WI

THPAI
NCOMESLOVE
.
.
01–6y
ear
s’back
ItwasNov ember15andIhadj ustgot t
enoutof
theexam room andmetupwi t
hmyt wobest
fri
endstal
kingaboutmyepi cpar tythatwas
goingtobehel datourhouse.Myf r
iendsAni ta
Ngubeni,Naledi MaqomaandIl iveinNaledi’s
homei nLaLuci a,sheinherit
edt hehousef rom
herlat
efather ;she’stherichesti nthesquad
andshewasdet erminedongi vingmet hebest
partyt
hatev erexi st
edint hewhol eofDur ban…
orsoshesay s.I’m noangel ,Ipar t
y,Idri
nk,I
smokeweedbutIam howev erasmar t
ypant s.
Anitai
stheangel i
nthegr oup, doesn’tdrinkor
smokebutshedoesgot opar t
ieswi thusaf ter
alotofbeggi ngofcauseandt hent here’sLedi;
Isther
eany t
hi ngshedoesn’ tdoorhasnot
done?She’shadherf ai
rshar eofoneni ght
stands, blesser s,dri
nks, smokesci gar ett
esand
weed, she’ sthatf ri
endmymom doesn’ tlike
muchbutt oler at
esherbecauseIl ov eherand
sheandIhav ebeenf riendssi ncewewer e5.
WemetAni t
awhenwewer e10, shemov edi nto
ournei ghbour hoodandshehadnof riendsso
Ledi andIbef riendedherandnowwear et he
threemusket eers.Iont heot herhandcannotbe
consi der edr i
chorpoor ,
mymom wor kshar dt o
givemet hel ifeIdeser ve.Mymot heri sa
Doct orandwegetal ongi nanor mal mot her
daught erway .Myf ri
endsandIst udyatDUT
cit
ycampus.Ist udyphot ographyandar ts, Ledi
i
sanact ressandAni taisdoi ngdanceasher
maj or;shei st hebestdancert herei s.Sheand
Ledi shar ecl assesev erynowandt hen.Wegot
toLedi ’scaranddr ov eof ft
oGat ewayt ost ock
upsomeboozewi t
ht hehelpofAni ta’s
boy fr
iendBonkewhom wewer emeet ingat
Gat eway .Wemetupwi t
hBonkeatt hepar king
l
otunder ground.Hi m andhi sgirl
friendshar eda
momentbef
orehi
m gr
eet
inguspr
oper
.
Hi
m:howar
eyouguy
s.Happybi
rt
hdayYay
a
Me:
thanks.Ot
her
wisewegoodandy
our
sel
f?
Him:al
sogood.Soi
sitonl
yboozey
ouguy
s
needor
?
Me:
we’
vegott
heweed
Ledi
:andecst
asy
Me:
Ledi
real
l
y?It
houghtIsai
dnoecst
asy
Ledi
:yeahwell
Iit
’sal
readybeenboughtandi
ts
comingtoni
ght
Me:
whatam Igoi
ngt
odowi
thy
ou?
!
shejustsmiled.Thelastti
meItookecstasyI
l
andedupi nhospitalfor3wholedaysandI
vowednev ertotakeitagai
n.Wellofcause
mom f oundoutandshewasn’ thappyabouti
t
atal
l butwegotov eritt
hankgod.
Hi
m:y
ouar
eonenaught
ygi
rlNal
edi
Her
:soI
’
vebeent
old
Ani:
canwejustgetwhatweher
eforguy
sI’
ve
gotmaj
orcr
amps
Me:
doest
hatmeany
ou’
l
lbesl
eepi
ngi
ntoni
ght
?
Hi
m:nobabey
oucan’
t
Ledi
:shewoul
dn’
tdar
edousl
i
ket
hat
Ani
:rel
axwoul
dyou.Al
lIneedi
say
oungnap
andthenI
’
m good
Hi
m:t
hat
’smygi
rl
Heki ssedt hesideofherheadandt henwe
walkedi nside.Thet wol ovebirdswer ewalki
ng
behinduswhi leLedi andIwer ewal kinghandi n
handl ookingl i
kethehot testlesbi
ans.Ledi i
s
yourt ypi
cal beautif
ul y
ellowbonewi th
expensi veweav e,bigass, ski
nnywai stand
beaut i
fulfashionsense.Iam notski nnyand
alsonotf at,I’
m asi ze30basi call
ywi thcurves,
myf riendssayI ’m anhourgl ass,I’
m notdar k
andI ’
m alsonotl ight,Ialsowearweav esbut
notonar egularbasi s,Ihavenatural longhair
andt henAni tai sy ourKel lyRowl and, dark
beaut y,beaut iful f
lawl essski n,shehascur ves
forday sandhasl egsf orday s.Ledi andIwer e
wear i
ngbl uej eanbum shor ts,longl ength
ri
ppeddeni mj acket , whitevest sandwhi t
e
superst arswhi l
eNi tawaswear ingbl ackj
eans,
whitev estandadeni mj acketwi thawhi t
e
superst ar.Ni t
adoesn’ twearshor tthings,she
prett
ymuchhat est hem.Weboughtenough
alcohol fort hewhol ey earandal otofmeatt oo
andt henwedr ov ehome.Af ewmi nut esl
ater
Bonke’ sf ri
endsr ockedupandNi tawentt otake
hernapupst airswhi lewepr epar edf orthepar t
y
andev erythingel se.Wewer en’ tmaki ngabr aai
attheendoft heday ,itwasapar tywi t
hbooze
andmeatanddr ugs.Whenwewer edonef i
xing
thehouseup, Ledi wentt olockt heot herrooms
thatwer en’tgoi ngt obeusedandwewentt o
getdr essedi nmyr oom, i
twasal readypast6
andpeopl ewer ear r i
ving.
Ledi
:wel
ookhot
!
Me:
don’
tweal
way
s?!
Her
:let
’st
akepi
ctur
es
Me:
Ithoughty
ou’
dnev
erask
Wewentt ostandbyt hemi rrorandst ar t
ed
takinglot sandlotsofpi ctures,shet ook
picturesofmeandIt ooksomeofherand
dozensofsel fi
es.Lediwaswear ingal oose
vest, bl
uej eanbum shor ts,andawhi teal l
-st
ar.I
waswear i
ngashor tblackj umpsui twi thlacey
edges, ithadlongsleev esandmyhai rwast ied
i
nal oosebunandIwaswear i
ngawhi te
platform heelswithblackdet ail
.Aswewer e
walki ngoutwebumpedi ntoNi t
awear ingacut e
shor twhi t
edress,wellitwassl i
ghtlyabov ethe
kneewhi chisquiteani mpr ov ementf rom herof
allpeopl e,sheti
edherhai rupneat l
yandwor ea
nav ywedge.
Me:
wellsomebodyi
sdef
ini
tel
yget
ti
ngl
aid
t
oni
ght
!
Ledi
:yeahshei
s.Youl
ookhot
!I’
m gl
ady
ou
f
inal
l
ysawt
hel
i
ght
Ni
ta:
scr
ewy
ouguy
s!
Me:sheswearstoo?Whoareyouandwhat
hav
ey oudonetoourfr
iend?
Shel
aughed.
Her
:youguy
sar
esoannoy
ing!
Me:
buty
oul
oveusst
il
l.Howar
ethecr
amps?
Her
:bet
teract
ual
l
y.Thepi
l
lswor
ked
Ledi
:tol
dyout
heywoul
d.Comel
et’
stake
pi
ctur
es
Ni
ta:
real
l
yguy
s
Me:
it’
smybi
rt
hday
Ipout
ed
Ni
ta:
itst
omor
rowdummy
Me:
sti
l
l.I
t’
smypar
ty
Ni
ta:
fine.Let
’st
aket
hem t
hen
Wegoti
nsi
demyr
oom andt
ookmor
epi
ctur
es.
Wewer eslayingonanot herl ev er.Whenwe
wer edonewewal kedoutandIl ockedandgav e
thekeyt oAni ta, Iknowt hatshe’ st heonl yone
thatwasn’ tgoingt ogetsl oshed.Whenwegot
downst air
sNi tawentt oherboy fri
endandmy
twinnieandIwentt ogetour sel vessomebooze,
themusi cwaspumpi ngandpeopl ewer e
danci ngandenj oy ingt hemsel ves.Ev er ytime
wepassedsomeonet heywoul dwi shmea
happybi rt
hdayorcompl imentmeont he
awesomepar ty.Mostpeopl et hatwer ethere
wer epeopl ewegot oschool wi thandsome
randomsIdi dnotknow.Igotmy selfabot tl
eof
hunter ’sgoldandwentoutt ot hepool area
l
eav ingLedi mi ngl ingwi tht hisot herguy .Iwent
tothest onersofcause.Mycl assmat eswhom I
smokewi thwer eal lchi l
lingt oget herwi thsome
gir
l I
’veonl yev erseenoncampus, thechi ck
wasf l
amesandt heseot hert woguy swhower e
i
nt hei rthi
rdy ear !Igr eetedev ery oneandsaton
thi
sot herguySi hl e’sl ap.
Hi
m:ofal
lthesepeopl
eyouchooseme
Me:
youknowIl
ovey
out
hemost
Ikissedhischeek.YouseeSi hleisthatfr
iend
that’
sdeepi nsi
det hefri
endzoneandnev er
comi ngout.He’sthatguypeopl eeventhi
nki s
gaybecauseofhowgoodhel ooks.Wemetat
thebeginningofthey earandwe’ v
ebeent ight
eversince,nottosayhe’ snevertr
iedhisl
uck
butheknowswe’ l
l nevergetanywhere.
At
hi:
yout
woshoul
djustdat
eal
ready
Chi
ck:
theynotani
tem?
Si
ya:
nope.He’
sdeepi
nthef
ri
endzone
Me:
I’
m sor
rywehav
en’
tmet
Isai
dtot
hegi
rl
Her
:Asemahl
eBess
Me:
asi
nAmahl
eandDamonBess’
sdaught
er?
Her
:yes.
Me:
nice.I
’
m Yandi
swaGxaba
Shenodded
Her
:Iknow.
Si
ya:
howcomey
ounev
ersai
dthatt
omewhen
wemet
Me:becauseyourpar
ent
smaybethei
shbut
Asemahle’
srunthi
sworl
ddude.
Tom:
mahnshegoty
ou!
Si
ya:
youcl
ear
lydon’
tknowwhoIam
Me:youareSi
yabongaNkohl
a,sonofSi
yanda
andZuki
saNkohla.NephewofSi
busi
soNdaba
andSageNdaba.Comeondudedon’ttr
ip
Her
:howdoy
ouguy
sknoweachot
her
?
Me:
hewasthef
ir
stguywhoev
ermackedon
meatDUT
Tom:
youmackedonher
?
Si
ya:
li
es!
At
hi:
it’
str
ue.Hej
ustcoul
dn’
thel
phi
msel
f
Her:
yourmom wouldbesodisappoi
nted.So
youtwonev
erdidanyt
hing?
Si
ya:
Igoti
ntoherpant
s
Me:
hemeanshe’
sst
il
ltr
yingt
o
Her
:what
’st
hedeal
?
Si
hle:wel
lmyfri
endoverher
ehasarule.She
doesn’
tdoguysfr
om hercampusbecauseit
wil
lcauseawkwardv
ibes
Her
:whyar
eyoul
i
kemyt
win?Hehast
hesame
r
ule
Si
ya:
yourtwi
n’
srul
esarescr
ewedupthou!
Wher
ewill
hemeetgir
lsi
fnotoncampus?
Her
:cl
ubsandot
herf
unct
ionsout
sideHowar
d
Tom:
heandYandi
needt
omeet
Tom,Si
hleandIwereinthesameclassand
thenAt
hiandSiyawereourseni
orsdoingthe
samecoursebutbecausewestoner
swe
becamefri
ends.Weallmetthi
syearbutyou
wouldswearI’veknownt hem forav erylong
ti
me.Tom sitsinfrontofSihleandIincl ass
andhejusthappenedt olikemeandmyar tand
Sihl
e,wemetonourf ir
stdayofschool during
breakti
me;hewassi t
ti
ngal oneandIf eltpity
forhi
m andsoIwentt otalktohim andwe’ ve
beenfri
endssince.ImetAt hiandSiy aonmy
fi
rstdayofschoolafterschoolwhenIwas
waiti
ngforthegir
lsbyt hegate.
At
hi:
thatboywi
lldi
eyoung.Sur
elyMamaBess
i
snothappywit
hhisli
fest
yle
Me:okokokenoughaboutyourbrot
her
.I’
mthe
bi
rt
hdaygi
rlher
e,y
a’l
lshoul
dbet al
ki
ngabout
me
Theyall l
aughedatme.Honest lyIwasj ustsi
ck
ofhearingaboutthisBessbrotherIknow
nothingabout.Wellact
uall
yit’
snott hatIdon’t
knowt heguybutt her
e’sl
it
eral
lynot hi
ngabout
him onsocialmediaandI’v
enev erseenthe
guy’spictur
esever.ImeantheBessesar ein
thespotli
ghtbutt
hei
rkidsaren’
t,Ihav
e
Asemahl eonmyFacebookbutIdi dn’
tthi
nk
thatshewasDamon’ sdaughterandit
’smyfir
st
ti
meseei ngherupclosesoyouunderstand
whyi twasashockmeet i
ngher.ImeanMi ss
Besswasatmypar t
y!
Sihl
e:t
hat
’st
heYandi
Iknow.At
tent
ionseeker
forday
s
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
comel
et’
sgodance.I
’
m hi
ghnow
At
hi:
sincewhenar
eyoual
i
ghtwei
ght
?
Me:sinceI
’
m dr
inki
ngandI
’
m onmyt
hir
dbot
tl
e
al
ready
Ipul
l
edSi
hle
Hi
m:nahgowi
thoutmemat
e
Her
:I’
l
lgowi
thy
ou
Me:
yougetawesomebyt
hemi
nut
e
Wewentt
othedancef
loorandwest
art
ed
dancing,shewasagooddancershocki ng
enough.Wewer et
hosegir
lsonthedancefl
oor
,
peoplehadt heirey
esonus.IthinksheandI
wil
l begoodf r
iendsift
hiswashowshewas
outsidecampus.Whenwewer et i
redwewent
tothebart odosomeshor ts.I
twasmy18t h
bir
thdaymeani ngIwasal l
owed.
“
Mel
odyIt
hinkt
hat
’senough”
Itur
nedt olookatt hepersontalkingandgood
Godhewasf lames.Hehadsuperdar khai r
,
smalleyesormydr unkey eswer edeceivingme
butthi
sguywasf lames.Hewaswear inga
l
eatherjacket,whi
tet -
shi
rt,bl
ackj oggersand
whitesneakers.Icouldn’
tseehim pr oper l
y
becausehewasst andingont heot hersideof
Asemahl eandhehadshadeson.Whot hehell
putsshadesoni nsideahouseatni ght?
Her
:Der
ri
ckI
’
m ol
denough
Hi
m: t
henstopbehavingl
ikeyounot
.Thi
s
massi
vedri
nkingneedstostop
Her
:I’
m sorr
ymybr ot
heri
sthi
srude.Yandi
swa
meetDerr
ickBess
Me:
hi
Iwav edmyhand.Hedidn’
trespond,
hej
ust
focusedonhi
ssisterwhowassuperdunk
Hi
m:l
et’
sgohome
Her
:wedi
dn’
tcomeher
etoget
herMel
o
Him:ei
thery
ougetupatfreewi
ll
orIpi
ckyouup
andputyouonmyshoulderandwal
koutwit
h
you
Me:
canIsaysomet
hing?
Icouldfeel
hisey
espier
ceonmyski nbehi
nd
thoseshadeshewaswearing.Ther
ewas
somet hi
ngint
imi
dat
ingabouthim.
Hi
m:t
alk
Me:Icantakey
oursi
sterupi
ntomyr
oom unt
il
shesober
sup
Her
:yes.Yandi
swawi
l
llookaf
terme
Hi
m:she’
sasdr
unkasy
ou
Her:y
es,
butt
hisi
sthei
rpl
acesoI
’
m saf
e.Ri
ght
Yandi
?
Inodded.Hel
ookedatmef
orawhi
l
e
Hi
m:i
fanyt
hinghappenst
oherIwon’
thesi
tat
e
t
ohur
tyou!
Inoddedcreepedout
.Whatwast hi
sguy’
sdeal
anyway?Iwassuddenlysoberandnothi
gh
anymore.
Me:
let
’sgochi
l
lout
side,
itshoti
nher
e
Her
:I’
m sor
ryonbehal
fofmybr
other
.Hecan
beanassatti
mes
Me:
it’
snobi
gdeal
Her
:don’
tlethi
mint
imi
dat
eyou.He’
sasof
ti
e
-
yeahr
ightasi
fIbuyt
hatshi
i
it-
Me:
sur
ehei
s.Let
’sj
ustgo
Wewal
kedoutt
otheguy
swewer
ewi
thbef
ore.
Si
hle:
buddyor
gani
seussomemeat
Me:
ther
e’st
hebr
aai
overt
her
emat
e
Ase:guesswhoj
ustmett
heMi
ght
yDer
ri
ck
Bess
At
hi:
noway
?You?
Hepoi
ntedatme.
Si
ya:
and?
Me:
he’
ster
ri
fyi
ng!
Theyal
ll
aughedatme
Si
ya:
that
’scausey
oudr
unkandhi
gh
Me:
Ithi
nkI
’
m sobernow
Theyall crackedupinlaughter
.Truststoner
sto
l
aughatev er
ythi
ng.Wespokef orawhi l
ebefor
e
meget tingupt ogogett hem t
hismeatt hey
askedf or.Igot2f ul
lpl
atesandtookthem to
wher ewewer eseatedandweal ldugin,mahn
themeatwaswel ldoneandittastedgoodtoo.
Afterchill
ingwi t
hmyni ggasIwenttofindmy
besti
eandIfoundhermakingoutwithsome
random guyf
rom school
,tr
ustLedi
tomakethe
mostofaparty.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
19]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
2-
Mel
o
Seeingt hatIwasn’ twi nningwit
hmysi sterwho
dri
nkst othepointofnor eturn,
Idecidedt ostay
atthispar ty.I
twasn’ tmyscenebutIwas
enjoyingmy sel
f.Theseki dssureknewhowt o
throwapar ty.Mysi sterwaschi l
lingwithSiya,
Athi,Yandiswaandagr oupofot herguysIdid
notknow, theyhadocur pipeinthemi ddleand
theyal sohaddr inks.Yandi swawasbeaut i
fulno
doubt ,ther ewasj ustsomet hingabouthert hat
madey ouwantt oknowherbutt her ewasal so
somet hingchi l
dishaboutherandIdon’ tdoki ds.
Iam Mel okuhleDer r
ickBess, sonofAmahl e
Ngesi BessandDamonBess.Iam t urning20
thisDecemberandl etmet akey out hrought he
l
ifeoft hegr eatAmahl eandDamonBess’ sson.
It
’snotaspr ettyasitl ooksy ouknowbutwe
deal any way .Iam al awst udentatUKZN
Howar d, thesamepl acewher emyf ather
studiedhi slawandobt ainedhi sdegr ee.Ididn’t
studyl awbecauseIwant edt obutbei ngt he
onlyboyamongstgi rls,Ihadnochoi cebecause
whoel sei sgoingt or unBESSwhenmyf ather
dies?Thesur nameBesscomeswi thdozensof
bur denssucht hatonmyI nstagram Iam
Mel okuhl eNgesi t
oav oidanymedi a
i
nt eractions.Mysi st
erwasnotal way saheav y
drinker ;shebecamet hisper sonaf terwel ost
ourgr andmot herBomi toat ragicdeat h.She
andgr andpaDani eldiedi nacarcr ashont heir
wayt oMt hathaaf terIyana’sbir
thdaydinner ,
theydiedont hespotandt hingshav en’
tbeen
thesamef ormemysi blingseversince.Mom
didn’
ttakei twel l
butt henwhocoul dbl ameher ?
Shelockedher selfupunt ilt
hefuneral.Itwas
verybadwi tnessinghergot hrought hat.The
restofmyl ifey ouwi l
lhearast i
megoesby .I
wentinsidet ochi l
lbyt hebarandmi nuteslater
Iwasj oi
nedbyanol df ri
end,Bonke.
Hi
m:heybuddy
Me:
heywhat
’sup?
Hi
m: Ishoul
dbeaski
ngyout
hat
.Yout
heone
wear
ingshadesi
ndoors
Me:
thesonofDamonBessneedst
okeepa
l
owprof
il
eatal
lti
mes
Hi
m:yourl
owpr of
il
ewil
lbet
her
easony
oudi
e
si
ngl
eandaloneasshol
e
Me:
hahahahow’
stheMr
s?
Hi
m:she’
sgr
eatact
ual
l
y.Annoy
ingatt
imesbut
great
.Whenisthemight
yMel
oget
ti
ngi
ntoa
seri
ousr
elat
ionshi
p?
Me:nowIknowyoudrunkwheny
oust
art
aski
ngmeshii
tli
ket
hat
Hechuckl
ed.
Hi
m:whati
sitwi
thy
ouandr
elat
ionshi
ps?
Me:l
ookattheli
feyoul
i
vingandtel
lmethat
your
eal
lyhappywit
hthewaythi
ngsare
BonkeandAnitahavebeentogetherforayear
nowandhehasnotoncehi tit
,IsayAnitahas
i
ssuesbutmyf ri
endher
eloveshert hewayshe
i
sandf unnyenough;
hehasnev ernotonce
cheat
edonher .
Hi
m:I
’
m happy
.I’
m wi
tht
hegi
rlofmydr
eams
Me:
andsex?
Hi
m:sexi
snott
hati
mpor
tanti
nar
elat
ionshi
p
Me:youonl
ysayi
ngthatbecausey
ounot
get
ti
ngany.Anywaythi
ngsareworki
ngf
ory
ou
t
hewaytheyar
ebuddy
,lett
hem wor
kformeas
t
heyar
e
Hi
m:Ir
estmycase.
Il
aughedathi m asher aisedhishandsupasa
si
gnofdef eat.Thisguywasr ar
et ofind;Ihope
Anit
aknewhowl uckyshewast ohav ehim.
BonkeandImetatacl ublastyearandwe’ ve
beenfri
endssi nce.Ili
ket okeepmyci r
clesmal l
meaningt hatIhav eaf ewf r
iendsandIdon’ tdo
soci
alnetwor ks, wellIhav eInstagram andmy
accountispr i
v at
e.Hav i
ngseenwhat ,
themedi a
hasputmypar entsthrough, Idecidedt oli
mi t
mycont actwi ththewor l
d.Myonl yrealfr
iends
arethepeopl eIgr ewupwi th;SiyabongaNkohl a,
LucasBess( mycousi nandpar tnerincr i
me)
andmysi bl i
ngsandot hercousi ns.Whi l
ewe
weredrinkingandt al
kingAni tacamet ous, well
herboyfri
end.
Her
:heybaby
Sheki
ssedhi
m onhi
scheek.Andt
henwav
ed
herhandatmeandIwav
edmi
neback
Hi
m:Melothi
sismygi
rl
fr
iendAni
ta;
Nit
athi
sis
Mel
okuhl
e
Her
:ni
cet
ofi
nal
l
ymeety
ouMel
okuhl
e
Shesai
dpul
l
ingherhandoutandIshooki
t
Me:
cal
lmeMel
o.Ev
ery
onedoes
Shesmi l
ed.Ani t
awasadar kbeauty,fl
awl ess
skinandal l.Shewasast rai
ghtup10andIdi d
notev enneedal coholi
nmysy stem tonot ice
that.Theylookedhappy ,f
orasplitsecondI
actuallywant edwhattheyhadtogetherbut
thenagai nitdisappear
edwheni ir
emi nded
my selfofthet hi
ngshewasn’tgetti
ngi nthe
rel
ationship.
Hi
m:what
’supbabe?
Her:Icametot
ell
youthatIam of
ftobed.
Theseheel
sareki
ll
ingme
Me:whydoyougirl
swearthoseany
way
s?I
meanthi
sisyourhouser
ight
?
Shenodded
Me:
whynotpar
tyi
nsneaker
sorsomet
hing
BKl
aughedandsodi
dshe
Her:t
heaimistolookgoodatal
lti
mes.I
n
schoolmygi
rlsandIhavearepandwewoul
d
l
iketomaint
ainitatal
lti
mes
Me:
gir
ls
Her:l
ookaty
ou.Youi
ndoor
sandy
ouwear
ing
shades
Hi
m:that
’sbecauset
hemightDer
ri
ckBess
want
sto…uhhm what’
sthewordagai
n?Keepa
l
owprofi
l
e
Her
:youMel
okuhl
eDer
ri
ckBess?
Me:
yousoundsur
pri
sed?
Her
:Iam act
ual
l
y.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:
Idon’
tunder
stand
Her
:yout
hatguy
Shecl
ickedherf
inger
str
yingt
othi
nkofawor
d
touse
Me:
richguy
?
Her
: notthewordIwaslookingforbuti
tal
so
works.Youthekindofguythatatt
endsser
ious
par
tiesandisal
way si
ntheVI Psecti
on
Me:Ihav
enoideawher
eyougoty
our
i
nfor
mation
Her
:Idon’
tmeanitl
i
kethatbutIhopey
ouget
mypoint
.Thi
sisahousepart
y
Hi
m:hahahahashehasy
oucor
ner
edbr
o
Ichuckled.Thisgi
rlwastoohippy
,inagood
way .Shelookedal
linnocentandwit
houtsi
n,I
didn’tunderst
andhowherandYandi swawere
evenf ri
ends.
Me: BKher
einvi
tedmet ocomeov erandI
fi
guredwhynot?!Iactual
lypr
ef erhousepart
ies
overcl
ubsbecauseathousepar ti
es’gi
rl
saren’
t
tr
yingsohardt
ogetl aidortr
yingt ogetni
ggas
buyt
hem al
cohol
Her
:wow.
Myv
ibr
atedi
nmypocket
.
Me:nott
ober udebutpointmetot
he
bat
hroom pl
ease,Ineedsomewher
equi
et
Justt
henthisYandi
swachi
ckappear
edand
camestr
aighttoAni
taf
oll
owedbymysist
er.
Her
:honeybubucanIhav
emyr
oom keypl
ease
Ani
tagav
eitt
oher
Ni
ta:
Yandi
pleaset
akeMel
otoaqui
eterpl
ace
Shelookedatmef r
om headtotoebefor e
respondingIcouldf ol
l
owt hem.Mysisterwas
supersloshed,shewasbl abbingandsay i
ng
thi
ngst hatmadenosenseatal l
.Yandiswawas
quietthi
swholet ime.Wegott othi
sroom and
sheopenedt hedoorandl edmysi st
ert obed.
Ther oom waspr ett
yactuall
ywithmirr
orcloset
.
Her
:wel
lthebat
hroom i
sov
ert
her
e
Shepoint
edatabr owndoor,
Ithankedherand
wentinsi
de.Myphonehadstoppedr i
ngi
ngby
theti
me.Itrangagai
nandItookit
.itwasmom
whichonlymademewor ry
/
/Me:
Boobi
e
Her
:honeywher
ear
eyou?
Me:
atapar
ty.What
’sup?
Her
:it
’sy
oursi
ster
.She’
satt
hehospi
tal
Me:whatdoyoumean?Mom whatar
eyou
t
alki
ngabout
?
Iyanaisengagedtothisguyshewentt oschool
withandshei s4mont hspregnant,shewor ks
atmom’ scompanyandshel ovesitthere.Her
futur
ehusbandi sanengineer.Iwashopi ngand
prayi
ngt hatmysist
erandherbabywer eok.
Thisisthelastt
hingthefamilyneeds.
Her:honeypleasejustcomet ot
hehospital
and
comewi thyoursist
erifyoucan.I
’vebeentr
ying
tocallherbutshehasn’tbeenansweri
ngher
phone
Me:
onmywaymom/
/
Iwaswor ri
edaboutI ya.Whenshewas18, we
l
ear ntthathermot herdi edwhi l
egi v i
ngbi r
thto
herandt hathermot hersor tofki ndofr aped
ourf ather .Shedi dn’
ttakei tsowel lshamebut
sher ecov eredwi t
ht i
meandt herightguyi nher
l
ife.Itdidki ndofputadentonherr elati
onship
withourpar entsbutev ent uallythingswor ked
outf ort hebet terbecausemom l ov edher
regardlessofhowshecameabout .Hav ing
hear dwhatmom anddadhav ebeent hrough
together , i
t’
st hereasonIf i
gur edr elationships
wer en’
tf orme.Mysur namei sabl essinganda
curse,itcar ri
esal otoff ri
endsandal otof
enemi est ooandIwoul dn’twantt oputany one
throught hat ,
henceIkeepal owpr ofil
eandst ay
awayf r om r elati
onships.Iwashedmyf aceand
thenwal kedoutoft hebat hroom.Yandi swa
wassi ttingont opoft hebed.
Her
:ev
ery
thi
ngok?
Me:
yeah.Ihav
etogo
Her
:yousur
eev
ery
thi
ng’
sok?
Me:j
ustlookaft
ermysist
erpl
ease.I
’
llcome
f
etchherinthemor
ning
Her
:rudemuch
Shesaidroll
ingherey esandopeni
ngthedoor
formeandt henshel ockedaft
erme.Ilefther
upstai
rsandr ushedtomycaranddr oveoffto
thehospit
al.WhenIgott heremom,dadand
Kungawower einthewaiti
ngroom l
ookingall
rest
less.
Me:
wher
e’sI
yana?i
sthebabyok?
Dad:wher
e’syoursi
ster?Idon’
tknow.It
ri
ed
cal
li
ngherbutIcoul
dn’treachher
Mom gotupt
ohugme.
Her
:you’
vebeendr
inki
ng
Me:
oneort
wobeer
s
Her
:youcoul
dhav
ebeenar
rest
edMel
okuhl
e!
-
her
ecomest
roubl
e-
Dad:
we’
l
ltal
kaboutt
hisathome
Me:
I’
m sl
eepi
ngatmyapar
tmentdad
Hi
m:don’
ttestmeDer
ri
ck
Dadonlyevercall
edmeDer r
ickwhenhewas
madwhi l
emom cal l
edmeMel okuhl
eand
spokeinXhosawhenshewasmad.Idi dn’t
underst
andwhyt heywerebei ngsodr amatic
becauseImadeher eal
ive.Iknewbet terthanto
arguesoIjustkeptqui
etandsatnextt oNgawo
Me:
she’
sgoi
ngt
obeok
Hi
m:t
hanks
Justt
henadoct
orwal
kedupt
ous.
Him:uhhm hel
loevery
one.Iam doct
orMishka.
Ihavej
ustsedatedyourdaught
erMrBess;she
shoul
dwakeupf i
ne
Me:
andt
hebaby
?
Hi
m:I
’
m sosor
ry.Thebabydi
dn’
tmakei
t
Dad:
whatdoy
oumean?
Him:shel
ostal
otofbl
oodMrBess.Ther
ewas
nothi
ngwecoul
ddotosavet
hebaby
Me:butwhatcoul
dhav
ecausedhert
omi
scar
ry.
Idon’
tunder
stand
Him:i
tcoul
dhav ebeenst
ressorot
hert
hings
suchasstr
enuousacti
vi
ti
es…
Mom:butwecamef oracheck-upjustl
ast
weekandyoutoldust
hatevery
t hi
ngwas
nor
malandinplace
Him:I’
m sor
ryMr
sBessbutt
her
ewasr
eal
l
y
nothi
ngIcoul
ddo
Ngawo:
canIseeher
?
Hesai
dsof
tl
ywi
thhi
svoi
cebr
eaki
ng.
Dr
:she’
ssl
eepi
ng
Dadgav
etheguythatscaryl
ookofhist
hat
’s
al
mostcompel
li
ngandt hedoct
oradded
“
pleasecomet
hisway
”
Helef
twithNgawoandIwasl ef
twithmy
par
ents.Mom j
ustsatdownfeel
inghopel
ess
anddadwenttositnextt
ohertocomforther
.
Her:
theyweredoi
ngsowell
,thebabywas
heal
thyandsowasshe.Whatwentwrong
Damon?
Shesai dinbetweent ears.Youseemymom
oncehadami scarri
ageont hey earmyBess
grandparentsdiedandshedi dn’ ttakeitsowel l
,
sheneededt herapytogett hrought hehor rorso
forherdaught ertogot hroughwhatshewent
through;itwashear tbreaking.Mom hasl ost
wayt oomanypeopl einherl i
fe, shehasl ost
parents,grandparents,steppar ent,herinlaws,
herunbor nbaby ,herbestFr i
end- I
yana’smom
andherhi ghschool fri
endAl exwhodi edgi vi
ng
bir
thtoherbabyandt heybot hnev ermadei t
.
soy ouseewhatImeanwhenIsayshehasl ost
alotofpeopl e?!Iapplaudthatwomanbecause
shei
sver
yst
rong.
Dad:
Iwi
shIcoul
danswery
ouBoobi
e.Ir
eal
l
y
do
Her
:Iy
anai
snotst
rongenought
ohandl
ethi
s
Damon
Hi
m:shhhh.Wewi
l
lhel
phergett
hrought
hisok?
Iwasj ustsit
ti
ngtherenotknowi ngwhatt
odo
orsay .Ij
ustwantedmysi stertobeok,mom
wasn’ tl
yi
ngaboutI yananotbeabletohandl
e
this,
Iyanaisthesameper sonwhowasonce
diagnosedwi t
hdepr essi
onafterfi
ndi
ngout
aboutherr ealmothersothiswasgoingtosli
p
herrightbackint
ot hatdarkphaseofherl
if
e.
Me:
weneedt
obest
rongf
orhermom
Ibr
ushedherback.Shegotoutofdad’
sar
ms.
Her
:andwher
ethehel
li
sAsemahl
e!Dammi
t!
Icoul
dn’
tbustmyt wi
n;IknowIwaswr ongbut
shewasgoingtobeindeepshii
tiftheyknew
whereshewas.It
’snotthatt
heparentsdi
dn’
t
wantust opar tyorany thingbutt heywant edus
totakei tdownanot ch.Not hingt hatwoul d
tai
ntt hef ami l
ynameorembar rassanyoft hem.
Aftergr andmaandgr andpaHl athi’sdeat h,
Mel odywasoncedi agnosedwi thal cohol
poisoni ngandf r
om t hereonmom anddadt old
ust ol ayof foft hebooze.Mysi steront heot her
handi sther ebel l
i
ousone, butasmuchasshe
canber ebell
ious, shedoesn’ tdr i
nkonschool
days, shedr i
nksheav i
lydur i
nghol idays.Wesat
atthehospi t
al until
wewer ecer taint hatIyana
wasok, welldadsuggest edt hatwecomev isit
hert omor r
owmor ning.Whenwegothome
every onewast oodr ainedt oar gue- thankgod-
weal lheadedt oourr oomsandIwentt opack
upAsemahl ethingst ochangef ort omor r
ow.I
wasn’ tgoi ngt ogowi t
ht hepar ent st othe
hospi tal,Iwasgoi ngt omakeupal iesot hatI
cant akeMahl e’sthingst oherbef orewehead
tothehospi t
al.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
3
Iwokeupt omyphoner ingingnonestop,I
checkedthescr eenanddoct orGxaba’
spicture
showedup, Ilookedatthet i
meandi twas6am.
Isl
eptat4am becauseIwast oobusycleaning
wit
hmyf riendsandmaki ngsurethatevery
one
wasgone.Iwashesi t
antt oanswerbutI
answeredany way
//”happybi
rthdaytoyou….Happybir
thdayto
you.HappybirthdaydearYandi
swa.Happy
birt
hdaytoyou.Howol dareyounow?...how
oldareyounow?Howol dareyounow?How
oldareyounow? ..
.hi
p-hi
phooray.Hi
p-hip
hoor
ay.
”
Me:
I’
m 16agai
n.Mor
ningDrGxaba
Her
:heywhathappenedt
obei
ngcal
l
edmom
Me:
whenhav
eIev
ercal
l
edy
out
hat
?
Her:
whatev
er.Mor
ningt
oyout
oobaby
,how
ar
ey ou?
Me:
hungov
erandhowar
eyou?
Her:y
ouknowIdon’
twantt
hist
hingofy
ou
dr
inki
ng!
Me:
real
l
ymom wedoi
ngt
his?Now?
Her:
whenarey
oucomi
nghome.Iknowy
ou
donewr
it
ing
Me:
I’
ll
bebacknextmont
hont
he15mom.
Her
:NoYandiswaIneedyoubackhome.Ihav
e
aconf
erenceIneedt
oatt
end
Me:thenl
eav
ethekeyatAni
ta’
shome,
I’
ll
fet
ch
i
tthere
Her
:noYandi
swawhyar
eyoubei
ngl
i
ket
his
Me:mom it
’smybirt
hday
.Canwedot
his
anot
hert
imeplease/
/
Mom t ri
edcal li
ngmeagai nbutIjustswi t
ched
myphoneof fandwokeupt opee.Mel odyBess
overher ewasst il
lsl
eeping.WhenIgotoutof
thebathr oom Iwentdownst air
stocur emy
hangov er.Ibumpedi nt
oBonkecar r
ying2bowl s
ofcereal headingoutthekitcheninnot hingbut
bri
efs.Hewasshockedt oseemeasmuchasI
wasshockedt oseehimt oo.TheguywashotI
havetoadmi t.Hehadt hoseRugbypl ay er
bodies,butt henagai
nt hisguyplayedr ugby
backinschool atDal
ei nKingWi l
li
amsTown-
EasternCape.
Me:
wel
lmor
ning.
Hi
m:mor
ning
Helookedembarr
assedandIcoul
dn’
thol
d
backthel
aught
er.
Hi
m:Ishoul
dgo
Me:
notsof
ast
Ipushedhi
minsi
det
heki
tchen.
Hi
m:what
?
Me:
sohowwasi
t?
Hi
m:howwaswhat
?
Me:Iknowy
oubr
okeAni
ta’
svi
rgi
nit
y.Howwas
i
t?
Hi
m:wear
esonotdi
scussi
ngt
his
Me:I’
mjustcuri
ous.Myf r
iendhasbeenavi
rgi
n
herwhol
elif
eandt hensuddenlyy
ourockup
andyoubreakher,
Iwantdet ai
l
s.Howdidyou
convi
nceher?
Hi
m:Idi
dn’
tconv
inceher
,sheconv
incedme
Me:
mmmmhIsee.
Hi
m:canIgonow?
!
Me:
Youst
il
lhav
en’
tanswer
edonequest
ion.
Howwasi
t?Ihopey
oudi
dn’
tscr
ewherbr
ains
out
Hi
m: Imadel
ovetoher
.Rel
ax.I
twasgr
eat
,the
wai
twasworthi
t
Me:Bonkei
fyoudarebounceIwi
l
lmur
dery
ou
wi
thmyownbar ehands
Hi
m:geeez
Me:
BonkeI
’
m ser
ious.
Hi
m:Il
oveAni
ta.Rel
ax
Me: t
hathadbetterbetr
ueorelseIwi
l
lsaw
yourbal
lstoget
herwithoutev
enbli
nki
ng
Hi
m:I
’
m outofher
e.Youar
ecr
eepy
!
Withthathewalkedoutlaughi
ng.JustasIwas
abouttotakeoutcoldwaterfr
om thefr
idge
therewasaknockont hedoor.Idrankthepil
ls
i
nmyhandandwentt oanswerthedoor.Before
mest oodthemosthandsomeguyIhav eever
seeninDurban.Hiscolognesmell
edfamili
ar
though,hewaswearingshades…itthencli
cked.
Mel
okuhl
eBess…
Me:
its6am.Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Hi
m:ar
en’
twer
ude?
Me:
Ilear
nfr
om t
hebest
Isaidsar
casti
cal
ly
.Iwal
kedt
othecupboar
dto
takeoutcer
eal.
Hi
m:I
’
m sor
ryf
ormybehav
iourl
astni
ght
Me:
yeahwhat
ever
!
Iturnedwi thmybowl andfoundhi m standi
ng
socl oset omet haty oucouldact uall
yhearmy
hear tbeat.thist
imehehadt akenhisshades
off.Hehadhi sfather ’seyest hat
’sforsure,t
hey
wer eper f
ectlyshapedandhi spupi l
swere
brown.Hewaswear ingav estwhi chshowed
offhi statt
oosonhi sonear m andanot heron
thesi deofhi schest .Theoneont hearm was
ti
nybi rdsandIcoul dn’ttell
whatt heonehi dden
byt hev estwas.Hesmel ledsodamngood.He
wascar ryi
nganov ernightbag.Het ooksome
cereal
from mybowlandputi
tinhi
smout
hand
thenwalkedawayfr
om me.
Hi
m:y
ouhav
egoodt
ast
eincer
eal
Ij
ustl
ookedathim.Whywast hi
sguyso
i
nti
midat
ing?Andthisi
scomingfrom someone
who’
snoteveninti
midat
edbyherlect
uresor
mom.
Me:
yoursi
steri
sinmyr
oom sl
eepi
ng
Hi
m:t
hengowakeherup.Idon’
thav
eal
lday
Me: youmustt hi
nkI’
m oneofthedozen
serv
antsatt heBessmansionhuh?Youcame
foryoursister
;yougowakeherup!Ifthi
sis
howy ouspeakt oyourserv
antsatt
heBess
resi
dence, t
henIfeelsor
ryfort
hem.Youdon’t
deservethem!
Helookedatmei nshock.Iwasmadt hathe
wouldtreatastrangerl
ikethat.Onethingabout
meisIhat esnobs.Naledimay beonebutshe
hasrespect.Ipouredcoldmilkandthensat
down, hewassti
lll
ooki
ngatme.Ipr ef
ermy
mil
ocer eal
withcol
dmi l
k.Helookedatmeone
mor eti
mebeforewalki
ngout,bumpinginto
Naledionhiswayout.Shecamet omeal l
smilesandcheckedthecoastfi
rstbef
ore
tal
king.
Her
:whot
hehel
lwast
hat
?
Me:
mor
ningt
oyout
oo
Her:
mor ni
nghoneyboo.Nowwhowast
hat
yumminess?
Shesai
dtaki
ngaspoonf
ull
ofmycer
eal
Me:
gety
ourowni
diot
Her
:nowwhywoul
dIdot
hat
?Hei
shotbyt
he
way
Me:
thati
sMel
okuhl
eBess.He’
sanasshol
e!
Her
:justt
hewayy
oul
i
ket
hem buddy
Me:what
?HellnoIwouldneverbewit
hthat
guyi
nami l
l
ionyear
s.Iwouldrat
herdi
ethanbe
wi
thhi
m
Her
:yep.Youli
kehim.Sowhati
sMrBess
doi
nghere?Atourplace?
Me:
tof
etchhi
ssi
ster
.
Her
:lastni
ghtwasthatepi
chuh?Tobegr
aced
byt
heBesst wi
ns!Wow!
Me:y
ousur
eknowhowt
ohostapar
tymy
f
ri
end
Her
:we!
Me:
sowhodi
dyouwi
nlastni
ght
?
Her
:hahahahaIdon’
tki
ssandt
ell
.
Shesai
dimi
tat
ingzi
ppi
nghermout
h
Me:
youknowy
ouwantt
ospi
l
l.I
shest
il
li
nyour
r
oom?
Her:heleftagesagosweeti
e.I
twassomeri
ch
boywho’ sintownfort
heweekendandhe
wantstohav eagoodtime.Heevenof
fer
edto
sponsortonight’
sdi
nnerpar
ty
Me:
no.wenotdoi
ngt
hat
Her
:tool
ate.HebookedusinatI
CCArena.
He’
saguyhereonbusinessandIwon’
tever
hav
etoseehim agai
n
Me:
Idon’
tknowwhyIl
ovey
oubutdammi
t!
Sheki
ssedmycheek.
Her
:justsaythanky
ouandt
ell
meI
’
mthebest
t
hat’
sev erl
i
ved.
Shesaidwalki
ngtothecupboar
dtomake
her
selfsomethi
ngtoeat
Me:
sohowol
dist
hisone?
Her
:28
Me:
car
?
Her
:Por
sche
Me:
nice.Wat
ch?
Her
:Rol
exbaby
.
Me:
sowhat
?Ishey
ournewbl
esser
?
Her
:fort
heweekend.Mywor
dhi
scol
ogne!
Me:
sowher
eishef
rom?
Her:he’
sfr
om LA.Hewor
ksi
nmar
ket
ingf
ora
l
iv
ing,he’
salway
sonther
oad
Me:
Isee.
“
whatdoy
ousee?
”
Ani
tawalkedi
nwear
ingar
obewi
thsuper
messyhair
.
Me:
nothing.sohowwasl
astni
ght
?Ort
his
mor
ning?Orboth
Her
:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Ledi
:noway
!Nof
li
ppi
ngway
!
Ni
ta:
whatar
eyouguy
stal
ki
ngabout
?
Ledi
:youhadsex
Ni
ta:
what
?
Ledi
:it
’spr
ett
yobv
ious.Di
dyouguy
susea
condom?
Idon’
tknowhowNal edidoesitbutevenwhenI
l
ostmyv i
rgi
nit
ysheknew, Idi
dn’thav
et osay
anyt
hing,
shejustknew
Ni
ta:
howdoy
ouknow?
Ledi
:Ij
ustknow.det
ail
s
Ni
ta:
youguy
snev
ert
oldmet
hataDwast
hat
bi
g
Me:
that
’sbecausewedi
dn’
tknowBonke’
swas.
Ledi
:thebi
ggert
hebet
terbaby
.
Ni
ta:
itwassopai
nful
andthecondom wasn’
t
maki
ngthi
ngsanybet
ter
Me:y
eahwel l
wit
ht i
mey ouguysar
egoingto
l
osethecondom anditwil
lbet
hebestever
Her
:nextt
ime?I
’
m nev
erhav
ingsexagai
n!
LediandIl
ookedateachot
herandl
aughedour
assesoff
.
Her
:what
?
Me:
honeyt
hat
’swhatweal
lsai
daf
terourf
ir
st
t
ime.
Ledi
:wheny
oudost opusingthecondom
pl
easegooncontr
acepti
ves.Thelastt
hingwe
needisy
oufal
l
ingpregnant
Ni
ta:
Itol
dyouguy
s,I
’
m nev
erdoi
ngi
tagai
n
Me:
buty
ouenj
oyedi
t?
Shesmi
l
edandcov
eredherf
acewi
thherhands.
Ledi
:damnrightshedi
d.Ourl
i
ttl
ebi
rdyhas
fi
nal
lyl
eftt
henest.Welcomet
oHoeVill
e
Me:
noNal
edi
.Shewon’
tendupl
i
key
ou!
Andjustaswewerelaughi
ngandchatt
ingupa
stor
m, Mel
okuhl
eBess’scol
ognefi
ll
edthe
room.Hewalkedinemptyhanded.
Hi
m:mor
ning’
s
Ni
ta:
didy
ousl
eepher
e?
Hi
m: nope,
Icamethi
smorningt
obr
ingmy
si
stersomecl
othest
ochange
Ni
ta:
aren’
tyout
hesweet
est
.Hav
eyoumetmy
f
ri
ends?Thi
sisNal
edi
andt
hisi
sYandi
swa
Ledismi
ledandwavedandhewavedback
whil
eIfi
nishedupmycereal
.Ni
tagav
emea
star
e
Me:
weal
readymet
Her
:Ihopey
oupl
ayedni
ce
Me:
y oushoul
dbedi
rect
ingt
hatt
ohi
m.He’
s
t
herudeone
Ist
oodupandwenttowashmybowl
int
hesi
nk,
hewasst
andi
ngintheway.
Me:
excuseme
Hemov
edasi
de.
Me:
thanks.
Ledi
:soMrBess,
anygi
rl
fr
iend?
Hi
m:hahahauhhm whydoy
ouask?
Ledi
:answermef
ir
standt
henI
’
llanswery
ou
Hi
m:Idon’
tdor
elat
ionshi
ps.
Icoul
dfeel
hisey
espi
ercer
ightt
hroughmy
ski
n.
Ledi
:why
?
Hi
m:answermef
ir
standt
henI
’
llanswery
ou
Ichuckl
ed.Wast
hisguyf
orr
eal
?
Ledi
:yougotme.I
’
mjustcur
ioust
hat
’sal
l
.Now
why?
Hi
m:t
heyar
eawast
eoft
ime
Ni
ta:f
unnyfory
out osaythatbecauset
hat
’s
whatYandi
swaalsobeli
eves
Hi
m:Isee
Me:Ineversai
dtheywereawast
eofti
me.I
onl
ysaiddati
ngorscrewi
ngoncampuswasa
wasteofti
me
Hi
m:soy
oudon’
thav
eaboy
fri
end?
Ledi
:she’
sassi
ngl
east
hewor
d.Herl
ast
boyf
ri
end
Me:
hedoesnotneedt
oknowaboutmy
per
sonal
li
fe!Thanky
ouv
erymuch
Ledi
:buti
t’
sani
nter
est
ingst
ory
.
Me:
Nal
edi
No
Ni
ta:
let
sdr
opi
tLedi
please
Ledi
:fi
ne!
Sher ol
ledhereyes.Walkedoutandwenttomy
room towash.If oundAsemahleget
ting
dressed,herdresswasjustpl
ainbeauti
ful
.Thi
s
gir
lhadst yl
eforday s
Me:
lov
ethedr
ess
Her:
thanks.I
twasabi
rt
hdaypr
esentf
rom my
br
other
Me:
hehasgr
eatt
ast
e
Shesmi
l
ed.
Me: ev
ery
thi
ngok?Youl
ookl
i
key
ou’
vebeen
cr
ying
Her
:mysi
sterhadami
scar
ri
age
Me:
Iam sosor
ry.
Her:
yepsoam.Thanksf
orl
ett
ingmecr
ash
her
e,you’
reacool
chi
ck
Me:
thanky
ou.I
’
mreal
l
ysor
ryabouty
oursi
ster
Shesmi
l
edandnodded.
Her
:what
’sy
ournumber
?
Ical
ledi
toutf
orherandshepunchedi
tinher
phone.
Her
:thanks
Me:
youwel
come.
Her
:thi
sDecemberisourbi
rt
hdayandI
’
dli
ke
f
oryoutocomethrough
Me:
uhhhm t
hanky
ou
Her
:you’
reacool
chi
ck
Me:
yout
oo.I
’
dlov
etocome.
Her:wel
lI’
l
ltexty
oual
lthedet
ail
swhen
ever
ythi
nghasbeenfi
nali
sedok?
Me:
yeahsur
e.Thanks
Her
:Ishoul
dgoanddealwi
thwhyIwas
unr
eachabl
elastni
ght
Me:
sor
ry
Her
:it
’scool
.Ismybr
otherst
il
lher
e?
Me:
int
heki
tchendownst
air
s
Her:
awesome.ByYandi
swaIhopet
oseey
ou
soon
Me:
I’
m sur
eyouwi
l
l
Withthatshewalkedoutwi t
hhert hi
ngsand
headeddownst ai
rs.Itookmycl othesoffand
wenttoshowerf i
rstbef or
emaki ngmybed.
WhenIwasdoneIbr ushedmyt eethanddidt he
necessarythenwalkedt omyr oom, st
il
lnaked.
Melokuhlewalkedinpr essi
nghisphone
Hi
m:Iam sosor
ry
Me:
knockmuch?
Iqui
ckl
ytur
nedar
oundcov
eri
ngmyasset
s.He
thr
ewat owelatmeandIbentdowntopi
ckit
up,st
il
lnotl
ookingathi
m.Iwrappedi
tar
ound
mybodyandt hentur
nedtol
ookathim
Hi
m:ni
ceassandboobs
Me:
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Hi
m:If
orgotmyshades.
Me:
taket
hem andl
eav
e
Hescannedmyroom andwentt
othedr
essi
ng
t
abl
eandt ookt
hem.
Him:youneednotbeashamedofy
ourbody
,it
s
perf
ect
Me:
getoutpl
ease
Hewalkedoutwi
thanaughtysmil
e.MrBess
hadaveryni
cesmil
e.Iwenttol
ockmydooras
soonashegotout
.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
4-
Mel
o
IfYandiswadoesnothav et hebestbonergivi
ng
body ,t
henIdon’ tknowwhodoes!She’ sanhour
glass,curvesandal l.Herboobsar ethemost
pretti
estboobsIhav eev erseen!Everyt
hing
aboutheri sjustbeaut i
ful.Iwouldl
ov etotap
thatthat’sforsure.Igoti ntothedr
iver’
sseatall
smi l
est hi
nkingaboutt hegoodshowIj usthad.
Onet hingIdidn’tli
keaboutYandi swawasher
atti
tude.Itreal
lystinks.Shewasannoy i
ngi na
notsocut ewayev en.Ist art
edthecar,Iwas
drivi
ngmom’ sAst onMar ti
nwhichshedi dn’
t
driveany moreany way .
Ase:
how’
dyougethert
obor
rowy
out
hekey
s?
Me:
she’
svul
ner
abl
esoshe’
l
ldoany
thi
ngt
oget
meoutofherhai
r
Her
:luckyy
ou.Fav
our
it
echi
l
d
Me:youknowthat
’snott
rue.Sowhat
’sy
ourl
i
e
goi
ngtobethi
stime?
Her:t
ell
herIwassl
eepi
ngov
erataf
ri
end’
s
houseandmyphonewasoff
Me:
yout
hinkt
heygoi
ngt
obuyi
t?
Her
:daddywi
l
l.Heal
way
sdoes
Me:al
cohol
ist
her
easondadconf
iscat
edy
our
key
sMelody
Her
:pl
easenotnowDer
ri
ck.
Me:
youneedt
oqui
tthi
sexcessi
vedr
inki
ng
Her
:Ionl
ydr
inkoccasi
onal
l
y,chi
l
l
Me: y
ouknowt heparentsdon’
twantyou
dri
nkingatal
landI’
m start
edtoagreewi
th
them.
Her:
whenhaveIev
erdoneany
thi
ngst
upi
d
whendr
unk?
Me:
sti
l
lAsemahl
e.Tonei
tdown
Her
:Imakenopr
omi
ses.
Iparkedthecarandwegotof fandwenti
nside
thehospital.WeaskedforIy
ana’swardandthe
nursetol
dus.Wewal kedinandshewasf aci
ng
theothersideandtheparentsandNgawower e
sit
ti
ngther enotknowingwhattodo.
Us:
mor
nings
Mom gav eAsemahl eadeathstar
e.Shewasi n
tr
oublethat’
sforsure.Asemahlewalkedov erto
whereIyanawasf acingandshehuggedherso
ti
ght.Thesetwower ethebestoffr
iends,funny
enoughwhent heywer eli
tt
let
heydidn’tget
al
ongf orasingl
ebitandnowt heyinseparable.
Ase:
sisI
’
m sosor
ry
Shesaidwit
ht ears.I
yajustcri
edinherar
ms.I t
wasnotanicev iew,seei
ngmybi gsist
erl
ike
that
.I’
veneverlostachil
dbutIseehowpai nful
i
tisandIhopeandpr aythatInev
ergothrough
t
hat
.
Mom:wewi
l
lgett
hrought
hist
oget
herasa
f
amil
y
ShebrushedI
yana’
sback.Weal
lsatt
her
ein
si
lence.
Me:
whenar
etheydi
schar
gingher
?
IaskedKungawo,
wewer
ebot
hst
andi
ngbyt
he
window
Him:thedoct
orsai
dprobablyt
omorrow.Hest
il
l
needstomakesurethatev
eryt
hingi
sfine
Me:
I’
mreal
l
ysor
rymahn
Him:Ij
ustwi
shIcoul
dtakeherpai
nawayy
ou
know
Me:
yeahIknowbecauset
hat
’sexact
lyhowI
f
eel
.
Hi
m: shewasfinewhenshewentt obed.No
cr
amps, nonot
hingandthensuddenl
yinthe
middl
eofthenightshewakesupcryi
ngand
t
her
e’sbl
oodont
hebed.Ij
ustdon’
tunder
stand
Idon’tknowhowtocomf
ortsomeone,
especial
lyaman!
Me:everyt
hinghappensforareasonbro.sur
e
wedon’tknowwhatt hatr
easonisbutGod
doesn’
ttakeandnotgivebackblessi
ngsthat
are10xmor e
Him:whygetussoexci
tedfort
hisblessi
ngif
hewasplanni
ngontaki
ngitawayfrom ushuh?
Hasn’
tshebeenthr
oughenoughalr
eady ?
Iwast onguetied.I’m notamanofmanywor ds,
neverbeenev ensoatt hi
smomentIdi dnot
knowhowt ocomf or thi
m andt ellhimi t’
sgoing
tobeok.IknowIwasonl y5whenmy
grandparentsdiedbutIsawwhati tdidtomy
mom, theirdeathandherunbor nchi ld’sdeath.
Notapr ettysi
ght,not hi
ngany oneev ersai
dt o
hermadeherf eelanybet ter
;Ithinkifshedi dn’
t
havemeandmysi bli
ngs,shepr obabl ywould
havenev ergottenthrought hepai n.The
dif
ferencebetweenherandI yanai sthatI
yana
doesn’thaveanykidsandt hev eryfi
rstoneshe
wassupposedt ohav eisthesameoneshe’ s
l
ost.Idon’tknowhowshe’ llgetthroughthis
becausenobodybutherunder standsherpain.I
tur
nedt olookatmysi st
erwhowasi nbedwi t
h
myt win.Dadwasgone, probabl ywentto
handlesomebusi nessorsomet hi
ng.
I
ya:
Iwantt
ogohome.Whenar
etheyr
eleasi
ng
me?
Mom:
tomor
rowbaby
I
ya:whyaretheykeepi
ngmeher
e?Thebabyi
s
gone,
shouldn’
tIbeall
owedt
ogohomenow?
Ngawo:theydoct
orsai
dheneedstomakesur
e
t
hateveryt
hingwasfi
newi
thyoubefor
e
r
eleasi
ngy ou
I
ya:
Ifeel
fine.Ij
ustwantt
ogohome
Ase:
justonemor
edayYanaandy
ou’
l
lbehome
I
ya:
Idon’
tseet
heneedf
ormet
obeher
ewhen
ther
e’snot
hingt
hatr
equir
esmet obehere.My
babyisgoneandheorsheisnev
ercoming
back
Asel
ookedatmom def
eat
ed.
Mom: y
ourwombst
il
lneedstobecl
eaned
honeyt
oavoi
danyi
nfect
ions.
I
ya:
thenwhatar
etheywai
ti
ngf
or?Mom pl
ease
Her
:okbaby
.I’
l
lgogety
ourdoct
or
Wit
hthatmom wal
kedoutandl
efti
swi
thI
ya.I
wentt
ositwher
emom wassitt
ing.
Me:
heyy
ou
Her
:hi
.
Me:
I’
m sor
ry
Her:pl
easeDerri
ck.Notyout
oo.I
’vehear
d
enoughofthosetolastmeet
erni
ty
Ikeptqui
etnotknowi
ngwhatt
osay
.
Her
:any
thi
ngnew?
Me:
li
ke?
Her
:Idon’
tknow.agi
rlorsomethi
ng.Any
thi
ng
t
hatwil
lgetmymindofthi
s.pl
ease
Ase:
Imadeaf
ri
endl
astni
ght
I
ya:
yeah?Wher
e?
Ase:
somehousepar
tyIwentt
owi
thSi
ya
I
ya:
don’
tletmom heary
ou
JustthenMr sBesswal kedi nfol
lowedby
I
y ana’
sdoct or .Mom wasbeaut if
ul,shewasl ike
fi
newi ne.Shehasn’ tagedonesi nglebitand
thiswomanwas42, shel ookedy oungerthan
peopleinthei r30’s.Dadwas46andheal so
hadn’taged, Iwi shedtoacqui r
etheirgenesof
notaging.Butt henagainl ookatmysi bli
ngs,
theydon’tlookadayov er20; Melodystil
llooks
16andI yanal ooks18, appar entl
yIlooked18
tooandI ’
mt ur ning20.
Hi
m:y
ou’
reawake
I
ya:
Iwantt
ogohome
Hi
m:Ican’
tdi
schar
gey
ouj
usty
et
I
ya:myf
iancétol
dmeev
ery
thi
ng.Whenwi
l
lmy
wombbecleaned?
Hi
m:y
ouar
eschedul
edf
ort
odayat4
I
ya:
andhowl
ongwi
l
lthatt
ake?
Hi
m:nott
hatl
ong
Her:
thenwhycan’
tyoudi
schar
gemet
oday
l
ater
Hi
m: becauseaft
ert
heprocessy
ouwi
l
lneed
l
otsofsleepandmedicat
ion
Her:andist
hismedi
cat
iononl
yav
ail
abl
eint
his
hospit
al?
Hi
m:wecanwr
it
eapr
escr
ipt
ionl
ett
erb…
Her:
thenwri
temeaprescr
ipt
ionlet
ter.Idon’
t
wanttohav
etospendanot
hernighthere
Thedrlookedatmom andshenoddedandwit
h
thathescri
bbl
edsomethi
ngonmysi st
er’
s
notepadandhewalkedout
.If
eltsor
ryfort
he
poorguy
.
Mom:y
ouwi
l
lneedt
otakei
teasyf
ort
henext
f
ewdays
Her
:ifyoumeanmetaki
ngl
eav
efr
om wor
k
t
heny oumustbej
oki
ng
Mom:I’
m notgoi
ngt
oar
guewi
thy
ouont
his
I
yana
Iy
a: mom Iwi
l
lgocr
azysi
tt
ingi
nmyapar
tment
alone
Mom:
whosai
dthat
’swher
eyougoi
ng?
!
I
ya:
what
?
Mom:youarecomi
nghomeandi
t’
snotopen
f
ordi
scussi
on.
TheMr shasspoken.Iyanasatther
eandsul ked.
Weal l
knewbet t
erthantoarguewiththattone,
shewasn’tl
oudbutherv oicewasfir
m and
author
ati
ve.Therewasnousef ighti
ngwithMr s
Besswhenshewasl i
ket hat
.Anursecamei n
andtoldusthatI
yananeededt owashandt hat
wemaycomeandseeheragai nafter8am.
Mom suggestedwegooutf orbr
eakfastbut
Ngawosaidhewasn’ tgoinganywhereandso
welethim be.Wewentt oGateway;itwasn’
tfar
fr
om thehospital
.Mom parkedhercarandwe
wenttospur,theygotusatablefor4because
dadwasonhi sway .AsemahleandIwer e
si
tti
ngoppositemom.
Mom:
wher
ewer
eyoul
astni
ght
?
Ase:
Iwasatasl
eepov
er.ThoughtIt
ext
edy
ou
Mom: t
henwhywasy ourphoneoff
?Don’
t
phonegetanswer
edatasleepover
?
Ase:mybat
ter
ywasf
lat
.Ionl
ychar
gedi
tthi
s
morni
ng
Mom: youmustthi
nkI
’m st
upidhuh.I
’
m not
yourf
atherwhom y
oucanflapthoset
inyl
ashes
andexpecthi
mtobeli
eveyou
Ase:
bu.
.
Mom:
IthoughtIt
oldy
out
oqui
tal
cohol
ory
ou
mov
ebackhome
Ase:
what
?Youcan’
tdot
hat
Mom: youforgett
hatyourfatherandIpayfor
ever
ythi
ngy ouownMel ody
.Iwar nedyouwhat
wouldhappenifyoudi
dn’tstop.Wasn’tbei
ng
hospi
tal
isedenough?
Asemahl
eattemptedt
ogetupbutmom hel
d
herar
m andpull
edherbackt
oherseat
.
Mom: t
rythatagai
nandIwi
l
lsl
apt
heday
li
ght
s
outofyou
Justthendadjoinedus.–t
hankgod-normallyI
wouldstickupformyt wi
nbutnotthi
stime
around,MrsBesswasnott obemessedwi th.
Mom i snotst
ri
ctbutwheny oudi
srespecther,
sheshowsy ouflames.
Dad:
what
’sgoi
ngonher
e?
Heki
ssedhi
swi
fe’
scheek
Mom: y
ourdaught
erwasoutdr i
nki
nglastni
ght
.
That
’swhywecouldn’
treachherandher
br
otherknowswher
eshewas.
Idon’
tknowhowsheknewt
hat
Dad:
Mel
odyi
sthatt
rue?
Shelookeddown.Awaitercamet
otakeour
order
sandhewal kedaway.
Dad:seei
ngthaty
oucl
earl
ydon’tli
stentous,
youmov i
ngbackhomeunti
lyoulearntoli
sten
andobey.
Shedi
dn’
tar
gue,
shej
ustnoddedherhead.
Mom:
andunt
ilIseechange,
yourpar
tyi
sof
f!
Me:
what
?Mom y
oucan’
tdot
hat
!
Mom: may bei
twill
teachyoutel
lthetr
uthatall
ti
mes.Wenotst upi
d,weraisedyou.Weknow
all
y ourtr
icks,
howy oualwayscoverupforyour
twin.Youdi dt
hatevenwheny ouwerekids
Mel okuhl
e
Me:
mom pl
ease.I
’
m sor
ry
Shekeptqui
etandwentt
hroughherphone.
Me:
dad?
Hi
m:Ient
ernowher
e!
Justaswewer esi tt
ingli
ket hati
nsilencewith
onlyourparentsconv er
sing,Yandiswawalked
i
nwi t
hal adysl i
ghtlyolderthanherandt hey
l
ookedal i
ket oo.IfI’
m correct,i
t’
shermot her,
shelookedy oungt hou.Shewaswear i
nghigh-
ri
seskinnyjeanswi t
hanov ersi
zedcroptop,
shelookedpr ett
yi nitandherhai rwasuntied.I
watchedhermakeherwayt oatablewiththi
s
womanwat chedt hem taket hei
rseats.Thisgir
l
wasnotoutoft hi
swor l
dbeaut if
ulbutshewas
hel
labeautiful.
Mom:
Mel
okuhl
e
Shesai
dsnappi
ngherf
inger
sinf
rontofme
Me:
Ma
Her
:whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngatany
way
?
Shet
ri
edt
otur
nbutshecoul
dn’
tseewhoIwas
l
ooki
ngat
.
Me:
not
hingmom.Youwer
esay
ing?
Dad:nextweekI
’m goi
ngt
oasemi
nari
nJobur
g.
I
nter
estedincoming?
Me:
doIhav
eachoi
ce?
Mom: r
eal
ly
?Itwil
lbegoodfory
ou,
plusy
our
f
atheri
stheguestofhonour
Me:thent
her
e’snor
easonf
ormetogo,hecan
t
ell
menowwhathewi l
lbesay
ingt
her
e
Mom: hahahaver
yfunnySphen.Youar egoi
ng
any
way ,i
twil
lbeagreatopportuni
tyfor
l
earni
ngandy oucaninv
iteyourfri
ends
Me:
whyi
sn’
tithel
dher
e?
Dad:becauseal
ltheri
ghtpl
acesher
ewerefull
y
booked.Thenextonewil
lbehel
dherenexty
ear
though
Me:
Isee.
Ase:sowher
ear
eyouguy
sgoi
ngf
orhol
i
day
s
thi
syear
Dad:
weasawholef
amil
yar
egoi
ngt
o
wher
every
ouguy
swantust
ogo
Ase:
Iwantt
ogot
oNewOr
leans.
Mom:that
’swher
ewewentf orourhoneymoon
whenIwassti
l
lpregnantwi
thyouguys
Ase:andisitasawesomeasTheOr
igi
nal
s
pai
ntsitouttobe?
Mom: y
es,butvampir
es,
wer
ewol
vesand
wi
tchesdon’
texist
Weal
ll
aughed
Ase:I
’m notakidmom.Iknowthatthose
thi
ngsdon’texi
st.Imeantt
hef
esti
valsthey
host,
aretheyreal?
Dad:
yes,t
heyar
eandt heyar
ev er
yni
ce.I
t’
sa
gr
eatpl
acetobein.Melowhatdoyousay
?
Me:
Iwantt
ogot
oAmst
erdam.
Dad:
hahahasowhat
?Youcangethi
ghf
reel
y?
Me:
no.Ij
ustf
indt
hepl
acepr
ett
ythat
’sal
l
Mom: i
ttr
ulyi
sabeaut
if
ulpl
acewi
thi
tsmany
pl
acestoseeandal
l
Dad:
we’llv
oteoni
twhent
hewhol
efami
l
yis
t
ogether
Onet hingIlikeaboutmyf amilyist hatwedon’ t
dwel lonsomet hi ng, yougetmadandy ouget
ov eritbecausenoonebegsy ou, every one’sli
fe
cont i
nueswhet hery oumadornotsoi t
sbest
youst oppout i
ngandj oini
nont hef un.Yousee
myf ami lyhasthi st hi
ngwenor mal l
ydoev ery
December ,wepi ckahol i
daydest inationandgo
spendt hehol i
day st hereandcomebackaf ew
day sbef or
eChr istmasbecauset hat’saf amily
hol i
dayandIt imet obewi thlovedonesand
thenaf terChri
st mast heyl
etusgowher everwe
want .It’salwaysbeenl i
kethatev ersi ncehigh
school .Appar ent l
yi t’
swhatusedt ohappen
wi ththem andt hei rparent
sbef orewewer e
bor ntheypassedi tont ous.Onl yweonl yever
travel toplacesar oundSout hAf ri
cawi thour
ownsav edupcashandal it
tl
ebi text rafrom
t
hem.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
5
Somymom r ockedupi nf rontofourdoor
step…Asusual …shedi dn’tsayshewascomi ng
orwhat soev er,
onmybi rthdaysheal waystakes
meout .Ithoughtthisthingofher swoul dhav e
endedwi t
hmest udyingi nDur banandal lbut
nope, DrGxabadoesn’ trolel i
kethat.OfcauseI
washappyt oseeherev ent houghwehada
sessiont hismor ni
ngbutst il
l,Imissedherand
she’smymummydear est .Wewentoutt o
GatewaySpurf orbreakf astandt hewai t
ressled
ust
oat
abl
efort
wo.
Me:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Her
:thanky
oubaby
,younotsobady
our
sel
f
Me:
ohcomeondon’
tbel
i
ket
hat
Her:
youknowIdon’
tli
ket
hesecr
opt
opsy
ou
wear
Me:
butmom j
eancov
ersmybel
l
y.Chi
l
l
Her
:fi
ne.Doy
ouknowt
hatguyov
ert
her
e?
Me:
whatguy
?
Her:t
heonet
hat’
shadhi
sey
eony
out
he
minut
ewewalkedin
OkIwassuddenl yworri
ed.Imeanwhati fi
t’
s
myex, theidi
otthatbrokemyhear taf
terbei
ng
togetherfor4years.It
urnedaroundtosearch
forsomeoneIcoul drecogniseandIwasmetby
Melokuhle’sgaze,hequickl
ylookedawaywhen
hesawmeseehi m.
Me:
ohhi
m
Her
:he’
scut
e
Me:
wear
esonotdoi
ngt
his
Her
:what
?
Me:youmymot
herandI
’
m notgoi
ngt
o
di
scussboy
swi
thyou
Her
:doy
ouatl
eastknowhi
m?
Me:
yes.Hewal
kedi
nonmenakedt
his
mor
ning
Herj
awdr
opped
Me: relax.Wedidn’tdoany thing,heandIdon’t
evenknoweachot herwel l
.Imethi m atmy
partylastnightandhe’ sajerk.Thismor ni
nghe
camet ofetchhissisteratourplaceandhe
happenedt ohaveforgottenhi sshadesonmy
dressingt abl
e.Sorelax
Her:
I’
vet
oldy
oucount
lesst
imest
ogowi
tha
bi
gtowel
whenyougoshower
Me:
yeahbutIdon’
tdoi
tany
waybecauseI
bel
ievei
nthi
sthi
ngcal
l
edknocki
ngwhi
chhe
di
dn’tdo
Her:st
il
l.Whet
hert
heroom isyoursornot
,
al
way swrapatowelar
oundy ourbody
.You
neverknowwhatmighthappen
Me:I’
m notmaki
nganypr
omi
sesbutI
’
llt
ryi
t
out
.
Her
:Idon’
tknowwhosechi
l
dyouar
eshame
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
youknowexact
lywho.
Her
:what
ever
.
Ourwaitr
essbr oughtouror
dersandwest
art
ed
eat
ing.Iexcusedmy sel
ftogopeeandwhenI
gottothelooImetAsemahl e
Her
:heyy
ou.Youcl
eanuppr
ett
ywel
l
Me:heyy
ou.Thanks,
justt
rynakeepupwi
th
you
Her
:sowhodi
dyoucomeher
ewi
th?
Me:
mymom.You?
Her
:thewhol
efami
l
yexceptmysi
ster
Me:
howi
sshe?
Her
:notgood.Thi
sist
aki
ngat
oll
onher
Me:Icanonl
yimagi
ne.Agai
nI’
m sor
ryf
ory
our
l
oss
Her:nobi
ggi
e.Sowher
ear
eyouandy
ourmom
si
tt
ing?
Me:
act
ual
l
ynott
oof
arf
rom y
ouguy
s
Her
:howdoy
ouknowwher
ewesi
tt
ing?
Me:
Isawy
ourbr
other
Her
:sot
hat
’swhohe’
sbeenl
ooki
ngat
.
Me:
uhhhm ok…Ineedt
opee
Her
:thi
sconv
ersat
ioni
snotov
erMi
ssy
What’
sthedeal
?WhywasMel okuhl
e“looki
ng”
atme?He’sal
readyseenmenaked,whatmore
doeshewant?Ididmythi
ngandthenwalked
outandAsemahl
ewasst
il
lther
elooki
ng
admiri
ngher
sel
fint
hemi
rror
Me:
youst
il
lher
e
Her:Iwaswait
ingfory
ouactual
l
y.You’
ve
caughtmybrother
’sat
tent
ion
Me: y
eahwel
lhe’
stheonet
hatwal
kedi
nonme
nakedso
Her
:wai
twhat
?When?
Meandmybi
gmout
h.It
houghtsheknew
Me:
Ithoughty
ouknew
Her
:Iwantdet
ail
s
Me:t
herearenodetai
l
s.Hej
ustsai
dIhav
ea
ni
cebody,ni
ceboobsandni
ceass
Her
:mmmmh…
Me:
what
?
Her
:not
hing.
Me:
right
.Let
’sgetoutofher
ebef
ore
somebodycomesl
ooki
ngf
oroneofus
Shel
aughed.Shewouldlookatmeandj
ust
l
augh.Iwaskindofannoyedr
eal
ly
.
Her
:comel
etmei
ntr
oducey
out
omypar
ent
s
Me:
noway
!
Her
:yes,
way
.Come
Shepul ledmyar m anddraggedmet othei
r
table.Melokuhle’
sstarewasmaki ngmev er
y
uncomf ortabl
e,itwasn’taper
veylookbutit
wast hatinti
midatingscaryl
ookthatsent
electri
cimpulsestomybody .
Her:mom, dadthi
sismyf
ri
endYandiswa
Gxaba.Yandithi
sismymotherAmahleandmy
dadDamonBess
Me:
nicet
omeety
ou
Ishookt
hei
rhands
Them:
nicet
omeety
ou.
Ama:
youdon’
thappent
ober
elat
edt
oDr
Babal
waGxaba?
Me:
she’
smymot
her
.Howdoy
ouknowher
?
Her
:wemetatmyf
ri
end’
sfuner
alandagai
nat
aconf
erence
Ase:
she’
sact
ual
l
yher
ewi
thhermom
Ama:
wher
ear
eyouguy
ssi
tt
ing?
Ipoint
edtoourtableandsheaskedher
husbandtogetouttogoandgr eetmymom.I
fol
lowedri
ghtbehindher.Thetwogr eet
edeach
otherl
iket
heyweret hebestoffr
iends.
Mom:
howar
eyou?
Ama:I
’
m good.Mygodi
t’
sbeenf
orev
er,
you
l
ookamazi
ng
Mom:
thanky
ou.Notaswel
lasy
out
hough
Ama:hahahadon’
tfl
att
erme.I
’
m wi
thmy
fami
l
yov ert
her
e
Mom:
final
l
y,Igett
omeett
heot
herBess’
s
Ama:
sadl
y,oneoft
hem i
sinhospi
tal
Mom:
whathappened?Whi
chone?
Ama:
Iyana.shehadami
scar
ri
age
Mom:
I’
m sosor
ry.Howi
sshe?
Ama:
notgood
Mom:
Icanonl
yimagi
ne.
Shegotupandt heywentt ot heBesst able.I
j
ustsatt hereandl oggedont oFacebook.I
cameacr ossapi ct
ur eofmyexandI , hehad
taggedourcl osestmut ual f
ri
ends.He
capti
onedi tsomet hinglike“i
t’sbeenagr eat4
yearsYands.Wi shingy oual l
thebestwi t
hy ou
fo….happybi rt
hdayYands”Idi dn’tevenf i
nish
readingthecapt i
on, Iwentstraighttot he
comment s;i
twaspost edabout30mi nagoand
alr
eadyi thadov era100l i
kesandabout10
comment s.Whatpi ssedmeof fthemostwas
him publicl
ydisplayingthatheandIwer eov er
onf l
i
ppingFacebook!Iwentt hroughmyphone
andcal l
edhisf r
iend/ r
oommat e,l
asttimeI
checkedt heguydi dn’thaveaphonesot heonl y
personIcoul
dreachhi
m onwashi
sfr
iend
Thato.
/
/That
o:heyYandi
Me:
hi.CanIspeakt
oZuko?
Hi
m:buddyi
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
Me:
pleasej
ustgi
veZukot
hephone
Hi
m:uhhm okhol
don.
Ihear
dabi
tofcommuni
cat
ionandt
hen“
hel
l
o”
Me:
Zukowhatt
hehel
l
?
Hi
m:Yandsohmygosh.Heyhowar
eyou?
Me:Inevert
houghty
ouwoul dst
oopthi
slow!
Ser
iousl
y?Apubli
cannouncementt
hatyoufr
ee
now
Him:uhhm YandsIdon’
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ng
about
Me:
thepi
ctur
eonFacebookdammi
t.Remov
eit
!
Hi
m:i
t’
sonmyFacebook,
Idon’
tseewher
ethe
bi
gdeal
is
Me:
itmaybeonyourFacebookbutIam i
nit
.
r
emovei
tZuko.
Hi
m:f
inewhat
ever
.//
Idroppedt hecall
.Iwassomad.What
wit
chcr aftwast his?Imeant hi
sguyt aggedour
mut ual f
ri
endsbecauseheknewi twoul dmake
i
tswayt omesomehow.Idon’ trecallhati
ng
anyoneasmuchasIhat edhim atthattime.I
want ednot hingtodowi thhim andsohel pme
godwhenwegett oMt hathaIam goingt o
showhi mj usthowgoodIam doi ngwi t
houthi
m.
Iwant edt ogohomebutmom wast oobusy
chattingupast or
m withMr sBess, t
rust
mot herstodosuch.Ical l
edmypar tnerincri
me,
Naledi .
/
/Her
:mi
ssmeal
ready
Me:
fri
endl
ogont
oyourFacebooknow
Her
:why
?What
’swr
ong?
Me:
itsZuko!Het
aggedy
oui
napi
ctur
e.
Her
:okholdonletmef i
ndmytab.Whatdidhe
dof
riend?Youl
i
t er
all
yspit
ti
ngf
ir
erightnow
Me:
goshhemakesmesomad!
Her
:hedi
dwhat
?Thatasshol
e
Judgi
ngbyherr
esponse,
shesawt
hepi
ctur
e
Her:whatanasshole!Iam goingtochophis
bal
lsofIswear!Aft
erev er
ythi
nghe’sputyou
thr
ough,hegoesondoest hi
s?!Ican’
tbel
i
eve
youeverdat
edt hi
sguy .
Me:
youandmebot
hfr
iend
Her:atl
easty ouneverhadsexwit
hhim sothat
countsforsomething.He’
sabit
terexfr
iend
don’
tlethim spoi
lyourday
Me:Ij
ustwi
shhecoul
dleav
emet
hehel
lal
one
Nal
edi
Her
:honeyBooIneedyoutojustbr
eat
he.Take
adeepbreat
hinandl
etitout
Idi
dast
oldandIcoul
dfeel
mysel
fget
ti
ngcal
m.
Me:
thanks
Her
:I’
m al
way
sher
e.Iwi
l
ldeal
wit
hhi
m don’
t
wor
ry
Me:nahf
ri
endleti
tsl
i
de,
Idon’
twanthi
mto
knowhegott
ome
Her:yeahwellheneedstoknowthathegotto
you.Whathedi di
schildi
shAF!Justenj
oyyour
breakfastwi
thmommydear estandwe’l
ltal
k
properwheny ougethomeok?
Me:ar
ghifonl
y…thatonei
sbusychat
ti
ngupa
st
orm wi
thMrsBess
Her:
Amahl
eBess?Howdot
heyknoweach
ot
her?
Me:t
heymetatamutualf
ri
end’
sfuner
aland
t
henagai
nataconf
erence
Her:ohwow.Doest hi
smeant
hatyouand
Melokuhlecan’
tdat
e?Seei
ngt
haty
ourmother
’s
ar
ef r
iends?
Me:eveni
ftheywer
en’
tfr
iends.It
oldy
ou,
the
guyi
sanass
Her
:per
fectf
ory
ou
Me:
scr
ewy
ou!
her
:Il
ovey
ouhoneyboo
Me:Idon’
t.by
enow,shej
ustr
emember
edshe
cameherewithme
Shel
aughed.
Her
:youcr
azy
.Enj
oyok
Me:
Ilov
eyouhoneyboo/
/
Mom:
somebodyhasaboy
fri
end
Shesai
dsmi
l
ingl
i
keshehadj
ustsav
edady
ing
pat
ient
.
Me:
no.Iwast
alki
ngt
oNal
edi
Her
:oh
Herexpr
essi
onsuddenl
ychanged.
Her
:thatchi
l
disbadnews
Me:
yout
heonet
hatmademebef
ri
endher
t
hou
Her
:whenyouguyswere5.Idi
dn’
tthi
nkshe
woul
dtur
noutli
kethi
s
Me:l
osingherf
athermadeherl
i
ket
hismom.
Don’
tjudge
Her:
whatever
.Uhhm canIset
tl
ethebi
l
lory
ou
st
il
lwantsomethi
ngelse?
Me:
youcanset
tl
ethebi
l
l,Il
ostmyappet
it
e
Her
:soy
oudon’
twantadoggybag?
Me:
nope
Her
:ok.
Shewavedherhandtoourwai
tressandt
hegir
l
cameoverandtookawayourpl
atesandsai
d
shewouldbr
ingthebi
ll
inabit
.
Her
:sowher
edoy
ouwantt
ogoshoppi
ng?
Me:
youcanal
way
str
ansf
ermet
hecash
Isai
dsmi
l
ing
Her:
nicet
ry.Wear
egoi
ngt
obondwhet
hery
ou
l
ikei
tornot
Me:Idon’
tmi
ndasl
ongasby5we’
l
lbedone
bondi
ng
Her
:what
?Why
?
Me:myfri
endsar
etaki
ngmeoutf
ormy
bi
rt
hday
Her
:oht
hat
’sni
ceoft
hem.Wher
e?
Me:
somecl
ub
Her:
don’tyougett
ir
edoft
hiswhol
ecl
ubbi
ng
busi
ness?
Me:
nope,
Idi
dn’
tgett
het
imet
odur
ingt
hey
ear
mom
Her
:wher
eisy
ourgr
andmot
herwhenIneedher
Me:
backi
nMt
hat
ha
Isai
dsmi
l
ing.
Her:
heh,di
dyouknowt
haty
ourSol
ethui
s
pr
egnant
Solet
huismycousi n,she’
st hosecousi
nsyou
havenoideahowy outwoar erel
atedbut
becauseyourparentssayy oucousinst
henyou
automati
cal
lybecomet heircousin
Me:
Idi
dnotknow
Her:pr
epar
eforaLi
feOri
ent
ati
onlect
uref
rom
yourgr
annywhenyougobackhome
Me:JesusChri
st!Whyshoul
dIhav
etosuf
fer
al
lbecauseshedoesn’
tknowhowtousea
condom
Her
:anddoy
ouknow?
Me:
I’
m st
il
lav
irgi
nBabes
Her
:wit
hthel
if
est
yley
oul
eadi
ng.Idon’
tbuy
t
hatonesi
ngl
ebit
Me:
Imaypar
ty,
dri
nkbutIam st
il
lav
irgi
nmom
Youguysneedtounderst
andthatI’
ml y
ingf
or
herowngood,t
helastthi
ngIneedisher
pi
ctur
ingmehavingsex….Notagoodi magefor
amothert
ohave.Ont hereal
though,Il
ostmy
virgi
nitylastSept emberhol i
day s.Mebei nga
virgi
nwast hereasonZukoandIev enbr okeup.
Heagr eedt oendingt hingsal lbecauseI
woul dn’tsleepwi thhim.Heexpect edmet o
l
osemyv irgini
tythispastApr i
l holi
daysbutI
hadot herpl ans.You’ l
lheart hest oryproper
witht i
me.Ohandt hewhol e“ r
ule”ofmi neof
notscr ewingpeopl eIgot oschool with,and
alsoIdonotdat epeopl eIgot ot hesame
campuswi thforobv iousreasons.Myl i
feplans
didnoti ncludemel osingmyv i
rgini
tybef or
eI
turned18butl i
fehasaf unnyway ,Ithi
nkI
mi ghtaswel lhoear oundt hi
sDecember .Blame
Zuko!
Her
:ify
ousayso
Me:
youdon’
tbel
i
eveme
Her
:it
’ski
ndofnoteasyt
o
Me:I
’myourdaught
er,
yousupposet
otakemy
wor
dfori
tmom
Her
:okf
ine.I
sthatwhyy
ouandZukobr
okeup?
Me:
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Her:youandyourex,di
dyouguy
sbr
eakup
becauseyou’
reavir
gin?
Inodded
Her
:whatanasshol
e!
Me:
languagemom
Wewer ewal
kingoutofSpurandheadedt o
Legitwhi
l
echattingaboutthi
swhol ethi
ng,I
wasuncomfortabletal
kingaboutthi
swi t
hmy
mom soIchangedt hetopictoheranythi
ngbut
meandshef el
l f
oritbecausewewer enow
tal
ki
ngaboutschool.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
6-
Mel
o
SoIwasr ight,thatishermom…Iseewher e
shegetsev erythi
ngf rom, hermom wasa
l
ookerandt heyl ookedl ikecopi esofeachot her
.
Talkaboutdoppel ganger s.Therewas
somethingmesmer izingaboutYandi swa,
somethingabouthert hatmadey oust are.I
didn’
twantt oknowher , Iwasn’ tev
eni nterested
i
nherbutIdi dwantt obangt heday l
i
ghtsoutof
herandt hatwasgoi ngt ohappenatourpar ty
onewayort heot her.Sur eMr sBesssai di twas
cancel
led…f ornow.ButIknowwhi chbut tons
tostr
okeonmymom.Mom boughtI y aand
Ngawobr eakf astandt henweheadedbackt o
thehospital,seeingt hatmysi st
erwasgoi ng
homet odayIdi dn’treal l
yseeneedt obet here.I
madeupsomel i
eandt henheadedoutt omeet
upwithAt hi andSi ya, Ineededsomesani ty.
Theywer echi lli
ngatRoccoMama’ s
At
hi:
dudewhat
’supwi
thy
ourphone?
Si
ya:
beent
rynacal
lyousi
ncef
orev
er
Me:whyarey
a’l
lsoundi
ngl
i
ket
hatannoy
ing
gi
rl
fr
iend
Si
ya:
andy
ouwoul
dknowr
ight
?
Me:
scr
ewy
oubr
o.l
astni
ghtwasl
i
t
At
hi:
thosegi
rl
ssur
eknowhowt
othr
owapar
ty!
Si
ya:andyouscaredt
hebi
rt
hdaygi
rl
.madeher
gosobersametime
Weal
ll
aughed
Me:whatdoyoumeanIscar edthebi
rt
hdaygi
rl
?
whowasthebir
thdaygi
rlagain?
At
hi:
Yandi
swa!Shecal
l
edy
out
err
if
ying!
Si
ya:
whatdi
dyoudot
othegi
rl
?
Me:
not
hing
Ishr
ugged.Idi
dn’
tmeantoscar
eheroffbuti
f
anyt
hinghadhappenedt
omysistert
henI
wouldbet heonet oblame,mypar entswould
takeever
y t
hingoutonmeandt hatwast helast
thi
ngIneeded.Il ovemytwin,annoyingasshe
canbeatt imesbutsheandIar eone!What ever
happenstoher ,happenstomet oo,ifshehurt
s
thenIhurtandifshe’shappythensoam I .I
woulddiebef or
eIletanyt
hinghappent oher.
At
hi:
youknowwedon’
tbel
i
evey
ourassr
ight
Me:
may
beIt
hreat
enedher
Si
ya:
whatdoy
oumeanmay
be?
Me: t
oldheri
fsheletanythi
nghappent
omy
si
sterthenIwoul
dhur ther
At
hi:
Dude!No!
Me:
what
?
Athi
:Yandiswai
snotsomef l
oozydrunkar
d,
she’
sactuall
yaver
ysweetsmar tgir
lwho
wouldneverandImeanneverletanyonet
ake
advant
ageofsomeoneshecar esabout
Me:
sheonl
ymetmysi
sterl
astni
ght
.Idon’
t
thi
nkyoucancar
eaboutsomeoney
oudon’
t
know
Si
ya:shecan,
shedoesn’
tneedtoknowyou
l
ongenoughtocar
e.Lookatyourmom f
or
i
nstance
Me:
mymom doesn’
tdr
inkorsmokenori
sshe
r
ude
Athi
:she’l
lber
udet
oyouonl
yify
ouwer
erude
toherfi
rst
Me:whyar
eweeventalki
ngaboutt
hisgi
rl
?do
youguy
shaveat
hingforher
?
Siya:
inall
honest
y,Ioncedi
dbutsheputmein
thefri
endzoneonsomescreweduprul
eli
ke
yours
Athi
:whyyouget
ti
ngwor
kedany
way
?Ai
ntl
i
ke
youknowher
Me:Iwasatherpl
acejustt
hismorni
ngandshe
wasrudeAF!Iwantnot
hingtodowit
hher
Si
ya:
Iseewher
ethi
sisgoi
ng.Youl
i
keher
At
hi:
fli
p!Whydi
dn’
tIseei
tsooner
?
Me:
what
?No!FuckNo!
Siy
a:she’
sbeaut
if
ul,
hasabangi
ngbodyfor
daysandshe’
smoreorlessl
i
keyou.Youl
ike
her
Me:
she’
snot
hingl
i
keme
Athi
:okatl
eastadmi
tthatshehasabangi
ng
body
Me:
Isawhernakedact
ual
l
y
Si
ya:
noway
!
At
hi:
youki
ddi
ngr
ight
?
Me:
Iwi
sh.Herbodyi
sani
nst
antbonergi
ver
Si
ya:
pleasedon’
t“Mel
o”her
Myfriendscall
myst r
ategyofscrewingand
t
henbounci ngwit
houtcatchinganyfeeli
ngs,
t
he‘Mel o’
.Asyouguy sknowal r
eady,Idon’
tdo
r
elat
ionshipsandli
keIsaid,Idowantt obang
t
heday li
ghtsoutofherandI’m sor
rytosaythi
s
butIwi
l
lgetmywi
sh.
At
hi:
youdonotwantt
omaket
hatmi
stakebr
o.
Me:
why
?What
’ssodi
ff
erentabouther
?
Athi
: becausesheisourfr
iendandify
oudo
anythingstupi
dtoherthenwewi l
lbepay
ingfor
i
tfort herestofourl
i
ves,youknowhowgirl
s
are
Siy
a:At
hii
sri
ght
,gi
rl
sandgr
udges…notagood
combobro
Me:ormay beyouasshol
esarescaredt
hatI
mightact
uall
ywinherwhenyou’vebeentr
ying
t
obutnev ergotany
wherewit
hher
Theybothlookedateachotherandlaughedat
measi fIweretell
i
ngthem ajokewithouta
punchl
ine.Thei
rlaughwassosar casti
cand
annoyi
ng.
At
hi:
your
e….
Si
ya:
nobr
olethi
m be.Bestofl
uckMel
o
Me:
okwhatam Imi
ssi
ng?
Athi
:nothi
ng.y
ougoi
ngtobangt
heday
li
ght
s
outofherri
ght
?Goaheadbr
o
It
’sthewayhesai ditt
hatmademewor r
y.What
wasi taboutthi
sYandi swachi ckanyway?Why
weret heguyssodef ensiveoverher?We
continuedchatt
ingandeat i
ngandt henwesplit
thebillandwentt obuyaf ewi tems.Wewentto
Sportsceneandwhatdoy ouknow?webumped
i
ntoYandi swawi thhermot her.Thewayshe
j
umpedf ormyni ggasy ouwoul dhavesworn
thattheyweredat i
ng.Shej ustunderminedme.
Her
:guy
sthanky
ousomuchf
orcomi
ng
Si
ya:
youknowwewoul
dn’
tmi
ssi
tfort
hewor
ld
Me:
that
’sbecausey
oucr
ushi
ngonherhar
d
Shejustlookedatmeanddi dn’
tsayanything.
Geezwhat ’
swi t
htheatti
tude?I’
mj ustt
ryingto
fi
tinhereseeingthatI
’mt heonlyonewhogoes
toHowar dinthegroup.
At
hi:
don’
tmi
ndhi
m.Whoy
ouher
ewi
th?
Her
:mymom act
ual
l
y.Comemeether
Siy
a:i
sshestil
lhot?ImeanifIcan’
thavey
ou,
can’
tIatl
easthaveyourdoppel
ganger
Shelaughed,herlaughwasverycuteiswasli
ke
achil
d’slaugh.Hersmil
ewasj ustsomethi
ng
el
seandherey es,t
hewaytheygottinywhen
shelaughed.Shewasabeaut ynodoubt,a
nat
uralbeauty.Shewasn’tweari
nganymake
up,notevenlipsti
ck.
Her
:shutupi
diot
.
Shepul l
edthei
rarmsandheadedt othe
dir
ecti
onhermot herwasi n,hermom was
checkingoutsneakers.Talkaboutwomenwho
ref
uset ogrowold,butthenagainshe’sa
doctoringoodshape.
Her
:mom, meetmyfriendsSi
yaandAt
hiand
t
hei
rfr
iendMelokuhl
e
Ohwowsosheknowsmeaf
teral
l
?!
Mom:ni
cet
omeetyouboy
s.Yandi
swahast
old
mesomuchabouty
ou
Yandi
:ev
ent
oldherabouty
ourcr
ushonher
Si
ya
Wel
aughed
Si
ya:
nicet
omeety
ouDrGxaba.I
t’
sani
nnocent
cr
ush
Athi
:ni
cet
omeety ouDrG,we’
vehear
dal
ot
abouty
outoo.Goodthi
ngsonl
y
Mom:
Ihopeso.Younev
erknowwi
tht
hisone
Yandi:
geezmom real
lynow?Anywayhelpme
chooseaniceandexpensi
vesneakerguy
s
Mom:
your
eal
l
ywantt
osuckmedr
yhuh?
!
Athi
:don’
twor
ryDrG,
we’
l
lpi
ckhert
he
cheapest
Mom:
Ili
ket
hisone,
youshoul
dkeephi
m
Yandi
:don’
tfl
att
erhi
m mom,
he’
l
lst
artget
ti
ng
i
deas
Ideci
dedtocheckoutsneakersf
ormy
sel
f
seei
ngthatIwasanoutcast.
Mom:
Mel
okuhl
ewhatdoy
out
hink?
Me:
sor
ry,
about
?
Mom:
thi
sshoe
Shewascar
ryi
nganal
l
-whi
teai
rfor
ce
Me:
for
?
Yandi
:me
Me:
it’
sni
ce
Yandi
:tol
dyouhewasn’
tint
erest
ed.
Mom:y
oubei
ngr
ude.Idi
dn’
trai
sey
out
obe
r
ude
Yandi
:hest
art
edi
t.
Mom:ri
ghtIf
orgot
.Hewal
kedi
nony
ounaked.
Bi
gdeal
Shetol
dhermom? ??Whatthehel
l?Whot el
l
s
thei
rmom sucht
hings?Ev
enIdidn’tt
ell
my
mom orsi
ster
.Iwi
shedt
hegr
oundcouldopen
upandswall
owme.Iwasembar
rassedreal
l
y
Yandi
:mom!
Mom: shetol
dmeMel okuhle.Wheny ouguy
s
dodecidedtodosomethingaboutthese
feel
i
ngsy ouhav
eforeachot her
,useacondom
Thegent
sjustl
aughed.Whatwasupwi
tht
his
woman?
Me:
feel
i
ngs?
Yandi
:ther
ear
enofeel
i
ngsmom.Iwoul
dnev
er
doanythi
ngwi
thhi
m
Me:
samegoesher
eMi
ss
Her
:he’
sanasshol
emom.Ar
udeoneev
en
Mom: r
ii
ight
.Athi
,Si
ya,
tel
lmeI
’
m nott
heonl
y
oneseei
ngthis
At
hi:
Iref
uset
ogeti
nvol
ved
Siya:younglov
ei ssocut
e.Tal
kabouta
teenageloveaffai
r
Me: y
ouneedtoqui ttheweedy ousmoking
Siy
a,it
smessingwi thyourbr ains.DrGxaba,
yourdaught
erisprettyandal lbutsheandIwi l
l
neverbeanyt
hing.Wewi llnev erdoanything
andthat’
sapromise.She’sr udeandchi l
dish
Yandi
:touché.He’
stooar
rogantandt
oomuch
ofanasshole.
Me:
gladweagr
eeonsomet
hing
Hermom, Si
yaandAt
hil
ookedatusand
l
aughed.
Mom: l
ookatt
hem f
ightl
i
keamar
ri
edcoupl
e
al
ready
At
hi:
Icant
ell
thatt
heywi
l
lbeper
fectf
oreach
ot
her
Me:
ok.I
’
m outofher
e
Isaidgoingtowardsthecl
othi
ngsecti
onand
l
eftthem laughi
ng.Iwassoannoyed.AsifI
wouldeverbewi thsomeoneli
keher.She’
s
chil
dishandt hi
nksthewor
ldrevol
vesaround
her.Imeanshe’
snotevenal
lthatforChri
st
sake!Ipr
essedmyphoneandj ustroamed
aroundwhil
ewait
ingf
ortheguy s.
“
Mel
o”
Il
ookedupandbefor
emest oodagi
rlIonce
sl
eptwit
h.wel
lthi
soughtt
obeawkwar d.
Me:
Tany
a
Her
:howar
eyou?
Sheoff
eredt
ohugsoIgav
eheracol
doneand
brokei
tASAP.
Me:
I’
m goodandhowar
eyou?
Her
:I’
vehadbet
terday
s.Younev
ercal
l
edme?
Me:I’
m sor
ry,
I’
vej
ustbeenwayt
oobusywi
th
examsandall
Her
:buty
ounotbusynow
Me:I
’m act
uall
yher
eshoppi
ngf
orabi
rt
hday
gi
ftf
ormyf r
iend
Her
:oh
Me:
I’
m sor
ryInev
ercal
l
edy
ou
Wherewasmyt wi
nwhenIneededher?She
nor
mall
yrescuesmei
nthi
ssituat
ionsandt
alks
meoutofthem.
Her
:wel
lther
ear
eot
herway
syoucanmakeup
f
orit
Shewi nkedatme.Tany awasbeaut i
ful
,well
everygirl
Igetwithisbeauti
fulbutmypoi nt
hereisthatasmuchasshewasbeaut i
fuland
hadasmoki ngbody ,Iwasn’
tinterestedinher
.
I’
vehadmyf unwithherandnowi t ’
stimeto
mov eont othenextone.Idon’tbangagi rl
moret hanonce.
Me:I’
m sorr
ybutIdi
dtell
youupfr
ontt
hatI
wasn’
tlooki
ngforarel
ati
onshi
p
Her
:butMel
owehadsex
!
Me:coul
dyoukeepitdown.I
twasonce,
no
needtocat
chf
eeli
ngs
Her
:ist
hisy
ourt
hinghuh?Scr
ewandt
hen
l
eav
e?
Me:actual
l
yyeahiti
smyt
hingandI
’
m sor
ry
younotokwit
hit.
Her
:ty
pical
.Youjustl
i
keal
ltheot
herpr
ett
y
boy
soutthere!
Si
ya:
ever
ythi
ngokher
e?
Her
:yougay
?Howdi
dInotknowt
hat
?
Wasi
tmeorwasthi
sgi
rlbeaut
ywit
houtbr
ains?
Whywoul
dIscr
ewheri
fIweregay
?
Me:
excuseme?
Siy
a:wecousi
nsact
ual
l
ybutt
hanksf
ort
he
compli
ment
Shel
ookedatuspi
ssedAFandt
henshe
st
ormedoff
Me:compl
i
ment?Whenhasbei
ngcal
l
edgay
ev
erbeenacompl
i
ment?
Hi
m:meanswepr
ett
y!Whi
chonei
sshe?
Me:
thebestheadgi
ver
!
Hi
m:andwhatwast
hatabout
?
Me:
she’
smadcauseInev
ercal
l
ed
Hi
m:If
eel
sor
ryf
ory
ournextgi
rl
fr
iend.
Me:
that
’sbecauseIwon’
tev
erhav
eone
Him:st
il
lbro,ther
e’l
lcomeat i
mewhereyou’
ll
haveagir
lf
riendandt hegi
rl
fr
iendwi
l
lhav
et o
dealwi
thallofthi
s
Me:yeahwell
mysi st
ernor
mal
l
ytakescar
eof
t
heseconfr
ontat
ionsforme
Hi
m:y
ouar
eanass!
Me:
buty
oust
il
lcar
e.
Hi
m:what
ever
.Wher
etof
rom her
e?
Me:Idon’
tknow.Ther
e’st
hishandbagIsawat
Zar
awhichIknowMelodywilll
ove
Hi
m:I
’
m conv
incedy
ougay
.Let
’sgo
Me:
wher
e’sAt
hi?
Hi
m:chat
ti
ngwi
thYandi
swabyt
het
il
l,
we’
l
l
meethi
m out
side
Me:
that
’sst
unty
ouguy
spul
l
edwasnotf
unny
!
Him:ncoooohar
eyoupout
ingnow?Baby
needsahug?
Me:
fucky
ou!
Wewal kedoutlaughi
ngandAt hif
oll
owedus.
Ont hewayt heyweregoingonandonabout
Yandiswaandhowt heylookforwardt
oour
weddingdaywhi chwi
llNEVERhappenandall
thatothercrappystuf
fpeoplesaytoannoyyou.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
7
Derri
ckMel okuhleBessi sanasshol e!Mywor d!
Howcansomeonesoar rogantandsel f-
cent r
ed
andsor udewal kont hesamegr oundIwal kon?
He’ssuchaj erk.Event hewor dJer kisan
underst
at ementforhim!Mywor dIhat ehim
andIhatemymom ev enmor eforthinki
ngt hatI
wouldev erhaveanysor tofrelati
onshipwi t
h
someonel i
kethat.Ihatezer ointerestonthat
guyandgoodgodpl easesomebodyki l
lmei fI
do.Mom dr ovemehomebef oreheadi ngback
toMthatha.Ididaskhert ost ayonemor eday
butworkawai ts.Iwentt oNal edi’
sr oom and
shewasn’ thomesoIwentt ocheckonAni t
a
andshewasi nbed, Igoti nandj oi
nedher .
Her
:heyhoneybubu
Me:
heymami
.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Her
:st
il
lsore.Idon’
tthi
nkIwantt
owakeup
t
oday…letal
onedoany t
hing
Me:wel
lsadl
yyouhav
etowakeupandwe
hav
etogooutwit
hthegi
rl
sandj
ustbe
beaut
if
ul
Her
:whenar
eweopeni
ngy
ourpresent
s
any
way?Whatdi
dmummygetyou?
Me:It
houghty
ouwouldneverask!Comel
et’
s
got
omyr oom,ev
ery
thi
ngisinthere
Lastnightpeopledidcomewi t
hgift
s,well
thosethatfelti
twouldber udetoattend
someone’sbi rt
hdaypart
ywi thoutagift
.Ithi
nkI
gotroundabout25- 30presentsoutofthe+-
150peopl ethatatt
endedmypar t
yandev enso,
that25+wasf r
om mostlymycl assmatesand
peoplethatknowmeout si
decampusandst uff
.
Her
:butIdon’
tfeel
li
keget
ti
ngupf
rom t
hisbed
t
hough
Me:ohwell
…thenwe’l
lj
ustsither
eandt
alk
abouty
oursexual
exper
iences
Her:nahf
am.I
’
m mor
eint
erest
edi
nyouand
Zuko.
Me:
pleasedon’
t!
Her
:noYandi
swalet
’st
alk.What
’st
hedeal
bet
weenyouguy
s?
Me:
ther
eisnodeal
,tr
ustme
Her
:ok,
then?
Me: thatidiotupl
oadedapi ctureofhim andI
today,li
terall
yputti
ngi touttherethatheandI
areov er
.Imeani fhewant sanewgi rl
fri
end,
whydoesn’ thefl
ippinggethi mselfonerather
thanmaki ngmet hebedper son?Andt henhe
hasthener vetosayt opeopl ethatIdumped
him andhedoesn’ tknowwhy
Her:
I’
m sorr
y.YouknowhowZukoi
sfr
iend.
Don’
tlethi
m gett
oyou
Me:
hepi ssedmeoffreal
lybadfri
endandt hen
t
her
e’salsothi
sassholeMelokuhl
ewhot hi
nks
t
heworldrevol
vesaroundhi
mj ustbecausehe
i
sDamonBess’ sson
Her
:whatdi
dhedo?
Me:
arghi
tdoesn’
tmat
terwhathedi
dbutl
ord
knowsIwil
lNEVERgetwi
thaguyl
i
ket
hat
.IfI
dofri
end,
pleaseki
l
lme!
Shej
ustlaughedatme.Iwasf
umi
ng,
that
’s
howpissedIwas
Her
:cal
m down.
Me:he’
ssoannoyi
ng.Thi
smor ni
nghewalked
i
nthehouseandstar
tedbar
kingorder
sasif
t
hiswerehi
splace
Her:
expl
ainst
hetensi
ont
hismor
ning.Sowhat
or
derwashebarki
ng?
Me:hetoldmetogowakehi ssist
erupandthat
hedidnothaveal
lday.Idon’
tknowhowy ou
guyscouldsayI
’mli
kehim whenIsweet,
kind,
RESpectf
ulandsonotrude.
Her:
fri
endcal
m down.Iapol
ogi
seonhi
sbehal
f.
Inowknowthatyouhatehi
sgut
s.
Mey
ouhav
enoi
dea.
Her
:fr
iendcanIasky
ousomet
hing?
Me:
yeahshoot
.
Her:I
’m aski
ngbecauseIl
ovey
ouandIcar
e
aboutyou
Me:
justAskNi
ta
Her
:doy
oust
il
ll
oveZuko?
Me:
what
?
Her:thel
astti
mey ouwerei
narelati
onshi
pwas
withhim.Theper
sonwhoev enbrokeyour
vi
rgini
tywashim.Forgi
vemeforaskingbutar
e
you?
Okthathithome!It
houghtofmyanswerclear
ly.
WasIstil
l i
nlov
ewitht
heassholet
hatbrokemy
hear
twithoutaguntohishead?
Her:
thi
ngisfriendevenaft
erhewastheasshe
wastoyou,youst i
l
lwentonandlethi
m beyour
vi
rgi
nbreaker.Mindyou,y
ousaidyouwereover
hi
m
Me:inall
honest
y,Ithi
nkIdostil
ll
ovehim ev
en
af
terevery
thi
ngthathashappenedbutIj
ust
don’tseemy sel
fwi thhim anymore.Thesex
wasgr eatandal lbutIneedsomechangei nmy
l
ife.Ican’
tkeepgoi ngincircl
eswi t
hhi m.He
screwsup, heapol ogisesandIt akehim back,
ourbreakupwasmyl aststraw.Asf orhi
m
beingmyv irginbreaker,Iwouldn’tl
etast ranger
breakmyv i
rgini
tyandIt hinkit’
sthesext hat
mademer eal i
sethatInev erwanttobewi th
him again
Her
:buty
ousai
ditwasgr
eat
Me: IknowwhatIsaidbutsti
llf
ri
end.Just
becausethesexisgreatdoesn’
tmeant hathe
i
sachangedper sonandhej ustkeepsshowing
met hathewil
lneverchange.He’sanassholei
n
hi
snat ure
Her
:youst
il
lhav
ethatconv
ersat
ionwher
eyou
t
wobrokeup?
Me:wouldIeverdel
eteit?it
’saconst
ant
r
eminderthatwheneverIthi
nkofgett
ingback
t
ogetherwit
hhim,Ireaditandgetoverhi
m
compl
etel
y
Her:
Isee.Let’
sgotoy ourroom,I
’
m cur
ioust
o
seewhatrandom peopleboughty
ou
Ilaughedatherandwewentt omyr oom.I
openedSi hle’
sgiftfirstandi twasanEr abyDJ
Zinhlewat ch.AndthenIopenedAt hi’soneand
hehadboughtmeav erycut eneckl
acesetwi th
earrings,wat chandbr acel
etwi thmynameoni t
.
Tom’ sgi f
twasanewocur pipe,
NitaandIj ust
crackedupi nlaught er,butitwascut ethough
becausei twaspur pleandi thadmyname
embeddedoni t
.Siyaboughtmeacut epairof
heelsIoncesai dIlikedatZar awhenheandI
wentwi ndowshoppi ngaf terschool.Iwas
gettingAni ta’
s,Bonke’ sandNal edi’
sgi f
ts
tonight.
Me:
Ithi
nkIhav
eseenenough
Her
:pl
easeopent
hisone,
I’
m cur
ious
Me:
whoi
sitf
rom?
Her
:Asemahl
eBess
Me:sheboughtmeagi
ft
?Butshedoesn’
tknow
me
Her:
Iguesssomepeopl
edon’
tneedt
oknow
youtol
ikeyou.
Me:
Iguessso
Iopenedi tanditwasasetbyTony &Guy( or
whatevert henamei s)
,therewasahai rdryer
,a
str
aightenerandacur li
ngiron.Wit
hanot e
i
nside.Thenot er ead“IknowIdon’ tknowy ou
butIhav eseeny ouar oundcampusandy ou
seem li
keagi r
lwithstyle.Youprobablydon’t
needthisbutIdi dn’tknowwhatt ogety ou.
Hopey oul ikei
t”.
Ni
ta:
wow!Il
i
keher
,let
sbef
ri
endher
Me:she’
sdoi
ngherlastyearei
therwaybutshe
di
dinvi
temetoherpartythi
sDecember8
Her
:ar
ghI
’
llbehomebyt
hen
Me:
can’
tyouatl
eastwai
tfort
hepar
tyt
hen
l
eav
est
rai
ghtaf
ter
?
Her:
sadl
yno.gr
annyi
scal
l
ingmet
other
ural
ar
eas
Me:
wel
lthat
’sdr
eadf
ul
Her
:Iknowr
ight
?!
Wecont
inuedchat
ti
ngandopeni
ngt
hegi
ft
s
t
oget
her
.
Her
:opent
hisone
Me:
whydon’
tyouopeni
t?
Her
:just
.
Itookthegif
tbagandcheckedthelit
tl
ecar don
i
tbutnothingwaswr i
tt
ensoIopenedi tand
therewasaboxwr appedi
npaperandont he
paperitwaswrit
ten“Fr
om DMB: 06……..”
Me:
whot
hehel
li
sDMB?
Her
:Idon’
tknow.openi
t
Me:
whati
fit
’sabomb?
Her
:whowoul
dwantt
oki
l
lyou?
Me:
Idon’
tknow
Ishr
ugged.
Her
:justopeni
t
Iopenedt
hegi
ftandi
twasi
ndeedabox
,abox
fr
om NWJ.
Her
:whoev
ert
heyar
e,t
heyhav
egr
eatt
ast
e!
Iopenedtheboxandi
thadthisbeaut
ifulneck
pi
ecewithmatchi
ngearr
ingsandbracelet
.
Me:
Iwonderwhoi
tis.
Her
:cal
lthenumberi
diotandf
indout
Idi
all
edthenumberandi
trangf
orawhi
l
e
becausei
twasanswered
/
/Per
son:
Mel
o’sphonehel
l
o?
Me:
uhhm hi
gh.I
’
m Yandi
swa,
mayIspeakt
o
DMBpl
ease
Her
:heyYandi
.Mybr
otheri
soutatt
hemoment
Me:
DMBi
sMel
okuhl
e?
Her
:yeah.I
t’
shi
sini
ti
als,
why
?
Me:heboughtmeabir
thdaypr
esent
.Byt
he
wayIsawyoursandIl
oveit
Her:
wel
lmypleasur
e,gl
ady
oul
ovedi
t.what
di
dmybrot
hergetyou?
Me:
agi
ftsetf
rom NWJ
Her
:ohwow!Iwonder
Me:pl
easetel
lhi
m Isai
dthanksbutnot
hanks.
Idon’
twanthi
sgif
t
Her
:what
?Why
?
Me:
heknowswhy
Her
:what
’sgoi
ngonbet
weeny
out
woany
way
?
Me:
not
hing
Her:
rii
i
ght.Hej
ustcamei
n,may
bey
oucant
ell
hi
my oursel
f
Me:
what
?NoI
…
Ididn’
tevenfi
nishmysentencewhenIwascut
offbyhis“Hel
lo”.Hi
shell
owassosexyy ou
wouldswearyouwer etal
kingtosomeoneel se.
Itwassoboldandconf i
dentanddareIsay,rich.
Don’taskhowav oi
cesoundsri
ch,i
tjustdoes.
Me:
thi
sisYandi
swa.
Hi
m:whatdoy
ouwant
?
Me:trustme,
Idi
dn’
twanttomaket
hiscal
lbut
cur
iosit
ygott
hebestofme.
Hi
m:wher
edi
dyouev
engetmynumber
?
Me:i
twasonthegi
ftyouboughtme.AnywayI
don’
twanty
ourgi
ft
.Youcanstopbytofetchi
t
Hi
m:y
ou’
reanungr
atef
ulbi
tchy
ouknowt
hat
?!
Me:
excuseme!
Him:whenast r
angerbuysyouagif
toutoft
he
goodnessofthei
rheart
,yousayt
hankyouand
nothi
ngelse.
Me:
wel
lthanky
oubutnot
hanks.Idon’
twanti
t!
Hi
m:sowhatmustcanhappennowhuh?
Me:Idon’tknow.howaboutyoucomeand
f
etchitandgiveitt
ooneofyourfl
oozi
es
Him:youmi
ghtaswellthr
owitint
hebi
nify
ou
hatei
tsomuch,Idon’
tcarewhaty
oudowit
hit
!
Me:
goscr
ewy
our
sel
f
Hi
m:goj
umpof
facl
i
ff!/
/
Cutthecal
l andslammedmyphoneont hebed.
Iwassomad!Whywast hisguy
sl i
kethi
s?He
wassochildishandarr
ogantforjackshi
it
.I
tookthegi
ftandwenttot hrowi
tinthebin
Ni
ta:
okandt
hen?
Shewentt
otakei
toutoft
het
rash
Her
:what
’sgot
teni
ntoy
ou?
Me:
DMBi
sDer
ri
ckMel
okuhl
eBess
Her:
fri
endhav
eyouanyi
deahowmucht
hisset
cost
s?
Me:
doIcar
e?
Sheshowedmeherphoneandt
hesetwas
R1500
Me:
so?
Her
:comeonYandi
don’
tbel
i
ket
his
Me:
hesai
dIcant
hrowi
tmos
Her
:andy
our
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
othr
owi
taway
?
Me:yes,
becausethat
’swher
ethi
ngsf
rom hi
m
andhimingener
albel
ong.
Her
:wow!y
ouar
esomet
hingel
sey
ouknow
t
hat
Me:
soI
’
vebeent
old.
JustthenNaledi
walkedi
twit
hdozensof
shoppingbagsandshethr
ewthem ont
hefl
oor
andjumpedonmybed.
Her
:hel
l
omybabi
es
Us:
hey
Her:whyar
en’
twehappy
?Isi
tst
il
ltheZuko
t
hing?
Ni
ta:
Iwi
sh.I
t’
stheMel
othi
ngnow
Her
:Mel
o?Mel
okuhl
e?
Me:
yeahhi
m
Her
:whatdi
dhedo?
Ni
ta:heboughtourungrat
eful
fri
endov
erher
ea
gi
ftsetf
rom NWJwor thR1500
Her
:andshedoesn’
twanti
tbecause?
Me:
he’
sanasshol
e!
Ni
ta:
onewhogi
vesgoodgi
ft
s
Her:i
fItur
neddowngiftsbecausemenwer e
asshol
eswe’dprobabl
ybebr okeAF,washing
wit
hcoldwatereverymorni
ngandchar gingour
phonesoncampusandI ’dbewalki
ngar ound
naked
Me:y
ouhav eatr
ustf
undandthousandsof
r
endslef
tfory
oubyyourdad
Her
:Iknowbutt
hat
’sinsur
ancehoney
.The
guy
sIgooutwit
htakecareofal
lmyneedsand
wantsandmymoneyst
aysunt
ouchedand
i
nvested
Me:
ohwow
Ni
ta:
youcansayt
hatagai
n
Her:
anyway
.Youarekeepi
ngt
hisgi
ftandy
ou
ar
eputt
ingi
tonfort
onight
Me:
NO
Them:
YES!
Itriedar guingbutt heywoul dclosetheirears
andmaket hat“l
alalalal
a”noi se.Talkabout
bei ngchi l
dish.Event ual
lyIgav eupandputi tin
mydr awerbecauseIwasnotwear i
ngany thing
from Mel okuhleBessev er!Ishowedt hem t he
thingsmom boughtf ormeandt hi
sv er
ynice
bagIhadseenatZar a.Nal edishowedusher
thingsherbl esserboughtf orherandboywer e
theyex pensi ve,Ienv i
edhershame.Lat eronwe
shower edandgotr eadyf ormybi r
thdaydinner .
Ev eryonewaswear ingblackandgol d.Mygi r
ls
andIwer ei nfor
mation.IhadaskedAsemahl e
tojoinusbutshecoul dn’tbutshesai dshe
wouldt akemeoutt henextday .Itwasthethr
ee
ofusandourot her5fri
endsf rom school;
Natasha, Zama,Lathi
tha,LiyabonaandEmel i
e.
Wehadagr eatt
imewi t
houtany onegetti
ng
sloshed.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
8-
Mel
o
Ifeell
ikeYandi
swawasputont hiseart
hto
makemyl i
femiser
abl
eIswear.Niggabe
havingrel
ati
onshi
pprobl
emsy etheaintev
eni
n
one.Ican'
tbeli
evesheofal
lpeopleoncehada
boyfr
iend,
Ifeelsor
ryf
orthepoorguy
.Aftert
he
l
itt
leshoppi
ngwedi dwewentt omycri
band
foundAsewi t
hLuinthekit
chen.
Ase:
wasaboutt
ime!
Me:
nahshutup.Heycuz
Weshoul
derbumpedeachother.Wel
eftAt
hii
n
t
ownandIcamehomewi thSiya.
Si
ya:
sowher
e'sLi
z
Luc:
she'
sst
il
lnoti
nter
est
edbr
o
Si
ya:
shewi
l
lbesomeday
Siy
ahasat hingforLizoratl
easti
t’
swhathe
andLizjokeabout.Idon'
tknowreal
lyandI
don'tcar
e.
Lu:
butf
ornowl
eti
tgo
Me:
Isawt
hisandt
houghty
oumi
ghtl
i
kei
t
Isai
dhandi
ngMel
odyt
heZar
apaperbag
Her
:whati
sit
?
Me:
openi
tandsee.Wher
e'sev
ery
one?
Ase:
int
hel
ounge
Iwentouttotheloungeandever
yonewasther
e
exceptI
yaandLi z
.Itwasthepar
ents,
Ngawo
toget
herwit
hAuntAmberandherhusband.I
greet
edeveryone.
Mom:
wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
Me:outwi
thSi
ya.He'
sint
heki
tchenbyt
heway
.
Where'
sLi
z?
Amb:
ont
hephoneout
side
Me:
howl
onghasshebeen?
St
u:anhour
Me:
anddadl
ett
hatbe…t
hat
’saf
ir
st
Dad:
it’
sherhusband.
Me:IbetyouandBoobi
eusedtotal
kforhour
s
andnobodymadeyoucutthecal
lshor
t
Theyl
ookedateachot
herandbl
ushed…geeez
Mom: tr
uebutt
heonesyout
alkt
oar
enoty
our
gi
rl
fr
iend,t
heyf
loozi
es
Me:
uhhhm…l
etmegocheckonYana
Ev eryonel aughedatme.Whatt hehell
?How
coul dmom putmybusi nessouttherefor
ev eryone?It ell
Mr sBessal mostev er
y t
hingby
theway ,whobet t
erthany ourparentsforadvi
ce?
Ifeel li
kedadwoul dkindofbeal l
judgemental
andf ather l
yandpr ettymuchl essofaf ri
end.
Wi ththatIl eftt
hem andwentt ofindmybi g
sisterandIf oundheri nherroom facingthe
otherdi rection,Ij
oinedherandcuddl edher
from behi nd.
Me:
hel
l
oagai
n
Her
:heyy
ou
Me:
howar
eyou?
Her
:am Isupposedt
oanswert
hatquest
ion?
Me:It
hinkt
hat'
showconversat
ionswork.The
ot
heroneasksaquest
ionandtheother
r
esponds…y
ouknowt
hatt
ypeoft
hing
Her
:ohr
ight
..
.uhhhm I
'
m ok,
howar
eyou?
Me:hav
inggi
rlpr
obl
emsy
ett
heyar
en’
tev
en
mi
ne
Shechuckl
edandt
urnedt
ofaceme.
Her
:whathappenednow?
Me:
remembert
hepar
tyIwentt
olastni
ght
?
Her
:theoneAt
hi&Si
yaf
orcedy
out
oat
tend?
Me:yeaht
hatone.Asewassupersl
oshedand
hi
gh
Her
:mom i
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lher
Me:shedoesn'tknow…wel
lactual
lyshedoes
andIdon’tknowhow.Nowli
sten,sother
e's
chi
ck,hernameisYandi
swaGxabaa….
Her
:wher
e'sy
ourphonel
et'
sst
alkher
Me:
what
?NO!
Her
:comeon.Yousuckwi
thdescr
ipt
ions
Me:
noIdon’
t
Her
:yourdescr
ipti
onofagir
lis;
"she'
ssmoki
ng
hot
,hasanassf orday
sorboobsforday
s"
Me:fi
rst
ly,
Idon'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
.Secondl
ythat
'
s
nott
rue!
Shegav
emet
hat"
real
l
y"l
ook
Me:
fine!
Isearchedmypocket sandnot hing.Ithen
remember edImusthav elef titint hekitchen
togetherwi t
hmyshadesandkey s.Iwal kedout
andbumpedi ntomyt wintalkingonmyphone,
shehandedi ttomewi thoutsay ingwhot he
call
erwasonl ytofindoutitwasYandi swa- Ki
ll
menow!-Iwal kedinsi
deIy a'sr oom andsaton
thebedandspoket oher.Whot hehel lcall
sy ou
andinsul t
sy ouony ourphone?Yandi swawas
onecr azyb* t
chandIwoul dbedamnedt oever
bewi thsomeonet hatcrazy!Shemustt hi
nkthe
worldr evolv
esar oundherorsomet hi
ng.She
wasbei ngunnecessaril
yrude.Af terthecal lI
thr
ewmyphoneont
hebedandt
hrewmy
sel
f
back.
I
ya:
rel
ati
onshi
ppr
obl
ems?
Me:l
ikeneverbef
ore.Ihat
eher
!She'
san
ungr
atef
ulbit
ch.
Her
:who?
Me:
Yandi
swa
Her
:lemmeseeherpi
ctur
e
Me:
Idon'
thav
eit
Her
:Facebooki
diot
!
Me:
deact
ivat
edmyaccounty
ear
sago.
Shetookmyphoneandshegotont omy
Facebookandmademer eacti
vat
emyaccount
andthensear chher
.Wehad3mut ual
fri
ends;
Melody,AthiandSiya.Herpostswerepubli
c
butherpictur
esweren't,
youcouldonlysee
pi
cturesshewast aggedon, shehadover3000
fr
iends
Me:
ohwel
lsor
ry
Her
:cal
lMel
odyt
ocomewi
thherphone
Me:
real
l
y?
Her
:yes,
real
l
y!
Iwal
kedoutt
ocal
lAseandshecamewi
thme
toI
ya'
sroom.
Ase:
what
'st
hisabout
?
Iy
a:Iwanttostal
kMel o'
snewcr
ushandy
ou
areherFacebookfr
iend
Me:
newcr
ush?FuckNo!
Ase:
who'
sthecr
ush?
Me:
noone
I
ya:
yandi
swa
Wespokeatthesamet
ime.Theybot
hlooked
atmeandlaughed
Ase:
Iknewi
t!
Shet
ookoutherphoneandpagedt
hroughi
t
andpr obabl
yfoundherbecauseshegav eI
ya
thephone.Iwascur i
oussoIcheckedherout
withI
y aandBoyohBoy !Shewast hetypet
o
getover3000likesonherpict
ures.Shewas
realf
lamesnodoubt !
Ase:
thanksf
ort
hebag.Il
ovei
t
Me:
youwel
come
I
ya:
wher
e'smybag?
Me:
youhav
eaj
obandi
tpay
swel
ltoo
I
ya:
butst
il
l
Me:
Asehasbeencutof
ffi
nanci
all
y
I
ya:
what
?Why
?
Ase:
mom i
sjustbei
ngdr
amat
ic
I
ya:youknowIcan’
tspeakony
ourbehal
fify
ou
don’
ttel
lmeri
ght?
Ase:okfi
ne.SoIwenttoapart
ylastnightand
gotsl
oppydrunk,
apparent
lymom anddadhad
beentr
ynacallmebutIwasunreachable,
now
t
heymad
I
ya:
youknowy
ouneedt
oqui
tal
cohol
right
?
Ase:
it’
snotl
i
keIdr
inkonschool
day
smos
Iy
a:Iunderst
andt hatbhabhabutsti
l
l.Youwere
admit
tedintohospitalf
oralcohol
poisoni
ng.
Youwon’tbesol uckythisti
mearound
Aser
oll
edherey
es
Ase:
yes,
mummy
I
ya:
Ineedyoutopr
omi
semeAsemahl
e.No
moreal
cohol
Ase:
notev
enagl
assofwi
ne?
I
ya:
one!
Ase:
F*ckNO!I
’
m 20f
orChr
istsake
I
ya:
thenst
artact
ingl
i
kei
t.
Aseraisedherhandsupindef eatandI
yaandI
cont
inuedgoingthroughYandiswa’spi
ctur
es.
Shewasal lsor
tsofbeauti
fulnodoubt.
Me:
wai
tgoback
Her
:why
?
Me:
Iwantt
oseesomet
hing
ShewentbackandInoti
cedshehadt
hesame
bagIhadboughtmysist
er
Me:
you'
vegott
obeki
ddi
ngme
Them:
what
?
Me:
she'
scar
ryi
ngt
hesamebagIboughty
ou
I
twasapi ct
ureofheratI
CC,herbackgr
ound
gaveheraway.Asecametooursideandshe
peeked.
I
ya:
eveny
ourt
ast
eist
hesame
Ase:
youguy
sar
eamat
chmadei
nheav
en
“
whoi
s?”
Wealltur
nedandsawLi
zst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
.
Igotuptohugher
.
Her
:justbecauseI
’
m notaBessdoesn’
tmeanI
appr
eci
atebei
ngexcl
uded
Ibr
oket
hehugandwewentt
osi
tdown.
Me:
wel
lther
e’st
hisgi
rl
Li
z:coul
dthi
smeany
ouf
inal
l
yhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?
Ase:
wewi
sh.Hehasacr
ushonher
I
ya:
andt
hisonei
sbeaut
if
ul
Me:
all
thegi
rl
sIgetwi
thar
ebeaut
if
ul
Asemadecoughi
ngsoundsandt
heyal
l
l
aughed.
Me: scr
ewy ou!AsIwassay i
ng,hernameis
Yandiswaandshe’ sprett
yandal l
buther
att
it
udest i
nks!She’sabitchfr
om hellt
hatone
andshet hi
nksthewor ldrevol
vesaroundher
Ase:innor
mal peopl
elanguagesheisactual
l
y
theopposi
te.Iwaswithheryest
erdayandthi
s
morningandsheissuchasweetper son.But
becauseDerri
ckisDerr
ick,
shedoesn’tli
kehi
m.
Sayshewasr udeandthatheisannoying
I
ya:she’
sperfect
.Itwoul
dmakeaper
fect
weddingst
oryoneday
Me:what?FuckNo!Iwouldr
atherdi
ethanbe
wi
thherandshesaidthesame
Ase:
whendi
dyout
womeet
?
Me:atGatewayandshewaswit
hhermom who
al
sosaidthi
scrazyshi
i
tyouguy
saresayi
ng
andforoncesheandIagr
eedonusnever
happeni
ngever!
Li
z:y
oungl
ove.Soador
abl
e!
Me:
I’
m outofher
e!
Isaidtaki
ngmyphoneandl eavi
ngt hem to
discussmef urtherbecausethat’
swhatt hey
alwaysdowhent heygettogether.Iwenttojoi
n
everyoneelsewhowassi tt
inginthelounge
chatti
ngupast or m.SiyaandLucwer en’t
aroundsoI’m assumi ngtheywereatSi ya’
s
placeorsomet hing
Mom:
Ohmywor
dthatwascl
assi
c!Ist
il
l
cannotbel
i
eveshemadedadwasht
hecari
n
therai
n
Amb:Li
ll
yBesswasnotawomanonewant
ed
tomesswit
h
Me:Grammymadegr
andpawasht
hecari
nthe
r
ain?Why?
Dad:wel lt
here’sthisone-t
imedadcamehome
l
ateandhehadn’ tbeenanswer ingmom’ scal
ls
ri
ght,andtot opitalloffhewalkedonhernew
whit
er ugwi t
hmuddyf eet.Dadt r
iedto
apol
ogi seandexpl ainbutMom di dn’
twantto
hearjackshii
t .Shemadehi m washt hecari
n
therain
Me:
andgr
andpadi
dthat
?
Amb:ifhedi
dn’
tthenshewoul
dhav
elocked
hi
m out,i
twashi
schoicer
eal
ly
Me:
Grammywasabul
l
y
Dad:yeahandy
ourmot
herseemst
otaker
ight
af
terher
Mom:
what
?NOI
’
m not
hingl
i
keLi
l
ly
Dad: Amahleoncemademef l
yt oPEall
becauseherf atherandbr otherhadaf i
ght
.
Mindy ouPEi ssupercoldatt hataroundMay
andshedi dn’tbotherwar ni
ngmebyt hewayso
Irockedupi nshor t
sandt -
shirtandthenshe
suggestswegot ot hefl
ippingbeach.Hav eyou
anyideahowcol ditisatthebeachar ound
midnight?
Wewer
eal
li
nst
it
ched
Mom:
buti
twaswor
thi
t
Sheki
sseddad’
scheek
Him:hel
pmeunderst
andhowt
hatwasworthi
t?
youwerewear
ingy
ourni
cewar
m onesyanda
gownontop
Amb:y
ep,soundsl
i
kesomet
hingmom woul
d
hav
edone
Mom: Imissedhimthoughandwegott
ohav
e
sexi
nt hecarfort
hefi
rstt
ime
Me:
chi
l
dear
sint
her
oom woman!
Itwassuchmoment sItr
easuredwi thmyf amily
.
Moment swherewecouldsitt
oget herand
l
aughaboutany t
hingandever
y t
hingt oget
her
andjustbecaref
ree.I
yaandtheot hergirl
s
deci
dedt oj
oinusandjoi
ninont her eminisci
ng.
Mom: ther
e’st
hisoneti
meEli
zabethmademe
changemywhol eout
fi
tall
becauseI’
m afut
ure
MrsBessandDamonBess’ swif
ecouldnotbe
seenwearingsuch
Amb:
shewas8r
ight
?
Me:
Lizy
ouwer
emean.
Dad:It
houghtshelookedgood.Shewas
weari
ngsweatpants,
whi t
evestandasneaker
butmynieceoverherefel
titwastoosi
mplefor
afut
ureMr sBess
Me:
andy
oul
i
stenedt
oherandchanged?
Mom: sai
dshewasn’
tgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thme
dr
essedli
kethat
Ase:ohwow.Ican’
tbel
i
evey
oudi
dthatt
oour
mother
Li
z:Il
ookedonpoi
ntsosheneededt
olookon
poi
ntto
Dad:inal
lfai
rness,shel
ookedhot
terwhenshe
changedheroutfi
t
I
ya:
dad!
Mom:
buthe’
sri
ghtt
hough.
Me:what’
stheworstthi
ngy
ou’
veev
erwent
t
hroughasaparent?
Amb:expl
aini
nghi
cki
es.Lizwasani
nqui
sit
ive
chi
l
d,Ihadtosayi
tal
ler
gies
Mom:Isai
dtoIyai
twasmosqui
tobi
tesand
t
henshesawthem onDamon
Me:t
hehel
lwer
eyoudoi
nggi
vi
ngaman
hi
cki
esmom?
Dad:
whatgoesoni
nthebedr
oom st
ayst
her
e
Ase:
youguy
sar
edi
sgust
ing!
Iy
a: aaahtherewast
hist
imewhenwewer e
driv
ingtoMt hat
hawit
hmom andthenyouguys
startedaski
ngmom aboutgay
sandlesbi
ans
Ase:
wewer
ecur
ious
Amb:ar
ghshamemahn.Thosear
ethewor
st.
Howdidyouexpl
aini
t?
Mom: Itol
dt hem thatinmyunder st
andingkids
areboughtatt hehospital
.Theykeptgoingon
andonabouthowt hei
rclassmatessaidit
wasn’tpossiblefortwowoment ohav ebabies
andallofthat.What ’
swor sei
sthatthese
si
tuati
onsnev erhappenedwhenDamonwas
around
Weal l l
aughedandcont i
nuedchat t
ingunt i
l
l
at eronweor deredpizzaandt henther est
headedt othei rhousesandl eftusalone
bonding, Ngawodi dn’tsl
eepatmycr ibofcause
andIwasf orcedt osleepatt hemansion.LikeI
said,thesemoment swer ethebest.Itfeltso
niceremi ni
scingandhear ingaboutt hethings
wedidaskids,
Iy anawaslaughi
ngandshewas
genui
nel
yhappy .Shedidn’
tfor
getwhatshe
wentthr
oughbutatt hatmomentitwasasif
shehadfor
gotten.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
9
Mybi r
thdaydi nnerwithmygirl
swasj ust
amazing.Af t
erI CCwewentt oourcribfora
sl
umberpar t
yi shtypeofthi
ng.Bonkecamet o
dropmygi ftof fandthenhelef
t.Thethingsmy
fr
iendsboughtmewer eallt
oobeautif
ul andI
l
ov edallofthem.Wewer einmyr oom wi t
h
snackswat chingamov i
ebutmost l
ychat t
ing
thanwat
chingthemov ie.Myphonerangandi
t
wasapriv
at enumber,Iwentouttothe
bathr
oom toansweritbecausethoseones
weremakingal otofnoise.
/
/Me:
hel
l
o?
Per
son:
heyYandi
swa
Icoul
dtel
lbyhi
svoi
cet
hati
twasZuko.
Me:
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Hi
m:YandsI
’
m sor
ry
Me:
forwhatexact
ly?
Hi
m:ev
ery
thi
ng
Me:
ok
Hi
m:comeonYandsdon’
tbel
i
ket
his
Me:andhowshoul
dIbeZukohuh?You
dumpedme
Hi
m: Idi
dn’tdumpyouYands,y
ousai dlet
’send
i
tandIsaiditwascool
sotechnical
l
yy ouended
t
hings
Me:
youbei
ngf
ucki
ngchi
l
dishr
ightnow
Hi
m:i
t’
sthet
rut
h
Me:
ist
hiswhyy
oucal
l
edme?
Hi
m:noIcal
l
edt
oapol
ogi
se
Me:
andy
oudi
dby
enow
Hi
m:Yandi
swawai
t…pl
ease
Me:
fine
Him: l
ook.I
’m sor
ryforever
ythi
ng.I’
m anass,
alwaysbeenoneandpr obablyal
wayswi l
lbe,
YandiswaIloveyouandImi ssyou.IknowI
screwedusupandy ou’ll
probabl
ynev erf
orgi
ve
mef orthethi
ngsI’
vedone.YandiswaImadea
hugemi st
akeandIwanty ouback.Ple….
Me:NoZukoIdon’twantt
ohearanyoft
his.
Youshoul
dhavetoldmethi
sabout6to7
monthsago.Nott
hisandnotnow
Hi
m:whyYandi
swa?
Me:
becauseZukot
hat
’swhenIneededt
ohear
i
tandnotnow.Youbr okemyhear twi
ththeway
youhandledthingsandIdon’tt
hinkIwanttogo
backtothat.Youmademef eell
essofa
womanal lbecauseIwouldn’
tlosemyv i
rgi
nit
y
whenyouwant edmet o
Hi
m:Yan…
Me: I
’m notdonet al
king.I
’vebeent ry
ingtoget
myl i
febacki norderallt
hismont handI ’
m st
il
l
try
ingtodosoev ennow.ZukoIf orgi
veyoufor
whaty oudonebuty ouandI ?thatwi l
lnever
happenagai n.Yesyoubr okemyv i
rgi
nit
ybut
that’
sasf arasitgoes.Wewi llneverbeagain,I
l
earntmyl esson
Hi
m:ouch.
Me: pl
easedon’
tevercal
lmeagain.YouandI
arenothi
ng;wewil
lneverbeany
thingmore
thanexes
Hi
m:oh…okt
hen.Happybi
rt
hday
.
Me:
thanky
ouandby
e//
Iwassi tt
ingonacl osedt oiletseat ,tears
startedr oll
ing, Idon’ tevenknowwhyIwas
cryingbutIwas.I twasact uallymyf i
rsttime
actuallytellinghi m st r
aightupt hatIwasdone
withhi m andt hatInev erwant edany thi
ngt odo
withhi m andIt hinkImeanti t
,Il ovedhi m and
allbutt hepai nhe’ sputmet hrough, okmay be
I’
m exagger at i
ngbutwheny oul oveaper sont o
thepoi ntofnor et urnit’
snoteasyt of orgiveand
forgett het hingst heyputy out hrough.WhenI
saidweshoul dendt hings,it’snotl ikeImeanti t;
Iexpect edhi mt obet heboy fri
endhe’ salway s
beenandt ellmet hatI’
m cr azyandt hathe
wasn’ tgoingt oal lowsuchnonsensef r
om me
butnope, nott hist i
mear ound, Iguesshewas
alsosi ckandt i
redoft hefight i
ngandev erything
else.Justt hi nkingaboutt heni ghtwebr okeup
broughtmor et ear sintomyey es.Ihear dt he
dooropenandcl ose, Ididn’tbot herl ookingup
becauset henwhoev ertheper sonwasi sgoi ng
toaskmequest i
onsandIwon’ tbeabl eto
answert
her
eal
reasonIwascr
ying.
“
ever
ythi
ngok?
”
Ofcausei twasNal edi
,Imeanwhoel secouldit
havebeen.Shecamet okneeli
nfrontofme
andmademel ookather.Nal
ediwast herethe
nightZukoandIbr okeupandshewentt hrough
thewholepai nwi t
hme.Ishookmyheadwi t
h
tearsstr
eami ngdown.shet ookatissueand
wipedmyt ears.
Her
:honeyboowhat
’swr
ong?
Me:
thatwasZuko
Her
:whatdi
dhewant
?
Me:
hewant
smebackIguess
Shekeptqui
etf
orawhil
e,al
mostl i
keshewas
thi
nki
ngofwhattosayf
rom hearonwards
Her:Li
stenZukomessedthingsup,he’
s
supposedtobecryi
ngandnoty ou.Hescr
ewed
thi
ngsupandnoty oumyfri
end.Hedoesn’t
deserv
ey ourt
ear
s;youweren’tgoi
ngtohave
sexbecausehecoul dn’twai t
.Youdi dnothing
wrongmyf riend, hedi d.Iwast herewheny ou
guysendedt hings, youcr i
edenoughbecause
ofhim.Don’ tlethi m dot hist oy ou, don’
tlethim
takey ou10st epsbackt owher ey ouoncewer e
7mont hsago.Ther e’sar easont hingswentt he
wayt heydid, i
fy ouandhi m ar emeantt obe
thentrustandbel i
ev et hatyouwi llbe.Godwi ll
fi
ndawayf ory out wot obe.Youspentso
mucht i
mer ebui ldingy ourselftobecomet his
womany ouar enow, don’tlethimt akey ouback,
he’snotwor t
hi t.youar egoi ngt omeett heman
ofyourdr eamsandhewi l
l l
ov ey oumor et han
you’v
eev erbeenl ovedbef ore.Ok?
Inoddedandsheki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Her
:Il
ovey
ousweetcheeks
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.Thanky
ou
Her
:whatar
esi
ster
sfor
?
Ismi
l
edandsodi
dshe.
Her:comel et’
sgositwit
htheothersand
scream ourlungsoutwhensomeonedi esi
n
thatmov i
elikeanynormalgi
rlok?
Me:
ok
Iwashedmyf aceandwi pedi twi that owel then
wentbackt other oom wi thmyhandi nhers.
TrustNaledi t
ot r
eatmel ikeherbabybutIl oved
herany way.Ther oom wasdar kandonl ythetv
screenon, wewer ewat chi ngI nsidious, Il
i
ke
horrorsthatareconf usingandal soscar ybyt he
way ,notthosepr edictablet hingsl i
kef inal
destinati
onorwr ongt urn.I ’
m all aboutghost s
andst uff
.Iwassi t
ti
ngbet weenLedi andEmel i
e,
bothscar dycatsbyt heway .Af terthemov ie
endedt heywant edchapt ert woofi t
Me:weren’
tyouguy
sjustcr
yingandsuper
scar
ed?
Lat
hi:
sowhati
fitwewer
e?
Tash:i
twasani
cemov
ieok.Nowpl
ease,
chapt
er2
Ni
ta:
I’
ll
gor
efi
l
lthesnacks
Em:
I’
ll
joi
nyou
Me:
Iwonderwhaty
ouwannagossi
pabout
?
Em:IknowIl
ovet
ogossi
pbutnott
hatmuch
geez
Ledi
:ri
i
ight
.Webel
i
evey
ou
Theywentoutl
aughingandther
estofus
engagedi
naconversati
on.
Lat
hi:
soImetaguy
Me:
whenandwher
e?
Ledi
:what
’shi
snameandwher
edoeshewor
k?
Lat
hi:
he’
sast
udentatHowar
dyouguy
s
Ledi
:oh…
Lat
hi:
asIwassay
ing,
hisnameisDerr
ickNgesi
andhe’
sst
udyi
nglawdoinghi
sfi
nal
Me:
youmeanMel
okuhl
eBess?
Her
:hesai
dhi
ssur
namewasNgesi
and
not
hingaboutaBess
Wesearchedforhi
m onFacebookandfound
not
hingthenwetookthesear
chtoInst
agram
andther
ehewaswi thapri
vat
eaccount
Me:
fol
l
owhi
m
Ledi
:what
?NOI
’
m notdoi
ngt
hat
,youdoi
t
Me:hewon’
tacceptmyr
equesti
fit
’st
he
Der
ri
ckIt
hinki
tis
Ledi
:fi
ne
Shesenthi
m afol
l
owrequestandminut
eslater
shewasapprov
edbutni
ggadidn’
tfol
lowback,
Ledi
’
saccountwasal
sopri
vate
Tash:
whydi
dn’
thef
oll
owback?
Ledi
:becausel
i
kehi
m myaccounti
spr
ivat
e
Wewentt
hroughhi
spi
ctur
esanddar
eIsay
…H-
O-
T!
Lat
hi:
itshi
m
Me:
don’
tev
eni
nvesti
nhi
mfr
iend.Hedoesn’
t
dor
elat
ionshi
ps
Tash:
youknowt
hishow?
Me:hewasher
ethi
smor
ningt
ofet
chhi
ssi
ster
.
Theguyi
sanass
Lathi
:ahhhmahnandher
eIwast
hinki
ngI
fi
nall
ymetagoodone
Me:
sor
rybuddy
,youar
ewayt
oosweetf
orhi
m
Lat
hi:
buthewassweett
omewhenwe
bumpedint
oeachot
her
Me:
wher
e?
Lat
hi:
whenIwasgi
fthunt
ing.
Ledi:
wellt
ryt
hingsoutandseewher
ethi
ngs
takeyou
Me:It
otal
l
ydi
sagree;he’
l
lonl
ybr
eaky
ourhear
t.
Hescr
ewsandleaves
Tash:
whatdoeshi
ssi
sterhav
etosayabout
hi
m?
Me:
thathedoesn’
tdor
elat
ionshi
ps
Lat
hi:
buthe’
scuteandhehasanamazi
ng
voi
ceandIli
kehi
m
Ledi
:thengof
orhi
m butdon’
tsaywedi
dn’
t
warnyou
Ij
ustkeptqui et.Lat
hit
hai sav er
ysweetgirl,
mor eorlesslikeAnit
abutshe’ snotav i
rgi
n.
Herlastrelat
ionshipendedaboutay earago
andlatel
yshehasbeenf ocusi
ngonher sel
fand
tr
yingtorebuildherself
.Herlastboyf
riendslept
wit
hherbestf ri
endandnowt heydat
ing,men
canbev erytrashyifyouaskme.Sot hat ’
sjust
howLat hit
ha’slif
ehasbeen.
Tash:
Ist
il
lthi
nky
oushoul
dgi
vei
tashot
Lat
hi:
ayIdon’
tknow
Em:
whatdon’
tyouknow?
Ledi
:she’
sthi
nki
ngofgoi
ngoutwi
thDer
ri
ck
Bess
Ni
ta:
badi
deaf
ri
end
Ledi
:ev
enNi
tat
hinksi
t’
sabadi
dea
Ni
ta:he’
sfri
endswi thBonkeandBonkehas
t
oldmeal l
aboutt heguy,howhescr
ewsonly
wi
thoutanystri
ngs.TheguyhasNEVERbeenin
aseri
ousrelat
ionshipbef
ore
Tash:maybeLat
hicoul
dbet
heguy
sfi
rst
.You
neverknow
Nit
a:andyousureyouwanttobet heoneto
fi
ndthatout,
lookatwhathappenedtoYandi
…
nooffense
Me:nonetaken.Zukowasanoserious
r
elat
ionshi
pguyunt i
lIcameal
ong
Em: yeahbuty
ouwer
eavi
rgi
nsoy oucoul
dn’
t
real
l
yexpecthimt
obeapr
incecharmi
ngnow
Me:Iwasn’
tbutst
il
l,
fuckboy
sar
eneveragood
i
dea.Youdohimthewayhedoesyou
Ledi:Itaughtyouwel l
.Derr
ickdoesn’
twanta
relat
ionshipfri
end.Ibetyouhehasal i
stof
blockedcont act
sonhi sWhatsApporiChator
what everaswespeak
Lat
hi:Iappreci
ateevery
thingyouguysare
say
ingbutcanIpl easeputmyhandi nthefir
e
j
ustthisonceandgetbur ntonmyownsot hatI
act
uallyknowwhatI ’
mt al
kingabouti
nfuture
Me:
Irestmycase
Ili
ftedmyhandsupi ndefeat.Lat
hit
hai sthe
typet hathurt
sreal
lyhar
dwhenshehur t
s,she’s
thet ypethatevengoesasf arascutti
ngher sel
f
soy oucanunder st
andwhywesopr otect
ive.
Derrickisanassandhe’llonlypushhert othat
point.
Ledi
:fi
nel
ady
.Goodl
uck
Tash:l
et’
sjustwatchthemov i
eok.Every
one
backtoyourplacesandlet
’senj
oytherestof
thedayok?
IgotaWhat sApptextf
rom Asemahl
esayi
ng
shecan’tcometot owntomeetsocanIcome
overtoherhomeinstead,she’
l
lpayf
ormycab
orpetroli
fneedbeapparentl
yshewassortof
groundedinaway.Ididn’
tknowwhattosayso
Idi
dn’tr
espondandthegi
rlcal
l
edme.Iwentt
o
answeriti
nthet
oil
etagai
n.
/
/me:
hey
Her
:di
dIsaysomet
hingwr
ong?
Me:
Ican’
tcomet
oyourhouse
Her:
why?Icangetourdr
ivert
ocomeandf
etch
youdude
Me:
comeonAse
Her:pl
ease.I
t’
sbadenoughmypar
ent
sdon’
t
wantmet ogoanywher
eandnowyougoi
ngto
cancelonme?
Me:
mani
pul
ati
ondoesn’
twor
konme
Her
:I’
l
lmakesur
ethatDer
ri
cki
snotar
ound
It
houghtf
orasecond
Me:
okf
ine
Her
:your
eal
l
yhat
ehi
sgut
shuh?
Me:
may
bei
fhest
oppedbei
nganasst
henI
woul
dn’
t
Her
:comeoverandI
’
llt
ell
youal
labouthi
m and
whyhe’
sthewayhei
s
Me:
trustme,
Idon’
tcar
ewhyhe’
sli
ket
hat
Her
:youwi
l
lonewayoft
heot
her
Me:
IguessIdon’
thav
eachoi
ce
Her
:thanky
ousomuch.Mysi
steri
sgoi
ngt
o
l
oveyou!
Me:
I’
m scar
edal
ready
Her
:rel
ax.Bri
nganicebot
tl
eofwi
neony
our
way,
I’l
lref
undyou
Me:
sweetordr
y?
Her
:dr
yred
Me:
okcool
Her
:goodni
ght
Me:
night
//
Iwentbackt
omyr
oom.Iwonderwhati
sit
aboutDerri
ckBessandr elat
ionshi
ps.Ican’
tsay
Iwaslookingforwar
dtot omor r
ow,whatifI
bumpi nt
ohim?I ti
shishomeaf t
eral
l.We
watchedthemov iet
il
ltheendandt henwe
spokeabitbeforecal
li
ngi tanight
.Li
fewas
amazingforthatwhil
e.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
20]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
10-
Mel
o
IwaswokenupbyMr sBessjumpingontopof
mybedassheusedt obackwhenIwasaki d.
SeewhyIdon’
tli
kespendingtheni
ghtathome??
Shewakesmeupl i
kethi
salltheti
me,t
alk
aboutt
hoseannoyi
ngparentswhoaresti
ll
on
Inst
agram andtwit
terandFacebookohand
howcanIf orget
,snapchat.It
hinktheydon’
t
wantt ogr
oworsomet hingandt hethi
ngsthey
commentonourpi cturesorthepictur
esthey
postofus…l etmenotsaymuch!Any wayshe
keptjumpingupanddownonmybedt el
l
ingme
towakeup.
Me:
ha.
amom t
hisi
snotf
air
Her
:wakeywakey
Me:
I’
m up.Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Her:
that
’snowayt
otal
ktoy
ourmot
hernowi
s
i
t?
Shesaidsi
tt
ingont
opofme,
Iwasst
il
lunder
thebl
anket
s.
Me:
sor
rymom.What
’sup?
It
ookmyphoneandlookedattheti
me,itwas
j
ustaf
ter6.Ir
emov
edtheblanketovermyhead
Me:
Boobi
ewhatt
hehel
l
Her
:wakeup.Ij
ustgotbackf
rom aj
ogwi
th
Si
ya
Me:y
eahwel
lyouhav
eahusbandt
otel
lal
lof
t
hist
o
Her
:myhusbandi
sgoneonabusi
nesst
ri
p
Me:
itsSunday
…
Her:
Iknow.hehadt of
lytoNewYor k,
ther
e’s
somestuf
fthatneedshim ur
gent
ly
Me:
shamemahn
Her:
yeahshamemahn.Yout
hecl
osestt
hingt
o
hi
m soI’
mtell
i
ngyou
Ipul
l
edt
hebl
anketov
ermyheadagai
n
Me:
Idi
dn’
tsi
gnupf
ort
his
Her
:youdi
dwheny
oudeci
dedt
olookl
i
kehi
m
Shesaidpul
l
ingi
tof
fofme.Thi
swomany
ou
guys.
Her
:getupwegoi
ngt
ochur
ch
Me:
youst
il
ldot
hat
?
Her
:Iwi
l
lsl
apt
heday
li
ght
soutofy
ou
Il
aughedathowser
iousshesuddenwas.
Me:
Iwasj
oki
nggeez
.
Her
:Ihopey
oust
il
lgot
ochur
ch
Me:
li
keIhav
eachoi
ce
Her
:whydon’
tyout
eachy
ourt
wint
hatchur
ch
i
sactual
l
yathi
ng
Me:yeahwel
lmay
bei
fyougav
ehert
hings
backshewoul
dgo
Her:nahshest
il
lwoul
dn’
tgo.Mel
oI’
m wor
ri
ed
abouther
Isatuppr
oper
lyandshegoti
nbedwi
thmeand
l
eanedonmyshoulder
.
Me:Aseisgoi
ngt
obef
inemom.Shej
ust
needst
ime
Her
:it
’sbeen5monthsal
readyMel
o.Theywer
e
myparentsMel
o,Il
ostabigpar
tofmewhen
theydiedandIdon’ tunder standwhyshe’ s
behavinglikethis.I’
vet r
iedMel o,Itrul yhav e.I
don’tknowwhatt odoany mor e.She’ smy
daughterandIl ov eher ,
mepuni shingheri snot
becauseIhat eherorany thi
ngl i
ket hat .Ij
ust
wanthert ogrowupandseet hatt her e’smor e
toli
fethandr i
nki ngtil
l y
oupassoutort i
ll
you
l
andupi nhospital.It
’snotl i
keI ’m say i
ngIdon’ t
wanty ouguy sgoi ngoutandhav i
ngf unbutI
wouldappr eciat
ei tifyouguy stonedi tdowna
bit
.Andr ewalmostdi edbecauseoft hi s
dri
nking,thetruckdr iverthatdr ovei nt ohim
wasdr iv
ingundert heinfluenceandl ookwho
gothurtandl osthi sspinei nthepr ocess
Nothi
nghur tsmorethanamot her’ssil
entcry.
Thethingsweputourmot her’
st hrougharethe
worst.Mom andIarev erycl ose,mor ethanshe
i
swi t
ht herestofmysibl i
ngs; youcouldev en
goasf arassayingI
’
m herf avour i
techil
d,
anywayasmuchaswet al
kandsomet imes
havethosedeepconv ersations, i
twasmyf ir
st
ti
mehear i
ngherspeakl
iket
his.Iputmyarm
aroundherandki
ssedthesi
deofherf or
ehead.
Me: weal lheal dif
fer
entlymom.Weal lhaveour
owndi fferentcopingmechani smsandher s
happenst obeal cohol.She’
snotanaddictbutI
guesst hat’sjusthowshedeal swiththepain
mom.Let ’sgivehert i
meandmay beshe’
ll
eventuallyquitbecauseatt heendoftheday
youcan’ tforcesomeonet odosomethingthey
notreadyt odo
Her
:Iguessy
our
ight
.whendi
dyougr
owup?
Ichuckl
ed
Me:
mom r
eal
l
ynow?
Her:
onemi nuteyouaski
ngmeaboutgay sand
l
esbiansandthenextyouteachi
ngmehowt o
beapar ent
.Imeanreal
lynowDer r
ick?
Me:
comeonBoobi
edon’
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hat
.I’
m 20
r
emember
?
Her
:yougr
owt
obecomemor
eli
key
ourf
ather
byt
heday
Me:
I’
m not
hingl
i
kehi
m
Her:youareaphot
ocopyofhi
m.Youhi
s
doppelganger
Me:
samewayMel
odyi
syour
sri
ght
Her:
hahahahav
eryf
unnyMel
o.Let
’sgomake
br
eakfast
.
Me:
okgetoutl
etmewearsomet
hingpr
oper
Her
:honeytherei
snot
hingIhav
en’
tseeni
na
muchlar
gersize
Ilookedatherandlaughedsohar dandsodi d
she.Didmymom j ustdissmyD?guy swhere
didIgetthi
swoman?Youseei fIweretobein
ar el
ati
onshi
pitwouldhav etobewi thsomeone
l
ikemyf ir
stl
adyov erhere,she’
sallsort
sof
AWESOMEandy oucan’thelpbutloveher.
Me:
Mom whatt
hef
uck?NO!
Her
:what
?I’
veseeni
tal
lbabydon’
twor
ry
Me:
mygodwhi
chpl
anetdi
ddadgety
ou?
Her
:planetEart
hsomewher einUshakaMari
ne
wor
ldandt henagainataclubonFlor
idaand
t
henlateratBereapicknpay
Me:
Iknowt
hatst
oryal
readymom…geez
Her
:youasked
Iwaswear
ingbri
efs,
I’
m ahugefanandaneven
bi
ggerf
anofCalvi
nKlei
n.Igotupandtookout
ateei
nmywar dr
obeandpjaypants
Her
:tol
dyouI
’
veseenbet
ter
Itookasmal
lpi
ll
owont hechai
randt
hrewi
tat
herandshel
aughedandthr
ewoneback.
Me:
youmi
ghtaswel
lmakemybedMi
.Lady
Her
:iny
ourdr
eams!
Shesaidget
ti
ngof
fofmybedandsi
tt
ingatt
he
edge.
Me:
yousocr
uel
Her
:gobr
ushy
ourt
eet
handl
etsgo
Wit
hthatIwal
kedt omybathr
oom andwashed
myfaceandbrushedmyteethandthenwe
wal
kedout.
Me:
andwhatabouty
ourot
herki
ds?
Her
:theysl
eepi
ng
Me:
youf
oundmesl
eepi
ng
Her:
y eahbutIy
aneedst
her
estandMel
odyi
s
hel
pingherrest
Me:
tal
kaboutf
avour
it
ism
Shejustlaughedatmeanddr aggedmet oher
room totakeherphoneandt henweboth
walkeddownt othekitchen.Shemademedo
allt
hechoppingwhi l
eshemadeomel et
tesfor
everyone,whenshewasdoneshet ol
dmet ogo
waket hegir
lsup.IgottoIya’sroom and
knockedoncebef or
egoi ngin.
Ase:
everhear
dofknocki
ng
Me:yeahandIdid,
notmyf
aul
tyout
wower
e
busygossi
ping
I
ya:
mor
ningbr
other
.Howar
eyou?
Me:morni
ngsist
ers.I
’
m goodt
hanky
ouand
howar
ey ou?
I
ya:
wegr
eat
.Whyar
eyouupsoear
ly?
Me:
blamey
ourmot
her
Theybot
hlaughed.
Ase:
thankgody
ouhome
Me:andyouwonderwhyIdon’
tspendmy
weekendsher
e
I
ya:arghatl
easti
tgaveyoutwosomet
imet
o
bond.Sowhat’
sforbr
eakfast
?
Me:
fol
l
owmeandy
ou’
l
lsee
Ase: I
’
m hopingf
oraniceEngli
shbr
eakfast
.I’
m
tal
kingbeaconandeggs,f
reshl
ysqueezed
orangejui
ce
Iy
aandIlookedateachotherandwelaughed
ather
.Thisonet
hinksthi
sissomekindofhotel
orsomethi
ng.
Iy
a:wishful
thi
nkingsi
s.Mom woul
dn’
tdar
e,
especi
all
ywithdadaway
Ase:
dad’
sgone?
I
ya:
helef
tthi
smor
ningar
ound4.He’
sgonet
o
NYCit
y
Ase:
thi
sguy
.Howcomey
oudi
dn’
twakeme?
Me:
youwer
epr
obabl
ydeadasl
eepasusual
.
I
ya:
mor
ningBoobi
e
Sheki
ssedmom’
scheek
Ase:
mor
ningmom.Thi
ssmel
l
sgr
eat
Weallgat
her
edar
oundt
het
abl
eandt
ookour
seat
s
Mom:thanksbaby
.mor
nings.I
yapl
easebl
ess
t
hefood
I
y a:
maywepleasebowourheadsandpr ay.
Dearlor
dwecomebeforeyouthanki
ngy oufor
thefoodwear
eabouttorecei
veinyourname,
Amen.
Us:
Amen
I
ya:
thi
sreal
l
ylooksgoodmom
Mom:
andi
ttast
esj
ustasgood
I
ya:
sowhi
chser
vicear
eweat
tendi
ng?
Mom:Iwasthi
nki
ngthemor
ningandt
henl
ater
onwegoovertoAmber’
s
Ase:si
nceI
’m notal
lowedtogoout
,canmy
fr
iendcomeoverthi
safter
noon?
Me:
aren’
tyougoi
ngt
ochur
chwi
thus?
Ase:
Idon’
thav
eany
thi
ngchur
chwor
thyher
e.
Mom:
asl
ongast
hatf
ri
endi
snotaboy
Ase:
trustmei
t’
snotaboymom.
Mom:
finet
hen.
Weconti
nuedeat
ingandj
ustchat
ti
ngabout
r
andom st
uff
Mom:sohaveyouandNgawodeci
dedona
weddi
ngdat
e?
I
ya:
nahnoty et
.Idon’
tthi
nkIwantt
oget
mar
riedany
mor e
Me:
what
?
Mom:
why
?
I
y a:
Ilov
eNgawo, he’
sadr eam butIcan’
thel
p
butfeel
li
kewer ushingthings.Ifi
twasn’
tfor
thebaby,Idon’
tthinkwe’dev enbeengaged
mom
Ase:
butIt
houghty
oul
ovedhi
m?
Iya:Idolovehi
m butwhydoIf eelli
kehe’ snot
themanofmydr eams?Imeanhav ey ouseen
whatmom anddadhav e?Thel ovet heyshare
andt hewaytheylookateachot heralmostl i
ke
i
t’stheirf
ir
stti
memeet ing.Idon’thavet hat
withNgawo, welackthatconnect i
on
Ase:
andwhendi
dyour
eal
i
set
his?
I
ya:
Iguesslosi
ngthebabyhasgivenmeti
me
t
oactual
l
yre-ev
aluat
emyr el
ati
onshi
pwit
hhim
Mom:
ify
ousur
eabouty
ourdeci
siont
heny
ou
havemysupport.Att
heendoft hedayyou
don’
twanttogetint
oamar r
iagey ouar
e
uncer
tainof
.Imeanlovealoneisnotenought
o
makey oust
ayinarelat
ionship
Ase:butmom y
ouonetotal
k,you’
veonl
yev
er
beenwitht
womeninyourli
fe
Mom: andhav
ingbeenwi
thonl
yt womenIwas
l
uckyenoughtofi
ndmydream guyaf
termy
hear
tbreak
Me:mmmhIsee.Sowhat?Doest
hismeany
ou
goi
ngt
ogi
veNgawohislobol
aback?
I
ya:
ify
oucandot
hat
,theny
es.Iseenor
eason
t
onot
Mom: doesthi
smeant
haty
oubr
eaki
ngt
he
engagementoff
?
I
ya:
yes,
mom.
Mom: asaconcer
nedmotherIhav
etoask.
Don’
tyouthi
nkyoumakingpremat
ure
deci
si
onsbecauseofwhatyou’
vebeent
hrough?
ImeanIknowwhati t’sl
iket
ol oseachil
dand
wheny ou’v
ebeent hroughsuchy oubegin
quest
ioningever
ythingabouty ourr
elat
ionshi
p
wit
hyourpar t
ner,
youdon’ tevenknowwhet her
youguy saregoi
ngt ogetthroughthi
sst or
m or
not
I
ya:butit’
snot
hinglikethatmom.Ngawoi sa
goodguybutIcan’thelpbutfeelli
kethelove
I
’mreturni
ngtohimi s…what ’
sthewor d?.
..
.
l
it
tl
e?Imeant heguyl ovesmemor ethanIlov
e
hi
m, hehaseveryt
hingplannedoutf orusanI’
m
j
ustoucheasti
llgrowingandst i
l
ltryi
ngtofind
myselfaft
erever
ythi
ngt hathashappened
Me: mom i
fYanadoesn’twantt
omarryNgawo
anymorethenweshouldn’
ttr
yconv
inceher
other
wise.
Ase:
hahahaIal
way
sknewy
ousecr
etl
ydi
dn’
t
l
iket
heguy
Me:it
’snott
hatIdon’
tli
kehim butIf
eel
li
ke
he’
stoonerdyf
ormysi st
erandYanadeserv
es
aguywhochal lengeshermor et
hanshe
chal
lengesherself
.Yanaisli
keElenafrom The
VampireDiari
esandt henNgawoi sl
ikeStefan,
Stef
an’snevergetthegirl
!notev
er!
Ev
ery
onel
aughed.
Mom: whyam Inotsur
pri
sedyou’
dmakea
r
eferencetoVampi r
eDiar
ies?Your
eal
l
yar
e
yourfather
’sson.
Ijustsmi l
ed.Wecont i
nuedchat ti
ngandwhen
wewer edoneAsemahl eof fer
edt oclearthe
tableandt henshewashedt hedishes,itwas
shocki ngbutIguesssher eall
ywant edherl i
fe
back.Whenshewasdoneshecl eanedt he
kitchenandt henweleftandwentt ochur ch.
Afterchur chwedr ovestraighthomeandasI
waswal ki
ngintotheloungeIbumpedi nt oa
ver ybeaut i
fulper
sonwi t
hanunpl easant
attitude.Thishadt obeast artofabadj okeI
swear !
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
21]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
11
Ican’tsayIwasl ooki ngforwardt otoday .Ikept
hopingandpr ayi
ngt hatIdon’tbumpi nto
Derri
ckJer k-ass-
mi serabl
eMel okuhl
eBess!I
gotacal lfrom Asemahl earound7aski ngmet o
comeov erat8andt hatIshoul dnotbringt he
winebot tl
eany mor eonmywayt ohercriband
sheaskedmet ocar ryabiki
ni andstuffandsoI
wokeupandshower edandt henpr eparedt ogo
over.Anita, Lathi
thaandEmel iewer egoingt o
gotochur cht oattendt hemor ningservice
whil
et her estsaidt heywer egoi ngtostay
i
ndoor sandcookl unchandy ouknowNal edi
,
shewasgoingoutwit
hherMini
sterof
ever
ythi
ng.Wewereinherr
oom, meandher
andshewasprepar
inganoutf
it
.
Her
:howdoest
hisl
ook?
Shewaswear
ingashor
tdr
essandani
ce
st
il
ett
o
Me:
makesy
oul
ookl
i
kedesser
t
Her
:that
’st
hepoi
ntt
hough
Me:nof ri
end.I
fyougol ookingli
kethatthenhe
won’tbotherev
engoi ngallouttoimpressyou,
he’
llt
akey oustr
aighttoahot el
andgetr i
ghton
tobusiness
Her
:Iguessy
our
ight
.sowhatdoy
ousuggest
Itookoutapai
rofboyfr
iendj
eanswi
thwhi
te
vestandaleat
herj
acket
Me:
tryt
his
Her
:nowy
ouj
ustpl
ayi
ng
Me:
youl
i
ket
hisguyandy
ouwantt
oleav
ean
i
mpr
essi
onr
ight
?
Her
:whosai
dIl
i
kehi
m?
Me:
I’
m notst
upi
dnowam I
?
Her
:no.
Me:y ouneverspendthi
smucht i
mewi tht
hem
nordoy ougothroughsomucht roubl
eto
i
mpr ess.Sowhatisitaboutt
hisone?
Her:Idon’ tknowmyf riend.Ever
ythi
ngabout
hi
mi sj ustperfectandmakesmewanthi m.Out
ofalltheguy sInormal l
yhangwi t
h,heisthe
fi
rsttoev ertakecontrolinsexandalsorefuse
i
t
Me:
wel
lar
en’
tyouwei
rd
Her
:Idon’
texpecty
out
ounder
stand
Me:
I’
m ki
ddi
ngbabeIunder
standy
ouper
fect
ly.
Her:whenheaskedmet ocomeoutlastnight
hegavemeagoodni ghtki
ssandaboxof
chocol
ateandheaskedmeoutf orbr
eakfast.
Nosexnonot
hing
Me:wow.he’
sakeeper
.Doest
hismeany
ou’
re
i
nlove?
Her:t
oosoonhoneyboo.Pl
us,
Idon’
tdol
ong
di
stancer
elat
ionshi
ps
Me:t
akei
tthi
sway
.You’
l
lbev
isi
ti
ngLAev
ery
nowandt
hen
Her:arghIdon’tknowfr
iend.Whati
fhehasa
secretli
fehe’
sleadingi
nthestat
esandis
hidi
ngit?
Me:y
ouonlymethim Fr
idayfri
end.Don’
tbe
dr
amati
c,gett
oknowhimf ir
st
Her
:fi
ne.Uhhm howdoIl
ook?
Shet
urnedar
oundandImustsayshewas
fl
ames.
Me:youl
ookl
i
keakeepermyf
ri
end.Tot
al
f
lames
Shechuckl
ed
Her
:youj
ustpl
ayi
ng
Me:
nor
eal
l
ythoughf
ri
end.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Her
:thanks.Whyam Isuddenl
yner
vous?
Me:
whowoul
dn’
tbe?
Her
:Iwantt
ocancel
Me:nowaysNaledi
.Youaregoi
ngtothat
br
eakf
astandyougoingt
oenjoyyour
self
!
Shenodded.
Her
:youl
ookgoodt
oobyt
heway
Me:
Ihav
eto.Whati
fIbumpi
ntoMr
sBess?
Her
:isshet
heonl
yoney
ouwor
ri
edabout
?
Me:
whoel
sewoul
dIbewor
ri
edabout
?
Her
:Idon’
tknow,
hersonmay
be?
Me:
Ijustdon’
twi
sht
obumpi
ntohi
mthat
’sal
l
.
Iwasweari
ngaloosewhitedr
esswi
thablue
suedewedgeandcarr
yingmynewbagmummy
boughtwi
thmyhairunti
edandanav
yblazer
.
Wet ookself
iesasusual andt henshecal l
ed
herguywhocamet ofetchusandt henwentt o
dropmeof fatt hemansi on.Itwasr eal l
ya
mansi onnoli
e, i
twast heemostbeaut if
ul
houseIhadev erseenbef ore!Irangthebuzzer
andthegateopened, they ardwassuperbi g
andthecarst hatwer epar kedi nthey ardwer e
j
ustsomet hi
ngel se.Whoknewt hatidiotliv
ed
i
nsuchabeaut i
ful house?Asemahl ecameout
wearingshortsandat ankt opwithfli
pf lops
andherhairhangi ngloosel y,
shehadl onghair.
Her
:heybaby
Shesai
dhuggi
ngme
Me:
heyy
ou.
Ibr
oket
hehug
Me:
dudey
ourhousei
sbeaut
if
ul!
Her:
thanks.Wai
tti
l
lyouseei
tinsi
de.Howar
e
you?
Shesai
dleadi
ngmei
nsi
de.
Me:
I’
m goodandhowar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m good.Wai
tist
hatmybag?
Me:
youhav
eabagl
i
ket
his?
Her
:mybr
otherboughti
tformey
est
erday
Me:
thesamecol
our
?
Her
:yeah.Comel
etmeshowy
ou
Sheledmeupst air
s,onthewayupont hewal l
waspi ct
uresofthefamil
y,f
rom whentheywer e
ki
dst onow, t
hei
rhousewasmagi cal
.Wegott o
herroom whichwasalsojustbeaut
if
ul!She
openedadoorwhi chledtoawalkinclosetand
shecameoutcar ryi
ngthesamebagasmi ne.
Me:
yourbr
otherhasgr
eatt
ast
e
Her
:It
aughthi
m wel
l
.
Me:
wher
eisev
ery
one?
Her:
dadisinNewYorkandtherestwentt
o
chur
ch.Youlookamazi
ngbytheway
Me:
thanky
ou.Yout
oo
Her:
yeahr
ight
.doyouwantt
ochi
l
lindoor
sor
youwantt
ogoswimming?
Me:youmademecar
ryabi
ki
ni.Wemi
ghtas
wel
l
.
It
ookmydr essof
frev
eal
i
ngmybl
ackhi
gh
waistbi
ki
ni
Her:
damngirl
!Iseewhatmybr
otherwas
t
alki
ngabout
Me:
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Her
:yourbodyi
sflamesandt
hathewoul
dli
ke
t
obangy ousomeday!
Me:
hahahawhat
?
Icoul
dn’
tbeli
evemyear
s.Melokuhl
ewant edt
o
bangme?What ?Myear
shadt obedeceiv
ing
meandev ensohewasdreamingbecauseI
wouldnev
erbanghim.
Her
:your
eal
l
ydon’
tli
kemybr
otherhuh?
Me:
may
bet
hedayhest
opsbei
nganass,
I’
ll
makeanexcept
ion
Shel aughedatmeandt henshetookoffher
thi
ngsandweheadeddownt al
ki
ngaboutmy
hatef orherbr
otherandwhatactual
l
yspiral
led
i
tall.Wegott othewaterandshegotinwhileI
j
ustsatatt heedge,notal
lofusarelucky
enought ohavesomewhi tei
nourbloodlikeher.
Her
:youknow,
he’
snotsuchabadper
son
Me: ofcausey
ouwoul
dsayt
hat
,yout
heguy
’s
si
ster
Her:
hecanbeanassatt i
mesbuttr
ustmehe
i
snotsuchabadguyYandi;youj
ustdon’
tknow
hi
m wel
loryou’
vecaughthimint
hemood
Me:i
sitsohar
dforhi
mt oact
ual
l
ypl
ayni
ce
wi
thpeopl
ehedoesn’
tknow?
Shechuckledandshegotoutoft
hewat
erand
satnextt
ome.
Her:hahahaIcan’
tspeakforhi
m onthatbutI
wil
ltel
lyouthi
s,mybrotherwasn’
tal
way ssuch
anass.Hewasav er
ysweetguybacki nhigh
schoolandhewaspr ettymuchev erygir
l’
s
dream boyf
ri
endandt henhi
sgi r
lf
riendcheated
onhim wit
hhisbestfriendt
henandf r
om there
onwardshe’sbeenplay i
nggir
lsandpr ett
y
mucht heassheisnow.
Me: sti
l
ldoesn’
texpl
ainhisatti
tudeAsemahle.I
gotoutofabadr el
ati
onshipnotsolongago
andy oudon’
tseemel ashi
ngoutorpl ay
ing
men.Yourbr ot
herneedstolearntobenicerto
str
angers.
Her :wel ostourgr andmotherandgr andfather
thisy eari naugustandasmycopi ng
mechani sm Iturnedtoalcohol ,
I’
mt al
king
heav ydr inki
ng.Wor sethany ourbirthdaytype
ofdr inking,atthi
sonepar tyIgotal cohol
poi soningbutt hatsti
lldi
dn’tstopmef rom
drinking.Mel ohasbeenwor riedaboutmeev er
sinceandhe’ sbeendoi nghisal lt
opr otectme.
Ev eni fi
tmeanshur ti
ngsomeoneel se’
s
feel i
ngsi ntheprocess.Idon’texpecty out o
understandhi
m oracceptt
hewayheis,
butI
j
ustfeltli
keIshoul
dtell
youwhyhewasthe
wayhewast oyouwhenIwasdrunkandal
soI
am sorryfort
hewayhespoketoyou
Justbecausepeopl elookliket heyhappyand
theyhaveitalldoesn’
tmeant hattheyactuall
y
arethewayt heylook.Ididr eadaboutMrand
Mr sHlat
hi’
stragicdeat hbutIdi dn’
tthi
nki t
affect
edtheirfamil
ythi sbad.Asemahl e’sstory
changedmywhol eper spectiveonherbr other
andherasawhol e.
Me:
I’
m sor
ryIdi
dn’
tknow.
Her:nobodybesi dest hefamilyknows.Wemay
seem li
kelifeisallr
osesandsweetandal lbut
i
tisn’
t.Derrickistheonl yguyamongstgi rl
sand
whateverterribl
ethingthathappenst ous,it
hit
shim har der.Li
ket heyearmysi st
erfound
outherreal mom diedwhi l
egivi
ngbirt
ht oher ,
Yanatooki tsobadt hatsheactuall
ytur
nedt o
drugstocopebutwi tht heri
ghtguyshepul led
t
hrough.Ofcauseherbei
ngi
nvol
vedi
nsuch
t
ookitstol
lonmybr ot
her
Iwasshockedhonest ly
.Imeanhow?TheBess
seemstobet hemostper fectf amil
yther
eis
outther
eonlytof i
ndoutt hattheydeali
ngwi t
h
such?Imeant hisi
shar dtot akeinhonestl
y.
Themor eshetoldmeaboutherf amil
y,t
he
moreIbegant ounderstandhert wi
n.Hewasn’t
anassbynatur ebutthat’
st hef r
ontheputup
sothatpeopl
el oseint
erestinhi m.
Me:
Iam sosor
ryt
oheart
hatMahl
e
Her:it
swaterundert
hebri
dge.Iwould
appreci
ateitt
houghi
fyoudidn’
ttell
anyone
aboutprett
ymuchevery
thi
ngI ’
vetol
dyouok?
Me:
myl
i
psar
eseal
ed.
Her:mybrotherli
kesyou,youshowedhi mt hat
youactual
lycareaboutotherpeople.He
doesn’
twantt oadmitthathelikesyouthough
becausethenitwouldruinhisrep.Heli
kesto
makepeopl ebel
ievehe’sajerksothathe
doesn’tgetcl
osetoanyoneandsot hatany
one
doesn’tgetcl
osetohi
m becausehef eel
sli
ke
peoplearesafert
hatway.Thelessheneedst o
worryandcareaboutotherpeopl
eout si
dehis
ci
rcl
e,thebetter
.
Me:
compl
i
cat
ed.
Her
:Iknowr
ight
.canIgety
ousomet
hingt
oeat
?
Me:
yeahsur
e
Shegotoutofthewateranddr iedhersel
fand
sodidIandthenwewenti nside.Shemadeus
chi
ckenwrapswithchipsont hesideandami ni
sal
adwithsomejuiceandt henwewentt ochi
l
l
i
ntheloungeandjusttal
kedaboutst uff.
Me:
soy
ou’
venev
erhadaboy
fri
end?
Her:Iwi
shbutno.IguessI
’
veneverseenthe
needforoneseei
ngthatmybr
otherplay
sthe
rol
eallt
oowell
Me:
don’
tyougethor
nyorsomet
hing?
Her
:hahahaonmyper
iods,
yesbutcomeon.
Aintl
i
key
ougoi
ngt
odi
eify
oudon’
tgetsex
ri
ght?
Me:
Iguess
Her
:howmanyguy
shav
eyoudat
ed?
Me: dat
ed?2, therestit
’sjustbeenfli
rt
ingand
chi
ld’splay.Sothere’
smyexr ight
,thecurr
ent
ex;heandIhav ebeenf l
i
rtmat esfor3years
unti
lwedeci dedt ooff
ici
alisethi
ngsonlyforus
toendt hisyear,afewday sbeforeour
anniver
sar y
.
Her
:ouch!Andt
heot
her
s?
Me:well
myf i
rstboy
friendwasingr ade9andit
wasfort
hesakeofdat ing,
didn’
tevenlast6
monthsandIwasalreadytir
edoftheguy .We
nev
erevenki
ssedever
Shel
aughed.
Me:mysecondonewedat edfr
om end
Decemberti
lendmarchthefol
l
owingyearand
hewasstudyi
nginQueensboysandtotopit
off
,hewasar ugbyplayersohewasnever
homeandhenev erhadtimesoIdumpedhim.
Andthenthethir
done, Idi
dn’tknowwewere
dati
ngunti
lhewi shedmeahappyanniver
sary
andIcal
leditqui
t sonthatsameday
Her
:ohmywor
dyousuck!
Me:Iknowri
ght
.I’
veneverhadpr
obl
emswi
th
dumpingguy
sexceptZuko
Her
:whatabouthi
m?
Ipagedthr
oughmyphonetot
helast
conver
sati
onwehadwhereheagr
eedtous
cal
li
ngitqui
ts.
Me:uhhm r
eadfr
om her
eto…you’
l
lseewher
eit
al
lends.MayIt
aket
hedishes?
Her
:yeahsur
ethanks.
WiththatItookthedishest
ot heki
tchen,
Ihad
atowel wrappedaroundmybodyandmyhai r
wasal lov
ertheplace.AsIwaswalkingoutof
t
hel oungeIwassuddenl yi
ntoxi
cat
ebya
f
amili
arcol
ogne,
oneIknewall
toowell
.Ididn’
t
wanttol
ookupbecauseIwasscar
eitmight
j
ustbehim.
Hi
m:soy
ouar
eMel
ody
’sguest
?
Mytoweldeci
deditwasti
metoshowMrBess
mybodyagainandthi
sti
metherewer
ethings
i
nmyhad, atl
eastIwaswear
ingabi
ki
nithis
t
imebutsti
ll
.Hechuckl
ed
Me:
ali
tt
lehel
p
Hi
m:al
i
ttl
epl
ease?
Hesaidwi
thasmir
konhisface.Icoul
dhear
noi
secomingf
rom t
heki
tchen-
kil
lmenow
pl
ease-
Me:
Der
ri
ckpl
ease
Helookedatmeforawhi
l
eandthent
ookt
he
di
sheswhil
eIpi
ckedmytowel
up
Hi
m: whydon’
tIhavemyphonewi
thmewhen
t
hingsl
iket
hishappen?
!
Hesaidl aughingwhi l
ewal kingt ot hekitchen
andjustt henhismom andsi sterappear ed.Mrs
Besswasbey ondbeaut iful andherbodyand
everyt
hingwasonf l
eek.Shewaswear ingar ed
belowthekneepenci l skirtwi thagol dzipin
fr
ont,nav yshirtandawhi tebl azerwi thNav y
heelsandawhi t
ehandbag.Shel ooked
amazingwi t
hherhai rt i
edupi naneatbun.
Iy
anawaswear i
ngabur gundybodyhuggi ng
dresswhi chwassl ight l
ybel owt hekneewi th
whiteheel sandawhi tebl azerwi thagol d
handbagandherbr ot herwor eanav ysuit,whit
e
sneakersandawhi teshi rtwi thar edbowt ie.
Talkaboutt hemat chingmot herandson.
Ama:
hel
l
o
I
ya:
Yandi
swa
Howdoessheknowmeguy
s??
?
Me:
uhhm hel
l
oMr
sBessandMi
ssBess
Theybot
hlaughed
Iy
a: cal
lmeI yanaplease.IknowyoubecauseI
actuall
ystalkedyou.Nicetomeetyoubythe
way ,I
’m Asemahle’
sbi gsist
er
Ok…cr
eepymuch.
Me:
uhhm, I
’m Yandiswabutyoual
readyknew
t
hat
.I’
m Asemahle’sfri
end.Howar
ey ou?
Ama:
wear
egoodbabyandhowar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m al
sogoodt
hanks.
Shewalkedt
otheloungeandYanawent
upst
air
sandsoIfoll
owedmamaBess.
Her
:wi
l
lyoubej
oini
ngusf
ordi
nner
?
Me:
uhhm di
nner
?
Ase:sayy
espl
ease.Shenev
ert
akesnof
oran
answer
Me:
uhhm
Ama:Ireal
l
ydon’
ttakenof
orananswer
sweet
ie
Me:
uhhm ok.Thanksf
ort
hei
nvi
te
Ama:good.Uhhm doy
ouhaveany
thingt
owear
ofwi
l
l y
ouneedsomethingt
owear?
Iwasaboutt
orespondwhenAsemahl
ecutme
off
Ase:shecamewear
ingbum short
smum,
tol
d
herweweregoi
ngtobeswimmi ng
Ama:Iknowwhatyoutr
yingtodo.Younot
goi
nganywher
e.Yourbr
otherwil
laccompany
Yandi
swatoherpl
acetogoandchange
Mel
o:whatnow?
Ama: youaccompanyi
ngYandiswatoherplace
tochangeandthenyou’l
lpassbyyoursi
ster’
s
placeandpackherabagwi t
hdecentchur
ch
wor t
hyclot
hes
Hi
m:y
es,
Ma’
am
Ama:
thenev
ery
thi
ngi
sset
tl
ed.
Andwiththatshegotupof
fthechairandwent
upthestai
rs.Thi
swomanandbar ki
ngorder
s.
AsemahleandIwentuptoherroom andI
changedintomydr esswhil
etal
kingaboutthe
conversat
ionshereadbetweenZukoandme
andboydi dshehatehim.Awhilelat
erDerri
ck
cameknocki ngandheaskedifIwasr eadyto
goandsowel eft
.-godpl
easekil
lmenow!–
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
21]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
12-
Mel
o
Ohmom t hough.Fatherforgi
veherforshe
knowsnotwhatshei sdoi ng.I
nmom’ sdefence,
ofeveryt
hingItellher,Ihaven’
ttol
dherabout
Yandiswabecauset henshewoul dasklot
sof
questi
onsandshewoul dplaymatchmakeand
assumet hatIwantherandshewoul d
encour agemet opur suehersono.shedoesn’ t
knowj ackshi itaboutYandi swa.Onal ighter
note, Yandi get shot t
erbyt hemi nute,
IknowI
sawhery esterdaybuti twasasi fIwasseei ng
herf orthef ir
stt ime.Howcansomeonel ook
thatgoodwi t
houtanyef f
ort?Imeanshehad
zeromakeupon, notev enl i
pst i
ckandherhai r
wasunt iedandhangi ngl oosebutshest il
l
l
ookedamazi ng, shel ookedl i
keshehadj ust
gottenoutofacommer ci
al forsomebeach
shootorwhat ev er.Ineededt ohitthat!When
shewal kedoutofmysi st er’sroom lookingall
kindsofni ce,Icoul dn’ thel pmy self
.Itri
ed
keepi ngt hecompl i
mentt omy selfbutthe
wor dshadal readyl ef tmymout h.
Me:
howt
hef
uckdoy
oual
way
slookt
hisgood?
!
Iputmyhandonmymouth.Asemahl
elaughed
atmehavi
nghear
dwhatIjustsai
d
Her
:excuseme?
Me:
Idon’
thav
eal
lday
.Let
’sgo
Ase:wellYandihereismyf l
atkey
,bri
ngmethe
cl
othesthatsti
llhavethei
rtagsonok?Andmy
shoes,Derr
ickknowswhi chshoesIl
ove
Me:wenotther
etopackupy
ourwhol
e
apar
tment
Ase:
rel
ax.Justbr
ingmeni
cet
hingsonl
y
Her
:Ibetal
lyourcl
othesar
eni
ce
Ase:
don’
tfl
att
ermeboo.
Theybothl
aughed.Ther
eitwas,t
hatl
aught
hat
di
dthingst
ome, i
tdidweir
dshii
ttome!
Me:
ify
ougi
rl
sar
edone?
!
Yandi
:seey
ouwhenIgetback
Ase:
Mel
obehav
e
Me:
excuseme?
Ase:
youhear
dme!
Ikeptquietandwewal kedout
.Shewassuper
quietandsoIletherbe.WegottothecarandI
unlockedthedoorsandshegotinthe
passengerseat
,Iwasdr
ivi
ngmom’
sBent
ley
.
Her
:ni
cewheel
s
Me:
theymom’
s.
Shenoddedandkeptqui
et.
Me:
youdon’
ttal
kmuchhuh?
Her
:younoteasyt
otal
kto
Me:I
’veseeny
ounaked,
Ithi
nkt
hat
’sani
ce
br
eaker
Her
:li
key
ousai
d,y
out
hink
Me:
whati
syourpr
obl
em?
Her
:Idon’
thav
eany
Me:
thenwhydoy
ouhat
emesomuch?
Her
:yout
hreat
enedt
ohur
tme
Me:Iwaslooki
ngoutformysi
ster
.Yousai
d
you’
drat
herdiethanbewit
hme
Her
:you’
reanass.
Me:
andy
ougott
hatf
rom?
Her
:yourat
ti
tudesai
dital
l
Me:
mmmh
Her
:hear
dyou’
dli
ket
obangmet
hough.
Ohwow!ar
ewer
eal
l
ydoi
ngt
his?
Me:It
hinky
ouwer
ebet
terwheny
oudi
dn’
ttal
k
much
Shechuckl
ed
Her
:I’
m cur
ious
Me:
ok?
Her:you’v
ebeennothi
ngbutajer
ktomeand
rudesincedayone.Whatmakesyout
hinky
ou
couldever“bang”me?
Me:becauseIwastaughtt
oafterwhatIwant
ataveryyoungageMissGxabaandIhappento
wantyourbody
Shel
ookedout
side.Whatwasitabouther
?She
smel
l
edsodamngoodbyt heway
Her
:wel
lkeepdr
eami
ngMrBess.Imeantwhat
Isai
daboutr
atherdy
ingt
hanbei
ngwi
thy
ou
Me:youi
nacarwit
hme.Ibetyounever
t
houghtt
hatwer
epossi
blebutl
ookatusnow
Her
:what
’sy
ourpl
anMel
okuhl
e?
Me:
don’
tcal
lmet
hat
Her
:what
?Mel
okuhl
e?
Me: j
ustdon’
t!Idon’
tseewhyyoushoul
d
change,youl
ookdecentenough
Her
:howqui
cky
ouar
etochanget
hesubj
ect
Me:
ist
her
eany
thi
ngy
ouwantaty
ourpl
ace?
Her
:jewel
l
ery
Me:
it’
snotsomef
ormal
dinnerr
elax
!
Her
:oh
Me: IbuyyouaR1500giftatNWJandyoust
il
l
goonandweart hesecheapMrPri
cethi
ngs
thatwil
lrui
nyourski
n
Her
:whosai
ditr
uinsmyski
n?
Me:
Iknowt
hatt
hosear
en’
thi
cki
es
Isaidpoi
nti
ngatherchest,shewaspi nkinthe
areawheretheheartofhernecklacesat.she
openedthemirroraboveherandshel ookedat
herchest
.Shelookedwor r
iedandscar edabit,
betshedidn’
tknowshehadar eacti
ont osuch.
Me:mysisterusedtohaveareact
iontooso
sheswi
tchedtor eal
jewel
l
erystor
esforher
neckpi
eces
Her:notal
lofuswer
efor
tunat
eenought
obe
Bess’s
Me:yeahbutyourmom i sadoctormeani
ng
youloadedbecauseyoucanaffordZar
a
handbagsandSportscenesneakers
Her:ar
eyoukeepi
ngt
absonmeandwher
eI
shop?
Me: Icoul
dn’thel
pbutnoti
cethebagyou
car
ry i
nglooksli
ketheoneIboughtf
ormy
si
steryesterday
Her
:mmmhIsee.
Shekeptqui
etandsodi
dI.Metr
owasonand
theywer
eplayi
ngmom’ssong
Her
:tur
nthatuppl
ease
Me:
uhhhm ok
Shestart
edsi
ngi
ngalong.Thewayshewas
caref
reewasj
ustbeaut
iful
.Af
tert
hesongwas
overItur
nedt
hevolumedown
Her:
IknowI
’
m at
err
ibl
esi
ngerbutIl
ovet
hat
song
Me:
Inot
iced.St
ayawayf
rom si
ngi
ngt
hough
Shelaughedandsodi dI.f
orthefi
rstt
imeI
thi
nksheandIwer eactual
lybondi
ngand
enj
oyingeachother’
scompany .WegottoLa
Luci
a,mysisterandIli
veinthesamecomplex
butdif
fer
entareas.
Her
:cany
ourf
ami
l
yadoptmeal
ready
?!
Me:
nah.Toomanygi
rl
sal
ready
Shel
aughed
Her
:geeez.
Wewal kedupandshefollowedbehindmeas
wemadeourwayt omysister’
sroom,thestai
rs
wer eexhausti
ng.Nowondershewast hat
skinnyandf i
t;i
tst
hesestair
s.Wegott oher
placeandherhousemat ewast her
eint he
ki
t chen.
Her
:Der
ri
ckMel
okuhl
eBess
Me:
MissScot
t
Mysisterl
i
vedwit
hAuntKaren’
sdaught
erLayl
a
Scott
,shewas19.WehuggedandthenIput
herdown.
Her:
wow.coul
ditbet
haty
ouf
inal
l
yhav
ea
gi
rl
fr
iend?
Us:
No!wenotdat
ing
Wespokeatt
hesamet
imeandLayl
aughedat
us.
Her
:coul
dhav
efool
edme.
Me:Yandi
swathi
sisLay
laScot
t;Lay
lat
hisi
s
Yandi
swaGxaba
Theyshookhands
Yandi
:ni
cet
omeety
ou
Lay
:li
kewi
se,Fortherecor
d,y
out
wowoul
d
makeagreatcouple
Me:i
t’
ll
nev
erhappencous.Sowhenar
eyou
goi
nghome?
Lay
:I’
mfl
yi
ngtoni
ghtact
ual
l
y.Mom anddad
hav
ebeenonmycase
Me:doest
hatmeany
ouwon’
tat
tendour
bi
rt
hdaypar
ty?
Lay
:youknowIwouldn’
tmi
ssi
tfort
hewor
ld!
Where’
syourt
win?
Me:grounded.Weactual
l
yher
etof
etchher
t
hings,wel
lfewofthem
Lay
:whathasshedonet
hist
ime?
Me:
dri
nki
ng.
Lay
:beent
ell
i
nghert
oqui
t
Me:she’
sasst
ubbor
nasbot
hherpar
ent
sthat
one.
Lay:mywor d!How’
sYana?How’
sthe
pregnancy
?
Me:Mahl
edi
dn’
ttel
lyou?Shel
ostt
hebaby
,last
ni
ght
Lay
:mywor
dI’
m sosor
ry
Me:
itsay
t.Any
wayl
et’
sgett
heset
hingsandgo
Lay
:itwasni
cemeet
ingy
ouYandi
swa
Yandi
:l
ikewi
se,
Lay
la
Andwi tht
hatwewentt omysi ster
’sroom
whichlookedlikeareplicaoftheoneathome.
Itwascleanshame, ift
her e’
sonethingyoucan
countonismysi st
erkeepingherroom and
closetascleanasshei s.
Yandi
:youguy
sar
ecousi
nshow?
Me: wenotreal
lycousi
nsassuch.Hermot her
marriedmyuncleAluncedo,
theyhavea
daughtert
ogethersosheandIarerel
ated
thr
oughhersister
Her
:oh.
..she’
spr
ett
y
Me:
yeah.Wel
lthat
’shercl
oset
,hav
efun
Her:
shesentbot
hofus.I
’
m notgoi
ngi
nther
e
al
one
Me:not
hing’
sgoi
ngt
obi
tey
ou…j
ustsoy
ou
know
Her
:st
il
l
Me:
whydoy
oual
way
shav
etobet
hisdi
ff
icul
t?
Her:
andwhydoy
oual
way
sbet
his
commandi
ng?
Me:
honest
lyIdon’
tknow…
Her:youknowDer
ri
ck,someti
mesyouneedto
belesscommandi
ngandaskmor einor
derf
or
thi
ngstogothewayyouwishfort
hem t
o
Me:
youmaki
ngnosense
Her:
respecti
satwo-
wayst
reet
;yougi
vei
tin
or
dertorecei
vei
t.
Me:
kindofl
i
kegoi
ngdownonsomeone
Her:
ift
hatexampl
ewor
ksbestf
ory
out
hen
sur
e
Shewentt omysister’
sclosetandsheopened
i
t,shewentinsi
deandswi t
chedtheli
ghton.
Herclosetwassoor gani
sed,I’
mt al
ki
ngcolour
coordi
nati
ontypething.
Me:shepr
efer
sitt
hewayshehadl
efti
t…j
ust
soy
ouknow
Her:andhowarewesupposedt
ofi
ndt
he
cl
othesshewants?
Iwentinsi
deandf
oundhergoingt
hrougha
hangerwit
hdrycl
eanedt
hings
Me:whenshesaidt
ags,It
hinkshemeant
cl
othest
hathav
enotyetbeenworn
Her
:fi
ne.Youl
ookf
ort
hem t
hen
Shesaidtur
ningtofaceme.Iwasst andi
ng
ri
ghtbehi
ndher ,
socloseyoucouldactuall
y
smellt
heloti
onsheputonherhair.Yandiswa
wasadorablyshort
,shestoppedr
ightbymy
shoul
dersandshewasi nheelsbytheway ;
i
magineifshewasi nfl
atsli
kewhenshewas
weari
ngabikiniear
li
eron.
Me:
youi
nthewayact
ual
l
y
Shelookedupatmeandmov edasi
de.Ipul
led
outar ackandf
oundthecl
othesatt
heback.I
don’tknowhowshethoughtwewouldfind
these.
Her
:andhowwer
ewesupposet
ofi
ndt
hose?
Me:that’
swhyyouherewi
thme.Mysi
ster
’s
cl
osetisacompli
cat
edon
Her
:Isee.
Me:thesuit
casesar
eint
hatdoor
.I’
l
lgof
etch
hershoes
Mostofmysi ster’
sclotheswer eimpor ted
things,awhol ecollecti
onf oracer tainseason.
Per ksofhav i
nganauntwho’ saf ashionbuy er
slashmodel ,
sheal soboughtmecl othes.Jen
waspr ett
ymucht hatfavouriteauntwhowas
unmar r
iedandl i
vedt heli
feoft ravelli
ng.And
thent herewasuncl eDami en’swifeAunt
Simmy ,shealsosentusdozensofcl othesand
accessor i
esatt heendofeachseason.You
coul dsaywewer espoi l
tbey ondmeasur e.
Uncl eDami en’sdanceacademywasdoi ng
great ,
hev i
siteditwhenev erhecoul d;Lay l
awas
ast udentther e.
Her
:whysomanycl
othes?
Me:
twoofouraunt
sar
efashi
onbuy
ers
Her
:yep,
yourmom canadoptmepl
ease
Ichuckl
ed
Me:
rii
i
ight
!
It
ookoutt
heshoeswhi
chIknowshewant
ed
andthenpul
l
edouthershoebagandputt
hem
i
nit.
Me:
youdone?
Her
:yeah.Wecango
Ioff
eredt otakethesuit
caseandshe
shocki
ngl ydidn’
tfi
ghtmeoni t
,sheletmetake
i
tandweheadedoutaf t
ersayi
ngourgoodbyes
toLayla.Iloadedthethi
ngsinthecarandwe
droveoff
Her
:somet
hingsbeenbot
her
ingme
Me:
what
?
Her
:Lat
hit
ha
Me:
who’
sthat
?
Her:
oneofmyfr
iends.Shestudi
esinthesame
campusasme,
say syouaskedforhernumber
Me:
sowhat
’sbot
her
ingy
ouaboutt
hat
?
Her:
she’
sagoodgi r
lDerr
ick,she’st
hoset
ype
ofgi
rl
sthatgeti
nitf
orthelongr un
Me:
andwhatt
ypeofgi
rlar
eyou?
Her:
wenottal
ki
ngaboutmeher
e.Pl
easej
ust
st
ayawayfr
om her
Me:
I’
ll
stayawayf
rom herononecondi
ti
on
Her
:andwhat
’st
hat
?
Me:
sleepwi
thme
Shecoughed,Icoul
dn’
thelpbutl
aughather
shame.Betshewasnev err
eadyfort
hatnow
wasshe?
Her
:excuseme?
Me: Idi
dn’tknowshewasyourfr
iendwhenI
approachedherandeveni
fIdid,
Idon’
tseewhy
thatbothersyou
Her
:itdoesn’
tbotherme;
Ijustdon’
twanty
ou
t
ohurtherthat
’sall
Me: ar
en’
tyout
hesweetestf
ri
end.Fr
iendoft
he
yearawar
dgoestoyou
Her
:Idon’
tgety
ou!
Me:
whatdon’
tyougetaboutme?
Her
:whydoy
ousl
eepwi
thgi
rl
s?
Me:
shoul
dIsl
eepwi
thguy
sinst
ead?
Her
:youknowwhatImeanDer
ri
ck.
Me: Ihaveneedsandonl
ygir
lscansati
sfythem.
Yourfriendi
sflames,
soareyoubythewaybut
i
fIcan’tgetyouthenImi
ghtaswellgetthe
nextbestthi
ng
Her
:yousuchanasshol
e
Me:yourfr
iendisint
erest
edi
nmeandI’
m
i
nter
estedinher.Idon’
tseewhyy
oushoul
d
i
nter
fereandtrysaveher.
Her
:shedoesn’
tneedy
oui
nherl
i
feMel
okuhl
e
Me:di
dshesayt
hat
?Di
dshesayshewant
sto
besav
ed?
Sheshookherhead
Her
:no
Me:
mypoi
ntexact
ly.Asaper
sony
oucanonl
y
sav
epeopl
ewhowantt
obesav
ed
Her
:wow.
WepassedbyMacDf orMcFlurry’
sandt henI
droveushome.Shewassuddenl ybacktonot
tal
kingtome, t
heicecr eam wasapi ece
offeri
ngbutnope;shewasn’ tfazed.Wasshe
madaboutmehi t
tingonherf riend?Why
though?Shemadei tcleart
hatshewasn’ t
i
nterestedinme.Yandi swaGxabawast oo
compl i
catedf
ormeshame!
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
21]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
13
Okmay beImi sj
udgedhi m abi t.St i
lldoesn’t
changehowIf eel abouthi mt hough.Comet o
thi
nkofi tt hi
swasact uall
ythef irsttimeheand
Ichill
edt ogetherwi thoutanyofust r
y i
ngt o
mur dertheot herwi thwor ds.Il oveLat hi
thabut
Iwoul dnev ersleepwi thMelokuhl ejusttosav e
herass, besides, shewant stogetbur ntonher
ownmos.Ont hewayIwasqui ett rappedbymy
ownt hought s,howdar eheev encomet othi
nk
thatIwoul dl
owermy selfli
ket hat?Iwasmad
thathewoul dev ensuggestt hat !DerrickBess
needst ol ear
nr espect .
Hi
m:I
’
m sor
ry
Soheknowswhatanapol
ogyi
s?
Me:
forwhatexact
ly?
Hi
m: ev
erythi
ng.Fr
om t
hever
yfi
rstt
imewemet
t
il
lnow,I’
m sorr
yYandi
swa
Il
ookedathi
m,hewaslooki
ngstrai
ghtahead.
Mygodhewasf l
ames.Heparkedthecari
n
fr
ontofMacDandthenhelookedatme.
Hi
m:McFl
urr
yasapeaceof
fer
ing?
Ijustl
ookedathim.Helookedsi
ncer
efort
he
veryfi
rstti
me,Iwastemptedtof
orgi
vehi
m but
Ifigur
edletmelethi
m suff
er.
Hi
m:ohkay
Hewal kedouttobuyt
hisicecr
eam andt
henhe
camebackwi thtwoofthem,hehandedmethe
other
.
Me:
thanks
Hi
m:doest
hatmeanI
’
mfor
giv
en?
Ikeptqui
et
Hi
m:guessnot
.
Wedr
oveof
f.
Hi
m:whi
chcour
sear
eyoust
udy
ing?
Me:
art
Hi
m:wel
lI’
m doi
ngl
awatHowar
d
Me:
Iknow
Hi
m:whatel
sedoy
ouknowaboutme?
Me:
not
hing.
Hi
m:ohkay
…sowhyar
t?
Me:
whyl
aw?
Hi
m:l
egacy
.Whyar
t?
Me:there’
sbeaut
yinevery
thing.I
’
vel
oved
pai
nti
ngsinceIwasalit
tl
echi l
dandf
rom t
her
e
onwardsmyobsessionmov edontot
aking
pi
ctures
Hi
m:whatki
ndofpi
ctur
es?
Me: anyki
nd.Imostlytakepicturesofmy
fr
iendsthough.OnedayI ’
m goingtoowna
studiowherebydozensofpeopl ewil
lcomet o
myst udi
otobuymyar tandseet heperson
behindthebeauti
fulcr
eations
Hewasqui etprobabl
yli
steni
ngtome,If
elt
embarrassed, I
’
m supposedtobemadatt hi
s
guybuther eIam tell
i
nghim aboutmydr
eams
andeverythingelse.
Me:
I’
m sor
ry.It
endt
obl
ab
Him:Idon’
tmi
nd.Il
ovel
i
steni
ngt
oyout
alk
anyway
Me:
o…kay
.Sohow’
slaw?
Hi
m:wet
alki
ngaboutmenow?
Me:
yes,
wear
eMrBess.
Him: wel
l Ican’tsayIwasexcit
edt odoitat
fi
rstbutitgrewonme, ImeanwhenIpassed
mymat r
icIhadnopl anorwhatsoeverbutl
aw
camet omyr escue.
Me:there’
snosuchthingasnothavi
ngaplan,
whathav eyoual
waysseenyoursel
fdoi
ngback
wheny ouwereakid?
Him: I
’
veal waysseenmy sel
fsi
tt
ingi
nanoffi
ce
andbar ki
ngorders, hav
ingasupersexywi
feto
bri
ngmer andom lunchesaccompaniedby
greatoffi
cesexaf ter
Me:
ofcause.Whyam Inotsur
pri
sed?
Helaughed.Hi
slaughwasboldandsexy ,
ever
ythi
ngabouthim wassuddenl
yattract
ive
andmadey ouwanttoli
stentohim whenhe
spoke.
Hi
m:hahahawhat
?
Me:youli
kebar
kingorder
s.Ibet90%ofy
our
st
uffwoul
dhateyourguts
Him:Idon’
tmindasl
ongast
heygett
hewor
k
doneontime
Me:Isee.Sol
aw,wi
lli
ttakeyouwherey
ou
wanttobe?Whatam Iaski
ng,l
egacy
!
Hechuckl
ed
Him:IlovewhatI ’m doing,Imayseem li
keI
hateitbutIloveit.havingseenthethi
ngsmy
fat
herhasaccompl ished,i
t’smademewantt o
bejustli
kehi m.TheGODofbusi ness,butof
causehewoul dn’
tbewher ehei swit
houtmy
mom.Amanwi thadr eam deser
vesawoman
wit
hav i
sion
Me:
whosai
dthat
?
Him: Igoti
tfrom mydad.He’
sbeenonmycase
aboutf i
ndi
ngt her
ightwoman,wi
ththeri
ght
visi
onsot hatsheandIcanconquerthewor
ld
together
Me:andhaveyouf
oundheryetory
ouhopi
ngt
o
f
indherbet
weensomegir
l’
slegs
Hel
aughedatmeandpar
kedt
hecar
.
Hi
m:wher
e’st
hef
uni
nmet
ell
i
ng?
Hegotout.Iwaslef
tsoconfused.Whatdi
d
thatmean?Didt
hatmeanhe’sfoundherornot
?
ImeanIknownothingsol
idaboutthi
sguy.
Hi
m:y
oucomi
ng?
Hesaidshout i
ngfrom outsi
de.Igotoffthecar
andhelpedhi m wi
ththeotherbagandt henhe
l
ockedt hecar.Wewenti nsi
deandf oundhis
si
sterI
yai nthekit
chen.
Her:
tookyouguy
slongenough.Ihopehewas
goodtoyou
Ismi
l
ed
Me:hewasnotbad.Heev
enboughtmei
ce
cr
eam
Him:i
twasapeaceoffer
ingf
orbei
nganassto
heraf
tershet
ooksuchgoodcar
eofmysist
er
theot
herday
Her:
ncoooharen’
tyouasweetheart
.Soyou
canbuypeaceoff
eri
ngsf
orYandiswabutyou
can’
tdothesameforme…Ifeell
ikeyoudon’
t
l
ovemeany more
Hi
m:nott
hisagai
n
Her
:what?Fi
rsty
oubuyMel
anewbagand
nowthi
s?
Hi
m:j
eal
ousydoesn’
tsui
tyoubyt
heway
Her
:fi
newhat
ever
.
Hi
m:t
omor
rowwe’
l
lgoout
.Justy
ouandme
Shesmi
l
ed
Her
:andy
ou’
l
ltakemeshoppi
ng?
Hi
m:wi
thwhatmoney
?
Her:
Idon’
tknowBess.Makeapl
an,
youal
way
s
do
Helookedatherandtooksomebreadonher
pl
ateandranoutofthekit
chenwi
thAse’
sbags
Her
:Ihat
eyou
Shesai
dshout
ing
Hi
m:l
ovey
oumor
e
Heshout edback.Ij ustst oodther eandl aughed
atthem.Theywer ev erycut e,t
heymademe
wishIhadsi bl
ingsofmyown.Gr owi ngupas
theonl ychil
dwasnev erf un,Imeany eahsur e
beingspoi l
twithoutany onet obej ealousofy ou
andst uffisfunbutt hatwhol ethingofnot
havingpeopl etopl aywi thwasnev ernice,
havingt oleaveyoury ardj ustt
opl aywi t
hot her
kidswasnott hatni ce.Bloodr elationshipsar e
alway sthebesti nmyopi nion,
atl eastt hey
aren’tthatdeceivingast hesefriendswemake
t
odayar
e.
Her
:di
dhebehav
e?
Me:
yeshedi
d.He’
snotsuchabadguyaf
teral
l
Her:
trustme,
hei
sagoodguyi
nsomany
l
evel
s
Me:uhhm…Asemahl
etol
dmewhaty
ouwent
t
hrough,
I’
m sor
ry
Her
:it
sfi
ne.I
’
mfi
ne.Lov
eyourdr
essbyt
he
way
Me:
thanky
ou.Il
ovey
ourout
fi
ttoo
Shesmi l
ed.Andheadedouttothelounge,Mr
s
Besswasst andi
ngbythewindowal l
lovey
dovey,soundedl
ikeshewastalki
ngtoher
husband
Iya:theynevergetenoughofeachother
.You’
d
thinkafter20yearsofmarr
iagethey
’dbesick
andt ir
edalready
Me:
they
’vebeenmar
ri
edf
or20y
ear
s?
Her
:yepandtheyst
il
ll
oveeachot
herasi
fthey
f
ell
inlov
eyester
day
Me:
that
’scut
e.Iwantt
hat
Her:
weal l
wantit
.Ev
enAsemahlewho’snever
hadaboyfri
endwant
sthat
,whataboutyour
par
ents?
Me:
Idon’
tknowmydad
Her
:youmeanhedi
edorsomet
hing?
Me: ImeanI
’
venevermethi
m,l
astt
imeI
checkedhewasal
i
v e
Her
:ar
en’
tyouatl
eastcur
ioust
oknowhi
m?
Me: well
I’
veneverneededhi
m befor
e,mom
andgrannyhavealwaysplay
edhisrol
einmy
l
ifeall
toowell
Her
:butst
il
l,
isn’
tther
eany
thi
ngmi
ssi
ng?I
’
m
sor
ryt
opry
Me:noit
sok.There’
sneverbeenany
thi
ng
mi
ssingalt
houghIwouldli
ketomeethi
m some
day,
butthenIcan’
thelpbutfeel
li
keifhe
wantedtoknowmehewoul dhavedone
ever
ythi
nghecantofindme
Her
:I’
m sor
ry.
Me:
itsf
ine.Myl
i
fei
sact
ual
l
ybet
terof
f
Shenodded.
Ama:
Iseey
ouguy
sar
eback
Inodded
Ama:don’
tbeshyar
oundmesweet
ie,
I’
mthose
awesomemoms’
Icoul
dn’
thol
dbackhel
aught
erandsodi
d
Iy
ana
I
ya:
blowi
ngourownhor
nar
en’
twe?
Me:it
’snotabadt
hing.Al
i
ttl
econf
idenceai
nt
nev
erhurt
I
ya:
don’
tencour
ageherpl
ease.
Ama:
what
everYana.SoYandi
,anyboy
fri
end?
Me:
uhhm…Idon’
thav
eone
I
ya:
noway
!
Ama: suchabeaut
if
ulgi
rll
ikeyou?Howar
e
theseboysl
ett
ingyoupassthem by
?
Ismi
l
ed
Me:
I’
mjustnoti
nter
est
edi
nanyoft
hem Mah
I
ya:
mybr
otheri
sal
ooker
,whatabouthi
m?
Ama: nah.Yourbr
othermaybeal
ookerbuthe
changesgirl
sli
kehechangeshi
sunderpant
s
Me:
huh?
Ama:hahahamysonandIt al
k,Derr
ickdoesn’
t
dorel
ati
onshipsandI’v
eacceptedthat,
whichis
whyIdon’tevenwanttoencouragewhatIyana
i
ssaying.Thelastt
hingIneedismyson
br
eaki
ngsuchabeaut i
ful
lady
’sheart
Wel
lshe’
sasweetmom.
Iy
a:butmom Mel
ocouldusesomeonel
i
keher
,
sheseemsgoodenough
Ama: ever
ygi
rli
sanangel
wheny
ouf
ir
stmeet
them Yana
Me:hahahat
hati
strueMa.Youcan’
tjustt
rust
any
bodynowadays
I
ya:
reall
y?I’
mtr
yingt
oscor
eyoupoi
ntswi
th
mom here
Me:li
keyourmom said,Mel
omay bealooker
buthechangesgir
lsl
ikehechangessocksand
Iwouldneverbewit
hsomeonel i
kethat
.Ohand
heissorude
Ama:
whatdi
dhedo?
Me:
hedoesn’
thaveaver
ynicewayoft
alki
ng
t
opeopl
e,he’
stoocommanding
I
ya:
yept
hat
’smybr
other
Ama:
justl
i
kehi
sfat
her
.
Me: Icannev
erbewithsomeonewhojustl
oves
barkingor
dersal
lbecausehecanorhei
sable
to
I
ya:
wer
en’
tyoul
i
ket
hatmom?
Ama:Ical
l
edDaeint
oorder
,hewaski
ndofl
i
ke
hi
ssonbutIt
hinkMeloi
sworse
Therewassomet hi
ngaboutthisconver
sati
on
whichfel
tabituncomfort
able,i
tsoundedasif
Yanawasr oot
ingformetobewi thherbrot
her
andhermom wasal sodoingiti
nasl yway.The
l
astthi
ngIneedi saDerr
ickBesscompl i
cati
ng
myuncompl i
catedli
fet
hanky ouverymuch.
Hi
m:I
’
m notwor
set
handad
Itur
nedandMelowasstandingrightbehi
ndthe
couchIwassi
tt
ingon,
hest art
ledmeabi tI
won’tl
i
e
Ama:
whosai
dwewer
etal
ki
ngabouty
ou?
Hi
m: Iki
ndofheardalmostevery
thingy
ouguy s
weretal
ki
ngabout.She’snotl
yi
ngmom, she
wouldneverbewit
hmeandIwoul dnevergo
f
orsomeonel i
keher.She’
stoostubbor
nand
t
oomuchofapr i
ncessforme,andmyGodshe
doesnotknowhowt
osubmi
t!
Iy
aandAmahl el
aughedathim andhecame
aroundandsatr
ightnextt
ome.
Hi
m:noof
fensesweet
hear
t.
Me:
nonet
aken
Heputhi
sfeetontopofmeandIpushedt
hem
of
f,hel
ookedatmeandshookhi
shead.He
wasn’
tweari
ngshoessohedi
dn’
tstai
nmy
dr
ess.
Ama:
wher
e’sy
oursi
ster
?
Him:pr
obabl
yget
ti
ngdr
essed,
whatt
imey
ou
goi
ngther
e?
Ama:
5pm
I
ya:
wheni
sdadcomi
ngback?
Ama:
hesai
dhemi
ghtbebackWednesday
Hi
m:what
’st
hecr
isi
sany
way
?
Ama:someonei
ssuingthecompanyforl
ord
knowswhat
.Somelawyergibber
ish
I
ya:
howbadi
sit
?
Ama:nothi
ngyourf
athercan’
ttakecar
eof.By
theway,Dami
enandSimnikiwearemoving
backtoSA
I
ya:
noway
!
Ama:
Sim’
sal
readyboughtabout
ique
Hi
m:ar
etheygoi
ngt
oli
veatgr
andpa’
shouse?
I
ya:pret
tyobv
ious.Gr
anddadl
efti
ttouncl
e
Damien
Ama:
youknowt
oomuchf
ory
ourowngood
Hi
m:doest
hatmeannomor
edesi
gnercl
othes?
Ama:Ithi
nkso.I
t’
snotl
i
keshewon’
tbegoi
ng
ov
erseesever
ynowandthen
I
ya:
oht
hat
’sgood.
Ama:
youar
esuchspoi
l
tbr
ats
Hi
m:j
ustl
i
kebot
hourpar
ent
s.Lay
lasai
dhi
Ama:
she’
sst
il
lar
ound?
Hi
m:she’
sleav
ingt
oni
ght
Ama:
oht
ell
herIsai
dhey
.
Asemahl ef inal
lydeci dedt ojoinusandshewas
dressedsi mpl ebutel egant l
y.Shelooked
stunni ng!Wechi ll
edandspokeaboutany thing
andev erything,Ifeltathomeandnotl ikea
stranger .Iyana’shusbandj oinedusandhewas
toodul lf
orhershame, hewasj usttoomuchof
agoodguyandhedi dn’ttalkmuchormay be
that ’
sbecauseheandherhav erecentlylosta
baby ?ButI yawascopi ngmossoIdon’ tgeti t.
..
Ev entuallyitwast i
met ogo, I
yadrov eof fwi t
h
herf iancéandIdr ovewi thMr sBessandt he
twi ns;theyar guedaboutt hef r
ontchai rsuch
thatMr sBessf eltitbestthatDer r
ickdr i
v esand
shesi t
sint hef rontseat .I
twasf unnywat ching
thoset oogoateachot her.Themor et i
meI
spentwi ththisf ami l
y,themor eIwi shedIhad
siblingsofmyown.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
21]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
14-
Mel
o
Dinnerwentwel l
,Yandiswaf eltathomeorat
l
eastt hat ’
swhatitlookedl i
ke.Thef ami l
yliked
her,butt henagainwhocoul dbl amet hem? !She
wasact uall
yasweetper sonwhost oodbywhat
shesay s.Shewasanamazi ngsoul ,she’
snot
whoIt houghtshewasandmay beIwaski ndof
disrespectfultoher.Afterdinnerwedr oveoffto
myhome, Iwasn’tplanningonsl eepingat
homet onightsoIdr oppedthef am of fandwent
tomycarwi thYandiswaofcause, seeingthat
wel ivedint hesamenei ghbour hoodi twasonl y
fairItakehert oherplace.Wewer ei nmycar
dr
ivi
ngt
oLaLuci
a
Her
:yourf
ami
l
yisamazi
ng
Me:
tel
lmeabouti
t,t
heyseemedt
oli
key
ou
Sheblushedandl
ookedtheotherside.Ther
e
wasjustsomethi
ngaboutthi
sgirl
sitti
ngbeside
me,Iwantedtograbhert
henandt hereand
ki
ssherfordearl
ife…t
hat’
showbeaut if
ulshe
l
ooked.
Her
:thanky
ouIguess
Me:
younotsuchabi
tchaf
teral
l
Her
:oh…y
out
houghtIwasabi
tch?
Me:inawayy
es.ButIdon’
tthi
nky
ouar
e
any
mor e
Shechuckl
ed
Her
:youact
ual
l
ynotsuchanassaf
teral
l
Me:
yout
houghtIwasanass?
Her
:Isti
l
lthi
nky
ouar
ebuty
ounott
hatbi
gof
anass
Me:
youdon’
tknowmewel
lenought
ojudge
meli
ket
hat
Her:
Ispenthal
fthedaywi
thy
out
odayandy
ou
notwhatIt
houghtyouwer
e
Me:
andwhatdi
dyout
hinkIwas?
Her:i
tdoesn’
tmat
ter
.Myopi
nionofy
ouhas
changednow
Me:
what
-ev
er!
Wesati
nsi
l
enceasIdr
oveof
f
Me:
anyboy
fri
end?
Her
:Idon’
tdat
e
Me:t
here’
snosucht
hing.Whatdi
dmenev
er
dot
oy ou?
Her
:wer
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
her
e?
Me:
Ijustwantt
oknowwhoI
’
m dr
ivi
nghome
Her:mylastboyfr
iendbrokeupwithmeorI
brokei
toff,Idon’
tknowwhi chi
swhich,i
t
endedbecauseIwoul dn’
thavesexwit
hhim
Me:
howl
onghady
ouguy
sbeent
oget
her
?
Her:wel
loff
ici
all
ywewer egoi
ngtof
inishay
ear
t
ogetherbutwe’veknowneachot
herfor4
year
s
Me:i
fyou’
veknownhi
mthatl
ong,
whynothav
e
sexwi
thhi
m?
Her
:Iwasst
il
lav
irgi
n.Iwasn’
treadyf
orsex
Me:ouch!Soy
oust
arv
edt
hepoorguyf
ora
whol
ey ear
?
Her
:wheny
ouputi
tli
ket
hati
tjustsoundsbad
Me:
iti
sbad.Youcan’
tdot
hatt
oani
gga
Her
:ofcausey
ouwoul
dsayt
hat
.
Me:
I’
m nott
hisasshol
eyoumakemeoutt
obe
Her
:Iknow
Me:
huh?
Her
:anyway.Whatr
eal
lyti
ckedmeof fand
mademegonut swashim put
tingapict
ureof
heandIashisWhat
sApppr of
il
epict
ureand
thenaccompani
edi
twithast
atus“gi
rlyoudon’
t
evenknowallt
heb*
tchesIl
etgoforyou”
Me:that
’st
hatChr
isBr
ownandJami
eFoxx
songri
ght?
Her:
yes,butt
hat’
snotsomet
hingy
ousayt
o
someoneyouclai
mtolove
Me:
buti
twasj
ustast
atus
Her:whichmeantsomething.It
oldhi
mt ogoto
thoseb*tchesheletgof
ormeandI ’l
lgotot
he
niggasIletgoforhi
m
Ichuckled.Wasshef orreal
?Okbutt henagain
theguybehav edli
keaj er
k.Whowoul ddot hat
?
Whobr eaksupwi thsomeonebecauset hey
wouldn’tsleepwiththem?I ’
m nosai ntbutI
wouldn’tdot hattosomeone.Ifyoudon’ twant
tohavesexwi thmet hencool,I
’
llgeti t
elsewhere.Thi si
swhyIdon’ tdorelationshi
ps!
Me:
you’
resomet
hingel
sey
ouknowt
hat
?
Her
:okMrsmar
ty.Whatshoul
dIhav
edone?
Me:
fir
stl
y,y
ouendedt
hings,
nothi
m
Her
:Isai
dhecangoandher
espondedwi
th
“
cool”
Me: onl
ybecausey oupushedhi m away
Yandiswa.AnywayasIwassay i
ng,It
hinkyou
guyshadcommuni cati
onproblems.Hady ou
twospokeoft hesexi ssuet henyouguy swould
probablybesti
lltogether.Yougirl
shav ea
tendencyoffli
rt
ingandl eadingtheguyonand
whenhet hinkshe’llfi
nall
ygetsome, youbailon
him
Her
:Ihearyou.Any
wayI’
m overi
t,I
’
m goingt
o
meetaniceguywhenI
’m donewhoring
Me:
huh?
Her
:not
hing
Wewer ebyt
her obot
snottoofarf
rom her
pl
ace.Whatdidshemeanwhenshe’ sdone
whori
ng?Whydidshewantt owhoreinthefir
st
pl
ace?Ican’
tli
eIwasdisappoi
ntedreal
ly.I
’
m
nosaintbutthelastt
hingI’dwanti
sher
whori
ng, i
t’
snotagoodl i
feandshemi ghtj
ust
gethurtbydoingsuch.Ilookedathersqui
nti
ng
myey es
Her
:what
?
Me:
not
hing
Ishookmyheadandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.Wegot
toherpl
aceandIpar
kedt
hecarandshegotoff
Her
:thanks
Me:
youwel
come
Shewalkedt
othegateandgotinandthen
wavedandIwavedbackthendrov
eoff.Onmy
waytothefl
atIgotacal
lfr
om Lat
hit
ha.It
ook
thecal
l
/
/Me:
hel
l
o?
Her
:uhhm hi
Mel
o
Me:
heyhowar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m goodandhowar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m goodt
hanks.TowhatdoIowet
hiscal
l
?
Her
:wel
lI’
m atmypl
aceandI
’
m superbor
ed
Me:
ok?WhatcanIdo?
Her
:canIcomeov
ert
oyourpl
acef
orav
isi
t
maybe?
Me: Lat
hit
hal ook,
I’
m nott heguyfory ou.I
’
ma
j
erkandIdon’ tdorelat
ionshipsandy ouseem
l
ikeanicegi r
lwhodoesser i
ousstuffwith
seri
ousguy s.Thelastt
hingIwantt odoi shur
t
you
Her
:what
?Wher
e’sal
lthi
scomi
ngf
rom?
Me:thi
siscomingfr
om agoodpl aceact
ual
ly.
SomeonecaresaboutyouandIhappentocare
aboutt
hatsomeone.Thelastthi
ngIwanttodo
i
stohurtthatper
sonbyhurti
ngyou
Her
:oh
Me:
I’
mreal
l
yso…/
/
Shecutt
hecal
lonme.Ohwel
lIwasj
ustt
ryi
ng
tobeni cetoher .Igott omypl aceandt hen
call
edmamaBesst ot ellherIar ri
v edhome
safelyandshesai dcool Ishoul dst aysaf eand
takecar eofmy self.Igotont opofmybedand
l
oggedi nonWhat sAppandl ookedt hroughmy
contactsandInot i
cedIhadYandi swaasa
contact,Icheckedherpr of i
lepictur eoutand
dareIsayshewasf l
ames.I twasapi ctureof
heratmycr ibwear i
ngabi kiniwi t
hast atus
sayingshehadanawesomeSunday .JustasI
waschi ll
ingliket hatat extcamet hroughf r
om
Lucassay i
ngweshoul dgooutwi thSi ya,Iwas
shockinglynoti nt hemoodt ogooutsoIst ayed
i
ndoor sf ortheni ght .ThenextdayIwokeup
andshower edt henwenti nt oBESS, Igotat ext
from dadaski ngmet ogoi nandj ustov ersee
thatthi
ngsgoaccor dingl
y .Idecidedt ohead
outtogogr absomel unchatar estaur antdown
theroad, Ifoundaboot handwai t
edf ormy
order.Thisgirlwal kedupt ome.
Her
:hel
l
o
Me:
hi
Il
ookedupatherandmanwasshef
lames!
Her
:mayIj
oiny
ou?
Me:
I’
m act
ual
l
ywai
ti
ngf
ormyor
der
Her:I
’
m notaski
ngyouout
,I’
mjustaski
ngt
osi
t
wit
hy out
hat’
sall
Ichuckl
ed,
shewasbei
ngf
orwar
d.
Her
:Ni
cewat
ch
Me:
thanky
ou
Her
:wher
ecanIgetonel
i
kei
t?
Me:
LAorNewYor
k
Her
:ri
chki
d…
Icouldn’
thol
dbackthelaugh.Shewasv ery
pret
ty,herbl
ackbodyhuggingdresssatver
y
wellonher,t
herewassomet hi
ngaboutherthat
madey ouwanttogettoknowhermor e
Me:
nahnotr
eal
l
y
Her
:what
every
ousay
“
MrNgesi
”
Sai
dsomeoneshout
ingbehi
ndt
hecount
er.
Me:
Ishoul
dgo
Her
:MrNgesi
?
Me:
sadl
y,y
es
Shesmi l
edreveali
ngadimple.Shewasso
adorabl
e,Yandiswawasacombi nat
ionof
beauti
fulandsexybutshe,
shewaspl ai
n
beauti
ful
.
Her
:wi
l
lIev
erseey
ouagai
nMrNgesi
?
Me:
Idon’
tknow.wi
l
lIseey
ou?
Her:
here’
smycar
dandy
oubet
heonet
o
deci
de
Me:
Kat
e
Isai
dreadi
ngfrom thecar d.Ithadhernumber
andsoci
almediadet ail
swi t
hnot hi
ngsoli
dto
goon.Shelookedver yyoung, al
mostasthou
shewas18ory ounger.Inoddedandwentt o
takemyor derandwal kedrightbackt othe
offi
ce.IknowIsai dIdon’tdor elati
onshi
psbut
goodGod!Busi nesswasn’ tashect icpl
usAunty
Siyahadev er
ythingundercont rol.HometimeI
headedov ert
ot heBessmansi onandwas
greetedbymyev ersobeaut i
fulbigsist
er.
Me:
heysi
s
Her
:heybr
other
,howar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m goodandhowar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m bor
ed.Imi
sswor
k
Me:
sadl
y,mom puty
ouonl
eav
e
Her
:for
cedl
eav
e
Me:
youneedi
t
Her
:I’
m per
fect
lyf
iner
eal
l
y
Me: nahfam.Ithi
nky ouj
usthi
dingbehindthat
smile.Losi
ngachildisnotsomethi
ngyouget
overjustli
ket
hat,youneedtodealwit
ht hepai
n
sis.I
fyoudon’
tdealwit
hitnow,
theni
t’
sgoing
tocatchupwit
hy ouatalat
erst
ageandtr
ust
mei twon’
tbenice
Her:
MeloIdon’
tknowhowt odeal wit
hthi
s.
I
’v
eneverl
ostachil
dbefore,
there’snomanual
onhowtohandl
ethesekindofthings
Me:youdon’tneedamanuali
nordertoknow
howt odealwit
hpai
n.Mom gotbythr
ough
ther
apy,tr
ythat
Her
:me?Ther
apy
?I’
mtoobl
ackf
orsucht
hings
Me:tr
yitoutandi
tmi
ghtj
ustbewhaty
ou’
ve
beenneedi
ng
Witht
hatIwalkedoutt
osearchthehouse,
MamaBessandmyt winwer
en’thome,Iwalked
backi
ntothekit
chentoYana
Me:wherear
etheot
heroccupant
soft
his
house?
Her
:mom dr
aggedMahl
etowor
ktoday
Me:
that
’ssoundsouch
Her
:Iknowr i
ght
.partofherpunishment,
she
get
stobemom’ sPAf ortherestoftheweeks
unt
ilmom seesshe’
s…what ’
sthewor d?
Me:
fitandr
esponsi
ble?
Her:
y es,r
esponsi
ble.Mahl
etol
dmeshegott
he
t
alklastnight
Me:
damn!
Her
:yep.Theyspenthoursatt
hepar
li
amentI
t
houghttheywouldnevercomeout
Wecallmom’sroom t
hepar
li
ament
.That’
s
wherey
ougetthepeptal
kandever
yotherki
nd
oft
alkr
eall
y.
Me:
howbadwasi
t?
Her
:shecameoutwi
thherey
esr
ed.Youcan
onl
yimagi
ne
Me:ei
shandMamaBesshasawayofmaki
ng
any
onecry
Her
:Idoubtoursi
sterwi
l
lev
ergetdr
unkagai
n
aft
erlastni
ght.Mom li
ter
all
ypour
edherheart
outtoher.Tol
dherwhyshewor ri
estheway
shedoesandwhyshe’ sthisov
erprot
ect
iveof
anyofusandal loft
hat
Me:damnsher
eal
l
ygoti
thuh?l
et’
shopeshe
l
ist
ened
Her
:tr
ustme,
shedi
d.
Me:
nice.
Il
edust
othel
ounget
aki
ngmyj
acketof
f.
Her
:heywhat
’st
his?
Shesai
dhol
dingapi
eceofpaper
Her
:who’
sKat
e?
Me:
Kat
e?
Her
:say
sri
ghther
e
Me:ohthat
’ssomegirl
Imetatt
her
est
aur
ant
downthestr
eetfr
om BESS
Her
:isshepr
ett
y?
Me:
she’
sfl
ames.
Her
:compar
edt
oYandi
swa?
Me: wecan’tcomparethetwo.Kateiswhite
meani ngt
here’
llbeafewasset sshe’
slacki
ng.
She’ssomesor tofaRihanna,she’
ssuper
skinnybutshehasav erynicebodyanda
dimpletoo
Her
:sowhatdoest
hismean?
Me:
itmeansnot
hing
Her
:wher
edoest
hisl
eav
eYandi
swa?
Me:Yandi
swahasmadei
tpr
ettycl
earthatshe
wi
ll
neverbewit
hmesissof
orgether
Her
:younev
erev
ent
ri
edher
Me:she’
snotmyty
pesi
s.She’
stoo…she’
stoo
i
ndependentf
orme
Her:
wow!andwhataboutKat
e?I
sshe
submissi
ve?
Me:
Iwoul
dn’
tknow.Ineedt
otr
yheroutf
ir
st
Her
:whycan’
tyouj
ustset
tl
eforonegi
rl
?
Me:
Ijustmi
ght
.Kat
eseemsl
i
keakeeper
Her
:real
l
ynow?
Me: I
’
llcal
lhertoni
ghtandI’
ll
takeheroutand
seewhatkindofgirlshei
s.Shedoesseem
dif
fer
entfrom whatI’
m usedtothou
Her
:Isee.
Me:
don’
tjudge.Youknowt
hisi
showIr
oll
Her
:Idon’
tseewhyy
oudon’
tgof
orYandi
swa
Me:she’
snotformeok!Anywayt
ell
mom Iwas
her
eok,I’
l
lseehert
omorrow
Her
:younotst
ayi
ng?
Me:
nope.Bysi
ssy
Itookmycarkeysandthecardonthetabl
eand
walkedoutsav
ingKat
e’sdetai
lsonmyphone
andthenwentint
omycaranddr ovet
omy
pl
ace.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
21]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
15
Lastnightwasamazi ng.TheBessf ami l
yis
amazingandev eryoneinit.Aft
erMel odropped
meof fIheadedstraighttomyr oom andhitthe
sack.Iwaswokenupy ourstr
ulyj
umpi ngont op
ofmybed.Idon’ tunderstandwhygr ownass
peoplewouldwakey ouupl i
ketheywakingupa
5-y
ear-old.
Me:
Nal
edi
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Her
:wakeuphoneyImi
ssy
ou!
Me:
goawayI
’
mti
red.
Her
:ohwel
l
.IguessIhav
etoeatt
hisl
i
ndt
chocol
ateal
one
Me:
okokokI
’
m up
SheknowshowmuchIl oveli
ndtandmagnums.
Thosearethefewt
hingsyoucanbribewit
hand
youwouldhavewonmyhear t
.Iuncovered
myselfandshewassit
ti
ngont opofstomach.
Me:
geti
nsi
de
Her
:thanky
oul
ady
.
Shesaidj
oini
ngmeunderthecover
sandshe
openeduptheboxofchocol
ate.
Me:
wel
l
?
Shej
ustsmi
l
edl
i
kear
etar
d.
Me:
det
ail
s
Her
:lastni
ghtwasamazi
ng!
Me:youlookl
i
kei
twasamazi
ng.What
happened?
Her
:wemadel
ove.
Me:
your
eal
l
yli
ket
hisonehuh?
Her :youhav enoi deaf r
iend.Lastni ghthet ook
met othisrestaurantout sideDur ban,therewas
onlyachefandawai t
erandj ustthet woofus.
Wespokeal lnightaboutany thi
ngand
ever y
thing.Nexty earhei smov ingtoSout h
AfricaDur ban.Notf ormebutbecausehe’ s
beenl ookingt ocomebackher eandst ay
per manent l
y.Any wayaf t
eral lthatwewentt o
thebeachandj ustsatther eandt alkedand
talkedandt alked.Lateronwewentt ot hehotel
hewasbookedi nandhewi nedanddi nedme
andt henwemadel ove,thesexwasmi nd
blowingmyf riendnonel ikeI ’
veev erhadbef ore.
He’ scomi ngbackagai nbegi nningDecember
andt histimear oundhe’ l
l stayforaweek
Me:
ohwowy
our
eal
l
ymadeani
mpr
essi
on
Her
:youknowIal
way
sdo
Me:
doest
hismeany
oucl
ear
ingt
her
ost
er?
Shenoddedsmi
l
ing.Thel
astt
imeIev
ersaw
Ledi t
hishappywasIdon’ tknow.Asmuchas
fri
endscanmakey ouhappy ,amancanmake
yousmi leinawaynof ri
endcanev ermakeyou
smi l
e.Iwashappyf orherandIwasalsoglad
thatshe’l
lstopsleepingwi t
hrandom manfrom
nowonwar ds.Iwasahappysi st
erandfr
iend
becauset hat’
swhatwear etoeachother
.I
kissedhercheekandhuggedhert i
ght
Her
:Ican’
tbr
eat
he
Me:
Idon’
tcar
e.I
’
m happyf
ory
ou
Shet
ri
edt
obr
eakf
reeandshef
inal
l
ydi
d.
Her
:youar
etr
yingt
oki
l
lmear
en’
tyou
Me:
thi
smeansy
ou’
l
lst
opwhor
ingar
ound
Her:t
hat
’si
fhepr
ovi
desandt
akescar
eofmy
ever
yneed
Me:
Nal
edi
!
Her
:Imakenopr
omi
ses
Me:
what
ever
Her
:sohowdi
dyourdaywi
tht
heBessgo?
Me:
itwasamazi
ng.Ihaddi
nnerwi
tht
hem
Her
:them orDer
ri
ck?
Me:
thef
ami
l
y.Theyar
esuchamazi
ngpeopl
e
Her:
theki
ndoff
ami
l
yyouwoul
dgetmar
ri
edt
o
r
ight
?
Me:
scr
ewy
ou!
Her:I
’mjoki
ng.Sohavey
ouchangedy
ourmi
nd
aboutYummyMel o?
Me:
nope.Okmay
beal
i
ttl
e
Her
:wi
l
lyoubanghi
m?
Me:
what
?No!
Her
:comeone.Justonce
Me:
heact
ual
l
ysai
dhewant
edt
obangme
Her:
Iknewit
.thewayhel
ookedaty
out
he
ot
herdaysai
dital
l
Me:
wow!
Her
:so?Wheni
sthebangdat
e?
Me:ther
eisnonebecauseIwoul
dn’
tbanghim.
I
t’
ll
ruint
herel
ati
onshipIhav
ewithhi
sfamil
y
Shel
ookedatmel i
keIwasment
all
yder
anged
andt
henlaughedsohard.
Her:howissleepingwit
hMelogoingt
orui
n
yourrel
ati
onshipwithhi
sfami
ly?Doyouwant
t
obanghi sfamilytoo?
Me:
screwyou.Besi
des,Lathi
thal
i
keshi
m and
t
her
e’sagi
rlcodeagai
nstthat
Her:y
oupeopl
eandgirl
codes.Der
ri
ckwant
sto
bangyouandnother
Me:
wellheknowswefri
endsandIwar
nedhi
m
t
ostayawayfr
om her
Her:nowt hatheknowsyouguysarefriends;he
mightjustbanghertogetyourat
tenti
onort o
gettoyou.Thatguyli
kesyouandhi seyessay
so
Me:
he’
sal
way
swear
ingshades,
whatmakes
y
out
hinkt
hat
?
Her:
asmuchasI ’
m awhore,
Isti
ll
knowwhena
manlikesagi
rl
.He’
sact
ionsalwaysgi
vehi
m
away
Me:
right
.let
’sgomakebr
eakf
ast
,I’
m st
arv
ing
Her
:justt
hinkabouti
tok?
Me:
fine.
Withthatwewenttomakebr eakfastandwhen
wewer edoneweat eandminuteslaterAni
ta
walkedinwit
hmessyhai r
,shehadt hatwhol
e“I
j
usthadsex”look.Butshedidn’
tlookhappy
ei
ther.
Ledi
:wel
lsomebodydi
dn’
tcomehomel
ast
ni
ght
Ni
ta:
notnowLedi
please.I
’
mti
red
Me:
breakf
ast
?
Ni
ta:
Ial
readyat
e
Ledi
:yepanddi
ckcanmakey
ousuperf
ull
Ni
ta:
arey
ouki
ddi
ngmer
ightnow
Ledi
:di
dn’
tIt
ell
youi
twasaddi
cti
ve?
Me:
comeonLedi
leti
tgo
Ni
tasatdownont
heki
tchencount
erchai
rs.
Ni
ta:
howwasy
ourl
unchdat
ewi
thAsemahl
e?
Me:itwasgr
eat
.Inf
ecti
tendedupbei
ngdi
nner
att
heDrAmber’
shouse
Nit
a:sowhat?Youl
i
kepar
toft
hef
ami
l
ynowor
somethi
ng?
Me:hahaha.Nopeitwasafr
iendl
yinv
iteand
MrsBessdoesn’
ttakenof
orananswer
Ledi
:soNi
ta,
howwasi
t?
Ni
ta:
pai
nful
Ledi
:i
twi
l
lgetbet
terwi
tht
ime.Tr
ustme
Ni
ta:
yeah
Me:
Ihopey
ouusi
ngpr
otect
ionNi
ta
Her
:Iam…wel
lweki
ndsofgotcar
ri
edaway
t
hismor
ningandwedi
dn’
t
Me:
mor
ningaf
terpi
l
l?
Ledi
:youneedt
ogooncont
racept
ivesbabe
Ni
ta:
he’
l
lbr
ingt
hepi
l
llat
eron.Rel
axguy
s
Ledi
:whycoul
dn’
tyouguy
sjustpassbyt
he
chemist
?
Me:
yeahwhydi
dn’
tya’
l
l?
Ni
ta:i
tsl
i
ppedourmi
ndsy
ouguy
s.Any
wayI
’
m
of
ftobed
Withthatshewal
kedoutandl
eftmeandLedi
speechless.
Ledi
:ohkay
!
Me:youcansayt
hatagai
n.What
’swi
tht
he
at
ti
tude?
Her:
Idon’
tknow.IwonderwhatBonkehas
donenow
Shet
ookoutherphonef
rom hergown
Me:
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Her
:fi
ndi
ngoutwhatBonkedi
dtooury
oung
Ni
ta
Me:
he’
scomi
ngov
erl
ateri
sn’
the?
Her
:so?
Sheputtheri
ngingphoneonl
oudspeakerand
awhil
elaterheanswered.
/
/Hi
m:Nal
edi
Her
:whatdi
dyoudot
oAni
ta?
Hi
m:whatdi
dshesayIdi
dtoher
?
Her:
don’
tpl
aysmar
twi
thmeBonke.Whatdi
d
youdo?
Hi
m:Idon’
thav
eti
mef
ort
hisNal
edi
Her:youdoknowthati
fIheari
tfr
om Nit
a
whateverIwoul
dhavedonetoyouwi
llbe
worse
Hi
m:whatcoul
dyoupossi
blydot
ome?
Me:
Buddywhat
’sgoi
ngon?
Hi
m:wegoti
ntoanar
gument
.
Her
:bef
oresexi
ngheroraf
ter
?
Hi
m:ify
oumustknow.i
thappenedaf
ter
.
Wher
eisNi
ta?
Me:she’
sinherr
oom.Whatdi
dyouar
gue
about
?
Hi
m:i
t’
sbet
weenmeandherok.
Her:goodGodifyoudar
ndidany
thi
ngtohurt
herIwil
lmurdery
ouBonke.Youwon’
tleav
e
thi
shouseali
ve
Hi
m:scr
ewy
ouNal
edi
//
Her
:di
dhej
ustdr
opt
hecal
lonme?
Me:
yeah.Comel
et’
sgot
oNi
ta,
sheneedsus
Wi t
hthatshetookherplat
eandwewentupt o
Anita’
sroom,weknockedbuttherewasno
responsesowel etour
selv
esinonlyt
of i
ndt
he
bedempt yandwat err
unni
nginthebathr
oom
sothat’
swher ewewentt olookf orherandwe
foundhersit
tingdownont heshowerwi t
hher
kneesupcryingast hewaterhitherheaddown
toherfeet
.Ledi gotinandclosedthetapandI
walkedinwit
habi gtowel
.
Me:
babywhat
’swr
ong?
Isaidhuggi
ngherwi
tht
hetowel
andtr
yingt
o
helphergetupwi
tht
hehel
pofLedi
Ledi
:honeywhatdi
dhedo?
Wewal kedoutoftheshower,shewasfreezi
ng
coldsoweopenedt heblanket
sforherand
thenwej oi
nedherinbedandcuddledher.
Her
:he’
sbeencheat
ingonme
Ledi
:I
’m sor
rywhat
?
Her
:wewer einbedtal
kingwhenhi
sphone
r
ang,hewashesitantt
oanswerbutt
heperson
waspersi
stent
.He’sbeensl
eepi
ngwit
hEmel i
e
Me:
whi
chEmel
i
e?
Her
:Emel
i
eLi
me.
Ledi
:thatbi
tch!
Me:howdidy
ouf
indoutt
heywer
esl
eepi
ng
t
ogether
?
IknowthatmaybeI
’m notsupposedtoaskbutI
rat
herhaveal
lthef
act
sbef or
eev er
ythi
ngel
se.
Her: hi
sphonewasl oudenough.shewas
askinghim whenhe’ scomingoverandcalli
ng
him“ baby”.Iaskedhim whatwasgoingonand
het oldmet hatthetwoofthem areexeswith
benef i
ts,
saidhedoesn’tloveher,
theyjust
screwoccasi onall
yandthat’
sit
Ledi
:ar
eyouf
ucki
ngki
ddi
ngme?
Me:
I’
m sosor
ryf
ri
end
Her
: howcoul
dIhav
enotseent
hiscomi
ng?
Am Istupi
dorbl
i
ndorbot
h?
Me:
no.t
heyj
usthi
ditt
hatwel
l
,younotst
upi
d
Her
:It
houghthel
ovedme
Me: mendoalotofthi
ngsthatmakeyou
questi
onthei
rlov
e.Ican’
tspeakuponthe
thi
ngshehasdonebuthedi dlov
eyou
Ledi:bull
shi
t!I
fhelov
edhert henhewouldhave
neversleptwit
hherfr
iend.Bonkeisanasshol
e
forthathedeserv
esev er
ythi
ngbadthat
’s
comi nghisway
Me:noLedidon’
tbeli
kethat
.That
’st
hel
ast
t
hingAni
taneedstohear
Wheny ougoingthr
oughsuchaperiod,t
helast
thi
ngy ouwantt ohearissomeonecursi
ngthe
persont hatdi
dyoudamage.IknowcauseI ’
ve
beenhur ttothi
spointAnit
awasinandallshe
neededwascomf ortandlove.
Her:Ij
ustdon’
tunderst
andwhyhewoulddo
thi
stome.DidInotlovehi
m enough?i
sit
becauseIdi
dn’
thavesexwithhim ont
ime
Me:i
t’
snoty ourf
aul
t.I
t’
shis.Hescr
ewedup
andnotyou.Youcan’
tfor
cey our
sel
ftohav
e
sexwit
hsomeonewheny ouknowy ounot
ready
.It
’syourv
irgi
nit
yatt
heendoft
heday
andnothis
Ledi:eveni
fyouhadsexwi thhi
m ear
li
eron,he
probablywouldhavecheat
edony ousti
l
l.Some
menj ustdon’
tgetenough,i
t’
scall
edbeing
greedy.Bonkeneverdeser
vedyoutobeginwit
h
ok.
Shejustkeptqui etandcriedevenmor e,
Ledi
andIjustcomf ortedheruntilshef el
l asl
eep
andwhenshewasf i
nall
ysleepingwewal ked
out.Lediwaspi ssed,sowasIbutNal ediwas
onami ssion.Shewasr eadytoki l
l.That’sthe
ki
ndoff ri
endIhav e,
herchilll
evelsar ealwaysa
negati
vewher eherf ri
endsandf amilyare
concerned.
Her
:thatbast
ard
Me:
Ican’
tbel
i
evehewoul
ddosuchat
hing
Her
:hedeser
vest
oroti
nhel
l
Me:
don’
tdoany
thi
ngwewi
l
lbot
hregr
et
Her
:andwhati
sthatmyf
ri
end?
Me:
don’
tki
l
lhi
m!
Her
:Imakenopr
omi
ses
Wewashedt
hedi
sheswhi
l
echat
ti
ngabout
st
uff
.
Me: t
heconver
sati
onwit
hIy
anaandseei
nghow
theyareassi
bli
ngsmademewanttoknowmy
dad
Her:
noYandiswa.Thatmanl
efty
ouandhe
nev
erlookedback
Me:Ijustwantt
oknowwhy
,whati
fIhav
e
si
bli
ngs
Her
:whati
fyoudon’
t?
Me:
woul
ditr
eal
l
ybet
hatbad?
Weputthedi
shesi
nthedryerandthenpoured
somewineandwenttotheloungewit
haplate
ofmeatandakni
fetocutit
.
Her
:Idon’
tunder
standwhyy
ouwantt
oknow
t
hebast
ard.Hel
eftf
orar
eason
Me:
areasonIwantt
oknow
Her
:atleastt
alkt
oyourmom fi
rst
.Remember
t
helastti
mewesearchedfort
heguywe
r
eachedadeadend
Me:
Iknow.whati
fthi
sti
meIgetl
ucky
?
Justt
hent
hebel
lrang.
Her
:I’
l
lgeti
t
Me:
noIwi
l
l
Her
:itcoul
dbeBonkesol
etme
Me:
younotgoi
ngt
ohi
m al
one
Her
:fi
nel
et’
sgo.
Shetookt heknif
eandshewalkedtothe
ki
tchen.Ont hewaywewer ear
guingaboutt
he
kni
fesituati
on.Iopenedt
hedoor.
Me:
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Hi
m:I
’
m her
eforAni
ta
Ledi
:hav
en’
tyoudoneenough?
Shesai
dpl
ayi
ngwi
tht
hekni
fei
nthehand
Hi
m:Ij
ustwantt
oexpl
ain
Imov
edasi
de
Hi
m:t
hanky
ou
Ledi
:there’
snot
hingt
oexplai
nBonke.You’
ve
beensleepi
ngwit
hourfr
iend
Hi
m:t
hisi
sbet
weenAni
taandI
Me:andEmeli
etoor
ight
?Imeanshe’
sjusty
our
f
uckbuddyr
ight?
Hi
m:I
’
m notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ouguy
s.
Hesaidapproachi
ngt
hedoort
othest
air
sbut
Ledi
stoodinherway
Her
:younotgoinganywherenearher
.DidInot
t
ell
youthatyouwouldn’
tleav
ethishouseal
ive?
Him:whaty
ougoi
ngt
odohuh?st
abmewi
tha
kni
fe?
Her
:al
i
ttl
elessonai
ntnev
erhur
tnobody
Shesai
dpoi
ntt
hekni
fet
ohi
m
Hi
m:ohpl
ease
Me:
comeoneNal
edi
Him:l
ist
entoy
ourfr
iend.Webot
hknowy
ou
don’
thavet
hegut
s.
Her
:whydopeopl
eunder
est
imat
eme?
Hi
m:becauseweallknowy
ou’
dnev
erdoi
t.
t
akeyourbestshot
Hesaidopeni
nghisar
msandpat
ti
nghi
shear
t.
Ledi
shookherheadandsmi
l
ed
Hi
m:t
oldy
ou.Nowmov
e
Idon’tknowwhenorhowshereachedhi
spant
s
butthat’
swher
esheshovedtheknif
e.
Me:
Nal
edi
!
Bonkewasscr
eami
ngi
npai
n
Her
:tol
dhi
m nott
ounder
est
imat
eme!
Withthatshewenttothesinkt
owashher
hands.Iwasstuckinthemomentnotknowi
ng
whattodoorsay .Ni
tarockedupr
ubbi
ngher
eyes
Her
:what
’sgoi
ngon?What
’swi
tht
hen…
Shedi
dn’tevenfini
shherquest
ionwhenshe
sawBonkelayingonthefl
oorwithhi
shandson
thebl
oodyknif
e
Her
:ohmygodwhathappened?Somebodycal
l
anambul
ancepl
ease
Shesai
dkneel
i
ngi
nfr
ontofhi
m
Naledil
ookedatmeasi faski
ngifIwasr eal
ly
goi
ngt obet hatdumb.Searchedformyphone
butcouldn’tf
inditsoIr
ant otheloungeand
di
alledfortheambulancewhichar r
ivedaft
erit
s
sweetpr eci
oustime.Ni
tawentt othehospital
wit
hherboy f
ri
endandleftmewi thLedi.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
21]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
16-
Mel
o
NormallyI’m nott hisexci tedt ogetagi rl
’s
numberbutwi thKat ei twasdi ff
er ent,
it’
slikeI
j
ustcouldn’twai ttof i
nal lytalktoheraf tert he
l
ongdayI ’
vehadandt heweekendt hatI’
vehad.
Iwasact uall
yi nterestedi nt al
kingt oherand
heari
ngherv oi ceagai n, unliketheot hergirlsI
callf
orar andom hookup.Wai tcoul dIbe
fal
li
ngforher ?Ideci det oFaceTi meKat e,Iwas
boredandnot hingi nter estingwaspl ayi
ngont v
ohandIwassupert i
redf rom today .Isatont he
couchandl oggedi ntot heWi -
Fi andgotont o
FaceTimeandsear chedf orKat e’scontactand
founditthencal ledher
/
/Me:Heyyou.Si
nceyoudon’
tknowmyname,
i
tsDer
ri
ckbutyoucancal
lmeMel o
Her
:asi
nMar
shmal
l
ow?
Me:
no!asi
nMel
o
Her
:whyMel
o?
Me:i
tsshor
tformyname,
whi
chIwon’
ttel
lyou
sodon’
task
Her
:isi
tthatembar
rassi
ng?
Me:no.j
ustt
hatmom cal
l
smebyi
twhenshe’
s
madatme
Her:
butIwantt
ocal
lyoubymyownspeci
al
ni
ckname
Me:
whi
chi
s?
Her
:Mar
shmal
l
ow
Me:
cal
lmet
hatandI
’
llcal
lyouJel
l
ybean
Her
:hel
lNOI
’
m pr
ett
iert
hant
hoset
hings
Me:
thencomeupwi
thsomet
hingbet
ter
Her
:MrRol
ex
Me:
whyt
hat
?
Her
:thewat
chy
ouhadonwhenwemet
Me:okfai
renough.howaboutIcal
lyoubody
huggi
ng
Her
:younot
icedt
hedr
essIwaswear
ing?
Me:
onl
ybecausey
ounot
icedmef
ir
st…st
alker
Her
:ther
est
aur
antwasf
ull
ok
Me:
what
every
ousayMi
ssChat
ty
Her
:what
?
Me:Ical
l
edyouMisschatt
y.Yout
alkal
ot,
t
houghtyounev
erst
opping
Her
:what
?Not
hat
’snott
rue
Me:it
’snotabadt
hingbecausey
ouhav
eani
ce
voi
ce
Her
:hegi
vescompl
i
ment
s…owwow!
Me:
that
’scausey
ounotbor
ingsochi
l
lout
Her
:Lol
Iknowr
ight
?!
Me:
let
’snotgetcockynow
Her:HahahahaIknowthebor
ingpar
tdidnot
evenoncecrossyourmi
nd.Ohyeahyouki
ndof
coolt
ooMr
Me:hahaha..
.thankyoubutIknowI'm cool
.
Mostpeoplethinkt
hatI'
m coolBecauseI’
m so
cool
..
..
Her
:Feel
i
ngCockyar
en'
twe?
!
Me:
alway
s.Whatar
eyouupt
o?
Her
:Iam wat
chi
ngamov
ie.
..andwhatar
eyou
doi
ng?
Me:
Owhni
ce,
whi
chone.
..
!?I
’
m aboutt
ocook
Her
:ThePer
fectMat
ch.Youcancook?
Me:
whydoy
ousoundsosur
pri
sed?
Her:y
oudon’
tst
ri
kemeassomebodywho
cooks
Me:
youdon’
tst
ri
kemeasasuckerf
or
r
omancebuther
ewear
e
Her
:it
’sani
cemov
ie
Me:
what
’ssoni
ceabouti
t?
Her:
everyt
hing.Thewayhefal
l
sinlovewithher
andyetshe’
sget t
ingmar
ri
edtoanother
.It
’s
cut
e
Me:t
hati
smean.I
’
m st
art
ingt
oquest
iont
he
ki
ndofl
adyy
ouare
Her
:st
ickar
oundandy
ou’
l
lfi
ndout
Me:
younotengagedar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m onl
y18.Chi
l
l
Me:
sowhatcour
sear
eyoust
udy
ing?
Her
:I’
m st
udy
ingRadi
ogr
aphyatDUTRi
tson
Me:
nice.Beaut
yandbr
ains
Her:Ihopey
ouar
en’
tbur
ningany
thi
ngonmy
account
Me:
Ihav
en’
tev
enst
art
ed.Yout
oot
alkat
ivef
or
met
ocook
Her
:Iknewi
t.y
oucan’
tcook
Me:
sti
ckar
oundandy
ou’
l
lfi
ndout
Her
:ar
eyouf
li
rt
ingwi
thme?
Me:
arey
ouf
li
rt
ingwi
thme?
Her:t
ypi
cal
blackper
son.Answer
ingaquest
ion
wit
haquesti
on
Me:
whosai
dIwasbl
ack?
Her
:whosai
dyouwer
en’
t?
Me:
andy
ousayI
’
mthet
ypi
cal
blackher
e
Her
:ohwow!sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
oeat
t
oni
ght?
Me:
howaboutIhav
eyou
Her
:ohmygod!No!
Me:rel
axi
twasjustaj
oke.I
’
llor
derpi
zzaorgo
eatatmymom’shouse
Her
:somebodyi
samama’
sboy
Me:
y oucant el
lalotaboutamanj
udgi
ngby
t
herelat
ionshiphehaswithhi
smom
Her
:mmmmh….
Me:
yeah.Sohow’
syourmov
ie?
Her
:Ist
oppedwat
chi
ng.Thankst
oyou
Me:
Idon’
theary
oucompl
aini
ng
Her
:I’
m enj
oyi
ngy
ourcompany
Me:
I’
mfl
att
ered.Sowhat
’sy
ourf
ull
name?
Her
:it
sKat
eRomer
.
Me:
ist
haty
ourFacebooknamet
oo?
Her
:Ideact
ivat
edt
hatal
ongt
imeago
Me:
wowmet
oo.
Her
:youdon’
thav
etosayt
hatt
oimpr
essme
Me:
what ?Gi
rlpl
ease.Iknowy
oual
ready
i
mpressed
Her
:yout
oococky
Me:
hav
eyouwat
ch“
TheRev
enant
”?
Her
:what
’st
hat
?
Me:t
hemov iet
hatact
ual
l
ymadeLeonar
dowi
n
hi
sfi
rstOscar
Her:HahahahahaI’mlaughi
ngcauseI ’
m
thi
nki
ngofallthosejokesabouthim not
winni
nganOscar ..
.andnowt hatwehadalll
ost
hope,hesuddenlywinsone.Thatisj
ustsad
anddepressi
ng..
.itmustbeaGr eatmov i
e
Me:hahahawellyousil
ly
..
..yea,i
t'
stoonice.I
waswatchingli
kewithmyj awdroppedthe
whol
et i
me.Iknewhe'll
wini tsomeday,
it'
sjust
t
hathisti
met owinitwaslongov er
due
Her
:Exceptheal
mostdi
dnotwi
nitt
hou.
..
Me:
Didi
sbet
tert
hanal
mostt
hou
Her
:Lol
yeahy
our
ight
..
.
Me:
somi
ssnot
icedme
Her
:comeonar
ewer
eal
l
yst
il
lont
hat
?
Me:
Ican’
tdr
opi
t.apr
ett
yladyhi
tonme.
Nor
mal
l
yit
’st
heot
herwayr
ound
Her
:hahahahahahahaWhenlastdi
dIlaught
his
har
d‚youareenter
tai
ningy
ouknowt hat
Me: hahahalet’
sfaceit,
youcan'twinthe
cockinessgamewi thme, I
'm cockyi
nreall
i
fe.I
know, ri
ght
!?!Tooentert
aini
ng.Youfuntoo,
haven'tenj
oyedchatti
ngwi t
hsomeonel i
kethi
s
i
nages, peoplebeboringAF
Her:Hahahasweethear
tI’
m onl
ylet
ti
ngyouwi
n
becauseI’
m sl
eepynowandIhav ecl
asses
tomorrowmorning…schooli
sadrag
Her
:Asformebeingf un.
..i
tcomesnatural.I
wasbor
nliket
his.
..Ihavetostandoutfr
om
t
hesebori
ngpeopleyouassociateyour
selfwith
Me:Well
,I’
m sleepyt
ooact
uall
y,pr
ett
ysureI
gotsl
eepybeforeyoudi
dbutdidn'
twantt
oget
yousadwiththebadnews.
Her
:hahahait
’snotacompet
it
ionMrCocky
.
Pl
us,y
oustil
lhaven’
teat
en
Me:Iknowyoudon'
twantt
osl eepcozI
’mtoo
goodtobet
rue,
feel
sli
keadream tal
ki
ngtome
al
ready
Her
:ohwow!
Me:staywithmeunti
lIf
ini
shmaki
nga
sandwichatleast
?
Her
:nowy
ouj
ustbei
ngacr
ybaby
Iputt
hephoneandspeakerandswi
tchedt
o
cal
lmodewhil
eIprepar
edmysandwi ch
Her
: awar
ningwoul
dhav
ebeenmuchmuch
bet
ter
Me:
ohI
’
m sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tthi
nky
ouwoul
dmi
nd
Her:
oneminut
ewefaceti
mingandt
henext
youswi
tcht
oaudi
o,notf
air
Me:
I’
m sor
ry
Her
:what
ever
.Sowhatar
eyoumaki
ng?
Me:
hot
dogs.Wantsome?
Her
:sor
ry,
I’
m st
il
lful
l
Me:f
rom t
hel
unchy
ouat
ear
ound12.Qui
t
t
ri
ppi
ng
Her
:ar
eyoual
way
sli
ket
his?
Me:
how?
Her
:cr
azy
Me:
youbr
ingoutt
hecr
azyi
nme
Her
:owhwow
Me:
donemaki
ngmysuper
.
Her
:fi
nal
l
y
Me:
yeah.Youcangot
obednow
Her
:yousuck!
Me:
Goodni
ght
..
..
Her
:Goodni
ghtCocky
Me:
goodni
ghtMi
ssCocky
//
Thecal
llef
tmeinaver
ygoodmood.Thet i
me
wasonl
ypast7andshewascall
ingi
tanight?I
guessr
adiogr
aphyi
sabit
chhuh?Anywayafter
thecal
lIdeci
dedtohittheshower,
asIwas
aboutt
oshowert her
ewasaknockont hedoor
.
IwenttogogetitanditwasSiyaandLucas
withpi
zzaandsomebooze.
Me:
real
l
yguy
s
Luc:
yourr
ibsar
enotat
tr
act
ive.Goputat
-shi
rt
on
Theypushedmeoutoft
heway
.
Me:Ithi
nkt
her
e’sal
awagai
nstt
hissor
tof
t
hing
Si
ya:
whatt
hingi
sthat
?Vi
si
ti
ngaf
ri
end
Me:no.r
ocki
ngupunannouncedataguy
’s
pl
ace.WhatI
fIhadagir
lover
?
Si
ya:
wel
ldoy
ouhav
eoneov
er?
Iwasdef
eat
ed.Ishookmyhead
Luc:i
fyouhadone,
youwoul
dn’
thav
e
answeredt
hedoor
Si
ya:
ory
ouwoul
dhav
eanswer
edwi
thaboner
Me:screwyouguy
s!CanIatl
eastgotakea
showerandmeetyouguy
sinthelounge?
Luc:
justasl
ongasy
oucov
ert
hoser
ibsup
Me:thi
siswhata6packactual
l
ylooksl
i
ke
cousi
n.Buty
ouwouldn’
tknow
Si
yaandIl
aughedathi
m.
Hi
m:scr
ewy
ouBess!
Wi t
ht hatIwalkedupt omyr oom t
oshowerand
wearcomf ycl
ot hes.WhenIwasdoneIwentt o
j
oint hem andt heywereplay i
ngFifa.They
cameov ertomypl acetoflippingplayFIFA?I
hitthem atthebackoft heirheads
Them:
whatt
hef
uck?
Me:
youcomeov
ert
omyhouset
opl
ayFI
FA?
Luc:
yougott
hebestTV
Si
ya:
Iseenot
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hat
Me: ofcauseyouwoul
dn’
t.beentel
li
ngya’l
l
assestomov eoutofy
a’l
lparent
s’house
Siy
a:whywast
emoneywhent
heyl
i
vei
nthe
sametownasyou
Me:unt
ilt
hen,
youcr
ashher
eri
ght
?thi
sisnota
hot
el
Luc:
itl
ooksl
i
keone.Gr
ababeerandj
oinus
It
ookabeerandjoi
nedt
hem.Iloggedon
WhatsAppandst
art
edaconversat
ionwi
th
Yandi
swa,Iwasbor
edandKatewasnotonli
ne.
*
/me:
Heyt
her
e
Her
:uhhm hi
?
Herresponsesweren’tsoquickanditwas
annoyi
ng,I’
m afasttexterandafastresponder
soIdon’tl
iketobekeptwai ti
ngwhenIdon’ t
keeppeoplewait
ing
Me:don’ttel
lmey ounev
ersav
edmynumber
?
Toblockitatleast
Her
:uhhm nott
ober
udebutwho’
sthi
s?
Me:
MrDMB
Her
:Mel
okuhl
e?
Me:
theoneandonl
y
Her
:whyar
eyout
ext
ingme?
Me:becauseI’m boredandyou’
reonl
i
ne.Why
dopeopletextotherpeopl
e?
Her:
sorryIj
ustwasn’
texpect
ingat
extf
rom
youthat
’sal
l
Me:l
ikeIsai
d,Iwasbor
edandy
ou’
reonl
i
ne.
Whatareyouupto?
Her
:cl
eani
ngact
ual
l
y
Me:
att
hist
ime?
Her
:ther
ewasanacci
dent
Me:
ify
ouki
l
ledsomeoneIdon’
twantt
oknow
Her
:what
?No!okmay
beNal
edi
kil
l
edsomeone
Me:
whatdoy
oumean?
Her
:Nal
edi
stabbedBonkei
nthebal
l
s
Me:
Bonke?
Her
:Ani
ta’
sboy
fri
end
Me:
what
?Nof
ucki
ngway
s.Why
?
Her
:he’
sbeensl
eepi
ngwi
thourot
herf
ri
end
Emel
ie
Me:
howmanyf
ri
endsdoy
ouhav
e?
Her:
about7.Any
wayyoumissi
ngt
hepoi
nt.
Coul
dshegetarr
est
edfort
hat?
Me:well
ifhepressedchar
gesbutshewoul
dbe
gr
antedbai
l.Theguyisnotdeadr
ight
?
Her
:yeahbuthecannev
erhav
eki
ds…
Me:
yourf
ri
endi
shar
d-cor
e!She’
saG
Her
:hepr
ovokedher
Me:whatdi
dhedo?Imeannobodydeser
vest
o
gett
hei
rbal
lsst
abbed
Her
:hehur
tAni
ta!
Me:
youv
irgi
nsar
ecompl
i
cat
edIswear
!
Her
:yeahwhat
ever
.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:
I’
m chi
l
li
ngwi
thSi
yaandmycousi
nLucas
Her
:tel
lem Isayhi
Me:ohwow.qui
ckr
esponse,
doest
hatmean
youdone?
Her
:I’
vebeendoneactual
l
y,y
ouj
ustnott
he
onl
ypersonI
’m chat
ti
ngto
Me:
ohwow.r
eal
nice
Her
:what
?
Me:
it’
sli
kerol
esar
erev
ersedandI
’
m suddenl
y
t
heniceoneher
e
Her
:di
dIhur
tyourf
eel
i
ngs?Doy
ouwantahug?
Me:
sar
casm l
ookst
err
ibl
eony
oubyt
heway
Her
:ri
ghtbackaty
ouMel
okuhl
e
Me:
coul
dyoupl
easest
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
!
Her
:knowingt
hati
tannoy
syougi
vesmej
oyi
n
myheart
Me:
ifIdi
dn’
tknowanybet
terIwoul
dsayy
ou
wantme
Her
:goodt
hingy
ouknowbet
ter
Me:
whyar
eyousomeant
ome?
Her
:I’
m sor
ry,
thi
sisj
usthowIam…notani
ce
per
son
Me:myfami
l
ywoul
ddi
sagr
ee,
evenIwoul
d
di
sagr
ee
Her
:oh?
Me:
whatgamear
eyoupl
ayi
ngat
?
Her
:ther
eisnogame
Me:yeaht
her
eis.Thi
ngsarebet
terforyou
whenwe…Idon’
tknow,ateachother’
sthr
oat
s?
Her:
whyarey
oubei
ngsoemot
ional
?I’
mjust
pl
ayi
ngwit
hyouMel
o.
Me:
coul
dhav
efool
edme
Her
:I’
m sor
ry.Let
’sst
artov
er
Me:
howaboutl
unch?Tomor
row
Her
:anydaybutt
omor
row
Me:
why
?
Her
:Ihav
eaj
obi
nter
view
Me:
ohwowt
hat
’sgr
eat
.Whatki
ndofj
ob?
Her
:tophot
ogr
aphapar
tyt
hisSat
urday
Me:
Ihopey
ougett
hej
ob
Her
:met
wo.Fi
nger
scr
ossed
Me:
finger
scr
ossed.
Her:any
way.We’l
ltal
kagai
ntomor
row,
it’
s
beenalongday
Me:
goodni
ghtt
hen
Her
:ni
ght
yni
ghtMel
okuhl
e//
Il
oggedout .MaybeYandiswaandIcanbe
goodf r
iendsaf
teral
l.She’
snotsuchabad
person.Theguyswer est
il
lpl
ayi
ngtheirmatch
andIwassupert i
redsoIcall
editanight,I
prayedforYayatogetthatj
obbefor
esl eepi
ng.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
17
Welly est
erdaywasunexpect ed.ImeanIknew
Naledi wascapablebuttogof ortheballs
though?Myf ri
endisaGnodoubt !IguessZuko
wasl uckybecauseheandherar ekindof
fri
endsorel seshewouldhav edonet hesame
tohim orev enworse,butanywayt heir
fri
endshipendedwhenZukoandIendedt hings.
Bonkewasf inebutIbetyouhe’llnevercheat
again.Anitawasnott al
kingtoanyofusand
noneofuscar edreal
ly,
wellitsnotli
keIdidnot
carebutIwast oobusywor r
iedaboutmy
i
ntervi
ewt omor rowandmaki ngsuremy
port
foli
ospeaksv olumesf orme.Myi nterview
wasat12pm meani ngIhadmor ethanenough
ti
met opr epareandmakesur ethatever yt
hing
wasA- Okay !Iwentt oshowerandt henwentt o
myclosett opickoutanout f
it,
Iwentwi than
over
sizedl ightjerseyandapenci lskir
twi t
h
pi
nkheel s.Myout fitwasnudepi nkjersey,
whit
eski rtapi nkhandbag.Iwasn’ tpl
anni ngon
ty
ingmyhai rf
ort heinter
view.WhenIcameout
ofmycl osetIwasmetbyNal edigoingt hr
ough
mypor tf
ol i
osit t
ingont opofmybed.
Her
:youneedt
oenl
arget
hispi
ctur
e
I
twasapict
ureofhersi
deofherf
ace,i
twas
bl
ackandwhit
e,i
twasabeauti
ful
pict
ure
Me:wel
lit
’syousoi
fyouwantt
oenl
argei
tyou
cangoahead
Her
:comeone,
lov
emef
oronce
Me:
youknowIl
ovey
oual
way
s
Her
:ri
ght
.soar
eyour
eady
?
Me:thi
sismyf
ir
str
eal
jobi
nter
view…Idon’
t
knowdude
Her
:youar
egoi
ngt
oknockt
hem dead
Me:
theywantmef
orapar
ty
Her
:whatki
ndofpar
ty?
Me:kiddi
espar
tyIt
hink;
Idi
dn’
tgetmuch
det
ail
sreal
ly
Her
:Ihopei
t’
snotascheme
Me:comeone,i
twashookedupbymyl
ect
urer
sochi
ll
honeyboo
Her
:fi
ne…what
ever
.Goodl
uckmyhoney
Me:
thanky
oububu.Hav
eyouhear
dfr
om Ani
ta?
Her:
she’
sbeenl
ockedupi
nherr
oom si
ncel
ast
ni
ght
Me:
youhav
etoapol
ogi
se
Her
:Idi
dheraf
avour
.Sheshoul
dbet
hanki
ng
me
Me:no.y
oukil
l
edal
lhopesofBonkeev
er
hav
ingki
dsdude
Her
:that
’l
lteachhi
mtonev
ermesswi
thmy
f
ri
endagain
Me:comeondon’
tbeev
ilnowLedi
.Apol
ogi
se
t
othem bot
h
Her
:Idon’
tev
enunder
standwhyAni
tai
smad
t
hough
Me:
whydon’
tyougoaskherandf
indout
Her
:gr
eat
.Real
great
.
Justaswewerechat
ti
ngli
kethatmyphone
rangandmi
ssyjumpedfori
t.
Her
:whywoul
dbeMel
ocal
l
ingy
ou?
Me:
Idon’
tknow.canIhav
emyphonepl
ease?
Itwasst
il
li
nherhandandt
hisgi
rlanswer
edi
t
andputhi
m onspeaker
/
/her
:Yandi
swa’
sphonehel
l
o?
Hi
m:uhhhm hi
.MayIspeakt
oYay
apl
ease
Her:
petnamesal
ready
.Ar
en’
tyouf
orwar
dMr
Bess
Me:
Nal
edi
comeon
ShegavememyphoneandIr
emov
edi
tfr
om
speaker
.
Me:
sor
ryaboutt
hat
Hi
m:noneedt
oapol
ogi
se
Me:
sot
owhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e?
Hi
m:Ical
l
edt
owi
shy
oul
uckont
oday
Me:
aren’
tyousweet
…
Hi
m:Ihav
emyday
s.Don’
tgetusedt
oit
Me:
trustmeIwasn’
tpl
anni
ngt
o.Howar
eyou?
Hi
m:hungov
er.Howar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m gr
eat
.It
’si
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heweek
Him:rememberIt
oldy
out
heguy
srockedup
unannounced
Me:
ohy
eah…whataboutwor
k?
Hi
m:Ij
ustgott
otheof
fi
cebyt
heway
Me:
Isee….
Hi
m: anyway
.Ishoul
dgo,
byeYay
aandknock
em dead
Me:
Yay
a?That
’saf
ir
st
Hi
m:what
?Youhat
eit
?
Me:
nobodyhasev
ercal
l
edmet
hat
Hi
m:t
henI
’
llbet
hef
ir
standl
ast
Me:
byeMel
oandenj
oyy
ourday
Hi
m:enj
oyy
our
stooandknockem dead
Me:
wil
ltr
y//
Her
:“Yay
a”
Me:
whyar
eyoust
il
lher
eagai
n?
Isai
dhi
tt
ingherwi
thapi
l
low
Her
:youl
i
kehi
m!
Me:
what
?No!
Her:
yeah.Youdoandi
tsokf
ri
end,
Idon’
t
bl
amey ou
Me:
what
?No
Her
:youwer
eli
ter
all
ybl
ushi
ngandal
lfl
i
rtat
ious
Me:y
ouar
eseei
ngy
ourownt
hings.Mel
oisa
f
ri
end
Her
:real
l
ynow?
Shegavemet hatunconvi
ncedlook…we’ve
beenfr
iendsf
orsol ong,y
ou’dt
hinksheknows
mebynow.Ifeel nothi
ngforMelokuhl
eBess
Me:
yes,
real
l
y.He’
snotmyt
ype
Her
:sexyandmy
ster
iousi
snoty
ourt
ype?
Me:
he’
snotmy
ster
ious.He’
sal
ookert
hat
’sal
l
Her
:ri
ght….hav
eity
ourway
.Igotacal
lfr
om
MrPorsche
Me:
whati
sMrPor
sche’
snameany
way
?
Her
:hi
snamei
sReeceWi
ther
Me:
nice…sowhatwast
hecal
labout
?
Her
:justchecki
nguponmeandhowIwokeup,
heaskedaboutmyplansf
ort
hedayandpr
ett
y
muchallofthat
Me:
he’
sakeeper
Her:heaskedmet
ofl
yov
ert
hisweekendi
fI’
m
notbusy
Iscr
eamedi
nexci
tementandsodi
dshe
Me:Il
i
ter
all
yhavenowor
ds.Thi
sguyi
sreal
l
y
t
akenbyyouhuh?
Her:
yout hi
nkIwouldf
lyt
oLAal
one?Nahf
am
whatifhekidnapsme
Me:
soy
ounotgoi
ng?
Her:
nope.I
fhewant
stoseemeagai
nhewi
l
l
cometome
Me:
youar
esomet
hingel
sey
ouknowt
hat
Her
:peopl
ear
ecr
eepyoutt
her
e
Me:
finedon’
tgobabe
Her
:butt
heshoppi
ngmyf
ri
end
Me:
Igi
veup!Comel
et’
sgomakebr
eakf
ast
Her
:bet
tery
etl
et’
sgoeatout
.It
’sawhi
l
e
Iscreamedandwebot hstartedjumpingupand
downont hebedexcited.Afterallthatmadness
Iaccompani edhertoherr oom t owashandI
pickedoutanout fi
tforherandf r
om ther
eon
wewentt ogetdressedinmyr oom andwet ook
dozensofpi ct
uresandt henweheaded
downst air
s.Nit
awasi ntheki tchenmaking
somet hingtoeat.
Me:
mor
ning
Shekeptqui
etanddi
dn’
tsayj
ackshi
i
t.Ledi
walkedoutl
eavi
ngmewithamoodyNit
a
Me:Idon’
tknowwhatIdi dtoyoubutthis?Thi
s
whol
eattit
udeyougivi
ngmer i
ghtnow,itwon’
t
getyouanywheresweethear
t.LediandIare
goi
ngoutforbreakf
asti
ncasey ouwouldli
ket
o
j
oinus
Her:
youdon’tgeti
tdoy
ou?Youst
oodt
her
e
anddidnot
hing
Me: excuseme!Icannotbeli
evethatyouar e
goingt ostandt
hereanddefendhim afterhe
hascheat edonyouwithyourownf ri
end.How
darey ouchoosesomeassholeov eryourown
fr
iendAni t
a?
Her:
I’
m notchoosi
nganyoneher
eYandi
swa.
YouandNaledihadnori
ghttoev
enget
your
sel
vesinvol
ved
Ichuckl
edindisbel
ief
.Shewashi ghon
somethi
ngright?Imeanwasn’ tshetheone
cryi
ngonmychestj ustyest
erdaymor ni
ngand
heresheisnowactingli
keabi tch.
Me: wow.Iknewthatthepowerofdi
ckwas
str
ong.Butthi
s?Ididn’
tthi
nki
twouldmakeyou
thi
scrazyshame.By eAnit
a
Wi
tht
hatIwal
kedoutt
oani
mpat
ientNal
edi
whohasbeenhooti
ngfort
hepastf
ewmi nutes
Iwaswi
thAnit
a.Iopenedt
hedoorandgotin.
Me:
real
l
yNal
edi
?
Her
:what
?
Me:
let
’sj
ustgo
Her
:andt
hen?What
’swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
Me:uAni
tazi
mzaent
lokoi
sper
mssozeuve(the
sper
mshavegonest
rai
ghtt
oherheadIswear!
)
Naledi
’
slaughwasthatannoyi
nglaughthat
madey ouwantt
oslapthedayli
ghtsoutofher,
especi
all
ywhenyounotinthemoodf ori
t.she
l
ookedatmeandl aughedagai
nbeforestart
ing
thecar
.
Her
:whathast
hepoorki
ddone?
Me:
shemadcausewei
nter
venedy
est
erday
Her:wasn’
tshet
heonebusycr
yingbecauseof
herasshol
eofaman
Me:
mypoi
ntexact
ly.Sowher
ear
eweeat
ing?
Her:
Wi mpy…i
t’
sbeenawhi
l
esi
nceIhadt
hei
r
br
eakfast
Me:
awesomet
hen.Yourt
urnt
opayt
hough
Her
:Iknow.chi
l
l
Weal way stookt urnsi npay i
ngt hebil
lwhenwe
wentoutr athert hant hatwhol espli
tti
ngit
business,youf indt hatallofyouar ecarryi
ng
cardsbecausecar r yi
ngcashi snotsaf eso
thi
ngswer ejustbet terthisway .Wehadour
breakfastandi twasni ce.Afterallt
hatwewent
windowshoppi ngt obuyt i
meandt henlunch
ti
meNal ediwentt odr opmeof fbythi
sot her
restaurantformyi ntervi
ew.Iwasear l
yand
suddenl ynervous.Thel adyIwasmeet ingcame
dressedupf ormal, I
’mt al
kingsui t
sandal l.
Her
:hel
l
o.I
’
m Thembi
Mbi
ra
Me:
Yandi
swaGxaba
Weshookhands.
Her
:fi
nal
l
y,af
acet
othename
Me:
excuseme?
Her:
Anelehasbeengoi
ngonandon.Shesay
s
youoneofthebesti
nhercl
ass
Me: t
hankyouIguess.ButI
’
lll
etmypor
tfol
i
o
speakfori
tsel
f
Shesmi
l
ed.
Her:
Ithi
nkIlikeyoualr
eady.I’
m star
ving,can
weorderfi
rstandthendiscussevery
thing
pr
oper
Me:
yeahsur
e
Shecalledupawai t
ressandshet ookour
ordersthenwentbackt ohavet hem prepar
ed.
Mr sMbirawashostinga21st/ graduat
ionpart
y
forherdaughterandshewant edmet ocaptur
e
everyt
hingfortheday.Wegott oknoweach
otherli
tt
lebeforet
hef oodcame.
Her
:sohowmuchdoy
ouchar
geperhour
?
Me:thi
sisact
uall
ymyf i
rstrealj
obei
thert
han
assi
gnmentsandschoolstuff
Her:
what?Noway!Yourport
fol
i
oisi
mpr
essi
ve!
Youdoi
ngyour2ndyearr
ight
?
Me:
nof
ir
stact
ual
l
y.
Her
: wow.anyseei
nghowgoody ourworkis,
workoutapri
ceandwe’l
ltakei
tfrom t
here.I
j
ustwantperf
ecti
onformydaughter
Me:
youcanbetonMr
sMbi
ra
Her
:cal
lmeThembi
please
Me:
Ican’
t.Youol
denought
obemymom Mah
Her
:fi
net
henMr
sMbi
rai
tis
Thewai
tr
esscamet
ocheckonus
Her
:wi
l
lyoubehav
ingany
thi
ngel
se?
Ishookmyhead
Me:
not
hanksI
’
mful
l
Her
:we’
l
ljusthav
ethebi
l
lthanks
Thewai
tr
essnoddedandthenwal
kedout.As
weweresi
tt
ingt
alki
ngwit
hMr sMbir
a,Melo
wal kedinwithhishandont hisBEAUTIFUL
(pleasenotet hewor dincapitall
ett
ersbecause
shewasoutoft hi
swor ldki
ndofbeaut i
ful!)
l
ady ’
swaist.Theylookedper fectIt
ogether,I
waski ndofjeal
ousf orasplitsecondbutIwas
alsogl adbecauset henthi
smeanthewi llget
thei deaofhim bangingmeoutofhi shead.
Her
:Yandi
?
Me:
sor
ry.Youwer
esay
ing?
Her:
Iwassay
ingwewilldi
scussev
ery
thi
ng
el
seovert
hephoneok?
Me:
thanky
ouMr
sMbi
ra.Thanky
ousomuch
Her:canIkeept
his?Iwantt
oshowmy
daughter
Me:
yeahy
oucankeepi
tMah.
Her:
mydaughteri
sgoingtol
oveyourst
uff
.Ar
e
youbusyFr
iday
?BecauseIwoul
dli
ketobook
youfort
hewholeweekend
Me:
I’
m notbusy
Her:gr
eat
.Any
wayi
twasapl
easur
emeet
ing
you
Me:
li
kewi
se.Andt
hanksagai
n
Her
:thanky
ourl
ect
urer
Andwi t
hthatshegotupandl ef
t.Youknowt hat
feel
ingy ougetwheny ou’veachi eved
somet hinggr eatandy ouj ustwantt oshoutor
j
umpupanddownbutnowy ou’
reinpubl icand
youdon’ twantt olookr etarded?Wel lthatwas
me.Iwant edt oscr eam andcel ebrateandgo
getdrunkandhi gh.AsMr sMbi rawaswal king
putsheandMel ogr eetedeachot herandt hen
shelef t
.Whyam Inotsur prisedt heyknoweach
other?She’ srichandhei sDamonBess’ schi l
d.
Ibety ouheandherdaught erwentt oschool
togetherorsomet hing.IcalledLedi onmyway
outbutDer r
ickf el
titbestt oleavet hegirlhe
waswi t
htoat tendt ome.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
18-
Mel
o
SoBonkei snotsuchasai ntafterall?!Iwon’ t
l
ieIwasnotexpect ingthat, Imeanwet alk
aboutal mostev erythi
ng, howcoul dhenotbr ag
aboutscr ewing?Hi sgirlandIai ntev enf ri
ends
forthatmat ter.It
’sfunnyhowt heseni ggas
alwayssayI ’
m adi ckwhent heygoi ngar ound
doingfarwor se.I’
m assbutev enIwoul dnev er
cheatonmygi rlwithherf r
iend,that’sjust
wrongi nsomanyl evel
s.Igotupwi thabi tofa
hangov erdidmymor ni
ngr out i
neandheadedt o
theoffi
ce.WhenIgott her eIcalledYay atowi sh
herluck,Idon’ tknowwhyIcal l
edhercausewe
notfri
endsorwhat soever.Af t
ert hecal lIgota
textfr
om Kat easki ngmeoutf orlunchandI
coul
dn’
tsayno.shecamet oworkt
of et
chme
andwewenttotherest
aurantdowntheroad
wherewehadmety est
erday.
Me:
youl
ovet
hispl
acehuh?
Her:
it’
snott
hatIl
oveitbutbecauseyouhav
e
t
ogetbacktoworkinanhourandst uf
f,I
f
igur
ed
Me:
Isee
Wewal kedi njusttalkingrandomly.Il
ether
wal kinfrontandmahnt hisgir
lwasonanot her
l
ev el.SomeCassi ety peofishifyouknowwhat
Imean.Wewer estoodt herewaiti
ngfora
wai t
ertogetusat able,aswewer ewaitinglike
thatmyey esl andedont heeversobeautiful
Yandi swaGxabasi tt
ingacr osstheroom, she
quicklylookedawaywhenshesawmel ookat
her.Thewai terfi
nall
ygotusat ableandwe
wentt osi tdown.
Her
:Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
ndbutIdi
dmyr
esear
ch
onyou
Me:
andwhatdi
dyouf
ind?
Her
:thaty
oudon’
texi
st.
Me:
whatdoy
oumeanIdon’
texi
st.
Her
:whoar
eyou?
Me:
Itol
dyou,
Der
ri
ckNgesi
Her
:yousur
eyounotDer
ri
ckBess?
Me:
ist
hisani
nter
rogat
ionoral
unchdat
e?
Her
:sot
hisi
sadat
e?
Me:
ify
ouwantI
ttobet
henIdon’
tseewhynot
Shechuckl
ed.Shewasall
kindsofbeaut
if
ult
his
gi
rl
.IsawMr sMbir
awalkovertomytabl
e.
Her
:Der
ri
ckhi
Me:
heyMa,
howar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m good.I
t’
sbeenages
Me:
Iknowr i
ght
.Mathi
sisKat
e,Kat
ethi
sismy
mot
her’
sfr
iendMrsMbir
a
Kat
e:ni
cet
omeety
ouMah
Her:
li
kewise.YoungBessIexpecttoseeyou
atmydaughter
’sgraduat
ionpar
tythi
sSaturday
Me:
woul
dn’
tmi
ssi
tfort
hewor
ldMa
Her
:remi
ndy
ourmom ok
Me:
wil
ldo.
Her
:by
ebaby
,seey
out
hen
Me:
byeMa
Wi
tht
hatshewal
kedaway
.
Her
:YoungBess?
Me:
pleasedon’
t
Her
:why
’dy
oul
i
eabouty
oursur
name?
Me:Idi
dn’tl
i
ei fyout
hinkabouti
t,Ij
ustgav
e
youhal
fthetruth
Her
:ri
ght
Me:oktomakeupf ormyl
i
e,bemydat
etot
he
21stt
hisSat
urday
Her
:what
?
Me:
please
JustthenYandi
swawal
kedov
er,
shewason
thephone.
Me:
excuseme
Isai
dwalki
ngupt
oher.shedroppedt
hecal
l
whenshesawmestandinfr
ontofher
Me:t
houghty
ousai
dyouhadani
nter
viewat
l
unchti
me
Her
:itshal
fpastal
readyandi
fmemor
yser
ves
merightl
unchisat12
Me:
yourpoi
nt?
Her
:mypointi
sthatIj
ustgotoutofmy
meeti
ngwitht
hewomany ouweregreet
inga
f
ewmi nut
esago
Me:
soyoudi
dseemebutyouwer
ejustgoi
ng
t
opassmebyjustl
i
ket
hat
Her
:youwithsomeoneMel
okuhl
eIdidn’
twant
t
ober udeorgi
vehert
hewrongi
mpressi
on
Me:ohwowYandi
swa.Any
waydi
dyougett
he
j
ob?
Shesmi l
edandnodded.Idon’
tknowwhat
cameov ermebutnextthi
ngIknewitIwas
huggingherandspi
nni
ngheraroundin
excit
ement.Iqui
ckl
yputherdownandfixed
my sel
fandsodidshe
Me:
congr
ats
Her
:thanksMel
o
Ther
ewasabi
tofawkwar
dsi
l
encebet
weenus.
Her
:uhhhm Ishoul
dgo.Nal
edi
justgother
e
Me:
whenar
ewecel
ebr
ati
ng?
Her
:joi
nust
oni
ght
,7atCubana
Me:
seey
out
her
e
Her
:by
eMel
okuhl
e
Me:
byeYay
a
Wit
hthatshewal
kedoutandIr
etur
nedt
omy
t
able.
Kat
e:she’
spr
ett
y
Me:
yeahshei
s
Her
:shey
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Me:
what
?No!
Her:
coul
dhavefool
edme.Thewayy
ouj
umped
whenyousawher
Me:
she’
smysi
ster
’sf
ri
end.Jeal
ous?
Her
:what
?NO!
Me:
coul
dhav
efool
edme
Her
:wel
lI’
m not
Me:
itsokt
oadmi
titKat
e.
Her
:admi
twhat
?
Me:
thaty
oul
i
keme
Her
:af
terev
ery
thi
ngI
’
vehear
dabouty
ou
Me:whathappenedt
oinnocentunt
ilpr
oven
gui
l
ty
Her
:nowomancoul
dev
erchangey
ou
Me:
andy
ougott
hatbasedonwhat
?
Her
:Iknowpeoplet
hatknowy
ouDer
ri
ckBess.
Bi
ggestpl
ayeri
nDurban
Me:onewhoiscur
rent
lyl
ooki
ngf
oraser
ious
r
elat
ionshi
p
Shelookedatmeinshock.Honest
lyIwas
shockedmysel
freal
l
y.Imeanwher edi
dthat
comef r
om?
Her
:si
ncewhen?
Me:si
nceImetyou.You’
reacool
ladyKat
eand
Iwoul
dli
ketoknowy oumoreonamore
per
sonal
lev
el
Her
:ar
eyouhi
tt
ingonme?
Me:
canwebeser
iousj
ustt
hisonce?
!
Her:
youcaughtmeoffguar
dDerri
ck.HowdoI
knowI’
m notgoi
ngt
obepar toft
hestat
ist
ics?
Me:becausei
fIwantedyouaspar
tofthe
st
ati
sti
csIwouldn’
tevenbeher
eri
ghtnow.
Yourcl
otheswoul
dbeal
lov
ert
hef
loori
nmy
apar
tment
Her
:I….uhhhm….
Me:
all
I’
m aski
ngf
ori
sachanceKat
e.
Thel astt imeIev erdi dthi
swhol ethingwas
backi nhi ghschool withthegirlt
hatcheat edon
mewi thaf r
iendofmi ne.Isuckedatmacki ng
ongi rl
s, Idon’ tevenknowwhyIwasmacki ng
onKat e.Yandi swai scool andallbutnowshei s
fri
endswi thmysi st erandmyf amilyli
kesher
andal lthatwhi chmeansi twi
llneverwor kout
seeingt hati fIwer et oscrewupt heywi l
ltake
hersideandganguponme.Kat eisagr eat
chick,yourt y picalideaofawi f
emat eri
alandall
thatandIt hinkt hisi sthekindofper sonwho
willbet heonet oteachmehowt ol oveandbe
i
nar el
at ionshi p.
Her
:Idon’
tknowwhatt
osay
Me:
justsayy
es.Sayy
ou’
l
lbewi
thme
Shenodded
Me:
so?
??
Her:l
et’
sgi
veitat
ry.Buti
fyoudar
et ur
noutto
bewhatevery
onesaysyouareIwi
llbegone
youngBess
Me: aslongasy ou’ll
teachmeandbemygui de
i
nt hiswholerelati
onshipthingthenfi
nebyme.
Justdon’tgiv
euponmequi ck,I
’m abitr
usty
ont hi
swholer elat
ionshi
pt hingandplease
nevertrytochangemeok
Her
:ter
msandcondi
ti
onsal
ready
Ichuckl
ed
Me:
I’
m al
awst
udent
.Thi
sishowwedot
hings
Her
:nodoubtt
her
e
Ilaughed.Weconti
nuedtalki
ngandj ustgetti
ng
toknowmor eandmoreabouteachot her.She
toldmeaboutherpastrelati
onshipandt hingsI
neededt oknowanddoi ntherelati
onship.
Thingsshewoul dt
oler
ateandt hingsshe
wouldn’t.seemi nglyrel
ati
onshipsar e
complicatedandt heynotallfunandgamesasI
thought.Theyar eaf ullt
imejob.Wespent2
hoursjustget t
ingt oknoweachot her.Iwas
broughtbackt or eali
tybyacal lf
rom myf ather
tel
li
ngmeaboutt heshi i
tIneededt odobackat
theoffi
ce, whichmeantIhadt ocutourni ce
ti
meshor tandr eturntoBESS.Kat ewasj usta
wonder f
ul soul.Thedayendedev entuall
yandit
wast i
met ogohome.Ibumpedi nt oauntSiya
onmywayout .
Her
:heyKi
ddo
Me:
comeonaunt
y.Real
l
ynow?
Her:y
ou’l
lal
waysbekiddotome.Sowher
e
wereyouduri
nglunch?Icamet
ocheckupon
youandyouweren’tt
here?
Me:
Iwasoutwi
tht
hisgi
rl
Her
:tel
lmemor
e
Me:
nahf
am wenotdoi
ngt
hat
.Youmybest
f
ri
end’
smom
Her
:yeahso?
Me:noauntySi
ya.Any
waywhenar
eyouguy
s
get
ti
ngSiyaafl
at?
Her
:hedoesn’
twantone.Hi
sfat
herandIhav
e
t
ri
edbutnope
Me:
why
?
Her
:hesay
shehasn’
tfoundt
heper
fectoney
et
Me:
orhe’
sjustscar
edt
oli
veal
one
Shel
aughed
Her
:may
bet
hat
.Younev
erknowwi
tht
hatone
Me:wel
lther
e’sanapart
mentav
ail
abl
eint
hat
compl
exMahleandIliv
ein
Her
:youshoul
dtel
lhi
m abouti
t.
Iopenedhercardoorf
orher
.
Her
:thanky
ou
Me:
youwel
come.I
’
llt
ell
him abouti
t
Her
:isy
ourmom home?
Me:Idon’
tknow.shehasatendencyofcomi
ng
backl
atenowthatdadisn’
tar
ound
Her:she’
sprobabl
ycat
chi
nguponwork.I
t’
sthe
onl
yt hi
ngthatpr
obabl
ydi
str
act
sherf
rom
missinghi
mt oomuch
Me:
right
…
Her:heyIwi
l
lhi
tyou.Yourmom l
ovesy
our
f
ather
Me:
Idi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng!
Her
:yourey
esDer
ri
ck
Me:
byaunt
y
Her
:by
ehoney
Iclosedherdoorandthenwenttomycarand
drovehome.No- onewasintheki
tchenbuty ou
couldhearnoisecomingfr
om thelounge.I
fol
lowedthenoiseandsawaf aceIhav en’
t
seeninawhi l
e.AuntyJenwasbackandsowas
dad.
Me:
hel
l
o’s
Jen:l
ookwho’
sher
eandmor
ehandsomet
han
ever
Shesai
dget
ti
ngup.
Her
:comegi
vemeahug
Iwal
kedov
ert
ohugher
.
Me:whydi
dn’
tyousayy
out
ell
mey
ouwer
e
comi
ngback?
Her
:theni
twoul
dn’
tbeasur
pri
se.
Me:
right
.
Iwentt
ogreetdadandthensatdownand
j
oinedi
nontheconver
sation.
Mom:
wil
lyouev
erset
tl
edown?
Jen:
noway
sbuddy
.ButIam seei
ngt
hisguy
Dad:Jenandguys.Asemahl
emybabypl
ease
don’
ttur
noutli
kethisone
Ase:
butshe’
ssocool
andcar
efr
ee.Unt
iedand
al
l
Jen:
exact
ly.Mar
ri
ageai
ntf
orev
ery
body
Mom:
Jenni
ferO’
Connory
ouwi
l
lnev
erchange
Jen:
Iseenoreasont
oo.Whenwast
hel
ast
ti
mey ouev
ersawJonas?
Dad:
lastweekIt
hink…why
?Youst
il
li
nter
est
ed
i
nhim?
Jen:nopebuthe’
sst
il
li
nter
estedi
nme.He’ s
beenaskingmetogooutwithhi
mf ordr
inks
whenIgotback
Mom:
letmeguess.Younotgoi
ng?
Jen:nope.Noway
s.Any
wayMel
o,anygi
rlI
needtoknowabout?
Ismi
l
ed
Mom:
youhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?
Ase:any
onebutmyt
win.Hei
sincapabl
eof
feel
i
ngs
Jen:
yeahbutl
ookathi
m bl
ushi
ng.Ther
eisa
gi
rl
Me: ifyouguy
smustknow.it
snew, asi
n
str
aightoutoftheboxki
ndofnew.Imether
yesterday
Ase:andal
readyy
ouguy
sar
edat
ing.Whati
f
she’
sapsycho?
Me:IgrewupwithAuntJenasmyaunt
.It
hinkI
handl
epsycho’
s
Every
onecoul
dn’
thol
dbackt
hel
aught
er.Jen
thr
ewapill
owatme.
Her
:shutup!
I
ya:
whataboutYandi
swa?
Dad:
who’
sYandi
swa?
Me:
Asemahl
e’
sfr
iend
I
ya:
andy
ourson’
scr
ush.
Me:what
?No.Yandi
swaisMel
ody
’sf
ri
end
meani
ngshe’
soffl
imi
ts
Ase:
glady
ouknowt
hat
.It
aughty
ouwel
l
Dad:what
ever.Sowhenar
ewemeet
ingt
his
gi
rl
fr
iendofyours?
Me:nev
er!Youguysaret
oocrazy
,any
waymom
t
hisSat
urdayi
sLinda’
spart
y
Mom:
ohr
ight
…
Me:yeah.Ibumpedi
ntohermom andshesai
d
youbett
erbether
e
Her
:ofcauseIwi
l
l.I
’
mtheguestspeaker
Ase:
youl
i
e!
Dad:
that
’sni
ce.What
’sgoi
ngon?
Mom:
it’
sa21st
/gr
aduat
ionpar
tyhoney
Dad:
ohr
ightt
heoney
ouwer
etal
ki
ngabout
Mom:
yest
hatone.
Jen:
doy
ouev
enknowwhaty
ougoi
ngt
osay
?
Mom:
real
l
yJenni
fer
?!
Me:
sor
ryt
ober
udebutIhav
etogetgoi
ng.I
pr
omi
sedaf
ri
endsomet
hing
Ase:
whatf
ri
end?
Dad:
yeahwhatf
ri
end?
Me:
youguy
sar
esonosy
.Af
ri
endgotaj
ob
Mom:ni
ceone.Tell
him wesai
dcongr
atzand
wel
cometotherealwor
ld
Me:
Iwi
l
ltel
lher
.Asewantt
ocome?
Ase:
doesshehav
eaname?
Me:
byeguy
s.
Ase:
Idowantt
ocome.Mom pl
ease
Mom:
nope
Me:
I’
ll
keepaney
eonherIpr
omi
se
Jen:l
etthekidsgohav
efun.I
tshol
iday
sfor
Chri
stsake.Nobodyst
oppedyoufr
om goi
ng
out!
Mom l
ookedatusbot
h.
Her
:fi
nebuti
fshedar
e
Me:Ipromi
seshewon’
tdoany
thi
ng!Gochange
f
astfast
Asewentupt
oherr
oom t
ogetdr
essed.
Mom:
andy
oubr
ingherbackhomeaf
ter
Me:
yes,
ma’
am
Jen:si
ncewhenareyouthisupt
ight
?Damon
aren’
tyousexi
ngherenough?
Me:
kiddi
eear
s
Jen:
ohpl
ease.Dae,
answer
s
Dad:
Mel
odydoesn’
tknowwhent
ost
op
Jen:so?She’
s20.Atleastshe’snotsleeping
aroundli
keki
dsherage.Thest ri
ctery
ouar eon
them wil
lbet
hedeathofy ou!Letherhav eas
muchf unasyourpar
entsletyouwheny ou
wereherage
Mom:
real
l
yJenni
fer
?
Jen:y
es,r
eal
l
y.Nobodygr
oundedyou.Nobody
tol
dyounott
ogoout,i
twasally
ourdeci
sions
tomake.Don’
ttr
ytur
nherint
oyoubecause
she’
snot.Bet
heparentBomiwast
oy ou
Justt
henAsewalkedi
nalldressedup,skinny
j
eans,whi
tevest
,whi
tesneakersandleather
j
acketi
nherarm.
Her
:ready
Me:
byeguy
s
Jen:
enj
oyy
our
sel
vesok
Wi t
ht hatwewal kedouttot hecar.Ontheway
tomypl aceshewasbusyaski ngmewhot he
my steri
ousf r
iendi sandwhomygi r
lf
ri
endis
andwhet hershewasgoi ngt obetheretoo.I
didn’
tansweranyofherquest i
ons.Wegott o
mypl aceandIt ookaqui ckshowerand
changedi ntojeansat -shir
twi t
hsneakersand
thenweheadedoutt oCubana.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
19
Idon’tunderstandwhyMel okuhl
ewoul ddot hat
tomedur ingthepeopl eandinfr
ontofhislunch
date.Imeanwhat ’
sthegirl
goingtothi
nk
shame?Buthedi dkindofmakemef eelspecial
forthatmoment ,
almostli
kehefeltsomething
forme.Iwon’ tli
eIenjoyedthemomentsuch
thatIwalkedoutsmi li
ngandgotinsideLedi’
s
car.
Her
:It
akei
tyougott
hej
ob
Ismi
l
edandnodded.
Her:sowhenandwher
ear
ewegoi
ngt
o
cel
ebrat
e?
Me:
7Cubana
Her
:goi
ngbi
gar
en’
twenow…
Me:
whynot?AnywayIj
ustbumpedi
nto
Mel
okuhl
eandhewasexcit
edandhepi
cked
meupandspunmearound
Her
:Iknewt
hatbi
gsmi
l
ewasn’
tonl
ybecause
oft
hejob
Me:
what
?
Her
:youl
i
ket
hisguy
Me:
No!hewasj
ustbei
ngaf
ri
end
Her
:yeahy
oudo
Me:hewaswitht
hisbreat
h-t
aki
nggi
rl
.Imean
outoft
hiswor
ldbeaut
iful
fri
end
Her
:andy
out
hinky
oucan’
ttakehi
mfr
om her
?
Me:
what
?
Her:besides,
isn’tt
histhesameguywho
doesn’tdorel
ationshi
ps?ImeanifthisisMel
o
thensurelyheprobablywantsonethingfr
om
thegir
l…whywoul dhebebusypickingyouup
i
nthepresenceofhisgi
rl
fr
iend?What
’she
goi
ngtogainfrom t
hat?
Naledikindofmadesense.I fthatgi r
lwashi
s
gi
rl
friend,thenhewoul dn’
thav edonewhathe
di
d.Butt henagainhei sMelokuhl eBess,
he
doeswhathewant sandnotcar eabout
anybodyi ntheprocess,well
may behecares
aboutmeIdon’ tknowaboutt her est
.
Me:ar
ghwhat
everf
ri
end,Idon’
tcarewhatheis
doi
ngwit
hher
.Ij
ustwanttogethight
onight
.
Her
:ecst
asy
?
Me:
NEVER!
Her
:justt
hisoncef
ri
end
Me:
noNal
edi
!
Her:f
ine.Weediti
s,Idoubti
tsal
l
owedat
Cubanathough
Me:
sowher
edoy
ousuggestwesmokei
t?
Her
:smokeathomeandgogetwast
edatCu
Me:
great
.Lemmecal
lsomef
ri
ends
Her
:justaf
ewcl
osef
ri
ends!
Me:
yes,
mommy
.
WiththatIsentabr oadcastt oSiy a,
At hi,Sihle
andMel o.Theyal l
respondedandsai dt hey
wouldbet here.WegothomeandNi t
awasn’ t
aroundthehouseorl etmesaywedi dn’ tsee
heranywheref r
om t heloungeal lthewayt ot he
back,nobodycheckedherr oom; nott hatwe
di
dn’tcarebutwef eelli
keshe’ sanungr ateful
bi
tch!Wewentt oshoweri noursepar at erooms
andthenwentt ochi lli
ntheloungewat chingt v
andmost lytalkingaboutst uff.Awhi lelaterwe
heardsomet alkingcomi ngfrom t hepassage
andawhi lelaterwesawNi tawi t
hBonke, the
guywasl imping.Seemi ngl
yLedi gothim good.
Hi
m:l
adi
es
Noneofusresponded.Wej
ustl
ookedatt
hem
andbackatthetv
.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
aren’
tyougoi
ngt
oapol
ogi
se?
Her:Iwoul
dexceptIwouldn’
tmeani
tsoI
r
athernot…youunder
standri
ght
?
Hi
m:y
our
eal
l
yar
eev
ilhuh?
!
Her:Ithoughtyouwoul
dsti
llbei
nhospit
alor
wit
hy oursidechi
ck…Ican’
tkeepupreal
ly
Him:youmayhav
ecaughtmeoffguardbut
bestbel
i
evet
hati
twasyourf
ir
standlast
Her:Ani
tacont
rol
yourman.Ohwait
,hedoesn’
t
countasamanany mor
e…seei
ngthathe’
s
i
nfert
il
enowandshit
Hi
m:Nal
edi
I’
m war
ningy
ou!
Ni
ta:
youknowhowshei
s.Leti
tgo
Me:youknowwhatAni
ta…act
ual
l
ynev
ermi
nd.
Hav
ef un
Nit
alookedatmeandshookherheadbef or
e
hel
pingherboy
fri
endupt hestai
rs.I
twas
act
uall
yafunnysightsuchthatwedidn’
teven
wai tforthem t
odi sappearbeforelaughingat
thet wo.Wecr ackedupsomej okesaboutwhat
j
usthappenedandt henawhi l
el ateraswewer e
stil
lwat chi
ngwhatwasont hedoor bellr
ang.
Wewer ehesitanttoanswersowewental l
“rock-paper-
scissors”oneachot herandshe
beatmet oitsoIwentt ogett hedoor .Befor
e
mest oodEmel i
e.
Her
:heyf
ri
end
Me:
Ani
tai
sinherr
oom
Isaidwalkingout.I
’m notscar
edtov oiceout
myf eel
i
ngsbutAni tamadei tpr
ettycleart
hatit
wasnoneofourbusi nessandthatitwouldbe
bestwedi dn’tgeti
nvolvedi
nherbusiness.Em
fol
lowedaf terme.
Her
:Yandi
pleasel
etmeexpl
ain
Me:
youowemenot
hing.Expl
aint
oAni
ta
Ledi
:whoi
sit
?
JustasIwasaboutt
orespondEm r
ockedup
behi
ndme
Ledi
:what
?Ar
eyouguy
shav
ingat
hreesome?
Ihi
ther
Her
:what
?Ij
ustwannaknowt
hat
’sal
l
…
Em:
hel
l
otoy
out
ooLedi
Her:mh…Anitaandy ourboyf
riendorfuckbuddy
orwhatev
erareupstairsi
nNita’sroom…Idon’t
thi
nkyou’
llbeget
ti
nganyt oni
ght
Icoul
dn’tholdbackmylaugh.Thi
sgir
lwassi
ck
Iswear.Idon’tev
enunderst
andhowsheandI
arest
il
l f
ri
endswhenshe’sli
kethi
s.Shei
s
CRAZY!
Em:
No.Ij
ustcamet
oseeAni
ta
Wejustkeptqui
etandfocusedonthet
vwe
wer
ewat chi
ngbeforesheint
err
upt
ed.Shewent
upt
hest ai
rstoNit
a’sr
oom.
Ledi
:I’
m ki
ndofcur
iousast
owhat
’sgoi
ngt
o
happenupther
e
Il
aughed
Me:
dudeNo!
Her
:Ij
ustwannahav
eitoncamer
athat
’sal
l
Me:
Ledi
No!l
et’
sgogetdr
essedany
way
!
Her
:butIwantdr
ama
Shepr etendedtocryandIj ustl
aughedather .I
don’ tl
ikedrama,entert
aini
ngasi tisbutI’
m not
af anofi t
.Ithi
nkIhadenoughofi twhenIwas
withZukosonowI ’
mj ustachil
ledperson.We
wentupst ai
rstoherroom andsmoked2j oi
nts
thenwegotdr essedandhi tt
hest reet
sof
Dur ban.DareIsaywel ookedhotandIwas
readyt ogetwasted.Wegott oCuandt heguys
wer ealreadyther
eexceptMel oandAse.
Si
hle:
congr
atzmyhoney
Hesaidspinni
ngmearound.Heputmedown
andkissedmyfor
eheadandwentonandon
abouthowhappyhewasf ormeandhowproud
hewas.Iwassohighit
’snotev
enfunny
.I
wasn’ teveni nthemoodf orbooze,Ijust
want edt odanceandbehappy .Allt
heguy s
congr atul
at edmeandwer ehappyf orme.Si y
a
boughtar oundofshot sandweal lhadt ot
ake
onewhet herwewant edtoornot .Li
fewasj ust
perfect.Iwentt othedancefloortodanceand
thi
sguyj oinedmeanddancedwi thme, Idon’t
evenknowwhot heguywas, Iwasjustthereto
enjoymy self.IsawMel oandAseappr oachour
tableandIwentbackt othet abl
etogr eett
hem.
Asecongr at ulat
edme.
Her
:ar
eyoudr
unk?
Ishookmyhead.
Me:
justhi
gh
Ase:
wher
e’smor
e?
Me:
int
hecar
.JustaskLedi
Mel
o:y
ounotsmoki
ngweed
Me:
weedi
shar
mlessMel
okuhl
e
Hi
m:I
’
vebeent
ell
i
ngy
out
ost
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
!
Me:
orwhat
?
Hi
m:don’
ttestmeYay
a
Me:
youneedt
oli
veal
i
ttl
e.
Ipul
l
edhi
shandt
hrought
hecr
owd
Hi
m:wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
Me:tothedancef
loor
.Youl
ookl
i
key
oucan
dance
Hi
m:y
eahwel
lIdon’
t
Me:
stopbei
nganupt
ightassj
ustt
hisonce.
Istarteddancingandhedancedal ong.We
mademagi c,
Iwashi ghyesbutdamnwe
dancedsoper fect
lyt oget
her
, Ifel
tli
keIwasin
somemusi cvi
deo.Itwasmyf i
rstt
imeseei
ng
Mel oletlooseandj ustbe,Iwaspr oudof
my selfforbri
ngingt hatsi
deoutofhi m.Aft
er
thesongwewentt ot hebar,hesuggestedwe
gogr abdr i
nks.
Hi
m:Idi
dn’
tknowy
oucoul
dmov
eli
ket
hat
?!
Me:Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouhadt
hati
nyou.Youwas
onf
ire
Hi
m:wemakef
ir
esweet
ie.
Asweweretal
ki
ngli
kethattheguyIwas
danci
ngwi
thearl
i
eronwalkedovertous.
Guy:howabouty
oucomeshowmet
hose
dancemovesoutsi
de?
Me:
excuseme
Mel
o:excusey
ou?
Him:andwhoareyou?Shewaswithmebef or
e
youcamealongwhit
eboy.St
ickt
oy ourki
nd
Mel
o:don’
ttestmepl
ease
Hi
m:whaty
ougoi
ngt
odoaboutwhi
tey
Hesai
dshovi
ngMel
o.Icoul
dseet
heangeri
n
hi
seyest
hatshi
i
twasaboutt
ogodown.
Me:Idon’tknowy
ouandy
oudon’
tknowmeso
pl
easejustgo.
Hi
m:t
hisbi
tch!Al
lyouXhosa’
sar
ethesame.I
alsohav
emoney ,Icanbutyouadri
nktoi
f
that’
swhati
ttakestogetyouint
obed
Melothr
ewapunchatt heguyandhef el
l t
othe
fl
oorandthenhegotont opoft
henigga.The
hi
ghnesswassuddenlyturnedi
ntosoberness.I
tr
iedpul
li
ngMeloofft
heguyandbynowal l
eyeswereonus.
Me:
Mel
okuhl
ePl
ease!
Ishoutedandhestoppedwhenhenot i
cedt
he
guybleedi
ngheavi
l
y .Hegotoffhi
m andwal
ked
awayf r
om meandIf ol
lowedhimtothemal
e
toi
let
s
Hi
m:y
ounotsupposedt
obeher
e
Me: y
eahwell
youal
mostki
l
ledsomeone
becauseofme
Him:Ihat
eguy swhoinsul
tXhosawomenand
cal
lthem shi
i
ttheynot.Mymom isXhosa
Hewaswashi
nghishand.It
ookt
issues,niggas
comi
ngi
nthetoi
l
etweregivi
ngmef unnylooks
butIdi
dn’
tcar
e.Ihel
pedhi
m wi
thhi
shand.
Hi
m:r
elaxwoul
dyou.Myhandi
sfi
ne
Me:
yourknuckl
esar
ebr
uisedbr
uh
Him:becar
eful
Yay
a,Imi
ghtj
ustt
hinky
oucar
e
aboutme
Me:ohandwewoul
dn’
twantt
hatnowwoul
d
we
Me:
nowewoul
dn’
t.y
ounotf
orme
Hi
m:andy
ounotf
orme
Me:
per
fect
.Thenweunder
standeachot
her
Hi
m:l
oudandcl
ear
Iwi
pedhi
shandandhewi
ncedal
i
ttl
e
Me:
I’
m sor
ry
Hi
m:i
t’
sokay
.
Il
ookedupandhi m andoureyesmet
.Heput
hi
suninj
uredhandbehindmyneckandpulled
meinforakiss.Hi
sl i
psweresocol
dfrom the
beerhehaddr ankearl
ieron,theystil
lhadthat
taste.Theyweresoftandjustallt
hingsniceor
may beIwasjusthighalloveragain.Ibrokethe
kissandmov edback.
Me:
uhhhm Ishoul
dgobackt
other
est
Hi
m:y
eahy
oushoul
d
Wit
hthatIwal
kedoutandheadedtothet
abl
e
andafewminutesl
aterhej
oinedus.
Si
ya:wher
edidyouguy
sdisappeart
o?Di
dyou
guysseewhowasfi
ghti
ng?
Melolookedathisknuckl es.Thi
ngswer ejust
awkwardbet weenusall ofasudden.Iwas
suddenl
yi nthemoodt ogetdr unk.Thekiss
washeav enlynodoubtbuti tshoul
dn’thave
happened.Itwasami stake!
At
hi:
don’
ttel
lmey
ouwer
etheonef
ight
ing
Ase:
tal
kaboutkeepi
ngal
owpr
ofi
l
eJer
k
Hi
m: Weshoul
dleav
e.I
tsl
ateandIhav
eto
wakeup
Ledi
:i
tsonl
ypast8dude!St
ayal
i
ttl
e
Hi
m:Ihav
ewor
k.Sor
ry
Ase:comeonDerri
ck.Just30mor
emi
nut
es,
Yandital
ktohi
m pl
ease
Icouldbarel
ylookattheguy .Idrownedmy sel
f
i
nt hebott
leIwasdrinki
ng,itwasabot t
leof
brutalf
rui
t,i
twasoneLedi’s…t hat’
swhatshe
dri
nkswhenshedoesn’ twannabesl oshed.
Hi
m:30mor
emi
nut
esandt
hat
’si
t
Si
ya:
sowhathappened?Why
’dy
ouhi
ttheguy
?
Ase:
Yandi
wher
ewer
eyou?
Wel
ookedateachot
her
.
Me:
huh?
Melo:t
hatguymadesomestupi
dcomment
aboutXhosawomenandIt
ookoffense
Ledi
:Ihopeyouki
l
ledhi
m.Hedoesn’
tdeser
ve
towalkonthi
s
Theot
her
slaughed
Mel
o:y
eahi
t’
sov
ernow.
Ase:
ify
ourpar
ent
sdar
efi
ndoutaboutt
his
Mel
o:t
heywon’
t.Rel
ax
Wekeptexchangi nggl ancesateachot her.
Therewasj ustalotofawkwar dnessbet ween
him andI.itwassobadt hathewal kedoutt o
withhisphonet omakeacal l orsomet hing.I
wasj ustreadytogohomesoIsuggest edthat
thi
sbeourl astroundf ortheni ght,Isounded
l
ikeapar typooperbutIdi dn’tcare.Ijust
want edtobeawayf rom Mel okuhl eBess.We
gotout si
deandhewast al
kingont hephone
andy oucoul dtellbythecall thathewast alki
ng
toagi r
l.Wepassedhi m andwentt othecar ,I
waitedwi thMahl eandshet oldmeaboutt his
gir
lherbr otherhasstar t
edseei ngsincetoday .
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
20-
Mel
o
Theki sswasanhonestmi st
ake!Itwasaspar e
ofthemomentt hi
ngandi twasnev ermeantt o
happeni nthefirstplace.Ihaveagi rl
fri
endand
shewoul dnotbehappyi fshef oundoutabout
thi
sandt hat
’sthelastthingIneedr i
ghtnow.
Myf ir
strealrel
at i
onshipinal ongt i
meandIgo
onandscr ewitup!Justgr eat!Thekisswas
amazi ngIwon’tl i
ebuti thappenedatt hewr ong
ti
me!Hadi thappenedear l
iermay beIwoul dn’
t
feelsobadabouti tandI ’
dact uall
ypursueYay a
butnowI ’
m withsomeoneandIneedt opr ove
tohert hatIam inthis100%.Thewayt hings
wereawkwar dbet weenYay aandmeatt he
tabl
eIj ustneededt ogetawayf r
om herand
whobet t
ertogetawayt ot hantocallmynew
bae?
!Shedi
dn’
thesi
tat
etopi
ckup.
//Me:Iwashopingyounotoneoft
hose"
Idon'
t
call
/t
exthi
mf i
rst"t
ypeofgi
rl
s
Her
:wel
lhel
l
otoy
out
ooDee
Me:
heybabe,
howar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m goodandhowar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m ok.Imi
ssy
ou
Her
:youhadl
unchwi
thmet
oday
Me:
itwasn’
tenough.Iwantt
oseey
ou;
Iwant
t
obewithyou
Her
:toosoon
Me:Idi
dn’
tsayIwantt
ohav
esexwi
thy
ouchi
l
l
l
ady
Her
:soy
oudon’
twi
sht
ohav
esexwi
thme?
Me:Iwouldlovet
ov er
ymuchbutIdon’ twant
tor
ushanythingj
ustyet.Fornow, Ij
ustwantto
benextt
oy ouandbreathyourair,watchyou
whenyousleepandjustbeiny ourpresence
Her:
areyouok?Ar
eyoucat
chi
ngaf
everor
somethi
ng?
Me:
what
?FuckNO!why
?
Her
:youal
ll
oveydov
eyandshi
i
t
Me:
ouch!
Her:
I’
m sorr
y.Iact
ual
l
ymi
ssy
ourcompanyi
n
al
lhonest
y
Me:
aren’
tyousl
eepi
ngear
lyt
oday
?
Her
:ar
en’
tyoucooki
ngt
oday
?
Me:howaboutIcomeeataty
ourpl
ace?Wai
t….
Canyouevencook?
Her
:doIl
ookl
i
keIcan’
tcook?
Me:yeahact
ual
l
y.Youl
ookl
i
key
oudon’
tcook
atal
l
Shegiggl
ed, herlaughwasthemostcut est
thi
ngI’
veev erheard!Icoul
dlist
entoitallday
ever
yday !Isawmysi st
erwalki
ngoutwi t
hYay a
andtherestoft hecrewbehindthem.Yayaand
Iexchangedgl
ances,IcouldhearKateoverthe
phonebutmymai nfocuswasont hegir
l
walki
ngwi t
hmysistergoingtomycar .They
stoodoutsi
deandcontinuedchatt
ingabout
whatever.
Her
:Deey
oust
il
lther
e?
Me:
I’
m sor
ry,
youwer
esay
ing?
Her:
Iwassayi
ng,howabouty
oucomeov
er
andfi
ndoutf
oryoursel
f?
Me:
ist
hatani
nvi
tat
iont
oyourpl
ace?
Her
:may
be….May
benot
Me:I
’l
ltaket
hatasamaybe.Textmey
our
addr
essandI’
ll
bether
einanhour
Her
:Ican’
twai
t
Me:
met
oobabe.By
efornow
Her
:by
e//
Af
terdroppi
ngthecall
,Iwal
kedovert
omy
si
sterandYayaoffwhi
chYayalef
tAsewhen
shesawmeappr oach.Icouldn’
thel pbutfeel
badaboutthekissandt heconv ersati
onIjust
had.Sheseemedmadatmef orlordknows
what.Iunl
ockedthedoor sandmysi stergoti
n
hersideandIwentinmi ne.Istartedthecarand
droveoff
.
Her
:whatdi
dyoudo?
Me:
excuseme?
Her
: don’
tplaydumbwit
hme.Youthi
nkIdi
dn’
t
not
icethetensi
onbet
weenyouandYandi
swa?
WhatdidyoudoDerri
ck?
Me:whyyoualwaysgott
oassumeIdi
d
somet
hingwrong?
Her:t
hat’
sbecauseyounormall
ydosomet
hing
wrong.Youar
et hecauseoft
hetensi
on
Melokuhl
e!
Me: Idi
dnothi
ngbutdef
endherfr
om the
assholeshewasdanci
ngwit
hfrom earl
i
eron
Her
:seemsl
i
ket
her
e’smor
etot
hest
oryt
han
y
oul
ett
ingon
Me:
li
ke?
Her
:Isawy outwowal
kingoutoft
het
oil
ets.
Whathappenedint
her
e?
Me:
not
hing.shej
ustnur
sedmyhandt
hat
’sal
l
Her
:real
l
ynowMel
o?
Me:
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom meAsemahl
e?
Her
:thet
rut
hthat
’sal
l
Me:youwantt
hetrut
h?Yandi
swaandIki
ssed!
Ther
eyouhaveit
!
Mysisteri
spersist
entli
kehermot
herand
f
atheranditssuperannoyi
ng!
Her:
whywoul
dyouki
ssher
?youhav
ea
gi
rl
fr
iend!
Me:uhhm aki
ssinvol
vest
wopar t
iesAsemahl
e,
i
thappenswhenbothpart
ieswantitt
ooccur
ok?Iki
ssedherandsheki
ssedmeback
Her
:andi
tdi
dn’
toccurt
oyout
haty
ouhav
ea
gi
rl
fr
iendandy
oumi
ghtbel
eadi
ngYandi
swaon?
Me:
itwasami st
akeandsheandIbot
hagr
eed
i
twi
llnev
erhappenagai
n
Her
:doy
ouhav
efeel
i
ngsf
orYandi
swa?
Me:
excuseme?
Her
:ohI
’m sor
ry.WasInotl
oudenough?DO
YOUHAVEFEELINGSFORYANDI SWA?
Me:
Idon’
thav
etoanswert
his
Her:
OhMyGod!Youhav ef
eeli
ngsforher
.
you’
vehadfeeli
ngsforherf
orawhi l
enowbut
youneededthekisstoconf
ir
mi t!whydi
dn’
tI
seethi
sbefore?
!
Me:
Idon’
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ngabout
!
Her:
whyareyouwi
thKat
eify
oui
nlov
ewi
th
anot
herDer
ri
ck?
Me:
thi
sconv
ersat
ioni
sov
er!
Her
:No!Noi
tsnotDer
ri
ck.
Me:
IDON’
THAVEFEELI
NGSFORYANDI
SWA!
Canwepl
easej
ustdr
opi
t!
Her
:Derr
ickwhyar
eyoustr
ingi
ngKat
eal
ong?
Whatgameareyoupl
ayi
ngat?
Me:
I’
m notpl
ayi
nganygame!
Her:
yes,youare.YouwithKat
ebecausey ou
hopi
ngthatshewi l
lhel
pyougetoverYandiswa
Me:Idon’
tknowhowy oucameaboutyour
concl
usi
on,buti
t’
snottr
ue.If
eel
nothi
ngfor
Yandi
swa
Her
:Ihopeso.Fory
oursakeandf
orKat
e’s!
Withthatshekeptqui etandl ookedoutside
l
eavingmei ndeept hought s.Thekissmayhav e
confi
rmedmyf eelingsf orYandiswabuti t
doesn’tchangeany t
hing.Ihav eagirl
fri
endand
Ican’thurtherl
iket his.I’
vealreadypromised
herIwouldbeabet termanandt hatIwoul ddo
ri
ghtbyherandt hat’sexact l
ywhatIwantt odo.
Beagoodguyf orher .thekisswasami stake,
yesitmademef eelsomet ypeofwayabout
Yayabutitwasami stakeanditwill
never
happenagain!Wegott omyhomeandIpar ked
thecarandaccompani edmysi st
erin,
whenwe
gotinmom andI y
awer en’thome.Dadwas
sit
ti
ngaloneintheli
vi
ngr oom worki
ngasusual.
Me:
wher
ear
ethel
adi
es?
Hi
m:wel
lJennif
erisint
ownwhi
chmeanst
hey
ar
eoutt
opaintthetownred
Ase:
mom t
oo?
Him:y
ep,ev
enyourmom.Howwaswhat
ever
youki
dswentt
o?
Ase:wel
lYandi
swawill
bethephot
ogr
apherf
or
theMbir
a’sgr
aduat
ionpar
ty
Dad:
Yandi
swa?
Me:
Asemahl
e’
sfr
iend,
DrGxaba’
sdaught
er
Hi
m:ohr
ight
,her
…
Ase:y
ep.Youmissedhert
hisSunday
,shewas
her
efordi
nner
Him:thi
sgi
rlmusthav
emadeani
mpr
essi
on
huh?
Ase:y
eahshedi
d,mom say
ssher
emi
ndsher
ofher
sel
f
Hi
m:Ishoul
dmeett
hisgi
rl
.
Ase:
you’
l
lmeethert
hisSat
urdaydaddy
Me:
Ishoul
dgo
Hi
m:wher
eto?Ar
en’
tyousl
eepi
ngov
er?
Me: sor
rydad,nott
odayIal
readymadepl
ansI
cannotcancel
Him:shebet
terbespeci
alf
ory
out
obai
lon
yourf
amil
y
Me:
trustmedad,
shei
s
Hi
m:f
ine.Besaf
e
Me:
byedad.
Isaidwalki
ngoutleavi
ngMahlesnuggl
ing
hersel
fnexttodad.Thatonewasalwaysacry
baby.Icall
edKateonmywayoutoft heyard
andtoldherIwasonmyway .Igottoherpl ace
andcall
edhert ocomeandopenf orme.Kat e
l
ivedinacommuneopposi teDUTRi t
son
campusi nasingleroom, perksofbei ngsmar tI
guess.Wewenti nherr oom andi twasneatand
didnotlookl
ikeast udent’
sr oom, wellexcept
thesi
nglebedt hatwasi nthecorner .
Her
:it
’snotmuchb…
Shedi dn’
tevenfinishhersent encewhenI
pi
nnedheront hecl oseddoorandki ssedher
passionatel
y,sherespondedal ltoowel l
.We
broket heki
ssaftersomet i
me.Yay a’skisswas
magical andKate’swasnor mal ,itfel
tli
keIwas
ki
ssingoneoft hoser andom chicksIbang.
Her
:andwhatwast
hat
?
Me:
I’
vehadacr
appyday
Her
:hahahawantt
otal
kabouti
t?
Me:
Irat
hernot
.
Shet
ookmyhandandIf
li
nchedabi
t.
Her
:I’
m sor
ry.Wai
twhathappenedt
oyourhand?
Me:
canwenott
alkabouti
tpl
ease
Her:canwetal
kabouti
tpl
ease?What
happened?
Me:
Idon’tknowi
fIt
oldy
oubutmyf
ri
endgota
j
obtoday
Her
:theonewemetear
li
er?
Me:yesher.sosheinvi
tedusoutf
orsome
dr
inkstocelebr
atehergett
ingt
hej
obandall
Wewer esit
ti
ngont opofherbedandshewas
l
isteni
ngt omeat t
entiv
ely
.Itwasactual
l
ycute
reall
y,shekeptnoddingtoconfi
rmthatIhadal
l
herattenti
on.
Me: sowedancedandt henwentt ochi
ll
atthe
bar,thi
sdrunkguywal ksuptoheraskingher
foradancei noutsi
deandbei ngtheguyIam I
trydefendi
ngher,theguyinsult
sherandcalls
herat ypi
calXhosawho’saftermymoneyand
stuffandhesaidawhol elotofbullwhi
chmade
mehithim becausehehadnor i
ghtt
oinsul
tmy
f
ri
endlikethatandItookof
fensebecausemy
motherisXhosa
Her:yourfri
endisveryluckyt
ohaveyouasa
fr
iend.Imeant odefendherli
kethat
.I’
m pr
oud
ofyouf orst
icki
ngupf orthedef
encel
ess
Me:
I’
m al
awy
er,
it’
swhatIdo
Her:hahahalet
’snotgetcockyDee.Sowher
eis
yourfr
iend?Shesafe?
Me:
I’
dli
ketot
hinkso,
shewenthomewi
thher
r
oommate
Her
:wel
lcal
lherandseei
fshegothomesaf
ely
Il
ookedatherhopi ngshewouldsayshewas
j
okingorsomet hi
ngalongthoselinesbutnope,
shewasserious.Shegav emet hatlook,you
knowtheonet hatsays‘doasIsay ’l
ook?Yeah
wellIt
ookoutmyphoneandshegotupand
headedtoherpotswhi l
eImadet hecal l
and
guesswhat?Itrangandwentt ov oi
cemail
meaningshewaspr obablyignori
ngmycall
sso
Il
eftheravoi
cemai l
sayingt ocal
lmewhenshe
gotthi
sorsendmeat exttell
ingmeshewas
homesafeandt hendroppedt hecal
l
.Igotand
wenttohugherf r
om behind,shewasbusy
di
shingupforus.
Me:
thi
slooksy
ummy
Her
:it
’sasgoodasi
tlooks.Sowhatdi
dyour
f
ri
endsay?
Me:
she’
snotanswer
ingsoIl
eftherav
oicemai
l
Her:shouldn’
tyoubeworr
ied?Whatift
hatguy
fol
l
owedherhomeorsomet hing?i
t’
snotsaf
e
outinthesestreet
sDee
Me:
thenwhatdoy
oupr
oposeIdobabe?
Her:callheragainorcallherr
oommat ejustt
o
besur e.Thelastthi
ngyouwanti stowakeup
toaheadl i
nesay i
ngthatsheismi ssi
ngorshe
wasf ounddeadi naditch.Gir
lsarenotsafeout
ther
eDee
Me:
wher
edi
dIgety
ou?
Her
:fr
om heav
en.Nogocal
l
Shesaidpeckingmeont heli
psandt hen
cont
inuedwithwhatshewasdoi ng.Iasked
Athi
forNaledi
’snumberandt hencall
edher,
shepickedupaftersometi
me.
/
/her
:Hel
l
o?
Me:
Nal
edi
Hi,
itsMel
okuhl
e
Her
:hel
l
oMel
o,t
owhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e?
Me:j
ustwant
edtomakesur
eyouguy
sgot
homesafet
hat’
sal
l
Her
:youcoul
dhav
ecal
l
edYay
afort
hat
Me:Icoul
dhavebutherphoner
ingsandgoes
tovoi
cemail
,Ij
ustwantedt
omakesureyou
guy
swer eokthat
’sal
l
Her
:wear
emor
ethanok.ThanksMel
o
Me:
okt
hen.By
eNal
edi
Her
:it
sLedi
.By
eMel
o//
Ther e’ssomet hingscar yaboutNal edi.May be
i
t’swhatIhear dshedi dt oBonkeorsomet hing
butt here’sjustsomet hingt hatscar esmeabout
her,she’ sintimidati
ng.Af terthecal lKatecame
withourpl atesandwesatdownandat e.Her
foodwasasgoodasi tlookedy ouwoul dswear
shewast ryi
ngt omakeani mpressi onandshe
waswi nningbecauseIwasi mpr essed.When
wewer edoneeat i
ngsheandIwashedt he
dishesanddr i
edt hem t henwewentt ochil
l on
herbedandcuddl edwhi letalki
ngaboutst uff.
Shewasasweetgi rlandIwoul dbeani di
ott o
breakherhear t.Shefell asleepfirstandI
wat chedhersl eep,shewast oocut ef orwor ds.
Igotheri nsi
det hecov ersandt ookmycl othes
offthenj oinedheri nbed.Wedi dn’tdoany thing
butsl eepandIwasokwi ththat,itwasunusual
formebutImadedo.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
21
SoMel okuhleisdatingt hegirlIsawhi m wit
h
today?Iknewi t!whywoul dheki ssmeknowi ng
thathe’sseei ngsomeone?Theki sschanges
ev er
ything.Iwassor tofmadathi m butI
most lymadatmy selfforbeingt hatstupi
d.Why
didIkisshi m back?WhatwasIhopi ngtogain
from itanyway ?Hecal l
edmewhenLedi andI
gothomebutIst rai
ghtofi gnoredhi scall
s,
whatdi dhewantf rom memay be?Ledi walked
i
nawhi l
elaterandt hrewher selfonmybed.
Her
:Ij
ustgotacal
lfr
om Mel
o
Me:
wher
edi
dhegety
ournumber
?
Her
:Idi
dn’
task…any
wayhewascal
l
ingt
o
makesur
ewehomesaf
e
Me:
that
’sni
ceofhi
m.
Isai
dwalkingtomyclosett
aki
ngmycl
othes
offl
ayerbylay
er.Shefol
l
owedme.
Her
:whathappenedt
oni
ght
?
Me:
whatdoy
oumean?
Her
:I’
m notst
upi
d.Inoti
cedt
hetension
bet
weenyouguysaftert
hewhol
efightinci
dent
Me:
Idon’
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ngaboutNal
edi
Her:whenyouandMel ol
eftt
hetableya’
ll
were
ongoodspeakingter
msandt hensuddenl
yyou
comebackact i
ngall
awkward…whathappened?
Didhehurtyou?
Me:
what
?NO!
Her
:thenwhyar
eyoui
gnor
inghi
scal
l
s
Sheaskedwavingmyphoneinmyf ace.She
knowsmypattern…j
ustgreat
!Naledii
sone
obser
vantper
sonsoitsbestIj
usttel
lher
becauseonewayort
heot
hershe’
sgonnaf
ind
out.
Me:heki
ssedmei
nthet
oil
etandIki
ssedhi
m
back
Shescr
eamedandst
art
edj
umpi
ngupand
downall
exci
ted.
Her:sot
hismeansthathei
snotdat
ingthegi
rl
yousawhim wi
thandthaty
outwoactuall
y
mightbesomethi
ng
Me:no!i
twasjustakiss.Besi
des,
hehasa
gi
rl
fr
iendandweagr eedthati
twasamist
ake
anditwi
ll
neverhappenagain
Her
:WHAT?
??
Me:
what
?
Isai
dwal
ki
ngbackt
omyr
oom wear
ingmy
pjay
s.
Her
:youguy
ski
ssed.Howwasi
t?
Me:
itwasnor
mal
.Itwasaki
sst
her
e’snot
hing
t
oitr
eal
l
y
Her
:li
ar!Youl
i
kehi
mfr
iend
Me:evenifIdo,
itdoesn’
tmat
ternow.Hehasa
gi
rl
fr
iend
Iwon’ tli
eIreall
ywashurttohearthathehasa
gir
lf
riend.Imeanwer en’
twehi t
ti
ngitoff
?Ai nt
l
ikeIwaspl ayi
nghardtogetoranythi
ngbut
seeingt hosesidesofhi
m Ineversawearli
eron
weresl owlymaki ngmefal
lforhim.Am Icrazy
forfalli
ngfortheguy?Whynowany way?Ithink
Ineedadest r
uctioni
nmyl i
fe.
Her:Melokissedyouknowingv erywel lhehas
agir
lfr
iend.WhydoIgett hefeeli
ngt hathe’s
wit
hthisgirlf
orthesakeofbeingwi th
someoneorbecausey ou’
vepointeditoutt o
hi
m somanyt i
mest hatyouweren’tinterest
ed
i
nhimt hathedecidedt ost
opchasi ng?
Me:butLediIwasn’tplayi
nghardtoget.I
honest
lywasn’
tinterestedi
ntheguybefore
unti
lheapol
ogisedandst art
edshowingme
si
desofhi
m Inev
erknewexi
sted
Her:whaty oudofrom hereoni sall
onyou
babygirl
.y oucaneit
hertell
him howy oufeel
abouthim orkeepittoyourselfbutImustsay
thi
s,nothingeatsyouuplikethewor dsyou
neversaid…
Wewerenowsit
ti
ngontopofmybedwi
thmy
headonherl
apandherpl
ayi
ngwi
thmyhai
r.
Me:
Iheary
ou…
Her
:sohonest
ly…howwast
heki
ss?
Me:i
twasmagicalbruh!Iwishedi
twoul
dnev
er
st
op.Imeani
fhiskissisthatgood
Her
:thenhi
ssexmustbeev
enbet
ter
Il
aughed.Li
keNaledihadtotakeitt
her
ey ou
guys?Whywasthisgirll
i
kethis?Oneminute
wehavingahear
ttohear tmomentandthenext
she’
sbeingl
iket
his?
Me:
yeahwel
lIguessI
’
llnev
erknownow…
Her
:ify
ouwant
edt
oknowy
ouwoul
dknow!
Me:
yeahwhat
ever
.
Isaidgettingundert hecoversandshej oined
me.Myphoner angandZukowascal li
ng,well
hiscontactwassav edas“ asshol
e”.Icuthis
callbutniggadi dn’
tgi veupsucht hatIeven
switchedmyphoneof f
.Therewasaknockon
mydoor ,Ledi andIl ookedateachot herbefor
e
answer i
ngf ortheper sontocomei n.Anita
walkedinl ookinglikeamess.
Ledi
:canwehel
pyou?
Ni
ta:
canIcomei
n?
Me:
youal
readyi
nsomi
ghtaswel
l
…
Her
:guy
sI’
m sor
ry
Ij
ustnodded.
Ledi
:sor
ryf
orwhatexact
ly?Cany
oubeabi
t
morespeci
fi
c
Her
:Iscr
ewedupy
ouguy
sandIknowt
hatnow.
Bonkei
snotwhoIt
houghthewas
Ledi
:whatdi
dhedonow?
Her
:Emel
i
eispr
egnant
!
Ledi
:tel
lherwesai
dcongr
atz
InudgedLedi
undert
hebl
anket
s
Ledi
:what
?
Me:
No!
Ledi:NOYandiswa!Anit
aher egavemegr i
eff
or
sti
ckingmynosei nherbusinessandnowshe’s
suddenlycomet ocryonwhoseshoul der
?Nah
fam itdoesn’
tworkli
kethat!Ani
tasweeti
ego
backt oyourl
impingboyfr
iendbecauseyou
l
ovehi m morethanyourfr
iendswhowoul ddo
anythingfory
ou
Me:
NONal
edi
.Ni
tacomesi
tdownbaby
.
ShewasintearsandIjustcoul
dn’
thelpbutfeel
sorr
yforher
,shedidn’
tdeservet
his!Menreall
y
aretr
ashshame!Whosl eepswit
hy ourf
ri
end
andt hengoesonandmakest hem pr egnant ?
Bonkedeser vedwhatLedi didt ohisl ying
cheatingass!Igotoutoft hecov ersandwent
tocomf orther ,Ledi wasn’ tfazedatal l byher
tearsthist imear ound.Idi dn’ tknowwhatt osay
toherr eallybecausel et’sber ealisti
c, youcan’ t
giveadv icei nasi t
uat i
ony ou’ venev erbeen
beforebecausewhatexper iencear ey ou
speakinguponr eally?Al lIcoul dt ellherwas
thatev erythingwasgoi ngt obeok, that’sallI
couldev enut t
ert oher .onet hi ngy oumust
knowi st hatshev aluesf riendshi pmor ethan
rel
ationshipssowheny ougoonandchoosea
manov erf ri
endshi py ou’llbeony ourown
shouldt hatmanhur ty ouespeci all
yifshehad
tri
edt ohel py ouandy out hr ewherhel pbackon
herface.Ledi gotupoutofmycov ersand
walkedoutofmyr oom.Ni taf el lasleepf i
rstand
Ituckedheri nt henswi t
chedmyphoneon
beforecal l
ingi tani ght, t
hef ollowi ngmor ni
ngI
waswokenupbyaphonecal l fr
om Mel okuhle.
/
/Me:
what
?
Hi
m:i
sthathowweanswert
hephonenow?
Me:whenyoukissmeknowi
ngwellenoughy
ou
haveagi
rl
fr
iend,y
est
hat’
sexact
lyhowthe
phonei
sanswered
Him:Idon’
tunder
standwhyyoumadatme
becauseyouki
ssedmeback,youwant
edt
he
ki
ssasmuchasIwant edit
Me:hadIknownyouhadagirl
fri
endt
hentrust
meitwouldhavenev
erhappenedint
hefi
rst
pl
aceMelokuhl
e
Hi
m:Ical
ledy
oubecauseyoudi
dn’
tgetbackt
o
mycal
lsandt
ext
sYandiswa
Me:yeahwellLedi
tol
dyouwearr
ivedhome
saf
ely.Whatmoredoyouwant
?
Him:t
oapol ogi
se.Ishouldhaveneverki
ssed
youYaya,Idon’
tregretki
ssi
ngy outhoubutI
shoul
dn’thaveandforthatI’
m sor
ry
Me:
ok.By
eMel
okuhl
e
Hi
m:Yay
awai
t.Pl
ease.
Ikeptqui
et.Thisconv
ersat
ionwasgoing
ter
ri
blyandIjustwantedi
ttoendal
ready!
Hi
m:y
oust
il
lther
e?
Me:
yes
Him:thankyou.Idon’
tknowwhyIkissedyou
honestl
ybutIdon’tr
egretki
ssi
ngyoubecause
i
tmademer eal
isethatIhav
efeel
i
ngsf ory
ou
Ichuckl
ed.
Him: Iknowyoudon’tbelievemeandI ’
m ok
withthatbutIj
ustthoughty oushouldknow
that.AsmuchasIwoul dl iket
obewi thy oubut
Ican’t,y
oumysister’sf
ri
endandmyf ami l
y
l
ikesy ouandIwouldnev erforgi
vemy selfifI
hurtyouinanywaylikeI’
vedonewi thKat e.
Me:Itwasj
ustaki
ssMel
okuhl
e,i
tdi
dn’
tmean
any
thing
Hi
m: cany
ouhonestl
ylookmei nt
heey
eand
t
ell
mey oudi
dn’
tfeelanyt
hing?
Me:i
tdoesn’
tmat
terwhatIf
eltMel
okuhl
e,I
washi
ghandwhat’
sdoneisdone
Hi
m:oh
Me:
canIgobackt
osl
eepnow?
Hi
m:by
eYandi
swa!/
/
Ilookedatmyscr eenandt hecallhadbeen
ended…Idon’ tunder
standwhyMel okuhle
woul dcallmeatpast6t otellmeallofthis.hi
s
call wasunnecessaryreall
y.Imeanwhatdi dhe
thinkwoul dhappen?Weki ssandsuddenl yI’
m
i
nl ov ewithhim andIwantar elati
onshipwith
him?I tdoesn’tgothatway !Itr
iedsleepi
ngbutI
coul dn’
tsleepanymoresoIwentt oLedi ’
sroom
andknockedbutshedi dn’
trespondwhi ch
meantshewaspr obablystil
lsl
eeping.Itri
ed
openi ngthedoorandi twasn’tlockedsoI
wal kedinandsher eall
ywassl eeping.Igot
undert hecov er
sbehindherandcuddl edher,I
neededahug.
Her
:it
’sst
il
lear
ly.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngup?
Shesaidinasleepyt
ir
edv
oicewi
thoutev
en
tur
ningtolookatme.
Me:
Ineedahug.
Shetur
nedandfacedmet
henwr
appedher
armsaroundme.
Her
:what
’swr
ong?Whathappened?
Shecouldbar
elyopenherey
esbutsheopened
them andl
ookedatme.
Me:
Ijustgotacal
lfr
om Mel
okuhl
e
Her
:say
ing?
Me: say
shehasf eeli
ngsforme…hedoesn’ t
regr
etkissingmeohandt hathecan’ tdateme
becauseI’m cl
osetohisfamilyandthathe
wouldnev erbeabl
etof or
givehimselfifhehur
t
met hewayhehur thi
scur r
entgirl
fr
iend
Lediwassmil
ingheari
ngallofthisandreal
l
y?I
don’
tseeexci
tingaboutal
lofthisbecauseit
’s
notexci
ti
ngatall
!
Her
:Idon’
tknowwhatmor eyouwant.That
manisyour
s,youj
ustneedtotakehi
m
Me:Ican’
t.Heisnotminetot
akeLedi
.Hehas
agir
lf
ri
end,thel
astthi
ngIwanti
stobethose
gi
rl
sthatwreckrel
ati
onshi
ps
Her:whydoweal waysblamet hegirl
wheni t’
s
themant hatapproachesthegirlknowingvery
wellt
hathehasagi r
lf
ri
end?Mel omety oufi
rst
soinall
honest l
yhewasy our
sf i
rstbeforehe
washers
Icoul
dn’
thel
pbutl
aughatherl
ogi
c.SeewhyI
l
oveher?shei
sabl
etomakemef eelbet
ter
.
Her
:ther
e’st
hatl
aughIl
ovesomuch.
Me:
Soy
ouandAni
ta?
Her
:whataboutus?
Me:
youknowwhatImean
Her:arghI’
m notgoi
ngtopr
etendthatI
’m okay
wit
ht hewayshehandledt
hings.Shedi
dn’t
wantust ogetinv
olv
edandnowt hatt
here’
sa
babyint
hepi
ctur
eshesuddenlywantsust
obe
i
nvolv
ed?Nahfam i
tdon’
tworkli
kethat
Me:
butsheapol
ogi
sed
Her:herapologymeansnot hingtome.Anita
needsusonl ywheni tsui
tsher.whatki
ndof
fr
iendisthat?Lethergrowupt hewayshe
wantstogr owup,letherhandlehershi
itt
he
wayshewant stohandleitbheyps
Me:
ohLedi
Her
:NOYandi
swa!Let
’ssl
eepI
’
m st
il
lsl
eepy
Itr
iedconv i
ncingherbutmyf r
iendwasn’ t
heari
ngjackshi i
tsucht hatIevengav eup.We
fel
lasl
eepandwokeupt oanEnglishbr eakfast
madebyNi t
a,ofcauseNal edi
didn’teatitshe
madeher selfcereal.AnywayIgotacal l
f r
om
MrsMbi r
aaski ngmet ocomet oherhouse
Fri
dayandt akesome“ squadgoals”pi cturesof
herdaughterandsomef r
iendsforthe21ston
Satur
day.Iwasgoi ngtomake+- R5000f rom al
l
ofthi
swhi chwasgoi ngintomysav ingsf ormy
gall
ery.Yesmypl anwast obuyanopenspace
whenI ’minmyf i
nalyearandthenhandl e
everythi
ngproperduri
ngholidays.Af t
er
breakfastIshoweredandwentt ot owntobuy
fi
l
mf ormycamer awithNalediandsome
pri
ntingpaperandallthatot
herst uffwit
h
moneymom sentme.
Me:
soIgotat
extwi
thmyf
ather
’snumber
Her
:youwentt
hroughwi
thi
t?
Me:
Itol
dyouI
’
m cur
ious
Her
:whati
fhei
snotwhaty
ouhopi
ngf
or
Me:
Idon’
tev
enknowwhatI
’
m hopi
ngf
or
Her
:doesy
ourmom knowy
oul
ooki
ngf
ort
he
guy
?
Me:
ofcauseshedoesn’
t
Her
:whi
chmeansi
t’
sabadi
dea
Me:
howi
sfi
ndi
ngmyf
atherabadi
dea?
Her
:wear
etal
ki
ngaboutamanwhonev
er
bot
her
edt
obei
nyourl
i
feYandi
swa!
Me:
cany
ouj
ustsuppor
tmeont
hispl
ease
Her
:Idon’
twanty
out
ogetdi
sappoi
nted
Me:y
ou’l
lgett
osayy
out
oldmesoaf
tert
he
whol
ethi
ng
Wewerewal kingaroundPav
il
ionmal
li
n
West
vil
le.Thischickbumpedint
omemaking
medropmypaperbagsandherschool bagi
n
t
heprocess
Ledi
:wat
chwher
eyougoi
ng
Her
:I’
m sosor
ry
Me:
yeahmet
oo
Wewer epi cki
ngupt hethi
ngsont hefl
oorand
thenwel ookedateachot herandthenwe
headedsepar ateway s.Therewassomet hi
ng
aboutthegi r
l,Idon’tknowwhati twasabout
herbuttherewasj ustsomet hi
ngabouther
eyesalmostl i
keI ’
veseent hem somewhere.
Ledi
:youok?
Me:
yeahI
’
mfi
ne
Her
:thesesnobsneedt
owat
chwher
ethey
goi
ng
Me:
itwasami
stakef
ri
end
Her
:st
il
ldoesn’
texcusewhatshedi
dthough
Shewasast udentatDurbangi r
lshi
gh,she
l
ookedl i
keshewasi ngr ade9or10.Ledi cal
ls
DGHki dssnobsbecauseoft heEngl
ishand
pret
tymucht heschool.Shepr ett
ymuchhat es
theki
dsf ornoparti
cularreason.Wecont i
nued
walki
ngandheadedt ohercaranddr oveback
home.Ont hewaywewer esingi
ngalongto
Lemonadet healbum.
.
.
<3
[
10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
22-
Mel
o(Edi
tedandcont
inued)
Wasgoi ngtohav ebreakfastwi
thhermom so
wewokeupear lyandst uf
fandthenIheadedto
myplacet ochangequi ckl
ybeforeheadingt
o
work,Iwasabi tlat
ebutdaddi dn’tmakeafuss
outofit
.duri
ngl unchIwentt ohisoff
ice.
Me:
MrBess
Hi
m:heyson.What
’sup?
Me:
hav
eyoueat
en?
Hi
m: y
ourmom sai
dshe’
sonherwayher
e…
wantt
ograbl
unch?
Me:
nah…hav
efunwi
thmom
Hi
m:son.What
’swr
ong?Youcanal
way
stal
kto
me
Iwenti
nandsatont
hecouchandhej
oinedme.
Idon’tregretki
ssingYandi swabutnowIf eel
guil
tybecausei tf
eelslikeI’m stri
ngingKat e
along.Ili
keKate,she’sagoodgi rl
andal lbut
there’
ssomet hingaboutYay athatkeeps
drawingmet oher.Ididn’
twantt ocal lherthis
mor ni
ngbutIdi dany waybecauseIwant edto
hearthesoundofherv oi
ce.IthinkI ’
m conf used
ast owhoIr eal
lywantt obewi th.Ifeel l
ikeif
YandiswaandIgoti ntoar el
ationshipnow, it
j
ustwoul dn’tworkoutbecausesheandIdon’ t
seem readyt obewi thotherinaway .LikeIjust
don’tknow.
Hi
m:Der
ri
ck?
Hesai
dwav
inghi
shandi
nfr
ontofmyey
es.
Me:
yes?
Hi
m:whati
sit
?what
’sbot
her
ingy
ou?
Me:
womendad!
Hi
m:nowthere’
ssomet
hingInev
ert
houghtI
woul
dhearyousay
Hechuckledandsodi
dI.ImeanevenInever
thoughtI
’
dsaythi
sbutlookatmeall
str
essed
outandshii
t.
Me:
sot
her
e’st
hisgi
rlr
ight
,namei
sYandi
swa
Him:theoney ouandMel
odywer
etal
ki
ng
aboutlastni
ght?
Me: yes,her.Yandi swaandImetatherpar ty
l
astweekFr iday,itwasherbi r
thday .SoIf ound
herandMel takingshot satthebarsoIpl ayed
ov erprotectivebr other,l
ongst or yshor tIwas
rudet oher.t hef oll
owingdaywhi chwas
Sat urdayIwentt of et
chMel andIwasst il
l
pret tymuchr udetoherbutdamndadshei s
fl
ames!ev eryt imewemeetwear eal waysat
eachot her’st hroatssayingst ufft oannoyt he
othery ouknow.soSundayaf terchur chI
bumpedi ntoherathomeshewasl ookingall
fi
nei nabi kini andal l
thatbutt hat ’
snott he
poi nt.Any waymom sentust of etchAse’ s
clot hesatherpl aceandf orYay at ogoweara
properdressandsowespentt hatdayt ogether
andIapol ogised.Dadit’
sasifIf allforherev er
y
ti
meIseeherandt hat’
sthelastt hingIwant
ri
ghtnow.I ’m notreadyforherjusty et.But
anywaysheandIwer ecoolwitheachot her
unti
llastnight.Iki
ssedherwhi chki ndof
compl i
catedt hi
ngsbecauseI ’
vej uststarted
dati
ngt hi
ssweetgi r
lnamedKat e.
Helookedatmeandsmi l
ed.Idon’
tknowwhy
thi
smanwassmi l
ingbecauseIam conf
used
andIneedfat
her
lyadvi
ce!
Him:doyoulikeKat
eory
oudat
ingherf
ort
he
sakeofdat
ing?
Me:Ili
keherdad,she’ssweetandshe’spr
etty
muchev er
ythi
ng.She’
sliketheper
fectgi
rl
fr
iend.
Andthenthere’
sYandiswawhoi sj
ustli
kemom,
she’
ssweetandchallengingandpret
tymuch
i
nter
esti
ngt oknow
Hi
m:y
ouandYandi
swaki
ssedr
ight
?
Me:
Kat
eandIki
ssedt
oobuti
twasdi
ff
erent
.It
wasn’tt
hesamedad, theki
sswi thYay
awas
magicalandtheonewithKateseemedl i
keI
waskissingsomerandom gi
rl.howisthat
possi
ble?
Hi
m:it
slov
e.Thi
scr
azyl
i
ttl
ethi
ngcal
l
edi
s
magi
cal
Me:
Idon’
tknowdad
Him:i
t’
spret
tycl
earthaty
ouinlov
ewith
Yandi
swabutyouscaredtoal
l
owy our
sel
ftobe
themanforher
Me:
I’
m conf
used
Him:whenImety ourmotherIwasdati
ngt his
gir
lnamedJade.Shewassweetandal latfi
rst
butthenshesleptwi t
hbothmyf ri
ends,Andrew
andJonas,Itr
iedt oputitbehi
ndmebuty ou
cannevergetov ersuch.IhadItal
lpl
annedout ,
IwasgoingtomakeJadepayf orwhatshe’s
donebutthemor eti
meIspentwi t
hAmahl ethe
moreIlosti
nterestinmaki ngJadepay,Amahle
mademewantt obeabet terman,abett
er
versionofmy selfandt hat’
swhatIbecame…a
betterv ersionofmy self.Wher eI
’m goingwith
thi
s, oneoft hisgirl
smakesy ouwantt obea
betterman, Idon’twhichoneoft hetwoi ti
sbut
Iknowy ouknowandy ouar ewil
li
ngtochange
forher .witht hatbeingsai d,Ithi
nkyouknow
whoy ouwantt obewi thbuty oualsoscar ed
becausechangei sscar yoni t
sown, youscared
thatshe’ llmakey ouwantt ochangewi thout
youev enseei ngi t
Iguesshewasr
ight
.
Me:
Iguessy
our
ight
Hi
m: Isuckatgi
vi
ngadv
icebutIhopeImadea
l
it
tl
esense
Me:
youmadeal
otofsensedad.Thanks
Hi
m:dotalktoy
ourmom aboutthi
s,she’
s
muchbet
teratt
hispar
ent
ingt
hingthanIam
Icoul
dn’
thol
dbackt
hel
aught
er.
Hi
m:what
?It
’st
rue.Sheknowst
hispar
ent
ing
t
hingwayt
oowel
l
Me:yes,dad.Fort
her ecor
d…youthebestdad
asoncanhav e.Watchingyouandmom
t
ogetherhastaughtmemor et
hanyouknow
Hi
m:I
’
m gl
adt
oheart
hatson
Me:
yeah
Therewasaknock, youcouldtellbytheone
knockandt henanent r
ancethati twasmom
becauseonlysheknocksl i
ket hatondad’ sdoor.
ThelovelyMrsBesswal kedinl ookingeverso
beauti
fulandclassyinhercream sleeveless
kneelengthcoatandacr eam dr esswhichhung
onherbodyal ltoowellandherhai rti
edbacki n
aneatbunwi thhergoldhighli
ght satthetip
showing,herred-bot
tom heelswer enudepi nk
matchingherhandbag.
Her
:myt
wof
avour
it
emeni
nthewhol
ewi
de
wor
ld
Dad:
heyhoney
Dadmetherhal
fwayandkissedherchi
ckand
t
ookthef
oodoutofherhandandthenshe
wal
kedovert
ohugme.
Me:
heymom
Her:howareyouguy
s?Mel
ohowwast
he
cel
ebrat
ion?
Shesai
dsi
tt
ingdownandweal
lsatdownaf
ter
.
Me:
itwentgr
eatmom
Mom openedt hefoodandf i
xeditupf
orall
threeofus,appar
entlyshehadboughtenough
formet oo,sai
dshewentt ocheckmeinmy
officeandshecouldn’
tfi
ndme.
Dad:
Yoursonhaswomenpr
obl
ems
Mom:I
’m sor
rydi
dyousay“
women”
?asi
n
mor
ethanone?
Me:
geezmom…r
eal
l
y?
Her:nothingi
syouref
ertoyourf
li
ngsasgi
rl
s
orchickssoI’
m ki
ndofshockedt
ohearyousay
“
women”
Dad:
hahahacomeonBoobiedon’
tbeliket
hat
,
t
hisi
sactual
l
yser
ious.Hemightj
ustbeinl
ove
Me:woahdadl
et’
snotgetaheadofour
sel
ves
her
e.
Mom:
cansomebodyf
eel
mei
nal
ready
?!
Itol
dherwhat’
sbeengoingonf
rom t
hevery
begi
nningti
l
lyest
erdayandt
hephonecal
lthi
s
morning.
Mom: Idon’tunderstandt heconfusionbecause
i
t’sprettyclearthatyou’reinl
ov ewithYandiswa.
Don’tgivemet hatlook.Youarewi ththisKate
gir
l f
oral l
thewr ongr easonsbabyandy ounot
beingwi thYandiswai salsoforallthewr ong
reasons.Justbecauseshe’ sfri
endswi ththe
familydoesn’tmeanwewoul dn’tli
key ouguys
tobeat hi
ng.Imeanshe’ sagr eatgirl
Dad:
buty
ouandhershar
eacl
anname
Mom:
yes,
butshar
ingacl
annamedoesn’
t
al
way smeany ourelat
ed.It
’sjustacl
anname,
wepr obablyshareanancest orbutt
hat’
sasfar
asitgoesbabe.Pl us,Meloiscolour
edandit’
s
hismom t hat’
sblackandnothi sfat
hersohe’
s
safetobewi thher
Me:
hmmmm
Mom: youlikeKatebecausey oufeelli
keshe
mightjustteachyoual
l t
het hi
ngsy ouwantto
knowaboutbei nginarelat
ionshipbutwhat
aboutYandiswa?Diditoccurt oyouthatshe
toomightjustbetheri
ghtgi rl
foryou?Think
aboutitMelo.I’
m nott
ryingtoconv i
nceyou
herebutit’
sprett
yobviouswhat ’
sgoingonhere
Me:
may
bey
our
ight
Dad:t
oldyoushewasbet
teratt
hispar
ent
ing
t
hingthanIam
Weal
ll
aughed
Mom: y
ou’dthi
nkaf
ter20y
ear
syou’
dlear
nta
t
hingortwo
Dad:
Itr
yok
Me:he’
sactual
l
ythebestdadt
her
eisshame…
he’
stry
ing
Mom:hahahahhat
hat
’sagoodone.I
’
m pr
oud
ofy
oumyl ove
Shesai dki
ssi ngdadont hecheek.Iwat chedas
thesetwol ov ebirdsbet hebestpar entsthey
canbet ome.Wecont inuedchat tingabout
stuffandrelationships, theywer etell
ingme
aboutthethi ngsthey ’
vehadt ogot hr
ough
beforereachingt hispoi nttheyar eat.My
parentshav ebeent ogetherf ormor ethan20
yearsbutthespar kwasst i
l
lthere,theywer en’
t
ti
redofeachot heratal l,itwasbeaut ifulwhat
theyhadgoi ngonandIwant editmy self
.I
cravedforit.
Mom:well
lunchwasgr
eatbutt
hatcompany
won’
truni
tsel
f
Dad:
ButYanai
sther
e
Me:
ok…Ishoul
dgi
vey
ouguy
syourspace
Mom hi
tmepl
ayf
ull
yont
heshoul
der
.
Her
:hey
!Cl
eant
hatmi
ndupsi
l
ly
Dad:
yeahr
espectDer
ri
ck
Ilaughedatt hem andwal kedoutt omyof fi
ce.
Knowi ngmypar ents,t
heywer eprobablygoing
tohav east eamysession.Igott omyof fi
ceand
didwhatIgotpai dfor,whent hedayendedI
wentt ocheckondadbuthi soffi
cewasl ocked
soIaskedhi sPAandt ur
nsouthel eftwit
h
Mom ear l
i
eron.Idroveov ert oYandi
swa’s
place,sheandIneededt ohav easer i
oustalk
aboutpr ett
ymuchev erything.Igotthereand
thedoorwasopenedbyAni ta.
Her
:Der
ri
ck
Me:
heyNi
ta.Howar
eyou?
Her
:pl
easecomei
n
Shesai
dmov
ingasi
def
ormet
ogeti
n.
Her
:I’
m okandhowar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m good.Uhhm i
sYay
aar
ound?
Her
:yay
a?
Me:
Yandi
swa
“
Mel
o”
Asof
tunf
amil
iarv
oicesai
dbehi
ndme.It
urned
t
oseewhoitwas.
Me:
Lat
hit
ha?
Her
:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Nit
a:he’
shereforYandi
swa.She’
snother
e
act
uall
y,shewenttoPavawit
hNaledi
Lat
hi:
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom Yandi
swa?
Me: weki
ndoff
ri
ends.
..Anyi
deawhenshe’
l
lbe
back?
Isai
daski
ngNi
ta
Lat
hi:
youcanl
eav
eheramessagewi
thus
Ni
ta:
she’
ssupposedt
obebackal
ready
;she
wentt
obuyequipmentforhercam.
..buty
ou
wel
cometowaitforher
Lat
hit
hagavemeaquesti
oni
nglookasifIdi
d
somethi
ngwrongt
oherorsomethi
ngl
ikethat
.
Me:
uhm I
’
llseehert
omor
rowi
nst
ead
Nit
a:y
ousur
e?She’spr
obabl
yonherway
.
Lemmecal
lherandaskher
Me:
itsok.Justt
ell
herIwasher
eok?
Ni
ta:
wil
ldo.
Me:
byeguy
s
Isai
dwal
ki
ngout
“
Mel
owai
t”
Itur
nedandLathi
thawasonceagai nbehi
nd
me…Godmustbeki ddi
ngmer i
ghtmow.The
l
astthi
ngIwanttodot odayi
sbreaktwohear t
s
andLathi
thai
sputti
ngmei nthatposi
ti
onright
now.
Me:
yes,
Lat
hit
ha
Her
:whatdi
dIev
erdot
oyou?
Me:
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Her:youtoldmesomeonecloset oyoucar
ed
aboutmeandt hatyoucoul
dn’tbewithmeand
al
lthatotherBS.Wereyout
alkingabout
Yandiswa?Didsheputyouupt odumpingme?
Me:dumpi
ngy
ou?Ithi
nky
ouneedtobewi
th
someonei
nor
dert
odumpt hem…
Her
:youknowwhatImean
Me:
act
ual
l
yIdon’
t…
Her:Meloyouapproachedmefir
standy ou
askedformynumberandt hensuddenlyyou
gi
vemet hecoldshoulder
…Idon’tunderst
and
Me:
li
keIsai
d.Idon’
twantt
ohur
tyouLat
hit
ha
Her
:howwi
l
lyouhur
tmeDer
ri
ck?
Me:whenItookyournumberIhadoneplanin
mind,
fuckandthenbouncebecausethat
’st
he
ki
ndofguyIam ok.Iscr
ewandl eav
e.Idon’
tdo
seri
ousrel
ati
onshi
psandyouseem l
i
keanice
gir
landIdon’
twanttohur
tyousoitwasbestI
j
uststayawayfrom y
ou
Her:NO!youwrong.Youl
yi
ng!Yandiswaput
youtothi
s.shewantsyouthat
’swhy.She’
s
j
ealousofwhatyouandIcouldhave
Me:
I’
m notent
ert
aini
ngt
his.goodby
eLat
hit
ha
Isai
dwal ki
ngt
omycarandshecameont
ome
andpinnedmetoi
ttr
yingt
okissme.
“
Your
eal
l
yar
esomet
hingel
sey
ouknowt
hat
?!”
-Kil
lmenowpl ease!-Lat
hibrokethenotsoreal
kissseei
ngthatshewast heonef or
cingiti
n
thefir
stpl
ace.Yandiswawalkedawayandwent
i
nsidethehouseleavingmewi thLat
hithaand
Ledi.
Ledi
:you’
ver
eal
l
ydonei
tthi
sti
me.
Shewal
kedawayandl
eftmest
andi
ngther
e
wit
hLat
hit
hawhoseemedpl
easedwit
hwhat
wasgoi
ngonbefor
eher
.
Me:
stayawayf
rom me!
Iwal
kedbackinsi
det
hehouseandl
eftLathi
tha
st
andi
ngther
eandwenttolookf
orYandiswa.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
22]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
23
Henev erl
istens!Hej ustdoesn’tli
stenatal
l!I
askedhi mt ostayawayf rom myf ri
endbut
nope, hejusthast ogetf r
eepussywhenev erhe
can!Idon’ tunderstandhim Iswearandj ustthi
s
mor ni
nghewasconf essi
nghisf eeli
ngsand
thenhegoesonandki ssesmyf r
iend.How
stupiddoeshet hinkIam?Mel okuhleisan
asshol
eandheshal lforeverbeone.That ’
sthe
onlyt
hinghe’sgoodatany way.Ist
ormedi nsi
de
thehouseandwentst raighttomyr oom.Icould
hearNitacal
lmealongwi thLedibutIdidn’
t
wanttohearanythi
ng.Iwassomad.Igoti n
andclosedthedoor,Ledi andNitawalkedin
ri
ghtafter
.
Me:t
oactual
lythi
nkthathemeantwhathesai
d
t
hismor
ning!I’
m suchanidi
ot!
Ledi
:cany
ouatl
easthearhi
m out
?
Ni
ta:
what
’swr
ong?Whathappened?
Ledi
:heki
ssedLat
hit
ha.Yandi
cal
m down
Shesai
dhol
dingmebyshoul
der
sandbr
ushi
ng
myarms.
Ledi
:j
ustbr
eat
heok
Ii
nhaledandthenexhaledsl
owly.Justt
hen
Melokuhl
ebargedin.Idon’
tknowwhyIwas
madr eal
l
ybecausehei snotmineandhewill
neverbemine.Icanneverbewithsomeoneas
sel
f-
cent
redashi
m.
Hi
m:Yay
apl
easehearmeout
Me:
getoutMel
okuhl
e!
Hi
m: Yandi
swaI
’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thout
t
alki
ngtoyou
Me:
Mel
okuhl
ejustl
eav
e
Ledi
:dudecomebackwhenshe’
slesspi
ssed…
pl
ease
Hi
m:Yandi
swapl
ease.Youowemet
hismuch
Me:excuseme?Iowey ouwhat
?Mel okuhley ou
confessedyourfeel
i
ngst omejustthi
smor ning
andtheny outur
naroundandkissmyf riendi n
fr
ontofourhousebyt hewayandy ouhav et he
nerv
et otell
meIowey ou?Leav
eMel okuhle!
Him: Idon’
tknowwhyIt houghtIcouldbeciv
il
withy ouj
ustthi
sonce.Idon’ tknowwhyI
thoughtyouandIcoul dtalkl
ikeadultsf
oronce.
Justonce!Idon’tknowwhatIneedt odofor
youtoseet hatI
’m notthisassholeyouthi
nkI
am.
Me:youar
eanasshol
eMel
okuhl
e.That
’sal
l
youknowany
way
Him:Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouexpectofme.It
ry
tobeagoodpersonf
oryoubecauseIl
ovey
ou
Yandi
swa!
Me: ohplease.Thr
owingawor d,youknow
nothingofaroundwon’tmakemechangehowI
feelaboutyouMelokuhle.Conti
nuebeingt
his
self
-centr
edassholeyouar ebecauset
hat’
sall
youknowhowt obeany way
Ni
ta:
Mel
oIt
hinky
oushoul
dleav
e
Ledi
:comeon.Let
’sgi
veherspaceMel
o
Him:Idi
dn’
tev
enki
ssherNal
edi
.Shecame
ontome
Ledi
:youguy
swi
l
ltal
kwhenshe’
slesspi
ssed
ok.
Withthathegav
eupandwalkedoutwithLedi
.
Forthefi
rstt
imeIact
ual
l
yheardasinceri
tyi
n
t
hesoundofhisvoiceandabitofdefeatt
oo.
Ni
tapul
ledmeinherar msandIstayedther
e
f
orthel
ongestbeforel
ett
inggo.
Ni
ta:
whati
fhei
stel
l
ingt
het
rut
h?
Wewer
esi
tt
ingont
opoft
hebedatt
heedge
Me:youandIbot
hknowhecannev
erl
etaski
rt
passhi
m by
Her:butYandiswaheseemedsincere.Youmay
havenotbeenl ooki
ngathi
m butIwasandthat
guyreall
ylovesyouandheistr
ying
Me:
Nit
apl
ease
“
she’
sri
ght
”
Naledisai
dwal
ki
ngi
nandcl
osi
ngt
hedoor
behindher
Ledi
:hedi
dn’
tki
ssher
,sheki
ssedhi
m
Me:
aki
ssi
sat
wo-
wayst
reet
Ledi
:Iknowhehasaterri
bler
epandal
lbuthe
di
dn’
tkissLat
hit
haback.Shecameont
ohim
andnottheot
herwayroundYandi
swa.He’
s
tr
yingandhe’
sdoi
ngitfory
ou,don’
tpushhi
m
away
Ididn’twantt
ohearanythi
ngfrom t
hem.Ledi
l
ikesMel oformeandshewoul dsayany
thing
toscor epoi
ntsforhi
m.Ineededtobeal
onef or
alit
tle.Awhil
elatert
her
ewasaknockont he
door
Ledi
:comei
n
Lat
hit
hawal
kedi
nlooki
ngev
ersoi
nnocent
.
Lat
hi:
fri
endar
eyouok?
Ledi
:fr
iend?Heht
hisgi
rl
.
Nal
edi
stoodupandwentupt
oher
Ledi
:a“f
ri
end”doesn’
tdowhaty
oudi
d.Af
ri
end
l
ist
ens!
Lat
hi:
Idon’
tknowwhatiti
syouthi
nkIdidor
whatMelot
oldyoubutIdi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing.He
cameontome
Ledi
:weallknowyouwant
edMel
okuhl
eand
whenwet r
iedst
oppi
ngyou,y
ouwant
edhi
m
morethanever
Lat
hi:
whydidyoustopmehuh?sot hathecan
bewit
hYandiswa?Meloappr
oachedmef ir
st
Ledi:
GoodLor dI’
m goingt
ohitthischi
ld!If
Melokuhl
ewant edtobewithyou,hewoul dbe
hereri
ghtnow…wi thyoubuthedoesn’twant
youLathi
tha!Accepti
tandgetov eri
t
Ihadnof
ighti
nme.Especi
all
ywher
eamani
s
i
nvolv
ed!
Ni
ta:
guy
scomeon.Let
’sbeadul
tsaboutt
his
Me:youcanhav ehi
m Lat
hitha.Youwanthim
sobadl
yright
?he’sall
yoursnowi fy
oualldon’
t
mindIwouldli
ketobelef
talone!
Ledi:y
ouheardher.getoutandi
fyoueverset
foothereagai
n…youdon’twanttoknowwhat
will
happen
Lat
hi:
youdon’
tscar
emeNal
edi
Me:
guy
spl
easej
ustgetout
!Al
lofy
ougetout
!
Isaidshout ingandev eryonewal kedoutqui etl
y
withoutsay ingany t
hingt ot heot her.IfLathitha
want st obel ieveinget tingbur ntf i
rsttoknow
nottopl aywi thf i
re,thenshecanhav eati t.I’
m
donewi thherandwi thMel okuhl e!Iwentt o
taket hatnicel ongwar m bat handcameout
rel
ax edandst ressf r
ee, afterIgoti nundert he
cover sandf ellasleepal mosti nstantly.Ihad
thi
swei rddr eam…wel lmor elikeawetdr eam.I
washav i
ngmi ndbl owi ngsexwi t
hMel okuhle…
howconv enientseei ngt hatheandIexchanged
alotofwor dst odaysot hisdr eam wasj ustun-
needed.I twast helastt hingIneededi nmyl i
fe
andatt hismoment .IwokeupwhenIwas
aboutt ocum.Iwokeupsweat ingprof usel
y .
Whatt hehel l wast hatabout ?Icannotbe
havingsexual dreamsaboutt hisguy !Aknock
cameonmydoor .
Me:
comei
n
Lediwalkedi
nwit
hat r
ayoffood.Myfr
iend
l
ovedmeshame, evenaft
erever
ythi
ngshewas
sti
l
lniceandsweettome.
Her
:youneedt
oeatLady
Me:
thanky
ou
Shesatont
opoft
hebed.
Her
:ar
eyouok?Yousweat
ing
Me:
Ihadawetdr
eam aboutMel
okuhl
e
Shel
ookedatmeandshest
art
edl
aughi
ngl
i
ke
cr
azy
.
Her
:youwhat
???
Me:
it’
snotf
unny
Her
:tr
ustmei
tis.Youguysdeci
det
ohave
makeupsexi
ny ourdr
eams.Howcool
ist
hat
???
Me:
youar
egoi
ngt
ogetoutofmyr
oom
Her
:andhereIwasworr
iedaboutmyfri
end
onl
ytofi
ndoutshe’
shavingsexi
nherdreams.
Howwasi t
?
Me:
itwasadr
eam Nal
edi
Her:
yeahso?Howloudwer
eyoumoani
ng?Di
d
youorgasm?I
’
m cur
ious
Me:itwasmind-
blowi
ngmyfr
iend.Ihad
multi
pleor
gasmsandIwokeupwhenIwas
abouttocum
Naledistart
edl aughingatmeagai nandI
couldn’thel
pbutl aughmy sel
f.Imeanitwas
crazyreall
yseei ngthatafewhour swewer e
arguingandt henawhi l
elaterI’
m suddenl
y
havingwetdr eams…i twassupermessedup
Her
:hel
ooksl
i
kehegi
vesmi
nd-
blowi
ngsex!
Webot
hlaughedandst
art
edeat
ing.
Her
:hedi
dn’
tki
ssher
.Sheki
ssedhi
m
Me:
itdoesn’
tmat
terany
mor
e
Her:
y ouprosecut
ingtheguyf
oracr
imehe
di
dn’tevencommi tYandi
swa
Me:
Iknowy
oumeanwel
lfr
iendbutI
’
m done
wit
hMel okuhleBess.Hehasagirl
fri
endandy
et
hegoesar oundkissi
ngothergi
rl
s.HowdoI
knowhewon’ tdomet hewayhedoeshis
curr
entgir
lfr
iendhuh?
Her:there’
sonlyonewayt ofi
ndout .Besides
that,
thebeautyoflove,youdon’tknowwhat
youget t
ingyoursel
finandthat
’sokaybecause
wheny oucomeout ,youcomeoutadi f
ferent
personwi t
hmuchmor eexperi
encet hanwhen
yougoti n.
Icoul
dn’targuewi t
hher .shewasr i
ght
.I’l
lnever
knowwhatMel okuhlei
scapabl eofunlessand
onlyi
fitsohappenst hatIgi v
ehim achance
butatthesamet i
mei t
’sar i
skbecauseoft he
ki
ndofper sonhei sandIdon’ tt
hinkIwantt o
bewithsomeonel i
kethat .
.
.
>>FastFor
war
dtoFr
iday
Mel ohasbeent ryi
ngt oreachmebutI ’vebeen
i
gnor i
nghi m since.Asf orLat hit
haandI …we
arepeopl ewhohappent ogot hesame
univ ersi
tyandt hat’sthat.TodayIr ecei
v eda
textwi thmyf at her’
scont actdet ai
l
sfrom aMan
namedTr evorwhoappar ent l
ywor kedwi t
hhim
att hisothercompany .I
’
v ebeencont empl ati
ng
tocal lhim becauseIdon’ tknowwhatt oexpect
from t heguyr eally
.SoIcal ledt heoneper sonI
cancountont ogi vemet hebestadv i
ce.Mom…
i
tr angf orawhi l
ebef oreitwasanswer ed.
/
/Her
:Mybaby
Me:
heyMa,
howar
eyou?
Her
:I’
m goodNanaandhowar
eyou?
Me:
I’m goodMa…soI
’
vebeensear
chi
ngf
or
myfat
her
Her
:oh?
Me:
afr
iendofhi
ssentmehi
snumbert
oday
Her
:hav
eyoucal
l
edi
t?
Me:
no.Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ouf
ir
st
Her:babyIcan’tt
ell
youwhattodo.Ifyouwant
tomeethimt henI’
m okaywi
ththatbutjustbe
car
efulok?
Me:
Iwi
l
lMah
Her:
wit
hevery
thi
ngthati
sgoi
ngonlatel
y
pl
easedon’
tmeetthi
sguyal
one,
itcoul
dbea
tr
ap
Me:
Iwi
l
lbegowi
thSi
yaMah
Her:ohokayt
hat’
sbet
ter
.HoneyIhav
etoget
backtowork,
tel
lmehowitgoesok?
Me:
wil
ldo.By
emom
Her
:By
ebaby
.Il
ovey
ou/
/
Afterthecallwi
thmom Iwenttoshowerto
preparefortoday.WhenIwasdonewashingI
l
otionedmybodyandt henworelowcutbl
ue
j
eans, al
lwhiteair
max,whit
evestandalong
cardiganthenwenttograbafr
uitandheaded
toMr sMbi r
a’shouse.I
twasbeyondtheword
beauti
ful
!Thiswomanhadmoneyf orday
sby
thel
ooksoft hi
ngs.Sheshowedmearoundand
sheint
roducedmet oherdaught
er.
Li
nda:mom showedmeyourpor
tfol
i
oandi
t
speaksv
olumesbabe!
Me:
thanky
ou
Her
:howol
dar
eyou?
Me:
I’
m 18.Congr
atzongr
aduat
ing
Her
:thanky
ou.Comewi
thme
Sheledmet ootherplacesofthehouseand
showedmewher etotakepictur
esandwhi ch
roomshav ethebestl i
ghti
ngandpr ett
ymuch
everyt
hingelse.Peoplestar
tedcomi ngin,
apparentl
ytheywer egoingtohav eafamily
dinnertodayandt hentomorrowisthebirt
hday .
Iwenthomear ound3pm andIwassupert ir
ed
butthepaywaswor t
hitsoIhadnocompl ai
nts.
ThenextdayIwokeupsuperear l
yandheaded
toherplaceagain.Itookdozensofpi ct
uresof
herandherf ami l
y,shehadhi r
edavideogr
apher
tooforherthingy.AsIwasbusywal ki
ngaround
captur
ingever ytom-dick-
andharr
yIsaw
Melokuhlesoci al
isi
ngwi t
hsomepeopl eand
sadl
yhesawmeseehi m andheheadedmy
way.
Hi
m:Yandi
swa
Me:
Mel
okuhl
enotnow
Him:when?I
’v
ebeencal
l
ingy
oubuty
oudon’
t
answermycal
ls
Me:
Mel
okuhl
epl
easenother
eandnotnow.
Hi
m: whyYandi
swa?Justt
ell
whenandI
’
llbe
t
here
Justt
henLi
ndacameov
ert
ous.
Her
:Der
ri
cky
oucame
TheyhuggedandIdeci dedtoVani
shwhi l
ethey
conver
sedandwenti nsidethel
ounge.AsIwas
busycapt
uringever
ymomentIsawt hegirlI
bumpedintoatthemal ltheot
herday.She
wal
kedov
ert
ome.
Her
:I’
mreal
l
ysor
ryaboutt
heot
herday
Me:
itsokhoney
.Thi
ngshappen
Her
:soy
out
heonewhot
ookt
hepi
ctur
esher
e?
Me:
hihi
yesIdi
d
Her
:that
’sawesome.Theyar
ebeaut
if
ul
Me:t
hankyou.Ar
eyoui
nany
wayr
elat
edt
o
Mi
ssParty
?
Her
:she’
smycousi
nact
ual
l
y
Me:
wow.
Her
:hermot
heri
smyf
ather
’sy
oungersi
ster
Justaswewer etal
kingIfeltsomeonegr
abmy
arm.Itur
nedandMel okuhlewasbehindme.
Thisguydoesn’
tgiv
euphuh?
Her
:Mel
o
Hi
m:heyl
i
ttl
eone.MayIst
eal
herf
or5mi
nut
es
Her
:youcanhav
eher
Shesai
dleavi
ngmewi t
ht hi
sguy.Wewer
ein
thel
oungeanditwassortofempty
Hi
m:nowcanwet
alk?
Me:what
’st
her
etot
alkabout
?Wher
e’sKat
e
any
way?
Hi
m:soci
ali
sing.Comewi
thme
Me:
NO!
Hi
m:Yandiswacanyoust
opbeingst
ubbor
n
j
ustt
hisonceandcomewithme!
Il
ookedar
oundandt
henhepul
ledmeintowhat
l
ooksli
keanof
fi
ceandhel
ockedthedoor
behi
ndus.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
23]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
24-
Mel
o
Yandi swahasbeenav oidingmesi ncet he
Lathithaissueofwhi chIf eelli
keshewas
maki ngabi gdealoutofnot hing.Igetwhati t
l
ookedl i
kebuti twasn’ t
.Lat hithahasbeen
tryi
ngt ocont actmesi ncet heincidentgoi ngon
andonabouthowmuchsheenj oy edtheki ss
offwhi chitwasn’ tevencl oset obei ngon.I ’v
e
blockedherev erywhereshecanpossi blyreach
butshedoesn’ tknowwhent oqui tthatandI ’m
reall
yst arti
ngtogetpi ssedbyherchi l
dishact s.
Katehasbeengoodt omebutmyhear t
belongedt oYayawhoj ustwasn’ ttalkingtome.
SaturdayIpi ckedKat eupatherpl aceandwent
totheMbi raresidencewher eev ery t
hingwason
point,thesepeopl ereallygoov erboar d…but
thenagai nwhocanbl amet hem?Themom i sa
reti
redRadi ographerandt hedadi sa
successf ulbusinessmanwi t
hast ri
ngof
compani es.Ineededt ot alktoYandi swa,Ican’ t
l
eavel
ikethi
s!Ijustcan’
t!Shel
ookedatme
wi
thherbeauti
fulnotsobigeyes.
Her
:tal
k!
Me:
YandiswaIdidnotkissLat
hit
ha.Sheki
ssed
meandIdidn’
trespond
Her
:it
’sdoesn’
tmat
terany
mor
eMel
okuhl
e
Me:
ofcausei
tdoes,
whyel
sewoul
dyoui
gnor
e
me?
Her
:Mel
okuhl
eIdon’
tgetpaidt
ogobackand
f
ort
hwit
hyouovernot
hing.mayIgodomyjob?
Me:I’
l
lpayyouwhat
evertheypay
ingy
ouwith
i
nter
esti
fIhavet
ojustaslongaswegett
otalk
Her
:aboutwhatMel
okuhl
e?
Me:Iknowyoufeelt
hesamewayIf eel
about
youYandi
swa!Stopfi
ght
ingt
hisal
ready
Her
:youhav
eagi
rl
fr
iendMel
okuhl
e!
Me:
butI
’
minl
ovewi
thy
ou!
Her
:youknownot
hingaboutl
oveMel
okuhl
e.
Youwouldn’
tknowi
tev
eni
fitsl
appedy
oui
n
thef
ace
Ichuckledindi
sbel
i
ef.Wassheser
iousl
ygoi
ng
tobelikethi
s?
Me:
Idi
dn’
tcomeher
etoar
guewi
thy
ou.
Her
:thendon’
t.l
eav
emethefuckal
one
Mel
okuhle!St
ayawayf
rom me!
Me: noti
nami ll
iony ear
sYandiswa!Iknowy ou
fel
ttheconnectionwhenweki ssed,Iknowy ou
havefeeli
ngsformeasmuchasIhav efeel
ings
foryouandt hi
slit
tl
eactwon’tgetyou
anywhere.Itwi
llonlybri
ngbothofusmi ser
y.I
meantev er
ywor dwhenIcalledyout hat
morning.YouarewhoIwantt obewi th
Her
:whataboutKat
e?
Me:justsaythewordandI’
l
lendt
hingswi
thher
Yandiswa.Pleasej
ustgi
vemeachanceto
prov
emy sel
ftoyou
Shel
ookedatmeal
mostasi
flooki
ngf
oraway
outoft hi
ssit
uation.Ican’
tbeli
evethatI’
m
actuall
ybeggingsomeonet obeina
rel
ationshi
pwi t
hme.Whati shappeningtome?
Ift
hisiswhaty oupeopl ecal
ll
ove,theniti
s
harderthanIthought.
Her:Melokuhl eKateisherebecauseofyou,the
l
astthingy ouwantt odoist obreakupwithher
hereandev enso,howcer t
ainam Ithaty
ou
wouldn’tdomet hewayy oudidher?howam I
surethaty ouwon’tgobehindmybackandki ss
someoneel se?Howsur eIam thatyouwon’t
confessy ourfeel
ingstosomeoneel seli
keyou
doingtoKat enow?
WhydoesYandi swahav
etocompl
i
cat
ethi
ngs
unnecessar
il
y??
?
Me:that
’st
hebeautyofit
.webothdon’
tknow
whatiti
swegett
ingoursel
vesi
nto
Her:I
’m sor
ryMelokuhl
ebutI’
m notr
eadyto
buil
dmyhappinessont opofanot
hergi
rl
’s
tear
s.
Withthatsheheadedt othedoorandwal ked
outonme.Idon’ tunderstandwhysheisbeing
l
ikethis!she’
ssodi f
fi
cult
.Iwalkedoutand
wenttof i
ndKateandIf oundhersocial
isi
ng
andpeopl eseemedt oli
keher.Ihuggedher
fr
om behi ndandkissedhercheek.
Her
:heyst
ranger
.Wher
edi
dyour
unof
fto?
Me:t
oansweraphonecal
lbaby
.I’
mreadyt
o
l
eav
e,ar
eyou?
Her
:butt
hepar
tyhasn’
tev
enst
art
ed
Me:
wecanmakeourown
Isai
dgr
abbi
ngherassandshegi
ggl
ed
Her
:wearei
npubli
cDer
ri
ck.Whati
fyour
par
ent
ssawthat
?
Me:
lett
hem see.Socanwego?
Her
:onl
yifwe’
l
lcomebackl
ateron
Me:
real
l
ybabe?
!
Iaskedsar
cast
ical
l
y.Ineededt
ogetawayf
rom
Yandi
swa!Ij
ustneededt
obeawayf r
om her
andKatewasmakingthi
sdi
ff
icul
t.
Her:
yes.Weher
efory
ourf
ri
endandsheneeds
youher
e
Me:
finewe’
l
lcomebackt
hen
Wewal kedtomycarhandi nhand, Ispott
ed
Yandi swaandshej ustlookedaway .Wegott o
mycarandIdr ovestraightt omypl ace.Iwas
somadatherIneededsext oeraseheroutof
mymi nd.Wegott omyapar t
mentandIpi nned
Kateont hedoorandki ssedherf ordearlifeas
myhandmadei tswaydownt oherass, she
didn’
tf ightmeorwhat soev er,
shegav einl i
keI
want edhert o.BeforeIknewi twewer ebot h
nakedandIwaspoundi ngonherhar dunt i
lshe
came, Itookust omybedr oom andwentati t
againt henpul l
edout.Wewer ebothont hef l
oor
tr
y i
ngt ocat chourbreat hs.Icuddledher…
somet hingIneverdobyt heway .
Her
:whatwast
hatabout
?
Shesai
dinbet
weenheav
ybr
eat
hs
Me:
Ihadacr
appyday
Her
:tal
ktome
Me:
itswor
kbabedon’
twor
ryi
t.
shel
ookedupandki
ssedmet
henwest
ayed
l
iket
hatforawhi
l
e.
Me:
don’
ttel
lmey
ousl
eepi
ng
Her
:hav
eyouev
erhadsexwi
thy
ou?
Ichuckl
ed
Me:IwishIcoul
dsayy
esbutnope…nev
erdi
d.
Comelet’
sgowash
Her
:5mor
emi
nut
espl
ease
Me:y
ousai
dweshoul
dgobackl
adysowake
up
Her
:fi
ne!
Wegotupandwenttoshower,wehadanother
st
eamysessi
onbef
orewashingproper
lyand
thenwentt ogetdressedi
nwhatwewer e
wearing.Wedr ovebacktothe21standtheday
wentwel l
,mom kill
edherspeechandaft
erthat
ItookKat ehomeandIwentt osleepatt
he
BessMansi on.Thefoll
owingdayIwokeupand
shower edthenheadeddownstai
rsweari
ng
short
sandav est.
Me:
mor
ningFami
l
y
I
ntheki
tchenwasMom andmysi
ster
s.
Them:
hel
l
o…
Me:
wher
e’sdad?
Mom:
sti
l
lsl
eepi
ng
Me:
Iwonderwhaty
oudi
dtohi
m
Isai
dgivi
ngheranaught
ysmil
eandever
yone
l
aughed,shet
hrewmewi t
haswabandIcaught
i
tlaughi
ng
Mom:Mel
okuhl
eIwi
l
lsmackt
heday
li
ght
sout
ofy
ou
Yana:
wenotkidsany
moremom.Weknow
whatyouguy
sdobehindt
hosedoor
s
YanaandIf
istbumpedl
aughi
nghar
d
Me:
onsomebabymaki
ngt
ipsoear
lyi
nthe
mor
ningmom
Mom:
heht
heseki
ds!Iam outofher
e
Shesai
dwalki
ngtowardsthestai
rslaughi
ng.
Wewer eal
li
nsti
chesoflaught
er.Ihadthebest
fami
lyEVER!
Ase:youandYandi
swadi
sappear
edf
orawhi
l
e
yest
erday
…
Me:
yeahso?
I
ya:
what
’sgoi
ngonbet
weeny
out
wo?
Ase:t
heyki
ssedthatni
ghtwewentt
ocel
ebr
ate
Yandi
swagett
ingajob
Me:
uyaphapha!(
yousof
orwar
d!)
I
ya:howdoInotknowal
lthi
s?whywasInot
t
old?
Me:becauseitwi
ll
neverhappenagai
n.I
’
m
donewithYandi
swa!
AseandI
yal
ookedateachot
herandbackat
me.
I
ya:
whatdi
dshedot
oyou?
Me:
Idon’
twantt
otal
kabouti
t
Igotmy
sel
fabot
tl
eofwat
erf
rom t
hef
ri
dge
Ase:
ist
hisaboutt
heki
sst
heot
herday
?
Me:
Isai
dIdon’
twantt
otal
kabouti
tGeeez!
Igotst or
medout .Itookmykey sont hekey
rackanddr ov et
olordknowswher e.Ineededt o
breathe.Idon’ tunderstandwhyI’
ml i
kethis
whenIhadt hebestsexev erj
ustyest er
day .
Yandiswaneedst ogetoutofmyhead.If ound
my selfparkedi nfrontofmyapar t
ment .Itook
mykey sandwentupt hestai
rs,
IfoundLat hitha
standingbyt hedoor…
Me:
howdi
dyouknowwher
eIl
i
ve?
Her
:Ihav
emyway
s.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oletmei
n?
Me:
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Her
:toapol
ogi
set
oyou
Me:
ok…apol
ogi
set
hen
Her
:ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
oletmei
n?
Me:
Lat
hit
hawhatexact
lyar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Shegr abbedthekeyf r
om myhandandopened
mydoor .Ihadnoar gumenti nmesoIl etherbe.
Shewal kedinandIwal kedinaf terher.Shewas
wearingbum shor tsandacr opt opwi tha
sandal.Inevernot i
cedhowhotshel ookedunt i
l
Isawherf rom behi ndanddar eIsayt hev i
ew
wasi mmacul ate!Iclosedt hedoorandshe
pinnedmeont hedoorandki ssedme, I
respondedt hi
st i
mear ound.Thi siswhatshe
want smospl usYandi swai soutoft hepi ctur
e
soImi ghtaswel l
hav eatit.Iledhert ot he
room whilekissingherandt akinghercl othes
offwhileshet ookmi neof f.Ithrewheront he
bedandonet hi
ngledt oanot
her.Whenwe
weredoneIwentt odisposeofthecondom and
showeredthenwentbackt otheroom wit
ha
towelwrappedaroundmywai st.
Her
:thatwasAMAZI
NG!
Me:
yeahi
twas
Her
:don’
ttel
lmey
oushower
edwi
thoutme
Me:Lathi
thaItol
dy ouwhatki
ndofguyIam
andI’
m cert
ainyourfri
endsdi
dtoo
Her
:butwej
usthadsex!
Me:Iknowandt
hatwasi
t….sex…Ihav
ea
gi
rl
fr
iend
Her
:isi
tYandi
swa?
Me:
I’
m donewi
thy
ourf
ri
enddude
Her:
Ithoughtyousai
dyoudi
dn’
tdo
r
elat
ionshi
ps?
Me:IknowwhatIsai
dbutnowI
’
mtr
yingt
otur
n
ov
eranewleaf
Her:
youshouldhavet
houghtof“
her
”bef
ore
youkissedmebackDerr
ick
Shegotupandwor eherthi
ngs.Ithi
nkshewas
madandhur ttoobutIwasn’ tf
azedreall
y,Ijust
wantedhergone.Iwenti ntomycl osetand
woremybr iefsandshor t
sthenheadedt ot he
ki
tchenwher emyphonepr obablyi
s.Isearched
andsearchedbutcoul dn’
tfindit
.Iwentbackt o
myr oom andIf ounditonthedresser,i
fhowi t
gotthereIalsodon’tknow.Lathit
hawas
dressed.
Her
:Kat
ecal
l
ed
Me:
youdi
dn’
tansweri
tdi
dyou?
Her
:doesi
tmat
teri
fIdi
d?
Shesaidwi thsomeatti
tudeandt henwalked
out.Lat
hithawasreall
ytesti
ngmypat ienceI
swear.Itookmyphoneandcheckedmycal l
l
ogsandr eal
lyKat
edidcallandthecallwas
answered.Itri
edcall
i
ngherbutherphone
wouldringandgot ovoicemail
,Ikeptcall
ing
until
itsentmest rai
ghttovoicemai l
.Itookout
at-shir
tandwor eitandwor eshoesandheaded
outtomycaranddr ovestraighttoherplace.I
gotthereandknockedbutnot hing.Ical
ledher
butwentst rai
ghttovoicemail.Ibangedont he
doorunt i
lIheardthekeyturn.Myhear tstar
ted
raci
ngr eal
lyfastbecauseIdidn’tknowwhatt o
expectfrom her.Iwasscared!Sheopenedt he
door
Me:
BabyIcanex…
Bef
oreIcoul
dev
enf
ini
shshesl
appedme
Me:
Kat
epl
ea…
Shesl
appedmeagai
non
Her
:Inev
erwantt
oseey
ouagai
nDer
ri
ck!
Me:
whatdi
dLat
hit
hasayt
oyou?
Her
:Der
ri
ckl
eav
e!
Me:
Kat
eI’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
eunt
ily
out
alk
t
ome
Shetr
iedcl
osi
ngt
hedoorbutIst
oppedi
twi
th
myfoot.
Me:Kat
ePl
ease.What
everLat
hit
hat
oldy
ou,
it’
s
al
ie!
Her
:soy
oudi
dn’
tsl
eepwi
thher
?
Me:NO!whywoul
dIsl
eepwi
thherKat
e.Il
ove
you
Shewal
kedinsi
deandIfoll
owedbehindherand
shet
ookherphoneandpagedthrough
somet
hingandthenshetur
nedherphoneto
me.
Her
:whywouldshebenakedony ourmessed
upbedDer
ri
ckifnot
hinghappened?
-Iam goi
ngtokil
lthatbi
tchIswear!-Shesent
Kateapictur
eofhernakedwi t
hmyphone.I
knewshewasmessedupbutt hi
s,thi
sis
anotherl
evelofmadness!
Me:
Kat
eIcanexpl
ain
Her
:youwer
enev
err
eadyf
orar
elat
ionshi
p
Derr
ickandyouneverwi
ll
be.YouandIar
e
done!Yougotwhatyouwant
edright
?pl
ease
l
eave
Me:
Kat
ePl
ease
Her
:GETOUTDer
ri
ck!
Me:
Lathi
thai
scr
azyandshewoul
ddoany
thi
ng
t
ogetwit
hme
Her:ohsoy ouguysdidn’
thavesex?Thi
sisnot
yourroom andthosesheetsbehi
ndherarenot
yoursri
ght
?
Me:
Kat
ecomeon
Her
:let
’sgot
oyourhouseDer
ri
ckandsee
Me:
fine!Isl
eptwi
thherandI
’
m sor
ry
Her:
y ouar
eincapabl eofbeinginaser i
ous
r
elat
ionshi
p.Idon’tknowwhyIt houghtI’
dbe
t
heonet ochangey ou.Ithasn’tevenbeena
weekandalreadyy ou’v
echeatedonme? !I
t
houghtpeoplewer emaki ngupst or
iesabout
youbutyouractuall
ywor sethanthestoriesI
’
ve
hear
d.LeaveDerr
ickandlosemynumberand
anyt
hingandever
y t
hingy
oucoul
devercontact
meon, I
’l
ldot
hesame!
Shesai dopeningthedoorformeandt henshe
l
ookedaway .Ihatet
hatIhurther
,Ihatemy sel
f
andIhat eLathit
haevenmor e!Myfi
rst
relat
ionshi
pandIgoonandscr ewitup…Ireall
y
am whatev eryonesaysIam shame.Iwalkedto
mycaranddr ovetomyplace.Ineededtobe
aloneandneededadr i
nk.
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
23]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
25
ItwasaMondayandIhav en’thear dfrom
Mel okuhleev ersi
nceandImustsayI ’m gl ad
he’sf i
nall
yof fmyback.SoIf inal l
ygather edup
thecour aget ocallmydadandaskedt omeet
him andt urnsoutt heguyr esidesar ound
Durban.IaskedSi yat oaccompanymei ncase
i
t ’
sascam orwhat soev er…y oucannev erbe
toosaf enowaday swi thev erythingthat’sgoing
on.Wegott otheSpurar ound10am andI
askedmyf r
iendtosi tinthet abl ebehindusi n
caseofanyf unnybusi ness.Ispot t
edhim, wellI
hadseenhi spr of
il
epi ctureonWhat sAppsohe
wasn’ tthathardtonot i
cer eall
y .Iwalkedupt o
thet abl
e.
Me:
Hi,
I’
m Yandi
swaGxaba
Isai
dpull
ingoutmyhandt
ohi
m andhest
ood
upandresponded
Hi
m:Hi
.I’
m ThandoBashe
Imustsay
,Iact
ual
l
ysawwhatmymom sawi n
hi
m,theguywasalookershamepl
ushegav
e
methesebeauti
fuley
esaft
erall
.Ilookl
ikemy
mom yes,
buttherearet
hosefeaturesf
rom hi
m.
Wesatdown
Me:
Unj
ani
?(howar
eyou?
)
Hi
m:Fi
neandy
ou?
Me:
I'
m good.
Awaitresscamet
ot akeourorderbutIwasn’
t
upforeati
ngsoIaskedforaglassofwaterand
heorderedamealthenshelef
tus.
Me:Idon’
tknowhowt
heset
hingsar
edoneso
you’
l
lfor
giv
eme
Hi
m:whatt
hings?
Me:thi
swholething.I
’
llgetst
rai
ghttothepoi
nt.
Uyamaziu-
BabalwaGxabawaseMt hat
ha?(Do
youknowBabalwaGxabaf rom Mthat
ha?)
Hi
m:uhhm…YesIknowher
.
Me:
I'
m herdaught
er...
Hi
m:Ohok,
rightnowIdon'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Me:
Whyi
sthat
?
Hi
m:Idon'
tknow.
Me:Didy
ouknowyouhaveadaught
ert
hatj
ust
t
urned18ont
he15tht
hismonth
Him:Neverthoughtabouti
treal
l
y.t
oomuch
happenedthen.
Me:earl
y1996Shef el
lpr
egnantwit
hme...
Gavebirt
hinNovember,y
ouguy shadabl
ast
onValenti
nesIassume
Hi
m:YesI
'
m awar
eoft
hat
.
Me:
Nowwhat
?
Hi
m: Toomuchhappenedt
hatIdon'
treal
l
y
wanttogeti
nto.
Hi
m:Whatdoumeannowwhat
?
Me:
Nicet
omeety
oubyt
heway
...
Me:Imeanyouknowmenow...Youknow
aboutmyexi
stence.Nowwhat
?
Hi
m:Ohhr
eal
l
y?Youj
ustmetmeImi
ghtnotbe
whatuhopi
ngf
ori
naf
ather
.
Me:
What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Him:Justastat
ement.Asforyourquest
ion,I
j
ustheardfr
om youjustnow,y
oudon'treal
ly
expectananswerastowhatnow!Doy ou?
Me:
Oh...Soagr
eet
hatI
'
myourdaught
er?
Hi
m:Tshi
n,uy
andi
test
erkant
i?(
soy
out
est
ing
me?)
Me: NoI’
m not.Ij
ustwantt
oknowthatyou
acknowledgeandacceptmeasyourdaught
er.
Am Iwrongforwantingt
oknowwhomyFat her
i
s?
Thisguywasslowlypissi
ngmeof f.Just
becauseIsear
chedforhim,doesn’tmeanI
needhim…Ijustwantedtoknowt hekindof
personheisandthat
’sthat.
Hi
m: I
fyounotsurei
fI'
myourf
athert
henwhat
makesyouthi
nkthatIam?
Hi
m:Andwhatdoesy
ourmom sayaboutal
l
t
his?
Me:
SheknowsI
’
m meet
ingupwi
thy
ou
Him:Iknowwehadsomet hingwi
thBabes
whichneverendedver
ywel lduet
ointer
fer
ence
ofourparent
s.Butaft
erwardsIdon'
tknow
whathappened.
Hi
m:howdouknowaboutme?Whosenty
ou
t
omeifshenev
ersenty
ou?
Me:Nott osoundr udeoranythi
ngli
kethatbut
It
’sf
unnyt hatyouwantanswer sfr
om mey et
younotwi l
li
ngtoanswermi ne.Mymom t ol
d
mey ourname, surnameandt haty
ouinthe
agri
cult
urebusiness.Sono-onesentmet oyou.
Iwasjustcuriousastowhoy ouare
Him:Ialwayshav eproblemswhenkidsstar
t
nothavingrespectforthei
rel
der
s.AnywayI'
m
boundtoaskquest i
onsbecausethisisa
matterthatIwouldexpectyourmothert
o
handle.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryy
ouf
eel
disr
espect
ed
Isai
dsar
casti
cal
l
y.Sur
elyhedoesn’
tthi
nkI’
l
l
apol
ogi
sefort
hewayIspeaktohimifhe’
snot
wil
li
ngt
ospeaktomeliketheel
derheis
Me:r
espectisatwo-wayst
reetbytheway,you
gi
vei
tinordert
or ecei
vei
t…I’
mj ustsay
ing
Hi
m: Ineedal
ltheanswer
stothequesti
ons
t
hatIhave,t
ogetclar
it
ybefor
eIcanstart
t
alki
ng.
Him:Formet odothat,
youhav etoanswermy
quest
ionsbecauseIdon'twanttocauseany
badvibesbet
weeny ouandy ourmom because
ofme.
Me:Mymom andIar ever
yclose.Butshe'
s
al
readydeal
i
ngwithtoomuchbaggaget hatI
don'
twanttost
ressheroutbybri
ngingyouup
j
ustyet.
Hi
m:I
'
mli
steni
ng.
..
..
.
Hi
m:Ok
Hi
m:Sothi
squestofl
ooki
ngf
oruThando,
tel
l
memoreabouti
t.
Me: Mymom t oldmel i
ttl
eabouty ouawhi le
back.Tol dmemydad' snamei sThandoBashe
andhe' sf rom Tabankul u.Ididn'treallylook
muchi ntoi tbackt hen; IguessIwasn' tr eall
y
i
nt oitassuchcausemyf amilymadesur ethatI
nev erfeelf atherl
ess.Butt hemor eIgr ewupI
felttheneedofwant i
ngt oknowy ou...Iguess
beingat eengott hebestofmecausei t
’snot
ri
ghtnotknowi ngyour2ndf ami l
y .Sol asty earI
star t
edsear chingbutnev ergotany wher eand
soIputi tonhol dtofocusonr at hermuchmor e
i
mpor tantt hingssuchasmybooksandot her
per sonal f
ami l
ymat ters.Thisy earIf i
gur edI
shoul dtryagai nandsoIf oundal inktoy ou
whi chisMrTr evor'
semai landt her estiswhat
i
tisnow.You' r
eahar dmant of i
ndMrBashe!
Hi
m:Hehehe.
..
Hi
m:Andnowhowdouf
eel
wheny
ouhav
e
f
oundThandoBashe?
Me:
Not
hingwowabouti
treal
l
y...
Mywat ercameal
ongwit
hhi sfood.Iwasso
annoyedbythi
sman;i
twasasi fI’mtal
ki
ngt o
someonewhonevercont
ributedjackshi
iti
n
makingme.
Hi
m:Ohhhokke.
Me:Howoldar
eyou?ar
eyoumar
ri
ed?Doy
ou
hav
ekids?
Hi
m: Lot
softhem.Notmarr
ied.3ki
ds.St
il
l
l
ooki
ngf oraj
ob.Toest
abl
i
shmyowncompany
i
nfact.
Me:
Goodl
uck.
Him: Lasty
earItr
iedworkingforcompany
cal
ledKohwabuti tnev
erwor kedout.I
'
m
pursuingmini
str
yaswel l
.Gotacalli
ng.
Ilookedathimtryi
ngt ohol
dbackl aught
er.
Thi sguycl
aimstohav eacal
li
ngy etheis
talkingt
ohisdaughterli
ket
his?Idon’tknow
whichGodhei
shopi
ngtoser
vebutmayt
he
goodlor
dbewit
hhiminhi
squest
.
Me:
Hopeal
lgoeswel
lfory
ouMrBashe
Me:
Sowhi
choneam i
?
Hi
m:y
ouar
e4i
ntot
al
Ikepttryingtopi
cturet
hisguystandi
ngi
nfront
ofacr owdandpr eachi
ngaboutfamil
ybutI
couldn’tgetanyt
hingbecauset
hatwouldbe
hypocriti
calofhi
mi nsomanyway s.
Me: Mom tol
dmet hatwhenherf amilywentt
o
yourhomet or epor
tthatyouhadmadeher
pregnant,
yourf ami
lydeniedyouhav i
ngmade
herpregnant.Yourfamil
ymademymom seem
l
ikesomel oosewhor e.Excusethelanguage
Him:l
ikeIsai
d.Thi
sisnott
heconv
ersat
ionI
shoul
dbehavingwit
hyou
Me:
why
?
Him:t
hisi
snotthet
imenorpl
acet
obegoi
ng
downmemorylane
Me:Whydidyoudenymaki
ngmymot her
pr
egnantwhenyouknowver
ywel
lthatyoudi
d
i
t?
Him:Myfat
hermademedenyit.myparent
s
werever
ystr
ictandIwoul
dhav
elostev
eryt
hing
hadIsai
dyesIdidit
Me:ok.whathappenedwheny ouwer
en’
t
dependentont
hem anymore?Whydidyout
ry
tocontactmymom agai
naf t
er?
Him:l
ook.Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etr
yingt
o
gai
noutofallt
his
Me:I’mj ustachildlooki
ngf oranswers.Idon’
t
understandwhyagr ownassmanwhoknewhe
hasachi lddidnotdoany t
hingtotryandget
contactwi t
htheirchil
dwhent heywereableto.
ImeanYouf ini
sheduni ver
sityandyouwer eno
l
ongerdependentony ourparentsbutsti
lly
ou
di
dn’tdoany t
hingtoreachoutt ome
Iwasnowpissedt
othecor
e.Thi
smanwas
bei
ngchi
ldi
sh.
Hi
m: li
keIsai
dbefor
e.Idon’
trespondwel
lto
di
srespect
ful
kids
Me:andIdon’
trespondwel
ltodi
srespect
ful
adul
ts.
Hechuckl
edi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
Me: look,Idi
dn'tcontactyoubecauseIwant
anythingfrom youbecausehonest lyIam
sortedinalll
evelsoflife.Ijustwant edtoknow
thekindofmany ouar eMrBasheandIcan’ t
sayI ’
mi mpressed,Ifeelsor r
yf orthepeople
thatwi l
lsi
tinyourcongr egationandl ist
ento
whatev erhypocrisythaty ouwi ll
bepr eachi
ng.
Sorryforwast i
ngy ourtimeI ’
llneverbotheryou
again.By e
.
Itookmybagandwal kedouthol
dingback
tears.Iwassopi ssedtothatpoi
nt.Thi
sman
wasmaki ngmesomet hi
ngI’
m not.I
’m av
ery
respectfulpersonbuthewasmaki ngme
somet hi
ngel se.Si
yaranbehindmeandhe
openedthecarandIgotinandj
ustcr
ied.He
gotinhi
ssideandbrushedmyback.
Hi
m:whathappenedi
nther
e?
Icoul
dn’
tev
ent
alk,
that
’showmadIwas.
Me:
pleasej
ustt
akemehome
Him:Yandi
swapl
easet
ell
mewhathedi
dto
you
Me:Idon’
tknowwhatIwast
hinki
ngmeet
ing
hi
m!MygodIam somad!
hebr
ushedmyback
Hi
m:Yandi
cal
m down.j
ustbr
eat
heok
Icouldfeelmyl ungsclosingup,Icoul
dn’t
breathe,l
etalonetalk.Ithi
nkIwashav i
nga
panicattack.Siyadidn’
taskanyquest i
ons,he
drovemest r
aighttohospital
andIwas
attendedto.Idon’tknowwhenIpassedoutbut
whenIwokeupIwasi nahospit
al bedwithLedi
,
Nita,Si
hleandSi yasitt
ingnextt
ome.
Ledi
:thankgody
ou’
reawake.
Si
hle:
youscar
edus!
Me:
guy
sI’
mfi
ne
Ni
ta:
whathappened?
Si
ya:
docsay
sshehadapani
cat
tack
Ledi
:whatdi
dthatsper
m donorsayt
oyou?
Me:I’
l
ltel
lyoual
labouti
tlat
eron.Fornow,
I
wanttogohome
Siy
a:docwant
stokeepy
ouov
erni
ghtt
omake
sureyouok
Me:I
’
mfi
neSi
ya.Thanksf
orev
ery
thi
ngmy
f
ri
end
Si
ya:
whatar
efr
iendsf
or?
!
Ismiledfai
ntl
y.Icoul
dn’tstopthi
nkingabout
theconversat
ionIhadwi t
ht hesperm donor,
yesthat’
sexactl
ywhathei st omebecausea
fat
herwoul dnevert
alktohisdaughterthatway
ormay beIwatchwayt oomucht el
evi
sion.The
Doccamet ocheckuponmeandt urnsoutI
wasoksoIaskedhi mt ogohomebuthe
refused,saidhewant stomakesureIdon’ t
hav eanotherepisode.Lateronmyf ri
endsl eft
andIwasy etagainst uckinmyownt hought s.
Themedswer ekickinginmakingmef eel
drowsy .Il
ookedatt het i
meandi twasonl y
after12pm…howl ongwasIoutkant i?I
decidedt ogetonWhat sAppandanswer
people’stexts.Myphoner angandIanswer edit.
i
twasmom.
/
/Her
:thankgoodnessy
ouok.
Me:
heymom…
Her
:Si
yat
oldmey
ouhadapani
cat
tack
Me:
I’
m okmom
Her
:whatdi
dhesayt
oyou?
Me:nothi
ngyoudi
dn’
twarnmeabout
.
Appar
entl
yhehasacall
i
ngandwil
lpr
obabl
y
pur
suemi ni
str
y
Shel
aughedathowsar
cast
icIwas
Her
:nowt
hat
’saser
viceIwoul
dli
ket
oat
tend
Me:
Iknowr
ight
Her
:butar
eyouok?
Me:I’
ll
befinemom.I ’
m atpeaceknowi
ngthe
ki
ndofpersonhei s.Hemayhav enotsaiditi
n
manywordst hathedoesn’twantmebutInev er
neededhi
mi nthef i
rstpl
ace.Mylif
eisbett
er
off
Her
:ohbaby
.I’
m sor
ry
Me:it
sokmom.Real l
yiti
s.Heh,hewasouchea
goi
ngonandonabouthowhe’ ssupposedtobe
hav
ingtheconv
ersati
onwithyouandnotme.
Sayshehasaproblem wi
thdi
srespect
ful
kids
Her
:imagi
ne!Doesn’
theknowthatr
especti
sa
t
wo-waystr
eet,
yougivet
orecei
veit
Me:
that
’sexact
lywhatIsai
dtohi
m
Ihear
dthedooropen,
Ilookedupandwasmet
byMel
okuhl
eBess…-
whati
shedoi
ngher
e?-
Me:
mom…Ihav
etogo
Her
:okbaby
.I’
l
lcheckupony
oul
ater
Me:canyoucal
lthi
shospi
tal
andt
ell
them t
o
di
schar
gemealready
Shel
aughed
Her
:it
’sj
ustone-
nightbaby
.Youwon’
tdi
e
Idon’tl
ikehospit
als.Ther
e’sjustsomet
hing
creepyaboutthem asawhol e.Theymakemy
bl
oodr ace.
Me:
byemom
Her
:by
ebaby
.Il
ovey
ou
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo/
/
Hewal
kedov
ert
omybed…-
Godhel
pme!–
.
.
<3
[10/
07,
20:
23]Wadz
:*WI
THPAI
NCOMES
LOVE*
.
.
26-
Mel
o
Evenwi t
hat er
ribl
ehangov erlif
eneededt ogo
on.Igott oworkonsome“ Don’tfuckwithme”
ti
p.Iburiedmyselfinapi l
eofuncl osedcases
unti
l I
twaslunchtime, wellunti
lAsemahle
walkedinallhi
ppywi thlunch.Iwasi nnomood
forherandherlecturesreallybutIhadno
choicereall
y.
Her
:Heyt
winny
Me:
ify
ouher
etogi
vemeal
ect
ure,
sav
eit
Her
:what
’swr
ongwi
thy
ou?Ij
ustbr
oughty
ou
l
uncht
hat’
sal
l
Shesai
dclear
ingmytabl
eandmovingsome
fi
l
esoutofthewayt
oputourfoodonthetabl
e.
Me:
I’
m sor
ry
Her
:roughni
ght
?
Me:
youhav
enoi
dea
Her
:whathappened?
Shehandedmemyt
akeawayandaf
orkand
shet
ookhers
Me:
Kat
ebr
okeupwi
thme…
Her
:what
?Why
?
Me:
Lat
hit
hahappened
Her
:who’
sLat
hit
ha?
Me:amistake.Wehadsexandshesentnude
pi
ctur
estoKat e.Li
kewhatt
hef
uck?
Her
:youki
ddi
ngmer
ight
?!
Me:
Iwi
sh.Pl
easedon’
tlect
ureme
Her:
Ihav
enoi
ntent
ionsto.It
smenli
keyou
t
hatremi
ndmewhyI’m bet
terof
fsi
ngl
eanda
vi
rgi
n
Me:
bet
terst
ayl
i
ket
hat
.
Her
:any
way
.Ourbi
rt
hdayi
sbackon
Me:
great
Her
:Ineedal
i
stofpeopl
eyouwantt
oinv
ite
Me:
youknowal
lmypeopl
e
Ishrugged.Iwasreal
l
ynotinthemoodtobe
discussingthi
sbutmysist
erwastr
yingt
o
cheermeupandt hel
eastIcoul
ddowasto
parti
cipate
Her:
yesbutIwashopingt
haty
ouhadnew
namestoaddtothel
ist…l
i
keKateorYay
a
Me:
Idon’
twantanyoft
hem t
her
e
Her:sadl
y,Yayai
smyfri
endandshewi
llmos
defbetherefort
hewhol
eweekendbyt
heway
Me:
ser
iousl
yMel
ody
Isai
droll
i
ngmyey es.Well
nothingIdoorsay
wasgoingtochangehermind.Yandiswawas
comingeit
herwayanditdi
dn’tmatterwhatI
sai
d.
Her
:yes.
Wecont i
nuedeat inglunchandchat t
ingabout
myf l
opsoft hispastweekend, shewas
l
aughingatme, whichwasn’ thelpi
ngwi tht
he
si
tuati
onatal lbutheyy ounotbl ackifyoudon’
t
l
aughdur i
ngsuchsi t
uationsright?Iwalkedher
outandIwasi namuchl ight
ermood.WhenI
gottomyof ficemyphonehadj uststopped
ri
nging,
itrangagai nandIanswer edit.i
twas
Si
ya.
/
/Me:
Hel
l
o
Hi
m:y
oubusy
?
Me:
notr
eal
l
y.Why
?
Hi
m:Yandi
swai
sinhospi
tal
Mymindki
ndofwentbl
ankf
orasecond.What
di
dhemeanYandi
swawasinHospi
tal
?
Hi
m:Mel
oar
eyoust
il
lther
e?
Me:
uhhhm…y
eah
Hi
m:di
dyouhearme?
Me:
yeah.Whi
chhospi
tal
?
Hi
m:t
heoney
ourauntusedt
owor
kin.
Me:
whathappenedt
oher
?
Hi
m:shehadapani
cat
tack
Me:
whatcausedi
t?
Hi
m: shemetwi thherfat
hertodayandthings
wentsouth.Justgoseeherwheny oucanok.if
t
herewasev eratimeYandiswaneededy ou
Melo,i
twouldbenow.St opplayi
nggamesand
j
ustbethereforhertr
uly
Me:
sur
e
Him:I’
m seriousMelo.Yandi
swaisnotoneof
yourfl
oozi
esandi fyoureall
ywanttogetwit
h
heryouwillhavetodothingsbythebook!No
short
cuts,
nogamesorwhat soever
Me:
Iheary
ou
Hi
m:by
e//
Siya’scalllef
tmespeechl ess.Imeanwhyt he
l
ect ure?Thel astthi
ngI ’
dev erdoi shur t
Yandi swapur posefully.I’
m humanand
i
mper fect,
Imakemi stakesbutIam abl eto
admi ttomymi stakesandt ryt ofixthem.
Hear i
ngt hatYay awasi nhospi talwast heworst
andhear i
ngthatherf atherwast hereasonshe
wasi nt herewasj ustsomet hingel se.Idon’
t
knowt heguybuthewasgoi ngtogetwhati s
meantf orhim andt hat’sapr omi se.Itookmy
wallet,phoneandcarkey st henheadedout .On
thewayoutIbumpedi ntothebi gbosshi mself.
Hi
m:son
Me:
dad
Hi
m:Iwasjustonmywayt
oseey
ou.Wher
e
ar
eyougoi
ng?
Me:Yandi
swai
sinhospi
tal
andIhav
etogosee
her
Him:
nosonyoucan’
t.Atleastnotnow,Ineed
yout
oat
tendameeti
ngf ormei nChest
er
Me:
nodadYay
aneedsme
Him:Iknowyouli
kethi
sgir
landallbutsonI
needyou.Youcangotoheraft
er.Iwouldn’
task
youtoifi
twasn’
timpor
tant
Me:
fine.
Him:
thanks.Checkyourmai
lIsentyouan
emai
lbri
efi
ngy ouaboutt
hemeetingyougoi
ng
to
Me:
sur
e
Hi
m:Iwil
lmakei
tupt
oyousonandt
hat
’sa
pr
omise
Ididn’
trespondt
ohim.Iwal kedoutreadi
ngthe
emai l
hehadsentme.Iwaski ndofmadt obe
honestbecausethi
swasj ustnotfair
.Iwentt
o
Chesterandthemeeti
ngt ooklongerthan
expectedandwhenitwasf inall
yoverIdr
oveto
thehospital
.WhenIwalkedi nherr
oom she
wasont hephonewi thhermot her.Ididn’tknow
whet hertowalkinanyf ur
therseeingt hatthe
l
astt imewespoket hi
ngsdidn’tgoaspl anned.I
washel lanervoustooandIdi dn’
tknowwhatt o
expectf r
om her.sheseemedsur pri
sedt osee
me, soSi y
adidn’tt
ellherIwascomi ng?I
walkedupt ohersi
deoft hebed
Her
:Mel
okuhl
ewhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:
Siy
acal
l
edme…
Her
:ofcausehedi
d.I
’
mfi
ne.Youcanl
eav
e
Me:
I’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
eYandi
swa
Shel
ookedatmeal
mostshocked.
Me:
het
oldmey
ouhadapani
cat
tack
Her
:ofcausehedi
d.
Me:canwepleasebehav
eli
keadul
tsj
ustt
his
once?
!Whathappened?Whatdi
dhedotoyou?
Her
:not
hing
Isatdown
Me: y
oucanei t
hert
alktomeandt ell
mewhat
happenedorIcansither
ealldayti
llvi
sit
ing
hoursareoverandevenso,
Ihav ethepowerto
stayevenl
onger
Her:ohri
ght
…yourf
ami
l
yownsashar
eoft
he
hospit
al
Shesaidr
olli
nghereyes.Shewasst
il
las
beaut
if
uleveninahospital
bed.
Me:
whathappened?
Her
:Ihadapani
cat
tack…
Me:
Iknowt
hatmuch.Whatdi
dhesayt
oyou?
Her
:not
hingnew
Me:
Yandi
swapl
ease
Her:
Whatar ey
oudoinghereMel okuhl
e?And
don’
ttel
lmeSiyacal
ledyou,youhadachoice
toei
thercomehereornot.Where’sKat
e?
Me:I’
m her
ebecauseIcareabouty
ou
Yandi
swa.I’
m her
ebecauseIwasworr
ied
aboutyouandIam sickandt i
redofpl
ayi
ng
gameswi t
hyou.Webot hknowhowwef eel
abouteachotherbutherewear epl
ayi
ng
gamesandt r
yingveryhardtodenywhatwe
bothfeelf
ort
heot herandtomet hat
’sj
ust
chi
ldi
shandwon’ tgetusanywhere.