
awf
ulofhi
mto
chargeherli
ket
hat.
Odi
ri
le:Iknowman.Iknow.

Meanwhi l
eMxol i
sipackedthef
il
eandputiti
nhis
br
iefcasebefor
ewal ki
ngovertothem .Hest
ood
i
nfrontofthem notknowingwhattosaywhen
Br
eezegavehi m hishandandtheybrohugged.

Br
eeze:Thanksman.
Mxol
isi
:Dontthankmeyet.I
'm goi
ngt odowi
thal
l
i
npowertogetheroutoft
her
e.Thej udge
sent
encedherunfai
rl
ywithoutl
ooki
ngatbothsi
des
.Thef ai
ronewasforhertospendatl
east90day
i
nprison.
Odi
ri
le:War
e90?!
Mxolisi
:Yeah. .
lookmanwear enott
alkingabout
harmingar egularper
sonhere.Wear etal
king
aboutapr egnantwoman.Sagicouldhavecour sed
alotmor ethanbodyharmt oJane,whichisdeath
tothebabyorcour semajorharmtoit.
Br
eeze:Sowhatnow?
Mxol
isi
:NowI
'
m goi
ngt
o-
Br
eeze:Hol
don.
.

Hequi
ckl
yrushedoutwhenhespott
edtwopoli
ce
of
fi
cer
sloadi
ngherint
othevanandranover.

Breeze:Hey.
.CanIpl
easetal
kher.Justt
osay
goodbye.She'smywife.
Of
fi
cer
:1mi
nut
e.
Theyhelpedheroutwhensheputonthati
nnocent
smileandli
ftedherhandsf
orhi
mt ogeti
nbetween
andtheykissedfort
hewholeminut
eastheoffi
cer
s
stoodby.

Offi
cer1:hey.
..
!We'
reher
eyouknow.Wear
enot
gay.

Theybroket
heki
sslaughi
ngaltoget
her.Shel
et
hi
m outandhehuggedherfordearl
if
e.

Br
eeze:I
'
m goi
ngt
ogetyououtoft
her
e.Ipr
omi
se.
Sagi
:Ihat
ethatt
one.Dontbr
eakmeoutpl
ease.
Br
eeze:(
chuckl
es)Real
ly?
Sagi
:Yeah.
.

Hebr
oket
hehughol
dingherbumpast
ear
sbul
tup
l
ooki
ngati
tthenather.

Breeze:I
'
m sor
ryIdi
sappoi
ntedyou.Thi
sisal
lmy
faul
t.
Sagi
:Noi
t'
snotbaby.
Breeze:I
tis.I
fIhadn'
tcheatedal
lthi
swoul
dn'
t
havecameabout.IfIhadn'
t-
Sagi
:YoudoknowIhat
e"i
f'
s"r
ight?
Br
eeze:Idobut
-
Sagi:noBreeze.Yeahyoucheat ed, f
ine.Butare
yougoingtospendt herestofthedaysr egret
ti
ng
andwi t
htheendlessapologiesort ryi
ngt oprove
yoursel
ftomet hatyouwonteverr epeatit?Breeze
Ididthi
s.Wi t
houthesit
ationorr emor se.Iknew
whatIwasdoi ngwhenIl aidmyhandsonher
thoughIwishshecouldbegr atefulIdidn'
tstandon
herbell
ywithmyt wofeetcour set r
ustmeIwant ed
too.
Br
eeze:Youwant
edt
oki
llmy-Imeanherbaby?
Sagi
:Yeah.
.i
tsf
ineyoucansayyourbaby.YesI
did.TrustmeIdid.Iwantedtosteponherunt
il
shegavebirt
htothatbabysti
lli
ntheamniot
icsac
andleavehertodie.
Br
eeze:What?
Of
fi
cer
s:What?
!
Sagi
:Nothi
ng..
allI
'
m sayi
ngi
s, If
orgaveyou.And
Iwantyoutost
opworryi
ngaboutme, Icant
ake
car
eofmyself.
Breeze:Babethey'
resendi
ngyout
oamental
pri
son.Youdor eal
izeyourgoi
ngt
ofacel
unat
ics
andpsychosthere?
Sagi
:I'
m al
sooneoft
hem.Adevi
lindi
sgui
se.

Shewi nkedwi t
hasmi rkwithBr eezeandthe
off
icerslookingather.Thel ookonherf acewas
theonet hatbotheredthemost.Shehadsomet hing
i
nt hatheadofherbuthecoul dn'tputafi
ngeroni t.
Meanwhi letheofficer
sl ookedatherunbel i
evably.
Howdoeshekeepupwi thher?Sheki ssedhim one
l
asttimeandgoti ntothevan.
Sagi:Got akecar eofGail.She'llbebackanyt ime
nowandshe' l
lneedyoumor ethanever.That '
sif
youstillhavethekeyst oherhear t.Loveher.And
youtwomakesur eyoudontr i
ppeachot hershearts
apartwhi l
eI'
mi nt here.Goonandbehappy
wit
houtmecour seIdontknowhowpr isonwi ll
changeme.I '
llshieldourbaby, Ipromi seyout hat.
Iwon'tletharm comet oitaslongasIst i
llhaveair
i
nmyl ungsandmybl oodr unni
ngt hr
oughi t
sveins.
Aft
er2mont hs. .youcancomeandgetourbaby
andI'l
lseeherorhi m aft
eramont h.
Br
eeze:Whydoest
hissoundl
ikeagoodbye?
Sagi:
That
'sbecauseiti
s.Idontwantyout
ocome
vi
sitmewhenI'minthere-
Br
eeze:Wai
twhat?
!
Sagi
:Yeah.
.
Br
eeze:nowyouhaveof
fi
cial
lyl
osti
t.Ther
e'sno
wayI'
m goi
ngtol
etmywifeandchil
dt-
Sagi
:Br
eezeyoucoul
dn'
tkeepyourpr
omi
sesand
st
andyourwor
ds.Thel
eastl
eastyoucoul
ddois
honourmyonl
ywi
sh.Idontwantyoutocomevi
sit
me.Ohk..
.
Br
eeze:NoIcanthonourt
hat.Tr
yanot
herone.
Sagi
:Moveonwi
thoutme.
Br
eeze:Noanot
herone.I
'
m notaboutt
odot
hat.
Sagi
:ther
ear
eonl
ytwowi
shesi
nmybook.
Br
eeze:Saginoo.
.!

Shegotintothevanandt heoffi
cerscl
osedthe
door.Oneoft hem squeezedhi
sshoulderbefor
e
goi
ngtot heothersideandtheydroveoff.
Odir
il
ewatchedfrom af
arlooki
ngathim br
eaki
ng
downliket
hat.Heneverthoughthe'
dseethisday
coming.HeturnedtoBonoloandgaveherthecar
keysbefor
ekissi
nghercheek.

Odi
ri
le:I
'
llcat
chyoulat
er.Youcantakei
twi
thyou
home.Ithi
nkI'
llbewi
thhi
mf ort
heday,het
ends
t
omi
sbehavedur
inghi
sbr
eakdown.
Bonol
o:ohk.
.

Shetookthecarkeysandleftthenhewalkedover
toBreezeandhuggedhim beforetheywal
kedtohis
caranddroveoff.

AtBr
eezes.

Kagisowalkeddownt hestair
sinsweatpant
sanda
huget eewi
thsleeper
slookingmoreli
keabadboy
wit
ht hose6braidsonhishead.
Hepassedbyatel
ephonewhenhewal
kedbackand
pi
ckeditdi
ali
nghi
smother.
Meanwhile.
.Gailhear
dfootstepsi nthekit
chen
whenshest oppedchoppingt heonionandl i
stened
att
enti
vel
y.Hi svoicecoul
dmakeyoul oweryour
panti
esli
keitornot.Shebl ushedhear i
nghim
sayi
ngIloveyout oooverthephoneasi fhewas
ref
err
ingtoher.Sheputt heoni onsinthe
but
ter
milkandcheckedt
hest
eakasKagi
sowal
ked
i
nthekit
chen.

Kagi
so:Hi
i..
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)Hey.
.howar
eyou?
Kagi
so:I
'
m good.You?
Gai
l:I
'
m good.Howwasyoursl
eep?Sl
eptwel
l?
Kagi
so:Uhm.
..yeah.
.Idi
d.You?
Gail
:Somethi
ngl i
kethat.It
houghtmyfir
stdayat
homeaftersolongwi l
lpl
easeyourdadbutIwas
wrong.Heisignoringme.
Kagi
so:Whywoul
dhei
gnor
eyou?Di
dyoudo
somethi
ng?
Gai
l:Act
ual
lywedi
dsomet
hing,
justt
hatIdi
ditout
ofr
evengeandpai
n.
Kagiso:theonlythi
ngthatcanmakecouples
i
gnor eeachotherandsinceyousai
drevengeI
guessyouguybot hsteppedout.
Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)r
rrr
rrr
ight!
Kagiso:spwhydon' tyouguysfixt
his.Imeanal l
threeofyoucanjusteasil
ysitdownandt alkt
hings
throughothert
hanact i
ngli
kepeopl
emyage.Your
oldersoI'
m sureyouknowcommuni cati
onisone
ofthekeysinmar r
iage.I'
minnotmi staken.
Gai
l:yournot.ButBreezei
stheki
ndt
obel
ievet
hat
act
ionspeaksloudert
hanwords.
Kagiso:thenproveyour sel
ftohim .Lethim know
thatyoursorryandyoul ovehim .Earneachothers
trustback.Isawt hewashel ef
tearli
ertoday.His
emot i
onswer esol owandhadeyesf ul
lofanxi
ety
alongwi t
hheartbreak.Igottoreadhi mthedaysI
spendwi thhim andheishurt.Ididn'tknowwhy
butnowIdo.Tal kt ohi
m.
Gail
:(chuckl
ed)youthinkIdi dn'
ttr
ythat?..It
rust
meboy. .Idi
d.Iwaswi thhim andSagiatt he
hospit
alwhenweal lpouredour sel
vesoutand
tal
kedthrough.Weevenl aughedandandsnuggl ed
i
nonebedsi ngl
ebedbef orehecoul dsendme
awayt ofi
ndmyself.Nowt hatIdidandIwanthi m
heignoresme.Idontknowi fit
sbecauseSagii snot
aroundorit'
smewhohedoesn' twantanymor e.
Kagi
so:Ifther
e'sonet
hingIl
ear
nedofhi
mist
hat
hecaresaboutyoutwo.Somuch.
Gai
l:Breezecar
esal ot.Hecar
esaboutever
yone.
Youcantdif
fer
enti
atebetweenl
oveandcare.He
car
esaboutyoutoo.Heevencal lyouhi
sson.
Kagiso:
(smi
li
ng)yeah.
.hei
saniceguy.Butj
ustt
ry
t
otalktohim andatl
eastmakeout,i
tact
ual
ly
works.
Gai
l:(
laughs)Makeout?It
ri
edt
hatKg.St
il
l.
Kagi
so:Thengi
vehim ali
tt
lebi
toft
imeandi nt
he
meanti
meproveyour
selftohi
m .Helovesyou.

Time.Shel
ookedathim whenhesmi
ledbl
inki
ng
l
ikeababyandshelaughed.

Gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)St
opdoi
ngt
hat.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)What?

Shesmi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
m.Hi
seyel
asheswer
eli
ke
theywerewat er
yevenwhent hei
rnotwiththose
cutebeauti
fulbrowneyes.Heevenhadadi mpl
e
thesamesi deasBreezewithanarrownoseand
clearski
n.You'dswearhe'sgay.Sheshookher
headandt ookouttheoni
onsi nthebut
termil
kand
dippedthem i
ntheallpur
posef l
our.

Gai
l:Car
etohel
p?
Kagiso:Nop.Idontwantt omessupyourdi shes.I
onlycookAf r
icanfood.That'
swhatI'm goodat.
Notfryingonionsandapplyi
ngwhateveryou
appli
edont hatsteak.Anddefini
tel
ynotabletodo
that(point
ed)
Gai
l:(
laughi
ng)Thosear
echi
ckennugget
s.Come
on.I'
l
lteachyou.
Kagi
so:No.
.Iwi
llmesst
hisup.
Gai
l:Wel
lther
e'saf
ir
stt
imef
orever
ythi
ng.Come.

Kagi
sobi
thi
sli
psendi
ngchil
lsdownherspi
neand
st
oodupwashi
nghishands.Shepassedhi
mthe
onionsandtoughthi
m howt
omakeoni
onr
ings
overali
ttl
echat.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
51]Lynne :Chapt
er63.

AtCl
ub808
Br
eezegulpedt
he30t
hshotbeforequicklytaki
nga
pi
eceofl
emonandswall
owedit.Odir
il
elookedat
hi
m asherai
sedhi
shandcal
li
ngt hebartender.

Breeze:gi
veme10moreshot
s.Justkeepthem
coming.Ohandt
hatbot
tl
eofTheBalveni
e.

Odi r
il
elookedathim ashegalpedanot
hergl
assof
strongliquorandcl
enchedhisjawsasthebur
ning
tastelandedinsi
de.

Br
eeze:wow.
.!

Heturnedlooki
ngatOdi r
il
ewhohasbeenl ooki
ngat
hi
m stil
lhol
dingthefir
stglass.Hescof
fedwhenthe
bar
tenderputhisordersbeforehi
m andlef
t.

Br
eeze:Ar
ejustgonnasi
tther
egawki
ng?
Odi
ri
le:Yeah.
.It
hinkso.
Breeze:ohk.
.(r
aisedgl
ass)Tomymi
ser
abl
eli
fe.
Cheers!

Thebartendertur
nedlookingatt
hem whenBr eeze
stoodupholdingthebottl
eandwenttositont he
chair
s.Odiri
letur
nedsti
llsit
ti
ngont
hebarl ooking
athim.

Bar
tender:Ar
eyouj
ustgonnal
ethi
m dr
inkl
iket
hat
?
Odi
ri
le:Fort
oday.Yep.
Bar
tender
:Why?
Odiri
le:l
ikehesaid.
..He'sli
feisfuckedatthi
spoint
.
Iwanthimt odri
nkandal lsothatwhenIgivehima
pieceofme, hedoesn'
tthrowitinhisbincoursehe
l
istenstonoone.He' shurt.Alot
.
Bar
tender:andyouasafri
endyoulethi
m dr
awn
hi
ssorrowinalcohol
?Whatafr
iendyouareboss.
Odi
ri
le:Act
ual
lyt
her
easonwhyI
'
mlet
ti
nghi
m
dri
nkisbecauset hepastweekhe' sbeenona
downfallandt odayhewi tnessedashockingevent
ofhisli
feunf oldbeforehiseyes.SoasaFRI END
I'
mletti
nghi m dri
nkbecausei t
'l
lhel
preducethe
ri
skofhi m havingstrokesanddevelopingsome
heartdi
seases.
Bar
tender:underst
ood.Butdidyouknowt
her
ear
e
al
sorisksforheavyal
coholuse?
Odi
ri
le:yeah.
.That
'swhyIsai
dfort
odaymat
e.
Bar
tender:Cool
.

Hepi
ckedhi
sgl
assandcar
ri
edonkeepi
nghi
seye
onhi
m.
Meanwhil
eBr
eezesphonerangcount
lessl
y
unanswer
edi
nthecarwit
hnoonet oanswer.

AtBr
eeze'
s.

Gai
ltr
iedhi
mfort
he10t
hti
mebutt
hewasno
answer.Shesighedputt
ingthephonebacki nthe
pocketandwalkedtothediningroom wher
eKagi so
wasstandingbyapieceofar tonthewalll
ooki
ngat
i
t.Shesmi l
edandwalkedoverst andi
ngnexttohim.

Gai
l:Youl
ikei
t.
Kagi
so:Yeah.
.It
'sf
ullofemot
ions.Compl
icat
ed.
Gai
l:t
ellmehowyouf
eel
abouti
t.Thef
eel
ingi
t
spr
eads.
Kagiso:RedforloveorPai
n.Pinkinhereyes,
cheerful
.Thelit
tl
ebitofbl
ueintheeyestooguess
she'
scalm.Thi sgreencol
oraroundherIsuppose
that
'ssafet
y.(narr
owedeyebrows)Isthi
saboutyou?
Gail:What?No!Maybe-somet imes.Act ual
lyno.
It'
snot.Imadethataft
ermymom l ostmydad.She
wasf ul
lofloveandcalm af
terhispassing.She
alwayssaidshefelthi
spresenceeverydayandi n
hereyesallyoucouldseewasl ove,al
wayscheer f
ul
andwoul dn'
tnoti
cethepainbehindthat.Imade
thataft
erher.
Kagi
so:Wow!I
t'
sbeaut
if
ulandt
ouchi
ng.Yourgood
att
his.Il
ovei
t.
Gail:thankyou.Howdoyouknowwhatt
hecol
ors
represent?Di
dyoustudyar
t?
Kagiso:No.Ineverst
udi
edart
.Justthatwhenyou
growupwi t
hnothing,
youfi
ndyoursel
fexpl
ori
ng
theworl
daroundyou.Youtryt
ofindthebeaut
yin
ever
ythi
ng.
Gai
l:oh.
.That
'st
ouchi
ng.

Kagisotur
nedl ooki
ngatherwhenshel ookedat
hi
mt ooandhesmi l
edwal ki
ngt othenextone.She
smil
edfoll
owi nghim whent heystoppedont heone
wit
hadar kskinnedgirlsi
tti
ngont hechairplayi
ng
pi
ano.Hel ookedatitandthel ongcuir
lyhairshe
hadbeforelookingatGail
.

Kagi
so:Iguesst
hat
'st
heot
herl
adyoft
hehouse?
Gai
l:Nop.Sowhatdoyout
hinkofi
t?
Kagi
so:i
t'
sdar
k.
Gai
l:and.
.
Kagi
so:Emot i
onal
..Mor el
ikeshe'
salonei
nthe
dar
kwi t
hnoonet olandahand.Noonet oconf
ide
i
n.Alone.Al
lbyherself
.Whoi sthat
?

Gaill
ookedatt
hepi
ctur
ebef
oresi
ghi
ngandl
ooked
athim.

Gail:mybrotherinlawschil
d,Rosella.She'sjust
goingthroughar oughpatchafterherfr
iend's
passingandnoonei sabletohelpher.She'sall
aloneinherownwor l
d.Iknowsomewher einher
there'
sstil
lthatl
it
tl
egirl
,beauti
fulsoulwaiti
ngt obe
rescued.Calli
ngoutloudbutwithnooner ai
sing
theirheadstohearher,shareherpain.Lostinthe
darknessandpai n.

Kagisotur
nedlookingatherbefor
ebackatt
he
pict
urebit
inghi
sl i
p.Sothat'
sit
.Hewaschosento
rescueherfr
om thedarknessshewasburi
edin.But
howwil
lhedot hatwhenshei
sal
readymarr
ied.
Matt
eroffacthowisshedoi
ngnowifhei
swaking
upi
ngraveyards?

Kagi
so:Doyouhavehernumber
?
Gai
l:YoumeanRose?
Kagiso:yeah.SeeIoncemetherandsomehowI
fel
lforher
.
Gai
l:what
?
Kagi
so:yeah.
.Crazyt
odr
opitl
ikethat-Iknow.But
Ir
eal
lyneedtospeakt
oherpl
ease.Mother.

Shelookedathi
m andcouldn'
thelpbutlaughat
that'
mother
'att
heend.Ormaybewasi tbecausei
t
soundedgoodcomingfrom hi
m.Sheshookher
headandtookoutherphoneunlocki
ngitandgave
i
ttohim.

Gai
l:I
'
llbeupst
air
s.
Kagi
so:Ohk.
.t
hanksbyt
heway.
Gai
l:nopr
obl
em.Son.

Hechuckl elookingatherasshewentupst ai
rs.She
hadani cefigurethough.Heshookhi sheadbef ore
checkinghercont act
s.Hescr ol
ledt hroughwhen
hiseyeslandedonMxol i
si.Coul
di tbethesame
onethatmar ri
edRose?Hebi thi
sl ipandscr oll
ed
furt
heruntilhefoundher sanddi aledthem bythey
weren'tavail
able.Hetri
edaf ewt imesbutst i
ll
.
Hecl
enchedhi
sjawsandhangupbef
oredi
ali
ng
Mxol
isiwi
thapoundi
nghear
t.

Mxol
isi:Nevert
houghti
llr
ecei
veacal
lfr
om you
Abi
.
Kagi
so: What
?

AtRose'
shouse.
Ami
nbef
ore.
MxolisiwasinthekitchenmakingfoodforRose
whenhi sphoner angonthecounter.Hegrabbed
thedishcl
othandwi pedhishandsashiscousin
passedbyheadi ngout.

Her
:ohk.
.I'
mleavi
ng.Seeyout
omor
row.
Mxolisi:t
hankyouf orstayingwit
hher.Ir
eall
y
appreciat
eit
.Don'tforgettozipyourmouthabout
thi
s.It'
sourli
tt
lesecret.
Her:don'tworry.It
'skeptcuz.Butser
iousl
y..You
needtodosomet hingaboutthi
s.Youcouldn'tfi
nd
anythi
ngwr ongwi thher,
whatifit
'snotsomet hi
ng
thatneedsmedi calatt
enti
on?
Mxol
isi:Whatdoyoumean?
Her
:Idon'tknow.I
'
mjustsayingyouneedtofli
pall
t
hecards.YouranAfr
ican.NotanAmerican.Bye.
Mxol
isi:Yourbei
ngwei
rd.
Her
:That
'smymi
ddl
ename.
Shesmiledhangingherbackpackandl
eft
.He
shookhisheadpicki
ngthephonewhenhisheart
ski
pped.Hesmi l
edbiti
nghisli
pandanswered.

Mxol
isi:Nevert
houghtI
'
drecei
veacal
lfr
om you
Abi
.
Mal
evoi
ce:What
?

Hequickl
ymovedt hephonefr
om hi
searand
l
ookedatthecal
ler'
snamebeforeput
ti
ngitbackon
hi
searashisheartpounded.

Mxol
isi:Br
eeze?
Mal
e:No.
.Hi
sson.Kagi
so.
Mxoli
si:(
breat
hedout
)oh.
.Pheww.Hi
i.Howar
e
you?
Kagi
so:I
'
m good.
You?
Mxol
isi:Good.Di
dn'
tknowAbi
gai
lhadason
(
chuckle)wow.
Kagi
so:guessl
if
eisf
ullofsur
pri
ses,
isn'
t?
Mxol
isi:yeah.
.HowmayIhel
pman.
Kagiso:canIpleaset
alktoRose?I
'
vebeent
ryi
ng
herphonebutitdidgothr
ough.
Mxol
isi:sur
e..
.

Mxolisirubbedhiseyesfeeli
ngst upidbef ore
pi
ckingt hetrayandwalkedtot hebedr oom where
Rosewassi t
tingonthebedleaningont heboard.
Heputt hetrayont heheadboardbef oreholdingher
handgi vi
nghert hephoneont heot herone.

Mxol
isi:her
e..Yourcousi
nwant
stospeakt
oyou.
Rose:Mycousi
n?
Mxol
isi:yeah.
.Hesai
dhi
snamei
sKagi
so.
Rose:(
smi
led)Kagi
so.
Shequickl
yputthephoneonherearastears
star
tedtoburnhereyessmi
li
ng.Mxoli
silookedat
herandcouldn'
thel
pbutsmil
e.

Rose:Kagi
so?
Kagiso:Heybabe.Howar
eyou?Ar
eyouf
eel
ing
good?Everyt
hingohk?
Rose:
(cr
ying)No.
.
Kagi
so:Hey.
.Hey.
.Don'
tcr
y.Tal
ktome.What
'sup?
Rose:(
cri
ed)Il
ostmyeyesi
te.I
'
m bl
ind.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
51]Lynne :Chapt
er64

AtBr
eezes

Kagisomouthsli
dapartwi t
hhiseyespoppedashe
fel
tli
kehisearsweredeceivi
nghim .Heputhi
s
handonhi sf
oreheadwhenhest art
edwalki
ng
aroundasshecriedoverthephone.Thiswas
gett
ingoutofhand.

Kagi
so:Dontcr
y..
tal
ktome.Whathappened?
Rose:(cryi
ng)I tallstar
tedamonthaft
erIgot
mar r
ied.Ist ar
tedt ogetcol
dchil
lsandsuddenl
y
fai
nt.I'l
lli
teral
lyfeelcoldevent
houghtheweather
outsi
dei sfine.Andt hendaysagowhenIwas
st
eppi
ngoutofashower
,Ij
ustl
ostmysi
te.
Kagi
so:Haveyout
ri
edconsul
ti
ngadoct
orabout
t
his?
Rose:Wedi
d.Wetri
ed.Butal
ltheygavemewas
t
hesameanswert
hatther
ewasnothi
ngwrongwi
th
me.
Kagi
so:By"
We"youmeanyouandwho?
Rose:Mxol
isi
.He'
sbeent
her
eforme.An-
Kagi
so:Nono.I
tsohk.
Rose:(si
ghed)He'
smyhusbandnowKagi
so.
We'r
emar r
ied.He'
sbeent
heref
ormethepast
coupl
eofroughdays.He-
Kagi
so:Youdon'
treall
yhavet
orubiti
ndar l
ing.I
know.AndIhavenothi
ngagai
nstyourhusband.He
seemsni
ce
Rose:Kagi
sohe'
sbeenni
cet
ome.Car
i-
Kagiso:Idon'
treal
lywantt
oknowful
ldet
ail
sabout
yourmarri
ageli
fe.Ithi
nkI'
l
lpassont
hatone.
Theybothkeptqui
etwhenhest
oppedi
nfr
ontofher
port
rai
tandsighedl
ooki
ngati
t.

Kagi
so:I
'
m sor
ry.Thatwasr
udeofme.
Rose:Whyar
eyout
alki
ngt
omel
iket
hat
?
Kagi
so:(si
ghedagain)Let
'ssee.
.becauseIl
ove
you.Andithur
tsheari
ngyouprai
seanotherguy
l
iket
hat.
Rose:Buthe'
spartofmyli
fenow.He'
sapar
tof
me,youneedtounderst
andthat.
Kagi
so:Fi
ne.I
'
llr
espectt
hat.

AtRose'
shouse.

Mxolisil
ookedatherwhenasmi lepul
ledhisl
ips.
Soshedef endshiml i
kethatfr
om herfamil
y.He
neverreal
lyhadsomeonet odot hatandit
somehowf eltgreatandaccepted.Hepull
edher
handandki sseditwhenhepul l
edhim andmade
himl
ayonherthi
ghsplayingherfi
ngersi
nhishai
r.
Shedi
dn'
treal
lyf
eelsaf
ewhenal oneandsheknew
hewasaboutt
oleavewhenhedi dthat.And
somehowwhenwithhim shefel
tatease.

Kagi
so:I
'
m sor
ryRose.
Rose:Why?
Kagi
so:If
ail
edyoual
ready.
Rose:Kagi soyoudidn'tfai
lme.Youdi dal
ot
alreadyinmyl i
fethatnoonehasmanagedt odoin
thepastyear s.Youtakeoutt hebesti
nme.The
truthburiedi
nme.Fort hatI'
l
lalwaysbegr
atef
ul.
(Smi l
ing)Yourthefi
rstpersontomakemesmi l
e
afteralongtime.
Kagi
so:(
smil
ing)ohk..Iwantustomeet.Iwant
t
oseeyou.Sendmet headdress.
Rose:RememberIcantseeanyt
hing.I
'
llj
ustspel
lit
out.
Kagi
so:I
'
llf
orgeti
t.Tellhi
mt osendit.Ohandby
t
heway.Ireali
zedthatthr
oughoutthe
conver
sat
ionyouneverment
ionedyourpar
ent
s,
why?
Rose:Oh.
.t
hem ?.Icancel
edt
henf
rom myl
if
e.
Kagi
so:(
clear
edt
hroat
)Ohk

Hereyebr
owsnar
rowedwhensheswal
lowed.

Rose:Ar
en'
tyougonnat
alkmeoutoft
his?
Kagi
so:Why?
Rose:Becauset
hei
rmyparentsandIj
usti
nst
ant
ly
cutt
hem outaft
ermymarr
iage.
Kagi
so:t
her
eyouhaveyouranswer.
Rose:Oh.
.
Kagiso:Yeah..
solook.I
fyoucantfi
ndanythi
ng
wrongwithyoureyesandthedoctor
sconfi
rmedit.
It
hinkmaybeweshoul ddoitourAfr
icanway.
Rose:Meani
ng?
Kagi
so:Meani
ngt
heAf
ri
canway.Thet
radi
ti
onal
way.
Rose:Youmeanconsul
taseer.(
Chuckl
es)Idoubt
he'
llal
sofi
ndanyt
hingwrongwi
thme.
Kagi
so:Iguesswe'
l
lneverknow.Sendmet
he
addr
ess.
Rose:Ohk.
.bye.
Kagi
so:(
sof
tl
y)Il
oveyou.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Iknow.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)ComeonRosel
la,
sayi
t.
Rose:(
laughed)No.
.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Thathur
ts.Anywaybye.
Rose:Bye.

Sheshookherheadandhehangupassheputt he
phoneonMxoli
si'
sfacewit
houtnoti
cingwhenhe
l
aughed.Shegaspedwithasmileandmovedit.

Mxol
isi
:Thathappenedt
obemyf
ace.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)I
'
m sor
ry.
Mxol
isi
:It
sohk.
.ar
eyouhungr
y?
Rose:Yeah.
..

Hemovedfr
om herandpi
ckedt
het
rayput
ti
ngi
ton
herl
apandt
heybeganeat
ing.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Lat
er

Janewalkedinholdi
ngashoppi
ngbagandki cked
thedoorbehindher.Shewal
kedtothest
air
swhen
shespottedDineocl
eari
ngaful
ltabl
ewhil
e
hummi ngasof tt
une.

Jane:I
'
m sor
ryhoney.
Di
neo:I
tsohkmam .Justdoi
ngmyj
ob.
Jane:Iknowbutyouwor
khar
d.Youshoul
dtakea
breaksometi
me.Getati
meofff
oraf
ewweeks.
Di
neo:Nomam .Icantdothat.Ir
eal
lyneedt
he
money.Li
kereal
lyneedi
t.Ihaveafamil
yto
t
akecar
eof.
Jane:Iunder
stand.That
'swhyyou'l
lgetpai
deven
whenyou'renotworki
ng.JusttoshowhowmuchI
appreci
atehavi
ngyouwor kher
e.
Di
neo:(
smi
li
ng)Real
lyMr
sLyon?
Jane:(
smil
ing)forr
eal.Takeitasathankyouf or
bei
ngther
ef ormygirlwhenIwasn't
.BesidesI'
llbe
needi
ngyoumor ewhenJuni orar
ri
ves.(winked)
Dineo:Can'
twai
ttomeethi
m .I
'm sur
ehe'
llbethe
handsomeguywi t
hhi
ssist
er'
seyesandthatbaby
babyfaceofher
s.
Jane:Nodoubthe'
l
lbehandsome.Let
'sj
ustpr
ay
hewonthaveahintofadevi
lli
kehi
sdaddy.

Theylaughedandshewal
kedupst
air
sleavi
ngher
tofi
nishclear
ingup.
Shewal kedintot
hemai nbedr oom andagai
nkicked
thedoorbef or
estandi
nginfrontofami r
rorl
ooking
atherselfi
nhermer t
enint
ydr ess.Sheslowly
caressedherbumpwhenshest oppedandsmi r
ked.
Shemanagedt ogetoneoutoft heway.Onemor e
remainingthenboom !She'sin.
Shesmiledwalkingtoherbagandtookouther
phonedial
ingGailbefor
estandi
ngbackonthe
mirr
orrubbingherbump.

AtBr
eezes.

Kagisorubbedhi sforeheadashi smi nddrif

ted.
Shesoundedsaf eandhappyovert hephone.At
thi
spointhedi dn'
tknowi fweat herthiswhole
chosenthingwasmeantt obri
ngt hem togetheror
puthim onar escuemi ssion.Butanyway,hel oved
her,nodoubtaboutt hat.Event houghtheydont
endupt oget
her, atleasthe'l
lli
veknowi nghesaved
thegir
lhelovedf rom herownmi sery.Atleast
that
'shonorable.Buthow? hechuckl ed.
Gail
'sphonerangbyhi ssidewhenhemovedhi s
handf r
om hisfor
eheadandpi ckedi
tlookingatthe
call
er.Hesighedt hi
nki
nghowi tmustbet obecut
offsomeonedeal yasRose'sl
ife.Shemustbe
havingithar
d.Hest oodupandj oggedupstair
st o
themainbedr oom whereheknockedont hedoor.

Gail
:I'
m aboutt
otakeashower.I
'
llbet
her
ewi
th
youshortl
y!
Kagi
so:Oh.
.yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng!
Gai
l:Whoi
sit?
Kagi
so:Jane!
Gai
l:Tel
lherof
f!
Kagi
so:Icantdot
hat,
she'
sanel
der.
Gail
:Wellmyboy..
eldersknowboundari
esand
havemanners.Theyrespectot
herpeopl
e's
marri
agesanddon'toverst
ep!She'
snotasaint
!
Kagi
so:St
il
l..
Gai
l:Fi
ne.Tel
lhert
onevercal
lmeagai
n.
Kagi
so:Ifyousomuchdidn'
twantt
ohearheror
cal
lher,
youcouldhavesi
mplybl
ockedher.
Gai
l:Ikeptt
hem f
ort
hesakeofRose.

Hesi
ghedlooki
ngati
tasi
trangandheanswer
ed
wal
kingdownst
air
s.

Jane:Heyyou..
howareyou?-nodontanswert
hat.
Howdoesi tf
eel?Act
ual
lywher
e'sBr
eeze?
Kagi
so:Uhm .
..
Hel
lo
Jane:(f
rown)Who'
sthi
s?
Kagi
so:Kagi
so.
Jane:Oh..
thebustar
dsont
hatst
andsi
nbet
ween.
Who'syourmother?
Kagi
so:Ver
oni
ca.
Jane:Veroni
ca?Whatkindofanameist
hat?How
canBreezestoopsolowtopl
antaseedi
nawoman
hernamei sVeroni
ca?
Kagi
so:I'
m sorr
ymam .Gai li
sintheshowerand
sai
dIshouldtel
lyoutonevercal
lheragai
n.Butif
i
tsimpor
tantIcantaket
hemassage.
Jane:Canyout akethemassage?Yeah. .got el
l
thatbit
chthatIwanttospeaktoher.Andbyt he
waywhot hehelldoyouthinkyouare?Comi ngout
ofnowhereaftersuchalongti
met ocl
aimt obe
Breezesson.Aren'tyouashamedofyourself
?Who
areyou?

Kagi
sostoppedont
hestai
rsandscof
fedwi
thhi
s
handi
nthepocketandshookhi
shead.

Kagi
so:Defi
nit
elysomeonewhodoesn'
twantt
o
geti
nvol
vedinthemiddl
eoftheLyondr
ama.Good
ni
ght.

Hecutthecallandrel
easedachuckle.Hi
smother
t
oughthim bett
erthantodi
srespectel
der
s.Andhe
wasn'
tabouttothrowthatawaynow.Hesohad
wor
dsf
orheratt
hispoi
nt.
Hewalkedtothekit
chenandgr abbedanapple
si
tti
ngonthehighchai
rlooki
ngout si
dethesli
de
opencurt
ainwhenhisheartraced.It'
sdarkoutsi
de
.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Janepumpedwi thrageinsidewhenshet ookthe

phoneof fherear.Sheshookherheadast he
conver sati
onshehadwi t
hherdaught erflashed.So
thisistheboyt hathadanef f
ectonherdaught er.
Howr udeanddi srespect
fulofhim .Goodt hingher
daught erdodgedt hebull
et.Br at!Shesighedand
dialedBr eezeandwheni trangshesmi led.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Odi
ri
lepar
kedthecarwi
tht
hemusicpl
ayingout
l
oudasBreezesangal
ong.Hel
ookedathim when
hetr
iedtur
ningt
hevol
umedownbuthesl
appedhi
s
handoff.

Br
eeze:
I
'
m sor
ryf
ort
hewr
ongt
hingst
hatI
'
vedone
I
'
m sor
ryI
'
m notal
wayst
her
eformysons
I
'
m sor
ryf
ort
hef
actt
hatI
'
m notawar
e
Thatyoucantsl
eepani
ghtwhenIam nott
her
e
BecouseI
'
mint
hest
reet
sli
keever
yday
Sor
ryf
ort
het
hingst
hatIdi
dnotsay
Li
kehowyouar
ethebestt
hingi
nmywor
ld
AndhowI
'
m sopr
oudt
ocal
lyoumygi
rl

Iunder
standt
hatt
her
ear
esomepr
o-

Odir
il
eswi
tchedof
fthecarandhef
rownedl
ooki
ng
athi
m.
Br
eeze:Fi
ne.
.what?
Odi
ri
le:Let
'sgoputyout
obed.
Br
eeze:Idon'
tneedababysi
tt
eryouknow.I
'
mfi
ne.
Odi
ri
le:iflooki
ngaft
eryoui
scal
ledbabysi
tt
ing,
t
henI'm guil
tyaschar
ged.Comeon.
Br
eeze:I
'
m notget
ti
ngoutoft
hiscar.
Odi
ri
le:Fi
ne.
.we'
l
lsl
eepi
nher
e.Idontmi
nd.

Hesaidthatr
elaxi
ngthesi
tandlayedbackas
Breezet
urnedlooki
ngathi
m andcouldn'
thel
pbut
smile.

Breeze:Dudeyourhome.Gosl
eep.I
'
m ser
iousl
y
fi
ne
Odir
il
e:Noyournot.Youdr
unkandhur
t.AndI
'
m
notgoi
nganywhere.
Br
eeze:I
'
m nott
hatdr
unk.
Odir
il
e:l
ett
hepai
nasideandlett
healcoholsi
nki
n.
That'
swhenyou'
l
lknowyourdrunk.Sleep.
Br
eeze:I
'
llcal
lBonol
otogetyououtofher
e.
Odi
ri
le:Youdon'
tevenhavehernumber
s.
Br
eeze:ButIknowsomeonewhodoes.
Odi
ri
le:Andwhocoul
dthatpossi
blybe?

Heturnedlooki
ngatBreezewhenhejustputa
neut
ralfacewit
hnosignofbeingdr
unk.
Br
eezel
ookedathi
m andshr
ugged.

Br
eeze:You.
Odi
ri
le:Mxm .

Breeze'
sphonerangwhenhetr
iedtopickitbut
Odiri
ledi
ditbef
orehecanandfrownedlooki
ngat
thecall
er.
Odi
ril
e:Oh..
nowwouldyoulookatthat.How
per
fecti
sthi
s.(
Tothephone)hii.
Jane:(
frowned)Whoi
sthi
s?
Odi
ri
le:Odi
ri
le.Why?
Jane:(
scr
eamed)Handthephoneovert
oBreeze.
Tel
lhimI'
minpain.Ahhhhhh.
.pl
ease.Ahhhhhh.
.
Odir
il
e:Ngngnnanyana.No.Yourbar el
yonyour
7thmonthandalr
eadyyourstar
ti
ngwiththebaby
mamadr ama.Getalesson.That'
snothowit'
s
done.Gosleepsomeofusaretryi
ngtosleep.No
marn.Yerr!

Hecutt hecallbeforepulli
ngBr eeze'
shandand
unlockedthephonebef oreshutti
ngitandputi t
down.Heshookhi sheadl ayi
ngbacksl eepi
ng
wit
houtani deathatBr eezewasst ar
ingathi m wit
h
asmi leal
lalong.Heshookhi sheadl ooking
outsidebeforebackatOdi ril
e.He'slikeabot herhe
neverhad.Oneoft hebestt hingthathasever
happenedt ohim .Hebi thisli
pandr el axedtheseat
l
ookingup.
Br
eeze:Il
oveyouman.

Heclosedhi
seyesandimmediatel
ydrif
tedas
Odi
ri
leopenedhiseyesonebyonelooki
ngathim.
Hesmi l
edandshookhisheadcl
osinghiseyes.

Odi
ri
le:Loveyout
ooman.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
52]Lynne :Chapt
er65

AtBr
eezes.

Ear
lyar
ound4h30

Odriri
leparkedt hecaront hedrivewaybefore
switchingof ftheengineandturnedt oBr
eeze.
Breezel ookedathi m backbeforegrabbi
nghis
j
acketf rom thebackandopenedt hedoorsteppi
ng
out.Heshutt hedoorandstil
lfoundOdiri
le'
seyes
onhi m, hesi ghed.

Breeze:FineIgeti
t.Youwanttobemybodyguar
d.
ButI'm homenow.AndIpromiseIwontdo
anythingunl
awful.
Odi
ri
le:Whosai
dIwantt
obeyourbodyguar
d?I
'
m
yourf
ri
end,pr
acti
cal
lytheonlyfr
iendyouhave.
Andwitht
hati
t'
smyr esponsi
bil
it
ytolookaf
teryou.
Breeze:AndI
'
m gr
atef
ult
hatyourt
heonl
yfr
iendI
have.
Odi
ri
le:Sur
e.Nowgoi
n.Anddon'
tleavet
hehouse
,notyet
.
Br
eeze:YouknowIgat
tadosomet
hingi
fyouwant
metopassthr
ought
his.St
ayi
ngherewi
llonl
ypul
l
medown.
Odi
ri
le:Howdoyouknowt
hat?
Br
eeze:iguessilearnedt
hatf
rom myniece.Sono
.Iwil
lgetoutofthi
shouseandgomakesome
money.Justtogetmymi ndofft
hefactt
hatmy
wi
feisinjai
lbecauseofme.
Odi
ri
le:Ohk.
.butmakesur
etohi
tmeupsoican
t
agalong.
Breeze:itol
dyouidontneedababysi
tt
er.I
'
mfi
ne.
Justalit
tl
eoff.
Odi
ri
le:iknow,andt
hat
'swhyIwantt
obet her
eto
swi
tchthatof
fint
oanon.Manyousti
llhavealot
t
oli
vef
or.
Breeze:Wi
thmywi
feandchi
ldi
npr
ison,
Iguess
not.
Odir
il
e:ForGail.Yourson.Kagisoneedsyouman.
Youcan'tj
ustcomeintohisl
if
eandpl antthat
fat
herfi
gurei
nhi mthendrophim of
flikethat.Gai
l,
shecamebackt oyou.That'
showshel ovesyouto
fi
ghtheremoti
onsjustsoshecouldbewi t
hyou.
Breeze:(
swal
lowed)YouknowwhatIr
eal
izedt
his
pastcoupl
eofmonths.
Odi
ri
le:.
..
.
Breeze:thattheirconsequencesf orthosewhol ove
me.Atf i
rsti
twasmypar ents,theydi edbecause
theylovedmemor ethanmysi blings.I ft
heyhadn't
chosenmet heywoul dst i
llbealive.MaybeJames
wouldn'tbeinJai laswespeakandmaybeJack
wouldhavebeensomet hingbet terthanthebeast
hehidesbehi ndthesui t.Sagi...whenImethershe
wasasweeti nnocentgi r
landIt ookt hatawayfrom
her.Herdi gnit
yasawoman.Al lbecouseshe
l
ovedme.Despi t
eever ything.Andt henthere'
sGail
.Shehasal waysbeenst rongandi nnocent.But
thenIbrokeher.Nomat t
erhowt oughshewasI
keptonandonmaki ngmywayi ntoherinnocence.
Soi sJane.Imean. .ifwelookintot hisman,
withoutbeingpicky.Shewashappi lymar r
iedunti
lI
cameal ong.Shewasagoodwoman,mot heranda
wife.I-Iruinedthat!I'
mt hecourseofwhatt hey
haveallbecame!Iam t heauthoroft hei
rmiserabl
e
l
ife.Allofthem
Odi
ri
le:.
..
Breeze:(wipedtear)It
urnedmybr othersint
o
mur ders.Ibr
okemywi f
eintoacheat.It r
igger
ed
mywi f
esmentalil
lness.Ifl
ippedJaneinto
someonewho' sobsessedwi thme.Iki l
ledmy
parents.Nowtel
lmeOdi r
il
e.Doest hatsoundnoble
toyou?
Odi
ri
le:(
swal
lowed).
..
Breeze:Yeah.
.It
houghtasmuch.I
'
m br
oken
Odiri
le.I
'
m soBroken!
Odi
ri
le:Nomanst
opt
hat.Youcantkeep-
Br
eeze:What?Bl
ami
ngmysel
f?Hel
lyeahIbl
ame
myself.Allthispeopl
eIloveareinthi
sbecauseof
me.I '
m scar edtobealoneinthi
s.I'm scar
edtobe
brokenalonesoibr eakeveryonearoundme!Andi
knowyour eali
zeditcour
seyourtheonet hat'
s
alwaystheref ormenomat terwhatidid.Donttel
l
meyoudi dn' t.
Odir
ile:Whydoesi
tmat teri
fididordi
dn't?Allt
hat
mattersi
swhatyourgoingtodoaboutthis.Those
peopleyoucl
aimtoloveandbr okest
il
lloveyou.
Breeze:Thenwhydot heyallendupl eavingme.
Jacki sgoi ngtol eavemef orgoodandhat emet o
thelastwhenhef i
ndsoutaboutt hatbaby.Hest he
onlyoneI '
ml eftwithandwhenhet ri
edt omake
mendbet weenus, I-.
.Itor
eusagai nbecauseof
want i
ngsomeonet oblamef orourpar entsdeat h
thoughIwast hecour seofit.Iam mywor st
nightmar e.(Sniff
ed)NowI '
m scaredI '
llevenbr eak
myownki ds.Al lthreeofthem willbeapar tofmy
swor nlif
e.Andal r
eadyIseeKagi soi sdr aggedinto
i
tandt heresnot hingIcandot ofi
xit.( Tearflowed)
Andyou-myf ri
end
Odi
ri
le:(l
ookedathi
m)
Breeze:Yourt henextchapterinthebookofTHE
CURSEDAI R.Maybeyourt heChosenOnei nmy
book, yourtheonet obr
eakmef urt
her.Ihavea
feeli
ngthat,yourthenexttargetofmymi sery.It
s
alreadystart
edthedayatcour t.Andafterthat
,bloodwillneverseastofl
ow.

Hebithisl
ipwipi
nghistearandwalkedtothe
houseasOdiri
lesati
ntherewithhi
sheartshatter
ed
andpoundingatthesametime.Hewi pedat ear
thatf
lowedbefor
estart
ingtheengi
neanddr oveoff.

I
nsi
de.
Kagisoheardt hedooropenandgotof fthebed
walkingdownst air
s.Hest oppedatt hestai
rs
l
ookingatBr eezeleaningont hedoorsi l
ent l
ycrying
whenhet hrewhi sjacketonthet able.He
swallowedbef orewalkingovernotknowi ngwhatt o
doalthoughseei nghiml i
kethishur t.Heputhi s
handonhi sshoul derwhenBr eezest oppedcr yi
ng
andturnedlookingathi m .Thefirstboyhi sheart
l
ovedunconditi
onall
yonfi
rstsit
e.Hi sboy.The
onehelovedli
keason.Kagi solookedathi
m
bef
orepull
inghim andt
heyhuggedt i
ghtl
ynever
wanti
ngtoletgoofoneanother.

Kagi
so:What
everi
tis-i
t'
llpassi
nti
me.Iknow
you'
l
lmakei
tthr
ough.
Br
eeze:(
tear
y)Youhavet
odi
stanceyour
sel
ffr
om
me.I'
m gonnabr
eakyou.
Kagiso:Youcantbr eakwhat'
salr
eadybr oken.
I'
m
heretostay.Iwontabandonyouj ustbecauseyour
goingthroughalot.Iunder
standthatyoudontli
ke
peoplelooki
ngafteryoubutI'
m goingnowhere.
You'vebeenthereformewhennooneel sewas.
Andnow-Iwi l
lbeher ef
oryou.Thoughyouchose
toleaveme, I'
l
lalwaysbehereforyou-Dad.

AtearescapedhiseyesandKagi
sof
elti
twhent
hey
huggedeventight.
Meanwhi
le.
..
Gai
lhi
dbehi
ndt
hewal
lupst
air
s
l
ookingatthem whenatearrandownhercheek.
Thatwassweet.Sheswal l
owedbefor
ewalking
overwit
houtthem not
ici
ngandhuggedthem
j
oini
ngin.

Gai
l:Sowi
llI
.

AtRose'
shouse.

Ar
ound9h00

Mxol i
sihel
pedherintoherzipherdr
essbefor
e
standingbeforehersmil
ing.Shewassobeautiful
andnowheseemedt ohavebeenslowl
yandslowly
fall
ingforher.Hesighedandheldhershoul
ders.

Mxol
isi
:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Thankyou.Ar
eyoucomi
ngal
ong
wit
hus.
Mxolisi
:Uhm ..Iwi
shIcouldbutIhaveal
otof
thi
ngstotakecareof.I
'm sur
eyourcousi
nwill
neverharm youorl
etanyharmt oyou.Hesounded
responsi
ble.
Rose:Hei
s.ButIj
ustwi
shyouwoul
dbet
her
e,f
or
me.
Mxol
isi:(
smil
ing)Iseeyoudontwantmeaway
f
rom you,what'
sup?Yougood?
Rose:yeah..I
'
mfine.Justt
hatIf
eelsaf
ewhenI
'
m
wit
hyout hi
sdays.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)ohk.
.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)ohk?
Mxol
isi
:Yeah.
..I
'
llcomeal
ong.

Outside.
.Gaildrovethrought hegatewhenshe
fr
ownedl ookingatthef amil
iarcaranditnumber
pl
ate.Shel ookedatt hehousebuti twasdiff
erent
besidesthecar.Meanwhi l
eKagi so'
sheartpounded
hardwhenhesi ghedlookingaround.Thispeople
arefil
thyri
ch.Somanycar sandsuchahuge
housef
ort
hem onl
y.

Gai
l:Hol
don.
..Ar
eyousur
ethi
sist
her
ightpl
ace?
Kagi
so:I'
m not,
cour
seI'
veneverbeenherebef
ore.
Areyousur
eyouputi
nthecorrectaddr
ess?
Gai
l:Yeah.
..Iam .
Kagi
so:Ar
eyousur
eyourGPSi
swor
kingj
ustf
ine?
Gai
l:Yeah.
.
Kagi
so:Thenwhati
sit?
Gai
l:Not
hing.
.j
ustt
hat.
.I
'veseent
hiscarbef
ore.
Kagi
so:yeah.
.Ibetyoudi
d.He'
sRose'
shusband
now.Kindafr
eaksmeoutwhenIthi
nkofi
t.
Gai
l:Wai
t.
..
Mxol
isi
?
Kagi
so:Yep..heyl
et'
sgetout.I
tsrudetostayi
n
t
hecargossi
pingli
kethi
sinsomeone'syar
d.

Gail
'
sheartracedast
heybot
hsteppedoutand
Kagisol
ookedatherasshel
ookedaround.He
wal
kedoverandpul
ledherhandl
ooki
ngather.

Kagi
so:Ar
eyousur
eyourohk?
Gai
l:yeah.
.(
swal
lowed)I
'
mfi
ne.I
'
mfi
ne.

Theywal kedt owar dsthedoorandr angthebel l

steppingbackal it
tle.Gai lbi
thislipanxiouslywhen
Kagisol ookedatherbei nguneasy.Thedoor
openedandAbi gail
'seyeswi denedasherj aws
droppedl ookingathi m .Meanwhi l
eMxol i
sistared
atAbigai lashi shear tskipped.Shel ookedbeaut i
ful
i
nadr essandhadgai nedal it
tl
ebutofwei ght.She
wasevengl owingandver yeyecat ching.Realizing
theawkwar dness, Kagisocl earedhi sthr
oatand
Mxolisitur nedhi sattentiontohi m avoidi
ngAbi gail.

Kagi
so:Hi
i..youmustbeMxol
isi
.
Mxol
isi
:andyoumustbet
hef
avor
it
ecousi
n.
Pl
ease..
comein.
Hesteppedasideopeni
ngthedoorwideandt hey
wal
kedi nasGailf
iddl
edtoKagisohol
dinghishand.
Mxol
isinoti
ceditwhenhesmirkedandledthem to
t
hediningroom .

Kagi
so:I
ssheher
e?
Mxol
isi
:She'
supstai
rs.Seconddooront
hel
eft.
Youcangocheckher.

Kagisostoodupandr ushedthroughtthestai
rs
whent heawkwardnessf i
ll
edtheroom .Mxoli
si
rubbedhishandstogetherbeforest
andingand
pouredheraglassofwi neandpour edhimsel
f
whiskeythengaveher.

Gai
l:Thankyou.
Mxol
isi
:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulbyt
heway.
Gai
l:Mxol
isipl
ease.
..dont.
Mxol
isi
:what?I
'
mjustcompl
iment
ingyou.Unl
ess
Ist
il
lhaveaneff
ectonyouandsomehowyoudont
wanttorai
set
hatelect
ri
cit
yinsi
de.

Gai
llookedathi
m bef
oreashesatdownopposi
te
her.

Mxol
isi
:Dontwor r
y.I'
m marri
ednow.Ihaveawi
fe
.AndI'
llr
espectyourspace.
Gai
l:Didyoupl
ant
his?Tohur
tmet
hroughmy
ni
ece.
Mxolisi
:Woooo. .
.!Noonono!That'sabitharsh.
I'
dneverhurtyouGai l
,youknowthat.Besidesyour
theonethathurtme.Youchoseanot hermani nmy
presenceandbelitt
ledmebefor
ehim .Doyouknow
howmuchofabur denpai
nyouplacedoverme?
Gail:Iam mar
ri
ed.YouknewI'
dalwayschosehi
m
overyoudespi
teever
ythi
nghedi
d.Hesmy
husbandandit'
l
lal
wayscomearoundtohim.
Mxol
isi:Butsteppi
ngonmydigni
tyl
ikethati
nfront
hi
m..!Wast hatyourwayt
oearnhi
strustandlove
f
oryou?Maki
ngmef
eell
essi
mpor
tantand-
Gail:
I'm sor
ry!Ohk?I'
m sor
ry.I
twasn'
tmy
i
ntent
iontohurtyoul
iket
hat.
Mxoli
si:Wel lyoudi
d.Actual
lyyouusedmeAbi gail
.
Youusedmet of
eedyourangerandsexualhunger
al
ongwi t
hrevenge.Youl edmeonj ustsoyoucan
hur
thim withoutconsi
deri
nghowi t'
l
lmakemef eel.
Youcaredlessofmyf eel
ingsjustsoyoucanfil
lthe
gapmissingi nyou.
Gail
:Ididn'
tuseyouMxol isi!TrustmeIdidn'
t.
Whatwehadwasr eal.Youknowt hat.Butatt
he
endofthedayweal lhaveourpar ttopl
ayand
ther
e'sal
waystheonet hatwi nsandhedid!
Mxol
isi
:Soi
fyoul
ovedme,
whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?
Gai
l:(t
ear
y)Becausethefeel
ingsIhadforyouwere
not
hingcomparedtowhatIhaveforhi
m .Yearsof
l
oveandbondingcanneverbebrokenbyasi mpl
e
onegoodnightst
and.
Mxoli
si:Wow!Soyoudi denj
oyyour
sel
fyetyou
mademeaf ooli
nfr
ontofhi
m!Howcouldyoube
soheartl
ess?
Gai
l:(
teary)I'
m sor
ry!Idontknowhowlongit
s
goi
ngtotakeforyoutofor
givemebutIam soso
sor
ry.Iam sorr
y.
Mxoli
si:Il
ovedyouAbigai
l.AndevennowIdo.
Butyouhurtmemor et
hanIcouldhaveever
i
magined.Youbrokemyselfesteem andhereyou
ar
etryi
ngtorepai
ritwi
thmeaninglessapol
ogies.
Maybeitwasfort
hebest.

Hestoodupandwentt
otheki
tchenwherehe
pour
edhimsel
fagl
assofcol
dwat erwhenshe
qui
cklyst
oodupi
ntear
sandfoll
owedhim.

Gai
l:Dontbeact
ingal
lvi
cti
mint
hiswhenyounot!
Mxol
isi
:Am Inot?Pleasebabe..
.el
abor
atemeon
t
hat?Whoisthevict
iminallt
hisfunpar
tyofour
s?
Gail:
Onlyonepersonisthevi
cti
m her
e.Sagiis.
Andnowshe' saway,andwehavenoi deawhere
sheis.Sheleftwi
thaheavyheart.
Mxol
isi
:(swal
lowed)Away?
Gail
:Yeah..andIcantseem toreachhersinceshe
wantedsomespace.Thatwomani sthevicti
min
al
lofthis.Notme, notyouandabsolutel
ynot
Breeze.Sagiis.Theoneyoul efttodieonthe
gr
oundl ikeacowar drunni
ngaway.
Mxoli
si:Ididn'
tleavehertodie.Afterwhatyour
husbandplusyoursisterwif
edi dtome, Iwasin
pai
nandt hebruiseshadtobet akencareoff.
Gai
l:Pat
het
ic!Wackexcusefrom ahi
ghstandar
d
l
awyerli
keyou.IguessIexpect
edalotf
rom you.
Mxol
isi:Sodi
dI.

TheybothlookedatoneanotherwhenGai lt
urned
headingoutandhefil
ledanothergl
assgalpi
ngi t.
Soshedidn'tknowwhatwashappeni nginher
absence.Butitwasnotinhisplacetosay,hehad
tokeephiscli
entsi
nformati
ont ohi
mself.

Ear
li
er.
.Kagi
sorubbedhissweat
yhandsonhis
j
eanbef
oreholdi
ngthehandl
eandslowl
yopened
thedoor.Hi
shear
tpoundedasitbrokelooki
ngat
hersi
tti
ngonthebedwit
hastickintherhands
hummi ngasong.
Shef
eltsomeone'
spresencewhenshest
opped
hummingandstoodupwi t
hasmile.

Rose:kemang?
Kagi
so:(smil
ing)ohwel
l..
yougotabadwayof
sayi
ng"Hii
".ButanywayHi i
toyout
ooRosy.

Youknowhowbut t
erfl
iesl
iket ojustpopintoour
stomachs.Rose'sfacebri
ght enedwhenat earof
j
oyescapedhereyeandhewal kedoverhuggi ng
herti
ghtandsodidshe.I tallturnedemot ional
whentearsbl
urredbothoft hem stil
lhugging.

Kagiso:I
'
m sosorr
yyougoi
ngt
hrought
his.I
'
m
gonnahelpyouf
ixi
t.
Rose:I
'
m sorryt
ootodr
agyoui
ntomyl
if
eli
ket
his
onl
ytoplaydoct
or.
Kagiso:Wel
lift
hat
'swhatIam t
oyou,
thenI
'
m
happytohel
p.
Rose:No..notl
ikethat..notthatyouarethesuper
guyinmyl i
fe,onlyneededwhenI 'minpain.What
I'
m sayi
ngisIfeelli
keyourt hereformeandof f
era
l
ottomet hatIneverhadandIhavenot hingtooff
er
back.If
eelli
kethewor stperson.Abur dentoyou.
Kagiso:Thenyou'
remyburdenandim happyto
carr
yyouwheneveryouneedme.We' regoingto
fi
ndoutwhatishappeni
ngt
oyout oday,Ipr
omise.
Rose:Doyouknowanyt
radi
ti
onaldoct
or?
Kagiso:No..butIknowsomeonewhomi ght.
She'sal
sointotr
adit
ionandsomuchbel
ievesand
proudofhercult
ure.
Rose:Shesoundsl
i
keanol
dper
son.
Kagiso:sheisandthat
'swhywear eheadingt
oher
tofi
ndt hegooddoct
orforyou.Yousaidthe
doctorsint
hehospit
alf
oundnothingri
ght?
Rose:Yeah.
.
Kagi
so:ThenI
'
m pr
ett
ysur
ethi
sonecant
ellus
what'
sbehi
ndyoursuddenbl
indness.Let
'spr
ayhe
doescour
seIneedyoutoseesomet hi
ng.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Whati
sit?
Kagiso:(smi
li
ng)Not
hing.Comeon,
weshoul
d
getgoing.
Rose:(
smil
ing)I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
eunt
ilyout
ell
mewhatiti
s?
Kagi
so:Idoubtnot.
Rose:
(smi
li
ng)seei
fIwoul
d.
Kagi
so:(smili
ng)doyouknowhowt
inyyouare?I
caneasi
lypi
ckyouandputyouonmyshoulderand
youwouldn'
tescape.

Shekeptonsmi li
ngnotmovingwhenhescof fed
wit
hasmi l
eandpickedherjacketal
ongwit
hher
headwr ap.Heheldthem wit
honehandbef or
e
scoopingherwiththeot
herputti
ngheronhis
shoulderasshelaughedli
keal i
tt
legi
rli
nastoreof
candi
eswhi let
heyheadeddownst ai
rs.
Meanwhi l
e..
Mxolisif
rownedl i
steni
ngtoan
unfami l
iarl
aughterwhenhewal kedoutoft he
ki
tchenandsawRoseonKagi so'sshoulder
l
aughi ng.Ohkt hiswaswei rd.Shecanl augh.Hi s
eyesnar rowedlookingatthem passbyhi m and
wentoutasshekeptonl aughing.Gailstoodup
fr
om t hecouchandf ol
lowedthem andhepi cked
hisjacketfoll
owing.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
52]Lynne :Chapt
er66
Att
heTr
adi
ti
onalheal
er.

Gailsatint hecarli
steningtosoftmusi cwhent ears
start
edr oll
ing.Shet houghtshewasoverhi m but
seeinghimr i
ghtnow, broughtbackal lt
he
memor i
es.Hewasr i
ght.Shedidusehi m andnow
whenshehadachancet omakethatr i
ght,shekept
tossingthet abl
es.Shedi dhur
thim .Sheal so
thoughtt hatthegatewayt ri
pwasgoi ngtohel pbut
i
tdidn't.Maybeshehadt otakeresponsibili
tyfor
herownact ionsandf i
xthis.

Insi
deahut. .
.t
heheal erspil
ledhisbonesmaki ng
soundashesepar atedthem .Rose'sheartpounded
whensher eachedf orboththeirhandsandt hey
bothturnedl
ookingathersqueezi ngherhands.
Theylookedatoneanot herbeforebackatthe
healerassherelaxedf eel
ingsafernow.
Healer:Thegirlissurr
ounded.Sheispul
ledinto
bothyourf amilyandagi r
l'
ssi
de.Yourancestor
s
don'
twanthersot heyarepuni
shingherf
orshewi l
l
bri
ngdar knesstoyou.I YOOH!Sodoesher
ancestor
s.
Mxol
isi
:Myn?But.
.
Healer:Thegirlcarr
iesal otofdar
kness.Theunion
betweenthetwoofyouwasnotappr ovedbythe
ancestor
ssot heirholdi
ngont oheraspunishment.
ButIseeagi r
l, she'
scrying.She'scr
yingoveryou.
Sheiscrying.Iyyooh!
Rose:Nakedi?
Heal
er:mmmhh. .
.shest
andsbyaanani mal.It
's
meanttoprotectyoubuti
tcan'tbecouseyour
..
.mmhhot lametswengwana' ka.Thegir
liscryi
ng
andnotinpeace.Shewon' tresti
npeaceuntilyour
saf
e.Iyooohh!!Shei scrying.

Allt
hreeofthem thei
rhear
tspoundedl
ookingatt
he
heal
erclappinghands.Rose'
seyeswell
edupwhen
herbodyloosenedandshemel t
edonKagisocryi
ng.
Mxoli
sir
ubbedhisf acetryingt ounder
standwhy.I
meanshewasper fect.Hel ookedatRoselayi
ngon
Kagi
socryingandbi thi
sl i
p, ithur
tseei
ngher
l
eani
ngonanot herguyl i
ket hatcryi
ng.Thehealer
l
ookedatthem andt heylookedather .

Mxoli
si:So..
wehavet
osepar
ate?Li
ke.
.t
ake
di
ff
erentpat
hs?
Healer
:that '
stheonl ywayt ohelpher.Youwi ll
havetoannouncet hesepar ati
ont othem andyour
enti
refamily.Askf orforgi
venessf orbr i
ngingthi
s
uponyourf amilywithagoat '
sbloodt othe
ancest
ors.Theywi llr
eleaseherbymi dnightandI'
ll
havetotakehert other i
vertocleanseher.Fr om
ther
eherancest orswi l
lwelcomeheragai n.This
ti
meshe'llhavet ounitewithherguar dian.

Sheturnedlooki
ngatKagisowhenhecl ear
edhis
thr
oatavoidi
nghereyesandhuggedRoset i
ghtl
y.
Mxoli
silookedatthem andsighedwi
thoutanidea
whotheguar di
anis.Het houghthehadfoundher,
butnowshealsohast oleave.Her ubbedhi
seyes
whenKagisonoticedhim andsighed.Heknewthe
pai
nofloosi
ngRoset oanotherguy.Shewasa
j
ewelthi
sone, buthistocare.

AtBonol
o'shouse.

Odiri
lepar
kedamet erawayfr
om herhouseand
steppedputleani
ngonthedoorl
ookingather
house.Het ookouthi
sphoneanddialedherand
shepickedupaf t
erf
ourri
ngs.

Odi
ri
le:Babe.
Bonol
o:(
blushi
ng)Hi
i.Howar
eyou?
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m notgood.You?
Bonol
o:Nowthatyousai
dyournotgood,
thenso
am I
.What'
sup?
Odi
ri
le:Whydontyoucomeandf
indout.I
'
m
out
side
Bonol
o:Out
sidewher
e?Mypl
ace.
Odi
ri
le:Yep.
Bonol
o:(peaki
ngt
hrought
hewi
ndow)Odi
ri
lehow
di
dyou-OMG!.

Shehangupandwor ehershoesrunningout.
Meanwhi l
eOdi r
il
esmi l
edlooki
ngatherr ushi
ngout
thedoortothegat e.Shestoppedatthegatetobe
surebefor
er unningoverandhemetherhal fway
pickedher.Thef eel
ingofhavi
ngherinhi sarms
wassomet hingelse.Thisiswhathe'
sbeenl ooki
ng
for.

MeanwhileVer onicapickedthelastrubbishandput
them i
nabucketbef orewipingthesweatof fher
face.Shepi ckedthebucketheadi ngtothesi deof
thestr
eettodi sposeitwhenshequi cklynot i
ced
Bonolowithanot hermanki ssi
ng.Shest opped
holdi
ngherwai standshookherheadcar ryi
ngon
withwhathel pedherkeephermi ndoffthingsli
ke
thi
s.Shedi sposedt herubbishandwal kedbackt o
heryar
d,t
hiswasnonofherbusi
nessanyway.

Bonol
oturnedaroundwhenshesawherheading
i
ntoheryardandherhear
tskippedwonder
ingifshe
sawher.ShepulledOdi
ri
leandtheygoti
nthecar
andshesighed.

Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyouohk?
Bonol
o:Yeah.
.I'
mfi
ne.Howdi
dyouf
indme
anyway?
Odi
ri
le:DoIreal
lyneedt
oexpl
ainwhyandhowI
makemyplanstoseemygirl?
Bonol
o:(
blushi
ng)yeah.
.If
eel
li
keyourst
alki
ng
menow.
Odi
ri
le:i
sthatapr
obl
em ?
Bonol
o:Aver
yhugeone.

Hel
ookedatherandshebl
ushedlooki
ngaround
t
hecar.Shepi
ckedaplast
icf
rom thebackand
openedi
t

Bonol
o:Ar
ethi
smi
ne?
Odi
ril
e:Yeah..canIaskyousomet
hing?I
tisout
ofl
inethough.
Bonol
o:Ohk.
.what
'sup?
Odir
il
e:Wher
eisyourboyf
ri
end?Doeshel
eave
anywher
enear
by?
Bonol
o:(
sighed)It
houghtweagreedthatwhenI'
m
wit
hyouweleavehim out.Thi
sisj
ustgoingtor
uin
ourmoment.
Odir
il
e:sorrybutIhavet oask.Imeanwear e
gamblingwit
honesf eeli
ngshere.Likeyousaid,
hesquiteanddoesn'
tlikeexpressi
nghisfeel
ings.
Whatifhedoesonedaywhenhef i
ndsust ogether
andgoesallpsychoonus?Youdor eali
zeyourthe
onethat'
sgonnagethur tthemostright?AndIdont
wantthat.
Bonol
o:He'snotl
ikethat.Hessweetandgentle.
Hewouldn'
tevenharm afly.Besi
des.
.Ihaven'
t
seenhi
minl
ikef
ourdays.
Odiri
le:f i
ne, noneedtogetallworkedup.I
'
mjust
askingcour seIknowhowmuchi thurt
sseei
ngt
he
gir
lyoul ovewi t
hanotherguy.Askingfr
om
experience.
Bonol
o:Dontwor
ry.Hei
snotavi
olentguy.
Odir
il
e:Ohk..
butonedayyou'
l
lhavetotel
lhi
m -or
me.YoucanthaveusbothandIcantkeepshar
ing
youwithanot
herguy.

Shel ookedathim andsighedlooki

ngoutthe
window.Hewasr ighti
naway.Shecantkeep
mi xi
ngthem li
kethis.Notonlyisnotr
ight,
butit
's
alsounhealthycourseshehassexwi thbothof
them .Shesighedlookingathim.

Odir
il
e:Justt
hinkabouti
t.Ihat
eshar
ing.
Especi
all
ywhenitcomestoyou .
Bonol
o:Ohk.
.
Odi
ri
le:So.
..woul
dyoul
iket
ojoi
nmet
ocheckon
myf
ri
end?He'
sbeendownsi
ncet
hedayatcour
t.
Bonolo:Icani
maginethepainhe'
sgoingthr
ough
ri
ghtnow.Plussheispregnant
.Thatwoman
seemedsosweetthedayImether.Shewasal l
smil
ingandshedidn'
tdeservewhatt
urnedout.
Odiri
le:Theresul t
sofacheat ingpartner
.ButI '
m
gl
admyboyi st akingresponsibi
li
tyforhi
sact ions.
He'sstarti
ngtor eali
sehowhi sactionsaffectthe
onesar oundhim .Soasaf ri
end,Iwantt oalways
betherebyhissi deandwal kwi t
hhi mthroughtt he
di
ffi
culttimesinceher efusestoletanyonecl oseto
hi
m.
Bonolo:Yoursosweet.Yousoundlikeabrot
her
othert
hanafri
end.IwishIhadthat.Someoneto
confi
dein.
Odir
il
e:Ohcomeonbabe.I
'
m here.Youcan
confi
dei
nme.Soareyoucoming?
Bonol
o:Whowi
llbet
her
e?
Odir
il
e:Hiswi
fe,
Abi
gai
l.I
'
m notsur
eifhe'
sson
wil
lbether
e.
Bonol
o:(clear
edt hr
oat)ohuhm ..Ifor
got
...
mymom
sai
dwellbehavi ngguest'
stonight
.Ireal
lywishI
coul
dbet heretosupportbut..
Icant.
Odi
ri
le:Oh..
Iunder
stand.Bewi
thyourmom andI
'
ll
bewithBr
eeze.
Bonol
o:Il
oveyou.
Odi
ri
le:Il
oveyout
oo.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Janesatont hecouchwitht hemassagi nglady

massagingherswol l
enfeet.Shesmi l
edrelaxi
ngas
anothermaidbroughtherj ui
ceandshepi ckedit
dri
nking.Nowt hi
swasal ife.Shepickedherphone
andwentt othecontact
sl ookingatRose'snumber.
Shesigheddiali
ngitbutitdidn'tgothr
ough.Thi s
wasget t
ingt
oher .Herownchi ldi
gnoringherli
ke
thi
s.
Shesighedanddi
aledsomeoneshenevert
hought
she'
l
lcall.
Jane:Hel
lo.
Jacob:Jane.Howar
eyou?
Jane:I
'
mfi
ne.You?
Jacob:I'
m al
sogood.TowhatdoIowet
he
pl
easure?
Jane:I
'mlookingformydaught
er.Ican'
tseem to
reachhersincethedayshegotmarri
ed.Atfir
stI
thoughtshewasangr ywit
husbutnowIf eart
hat'
s
notthecase.Haveyousomehowbeeni ncont act
withthem ?
Jacob:Ithi
nkbothyouandIhavesomet hingin
commonher e.Bothourchildrenignoreus, though
mineit'
sbeenli
kethateversince.No. ..
Ihaven't
tal
kedtohim si
ncetheweddi ngeither.Meand
Donaldneverhadafatherandsonconnect ion
unli
keLefa.Donal
denj oyshisownspaceand
makinghisowndecisionswithoutmebyhi sside.I
guesstheyhadbigplansoftheirowni ftheir
i
gnoringusli
kethi
s
Jane:Andwhatbigplansar
ethoset
hatarebeyond
famil
y?!Ibl
ameyouformychil
dnegl
igence
towardsme.
Jacob:heii!Wat chitwhent alkingtome.I '
m not
yourhusband.Dontl etthoser i
diculoushormones
l
eadyout owar dsme.Pr egnancydoesn' tstartwit
h
you.WhatIdi dwasmar r
yourchi l
drenandsave
them f
rom theburdenofhear tbreak.Herghost ing
youhasnot hingtodowi ththat.I fsheis,t
hent he
questi
onyoushoul dbeaski ngi s"why"and" what
youdid".St oppoint
ingyourf i
lthyfinger
stowar ds
usjustbecouseyoucantdealwi thyourown
probl
ems!Knowyourl imits!

Hecutthecal
landshef r
ownedlookingati
tbefore
gul
pingthej
uice.Herphonereci
evedanotif
icat
ion
andheopeneditlooki
ngatt
headdr ess.

Jane:Atl
eastyourusef
ulyoupi
eceofshi
t.(
Tothe
l
ady)hey..
lookIgatt
ago.Letmesendthemoney
i
ntoyouraccount.Thankyousomuchbytheway.
Lady:Ohk.

AtRose'
shouse.

Lat
er.
.
Mxol isiparkedthecarandtheyallremainedinsi
de
asal lemot ionsfl
ewaround.Kagisohasbeen
stari
ngout sidewit
hhishandholdingRoseasshe
closedhereyes.Meanwhi leMxolisihel
dont i
ghtto
thewheelnotknowi nghowt omoveasGai lal
so
staredout sidenotknowingwhattodo.Mxol isi
sighedandl etgolooki
ngatGail.

Mxol
isi
:Y'
al
lgood?
Al
l:.
..
.
Mxol
isi
:ohk.
..

Heopenedt
hedoorsteppi
ngoutwhenacardr ove
i
ntot
heyardandpar
kedbehindthem .Gai
llooked
atthesidemi
rrorandfrownedlooki
ngatJane
steppi
ngout.Shequicklygotoutandsl
ammedthe
doorwakingRoseandKagi sofr
owned.

Rose:I
sever
ythi
ngohk?
Kagi
so:Yeahjustt
hatt
hey.
..havetosor
tout
somethi
ng.Doyouwanttol
istent
omusic?
Rose:Soyoucandeafmenott
ohearwhatgoi
ng
on,no!
Kagi
so:Not
hingi
sgoi
ngonRosy.Iassur
eyouon
t
hat.
Rose:Ohk.
.

Hel eanedoverandtur nedthekeybef

oreswitchi
ng
onthemusi candturnedthevolumeup.Theway
Gailgotofthiscarclearl
yitwasn'
tgoingtogowell
plushedi dn'
twanthert ohearanypartofJane
si
nceshesai dshedoesn'twantthem .Unl
essshe
changedhermi nd.Hepul l
edheroverandmade
herlayonhi schestrunninghisfi
nger
sinherhair,
sof
tl
yrubbi
ngherscul
pandsher
elaxed.

Gai
l:Obat
laengJane?
Jane:lastt
imeIcheckedt
hiswasmychil
dhouse
andishouldbeaski
ngyouthat.Wenawherei
smy
baby?
Mxol
isi
:Hi
i..
ri
ghtnowRosei
s-
Jane:Karewhereismychildotl
ogel
egompol el
la
kadiri
ghtnow.Whatdi dyoudotoher?Didyou
feedher?Whatnonsensedidyousaytoheryou
ungrat
efulsonofabi
tch?!
Mxol
isi
:Hoo.
.nonowoman.Nowyourt
aki
ngi
tto
f
ar.
Gail:Andlastti
meIchecked, youarethehoehere?
Theonet hatleavesherpant
iesinotherpeople
husbandspant s!Aren'
tyouevenashamedt ofl
ip
thattoanotherwomanwho' sloyal?
Jane:Truewhattheysay,onecanonl
yseeone'
s
mistakesot
hert
hanhers.Whataboutyou?Didn'
t
youcheatonBreeze?Leavinghi
mtogoride
anotherdick?Nowt hatyouhadenoughyouwant
j
umpbacki ntothehappi l
ymar r
iedlife?Nodar l
ing.
YouandIar et hesame, justdif
ferentcreat
ion.You
seethis,thi
si saresultofunprotectedlove.Ami ni
Breezeisonhi sway.I fBreezesowant edittoend
hewoul dhavef or
cedmet oabort.Butbecousehe
didn'
tandenj oyeditsobad, hedi dnot.Didhe
ment i
onnotonl ydidhef uckmeonce, but
countlessti
mes?Howst upidareyou?Notnot i
cing
thedif-

Gailpull
edherbyherhairbefor
eshecanf i
nishher
sentenceandMxol i
sigaspedtr
yingtopullherback
,butsheheldonti
ght.Hel etgoofherwai stand
tri
edtoopenherfistfr
om Jane'
shairunti
lhe
managed.Hepul l
edGai lbyherwaistandshe
rel
easedonemor ekickkicki
ngheronhershoul der.

Gai
l:I
'
llki
llyouJane!I
'
m goi
ngt
oki
llyou!
Jane:(evill
aughter
)That
'si
fyourr
eadyt
ojoi
nyour
si
sterwifeinpri
sonbit
ch!
Gai
l:(
frown)What?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
52]Lynne :Chapt
er67

AtRose'
s
Abi
gai
l:What?
Jane:( smil
ing)Oops!Howi rr
esponsi
bleofyou.
Somuchf orsomeonet hatcar
esaboutherown
family.Youdi dn'
tevennoti
cetheredfl
agshangi
ng
allaroundyou.( Laughs)Ohyouhypocri
tel
it
tl
e
bitch!

Abigai
l'
sbodygotweakasherheadr
angwi
th
questi
ons.

Abi
gai
l:WhatdoyoumeanSagii
sinpr
ison?She
i
saway!
Jane:Ohpoorl i
ttl
eAbi gai
l.Youl i
vedwithaperson
forover15yearsyetyouar en'tactual
lyawar
eof
thei
rabsencemot ive.Howofanabsentbr ai
ndo
youcarryaroundint hatcutelitt
leheadofyours?
Truthbetol
d-If eelsorryforyour ightnow.Your
surr
oundedbyl i
arsandmani pulator
s.
Abi
gai
l:(
tear
y)yourl
ying?
Jane:(
sigh)Am I?Whydontyouaskyourl
awyer
si
deniggahere?Hewast heoneonthecase.Isn'
t
soninlaw?Andyeah. .
iknowaboutyourl
it
tl
e
secr
et.

Abigai
lrel
easedherselffr
om hi
m whenhebi thi
sli
p
rubbi
nghisfaceavoidinghereyes.Abi
gailscof
fed
l
ookingathim ast
ear srandownhercheek.

Abi
gai
l:I
sthi
str
ue?Mxol
isi
?
Mxol
isi
:Abi
gai
l.
.
Abi
gai
l:(
shout
ed)DontAbi
gai
lmeandt
ellmet
his
i
sn'
ttr
ue!
Mxol
isi
:I'
m notal
lowedt
o-

Bef
orehecouldfi
nishhissent
enceahotslap
l
andedonhischeekandwhenhet ur
ned, hefaced
averypi
ssedAbigail
.Janeontheotherhand
smil
edlooki
ngatthisunfol
d,j
oy.
Abigai
l:(
crying)Whycouldn'
tyoujustt
ellme?Is
thi
sawayofyout r
yingtomakemepayf ort
hepai
n
Iputyouthrough?Wi t
hSagi?( ToJane)Whathas
shedone?
Jane:Sheapsychopathdarl
ing?Shedi dwhat
ever
ymentaldisor
deredpersonwilldowhenthey
fi
ndoutaboutthei
rhusbandschildoutsi
dethe
marri
age.Sheassaultedapregnantwomen.
Abi
gai
l:Br
eezewoul
dhavet
oldme.
Jane:Buthedidn't.Thati t
'ssel
fshoul
dtellyou
howl i
tt
lehecaresaboutt hebothofyou.He'slost
i
nterestinal
lofthispatheticmarri
ageofyours.
Fri
endlyadvi
ce-leave.Youcantkeepf ixi
ngthis
whenonepar tofiti
tsalreadybroken.Leavehunny.

Shegaveasmi l
eandwalkedtowardsthecarand
openedthedoorlooki
ngatRosel
ayingherheadon
Kagiso'
schest.
Jane:Wena!?Tswamokol
oing!Tswaa!

Rose'sheartski
ppedwhensheraisedherheadand
Kagisostar
edatJanenotknowingwhatt osayto
her.Hervalgatowardshi
smotherwast heonly
thi
ngthatraninhisheadatt
hispoint
.Hebi thi
sli
p
l
ookingatRoseandsqueezedherhandbef ore
gett
ingoutofthecar.

Jane:Dontl
etmeforoncecatchyouatt
hesideof
mydaughter.OrI'
l
lmakeyouwi shyouwer
enever
borntobeapartofthi
sfami
ly.
Rose:Mom ?Whatdoyouwanther
e?

Janelookedatherasshest
aredanot
herwaynot
l
ookingather.

Jane:BabyIwantustotal
k.Imissyou.You'
ve
beenignor
ingme.Formonths.Youdontanswer
yourphonewhenIcal
landyoudontevenret
urnmy
cal
ls
Rose:Wellshoul
dn'tt
hatgi
veyoutheanswert
othe
quest
ionwhyI'mignori
ngyou?Idontwnatyouin
mylif
emom !Ihateyouwi t
hever
ylit
tl
ebitasmuch
asdad.
Jane:RoseIhadnosayi
nthi
s!I'
m sor
ry.IknowI
waswrongtogoalongwi
thi
tinst
eadofst
oppingi
t.
Rose:Youknewbutyoudi
dn'
t.
Jane:AndI'l
lspendtherestofmyl i
feapologizi
ng
andmakingupf orthat.Rosel
layourmychi l
d.I'
m
yourmotherandIloveyou.Iwoul dn'twishanybad
tocomeuponyouandt rustmeiregretlett
ingthe
weddingtakeplace.
Rose:Wellt
hebadhasalr
eadycomeuponme
mother.I
'
m bli
nd.Al
lbecouseofyouanddad.
Jane:(
shocked)Wai
twhat?
Rose:Ohpl easemother..
spar
emet hemot
herto
daughterlove.Youdontcareaboutme.St
op
act
ingshockedandl etmehavemyspacewi t
hthe
onl
yper sonyoujustchasedoutli
keadog,
whoby
thewayi stheoneofthoset
hatcareaboutme.And
totakeapagef r
om yourbook"Dontletmeforonce
hearyout al
ktohimli
kethat.Oryou'
llwi
shyou
havenevergavebirt
ht ometobepartofyour
familyt
ree"

Jane'
sheartcr ackedasi tsankinpainlooki
ngat
her.Tearsrolleddownhercheekswhenshewaved
herhandonherangr yfacet obesureandyeahshe
didn'
tshoanyr eacti
on.Shequi ckl
ytookouther
phoneandt urnedont het ouchandplayeditonher
eyesandstill.Wor dsstucki ntohermout hwhen
shetri
edtuckingherhai rbehindherearbutRose
pusheditoff.

Rose:i
fyoul
ovemel
ikeyousay,
you'
l
lleaveme
al
one.
Jane:(cr
ying)Rosedontpushmeaway!Il
oveyou!
I'
m yourmot her.
Rose:Youl
ostt
hatt
it
let
hedayyoul
ett
hem mar
ry
me.Leave.
Janelookedatheronemorebefor
etouchi
ngher
handsbutshepusheditoff.Shel
ookedather
befor
elooki
ngatKagiso.

Jane:(
toRose)Il
oveyou.Iwi
llal
waysdo.

Sher ubbedhert ear

sbef orewalkingtohercarand
droveof f.Meanwhi l
eKagi sostoodatthedoorand
wat chedRosecr y.Assomeonewhogr ewup
withoutaf at
herheknewt hepainandempt i
ness.
Andbyl ooki
ngather, shewoul dn'tsur
vivewithout
thebot hofthem .Shewasst i
llangry.Helickedhis
l
ipsbef oregett
inginsideandhuggedher.

Outside.
.Abi
gaill
ookedatMxoli
sii
nt earswhenhe
tr
iedtocomenearherbutshestoppedhi m and
walkedtowardsthecar.Shel
ookedatKagi soand
Rose.ThisremindedheronhowBr eezeusedto
comfortherl
ikethi
swhenshewashur t.Whenthei
r
l
ovewasstil
lstr
ongandpur
ewi
thoutsecr
ets.She
wipedhert
earsandsi
ghed.

Abigai
l:Igottogosomewhere.Act
ual
lyhome.
Areyoucomi ngorIshoul
dcomegetyoulat
eron?
Mxolisi
:(wal
kingover)Lethim st
aywi
thher.I
'm
goinghometoototalkthisthr
oughwit
hmyf amil
y.
Pleaseman,staywithher.
Kagi
so:Ohk.
.

Hesighedbef or
ehandingKagisothehousekeys
andtheysteppedoutheadingtothehouse.Mxol isi
shutthedoorandwal kedtot
hedr i
ver'
ssidegett
ing
i
nandAbi gailwenttoher'
sgett
ingthentheydrove
outatthesamet ime.

AtBr
eezes.

Wi
thhi
ghspeed-Abi
gai
ldr
ovei
ntot
heyar
dand
st
oppedandi nchawayfrom afl
owerpot.She
qui
cklygotoutandrushedinsi
deslammingthe
doorbehi
ndjoggingupthestai
rstothebedr
oom.
Shestoppedatthedoorl ookingatBr eezelayingon
hebedwi deawakelookingdr ained.Angerbr ewed
i
nsideofherandsher ushedoverpunchi nghis
backcountlesst
imeswhenhef li
nchedi npain
pull
ingapill
owtohishead.Shepul ledinof fand
sl
appedhi sneckwhenhehi ditgett
ingup.

Abi
gai
l:(
angr
y)Wher
eisSagi?Away?
!
Br
eeze:.
..
.
Abi
gai
l:Car
et oexpl
ainwher
eexact
lyi
sthatand
howshegotther
e?
Br
eeze:.
..

Shel
andedahotslapfrom t
hebackofherhand
whenhebithi
stongueandbloodf i
ll
edhi
smout h.
Hetr
iedst
andingtogowashof fbutshepushed
hi
m backandhelookedatherbeforeswal
lowing.
Abigai
l:(cr
ying)BreezeIknowIfuckedup.Bi g
ti
me.Andt r
ustmeI '
mt ryi
ngt
ofixthis.Iknow
therei
snoexcuset omakeupf orwhatIdi dbutI'
m
tryi
ng.Whydoyoul ockmeoutl
ikethis?Itooam
partofthi
sfamilyandIcareaboutSagitoo.
Breeze:Yout hinkIdontknowthat?Itoodid
somet hingIcantt akebackandIcan'tmakeupf or
i
t.Sopl ease..
.sparemetheapologiesI
'm noti
nt he
moodt osay" Iforgi
veyou"wheni t
'scl
earenough
youwontf orgivemeeither.
Abigail
:Breezeif
orgaveyout
hemomentyou
confessed!Whatwouldbetheuseformetokeep
holdi
ngyouont othat?Howwillt
hatbenef
itme?
Breeze:Youf orgaveme?Really?Areyout el
li
ng
mewhent hatbabyisbornyou'
lll
ovehim asyour
ownwi thouttaki
nghim asareminder?Withouta
l
it
tlebitofhatredtowar
dshim whenyoucoul dn'
t
l
ovemeenought onotuseyourbodytohurtme
back?Real l
y?
Abi
gai
l:.
..
Breeze:Exact
ly.
..yournotcapableoffor
giveness
Abigail
.Youknowt hat.Thischil
dwillbebornto
thi
sfami l
yandwi l
lal
waysbewi thmer eminding
youthepainandagonyIputyout hr
ough.Andwe
bothknowhowyouhandl epain.Painwithpain.
Abigail
:Fi ne..
Iagree.Ihaven' tforgivenyoubut
mebei ngher eaft
erever yt
hingshoul dmeanmuch
toyouBr eeze.Thisshoul dshowyouhowmuchI
l
oveyouandwi l
li
ngt ot akethatver ysamepai njust
towakeupbyyoursi decour semyhear tcantlet
anyoneel seinbutyou. NowImadeavow.Tost ick
withyout hroughtoutt hewor st.Forbet terorwor se
.Insicknessandi nheal th.AndImeantt hatfrom
thebottom ofmyhear tBr eeze.Il oveyou.Andi f
l
ovingyoumeanst akingal lt
hepai n,thenIwi l
l.
What'syour sismineandwhat '
smi nei syour s.I'
ll
acceptthechi l
dasmyown, thoughIwi shitcould
havebeenf r
om someonedi fferentatleastnother
.(cr
ying)
Breeze:(sighed)Idi
dn'
ttellyoubecauseshesai dI
shouldn'
t.IwantedtoobutIdi dn'
t.AndnowIsee
whyshesai dIshoul
dn'
t, shewasr ight.I
ttear
s
youapart.IknowyoudeservedtoknowandIdont
haveanexcusef ort
hat,
I'
m sorr
y.Shewastryi
ng
toprot
ectyoufro-
Abi gai
l:Dontgi
vemet hat!I
'
mt ir
edofyout wo
t
r eati
ngmel i
keanegg.Icant akewhateveryou
t
hr owatme.Whyi ssheinpri
son?Sheonl y
respondswhenpr ovoked.Whathappened?
Breeze:Janehappened.Shecameinhereand
pr
ovokedher.Onet hi
ngledtoanot
herandshe
smashedherheadt wi
ceorsoandthenwiththecar
windowbeforeki
ckingher.She'
satamentalpri
son
.
Abi
gai
l:Butshei
nvadedherhome!She'
spr
egnant
.
Di
dn'
tyouguys-
Breeze:Wedid.Pull
edeverycar
dincl
udi
ngher
healt
hcard,
butsti
ll.Theygaveher9months
i
nside.

Herkneesgotweakwhenshel
andedonthefl
oor
cr
yingasBreezesatont
hebedwit
hblur
ryeyes.
Abi
gai
l:Shedeser
vesbet
ter(
cryi
ng)
Breeze:Iknow.Andtowhatshesai
dtome, Idont
thi
nkI'l
lbeget
ti
ngherback.She'
sgone,
forgood.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
52]Lynne :Chapt
er68

AtMxol
isi
'
shome.

Therestofthef
ami lyelderssatar
oundi nt he
dini
ngroom wit
ht heirwordsstuckintotheirmouth.
Jacoblookedaroundandf oundever yuncleseyes
onhim whenhel ookeddownshamef ull
ynot
knowingwhattosay.Meanwhi leMxolisirubbedhis
handswithhisf
acedownwi t
hanachi nghear t.

Uncl
e1:Jacob.
.Bol
elamonna.Ot
ser
ekaeRose?
Jacob:I twasanarrangedmar ri
ageuncle.Her
familyistheoneatfault.Theyshoul
dhavedoneall
thenecessaryprecauti
onsbeforehandinghert
ous.
Theyshoul dhaveperformedallt
herit
ualsand
cleansedher.
Uncl
e1:Whyar
eyoupoi
nti
ngf
inger
satRose'
s
familywhenyout ootookpartinal
lofthisarranged
mar ri
age.Yourushedthewhol eprocessjustto
keepyoursonont hel
eashwi t
houtconsulti
ngus
forhelpandadvice.Nowl ookatwhatyouputus
through.
Uncl
e2:Whatifwor
sehappenedbef
oret
heygot
al
armedandwenttolookf
orhel
p?Whatift
hegi
rl
br
oughtdeat
huponourfamil
y?Toyourson?
Jacob:Wel
lhe'
snotdeadJoseph.Weshoul
dbe
grat
eful
.
Steven:Yeah. .
Ialsoagr eewithJacobandal so
disagree.Weal lareatfaulthere.Whyareyou
puttingalltheblameonhi m .Wealsoast heel der
s
ofthef amilywer ewr ong.Weshoul dhaveasked
thefami l
yandsatdownbef or
eagreei
ngfort he
weddi ngtot akeplace.Soi nsteadoff
ightingwhy
dontwef i
ndawayf orward?Asaf amilycour se
wer einthistogether.
Uncle4:Iagr
ee.Sowhatdi
dthesangomasayson
aboutmovingfor
war
d?
Mxol
isi
:Shesai
dweneedt
oaskf
orf
orgi
veness
wit
hagoatandt hey'
llr
eleaseher.Af t
erthatwhen
i
tstri
kesmidni
ghtshe'l
lbecl eansedattheri
ver.
Thatwayshe'l
lgethereyesightbackandshe'll
havetouni
tewithherguardian.( swal
lowed)
Staven:That
'ssi
mple.Ithoughtmaybet
hey'
dwant
mor ebutt
hat'
sevengenerous.Wecandoso
tomorrow,ri
ght.
Joseph:Yeah.
.t
hesoonert
hebet
ter
.

Therestofthefamil
yagr eedalongwhenMxoli
si
st
oodupf eeli
ngsuffocatedandwalkedout.
Meanwhile,Lefasatont heki
tchencount
erwit
hhis
wif
ebetweenhi sl
egsl aughi
ngwhenhesawhi s
l
it
tl
ebrotherrushi
ngout.

Lef
a:Excusemebabe.Letmegocheckonhi
m.
Her
:Sur
e.I
'
llmaket
hem t
ea.
Lef
a:Cool.
Hegotof fthecounterandjoggedoutlookingfor
Mxolisibuthewasn'tinthefront.Hesighed
l
ookingar oundthenhewentt ocheckbehindthe
houseandsawhi m holdi
ngont othet
reewi t
hhis
headdownsi l
entl
ycryi
ng.Hewal kedoverand
stoodnextt ohi
m putti
nghishandonhi sshoulder.

Lef
a:i
tsgonnabeal
ri
ghtman.I
'
m sor
ry.
Mxol
isi
:(sobbed)I
'
vef
all
enf
orher.
Lef
a:Iknow.
.
Mxoli
si:Butwhy?Whydoeseverygi
rlt
hatIf
all
i
nlovewithhast
oalwaysl
eavemeforanot
herguy?
Howl essofamanam I?What'
swrongwit
hme?
Lefa:Thereisnot hi
ngwrongwi t
hyouDonal d.Why
wouldyout hinkther
esanythi
ngwr ongwi thyou?
Youramanenough.St oplooki
ngdownon
yourselfj
ustbecauseachickalwaysl eavesyou.
Youroneofaki ndman.They'reluckytheygotan
opportuni
tytobewi thsomeonelikeyou.Someone
whol ovesthem dearl
y.
Mxoli
si:Butl
ovesometi
mesitsnotenoughr i
ght?I
dontknowwhattodoanymore.Myr elat
ionshi
ps
fai
landnowmymar ri
agefai
l
ed, wi
thinmont hs.
HowcomeIal waysendupbroken?
Lefa:Becouseyoumybr other,l
etpeoplebecome
youreveryt
hing.That'
swhyyouenduphur t.Let
theceremonyt akepl
ace,thengotel
lherhowmuch
youloveher.Letital
loutonherandseei fshe
feel
sthesameway.Dontbej udgyyettowardsher
feel
ingsforyou.Shecouldbeintoyoutoo.
Mxoli
si:Sti
ll
..what'st
hepointoflovingsomeone
whohast obewi thsomeone.Whyme?Whathave
IdoneorwhohaveIwr onged?Iwassupposedt o
behappywi t
hher, andIam .I
'm verymuchhappy
whenI'm wit
hRose.Wewer esupposedt ohavea
happi
lyeverafter.ButnowIunder standt
hatt
heres
nosuchat hi
ngasahappi lyeveraf t
er.
Lefa:Hey..
.dontbeatyour
sel
fsohar
d.Comeon
..
let'
sgotal
kinsi
de.

Hel
ookedathi
sbr
otherandshookhi
sheadnobut
Lef
apul
ledhi
m andt
heywal
kedi
nsi
de.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Abigai
lsatontheedgeofthelooki
ngatBreeze
l
ayingdownf aci
ngupwi t
hhiseyeswideopen.She
l
ickedherli
psandfiddl
edwithherfi
nger
s.

Abigail
:Ihavenoprobl
em wi
thyourchi
ldBr
eeze.I
understandt
hatbabywasamistake.We-
Br
eeze:Youunderst
andshi
tAbi
gai
l.Noonei
sa
mi
stake.I
ncl
udingmychil
d.
Abi
gai
l:Soyoumadeababywi
thheronper
pose?
Breeze:WhatI '
m sayi
ngisiknewwhatIwasdoi ng
whenIsl eptwit
hher.Iknewwhatt heresult
swil
l
beandt hebabyhappenedtobet hatresul
t.So
neverevercallmychil
dami stakecoursehesnot.
Abi
gai
l:Yousoundpr
oud.
Br
eeze:I
'
m notpr
oud,I
'
m ashamed.Butmybaby
i
s-notal
oophol
e.

Tearsblur
redhersi
tewhenshef acedanother
di
recti
onandbithernai
ls.Tearssil
ent
lyroll
ed
downhercheekswhenshebi therli
ptryi
ngnotto
makeasound.

Abi
gail
:Ij
ustwi
shi
tcoul
dhavebeenme.Mi
ne.
Ourbaby!
Br
eeze:Iknow.AndI
'
mreal
lysor
ry.
Abigai
l:
(shout
ed)Butyoudontsoundsor
ry
Breeze!!!
Breeze:Whatdoyouwantmetosay?Whatdoyou
wantmet odo?Tellme.Cour
sewhateveri
tis,
I'
ll
doitifi
tmakesyoufor
giveme.
Abigai
l:HowwillIf
orgiveyouwhenever
yti
meI
'
ll
haveaconstantreminderofwhatyoudi
d?
Breeze:(l
ow)See..you'l
lneverseemychi ldfor
whohei s.Allyou'
l
leverseeisar eminderand
someonet oblameright?Wel lgoaheadGai l,
hate
me, hatemychil
d.Idon'
tknowf orhowl ongyour
gonnakeepupwi t
hit,
butjustknowt hatIloveyou.
Andifyouwantsomeonetobl amef orourmessed
upreuniont
henyouhaveaper fecthusband.
CoursenomatterhowmuchIt ry, I
'l
lneverleave
myki dbehi
nd.Notmyblood.I '
m sorry.

Hestoodupf r
om thebedandcheckedhi
sphone
foranymissedcall
sandfoundnone.Heputi
tback
andwalkedtowardsthebat
hroom.

Abi
gai
l:Iwantachi
ldofmyownt
ooBr
eeze.

Breezestoppedonhi
sst
epsandscof
fedt
urni
ng
andlookedather.

Br
eeze:What?
Abi
gai
l:Iwantachi
ldt
oo.
Br
eeze:Abi
gai
lyournott
hinki
ngst
rai
ght
.Your
hur
t,andIgett
hat.Butyoucantj
ustj
umpi
nto
wanti
ngababy.
Abi
gai
l:Ican.Iwantachil
dandyourgoi
ngt
ofuck
meunti
lyoursper
mf er
ti
li
zesme.
Breeze:Abigai
lyourmywife.Idonthavetofuck
you, ihavet
omakel ovet
oyouinorderforyouto
conceive.
Abi
gai
l:Thenmakel
ovet
ome.Pl
ease.(
Cry)

Hert
earsal
waysbroughtpaint
ohi sheart.Hebit
hi
sli
plooki
ngatherandsighedrubbinghisnose.

Br
eeze:No.
Abigail
:No?Whatdoyoumean"no" ?Soyou'd
rat
hermakel ovet
oyourbit
chesandnotme,your
socal l
edwif
e!Andwor semakebabi
esoutofour
mar r
iage!
Br
eeze:(
rol
ledeyes)Her
ewegoagai
n.
Abi
gai
l:Haveyoubeenhavi
ngsexwi
thheral
l
al
ong?
Br
eeze:What?
Abi
gail
:Isshesat
isf
yingyou?ThedayIretur
nedI
t
ri
edtogetcloset
oyouandyoudidn'
tfeelme.
Waiti
sthati
t?Youdontfeelmeanymore?
Breeze:Yourhurt.Andyouneedt
ocal
m downand
coll
ectyour
self
.
Abigail
:I'
vedonealotofcol
lecti
onBreeze.I
fyou
dontlovemet henwhythehellar
eyoustil
lwi
thme?
Divorceme!Thatwayyoucanhaveyourpeace
withyoursugarmama!
Br
eeze:I
'
m notgoi
ngt
odot
hat!
Abigail
:Whyt hehellnot!Soyoucanhur tme
furt
her!Youdontwannat ouchme, youhardlylook
atme, youdontkissme, youdontwanttomake
l
ovet ome, youdontf uckme, youkeepsecrets
from me, l
eastevent al
kingtome, whatam Istil
l
doinghere!?
Br
eeze:Yourmywi
feandIl
oveyou.
Abi
gai
l:Noyoudont.Youl
oveJanemor
e.You
sayyoulovemeandSagibutshe' spregnantinJai
l
rot
ti
ngandyournotdoingadamnt hi
ng!,
meanwhileyourbabymamaswaysherassr i
ght,
l
eftandcenter.She'
spregnantf
orGod' ssake.
Breeze:(t
ear
y)Myhandsar eti
edAbi
gai
l.Andf
or
yourinfor
mation,Il
oveSagi.
Abigai
l:Wow!JustwowBr eeze!Youdontlove
anyonebutyourself.Youdontloveher,courseif
youdid, you'dbr
eakeveryrulej
ustsoyoucansee
her.Lovedoesn'thaverulesandskipsboundri
es.
Nomat terwhatshesaid,you'dgohighandl ow
unti
lyour eachouttoher.Yourloveisnocapable
togoagai nstal
loddsisn'
t?

Breezeswal
lowedlooki
ngathernotknowi
ngwhat
tosay.Shestoodupf r
om t
hebedandwalked
towardst
hedoor.

Abigai
l:I
'vehadenoughBreeze.I
'mtir
ed.I'
vebeen
beatenandbroken,I'
m af
rai
dIcantkeepupeven
thoughyousti
llhol
dmyhear ti
nyourpalms.I'
m
sor
rybutnowIhavet
ochoosemeoveranyt
hing
andanyone.

Shewipedhertear
sandlookedattheri
ngonher
fi
nger
.Shebitherli
pastearsrol
leddownandshe
tooki
toffput
ti
ngitont
het abl
elooki
ngathi
m.

Abigai
l:Thi
sisf
orthebest.You'
l
lrecei
vet
he
papersfr
om mylawyer.Il
oveyou.

Shet ookonel astlookbef or ebiti

ngherl ipand
walkedout .Meanwhi leBr eeze'skneesgotweak
andweakerunt ilhecoul dn'tstandandhef ellon
them .Hecoul dli
terall
yfeel hi
shear tbr eakinginto
piecesast earsstreameduncont roll
ably.Ithur tso
badt hatheendedupscr eami ngj usttor el
easet he
pain.Hequi ckl
yst oodupandr anout.Byt het i
me
her eachedt hedoorhesawhercardr i
vingoutas
thelightsdissapear edinthedar kness.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Anot
heronei
scomi
ng.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
53]Lynne :Chapt
er69.

Breezesatonthemathwithtwostr
ongliquor
s
besideshi
m andanotheroneinhi
shand.He
gulpedfr
om thebot
tl
ewhenhehear dthedooropen
andquickl
ystooduptocheckhopingi
twasAbi gai
l.
Hef
rownedl
ooki
ngatOdi
ri
lewhosmi
ledathi
m.

Odir
il
e:Wowt hi
si sasurpr i
se.Happytoseeme,
youeven-Ist
hata. .
.noBreezecomeonman.You
hadenoughofthislastnight.Thi
sshitwi
llmake
yoursyst
em di
sfunction.

Hegr abbedt
hebottl
efrom him anddisposedi t
outsi
debeforegoi
ngtot hr
owt hebottl
ei nabin.
Breezescoff
edbefor
ewal kingbacktot helounge
andopenedanotheronedr i
nkingjustasOdi r
il
e
walkedin.Hebithi
sliplookingathim beforesit
ti
ng
down.

Odiri
le:Ionlyl
ef tf
orhoursandal r
eadyyouturned
yourselfi
ntoaliquort
ank.Nowt el
lmeifyoudont
needababysi t
teragainandI'
llpunchyourightin
betweentheeyes.
Br
eeze:She'
sleavi
ngme.Mi
ghtaswel
ljustdi
e.
Odi
ri
le:Sagiwi
llneverl
eaveyouman.Andst
op
tal
kingaboutdi
eing.Who'
l
ltakecar
eofyourki
ds?
Theirmother
s?
Breeze:ImeantAbi gail
.Andmyki dswil
lbebett
er
of
fwi thoutme.I'm pret
tysurethei
rmama'swi
lldo
averygoodj obraisi
ngthem .LookatKagi
so'
s
mother.Sher ai
sedhim withoutamanbyherside,
soSagiandJanecanal sodot hesame.
Odir
il
e:Andt hey'
lldoaver ygoodjob.Butdon't
youthi
nktheydeser veafather
?Someonet oshield
andprot
ectthem from t
hedanger softheworl
d?
Dontyouthi
nkt heydeserveafather'
slove?

Breezelookedathi
m andgal
pedt
hel
iquoras
Odiri
lescoff
ed.

Odir
il
e:Ormaybeyourst
il
lwor
ri
edaboutpendi
ng
daddy-
hood.
Br
eeze:No.
..
it
snott
hat.I
tsAbi
gai
l.She'
sleavi
ng
me.
Odi
ri
le:That
'sr
idi
cul
ous.Gai
lwi
llneverl
eaveyou
f
oranyt
hingi
nthewor
ld.
Br
eeze:Wel
lshewi
ll.She'
sdi
vor
cingme.
Odi
ri
le:(
jawsdr
opped)What?
Br
eeze:Yeah..
.sounl
essyouwantdontwantt
o
j
oinme,thenpl
easeleaveorgi
vemeapieceof
mind.

Helookedathi
m wipeat earbefor
esighingand
wenttogetagl
ass.Dr i
nkaf ri
endssorrowsalways
di
dplayedaparti
nf r
iendship.
.
.
THENEXTDAY
.
.
AtRose'
shouse.

Roset
ossedont
hebedandf
inal
lywokeup.Thi
s
wasthemosthurtingpar
t.Wakingupbutnotbeing
abl
etoseeanything,j
ustcomplet
edarkness.She
si
ghedrai
singherupperbodyandtri
edotfeeli
f
anyonewasinthere.
Meanwhi l
eKagi
sosatont hechairwithablanket
adori
ngherasshest oodsti
ll.Hesmi l
edlookingat
hergett
ingof
fthebedandwal kedoversearching
wit
hherhandst ouchi
nghim.

Rose:Kagi
so?
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)mmhh?
Rose:Ar
eyouawake?
Kagiso:NowIam beauti
ful
.HowcanIhel
pyou?
Stoptouchi
ngoryou'
llwakemybonesup.
Rose:
(smi
led)Whatbones?
Kagiso:youramar
ri
edwoman,donttellmeyou
havenoideawhatI
'mtal
kingabout
.St
opdoingthat
!(l
aughed)
Hequi
cklygotof
fbef
oreshecoul
dtouchhi
sdi
ck
andl
aughedasshesmil
ed.

Rose:oh.
..
youmeantyourdi
ck?
Kagiso:Jeezyoudonthavet
obesost
rai
ghtwi
thi
t
m butyeah.Yourtoosl
ow.
Rose:Wel
l..
isi
tawake?
Kagi
so:ki
nda.
..butI
'
llbegood.

Shebi therli
pasherhear
tstartedr
aci
ng.Thelast
andt hefir
stti
meshedidthissheendedup
bleedingandunabletowalkfor3to4days.She
canimagi nethepai
nnow.
Meanwhi
leKagi
solookedatherasshekeptqui
et
wi
thafaceexpr
esshecoul
dn'texpl
ain.

Kagi
so:Ar
eyouohk?
Rose:Doyouwannahavesexwi
thme?
Kagi
so:What?
Rose:Iwantt
ohavesexwi
thyou.
Kagiso:(cl
ear
edthr
oat)mmmkkgmm what?Rose
yoursti
llamarr
iedwoman.
Rose:Wellnotf
orl
ong.Wearesepar
ati
ngand
you'
l
lhavetobewit
hmer i
ght?
Kagi
so:Howdi
dyouknowIwassupposedt
obe
t
heonetobewi
thyou?
Rose:Putonepl
usonet
oget
herandt
heypoi
ntedt
o
you.
Kagi
so:Oh.
.
Rose:Yeah.
.soar
ewehavi
ngsex?

Kagisolookedathernotknowi ngwhattosay.He
neverhadanyonet alkobvi
ousaboutsexlikethist
o
him .Andevent houghhef ounditcut
ehest i
llhad
torespecthermarriageevenifit
scomingtoans
end.
Kagi
so:Wewil
l.Butnotnow.Aftert
hiswhole
t
hing,Ipr
omi
seyou'
llhaveal
lthesexyouneed.
Rose:Promi
se?CourseIneverhadsexbefor
e.I
di
dbutitwasn'
tsex.Mxol
isij
ustbrokemyvir
gini
ty
j
ustsohecangetthebl
oodstainandpull
edout.
Weneverhadsexevenunt
ilnow.
Kagiso:Soyouguysli
vedinonehousel
usti
ngover
oneanotherandstar
vingbutyoudi
dn'
teventhi
nk
oftappi
ngevenifi
tsonce?
Rose:Yepp.He'
sthehusband, hewassupposed
tocomehomeandgeti tbuthedidn'
twantto
i
nvademyspace.Hepr omisednottotouchmeor
doanyt
hingtomewithoutmeper mit
ti
nghimt odo
so.
Kagi
so:Hesoundsli
keagent
leman.Buthe
over
doesi
tleyena.
Rose:He'
sacoolguythough.Keepshi
spr
omi
ses
andknowshowtotreatal
ady.
Kagi
so:sowhohel
pedyout
akeabat
h,dr
essand
al
l?
Rose:Hedi d.Hedressedmeandf edme.He' s
beent hereformeandIcantthankhim enough.
EvenwhenIwasonmyper i
ods,henever
aboundedme.He' sbeentherewit
hmeever ystep
ofthewaygoi ngupanddownwi thmet ryi
ngtof i
nd
helpformesi nceIgotbli
nd.Butnotoncet ri
edt o
takeadvantageofmeandhadsexwi t
hmewi t
hout
megi vingintoitort
ouchedmei nappropri
atel
y.

Kagisolookedatherbutcoul
dn'
thel
pbutsmil
eat
howsheal waysnoti
cesthegoodinsomeoneand
notthebad.Hepul l
edherhandbythehand
huggingherbefor
ekissi
ngherfor
ehead.

Kagi
so:That
'swhyIl
oveyou.

Shewrappedhersaroundhiswaistwhenthedoor
sl
idopenandMxolisi
'swal
kedin.Hesi ghed
l
ookingatt
hem andtheybrokethehug.
Mxol
isi
:Mor
ning.
Them :Mor
ning.
Mxoli
si:Youguysshoul
dprepar
eyoursel
ves.We
ar
eleavingi
nanhour.Dontworr
y,I
'l
lhelpherman.

Kagisolookedathi m andsighedkissingRose' s
forehandagai nbefor
eleavingtheroom .Meanwhi le
Mxol i
silookedatRosest andinginthemi ddleofthe
room andhecoul dn'thel
pbutr ushedoverl eaving
thedoorandhuggedherwhenshehuggedhi m
back.Thehugbecamet i
ghtandemot i
onalwhen
Rosef el
tat eardroponherhead.Shehuggedhi m
event i
ghttoobeforetheybr okei
t.Hecubedher
faceast earsburnedhereyes.

Mxoli
si:RoseIloveyou.IknowIneverreall
ysaid
thi
sbutoverthecoupleofmonthsIgrewtolove
youasIgottoknowyouandbewi t
hyou.Thi s
mightsoundridi
cul
ousandselfi
shformet osay
thi
stodaywhenwear ebeingsepar
atedbutI
wantedyoutoknowhowmuchofapl aceyouhol d
i
nmyhear t.Ineverf eltli
ket hissincet hel ast
personI '
vebeenwi thunt ilyou.Eversi nceI 'vemet
youIwakeupknowi ngIhaveaper poset ol ivet hat
i
sr enewedever ysi ngl emor ningwhent hesunr i
ses
.AndIbegi ntot hinkaboutusandnotonl yme.I '
ve
beenmeani ngt osayt hiswor dscour set hey' ve
beenhaunt i
ngmeeversi nceImetyou.Il oveyou
RosellaLyon.Mywor dsar en' tenought odescr i
be
whatIf eelforyou.WhenI '
m atwor k, Iget
i
mpat ientwi shingf ort het i
met ot ravelf ast erj ust
soIcancomehomet oyou.Andsomehowwhen
I'
m withyouIwanti ttot r
avelsl ower.I ttried
stoppingmysel ffr om f all
ingf oryoumaki ng
presumpt ionsonhowyouf eelaboutmebutt he
mor eIavoi dedmyf eelingsf oryou, themor et hey
grew.It rytokeepyououtofmyheadover wor king
myselfbutyoukeeponpoppi nginsi dedr aggi ngme
home.WhenIgetani deaofsomet hingorsee
couplesont hest reet sIkeeppr ayingt hati tcoul d
beus.Somet imesIj ustwantt oshoutatt hem
becouseIcantt ellyouaboutmyf eelingsandIget
jeal
ousoft hem,cour seIcanthavewhatt heyhave
withyou.Youmakemef eel theessenceofl iving
everysecond,mi nute,andhourasIst il
lhaveai rin
myl ungs.Thel it
tlemoment sispentwi thyou
playedapar ti
nmyl ovef oryou.Thel i
tt
lechat sand
thesmi l
es.Iwontt radet hisfeelingIhavef oryou
foranyt hingont hispl anet.Icantst opthi nki
ng
aboutyouandIwontst opt hinkingaboutyouandI
wontevent rytost opt hinkingaboutyou.Imaynot
bewi thyoui nthef ut ure, butneverf orasecond
thinkmyl ovef oryouhasbl ownawayoranyl ess.
(Cryi
ng)Il oveyouRose.Il oveyousobad.I thurt
s
thatal lI
'l
lbel eftwi thfrom nowal lwi l
lbeamemor y
ofyousl eepingnextt ome.I thur tsmet hatwhenI '
ll
closemyeyesatni ghttosl eepyourf acewon' tbe
theret osleept ooandt owakeupt oo.Hur ts
courseIchoset ol oveyoumor ethanicanhandl e.I
l
oveyou.I thur t
smet hatI '
l
lhavet oli
vel ovingyou
l
iket histhoughIal readyseeyou' llgetyour
happi nesswi t
hsomeoneel seanddef i
nitely
somet hi
ngyou' l
lneverhavewi t
hme.Il oveyou
Rosel laLyon.I '
l
lal waysandf oreverdo.

Rose'
stear
srol
leddownuncont
rol
labl
ywheshe
brokedowncryi
ng.Mxoli
sipull
edheragai
nhugging
herandshewrappedherhandsaroundhim
hugginghi
mt i
ghtnotwanti
ngtoletgowett
inghi
s
shir
t.Hepull
edherfacel
ookingatherandwiped
hertear
sandcouldn'
thel
pbutleaninandthey
ki
ssed.

Meanwhi l
e..
Kagisost oodagai nstt hewallwitha
raci
ngbr okenhear tandt earsinhi seyes.Hebi thi
s
l
ipandpeakedoverwhenhesawt hem kissing.Hi s
heartbroket othelastashewat chedt hem pullthei
r
shir
tsof fandhepi ckedherput t
ingheront hebed.
Heswal l
owedast earsroll
eddownhi scheeks
l
ooki ngathim kissingherwi thhi shandscanni ng
herbody.Whenhewasaboutt opul ldownherpj
pantsKagi somovedawaywi thhisr ibsprot
ect i
ng
dustwal ki
ngdownt hestair
sashermounsf il
ledhis
ears.Shescr eamedashebr oket hroughher
secondvi rgi
nitywhenKagi sorecei vedchestpai ns.
Her ubbedhi schestunabl etowal kandbr eath
properlybutkeptonwal kingjustt ogetoutasf ast
ashecan.Heputhi shandsonhi searstryi
ngt o
coveri
toutalongwi tht
hepainwhenhemi sseda
stepandfel
lroll
ingonthestai
rsunti
lherr
eached
thefl
oorhit
ti
nghi sheadandblankedout.

.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
53]Lynne :Chapt
er70

AtBr
eezeshouse.
Hecoul dn'
tsleeplastni
ght.Andhehadt okeepup
wit
ht hepainbecauseOdi ril
eonl yall
owedhi mto
dri
nkonebot tlewhichtheyshar ed.Hest oodup
fr
om thecouchwhenher emember edthatKagiso
wasoutl astnightwit
hAbi gailbutnevercame
home.Hej oggedupstair
st ohisr oom andknocked
gett
inginandf oundnoone.Coul dhehavegone
wit
hher?Hewentt ogethisphoneasaf ather
ly
i
nstinctcoveredhim andwi t
hapoundi ngheart
di
aledAbi gai
l.Afterafewt r
ieshesatont hestai
rs
andwr oteamessage.

Breeze:Youknow,ifyou'
regonnal eaveme, l
eave
mewi thsomethi
ngtokeepmesmi l
ing.AndI '
m not
call
ingtotal
kaboutt
hedivorce,I'
m call
ingbecause
mysondi dn'
tcomehomel astnight.Whereishe?

30secondspassedandsher
epl
ied.
Abi
gail
:Sorr
yIfor
gott
otel
lyoul
astni
ght.He'
sat
Rose'
shouse.

Hereadthemassageandsighedashisheartached
toaskheraboutt
hem .Hebuthisl
ipandshutt he
phonegoingupst
air
stotakeashower.Aftera
whil
ehewal kedj
oggeddownthestai
rsandf ound
Odir
il
ewideawakedrinki
ngcoff
eestandi
ngbyt he
door.

Br
eeze:Nowyourbei
ngcr
eepy.
Odi
ri
le:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Breeze:I'
m goi
ngtocheckonmynieceandson.I
sti
lldon'
ttr
ustt
hatguy.Besi
des,Ineedsomet
hing
tokeepmebusy, r
ight?
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m comi
ngal
ong.
Br
eeze:No!
Odi
ri
le:I
twasn'
taquest
ion.Let
'sgetgoi
ng.
Hel
edt
hewayasBr
eezechuckl
edandf
oll
owed.

AtRose'
shouse.

Aboutanhouraf t erhef el l.Mxol i

sigrindeddeep
i
nsideofherwi thherl egsonhi sshoul dersast heir
mounsf i
lledt heroom .Bot htheirbodiescl apped
againstoneanot herandhehel dhert ightshoot ing
hisgener ationinsi deofherbef orecol l
apsi ngont op
ofher.Thatwasepi c!Hewi pedt hesweatofhi s
faceandt urnedl ooki ngatRosewhosl owl ydri
fted.
Hesmi l
edandwentt opr epar eherbat ht hencame
backtogether.Af terput tingheri nsidehet ooka
quickshowerandwhenhewasdonehewentoutt o
getdressed.Hepul ledt hesheet soffandsmi l
edat
howf l
exyandsweetshewas.Howdi dheeven
misst hatdel ici
ousnessst ayingwi t
hheri nthe
samehouse?Heshookhi sheadandputt heclean
onesont henwentoutwi tht hedirtyones.Ashegot
outoft her oom hespot tedKagi solayingont he
groundr eckl essl
yandf rownedwal ki
ngdownt he
stai
rs.Hesawal itt
lebi
tofbloodstainont hewhite
carpetwherehelayedandpanickedleavingt he
sheetsgett
ingonhiskneescheckinghispul se.I
t
wasf ai
nt.Hepickedhisheadtocheckhowbadi t
waswhenhesawal otofbl
oodthatcover edhis
shir
tandhislegfacingtheot
herdirecti
on.

Mxol
isi:(
pani
cki
ng)Kagi
somanpl
ease.Wakeup
..
Kagiso.

Hehear dacardrivethr
oughoutsi
deandthere'
s
onlyonepersonheknewwhol i
kethi
sloudcar'
s.
Hebithisli
pandputKagi so'
sheaddownlookingat
thebloodthatcoverdhi
shandsandquickl
yranout
andyep, i
twasBr eeze.

Meanwhi l
eBreezeandOdi ri
lel
ookedaround
i
mpr essedst
il
lsitt
inginthecarandfr
owned
l
ookingatMxolisispri
nti
ngoutwithbl
oodonhis
hands.Boththeirheart
spoundedandt heyqui
ckl
y
steppedout.
Breeze:Isweari
fyoudidsomet
hingt
ohur
thi
m,
I
'm gonnakil
lyouthi
sti
me!
Mxol
isi
:Ididn'
tdoanyt
hing,Ifoundhi
mlayi
ngon
t
hefl
oorbleedi
ngwit
hadi sl
ocatedl
eg.
Odi
ril
e:Bleedi
nganddi
slocat
edl
eg.Boybet
ter
st
artprayi
ng.

Heswal l
owedf ol
lowingthem i
nsideandwat ched
them tryi
ngtowakehi m upandf i
nallypickedhim
taki
nghi mt othecar.Meanwhi leRosehear d
peopleshout i
ngdownst air
sinhersl eepandwoke
upt oast i
ngingpainbetweenherl egs.She
balancedher sel
fgetti
ngputpft hewat erandpicked
atowelwr appingherselfbefor
ewal kingout
touchingthewal l
'
st ogetherwayout.
Outsi
de..
Breezeshutt
hedoorandlookedatMxol
isi
wit
honehellofadarelookbef
oreget
tingi
nthecar
andOdir
il
espedout.
Mxol
isiswal
lowedahugel
ampandcoul
dal
most
i
maginet
hepainafterthi
s.Hewalkedbackinsi
de
andsawRosestandingonthebl
oodwalkingover.

Mxol
isi
:Heywher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Rose:Ihear
dvoi
cesshout
ing.Fami
li
arvoi
ces
act
ual
ly.
Mxol
isi
:Oh..
itwasnot
hing.Let
'sgetyour
eady.
Wehavetogo.
Rose:Wher
eisKagi
so?
Mxol
isi
:(choked)He.
.hewentoutwi
thhi
sfat
her
.
Rose:Uncl
eBr
eezewasher
e?Whydi
dn'
tyou
wakeme?
Mxol
isi:Theywer
einar
ush.
Rose:Whyi
syourvoi
ceshaki
ng?What
'sgoi
ngon
andwhyist
hecar
petwet?
Mxolisi
:Ispil
ledwaterandasf ormyvoi ce,I'
m
scaredbecausethisi
sthelastdayIspendwi t
hyou.
Areyousureyoudontwantt ocal lyourparent
sfor
theceremony?I t
'l
lbegoodiftheywer ethere.
Rose:Myparent
scarelessaboutmeMxol i
si.They
gotri
dofmethesecondtheyfoundoutthatmom
waspregnant
.Iwasjustaburdentothem andI
hatebei
ngone.I
'vebeenrepl
acedinthat
househol
dandpl
easedontbringthi
sup.
Mxoli
si:Butyoudoreal
izet
hatt
heel
dersmight
needthem f
orthecer
emonytobesuccessf
ul?
Rose:I
'
vegotaunt
ieSagi,
Gai
landBr
eezet
opl
ay
t
hatpar
tinmyli
fe.
Mxolisi:Butthei
rnotyourpar ent
s.ComeonRose,
onewayoranot heryou'l
lhavetogetoveryour
self
andmendt hi
ngswi ththem .Youragir
lnotaboy.
Youneedyourmot her.Yourstil
lachi
ldandyou'l
l
needt hem whenyougetol derandfaceli
fe
chal
lenges.
Rose:Iwasn'
taki
dwhenyouputallyourdick
i
nsideofme.Stoptal
kingaboutmyparent
s.

Mxoli
si'
seyeswi
denedashisjawsdroppedlooki
ng
athergoi
ngupthestai
rsl
eavi
ngbloodfootpri
nts
onherway.Hescof
fedtoherstat
ementbefore
f
oll
owi
nghert
ohel
phergetdr
essed.

Att
hement
alpr
ison.

Abi
gaill
ookedatthemanashepressedt
he
computerandsi
ghedlooki
ngather.

Man:I'm sorrymam .Butyournotonthevi

sit
ors
l
ist
,infactthepri
sonerputyouonthoseshedidn'
t
wantthem tocomevi si
ther.
Abi
gai
l:Sagiwi
llneverdot
hat.Checkagai
n.
Man:Idi
d.I
'
m sor
ryicantl
etyoui
n.

Shelookedatthemanandsighedwalki
ngoutto
getherstuf
fwalki
ngtothecarwi
thaheavyhear t.
Shegotintothecarandl
ayedbackf
eelinghel
pless.
Shetookoutherphoneanddial
edherlawyer.
Abi
gai
l:I
sitdone?
Lady:Yeah. ..Iwilldeli
verthem byt heendoftoday
.ButAbi gai
lar eyousur eyouwantt odot hi
s?
You'vebeenmar ri
edt othisguyf oroveryearsand
heisyourf i
rstlove.Dontyout hinkmaybeyou
shouldsitdownandt hinkt hi
sthroughcour sethi
s
i
sahugest epyourt aking?Ist i
llthi
nkyourhur tand
yourdoingthisoutofpai n.
Abigai
l:Welll
ovealmostki
ll
edmeoutof
heart
breakandparal
yzedme.I'
veputupwith
nonsenseandit'
sti
meIputanendtothatLuci
a.
Luci
a:Butyoust
il
llovehi
m?
Abigai
l:Myaf f
ecti
onsdontmatternomore.Agir
l'
s
gottodowhatagi rli
sgottodotosurvi
ve.I
'm
donewi t
hBreeze.Andlastti
meIchecked,you
weremyl awyerandnotmyt her
apist
.
Lucia:Wellthi
slawyerissayingthisoutofconcer n
andhatest oseeherclientsgoingthroughadi ff
icul
t
ti
meonl ybecauset heydidn'
ttaketimef or
themselvesandt hi
nkever yt
hingthroughbef or
e
taki
ngabi gstep.It'
salsoagoodt hing,foryoubut
..
.anywaythat'
syour
ight?Letmej
ustconcent
rat
e
onwhatI'
m hir
edtodo.

Theycutthecal
landshesighedlooki
ngatthe
bui
ldi
ng.Thisisawayforwardforhertoheal
.If
shewantedtofi
ndhappinessoutsi
dethenthi
sisi
t.
Sheshookherheadanddr oveof
f.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Janewal kedi
nJack' swardandf oundhi ml ayi
ng
ont hebedasleep.They'vebeensedat ingwhi l
e
tryi
ngtof i
ndoutwhat '
swrongwi thhim andst il
l
nothing.Shewal kedoverandsatnextt ohim on
thechairandpul ledhi
shand.Heseemedpeacef ul
whenasl eepandshemi ssedt hat.Justthatthe
feel
ingsshehasf orhisli
tt
lebrotherwer egrowing
eachdayandhecan' tfi
ghtthem .

Jane:Hey.
.Ij
usthopeyoucanhearme.Uhm -
Jack,IknowyouandIhavenotbeenseei ngeyet o
eyesinceRosel ostherf r
iend.Andwor ser ecentl
y.
Iwantedt oletyouknowt hatitsnotyourf ault.Itoo
am toblamecour seIdidal otofselfi
sht hingst hat
whenI '
llt
ellyouyou'llli
terall
ybreakandf il
ef or
divor
ce.Idon' tknowwhy,butI '
m alsoscar edt o
l
oseyou.I '
vedonear eallyunforgi
vablethingJack,
underyournoseand-andIt hi
nkmaybei fIletyou
knowwhati ti
syou' l
l-youknowwhat ?Let 'sjust
l
eavet hatforwhenyou' verecovered.Ineedyout o
fi
ghtthisJack.Iknowwehadourdi ff
erencesbut
I'
m sayingthisoutofawi felyconcern.Youcan
fi
ghtthis.Pleasedot hi
sf orRose.Youowehert o
fi
ghtandbest rongsoyoucancomehomet osee
herasyouwi sh.(Teary)Sheneedsyou.Rosel la
needsherf ather.

Atearrol
leddownfol
lowedbytheotherwhenshe
fel
thi
m gentl
ysqueezeherhand.Sheraisedher
headandsmi l
edasanothert
earsf
oll
owed.
Herphonebeepedandshewipedhert
ear
susi
ng
onehandtocheckherphone.
AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Anhourl
ater.
.
Janeparkedoutsidel
ookingatt hecar
sintheyar d.
Judgingfrom t
heparagraphtheysenther, her
presencewasnotappr ovedbyRose.Butshehad
tobehereanyway.Asherpar ent.Shesighed
steppi
ngoutandpul l
edherjackedwear i
ngi tand
herheadwr ap.Lefametherhal fwayandt hey
walkedinsidet
hehouseandgr eet
edeveryone.

Steven:Shallwegetst
arted.Shewhogavel i
feto
herishere,weheardaboutthefatherovert
he
phone.Mxol i
sigogetyourwifesowecandot hi
s.

.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
53]Lynne :Chapt
er71

Att
heHospi
tal
.

Kagisowat chedasthedoct orcheckedhi sheart

ratethenwr ot
eonthef i
lebeforecheckinghiseyes.
Hecl enchedhi sj
awsast hememor yofthem taki
ng
offtheirclothesf
lashedbef orehiseyes.Hecl osed
hiseyest henopenedt hem lookingoutsidethi
nking
whatcoul dbehappeni ngatt hispoint
.

Doct
or:I
'
llcomecheckonyoul
ater.
Kagi
so:unf
ort
unat
elydoct
or,Idon'thaveunt
ill
ater
.Ihavet
obesomewheretonight.
Doct
or:MrLyonIhavet
okeepyouher
eforf
ur-
Kagiso:(snapped)Isai
dIdon'thaveti
me!.I'
m
sorr
ybutIhavet ogetoutofthispl
ace.Icanbar
ely
evenbreathewiththi
swallsaroundmewhenI
spentmont hsinhere.I
t'
ssuffocat
ing.

Thedoct
orl
ookedathi
m befor
efixi
nghi
sgl
asses
andsi
ghedbef
oreputt
ingt
hefil
ebackandl
eft.
At earescapedatt hecor
nerofhiseyewhenhe
quicklywipedit.Clear
ylovedoesn'tsuithim .He
thoughtmaybeshewoul datleast,atleastrespect
him enoughwi thasimpleli
tt
lethi
ngbyr especti
ng
hispresenceinherhouse, butno.Thi sonly
showshowunwel comehewas.Hewasi nvadi
ng
theirpri
vacy.

Kagi
so:(chuckl
es)
Whatdi
dIexpect
?Hugsand
ki
sses.Mxm .
Sot hiswashowt hisfri
endofher sl i
kedt oseehi m
l
ike.Suf feri
ngandcomi ngcount lessti
mest othe
hospi t
al?Onl yforher.Atf i
rsthewaspuni shedf or
nott aki
ngact i
on.Secondl ywhenhedi dhewas
turneddown.Thi rdl
yhet ri
edpul l
ingheroutofher
darkness, buthey, babygirlrefused.Four th,she
steppedonhi sheartl
ikeitwasnot hi
ngbutat oyt o
playwi th.Wor stwaswaki ngupi nacemet ery.For
what?Maybei twasbet t
erifhecompl etedthet ask
hewasgi venandst ayoutofherl i
fecour seclearl
y
Nakedihadnoi nt
enti
ont olethim gonotami nut e
untilit
'sdone.
Thedoorsl
idopenandBreezewalkedi
nwit
h
Odir
il
e.Theystoodnextt
ohim andbot
hputthei
r
handsint
hepockets.

Kagi
so:What?
Br
eeze:Whatdi
dhedot
oyou?
Kagi
so:whodi
dwhatt
ome?
Br
eeze:Mxol
isi-Whatdi
dhedo?
Kagiso:Nothing.Hedidnot
hing.Ifel
lofft
he
st
airsbymysel f
.Missedastepthenrol
leddown
unt
ilIreachedthefl
oor.
Br
eeze:Andwher
ewashe?
Kagi
so:Busy.
Breeze:Busywithwhatexactl
y?Youwer et
heir
guest.Theyweresupposedtobeonal ookout.
Youlostalotofblood.Seemedli
keyoubledfora
l
ongt i
mewhi l
ehewas" busy".Whatwashedoi ng?
Kagi
so:Idon'tknow.Probabl
ymakingbabieswi
th
hi
swife,Idon'tcar
e.Iwanttogetoutofher
eand
gogetthi
snonsenseoveranddonewi t
h.
Br
eeze:Whatnonsense?
Kagiso:Thiswholechosenbyafr
iendshi
t!The
soonerIgetthi
soutofthewaythebett
er.Ihavea
soultonurse.Iwantnothingt
odowithwhat
happensaftert
his.Guardi
anornoguardi
an.I'
m
done
Br
eeze:Thoughtyoul
ovedRose?
Kagi
so:Wel
llovei
sover
rat
ed.
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.It
hinkIgotani
deaaboutt
hat
.
Odir
il
e:Sowait.
..what
'st
he"
Chosenbyaf
ri
end"
t
hingy?Isi
tli
keaparanor
malt
hing?
Breeze:Somet hi
ngli
kethat.Hewaschosent o
rescueRosefrom herl
uckoflight.Iguessmy
niecechoppedhisheartsomehow.Whathappened
i
nt hathouseforyoutowanttogetthisoutoft
he
waysobad?
Kagi
so:EvenifIt
ellyou,t
her
e'snot
hingyoucan
doabouti
tanyway.
Br
eeze:Thent
ellme.
Kagi
so:Why?
Odir
il
e:Yousaidityoursel
f,"
Ther
e'snot
hinghecan
doaboutit"he'
l
ljustkeephishandstohimsel
f,i
t'
ll
ti
ehishands.Sowhati sit?
Kagi
so:(
sighed)theywer
edoingi
tinmypr
esence.
Youknow"It".I
nputandout
put.
Bot
h:Ooooww!
Kagi
so:Yeah.
..
ooww.
.sosoont
hey'
l
lbepr
ocess.
Bot
h:Rr
rri
ii
gghht.
.
Odi
ri
le:Appl
edoesn'
tfal
lfarf
rom i
t'
str
ee.
Breeze:(agr
eed)Mmh- mmh.Sohowdoyoui
ntend
onsolvingthi
sspiderofyour
s?
Odiri
le:Simpl e.Dowhathewasi nstr
uctedtodo
andleavet hegi rl.Thereareal otofbeaut if
ul,
i
ntell
igentgirl
soutt here.Clearlyifshecoul ddo
thatitshowshowl essshel oveshi m .Actuall
yshe
doesn'tloveyou!I fshecoul dpretendt ocarel i
ke
thi
st henwhatwi llhappenint hef utur
e?You' llfi
nd
yourselfrai
singki dsthataren'tyour swhileshehas
asideni ggabesi deshert hatkeepspl anti
ngseeds
foryout owat erandbl oom them.Justbehappy
thatyoumanagedt oseeanot hersideofhert hatno
oneel sehaseverseen.Behappyyougott osee
theinnerRoset hatislostdeepdowni nsi
det he
sweetoneyoursentt oerasebef oreshecoul d
appeari nhert r
uef orm .ButIdon' tblameher, i
t
runsint hefami l
y.
Breezescoffedlookingathi
m buthekeptast raight
facestari
ngatKagi so.Kagisolookedatthem and
couldn'
tstopthelaughterunti
litescaped.Breeze
turnedlooki
ngathim andbithisliptryi
ngnotto
l
aughbutevent uall
ybusted.

Breeze:Youjusthadt
orui
nonegoodspeech
,didn'
tyou?
Odi
ril
e:Wellmyf
ri
end,i
neveryspeechyouhavet
o
st
atefact
s.Andt
hat'
safact.
Breeze:Iguess..
.andthereareal
otofl
ove
tr
ianglesinthi
scir
cleofours.Wel
cometothehood
myboy.Letmegot al
ktothedoct
or.

Hewalkedt
owar
dshedoorandt
urnedl
ooki
ngat
Odi
ri
le.

Br
eeze:i
sn'
tthi
sthepar
twher
eyoucomeal
ong?
Odi
ri
le:Hel
a!I
'
m notyourbodyguar
d.
Br
eeze:Of
couse,
butyourmybabysi
tt
er.
Odi
ri
le:(chuckl
ed)yeah.
.butnowIgotarealbaby
t
olookoutfor.Meandmynephewher e,
haveal ot
t
odiscuss.SoIresi
gnonyou.Igiveup
Breeze:Ar
en'tyounowscar
edI
'
m gonnado
anythi
ngstupi
d?
Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyougoi
ngt
odoanyt
hingst
upi
d?
Br
eeze:Pr
obabl
y.Butno.
Odir
il
e:Thengogetthebloodydoct
or!Justpi
ctur
e
mebr eat
hingonyouneckandyouwontdo
anyt
hingstupi
d.

Theyal
llaughedandhewentout
.Odi
ri
lepul
leda
chai
randsatdown.

Odi
ri
le:So.
..
tel
lme.
Kagi
so:What?
Odi
ri
le:Youknow -t
hiswhol
echosent
hing.How
di
ditstar
tandupunt
ilt
oday.
Kagi
so:Wel
l..
{nar
rat
ed}

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Aftercleansingt hem bothwi ththegoatsblood,

theystoodupf rom thegr assmat handRosewas
escortedf rom t
hekr alandl edintothehouse.The
eldersremai nedi nthekralcommuni cat
ingwiththe
ancestor sandaf terawhi letheyalsowentout.
Janewal kedbesi destheladiesandwhent heywere
getti
ngi nsideshest oodatt hedoorbef oretur
ning
backandwentt ohercar.Jacobspot t
edher
walkingawayandexcusedhi mselft
ogot oher.

Jacob:Jane?
Jane:Hi
i..i
sther
eanyt
hingel
sel
eft?
Jacob:Ohnono!Wedi deveryt
hingthatwas
request
edfrom us.They'
renolongerhusbandand
wife.Thegirlhastogogetcl
eansedoncetheclock
stri
kesmidnight.
Jane:oh.
.Igeti
t.Sowhatdi
dyouwantt
otal
k
about
?
Jacob:Iwant
edt
oaskyouaboutJakcscondi
ti
on.
What'swr
ong?
Jane:Wedontknowyet.Hesi npai
nandcan
hardlywal k.Thedoctorst r
iedandarestil
ltr
ying
butnothinghascomet orevealit
sel
f.Allt
heycan
dorightnowi seaset hepainandsedat ehim,
thought heyhavet ogivehim mor et
hanonecan
take.Itcouldkillhi
m .AndIdon' twantthat.He
hasachi l
dtoloveandl ookoutf or.Rosedeserves
tofeeltheloveaf t
erwhathasoccur redtoherthe
coupleofmont hs.
Jacob:I'
m sor
ryyourgoi
ngt
hrought
his.I
st her
e
anythi
ngwecandot ohel
p?Kanahe'
smyfriend.
Jane:Ri ghtnowallyoucandoiskeephi
mi n
prayers.He'sfight
ingandcoul
duseyourhel
p
throughprayers.
Jacob:YeahIwi lldoso.Andbythewaym sor r
y
aboutallt
his.Thisisallmyfaul
t.Itakethebl
ame.
IfIhadn'
tinsi
stedyourdaughterwouldn'
thave
beenrobbedthecoupl
eofweeksofherlife.Ihope
youfi
ndapl acei
nyourhearttofeelmyheartf
elt
apol
ogy.I'mtrul
ysorr
y.Ioweyouguysal otaft
er
thet
raumaIputyourfamil
yt hr
ough.
Jane:Youdon' toweusanyt hing.Youdi dwhatyou
thoughtwasr i
ght.Thatal
sopayedof fandt hel
itt
le
happinesstheyhadcanneverbedest royed.They
werehappyandweshoul datleastlookatt hegood
thatcameoutoft hewholething.AndI '
l
lalsoli
keto
apologi
zeforthewayIspoket oyoulastt i
me.I
wasmeanandsel fi
shandyoudi dn'
tdeservethat.
I'
m sorry.Forgi
veme.
Jack:i t'
sohk.Youramot herandyouwer esaying
allthoset hi
ngsoutofconcer nf oryourchild.That'
s
whyIsentyout headdr essaf tercourseI
under standhowit'
sliket omi ssyourchi l
d.Mywi f
e
i
sal waysangr ycourseDonal ddoesn' tcomehome
oftennoruset hesimpl esttechnicalgadgetto
cont actus.He'drat
herspendt hewhol eyearnot
talki
ngt oyouthancal l.
Jane:(
laughed)He'
samannow.Noneedf oryou
towanttokeephim byyoursi
de.Hecanmakehi
s
owndeci
sionsandl
ear
nfr
om t
hem .
Jacob:l
ikearrangi
nghi
mi namarr
iage-I'
m so
donewit
hit.I
'l
lhavetocometot
ermswi t
hhim not
bei
ngafami l
yman.
Jane:WellSomet
imesf
ami
lysucks!Tot
alpai
nin
thebackside!
Jacob:(l
aughs)Yeah,
thati
tis.Butatt
heendofthe
day,it
'stheonl
yplacetofi
ndtrueeter
nall
ove.
.
.
Ar
ound11H30PM
.
.
Att
heRi
ver
.

KagisoandBr eezesati
nthebackseatwhi
leOdi r
il
e
satont hedr
iverseat
ingchi
ckennugget
s.He
spottedacardrivi
ngoverandchuckl
edsti
llcannot
cl
eart hepi
ctureofseei
ngBonolowit
hanotherman
havi
ngsexi
nfr
ontofhi
m.

Odi
ri
le:(
laughed)ManI
'
ddi
e!
Br
eeze:What?
Odir
il
e:Soboyyouwat chedt
hisguycaressyour
babygir
landyoudidnothi
ng?ManI '
druninther
e
andpunchhisknif
eteet
hout.I'
drear
rangethat
pret
tygl
owingfaceofhis.Damn!
Kagi
so:Wellnotal
lofusar evi
olent.Besi
deshe'
s
hi
swife,
whyt hehellnothavesexwithhim?Itwas
i
nthei
rhouseanyway.
Breeze:Icheatedt oo, butnotinmywi f
espr esence.
Atleastthat'
sforgivable.Onlythi
ngleftwillbean
i
magi nationofwhathappened.Butboyshel ef
tyou
withacl earpi
ctureinyourhead, donttellmeyou'll
everforgiveandfor getthatcour
sethat'
s
i
mpossi ble!Inyourpr esenceont opofthat!Boy
no!
Kagiso:Well-it
'sdoneandI'l
lgetoveri
t.Igot
overalotofthi
ngsevenbiggerthanlosi
ngagir
lso
whati
sshe?
Odi
ri
le:Thegi
rlyoulovedaar!Whatcoul
dpossibl
y
hur
tmorethangett
ingyourheartcr
ushedl
iket
hat?
Kagiso:(
low)Pushingl i
fewithoutapar ent.Waking
upinthemor ni
nghavi ngsleeplessnightswor r
ying
i
ftheonel ef
tissti
llbreathi
ngcour setheirsi
ck.
Beingscaredandal one.Beinghat edjustbecause
yourfrom apoorbackgr ound.Ever ywhereyougo
yougetspatat.Togr ownotknowi ngloveand
everyt
imeyouf oundit,itbetraysyou.That '
swhat
hurtsmorethanloosingagi rluncl
eRi l
e.

Hesignedandsteppedoutoft
hecarl
impi
ng.
Odir
il
et ur
nedar
oundwi t
hastuckf
aceandlooked
atBreezewhoshrugged.

Odi
ri
le:Doesheal
wayshavet
osaysomet
hingt
hat
t
oucheswaydeep?
Br
eeze:He'
shur
t.
Odi
ri
le:Deepman.Thi
sai
n'tgoodf
orhi
sheal
th.
Yougat
tadosomet
hingaboutt
his.Ther
apyor
somet
hing.

Breezesi
ghedl ookingatKagi
soashest oodther
e
l
ookingupatt hemoon.Mxol isiparkedont heother
si
deandhel pedRoseoutoft hecarj ustasJane
parkedontheirside.Breezef
rownedst eppi
ngout
andOdiri
leshookhi sheadfol
lowing.

Odi
ril
e:Hopeshedi
dn'
tbr
inghermel
odr
amat
icact
her
e.
Br
eeze:SodoI
.

Janesteppedoutofthecarwi
thapoundi
ngheart
andlockedthedoorbefor
ewalki
ngovert
othem .

Jane:Hi
i.
Them :Hi
i.
Shelookedatthem andbitherl
ipnotknowi
ngwhat
tosaybeforeawkwardlywalki
ngtoKagisowhohas
beenstari
ngatthebrightmoon.

Jane:Hi
iKagi
so.
Kagi
so:(
sur
pri
sed)HiMr
sLyon.
Jane:Cal lmeJane.Noneedf orformalit
y.I
want edtoapologi
zef orthewayImi streatedyou
andt al
kedtoyou.Ther e'
sbeenal otthat'
sbeen
happeningt omerecent lyandIpr omiseI '
m notthe
kindofwoman.Thi sdaysI '
vebeenof fandIt endto
takeitoutonanyoneandsor ryyouhadt obeoneof
those.Youhadnor easont obeavi cti
m oft he
hormonalme.Sor r
yIst artedourbookont he
backside.I'
mr eal
lysor rythatIevencal l
edoutyour
mot her,Ihadnoreasont odisrespectherl i
kethat.
Idontevenknowher .I'
mt rulysorry.
Kagi
so:It
sohk.Iguessweal
lhaveourbad
moments.
Jane:Yeah..
andIpromi
sei
twonthappenagai
n.
Canwecal li
tatr
uce?
Kagi
so:(
smi
led)Tr
uce.

Theyshookhandsandshel
ookedathi
m and
smil
ing.
Shefr
ownedrememberi
ngthatl
astt
imeshesaw
hi
m hewasn'
tweari
nganybandagearoundhi
s
headandcementonhi
sleg

Jane:Whathappened?Youwer
en'
thur
twhenIsaw
you?
Kagi
so:Thi
s..If
ell
from t
hest
air
s.Mi
ssedast
ep
andki
ndamademywaydown.
Jane:Or.
.howbadi
sit?
Kagi
so:Notbad.Justsmal
li
njur
ies,I
'
llbef
ine.

Janeshookherheadandsmil
edagainwhenthe
heal
erwalkedoutf
rom t
heri
verandcal
ledt
hem .
Jane:Soyourt
heboymydaughterwasbraggi
ng
aboutl
astt
imeIwaswi
thher.YourtheoneNakedi
chose?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
..
kindacr
azyyouknow.
Jane:Shemadeawi
sechoi
ce.Yourper
fect
.

Kagisochuckl
edbef
orewalkingawayandshe
fol
lowed.Meanwhil
eOdiri
leandBreezelookedat
oneanotherwit
hquest
ionsroaminginthei
rheads.

Odi
ri
le:That
'snotgood.
Br
eeze:Def
ini
tel
yabnor
mal
.

ThehealerhelpedRosedownther ocksasJane
helpedKagisodowntotheri
verleavingtherestof
theguysawkwar dl
ystar
ingatoneanot hernot
knowingwhatt osay.

Odi
ri
le:Ihopet
hisf
ail
s.
Theybotht
urnedlooki
ngathim wi
thdroppedfaces
andhestar
edatthem backasifhedidn'
tsay
anyt
hingwrongandshruggedfol
dinghishands.

Odiri
le:What?I '
mjustsayi
ng..shedeservesto
remainblind.She'sgonnahoeaf tert
his.Imean
..(
chucled)ifshecanhoewhi l
eblindthenwhat's
stoppingherfrom bei
ngahoewhensheget sher
eyesightback?Lookatmef orallyouli
ke,just
dontsayIdi dn'
twarnyou.

.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
53]Lynne :Chapt
er72

Thenextday.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Kagisost oodi nthemi ddleoftheshowerl ett

ingthe
watertol i
ckhi sbody.I tsti
lldidn'tmakesenset o
him whyshewoul djustsleepwi t
hanotherguy
whenheconst antl
yt ol
dherhowhef eels.Coul dn'
t
sheatl eastlethim getputoft hehousesohewont
haveanyi deaofwhathappened?Howhear t
less
cangirlsbemar a?Thewat erwipedt hetears
comingf r
om hi seyeswhenheshookhi sheadand
si
ghedunbr aidinghishairsot hatwhenhe' sdone
i
t'
lldryqui ckl
y.Af terawhi l
ehest eppedoutand
wrappedat owel aroundhi swai standtookanot her
onedr yinghishai r.Hewentt otheclosetwer e
Abigai
lhadputBr eeze'snewclothesforhi
m bef
ore
sheleftthengotdressedbeforegoingdownstai
rs
sti
lldr
yinghisri
chl onghair.

InthekitchenBreezeputtwoplatesonthecounter
anddishedf ort
hebot hofthem befor
epouri
ng
eachagl assofjuice.Kagi
sowal kedinandfound
him coveredinf
lourevenonhi sfaceandsmiled
sit
ti
ngdown.

Kagi
so:Mor
ning.
Br
eeze:Boy.
.howdi
dyousl
eep?
Kagi
so:har
dly,you?
Breeze:samehere.SoImadef l
uff
ybetter
pancakes.I'
m notsur
eifInail
edthem courseI
nevercook.Mybabyal waysdidthecooking.So
tooksomethi
ngf r
om hercooki
ngdiary.
Kagi
so:Who?
Breeze:Sagi,
sheknowsherwayintheki
tchen.
(smil
e)shedoesn'
tevenwanthel
p,nomat t
erif
she'
scooki
ngabunchofdi
shes.She'
l
lcookt
hem
onherown.
Kagi
so:Wher
eisshe?Ineversawhersi
nceIgot
her
e.
Breeze:Yeah..
aboutthat.Ithi
nkit
sabouttime
youknewwhatt hehelli
sgoingoninthi
sfamily.
AndIt hi
nkitmi
ghtjustbeallmyfaul
t.Icheated.
Kagi
so:
Breeze:YesIdid.AndBeforeyousayanythingI '
m
notproudofit.I
'm di
sgust
edwi t
hmyselfcour seI
fuckedupmyf amil
y.Andt hatwomanIcheat ed
withisJane.Thatbabyshe'scarr
yingi
smine.
Kagiso:What?ButIt
houghtshewasyour
brot
her'
swif
e?Howcouldyoumessuphi sf
ami
ly
l
ikethat?
Breeze:IdidthatbecauseIwasvengef ul.Heand
myol destbr
otherJames, whoisinjailbytheway,
kil
ledbothourparentsonl
ybecauset heychoset o
givemeever yt
hingthatwasthei
rs,cour seIwas
theyoungest.Andthentheytri
edtokillmeby
burningthehouseIinheri
tedwhil
eI'
m st il
linsi
de
sl
eepi
ng.
Kagi
so:oow!Sot hat'
swhereal
ltheangercomes
fr
om .Yourst
il
langry,ar
en'
tyou?
Breeze:Very,
andIdontknowhowt ogetpastthat.
Sowhenmygi rlsfoundoutaboutJaneandI,it
tr
igger
edSagisment alheal
thandAbigai
l-she
neverknewhowt ohandlepainsoshecheatedtoo
withMxoli
si.
Kagi
so:(chuckl
ed)Thi
sjustkeepsget
ti
ngbet
ter
andbet
ter.
Breeze:BoyIal
mostdiedtwicei
nmywi
feshands.
I
'veneverbeensoter
ri
fied.
Kagi
so:(
laughed)i
sshe-
Br
eeze:Apsychopat
h?Yeah.Heardsheevenbi
t
Mxol
isionhi
sneckandwasscat
ter
edwithhis
bl
oodonhermouthlaughi
ng.
Kagi
so:wher
eisshe?
Breeze:I
nament alpri
son.Janecamehereand
pokedherwhenshel osti
tandsmashedherhead
withever
ythi
ngshesawf it.Janer
epor
tedherand
thenshel
anded9mont
hsi
npr
ison.Adayaf
teryou
gothere.
Kagi
so:Damn!Butshe'
spr
egnant!
Br
eeze:Theycar
eless.
Kagi
so:AndAbi
gai
l?
Breeze:Abi
gai
lisdi
vor
cingme.St
il
lwai
ti
ngf
or
thepa-

Thebel
lrangwhenherai
sedhi
seyebrowsand
wentt
ocheckwhoitwas.Heopenedt hedoorand
hi
sfacebri
ght
enedlooki
ngatt
hecurvedcolour
ed
l
adyinhersui
t.

Br
eeze:Hi
iLuci
a.
Lucia:Hel
loMrLyon.I'
m heret
oser
veyouwi
th
thi
spapers.Pl
easesignhere.
Br
eeze:Di
dyour
eal
lyhavet
odoi
tonyourown?
Lucia:Wesentsomeoneyest
erdayandyouweren'
t
here,soIt
houghtIshoul
ddoitmyself.Pl
ease
si
gnsi
r.
Br
eeze:Wel
lwel
lwel
l.Andi
fIsayno?
Luci
a:Thenyouw-
Br
eeze:Ri
ght-dontsayi
t.Soshehasmadeupher
mi
nd.(Shout
ed)Boycomeseet hi
slady!
Luci
a:(
frowned)What?

Kagisogotof ff
r om t
hechai randwrappedhi shair
withthetowelandwal kedover.Thefirstthi
nghis
eyesfellonwasherel egantbodybeforeherface.
Anddamnshewasbeaut i
ful
.Hesmi ledlookingat
herbeforelookingatBr eezewhosmi l
edathi m
backasi ftheywer eteenageboys.Br eezeshook
hisheadl ooki
ngbackatLuci a.

Br
eeze:ThanxLuci
a.Haveani
ceday.
Luci
a:Yout
oo.

Shebr
eat
hedoutbef
orewal
kingawayhol
dingher
chestandgotinhercardoi
ngbreathexcer
cises.
Suchbeauti
fulmenandAbigai
lisreadytothrow
thataway?Sheshookherheadanddr oveoff.
Meanwhil
eBreezeandKagisowal
kedinthekit
chen
andheopenedthebrownenvel
opepull
ingoutthe
paper
s.Hisheartski
ppedl
ooki
ngatthem and
si
ghed.

Kagi
so:
Areyougonnasi
gnt
hem?
Breeze:Ift
hisi
swhatshewant
sthent
hel
eastI
candoi sfr
eeher.
Kagi
so:Ar
en'
tyougonnaf
ight?
Breeze:Nop.Themomentshest eppedoutofthis
houseshehadt i
met othi
nkthrough.Andwhenshe
call
edherlawyershemadeherchoi ceso-why
shouldIforcesomeonet oloveandbewi t
hme
whencl earl
ythedontwantt o.Youcan'tf
orcelove
outofsomeone.I '
vegotalotinmyplateandifGail
thi
nksI '
m goingtobeghertocomehome, thenshe
defi
nitel
ydoesn'tknowme.
Kagi
so:Butyoul
oveeachot
her.Whyar
eyou
di
vor
cing?
Breeze:Abi gailisgoodwoman.I '
llgiveyout hat.
Smar t,tal
ent edandbr ave.Shemakesaper fect
wifebutonet hingisshehol dgrudges.Babygi rli
s
notcapabl eoff orgiveness.Ihaveababyont he
wayandshei snotwi l
lingt oaccepthi mf orwhohe
i
sal lbecauseImadei twi t
hanot herwomanandnot
her.ImeanIgeti t,itswr ongbutf orhert onot
accepthi m andseehi m asal oophol eormi stake,
that'
snotwhatI 'dkeepupwi thei ther.That 'smyki d
andIwontl i
vei tbehindf oranyone,notevenher.I
wontbeoneoft hosef athersthatpl anttheirseeds
andt henrunawayf ort heirmot her stowat erand
bloom them.That '
smybl ood.Iwontl eti tgr ow
withoutaf ather'slovej usttosat isfyhersel fishness
within.Icantbewi t
hsomeonet hatmakesme
choosebet weenherandmybl ood.She' llfinda
wayt oforgivemebutI 'm notaboutt oletmychi ld
neglected.

Het
ookoutapenandsi
gnedt
hepaper
sbef
ore
si
tt
ingdownandt
heyat
e.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Jacktossedonthebedandsl eptonhistummy
whenher eali
zedhewasnoti npain.Hequicklygot
upandpul l
edthesheetsoffl
ookingathisdickand
i
twasonl yswollenabi
t,itwasnol ongerer
ect.He
evenlostweight
.Hesmi l
edlayingbackandputhi s
handstogethert
akingashortprayerastear
s
escapedhiseyes.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

JanewalkedintoRose'sr
oom andputthetrayof
breakf
astonthetablebef
orewalkingoverandsat
nexttoheronthebed.Rosetossedt oanothersi
te
sti
llwi
thhereyesclosedandscaredtoopent hem .
Jane:Rosepl
ease.Tal
ktome.
Rose:Justgetawayfrom me.It
oldyouIwent
nothi
ngtodowithyouanddad.Yousol dmeout
andlookwhathappenedtome.Iwassupposedto
bewithKagi
soandyouf orcedamarr
iagebet
ween
thetwoofus.
Jane:HoneyI '
m sorry.Idontknowf orhowlongI
havetoapol ogizeforyoutogethowsor ryIam but
I'
m wil
li
ngt okeepup.Whatmeandyourdaddi d
wasuncal l
edf or.Ishouldn'thavewentalongwit
h
i
tandst andwi thyoubutIf ail
edasamot her.I
'm
tr
ulysorrymyl ove.
Rose:(
sni
ff
ed)Wher
eisKagi
so?
Jane:He'
swi
thhi
sfat
her.Shoul
dIcal
lhi
mforyou
?
Rose:Pl
ease.
Jane:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
olookatme?
Rose:(
smil
ing)No.
.Iwanthi
mtobet
hef
ir
st
per
sonIsee.
Jane:(
smi
li
ng)Ohok.I
'
m hur
t.Letmegocal
lhi
m.
Shekissedhercheekbefor
ewalki
ngoutandRose
pul
ledthesheetssmil
inganxi
ousl
ywait
ingtosee
hi
m.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

BreezeandKagi
sowalkedoutoft
hehouseandhe
putinthepi
nbef
oreheadingt
othecar.

Br
eeze:Sowhenwi
llyoubeback?
Kagi
so:Idontknow.Ial
readymissedmyexams
andIdoubtt
hey'
lll
etmewrit
ethem .
Breeze:Icangothereandputinsomegoodwor ds.
Andyourstil
lweari
ngthatt
hingonyourleg,so
they'
dbeli
eveiti
fyousayyouwer ei
njur
ed.
Kagi
so:They'
l
lneedadoct
or'
slet
ter.
Br
eeze:Thatcanbear
ranged.
Kagi
so:Cool.TodayIj
ustwantt
ospendi
twi
thmy
mom .Imissher.
Breeze:Thenl
et'
stakeyouhomet
hen.Justdon'
t
forsakeme.
Kagi
so:Iwont.

Breeze'
sphoner angf
rom hi
spocketandhetooki
t
outlooki
ngatthecall
er.Hegavetheenvel
opeto
Kagisoandrubbedhisfor
eheadwal ki
ngtothe
fl
owersanswering.

Br
eeze:Jane?
Jane:Hi
i.Howar
eyou?
Br
eeze:I
'
m good.You?
Jane:I'
mf i
ne.I
'
m notcal
li
ngt
oar
guewi
thyoui
f
that
'swhatyout
hink.
Breeze:Whywouldyout hi
nkthat
'swhatpopsin
mymi ndeveryt
imeyoucall?JaneIgotalif
eandto
tel
lthetr
uthyourt
helastonmyl i
stexceptf
ort
hat
babyyourcar
ryi
ng.
Jane:Oh..ohk.Aslongast hebabyisonitt
hen
I'
m goodatwhereyoucl
ai m metobeat.I'
m cal
li
ng
tofi
ndoutifKagi
soissti
llther
ewithyou?
Br
eeze:Hei
sbutI
'
mtaki
nghi
m home.Why?
Jane:Rosewishedtoseehimfi
rstbef
oreever
yone
el
se, soIwashopingmaybeyoucanbringhi
m
overbefor
eyoutakehi
m home?
Br
eeze:(
chuckl
ed)I
'
llt
ry.
Jane:Whatdoyoumeanyou'
l
ltr
y?Br
inghi
m
pl
ease.
Br
eeze:(
laughed)
Jane:Whatar
eyoul
aughi
ngat?
Breeze:I
'ml
aughingbecauseitseemsli
keI
'm
star
tingt
ohat
eladies,especi
all
ytheonesf
rom my
famil
y.Youguysareannoying.
Jane:What?

Hecutt
hecal
landshookhi
sheadwal
kingovert
o
thecarandgoti
n.Hest
art
edt
heengi
neanddr
ove
out.

Br
eeze:ThatwasJane.Appar
ent
lyyourchosen
wi
fewishestoseeyou.
Kagi
so:Wel
lIdonthaveachosenwi
fenot
anymor
e.
Br
eeze:Thenyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
Kagiso:Ionl
yhaveonegi
rl
fr
iendwhom byt
heway
ihaven'
tsawindays.
Br
eeze:Bonol
o?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
Br
eeze:(
sar
cast
ic)Ohwow.
Kagi
so:What?
Breeze:Nothi
ng.Yoursurr
oundedbyblack
mamba' sandcobra'
smyboy.Idontwishtobeyou
atthi
spoint.Let
'sgocheckonone.
Kagisolookedathi
m andli
ckedhi
sli
psl
ooki
ng
out
sideasthecardroveof
f.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on

Breezepar
kedout
sideandt
heybot
hst
eppedout
headingt
owardst
hehouse.

Kagi
so:I
sn'
tthi
shousehugef
or3peopl
e?
Breeze:Whatcanwesay?It
sJack.Mi ndyouI'
m
bannedfrom comi
ngher
e.Let'
sjusthopehe'
snot
home.

Heputrangt hebellandanot
hermaidopenedt
he
doorf
ort hem j
ustasJanewascomi ngdownst
air
s.
Shesmiledlookingatthem bef
orewavi
ngthemaid
tocomeover.

Jane:Pl
eaemaket
hem somet
hingt
odr
ink.
Mai
d:Yesmam.
Kagi
so:NoI
'
m good.Thankyou.
Br
eeze:Met
oo.
Jane:Ohk.Leadhi
mtoRose'
sroom pl
ease.

Themai dledt
hewayandKagi
sohesi
tant
ly
foll
owedleavi
ngJanewi
thBr
eezeawkwardl
y
standi
ng.

Br
eeze:Wher
e'si
syourhusband?
Jane:He'
satt
hehospi
tal
.He'
sbeent
hef
orqui
tea
whil
enow.
Br
eeze:Whathappened?
Jane:Hejusthadsomesor tofpr
obl
em wit
hhis
pri
vates.I
tser
ected,swol
lenand-Idontknow.I
cantevenexpl
ainit.
Br
eeze:I
sheget
ti
nganybet
ter
?
Jane:Thedoct
orshavebeensedat
inghi
m and
gi
vinghim medicat
ionj
ustt
oslowthepai
ndown
whil
etheyfigur
eoutwhat'
shappeni
ngtohim.
Br
eeze:Ohohk.
.Andyou?Thebaby?
Jane:I'
m doinggood.Thebabyi salsogoodand
heal
thy.Ieathealthyandgooncheckup.It ryto
l
imitmystressand, yeahever
ythingisj
ustfine.
Thanksforasking.Whataboutyou?Ever yt
hing
ohk?
Breeze:Yeah.Ever
ythi
ngi
sjustf
ine.Ver
ymuch
fi
neact ual
ly.

Shesmiledathim andher
etur
nedi
tbef
oret
hey
headedupstai
rs.
Minutesbef ore,Kagi
sostoodatthedoorashi s
hearttoldhimt heopposi
tetogetin.Heclenched
hisjawsandopenedt hedoorwalkingi
nandwent
tostandnextt oherbed.Sheseemedi nnocent
whenl ikethis.Hesatonthebedwhenasmi lebui
lt
onherl ipsandsheopenedhereyest othi
s
beauti
fulf aceofhi
s.Hesmi ledatherwhenshe
quickl
ygotupandhuggedhi m sit
ti
ngonhi slaps.
Tear
sofj
oyrandownhercheeksandshebr
okei
t
l
ooki
ngathi
m.

Rose:Thankyou.
Kagi
so:Forwhat?
Rose:(cr
ying)Yousavedmefr
om ever
ythi
ng.I
dontknowhowt ot
hankyou.
Kagiso:Youcanthankmebymakingthebestout
ofeverydayyou'
l
lbeabl
etoseef
rom nowon.Do
good.
Rose:Ipr
omi
seyouI
'
lldogood.Ipr
omi
se.

Hepul l
edheragai nforahugbef or
est andi
ngwith
herandhel pedherstand.Hebr okethehugand
smil
edt uckingherhairbehi
ndherearandl eanedin
.Sheal soleanedinbutunfortunatel
yhewentf or
theforeheadinsteadofthel
ips.Shef rowned
confusedandl ookedathim sadly.
Rose:I
sever
ythi
ngohk?
Kagi
so:Yeah.Ever
ythi
ngi
sjustf
ine.
Rose:Lookatme.

Hest
aredatherwhenshef
rowned.Hewasnot
l
ooki
ngatherthewayhedi
dthelastt
imeshesaw
hi
m.

Rose:Ar
eyoumadatmeorsomet
hing?
Kagi
so:What?Whywoul
dIbemadatyou?
Rose:Idontknow,youtel
lme.Yourl
ooki
ngatme
di
ffer
ent
lythanthewayyouusedt
o.
Kagi
so:I
sit?
Rose:Yeah.
.yourdi
ffer
entKagi
so.What
'swr
ong
wit
hyou?What'seat
ingyou?
Kagi
so:There'snot
hingwrongwi t
hmelove.Just
t
hatyoudon'tknowhowIl ookli
kewhenI'
m no
l
ongeri
nter
estedorinlovewithyou.
Wi t
hj ustthat,herheartj
ustsl
icedi
nt omi ll
ion
piecesanddr oppedintoherst
omachst i
llpounding.
Heki ssedherf oreheadandsmi l
edbeforeheadi ng
outasherkneesgotweakandherbr eathing
changedast earsroll
edoutwhenshescr eamedhi s
namef all
ingonherknees, buthedidn'tturnback.

Ont hewayt oRose'

sroom,JaneandBr eeze
stoppedl ookingatKagisowalkingoutandpassed
bythem wi thoutaword.Br eezeshruggedand
foll
owedhi m andJaner ushedt oRose'
sr oom
wher eshef oundherallredscreaminghisnamein
paincrying.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
Mor
ning
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
54]Lynne :Chapt
er73

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Ontheway, Breezedr ovesl

owlyont hehumps
changingthemusi candlookedatKagisowho's
beenstari
ngout si
desincetheylef
ttheLyons
Mansion.Hesi ghedtappingthewheelandpicked
hisdri
nk.
Br
eeze:You'
vebeenqui
tesi
ncewel
eftt
hehouse.
Ar
eyouohk?
Kagiso:Welldad,aft
ermonthsofaquar t
erofmy
l
if
e, Ifi
nal
lygettot
akechargeagain.I
'm happy.
ProbablybecouseIwontbeseeinganycrazybi t
ch
ghostforci
ngmet orescueali
vingbi
tch.(sighed)
Breeze:(chuckl
ed)that
's.
..thatsoundsrel
ievi
ng.
Butjustdontgettoocomfortable.Wedontknow
whent hat"bi
tchghost"wi l
lbeouttoplay.
Kagi
so:Scr ewher.Idontcar
ethisti
me.Shemight
aswellki
llme,I'
m notdoingt
hisanymor
e.I'
m out.
Br
eeze:Good.

Hepar kedinfrontofthegateandKagi sopull

edhis
j
acketst eppingoutjustasBonol opar kedinf
rontof
herhouse.Br eezesighedlooki
ngatherwhenshe
steppedoutandr anintoKagiso'sarmsandt hey
l
aughedashel if
tedher.Breezer ubbedhisbeard
beforestarti
ngt heengineandt heypul l
edoff
holdi
nghands.Bonol ocl
earedhert hroatandheld
herneckavoi dingBreeze'seyes.
Kagi
so:l
eavi
ngal
ready?
Br
eeze:Yeah..Ihavet
otaket
hispaperstoLuci
a.
Wannagetthi
soveranddonewith,l
ikeyou.
Kagiso:Youknowforsomeonewho'spart
ingwi
th
hiswifehet
rul
yloves,I
'dsayyourmovi
ngquit
etoo
fast.
Br
eeze:(
blushed)Whatar
etal
kingaboutboy?
Kagi
so:Yournotgoingther
ejustt
otaket
hepaper
s
.Yourgoi
ngthereforher.
Breeze:Ihaveabsol
utel
ynoideawhatyourt
alki
ng
about.(ToBonolo)YouwatchoutBoy.What
happensinthedarkal
waysgetsreveal
edi
nthe
l
ight.
Kagi
so:Exactl
y.Yourconceal
mentt
oot
hatyout
ry
t
oohardtohidewil
lreveal.
Breeze:(
smil
ing)Wouldyoust
opital
ready.I
'
m not
goingther
eto-youknowwhat?Bye.
Theyfi
stbumpedandherever
sedl
eavi
ngBonol
o's
thr
oatdry.Kagi
soshookhi
sheadandt
urned
huggi
ngBonolo.

Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Imi
ssedyou.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Imi
ssedyout
oo.
Bonolo:SoIguesst hepartwhereIsay"wher e
haveyoubeen"hasbeenal readyanswered.Now
allIwantistoeatthi
s-two-pink-prot
rusionst
hatI
haven'ttast
edinawhilebeforeIaskallt
he
remainingquesti
ons.
Kagi
so:Ohhohoh.

Sheblushedwr appi
ngherar msaroundhi m and
whentheywer eabouttokissVeroni
cast oodinfr
ont
oft
hem andt heybrokeapart.Bonolosteppedback
embarrassedbeforefol
dingherhands.Kagi so
smil
edl ooki
ngathismot herbef
oretheyhugged.

Ver
oni
ca:(
smi
li
ng)You'
vegr
ownqui
te
di
srespect
fuli
nawhi
ledi
dn'
tyou?Gr
eet
ingyour
motheronthegat
e?Huh?
Kagi
so:That'
sbecauseIgotof fhereandt
herewas
someoneIhadtogreett
oot hatappearedf
ir
st.
Howareyoudoingmybel ovedmot her?
Veronica:Bad.Youowemesomegood
explanati
ontowhyyou'vebeenmi
ssi
ngonmeand
whenIcal lyoudontanswer.
Kagi
so:Ohk.
..Ihaveal
ltheanswer
syouneed.
Bonol
o:I'
mjustgonnago.I
'
m sur
eyouhaveal
ot
tocat
chupon.
Kagi
so:Youcan-
Bonolo:No. .
Ihaveanexam t
ost
udyf
or.I
'
llcat
ch
youlater.(
walksaway)
Kagi
so:Ar
eyouohk?
Bonol
o:(
for
cedsmi
le)Yeah.
.I'
m good.Il
oveyou.
Kagi
so:Cxxl,
Iloveyout
oo.

Hewat
chedherwal
kawaywhenVer
oni
ca
squeezedhi
shandgentl
yandhesmi
ledwal
king
wit
hhertothehouse.

Att
heLawf
ir
m.

Breezeparkedoutsidethef
ir
m andsi
ghedsteppi
ng
outwiththeenvelope.Heclosedt
hedoorand
walkedintothebuil
ding.
*
***
I
ntheboar
droom.

Abigailsatont hechai
rlooki
ngatherpict
urewith
Breezeandr eleasedaheavysighsit
ti
ngback.She
zoomedhi ssmi l
eandcouldn'
thelpbutsmil
eeither.
Meanwhi leLuci apr
essedherlapt
opsteal
ing
glancesatherandonl yaguycanmakeagi rlsmil
e
sor i
dicul
ously.

Luci
a:Youdor
eal
izet
hatyourget
ti
ngdi
vor
cedr
ight
?
Abigail
:(fr
own)Youdor eal
izewe'vebeenwaiti
ng
hereforhalfanhourandmysoont obeexhusband
hasn'tshowedupwhenhe' stheonethatcal
ledus
here?
Luci
a:Abi
gai
l.
.Youl
ovet
hisguy.
Abi
gai
l:Whydoesitevenmatt
ertoyou?Yourmy
l
awyer,sodowhatyourhi
redtodoandst
op
pl
ayi
ngbestfr
iendcour
sewe'r
enot.

Luciaswall
owedwhent hedoorsli
dopenand
Breezewalkedi
npull
ingthechairandsatdown.He
thr
ewt heenvel
opeonthetableandsatback
rel
axing.

Breeze:There.
.!Signedandseal
ed.Notr
eal
ly
sealed,butdel
iver
ed
Abi
gai
l:(
shocked)Wai
t,yousi
gnedt
hepaper
s!
Theybot
htur
nedlooki
ngatherwhenshecal
med
downembarr
assedandsatback.Shecl
ear
edher
thr
oatt
aki
ngoutthepaper
s.

Breeze:Sohowdowedot hi
s?Wet al
kaboutthe
propert
yandallbef
oreitcouldbefinal
izedcourseI
needtogetthi
soutofthewayasf astasIcan.I
gotawi f
eandkidstoconcentrat
eon.

Abigai
llookedathim bef
oreswallowi
ngahuge
painf
ullamp.Lucialookedatherandsighedbef
ore
tel
li
ngthem everyt
hingstepbystepfr
om nowon.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Roselayedonthebedcryi
ngsti
llcoul
dn'
tfi
gureout
whatwentwrong.Hewashappywhenshewas
bl
ind.Shefel
tit.Shest
il
lcoul
dn'tputaf
ingert
o
hi
ssuddenchange.
Shet
ossedt
otheheadboar
dpi
cki
ngherphone
rubbi nghertearsanddi aledhisnumberbuti twent
straighttovoicemai l
.Shet r
iedhim agai
nbutst il
l.
Shewi pedhert earsget
tinggettingofft
hebedand
wal kedtohercl osettochangei ntocomfortable
clothes.Af t
erami nshegr abbedherphoneand
j
oggeddownst airswipi
ngherunst oppabletears
andt iedherhai rmessy.Janeappear edfrom the
l
oungehol dingani cecr
eam andscof fedlookingat
heri nar ush.

Jane:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Rose:(wipedtears)Mom .Kagisowontj
ustt
urn
hisbackonmel ikethat.Ineedtoknowwhy?He's
beenthereformeandnotf oroncegaveuponme.
I'
m notabouttogiveuponhi m ei
ther
.
Jane:Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Rose:Idontknow.ButI
'
llf
indhi
m.
Jane:Wher
e?How?
Rose:Idon'
tknow!Hef
oundmewhenIneeded
hi
m .What'
sstoppi
ngmefr
om doi
ngt
hesame?I '
l
l
f
indhi
mthewayhef
oundme.
Jane:Andi
fyoudont
?
Rose:ThenI '
l
lkeepsearchingunti
lIfi
ndhim .Even
i
fI'
llhavetotr
avelmil
esl ooki
ngforhim .I
'
m not
goi
ngt olethi
m go.Isti
llneedhim(runsout)
Jane:Rosewai
t!

Shedi dn'
tstopandrantothecarthataguardwas
sti
llwashingandjustgotin.Theguardfr
owned
beforepouri
ngwat eroveri
tandgotindri
vingof
fas
shegavehi mt hel
ocati
on.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Odir
il
esatonthecouchlooki
ngatthebusiness
paperwork.Hepull
edabottl
eofcokeandsipped
whenDi t
ebogopushedhepapersoffhi
m andsat
onhislap.
Odir
ile:Youdor eal
izeyournolongerakidr
ight?
AndIgotagi rl
fr
iend.Youshouldf i
ndaboyfri
end
courseI'
m sickofyoutreat
ingmel i
keoneofyour
si
deni ggas.Movef rom mylaptheyaresomeone's
si
tnotyour s.
Dit
ebogo:WhenIf i
ndaboyfriendI'
l
lstopsit
ti
ngon
yourl
ap,butt
il
lthennotami nutebefore.Bonol
o
canknockher
selfout.Idon'
tcare.
Odi
ri
le:Whatdoyouwant?
Dit
ebogo:So29t
hthen30t
h(smi
li
ng)Guesswhat
bugbro?
Odi
ri
le:What?
Di
tebogo:Dontt
ellmeyouf
orgot
!
Odi
ri
le:For
gotwhatdr
umst
ick?
Dit
ebogo:I'
m notadr
umst i
ck.It
'smybir
thdayon
the30th.Onl
yadayleft.Canyoubel
ieveit!Thi
sis
sofuckenawesome!
Odir
il
e:"CanIbeli
eveit?"t hat
sthedumbestthi
ng
I
'veeverhear
dfrom agarr
ulousgir
l.Getoffme
(
pushedheroff)ofcourseIbeli
eveit.Yourhuman
notast
atue.Evenst
atuesgr
ow,
youragi
ngi
nti
me
dumbhead.
Di
tebogo:Soyouknowwhatt
hismeansr
ight?
Odi
ri
le:(
cont
empt
)No.
Di
tebogo:Iwantapar
ty.
Odi
ri
le:War
eng?!
Dit
ebogo:Kar ekebat
lapart
y.Comeonnkgonne!
I
'mf i
nishingmylawdegree.Thel
eastyoucando
i
sthrowmea23t hbir
thday.Pl
easeOdir
il
e.Nka
i
tumelat hata.
Odi
ri
le:NyaaDi
tebogo(
noDi
tebogo)
Di
tebogo:HauOdi
ri
le!Kegokopasent
lej
aana?
Odi
ri
le:Kare"No"Di
tebogo.Aren'
tyousupposedt
o
best
udyinginst
eadofaskingf
orparti
es?
Dit
ebogo:KanaOdiri
lethi
sisaonceoffthi
ng.You
wonthavetodoitagainandIwontaskyou.I'
ve
neverhadapart
ybeforeandIsomuchwi shto
haveone.It
'l
lmeanal ott
ome.
Odi
ri
le:(
laughs)Wasi
mol
olaaker
e?Meanso
muchtoyou?Justgost
udyandl
eavet
hist
hingst
o
whi
tepeopl
e.
Di
tebogo:Fel
aifitwasBonol
oyou'
dbejumpingat
t
heopportuni
tytothrowhert
hebi
ggestpar
tythi
s
t
ownhaseverseen.
Odiri
le:Lucki
lyf
orme, mygirldoesn'
tyetwantme
tothrowheraparty.Andyesifshewi l
l,I
'
dthrow
herthemostlavi
shpartythi
swhol ecount
ryhas
everseen.Sopleaseexcuseme.

Sheswal l
owedl ookingathim andwal kedaway
cl
imbingt hestair
s.Odiril
eturnedlookingather
andrubbedhi shead.Hehadt ot al
lyforgot
tenabout
herbi
rthday, howi gnor
antforabr other.Hebithis
l
ipandpi ckedhisphonesendi ngBr eezeamessage
andothercont act
si nhi
sphone.Hewor ehis
sl
eepersandpackedt hepaperwor kbef or
ewalking
out.

Att
hel
awf
ir
m.
Breezeputhisfootonthetableswinginglightl
yon
thechairwhenLucialookedatherandhepl ayed
withhiseyebrowssmili
ngnotbother ed.Jealousy
fi
ll
edAbi gai
lwhenshecheckedherwr istwatch
beforeplaci
ngherhandsont hetable.

Abi
gai
l:Ihaveabusinesstor
un.Canwewrapthi
s
upqui
ckl
ysot hatyoubot
hcanfl
ir
tunbot
her
ed.
Breeze:(
smil
ing)Becar
efulAbi
gai
l,yourst
art
ingt
o
actli
keabit
terexwif
e.
Abi
gai
l:Notyetan"exwi
fe"i
t'
snotf
inal
ized.
Breeze:Formeasl ongasyousi gnedthedamn
paperit
'soverbetweenus.Idontoweyoushi tand
Icandowhat everIwant,whereverIam ,andwit
h
whoeverIchoose.Whatidof rom nowonwi thmy
l
ife,isnoneofyourconcernasmuchaswhat
happensinyoursisnonofmi ne.
Abi
gail
:Caref
ulBreeze,yourst
art
ingtoshowyour
t
ruecolor
s.I'
m sureSagiwil
lbemurdersi
fshe
hear
syousaythat.Yourri
ghtbabe,whathappens
i
nyourl
if
eisnonofmybusi ness,butt
hatdoesn't
meanIwontl
ookaf t
erSagi.Il
oveher.
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)
Andyoul
oveme.

Shelookedathi
m wi
thnowordsandsighedl
ooking
backatLuci
awhobalancedherheadwit
hherhand
watchi
ngthem .

Lucia:Youbothdonequarrell
ing?AndshouldI
remindyouwhyI '
m hereAbigail
?Youhiredmeto
helpyou,i
m notheretofl
ir
twithyourhusband-
Br
eeze:(
int
err
upt
ed)Ex-husbandl
ove!
Lucia:What
everyoucallyoursel
f-Idontcare.I
'
m
onlyher
eforonethi
ngwhi chisdoingmyj ob.So
pl
easekeepmeoutofwhat everf
eudyouguyshave
.Idontwanttobepartofit.

Theybothlookedateachot
herandshecl
osedt
he
fi
leandstoodup.
Lucia:It
houghtwecouldpusht
hisfast
erli
keyou
bothwantbutIguessyouguysneedadivor
cetri
al.
Abi
gai
l:Andwhat
'st
hat?
Lucia:Youguysst i
llhavei ssuest hatr emai n
unsolvedaftersi
tti
ngher et alkingf oranhour.You
haven'tcamet oaconcl usionot herthanbi teeach
othersheads.Thi smeansyoushoul dgot otr
ial.
Andsi ncethetri
aliscostlyandt i
meconsumi ng
surelyit
'l
lmakethingseasi ercour seitt akesallt
he
powerf rom bot
hspousesandput sitint hehands
ofthejudge.Thiswi l
lall
owyout omai nt aincontrol
andhavemor epredictabler esults.Iwasher e
hopingyouguyswi l
llist
enandI 'l
lhelpyouavoi d
thetri
albutclearl
yyouenj oyt his.Cal lmewhen
youmadeupyourmi ndcour seIdonthavet i
mef or
thi
s.
Abi
gai
l:Ihi
redyou!
Luci
a:Andicaneasil
ydropoutandf i
ndyou
anot
heronewho'
llent
ert
ainallt
hisdramaofyours,
cour
seI'
m donewithi
t.Ifyourreadytot
alk,use
thatbudgetbef
oreyouAbi
gai
l.(
Sighed)Wel
ltal
k-I
hope.

Shepickedherst
uffandwentoutleavi
ngAbigai
l
qui
te.Breezemovedhisfootandswangaround
l
aughingbefor
epicki
nghiskeysandstoodup.

Br
eeze:Il
ikeherat
ti
tude.Passi
onat
e.

Hewal
kedt
othedoorandst
oppedt
urni
ngar
ound.

Br
eeze:Pat
ient
.

Abi
gailswal
lowedl
ooki
ngawayandhesmi
led
wal
kingout.

AtBr
eezeshouse.
About30mi
nsl
ater
.

Odiri
lepar
kednexttoablackAudiandst
eppedout
l
ookingatRosesitt
ingonthefl
owerpot.Hesighed
walki
ngoverwavinghishandandshesmiled
rubbi
nghertear
s.

Rose:HowdoyouknowIwasbl
ind?
Odir
il
e:courseIwasther
ewhentheyl
if
tedt
he
cur
se.Ievensaidsomeveryhar
shthi
ngsabout
you.Justsoyoushouldknow.
Rose:Andwhatar
ethose?
Odiri
le:Nevermi
nd,mywishdidn'
tcomet
rue
anyway.Sowhyar eyousi
tt
ingher
ebyyoursel
f?
Aren'
ttheyhome?
Rose:No.
Odi
ri
le:Butyouknowthepi
n.Whydontyouj
ust
makeyoursel
fathome?
Rose:That
'sl
ikebr
eaki
ngi
nuncl
eOdi
ri
le.
Odi
ri
le:Whocar
es?

Hesaidthatput
ti
ngt hepinandthedoorunlocked
gett
ingi
nandshef ollowed.Theywalkedtothe
kit
chenandhethrewt hekeysonthecounterbefor
e
taki
ngouttwoglassesandaj ui
ceinthefr
idge.

Odi
ri
le:Sohowdoesi
tfeel
?
Rose:(smil
ing)I
tfeelsgr
eat.It
'sli
keGodgaveme
thesecondchancetoseethewor l
dagain.I
'
ll
alwaysbegratef
ulforwhatKagisodidf
orme.
Odiri
le:Yeah. .
.thatyoushould.Butiwasn'treal
ly
tal
kingaboutyoureyesi ght,courset
otellt
het r
uthI
havedifferentfeel
ingstothat.WhatI'
mt al
king
aboutishavi ngtwoboyswor shi
patyouralt
ar.
How' sthat?Doyoul i
keit?

Rosechokedonherdr i
nkwhenhetookouthis
handker
chiefandhandedi
ttoher.Shewipedher
mouthsti
llcoughi
ngandlookedathi
m.
Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyouohk?
Rose:Yeah.
.It
hinkIdr
ankwi
tht
hewr
ongpi
pe.
Odir
ile:Nodarli
ngyoudidn't
.Itsgui
lt.ButI'
m glad
Kagisosteppedoutofthewaybeforeyoushowhi m
fl
ames.Kanayour i
ppedthatboysheartapartRose
.Ididn'tknowyoucanalsobehear t
less.
Rose:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?
Odiri
le:Comeon.I'
m anopenpersonsoyoucan
droptheactwhenwit
hme.Act ual
lywhyareyou
herecourset
hewomanoft hehousearenother
e?
Rose:I
'
m her
eforKagi
so.He'
sbeenact
ingwei
rd.
Odi
ri
le:I
sit?Ibetyouknowwhydontyou?
Rose:Idontt
hat
'swhyI
'm her
e.Andwhyareyou
al
soli
kethist
owardsme?WhathaveIdone?
Odiri
le:yeahneh.Youngster
s.Anyway,Ihate
secretssoI'
m gonnatel
lyoucourseI'
dhateto
chasesomet hi
ngIdon'tknowei
ther.He'
shurtand
verymuchi npain.Thewoundinhisheartwon't
heal.
Rose:What?Why?Whodi
dso?Howcomehe
di
dn'
ttel
lme?
Odir
il
e:(si
pped)That'
sbecouseyourt
her
eason
behi
ndthatheartbr
eak.Sohere'
sanadvi
ce=Move
on.

Hepi
ckedhisglassandwal
kedt
othel
ounge
l
eavi
nghersti
llconf
used.

Odiril
e:Theguydeservesbetterbabygirl.I
fhe'
s
actingweir
dorhoweverunusual ,thatshoul
dgive
youmor et
hanenoughtot el
lyouthathe'spastt
he
fi
xingandheadedtowar dsthefuturewit
houtyouby
hisside.It'
scal
ledredflagsinotherwords.
Cheer s!

.
.
.
.

Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
55]Lynne :Chapt
er74

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Odir
il
esatont hecouchandfol
dedhislegssi
pping
hisdri
nkwitharemot ei
nhishandpassingt
he
channels.Heswitchedtot
heparl
iamentchannel
andchuckled.
Odiri
le:Government ,Government!Fi l
ledwi t
h
manipul at
ivebit
chesanddi ckheads.What evershit
theyargueabouther ecouldbeser i
ousbutt he
conclusionwillbetot
alnonsense.( Turned)Ar eyou
gonnaj oinmeoryourj ustgonnast andthere!?
Rose:Iwantyoutoexplai
nproperl
ytomewhat
's
happeni
ng.Yournotbei
ngspecif
ic.
Odiri
le:Aennanyana!NoRose!I'vetoldyou
enough.Justthatyouchosetoi
gnor eme,justl
ike
youdi dwit
hKagiso.Imeanwhatwher eyou
thi
nking?12hourshadn'
tpassedafteryourhear
d
thathewasyourhusbandt obet
henwena
purugudlu!Wi
thanotherguy.
Rose:(
tear
y)Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
Odiri
le:(rol
ledeyes)Fi
ne!ifyouwanttheburger
thenI'l
lgiveitt
oyouwiththehotpet
ty.Kagisosaw
youhavi ngsexwi t
hMxoli
siminut
esafteryou
askedhi mt ohavesexwit
hyou.Happy?
Rose'sheartski
ppedbeforeitpoundedhardonher
chestwhenshehel dherchestgrabbingherdr
ink
anddrank.Shewal kedoverandst oodnextt
ohim
astearsstart
edblur
ringhersight.

Rose:That
'snott
rue.Tel
lmeyourl
ying.
Odi ri
le:I
fI'
mlyingthenhowdoyout hi
nkIknowall
thi
s?Iwasn' tatyour2secondhouseanddamn
straightIdi
dn'
tevenknowwher eyouli
vedti
llI
taggedwi thBr
eezet ol
ookforhi
m andfoundhim
l
ayi nginapoolofblood!
Rose:What?

Thedoorsl
idopenandBreezewal
kedinwi
tha
fr
own.Heshutt hedoorbehi
ndhi
m andwal
ked
over.

Breeze:YouknowIshoul
dchanget
hepi
n.Thi
sis
gett
ingoutofhand.
Odi
ri
le:Woul
dthatmakeanydi
ff
erence?I
'
m st
il
l
gongeti
nanyway.

Hesi ghedputt
ingt
hekeysont hecount
erwhenhe
real
izedthatRosewassil
entl
ycrying.Hebr
eathed
outasani deaofwhathappenedpoppedinhi
s
headl ooki
ngatOdi
ril
e.

Br
eeze:Whatdi
dhesayt
oyouRose?
Odiril
e:Ididn'tsayanything.Ijusttol
dhert hatI
knowwhatshedi dandI'm notproudofher.Notat
all!Ieventoldhertomoveoncour seapparentl
y
whenIr emember, (winked)hesaidhewasdone
withher.SoIj ustlayedthecardsi nfr
ontofherand
fl
ippedt hem f
orher.
Breeze:WhatthehellOdiri
le?Shewasbli
ndf
or
chri
stsake!Shedidn'thaveanyideai
fhewas
watching.
Odiri
le:OhcomeonBreeze!I
fyouweretheone
faci
ngt hi
swoul
dyousaythesame?(walkstothe
kit
chen)Thegir
lbr
okeyoursonshear
t.Actual
ly
sherippeditoutandpleasedontgivemet hebli
nd
cardcourseIknowt hatone.Beingblindnever
stoppedanyonet ocl
osethei
rlegs.( ToRose)
Youreyeswher etheonesthatdidn'
tfuncti
onnot
yourmi nd.

Roseswall
owedwhenshechokedonhert ears
l
ooki
ngathim speaking.Sheal
waysknewhimt o
beastr
aightt
alkerandspeakshi
smindbutthis
wasbeyond.
Breezebithisl
ipandpinchedhi
snosel
ooki
ngat
Roseandsi ghedlooki
ngatOdir
il
ewhowenttopour
hi
msel faglassofwhiskey.

Br
eeze:She'
sst
il
lachi
ldOdi
ri
le.She-
Odiri
le:(i
nterr
upted)Hellno!Shewasn' tachi
ld
whenshel ayedont hatbedandt ookthewhole
meatr aw.That'
sawoman.Ful lassgr ownwoman
Breeze!Youguysshoul dstoppamper ingheror
she'l
lkeeponactinglikeabi t
ch!BabyI '
m sor
ryif
thi
sishurtingbutIain'tgonnahidet hetrut
hfrom
youlikehedoes.I'
m gonnatel
lyou.Whatyoudi
d,
cannotbeundidn'
tandwhathesawcanneverbe
unsaw.He' saguy,hehasfeeli
ngstoo.Heget
s
hurtandnowhe'shurt.Beyondthathoer
ing
i
magi nat
ionofyour
s.
Breeze:Ohkthat
'senoughOdi
ri
le!Yousai
dyour
peace.Giveherabreak!

Odir
il
esighedsi
ppinghisdr
ink.Br
eezeshookhi
s
headlooki
ngathim bef
orepul
li
ngRoseandhugged
her.

Br
eeze:I
tsohkhoney.Yo-
Odi
ri
le:Noi t
'snotohkBreeze!Stoplyi
ngtotheki
d.
Shefuckedupandhast otakeresponsi
bil
it
yofher
ownactions.She-
Breeze:(
shouted)Shewasbl oodymarr
iedOdi
ril
e.
Hewasherhusbandf orchri
stsakeandsheheard
you!Woul dyoushutitalr
eady?!
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m notgoi
ngagai
nstt
hatbr
o!Iknowshe
wasmar r
iedandhellyeahit
'sfi
netohavesexwi th
hi
m but-comeon.Shehadj ustfoundoutthat
Kagisowasheronet r
ueloveandasal waysKagiso
provedt
hatmul t
ipl
eti
mesbutno-Rosej usthadto
l
owerherpanties.Withhiminthesamehouse.
Jeezbaby,yougotseriousbal
ls.

Breezesi
ghedl ooki
ngathimrubbingRose'
sback
asshecriedsorrowful
lyt
urni
ngred.Odiri
lel
ooked
atherandsighedsadlybefor
egulpinghi
sdri
nkand
pouredanotherone.

Odiri
le:Evenifyoucrydarli
ng.Thepainyoufeel
ri
ghtnow, i
snothingcomparedtowhatKagiso
feel
satt hi
spoint.Justthi
nkingofhowmuchpain
andsuf f
eri
nghe'sbeent hr
oughmi ssi
nghi
slif
e
ti
mej usttosaveyou, ncnc!Icantimagi
nethe
pain.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Idi
dn'
thaveanideahesawus.I
sweart
oGodIloveKagsioandwhathappenedt
o
bet
weenmeandMxol i
siwasamomentof
weakness.I
'
mtr
ulysor
ry.
Odiri
le:(
laughs)"Amomentofweakness"?
ShouldItel
lyouastoryaboutamomentof
weakness?Wel lamomentofweaknessisabit
ch!
Itevenki
ckedtheshitoutofyouruncl
esmar
ri
age
andnowhe' sgett
ingdivor
ced.

Breeze'
sjawsdroppedl
ooki
ngathim aswords
stuckinhismouth.Odi
ri
lel
ookedathim and
shrugged.

Odiri
le:What?Youdi dn'
tthi
nkyourdi vorcewil
l
staysecretforlongdidyou?Onewayoranot her
shewasgoi ngt oknowt hatAbi
gailisdivorci
ngyou.
Andt hatbabygi r
lisal
lbecouseofawhat-A
momentofweakness.Sodontpul lthatcard
courseI'l
lpreachaboutitandneverf i
nishasingl
e
verseoni t.
Br
eeze:Odi
ri
leIt
hinkyoushoul
dleave.
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
e.(
ToRose)Your
s
wasn'tamomentofweaknessbaby.Youdi dthat
becauseyouwer
ehor nyandwentlose.Evenisit
was-youmeantotellmethatwordsoflovejust
makesyoudivei
nbed?
Rose:(
cryi
ng)No.
.
Odir
ile:Nobabythat'
swhatyoumeant.Gir
lsfall
formoneyandyouf al
lforwor
ds.Asingl
eIlove
youthatcameoutonceandalreadyyouf
lyupt he
skywi t
hnopanti
eson.Ahyourlosemybaby!
(Whistl
e)Veryl
osemydear.

Rose'
sheartfi
ll
edupwheshepul
ledawayf
r om t
he
hugandplayedwit
hherf
inger
sastear
srol
ledout.

Rose:Mal omeIknowImessedup.Andatt hi
s
pointIhavenoexcuse.Butyouhavet obeli
eveme
whenIsayIl oveKagi so.Itwasn'tmyintent
ionto.
I'
mr eal
lysorr
yt hatIhurthim butIcantl
ethim go.I
l
ovehi m .I
'mtrulysorry.
Odi
ri
le:(
sighed)Yourapol
ogi
zingt
othewr
ong
personmyl ove.Youdontowemeany.Youowe
them toKagisothoughIdoubthe'l
lfor
giveyou.
Whoknows-hecoul dbeamast erofforgi
veness.
He's-IdontknowbutwhatIknowi shecar esalot
andput sother
sbeforehi
mself.Youshoul dask
forgi
venessfrom hi
m notme.

Shebithernail
shol
dinghertearswhenshewal
ked
outgoinghomeandBr eezestar
edatOdir
il
ewho
rai
sedhislef
teyebr
owunbot her
ed.

Odi
ri
le:Yougotmymessage?
Br
eeze:Wast
hatnecessar
y?
Odi
ri
le:Ohpl
easedontst
artwi
thmeorI
'
llt
ellyou
t
oowheretobackof
f.
Breeze:(scof
fed)Isi
treal
lythathar
dtoseepeopl
e
fr
om thathighhorseofyours?
Odir
ile:Notreal
ly.ButwhenI
'
m uphere,
Igetto
seeal otandIgetfi
ll
edupsoIneedt
ovomitthem
coursetheyweighme.
Breeze:(Rol
ledeyes)She'sisakidandwas
married.I
twasherresponsibi
li
tyt
opleaseher
husbandandshewasf ri
ckin-
Odiri
le:Bl i
nd?IfIhearthatwor dagainisweari
mightaswel ll
ear
nhowt of astspelli
tfrom
backwar ds.Stopblamingherl ossofeyesightas
anexcuse.Shegotl oseinfrontofKagisoandthat'
s
that!Finishandklar!
Br
eeze:Scr
ewyou.
..
Odir
il
e:Thanksalot,Ir
eal
lyappreci
atei
t..
.let
'sgo
.I'
m planni
ngasurpr
isepar
tyforDit
ebogoandI
needyourhelp.

AtKagi
so'
shouse

Aft
ernar
rati
ngthewholest
ory.Veroni
capul
ledthe
j
ugofwateranddranki
tbeforesi
ghingandl
ooked
athi
m .Ahotslapl
andedonhischeekwhenhe
fr
ownedlooki
ngather.
Kagi
so:Thatwasf
air
.
Veronica:Whydi dn'
tyout el
lmethi
sal lalong
Kagiso?Kagi sodoyouknowhowwor riedIwas
andundermycondi t
ion?Icouldn'
tsleep, Icoul
dn'
t
eatnotknowi ngi
fwhet heryouhadsomet hi
ng.I
couldn'teven-
Kagiso:AndI '
mr eal
lysorr
ymom .Ipr omiseyouit
willneverhappenagai n.Isor
teditoutanditsover.
From nowon, Ipromisenottodissapearandfocus
onmysel fthisti
mear ound.Iwontputanyone's
needsbef oremi ne.

Veroni
cashookherheadi
ndi
sappoi
ntmentand
st
oodupsitt
ingonhebed.

Kagi
so:Saysomet
hing.
.
Veronica:Ineedt
imetoprocessthiswholet
hing
youjusttol
dme.Youbei nghauntedandwakingup
i
ngr aveyar
ds.Beingchosentorescuesomeone
fr
om herowndemons.Whatt hehellKagi
so!?
Kagi
so:I
thaspassedmama.I
t'
sover.
Ver
oni
ca:Ihopei
tis.
Kagi
so:Ipr
omi
se.

Shepulledherpl
ast
icofpi
ll
sanddr ankthem wi
th
waterbefor
elayi
ngdown.Kagi sosighedandtook
hi
sphonef rom t
hesol
archangerswitchi
ngiton.
Messagesf l
ewi nwhenheputi tdownandwal ked
outsi
det ocheckifBonolohadn'twentouteither
.
Heputhi shandsinthepocketgoi ngbackinside
andpi ckedthephonel ookingatthelastmessageof
today.I twasamessagei nvi
ti
nghi mtoapar ty
from BreezeandOdi ri
le.Hel i
ckedhislowerlipand
rubbedhi sforeheadreadingmor e.

AtTheCl
ub.

BreezeandOdiri
lesatont heVI
Psecti
onl
ookingas
themencameonebyonedanci ngwi
thgl
assesof
l
iquorinthei
rhands.Breezeshookhi
sheadlooki
ng
athi
m.

Breeze:Thi
siscr
azy.Havi
ngMalestr
ipper
stoa
partyt
hatwil
lbef
il
ledwit
halsoguys?
Odiri
le:Comeon,i
t'
llbefun.Cantwaitt
oseeher
facewhensheseethis,pl
usshe'spushy.
Br
eeze:Soact
ual
lyt
hisi
sasi
bli
ngmat
ch?
Odi
ril
e:Actual
lyno.Iwast hi
nki
ngmaybeI
sur
priseherwi
ththisbefor
ethepart
y.(
Clenched
j
aws)Isuckatpartyplanni
ng.Imisssmucles.
Breeze:(smili
ng)YouandIbot h.Iwonderhow
she'sdoi
ngi nthere.Shemustbesuf f
eri
ngwhile
i
m-busywi thagl assofli
quorplanni
ngpart
iesand
wearingcologneswhenshesmel l
spri
son.Wit
hmy
baby.
Odi
ri
le:Comeonman-ment alpri
sonsarenotl
ike
t
heusualone's.I
'm sur
eshei sinherowncellwith
whi
tewall
swear i
ngani cemer t
enint
ydressl
ooking
j
ustl
ikeSagi.Notcrazy,butpregnant.
Br
eeze:St
ari
ngatwhi
tewal
l
sandwhatam Idoi
ng?
Star
ingatmenshakingthei
r-
whateverandshowing
thei
rei
ghtpacks?(sigh)myli
fesucksforr
eal.

Odir
il
elookedathi
m gul
pthel
iquorandpour
anot
herglass.

Odi
ri
le:Sowher
ewer
eyouear
li
er?
Breeze:Iwentt
odr
opKagisohomeandthen
passedbythefi
rmt
odel
iverthepaper
s.
Odi
ri
le:Soshe'
sser
ious?
Br
eeze:Deadl
y..
!Andguesswho'
shandl
ingi
t?
Odi
ri
le:Who?
Br
eeze:Luci
a.
Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyouser
ious?(
smi
li
ng)
Damnt
hatbaby
i
sfi
ne!
Breeze:(
laughs)Ver
y..Iwasevenshowi
nghert
o
Kagisoearlyi
nthemorningandhealsoj
ustsmi
led
withoutaword.
Odi
ri
le:Hesawwhatweal
lsee.Beaut
yover
load!

Theybothlaughedrai
singthei
rglassandgulped
them .Br
eezeexcuseshimselft
ot hebat
hroom and
hetookouthisphonediali
ngBonol of
orareply.

AtBonol
o'shouse.

Bonolosatonthest udytabledr
awingwhenher
phonerangont hebed.Sheputt hepencildown
andstooduppi cki
ngi t.Shehadignoredthe
messageoutoff earifwhetherKagisowil
lshowup
tooornot.Sher ubbedherhandonherj eansbef
ore
answeri
ngsitt
ingont hebed.

Bonol
o:Heybaby.
Odi
ri
le:Hey.
.Whatup?
Bonol
o:Nothi
ng.Iwasj
ustf
ini
shi
ngupmy
dr
awing.You?
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m sti
llwai
ti
ngf
oryout
orepl
yme.Ar
eyou
goi
ngtobethere?
Bonol
o:Uhm .
.Odi
ri
lei
-
Odir
il
e:YouknowBonol oforsomeonewhoclaims
tol
ovemei t
'sl
ikeyourplayi
nggameswi t
hme.
Yougivemeexcuseafterexcuseever
yti
meIwant
tospendt
imewi t
hyou.Whati sit?Youdontl
ove
me?
Bonolo:No!It'
snotthat.Il
oveyouandyouknow
that.Justt
hatI
'm-Idontknow .I
'm occupi
edat
thi
smoment .
Odir
il
e:Toooccupi
edt
oatl
eastspendoneday
wit
hme?
Bonol
o:No.
.-
Odi
ri
le:ThenIguessI
'
llseeyout
her
e.Il
oveyou.
Bonol
o:Odi
r-

Hecutthecallbefor
eshecoul
dsayanythi
ngand
shedroppedont hebedcl
osi
nghereyes.Howwil
l
sheescapethisone?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thedayoft
hepar
ty
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
55]Lynne :Chapt
er75

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse

Breezeparkedontheparkingl
otandsteppedoutas
Dit
ebogowasj ustwal
kingout.Shesmi ledwalki
ng
overandtheyhuggedswi ngi
ngheraroundbefore
putt
ingherdownmovi ngherhairf
rom herface.

Di
tebogo:Howar
eyou?
Br
eeze:I
'
m good.You?
Dit
ebogo:NoI'm notgood.Yourf
riendwasonmy
necktwosecondsago.He' sj
ustsuperannoyi
ngat
ti
mesandhedoesn' tevennot
icei
t.
Breeze:Youguysfi
ghtalotsoi
t'
shardt
oreal
ize
whoannoysmor ethanwho.Butanywayar
eyou
goingtoschoolt
oday?
Di
tebogo:Nop.I'm goi
ngt othel
ibrar
y.Icantt
he
st
andthesightofOdiri
leatthi
spoint.
Breeze:Ohk(carbeep)ohyourr
ideishere,you
shouldgetgoi
ngcourseIneedageniustohandle
mycasenextyear.Begoodsweet hear
t.

Shesmiledwai
ti
ngforahappybir
thdaybutnon
cameoutofhisl
ipsi
nsteadofaki
ssonher
for
ehead.Shefr
ownedlooki
ngathim wal
ktothe
houseandshewenttoherri
dewit
haheavyhear t.

Insi
de-Odir
il
eaddedmoreMuesl
iinhi
sbowl
sit
ti
ngonthecount
erandmor
eyoghurtbef
ore
star
ing.

Br
eeze:(
wal
kingover
)That
'sal
ot!
Odi
ri
le:What
ever
.

Het ookouthi
sbowlandmadehimselfsome
beforepushi
ngOdir
il
e'
slegsasi
deandtookouta
spoont hent
ookhi
sbowlgoingtosi
tonthehi
gh
chair.
Odir
il
e:(
smi
li
ng)Youdar
edi
srespectmei
nmyown
houseboy.
Breeze:Whatever
..
.youj
ustmademel etyour
si
sterdownbynotsayingatl
easthappybir
thday.
She'susedt
omesayi nghappybi
rthdayt
oherand
gi
vinghergi
fts.
Odi
ri
le:She'
l
lgetoveri
twhenshesee'
swhatwe
ar
eplanni
ngforher.
Breeze:Thepar tyisl
aterandsheattheli
brar
y.
Whoi sgoingt oholdherther
e?Courseshewont
spendther estofthedayallal
one.She'
llbeback
beforeyoucanevenf inishup.
Odir
il
e:Uhm ..Ineverr
eall
ythoughtaboutt
hat.
WhereisKagiso?Mysi sterwasnevertheonet
o
resi
stapret
tyface.Willhebehere?
Breeze:Doyour eall
ythi
nkKagi
sowillagr
eetothi
s
aft
erthewholeRosesaga?Hei shome.Heneeds
ti
met ohimselfandgathert
hepi
ecesofhisli
feto
getbackonhi sfeet.He'
sbeent
hroughalotandI
doubthe'
llgetbackhereaft
erwhatheexperi
enced
i
nthi
sci
ty.
Odiri
le:(
smi l
ing)Nowl ookatthat.Myboytal
king
l
ikeaf ather.Arealman.Igat taburnmphephoand
claphandst otheancest or
sforbri
ngingKagi
soint
o
yourlif
e.Thi skidchangedyou.
Br
eeze:Kagi
sodi
dn'
tchangeme.Ichoset
o.
Odir
il
e:Youchoset
ochangeforhi
m .I
t'
snotabad
thi
ngcourseIl
ovet
hisBr
eeze.Thatol
donewasa
pai
nintheass.
Breeze:(chuckl
ed)Mxm .Kagisohasn'
trepli
edto
theinvi
tati
onyet.AndIdontwantt obot
herhi m
withtheparty.I
fhedoesn'twanttocomet henthe
l
eastwecandoi sgivehi
mt hespacehewant s.
Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)Fat
her
lyi
nst
inct
.Il
ikei
t.
Br
eeze:Howar
ethepr
epar
ati
onsgoi
ng?
Odir
ile:Ical
ledmyl onglostcousi
nstocomehelp
wit
ht hecookingandIwast hinki
ngmaybeyou'd
accompanymet ogobuydr inks.Alotoft
hem
coursethey'
l
lbeal otofpeople.
Br
eeze:Br
ai?Cat
eri
ng?ext
ra
Odiri
le:Ofcoursethey'l
lbeabraibutabsol
utel
yno
cat
ering.She'stur
ning23not10.Noneedt obe
hangingSofi
aandBar bi
e'scol
orsaround,t
hey
wontputherfavori
tecol or
satthei
rparti
es,sowhy
hers.
Br
eeze:What
everyoursmoki
ng,Ineedi
t.
Odi
ri
le:Ai
r.
Br
eeze:Mxm .

Hepickedhi
sphoneandloggedintohiscell
phone
banki
ngandsent7ktoBonolobeforeputt
ingit
downandtheycont
inuedchatt
ing.

AtBonol
o'shouse.

Bonolo'
sphonebeepedont hecouchnexttoher
motherandshepickedi
tlookingatthescreen.She
sl
idthemessagedownr eadingitsi
nceshecant
openthephoneandsighedlookingattheamount .
Nol
o'smom:(
shout
ing)Bonol
o!Phone!

Wi t
houtwastingt
ime,shecamerushi
ngand
pickedthephone.Hermotherl
ookedatherbef
ore
switchi
ngt heTVonandchangedtothegospel
channel.

Nol
o'smom:That'
salotofamountf
oragi
rl
fr
iend
f
ee.Didyouaskf
orit?
Bonolo:Mom whathappenedtopr
ivacy?AndnoI
di
dn'taskf
ori
tI'
mj ustassur
pri
sedasyouare.
Nolo'
smom:Mpol ell
emoNol o.Oakanyagor
eo
mangmar a?Whyar eyoumixingt
hist
woboys?
WhatkindofaJezebell
inear
eyouon?Doyou
knowhowmucht hiswil
lhurt
?
Bonolo:NarewareJezebelmme?Gor
il
engo
nkakanyet
sadil
odimaswej aana?
Nolo'
smom:Becouseyouractingl
ikeone.Kagi
so
mightnothaveenoughbuthel
ovesyou.Whydo
youwanttohur
thi
ml i
ket
his?Ar
eyouwi
thOdi
ri
le
becauseoft
hemoney?
Bonol
o:No.
.Il
ovehi
m.
Nol
o'smom:AndKagi
so?
Bonol
o:Il
ovehi
mtoo.
Nolo'smom:That'
sinsane.Ifyoudontl
oveKagi
so
bestlethi
m gosohecanfindsomeonewho'swort
h
hi
sl ovecour
seyournot.
Bonol
o:Mama!
Nolo'
smom :Keng?Yournotwor t
hitmybaby.
Yourstabbi
nghimi nthebackwit
haveryshar
p
kni
feandt r
ustmeitsgonnahurtmorewhenhe
fi
ndsout.Bestlethim gonow.
Bonol
o:No.
.
Nol
o'smom:Yourstubbor
nmygi
rl.Butr
emember
not
hingst
aysbur
iedfor
ever.

Bonol
olookedatherbef
orest
andi
ngandwentout.
Shewalkedoutoft
hegateandwentt
ochecki
f
Kagi
sowasn'toutside.Thi
sdaysshewast oo
scar
edt oent
erafterwhathi
smotherj
ustwitnessed.
Shesigheddial
inghisnumberandhepicked.

Kagi
so:Hel
lomi
ss.
Bonol
o:(
blushi
ng)Hi
i..Ar
eyouhome?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
Bonol
o:Cool,
I'
m out
side.
Kagi
so:Ohk.I
'
m comi
ng.

Shehangupshovingt
hephoneinherpocketand
hegotoutoft
hehousewal
kingoverhuggi
ngher
bef
oretheyki
ssed.

Kagi
so:Youcoul
d'veknocked.
Bonolo:Iknow.ButIf
indi
tdi
srespect
fulki
ssi
ng
i
nfrontofanel
der.
Kagi
so:Mymom doesn'
tmi
nd,
youknowt
hat.
Bonolo:Yeah.
.butst
il
l.Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ng
today?
Kagi
so:(
nar
rowedeyebr
ows)Nowhere.I
'l
lbe
homecat
chi
nguponmyst udi
esandnextweekI
'
m
st
art
ingt
owri
temyexamsnonstop.Why?
Bonolo:Not
hing.Justwonderi
ngwher emy
boyfr
iendwi
llbecour
seifIdontask,yougo
missi
ngonmef ordayswithoutcal
li
ng.Sucks!
Kagiso:(smil
ing)Ar
en'tyoucut
e.Butdon'
twor
ry
I
'm notgoinganywhere.You?
Bonolo:Ihavet
ogovisi
tmyfatherandhi
sfamil
y
today.I'
l
lbebacktomor
row,fornowIwanttogo
buysomet hi
ngatt
hemall.Mom sentmether
e.
Kagi
so:oh.
.needcompany?
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Ineedmor
ethanj
ustcompany.

Sheki
ssedhim pul
li
nghimtohercari
nheryard
andopenedt
hebackdoorpushinghiminsi
de
bef
oreshegoti
nclosingt
hedoorbehindher.*
**
Anhourl atert
heybothst
eppedoutoft
hecarfi
xing
themselvesandlookedateachot
hersmil
ingt
hen
kissedbeforeKagi
sowalkedaway.Shefi
xedher
hairandsighedwalki
ngtothehousewhenher
phonerang.

Bonol
o:Heybaby.
Odir
il
e:Hii..howareyou?I'
vebeentryi
ngtocal
l
youmult
ipletimesbutyouweren'
tpi
ckingup.
Bonol
o:I'
m good.Yeah.
.ìj
ustsawyourmissed
cal
ls.Iwasi
ntheshower.I
severyt
hingohk?
Odi
ri
le:Yeah..want
edt
oknowi
fyougott
he
moneyIsentyou?
Bonol
o:Youknowyoudi
dn'
thavet
ori
ght?
Odir
il
e:Noloyourmygirlf
ri
endandIl oveyou.I
sentyout
hatmoneyoutofl ovenotbecauseIwant
tobuyyou.I'
m notbuyi
ngyou.Taket hatmoney
andgospoilyour
self
.I'
l
lseeyoulateronr i
ght?
Bonol
o:Absol
utel
y.Il
oveyou.
Odi
ri
le:Il
oveyout
oo.
Shehangupbr eathingoutandlookedaround
beforewal
kinginsi
det hehouse.Afterawhil
eshe
steppedoutfr
eshandgoti nthecaropening
windowsdrivi
ngof f.

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Kagisosatonthepl ast
icchairreadingwhil
e
unbraidi
nghishairandfli
ppedt hepaget oread
anotherone.Hesmi l
edreali
zingthatthoughhe
wasr eadi
ng,hi
smi ndwasn' therebuttowhat
happenedearli
eron.Sexi nacar.I sn'tt
hatabad
thing?Hisphoner angont hebedandhest oodup
picki
ngitandlookedatOdi ri
le'
scall.

Kagi
so:Uncl
eOD.What
'sup?
Odi
ri
le:Kagi
so, myonlynephewint
hiswholewi
de
wor
ld.Ineedyourhel
p.Say"Fine"pl
ease.
Kagi
so:(
laugh)Icantj
ustsayf
inewhenIdont
knowwhatki
ndofafavouryouwant.Whati
fyou
askmetogoshootsomeone?
Odiri
le:Yourdadwi l
lkil
lmei fIdareaskthatfrom
you.Ineedyout odistractmysisterattheli
brary.
Makeupaconver sat
ionwi t
hhersot hatshestays
gluedonyouunt i
lsundown.Fl irtwit
hheror
whatever,Idontcare.Aslongasshedoesn' tcome
homeear l
y.
Kagi
so:Yoursi
ster?Idontevenknowher.
Odi
ri
le:I
'l
lsendyouherl
ocat
ionandherpi
ctur
e.
Pl
ease..
.
Kagi
so:Fi
ne,butt
hat
'sgonnat
akemel
ikeanhour
t
ogetther
e.
Odir
il
e:That
'swhyIsentyourf
athert
ocomeget
you.He'
sonhiswaythereaswespeak.
Kagi
so:What?No!He'
sgonnaf
orcemet
ocome
t
othatpar
ty.
Odir
il
e:Iknow,t
hat'
swhyIsenthi
m .Dontwor
ry
Rosell
awontbeher
e.
Kagi
so:Wow.
.ohk.Justt
hisonef
avourandI
'
m
done.
Odi
ri
le:Myman!

Hesighedputti
ngthephonedownandf oundhi
s
motherlooki
ngathimforanexpl
anat
ion.

Kagiso:Ipr
omi
set
hisi
sfort
hel
astt
imeandI
'
m
done.
Veroni
ca:Yousaidthatt
helasttime.Kagisowhy
doyoualwayshavet oputotherpeopl
e'sneeds
bef
oreyou.Lookatyou, droppingyourbookstogo
towhereversaket
heycallyou.
Kagi
so:Mom isj
ustaonet
imef
avourandi
t'
sdone
.Nomorefavour
s.
Veroni
ca:(
shouts)Whataboutyou?Yourfutur
e!
Yourstudi
es!Youalwaysdropeveryt
hingf
or
ot
hersbutwhodr opsever
ythi
ngforyou?!

Kagi
sol
ookedatherandswal
lowedsi
tt
ingdown.
Hepushedhishai
rbackandti
edi
twi
thaband
bef
oreopeni
nghisbooks.Ver
oni
cal
ookedathi
m
andsi
ghed.

Veronica:I '
m notsayi ngyoushoul dstophelping
people.Iknowyoul ovehel pi
ngandi t
'sagood
thi
ng, butKagi sosomet i
mesyougott ochose
yourselfandputyourneedsbef oreotherscourseif
youdont ,noonewi ll.Ithurtsmeasamot her
seeingyousuf feraf t
eryoul andedyourhandst o
someoneandt heydon' tpickyouupal sotocome
withthem .Ithur tcourseyoucantsay" No"attimes
.Youst opyourlifetohel pothers,butwhost ops
thei
rstohel pyou?

Tearsburnedhi
seyeswhenhepickedacupof
wateranddranki
tal
lbef
oreput
ti
ngi tdown.

Ver
onica:Butyoupr
omi
sedr
ight?Thi
sisf
ort
he
l
astti
me!
Kagi
so:(
wipedt
ear
)Iswear.

Acarbeepedout
sideandhecl
osedhisbooks
l
ooki
ngathismotherbef
orehehuggedher.

Kagi
so:Onel
astt
ime.
Ver
oni
ca:Ohk.Besaf
e.
Kagi
so:Iwi
ll.

Hekissedherf
oreheadbefor
echanginghisshir
t
i
ntoahoodieandsprayedperfume.Veroni
caf r
own
l
ookingathi
m andhet ookouthiscapthentookhi
s
phone.

Ver
oni
ca:Soyouj
ustpr
ayper
fume,youdontbat
h?
Kagi
so:(
laughs)Ket
lahl
apapel
e!
{
I'
llbat
hwhenIgett
her
e}
Theybothlaughedandhewal kedoutgoingtothe
car.Hegoti nthecarandBr eezel ookedathi
shair
shakinghisheadbef or
estarti
ngt heengineand
droveoff.Iti
ncreaseseveryti
meheseesi tandnow
i
twasj ustpassinghisarmpits.Hegavehi m hi
s
cardandshookhi sheadchangi nggears.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)What?
Br
eeze:Yourhai
ris-
Kagi
so:I
'
m notget
ti
ngahai
rcut.
Breeze:(laughs)
Dontworr
y,Ialr
eadymadepeace
withthat.Youneedtostyl
eit.I
ts-alot
-ri
chand
huge.
Kagi
so:ThankyoubutI
'
m notget
ti
ngahai
rcut.

Breezel
ookedathi
m andtheybot
hlaughedashe
spedoffwi
ththem ar
gui
ngabouthishai
r.

AtTheLi
brar
y.
Kagisolookedatthepict
ureonhi
sphoneand
l
ookedatt hegi
rlsit
ti
ngatthecor
nerreadingabook
.Hesi ghedwearinghiscaptohi
seyesashi shear
t
poundedandpi ckedabookbefor
ewal ki
ngover.

Kagi
so:Hi
i.CanIsi
twi
thyou?
Di
tebogo:knockyour
sel
fout!
Kagi
so:Auch!

Shestoodupput t
ingthebooksawayandpi cked
anotheronesit
ti
ngdownandhesatopposi t
eher
l
ookingather.Shelookedathim andcouldn'
thelp
butcatchsit
eofthosepinkdrawingl
ips.She
si
ghedsi t
ti
ngbackandl ookedathi
m.

Ditebogo:Ifyourgoi
ngt ositwit
hme, thent
he
l
eastyoucandoi smovet hecapf r
om yourf
aceso
thatIcanseewhoI 'minteract
ingwith.Youcoul
d
beaser ialki
ll
erf
orallIknow.
Hechuckledamazedbef oremovingt hecapf rom
hisf
aceandwor eitf
rom t
hebackl ookingather.
Herheartskippedwhensher ecei
vedbut ter
fl
iesand
swall
owedl ookingathi
sbrowneyes.Hi s
eyel
asheswer elongandlookedwat ery.Tal
kabout
abeauti
fulman.Hol ymother!

Di
tebogo:Ohk.
..
Kagiso:I'
m hungry.Whydontwegogetsomet hing?
IpromiseI'
m notaserialkil
ler.Youcant
ake
pict
uresandstorethem i
nyourphoneorsendt hem
tosomeonewi thawr i
ti
ngof"l astper
sonIwaswi t
h
"forevi
denceifyougomi ssing.
Dit
ebogo:(laughs)Yourcrazy.Icoul
dgomi ssi
ng
butnotinyourhandsandi ftheyf
indthat,
you'l
lbe
arr
ested.Let'
sgo, I
'vebeenhereforl
ong.I'm
hungrytoo.

.
.
.
.
.
Lat
er
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
57]Lynne :Chapt
er76.

Ar
ound19h00
Att
heMal
l.

Theysatatthecorneri
nSt eer
slaughingtheirlungs
outtel
li
ngeachotherstori
esofthei
rchi l
dhood.
Li
ttl
edidsheknowt hatshewast al
kingabout
someoneheknows.Hepi ckedhisdrinklookingat
herandshepickedaf r
yandat eitl
ookingathi m
back.

Di
tebogo:Sodoyouhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
.Doyouhaveaboyf
ri
end?
Dit
ebogo:No.I'
mtheki
ndthatboysal
wayslook
awaywhentheyseet
hem andpickt
hei
rfr
iends
overt
hem .
Kagi
so:Soyouneverdat
edanyone?
Dit
ebogo:Idi
d,butIalwaysdidthechasi
ng.SoI
gotti
redandret
ir
edfrom for
cingpeopl
etopickme
overmyfri
ends.
Kagi
so:Howmanyf
ri
endswer
ethey?
Dit
ebogo:Ihadt
wo.Mpumi andTumi.Butt hey
al
wayschoseTumimore.Imeanshedidn'teven
tr
y.Allt
heguysImadl
ywantedpickedheroverme.
Why?Idontknow.SoIgaveupattheend.
Kagiso:Thenwhoevert hoseguysar e,arestupi
d.
Youragood,beaut i
fulwomanandi ntel
li
gent.Their
l
oss.Goodt hingyoudontdoubtyour selforl
et
them makeyouf eelanylessaboutyourself,
to
questi
onyourself.Dontl ett
hem changeyou.
Dit
ebogo:Iwont.Sohowl
onghaveyoubeenwi
th
her?
Kagiso:Longenough.ButIoncest eppedoutof
thewaywhenIcoughtf eeli
ngsforsomegi rl.Lucky
meGodshowedmeanot hersi
deofhert hatis
hiddenandIgotbackinline.
Di
tebogo:Andwhatsi
dei
sthat?
Kagi
so:Shehadsexi
nfr
ontofme.
Dit
ebogo:Aoww!(
Laughs)Andyouj
ustst
oodby
andwatched?
Kagi
so:Idontent
ir
elybl
amehert
hough.Shewas
marr
iedandshewasatherhousewi
thherhusband,
Iwasonlyvi
sit
ing.
Di
tebogo:Shegotyougood!

Kagisol ookedatherandshookhisheadlaughi
ng.
Shej usttookhisheartbr
eakandmadei taj
oketo
her.Hi sphonevibratedonthet
ableandhepicked
i
tlookingatOdi ri
le'
smessage.Helookedather
beforetakingherhandhel pi
ngherstandandshe
quicklypickedherbagpack.

Di
tebogo:Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Kagi
so:Idon'
tknow.Justgotamessaget
ocome
homeandsomeoneisheretopi
ckme.We'lldr
op
youoff.
Dit
ebogo:(
laughs)Yourl
ying.Youjustsai
dyou
don'
tknowt henal
lofsuddenyou'
regoinghome.
Kagi
so:(
scof
fed)Taket
hesecondst
atement
.I'
m
goi
nghome.Sorry.
Di
tebogo:I
tsohk.Noneedt
oapol
ogi
ze.
Theystoodoutsidethebuil
dingwhenhet appedhis
footonthegroundnotknowi ngwhichcarhewas
waiti
ngfor.Acarst oppedinfr
ontofthem andhe
openedthedoorf orherbutshestoodtherewit
h
secondthoughts.

Kagi
so:geti
n.
Dit
ebogo:(hesi
tant
ly)It
hinkI
'
llj
ustr
equestanuber
.
Thanksalot.
Kagi
so:Havi
ngsecondt
hought
saboutme?
Dit
ebogo:No.JustthatI'
m notusedtogett
ing
ri
desfr
om anyoneexceptthoseIful
lyknow.Ijust
metyou
Kagiso:Ditebogoyouj ustspendhal fofyourday
wit
hmeandIt ol
dyouever ythi
ngyouneededt o
knowevenwhatj usthappenedr ecentl
y.I'm nota
monst erI
'
m ar esponsibl
eguy.
Dit
ebogo:Responsi
bleguysar
ethemost
danger
ousone.Youcouldbeplanni
ngt
osel
lmy
or
gansf
oral
lIknow,
andI
'
m notr
eadyt
odi
eyet.
Kagi
so:(
laughs)What?Whywoul
dyout
hinkt
hat
?
Dit
ebogo:Becauseyourt
oohandsometobekind.
Youlookl
ikeabodboy,andbadboysbr
ingheaven.
Kagi
so:Soyout
hinkI
'
m goodl
ooki
ng?
Ditebogo:Dontyouhaveamirr
or?Ofcourseyour
handsome.Ext r
emelygoodl
ookingandI
'm not
takinganychances.

Hescof fedlookingatherwhenshebr eathed

heavi l
ybef oreatt empt i
ngt owal kawaybuthe
pulledherbyherwai st.Hepul ledhert oocloseto
him br eathi
ngsameai rwi t
hherasherbr eat
hing
changed.Shebi therlipl ookingathi sandhe
l
eanedi nslightlyt ouchingherl i
pswi t
hhi sbefore
heFr enchki ssedher.Herl ipswer esosof tand
tender.Meanwhi l
echi ll
sr andownDi tebogo'sspine
kissinghi sjuicysof tli
ps, shecoul ddot hisnone
stop.Theki sschangedt oaLi zzykissandf rom
theret obut terf
lyki sst henagai ntosi ngl
el i
pkiss
befor ebackt olizzyki ss.
Thedrivert
urnedlookingatthem andshookhi
s
head.Wi t
htheirbreathsonhighlevel
witht
hei
r
bodytemparature,theyslowlyl
etgoandputthei
r
for
eheadstogether.

Kagi
so:Icoul
dneverhur
tagi
rl.Iwoul
dneverhur
t
you.Youcantr
ustme.
Di
tebogo:(
blushes)
thenIt
hinkImi
ghtneedt
hat
pi
ctur
e.
Kagi
so:(
laughs)Fi
ne.

Hest oodbackputt
inghishandsinthepocketto
hidehisbonerandshetookoutherphonet aki
nga
pict
ureofhim andsenti
ttoOdiri
le.Shesmi l
ed
putti
ngthephoneawaywhenhereyesf el
lonhis
handst r
yinghardt
oextendthepantssohewont
show.

Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)Getsomeonet
otakecar
eof
t
hat
Kagi
so:Youshouldbetheonetaki
ngcar
eofi
t.
Dontst
artwhatyoucantf
ini
sh.

Theylaughedgett
inginandthedr
iverdr
oveof
f
taki
ngheraddressthoughheknowsit.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Carsparkedmi t
ersawayf rom t
hehouset oclear
thesuspici
on, t
heyardfil
ledwithpeopl
ehavi ng
boozeandot hersbusywithbrai.You'
dsweari t
wassomesor tofaweddingorsomet hi
ngbuta
simpleparty.Bonolowalkedoutofthehousei nher
shortel
egantdressreveali
ngherhourgl
assf i
gur e
holdi
ngagl assofwineandwentt othepoolsi t
e
whereOdi r
il
emetherhal f
wayandt heykissed.

Odi
ri
le:Myf
avor
it
eper
son.
Bonol
o:Mydear
estone
Odir
il
e:I
'
m gl
adyouwer
eabl
etomakei
t.Il
ove
you.
Bonol
o:I'
m gl
adtobeher
ewi
thyout
oo.Wher
e's
Mrspart
ybytheway?
Odi
ri
le:She'
sonherway.

Shesmi l
edwr appi
ngherhandsar oundhisneck
andkissedhim .MeanwhileBreezesatont hecamp
chairwit
habeeri nhishandlookingatt hem and
tookasiplookingaway.Theybr oket hekisswhen
hereyesfellonBreezeandhelookedatherandshe
avoidedhiseyes.

Bonol
o:I
'
m goi
ngt
ouset
hebat
hroom.I
'
llber
ight
back.
Odi
ri
le:Ohk

Sheclearedherthroatwal
kingawaywhenOdi r
il
e'
s
phonevibrat
ed.Het ookhisphoneoutandfrowned
l
ookingatKagiso'sfaceonthepict
ureshesenthi
m
saying"LastpersonIwaswith".Another
messagesf oll
owedf r
om Kagisosayi
ngwere
aroundthecorner .Hequi
cklywroteamessageto
someonei nsi
det hehousetoswitchof
fthel
ight
s.
Thel i
ghtswentoutandeveryonewenttotheyard
behindthehouseandkeptqui te.

Thecarparkedinfr
ontofthegat
eandDitebogo
si
ghedlookingaroundthestr
eet
sandonlyatthi
s
houseitwasdark.Shesigheddial
ingOdi
ril
ebutit
wentstrai
ghttovoicemai
l.Shel
ookedatKagiso
hol
dinghishand.

Ditebogo:Canyoupl easeaccompanymei nside?I

dontknowwhatt oexerci
sesinther
e.I'
l
lbuyt he
electr
ici
tyandt henyoucanleave,youwonthaveto
stay.Please..Iknowyouhavet ogobutI'
m scared
togoi nalone.Yourmyonl yhope.
Kagi
so:Cool.
Theysteppedoutandhesl
idthegat
eopenforher
andshegotinleadi
ngthewaytothehouse.He
pul
ledherhandandledherbehi
nd.

Kagiso:It
hinkit
'sbestyoustar
tint
heback.If
thei
rthi
ef'
s,thi
sisthelastpl
acewheret
hey'
ll
expectyoutoshowupf ir
st.

Shefoll
owedhim andheledhertothebackdoor
befor
esneaki
ngawayf rom hert
ryi
ngtoopenthe
doorandwenttostandbehindatree.Dit
ebogo
tr
iedopeni
ngthedoorwhensher eali
sedi
twas
openandherheartpounded.

Di
tebogo:It
sopen.Someoneisdef
ini
tel
yinsi
de.
(
Turning)
Wouldyo-Kagi
so?Kagi
so?

Herhear
tpoundedwhenherkneesgotweekasf
ear
consumedherandtear
sblur
redhersi
ght.
Shet
ookoutherphonedi
ali
ngOdi
ri
lewhent
hel
i
ght
cameonandt hecr
owdscreamed"Sur
prise!
"
Makingherhear
tski
pandthephonesl
ippedfrom
herhandfal
li
ngonthef
loorasshescr
eamedi n
tear
s.

Odir
il
ewalkedoverandhuggedherr
ubbingher
backasshecri
edandmor epeopl
efoll
owed.

Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)Happy23r
dbi
rt
hdayl
it
tl
eone.
Dit
ebogo:(
cryi
ng)I
m gonnaki
llhi
m !I
m gonnaki
ll
youall!
Odir
il
e:Ohcomeon.
.youshoul
dbehappy.Il
ove
yousis.
Di
tebogo:Il
oveyout
oobr
o.

Theyhuggedagai
nandBonol
osmi
ledhuggi
ngher
.

Meanwhi
leKagi
so'
ssmil
edroppedl
ookingat
Bonol
ohuggi
ngDit
ebogowhenhewalkedoverbut
st
oppedonhi st
rackl
ooki
ngatherhol
dhandswi t
h
Odir
il
e.Hersmil
ewasbeyondandheroutfi
tdidnot
l
ooklikeofsomeonewhowenttothei
rfat
hers
house.
Heleanedonherearandsai
dsomethi
ngtohert
hat
madeherlaughbefor
ewrappi
ngherhandsar
ound
hi
sneckandt heyki
ssed.
Hishear
tbouncedwit
hhisjawsdr
oppi
ngandt
ear
s
betr
ayedhi
m onceagain.
Ontheotherhand,Breezesatoncampchai r
st
ari
ngathim wipeatearthenhelookedatOdiri
le
st
il
lshar
ingapassionatewithBonol
o.Hecanonl y
i
maginethepain.Hest oodupandwal kedovert
o
hi
m pati
nghisshoulderwatchi
nghim wipeatear.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyouohk?
Kagi
so:Youknewaboutt
his?
Br
eeze:.
..
.
Kagi
so:Wow!Icantbel
ievet
his.
Br
eeze:I
'
m sor
ry.
Kagi solookedathi m andshookhisheadlaughing
i
npai nandwal kedawayavoi dingtocat
chBonol o'
s
eyesandwenti nsidethehouse.Hewal kedaround
whenhespot tedami nibarandwenttositdown
grabbi ngabottlecheckingthepercent
agealcohols
hef oundBr ui
chladdichof50%.Hepul l
edaglass
fi
lli
ngi tandputt hebottl
edowngul pi
ngthewhol e
glass.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
57]Lynne :Chapt
er77

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse

Thecr owdsanghappybirt
hdayoutsi
de, poppi
ng
champagnesandall.Breezewalkedaroundthe
crowdsearchi
ngforKagisofi
ndi
nghi m nowhere.
Het ookouthi
sphonediali
nghim buti
twent
strai
ghttovoi
cemail
.

Breeze:(
recor
dsmessage)Hey,
lookIknowthat
yourmadandIdon'tbl
ameyoufornotpicki
ngup
mycal l
s.Butatl
eastl
etmeknowyourfine.I'
m
worri
edher e.

Hehangupandsomeonet appedhi
mf rom behi
nd
andheturnedlooki
ngatBonolo.Helookedather
fr
om headtotoebefor
esippinghi
sdrink.
Bonolo:Hi i.Iwantedtoaskforfor
givenessabout
whatI'm coursing.Forputt
ingyouinat i
ght
posit
ionbet weenyoursonandyourf ri
end.Thank
youfornotsayi nganythi
ngyetandkeepingthis
betweent hebot hofus.
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Want
lwael
ayoh!

Helaughedwalki
ngawayandmetOdiri
leonhi
s
way.Hesi ghedt
ryi
ngt
oavoi
dhim buthecought
upwithhim.

Odi
ri
le:
Areyouohkman?
Breeze:YeahI
'
mfine.Justl
ooki
ngf
orKagi
so.Do
youknowwhereheis?
Odir
il
e:No,Ihaven'
tseenhim .Hejustl
eft
Di
tebogoonthedooranddisappear
ed.Isheohk?
Br
eeze:No,
he'
snot.
Odi
ri
le:What
'sup?
Hel ookedathi
m notknowi ngwhattosaytohi
m.I
meanyoucan' tjustt
ellyourfr
iendt
hathe'
s
screwingyousonsgi r
lfr
iend,andyouknewthi
sal
l
along.Betteri
fhealsof i
ndsouthimsel
f.

Br
eeze:Idon'
tknow.

Di
kelediwal
kedoverholdi
ngachampagneand
wrappedherar
msar oundthei
rneckscover
ed
l
aughing.

Di
tebogo:Thi
sisf
ant
ast
ic!Thankyou!
Br
eeze:Youshoul
dthankhi
m,he'
sthe
mast
ermindoft
hispar
ty.
Dit
ebogo:Iknowhedi dthi
swit
hyourhel
p
somewher e,sot hankyoutoo.Bytheway-
(bl
ushi
ng)Who' st hatguyyousentt
ome?Thecute
one.Ididn'tknowyouguyshadsuchachar meri
n
yourci
rcleoflif
e.
Odiri
le:Yousee?It
oldyoushecan'
tresi
stapr
ett
y
face.
Dit
ebogo:Ohcomeonbrother
.Haveyouseenthat
guymara?Icanresi
stmanbutthisone,
hai!No
marn.Godoutdi
dhimsel
fonhim .Top10!
Odir
il
e:(movedherarm)Ntl
ogel
e.Youl
eavet
hat
guyalone.He'
sBreeze'
sson.

Di
tebogo'
smout hdr
oppedmovi
ngherhandsand
l
ookedatBreeze.

Dit
ebogo:Youmustbekidding?What?HowcomeI
don'
tknowhim uncl
eBreeze?
Br
eeze:Hest
ayswi
thhi
smot
her.Excuseme.

Hemovedawaypassinginthecr
owdtaki
ngouthis
phoneanddial
edhi
m agai
nleavi
ngt
hem argui
ng
aboutKagi
so.
Meanwhi
leBonol
otookhergl
assofwi
neand
headedinsi
detousethebat
hroom.Shewal kedin
andpassingbypeopl
esit
ti
ngont hecouches
l
aughingandother
sintheki
tchen,andsheclimbed
thestai
rswhensomeoneheldherhand.

Hi
m :Heybeaut
if
ul.
Bonol
o:Sor
ryIgotaboyf
ri
end.
Hi
m :Whoi
she?
Bonol
o:Theowneroft
hehouse.

Theguykissedherhandbef orewinki
ngandwal ked
away.Meanwhi l
eKagisorecognizedhervoiceand
watchedthem t
alk.Thefactthatsheevensaidher
"Boyf
ri
end"istheowneroft hehousef i
ll
edhis
mouthandhest oodupwi t
ht hebottl
eandfoll
owed
herupstai
rswit
houthernoti
ci ng.

Shegotinthebat
hroom andclosedthedoorbehi
nd
herwhenitfl
ewagainandclosedasshewasabout
toundr
essandherheartski
ppedl ooki
ngatthe
backview.Kagisot
urnedaroundlooki
ngather
withasmilewhenherkneesgotweakandthepee
sl
ight
lysli
ppedoutasherheartr
aced.

Kagi
so:Excuseme.
.youl
ookf
ami
li
ar.Ar
en'
tyou
Bonol
o?
Bonol
o:(
shaki
ng)Kagi
sowhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Kagiso:Oh, soi
tyou.Youknowmyname.The
questi
oniswhatareyoudoi
ngher
e?Isthi
syour
daddy'shouse?
Bonol
o:(
tear
y)St
epback!I
'
m her
ewi
thmyf
ri
ends!
Kagi
so:(
steppi
ngover
)Andwhoar
ethose?
Bonolo:I
tsmyfri
endsbi
rt
hday.Iwaswi
thhert
he
wholedaytodi
str
act-
Kagiso:Yourlying.Att hi
spoi nt
,Inotthekindyou
shouldbelyi
ngt o.I'
m calm andcol l
ectedonthe
outsi
debutfuriousintheinside, sodon'tyoudar
e
for
cemet odosomet hingI'l
lregret.
Hist
onewasi cecoldashewalkedovert
oher
sl
owly.Hereyeswelledupi
ntearsst
eppi
ngback
andhitt
hewal lhavi
ngnowher
eelsetogo.

Kagi
so:Soagai
nbabe.I
sthi
syourdaddy'
shouse?
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng).
..
Kagiso:I
'm al
sostart
ingtohatet
ear
s.Youguys
tendtousethem unnecessar
il
y.Soanswerme
sweety.Isi
t?
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)
..
.
Kagi
so:Ohk.
.

Hewal kedbackt ot
hesinkdr
inkinghisli
quorand
pushedt hedr
ainpluginsi
debeforeopeningthet
ap
torel
easesmal lamountofwaterlooki
ngather.

Kagiso:Again.Fort
hel
astt
ime.I
sthi
syour
fat
her'shouse?
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)It
oldyouI
'
m wi
thaf
ri
end.
Kagi
so:Yournotanswer
ingmyquest
ion.

Heopenedt hetapandf i
ll
edthewat erinsidebef or
e
closi
ngitandpull
edt hesl
eevesofhi sJer sey.
Bonoloheartpoundedhardlookingathi m andmor e
tearsfl
owed.Hepi ckedhisdri
nkagai nandwal ked
overlooki
ngather.Hesmi l
edreali
zingt hatthe
wallsweresoundpr oof
edandst oppedi nfrontof
her.

Kagi
so:Yesorno?
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)Kagi
sowhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Kagi
so:I
'
m gonnadr
ownyou.
Bonol
o:What?
Kagi
so:Onlyi
fyoudon'
tanswermyquest
ions.So
whati
tgonnabe?Hardwayortheeasyway?
Answert
hequesti
on.
Bonol
o:Itol
dyouI'm her
ewi
thaf
ri
end.Iwassent
todi
str
actheran-
Kagi
so:Yout
hinkI
'
m bl
uff
ing,
don'
tyou?
Bonol
o:.
..
Kagi
so:Ohk

Hepul l
edherbyherneckandshescr eamed
walkingtowardsthesi
nkandshemadeherl eanin
screaming.Hepushedherheadi nsi
deandshe
foughttryi
ngtogetoutmakingbubblesbuthewas
toostrong.Hepul l
edheroutandshegaspedforai
r
coughingandhehuggedherwi t
honehandlooki
ng
atthemi rr
orwit
hherstil
lcr
ying.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)I
sit?
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)No.I
t'
snotmyf
ather
'shouse.
Kagiso:goodgi
rl.Sohowi
syourr
elat
ionwi
th
Odir
ile?
Bonol
o:We'
ref
ri
ends.Iswe-

Hepushedherheadi
nsi
deagai
nandshet
ri
ed
getti
ngouthi tt
inghi shandandspl ashi
ngt hewater.
Kagisosippedhi sli
quortwicebef
or epulli
ngherout
andshegaspedr ubbingherfacecoughi ng.She
tri
edtorunt othedoorcr yingbuthepul l
edherwi th
herwaistandst oodbehindherpressingher
stomachont hesi nk.Hemovedherhai rfrom her
facelooki
ngathercr yonthemirr
orbef orekissi
ng
hershoul derupunt iltoherneckthengr abbeda
handfulofherhai r.

Kagi
so:(
cal
m)I
'
mli
steni
ngl
ove.
Bonol
o:(
cough)Romant
ic.
Kagi
so:Ohwow.
..I
'
m hur
t.Doyouknowt
hat?
Bonol
o:I
'
m sor
ryKagi
so.I
m sosor
ry.It
rul
yam .
Kagi
so:Forhowl
onghast
hisbeengoi
ngon?
Bonolo:It
sbeenweeks.Atfir
stitwasf
ri
endshi
p
unti
lhetoldmehowhef el
taboutme.Wemetat
themallwhenIwas(cough)whenIwasbuyingyou
motherfoodmonthsago.
Kagi
so:Weeks?WeeksBonol
o?Andyoudi
dn'
ttel
l
hi
m yougotaboyf
ri
end?
Bonolo:Ididbuthekeptonandonhi
tti
nguponme
.Itri
edtosaynocount l
esst
imesunt
ilIr
eal
ized
thatIal
solovehim.
Kagi
so:Youl
ovehi
m ?Whataboutme?
Bonol o:Iloveyou.Isweart oGod.I fIdi dn'
tI
wouldhavel ef tyou, butinsteadIst ayed.But
Kagisowhatwoul dyouhavemedo?Yougo
missingandyoudontcal lme.Youl eavemeal one
andIf eltnegl ected.Al waysIwasi nt ears
wonder inghowyourdoi ngatt hehospi talworse
worriedsicki fyoumadei toutoft ownal i
ve.And
evenso,youdi dn'tevenbot hert ocal lmewhenyou
wokeupt ol etmeknowyourf ine.Iwentout
searchingf oryouf ordays.Thenyour eturnedand
whatdoyoudo?Yougomi ssingagai nwi t
houta
goodbyeoratl eastat racetowher eI'dfindyou.I
fel
tli
ket hisr elationshiphadl ackofl oveandl ow
commi t
mentt oi t.
Kagi
so:Soinst
eadofwaiti
ngformet
oexpl
ainyou
goonandloweryourpant
iest
osomeoneIr
efert
o
asanuncle?Ibetyouknewbef
oret
hewhol
e
rel
ati
onshi
pofyoursst
art
ed.
Bonolo:Idi
dandI 'm sorry.Itr
ulyam .Butyoul ef
t
meKagi so!(Cr
ying)Youl eftme!Iwant edtofeel
l
ovedandcar edfor.Pl usyouknowIl ovesexsoI
hadmor esexualdesiresandyouwer en'tt
here.I'
m
tr
ulysorryi
fihurtyoubutyoul eftmenochoi ce.I
hadto-
Kagiso:Wouldyoupleasestoptal
king!Youhad
plent
yofchoices.Waitformetoexplai
norkil
l
yoursel
fforl
ove.Justshutup!
Bonol
o:YousaidIshouldanswert
oyou.LookI
knowyourhur
tandfeelbetr
ayedandI
'm sor
ry.You
haveever
yri
ghttobe.Iknowyouangry-
Kagi
so:(
chuckl
ed)Angr
y?Real
ly?
Bonol
o:Kagi
so.
.-
Kagiso:YouthinkI'
m angr
y?Nobaby, I'
m not
angry.I'
m murder
ous!Iwanttoki
llyou!Andyou
knowwhoel se?Rosell
aLyonandeveryonethat
stabbedmeintheback.Iwantsomeone'ssouli
n
myhand!
Herheartpoundedlooki
ngathim onthemir
ror
whenhepushedherheadi nsi
de.Sheshookher
headtryi
ngtogetouthitt
inghishandwhenshe
sl
ippedbuthestil
lpushedherheadinsi
de-

.
.
.
.
.
.

Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
57]Lynne :Chapt
er78.
I
nthebat
hroom.

Bonol ogaggedashepr essedherheaddownwi tha

neutralfaceandbithi
slippull
ingt
hebottl
eand
drankt heli
quor.Sheslowlygotweakandstopped
fi
ghtinghi m whensomeonekickedthedoorand
Breezef rownedrushi
ngoverandpulledhi
m pinning
hi
m agai nstthewall.

Br
eeze:(
Shout
ing)Ar
eyoucr
azy?
!

Bonolotookoutherheadandgaspedcoughi
ngout
thewaterfall
ingonthefloordr
aggi
ngher
sel
ftot
he
cornerbehindthet
oilet
.
Kagi
so'
sangerbrewedseeingherstil
lbreat
hing
whenhetr
iedescapi
ngbutBr eezehithi
m against
t
hewallandthebott
lesl
ippedf al
li
ngont hefl
uffy
math.
Br
eeze:St
opi
t!Shehear
dyou!
Kagi
so:Letmego!
Breeze:Kagi
sodon'tf
orcemet ol
ineyouupr
ight
now.She'sagir
lforchri
stsake!

Odiril
epassedthroughthecr
owdt hatwasstandi ng
ont hedoorandstoodatwalkedinlooki
ngatal lthe
wateront hefl
oorandBonolocoughingbehindt he
toil
etwet.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim sothe
crowdwontseeanyt hingandlookedatBreeze
pinningKagisoonthewallbyhisneckallfur
ious.

Odi
ri
le:Car
etoexpl
ainwhati
sgoi
ngoni
nher
e?
Kagi
so:Ohwewer
ejusthavi
ngal
it
tl
echat.I
sn'
tit
Bonol
o?
Breeze:Youcalldr
owningsomeoneinasi
nkf
ullof
waterali
tt
lechat?Areyououtofyourmi
nd?You
could'
veki
ll
edheryoustupidmoron!
Kagi
so:Thatwasthewholepointofdrowni
ngher.
Iwantt
okil
lher.Seei
nghersti
llbr
eathingl
iket
his
makesmeevenangr i
er,l
etgoofmeandl
etme
dealwi
tht
hisJezebel!
Breeze:Doyouhearyour sel
frightnow?You
wantedtoki
llher?Kagi sokill
ingherwillnotbr
ing
youanypeacebutt ort
ur efortherestofyourli
fe.
Kil
li
ngherwillnotmakeyouanydi f
fer
entfrom her
butworse.Amur der.
Odir
ile:(si
gh)Whydoyouwanttokil
lher?Can
someoneatl eastshedmet
hel
ightherecour
seI'
m
confused.
Kagi
so:Whydontyouaskher?Shei
stheaut
horof
ever
ythi
nggoi
ngonhere.

Odiri
lel
ookedatBonolocurl
inghersel
fintoabal
lat
t
hecor nercr
yinghol
dingherhurti
ngneckand
walkedovergoingdownonhi skneestouchi
ngher.
Hemovedherhandf r
om herneckandf r
owned
l
ookingatthehandprint
sandst ooduplooki
ngat
Kagiso.
Odiri
le:Bonol
opleaset
ellmewhat'
sgoi
ngonhere
beforeIrushi
ntoconcl
usioncour
seIai
n'tgot
bri
cks?
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)I
'
m sorr
y.Kagi
sofortheone
hundr
edt
ht i
meI'
m sor
ry.Whatdoyouwantmet
o
do?
Kagi
so:OhbabyIwantyoudead.Iwantnot
hing
much.
Breeze:Woul
dyoustopwi
tht
hethr
eat
sbef
oreI
punchyouinhemiddl
eoft
heface!
Odiri
le:Bonol
oyourignor
ingme.Tel lmewhat '
s
happeningher
eorItoowilltakethetr
uthoutofyou
bothmyownway.Andi tain'tgonnabenice,t
rust
me.

Shelookedathim andwipedhert earshuggingher

l
egsandswal lowed.Hermot herswor dsplayed
l
oudinherheadwhenshest artedcryingevenmore
astheyallt
hreewatchedher.
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)He'
smyboyf
ri
end.
Odi
ri
le:(
gasped)Yourwhat?!
Bonol
o:(cryi
ng)I
tshi
m .TheguyIt
oldyouabout.
I
'mreal
lysorr
y.
Odir
il
e:So-heisthereasonwhydidn'
twantto
spendti
mewithme?Her easonwhyyoudidn'
t
wanttocomewithmet oBre-hol
don..Br
eezeyou
knewaboutt
hisdidn'
tyou?
Breeze:WhatIknowordonotknowisnott
hepoint
here.Thepointi
sBonol
oplayedt
hebothofyou
underyournoses.I
tswasn'
tmyplacet
otel
lyou.
Odir
il
e:Icantbeli
evethi
s!Soshe'
stheonet
hat
youtol
dmeaboutwhom youf oundwit
hKagi
soat
thehospi
talhal
fnaked?
Breeze:Andhowdi dthi
st hi
nggett opoi ntatme?
I'
m notatfaulther
e.Thi sisyourt r
iangl e,bett
er
sortitoutbef
oreoneofyoudi es.I'm notpar tofit.
Thisisthesamer easonwhyIdi dn'
tt ellyourcourse
IknewI '
dgetcoughtint hemiddl eofi t.Y'al
lbett
er
growupandr esol
vethisli
kepeopl eyouragesnot
teenagers,st
oppoi nt
ingyourf i
nger satme.
Odi
ri
le:Bykeepi
ngt
histoyouasasecr
et,you
si
gnedyour
selft
ogetcoughti
nthemi
ddleBreeze.
Breeze:Ikepti tasecr etcourseitwasnoneofmy
business.Ialsohaveal ottodealwi t
hsoyour
tri
anglewast helastthi ngonmymi nd.Ifyouwant
someonet oblamef oryourhear tbreak, t
heresheis
notme.Sogetof fmybackwi t
ht hi
sj oke
relat
ionshipofyourscour seI'
m noti nthemood.
(ToKagi so)Wena!t ryki l
li
ngherordoi ngdoing
anythingtohar m heroranyone, trustmeRosel la
andBonol owi l
lbet hel eastofyourpr obl
ems.That
alsogoest oyouOdi r
il
e.

HepushedKagi sooffl
ookingathim andtookt
he
bott
leofl
iquorwalki
ngoutpi ssed.Kagi
sorubbed
hi
snecklookingatBonoloandshookhi sheadout
ofwordsandwal kedoutcomi ngfacet
ofacewith
Dit
ebogosmi l
ingwithwineinherhand.

Di
tebogo:(
laughi
ng)Ohkt
hispar
tyj
ustgot
i
nter
esti
ng!
Kagisonar rowedhiseyebrowsl ookingatherand
walkedpassedherasshegoti nlookingatBonol
o
atthecor nerandOdiri
leleaningont hesink.She
cl
osedt hedoorsmi li
ngandst oodinfr
ontofher
brotherleaningoverwideninghereyet easi
nghim
beforelaughing.

Dit
ebogo:(l
aughs)Sowhat '
spoppi
ng?Heard
someonewascr yingandonewaspinnedont
he
wallbyuncl
eBreeze.Andwhat'supwitht
hewat
er?
Andwenawhyar eyouwet?
Odir
il
e:Ditebogoyouaskeddoeforapar
tyandI
thr
ewonef oryou.Whydontyougoandbewi t
h
yourguestbefor
eilosei
ttot
all
y!
Di
tebogo:Iknowthatt
one..
(smil
ing)Shehur
tyou
di
dn'tshe?Andthenyougotangr
yandt ri
edt
o
dr
owni nther
eri
ght?That
'swhyshe'scryi
ng?
Odir
il
e:Youknow,f
orsomeonewho'sonherlast
yearofl
awyoupratt
leshi
t.Qui
tal
ready,you
wasti
ngmymoney.
Dit
ebogo'
smouthf
ellandhelookedathergoi
ngt
o
hel
pBonolost
andbeforepi
ckinghert
henthey
walkedout
.

Odi
ri
le:Cl
eanupt
hemess.
Di
tebogo:Whatdi
dIdo?

I
nOdi
ri
le'
sroom .

Hewal kedincarr
yingherandwenttoputheronthe
bedbef or
egoingtohisclosetandbr
oughtherhis
shir
twithoutaword.Sher ubbedhertearl
ooki
ngat
him andtooktheshir
t.

Bonol
o:IknowI'
vedonewrongbutatl
eastsay
somet
hingnott
hesil
entt
reat
ment.
Odi
ri
le:.
..
Bonol
o:Odir
il
epl
ease.Whyar
en'
tyousayi
ng
anyt
hing?
Odiri
le:becauseI '
m hurt, overwhelmedandangr y.
Andwi t
hthisthreemyt onguedoesn' tfunct
ion
pret
tywel l.I
'm quietbecauseIdontwantt osay
anythingthatwoul dhurtyouormaket hesituati
on
worse.Youshoul dbegr atefulI'
m givingyout he
si
lenttreatment,notever yoneget si
tf rom me.

Shelookedathi
m si
ghingbefor
ewalki
ngoutand
shebustedi
ntearsst
andingandwenttot
akea
shower.

Outside.
..
Kagisoputhishandsinthepocketand
walkedovertoBreeze'scarandbreat
hedoutbefor
e
st
andi ngnexttohi
ml eani
ngont hecar.

Kagi
so:I
'
m sor
ry.
Br
eeze:Doyouknowhowseri
ousacaseofmurder
i
s?Youcouldgotoj
ailf
or20-
25year
sorgeta
maximum penal
tyofl
if
eimpri
sonment.Andthen
whatwoul
dhappenofyourfuter?Yourmother?
Kagi
so:(swal
lowed)Iwasangr
yandhur
t.My
emoti
onswereallovert
hepl
ace.
Breeze:Sonowyouhandl eyourpainwi thvi
olence?
Takeoutyourangeronavulnerablegir
l?You
could'vet
akenali
feKagisot
hat'
snotal i
ghtthing.
Howdoyouexpectyourmot herfeelifthatgir
lhad
diedinyourhands?Yesshemi ghtstil
lloveyou
courseyourherchi
ldbutdoyour eal
lythinkshe'd
bepr oudofwhatyouwould'
vedone?
Kagi
so:No.
.
Breeze:kanaevenso, whatyoudi dtonightshecan
sti
llgoopenacaseandyou' llbechargedwi th
attemptedmur der .Andt el
lyouwhatmyboy, j
ailis
notachi ld'
splay.Pr isonlif
ei shardasfuckandi ts
not hi
nglikewhatyouseeonTV.No.I nsidethere
areser i
alkil
ler
s, gangst er
s,r api
standal lsor
tsof
peopleyoucant hinkofandanyt i
mei tcouldbea
bloodpool party.Kagi sokill
ingsomeonei snothing
l
ikeABCD.Af t
erki l
li
ngsomeonet hatbecomesa
partofyouandther
e'snowayyourgoi
ngtoescape
thatcoursei
t'
sli
keaweighofdar
knessaboveyou.
Kagi
so:I
twon'
thappenagai
n.
Breeze:Itbetternot!Courseifitdoesyou'llspend
therestofyourl i
feindungeon.You'renotthef ir
st
personwhoi sbeenhur tbyagirl
.Igothurtt oo,
thousandtimesandIknowi t
'snotagreatfeel ing,
butyougot t
al earnhowt otakecontrol
.Don' tlet
youremot i
onst akeover, i
tcouldgobad.I fyou
hadkill
edthegi rlnotonlywil
lyouhavel ostyour
humani t
ybutyourdi gnityasaman.Yourf uture
downt hedrain.
Kagiso:I '
m sorryItrul
yam.IknowwhatIdi dwas
uncalledfor.ButI '
m hurt.Al ot.Iam inpainandi t
hurtsevenmor ethatIcan'thandl eit
.Ispend
mont hstryingtosavesomeone, Ilostmylifet
ime
tr
yingt orescuesomeonef rom herowndar kness.
AndwhatdoIgetoutofal lthis?hear tbr
eak, pain.
Andt here'
sBonol o.Shepr etendst ocareandl ove
meknowi ngverywel lthatshei swi thsomeoneel se.
Imeanwhodoest hat?likeforr ealwhodoest hat? I
knowt hatI'm broke,andIknowt hatI'
mf r
om apoor
backgroundbutdon'tIdeser
velove?don'
tI
deservesomeonet obethereformewhenIneed
them ?someonet ocareaboutme.Whydoes
everyoneilovealwayshavetobetr
ayme?betray
myt rustandplaywithmyfeeli
ngsli
ket
his?
Breeze:i fIwereyouI '
llbehappyt hatIdodgeda
bul l
et.Gir
lscanbepai ni ntheass.I fshecanl eave
yout hisshouldshowyouhowt hel essshecar es
aboutyou.Shecanevenl i
ei nyourf ace, lookyoui n
youreyesandt ellyouadi fferentst oryandt he
out comesbecomessomet hingqui tedi fferentf rom
whatshet ol
dyou.It hinkthisi sagr eatthi ngi n
disguise.Thisalsogi vesyouanoppor t
uni tyto
focusonyourl i
fe, yougotschoolt of ocuson.I t
's
aboutt imewegat heryour selfandf ocusonyou.
Thi nkaboutyoursel fforoncei nawhi l
e.Bui l
d
your sel
ffir
standt henyoucanhel pbui ldot her s
l
at er.BonoloandRosear enott heonl ygi rl
st hatare
ali
veont hi
splanet .Ther ear eal otofgi r
lsoutt here
whowoul dbegr atefult ohaveyouast heirman.So
kil
lingherisnotanopt i
on.Act uall
yki lli
ngwas
neveranopt i
onbutachoi ce.Youst i
llhaveal otto
l
iveupt othangoingt oprisononlybecauseyou
kill
edsomeoneoutofpai n.Justimaginegoingto
prisonbecauseyou'rehur t
.Ithinkit
'sthedumbest
reasonfor1togot ojailfor.Gir
lsmaycomeandgo
butjustremembert hereisonlyonewhoi sconstant
, andthat'
syourmot her.Remembert hatever
ythi
ng
thatyoudonotonl ywoul ditaffectyoubutherin
theprocess.Sothinktwicebef oreyouact.I'
m
goingtogetanotherbot t
le.

Kagi
solookedathi
m wal
kawayandsi
ghedr
ubbi
ng
hi
sfacebefor
egett
ingi
nthecar.

Inthebackyard..
.Odi
ri
lepi
ckedabot t
leoutoft
he
coolerboxjustasBreezewalkedoverandhe
grabbedtwooft hem .

Odir
il
e:l ookI'm sor
ryman.Ishouldn'
thaveblamed
youli
ket hat.Inowr eal
iset
hatyoudidn'
ttel
lme
becauseyouwant edmet ofindoutmysel
f.You
wererightthisisonmeandt hem,wegott
af i
xthat
onourownandl
eaveyououtoft
his.
Breeze:i
t'
scoolman,Idi dtrytowarnyouthought
andyoushutmeoutsayi ngt hatIdon'
twantyouto
behappy.SoIthoughtmaybei fyoufi
ndout
yoursel
fyou'
dbeabletopr edictwhatyouwant.I'
m
alsosorr
ythati
tdi
dn'tt
urnouthowyouexpect ed.
Odir
il
e:Ijustdon'
tgetwhyshoul
dlietome.Inever
gi
veherthebenefitoft
hedoubt
.Ithoughtwewere
openwit
heachot her.
Breeze:she'
sagi
rl,
whatdi
dyouexpect,
pil
eof
pancakeswit
hhoneyandacher
ryontop?
Odir
il
e:(l
aughs)youknowj ustbecauseAbigai
lhur
t
youdoesn'tmeanthatallgi
rlsarel
ikeher
?Gail
si
tuati
onisquit
ediff
erentfrom our
s.
Breeze:she'sagirll
ikeher.Sothere'
snot
hing
diff
erentaboutthem fr
om eachother.Theyallgot
p****andt heyal
lgotboobies.Sotheyusethem
recklessl
ytohurtus.Butanyway..whereareyou
goingt odoaboutit?
Odi
ri
le:Il
oveherver
ymuch.SoIthinkI'
l
ltr
yto
mendthingsbet
weenus.I
'
llt
ryt
of orgi
veherf
or
l
yingaboutt
hisandIhopenextt
imeshewon'
t
r
epeatthesamemistake.
Breeze:goodluckwit
hthat!Justdon'
tgett
hose
hopesupt oohigh.I
'
mt aki
ngKagi sohomesoI'
l
l
catchyoulater
.
Odi
ri
le:Howi
shebyt
heway?
Breeze:He'sst i
llangryandhurt.Iwanttotakehi
m
awayf rom herebef or
ehedoesanot herst
upidthi
ng
he'l
lli
vetor egr
etf orr
ealthi
sti
me.
Odi
ri
le:Ohk.
.I'
l
lcal
lhi
m andsor
tthi
soutwi
thhi
m
t
omor r
ow.
Br
eeze:Ohkcool.

Theyf
istbumpedandBreezewal
kedt
othecarand
hewal
kedt hehouse.

Br
eeze:Iwantyout
omakeapr
omi
se.
Kagi
so:Whatpr
omi
se?
Br
eeze:Thatyou'
dst
ayawayf
rom gi
rl
sfornow
andal l
owyourselft
oheal.Tof ocusonyour
studiesandnevercomebackher eunti
lyourdone
withyourexams.Thatyou' l
lstudyhardandmake
yourmot herpr
oud.Tof ocusonyouandwhatyou
want.Toputyourneedsbef or
eot herpeople'
s.To
wor khardandtakecareofyoursyst em course
afterwhatyou'
vebeent hr
ough,youneedspi rit
ual
healing.Togobackt obeingyoubutnott het oo
caringkind.
Kagi
so:
(smi
li
ng)Ipr
omi
se.
Br
eeze:Pr
omi
sewhat?
Kagi
so:Ipr
omi
sedad.
Br
eeze:Good.

Theybothlaughedasherever
sedcar
eful
lynott
o
hi
tothercarsanddroveof
f.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.3mont
hsl
ater
.
.
.
.
Comment.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
57]Lynne :Chapt
er79

Att
het
axir
ank.
Acoupl esatont hetwopl asticchairsnotmovi ng
changi ngposi t
ionsasKagi sokeptl ookingatthem
andusedhi spaintst odrawt hem.Hi swor kwas
i
mpr ovingdailyandmor epeopl ecamet ohi mfor
theirdrawi ngandt obuyt r
aditionalj
ewel r
y.He
steppedbacksmi l
inglookingatt hepictureandput
thepai ntdownt urningthecanvast othem .Itwas
l
iket heyhadt akenapi ctureandj ustpluckedit
thereaf terali
ttl
ebi tofediting.

Woman:Wowt hisisbeauti
ful.Icantwai
ttoputi
t
onthewalli
nourhouseforeveryoneonetosee
whentheygeti
n.
Man:Itot
all
yagree.Mant
hisi
simpr
essi
ve.
You'
vegotagif
t.
Kagiso:Thankyou.Ir
eal
lyappr
eci
ateyour
support.
Voice:CanIal sohaveoneofmydrawi
ngs
speciall
ydrawnwi t
hyourhand?Andali
tt
lebi
tofa
si
gnat ureatt
hebottom.
Kagiso:(
smi
li
ng)
"Al
it
tl
ebi
tofasi
gnat
ure"Hi
i
Dit
ebogo.

Hesai dthatturni
ngwi thasmileandshesmi led
sit
ti
ngonacr ate.Het urnedl
ookingatthecouple
andt heypaidhim beforeheli
ftedthepaint
ingto
thei
rvanandbi dgoodbyeast hedroveoff.Heput
themoneyi nt hepocketandsatdownasanot her
customersatont hechai r.

Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Hi.WhatcanIdof
oryou?
Boy:Iwantapi
ctureofmyf
acedrawnwitha
gr
aphit
epenci
lonlyona20×16incanvas.
Kagi
so:Cool.I
sthi
sforyourr
oom ?
Boy:(smi l
ing)Yeah.Iki
ndofwantt odecor
atei
t
coursewej ustmovedin.It
'semptysoIthoughta
l
itt
lebitsomethingonthewall,asamemor yof
movingher eforthef
ir
stcoupleofdays.
Kagi
so:soundsamazi
ng!
Hestart
eddrawingwhenDitebogopi
ckedthecr
ate
andwenttositnextt
ohim watchi
nghi
m draw.He
l
ookedatherandsmi l
edconti
nuingwi
ththe
drawi
ng.

Kagi
so:Howdi
dyouf
indme?
Di
tebogo:I
ttooksomet
ime,
butwhatmat
ter
sisI
madeit.
Kagi
so:Sot
heyt
oldyouwher
eIst
ay?
Bl
abber
mout
h's.
Dit
ebogo:Comeon, youshoul
dbehappyt osee
me.Imeanafterwhatyoudid,l
eavingmeinthe
dark,
youowemet hewarm wel
comef orcoming
aft
eryou.Andthenforl
eavi
ngwithoutsayi
ng
goodbye.
Kagiso:IhadreasonswhyIl ef
twi
thoutsayi
ng
goodbye,Idi
dn'twantanyonetofi
ndme.Especial
ly
peoplefr
om aroundthattown.
Dit
ebogo:IsBonol
oandRosel
lat
heone'sbehi
nd
yourdi
sappear
ance?Comeondude.It
'sbeen
threemonths.Letthatsl
ide.Letitbewat
erunder
thebri
dge.Whyar eyoustil
lholdi
ngontothepast
?
Likeyousaidyouhadyourr easonstol
eave,so
whyar eyousti
llhol
dingontowhathappened
betweenthethreeofyou?
Kagi
so:Iguesst
hescarr
ant
oodeep.
Dit
ebogo:t here'
snosuchthingasthi
sscarwentt o
deep.Youcan' theali
fyou'
rest
il
lhol
dingont othe
painandinor dertodosoyouneedtof or
give
yoursel
ffi
rstbeforeyoucantakeanotherstep.
Kagiso:For
givemysel
fforwhat?Idi
dnot
hing
wrong.
Dit
ebogo:Youdi d.Yourthecourseofyourown
unhealt
hyheartandsomehowIf eell
ikenotonlyar
e
youscaredtogethurt,yournowscaredtolove.
ButanywayI '
m nother
et opl
aydoctorPhil
l,I
'm
heretovisi
tafri
end.
Kagi
so:Andemot
ional
lysuckme.
Di
tebogo:Yeah,thatcount
s.Iwanttoknowknow
whyyouleftwit
houtsayi
nggoodbyef
orthree
monthwithoutaword?
Kagiso:Il
eftwi
thoutsayinggoodbyebecauseIwas
notintheri
ghtstate.Iam sor
rythatIdi
dn'
tsay
goodbye.Holdon...youcameal lt
hewayherej
ust
toaskmewhyIdi dn'tsaygoodbye?
Di
tebogo:IguessIdi
d,di
dn'
tI?
Kagi
so:Ormaybeyouhadyourr
easons(
smi
li
ng)
Whatisi
t?
Di
tebogo:Not
hing.Justwant
edt
oseeyou.
Kagi
so:why?
Di
tebogo:Doesoneneedar
easont
oseeyou?
Kagi
so:Techni
cal
ly,yess!
Ditebogo:WellIguesswhenyouspendsome
qualit
ytimewithsomeone,evenifitwasfakeyou
tendtogetlur
edi noutofcur
iosi
tytogett
oknow
them andbuil
dsomesor tofrel
ati
on.

Hestoppeddrawingandlookedatherwhenshe
smil
edlooki
ngawaybef orelooki
ngathim ashebit
hi
sli
p.Theboyl ookedatthem andgiggl
ed
di
str
acti
ngthem whentheycoughedembar r
assed
andheconti
nueddr awi
nghi sface.Shelickedher
l
ipsr
emember ingthei
rsteamyki ssandjustby
l
ooki
ngathisveinedhand, hermi ndgoeswi l
d.
Shepul
ledherselft
ogetherclear
ingherthroatwhen
Kagi
soblushedshakinghisheadandcont i
nued.

Di
tebogo:What?
Kagi
so:Not
hing.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Jackwalkeddownt hest ai
rsi
nhi ssummershorts
andamanvi nt
ageshirtwhist
lingheadingtot
he
ki
tchen.Hehadl ostfewkilosandhi sshapewas
nowget t
ingbacktooft hepersonhisage.Hetook
outacucumberandl ettuceprepari
ngtomake
hi
msel fasaladwhenRosewal kedinandtookout
str
awberrieswit
houtawor d.

Jack:Hel
lot
oyout
ooRosel
la.
Shet urnedlookingathi
m andputonat wosecond
sarcasticsmilebefor
ewal kingawaycli
mbingthe
stai
rs.Hewat chedherasshej oggedonthestai
rs
andsi ghedputti
ngeverythingbacksincehel
osthis
appetite.

Meanwhi le,Janewal kedonthehal l

wayhol dingher
waistwi t
ht hehugebumpl eadingtheway.Shes
beenhavi ngbackachessi ncemor ni
ng.Herut er
us
muscl escont ractedwhenshest opedwal king
balancingher selfwiththewallt
wisti
ngherf ace
untilt
heyr elaxed.Sheheavi l
ysighedfeelingt he
urgetogot othebat hroom coursi
ngbyt hebaby' s
pressingherbowel t
hensuddenlyherwat erbr oke.

Jane:Nonono!(
Scr
eami
ng)Jack!Jack!

Jack'shear
tski
ppedputt
ingt
hedi
shcl
othdownand
rushedupthestai
rsandsmil
edl
ooki
ngatJane.He
rushedovertoherandwr appedherhandaround
hisneckandwal kedwit
hher.Rosegotoutofher
room paci
ngwheshesawhermot herheavi
ly
breathi
ngastheywalkeddownst ai
rs.Janeturned
herheadlookingatRosefoll
owingthem .

Jane:Babygetmybacki
nthecl
oset.Thebl
ueone
.

Sheclenchedherj
awsastheur
get
opushwashed
herandRoserantogett
hebag.

Jane:(
cryi
ng)JackI'
m dyi
ng!Let
'smovefast
er!I
don'
twanttogi
vebir
thinacarpl
ease!Rose!

Jackbithisli
pandpickedhergaspingathowheavy
shewasbutkeptgoi nguntilhegott
ot hecarand
guardopenedt hedoorforhimthenheouther
i
nside.Roser anoutofthehousewi t
ht hebagand
gotinbalanci
ngherandJackcl osedthedoor
t
aki
ngt
hekeysdr
ivi
ngouti
nspeedasscr
eamed.

StBr
eezeshouse.

Breezepulledt hebaront hePulldownmachineand

hismusclest wi tchedassweatdr i
ppedal
loverhis
body.Heexhal edlett
ingitgoandst oodup
grabbingthet owelandwi pedthesweatstandingon
thetreadmillswi tchi
ngiton.Hest art
edr
unning
i
ncreasingt hespeedl i
steni
ngt othemusicplayi
ng
andhesangal ong.Usherconf essions2.

Thesear
emyconf
essi
ons
JustwhenIt
houghtIsai
dal
lIcansay
Mychi
ckont
hesi
desai
dshegotoneont
heway
Thesear
emyconf
essi
ons
ManI
'
mthr
owedandIdon'
tknowwhatt
odo
IguessIgat
tagi
veyoupar
ttwoofmyconf
essi
ons
I
fI'
m gonnat
ell
itt
henIgat
tat
elli
tal
l
Damnnearcr
iedwhenIgott
hatphonecal
l
I
'
m sot
hrowedandIdontknowwhatt
odo
Butt
ogi
veyoupar
ttwoofmyconf
es-

Themusiccutwhenheturnedhisheadl ooki
ngand
shookhi
sheadstoppi
ngthetreadmill.Heheavi
ly
breat
hedl
ookingatOdi
ri
leandwi pedhissweat.

Br
eeze:Ithasal
waysbeeni
nyoumyf
ri
endt
ospoi
l
myfun.
Odi
ri
le:Youcal
lworki
ngoutthi
smuchoversad
musi
cawayofhavi ngfun?There'
smustbe
somethi
ngfundamental
lywr
ongwithyou.
Breeze:Mxm ..whatdoyouwant
?IsBonol
onot
ther
etoenter
tainyoutoday?
Odiril
e:welli
fyoushoul
dknow, mybabyisaphone
callawaytoenter
tainme.SoIdon'tneedt
oover
exerciset
oentert
ainmyselfl
ikeyoudo.
Breeze:goodthen.Takeoutyourphoneandcal
l
hercourseIcanseeyourbored.
Odir
ile:OhcomeonI '
m notbored,I'
m wor r
ied
aboutyou.You'vebeencookedupi nhereforthr
ee
mont hsandonl
ygooutwhengoi ngt ocheck
Kagisoorbuysomet hi
ngt oeat.Ifnotgoingtofi
nd
outaboutthedi
vorce.(Shrugged)Youneedsome
ai
r.Let '
sgooutandhavet woleftfeet
.
Br
eeze:I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
e.
Odir
il
e:Youknowthefactt
hatyoual
waystakean
oderasaquest
ionir
ri
tat
esmesometimes.Iwasn'
t
aski
ng.Wearegoing.
Br
eeze:Ar
eyougonnamakeme?
Odir
il
e:Yess,byal
lmeans.Eveni
fil
lhavet
obur
n
thi
swholehousedownal
ongwitht
hememor i
est
o
getyouout.

Breezelookedathim bef
orewal
kingoutoft
hegym
room andhef ol
lowedhimtothebedr
oom and
threwhimselfonthebed.
Breeze:Dude,I'
m goi
ngt
otakeashower .Noneed
tokeepaneyeonmenaked, I
'm notgoi
ngtorun
away.Privacypl
ease.
Odi
ri
le:Whatpri
vacy?Getoveryoursel
f,i
fther
e's
somethi
ngIhaven'
tseenbefor
eI'l
lput10konit.

Breezesi
gheddefeatedandthr
ewt
het
owelonhi
m
beforewal
kingi
ntotheinsui
t.

Odiri
le:(
shouti
ng)di dIevertel
lyouIl
ikeyour
tatt
oos?Soador able.Ilovelove.Makesyoudo
crazyatti
mes.Nowl ook, wherei
sshe?Gone.
Andyou'relef
twithnothingbutar emi
nderonyour
skin.Yoursostupid!

Breezepeakedonthedoorl
ooki
ngathi
m sear
chi
ng
hi
sdr awertaki
ngoutabookl
eani
ngonthe
headboard.
Br
eeze:(
press)Di
ckhead.

Hebithi
stongueputt
ingthebookonhisface
l
aughingandBreezesighedgoi
ngbacktotakea
shower.
Thi
rt
yminsl
atert
heywalkedoutoft
hehouseand
wentt
oOdir
il
e'
scardr
ivi
ngoff.

AtThet
axir
ank.

Kagisostoodupput
ti
ngthepenci
lonDit
ebogo'
slap
beforet
urningt
hedr
awingtotheboyandhesmil
ed
taki
ngoutthemoney.

Boy:Il
ovei
t.Thanksal
ot.
Kagi
so:I
'
m gl
ad.Takecar
eman.

Di
tebogost
oodupl
ooki
ngatt
het
radi
ti
onalj
ewel
ry
andpickedabracel
etwear
ingi
t.Kagisol
ookedat
herpackinghi
spencil
sbef
orest
andingnextt
oher
andsmi led.

Kagi
so:Looksgoodonyou.
Di
tebogo:Soyoumadet
his?
Kagi
so:Notal
lofthem ,
butt
hatoneyes.Somear
e
madebymam'Sil
via.She'
snother
etoday.
Di
tebogo:Thi
sar
ebeauti
ful
.You'
l
lfor
ceust
owear
t
hisasafashi
ont
rend.
Kagiso:(
smil
ing)i
twoul
dn'tbef
orthefi
rstti
me
wit
hyou.Mostpeoplet
hisdayweartr
aditi
onal
at
ti
reasfashi
on.Youli
keit?
Di
tebogo:Il
ovei
t.I
'
m keepi
ngi
t.

Shesear
chedherpurseandt
ookoutR50gi
vingi
t
tohi
m buthedecl
inedi
t.

Di
tebogo:NoKagi
so,yourr
unni
ngabusi
nessher
e.
Youcantl
etyourcor
rel
ati
onwi
thpeopl
egeti
nthe
middl
eofi
t.Youneedto-
Kagiso:I'
m notlet
ti
ngmycorrelat
ionwi
thanyone
getinthemiddleofthi
sjobI
'm doi
ng.I'
m onl
y
gi
vingthistoyoucourseIoweyouanapology.
Di
tebogo:Soi
t'
sanI
'
m sor
rygi
fti
naway?
Kagi
so:Somet
hingl
iket
hat.
Dit
ebogo:WellIdon'
tneedanygift
s,Ineedyout o
sayitonmyfacenottowr apmewithjewell
ery'
s.I
cameallt
hewayher ejustsoIcanlookyouinthe
eyessayi
ngi
t.
Kagi
so:(
smil
ing)Soyoucameal
lthewayher
eto
l
ookatmyeyes?
Dit
ebogo:Theirbeaut
if
ul,at
tr
act
iveandsexy,do
youblameme?Iwasn' ttheonethatt
oldyour
parentstocometoget
herandhaveyou.So
apologize.
Kagi
so:(l
aughi
ng)Gir
lyourcrazy.Whot
ravel
sa
l
ongdist
ancetol
ookatone'seyes?Yousur e
t
here'
snothi
ngwrongwithyou?
Di
tebogo:St
opi
nsul
ti
ngmeandapol
ogi
ze.
Kagi
so:Whyar
eyouher
eDi
tebogo?
Dit
ebogo:Tocoll
ectmyapol
ogyfr
om yousi
nce
youcouldn'
tcomesayi
tyour
sel
f.
Kagiso:No. .
.Imeanthemai nr
easonwhyyouhere?
Stoplyingtomethatyout r
avel
edallt
hewayfrom
whereyoucomef r
om justsoyoucangetan
apologyfrom me,courseyouain'
tgett
ingany
heartf
eltone.

Di
tebogobi
therli
plooki
ngathim andswal
lowed
pl
ayingwi
ththebracel
etonherwrist
.

Ditebogo:Iwant edtoseeyou.Idon' tknowwhybut

somehowIf eltl
ikeyouar etherebestper sontobe
around.Thefir
stdayImetyouIt houghtmaybeyou
wer ether
eonlytoseducemei ntoyourbedbuti t
turnedoutdif
ferent.Iknowsayi ngthissounds
crazyandoffenseivebutIjustcan'tseem tothe
stayawayf r
om you.Thel i
ttl
etimeIspendwi t
hyou,
meantal ott
ome.Iwasmadt hatdaycour senone
ofeveryoneIknewsaidhappybi rthdaytome.
Whichiskindofchil
dish.Andthenyoucameal ong
andsweptallthepainoftheday.ButIguessi t
wasn'tmeanttolast
.SowhatI 'm sayingisI'
m not
hereforanapologyyou'r
eright,I'
m hereforyou.
I'
m herebecauseIwantedtoseeyou.
Kagi
so:(smi
li
ng)Iknewi
t.ButImeanti
t,keept
he
br
acelet
.
Di
tebogo:Itol
dyouIdon'
tneedyout
ogi
vemet
his
asanapology.
Kagi
so:t
hent
akei
tasanappr
eci
ati
ongi
ft
.
Di
tebogo:Appr
eci
ati
onf
orwhat
?
Kagi
so:f
orbeingt
hef
ir
stgir
lthatevercar
edabout
meandtheli
tt
lemomentsIspentwithher
.I
appr
eci
ateyou.

Shesmil
edlooki
ngathim andhesmi l
edback
pul
li
ngherint
oahug.Heral ar
mr anginherpocket
andshetookoutherphoneswit
chingitof
f.
Di
tebogo:I
tst
imef
ormet
oleave.Idontwantt
o
ar
ri
velate.
Kagi
so:Thankyouforcomingt
ocheckuponme.
Andbei
ngherewit
hmef ort
hedai
lyhust
le,
you
hol
dthekeygi
rl
.
Di
tebogo:Yourwel
come.Bye.
Kagi
so:Bye.

Hewatchedherwalkawayandcoughtataxibefor
e
hepackedever
ythi
ngandputi
tinhiswheelbarr
ow
headi
nghomesmi l
ing.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Janeclenchedherjawswithherlegsapartand
sweatdrippedoffscr
eamingfeeli
nghercookie
crackopen.Onecoul dnevergetusetothispai
n.I
t
waslikeanextremepainthattakeyourbreat
haway
andmakesyouunabl
etotal
k.Allyouf
ocusonat
thi
sst
ageisget
ti
ngthebabyout.

Midwif
e:Icanseet
hebabyJane.Pushdear!I
ts
al
readyhere.

Shegrabbedthesheetsblowingairbefore
cl
enchingherjawsagainandpushi ngfeeli
ngthe
baby'
sheadpoppi ngout.Shescreamedt ot hel
ast
asthebabyslidoutandshecol l
apsedont hebed
weakcrying.Themi dwi
fecuttheumbi li
calcord
andwrappedthebabycar ef
ullysmili
ng.

Mi
dwi
fe:I
tsaheal
thybabyboy.Congr
atul
ati
ons.

Janeweeklysmi
ledl
ayingonthebedandthe
midwif
ewenttowipethebabywhil
eother
stook
careofJane.
Af
terawhil
etheypushedhert
oherwar
dandshe
wokeuptofeedherbaby.
Shesmi ledlooki
ngathim suckherbreastwhena
tearescapedhereye.Thiswasdef i
nitel
yBreezes.
..
Thedoorsl owlyopenedandRosewal kedinwith
Jackstandingbesidesher.

Rosel
la:(
smi
li
ng)Mom he'
scut
e,dadl
ookathi
m.
Jack:(smi
li
ng)I
'
mthehappi
estmanal
iveatt
his
point
.Thankyoumylove.

Heleanedinkissi
ngherwi t
htear
sfl
owi ngoutand
hetookhim gentl
yandcareful
lyf
rom herarms
sl
owlyrocki
nghi m happi
ly.

Jack:Haveyout
houghtaboutanameyet?
Rose:HowaboutTr
ist
an?
Jack:Tr
ist
an?Real
ly?
Rose:Comeondad.IknowI'm badatnamesbutI
l
oveit.Pl
ease.Mom pl
ease.
..
Jack:Ohkt
henTr
ist
anAgangLy-
Jane:(
low)Ai
r..
Jack:What?
Jane:Ai
r..
.Hi
snamei
sAi
r.Ai
rTr
ist
anLyon.

Tearsfi
ll
edherwhenshecoveredherfacecryi
ng.
Shejustnamedhim af
terhi
sfatherandhedoesn'
t
evenreal
izei
tcour
sehe'stoohappytoask
questi
onsbehindt
hename.Howcr uelcanshebe?

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
58]Lynne :Chapt
er80.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Janel ookedatthebabyi
nacotandsi ghedl ooking
away.Havi ngthebabywasagoodf eelingbutthe
thoughtagainoflosi
ngherhusbandcour seofall
thi
sj ustmadehercry.Yesshewasi nl ovewi t
hthe
fatherbutthepainandbet
rayalsheispl anti
ngwas
growi ngdaybydayinhoursandmi nutes.
Shepull
edherphoneunderneat
hthepil
lowand
rubbedhert
earsdi
ali
ngBreeze.Hepickedwi
tha
l
oudmusi candpeopl
escreamingatt
heback.

Br
eeze:Hi
i.Hol
don.
Hegotawayfr
om t
hecrowdandt
henoi
set
owher
e
she'
l
lbeabl
etohearhi
m.

Br
eeze:Hey.
Jane:Hi,
howar
eyou?
Br
eeze:Apar
tfr
om bei
ngf
orcedt
opar
ty,
I'
m doi
ng
j
ustf
ine.You?.

Askingherifshewasfinej
ustwasn'
tagoodidea
coursethentear
sstart
edfl
owing.Sheputherhand
onherfaceasgui l
tandwhir
lwi
ndemotions
consumedher.

Jane:(
cryi
ng)Br
eezeIl
oveyou.-
Breeze:It
houghtwewerepassedthat.Janeyou
messedupmyf amil
y.Bothmywi veswantnothi
ng
todowithmebecauseofyou.
Jane:IknowandI'
m sorr
y.Butthef
eeli
ngsIhave
foryougrowdai
lyandIdontknowwhattodowith
t
hem .Att
hesametimeIdontwanttol
oseJack.
He'
sbeennot
hingbutagoodhusbandtome.
Breeze:See.Thenwhydon' tyouf ixyourmarriage
coursetrustme,mebei ngwithyounotonl ywilli
t
putyouunderdepr essi
onbutit'
llkil
lyou.Idrove
myownwi feinsaneandanotherone, Ibr
okeher
nowshe' sleavingme.Andasi fthatwasn'tenough
yout ookSagifrom me.I'
l
lneverf orgi
veyouf or
that.Justsoyoushouldknow.Jackl ovesyou,
verymuch.Youguyshavebeent ogetherforal ong
while,don'tl
etyouraff
ecti
onsformegeti ntheway
ofyourhappi nessandmarri
age.
Jane:Iunder
stand.ButSagiassaul
tedme.
Breeze:Janetel
lmelove,
eversi
nceyoumetSagi
hassheeveractedshady,
beenunki
ndortr
iedt
o
i
nfli
ctpaintoyou?
Jane:No.Butwhatcount
sist
hatshedi
dint
he
end.
Breeze:Shedidbecauseshewasangryst
aying
homeavoidingdramaandyoubr owl
edather.You
knewaboutherconditi
onyetyouwentt
heretostar
t
upaf ightwit
hherknowingverywelli
t'
llneverend
wellforeit
herofyou.Nowmywi f
eislayi ngi na
ment alpri
sonwithmybabywher eIcan'tpr otect
them .Whoknowshowi t
'l
lchangeher?I t'sbeen4
mont hsJane!Four!Youcantevensurvi vef our
mont hswithoutyourt
antr
umsi magi
nehowshei s
i
nt here.
Jane:(cryi
ng)I
'
m sorry.Iwasact
ingi
mpul
siveand
thoughtofnooneotherthanmyownhappi
ness.
But-
Br eeze:Nobuts,youdontl ovemeJane.Youhur t
mebeyondmyi magi nat
iontakingmywi f
esaway
from me.Thef eel
ingsyouhavear ejustabsur
d.I
recomendcounsel i
ngort herapy.Thi
sain'
thealt
hy
foryouandt hebaby.
Jane:(
sigh)I
'
m att
hehospi
tal
.It
'saboy.
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Ar
eyouser
ious?
Jane:Yeah.
.youcancomeseehi
m .Jackand
Rosewenthometoprepar
eformyret
urn.
Hehangupwi t
houtsayinganythi
ngf ur
therandshe
sighedl ookingatthebaby.Shesmi ledbefore
touchinghi scheeckandt ookherphonet aki
ngfew
beautifulpictur
esofhi sl
it
tlehand.Shecover ed
him andsatbackl oggingonFacebookpost i
ng
them andonWhat sApp.Within3minscomment
start
edf lowingi nandwi t
hmor eli
keandshe
repli
edever yoneoft hem .

AtAbi
gai
l'
shome.

Abigail
'
ssisterPriscil
lalayedont hecouchbusy
wit
hhersoci almedi awhenshescr oll
eddownand
cameacr ossapi ctureofababy' shandonawhi t
e
babyblanket.Shesmi l
edl i
kingi tandvi ewedmor e
beforecomment i
ng.Sher ealizedt hatitwasJane's
whenshequi cklyst oodupandr ant oAbigail
sroom
whereshef oundherl ayingont hebedi nshort
s
busywi t
hherl aptop.

Pr
isci
ll
a:Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmet
hatJanewas
pr
egnant
?
Abigai
l:Ididn'
tknowt
hatihavet
orepor
tmysoon
t
obeexf amil
ytoyou?Whatareyou?Somesor
tof
ajudgeJudy?
Pri
sci
ll
a:Whatever
..
shegavebi
rt
ht oababyboy
namedAirTr
ist
anLyon.Howador abl
earethe
names?
Abi
gai
l:(
shocked)Di
dyouj
ustsay"Ai
r"?
Pr
isci
ll
a:Yeah.
.i
tsacut
enamei
sn'
t?

Shequicklygotoffthebedandsnatchedthephone
fr
om herlookingatthepictur
e.Herangerbrewed
whenshequi cklygotdressedwit
hhersist
erlayi
ng
onthebedandt ookhercarkeysgoi
ngout.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

BreezeandOdir
il
ewal
keddownthecorr
idorl
ooki
ng
forherr
oom andfi
nal
lyf
oundher.Shel
ookedat
t
hem wal
kingi
nandsmil
edmovi
ngt
hebl
anket
f
rom t
hebaby'
sface.
Breezewalkovertothebabycotandsmi
ledl
ooki
ng
atthebabybeforeholdi
nghissof
thandl
ooki
ngat
Jane.

Br
eeze:Thankyou.
Jane:Yourwel
come.
Odi
ril
e:(snapped)'
Yourwelcome'yaeng?Ngng,
he'
snotwelcome.Heisf ucked.Nowthatt
hebaby
i
sborn,hei sfi
neandhealt
hy,Ithi
nkit
'st
imeyou
popthepimple.
Br
eeze:No!Notnow.
Odir
ile:Whywait?Youdoreali
zethemoreyouwait,
that
'sthemorethebabygrowsandhim andJack
gettobondwi t
hyouasacastout.Rememberhe
doesn'twantyounearhi
m aft
ertheki
ssyouguys
shared.
Jane:Iagreewi
thOdi
ri
le.Themorewewai
tthe
heavi
eritget
s.Ial
sof
eelli
keit
sti
mewecome
cl
eanaboutthi
s.IfIlosehim, t
henIlosehim .I
dontwanttocar
ryonhol di
ngmybr eathhopi
nghe
doesn'
tfi
ndout.It
stiri
ng.Andi fi
thappenshe
fi
ndsoutabouthi
m whenhe' solder,t
hiswil
lbe
devast
ati
ngforourbaby.I t
'l
laff
ecthim.
Odiri
le:ExactlywenaJane.Atl eastforoncewe
havesomet hingincommonweagr eeon.Br eeze
justt
hinkthisthrough.Imeanar en'tyouti
redof
keepingthisfrom yourbr
other.Finethebabywasa
-(cl
earthroat)ri
ghtthat,
love-
Br
eeze:"
a"what?
Odi
ril
e:Iwasaboutt osayloophole.(
gavehima
dar
elook)ButIdi dn't
,dontlookatmel i
kethat.
Youforceditoutofmymout h.That'
snott hepoi
nt.
Thepointisyouguyshavet ocomeclean.That
wayyou'llbeabletoseeyourkidwheneveryou
wantthant osneakbehindyourbr
othersback.

Breezesighedl
ooki
ngatthebabybefor
elooki
ngat
them andputhi
shandsinthepocket
.
Jane:ForAi
rBr
eeze.Pl
ease.
Odi
ri
le:(
coughed)'
Air'younamedhi
m Ai
r?
Jane:Yes,
aft
erhi
sfat
her
.Ihopehedoesn'
tmi
nd
si
ncehe-
Br
eeze:Idont.(
smi
li
ng)
Act
ual
lyi
tisagr
eatname.
Odi
ril
e:Youhaveonehellofaninsectl
iverwoman.
MotherMary!Remindmet onevercheatonmygirl.
If
eelforJack.It
rul
ydo.
Breeze:(si
ghed)Fi
ne.Wel
ltel
lhi
m aboutt
his
tomorrow.
Odiri
le:(
slipped)Iwi shheslapsyouwi thdivorce
andki cksyourcheat ingassoutofthatMansi on.
Andt odayIwi llbowdownandpr aytil
lIgotno
wordsl eft,fortheraintofal
ll
ikeneverbeforewith
youwal kingont hestreet
softhi
stownhol ding
nothi
ngbutyourr agsandyourstupiddegree.
(Smil
ing)Thatwoul dbeawesome!
Br
eeze:Wi
thmybaby.
Odi
ril
e:oh.
.wit
houtt
hebaby.Hetakesthebaby
bef
oresl
appi
ngyouwitht
hedi
vorcepapers.
Br
eeze:Anddoeswhatwi
thhi
m exact
ly?
Odir
ile:Whyar eyouintervi
ewingme.Youwantme
tosaysomet hingtoyouei t
her
,fine.Iwishhe
beatsyourbackstabbi
ngassandki cksyououtof
hishouse.Andt henlatersueyouforbreaki
nghis
marriageapartli
kethi
s!Happy?
Breeze:Doyouhearyour
sel
fwhenyout
alk?Or
thi
nkbefor
eyoutalk.
Odi
ri
le:Tr
utht
obet
old,
Idont!
Jane:Doyouknowhowmuchyourwor dshurt?
Haveyoueverhadanyonewishyouli
kethat
wit
houthi
dingbutsayi
ngiti
nyourfacel
ikeyoudo?
Howwouldyouf eel
ifsomeonesaysal
lthatt
o?
Odirile:No,neverhadone.I'dfeelrat
herfine,
cour sethatpersonwouldn'
tli
veaweekwi thouta
pieceofme.Act ual
lyBreezetol
dmeshi tatmy
si
st erspartyandhe'st
heonl ypersonthatdoes.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.
Abigailpar
kedhercarandt ookoutherphone
l
ookingatt hepi
ctureonFacebook.Thi swas
supposedt obehers.Sher ubbedhereyesbef or
e
steppingoutofthecarandshutt hedoorbehi ndher
walkingtothehouse.Shehel dherbreathputti
ng
thepinbyt hedooranditshowedagr eenlight
unlocking,
shesighedwalkingi n.Shehear d
someonehummi ngasongi nthedini
ngr oom and
wentt her
ef i
ndi
ngDineowi pingthetable.

Abi
gai
l:Hi
i.
Di
neo:Hi
iMr
sLyon.Howar
eyou?
Abi
gai
l:I
'
m good.I
sJackar
ound?
Dineo:Yeahhejustgotbackt
opr epar
eforMr
s
Lyon'
sretur
n.I'
l
lgocallhimforyou.
Abi
gai
l:Pl
easedo.I
'
llbeont
hebar.
Di
neo:Yesmam .

Di
neowalkedupst
air
sandshewal kedtot
hebar
si
tt
ingonthehi
ghchairpour
inghersel
fagl
assof
whiskey.Shesmil
edlooki
ngati
tbef
oreshaki
ng
herheaddrinki
ngi
t.
Jackwal
kedovert
oherandtheyhuggedbefor
ehe
satont
hechai
rnextt
oherpouri
nghimselfaglass.

Abi
gai
l:Youl
ookwel
l.Lostal
it
tl
ewei
ght.
Jack:(
smil
ing)I
'
llt
aket
hatasacompl
iment
.How
areyoubytheway?
Abi
gai
l:I
'
m good.Fant
ast
ic.
Jack:Isee,Br
eezei
str
eat
ingyouwel
l.
Abi
gai
l:Act
ual
lyhe'
snot.Wear
eget
ti
ngdi
vor
ced.
Jack:What?Why?
Abi
gai
l:Becauseabi
tcht
oreusapar
t.Butanyway
howar
eyou?
Jack:I'
m happy.(Smil
ing)Janegavebirt
htoa
babyboy.Heal t
hyandst r
ong.IfI
'm notthe
happiestmanalivet
henIdontknow.
Abi
gai
l:HappyIsee.Iai
mtochanget
hat.
Jackl
ookedatherasshepour
edhi
m mor
eli
quor
andpour
edonef orher
sel
f.

Abigai
l:Tel
lme.Whyi
sitt
hatyouandyourbr
other
nevert
alkanymor
e?
Jack:Whydoyouwantt
oknow?
Abigail
:CourseIwantt
oplaysomesortofa
professor?Fi
llyoui
nonthepart
syourmissi
ng.
Shoot.
Jack:Whatpar
tsar
ethose?
Abi
gai
l:Justt
ellmewhyJack?
Jack:Ifoundthem kissi
ngbehindahouseat
Rose'swedding.Itoldhi
m Iwantnothi
ngtodowi th
him andthatIdon'
twanthim nearmyfamilyever
again.ThoughImi ghthavesai
dsomehar shwords
tohimint heprocess.
Abigai
l:Comeondontf
eelbad.Doyouknowwhy
yourbrot
herwoul
dki
ssyourwif
e?
Jack:Idont.It
ri
edaski
ngJanebutshekeeps
gi
vingmer unar
ounds.Soideci
dedtoleti
tgo.
Abigai
l:Wel l(gavehi
m aglass)It
hinki
t'
sabout
ti
mewef i
llyoui ni
nthisci
rcl
eofours,dontyou
thi
nk?Ever ythinghappeni
ngintheLyonFamily
unti
ltothebaby' sbi
rthname.Air.

Shesmil
edfoldi
ngherlegsandhelookedather
bef
oreshestart
edspi
ll
ingever
ybinincl
udi
nghers.

Att
heMent
alpr
ison.

Sagilayedonthebedinherwhi teclothesfaci
ngup
rubbingherbump.Everythingaroundt heroom was
whiteincl
udi
ngthefloor.Shesl owlycaressedher
bumpl ooki
ngattheli
ghtbef or
eturningtotheside
taki
ngoutawhi t
etoothbrushthathadashar pend.

Sagi:
(sl
owl
y)
 Twi
nkl
etwi
nkl
eli
tt
leJane
HowIwonderhowyouar
e.
Upabovet
hewor
ldsohi
gh
Li
keadar
knessi
nthesky

Shekeptsi
ngi
ngthatsongont hesamepar
agraph
unt
ilt
heli
ghtwentoutbutkeptonsingi
ngi
nthe
dar
k.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
58]Lynne :Chapt
er81.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Jackl
ookedatherasshedrankherwhi
skeyandhe
pi
ckedhi
sglassgulpi
ngit.

Jack:Yousai
dyouandBreezear
edi
vor
cing,how
doIknowyournotl
yingt
ome?
Abigail
:Doreall
ythi
nkI'
dtr
avelmi
lesandavoi
ding
accident
sjustsoIcoul
dgether
etoli
etoyou?How
stupiddoyouthi
nkIam ?
Jack:Yournotst
upid,you'
rest ar
ti
ngtoactbit
ter
becausehedoesn'
trevol
vear oundyouanymor eso
youcomeher et
otellmeallthis-nonsense.Imean
doyouexpectmet obeli
evethatmyJanewas
pregnantwi
thmyownbr otherschild?
Abigai
l:Bel
ieveitornotIdontcare.ThoughIwas
expect
ingadiffer
entkindofreacti
onothert
hanthe
tabl
estotur
nt ome.( Sipped)Buti
tsohk.Let'
s
makeadeal?
Jack:I
'
m notmakinganydealwi
thyou.You've
sai
denoughaboutmywifeandIwon'tt
oler
ate
more.
Abigail:Yourr eact
iontothi
sIguessi t
'sagood
sign.Iknowi t
'shardtofindoutaboutherand
Breezel i
kethis.Especial
lyf r
om asoont obe
divorcee.It'
shar dtobeli
eve,Igett hat.But
remembernoonei sasaint.Soher eist hedeal-
Whydontyougoandaskher?Putt hem i nt
he
samer oom andt el
lthem It
oldyouandyouwantt o
knowwhy?I ncludemynamewhenaski ngthem
cour sethatwayt heywonthaveanywher etohide
theirli
es.Ort omakei teasierforyoutobel i
eve,
r
unDNAt
est
s.
Jack:Thatbabywasbornyest
erday,Icantj
ust
pl
ugani nj
ecti
oni
ntohi
m, he'
sstil
lfr
agil
e.
Abigai
l:Ar
eyoustupi
doryourslow?Bloodtestis
nottheonl
ywaytoconfi
rmifthebabyi
syour sor
not.Cuthi
shai
r,takehi
ssali
vaforchr
istsake!
Jack:It
hinkyou'
vesai
denough.
Abigail
:ifyouthi
nkI'
ml yi
ngormakingthisupt
o
getbackatBr eezet
henf i
ne,I
'
m nottheonethat'
l
l
belivi
ngi naweboflies.Rai
singanothermans
chi
ldasmyown.

Shef i
nishedherdr inkandst ooduplookingathim
beforeshel eft.Jacklookedatherwalkingout
wheni tallsankin.Shedi dn'
twanttogeti nt
imate
withhim, wasitbecouseBr eezewasalwayst here
toti
ckleheronhi sbehalf
.ButJanewoul dneverdo
suchat hingt ohim .Hepul l
edthebottl
eassecond
thoughtsswi pedintohismi nd,shecouldalsobe
ri
ght.
Hestoodupgoi
ngupstair
sandaft
ermincame
backwithhi
scarkeysandlef
ttot
hehospi
tal
.

Att
heMent
alpr
ison.

Stil
lsinging,Shet ur
nedlookingupi nthedar kand
start
edsmi l
ingr ubbi
ngherbumpget t
ingof ft
he
bed.Shewal kedtothewal ltouchingitwithher
eyescl osedbef oretaki
ngt hetoothbrushandcut
herfinger.Shef li
nchedclenchingherj awsbiti
ng
herlipandputherbl oodyf i
ngeront hewal lasa
mar kofspendi ngt hefourt
hmont hinher e.Ever
y
si
dei nt heroom hadherbl oodyf ingerprint
countingmont hs.
Shemovedfrom t
hewallandwentbacktobed
put
ti
ngthecutfi
ngeri
nhermouthsuckingthe
bl
oodunti
lshedosedoff
.

Att
hehospi
tal
Jackdr ovearoundtheparkingl
otanxi
ouslylooki
ng
forBreezescar.Hisheartpoundedwithevery
secondl ooki
ngatthecarsfrom f
arwhenheseea
sportcarthengetfi
ndoutt hati
tsnothis.Hewent
tothenextl i
nesear
chingbutsti
llcoul
dn'tf
indit.
Hedr oveoutoftheparkingwhenhenot i
ceda
famili
arregist
rat
iononthecarbyt heexitand
stoppedlookingatit.I
twasabl ackMer cedes.He
tookouthisphoneandl oggedinofFacebook
searchingforDit
ebogothenwentt hroughher
pict
urescomi ngacrossthesamecarwi t
hthesame
regi
strati
on.Thiswasdef i
nit
elyOdiri
le'
scar.
Hishear tpoundedsohar dwhenher eversedint
oa
parkingspacenear byandswi tchedof ft
heengine
steppingoutclosi
ngt hedoor.Hej oggedt otheli
ft
andwai tedforitt
oopent hengoti npressingthe
buttoncountlessti
mesf oritt
ocl ose.
*
**
Hisheartgotheavierandheaviert
hemorehegot
cl
osertoherwar d.Hewasn' tsupposedt
obeher
e
actual
lycoursei
t'slat
epati
entshavegottor
est.
Hestoppedonherdoorandsi
ghedl
ist
eni
ng
car
eful
ly.

I
nsi
de

Breezecareful
lyhel
dt hebabyi nhidarmsslowl
y
rocki
nghi m wi
thapricelesssmi l
eonhisface.
Odiri
lelookedathimtakingouthi sphoneto
capturethismomentandl ookedatJane.

Jane:What?
Odiril
e:(whispering)Youknowj ustbecauseI
agreedwi thyouonsomet hingitdoesn' tgiveyou
thepowert oswi ftunderhi sskinthinkingIwontpul l
youbacki nthef avoursoft hebaby.Tel lyouwhat,
Iwill.Thisguyisamar ri
edmanwi thawi f
ewhom
yousentt oJailtogethi m andhasachi ldoni ts
way.Youdest royedhi sfami l
yusi ngAi rasl ever
age
, nomor e.Yourapar tofhi m now, yourhis
weaknessbecausehecantdoanyt hingt ohischil
d
mot her,butrememberyournotmi ne.IfIdarefind
youcr awl i
ngnextt ohi
m, I'
lldragyourdoct orass
farawayf rom hi
m .Eversi ncewhathappened,he' s
beendownanddoesn' tthinkst r
aightsot hatmakes
mehi sshieldthroughthisdi f
ficultti
me.Il ovemy
fri
endJane, he'stheonlybr othert hatIhave.I
won' tletyoutryhappyf ami l
ywi thSagi stearsand
taki
ngadvant ageofhisweakness.I fIdareeven
onesf indyousneaki ngt owar dshi m, t
rustmewhat
youdi dwasnot hing.I
'l
ldel i
verawor stnightmar e.

Shelookedinhisstonecoldeyesandswallowed
l
ookingatBreezewalkingaroundwit
ht hebaby.
Herheartbeatraceswhenshepulledtheglassof
waterdrinki
ng.

Jane:heal
readyt
oldmecount
lesst
imest
hathe
doesn'
twantme.
Odir
il
e:Thenitsaboutti
meyouputyourearsto
usecourseIwontplaysoftwi
thyou.Youwil
lstay
awayfrom Br
eezeandonl yi
nter
actwi
thhi
m as
par
ent
stoAi
r,notl
over
s.Yougott
hat
?
Jane:(
swal
lowed)Cr
yst
al.

Hepul
ledasmi l
etucki
ngherhai
rbehindherear
whenthedoorsl
idopenandJackstoodatthedoor
l
ooki
ngatthem.
Breezeturnedwi t
ht hebabylooki
ngathi
sbr ot
her
,
andcouldt el
lthatthiswasnotgoodatall.
Meanwhi l
eJane' sheartpoundedsohardlooki
ngat
Jackli
ckingherdr ylipwhenOdi r
il
ewhi
stled.

Odi
ri
le:Andt
her
ecomesBat
ist
a!Got
il
egonyewa.
Jack:Soit
'st
ruethatyouguyshavebeensneaki
ng
behindmybackandevenhadababy?
Jane:(
tear
y)HunnyIcanexpl
ain.
Jack:
(cl
osedt hedoor)Pl
easedosweet hear
t.
Maybeit'
llmakemeunder standwhyyou' dsl
eep
withmybr otherandhaveababywi t
hhim course
I'
m angr
yr ightnow.I'
m gr
owi ngvi
olent
.
Jane:Pl
easedon'
thur
tmybaby.Pl
ease.
Jack:Can'
tpr
omi
seanyt
hingatt
hispoi
ntl
ove.Tal
k
.
Breeze:Ifyoudareharm mybabyJack, I'
dcar
e
l
essi fyourmybrother.I'
l
lri
pyourheadoffand
makei twatchasIstandonyourdyingcrops.I
don'tmindgoingtojai
lrememberthat.

.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
58]Lynne :Chapt
er82

Att
hehospi
tal
.

JacklookedatBreezeunbel
ievabl
ythent
urnedt
o
therestoft
hem scoff
ing.

Jack:canyoubelievei t!t
henerveofthisguy.
Breezeyougotthener vetolookmei ntheeyeand
thr
eatenmeaf t
erwhatyoudi dtome.Af t
erwhat
youdidtomyf amily!Reall
yyoul ookmei nt
heeye
andpromisetocutmyheadof faft
erwhatyoudid
withmywife!Howdar eyou!
Breeze:lookIknowwhatIdi
dwaswrongIhaveno
excuseforthat
.WhatIdi
dwasbeyondmeasure
andyouhavet obeli
evemewhenIsayIdi
dn'
tplan
tohaveababywi thher.Itwasj ustamomentwe
had.Onet hingledtoanot herandshegotpr egnant.
I'
mr eall
ysor r
y.Iwasmadaf t
erwhatyou' vetaken
fr
om me, Iwasmadt hatyour ippedmeachancet o
getl
ovedbyourpar ents.AndIknowt hatthi
s
doesn'tgivemear ighttosleepwi thher,worst
haveababywi thher.
Jack:butyoudid,didn'
tyou?Youbothplayedme
forafool
.Youletmel i
veunderyourwebofli
es.
Janehowdoyoul i
vewithmeinthesamehouse
andlookmeint heeye,andwatchmeasicaress
yourbumpknowi ngverywellt
hati
twassomeone
else'
schi
ldandnotmi ne?
Jane:(cr
ying)I'
m sorr
y.IsweartoGodwedi
dn'
t
pl
anthis,i
tjusthappenedoutofnowher
eandwe
bothcoul
dn'tholdback.I
'mtrul
ysorr
y.
Jack:Howl
onghasthi
sbeengoi
ngon?Howl
ong
di
dyouhavesexandwher
e?!
Odi
ri
le:Sor
ry,
butyoudon'
twantt
oknowt
hat.No.
Jack:Youstayoutoft
his!Thi
sisafamil
ymatter
andyournotfamil
y!Sokeepyourmouthshutor
walkoutofherecour
seyourpr
esencei
snotr
eal
ly
neededhere!
Odiril
e:Right!Butactuall
yI'
m hereasaf r
iendand
mypr esencemaybeofhel p.Rememberyourl it
tl
e
brotherhasonehellofat emperthathehidesunder
thatmuskofhi ssoanyt i
mehecangr abyourneck
andst optheairf
rom passingorwor se-breaki
t.
Soinot herwordsim standi
ngheretopr ot
ectyou.
Jack:Mxm .Howl
ongJane?

Janelookedathim bef orel

ooki
ngatBr eezeand
runnedhertearsastheyr ol
leduncontr
ollabl
y.She
putherhandsonherf aceandbustedint ear
swith
Breezetr
yingnottoscar ethebabyhidi
nghi sears.
Odiri
lel
ookedathernar r
owinghiseyes.He
couldn'
thelpbuteverytimewhebhesee' sthi
s
womanhi sstomachj ustgetsupset.

Odir
il
e:Letmecleart
hewayforyouJacksothat
youguyscangetthi
soveranddonewit
h.It
happenedi
nheroffi
cewhenhewascomf or
ti
ngher
afterthet r
agi
ci nci
dentRosehas.Mor ethan3
roundsi fyouaskme.( Chuckles)Nowondergir
ls
calledhim Beast.Surelythi
sguyr i
ghtheref
uckfor
ever yt
hingtogowher eithastobe.And-atyour
house.( Smil
ing)Onyourbed.Sot hatmakesit
twice( handgest ur
e)Two.Damn!

Breezelookedathim notknowingwhattosaywhen
heshruggedsitt
ingbackont hechair.Meanwhil
e
JacklookedatJaneast earsburnedhiseyesand
hi
shear tachedreadytocrackinthemiddle.

Jack:Onourbed?Di
dyouenj
oyi
t?Wasi
tgood?
Odi
ri
le:ofcour
sesheenj oyedherself
.Itwasgood.
Di
dIf or
gettomentionthatshekeptcomi ngfor
moreandevent or
ehisf amil
yapart.Babygir
l
wantedthatdi
ckforrealdude.Shelovedit!
Breeze:Woul
dyoushutup!Andl
etmedealwi
th
thi
s!
Hewoket hebabywhenitstart
edcryi
ngandhe
cl
enchedhisjawsgivi
nghimt oJanebeforer
ubbi
ng
hi
sface.Jacklookedathim asragest
artedt
obuil
d
upwitheverybreat
hhetakes.

Jack:Br
eezeyout
oremyf
ami
lyapar
t.
Br
eeze:Iknow,
andI
'
m sor
ryJack.
Jack:(
toJane)What'st
hatt
hathehasthatIdont
Jane?Whatisitaboutmybrot
herthatmadeyou
l
oweryourpanti
esforhi
m butnotme?
Jane:(cr
ying)Not
hing,Isweart
oGod.Not
hing.
Jack:Dontsayitsnothi
ngwhenyoukeptgoingt
o
himformoreli
vingmest randedi
nthehouse.
Clear
lyhegaveittoyougoodandyoursoulgott
ied
tohis.Doyoulovehim?
Jane:.
..
Jack:I
'
m aski
ngyouaquest
ionJane?
Odi
ri
le:Ofcour
seshedoes.Imeanl ookatBreeze.
He'
sinshapeandall.Tel
lyouwhat,Breezehas
si
ckfant
asi
essurel
yshegotdraggedtohim
becauseyoursexdrivei
slow.Hisishi
gh.Hecan'
t
marrytwowivesifi
twasn't.SoJanewant
edthat.
That'
swhyshef el
lforhi
m.
Jane:Shutup!Youdontknowwhatyourt al
king
about
.Stopt al
kingcour
seyournotevenpar
tof
thi
s.JackIloveyou.Iloveyouonl
y.
Jack:I
fyoudot
henwhy?
Jane:(cryi
ng)I
twasamomentweshar ed.Nonof
usplannedthi
stohappen.I'
m sor
ry.Ihaveno
wordstodescri
behowsorryIam .I
'mtrulysor
ry.
Jack:JaneI 'vedoneever ythi
ng-ever ythingt o
provemysel ftoyou.Il ovedyout hroughout.Over
theyear sI'
vedonenot hingbutbei ngagood
husbandt oyou.Howcoul dyoudot hist ous?Me?
(ToBr eeze)Br eezeyourmybr ot her.Maybei fit
wassomeoneel sefrom thest reetst hatdi dthisbut
you, youhur tmebeyondmyexpect ations.Havi ng
ababywi thmywi f
e, t
hisi sonanot herl evelof
hatredtowar dsme.Youbr agaboutmeandJames
taki
ngourpar entsfrom you, Iusedt of eelsorry
andwi shedifIcant aket het i
mebacksowecoul d
growandI 'l
lhavewhatyouhavewi thOdir
il
e.But
notanymor e.RightnowIrememberhowmuchI
hatedyou.Ihat eyouwitheverycelli
nmysystem.
AndI '
m gladourparent
sdidn'tl
ivetoseewhatofa
disgr
aceyou' vegr
ownt obe.You'vegrown
vengefulandheartl
esstowardsyourownbl ood.
MaybeyouandIwer ealwaysmeantt ohateeach
other.You'l
lpayforthi
sinblood..

Breezelookedathim.ashishear tcracked.He
openedhi smout htosaysomet hingbutwor ds
stuckinhismout handhet ur
nedr ubbi
nghisf ace
faci
ngt heotherdir
ecti
on.Jackl ookedathi m
expecti
ngar eplybuthedidn'
tandt hatangeredhim
mor ewi t
hthefactthatheturnedhi sbackonhi m.
Her oughlystoodupf r
om thechai
rpushi ngitback
andwentt opul lBreezebyhishoodiepi nni
nghi s
againstthewal lt
hrowingapunch.Br eezereturned
i
twhenJackpunchedhi sonthestomach.He
groundedi npainbef or
ehitti
nghim withaspear
andt heyfellonthefloorgett
ingonhi m andthrew
multipl
epunches.Jackr oll
edhim alsoandgoton
t
opofhi
mthr
owi
ngpunches.
Meanwhi l
eJanecri
edlooki
ngatthem scr
eaming
fort
hem tostopbuthervoi
cewasn'thear
dandon
theothersi
dethebabycri
edalso.Sheturned
l
ookingatOdiri
lewhosatonthechairsmil
ingand
eventual
lyl
aughedthenpunchedintheai
r.

Jane:
(shouti
ng)Ar
eyouser
ious?Ar
en'
tyougonna
dosomet hi
ng?
Odir
il
e:What?No.Thisi
sjustget
tingf
un.Besi
des
youhear
dtheman, t
hisi
saf amil
ymatter
.Why
shoul
dIgeti
nvol
ved?
Jane:Thei
rbothangryOdi
ri
le!Theycoul
dhur
t
eachotherorworse!
Odiri
le:Comeondar l
ingthei
ralreadyhurt.You
hurtthem .NowIwantyout olookatthis.Lookat
them astheyfi
ght.Howdoyouf eelaboutyour
sel
f
knowingyourthefuelint
hisbrotherl
yfeud?Huh?
Jane:
(cr
ying)Odi
ri
lepl
ease.
..I
'
m sor
ry.St
opt
hem .
Odi
ri
le:(
taki
ngt
hebaby)Nol
ove,
yourgoi
ngt
o
st
opt
hem .Youst
art
edi
t.Endi
t!

Het ookthebabyf r
om herarmsandr ockedhim as
Janel ookedathimintears.Shebitherli
plooki
ng
atthem rollonthefl
oorthentookthedri
pout
beforegettingofft
hebedstil
linpaincryi
ng.
Shet r
iedpushi
ngthem apar
tbuttheyweretoo
st
r ongforher
.Shemovedawayf r
om them
grabbinghergl
assofwaterbreaki
ngitonthef
loor.

Odi
ri
le:That
'sadumbmove!

Br
eezerol
ledonJackpunchedhimi
nangerbef
ore
gr
abbi
nghi sneckt
ight
lybl
ocki
nghi
sai
rway.
Odiril
egaspedquicklyput t
ingthebabyinit
scotsti
ll
cryingwhil
eJanest oodt herenotknowingwhatto
doot hert
hancry.Het riedpulli
ngBreezeoffhi
m
butheheldont oJack'sneckashet ur
nedredand
veinsappearedonhi sforehead.
Odi
ri
le:Breezethatenough!Youki
ll
inghi
m !Dont
j
uststandther
egocal lsecur
it
y!

Janequi ckl
ywentoutandJackkeptsl appi
ng
Breezeshandsbuthewasn' tlet
tinggobuti nst
ead
hadaneut r
alfacewithnoemotionsoranyf aci
al
expression.Odi r
il
etri
edpul
li
nghi m backbuteven
sohej ustdidn'tl
etgo.Jackusedhishandt of
ind
anythingcloseont hefl
oorwhenhet ouchedagl ass
pull
ingit.
Odi r
il
esawi tandtri
edtotakeitbutJackwasto
faststabbi
ngi ti
nhischest.That'swhenheletgo
fall
ingonthef l
oorholdi
nghischestasbloodwent
outuncontroll
ably.Odir
il
equickl
ywentonhi sknees
tryi
ngt ost
opt hebleedi
ngwithhishandsasJack
struggledt
ost andcoughingwhilethebabycri
ed.

Odi
ri
le:Commonman!Jackar
eyoucr
azy?
!
Jack:Hewasgoi
ngt
oki
llme!
Thesecur i
tycamer ushinginal ongwithanur se
andwentt oBr eezeat t
endinghi m .Oneoft he
secur it
ywentoutt ocal lmor edoctorsast henur se
appliedpr essuretohi swound.Janet ookherbaby
calmi nghim stil
lcr yingandl ookedatJackr ubbing
hisneckwi thbruisesonhi sf ace.Odiri
le'seyes
welledupi ntearslooki ngatBr eezefeeli
nggui l
ty
whent hetwodoct orsandanur sewalkedi nwi t
ha
bed.Odi r
ilewalkednextt ot hem andhel pedlift
Breezeont hebedbef oretheywentoutt oattend
him.

Odi
ri
le:Thi
sisonyouJane!Al
lyou!
Jane:Itol
dyoutostopt
hem andyousai
dIshoul
d!
Thishappenscour
seoft
hathighhor
seofyour
s!
Odi
ri
le:Dontyoudar
epi
nthi
sonme!Orel
se-
Jack:Orel
sewhat?
!
Odi
ri
le:Prot
ect
ivehusband!Il
ikethat
,that
'scut
e.
Orel
seI'
llmakeherwishshenevermetme.That
al
soincl
udesyou.
Helookedatt
hem bef
oregoi
ngoutf
oll
owi
ngt
he
doct
ors.
Meanwhil
e..
.Jackr
ubbedt
hebloodcoming
fr
om.hi
snoseandsatdownrubbi
ngthebloodby
hi
seye.

Jane:Whathaveyoudone?Youcoul
dgetar
rest
ed
fort
his.
Jack:Itwasselfdef
ense!Whyareyoueven
defendi
nghim ?Yousaidyoudon'
tlovehi
m.
Jane:IsaidIdidn'
tlovehi
m nott
hatIdontcar
e!
He'syourbrot
herforchri
stsake!
Jack:Mybr otherdiedal ongtimeinaflaming
house.Thatr i
ghtthere-isavi si
onoftheonethat
died.TheBreezeIknewwasneverl i
kethi
s, hewas
i
nnocent,pure,
untainted.That'
samonst er
.You
madeababywi thadevi lhimself
.AndIdaref i
nd
younearhim orhim neart hatbaby,he'
dwishhe
didn'
tsur
vivedeathi nmyhandst wi
ce.
Jane:(cr
ying)Butit'
shi
schi
ld.Whatevenmakes
youthi
nkhe'llsur
viveagl
assonthechest?
Jack:He'sasurvivor.Hewi llmakeit.AndI'l
l
tor
turehimti
llIt
akemyl astbreat
h.He' l
lpayfor
destr
oyingmyhappi ness.Eveni fi
llhavetohurt
him wherei
thurt
st hemost.
Jane:
(hel
dthebabyt
ight)Whatdoyoumean?
Jack:(smil
ing)Weal
lknowawayt
ohur
taman,
is
thoughhisheart.
Jane:Yournothar
mingmybabyJack.
Jack:Commonsweethear
t,Breezedoesn'
thave
onechil
d.Hehast
hreechil
dren.

Janeswall
owedlooki
ngathim smirkrubbi
ngthe
bl
oodonhismout h.Allshecanwishforri
ghtnow
i
sforthecopstogethereasfastastheycanand
gethi
m outcour
seshecantst andt
hissuddenJack
befor
eher.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
58]Lynne :Chapt
er83

AtKagi
so'
shouse.

Thenextday.
Af
terbat
hing,
heputonhi
spant
sandwentt
o
disposet
hewateri nabucket.Hegotbackand
grabbedhisshi
rtwearingitandwentoutoft he
housewalkingt
ot hegate.Hest oodther elooki
ng
atthestr
eetaskidsplayedalongont her oadcaring
l
essaboutwhatl i
feholdsandwhatwi llhappen
aftert
hei
rdoneplaying.Hesi ghedthinkinghow
fastti
mefli
es.
Bonol
o'scarpassedbyandtheyl
ookedatone
anot
herasshedr oveal
ongwhenhisphonerang.

Kagi
so:Uncl
eOd.
Odi
ri
le:Heyman.Yougood?
Kagi
so:Yeah.
.Iam ,
you?
Odir
il
e:Uhm .
.ki
nda.Look-ar
eyoubusywi
th
anyt
hing?
Kagi
so:I
'm donewit
hmyexams.Andbesi
des
hust
li
ngonthestr
eets,
nop.Why?
Odi
ri
le:Soyournotdoi
nganyt
hingf
ort
oday?
Kagi
so:TodayIwasgonnat
akeadayof
f.
Odir
il
e:Ohk.Canyoupleaseuset
hedaytocome
checkonyourf
ather.He'
sint
hehospi
tal
.Theone
youwereadmit
tedto.
Kagi
so:Whathappened?
Odi
ri
le:I
'
llexpl
ainever
ythi
ngwhenyougether
e.

HehangupandKagisobi
thisliplookingupatthe
sky.Heshookhi
sheadgoinginsideandt ooksome
moneyhemadeyester
daythent ookhisJersey
putt
ingonacapandwentt
ol ookf orhismother
.
Veroni
cawalkedfr
om behi
ndthehousewher
ethey
pl
antedveggi
eslooki
ngathim wal
kover
.She
si
ghedholdi
ngherhips.

Ver
oni
ca:Yourgoi
ngt
otheci
tyar
en'
tyou?
Kagi
so:Mom Br eezeisatthehospit
al.Idontknow
whathappenedbutIneedt ocheckuponhi m .He'
s
beennothing'
sbutafatherIal
wayswant ed.He's
beenthereforme,Iwanttobet her
eforhim eit
her
.
Ver
oni
ca:YouknowI
'
m st
art
ingt
ogetwor
ri
ed
aboutt
hiswhol
echosent
hing.I
tsdr
ivi
ngmenut
ts
act
uall
y.
Kagi
so:Whatdoyoumean?I'mtal
kingabout
someoneIdeepl
ycar
eaboutwho'
sInhospit
aland
I'
m-
Veroni
ca:Iheardyouverywel l.Justt
hatI'
m
worri
edthatnotonlywereyouchosent osavethe
gir
l,buti
tseemsliketherestofthefamil
yforher
sake.
Kagiso:Nomom , j
ustRose.Butthati
sal
lover
anddonewi t
h.RightnowI'
mf ocusi
ngonmeand
thosethatreall
ymatteri
nmylife.Rosewasjusta
chapteri
nmybookofl if
e.Madepeacewitht
hat
mont hsback.
Veronica:ohk..Butyournotgoi
ngtost
ayther
efor
t
her estoftheweek.Iknowyousaidyouhaveyour
room andallbutyouneedtogetbackher
e.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Iwi
ll.
Veroni
ca:Iknowhowmuchyoucar
ebut,
Ial
so
needmysonbymysi de.
Kagi
so:Iwi
llbeback.Ipr
omi
se.

Theyhuggedbef
oreheki
ssedhi
scheekandwent
out.

AtBonol
o'shouse.

Bonolowashedherhandsinthesinkgetti
ngready
toeatwhenshesawKagisowal ki
ngout.She
pushedthecur
tai
nstobesurethenr ubbedher
handsonhershort
swalkingout.

Nol
o'smom:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Bonol
o:I'm goingtosayhitoKagiso.Hehasn't
beental
kingtomeaf terwhathappenedandi
t s
beenmont hs.I'
m gett
ingti
redofthi
swholething.
It
stort
ureenought hathedi
dn'tt
alktomefor3
month.Oratl eastaHell
o.
Nol
o'smom:(
shaki
ngherhead)NononoBonol
o.
Leavethatboyalone.Yourwit
hOdir
il
enow.You've
hurthi
m andthat'
senough.Ifhedoesn'
twantt
o
speaktoyou,thenhonorthatf
oronce.
Bonol
o:Butmom,allIwantfr
om himistoknow
howheisdoingandthat
'sal
l.Iwontbot
herhim.
Nolo'
smom :Ifhe'
signori
ngyouthentakeitasan
"I
'
m doingwel
lwithoutyou".Youdontevenhaveto
ask,youcanseehei sfi
ne.Takeyourfoodandeat,
stopchasi
ngKagiso.He'shadenoughofyou.
Bonol
o:But-
Nol
o'smom:NoBonol
o.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Odir
il
estoodbyt hewindowl ooki
ngoutside.He's
beenstandingther
esincethecallwithguil
twri
tten
al
loverhisface.Ifhehadst oppedthefi
ghtbefore
i
theatedupmaybehewoul dn'
thavebeenont hat
bed.ThankGodhedi dn'
tlosealotofbloodandt he
gl
assdidn'tgointoodeep.
Breezeslowlyopenedhiseyeslookingatthewhite
ceil
ingandfrownedatthepainonhi schestasf l
ash
backsplayedinhismind.Het urnedpull
ingthe
glassofwaterdri
nkingbefor
elookingatOdiril
e
l
ooki ngst
ressedbythewindow.

Br
eeze:I
fthatf
acei
saboutme,
I'
mfi
ne.

Odir
il
eturnedsmi
li
ngwi
thr
eli
efandwal
kedover
hugginghim.

Odi
ri
le:(
smi
li
ng)Isweart
oGod,ifyousl
eept
hat
l
ongagai
n,I
'
m gonnasuff
ocat
eyouwithapi
ll
ow.
Breeze:(
smi
li
ng)pr
ett
ygr
eatact
ual
ly,t
hanksf
or
asking

Hepul
ledfrom t
hehugpunchi
nghim pl
ayf
ull
yon
t
heshoulderbef
orehesatdown.
Odi
ri
le:Forr
ealman,
areyougood?
Breeze:Yourconcernsaboutmywellbei
ng,ar
e
quit
etouching.(Smil
ing)I
'
m good.Seri
ousl
y.It
doesn'thur
tthatbad.
Odiri
le:Doct
orssaidthegl
assdidn'tgoi
ntodeep,
andyoudi dn'
tlosethatmuchofblood.They
sti
tchedyou.
Br
eeze:Yeah,
icant
ell.
Odir
ile:Sorr
yidi
dn'tstopt
hefi
ght.Thatwas
sel
fishandcarel
essofme.Andmaybeyourr ight
,
thi
shi ghhor
seofmi nemakesmeirr
esponsi
ble.
Br
eeze:Ididn'
tsayyouri
rr
esponsi
ble,Isai
dit
makesithardf
oryoutoseeother
s.
Odi
ri
le:i
t'
sthesamet
hing.I
'
mtr
ulysor
ry.
Br
eeze:It
sohk,
whatmat
ter
sisyourher
e.Thi
s
wr
apsitall.
Odi
ri
le:(
laughs)Yout
alkl
ikeal
adynow.
Br
eeze:F*
**you.Wher
e'si
she?Jack?
Odi
ri
le:Oht
hecopst
ookhi
min.Youguysal
most
ki
ll
edeachot
her.
Breeze:Iwasn'
tgoingtokil
lhi
m.Youofallpeopl
e
shouldknowIdon'tki
ll,
Iint
ent
ional
lywant
edhim
toexperi
enceagony.
Odir
il
e:yeah.
.butyouwereont
hel
ose,
you
shoul
dhaveseenyoursel
f.
Breeze:Trustme, Iwasn'tgoingtodot hat.Ihave
ki
ds, whatexamplewillIstat
ingt othem ?Thatits
ohktokil
l,moreespeciall
yyoursi bli
ng?I'dnever
dosuchat hing.Notinmymor t
allif
e,nomat ter
howIhateaper son,I'
llneverputt hem i
nabody
bag.
Odi
ri
le:Ri
ght.Ohandbyt
heway,
yourki
disonhi
s
wayaswespeak.
Br
eeze:Youcal
ledhi
m her
e?
Odi
ri
le:Yeah.
.Ithoughtmaybeheshoul
dcome
andcheckonyou.
Breeze:Odir
il
eIsenthi
m awayforareason.This
ci
tywi l
lbr
eakhim.Hehasneverhadagood
experi
enceeversi
ncehesteppedher
e.Hi sl
if
ejust
getsmixedupandheendsupl osi
nghi
msel
f,you
knowthat.Heisst
il
lrecover
ing.
Odir
il
e:hedoesn'
thavetostay.He'llbeher
eto
checkyout
hat'
sall.Besi
des,(si
gh)hedeservest
o
knowabouthi
sfatherdon'
tyouthink?

Breezelookedathi
m anddr
ankhi
swat
erl
ayi
ng
backstari
ngatthecei
li
ng.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Rosekeptchecki
ngt hewatchonherwr i
standit
s
beenhours.Shedoesn'texact
lyknowthetimehe
wenttothehospi
talbutit
sbeenquiteawhilenow.
Shelayeddownont hecouchwhenDi neowalkedin
wit
hat rayandaglassofjui
ce.

Di
neo:Youl
ookl
ikeamess.What
'sup?
Rose:besi
deswai
ti
ngher
eformypar
ent
stoshow
up,
li
fei
swhat
'sup.
Di
neo:Wantt
otal
kabouti
t?
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)I
'
drat
hernot
.

Shepickedherj
uiceanddranki
tasDi
neol
ookedat
herbefor
esit
ti
ngnexttoher.

Dineo:Iknowyourf r
ee.Recent l
yyousmi l
e,you
l
aughandyourener getic.Younol ongerlock
yoursel
finyourroom ,cryi
ngallday.Butdontyou
thi
nkbottl
ingthi
ngsthatbotheryoui nsi
dear e
goingtopullyoubacktowhereyoust ar
ted?
Rose:(
sigh)
Dineo:Rosell
ayouknowI '
m al
waysheref
oryou,
youcant alkt
omeabouteverythi
ng,I
'
m your
shouldertocryon.Iwonderj
udgeyouorseeyoui
n
adiffer
entwayaftert
his.
Rose:monthsaf
terIgotmarr
ied,Ilostmy
eyesi
ghtandt
heonlypersont
hatcouldhel
pmeget
i
tbackwasmyuncl eson.Kagiso.Theonewesaw
br
utal
lybeat
enbyacommuni
tyonFacebook.
Di
neo:Ohyeah,
Iremember
.Thecr
imi
nal
.
Rose:Act ual
lyhe'
snotacri
minal.Apparentl
ythey
misunderstoodwhatwasgoingon.Hewasget t
ing
outofhisgirl
fri
end'
shouseandtheythoughthe
wasstealingorcommitt
ingsomethi
ngunl awful
.
Dineo:Oh..sohe'
stheoneyoufel
lforatt
he
hospit
alwhenyouwentoutwit
hyouruncle?
Rose:yeah. .
hi m .Soonedayhecal ledand
assuredmet hathe' l
lhel
pmepastt hisandIdi dn'
t
doubtthat.Hecamet omyhouseandt ookmet o
thetr
aditi
onal healerandshetoldusever yt
hing.
Gotbackandt henextdayIaskedhi mt ohavesex
withmesi ncehewasmyonet ruehusband,buthe
saidIwasst i
llmar ri
edanddidn'twantto-you
know-fiddlei
nt othat.
Di
neo:Soundsl
ikear
esponsi
bleguy.
Rose:Hei s.Thenmyexhusbandgoti nand
confessedhisl
oveformeandt henboom , hadsex
wit
hhi m wit
houtconsi
deri
ngKagisofeeli
ngs.Igot
l
ostinthemomentj ustbecauseIwantedtohave
sexandi
nt heprocessIlostsomeonedeartome.
Theonl
yper sonIlovewithal
lofme.AndI '
m af
rai
d
Iwon'
tgethim back.Ilosthi
mf orgood.
Di
neo:.
..
Rose:Hewentthroughpai
nandsufferi
ngjustto
reachoutt
omeandIgavehi m myback.Count l
ess
ti
mesandnowhe' sgone.Ihur
thim somuch, even
Imyselfwoul
dn'
thandlet
hepainIbroughtt
ohim.
Di
neo:.
..
Rose:Youshoul dhaveseenhowhel ookedatme
thedayIgotmyeyesi ghtback.Likear egular
personnotthesameRosel laLyonhef elli
nlovewith.
Icouldhardl
yrecognizetheKagisothatstoodt her
e
i
nfrontofme.Thel ook.(Teary)Andthenhe
walkedoutasIscreamedhi snameont opofmy
l
ungs, buthedidn'
tturnback.Hel ef
t.
Di
neo:I
'
m sosor
ry.
Rose:I'm havi
ngahardtimedeali
ngwi t
hthefact
thatI
'
llnevergett
obewi t
hhim .Allt
hissmil
esand
l
aughterarejustafi
lt
erofhowbrokenIam insi
de.
Thisi
sapr omi
seImadet ohi
mt hatI'
l
lmakethe
bestoutofeverydayandsmi l
e, butIcan'tandit
hurt
sDineo.(Cr yi
ng)UncleBreezewon' teventell
mewher etofindhim, evenuncleOdi r
il
e.They
don'
twantmenearhi m andit
'ssocl earthatnei
ther
doeshe.Icantputupwi tht
hepr et
enseofbei ng
happywhenI '
m not!I'
m hurti
ng!I '
m hurtingandno
onefrom myfami l
yreali
zesthat!IthurtsDineo!
(Cr
ying)

Di
neopull
edherint
oati
ghthugandshecr
iedeven
morehol
dingt
ightt
oher
.

AtThemal
l.

Abigai
lwalkedaroundwit
hashoppingbasket
pi
ckingfoodthatwereappet
izi
ngt
oher.She
walkedtothedri
nkssecti
onandpi
ckedtwof i
zzy
dr
inksandwentt opay.
Meanwhil
eMxoli
siwalkedpassedtheshopshe
wasinandspot
tedherpaying.Hewenttost
andon
t
hebenchesandwhenshewentouthest
oodup
f
oll
owi
ngher.

Mxol
isi
:Weshoul
dst
opmeet
ingl
iket
his.
Abi
gai
l:Youmean,youshoul
dst
opst
alki
ngme.
Mxoli
si:Outofal
lpeopl
eint
hiswor
ld,whywoul
dI
choosetost
alkyou?
Abigai
l:Letmeguess-Becauseyourl
onely,and
bored.Becauseyouwantmet okeepapologizi
ng
forthi
ngsthathappenedmonthsago!Getal i
fe!
I'
m sorr
y!
Mxolisi
:(smi
li
ng)whyar eyouyelli
ng!YesI
wantedyoutokeepapologi
zingti
llIhear
denough,
butreal
izedi
t'
sjustawasteofti
me.SoI 'm overi
t.
Aslongashemakesyouhappy.
Abi
gai
l:Yeahr
ight.
.notanymor
e.

Shewalkedtohercarandopenedt
hebootput
ti
ng
ever
ythi
nginsi
dewithhishel
p.
Mxol
isi
:Whatdoyoumeannotanymor
e?
Abigai
l:we'
reget
ti
ngdivor
ced.Youcangopopa
champagne!Hooray!
Mxolisi:Areyoucrazy?Whywoul dIcelebrate
somet hingl
ikethi
s?YesIwant edhimtomi ssa
stepbutneverthoughtofcelebr
ati
ngsomeone' s
brokenheart.Whyar eyouguysevendivorcing?
Thoughtyoul ovedeachother.
Abigai
l:Wel
lMxol
isi
,somet
imesl
ovei
sjusti
sn'
t
enough.
Mxol
isi
:Gotani
deaoft
hat.Sowhat
'sup?
Abigail
:Ireali
zedt hatIwouldn'
tbeabl etohandl
e
thepressure.Andt hathe'
llhavetogot hereandbe
withherfort i
mebei ngsforthechil
dsakepl usI
thoughtthatIforgavehim whi l
eactuall
yididn'
t.
Thewomanhecheat edwithgavebirthandnamed
hersonaf terhim .Howwi l
lIcopewi ththat?
Mxolisi
:Tomesoundsl i
keyourjustmaki
ngup
excusestogetoutoft
hismarr
iage.Justsayi
ng.
Abi
gai
l:What?
Mxolisi
:Youbot hcheatedAbigai l
.Sagishoul dbe
theoneleavingnotyou, atl
eastt hatwouldbe
underst
andabl eandmakesense.Hecheat edwi t
h
Janeandyouwi thme.Hi spartjusthappenedt o
bearanappl e.Youcouldhavebeenpr egnantwi t
h
mineeighter.Younotbei ngablet ocopeor
wouldn'
tisjustsomethingyouuset oleavethis
marri
agethoughyoul ovehim .Andt hefactthat
youcantforgivehim,yourjusttelli
ngyourselfthat
becauseyoudon' twantto.
Abi
gai
l:Ican'
t.
Mxoli
si:Notthatyoucan'
tAbigail,youdon'twant
to.Andyoukeepusi nghi
smist akestocoverthat
up.Nooneisincapableoff
orgivenessjustthatwe
dontwanttoforgi
vethosewhowr ongedus.But
anywaythat
'syourchoice.Goodl uck.

Hecl
osedthebootforherbefor
ekissi
nghercheek
andwentt
ohiscardrivi
ngoffasshestoodther
e
l
ooki
ngathim .Shebitherl
ipandgotinhercar
st
art
ingt
heengi
neanddr
oveof
f.

AtThepol
icest
ati
on.

Jacksati nthehol di
ngcel
lbythecornerwithhis
handsonhi smout hasever
ythi
ngswi pedin.
Regretandanxi etytofi
ndouthowhei sdoingate
himfrom thei nsi
deandout.He'stheonl yone
that
'sleftforhim andhecan'
tgotojailfor
murder i
nghi sbrother.
Heactedoutofangert houghhestillwishesto
i
nfl
icthi
m morepai nthatthephysicalpain.He
wantshi
mt of
eelthepainhef eel
sr i
ghtnoweven
t
houghit'
llhur
tti
lleter
nityofhisl
if
e.Notmur der.
Her
ubbedhi
sfaceandwentt
olayont
hemat
tr
ess.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Kagi
sowal
kedt
oBr
eeze'
sroom andsi
ghedget
ti
ng
i
n.Theybot
hturnedlooki
ngathi
m bef
oresmi
li
ng
ashewal
kedoverhuggingBr
eezeonthebed.

Kagiso:(
smi
li
ng)Youl
ookwel
l.Whyar
eyoust
il
l
l
ayinghere?
Breeze:Whenyouhuggedmeyour ai
sedthepai
n.
ButI'
m good.Ialsodon'
tknowwhythei
rsti
ll
holdi
ngmeher e.
Odi
ri
le:Theysai
dyou'
l
lgetoutofher
etomor
row,
st
opbeingababy.
Breeze:Hospi
tal
ssmellbad.Iwanttogetoutof
here,l
ookwhatI'
m wearing.Ineedaproper
showerandpropercl
othes.Notthi
sthi
ng.
Kagi
so:Youshouldbegrat
efulyourl
eaving
t
omorrow,Ispentmont
hsinthatsamet hing.
Odi
ri
le:Exact
lyol
dman, t
akeal
essonf
rom t
heki
d
andbepati
ent.You'
l
lbeout.

Theybot
hchuckl
edasKagi
sopul
ledt
hechai
rand
satdown.
Br
eeze:Howi
sever
ythi
nggoi
ng?
Kagi
so:No-Let'
sstartofhowyouendedupont
his
bed.Car
etotel
lcourseI'
m al
lear
s.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
59]Lynne :Chapt
er84

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Kagisosatbackwi t
hhisf i
ngerslowl
yrubbinghis
l
owerl i
pandanot herhandf ol
dedonhischest
l
isteni
ng.Odi r
il
estoodupandwentt ost andbythe
windowl ooki
ngoutsidethensighedtur
ningtothem
.

Kagiso:Soyouj
ustst
oodbyandwat
chedast
hey
fought?
Odi
ri
le:l
ikeIsai
d,i
didn'
tthi
nki
t'
llescal
atesof
ast.
Kagiso:Howcanyoueventel
lal
adyt
hatj
ustgave
bi
rthtostopt
hefi
ghtbet
weentwomen?She'
sstil
l
i
npai nandweak!
Breeze:Itwasnothi sfi
ghtanddefi
nit
elywasnot
theonet hatfueledit.Heonlywantedustosortout
ourissuesbuti ttur
nedoutdiffer
entt
hanhe
expectedittobe.I t
'sahospit
al,whowould'
ve
thoughtwe'dheati tupinhere?
Odi
ri
le:Andofcour
se-
afami
lymat
ter.
Kagi
so:Al
lI'
m sayi
ngi
syouwer
ereckl
ess.
Odir
il
e:(
smil
ing)Andyoushouldwat
chi
twhen
speaki
ngtome.Iapol
ogized.

TheylookedateachotherasBreezekeptgazi
ngat
eachofthem .Hecoul
dt el
lthatt
hestari
ngwasnot
onlyabouthi
m, butal
soaboutBonolo.

Br
eeze:It
houghtyouwer
eoverher.
Kagiso:Yourgonnahavet
obeal
it
tl
ebi
tmor
e
specif
ic.
Breeze:ohplease-droptheact.
..
whyel
sewoul
d
youlookateachot herl
iket
hat?Ofcour
sei
ts
Bonolo.
Kagi
so:
(st
ands)Idontknowwhatyourt
alki
ngabout
.
Br eeze:Kagi so,thel oveyougavet hatgirlwasnot
real l
ysupposedt obegi ventoheri nthef i
rstplace.
Sheevenpr ovedt oyout hatshedoesn' teven
deser vetobel ovedbyyou.Yout ookweeks
wi thoutallofthis, youwer eheal
ing.Dontl et
your selfi
ntoal lofthisdr amaagai ncour set histi
me
you' l
lloseyour self
.Andsomehowi tscarest he
crapoutofmecour seIwontbeabl et osaveyou
from your self
.Andal lthatwouldbehappeni ng
cour seofagi r
l.Justl ethergoalready.
Kagiso:I'
m goi
ngt
ogetsomewat er.(
ToOdi
ri
le)
I
'm sorr
y.Didn'
tmeant
ooffend.
Odi
ri
le:Youdi
dn'
t.I
t'
scool
.

Hewal
kedoutandOdi
ri
lesi
ghedsi
tt
ingont
hechai
r
.
Odiri
le:Thi
sisbadman.Imessedthiski
d's
rel
ati
onshipandIgett
olookathi
m andpret
endl
ike
nothi
nghappened?!
Br
eeze:Youal sodidn'
tknowt hatyouweregetti
ng
i
nbet ween.I
'm sur
ehe'llf
indawayt ounder
stand
al
lthat.He'
sstil
lhurt,
he'l
lgetoverit.

OutsideRose'scarparkedoutsi
deandshegotout
fi
xinghershirtheadi
ngtowardst hebuil
dingwhen
thedoorsli
dopenandherhear tskippedbefor
e
poundinglookingatKagiso.Shesl oweddownas
hebithisl
iplookingatherandpassedher.
Shet
ookadeepbreat
hwithhershat
teredhear
t
pumpi
ngsofastandj
oggedovertohim.

Rose:Hi
i.
Kagi
so:Hi
i.
Rose:Howar
eyou?
Kagi
so:I
'
m good,
you?
Rose:Uhm.
.Iam get
ti
ngt
her
e.
Kagi
so:Gr
eatt
oknow.

Hekeptpaci
ngandshecoul
dn'
tkeepupwhenshe
pul
ledar
m.

Rose:Woul
dyouatl
eastsl
owdownandt
alkt
ome!

Hesighedstopi
ngandt ur
nedlooki
ngather.She
l
ookedathim backasherbreathchangedandshe
l
ookedawaynotknowi ngwhattosay.The
embarrassmentofwhatshehasdoneswi pedi
n
andthepain.

Rose:I
'
m sor
ry.
Kagi
so:Sor
ryf
orwhat?
Rose:.
..
.
Kagiso:Comeondarl
ing,sorr
yforwhat?For
stoppi
ngmeorsorr
yforrippi
ngmyheartoutofmy
chest?!
Rose:ForeverythingKagiso!Fordraggi
ngyouint
o
myl i
feandeverythingt
hat'shappeni
ngri
ghtnow
courseit
'sal
lbecouseofme.IknowI 'mthel
ast
personyouwisht oseerightnowandIunderst
and
whyyourangrywi thmeaf -
Kagi
so:Whydoesever
yonekeept
hinki
ngt
hatI
'
m
angr
y?I'
m not!
Rose:Kagi
sost
opdoi
ngwhatyourdoi
ng!Your
hur
tingme.
Kagiso:Hurt
ingyou?I'
m notdoinganyt
hingRose.
I'
m nothur
ti
ngyou.Justguiltandshamethat
's
feedi
ngonyourfeel
ings,notme.Whydi dyou
evenstopme?
Rose:( t
ear
y)CourseIwantt otellyousomet hi
ng
thatI'
vebeenmeaningtot el
l youeversincewemet.
IloveyouKagiso!Ithoughtevent uall
yit
'l
lfadenot
seeingyoubutitmakesmegocr azy.Imi ssyouin
myl if
eandevennowI 'm sti
llmissingyout hough
yourst
andi
ngr
ighti
nfr
ontofme.
Kagi
so:Nol ove,youdontloveme.Ifhad,you
woul
dn'thavelandedinbedwithsomeoneelsei
n
mypresencejustaft
eryouaskedtohavesexwith
me,bli
ndornot.
Rose:(crying)DontsayIdon' tloveyoucour seIdo.
Beli
evemewhenIsayt hatyourt heonlyper sonI
thi
nkof.Ikeepmysel fbusywi ththeli
ttl
et hi
ngs
j
ustsoIcanf ul
fil
lmypr omi sebuti t
sdr i
vingme
nutt
scour seIcantbewi t
hyou.Thedayyou
walkedoutoft hatdooryoul eftagapi nmyhear t
anditcantbef ulf
il
leduntilyoucomebackt ome.I
needyoui nmyl if
ecour sewi thoutyou, Ifeelli
keI
havenopur pose.Ismi l
ebutwi t
hadar kbroken
heart
,Iwakeupwi thaheavyhear t,andonl yyou
arecapableofmaki ngmef eelhappi nessandj oy.I
l
oveyouandIneedyouKagi so.

Kagi
solookedatherbefor
esmi l
ingandpulledher
i
ntoahug.Shehuggedhi mtightlycr
yingandhe
sl
owlyr
ubbedherhairthencubedherf acewithher
handswr
appedar
oundhi
swai
st.

Kagiso:Youdohaveperposesweethear t.Youra
daughterofthemostr
espectedfamil
y.Yourr ich
withnail
sbutmostofall-Yourafri
end, daughter
andani ece.Thought
heirri
chtheyarel ookingup
toyoutomakeachange.Tobeabet terperson
thantocryoveramanthatwant snothingt odowi t
h
you.
Rose:Kagi
sono.
.

Shepulledbacklooki
ngathim andhesi
ghedtaki
ng
outhisphoneandsentDi t
ebogoamessagebefor
e
putt
ingitbackandlookedather.

Rose:(crying)Howcouldyouhavefall
ensof ar?
KagisoIloveyou.Iloveyousosomuch.Iwi shI
hadsaidthisbeforeyoulef
tmylif
eandI '
m goingt
o
alwaysregretnotsayi
ngsot her
estofmyl i
fe.I
knowIhur tyou.Ihurtyousobadthateven
thinki
ngofseei ngyouwi thanotherwomanhaving
sexi nmymi ndi snothi
ngbutbeyond.Iknowicant
takebackt i
meandundowhatIdi dbutpleasel
et
met r
ytocorrectmymi st
akesinthefutur
ewhere
youar ewithme.Yourt heperfectmani nmylif
eand
I'
m sor r
yfordoingallthehorri
blethi
ngsI'
vedoneto
you.I '
m sosorr yf
orthepainI'vecourseyou.
Kagi
so:Ihearyoulove-butwoul
dyoust
il
lbesor
ry
i
fyourweren'
tcoughtorseenbyme?
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Iwasmar
ri
edKagi
so-
Kagi
so:SeeIthoughtasmuch.Unf
ort
unat
ely
sor
ryisnotenoughRose.
Rose:Kagi
sogivemeachance,
Icanprovet
oyou
howmuchIwantyou,howmuchIloveyou!I
t
wasn'
tmyintent
iont
ohur
tyou.
Kagi
so:Look-Roseyouhur tme.Youhur tme
morethanever
yoneel sehas.Wewer en'
tdat i
ng
butt
hepainofseeingsomeoneyoul ovewhol e
hear
tl
ywithanotherpersonmakingbabies, t
hat'
s
l
ikemil
li
onnail
st otheheart.(t
ookherhands)
Rosel
laI'
m hur
t.Al ot.AndIhatemyselfrightnow
courseIcanthateyousoIhat eyouf orthat.Ihat
e
youcour seIcan'
that eyou.YousaidIwasangr y
withyou, butI
'm not,I'm hur
tandthere'sahuge
dif
ferencebetweent hetwo.Notonl yareyouat
faul
tbutsoam I ,courseiletyoui
nt hinkingyou'
ll
holdmyhear twithbot hhandsandkeepi tsaf
e.I
waswr ong.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Kagi
soIl
oveyou,
IknowI
-
Kagiso:Iknow.Iknowyoul ovemeandt r
ustmeI
l
oveyout oo, buti
t'
snotwor ki
ng.Iwontbeabl et
o
pret
endlikethisneverhappened.IfIdo-I'
l
lendup
hurt
ingyouandI 'dhatemyselfevenmor efort
hat.
Soit'
sbestIletyougo.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Yourt
heonet
hatIhavet
obewi
th.
Kagi
so:Rosel
laIonl
yfol
lowedt
hisshi
tyourf
ri
end
sai
dtosaveyou-
Rose:Soi
fitwasn'
tthatyouwoul
dn'
tha-
Kagiso:Nodarl
ing-Ididthatoutofl ove.Andnot
forasecondwil
liregrethel
pingyoucour seilove
you.ButIwontletthedeadpr edictmyf uture,why
thehelldoyou?Wet riedandi tdidn'
twor k,solet
's
j
ustcal
litout.Rosel
layourabeauti
fulyounglady.
Yourasurvi
vorandyourstrong.Dontletmest and
i
nthewayofyouandyourhappi ness.You'llf
inda
manthat'
lll
oveyoumor ethananyt
hingandyou' l
l
for
gett
hatyouevenhadmei nyourl
ife.
Rose:(
crying)Idon'
twanthi
m, Iwantt
hatmant
o
beyou.IloveyouKagisodontyouhearme!
Kagi
so:AndIl
oveyout
oo!
Rose:Thenwhywontyougi
veusachance?
!
Kagiso:Cour
seIcant!Notnowandnotever.I
'd
rat
herbesomethi
ngelsethanal
overt
oyou.I '
m
sorr
y.

Herheartsankasshelookedathim befor
etur
ning
t
owal kawaybutstoppedastearsroll
edout.
Kagi
soswal l
owedlooki
ngatherthenshet ur
ned
l
ookingathim.

Rose:Iloveyou.Youknowonedayyou'
llwakeup
andreal
izehowmuchIdid.Andwhenthatday
comesIwouldn'
tbet
herecour
seIwoul
d'vewaken
upwit
hthatsameguyyouputonmylaps.
Kagi
so:AndI'
dr at
herwakeupal
onet
hanwakeup
t
oyourfacenexttome.

Herjawsdr oppedlooki
ngathim ashewal kedaway
crossi
ngther oad.Shebitherli
pbefor
ebust i
ngin
tearsandturnedheadinginsi
decari
nglesswhat
peoplearesayingorifwhethert
hey'
relookingat
hercryi
ng.

Att
hePol
icest
ati
on.

Abigai
lsati
nonthechairt
appi
ngherfoot
countl
essti
meswhenthedoorsli
dopenandJack
walkedinwit
hcuff
ssit
ti
ngdown.

Jack:Iguessyouhear
d-badnewsi
ndeedt
ravel
fast
Abi
gai
l:Whatt
hehel
ldoyout
hinkyourupt
o?
Jack:It
houghtyoudi
dn'
tcar
e.
Abigail:Whatpartofdi
vor
cedoesitstat
ethatyou
don'tcare?Besideshe'
ssti
llmyhusbandforchri
st
sake.I '
m notyetr
eadytobecomeawi dow.
Jack:Nowyoucompletel
ylostit.Whywouldyou
thi
nkI'
dgothatf
ar?Andwhywoul dyoubecomea
widowcour
seyournolongertogether?
Abi gai
l:LikeIsaidwe'r
estil
lmarr
ied.JackIdidn'
t
tellyouallthi
sjustsoyoucangoonaki l
li
ngspree.
He' syourbrotherforGod'
ssake!Couldn'
tyouguys
sitdownandsor tthi
soutli
keadult
s?
Jack:Abi
gailyoucametomeandt ol
dmeal lof
thi
sbecouseyouwantedtomakehimf eelpain.
YouknewhowIwasgoi ngtoreactot
herwisewhy
wouldyoutel
lmesomethingsohurtf
ul?

Abi
gaill
ookedathi
m wi
thnothi
ngt
osaybefor
e
put
ti
ngherhandsonthetabl
eandsi
ghed.
Abigail
:YessIwanttohur
thi
m, butIdon'
twant
him dead.Hecoul
d'vedi
ed,whatwereyou
thi
nking?!
Jack:Hewasgoingtoki
llmeifIhadn'
tst
abbed
hi
m .Itwasei
thermeorhim,andIchosemyself
.
Abigail
:(smi l
ing)NowIbel i
eveyourbot hbornfrom
thesamewomb.ButI 'm afraidI'
l
lhavetorecti
fy
youabi t.Br eezeisalotofthingsbutnotamur der
.
Hewoul dn'tevent ryt
okillsomeoneasmuchas
you, hi
ssibling.Yourt heonl ypersonhehasashi s
famil
y.Hel ovesyouandcar esaboutyout hough
hisegodoesn' tal
lowhimt oletgooft hepast.So
he'svengeful .
Jack:YouknowIusedt othi
nkt hatmaybeoneday
notnow, we'l
lfindourwaybackt oeachotheras
thesamebl oodbutIwaswr ong.Theonl ythi
ng
Breezeknowshowt odoisinflictpaintothose
aroundhim .Andsomehowheal wayshas
someonewi thasweett onguet osmoot ht
hingsfor
himthenever yt
hinggoesonasi fnot
hinghappened.
Notthisti
me.I '
m goingtohur thi mli
kenothing
before.Yourdivorcewil
lnotbenot hingcompared
t
owhatI
'
m cooki
ngf
orhi
m.
Abi
gail
:Whatar
eyougoi
ngtodo?Burnhiscl
ub?
St
ealhi
smoney?Burnhi
shouset
otheground?
Jack:NoAbi.I'
mtarget
ingt
heonesheholdcl
ose
tohishear
tandaswespeaktheyhaveai
rint
hei
r
l
ungs.Iaimtochangethat.
Abigai
l:(angr
y)IfyoudarelayhandsonSagisbaby
andKagisoyou'llgetapi
eceofme, IsweartoGod!
Ifyouwanttobeachi ldki
ll
er,goforRoseorAir
andleavemyki dsalone!
Jack:(smil
ing)Youl
it
tl
ebi
tch-Thisi
sapoli
ce
stat
ionandwhyonear t
hwi
llIkil
lmychi
ldr
en?
Abigai
l:Youhavet
otal
lygoneof
fther
oadi nt
hat
headofyours.Touchmykidsandyou'
llknow
whatI'
m capabl
eof.

Shestoodupandwal
kedt
othedoorbef
orel
ooki
ng
athi
m.

Abi
gai
l:AndIhopeyouknowwhatyou'
dbeget
ti
ng
yourselfi
ntoi fyoutoucht hem .Sagi?Nx- nx-nx.
Knowi nghershewonthesi t
atetosli
tyourthroat,
andImeanl iter
all
yslitit.Andt henBr eeze,ifhe
canchokeai routofyourl ungs,i maginewhathe
coulddowor se.Kagiso, Iheardrumor sabouthim
also.Het urnsoutt obequi tedangerouswhen
angryandi npai n,devilhimsel f
.You' vegotthebal
l
i
nyourhand,pl aycarefully,dontlettheheatburn
you.
Jack:Iwoul
dn'
thol
dmybr
eat
h.

Shewinkedathi
m beforesmil
ingheadi
ngoutand
hesatther
easthoughtsski
ppedhismind.

AtCof
feeCaf
e

Dit
ebogosatoppositeKagi
solookingathim
expl
aini
ngbutallhermindcoul
dt hinkofwast
hei
r
ki
ss.Itwassodamnhar dt
ogetitoutofthehead
especi
all
ylooki
ngathisjui
cyli
ps.Shehat edi
t
talkingtohi m aboutothergi r
ls, becauseshe
her selfwasoneandmadl yat t
ract edt ohi m.
Looki ngathi sjawli
neandhi sadamsappl ewasl i
ke
l
ooki ngatsomeTVchar acterstandi ngr ightthere
i
nf rontofher.Hescof fedreveal inghi swel lpacked
teethsayi ngsomet hingandshecoul dn'thelpbut
smi lepickinghercupsi ppinghercof f ee.Thi swas
def i
nitel
yt hemanf rom themot her l
and.

Kagi
so:(
smili
ng)Wi
tht
hatIwal
kedawayandwhy
ar
eyousmil
ing?
Di
tebogo:I
'
m smi
li
ng?
Kagi
so:Shoul
dIsayyourbl
ushi
ng?
Di
tebogo:(
blushi
ng)Ohpl
ease,whywoul
dIbl
ush?
Kagi
so:Yout
ellme.

Shelookedathi
m whenherai
sedhiseyebr
owsfor
ananswermakingherbl
ushevenmoreuntili
t
tur
nedtolaught
erput
ti
nghercupdown.
Di
tebogo:I
tsnot
hing,r
eal
ly.
Kagi
so:soyouj
ustbl
ushoutofbl
ue?
Dit
ebogo:appar
ent
ly.Soi
not
herwor
dsyour
pushi
ngheraway?
Kagiso:It
snotlikeIhaveanyot herchoice.Ican'
t
l
ookheri ntheeyesandnott hi
nkofwhatIsawt hat
day.AndwhenIdo, ever
yinchofmybodywant s
tograbherandhi theragai
nstanyt hi
ngand
ever
ythingthati
sar oundmeunt ilsheislayi
ngin
poolofblood.
Dit
ebogo:You'
vegotser
iousangeri
ssues.That
's
notnor
mal.
Kagiso:Iknow.Andthat'
swhyItr
ytoavoidanger
atallcost
scour
seIdon'twantt
ogetmyhands
di
rtythoughsomet
imesIcantcont
rolmysel
f.
Di
tebogo:Andyou'
drat
herpushheraway?
Kagi
so:Whatwoul
dyouhavemedo?
Di
tebogo:Ki
llher.
Kagi
so:What
?
Dit
ebogo:I ft
hat'
lleasethepain,thengetital
lover
with.Wearglovesandamaskandgosuf f
ocateher
i
nat ubful
lofwater.Whenyourdonewi pe
everythi
ngtocleartheevidenceandmoveon.
Kagi
so:Howar
eyouevenal
awyer
?
Dit
ebogo:t
hesamewayyouhi
deyouri
dent
it
y
behi
ndyourpr
ett
yface.
Kagi
so:(
scof
fed)Yout
hinkI
'
m pr
ett
y?
Di
tebogo:Dontyouhaveami
rr
or?
Kagi
so:Idon'
treal
lyusei
t.
Di
tebogo:What
ever
-Doyoust
il
lloveher?Them ?
Kagi
so:I'm notsurecourseI
'm st
il
lpi
ssed.They
bot
hbetrayedmyt r
ustanddivi
dedmyheartint
o
twoequalpartsforthemsel
ves.
Di
tebogo:Butyoust
il
llovet
hem ?

Hertonewasdif
ferent
.Hel ookedatherasshe
star
edbackathi
m wi t
houtanyemot i
onsbuther
neutr
alsel
f.Hesighedpushedt hecof
feeasi
deand
bal
ancedhi
shandsont
het
abl
elooki
ngather.

Kagi
so:Ar
eyouohk?
Ditebogo:I'mfine,butyourhurt.Whydon' twe
t
akei tallout?Let'
stalkaboutt
hef eeli
ngsyouhave
forthem .Ar et
heystrongtosti
llbuil
dar el
ati
onshi
p?
Ort hei
ronl owbatter
y?
Kagi
so:I
nbet
ween.
Di
tebogo:Whydi
dtheysi
nksol
ow?
Kagi so:Cour seIthoughtIhadapl aceintheirheart
, butal lalongIwasf ool.Tothem Iam l
ikeacandl e
andbur ntwhenneeded.Rosel l
ausedmet opull
hersel ffrom herdar knessandtossedmeasi de
whenshef i
nallydid.Bonolousedmeasasext oy
(chuckl es)whowoul dhavethought?Butsomehow
Idon' tblamet hem courseItoowasabsenti nmi ne
andBonol o'
sr elat
ionshipandmeandRosel la
wer en'texact l
yi narelati
onshi
p.Ifeell
ikeI'
m
over reactingandi thurts.
Di
tebogo:Icanseeyourhur
t.Whydontyouj
ust
t
ellt
hem howyouf eel
toeasethehear
tbef
ore
makinganydeci
sions?Theyloveyoutoo.
Kagi
so:What'
sthepoi
nt?Icantevenlookatthem .
Andnotheydontl
ovemecourseiftheydi
d,they
woul
dn'
tdowhattheydi
d.
Ditebogo:Yousoundli
keapolygamist
.Iknowit
hur t
stolovesomeoneandnotgett
hesamel ovein
return,I
'vebeent
hereandIknowit
'snotagreat
feeli
ng.Butdoyouknowwhathur t
smor e?
Kagi
so:What?
Dit
ebogo:Tof al
lforsomeonesobadl yi
nloveand
neverhavethestrengthandcouragetotel
lthem
howyouf eel.That'
swhathurts.Itshur
tsKagiso.

Helookedatherasshesti
llst
aredinhi
seyes
bef
oregrabbi
nghiscoff
eedr i
nki
ngitsi
ncehe
wasn'
t.Hepull
edthecupfrom herhandput
ti
ngi
t
onthetabl
eandheldherhandsinhis.

Kagi
so:I
sther
eanyt
hingyouwantt
otel
lme?
Di
tebogo:No.
Kagi
so:Ar
eyousur
e?
Di
tebogo:100%

Helookedathernotsat
isf
iedwit
hheranswerbi
ti
ng
hi
slipandstooduppull
ingherwit
hherhand.

Di
tebogo:Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Kagi
so:Tot
her
est
room
Di
tebogo:Mal
esr
est
-r
oom ?
Kagi
so:Not
hegr
oup'
srest
room.

Shegaspedwhenheopenedt hedoorandpul l
ed
herbythewaistgett
ingherinsideandclosedthe
doorpinni
ngheragainstitt
akingherbreathaway.
Heputherhandsaboveherheadont hedoorwit
h
onehandandanot heronesmoot hedherjawli
ne
befor
epulli
ngherchinkissi
ngt heli
ghtsoutofher.
Herkneesgotweakj ustashishandgr abbedher
breastsbef
oresl
idi
ngdownrubbinghercookieon
thejeansandhermounsescapedthei
rkiss.
Hekissedheronelastt
imebef or
epull
ingawayand
stood3stepsawayfrom herputt
inghi
shandsin
thepocket
slooki
ngathergaspf orai
randherski
n
fl
ashed.Shecrossedherlegsbit
ingherli
pint
ears
andquickl
yrantothetoi
lettopee.
Hewalkedoverlooki
ngatherhideherfacesi
tt
ing
onthesitthenwentdownpull
ingherhandsoffher
facel
ookingather.

Kagi
so:I
sther
eanyt
hingyouwantt
otel
lmenow?
Dit
ebogo:(tear
y)Youdi
dn'
thavet
otaket
het
rut
h
outli
kethat.
Kagi
so:HowwasIsupposedt
ogeti
toutofyou
whenyoucoul
dn'
ttel
lme?
Di
tebogo:Sot
est
edmyl
ustoveryou?
Kagi
so:Hadanyi
deaonwhenyouweregoingto
t
ellme?Andhowexact
lywhenyou'
ret
ightup?
Di
tebogo:Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
otel
lyou.
Kagi
so:Tel
lmewhat?
Di
tebogo:
..
.
Kagi
so:Shoul
dIaskagai
n?
Di
tebogo:Gi
vemeamomentpl
ease.

Heshookhi
sheadstandi
ngandpull
edt
hedooron
hi
swayoutandstoodbythesi
nk'
s.
Shegotoutandwenttowashherhandsthendri
ed
herhandsgoingt
ostandi
nfr
ontofhim .Shebi
ther
l
iplandi
ngahotslaponhi
scheekthensighed
steppi
ngback.

Di
tebogo:Don'
tyoueverdot
hatagai
n.Seeyou.

Shewal kedoutandheclenchedhisj
awsl ooki
ngat
himselfonthemirr
orwhent hedooronanother
toi
letsl
idopen.Hebithisli
pturni
ngtolookatthe
mani nawheelchairnotknowingwhattosay
headingout.
Kagi
so:Goodeveni
ng.
Man:Goodeveni
ngson.Iguessi
twasyou.
Kagi
so:(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)I'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tknow
t
herewasanyone.
Man:it
sohk,.
I'
vebeenther
ebef
ore.I
fsheactl
ike
t
his,
trustmeshe'
stheone.
Kagi
so:Oh.
.r
ight
.Bye.

Hequi
ckl
ywentoutexhal
ing.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Roserockedthebabysmi li
ngsti
llhol
dingi
nher
tear
sashermot herpackedherbag.Shesni f
fed
l
ookingatthebaby'shandsbeforestoppi
ngtorock
him wi
thKagiso'swordsturni
nginherheadand
herheartpounded.
"Wewer en'
tdatingbutt
hepainofseei
ngthe
personyoulovewholeheart
edl
ymakingbabi
es,
that'
sli
kemill
ionnail
stothehear
t"

Sheswal l
owedlooki
ngathermotherandbackat
thebaby.Itwouldbeagreatf
eel
ingtohavea
familyofherownbutshewantsi
twithonl
yone
personandifnothimthennoone.

Rose:Mom am Idi
ff
erent
?
Jane:Bydif
ferentyoumeanyourol
dsel
fandnow,
yeah.Yourevenmor ebeaut
if
ul.
Rose:(
hear
tski
pped)Mom l
ikeanychangesonme
.Am If
at?
Jane:Yeahyougainedwei
ght,
notfat.Whyar
e
youaski
ngmet hi
squesti
ons?Areyouohk?
Rose:Yeah.
.I
'mf
ine.Justwant
edt
oask.
Janel
ookedatherl
ooki
ngatthebabyandt
ouchi
ng
hi
shand.Sheputthebagdownandsatint
hebed.

Jane:Ithoughtwewereovert
hisRosell
a.Itol
d
youthatyoucantel
lmeanythi
ng.Iam yourmot her
,whyar eyouholdi
ngback?It
'snotheal
thyand
youknowt hat.
Rose:No,i
t'
snot
hing.Wher
eisdad?It
houghthe
cameheret
ogetyou.
Jane:Somethi
ngcameup.Nowt
ellmewhati
tus
cour
seI'
m notbacki
ngdown.
Rose:Pr
omi
semeyouwontf
reakout
.
Jane:Ipr
omi
se.
Rose:Ihaven'
tbeenonmyperi
odsl
astmonthand
Mxoli
siandIhadamomentwhichhappeneda
weekbefor
eweent er
edanewmonth.Themont h
endedandit'
sbeenaweekand3daysbutsti
ll.

Jane'sjawsdr
oppedl
ooki
ngatherwi
thwords
stuckinhermout
h.Thiswashermot
her
'sdaught
er
i
ndeed.Sheclosedhermouthl
ooki
ngatherand
shookherheadpicki
ngherbagandwal
kedoverto
her.

Jane:Yourpr
egnant
?
Rose:Idon'
tknow.(Teary)AndifIam ,
mom I
dontwanti
t.IwantKagiso'
sbabynotanyone
el
se's.Mom I
'm al
sonotreadytohaveababy.I
'm
st
il
lyoungtohaveone.(Cryi
ng)Idontwanti
t.
Helpme..
Jane:Rosewe' renotsur eyet.Andwhatdoyou
meanyoudon' twantt hatbaby, that
'si
fyou're
pregnant?Yournotgoi ngt oabandonyourbaby
andnorwi l
lyouterminatei t.Yournotgoingtoki
ll
thatchild.Ifi
ndeedyourpr egnant,we'l
ltal
ktohi
s
familyaboutthisandseehowwear egoingtocome
upwi th.I'
m notgoingt oletyoumaket hebiggest
mistakeofyourl i
feoveraboyt hatcareslessof
youandwontevenl ookatyou.
Rose:(cr
ying)MamaIl
ovehim andIwantt
ocarr
y
hi
sfir
stchil
d.He'st
heoneIwanttostar
tafami
l
y
wi
th.Idontwantanyot
her.
Jane:Wellsweety,ifyourpr
egnantyou'
l
lrai
sethat
baby.Youwillnotleavemysite.Andbesideswere
notsur
eyet.
Rose:Iwi
llki
lli
t.
Jane:Shutup!

Shetookoutherphoneanddial
edoneofher
col
leaguesbef
oreputt
ingi
tbackandsatont
hebed
l
ookingather.

Rose:(
cryi
ng)Mom dontmakemedot
his.You
pr
omisednottomakedeci
sionf
orme.
Jane:Idid.AndI'
m notmaki
ngyouanybut
prevent
ingyoufr
om makingt
hebi
ggestmist
ake
andamur der.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Thi
sismybody!
Jane:AndI
'
m yourmot
her!
Thedoorsl
idopenandafemal
edoctorwal
kedin
smil
ingst
andi
ngnexttoRosel
ooki
ngatthebaby.

Doctor
:Ncowwhe' ssocut
e..
.He'
ssobeaut
if
ul
Jane.Congr
atul
ati
ons.
Jane:ThankyouJessy.
Doct
or:I
sthi
syourdaught
er?She'
sgr
own
Jane:Yes,
sheis.LookIneedaf
avour,
maybe
youcoul
dsqueezeusin.
Doct
or:Sur
e.Iwasaboutt
oknockoutanyway.
Jane:Gr eat
,lookmybabyherethinksshe'
s
pregnantandwear enotsur
eyet,canyouplease
runthetest'
sforus.
Doct
or:Yeahsur
e.Let
'sgo.
Jane:Thankyousomuch.Ioweyouone.
Doct
or:(
smi
li
ng)Hol
dingyout
othat.

Theysmi
ledwal
kingoutandRoseusedt
hebaby'
s
bl
anketf
oll
owi
ngt
hem wi
thapoundi
nghear
t.

I
nBr
eeze'
sroom .

Kagi sowalkedinwiththehoodiepul
ledtohisface
andt hrewhimselfonthechairrel
axi
ngwhi l
e
releasingaheavysigh.Theybothlookedathim and
Odi r
ilesawsomet hi
ngr edunderonhischeek.He
frownedwal ki
ngoverandqui ckl
ypull
editoffhis
faceandhecl enchedhi sjaws.

Kagi
so:Hey!
Odi
ri
le:Youl
ookwel
l.
Kagi
so:Thankyou.
Odi
ri
le:Yourwel
come.
Br
eeze:Who'
shandpr
inti
sthat?
Kagi
so:Noone.
Br
eeze:Does"
no-one"haveaname?
Odi
ri
le:Anddoest
hat'
no-
one'
happent
obeagi
rl
?
Kagi
so:No.
..
Breeze:Def
ini
tel
yagi
rl.(
Sighed)Cantst
ayaway
canyou?
Kagi
so:Somet
hing'
sar
eoutofmycont
rol
.
Odi
ri
le:Cl
ear
ly.

Odir
il
e'
sphonerangf
r om hi
spocketandhet
ooki
t
outl
ooki
ngatthecal
ler.

Odir
il
e:Ohkgentl
eman-
when-
they-l
ikeIgat
ta
bounce.Seeyoutomor
row.I
'
llcomegetyou,dont
goanywherewit
houtme.
Br
eeze:Cxxl.

Theyf
istbumpedandhewentoutsmi
li
ngonhi
s
own.
Breeze:Tal
kedt
oyourmot
heraboutyourst
ayf
or
theday?
Kagi
so:Idon'
twantt
ost
ressher.
Breeze:Bynott el
li
ngher,youarest
ressi
ngher
courseshemi ghtassumetheworsthashappened
toyou.Tellheryourstayi
ngoverandyou'
llbether
e
tomorrowafternoon.Surel
yyouwontgetthereon
ti
me.
Kagi
so:Ohk.Iwil
l.Soyou'
reser
iousl
ygoi
ngt
o
dr
opthosechar
ges?
Breeze:Yeah. .
that'
sifIcandropthem .Hesmy
brotherandheal sohasar i
ghttobeangryaft
er
whatIdi d.He'stheclosestoneIhavetofami
lyand
Icantlethim gotoprison,notwhenhehasa
daughtertocomemendt hi
ngswith.
Kagiso:(
smil
ing)DamnYourt
ooki
nd.I
'
dlethi
m
si
tinther
eformonths.
Breeze:Noyouwouldn'
t.Youral
sotoocaringand
toohelpf
ul.Youdontr
eall
ycareaboutyour
selfbut
mor eaboutot
her
s.Andthat'
swhatmakesuswho
wear e.
Kagi
so:Yourr
ight.

Hetookhi sphonefr
om underneat
hthepi
ll
owand
di
aledthedetecti
veadKagisostooduptocal
lhi
s
motheralso.

I
ndoct
orJessi
e'
sof
fi
ce.

Roserubbedherhandst oget
heranxi
ouslywaiting
witharaci
nghear twithJanelayi
ngont hepatient
bedbreastfeedi
ngherbaby.Shet ur
nedlookingat
herandrubbedhert earwhenast hedoctorsaton
thechai
rlookingather.

Doct
or:Igott
her
esul
ts.ButI'
l
lal
sohavet
o
conf
ir
m bydoi
nganul
trasoundscan.

.
.
.
.
.
.

Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
59]Lynne :Chapt
er85

Att
hepol
icest
ati
on.

Jackwal
kedtothetabl
eandcol
lect
edhi
s
bel
ongi
ngsthenheadedoutswi
tchi
ngonhi
sphone
buti
twasonlowbattery.Heshookhi
shead
l
ooki
ngatthe16percentswit
chi
ngintomaxi
mum
powersavi
ngthendi
aledanumber.

Hi
m :Lyon.
Jack:Hey.Lookman,
Ineedaf
avour
.
Hi
m :Ohk,
whati
sit
?
Jack:Doyoust
il
lhavecont
act
sinsi
det
hement
al
pri
son?
Hi
m :Yeah.
Jack:Great
.Ineedyout
ohookmeupwi
tht
he
mosttr
ustedper
sonyouknowther
e.
Hi
m :Why?
Jack:Justdoi
t.

Hecutt hecallsi
ghingbeforedi
ali
nganuber
walkingtothebenchesout si
dethebui
ldi
ngandsat
down.Af terorder
ingtheuberhedial
edanother
contact.
Man:Yess.
Jack:Ineedyout
oki
dnapsomeonef
orme.
Man:Sendt
hemoneyanddet
ail
s.
Jack:(
smi
li
ng)IknewIcoul
drel
yonyou.
Man:Anyt
imeol
dfr
iend.

HechuckledgoingthroughBreeze'
ssocialmedi a
ti
meli
nesavingKagiso'spict
ureandsentitthent he
money.Hesmi ledreceivi
ngcontactdet
ail
sj ustas
hisr
ideparkedbythegat eandhestoodupdi al
ing
thenumber.

Her:Hel
lo
Jack:Hi.
.am It
alki
ngt
oMoni
que?
Her:Dependsonwhot
hisi
s.
Jack:Ohmybad.Yourt
alki
ngt
oJackLyon.
Her:Oh,
MrLyon.HowcanIhel
pyou?
Jack:Idon'
treal
lyl
ikedi
scussi
ngbusi
nessover
thephone,howaboutwemeett omor
rowaft
ernoon,
13h00,McCaf eatt
hemal l?
Moni
que:Soundsgood.

Hecutt
hecal
lget
ti
ngi
nandt
hecardr
oveof
f.

Att
hehospi
tal

Roserubbedherhandst ogetheronelastt
ime
si
tti
ngont hechai
rlookingatthedoctorwhil
eJane
fi
xedherselfandgotoffthebedtositonthechai
r
nexttohers.

Jane:Ohk.
..Sowhatdot
her
esul
tssay?
Doctor
:(smi
li
ng)I
tseemsl
ikeyourpr
egnant
Rosell
a.
Rose:(
gasped)What?
Doctor:Yes.I
tsl
ooksli
keyou'
vebeencookingi
n
yourovenfor8weeksnow.Congrat
ulat
ions.
Rose:Congr
atul
ati
ons?Nodon'tcongr
atul
ateme!
Idontwantt
hisbaby.Iwantt
oaborti
t.
Jane:Youwil
lnotdosuchat hingRosel
la.Andit
s
ri
sky.Youwi
llnotharmthatbaby.Youknewwhat
youweredoi
ngwhenyouhadsex.Thi sbabyis
i
nnocenti
nallofthi
s,heorshedoesn'tdeser
veto
bemadeasacr i
fi
ceofit
smot hershappi
ness.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)MamaKagi sowi
llnotacceptmeifI
keepthi
sbaby.Iwanthim andItostartourown
famil
ywi t
houtanyt
hingt
oremindusofourugl y
jour
ney.
Jane:I
fKagisotr
ulyl
ovesyouRosell
a,he'
llaccept
youwit
hyourbaby.Ifheisamanenough.Dont
choseamanoveryourownbl ood.Thi
sisahuman
Rose.I
t'
salifegr
owinginsi
deofyouandtrustme
mydear,youdontwanttotakeit.
Doctor:Yourmotheri
srightRosel
la.Thisbaby
couldalsobetheonlyonethatyou'l
leverhave.
Thiscouldbeyouronlyshotofhappinessforal
l
youknow.Hopeandpossibili
ti
es.Iftheguyyou
tal
kingofi
sreal
lyi
ntoyou,he'
llt
akethebabyas
oneofhisown.Butfir
stl
et'
sdot heultr
asoundt
o
besure.
Rose:(cr
ying)No, I
'
m notdoingt hat!Youdont
knowhowt hisbabycameabout ,sodonttel
lme
anythi
ngabouthappi nesscourseit'
l
lonlybr
ingme
misery.Idontwantt hisbabyandImadeupmy
mindwi t
ht hat.Dontt r
ytostopmeorchangemy
mindcour seit'
llbeawast eofyouownt ime.
Jane:Rosel
layouwont-
Rose:Nomom !Thi sismybodyandi t'
smy
decisiontomake!Idontcar ei
fyourmymot herbut
thi
si saboutmeandnotyou!Youdon' thaveany
i
deaofwhatI 'm goi
ngt hroughsodon'tplayt
hat
cardgameonme.Icantl oseKagiso.Henever
gaveuponme,I 'm notabouttogiveuponhi m
eit
her.Evenifitmeanst akingali
fetogethim back,
thensobei t.

Shest
oodupgr
abbi
ngat
issuei
naboxheadi
ngout
andJaneclosedhereyesasthedoorsl
ammed.
Shequickl
ystoodupwiththebabyandwentt
otake
outherphonedial
ingKagi
so'
snumber .

Doct
or:whoar
eyoucal
li
ng?
Jane:Thesameguyhei
swi
ll
ingt
oki
llf
or.
Doct
or:Andwhatwi
llhedo?
Jane:Idon'tknow.Butheisagoodguy, hopef
ull
y
hecangetheront r
ackeventhoughtheydon'
tend
uptogether
.She'l
lheal
.(Tothephone)OhHey
Kagiso.
Kagi
so:(
yawni
ng)Hi
i.
Jane:howar
eyouandwher
ear
eyou?
Kagi
so:(
frown)I
'
mfi
ne,
I'
m att
hehospi
tal
.
Jane:Whi
chHospi
tal
?
Kagi
so:theonewher
eyouwor
k.Br
eezehasbeen
admi
ttedher
eremember
.
Jane:Ohyeah..
.I '
m sosor
ryf
orthedr
amaI'
ve
cour
sed.LookIwishIhadmoreti
metoapol
ogi
ze
butIdont.Ineedaf
avour
.
Kagiso:I
fiti
nvolvesyoudaught
er,I
'
m sorr
ybutI
canthel
p.Iplannedonkeepingmydist
ancefr
om
her.Whatisit?
Jane:Kagi
soI'
mr eal
lyi
nneedofyourhelp.You
knownooneisabletoli
neupRoselikeyoudo.
Yourheonl
ypersonthatcanhandl
eher.
Kagi
so:Rosell
aandIaren'
tongoodt er
ms.
Ever
yti
meIseeher,worstthought
scrossmymind
andtr
ustme,thei
rreal
lybad.Don'taskmeto
comenearhercour
seIcantstandher.
Jane:KagisoIknowal lthat,butr
ightnowyourthe
onlypersonIcant urnt
o.Yourmyonl yhopeto
stoppingRosefrom doingthemosthor r
ifi
cthi
ng
she'l
lli
vetoregretther
estofherli
fe.Al lt
hisi
nthe
nameofl oveforyou.
Kagi
so:
..
..
.
Jane:She'
spr
egnant
.
Kagi
so:(
shocked)What?
Jane:Yes.Notexact
lyt
het
ypeofnewsyouwer
e
expecti
ngbuti
tiswhatiti
s.She'
s8weeks
pregnantwi
thMxoli
si'
schil
d.
Kagi
so:Wai
t,whyar
eyout
ell
ingmet
his?
Jane:Becauseri
ghtnowaswespeak,Idontknow
whereshe'
sheadedbutIknowshe'
sgoingt
o
ter
minatet
hepregnancyj
ustsoshecanbeableto
bewithyou.
Kagi
so:.
..
Jane:Kagi soI'
m beggi
ngyouasamot hert
ohelp
mychi ld.She'sl
osinghermindandshe'
saboutt
o
ki
llaninnocentsoul.She'sgoi
ngtot
akeherown
chil
d'sbloodandsoulintoherownhands.Pl
ease
son-I '
m seri
ouslyi
nneedofyourhelpandsodoes
Rose.
Kagi
so:.
..
Jane:Youmi ghtnotl
oveherorcareabouther
anymor ebutatleastt
henthi
nkofthebabyshe' s
carryi
ngandr escueherorhi
mf r
om dyinginits
mot hershands.Thebabydoesn'tdeser
vet obean
offeri
ngtoclearthewayofherownhappi ness.
Please.
Kagisocutt
hecal
landshesi
ghedshovi
ngiti
nher
pocketpi
cki
ngherbagwit
haheavyhear
t.

Jane:he'sstil
lmad.Idon' tevenknowwhatIwas
thinki
ngcall
inghim, he'
sbeent hr
oughenough
already.Thelastt
hingheneedsi sadistract
ion
from themotherofthesamegi rlt
hatbrokehis
hear t
.Thanksforeveryt
hingJessie.
Doctor:givehersometimet odigestthis.It
'sher
fi
rstti
mebei ngpregnantandshe'sstillyoung,
she'sshocked.Eventuall
ynaturewi l
lkickinand
she'l
lreal
izehowwr ongitistokil
lyourownchi ld.
Jane:Idoubtt
hat.She'
sreal
lygoi
ngt
odot hi
s.
Youknowwhatl ovemakespeopl
edo.Seeyou.
Doct
or:Bye.

I
nBr
eezesRoom .
BreezelookedatKagisopul
lingthehoodi
eti
ght
lyt
o
hisfacebefor
ereleasingal
oudsi ghsi
nki
ngonthe
chairwit
hhislowerlipti
ght
lybit
ten.

Br
eeze:Whatdoesshewant?

Kagisomovedthehoodf rom hi
sfacelooki
ngat
hi
m andlif
tedhislegputti
ngitonthearmrestl
aying
ontheotherar
mr esthanginghi
sheadupside-down.

Kagi
so:(dramat
icall
ycr ies)Thi
scit
yisgonnabreak
metothelast.I
'veonl ybeenhereforfewhours
andalr
eadymyr ebuildinghearti
scrashedback
i
ntomyst omachwi thasi mpleli
ghtpushofafi
nger
. I '
m dii
ii
eeei
ii
innnggg!
Br
eeze:Woul
dyoupl
easet
ellmewhatt
hisi
sabout
?
Kagi
so:Rosell
a.(screams)SHE'SPREGNANT!OH
MYGAWD!( Low)IthinkIneedahear
ttr
anspl
ant.
Br
eeze:Rosei
spr
egnant
?How?
Kagiso:Witht
hatsmar tpantski
d.IAM DONE!I
AM FINISHED!Ihatethatdeadgirl.Thi
si sallher
faul
tthatI
'mli
kethis.She'stheonethatkeeps
breaki
ngme, Idespisehertothecore!(screaming)
Aaaaaaaahhhh!

Breezefrownedlooki
ngathiml ikehewas
somehowcr azygrabbingtheglassofwaterand
drankitashedramatical
lycri
edwi t
hnotears
comingout.

Br
eeze:Yourmaki
ngnoi
se,
thi
sisahospi
tal
.
Kagi
so:Igotnot
ear
slef
ttocr
y.
Breeze:Maybethat
'sbecauseyoul
eti
nthepai
n.
Youletitt
akeyouandnowyoumanaget oswimin
i
t.Yourslowlyheal
ing.
Kagiso:Janesaysshewentoutt
oabortthi
nki
ng
t
hatifshedoes, I
'
llf
indawayinmydustyheartt
o
for
givehersothatwecanbeahappy-chosen-
coupl
e.
Br
eeze:Andl
etmeguess-youdontf
eelt
hesame.
Kagiso:Ofcour
seIdont!Iloveherbut,
Ijustdon'
t
thi
nkthatunder
groundbi
tchmadeagoodmat ch,
courseRoseandIarenotreal
lyagood
arr
angement.
Br
eeze:Butwhatmat
ter
sisyoul
oveher.
Kagiso:Idated7gi r
lsandIl ovedeachandever y
l
astoneoft hem deeply,butstil
ltheyleft.IfIcan
managet ogetoverthem , t
henwhatcoul dpossibly
stopmef rom gett
ingoverher?Absol utelynothing.
(Stands)Sorightnow, asthepersonalcandl eof
herlif
e,I'
m burnttogost opherfrom kil
lingthat
i
nnocentbatinhercave.Wi shmel uck!

Breezenarr
owedhiseyebrowsconf
usednot
knowingwhattodaylooki
ngathim got
othedoor
andstopturni
ngwit
hapout e.

Kagi
so:(
pessi
mist
ic)Idon'
tevenknowwher
eI'
m
gonnaf
indher.Thi
sisal
ivi
ngHel
l.Jesuschr
ist!

HewalkedoutofthedoorandBr
eezeshookhi
s
headdi
ali
ngAbigailnumber
.

AtAbi
gai
l'
shome.

Abi
gai
lsatonthedinnertablebusywithherl
aptop
whenhermotherwalkedbyt otheki
tchentogeta
gl
assofwaterbef
orestandingnexttoher.

Gai
l'
smot
her
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng.
?
Abi
gai
l:Wor
k.
Gai
l'
smother
:thi
stime?NoAbi gai
lgot
osl
eep.
Thi
sthi
ngscanwaitti
llt
omor
row.
Abi
gai
l:Iknow,justt
hatI'
m notsl
eepy,soImi
ght
aswel
ljustf
ini
shupsinceI'
m wideawake.
Gai
l'
smot
her
:Ist
hisaboutyourdi
vor
ce?
Abi
gai
l:No,
it'
snot
.
Gail
'smother
:ohiti
sdar
li
ng.Butanyway,i
t'
son
you.JustknowI
'l
lal
waysbeherei
fyouneedto
tal
k
Abi
gai
l:Thankyoumom .

Shepathershoul derwalki
ngawaypassingby
Priscil
lawit
hherheadsetsonbustingmusicgoi
ng
togr abanapplehummi ngasongbef or
estandi
ng
byhersi st
erlooki
ngatthelapt
op.Sheleaneda
l
ittl
ecloserlooki
ngreal
lycaref
ull
yandfrowned
takingoffherheadphones.

Pr
isci
ll
a:I
sthatwhatIt
hinki
tis?
Abi
gai
l:(
shut
sthel
apt
op)Whyar
eyousnoopi
ngon
me?
Pri
sci
ll
a:Iwasn'
tsnooping.Whatthehel
lar
eyou
doi
ngAbigai
l?(opensthelapt
op)Entert
hepi
n.
Abi
gai
l:No.
.
Pri
scil
la:Doesdivorcingreal
l
ydri
vepeopl
ethi
s
i
nsanef orthem t
osell t
hei
rbusi
nesses?An
i
nternati
onalBusinesssale?Real
ly?Doeshehave
suchef f
ectonyou?
Abigail:Ineedanewl i
fe.Ineedt ostartupmyl i
fe
onanewpagewi thnor emainderofmyexhusband.
Andt his-t
hisismest arti
ngoff,taki
nganewst ep
towardsmyf ut
urewithouthimi nthepi ct
ure,
anythingthathehelpedbui l
dorbui ltforme.
Pri
sci
ll
a:Nar
ewat
senwa?Li
keser
iousl
ysi
s-Ar
e
youcr
azy?
Abi
gail:Wat
chyourmout hwhent al
kingtome.
YouhavetoideawhatIwentthroughinthat
marr
iageandhowI-(phonerang)

Pri
scill
asawt henameont hescreenandquickl
y
snatcheditrunni
ngtoherbedroom locki
ngitwi
th
Abigailf
oll
owingandknockedangr i
lyonthedoor.

Abi
gai
l:El
lat
isaphoneyame?
!Pr
isci
ll
aopent
he
doorbef
oreIknocki
tdown!Pr
isci
ll
a!

MeanwhilePri
sci
ll
aconnectedt
hephonet
oher
headphonesandsighedanswer
ing.

Breeze:Whatgamedoyout
hinkyourpl
ayi
ng
Abigai
l?
Pr
isci
ll
a:Hel
lot
oyout
oobr
otheri
nlaw.
Br
eeze:ohheyPr
isci
ll
a.CanIpl
east
alkt
oyou
si
ster
?
Pri
scil
la:
Sure,andpl easetal
ksomesensei ntoher
thi
ckskul.She'splanningonsel
li
ngGai l
'
sGal l
ery
onli
newithoutbackgroundchecksalli
ntheinsanit
y
ofgett
ingoveryou.She' sgoi
ngcrazywithoutyou.
Br
eeze:Butshel
ovest
hatGal
ler
y.
Prisci
ll
a:Shedoes.Justthatthedivorceistaki
ng
i
tst ol
lonherandshe'
snotthinki
ngstraight.She
l
ovesar t.Shekeepsdi
ggingupf oreverythi
ngeven
thoughthei
rburi
eddeepsayingshewant stocut
ti
eswi t
hyouineverydi
rect
ion.
Br
eeze:Ohk,
fine.Gi
vehert
hephone.

Shestoodupfr
om herbedandwenttoopenthe
doortoanangr
yAbigai
lwhosnatchedt
hephone
fr
om herhandcl
icki
nghert
onguethenwalki
ngto
herroom .

Abi
gai
l:Br
eeze.
Breeze:Doyouhaveanyi
deawhatyouj
ust
coursed?
Abigai
l:Ohpl
easeBreeze,webothknowthatthi
sis
onyou.Yousl eptwi
thyourbrot
her'
swi
fe
underneat
hhisnoseandevenhadababy,allIdid
waspopt hepi
mpl ef
oryousinceyouwer
en'tgoi
ng
to.Youshouldbegratef
ul.
Breeze:Areyououtofyourmi
nd?Ial
mostdi
ed
andhe'sbeenhel
dinacel l
.
Abi
gai
l:Qui
tcr
ying,yourst
il
lal
ivear
en'
tyou?
Br
eeze:(
sigh)Abigai
lIknowthatIhurtyou,andI'l
l
al
waysbeangr yatmyselff
orthatbutifyourgonna
keeponwitht
hisbehavi
orofyour
s,youandIar
e
gonnahaveahugeproblem.
Abigai
l:Dontbl
ameyourswarkrelat
ionshi
pwit
h
yourbrot
heronme.I t
sbeenl
ikethatevenbef
orei
cameintothepi
ctur
e.
Breeze:Soyout hinkputti
nginmor efuelintoi
tis
gonnamakeuseven?Abi gai
lwebothruinedour
relat
ionshipj
ustthatIcamewi thababyandyou,
youdeci dedt
opackyourbagsandl eaveleaving
mebehi nd.Idontknowwhat sburni
nginsi deof
youbutdealwi t
hi tandleavemeandmypr obl
ems
alone.

Hehangupandsheslowlysayont
hebedast
ear
s
bur
nedhereyesunt
ilt
heyfl
owed.

Att
heCl
ini
c.

Kagi
sosatint
heuberthatwasparki
ngout
side
l
ooki
ngatthephonet
rackeranxi
ousl
ywait
ingfor
hert
ocomeout
.

Kagiso:heyman.
.howaccur
atear
ethi
sphone
t
rackers?
Dr
iver
:Def
ini
tel
ynot100%accur
ate.
Kagi
so:Gr
eat
.

Hesighedswi tchinghi
sphoneof fandspottedher
walkingoutholdingasmal l
plasti
cheadingtoher
carthenhest eppedoutjoggingover.Hepul l
edher
handst art
li
ngherbuteventuall
yrelaxedseeinghi
m
andsmi ledhugginghim.

Rose:It
houghtIwasnevergoi
ngt
oseeyouf
ort
he
day.
Kagi
so:Sodi
dI.Whatwher
eyouget
ti
ngi
nther
e?
Rose:Pai
nki
ll
ers.
Kagi
so:Ser
iousl
y?
Rose:Ser
iousl
y.
Kagiso:Mydriverhasaheadachecanwepl
ease
haveonetabl
et?
Rose:(
swal
lowed)uhm .
.l
etmegobuyyouguys
some.

Sheattempt
edtogowhenhepulledherbyher
waistandgr
abbedthepl
ast
icr
aisinghi
shandas
shetri
edtograbi
twit
hapoundi
nghear t.

Rose:(
tear
y)Gi
vemet
hepl
ast
ic.
Kagi
so:What
'si
nher
e?
Rose:Mypai
nki
ll
ers.
Kagiso:Areyougoi
ngt
ofinishalloft
hem ref
usi
ng
uswi t
hjustone?Ar
eyouplanningtokil
lyour
sel
f
ofoverdose.
Rose:(
jumped)Thethoughtcr
ossedmymi ndbut
no.I
'
m notpl
anningondiei
ngyet.Notunt
ilIf
inal
ly
gett
obewithyou.
Kagi
so:'Yournot'
yetyourpl
anni
ngonki
ll
ing
anot
herper
son.

Herheartski
ppedmakingherf
eell
ikei
tstuckon
herthr
oatandherpal
msgotsweatyinst
antlyast
he
sensat
iontopeewashedherbody.

Rose:(
cryi
ng)I-I
-uhm .
.
Kagi
so:Youkil
lourbaby,youl
osemef
orgood.
AndImeanitRosel
la.

Hepi nnedthepl
asti
conherchestlooki
ngherdeep
i
nt heeyesandsheheldthepl
asticwithshaky
handsnotknowingwhattosayordo.Hesmi l
ed
poiti
nghertothecarwi
thhisheadandshequi ckl
y
ranwi t
hlockedl
egsget
ti
ngindrivi
ngof f
.
Kagisosighedl
ookingupatt
heskybef
ore
signal
inghisdr
iverhe'
scomi
ngandwentaroundt
o
therestr
oom.
Meanwhi
leabl
ackci
tycardr
ovenearbyt
het
oil
ets
andtwomensteppedoutspr
ayi
ngchlor
ofor
m ona
handker
chi
efwal
kingi
nsidet
hetoi
let
s.
Kagi
sozi
ppedhi
spantsaf
terr
eleasi
nghimsel
fand
wentt
owashhishandswhenamanst oodnextt
o
hi
m andhefr
owned.

Kagi
so:Ei
ta.
Man:Ol
a.

Henar r
owedhiseyebrowswhenanot heroneput
thehandker
chiefonhisnostri
ls.Hetri
edfi
ghti
ng
asheslowlygotweekuntilheblankedoutandthey
carri
edhimtothedoorwher ethecarwaswaiti
ng
,putt
inghi
mi nthebootbeforerushi
ngtothei
r
sidesandspedoff.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
13:
59]Lynne :Chapt
er86

Thenextday.

Att
hehospi
tal

Odi
ri
lewal
kedi
nwi
thaspor
tbagandaMcDonal
d's
dri
nkpl
aci
ngt
hebagonBr
eeze'
sfacewhowasst
il
l
asl
eep.

Odi
ri
le:Wakeupsl
eepyhead!
Br
eeze:(yawnspushi
ngthebagof
f)WTFdude.I
'
m
apat
ient,atl
eastt
reatmeli
keone
Odir
il
e:Tomeyournotapat
ient.Getup,
you'
ve
beeninher
eforawhi
lenow.It
'sti
meyougosleep
onyourownbed.
Breeze:Ri
ght.Wher
e'sKagiso?Yester
dayIdozed
offaft
erspeaki
ngwi
thAbigailwhi
lehewentonto
fi
ndhislover.
Odi
ril
e:Rose?(Heshakeshishead)Noman.You
gat
tatel
lthi
ski
dtoleavet
hisgir
lalone.
Br
eeze:Dontyout
hinkIt
ri
ed?He'
sdownwi
thher.
Bi
gti
me.
Odi
ril
e:Nodude.Maybeyoushoul
dtr
yal i
tt
le
har
derthi
sti
me.Andwhywhereyoutal
kingto
Abi
gail
?Isitaboutt
hedi
vor
ce?
Br
eeze:No,
itwasaboutt
hist
hingshecour
sed
betweenmeandJack.Imean, Idontunderstand
whyshe'dstickhernoseint hefamil
y'sbusiness
whenshemadeherpoi ntclearbyleavingme.The
tr
uthwasgoi ngtoreveali
tsself,onewayor
another.I
tdidn'
treal
lyhavet ocomeoutf rom her.
She'sgett
ingonmyner ves, Iswear.
Odi
ril
e:Yeahitdidn'
thaveto,butlookonthebri
ght
si
de.Sheclearedthewayforyout hanforyout
o
car
rytheburdenoftrut
hforthatperi
odoftimeyou
werewil
li
ngtogoon.
Br eeze:Butseri
ousl
y?Didshereal
lyhavetospi
ll
thebi nsthesamedayIwenttomeetmysonf ort
he
fi
rstt i
me?Abi gai
lwant
smorethanjusther
freedom, shewantsmedead.
Odi
ri
le:Nowyourexagger
ating.Goonchange,
maybeKagi
soiswithRosel
la.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Jackwal
kedi
ntot
hebedr
oom andst
oodbyl
ooki
ng
att
hebabyi ni
tscotpeacef
ullysl
eepi
ng.He
wal
kedoverputti
nghishandsi nt
hepocketand
watchedhimtaki
ngeverybreathi
ntohisl
ungsand
hecouldn'
tbemoremad.

Jack:Ihateyourfather.Andyouboy-yourt he
consentreminderofyourmot her'
sevil
doingwith
him .Butnottowor r
y.Iwast hinki
ngofspeeding
upmyr evenge.Thi sway, wecanl i
vetoget
herasa
familywit
houtmel ookingatyouwi t
hangerandmy
noseonmyf orehead.

Hesi
ghedwal
kingoutt
aki
ngouthi
sphonedi
ali
ng
Moni
que.

Moni
que:MrLyon
Jack:Changeofpl
ansMoni
que.Howaboutwe
meetnow?IpromiseI'
l
lmakei
twort
hyourwhi
l
e.
Moni
que:Sur
e.
Jack:Samel
ocat
ion.
Hehangupviewingapictur
eofKagisot
iedona
chai
rweak,inadarkroom t
hatonl
yhadadiml i
ght
abovehi
sheadstil
lout.Hesmil
edpicki
nghiscar
keysandputthephoneinhi
spocket
.

Jane:Canwet
alk?

Hetur
nedl
ookingatherhol
dingabot
tl
eofmi
lkand
si
ghedwal
kingaway.

Jack:Notnow.

Janebitherli
pwatchi
nghim shutt
hedoorbehind
hi
m andshewal kedupthest
airstoRose's
bedroom knocki
ng.Roserepli
edfrom t
heinsi
de
wit
haf ai
ntvoiceandshewalkedincl
osingthe
doorbehindher.
Jane:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Rose:Mom why?
Jane:Whywhat?
Rose:Whydidyoucallhi
m ?Doyour
eall
yhateme
thatmuchthatyouwantmetomisst
heonly
chancetomyhappinesscour
seofamist
akeIdi
d?
Jane:Thatbabyi snotami stake.Youhadsexwi th
thefat
herwill
ingly,notbecouseyouwer egoing
thr
oughsomest uff.Andasf oryourhappiness,
Kagisomightsayordoanyt hingbuthecantst ay
awayf r
om you.He' l
lalwaysbear ound,that'
swhat
youshouldbegr atefulof
f.
Rose:(shout
s)Idontwanthi mtobear ound,Iwant
himtobewi thme!Ful lti
me!For-ever!What
wouldthisbabygiveme?Joy?Peace?Kagi sowil
l
nevereverbewithmebecauseofi tandnowt hathe
foundout,he'sgoodbyewi l
lbef
orgoodt hist
ime
becouseofyourstupidlousymouth!
Jane:Dontyoudar etal
ktomelikethatRosel
la!
I'
m yourmot
her,showmesomer espect!I
fKagiso
l
ovesyou,he'
llcarelessi
fyoucomewi thababyor
alone.Ifhedoesn't
,hewon'taccepteitherofyou.
Nowst opsulkingandputyourbiggirlpanties
courseyournowupgr adi
ngt
obeamot her.Take
responsibi
li
tyforyourownactionsandst op
pointi
ngf i
nger
s.Faceyourproblemsandst op
hidi
ngbehi ndmasks.
Rose:Howam Ievenyout ofacethem whenhe
doesn'
tevenwantt otal
knorevenl ookatme?
(tear
y)Lastnighthesaid"
ourbaby".Hesai d"i
f
youkil
lOURbaby".Idontknowi fhemeantwhatI
hopehemeantorhewasj ustsayingthatt
oprevent
mef r
om taki
ngt hepi
ll
s.
Jane:Hemeanti tRosel
la.Imightnotknowthi
s
guybuthelookslikehekeepshiswordandmeans
everl
astoneofthem .Helovesyouandnothingwi
ll
everchanget
hat.Notevent hebabyyourcar
ryi
ng.
Rose:Yeah...
(l
aysf
lat)..
.t
hat'
sit-hemeansever
y
wordhesays.Maybehemeanti tt
oowhenhesays
hedoesn'tl
ovemeanymor e.Thathehat
esmeand
he'
dratherwakeupalonethanwakeuptomyf ace.
AtAbi
gai
l'
shouse.

Abigai
ltossedont hebedbef or
efacingtheceil
ing
andexhaled.Shecoul dsleeplastni
ghtt hi
nki
ng
aboutwhatBr eezesaidandwhatJackwasaboutt o
do.Somehowshef oundhim corr
ect.Ifshehadn't
actedl
ikeabitterex-wi
fethiswouldn'thavegone
thi
sfar.
Shet ossedpicki
ngherphonel ookingatSagi s
pict
ur easherwallpapersmil
inginagar denof
sunfl
ower sholdi
ngherhatwear ingasummerdr ess.
Thiswer ethehappymoment sandshemi ssedthat.
Beingar oundheralwayskeptherincheckandnow
thatshe'sgone,shei sofft
herail.Wonderi f
shell
6bepr oudofthet hi
ngsshedid.
Shesi
ghedunl
ocki
ngi
twhenacal
lcamet
hrough.

Abi
gai
l:Andhowar
eyoucal
li
ngme?
Jack:OhIgotoutl
astni
ghtsweet
hear
t.Iguess
yourst
upi
dhusbandisn'
tascl
everashethi
nkheis
.Whywoul
dhedr
opt
hecase?
Abigai
l:Youknowwhatt heysay-' Keepyour
enemiesclose'somaybet hat
'swhathe'
sdoing
si
ncehecan' twhenyourinthere.
Jack:Wellt
henIguessi
t'
salsotruewhentheysay
'Greatmi
ndsthi
nkali
ke'.Unfor
tunat
elyIsawhim
waybefor
ehecanevenseei ti
nhim.
Abi
gai
l:What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Jack:Thati
t'
sti
meIgetmypayback.(
Hangsup)
Abi
gai
l:Jack!Jack!

Shetookthephoneoffherearlooki
ngati
tbefor
e
jumpingofft
hebedandgotdr essedpi
cki
nghercar
keyswithherhear
traci
ngthenwentoutfi
xingher
hair

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Odi
ri
lepar
kedout
sideandsi
ghedl
eani
ngback.
Breezesteppedputofthecarholdinghi
schestto
decreasethepainabitbef
orewal ki
ngtothehouse
pressi
ngt hedoorbel
landsteppedback.
Dineoopenedthedoorf
orhi
m wi
thasmi
let
hen
openeditwideforhi
mtogeti
n.

Di
neo:Letmegocal
lMr
sLyon,
MrLyonwentout
awhi
leago.
Br
eeze:Ohnoitsohk,Ij
ustwanttoasksomethi
ng.
Di
dn'tyouseemysoncomeherelastni
ghtorsaw
hi
m bychanceinher
e?
Dineo:NoMrLyon.Ionl
ysawRosel
lawhogot
hereal
lbyher
sel
f.
Breeze:Hear
dsheopensupt oyou,didn'tshesay
anythi
ngaboutherwher
eaboutsfort
her estofthe
day?
Dineo:Sheonl yt
oldmeshewasgoingtothe
hospitalt
ogogetherparent
s,butt
hencamelater
afterMrsLyonwhocamebyher sel
f.MrLyonhad
al
readyar r
ivedalongt
imebefor
ethem .
Br
eeze:Ohkt
hanksgor
geous.(
Leaves)
Di
neo:(
smi
li
ng)Nopr
obl
em.

Hewal kedoutandsheshookherheadwhenshe
heardvoicesargui
ngupstai
rsandshesighed
shakingherheadgirlbackt
owork.Ifyouevert
ry
tofi
gureoutwhat '
shappeni
nginthi
sfamily?You'
d
goinsane.
Br
eezeappr
oachedt
hecargett
ingi
nandOdi
ri
le
wast
ednoti
meanddr oveout.

Odi
ri
le:Wher
eishe?
Breeze:Defi
nit
elynothere.I
'm get
ti
ngworr
ied
courseheknowsnoot herhousearoundher
e
exceptfort
hebothofthisones.
Odir
il
e:Youwor r
yalotaboutt
hisboy,hesnota
l
it
tl
eboy.Hecant akecareofhi
mself
.I'm sur
ehe
wenttoyourhouse.
Breeze:Ifhehadgonet
her
e,I'
dhaveseeni
f
ther
e'ssomeoneinmyhouseovert
hephonebut
t
henmyphonest
ayedsi
lental
lthi
slong.Noal
arm
t
ri
gger
ed.
Odir
il
e:Thisguyi
soldenough,stoptreat
inghi
m
l
ikea6yearoldwant
ingtoknowabouthe' s
whereabout
swheneverheleavesyoursit
e.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Lat
er.
..
Theybot hst eppedoutofthecarshutt
ingt hedoors
andwal kedt othehouseputti
ngthepinbyt hedoor
anditunl ockedbef or
etheywentin.Youknowt he
feel
ingoff eeli
nglikenoonehasbeenar ounda
housef ordays?Yept hesameone, naturalfeel
ing.
Thef eel
ingwashedoverbot htheirbodiesandt hey
l
ookedatoneanot herasOdir
il
eclosedt hedoor
behindhim.

Odi
ri
le:Maybehefoundfr
iends.(
shr
ugs)Or
maybewit
hAbigai
l.Theyseemedtohaveamot
her
-
sonconnect
ionbui
ldi
ngi
fnotr
omant
ic.

Breezer
oll
edhiseyestaki
ngouthi
sphonedial
ing
herashewalkedtothekit
chent
opourthem j
uice.

Abi
gai
l:(
clear
sthr
oat
)Hi
i
Br
eeze:Hey.
..Ar
eyouwi
thKagi
so?
Abi
gai
l:(
choked)Uhm .
.no.Haven'
tseenhi
mina
whi
le.Why?
Br
eeze:Not
hing.Thankyou.

Hehangupbeforeshecoul
dsayanythi
ngfurt
her
andwalkedtot
hekit
chenwhenhisphonerang.He
l
ookedattheunfami
li
arnumberandfr
ownedbefor
e
answer
ing.

Woman:I
sthi
sBr
eezeLyon?
Br
eeze:Yeah,
who'
saski
ng?
Woman:I
tsKagi
so'
smot
her
.

Hisheartski
ppedt
ohisthroatwhenhequi
ckl
y
pull
edhisdri
nkandgal
pedi twit
hOdir
il
est
ari
ngat
hi
m withoneeyebr
owupl eaningont
hecount
er.

Br
eeze:Hel
lo.Howar
eyou?
Ver
onica:I'
m notsur
eyet.Mysonpr omi
sedtocall
meeveryti
mebuthedi dn'
t,andnowwhenIcallhi
m
,hedoesn'tpi
ckupbutinsteadi
tgoesst
rai
ghtto
voi
cemail
.
Br
eeze:(
clear
sthr
oat
)Oh.
.
Veronica:Yess.AndIknowaboutt hewhol e
chosent hi
ngwhi chIdontsupportcoursenotonl yi
feell
ikenotonl yishehesentt ohelpthatgirlbut
thewhol efamily.Ispentmont hswor ri
edabouthi m
andopeni ngmi ssingpersoncases, eventuall
ythey
stopedhelpingt hinki
nI'
m someonewho' sdistur
bed.
Andwi thallthat,I'dr
eci
eveaonet imecal lfrom
him whichwasn' tenough.
Br
eeze:Iunder
stand.
Veroni
ca:Iknowyoucar eabouthimlooki
ngat
whatyou'
vebeendoi ngandthatheevenconsider
s
youashisfat
her,thenyou'dunderst
andtoothatI
missmysonar oundme.He' stheonlyoneI'
ml ef
t
wit
handIcan'tpret
endl i
keI'
mf i
newithhi
m being
awayfrom meforsol ong.I
'm usedt
ohavinghim
here.
Br
eeze:.
..
.
Veroni
ca:CanIpleaset
alkt
ohim cour
seIcant
shakethi
smotherl
yfeel
ingt
hatsomethi
ngisnot
ri
ghttomakesurehe'sf
ine?Pl
ease.
Br
eeze:(
looksatOdi
ri
le)Uhm .
.hewentout.He'
s
wi
thmybr ot
her
schil
d, t
heywenttothemall.
Ver
oni
ca:Ar
en'
tyouguysst
il
lint
hehospi
tal
?
Br
eeze:Ohno,
Igotoutt
hismor
ning.
Ver
oni
ca:Hopeyourdoi
ngf
ine.
Br
eeze:Iam t
hankyou.
Veroni
ca:Yourwel
come.Pleasetel
lhimtocal
lme
wit
hinanhourorel
seI'
m cat
chingataxi
.
Br
eeze:(
bithi
sli
p)Wi
lldo.
Ver
oni
ca:Thanks.Getwel
l.
Br
eeze:Thanks.

Shehangupandhet hr
ewhi
sphoneonthecount
er
goi
ngtogrababottl
eofwhi
skeycomi
ngtopour
hi
mselfaglassf
ull.

Odi
ri
le:(get
sof
fthechai
r)heyt
akei
teasy.Who
wasthat?
Breeze:Hismother.Shehasafeel
ingt
hat
somethingishappeni
ngtohersonandcan'
tshake
i
toff.
Odi
ri
le:I
'
m sur
eit
'sj
ustaf
eel
ing,i
t'
llpass.
Br eeze:She'
shi smother.Shetheonet hatcarried
himf ormont hs,theyhaveaspecialconnection
andKagi soal wayshadbeenaroundherandnever
l
ef therside.Shehast hestr
ongestfeeli
ngthat
there'ssomethinghappeningevenifshe'sfaraway
from him.That '
swhatmakesyourmot hercallyou
everyt
imeyouraboutt
obei ndanger,dontyouever
askyoursel
fwhy?Mot her
sandchi l
drensharea
verystr
onglovebond.
Odi
ri
le:I
tscoul
dbeani
nst
inct
.
Breeze:Butt hi
sismor ethanjustaninstinctifshe
cancal l'
ME' !Shenevercalledmebef ore.Thi sis
forthef i
rstti
meshet alkedtomeandi tterri
fi
esthe
helloutofme.She' shavingamot herlyintui
ti
on.
Thesamef eeli
ngeverymot herr
eceiveswhent heir
childr
enar eindanger.AndIwonti gnor ethat.

Hebithi
sli
plookingathim befor
efrowni
ng.He's
beenwit
hAbigailforyearsandhealwaysknew
whenshewasnotf i
nefrom hert
one.Hegrabbed
hi
sphoneshakinghi sheadanddial
edher.

Abi
gai
l:Twi
ceaday.Hi
iagai
n.
Breeze:Twice,yeahsolet
'smaket
hisonemor
e
useful.Where'
sKagiso?
Abi
gai
l:(
swal
lowed)Idon'
tknow.
Br
eeze:Who'
satyourhouse?
Abi
gai
l:Mymot
herandmysi
ster.
Breeze:(
tense)Ohkdar
li
ng,tel
lthem t
opackwhat
theycancar r
y,I'
m bur
ningt
hehousedown.
Abi
gai
l:(
hear
tski
pped)What!

Hehangupbef oreshecansayanyt
hingfur
ther
putt
ingthephonedownlooki
ngatOdiri
lewho's
eyeswidenedandhismouthpart
lyopenshocked
aswell.

Odi
ri
le:What!?
Breeze:AndImeani t.Sheknowssomet
hing.
(Looksatthephone)Comeonl ove,
5;4;
3; 2
and..
(ri
ngs)1.

Hesmi
lespi
cki
ngi
tandwi
nksatOdi
ri
leanswer
ing.
Abigai
l:It
hinkit
sJack.Earl
ierhecall
edsayi
nghe
speduphisrevenge.Healsotoldmethathe'
l
l
att
ackyouateverydir
ect
ionclosett
oyourheart.
Throughyourki
ds.
Breeze:Domeaonelastf
avourl
ove,
nextt
imeI
call-t
ryhar
dnott
owastemytime.

Hecutthecal
lgul
pingt
hewhol
eli
quorheadi
ng
upst
air
s.

Odir
il
e:Howdi
dyouknowshewasgoi
ngt
ocal
l
back?
Breeze:Youknowwhenyouspendhalfofyourl
if
e
withsomeone,youl
earnmoreaboutt
heirways
thattheyknowl
essaboutt
hemsel
ves.

Hequi
ckl
ywentupst
air
sandOdi
ri
le'
shear
tski
pped
st
andi
ngupt
ofoll
owhim.
Odi
ri
le:That
'snotgood.

Andi ndeeditwasn'
t.Hestoppedonhi st
racks
l
ookingathim walkoverholdi
nghi sgunchecki
ng
thebullet
sbeforeput
ti
ngittogetherandpi
ckedthe
sportcarkeysinthedrawerbythedoorheadingout
.

Odi
ri
le:Yournotgoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m,ar
eyou?
Br
eeze:(
smi
rked)Wat
chme.

Hefol
lowedhi
mt ot
hegaragewher
ehegoti nand
st
art
edtheengi
nedri
vingoutwi
thf
ullspeed.
Herantohi
scartaki
ngouthi
sphoneandcal
led
t
heirmostt
rust
edmengetti
nginanddr
oveoff
f
oll
owinghi
m.

Odir
il
e:Yourbosshasfinal
lyl
osti
t.Hischai
ns
havegonelosei
nthatheadofhis.Tr
ackdownhis
SSCTuat
ara,
he'
sri
dingi
nit.
St
one:Oni
t.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
00]Lynne :Chapt
er87

I
nOdi
ri
le'
scar.

Odir
il
esteppedontheaccel
erat
ortaki
ngouthis
phonefr
om thepocketanddi
aledBreezeput
ti
ng
hi
m onloudspeaker
.

Breeze:Iknowwhatyourgoi ngtosayandletme
tel
lyoubeforeyoucouldpreachforme.Itain'
t
gonnawor k.IfIdar
ehearanyonesayingthewords
"yourbrot
her"IswearI
'
llhuntthem andsl
itt
heir
throat.
Odi
ri
le:(
shr
ugs)Yoursi
bli
ngt
hen.
Br
eeze:(
scof
f)Dumbhead.
Odir
il
e:Forrealdude.Slowdownandlet'
stal
k
aboutthi
s.Let'
scallhi
m andfi
ndoutwhathe
wantsfir
stbef
oreyoucouldgother
einrage.
Breeze:Jackwantsnothingbuttoseemydead
cropslayi
nginaboxgoingsixfitunderwithasuit
andawhi teshi
rt.Hekeepsremindingmet hatand
nowheusesmyboyasl ever
agetogett ome.
That'snotwhatabrot
herdoestoanot her.Solet
mej ustdealwi
ththi
smyway.
Odiri
le:Fi
neyouwill,
butpleasetel
lmewhatyour
goingtodoandIpromi seIwon'ttr
ytost
opyouor
sabotageyourpl
an.I'
llstandbyyou.
Br
eeze:Not
hingser
ious.
Odi
ri
le:Ohohk,
sowhat
'st
hatyourgoi
ngt
odo?
Breeze:het
ookmysonasl
ever
agesoi
ngonnado
thesame.RememberDan?
Odi
ri
le:Uhmm.
..
Breeze:Theguywemetthelastti
meat808ont
he
rooftomakeadeal.Theonethatwant
edwoman
andchildr
en.
Odi
ri
le:NoBr
eezeyournot!Roseisyouronl
yni
ece
andKagi
sowi
llneverf
orgi
veyouforthi
s.
Br
eeze:Ther
ear
eal
otofgi
rl
sint
hist
ownhecan
pickone.If iguredt hatdeat hwi l
lbemor emer ci
ful
soIcameupwi tht hat.Ifanyt hinghappenst ome
oranymemberofmyf amily,hepayswi t
hhi s
daught er '
sdignity,heal t
h, li
feandal l.Withthat
Rosewi llli
vetohat eherf atherwi theveryinchof
hermi nd, bodyandsoul.Whi lehewoul dsuf ferthe
guiltt
odeat handevenaf terdeat hhissoulwi l
lnot
restunabl et oforgivehi mselfcour sehecoul dn't
makepeacewi t
hhi sONLYchi ld.Sobasi cal
lyRose
willbet heonet osuf ferherf ather'
sconsequence.
AndImi ghtevent argethissour ceofincome, who
knows?
Odiri
le:That'
sjustcruel.Rosedoesn'thavetoget
i
nvolvedinthis.Bothkidshavebeent hrough
enoughal r
eadyandbot hofyouast heirfat
her
s
keepaddingmor esalttotheirwounds.Thishas
nothi
ngt odowi t
hKagi so,AirnorRosebutyou,
JackandJane.Leavet hekidsoutofthisandsort
outyourmesswi thoutinvol
vingthem.
Breeze:Odir
il
edoyouthi
nkI'
m enjoyi
ngt
his?I
t
hurtsme.Ithurt
sthatmyonl
yclosememberof
familyi
sstr
iki
ngmeateverysi
teevenwhenItr
yto
runawayf r
om him .HeislikeabugIcan'tgetr i
d
offeventhoughiti
nfl
ictspainonme.I thurt
st hat
ri
ghtnowIhavet ouset heonl yni
eceIhavealsoas
l
everage.Thattheonlyper sonIsohavecloset o
myhear tasasonisal wayst heoneget
ti
ngcought
i
nmyf amil
ydrama.Idon' twanttoseehim nor
Roseinpainbuthekeepspushi ngmybuttons.
Odir
il
e:Iknowt hatyou'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
oavoi
dhi
m
atal
lcostbut-youknowwhat?Sendmeyour
l
ocati
on
Br
eeze:No.
Odi
ri
le:Excuseme?
Breeze:Odir
il
eyoubei ngherewillr
uinever
ythi
ng.
YouknowIl istentoyoumor ethananyoneandI
knowyou'llt
ryt ostopmesoIcantt el
lyouwhere
I'
m headed.I '
m sorrybutyoul
lhavetoletmedo
thi
sonmyown.
Odi
ri
le:Br
e-(
hangup)

Hecl
enchedhi
sjawsandsi
ghedi
ncr
easi
ngt
he
vol
umel i
steni
ngtoWizKhali
faf tChar
li
ePut h-See
youagainwhenhisphonerecievedanotif
icati
on.
Hepickeditandsmil
edinrel
ieflooki
ngatthe
l
ocati
onsthatkeepcl
ockingonhi sphone.

AtaPet
rolst
ati
on.

Breezesteppedoutoft
hecarl
ookingataman
l
ift
ingthree20li
ter
sofpet
rolt
ohisvanandhe
approachedhim.
Fewmi nut
eslaterhetookouthi
scardandwent
i
ntot hebankt hatwasnearbyandtookoutsome
R1000andwentt ogi
veitt
omant henhetookthe
bott
lest ohiscar.Hegotinandtookouthisphone
dri
vingout .

Jack:Br
other
.
Breeze:t
hatwordneverhadanimpactcoming
fr
om yourmouth.Bri
ngmyki dbackJack.This
gameyourplayi
ngofkidnappi
ngmychildislame,
evenforyou.Neverpi
ctur
edyouast
het
ypet
o
stoopsolow,whatwentwrong?
Jack:Idontknowwhatyourt
alki
ngabout
.
Breeze:Jackyourfeudiswit
hme, youdonthave
tograbmykidintothis.Br
ingmykidbackandyou
canhaveme.Ki llmeorwhatever,
justl
etKagiso
go.
Jack:(l
aughs)Yourcal
li
ngmetoaskmet oend
yourpathet
icl
if
e,whosanklownow?Never
pict
uredyouasthetypetot
hrowt
oweljustl
ikethat!
Toloweryourweaponbefor
ethewarevenstart
s.
Breeze:Jackifyourenjoyingt
his,don'tthi
nkt hat
weal ldo.Thi
sisnotagameoft hronesyourt alki
ng
aboutpeoplel
iveshere.AndnoI '
m notlowering
anyweapon,I '
mj ustbowingwiththem inmyhands
askingyoutoendt hi
sbef orei
tcouldgetwor se.Let
Kagisogoandsor toutyourdiff
erenceswi t
hme.
Jack:(l
aughsintear
s)Di
ff
erences?Reall
yBreeze?
Youcallsl
eepi
ngwi t
hmywifeandprocreat
ethe
di
ffer
encebetweenus?
Br
eeze:youknowI
'
m st
art
ingt
onotf
eelsor
ryf
or
whathappenedbutact ual
lybemor egrat
if
iedofmy
self
.Thatbabywasconcei vedoutoflove.Not
becausewewer ejusthookingup,butbecausewe
alsohadstri
ngsthatmadei tevengoodbeforethey
camet opass.Butanyway-
Jack:HowisSagi,byt heway?Doessheknow
yourbusyouthereplayi
ngfat
heroftheyearwhil
e
sherotsi
nthement alpr
isonputbyyoursocal
led
si
dechick?wi t
hyourbabyont opofthat.
Breeze:(cl
enchedjaws)Your eachherIswearto
GodJack,I '
l
lbether ealcastoutofheavenhi
mself
andshowyouhel lwithbot hyoureyebal
lsout
shovedintoyourl
it
tleslutsmouth.
Jack:Thr eats,thr
eatsandthreat
saftert
hr eat
s.
Whataboutact ionlit
tl
ebrot
her.Showmeyour
wor stsi
debesidesmaki ngbabieswit
hot her
people'swivesandr obbi
ngbanks.21h00t onightat
thecont ai
nersbysea.Dontbel ate.Ohandcome
aloneoryou'llr
eceiveyoursonsheadwr appedi na
giftbox.
Br eeze'
seyewel l
edupi npai nwhenhepul l
edon
thesi deoftheroadandl etthem dr op.Fami lyhas
alwaysbeenever yone'sgreatestweaknessand
nowt hathement ionedSagi, hisbat ter
ywentf rom
50t o0.Al lhi
spowerdr ainedoutofhi ssystem .
Shebel i
evedinhim andnowhe' llfailhertothelast.
Jacki sright
,hisl i
feismessedupasi tisandnow
allhewi shesisforittoendsot hatever yonecanbe
freeofhi sgri
p.Cl earl
yhewontbeabl etodot hi
s
onhi sownheneededabr otherbyhi sside.He
pickeduphi sphoner ubbinghist earandl eanedon
thewheel.

Odir
il
e:pl
easet
ellmeyouhaven'
tdoneanyt
hing
yet.
Br
eeze:(
sobb)Wher
ear
eyou?
Odi
ri
le:Ar
eyouohk?
Breeze:NoI'm not.(
Teary)I'
m outofit.Idont
knowwhatt odo.Kagiso'smot herneedshersonas
i
nl i
keyest
erdayandmycr uelbrot
herhashimt ogo
againstmeandnowhet hinksofreachingoutt
o
Sagi.ManIdontknowwhatI
'
m goi
ngt
odo.
Odi
ri
le:Hol
don.

Hehangupandhesighedasmor et
earsr
oll
ed
downhi
scheeks.Thedooropenedandheturned
hi
sheadlooki
ngatOdi
ri
lel
ookingathi
m sadl
y.

Odi
ri
le:Comeher
eman.

Hegotoutoft hecarwhenheat tackedhim witha

bi
gfat, warm,hear
t f
ul,ti
ghthug.Hehuggedhi m
backandbr okedownonhi sshouldermaking
Odir
il
e'seyesalsoburnwi thtear
s.He' sneverseen
hi
sfriendbrokenli
ket hisanditbrokehim .Breeze
hel
dont ohim ashist earswethisshirt
.Thisi s
whathewant edafterthelonghour shehad.

Odi
ri
le:It
sohkman.I '
m her
e.I
'
llhelpyouandI'
ll
bet
herewithyou.We'r
egonnagetthem back-
we'
l
lbringthem home.
Breeze:hesai
dIshoul
dcomeal
one.Toni
ghtat
21h00.
Odir
il
e:Well,you'l
lgot
her
ealone.AndI'l
lfoll
ow
af
ter.Butonlyifyoupr
omisemethatyou'
llleave
Roseoutofthis.

Breezepul
ledfrom t
hehugl ooki
ngathi
m bef
ore
putt
ingbot
hhi shandonhi sfaceandr
ubbedthe
tear
sthenlookedathim again.

Br
eeze:Youf
orr
ealr
ightnow?
Odiril
e:Damnst r
aight!Youleavethekidoutofthis
.Br eezeyournott heonetohurtkids.DontletJack
turnyoui ntothemonsteryoubur i
edinsi
deofyou.
Dontl ethim gett
oyoul i
kethatforyoutouse
chil
drenasyourwayi ntosomeone.Yourbet ter
thant hatmancomeon.

AtRose'
shouse.
Rosesati nfrontofthemi r
rorlooki
ngatherself
.
Shepi ct
uredhowt hebabywasconcei vedwhen
sheshookherheadandt ookherphonel ooki
ngat
Mxolisi'
snumber .I t
'sbestifshetel
lshi
m nowt han
keepingthisasecr ettoherselfandhaveKagisoas
thefather,that'
sifhemeanti t.
[
08/
02,
14:
00]Lynne :Cont
inued.

I
nRose'
sroom.

Rosesati nfrontofthemi r
rorlookingathersel f.
Shepi ct
uredhowt hebabywasconcei vedwhen
sheshookherheadandt ookherphonel ookingat
Mxolisi'
snumber.I t
'sbestifshetellshi
m nowt hat
keepingthisasecr ettoherselfandhaveKagi soas
thefather,that'
sifhemeanti t.Buti twouldn'tbe
fai
rtoKagi so.Notaf tert
hest rugglehewent
thr
ough.
Mxoli
sii
sthefat
her.Hedeservestobeinhis
chi
ld'
sli
feandhecantt
akethatawayf r
om herchi
ld
.Shetookashortpr
ayerbef
orediali
nghim.
Mxol
isi
:Hel
lo.
Rose:Hi
i.
Mxol
isi
:Howar
eyou?
Rose:I
'
m good.You?
Mxol
isi
:I'
m good.

Hearinghisdeepvoicejustremi ndedheroft heir

ti
met ogetherandhowi tr
uinedever yt
hingf orher.
Shesi ghedwhensuddenlyherhear tskippedwhen
sheremember edthatthatwast hr eemont hsago.
Shequi ckl
ystoodupandpul ledherdr esslooking
athert ummybutitwasn'toft heper sonwhowas
workingherwayt othr
ought hef ort
hmont htot he
fi
ft
hmont h.Maybesheshoul d'
vedonet hat
ult
rasoundscanning.
Shesatdownrubbi
ngherfacet
henbal
ancedher
headwit
hherhandlooki
ngather
sel
fonthemir
ror
.
Mxol
isi
:Isever
ythi
ngohk?
Rose:Doyoul
oveki
ds?
Mxoli
si:(
chuckl
es)Ist
hatat
rickquest
ion?Of
cour
seIdo.They'reador
abl
e.
Rose:Mmh-
hmm .Andwoul
dyoul
iket
ohaveone?

Hewentsil
entonthephonewithoutanymovement
orsoundheardwhenherhear
tpoundedsohard
shecoul
dlit
eral
lyf
eeli
tonherthroat
.

I
nMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Meanwhi l
ebackhere.Mxol i
sihadputt hephone
underapill
owsoshewonthearhi mj umpingup
anddownandpunchi ngt heairinjoy.Hecalmed
downandcol lect
edhimselfbeforesit
ti
ngdownand
pul
leditputt
ingitonhisear.

Mxol
isi
:Sor
rywhat?
Rose:
Isai
dwoul
dyoul
iket
ohaveone?
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyoupr
egnant
?
Rose:Stopanswer
ingmyquesti
onwi
thaquest
ion
andanswerthedamnquest
ion.Woul
dyou?
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)yeah.
Rose:ohk.Buckl
eupthen.Yourgoi
ngt
obea
daddyi
nfiveorsi
xmonths.
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyouser
ious?
Rose:ifyouthi
nkIgotpregnantt
ot rapyouthen
yourwrong.Ididn'
tknowIwaspr egnantandifyou
dontwanttobeinthisbaby'
sli
fe,yournotforced
to.KagisoandIcanlookaft
erthebabyandpr ett
y
surehe'
lldoaverygreatj
obasaf atherr
aisi
nghim
orher.
Mxoli
si:Yourwi l
li
ngtogi vemychildtoanother
manRosel l
a?AndnoIdi dn'tthi
nkofthat.I'
m
happywiththenewsbutnowyoudr oppedmy
moodwi t
ht hi
sKagi soguy.I '
mthefatherandI'
ll
l
ookaftermyki dandt akeresponsi
bil
it
y.IfKagi
so
wantedachi l
d,whycanthemakeonef orhimself
?
I
fit
struethati
smychi
ldt
henI
'
m ver
ymuchhappy
t
oco-parent
.
Rose:Whyar
eyouget
ti
ngwor
kedup?
Mxol i
si:yourget
ti
ngmewor kedup!Does
everythingal
wayshavetor
evolvear
oundthisguy
ofyour s?That'
smychil
dandyournotgivi
ngitto
him .Icantakecareofi
t.I
tsmine.
Rose:"our "chi
ld.Andpl easedontpampermeand
allt
hat,Icanhandl ethisonmyown.Anddontbe
tr
yingtoactt oughprotecti
vedaddy,youdontknow
whatmi ghthappen.Andt hi
sbett
erbethel
ast
ti
meyout alkabouthi
ml i
kethatorel
seyou'
l
lnever
seethi
schi ld.Ever.Si ncewhendidyougetthi
s
cocky?
Mxol
isi
:I'
m sor
ry.Justthat,
that'
smyonl
ychi
ld.
Pr
obablyt
heonlythi
ngthatmatter
stomethemost
i
nthi
sworld.Thankyou.
Rose:I
tsohk.Bye
Mxoli
si:bye.Hol
don,
whenar
eyougoi
ngf
or
checkup?
Rose:Idon'
tknow.AndIdon'
tthi
nkI
'
llbeneedi
ng
any.
Mxoli
si:(l
aughs)youdosoundl ikeanewbiemom
tobe.Rosell
ayouneedt ogof orcheckupt omake
sureyouandthebabyar efi
ne.Ther e'
snothing
wrongwithgoingforcheckups.Especi
all
ycourse
youralwaysst
ressed.
Rose:Well,
from nowonIchosemysel f
.It'
sme
onl
yandifanyonegoesagainstt
hatandtrytor
ub
mypasti
nmyf aceit
'sont
hem.I '
m done!
Mxol
isi
:Goodgi
rl.Bye.

Hehangupthr
owi
nghimselfonthebedkicki
ngli
ke
ababywhenhi
sphonevi
bratedont hebed.He
si
ghedwit
hahugesmil
eandpi ckeditl
ooki
ngat
Abi
gail
scal
l

Mxol
isi
:Hel
loAbi.
Abi
gai
l:(
breat
hsheavi
ly)Ar
eyouhome?
Mxol
isi
:(f
rowned)Yeah.
.why?
Abi
gai
l:Ineedaf
ri
end.
Mxol
isi
:Oh-ohkyoucancomeover.

Hehangupbit
inghi
sliplooki
ngaroundbefore
qui
ckl
ypacki
ngever
ythingtowhereitbel
ongedso
shecoul
dgether
eandf i
ndeveryt
hinginplace.

Att
hement
alpr
ison.

Sagisatar oundat ablewi t

ht hreemor ewoman
who'shai rwasmessedl ikehel lj
ustli
keher s.She
pickedanappl eandwi peditonhercl othesbef or
e
biti
ngitwhenshef eltashar ppainonherabdomen.
Shef l
inchedcour singallofthem tolookather
whenshebr eathedi nandoutandsi ghedput t
ingon
thatneutralfaceandbi therappl e.Thepai nstruck
heragainandt hi
st i
mesher eleasedascr eam when
everyonet ur
nedl ookingather.

Woman1:I
sitt
hebaby?
Woman2:Wher
eist
hef
ather?
Woman1:Iknowt
hepain.That
'swhyIdr
owned
minet
ryi
ngt
opuni
shherfort
hepaini
nthelabour
r
oom .

Sagifr
ownedlooki
ngatherbefor
epi
cki
nghergl
ass
ofwaterandgal
peditbutonl
ythent
hepai
n
i
ncreasedevenmore.

Sagi:
(scr
eami
ng)hel
p!Aaahh!
Woman1:Putheront
het
abl
e!
Woman3:Why?!
Woman1:Weneedt ot
aket
hebabyout!I
tshur
ti
ng
her.Ihaveakni
fe!
Sagi:(fr
owned)youwouldn'
tdarecutmybabies
outyouoffchai
ndumpasspsychoslut!Touchme
andyou'l
lloset
hosesamehandyouusedtodrown
yourbabystupi
dwanker!Aaahh!
Woman1:(
cryi
ng)Shehur
tme!
Sagi:
Getawayfrom mebeforeIi
gnoret
hispain
andsmashyourempt yheadonthi
stabl
ebitch!
Moooaaaaahhh!Wherearethebl
oodysecur
ity'
sor
wardersshi
t!

Shefeltwar
ml i
qui
dbetweenherl egsandsheput
herhandanditcamebackwi t
hbl ood.Herhear
t
ski
ppedwhent wowarderscamer ushi
nginand
wrappedherhandsaroundthei
rneckswalkingher
outtotheot
herexi
tshehardlyrecogni
zedasshe
gotweakerandweaker.

Sagi: Hey.
.wher
ear ewegoing?( Shet ri
esto
escape)No!Notthere.Pleaseno!Wher eareyou
taki
ngme?Ineedadoct or!(cr
ying)please
...
please.Mybabies.Pl
ease!(Fainti
ng)Mybabi es.
.

Herheaddroppedjustastheyputheri
nan
ambulancethentwoparamedicsatt
endedherasit
al
sodrovetowardsadiffer
entdi
rect
ionandnotthe
Hospi
tal.
*
*
*
Lat
er_21h00
*
*
*

Att
heCont
ainer
sSt
orage

Breezedr
ovear oundt hecontainersbeforeparki
ng
nexttoablackCi t
ycarandsi ghedshovi ngthegun
onhisbandt henpulledhissweat erst
eppingout.
Heshutthedoorl ookingaroundwhenashor t
(dwarf
)manwal kedovertohim.

Br
eeze:(
tohi
msel
f)Wow-ohk.
Themanst oodinfr
ontofhim andhel
ookeddown
onhim notknowingwhattosaytohim .Butt
henhe
wasn'
thereforthatbuthi
sboy.

Man:I
'
m Ki
ngsl
ey.Fol
lowi
ngme.

Hesighedputt
inghishandsi nthepocketwhenhi s
phonerangandt hemant urnlooki
ngathim asifhe
wasthebossher e.Breezefrownedlooki
ngathim
andscoffedt
akingitoutlookingatt
hescreenthen
bi
thisli
p.

Ki
ngsl
ey:Whoi
sthat?Nobackupr
emember
?
Breeze:Wouldyoujustshutupbefor
eIst
epon
yourbrainsanddoasyourtold.St
ayoutofmy
business.Youdontknowme.
Kingsl
ey:ButIknowyourhereforyoursonandI
al
soknowt hatyournotal
lowedtobeherewith
someoneorhedi es.Soit
seight
eryoutellmewho
i
tisorIcal
ltheshot.Si
mpl
e.

Breezelookedathim befor
egivinghim hisphone
onlybecausehewasdesper at
et ogethi
ssonoutof
thi
sandhehadt oplayalong.Kingsleylookedat
himthenbackatt hescreen.

Ki
ngsl
ey:Iknowthi
sgame.Youstoredyourmen
asl
adi
esjustsowewontanswer,
right
?
Breeze:Neverknewthatahumanbrainis
deter
minedbyt hei
rhei
ght.Thanksf
orthelesson
ofthedayKing

Hepathi sshoul
derpassinghim whenKi ngsley
fr
ustratedlythr
ewhisphoneont hegr oundand
steppedoni tcountl
esstimesmaki ngBr eezestop
onhi stracksandlookathim .Hel ookedathi m and
couldn'thelpevenwhenhe' sangrytol augh
eventuallydid.Thi
ssit
ewassomet hi
ngel se.
Kingsleylookedathim beforet
ryingtoki ckitbut
missedsohepi
ckedi
tandthr
ewi tinthewat
er
befor
edusti
nghi
shandsandbreathedoutwalki
ng
towardshi
m.

Breeze:Andangert
oo.Ial
waysknewt
hatone.My
shawtiehasi
tto.

Kingsleypacedoverandheshookhi shead
foll
owingforadi st
ancewhenKingsleystoppedand
pointedforhimtogoover.Breezebithislipt
hen
keptwal ki
ngwhenhest eppedonsomet hingand
thehaironhi sbodystoodupandhisbrainsent
signalstohiswholebody.Hisheartpounded
l
ookingathi sfootandyeah,onemor emove, then
boom !
Thelight
swentonfl
ashi
ngonhi
m andhehidhis
eyesandwhenhemovedhishandhi
sheartsank
cracki
ngit'
swaydown.

Br
eeze:Kagi
so!Kagi
so!
Jack:(onspeaker
)Iwoul
dn'
tmovei
fIwer
eyou.
Br
eeze:Youthinkthi
sisamovi
eorsomet
hing.
Whatthehel
listhi
s?Lethi
m go!
Jack:Seethatbombunder neat
hyourf
ootwillnot
ki
llyou,butinst
eadit'
l
lblowhim .Sot
hismeans
hisli
fei
sinyourhands.Onemor emovethenits
byebyedearson.Justl i
keIlostmywif
ewhenyou
shotyouplantsinher.
Breeze:JackIsaidIwassor
ry.IknowIwronged
youandIcanttakebackwhatIdid,al
lIcansayis
I'
m sorry!Ohk!Justl
ethi
m goandtakemeinstead.
Yourfighti
snotwithhi
m .I
t'
swithme.
Jack:Yourr ight!Butyouknowt hatineverywar-
theinnocentonesar ethemostaf f
ected.You
shouldhavet houghtaboutthat.Breezenotonl y
didyoumakeababywi thher-youst r
ippedmemy
dignityandtoremyf amil
yapart.She'smyl if
eand
yout ookherawayf rom me.Wi t
ht hatyourgoingto
payhar df
orthedamageyou' vecoursed.For
breakingmymar ri
ageandforhavingababywi th
mywi fe.
Br
eeze:Fine-justl
ethi
m gof
ir
stpl
ease.He'
s
i
nnocenti
nthis.
Jack:(l
aughs)What?Lethi
m go?Nobr ot
her.I
t
wouldn'
tbeafungameifitwasn'
tforhi
m.
Breeze:Youl
osecanofabr
other,
youser
iousl
y
thi
nkthisi
sagame?Jack-
Jack:Areyouinorwhat?Ifnot-Icaneasi
lyt
ell
myguyr i
ghtt
heretopushyouthenpuff!Game
over,wecanallgohomehappy.

BreezeshookhisheadandlookedatKagisowho
l
ookedlikehewasbeat enandelectrocut
ed.
Seeingthosewir
eswrappedonhi sseatand
unconscioushecoul
djustscream i
npainrightnow.

Br
eeze:Fi
ne-whati
sit?
Jack:Fi
nal
ly-wear
epl
ayi
ngDeal
ersChoi
ce.
Breeze:(
frowned)Wai
twhatdoyoumeanDeal
ers
Choice?Jackwhathaveyoudone?
Jack:Ithi
nkImi ghthavetakenitalitt
letoof
ar.So
Iwentonandmadeacal lthenmanagedt ogetyour
babymama.Poi sonedher.(chuckles)Nodont
worry,she'
snotdead.YET!Ri ghtnowaswe
speakshe'sl
ayingonasur gictableandluckyherI
foundherthebestdoctorstoperformt hesur
gery.
Br
eeze:(
tear
y)What?
Jack:Yeah..andguesswhat?Ialsofoundoutthat
notonlyisshecarryingonebutt
wo!SoIdeci ded
toaddsomespi cet oourgame.Givethem upfor
adopti
on.
Br
eeze:Youwoul
dn'
tdar
e!
Jack:OhyesIwi l
l.Twolovelyfami l
iesareon
standbyt oadoptanewbor nandt het winsar
e
per fect
.Youshoul dbegratefulcourset hi
swayI'
m
savi ngthem f
rom youandt hedarknessyoucome
withal ongwiththeLyonmiser y.Besi desyou
al
r eadyhaveAi rwhom Icanthar m, sinceyouknow
-he' smywi f
eschild.SoDeal ersChoi ce-Yougett
o
pickone.Bet weenKagiso,yourfirstson.Theonly
per sonthatmakesyouabet t
erper sonandshapes
youintobeingwhoyouar e.Thef ir
stpersonwho
madeyouf eell
ovedandwor t
hyaf t
ersol ong.Or
Sagi-yourlover,youronet ruelove.Yourbaby
mama.Theonl ywomant hathadputupwi t
hyour
nonsenseandevenwentdownf oryou.Theonl y
personthatwentt hroughyourhi ghsandl ows
wit
houtblinkingorlookingback.Yourr ideordi e.
Theonewhom youvowedt oloveandpr otect
i
nfrontofthewor ldandt hemosthi gh.Who' sit
goi
ngt obe?

Ki
ngsleywalkedoverandhandedhi
m anotethen
walkedback.Hiseyeswell
edupevenmorewhen
helookedattheaddressont
hepaperandbackat
Kagiso.

Jack:That '
stheaddressshe'sat.Sonowt he
cardsareinyourhandsandyougotonl y5mi nst
o
decide.Allyouhavetodoismoveyourf ootandgo
getherorstandthereandliveaneternit
yof
suffer
ingknowingyougaveupyourki dsfor
adopti
onandthatyourt
hereasonbehi
ndyour
wif
e'sdeat
h.Sobasical
lyi
soneversethr
ee.Who
doyouchose?

Meanwhi lebackont hesi deofther oadinan

Avanza.Odi ri
lerubbedhisf acel
isteningashis
heartbrokeint
opi eces.He'sneverhear dhim cryor
sobbt hi
smuchaday.I t
'snoteasyt ochoose
betweent wolovedonesespeci allywhent hebond
i
ssost r
ong.Br eezehasal waysbeenhi sbrother
andt odayinhisdesperatetime, heneedshi m
mor ethanever.

St
one:Dowegoi
nnow?
Odi r
il
e:Holdon!Ther e'
snowe.Iam .Ical l
edthe
threeofyouherebecauseIneededyourt alentamd
brainsnotforyoutospi l
lyourboss'sbloodont he
soil.He'
snotgoingt obehappywi ththat.(sigh)
i
t'sbeengreatworkingwi t
hyouall.Justt oletyou
know-asyourot hermi niboss,y'al
lcanmoveon
withyourli
fes.Stoneyouneedt ogetyourshi t
toget
herandfi
ndaj obsomewhere.Outyourski
ll
touseandbuil
dal i
fe.Jason,youshoul
dgof i
nish
upthatengi
neeri
ngdegreeofyour.AndShounyou
needtogobacktoschool.
Stone:Nomanthisisus.Someofusarenot
desti
nedi
ntocar
eersandall.Thi
sishowwemake
moneyandwear egoingt
ost i
ckwit
hwhatbr
ings
themealt
othetabl
e.
Shoun:yeahsomeofus,ourli
vesdonotr
equir
ea
cer
ti
fi
cate.Andwhydoesthissoundl
ikeagoodbye
?
Odi
ri
le:Justsayi
ng.
Jason:Asforme,I
'vebeent
hinki
ngaboutt
hatfor
awhilenow.Yourr
ightman.I
'm goi
ngbackther
e
nextyear.
Odiri
le:Cxxl-seey'al
l.Ohwai t-changeofpl ans.
That'si
fyourstil
lwill
ingtori
ski t.Jasoncanyou
pleasehelpwithcutti
ngt hel
ightsandst one, your
thebouncerIneedyout ocomegr abhim .Idont
knowwhat 'spoppingintherebutIhaveaf eeli
nghe
won'twanttoleaveeveni fIdraghi m .Soyou'llhel
p
mewi
thhi
m .AndShoun,
you'
l
lgr
abhi
sboy.

Theygotoutoft hecarl ookingatthetimeandt hey

sti
llhad3mi ns.Theycr ossedtheroadandwentt o
thecont ai
nersai mingwi ththei
rguns.Hisheart
poundedsohar dthistimewhenhebr eathedout
rapidlyhavi
ngapani cat tackandsatdownbyt he
cont ai
nerast earsbur nedhiseyes.Het ookouthis
phoneandr emovedt hepi nandwenttonot es
typingsomet hing.

St
one:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Odi
ri
le:I
'
llcat
chup.I
'
m havi
nganat
tack.
Shoun:Shoul
di-
Odir
il
e:no.Iknowwedonthaveacl earpl
anbut
atl
eastl
et'
sjustsavehi
m andtheki
d.Ifthi
sar
ea
hadcameras,nodoubtwe'l
lknow what'
s
happeni
nginthere.
Shoun:Wecoul
dhavebuggedhi
m wi
thcamer
as.
Odi
ri
le:Hedi
dn'
twantt
hem .That
'swhyhechose
t
heoneonhi
stoot
h.Sol
et'
sendt
his
Al
l:Sur
e.

Awhi l
elater.Br eezel
ookedathi swri
stwatchnot
knowingwhatt odowi t
hthemi nuteand20seconds.
Thetimekeptmovi ngli
kenothingiswrongnot
wait
ingunt ili
tcounteddownt o30seconds.Hi s
hearracedwi theverybeati
ngwhenher ai
sedhi s
headwi t
ht earyeyeslooki
ngatt heunconscious
Kagisowho' sheadhadbeenf aci ngdownallalong.

Jack:10,9,8,
7-comeonbr
other.Youknow
whattodo.
Breeze:Shutupandcomeouthereandlet
'ssor
t
thi
soutmant oman!Stophi
dingyourcoward!
Jack:3, 2,1andnow!Itsstart
ingbrother.So
yourtel
li
ngmeyouchoset hi
sboyoverher?Poor
Sagi.
.mi ndyou,thei
rdoingthi
swithoutsedati
ng
hersoshe'l
lfeel
everyt
hing.Painwor sethandeat
h.
Ncncnc.
Breeze:Isai
dcomeouther
eyoudi
sgr
acef
ul
bustard!
Jack:Oh.
..ohk.

Jackwalkedf r
om behindhimi nacont ai
nerand
wenttostandnextt ohim wit
hasmi rkinhisface.
Seei
ngBr eezeintearsbroughtnothingbutjoyto
hi
sheart.Het ookouthisphoneandsenta
messagebef orel
ookingatBr eeze.

Jack:Youcanst
il
lsaveher.Al
lyouhavetodois
moveamuscle.GotoyourhunBreeze.Sheneeds
you.
Br
eeze:Pl
easest
opt
his!

Sagi
sscreamscamef r
om t
hespeaker'
swhenhis
hear
tshatt
eredl
ikeagl
assandhiseyeswel
ledup.
Wi t
hangerhepul
ledJackwithhi
sshi
rtand
standi
ngwithonelegonthebombandlockedhis
neckint
ohisarmtakingouthi
sgunai
mi ngitonhi
s
head.
Jack'
shear
tpoundedsohar
dwhenheswal
lowed.

Br
eeze:Cal
lthi
sof
foryoudi
eal
ongwi
thhi
m.
Jack:I'
drat
herdi
ethanli
vet
oseeyourmistake
growinmyeyeseverydaywi
thhi
slungspumping
ai
rnowandt hen.
Breeze:ThenIguessi tsDeal ersChoice.Ri ght
nowaswespeak,mymanar ealsoonacl ockt hat
i
ft heydonthearawor dfrom Kagi sostoppi ngthem
fr
om t akingRosellatoagodsf orsakenlandwi t
h
yourgr andchil
dby21h10t hent heyshoul dpr oceed.
Youronl yheir.He'st heonlyonet hatcanst opthis
andbyki l
li
nghim, yourgivingupyourdaught erto
severalmenofdi ff
erentstat uses, r
eli
gion, ages
andsi zesallaroundt hewor ldandi ntodr ugs.
Damnshe' ssobeaut i
fulnomanwi l
lresistthatkind
ofbeaut yeveni fsheagesorl oseshercur vesand
all.She'l
lneverdi eyetunt i
lshesuf fersallthepai n
ofyourwr at
handyouwontbet heretofindher.So
stopitandl etmyf ami l
ygo!
Jack'seyeswell
edupt hinki
ngofeveryl
astpainhe
coursedhisdaughterandevennowshehasn' t
for
givenhim .Thethoughtofanothermantwicehis
ageonherdr aggedfil
ledhismouthwhenhebi thi
s
l
iplookingar
ound.
Meanwhi l
eOdiril
el ookedatt hem st i
llwaiti
ngf or
thel
ightstocutoutbutnot hinghappened.Br eeze
andJackst ar
tedpushi ngeachot herbutBr eeze
wouldn'
tmovehi sfootandOdi ri
leknewt hatwont
l
astforlong.Hebi thi
slipasonel astt eardropped
andheputhi sgunont hegr oundr unni ngovert o
Kagiso.Hequi cklytri
edtount i
ehim wi t
hhi sshaky
handswhenJackspot edhim andbyt hetimehe
managedt opushBr eezeoff-t hefivesecondt i
me
onthebombgaveOdi ril
etheoppor tunitytopush
Kagisointhewat erthenhecl osedhi seyesand
ever
ypar tofhim gotcoveredbyt hef lame.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
00]Lynne :Chapt
er88.

Att
hecont
ainer
s.
Aftertheexplosion,Stonequi
ckl
ydivedintothe
wat ertogetKagisoandSagisscreamsst opped
comi ngfrom thespeaker.Heswam overt oShoun
andt heyhelpedgethim outofwaterbuthewasn't
breathing.

Shoun:I
shedead?
St
one:nonohecan'
tbe!

Hegotdownonhi skneesandper formedCPRon

him countlesst i
mesunt ilhegaspedcoughingout
thewat er.Theybot hsighedlookingateachother
i
nr eli
efbutt heirl
it
tl
esmi l
esdroppedlooki
ngat
wher etheexpl osi
ont ookplace.Theireyeswelled
upwi thtearswal ki
ngoverbutt hef i
rewasstil
lhuge
forthem togett hereandchecki fhewasst i
llt
here.
Kagisoweakl
yst
oodupwalkingoverandstoodby
them l
ooki
ngatt
hefi
rebur
ningupashi sheart
beat
beganpoundi
ngli
kehel
l.
Meanwhi
leBr
eezel
ayedont
hegr
oundwi
thhi
s
bodycrippl
edandshaki ngfrom whathesaw
unabletomovewi t
ht earsstr
eamingdownt hesi
de
ofhiseyeslooki
ngupatt hesky.Hetri
edmoving
buthisbodywasst i
llinshocksohecoul dn'
tmove
amuscl ewithhi
shear tpounding.
Poli
cesirensappr oachedt heareawhenJack
l
ookedatal lofthem bef orest andi
ngupandr an
backint
ot hecont ainersbutJasonappear edfr
om
thei
nsideandpushedhi m backont hegroundin
anger.Ifhewasn' tBr eezesf amilyhe'dblowhis
brai
nsatt hi
spoi nt.Het urnedhi m ar
oundand
pushedhim backt owher eBr eezewasandpoi nted
agunonhi shead.

It
'satthispointwher eeverymemor yyoushar ed
withsomeonecomef leshingbackintoyourmi nd
andpl ayatthesamet i
mebef oreyoureyes.Br eeze
gainedhisconsci ousnesst ur
ninghisheadlooking
atJackbyhi ssideandt hegunnextt ohim.Al lthe
angerandhat redwashedoverhi m butOdir
il
e's
wor dscrackedtheirwayi ntohisskul.Hebithislip
andpul l
edt hegunshoot ingbothhislegsandhe
wentdownscr
eami
ngi
npai
n.

Thepol icecarspar kednextt ot hem andhedropped

hisgunasmor eoft hem sur roundedt hem .He
walkedovert owher eOdi ri
lehadsacr i
fi
cedhimself
l
ooki ngatt hefir
esl owl yburningdownandi thi
t
hardt hathecoul dn'thavesur vivedthi
skindof
explosion.Tear sstr eamedef fortl
essl
ywhenhe
remember edSagi.Hebowedhi sheadbef or
egoing
topickt henot eandr antohiscar.

Poli
ceoff
icer
:Youcantl
eaveher
e.I
nfactyour
underar
-
Breeze:youcanar
restmeaft
erIfi
ndouti
fmywife
andkidsaresaf
e.Iwontrun.Fol
lowi
ngmeifyou
wanttoo.

Hegoti
nhiscarandspedof
fandonepol
icecar
f
oll
owedbehi
ndhim.
Meanwhi l
ethepol
icekeptaskingquesti
onst owhat
happenedherebutthethr
eeoft hem j
uststaredat
thefi
reintear
sandnoneoft hem hadanythingto
say.
Anambul ancepulledoverandpar amedi
csr
ushed
outwithastret
chertoattendJackwhowas
screaminghislungsout.Hej ustcri
ppl
edhi
slegs
andnowhe' sgoingtojaill
ikethi
s.Heshookhis
headcryingevenmor e.

Att
heLocat
ionont
henot
e

Breezeparkednextt oanambul ancelookingattwo

paramedicslift
ingSagioverandputheri nside.He
si
ghedinr el
iefseeinghersti
llpregnantt
hen
hoppedinhol dingherhandast heytri
edtost abl
e
her.

Breeze:Sagi?Babywakeup!Sagi!Wher
ear
ethe
peoplethatki
dnappedher?
Paramedi c:Wedon'tknow.Whenwegother e
ther
ewasnooneexceptf orherl
ayingont het
abl
e
anditlooksli
kewhoevertheyare,theytr
iedto
perf
orm anoper at
iononher.Weonl ysawanother
ambul ancespeedi
ngout.We' l
lfi
ndoutifitwas
l
awf ulorwhat.Butfornow, weneedtofocuson
thebabiesandmommyr i
ghther
e.
Br
eeze:ohk.

Hehel
dherhandki
ssi
ngitandtheambul
ance
dr
oveoffl
eavi
ngt
hepoli
ceonthecri
mescene.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Thewhol ehousef i
ll
edwithmounsandgr oans
si
ncet heydidn'
tbothertolockthebedroom door.
Abigai
lgrindedonhimi ncr
easingherspeed
bouncingonhi m whenherbodyr ecei
vedawave
andshesl oweddownbutMxol i
siheldont oher
waisthelpingherri
dehim unti
ltheybothreleased.
Heshothi
sshotsinherwi
thherl
egsvi
brat
ingand
t
henshecoll
apsedonthebednextt
ohi
m wi t
ha
t
hrobbi
ngcooki
e.
Damnhemi ssedthi
s.Hesmi ledlookingupthe
ceil
ingthenbackatherandshesmi l
edpull
ingthe
sheetsonherfaceblushing.Helaughedpul l
ing
them offandli
ft
edherchinforakissthenpulled
hertolayherheadonhi sarm.
Hekissedherf oreheadandr ighther ethisiswhat
hehasbeenl ookingf orallal
ong.Evenaf t
erwhat
they'
vebeent hrought heysti
llcouldn'tresi
steach
other.Theeffecttheyhadagai nstoneanot herwas
onanotherleveloflove.Thi si sthewomant hat
coughthisheartandeyeswi thj ustafir
stsight.
Theonehewoul dliket ohavefort herestofhisli
fe.

Mxol
isi
:Il
oveyou
Abi
gai
l:What?
Mxoli
si:I
'm ser
iousAbigai
l.Il
oveyou.AndIwant
youtobebymysi de,
togrowoldandgr eywi
thme.
Idontwantustokeepupwi tht
hisfucki
ngbutI
wantustolove.Iknowyourworki
ngyourwayout
ofthemarr
iageandthi
sisnott
heperfectt
ime,but
Ican'
tpr
etendli
keIdon'
twantyouinmyl i
fewhenI
do.Iwantyoutoalwaysbehereandtowakeupby
youever
ymor ni
ng.
Abi
gai
l:Ar
eyousayi
ngt
hiscour
seoft
hesex?
Mxoli
si:No-Imeani
t.Il
oveyouandIwoul
dn'
t
wantanyoneel
set
obemywi f
ebutyou.
Abi
gai
l:What?
Mxoli
si:Iknowthisi
simpr operanddefini
tel
ynot
romanti
cbutIcantwaitanylonger.Abigai
lwil
lyou
marryme?Woul dyoupleasedomet hehonorof
bei
ngmywi f
e?Themot herofmyki ds?
Abi
gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)Yess!Thousandt
imesYess!

Hesmil
edbreat
hingoutheavi
lyandl
eanedi
n
ki
ssi
ngherandpull
ingt
hesheetsovert
hem asshe
gi
ggl
ed

Att
hePol
icest
ati
on
Ar
ound4AM

Allfourofthem i
ndif
ferenti
nterrogat
ionrooms,3
detecti
veswentfrom r
oom tor oom asking
questionsbutnoneofthem saidanythingexpect
turneveryt
hingtoJack.
Kagisosatont hechairwithhishandspi nnedon
thetablerubbinghisf aceandf l
inchedsi ncehewas
beaten.Hesi ghedwhent earsbur nedhi seyesand
thethoughtofanot herpersonsacr i
fi
cing
themselvesforhi m brokehim straightinbet ween.
Thisguyhadal ott
oliveuptoandnowhel efthi
s
familyandfriendsbehi ndsavinghi m .Itwasnot
histi
mebuthet ookhisturnanddi edf orhimt ol
ive
on.Tear sstreameddownhi scheeksandt hedoor
sli
dopent henapol i
ceoffi
cerwal kedinl ookingat
him.

Pol
ice:hey-yourl
eavi
ng.Comeon.
Hestoodupli
mpingandrubbedhist
ear
swi
tht
he
di
rt
yshirthewasweari
nggoingout.
Oncehewasatt heexit,hereali
zedthathedidn't
knowwher etogoatt hispointandhowhewas
goingtogetther
e.Hesi ghedputti
nghishandsi n
thepocketwhenhet ouchedsomet hi
ngand
frownedtaki
ngitout, i
twasaphone.Heswi tched
i
tonandwhenhet r
iedtoswi pethelockeri
t
couldn'
tcourseofthewat er.Thiswasdef i
nit
elynot
hisphone.
He'smindwentbacktoever
ylastmemoryofhi
m
unti
lwhenOdiri
let
ri
edtogethim oft
hechai
rwi
th
shakyhands.

○ Odi
ri
le:
(pull
ingther
ope)Comeon!Kagisoyou
needt
owakeup.Ihopeyoul ivet
heofyourown
aft
ert
hisyoungblood!Come-on!

Hemanagedt
opul
litandunt
iehi
m bef
ore
wrappinghishandonhi snecksli
dingsomet hingin
hispocketknowingl
yhewontmakei twi
thhimt o
thewaterinti
mecour sehewasabi theavy.So
i
nsteadofdieingwithhim, hethr
ewhi m offandhe
rol
ledonthefloorunti
lint
ot hewaterandthent he
thebombexpl oded.
○

Hebreathedinashist hr
oatdri
edupandhelooked
att
hephone.Hel ookedaroundandspot
teda
pol
icecarrever
singandhel i
mpedoverandstood
by.

Kagi
so:heycanIgetar
idepl
ease.
Of
fi
cer
:Sur
e,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Kagi
so:uhm .
.DoyouknowBr
eezeLyonshouse?
Off
icer
:yeah,
oncewentt
her
etocol
lecthi
swi
fe.
Hopin.
Kagi
so:t
hanksal
ot.
AtThehospi
tal
.

Breezesatont hebenchwi t
haf istonhismout h
anxiousl
ywai t
ing.Het ookouthi sphonel eaning
backwi t
haheavyhear tlookingatOdi r
il
e'spictures.
Hisbrother.Theonl ypersont hatwasabl etol i
ne
him andguidehimi ntother ightroute.Theonl y
personthatcanhandl ehi m .Thebestt hingthat '
s
everhappenedt ohim .Her ubbedhi seyesnot
knowinghowhe' sgoingtobr eakthistohissister
butheknewhehadt obet heonet ot el
lher.Itwas
hardtobelievethathewast rulygone.

Adoctorwalkedovert
ohim andhequi
cklyrubbed
hi
stearsstandi
ngandshesmi l
edhol
dingthe
st
ethoscopeonherneck.

Breeze:PleaseIknowyourgoi
ngtogiveme
paragraphsbutpleasecanwegetst
rai
ghtt
ohow
t
heyar
e?Ar
etheyohk?
Doctor:(smili
ng)Yourf amilyi
sf il
ledwithfight
ers
MrMrLyon.Thebabi esarejustfine,theirheal
thy.
Thepoisongi ventoyourwi f
edi dn'
taffectthem but
i
nsteaditaffectedthemother.Wemanagedt o
drai
nitoutofhersyst em ,she'
llbebacki nnot i
me
and(smilingwidely)It
saboyandagi r
l.Wehadt o
getthem outbef or
ethepoisoncoul dspr eadonto
them .Congratulat
ions!

Asi fhedidn'tcryenough,nowhewi shedhewas

standingrightherepatt
inghisshoulderorhugging
himt i
ghtl
ycel ebrat
ingthewonderf
ulnewswi t
hhim
, buthewasn' tther
e.Heputhi shandonhi seyes
andbr okedownwhent hedoctorpulledhim and
theyhugged.

Doctor:I
tsohkMrLyon.They'
rei
nsaf ehands.
They'r
eali
veandwel
l,theymadeit.Theoperat
ion
wasasuccess.Come-let'
sgoseethem .
Theywal keddownthecorri
dorandst oppedat
Sagisroom.Hel ookedathert hrought heglassand
walkedin.Sheslowlyopenedhereyest othesound
ofsomeoneget ti
nginandaf ami li
arpresence
l
ookingar ound.Heeyestearedupseei nghim aft
er
alongwhi leandcoul
dhelpbutbr eakdownopeni ng
herhandswi del
ytohughimt ight.Beingi neach
othersarmswar medthei
rhear tsandf eltl
ikewhere
theybelonged.

Br
eeze:I
'm sosor r
yIputyout
hrought
his.I
pr
omiseIwillneverl
eaveyout
oanyharm agai
n.

Hepul l
edbackl ookingatherchubbycheeksand
shewasst illmadbeautiful
.Her ubbedhertear
s
withhist humbbef orepulli
ngherforaFrenchkiss
tast
ingherl ipsaftersolong.Thebot hpul
ledback
outofbr eathwhensher eali
zedherhugebump
wasn'tther e.

Sagi
:Wher
ear
emybabi
es?
Thedoorsl i
dopenandanur sewal kedi
npushing
thebabycot sthenst
oppedthem nexttoher.Both
theirhear
tskippedwit
hjoyandBr eezewalkedt
o
thesidelookingatt
hem i
napi nkandbluebaby
blanketsandhats.Theywer eli
tt
lethanwhenAir
wasbor n.

Breeze:(
smi
li
ng)Thei
rsol
it
tl
eI'
m scar
edt
otouch
them .
Nur se:(
smi
li
ng)That'
sbecausetheywer ebi
rt
hed
beforeti
me.Luckil
ytheycanbr
eathont hei
rown
withoutamachine.Yougotwarr
iorsr
ighthereson.
SitdownandI'
llhel
pyou.

Hesatdowni nt hechairandt henursecaref

ull
y
l
ift
edt hebabythenhel phim putti
ngheronhis
chestasshesuckedherl it
tl
ehand.Hesmi l
ed
droppingatearandl ookedatSagiast henurse
toughtherhowt obreastfeed.Thebabysuckedher
breastwhenshef li
nchedl ookingathi
mt hen
adj
ust
edsmi
li
ng.

Nurse:Ohk.
.haveyouguyst
houghtoft
hei
rnames
yet.
Sagi:
Haveyoubaby?

Breezel
ookedathi
sbabygi
rlandsmi
ledl
ooki
ngat
Sagi.

Br
eeze:Haveyou?
Sagi
:Idi
dbutIwant
edt
ohearf
rom you.
Breeze:howaboutMel okuhleandEnzokuhle?My
mom alwayslovedthenameMel okuhl
ehopi ng
she'dhaveadaughterafterme, unf
ort
unatelyshe
didn'
tgettheoppor
tuni
ty.I tmeans-Beaut
ifulone
andEnzokuhlemeans- Todogood.
Sagi
:(smil
ing)Lovethechemistr
ybehindt
he
namestoo.Ilovethem .EnzoandMelow.
Nur
se:Il
ovet
hem t
oo.(
Smi
li
ng)Congr
atul
ati
ons
onyourfamil
yLyons.Wi
shi
ngyoual
lthe
happi
ness.
Bot
h:Thankyou.

Thenur sewal kedoutandSagilookedatthebaby

thenatBr eeze.Eventhoughshespentmont hsina
ment alpr
ison,shest i
llknewherhusband.She
knewt hatsomet hi
ngwaswr ongwit
hhimf orhi
mto
crythiseffort
less.

Sagi:Igotkidnappedfrom theprisonand
apparentl
yIwaspoi soned.Iwokeupi naf r
icken
abandonedbui ldi
ngandt wodoct orsar
oundme
readytocutmeopenandt akemybabi esaway
from me.AndIknowt hatt
here'smoretothi
sandi
wantt oknowwhati tis.From themomentI
steppedintothatvanunt i
lnowhol di
ngmykidsi n
myhandsl ayingont hisbed.

Br
eezel
ookedatherandsi
ghedexpl
aini
ng
ever
ythi
ng.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Thevanpar kedatthegateandKagisosteppedout
thankingthedr i
verbeforei
tdroveoff.Hesighed
l
ookingatt hegat eandhisjawsdroppedlookingat
hismot hersitt
ingnexttothegate.Hesmi l
ed
walkingoverandshest oodupmeetinghim half
way
hugging.

Veroni
ca:Itol
dBreezetot ellyoutocal
lmebefore
anhourpassesorelseI'
llbeher einabli
nk.Iguess
hedidn'
ttakemeseriouslythatievenendedup
sl
eepinghereonhi
sgat e.Wher ehaveyoubeen?
Kagi
so:Uhm .
.ataf
ri
endshouse.
Ver
oni
ca:Li
etomeagainandI'
llf
orgett
hatyour
myson.Andwhathappenedt
oyourshir
t?
Kagi
so:myshi
rt
?
Ver
onica:I
tsabitdar
kbutIcanst
il
lseet
hatyour
weari
ngatornshi
rt.Wher
eyouinvol
vedi
naf i
ght?
Kagi
so:Somet
hingl
iket
hat.Yeah.

Hepi ckedhesmal lt
ravelbagandheldherhand
wal kingt ot
hehouse.Hepunchedi nthepinand
theywal kedinasshelookedaroundamazed.She
turnedt ohissonandherj awsdroppedlooki
ngat
hisf ace.

Veroni
ca:Iknewthatyoucomi ngherewasabad
i
dea.Got akeabathandwe' r
eleavingthi
sGod
for
sakenplaceandyou'
llneverstepyourfoother
e
everagai
n.
Kagiso:Iknowyousayal lt
hatbecauseyoucare
andl oveme, butmom -t hisismyhomenow.I
haveaf amil
yhereandt heymeanwel l
thought
hey
can'tseem togetoutofpr oblems.ButIguess
everyf amil
yhaspr oblems.Mom t hi
sisme.I
l
earntt oacceptmyr oleofli
feandI '
m goi
ngtoli
ve
withit.I'mthebait,thefi
xerandthechosenoneof
t
hisf
ami
ly.
Veronica:Iknowt hatbutwhataboutyourfut
ure.
Whataboutyou?Whatdoyouwanti nl
if
ebesides
beingthechosenone?Kagi soeversinceyou
steppedint
ot hi
stownyourl i
fehascompletel
y
changed.Youhavechangedandyourl if
ehas
takenadiffer
entturn.Youralwaysindangerandin
pain.
Kagi so:Butt hathasal waysbeenmyl i
femama.
I'
veal waysl i
vedinpai nandI '
m alwayst heonet hat
tookt heblamei never ythinghappeni ngi nour
communi ty.Yesi thasbutt omei tchangedt othe
better.Mom Iusedt ogambl e,steal
ingf rom
peopl e'
shouses, standingbyt her oadf ormoney
butt hathasst oppedsi nceI'vebeenher e.Igot
bit
tenbyt hecommuni tymor ethanaper soncan
usual l
ytakebutt hathaschanged.Bei nghere-
aroundt hispeople-t heyt ookmet oschool.They
feedanddr essme.Paymyr entandst il
lgiveme
moneyever ymont h.Theyt akecar eofmeandI
havesomeoneIcancal lafather.Af igureinlif
e
thatIhaveal wayswant ed.( Teary)Youaskedmei f
therewasanyonet hatdroppedanyt hi
ngf ormeli
ke
Idof ortherestandt odayIsawt hatunfoldbefor
e
myeyes.Thi speoplear enotonlymywi shcomi ng
truebuttheyareabl essinginmyl if
eandIcoul dn'
t
bemor egrat
eful.Theycoul dn'
tletmedi eso
i
nst eadthey'
dr at
herdi eformetol i
vemyl i
fe.
Veronica:(
tear
sbl
ocki
nghersi
ght
)Whatar
eyou
t
alkingabout?
Kagiso:Icantleavemom !Someonedi edandi t'
s
allmyfault!I
fIhadbeencar ef
ulthatdayIwentt o
stopRoseIcoul dhaveranandsavedal ife.IfIgot
i
nt hatt
axiandwentbackort hemomentIsawt hat
suspici
ousmeni ntherestr
oom andleftthis
wouldn'
thavehappened.Icantl i
veafterwhat
they'
vedonef orme.Iowet hepersonwhosaved
myl i
feinexchangeforhis!
Ver
onica:Whatareyousayi
ng?Pl
easet
ellme
whathappened?

Shepul
ledhishandandtheysatont
hecouch.He
l
eanedhisheadbreaki
ngintear
sandshepul
ledher
overi
ntoat
ightmot
her
lyhug.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Ar
ound7AM

Janesatont hecouchtext
ingJacktofi
ndoutabout
hi
swher eaboutsbuthesti
lldi
dn'
trepl
y.Shesighed
standi
ngwhenherphoner anginherhand.

Her:Hi
iJessi
e.
Jessi
e:Hi
iJane.Howar
eyou?
Her:I
'
m good,
you?
Jessie:I'm al
sogood.Canyoupl easegett
othe
hospitalasfastasyoucan.Yourhusbandhasbeen
admittedandIt el
lyout
hisisnotgoodfrom what
thereportsays.
Jane:What?I
shehur
t?I
sheohk?
Jessie:Pl
easegetherecoursei
tseemsli
kehe's
notgoingtobehereforalongti
me.Ithi
nkhe's
goingtogetarr
est
edorsomet hi
ng.Justgether
e
ohk.I'
mt r
eat
inghi
m.

Herheartpoundedsohar dandshequi
ckl
ystood
upjoggi
ngupt hest ai
rs.Shewentt
oherr
oom and
pi
ckedherkeyst henwenttothenur
ser
yroom
fi
ndingRosewitht hebaby.

Rose:Ar
eyouohk?
Jane:(
swallowed)yeah.
.canyoupleasel
ookaf
ter
yourbr
otherandI'
llberi
ghtback.
Rose:yeah.
..hel
ooksl
ikemi
niuncl
esBr
eeze,
haveyounot
iced.
Jane:(
clear
sthr
oat
)yeah.
..I
'
m comi
ng.

Sheclosedthedoorrunni
ngdownthecorr
idorto
thestai
rsgoingdownandwentoutthedoortothe
garage.Thisisal
lonherandshecantbelosi
ng
himli
ket hi
s.Tear
sbur nedhereyesstar
ti
ngthe
engi
neanddr oveoff.Thisi
snothowt hefr
uitof
herwickedacti
onswassupposedt otast
e.

AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Apol icecarparkedont hedri

vewayandt wo
policemensteppedoutwal kingtothedoor.They
pressedt hedoorbellandsteppedbackwai ti
ngfor
ananswer.Thi swasasadpar tofbei
ngandof f
icer
.
Informingthedeceasedf amilyofthepassingof
theirlovedone.
Di
tebogoopenedt
hedoorhol
dingherphoneanda
muginherhand.Shesi
ghedlooki
ngatthem and
smil
ed.

Dit
ebogo:He'
snother
e.Iknowhe'
sgotteni
n
tr
oubl
ewhenyoucomewear i
ngt
hatface.What
hashedone?
Theylookedateachot
herbef
oresi
ghi
ngand
l
ookingather.

Det
ect
ive:Mi
ss,
canwepl
easet
alki
nsi
de.

Shenarrowedhereyebr owsconfusedandopened
thedoorwidelyandtheygotinbeforesheclosed
thedoorbehindfol
lowingthem t
ot hedi
ningroom.
Threemi nuteslater-Breezespedi ntot heyar dand
hishear tskippedl ooki
ngatt hecar.Hequi ckl
y
wentoutandputt hepi nbyt hedoort henr ushedto
thediningar eawher etheai rwasawkwar dand
depressing.Thet wopol icemenst oodupl ookingat
herbef oreleavingandBr eezest oodther enot
knowi ngwher et ostartwhenal lofasuddenshe
screamedsor rowf ul
lytobr eakever yli
vi ng
creatureshear t.Her ushedoverhuggi nghert ight
ly
asshescr eamedwi thtearst ryi
ngt oreleaset he
paininherhear t.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Fi
vedaysl
ater
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
01]Lynne :Chapt
er89

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Abigai
lsatont hecouchgoi ngthroughherol
d
pict
urestoppingatt heoneOdi r
il
ecarr
yingheron
hisbackwithpr i
cel
esssmi l
es.Shesmiledwith
tear
sandpassedt oanot heronewhichwasblack
andwhitewi t
hhi m shir
tl
ess.Hehadseduct i
ve
eyesont hi
sonewi thacust om madenecklaceand
hishandonhi sheadwhi l
etheotherwasinthe
pocket.
Mxoli
siwal
kedfrom t
hestai
randsatnextt
oher
whensequickl
ypassedthepict
uret
otheother
ones.
Mxoli
si:Hey.
.Ineedtotel
lyousomet
hingbef
ore
wetakemorestepsfurt
her.
Abi
gai
l:(
wipestear
s)Iknowt
hatsound.Yournot
goi
ngt
othefuneral
,areyou?
Mxolisi:Nobabe,i
t'
snotaboutt
hat.Iam goingto
t
hef uneral
.Odir
il
eandIhadnobeefandact ual
lyI
l
ikedthatguy.
Abi
gai
l:ohk.
Mxol
isi
:So-youknowI
'
vebeenmar
ri
edr
ight?
Abi
gai
l:Yeah.
.toRose.Iknowt
hat.
Mxoli
si:Ri
ght,sobef
oreweseparat
ed-herandI
shar
edsomequal i
tyt
imetoget
herandr
ightnow
she'
s-Pregnant
.

Herjawsdr oppedfeel
ingasi
fherearsj
ust
deceivedherinasecondandsheturnedlooki
ngat
hi
m wi thherwholebody.
Abi
gai
l:What?
Mxoli
si:Abi
gailyouhavetounderst
andthi
s.You
andIweren'
ttogetherbyt
hen.Wewer eboth
marr
ied.Wedi dn'tknowt
hatwewer egoi
ngto
l
eaveourpart
ner sandbeacouple.
Abi
gai
l:Soyoukeptthi
stoyoursel
fal
lal
ong
l
ist
eni
ngtomelaymydi rt
ylaundr
ywhil
eyouhave
askel
etoni
nyourcloset?Howcouldyou?
Mxol
isi
:Yourbei
ngext
rar
ightnow.

Hestoodupheadi
ngt
othekit
chenandshe
f
oll
owedhim ashemadehi
mselfasandwi
ch.

Abi
gai
l:I
'
m bei
ngext
ra?!Real
ly?
Mxol
isi
:Yeah-r
eal
l
y.Lookatyour
sel
fri
ghtnow!
Abigai
l:Mxoli
siyoukeptasecr
etf
rom me.Mat
ter
offactahugeoneandyouexpectmetojumpto
yourconfessi
on?
Mxol
isi
:Act
ual
lyi
t'
snotaconf
essi
onI
'
mjust
openinguptoyouaboutmyci r
cleofli
fe.Icoul
d
havekeptthistomyselfbecauseIknowthatIreal
ly
cantkeephidingthi
scourseyou'l
lfi
ndoutanyway
soI'
m doingyout hefavor
sbyt el
li
ngyou.No
humancanbekeptasecr et.Atyourageyou
shouldbeknowi ngthat.
Abi
gail
:Whyareyoumaki
ngthisaboutme?Thi s
i
saboutyoukeepi
ngt
hisf
rom me!YouknowI
wantachi
ldofmyownyetyoukeepanotherf
rom
me.Ithoughtwewer
emor et
hanthat.

Mxol
isil
ookedatherbef
orepi
cki
nghi
ssandwi
ch
andbiti
t.

Abi
gai
l:Mxol
isi?
Mxol
isi
:Mmmh.
Abigai
l:Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmei
ntime?Thetime
whenwesatdownandtal
ked,t
ell
ingeachot
her
aboutourpr
obl
emsaweekago.
Mxol
isi
:Wel
lhun,
thatsamedaywet
alked-t
hat
wast hesamedayIfoundoutshewas3-4months
pregnant.Sor
ryikepti
ttomeandipromi
sei
t'
ll
neverhappenagain.
Abi
gai
l:j
ustt
hatIwashopi
ngtobet
hefi
rstwoman
t
ocarr
yyourchi
ld.I
'
m sorr
yIact
edup.

Hesmiledputt
ingt
hesandwi
chdownandpul
led
herbyherhandhuggi
ngher.

Mxol
isi
:I'
m sor
ryt
oo.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Janelayedont hebedlooki
ngatAi
rsuckingher
breast.At earescapedhereyeasguil
tstr
uckin
thatshe'
llneverseeherhusbandinalongtime.
Rosewal kedinhol di
nganicecr
eam wit
htwo
spoonsandwentt olaynexttot
hem withAiri
nthe
middle.Shegaveheraspoonandopenedt he
i
cecream.
Jane:BabyIneedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.
Rose:I
fit
saboutdad,
Idon'
tcar
e.Hecanroti
n
j
ailf
oral
lIcar
e.Hehadnori
ghttoki
dnapKagi
so.
Jane:Nosweet
yit
saboutme.Ai
r.

Shelookedatherbabyboyasl
eepandputher
breastawaybef
oretucki
nghim ni
cel
yandleaned
ontheheadboardpouri
ngherdirt
ysecr
et.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezesatonhi
smi ni
bartaki
ngtwogl assesand
pouredbrownli
quorineachbeforepushingthe
othert
owhereOdiri
leusuall
ysat.Hegal pedhis
dri
nkandclosedhiseyesastearsburnthiseyes.
HelookedatOdiri
le'
sglassandsighedpour
ing
hi
mselfanothershotbefor
eaddingmoretohis
gl
ass.Helif
tedhisthendrankitatagoagainsti
ll
hopi
nghe'
l
lfi
ndt
hatgl
assempt
ybutst
il
l.
Hestoodupwi t
ht hebottl
ei nhi shandandwal ked
tothestair
ssitt
ingdownf acingt hedoor.He
usuall
ycamei nwi thoutknocki norunannounced
andtalkshitbutforthepastf ewdayshenever
showedup.Eachdayhekeptt hehopet ohim
walki
ngi nthatdoorandheadi ngst r
aightt
ohis
kit
chenmaki nghimsel ff
oodwi thoutanyone'
s
permissi
on.
Histhroatdr
iedupandat eardroppedwhenhe
l
iftedthebot
tleforasi p.Hetookouthisphoneto
l
istentoanyvoicenot esfrom hi
m butnonewhere
there.Hismindr ewindedeverysecondtheyspend
togetherf
rom whent heywer eyoungunti
ltheywere
allgrownup.Hel ookedathisphoneandchuckled
i
nt ears.

*Hecheckedhisphoneandithadseveral
missedcal
lsandmessages,hesighedgetti
nga
pearandwenttositdown.
Acallcamethroughand
heputthepeardownansweri
ng.
Odi
ri
le:Dontt
ellmeyouj
ustwokeup.
Br
eeze:Ryl
ewhatt
odoyouwant?
Odir
il
e:Iwantyoura*
*her
eatt
hecl
ubi
n15
minutes.

Hehangupbeforehecoul
drespondandBr
eeze
t
hrewhisheadback.
*

Hesmi l
edunderpainandtear
sstreamingdownhis
cheeksthentookagulpf
rom thebott
le.Heclosed
hiseyesbeforeopeni
ngt
hem againlooki
ngatthe
bott
leinhishand.

*Odir
il
elookedathim ashegalpedanot
her
gl
assofstrongli
quorandclenchedhisj
awsasthe
bur
ningtastel
andedinsi
de.
Br
eeze:Wow!

Heturnedlooki
ngatOdi r
il
ewho' sbeenl
ookingat
him st
il
lhol
dingthefi
rstglass.Hescoffedwhen
thebart
enderputhisordersbeforehi
m andlef
t.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyouj
ustgonnasi
tthegawki
ng?
Odi
ri
le:yeah.
.It
hinkso
Breeze:ohk(
rai
sedgl
ass)Tomymi
ser
abl
eli
fe.
Cheers!
*

Thiswasdef ini
tel
ynotwhathemeantbymi ser
y
whent aki
ngt hatshot.Hefr
ustrat
edlythrewthe
bottl
ebreakingitonthedoorandKagi soheardit
fr
om upstair
swhenhecamedownr ushing.He
stoppedlookingathim cr
yli
keneverbef oreandhe
swallowedsitti
ngnexttohim andhuggedhi m
withoutwords.
Breeze:(
cryi
ng)Hecan'
tbedeadnononooo!He
cant!
*
*
*
Thenextday.
*
*
*
AtOdi
ri
le'
shouse.

Theyar dfil
ledwithpeopl
egoi ngupanddown
undert hecloudyweatherwear i
ngbl ackcari
ngless
i
fitwasgoi ngt orai
nornot.Di tebogostoodbyher
brotherswindowupst ai
rslookingatt hem i
ntears
andshecoul dhardl
yevenr ecognizeallthi
speople
aroundher e.Sheputherhandi nthepocketsof
Odiril
eblacklutherj
acketshewaswear i
ngand
t
urnedar
oundt
olayonhi
sbed.
Shepul l
edhispil
lowsniffi
nginhisscentwhich
broughtevenmor epainandshebur st
edi nt
ears
thi
nkingthathe'
llneverseehim agai
n.The
goodbyehesai dwhenl eavi
ngthehousewast he
fi
nalone.Herbestbuddy.Herbestf r
iend.Her
pil
lorofstr
engthandever yt
hinginbet
ween-he's
gone.

Thedoorsl i
dopenandshet urnedlookingatKagiso
i
nbl ackstandingthere.Theusualbutterf
li
esshe
fel
tdidn'
traiseinherstomachbuti nst
eadwent
dead.Shef rownedf eel
ingweakt osayanything
andhelplessinpainandt ear
sst r
eamedwhenhe
walkedoveandsatnextt oherpull
ingherintoahug
.

Kagi
so:I
'
m sososor
ry.I
'
m-

Hekeptqui
ter
eal
izi
ngt
hathi
ssor
ri
eswi
llonl
y
comeoutofhi smouth,they'l
lneverbringhi
m back.
Losingsomeoneyouloveist hehardestthi
ngon
thi
splanett
odealwith.Ithurtsmor ethanever
y
painyoucouldeverf
eel.Thedoorsl idopenand
theytur
nedlooki
ngatwhoi twas.

Lady:Hei
i,i
t'
sti
met
ost
art.

Dit
ebogotookbreathexcer
cisesandstoodupfixi
ng
herheadwr apwalki
ngoutwithoutl
ookingbackat
Kagiso.Heswallowedapainfull
umpandst oodup
fol
lowingher.
Funeralswereneversaidt obefun, butinstead
thei
rsweetsor r
ows.Thet houghtofnotseei ng
yourlovedoneeveragai ntearsyourhear tslowly
butpainful
ly.Noonecangetovert hat.Noteveni n
5yearsor20year s,thepai nisgoi
ngt obeal ways
ther
ewhent hethoughtcrossesyourmi nd.
Thepastoropenedt
heser
vicewit
haprayerbef
ore
preachi
ngthenameofGodwi t
hever
yoneweari
ng
dryfaces.Theti
mecameforhisl
ovedonestosay
thei
rgoodbyesandBr eezestoodupinasui tf
orthe
veryfi
rstt
imeinhislif
e.Het riedtokeephisneutr
al
facebutthepai
nrippedhi m apartandtear
sblurr
ed
hiseyes.Hewipedt hem standingbehindthecof
fin
l
ookingatthepeople.
Youknowi t'sfunnywhatfuneralscando,itbri
ngs
peopletogethereventhelonglosttocel
ebrat
et he
l
ifeandmemor iesofthedeceasedeventhough
theyweren'tthereal
lalong.Heknewhi sbestfriend
andalmostever yfamilymemberi ncl
udi
nghis
fri
endsbutt odaythi
swasnotwhatheexpect ed.
Newf aces.
HisfacedroppedwhenAbi gailandMxolisiwalked
i
nhol di
nghandsandwentt ositri
ghtbehindhis
seat.Heswal l
owedhoppi ngt oseeSagiwal ki
nt o
supporthimthrought hi
sdiffi
cultt
ime, i
fher
requestwasappr oved.Hewi pedhi st
earlooki
ngat
thecoffi
nwhenhechokedt othethoughtofbur yi
ng
hisremains.Thisisnothowagoodguyi slayedt o
rest.
Breeze:( wipest ear)Odi ril
eandIwer efriendssi nce
wewer et oddlers.Webot hcoul dn'tkeepourhands
outoft roubl e,actual l
yIcoul dn'tbuthewasal ways
theret okeepmeoutofi t.Af terIlostmyl oved
ones, meandmyf ami lyhavebeeni nanendl ess
feudandasal waysmyf riendwasmyshoul dert o
cryon.Wegr ewupt obei ngmor ethanj ustf riends
butbr others-af ami l
y.Hewasmyment or, br other
youcanevengoasf arassayi ngasi recour sehe
wast heonl yoneabl etoputsensei ntomyhead.
(wipest ear)WhenIwasdownonmyknees, hewas
theret ogetmeup.AndwhenIwasi npai norhad
problems-t hi sniggar ighther eal waysl aughedat
memaki ngt hem bear abl e.Ioncecamet ohi s
housewi thabr okencarandt hisniggalaughedhi s
l
ungsout.Icoul dnevergetoverhi slaught er, it
hurts.Andt henhesatmedownandputsome
sensei ntomyheadonhowt odealwi thmyi ssue.
Truthbet old-Ineverf eltlonel yorunwor thyofl ove
courseofhi m .Hewasever yone'sbestf riendbut
mybr other.( Theychuckl ed)I nmyl if
epeopl ecame
andl eftbuthewast heconst ant.Al wayst here
whenIneedhi m .Andal waysont ime.Iguesswi th
thatImustsayI 'mt helucki estguybecouseIhave
andal wayswi llhaveone-i n-a-millionbr otherl i
ke
him .Ohandt hisguyhadabubbl ymout h-henever
shut supespeci al
lywhenhegi vesyouhi spi eceof
mi nd( t
heychuckl e).Andboydi dt hatpi eceofmi nd
hur t.Heneverpeakedar oundt hebush-i fhehad
somet hi ngtosay, he'l
lsayi twithoutt hinkingt wice.
Hecar edlessi fhe'swor dshur tyou,asl ongas
he'sbeenhonestandsai dwhathewant ed-he
doesn' tgiveadamn, you'llgetoveri t.WhenIf aced
withmaj oril
lness, IknewIwasi nabet t
erposi ti
on
tosur vivecour seofhi m .FewdaysagoIwas
l
ayi ngonahospi talbed, ther ewasnoot herper son
Iwi shedt ohavebymybedal lnightt hanmyf amily
andhewast her e.Idon' tknowwhatIdi dt ohavea
bestf ri
endl ikehi m, butI'
m sogr ateful.Hebr ought
outt hebesti nme.I fIcont i
nueI 'llneverf i
nish
talkingcour semyl i
fewi thyou-i sendl ess.I 'm glad
yourmybr other.Il ookf or war dtoseei ngyouagai n.
Iloveyouman.Yourmybr ot hermybestf r
iend
forever.Ti l
lwemeetagai nOD.
Peoplewipedtheirt
earsandheputhi
shandson
thecoff
inwishingtoseehim agai
nast
ear
s
droppedonthecof f
inbutst
il
l.
Someonewal kedovertohi
m andwrappedhert
iny
handsaroundhi swai
standwhenheopenedhis
fl
oodedeyes, comfor
twashedoverhi
m andhe
huggedher.

Sagi:
Hesi
nabet
terpl
acenow.

Shewrappedherarm ar
oundhi sandt heywal
kedto
si
tdown.ShelookedatAbi gai
landf r
ownedather
handonMxoli
si'
slapwhileshewi pedhertear
swith
ati
ssue.Sheknewshehadt obehavef ort
hesake
ofherbabi
estogetoutofthathellhol
e.
Kagi
sostoodupandwenttositonanot
herchai
r
andshesatdownrubbi
nghisbacktocal
m hi
m.
Kagi
sosatfewseatsbehindwhereOdir
ile'
sf amil
y
wereseat
edandhiseyescouldn'
tgetoffDitebogo
cour
seofthegui
lt
.Itbroughtpai
ntohim knowi ng
thatali
fewaslosttoprotecthim andnowt he
famil
yisingr
ief.Ditebogowi pedhertear
sstandi
ng
upandwenttost andinfrontofeveryonetryi
ng
hardnottol
ookathi m.

Ditebogo:Mybr other, myot herpar ent,myf riend,

myever yt
hing.Hewasmywor ld.Ever ythingt hatI
am todayandt omor rowi tsbecauseofhi m .Iwas
alwaysonhi sneckandheal waysputupwi thit
courseI '
m hi ssister.I'dannoyhi m mostoft he
ti
mesbuthenevergaveuponmeeveni fhesai d
somehor ri
blet hingoutofanger.We' dfight, argue,
scream,cal leachot hernamesbutal lt
hatcame
outofbr otherandsi sterlovebond.He' sthe
greatestgiftfrom mypar ents.Hi sl astwor dst ome
wer e'im off, Takecar elittl
esi ster' whenhewent
tocheckuncl eBr eezeatt hehospi tal.(Tear y)I
nevert houghtt hatthosewer ethel astwor dsI 'd
hearcomi ngf rom hismout ht omeort hatthatwas
hisfinalgoodbyeandI 'l
lneverseehi m agai n.I
dontknowwhatI '
ddowi thouthi mf rom here.He' s
beenmyshi eldandever ything.Br other-Ipr omi se
I'
l
lmakeyoupr oud.I'
llgotoschool,graduateand
beindependentl
ikeyoualwayswant ed.IpromiseI
wontletanypret
tyfacedist
urbthatli
keyousaid.
I'
l
lmakeyoupr oudbigbro.Ipromise.

Shekissedherhandputt
ingitont
hecoff
incryi
ng
andwenttositdowncryingevenmore.Meanwhil
e
Rosesatwithhermotheratthemiddl
eoft
hecrowd
star
ing
atKagisowho' seyeswher elockedonsomeone.
Shefollowedhi syest oDitebogoandshesi ghed
si
tti
ngbackwi thanachi nghear t.Bonol osatwi th
hermot heratt hefrontr owwi thtearsroll
ingdown
hercheek.Theyst illhadal ottocoverup.They
hadal ongj ourneytowal ktogether,
andnowhe' s
gone.Shewashopi ngt hey'
dgetmar ri
edandhave
ki
ds, goonf amilytripsandhaveal ifeshecoul d
everwishf or.Whathur tsisthatshecoul dn' tst
and
uptosayaf ewwor dst ohim cour sewitht hepain,
shecoul dn'
tf i
ndther i
ghtwor dsbesides'I'llal
ways
l
oveyou'
Morepeopl ecametothefrontt
osaytheirl
ast
goodbyest ohi
m bef
oretheywrappeditupgoi
ngt
o
thegraveyard.

Att
hegr
aveyar
d.

Withthecoffi
nreadytogodown.Thecr ownstood
bysingingwhil
ehismostclosetweredevast
atedt
o
thelast.Acousinwalkedovert
ot hecof
fi
nand
l
ayedabl anketbef
orepeoplest
oodupandeacht o
putRedr osesontopwhilesi
nging.

Jokoyahaoebobebe
Enkgat
hol
apel
o
Tumel
ohonnaket
hebe
Et
lamphemi
sal
efu
Nyakal
lokeef
umane
Tsel
engyahaoMor
ena
Di
rahonnadiqhal
ane
Kehl
olet
swekewena
Ket
laopakadi
atl
a
Hal
lel
uyaosenat
la
Senkeneanghoj
ehovah

Theyst ar
tedhummi ngthesongast hecof f
inslowly
sankintothegr ound.Br eezechokedf r
om histear
s
l
ookingatt hecoffingoingdownbef orebursti
ng
i
nf r
ontofeverybodysor rowfull
ytouchingeachand
everyonearoundher e.Meanwhi l
eDitebogo
screamedi ntearsfeeli
ngt hepainwhenshequi ckl
y
stoodupr unningoverbutKagi socoughtherbef or
e
shecant hrowher selfi
nside.

Di
tebogo:(cr
ying)KebataOdir
il
e!Odi
ri
le!Abuti!
Odir
il
esekantshia!Odi
ri
le!Iwantmybrot
her.
..

Tear
sfl
oodedi
never
yone'
seyesasshekepton
screamingtryingtoescapeKagi so'
sgr i
p.Her
kneesgoodweakwhenshesankdownandhewent
downwi thherhuggi ngherst i
llcryi
ng.Meanwhi le
Abigai
lstoodbycr yingwat chingBr eeze,shecould
onlywishtohol dhim duringthisdiffi
cultt
ime.Sagi
rubbedhisbackwi tht ear
sf l
owingi nhereyesashe
cri
edonhi skneescar inglessofwhatot hermen
thi
nkofhi m .Thepai ninhishear twasr i
ppingever
y
i
nchandhecoul dn'ttakeit.

Menwal kedoverwi t
hspadesandst artedfi
ll
ingthe
grave.Thesongt oo-nothingaddsmor epai
nt han
aslowsongataf uneral
.Breezeleanedhishead
downnotwant ingtoseehisfri
endbei ngburiedand
fi
ll
edwithsoill
ikethat.Sagiheldhishandl ayi
ng
herheadonhi sshouldernotknowinghowwhatt o
saytohim.
Af
tert
heyweredonef
il
ingitt
heyputfl
owersonhid
gr
aveandever
yonest
oodupandt hosewhowere
st
andi
nglef
theadi
ngtothei
rcar
sleavi
ngthem .
Theyal
lcametositdownlooki
ngatt
hegravebut
Kagi
sowasstil
lonthegr
oundwi t
hDit
ebogocryi
ng.
Thi
swasit-hesgone.

Mxol
isi
:I'
m sosor
ryf
oryourl
ossman.
Breeze:Idi
dn'
tl
osehi
m, he'
sresti
ng.Justt
hat
thi
shappenstobehi
sfi
nalrest
ingplace.
Sagi
:Hewasthebestthingthat
'severhappenedto
us.I'
m gl
adIgotthechancetomeethim beforehe
l
eavesus.(Smil
ing)hel
ikedcal
lingmesmucl es.
Breeze:(smi
li
ng)AndI'
dwar
nhi
m Ionl
ycal
lyou
thatbuthedi
dn'tcar
e.
Abi
gai
l:Andhi
swi
fe.(
Laughs)Heusedt
osay
"
What'
syoursi
smi
negetoveri
t"
Sagi
:Andinvi
tehi
msel
ftoourki
tchenandeat
ever
ythi
ng.

Theyal
llaughedi
ntear
sthi
nki
ngofi
t.
Ditebogo:Ir ememberonmybi r
thdaywhenI
wal kedinonaf i
ghtandsaidwhat evercameinto
mymi ndandheshutmeof fbysaying"Youknow
forsomeonewho' sonherlastyearoflaw,you
prattleshit!Qui
talr
eadyyourwast i
ngmymoney"
andt henhewal kedoutonmebysayi ngIshould
cleanupt hemess.Canyoubel i
evet hat!(
Laughs)

Theyal llaughedandshest oodupdust i

ngher sel
f
andwentt ositunderthest r
etchtentwit
ht hem to
reminisceaboutherbr other.Bonolosatther esti
ll
withhermout hclosedunabl etoform words.
Kagisol ookedatherandsi ghedgoi ngtositnextto
herholdi ngherhand.Shesqueezedhi shandand
l
ayedherheadonhi sshoul derastheyhonor ed
Odiri
lewi thonelastlaughterswit
hhi m.

Rose:AndIal sor
ememberwhenImessedup
everyri
ghtt
hinginmyli
fe,
damndi dIgethur
t.I'
ve
neverbeenhurtbywor
dsli
kethateveri
nmylife.
Sagi:
Real
ly?
Rose:Real
lyaunt
y,Ievenspentmont
hst
ryi
ngto
makeitupcoursehi
swordspushedmetobett
er.
Breeze:
(chuckl
es)Iwasthere,youshoul
dhave
seenwhatwasgoi ngon.He'dnevershutupeven
whenIaskedhimt oleave,he'
dsay"I'
m notgoi
ng
anywhere"
Jane:Heoncet ol
dmewher etogetof
fovert
he
phone,I
'l
lneverforgett
hat
.That'
swhenIknew
wordshurtl
ikehell
.EvenasoldasIam ,
Igothur
t.
Sagi:Youwer ebeingt
oomuch, nowlookatwhat
i
tscoursed-anywaywe'lldealwi
ththatyouandI
,
thi
sisaboutOdiri
le.
Mxolisi
:Andthedayyouwal kedinonmewi thyour
sonsblood,It
oldyouwhat '
shappeningandwhen
youwalkedinhewasl i
ke"bleedi
nganddi sl
ocat
ed
l
eg.Boyyoubet t
erstartpr
aying"I'
veneverbeen
shakenfeelme!
Abi
gai
l:(
laughs)Why?
Mxoli
si:Cour
seIhadanexper
ienceofBr
eezenot
bei
ngabletoputhi
shandstohimsel
f.
Theyalll
aughedwhentwoofficer
swalkedoverand
theyfr
ownedlooki
ngatthem .Sagisi
ghedstandi
ng
andleanedoverki
ssi
ngBreeze.

Mxol
isi:Comeonguyscoul
dn'
tyouwaitti
lll
ater.
Shemour ni
ngherf
ri
endf
orchr
istsake.
Man:Youknowtherul
es.Shewasonl
yper
mit
ted
t
ogoburyherlovedonet
h-
Sagi:Heknow.GuysIhavetogoser
vemy
sent
ence.I'
m onl
ylef
twi
thfourmont
hsandt
hen
I'
l
lbeout.
Jane:I
'
m sor
ryIputyout
hrought
his.Ihaveno-
Sagi:IsaidnotnowJane.I 'm gladtoseeyouguys
let'
snotruinthat
.BesidesIleftmykidswi t
hanurse
ihardlyknowovert her
e.Iwasn' tsupposedtobe
hereinthefir
stplace.I
'm surethemi l
kipumpedis
fini
shed.
Abi
gai
l:Wai
tki
ds?
Sagi:
(smi
li
ng)Yeah.
.Mel
okuhl
eandEnzokuhl
e.
Abi
gai
l:That
's-
Sagi:
Yep,
inhonoroft
hei
rgr
andmot
her
.
Mxol
isi:I
'
m sor
ryt
oo.
Sagi:It
sohk, yout
ri
edyourbestI'
llal
waysbe
thankf
ulfort
hat.Il
oveyouall.Especi
all
yyoubaby
.
Br
eeze:Il
oveyoumor
e.
Sagi
:Don'
tfor
gett
ocomegett
hem nextmont
h.
Br
eeze:Iwont.

Sheturnedt
othegraveandpi
ckedt
her
oset
hatf
ell
offandputi
tther
e.

Sagi:
Iloveyout
oodearsecondhusband.

Shedroppedatearbeforegoi
ngtohugeveryone
andtheytookher.Herli
vingl
iket
hiswasli
ke
exi
ti
nghislif
eforthesecondti
meandhecoul dn'
t
doanythi
ng.Herubbedhi
stearsweat
ingbackwi
th
hopetoseeheragai
n.
Theyallr
emainedseatedl ooki
ngatthegr
avefor
dearOdir
il
etoatleastscream sothey'
ddi
ghim out
butnot
hingunti
ltheyleft
.

.
.
.
.
.
6mont
hsl
ater.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
01]Lynne :Chapt
er90.

AtDi
tebogo'
shouse

Kagisoleanedonthebedpressi
nghisphoneas
Dit
ebogogotoutofherclosetwi
thdif
fer
entout
fi
ts
butallhecouldsaywasnotoanyofthem .She
si
ghedgoi ngbackandcamebackwear i
ngapink
umbr el
ladressandhesmil
edbefor
eshakinghi
s
head.

Di
tebogo:Thenwhatam Igoi
ngt
owear
?
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Not
hing.
Di
tebogo:Hahaha,
funny.
Shewentbacki nsidet aki
ngof fherdr essandthrew
i
tbyt hecor
nerholdi ngherwai st.Ther ewas
nothi
ngelseshehasn' tt r
iedyethekeptsayi ngNo.
Shelookedatherselfont hemi rrorinherpanties
andbr asmi
li
ngt hent urnedonhert oeswal ki
ngt o
thebedroom st
il
lhol di
ngherhi ps.Kagi sosmiled
l
ookingatherbefor ereleasingal aughter.

Di
tebogo:Whatcoul
dpossi
blybef
unny?
Kagi
so:Youst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofmenaked.
Di
tebogo:why?DoImakeyoufeeluncomfort
abl
e?
Ar
eyougayoryourdr
agoncantstandsti
ll?
Kagi
so:I
'
m gay.
Di
tebogo:Yeahr
ight.
.

Shesai
dthatpul
li
nghergownheadingdownst
air
s.
Hefr
ownedlooki
ngatherandquickl
yjumpedoff
wear
inghi
sshoesfol
lowingher.
Kagi
so:Whatdoyoumeanyeahr
ight?
Dit
ebogo:Yourtoohottobestr
aight.Gl
owing
cl
earski
nandeyecat chi
ngli
ps.Yourlongbeaut
if
ul
l
ashesandbeautif
uleyes.Basi
call
yyour-Idon'
t
know.Beauti
ful
.Pret
ty.
Kagi
so:Youmeanhandsomeandi
rr
esi
sti
ble?
Di
tebogo:No.Beaut
if
ulandpr
ett
y.
Kagiso:(
satonhighchair
)Onlywomanar e
beauti
fulandpr
etty.Justsayyoucantbr
ing
yoursel
ftosayi
ngi tt
omyf ace.
Dit
ebogo:(
Rol
lseyes)bl
ahbl
ah.Doyouwant
anythi
ng?
Kagi
so:asmoothiewil
ldo.Sohaveyoudeci
ded
whattowearsi
nceIcantchoseyouany?
Di
tebogo:t
hewholepointofaski
ngyoutohel
pme
wi
thmyoutfiti
sbecauseIcantchoseonef
or
myself
.
Kagi
so:Whydoyouevenneedmyopini
ononyour
out
fi
tDee?Youknowyoulookgr
eati
m what
ever
youputon.
Ditebogo:Yourj
ustsayi
ngthatcour
seyourmy
fr
iendandyouwantmet ojustjumpinwhatever
comesi nt
omymi nd.
Kagiso:Right.Coursethatwayyou'l
lfeel
comf ort
ableandyou'l
lknowthatyoupickedyour
ownout fi
tthatf
it
syourligue.PlusIdontwantyou
showi ngyourbodyaroundallt
hosepeople-I
'dbe
j
ealous.
Dit
ebogo:Somedayyouanduncl eBreezewil
lhave
togeti
tint
oyourthickskul
sthatIneedaman.I'm
awomanandI '
vegotneeds.Ineedtowakeupin
someoneIlove'
sarms, snuggl
einbedwithhi
m
andgetsome.Buildaf amil
yofmyown.
Kagi
so:I
'
m her
etodoal
lthat,
youdontneeda
man.
Di
tebogo:(
rol
li
ngeyes)I
'mt
ir
edofcondoms.I
wantitr
aw.Ineedtofe-

Kagi
sogr
abbedherheadpi
nningherli
psonhis
ki
ssi
ngherbef
orepul
li
ngbackpull
inghisdr
ink.
Kagiso:Thanksf
orthesmoot hi
e.Sooutofal
lthe
thi
ngsyoucouldwishforatyourage,
youwishf or
sex?Wi t
houtacondom .
Dit
ebogo:Notli
kethat.Ij
ustwantt
obel oved.
Someonetocallmeeachandeveryday.Dayi nday
out.Someonetothi
nkofmei never
ythi
ngt heydo.
Tobeheldclose.
Kagi
so:Idot
hat.
Dit
ebogo:Youdontgetit.Yourmyfri
end,of
courseyouhavetodothat.ButIwantsomeonet
o
haveafamil
ywi t
h,togrowoldandgraywit
h.

Kagisolookedatherwi t
hhi
sphonest i
lli
nhishand
havingasipfrom hisdri
nk.Shesighedlooki
ngat
hi
m anddamnst rai
ghthewasrightabouthimsel
f.
He'stot
all
yirr
esisti
ble.

Di
tebogo:Shi
t!Icantkeepdoi
ngt
his.
Shedr oppedhergownwal ki
ngovert ohimtaking
thecupf r
om hishandandputi tonthecounter.He
putthephonedownki ssingherwhenshesl idher
handi nt
ohi spantsrubbinghisboy.Wi t
hout
wastingtimehet urnedheraroundbendi ngheron
thecounterpulli
ngherpant i
esasideandt ookout
hisdickstroki
nghimsel fandledhimselfinasshe
gasped.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Aircr
awledwit
hadummyi nhi
smouthfr
om Rose'
s
room downtothest
air
swhenDi
neospot
tedhi
m
andrushedoverpi
cki
nghi
m.

Di
neo:Ai
ryoushoul
dn'
tbeont
hest
air
s.

Thedooropeneddownst
air
sandshemadeherway
downst
air
srockingAi
randwhenhesawhisfat
her
hewavedhishandsupforhi
m .Br
eezesmi
led
hol
dingt
hepl
ast
ici
nhi
shandandt
ookhi
m.

Ai
r:Da-Da
Br
eeze:Ohyeah.I
tsdaddy.
Ai
r:Babadabada
Breeze:Ihavenoi deawhatthatmeansbutIhope
yournotinsult
ingme, soI'
m gonnatakei
tasanI
l
oveyou.Il oveyoutoobigguy.

Heti
ckl
edhim andhelaughedwhenJanewal kedi
n
j
ustasDineowalkedupthestai
rs.Shesmiled
l
ooki
ngatthem andwalkedoverputt
ingherhands
i
nherbackpockets.

Jane:Hi
Breeze:Hey.Ihopeit'
snotear
lyformet
ogethi
m,
j
ustwant edt
ospendsomequalit
yt i
mewi
thhi
m
andot her
sbefor
ethepart
ybegi
ns.
Jane:I
tsnot
hing.I
tsohk.
Br
eeze:Thanks.

Dineowalkeddownt hestair
sholdinghisbagand
gaveitt
ohi mthenJanewal kedthem outtothecar.
Heopenedt hedoorandbuckl edhim onhisseat
nexttot
het wi
nst henSagigavehim hisfavour
it
e
toyti
ckl
inghim befor
esit
tingback.

Jane:Hi
i.
Sagi
:Hey.

Breezef
eltt
heawkwardairr
oamingwhenhebithi
s
l
ipclosi
ngthedoorandgoti
nstar
ti
ngtheengi
ne.

Jane:Seeyouguysatt
hepar
ty.
Br
eeze:Sur
e.

Shewavedatt
hem st
eppi
ngbackandhedr
oveof
f.
Meanwhil
eSagishookherheadscoff
ingand
l
ookedoutoft
hewi ndow.Br
eezetur
nedlooki
ngat
t
hekidst
henather.

Br
eeze:Outwi
thi
tlove.Whati
sit?
Sagi
:Whenshesai
d"seeyouatt
heparty"she
meantwho'
spar
ty?Mine?CourseIdontthi
nkso.
Breeze:She'
sAir'
smotherSagi.Shehast
obe
ther
et ol
ookaft
erAir.
Sagi:Hesalsoyourchi
ld!ihir
edt wonanni
esf ora
reason.Ifshecomest omypar tyIsweart
oGod
she'l
lregr
etbei
ngtherecourseI'
lldr
ownheri nthat
pool.She'spushi
ngitcourseI'
m beingcol
lected.
Br
eeze:Ar
ewedoi
ngt
hisi
nfr
ontoft
heki
ds?
Sagi:BreezeIwantedtohavet hi
spar t
yjustsoI
couldgetbackintotheworldoutsi
deaf t
erspendi
ng
9mont hsinament alpr
ison.Herbei ngtherewil
l
j
ustruineveryt
hingforme.Icantst andher!Why
didyouinvit
eherinthefir
stplace?
Br
eeze:Ohkcal
m down.Idi
dn'
tknowi
t'
llbesuch
anissue.I
'l
ltel
lhernott
ocome.Butyouhaveto
underst
andthatshe'
shismot
herandIcantt
ossher
asi
de.
Sagi:Whyareyoubeingdefensi
ve?Ididn'
tsay
anyt
hingabouthernotbei
nghismother.
Br
eeze:I
'
m notbei
ngdef
ensi
ve.
Sagi:
Yessyouar
e!
Br
eeze:Fi
ne.Iam .Sor
ry.

Shesi
ghedlooki
ngout
sidewhenhepul
ledherhand
ki
ssi
ngit.

Br
eeze:I
'
m sor
rysmucl
es.
Sagi
:Thent
ellhernott
ocome.
Br
eeze:Fi
neIwi
ll.Il
oveyou

Shelookedathi
m put
ti
ngherhandont
hegear
changi
ngitwit
hherandspedup.
Meanwhi leRosetossedont hemathwi t
hherheavy
bumpbef or
ewakingupf acingup.Shebr eathed
outwi pi
ngthesweatof fherfor
eheadandpi ckedup
herphonedi al
ingMxol i
si.Herheartski
pped
reali
zingAirwasnotnextt oherwheretheywer e
playi
ngandshequi cklybalancedhersel
fstanding
up.

Mxol
isi:Hi
i.(
hol
dingbr
eat
h)
Rose:Wher
ear
eyou?
Mxol
isi:Excuseyou?
(heavi
lybr
eat
hing)
Rose:ComeonMxol isiIt
oldyouIhavetobeatthe
hospit
albet
weentheweek.Whyhaven' tyoucame
togetme?Yousai dIshouldt
ellyouwi
thanythi
ng
concerni
ngthebabyandnowyour-
Mxol
isi
:ShootI'
m-so-Shi
t!Hol
don.I
'
llcal
lyou
whenIgett
here.

Sheshookherheadhangi
ngupcal
li
ngoutherl
i
ttl
e
brother.Aver yshar
ppai nhitheronherabdomen
whensuddenl yshefel
tbackpai ns.Shel eanedon
thewal lholdi
ngherwai stdoingbreathexcerci
ses
asherst omachti
ghtened.Shebi therli
pt r
yingnot
tomakeasoundunt ilshecoul dn'
ttakeitnomor e
andscr eamed.Shetr i
edwal kingandherwat er
broke, thisti
meshescr eamedf ordearli
fe.
Janecamerushi
ngupt hestai
rsfol
lowedbyDi neo
andtheyhel
pedherdownstair
sasshef el
ttheurge
topush.Theywalkedtothecarandtheyhelpedher
i
nbeforeJanegottothedri
verssi
despeedingout.

AtAgym .

Mxolisidi
df ewmor eli
ft
ingthengr abbedhistowel
wipi
ngt hesweafof fhi
sf ace.Thisiswhathe
needsaf t
erdealingwit
hcompl icatedcases.A
messagenot i
fi
edonhisphonewhenhesi ghed
taki
ngi tf
rom thearmbandr eadingit.Hequickl
y
j
umpedof fandwentt otakehisbagr unni
ngout.
AtaNet
bal
lcour
t.

Bonolowalkedf r
om thecour tsweati
nginhergear
goingtositdownt aki
ngof fhercapbeforerubbing
offthesweat.Shepul ledherbottl
eofwat er
dri
nkingwhent hegirlshewaspl ayi
ngwithwal ked
oversit
ti
ngnextt oher.

Gi
rl
:Gr
eatgame.Yourgood.
Bonol
o:Thankyou,
soar
eyou

Shestooduppi ckingherbagfi
shi
ngforhercar
keyssayinghergoodbyeheadingtohercar.She
gotinlookingathersel
fonthemir
rorandsighed
holdi
ngt hewheel.
Acarparkednexttoherandshetur
nedl ooki
ngata
coupleargui
nginthecar.Thel
adysteppedout
annoyedslammingthedoorandtheguyshookhi s
headbalanci
ngitonthewindow.Her ubbedhisli
p
tur
ningtothecarnextt
ohisandshequi ckl
ylooked
asi
de.
Heroll
edthewindowdownandsmi
ledwhenher
hear
tskippedandshest
art
edt
hecarbef
orer
oll
i
ng
upherwindow.

Hi
m :Ohcomeon.
.IswearI
'
m notaser
ialki
ll
er.
Bonol
o:Whywoul
dyouassumet
hatIt
hinkt
hatof
you?
Hi
m :Becouseyouravoi
dingmeandyouattempt
ed
t
orol
lupyourwindowwhenIl ookatyou.
Bonol
o:Ormaybeyouar
easeri
alki
ll
erandmy
gut
sarer
ight.Whyel
sewoul
dyouthinkoft
hat?
Him:Becausethat
'st
hefir
stt
hingt
hatcrosses
ever
ygirlsmindwhenseei
ngaguysmileatthem .
Astranger.
Bonol
o:Andwho'
sthi
s"Ever
ygi
rl"i
fImayask?

Henarrowedhi
seyebrowsl
ookingatherbef
ore
l
aughi
ngthrowi
nghisheadbackwar
ds.
Hi
m :Wow!
Bonol
o:Iwasj
ustaski
ng.AnywayIhavet
ogo.
Hi
m :I
'
m Lef
aMal
eka.
Bonol
o:Ohk.(
Rever
sing)
Hi
m :It
hinkt
hisi
sthepar
tyout
ellmeyour
s.
Bonol
o:It
houghtsot
oo.Bye.

Shewinkedathi
m befor
edrivi
ngoffandhesmil
ed
i
mpressedrubbi
nghisfaceashiswifegoti
nthe
car
.

Her:Youmustbei
namoodwhi
leI
'
m not.
Lefa:Justbecauseyournot,itdoesn'
tmeanI
shouldn'
t.Getoveryour
selfJasmine.

Shefr
ownedl
icki
ngheri
cecr
eam andgavehi
m hi
s
dri
nkashedr
oveoff.
Jasmine:St
il
lwear
enotgoi
ngt
ohaveanot
her
chi
ld
Lefa:Whatdoyoumean?Jasmi neIneedachil
d
.Whydoyoual wayshavetotakesomethingand
tur
niti
ntoadebate?Itol
dyout hatIwanted3ki
ds
evenbefor
ewegotmar ri
edandyousai dyoucan
carr
ythem forme.Whyisitanissuenow?
Jasmine:Cour
seyoucheat
edonmeandIbetyou
sti
lldo.
Lef
a:Fort
he100thtimeJasmineI
'
m notcheat
ing.
Iwoul
dneverandIhavenever.

Shesi
ghedl
ooki
ngout
sideast
hecarspedup.

AtDi
tebogoshouse.

Br
eezepar
kedthecaronthepar
kingspacebefor
e
si
ghi
ngandtur
nedlooki
ngatSagi.Sagismil
edand
l
ookedoutoft
hewindowgiggli
ngandBr
eeze
coul
dn'
thel
pbutal
sochuckled.

Breeze:Idontknowi
fIshoul
dgoi
nther
eorwhat.
ShouldI?
Sagi:idontknow.Yousaidyouwantedtospend
ti
mewi ththem .I
fyouwai
tthenyourpl
ansare
rui
ned.I'm sur
ethei
rdonebynow, he'
sbeenher
e
forages.
Breeze:Idoubtt
hat.(
Sigh)l
ordpleasedontl
et
them scr
ewmyeyes, thei
rst
il
lvi
rgin.

Sagilaughedashest eppedoutoft hecarhesit

ant
ly
walkingover.Hepressedt hedoorbellandthey
di
dn'tanswer.Het ookashor tprayerbef
ore
walkinginwhenhiseyesf oll
owedt hemoans
st
raighttotheki
tchencount erf
rom adistance.

Breeze:Ki
ds!Myeyes!Jeez!(
Put
shandonhi
s
eyes)
Theybot hgaspedandKagi sopul l
edoutqui ckl
y
packinghimselfwithatrai
landDi tebogoqui ckly
grabbedhergownembar rassed.Br eezeopened
oneeyef oll
owedbyt heotherandsi ghedrubbing
hi
sf oreheadwalkingover.BothKagi soand
Ditebogolookedawayavoi dingeachot her
seyesas
Breezestoodbyl ooki
ngatt hem holdinghis
l
aught erseei
nghowembar rassedt heywer e.

Di
tebogo:CanImakeyouanyt
hing?
Br
eeze:I nthesameki t
chenyouguysjusthadsex
i
ninfrontofme?I 'l
lpass.Cleanitupt
henmaybe
l
ater.Gogetr eadywe'rel
eaving.
Di
tebogo:I
'
m sor
ry.
Br
eeze:(chuckl
ed)Whyar eyouapol
ogi
zing?At
l
eastyournotgall
ivanti
ngwit
hdif
fer
entmenand
sl
eepi
ngoutot her
wi seI'
dbemadashell.Goon.

Shehel
dhergownwi
thherheaddownandpl
aced
outleavingthem .Kagi sor
ubbedhi seyest r
yingto
avoidhiseyest ouchingever yt
hingaroundhi m
beforesitti
ngdownashest oodt her
ewi thhis
handsf olded.Kagisolookedathi m meetinghis
eyesandqui ckl
ylookedawaychecki ngthet i
meon
hisphonet henputi tbacktakingasi pfrom his
smoot hie.

Kagi
so:Wewer
egonnacomeyouknow.
Br
eeze:Iknow.
Kagi
so:Ri
ght,
youknow.
Br
eeze:(
laughs)Wasi
tgood?
Kagi
so:What?
Br
eeze:Youhear
dme.
Kagi
so:(
clear
sthr
oat
)Yeah.
Breeze:Youdor eal
izethatyouguyscantkeepup
withthi
s.Atfir
stIthoughtitwasherwayt oget
overherbrot
herspassinganddidn'twanttogeti
n
thewayofhergr i
evingbutit'
sbeensixmonths.
Youneedt odosomet hi
ngaboutt hatorel
seyou'
ll
rui
nher,andIdon'
twantt
hatf
orei
therofyou.
Unlessyoul
oveher.

Kagisolookedathim wi
tht
hegl
assonhisl
ips
dri
nkingslowlyandhecoul
dhearasheswall
owed
downhi sthroat
.

Br
eeze:Doyou?
Kagi
so:(
sti
lldr
inki
ng)
Breeze:Ifyoudontthenstopleadi
ngheron.She'
s
gotfeel
ingsandclearl
yifherkneescangetthi
s
weakwi ththesoundfoyourvoice,she'
sint
oyou.
Deep.Pl easedontkeepupwiththi
s.

Dit
ebogowal keddownst ai
rsinhersi
mplecotton
tr
acksuit
sandherhai rti
edasabunwi t
hsocksand
sl
eepers.Shepul l
edthesleevesinherfi
stsfoldi
ng
herhandsandt heyturnedlooki
ngathersti
ll
embarrassed.
Breeze:Comeonl i
tt
lesi
ster
,losenup.Ipromi
seI
di
dn'tseeanyt
hing.Ionl
yheardhim br
eathi
ngl
ike
anoldgenerat
ornothi
ngbig.Comeon-

Hesi
dehuggedherwal
kingoutwi
thher
.

Kagi
so:Ihavef
ewcl
othesher
e,l
etmer
efr
eshup
qui
ckl
y.
Br
eeze:2mi
ns.
Kagi
so:2.
.?Ri
ght.

Hegal
pedhissmoot
hieandwal
kedupst
air
s
r
ubbi
nghisheadast
heyheadedtot
hecar.
Sheopenedt hedoorandsmi l
edlookingatthekids
playingthenshegotinplayingwiththem asBreeze
andSagicommuni catedwi ththei
reyesweirdl
y
tell
inghertotal
ktoDitebogo.Sagisighedwitha
straightf
aceandhewi nkedatherwal ki
ngbackt o
thehouse.Shegat herdhermot herl
ysideand
turnedlooki
ngathercar r
yingbabyMel o.
Sagi
:Ar
eyouohk?
Di
tebogo:Yeah.
.
Sagi
:Wer
eyouguyshavi
ngsex?
Di
tebogo:(
hidesf
acewi
thMel
okuhl
eli
ft
ingher
)..
Sagi:ComeonTebogo.Youcant al
ktome.Tel l
youwhat, I'
mf reakymysel f
.Ilovesex.Il ovei t.At
l
eastyoudoi tunderaroof, atyourageIdi dn'tcare
.YouruncleandIdi di
tever ywhere,eveninfrontof
hisfr
iendsandt heywoul dn'
tnoticeexceptyour
brot
hercourseheknewever yli
tt
lesecret.Ina
rest
room atmal ls,par
kinglot,underat ree-ata
park,atthepool sandwhenwewer estil
lincol l
ege
wewer ewor se.

Ditebogosmiledmovingthebabyandl
ookedather
sayingyeswithherhead.Sagismil
edpi
ckingAi
r'
s
dummyandwi pedi
tputt
ingi
tinhi
sbagcoursehe
didn'twanti
tanymore.
Sagi
:Wel
lsexisgoodandheal
thy.Buti
tal
sohas
ef
fect
s.Li
kethem .Di
dyouuseacondom?
Di
tebogo:I
tjusthappenedsof
astwedi
dn'
tgett
he
t
imetorunupstair
sandgetone.
Sagi:There'salwayst i
metogetacondom si s.
Especial
lywheni t
'sinthehousejustf
ewst eps
away.Aner ecti
onwoul dn'
thavediedbythenand
bothofyouwoul dstil
lbehotlikemad.Iftherei
sn'
t
thenbothofyoucandoi tnextti
meortryother
sexualactivit
iesthatdontincl
udehimthrusti
ngin
andoutofyou.
Di
tebogo:.
..
Sagi:Youjustgr aduat edandf oundagreatjobasa
l
awyer.Dontmesst hatupf oryoursel
fbybr i
nging
ababyyeti nthiswor ld.Havingababyi sagr eat
thi
ng, ablessingandI 'm sur
eyouwantonebutj ust
-workonyour sel fandpr epareyoursurroundingf or
i
tsarrival
.Andf i
rstst epistobeonpi l
lsthough
theyaren'
t100%pr otecti
veoralwayscar rya
condom wher everyougo.Twooft hem inyour
backpocket sjustincaseyougetheat edi nf
rontof
hi
m .It'
snotmenonlythathavet ocarr
ycondoms
butanyonewho'
ssexuallyactive.Andtest.You
dontknowhowmanygi rl
she' sbeenwithandhe
doesn'
tknowhowmanyyou' vebeenwi th.Besmar
t
andkeepyourhoneypotsweet .
Di
tebogo:Iunder
stand.Iwi
ll,
thankyou.

BreezeandKagisowalkedoutoft
hehousehavi
ng
achatwithhi
sheaddownandshecoul dtel
lwhat
thatwasaboutcourseassoonastheyappr
oached
theykeptqui
tegett
ingin.

Br
eeze:I
'
m ser
iousKagi
so.
Kagi
so:Igoti
t.Ipr
omi
seMrDad

Hepi ckedai rf
rom hi
sseatplayi
ngwi thhim and
Ditebogolookedathim admiringthi
ssi t
east hecar
droveof f.Helookedsogoodwi t
hababy.Enzo
cri
edf rom theseatandhelaughedt aki
nghim
putti
ngt hem bothonhislaps.Her eali
sedshewas
l
ookingathi
m andwinkedatherwhensherol
led
hereyessmi
li
ngfaci
ngawayt hent
heyboth
conti
nuedpl
ayi
ngwiththekidsast
heyheadedto
themall
.

AtBr
eezeshouse.
Lat
er

Dif
ferentsizesandmodel sofcar
sparkedinand
outsidetheyardfil
led.Butafewpeoplewerethere
andmost l
ytheonesSagiknew.Itwasj ustasmall
partywit
hnei ghborsandfri
endnothi
ngbig.Fullof
dri
nksandf ood.
Sagit
uckedt hekidsinthei
rcotsbeforeki
ssi
ng
eachofthem withthenanniesstandingby.She
smil
edwal ki
ngtot hedoor.

Sagi:Thewal l
saresoundproof
ed,i
fyouneed
anythi
ngjustcallme.I'
m her
e,Iwontgetdr
unkI
'
m
sti
llbr
eastfeedi
ng.
Bot
h:Yesmam .

Shewalkedoutclosi
ngthedoorwhensheheard
oneofherfavori
tesongs(HeymamabyDavi d
Guett
aftNickiMinaj)pl
ayi
ngdownstai
rsandrani
n
herheel
sheadingoutaseveryonef
oll
owed.

Shegott othestageshaki
ngherwai stasever
yone
rejoicedwi thher.Calli
ngtheircl
ubDJwas
def i
nitelyagr eati
dea.Thought hesongwasoldit
sti
llhither .ShepulledBonoloandDitebogoon
stageandt heyjoi
nedinwhent heDJpassedher
themi ke.

Cr
owd:
Bemywoman,
gir
l,i
'
mma
Beyourman.
.
Bemywoman,
gir
l,i
mma
Beyourman.
.
Sagi
/Bonol
o/Di
tebogo:
YesIdot
hecooki
ng
Yesidot
hecl
eani
ng
Yesikeept
henanar
eal
sweetf
oryoureat
ing
Yesyoubet
hebossnyesiber
espect
ing
Whatevert
hatyout
ellme'
cour
sei
tsgameyoube
spi
tt
ing

Bestbel
ievet
hatwhenyouneedt
hat
I
'
llpr
ovi
det
hatyouwi
llal
wayshavei
t
I
'
llbeondeckkeepi
tincheck
Whenyouneedt
hatI
'
mmal
etyouhavei
t

Meanwhil
eBreezeandKagi sosatoncampchairs
bythepooll
ookingatthem astheyshookwhatthei
r
mamasgavet hem andthei
rwai st
.Shedi
dn'
tlook
l
ikeamotheroftwo, act
ual
ly4.Herbodywasback
t
othewayi twasandherjumpsui
tfi
tt
edherr
eal
ly
wel
lreveal
ingherhour
glassf
igur
e.

Kagi
so:Can'
tbel
ievet
hei
rdoi
ngal
lthi
sinheel
s.
Breeze:Womanar eful
lofsurpr
ises.Shedoesn't
easil
yf al
lwhenwearingheelsbuttri
pandfallwhen
thei
rwear i
ngcomf or
tabl
eshoes.Di dyouseehow
sherant othestage?Iwasscaredf orasecond
she'l
lloseherteet
h.

Theylaughedl ookingatthem whenDit

ebogoand
Sagifli
rtedwiththem whenanothersongbyDavi d
GuettaftNickiMi naj-Turnmeonplayed.They
swall
owedsi ppingatt hesametimeandhisphone
reci
evedanot ifi
cation.Heignor
editunti
lthesong
wasoverandt heygotof fst
ageheadi
ngtowher e
thedrinksweret akingTropi
ca'
s.
Hetookhisphoneoutandfrownedl ooki
ngatt
he
messageandstoodupheadingt othegate.He
l
ookedaroundandspottedJane'scar4houses
awayandsippedhi
sdrinkwalkingoverandgotin.
Jane:Whatdi
dyoumeanIshoul
dn'
tshowup?My
chi
ldi
sinther
ewit
habunchofst
ranger
s.
Breeze:Youseem toforgett
hatnotonlyishe
yoursbutalsomine.I'
m hisfat
herandtrustmei
wouldn'tl
etanyharm comenearhim.Theyar ei
n
thehouseandnoonei sal
lowedinther
e.
Jane:Anyonecangeti
nBreeze!He'
snotsafein
thereyoucoul
dhavebr
oughthi
m backandI'
l
llook
afterhi
m mysel
f.
Breeze:Pleasedontrui
nmymood.Weagr
eedwell
thatwe'l
lco-par
entandnowi
t'
smyt
urnt
ohavehi
m.
Jane:Youpeoplear
eget
ti
ngdrunk.Whoknows
whatwil
lyourl
osecandowhenshe'sdr
unktomy
baby?
Breeze:Dontyoudar ecallmywi fealosecan!Just
becauseshe'spat
ientwi t
hyoudoesn' tmeanshe'
s
overwhatyoudid.AndSagicoul dneverharm Ai
r
she'snotevendri
nking.Dontpokeherorshe' l
l
str
ikeanditwontbef un.IfIeverhearanotherword
fr
om yourmout hi
nsul t
ingherI'
llsaveyouthepai
n
fr
om herhandsandyou'
l
lhavei
tfr
om me.(Opens
door)Justl
eavecour
seyourwast
ingmyt
ime, I
dontevenknowwhyyourhere.
Jane:Isai
dIwantmychi
ldBr
eeze.
Br
eeze:Gosl
eep.
Jane:I
'
m notgoi
nghome,
I'
m goi
ngt
othehospi
tal
.
Bri
ngmybaby.
Breeze:Soyout hinkdr
ivingatthisti
meofanight
withhimi ssafert
hanhim stayinginasecured
housewher enoonei sallowedt oenter
?Comeon
Jane, getoveryoursel
fthist
hingofyour si
s
workingonourl astner
vesnow.

Heslammedthedoorwalki
ngbackandshe
cl
enchedherj
awsstar
ti
ngtheengineanddr
oveof
f.
Meanwhil
eSagihidwithacarasBreezepassedby
andJane'
scarthenstoodupwit
haneut r
alface
andnofeeli
ngsaboutwhatshej
ustsaw.Shef i
xed
herhai
randherwrist
swatchwalki
ngbacklikea
queenswingi
ngherwaist.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
02]Lynne :Chapt
er91.
AtBr
eezeshouse.

Thenextdayear lyi
nthemor ni
ngar ound2am.
Bonolotossedont hebedthenfinall
yopenedher
eyeslooki
ngr ound.SheturnedtoDi t
ebogo'
ssi de
butshewasn' tt
here.Herheartskippedabitand
sherubbedhereyesget t
ingoffthebedgoingt othe
i
nsuitforapeet henwashedherhandsandf ace
walki
ngout .
Shegrabbedhergownwalki
ngoutdownthe
hal
lwaywhenshestoppedhear
ingmoans.
Itsbeensixmont hswithoutsexandeveryt
imeshe
thinksofitherheartbr
eakscourseshe'
llneversee
him everagain.
Shewal kedovertoKagi so'sdoorandst oodby
swallowingbeforetryi
ngt oopenbuti twasl ocked.
Shebi therli
pfeeli
ngst upidandsighedwal king
downst air
stothekitchenmaki ngherselfsomef ood
thenwentt ositonthedi nnertabl
ealone.Shet ook
abitefrom thedrumst i
ckandputi tbacklickingher
fi
ngercl osi
nghereyesast hedeli
ciousnesswat erd
hermout
hdownhert
hroatt
oherst
omach.
Footstepsapproachedfrom behindherand
someonehel dhershouldersslowlyl
eani
ngtoher
neckkissingherl
eavinghickeys.Shegasped
feel
inghishandsslowlygoingdownt oherbreast
rubbingthem whi
letheotherhandheldherneck.

Bonol
o:(
moani
ng)MmhOdi
ri
le.
.
Odi
ri
le:Hel
loLove.

Hepul ledherheadmaki ngherfaceupki ssi

ngher
whithhi shandtravell
ingdownt ohergi rlandshe
partedherlegsgi vi
nghi m access.Hesl owly
rubbedherandshet wi stedhertoesbiti
ngherlip
undert hekiss.Thiswasmadgood.Sheusedher
onehandpul l
inghimi nfur t
heri
ntot hekiss
moani nginhismout hashei ncreasedthepace.
Shegaspedf eel
ingher selfget
ti
ngcl oseandbroke
thekissbiti
ngherl i
p.
Bonol
o:(
outofbr
eat
h)Od-i
ri
leIam ahhhhhh.
.

Sheheldhi
shandasheleanedonherearwhi l
eshe
hel
dherandhepushedherhairoffwhisperi
ngin
herearwhi
leshemoanedfordearpleasure.

Odi
ri
le:(
sof
tl
y)Wakeupl
ove.
Bonol
o:mmmhh.
.aahhh
Odi
ri
le:Wakeup!

Shequi ckl
yopenedhereyesoutofbr eathfacingup
theceili
ng.Hereyesr oamedar oundandshe
reali
zedshewasst i
lli
nbed.Shet urnedlookingat
DitebogoandKagisost andingbythebedwi t
h
concernedfaceswhent earsstart
edt oblurher
sightandKagisosatnextt oherpull
ingheri nahug.
Ditebogoalsosnuggleinnexttoherhol di
ngher
handasshecr iedtoKagi so'
schest.
Bonol
o:(
cryi
ng)Whydi
dyouwakeme?
Dit
ebogo:Courseyouweredrowni
ngina
ni
ghtmarecal
li
ngoutmybr ot
her.Moani
ngouthi
s
name.That
'snotnormal
.
Bonol
o:Iti
s!Iwaswi
thhi
m andyout
ookhi
m
awayfr
om me!
Kagi
so:Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngwi
thhi
m?
Bonolo:Exactl
ywhatwedideveryt
imewear
e
toget
her!(Cryi
ng)Iwanthi
m back!
Di
tebogo:Andyousayi
tsnormal?Gi
rlhavi
ngsex
i
nadr eam i
snotnor
mal
,it
'sbad.
Bonol
o:I
tsnot!
Kagiso:Yesiti
s.Doyouknowhowl ongwe'
ve
beenstandi
ngheretr
yingt
owakeyou?Whol e30
mins.Shetri
edclosi
ngyourl
egsbuttheywoul
dn'
t.

Sheturnedl ookingatthem withafrownandtears.

Dit
ebogosi ghedbef or
egivingherherhandand
hel
pedherof fthebed.Kagi sogotoffpul
li
ngthe
sheet
sof fandf rownedlookingatthestai
nont he
bed.Hermouthdr
oppedlookingatt
hest
ainand
quickl
yrant
othemir
rorl
ookingather
sel
fwet.

Bonol
o:Nonono!No!

Shesankdownbyt hewallcr
yingandKagiso
walkedoverpicki
ngherandDi t
ebogorushedtot
he
bathroom prepar
ingherabath.Heputhernextto
i
tbeforewalkingbackandDitebogol
ookedathim
confused.

Di
tebogo:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Kagi
so:Givi
ngyougi
rl
samomentt
ogetheri
nthe
bat
htub.
Dit
ebogo:Why?I
t'
snotl
ikeyou'
veneverseenher
nakedbef
ore.
Kagi
so:Idon'
tknowi
fshef
eel
sthesamewayand
she'
snotl
ikeyou.
Bonol
o:(
sobbi
ng)I
tsohk.She'
sri
ght
.Dontgo.
Hesi ghedwalki
ngoverandshet ookoffherclot
hes
gett
inginthebathtub.Shel eanedbackclosi
ngher
eyeswi t
huncontrollabletears.Dit
ebogopulledher
handgent l
ysqueezingi t.Kagisosighedwalking
overwhenhehear dsomeonecal l
inghim .He
tur
nedar oundlookingi ntheroom thensi
ghed
hopingthekidsaref ine.
Hereal
isedt
hewal
lswer
esoundpr
oofedandhi
s
hear
tpoundedast
hevoi
cebeganf
il
li
nghisear
s.

Kagi
so:Canyouheart
hat?
Di
tebogo:Hearwhat?
Kagi
so:Yout
ell
ingme,
youcan'
thearanyt
hing?At
al
l?
Di
tebogo:Not
hing.
Kagi
so:I
'
m comi
ng.

Hi
shear
tpoundedevenmor
ewhenhewal
kedout
ofthebathroom leavi
ngthem wit
hquesti
onmar ks
ont hei
rfaces.Hewal kedtot
hekidsroom and
sli
ghtlyopenedthedoorlooki
ngatthem asl
eepwith
thenanniessleepingonthebednexttothei
rs.He
closedthedoorrubbinghisearswhenhespotted
someoneont hestair
sstandi
ng.
Helookedaroundwalki
ngoverandr eali
zedi
twas
Nakedi.Thi
stimeherfacewascl ear.He
swallowedl
ookingatherwhenshesmi ledwal
king
awayandhef oll
owedhernotreali
zingheeven
walkedoutofthedoorbar
efoot.

Meanwhi
lethegirl
ssati
nthebat
hroom wai
ti
ngf
or
hi
sret
urnforoveranhour.

Bonol
o:Wher
eishe?
Dit
ebogo:I
'
m sur
ehe'
sonacal
lwi
thRoseor
somethi
ng.
Bonol
o:Ar
etheyt
oget
heragai
n?
Di
tebogo:Ihopenot.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Whynot?
Di
tebogo:Course-Idontknow.Het akesalotof
ef
fortandbel
ievei
nhimt hathe'l
lhealaft
eraheart
br
eak.Idontwanttoseehi m hurteveragai
n.Idont
wanthimtodateanymore.
Bonol
o:Doyoul
ikehi
m?
Di
tebogo:What
?
Bonol
o:Comeoni
t'
sjustusgi
rl
s.Youcant
ellme.
Di
tebogo:He'
syourex.
Bonol
o:Myex.Your i
ght.I
'm overi
t.It
sohki fyou
l
ovehim, j
ustbecaref
ulnottohurthi
m .He'sa
devi
lindi
sguise.Heisabeautif
ulsoulf
ulloflove
j
ustdontgettoocomfort
abl
einhi sl
oveandt hink
bycheati
nghewouldn'tr
eact
,hedoesandbadl y.
Dit
ebogo:JustthatI'
m notsur
ehefeel
sthesame.
Idontwantt
or ui
nmyper f
ectf
ri
endshi
pwit
hhim
oversomestupidfeel
ings.
Bonol
o:Theyaren'tstupi
d,especi
all
yforhi
m .He
al
sofi
ndsifhardtorevealhi
sfeeli
ngsandwhenhe
doesi
tssomethingelse.He'
llal
waysbeadar l
ing
andgiveyouallt
helove.ButIseehe'
sbeendoing
allt
hosetoyoueventhoughyournotdati
ng.He
l
ovesyouDi t
ebogo.Isawevent hewayhelooksat
you.Heusedt olookatmeli
kethatbutnowits
beyondwithyou.He'sagoodguy.
Dit
ebogo:(smi
li
ng)Well.
.enoughaboutme.Let's
tal
kaboutyoursi
tuat
ioncourseIdoubtmybrother
wil
lhuntyouorsomehowt urnint
oyourspi
ri
tual
husband.Helovedyouandhewoul dn'
tdothatto
you.
Bonol
o:Maybeit
sbecauseIfi
ndithar
dmoving
pastt
hiscour
sei
toccur
reddaysaft
erthebur
ial
.
Dit
ebogo:Ithinkyou'r
estarti
ngtoexper
iencewhat
Rosel
lahasbeengoi ngthrough.Weneedt obook
youinasanitari
um asfastaswecanorel seKagiso
wil
lhaveanotherweighonhi sshoul
derstoli
ftof
f.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Youseeyoucar
eabouthi
m.
Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)Idont!

Theyl
aughedandshest
oodupsmi
li
ngather
Di
tebogo:Letmegocheckhi
m.
Bonol
o:ohk.

Shewal kedoutheadingt oKagiso'sroom withher

heartdancingandfrownednotf i
ndinghimt here.
Shewentt otheinsuitbeforegoingoutt ocheckhim
.Shewal keddownt hehal lwayandr eali
zedthere
wasamoonl i
ghtrefl
ect i
onont hetil
e.Thef ear
consumedherandshesl owlywalkedoverunt i
lto
thedoorlookingoutsideandgaspedl ooki
ngatt he
gatewideopen.Herhear tskippedandshequi ckly
ranbackt obangonBr eezesbedroom door.
Insi
deSagipousedri
dingwit
hherlegsvi
brat
ingout
ofbreathsweati
ngwhil
eBreezehel
dherwaistal
so
heavil
ybreat
hing.

Br
eeze:Ser
iousl
y?I
'
m havi
ngmygl
oryher
e.
Sagi
:(smil
ing)Gocheckont
hem .Maybe
somethi
ngi swrong.
Breeze:Not
hingi
swr
ongcomeonl
et'
s-
(bangi
ng
harder)ohk..

Theypulledoffandhesighedsti
llfeel
inghi
sblood
hotgett
inginhissweatpantsshi
r t
lesswhil
eshe
wrappedherselfwit
hatowelbothwear i
ngsl
eeper
s
andheadedt othedoor
.

Dit
ebogo:(
scared)If
oundthedoorwi
deopen.I
cantf
indhi
mi nhisroom .
Br
eeze:Whatdoyoumeanyoucan'
tfi
ndhi
m?
Di
dn'
thesayanyt
hingt
oyouguys?
Dit
ebogo:No..Wewerealltoget
heranhourago
hel
pingBonol
owhensuddenl yhestart
edaskingi
f
weheardsomethi
ng.Whichwedi dn'
t,thenhesai
d
he'
scomingandnowIcantf indhim .(
Teary)Do
youthi
nktheJacki
sbackf orhimtoo?
Breeze:That'
simpossi
ble,Jacki
sinj
ail,Idoubt
he'l
lbegett
ingoutanyt
imesoon.(Wenttogethis
gun)
Sagi:
Butitdoesn'
tmeanhecan'
tgethiseyeson
thegroundouther
e.Letmegetdressed.
Breeze:NoI
'
llgol
ookout
sidef
orhi
m,youal
lst
ay
here.

Hewentoutchecki
nghisbul
let
swhenBonol
o
camerushi
ngtothem st
il
lweti
nhergown
conf
used.

Bonol
o:What
'shappeni
ng?I
sever
ythi
ngohk?
Dit
ebogo:(
cryi
ng)Ican'
tfi
ndhi
m,I
'
m scar
ed.I
don'
tknowwhy.
Sagi:
itsohk..
we'l
lfi
ndhim.Letmegetdr essed
andwewiwai tdownstai
rs.I
fBreezedoesn'
tcome
backwithhi
m wetakeitinourhandstoo.

Shewentbacki nsideandwentt ogetdressedwhen

Breezewalkedingoingtohisclosett
ochangei nt
o
comf or
tabl
eclothesbefor
epickinghiskeys.
Breeze:I'
l
lgol
ookf orhi
m .Hecantbet
hatf
ari
f
he'swalki
ngonfoot.
Sagi
:Theguar
d?Whatdoeshesay?
Breeze:Hesai
dhedidn'tseeanyt
hing.Hedi
dn'
t
seehim wal
koutorhearthegateopen.
Sagi
:Howi
sthatevenpossi
ble.
Br
eeze:Wi
thKagi
so,anyt
hingi
spossi
ble.

Hepl antedaki ssonherf oreheadwear inghis

l
eat herjacketonhi swayoutasshef ollowed
downst airs.Hecl osedt hedoorandshewentt othe
ki
tchenf indingBonol omaki ng3cupsofcof feeas
Ditebogo'sst omacht urned.Sheswal l
owed
standingandwentt ogetagl assdr
inkingwat erbut
hermout hjustf i
ll
ed.Shehel dhermout hast he
pukef i
ll
edhermout handsher ant
othenear by
bathroom andf ellonherkneesvomi t
ingint hetoilet
.Thegi r l
sfollowedst andingbyt hedoorl ookingat
hervomi t
ingf or2mi nsstraightandcol l
apsedout
ofbr
eat
hsweat
ing.

Sagi:
OhmyGod.
..
Bonol
o:Thatcantbegood,
right
?
Sagi
:Ar
eyout
hinki
ngwhatI
'
mthi
nki
ng?
Bonol
o:Iguessso.
Di
tebogo:What.
..
?(Pi
tsi
nthet
oil
ett
henf
lashed)
Bot
h:Whenl
astdi
dyouseeyourper
iods?

Shelookedatt
heconf usedbef
orecl
osi
ngt
het
oil
et
seatandsatonitt
hinkingofi
f.

Di
tebogo:Aboutt
woweeksback.Why?
Bonol
o:Twoweeksi
spossi
ble,
right
?
Sagi
:Ri
ght,
plusshedi
dn'
tgi
veher
sel
fabr
eak.
Di
tebogo:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Bot
h:Yourpr
egnant
.
Di
tebogo:(gasped)What?(
Laughs)Nonono,no
wayI'
m pregnant.

Shestoodupfrom t
het oi
letandwashedhermouth
andfaceonthesinkbeforelooki
ngather
selfont
he
mir
rorthenatt
heirref
lect
iontoo.

Di
tebogo:Ar
eyouser
ious?
Bot
h:.
..
Sagi
:Let
'sgol
ookf
orKagi
so.
Di
tebogo:Yeah.

Theywalkedoutbutbef
oreDitebogoandBonolo
wenttogetdressedmeeti
ngherinthecarand
droveouttaki
ngadif
fer
entroutesear
ching.

Sagi
:Yousai
dyouguyswer
ehelping
Bonol
o..Whatwer
eyouhel
pingherwit
hat2am ?
Theyl
ookedatoneanot
herandDi
tebogohel
dher
hand.

Dit
ebogo:She'shavingahar dtimecomi ngt o
ter
mswi thOdiri
le'
sdeathwhi chsomehowl eadsher
tohavingnight
mar esofthem havi
ngsexual
i
ntercourse.It
hinkthi
sist hesamet hingthatRose
suff
eredandIwashopi ngwecant al
ktohermot her
andsendhert othesanit
arium beforeitworsens.
Sagi
:Oh.
.Isee.Howar
eyout
hough?
Bonolo:I
'
llbefine.I'
mjustgl
adtobepartofthi
s
cari
ngfamily.Let
'snottal
kaboutmenow, Kagi
so
needsus.He' salwaysbeenther
eforal
lofus,i
t'
s
ti
mewebet hereforhim.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Rosesatont
hebedlooki
ngatMxoli
siwalki
ng
ar
oundwitht
hebabywithapri
cel
essface.Jane
smi
ledandpul
ledherhand.

Rose:Thatbabyi
sanewborn,youcan'
tber
ocki
ng
hi
mt hi
smuch.Letmebreastf
eedhi
m?
Mxol
isi
:Andyoujustgavebi
rt
hyouneedt
orest,
noonewil
lst
ealt
hisbaby.
Rose:Ihel
dhimfor10mi
nsonl
yandyoutookhi
m
fr
om me, l
etmehol
dhim.
(pl
ayf
ull
ycr
ying)
Mxol
isi
:Ohcomeon.You'
llspenddayswi
thhi
m,
l
etmejustenj
oyt
hismomentwithmyson.Pl
ease
mummy.

Theylaughedandhewal kedovergi
vinghimtoher.
Shesmi l
edbreast
feedi
nghim ashewavedhi sli
tt
le
handoutoftheblanket
.Hegent l
yputitbackinand
satnexttoheronthebed.

Jane:SoIseewe'
real
linj
oyher
ebutIhaven'
t
hear
danameyet.What'shi
sname?
Rose:Ai
den.Whatdoyout
hink?
Mxol
isi
:It
scool.Il
ikei
t.Ai
denAkanyangMal
eka.
Jane:Sweet.Nowl
ett
heboyseehergr
anny
batho.
..

ThedoorflewopenandAbigai
lwalkedinfoll
owed
bytherestoftheMal
ekafamil
yholdingball
oons
andgif
tallhappysur
roundi
ngthebed.

Jacob:Hel
lomydear.
Rose:Dumel
ang.
Bet
ty:Howar
eyoungwet
siyaMal
eka?
Rose:
(l
aughs)ket
engmma.

Abi
gailsmil
edatherbef
oresi
tt
ingont
hechai
r
hol
dingherhand.

Abi
gai
l:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Rose:I'
m happyaboutt hebabyandseei
ngallt
his
peopl
eherewelcomingmybabywi thwar
m hands
i
ntothei
rfamil
y,justthatIhopedthatmi
newill
al
sobeher et
oo.( Wipestear)
Abi
gai
l:YoumeanKagi
so?
Rosel
la:al
loft
hem butmost
lyhi
m .Yeah.
Abigail
:I'm sur
ehe'sgotheldupcourseIhear
d
t
herewasapar tyyester
day.AndI'
m alsosorr
yI
t
ookl ongtogether ehadtogocoll
ectsomeofhis
famil
ymember splusgetreadyt
oleavethebuil
ding
i
ntoanot her.
Rose:I
tsohk.I
'
m gl
adyourher
enow.
Meli
nda:Andhow'
smyfavori
tepersonaft
ert
he
hugedi
amonddeli
ver
yshedel
iver
edi nt
oourf
amil
y
?
Rose:(smil
ing)Meli
nda..(
theyhugged)ohmy
God,Isawyouonl yatt
hewedding, t
houghtI
'
ll
neverseeyouagai
n.
Meli
nda:Nevergi
rl.I
'mmaalwaysbeher
ewhen
youandmyninjahereneedme.
Abi
gai
l:Sowhathi
sname?
Rose:Ai
denAkanyangMal
eka.
Mel
inda:Wow.
.Ador
abl
e.

Theylaughedasot herfamilymember spassed

eachotherthebabywhi leAbigailsatbylooking.
Hereyeswel l
edupi ntearsandwhenshel ookedat
Rosehersmi lewassobr ightthatitmadeherf eel
l
essofher sel
finst
antly.Shequi cklystoodup
excusi
ngher sel
fandr anoutcr yi
ng.
Feeli
ngherpai
nRosepull
edMxol
isi
'
shandand
whisper
edint
ohisear.

Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyouser
ious?OhmyGod.
Rose:Gof
indher.

Heexcusedhi
mselfandfol
lowedherl
eavi
ngt
he
f
amil
ywi t
hRosel
laandthebaby.
Hel
ookedar
oundf
orhercarandsawacar
r
ever
singwit
hspeedandpredi
ctedwhi
cht
urni
t'
ll
t
akeandstoodonit
'sway.
Abigaill
ookedathim standingbef orethecaras
tear
sr ol
ledoutuncontr
ollably.Shedi dn'tdeser
ve
himi fhecantbearhim afruit.Shet ol
dher sel
fthat
whenherdooropenedandMxol i
sileanedover
pull
ingthehandbr i
ckthenherl egsget ti
ngin
betweent hem pul
li
ngheri nt
oat ighthug.

Abi
gai
l:(cr
ying)i
m sorr
y..sor
ryicantgi
veyoua
chi
ld.
..
I'
m sososorry.
Mxoli
si:There'
snothingtoapologi
zeforbaby.I
l
oveyouwi t
horwi t
houtababy.Ibel i
eveinti
mewe
wil
lhaveone.Abigailyoucantkeepblaming
your
selff
ornotbeingabl etohaveachil
deveryt
ime
youseesomeone'schi l
d, youdi
dn'
tchosenotto
haveone.Godwi l
lblessussomet ime.Wej ust
havetokeepthefai
th.

Hel
if
tedherheadr
ubbi
nghert
ear
sandki
ssedher.
Mxoli
si:Yourmyf
ianceandIl
oveyou.Al
ways
keepthati
nmind.
Abi
gai
l:Il
oveyout
oo.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
COMMENT
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
02]Lynne :Chapt
er92.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Thedetecti
vessatopposit
et hem taki
ngstatement
s
befor
estandingandheadedout.Bonol ostoodup
fr
omyt heseatandwentt otakeagl assofwater
dri
nki
ngandl eanedonthecount er.His
di
sappearancedidnotsitwellwithhereit
her.
Breezewal
kedi
ngoingtotheref
ri
gerat
orandt
ook
outabott
lei
fwatert
hestoodnextt
oher.

Br
eeze:Hear
daboutt
hei
nci
dent
?
Bonol
o:Oh.
.r
ight.
Br
eeze:Ipr
omi
sewe'
l
lgetyouhel
p.
Bonol
o:Thankyou.
Br
eeze:Youohk?
Bonol
o:Iwi
llbe.Ij
usthopetheyfi
ndhi
m qui
ckl
y
cour
seDit
ebogoseri
ouslyneedshi
m.
Breeze:Yeah..
Ijustdon'
tunder
standhowhecoul
d
j
ustdisappearwithoutatr
ace.Bynowheshoul
dbe
back.Healwaysf i
ndhiswayhomeevenwhenhe's
takenby-holdon.
Bonol
o:Whati
sit?
Breeze:Nakedi
.Ohmygoodness.Thi
sgi
rli
sa
paininthebut
tocks.

Her
ushedoutandshefol
lowedgoi
ngt
othesi
tt
ing
r
oom pi
cki
nghisphone.

Rosel
la:
(smi
li
ng)Heyuncl
eBr
eeze.
Br
eeze:HeyRose.I
sKagi
sowi
thyou?
Rosel
la:No.
.haven'
tseenhi
minweeks.
Br
eeze:Event
alkt
ohi
m?
Rosell
a:No..
.Why?I
sheohk?Di
danyt
hing
happentohi
m?
Br
eeze:Uhm .
.Wher
ear
eyou?
Rosell
a:I
'
m gett
ingreadytol
eavet
hehospi
tal
.
Doctor
ssaidI
'
mf ineandthebabyi
sal
lheal
thy.
Br
eeze:Yougavebi
rt
h?
Rosell
a:Yeah.Iwashopi ngyouguyswoul dbe
ther
ebutIguessIwaswr ong.Youhavebi gger
probl
emst odealwitht
hancomecheckont he
daughterofthesamemant hatalmostbl
ewupyour
sonbutinsteaditwasyourfriend.
Br
eeze:Dontsayt
hat.
Rosella:Noit
'sTRUEuncle.Yourallavoi
dingme.
Evenwhenyoucomecheckonai ryoudontt al
kto
mel i
keyouusedt oobuti
nsteadst
andatt hedoor
thenleave.
Br
eeze:Rosel
laI'
m notavoi
dingyou.Yourmy
ni
ece.Justt
hatbeingi
nthathouseover
whelms
meandIhavetogetinanywaybecauseofAi
r.
Sor
ryi
fyouf
eltnegl
ect
ed.
Rosel
la:I
tsohk.Ki
ndagotusedt
oit.
Br
eeze:Sowhat
'shi
sname?
Rosel
la:Hi
snamei
sAi
denAkanyangMal
eka.
Br
eeze:Cool.We'
l
lcomecheckonhi
m .Ipr
omi
se.

Hehangupandturnedtothel
adi
esfindi
ngalleyes
i
nhim .Heshr
uggedpicki
nghisj
acketandcarkeys
.

Br
eeze:Yessyoual
lar
egoi
ng.
Dit
ebogo:Ican'
tst
andhersi
ght.Al
lIcanseei
s
herfat
heri
n
Bonol
o:Whom bythewayt
ooktheloveofmylif
e
awayfr
om me.Rippedmeachancetoloveandbe
l
oved.
Sagi
:Sameher
e.Rosel
laisherf
ather
'slookal
ikei
n
afemal
efor
m .Heki
dnappedmeandt ri
ed
oper
ati
ngmybabi
esouttogivet
hem upf or
adopt
ion.Ist
il
lneedt
imet
ogetovert
hat.
Br eeze:Byt i
meyoumeanbl ami ngherf orher
father 'sdoi ng?Rosei snotatf aul ther e.Shedi dn't
wr ongei therofyouandyouguyshur therby
put t
ingal ltheblamet oherwhenshe' sinnocent .
Rightnowsheneedsherf ami l
y.Sagiyourher
favour it
eauntandshel ooksupt oyoubutyour
avoi dingheratal lcost.Ditebogo- thoughyoubot h
didn' ttalkregularlysheconsi dersyouasi ster
cour seshedoesn' thaveany.Bonol o, youj ustgot
i
nt ot hisf ami l
yandyour eali
zehowmessedupi tis,
Igeti t.Butonet hi
ngiswecar eandl oveeachot her
.
For givenessbei ngther oottogr owi ngt hisfami l
y
tree.( Throwshands)Butt hat'
snott hecase.
Rosel lagavebi rthyesterdayandyoual laregoing
tocheckher.Li keitornot!Spar eyouri mmat urit
y
forf ewhour sandbewomant hatsuppor tot her
woman.Pl ayt heladycodef orabi t.

Hewalkedoutthedoorandtheyalll
ookedatone
anot
hernotknowingwhattosay.OfcourseSagi
hadalott
osayj ustt
hatshewantedtolear
nhowt o
coll
ecthersel
f.Shesi
ghedstandi
ngandwalkedup
stai
rstothenurser
yroom f
indi
ngtheki
dseati
ng
thenhelpedthenanni
es.

Bonol
o:He'sr
ightt
hough.We'
rebl
ami
ngt
he
wrongper
sonhere.
Ditebogo:Idontknowaboutt hat.Thisisalsoher
fault.Ifshehadn'tbeenobsessedwi ththedead
maybeuncl ewouldn'thavehadachi l
dwi thJane
andt hebrot
herswoul dn'
thavefoughtli
ket hat
putti
ngmybr other
slifeontherope.
Bonolo:Butareyouwill
ingtoweighyoursoulwit
h
allt
hisfort
henextupcomingyearsinst
eadof
movingonpastthis.I
'm notsayi
ngforgetcour
se
that
'shi
ghlyimpossi
blebutareyou?
Di
tebogo:Yess.Forasl
ongasi
ttakes.
Bonolo:Yeahthat'
sthething,eveni fyoudo-t he
sunwi l
lst
il
lshi
nebrightanddownt hemount ai
n
butherli
fewontstopcourseoft hegr udgeyouhol d
.Shegavebi r
thtoahealthybabyt hatshoul dtel
l
youthatevenaft
ersolongputtingthegui ltonher
shestil
lfl
ouri
shed.Coursewear eblami ngthe
wrongperson.IknowJackbei nginjaildoesn'
t
j
ustif
yanything.Iknowt hat.Butit
'stimeyout ake
careofyoursel
fandleaveal lt
hisbehind,your
pregnant.
Di
tebogo:I
'
m notpr
egnant
.
Bonolo:Sti
llyouneedtotakecar
eofyourbodyand
soul.Dontl
ett heanyt
hinghol
dyouback.
Di
tebogo:Sayssomet
hingmaki
ngamal
funct
ion
br
eak.
Bonol
o:(
laughs)Wedon'
tknowt
hatyet.

Shesatnextt
oheandhel
dherhandsmi
li
ng.

Ditebogo:MybrotherlovedyouandIknowi fhe
washer ehe'
dhateseeingyoulikethi
s.He'dwish
foryoutoli
veyourlif
et othef
ull
est.Havekidsand
afami l
yyoualwayswant ed.
Bonol
o:ButIhaveafamil
ynow.Youguysar emy
fami
lyandIwontthr
owthataway.Ever.Justwi
sh
heandIhadmor eti
met ogetmarr
iedcour seIdon't
seemysel fwit
hanot herman.AndIdonteverwant
tobewi t
hanot herpersonifi
t'
snothi
m .Ilovehi m
evenwhenIcantseehi m ever
yday.Isti
llf eelhi
s
presencearoundusandIknowhe' sher
el ooki ng
outforuslikehealwaysdi d.

Di
tebogosmi
ledhuggi
ngherandsi
ghedbot
wanti
ngtol
etgo.

Di
tebogo:Ther
ecoul
dbeaway.
Bonol
o:For?
Di
tebogo:Foryout
wot
ogetmar
ri
ed.
Bonol
o:(
smi
li
ng)Ar
eyouser
ious?
Ditebogo:Yes.Wejusthavet
otal
ktotheelder
s
fi
rstandthey'
ddoeveryt
hingt
radi
ti
onal
ly.
Bonol
o:OhmyGod,t
hankyou.

Att
hegr
aveyar
d.
Breezest
oodinf
rontofNakedi
'
sgravenotknowi
ng
whattosayordo.Heshookhisheadrubbinghi
s
faceandputhi
shandsinthepocket
s.

Breeze:DamnIusedt olikeyout hinkingyoura

goodf ri
end.Butal lyoudoi sinfl
ictpai n.Youknow
Ithoughtaf t
ert hecleansi ngyou'lll
ett hem bebut
i
nsteadyourcl i
ngingont oKagi so.Whenyour
fri
endhur thi m youl ayeddeadnotdoi nganything
andnowt hathe' shealingyourbackwi thyour
tantr
ums.Dontyougett i
red.Restnanar est!Your
deadf orchristsake!Whyar eyout akingoutyour
worryt oli
vet othel i
ving?Yourf ri
endi sf
reeofyou
andI'm suret hatdoesn' tsitwellwithyourbonesso
yourtakingitoutofKagi so,j uststopi t!We'reti
red
i
fyounow!

Het
urnedl
eavi
ngbutt
henst
oppedt
urni
ngback.
Breeze:AndrightnowI'
ml eavi
ng.I'm goi
ngtolook
forhimtoGodknowswher eyouthrewhim LEAD
THEWAYorI '
llcr
ushthist
ombst oneofyoursand
noonewi l
levervisi
tyouagain.Restinpeace.

Twogirl
swhower evisi
ti
ngtheoneclosert
o
Nakedi'
sturnedlooki
ngathim andhegavethem 3
secondssmi l
ebeforewalki
ngawaynotsureif
Nakedireal
lyheardhim orwhat.

AtAr
iver.

Ar
ound19h00

At r
adi t
ionalheal
ersatarocklookingatKagi sosti
ll
asleepont hehugef l
atrockwi t
hhisfeetsti
llinthe
wat er.Shestoodupandwentt opickaherbwhen
Kagi sotossedfaci
ngupf eel
ingt hecoldf
rom t he
rockandqui cklyopenedhiseyes.Hi sheart
poundedbutnotl i
kethewayi tusuall
ydidwhenhe
i
sscaredandhet ossedonhisstomachusinghi
s
handsasapil
low.Heal r
eadyknewhehadt owalk
fr
om her
eunti
lhomeatt histi
meofnightand
somehowhedi dn'
tfeell
ikei
tallt
ir
ed.
Hereal
isedhehadhishandsasf
ist
sallal
ongand
satonhisbut
topeni
nghishandhol
dingabone.

Tradit
ionalheal
er:Haveyoueveraskedyour self
whyshe' dchoseyououtofal lt
hepeopl e?Whyyou
wer et
heonl yoneabl etocommuni catewi t
hher?
Seeher? Andwhyever ythi
ngyouhadt rembled?
Tellmeyoudi dn'treal
lythinkal
lthatwillj
ustunf ol
d
i
nyourpl ate.Orshe' djustcomest r
aighttoyou
withoutavalidreasonwhyshe' dturnt oyouf orhel
p.
Kagi
so:
..
.
Tradi
ti
onalheal
er:I
tsbecouseyourgi
ft
ed.And
nowtheywantyoutoembr acet
hat.
Kagi
so:They?
Tr
adit
ionalheal
er:Weshouldstar
tear
lyt
omor
row
morni
ngyouneedt or
estfi
rst.
Kagi
so:Excuseme?
Tr
adi
ti
onalheal
er:Let
sgo.
Kagi
so:Gowher
e?Hel
lo!Ineedt
ogethome.
Tr
adi
ti
onalheal
er:Youwi
ll.Butnotanyt
imesoon.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
03]Lynne :Chapt
er93

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Theyallst
eppedoutoft
hecarhol
dingthegiftbags
andclosedthedoorwal
kingt
othedoorpressing
thedoorbell.

Bonol
o:Whyar
eyoual
lsoupt
ight?Rel
ax.
Sagi
:I'
m notupt
ightgi
rl,
thoughtofseei
ng
someoneinthi
sdoorjustmakesmenauseous.

Thedooropenedandt
heywal
kedi
ngr
eet
ingDi
neo.

Sagi
:Hey.
.i
sshehomeyet?
Di
neo:Yeaht
heyar
ri
vedhour
sago.
Sagi
:Sur
etheydi
d.Whyam Ievenaski
ngatt
his
ti
me?

Theyalll
aughedwal
kingupst
air
stoherr
oom and
knockedbefor
eent
eri
ng.
Rosella'
afacebri
ghtenedsmi li
ngandbalanced
herselfontheheadboardast heysatnextt
oheron
thebedandBonol opickedthebabyast hetwoof
them huggedher.Tear sburnedhereyesandthey
start
edf l
owingontheirshoulders.

Sagi
:I'
m sosor
rymyl
ove.
Di
tebogo:Soam I
.
Bonol
o:Met
oo.
Rosel
la:I
tsohk.
.whatmat
teri
syourher
enow.To
seemybaby.

Theypassedeachot
hert
hebabyandgavehert
he
gi
ftbags.Shetookoutt
hebabycl
othesandt
hey
weresoadorabl
ethanki
ngt
hem .

Rosel
la:Thi
sar
ecut
e,t
hankyou.
Sagi:
Yourwelcome.Ohkthi
sguyl
ooksl
ikehi
s
daddyoram Iseei
ngt
hings?
Di
tebogo:Defi
nit
elyhi
m .Ionl
ymethi
m oncebut
t
hatdefi
nit
elyhi
m.
Bonol
o:yeahhedoes.Andhelooksl
ikesomeoneI
metyest
erdaywhenIwasatpr
acti
ce.
Rosel
la:Who'
sthat?
Bonolo:Heandhi
swifewerehavi
nganargument
i
nthecarandshewentout.Whenhesawmehe
rol
leddownhiswi
ndowandsaidhisnamewasLefa
Maleka.
Rosel
la:ohyeah.
.That
'sMxol
isi
'
sol
derbr
other
.
He'
salsocute.
Sagi:Roseyou'
vebeenmarri
edinthatfamilyfor
fewweeksandalreadyyour
eadeveryone.What
kindofabri
dewereyoucourseyouweren'teven
st
ayi
ngnear
by?
Rosel
la:(
laughs)Isawhisfr
amedpi ct
uresat
Mxoli
si'
shouse.He' sf
ineIwon'
tli
e.Whatdidhe
want?
Bonol
o:Di
dn'
treal
lywantt
oknowwhathewanted
cour
seIdr
oveoffassoonashet
oldmehisname.
Sagi
:Wel
lyoudi
dwel
l.Sowhatt
hisguysnameI
'
m
car
ryi
ng?
Rosel
la:Ai
denandAkanyang
Di
tebogo:Y'
al
l'
ski
dsaregoingtobefir
ewhent
hey
gr
owup.Iswearthey'
l
lbefoughtover.
Sagi
:Whydoyousayt
hat?
Dit
ebogo:Sishaveyouseenyour
sel
f?Rose?
UncleBreezeandMxol
isi
?Damnyouguysare
hel
lafi
neandhot.Not hi
ngonyouguysi
swrong.
Bonol
o:Sowi
llyour
stoo.
Sagi:
Yeahdamnst r
aight
.Let
'spr
ayyour
sdoesn'
t
becomeaplayer.
Di
tebogo:(
laughs)Howmanyt
imesmustIsayt
his
?I
'
m notpr
egnant
.
Rosel
la:Whenl
astdi
dyouseeyourper
iod?
Di
tebogo:About2weeksago.
Rosell
a:Youknowitspossi
blef
oryout
obeon
yourperi
odsevenwhenyour1or2months
pregnant
.
Di
tebogo:Wel
ldar
li
ngI
'
m not
.
Sagi
:Shei
s.
Rosel
la:(
smi
li
ng)Iguesswewi
llsee.Who'
sthe
fat
her?

Theyallwentquit
eandSagirockedt hebabywhile
theybothstar
edather.Shepulledawei rdsmil
e
notwantingtothi
nkwhoitis.Sheswal lowed
forci
ngasmi l
eandlookedatthem feel
ingtear
s
readytoburnhereyeswhil
ehert hr
oatdr i
ed.

Rosel
la:Iguesst
hisawkwar
dnessmeansi t
'sone
per
sonright
?Kagiso?Kagi
soisthef
atherofyour
chi
ld.
Di
tebogo:Wear
enotsur
eyet
.
Bonolo:WellIam .She'
spregnantandshenever
sl
eptwi t
hanyoneforthepastmonthsexceptf
or
him wit
houtacondom.Theydon' tgi
veeachother
breakstobreat
h.Theygetweakwhent heyarenear
eachother.I'
m sorr
ybutiti
swhatitis.
Sagi
:Di
dn'
thavet
orubi
tinBonol
o.Shef
igur
ed.
Bonolo:Wecameher etomakepeaceandbui l
dthi
s
si
nkingrel
ationshipri
ght?Soifwear egoingto
conti
nuewi t
hitthenwhatwi l
lthi
ssist
erhoodbe
basedonlies?YesKagi soisthefat
herandt hey
l
oveeachot her,justt
hattheyarescaredtoadmiti
t
.
Di
tebogo:Wear
enotsur
eifhel
ovesmeei
ther
Bonol
o:Butyoudo.Anddontdenyi
tcour
seRose
caneasi
lyt
akehi
m backwhenhecomesback.
Rosell
a:(swall
owed)I'
mj ustgl
adtheybot
hmake
eachotherhappy.I
'm stari
ngtothi
nkwe
misunderst
oodtheprofecy.Hewasmeantt obe
myguardianandunit
ewit
hmebutnotinmar
ri
age.
IguessIwashopingyobemor
ethanj
ustt
hatwi
th
hi
m.
Di
tebogo:Doyoul
ovehi
m?
Rosella:Ilovedhi m si
ncet hedayIl ayedmyeyes
onhi m onavi deo.AndwhenIf inal
lymethi m on
thehospitalbedf orthef i
rstti
met hefeelingsIhad
forhim mul t
ipl
ied.Ididn'twantt oleavehi sside.
Butthenal lt
hatwascr ushedbymydadar ranging
mei namar r
iage.He'st hebestthisthat'sever
happenedt ome.Hesavedme.Isawt hewayhe
l
ooksatyouandhol dyou, justl
ikeheusedt owi t
h
mebutwi t
hyou-i t
sdifferent.YesIstil
ldo.Il ove
him .AndIwi l
lalwaysdo.ButIt hi
nkhishear tis
brokenbeyondr epai
rinmyhandsandonl yyoucan
fi
xitandhol di tsaf
e.Iwasachapt erinhi sli
feand
yourhissoulmat e.
Sagi:
Ohkgirl
slet
'scleart
hisasyousayBonol
o.
Doyoust
il
lloveKagiso?
Bonol
o:What?
Di
tebogo:I
tst
imewebehonestandst
artanew
page.Toget
herasaf
ami
ly.Doyou?

Bonol
olookedatthem andsi
ghedpull
ingthe
baby'
scl
othesthatRosell
asawstar
ti
ngt opack
them.

Bonolo:yeah. .iguessiwasneveroverhi m .I t'

s
hardtomoveonpasthi m .Besideshi sbeaut y
there'
sjustsomet hingelsenooneI 'veevermethas
evergivenme.Idon' tknowaboutOdi ri
lecour sewe
nevergott hechancet oliveourlovelif
et ot he
full
est.Hedoesn' thavemucht oofferbuthi slove
fi
ll
sallthegaps,eveni fheisami ll
ionmi lesaway
youcoul dstil
lfeelhim .Healmostdi edcour seof
meandIwi l
lneverforgetthat
.Andevenso-hi s
l
ovef ormeneverdi edunt i
lIr
uinedit.Ist i
llholdon
toourmemor iestogether.He'severythinga
womancanwi shf or
.Loving,sweet, patientand
hardworking.
Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)Don'
tfor
getbeaut
if
ul.
Rosel
la:(
smi
li
ng)Dontst
artont
hatonecour
se
wow!
Bonol
o:(
laughs)Hei
sexqui
sit
e!Damn!
Sagi
:(l
aughs)Yougi
rl
sar
edoomed!
Rosell
a:AuntKagi
soi
sir
resi
sti
ble.I
t'
sli
kehejust
poppedfr
om amagazi
necover-heisevenbeyond.
Bonol
o:Idontknowinwhatplanetorcl
oudwashe
madein,butdef
ini
tel
ynotpl
anetearth.
Dit
ebogo:Someti
mesIswearhei snotahuman
bei
ng.Andthathairl
ooksevengoodonhim !Aunt
dontt
ellmeyoudidn'
tseethat
.
Sagi:
Haigi
rl
..
Ionl
ygotyesonmyman.Idont
knowaboutKagi
so.He'
smyson,howwil
lIknow
that?
Al
l:(
laughi
ng)Ohcomeon!

Theylaughedwhent hedooropenedandthey
tur
nedl ooki
ngatJane.Shesighedwalki
ngover
andfoldedherhands.
Jane:Sowenawhenyou'
reher
e,who'
slooki
ng
aft
ert
hekids?
Sagi:
HiiJane.Theki
dsar
efi
ne.Ai
risi
nsaf
e
handsIassureyou.
Jane:Ihopeso.Hi
gir
ls.
(wal
kingaway)
Bonol
o/Di
tebogo:Hel
lo.
Rosel
la:Tal
kingnotasyourdaught
er-Youact
ing
bi
tt
er.
Jane:(
tur
nsar
ound)Excuseyou?
Rosel
la:Mom UncleBr
eezedoesn'
tloveyou.He
l
ovesher,yourhi
sbabymamaandt hat'st
hat.
Jane:Whosai dIloveyouruncle?Yourr i
ghtthe
onlythi
ngthatkeepsustogetherisAirandthat'
s
whyIwantust ohaveaf ri
endlyrel
ati
onshipforhis
sake.Nothingmor e.St
opget t
ingbigforyourown
shoes.

Shewal
kedoutandRosel
lasi
ghedrubbingher
handst
oget
hert
hentookherbabybreastf
eedi
ng
hi
m.
Sagi
:Ohk..
I'
llseeyoutomorrow.Igotbabi
est
oot
o
l
ookoutfor.Congrat
ulat
ionsdarl
ing.
Rosel
la:Thankyou.

Shehuggedherthentherestbef
orewal
kingout
andtheycont
inuedchatt
ing.

Thenextday

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezewalkedinallt
ir
edandwentst raighttothe
l
iquorsect
ionpouringhimselfaglass.Thiswas
unli
kehimt ogetmissingli
kethi
s.Hesear ched
everywher
ear oundthi
sneighborhoodandhi sbut
noonehaseverseenhi m.Hesighedrubbinghi s
headwhenSagiwal kedoverinhisshirtbarefoot.
Sagi:
ThoughtIhear
dthedoorunl
ocki
ng.Di
dn'
t
cl
osethebedr
oom door.
Br
eeze:Sor
ryf
orwaki
ngyou.
Sagi
:It
sohk.(
Satdown)Di
dyouf
indhi
m?
Breeze:No.
.Idon'
tevenknowwher eI'
m headed
fr
om here.TheonlyplacesIusual
lyf
indhim athe'
s
neverbeenther
e.
Sagi
:Doyout
hinkJackmi
ghthavet
akenhi
m agai
n?
Br
eeze:(
lookedather
)Idoubtt
hat.
Sagi:WhataboutJames?Hi
ssent
enceendst
his
yearri
ght?
Breeze:Itcan'
tbehi
m eit
her.Hedoesn'teven
knowei t
herofyou.Eventhethoughtofr
unningout
ofplacestosearchf
rust
ratesme.
Sagi:
Thenl
et'
slett
hepol
icehandl
ethi
sthei
rway
si
nceour
sfai
led.
Breeze:Howaboutwet akeoutarewar
dforanyone
whoseeshim orf
indshim ?Thiswil
lmakethe
searchi
ngmoreeasier
.
Sagi
:Thatcouldwor ktoobutwhati
fhe'scaptur
ed
bydangerouspeopleandharm hi
m ?Let'
ssearch
l
owwedontwantt ograbatt
enti
onwehaveot her
ki
dstolookaft
er.We' l
lfi
ndourson,Iknowit.

Breezegulpedhisgl assandt ur nedlookingatheri n

thatshir
t.Thiswasat urnonseei ngherl i
ket his.
Hepul l
edherbyherwai stkissingherwhi leshe
helpedunbucklehisbandt henhepushedheron
thetable.Hepul l
edt heshi r
tupandsmi ledseei ng
thatshewasn'twear inganyt hingunder neat h.He
tookouthisboyst rokinghi msel fandgui dedi tto
herentrancegrabbingahandf ullofherhai rwhile
holdingherwaist.Hepushedhi msel fi
nandshe
gaspedr ai
singherbackbuthepushedherdown
thenletheradjustbef oredrill
ingi nandoutofher.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Abi
gai
lsati
nfr
ontoft
hemirr
orweari
ngherear
rings
l
ooki
ngatMxoli
sir
efl
ect
ionst
il
lasl
eeponthebed.
Hetossedwi t
hhishandsear chi
ngforherand
f
inal
lyraisedhisbodylooki
ngaroundleani
ngon
t
heboar drubbinghiseyes.

Mxol
isi
:It
'sabi
tear
lydontyout
hink?
Abigai
l:Foryouiti
s,notme.Igottogoset
tl
e
somepaperwor kandgocheckouthowmynew
placei
sgoingandgot hr
oughsome-
Mxoli
si:Ri
ght
..
.(
soft
ly)butIt
houghtmaybeIcoul
d
getamorni
ngglory.
.
Abigail
:(smi
li
ng)Ipr
omisewhenIgetbackI'
m all
yours.YoucandowhateveryouwantIwontr
esist
butfornowIhavetogotowor k.

Shestoodupfixi
nghersui
twalki
ngoverforaki
ss.
Thekissgotst
eamyandpulledherr
oll
ingontopof
heronthebedasshegiggl
ed.

Mxol
isi
:Pl
ease.
..
Abi
gai
l:Notnowbaby.
Mxol
isi
:Doyouknowhowf
ert
il
esper
misear
lyi
n
t
hemorning?
Abi
gai
l:Iknowbut
-
Mxoli
si:(ki
ssi
ngherneck)Butyougot
tagot
o
work.Iknow.

Hepulledawaylayingonhersi deandshet urned

l
ookingathimfeelingpity.Shetoowant edachi l
d
sobadbutwor kalsohadherwi t
hthesleeves.She
si
ghedr ubbi
ngherf oreheadfaci
ngupast hei dea
ofwhathappenedwi t
hBr eezecoul
drepeatitself
wit
hhimt oo.ButBr eezehadenoughsex, hewas
j
ustbeingcarel
ess.
Mxolisiki
ssedhercheekbeforegett
ingoutofbed
str
etchinghisneckgoi
ngt otakeashower.She
l
ookedathi m andgotoffbedtaki
ngoffherclothes
fol
lowinghiminsidepi
nninghim onthewallkissi
ng
.
Mxol
isi
:It
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngt
owor
k.
Abi
gai
l:I
tcanwai
t.

Hesmil
edpicki
ngherandwal
kedundert
heshower
havi
ngherf
orbreakf
ast
.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Janewalkedintoheroffi
ceandsi
ghedlockingthe
doorbehi
ndher.I t
'sbeenawhil
esinceshewas
hereanditbroughtbackallt
hememoriesthatt
ook
pl
aceinthissameof fi
ce.Shesi
ghedput ti
ngher
baginthetableandsatonherchai
rswi ngi
ng
around.

Jane:Wow.
.

Sheputherel
bowsonthet
abl
eandbal
ancedher
headwit
hherhandst
hensi
ghed.Whathappened
i
nher eindeedwasj ustamomentt heyshared.He
doesn'tloveherandsheherselfi
sn'tr
eall
yintohim.
Maybei t'
sj usthowiti
s.Sheisonlyattr
actedto
him onlywhenhe' shereandwhennot ,sheisn'
t.
Hewasn' thersint
hefir
stpl
aceandshej usthasto
acceptthat.
Thedoorsl
idopenandshesatupst
rai
ghtl
ooki
ng
atJessi
ewalki
ngin.

Jessi
e:Alit
tl
ehi
ibef
oreget
ti
ngt
oocomf
ort
abl
e
would'
vebeenni
ceyouknow.
Jane:(
smil
ing)I'
m sosor
ry.Imissedmyoff
iceI
j
ustwentst
raighti
ntoi
t.Hi-howareyou?
Jessie:I'
m good.Youl
ookwel
lyour
sel
fbutsl
ight
ly
bothered.Areyouohk?
Jane:YeahI
'
mfi
ne.I
'
mreadyt
osavel
ives.
Jessi
e:ohk...
let
'sgett
oitt
hen(
placedf
il
esont
he
tabl
e).Welcomeback!
Jane:Thankyou.
Shewalkedoutandsheworehercoatchecki
ngt
he
fi
lesput
ti
ngherstet
hoscopear
oundherneck.

AtTheLyonsMansi
on.

Ditebogost oodnextt
ot hebabycotl
ookingatthe
babysl eepingandsmiledtouchi
nghisli
ttl
ehand.
Thereisj ustsomethi
ngaboutbabiesthatmake
them soador abl
e.Sheneededt ogocheckupfirst
and
i
fi ndeedshewaspr egnant
,shecouldn'
twaitt
o
holdherownchildinherhands.Herphone
recievedanot
if
icati
onandshereaditthenputi
t
awayl ooki
ngatthebaby.
Sheshookherheadandwor
ehershoeswaki
ng
Bonol
o.

Bonol
o:Mmmhh.
.
Di
tebogo:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oschool?
Bonolo:Nottoday..
(si
tsup)IthinkIshouldjust
focusonmyt enni
scareer.It
ski ndsworkingit'
s
wayup.I '
m notgi
vinguponi ttostudybusiness.
I
t'sgett
ingsomewhere.BesidessoonI '
llbeleaving
totheSanator
ium.
Di
tebogo:Ohk.
.seeyouguys-I
'
m goi
ngt
owor
k.
Bonol
o:Yourl
ate.
Dit
ebogo:Iknow.I'
l
lseeyouguysl
ater.OhandI '
l
l
tal
ktoauntSagit
omakecall
saboutyourissueyou
shoul
dtalkt
oyourmother.
Bonol
o:Ohk.

Shewal kedoutandBonol oyawnedgoi ngbackt o

sleepnextt oRosewhopr et
endedtobeasl eepall
along.Rosesi ghedl
ookingatherandt ossed
getti
ngof fthebedandwentt ost
andbyt hewindow
l
ooki ngatDi t
ebogogett
inginheruberr ide.She
turnedt oherbabyandcover edhim astearsblurr
ed
hersi ghtandshewalkedt othebathroom cryi
ng.
AtGai
l'
sGal
ler
y.
Ar
ound15h00

Breezedrovebywhenhepar kedontheparki
ng
space.Comi ngherewasnotwhatheplannedtodo
buthehadt oaskheranyway.Hegotoutfothecar
andlockedgoinginsi
dethebuil
dinggr
eeti
ngthe
recept
ioni
stpacki
nghisboxes

Br
eeze:Hi
iissheher
e.
Recept
ioni
st:Yeah.
.she'
sfi
nishi
ngup.
Br
eeze:Ohkt
hankyou.
Recepti
oni
st:Idon'
tmeantober udeorint
erf
eri
ng
butwhyareyouguysdivor
cing?Imeanyour
rel
ati
onshi
pwast heA-
li
stpolygamyaroundthi
s
town.Ever
yone'
sfavor
it
ecouple.
Br
eeze:Somet
hingsar
enotmeantt
olasti
nli
fe
br
a.
Recept
ioni
st:Yeahneh.
Hewal kedtoherof f
iceleavinghimt ocarryon.He
stoppedont hedoorlisteni
ngcar eful
lynotto
dist
urbcour sesomet i
mesbar gingininofficesi
s
neveragreati dea.Butthistimeitwasn'tthat,
i
nsteadhehear dsobs.Hesl ight
lyopenedt hedoor
andshequi cklywipedhert earsturni
ngaroundwi t
h
herchairforhim nottoseeher.Af t
erwipingher
tearssheturnedbackandhewal kedinclosingthe
door.

Br
eeze:Hi
iIguess.
Abi
gail
:(smil
ing)Youguess?Youj
ustwal
kedi
n
wit
houtknocking.
Br
eeze:Sor
ry.
.hi
i.
Abi
gai
l:Hi
i.Takeaseat.
Br
eeze:NahI'
m goodst
andi
ng,
I'
m notgoi
ngt
o
st
ayhereforl
ong.
Abi
gai
l:Ohk.
.howmayIhel
p?
Br
eeze:Kagi
soi
smi
ssi
ng.
Abi
gai
l:(
scof
fs)I
sn'
theal
waysmi
ssi
ng?
Breeze:Thi
stimeitsseri
ous.He'sbeengonesi nce
yester
dayandIcantfindhim anywhere.Ther
e'sno
tr
aceofhim .Icameheretoaskyoui fyouhaven't
seenhim bychance?
Abigail
:No..haven'
tseenhi
mi nawhi
le.Buteven
i
fhei smissi
ng, heal
waysfi
ndshiswayhome
doesn'the?Ormaybehemi ssedhi
smot her.
Breeze:Per hapsbuthewould'vecall
edorsai
d
somet hing.Kagisoisnotasil
entguycomingtohis
whereabout s.Bythewaywhyar eyoucryi
ng?
Pleasedon'ttellmehecheatedorhurtyoucourse
I'
l
lspar efewmi nut
esofmyt imeandsorthim out.
Abi
gai
l:(
smil
ing)I
'
m gladyousti
llcar
ebuti
t'
snot
t
hat.MeandMxoli
siar
efine-sor
tof.
Br
eeze:WhydoIf
eell
iket
her
esmor
etot
hat?
Whatisi
t?

Shelookedathi
m andsi
ghed.Thiswashersoont
o
beex-husbandi
namont h,andevent
hough-she
st
il
ltr
usthi
ml i
kehe'
sstil
lher
sforkeeps.He
smil
edabitandasalwayshemanagedt omakeher
bl
ushandshelookedaway.

Abi
gai
l:Sur
elyyouhear
dRosel
lagavebi
rt
hri
ght
?
Br
eeze:Yep.
Abigai
l:That'
stheproblem Ihave.Icantseem t
o
havekids.Idontknowwhatwr ongwithmeandi t
hurtsmethatIcantprocreate.
Br
eeze:haveyouseenadoct
orbef
oreaboutt
his?
Abigai
l:Idi
d,evenwhenIwasstil
lwit
hyou.Icant
havekids,t
houghI'
m heal
thy.I
t'
sli
keI'
m cur
sedto
nothaveany.

Breezelookedatherasshewipedhertear
s.Thisis
exactlywhatl
edhimt ohavi
ngachildputof
marriage.Hedidn'tr
eall
yknowhowt ocomforta
womanwhenshe' sdeeplyi
npainespeci
all
ythe
oneshe'sattr
actedto.
Abi
gai
lsni
ff
edl
ooki
ngathi
m wi
thhi
shandsi
nthe
pocket
sst
ari
ngatherandshest
oodupst
il
lint
ear
s
goi
ngtohi
m.

Abi
gai
l:(
tear
y)Canyouhel
pmef
indout?
Breeze:uhmm .
..
yeah.
.Icoul
ddri
veyout
othe
hospit
alanddomorecheckups.
Abi
gai
l:No..
BreezewhenIgotmarr
iedtoyou,
we
wer
eti
edtoget
herasonebytheancestor
s.Maybe
-
Br
eeze:(
frowned)Maybewhat?
Abi
gai
l:Maybei
t'
syou.
Br
eeze:Me?What?

Shewal kedtot hedoorandlockedtaki

ngoutt he
keygoingt oputitinasafe.Breezelookedather
notknowi ngwhat '
shappeningunti
lsher ushedover
pinni
ngherl i
psonhi skissi
nghim .Hemi ssedthi
s
l
ipsbuthepul ledbacklooki
ngather.
Br
eeze:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Abi
gai
l:Br
eezeI
'm marri
edtoyoutr
adi
ti
onal
ly.My
wombisti
edandonlyyoucanbreakme.
Br
eeze:Butyournotavi
rgi
n.
Abi
gai
l:WhatImeani
sonl
yyoucangetme
pr
egnant
.
Breeze:Excuseme?That'
smadnessther
esnot
suchat hi
ngandevenso-youandIar
egetti
ng
divor
cedandwe'lldot
hecer
emonylet
ti
ngyougo
thenyoucanhaveasmanykidsasyouwant.Dont
behasty.
Abi
gail
:(ki
ssi
nghi
m)ButIwantt
hechi
ldnow.
Pl
ease.
Br
eeze:(
pul
ledback)No.
.

Het
ookst epsawayf
rom herandwentt
ost
andon
t
heothersideoft
het
able.

Abi
gai
l:Br
eezeI
'
m beggi
ngyou.Whati
faf
tert
he
cer
emonyst
il
lIcantgetpr
egnant?Yourmyonl
y
opt
ion.
Breeze:Nodarli
ngI'
m not.Youcanst
il
ladopt
,you
canstil
lgetasurr
ogat
e.
Abigai
l:Letanotherwomancarrymychi ld?No!I
wantmi neandtocarryi
tmyself.(Cr
ying)Breeze
pl
ease.Ohki fyoudontwanttogivemeachi l
dthen
fi
neI'l
lunsealmywombwi thyourbabyt henabort.
Breeze:(gasped)What?!Ki
llmybaby!No!
Absolutel
ynotAbigai
l!Openthedamndooryour
l
osingit!
Abi
gai
l:(
cryi
ng)Br
eezeIneedyourhel
ppl
ease.
Fi
neIwontabor
tI'
l
lkeepi
t.Please.
Breeze:No..Abigailsoonyourgett
ingmar r
ied.
Trustmeyoudon' twanttoenteramar ri
agewi th
yourexhusbandschi ld.Goshwhatwi l
lyourfiance
sayaboutthi
s? !He'
lllosei
nterestt
rustmeandyou
dontwantthatcourseyoul ovehim.
Abi
gai
l:AndIsti
lll
oveyout
oo.Breezepl
ease.Ohk
he'
l
lneverknow.NoonehastoknownotevenSagi
.
Breeze:Theywil
l.Allmyki
dsl
ookl
ikeme.
Everyt
hingonthem i
t'
sme.
Abi
gai
l:Thenpl
easedonat
eyoursper
m.
Breeze:Wow!Your eal
lydi
dyourhomewor
kon
thi
s,didn'
tyoursweethear
t?
Abigail:No..j
ustdesper
ate.(Takesoffherj
acket
andtop)please(cryi
ng)Breezeyourtheonlyone
thatcanhelpme. .

Shetookoffhercl
othesashelookedathernot
knowingwhattodo.Hewal kedtohershel
ves
l
ookingforasparekeyandfoundnothi
ng.He
swall
owednotwant i
ngtolookatherasshecri
ed
walki
ngtowardshim naked.

Abi
gai
l:(
cryi
ng)Doyoul
oveme?
Br
eeze:Nobaby,
nott
hatcar
d.I
'
m notdoi
ngi
t.
Abi
gai
l:Answerme!Doyou?
Br
eeze:ofcour
seIl
oveyoudammi
t!ButI
'
m not
l
eavi
ngyouwi
thachi
ld.

Herubbedhi
sfacewal
kingoverandshet
ri
edt
o
unbuckl
ehi
sbandbutheheldherhandsl
ooki
ngat
her.

Breeze:Abigailt
here'
snowayyourwombisseal
ed
formet oi
mpr egnateyou.Iknowi
tcoul
dbebutI
fi
ndithardtobelieve.
Abi
gai
l:(cr
ying)Thenwhywon'
tyoul
etusf
indout
i
fit
'st
rue?
Breeze:Becausei t
'swrong.Yourget t
ingmar ried
andIhaveawi fe.IknowImessedupbef oreandI
don'twanttorepeatthesamemi stake.Mxol i
si
l
ovesyouandi fhefindsoutthatyout urnedtome
forhelphe'
llbemadashel lcoursenotonl ywillwe
havehurthim, butsteppedonhi sdignityasyour
man.Weonl yhaveamont hleftforitt
obef inalized
.Andevensowecangat hertheeldersandhave
theceremonyset ti
ngyouf ree,Idontmi ndbut
pleasedontmakemedot his.YouknowIl oveyou
andthat
'swhyyourpul
li
ngt
hisonme.ButI
'
m
sor
ryIcantdoi
t.
Abi
gai
l:Youcantoryoudontwantt
o?
Br
eeze:Idowantt
o,butIcant.I
'
m sor
ry.
Abi
gai
l:(
cryi
ng)NoBr
eezeno.
.

Shepushedhi
m onthet
abl
eandpinnedherli
pson
hi
swhenhemovedawaybutsti
llshefol
lowedhi
m
wher
everhewent.

Br
eeze:Nowyouract
ingcr
azy,
getdr
essed!
Abi
gai
l:Notunt
ilyouhel
pme!
Br
eeze:No!
Abi
gail:ThenyouandIar
enotl
eavi
ngt
hisr
oom
unt
ilyoufuckme!
Breeze:Abi
gai
lIhaveasont
ogol
ookf
or!Dont
pushme!
Abi
gai
l:Youcansl
apme!Chokeme!Ki
llme!Or
whateverbutyournotl
eavingthisr oom unt
ilyou
helpme!Eveni fyoudecidet
ot orturethepi
nof
thatsaf
eoutofiwontbr eakuntilyouhelp!

Breezesi
ghedrubbinghisheadandsatdownon
herchai
rlooki
ngather.Shepi ckedherphone
writ
ingMxoli
siatextandputitbackfol
dingher
hands.

Breeze:AndIdon'
tmindwat
chi
ngyounakedal
l
daylove.Youknowthat
.
Abi
gai
l:Fi
ne.I
'
mreadywhenyouar
e.

Breezelookedatherlayi
ngont hecouchandhe
couldn'
thelpbutchuckleamazed.Het ext
edStone
tohelpsearchKagisowithother sandsatbackas
thethoughtofdial
ingMxol i
sicrossedhismind.But
howwi l
lheexplainhimselfbeinghere.

Br
eeze:Ar
eyour
eal
lyt
hatdesper
atet
obea
mot
her?
Abi
gai
l:Ver
y.(
Sof
tl
y)Comeher
e..
Br
eeze:Nomam .
..
No.
.

Att
hedoct
or'
sof
fi
ce.

Ar
ound16h00

Dit
ebogol
ayedonthebedast
hedoct
orappl
ieda
gelononherbel
ly.

Di
tebogo:That
'scol
d.
Doct
or:(
smi
li
ng)Iknow.

Shestar
tedscanni
ngherandherhear
tpounded
l
ooki
ngatthescreen.Thedoct
orsmil
edlooki
ngat
her.
Doct
or:Doyouheart
hat?
Di
tebogo:.
..
Doctor:That'
syourbaby'
shear
tbeat.(Poi
nted)
ther
e...
itl
ooksli
keyour5weekspregnant.
Congratul
ati
ons!

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
03]Lynne :Chapt
er94.

Thenextday.
.

AtMi
dni
ght
.

Abigaill
ookedatBreezesl eepingont hechairwit
h
hisheadont hetabl
e.Thi sguywassoat tr
acti
ve
andhavi nghischi
ldwoul dn'tbesuchabadi dea.It
wouldn'tbeforthefi
rstt
imebei nginat r
iangl
e,
everyonearoundthem isinvolvedi natri
angle.She
l
ovedhermanbuti fhavinganot hermanschi ldit
's
herbreakthroughtohappi nesst hensobei t.
Shewalkedovert
ohi
m andwentundert
het
abl
e
unbuckl
inghi
sbandwit
hshakyhands.
Meanwhil
eBreezesmiledpr
etendi
ngtosleep
l
ett
inghercont
inue.Thiswassocrazyevenforher.
Shemanagedt ounbuckl
ehisbandandbreathed
outunbut
toninghi
sJeanthenwhenshewasabout
tosl
ideherhandinhepushedbacktheseatholdi
ng
herhandslooki
ngatherunder
neath.

Br
eeze:Yourr
appi
ngmenow?
Gail
:(get
ti
ngout )Breezepl
ease.WhatmustIdoto
pr
ovet oyouhowmuchIneedt hi
s?Whatdoyou
wantmet odof oryout odothi
sforme?Nameyour
pr
iceIswearI'
lldeli
ver.Talktomebabypl
ease.
Br
eeze:Anyt
hing?
Gai
l:Anyt
hing.Iswear.
Br
eeze:unl
ockt
hedoor.
Gai
l:Nonott
hat
.Yet!
Breeze:Abigai
lfort
he-Idon'tknowhowmany
ti
mesbutNo.Youhaveaf iancewhoyoushoul dbe
beggingthismuchforsexnotmeandIhaveawi f
e
whom byt hewayifyoufor
gotI'm st
il
ltr
yingt
o
provemysel ft
oo, idontwanttomesst hatupby
havingachildwithmysoont obeexwife.Shehas
hadandst i
llhasal otofdramainherli
fethelast
thi
ngsheneedsi stwobabymama' sknockingon
herdoor.Janei sbeingapai ni
ntheasspr et
tysure
i
twoul dn'
ttakeyout ootwoturnstobecomeone
whenyouknowhoweasi lyshegetsir
ri
tated.
Gail
:I'l
ltal
ktoSagi,sheunderst
andsme.Br eeze
I
'm beggingyou,doyoulikeseei
ngmel i
kethis?
BreezeIknowIhurtyouandI '
m sor
ry.Forgi
veme.

Shepul
ledherhandsandsl
idthem i
ntohi
spants
whenhegaspedstandi
ngwalkingt
otheothersi
de
oft
hetabl
ewearingup.

Breeze:Thi
sisr
ape-har
rassment
.Icoul
drepor
t
youforthi
s.
Gail
:Iknow,butdoyout
hinkt
hey'l
lbel
ieveyou?
Breezest
opbei
ngli
kethi
sandlet
'sdothis.Iknow
youwantthi
scooki
ecomegetit.
Breeze:Yourr ightIdobutIgott okeepmywor d.
I'
m wor ki
ngonmymar ri
ageandasf arasI
concernedt hi
ngsar ef al
li
ngbacktoplace.Abigai
lI
l
efthomef ull
.Mywi feshoneypotdoesi tasalways
andIdon' twantt othrowt hataway.Youwillhavea
babyint i
me.Dontl etthisbethewayyourbabyi s
conceivedlove.(t ookouthi sphone)
Gai
l:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Breeze:Textingyourl
over.Maybehecan
str
aightenyouthoughI'
llhavet
ocomeupwitha
convincingli
eonhowIendedupher ewit
hyouat
thi
stimebl oodynaked.

Het ypedamessagesendingi tandsatonthe

couchr ubbi
nghi
sf ace.Hertearsdroppedl
ooki
ng
athim andshepickedherclot
heswear ingt
hem
beforewalki
ngtothesafetakingoutthekey.

Gai
l:(
wipest
ear
s)Pl
ease.
.
Br
eeze:No.
Gai
l:Justonceandi
fitf
ailt
henI
'
lll
eti
tbe.
Br
eeze:Mmhh-hmm no.I
'
m sor
ry.

Shewi pedhert earsgi vinghi mt hekeyandhe

wal kedt ot
hedoorunl ocki ng.Het urnedlooki ngat
herf acingoutsidet hewi ndowandsi ghedl i
stening
tohersobb.Hebi thi sl i
pr eali
zinghowmuchofan
effectshest i
llhasonhi m .Hesomadl ywant edt o
butt hewasj ustsomet hingholdi nghi m back.He
shookhi sheadr ushingoverandr oughl yturnedher
piningheront hewi ndowki ssi
ngher.Hel if
tedher
handsaboveherheadhol dinghert hi
ghonhi s
wai stthenletgoofherhandsr i
ppi nghershi rt
l
ooki ngatherbabi esint hatbra.Her ubbedt hem
takingt hem outstillki
ssi ngherandwentdown
sucki ngthem whi l
et wi stingasshemoaned.
Thiswassogood, shecouldnevergetusedto
feeli
nghishandsalloverherl
ikethi
s.Shepulled
hisheadupf orakissunbuckl
inghisband
breathi
ngheavil
yast heywalkedtothetabl
e.He
l
iftedherput
tingheronthetablewhenSagicrossed
hi
smi
ndandhepul
ledawayhol
dinghi
shead

Br
eeze:Fuck!
Abi
gai
l:Whati
sit?
Breeze:I '
m sorryIshouldn'thavedonet hat.We
can'tdot his.Youlovehim andIknowoneday
you'l
lbel ayingonthedoct or'sbedlookingatyour
babyont hescreengrowingi nyourbelly.Notmi ne.
Trustmet hiswil
lhauntyout hatyourkeepi ngt hi
s
bigsecr ettoyoupartner.I'
mt al
kingfr
om
experience.Youdontwantt hatcourseyou' l
llose
everythinggoodi nyourli
fewhent hetruthfinally
revealsitsselfanditwouldt akeyears, Iknowso.
Truthneverst aysburied.Italwayscomesoutone
wayoranot her.

Hewalkedoverf
ixi
nghi
mselfandrubbedawayher
tear
sbefor
ecubi
ngherfaceki
ssi
ngherthenpul
led
backwalki
ngtot
hedoor.
Breeze:Stayfait
hfulandtrut
hfult
oyoursel
f.Your
agoodheal thywoman,youdontneedachi ldto
provethattoyoursel
foranyone.Yourtimewill
comebepat i
entandletyourbodyprepar
e.Ilove
you.
Abi
gai
l:Il
oveyout
oo.

Hewinkedatherandshesmi
ledwi
pinghert
ear
sas
hewalkedaway.
Shewentt oherseatandtookoutherphonediali
ng
Mxol isi
.Shebreathedoutthi
nkinghowshe'l
l
explainBreezestextwhenearli
ershetol
dhim over
textshewasgoi nghomef orthenight.Heyawned
ont hephoneandshef r
ownedwal ki
ngtothedoor
l
ocki ngit.

Mxol
isi:Heybaby.I
sever
ythi
ngohk?
Abi
gai
l:Yeah..
um .
..
ever
ythi
ng'
sjustf
ine.
..
just
want
edtotel
lyouIl
oveyou.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Youcal
lmet
hist
imeofni
ghtt
o
t
ellmet
hat?Lor
dIf
eel
lovedasmad.Il
oveyou
t
oomylove.
Abi
gai
l:Haveabeaut
ysl
eep.
Mxol
isi
:Yout
oobabe.

Shehangupsi
tt
ingdownandbr
okei
ntear
s.
*
*
Thenextday
*
*
Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Rose'
sphonevibrat
edontheheadboardandshe
tur
nedtaki
ngitandansweredt
heconferencecall
.
Shesmiledseei
ngthem (
Bonol
oandDi tebogo)

Rose:Heyl
adi
es.
Al
l:Hi
iyou.
Di
tebogo:Howi
sourboydoi
ng?
Rose:Hei
sasl
eepyhead.He'
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
Di
tebogo:Oh..j
ustwant
edtocheckuponyou.You
mustbelonel
ybeingal
lal
onether
e.
Rose:NoIhaveboyher
etokeepmecompany.
Bonol
o:Doesn'
thecr
yatni
ght?
Rose:Everybabydoes,
Ihavemom andDineoto
hel
pwiththat.Howdidt
hecallt
otheSanat
ori
um
go?
Bonolo:ohwell
..SagisaysI'
m goingtheretoday
that
'swhyIwantedtocallandsaygoodbyecour se
apparent
lywer
enotal l
owedtousephonest here.
Mom hasagreedcoursesheunder standsthiski
nd
ofthi
ngsandshe'sreall
ysupport
ive.
Rose:That
'sgood.Yourdad?
Bonol
o:Thoughhim andiar
enotoneachot hers
badbooks,Ideci
dedtocutmyselfoutofhisli
fe.
Hehasaf amil
yhepaystoomuchat tent
iontoand
car
eslessaboutme.Hedoesn'tcallorcheckupon
measi fI
'
mt heonethathedivor
ced.Idontwantto
for
cemysel fint
ohisli
fewhenit'
sclearenoughhe
doesn'
tgiveadamnaboutme.Canyoubel ievehe
nevercal
lsoranythi
ng?Al lhedoesissendme
moneyeverymont hasi fi
t'
senough.
Di
tebogo:i
nsosor
ry.
.
Bonol
o:i
tsohk..sohowdi
dthecheckupgo?Tel
l
mewewereright
.
Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)Wel
l..(
shr
ugged)
Rose:What
'st
hatmean?
Bonolo:Isn'
tobvi
ous?Shecookingupsomethi
ng
cheesyinheroven!We'r
ehavingaminiPeace!

Theybothl
aughedonthecallbutshejustsmi
led
l
ookingatt
hem andbi
therli
pchuckling.

Rose:IguessCongr
atul
ati
onsar
einor
der.
Di
tebogo:Thankyoul
ove.
Bonol
o:Cantwai
ttoseewhathi
sseedsgr
owupt
o
bei
ng?I
'
m sur
esheorhe'
l
llookexact
lyl
ikehi
m.
Di
tebogo:GodIpr
ayhe/
shedoes!(
Smi
li
ng)
Rosell
a:Congr
atul
ati
ons!Ihavet
ogot
hebabyi
s
wakingup.Bye.

Shehangupbef oretheycouldanswerherand
threwt hephoneont hebedburst i
ngi nt ears.That
wassupposedt obeher stocarryandnowi ts
mi spl
acedi nanotherwoman.Thi shur treall
ybad
.Sheshookherheadget t
ingof
fbedandwentt o
getdr essedincomf ortabl
eclothes.Shecameback
andt ookherbabygoi ngtohermot her'
sr oom
takingherot hercarkeys.Shewal kedout
downst airstothediningroom andf oundDi neo
wipingt hecardboards.

Rose:hey.
.canyoupl
easel
ookaf
terhi
mforaf
ew
minsandI'
l
lbeback?
Dineo:Iwi
llbutRosell
ayournotal
lowedt
ogetout
ofthehouse.Youj ustgavebi
rt
h.
Rose:Iknowbutthi
sisi
mpor
tant
.Iwoul
dn'
tifi
t
wasn'
t.Please.
Dineo:Fine,
justmakesur
eyougetbackher
eas
fastasyoucan.
Rose:Ipr
omi
se.

Shekissedhisfor
eheadandsmi l
edwalki
ngout
doingbreat
hexcerci
ses.Shegotintot
hecarand
checkedherphonecoverforhercar
dthendr
ove
outheadedtothecli
nic.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Bonol
opackedhersmallbagandsighedpicki
ngi
t
wit
hherphone.Shelookedaroundthenwent
downstai
rsf
indi
ngSagiwait
ingbythestai
rs
car
ryi
ngAirasheplayedwit
hhistoy.

Sagi
:You'
l
lbef
ine.Justf
ocusonyour
sel
fand
ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine.
Bonol
o:Thanl
you.Butfi
rstIwant
edtogo
somewher
e.IknowIhaven'
tbeenther
einawhi
le,
j
ustwantt
ogosaysomef ewwordstohim.
Sagi
:Ohk..
letmegett
hekidsandI'
llaccompany
you,
we'l
lpassbythef
lowershop.
Bonol
o:Ki
dsi
nagr
aveyar
d?I
sthatal
lowed?Ohk?
Sagi:
IdontknowsoIdon'
twanttor
iskit,
Iwillbe
outsi
dewit
hthem you'
l
lgoi
nalone.Theyjustate.
Bonol
o:Ohk.

Shegavehim ai
randwentupst
air
stogetthetwins.
Aft
erawhilet
heyallwal
kedoutandgoti
nt hecar
dri
vingof
f.

AtTheCl
ini
c.

Af
terawhi
le.
RosesteppedoutoftheCli
nicwithapoundi
ng
hearthol
dingasmallbrownpaperbag.Shelooked
i
nsidethenshookherheadast ear
sblur
redher
si
ghtlooki
nguprubbinghertears.

Rose:NoIcantdothi
s..
.yesican,
It'
l
lpassi
n
t
ime.NonoRosellano..

Shekeptarguingwi t
hhersel
funtilshegatherd
hersel
fandwal kedtowardsthecar.Youdontst ar
t
whatyoucantf ini
sh.Shestarteditandshe'l
lhave
tofini
shi
t.Shebr eathedoutrubbinghertearsand
text
edDitebogo.

Di
tebogo:Heyl
ove.
Rosel
la:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngf
ort
heday?
Dit
ebogo:Wel l,
rightnowI '
m atwor
k,andwhenI
getoffI
'm goi
ngst r
aighthome.Why?Have
anythi
nginmind?
Rosell
a:Yeah.
.I'
m bor
edher
eal
lal
onetr
uly
speaki
ng.Canyoucomekeepmecompany?
Di
tebogo:Yeahsur
e,I
'
llber
ightt
her
ewhenIknock
of
f.
Rosel
la:Ohkcool.

Sheheavil
ysighedthr
owi
ngherphoneont
he
passengerseatanddr
oveof
f.

Att
hecemet
ery.

Bonolowalkedaroundt hegravestoOdiri
le'
sand
ever
yst epshetookfeltheavyandhereyeswel l
ed
upuntilshegotthere.Shestoodbyl ooki
ngatit
andthenputthef l
owersont hegravereadingt
he
tombstone.

Bonol
o:(smil
edundert
ear
s)Cantbel
ievethey
addedboyf
ri
endonyourst
one.Son,brother,
f
ri
endandboyf
ri
end.

Shechuckledrubbi
nghert
ear
sandputherhands
i
nherjacketpocket
s.

Bonolo:Wecoul d'
vebeent oget herr ightnowOdi ri
le.
Whydi di thavet obeyou?Wehadpl ansandour
l
ovewasgr owingnon-stopmul ti
plyi ngever ysi ngle
dayandhour.Youshoul dn'thavegonet her ebaby.
(Teary)Nowl ookatme-hal lucinat ingorwhat ever
I'
m doi ngofyoucour seIcantacceptt her ealit
yand
getalongwi t
ht i
me.ButbabyIr efuset ot hinkt hat
yourmyspi ri
tualhusbandoraghosthaunt i
ngme.
That'
swhyI 'm goingtogetpr ofessi onalhel p.
(chuckl es)DitebogothinksyouandIcanst i
llget
mar r
ied.I t
'scrazybutihopeshe' srightcour seI
cantbewi t
hanot hermani fit
'snotyou.Ohandt he
messageyouwr oteus, wehaven' tr eadi tyetsi nce
thefirstlinerequestedust or eadi taf terayearand
ahalfandwe' rehonoringthat.Ihopeyourhappy
whereveryouar e.Pleasecont inuel ookingaf terus.
Yourfor
everl
ovedandmi
ssed.Il
oveyoubaby.
Always.

Shewalkedovert othetombstoneandpl
anteda
l
ipst
ickkissandsteppedbacksmi l
ingst
il
lin
uncontr
ollabl
etears.Shebitherl
ipandwalked
awaycryingsorrowful
ly.
Meanwhi l
eSagireci
evedamessagefr
om the
Sanatori
um andsighedl
ooki
ngatBonolowalking
overcryi
ngandshecouldhearherf
rom adistance.
Shewentoutofthecarandmetherhalfway
huggingherti
ght
lygentl
yrubbi
ngherback.

Sagi
:Shhh.
..
it
sohk.
.
Bonolo:(cr
ying)Whati fhewasst andingbytalki
ng
tomeandIcoul dn'thearhim ?Orwhati fhe
touchedmebutIf eltnot
hing?I thurtsSagi,Icant
takeit!Iwanttohearhi svoiceandf eelhishands
wrappedar oundme.Iwantt ofeelhiswar mthand
hearhislaughter.Evenifit'
sf ort
hel astti
me!Why
him?
Sagi
:I'
m sosor
ryBonol
o.I
'
m sor
ry.

Sheconti
nuedcal
mingherandtheywal
kedtothe
caraft
erawhil
efi
ndi
ngthekidsasl
eepanddrove
off.

Sagi
:theyar
eatt
hehousewai
ti
ng.I
fyoudont
wantt-
Bonol
o:I
tsohk.Ihavet
othi
s.I
'
llgo.

Att
het
radi
ti
onalheal
er'
s

Kagisosatundert hetr
eelookingatothergifted
peoplewal ki
ngar oundclappinghandsasot her s
tookoutdr umswhi l
eotherscrashedherbs.He
l
ookedathi mselfwearingbeadsandaf abri
cwor se
thethoughtofl ookingathimselfonthemi rr
orgot
hisheartrasing.Hehadt ocuthishairshorterand
madedr eads.Thoughever yonetoldhimi twasn't
badhef oundi thardtobelieve.Plusnotwear ing
shoes.Butgoodt hi
ngtheheal
erdoesn'ttol
erat
e
unti
diness.Ever
yoneherel
ooksbeauti
ful,clean
andtheyhadgoodaccommodat ion.
Hesi ghedlooki
ngatt hepenandpaper, i
fhe
doesn'twrit
eorsayanyt hi
ngabouthis
disappearancethey'llgr
owwor r
iedeverydaywhi ch
i
snotgoodandunheal t
hy.Knowinghisfatherhe
wontst opsearchingunt i
lhefi
ndshim .Thisisthe
samet hingthatruinedhisrel
ati
onshipwithBonol o,
disappeari
ngoutofnowher eformonths.Butt henif
thisi
st hewayt oopenhi swayandot hersways
thenhehasnochoi cebuttoacceptwhohet rulyis
meantt obe.
Hechuckledr ubbinghi
slip-whatifhegoesi nthe
ri
verandneverr etur
ns?Isitt
ruetheresan
anacondat hatli
cksyoutoful
fi
llyourjourneyasa
tr
aditi
onaldoctor?Hesighedchucklingandst art
ed
writ
ingthreelett
ers:Al
lfamil
ymember s,his
motherandDi tebogo.

AtBr
eezeshouse.
Breezedroveintotheyardwit
hhishandonhis
mout handpar kednextt
oSagiscarl
ookingatthe
otherunfamil
iarone.Hesteppedoutlooki
ngatthe
twomenasBonol oandSagiwal
kedoutholdi
ng
handswi thherbagthenhugged.

Bonol
o:Let
'spr
ayi
tdoesn'
ttakemel
ong.
Sagi
:Youknow,Icoul
dtakeyoumysel
f.
Bonol
o:It
sohkSagi.I
'm gr
atef
ulyoucarethi
s
muchaboutmetoeventakeitt
hisf
artolookfor
hel
pforme.Ir
eall
yappreci
ateandloveyou.
Sagi
:( hol
dsherhands)That
'swhatOdiri
lewoul
d
havedonef ormetoo.Youfamil
ynowandi nthi
s
famil
ywet akecar
eofoneanother.Loveyou.

TheyhuggedasBr eezewalkedoverfi
ddli
ngwit
h
hi
skeysashismi ndblewinquestionsofhowhis
fr
iendmustbefeelingseei
nghisloverhavi
nga
mentalbr
eakdown.Doeshedoenoughasaf r
iend
caringandlovinghi
sl ovedones?Bonol oturned
l
ooki ngathim andhef or
cedasmi l
ewhenshe
threwherselfi
nhishandshuggi nghim .Thiswas
forthefi
rstti
meget t
ingahugf r
om hi m andit
broughtallhopeandsaf et
yshef el
tinherman.

Bonolo:Yourf
acesaysi
tal
l.Thankyou.Imi
ss
hi
mt oo.
Breeze:Pr
omisemeyou'
l
lfi
ghtt
hrought
hisand
comebackt ous.
Bonol
o:Ipr
omi
se.

Shehuggedhi
m event
ightdr
oppi
ngat
earonhi
s
shi
rt

Bonol
o:Youragoodf
ri
end.Il
oveyouBr
eeze.
Br
eeze:Il
oveyout
oobabygi
rl
.

Heki
ssedherf
oreheadandshesmi
ledgoi
ngt
o
ki
ssSagiont hel
ipsandhuggedheronel astti
me
pi
ckingherbaggetti
nginthecar.Breezewalked
overtoSagiandheldherhandwavinggoodbyet o
Bonoloasthecardroveout.

Sagi:(
sobb)Doyout
hinki
tmi
ghtbet
hesame
thi
ngasRosehad?
Br
eeze:Idon'
tknow.Buti
fiti
s-l
et'sbethankf
ul
wecoughti
tinti
meandgiveherf
ullsupport
.Ohk?
Sagi
:Ohk.
.

Hekissedherforeheadlooki
ngathercuteheart
babyface.Shear ealAfri
canbeaut
y.Hesmi led
turni
ngheraroundhuggingherfrom behi
ndkissi
ng
herneckandshegi ggl
edast heywalkedi
nsi
de
closi
ngthedoor.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.
Rosellasatont hehi ghchai rlookingattheabor t
ion
pil
lsdrinki
ngwat er.Shepi ckedt hem wipingher
tearswithar asi
nghear t.Ifshewasgoi ngtodo
thissheneededsomet hingstr ongerthanwat er.
Shegotof fthechai randwentt ogetherfather'
s
bottl
edr i
nki
ngf rom t hemout h.Thi swasher
happinessandshet ookt hatawayf rom her.
They'vebeent hroughhi ghsandl owsandnowshe
getstogetthehi ghpr i
ce?How?Shehi therhead
countlessti
mescr yi
ngandgal pedthedr i
nk.
Minslaterthedoorsl idopenandshequi cklytook
outagl assandj uicepouringi
tinsi
deasDi tebogo
walkedupst ai
rsnotnot i
cingher.Shequi ckl
yt ook2
pil
lsandcr ashedt hem wit
haspoonont hecount er
andwhent heywer epowder edsheputitinthedr i
nk
andstar ed.Shehear dfootstepsapproachingand
quickl
ypul l
edthedi shcl
othwi pi
ngthepowder.She
thr
ewi tont hefloorwhensheent eredandpi cked
thejui
cej arfi
ll
ingitevenmor ewithshakyhands

Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng?beaut
y.Howar
eyou?
Rose:
(t
rembl
ing)I-uhm -I
'
m good.Jui
ce?
Dit
ebogo:(
pul
ledi
t)Sur
e.Di
dn'
tyouhearme
comein?
Rose:No..mymindi
sallovert
heplace.I
'
m-
(scr
atchhead)I
'
m worr
iedaboutKagi
so.Hear
d
anythi
ngyet?
Dit
ebogo:Soam I .NoIhaven' thear
danythingand
i
m get t
ingwor r
iedwhichbyt hewayt hedoctorsai
d
i
t'
snotheal thyforthebaby.Iwonderhowf arheis
coursetel lt
het r
utheversinceImethi m,Ididn'
t
wantt obef arfrom him .Rightnowthefeel
ingof
l
onelinessi sstarti
ngtooccupyme.Whenhel eft
aft
ermypar tyIspentthreemonthssearchi
ngf or
him untilIdidandt hat
'swhenIf el
tmysoulbeat
ease.
Rose:(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)Yousoundl
ikeyoul
ovehi
m.
Deeply.
Dit
ebogo:It
scompl i
cat
ed.(Bl
ushes)Idontknowi
f
he'
sbeingnicet
omecour sehefeel
slikeheowes
mybrotherorhereal
lyi
sint
oit.
Rose:Nonsense.
.t
her
esnot
hingcompl
icat
ed
comingtol
ove.Ar
eyou-gonnadr
inkt
hat?
Speci
all
ymade
Dit
ebogo:(l
aughs)Youmeant
hej
uiceyoubought
yourspeci
all
ymadeforme?
Rose:(
for
cedsmi
le)Imi
xedi
tforyoumysel
fso
yeah.I
tis.

Ditebogoshookherheadpickingitasherhear
t
racedandshel ookedatherputt
ingitdownbefor
e
shecoulddrink.

Di
tebogo:Ar
eyouohk?
Rose:What?
Di
tebogo:Yourshaki
ng.I
sever
ythi
ngohk?
Rose:I
'
mjustcol
d.I
'
llbef
ine.

Shef or
cedasmi l
eandDi tebogolookedather
unconvinced.ShepickedtheglassandRose's
heartpoundedbeyondt heti
mesitshould.Her
mindinstant
lywentinsaneasKagiso'
sfacewhen
hewalkedoutofthatdoorwithhercryi
nghisname
anddidn'tt
urnbackflashedbef
orehereyesstar
ing
attheglassonherli
ps.
Hert
hroatdri
edwhenshequi ckl
yslappedthegl
ass
of
fspil
li
ngital
loverheranditbr
okeont hefl
oor
br
eat
hingheavil
yasDi t
ebogogaspedshaken

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
03]Lynne :Chapt
er95

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Ditebogogaspedrubbi
ngt hejui
ceoffherf
aceand
stoodupf rom t
hechai
rlookingatherwhit
eshir
t
thenatRosewhobr eat
hedl i
keshewasr unni
nga
mar athon.

Di
tebogo:whatt
hehel
lRosel
laLyon?
!
Rose:(
burst
sintear
s)I
'
m sososor
ryDi
tebogo.
I
'mreal
lysor
ry.
Di
tebogo:Whydi
dyoudot
hat?
Rose:III
..ohmyGod.
.
Ditebogospot t
edtheclot
hont hefl
oorandwal ked
overpickingitandwipedherhandsandsl i
ghtl
y
pressingitonhershir
t.Roselookedatherand
mor etearsfi
ll
edherhearsandshecr i
edevenmor e
getti
ngawayf r
om her.Dit
ebogoturnedlooki
ngat
herandputt heclothdownasshepul ledherhair
thencr i
edinherhands.

Di
tebogo:Rosel
lawhati
sit?
Rose:I
'
mlosi
ngi
t..
.I
'm sososor
ry.
Di
tebogo:Whyar
eyoucr
ying?i
twasj
ustj
uice.
Rose:
(cr
ying)No.
.no.
.i
twasnotj
ustanyj
uiceI
'
m
sor
ry,
forgiveme.
Di
tebogo:Forgi
veyouf
orpour
ingt
hewholeglass
onme?Ser i
ouslyi
t'
snobi
gdealst
opcr
ying.
Rose:(
cryi
ng)Idi
dn'
tmeant
oI'
m sor
ry.
.
Di
tebogo:Rosel
la.
.?
Roselookedatherbefor
etakingputt heboxand
thr
ewi tatherandshecoughtit.Herj awsdropped
l
ookingatherthencheckeditlooki
ngatt hemissi
ng
pil
ls.Hereyeswell
edupasherhear tpounded
thr
owingt heboxatherf
acehitti
ngherwi thi
t.

Di
tebogo:(
cryi
ng)Ki
ll
ingmybaby?Real
lyRosel
la?
Howcouldyoubesocr uel
?
Rosel l
a:( cr
ying)Idontknow. .I
'm sorry.Thisdays
Ihappent odoal otofthingswi thoutthinki
ng.My
brainismel ti
ngever yt
imeIt rytof i
gureoutwhyme
whileyouhavet hebestl i
fewi t
ht heloveofmyl if
e.
Everyt i
meIt hinkofwhatIcoul dhavehadi tjust
burstmybr ain.Nowyout alki
ngaboutababynow
andt hent hatI-Ishould'vehadmakesmeeven
angrier.Iknowi t'
sagoodt hingandt r
ustmeI
knowt hat.ButIl ovehim .Il ovehi m andthel oveI
havedr ivesmecr azywhenhedoesn' tpayat tenti
on
tome.I tmakesmepsychoandI '
ddoanyt hingand
everythingtogett hethingsthatar einmywayout
justtofindmysel finhisar ms.
Dit
ebogo:Byki
ll
ingmybaby?Rosear
eyouhear
ing
yoursel
f?Yousoundl
ikea-
Rosella:(cryi
ng)Self-
centerednot or
iouspsycho
l
itt
lebitch?Tr ustmeloveI '
m getti
ngt her
ewi t
h
everysecond.Hypocr iteandallthosebadwor ds
thatcoulddescr i
beme?Lasht hem atme, Idon't
carecourseI '
m donehur t
ing.It'
sbeen10mont hs
Ditebogo!Tenmont hsofpai nthatIcantgetridof.
(Screamsi npain)Ithurts!Ithurtsmet hat
everyti
meIgetdr i
venawayf rom him .Myl i
feisa
messasi ti
sandonl yhecanhel pme.Il ovehim.

Ditebogo'
sangerbr ewedwhensher anover
grabbingherhai rpulli
ngi tsi
det osideasshe
screamedpai nfullycrying.Shepul ledherheadup
withherhai randsl appedherbef orepushi ngher
andshef ellont hesof atheont hefloor.Shekicked
hercountlesst i
mesonherst omachasshe
screamedr olli
ngher selfandamai dwal kedover
pulli
ngherasmor ecame.Roset r
iedst andi
ngbut
thepainwast oomuchasshecr i
edandsatup
holdingherr i
bsr ubbingthebl oodof fhermouth
andeye.

Ditebogo:YourloveforKagisohasnot hingtodo
withmeandmybaby!Youcoul dn'tkeepyourlegs
closedaft
ertheprofecyhasbeenexpl aineddri
ving
him away.Youhur thim andnowt hathedoesn't
wantanythingtodowi t
hyou, youvictimizeusjust
togetbackt ohi
m !RosellaI'
l
lki
llyou!
Rose:( scof f
s)Hasnot hingt odowi t
hyou?
Ditebogoyouri nmyway!I '
ml osi
ngmymi ndIcan
feelmysel feverysi ngl
eday.Iam wi ll
ingtodo
what everi ttakest ogetridofanythingst andi ngin
mywayofhappi nessandI '
m sosorry!I'm sosor ry
I'
ml ivingundert heshadowofmyf riend.I'
m so
sorryIgetdr ivenawayever ytimeIgetashoti n
happi ness.I 'm sorryIwasar r
angedi namar r i
age.
I'
m sosor ryIhadt operform mywi felyduties.I 'm
sosor rythatIhur thim DitebogoI'
m sor r
y!Sor ryI
couldn' tgetmyl egsclosedI '
m sorry!(Tear sr ol
li
ng)
ButIdi dn'thaveachoi ce.Ineverhadachoi cei n
myl ife.Iwasnevergi vent hechancet omakemy
ownl i
fedeci sionsandt hat '
swhatledmeher e.
Aftermyfrienddied-Iwascoughtinthemiddleof
twowor l
ds.Thel ivi
ngandthedead.Darknessand
pain.Alone-(sobbs)Noonewasabl etohelpnor
didtheycareenought ounderst
andandsuppor tme
i
ncludingmyownpar entsi
fyouaskme, courseall
theydidisaddmor epr
essureandsaltt
omy
wounds.Butguesswhat-oneni ghtIwasvisit
ed
byat i
gerinmydr eams,somet hi
ngthatdoesn't
usuall
yhappen-
Dit
ebogo:Whatdoesyouhavi
ngdr
eamsof
ani
malshastodowithmyba-
Rose:( shout s)Shutupandl ist
en!Youl ovehim,
Bonol ol oveshi m butguesswhat?SodoI .AfterI
foundoutaboutt hemarri
ageIcr i
eddayandni ght.
Minut est urnsint ohoursandhour si nt
odays.Days
i
ntoweeks, weeksi nt
omont hs!Inendlesspai n
courseIcoul dn' tbewit
hhim .Iwast ornfrom him
forcefullyandt herewasnot hingIcoulddo.When
hewal kedoutonmeIf eltl
ikeapar tofmewas
l
eavi ngwi thhi m anditdid!AndwhenIhear dabout
theki dnappi ngIwant edtoki l
lmydadwi thmyown
barehands.Andever yti
meIhear dorsawhi m ona
hospi
talbed-Ifeltl
ikeIwasdyi
ng!Andnowyou-
I'
mlosingmyf r
ickenmi nd!
Di
tebogo:
..
.
Rosel
la:Canyoubel ieveIt r
iedt
oevenki llmyown
babyjusttogethim back?Noonewasabl etotalk
meoutofi tbuthi
m .Andnowhe' sbackatignori
ng
meandI '
mturni
ngmur derous.Icouldsuf f
ocate
mybabywi t
hmybr easts!Icouldsl aughterever
y
l
ivi
ngthingaroundmeunt ilhegivesmehi s
att
enti
on!Icouldbur nthiswholet ownrightnow
andgol ookforhi
m -that'swhatt hisl
oveIhave
i
nsideofmemakesmewantt odo!
Di
tebogo:.
..
Rosell
a:(cr
ying)Sobasi call
ymywor ldrevol
ves
aroundhim.Myl if
ei sinhi shandsandi tsucksthat
Il
ovehim mor ethanIevenl ovemysel f!Itmakes
mewantt ogot hrought heextremel engths.(Tri
es
st
anding)Iknowi tdoesn' tmakesenset oyouand
doesn'
tmeananyt hingnordoesi texplainwhyI'd
dosuchahor ri
blet hing.Kickme!Sl apme!Punch
me!Ki l
lme!Butt hepai nyoui nfl
ictphysical
lyi
s
nothi
ngcompar edtowhatIfeelandwhatIwant ed
youtofeel.TrustmewhenIsayIdi dn'
twanttodo
thi
s.I fIdidIwoul dn'
thavespil
ledthedri
nk,I
wouldhavel etyoudr i
nki
tandgetaver yi
ntense
angrystomachachebutbecauseoft hel
it
tl
ehope-
(sobbs)If
oughtt hroughandstoppedyou.You
havetounder standI'
m nott
hiskindofaperson,
myl i
feisboundt ohis.
Di
tebogo:(
cryi
ng)Why?
Rosella:Il ostaf r
iendataver yyoungage.
SomeoneIusedt ocal lasist
er.Butt henwhenshe
l
eftmeshel eftwithmysoull eavingmybody
behindf oryear s.Andhewast her etopul
lmeback.
ThenIgotar rangedi namar ri
agedeal twit
h
heartbreakanddepr essi
on.Gotbl i
nd.Andhewas
ther
ei naspl i
t.Foughtt hroughr eachingout.And
thenIhur thim .Whatdoyoucal li
t"Couldn'tkeep
myl egscl osed".Whi chdrovehi m away.Andt henI
foundoutIwaspr egnant-Itri
edt okil
lmyownbaby
forhim meanwhi lehehadhi seyesonyou.Butas
alwayshecamet hrough.( Teary)Tellmeifthat
normalaccor dingt oyourunder standing?I'
m
broken.I fyoucanr eadthroughyou'dunderstand
thatIneverhadal i
feofmyown.Neverenj oyedl i
fe
anddontknowwhatgoodl if
etasteli
ke.Sowi th
everythingIgat heredthroughtheyears-sorrow,
depressi on, hear
tbreakment albr
eakIturn
danger ousf ocusingalltheangertowardshim
coursehe' smyguar dian.Sorryyouhadt obet he
vict
im ofmymi serycourseyouralsopartofhislif
e.
I'
mt rulysor ryDit
ebogo.Pl easeforgi
veme.

Meanwhil
eJanest
oodbyt
hedoorli
steni
ngwith
tear
yeyesasot
hermai
dsal
sowipedtear
slooki
ng
ather.
Ditebogowipedhertearsandwentt
opi
ckherbag
butwhenshet ri
edtoleaveRosehel
dontoherl
eg
cryingtot
helasthuggingitt
ight
.

Rosel
la:(
cryi
ng)Dit
ebogopleasef
orgi
veme.I
'
m
sososorr
y..
..pl
ease..
.pl
ease.
..
.
Ditebogol ookedatherasherhear tbrokel ookingat
hervei nspoppedandhereyesr edfloodedi n
endlesst earsandwi thmucuspl uswi thbloodi nher
mout h.Shel ookedatJanewhohel dhermout h
cryingandbackatRosewhokeptapol ogizingon
herl eghuggi ngi tti
ght.Tear sroll
edoutofhereyes
tr
yingt of igureouthowi tallcamet othis.Shel et
hercr yunt ilhergriploosenedandsheki ckedher
offwhenshef el
lont hetil
ehi t
ti
ngherheadhar dbut
sti
llqui cklystoodupr unningafterhercrying.Jane
coughtherbef or
eshecoul dexitthedoorf oll
owi ng
herwhi lescreami ngandhel dherbackt ryingto
calm her.

Rosell
a:(scr
eami ng)Tebogoplease!Please
forgi
veme.Mamapl easetel
lhertofor
giveme..
.
pleasemama. .Comeback!

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Di
tebogodr
ovei
ntot
heyar
dwi
thhereyesf
ulland
j
umpedoutslammi ngt
hedoor.Sher
antowards
thedoorandpunchedi
nthepi
nthenranupt
he
stai
rstot
hemainbedrooom.
Insi
deBr eezeandSagilayedi
nthebedfaci
ngup
whent heyhear daloudbangandthedoorf
lew
openthenDi tebogowalkedi
nlooki
ngmessedand
i
npai n.
Shewal
kedoverandgotbet
weent
hem cr
yingon
Sagi

Sagi
:Whati
sit?Tal
ktome.
.
Di
tebogo:(
cryi
ng)Shet
ri
edt
opoi
sonme.
Br
eeze:Whot
ri
edt
opoi
sonyou?
Di
tebogo:(
cryi
ng)Rosel
lat
ri
edt
oki
llmybaby
Sagi
:What?
Br
eeze:(
jawsdr
opped)Yourpr
egnant
?!

Shecriedevenmoreandhegotoffgivi
ngherspace
rubbi
nghisface.Whatt
hehelli
swr ongwit
hthis
f
amilyandl
ovetr
iangl
es?Sagirubbedherback
t
ryi
ngtocal
m herasBreezest
oodbystil
lsurpr
ised.

Sagi
:Babypl
easegogetheragl
assofwat
er.
Br
eeze:Wow.
..

Heturnedwal
kingoutst
il
lamazed-nowhe'
sgoing
tobeagrandf
atheratt
heageof35.Wondersshal
l
neverendi
ndeed.
.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Abigailwalkedi
nwithswolleneyesalldrai
nedand
sti
llinyester
daycl
othesholdingherheelsinher
handspassi ngMxol
isiwhowasonhi slapt
op
wit
houtawor d.Heturnedaroundwithaf r
own
l
ooki ngatherandchuckledfoll
owinghertothe
mai nbedroom.
Hest
oodbyt
hedoorf
ramef
oldi
nghi
shands
watchi
nghert
aki
ngof
fhercl
othesandt
yingher
hai
r.

Mxol
isi
:Youdontl
ookli
kesomeonewho'
sbeen
home?Wherewereyou?
Abi
gai
l:Sor
ry.
.Iwasatt
heof
fi
ce.
Mxol
isi
:Doi
ngwhatexact
ly?
Abi
gai
l:Fi
nishi
ngupsomet
hing.
Mxol
isi:Doest
hatsomet
hinghaveaname?
Abi
gai
l:Document
s.
Mxol
isi:Allni
ghtj
ustforaGall
ery?Comeon
Abi
gailevenateenagercoul
ddobett
erthant
hat.

Shetur
nedlooki
ngathim andpul
ledat
owel
wrappi
nghersel
fwi
thit.

Abigai
l:I
'
mtel
li
ngyouIwasatt
heof
fi
ce,whatdo
youwantmetosay?
Mxoli
si:Iwantyout
ogivemeaverysoli
dreason
whyyou'dsleepout
side.I
sthi
saboutt
hebaby
i
ssue?
Abi
gai
l:
..
.
Mxol
isi
:It
houghtwet
alkedaboutt
hisGai
l.
Abi
gai
l:
..

Shesatont hebedlookingathi
m puthishandsi
n
thepockets.Shelookedawayr ememberi
ngBreeze
coursethat'
swhathelikestodoing,
always.

Mxolisi
:AbigailIlovedyouwi t
houtababyand
evennowist i
llloveyou.Babyornobabyt hat
'l
l
neverchange.Yourgoi ngtobemywi feandIneed
youtounderstandt hatI
'm notexpect
ingyoutobea
babymachine.
Abi
gail
:Butyouwantoneandit
smyr esponsi
bil
it
y
asawoman,yourwifetomakesur
eyouhaveone.
Notf
oryoutogogetitel
sewherel
ikehim.
Mxol
isi
:Ai
denwasconcei
vedi
nmyl
astmar
ri
age.
Ididn'
tplanonhavingababybyt henbuthe'shere.
I'
m notrushi
ngyout ohaveababyandIwoul dn'
t.
Stoppressuri
ngyour selfwi
ththisbabythinghavi ng
sl
eeplessnightsoutside.Ibeli
eveonedaywewi ll
haveonewhent heti
mei sr
ight
.Dontl etAiden
beingheremakeyoul essofawoman.Bef aithf
ul.
Abi
gai
l:(
looksdown)That
'swhathesai
dtoo.
Mxol
isi
:Who?

Shelookedathim andherthr
oatdri
edwhenshe
stoodupgoingt ot
heshower.Hef i
guredbi
ti
nghi
s
l
ipandfollowedherfi
ndingherweari
ngashower
capbeforebalanci
ngthewater.

Mxoli
si:Youwentonandt
alkedt
ohi
m outofal
l
peopl
e?
Abi
gai
l:Hest
heonl
yonet
hatcoul
dhel
p!
Mxol
isi
:Whatt
hehel
list
hatsupposedt
omean?
Abi
gail
:It
hinkI'
m seal
edbytheancest
orscour
se
t
radi
ti
onal
lyI'
m st
il
lmarri
edt
oBreeze.Sowhenhe
camebyIaskedhi
mifitcoul
dbepossi
bleandhe
gavemethesameanswersasyoudo.Nothi
ngbig.
Mxolisi:Whatthehellwashedoi
ngther
einthe
fi
rstplace?Leavethatthi
ngal
onethewaterwon'
t
evaporateandtal
ktome!

Shesi
ghedt
urni
ngi
tof
fandl
ookedathi
m.

Mxoli
si:Whyareyoust
il
lhookedonyouroldl
if
e?
Howlonghaveyouguysbeengoingbehindmy
backdiscl
osi
ngourrel
ati
onshi
pprobl
emswi t
hhim?
Abi
gai
l:Ser
iousl
y?
Mxol
isi
:Howl
ong?
Abigai
l:Mxoli
siI'
dneverdothat.Ididwhenhe
camebyt oaskifIhaven'
tseenKagisoorhear
d
fr
om him cour
seapparentl
yhesmi ssi
ng.That
's
whenIasked,nothi
ngishappeningbetweenhi
m
andI.
Mxol
isi
:When?Lastni
ght
?
Abi
gai
l:No!Hecamebyar
ound14h00or15h00
somewher
ether
e
Mxol
isi
:andIr
eci
evedaf
alsemessagear
ound7.
Abi
gai
l:Whyar
eyoual
lwor
kedup?
Mxoli
si:Yourworki
ngmeoutAbi gai
l!Whywoul
d
youtur
nt oyourex-
husbandoutofal
lpeopl
e?You
coul
dhaveaskedmebutnoyoudeci dedtoconf
ide
i
nhiml eavi
ngmeher eallal
one.
Abigai
l:Itol
dyouhewast her
etoaskaboutKagi so
..
.heleftaft
erwet al
kedaboutthedivorceandthe
cer
emony.Hepr omisedtomakei tsnappysothat
youandIcanst artbui
ldi
ngourhomeonacl ean
sl
atewithoutdr
ama.
Mxol
isi
:Sowhydi
dyousendmeaf
alset
ext?
Abigail
:BecouseIwant edtimeonmyownt ocry
andreleasethispainIam in.Mxoli
siyouhavet o
understandthatIal
sowantachi ldandI'm wil
li
ngto
doanyt hi
ngtohaveone.Al lmyagemat eshave
chi
ldrenevent heonesbelowmedoandIknowyou
dotoo.Dontsayyoudontcour seaft
ermar ri
age
you'l
lbebreathingonmyneckaboutt his.
Mxolisi:I'
m notmarr
yingyoutotur
nyouint
oa
babyf actory.I
'
m wi
ll
ingtowaitf
oraslongasi
t
takes, aslongasIr
emainwithyou.
Abi
gail
:Yourmouthsaysthatbutt
hehear
tspeaks
adi
ffer
entl
anguagef
rom whatyousay.
Mxol
isi
:Soar
eyouacl
air
voyancenow?Empat
h?
Abi
gai
l:No
Mxolisi
:Thenstopassumingwhatmyhear
twant
s
courseI'
mtel
li
ngyouitwantsyou.Havi
ngyoui
s
al
lthatmatt
ersthemosttome.
Abiagil:Sorr
yIli
ed,Ishouldn'
thavedonet
hatI
should'vebeenhonestwithyou.
Mxolisi:It
sohk..justdonteverconf i
deinhim.
Him andImi ghtbefinewi thoneanotherbutones
downf alli
tsanot
her'
shappi ness.Youbeingal l
aroundhi m makesmei nsecurecour
seIloveyou
andImi ghtloseyou.I nsecuri
tyisnotanicefeeli
ng
dontmakemegot hrought hat.
Abi
gai
l:IsweartoGodnothi
nghappenedwhenwe
wer
eintheoff
ice.Wewerehavi
ngafriendl
ychat
not
hingshadyhappened.Il
oveyouandi
t'
llal
ways
beyou

Sheswal
lowedavoi
dinghi
seyesaft
ersayi
ngthat
andhepull
edheri
ntoahugki
ssingherhead.
Hel efthertocont i
nueshower i
ngt hr
owinghi mself
ont hebed.Hef oundt hathar dtobeli
evesomehow.
Thet houghtofl osingheragai ntohimt wiceatehim
nowandt hen.At earescapedhi seyewhehe
pulledherjackett r
yingt ocomf or
thimselfwithher
scentbuti nsteadcoughtadi ff
erentone.Her aised
hisupperbodysni ffi
ngi tinanddamnst r
aightit
washi scol ogne.Hepi ckedhertopandf rowned
l
ooki ngatt hetornbut t
onsandsl ightl
yatthe
buttonholes.Hecoul donl yimaginehowhedi dthi
s
cour seitdi
dn'tlookliket heyhadnormalsexbut
ratherroughf orhimt ot earthi
sapart.
Heclenchedhi
sjawsr
ushi
ngoutpi
cki
nghi
skeys
goi
ngout.

AtBr
eezes.
Wi t
hinminutes,Mxoli
sidroveintot
heyar
dwi t
h
highspeedandpar kednexttohiscarj
umpingout.
Hej oggedtothedoorandpr essedt
hedoorbel
l
countlesst
imeinangerandevenst art
edbangi
ng
thedoor.

Meanwhi
lei
nsi
de.
Breezerol
ledhi
seyeswithapout eandhandsinhi
s
pocketswithhi
slegsapartignor
inghi
m .Heknew
thatthi
swasaboutAbigailandhehadnoamount
ofenergytowasteonthat.
Sagil
ookedathi
m st
il
ltr
yingtocal
m Dit
ebogoas
hekeptr
oll
inghi
seyesgay-i
shstandi
ngther
enot
goi
ngtoopenthedoor.

Sagi
:Coul
dyoupl
ease.
..
Breeze:Thi
sisnotabrot
hel,
heneedstol
earnhow
toknockandstopshouti
ngmynameliket
hat.I
hateitwhenpeopl
eshoutoutmynamecoursethey
mi
sspel
lit.
Sagi
:(shakesherhead)Br
eeezeecoul
dyoupl
ease
at
tendthedoormyl ove?

Helookedatherwit
hhiseyebrowsnar
rowedand
r
oll
edhereyesatthesamet i
measheleft.
Hewal kedovertothedoorandchuckl edli
stening
tohim shout
ingouthisname.Hesi ghedopeni ng
thedoorwhenaver ystongpai nf
ulpunchl anded
him onthefl
oor.Mxolisidraggedhi m outand
thr
ewhi m ontheground.Hehel dhischeekand
whenhewasaboutt osaysomet hinghepul ledher
withhershir
tpunchinghim countlesst i
me.Hegot
fedupwi t
hthe6thonebl ockingitandr oll
edupon
him gi
vinghim hi
spieceofst r
engthal so.

Sagirusheddownt hestai
rsandstoppedlooki
ngat
them befor
ewalkingover.Sherubbedhereyes
l
eaningont hedoorframefoldi
ngherhands
watchingthem r
olleachotherontheground.
Sagi
:Woul
dyout
wopl
easecuti
tout!Br
eeze?
!
Mxol
isi
!

Sheshookherheadwal ki
ngbacki nsi
degoi ngto
theki
tchent aki
ngoutt wokni vesandt wopans.
Shewal kedbackt othem sti
llfindingthem fi
ghti
ng.
Shegotabi tcloserandhitthepanscount l
ess
ti
mest ogetherunti
ltheyletgor ubbi
ngt hei
rears.

Sagi:Whatt hehelldoyouthi
nkyourdoing?Igot
kidsinthishouseandagi r
linneedofmyhel pand
yourfighti
ng!Twogr ownupsfighti
ng,rol
li
ngeach
otheront heground,whodoyouexpectt obeyour
refer
eet hi
stime?Me?Cour seI'
llmur
deryouboth.

Shefr
ustr
atedl
ytookoutthekni
vesfrom herpocket
thr
owingeachatthem andt
heylookedather.

Sagi
:What
?Takei
t.Set
tl
ethi
sonceandf
oral
l.
Let'
sseewhohast heballsankerthat'swhatyou'
re
tryi
ngtopr oveherebyf i
ghting?Yout akemyyar d
foraringandmeasyourr efereeisn't?Nowt ake
thoseknivesandcuteachot herintopieces,I
promiseI'l
lburyallyourremai nstogetheri
nonebi g
plasti
cwer enoonewi l
leverdisturbyourfi
ghti
ng
corpse's.Takethem andl et
'sgeti tal
loverwit
h
ankerlonayoucan' thaveadecentchatwi thyour
handskeptt oyourselves?
Mxol
isi
:Idi
dn'
tcomet
ofi
ght
.
Breeze:Dontsaythatshi
twhenyouj
umpedupon
mewi thasupermanpunch.Dontwor
konmylast
nerveli
kethat
.
Mxoli
si:Whycantyoustayawayfrom ot
her
peopl
e'swoman?Isitr
eallyt
hatheardtokeepi
tin
yourpant
s?
Sagi
:What?
!
Br
eeze:(chuckl
ed)Howquickdi
dthet
abl
est
urn.
Whatareyoutal
kingabout
?
Mxoli
si:Dontaskmet
hatwhenyouknowexact
ly
whatyoudid!
Sagi:Youknowwhat?Icantdealwi
tht
hisr
ight
now.(
walksaway)
Breeze:Babythat
'snotwhathappened!(
toMxol
isi
)
Wenaomar et
estr
aight!Doyouknowhowl ongi
ts
gonnataketoconvinceherot
herwi
se?
Mxol
isi
:Wel
lshedeser
vest
oknowt
het
rut
h?
Br
eeze:Whatt
rut
h?
Mxoli
si:Howcouldyousleepwithmyf
ianceand
pr
etendlikenot
hinghappened?

Br
eezelookedathi
m wit
hhiseyebrowupt r
yingt
o
maint
ainaseri
ousfacebutendeduplaughi
ng.

Breeze:
(l
aughs)Wow. .
.IneverthoughtI'
dseet hi
s
daycomi ng.Hermanbangi ngmydoori nanger
withwrongassumpti
onst hatIsleptwithher.I
knowhowgoodshei sdownt herebutInever
thoughti
t'l
lmakeoneri
skhi sli
feforit.(r
ubbshis
l
ipstanding)ManIneversleptwithyourfiance.Her
andIhada-uhm decentchat.Decent ?Idont
knowaboutt
hatbutwet
alkedi
tnevergott
hatf
ar.
Mxoli
si:(
rubbsnose)Br
eezehowl
onghaveyou
beenseeingherbehi
ndmyback?
Breeze:IfIwasdat i
ngyourgi rl,
Iwould'veshown
youwi t
houtthinkingt wicethatIhaveherlayingon
mychest.I t'
seitherillgetherpregnantordropa
usedcondom pur poselyinherhandbag.That '
s
howhear tl
essIam . Iwoul dn'
teventrytohidethe
tr
uthwhenyoucomel ookingforit.Al
lI'
llsayisa
sorryfr
om myl ipst hatIdontevenmeancour seI
gotwhatIwant ed.
Mxol
isi
:(t
ear
y)Il
oveherman.
Br
eeze:Icant
ell.
Mxol
isi
:Whattimedi
dyoul
eavet
hebui
ldi
ng?
Pl
easebehonestwi
thme.
Br
eeze:Around.
..
uhmm..
.6,5Idon'
trememberI
di
dn'
tcheckthet
imeIr
ushedouthome.
Mxol
isi
:Soyou'
vebeeni
nther
efor4hour
s?
Br
eeze:(
conf
used)What?
Heputt hepiecestogetherofhi
sunderst
andingand
si
ghedr ubbi
nghi seyes.Hewasn'tinther
efor4
hours-hewasi nthefor15hours.Soaccordingto
him hethoughtwhenhesai d5or6hemeanti nthe
eveningwhil
ehemeanti nthemorning.

Breeze:Iguess.LookherandIar ejustf
ri
endsno
str
ingsatt
ached.Iwentt her
etoaskaboutKagiso
andthat'
sthat.Thoughshemi ghthaveopenedup
aboutsomethingthatcoughtmeof fguar
d.That'
s
whyIspentfewhour sinther
e.
Mxoli
si:Thatshecantconcei
veandal
lthat.
.do
youbeli
eveit?
Breeze:Trut
hful
lyno.Idont.I fIcoul
dIwould've
donet hatal
ongtimeagoort hepastfewmont hs
l
eavingherwitht
hemi nime'sforyoutowat
ch
growingdayandni ghtunderyourroof
.
Mxoli
si:(
chuckl
ed)Youronehel
lpi
eceofwor
kyou
knowthat?
Breeze:SoI'
vebeentol
d.(
Gavehi
m hishandand
helpedhi
m stand)I
'
m Imaki
ngyouthati
nsecur
e?
Mxol
isi
:Mxm .
..
Breeze:HerandIonl yhadachat.Shet oldme
aboutt hepossi bili
ti
esandst i
ll
Igavehert hesame
answer-Idontbel i
eveinthatkindofst uff.Thet i
me
wet ookwast alkingaboutthedi vor
ceandt he
arr
angementf ortheceremonyandt hat'
st hat.One
l
astt hing(changedt one)-Dontyouevercomeout
hereatmyhousel ooki
nglikeanangr yf oodsal ad
andt alkshitinfrontofmywi fe.That '
smywoman
andshehappenst obesensiti
vewhencomi ngto
shitli
ket his,ifyoucan'trespectmet henr espect
herhear tandpr esence.Dontyoueverdi srespect
herlikethiseveragai norelseleaveyourhouse
knowi ngyousai dyourgoodbyesandani cest rai
ght
forwardwi llonyourcl eancounter.Ohk. .

Mxolisil
ookedathim pul
li
nghi
shandagr
eei
ng.
Theywal kedtowardshi
scarwhenBr
eezest
opped
l
ookingathi stat
ter
edshir
t.

Br
eeze:Thi
sisGuccidi
ckhead
Mxol
isi
:(dr
ivi
ngof
f)Ihear
dthat!
Br
eeze:
(r
asi
ngmi
ddl
efi
nger
)Good!

Helaugheddr i
vingoffast hepost
manputl ett
er sin
themailboxwavi ngathi m .Hewavedbackwal king
overandt ookoutt helett
erswalki
ngbackinhi s
yardcheckingt hem .Hecameacr ossKagiso'
sand
droppedt herestandst opedwalki
ngopeningi twi t
h
apoundi nghear t.

"
DearMrDad.

Surel
ybynowyourlookingbeyondmyusual
stopi
ngspots.IwanttoletyouknowthatI
'm good
andsafe.ThoughIdontknowwher eIam ,
butI'm
i
nagoodpl acesur
roundedbygoodpeople.

I
'
m gi
ft
ed=)
Iknowitskindofashocker.Iwast oowhenIf ound
outaboutitbutthenthehealerexplai
nedever ythi
ng
aft
erfi
ndingmeatt heri
ver
.I tappearsItooki t
fr
om myf ather
'sside,hismot herwasat radit
ional
doctor
.Soi norderformetogetmyl i
feinor der,I
havetoacceptmygi f
tandever yt
hingwil
llightenup
.
Ididn'
tknowanyofthi
sbuttheyar
esti
llt
ryi
ngt
o
breakthi
swholet
hingpiecebypi
ecei
ncludi
ngt
he
wholereasonwhyI'
mthechosenone.

OhandI '
vealr
eadystar
tedwit
hmyi nt
ention.Idont
knowhowl ongit
sgonnatakebutnoti
n5-9
mont hsIguess.Ieventhoughtofr
unningbutthen
-can'tkeeprunni
ngawayf r
om mydestiny,it
'l
l
catchupanyway.
Iwontli
eI'
m scaredashell=(Whati fIdontmake
i
toutoftheri
ver?Orwhati fIdontsurvivet
he
wholethi
ng?Wor seifi
t'
struethere'
sananaconda
t
hatli
cksthegif
tedtoful
fil
lthei
rinit
iat
ionandal
l
t
hat.
Thought
hrought,
IremainhopefulthatI
'
llmakei
t
outandmypathwouldbeswipedcleanforme.

Im wri
ti
ngt histoletyouknowt hatI'
m gratef
uland
I'
dreall
yappr eci
ateitifyouguyssuppor tme.Dont
worryaboutmom -Iwr oteherhers,
hopefull
yshe'l
l
underst
and.Oh;)pl easet el
lDi
tebogotonever
for
getmypr ett
yface, I'
mj eal
ousshe'l
lunderst
and.
Itr
iedwrit
ingher sbutt henIrunoutofwor dsaft
er
writ
ingonesent ence.

Thankyouforalwaysbeingther
eformeandbei ng
thefat
herI'
vealwayswanted.IknowIdon'treall
y
saythi
sbutIloveyouMrDad.Ihopeever ythingis
goingwellt
herecoursei
tsit
'spushi
ngmet hrough
i
ncludi
ngmom.

Seeyousoon.

Yourson.
Kagi
so.
"

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Amont
hlat
er
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
04]Lynne :Chapt
er96

Att
heLyonsMansi
on

Rosefedherbabyboybef or
ewipinghismouthand
gavehim water.Shesmil
edlooki
ngathim as
Mxoli
siwalkedinthedi
ningroom hol
dingt
wo
pl
asti
cbags.
Hesmi
ledmaki
ngsi
ll
ysoundst
aki
nghi
m andRose
st
oodupgoi
ngt
owashhi
sdi
shandcameback.

Rose:Youdor
eal
izehe'
sonl
yaf
ewmont
hsol
d
ri
ght
?
Mxol
isi
:Youdor
eal
izeImi
sshi
mri
ght?

Shesmi ledashewi nkedatherandcont i

nued
playingwiththebaby.Shet ooktheplast
icslooki
ng
atthenewbabycl othesandal lt
hebabypr oducts
from Johnson.Sheshookherheadandcal l
eda
mai dtotakethem upstai
rsbeforesi
tt
ingopposite
them ont hecouchadmi r
ing.

Mxol
isi
:(
tot
hebaby)Boy-
boyt
ellmamat
hatst
ari
ng
i
srude.
Rose:I
'
m notst
ari
ngj
eez.

Shegrabbedherphonet
aki
ngvi
deosandpi
ctur
es
asthebabygiggl
ed.
Rose:
Shoul
dn'
tyoubeatcour
tsuppor
ti
ngAbi
gai
l?
Mxoli
si:Shewantedtodothisal
onesoIdi
dn't
wanttoaddpressur
e.Ilethergobyher
sel
f.
Rose:That
'swacko.
Mxol
isi
:Notatal
l.

Shesmi ledaddingmusi ctothevideosbef ore

shari
ngt hem withhim andpost edonsoci almedia.
Thishappendt obehert herapy.Seeingt hem
togetherwarmsherhear tandt hefactthathehel ps
withthebabywhenhecomest ovisi
tjusthi l
lsher
heartwithjoythatsheatleasthassomet hinggood
comingf rom hertr
auma.

Mxol
isi
:Youshoul
dgooutsomet
ime.
Rose:Me?No.
.absol
utel
ynot.
Mxol
isi
:Whynot?
Rose:Ij
ustdon'
twantt
oo.Mebei
ngher
eaway
f
rom t
hewor
ldi
sbestf
orever
yone.
Mxolisi
:Comeon.Roseyou' vebeenthroughalot
i
ncludingthepregnancy, youjustneedsometime
tocooloffabit.Taketimet oyoursel
fonceand
for
getwhatpeopl ethi
nkaboutyou.YouraLyonf or
chri
stsake.Loosenupf r
om thepast.
Rose:Wel
lbei
ngaLyonsucks!Thi
ssur
namei
s
cur
sed.
Mxolisi
:Wel laccor di
ngt omei tisn'
t.Ijustthink
beingaLyoni saboutl i
vinginever ymoment.
Throughbet t
erorwor se.Forexampl eyourUncl e
Breeze.He' sanot ori
oussoci opathwhenf eeling
l
ikeitanddoesn' tevencar ewhatot herpeopl ethink
orhowi t'
llaffectthem .Andwheni t
'stimetomake
mendshe' dratherspeakshi tevenwhenhe' swr ong
andy'allwillmoveonl i
kenot hinghappened.Sagi
oncedidnumber sonmeandI '
m sti
llcarr
yingpr oof
butstil
lshedi dn'tapol ogizeforwhatshedi d.Your
mom goti nbet weenSagiandBr eezesmar r
iagebut
neverbother edtoapol ogize.Sowhydoyoucar e
whenyourwhol efami lydoesn' t?I'm notsaying
whatyoudi dwasr ight,buti t
'sbeenweeks.
Rose:IguessIwantsomet hing-di f
ferentfrom my
fami ly'
sr oot.Iwantt ol earnlifebeyondt heLyon
name.Wet endt ohur tpeopl einourf ami lyand
neverbot hertoseet hingsf rom t heirprospecti
ve.
LikeDi t
ebogo.I ft ableswer eturnedIwoul dn't
forgivemeei t
her.Act ionoutofl oveorwhat-I
didn'thavet odot hat.Ishoul dn'thavepoi sonedher
drinkusi ngt henameofl ove.Fi neI '
m asl aveto
dar knessbutt hatwassowr ongi never ydi r
ecti
on
i
ncl udingusi ngmypastandexper i
ence.Thati san
i
nnocentbaby.I nnocentsoulandIal mostt ookthat
.LookatAi den. .howwoul dyouf eelifyoucame
backt omor rowandf indoutt hatoneoft hemai ds
fedhi m poi son?
Mxoli
si:Al
lmyachievement
swillmeanless.
MeaningIdontmindgoi
ngtojai
landjoi
nmyf el
low
enemiesImetincour
t.
Rose:See. .t
hatmeansyougetwhyshe' smad.
(Sigh)I
'l
lalsopaintthewholetownredwiththat
personblood.SoIwontgooutandr el
axaft
erthe
traumaIputhert hroughbetr
ayinghertr
ustand
sabotagingourrelati
onshi
p.She'sbeennothingbut
ki
ndandI -t
ri
edtaki
ngheroneti
ckettohappi
ness
andloveaft
erherbr
other
spassi
ng.(Layedback)
I'
m abadperson.Peri
od!
Mxoli
si:Butyoucantkeepapol ogizi
ngifshe
doesn'
twantt ofor
giveyou.Somet imesallyou
havetosayi s"I
'
m sorry"andlettheoneyouhur t
seewhatt heydowithit.Shoveitwherethesun
dontshineoracceptitaslongasyouapol ogi
zed.
Rose:Soyoursayi
ngIshoul
dfor
givemysel
fand
for
get?
Mxoli
si:YesI'
m sayingforgi
veyourselff
ir
stnot
f
orgetcoursethat
'shighl
yimpossibl
e.Youcan't
f
orgetthepastcoursethat
'swhatwillgui
deyou
f
orward.There'snosuchat hingasforgi
veand
f
orget.Nooo!.
.

AtCour
t.

Thedivor
cewasfinali
zedandtheyst
eppedout
hol
dinghandsheadingtothei
rcar
s.
Breeze:Sowe'reonlylef
twit
htheceremony.The
preparat
ionsar
ealreadydone.Whenareyou
coming?Icanthaveaf ul
lhouseever
ydaythose
peopleareannoyi
ng.
Abigai
l:
(l
aughs)Let'
sgetthi
soveranddonequi
ckl
y.
I'
l
lcomebyt odaysothatwecanbeginwit
hthe
ceremonytomorrowearl
yinthemorni
ng.
Sagi:
Willyourf
ianceall
owyout
ospendani
ghtat
yourex-
husband'shouse.
Breeze:He'llhaveto,hedoesn'treall
yhavemuch
ofasayi nthis.Thisisnotabouthim buther.
Besidesonewayoranot her
,he'llfi
nall
yacceptthat
she'smineunt ildeat
hdousapar tnotsomepiece
ofpaperstypedbyunl awfulpeoplewhopr et
endt o
belawful.
Sagi
:Youj
ustwontst
optormentingthi
spoorguy
woul
dyou?Helovesherforchr
istsake.
Abigai
l:AndIl
ovehimtoo.I
fyoudoreal
lycar
e
aboutme, t
henyou'
l
lst
opwithal
lthi
s.
Breeze:I'
m notdoi
nganyt
hing.Yourboyisj
ust
beingthr
eatenedbyme.He'stooi
nsecureabout
youbeingaroundmeandIkindali
keit.
Sagi:WellIhat
eitwhenyouguyskeepf
ight
ingl
ike
teenager
si nmyyard.
Br
eeze:Thatwast
hel
astt
imei
thappened.
Abigai
l:Ihopeso.BreezeIstil
lloveyoubutIl
ove
himtoo.Cantyouguysputt hedi f
fer
encesyou
havetorestformysake,(holdsSagishand)our
sake.
Sagi
:Pl
ease.
..
?
Breeze:Not hat
'snotgonnahappen.Tel
lMrSmar t
pantst hatkeepi
ngacl osewatch.Onetr
ipyour
comingbackhomeandt hat
'snotupf
oraf i
ghtor
debate.Ohandal sopleasetel
lmeyoudidn'
tsell
thatplaceyet?Pl ease.
.
Sagi
:Yoursof
ullofyour
sel
f.Seeyoul
aterbaby.
Abi
gai
l:Idi
dn'
t,yet.
Lat
erl
ove.

Theyhuggedpul
li
ngbackhol
dinghands.They
smiledbeforegrabbingeachotherforonelast
Frenchkissashest oodbywi t
hhishandsint he
pockets.Theybrokei tandshetur
nedpulli
nghim
i
nbuthepul ledback.

Br
eeze:EwwDi
dyouki
sshi
mtoday?
Abi
gai
l:Nonofyourconcer
n.

Sagismiledshaki
ngherheadandtheyl
aughed
havingaparti
ngkiss.Hepul
ledt
hem bothbythei
r
waistsandtheygi
ggledhavi
ngagrouphugthen
babykissedher.

Abi
gai
l:I
'
m gonnami
sst
his.
Bot
h:Sowi
llI
.
Sagi
:Il
oveyou,
andal
wayswi
ll.
Abi
gai
l:Il
oveyout
oosmucl
es.
Theygoti nthei
rcarsandshesi ghedlookingat
them throughthewindow.Itwashar dthinkingt
hat
aftert
omor rowmor ni
ngherplaceintheLyonf amil
y
willbefull
yerased.Itwasagr eatri
dewiththem
andshe' l
lmissthedrama.

Breeze:Dontwor
ry,you'
l
lal
waysmywif
elove.We
thr
eedontneedamani nagownandati
ghtti
e
str
ugglingt
obreat
htotel
luswher
eourl
oveends.
Sagi
:He'
sri
ght,
you'
l
lal
waysbemyl
over.

Hetookouthi
shandoutt
hewi
ndowandshe
r
eachedouthol
dinghi
s.

Br
eeze:Il
oveyou.
Abi
gai
l:Il
oveyout
oo.

Hereversedst
il
lwi
ththei
rhandsl
ockedunt
ilt
hey
coul
dn'thol
danymoreandhedroveoff.
Tear sblurredhereyeswat chinghim speedof fas
thememor yofthem r
idinginhisspor tcarcoming
from theirvacati
onreplayedinherhead.Henever
stickstot hespeedli
mi t
.He' satruebel i
everof
rulesaremeantt obebroken.Butt henhey, l
if
e.
Youwi nsome, youlosesome.Al lyouhavet odo
i
sbegr atefult
hatyouhadanoppor tuni
tytoli
veup
toever ymomenti nt
ime.
Shewi pedhertearssmil
inglooki
ngather
engagementring.Af t
ertomorrowherli
febegi
nson
acleanslatewithherMrRight.Hopefull
ysheget
pregnantandhavet heli
feshealwayswanted.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezestopedatthegatel
o6att
hecarsinhi
syar
d
andhisparkingspot.Hesi
ghedpul
li
ngthe
handbrakerubbinghisf
aceandSagit
urnedl
ooki
ng
athim andlaughed.
Br
eeze:I
tsnotf
unny.
Sagi:
Comeon,it
'sal
it
tl
efunny.Youcal
ledt
hem
sowelcomet
hem .
Breeze:Ididn'
tcallextendedf amil
iesandallt
hose
Inevermetbef or
e.Theyar ejustheretocel
ebrat
e
badknewsl ookatt his.Thecer emonyisnotgonna
takeplacehereforGod' ssake!Ionl yi
nvi
ted6
peoplenowl ookatt hi
s.
Sagi:Stopitandjustparkonnextt
othehouse.
Thispeoplewontbeher eforl
ong.Bytomorr
ow
sundownt hey'
llbegone.Relax.
Br
eeze:Mxm
Sagi
:Yourjustemoti
onalcour
seofthedi
vorce.
Shesti
lll
ovesyouthatshoul
dcountatl
east.
Breeze:Icantbeart
hethoughtofseeinghernor
youwithanotherman.Itstot
altor
ture.(dri
vesin)
ButthenaslongasIsti
llhaveyou, (
kissherhand)I
havenothingtoworr
yabout.
Sagi:
Promisemeyou'
lll
etherbe.She'
sbeen
thr
oughtoughti
mesandifthi
sisherhappi
ness
t
henl
et'
sgi
vehert
hat.Pl
ease.
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.
Sagi:Thatincludesmakingpeacewi thMxolisiso
hetoocanf eelwel comeinourfami l
y.Thiswayour
famil
ywi l
lkeepgr owingandbest rongenought o
faceanyobst acl
es.Oursoni scomi nghomet ous
i
naf ewmont h,weneedt ost
artcleanslatessohe
fi
ndsever yt
hingandever yonehappily.That'
swhat
he'dappreciat
emostandnott olethim bethebaid
i
never yt
hinghappeni ng.

Hesmi l
edholdingherhandandpul
ledthe
handbrakewit
hherbeforeki
ssi
ngitthent
hey
steppedoutheadingi
n.

Insi
deDitebogomi xedthetwobabybot
tl
esast he
Lyoneldermadet ea.Itwassomehowsur pr
isi
ng
howt hewholefami l
yoftheLyonscanbeso
welcoming.Theycar el
essaboutwhoyouar eor
whereyoucomef rom ,asl
ongasyourfr
iendly
towardsthem andt r
ustwor
thy.
Aunt:Aowannanyana.
.youshoul
dber
est
ing.
Yourpregnant
.
Dit
ebogo:Ngngmma.Thi sisgoodalsof
ormy
heal
th.It
'spar
tofmydai
lyexer
cise.
Aunt
:Soyoucanexer
cisewhenpr
egnant
?
Dit
ebogo:Yeah.
.butt
her
eareli
mit
s.Therear
e
someexerci
sest
hatar
egoodforpr
egnantwoman
andsomearenot.
Aunt
:Aiyouyoungst
ers.
.ohk.
..

Sheshookherheadheadi
ngoutj
ustasSagi
ent
eredtheki
tchen.

Sagi:
Hii.
Di
tebogo:Hey.
.yourbackal
ready.
..Iwasmaki
ng
t
hem milk.
Sagi
:Oh.
.havet
heyeat
enanyt
hing?
Dit
ebogo:Yeah.
.letmegogi
vet
hist
othem soyou
coul
dtellmehowitwent.
Sagi:
Thi
spregnancyist
urni
ngyoui
ntoagossi
p
gi
rl
.Youli
kegossipi
nghi
sdays.
Di
tebogo:(l
aughs)NoI
'
m dont.Ar
eyouguysst
il
l
l
eavingtoni
ght?
Sagi
:Yeah..weneedt ogetthi
soutofoursowe
coul
dstartafr
esh.Justwishitdi
dn'
thavetor
each
uptothi
spoint.
Di
tebogo:Wel
lwedontalwaysgetwhatwewanti
n
l
if
edowe?DontworryI'
lll
ookaftert
heki
ds.
Sagi:
Noyourpr
egnantyouneedt
orel
ax.
Ditebogo:Iwasn'
taski
ng-plusIgotthenanies
whi chbythewayIdontful
lytr
ustwithkids.And
(
r ubbsherbump)Someone'sgottolearnsooner
ratherl
ater.

Theyl
aughedwalki
ngoutpassi
ngbytheelder
s
whosatarounddri
nki
ngt
eawi t
hBreeze.
Aunt:Hoowdi
ditgoson?
Lyon:St
opaski
ngt
heboyhowi
twent,
your
depr
essi
nghi
m.
Breeze:It
sohkuncle.I
twentwell
.HerandI
partedunexpect
edl
yinpai
nbutnowwer ei
ngood
ter
m .Hopefull
ywecanmaintai
nfri
endshi
pinal
lof
thi
s.
Aunt:That
'showar
ealmant
alks.
Lyon2:Doyoul
oveher?
Breeze:YesIdo,butfeel
ingsdontmat
ternow
uncleaslongasshe'
shappyt hensoam I
.Her
happinesscount
s
Aunt2:Wel lateastyousti
llhaveyourotherwife
whobyt hewayseemst obeabl et
omakeahouse
feelathome.Af t
erthi
sgiveheralltheattent
ion
andover whel
m herwithyourlove,trustmenothing
willgeti
nbetweenyout wo.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.
Hour
slat
er

Mxolisiwalkedintothehousewhenadel ici
ous
smellhithisnostri
ls.Hesmi l
edwalki
ngt othe
di
ningr oom toputhi sj
acketonthecouchand
fr
ownedl ooki
ngatt hetr
avelbag.Hesighed
putt
ingi tdownalongwi t
hthekeysandf oll
owedt
he
smelltot heki
tchenf i
ndi
ngherbehindthepot
hummi ng.
Hewr appedhishandsaroundherwaistl
ooking
i
nsideandshescoopedsoupt ur
ningar
oundf or
hi
mt ohaveat aste.Hesmiledasshesmiledback
wai
tingforareply.

Abi
gai
l:Howi
sit?
Mxol
isi
:It
sdel
ici
ous.Howdi
ditgo?
Abigai
l:Bett
erthanIexpected.Everythi
ngwas
set
tledfai
rl
yandBr eezepull
edhimselftoget
her
thr
oughout.Itsfi
nal.Butthere'
sjustonethi
ngl
eft.
Mxol
isi
:Whi
chi
s?
Abigai
l:Healr
eadygatherdhi
sfamil
yathi
shouse
andminealsoareontheirway.We'
redoi
ngit
tomorr
owmor ningbef
oresunri
se.
Mxol
isi:Doest
hatmeanyourl
eavi
ng?Wi
thhi
m?
Abi
gai
l:BabyI'
m doi
ngthisforussoitcoul
dcome
t
opass.Aftert
omorr
owIswearyou' l
lneverhear
meorseemenearhim everagain.
Mxol
isi
:I'
m comi
ngal
ong.
Abi
gai
l:Noyournot
.
Mxol
isi:Andwhyt
hehel
lnot?
Abigai
l:Iknowverywellt
hatyouandIar eengaged
,theydotoo,butbabylet
'sfaceit-t
hat'
squit
e
di
srespectf
ul.Yourfr
om atr
aditi
onalfamil
y,youof
al
lpeopleshouldknowthat.

Heletgoofherandpi
ckedagl
assdrinki
ngwat
er.
Shesighedswi
tchi
ngofft
hest
oveandputthe
spoondownhugginghi
mf r
om behi
nd.
Abigai
l:Iknowit
sirr
it
atingseeingmewithhim-
butIswearthi
sisforthelastt
ime.Itwi
llnever
happenagain.Il
oveyou.

AtBr
eezeshouse

Ar
ound19h00
Mxolisidrovetot
hegateandpar kedlooki
ngas
Breezesfami l
ygoti
ntotheircarslaughingfol
lowed
byBr eezeandSagi.Hesi gnedpul l
ingherhandand
ki
ssedi tandshesmiledleaninginandt heykissed.

Abi
gai
l:Onel
astt
imeandwe'
reover.Ipr
omi
se.
Mxol
isi
:Behaveyour
sel
vest
her
e.
Abigai
l:(
laughs)Not hi
ngwi l
lhappen.Assoonas
i
t'
sdoneI 'm headingstr
aighttoyouandyoucan
havemef orasl ongasyouwant.

Heshookhi
sheadki
ssi
nghi
m onel
astt
imeand
theyst
eppedout.Hetookoutherbagandheldher
handastheywalkedover.Br
eezenoti
cedthem and
metthem hal
fwaytaki
ngthebaghuggingAbigai
l
foronel
astti
me.

Mxol
isi
:Il
oveyou.
Abi
gai
l:Il
oveyout
oo

Br
eezer
oll
edhi
seyesandAbi
gai
lwal
kedpasthi
m.

Mxoli
si:Youl
ookaf
terher.Nomanga-
manga
busi
ness.
Breeze:Rel
ax..Igotmybabywi thmesoi fI
'
m
hungryshe'
l
lprovide.Idontknowaboutyour
fi
ancebutI'
m alwaysdownf oradesser
t.

Mxol
isif
rownedlookingathi
m smi
rkbefor
eturning
ar
oundwithalongfaceandhandsinthepockets.
Br
eezescoff
edloadingherbagandcl
osedthebooy
get
ti
ngi
n.

Abi
gai
l:Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?
Breeze:Not
hingyoushoul
dwor
ryyour
sel
fabout
.
Guyt hi
ng.

Theydr
oveouti
nlineandcat
chi
ngupand
remi
ndi
ngeachotherofol
dti
mes.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
04]Lynne :Chapt
er97

Att
heVi
ll
age.

Earlyi
nt hemor ning,thefamil
yel dersincluding
Abigail
'
swal kedoutoft hehousewi t
ht hem heading
tothegraveyar dsl eavingSagibyt hedoor .She
l
ookedatt hem dr i
veoutandshest il
lcouldn'
tcome
totermst hatinaf ewmi nsthei
rl ovewoul dhave
drawnal ineont hegr oundandt hat'sthat.Their
l
ovewassost rongonewoul dn'thavet houghtt hat
onesimpl epushofaf i
ngerwil
lbr eakitdownl i
ke
t
his.
Shewal kedbacki ntot
hekitchenandwentto
preparebreakfastfort
heirr
eturntryi
ngt
odist
ract
herselff
rom reali
ty.Sheheardaphoner i
ngandat
fi
rstignoreditbutfi
nall
ywentt ochecki
t.
ShestoodbyAbigail
'
sphonelookingatMxolisi
'
s
numberasitrangcountl
esst
imeshopi ngit
'l
lst
op
buthekeptoncall
ingandshepickeditannoyed.

Sagi
:Youneedt
orel
ax.
Mxoli
si:Andyouneedt
olearnhowtospeakto
peopl
e,especi
all
ywhenansweri
ngpeopl
e'sphones
Sagi
:Iwouldn'thaveanswerditbutthenyoukept
onnagging.Ar eyouthati
nsecureforyoutocheck
upinherevery10mi ns?
Mxol
isi
:I'
m noti
nsecur
e.
Sagi:Wel
lyouracti
onssayssomethingquite
di
ffer
entfr
om whatyoursaying.I
fyoudi dn'
ttr
ust
uswithher-Breezewi
thherthenyoushoul dhave
gott
enheraleashandtiehertoyourwaistandstop
cal
li
ngaf
terever
ybr
eat
hyout
ake.
Mxoli
si:Andj
udgi
ngf
rom yourt
oneIguessi
ts
happeni
ng.
Sagi
:..
.
Mxol
isi
:Andt
hat
'swhyyoursosal
ty.
Sagi:
HowIam ornothasnothingtodowitht
heir
separat
ion.Asf
arasIam i
nit-Idonthaveasayin
i
t.
Mxol
isi
:Sot
hatmakesyouangr
y?
Sagi:No!Whatmakesmeangryi
shear i
ngyour
voi
ceatthisti
meofaminut
ewhenyourt hecouse
ofeveryt
hingmyf
amilyi
sgoingt
hrough..
!
Mxoli
si:Isthathowyoufeel
aboutme?ThatI '
m
t
hereasonwhyyourf amil
yisheadingsepar
ate
ways?I sthattheki
ndofpersonyouviewmeas?
Sagi:(t
eary)Howdoyouexpectmetovi
ewyou
Mxolisi
?Asmyl awyer?Agoodguyi
nmyeyes?
I
'm sorrybutIdon'
t.
I
nMxol
isi
'
scar
.

Mxolisisighedandparkedthecaronthesideoft
he
gravelroadbeforel
ookingatthemir
rorsandtook
thephonef rom t
hephoneholder.

Mxol
isi
:Atleastsomet
hingbett
erthannyat
si.Not
asafri
endalsobutamanatleast.
Sagi
:Who'sman?Herman?Cour
set
hat
'st
he
samethi
ng.
Mxolisi
:YouhavetounderstandthatIloveherSagi
.Iloveher.AndIknowyoumi ghtnotagreewit
h
meorbehappyf orourr
elati
onshipbutIloveher
andshe'shappywit
hme.
Sagi
:Shewashappywi
thusunt
ilyour
uined
ever
ythi
ngf
orher!

Herubbedhiseyesandl
ookedar
oundagai
natt
he
t
reesbefor
esighing.
Mxol
isi
:Doyoul
oveher?
Sagi
:Ist
hatat
ri
ckquest
ion?Of
cour
seIl
oveher.
Mxoli
si:Ohk.
.howaboutwemeet ?Let'stalkabout
thi
s-youandI.Layourdi
ff
erencesonthet abl
eand
seehowwecandealwi t
hthiscourseIdontwantt o
keepupwitht
his.
Sagi
:What?
Mxol i
si:yeah..seeIwasheadingther
ecourse
Abigailtol
dmeshe' l
lbebacktodayearl
yint
he
mor ni
ngaf terthewhol
ethi
ngisdonesoIdecidedI
shouldsur pri
seher.
Sagi:Wel
lthat'
sthedumbestst upidsurpr
iseI'
ve
everhear
d-f et
chingadivorceefrom herex-
in-
laws
house?Qui t
edisrespect
fuli
fyouaskme.
Mxoli
si:Woo..
.that
'sspi
cybutt
hanksf
orthe
honest
y.Sowhatdoyousay?Noonewi l
lhavet
o
knowaboutthemeetup.
Sagi:Whati
fsher
ecogni
zesyoucarwhent
hey
ret
urn?
Mxol
isi
:It
sadiff
erentone.Shedoesn'
tevenknow
t
henumberpl
ate.
Sagi
:Ohk.
.
Mxol
isi
:Sendt
headdr
ess.
Sagi
:Ifyoudonthavet
headdr
esst
henhowwer
e
youexpecti
ngtofi
ndher?
Mxol
isi
:Aski
ngar
ound.

Shehangupandhewai t
edanxiouslythenshe
reci
evedtheaddressf
rom adif
ferentnumber.He
savedthecontact
sandthenfoll
owedt heGPS.
Minsl aterheparkedinfrontofanRDPhouseand
fr
ownedchecki ngifheent eredthecor rectl
ocati
on-
i
twas.Hesi ghedbit
inghi slipandst artedt
he
engineandwhenhecheckedt hemi r
rorshesawher
approachi nginherblacklongdr ess.I twasn'thar
d
tonot i
ceherevenwheni twasst il
labitdarkfrom
herhei ghtandbodyundert hattightdressont he
waist.Shegoti nthecarandhel ookedatheras
sher ubbedherhandst ogether.
Mxol
isi
:Youcol
d?
Sagi
:Yeah.
.

Heswi
tchedont
heheat
erandsher
elaxedashe
dr
ovesl
owly.

Mxol
isi
:Soanypl
acewecant
alk?
Sagi:Bytheri
ver.Nottheonearoundher et hough.
Ili
kethesoundofthewaterhi
tt
ingont her ockand
l
isteni
ngtothebi
rdssingwhil
ethetreesrel easea
verysoftwi
nd.Makesmecal m andcol l
ectedpl usI
haven'
tbeenther
einawhi l
e,goonI '
llguideyou.
Mxoli
si:Youlovethebeautyofnature-t
hat'
s...a
progr
essforme.Atl eastnowIknowonegood
thi
ngyoul ovebesi
desal waysf
ighti
ngforyour
l
ovedones.

Shet
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
m wi
thal
ongf
aceandhe
l
ookedatherbef
oretheybot
hlaughedasshe
di
rect
edhimtotheri
ver.

Awhi
lel
ater.

AtBr
eezeshome.

Theyal lwal kedi nthehousesmel li

ngt hegood
freshcof feefrom thedoorandwal kedt othe
dinningr oom wher et heyfoundt hef oodcoverdand
satar oundopeni ngthem insmi les.Abigailwentto
getthecof feeandj uiceinthef r
idgegoi ngtoplace
them ont hetablebef orewalkingar oundwi t
ha
smal ldisht owashhands.Br eezegotupf eeli
ngin
hisbloodt hatthehousewasempt yheading
upstairst other oom Sagishar edwi thAbigaill
ast
nightbutshewasn' tthere.Hewentt ocheckthe
bathroom butst il
lthenhewentt ohi sroom and
foundanot eont hebed.
"Iwentoutt
ogetsomefreshai
r.I
'mI'
m ohkand
saf
e,dontworr
y-I
'l
lbebacksoon.Il
oveyou"

Thoughi twasunset
tli
nghehel dontoherwor d
ti
mi ngherwit
hanhourorhe' l
lgolooki
ngf orher.
Hecantbeart ol
oseher, shei
shisever yt
hingand
withoutheral
lwil
lcomet oanendandmean
nothing.She'
sal
lhe'sgotandhe'swill
ingtodo
everythi
nghecantocor r
ecthiswrongsandbui l
d
hisfamilywit
hher.

Abi
gailsl
ightl
yknockedont
hedoorandhet
urned
wit
hthenot ei
nhishand.

Abi
gai
l:Ever
ythi
ngohk?
Br
eeze:yeah.
.(shovedi
tinhi
spocket
)Ever
ythi
ng
i
sfi
ne.
Abigai
l:Ohk.
.I'
mlooki
ngforSagi,
she'
snoti
nour
room .Haveyouseenher?
Br
eeze:She'
sout-(
swal
lowed)Ihope.
Abi
gai
l:Ar
eyouohk.
.
Br
eeze:Mmmh-hmm .Let
'sgo.

Hepassedbyherandshel ookedathi
m walking
downt hehallwayrubbi
nghisneckwit
honehand.
Eveni ftheirbusi
nesswasover-shereali
zediti
s
sti
llhardt onotnoti
cehim whenhe'
safrai
dof
somet hing.Sheneedst ostayawayfr
om him or
whatshehaswi l
lalsocr
umbledowninabl i
nkofan
eye.
Shefi
ddl
edwit
hherhandsandwentt
ojoi
nthem
si
tt
ingar
oundt
hetabl
e.

Lyon:Ao.
.wher
e'smygi
rl?
Br
eeze:She-wentout.
Aunt
:outt
hisear
ly?I
ssheohk?
Br
eeze:Ihope.
Aunt
:Youhope?WenaBreeze-DoIhavetoremi
nd
yout
hatt
hatisyourwi
fe?Themotherofyour
chi
ldrenr
oamingaroundatt
histi
meinwhi
chmost
murdersandr
apist
sescaperunni
ngout-
andyour
hoping?What
'sgotint
oyou?
Br
eeze:
..
.
Aunt:Emaoyegobat
amosadi
Breeze!St
andup!
Hel
a!Youhope?
Abi
gail
saunt:Maybesheneededabr
eakf
rom al
l
oft
his.Maybeithappenst
obetoomuchf
orher.
Aunt:Ng-ngNoBr eezestandupandgolookformy
daughter
-i
n-l
aw beforeshegoesmissi
ngorwor se.
Dontyouknowt hatwhenawomansayst hisyou
shoulddothecompl et
eopposit
e?Standup!
Abigai
lwil
lputyourfoodintheoven.Bat
hong!You
hope!

Breezel
ookedattheeleder
seyesonhim andhe
stoodupembarrassedandwalkedawaypicki
ngthe
carkeysbythedoor.

Aunt
:Thi
sboy!
Lyon:(whispered)Youdidn'thavetodot hat.
Lovershaveproblemstooandsomet imest hebest
wayt ocomear oundist
ogi veeachot hersome
spacetothink.Donteverbel i
tt
lehi
ml ikethat
courseonedayhewontl etitslide-he'snotaboy
anymore.

Hesatbackandt
heauntl
ookedathi
m bef
oret
hey
at
e.

AtBr
eezeshouse

Ditebogosatont
hebednextt oEnzof eedinghi
m
mi l
kwhilebusyt
akingpictur
esofhi m .Sheposted
them onI nst
agr
am andr eadtheclocking
comment sandansweredt hem .Everyoneon
Instagr
am knewthetwinsasher sandl i
ttl
edidthey
knowhercakewasst il
lcookinginheroven.She
frownedlooki
ngatRose'scomment.
"Theyar
esobeaut
if
ul"

From t hatcommentshecoul dtellshehadmor eto

saybutwentwi tht hesi mpleli
ne.Shesi ghed
replyingothersandst opped.Wasi tevenworthyto
holdheraccount ablef orwhatshedi dunderpain,
stressandnegl ecting?Sheknewhowi twast olose
someoneyoul ovef rom herbrotherspassi
ngand
shecoul dt el
lshef eelslikeshelostKagisotoof or
good.Thoughi twashar dt
oforgivehershehast o
tothatnotonl yf ort hepeacesakebutf orherself
toot ohealpastt hat.

Repl
y:"
Thanksl
ove "

Shesi
ghedhi
tt
ingheri
nbox.

Di
tebogo:Dowantt
ohangout?I
'
m bor
ed.
Rosel
la:Real
ly.
. I
'
dlovet
o.
Shesmiledt
ell
ingherwhereshewasandputthr
phonedowntakingthebot
tl
efrom t
hesl
eepi
ng
babyEnzo.

Att
her
iver.

Hour
slat
er

Theysatont hebonnetl ooki

ngatt her i
verasthe
waterhitt
her ockssplashingmaki ngsmal lwaves,
thecoldfr
om t hemount ainforestcoveredthem
andli
steni
ngt ot hesoundoft heear l
ybirdsand
l
eaveswhi spering.Mxoli
siturnedlookingatherhug
herbodyandgotdownf rom thebonnetandwentt o
gethiscoatcover i
ngher.

Sagi
:Thankyou.
Mxol
isi
:Yourwel
come.Sowhat
'si
taboutr
iver
s
t
hati
nspi
resyout
ojustwantt
ocomeher
eand
wat
chit?
Sagi:It
s-..open.Alwaysflows.Somet imesi tcould
fl
owsmoot hlyandsomet i
mesi nr apid-intheend
notallt
hewat erwi
llgothesamedi rect
ionbuti t
'l
l
cutoutandt akediffer
entroutes.Likeli
fe-itcould
goreall
ysmoot handbeaut i
fulbutatsomepoi ntit
'l
l
j
usthitroughpat chesandsepar ateyouf rom the
onesyoul ove.
Mxoli
si:Soi
nthi
scase-Ihappent
obet
her
ough
pat
chyourmarri
agehi
t.

Sheturnedl ookingathim andsighedl

ooki
ngback
attheri
ver.Al lmemor iescameinawavebef or
e
hereyesandt earsblur
redhereyes.Heturnedto
herwishingt oholdherbutknewhehadt okeepa
dist
ancet houghi thurt
sseeingawomani ntear
s
l
ikethi
s.

Sagi
:Haveyoueverfeltl
ike-t
her
e'snotaper
soni
n
thewor
ldthatunder
standsandgetsyou?
Mxol
isi
:Yeah.
.al
mostever
yday.
Sagi
:How'
sitf
eel
?
Mxol
isi
:Sad,
lonel
y-depr
essi
ng
Sagi:Imagi
neallt
hosethi
ngsaddedwi
thmy
condit
ion?Whatdotheydo?
Mxol
isi
:..
.Br
eaki
ng.
..
Sagi
:Exact
ly.
..
(t
ear
sfl
owed)I
'
m br
oken.

Hertearsfl
oweredendl
esslyl
iketheri
vershewas
stari
ngat.Helookedatherbit
inghisl
ipandtr
ied
touchingherwhenshegotoffthebonnet.

Sagi
:(cr
ying)DoyoueverwonderwhyI
'
mli
ket
his?
Howimf eeli
ng?
Mxol
isi
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Sagi
:..
.
Mxoli
si:Sagiyoucantal
ktomesot hatIcan
cor
rectmyself.SothatIcanseewhereIfi
tinyour
l
if
eeveni
fI'
m att
hebackofyourl
ist.Iknowyou
hur
t-
Sagi:(rai
sedvoi ce)I '
m nothur t!I '
mt ornapar t.
Yout ooksomeoneever yval uabl etomyhear t.You
camei ntomyl if
eandt oreapar tofmyf ami l
yaway
from me.Youdi dn' tthi
nkhowi t'
llaffectmet hough
shet ol
dyout hatI 'm notal r
ight!Igott riggered
Mxol i
si.AfterIr ecent l
yfoundoutt hatt hemanI
l
ovehasbeengal li
vantingyoucameal ongand
forcedyourwayt hroughmybr okenf ami lythat
couldhavebeenmended.Andt henIgotsentt oa
ment alpri
sonbyt hesamewomanhe' sbeenseei ng
behindmyback!Igotpoi sonedandsomef reaks
almostper f
ormedanoper ationonmet ryingt otake
mybabi esf r
om meandnoonehaseveraskedme
howIwasdoi ngaf tert
het r
aumaI 'vebeent hrough!
NotevenoncehaveIhear danyoneaskmehowI
am !AndIt rysohar d-(crying)Sohar dt oputi t
togetherforthesakeofmybabi esandever yone
aroundme!I '
m avi ctim ofnat ur eandavi ctim of
mymar ri
age....Iam myownwor stnight mare.
Everythi
ngar oundmekeepscr umbl ingdownand
ever yt
imeIt r
yt ohel psomeoneendsupget ti
ng
hur t!Icantseem t odoanyt hi
ngcour seI'm scaredI
coul dkil
landIdontwantanybl oodi nmyhands.
Youal lresurrectedthepar tofmeIwi shednoone
toseeandnowyourt ur
ningabl indeyef ocusingon
thesamehappi nessyoucutf rom mi ne!Il i
vewi th
af alsehopet hatonedayyoual lwillseeyour
wrongsyoudi dtomeandt rycorrectbutno-i tsli
ke
I'
m si t
ti
ngi nar oom putint hecor nerallbymysel f
whi ley'
allarepoppi ngchampagneswhi l
eIr emai n
cryingandnoneofyour aisestheirhead.

Shet ur
nedaroundcryinghidi
ngherfaceashe
stoodbywithatearsburninghiseyes.He
squeezedhiseyesandwentt othecartaki
nghis
bottl
eofwatertogiveherbutshewalked3steps
awayf r
om himintears.

Sagi
:Haveyoueverbeenhurtt
oapoi ntt
hatyou
st
artt
ohateli
fei
tsself?Toapointyoubeli
evethat
maybether
eisnoGodcour sei
fhewas, he
woul
dn'
thavel
ett
hishappen,
haveyou.
.?
Mxol
isi
:..
.
Sagi
:I'
m sor
ryifyoufeel
li
keI'
m seei
ngyouasthe
per
sonthatplayedt
hepartbutt
hequesti
onisdo
youbl
ameme?
Mxol
isi
:..
.
Sagi
:DoyouMxol
isi
?
Mxol
isi
:No.
.
Sagi:Rightcourseyouknowthatyou-youMxolisi
Malekatooksomet hi
ngfrom me.Maybet hat
'swhy
youstoodupf ormei ncour
t-
Mxoli
si:Nothatwasnotit.Ist
oodupforyou
cour
seIwantedtonotcourseofthegui
lt
.Trustme
i
twasallingoodint
ent
ion.
Sagi:Wasitnow?( Crying)Yourever ybitasbadas
theyare.Thefamil
yandt heonesIcommi tt
edmy
selft
oo.Breezetri
ggeredme.Abi gailpushedme.
JackforcedmeandJanepokesme.Youar e
burni
ngupt hefl
ame.Wi t
hal loft
his-ieventri
ed
onethingInevert
houghtI 'ddo-infl
ictalongpain
onmysel fsot hatIwontf ightbackcour seyouguys
arebacki ngmei nt oacor ner-Tattoo.Hugeone.
Whi chwast hedumbestt hingtodocour senowI
wisht orenewi ttof eel pain.Ifeelli
ket hedevelis
clappi nghandsf ormer eadytowel comemei fIdo
anythi ngcour set hat'
swher epeopl eli
kemego.I
l
ostmyFai thi nt hepr ocessandf eellikethedevi
lis
happi lyreadyt owor kwi thmewi t
hwar m arms-but
thent hel ovet heykeepcr ushingandmybabi es,
aret heonl ythi ngshol dingmeback.Ihat et
oli
ve
withbar s(crying)Ihat emyl i
fe!Ihat eitandIhate
allIwantt odoi smakei tstop!Pleasehel pmestop
thepai ncour seithur t!Hel pmest op!Ki llmeonce
andf orallcour seI '
mt ir
ed!( Screams)Ki llmeand
stopt hepai npl ease!
Mxol
isi
:No!
Sagi:
(cryi
ng)Kil
lme!Thatwayyouwi
llli
veyour
happylif
ewithherknowi
ngnothi
ngwi
llholdyou
backplease.
..
Mxol
isi:I
'
m notgoi
ngt
oki
llyouSagi.
Hert ear
skeptr oll
ingdownhercheeksast hepain
i
nherhear ttorei t'
swayshecoul df eelherchest
alsoinpain.Shel ookedathi m andqui ckl
ythrew
thejacketont hegr oundandranint othewat er
maki ngMxolisi'shear tski
ptohist hroatandhe
foll
owedherdi vingi nandthewat erflowedwi t
h
them .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
04]Lynne :Chapt
er98.

Att
heRi
ver.

Theystruggl
edtobreat
heasthewat erfl
owedwith
them hi
tti
ngrockswhenMxolisispot
tedabranch
onthesideoftheri
verfur
ther
.

Mxol
isi
:Gr
abmyhand!

Shetri
edbyallmeanstogetf
urthertohi
m and
fi
nal
lycoughthi
shandwhenhepul ledherandhel
d
herastheywentundert
hebranchbuthemanaged
togetholdofi
t.

Sagi:
(cr
ying)Dontl
etgopl
ease.
..
Heturnedlooki
ngathowt errif
iedshewasandhe
coul
dal mosthearherheartpoundingsohardas
shecoughedwat erhol
dingtighttohi
shandwi th
herdresstor
nont heothersideofherbreastandon
theneck.Hereyessaiditall.
Hepul
ledhercl
oserashishandgott
ir
edbuthet ol
d
hi
msel
fthathewontletherdownandletherki
ds
gr
owupwi t
houtamot her.
Shegothol dofthebr anchandhepul ledherbythe
waistgr abbingthegrassnextt othem andpushed
hersoshecoul dholdonandbeabl etogetoutof
theriverandshedi d.Af tershehadgoneoutshe
quicklygavehi m herhandandevent houghhewas
heavyf orhersheal sodidn'tgi
veupunt ilhewas
outandt heycoll
apsedont hegrassnexttotheri
ver
breathingheavilyinfear.

Sagi:
(shaki
ng)Thankyou.
Mxol
isi
:Iknowyourhur
tbutt
hatwasast
upi
d
move!
Sagi
:I'
m sor
ry.
.
Mxoli
si:Sagiyougotkidsandfami
lywholoveyou.
Iknowtheymi ghthur
tyoubutever
yfamil
ydoes
haveobstacl
esandkilli
ngyour
sel
fisnott
hebest
waytogetawayf rom al
lofi
t.
Sagi
:(t
ear
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
Mxoli
si:Yousorry?
!Youcoul
d'vedied!Leavi
ng
yourki
dstogrowupwi t
houtamot her!Amothers
l
oveallbecauseshecoul
dn'
tfaceherpainanddeal
wit
hit!
Sagi:Howdoyouexpectmet ojustpickupthe
pieceswhenever yt
imeIdoIgethur t?Notsolong
agoIsawhi m meetingheri
nhercaratmypar t
y.I
thoughthim andIwerebett
erthant hat!Now
Abigaili
soffi
cial
lyl
eavi
ngafterbreakingme!
Mxoli
si:ButAbigai
lleavi
ngt
heuniondoesn'
tmean
l
if
eitsel
fwil
lstoporyourmarri
agewonteverbe
st
rong!Itwil
l!

Sheputherhandsonherf
acecr
yingast
heyf
lowed
outandher
aisedhi
supperbodybal
anci
nghi
msel
f
wit
honehandfaci
ngher.

Mxol isi:SagiIknowIhur tyouint hepr ocessof

l
ovi ngAbi gai l-I'm sorry.Youdeser vebet tert han
deat haf teral lthatweoutyout hrough.Youmi ght
seeyour sel fasavi ctim ofnat urebutt osomeofus
wevi ewyouqui tedifferentf r
om whatyouassume
your selftobe.I nmyeyes-Iseeyouasast r
ong
,amazi ng, beaut i
fulrockofawoman.Youdedi cate
your selftoever yonear oundyou.Youramot her,
fri
end, sisterandal over.Wi thyourcondi tion-I
alsoseeyouasast r
ong, Intel
li
gentper sonwhoi s
ablet ost rategi zeandcapabl eofdoi nganyt hing
andever ythi ngt opr otectyourl ovedones.Yourt he
strongestandbr avestwomanI '
veevermet.Ki l
li
ng
your selfwi lldevast ateal otofpeopl eespeci allythe
onescl oset oyouwhoyoudontnot icehowmuch
theycar e.Di t
ebogo, RoseandBonol olookupt o
youasyoupl ayamot herf i
gureint heirli
ves.
Kagi soseesyouashi smot herandt hekidst oo.
Abi gailseesyouashersi st er.
Sagi:Wel
lshehasaf
unnywayofshowingi
twhen
she'
sther
easonwhyIal
mostl
ostmykids!
Mxol isi:Idon'tknowwhyshedi dt hatcour seshe
didn'thavet her ighttobutI '
m sur esher egr etsit
andal wayswi ll.Airador esyou.Youandhi s
mot hermi ghtbeoneachot herstoesbutyoucan
seewhenhe' swi thyout hathel ovesyouand
somet imeswhenyoucar ryhim Ihear dhedoesn' t
wantt ogodown.Sagiyoursoni si ni
tiati
ngdoyou
wanthi mtocomebackt of i
ndingoutt hathi s
mot heri sfourf ootunder?Andt houghBr eezei sa
jerk-t heguyl ovesyou.Youshoul dhaveseenhi m
whenyouwer ei njai
l, hehadgi venupont hewor l
d
drinkingandl ocki nghi msel fi
nt hehouse.Theonl y
thingt hatkepthi m goi ngi sadr eam tof inallyhold
youandOdi ri
lewast her eforhim t hent hankst o
Kagi so.Youmi ghtnotseei tbutyoubei ngal ive
reall
ymeansal ottoal otofpeopl e.Dontyouever
dot hat !Lastl
yI 'm sorryf orbeingt her easonbehi nd
yoursadness.Andsor r yIcouldn'thaveaback
bonet ocomeapol ogizet oyouaf terwhatIdi d.I
hopeonedayI '
llgettohavet her elati
onyouhave
wit
hother
swithyou.I
'l
lbegladt
oknowI'
minyour
goodbooksl
iket
herest.Sor
ryone'
sagai
n.

Shemovedherhandf
rom herf
acesti
lll
ayi
ngon
thegr
assandhesmil
edmovingherhaironherf
ace
.

Mxol
isi
:Imeani
t.

Sheopenedherar
msandhewentdownhuggi
ng
herf
orawhile.

Sagi:If
orgiveyou.Itoowouldhavedonet
hesame
thi
ngforloveandcarelessofwhatst
andsi
nmy
wayorwho' shappi
nessIdestr
oy.
Mxol
isi
:Thankyou.
Sagi
:Justl
oveherf
ull
yohk?
Mxol
isi
:Iwi
ll.
Hegotupandhel pedherstanddustingt
hedr y
gr
assof fthemsel vesbutthei
rclot
heswer esti
llwet.
Helookedathert orndressonthebreastbythe
si
deandr ealizedshewasn' tweari
ngabr a-her
br
eastswer est i
llofateenagerasifshewasn't
br
eastfeeding.

Mxol
isi:Didyousomehowi
njectyoursel
fwi
th
somethingbef
ore?
Sagi
:I'
m scar
edofi
nject
ion,Iwoul
dn'
tdar
etr
yto.
Mxol
isi
:Hadanoper
ati
onofsomesor
t?
Sagi:
No.
.why?
Mxoli
si:Youdontl
ookl
ikesomeonewhoj
usthad
babi
es.
Sagi
:I'
l
ltaket
hatasacompl
iment
..

Hesmil
edwhenhereal
izedthecarwasn'
tther
ebut
backwher
etheywer
eandf r
owned.
Sagi:Dontwor
ry,it
'snott
hatfarf
rom her
e.Let
's
j
ustfoll
owther
iverandwe'l
lbetherei
nnot i
me.
Mxoli
si:Damn..
.I'
m neverget
ti
nganywher
enear
t
hisplacewi
thyou.
Sagi:
(l
aughs)Iwascoughti
npai
n.Thanksf
or
openi
ngmyeyes.

Theywal
kedal
ongther
iveroverasmal
lchat
headi
ngt
othecar.

Ont
her
oad.

Br
eezesighedlookingatt
hewomancarryi
ngwood
st
ari
ngatthepi ct
ureandshookt
hei
rheads
worr
yinghim evenmore.

Br
eeze:Thankyou.
Hewentbacki nthecaranddr
oveal ongfeelinghi
s
heartracing.Hecheckedheratherf avorit
espot s
aroundt hevill
agebutshewasn'tthereincludingt
he
ri
ver.Her ubbedhisfaceandkeptonst oppingby
anyonehemeet sonthewayaskingt hem whilehe
countl
essl ycall
edherandbackhomet ocheckif
she'sback.

Breeze:(
recordsmessage)Babycanyoupl ease
comehome. .Ift
her
e'sanyt
hingIdidthatupsetyou
pleasecomebacksowecant alk.Il
oveyou.

2mi
nsl
ater

Br
eeze:I
'
m wor
ri
edpl
easel
ove.
..Ineedyou.

1mi
nlat
er.
Breeze:Ifyourt
hinkingofleavi
ngmeIswearto
Godkill
ingmyself!(Teary)
Babypleasecomehome
..I'
m beggingyou.

3mi
nsl
ater

Breeze:Damni tSagiplease..
.Iseri
ouslyneedyou.
I'
m nothingwithoutyou.IknowIf uckedupbi gt
ime
thelastcoupleofmont handmadeexcusesf ori
t
hurti
ngyoui ntheprocess-Ihavenoexcusenow
andI '
m sorr
y.I '
mtrulysorr
ymyl ove.Pleaseall
ow
met oprovemysel ftoyou.Iloveyou.Comet ome
baby.

Minspassedashedr ovealongandever ytimehe

gotbacki nthecaraft
eraskingpeopl ehe'drecorda
voicemessage.Af amil
iarcartohiseyespassed
byhi m asherecordedhisendlessmessages.He
turnedtryi
ngtorememberwher ehesawi tand
reali
zedhesawi tatMxol i
si'
sInst
agr am pict
ures
whenKagi sowassear chinghimint hecaratt he
weddi
ng.
Heshooki
tof
fandkeptondr
ivi
ng.

Breeze:Sagi-imlosingmymi ndr
ightnow.Sorry
i
fImadeyouf eel
negl ectedi
nawayt hroughout
thewholethi
ng, I
'm sorry.Pl
easegetbacktome.

Heputt hephonedownr ubbinghiseyeswitha

raci
nghear t.ChordOverstreet(Holdon)played
whenhef r
ownedl ooki
ngout side.It
sfunnyhow
mostoft hetimewhenwer esadandpl aymusicwe
gettorelat
esomehowwi t
hone, andthi
swas
defi
nit
elytouchinghim onthei nsi
de.

hol
donIst
il
lwantyou
ComebackIst
il
lneedyou
Letmet
akeyourhand-
I
'
llmakei
tri
ght
Isweart
oloveyoual
lmyl
if
e
Hol
donIst
il
lneedyou

Longendl
esshi
ghways,
Yoursi
lentbesi
deme
Dr
ivi
ngani
ght
mar
eIcan'
tescapef
rom
Hel
plessl
ypr
ayi
ng,
Thel
ighti
sn'
tfadi
ng
Hi
dingt
heshockandt
hechi
l
linmybones

Theyt
ookyouawayonat
abl
e
Ipacebackandf
ort
hasyoul
ayst
il
l
Theypul
lyoui
ntof
eel
yourhear
tbeat
s
Canyouhearmescr
eami
ng?
Pl
easedontl
eaveme

Hol
donIst
il
lwantyou
ComebackIst
il
lneedyou
Letmet
akeyourhandI
'
llmakei
tri
ght
Isweart
oloveyoual
lmyl
if
e
Hol
donIst
il
lneedyou

Heturnedoffthemusi
candpickedhi
sphonewhen
suddenlyi
tranginhi
shandandhequickl
y
answered.

Abi
gai
l:She'
sback.
Br
eeze:I
'
m onmyway.

Hemadeau-t
urni
nthemi ddl
eofther
oadand
st
eppedont
heaccel
erat
orgoinghomehol
dinghi
s
br
eath.

Ear
li
er.
..

Sagidi
rect
edhi
m unt
ilt
heygott
otheLyonshouse
andwentoutt
ogoopent
hegat
eforhi
mtopar
k
i
nsidet
heyard.
Abi
gailspott
edherwhilewashi
ngdishesand
qui
cklyletgoofthem r
ubbi
ngherhandsonher
cl
othesrushingoutt
ohugher.

Abi
gai
l:Dontyoueverl
eavel
iket
hat!
Sagi
:(smi
li
ng)Iwentoutf
orf
reshai
r-andguess
whoIrani
nto?

Shet urnedaroundi nshocklookingatMxolisi

standingrighti
nfrontofherinthef l
esh.Whowoul d
havet houghtthatlovecoul
ddr agamandownt he
mi l
eslikethi
s?Shesmi l
edridiculousl
ywant i
ngto
j
umpi nhisarmsbutt heelderssteppedoutandhe
rubbedofhi ssmi l
eputti
nghishandst ogetherwhil
e
Sagikeptr emovingdrygrassinherhai r.

Mxol
isi
:(r
espect
ful
ly)Thobel
abagol
o
El
der
s:Thobel
a/Dumel
a
Mxol
isi
:Howar
eyoual
l?
El
der
s:Fi
ne/good.You?
Mxol
isi
:I'
m al
sof
ine.
LyonAunt
:Wenaomang?
Mxol
isi:uhm i
'm afr
iendofthei
rs,
cameallthe
wayt
osuppor tthem t
hroughthi
sdif
fi
cul
tti
me.
Lyon:That
'ssoni
ceofyouson, butyouseem l
ike
you'
vebeenvomit
edbyananimalandyoumakot i.
Haveyoutoobeentoget
heral
lthi
stime?

Mxolisit
urnedlooki
ngatSagifi
ddl
ingwit
hherhai
r
avoi
dingtheireyesasAbi
gail
'ssmi
ledropped
l
ookingatthem .

Mxoli
si:uhm .
.Iwassupposedtobeher
eearli
er
bef
oreeveryt
hingst
artsandwhenIwasonmyway
her
eIranintohercr
yingwalki
ngbytheroad.
Abi
gai
l'
saunt:Sowhathappened?
Mxol
isi
:It
ookhersomewher
epr
ivat
etot
her
iver
courseshesai
dsheneededsomespacetobreat
h
aft
erwhatshe'
sbeenthroughandt
hingsdi
dn'
tgo
asplannedanduhm she.
..
uhm .
.

Heheldhi
stonguenotwantingtotel
lthem t
hatshe
j
umpedintoaful
lri
verreadytokil
lher
self.He
l
ookedatherasshestaredbackathim. .

Sagi:Isawasnakecoursewewer esit
ti
ngonthe
tal
ldr
ygr assandirani
ntother
iverbutl
ucki
lyhe
wastheretorescuemeotherwi
seIwouldhavedied
.
Mxol
isi
:Ri
ght
..
.I'
m sor
ryi
ttookawhi
let
obr
ingher
homeandwor
ryi
ngyou.
Aunt:It
sohkson.Makotilewena..
.afullri
ver?
Youcouldhavegot
tenbit
tenbyanotheranimali
n
ther
iverordr
ownedleavi
ngyourki
dsal lal
one.
Sagi
:I'
m sor
ry.Iwast
err
if
ied.

Theyal
ltur
nedhear
ingacarpar
kinf
ullspeedas
thewheelsscratchedont hegr
oundformingdust
andBreezesteppedoutj oggi
ngtoherembr aci
ng
heri
nabonecr ushinghugshecouldhardlybreat
he.
Havi
ngheri
nhisar
msfel
tsogoodandcalmedhi
m
f
rom t
hener
ves,hedi
dn'
twantt
oletgo.

Br
eeze:Il
oveyou.
Sagi
:(heavi
ly)I-can'
t-br
eat
h.

Hequi ckl
ypull
edbackholdinghershoul
der
sand
shetookabr eat
hinlooki
ngathim andsmil
ed
openingherarmsforhim andhehuggedher.

Sagi:
Iloveyout
oo.

Theel
der
swalkedbacki
nsi
deandAbi
gai
ltur
nedt
o
hi
m wi
thaneutr
alf
ace.
Abigai
l:Theymi ghthavebel
ievedt
hewholest
ory
butitwas-inconvenient
.Whydontyout
ellmethe
wholetrut
h?
Mxol i
si:Hel
lotoyoutoo.I'
m goodandImi ssed
you.Yest hestor
ywasmadeupandI '
l
lexplai
n
everythi
ngifyougivemeahugf i
rsttowelcome
yourmani navill
agehealmostgotlostinl
ooking
foryoucourseoft hel
ovehehas.

Shetri
edkeepingast
rai
ghtf
acebuthejustl
ooked
atherandoutofnowher
eshelaughedhuggi
nghim
thenst
oleakiss.

Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Bet
ter.
Br
eeze:Heyman.
(shookhi
shand)
Mxol
isi
:8t
a.Howar
eyou?
Breeze:Anxi
ous,scar
edandever
ythi
ngi
nbet
ween.
You?
Mxol
isi
:I'
m -shockedandhappyatt
hesamet
ime.
Thegir
lswalkedi
ntot
hehouseandt
heyl
eanedon
Mxol
isi
'scar.

Br
eeze:Sowhatshocksyou?
Mxoli
si:Iwaspl
anningonkeepi
ngthisbet
ween
yourwomanandIbutIcanseet hatwonthappen
andit
snotagoodt hingt
ohidei
t.
Br
eeze:
..
.
Mxoli
si:SeeIt ookhertot her
ivertr
yingt
osortout
mydiff
erenceswi thherwhensuddenl ysheopened
upabouthert r
uef eel
ings.She'snotwellman..at
al
l.She'satickingbombandever yt
imesheholds
backwiththekidsgatheringherself
.
Br
eeze:Whatdoyoumean?
Mxoli
si:Sagihasacondi t
ionandyouknowt hat-
butatti
mesy'allseem t
olockheroutanddot hi
ngs
wit
houtconsideri
ngherfeeli
ngs.She'shumant oo.
Shefeelsr
ejected.Shefeelsl
ikeshe'savict
im of
natur
eandavi cti
mi nyourmar r
iagecour
seal ways
she'stheonethatendsuphur t.Shef eelshelpless
anddoesn'tknowwhatt odocour seever yti
meshe
doessomet hi
ngsomeoneendsupget tinghur t
badly.Shegotsentt opri
sonbyyourbabymama
andyourbrothertriedtokillherandt akeherbabi es
whileontheotherhandIt ookAbi gailf r
om her-t he
onesheconsidersasi st
er.Notsol ongshel osta
fr
iendandabr otheri nOdiri
le.Allthoset hings
whencombi ningrippsherf rom thei nsideandshe
hidesitwi
thasmi lef ort
hesakeofever yone
aroundher.Shecar esaboutyoual lbutf eelslike
she'snotsomehowenoughorgoodt obear ound
youall.
Br
eeze:.
..
Mxolisi
:Shesai dinodert okeepupwi thi
tit
seither
sheinfli
ctspainonher sel
fphysical
lyorshelet'
s
thethoughtofbeingamot hertoherkidsholdher.
Breezeshehur tsherselfj
ustsoshewontt akeout
thepainonot hers.She'sthereforanyonebut
herself
.She'sscaredshe' l
lki
llonedaycourseof
pain.
Br
eeze:
..
Mxol
isi
:Shet
ri
edki
ll
ingher
sel
ftoday.

Breezeraisedhi shur tfacetohim shocked. He

couldntevenpi cturehi sli
fewithoutherinitandit
madehi shear tjumpt ohisthroat.Helookedathim
astearsbur nedhi seyes.Hecoul dalmosthear
Odiri
leasMxol i
sitalkedt houghhedi dn'
tinsul
thim
l
ikehedi dbutt hewayheputhi swor ds-hisfri
end
onaser i
ousnot e.

Mxol i
si:Damnst raight.Shejumpedintoaf ul
lri
ver
tryi
ngt odrownher selfsothatshecoulddieand
l
eavet hishorri
fi
clifebehindcourseshesaysshe
hatesit!She'shurtingrealbadman.I fyournot
carefulyou'l
lburythemot herofyourchil
dearli
er
thanyoushoul d.
Br
eeze:.
..
Mxolisi
:Imeanman-Psychopat hyandsuici
dal
t
hought s,mant
hat'
snotagoodthing!Thi
sshould
t
ellyouhowmuchshe' sfi
ght
inginthenameoflove
.Thisthing'
sdontmixandgetgoodresul
tsbut
she'sf
ight
ingt
hroughwit
houtsuppor
tfr
om ei
ther
ofyou!Whathurtsthemosti
snonofyounoti
ce
that.
Br
eeze:.
.(
rubbsf
ace)
Mxol i
si:Yousawt hegoodi nherbeforetr
iggeri
ng
herdisor derandstil
lyouexpectgoodaf t
erthe
tr
aumashe' sbeent hroughwhi chishighly
i
mpossi ble!Youknowt hat!Idontknowi fit
sbeing
i
gnor antort hewayyoushowcaseyourl ovebutyou
cantexpecthert obet hesameaf t
erwhatyouput
herthrough.That '
sj ustaf i
lt
ersheput soncourse
youal lexpecthertobel ikethatal
ways.So
basicallyshe'sl
ivi
ngupt oyourexpectati
onsand
youdon' tevenreali
zei tandshe'syourwi fe!Youof
allpeopleshouldseet hat!
Br
eeze:.
..
Mxolisi
:She'
sat i
cki
ngbomb.Onedayshe' lll
ose
herkeyandkil
lyouinyoursleepoutofpaincourse
that
'swhatdri
vesher.She'
llkil
lever
yonethathurt
herifnotf
orher.She'
lll
oseitforgoodwit
ht he
fakehumanit
ysheshowsof fforyoursakeand
there'
snothingyouwoul ddoaboutt hat.Sonot
onlyisherlif
eatl i
ne, butever
yonear oundher.
Dontunder esti
mat ehertothepointwher eyouthink
she'sfi
neandl if
ecancar r
yonsmoot hl
ylikebefore.
Hermi ndthinksandpl ansbeyondanor malperson
can.St ageti
c.She' scapableofallhorr
if
icthi
ngs
youcoul dimaginebut-butf oryoursakeshe
doesn'twanttol etgo.
Br
eeze:(
wipest
ear
)Damn.
.
Mxolisi:She'sdangerous,she'sstr
ong,she's
capableactuallyever
ythi
ngbutshekeepsi tcool.
Onemi st
ake-Oneboxsi xfeetunder,andnoone
wil
ltellhershit!
Br
eeze:
..
.
Mxol i
si:AllI'
m sayi
ngisbecar ef
ul.Don'tadd
dieseltoherflamecourseonedr op-thenWallah!
Hert r
uei dent
itywil
lbereveal
edandIsweart oGod
you'l
lwishJesuswasher etoholdyourhandand
walkwi thyout hr
oughyourdiff
icul
tti
me.
Br
eeze:.
..
Mxol
isi
:Goi
nther
eandst
artwi
thasi
mpl
eI'
m
sorr
ytoopenyourdoort
oherheartt
henyou'
llt
ake
i
tfrom t
here.Shel
ovesyouandshedoesthi
s
courseofyou.

Br
eezelookedathi
m andbr
eathedout.Hegave
hi
m hi
shandandt heybr
ohugged.

Br
eeze:Thanksf
orbei
ngt
her
eman.
Mxol
isi:Justdi
dwhatIhadt
o.I
'
m sor
ryt
oof
or
br
eakingyourmarr
iage.
Br
eeze:I
'
m overi
t.Justpr
omi
set
otr
eatherwel
l.
Mxol
isi
:Iwi
ll.Wai
tyouroveri
t?Ser
iousl
y?
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.
Mxol
isi
:thenwhywer
eyougi
vingmeahar
dti
me?
Breeze:Idontknow.
..
IguessIl
ikegi
vingyouahar
d
ti
me.
Mxol
isi
:Manf
uckyou!
Br
eeze:Yourwel
come.
Theylaughedheadinginsi
defindi
ngtheelder
snot
ther
e.Br eezecheckedout
sideandsawt hem under
thetr
eebef or
eheadingtothegirl
sroom andfound
them huggingasAbigai
ltr
iedtoconsol
eher.
Her
ubbedhi
shandwal
kingoverandst
oodnextt
o
t
hem .

Br
eeze:CanI
?
Abi
gai
l:Sur
e..I
'
llbebackohk?

Sheshookherheadr ubbi
nghertearsandAbigail
walkedoutclosi
ngt
hdoorbehi ndher.Breezesat
nexttoSagiandpul
ledherint
oahugwhenshe
brokedownagain.

Breeze:IknowIhaven'tbeent
heperfecthusband
foryou.Ihurtyouandmadeyouf eelnegl
ected.I
knowwor dswontbeenoughttoexplainandmake
youfeelbett
erbutI
'm sorr
y.You'
vebeennot hi
ng
butagoodwi fetomeandItookyouf orgrant
ed.I
havenoexcusef ormybehavi
or.Yourthebestthi
ng
that'
severhappenedt
omemywhol el i
feandI
turnedabli
ndeyeonthat.

Hepithi
sfingersi
nherhai
rrubbi
ngherscul
pas
shecri
edstil
linhi
sar
ms.Heswal lowedapai
nful
l
umphear i
nghersobswhichcutdeepinhi
sheart.

Breeze:It urnedyoui ntotheper sonyouar eandI'

m
ashamedt oevencal lmysel fworthytobeyour
husband.Wor thyofyourl ove.Youl ovedme
throughbet t
erandwor seandIt ookadvant ageof
yourl ove.I '
m sosor rymyl ove.It r
ulyam .Sorryi
f
Imadeyouf eelunwant edoranyt hi
ngtrustmeI
didn'tmeant o.Mxol isitoldmewhathappenedand
howyouf eel-It aket
hebl amecour sethiswhole
thingst ar
tedcour seofmehur t
ingyoui nthe
process.Butt heideaofwaki ngupwi thoutyouby
mysi det errifi
esmet ot hel ast.Losingyouwi l
l
meanmel osingmywor l
dcour semyl ifewontbe
thesamewi t
houtyou.Icantr
aiset
heki
dsonmy
own, Ineedyou.

Hecubedherf
acel
ooki
ngatherast
ear
skept
r
oll
ing.

Breeze:SagiIl oveyou.Sor ryIgotcoughtupi n

anotherdimensi onapartfrom ours.Sorr
yIl eftyou
byyoursel fcount l
essti
meshur t
ingyou.Sor ryfor
beingthecour seofyourunhappi ness.Sorryf ornot
beingthemanyoudeser veandhopedf or.Sor ryfor
everyt
hingt hatI'vedonethathurtyou.Ipromi seto
l
ove, protect,respectandcar eforyou.Tobet he
husbandyouwi shtohaveandal waysbet heref or
you.Ipr omi setonotbeabsenti nanyoccasi onof
yourli
feandI '
m wi l
li
ngtosteponeachst epwi th
youbymysi de.IneedyouSagi.Il oveyou. ..(t
eary)
Icantsayt hisenoughbutIl oveyouSagiSagiLyon.
Itr
ulydo.
Sagi:(
cryi
ng)Whyar eyoudoingthi
stome?
Ever
yti
meIf or
giveyou,yourepeatt
hesame
mi
stake.WhathaveIdonet
odeser
vet
hisf
rom you?
Breeze:I
'
m sor
ry.I
'm sosor
ry.Ihavenot
hingt
o
backmyacti
onsI'
m sorr
y.
Sagi
:Doyoul
oveher?
Br
eeze:Who?
Sagi:
Jane?
Br
eeze:No.
.absol
utel
ynot.
Sagi:
Yourl
ying!Youdol
oveher.
Breeze:IsweartoGodIdontl
ovet
hatwoman.I
assureyouont hat.
Sagi:Thenwhywereyouwithheratmypar
ty?Or
thi
showi ti
s-youmeetherbehi
ndmybackinthe
nameofAi r?
Breeze:Iwi l
lnotdosuchat hing.Iwi
llneveruse
myki dsnamet ogetwhatIwant.Idontl oveJane
andIdontneedheri nmylif
eandIhat et hefactt
hat
shehappenedt obethemot herofmychi ldbutshe
i
s.Ionl yloveyouandthat
'st hat.Nooneelsebut
you.Iloveyou.
Shelookedathim andsmil
edabitget
ti
ngonhi s
thentheyhugged,itwasasifhewascarr
yinghis
daughteri
nawaybutcut e.

Meanwhi
lei
ntheDi
ningr
oom .

Abi
gai
lsatnextt
oMxoli
siashegulpedagl
assof
wat
erandputitdownl
ookingather.

Mxol
isi
:You'
vebeenst
ari
ngatmef
orawhi
le.
Whatdoyouwant?
Abi
gail
:Somet
hingyouwontbeabl
etogi
vet
ome
att
hismoment
.

Hetr
iedkeepi
ngastr
aightf
acebutevent
ual
ly
l
aughedholdi
nghi
smout h.
Mxol
isi
:Wel
lI'
m sor
rymam Icantpr
ovi
de.
Abigai
l:(
blushi
ng)Notforl
ong.Whydontweget
outofher
e?Mybusi nessherei
sover.
.
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyouser
ious?
Abigail
:I'm ser
ious.It'
sti
meIputt hepastbehi
nd
meandf ocusonmyf utur
ewhi chIwantwi t
hyou.I
l
oveyouandwi sht ospendt herestofmylif
ewith
youwi t
houtanyt hi
ngstandinginourwayof
happiness.So?
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)ohkmam .
.wher
eto?
Abi
gai
l:Anywher
e..
(bl
ushi
ng)r
ememberI
'
m your
s.

Heblushedandleanedoverkissi
nghert henshe
stooduptogetherbag.Afterawhi l
eshewentt o
sayhergoodbyesandmetMxol i
siatthecar.She
gotinandhel
dhishandashedr oveout.

Mxol
isi
:HowaboutCapeTownf
oraweek?
Abi
gai
l:
(smi
li
ng)I
'
dlovet
o.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

7mont
hsl
ater
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
05]Lynne :Chapt
er99.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Breezestoodbywat chingastheybuil
dasmal l
tr
aditi
onalhutwi t
hSagibyhisside.Hefol
dedhis
handspar t
inghislegsnotseei
nganecessityof
buil
dingthehut.Thoughi twasgoingwelland
l
ookingbeaut i
fulhehadprefer
redt oj
ustbuil
da
smallerbeauti
fuloneroom house.
Br
eeze:pleaset
ellmewhywe'r
ebuil
dingthi
s
i
nsteadofanormaloner
oom housewithati
le?
Sagi
:BecauseIchosei tandiknowhe'l
lloveitn
besi
desit'
sat r
adit
ionalhouse.Puti
nmi ndthat
he'
sat r
adit
ionalhealernow andhehastobei nan
envi
ronmentthatgoeswi thhi
sstat
us.
Breeze:Ar
eyouevensurehe'
llwantt
oworkher
e?
Imeanhe'smothercoul
dchangehermindat
anyti
me.
Sagi:
Shechoseher eforareason.Hersonhas
beenthroughalotoverther
eandhedef ini
tel
y
needsachangei nlocat
iontostarthi
snewl i
fe.A
pl
acewi thnoreminderofhi
shar dtimeandwhere
hecouldr ai
sehischi
ldhappil
yandpeacefull
y.A
heal
thyenvironmentwhichwe( pull
edhi
shand)as
hi
spar entscanprovi
de.

Hetur
nedl
ookingatherandpul
ledherchi
nupfora
ki
ssandsmil
edrubbi
ngtheli
pglossoffhi
sli
ps.
Br
eeze:Yaar
k!
Sagi
:(l
aughs)Youki
ssedmeIdi
dn'
t.
Breeze:Whatever.
.lookI'
m goi
ngtocheckt
he
Gall
ery.Ihopetheiralsodonet
henI'
l
lgocheckt
he
cl
ub.
Sagi
:Whydontyougocheckt
heCl
ubandI
'
llcheck
theGal
ler
y?
Br
eeze:Ar
eyousur
e?
Sagi:
Yeah.
.
Br
eeze:Thenwhataboutyoursessi
on?Youknow
wecantaf
for
dtomissevenasi ngl
esessi
on.
Sagi
:Iwont-I
t'
sat14h00andi
t'
sst
il
l10AM ,
dont
worr
yI'
llmakei
tint
ime.
Br
eeze:Ohk.
.Igott
heki
ds.
Sagi:
Final
ly-al
it
tl
ebi
tofbr
eak.Thankyouso
much
Shest ol
eaki ssandwal kedawaytt hehouse
throughthebackdoorandhesmi l
edr ubbi
ngthe
glossofhi sl
ips.Hehasn' tseenhi ssonforawhile
, he'
smi ssedhim sobadandcoul dn'
twaittosee
him .He'l
lhavet odoonhi slevelbesttowelcome
him backhomesohecoul dknowhowmuchhe' s
beenmi ssedf orthepastninemont hs.
Hi
sphonerangi
nhi
spocketandhet
ooki
tout
wal
kingar
oundt
hehouset
othecar.

Br
eeze:Heyman.
Mxolisi
:hi
i.Justcal
ledtoletyouknowthepaper
s
arereadyf
orhisret
urnforhimt osi
gnandthe
buil
dingwi
llbehisl
egall
y.
Br
eeze:Thanksal
otman.Ioweyouone.
Mxolisi:Yeahyoudo,Iseeal
readyyoust
art
ed
prepari
ngeverythi
ngf
orhimthat'
sgood.He'
llbe
verypleasedwit
hyoureff
ort.
Breeze:Ihopehedoescour
sehedoesn'
treal
ly
enjoybei
ngpapamperd.
Mxoli
si:Hewil
l.Youragr
eatdadman.Hatetosay
thi
sbutyouri
nspi
ri
ngmet obeabet
terdadt
omy
kid
Breeze:AslongasRosell
adoesn'tcompl
ainabout
anythi
ngjustknowyourdoinggr
eat.

TheyhangupasSagiwalkedoutoft
hehouse
car
r yi
ngtheki
dsandputt
hem i
nthei
rseat
swavi
ng
atthem .

Sagi:
Yourgoi
ngwi
thdaddyt
odayohk.
.
Ki
ds:Daddy!
Sagi:
Yeah..
.pl
easedri
vesafelyandst
ickt
othe
speedli
mitwi
thmykids.
.I
'm beggi
ngyou.
Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Ipr
omi
se.

Hekissedherwhenshef
rownedl
ooki
ngather
wri
stwatch
Sagi:I
'
m waiti
ngforRosetogether
esoshecoul
d
l
ookafterDi
tebogo.She'
ssti
lli
npai
naft
ergi
ving
bi
rth3daysago.
Br
eeze:Soi
t'
sthatpai
nful
?
Sagi:(
longface)Whatdoexpect
?Iti
sextr
emely
painf
ul.It
'sli
ketheworstpai
nonecaneverf
eelor
take.
Br
eeze:(
shr
ugs)Atl
easti
tswor
thi
t.Ri
ght
?

Shefr
owneddr
oppi
ngherhandsandwal
kedaway
ashesmil
edl
ooki
ngatherswi
ngherwai
stget
ti
ng
ì
nthecar.

Br
eeze:(
smi
li
ng)Anot
herone?!
Sagi
:(shout
s)Noo!

Helaugheddri
ngoffandshesmi l
edget
ti
nginthe
housetoDit
ebogo'
sroom .Shewalkedi
nandfound
herwalki
ngbackfr
om theinsui
tandwenttosi
ton
t
hemat
tr
essnextt
oherbaby.

Sagi:
Youcanuset
hebedyouknow.
Dit
ebogo:Notyet.I
t'
llhur
twhenIgetonit,
it'
l
l
coursemetospreadmyl egsandicantdot
hatyet.
Sagi
:ohk.

Shewalkedoverandsatnextt
oherpicki
ngt
he
babyashereleasedacr
ythensherockedhi
m
smil
ing.

Sagi
:(smil
ing)He'
ssocute,al
readyIcansee
Kagi
so'
slongeyelashesonhim .Andthenoset
oo.
Dit
ebogo:(smi
li
ng)let
'shopehedoesn'
ttakehi
s
fat
her'
severyf
eatur
eandf or
getmi
ne.I'
llbeso
j
ealous.
Sagi:(l
aughs)You'l
lgetoverit.Evenifhedoesn'
t
takeanyfeatur
efrom you,it
spossi bl
ehemi ght
takethesenseofhumorf r
om you.Oryourf amily
member
.
Di
tebogo:Ihopehedoesn'
tdot
hat
.
Sagi:youneverknow.Soyoust il
lhaven'
tnamed
him ?Youdoreali
zeyou'l
lhavetothi
nkofaname
anyti
mesoonr i
ght?Andt hatyouhadtohavedone
thatwhenyouwer est
il
linhospit
alcoursenow
they'
llgi
veyouahardti
me.
Ditebogo:Ido.JustthatIwant
edKagisotobe
heretonamehi m hi
mselfandbethereonhisf
ir
st
dayont hispl
anet
.IguessIwaslivi
nginmyown
fantasy.
Sagi:Babyyourthemot her,
youal sohaveari
ghtto
pickupanamef orhi
m andI'm sureKagisowi
llbe
gladwithanythatyouchoose.Youguyscanadd
thesecondnameont hecert
if
icatewhenheget s
backitwon'tbethatmuchofani ssue.
Dit
ebogo:Int
woweeks?(
Pout
ed)f
eel
sli
ke2
decades.
Sagi:Youmanagedt
oholdonf ormonths,
sowhat
i
stwoweekstoyou!Absolut
elynothi
ng.He'l
lbe
back.
.
Dit
ebogo:(sigh)Ial
waysthoughtofanamesince
Iwaspregnant,j
ustt
hatIwantedtomakesur
et hat
hi
m andIagreeonitfi
rst.
Sagi
:Andt
henamei
s?
Di
tebogo:Odi
ri
le.I
nhonorofmybr
other
.
Sagi:Iloveit.It
'sabeauti
fulnameandhasa
beauti
fulchemistrybehi
ndit.Kagi
sowil
ldef
ini
tel
y
notbeagainstthatone.

Thedoorsl
idopenandRosewal
kedinholdi
nga
pl
asti
c.Shesmiledl
ooki
ngatt
hem andlutt
he
pl
asti
cofMcDonald'
snextt
oDit
ebogothenthr
ew
her
selfont
hebed.

Sagi:SoIguessIdon'tneedanyexplanat
ionwhy
yourlat
ecourseal
readyitsri
ghti
nfr
ontofme.
Rose:Yep.
.Shewantedsomet
hingspi
cyanda
doubl
echeesebur
ger
.Butsorr
yI'mlat
e.
Sagi
:it
sohk.Her
e,si
tup(gavehert
hebaby)
Where'
sAi
den?
Rose:He'sathi
sfather'
s.Hedoesn'twantme
anymore,hecri
eseveryti
melooki
ngf orhim soI
senthi
mt her
e.Iwonderwhatthei
rdoi ngtheret
hat
makeshim socl
ingytowardshi
sfatherallofa
sudden.
Sagi:He'saboy, heneedshi sf
ather.Justli
ke
Enzo, hewantsnothingtodowi thme.Hewant s
hisfat
hertodoeverythingf orhi
mi ncludi
ngto
makehi sbott
leandnotme.Hecr iesforhim
everyt
imehewal ksoutoft hedoor, t
hankGodI
haveMel owtomyselfsot hatIwontf eelneglect
ed.
Butsomet i
messhet urnsherbackonmeandcr i
es
forhimtoo.
Di
tebogo:(
laughs)Sobasi
cal
lyyourj
eal
oussi
s
Sagi:
(laughs)Ofcour
se.
.(pr
etendstocry)They
tookmypl acei
nhishear
tandhet ookthem fr
om
me.
Rose:(
laughs)t
heyt
ookt
hepl
acebecauseyour
t
heheart.
Sagi
:yeahri
ght
..
.Shoot!Ihavet
ogo.I
'
llseeyou
gi
rl
slat
er.
Them :Bye.
.

Shewalkedoutandt
heycont
inuedhavi
ngachatas
sheat
e.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Mxol i
sidr ovei ntotheyardandpar kedhi scaron
thepar kingspacel eaningback.Hecl osedhiseyes
forawhi l
eandwhenheopenedt hem hespot t
ed
Abigailwal kingt othepoolsidet henhest eppedout.
Het ookof fhisjacketheadingt ot hehouseand
wentt ochangei ntocasualclothesbef oregoingout
tojointhem .Ai densawhi mf r
om adi stanceand
quicklyst oodupr unningtohim scar i
ngAbi gailabit
asshet urnedt oseewher ehewasgoi ng.He
pickedhi mt hr
owi nghim upt hencoughthi mf ora
coupleoft imesashel aughedt henwal kedovert o
Abigailkissinghercheeksi t
tingdown.
Abi
gai
l:Yourear
ly.
.
Mxoli
si:Yeah.
.wher
eyouguyspl
anningasur
pri
se
par
tyformeandIhappent
ohaverui
nedit?
Abi
gai
l:no.
..
justear
li
ert
hanusual.
Mxol
isi
:It
oldyouIwasn'tgoingtospendmuch
ti
meatwork.Iwentther
et osortoutt
hepapers
andt
heyar
er eadyt
heonl ythi
nglefti
sforyouto
si
gnandhi
mt henisoffi
cial
lynotyoursbuthi
s.
Abi
gai
l:Thankyoubaby.Iappr
eci
ateyourhel
p.
Mxol
isi
:Ri
ght.
Abi
gai
l:Soar
ewegoi
ngt
oKagi
so'
scer
emony?
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyouser
iousl
yaski
ngmet
hat?
Abigail
:Shoul
dIaskyoungAi
den?Ofcour
seI
'
m
askingyou.
Mxolisi:(
scof fswithabl
ush)Idontknow.Butif
weregoi ngtosquashourdi ff
erencesIt
hink
att
endi nggat her
ingsandgivi
ngeachothersuppor
t
i
sagr eatstart.Myr el
ati
onwithBreezeandSagii
s
i
mpr ovingsoIdontseewhynotwhenweal lwant
thesamet hing.Peace.
Abigail
:Ohk. ..I
'
m gladtohearthat, j
ustwantyou
toknowt hatevenifIcutmyt i
eswi ththeLyonsand
considerthem fr
iends,Kagisowillal
waysbemy
son.Nomat terwhat.Itakehim asmi netoo,I
've
grownt olovehiml i
keasont ome.
Mxol
isi
:(smi
li
ng)Igetthat-t
houghidontgethow
whenhe'
salmostyourage.He's21andyour29.
Abigai
l:Thatdoesn'
tcount.He'
smybabyand
that
'sallt
hatmatter
s.I'
mmaal wayshet
her
efor
him nomat t
erwhat.
Mxolisi
:Igeti
tlove.LikeIsai
d,Iwontstandin
yourwaywiththosethatmakeyouhappyandI
wontchosepeopl ewhoyoushoul dassoci
ate
yoursel
fwit
hjustdontgettoocli
ngytoyour
previ
ousli
fe.
Abi
gai
l:Wel
llovegoesonsweet
hear
t.

Shegavehim hi
sfrui
tsaladandtookAidensi
tt
ing
withhi
m onthetowelfeedi
nghim hi
spurit
y.She
tookherphonef
rom theseatanddial
edSagi
Att
heGal
ler
y.

Sagiwal kedar oundexami ningever ycor nerofthe

buildi
ngandsmi l
edl ookingatapor trai
tofRosel l
a
thatwast akenf rom thehousepl acedi nhi soff
ice.
Shewasn' tsur eifhe'dappr eciatehavi ngherpicture
i
nhi sofficeorDi tebogowi ll.Butt henbynowhe
must '
vef orgivenherandmovedofpastt hedrama
oflastyear.Shet urnedt otheot heroneof
Ditebogoandt ookapi ct
ureofi t-hesur elyoutdid
himselfont hisone.Justbyl ookingati tandthe
wayhedr ewi tyoucanj ustfeelthel oveand
happinessi ni t.Hewashappyt oseehert heday
shesur prisedhi m wi thhervi si
t,f
orhi mt oexpress
i
tlikethis.
Shewal kedouttothepaint
ingroom f
inding
everyt
hingsortedandthenwenttothestoreroom
andever yt
hinghadarri
ved.Shewalkedt otheshow
room andshecoul dn'
tbemor egl
adtofindmor e
painti
ngswhenherphoner anginherhand.
Sagi:
Heybaby.
Abi
gai
l:Hi
i..howar
eyou?
Sagi:I'
m good.Actual
lyI'
m beyondgoodI'
m happy.
Can'tbel
ieveyoulef
tal
lthi
sbeautif
ulpai
nti
ngsfor
astartoff,theyl
ookli
ketheyworthacouplefor
thousands.
Abigai
l:(l
aughs)I '
m gladyoulovethem .Act uall
y
thosewereanof feri
ngf r
om myar ti
sts.AfterItold
them we'
removi ngoutandmysonwi llbetheone
totakeovertheplacetheycouldn'tl
eavet hei
rold
homeempt ysot heydidt hoseforhimf orhi
mt o
pickupreal
lyfasttofindbuyers.
Sagi:Wow-Ican' tthankthem enoughthisis
amazing.I t'
llmeanalottohim .Abi
gailt
hankyou
fornotturningyourbackonourboyevenaf t
er
movingonwi t
hyourli
fe.Andfornottossingus
asideholdingyourfuturewit
hyourhusbandi nyour
hand.
Abi
gai
l:Sagiyou'
l
lalwaysbemysist
erandyour
ki
dsar
emi ne.Kagisowil
lal
waysbemysontoono
mat t
erhowf arIgof rom him,nomatteratwhat
corneroftheear t
hi am .That'
swhyideci dednot
tosellt
hebui l
di ngtoBr eezewhenhewant edtobuy
i
tforhim andj ustlethim haveitt
henIgotanew
one.Thebui ldingi sagi f
tfr
om anartl
ovingmot her
.Youguyswi llalwaysbemyf amil
ythoughsi nce
I'
m someoneel se'swi f
eIhavetomaintai
n
boundaries.
Sagi:WithBreeze?Igetit.Ial
sowouldn'
tli
keiti
f
Breezekeptongoingbackt oyou,
notthatIhavea
problem-(
clenchedt
eeth)butIdo.Hopethatdidn'
t
soundselfi
sh.Ihavetoopenupandt alkaboutmy
feel
ings.
Abigai
l:(
smili
ng)i
tsohkIgeti
t.Butmendonthave
togetbetweenusgir
ls,r
ight?Wegatt
abetherefor
eachother.
Sagi:
Right.
..

Theylaughedasshewalkedoutandl
ockedt
he
door
sheadi ngt
othecar.
Sagi:
Soar
eyouguyscomi
ng?
Abi
gai
l:Wewoul
dn'
tmi
ssi
tfort
hewor
ld.
Sagi:
Wel
lI'
m gl
adt
oheart
hat.Tal
ksoon
Abi
gai
l:Bye.

Shehangupget
ti
ngi
nthecarandconnect
edthe
phoneshut
ti
ngt
hedoordr
ivi
ngoutcal
li
ngatt
he
Sanat
ori
um.

Att
hecl
ub.

Breezesi
gnedacoupleofpaperworksandgave
them t
othemanagerasthekidspl
ayedwitht
heir
toysonthefl
uff
ymath.

Manager:Cantbel
ieveeversi
ncetheywereborn
t
hisisfort
hefi
rstt
imeImeett hem .Theyar
ejust
l
ikeyouman.
Breeze:Thanks.LookI 'l
ltal
ktothesuppli
erst
o
upri
set hest uffsothatwe'l
lbeabletor
aisetheclub
backtoi tsfeetagain.Peopl ewhocomeher ecome
todance, t
ogetdr unkandt ohavefun.Wecant
aff
ordt ober unningoutofbooze.Andpl easetal
k-
noI'l
ltalktot hem .
..
Manager:OhandIforgottotellyouthatwehada
pr
oblem t
hesystem f
unctionsoIt ooksomeofthe
moneylastweekandsorteditout.
Br
eeze:Howmuchwasi
t?
Manager
:5k
Br
eeze:5kf
orasyst
em f
unct
ion?
Manager:Apparant
ly.Youcanlookatt
hebooks
andyou'
llseef
oryoursel
fandthebackstat
ement
s
too.
Br
eeze:Ooh-
k..anyt
hingel
se.
Manager:Yeah-Welostoneofourwor
kers,a
wai
tr
ess.Shedecidedtoquit
eandgobackschool.
Andtheyal
lwantedtofi
ndoutifi
twaspossi
blefor
t
heclubtoprovi
dethem wi
thpro-
rat
apayment?
Br
eeze:Real
ly?
Manager :Yeah..ImeanIgett hem .Theyare
wor kingatahighriskenvir
onment .Sot heyasked
met oaskyouast hebosst oprovidethem wit
hpr o-
ratapaymenti fi
ncaset heycouldn'tworkful
lti
me
ofmaybet hr
eemont hsifsomet hi
ngoccur stothem
fortheirfami
li
es.Quitereasonableifyouaskme.
Breeze:(
laughs)YoumeanaCompensat ionFund?
YeahIcandot hat.Yeah..sure.Imeantheyri
sk
thei
rli
veseverydayworki
ngt hei
rbut
tsouttomake
thi
sclubwhati ti
stodaysowhynot?I '
l
lsignal
lof
you.
Manager :Thatone.Youdor eali
zethatt
hiswil
l
assessyouannuallyandinvoiceyouaccordi
ngto
yourtotalwagebil
landaccordingtothel
evelofri
sk
oftheenvironment,
indust
rytheoneinwhichyou
operate?
Breeze:Areyoutr
yingtogi
vemeal egaladvi
ce?
Courseifyouar
e-It hi
nkI
'l
lrat
herl
etmyl awyerdo
that.
Manager
:Justsayi
ng.Last
ly-Iknowi
t'
stoo
suddentoaskaboutt
hisbutwhataboutOdi
ri
le'
s
shares?

Breezedroppedthepenandf
oldedhi
shandsont
he
tabl
elookingathim.

Br
eeze:WhataboutOdi
ri
le'
sshar
es?
Manager:(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)uhm .
.wantedt
oknow
whatwil
lhappentot
hem ?Ar
etheybe-
Breeze:Wel lSam , it
'sinmydeepestcondol ences
thatI'
l
lhavet okillthatsensat i
ongr owingi nsideof
youtogetyourhandsonOdi ri
le'
sshar es.Wel l
sinceOdiri
leandIwer etheonl yoneswi tht he
sharesinthisbusi ness,Iwonthavet ofightf orshi
t
courseinbusi ness(sarcastic)Friend,whena
sharehol
derdi es-t heshar eholderssharespasst o
hisestat
eorhi sheirs.Unf ort
unat el
yhedi dn' thave
anykidssoi nt hi
scasehi sshar esarehissi ster'
s
now.Ohk?I st hatclear?
Sam :Yesssi
r,Iwasonl
yaski
ng.
Breeze:AndIwasonl ysayi
ngthatasabr ot
herand
amaj orshareholder.(
Gavehimthepapers)Here..
yourdoingagr eatjob.Sorr
yIhadtodisappoint
youlikethat.Haveani ceday.

Hestoodupandcar
ri
edt
heki
dst
hent
heyal
l
wal
kedout.

Sam :Hear
dyougot4ki
ds,
isi
ttr
ue?
Br
eeze:Yeah.
..
Sam :Howol
disyourf
ir
stbor
n?
Br
eeze:Pr
obabl
yyourage.
..
(wal
ksof
f)
Sam :Sendmygr
eet
ingst
othel
adyoft
hehouse.
Wemi ssher.

Het urnedar oundwalki

nginrever
sewithaser i
ous
facewhenSam' st
hroatdr
iedandhefixedhiseye
glassest urni
ngtothebarclear
inghi
sthroatthen
Breezet urnedwalki
ngoutthedoor.
Bart
ender:(
laughs)Youj
ustcantkeepyourmout
h
shutcanyou?
Sam :(sar
cast
ic)Youj
ustcantkeepyourmout
h
shutcanyou?

Hepull
edthepaper
wor kr
oughl
ywalkingupt
he
stai
rst
otheMalestr
ipper
'spl
atf
ormleavi
ngt
he
bart
enderl
aughi
ng.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

Janesatont hemathplayingwithhersonandshe
couldt el
lhowbor
edhewascour sehedidn'
twant
anythingandkeptpushi
ngi tbacktoher.She
stoodupandwentt omakehi mf oodandabottl
eof
milkthencamebackt ofeedhim buthewouldn'
teat
.
Jane:Ai
rkeng?
Ai
r:.
..
Jane:Pl
easeonespoonbaby.
.her
e..

Helookedawaywi thalongf acethenl

ookedather
andshecoul dal
mostseehi sf at
heronhim .She
si
ghedpackinghistoysandt ookherphoneont he
couchdial
ingBreezeonf aceti
me.Hepi ckedinhis
carasthekidsmadenoi seintheback.

Jane:Hi
i.
Br
eeze:Hey.
.What
'sup?
Jane:Ai
rwant
snot
hingt
odowi
thme.
Br
eeze:Excuseyou?
Jane:Thi sisn'
taboutme.WhatyouandIhadi si
n
thepast, thi
sisaboutAi
r.Roseistheonethat
usuallyhelpsmewi t
hhim butt
odayshe'
snothome
, Idon'tknowwheresheisandtodayI'
m worki
ng
nightshift
.
Br
eeze:Ohk.
.
Jane:'ohkI'
m sendi
ngsomeonet
opickhi
m'or
'
ohkI'
lllookf
orRose' whi
chonei
sit?
Breeze:Stopbeingextr
athat'
smysonandI'l
lcome
gethim myself.Youseem t
obecaringal
otmor e
aboutyourwor kthi
sdaysthatyouevenf
orgethow
totreatyourson.AnywaychillI
'
m onmyway.5
mins.
Jane:Thanks.

ShecalledDineotopr
eparehi
sbagandwithi
n10
minsBreezeparkedoutsi
deandshewentout
carr
yinghim wit
hhisbag.

Jane:Thanksagai
n.
Br
eeze:.
..

Hetookhissonandthat'
swhenhest
ar t
edsmil
i
ng
buckl
inghi
m onhisseatwit
hhi
ssibl
ingsand
cl
osedt
hedoort
aki
nghi
sbag.

Br
eeze:Bye.
Jane:bye.

Hegoti
nhi
scaranddroveof
fandshewal
kedback
i
nsi
detopr
epar
eforwork.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

BreezeandSagimetatt
hegateheadtoheadwi t
h
thei
rcarsandhesmil
edrever
singabitandshe
smiledt
oodrivi
ngi
nthenhefollowedparki
ngnext
toher.
Shegotoutandwenttoopenthedoorfortheki
ds
whenshesawAir.ShelookedatBreezethesmil
ed
taki
ngAi
randEnzofrom t
heirseat
s.
Sagi
:Mommi
esbabi
es!
Them :Mommy!
Sagi
:Oneandonl
ysweet
hear
ts!
Them:Mommy!

Shelaughedknowingthey'
llj
ustcallherasBr
eeze
tookMeloandAirsbackclosi
ngt hedoor.

Sagi
:Di
dyougogethi
m your
sel
f?
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.
Sagi:
Breeze:(
laughs)youneedtorelaxbaby-not
hing
happenedandneverwi l
l.Iassureyou.
Sagi
:Fine..
.Ijustdon'
tfeelcomfort
abl
ewhenyou
hother
e,that
'swhyIpr efersomeonegetshi
m orI
do.

Br
eezel
ookedatherandchuckl
edast
heywal
ked
i
nt hehouseheadi ngupstai
rstothei
rpl
ayroom.
Aft
err ef
reshi
ngtheywal kedouthandinhand
headingforatherapysession.

AtJai
l.

Lat
er.

Hewal keddownt hehall

wayi nhislongleather
j
acketandl eat
herpantswithcowboyboot sanda
cowboyhaton.Hewor eacr ossnecklaceanda
blackshir
twithacowboyband.Tohowandwhen
didhegettheexpensivenecklacenooneknew
exceptforhim .Hewenttot hetabl
eandt hepolice
offi
cergavehim hisst
uffinabr ownpaperbagas
hestoodbyhol dinghi
swai stband.

Him :Youguyssti
llhavethi
saftersol
ong?I'
m
sur
emycr editcar
dsar eexpi
redandshit.
Pol
iceof
fi
cer
:Theyar
ebutyoucanst
il
lrenew
them .You'
l
lgetall
yourmoneyi
fthegovernment
hasn'
ttakenital
ongwit
hyourst
upidoneroom .
Goodbye.
Hi
m :(
scof
fs)Hhm !Ar
ethi
scamer
aswor
king?
Pol
ice:Whatdoyouexpect
?Thisi
syourhome,
youofal
lpeopl
eshoul
dknowtheyareworki
ng.
Why?
Him :BecauseIdidn' tli
kethewayyout al
kedtome
soiwant edtopullyouunder neat
ht hisf
enceright
whereyoupassedt hispaperbagwi thyourti
eand
shovemyt wof i
nger si nyourfuckeneyes.Count
yoursel
fluckyman. .lordhavemer cy.Hallel
ujah.
.

Het ookthepaperbagl ooki

ngatt hecamer a
throwi ngami ddl
ef i
ngerandwal kedoutpushing
ever yonehemeet saside.Hewal kedtothedustbin
takingouthi soldphone,wal l
etandcarkeyswi th
his4skulr ingsthensmi l
edr eveali
nghisgoldteet
h.
Het hrewthepaperbagi nsi
deandwor ehisri
ngs
wal kingawayput t
ingeverythinginthepockets.
Oncehewasoutoft hegatehet urnedl
ookingatthe
of
fi
cer
swat
chi
ngf
rom t
het
opatt
hegat
e.

Hi
m :HeyMar
ti
n!Poul
!

Theylookedathim andherai
sedhismiddl
efi
nger
s
smil
ingli
kearaturdwithhi
stongueout.

Poul:I
sheohk?
Mar
ti
n:Hesal
waysbeencr
azy.
Poul:Damnhel
ooksl
iket
hej
okerwi
thoutmakeup.
Marti
n:Iknowri
ght.He'
sbehavi
ort
oo.(
Tohi
m)
Fuckyoutoo!

Helaughedstupi
dlyandir
ri
tatingl
ywalkingaway
t
hrowingpeacesign'
sbeforejumpingclappi
nghis
l
egswhistl
ingaseveryonelookedathi
m wal kof
f
wit
hhishandsinthepockets.
AtBr
eezeshouse.

Ar
ound10pm .

BreezeandDi
tebogol
ookedatthetimeont he
phonesit
ti
ngonthehighchair
slaughingasthe
l
adieswentupanddowncover dinfourwit
haprons
onplayi
ngAKitchenMastergame.

Di
tebogo:10,
9,8,
7
Rose:Ohmygawd.
..
!
Br
eeze:321
Bot
h:0.
.
Br
eeze:Ti
mei
sup!Babyyourcheat
ing!
Sagi:
itwasj
ustasi
mpl
est
rawber
ryon!
Dit
ebogo:(laughs)Yournotsupposedtodot
hat!
Whent heti
mei sup,youcompl et
elyst
op
ever
ything.
Sagi
:(smil
ing)Comeon.
.justonet
inyl
it
tl
e
st
rawber
ry.
Rose:(
laughs)Youcheat
edaunt
yst
il
l..
buti
tsohk.

TheheldhandsasBr eezetookthepl
atesandwent
backtositnextt
oDitebogotast
ingSagisdi
shfir
st.
Theylookedateachothersmili
ngthenbackather
befor
epulli
ngRose'sandtasteitt
henputthefor
ks
down.I twasatoughonet odecide.

Br
eeze:Idontknow.
Dit
ebogo:Iknow. .Si
syourdishisali
ttl
ebitpre-
cooked.It hi
nkitsbecouseyourputitintheoven
with9mi nsleftaftermixi
ngsomanyi ngredient
s.
Otherwisetheflavorsaregoodbutwoul d'
vehititi
f
i
twasf ul
lycooked.Rosel l
adarli
ngyourstoowas
goodt houghitmi ssedalit
tl
ebitoff
lavour.ButIdo
l
ikebot hyourpresentati
onevenifsi
scheat ed.
Sagi
:Idi
dn'
t-(
pout
e)Justast
rawber
ry.
..
ri
ghtl
ove?
Br
eeze:(
laughs)Nononodontt
ryt
osmoot
htal
k
me.Youdidcheatandyourt
ryi
ngt
ocheatby
sweatt
alki
ngme.
Sagi:
(l
augh)NoI
'
m not!

Shethr
ewhi m wi
thahandfuloffl
ourl
aughi
ngand
thegi
rl
slaughedathim andhestoodupfr
om t
he
chai
rdusti
nghimselfl
aughing.

Br
eeze:(
laughs)youar
e!
Sagi:
(laughs)Yoursupposedt
obemyhusband
andagreewithme!
Br
eeze:(
laughs)Ial
sohavet
obehonest
!
Sagi:
(laughs)Youst
abber!

Shethrewhim withmor ebutheshi

eldedwit
h
Dit
ebogoandi tl
andedonherasshewasst i
ll
l
aughing.Shequi cklyleanedovert
akingbothful
l
handsandthrewatt hem botht
hensuddenlyit
tur
nedintoaflourfight.
Theyallstoppedatthesoundofadoor bel
lall
coverdwithfloorl
ookingli
kethey'
vebeendippedin
acement .Theyturnedbacktoeachotherand
l
aughedatoneanot herunawarethatt
heyalll
ooked
funnybutstoppedast hebellr
angagain.

Br
eeze:I
'
llgocheck.

Hesneezeddusti
nghi
sfaceandopenedt
hedoor
sti
llal
lsmil
eyl
ooki
ngatt
hemenincowboyclot
hes
facingaway.

Br
eeze:CanIhel
pyou.

Heturnedstil
lwithhishandsont hewai stand
rai
sedhisheadwi thasmi rk.Breeze'sheart
suddenlypoundedlookingathi mfeelinghi
sheart
pumpbeyondubnor malasi tshoul
d.Hi swhole
bodywasshaki ngfeeli
nghi schesttight
enast he
heartbeatevenfasteronthechestr eadytocrack
i
t'
swayout
.

Hi
m :Hel
lobr
other
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
06]Lynne :Chapt
er100.

AtBr
eezeshouse

Br
eeze:James.
James:Ar
en'
tyouhappyt
oseeme?
Br
eeze:Di
dyouexpectawel
comehomepar
tyf
rom
me?
James:Shoul
dIhave?
Breeze:Yourt
heonestandi
ngonmydoorst
ep
askingifI
'
m happyt
oseeyou,yout
ellme.
Jame:I '
l
ladmi t
,(rai
sedhands)IguessIdi d
expectadiff
erentwelcomethanasar cast
icone.
Dontknowi fi
tshatredorwhatthatIsenseinyour
voicebutsomethingtell
smeyourscar ed.Dontbe.
I'
m hereundergoodi nt
enti
ons.
Breeze:Whyhereoutof
fal
lthepl
acesyoucoul
d
havegonetoo?
James:Becauseyourmybr
other.
Br
eeze:Iwasn'
tIyourbr
otherwhenyout
ri
edt
oki
ll
me?

Jameslookedathim ashismemor yunbur

iedever
y
l
astmomentoft or
tur
eheendur edpayingfort
he
damagehe'sdone.Heturnedaroundrubbi
nghisli
p
andBreezest
eppedoutclosingthedoordusti
ng
hi
mself.
James:Ipayedf
ort
hat.
Breeze:i
fitwasyou,
woul
dyout
hinki
twas
enough?
James:.
..
Breeze:I
'
m meanseri
ouslyyou-yoursel
fJames
Lyonwouldyout
hinkthatsomeonethattr
iedt
oki
ll
youandwenttoj
ailf
oritwouldhavehadenough?
James:Doyouhavetoturntabl
esri
ghtnow
brot
her?Thi
sissupposedtobeafamil
yreuni
on.
Breeze:Wellovertheti
meIlear
ntt
hati
t'
snotreal
ly
theLyonfamilyreuni
onwit
houtafi
ghtofsomesort.
Sotellmebrother.
James:Ihadt
odealwit
halotoft
hingsi
nther
e
andi
ncl
udingbast
ardj
udgesandnowyour-
Br
eeze:Getoutofmyyar
d-Ial
readygotmyanswer
.

Hewalkedovertohi
m wi
thapit
yface.Heknew
t
hatt
hiswasn'tgoi
ngtobepl
easantbutt
henhe
cantaf
for
dtobet
hrownoutatni
ght.

James:Youcantt
hrowmeout.
Br
eeze:AndIalsocantl
etyouinmyhousewher
e
mywifeandki
dslive.Myfamil
y!
James:Iam f
ami
ly!
Breeze:Youmadesur
ethatyouhadnospacei
n
myupcomi ngl
if
etoomanyyearsagoJames.
Leave.
James:Br eezecomeonman-I '
m sorry.
..Iknow
i
t'
snotenoughbutt henImeanit.Ihavealways
beensincethedayofthefi
re.ThedaysIspentin
j
ailwonderingifi
tcoul
dhavebeenpossibleyou
survi
ved.I'm sososor
ryl
it
tleman.
Br
eeze:I
tst
ool
atef
ort
hatdontyout
hink!
James:Noit'
snot .Iknowt hatdeepdownmyl it
tl
e
manissti
lli
ntherebehindt hi
sonest andingbefore
meIcanhardlyrecognizeandhasal readyforgiven
me.Iknowi t
'snottoolate.IknowthatI '
vemi ssed
aloti
nyourgrowingbutt henonethingIknowi s
youramast
eroff
orgi
venessandIhopeoneday
eveni
nyear
stocomeyou'llf
orgi
veme.
Breeze:Wellift
hat'
ssol
it
tl
eyouknowaboutme
thenfine-yourf
orgi
vennowcoul
dyouplease.
..
!
James:Br eezepl ease..Ihavenowher eelset ogo.
Yourmyonl yopt i
onandt heonlyfami l
yIhavel eft
.(teary)I'm scaredt ogoatuncl eshouse.Br eezei
havenot hing.Icoul dhavegonet omyhousebut
thenIdontknowi fit
'sstil
lther
e.Mycar dsar e
expi r
ed.I 'm hungr yandhavebeenwal kingf ora
whi letryi
ngt ogett oyou.Outofal lpeopleIwent
straighttoyou.Pl easebr other-evenifit'
sone
night -oneni ghtwi thyouIswearIwontbot heryou.
I'
llleavet omor r
owandnevert urnmyheadback.I
wonthar m yourf ami l
y.Ihavenot hingonmyback
I'
m cl ean.Pl easebr other,I'
m beggingyou. ..

Thedoorsl i
dopenandSagust eppedoutdust
ing
herhairandfrownedlooki
ngatJames.James
tur
nedl ooki
ngatherandwi pedhi
stearqui
ckl
yand
smiled.
James:Gl
adt
oseeyourst
il
lont
hef
ami
lyt
ree.
Sagi:
James?Iguess
James:I
nthef
lashbaby.
Br
eeze:Howdi
dyouknowabouther?
James:I
'm anancest
or,i
t'
snott
hathar
dtokeep
upwit
htheoutsi
deworld.Howareyou?
Sagi:Idontknowi
fIshoul
dbeter
ri
fiedorstay
surpri
sed.Youral
otdi
ffer
enti
npersonthanonthe
pict
ures.
James:Sohest
il
lhasmypi
ctur
es?
Breeze:onlytor emindmyselft
hatther
esmoreto
l
if
et hanasoci opathbrot
her.ThatIhavemoret
o
bethankfulforthantolookbackatthepast.
James:SomeansI 'm yourmotivatorofsomesor t
(smil
ing)I
'm sati
sfi
ed.(Holdschest )onethi
ng
thoughbrother,I
'm notasociopath-justf
orever
happy.
Br
eeze:Thengobehappyel
sewher
ecour
seyour
notwel
comeher
e!Dontyoueverstepyourf
ooti
n
myyardandi
fIeverseeyounearbyI
'l
lri
pyou
apar
t.

Hepul l
edSagi shandwal kinginandshutt hedoor
ashest oodby.Hi shear tmel tedlookingatt hedoor
whenhesawr ai
ndropsonhi sjacket.Hiseyes
welledupl ooki
ngupandt urnedlookingatt hegate.
Ther ewasnowayhe' sleavi nguntilheear nsthat
forgivenessandbesi des,wher ewi llhego?Hesat
ont hest oepasitstart
edr aini
ngbyt vhedi dn'
tmove
untilthunder sst
art
ed.Hel ookedathi sringthen
tookouthi swall
ettakingoutapi cturelookingatit
undert hel i
ghtsofthet hunder s.

I
nsi
de.
SagilookedatBreezetakeoffhisshi
rtwhi
lethe
girl
swentthei
rdiffer
entwaysandt heygoti
nt hei
r
bedroom.Het hr
ewt heshirtonthebedandwentt o
takeashowerleavinghersitt
ingonthebeddeepi n
thoughts.Aft
erawhi l
ehewal kedoverst
anding
i
nfr
ontofhersmel
li
ngf
resh.

Breeze:What
'sr
unni
ngi
nthatl
it
tl
erockheadof
yours?
Sagi
:(smi
li
ng)youdontwantt
oknowt
hat,
trustme.

Shestoodupheadingtot
heshowerwhenhepul
led
herbyherhandspinni
ngherandt
hrewheront
he
bedthengotontopofher.

Br
eeze:Whati
sit?
Sagi
:Ineedt
obat
h.
Br
eeze:Tel
lmefi
rst?Iknowsomet
hingi
snot
si
tt
ingwel
lwit
hyou.
Sagi
:Doyour
eal
lywantt
oknow?
Br
eeze:Yeah.
.

Hemovedof
fandl
ayednextt
oherandt
heyf
aced
t
hecei
li
ng.

Sagi:Nott hatI'
m mi ddl
ingi
nyourfamil
ydrama
thatIwasn'tevent herewhenitst
art
edbuthe'ssti
ll
yourbrother.Iknowwhathedi di
shighl
yuncalled
forandunf orgett
ablebuttheywayyouhandledit
justdoesn'
tal sodoanygood.
Br
eeze:Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
Sagi:Thatweal lhaveroughpatchesi nourli
ves.
Somemaybel i
keextremebutsomecanbe
resolved.Babeyougott hesecondchancet o
familytheleastyoucoul ddoi st
akeashotati tnot
toletittakeashotatyou.Dontl etyourpastwit
h
Jamesdet er
mi neyourfutur
e.He' sheretogethelp
from youcour seifnotfrom youthenwher ewil
lhe
getit?Yourt hefirstper
sonhet houghtofwhenhe
gotoutt hatshouldcountathowsor ryheis.
Breeze:Ar
eyoucover
ingf
orhi
m ?Sagiyoudon'
t
evenknowthi
sguy!
Sagi:Yeahyourr
ight,
Idon'
t-butyoudo.Bett
er
thananyonecour
seyourhi
syourbl oodandhe
needsyou.I sthishowyouwantourki dstogrow
uplike,totur
nt hei
rbacksoneachot herin
desperateneed?Babywer etr
yingtogr owafami l
y
here,notdestroyit.Wehavet ogathereverypiece
ofitunti
lwereoneunbr eakabl
ef amil
y.
Br
eeze:.
..
Sagi:AndIr eal
izedyouadopt edJack'
swordsand
l
etthem inf
luenceyou-howdoyout hi
nkhefeel
s
accordi
ngtoyourexper ienceofthesamewords?
Beingtol
dwher et ogetout.
Breeze:Thisi
sdiffer
ent.Sagithatmant ri
edt oki
ll
me, hepouredpatrolonmewhenIwasst il
lyoung
andsetfir
eont hehouset r
yingtoburnmeal ive.
Hedeservessomet hingfarmoremer ci
lessthan
beingchasedout.Thisiseventhekindestthinghe
everwil
lgetfr
om me.
Sagi:Dontfor
getthathi
ssti
llyourbr
other.Iwont
tr
ytofixthi
ngsbetweenthetwoofyouunl essif
youdo.Youonest ri
edtomakepeacewi thJack,
whatstopsyoufrom doi
ngthesamet hi
ngwi thhim?
Br
eeze:Hei
sast
onecol
dhear
tedman.Icantl
et
hi
m anywher
eyouoranyoneel
seIcar
eabout.
Sagi:
Youdor
eal
izeicant
akecar
eifmysel
fri
ght?
Br
eeze:(
stands)Fi
ne,
thenI
'
m notl
ett
inghi
m near
mykids.

Hewal kedt
ohi
scl
osetandshegotof
ftaki
ngofher
cl
othes.

Sagi: Givi
nghi m asecondchancewoul dn'thur t
youknow.Al lI'
m sayi ngist hatI
'mt i
redoft he
foreverlasti
ngdr amaoft hisfamil
y.Wef i
ght
always.Doesn' titannoyyou.Kagi sowi llbebacki n
aweekandwi t
ht helittl
etimewehaveweshoul d
bebr i
ngingt hef ami l
yt ogetherandhol dhandsso
thatwewontbeendanger inghislifemor ef urt
her.
He'sthebestt hingthat '
severhappeni ngt oal lofus
andt heleastwecoul ddoi sshowappr eciationby
putti
ngspear sdownandsor toutourdifferences,
stopf i
ghting.Hi smot hermi ghtnotsayal otcour se
shebel i
evesi nhersonanddoesn' twantt or uinhis
happinessbutmeasamot herIunderstandher
pai
n.Thatwomani sinalotofpai
nandj ustlikehi
s
sonshemanagest ohi
deitandnooneseest hat.
He'syourbr otherBr
eeze.Tryfi
ndi
ngitinyourhear t
togivehim asecondchanceandl ethi
m pr oveyou
wrong.I t
'snotalwayssupposedtobeaf ightor
punishmentt hathastoopenupourwayofpeace
andf or
giveness

Shewal kedoutofhisclosetandwentt otheshower

l
eavinghi m st
andinginthemiddleofthecloset.He
tur
nedar oundandputonhi stracksui
tsthenwal ked
outpickinghiscarkeysheadingdownst ai
rs.He
shookhi sheadopeningthedoort oathunderand
Jamessi tt
ingonthestoep.

Br
eeze:Thoughtyoudbegonebynow.
James:ThoughtIt
oldyouIneedyou.
Br
eeze:Comei
n.

Hequi
ckl
yputt
hepi
ctur
einhi
spocketandst
ood
upwal
kingoverbutBr
eezest
oodont
hedoor
way.

Breeze:Tryanyt
hingnast
yIswearbr
other-I
'
ll
neverfor
givemyselft
owhatI'
ddotoyou.
James:Agai
n,I'
m nother
etor
uinyourl
if
e.I
fIdo,
ki
llmewit
houthesi
tat
ion.

Hemovedasi deandlethi
m wal kintakingoffhis
wetjacketandshoesputt
ingthem byt hedoor.
Breezelookedathi
m andledthewayheadi ngtoa
spareroom passi
ngbyKagiso's.Jamest ookfew
stepsbackandpeakedoverlookingatt hesleeper
s
besidesthebedandthepict
ureont heheadboar d.

James:Doyouguyshavesomeoneel
seher
e?
Br
eeze:Al
otofpeopl
est
ayher
e.
James:AMal
e?
Breeze:Getof
fthatdoorandgeti
nhere.That
room bel
ongstosomeoneyourswil
lbethi
sone.
James:
(wal
kingover
)thoughtt
her
esnot
hing
wrongi
naskingbutohk.
..

Hewal kedintheroom looki

ngaroundandsmil
ed
walkingtotheinsui
tthenwentbacktostandi
nfr
ont
ofthemi r
rorl
ookingathisbeardthenbackat
Breeze.

Br
eeze:Youdef
ini
tel
yshoul
dcl
eanup.
James:Iknow.Shewasal otmor
especi
fi
cabout
thatsayi
ngIl
ookdi
ff
erent
.
Br
eeze:Shemeantt
hatyouaged.
James:Idontagebr
other.
Br
eeze:(
sar
cast
ic)yeahr
ight
..
.

Heturnedwal
kingoutandJamest ookof
fhis
cl
othesgoi
ngtotheinsui
tstandi
ngbythemirror.
Heneededtocutoffhi
shairandbeardcour
seWow!
Af
terawhi
lehewal
kedoutf
eel
ingf
reshwi
tha
towelar
oundhi swaistj
ustasBr
eezewalkedin
holdi
ngcleanclot
hesandt hr
ewthem onthebed
l
ookingathim put
tinghi
shandsinthepocket
s.

James:I'
llnevergetusedtothatposi
ti
onbut
thanksf
orlett
ingmei nyourhome.
Breeze:Dontgettoocomfy,I'm onl
ydoingthi
sout
ofthegoodnessofherheartifi
twasme-youdst il
l
beoutthere.Shebeli
evesthatyouhavei ti
nyou
andthatyoureal
lydeserveachance,pleasedon'
t
proveherwrong.
James:ThenIguessIshouldbethankf
ultohave
herasmysisteri
nlaw.Whathappenedtothat
otherone?Thealli
ndependentwomanalwaysin
suit
s?
Br
eeze:She'
smar
ri
ed.
James:Di
dnotseet
hatonecomingsoIwontask
anyf
urt
her
.Thanksfort
hecl
othes.
Br
eeze:what
ever
-goodni
ght
.
James:goodni
ght.
Hewal kedoutandhesi ghedputt
ingontheboxer
standi
ngi nfr
ontofthemi rr
or.Atleasthestil
lfi
tt
ed.
Hef ol
dedt heclot
hesni cel
yandpackedt hem inthe
coucht henwentonhi skneespraying.Af t
erawhi l
e
hegotupandgoti nbedwi thasmi leonhisface
hopingt oconti
nuetheirconver
sationtomorrow.

I
nBr
eezesr
oom .

Breezetookoffhi
sclothesandworepjsthengoti
n
nexttoSagiwhowasr eadingacookbook.He
si
ghedtakingitfr
om herpinni
nghisl
ipsonhers
si
nkinginwithherasshecubedhisface.Hewent
downkissingherneckasshesmi l
ed.

Sagi
:Wasn'
tthatbadr
ight?
Br
eeze:Wasn'tbutweshoul
dn'
tbet
ooi
gnor
ant
l
et'
sjusthol
dourbreat
hs.
Sagi
:It
sgoodt
hatatl
eastyoudi
dn'
tlethi
m sl
eep
outwhenhecanhavea-
Br
eeze:Shhh..
.enoughaboutJamesf
ort
heni
ght
,
l
etmetakecar
eofyounow.

Hewi nkedatherbef or
epullingherni ghtdr
essup
l
eavingwetki ssesslowlytoherbel l
ybuttonthento
herabdomenashi shandspul l
edoutherpant i
es.
Shehel dherbreathashesl owl yseparatedherlegs
andlookedatherbef orewor kinghismagi conher
whenshegaspedr aisi
ngherl owerbackmoani ng.
Thefeelingwast oogoodshehel dhisheaddeep
mauni nghisnamef eeli
ngherbodyt ravelto
di
stancesandherheadcl earing.

Thenextday.

Jamesgotoutofhi
sroom rubbi
ngthedownonhi s
faceandhands.I
tfel
tgoodtobeabletotakea
showernowandthenwhenyoul i
keunli
keinjai
l
.He
stoppedbyKagi
so'
sroom andstoodbythedoor
st
ari
ngatt
hepi
cturethoughi
twasn'tcl
earfrom
wher
ehewasstandingbuthecoul
dt el
lit
'saboy.
Someoneclear
edthei
rthr
oatbehi
ndhi
m andhe
cal
mlytur
nedlooki
ngatRosell
a.

James:hi
i.
Rose:morning,I'
m sentt
ocomecheckyou.
Breakf
asti
sr eadydownst
air
s.
James:oh.
..
thanks.Uhm .
.who'
sroom i
sthi
s?
Rose:Uncl
e'
sson.
James:oh.
..

Hewalkeddownstai
rswi
thherandwentt
osit
ar
oundthetabl
elooki
ngatt
hemouthwateri
ng
br
eakf
ast.

James:Goodmor
ning.
Al
l:Goodmor
ning.
.
James:howar
eyou?
Al
l:Fi
ne/
good
James:sameher
e

Theyservedthei
rfoodoversi
lenceandJames
real
isedhowawkwar ditwasaroundthet
ableand
puthisfor
kdownf oldi
nghishandsonthetabl
e
l
ookingatthem .

James:ohk..Iguesstheawkwardnesswe'
real
l
feel
ingi
tsbecouseIjoi
nedin.I
'm JamesLyon.
Theelderbr
other.
Rose:(
gasped)What?
!
Di
tebogo:Ar
eyouki
ddi
ng?
James:Nop.
Dit
ebogo:(
shocked)Asi
nli
keAKA thee1stLyon
boom boom setf
ir
eonhi
sbrot
herthenwingri
ng
thepol
ice?OhmyGod!We'rescrewedri
ght?
Br
eeze:Ihopenot.
James:Notreal
ly.I
'm nothereunderbad
i
ntenti
ons.I'
mjustheretoreconnectwit
hmy
brot
herwhom bythewayseemsnott obe
i
nterest
ed.
Breeze:IfIwasn'
tIwoul
dhavel
etyoudi
eint
he
coldlastni
ght.
James:al
lthankst
ohercour
seyouwoul dn'
thave
l
etmein,butanywayt
hankstoyoutoobr ot
herf
or
fi
tt
ingmei
ni nsi
det
hatst
oneheartofyours.
Br
eeze:(
rol
ledeyes)
James:Soar eyougoi
ngtotel
lmeyournames
thoughyouseem f
amil
iari
nmyeyes?
Rose:Rosel
laLyon.Yourpar
tneri
ncr
ime'
s
daught
er.
James:Di dnotseet hatonecoming.Butohkmy
partneri
ncr imesdaughter,ni
cetof i
nall
ymeetyou
thoughwear egoingtohavetowor kont hatl
it
tle
sti
nkyat t
it
udeofyour s.Idontl
ikeit.Dontwor ry
wegotal lthetimeintheworld,l
uckilyIhappent o
bepat i
entsowe' l
ldealwit
hitcourseclearlyJack
fai
ledasaf at
herli
keIfai
ledasabr other.You?
Di
tebogo:I
'
m sur
eyouknowme,
Odi
ri
le'
syoung
si
ster?
James:Tebogo?
Di
tebogo:Di
tebogo.
James:Damnst raightIknowyou.Youwer el
ike3
thelastt
imeIsawyoui fI'
m notmist
aken.Youdo
l
ookl i
kehiminafemal efi
gureandyougothis
att
it
udetoo.Wher eishebytheway?

Theyallclearedtheirthr
oatsdrinki
ngtheirdri
nksas
twonani eswalkeddownst air
scar r
yingthekids.
Jamesl ookedatt hem astheyputt hem onthebaby
highchai r
snexttoSagiandBr eezeandpickedan
applesti
llstari
ngatt hem .

James:Aret
hismyni
eceandnephew?Whatar
e
thei
rnames?
Breeze:Ithoughti
twasn'
tthathar
dtokeepupwi
th
theoutsi
dewor l
d.
James:Isai
ditwasn'
tthathar
dnott
hati
twas
si
mpl
e.So.
.
Sagi
:Thi
sisAi
r,Enzokuhl
eandt
hisi
sMel
okuhl
e
James:Andwho' stheot
herki
dmi ssi
ng?Ireal
ized
thereisaroom upstai
rst
hatI
'm notal
lowedtoeven
l
ooki ntoonottoevenstandbythedoor,Icoul
dtel
l
thatit
ssomeonet hatmeansalot.
Br
eeze:Thenwhyareyouevenaski
ngwhenyou
al
readyknowi
tbel
ongstosomeonethatmeansa
l
ot?

Jameslookedathim andsi
ghedput
ti
nghi
shands
toget
herl
ookingatRose.

James:pl easethedaught erofmypar tnerincr i

me
tellyoursobel ovedunclet hatI'm sorr
yandIdont
knowhowl ongitsgonnat akeforhimt ogetitbut
l
ikeisai d,I'
m patient.Pleaset el
lhimt oforgiveme
andj ustletmepr ovemysel ftobebet t
er.Secondl y
pleaseuseyourwi sewor dsamancoul duset otel
l
himt hatI'm nother etodest r
oyanyt hi
ngt hathe's
bui
lt.Thir
dly?Idontknow-t
her
e'snot
hir
dbutI'm
sur
eI t
'l
lbether
eastimegoesbyonlyi
fhefor
gives
meandgi vesmeasecondchance.

Br
eezelookedathim beforest
andingwal
kingaway
whenEnzocr i
edforhim .Hewalkedbackand
pi
ckedhimf r
om hisseatthenwentoutwit
hhim

Sagi:
Youcan'
texpecthi
mtoj
ustopenhi
sar
msf
or
you.
James:AndI
'
m not,
notsur
eifheeverwi
ll.
Di
tebogo:(
low)hopehedoesn'
t.

Jamest urnedhisheadlookingatherbutshe
pretendedli
keshedidn'tsayanythi
ngand
continuedeati
ng.Aftertheyhadbreakf
ast-they
cl
ear edthetabl
eandDi tebogowentupstai
rsto
nurseherbabywhi l
etheyr emai
nedinthekitchen.
James:CanIpl
easehel
pwi
tht
hat?
Sagi
:Noi
tsohk,
Icandot
hem don'
twor
ry.
James:soIshoul
dsi
tdownandfol
dmyl egs?Noo
..
Ithi
nkI'
l
ljustwi
pet
hedi
sheswhenyourdone
washi
ngthem .
Rose:Ohk.
.I
'l
lseeyouguyst
omor
row-igott
ogo.
James:Whydontyouwaitf
ormeandI'
l
l
accompanyyou?Besi
desIneedat
ouri
t'
sbeena
whil
e.
Rose:Ohk.
.I'
l
lgopackupAi
rsst
uffsowecoul
d
l
eave.
James:I
sheyourchi
ld?
Rose:No,minei
sAi
den,
he'
sathi
sfat
her
's.Ai
ris
myli
tt
lebr
other.
James:Oh. .Atl
eastmyboysknowhowt
opl
ant
thei
rseeds.Jackhasason!

Theybot
htur
nedconti
nuingwi
thwhattheirdoi
ng
andRosewentoutl
eavi
ngthem i
nthekit
chenwhen
hefrownedl
ooki
ngatSagiwashi
ngt
hedi
sheswi
th
alongface.

James:So-he'
s-notJack'
sson?I
sn'
tit?
Sagi
:Nop..l ookalothashappenedinthepast
year
smeani ngthechapter
soft hi
sfamil
yhave
beenwri
tt
enandcl osedsodontt r
ytoopenupold
woundswithinyour6hoursaroundalr
eady.
James:Buti neverystor
yt her
e'sasummar yand
knowi ngmyr oots-inthi
sf amil
yther esalways
anot herchapt ertobetol
d.Off orgiveness-which
appar ent
lyyouguysar eyettostepi nto.(Pullsa
dishcl ot
h)Howam Igoi ngtowal kwi t
hyouguys
ont hesamepacei fal
lofyoutellmeever ythingin
ri
ddl es.Notsol ongIaskedaboutOdi r
il
eandy' al
l
i
gnor edme.Thenagai nabouttheki dthat's
mi ssingandst i
ll
.Nowi t
'sAir,t
hesamet hing.
Sagi
:Maybeyoushoul
dst
opt
ryi
ngsohar
dtof
iti
n
i
njustf
ewhoursher
e.
Shewi pedherhandsandthr
ewt heclothont he
counterheadi
ngoutleavi
nghim stunned.He
swall
owedandcont i
nuedwashingt hedishesunti
l
hewasdone.Hewal kedtot
hedi ni
ngr oom and
foundRosewi t
hAir.

James:Shal
lwe.
..

Shestooduppicki
nghi sbagandtheywentoutt
o
hercar.Hesawhislit
tlebrot
herheadi
ngbehi
ndthe
housewhenthoughtscrossedhismindbut
event
uall
ywenttherefoll
owinghi
m.

James:Br
eezey.
.
Br
eeze:What
?
James:I
'
m headi
ngoutt
oJack'
s.
Br
eeze:Good.St
ayt
her
e.Myhousei
sful
l.

Jamesl
ookedathi
mfeel
inghi
sthr
oatcr
ackand
l
ookedawayli
cki
nghisli
pst
henbackatt
heni
cel
y
hi
ttheywer
ebuil
ding.

James:Who'
shousei
sthat?
Br
eeze:Thoughtyouwer
eleavi
ng.

Amomentpassedwi t
hJamesnotknowi
ngwhatt
o
saytohim .Hebi
thi
sli
pandputhi
shandsi
nthe
pocket
s.

James:Thanksf orl
ett
ingmestayfort
henight
.I
di
dn'tdeservethat.Iwashopi
ngmaybeI '
dstay
wit
hyout il
lIgetbackonmyf eetbutIwaswrong-I
needtobemyownman.Youdi denough,t
hanks.

HelookedatEnzowhowasl ookingathi
m and
f
orcedapai nf
ulsmi
lepi
tchi
nghi ssof
thandbefor
e
t
urningaroundtol
eavet
henst opped.
James:Icanseemypr esencesuf f
ocatesyou
brother.I 'm sor r
ythatovert heyear syoul i
vedwi th
thef earandt r
aumabecauseofme.Ir eallyam .
Butyoushoul dknowt hatbei ngi nt herewasn' tany
easier.It oldyouIpayedbutIguessi tisn'tenough
andyoudontevencar et ofindouthowwhi chIal so
under stand.Thatpl acei shel lini t
sbegi nning.I
facedal otmor eincludingyouri magehunt ingme
allthetime.Youshoul dknowt hatIdi dn'tdowhatI
didonpur posebutIwasunderani nfl
uenceof
anger.Eversi nceyouwer ebor nmeandJack
becamenot hingintheeyesofourpar ent s.We
suddenl yt ur nedintobl acksheeps.Youwer ethe
favour i
te, takenever ywher etheygoandgi ven
ever yt
hingyouwi shedf or.Ithur tsBr eezebei ngleft
out.Especi al l
ywhenyourachi ld.OnedayJack
camer unni ngi ntomyr oom andt oldmet hathe
sawawi llandwhenIwentt ocheck, everythi
ng
wasunderyournameandnot hingwasgoi ngtobe
l
ef tforus.Thatdaywast hedayt heywer egoi ng
onagat her ingatuncl eshouse, soIwentt omy
fri
end'sandcr iedtot hem littl
edi dIknowwhent hey
meantt ohel ptheymeantt ocutdad' sbr eaks.Lat er
thatnightwhenIcamebackIandJackpur
edpat
rol
everywherethenwesetf
ir
e.

Hesni
ff
edwipi
nghistear
sandt
urnedl
ooki
ngat
Br
eezewhowasfaci
ngaway.

James:Idi dn'
tknowyouwer eint hehousebr ot
her.
IfIdidIwoul dhavetakenyououtwi t
hme.Iwas
usedt othem takingyouever ywher et heygo.
(Sniffed)Whenihear dyouscr eam from insidei
want edt ogeti nbutthehousehadal readycoughta
hugef l
ameicoul dn'
tcomegetyousoical l
eddad
andt oldhi m whatidid.( Tear y)Byt henIdi dn't
knowaboutt hecarbr eakssoasusualandoutof
fearhedr ovewi t
hhighspeedandwhenhest epped
ont hebr akest hecarwoul dn'tst opunt ilhehita
truckbyt hebr idgeandf elli
nt ot hewat er.Ieven
calledt hepoliceandf ir
efi
ght er stheseconddadcut
thecal l.Ihandedmysel foverandt ookal lt
he
blamesoJackwontbei njail.
Breeze'
seyeswell
edupwhenEnzowi pedhi
seyes
withhisl
it
tl
esofthand.Jamesbithi
sli
ptr
yingt
o
gatherhi
mselfandlookedupatt
hesky.

James:Icoul dn'tbur yourpar ent s.Iwasn' t

all
owedt ocommuni catewi thanyonenott oeven
aski fyouwer ef i
ne.Iwasconsi der edt hemost
danger ousyoungst erinourcommuni t
y.Ever yone
hatedme.Eveni nj ailtheyhear dandIwasbeat en
nowandt hennotf orgett oment ionIwasr aped.
Twice.Andt hat '
swhenIl earnedt ofi
ghtback
thoughIkepthear i
ngyourscr eamsi nmyheadt hat
I'
devencr yaloneatni ghtcour seIcoul dn' tsl
eep.I
wentonf ormont hsunt ilIwasgi vensl eepi ngpil
ls
untilfewmont hsago.SoI '
m sor rybrot her .I
'm
real
lysor ryIallowedj eal ousyandpai nt akecontrol
overme.Sor r
yIal l
owedmyganst erfriendst odeal
withmyi ssuesunknowi nglywhi chr obbedyouyour
happi ness.I'
m sor ry.Ipr omiset hisist helastti
me
youseeme, Iwontbot heryouanymor ecour senow
Icanseewhatal otofdamageonl yaf ami ly
membercandot hatIdi d.Iksor rybr other.
Hetookouthisoldwalletandtookoutt
hesmall
pict
urehewasl ooki
ngatlastnight
.Hewalkedover
tohim andgaveittoEnzothenstart
edwal
kingoff.

James:Keptt
hatwi
thme.Goodbyebr
other.

Br
eezesighedl
ooki
ngatthepi
ctur
ehissonwas
pl
ayi
ngwi t
handgentl
ytooki
tfr
om hi
ml ooki
ngat
hi
sparentsoni
t.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
06]Lynne :Chapt
er101.

Att
heLyonsMansi
on.

TheysteppedoutofthecarasJamesst ared
aroundseeingthechangesinthisyar
d.Hel ooked
atthehouseandhecoul dtel
litwasthesameone
thatwasmeantt obeBreezesbutthenJacktookit
tohimselfaft
erthef
amilyfuedtheyhad.

Rose:Youl
ooksur
pri
sed.
..
James:
No-I
'
mjustr
ecal
li
ng.I
twasn'
tli
ket
hist
he
l
astt
imeIsawi
t.
Rose:you'
vebeengoneforalongwhi
le,
alotof
t
hingshavechangeddontyouthi
nk?
James:Iguess.

Theywal kedinthehouseandRosel edhi

mt othe
diningroom goi
ngcheckhermot herupst
airs
fi
ndi nghersl
eeping.ShewalkedoverandputAir
onherbackbef oreputt
ingt
hebagnextt othem and
foldedherhands.

Rose:Mom ?
Jane:Hhmm
Rose:IknowthatAi
rismybr ot
herandt
hatuncl
e
Breezei
sthef
atherbutIt
hinknowyouroverdoi
ng
i
t.
Jane:
(yawni
ng)What?Gethi
m of
fsot
hatIcansi
t
up.Whatareyousayi
ng?
Rose:WhatI
'
m sayi
ngi
sthatyouover
wor
king
yourselfi
sn'tdoinganygoodt orebui
ldthefami
ly
bond.Youwor koverti
medodgingyour
consequencesi m sureyourperf
ormanceatwor k
hasdr oppedcour seyouralwaysti
redyetyoukeep
goingtowor k.Ai rmissesyouandyougi vi
nghim
tohisfatherisn'tdoi
nganygoodcour seyour
missingsomeexper i
encesinhisli
fe.
Jane:I
'
m notover
worki
ngmyself.I
'
mj ustdoi
ng
myjobasadoctorwhi
chishel
pingpeople.
Rose:Mom youhaveababy.Thehospi talsurel
y
knowsandunder standsthat.Takingabr eak
wouldn'thurtyouevenat inyli
tt
lebitandIcansee
yournotdoingt hi
scour seyoulikebutyourdoi ngit
justsoyoucoul davoidauntSagi.Tel lyouwhat-
she'spastthat.She'smovedonandevenat t
ended
sessionstowor kherselfup.Ifshecandot hat,I
beli
eveyout oocan.Goseekf orprofessionalhelp
coursethisisn'
thelping.Nottous, nottoyou,notto
anyone.I '
m headingout.
Jane:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Rose:I
'
m goi
ngt
ogetAi
den.
Shewal
kedt
owardsthedoorandremembered
Jamest
hent
urnedbacklooki
ngathercar
ryi
ngAi
r.

Rose:Ohandtheresomeonewho'
sinneedofyour
hel
pdownstai
rs.
Jane:I
sn'
tabi
tear
lyf
orguest
s?
Rose:notf
ort
hisonecour
sehe'
ski
ndanotaguest.

Shewalkedawayandshegotoffpi
cki
ngherson
andworehershoesheadi
ngdownstai
rs.Herjoi
nts
wentweaklooki
ngatJamesstandi
ngstar
ingather
wit
hhishandsinthesweat
er.Hedidl
ookal otl
ike
hi
ssibl
ingsonewouldn'
tmissi
t.

Jane:James?
James:Jane.
.youl
ookpal
e.
Jane:andyoul
ookt
hesame.Wow-uhm .
.havea
si
t.
James:Thanks.
.

Theysatdownandshecalledamai dtobr
ingthem
j
uicethenshewalkedawayleavi
ngthem t
ryi
ngto
fi
gureoutthel
astti
metheyactual
lysaweachot her
.

Jane:i
tsbeenawhi
le.Sol
ong.Howar
eyou?
James:Notl
ongenough.I '
m ohkthoughIwi shI
haddonesomethi
ngint her
etoincreasemy
sent
enceevenf
urthercourseouthereitsucks.
Jane:Jamesyoujustgotout-whywoul
dyouwi
sh
forsomet
hingl
iket
hat?
James:IguessInowr eal
izet
omel i
fei
swaybetter
i
nprisonthantol
iveandbesurroundedbythose
whoyouconsiderfamil
ybuttheydontviewyouas
oneofthem .Myli
fewasal i
tt
lebiteasi
eri
nther
e.
Jane:Beingsur
roundedbymur
der
sandal
lthe
for
biddenki
nds?
James:Yeahatleastt
henIdidn'
thavetoworry
aboutanyt
hingandfit
tedhoweverunt
ilhour
sago
bei
ngputi nthemiddl
eoftwofract
ionsnotknowi
ng
i
fwhet herishoul
dmoveonorkeepf orci
ngtobe
for
given.IshouldbehappyI
'm ourJane-but
i
nsteadI'm bei
ngpuni
shedevenmor eandeven
worsebymyownbr ot
her.Butanyway-thosear
e
mypr oblems.
Jane:(
sigh)wel
lyournotal
one.Ial
sodid
somethingunf
orgi
vableJames,andIdoubtSagi
wil
levertr
ustmeorforgi
vemeeveragain.
James:.
..
Jane:thethi
ngIdidkindator
ethefamil
yri
ghti
n
themiddl
ewheni twasinaprocessofgett
ingf
ixed.
Irui
nedBreeze'
smar r
iageandinthepr
ocessI
rui
nedmineandt hat
'swhyJackinjai
laswespeak.
James:yeahIhear
dhe'si
nther
ebutIdi
dn'
tknow
ther
eason.Whatdidyoudo?
Jane:.
..
James:Ifwewantt histowor
kasaf amilywe
shoul
datleastl
earnt ocommunicat
e.Iwontjudge
besi
desIwasn'tevent her
ewhenithappened
anyway.Sowhati sit?
Jane:di
dtheyt
ellyouwho'
sthef
ather
?Hi
sfat
her
?
James:not
heyal
lshutmeof
fwhenIasked.
Jane:it
sBr
eeze.BreezeandIl ostourwayssome
ti
meagoandhadhimi nt heprocess.Thi
scauseda
l
otoffuedl
eadi
ngtoadi vorce,cheati
nganddeat
h
etc.
James:Car
etoel
abor
ate.
.
Jane:Br eezeandIcheat edandhi swi vesf oundout
tri
ggeri
ngSagi sment alcondit
ionthenAbi gailalso
wentoutofr oad.Di scover
edi twasn'tjustament al
conditi
onbutaser iousone-Psychopat hy.Abi gail
cheatedtoooutofpai nandangerpul l
ingsomeone
i
nnocenti ntotheLyondr amawhobyt hewayJack
somehowar rangedtomar ryourdaught erRose.
HisoldfriendJacob'ssonbyt henameofMxol isi
.
ThismadeSagigonut t
s. Whichmont hsbef or ethe
weddingIr eali
zedIwaspr egnantandt oldhim .As
ti
mewentby-If el
tdraggedtohi m andwentt here
topokeSagiknowi ngherissueandshel ostit
heati
ngmeandIsenthert oament alpr i
son.By
thenAbiagilwassentawayt ogatherher sel
fandt o
herretur
nshewentbl ustandsuddenl youtof
j
ealousyofRose' smar riaget oMxol isiandt ohavea
chil
dtooshef iledfordivorceandspi lledt hebeans
toJackthedayIwenti nt olabor .Thatdayt hey
foughtandBr eezealmostchokedt hel ifeoutof
Jackbutt henJackf oundaeasywayar oundand
stabbedhim maki nghim spentdaysi nt hehospi tal
.
Uhm ...WithRoseshegotbl indandt heonl yper son
capableofsavi ngherwasBr eezessonwhom by
thewayJackki dnappedasl everageandal sosent
hispuppiestogogetSagif r om prison.That '
sthe
daywel ostaf amilymemberi nanexpl osionsavi ng
Breezessonf rom thecrueltyoft hisf ami l
y.Odi ril
e
died.
James:Whywoul
dhet
akeSagi?
Jane:Hewaspl anningonoper at
ingheril
legall
y
anddonatetheki dstosomef amili
esinneedofa
chi
ld.Otherthant hat-l
if
ehasbeengoi nggr eat.
Actual
lyt
hiswhol ethingstar
tedthedayRosel ost
herbestfr
iendNakedi.That '
swhenever ything
wentsouthforthisfamilycourseshedraggedher
wit
h.
James:So-Ai risBr eeze'ssonandwhenaddi ng
them al lt
oget herhehas4ki ds.Theni nt he
processl ostawi feandsomeonecl oset ohi ml i
kea
brot her.Hehasament all
yillwif
eandabi tterbaby
mamawhi l
eont heot herhandhehast onur sehi s
woundsofl ossandchi ldhoodt raumaaddi ngwi tha
responsi bil
itytot akecar eofJack' sf amilysi nceits
tradi t
ionaltodoso.Rosel ostabf fandwas
exposedt othedar knesst henar rangedi na
mar ri
ageasar esul twi thheraunt ssi de-niggaand
gotpr egnanti nt hepr ocess.Gotbl indandt he
rescuerwasBr eeze' ssonwhom wasal mostki ll
ed
byJackt ryi
ngt obar becuehi m buti nsteadhe
bar becuedt hewr ongper sonandt hatthr ewhi min
j
ai l.Sagiwascheat edonandt ri
gger edbybot h
par tnersandsentt opr isonbyabi tterbabymama
whi chl edhert ohert rapofl osingherki dsi llegall
y.
Thathur t
s.AndJack' swasbei ngpl ayedal lal ong
that '
swhyher eact edi nsuchamanner.Then
ther esyou-Yout riedat tachingst ringst hatar en't
meantt oandgotapanelbeat i
ngoutofj eal ousy.
Wow. ..alothashappenedi ndeed.Thi speopl eare
sur elyinpai nbesi desyou.Di dIf orgett oment i
on
one?Youhaven'
ttol
dmet
henameoft
heson.
Jane:Hi snamei sKagi so.He'sthechosenoneof
thi
sf amilywhoboundsust ogetherevennow
cour sei
fitwasn'tforhim Br
eezewoul dhavegone
tohi sol
dwaysofgangst eri
sm.Sagiwoul dhave
kil
ledhim actuall
yallofusifitwasn'tforhim
crossinghermi nd.Rosewoul dsti
llbebli
ndor
wor seshe'swould'vekil
ledherbaby.Iwoul dsti
ll
remai nevenmor ebitt
erandJackwoul dbedeadby
now.Abi gailwouldbe-Idontknow.Butatl east
onegoodwoul dcomeoutofi t,Odiri
lewouldsti
llbe
ali
ve.

Jamespickedhisgl
assl
ookingatherki
ssAi
rs
for
eheadandplaywit
hhishand.

Jane:I'
dbel
ongdeadwit
hthisl
it
tl
ebeauti
fulsoul
i
nmyar msri
ghtnow.That'
swhat'
sbeen
happeni
ngayearago.
James:Sowher
eisBr
eeze'
sson?
Jane:Hesi
nit
iat
ing.He'
sgi
ft
ed.
James:Oh.
.t
hat
'sgood.Woo.
.wow.
Jane:yeah.
.wow.

Heputt hedr i
nkdownt ryi
ngtopr ocessthewhole
thingandhecoul dn'tbemoreproudt hatevenaft
er
thewhol edramat heystil
lmanaget oholdhands.
Thisshowst hatit'
sonlyamat t
eroft i
met i
llt
hey
getbackt ogetherasone.Event houghitwasn't
clearhestil
lwaspr oud.

James:SoasyouknowIdidsomehor
ri
blet
hingt
o
yourbabydaddy-I
'
m homel
ess.
Jane:Noyournot-(
smil
ing)t
hiswasonceyour
homeandwillal
waysbe.Youcanstayheref
oras
l
ongasyouwant.
James:(
smili
ng)Thanksal ot.Andonelastthi
ng-
canyouhel
pmewi thjobhunt i
ng,eveni
fits
cl
eani
ngtoi
letsorwhateverjustt
ogetbusyand
ear
nsomethingofmyown.Pl ease
Jane:Yourbr
otherownsacl
ubwhydontyouask
hi
mt ohelp?
James:hi
m andIdon'
tseeeyet
oeye-atl
eastnot
now.
Jane:ohk.
..
letmegetmykeysandlet'
sgosortout
yourl
if
e.It
'
st hel
eastIcandoaft
ert
hewhole
about"
me"thingIcr
eatedi
nthi
sfamil
y.
James:youdon'
thavet
opampermeIcandot
hat
mysel
f.
Jane:I
'm bor
edsoit
sbestIspentmyti
meon
somethi
ngwor t
hitt
hanrui
ningli
ves.

AtMxol
isi
'
shouse.

Rosepressedt
hedoorbel
landsteppedbackast
he
doorunl
ockedthenAbi
gai
lsteppedoutcover
edi
n
i
cecream.

Rose:Ishoul
dn'
taskshoul
dI?
Abi
gai
l:Pl
easedont.

Theylaughedandshest eppedasidelet
ti
ngherin
fi
ndingMxoli
sitakingpicturesofhim whil
eheate
theicecr
eam coverdwithitonhisf acel
aughing.
Shesmi l
edseatingonthecouchandAbi gail
broughtheraglassofjuice.

Rose:(
smil
ing)Mxol
isidowantt
oki
llmyki
dwi
th
sweatst
uff
?
Mxoli
si:Hecri
edfori
twhatwouldIhavedone.I
tol
dhimthathewontl
uckanyt
hingaslongas
daddyisal
iveandwel
l.
Rose:He'sachil
dhedidn'
tevengett
hatpr
omi
se
pl
easeli
mitthesweat
s.Auntiepl
ease.
.
Abi
gai
l:WhenIt
alki
t'
sasi
fI'
m -I
'
m -i
m nothear
d.

Sheputherhandonhermout handr
anof ft
othe
bathr
oom qui
ckl
yshovingherheadi
ntothetoi
let
thr
owingup.Rosestoodupinahurryfr
om the
chairandfoll
owedherfi
ndi
nghervomit
ingt
hen
sl
owl yrubbedherbackasMxol
isist
oodbycar
ryi
ng
Aiden.

Mxol
isi
:Babyar
eyouohk?
Rose:hasshebeent
hrowi
ngupr
ecent
ly?
Mxoli
si:Yeah,she'
dsayshefeelnauseaandr
un
of
ftovomit.Thisisget
ti
ngseri
ousandshedoesn'
t
wanttogotoforacheckup.
Rose:Nausea?
Abi
gai
l:(
gasped)yep.
.

Shegotupandwenttori
nsehermout
hthen
washedherf
acelooki
ngather
sel
fonthemir
ror
wit
hRosestandi
ngbywithasmir
kon.

Abi
gai
l:What?
Rose:I
sn'
tthi
swhatyou'
vebeenpr
ayi
ngf
or?
Abi
gai
l:Pr
ayi
ngf
orwhat?
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Yourpr
egnant
.
Abi
gail:Icantconcei
ve,Imadepeacewitht
hat.
Thi
sisjustaregularsi
cknessi
t'
llpass.
Rose:WellGodworksmir
acl
es.What
'st
hebest
waytofi
ndoutthanacheckup?

Shefoldedherhandswi t
hanaughtysmilewhil
e
Mxoli
siheldhimsel
fnottoshowhowhappyhewas
tohearthat.Abi
gailt
urnedl
ookingatherand
shookherheadheadingoutleavi
ngthem .

Mxol
isi
:Andt
hemood?
Rose:Totall
ynormal.Pregnancyhormones.Your
goi
ngt obeaf at
heroft
wo.( Smil
ing)
Congratul
ati
ons.
Mxoli
si:Idontwantt
ohol
dmybr
eat
h,butt
hank
you.
Rose:Ohcomeon.
..
dontt
ellmeyoubot
hlost
hope.
Mxol
isi
:Idi
dn'
t-shedi
d.
Abi
gai
l:(
wal
kingover
)What
ever
..

Shewalkedpastt heandRoset ookoffAiden's

cl
othesandbat hedhim .Wit
hinmi nutesshewas
doneanddr essedhim andtheyalllef
tindif
ferent
carssi
nceRosewasheadi nghomeandt hey
headedtothehospital
.

AtBr
eezeshouse

Breezer eadt hethir

dlineonhi slaptopforthe
sevent htimeandeveni fitwaseasyt oreadand
under standtohimi tdidn'tthi
nkingofwhatJames
saidt ohim .Heshutt hel aptoplookingattheki
ds
playingar oundnextt ohistableandr ubbedhisface
.Hi ssonwascomi ngbackandSagiwasr i
ght-he
doesn' tneedt obedeal i
ngwi thanydr amabutto
enjoyhi sbreakf r
ee.Sur elybeingthereusnotnice
ei
ther.Hepickedhisphonebutt
henreal
izedhe
di
dn'thaveaphone.Hesigheddi
ali
ngRosej ustas
Sajiwal
kedinallsmi
ley.

Br
eeze:Andt
hen.
..
Sagi:Goodnews.Thesani tar
ium agr eedt
olet
Bonolocomecel ebr
atewithus.Isn'tisamazing
thatfi
nall
ywe'l
lgettoget
her?Andpl easedont
forgett
oinvi
teJamesand-' her'
.
Br
eeze:That
'sgr
eat.
.Iwasaboutt
ocal
l.
Sagi
:Wellt
henpl
easewhenyourdonehi
tmewi
th
goodnews.
Br
eeze:Youl
ookhappy.(
Smi
li
ng)
Sagi:
That '
sbecauseI'
m happy..
.dontf
orgett
o
sendsomeonet ogogetKagiso'smother.Weneed
tosortoutsomethingswithher,
youruncleswil
lbe
hereforthati
nmi ns.
Br
eeze:(
frowned)Youcal
ledt
hem ?
Sagi
:Yeah.
.
Shepickedtheki
dsandwal
kedoutwi
tht
hem ashe
chuckl
eddiali
ngRose.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Abigaill
ookedatt
hetwor edl
inesonthepregnancy
testandgaveitt
oMxolisiwhosmiledatherbutshe
hadast rai
ghtf
aceasthedoctorsatby.

Abi
gai
l:What?
Mxol
isi
:Shoul
dn'
tyoubehappy?
Abigail
:Thisthingsar
enot100%accur
atel
astwai
t
fortheotherone.
Doct
or:Wellt
here'
sonlyonewaytobesur el
ysur
e,
pl
easelayonthebedandpullupyourshi
rt.

Shest
oodupandwentt
olayont
hebedpul
li
ngher
shir
tandt hedoctorwor
eglovesbeforeappl
yinga
gelonherandst art
edscanni
nghersmi l
ing.
Abigail
'
sheartracedashersmilebuil
tuppull
ing
Mxolisi
'shand

Abi
gai
l:(
tear
y)ar
eyouser
ious?
Doct
or:Mmhhmm .I
tlooksl
ike11weeks.
Abi
gai
l:(
cryi
ng)ohmyGod.
.

Mxoli
sist
oodupfr
om t
hechairandhuggedheras
shecri
edtear
sofj
oywhil
ethedoctorst
oodby
admir
ing.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
08/
02,
14:
23]Lynne :Chapt
er102.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

Afterhercheckup-theywalkedoutofthehospi
tal
holdinghandswithpri
cel
esssmilesonthei
rfaces.
Itwasi ndeedanamazingdaytothem .Bl
essed.
Theywalkedtowar
dst
hecarwhenherphoner
ang
i
nMxolisi'
shand.

Mxol
isi
:It
sSagi.
Abi
gai
l:Youcanansweri
t.
Mxol
isi
:Butyourher
e,whydontyou?
Abi
gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)I
'
llexpl
odeandIdontwantt
o-
notyet.Iwanti
ttobeasurpri
se,maybeatt
he
welcomehomepar t
yofKagiso.
Mxol
isi
:Youseem t
ooexci
ted.Makesmehappy
(
smil
ingandanswer
ed)HeySagi
.
Sagi
:Hi
i..
.howar
eyou?
Mxol
isi
:Amazi
ng.Your
sel
f?
Sagi:Epi
c.Look-bef or
eyougi vemeexcuses
whichbythewayI '
m notinthemoodf or,I'
m
i
nviti
ngyouguysonat r
eatydinner
.Ithinkthere
arealotoft
hingsthatweneedt oputont hetabl
e
overamealordrinks.Thi
ngsthatweneverhada
chanceorafr
aidtotalkabout.
Mxol
isi
:It
houghtwe'
recool?
Sagi
:Wear e,butIjustneedyouguystogethere.
Mxoli
siiconsi
dermyf ri
endsasmyf ami l
ysoyou
bei
nghereatthisdinnerwhereweallpouroutour
hear
tandourf eel
ingsmightalsocl
earthesl
ateand
l
etusstartaf
resh.Please..
.
Mxol
isi
:I'
l
lpasst
hist
oAbi
gai
landwe'
l
lsee.
Sagi
:Iwantyouher
epl
ease,
I'
m beggi
ngyou.I
f
nott
henatl
eastf
orme.Formysake.Youknow
mystat
us.
Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyougui
ltt
rappi
ngme?
Sagi
:Dependsonhowyout
akei
t.Loveyou.

Shehangupandhesmiledlooki
ngatAbi
gai
lwho
washoldi
ngherhandsmil
ing.

Abi
gai
l:She'
ssweeti
sn'
tshe?
Mxoli
si:(
smi l
ing)Andmanipulat
ivet
oo..she
i
nvit
edusonsomesor tofapeacet r
eatydi
nner.
Shethi
nkst hi
si st
hewayf orustoputever
ythi
ng
outi
ntheai randsorti
toutforustomoveonon
cl
eanslates.Ar ewegoing?
Abigai
l:Shehasal waysbeenadar li
ng-Ialsofeel
l
ikethewholefuedi sj
usttoomuchhol di
ng
grudgesandplott
ingeachot herspain.Ithi
nkwe
shouldgoandmaybet alkt
hingsthroughwi t
heach
otherandfi
ndaneasyr out
ef or
ward.(Huggedhim)
That'
swhatOdiri
leishopefullywishingfor.Tosee
usuni
tedasone.
Mxoli
si:(
wrappedherki
ssi
ngherhead)Yourr
ight
.
Let
'sgogetreadyt
hen.

Theywal
kedt
othecaranddr
oveof
f.

Att
hemal
l.

JamesandJanewal kedoutoftheBankashe
carri
edhisnephewlooki
ngathisnewcredi
tcard.It
wasabi tweir
dtohim af
tersol
onghavingthi
s
pieceofplast
ici
nhishandasaneasyaccesst ohi
s
moneyi nthebank.Hesmi l
edput
ti
ngitinhis
pocketthr
owingAirupintheAi
rashelaughedand
sodidthey.

James:( smi
li
ng)He'safunkid.I
'
m sur
e
babysi
tt
inghi
mi snotthathar
d.
Jane:I
tisn'
t.
.atl
eastt
hat
'swhatt
heysay.
James:They?Yourt
hemot
her.
.
Jane:Iam -justthatr
ecentlyI
'
vebeenavoi di
ngmy
problemsincl
udinghim .SoImi ssedaloti
nthe
shortper
iodoftimeawayf rom him andIguessi
t'
s
safetocallmeabadmot her.
James:Abadmot
her
?
Jane:Yeah.
.imean-that
'swhatiam r
ight
?Dont
tel
lmethatt
houghtdi
dn'
tcrossyourmi
nd?
James:Act uallyitdidn'
t.Ijustthi
nkyourgoi ng
throughal otofdi str
esswhi chiswhyyou' vebeen
absenti nhi slif
e.Idontknowhowl ongi t
'sbeen
anddef i
nit
el ynotwhatl ovecanmakeonedobutI
hear ditdoesahugemess.Someoft heguysar ein
cuffscour seofi tsoIguessyoushoul dbegrateful
thatyoudi dn' tdoanyt hingstupidenought ol
and
youi ntherel eavingyourki dsbehind.Somet imes
i
t'sgoodt oavoi dconf li
ctcourseonemi ghtendup
gettinghur torwor se,sotomei t'
stherightdeci
sion
orlikeyousai dshe' dhavekilledyouleavingRose
andAi rmot herless.
Jane:Buti
t'
sal
sobad-I
'
mlonel
y.I
'
m depr
essed
andal l.Imi ssal otinmyl if
e.Myhusbandi sinjail
andIcantevenbr ingmysel ftogovi sithim course
I'
m notsur eifhe'l
levenwantt oseeme.My
daught erthinksim selfishandsel f
-cent ered.
Inconsider ate.Sagi-thebestt hingthat 'sever
happenedt ot hi
sf amil
yandever yone' sf avori
teis
patientlywai ti
ngformet omissast epandsepar at
e
myheadf rom myneck.Abi gaildoesn' tevent al
kto
me.Br eezel ooksatmeovert heshoul der.Kagiso
I'
m sur ehat esmet oocauseI '
mt her easonwhyhe
almostgotki ll
edsendi nghimt ogogetRoset hen
gotki dnapped.( Teary)Isthereanyonewhoi sn't
waitingf ormydownbr eak?!
James:Yeah.
.
Jane:Andwho'
sthat?
James:Ever
yoneyoument
ioned.
Jane:
(scof
f)Ij
ustt
oldyout
heyhat
eme.
James:Hatei
sahugewor d.Theirj
ustangryand
pati
entl
ywait
ingforyourI
'
m sorry.Justtoheartwo
wordscomingoutofyourmout hwhichyoualso
shouldmeanfrom t
hebottom ofyourheart.Idont
real
lyknowSagibutsheseemslikear eal
lynice
person.Underst
andingt
oo.Sheunder st
oodme
thoughIthi
nkittakesal
otofconvinci
ngandshe' s
notreall
ytr
usti
ngsoyougattaproveyourselfli
ke
I'
m will
ingt
o.SoIguesswecanbot hworkon
winningherheart
.
Jane:Idoubt
.
James:R500.That '
sabet.Anywayt
hanksforthe
hel
p,Ireal
lyappreci
atei
t.Nowwhat'
slef
tisforme
tof
indwhereI'
llr
entandapiecej
ob.
Jane:Whydontyouj
ustt
alkt
oyourbr
other?
James:Idon'twantt
opushi
t.Hehasenough
al
readyonhisplat
e.

Herphoner anginherbagandshetookitoutwhen
herheartskippedl
ooki
ngatSagiscal
l.She
showedi tt
oJamesandhesmi ledwalki
ngtothe
cargi
vingairhismil
kbottl
e.

Jane:Hel
lo
Sagi:
Hii.
.howar
eyou?
Jane:I
'
m good.You?
Sagi:I'
mfine.LookIwasjustcal
li
ngt
oinvit
eyou
onaf amil
ydinner
.Ihopeyoudonthaveplans-I
'
ll
begladtoseeyouhere.
Jane:"
Gal
d"yousay?
Sagi:IguessIdid.Heardyoural
sooverwor king
yoursel
fsoIthoughtwhat'
sthebestwayf ora
hardworki
ngdoctortorel
axonesinmont hs?A
dinnerwit
hfamil
ywhoador eherandappr eciateher
.Makesur eyoubringJames-that'
sifhe'swi t
h
you.
Jane:
(scar
ed)Ar
eyouohk?
Sagi:I'
m perf
ectl
yfi
ne.Justwantust
ocl
earsome
unresol
vedissues.Pl
easebehere.

Shehangupl eavingherhangingwit
har acingheart
andadr yt
hroat.Thoughtscrossedhermi ndas
shethoughtofhercapabil
it
ies.Sheswallowed
walki
ngoverwi t
hshakingknees,sothisishowi t
endsforher-overdi
nnerthenwakeupdead.She
gotinthecarandtur
nedlookingathersoni
nthe
backandbackatJameswhol ookedathert
err
if
ied
face.

James:Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
Jane:It
hinkI
'
mreachi
ngmyendl
ine.By
tomor
rowIthi
nkI
'
dbedeadi
fnotsi
cksomehow.
James:.
..
Jane:Shejusti
nvi
tedustodi
nnerwit
haclear
voi
ce.Ihaveafeel
ingthi
smightgosout
h.
James:Ther
e'sonl
yonewayt
ofi
ndout.

Lat
ert
hatday.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

SagiandDi
tebogopr
epar
edt
het
abl
ewhent
he
elderswalkedinmakingnoiselaughingj
ustas
Breezewal keddownstair
sandforonceinalif
eti
me
wear i
ngsomet hingdi
ffer
entf
rom black.Awhite
shirtwit
habl ueJean,socksandsleepersmeeti
ng
theeldersgreeti
ngthem .

Lyon:Howar
eyoumyson?
Br
eeze:I
'
m gooduncl
e.
Aunt:Icanseethat,youevenchangedyourcl
oset.
Nowthat'sarealwayfor
wardmyboy.

Theyl aughedhuggi ngwhent hedoorbel lrangand

Breezeexcusedhi mselftoopent hedoortoJames
carryingAirandJanebyhi ssi de.I twasawkwar d
seeingt hem li
kethiscauseinhi smi ndhepictur
ed
them asacoupl ebutthenheyi t
'snonofhi s
business.Hesmi ledasAi rwavedhi shandsandhe
tookhi m st
eppingasidef orthem t ocomei nwhen
carlightsbouncedonhi m .Hewat chedasMxol isi
gotoutoft hecart oopenherdoorandshegotout
beforeshuttingit.Ift
hat'
snotper f
ectthenwedon' t
knowwhati
tiscausei
t'
stheli
tt
lethi
ngsthatmat
ter
toawoman.Theywalkedoverholdi
ngabottl
eof
redwi
neandacakegreet
inghim wit
hhugs.

Mxol
isi
:What
'sup?
Breeze:Nothi
ngmuch.OhandIneedust o
discusssomethi
ng.It
'sbusi
nessrel
atedbutwe
canalwaysdiscussi
t.Heylove.
Abigai
l:Heybabe.Wherear
emyki
ds?Br
ingmy
fi
rstboyher
e.(t
akesAi
r)

Theyfollowedherinsi
defi
ndi
ngeveryonear
ound
thetablebesi
desSagiandDit
ebogo.Theysat
downj oini
ngintheconver
sat
ionandJanestoodup
goingintotheki
tchenfi
ndi
ngthem missi
nghelo
withonebowl .

Jane:Hi
i.
.
Them :Hel
lo.
Jane:Needanyhel
p?
Sagi:yeahsur
e..hel
puscar
ryt
hatt
othet
abl
e
pl
ease.Thankyou.

Theywal kedbackt othef i

ll
edtableandput
ever
ythingont hetablebeforesitt
ingdownast he
ki
dspl ayedont hefl
oorbesi desbabyOdi r
il
ewho
wassl eepi
ngi nhisbabycotnextt ohismot her.
Theyhear dsomeoner ushinginandturnedtoRose
carr
yingAi denandapl asticinherhand.

Lyon:Yourl
atemygi
rl.
Rose:(smil
ing)I
'
m sosor
rymogol
o.I
twi
llnever
happenagai
n.
Lyon:i
tbet
ternotcausei
tsr
ude.
Rose:Iswear.
..

SheoutAidennexttotheotherki
dsandgavet
hem
toysbef
oregoi
ngt oputtheicecr
eam i
nthe
refr
iger
atorthencamebackt osi
tnexttoAbigail
.
Everyonepassedthedishestooneanotherseri
ving
themselveswhenagainthedoorbellr
ang.Br eeze
bithisl
ipashisheartpoundedandstoodupgoi ng
toopent hedoor.

Br
eeze:Mr
s..
Veronica:(
smi l
ing)Noneedforformali
ty.Cal
lme
Veronica.SorryIdidn'
tbr
inganythi
ng,butI
promiseIwillbri
ngsomethingnextti
me.
Br
eeze:(smil
ing)Noprobl
em.Comeoni
n.We
werej
ustabouttoeat.

Hest eppedasi deforhertowal ki

nthenclosedthe
doorbehi ndt hem wal
kingtothetabl
e.Herknees
shookl ookingatthefil
ledtableandthekidsont he
mathpl aying.Tohersur pri
setheyal
lturnedwith
smilesandJaneevencal l
edhertositnexttoher
thenjoinedi n.Thewhol edinnerwasfil
ledwith
happinessandVer oni
cagott oexperi
encewhat
getshersongl uedtothispeople.I
twasf orthefir
st
ti
mebeinginvi
tedt
oadinnerandthi
sreachedher
expect
ati
ons.Ever
yonewasjusthappy.
Aftertheyweredoneeating,theelderscall
ed
Ver oni
caasideandwentt ot
hedinningr oom t
ogo
talktoherleavi
ngBreezewithapoundi ngheart.
Thegi rl
sstoodupcleari
ngthetableleavingMxol
isi
andBr eezeonthetablemeanwhileRoseand
Ditebogocamebackt otakethekidsupst ai
rst
o
sleep.

Mxol
isi
:Ar
eyougood?
Breeze:Idon'tknowman.Thatwomanhasbeen
throughalotandI '
vetakenhersonfrom herwhen
sheneedshi mt hemost.Ionlymetheronceand
neversteppedinheryar dtomakeupa
conversati
onandt alkabouthersonbuti
nsteadput
hislif
eindanger .Shefeltt
hat.
Mxol i
si:Sheseemsunder st
andingjustli
keherson.
I'
m sureKagisowouldn'tl
eavehismot herhangi
ng
withouttel
li
ngherwhat'shappeningaroundherein
hisli
fe.Damnst r
aightyouwerewr ongnott odo
thi
searli
erbutt
hewomanseemscoolandf r
om my
knowledgeamot herwoul
ddoanythingjusttosee
hersonhappy.Shesacr i
fi
cedherhappi
nesswhi ch
i
shim andlethercomebehappywi thyouher e
causehelovesyouall.
Breeze:Ijusthopewhent heytalkt
ohertheydon'
t
messi tupmakinghertakemyboyawayf rom me.I
l
ovet hatboyman.Af t
erhisr et
urnIwantnothi
ng
separati
ngus-notevent hischosenthi
ng.I'
lll
ock
thedoorwi t
hchainsand7l ocks.
Mxolisi
:(l
aughs)He' sgif
tedBr eeze,doyoueven
thi
nkyou'llbeabletolockhimi ncausei ftheywant
him he'
l
ljustfindawayoutandyou' llneverfi
nd
him unl
esst heyaredone.Youwon' tevenhearhim
walkoutjustliket
heydidn'tevenwhent heywere
wideawake.
Br
eeze:Scr
ewNakedi.
Mxol i
si:Exceptt
hist
imeitwasn'tNakedibuthi
s
ancestors.Dontworry-Kagisoi
syoursonand
nothingisgonnachangethat.Eventhoughthey
don'timpressherint
here,youknowyouand
Kagi
sowi
llal
waysbeasonandaf
ather.
Br
eeze:Iwi
shIwasi
nther
eto-
Aunt:Br
eeze!Comei
nher
e!
Br
eeze:(l
ow)Goddamni
t!
Mxol
isi
:(l
aughs)you'
l
lbef
ine.

Hestoodupr ubbi
nghissweati
nghandsandwent
tothedi
nningroom fi
ndingt
heairinherenotso
smooth.Hewentt ositonanempt ysi
trubbi
nghis
handsastheconversati
ontookoff.

Out si
de-Jamesl ookedupintheskythinkingofhis
futurebutnot hi
ngcamet omind.Hel ookedaround
hislitt
lebrother
syardandsatdownont hestoop
withasi nkingheart
.Thiswasn'tsupposedtobe
l
iket his.Hehatesfeeli
ngli
kethisandsureashel l
hurts.
Thedoorsl
idopenandRoseputherhandsinher
hoodi
ewalki
ngoverandsatnextt
ohim .She
tur
nedtohi
m andthenl
ookedatthest
arsinthesky
.

Rose:Whyar
eyououther
eal
one?
James:Thi
nki
ng.Doi
ngalotoft
hinki
ngatthe
sameti
me.Shoul
dn'
tyoubeupst
airsnur
singthe
ki
ds?
Rose:Ishoul
dbebutt heIr eal
izedthatoneperson
wentmissi
ngrightafterdinnerandher eyouare.
Tel
lme-what '
sitthat'
sbot heri
ngyousobad
makingyouexcludeyour selffr
om therestofus?
Thi
swassupposedt obringust ogether.
James:Wel lRosell
a,mypl acei
nthisfami
lyhas
beenerasedfrom exi
stenceI'
mjusthereasaclone.
Yourunclehatesmeandt heonl
yreasonIher
eits
becauseSagiinvi
tedmeher e.SotheresnowayI
canfiti
n.
Rose:Yoursti
llfamil
y.TheBloodrunningthrough
hisvei
nsisthesameast heonerunningthrough
yoursandthat
'swhatwillal
waysmakeyouaLyon.
Yourhisbr
other,he'
sjustangry.Youstil
lhavea
placei
nthefamily.
James:.
..
Rose:Sowhatwer
eyout
hinki
ngabout
?
James:Li
fei
tssel
f.
Rose:Car
etoexpl
ain.
.
James:Wellmydearni
ece-mylif
eisonholdwit
h
nooneandnowheretocal
lhome.Igotnot
hingof
myownonlythecl
othesI'
m gi
venand30000Ri n
myaccountandi
tsucks!
Rose:Wher
edi
dyouget30k?Youj
ustgotout.
James:Iusedt obeaLyonandt heyusedtosave
mesomemoneyf orjustincaseunti
lthef
ir
e.So
withi
tIhavetothink3timesorelseI'
l
lendupwith
nothi
ng.I'
m goingtolookforaplacetost
ayanda
job.Eventhoughitsnotapermanent,atl
eastt
o
keepmebusy.
Rose:Oh.ThenwhydontyouaskDi tebogoifyou
couldcrushinatherhousecausenoonestays
theresi
nceshemovedher e.I'
m sur
eshewont
mindandbesi dest
heyardneedssomeonet olook
afteri
toruncleODwillt
ossandturncausehel oved
hi
splaceandexpect si
ttobetakencareoff.Asfor
ajob-mydad' scompanyisrunningit
sel
fandit
's
undermynameast heonetobenefiti
tsoyoucould
uhm takeover.Fornowifyoud-
James:( smil
ing)Iwi
ll.
.I'
l
lbegl
adtoo.That
'si
fthe
employeeswontf i
ghtagai
nsti
t.Whoarethe
shar
eholders?
Rose:Dadmadesur et
hatheistheonewi t
hevery
singleshareinthatcompanyandwor kedhardfori
t
untili
tgrewupt obewherei ti
swithouthel
p.It
makesal otofmoneyandt hat
'swhatmakesitthe
rootofourf ami
lythenuncleBreeze'
sclub.Cl
ub
808wher et hef
unneverends.
James:Sothef
ami
lyr
unst
wobi
gbusi
nesses?I
'
m
i
mpressed!
Rose:Yeah.
.butsoonit'
l
lbethr
eeaddi
ngtoa
Gal
ler
y.Uncl
essonl ovesar
tandhe'
sreal
lygoodat
i
t.
James:Wow.
.
Rose:yeah.
.sowear
eneverfi
nanci
all
ystranded
butwelovemaki
ngawhol
elotofmoneyjusttoadd
cherri
esontop.Someti
mesyoudswearit'
sthe
moneyt hatmakesusfi
ghtt
hismuchcoursein
everyri
chfamil
yther
esalwayssomet
hingthatwi
ll
blowyourbrai
ns.

Hepull
edheri
ntoasi
dehugki
ssi
ngherheadas
shesmil
ed.

James:Yoursogener
ous.Thankyoul
it
tl
eJack.
Rose:(
smi
li
ng)
wel
comehomeuncl
e.

Inthekitchen-Sagi,JaneandAbigai
lwashedthe
dishesoversilenceunti
litst
uckonJane'st
hroat.
Hest oppedwashi ngthedishesandt
urnedtothem .

Jane:I
'
m sor
ry.

Theybot
hlookedatherandsheswal
lowedfi
ddl
ing
wit
hherfi
ngers.Thuswasevenmoredif
fi
cul
tthan
sheexpect
ed.

Jane:I'
m sorry.WhatIdidwaswr ongandt
otal
ly
uncall
edfor.Ibrokeyourmarr
iageandhadason
withyourhusbandmakingeverythi
ngevenworse
plussendingyouaway.Iwassel fi
shandtot
all
y
evil
.Ithoughtofnooneelse'
sfeeli
ngsbutmine.
Abi
gai
l:Whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Jane:Iwasi
npainandvul
nerabl
e.Br
eezewas
ther
eformewhennooneelsewas.
Sagi:
Wewer
ether
eforyou!
Jane:I'
m sorry!Atleastthat'
swhatIt hought-that
noonef el
tthepainIwasi nasamot herwat chi
ng
mydaught erdri
ft
ingaway.Iwascompl et
elywrong
toletwhatBreezeandIdi dhappencausemypai n
i
snoexcuset owhatwedi d.Ibr okeyourmar ri
age
andatthesamet imebr okemi ne.Myl ifeisamess
asitiscausenowI '
m avoidingeverythingcoming
mywayoutofshame.I '
mr eallysorr
ySagi.Iknow
howmuchyout rust
edmeandIbl ewt hatup.I
knowhowmuchyoucar edandwaswi ll
ingtowork
pastthatbutIal
soblewthat.I
'mtrul
ysor
ryandif
ther
esanythingIdeser
vefrom you-t
henI
'l
ltakei
t
i
fit'
l
lmakeyouf orgi
veme.

Abigai
ltur
nedaroundtorinse4mor epl
ateswhen
shestoppedbi
ti
ngherlip.Sheturnedbackt othem
andsighedbal
ancingherselfwi
ththecounter.

Abi
gai
l:I
'
m sor
ryt
oo.
Them:.
..
Abigail:I
fithadn'tbeenf ormel ett
ingthepainand
j
eal ousytakecontrolyouwoul dn'thavebeen
thr
ought hetraumayou' vebeent hr
ough.Il et
j
eal ousyconsumemef ornotbeingt heonet ocar
ry
Breeze'schil
dandwentt obl
ustinfrontofJack.He
woul dn'
thaveknowni fitwasn'tforme.Odi ri
le
woul dsti
llbeali
ve.I'm sosorrySagi.Pl ease
forgiveme.

Sagil
ookedatt
hem wi
thaneut
ralf
acehol
dinga
dishclot
hinherhandandapl ate.Shecouldtell
theymeani tf
rom thebottom oftheirhear
tsand
that'
swhatshewasf i
shingfor-asi mpleI
'm sorr
y
comi ngoutofthei
rmout hs.Shesmi l
edopening
herar msforagrouphugandt heysmi l
edhugging
herandt heyl
aughedf eel
ingtheirheart
sbeingli
fted
theheavyweight.

Inthedi
nningroom-Veroni
cawipedhertears
l
ookingatBreezefaci
ngdownrubbinghishands
andthenlookedather.Moret
earsflowedoutof
hereyesandthenstoodupgoi
ngt oBreeze.She
gavehim herhandsandhel
pedhim standhuggi
ng
him.

Breeze:I'
m sosor r
yittookmesol ong.Ireal
lylove
yoursonandt akehim asmyown.Ipr omiseI'
ll
bringnomor edangertohi sli
feandprot
ecthi
mi n
everywayaf athercan.I'm wil
li
ngtodowhateverit
takestobeapar tofhisli
fe.
Ver
oni
ca:(
cryi
ng)I
'
m al
sogl
adt
hathemetyou.A
mant hatloveshi m ashi sownandcar eslessabout
hisbackgr ound.Mysonhasbeent hroughal otin
thatar eabutever ytimehecomesher eIcoul dfeelit
i
nmet hathe' shappyevenont hephone.Het alks
aboutyouwhenhe' swi t
hmeanddoesn' twantt o
spendmor et i
met herecauseitbearsal otofpai n
hewentt hr ough.(Pul l
edback)I '
m alsogl adthat
youf oundt hecour agetomeetmeupwi thyour
unclest oshowmehowdet erminedyouar etobe
hisfather .Icantthankyouenoughf orbei nga
fatherf i
gur einhislife-whathe'salwayswant ed.
Forgi vinghi m afami lyhe'
salwayswant edanda
placet ocal lhome.Knowt hatIexpectnot hingmor e
butf oryout ogivehimt heloveyoupr omisedt o
givehi m .He' smyonl ysonandt her
eonl yt hi
ng
thatmakesmewantt oliveon.
Br
eeze:Iwontl
etyoudownVer
oni
ca.
Ver
oni
ca:Sur
eyouwont.

Theyhuggedonceagainandt
heelder
sstoodupto
welcomehert
oointothefami
lyhuggi
ngher.Af
ter
awhi
leBreezeexcusedhimsel
fgoi
ngtot
hedi
ning
r
oom f
indi
ngMxol i
sipressi
nghi
sphone.

Mxoli
si:Yoursmi
li
ngt
oomucht
hanyoushoul
d.I
guessitwentwel
l.
Br
eeze:Evenbet
ter.Wher
esJames?
Mxoli
si:He'
soutsidei
fI'
m notmi staken.Isaw
Rosewalki
ngoutmaybeshe' swi t
hhi m .Yousai
d
youwantustotalkaboutbusiness.Whati sit?
Breeze:Ohyeah. .
.I'
llsendeverythi
ngt oyouvia
emailandyou'llgothroughit.It
'sabouttheclub
andthewor ker
scompl ai
nsaboutt heenvir
onment
theyworkin.Sot heyaskedf orcompensat i
ons.
Justincase.Iwantyout ol
ooki ntoitandtel
lmeif
Isetever
ythingalri
ght.
Mxol
isi
:ohk.
.

Hewalkedawayandwentoutsi
defindi
ngJames
andRosesit
ti
ngonthestoep.Theytur
nedlooki
ng
athi
m andRosestoodupexcusi
nghersel
fand
wenti
nsi
deleavi
ngthem t
ohaveachat.Br
eeze
si
ghedwalki
ngoverandsatnextt
ohi
m.

Br
eeze:Whyar
eyououther
e?
James:Neededsomeai
r.Why?
Br
eeze:Justaski
ng.

Theysatinsil
enceforawhilelooki
ngatwher
ever
thei
reyeslandat.Itwasevenawkwardbutgoodto
beoneachot her
'ssidel
ikethi
s.

Breeze:I
'
m sor
ryaboutthewayItal
kedt
oyou.
Thatwasrudeanddefi
nit
elynotwel
comi
ng.
James:Yousaidthatoutofcareforyourf
amil
y
andwanttopr
otectthem f
rom everyt
hingt
hat
mightt
ryt
ohurtyou.IunderstandBreezy.
Breeze:Butyourfamil
ytoo.TheleastIcoul
dhave
doneisletyoubeandenjoyyourfi
rstdayoutand
dontthroweveryt
hingi
nyourplat
e.
James:Iunder stand.It
sohklit
tl
eman.Iki ndof
deservedit.Imeani tmyfaul
tthatever
ythi
ngis
happeningrightnowandIwonthol dyouagainst
anything.
Breeze:Andthat'
swhyIal
sodontwantt
ohol
dyou
againsti
tei
ther
.

Jamest
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
m.

Breeze:Yeah..
.mysoni scomi ngbackandhas
beenthroughalot.Heartbreak, tr
aumaandwent
i
nandoutofhospi tal
scauseoft hi
sf amil
ydr ama.I
dontwishtoseehim againinthatst atecausehe
hasthatthi
ngofbot t
li
ngthingsupi nhi m andwhen
heexplodesheturnsmur derous.Al lhewi shesf
or
i
speacei nhisl
if
eandahappyf amily.
James:.
..
Breeze:I'
m wi
ll
ingt
ofor
giveyoubr other.Icant
keepholdi
ngont ot
hepastandletitdetermineour
fut
ureasfamil
y.Iwantustostartonacl eanslat
e
wit
hopenhear tsandmi nds.I
'm al
sowi ll
ingto
for
giveJackf orwhathedi d.I'
mt i
redoff ight
ing,
ofangerandpai n.WhatIneedi sgoodand
happinessinmyl ife.Iforgi
veyouJames.Your
mybr otherandwi l
lalwaysbemybr other.No
mat t
erwhatpar al
leluni
verseIwisht oli
vei n-
nothingwillchangethat.

At earr
anoutofJameseyeandhewi peditl
ooki
ng
away.Hest oodupandgaveBreezehishandand
theybrohuggedfort
hewhole3mi ns.

James:t
hankyou.

Awhi l
elater-theyallgatherinthedinningroom .
JaneandSagiwal kedwithjuiceandgl asses
put t
ingthem ont hetablepour i
ngforeach.The
elderswentt obedl eavi
ngt hem behindandt heyal
l
raisedtheirglasses.
Sagi: Asaf ami lywewentt hroughourupsi dedown
j
ustlikeanyr egularfamily.Wehadour
downbr eaksandext remebr eaks.Wef oughtand
l
ostint hepr ocesbutst i
llwemanagedt ogetback
together.Her e'
st oourti
met ogether
,wel coming
andf orgi
venessdi nner.Forust okeeponhol ding
handsaswear egoingtot akenewst epst oour
l
ivesasone.Toal waysbet hereandsuppor teach
other.Tol oveandt oprotect.Tonott urnourbacks
andnomor ef i
ghting.Her estofamily!
Al
l:ToFami
ly!
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Aweekl
ater
*
*(
sorr
yifImi
ssanyt
hing,
Iknowl
essonwel
comi
ng
aheal
erhome)
*
*
*
*
*

Att
hegr
aveyar
ds.

Ear
lyi
nthemor
ning.

Veronicaandtheeldersbowedbef
orethegrave
t
alkingtothei
rfal
lenonesaskingf
orsuccessand
forl
ifefi
ll
edwithblessi
ngs.Forpr
otect
ionand
morelove.Fort
hem t
oguidetheirsonashe'llbe
ret
urni
nghomebacktothem againafterbei
ng
awayformonthstof
ulf
il
lthei
rwish.
Aftert
heywer
edonetheygotupandlef
twi
thhappy
facestogopr
epar
eforthewel
coming.

AtBr
eezeshouse.

Theyar dwasf i
ll
edwithalotofpeopletheyallasa
familycouldhardl
yrecogni
ze.Somet hey'
venever
seenbef or
eyettheybroughtthei
rhandst ohelp
whilesomecl ai
medt obefamily.Everyonewas
goingupanddown.Bi gpotsandf i
replusgoats
andacowj ustever
ythi
ngforaperfectcelebr
ation.
Themenhandledthef
ireandever
ythi
ngt
hatwas
tooheavyf
orwomanwhi l
ewomancookedanddid
womandutiesatacer
emony.

Att
hegat
e-Rosel
ladrovef
urt
herwithBonolo
ont
heot
hersi
desmil
ingsohardthathercheeks
hurt.Shewentt
oparki
ntheneighborsyar
dand
theygotoutt
aki
ngherbagheadingther
e.

Bonol
o:Icantwai
ttoseehi
m .I
t'
sbeensol
ong.
Rose:Iknowr
ight
.Let
'shopehehasn'
tbur
nedup
l
ikemostdo.
Bonol
o:(smil
ing)l
et'
sdohopethat.I
'
m sure
Dit
ebogocan'
tevenhol
dontoseehim -herhear
t
mustberaci
ng.
Rose:Shesur
ecantwai
tei
ght
er.

Theywal
kedint
otheyardandwenttothehouse
headi
ngupst
air
stothei
rroom passi
ngbypeopl
e.
Ditebogo'
sheartski
ppedheari
ngthedooropenand
tossedlooki
ngatthem t
hensmi l
ed.Sheputher
breastinherbr
aandgotupf oragrouphug
l
aughi ng.

Di
tebogo:OhmyGod-Imi
ssedyou.
Bonol
o:Imi
ssedyout
oo.Yourgl
owi
ng!
Dit
ebogo:Soareyou-comeover.
.t
ellmewhat
's
beenhappeni
nginther
e.

TheywenttositdownandBonol ogaspedl ooki

ng
atbabyOdiri
le.Hel ookedjustl
ikehi
sfatherwith
thoselongl
ashesandt hi
ckeyebrows.Hiseyes
wereevenbrightandl i
ghtbrownasifthesunwas
glowingint
hem whi l
ehesuckedonhi sfist.You'd
swearhewasacol ouredwithcurl
yhair.

Bonol
o:(t
eary)OhmyGod. .
.i
tsl
ikel
ooki
ngathi
min
ababyform .He'
ssupercut
ecanIholdhim?
Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)youdonthavet
oask.

Shegent
lypi
ckedhim upandstoodupr ocki
nghim
wit
hapricel
esssmileonherf
ace.Thebabywas
socut
e.Onewi l
lthi
nkhewasadol lorsomethi
ng.
Bonol
o:Hel
lobaby-I
'
m yourf
air
yGodmot
her.My
nameisBonol
o.Whathisname?
Rose:
(l
aughs)Fai
ryGodmot
her?
Di
tebogo:Hi
snamei
sOdi
ri
le.Af
terOdi
ri
le.

Hersmiledissolvedi
ntoafr
ownast earsbui
ldup
l
ookingatbabyOdi ri
le.Hehel
dhi
mt i
ghtert
oher
chestastearsroll
eddownandwalkedovertositi
n
betweenDitebogoandRose

Bonol
o:(smili
ng)i
t'
sabeaut
if
ulname.I
m gl
adhi
s
nameiscarr
iedon.

Theyhuggedwhent heyheardcarbell
soutsi
de
appr
oachingwhent hei
rhear
tsskipped.They
l
ookedatoneanot herandRosestoodupthen
Bonol
oalllexci
ted.

Bonol
o:Ar
en'
tyoucomi
ng?
Dit
ebogo:Icantgooutwi
tht
hebaby.I
'
llst
ayi
n
heresur
elyI
'l
lseehi
m.
Bonol
o:Ormaybeyourscar
edt
oseehi
m af
terso
l
ong?
Di
tebogo:Iguesst
hatcount
sbutIcantgooutwi
th
hi
m.
Rose:Thenwe'
l
lbr
inghi
mtoyou.

Theygavehi mthebabyandki ssedherforehead

exit
ingtheroom .Shel ayedhim downandst oodup
goingtothebathroom topeet henwashedher
handswhenshewasdone.Thedoorsl i
dopenan
Veronicawalkedinallsmi l
eyholdingaplatefullof
foodandwentt oputi tbesidesthebedandpi cked
hergrandsonasDi tebogowal kedoverandsaton
thebedpickingherplate.

Di
tebogo:t
hankyouma.
Ver
oni
ca:youwelcomemydar
li
ng.Ij
ustcame
her
etocheckhowyoubot
haredoi
ngfi
rst.Di
dyou
f
eedhi
m?
Di
tebogo:yeahheat
ebef
oreIbr
east
feedhi
m.
Veronica:good.
..l
etmegocheckonyourboyfr
iend
andI'l
lcomebackr i
ghtawayaf
terI
'
m donether
e.
Di
tebogo:ohk.
.

Sheputthebabydownandwalkedoutl
eavi
ngher
toeat.Shebecameanxi
ousandstoodupgoingt
o
standbythewindowl
ooki
ngoutsi
de.

Meanwhi l
ethewomanul ulatedholdingbrooms,
potsandever yt
hingtheycoul dcarrywhil
edancing
asKagi sosteppedoutwear i
ngexact lywhat
tradi
tionalhealerswearwhi l
ebar efoot.I
twasreal
ly
greattobehomeseei ngal lt
hispeopl ear
ound
thoughhi shear twasachi ngt oseehi smotherand
therestofhi sfamily.Br eezewal kedbyhisside
smi l
ingandhecoul dn'thelpbutlaugh.

Br
eeze:Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?
Kagi
so:IguessI
'
mjustt
ooexci
ted.I
'
m happyt
o
seeyou.
Br
eeze:Someher
eson.

Vernoncamer ushi
ngoverandtearsbl urr
edher
si
ghtlooki
ngathersonandcoul dn'thelpbutrush
overforawarm hugcryi
ng.There'snot hi
ngmor e
warmingthanamot her'
shug.Her appedhi shands
aroundherbodywi t
hatearescapinghi seyewhil
e
shebrokedowncr yi
ngholdi
nghimt i
ght.

Ver
oni
ca:(
cryi
ng)
ThankGod!
Kagi
so:I
'
m neverl
eavi
ngagai
nmama.

Theybrokethehugandshest oodbackasthey
broughtagoatover.Thegoatwassl aught
eredasa
signtoshowt hathehascleansedhimsel
f.Though
i
twasabi ttouchingtoseeitbeingsl
aught
eredli
ke
thatbuti
thadt ohappenanyway.
Ot
heri
nit
iat
iat
eandt
hei
nit
iat
orwal
kedovert
ohi
m
andt ookt
hegoatwhi l
ehisfamil
yfr
om hisfather
's
sidehehardlyevenknewcameovergettingready
toleavetotheri
ver.Theygotint
othecarsand
Veronicawenttori
dewi t
hBreezeandothersas
theydroveout.

Br
eeze:I
sitnecessar
ytogot
other
iver
?
Veronica:Yeah.
..
iti
sbel
ievedt
hatt
heancest
ors
l
iveclosetother
iver
sandseas.
Br
eeze:Andsomanygoat
s?
Veroni
ca:Kagisowillhavetoslaughterasmany
animal
scourseit'
sthemosti mportantpartoft
he
ceremony.Forthosethatdiedintheseaandt hose
thatdi
edontheroadf orblessi
ngs.Cowst oo..i
t'
ll
dependonhowmanyt heywantbutusual
usual
lyi
ts1.
Breeze:Youmakei
tsoundl
ikei
t'
llt
akemor
ethana
day.
Veroni
ca:Maybeabout5daysandt
hesi
xthday
wil
lbefinal.
Breeze:Sowe'retaki
nghimt her
etoaskf
or
bl
essingandallthenwegohomeandcomeback
again?Itseemslikealotofwork.
.
Ver
onica:Nohe'
l
lbesl
eepi
ngther
e.Thenonthe
t
hir
ddayhe'l
lgotot
heseaandspend2ni
ghts
t
here.
Breeze:Ahgg!Thi
sthi
ngwi
lldr
ownmyboyIswear
toGod!

Ver
onicasmi l
edashedrovealongtherockyroad.
Hewashopi ngtospendthedaywithhim butthen
nowhe'sforcedtodri
vehim awayear
lythis
morni
ngaf t
erhisret
urn.
.
.
.
.
Ont
hesi
xthday.
Kagisodancedwithotherinit
iat
esi
nthemi ddl
eof
theyardundert
hehotbl azingsun.Hehasn't
gott
enachancet obreathinthepastcoupleofdays
andhewassoexhaust edhehadnochoi ce.He
kepttel
li
nghimsel
fthatitwasf i
nal
lyovertokeep
him goi
ng.
Afterdanci
nghewentt
ositunderthetendonthe
tr
aditi
onalmat
hwhenagai
nhewascal l
edbefor
e
hecouldevenrel
axt
osl
aughteranotherani
mal.
Aftertheslaughter
inghisuncl
efrom herfather
's
si
dewal kedovertohim andwentonhi sknees
givi
nghi m astickmadeofanoxt ai
lthathe
sl
aught eredandwhi t
ewasdecoratedwi t
hbeeds.
Veronicawal kedoverholdi
ngadryleopardskin
putti
ngi tonhisshoulderandbowedwal ki
ngaway
asever yonestoodbywat chi
ngwhiletheini
tiat
es
sang.
Hewasoffi
cial
lyanini
ti
ator,al
lowedt
otr
ain
i
nit
iat
esandbegintopracti
ceasasangoma.

Hest
oodupandwentt
odanceagai
nal
lal
onet
his
t
imeasever
yonecheer
edandal
l.

Awhi l
elat
er-Bonol
oandRosewal kedovertohim
andjumpedinhisarmslaughi
ngandhehel dthem
ti
ghtswingi
ngthem t
houghtheywereabitheavy
forhi
m.

Kagi
so:Damny'
al
lgai
nedwei
ght
!
Bonol
o:Andyourst
il
lst
rong.Wer
eyouguysl
if
ti
ng
overt
her
e.
Kagi
so:Notr
eal
ly.
..butt
henI
'
veal
waysbeen
st
rong.
Rose:Makhosi(
bowscl
appi
nghandspl
ayf
ull
y)
Kagi
so:(
laughs)Woul
dst
opi
t..
Rose:comeon, yourof
fi
cial
lyatradit
ionalheal
er.
Sowehavet ot
reatyouwit
hr espectandaccording
toyourst
atus.
Kagi
so:Hey..mebeingasangomachangesnothi
ng
ohk.I
'm st
il
lthesameKagisoyoual
lknowthi
sis
j
ustafi
lt
er.I
'
mtheguyyoumetwi
thnot
hingand
st
il
lam .
Sagi:(
wal
ksover)Exceptwecantpr
etendl
ikeit
doesn'
tmatt
erl
ikeyousay..(
huggedhim)Welcome
homesonny.
Kagi
so:(
smi
li
ng)Thankyou.
.
Abi
gai
l:whataboutme?Idi
dn'
tgetahug.
Kagi
so:That
'sbecauseyourst
andi
ng16f
eet
s
awayfr
om me!

Theyalllaughedasshewalkedoverandhugged
him .Breeze,JamesandMxolisiwal
kedovert
o
them andbrohuggedhim astheladi
esst
oodby
watching.

James:Sot
hisi
stheson.
Br
eeze:Yeap.
.
James:Mynamei
sJames.Youruncl
e.
Kagi
so:James?
Breeze:Yeah..
.wehavealott
ocat
chuponboy.
Butfir
styouneedtogocheckuponyourai
r
upstai
rs.
Kagi
so:(
hear
tski
pped)Excuseme,
mywhat?

Theyalll
ookedathim surpri
sedbyhisneut
ral
suddenface.Breezebithisl
iplooki
ngathi
m and
si
ghed.

Breeze:Boyyoubet
tergoupst
airsbef
oreIassume
whatIthi
nkistr
ueandtrustmeitwontbeniceaf
ter
that.

Kagisof
rownedlookingatallofthem andwal ked
i
ntothehousejoggingupast hethingshewor e
madenoiseallt
hewayupst airs.Hisheartraced
wit
heverstepcloserunt
ilhereachedt hedoorand
si
ghedsli
ghtl
yopeni ngt
hedoor.
Dit
ebogoquicklystoodupfrom t
hecouchlooki
ng
athim asherheartpoundedsohardonhischest.
Hel ookedatherandwal kedtothebedwhenhi s
eyespoppedl ookingatthebabysleeping.Itwas
l
ikehewasl ooki
ngathimselfasababyand
creepedhim outbuteventuall
yasmi lepull
edhis
cheeks.Thesmi lebroughttearsofjoyandt hena
l
aught erofhappinessandexcitementlooki
ngat
Ditebogo.

Kagi
so:That
'smer
ightt
her
e.
Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)Yournotmad?
Kagi
so:Ar
eyouki
ddi
ngme?Whywoul
dIbemad
?comeher
e

Shewal kedoverhugginghimt i
ghtlyandhekissed
herhead.Sher ai
sedherheadl ooki
ngathi
m when
hepi nnedhi
sl i
psonherskissingher.Butter
fli
es
raisedinherstomachaschi l
lsrandownherspi ne.
It'
sbeensol ongsinceshefeltl
ikethi
s.Hebroke
thekissandhuggedherl ooki
ngathi sson.
Di
tebogo:Youwantmet
owakehi
m?
Kagi
so:No..l
ethim sl
eep,I'
llseehi
m whenhe
wakesup.BesidesIsmellsweat.Whathi
sname?
Dit
ebogo:Odiri
le.Inamedhim aftermybrot
her
si
ncenonamecamei ntomymi ndbutthat.You
canalwayschangeitifyoudontl
ikeit.
Kagi
so:Il
ovei
t.(
Looksathi
m)hel
ooksj
ustl
ike
me!Thisi
samazi
ngl
ycreepy.

Theylaughedst
il
lhuggi
ng.Hel
ookedathi
mthen
backatherandsmiled.

Kagiso:Sorr
yIwasn'ttherewhenyougavebir
thto
ourson.IpromiseIwillneverbeabsenti
nhi
sli
fe
andI'l
lbethebestf
athertohim.
Di
tebogo:Iknowyouwi
ll.
Kagi
so:Andahusbandt
oyou.

Shequi
ckl
yrai
sedherheadl
ooki
ngathi
m andhe
l
ookedather.Shefel
tli
keherearsjustbet
rayed
herforasecondandswall
owedlookingathis
seri
ousface.

Di
tebogo:What?
Kagiso:Mar ryme.Idontknowhowwe' regonna
makei thappenbutIgotenoughtoprovi
def orusin
myaccountf r
om thehust
leandthemoneyI
recei
vedf rom dad.Pl
usIthi
nkinfewmont hsI'
llbe
stabl
e.Pl ease..
Dit
ebogo:(
pullsback)Kagi soIdoloveyou.And
I'
vebeenwait
ingpatientl
yforyourretur
nbutIdont
wantyoutomar rymej ustbecauseIcarr
iedyour
sonandfeell
ikeyouoweme.
Kagi
so:Il
oveyouandIwantt
omar
ryyou.
Dit
ebogo:Idontwantyoumarryi
ngmeknowi
ng
yousti
llhavef
eel
ingsforot
hergi
rl
stoo.
Kagi
so:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Di
tebogo:Doyoul
oveRosel
l
a?
Kagi
so:Howi
sthi
saboutRose?
Dit
ebogo:Youwantt omar r
yme-Iknowt hatbut
wecantti
et heknotknowingwehavel oseends.
Roseiscapableofdoingthemostandshel oves
youandtrustmeihatethefactthatI
'
m sayingall
thi
sandIknowt hatyouloveheradmitit.Be
honestwi
thme.
Kagi
so:.
..
.
Dit
ebogo:Youguysar emeantt
obetogetherandI
underst
andthat
.Ifyourgoi
ngtomarrymepl ease
l
etitbeundergoodtermsandnotanescapecourse
Ial
mostdiedforget
tingi
nbetweenyouandher .
Kagi
so:Whatdoyoumean?
Di
tebogo:I
tdoesn'
tmat
terj
ustbehonestwi
thme.
Pl
ease..
Kagiso:Idol
oveherbutwhatmat
teri
sIwantt
obe
wit
hyou
Dit
ebogo:Asmuchasyouwantt
obewi
thher-
ri
ght?
Kagi
so:(
rubbshi
sface).
..
Di
tebogo:(
hugshi
m)Il
oveyoubutIj
ustcantcome
i
nbetweenyouandher.Shecar
esandl
ovesyou
deepl
yli
keyoudoforher.
Kagi
so:Soi
sthatano?
Di
tebogo:I
tsnotayesei
ther.
Kagi
so:Yoursacr
if
ici
ngourl
ovef
oreachot
herf
or
her.
Dit
ebogo:Forhebot
hofyou.Iwantyout
wot
obe
happy.
Kagi
so:Howam Igoi
ngt
obehappywi
thoutyou?
!
Di
tebogo:
..
.
Kagiso:FineIl
oveyouandIl oveher.Iwantyouas
muchasIwanther.Iwantt ospendeverysecond
ofmyl i
fejustl
ikeIwanttospenditwit
hher.Itri
ed
stayi
ngawayf r
om t hebot
hofyouandIcant .Itr
ied
avoidi
ngherbyal lmeansbutIcouldn'
tasmuchas
Icouldn'
twhent heytol
dmet ostayaway.

Hebr
oket
hehugandwentt
osi
tont
hecouch
r
ubbi
nghi
sface.
Kagi
so:Howaboutyoumarrymebot
hthen?
Cour
seClear
yIcantst
ayaway.
Di
tebogo:Apol
ygamy?Yout
hinkyoucanhandl
eit
?
Kagi
so:Whywoul
dn'
tI?Pl
easeDi
tebogo.
..
Ilove
you.
Dit
ebogo:Passt
histoherfi
rstandf
indouthow
shefeel
sabouti
tandifsheagreest
henfi
ne.
Kagi
so:Soi
t'
sli
keyouneedanappr
ovalf
rom her
t
obewi t
hme.
Dit
ebogo:I'm notaski
ngper missi
onfrom anyon
butIcantpretendli
keIdon'tcareaboutherfeel
ings
buil
dingourfamilywit
hhert ears.She'smeantto
bewithyouandyouknowi t.Despitethe
chall
engesyou'vebeenthroughyoust il
lloveher
andthatofcoursematter
s.

Hesi
ghedst
andingandbi
thisl
ipgoingt
okissher
andwal
kedout.Tearsbl
urr
edhereyesandwentto
sl
eepnextt
ohersonpul
li
nghi
m overi
nahug
sobbi
ng.

Intheki
tchenJanestoodinthemiddl
eoft
he
kit
chenwithther
estoftheladi
esandwhenKagi
so
walkedi
nt heyal
lkeptqui
tesmili
ng.

Kagi
so:Pleasedontst
oponmyaccountI
'
m
l
ooki
ngforRose.
Jane:She'
sout
sideser
vingt
hef
oodt
otheguest
s.
Kagi
so:oh.
.ohkt
hankyou.

Hewal kedoutandwithoutlooki
nganyfurtherhe
spottedhergi vi
ngf
oodhol dingahugetraywi t
h
Bonol opassingbyeveryonet opi
ckthei
rplates.He
waitedf ort
hem tof
ini
shwhenMxol i
siandBr eeze
walkedovert ohim.

Mxol
isi
:Whatar
eyoust
ari
ngat?
Breeze:(f
oll
owedhiseyes)Roseofcourse.She
myni eceandIloveherbutheroutofal
lpeopl
e?
She'sgonnakil
lyouthist
ime.
Mxol
isi
:It
houghtyou'
dpi
ckDi
tebogo.
Kagi
so:it r
iedsohar
dnott ol
oveherbutit
s
i
mpossi ble.Ican'
thel
pit.Evenifshedoesn'
twant
me-thel oveIhavesti
llwil
lgr
owmul ti
plymaki
ngit
easi
erforhert ofi
ndmor ewaystobreakmyheart.
Butsti
llIcantstayaway.From t
hebothofthem .
Br
eeze:Youmean-
you-ohk.
..
Mxol
isi
:Isaygof
ori
t.
Breeze:Butknowi t
sgonnahurtonewayoranot her
.
Talki
ngf r
om experi
encebutdontworr
y-I
'l
lbethere
forcanceli
ng.Ifyoulovet
hem andtheyagreeonit
thenfine-taket
hestepandhavethem asyours.

Theywalkedpasthi
m goi
ngint
othehouseandhe
st
oodtherewatchi
ngthem .
Meanwhi
leBonol
ofel
teyesont
hem andl ooked
ar
oundfi
ndi
ngKagisost
ari
ngatthem .Shewaved
athi
m andhewavedbackandtal
kedt
oRose
l
ooki
ngattheguest
snotwanti
ngtoal
arm hi
m.

Bonol
o:Hesst
ari
ng.
Rose:huh.
.
Bonol
o:He'
sdesper
atel
ywai
ti
ngf
oryoubyt
he
door.
Rose:Wearenotsur
eaboutthat.He'
sinl
ovewi
th
Di
tebogoandhe'
sthefat
herofhi
schil
dwhywoul
d
he?
Bonol
o:onewayt
ofi
ndout.Go.
..

Shesighedcalli
ngagirlwhopassedbytohelp
Bonol
oandwi pedherhandsonherdresswalki
ng
overt
ohi m .Shewontevergetusedt
of eel
ingso
weakeverytimeshe'
snearhim.

Rose:Al
it
tl
ebi
rdi
einf
ormedmet
hatyourst
ari
ng.
Kagi
so:Andt
hatbi
rdi
ehappenedt
obeBonol
o?
Rose:Notr
eal
lybutsomeonear
oundt
her
e.An
el
der.
Kagi
so:Wel
lthatel
derbet
ternotbet
heonet
hat
wavedatme.
Rose:
(l
aughs)whyar
eyoust
ari
ng?I
tsr
ude.
Kagiso:Canwepleasegoupstai
rst
oDit
ebogo'
s
room ?Ther
e'ssomethi
ngIneedtot
alkt
oyou
about.

Herheartpoundedast hethoughtofifwhethershe
tol
dhim aboutthepoisoni
ngorwhat.She
swall
owedast earsburnedhereyesandl ooked
backatBonolobeforewalkinginfol
lowinghim.
Heopenedthedoorforhertogetinandcl
osedthe
doorasDit
ebogogotupwi pi
nghereyesandlooked
athi
m .RoselookedatDit
ebogoandcouldn'
thelp
butgetdownonherkneesbr eaki
ngandhefr
owned
l
ookingather.

Rose:I
'
m sosor
ry.
..
Idi
dn'
tmeant
opl
easef
orgi
ve
me.(
Cryi
ng)pl
easeKagi
so.
.
Kagi
so:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Rose:(l
ooki
ngatDi
tebogo)Youdi
dn'
ttel
lhi
m?
Kagi
so:Tel
lmewhat?
Rose:Not
hing..
.
Kagiso:Cl
earl
yit
ssomethi
ngf
oryoutogetonyour
kneesli
kethi
sbreaki
ngdowni
nfr
ontofme.What
happened?
Dit
ebogo:Nothi
ng..
.wehadami sunder
standi
ng
herandIbutwesort
editouti
tsnothi
ngyoushoul
d
worryyour
sel
fabout.I
tscl
earedup.
Rose:
(st
oodup)Thankyou.
..
Kagi
so:CanIpl
easegetahi
nt?
Di
tebogo:Mi
sunder
standi
ng.
Kagiso:t
hatwasnotitbutohk.
.Ihopewhat
everi
tis
doesn'tr
epeati
tsel
f.Rosedoyouloveme?
Rose:i
sthatat
ri
ckquest
ion?
Kagi
so:No.
..
Rose:Uhm . ..I.
..
Ido. ..KagisoI'
vealwaysl oved
youeversi nceIl ayedmyeyesonyouonavi deo.
BeforeImetyoui nper son.Youknowt hat?Just
thatyou' vebeenavoi dingmeaf t
erthewhol e
mar r
iaget hingandt r
ustmeIgetwhyyouwant ed
nothingt odowi thmeunt i
lthen.I'
dal sor eactthe
sameorevenwor se.Il oveyou.IknowIhur tyou
andIt akei talli
nmej ustpleaseforgiveme.Andi f
youcal ledmeher etoconf essinfrontofhert hen
fi
neIwi ll.IloveyouandI t
'l
lalwaysbeyou.I 'dal
so
under st
andi fyouandDi t
ebogoar edat ingorabout
to.Iwi shyoual otofhappi ness.
Di
tebogo:Yousee-It
oldyou.
Rose:Tol
dhi
m what?
Kagi
so:il
oveyout
oo.
Rose:(
gapsed)What?
Kagiso:RoseIdon'tknowifyoureal
isedityetbutI
cantstayawayf r
om you.Yesyouhur tmebut
ever
ytimeIhearyournameorvoi ceIcantcontrol
myaf fect
ions.Il
ovedyoutooeversinceimetyou.
Bothofyou.Youbot hhavestayedinmymi ndeven
whenIhadal ottothinkabout.Myf eel
ingsf
orthe
bothofyouhavenodept h.Myloveforyouis
for
everexpandinginsideofmeandhasno
boundari
es.It
'scrazycauseIneverf el
tli
ket
his
especi
all
yfortwopeopl e.I'
mi nl
ovewi t
htheboth
ofyou.So...marryme.Bot hofyou.

Theyl
ookedateachotherforawhileashest
oodby
st
ari
ngandthentheysmiledlooki
ngathim.

Rose:(
smi
li
ng)Yess!Mul
ti
pleyeses!
Di
tebogo:(
smi
li
ng)Yesss!

Theybothr
anint
ohisarmshugginghi
mtightashe
breat
hedoutwi
thahugesmileonhisf
ace.Best
welcomehomeceremonyever.
Hekissedbothofthem befor
ehuggingthem when
thedoorsli
dopenandBonol owalkedin.Sheheld
herwaistandtheyalll
ookedather.
Bonol
o:Di
dImi
sssomet
hing?
Kagi
so:I
'
llcat
chyouguysl
ater.(
Lef
t)
Bonol
o:Whyi
shel
eavi
ngonmyaccount
?What
's
goi
ngon?
Di
tebogo:Heaskedt
omar
ryus!
Bonol
o:'
us'
youmeant
hebot
hofyou?
Rose:Yess!

Awhi
lel
aterar
ound19h00.

Theywalkedoutofthehousehe' l
lbeworkingin
andhesmi l
edhugginghisfatherandeveryoneelse
thathel
ped.Theyallwal
kedi nt
ot hehouseleavi
ng
theguestout
sideandAbigailwalkedovertohim
holdi
ngpapersandapeni nherhand.

Abigai
l:Souf i
gur
edsinceyouandIar eonthe
samelineorworkandareinter
estedinthesame
thi
ng-Ithoughtmaybeit
'l
lbebestifIgi
veyouthi
s
ot
hert
hansel
litwhenyouneedi
tthemost.
Kagi
so:(lookedatthepaper
s)t
heGal
ler
y!?Ar
e
youser
iousrightnow?
Abi
gai
l:Deadser
ious.

Hepulledheri
ntoatighthugnotknowinghowto
thankherandfi
nall
ybrokei tqui
ckl
ysi
gningt
he
papersandgaveitt
oMxol isi.

Mxoli
si:Well.
..
it
sfi
nal.Youl
egal
lyownaGal
ler
y.
Congr
at ul
ati
ons!
Al
l:Congr
atul
ati
ons!

*
*
*
*
*
5mont
hsl
ater.

Everyonesatontheirchair
swear ingwhit
east he
familysatonthefr
ontseatsadmi r
ingt
hislovel
y
union.Softmusicplayedint hebackgr
oundasa
photgraphert
ookmul ti
plepictur
esatthethreeof
them hidi
nghands.
Tosomei twasf
ort
hefi
rstt
imebei
ngata
pol
ygamyweddingandt
heyweregl
adtofi
ndout
howitgoes.
Theywer esobeaut
ifuli
nt heirmermaidwedding
dressesthatr
eveal
edalltheirbeautyoutf
or
everyonetosee.Kagisosteppedbackabi tasthey
bothheldhandssmili
nglooki ngatoneanother.

Ditebogo:Rosell
aLyon. .t
odayItakeyouasmy
si
st erwif
e.Myl over,sist
erandbestfri
end.I
promi set
oloveandtohol d.Toalwaysbet heref
or
you.Ihavel ovedyousincewewer eli
tt
legirl
sand
nowivowt ogrowoldandgr eywit
hyou.Il oveyou
somuchyouhavenocl ue.We'vebeenthrougha
l
otandmanagedt obr eakthroughIprayandknow
wecanalwaysfighttogetherasone.GodI '
venever
fel
tsohappyli
keIam t oday(tear
y)Ivowtolove
youalwaysandforever.Throughsicknessandin
healt
h.
Rose:
(t
ear
y)oh.
.i
m get
ti
ngal
lweepy.
.

Everyonel
aughedandsheshyl yl
ookeddown
smili
ngandDitebogocaref
ull
ywipedtheteart
hat
escapedhereyenoruini
nghermakeup.

Rose:Di tebogo...mysi ster.Mybel ovedgirl

fri
end.
Yournotj ustthel oveofmyl i
febutyourmyl i
fe
i
tself
.You' vebeent hereformet hroughmyhar d
ti
mesgi vingmeyourshoul dertocr yon.You've
beenasi stertomewhenIneededone.You' ve
alwaysconsi deredmyf eeli
ngsandcar edforme
eventhoughIt urnedoutt obeapai ninthebehind.
Yourthebestt hingt hateveryonewi shesforint hi
s
thi
swor ldandIconsi dermysel fluckytobetheone
thatgotyou.Todayaswest andinfrontofeveryone
andt helord-Ivowtol
oveyou,t
obetheref
oryou
ti
lldeathdousapart.Thr
oughsi
cknessandin
health.Iloveyousomuch.

Theyl
etgoandhuggedeachot herasthecr
owd
cl
appedthei
rhands.Kagisolookedatt
hem f
eeli
ng
hi
stear
sandl ookedupmakingthem goawaythen
st
eppedoverholdingt
hei
rhands.
Bonolowal
kedoverwi
thherel
egantdr
essandgave
thepast
ort
heri
ngs.

Past er:Canweal lbowourheadsandbl essthis

threeyoungsoul srings.( Praying)Fat herwecome
befor eyouwi t
hyourchildren.Hel pthem uniteand
givet hem str
engt
handcour aget ofightwhat ever
facingt hei
rway.Wi ththisri
ngshel pt hem tolove
andl ettheirl
ovegrowhi ghert hanthemount ai
ns,
deepert hantheocean.Mayt heirmarriagebef i
ll
ed
withj oyandpassion.Fort hi
rlovet ostrengthenin
ti
meandt ogrowwi t
hage.Al waysbet hereto
guidet hem andprotectthem .Amen.
Ever
yone:Amen.

Theyallopenedthei
reyesandgavethem t
heri
ngs.
HeheldDitebogo'
shandandRose'slooki
ngatt
he
bothofthem seei
nghowf l
oodedthei
reyeswer
e

Kagi so:Wi t
ht hisringsmyt wol ovel
ies-Ivowt o
l
oveyou.Toal waysbet heonetohol dyouand
makeyousmi lef ortherestofyourlives.Youbot h
meanever ythingt omeandIcantst andanot herday
i
nt hiswor l
dwi thoutyouguysbymysi de.Wi t
hyou
twobymeIknowheaveni scloseandyougi veme
strengthtoal waysf ight.Wehavebeent hrough
bitt
erf i
ghtsanddi sagreementsbutt hebestthingis
we' vestoodst rongagai nstanyofthem .Icoul d
notaskt oGodf orabet t
ergif
tthanwhatyouar eto
me.Ivowt ohol dbot hy'al
l'
shandsandneverl etgo
.Tobet hebesthusbandIcanbeandt hebest
fathertoourki ds.Tomakesur ethateveryti
meyou
closeyoureyesyouopent hem topar adi
se.To
alwaysandf oreverl oveyou.Ti l
ldeathdousapar t.
Hesl i
dthefirstringonDi tebogo'
sfi
ngerandthen
theotheratRoseast heycouldn'
tholdi
nanymor e
andcr i
ed.Sagiwal kedoverwi t
hBonoloandthey
helpedgentlywi petheirtearsasheheldthei
rhands
gentlysqueezingt hem untilt
heycalmeddownas
everyonesmi ledatt hem .

Dit
ebogo:( heavi l
ybr eathed)from themomentI
metyouatt hel ibrary-Icouldn'tgetawayf rom you.
Theyt r
iedbyal lmeanst okeepusapar tsinceyou
hadbeent hroughal otandIwaswi ll
ingtoshareit
withyou.Kagi soMokwenaIl oveyou.Yourmy
heartandmysoul.Il oveyoumor et hanlif
eitsel
f,
mor ethanme.I 'm sot hankfulofGodf orgivi
ngyou
tome.If eelsobl essedt ohaveyouasmyl over.
I'
mi nlovewi thever ythingthatmakesyouwhoyou
areandnotf orasecondwi lliwishf oranythi
ng
better.I'
l
lalwaysl oveyou-t i
lldeathdousapar t
.
Rose:(
crying)Kagi
soyouandihavethemost
ext
remehistoryt
ogether
.Wegotseparat
edand
stil
lli
kemagnetf oundourwaybackt oeachot her.
You'vebeent heonet hatwasal wayst hereforme
throughdar knessandpul ledmeoutofi t.Theone
tohel pmegetmyeyesi ghtback.Myguar dianand
ti
lltothi sdaywher eyouof f
icial l
ybecomemi ne.
I'
mi nl ovewi thyouandhat et hef actt hatIloveyou
mor et hanmysel f
.Beingwi thyoudr ivesmecr azy
ri
ghtnowandnotbei ngwi thyoudr i
vesmecr azy.
Myl ivef oryougr owsinseconds.Ever ytimeI
spendwi t
hyoumeansal ott ome.Youmust
biggestj oy.Myl i
feandmyuni verse.Mybi ggest
sorrowi snotbei ngwi t
hyoucour sewi thoutyoual lI
seei sdar kness.Yourmyni ghtandshi nningar mor
andf ort hatIdonteverwannal oseyou.Yourt he
mosti dealmanIcoul deverwi sht obewi thcause
youunder standandgetmeunl i
kenobodyel se's.
You'vebeenmydr eam andupunt i
ltodayyoust i
ll
are.Yourt heoneIcaneasi lyopenupt o.If ind
comf or tinyouandIdonteverwantt ol oset hat.I
l
oveyouKagi soMokwenaandIpr omi set obet he
wifeyouwi shmet obe.Tobr ingj oyandhappi ness
i
nourhome.Ti lldeat
hdousapar t.
Theyheldhandssli
dingtheringonhi sfi
ngerasfew
womanwi pedthei
rtearslookingatthem assome
tookpi
ctur
esandvideos.At earsescapedhiseye
andRosesmi l
edwipingitquicklyandhelaughed.

Pastor:It
hinkI'
m gonnacry(
crowdlaughed)but
anyway..Witht
hepowerinmeandoft heonef r
om
aboveInowpr onounceyouhusbandandwife'
s.
Youmayki ssyourbri
des.

Hesmi ledpull
ingthem bothbytheirwaist
sasthey
gi
ggledandki ssedDitebogofi
rstthenRose.
Everyoneclappedtheirhandsstandingasthey
walkedbyont heaisle.

Br
eeze:youbet
tert
reateachot
herwi
thr
espect
ki
ds!

Theyl
aughedwal
kingpastt
hem goi
ngt
otake
pict
ureswit
heveryonefol
lowi
ngt
hem forachance
totakeonephot
owi tht
henewlywedcouple.

Lateraf terthecr owdhasl eftatBr eezeshouse. -

theyal lsatbehi ndt hehouseont helawnwhi l
ethe
elder swher ei nsideandputont heoldvi deos
wat chingt hem ont hewhi tesheetoverdr i
nksand
strawber riesbutbef oreJamesst ooduphol ding
Odi r
ile'
sphoneandwentt hrought henot esand
sighedl ooki ngatt hem .Abi gai
lwasl ayingon
Mxol isi'
st highswhi l
ecar essingherbump.The
newl ywedcoupl ewasl ayingont hei
rt ummi eswith
strawber riesandchocol atebef orethem .Br eeze
wasl ayi
ngonSagi sl apswhi l
eJanewassi tti
ngon
acampchai rwi t
hj ui
cei nherhand.Theonl y
personmi ssingwasVer onicawhowaswi ththe
elder sinthehouseandBonol owassi tt
ingbywi t
h
herl egsf oldedwi t
hasandwi chi nherhand.

James:""Sobynowasyouallarereadi
ngt
his-
hopef
ull
yayearhaspassedwi
thoutme.Andeven
soIhopeyourhol di
ngeachotherasone.Iwant
youtoknowt hatwhatIdid-Ididi toutofl
oveand
careforyouall.KnowingKagisowi ththel
it
tl
eti
me
Ispent-surel
yyourblamingyour selff
ormy
sacri
fi
ce.Dontbe.Idi edwit
hl oveinmyhear t.
ToBr eeze-mybr otherandmyf ri
end.You' ve
alwaysbeent hereformeman.Iknowt hatmy
funeralmustbedevast ati
ngt oyoubutIneedyout o
fi
ndawayt omoveonpastme.Dontl etmydeat h
holdyouback.Youoncet oldmet hatyout hink
yourbr oken,tellyouwhat-i nmyeyesyoul ooked
nothinglikebroken.Yourt hestrongestper sonI '
ve
evermett obreakatt heti
mel ikethisandwi ththatI
knowyouwi llfi
ndasol ut
ionforwar dandal ways
will.
Tomyl i
ttl
eannoyingmouse, Iloveyougir
l.Sorr
y
thatIdidnotgetachancet ocomesaygoodbye.I
knowt hismustbehur ti
ngyoumor ethanIcaneven
i
magi ne,I'm sor
ry.ButIknowt hatyourgr
own
nowandcapabl eofmaki ngthedecisi
onsofyour
ownandIhopeyoumaket her i
ghtones.Surel
yby
nowyoural awyerifnotchasingpeopleoutwit
hmy
gun.EitherwayIneedyout oli
veonesist
erand
haveafamilyofyourown.Findamanwho' l
llove
youandtheoneyoul ove.Youhavemybl essi
ngs.
Andpleasetryt
oresistapret
tyface.Makeme
proudsi
ster
Tomysmucl es.
.babyIknowyougotahotheadas
ahusband.Butevensoiknowhel ovesyouand
neverwil
lstoplovi
ngyou.IcantGodenoughfor
gi
vingmet hechancetomeetyou.Forour
fr
iendshi
pandIhopei tl
ivesonwit
hint
hebothof
useveninmydeat h.
Tomybaby-I'm sorr
ylove.Ishouldhavecall
edat
l
eastbutIdonthaveenoughtime.Ihopeoneday
you'
dfindi
tinyourhearttof
orgiveme.Ihaveno
enoughwordswi t
hmyhandsshaki ngbutplease
honormywishofyoul i
vingyourli
fetotheful
lest
.
Dontal
lowyourselft
ostoplovi
ng.Il oveyouNolo.

TotherestIdi
dn'
tment
ion.Il
oveyouall
.Please
tr
ytoli
veonyourli
veswit
hendlessl
ovei
nyour
hear
tsanddolessfi
ght
ing.Iwi
shyoualltol
ivea
happyl
if
etoge-"(
themassagecutt
her
e)Toget
her
..
.

Theyal
lwipedtheirtear
sasJameshel dthephone
i
nhishandandwal kedovergi
vingi
ttoDitebogo.
Theyspentmoment si
nsil
encewhenDi t
ebogo
st
oodupr ai
singherglassofjui
ce.

Dit
ebogo:youheardhi
m .Themansai di
tandas
weallknow"lent
swel
amof ual
et shel
we"solet
's
honorourfal
lenmembersl
astwishanddoassuch.
ToOdiri
le!
Al
l:ToOdi
ri
le!

Theallr
aisedtheyglassesandDi tebogowentt osi
t
downnextt ot
hem thenKagi sowr appedhisarm
aroundherwaistwhenal lofasuddenheyawned
outl
oud.Allofthem theirheart
sskippedandhegot
upgetti
nginhiskneeshol dinghisthighsasthey
l
ookedathim .Hefinallystoppedbr eat
hingoutl
oud
andr
aisedhi
sheadl
ooki
ngatt
hem .

Rose:Ar
eyouohk?
Kagi
so:Hesayshe'
satpeace.(Smi
li
ng)Andhe'
l
l
al
wayslookoutf
ort
herestofus.

Di
tebogoj
umpedi
nhi
sar
msandt
heyf
ellasshe
cr
ied.

Kagi
so:I
tsohk.
..hel
ovesyouandal
wayswi
ll.

Theygotupandhekissedherbef
orelayi
ngbackas
everyonesmil
edr
eli
vedlooki
ngathi
svideoswit
h
them playont
hewhit
esheet.

THEEND

.
.
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